An Amateur Beer Snob

Beer of the week: Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale

2011-09-17T03:27:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.7
Web site: The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery

ABV: 5.5

IBU: unknown

Pours a very dark blonde color, almost like a tea. Has a bit of a burnt caramel in the scent over the glass. Not a lot of foam or carbonation, but not flat. Quite wet, and a little more sturdy than your typical amber ale. Starts off (very) slightly sweet, but the hoppy bitterness grows in strength on the back of the tongue and the more you drink. A touch of caramel in the taste, with maybe a bare hint of fruitiness. This is quite the respectable beer, though I wouldn't classify it necessarily as a great beer. This brew is light enough and flavorful enough that a beer snob could drink it all day without being embarrassed, so if you're a beer snob looking for something you can keep on hand in your fridge for regular, every-day drinking, this would not be a bad choice by any means. The craft brew comes to us from Farmville, North Carolina.

Beer of the week: St. Cloud Belgian White

2011-09-09T12:19:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.2
Web site: St. Cloud

ABV: 5.4

IBU: 12

Has a light, dirty straw color to it as it comes out of the bottle and hits the glass. The smell is kind of noxious, and the taste doesn't improve it any. There's some citrus accents in the smell, just a little, and that is stronger in the flavor once you sip. There's a little bit of a wheat taste here, but that's overpowered by a sour bitterness that quickly explodes any potential for this beer to be good. Honestly, this is without a doubt the worst beer with the words "Belgian White" on its label that I've ever had. This stuff is made by Winery Exchange, a supplier of premium beers to grocery stores and other such markets, and I'm thinking they should stick to the wine business.

Beer of the week: Carolina Pale Ale

2011-09-01T00:41:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 6.3
Web site: Carolina Brewing Company

ABV: 5.6

IBU: 40

Coming to us from Holly Springs, North Carolina, this isn't a bad brew. It's got a slightly dark golden color in a glass, and I have to admit it's a little more sturdy than it looks. I wouldn't classify this as a great beer, but the brewers have nothing to be ashamed of here. There was no head whatsoever when I poured it, which is neither here nor there in my opinion, but some folks like more head on their brew. Quite wet with a slight hoppy bitterness that grows stronger the more it lingers on the tongue, but without becoming overly strong. Kind of a flowery smell here, with a touch of malt graininess and maybe a little lemon or orange zest. The style is American pale ale, but it's definitely on the lighter side of any pale ales. Somewhat on the average side, but not atrocious by any means. You could do a lot worse, believe me.

Beer of the week: Bard's Original Sorghum Malt Beer

2011-08-22T05:49:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 6.6

Web site: Bard's Tale Beer Company
ABV: 4.6

IBU: 20.5

More and more people are turning to gluten-free products nowadays, so it would seem a natural that eventually there would be a gluten-free beer. But a beer that doesn't include wheat, rye, oats or barley? Yes, it exists in this beverage, Bard's Original Sorghum Malt Beer, which is brewed with 100 percent malted sorghum and is of this writing the only beer to be brewed with 100 percent malted sorghum. Basically, this drink from Utica, New York, is a beer made from sourghum. It also happened to be the first gluten-free beer. But you want to know how this stuff tastes, right? Well, first off, it's style is that of an American lager, just to give you a feel for it. When you pour it into a glass it gives off kind of a sweet burnt sorghum smell that borders on being heavy. The coloring is a light reddish, looking somewhat like a slightly darker version of premium "red" beers. Very wet, almost watery, quite smooth, has a decent head that didn't grow overly large. It tastes stronger than it smells, starting off with that slightly sweet but burnt, almost maple texture that quickly grows into a sturdy bitterness. There's a hint of spices, almost like one of this winter holiday brews. I can't say this is something I will drink on a regular basis, but it was worth trying, and I'd definitely recommend it to those who want to drink beer but have to stick with gluten-free foods and drinks.

Beer of the week: RJ Rockers Patriot Pale

2011-08-15T01:43:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.7

Web site: RJ Rockers
ABV: 6.0

IBU: unknown

Since 1997, RJ Rockers has been bringing quality brews to the Spartanburg, South Carolina, region, and this was one of their flagship beers. This American pale ale has a nice gold, cloudy look to it in a glass, and a slightly malty and citrus scent. Very wet, with a frothy head and a strong hoppy bitter flavor that goes down smooth. There's also a touch of caramel flavoring with hints of citrus. The taste is stronger than the scent, so don't be fooled and don't say I didn't warn you. This is not an overly complex beer, but it is quite a good one. This would make an excellent staple beer for any connoisseur's fridge. By the way, RJ Rockers is a microbrewery, and their brews are handcrafted.

Beer of the week: Presidente

2011-08-11T20:43:00.002-04:00

Beer score: 3.4

Web site: Presidente

ABV: 5.0

IBU: unknown

Coming from the Dominican Republic, this pilsener is not worth your time. It tastes much like your typical Mexican brew, but with quite a bit more carbonation, making it almost acidic. There is a little beer taste, sort of grassy, splashing around in this liquid, but I just can't recommend it to true beer connoisseurs. It's wet, with some light bitterness that lingers on the tongue. Sorry if this is one your favorite beers, because it sucks.

Beer of the week: The Bruery Trade Winds Tripel

2011-08-07T16:20:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 5.0

Web site: The Bruery
ABV: 8.1

IBU: 25

In all fairness, this is a quality brew. However, I just didn't care for the flavor, thus the lower score on my part. That being said, there are probably plenty of beer snobs out there who would love this beer. Trade Winds Tripel is the summer brew from The Bruery out of Placentia, California, and I have to admit it is one of the more unique-tasting beers I've had. It's a Belgian-style ale but it's brewed with Thai basil and rice, which is enough to make this an usual beer, and worth trying. When I poured it into a glass it had a nice, light blonde coloring and quite the foamy head. The scent is quite strong, and I could really smell the basil along with some floral elements. There's not a lot of alcohol flavor here, which isn't bad, though there is an overabundance of bitterness which is where this drink went bad for me. There's also a wheat flavor here, some citrus qualities and you can taste the rice. Again, this is actually a good beer, but it's just not my thing.

Beer of the week: Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

2011-07-25T04:35:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.5

Web site: Brooklyn Brewery
ABV: 5.0

IBU: 24

Has a slightly dark, almost burnt blonde color to it in the glass, and a perfect quality beer scent. The Scottish Maris Otter malt brings a solid, almost cake-like sweetness, but it’s a soft sweetness, not overpowering but obviously there. The bitterness is strong at first taste, then fades away a little but returns on the way down. This is one of the most well-balanced beers I’ve ever tasted, with a perfect mix of hops and malt, and one of the better pale ales from the U.S. The name of this brew comes from the 1955 World Series when the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Yankees.

Beer of the week: La Fin Du Monde

2011-07-18T16:46:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 8.7

Web site: Unibroue

ABV: 9.0

IBU: 19

Normally I'm not a big fan of Canadian beers, but this fine beverage from Quebec brewer Unibroue can give most beers in Europe a run for their money. This is a Belgian-style ale that's been triple fermented. Pours with a cloudy gold color and has a strong wheat and fruity smell. I'd be surprised if there's not been a touch of citrus and honey added to this drink. In the drinking there's just a little too much carbonation for my liking, almost like you're drinking champagne, but it's not too bad. The flavor starts off fruity for the first sip or two, but then a strong bitter and alcohol flavors kicks in. If you are a fan of Belgian-style brews, you are more than likely going to enjoy this one. I can't quite classify La Fin Du Monde as a favorite, but it's darn close, and I'd never turn one down.

Beer of the week: Guilford Golden Ale

2011-07-12T19:04:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 4.1

Web site: Natty Greene's Brewing Co.

ABV: 3.8

IBU: unknown

I was really looking forward to this lighter American ale. It's from a regional brewery in Greensboro, North Carolina, and I always like trying something new. Plus, I was in the mood for a brew that wasn't real heavy, and I had hoped this beer would suffice. It didn't. Sorry, but the smell assaulted me right off the bat with a skunkiness reminiscent of something like Old Milwaukee. The flavor has sort of a light, bread-like quality, but that's it. Nothing special here, and the fizz was a bit too much, though not overpowering. Also, I found three different Web addresses for the brewing company, none of which was working, so I'm not sure if this company is still in business or not; apparently they are also a restaurant and pub. I've included a link above just in case the site was only down temporarily. Regardless of my all-around disappointment, this was just one brew, so I'll give this brewery another shot at some point.

Beer of the week: Hell's Belle

2011-07-05T05:59:00.006-04:00

Beer score: 7.2

Web site: Big Ross Brewing Co.

ABV: 7.0

IBU: 30

Has a nice, light floral quality to it with a very pleasant scent that wafts up from the glass. There’s just a touch of almost IPA-like bitterness on the tip of the tongue with this drink. Just a hint of spice and sweetness here. Very restrained in its fruitiness, but there are fruity undercurrents here. Light enough you could drink several in one sitting, but does have a complex flavor that keeps you guessing. Comes from the Big Ross Brewing Co. of Raleigh, North Carolina. The bottle calls this a "Belgian Style Ale," and that's right on the nose, almost like a white ale.

Beer of the week: Smuttynose Maibock

2011-06-28T04:27:00.003-04:00

Beer score: 8.4

Web site: Smuttynose Brewing Company

ABV: 8.7

IBU: unknown

R-i-i-i-i-c-h. As in flavor. The price is actually very decent. But that flavor kicks you right at the first sip. And what is that flavor? It's difficult to describe. Kind of grainy, as in wheaty, almost like this brew came right from a farm field and was served to you. Has a fine caramel smell, and there's a hint of fruit, perhaps citrus or grape, in the back of that scent. Goes down smooth though there is a strong alcohol flavor with fruity undercurrents right at the back of the tongue. Goes well with broiled pork chops and potatoes, I can say. Might be a little too strong for drinking every day of the week, but if you're in the mood for something different then this beer is more than worth considering. Comes from the Smuttynose Brewing Company of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and those folks should be proud of this brew. A maibock is traditionally a light-colored lager with a robust amount of alcohol, and that's the case here. The Smuttynose folks put out a new maibock each Spring, and the one I tried was for 2011. I'll be looking for this one again next year.

Beer of the week: Saison Dupont

2011-06-20T05:46:00.020-04:00

Beer score: 7.9

Web site: Brasserie Dupont

ABV: 6.5

IBU: unknown

This beer from Belgium almost always draws very high marks on various brew review websites, and while I give it fairly high marks myself, I didn't feel it was so great or so unique. Don't get me wrong, this is a solid beer. Your Budweiser friends will be at a loss if they tried a Saison Dupont. But the flavor and texture here was nothing unexpected and nothing all that complex or unusual. If you like a traditional Belgian ale, you can't get more traditional or normal than this. On the plus side, several people have told me this beer has a skunky odor to it (which is common among beers in green bottles), but I have to say I did not experience any of that. Very earthy without being thick on the tongue, with early hints of fruitiness that die away swiftly to be replaced by a cool bitterness. Has a nice head. This is a bottle fermented brew and a top-fermented brew. By the way, a "saison" traditionally is a beer somewhat similar to a pale ale but with a low-alcohol level; historically this beer was brewed and fermented in farmhouses in Belgium and possibly some parts of France and served to farmworkers.

How to name your dog after beer

2011-06-13T19:52:00.000-04:00

If you are a beer lover and an animal lover, like me, at some point in your life there's a pretty good chance you are going to want to name a dog after a beer. However, it's quite possible your significant other will shoot down the idea, or perhaps it will be your parents. Or maybe there could be some other reason that would intrude upon you wanting to name a dog after a beer.

Don't let this get you down. You can still name a dog after a beer, you just have to be a little more sly about. it.

For instance, you obviously wouldn't want to name your dog Budweiser. Why? Because that's a world-wide recognizable name meaning beer. However, you might be able to get by with something a little more slick, like Bud or Buddy. Not exact, but it's close enough to count.

Another fine name for a dog is Foster, after Foster's, the Australian beer. I'm not a huge fan of this particular brew, but I do like the name. And I once fooled my wife into allowing me to name a dog Foster. She never caught on until I told her years later.

If you'd like something a bit more esoteric, you could name a pet after Bert Grant's. Heck, this brewing company doesn't even exist any more, but they put out some very fine drinks. Either Bert or Grant would be solid names for a dog. Even Bertie wouldn't be too bad for a small dog.

If you want a sturdy, old-fashioned name for a dog, you could always try Breckenridge after the Breckenridge Brewery. Possibly Breck would do, as well.

Are you religious? How about Pete or Peter after St. Peter's Brewery of England. They make a fine Organic English Ale. And don't forget the folks at Pete's Wicked, who make a great Strawberry Blonde.

Even less obvious options would be Rod or Roddy after Young's Ram Rod, or Nick or Nicholas after Young's Old Nick, or even Dick after Young's Dirty Dick's Ale.

If the dog is female you could go for Stella after Stella Artois or possibly Sierra after one of the fine Sierra Nevada brews, such as Sierra Nevada Porter.

One of my personal favorite names is Skullsplitter. And yes, there is a Skullsplitter Orkney Ale.
More obvious choices would be Sam or Sammy, after such brews as Sam Adams Triple Bock or Samuel Smith Taddy Porter.

Truly, it's up to you. I suggest having fun with the exercise. Pick a unique name for your dog, something you think will represent his or her spirit and will fit well.

And don't forget to enjoy a good beer every once in a while.

Beer of the week: Highland Brewing Company Gaelic Ale

2011-06-13T05:13:00.003-04:00

Beer score: 7.7

Web site: Highland Brewing Company

ABV: 5.8

IBU: 32

A pretty sturdy amber ale. Nice, clean, smooth. A touch of sweetness early on gives way quickly to a strong burnt bitterness that is not overpowering, though it comes close to crossing that line. Very wet. Comes from the Highland Brewing Company of Asheville, North Carolina. Apparently this Gaelic Ale is the company's best-selling brew, and that's not a surprise. Though, admittedly, as of this writing I've not tried any of their other beers. That is a disastrous situation I will have to remedy.

Beer of the week: Sierra Nevada Glissade

2011-06-06T06:49:00.021-04:00

Beer score: 8.2

Web site: Sierra Nevada

ABV: 6.4

IBU: 42

Quite possibly the perfect beer for hot weather. Has a smooth, fruity quality and a light texture that makes this an awesome brew for summer. The label on the bottle calls this a "Golden Bock." Basically, this is Sierra Nevada's seasonal brew for the Spring. Has a light bitterness on the tongue. There is a touch of sweetness right at the beginning, but that dies away after the first sip, though that sweat, almost honey-like, quality is still present in the scent. As of this tasting, my favorite Sierra Nevada beer. Don't let the high bitterness ranking fool you, because I didn't find this to be an overly strong beer in bitter territory; must be a fine trick with malts to have such a smooth beer with such a high bitterness units rank.

Beer of the week: Fort Collins Brewery Chocolate Stout

2011-06-03T15:49:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.3

Web site: The Fort Collins Brewery

ABV: 4.9

IBU: 33

Oh my gosh! This stuff looks like dark maple syrup as I pour it into the glass, and even has a bit of a burnt syrup smell to it. The only way I can see light through this beer in a clear glass is to hold it up almost directly next to a bright light source, otherwise this stuff is dark, dark, dark. Quite smooth with a nice, frothy head. Has a very cool roasted bitterness that true stout fans will love. This is my first brew from the Fort Collins Brewery folks, but I’ll definitely be trying more in the future. Truly, an excellent stout.

What is cock ale?

2011-06-01T18:44:00.002-04:00

Cock ale.

It sounds funny. Even dirty. But it's not. At least not in the way your twisted mind is probably thinking.

Cock ale is actually ale, a type of beer brewed with malted barley and yeast and then fermented at relatively high temperatures (for fermentation, anyway), that is also fermented with poultry, often chicken.

Cock ale has a history going back at least 500 years, and some beer historians believe that history started in Scotland.

As mentioned, this beverage is often made with chicken, but sometimes duck or other poultry can be used. Also, fruits, nutmeg, clove, mace and sometimes other herbs are used in the fermentation process. The chicken and the herbs can also be soaked in wine for a day or longer to add a little zing to the flavor.

Strictly speaking, the general goal is to create a mincemeat of the poultry being used, but modern recipes often just rely on using shredded chicken.

However, all that being said, you shouldn't just take shredded poultry and mix it in with beer you bought from the store. You'll just end up with a mess, and it'll taste nasty.

Proper cock ale is made during the actual beer-making process, during the fermentation. I'm not going to go into all the details of beer brewing because aficionados will already know and everybody else is not likely to care, but basically the poultry and other ingredients are placed into a bag and added to the fermenting beer on the second day of fermentation. Fermentation should take about a week longer than usual and the final product should be matured in the bottle for about a month before drinking.

Generally speaking, cock ales have a taste and texture akin to what are often called barley wines. Cock ales are usually darker or red, and usually have a fruity taste to them. But what can you expect if you add all that fruit?

So, there you go. At its most basic, cock ale is ale that's been fermented with chicken. Now you know.

St. Peter's Organic English Ale

2011-05-27T15:37:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.8

Web site: St. Peter's Brewery

Comes from St. Peter's Brewery in Suffolk, England. Quite smooth, very like a smooth pale ale in texture and flavor. No sweetness here, but a fine, wet bitterness that is just right, not too bitter at all. Should go well with just about any meal as it's light enough for seafood but sturdy enough for steak. If you happen to be traveling in England, look up the St. Peter's Brewery; they have a pub in London and a restaurant at their Suffolk spot.

New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire Amber Ale

2011-05-23T05:38:00.003-04:00

Beer score: 5.8

Web site: New Belgium Brewing

Light and smooth enough that it almost seems like you're drinking a pilsner at first, but then the light sweetness of the first few sips fades away to be replaced by the deeper toasted texture of a more traditional amber ale. Not a bad brew. Goes well with cheddar cheese.

Utica Club Pilsener Lager Beer

2011-05-16T20:38:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.0

Web site: Saranac

Smooth with a crisp sweetness that isn't overpowering but grows stronger as you drink. The bottle's label says this was the first beer sold in the United States after prohibition ended. A fine beer, but nothing truly extraordinary here.

10 holidays gifts for the beer connoisseur

2010-12-01T02:25:00.000-05:00

Magazine subscription: There are a fair number of magazines about beer currently available, everything from trade publications for professionals in the brewing industry to home brewers to those who just like the last of a good beer.

Beer of the month club: You've heard about month clubs, right? Basically, you buy a membership into one of these clubs and then once a month or every few months the club will ship you a variety of goods. There are cake clubs, movie clubs, cigar clubs ... you get the idea. For our purposes of this list, we're talking about beer clubs. Yep, you can give the gift that keeps on giving all year long by buying a beer of the month club membership for your favorite beer nut. This way, every so often your beer friend will get a chance to try a variety of different beers. There are many different types of beer of the month clubs, so pick the one you think works best for your budget and your beer pal.

Personalized beer labels: Ever want a bottle of beer that has your own name on it? Or maybe the name of a beer friend, or a special date worth remembering? If so, you actually can get personalized beer label for bottles. Some labels even allow you to put your own pictures on them.

Beer glasses: No, I'm not talking about beer goggles. I'm talking about the kind of glasses you drink from. The best way to drink beer is from a glass, the taller the better, because it allows the aromas and textures of the brew to better reach the nose, which helps with the tasting. But you don't want just any old beer glasses as a gift, right? Maybe you want beer glasses that have the logo of your beer pal's favorite brew. If that's the case, than look no further than right here. All kinds of glasses and all kinds of labels.

Gift basket: That's right, there actually are beer gift baskets. What comes in a beer gift basket? Well, each basket is unique, so you might want to shop around. Some beer gift baskets will focus upon one nationality; for example, one basket might have a bunch of beers from Belgium (which is a country that makes great beer, by the way). Other baskets might focus upon a certain style of beer, such as stouts. Yet other baskets mix it up, providing all kinds of different beers. It's up to you to decide what you want.

E-books: With digital publishing taking off like crazy, more and more people are reading books on e-reading devices such as the Kindle, the Nook, on their computer, or through their cell phone or other options. So if your favorite book lover happens to have an e-reader, why not get them an e-book about beer for the holidays. Do a search on sites such as Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, etc. and you'll find all kinds of e-books about beer, from professional e-books about making beer to amateur e-books just chatting about beer, etc. The possibilities are nearly endless. And don't forget, you can always go for printed books, too.

Beer tube: What in the world is a beer tube? Imagine a small beer tap right on your own table. It looks kind of like a bong, what with that tall glass filled with beer and a little tapper sticking out. The beer tube holds 100 ounces of beer, so it's just right for parties and gatherings of friends. Also, they might go over well in a bar or restaurant, if your beer giftee happens to run such a place.

Home brewing kit: Most serious, experienced home brewers probably already have their own set-up in the basement, the garage, the kitchen, wherever. But everyone has to get started somehow. Perhaps you've got a beer buddy who is interested in brewing his or her own beers at home, but doesn't quite know how to get started. You can help. How? By gifting them a home brewing kit. Home brew kits come in many price ranges, from less than $50 to several hundred dollars and more. Each kit is different, and allows the home brewer to try different beers, so make sure your browse around first before picking out the kit you want.

Beer signs: Okay, maybe you don't have a beer buddy, but you have someone you know who appreciates little pieces of Americana, somewhat historical, trendy pop culturish items from the recent past. You need to get them a gift? How about a metal beer sign, one that looks like it comes out of the 1950s or some other part of America's earlier 20th Century?

Beer T-shirts: Okay, just about everyone wears T-shirts, and most folks won't mind a T-shirt that has something about beer on it, especially if it's a funny T-shirt. See, even if you don't know anyone who loves beer, you can still get them a beer present for the holidays.

Busch Light

2010-07-25T13:05:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.9
Web site: Busch
This is a weaker and sweeter version of Busch beer. Don't worry, the fizz is still there if you want to burp. If you are broke and on a diet, this isn't a bad choice for you.

Busch

2010-07-25T13:01:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.0
Web site: Busch
This beer tastes like it's supposed to - like a cheap beer. Still, I would suggest this beer over Budweiser if for no other reason than it's a good thirst quencher. This would make a good beer during the summer while you are mowing the yard (not that I'm suggesting you drink and operate machinery - have the beer when you're done). Also, the Busch and Natural Light beers from Anheuser-Busch have a little extra fizz, thus they make good burping beers (if you needed that information).

Budweiser American Ale

2010-07-25T12:58:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.0
Web site: Budweiser American Ale
This is, without a doubt, the best of the beers from the Budweiser folks. Not that that's saying much. Very clean looking, and goes down smooth. The taste is ... eh, it's okay, but nothing too special. Lets your non-snob friends think they're drinking something special. Worth trying once, but that's about it. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of better beers available.

Budweiser

2010-07-25T12:55:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.9
Web site: Budweiser
This is the most "typical" and "American" of all beers. That being said, this is also the beer by which all others are measured to some degree or other. Marketing has made this beer what it is, because there sure isn't enough taste to have done it. Weak at best. Goes well with truly American foods like hamburgers and pizza.

Bud Light Lime

2010-07-24T00:34:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.5
Web site: Bud Light Lime
One of my higher ranking beers in the Budweiser genre of beers. Not that this is a great beer, but the lime flavor alone helps just a tad, dissolving some of that noxious bad beer flavor. This is a decent brew for really hot days, especially if you're working in the yard, but there are plenty of better options.

Bud Light

2010-07-24T00:23:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.0
Web site: Bud Light
This is the light version of it's slightly weaker cousin, Budweiser. There isn't much taste here, but there is a little more fizz than in Budweiser, thus the slightly higher score (hey, at least there was more of something). If you're wanting a light beer because you are on a diet, you can't get much weaker or lighter than this.

Bud Ice Light

2010-07-23T07:12:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.9
Web site: Anheuser-Busch
The most watered-down of all the Budweiser family. If you like weak beers, this is for you. There is less fizz than in Bud Light and less taste than any of the other Bud beers. Goes down easy because there isn't much to go down. Might be a decent beer with Italian food, though you might think you're drinking tap water.

Bud Ice

2010-07-23T07:09:00.002-04:00

Beer score: 3.2
Web site: Anheuser-Busch
The Anheuser-Busch people keep remaking Budweiser every few years and this is one of their latest efforts. Apparently ice crystals are formed in this beer's finishing process and this adds to the taste - does this mean they just freeze a bunch of Budweiser, then let it thaw out? I don't know, but I do know the taste is stronger here than in other beers of the Budweiser family. My guess is this is closer to what Budweiser tasted like when it was first brewed in 1876. There is less fizziness here than in Bud Light. The taste is smooth. A good hot dog or bowling beer.

Bud Dry

2010-07-23T07:07:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.4
Web site: Anheuser-Busch
Little fizz with a sweet flavor that is barely there. Yet one of many "typical" Bud beers. Has been retired. No surprise there.

Brooklyn Lager

2010-07-23T07:04:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.2
Web site: Brooklyn Brewery
Fairly strong for a lager, especially one from the U.S. Has a smooth bitter quality and goes down wet and easy. What every lager should be.

Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

2010-07-22T09:09:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.1
Web site: Brooklyn Brewery
One of the better IPAs available because it is wet, smooth and the fruity sourness often associated with IPAs is at a minimum here. The texture is a little heavy. Goes well with chili.

Brooklyn Brown Ale

2010-07-22T09:08:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.1
Web site: Brooklyn Brewery
Sweet, sweet, sweet! Has a smooth burnt maple flavor and a touch of carbonation. A good brew, but not quite a great one; nothing for the Brooklyn Brewery of Brooklyn, New York, to be ashamed of.

Brewery Hill Centennial Lager

2010-07-22T09:05:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.0
Web site: The Lion Brewery
A smooth, soft lager that reminds one of "blond" ales without as much carbonation. The light, layering sweetness is kind to your tongue and not overpowering at all. Apparently these people know how to make beer.

Sudwerk Hefe Weizen

2010-07-22T09:03:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.7
Web site: Sudwerk
The folks who make this beer make it in Davis, California, but they also have a "Sudwerk Brewery and Grill" in Sacramento, California. This beer is wet with a fairly strong bitterness. Enjoyable, but not an overly special beer. Sorry.

Stroh's Light

2010-07-22T09:01:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 1.9
Web site: Stroh's
Wet and weak with not as much carbonation as many light beers. The sourness in the aftertaste ruins this beer, but then what did you expect?

Brewery Hill Caramel Porter

2010-07-21T10:04:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.1
Web site: The Lion Brewery
For those of you who want to taste the classic flavor of a burnt, caramel porter, you need go no further. This porter is strong without crossing the border over into a stout. Brewery Hill Brewing Co. of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania made this fine drink before becoming the Lion Brewery. This brew is retired, but possibly the Lion Brewery makes something similar. Anyone who knows, please let me know, because I loved this beer.

Breckenridge Brewery Strawberry Wheat

2010-07-21T10:01:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.7
Web site: Breckenridge Brewery
Fruity with a little sweetness. Very wet but also very weak and flat. Wasn't as good as I'd hoped for, but not an awful brew.

Mythos

2010-07-21T09:58:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.1
Web site: Mythos Brewery
First tried this Greek beer at a Greek festival in Huntington, WV, where the food was fantastic. Normally I don't care much for Mediterranean beers, but this one's not bad. It's perfect for cooling you down on a hot summer day. However, it's not really anything overly special. Reminds me a little of Corona and other lighter brews, similar to a weak American pilsner or ale, but without as much carbonation. Try it.

Murphy's Irish Stout Draught

2010-07-21T09:55:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.6
Web site: Murphy's
This drink comes from the Murphy's Brewery of Ireland and is shipped into the States by Heineken. Extremely weak for a stout. So weak, in fact, you could guzzle this beer (and stouts typically should not be guzzled). One of the wettest beers I've ever had. So wet it isn't frothy or fizzy - almost as if it's flat but without the dullness. Some burnt flavoring with a slight tea-like aftertaste. Not an exceptional beer, but worth trying and not all that bad.

Breckenridge Brewery Oatmeal Stout

2010-07-20T08:45:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.7
Web site: Breckenridge Brewery
This stuff could give Guinness a run for its money. Thick like a stout should be, but still goes down smooth. Has a nice nutty, burnt flavor that isn't overly strong. One of the most drinkable stouts on the market. A little tasting lesson here: Stouts are better served a little warm (let's say no higher than 55 degree Fahrenheit). The flavor comes out better when stouts aren't ice cold; actually, this is true for most beers.

Stroh's

2010-07-20T08:42:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.5
Web site: Stroh's
Pretty much a weak, American beer. Still, not a bad bar beer. The Stroh Brewery Company of Detroit, Michigan, puts out this stuff.

Murphy's Irish Amber

2010-07-20T08:38:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.4
Web site: Murphy's

This stuff is brewed at Lady's Well Brewery in Cork, Ireland, by Murphy Brewery Ireland Ltd. Sweet with a touch of carbonation. You can drink this stuff all day long.

Morland "Old Speckled Hen" Draught

2010-07-20T08:35:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 4.0
Web site: Greene King

According to the back of a beer can, this ale is named after a speckled MG car. Morland of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, brews this. Has a very soft, fluffy head. Very smooth but leaves a cheap bitterness on the tongue. Wet. Goes well with fish and chips.

Breckenridge Brewery Mountain Wheat

2010-07-19T11:27:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.0
Web site: Breckenridge Brewery

So light it almost seems tasteless at first. Goes down easy enough for non-snobs to enjoy, but has an interesting light texture that true snobs can linger on, too.

Birra Moretti

2010-07-19T11:24:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.3
Web site: Birra Moretti
Extremely smooth with a nice head, but has a weak, American taste. Goes well with pastas; also keeps the tongue cool after you've been eating peppers. The label has a painting of a guy who looks like he should have been in The Godfather movie. Imported in the United States from northern Italy.

Straub

2010-07-19T11:21:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.4
Web site: Straub Beer
Brewed by the Straub Brewery, Inc. of St. Mary's, Pennsylvania. Goes down extremely smooth, almost too smooth. The bottle says this stuff is made with mountain spring water and has no preservatives, no sugar and no salt; that's good because there's almost no taste. I'm not saying it tastes bad, just not much taste at all. People fond of water would like this beer.

Stone Imperial Russian Stout

2010-07-19T11:15:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.5
Web site: Stone Brewing Company
One of the sweet stouts. Made in San Diego County, California. Has the strong, burnt caramel taste of a decent stout. The bottle says this brew is a limited release for the spring of 2006, but I'm drinking it in the early winter of 2007 and it still tastes fine to me. Maybe they make a new limited batch each year. If you don't watch yourself, a strong brew like this can get you loopy very quickly. Smart stuff here.

Breckenridge Brewery I.P.A.

2010-07-18T22:07:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.8
Web site: Breckenridge Brewery
The typical India pale ale sourness is strong here, but not unbearable. Smooth, but makes rough swallowing.

Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale

2010-07-18T22:05:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.8
Web site: Breckenridge Brewery

A little wetter than most holiday brews, but otherwise it's another overly-sweet, overly-nutmeggy, overly-cinnamon and overly-bad Christmas beer.

Moosehead

2010-07-18T22:03:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.0
Web site: Moosehead
A very American tasting beer. The flavor is weak and there is more carbonation than is needed. Still, this Canadian brew goes down pretty easy. It's a good thirst quencher.

Molson Light

2010-07-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.9
Web site: MolsonCoors
At first sip, this beer is sweet and watery, but it gets a bit stronger on the way down. Just a tad too much fizz.

Breckenridge Brewery Avalanche Ale

2010-07-18T10:21:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.2
Web site: Breckenridge Brewery
A microbrewery in Denver, Colorado, makes this amber ale. Fairly sweet with no fizz. Goes down smooth and easy with a watery texture. Worth tasting and might even make a good drinking beer, especially with bar snacks like pretzels. This would be a good brew for beginning beer snobs to start working their way up with.

Bohemia

2010-07-18T10:18:00.003-04:00

Beer score: 3.5
Web site: Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma
Yet another weak, fizzy Mexican brew. You premium beer drinkers might like this. I'll leave it to you.

Stella Artois

2010-07-18T10:13:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.7
Web site: Stella Artois
This lager from Belgium is very smooth going down but has a somewhat American mass-marketed taste. A smooth, slightly bitter flavor. This brew has gained in popularity in recent years, and it is a decent beer, but I didn't think it's was all that.

Steinlager

2010-07-18T10:11:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.0
Web site: Steinlager
The bottle calls this New Zealand's finest. If that's true, then I wouldn't drink beer while in New Zealand. True, there are many beers worse than this one, but there's plenty that are a whole lot better. Has a cheap German-but-made-for-Americans flavor to it. It's beers like this that keep American Budweiser drinkers from trying other foreign beers. I've also seen this one labeled as "Steinlager Classic."

Molson Ice

2010-07-18T09:57:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 4.5
Web site: MolsonCoors
This beer isn't as good as it's Canadian Lager cousin. The taste isn't real strong. There is a lot more fizz which makes it harder to swallow.

Yuengling Traditional Lager

2010-07-17T11:54:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.7
Web site: Yuengling
Too much carbonation. The bottle tells it like it is - this is a traditional, but not a bad, premium beer. Made in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Boddingtons Pub Ale

2010-07-17T11:51:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.9
Web site: ABInBev
Brewed at The Strangeways Brewery of Manchester, England. Word of warning: Don't drink directly from the bottle because of a floating plastic device inside. The ball is not supposed to come out of the bottle, but you never can tell. I've seen a few other English beers, usually in cans, that have this plastic ball in the bottle; supposedly the ball gives the beer more of a straight-from-the-tap texture and a nice head. This beer has one of the frothiest heads around. The beer is very smooth and has a somewhat cheap, American lager taste but not the texture. Leaves a bitter aftertaste on the tongue. Much more common in a can, but I've seen it a few times in a bottle.

Blue Ridge Porter

2010-07-17T11:45:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 7.7
Web site: Flying Dog Brewery
Has a decent amount of bitterness and a fairly strong coffee and/or burnt caramel flavoring. This is a "chocolate" beer, which doesn't mean it has chocolate in it; chocolate beers are dark and often have the coffee taste I mentioned earlier. Brought to us originally by the Frederick Brewing Co. in Frederick, Maryland, but they've been bought out by the Flying Dog brewing folks, so I'm not sure if this brew is any longer available.

Blue Ridge ESB Red Ale

2010-07-17T11:38:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 6.0
Web site: Flying Dog Brewery

The Frederick Brewing Co. made this brew when I first tasted it, but a few years back the company was bought out by Flying Dog Brewery. This beer is of the style called "bitter" in England. Really, there's not much special here. In taste and texture it's similar to many other "red" beers, though it's probably a little better than most reds.

Young's Ram Rod

2010-07-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.1
Web site: Young's
Wet with a cool bitterness going down. Has a slight apple smell. There's just a touch of sweetness and it has a cider feel in your mouth. The bitterness gets stronger the more you drink.

Steel Reserve High Gravity lager

2010-07-17T11:33:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.3
Web site: Steel Brewing
Wet with an almost malt liquor flavor. A little hard to swallow at first but this eases up by the fourth drink or so. Nothing special about this beer. It's a product of the Steel Brewing Company of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Spanish Peaks White Ale

2010-07-17T11:29:00.003-04:00

Beer score: 8.8
Web site: Spanish Peaks Brewing Co.

A light, slightly sweet beer with some texture and flavor reminiscent of a Belgian lambic. In other words, it feels and tastes something like a cider. The bottle says this fine ale is made with "orange peel, coriander & black pepper." Comes to us from the Spanish Peaks Brewing Co. of New Ulm, Minesotta, and Bozeman, Montana.

Guinness Extra Stout

2010-07-17T09:32:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 9.6
Web site: Guinness

Much too strong for beginner beer snobs. This is a good strong food beer, especially with mustard, pretzels and peppers. For something adventurous, try a bottle of Guinness with a 1/2 cup or cup of lime juice - it kills much of the strength and gives you a different taste entirely. Guinness is one of the thickest, stoutest and strongest beers there is - a six pack will get you very wasted. This is my favorite of all the stouts, even if it is mass marketed.

Czechvar

2010-07-17T09:29:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.0
Web site: Czechvar

This is one of three beers in the world that at one place or another has the name of Budweiser. Yes, for you who did not know, the beer in the U.S. known as Budweiser is not the only, nor the original, brew with that name. In fact, the name was stolen from two other beers in Europe. This particular beer here that I'm tasting is known as Czechvar in the U.S. and Canada for legal purposes, even though they had the Budweiser name a few years before the U.S. company did. This particular beer is what premium American beers only dream they can be. Very refreshing and light looking. Goes down silky smooth with a nice flavor. Comes from the Czech Republic. Give this one a try!

Blue Ridge Amber Lager

2010-07-17T09:26:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 5.9
Web site: Flying Dog Brewery
Good cold and wet, but not much here for a true beer snob. A pretty good beer for premium beer drinkers to expand their tastes with. Not a bad beer, not at all, but nothing here really jumped out at me and screamed "awesome beer!"

Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale

2010-07-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.5
Web site: Blue Moon Brewing Co.

An amber beer that was made using pumpkins. Not an overly strong beer, but too complicated for beginning beer drinkers. This is a seasonal brew from the Blue Moon Brewing Co. of Denver, Colorado, and Memphis, Tennessee. A little reminiscent of spicy holiday brews. A very smooth and frothy texture, but I don't care much for the flavor. This brew has recently been replaced with Blue Moon Harvest Moon, but to tell the truth I'm not sure if the recipe is the same or different. Anyone know?

Molson Golden

2010-07-16T18:55:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.6
Web site: MolsonCoors

This drink has a flat, fizzy taste to it. There's a little bitterness, but not much. This beer could use some work, but by the third or fourth one you really don't know what you're drinking anyway.

Young's Old Nick

2010-07-16T18:51:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.3
Web site: Young's
Young and Company's Brewery, also known as The Ram Brewery, makes this drink and the other Young's drinks in London. The bottle calls this beverage a "Barley Wine Style Ale," and I can see why because this stuff is extremely sweet. The sweetness is reminiscent of some of the stronger Scottish ales. Sorry, but I just don't like overly sweet beers. I'll drink something else.

Spanish Peaks Porter

2010-07-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 7.1
Web site: Spanish Peaks Brewing Co.

Strong and bitter, almost to the level of a weaker stout. The burnt maple taste is here but not overpowering, as it is in some porters. Goes down fairly easy. One of the better porters I've had.

Crooked River Lighthouse Gold

2010-07-16T09:48:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.6
A nice, light thirst-quenching lager. Light enough you could sit around and drink these all evening without feeling bloated. A good beer for moving furniture (no kidding). But alas, another beer and another brewery that's no longer with us.

Blue Moon Honey Blonde Ale

2010-07-16T09:44:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.4
Web site: Blue Moon Brewing Co.

Smooth and frothy with a non-overpowering honey sweetness. Just the barest hint of spices. Not a bad brew, but I believe it is no longer on the market but has been replaced with Blue Moon Honey Moon Summer Ale.

Guinness Draught

2010-07-16T09:38:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.4
Web site: Guinness

Comes from Dublin, Ireland. Has an extremely smooth head to it; in fact, the smoothest, frothiest head on any beer I've ever had. Has the expected Guinness strength to it. Not quite as tasty as Guinness Extra Stout, but still has plenty of burnt caramel flavoring. The term "draught" generally means, in modern usage, a drink that comes from a pressurized can or keg. Here, it's usually from a can, though there is Guinness Draught available in a bottle (which has one of those little floating ball things inside it which is supposed to pressurize the beer or at least make it taste pressurized, not sure which).

Molson Canadian Lager

2010-07-16T02:00:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 5.6
Web site: MolsonCoors
This is what American beers try to be. A cheese and crackers beer. A good, plain, all-around beer. Not necessarily a beer snob’s beer, but a beer for beer snob wannabes and people who want non-beer snobs to think they are beer snobs. My favorite of all the Molson brews.

Mississippi Mud Black & Tan

2010-07-16T01:56:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.0
According to the bottle, this black and tan is a mix of a pilsner and a porter. This is the weakest black and tan I've ever had, which is not so great if you are a beer snob but good if you are a beginning beer taster. A little watery. Decent burnt taste. The bottle is cute - it's shaped and colored like a brown moonshine jug. Comes to us from the Mississippi Brewing Company.

Milwaukee's Best Light

2010-07-16T01:52:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.0
Web site: Milwaukee's Best Light
Milwaukee's Best Light isn't nearly as good as Milwaukee's Best. This drink is watery with hardly any flavor and a touch of carbonation.

Pyramid Sun Fest

2010-07-16T01:47:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 5.3
Web site: Pyramid Breweries

A light pilsner beer with the barest hint of bitterness while sitting on your tongue. Goes down easy with a touch of light foam (which I often call froth). Nice and neat, but nothing overly spectacular.

Cantillon Gueze Lambic

2010-07-15T09:58:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 9.9
Web site: Cantillon
An instant tartness kicks in when you taste this - not quite overpowering, but definitely surprising. Has an apple cider texture and feel. No fizz - goes down smoother than any other beer I can think of at the moment. Many beer drinkers - even experienced ones - probably would not know this was a beer unless you told them. This ale from Belgium is a combination of a lambic made several years back and a recently made lambic, then aged several years in the bottle for bottle fermentation.

Grolsch Summer Blond

2010-07-15T09:53:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.3
Web site: Grolsch
Wet with lots of froth and a touch of lemon. Reminds me a little of Rolling Rock but not even that strong. I believe this brew has been replaced with Grolsch Blond.

Spanish Peaks Honey Raspberry Ale

2010-07-15T09:49:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.6
Web site: Spanish Peaks Brewing Co.
Too much carbonation, but otherwise has a nice berry taste that is not overly sweet. Some bitter here too.

Blue Moon Belgian White

2010-07-15T07:44:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 8.0
Web site: Blue Moon Brewing Co.

Has a smooth, frothy, slight-sour taste and texture that reminds one of a lambic (my favorite style of beer, by the way, though pale ales aren't far behind). Do not pass up any opportunity to try this beer. It's fantastic. It has a fruity smell that also hits the taste buds on the way down the throat.

Blatz

2010-07-15T07:41:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.4
Web site: Blatz
Too much fizz but fairly easy to swallow. Is sweet on first drink but the taste soon turns watery and weak. Not as bad as I expected, but definitely nothing to write home about. The G. Heileman Brewing Company of Detroit, Michigan brews this wetness.

Bitburger

2010-07-15T07:37:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.0
Web site: Bitburger
The bitterness grows here the more you drink, especially in the aftertaste. Wet with a touch of fizz. Despite being a German brew, this has a very made-for-America taste. Not bad but nothing overly special.

Sudwerk Hubsch Pilsner

2010-07-15T07:33:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 7.2
Web site: Sudwerk

Brewed by Sudwerk Privatbrauerei Hubsch of Davis, California. This drink is strong for a pilsner, with a hardy bitterness. Very wet. Pretty good in chili. Formerly known as "Hubsch Pilsner."

Hoster Rev. Purley Ale

2010-07-15T07:29:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 7.8
A wet, strongly bitter pale ale. Classic pale ale drinkers would do well to give this a try. Thoroughly enjoyable. But alas, this brewer is no longer with us.

Milwaukee's Best Ice

2010-07-15T07:26:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.2
Web site: MillerCoors
Tastes like a beer, sort of. Tastes like salty fizz more than anything. Tons of carbonation. Run while you still can.

Big Rock Warthog Ale

2010-07-14T21:48:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.7
Web site: Big Rock Brewery
The Big Rock Brewery of Calgary, Alberta, Canada makes this. Pretty smooth with just a little honey sweetness as it goes down. Not overly strong, so anyone can enjoy it. This makes a pretty good bar beer for bar food. Has a slight sour smell but that's not in the taste.

Big Bear Lager

2010-07-14T21:45:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.4
There used to be a chain of grocery stores in the Midwest in which the stores were called "Big Bear." Yes, this was their own personal brew. This beer was brewed by The Hoster Brewing Co. of Columbus, Ohio, for the grocery chain before Hoster went out of business, and then Big Bear went out of business, too. I've had worse lagers, but there isn't much special here. It's got a good color and is stronger than I expected. At least it's not a Bud wannabe.

Bert Grant' Scottish Ale

2010-07-14T21:42:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.9

A sweet taste in the beginning that turns to a strong bitter taste on the way down. Very little fizz. Wet, almost like tea. Too rough for beginning beer snobs. This stuff was made by Yakima Brewing & Malting Co. of Yakima, Washington, in the U.S. before they went out of business.

Spanish Peaks Black Dog Sweetwater Wheat Ale

2010-07-14T21:39:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 7.0
Web site: Spanish Peaks Brewing Co.

Has a clean, sturdy bitterness and some carbonation. A good cigar beer. Hints of sweetness.

Hoster 90 Shilling Ale

2010-07-14T21:36:00.001-04:00

Beer score: 6.7
A Scottish-style ale but not overly sweet (though there is a little malt tartness). I find Scottish ales too sweet normally, but this one isn't bad. I never really thought about it before now, but the bottle for this beer says Scottish ales are sweet (malty) because hops wouldn't grow well in Scotland. Too bad this Ohio brewer is no longer in business.

Milwaukee's Best

2010-07-14T21:33:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.1
Web site: MillerCoors

I have to say I was surpised this beer didn't taste as bad as I thought it would. Still, there's not much here except a slightly sweet and mass-marketed flavor. A good working-man's beer. This brew comes from the people at Miller. Also, recently I've seen this brew packaged as "Milwaukee's Best Premium."

Miller Lite Ice

2010-07-14T21:29:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.6
Web site: Miller Lite
This brew has a harsh taste and is as fizzy as Miller Lite. I don't have much good to say about it. It is no longer being made. No surprise there.

Lowenbrau Special

2010-07-14T21:25:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 4.7
Web site: Lowenbrau
Wet and very made-for-America tasting. In the United States, this beer was brewed by Miller with permission from Lowenbrau. Since 2002, however, Lowenbrau available in the U.S. comes imported from Germany and uses a slightly different recipe. So technically, this beer no longer exists. It has been replaced by a German beer called Lowenbrau Original.

Bert Grant's Perfect Porter

2010-07-14T21:17:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 9.3
The label on this beer tells the truth - this is the perfect porter (or, at least, the best I've had as of this writing). This drink is heavy almost to the point of being a stout, but it's not hard to swallow and isn't as thick as ... oh, let's say Guinness. You can't see light through a clear glass if it's filled with this stuff - the sign of a great heavy beer. Medium-level beer snobs should drink this before going on to stouts just so they can get a glimpse of what's coming. Update: Tragedy upon tragedies! This brewer is out of business. That means one of the best beers ever made in the history of the universe is no longer available. You may jump off a bridge now if you wish.

Young's Oatmeal Stout

2010-07-14T21:13:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.1
Web site: Young's
Supposedly Young's is Britain's oldest brewery; I say "supposedly" because I have no easy way of proving the bottle's text right or wrong. This stout has a good, sturdy burnt taste but there's too much carbonation. Not quite as thick or heavy as Guinness, but not far from it.

Crooked River Black Forest Lager

2010-07-14T21:09:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.2
The taste of this brew is initially very sweet, almost to the point of tasting like a cider. This is one of the sweetest lager's I've ever tasted. This fine beer comes from Cleveland, Ohio, but unfortunately the economy has tanked this fine brewer the last I heard.

Hoster Hefe Weizen beer

2010-07-14T21:06:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 7.1
Web site: L. Hoster Brewing Company
A non-heavy beer with a strong fruity smell and taste on the way down. Folks who want something different than their regular premium beers, but don't like strong beers, should try this if it's still around (the brewer might have gone out of business). I've found some hefeweizen-style brews to be too fruity flavored, but this brew avoids that problem. Hefeweizens are a style of wheat beer.