Terrapin: Rye Pale Ale (APA) 5.3%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This pours orange and has some sediment. The head is one finger with champagne-like bubbles, it goes away rather quickly and leaves a little lacing. The smell is really unique because of the rye. The whole feel of this beer is different than any other pale ale that I’ve had, which makes it interesting. The toasted barely flavor is replaced by a bitter sweet rye flavor. It still has hop presence and a nice mild bite that makes it an easy drinker, which isn’t so unlike other pale ales that I’ve tasted. It has a lighter body and is something that I could have a few of. 

My Rating: B/3.75

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2372/5948

Oskar Blue's: Dale's Pale Ale (APA) 6.5%

Drank From: on-tap, poured into a pint glass

Dale's poured light copper with a finger of head. I had this after a beer tasting, so the intricacies of my taste buds were dulled. I remember it being very hoppy and crisp with a solid bite to it. It could have been an IPA, even though it's classified as a pale ale. The smell was the usual hoppy goodness. I would like to have this out of the famous can that its known for, and hopefully i can have a more detailed breakdown at that time.

My Rating: B+/4.0

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2681/6518

Sprecher: IPA2 (American Double/Imperial IPA) 8.4%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

IPA2 pours cloudy orange. There isn’t a lot of smell, just typical citrus and hops, but nothing outstanding. The taste was surprisingly better than I thought it might be. It definitely has a very quality, rounded out taste. There is a dark/nutty aspect to this beer that I am really enjoying. The aftertaste is a little boozy, but there is a nice balance between the sweetness and bitterness. There is a little bit of apricot in the aftertaste as well. There is a bad mucky aftertaste. Medium body...drinkability is lowered because of the aftertaste that builds as you work your way through this one. 

My Rating: B/3.58

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/144/37308

Left Hand: 400 Pound Monkey (English IPA) 6.7%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This pours hazy light orange with 1 1/2 fingers of foamy head and some lacing. The nose is light hops with a stronger sweet malty smell to follow. The taste is very bitter with a hint of honey up front.This reminds me of an English bitter. 400 Pound Monkey is tasty, but pretty bitter. I would like a little more malt balance. The body is medium but overall easy to drink. This is a good beer for a change, I usually like American IPA. This is similar to Goose Island Honker's Ale, only more bold. The box says "earth and herbal". I would agree with that...maybe aged, wet hops...very earthy.


My Rating: B+/4.0
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/418/44706

Victory: Hop Wallop (American Double/Imperial IPA) 8.5%

Drank From: bomber, poured into a pint glass

This beer is fantastic. Pours yellow/light orange and has a lot of active bubbles…two fingers of chunky head and good lacing. Smell is fresh and hoppy. The taste is a great balance of cereal malt flavors and a big bite, the bitterness is also large in the aftertaste. There isn’t too much sweetness, and I can’t believe this an 8.5%. I’ve had 6-7 ABVs that were much thicker and harsh. Half way through, I started to notice the body to be medium-heavy, It gains some weight as it warms up. Pouring this from a bomber, could probably put down two. 

My Rating: A+/4.58

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/14916

Rust Belt: Old Man Hopper's IPA (American IPA) 6.0%

Drank From: bomber, poured into a pint glass

This pours cloudy brown with a little head, but some lacing. The smell is sweet and malty. The flavor is not complex or bold, but not bad either. It has a craft brew quality to it that makes it more tolerable than piss. The dominance is malt rather than hops. I like the bitternes, but It has some trashy fermented tastes. I like the rust belt and I like craft beer; I like that this is different than the rest, and I’m not hating. However, this just isn’t an A beer. Medium body, I will be tired of it by the end of this bomber. 

My Rating: B-/3.28

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/19190/55708

Sierra Nevada: Torpedo Extra IPA (American Pale Ale) 7.2%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This pours very cloudy orange with 2 fingers of chunky head with a lot of lacing. I smell some malt and hops with some booziness, but the taste doesn't reflect the alcohol.  It has pretty nice malty bitterness balance, but not near as good as Celebration. I don’t get the fresh hop impression in Torpedo. There is a dirty/earthy pine taste, which I do enjoy as a variety in an IPA. As I drink through this beer, I notice dark fruits that are represented in the smell and taste. The body is mildly heavy, I think I will stick with just one of these. 

My Rating: B+/3.8

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/30420

Redhook: Mudslinger Spring Ale (English Brown Ale) 5.8%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Mudslinger pours medium brown and pretty clear, with about one finger of head. The smell was sweet and malty. The taste was mild but nutty. I was surprised in its bitterness; for me, it made it more drinkable. I don’t prefer overly sweet brown ales. It had a medium body, and I could have another. 

My Rating: B/3.65
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18134/55264

Great Lakes: Commodore Perry (English IPA) 7.5% SECOND REVIEW

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This is great beer. Pours light orange with one and a half fingers of head and some moderate lacing. The smell is hops and citrus, specifically some grapefruit, with a mild floral presence. This is a good balance of sweet malts up front and bitter hops to follow. This has always been one of my favorite IPAs, and one of the first for me. My only criticism is that it is pretty sweet, but at a high proof and strong amount of malt, that is expected. It is medium bodied, and im down for another…but the 7.5% will sneak up on you.

My Rating: A+/4.53

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/73/1575

Foothills: Hoppyum IPA (American IPA) 6.3%

Drank From: bomber, poured into a pint glass

Hoppyum pours transparent amber with thin chunky two fingers of head. The nose is citrus and metallic. The taste has some bitter metallic too. I taste some malts right away, but the bitter bite dominates, but then malt again in the aftertaste. This isn’t as sweet, hoppy, or citrusy as some IPAs; the body is on the lighter side too. However, there is a good balance of malt and hops. Drinking this bomber wont be a problem at all, and I will defiantly come back to this brew. If I were selling it to someone, I would say that it is a great pale ale with an IPA presentation. The bottle claims that it’s a session beer, I would agree. 

My Rating: A/4.33

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11036/27571

Victory: HopDevil Ale (American IPA) 6.7%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Pours dark peach with one finger of foamy head that doesn’t last too long, but there is some lacing left behind. Fist thing I notice is the graininess in the nose, along with some some dark sweet smells. The taste is heavier on the malt than hops, but this beer also has a nice bitter bite to it. For the heavy malt variety of IPA (as opposed to citrusy), this is excellent. The taste is better than the smell. Medium bodied, give me another. 

My Rating: B+/3.9

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/1005

Pyramid: Outburst IPA (American Double/Imperial IPA) 8.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass 

Pours deep orange with two fingers of foamy head, some lacing. The taste is big citrus and hops. It is suprisingly bitter up front with the sweetness that you should expect from 8.5. Had this beer chilled from a bottle first. It is much better right from he fridge, poured into a glass. Medium body, which is pleasant for its ABV. The bitterness last through the after taste and leaves a bit on your tongue. Good beer, I could have two.


My Rating: B/3.58
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/403/57934

Duck-Rabbit: Milk Stout (Sweet/Milk Stout) 5.7%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Pours almost black with 1 1/2 half fingers of brown foamy head. It smells like coffee, chocolate, and toffee. Great mouth feel for a stout, no sour mucky after taste. The flavor is dark and toasty with a fair amount of sweetness, but not so complex that it’s hard to drink. This is great beer that leaves a creaminess on your tongue. 

My Rating: A-/4.18

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/9790/20216

Hoegaarden Original White Ale (Witbier) 4.9%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured a cloudy white with nice bubbly, foamy head. The smell is mild yeast, maybe some sweet banana-like presence. The taste is sweet with mild banana, coriander, and wheat. The body is very smooth, making this very easy drinking. This is a pleasant change from the usual IPA. I could have another. 

My Rating: B/3.63

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/83/248

Flying Dog:Snake dog IPA (American IPA) 7.1%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Snake Dog smells  malty and citrusy. The taste is on the lighter side. In style, this is what I like. It has a fruity complexity. It poured hazy amber and had one finger of foamy head. The ABV is high, but not detected up front, but a little in the after taste. There is a little bit of a bite, but I fear that the hops have mellowed. This beer has been in my closet for a few months…oops. Overall it’s good. Flying Dog puts out a good product, you cant go wrong. 

My Rating: B+/3.98

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/68/205

Left Hand: Warrior (American IPA) 7.6%

Drank From: bomber, poured into a pint glass

Warrior IPA pours dark cloudy brown with a lot of heavy, thick head and chunky lacing. It smells like dark fruit; I smell raisins for sure. The taste is heavy and malty. It has a nice body, and it is very drinkable. I prefer a little more hops, but this has a nice bitter bite and smooth taste. The ABV is only detected in the end. This is very drinkable. To be honest, I was hoping for some more fruity hops in the taste, but this is still a great beer. 

My Rating: A/4.4

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/418/9182

Leffe: Blonde (Belgian Pale Ale) 6.6%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a tulip glass

Every time I review a Belgian white style, I continue to be disappointed. I should know by now that I just do not prefer the style. I know that I used to like Hoegaarden, and I have one in the fridge right now that I am hoping I will enjoy. Leffe Blonde reminded me of all the things I don't like about Duvel. It has a plastic-like yeast taste that I just cannot get into. I find that yeast presence very dominating, and it makes the beer hard to finish. The appearance was a nice golden color with a bubbly head. It does have an almost "slick" smoothness, but the taste really cut down on the drinkability for me. 

My Rating: C+/3.1

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/470/2137

Brooklyn: Brown Ale (America Brown Ale) 5.6%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Brooklyn Brown pours dark amber with 1 1/2 fingers of foamy head. I don't pick up on a lot of smell, and the flavor is pretty hollow as well. It has some nice toasty after tastes that identifies it as a dark ale, but nothing to go crazy about. It has a nice overall mild taste, but again, this is not something that I would seek out. It is medium bodied and drinkable, but I don't see myself have more than one of these in a row. 

My Rating: B-/3.5

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/146

Green Man: IPA (English IPA) 6.0%

Drank From: on-tap

Green Man IPA pours amber and very clear, not a whole lot of head (but I had it on draught, and the bar tender wasn't trying to create any head). I couldn't smell a whole lot, but the taste was huge and delicious. It almost had a dirty rawness...similar to the Green Man ESB. There was so much flavor and it was surprisingly well rounded for a local place. This was the second sampling that I've tried from this brewery, and I have really enjoyed it both times. There is a nice bite, with a pleasant sweetness/bitterness combo. There was so much flavor in this beer that I wouldn't call it easy drinking, but I want to want more of it. 

My Rating: A-/4.05

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11599/25100

Olde Hickory: Death By Hops (American Double/Imperial IPA) 7.0%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This is a perfect example of a smaller brewery putting out a product that is fine if you are already a fan. It is probably fun to go to the brewery and have a fresh IPA from the tap room. However, I just can't say that this beer has the well-rounded qualities that are evident in beers from bigger operations. The appearance was not memorable and I thought that it was a little harsh and dirty in flavor. If you want hops, look no further. It's almost as if they garnish it with hops just before serving it.  It took me a while to put this one down, but I would like to give Olde Hickory another shot. I love trying local stuff!

My Rating: B-/3.45

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/7753/62000

Lagunitas: Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale (American Pale Wheat Ale) 7.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

For starters, I prefer this to A Little Sumpin' Wild. I'm not a huge fan of Belgium styles, and I thought this was more mild and drinkable. It Pours orange-yellow with big foamy head. The smell and taste is sweet and floral, with some sourness to follow. It has a nice medium body that is crisp. I prefer the orange-hoppy bite in this brew to the thick sweetness in the Wild. It has a wheatiness, almost making it a hybrid of sorts. I had a few of these. 

My Rating: A-/4.15

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/49789

Double Dog: Raging Bitch (Belgian IPA) 8.3%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This pours transparent amber with two fingers of head. The taste seems lagered (it almost has German features), but that could be the appearance suggesting that. I smell a lot of sweetness, more specifically, brown sugar. It does have the typical Belgium flavors...yeast and other crap that I could do without. For being an 8.3%, the tastes hides the strength pretty well, but this wasn't the first beer of the night either. It is very sweet, but has a nice hop presence. I am curious to know what this beer tastes like on a fresh pallet; time may tell. Hey! It's 8.3%, What?!


My Rating: B+/3.8%
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/68/52855

Goose Island: IPA (English Indian Pale Ale) 5.9%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Goose IPA pours cloudy yellow with 1 1/2 fingers of head that hangs around to the end. The nice head allows for a bold, sour citrus smell that punches you in the nose...maybe some pineapple or grapefruit in there as well. The taste is very bitter up front, not dissimilar to a grapefruit, with a lot of hop presence to follow. This is a good IPA, but I think I like the smell even better than the taste, not as a criticism to the taste. This beer is also very crisp and refreshing, drawing a connection to the Honker's. This is definitely very bitter rather than the expected sweet, it just depends on what you are after for that particular session. I'd have another...and another. My partiality usually lies with American IPA varieties, I'm bending the rules here. 


My Rating: A-/4.25
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1549/3968

Goose Island: Honker's Ale (English Bitter) 4.2%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Honker's pours cloudy light copper with one finger of head that is fleeting. It smells pretty strong of hops with a little malt. The taste is very crisp and bitter up front and, as stated on the bottle, this is "a perfect balance of malt and hops." I would say that the amount of malt is actually more than I remember from previous tastings. This beer is a solid easy drinker. And they got rid of the twist-off cap! Thank goodness.


My Rating: B+/3.95
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1549/1157

New Belgium: Ranger (American IPA) 6.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

It pours yellow with nice, big chucky head that lasts. The smell is floral and hoppy, but not overly heavy on the hops. The hops and malt are very well balanced in the taste; this could almost be a strong pale ale. It is very crisp and all around good. This is not the first time that I have tasted Ranger, and I remember from past experiences that it was noticeably light on the sweetness for being an IPA...the same is true on this tasting.

My Rating: B+/4.0

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/55081

Brideport: Hop Czar (Imperial IPA) 7.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Hop Czar pours murky orange with a nice, foamy brown head that lasts; the smell is very sweet. I also smell dark fruits, maybe raisin and brown sugar. The taste is a little sweet and bitter. I like to taste more citrus or floral in an IPA, whereas this is a little “imperial” and boozy in flavor. Overall, this is a solid beer. Within this brand, however, I prefer the pale ale. 


My Rating: B/3.75
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/43/43886

Lagunitas: Little Sumpin' Wild (Belgian Strong Pale Ale) 8.85%

Drank From: bomber, poured into a pint glass

This pours a nice orange color with a thick foamy head. It smells very hoppy and citrusy. The flavor is very full, leaving no doubt that this is a Belgian style ale. The heavy body and yeast almost knocks you down. It is smooth and well balance for being such a strong beer. I taste malt followed by strong hops. It is not boozy like you might expect. I don't love Belgian beers, they are almost always too sweet in my opinion. This beer is pretty good though. 


My Rating: A-/4.15
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/57912

Great River: 483 Pale Ale (APA) 5.3%

Drank From: can, poured into a pint glass

This pours copper and has a nice two finger head. I smell a good balance of malt and hops and the taste does not disappoint. It is surprisingly hoppy and almost reminds me of an IPA. The drinkability and medium body define it as a Pale Ale. It has a nice bite and good carbonation. It is well filtered, and almost looks like a lager in it's transparency. However, it is substantial and meaty. I wish I lived nearer to this brewery.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/741/2843
My Rating: A/4.3

Lakefront: Organic ESB (Extra Special/Strong Bitter) 5.42%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

I will admit that the whole ESB genre is a newer find for me. I just started taking interest in them. Having just had Greenman's version, which was hoppy and flavor packed, I may have been expecting the same with this Organic ESB. It is, in no way, similar...they are both beer. This beer pours cloudy copper and has a nice foamy head that lasts a little longer than the other beers form this brewery. The nose is fruit and caramel; I can definitely expect some sweetness if the smells are indicative at all. Not the case. This beer is pleasantly bitter and mild. It is smooth and drinkable, one of the easiest drinkers that I've had to date. I really felt like I was having an iced tea...if iced tea had a delicious malt aftertaste. The medium body and crispness make this enjoyable throughout.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/741/2843

My Rating: B+/3.85

Lakefront: Cream City Pale Ale (APA) 5.68%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This pale ale pours cloudy orange/brown. The head is about one finger that dissipates pretty quickly. First taste seemed a little watery, but I had a beer with more hop presence during the same session, so I tried to focus on what I liked about it. It was citrusy, hoppy and herbal. It had a natural aspect that I sometimes like and sometimes do not. Like in my previous post, I have been been swayed by the name of this beer, but I thought there was a nice creaminess to it. It was light and easy to drink...could have a few of these. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/741/2222
My Rating: B/3.75

Green Man: ESB (Extra special/Strong Bitter) 5.3%

Drank From: on-tap

I've been excited to try this beer for a few reasons: One, it's a local place and I appreciate that. Two, it comes recommended by a friend. Contrary to what has become popular in the beer critiquing community, I like to approach a new brew with the expectation that I am going to like it (or at least appreciate something about it). Although I enjoy discussing the nuances of beer, I am not interested in trying to prove my beer knowledge is superior to every else's by making negative assessments of everything that isn't foreign and weird. That said, this beer was good. I thoroughly enjoyed the intense hoppy flavor, which I was not expecting. It had a robust, natural element. I enjoyed the "rawness" and heaviness despite the fact that it is only 5.3%. Maybe there is power of suggestion in the name, but earthy and organic came to mind as well. I could have a few of these in a row and am looking forward to trying Green Man's other beers. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11599/28146
My Rating: A-/4.2

Warbird: Pale Ale (APA) 7.3%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This is the second time that I've had this beer, and I can't say this is something that I would buy again. It pours dark copper with a decent one finger of head that sticks around long enough. For a pale ale, this is a surprising 7.3%, which makes the second half more enjoyable than than the first. It has a strong grainy flavor that comes across as sour in the smell. The silage/boozy smell overtakes the slight hop presence. To be respectful, it has a bold flavor that some people could get behind...just not my preference. It does remind me of the Midwest, so that's something. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10673/36418

My Rating: C+/3.01

Sierra Nevada: Pale Ale (APA) 5.6%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale is an old stand by. It's on-tap everywhere, so the "ace in the hole" factor is a plus. I like that it is well rounded, medium bodied, and easy to have a few of. This time around I poured it into a pint glass with two fingers of head. The retention isn't as good as Celebration, but still pretty good. The color is orange/copper. I smell hops, malt and citrus. The taste is a little on the sweet side, but there is a good amount of hop presence for a Pale Ale. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/276

My Rating: B+/3.8

Lakefront: Wheat Monkey Ale (American Pale Wheat Ale) 4.2%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured cloudy orange/white and had almost no head retention. It was a little flat and sweet. I smelled a little bit of banana, but it didn't necessarily come out in the taste. I don't like wheat beer that features coriander, and I did not pick that up in this one. This didn't have an odd complexity that some wheat beers have, so I am counting that a plus. It was light bodied and easy drinking. I very publicly do not like wheat beer, but this is a good find for something different. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/741/50649

My Rating: C+/3.15

Coors: Killian's Irish Red (American Amber/Red Ale) 4.9%

                           Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Ok, I have debated whether or not to even review beer like this because I am not interested in taking a snobby, snide approach to a beer that doesn't claim to be a craft brew. I crack a Natty Ice from time to time, and I would be lying to say that I didn't enjoy it. All beer has it's place. Although Killian's is better served with a drop shot of Baileys and Jamison, it can be enjoyed for what it is...affordable beer. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/306/909

My Rating: C/2.8

New Glarus: Coffee Stout (American Stout) 5.75%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

I didn't take down any notes while having this one, so I will be going off memory...which I realize is slightly unfair. However, I wouldn't have a lot to say about this even if I did have notes. There wasn't anything wrong with it, but I just do not prefer coffee stout. It poured black and had a coffee and chocolate smell and taste. I remember that it took me a while to get it down, so I wasn't loving it. It was more bitter than sweet. I think this needs to be consumed with some sort of dessert to really appreciate it. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/590/2810
My Rating: C+/3.2

Founders: Centennial IPA (American IPA) 7.2%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured a dark amber with 1-2 fingers of head. It has a hoppy smell that you might expect, but there is a malty smell that also comes out in the taste. I should have expected as much from an atypically dark IPA. The taste is hoppy and fruity that is followed by bitterness that lingers...but not unpleasant. It is fairly heavy bodied, so one or two of these will leave you wanting to change it up. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/5441
My Rating: A-/4.2

Sam Adams: Latitude 48 IPA (American IPA) 6.0%

Drank from: bottle, poured into a glass

I was not expecting this to be so orange in color; it was almost red. The smell was citrus and hops. I expected it to be sweeter, but the red color comes out in the flavor. There is some dark malty flavor and a bitterness that was not unpleasant. This beer has a unique toasty flavor for an IPA, yet it is smooth and easy to drink. If I had more than one of these, I would have cracked a second and third. I'm not a huge Sam Adams fan, but this beer is good.


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/57252
My Rating: B+/3.95

Olde Mecklenburg: Dunkel (Euro Dark Lager) 4.9%

Drank From: on-tap and from a growler

The bitterness in this reminded me a winter warmer. It poured a little darker than OMB Copper. It smells warm and sweet. The taste is similar, but more bitter. I like OMB beer because it is always filtered to be crystal clear and drinkable. I enjoyed alternating between this and copper. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/19247/54854

My Rating: A-/4.1%

Anchor: Christmas Ale 2010 (Winter Warmer) 5.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This is similar to the 1 year aged 2009 edition. I would say that it is even more balanced though. It reminded me of a pale ale a little more. The hops were more noticeable. The whole experience was smooth and had less of an earthy taste than 2009. It poured dark brown and had nice head. It was medium bodied; this might be something that you would drink a few of around Christmas. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28/63022
My Rating: B+/3.8%

Anchor: Christmas Ale 2009 (Winter Warmer) 5.5%

Drank  From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

I first had this last Christmas. I remember it being a little too spicy and piny in taste and smell. I saved one to see if it would mellow out a year later; which turned out to be true. It poured dark brown with a nice head on it. The smells and flavors were much more rounded out and pleasant. I could smell caramel and toasty, but the taste was bitter and not sweet...similar to an ESB. This was definitely better than it was a year ago. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28/53863

My Rating: B/3.75

SweetWater Tackle Box (4 variety 12 pack)

I've had SweetWater before a few times, but last month I decided that getting a variety pack would be a good way to sample these beers again. Plus, I needed to revisit them for the sake of the blog. Like most mix pack within a brand, one or two stand out as clear favorites. It almost isn't fair to pit them against each other. The IPA was my favorite in this case, followed by 420. The other two we goo too, but less memorable. 
I Drank All From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

SweetWater: IPA (American IPA) 6.7%

The IPA had 1 1/2 Fingers of head and was copper in color. The chunky head lasted throughout. The smell was strong hops and floral. This was suprisingly more refreshing than some other IPAs that I've had. The taste is bold, but is quickly out of your mouth. It does not have that lingering sour flavor that makes you wish you could brush your teeth; and you would if you didn't already know how terrible beeramint is. It has a welcome crispness and a little malty finish. It was medium bodied and easy to drink, but pretty zesty. I probably wouldn't drink more than two of these in a sitting. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/273/1493
My Rating: A+/4.55


SweetWater: 420 Extra Pale Ale (APA) 5.4%
This poured light orange and had one finger of head that didn't last. This was very refreshing and easy to drink. Hops and floral come out in the smell and taste. I noticed that it was a little more malty than other pale ales that I've testy, which is nice for a change. It relatively light bodied, making it easy to have several of these in a sitting without making yourself feel like a sausage. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/273/751
My Rating: A/4.35

SweetWater: Exodus Porter (American Porter) 5.9%
This poured black with one finger of foamy head. The smell was tasty, malty, coffee and sweet. The taste is even more dark than the smell. I was expecting something sweet and got pleasant toasty, maybe even a little burnt flavor. This was medium bodied and had noticeable carbonation for a porter. I don't typically drink porters and stouts in succession, but you could if that's your bag. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/273/1494
My Rating: B/3.7


SweetWater: Sweet Georgia Brown (English Brown Ale) 5.4%
This poured dark brown with 2 fingers of foamy head. It toasty and sweet, maybe even a little sour. The taste was more smoky and not as sweet as a Sierra Nevada: Tumbler. It is medium bodied and crisp. Given the right mood or season, a couple of these would be nice. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2078/9826
My Rating: B+/3.85