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

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: The Bruery Trade Winds Tripel

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

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.

Busch Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Brewery Hill Caramel Porter

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

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.

Breckenridge Brewery Oatmeal Stout

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.

Breckenridge Brewery Mountain Wheat

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.