The Blackball Belgian Style IPA might be one of the most unique beers- both by smell and taste- we have encountered thus far. It pours a deep orange, pale color with a solid two-finger head. The aroma however is the most defining characteristic of this beer from Karl Strauss. We spent more time digging our… Read more »
As summertime approaches, the lighter session offerings will being moving to the forefront of the craft beer community, and if you happen to live in the Boston area or make the trip there, do yourself a favor and get your hands on a Notch Session Pils. This beer pours about as clean as possible for… Read more »
It’s always nice to try smaller batch beers from what many have termed “nano-breweries.” Maine Beer Company’s production is limited by the actual equipment they posses. If that wasn’t the case, there would much more beer like Mean Old Tom, a stout aged on Natural Vanilla beans. This beer pours more of a dark chestnut-brown,… Read more »
We know what you are thinking – a brown ale during spring and summer? Let us explain. This offering from the Aloha Series is quite possibly one of the best we have sampled to date. We are always fans of breweries that can take a style and make it unique, offering consumers something different than… Read more »
There is something to be said for brewers who take a chance and push the boundaries of stylistic guidelines set out by the Brewers Association. With a name like “curveball” you might expect to taste something unique, but this offering is simply an accurate interpretation of the style. Typically straw and golden in color, this… Read more »
As part of their Brewmaster’s Reserve, Brooklyn Brewing released Sorachi Ace, a classic saison style beer, but made with Oregon-grown Sorachi Ace hops. The aromas are floral and citrus with lemongrass. Brooklyn claims it tastes like sunshine in a glass, but we think it smells more like spring in a glass. There’s an excellent balance… Read more »
Although the Double IPA category is about as wide open as it comes in terms of interpretation, we have to think that this offering from Odell Brewing is actually one of the more representative of what the style should be. At 9.3%, this beer is no slouch, but it perfectly combines all the quintessential elements… Read more »
With summer approaching, there is nobody more ready for warm weather than east-coasters. What better way to celebrate than with a seasonal offering that is clean, crisp and incredibly session-able. The Brooklyn Summer Ale pours a clean pale/straw color, inviting the drinker in to give it a taste. If you can make it past an… Read more »
Beginning in May, Samuel Adams will release the summer variety pack. This year it will include two new styles, one being the Rustic Saison. Samuel Adams describes the beer as a Belgian-style farmhouse beer brewed with honey. Le Saisonniers were seasonal workers that worked on the farms and were often times given beer for their… Read more »
Canning craft beers is a current trend and one of the more unique things to be happening in the craft beer industry at the moment. Oskar Blues started the trend and now small operations like the team at Baxter Brewing in Maine are continuing it. Founded by Luke Livingston, Baxter Brewing Co. is the first… Read more »
When you think of good Alaskan Brewing Co. beers, the IPA category isn’t usually at the top of the list. It’s time to change that. Their take on the imperial IPA is actually quite nice. The beer pours a hazy, copper-orange color with decent head. A nice balance of sweet malt and refreshing citrus comes… Read more »
The Widmer Brothers just launched the Rotator IPA series and kicking things off is the X-114, made with Citra Hops. As far as IPA’s go, this one is more on the ‘pale’ side of the spectrum. It pours a clean pale color that has almost no haze and a medium head. It smells, as the… Read more »
The fourth installment of Widmer Brothers limited Brothers’ Reserve series is their Galaxy Hopped Barleywine Ale. This barleywine is the first in the series for 2011. Quite honestly though, if you didn’t read the label (why you wouldn’t do that is beyond us) you might have a tough time telling this is a barleywine. It… Read more »
When you think of classic fall seasonal offering, pumpkin immediately comes to mind. Bison Organic takes a different approach with their Gingerbread Ale. This beer pours a dark brown color with a slight red hue. Surprise, it smells like gingerbread! If you dig a little deeper, you will notice notes of caramel, cinnamon and nutmeg…. Read more »
