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

Redhook: Winterhook Winter Ale (Winter Warmer) 5.9%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured dark amber with notable head that stuck around for a while. It smelled and tasted malty and toasty. It had a well balanced taste that wasn't too sweet or smoky. I would classify this as moderately crisp and medium bodied, making it easy to have a few of these in a row. However, after i finished, I started to get that sour, muck taste that sometimes follows beer. I still think Winterhook is pretty solid and will come back to it next winter. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18134/13906

My Rating: B/3.65

Redhook: ESB (Extra Special/Strong Bitter) 5.8%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured copper with two fingers of head that went away pretty quickly. It smelled and tasted malty and sweet. I found it to be pretty similar to Winterhook, only not as good. There was a certain grainy/nutty flavor that set it apart from Winterhook, however, I was expecting something a little more bitter. I did drink this after a Celebration Ale, that may have something to do with it. This beer was fine, but I cannot see myself buying this again. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18134/1119

My Rating: B-/3.3

New Belgium: 1554 Enlightened Black Ale (Belgian Dark Ale) 5.6%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a tulip glass

First of all, I am convinced that all New Belgium Brewery's beers have a "tastes like sticks" taste. I believe it is commonly referred to as...earthy. To continue my rant, I think this beer actually has a campfire taste. I suppose I appreciated the smoky aspect for something different. Half way through I had a buckeye (chocolate and peanut butter candy), which was a nice compliment. It poured black with one finger of head. It smelled and tasted like chocolate, coffee, caramel and smoke. It was a little sweeter than I typically prefer, so I don't know if I would drink more than one of these in a row. I only bought two of these in a mix-six, but I can see myself buying a six pack of these in the future. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/1914
My Rating: B+/3.8

Flying Dog: Double Dog Double Pale Ale (Imperial IPA) 11.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a tulip glass

This beer is interesting. I had it on tap and remember it being the predictable strong, syrupy style that you might expect from an imperial IPA. This time, however, it was awesome. It was sweet and more crisp than I remember, but it had a pretty heavy mouthfeel. I like the distinct bitterness; it tastes a lot like black walnut. It poured a nice peach color, and had about one finger of head, which is not bad for such a high ABV. This is, by far, the best and most drinkable imperial that I've had. Based on the taste and body, I could have another one...but that's just crazy.


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/68/35754
My Rating: B+/4.0

Flying Dog: Gonzo Imp. Porter 7.8% VS. Great Lakes: Edmond Fitzgerald Porter 5.8%

HEAD TO HEAD

So I am getting into this head-to-head idea. It's fun to pit one beer against another. A positive in one beer leaves something to be desired in the other. It probably isn't the most "fair" way to judge something, I am fully aware of that. This is my first Porter vs. Porter. As you may know, drinking two porters is sometimes a feat in itself...made easier if you are drinking to awesome ones, however. 

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured a nice dark brown, almost black with two fingers of brown head. This was medium bodied for the ABV, but it was a little sweeter than I prefer. This was definitely more chocolaty than coffee-y. This beer had a really unique smokiness that I really enjoyed. I could drink another one of these, but the sweetness would get to me.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/68/24071

My Rating A-/4.1

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This poured very similar to the Gonzo, black with two fingers of brown head. This was more drinkable than the Gonzo, but it is a little less strong, so maybe plays into it a little bit. This is the coffee variety, as opposed to being more chocolaty. For a porter, this is very crisp and carbonated. When I toured The Great Lakes Brewery in 2008, the tour guide told me this was his favorite all-year-round beer. I don't know if this is my favorite beer, but I could easily drink this any time of the year. Great beer!

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/73/226

My Rating: A/4.4

New Holland: Mad Hatter IPA 5.8% VS. Cottonwood: Endo IPA 5.9%

HEAD TO HEAD

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Mad Hatter IPA is a good all around drinker. I could have a few of these without feeling over filled, or worn out by the same taste. It's solid and crisp, and has some floral smells/tastes. The bitterness, sweetness and hops are well balanced. It poured golden with a nice chunky head. I don't know that I would rave about any particular aspect, or grab for this beer with some many others to try, but it is good. I am picking this as the winner in this match-up however, for said reasons below. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/335/2904

My Rating: A-/4.15

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

Compared to the Mad Hatter, Endo IPA did not have very good head retention or carbonation. It poured red/brown, which I was not expecting. Red ales and lagers aren't usually my favorites, and this beer had the strong malt presence that I associate with red styled beers. It did have a certain woodiness that made it different, so I can appreciate that. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/354/5049

My Rating: B/3.65

Sierra Nevada: Celebration Ale 2010 (American IPA) 6.8%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This is the first time in a couple years that I have had Celebration Ale, what was I thinking? This ambrosial brew is truly the "nectar of the gods". It's one of my favorite beers because it is not overwhelmingly seasonal in taste. It doesn't have any weird, funky spiciness that guides you down a path of regret half way through. It is super refreshing and crisp; I think I could enjoy one of these in the summer. When I strain to detect detail,which I almost hate doing to a beer that I already know is good, I pick up some pinyness that makes me want to breath that air that makes your nostrils stick together; you know, that wilderness feeling you get from freezing your butt off. Thats right, pine, and do I taste poinsettias and sprigs of holly? No, those are just on the bottle. The big head lasts all the way to the end...great overall appearance. The subtle approach to this being a seasonal beer makes it awesome and drinkable. Plan to have a couple of these in a row, no problem. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/1904
My Rating: A+/4.95

Sierra Nevada: Tumbler (American Brown Ale) 5.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint 


I've had Tumbler several times this fall. I think I was enjoying this more a month or two ago. I am over the fall varieties of beer. It's weird how you look forward to different types of beer, when just a couple of them can satisfy your craving for an entire year. Don't get me wrong, this beer is really good. It's very dark brown, and pours with a great head on top that lasts. I like that it is nutty, but not overly sweet or brown sugary. It reminded me of Newcastle, but even better. This beer was released this year in lieu of Anniversary Ale, to avoid confusion with their quarterly releases of their 30th Anniversary series. I'll be ready to tackle another six pack of this come next fall. 


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/60420
My Rating: A/4.45

Great Lakes: Christmas Ale (Winter Warmer) 7.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a tulip glass


I look forward to this beer because of its specific focus on Christmas. It's even called Christmas Ale, as opposed to a more generic, wimp out name...*cough*...Celebration. The extreme spice and sweetness in this beer makes you feel like you should be wearing a cable knit sweater with a winteresque scene. At the very least, I like to imagine the silent majesty of a winter's morn...the clean, cool chill of holiday air...


It pours brown, almost red. It has really nice head. I taste honey, ginger and cinnamon. It's transparency almost reminds me of a lager. I will say, although it does not taste boozy for being a higher ABV, this is a one bottler. I cannot see my self wanting more than 12oz of this taste...I am asking for more hops this beer.


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/73/1576
My Rating: B+/3.95

Anchor: Liberty Ale (American Pale Ale) 6.0%

Drank From: bottle, pured into a pint glass

Anytime you visit a brewery, you are predisposed to liking it, in my opinion. It is part of the "sport" of enjoying good beer. You tie memories and and a sense of ownership to that particular brewery. I went to Anchor on my honeymoon and had a blast. However, in my own defense, I enjoyed this beer at Virginia Beach the year before.   It pours a nice golden color with excellent head, and is everything that you expect from and APA. It's bitter and hoppy, but less drastic than an IPA. Its well rounded quality makes this beer very drinkable. This should accentuate everyone's beer repertoire...yeah, I went there!


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28/665
My Rating: A/4.5

Saranac: Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) 5.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

I first noticed that this beer was more grainy/meaty than I expected. There was a sour, muck taste that lingered in my mouth a little too long. The appearance was average, as was the drinkability. I have not been impressed with Saranac as a whole, but I'm not pouring it down the drain either.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/914

My Rating: C+/3.25

Disc Flight of Beers

This post is a recount of a Veteran’s Day marathon where a couple of friends and I got together for a disc golf beer banquet; a real snob’s take on a sport dominated by prop. 19 groupies. I try not to include grave detail when it comes to critiquing brewskies. This post will consist of even less “chapter and verse” as I am rousing my opinions from memory. Naturally, there is degradation in one’s ability to differentiate the minor nuances of a particular beer when you drink several in a row, and all straight from the bottle. In addition to the said excuses, I would like to assure the readers that several beers were passed around, and I/we did not consume seven beers a piece on this outing. Which leads me to my third and final disclaimer: it’s hard to give a solid opinion when you don’t have the opportunity to drink an entire beer. Regardless, I plan to do just that…

Dogfish Head: Palo Santo Marron (American Brown Ale) 12%

We started the day off right with a heavy hitter. Anytime you have a beer this strong, there are a couple of things to expect going in: a lot of sugar, low carbonation, a general likeness to syrup or wine, and the inescapable presence of alcohol. That said, this was one of the better high proofers that I have tried. The carbonation was surprising recognizable, the barrel aged smokiness provided a good offset to the sweetness, and the boozy factor was not a deal breaker. I think we all agreed that Palo Santo’s intense substance would limit you to just one. 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/33832
My Rating: B/3.65

Bridgeport: IPA (American IPA) 5.5%

This is a great beer, and one of my favorite all-around IPAs. The drinkability factor is certainly a highlight. They do use a method of fermentation that involves yeast in the bottle, which you can taste toward the end, but it is not near as severe a Belgium ale. One of the other guys mentioned that it was refreshing, especially after the Palo Santo undertaking.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/43/466
My Rating: A-/4.25

Yuengling: Black & Tan 4.7%

I really like Yuengling B&T for the price point. I do taste an English style ale when I drink it, and the stout also seems solid. I order this beer when the “Big Three” are otherwise available, and I want to subject myself to more flavor and ridicule. In other words, this beer is sometimes available when    more obscure craft brews may not be, so it is nice to have it as an option.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23980/1381
My Rating: B/3.7

Saranac: Black & Tan 5.4%

This was my first experience with Saranac, a line beer produced by The Matt Brewing Co. I didn’t realize that it was owned Richard L. Yuengling…Richard Jr. is the current owner of D.G. Yuengling and Sons. Saranac is widely available, which is possibly why I have chosen other beers in the past. The B&T was similar to Yuengling, but I didn’t taste as much of that European/English style.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/906
My Rating: B-/3.30

Saranac: IPA (American IPA) 5.8%

This was another solid version of an IPA. Saranac offers, literally, every notable style of beer there is. Evidently, they aim to produce a huge variety, rather than a unique interpretation of any particular style. Maybe Saranac should be the benchmark for all beer sampling. All joking aside, their beer is solid from what I have experienced.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/1464
My Rating: B-/3.35

Magic Hat: Howl (Shwarzbier) 4.6%

I do not like #9. In fact, I have taken it back to the store with the assumption that I had a skunked pack. I realize now how ridiculous that sounds. This was smokier than I expected. It had the winter seasonal taste that I was expecting, without the spicy sweetness of some Christmas style ales. I would be interested in picking this one up on a build your own six pack.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/96/52704
My Rating: B+/3.85


New Belgium: 2° Below (Extra Special/Strong Bitter) 6.6%

This was my first ESB. To dumb it way down, I it seemed similar to the bitterness of an IPA without a strong hop flavor. ESB is a can of worms that I would like to open and explore  thoroughly. That said, this beer was even more indicative of winter than Howl. It was smooth and easy drinking. I will be buying a six pack of this seasonal gem before the winter is over.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/26542

My Rating: B+/4.0

Rogue: Dead Guy Ale (Helles Bock) 6.5%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

…The KING of beer, quickly approaching $13 a six pack. If you haven’t had this beer then you must be a bigoted beer hermit who won’t put down the Old Milwaukee. You have no class and would like too see all craft beer reduced to Sam Adams and Blue Moon. OK, seriously, it’s pretty good. But I don’t know if I agree with its preceding rep. It has a take on ale similar to how Widmer Brothers Drifter is surprisingly fruity.

@ the Sellout Police and the guy at the grocery store who branded Widmer Bros. as Such, I am not interested in your displeasure with people wanting to make money. This is America, and you are probably a communist. Go listen to the Clash and congratulate yourself.


So anyway, Dead Guy Ale reminded me of wine, but not for all of the bad reasons. I narrowed down that nomad thought to—grape taste. It had all of the accompanying beer pleasures: hops, carbonation, general sense of being awesome, etc.


http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/132/355
My Rating: B+/3.75

Highland: Gaelic Ale (Red Ale) 5.8%

Drank From: bottle, poured into a pint glass

This is my favorite Highland beer by far. It is well balanced beer. Different than Kashmir and St. Theresa, it doesn’t have a metallic taste. It is slightly darker than you would expect. It pours almost brown. In addition to the hops and malt, it has a little bit of what you would expect from a brown ale…maple?

It’s packed with flavor, but not too heavy or chew-spitty. Simply put this beer exceeded my expectations and is a must try if you ever find yourself in hippie country that is Ashville, NC.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/811/2526
My Rating: A-/4.2

Great Lakes: Commodore Perry (IPA) 7.5% VS. Stone: IPA 6.9%

HEAD TO HEAD

Drank From: bottle, pured into a pint glass

There is something about Great Lakes' beer, it all has a distinct taste. Maybe it has something to do with the Malt that they use. Unfortunately, this particular bottle was part of the "collection" for a little too long...I was supposed to drink it by September. It was not as good as it usually is, which was mildly disappointing. I sent the Commodore into battle with "date-stamp" handicap. It had the usual strong hops, citrus, Life cereal, and the carbonation that I love, in addition to that sensation you get when you know something is off. You continue to eat the bowl of lucky charms, even when you know for sure that the marshmallows were never sweet & sour when you were a kid...YES, the milk was spoiled on the first bite! Aging beer is for the criminally insane. It probably just makes crappy beer crappier. So this one gets a A, but shall live to fight another day!

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

My Rating: A-/4.1

Drank From: bottle,  poured into a pint glass

So this is my first experience with Stone IPA. I believe this is actually the first Stone offering that I have had. I actually opened this beer first and told my wife that it reminded me of Commodore Perry. I initially thought it tasted similar to CP as well. After the actual taste test, however, my wife and I agreed that Stone IPA smelled and tasted better. It has a very good balance of hops, bitterness, and sweetness. The difference is that a fresh Commodore Perry has a distinct citrus/fruity aspect that sets it apart. Stone IPA gets an A.

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My Rating: A/4.4