DuClaw - Bare Ass Blonde Ale

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Bare Ass Blonde Ale - American Blonde Ale

The color of this beer is like a pale tangerine.  The play of light orange and pale yellow add a little depth to a beer that otherwise is pretty light and translucent.  I did a slower pour so there is almost no head, but what did pop up was light and left a little ring around the edge of the glass.

The aroma from this beer is subtle, but it does have something behind it.  There are notes of malt, a grassiness, and something that is similar to white wine.  The white wine smell kind of reminds me of honey and grape.  I will say I have a stuffy nose, so I might be missing something, or adding something, but those are the smells I get from this beer.

On the palate the tiny but sharp carbonation gives way to a that is subtle in flavor, and finishes with a mix of malt and bitterness.  This beer starts off with a bit of cracker and honey, it then adds a slight floral flavor and finishes with that mix of bread and bitterness.  It's a decent overall blend of flavors.  I do like the honey-esque notes in this beer, but the finish isn't my favorite.  It won't stop me from ordering this beer though.

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  Blondes are my favorite style, but I am a person that will try anything and be open to see for what it is.  This beer has a nice aroma, I like the color and look of this brew, the flavor has aspects I like, but doesn't wow me overall.  To me is a solid beer, a stable to have when company is coming over.  I give it a 3 out of 5.

Evil Genius - Naught or Nice

Evil Genius Beer Co.

Naughty or Nice - Winter Spiced Ale

The color of this beer is a deep, dark mahogany.  It is a slightly transparent brew, but the color makes it more translucent.  The beer gives off wonderful red tones, and a thin, quickly disappearing white head.

The aroma of this brew says holiday cheer.  There are nice notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, bready malts, and a slight sweetness.  It isn't the strings smell I have had from a winter spiced ale, but it is pleasant.  I kind of wish the there was a little clove, or more spice, but I still approve of the aroma.

On the palate there is a nice carbonation that leads the way to a beer that first hits you with a slight clove flavor, it is then followed by the nutmeg and cinnamon.  None of the flavors are overbearing.  The beer has a nice undertone of malt that is evident throughout the taste.  The last two things this beer does are hit you with an unexpected bitterness that is quickly covered up a the warming sensation of nutmeg, which is how the beer finishes.  

Overall I really liked this beer, people that don't like spiced beers shouldn't drink this.  I have seen some very negative reviews on, but I don't feel they are justified.  This isn't the best spiced winter ale I have ever had, but it is solid.  The color is really beautiful, the aroma is acceptable, and the flavor is pleasant and has some layers to it.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5!

Fish Tale - Bolg

Fish Tale Ales Brewery

Bolg - Belgain Stlye Tripel, The Hobbit Edition

I would normally do a full review but I don't have the time, so he is a condensed version.  Color is a cloudy gold, with hues of yellow and orange scattered throughout.  The aroma is bready, and yeasty.  It's not very enticing.  On the palate the barely there carbonation gives way to a beer lacking in flavor.  It is a weird mix of malt and bitterness, it leaves a nice warming sensation.  Overall this beer sucks.  1 out of 5.

Pizza Boy Brewing

Pizza Boy Brewing

Bean Dream - Milk Porter aged on Vanilla Beans

The color of this beer is a deep, rich brown.  The head of this beer came up about a half inch and was very fizzy.  The look of this beer reminds me of chocolate syrup, but it is not nearly as heavy.  

The aroma of this brew is pretty simple and straight forward.  It has some sweetness, a nice roasted malt, and a little cocoa.  It is not an overpowering smell, it is very subtle and pleasant.  

On the palate Bean Dream gives you a nicely balanced flavor.  The mild, and slightly fizzy carbonation leads way to a nice roasted malt, that gives way to the sweetness of the milk stout and slight flavor of the vanilla.  The beer finishes with a milk essence.  

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  It isn't amazing and boasting with flavor, but it does have a nice balanced flavor.  The sweetness of the milk Porter and flavor of the vanilla is nice.  It is definitely a beer to try.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

River Horse - Belgian Freeze

River Horse Brewing Co.

Belgian Freeze - Belgian Dark Ale

The color of this brew is a perfectly clear chestnut brown.  The beer pours with a medium head that is a little foamy, made up of tiny packed bubbles.  The head leaves a small ring on the edge of the glass that fades to the center of the beer.  

The aroma gives off a bready maltiness that also has a sweet molasses scent.  The notes given off are subtle, but sweet.  There is no bitterness in the aroma.  There is a mild alcohol scent to this brew as well.

The mild carbonation little tickles the tongue as you drink this beer.  The flavors come off sweet at first, giving you candied sugar, raisin, and a little breadiness.  On the backend there is a slight bite, to help cut off all the sweetness and leave to finish fairly clean.  It is not overally complex or a beer with a ton of layers.  There is a nice warming of the throat in between sips.  

Overall this is a pretty decent brew.  I think it is a good beer to drink while watching a football game, and hanging out with friends.  It is fairly strong at 8% ABV, so don't throws these back too quickly.  The aroma is pleasant, the flavors are straight forward and while it isn't an amazing beer, it is very good.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Iron Hill - The Great Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Iron Hill Brewery

The Great Imperial Pumpkin Ale

I am not doing a full review on this beer.  I am just letting you all know that this in probably my favorite pumpkin beer.  It has a wonderful chestnut color, it has a nice fall aroma that gives off a hint of spice and let's you know that this will be a good beer.  The flavor is balanced and amazing.  Iron hill is my go to local brewery.  If you can find one near you get some of this beer next year.  It gets a 4.95 out of 5!!!!

Baladin - Isaac

Baladin Birra - Italy

Isaac - Biere Blanche

The color of this brew is a wonderful apricot color.  The hazy beer pours with a light fizzy head the comes and goes very quickly, leaving the smallest little ring along the glass. Light passes through the beer, you can also barely make out images through it, it is kind of like a foggy window.  The color looks very enticing.

The aroma of this beer gives off powerful scents of orange and citrus.  There is barely there spice hidden in the aroma of this beer.  There is also a sugary sweetness I the aroma, no bitterness to speak of.  It smells like one of those hard orange candies I used to get growing up as a kid, and I really liked those candies.

On the palate this beer isn't as sweet as the aroma leads you to believe, but it is a sweet beer.  The carbonation is sharp and prickly.  It doesn't bother me because I think it helps to balance off the sweetness of the beer.  The flavors are definitely citrus, with a little bit of coriander.  The citrus flavors are candy like, without being overly sweet.  I notice orange, lemon and tangerine when I drink this beer.    The beer finished dry and crisp with a little lemony bite on the swallow to help manage the sweetness of the citrus.

This is a different kind of beer for me.  The carbonation is almost like that of a cheap champagne.  The color is pretty enticing, the aroma is sweet and very candy like, ion the palate this beer is sweet, crisp and just a little bit different.  Overall I like this beer.  It is more of a summer beer, but my wife got it for me a couple weeks ago, and I don't think it is a good beer to age, so I am drinking it now.  I will give this beer a 3.5 out of 5.  Definitely something different to try.  I enjoyed it.

Tries - Masters of Pimpkin

The color of this beer is a nice fall orange-brown.  It is more brown at the core, and then fades out to a nice deep coppery orange.  The beer is deep in color and hazy.  It is transparent but only barely.  The head pours out beautifully, with light, foamy bubbles that puff up, and then dissipate to leave a nice light ring around the top of the brew.

The aroma from this beer is all fall.  You get a nice light smell of pumpkin, and several spices.  There are hints of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg.  The aroma isn't overpowering. But pleasant to the nose, and draws you in to the beer.  The aroma is like a little hint of what is to come, it leaves you really wanting to taste this beer.

On the palate the mildly prickly carbonation leads you to a nice meaty pumpkin flavor on the front end of this beer.  The beer delivers a balance of spice and sweetness.  You will notice clove, cinnamon and nutmeg for the spice.  For the sweet you will get some vanilla and honey flavors.  For me the best part about this beer is there is actual pumpkin flavor.  The beer leaves a little bit of spice in the tongue as you finish the swallow.  There is not an evident maltiness or bitterness found in this beer, it just all blends together very nicely.

This might be my favorite pumpkin beer of this year.  Of course I have had some of my staple favorites, but for a beer I never had before I really like it.  The spice is nicely done on the the aroma and the palate.  I love the pumpkin and spice of this beer.  I give this beer a 4 out of 5!  A very good beer!

Liquid Hero - What The Floc

Liquid Hero Brewery

What The Floc - Double IPA

The color of this brew is a clear and rich Amber.  The transparent beer has a nice depth, even though it is a clear beer.  The head pours white and nice and foamy.  It's a light head that takes its time to go down.  

The aroma smells like sweet Christmas.  This beer gives off a nice piney smell.  The smell is like being in a Christmas tree farm.  There is a slight sweetness hiding in the background of this beer's aroma.  It's kind of a caramel smell, but not very strong.  Overall this is a pleasant smelling brew.

On the palate the smooth, mild carbonation leads the way to a beer that is more mild in flavor than it is in smell.  The piney flavor is mild on the tongue.  The caramel flavor is balanced nicely with the pine and hops.  There might be too much malt in this beer for true IPA lovers, but I feel like most double IPAs are like that. There is however a nice bitter bite left on the tongue by this beer, so you do still get a nice IPA feeling.

Overall this is a decent beer.  It's not amazing but it is drinkable.  There is not an overwhelming alcohol flavor even though it's 9.5% Abv.  The beer has decent flavor, a nice aroma, and a nice IPA finish.  I give is 3.5 out of 5.

Spring House - Big Gruesome Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout

Spring House Brewing Company

Big Gruesome Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout

The color of this beer is a deep, rich brown, that is very similar to coffee.  The head puffed up, light and fluffy.  It was a light brown in color, it was very similar to the head of an ice cream float.  The goes down slowly, and sticks around on the top of the brew for a little while.

The aroma that comes off of this beer is pretty straight forward.  I get roasted malts, slightly bitter chocolate, and peanut butter.  It's nice and well balance.  It is very enticing, it is definitely a beer with an aroma that makes you want to drink it.

On the palate the light and mildly prickly carbonation leads way to a beer that is actually fairly smooth.  The flavors of the brew don't hit you on the initial taste, but the flavors do come out.  The roasted malts are the first thing you do notice, and then the chocolate and peanut butter come out to play.  The flavors are nicely balanced, but a little bit of bitterness jumps out as you swallow.  The finish is nice and has a nice combination of flavors.

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  This aroma is nice and enticing.  On the palate is has nice flavor, but I wish it had just a little bit more.  I don't mind that the flavors kind of wait to pop, but I don't think they pop enough.  Still, it is a nice beer and worth a try.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Pennsylvania - Pumpkin Roll Ale

Pennsylvania Brewing Co.

Pumpkin Roll Ale - seasonally spiced ale

The color of this brew is a nice chestnut brown.  The head came up white and fizzy, made up of very tiny bubbles, it was not fluffy at all.  The head disappeared very quickly and left pretty much nothing behind.

The aroma smells like a sweet peice of candy, or like vanilla cream soda.  There is no spice in the smell of this beer.  It is all sweetness.  

On the palate the sharp carbonation leads you to a very sweet beer, it actually tastes more like a bitter cream soda.  There is no spice at all in this beer.  I also don't really get any pumpkin either.  The beer is very creamy, and strong on the tip of your tongue.  There is a slight bitterness mixed in, it helps with the sweetness a little bit, but not enough.  It is one of the strangest tasting beers I have ever had.  I guess you could say it tastes like a  cake with mild pumpkin flavor and a vanilla cream icing.  There is some spice on the very backend after a few seconds after the taste.

Overall it is an interesting beer.  I am not sure if I like it or not.  It doesn't have the spice I was looking for, until you wait a few between sips, then you notice some spice.  It's just a weird beer, go get it and decide about it for yourself.  I give it a 3 out of 5. 

Sam Adams - Honey Queen

Samuel Adams Brewery

Honey Queen - An Braggot Ale brewed with honey, orange blossoms and camomile

The color of this beer is a completely translucent.  The golden straw color is clear with fine carbonation bubbles.  The foams up a pure white that slides down the glass and leaves a ring around the edge of the glass. 

The aroma smells musty, and bready.  There is a little bit of sweetness to the smell, along with hints of straw.  To me, it is not really a pleasant aroma.  It doesn't really entice me to drink this beer.  

On the palate the very mild carbonation gives way to a beer that is smooth and almost creamy.  You definitely get the sweetness of honey, but there is more to it than that.  I honestly have no idea what camomile tastes like, but I do know what oranges taste like and that citrus flavor is layered in very nicely.  There is mild malt essence along with a biscuit feeling to this beer. This beer finishes nicely with a hint of honey sweetness.  The brew leaves the middle of the tongue feeling a little dry.

All I have to say is thank god I am ok with this beer... My wife picked it out, and likes it.  I am happy the beer tastes nothing like it smells.  The aroma to me if off putting, but the flavor is bad.  The honey and orange work well together and actually quite pleasant.  I will gives this beer a 3 out of 5.

Deschutes/Distelhauser - Doppel Dinkel Bock

Deschutes Brewery 

- collaboration with Distelhauser 

Doppel Dinkel Bock - Weizenbock

The color of this brew is a cherry brown.  There are hints of red mixed in with the base brown color.  The brew is a dense beer, but still translucent.  The head came up nice and foamy, with a khaki color to it.  The head went away slowly, leaving a pleasant looking ring around the edge of the glass.

The aroma of this beer comes off sweet.  Notes of candied sugar, bubblegum, some tasted malts, and a mild spice that is barely noticeable.  The smell gives you a hint that this beer will have a strong sense of alcohol and be sweeter than most beers.  

On the palate the slightly prickly carbonation sets the stare for a smooth and sweet brew.  The maltiness is very evident when you drink this beer, you notice under the sweet bubblegum and banana flavors, a nice toasted malt.  This flavor combination creates a brew that goes down way to smoothly.  The mild spice helps to balance out a sweetness a little bit.  On the very backend of this beer you can get a hint of hops.  You notice it when you take some time between sips, which I highly recommend.

This is a pretty good beer.  I really like the smooth sweetness of this beer, with a slight hop on the finish.  The sense of alcohol isn't as noticeable when drinking as it is when smelling the beer, but at 10.5 abv, you don't want to throw this beer back to quickly... But why would you want to?  It's to good to drink to fast.  I give this brew a 4 out of 5.

Round Guys - Dead Souls

Round Guys Brewing Co.

Dead Souls - Chocolate Pumpkin Porter

The color of this brew is a nearly solid chestnut.  The slightest bit of light gets through.  There is a slight bit of red on the edges of the glass.  The head bubbled up to a foamy beige color, that goes away at a medium pace. 

The aroma of this brew boasts roasted malts, and a nice sweet/bitterness of chocolate.  There is also a mild spice on the backend of the aroma.  The spice smell has a cinnamon smell to it.  It's a well balanced aroma.  As soon as I cracked the can I got a nice hit of the aroma, but the aroma is actually not overpowering.  

On the palate prickly carbonation bouncing down the tongue to deliver the flavor.  The roasted malt and chocolate flavors hit you first.  What follows is a nicely done balance of meaty pumpkin and spice. Then lastly you get at chalky finish that is common with porters and some more chocolate.  A little bitterness hits the tongue as you finish your taste, but that goes away and leaves a pleasant after taste.

Overall this is a really good pumpkin porter from a nice microbrew.  I like the color, it is very fitting for a porter, without being too dark and solid.  The aroma has body to it and delivers a nice balanced smell. Finally the flavor is well done and balanced with a ton of layers.  The chocolate, pumpkin and spice all mix well together.  It's a nicely done porter.  I give it a 4 out of 5.  Go get some!

DuClaw - Cocoa Fuego

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Cocoa Fuega - A stout brewed with chocolate and chipotle peppers

The color of this beer is like a 72% dark chocolate bar.  Brown, nearly black in color beer, with a light brown head that came and went with ease.  Obviously this beer is completely opaque, no light gets through at all.

The aroma of this beer is malty, with hints of chocolate and a slight bit of spice.  The chocolate aroma is thick and rich, it's very pleasant.  The spice is very mild, barely even there, but it adds a little bit to the backend of the aroma.

On the palate this beer has a mild carbonation that is barely there.  The chocolate flavor is nice and smooth on the front of this beer.  There is also a little bit of maltiness.  On the backend is where the fun really begins.  This brew smoothly, and in a sneaky way gets spicier and spicier.  The beer's spice warms the back of the mouth and lingers for a little while.  This is not a beer you can drink quickly.  The two different flavors balance well together, but it does have more spice flavor for a longer period of time.

Overall this is a pretty good brew.  Spicy beer isn't my favorite kind of beer, but I actually enjoyed this one.  It has a nice balance of flavors, great aroma, and great look.  This beer is spicy without burning your throat and making you wish you had a glass of milk.  I would definitely try this beer if you are in the mood for something different.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5!

Long Trail - Pumpkin Ale

Long Trail Brewing Co.

Pumpkin Ale

The color of this brew is a reddish copper.  It had a mild white rad that dissipated at a moderate pace and left a little residue in the center.  The brew is translucent, the color and body only let light through.

The aroma is mildly spiced.  There are hints of cinnamon, and nutmeg.  The beer also gives off a slight bit of meaty pumpkin.  Nothing about this aroma wowing but there is a decent aroma that you have to get close to to notice.  

On the palate the extremely mild carbonation gives way to a beer that to me is blah.  The spice is just like the aroma, mild and not really appealing.  The pumpkin flavor itself is blah and not an impact on this beer.  The beer finishes with an out if nowhere bitterness that leaves a metally taste on the tongue for a few seconds.  If you are wondering if this is a fresh beer, it is!!!  

Ok, I bought this beer because I had to try it.  I have actually not liked a single beer Long Trail has made that I have had.  I didn't want to be close minded and figure all their beers are bad, but this is another to add to the list.  I simply don't like it.  Will I ever by a Long Trail again?  Yes, only cuz I have to believe they make a good beer, but this isn't it.  I give this a 1.5 out of 5, only because the aroma isn't horrible.

DuClaw - Misery

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Misery - Wheat Wine Ale

The color of this brew is a miz depending on the light of gold and light copper.  The brew is slightly transparent, but with a slight cloudiness that doesn't make it to easy to see through.  The head was light and disappeared with easy.  The beer has a look of champagne with the way the bubble rise to the top, straight lined and evenly spaced.

The aroma smells like a sweet wine.  Tons of fruit, mainly a grape smell, but there is also a caramel essence and a slight bite on the end, but you really need to take a deep breath to notice it.  

On the palate the light carbonation gives way to a heavier beer than it looks.  There is a ton of body to this brew.  The flavors are different than the smell, while the aroma gives you sweet, wine sense, the grape/wine flavor is the second thing you notice.  The first is a smooth candied sugar, that is slightly heavy.  Then you get some of the grape/wine flavors.  It finishes creamy smooth, with a slight bit of bitterness.  There is a pleasant blanket of all the flavors left as an after taste.  There is also a decent sense of the alcohol, but nothing too strong.  It's just enough to remind you that this beer is strong and should be respected.  There is just a ton going on here!  You have to taste it to understand!

Overall this beer is right in my wheel house.  It has a lot of good flavor, nice alcohol presence, and an aroma that plays tricks on you.  The color is nice and inviting, the beer tastes good, looks good, and has some things about it that are different from a lot of other brews.  I give it a 4 out of 5!  Go get some!

The best states to get beer

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/every-state-in-the-usa-ranked-by-its-beer

Where does your state rank?

Dogfish Head - Burton Baton

Dogfish Head Brewery

Burton Baton - Oak aged Imperial IPA, a two thread blend that is fermented together in oak barrels

The color of this beer is a rich copper, with a nice orange glow at the edges.  It is a translucent beer, which has a nice looking body to it.  The head had a little bit of beige in it, it was quick to dissipate, but left a tiny little ring around the beer edge.

The aroma gives off nice citrus notes.  There is a nice malty backbone hidden in the aroma.  There is a little bit of a sweetness too.  There is also a great and enticing alcohol smell.  Some people might not like that smell, but it draws me in.

On the palate the slightly prickly carbonation leads way to a smooth, flavorful beer.  The flavor I get first is of caramel and a creamy vanilla.  Then I notice the citrus and hops.  This beer leads you in with it's smoothness and flavor of caramel and vanilla, then it hits you with a nice citrus and piney hop flavor.  There is a little bitterness that lingers on the back of the tongue.  The oak aging definitely masks the strength of this beer and keeps everything in line.  

This is a fantastic beer that should be tried by everyone alive.  The color, aroma, and flavor are all awesome.  It is a strong beer, so please don't guzzle, and if you do, you will miss out on how good this beer is.  I give this brew a 4.5 out of 5!

The Pike Brewing Co. - Monk's Uncle

The Pike Brewing Co.

Monk's Uncle - Tripel

The color of this beer is a golden straw color.  The head is a pure white, that is light and goes away pretty quickly.  No lacing is left on the glass.  The beer has a nice haze to it that makes it translucent.  The color is nice and rich in the middle and fades nicely towards the edges.

The aroma of this brew gives off a sweet fruity smell.  The is a slight clove spice and a bit of breadiness.  The aromas a light and well balanced, they are not overbearing.  It's a nice overall aroma, but nothing special about it.

On the palate the mild carbonation gives way to a mildly sweet beer, that has notes of banana and some spice.  The beer finishes with a slight bitterness that ends dry.  The spice is very mild, barely gives off any warming sensation.  The bitterness lingers for a while and sits on the middle of the tongue.  For a beer with an abv of 9% there is no alcohol flavor which is surprising.

Overall this small time brewery produced a decent beer.  It has a nice aroma, and decent flavor.  I wish there was more spice, and that the bitterness didn't last as long.  Even with all that said, it is a refreshing beer that tastes pretty good.  I give it a 3 out of 5.

Lazy Magnolia - Southern Pecan

Lazy Magnolia Brewery

Southern Pecan - A nut brown ale

The color of this beer looks like a rich mahogany.  The red and brown tones play off this translucent brew to make a nice looking beer.  The beige head comes and goes so quickly you barely notice it is there.  

The aroma of this beer gives off some nice scents.  There is a sugary sweetness, caramel, a nuttiness, and a slight breadiness.  The smell is not overpowering, and nicely done.  There is enough to it to entice you to drink.  

On the palate the caramel sweetness is what I notice first.  Then I get a sweeter nut flavor.  There is. It taste of the breadiness that I got in the aroma.  The malt, nut, and very , much so the caramel.  The caramel is the most dominate flavor.  The nut brown flavor is in the background and is what I feel finishes off the taste.  

Overall this is an easy drinking brew.  It's is maybe too easy to drink,but with an abv of 4.3% you can have a couple.  The aroma is pretty good, with some nice enticing scents.  The beer has a lighter body, and a sweeter taste than I am used to with nut brown ales, but I still like it.  Definitely a beer worth a try.

I give this beer a 3.5 out of 5.

Breckenridge - Agave Wheat Ale

Breckenridge Brewery

Agave Wheat Ale - Agave Nectar Wheat Ale

The color of this beer is a wonderful golden orange.  The beer is translucent, with a nice glow to it.  The color has some depth to it.  The head went away fairly quickly, but left a slight ring around the edge of the beer.

The aroma of this beer gives off a bready earthiness.  There is a slight sweetness to it.  That is about all it gives off.  The aroma is pretty much just the bready scent and a slight sweetness.  

On the palate this beer is smooth with a mild carbonation.  There is slight sweetness from the agave.  The overall flavor I notice is the bread body.  It is rather dominate, but not in a bad way.  The beer ends leaving the palate slightly dry and wanting more.  The bread and agave play well with each other.  It makes for an interesting beer.

Overall I enjoyed this beer.  So people think it is ok, but I think it is pretty good.  It's smooth, drinkable, refreshing, and has a nice flavor.  It could have a little more to it in the flavor department but it's not a bad brew at all.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Lazy Magnolia - Backwoods Belgian

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co.

Backwoods Belgian - Belgian golden ale brewed with honeysuckle tea

The color of this beer is a nice golden color with hues of orange.  The head came and went as quickly as I have ever seen.  The beer is slightly transparent, with a little bit of haziness that makes it hard to see through.  It's not an exciting looking brew, but it looks good.

The aroma that this brew gives off has notes of honey, that is the strongest, but it also has some citrus and banana notes.  There is also a nice backing of bready maltiness that is coupled with a hint of clove.  It smells fantastic, just makes my mouth water.

On the palate the prickly carbonation leads you to a nice a plethora of flavor that is balanced and awesome.  This beer gives you a nice balance of flavor.  The honeysuckle is nice, and blends extremely well the citrus flavor and the banana.  The clove spice kicks in at the backend and slightly warms the mouth. It's a nice finish for the beer.

Overall this beer is one this years favorites.  The aroma is fantastic, it is not to strong, but gives enough scents to let you know what you are going to drink.  Th flavors or where this beer shines.  It is well done.  Nothing to crazy, but flavorful, tasty, balanced, and fantastic.  This is my favorite beer this summer, it's a shame it sold anywhere near me and I had to go to the south for a wedding to find it.  I give this beer a 4.5 out of 5!  Go and get it.

Deschutes - Inversion IPA

Deschutes Brewery

Inversion IPA

The beer pours a bright copper with hints of red.  It is an awesome color, with a nice depth, but also let's just a little bit of light through.  The head of this beer is a nice bright white, it doesn't leave a bit of lacing.  Overall it is a great looking beer.

The aroma of this beer is slightly sweet, with some citrus notes.  There are also some floral notes.  The smell of this beer is well balanced and not overpowering.  The sweetness is first thing you notice, but the hoppiness hits you second and hangs around for a while.  

On the palate the mild carbonation leads you to a very smooth beer.  The flavors are blended together, and come at you all at once, unlike some IPA'sk where there is more of a take your turn aspect to the flavors.  You definitely get some malty sweetness, it blends well with the citrus notes and the floral notes and you notice lastly.  There is a mild bitterness that remains on the backend, but is dies away nicely and leaves you wanting more.

Overall this is a very nice brew.  The color is awesome, and one of the nicest looking beers I have seen in a while.  The aroma has enough power to it to be enticing without being overpowering.  The flavors are well balanced and well done.  This beer has some really nice flavor and is worth a try.  I give it a 4 out of 5.

DuClaw - Neon Gypsy

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Neon Gypsy - India Pale Ale

The color of this beer is orangey-gold.  It's an awesome color that is slightly transparent, and has a small white head.  The head goes down quickly and leaves no lacing.  Even thing about the look of this beer is clean and fresh.  

The aroma of this brew gives off a wonderful notes of grapefruit and citrus.  There is an underlying smell of pines, and strong hop kick on the backside.  Nothing about this aroma says weak, or lacking flavor.  It's an aroma that makes you want to drink this beer.

On the palate the mild carbonation is perfect for the amount of flavor that this beer gives off.  The flavor of this beer is very unique.  There is a grapefruit flavor that is crisp and clean.  Then you notice a piney flavor.  The pine flavor is subtle but a pleasant complement to the grapefruit.  The backend of this beer finishes cleanly.  There is a mild bitterness at first, then it gets a little strong, like a crescendo in music, but it disappears quickly.  

Overall, this is one of my favorite IPA's.  I love the flavor, and the finish if the beer.  It isn't heavy, but it is a beer that makes you want to sip it because of the flavor, not because it is heavy.  The color is awesome and the aroma is very well done.  I would highly recommend this beer.  I give this beer a 4 out of 5.

Flying Fish - Farmhouse Summer Ale

Flying Fish Brewing Co.

Farmhouse Summer Ale - An American Blonde Ale

The color of this beer is a crystal clear straw yellow.  The head came and went very quickly and left no lacing on the glass.  

The aroma of this beer is faint, nearly nonexistent leaving a slight biscuit aroma.  There is also a mild sweetness, from fruit, maybe lemons.  It is difficult  figure out since the aromas are so muted.

On the palate the barely there carbonation leads the way for a beer that is light, crisp, and lacking flavor.  The biscuit flavor from the malt gives way to a grassy, lemon flavor.  It doesn't have much else going on.  There is a little bit of muddled flavors as an after taste, which doesn't make me want to keep drinking.

Sadly I feel this beer falls flat.  While it is easy drinking, there is no aroma, and the flavors are disappointing.  There isn't much going on.  I will only be drinking the rest of this because I don't want to waste it, plus I took the picture of it.  I give this beer 2 out of 5.

Cigar City - Jai Alai

Cigar City Brewing

Jai Alai - India Pale Ale

The color of this brew is a wonderfully rich orange/copper.  It leaves a mild head that quickly dies down to a subtle coating on the top of the beer.  There is a good depth to the color, you and make out different hues of orange and copper.  The beer is transparent, letting a decent amount of natural light through, but there is enough body to it to only let the light through.  

The aroma gives off a scent of hoppy bitterness that is accompanied by grapefruit.  There is also a caramel sweetness to the scent that helps to balance out the bitter.  It is a very nice aroma that welcomes you to taste the brew.  

On the palate the light but slightly prickly carbonation leads you to a beer that has a nice transition of flavors.  Upfront you get hit with a mild fruitiness, that gives way to that caramel malt.  The beer then transitions again, leaving your tongue tasting grapefruit and some bitterness.  The beer finishes with a slight drying effect on the tongue, obviously this was done to make you drink more.  If you like IPA's, you definitely will drink more.

Overall I would say this is a flavorful IPA that does a good job at remaining true to itself.  It's balanced, but let's you know that the bitterness is here to stay.  It has a wonderful color, and it smells great.  I would recommend this beer to anyone that likes IPA's.  I give this beer a 4 out of 5.

Deschutes - Hop in the Dark

Deschutes Brewery

Hop in the Dark Cascadian Dark Ale - An Americam black ale

The color of this beer is DARK.  It's a solid looking beer, the almost black, but you can see a hint of brown color is rich and mysterious.  The light brown head goes away at a medium pace, and leaves some uneven lacing as it goes down the glass.  No light can get through this brew, it is way to solid for that.

The aroma of this brew gives of noticable scents of roast malts, a bitter chocolate and coffee aroma is also present in this beer.  Hiding amongst the other flavors you will also get hints of piney hops.  It's a pretty interesting aroma, that is pleasant and intriguing.  It's a smell that makes you want to take a sip.

On the palate the mild carbonation delivers a beer full of wonderful flavors.  The maltiness gives a nice backdrop to the hops that arrive and linger on your tongue long after you have finished your sip.  The piney flavors, with semi sweet chocolate flavor play well against each other.  There is also a hint of citrus the produces itself the more you drink it.  The beer finishes a little dry, and there is the slightest hint of alcohol, but not enough to add a warming sensation to the mouth and throat.  

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  There is a lot of flavor, the beer goes down very smoothly, and it has a nice aroma.  The color and aroma entice you to drink it.  I would say Deschutes did a nice job with this ale.  I give it a 4 out of 5.  Go and get it.

DuClaw -Sawtooth

DuClaw Brewing Co.

Sawtooth - Belgian white ale

The color of this beer is a nice cloudy gold, with a little tint of orange.  It's a translucent brew, that allows you to almost see through it at the edges, but it's only a tease.  There is a nice depth to the color, as it is deepest in the middle and then gentle fades as it approaches the edge of the glass.

The aroma of this beer is mild but has some layers to it.  I notice a yeastiness that gives way to a little bit of spice that smells like coriander, and you also get a nice light citrus scent.  It's a pleasant overall aroma with a nice mix of aromas that play well with each other.

On the palate there is a barely there carbonation that is very fine.  The flavors of this beer are blended together to make a crisp, refreshing beer.  You definetly notice the yeast, but at the same time you get some spice and citrus.  The lasting sweetness of the beer is pleasant as an after taste.  There is also a little bit of spice that remains after you finish your taste.

Sawtooth is a crisp refreshing beer that is nice for summer.  This beer finishes nice and light, and it isn't heavy and has a lower ABV for those who don't like a stronger beer.  This beer is worth a try, and is the type of beer you can have several of without filling up.  

Crown Valley Brewing - Gunslinger

Crown Valley Brewing

Gunslinger - Double IPA

The color of this beer is an orange with a base of brown.  It gives off a nice foamy head, the laces down the glass, and sticks around for a little while.  The beer is faintly see through.  The color is a little dirty, wish it was crisp and more defined.

The aroma of the beer gives off a nice maltiness with hints of lemon and honey.  It is a pretty mild aroma.  The aroma is inviting though, even though it isn't very strong.  The mild sweetness and slight bite from the hops play well on the nose.

On the palate this is a pretty well balanced beer.  The sweet maltiness with a slight caramel, then you notice the honey and lastly a little lemony tang with a clean and a little dry.  The flavor a balanced, more sweet than bitter.  There is nothing amazing about the taste, it is just good.  

Overall this beer goes down easily, which could be an issue since it is 9% abv, but then again, I could just drink it slower.  The color is not my favorite, but the aroma is nice, and the flavors are balanced and pleasant.  This is a pretty good double IPA.  I give it 3.5 out of 5

Barrel House - Local Species

Blue Mountain Barrel House Brewery

Local Species - Belgian Strong Pale Ale, aged in charred bourbon barrels

The color of this beer is a dark copper with distinctive reddish brown look.  It's a translucent beer, that has a slight cloudiness.  The head is white and foamy, and goes away very quickly, and does not laces the glass.

The aroma of this beer is full bodied and gives off a bunch of scents.  You will get a sweetness of candied sugar, citrus, a slight hoppiness and a little bit of caramel.  The smell isn't over powering, but it is full and rich.  

On the palate this beer has a lot going on.  Up front you taste a rich smooth caramel, followed by a nice balanced hoppiness that has a slight citrus taste to it.  There is a slight spice, and then finishes with a slight dryness.  There is a warmth to this brew that you experience during the entire taste.  There is a sense of alcohol, but it isn't strong, but complimentary to the overall flavor of the beer.

Overall this is a wonderful beer.  It's well balanced in flavor and has a nice aroma.  The color is just plain gorgeous, and draws you in from the start. Overall this is a solid beer worth getting.  4 out of 5.

Ithaca - Apricot Wheat

Ithaca Beer Co.

Apricot Wheat - A fruit wheat ale

The color of this beer is is a pale yellow, with the slightest tint of orange.  The beer pours leaving a light head that disappears quickly and leaves no residue on the side of the glass.  It's a beer that looks very light, crystal clear, and leaves you thinking there is no body to the beer.

The aroma given off by this beer gives off a prominent fruit smell.  It smells a little fake, like a candy or even dried fruit.  The smell isn't really strong, but it is there, and hard to miss.  I don't really get any other smells from this beer.  

On the palate it is a light tasting beer.  If you are looking for something that has a ton of flavor, and body to it, then you will not like this brew.  It is very light, the apricot flavor is light and crisp.  It has a mild bitterness in the mild of the taste, but it is fruit up front and finishes sweet.  It finishes clean with little after taste.  There is not much else to this beer.  

Now I know it seems like I am disappointed in this beer, but that is not the case.  It is a beer that is available year round, but I would only drink it in the summer.  It is light, crisp, has decent sweetness, and finishes clean.  It's a nice light beer for warm weather, that if you like the taste of you could drink a few of, but also have no problem switching brews.  Overall it's a decent beer.  I will give it a 3 out of 5.

Deschutes - Black Butte

Deschutes Brewery

Black Butte - Porter

The color of this beer is a deep dark chocolate.  The solid color has a light tan head that doesn't stick around too long.  Not light passes through this beer, and just at the edge of the glass you can see the deep brown color giving way to the light.  It's a wonderful looking brew.

The aroma is a nice clean chocolate.  The nose also picks up a nice roasted malt smell, that is complimented by the slightest hint of coffee.  The aroma is nicely balanced and fairly enticing.  The dance between the sweetness and the roasted malts goes well together.

On the palate Black Butte has a very mild carbonation, kind of like a flat soda, which is nice, I don't like it when these types of beers are too carbonated.  There is a little bit of hoppy bitterness that blends on nicely with the sweet, chocolate flavor of the beer.  The roasted malt and a little bit of coffee flavor finish of this beer.  The after taste is dry with coffee flavor being the flavor that lingers on the tongue.

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  I really enjoy the look and smell of this brew.  I like how is sets up for a favorable drinking experience. The flavor itself isn't bad either.  I think it is a little bit lacking, and could use a bit more flavor, but it is balanced well and doesn't disappoint, you just want more.  It is a beer worth trying.  3.5 out of 5.

Dogfish Head - Namasete

Dogfish Head Brewery

Namasete - Witbier

The color of this brew is a wonderful straw color.  It is a translucent beer that seems to have to body to it.  The head disappears rather quickly and the carbonation looks fine and tiny.

The aroma is malty, kind of like a pilsner.  There is some straw/grassy notes to it with the slightest bit of citrus.  There is not a lot of backbone to the smell, it is actually a little weak.  I wish it more to it.  Leaves you wondering if there is going to be any flavor.

On the palate the carbonation is fine and mild, it is actually barely noticeable.  The beer is crisp, and light.  There is a mild citrus note, a mild spice and a dryness on the back end as you drink it.  The flavors are pretty dull, but not in a bad way.  

Overall this beer is pretty good.  Nothing about it is amazing, but it is clean, crisp, refreshing and mild in flavor.  It's very nice for a warm day.  I wish the aroma was more enticing, but it goes well with the mild flavor.  I give it a 3 out of 5.

Healthiest beers

A quick easy read on some healthy beers and how to choose which one to drink.

https://greatist.com/health/10-healthier-beers-and-how-choose-right-one

Sam Adams - Cream Stout

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Cream Stout

The color of this beer is a rich, dark, melted chocolate brown.  The head foams up nicely to a nice beige then recedes quickly, but leaves a tiny little ring around the edge.  Obviously, this beer is completely opaque, no light gets through, and there isn't even a fade along the edge like most beers.

The aroma of this beer is similar to coffee, but with a hint of sweetness to it.  The coffee and roasted smells really come through first.  Though the smells given off from this beer are subtle, they are clear and defined.  Although this is supposed to be a cream stout, it gives off more coffee smell then I thought it would.  Since I am not a coffee drinker, it really makes me wonder if I will like the flavor of this beer.

On the palate, the carbonation is crisp, but mild.  The carbonation doesn't distract you from the flavor of the beer.  The beer reminds me of a mix between hot chocolate and coffee.  There is definitely a coffee taste to the beer, but it is not as strong and as dominate as the smell lends you to believe.  There is a nice roasted malt aspect, along with balanced sweetness.  There is a mild bite on the backside of the beer and it finishes smooth leaving the front of the tongue feeling dry.  After a few seconds I get a weird bitterness taste in my mouth.  It's unexpected, and I am to a fan of it.

Overall this stout is not bad, but it isn't really something I would have two of.  The aroma is mild, and defined.  The flavor is not bad on the front end of the beer, but the after taste is something I am not a fan of.  I would give this beer a 2.5 out of 5.

Victory - Dirt Wolf

Victory Brewing Co.

Dirt Wolf - Double IPA

The color of this beer is a wonderfully enticing golden orange.  The head laces nicely down adding to the already great looking beer.  The beer is translucent through the center of the body with a slight haze.

The aroma is pleasant, not overpowering, giving off hints of grapefruit, a floral note and pine.  The pine is mild and on the back end of the beer and comes out more as the brew warms up.  The grapefruit is the main aroma you notice.  There is also a mild maltiness mixed in to balance out the beer.

On the palate there is a mild carbonation that lightly tickles the tongue.  The flavors are kind of all jumbled together.  The piney notes are blended together with the citrus flavors.  It's a little hard to really get a good sense of what you are tasting.  On the back end you really are left with a dryness, and bitterness from all the hops.  

For me, I want the flavors to be expressed in a better way.  If you like beers purely for hop value, then you will enjoy this offering from Victory, but I feel it's a bit jumbled.  The aroma and color are very good, but the flavor doesn't match the presentation.  It's not that it is a bad beer, it's just not what I was expecting.

New Belgium - Trippel

New Belgium Brewing Co.

Trippel

The color of this brew is a nice deep straw, with an orange/gold hue.  It is a crystal clear beer, nice light carbonation.  

The aroma is clean and crisp with hints of mild spice.  The spice is blended nicely with a light banana aroma.  The fruitiness adds a nice sweetness to the aroma.  It is a mild aroma that is not at all strong.  You really need to take your time to notice the scents being emitted by this beer.

On the palate this beer is a crisp beer, that first hits you with a nice crisp hoppiness, but smoothly gives way to the spice of the clove and finishes with the sweetness of the banana.  The brew has smooth creaminess, that balances the crisp carbonation.  This beer also gives off a nice alcohol warmth that lingers on the roof of your mouth and trickles down to the back of your throat.  This does a nice job of touching every part of the mouth to give you a nice overall experience.

Overall I like this beer.  It is crisp, refreshing, with a nice mild aroma, and a balanced flavor.  I always have enjoyed a beer that does a good job of warming the palate, and this one does it without masking the flavor.  I really enjoyed this beer, give it a try.  

Sam Adams - Rebel IPA

Boston Beer Company - Samuel Adams

Rebel IPA - West Coast style IPA brew with 5 different hops

The color of this brew is crystal clear gold.  The head is white with light, with tightly packed bubbles that do not lace down the glass.  It is a pristine looking beer that gives off nice carbonation.

The aroma of this brew gives off nice hints of pine and some floral scents.  The beer also has a slight sweetness to the aroma.  The lemon, grapefruit, and floral scents play well together.  It is a balanced aroma, not over powering and just enough aroma to be welcoming.

The flavor of this beer is simple and playful, but could use a little more punch.  The west coast style is true to form, but it has some subtle additions.  I notice a maltiness first that quickly gives way to the citrus flavors.  Next the beer finishes with an adequate amount of bitterness, and a slight warming sensation on the roof of my mouth.  It's a decently done brew.

Overall this is a nice beer.  It is not amazing, it's not bad.  The beer is very drinkable, a nice amount of flavor, and a good aroma.  It's a good beer to kick back with a drink on a relaxing afternoon.  It's a nice beer, and definitely worth a try. 

Unibroue - Grand Reserve 17

Unibroue Brewery

Grand Reserve 17 - Strong Dark Ale

The color of this beer is a nice deep amber.  There is a cloudiness to this beer that makes it opaque in the center of the beer and translucent on the edges.  The cream colored head is nice and light.  

The aroma of this beer is pretty awesome.  The beer gives off a nice hint of alcohol that is blended in with a smooth caramel, toffee, and hints of vanilla.  I also notice a little bit of flavor that reminds me of raisins. It is a well balanced smell, that as is warms gives off a little bit of spice as well.

On the palate there is a mild prickly carbonation that massages the tongue.  The flavors of this beer are nicely balanced and presented very well.  Up front the beer is very malty.  The flavors of toffee, caramel come at you then give way to the fruity sweetness.  The beer then finishes with a lovely mix of spices, alcohol, and a slight hop bite.  The feeling the beer leaves in the mouth is a little dry and tart.  It leaves you wanting to sip more and more, which could be dangerous since this is a strong brew.  

Overall I love this beer.  The flavor is very well done and the aroma is enticing, inviting and pleasant.  With an Abv of 10% and the ability to age this beer! it can only get better.  I kept this one for about 9 months before I drank it, and a killed the 750 ml bottle all by myself.  Go get a bottle. 

Evil Twin - Disco Beer

Evil Twin Brewing Co.

Disco Beer - IPA aged in Chardonnay barrels

The color of this brew is a rich caramel.  There is a cloudiness to it, that makes it nearly impossible for any light to get through.  The head is a light brown color that takes a while to go down.  

The aroma of this beer is sweet and a little musty.  There are lots of layers to this beer, the smell has hints of pine, caramel, fig, and dark fruits.  There is a slight sense of alcohol.  The aroma mellows out as the beer warms up.  The wine smell is balanced and faint, but it adds a nice accent to the overall scent of the beer.

On the palate this beer has a whole mess of flavor.  It is a little bit tart and bitter on the back end.  I get more of a malty taste with caramel and some darker fruits.  The beer gives off a slight smooth/creaminess as it coats the tongue and travels down the throat.  There is a little bit of spice hidden in this beer as well.  The after taste is where you notice the IPA. With the bitter bite, but besides that, there is not much IPA in this brew.  The fruitiness of I the beer sneaks in on the initial taste of the beer, if you drink it to fast you will miss it.

Overall this is an ok beer.  The after taste is not great an it lingers a little to long for me.  The front side of this beer is pretty good, I just am not a fan of the finish.  It is definitely an interesting beer and worth a try.  It was a little over priced... that seems to be a theme with Evil Twin beers.  An ok brew overall.  

Weyerbacher - Insanity

Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

Insanity - A barleywine beer aged in oak bourbon barrels

The color of this beer is a deep copper with a fine head that is made up of tiny bubbles that disappear quickly.  The beer is translucent, letting only light through it.  It's a very nice color that is suggestive, making you feel like this beer will have a full body and some backbone to it.

The aroma of this beer gives off the smell of bourbon, vanilla, candied sugar, figs, and raisin.  That is a whole lot of smells coming out of one beer.  The darker fruits and alcohol are the promo at scents, with the others being secondary.  It is an enticing aroma that backs up the impression the color of the beer gives off.

On the palate the mild, prickly carbonation gives way to a smooth nicely flavored beer.  The bourbon flavor is balanced very well with the tanginess of the fruits, a nice maltiness and alcohol sweetness.  There is a hint of vanilla that blends in nicely with fruitiness and bourbon in the beer.  On the back end you get a nice hint of bitterness that really helps to take the edge off the sweetness of this beer.  The beer gives way to a warming of the back-upper throat area.  This is a strong beer, but it doesn't come across as in your face as it could.

Overall this is a fantastic beer and should be tried by all beer lovers.  It's a nice mix of flavors, smells and looks.  It's perfect for a cold day, and to be enjoyed and not guzzled, especially since it is 11% abv.  A great job by Weyerbacher.

21st Amendment - Lower Da Boom

21st Amendment Brewery

Lower Da Boom - American Barleywine Ale

The color of the brew is a wonderful chestnut brown.  With a nice mix of brown, red and orange, that play in the light.  The beer is translucent, more than transparent.  You can see through it slightly, but it's all fuzzy.

The aroma of this brewis sweet and fruity!  When my wife took a whiff of this beer, she said it smelled like a juice.  You will notice raisins, caramel, alcohol and some piney hops.  The sugary notes from this beer make you think of hard candy.  It's a well balanced aroma that makes you want to drink this brew right away. 

On the palate the mild carbonation gently tickles the tongue as you drink this flavorful brew.  The beers flavors come at you all at once, and then the last thing you notice is the piney hop finish that is mildly bitter and lingers just the right amount of time.  The alcohol in this beer warms the throat, and reminds you this is a beer to sip.  The caramel and dark fruits blend together on the front end of this brew and then give way to the hoppy finish.

Overall this is a pretty good brew.  It a solid Barleywine with a nice hoppy finish.  The sweetness is balanced very well by the bitterness.  Even though the smell of this beer screams sweet, this beer is not just sweet , and should please those who don't mind a beer with stones.  If you like barleywine beers me give this one a try.

Innis and Gunn - Scottish Porter

Innis and Gunn Brewery

Scottish Porter - Porter with Molasses

The color of the brew is a rich deep mahogany, that gives a wonderful red hue off the edges.  The beer is dark, but not a solid looking beer like most porters.  This beer you can see through a little bit.

The aroma of this brew is not very much porter though.  There is a wonderful maltiness, that has a nice roastedness to it.  You also get a sweetness from the molasses and there is also an alcohol scent that comes out when taking a whiff.  It is a sweet smelling beer with a slight bit of porter maltiness.

On the palate this brew has a nice balance to it.  There is a lot of flavor and then a clean finish that leaves a nice mild aftertaste.  The first thing you get is a sweetness like syrup or burnt sugar.  As the beer goes down you notice the molasses that is followed by a cocoa and banana flavor, that ends with a little bit of bitterness.  I never would have thought this beer would have this kind of flavor considering the smell.  It's a nice light porter that has a really interesting flavor.

Overall I really like this beer, it has a unique flavor that I have never had before.  It's a nice a smooth beer, that's easy to drink and has a nice alcohol flavor tht doesn't overpower the beer.  This is a beer worth trying if you are looking for something different in the porter world.

Ommegang - Art of Darkness

Ommegang Brewery

Art of Darkness - Belgian style dark ale

The color of this beer is coffee dark, no creamor sugar, black.  The head is a fluffy beige that stays around for a while.  No light gets through this brew, and no light can be seen at the edge of the glass.  This is dark, solid brew.

The aroma of this beer is sweet and fruity.  I get a candied sugar smell from this beer that is followed by a fruity / citrus notes that are sweet, and enticing.  The aroma is mild and not overpowering.  There is a mild hint of alcohol, but nothing that would make you think this beer is too strong.

On the palate there is a light, fluffiness with mild carbonation and a smooth texture.  The beer slowly coats the tongue as you drink it and lingers after the swallow.  The flavors are blended together well, but you can still pick them out.  I notice a hint of orange, with a more dominate sugary raisin.  There is a note of roast malt and molasses that is mild, and hidden until the back side of this taste.  There is also a mild bitterness that helps to mask the alcohol notes of this moderately strong brew.

Overall I like this beer.  The funky bitterness on the backside is not my favorite, but it doesn't kill the flavor or experience of this beer for me.  I wish there was a little more to the beer, it seems a little light for a beer this dark, it's smooth and goes down very easily.  It's a sneaky string beer at 8.9% abv.  Overall a quality brew by Ommegang, and a beer to at least try once.

Trader Joes (Unibroue) - 2013 Vintage Ale

Trader Joe's (Unibroue Brewery)

Vintage Ale - A dark Belgian style ale with spice

The color of this brew is an awesome deep brown, almost a coffee color with a light foamy head that has a slight brown to it.  The brew is almost opaque but the slightest bit of light can get through the beer.  As the head of the beer goes down the glass it leaves no trace behind.

The aroma of the beer is nice and full, but not overbearing.  There are notes of toffee and caramel that first paper on the nose.  There is a slight roasted malt, with hint of dark fruit and alcohol that finish the smell off.  It's a pleasant and balanced aroma, that gets better as the beer warms slightly.

On the palate this beer has a mild carbonation that gently tickles the tongue as you take your sip.  The beer is lighter than it looks and goes down very easily.  The flavors you notice first are the toffee and roasted malt.  The fruitiness from what seems to be raisins is mild and combines nicely with alcohol flavor that is mild but noticeable.  The flavors of this beer combine nicely for a very easy to drink brew.

Overall this is a very good beer.  It has nice color, a decent aroma, and good overall flavor.  It's extremely drinkable and light despite what the color would lend you to think.  Unibroue is one of my favorite breweries and they continue to make good beer and selling it through Trader Joe's is pretty awesome.  Definitely worth trying if you can find it.

21st Amendment - He said

21st Amendment Brewery

He Said - Belgian Style Tripel

The color of the beer is a deep gold with a slight bit of orange.  It's a translucent brew with a slight bit of cloudiness.  

The aroma of this beer is nice and spicy.  There is a nice hint of clove which dominates the on first whiff.  You will also notice a hint of pumpkin and some all spice.  This beer has a unique smell to it.  There is some floral hints that pop up in the aroma as well as some ginger.  The overall aroma is pleasant and welcoming.  

On the palate this beer has a quick hit of sweetness that is quickly followed by the ginger and then the clove.  The pumpkin is mild and a secondary in this beer, and mixes in the the hint of ginger that you notice in the aroma.  On the back end finish of the beer there is a little bitterness that doesn't stay long on the tongue.  The flavors are well layered and don't come at you all at once.  It's crisp and slightly warms as it goes down.

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  It is a pumpkin style, but it has a nice twist to it.  I wish I would have found this during the fall instead of recently, but the beer still tastes fresh.  The ginger, clove and pumpkin blend is interesting, and pleasant on the palate.  I am not a huge fan of the slight bitter bite on the back end, but it doesn't kill the beer for me.

Bavik - Petrus

Brouwerij Bavik

Petrus Oud Bruin - Ale aged in oak barrels

This is the last of the 12 beers of Christmas my wife got me.  12 drummers drumming are represented by the oak drums.  Well done my dear.  I am sad the beers of Christmas are over now.

The color of this beer is a nice chestnut color at the core, but fades out to a mahogany as it reaches the edge of the glass.  It is a translucent beer that you can see through, but the color of the beer makes it hard.  

The aroma of this beer gives off hints of candied sugar sweetness.  There is a wine like funk to the smell, probably from the aging process in the oak barrels. You can get a slight sourness and tartness of cherries as well.  It's a very interesting aroma.  There is a lot going on here.  

On the palate there is a mild, prickly carbonation.  This beer has hints of sourness that are reflected in the smell.  The sourness has a hint of cherries that has a little funkiness to it.  There is a slight maltiness that comes through with a very mild roast essence.  This beer is very similar to a sour, but it doesn't go over board with the sour flavor and it nicely balanced between sour, sweet, and the bitterness.  The fruitiness is very nice, and the beer goes down pretty easily.

Overall this is a nice brew.  The sour is a welcomed change of pace and refreshing.  This beer is like a sour mixed with a nice amber ale.  It's a different kind of beer, but very good and worth a try.

Breckinridge - Christmas Ale

Breckinridge Brewery

Christmas Ale - Seasonal winter ale

This is the 11th beer out of the 12 beers of Christmas.  There was nothing about pipers piping, so I got a Christmas Ale.

This beer gives off a mahogany color.  It has a nice play between brown and red.  It' a translucent brew, with a nice fading of color when you hold it up to the light.  

The aroma of this brew has a nice malty note with hints of caramel.  There is a slight fruitiness in the aroma that has a raisin scent.  There is also a bit of piney hops in the aroma.  Nothing in this aroma is overpowering, but mild and balanced.

On the palate the piney hop flavor is the first thing that hits the tongue.  After the piney flavor goes away your tongue gets hit with some fruity sweetness, then there is a little bit of hop again, and then it finishes with a note of caramel.  The flavor is kind of crazy how it bounces around like that.  After I first tasted the beer I was like, wow, there is a ton going on.  As I kept drinking it, I kept saying that to myself.  

Overall this is a pretty good beer.  It has a nice mild aroma, that leads you to a beer that has a bunch of flavor.  The flavor is layered, and to strong.  It is a nice warming ale that keeps on warming your throat well after you drink it.  It's worth a try for sure.