Goose Island - Brand Stout

Goose Island - Bourbon County

Brand Stout - Stout aged in bourbon barrels aged in the bottle over 5 years!

Beer 7 of the 12 beers of Christmas, but since there was nothing with swans I got Goose Island

The color of this brew is black.  It's one of the darkest beers I have seen.  The head, was a nice deep brown.  No light gets through this beer, it is a black hole.  Very intriguing.

The aroma this brew gives off a sweet smell.  There are notes of molasses, chocolate, and a alcohol.  There is a slight hint of smoke, and dark fruit.  The smell is very interesting.  The alcohol is mild on the nose, and balanced well with the other scents.

On the palate this beer has flavor coming from everywhere.  The smooth creamy brew has a very mild carbonation, with hints of dark fruit like cherries, chocolate, molasses and vanilla.  The alcohol adds a wonderful warming sensation on the backend perfect for a cold winter night.  The flavors go together very well and are nicely blended so no one flavor sticks out more than another.

This 14.2% abv stout is awesome.  It has wonderful flavor, a nice body to it, and goes down very smoothly.  It is a fantastic beer to sip, and to take your time enjoying it.  9 out of 10!

The Bruery - 6 Geese-A-Laying

The Bruery

6 Geese-A-Laying: Seasonal winter ale brewed with gooseberries

This is obviously the 6th day of Christmas beer in the collection my wife got me.  The name says it all.

The color of this beer is is a reddish/brown very similar to the color of cider.  It has the same look to it too.  It's a cloudy brew with a great deal of depth to it.  It has a nice fade as it reaches the edges of the glass.

The aroma of this beer is sweet, fruity and candy like.  There is a definite note of alcohol in the smell of this beer.  The fruit in the aroma is subtle, but the smell of sugar, like hard candy is the most prominent. To me it is a wonderful smelling beer, and makes me want to drink it.

On the palate the brew is sweet, and smooth with a slight carbonation.  There is a nice warming sensation on the backside of the beer which comes from the alcohol, it is 11.5% abv.  The alcohol isn't something you can really taste though, it is nicely masked but all the flavor.  The candy like fruitiness has a cherry, and darker fruit taste to it.  There is a slight tartness that helps to balance out the sweetness a little bit.   

This beer is one of my favorites of this holiday season.  I love the way it feels and I really love the flavor.  The gooseberries add a nice layered flavor.  I enjoy a stronger beer, and this one packs a nice little punch to it.  

North Coast - Old Rasputin

North Coast Brewing Co.

Old Rasputin - Russian Imperial Stout

This is the 5th beer of the 12 beers of Christmas my wife got me.  This beer has a golden ring on the bottle, incase you are wondering how it fits into the song.

The color of this brew is a nice deep brown, almost black with a reddish tint in the head and on the furthest edges of the beer.  It is a thick brown that lets no light through it.  

The aroma is nice a full of scents.  I get some roasted malt, rich cocoa and some coffee.  The smells blend together very well, and entice you to drink this beer.  There is also a nice alcohol touch to the aroma as well.  It is a welcome smell, and let's me think this beer will warm me up as I drink it.

On the palate the beer is incredibly smooth, with a mild carbonation and a wonderful bitterness on the back side of the beer.  The coffee flavor is nice and what lasts on the backend of the beer.  It is not overpowering, and is blended in well with the cocoa flavor.  The slight alcohol essence adds a nice warming aspect to the beer.

This beer is just plain good.  It has a nice balance to it, and enough body and flavor to keep you wanting more.  The aroma is nice, and enticing, while the look of this beer screams a quality stout.   

21st Amendment - Fireside Chat

21st Amendment Brewery

Fireside Chat - Strong ale mixed with seasonal winter spices

This is the 4th day (4 calling birds) in the 12 beers of Christmas my wife got me.  The beer is in honor of FDR's radio chats, so he was making a call to America, so we have the calling connection.

The color of this beer is a wonderful chestnut brown with a slight red hue coming through in the light.  It is a clear beer, but the color makes it hard to see through.  The head of the beer is laces down the glass wonderfully adding a nice look to the beer as you drink. 

The aroma from this beer is a nice roasted malt.  There are also hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.  The nose also gets hit with a slight sweetness.  The smell isn't overpowering, it is very subtle, sneaky in a way.

On the palate the beer is a little light in body for me.  The backend has a nice balanced bitterness that goes along with the slight sweetness that you associate with the spices.  The beer has a slight brown ale feel to it.  There is a mild carbonation, and the beer goes down smoothly.

Overall this beer is ok.  The can art is awesome and makes me smile.  THe setting of FDR and an Elf having a conversation is just funny.  I think the body of this beer is a little weak.  The flavors aren't bad, but I wish the spices were a little bit stronger.  Overall it's a decent beer, 6.5 - 10.

Brasserie - Saison Dupont

Brasserie Dupont Brewery

Saison Dupont - Belgian Farmhouse Ale

This is the 3rd beer in the 12 beers of Christmas my wife got me.  A french beer, inspired by the 3 french hens.

The color of this beers is a hazy, translucent orange/straw color.  It's a very typical color and appearance for a saison.  

The aroma of this beer has a nice yeastiness too it.  You can get a get a citrus/lemon tartness.  You can also get notes of straw, and a little clove spice.  Its a mild smelling beer, with nothing overpowering.  It's a balanced aroma, but not really one that invites you to drink the beer.

On the palate the beer has a prickly carbonation that stings the tongue.  The mild clove spice adds a little bit of body to the beer.  The lemon flavor is mild and blended will into the the beer and pairs well with the yeast and malty characters of the beer.  Saisons sometimes has a funkiness to them, and this one definitely does.  There is a slight alcohol note in this beer that gives off a little warmth.  

Overall, this is a solid saison.  Saisons can be hit or miss, like a lot of beers, but I feel like this beer style is the easiest to screw up and make a just terrible beer.  This saison however is pretty good.  It is not something that will appeal to everyone, since the style is so distinctive.  I am not a fan of the carbonation of this brew, but the flavors are nice and very clean.  A good saison. 

Terrapin - Moo hoo

Terripan Beer Co.

Moo Hoo - A chocolate milk stout.

The color of this beer is a rich deep brown that is completely opaque.  It's a beer that looks completely like chocolate syrup.  It's very inviting.

The aroma of this beer gives off a nice roasted malt.  There is a nice rich chocolate scent as well.  The smell is rich and has a mild sweetness along with the roastiness.  It's a wonderful smell and perfect for a chocolate stout.

On the palate there is a nice roasted malt flavor and a slight dryness.  This beer also has a mild chocolate flavor and a sweetness that you expect from a milk stout.  The beer reminds me of a weak milk chocolate.  That's not a bad thing, just the best comparison I can make regarding the flavor.  Of course there is a slight alcohol flavor that makes this an adult chocolate milk.

Overall this is a decent stout.  There is a good amount of the flavor.  It's not out of this world, but a very solid beer, and great for cool day to have after dinner for dessert.  A good beer from Terrapin.

d'Achouffe - N'Ice Chouffe

Brasserie d'Achouffe

N'Ice Chouffe - Belgian Dark Ale - Seasonal Ale with thyme and curacoa

The color of this is a reddish-copper.  It is completely transparent, and gives everything a nice reddish tint when you look through it.

The aroma of this brew is very yeasty.  There is a slight citrus hint as well.  The scent is mild but pleasant.  There is nothing overpowering about it.  There is also a slight earthiness.

On the palate this beer has a mild, prickly carbonation.  The beer doesn't have a lot of layering to the flavor they kind of all blend together.  There is a nice hint of alcohol that warms the back of the throat, and with this beer being 10% abv, that should be expected.  There is a candy, caramel flavor that appears on the front end of the beer.  The citrus, and herbal flavors are mashed together, and each time you take a sip you notice one or the other.  On the front end of the beer, it kind of slaps you, and makes you notice the dark ale strength of this beer.

Overall, the more I drink this beer, the more I like it.  I do like stronger beers, with a lot of flavor, and this beer qualifies.  This is an excellent dark ale, that is drinkable, even though it has a higher abv, and pretty smooth.  A fantastic beer.

Beer #1 of the 12 Beers of Christmas my wife got me as my present.  There weren't any good pear beer options, so she got me a beer with a pair of Gnomes.

Troegs - Mad Elf 2012

Troegs Brewing Co.

Mad Elf - Ale brewed with honey and cherries (2012)

The color of this beer is a nice deep rust color that fades to be more golden along the edges.  The beer is only translucent, you can't see anything through this beer.  

The aroma the beer gives off sweet sugary alcohol.  There are subtle notes of fruit as well.  This beer has aged a year since I bought it, so it smells pretty strong.  

On the palate this beer doesn't have an alcohol flavor to it, which is really nice. It is smooth, with mild carbonation and the slightest warmth after the swallow. There is a nice layering of flavors to this beer.  The fruitiness comes out first then there is a flowery sense from the honey.  There is no real bitterness to this beer, but it isn't overly sweet.  The last flavor, and the one that stays on the tongue is the honey, but it isn't really sweet, so it helps to keep the beer more balanced.

I honestly can't remember what this beer tasted like last year, and I haven't had a Mad Elf from this year batch yet, but I really liking this year old batch.  It is flavorful, strong without being overpowering and has a body.  I a very happy I didn't drink them all last year, and only had one (my wife had the other) to let them age.  I like it.

DuClaw - Sweet Baby Jesus

DuClaw Brewing Co. 

Sweet Baby Jesus - Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter

The color of this beer is a thick rich brown.  It's a non-translucent brew that reminds me of melted chocolate.

The aroma this beer gives off a nice full scent of chocolate and a mild undertone of peanut butter that is sneaky and omnipresent.  There is no smell of alcohol at all, but there is a  little bit of roasted malt.

On the palate this brew is has a nice malted roastiness.  There is a nice chocolate taste throughout the mouthful of this beer. On the front end of this beer has a nice peanut buttery hit.  This beer is very smooth and also has a dryness to it, and the slightest bit of bitterness.

Overall this is one of my favorite porters.  I really enjoy the balance between the peanut butter and chocolate.  It's very flavorful, reminds me of a homemade peanut butter cup that uses natural peanut butter.  This beer is definitely worth a taste.

Winter Beers to try

Here is an article about 10 winter seasonal brews to try.
I personally want to get the 21st Amendment Fireside Chat and the New Belgium Accumulation.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/12112413/1/10-best-beer-holiday-beer-buys-of-2013.html

DuClaw - Pumpkin Retribution

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Pumpkin Retribution - Pumpkin Stout aged in bourbon barrels

The color of this beer is a dark, rich brown.  The color reminds me of either melted chocolate or and Italian espresso.  No light gets through this beer, it's to dark and has too much body.

The aroma of this beer subtle.  There are hints of chocolate, alcohol, roast malt, vanilla and coffee.  Nothing really jumps out, the overall aroma is very mild and sneaky.  

On the palate this beer is smooooooth.  It coats the tongue nicely with flavor.  You can definitely taste the bourbon in this beer and it leaves a pleasant warming alcohol after taste.  The seasonal spices like nutmeg and cinnamon play well with the chocolate.  There is a slight pumpkin flavor that is just noticeable enough to really make this a nice after dinner treat.

The short answer to whether or not I like this beer is Yes!  I feel this beer is balanced and also has loads of flavor.  I love the backend of this beer, the bourbon aftertaste is wkndeful.  The balance of the flavors was very well done.  A really nice beer.

Stoudts - Oktober Fest

 

Stoudts Brewery

Oktober Fest - Fall seasonal ale

The color of this beer is a crisp, clear amber with some red tones.  It is a nice, traditional color for this style of beer.

The aroma of the brew gives off a nice grassy hop.  There are also notes of caramel and a light sugary sweetness.  The aroma is balanced and pleasant.  

On the palate the roasted malt is the first thing you notice.  It is smooth and inviting.  The backend of the beer gives off a nice floral hop that finishes smoothly down the tongue.  The carbonation is light, not at all prickley on the tongue, which adds nicely to the flavor of the beer.

Overall I find this seasonal beer to be very good and easy to drink.  Definitely a beer worth trying.  The balance of sweetness and bitterness was very nice and there was a nice distinction between the flavors.  A well done beer by Stoudts.

New Holland - Dragon's Milk

New Holland Brewing Co.

Dragon's Milk - Bourbon Barrel Stout

The color of this beer is thick, deep and rich dark brown.  The head of the beer has a brownish tint to it as well.  The beer is barely translucent, almost no light comes through this beer.

The aroma of this brew gives off nice tones of chocolate, booze and vanilla.  The alcohol smell is strong but not overpowering.  The first thing I actually noticed was the chocolate smell.  The backend of the beer's smell has a slight spike to it, and that is where I notice the vanilla.

On the palate this beer has a strong bourbon / alcohol taste.  The The notes of vanilla and chocolate help to smooth the beer out a little bit, but not enough to take the alcohol sting out of the beer.  There is also a decent maltiness to this beer, but again the alcohol heat is the thing that you get the most.

For me this beer is way to much alcohol flavor.  I love, I mean love strong beers, but this one for me gives off to much of that pure alcohol flavor.  The vanilla, chocolate and roasted flavors of this beer are awesome, but they are masked by the alcohol.  I am not crazy about this beer, it's just ok to me.

Thomas Creek - Castaway

Thomas Creek Brewery

Castaway Chocolate Orange IPA

The color of this beer is a deep, clear copper.  It's actually quite wonderful.  It is exactly what I imagined when I read the name of this beer.

The aroma of this brew is strong with a earthy pines, a slight bit of citrus, and on the backend a nice chocolate hit.  As the beer warms, the chocolate really comes out and makes you want to drink this beer all that much more.

On the palate this beer has a lot going on.  The orange flavor combines with the pine hops to make a nice full bodied flavor.  The chocolate flavor is very mild.  It's not as strong as I would like it to be.  I wish there was more of the chocolate flavor in the body of the beer, but at least there is a little bit.

Overall this is a decent beer.  I haven't had a Thomas Creek beer since a 2011 beerfest, so it was nice to get one.  I really like the idea of this beer.  The flavors are nice, and pretty well balanced.  If you are an IPA fan definitely try this beer.

Breckenridge - Regal

Breckenridge Brewery

Regal - Double Pilsner

The color of this brew is a nice slightly hazy golden orange.  The heart of the beer is a nice rich gold that fades out nicely to a yellow/orange.  A very nice color for a pilsner style beer.

The aroma of this beer is a slight fruitiness that gives of a hint of citrus.  The beer also gives off a slight hop aroma.  Overall the aroma is faint without a lot of muscle to it.  You really have to stick your nose in the glass to smell what this beer is like.

On the palate Regal has some needly carbonation that hits the tongue and then gives off a well balanced flavor.  This brew has some notes of grass, lemon and mixes in a nice malty backbone.  The beer then transitions to finish with a slightly bitter backend.  The beer finishes dry and kind of make you smack the mouth.

I am not a pilsner fan normally, but this one isn't too bad.  First of all, the bottle art is freaking awesome, and for the bottle alone I would buy this beer.  This is a pretty good beer, and worth trying if you like Pilsners, especially a Pils with some body to it.  There is some nice flavor, and gives me faint IPA feel.  Go get one.    

Dogfish Head - Raison D'être

Dogfish Head brewery

Raison D'être 

The color of the beer is a rich deep brown.  It is thick and lets just a little bit if light through it.  There is also a slight red to the color that comes out when you look a little closer.

The aroma of this beer gives off scents of hard sugary candy.  It is sweet smelling with a hint of alcohol.  There is also a bready maltiness that has a slight hint of caramel as well.  It is an overpowering smell, but sweet and since I like hard candy I find the smell enjoyable.

On the palate beer is not as sweet as it smells.  There is a bready malt flavor, and a sweetness from dark fruits like cherries.  There is also a quick taste of caramel on the very from part of this beer.  The finish leaves you with a roasted warmth from the malts.  This part of the beer lingers for a while and that's kind of nice, it means you don't have to keep sipping to have the taste of the beer.

Overall this beer is decent.  The flavors are not to clean, they kind of middle together, but it doesn't taste bad.  It just leaves me wanting a little more.  My favorite part of this beer is the smell.  I wish the flavor just had more to it.

Arcadia - Jaw-Jacker

Arcadia Brewing Co.

Jaw-Jacker: Ale brewed with seasonal spices

The color of this brew is a wonderful golden orange.  The beer is translucent with a slight fogginess that adds a wonderful depth to it's appearance.

The aroma of the beer has a nice clean spice to it.  There is also a hint of actual pumpkin, which is nice to find.  The spices are balanced and not one spice jumps out at you.

On the palate the beer is nice and crisp.  The carbonation is crisp on the tongue, without being prickly.  The spices are kind of all muddled together so you can't really distinguish between the cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice that the beer claims to be brewed with.  You can tell that this beer has spice, but again it's hard to tell them all apart.  On the backend of this brew you get a nice meaty pumpkin flavor with a slight bitterness.  A very nice backend to this beer.

Overall this beer is Okay.  The aroma is nice and not overdone.  Jaw-Jacker has a decent flavor, but I think it could be better.  I wish the spices stood out a little more and danced more on the tongue.  The backend of this beer was very enjoyable though.  Again, this beer isn't horrible, but it isn't my favorite of the season.

Draft Mag - 10 Wildly Diverse Pumpkins

Check this list out for all you pumpkin beer lovers.  While pumpkin season is coming to an end, there is still time to enjoy from great brews.  I believe pumpkin season doesn't end until thanks giving, so don't start drinking your Mad Elf yet!

http://draftmag.com/features/10-wildly-diverse-pumpkin-beers/

List courtesy of Draft Magazine

Tommyknocker - Maple Nut Brown

Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub

Maple Nut Brown Ale - A nut brown ale with a touch of maple syrup

The color of this beer is awesome.  Its a wonderful chestnut brown with a hint reddish/orange.  A very very enticing beer by the looks.

The aroma is a wonderful roasted malt, with a hint of caramel and of course a sweetness from the maple syrup.  There is also a note of alcohol in the smell of this beer.  It's a  wonderful blend of roasted malt, sweetness and alcohol.  

On the palate this beer is smoooooooth.  Goes down with ease and with barely any after taste to speak of.  The flavors are well balanced and there is very little alcohol sense.  The maltiness is wonderful and light, with a kick of sweetness that makes you want to come bak for more, and more.

Ok, this is easily one of my favorite nut brown ales.  It's so smooth and well balanced.  It's a very enjoyable beer.  The aroma and the taste are different, but they do compliment each other very well.  This is a beer you should definitely try.  A great job by Tommyknocker.

Jolly Pumpkin - La Parcela

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

La Parcela No. 1 pumpkin ale - Ale brewed with pumpkin, cacao, and spice

The color of this beer is an awesome opaque light brown in the center that fades to orange as it comes closer to the glass.  It's the most unique color I have seen this season.

The aroma of this brew is awesome.  There is a mild sense of citrus, seasonal spice and a mild sweetness.  This is an aroma that I wouldn't expect.  The spices are mild, barely noticeable, but balanced and make this aroma enticing.

On the palate this beer is nothing that I would expect.  The flavors all blend together, paired with barely there carbonation make this beer easy to drink.  On the backend, this beer has a little bit of a sourness and slight bitterness.  To understand this beer you need to try it.

Overall I think this beer is pretty good.  There isn't much of a pumpkin flavor, but the beer has a good mixture of flavor and has a nice finish on the backend.  I like the amount of carbonation and the way the beer glides on the tongue.  Sometimes I think artisanal ales try to hard, but this one does not.

Left Hand Brewing Co. - Oktoberfest

Left Hand Brewing Co.

Oktoberfest - Marzen Lager

The color of this beer is a crystal clear copper.  It's a beautiful color with the crispness of fall.

The aroma of this beer gives off hints of biscuit and malt.  There is a slight sweetness to the aroma as well, a light caramel.  The aroma fills the nose but it doesn't linger around.  

On the palate the beer is crisp and light.  It doesn't lay on the tongue but glides across it.  There is a bready, caramel flavor to this beer that also has a nice hoppy ring to it.  As the aroma, the flavors of this beer don't linger around.  The beer finishes crisp and clean, leaving you to want more.

As far as an Oktoberfest goes, this one is pretty good.  The cleanness and honpiness are most welcomed.  The bread, malt and caramel flavors are nice and keep that traditional feel.  It is a very nicely done beer by Left Hand Brewing Co..  The label art is pretty awesome too!      

Buffalo Bill's - Pumpkin Ale

Buffalo Bill's Brewery

America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Seasonal pumpkin ale

The color of this beer is an awesome rust orange.  The beer has a slight haze to it, and is just has body to make the lights bounce around in the beer.

The aroma of this beer is a wonderful season spice.  There is a nice balance of pumpkin, nutmeg and cinnamon.  It is a pleasant aroma that makes you want to taste the beer.

On the palate America's Original Pumpkin Ale has a crisp carbonation.  There is a sweetness to this beer, more so than spice.  The flavors are a thick pumpkin, molasses, and a slight spice, predominantly nutmeg.  The molasses sweetness lasts for a very long time on the tongue, and there are hints of bitterness as well.  

This is the most unique pumpkin ale I have had this season.  The sweetness is was something I was not expecting.  It's not bad, it's just different.  The aroma is wonderful and very inviting.  I wish it had a little more spice.  This is an interesting beer, and if you like your beers a little sweeter then go for it.  

Elysian - Night Owl

Elysian Brewing Co.

Night Owl - Pumpkin Ale

The color fo this beer is a wonderful golden orange.  The beer translucent with a slight haze. 

The aroma of this beer reminds me of my grammy's homemade pumpkin pie.  The pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and graham cracker crust; it is all present in this beer.  The aroma is strong, and it's got a lot going on.  It's surprising a beer has that much going on.  

On the palate this beer is more mild than the the aroma lends you to believe.  The Night Owl has a prickly carbonation, which to me was the first thing that I noticed.  There is a nice smoky pumpkin flavor with a balanced mild spice.  On the back end of the beer there is a mild bitterness that doesn't linger on the tongue.  

Ok, so, this is going to hurt some people.  I like this, I do, it has a lot going for it, but it is not the best pumpkin beer I have tried this season.  The aroma is flat out awesome!  The beer has a nice pumpkin flavor, smokiness, and a nice little kick of seasonal spice.  What I am not a fan of is the prickly carbonation.  That makes me say this beer is good, and not amazing.  I do recommend this beer though.     

How to Drink Beer - Draft Mag

Here are some good tips to follow when drinking your beer.  It may feel weird at first, but trust me, you will learn to appreciate these tips.

http://draftmag.com/new/how-to-drink-beer/

Weyerbacher - Autumnfest

Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

Autumnfest - Oktoberfest style beer

The color of this beer is a nice fall amber/brown with some nice depth.  There is a slight reddish orange haze along the edge.

The aroma of this brew is mild but pleasant.  There is a slight sweetness from caramel and fig.  There is a slight maltiness as well.

On the palate the beer is wonderfully smooth with a nice roasted maltiness to it.  There is sweetness from a nice light caramel flavor, and there is a faint fruitiness.  The flavors are nicely layered, but they appear on the tongue closely together and not spaced out like other beers.  It's like a vienna red lager with a little more to it.

Overall this is a nice Oktoberfest, a good fall beer, with a balance of sweetness and a little bit of ale bitterness on the backend.  Another good Weyerbacher beer, it seems this brewery rarely disappoints.    

10 Best Pumpkin beers and recipes!!!

Yummy!!!!
Recipes have links at the bottom of the article.   I don't see anything that I wouldn't like!  Do you see something you like???

http://www.parade.com/172251/jackiedodd/the-10-best-pumpkin-beers-plus-10-pumpkin-beer-recipes/

Starr Hill - Boxcarr

Starr Hill Brewery

Boxcarr - Pumpkin spiced porter

The color of this beer is a rich dark brown.  

The aroma is a nice slight cinnamon, nutmeg, and a nice roasted malt.  There is also a little cocoa hint.  The aroma is balanced and pleasant, there is nothing over bearing or over done about it.

On the palate this beer has a crisp carbonation, that at first hides the flavors of the beer.  As the beer moves along the tongue the flavors start to come out.  The spice is very very mild in this beer.  It is not pronounced at all, but subtly there.  There is also a chocolate flavor that comes out, and blends very well with the season spice.  Something lacking from this pumpkin beer is pumpkin.  I get the pumpkin pie spices but no pumpkin.  That is a little disappointing, but it does not kill the flavor of Boxcarr.

Overall this is a decent beer.  Much better than the saison I had over the summer.  I wish there was more pumpkin in this beer.  The chocolate and seasonal spice are nice and the aroma is pleasant and enticing.  This is a decent beer, and for those who like a seasonal porter will most likely enjoy this. 

Goose Island - Matilda

Goose Island Beer Co.

Matilda - Belgian strong ale

*** I know Goose Island isn't a craft brewery anymore, and it is owned by one of the beer empires, but I have had this beer for a while, and I really enjoyed it at the beerfest I went to, so I needed to buy it.

The color of this beer is a wonderful reddish copper.  It's nice and translucent, with a great depth.  A color I find very inviting.

The aroma is a wonderful lemony orange, spice that makes me think of cloves with hints of grass and hops.  It's a wonderful smelling beer. Very inviting, and makes you want to taste.  

On the palate this beer is full of flavor.  Alcohol strength, bitterness and sweetness are balanced very well.  The first flavor on the tongue is the citrus, not to strong, and then it is followed by a little bitterness.  The last thing on the tongue is a slight heat form the spice, that is actual crisp and refreshing.  

I know this isn't a "craft" beer, but it seems Goose Island has not been watered down by an beer empire yet.  This beer has a wonderful aroma and a great taste.  I think this beer would appeal to many drinkers, but also fits in very strongly with the strong ale scene.  I really enjoyed this brew and hope you do as well.

Evo - Jacques All Lantern

Evolution Craft Brewing Co.

Jacques All Lantern - Pumpkin spiced amber ale

The color of this beer is is a nice deep gold color.  It's nicely translucent, and clear.  The carbonation fizzed like a soda when it was poured, kind of weird, not a normal thing I usually here from a beer.

The aroma of this beer has some yeastiness, meaty pumpkin, nutmeg and cinnamon.  It is a nice scent.  I think it is well balanced with the right amount of kick.

On the palate the beer has a fruitiness a little sweeter than normal pumpkin, the seasonal spice is mild but balanced well with the sweet pumpkin flavor.  There is a slight bitterness on the backend.

This beer is a different type of pumpkin beer.  It's a sweeter, but not in a bad way, it has a nice belgian flare to it.  The spices go well with the sweetness and give this fall seasonal a different kind of taste a feeling than most.  A beer worth a try for sure.

Fall Beer Festivals!

http://travel.yahoo.com/blogs/compass/drink-fall-festivities-america-best-beer-festivals-205711676.html

Above here are some of the best fall beer festivals in the country.  Remember, you don't have to go to these to find an awesome festival.  Below is a link to find some cool festivals near you!

http://www.craftbeerfestivals.com/

Pumpkin Beer Taste test

Bon appetit did an 11 beer taste of some pumpkin beers.  They have an interesting choice for number 1.  What are your thoughts...???

http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/inside-our-kitchen/article/the-best-pumpkin-beers-taste-test?mbid=drnk_20130928_12500604&crlt.pid=camp.JFZ0Aj50Ecjh

Amarcord Brewery - Bruna

Amarcord Brewery

Bruna - Dubbel

The color of this beer is a wonderful rich hazelnut brown.  It's a wonderful color with some slight reddish hues around the outside.

The aroma of this beer is sweet, roasted malt with hints of fig and toffee.  The sweetness of this beer is the first thing you notice, and then it is followed by a hit of alcohol.  The other scents come after the alcohol gives way.

On the palate this beer is a little bit of an in you face at first.  Alcohol is the first thing you notice.  The beer is 7.5% abv and it makes the most of it.  After that you notice the wonderful balance of toffee and fig.  It's actually the best part of the beer.  As the beer rolls back on your tongue and in between sips, the layers of the flavor really come out.  If the alcohol was as strong up front I would like this beer even more.

To be honest, I didn't mind the alcohol being the first thing I noticed, but I know it isn't for everyone.  I am a fan of beers like this and this one didn't disappointment me.  Being that I never heard of this beer, or brewery, I got it while out with no information given.  I thought it had a lot of flavor, nice aroma and color.  Worth a try if you are up for something different.

Beers to try this fall

Here is a list of beers that some one smarter than me says you need to try this fall.  I have had a bunch of them either this year or last.  Which have you had???

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/falls-best-beers

River Horse - Hipp-O-Lantern

River Horse Brewing Co.

Hipp-O-Lantern - Imperial Pumpkin Ale

The color of this beer is a nice rich light brown with a slight copper/orange hue.  

The aroma of this beer is gives off a nice nutmeg, cinnamon and molasses scents.  I don't get any of the pumpkin puree the beer is supposed to be brewed with.

On the palate the beer has a nice amount of nutmeg and cinnamon.  There is a mild sense of the pumpkin puree on the backend of this beer.  This is a little bit of a stronger beer at 8.5% abv, and it makes sure you know the alcohol is there.  Overall, the most potent flavor of this beer is the molasses.  It's a little over powering.

Overall this beer is just ok to me.  I think there is too much molasses, and not enough pumpkin.  I also wouldn't mind a little more of the cinnamon.  I love the color of this beer though, it's really nice.  This isn't a bad beer, and you can't please everyone all the time, and that is me with this beer.  If i had to give it a rating it would be a 5.5/10. 

24 best beers in America - by Men's Journal

http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/the-24-best-beers-in-america-20121026?page=1


Check out this list of beers!

I have had 11 of these.  The Ommegang, Russian River, Victory, and Stone are my favorites on this list.

Pumple Drumkin

Cisco Brewers Nantucket

Pumple Drumkin - Ale brewed with pumpkins and spice

The color of this beer is a bright, and shiny burnt orange.  No cloudiness, and no depth to the color, you  are able to see right through this beer.

The aroma of Pumple Drumkin fills the nose with nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, and some raw pumpkin.           The spice is paramount with very little bit of the pumpkin scent.

On the palate this beer is a very different kind of pumpkin beer.  Flavors all kind of muddle together, nothing stands out, not that it is a bad thing, just a different thing.  The beer's prickly carbonation hits the tongue first, then follows the flavors appear, but are hard to make out.  There are hints of meat pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and a slight tartness.

This is an interesting brew.  The flavor of this beer is not to bad, it just doesn't have layers to it like some beers do.  Instead of the flavors appearing one after the other, they kind of come at you all at once.  A unique approach to a seasonal pumpkin ale.

John Henry - Colonial Cream

John Henry Beverage Co.

Colonial Cream & Brown Ale aged in brandy oak spirals

The color of this brew is a deep mahogany.  It has a nice layer to it, going from a deep mahogany to a lighter brownish red.

The aroma of this beer is sugary sweet, with hints of cherry.  There is also a sense of creaminess on the nose that does appear in the taste.

On the palate the beer has a sweet flavor, and a hit of alcohol.  You do get a nice sense of the brandy.  the beer also has a smooth creaminess that coats the tongue a little bit.  The beer also gives off flavors of toffee, and roasted malt.  There is plenty of flavor in this beer.

Overall I thought this beer a pretty good.  The alcohol kick is there, and at 9.3% you can understand why, so that will turn some people away.  This is a sipping beer, you shouldn't drink it to quickly.  Let this beer warm up a little bit too before you drink.  The flavors a aroma really come out then.

Good JuJu - Ginger Ale

Left Hand Brewing Company

Good JuJu - A Ginger spiced ale

The color of this beer is a wonderful orange/gold color.  

The aroma of this brew is in your face ginger.  But I also get a small hint of lemon.  

On the palate the first thing I get is ginger, obviously, it is a ginger beer.  There  is a small hint of lemon, but is a small hint, and completely of overpowered by the ginger.  The beer also feels a little watery, not a lot of body.  On the backend there is a slight bit of bitterness, which actually does a little to balance out the ginger.

Overall I feel this beer is just ok.  There is ginger, a lot of ginger, but the body of the beer isn't there.  I like the fact there is a little bit of lemon flavor, or at least I get a lemon flavor, but the wateriness of the beer is a bother.  A beer worth a try, if you like trying different things.

I love the art on this bottle!  It's one of the reason I wanted to try this beer.   

Breweries by state

Check this out!  Make it a goal to try at least one beer by every single one of these breweries.  I made it a goal of mine!

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/americas-50-best-craft-breweries-state-by-state

Sierra Nevada - Ovila

Sierra Nevada Brewery

Ovila - Abbey Saison

The color of this beer is a wonderful burnt orange.  The color of this beer is really nice and inviting.

The aroma of this beer give off a wonderful citrus scent of orange and a little bit lemon.  There is also a wonderful pepper aroma that Ovila gives the nose. 

On the palate this beer has a slight creaminess, it's slight and works well with the citrus/orange taste in Ovila.  The pepper provides the beer with a little punch and balances out the citrus.  The pepper sits on the tongues a little while, so if you take your time drinking beer like I do you will notice.  

I have had this beer for a while, and I have had it a few times.  Each time I have it I enjoy it a little more.  I can honestly say though that it is not a beer for everyone.  I enjoy beers with some interesting flavors, and this is one.  Make sure you drink at the proper temperature, it can't be ice cold.  This beer definitely needs to warm up a little before drinking.   

DuClaw - 31

DuClaw Brewing Co.

31 - A pumpkin Spiced Lager

The color of 31 is a rich copper color with hints of mahogany in the center of the body.

The aroma of this beer is mild and a little bit sneaky.  There is a mild pumpkin spice, and a note of seasonal spice like nutmeg.  

On the palate DuClaw 31 delivers a nice meaty body of actual pumpkin.  The spice in this beer is well done, and not over powering.  Nutmeg is most present spice in the beer and there is also a nice hint of cinnamon.  The beer finishes with a nice classic lager backend.  

DuClaw 31 is a different kind of pumpkin beer.  It has a nice pumpkin flavor with a well balanced spice.  The lager feel to this beer gives is a different kind of finish than the pumpkin ales that are out now.  Overall a nice beer by the Maryland based brewery.

Grieskircher Weisse

Brauerei Grieskirchner

Weisse

This is more of a summer, I know, it was in the back of my fridge, so I figured I better drink it before the end of september, and it was 90 degrees the last few days, so I think I am allowed.

The color of this beer is nice light yellow-orange.  There is a nice cloudiness from the yeast that adds a little depth to the color.

The aroma of this beer gives off nice notes of cloves, banana and a hint of grass.  The fruit smell is mild compare to the clove.  

On the palate the beer is light, with some crisp carbonation.  The flavors of banana, and clove come together nicely on the tongue.  There is also a hint of lemon, that wasn't there in the smell.  The beer feels a little watery, but it's not too bad.  

This is a beer best drank on a hot day.  It is crisp, refreshing, and easy to drink.  It has a decent amount of flavor but could use a little more body for me.  A pretty good beer. 

Some new beers!!!

Here are some new beers that I will be reviewing soon!!! Keep a look out!

Evolution Craft Brewing Co. - Jacques All Lantern

Arcadia Ales - Jaw-Jacker pumpkin spiced ale

DuClaw Brewing Co.  - Sweet Baby Jesus chocolate peanut butter porter

New Holland Brewing - Dragon's Milk bourbon barrel stout

Starr Hill Brewery - BoxCarr pumpkin porter

Cisco Brewers - Pumple Dunkel ale brewed with pumpkin and spice

Dogfish Head Punkin

Dogfish Head Brewery

Punkin Ale - A seasonal pumpkin brew

The color of this beer is a wonderful rich copper.  Has a nice burnt orange hue to it.

This beer has a wonderful aroma.  Nutmeg and cinnamon are paramount on the nose, with a hint of sugary sweetness.  

On the palate the spices are the first thing you will notice.  They dance and play on the tongue.  Cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg slightly linger as the presence of a  meaty pumpkin then take over.  The flavors of this beer are not overpowering but well balanced.  

All and all this a quality pumpkin ale.  It is a well crafted ale from a reliable brewery.  The bottle doesn't lie!  This beer is definitely worth stocking in the fridge for the fall season.     

Football season

Now that football season has started, don't forget to get a beer to go with whatever game you are watching.  Here's a fun little trick to help you expand your beer palate.  With every game you watch, try to have a different beer.  Don't sit there with a regular old 30 pack in your fridge.  Go out, and find a place that let's you make your own six packs and make one!  Don't over do it though, remember part of enjoying your beer is doing so in a responsible way. Half the fun of drinking good beer is remembering it, so you know what you had, how it tasted, so if you want it again you know what to get.  
Enjoy the season!!!  And if you play fantasy football, may no injuries effect your team!

Punk'n

Uinta Brewing Company

Punk'n Harvest Pumpkin Ale - Seasonal pumpkin ale

The color of this beer is a littler copper color.

The aroma of this beer gives off a mild roasted sense with a hint of honey, and seasonal spice.

On the palate this beer has a wonderful job of balancing the roasted pumpkin flavor with the spices.  The roasted pumpkin flavor is the first thing you notice, then you will get a little bit of that honey flavor.  The nutmeg and hop bitterness come together on the backend of the beer.  It's a beer that in between sips will play on your tongue and let you notice all the flavors.  

It's a very good seasonal brew. A little bit different than other pumpkin beers.  This organic ale might not be for everyone, but what beer is?  I know I enjoyed, and if you try it I hope you enjoy is as well.

Ichabod Ale

New Holland Brewery

Ichabod Ale - Seasonal pumpkin ale

The color of this brew is an awesome copper that this picture doesn't do justice too.

The aroma of this pumpkin beer is subtle but filled with cinnamon and nutmeg.  The smell is sneaky an makes you wonder if this beer has enough flavor, but don't worry Ichabod delivers.

On the palate Ichabod has a nice cinnamon and nutmeg hit on the front end, it is then followed by a more roasted pumpkin flavor.  It's a nice change of pace, considering a lot of pumpkin beers go for the more pumpkin pie taste than actual pumpkin itself.  Lastly on the very backend of the beer there is a little bit of bitterness that creates a nice overall balance.

This is a quality pumpkin beer, definitely worth a try.

The bottle art is pretty cool too.