Hudepohl Summer Pils

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV:  N/A
Brewery: Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Pilsner
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: 5%

Comments:  Oops - problem in the bottle labeling department!  Great summer beer!  Pours a clear golden color with a 2 finger white head, great lacing.  Smooth, slightly sweet, spice & citrus notes.  EASY TO DRINK!

Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: fruit beer
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: F
2010 Rating: B

Comments:  Sometimes its all about where & when you drink a beer.  In 2010, I drank Summer Shandy at the Cabana on a hot day & it hit the spot: rated a B.  In 2011, I drank  Summer Shandy inside, at a dumpy sports bar - no atmosphere & the beer tasted terrible; rated an F.   This year I once again drank Summer Shandy at the Cabana on a nice sunny afternoon, watching the boaters on the Ohio River.  "Hazy yellow color, drank it in a plastic cup  - by the time it was served, the head was gone.  Strong orange, lemon  / lemonade smell & taste - nice beer for a hot day in the sun."  

Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 6.3%
Brewery: Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: IPA
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Copper color, creamy white two finger head, nice lacing.  Aroma: disappointing -not much happening.  Taste: More malt taste than most IPAs.  Sweet caramel malt start,  piney hop & citrus finish.  A "Good Solid Citizen".

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 7.2%
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Country:  USA
Beer Type: American IPA
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: A

Comments:  Clear copper color, 2 finger fluffy white head, great lacing.  Pine, citrus and hop aroma.  Taste starts sweet malt, followed  up with pine & citrus hops, ends with a nice hop bite.  In my opinion a perfect IPA!

Victory Whirlwind Witbier

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Victory Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Witbier (Belgium White)
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Pours a hazy straw yellow color with a small white head that disappears QUICKLY, some lacing.  Nice spice, lemon and orange aroma, typical of a Witbier.   Taste, similar to the aroma, spice, lemon, orange & maybe some banana.   A nice Belgium style Witbier - light and very refreshing.  The "weak sister" of the evening.

Harpoon Catamount Maple Wheat

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 6.8%
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Wheat Ale
2012 Rating: I
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Brewed with Vermont Maple Syrup.  Pours a deep amber color with a 1 finger off white head.  Maple syrup & caramel malt aroma and taste.  Sweet (what would you expect?)  When drinking this beer,  you should also order bacon, eggs & PANCAKES - no need to add syrup.   INTERESTING

Smuttynose Big A IPA

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 9.7%
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Imperial (Double) IPA
2012 Rating:  A+
2011 Rating:  N/A

Comments:  Another fantastic Imperial IPA "hop bomb".  Pours a cloudy orange color with a 1 finger white head, excellent lacing.  Grapefruit & citrus hop aroma.  Huge pine & citrus hop flavor with some caramel malt in the background - smooth & creamy.  9.7% ABV - watch it - anytime your beer is served in a tulip glass -                                 LOOK OUT :)  EXCELLENT!

Samuel Adams Summer Ale

Reviewed:  June 2012
ABV: 5.2%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Wheat Ale
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Pours an orange yellow color with a 2 finger white head, some lacing.   Wheat & lemon aroma.  The taste is lemon, wheat and spice.   A great summer beer!

Irish Red Ale

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery: Four Horsemen Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type:
2012 Rating: F
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours an amber color with a 1/4" head.  Like their Pale Ale, this beer tastes thin, watery & FLAT.   Just dump it.

Shift Pale Lager

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 5%
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Lager
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  First beer I drank served in a can in some time...  I thought it was a Red Bull  :)  Beautiful golden color with a fantastic 2 finger fluffy white head- great lacing.  Nice pilsner type citrus hop & grass aroma.  Crisp citrus hop flavor with some malt sweetness in the background,  Smooth & easy to drink, I will buy Shift again...even though it is in a can :)

Four Horsemen Pale Ale

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.8%
Brewery: Four Horsemen Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Ale
2012 Rating: D
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a nice hazy golden orange color with a 1/2" white head that disappears immediately .  (before I could take the photo).  Nice hop aroma.  Both bottles that I drank were flat - NO carbonation.  Might be a good beer, if they get their bottling process under control.

Ranger IPA

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 6.5%
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: IPA
2012 Rating: A+
2011 Rating: A+

Comments:  Clear golden color,  2 finger white head - great lacing.  Strong hop aroma.  Great hop flavor start-middle-end.  It doesn't get any better than Ranger IPA!!!

Oberon Ale

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV:  5.8%
Brewery: Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Wheat Ale
2012 Rating: AAA
2011 Rating: AAA

Comments:  I love their slogan: "Goodbye rain, clouds - or snow Hello, suntan lotion  This beer says one thing quite loudly & quite clearly.  Summer is here!"   Hazy golden/ orange color , white 2 finger head, nice lacing.  Wheat, clove & orange aroma.  Hops, citrus & sweet wheat taste.   Excellent!

Rolling Rock Extra Pale

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.6%
Brewery: Latrobe Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Style Lager
2012 Rating: D
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Look closely at the label… Latrobe Brewing Co., St. Louis, MO.  It makes me sick!  33 :)

1554 Enlightened Black Ale

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 5.6%
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Belgium Dark Ale
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Deep brown color, 2 finger cream color head.  Aroma - roasted malt &  chocolate.  Roasted malt, fruit, dark chocolate & coffee  taste-dry finish.  Very Good!

Bob's your Uncle

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.8%
Brewery: Round Barn Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: ESB Extra Special Bitter
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a beautiful hazy amber red color with a small off white head that disappears quickly - no lacing.  Nice caramel malt aroma.  Taste is toasted caramel malt with some hop bitterness.  A good British style Bitter.  Easy to drink!

Shiner Ruby Redbird

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery:
Country: USA
Beer Type: Fruit Beer (Lager)
2012 Rating: C & I
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a hazy red -orange color, no noticeable head.  Citrus aroma.  I blew this review.  Strong grapefruit taste (I first pegged it as lemon, but as I drank it, I realized it is GRAPEFRUIT).  I also could not identify the second taste.  Shiner's website says it is ginger.    INTERESTING

Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Irish Stout
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a deep brown color  with an nice 2 finger creamy head.  Slight coffee & roasted malt aroma. Tastes like the aroma; coffee & caramel roasted malts.

Schlafly Helles Style Summer Lager

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.5%
Brewery: The St. Louis Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Munich Helles Lager
2012 Rating: C
2011 Rating: N/A
2010 Rating: D

Comments:  Pours a CLEAR (so clear you can see the reflection of the table & plant in the beer in my photo)  light straw yellow color, nice 2 finger head that disappeared immediately, decent lacing.  Slight malt & grain aroma.  Primarily a toasted malt  taste with a little hops in the background.  A light, smooth summer beer.  Not my favorite style.

Red's Rye PA

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 6.6%
Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Rye Pale Ale
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a beautiful copper, red.  1 finger tan head.  Grapefruit hop & spice aroma.  Tastes like an IPA  citrus hops & a caramel rye malt finish.  EXCELLENT!

Reissdorf Kölsch

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.8%
Brewery: Brauerei Heinrich Reissdorf
Country: Germany
Beer Type: Kölsch
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Clear golden yellow color, with a great white head.    Nice sweet malt & slight hop aroma.  Taste is crisp, light, refreshing with a slight hint of fruit - great summertime beer.  Reissdorf remains my favorite Kölsch style beer.

Sawtooth Ale

Reviewed: May 2012
ABV: 5.3%
Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type:
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments: Sorry , I took a sip of this brew before I remembered to take a photo (I grabbed a second photo of the Internet). Amber color with a one finger white head. Light bready malt aroma. Smooth malt taste - you could drink this beer all nite! Great Extra Special Bitter beer.

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Pale Ale
2012 Rating: B+ & I
2011 Rating: B & I

Comments:  I will stick with my 2011 comments, but I did ratchet the rating up slightly.  "Pours a copper color with a 2 finger off white head, no lacing.  Aroma: toasted malt & a little caramel.  Taste: Strong bread & toasted malt flavor. I also tasted caramel.  Taste ends with a slight hop bitterness.  I love this beer."    Mike did not like this brew last year & didn't like it this year either.  Pennant Ale 55 is a unique English Pale Ale!

Hofbrau Hefe Weisse Dunkel

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: N/A
Brewery: Staatliches Hofbräuhaus (Hofbräu München)
Country: Germany
Beer Type: Dunkelweizen
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  I realize that this beer looks "bad" in my photo, but it actually tasted great.  Pours a cloudy chocolate brown color with a thin white head.  Typical Hefeweisen aroma; wheat, malt & clove.  Taste is similar to the aroma, wheat, malt, & spice, and a little banana.  Easy to drink  - a nice Dunkeweisen.

Stiegl Goldbräu Premium Lager

Reviewed:  May 2012
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery: Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg GmbH
Country: Austria
Beer Type: Lager
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:Pours a nice golden color with a 2 finger white head, no lacing.  Not much aroma.  Sweet malt taste with a some hops & grain  in the background.  Easy to drink on a warm May evening.