Monday, October 31, 2011

Jolly Pumpkin Lupulo de Hirelo

Sour and funky with a lot of tart citrus flavors up front, followed by oak, earthiness, and very subtle vanilla. Really nice.

Jolly Pumpkin Lupulo de Hirelo - Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales - Dexter, MI

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/jolly-pumpkin-lupulo-de-hielo/155301/

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Primator Marzen

Nose is fresh grain and sweet malt as is the taste. Decent Marzen.

Primator Marzen - Pivovar Nachod - Czech Republic

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/707/36062

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fire Island Red Wagon IPA

Not a bad little IPA. Nothing to write home about, but enjoyable and easy to drink. Average.

Fire Island Red Wagon IPA - Fire Island Beer Company - Ocean Beach, NY

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fire-island-red-wagon-ipa/113421/

Carib Shandy (Lime)

A bad shandy replica. Very sweet and fruity. Would be fine if you were looking for a sweet drink to quaff while sitting on the beach in Trinidad & Tabago.

Carib Shandy (Lime) - Carib Brewery - Champs-Fleur, Trinidad & Tabago

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/carib-shandy-lime/36090/

The Duck Rabbit Marzen

Nose is sweet roasted malts and bread. Flavor is caramel, bread, a little clove. Good, but may be a little too sweet.

The Duck Rabbit Marzen - The Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery - FarmVille, NC

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/the-duck-rabbit-marzen/111268/

Friday, October 28, 2011

Rodenbach Vintage 2008

2008 vintage of one of my all time favorite beers. I love this sour and this vintage didn't disappoint. Oak, sour cherries, dark fruit, and a whole lot o awesome.

Rodenbach Vintage 2008 - Brouwerij Rodenbach - Roeselare, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/rodenbach-vintage/112249/

Three Floyds BrooDoo

Excellent! Almost IPAish with the level of hoppiness. Wish I had easy access to this beer.

Three Floyds BrooDoo - Three Floyd's Brewing Company - Munster, IN

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/three-floyds-broodoo/55239/

Monday Night Draft Kilt Scotch Ale

From last night at Taco Mac. Nose is sweet malt and smoke. Smoke flavor is definitely upfront, but it is well balance by the sweet malt.

Monday Night Draft Kilt Scotch Ale - Monday Night Brewing - Atlanta, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/monday-night-drafty-kilt-scotch-ale/151088/

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Monday Night Eye Patch IPA

Not bad, but I would rate it as just and average IPA. The body seems a little light to me.

Monday Night Eye Patch IPA - Monday Night Brewing - Atlanta, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/monday-night-eye-patch-ale-ipa/151090/

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Bruery Autumn Maple

A little to over the top in my opinion. Interesting flavor though, and decent enough for a winter warmer for sipping. I am not much of a sipper however :-)

The Bruery Autumn Maple - The Bruery - Placentia, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/the-bruery-autumn-maple/93153/

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Ommegang Aphrodite

Nose is very yeasty, alight raspberry and earth. Flavor is try raspberry, earth, yeast, and Brett funkiness. Very enjoyable.

Ommegang Aphrodite - Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown, NY

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ommegang-aphrodite/148518/

Monday, October 24, 2011

Founders Red's Rye P.A.

Nose is rye and piney hops. Flavor is well balanced between caramel Malta and bitter piney hops with a touch of rye. Went very well with wassabi goat cheese :-)

Founders Red's Rye P.A. - Founders Brewing Company - Grand Rapids, MI

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/founders-reds-rye-pa/30010/

Sunday, October 23, 2011

End Times


My friend Russell Copeland's 15% ABV IPA. Pretty heavy stuff man! Tastes a lot like a dogfish Head 120. Big hop punch and tons malty goodness.

End Times - Homebrew



Unibroue Quelque Chose

Zero carbonation and that really turned me off from the start. Thick and syrupy, tart cherries and spices. Tasted fine, buy not a style I would buy again.

Unibroue Quelque Chose - Unibroue - Chambly, Canada

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/unibroue-quelque-chose/1924/

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Terrapin Monster Beer Tour Gamma Ray

Like a big thick Hefeweizen with a bunch of honey added. Very sweet with a lot of alcohol.

Terrapin Monster Beer Tour Gamma Ray - Terrapin Beer Company - Athens, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/terrapin-monster-beer-tour-gamma-ray/114102/

Friday, October 21, 2011

Two Brothers Reprieve Schwarzbier Lager

Dark as night. Flavor is brunt grains and roasted malt with a touch of Nobel hops.

Two Brothers Reprieve Schwarzbier Lager - Two Brothers Brewing Company - Warrenville, IL

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/two-brothers-reprieve-schwarzbier-lager/142167/

Jailhouse Witness Protection

From last night at Taco Mac. This is a new beer from Jailhouse Brewery. It was a good stout, but not as tasty as their breakout stout in my opinion.

Jailhouse Witness Protection - Jailhouse Brewing Company - Hampton, GA

Http://untappd.com/beer/87107

Great Divide Hibernation Ale

From last night at Taco Mac. Not much carbonation, but tons of flavor. Sweet Caramel & toffee with a touch of coffee and a slightly bitter finish. Nice winter warmer.

Great Divide Hibernation Ale - Great Divide Brewing Company - Denver, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/great-divide-hibernation-ale/1653/

Red Brick Blond

From last night at Taco Mac. Certainly not the best blond around, but still very easy to drink. Needs a little more body.

Red Brick Blond - Red Brick Company - Atlanta, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/red-brick-blonde/50269/

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Heavy Seas Winter Storm

Interesting. Pretty good, but I'm not crazy about it. Honey, malty sweet up front followed quickly by a nice hop bitter kick.

Heavy Seas Winter Storm - Heavy Seas Brewing Company - Baltimore, MD

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/heavy-seas-winter-storm-2005-imperial-esb/53750/

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Bison Organic Honey Basil

I really enjoyed this one. Very refreshing and easy to drink. Nice herbal flavor, basil & tea with a touch of honey.

Bison Organic Honey Basil - Bison Brewing Company - Berkeley, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bison-organic-honey-basil/53156/

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Flossmoor Station Whim Series IPA

This is a nice IPA. Nose is sweet citrus and grapefruit. Flavor is grapefruit & pine with a nice malty balance. Very good.

Flossmoor Station Whim Series IPA - Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery - Flossmoor, IL

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/flossmoor-station-whim-series-india-pale-ale-no-wax/130521/

Monday, October 17, 2011

Hitachino Nest Ancient Nipponia

Honey, tropical fruit, & citrus hops. Delicious.

Hitachino Nest Ancient Nipponia - Kiuchi Brewery - Ibaraki, Japan

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/hitachino-nest-ancient-nipponia/124787/

Big Muddy Pale Ale

A local Illinois beer enjoyed complements of my evil twin Lance Martin from Chicago. Not bad little pale ale. Sweet grain & citrus hops. Malty sweet up front with a bitter hop finish.

Big Muddy Pale Ale - Big Muddy Brewing Company - Murphysboro, IL

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/big-muddy-pale-ale/128432/

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Great Divide 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

Nose is sweet, orange, caramel, & flora hop notes. Flavor is heavy malt, orange, vanilla, floral hops, and oak.

Great Divide 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA - Great Divide Brewing Company - Denver, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/great-divide-anniversary-wood-aged-double-ipa/104074/

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest

The alcohol is a bit much in my opinion. I still enjoyed drinking it, but would prefer a basic old Oktoberfest if I had to choose. Big malt backbone, Nobel hops, and alcohol.

Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest - Avery Brewing Company - Boulder, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/avery-the-kaiser-imperial-oktoberfest/37740/

Friday, October 14, 2011

Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA

Aroma is citrus, pine, & fresh grass. Flavor is much the same with a touch of Orange. Nice malt backbone. Seriously good IPA.

Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA - Dark Horse Brewing Company - Marshall, MI

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/dark-horse-crooked-tree-ipa/10327/

Duvel Tripel Hop

Super duper tripel hop deliciousness. That is all.

Duvel Tripel Hop - Duvel Moortgat - Breendonk-Puurs, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/duvel-tripel-hop/79945/

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA

A pretty nice IPA. Very well balanced, smooth, and easy drinking.

Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA - Two Brothers Brewing Company - Warrenville, IL

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/two-brothers-heavy-handed-india-pale-ale/10547/

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Three Floyds Gumballhead

Thanks to my evil twin, the other Lance Martin, I was able to get my hands on a bottle. Aroma is very Hoppy, like wort boiling after you add hops. Flavor is wheat, hops, and a touch of lemon. Very smooth and easy to drink.

Three Floyds Gumballhead - Three Floyds Brewing Company - Munster, IN

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/three-floyds-gumballhead/22764/

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lakefront Pumpkin Lager

Not bad. Pumpkin spices and a little bit of hops. Pretty nice.

Lakefront Pumpkin Lager - Lakefront Brewery - Milwaukee, WI

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lakefront-pumpkin-lager/979/

Samuel Adams New World

Solid beer. Nice spice and yeast aroma. Flavor is crisp and spicy (coriander), with banana and clove and a touch of oak.

Samuel Adams New World - Boston Beer Company - Boston, Mass

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/samuel-adams-new-world-tripel-barrel-room-collection/112477/

Monday, October 10, 2011

North Coast Old Stock Ale

Waaaayyy too sweet. Not my cup of tea at all. Poured it down the drain after a half glass.

North Coast Old Stock Ale - North Coast Brewing Company - Fort Bragg, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/north-coast-old-stock-ale/7178/

Terrapin So Fresh & So Green Green

So fresh and delicious. This is a wonderfully refreshing beer filled with fresh hop goodness. I need to go pick up a couple more bottles before they are all gone.

Terrapin So Fresh & So Green Green - Terrapin Beer Company - Athens, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/terrapin-so-fresh-so-green-green/131206/

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Lagunitas Bavarian-Styled Doppel Weizen

Very nice. Bursting with banana and clove flavors. Will definitely buy this again.

Lagunitas Bavarian-Styled Doppel Weizen - Lagunitas Brewing Company - Petaluma, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lagunitas-our-own-bavarian-style-doppelweizen/153929/

Pike Dry Wit

Yeast and coriander nose. Flavor is a lot of coriander and spice with touches of orange and lemon. Very refreshing although it probably won't win any awards.

Pike Dry Wit - Pike Pub & Brewery - Seattle, WA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/pike-dry-wit/120497/

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Red Brick Double IPA

This is a really nice DIPA. Aroma is citrus and pine hops. Flavor is malt, pine hops, citrus, and almost an orange juice sweetness. Very enjoyable.

Red Brick Double IPA - Red Brick Company - Atlanta, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/red-brick-double-ipa/146349/

Terrapin Peaotch

Interesting. Nose is peach, but more like the peach gummy rings you get at the convenience store. Flavor is peach, but not overly peachy. Not a bad little beer, but I probably wouldn't buy again.

Terrapin Peaotch - Terrapin Brewing Company - Athens, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/terrapin-midnight-project-peaotch/154661/

Friday, October 7, 2011

Great Divide Samurai Rice Ale

This beer gets a subpar score on ratebeer.com, but I thought it was pretty decent. Crisp, clean, refreshing with a touch of fruitiness. Not bad at all.

Great Divide Samurai Rice Ale - Great Divide Brewing Company - Denver, Co

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/great-divide-samurai/50723/

Cave Creek Chili Beer

Yes it is freaking spicey. There is a whole freaking chili pepper floating in the bottle. It seriously tastes like drinking jalapeño juice with a little beer added. I don't think I would drink this again, but I would definitely cook with it. It would be great in beer cheese soup, or jalapeño beer bread, or even for boiling shrimp.

Cave Creek Chili Beer - Cerveceria Mexicana - Tecate, Mexico

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/cave-creek-chili-beer/4580/

Avery Eighteen

Nose is yeast & rye. Mouth feel is kind o slick and oily. Flavor is rye, spice, hops. Not really much of a Saison. Certainly won't win any style points.

Avery Eighteen - Avery Brewing Company - Boulder, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/avery-anniversary-eighteen/145788/

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Traquair House Ale

Very sweet and very malty. Oak, brown sugar, raisin, sweet red wine.

Traquair House Ale - Traquair - Innerleithen, Borders, Scotland

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/traquair-house-ale/2012/

Southern Tier Farmer's Tan Imperial Pale Lager

Not crazy about this one. It's not horrible, but seems a bit overly bitter and the mouthfeel is a little oily. A tad much for a summer beer in my opinion.

Southern Tier Farmer's Tan Imperial Pale Lager - Southern Tier Brewing Company - Lakewood, NY

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southern-tier-farmers-tan-imperial-pale-lager/118859/

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Bischoff Dopplebock

The nose is very yeasty and grainy. Flavor is sweet malt, molasses, cherry. I tastes pretty good, but not sure it is a good dopplebock representation.

Bischoff Dopplebock - Privatbrauerei Bischoff Winnweiler

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bischoff-premium-doppelbock/7192/

Karl Strauss 22nd Anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout

Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, toffee, with a touch of earthy hops and a whole bunch of awesomeness. A++

Karl Strauss 22nd Anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout - Karl Strauss Brewing Company - San Diego, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/karl-strauss-22nd-anniversary-vanilla-imperial-stout/138345/

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Paulaner Oktoberfest/Marzen

Very mild nose if biscuit and fresh grass. Flavor is similar with also a lot of toffee. Nice and easy drinking.

Paulaner Oktoberfest/Marzen - Paulaner Brauerei - Munich, Germany

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/paulaner-oktoberfest-marzen/18727/

Bavik/BJ's Camaraderie Ale

Citrus, rosewater, passion fruit, pine, herbs. I really enjoyed this. Light, dry, and refreshing.

Bavik/BJ's Camaraderie Ale - Bavik-De Brabandere - Harelbeke, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bavik--bjs-camaraderie-ale/147173/

Monday, October 3, 2011

Southern Tier Pumking

Best Pumpkin beer I have had this year. Aroma is sweet toasted Graham Cracker and nuts, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin. Flavor is much the same, but not overly sweet. The hops balance it out nicely.

Southern Tier Pumking - Southern Tier Brewing Company - Lakewood, NY

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southern-tier-pumking/77640/

New Belgium Lips of Faith Kick

Well this is definitely different. Nose is cranberry, sour funk, oak, and a bit of fresh pumpkin. Flavor is sour cranberry & oak. Together it tastes a bit like fresh grapefruit juice. Quite enjoyable.

New Belgium Lips of Faith Kick - New Belgium Brewing Company - Fort Collins, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/new-belgium-lips-of-faith--kick/145677/

Sunday, October 2, 2011

New Belgium Lips of Faith Clutch

Interesting. Like a good porter that has been soured. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla combined with the sour tartness. Goes well with these chocolate covered expresso beans I am scarfing down like it's my job. I don't like this as much as the other sours in the Lips Of Faith series though.

New Belgium Lips of Faith Clutch - New Belgium Brewing Company - Fort Collins, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/new-belgium-lips-of-faith--clutch/145676/