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

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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.