Review: Shock Top Belgian White

Not my first choice, but when the other available beers are all "Lite" beers, there is not much of a choice. Not a real heavy beer, the citrus flavor is pretty mild.

Review: Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale

Not a great Abbey Ale or a great Winter ale. The taste isn't bad, a bit weak, but it just doesn't stand up to any of the better Ales of this style.

Review: Samuel Adams Black & Brew Coffee Stout

Good coffee beer, lots of nutty chocolate with the coffee flavor in the finish.

Review: Samuel Adams Holiday Porter

Not the greatest Porter. A little too much coffee happening here. Also don't see anything that really makes this a "Holiday" porter.

Review: Samuel Adams Winter Lager

This is a hard one to decide on. Not much in the way of a Winter or Christmas offering. The spices are very muted and almost lost in the background. Also missing is the expected Sammy's hop flavor. Grabbed another one of these at the airport while waiting for a flight. Good Session beer, interesting spice flavors but still not the typical Sammy flavor.

Review: Goose Island Christmas Ale (2011)

So this is another of the many, many, Christmas / Winter ales out there. One of the few that seems to manage to keep a balance between the spices and the hops and malts.
Great caramel color and flavor with a bit of the winter spices in the finish.

Review: Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

One of my favorites in the winter ale offerings. Not as overly spicy as many Winter Ales. A much fuller, richer ale than the average holiday beer.

Review: Harpoon IPA

Slightly mild IPA, not as hoppy as you might expect. Flavor is OK. Very drinkable beer, just not a great IPA.

Review: Fullsuit Belgian-Style Brown Ale

This is a very interesting Brown Ale from Karl Strauss. Not really sure it is a Belgian but still a tasty Brown. It was a nice find on an airport layover.

Review: Karl Strauss Amber Lager

Very drinkable session beer. Similar to Fat Tire but with a fuller taste.

Review: Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Ale

The Bourbon flavor goes great with the malty, sweet flavor.

Review: Warm Welcome Nut Brown Ale

Good Nut Brown Ale from Ridgeway Brewing Co.. Great toasted malt with a nutty finish.

Review: Two Tortugas Belgian Quad by Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Found this at the Yard House in San Diego.
Strange Belgian Ale. Good flavor and very drinkable, good taste, but don't let it get too warm.

Review: 9th Anniversary Imperial IPA by Green Flash Brewing Co.

Got very lucky to find this on tap at the Yard House in San Diego. This special edition Imperial IPA was brewed for the 9th anniversary celebration of Green Flash Brewing. This was surprisingly smooth and mild for a DIPA or Imperial IPA. I thought it had a very balanced taste and great flavor overall. The high alcohol content is not nearly as noticeable as in many of the heavy duty IPA's.

Review: Downtown Brown by Lost Coast Brewery

I found this great Brown Ale at the Yard House in San Diego. Good strong ale with the aroma and taste of caramel and nuts. I would grab this one if you get a chance.

Review: Pugsley Signature Series: XXXX IPA

Very sweet and hoppy taste, it is almost like the brewers at Shipyard were going for a barley wine. The alcohol is in the taste and small the whole time. Not a beer you would have more than one in a sitting.

Review: Mirror Pond Pale Ale by Deschutes Brewery

Found this at the Yard House in San Diego.
Like many American Pale Ales, the malt / hop balance is more even than an IPA or English Pale Ale.

Review: Pale Ale by Stone Brewing Co.

This looks like an Amber but definitely tastes like a pale ale. It has a little bit of a caramel smell with some citrus and and floral taste. 

Review: Fleur Belgian Ale

Amazing Belgian Ale from Goose Island. Very Floral and Fruity tasting. Smooth flavor with a distinctive finish.

Review: The pale ale

Nice mild IPA, citrus flavor was very balanced.

Review: Okanagan Spring Pale Ale

The copper color would make you think it would have a fuller taste, but it is very light and mild in a way. Citrus hops taste up front with a bit of a caramel towards the end. Finish is a little bitter.

Review: Olde Suffolk English Ale

This is a great old school English Ale. Outstanding flavor and finish. Strong but still tasty.

Review: Troubador Blonde ale

Much heartier than I expected from a Blonde. Good flavor and bit of a caramel finish.

Review: Shiner Commemorator

Nice Dopplebock. Rich flavor, not too sweet. Malty flavor, but not over the top.

Review: Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock

Very chocolaty and rich flavor. Not really sure it is a Bock, it drinks like a very thin Porter.

Review: Rivertown Winter Ale

Enjoyable winter ale, probably a little too much on the spices for my taste, but still good overall.