12 Dogs Of Christmas Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 8.3%
Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: C+

Comments:  Brown color, 2 finger off white head, nice lacing.  Smell: spices and caramel, toasted malt & honey.  Taste: honey, spice (cinnamon, ginger & nutmeg ) & caramel malt.   I would have rated this beer an "A", but it is almost too intense for me.

Goose Island Christmas Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 6.2%
Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Brown Ale
2011 Rating: A+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a nice brown color with a 1 finger creamy tan head, great lacing.  Aroma is sweet malt & yeast.  Taste is toasted biscuit malt, yeast and a slight pine hop finish. Excellent!  My favorite beer on the 2011 Christmas Beer Menu!

2011 Anchor Christmas Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Anchor Brewing Company
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: (different recipe each year)

Comments:  Pours a DARK reddish brown color with a 2 finger tan head, nice lacing. A dark, rich Belgium style spiced ale.  Aroma is sweet fruit, nutmeg and cinnamon.  Taste is spice (cinnamon & nutmeg), dark fruit and a hint of caramel.

Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 7.5%
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Brown Ale
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: A

Comments:  Copper color, small cream / tan head, cinnamon & nutmeg aroma, sweet spicy ginger & nutmeg  taste with a hint of hops at the end.  Very drinkable.

Mississippi Mud Black & Tan

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Mississippi Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Black & Tan
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Great packaging - comes in a 1 qt "moonshine" style bottle.  Pours a clear dark copper color, with a 2 finger tan head, minimal lacing.  Not much aroma.  Roasted malt & molasses taste.  Not bad.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV:
Brewery:
Country: Belgium
Beer Type:
2011 Rating: AAA
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: AAA

Comments:  Corsendonk Christmas Ale is a long time favorite of mine.  In 2010, I searched for this beer in three states and couldn't find it.  This year I found it at Jungle Jim's and immediately bought 12.                 
Dark ruby color, massive cream color head, decent lacing.  STRONG fruit aroma dried fruit, (raisins, etc.) Taste: roasted malt, dried fruit - SMOOTH & CREAMY - very Belgium.  EXCELLENT!

Bell's Special Double Cream Stout

Reviewed: December 2011ABV: 6.1%
Brewery: Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Stout
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Brewed with a blend 10 malts.  Pours a black color with a 1 finger tan head.  Cocoa, chocolate & coffee aroma.  Roasted malt, coffee and dark chocolate taste.  Drink this beer warm, to enjoy all the flavors.  Smooth & creamy!!!

Cains Finest Bitter

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 4%
Brewery: Robert Cain & Company Limited
Country: England
Beer Type: English Bitter
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a light caramel brown color with a creamy off white head, nice lacing.  Caramel & toasted bread malt aroma.  Taste is similar to the aroma, not overly sweet.  A great example of an English Bitter style beer.  Easy to drink!

Breckenridge Christmas Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 7.4%
Brewery: Breckenridge Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: C+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark reddish brown color with a 1 finger off white head.  Caramel & spice with a nice hop / malt balance.

Snow Day Winter Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 6.2%
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Nothing better than a Snow Day.  Pours a dark brown color with a 2 finger off white head, nice lacing.  A great hoppy aroma.  A nice hop taste with chocolate and caramel in the background.  Just the right blend.  Not your normal "winter warmer".  EXCELLENT

Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 4.9
Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Dark Lager
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: B

Comments:  Deep Amber / brown color with a 2 finger tan head.  A sweet toasted malt & nut (they say it's hazelnut) taste.  Easy to drink!

BBC Nut Brown Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Bluegrass Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Brown Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  A brown - slightly red color.  1 finger head , no  lacing.  Sweet caramel & nut aroma. Roasted malt, nut, caramel & coffee flavor.  Tastes better than it looks. Well done!

Old Leghumper

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 6.7%
Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Porter
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Dark brown / black color with 1 finger off white head.  Great roasted malt, chocolate & coffee aroma.  Tastes just like the aroma - excellent!

By the way, I was NOT drunk when I took this photo.  You can't spend a lot of time lining up the photo, when you're sitting at a crowded bar. People are thinking: "What's this dork doing? - Taking a photo of his beer."

Left Hand Milk Stout

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Stout
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: N/A
Comments:  Draft Nitro pour @ Tavern On The Bend - Guinness want to be - just order a Guinness (the original!)

Bell's Best Brown Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 5.8%
Brewery: Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Brown Ale
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Definitely a notch above New Holland's Cabin Fever.  Pours a nice chocolate brown color with a 2 finger tan head.  Nice Lacing.  Malt & caramel aroma.  Malt, molasses, nut & fruit taste, smooth dry finish.  Not too sweet.  Easy to drink

Christian Moerlein Christkindl

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 6.95%
Brewery: Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: A

Comments:  Amber color, 2 finger off white head, Caramel & spice aroma.  Taste is  sweet toasted malt, caramel, fruit & spice with a slight hop finish.  Excellent.

Cabin Fever Brown Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 6%
Brewery: New Holland Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Brown Ale
2011 Rating: B & I
2010 Rating: B & I

Comments:  I agree with last year's rating - a good beer, but unique & interesting.  Dark brown color, small tan head that disappears quickly. You smell roasted malts, brown sugar & "rye"???   A sweet roasted malt & rye??? Taste - a little weird, unique.  Drink it warm - better taste, as it warms up.

Old Man Winter Ale

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 7.7%
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Old Ale
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  "A Liquid Winter Wonderland"  Pours a dark amber color with a 1 finger white head, nice lacing.  Hop and caramel aroma.  Nice pine hop taste with some sweet caramel malt in the background.  I could drink this winter seasonal all year!

Christmasbier (Weihnachts)

Reviewed: December 2011
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Hofbräuhaus
Country: Germany & Newport, KY
Beer Type: Amber Lager
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: C+

Comments:  Amber color, nice two finger head, no lacing. Malt & hop aroma. Basically a more malty version of the Hofbräu lager.  Average.

Christmas Tree

Ed's Amber Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.2%
Brewery: Ed's Homebrew
Country: USA
Beer Type: Amber Ale
2011 Rating: A & I
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a beautiful hazy amber color with a 2 finger tan head.  Malt aroma.  Taste: starts off sweet malt & fruit (hint of banana???),   followed by a woodsy - pine finish.  Excellent taste!  I predict, now that you can get Yuengling at every corner CVS and Dollar General store, Ed's Homebrews will become the new must have  / cult beers in Cincinnati.

Victory HopDevil Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 6.7%
Brewery: Victory Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American IPA
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating: A

Comments:  Remember, I grade all IPA's "with a curve".  Pours a dark copper color with a nice two finger tan head, nice lacing.  Great citrus hop and caramel aroma. Grapefruit & pine hop taste, with a slight caramel malt taste - well balanced.  Excellent

Bell's Christmas Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery:  Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Bell's Christmas Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Amber color with a 2 finger off white head, nice lacing.   A sweet herbal aroma. Sweet toffee and toasted malt taste comes from Bell's does not add any spices to this Christmas Ale, they use "100% Michigan-grown barley, custom malted by Briess Malting, while a blend of hops from Michigan & the Pacific Northwest lend earthy, herbal aromas."  Well done!

Summit Extra Pale Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.2%
Brewery: Summit Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Style Pale Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a hazy light bronze color, with a 2 finger white head.  Caramel and biscuit malt aroma.  Sweet biscuit malt & caramel taste balanced by a slight hop bitterness.

Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.8%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Lager
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: B

Comments:  An old favorite, one of the few reasons I look forward to winter.   Deep amber color, nice off white head, good lacing, malt/spice smell, smooth malt taste with a caramel cinnamon flavor -easy to drink all night!

Yazoo Hefeweizen

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Yazoo Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Hefeweizen
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Pours a cloudy golden color with a 2+ fluffy white head.  Huge banana aroma.  Taste is wheat, banana, clove & spice.  Very Good!

SweetWater Sch'Wheat

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 4.7%
Brewery: SweetWater Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Wheat Ale
2011 Rating: D
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Sch'it.  There are many Wheat Beers that are better than this one.

Spaten Dunkel Lager

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Country: Germany
Beer Type: Munich Dunkel Lager
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: D

Comments:  Pours a nice brown color with a 2 finger off white head.  Caramel malt aroma.  Caramel malt taste, with some hop bitterness in the background.  Easy to drink, but if you have a choice, drink a Warsteiner Dunkel, it's just a better Munich Dunkel Lager

Brooklyn Winter Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Scottish Ale
2011 Rating: C+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark amber color with a 1 finger off white head that disappears quickly, no lacing.  Aroma bread malt, caramel, fruit &  spice.   Nice "Brooklyn bread malt taste" , fruit & caramel taste.

Founders Dirty Bastard Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 8.5%
Brewery: Founders Brewing Co
Country: USA
Beer Type: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating:N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark red/brown color with a 1 finger off white head, great lacing.  Malt & alcohol aroma. Taste: malt, molasses, spice and alcohol.  Easy to drink , but dangerous.

Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.9%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: D

Comments:  Pours a dark amber color with a 1 finger tan head, some lacing.  Taste: malt cinnamon and molasses.  This beer comes in the assorted Sam Adams Winter Brew 12 pack.  I would not buy a 6 pack of it.

Rivertown Winter Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 7.5%
Brewery: Rivertown Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating:N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark mahogany color with a 1 finger beige head.  Great cinnamon aroma.  Excellent - tastes like a Snicker Doodle!  Cinnamon & molasses.  A nice Winter  / Christmas beer.

Michelob Ultra

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery: InBev-Anheuser Busch
Country: USA
Beer Type: Light Lager
2011 Rating: F
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  This beer was served in a skinny can -WHAT WAS I THINKING?  Fourth quarter at the Bengals / Steelers game, in the Browning box (Thanks Rick!)  The Bengals are losing.  We have already drank all of the Miller High Life, Blue Moon, Heine & Fat Bud….BUT there still are few Mich Ultras left.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?  I could have had a bottled water, but instead I chose a can of water!  JUST DUMP IT!

SweetWater Motor Boat Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.6%
Brewery: SweetWater Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: ESB Extra Special Bitter
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a clear amber color with a THIN white head that disappears quickly, nice lacing.   Malt & caramel aroma.  Taste starts with sweet caramel malt followed by a nice hop bitterness.   Well balanced.

Blue Moon Belgium White

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.4%
Brewery: Blue Moon Brewing Co. (Coors)
Country: USA
Beer Type: Belgium Style Wheat Ale
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: D

Comments:  Drank it plain (no orange).  Pours a cloudy yellow / orange color with a 2 finger white head.  Citrus aroma.  Malt, orange & citrus taste.  This beer is not as good as Hoegaarden, but it's not terrible.

Miller High Life, The Champagne of Beer

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Miller Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Lager
2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: C+

Comments:  My favorite beer @ age 17.  I remember buying this beer @ Airy Pony Keg with Charlie Speicher's draft card ID.  Still a great beer for underage drinkers!

Chimay Grande Reserve (Blue cap)

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 9%
Brewery: S.A. Bieres de Chimay
Country: Belgium
Beer Type:
2011 Rating: Belgium Strong Dark Ale A
2010 Rating: B

Comments:  First brewed as a Christmas Beer, now brewed all year.  Dark copper color, nice tan head that disappears quickly , no lacing.  Caramel and fruit aroma.  Sweet malt, caramel and fruit taste.  Smooth-easy to drink. A great Christmas / winter warmer beer.  A beer to sip.  Drink it chilled - 50- 55⁰F

Chimay Première Ale (Red cap)

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 7%
Brewery: S.A. Bieres de Chimay
Country: Belgium
Beer Type: Dubbel
2011 Rating: AAA
2010 Rating: AAA

Comments:  The oldest of the Chimay beers, first brewed in 1862.  The Monks got this one right!   Dark copper cloudy color, great 2 finger white head, Smells tremendous -fruit, yeast & sweet malt.  Sweet malt & apricot fruit taste with a crisp dry finish Drink it chilled (warm) between 50- 55⁰F.  EXCELLENT!

Chimay Tripel (White cap)

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 8%
Brewery: S.A. Bieres de Chimay
Country: Belgium
Beer Type: Tripel
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: A

Comments:  Brewed by the Trappist Monks.  Cloudy orange color, some lacing.  Fruit & spice aroma - alcohol noticeable.  Taste - Sweet malt fruit (banana & clove), spice & mild hop finish.  It should be drunk chilled between 42 to 46⁰F.  My least favorite of the Chimay beers.

O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.6%
Brewery: O'Fallon Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Pumpkin Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a cloudy orange color with a 1 finger white head, no lacing.  Aroma is pumpkin, nutmeg & cinnamon.  Nice pumpkin, cinnamon & nutmeg flavor.  A good Pumpkin Ale!

Yuengling Black & Tan

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 4.7%
Brewery: Yuengling Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Black & Tan
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  I previously reviewed this beer back in March 2011.  Back in March, I drank a couple of bottles, as part of a case of assorted Yuengling beers.  Now that Yuengling is available in Cincinnati, I had a couple of "drafts" at "Olive's" in Clifton. My impression in mostly unchanged  (changes highlighted in RED).  Dark brown color, 1 finger tan head, no lacing.   Chocolate, caramel & coffee malt aroma.  Mild & easy to drink- sweet chocolate caramel & coffee malt taste throughout- bitter finish.

Dry Hopped St Rogue Red Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 5.1%
Brewery: Dry Hopped St Rogue Red Ale
Country: USA
Beer Type: Amber / Red Ale
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a red/ amber color with a 2 finger beige head, not much lacing.  Pine hops aroma with a slight hint of caramel malt.  The dominant flavor is pine hops with sweet malt in the background.  I prefer St. Rogue Red over the Green Flash Hop Head Red.

Green Flash Hop Head Red Ale

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 7%
Brewery: Green Flash Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Amber / Red Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours an amber/red color with a 1 finger off white head, decent lacing.  Great sweet caramel malt and hop aroma. The first thing you taste is sweet caramel malts, followed by  citrus /pine hops.  A well balanced brew!

Würzburger Hofbräu Pilsner

Reviewed: November 2011
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery: Würzburger Hofbräu AG
Country: Germany
Beer Type: Pilsner
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: A

Comments:  Pours a hazy light yellow color, with a nice 2 finger white head, fantastic spider-web lacing. Full bodied hop taste finishes smooth & crisp.   Nothing skunky about this bier.  A great German Pilsner!  PROST!

Wernesgrüner Pils

Reviewed: October 2011
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery: Wernesgrüner Brauerei AG
Country: Germany
Beer Type: German Pilsener
2011 Rating: B-
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a clear straw yellow color with a great foamy 2 finger white head, nice lacing.  Aroma is grains and malt.  Sweet corn and malt taste with a dry bitter hop finish.  Decent.

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale

Reviewed: October 2011
ABV: 5.3%
Brewery: SweetWater Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Ale
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: B+

Comments:  Cloudy golden / orange color, 2 finger head- decent lacing.  Mild hop & citrus aroma. I drank the 420 after  the SweetWater  IPA.  The malt taste jumped out, followed by a mild hop bitterness -  remember - I just finished the  IPA.  Smooth  - very easy to drink!  Better than the SweetWater IPA.