90 Shilling Colorado Ale

Sam: Abita's beers have been sort of hit-or-miss with me. The Turbodog's okay, the Amber's gross out of the bottle. The Light is surprisingly drinkable, if not memorable. Never got to try the Restoration. But I saw this on the shelf this weekend, and it piqued my interest, so I bought just one sixer to give it an honest try. Now I wish I'd bought two. This is delicious! Golden yellow, with and effervescent head. Crisp and malty, without a hint of the cloying sweetness that wrecks so many American pilsners. This is a perfect summertime quaffable; if you can find it, buy it. (12/2/2006)

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Abita Abbey Ale

Steve: A strong showing by Abita! They really seem to have spread their wings quite a bit since Katrina, pushing the envelope on the styles they've brewed (must be all the sales of Restoration Ale, and the continued mass appeal of Turbodog, financing this effort). I really enjoyed this. I had it in a 22oz bomber, and drank it from a goblet. It had a nice sweet plumb-like flavor, and was close to most Dubbels I've had. It had a decent but not overpowering 8%abv. A worthy effort on their part, and one which I would consider buying again just to see how well it cellars. (5/2/2010)

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Abita Amber

Steve: This was very reminiscent of Michelob, in just about every way. Fortunately, Michelob is about the only drinkable thing that comes out of Anheuser Busch. Unfortunately, do you want to pay micro-brew money for something you can get for $4 per six-pack? I doubt it. If you are a beer snob who drinks only micros (and can afford it), go for it. This was good, don't get me wrong, but that financial drawback is something I can't shake. (10/12/1999)

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Abita Christmas Ale

Steve: A good ale, but disappointing to me as far as Christmas ales go. They change up the recipe each year, and when brewers do that, they occasionally hit on one that's not quite as good as it could be, just for the sake of being different. I say, go for the perfect recipe, and stay there. It had a rich flavor, typical of the style, but it could've been a bit spicier. Throw in some more nutmeg, some more cinnamon, and you have a hit. As it is, it's not enough to make me stray from the likes of Sweetwater Festive or Winter Welcome. (12/31/2005)

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Abita Fall Fest

Rocky: This is the fall seasonal from Abita, and my mother-in-law was kind enough to bring me some on her last visit. If it had proclaimed itself to be a marzen or Oktoberfest anywhere on the label I'd have had to take a few points off, because it's less malty..not as full-flavored as most. But, it doesn't. It's just a medium bodied and very tasty lager. I've really enjoyed having it around and will look for more when I'm there for Thanksgiving. (4/2/2005)

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Abita Fleur-de-Lis Restoration Ale

Steve: The cause which this beer represents alone makes it worth purchasing. Money from every six pack goes to Hurricane Katrina Relief. Restoration came out several weeks after Katrina hit Louisiana, and Abita made short order of working to help its home state. The beer itself is a basic golden ale with a mild hop presence, yet it gives a nice citrus fruit flavor. Overall, it was an average beer, but it's definitely brewed with a more mass appear in mind. If Abita put out a big ale, only a small audience would be interested, so for that I have to applaud Abita, trying to get the most out of the possible donations. If this became a regular offering, I would definitely keep it in mind as an everyday beer. (5/13/2006)

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Abita Jockamo IPA

Steve: Not a bad IPA...not the best in the world, but certainly a nice hoppy delight. My biggest regret is that Henry's, the local cajun place in Acworth GA, ran out when I ate there this summer. The solid hoppiness would've gone very well with my ettoufee, much better than the Andygator which I tried. A little above average, so worth the look. (7/19/2009)

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Abita Light

Rocky: I was surprised to see this when I visited New Orleans until I found out it was just released recently. I was skeptical about trying it, as I generally avoid light lagers, but wanted to give it a shot because I like Abita in general. For a beer with only 119 calories, they done good. No rice or corn fillers, just a good tasting beer. As far as beer goes it's average....as far as light beer goes it's very good. (1/31/2004)

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Abita Mardi Gras Bock

Sam: Very, very nice indeed. Where Andygator falls flat on its face, the Mardi Gras shines. Handsome smoky amber color, pleasant malty nose, and the flavor's a tasty blend of malt and hops. Not slam-you-over-the-head delicious, but awful darn good. Someone was actually paying attention at Abita when they brewed this little number. This beer made me vaguely sad it's seasonal. I hope they don't mess with the recipe for next year's offering; this was spot-on. (9/29/2007)

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Abita Pecan Harvest

Steve: I think Abita could have done more with this one. It went down a bit like a brown ale, malty, sweet, with a nutty background. I was hoping for a pecan pie mixed with an ale, for a nice spicey and sweet flavor, but it fell flat on the flavors I was hoping for. (10/10/2010)

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Abita Purple Haze

Steve: This raspberry wheat came in a very funky bottle. Despite the bits of raspberry pulp you see, it is filtered.....they add a puree after filtration. All in all, I'd say it was alright...very fruity, true to style. Although, this is not a dinner beer. If you are more careful of the atmosphere when you drink it, you might enjoy it more than I did. I wasn't wild about it, but in all honesty, I shouldn't have used this to wash down a burger off the grill. However, because of how much I enjoyed its sister beers, I may give it another go later. But remember, I'm not wild about fruity beers, so don't be surprised if the review doesn't improve. (11/23/1999)

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Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager

Rocky: Louisiana strawberrys are a big deal there, and apparently Abita decided to take a beer they've traditionally only offered in the brewpub and bottle it this time around. Sort of a cousin of Purple Haze, but with strawberries instead of raspberries, although PH is a wheat and I believe this may just be their Golden with strawberry puree added to the secondary. Good strawberry aroma, nice pinkness when held to the light. It's not going to amaze you, but it is refreshing and easy to drink. I'd put it a notch ahead of Petes Strawberry Blonde. (8/5/2006)

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Abita Turbodog

Steve: Reviewed by popular demand. This was quite good, but I think it would be better treated as a seasonal, maybe in the fall or winter (in defense, though, I live in Atlanta where, because of all the freakin' asphalt, it's always hot). Thick, malty, dark, aromatic, woody flavored, this has it all. I would have no problem trying their other beers based on this experience. This was a good "best foot forward" for Abita, I think. I have to note, that I tried this based on a recommendation from Emeril, the guy from the Food Network (Bamm!, crank it up a notch, etc), because he cooks with this beer...he hit this out of the park! (8/23/1999)

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Abita Wheat

Rocky: This was very good. It couldn't have hurt that it was a hot day in the French Quarter, but the quality of the beer is why it really hit the spot. A much better summer seasonal than those lemon-zested wheat brews. Its light and crisp, not at all tart. As a seasonal there probably isn't very good access to it except around New Orleans, but get it if you can. Perfect beer for a hot day. (2/14/2004)

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Acme California IPA

Steve: Honestly, I liked the pale ale a little better. It had a nice citrus zing to it, but it otherwise wasn't memorable. The usual cliche, good but not great. It was almost session beer-like. Which may have been the intention with the Acme line of North Coast's beers. Acme was a grocery store in which I worked in high school, so maybe they're trying to come across as "Generic." (4/20/2008)

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Acme California Pale Ale

Steve: A damn good session ale. Mind you, I'm completely drunk right now, so this could've tasted like dishwater for all I remember, but I remember it being easy drinking, a nice hoppy flavor, but still smooth and, well, easy drinking. I worked at an Acme grocery store in high school, so this has a sentimental ring. And there's a nice looking red-head with nice gams doing a scissor kick on the label. Always attractive. (4/13/2008)

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Alamo Golden Ale

Alamo Beer Co

Sam: For the record, the website is a bit disingenuous; this beer is actually brewed by the friendly folks at Real Ale in Blanco. Yes, that could be construed as "a day's ride" from San Antone, so they're not just lying through their teeth. Still, I wish Real Ale got a little more credit, because they put out such good product. This is different from their other beers. Lighter color, piney hop aroma and flavor. At first, it put me off a little bit, but it grew on me through the first pint--probably because it had a chance to warm a little. All in all, it's another good beer from a solid beer company. What the heck: if you can look past John Wayne playing Davy Crockett, surely you can look past the gimmicky label and give this beer a try. What, do I have to pull my sabre and draw a line in the sand? (3/11/2006)

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Alaskan Amber Ale

Sam: So I'm visiting my uncle in this tiny town in rural Mississippi, and I idly reach into his beer cooler and pull out...Alaskan Amber Ale. I had to blink twice to make sure I was reading this correctly. I've been hearing about this beer for EIGHT YEARS! My hand trembled a little and a bead of sweat formed at my temple as I reached for the opener. I poured it into the pint glass and marveled at the handsome burnt amber color. My eyes glazed as I inhaled the heavenly malty aroma. I took a hefty mouthful, swished it around and suddenly--eyes wide open with sickening realization--I thought, "...Meh." That's it? After all these years?!? This holy grail of beers and all I can come up with is "meh"? Sighhh...once again, proof you should never get something built up in your mind; it's bound to wind up a disappointment. (10/28/2006)

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Alaskan Oatmeal Stout

Kris: I really wish I could tell you what this tasted like. But I had this right after having Lucifer, an 8% ABV behemoth. So I'm feeling a little, what's the word, drunk right now. I'll just say this, it couldn't have sucked, or I wouldn't have finished it. Plus, my fiancee liked it, and she was sober. So there. (11/5/2005)

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Alaskan Pale Golden Ale

Kris: I want to thank my friend John for getting me a sample pack of beers from Alaska. This pale ale has a great label, of a glacier about to crush some people in a canoe. Of course, "about to" is relative, considering glaciers move at the speed, of say, well a glacier is the only thing I can think of, but damn, it's pretty slow. Anyway, pretty label. The beer is good too. I don't have the fancy wordset to explain all about it, just know that it's good. (5/7/2005)

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Alaskan Summer Ale

Kris: Oh, yeah, this is the shit. I'm really liking this brewery more and more. I'm temped to low ball the rating due to the stupid killer whale on the label, but what the hell, it was a really good beer. As I said, it's the shit. It's a limited edition, so you may not be able to get this, but if you can, I definitely say, well, get it. Nice blend of hops and malt. Trust me, you'll enjoy it. (8/19/2006)

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Alesmith IPA

Alesmith Brewing Co

Rocky: If this beer was a woman, I'd leave my wife for her. And I'm crazy about my wife. In fact, if this beer was a woman, it would probably be my wife. It's a bottle-conditioned American IPA, and it's the best beer I think I've ever had. 7.25% ABV, beautiful color, pours with a great head that laces down the glass, smells wonderful, has great citrusy hoppiness with a nice malty backbone. I love it. The only reason it's not getting a 10 is because I hate to think that I've stumbled across the perfect beer already. I figure I've got another 40 years or so of trying new beers, so I have to maintain hope that the holy grail of beers is still out there, otherwise what's the use. (5/22/2005)

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Alesmith Old Numbskull

Alesmith Brewing Co

Joel: This beer will destroy your shit. Seriously. It's 11% ABV; it's fruity, hoppy, and awesome; and just drinking it makes you feel like a badass. Alesmith has forged a beer that will redefine the way you think about barleywines and maybe beer in general. I don't get surprised very much anymore but I was in awe of this brew. If you get lucky enough to find this, buy it! You can thank me later. (1/17/2011)

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Alesmith Yulesmith Holiday Ale (Winter)

Alesmith Brewing Co

Joel: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of San Diego a savior has been brewed for you which is of the finest hops and grains. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the bottle wrapped in a label and lying in your stocking.” If this stuff was around at the birth of Christ you can bet that Myrrh would have been left off the registry. I had one of these Christmas Eve after putting the kids to bed, while I sat by the fire and watched A Christmas Story on TNT. Hard to imagine a more perfect night. (3/1/2009)

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Allagash Dubbel

Allagash Brewing Co

Steve: God this was disappointing. I socked away a 4-pack for almost a year. A decent dubbel will get better over that time. I had one beer every 3 months, give or take, and I swear it got more mediocre. It didn't get worse....it just got mediocre. Plain. It's just a below average beer. Not horrible. Just not memorable. (7/18/2010)

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Allagash Tripel Reserve

Allagash Brewing Co

Rocky: Cool bottle. 750 ml and corked, it pops off like champagne. It's hazy golden and forms a thick white head. This beer hides its 9% ABV very well...very flavorful. Its sweet at first, but finishes dry and a little spicy. Very complex, but interesting. This is an exceptional example of a Belgian Tripel, probably the best made in this country. Its not something you'll pound several of with a pizza, but I can see splitting a bottle among a few friends to sip on after a nice dinner. I feel a little strange rating it so high knowing that I'm not going to rush out to have it again soon. Although it isn't my favorite style, its still clearly a stellar beer. (11/22/2003)

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Allagash White

Allagash Brewing Co

Steve: This was a decent, but not fantastic white ale. Slightly above average, I guess I could say. The lemon background was a little thin, but still there, and it did have a nice spicey background. I think I detected some coriander in there. The spices weren't overpowering though, so with the slight citrus flavor, I actually think this would make an excellent summer beer. I think this was a better interpretation of a Belgian style than their Dubbel that I recently had. (11/8/2009)

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Alpha King Pale Ale

Three Floyds Brewing Co

Rocky: First beer of the night on New Years Eve, and I'm beginning my review as it's only half empty. I say half empty rather than half full not because I'm a pessimist, but because I know that it will quickly be completely empty. This beer is damn good. Bottle-conditioned, so it feels great...almost chewy. The piney hops hit you in the nose, they're the first thing you taste, and they linger long after you swallow. American IPA is my favorite style, and this is a fine example of one, so naturally I'm quite pleased with it. This little brewery in Indiana is turning out an APA that will easily stand alongside the best of what the west coast guys are making. Great job! (4/23/2005)

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Amberjaque Amber Rye Ale

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co

Sam: Now THIS is more like it. I recently found this along with Lazy Magnolia's Southern Pecan Brown Ale. The brown was okay, but the amber is really tasty. I'm guessing it's the rye malt that sets it apart from most ambers. This poured a handsome amber color (go figure), with a pillowy head. And here's where Kris will probably fire me, because I'm going to use a descriptor I promised I'd never use: it had a creamy mouthfeel. There. I said it. I'm not proud, but that's the best description I can come up with for that first sip. Nice and malty and light, but with enough hops presence to make me want to pour another glass. I definitely recommend this beer. Take that, Michael Jackson. (12/2/2006)

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Amish Four Grain Pale Ale

Lancaster Brewing Co

Steve: What will strike most of you is the true-to-form English ale taste, like Tetley's, Bass, etc. Nicely hopped, with a good flowery aroma, and a copper color, this was very pleasant. I'm guessing the Amish aspect is more of a marketing tool, since modern breweries have all the gadgets and technology that the Amish typically eschew. Either way, this is worth a try. It does credit to the Pennsylvania brewing industry, balancing out that wretched Rolling Rock. This is not pasteurized, so don't expect to see it more than 200 miles from Philadelphia. (11/1/2003)

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Anchor Bock Beer

Sam: This was delicious! I really regret now that I only bought one six-pack. Pours a deep mahogany brown, very nearly black as a porter. Smells delicious, and tastes even better, silky smooth and malty. This struck me as being more of a dopplebock in character. Apparently Anchor has only recently started releasing this widely. If you can still find a sixer this year, pick it up; or else, keep a sharp eye out for it next spring. (10/27/2007)

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Anchor Christmas Ale 1999

Steve: This is a hearty, robust, thick dark beer. This is not for amateurs. This beer is much better than its lighter cousins, Steam and Liberty. Unfortunately, I think it will appeal to a smaller audience, as this is not for lightweights. This is the 25th anniversary of Anchor's MCHNY line, so they spiced this one up pretty good. If you can handle Guiness, Sam Smith's, and other such beers, this will be no problem. However, if your fridge is full of Bud or Coors, you may want to stay away. (1/11/2000)

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Anchor Christmas Ale 2003

Rocky: This years offering is very nice. Dark and malty, spiced up like most Christmas brews. I get a sense of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper. No idea what the ABV is on it, but it was available in Alabama, so I know it's 6% or less. I wouldn't think it was much less, because it's a little bit warming. An overall good winter brew. (5/22/2004)

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Anchor Liberty Ale

Steve: This was pretty bad. It was skunky and sour like it went bad in a REAL bad way. I think it sucks. It finished rather poorly. Hell, it started poorly, too. First brewed in 1976 to celebrate the Bicentennial... What a horrible way to show your patriotism. Why don't they just kill a bald eagle while they're at it?

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Anchor Porter

Rocky: I'm pissed at myself for not getting on this bandwagon a long time ago. It's because I am not crazy about their Liberty Ale and have a serious dislike for their Steam Beer. The Porter, however, is fantastic. It's very rich, with roasted malts and a hint of chocolate. Twice recently I've been with other beer lovers having side-by-side tastings of various porters, and Anchor has been the overall favorite each time, and it's not really been very close. (7/10/2004)

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Anchor Steam

Steve: OK, at the request of many rabid readers, I tried this again. This time in a 1/2L bottle. I will admit, it was better this time around. I was actually able to finish the whole thing. Still not the best beer I've ever had, as it was kind of bitter (bitter in a gone-bad kinda way, not in a hoppy way), but at least I will raise the rating to a hearty 2. (Original review - This was nasty, like a homebrewing experiment gone bad. From the get-go it had a sharp, bad bitter flavor. Don't give me crap about Anchor not travelling well... A well brewed beer should at least make it across country before going bad. I left half of it on the bar, because I wanted to enjoy the rest of my evening without that funk taste on my mouth ruining all my other drinks. Original rating - 1) (1/11/2000)

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Anchor Steam Small Beer

Joel: A small beer is a beer that is brewed from the "spent" mash of another beer. This makes perfects sense from the perspective of someone brewing beer who has little in the way of resources. Two batches for the price of one. Anchor brews their small beer from the mash of their Barleywine. Anyway, I wish I could enjoy this beer because I appreciate the economy of it but it comes across very sour, like a skunked Sam Adams. Okay as a novelty but not worth the price of the pint. (7/18/2010)

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Anchor Summer

Steve: Not all that bad an ale, but a lousy summer beer. Summer beers should be light, creamy, with a citrus background. Low on hops, high on malt, loaded full of wheat, not barley. This is 50% wheat, and uses ale yeast. It has a noticeable bitterness to it that doesn't make it at all refreshing, which a good summer beer should do, first and foremost. While I'd like to give it high marks for being a good beer, I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe it'll be better in winter. On the upside, it's the best Anchor beer I've had to date. (1/29/2005)

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AndyGator

Rocky: This is only available at the Abita Brewpub, and is then only in limited portions due to its high alcohol content. I'm not sure what style this is. It's served in a wine glass, is straw-colored with good clarity like a pilsner, and no head at all. There is a lot of sweetness, like a dopplebock, but the color is totally different and it finished really dry. Unusual. Very unusual. Wish the brewer had been there so I could have found out more about it. (5/1/2004)

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Anheuser World Select

Rocky: Input from ten brewmasters from around the world, yet when making a Pilsner it didn't occur to them to speak to a German Brewmaster? Well, despite all the global input they managed to come up with a very bland American beer. They can make it look like an import with the green bottle and they can price it like an import at around 6.99...but they failed to make it taste like an import. The Michelob line is still the best thing AB is producing. (12/13/2003)

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Anheuser-Busch Redbridge Beer

Sam: OK, I suppose A-B should be lauded for making a beer specifically to those on gluten-free diets; although, since several million people in the US alone suffer from celiac disease, it's possible they're just looking for another market niche. Cynicism aside, the beer pours a rather handsome amber, and has a pleasant enough malty-sweet aroma. The first sip has a fairly pleasant sweet flavor with caramel notes. Unfortunately, within a few sips the sweetness passes quickly from pleasant to annoying to cloying to tedious. I hear there are some regional brewers out there brewing gluten-free (with sorghum, btw) ales and such; sure hope they're putting out a better product. (6/9/2007)

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Arkansas Ale

Old Fort Brew Pub Inc

Steve: This completes the trifecta of the Weidman's beers that I am likely to try. Let me sum up the conversation I had with my wife when trying this. Me: "Eeeww, it smells like vomit. It really does." Amy: "But you're going to try it anyway?" Me: "Yeah, I can't review it based on smell alone." That's where I should've listened to my (much wiser) wife. Rule of thumb: That which produces a vomit-like smell, likely produces a vomit-like taste as well. This beer is the thesis for that hypothesis. Crap, this sucked. Compared to when my (2 month old) daughter spat up on my face? That tasted better than this beer. So help me God, that is NOT an exaggeration. Plus, that freaked me out less. How the hell does one reproduce that taste? This beer sullies the good name of crap. Also, another example of the cool label-crappy beer theory. (10/26/1999)

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Asahi Brewmaster Select

Asahi Beer Co

Sam: This could have had real potential. Rather handsome in the glass, it glowed a warm copper color. Fair amount of carbonation, it was pleasant watching the bubbles swirl as the beer settled after the pour. But there was little to no aroma, and the taste was harshly malty, with little hops balance. I really had to more or less force myself to finish the glass. Basically this beer was all show and no stay. Glad I only bought one bottle. (12/16/2006)

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Aspen Edge

Sam: Yep, it's low carb. Yep, it tastes like shite. Same sour flavor, same dull colorless lifeless carbonated liquid as all the other low carb beer poseurs out there. But you look at the label and it takes a second to distinguish it from Busch Beer. So I wonder: is Coors being dumb like a fox, making their beer look like an Anheuser-Busch offering, to sucker people into buying it? Who knows. But what's interesting is, as bad as this "beer" is, it still was better than some of the swill I had the misfortune to encounter over a long weekend in Houston. Stay tuned, gentle readers. (5/29/2004)

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August Schell's Caramel Bock

Steve: The caramel bock was slightly better than the pale ale, because I think Schell makes a slightly better lager than an ale. I like bocks with a nice malty taste with a noticeable touch of alcohol. A caramel bock should be even sweeter, but really there was nothing more than a copper-colored lager. I don't think this is a great winter choice for here in Atlanta, I can't even imagine how poor a choice it would be for someplace that actually gets a long winter, like Minnesota. (9/19/2009)

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August Schell's FireBrick

Steve: A Vienna-style amber lager, this was actually one of the better Schell beers I've had to date, simply because it wasn't underwhelming. And as you can see, it's just getting an average rating. Americans are very capable of bringing classic European lager styles to the US, and I think this is a good start, but I've had too many superior examples one state over in Wisconsin to be convinced that this is the best Schell could do. It did have a nice malty touch, with a color darker than what the typical American expects to see from a lager. That's the all-malt Vienna style. Something a little more flavorful would be nicer. (11/8/2009)

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August Schell's Octoberfest

Steve: Schell is one of those sentimental favorites, like Yuengling and Leinenkugel. Operated by the original family, but not exactly producing the best beer. The Octoberfest has a decent malty flavor, but the alcohol is not all that present, and it's not really the solid Autumn beer you want in a Festbier. So-So would be a good way to describe it. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't what you really want from a Fest. It's certainly not as good as what Capital cranks out. (8/9/2009)

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August Schell's Pale Ale

Steve: This is one of the thinnest, most flavorless pale ales I've ever had. With the use of East Kent Golding hops, it's going more for an English-style pale ale, not American, which is why you need not bother trying to taste the Cascade hops. Unfortunately, the East Kent Goldings aren't exactly knocking at the door to your taste buds either. I'd suggest they stick with their more German style beers, but I haven't tasted anything in that line that's all that earth-shattering either. (9/12/2009)

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August Schell's SnowStorm

Steve: This was interesting. It came in a sampler 12 pack that I bought in July (as this was a 2007 release, it's been sitting a while), and when I had the first one, around the time of the first chilly evening, I assumed it was a winter lager and had it from a mug. Horrible. Then, I read the label and discovered to my surprise that Schell's was actually aiming for a Belgian Dubbel-style. The 2nd bottle was poured into an Ommegong goblet, and the taste improved quite a bit. It was nice and malty, and had some fruit undertones, like plum. I think it had a way to go before being close to a Dubbel, but it wasn't bad, and really quite drinkable. I almost wish I had another bottle, so that I could see what else I can discover in the taste. (1/3/2010)

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August Schell's Zommerfest

Steve: Schell's label makes the claim that this is a Kölsch-style summer ale. Unfortunately, having had only one real Kölsch in my life, I can't dispute that claim like I can with a bad Hefeweizen. I will say that this leaves a little to be desired. If it's 100 degrees in the shade, and you can fry an egg on your sidewalk, this might taste good if it's slightly above freezing temps. Otherwise, I'm a little disappointed in my first attempt at a beer from the historic Schell brewery. (2/17/2007)

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Avalanche Amber Ale

Steve: This was a light, smooth ale with a malty flavor and slight hoppy finish. Nothing too heavy, this would likely make a good candidate as an everyday drinking beer (that being one of those beers you can drink often, of which you never get tired). Since I once had dinner at Breckinridge's restaurant across from Coor's Field in Denver, and after drinking this, I really wish I could find their product east of the Mississippi (someone let me know if you've ever seen them in Atlanta). (3/15/2003)

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Avery 14'er ESB

Sam: I just finished off the last of the six of this beer, having started the six pack 'way back in February when I bought it. I've finally decided I like it. I don't know if it's mellowed or if I have, but when I first tried it, I wasn't thrilled. I've come to expect an ESB to be deep copper colored, but this isn't. Deep golden yellow, to be sure, not at all thin and watery like some other swill I could name, but not coppery. And at first I thought the hops presence could've been more, uh, present. Extra Special Bitters should be bitter. Hmm. This beer doesn't claim to be bottle conditioned, and there's no yeast sediment in the bottle, so why was this last one so darned good? I dunno. But it had all the clean, bitter, sweet and hoppy character you'd expect of the style. And what the hell, the label's cool, with a picture of one of Colorado's many "fourteeners". So if you see it, give it a try. If at first you don't like it, push the rest to the back and come back to them in a few weeks. You might be surprised. (10/29/2005)

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Avery Celebration Ale

Sam: Gaah!! I bought this despite knowing it was a Belgian style, and despite knowing that I detest Belgians (ales, that is. Can't say I've ever met a Belgian). So, big surprise: this sucks! Tastes exactly as you'd expect--like bananas, cloves, and bubble gum. Cloves belong in a baked ham. Not in beer. Honestly, who the hell thought of cloves in beer? Dreadful. This was a drain-pour after one swallow. Thank heavens I only wasted my money on one bottle. (8/19/2006)

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Avery Ellie's Brown Ale

Sam: Proof that big beers are better in the winter. I first tried this in the dog days of summer, sitting around the pool quaffing a few. This was in the cooler, so we tried it. We all agreed it was a little too heavy, and went back to pale ales and lagers. But yesterday, on a cold, gray January afternoon, with a "Blue Norther" blustering in off the Great Plains, I cracked a cap off one of these again. Man, what a treat! Dark brown, sweet, nutty, hoppy, really sticks to your ribs. Definitely a winter warmer. If you read this review in the summertime, fret not, my friend--the weather will cool again, and you can go find this gem to sip on by the fire. Buy it if you see it. (1/24/2004)

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Avery IPA

Sam: YUM. I had seen this before, in my darker beer phase, and had passed it by. But right now I'm really going through an India Pale Ale phase. And, oh man, is this a good representative. Strong hops presence, but just sweet enough to balance the astringence. Just the right golden-copper color in the glass, too. Cool label without being too artsy. All in all, a delicious beer, and one I'd recommend highly if you find it. (4/30/2005)

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Avery Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest

Steve: I loved everything about this beer. I loved the photo of Kaiser Wilhelm II, in spiked military helmet, I loved the sweet maltiness, I loved the alcohol kick, I loved how it made me feel watching the Bears beat the Packers on Christmas night. I've said that Capital Brewing has the best microbrewed lagers in the US, but Avery is clearly disputing that. This was just a fantastic Oktoberfest, there are no words to describe how good it was. In fact, not only is it one of the best I've ever had, it's one of the best beers I've ever had. (7/23/2006)

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Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA

Sam: Wow. I've had this bomber for about a month. When I could stand it no longer, I cracked it open, poured it evenly into two pint glasses, and offered my wife one. She took one sip and politely declined the rest; she's not into big beers. But I'm God's own drunk and a fearless man, so I accepted the challenge. Twenty-two ounces of hoppy amber goodness. Damn, I think I've been violated. Intense malty sweet flavors, and the hops just assaulted my taste buds. A real knock-out, but at 9.9% abv, I was obviously done for the evening. I'm pretty sure if Gandhi had gotten to try this he'd have exclaimed, "Holy cow!" (9/16/2006)

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Avery Redpoint Ale

Steve: I keep expecting red ales to have a sweet caramel flavor like the red lagers from my earlier beer tasting days, so it shows how long certain impressions can last. This was a nicely hopped ale with a lovely deep copper color. Not a winter warmer, but certainly not a session beer either. I prefer Avery's specialty beers, but I often forget they make a good standard ale as well. (2/16/2008)

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Avery Salvation

Steve: Salvation is a Belgian-style Golden Ale. I enjoy such beers because they feel light, with a good citrus taste, but with enough alcohol to unknowingly knock you on your ass. For example.....after drinking a bomber of Salvation, I found myself ordering a free movie on Comcast On Demand. A classic tale of warriors and sorcery....Conan the Destroyer. Not Conan the Barbarian, with multiple award-winning actors. I got The Destroyer. So Salvation will make you do crazy shit like that. Which I guess is safer than hitting golf balls at your neighbor's house, or stealing state line signs (guilty and guilty), which cheap beer will make you do. (5/28/2007)

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Avery Ten

Sam: Bottled in 2003, to celebrate their tenth anniversary, brewed with "a very complex blend of 10 malts, 10 hop varieties added 10 different times, 10% abv, and 10 years of brewing excellence", you'd think this beer woulda tasted better. Most likely the aging muted the hops presence, but I was a little put off by all the riotous fruit flavors pinging around in this otherwise pleasant beer. At least the alcohol wasn't aggressively present, like so many other big beers. Still, I wish I could've tried this beer when it was younger; Avery's beer are, for the most part, pretty darn hoppy. (1/12/2008)

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Avery The Reverend Belgian-Style Quadrupel Ale

Steve: I heart Avery's specialty line. Of course, in most cases, they are so loaded with alcohol that I'm sure many of their flaws are hidden. The Reverend had a nice deep amber color, and a rich smell. Not overly sweet, which is good, you often find that in beers with 10% ABV. There wasn't much of an alcohol burn either, so it was surprisingly easy to drink. Which means I killed a bottle of 10 point beer rather quickly. (12/6/2008)

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Avery Thirteen

Steve: This is Avery's 13th anniversary special release, one that I could find few faults with. It combined two of my favorite styles, a Doppelbock and a Weizen. Weizen Doppelbocks are pretty rare (I can only think of a couple others off-hand), but if you wanted to guarantee me as a customer, this would be the way to do it, by brewing one. It had a wonderful sweet maltiness, with a beautiful deep red color. With the rich bread-like flavor, this was almost a meal unto itself, yet it was very drinkable due to the wheat malt. It was Capital's Weizen Doppelbock that made me fall in love with them, and it was Avery's that made me do likewise with Avery as well. (12/8/2007)

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Aviator India Pale Ale

Aviator Ales

Steve: This is pretty good compared to most domestic IPAs. The hops are pretty distinctive and give it a nice bite. It's crisp tasting, almost like a lager, and it's nicely effervescent. Not flat like some IPAs I've had.

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B^E aka "B to the E"

Kris: see Red Bull. Seriously, it smells and tastes like Red Bull. Doesn't taste like beer at all. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume this is actually beer, as it says beer on the label. But they do a damn good job of hiding any semblance to beer. I guess if you want something that will give you wings and get you shitfaced, drink this. I'm going to stick with Red Bull. (7/9/2005)

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Bacardi Silver

Steve: OK, not a "beer," but it's got 5% alcohol, so it's worth writing about. This is one of the better malt beverages that I've had to date, and by far the best Busch product that I've ever had. You know why? It's not beer! They couldn't screw this up, because there's Bacardi rum in here, and that's someone else's recipe, not theirs. If it was theirs, it would've been paint thinner. Anyway, I hate hard liquor. Makes me sick just thinking about it, but I liked this. Good thing I only bought one 12 oz bottle, or there might have been problems. (3/23/2002)

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Bacardi Silver Limon

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Sam: 7-Up with an alcohol kick. I gave it zero mugs because I just can't come up with any reason why it should exist; it sure as hell ain't beer. For the last two weeks now I've been scratching indelicately and belching in public, just to prove to everyone I haven't turned gay. I swear, I ONLY bought it because of a recent house guest. (12/23/2006)

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Badger Porter

Wisconsin Brewing Co

Kris: The label proclaims "Beer the way it used to be. Beer the way it should be." Um, no. I poured this and immediately got 8 inches of foam. Thinking it might be the way the glass was rinsed, I took a swig directly from the bottle. Bam! Mouthful of foam. WTF? If this is the way beer used to be, I'm glad they changed it. Damn near impossible to drink. (4/7/2007)

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Ballantine Ale

Falstaff Brewing Co

Steve: Very old brewery, formerly of Newark, NJ, now in CT or RI, I forget (wouldn't you move too?). Nice clean taste, fresh flavor, no bitterness. The least stout of any ales I tried (which is fine by me). Good to start with to get used to ales.

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Baltus OVS

Heavyweight Brewing

Steve: According to the label, this is the Frankenstein of beers. English pale malts, German wheat, Belgian raw sugar, American dark malt for color, and European ale yeast. Basically, the final product will remind you of a Belgian Dubbel Trappist ale. Which is a good thing, as I happen to like a good Dubbel. This had a nice dark brown color, and a sweet flavor above all others. Not syrupy sweet, but fruity sweet, like over-ripe plums. Add to that the 8.2% abv, and you have a very pleasant beer-drinking experience. I'm honestly impressed that my home state of NJ could produce something as yummy as this. Good for them, now if only they could do something about saying "Yous Guys". (1/21/2006)

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Bam Bière Farmhouse Ale

Steve: Bam Biere could be one of the more balanced beers I've ever had. It had a nice wheat spice flavor, noticeable hops and malt, nice cloudy appearance. I don't have a lot of experience with Farmhouse ales, but after this one I would like to experiment with them some more. I guess that's a pretty good beer, if it makes you want to try others like it. (3/15/2008)

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Bar Harbor Real Ale

Atlantic Brewing Co

Steve: Named after the proud sea side town of Bar Harbor, Maine. When members of CAMRA talk about how they only drink British Real Ales, and acting like their shite doesn't stink, be sure to point out this American-brewed Real Ale. And then act like your shite doesn't stink. People love that, especially foreigners. And if you're American, you probably act like your shite doesn't stink anyway, so it's not a huge stretch. Mind you, I only know that this is a Real Ale because the label says so. Tastes like any decent Brown Ale, I'd have this over Newcastle any day. (10/1/2005)

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Bayhawk California Pale Ale

Bayhawk Ales Inc

Sam: Perhaps I should have researched this beer a bit more before proceeding to rip on it, but this is the tapioca pudding of craft beers, the vanilla ice cream of ales. Fizzy yellow, bland and...zzzzzz...snort*cough*huh? Sorry, just dozed off a moment writing this review. Back to ripping. Interesting, I think, that they call it not an English Pale Ale, not an American Pale Ale, but a CALIFORNIA Pale Ale. Pretty arrogant for hospital food in a pint glass (sorry, I'm running out of bland analogies). (9/8/2007)

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Bayhawk Chocolate Porter

Bayhawk Ales Inc

Sam: I don't know if it's the wrong time of year for porters (too warm), if this was past its prime (the month brewed wasn't marked), or if I'm just growing away from the porter style, but I was completely underwhelmed by this beer. Shame, too, because I had high hopes, expecting some rich, chocolatey after dinner type beer. But it was thin, letting in much more light than I thought allowable. Not much aroma at all. Taste was flat, dusty, maybe some coffee hints but no chocolate. A real disappointer. Too bad. (9/9/2006)

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Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale

Bear Republic Brewery

Joel: California is the 12th largest economy in the world...in the world for crying out loud. That's why it makes me want to blow my brains out when I hear on the news that the state with the largest economy in the nation and the highest income tax rate in the country is somehow broke. Anyway, I figure it might be time for the Bear Republic to reclaim independence and this will be the beer to lead the way, with the Rocket's Red glare and bombs bursting in air. It's malty, hoppy, and delicious; and it ages like a Sunshine State issued IOU. (8/28/2010)

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Bell's Amber Ale

Steve: I'm betting this is Bell's most, for lack of a better word, pedestrian beer, but I enjoyed it. It makes a perfect session ale, in the classic sense. Lighter then IPA's and APA's, not AS hoppy, but still has a nice Cascade flavor to it. I think there's also a nice touch of citrus in there too. I could easily sit down and drink a six pack of this in an evening. If Bell's distributed near Atlanta, I'm pretty sure this would be one that'd be in constant rotation in m beer fridge. (10/21/2006)

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Bell's Double Cream Stout

Rocky: This brewery makes 1 stout year-round, 3 winter seasonals available October through March, and 6...yes SIX that come out in only November. Unusual for one brewery to do that many of a particular style, but after having this I can appreciate that it's their specialty. I don't generally like stouts, but I liked this one. Sweeter and smoother than most, but it still drinks like a meal and packs a punch at 7.5% ABV. They only distribute to the midwest, but try it if you can find it. (2/7/2004)

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Bell's Porter

Steve: I was kind of expecting a Porter brewed by Kalamazoo Brewing to knock me off my feet, but that didn't happen. I was almost disappointed. It was good beer, above average, and had a nice coffee background, but it certainly wasn't among the best in this style that I've had. I'm sure lovers of Porters will like it, perhaps, but I wasn't crazy for it. But that's OK, Bell's Two Hearted is among the best of ANY beer, they can't have them all, I guess. (10/28/2006)

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Bell's Two Hearted Ale

Joseph Huber Brewing Company

Steve: Kalamazoo (more widely known under the "Bell's" name) is a highly regarded brewer, and I know some very knowledgeable people who consider Two Hearted to be their favorite beer, so I was kind of disappointed that this beer didn't absolutely floor me. Don't get me wrong, I guess it can be compared to the first time I ever had sex. That was an absolutely thrilling moment, but was it by far my best performance ever? Not even close. As far as IPA's go, it is a good one, proof that Europeans are morons when they criticize American beer. Hearty floral aroma which gave this a nice citrus zing, and I'll definitely come back and try other Bell's beers because of this one, but I guess I was expecting a 10. (5/13/2006)

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Berghoff Hefe-Weizen

Tim: I've only had this on tap at the famous Berghoff restaurant in downtown Chicago, and frankly that's the way to have it. It looks great! Nice cloudy gold colour. It's also got a nice frothy head. It's aroma is one of bananas and yeast. It's got a well crafted yeasty taste, and drinks smoothly. Very good, though I have certainly had better hefe-weizens. (6/21/2003)

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Bert Grant's Hefeweizen

Yakima Brewing Co

Rocky: In fairness to the beer, a rainy January day isn't ideal hefeweizen weather. Not sure that it would have mattered, because this isn't an ordinary hefe. It looks OK for beer, but too clear for hefe. It tastes decent, but doesn't have that banana/clove yeasty flavor. It's not bad for a thirst quencher but it's a terrible example of a hefeweizen. Bert Grant has a very good reputation but needs to correctly label this brew. It's a wheat, not a hefe, and there is a big difference. (6/5/2004)

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Bert Grant's Perfect Porter

Yakima Brewing Co

Rocky: This is some good stuff. After the hefeweizen I had a few months ago I wasn't really enthusiastic to see Bert Grant products in the beer club shipment, but this one restored my faith in the brewery. Wasn't exactly perfect, but close enough to it to be very enjoyable. There is some sweetness, some smoke, and some coffee. There are definitely a lot more porters that are worse than there are that are better. (2/12/2005)

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Bert Grant's Scottish Ale

Yakima Brewing Co

Rocky: I probably wasn't the one to try this one. Scottish Ales are not my cup of tea... There's a quality about them that tastes like a band-aid to me, and this was no exception. I guess it's the peat. Thankfully this is brewed in the Yakima Valley, where cascade hops are plentiful. Cascades are always welcomed in my beers, and that made this a bit more tolerable. I'm not going to ding it too hard just because I'm not crazy about the style in general, but I can't rightfully give it anything more than average. (2/26/2005)

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Big Buck German Alt

Big Buck Brewery and Steakhouse

Sam: Yeah, baby. Nothin' says redneck like drinkin' beer at the Big Buck Brewery at the Bass Pro Shop. I feel so trailer trashy. OK, getting that out of my system, onto the review. It irks me a little they should call this German Alt when alt IS German. Oh, well, they've dummied down pretty much everything at this brewpub since last I was there, attempting to appeal to the masses. I doubt this beer would, though it would appeal to you, gentle readers. True to the "old" ale style, this is malty and sweet, but with a good hops bite. Deep copper color and well carbonated. It's a shame I had this in the September heat, because I see this beer being much more appealing in late fall after the temperature dips. Still, it was delicious, and paired nicely with blue crab and artichoke dip served over toasted pita bread. I can see going back in October and trying this again. (3/19/2005)

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Big Easy Beer

Big Easy Brewing Co

Sam: I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Having had Dixie Beer in the past, my sights weren't set too high when I saw this on the shelf. Pretty pleasing little number. Dark yellow, nice lager flavor. A little too sweet. However, as Rocky has pointed out before, lagers are actually hard to make. And given the water they have to work with down there, they've done impressively well. This must be a relatively new beer, because most of their web page was "Under Construction." Expect to hear more about this beer. (1/29/2005)

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Big River Vienna Lager

Big River Brewing Co

Steve: Big River is located in Nashville and Chattanooga. This was sampled from the Chattanooga location, and the Vienna Lager appears to be their flagship beer (if the fact that it's on tap all over Chattanooga is any indication). Most of you will find that it's a bit more hopped than the lagers you're used to, and almost comes across as a pale ale. It's fairly dark for a lager, looking a bit like a Bass, and is a hearty 4.18% ABW. When in Chattanooga, I highly recommend drinking one while watching a Lookouts game from the bleachers. (12/11/2004)

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Bison Chocolate Stout

Bison Brewing

Steve: Handcrafted in Berkeley, undoubtedly by hippies, this is an organic brew. I don't know what that means, but I'll see this was a nice chocolate stout, whose flavor was augmented by the addition of Dutch cocoa. Dutch cocoa, you say? Yes, I kid you not. Now go get some, you little hippy. I would also recommend drinking this while watching The Duke in "The Quiet Man." Sure, this isn't a porter, which is featured prominently throughout the movie, but drinking a dark ale out of a pint glass just feels right while watching John Wayne whup a Mick's ass. (4/23/2005)

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Bison Organic Belgian Ale

Bison Brewing

Steve: For those of you familiar with Belgian golden ales, you'll find this to be a pretty close facsimile, but there was something missing. It had the alcohol, it had the spicy flavor from the coriander, and it had the lemon background. But it was missing the effervescence (it didn't create that creamy, whipped egg white head), the strong alcohol warmth in the taste, and it was a little more watery than a typical Belgian ale. In other words, it was no Duvel. But then again, that's comparing it to the benchmark of its style, which isn't fair. Comparing a Miata to a Porsche, the Miata falls flat, but it's still a sweet-looking ride. OK, the alcohol is taking effect, I'm starting to talk about cars. Maybe it's not so lacking. (5/7/2005)

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Bitch Creek ESB

Grand Teton Brewing Co

Rocky: One of the brew club selections, and I drank all three of them without much delay, but can't say anything really stands out. It's very drinkable...how's that? If you're trying to brew an ESB to style there would be a color range to shoot for, and a bitterness range. This is probably way at the high end for both, and that's a good thing in my opinion. (10/29/2005)

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Bitter Woman From Hell Extra India Pale Ale

Tyranena Brewing Co

Steve: The regular Bitter Woman tasted a bit like a pale ale, and the Bitter Woman from Hell doesn't taste THAT much of an extreme departure from a regular IPA. Don't get me wrong, an excellent beer, but based on the name, I was kind of expecting something you'd see from Stone. I *wanted* to see something like what you'd see from Stone. It's a limited release, in their "Brewers Gone Wild" series. I shout out to them to ramp it up a bit the next time. Challenge me, please. (7/6/2008)

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Bitter Woman IPA

Tyranena Brewing Co

Steve: Yup. I bought it for the name. And the picture of the battleaxe of a woman on the label. Hardly the most bitter IPA I've ever had. I think it's closer to a standard pale ale then an IPA, but it's still a good, drinkable beer. And thankfully, it's not so bitter that you'll look like the old bitter woman on the label. (6/3/2006)

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Black Butte Porter

Deschutes Brewery

Sam: As I write this Thanksgiving weekend, we're still expecting 80 degrees today and tomorrow. Sigh. Not much in the way of fall weather to be had in central Texas, and fall weather is tailor-made for dark beers. Still, I have all these porters aging gracefully in my pub, so I'd best get off my keister and sample them before they get too long in the tooth. It's been some years since I had Black Butte, and I remember it fondly. It still doesn't disappoint. This poured a rich ebony with ruby tones held up to the light. Tan head. Delicious malty and smoky aroma, and it tastes as a good porter should: roasted malts with a hint of sweetness. Smoky and hoppy. A very solid representative of the style. Give it a try. And send me some cool weather. (5/6/2006)

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Black Widow Oatmeal Stout

Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co

Rocky: This Montana brew has a picture of a black widow on the label and a blurb on the bottle about it being brewed with the finest hops and grains and only a hint of spider. Pretty cheesy. As far as stouts go, this one is very tasty without much bitterness. It's very easy-drinking...maybe too much so for the style. I would have this often if it was easier to get. (6/5/2004)

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Blackhook Porter

Redhook Brewing Co

Sam: Not at all a bad brew. There are hoppier versions, sweeter versions. There are some with a smoky flavor that this one doesn't have. But Blackhook is still a damned respectable beer, black, sweet enough, has that rich warm porter character that stops just short of a stout. It holds its own, and is different enough that you'd want to have this every now and again as a change of pace. A good, thick, hearty winter brew. I recommend it. (5/15/2004)

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Blatz Beer

G. Heileman Brewing Co

Steve: An old Wisconsin brewery label, dating back to 1852, which coincidentally is the same birth year as the people who still drink this. OK, slight exaggeration, but I can say with certainty that this is primarily consumed by male Wisconsonians between the ages of 50 and death. After buying a 40 oz (smallest single size I could find at Carl's in Merrill, WI), an old woman walked out with a case (carrying it in one hand), and at that point I wish I had done what Rocky did and offered her a buck for one of them. According to my father-in-law, the guys down at the plant drink this by the case because it has no taste at all. It's a horrible beer, but I can't say that it tastes bad, because it doesn't taste like anything. It's like that flavored water that Gatorade makes, except that instead of fruit flavors, they gave it a touch of beer flavor. I got halfway through the 40 before pouring the rest down my mother-in-law's sink drain (by the way, Marge, I took care of that clog for you). (10/23/2004)

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Blue Moon Belgian White

Blue Moon Brewing Co

Steve: A White is the Belgian version of a German Weiss... Light and fruity, creamy, aromatic. Sweet tasting, it had a taste like lemon or orange Pledge. However, I like the smell of Pledge, not the taste of course. I recommend this to anyone who likes wheat beers.

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Blue Ridge Bock Oktoberfest

Blue Ridge Brewery

Steve: Never heard of this flavor of beer before, but I can only imagine that it is an Octoberfest, which is naturally malty, using a wide variety of seasonal hops and barley malts, made even hoppier, with more malt, as that is what a Bock is, and that's what this tasted like.I sampled this fresh from the tap at BR's brewery. If you can get this, try it.

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Blue Star Wheat Beer

Sam: I've been drinking high-end beers for about twelve years now, and still have yet to get used to that "plop" of the yeast sediment into the glass when I forget to swirl the bottle first. I did that just now, and jumped a bit when the dollop of sediment slid into the glass. I immediately thought with a groan, "Oh, great. Bananas and cloves and bubblegum." Nope, happily I was wrong. This is a cloudy orange-yellow as the sediment emulsifies, and it has a clean citrus aroma. Flavor's muted fruits and lemon, malty and light. Very, very nice indeed. This is a solid summer beer, and I encourage you to try it. (10/21/2006)

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Bootlegger's Winter Ale

Bootlegger's Brewery

Joel: Bootlegger's is an up and coming brewery out of Fullerton in California. As I write this you probably can't get your hands on this unless you are in Southern California but I fully predict that this brewer will start to blow up regionally (if not nationally) within the next couple of years. Onto the brew itself, it's not a traditional winter beer; if you're looking for Old Fezziwig don't pick this up. It's a mint chocolate porter. Holy shit, I can't believe no one has thought of that yet. Mint chocolate has existed for a long time and chocolate porters have existed for a long time and yet no one thought to combine them until now. The mint in this provides a refreshing front to the brew while the chocolate malts provide fullness. Not something I could drink everyday but around Christmas it hits the spot completely. (12/31/2010)

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Boulevard Pale Ale

Boulevard Brewing Co

Steve: This is as good as the other Boulevards that I tried, and thus I will definitely get some more if given the opportunity (they don't sell in Atlanta). Smooth, malty flavor, with a nice flowery aroma and background from the hops, but not too strong. Nice bite, but not too much where it keeps you from not wanting another one right away. (4/5/2003)

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Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Beer

Boulevard Brewing Co

Steve: This was highly touted by a friend of mine. Unfortunately, it seems to be regional. It's brewed in Kansas City, MO, and I know it's available in Memphis and NW Arkansas, so I guess you'll be able to find it throughout the mid-South and western Midwest. This is a European style (loved by Germans and Belgians) that Americans don't tackle often enough. Boulevard seemed to do a decent job. It doesn't have the thick presence of floaties that many unfiltered ales have, but it was smooth, malty, and made me wish I had a six pack (I bought a single 12 oz bottle). I'd have to say that if you live in their market area, keep an eye out. (2/22/2003)

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Breckenridge 471 double IPA

Sam: This is from Breckenridge's "small batch" series, and is only available in the bombers, so far as I know. And this offering helps me forgive them for otherwise putting out average product. This was an elegant smoky amber in the glass. Aroma was over-the-top hops, but the beer was surprisingly well-balanced, with enough malty sweetness to duke it out with the piney hops. This one's a winner. Buy it if you see it. (9/23/2006)

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Breckenridge 471 ESB

Sam: My taste buds have really been going through a change of late. I'm just not into hops quite as much as I used to be--not that I ever considered myself a hophead in the first place. But I'm beginning to appreciate subtle maltiness more these days. And the ESB as a style is a bit of a misnomer, as I understand it. It's actually overall a fairly mild beer style. Add to that this is one of Breck's "small batch" series brews, and their IPA impressed me, so I had high hopes for the ESB. It did not disappoint. A little floral in the aroma department, but a handsome ruby-red-brown in the glass. Flavor was nice and malty, slightly sweet, with just the right touch of floral, piney hops. My wife wanted me to give it a nine, but I wasn't QUITE ready to go that far. Just the same, I highly recommend it (but you might have to wait 'til the eagle flies; it's a bit pricey). (10/25/2008)

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Breckenridge Christmas Ale

Sam: OK, now THIS is more like it. After being thoroughly burned by New Belgium's holiday offering, I was a little leery of trying a new one, especially from a brewery with...uneven beers, charitably put. But no, their Christmas beer is quite nice. Deep, handsome mahogany brown in the glass, with a thin tan head. Big hops nose and bite. Definitely a beer to savor. It took me half an hour or more to get through the first pint tonight, and I definitely won't have another. At 7.4% abv, it has a punch. As a "winter warmer", I think you'll find it a strong player. Pick some up. (12/30/2006)

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Breckenridge India Pale Ale

Steve: I was pretty disappointed. It was good and all, but the many readers who wrote praising this beer got my hopes up too high. It's good, but not fantastic. This would be a good winter beer; it packed a punch.

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Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout

Steve: I tend to prefer Oatmeal stouts over the other varieties, so I was looking forward to this one. It wasn't as good as I hoped, but still tasty. Rich, malty, deep flavored, definitely drinkable, so I'll give this a try if I ever get west of the Mississippi and can buy this again. However, I think I prefer the British versions. It was good, but the rating is in comparison to the ones from the UK. (4/14/2003)

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Breckenridge Pale Ale

Steve: Another reason to sell Breckinridge here in Atlanta. This was quite hoppy, but pretty smooth drinking. The bitterness didn't linger too long, so it got you ready for your next sip. I honestly don't have much else to say, because this beer tasted exactly like it should. (3/21/2003)

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Breckenridge Red Ale

Steve: I've actually had dinner at this brewery and tried their beer on site, so I was excited to find this (albeit in a liquor store in Arkansas). I love "Reds" because they tend to have a caramel maltiness that I have really grown to love. This one didn't have that distinct caramel flavor, but it was there in the background. Much more outstanding was the hoppy flavor...just enough to give it a kick, but not too bitter. It had a smooth, creamy malty flavor that made it pretty enjoyable, so if Atlanta beer stores would get off their asses and get Breckenridge out here, I could get down to business and start enjoying their product, starting with more of this stuff. Overall, well made. (2/8/2003)

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Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

Sam: Well it certainly is vanilla. Handsome coffee-black with ruby highlights held to the light, with a thin tan head. But the aroma and the flavor are pretty overwhelmingly vanilla. Don't get me wrong; it didn't taste BAD, it just was too sweet for my taste buds. Try it for yourself, it may be your kind of drink. I personally was glad I only bought one bottle. (4/7/2007)

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Brewer's Cave Golden Caramel Lager

Minnesota Brewing Co

Steve: From the same company that brought Pig's Eye. There was a slight caramel taste, but not as evident as Killian's. This was a basic lager, a bit tasty, above average. Definitely not spectacular, but good enough to drink.

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Brewery Hill Caramel Porter

Brewery Hill Brewing Co

Kris: This beer kicks some Anheuser ass! I only wish I had more than one sample to try. According to the label, there were once more than two dozen breweries in NE Pennsylvania and this brewery is the last one. If it was because of the quality of the beer they make, I wouldn't be surprised at all. This is a great tasting, smooth, beer. You can definitely taste the caramel and chocolate combo in this beer. Dare I say mmm mmm good? Anyway, I wouldn't recommend this to your average buttwiper drinker as a) he wouldn't appreciate it, and b) it would knock him over after 2 or 3. In addition to being yummy (is that a word?), this is rather strong. If you're in PA, try some. (9/13/1999)

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Brewery Hill Pale Ale

Brewery Hill Brewing Co

Steve: This was a run of the mill quality pale ale. As opposed to a run of the mill crappy ale. It was pretty good, with a good hoppy flavor. However, it looses points for claiming to be Pennsylvania's finest brewery. That goes to Yuengling, hands down. It is better than Rolling Rock (hey, what isn't), and is certainly worth the money, but there is better out there. Gains points for a good label, because that is a drunks best entertainment. (10/10/1998)

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Brewski's Honey Red

Brewski's Brewing Co

Steve: I bought this because the label said it was Award Winning. It didn't say what award. I'm not saying Mirsky would have reviewed it, but it was over-hyped. I tasted caramel and toffee, I think, reminiscent of Thames Welsh Ale, which I wasn't wild about. Also, it says it's from St Paul, and asks that you visit the brewery in Palo Alto. Huh? Sounds like the bastard child of Pete's, which by the way, this wasn't as good as. OK, but not award winning on this page.

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Bridgeport Black Strap Stout

Sam: I just really shouldn't buy porters or stouts in the summertime. Here in the ghastly heat of Central Texas, big beers just don't go down well. This is IPA weather. Still, I'd heard good things about this particular stout, so I gave it a go. My first impression was "ew, motor oil", but that particular day I had had an IPA or two before the stout. Since then I've had it alone, and it's pretty decent. Black as pitch, and doesn't let a ray of light through when held up to the sun. Hoppy with dark roast accents. Not very sweet at all. I've had better stouts, but this one is still pretty nice all on its own, thank you very much. (12/10/2005)

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Bridgeport ESB

Sam: Stop the bloody presses!! It's quite possible I might have discovered yet another nearly-perfect beer (please, let there never be a perfect beer. Then my quest would be done). I stumbled onto this today, and in my haste, I only picked up a sixer--much to my regret. A smile broke across my face as I poured it: a burnished amber, with a buffy head. Inhaled deeply: mmm...malts, heather, spruce, trout streams. Took a sip, and went weak in the knees. Ahh...nectar. Malty, hoppy, sweet, complex. This beer is an out-of-the-park homerun! If you see this in the cooler, you OWE it to your taste buds to try it. I'm going back for more... (8/5/2006)

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Bridgeport Haymaker Extra Pale Ale

Sam: Don't let the "Extra Pale Ale" moniker throw you; this is a blonde ale in every character. Light golden in the glass, light floral hops aroma, mild, slightly sweet hops flavor. A pretty bland, harmless summer ale. This would be a decent beer to offer your hardcore BMC drinkers as a springboard to better beers. Or to hand out to giantfuckintool guy when he shows up uninvited to your party again (smarmy bastard). (3/1/2009)

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Bridgeport India Pale Ale

Sam: Long available only in the Northwest, and a few specialty importers sprinkled here and there, now this brew is hitting shelves in a substantial portion of the nation. I sure hope the quality of the brew doesn't suffer as a result. I recently tried a sixer right here in Texas. Mmm...delicious. Crisp, spicy, sweet, it was a clean brew, one I'd go to again and again. If you're a fan of IPAs, this one will not disappoint. And it's bottle conditioned, so if you're more patient than I am, and have more storage space than I do, you can cellar these and they'll supposedly get even better. (10/1/2005)

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Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Steve: This brewery, as a rule, rocks. However, even rockers have their weak links. In this case, it is BCS. This was, in a word, "blecch!" It had the basis for a great stout (pretty impressive, coming from me, every Guiness fan's worst dream), but it was the chocolate additive that killed it. I won't hold it against trying new Brooklyn products, but this one is definitely off my "must try" list.

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Brooklyn Brown Ale

Steve: Let me say that of the top 5 American microbrews, this one ranks among them (Catamount and Jack Daniels are included). They brew beer that appeals to all walks of American society and each in a quality manner, the Brown Ale included. This beer had the perfect balance of a nutty and hoppy flavor. I encourage anyone who likes Newcastle to try this.

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Brooklyn Lager

Steve: Not as bad as its namesake sounds. Pretty good, but it has a bitter hop flavor and aroma. Tastes like a lot of good Octoberfests, with a reddish-gold coloring. Strong flavor with a good aftertaste, as it reminds you that you just had a decent beer. Still, could do without the bitterness.

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Brooklyn Local 1

Steve: Anybody out there think Garrett Oliver isn't one of the best brewmasters in the United States? Anyone? Bueller? A fantastic example of a saison. It had a nice light orange color, like that of a clementine, sweet flavor, and the alcohol is very subtle but catches up later. This is nicely effervescent, but not too much, as it was easy to pour and create a nice head but one that didn't overflow too quickly. The overall taste is like an orange soaked in booze. Oliver proves his ability to show his talent with this one. (1/3/2010)

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Brooklyn Local 2

Steve: Kind of a sweet Belgian-style ale. It's made with honey and citrus peel, and smells a bit rich and fruity. It's a deep brown in the pour, with a nice tan head on it, so it's nice to look at as well. The honey flavor is a bit subtle, the sweetness seems to come from the fruitiness, which gets a lift from the Belgian yeast used. And of course the rambling comments trying to describe this beer likely come from the 9% abv and drinking this in one sitting by myself. (6/4/2011)

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Brooklyn Monster Ale

Steve: I'm probably not the guy to be reviewing this, because I am not a huge fan of barleywines. They weren't available in Atlanta until recently, and while Monster has been around for years, Brooklyn beers didn't hit Atlanta until Fall 2005. It was decent, definitely alcoholic, but not quite as burning as many of them have been for me. I think I might try this more, work my way up to it, then leap to other versions of this style. (8/26/2006)

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Brooklyn Oktoberfest

Steve: I'm starting to wonder if Oktoberfests are starting to make a kick-ass run for prominence in the US, as I've never seen this many in one year, between Capital, Thomas Hooker, Shiner and Brooklyn. It's a nice change from a normal lager, but not too heavy when the weather is still warm. Brooklyn had a nice copper color, a sweet malty flavor, and would be good as either a relaxing beer in the evening, or a session beer. (5/13/2006)

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Brooklyn Pennant Pale Ale

Steve: Brewed to celebrate the championship Dodger's teams of the fifty's, and what a way to honor those guys! This beer is an awesome pale ale with a perfect balance of ingredients. This might actually make a horrid baseball game more entertaining. High marks for the brewery up in Utica. Tastes similar to New Amsterdam Oktoberfest.

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Brooklyn Pilsner

Steve: Like all Brooklyn beers, this tastes exactly like it should (assuming the Chocolate Stout is supposed to be filtered by the Kingsford charcoal people). Pilsners are not meant to impress. They are meant to refresh. They are not the generals, more like the sergeants, just getting the job done with no questions asked. This Pils is smooth, refreshing, tasty, and absolutely perfect for the backyard (well, carport, actually) barbecue at Kris' new house when I tried it. This is the beer that Miller, Coors and Bud yearn to be. This is probably not as well made as a Guiness or Sam Smiths, but failing at a Pils is a lot worse....like screwing up scrambled eggs. Brooklyn did a good job with this one, and I responded by drinking a few of them. (7/1/2001)

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Brooklyn Summer Ale

Steve: Summer ales are often versions of a brewery's attempt at wheat/white/weiss/hefeweizen, repackaged as a "summer" beer, since the former titles often turn off the uninitiated beer consumer. But this is definitely a little different, a nice wheat ale, lightly fruity, with a lemon background, and a slight hop presence. It's a nice refreshing ale, perfect for the season, and a companion, not a replacement, for Brooklyner Weisse. (3/15/2009)

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Brooklyn Winter Ale

Steve: I can easily write a review using 20 gay beer-review words that Kris hates. However, Kris has a lot on his mind, and the extra stress might kill him, so I'll simplify it. It's a good winter warmer with a nice toffee and malt taste to it, a dark color, and a nice touch of alcohol. Reminds me a lot of Sweetwater Festive Ale, which should be a good enough reason for everyone to try it. (6/24/2006)

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Brooklyner Weisse

Kris: Unlike Steve, I'm not a big Weisse drinker. However, after trying this, I could definitely become one. Granted, it looks like a urine sample from someone with a bladder infection, but if you can get past that, it tastes pretty damn good. (8/14/2004)

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Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen Weisse

Steve: Take one of the most well-known Brewmasters in the US, and one of hte most well-known Brewmasters in Germany, put them together in one joint venture, and you haven't seen a perfect storm this big since the one that totally killed George Clooney and Mark Walhberg. This definitely has the color and alcoholic punch of a Weissbock, combined with the hoppiness of an IPA. I spent the first half of the beer trying to define it. I spent the second half of the beer just enjoying the unusual combination of wheat maltiness sneaking through the powerful presence of the Amarillo and Palisade hops. Definitely a pricey 750ml bottle, but I think worth every penny. Now I have to try and find a way to get a hold of the version that was brewed at the Georg Schneider brewery. (7/19/2009)

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Brother Thelonius Belgian-Style Abbey Ale

Steve: This was the beer I chose to celebrate the signing of a $2.66M contract with one of my customers, and I believe I chose well. It's in a corked 750ml bottle, 9%abv, and close to an abbey-style ale, sweet, alcholic, with a plum background in the taste. There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy about it, it was a symphony of taste. And if that doesn't sway you, $2 per case sold goes to the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz, so if you believe in preserving the arts, buy it by the case. (12/15/2007)

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Bucking Bock

Rahr and Sons Brewing Co

Sam: Awright, guys, now you're pissin' me off. You've got a golden opportunity to put Ft. Worth on the beer map, and you're screwin' it up. I've had the golden lager, the red lager, and the schwarzbier so far. The red was the only thing I'd buy again. When I saw this on the shelf, I took the plunge, even though I was feeling a little snakebit about your beers. Well, color me bitten again. This is really malt liquor, isn't it? I mean, c'mon, really. Yellow (wrong color), fizzy, smells like alcohol. Tastes like corn squeezin's with fizz. You guys copied Abita's Andygator recipe, didn't you? I am really, REALLY hoping this was just old (bocks are spring beers), but right now, after being burned by most of what you've got to offer, I'M feeling like the goat (Get it? Get it? Ah, bite me). (12/2/2006)

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Bud Ice

Kris: Bud in a fancy bottle. No other difference. I love the commercials, though. AB Beers: PR is great, now if they could only improve the beer. (2/15/2004)

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Bud Ice Light

Kris: I'm sorry, but this is just not beer. I might have thought so in my early drinking days, but not now. This "beer" has absolutely no taste whatsoever. This is just water with yellow bubbles in it. I'm going to assume that since Anheuser-Busch markets this as an alcoholic beverage, that must mean there is alcohol in it, but I couldn't tell. I feel guilty rating this, because this is a beer review site, and this doesn't fit the category. If you're thirsty, drink water. It does the same and it's cheaper. (BTW, I am giving this a zero, not because it sucked, but because the label says beer, and it clearly isn't.) (10/12/1999)

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Bud Light

Kris: See Budweiser. (9/22/2001)

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Budweiser

Kris: Yep, Budweiser is definitely the King of Beers. Best beer I've ever tasted. Wait, this isn't for Budweiser Budvar? Oh. Anheuser-Busch's Bud? Oh, no, that crap sucks. (2/15/2004)

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Budweiser American Ale

Steve: Was it horrible? No. Was it good? Again, no. It was below average. It was an easy drinking session ale, and if I was in a drinking contest, I'd probably pick this. Now, you might wonder why I would do that if I wasn't crazy about it, but that's because it went down easy, didn't challenge me, and it didn't make me stop and think about the beer as I drank it. In fact, halfway through it I got kind of bored with it, put it down, and forgot about it. You are left with the impression that maybe Budweiser could do something better....just not with this beer. (7/19/2009)

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Budweiser Select

Great Lakes Brewing Co (Ohio)

Sam: We had the grave misfortune to have to spend a night in what may be, not the most depressing city in Texas, not in the USA, but on the PLANET: Longview, Texas. Needing something to fog my brain, I dropped into a convenience store, noting that it, just like all the others I've encountered in Longview, had burglar bars. A ringing endorsement for moving there. So I head for the beer cooler, and all the usual suspects were there: the big three, and those dreadful malternatives, and since I was in Gangstaland, a handful of malt liquors. Then my eyes fell on Budweiser Select. What the hell--it's already a miserable night, how much worse could it be to drink this? So I bought a sixer. It's exactly what any of you would expect. Budweiser in a slightly prettier bottle. A-B has once again hit a home-run: they've put another product out there that the sheep will buy, thinking they're getting "the good stuff". Baaaa... (7/16/2005)

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Burning Bird Pale Ale

Sonora Brewing Co

Rocky: I came home from work to the sight of about five billion small feathers scattered throughout the house. Seems the dog had quite a busy day destroying a feather-filled queen sized mattress pad. Luckily for him I decided to drink a beer instead of killing him, and he was lucky again that it turned out to be a very good beer. The beer club newsletter says it's only 33 IBU, so not over-the-top with hops, but it's a very well-balanced, tasty brew, with a great aroma. (6/26/2004)

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Burning River Pale Ale

Rocky: I think it's a very solid IPA that any hophead would enjoy. In a blind taste test anybody that knows beer should know the style before tasting, because there's plenty of hop aroma. It doesn't stop there, the bitterness is pretty aggressive from start to finish. If you like a hoppy brew, you should definitely try to get your hands on some of this. (5/15/2004)

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Busch

Steve: Imagine Bud. Ok, imagine watered-down, stale Bud. That's Busch. Brewed with water from the mountains of Busch, and lots of it.... Water, that is. Won't get you drunk unless you take in a keg IV. (7/28/2001)

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Busch Light

Steve: See Busch.

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Busch N/A

Guest Review - Chris J: Very watered down, flat taste. Still better than O'Douls. (11/8/1998)

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Buster Nut Brown Ale

Ska Brewing

Sam: What is it with Colorado brewers and their need to print such twitchy, angry labels? Just like Flying Dog, all the labels from Ska that I've seen are grotesque, skewed, hallucinatory. Is it the ski country attitude? Dunno. At any rate, this is a thoroughly standard nut brown ale. It's brown, it's sweet, it's not hopped enough to my liking--pretty much like most nut browns. Hey, Ska: sorry fellas, but there are better offerings out there. Pay more attention to your brewing and less to your labels. (1/21/2006)

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Capital 1900

Steve: Capital 1900 is so named because it uses an old recipe that dates back to circa 1900. It's a basic lager, no bells, no whistles, and is hopped so that it tastes like a central European lager, but not as strong on the hops or the green bottle effect. Very easy drinking, good on its own or with lighter food. Went well with my BLT, for example. It's nothing fantastic, so I can't rave about it, but I'd have it again in a second, and I'd gladly pay the money for it, as opposed to saving a lot for something inferior. (12/11/2004)

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Capital Autumnal Fire

Steve: This is Capital's classic Doppelbock recipe. A nice hearty winter lager, very malty, with a nice alcoholic presence at a little over 7%. I know of people who actually welcome fall because that's when this beer hits the shelves. If you've had this beer, then you understand why they think that. As a Doppelbock, it's a good winter beer, but if you now autumn in Wisconsin, you'd know why it comes out when it does. (1/19/2009)

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Capital Baltic Porter

Steve: This was a bit thin compared to some Baltic porters that I've had. To start, the head was non-existent. There was a hint of chocolate and caramel malt, and nothing in the way of hops that I could detect. It's a limited one-time offering, so you're not likely to see this around anymore, but I have to say that Capital could do better anyways. Slightly above average, but in a way, that kind of left me disappointed. (1/23/2010)

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Capital Bavarian Lager

Steve: A good old Wisconsin lager, far better in taste than its neighbors Miller, Old Style and Pabst. This beer is dark gold in color, amberish, with a light malty texture and lemon background, the kind of beer you keep on-hand throughout the warmer months. I don't think I'd spend the money on this as a party beer, but definitely worth drinking regularly in more moderate amounts. (12/20/2003)

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Capital Blonde Doppelbock

Steve: What I like about Capital is that they make sure you have every end of the German lager spectrum year round. This is a lot like a Maibock (but not to be confused with Capital's actual Maibock). Rich and malty, no discernible hop flavor, just something good to shake the stink of Winter off of you. Lighter in color then a standard Doppelbock, but quite hearty in body. Take my advice, if you are weary of the standard BMC lagers, and don't like the green-bottled imports, head to Wisconsin and seek out Capital. You get the real thing, year round. I'll have to see if my mother-in-law can send this to me every year. (12/18/2005)

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Capital Brown Ale

Steve: If you're looking to "the other side of dark" that inexplicably draws people to Newcastle, and you don't have the taste for the bold hops and bitter flavors that truly good ales have to offer, this may be the ale for you. Nothing spectacular, but one thing's for sure, I could probably drink this all night long. OK, I could have several before I fell asleep in my own drool, but that has more to do with age and parenthood than capacity for beer. I'd probably go for this over Newcastle, but that's more out of a desire to spend money domestically. (10/23/2004)

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Capital Eisphyre

Steve: This is an Eisbock, another well-done German style by the folks at Capital. It gives a little fire when there's ice outside (get it? No? Oh bite me). I bought this in July 2006, but I'm guessing this is a winter release, so by the time I finished this it was a year old, and still quite tasty. Beautiful red color, this had a nice malty flavor, with a little bit of fruit in it, and the alcohol sneaks up on you. I wished I saved the whole 4-pack until the winter started, but by Jan 2007 I only had one left. I'm an idiot. (6/30/2007)

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Capital Fest

Steve: Fest is actually closer to a true German Märzen then their actual Oktoberfest, as the latter is Capital's own interpretation of the style, whereas Fest is based on actual Bavarian recipes. Fine, don't believe me (honestly, I heard that from a guy who knows the brewer, so I'm just taking his word). However, it's a late-Spring release, BUT it shouldn't be confused with Capital's Maibock. Yes, I now it's hard to keep track, but if you see it, just buy some, dammit. You won't be disappointed. It's smooth, malty, with a sweet background, and a nice copper color. It'll be like drinking an Oktoberfest in the Summer, and in all honesty, I wish I could do that more often. I'd rather have a Fest bier then a stout or porter. (3/19/2006)

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Capital Island Wheat

Steve: This is an American Wheat Ale, not a Weissbier. Big difference. Normally, AWA's often make me cringe. They have occasionally reintroduced my taste buds to that lovely flavor we call "bile." This, however, didn't do that. It's a solid wheat ale, with that nice hint of lemon, that light wheat flavor, and no sign of it being watered-down, a trait shared by many AWA's. In other words, it was drinkable. It's certainly not meant to be a Hefeweizen, Capital already has one. And, if that kind of thing is important, Capital uses indigenous wheat, from Washington Island WI, out in Lake Michigan, so they support local farmers. Gotta love Capital. (2/23/2008)

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Capital Kloster Weizen

Steve: I guess I need to hit the heavily German Midwest if I want to find a good Hefeweizen that's made in the US (either that or go to Brooklyn). Wherever Harpoon UFO goes wrong trying to pose as a Hefeweizen, this one goes right. It's got that beautiful color (yes it looks like a bladder infection, bite me), wonderful yeast, banana and clove aroma, and is definitely unfiltered (my mother-in-law, bless her heart, made a face and said, "there's crap floating in your beer"). Sure, it's not quite as good as Paulaner, but considering they'd just use the money to build up their war machine and invade Poland again, you're better off spending it domestically. (11/6/2004)

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Capital Maibock

Steve: Maybe it's an 8 because it's a kick ass beer. Maybe it's an 8 because it nailed the style so well. Or maybe it's an 8 because it makes other US micro versions of German Maibocks look so crappy (coughHarpooncough). Or maybe all of the above. But this is an 8 because it's such a quality across-the-board beer. This is simply a solid beer, nice copper color, a strong malty flavor perfect for the cool pre-Summer weather. And it makes Harpoon's version look like nut sweat in comparison. (12/9/2006)

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Capital Munich Dark

Steve: The great thing about Capital is that they're producing all of the styles of the top German imports, without the added flavor that comes with sitting in the hold of a ship for a month on the journey across the Atlantic. Munich Dark is no exception. If you're a fan of Becks Dark or other German dark lagers, I think you'll like Munich Dark as well. It doesn't have quite the sharp bitter flavor, definitely a bit smoother, but it does have a nice balanced coffee flavor in the background. This dark would be good year round, not just in the winter months. (12/18/2004)

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Capital Oktoberfest

Steve: That's right, you know it's kick ass when they spell October with a "k". When I want a good German-style lager, brewed in America, I always look to Capital, because they get it done. They're the 1995 Devils. The 1985 Bears. Mark Spitz in the 1972 Olympics. Just blue-collar perfection. This is malty, sweet, nice copper color, and I can vouch that it ages well (I bought it in July 2005...hint, this is a seasonal, was likely sitting on the shelf in Merrill WI since fall 2004). Folks, if you don't live in Capital's distribution area, you are missing out, especially at this time of year. (4/1/2006)

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Capital Rustic Ale

Steve: I guess the marketing department at Capital decided they really really needed a session beer really really badly. An amber ale that is light on the hops, thin on the malt sweet enough for flavor, but lacking enough in bitterness that you can drink this all night long with no ill effects, other than completely forgetting what you tasted. Capital makes some of the best US-made lagers in North America. I think they should stick to that niche and not try to please everyone. (2/13/2011)

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Capital Special Pilsner

Steve: Tasting this will make you double check to see if the bottle is green and if it's brewed in a city like Oberammergau, Bremerhaven or Gundelfingen (or some city with 2 or 3 umlauts in the name). Mark my words, however, when I say the bottle IS brown, and it's brewed in Middleton, Wisconsin. The sharp taste comes from the Saaz hops, giving it a flavor very reminiscent of the bigger brands of central European lagers. Like any pilsner, it's not necessarily going to floor you, but if you live between Chicago and Minneapolis, I recommend sticking with domestic and getting this instead of going for the import section of your cooler. (10/9/2004)

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Capital U.S. Pale Ale

Steve: As good as Capital is with their German style lagers, is as flat as they fell with this endeavor to brew an American pale ale. I think they should've stuck with what they excelled at, great German beers like their Hefeweizen, lager, and blond doppelbock. This was just a 12 ounce bottle of average. (8/28/2010)

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Capital Vintage Ale

Steve: This was sweet, malty, and yummy. I'm wondering if it was an Alt style, it kind of had that feel to it. Not quite an ale, not quite a lager, probably OK in a pilsner or ale glass. Quite good. It came in a 4-pack which I saved for a good 8 months before finishing the last one. I hope Capital churns this out again at some point. (9/6/2008)

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Capital Winter Skål

Steve: This is Capital's winter selection (obviously), and I have to say I was a little disappointed. Winter beers are usually a lot more warming, spicy, etc. This actually tasted a lot like a standard American bock. It was a good beer, just not sure if it was a great winter beer, based on what else is out there. I would not turn it down, I can say that much, and it's certainly won its share of awards from various beer tastings, I guess I'm just holding it up to a standard set by other beers. (12/4/2004)

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Capital Wisconsin Amber

Carolina Beer & Beverage Co

Steve: I don't know why, but this strikes me as an early Autumn beer. Maybe it's the orange label, which reminds me of the fall foliage. Or maybe I'm just making crap up. Who knows? It's based somewhat on the Vienna style, so it's a little darker than your average lager, and with more hop character. The hops were actually nicely balanced, not too strong at all. Definitely a good beer for extended drinking, but still something with flavor. (12/31/2004)

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Carling Black Label

Pabst Brewing Co

Sam: It's a little hard to figure out actually WHO brews this, as it's brewed in the states by Miller under contract with Pabst. In the UK, where it's a number one seller(!!), Bass/Interbrew/Coors makes it. It sounds like they're playing hot potato, no one wanting to claim it. Would you?? My god, this stuff's rank. You could take paint off with this shit. I used to think Brits and the Irish had taste, because some good beer comes from the UK, but after hearing they go out of their way to buy THIS crap, I'm not so sure. Don't let anyone buy you this in a London pub. It's stomach ulcer in a glass. (10/18/2003)

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Carolina Blonde

Sam: Apparently Carolina Beer Company sells the most of this one. I can see why: it's a pretty standard pilsner style. Deeper golden-yellow than macro swill, and more complex, it's got more hops presence than the megabrews. Is there much more to say about it than that? Not really. Still, if I lived where I could get this often, I'd see how it would be in my fridge as an everyday beer. (5/28/2005)

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Catamount 10th Anniversary India Pale Ale

Steve: This is probably the bitterest pale ale I've ever had. It might qualify as a bitter, I imagine. If bitters are your thing, this is a must-try. If IPA's are it, then go for it. As always, Catamount has not disappointed. If you can get it, then get it. A neat one for any bottle collection.

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Catamount Christmas 95 Ale

Steve: Yummm! Another winner from Vermont. Spicy, very nutmeggy. I wanted to take my time on this one, just enjoying the flavor. This is the equivalent of marzipan, best during the holidays. In fact, try the two together, sitting in front of a fire. Highly recommended.

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Catamount Octoberfest

Steve: This is the first I've heard of this Vermont based brewery, and hopefully not the last. This was good. No, Great! Caramel taste, like Killian's, but not as thick. Cool gold color with a reddish tint. I could kill a bunch of these.

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Catamount Pale Ale

Steve: Another triumph for this brewery. I think they've become my favorite microbrew. It had a nice strong flavor, tasted great, brewed well, fresh, etc. Try it. You'll like it if you like Pale Ales. My highest recommendation.

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Catamount Porter

Steve: This is the same color as cola, and a similiar taste to Yuengling's Black and Tan. It's been a while since I've had a beer this dark that hasn't assaulted my taste buds. It had a deep, rich flavor. The finish wasn't bitter like a stout, and while it had that sludgy Guinness-like foam, it wasn't as bad tasting.

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Celis Pale Ale

Steve: Another good Celis product. One of the better domestic Pale Ales I've had, not like the ameteurish ones you find all over New England (Catamount excluded). The hop flavor was excellent, like they were actually fresh, not something they raked out of the backyard in the fall like Geary's or North Country.

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Celis Pale Bock

Steve: This was a flavorful, spicy number, a beer that was actually fun to drink, for lack of a better way to put it. My wife even enjoyed it. Every sip you take, you taste something different. Unfortunately, this is a short review, because there isn't much else to say, except that this compares very well to its European competition, and is much better priced. See, Americans really can brew beer (disregard the fact that the owner is Belgian). (11/3/2000)

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Celis Raspberry Wheat

Steve: This has an extremely strong raspberry flavor. It was pretty fresh, but I don't think I like rasp. juice that much straight, much less in beer. Tangy is the word I would use. I made the mistake of drinking this with dinner... don't do that, doesn't work.

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Celis White

Steve: This beer is excellent. Definitely a standard for all microbrews to follow. This copies it's European cousins perfectly, without the aging from the import process. It helps that Celis is run by Belgian immigrants. It is creamy, slightly fruity, and a perfect summertime beer.

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Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine 2008

Steve: Wow, the alcoholic burn was the first, middle and last things I noticed about this beer. It pretty well overpowered all other flavors, which often happens in barleywines for me. This is why I'm not the most partial reviewer of the style, I haven't quite developed the proper taste for them. But, this was a nice warming ale, with that slight bourbon background (or maybe it was just the alcohol). Central Waters is producing some pretty good stuff up in Wisconsin, and from what I can see, of the top-tier Wisconsin breweries, this one is the furthest north. (12/19/2010)

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Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout

Steve: This was a very smooth, creamy stout. The cherries overwhelmed any hop flavors, with a nice woody background and hints of vanilla in the flavor, making this ideal for a dessert beer. I think a dab of ice cream on the side or even in the beer would've been very nice. (9/12/2009)

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Central Waters Illumination Double IPA

Steve: Like the name suggests, it's an uber-hoppy IPA, definitely hitting the taste buds hard with 108 IBU's. It also packs a 9% ABV punch, so be ready for a solid beer. I really like and respect Central Waters, because they obviously spend more money on the product they brew, and less on the packaging. There are a lot of double IPA's out there (after Stone made their mark, they've become downright ubiquitous), and this isn't the best, but it's well above-average and worth a try if you're in Wisconsin. (4/19/2012)

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Central Waters Satin Solstice Imperial Stout

Christian Moerlein Brewing Co

Steve: Satin Solstice had a very smooth, silky, chocolate flavor. You get a nice roasted coffee sensation, great for winter, and you have that nice alcohol feeling as it goes down. A definite winter warmer, and a good dessert beer as well. (1/3/2010)

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Chamberlain Pale Ale

Shipyard Brewing Co

Steve: When trying this, you should take note that this is an English style Pale Ale, not an American Pale Ale, so when your palate can detect absolutely no Cascade hops whatsoever, you don't go "what the hell?" However, you won't be impressed with the English varieties of hops, either, I don't think. Shipyard's website touts it as a full-bodied ale. To me, it was a light-bodied ale, closer to a cream ale than pale ale. Nice label art, and cool that they named it after a Civil War hero from a Maine regiment, but the label is probably the most interesting thing about the beer. (2/9/2008)

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Checkered Cab Blond Ale

Chelsea Brewing Co

Steve: This was brewed in the Kolsch Style (Kolsch having originated in Köln, in Germany), and was probably a little off target. This was a novelty beer, that novelty being the label looked like a New York checkered cab. Woopdy-damn-doo. It was OK, but not great. Had a lemony, wheaty taste to it, which I'm hoping it's supposed to have. There's better out there, so don't bother.

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Christian Moerlein Select Lager

Kris: "First American beer to pass the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of 1516." That's what the label proclaims. Here's what I proclaim: BFD. It's 2008. The Reinheitsgebot is about as relevant as the dodo. And how the frig is this pronounced, anyway? Moe-Er-Leen? More-Line? Mower-len? Moe-Erline? Damn Germans. I can only imagine what I'd be calling them if I hadn't recently found out that I'm 1/4 German myself. (I still don't hate the Jews; don't tell anyone.) Anyway, getting to the beer, it was pretty damn good. I had this after I mowed the lawn and while watching Catch and Release, starring Kevin Smith (and some other people). It had a pleasant sweetness to it, not bitter at all. Refreshing after a good mow, and refreshing also seeing Silent Bob actually act. (2/9/2008)

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Coast Kölsch 32º / 50º

Coast Brewing Co

Steve: Kölsch-style beers are notoriously fragile, and don't usually last along time. I bought this while on holiday in Hilton Head SC last September (it was bottled on 9/7/2010, 2 weeks before I bought it), and stuck it in my beer fridge and frankly forgot about it. On a warm summer night in June 2011, I killed it with gusto. Kölsch-style beers are very refreshing for warm summer months, but also have a decent enough floral hoppiness in the finish that they go well in cool weather as well, in my opinion. Coast is no exception. This really is a fantastic American version of a traditional style from Köln German (much like Champagne, a true Kölsch must be from Köln, aside from a couple exceptions in Bonn). The name of this beer is an homage to the latitudinal locations of Charleston SC and Köln Germany. South Carolina is not known as a hotbed of microbreweries, but if everything Coast brews is as high-quality as this, Coast surely leads the state. (6/26/2011)

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Coastal Fog Pale Ale

Coast Range Brewing Co

Joel: This stuff sucks. Seriously, I'd rather drink Busch Light. My theory is that things either bring something to the table, bring nothing to the table, or take something off the table. Coastal Fog clears off the table, makes out with your sister on it, and then pisses in your gas tank. I can't even fathom how this place is in business at all. I wouldn't have even bought it but it was on sale for $10 a twelve pack and figured it was a worthy gamble. I should have just taken that $10, set it on fire, and mixed the resulting ash with Osco brand vodka. Don't drink this beer, and if you ever happen to find the coastal Fog brewmaster, please punch him in the throat for me. (9/27/2008)

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Coors Light

Steve: While I respect their campaign of being a family brewery, I truly wish Coors Brewing Co stayed west of the Mississippi. Very watery, lacking in taste. White high school students love this garbage.

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Coors N/A

Guest Review - Chris J: Surprise! One of the worst brewing companies in the USA has brought us the best US N/A beer! (well, at least by US standards!) Smooth, watered-down Coors taste eliminates the typical dry-cardboard feel of other US N/A brews. At least they tried!!

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Coors Winterfest 1997-1998

Carolina Beer & Beverage Co

Steve: I bought a six pack of this cause it looked like Coors' attempt at a fine product, other than its micro-line (Killian's et al). It had a cool label, when poured into a glass, it had a great copper color. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. It loses points for not maintaining its original appeal. It's kind of watery and bland, like all they did was put food coloring into a regular Coors. 2 things are proven here: 1, don't believe marketing, and 2, color doesn't make a good beer, only quality does.

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Cottonwood Almond Stout

Rocky: Very dark (I know...but it's dark even for a stout), and the requisite bitter chocolate and coffee notes are present. But, as the name implies, so is almond. Obviously, that's what they were going for, and they certainly succeeded. I don't see myself pulling the almond extract out of the pantry on my next brewday, basically because the almond would wear on me after just a couple, but for a single of something a little bit different it wasn't bad at all. (5/14/2005)

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Cottonwood Endo IPA

Carolina Beer & Beverage Co

Sam: This is supposed to be an "over-the-top" (hence the mountain biker "endo" term) pale ale, with a pronounced hop presence. Well, yeah, it's pretty hoppy, but not enough to make you pucker. It's quite nice, not as dark as I expected, and it has that weird chemical taste some microbrews have. That, of course, usually fades if you pour it up and let it "breathe" a bit. Funky label, with what I'm guessing is supposed to be a Belgian monk, holding a stein, with Rasta-mon dreads and a bike helmet. The general rule is to beware cool labels; usually the beer is sub-par. Not really in this instance. If I saw this on the shelf, I'd reach for it again. (5/22/2005)

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Crazy Ed's Cave Creek Chili Beer

Black Mountain Brewing Co

Steve: I bought this for the novelty, because it has a chili floating in it. I thought it would be neat...it turns out it's to warn off anybody who wants to try it as a novelty! I poured this beer last night while sitting down with a bowl of chili, took one sip, and almost died. It tastes EXACTLY like liquified, extra-hot, chili. Which is the last taste you want when drinking beer. This was absolutely undrinkable!!! (also note: There is a light version of this that I will NEVER review. EVER! Nor will we respond to requests to review it.) I hope this brewery goes out of business before they polute the earth with more of their malted monstrosities. THIS BEER SUCKS!!!

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Cream City Pale Ale

Lakefront Brewery, Inc

Steve: Those of you who like the nice flowery hop aroma of American pale ales like Sierra Nevada will definitely like this. When going to Milwaukee, try to remember it’s not just Miller and Pabst, they also have craft breweries like Lakefront that care about you and your bowels. And in case you’re interested (which you’re not, but you know me, I try to educate), Cream City was an old nickname for Milwaukee, due to the cream-colored bricks used in many of the early buildings. You have to admit, it’s better than “The Good Land,” which is what the Algonquins called it (don’t believe me? Ask Alice Cooper). (9/5/2004)

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Cutthroat Porter

Odell Brewing Co

Rocky: This didn't make a great first impression when I took a whiff after opening, but I was very pleasantly relieved at the first sip. It has some definite coffee-like notes, and I would bet there is some chocolate in the recipe. I love it. I don't know how wide their distribution area is, but if you're ever in Colorado, do yourself a favor and find this beer. (6/26/2004)

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Days Golden

Day Brewing Company

Rocky: This beer had a lot going for it before I even tried it. It was after 3:00 a.m. in the French Quarter, I had been drinking for about 6 hours with a bachelor party, and my last beer was a Bud Light (a $7.00 one at that...freaking ripoff Hustler Club). Plus, I was dehydrated and trying to eat a burger with cotton mouth. Almost anything would've been great considering all of those factors. However...this abysmal swill assaulted my taste buds like nothing I'd ever had before. It was like somebody took a Corona Light and mixed it with Lemon Pledge..and went heavy on the Pledge. I could barely drink the bottle down to the top of the label. Not only should you avoid this, but if you ever happen to meet "brewmaster" Bernard Day, you should slap the shit out of him for me. (4/9/2005)

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Desert Amber

Sonora Brewing Co

Rocky: Pretty typical amber ale, although a little sweeter than most, and probably better than most. It's almost citrusy, which I guess is the hops used. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and yet there's not anything extraordinary either. Very drinkable beer that won't be a disappointment, but it's also not likely to become a regular in your fridge. It did win a bronze medal in the 1997 World Beer Championships, but the only reason I'd try to find out what it beat out is so that I'd know not to spend a lot of money on them. (6/19/2004)

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Devil Mountain 5 Malt Ale

Devil Mt Brewing Co

Steve: This was a perfect cold-weather beer. It's not as strong as I thought it would be. Very hoppy, however, evident in the bitter taste. More so than a typical American IPA, but not as much as a best bitter. This has the key ingredient for all American beers to follow: Quality!

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Devil Mountain Tasmanian Pale Ale

Devil Mt Brewing Co

Steve: Brewed with Tasmanian hops, they don't really taste any different than good ol' American hops. Don't get me wrong, this is a good product, but maybe they could have saved money. Basically, this tasted like a cookie-cutter quality pale ale, found everywhere. I recommend it to anyone. I think the gimmick is the name. Says it's brewed in California, but in small print on the side, says it's brewed in Cincinnati; loses points for that...not for lying, but for being from Cincy. (Only kidding)

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Diamond Bear Irish Red

Steve: This is a little heartier than the Irish red's we're used to (like Killians, for example). The hops are a bit more present, and the caramel malt isn't as sweet. For craftsmanship, definitely an upgrade, but it also doesn't make the everyday drinking beer either. College students won't buy it by the case, like I did with Killians. Then again, that would probably be because of the cost of micros more than anything. (1/8/2005)

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Diamond Bear Pale Ale

Steve: Hands down, the best Arkansas-brewed beer I've ever had. And I'm not being a smartass like I was with that Greek beer that actually sucked, but was the only Greek beer I've ever had. This was actually good. I'd have to compare it in flavor to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sweetwater 420, Rogue, and others. It had that nice floral bouquet and flavor, all in all quite good. Not the best, but certainly worth trying. MUCH better than their other 3 beers, which gives me hope for the brewery. (3/26/2005)

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Diamond Bear Southern Blonde

Steve: Ales don't get much lighter than this. It will remind you a lot of the mega-lagers, mostly due to the corn presence, and the fact that it tastes a hell of a lot like Pabst or Old Style. Pale yellow in color and nicely carbonated. If I were to be drinking all night long and wanted something that would sit easy, I might choose this, but mostly because I can afford something better than Pabst. Not bad, but I want to see what else they got. Arkansas (home of DB) is not a hotbed for microbrews, so I can see how they wanted to start with something lighter to introduce people to their line slowly. (12/18/2004)

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Diamond Bear Ultra Blonde

Steve: The most remarkable thing about this low carb microbrewed offering is that by using the word "Ultra," they've managed to get in the crosshairs of brewing giant Anheuser Busch. So, gotta give them credit for that. Unfortunately, there's not much else that's remarkable. I could forgive the lack of flavor by citing that what is removed from beer to make it low carb is also what gives a beer it's flavor, but it was proven to me by Minocqua Brewing that you can have flavor in a low carb beer. So, I'm left with nothing else to say except that it's a cheap marketing ploy. There's worse beers out there, but I'm further convinced that it's worth the sacrifice to drink regular, high carb beers. (2/12/2005)

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Dixie Beer

Dixie Brewing Co

Rocky: My father-in-law is a fishing guide, and people often leave beer on his boat. They always wind up in the fridge in his garage, so I check it out every time I'm in town and hope for the best. The selections vary from visit to visit, but they're usually all bad. Could've had Miller Lite, could've reached for a PBR, could've (but wouldn't have) had a Bud Light. I went for Dixie. It actually tastes a little like aluminum, although it was in a bottle. Otherwise it's a typical fizzy yellow lager with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Don't avoid the brewery, as the Voodoo line isn't bad, but don't get this if you've got any other options, and sadly that includes the big three. (9/5/2004)

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Dixie Blackened Voodoo

Dixie Brewing Co

Steve: This was a dark lager that was quite tasty. It had kind of a smoky flavor, not at all bitter, and finished very smooth. Went down well with wings and burgers. It wasn't too strong, kind of like Beck's or Lowenbrau dark, so I would suggest this to someone who wanted to expand their horizons and start off slow. (4/4/2000)

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Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Sam: Okay, I finally found this in my little world. I have to say, it was pretty impressive. Very noticeable hops aroma. The first sip took the back of my head off and brought tears to my eyes. Kind of like the first time you try habanero pepper in your chili. At first I was actually a little put off by the overpowering hops, and I didn't feel there was enough counterbalancing sweetness. But to be fair, I tried another bottle. It quickly grew on me. Now I have to say, it's something I keep in my beer fridge on a regular basis. If the sixty-minute is this hoppy, I doubt I'll be able to handle their 90-minute and 120-minute beers. Hoo boy. (4/23/2005)

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Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA

Kris: Woah, hops. Or to put it more accurately, Woah, too much hops. I'll accept Steve's explanation that this is not a bad beer. I just didn't enjoy it. So take the rating with a grain of salt, especially if you're the type that does like a hoppy beer. (8/14/2004)

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Dogfish Head Aprihop

Kris: Ooh, what a cute name. I guess you should say this is a hoppy Apricot brew. Of course, if you were to say that, I would only agree with you on half of it. Yes, it was quite hoppy. But I could neither taste nor smell any apricots. That might be due to the fact that I don't know what an apricot tastes or smells like, but that's neither here nor there. As usual, I prefer something a little less bitter, but it wasn't a bad beer. Some people would even say it's a good beer. I'm just not one of those people. (5/8/2004)

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Dogfish Head Burton Baton

Sam: Yep, it's still there. The DFH 90 Minute IPA tastes like pure alcohol, and really put me off. Still, I sprang for the oak-aged version because most of the oak-aged beers I've had have been remarkably smooth. Well, it smoothed some of the rough edges of this beer, but the pure alcohol bite is still there. My tongue was a little numb for an hour after drinking this beer, and I honestly poured out the last swallow. It got to tasting better somewhere in the middle of the pint as it warmed, but once it was TOO warm, it was just atrocious. I was more or less ruined for the rest of the night. In the immortal words of Corporal Radar O'Reilly, "I think I've been slaked." So now I'm stuck with three fourths of a 15-dollar four-pack. Anyone interested? (8/25/2007)

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Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

Sam: It's good. I held it up to a dazzling Texas sun this weekend, and enjoyed the deep mahogany glow in the glass. Hops could've been more obvious (which is an odd thing to say about DFH beers; they like hops), but still it was tasty. At 7.2% ABV, it packs a wallop, too, so drink this one at home unless you've got a DD. I'd like to find more to say about this beer, but I'm not a big brown ale fan; let's say it's not quite as good as Ellie's Brown Ale from Avery or Brewhouse Brown Ale from Real Ale but still pretty darn good. (5/14/2005)

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Dogfish Head Midas Touch

Steve: This is apparently an old style of beer made with barley, honey, white muscat grapes and saffron (saffron? WTF?). It had an aroma much like muscadine grapes, so rednecks from Alabama may enjoy this. Very sweet and a little warming, with an alcoholic finish. Kind of strange, but not bad. (10/5/2008)

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Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre

Steve: Very much a Belgian-style beer. You get a definite sweet taste to it, very sugary, and there's that plum background that's extremely common in the Trappist-style ales. It's kind of wine-like, and not very carbonated. I'm writing the review from the last one of the pack, not the first. It's about a year old. I recall the 2nd and 3rd being better than the first, but I don't think there's a huge improvement when kept over a year. You definitely notice the alcohol, which comes in at about 8.5%. Thankfully, I don't taste the raisins, as I really dislike raisins. Some people have a love it or hate it relationship with Dogfish Head, I think this is one of those that people can come to grips with and not roll their eyes that DFH is doing insane stuff again. I may be way off, but I would compare this to Corsendonk brown a little bit. Of course, I'll be able to count on someone from Beer Advocate to shoot that thought down. (6/14/2009)

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Dogfish Head World Wide Stout

Rocky: This was the 2004 vintage, 18% ABV, which is low by WWS standards. I was really excited about trying this. It's got a great reputation and it's hard to get your hands on. Then I tasted it and couldn't help but wonder what all the fuss was about. I'm impressed with the brewers ability to push the yeast to it's absolute limit. There are only a handful of beers with an ABV at 18% or higher and if it were easy to do there would be a whole lot more. That said, if I want to drink something that tastes like port wine, I'll just buy some port wine. There are four other vintages out there and if you've got some to share I'm all for it, but don't bother asking me to buy it or trade for it...not worth it in my opinion. (12/31/2005)

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Dogwood Decadent

Steve: The key component of this ale is the name...Deca, Latin for Ten. It's made with 10 different kinds of malts, 10 different kinds of hops, and is sold only on tap at 10 different Metro Atlanta locations (for a limited time), one of which was the Wild Wing Cafe in Marietta, where Jud and Erik from my office joined me for a beer-tasting expedition. A superb ale, this was definitely like nothing I've ever had before. It was very brown, kind of like very watered coffee, or the watered soda you get at diners with a lot of ice. Very malty, and the kicking hop action kind of reminded me of an English bitter. Not the best beer for a plate of wings, as it's not refreshing, but it is a soothing end-of-day beer, and would be quite good on warm summer nights. I owe this one to Bob Townsend, the beer reviewer for the AJC who recommended this in one of his columns. Definitely the best Dogwood I've tried, but the lack of beer-fart smell could have something to do with that. (8/16/2003)

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Dogwood Octoberfest

Steve: I think paradox is the right way to explain this beer. Kind of like Jaguars having crappy engines, but man are they a sweet-ass ride. Or Theo Fleury being a Hall-of-Fame winger, when he's not a drunken bum. What am I getting at? Well, the taste of this beer was simply awesome. Rich, malty, sweet flavored, a good-tasting Octoberfest. However, it had a smell that I had to get my wife's opinion on, and she described it this way, in her words: "It smells like my Uncle Stinky's (AKA Uncle Dwight) beer farts after a case of Pabst and Grandma Rosie's Easter ham & sauerkraut." So, if you want a good tasting Märzen for this season, try this. However, if the idea of a Wisconsin Pabst Beer Fart unsettles you, then you might want to consider something else. (12/21/2002)

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Dogwood Pale Ale

Steve: I gotta say, take away the beer fart smell and you have a decent beer. Certainly much better than the Octoberfest they released last year (well, tasted as good, but the smell was better). This is exactly how an American pale ale should taste. I'd send some to Kris to sample, but he'd probably just sit on it for 3 years and finally ask me if it's still good, and if he should review it. At which point, he'd wish it would taste as good as a beer fart. (8/7/2004)

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Dogwood Pilsner