News : The Plot to Destroy American Beer

This is a very interesting article on the destruction of brewing tradition by AB InBev. Apparently they have bought out and then compromised the brewing standards of Becks, Stella Artoris, Boddingtons, Hoegaarden and now even Anheuser-Busch .

http://mobile.bThe Plot to Destroy American Beerusinessweek.com/articles/2012-10-25/the-plot-to-destroy-americas-beer

Review: India Pale Ale

This is the first beer I tried from Great Crescent Brewing, a new local brewery in the Cincinnati area.
Decent IPA, hopefully they are still tweaking the formula for this one. It was almost like a cream ale. 

Review: Headwaters Pale Ale

Very clean and refreshing Pale Ale from Victory Brewing Company. The way the malt flavor come through it almost tastes like an amber ale. Easy to drink and goes well with a big meal.

Review: Bottlenectar

This is a sweeter Amber Ale from Two Brothers Brewing. It has a hoppyness that almost makes it taste like a Belgian. Apparently this is hard to find seasonal.

Review: Anti-Hero IPA

The American IPA from Revolution Brewing Company is almost over the top on the hops. The bitterness can be overwhelming, but the citrus flavor almost balances it out.

Review: Ranger India Pale Ale

Excellent IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company. Crazy hops onslaught from the first sip. It takes a little getting used to, but once you get in to it you can taste everything that is going on.

Review: Hops and Robbers

This American style IPA came highly recommended. Very drinkable IPA from Double Trouble Brewing Company in Toronto. The hops don't take over but they are definitely in there.

Review: Tankhouse Ale

This is a good American Pale Ale from Mill Street Brewery. Great session beer, nice balance between hops and malts. Goes down smooth and crisp with a clean finish.

Review: Steam Whistle Pilsner

This is a Public Service Message! 

Avoid this terrible Pilsner from Steam Whistle Brewing.  I had to stop drinking the one I ordered because it was so bad. I thought maybe it was skunked or something, but the next night one of my buddies ordered one at a different bar and had the same reaction. 

Review: Original Oak Aged Beer

I really enjoyed the Scottish Ale from Innis & Gunn. The Oak aging is very evident in the flavor. The whiskey is also present in the flavor. It has a rich caramel taste, but it tastes like it is almost flat. Apparently this is due to the barrel aging process.

Review: Creemore Springs Premium Lager

Average tasting Lager, nothing too special. It was the best option available in a bar in Toronto.

Review: Mill Street Brewing Original Organic

Very crisp and tasty lager. Nice clean finish and very drinkable.

Review: Barking Squirrel Lager

This was an average lager at best. I didn't really like the overall flavor, not that it had that much flavor to begin with. The bitter hops were there, but way back in the background.

Review: New Albanian Brewing Co. Bonfire of the Valkyries

Smooth, smokey black lager. Almost a sausage flavor. Heavy without being too filling.

Review: Deweys Seasonal IPA

This IPA is brewed for Deweys Pizza by Mt. Caramel Brewing in Cincinnati. I can't be sure but I don't thinks it is the same as the Mt. Caramel IPA. The Deweys version doesn't seem to have the same overall flavor.

Review: ReWired Brown Ale

I received this in a sample pack from 8 Wire Brewing Company. I have high expectations from Brown Ales, and even though this was a pretty decent Brown, it doesn't really measure up.

Review: Bear Republic / Fat Head's / Stone TBA

This is a collaboration ale, and it almost tastes like it was brewed by a committee. I couldn't really decide if they were really trying to do a brown ale or just a hopped up dark ale.

Review: Huma Lupa Licious

Decent American IPA from Short's Brewing Co. Very drinkable, but nothing too special.

Review: Butler Street Brown

I helped my brother make a growler of this disappear one evening. Very good Brown from Saugatuck Brewing. Liked the full roasted malt flavor that still held the some of the sweet taste.

Review: Mad Anthony Brewing Co. Amber

Just a so / so Pale Ale. Nothing terrible, not impressed.

Review: Sweet Action Cream Ale

A new find from a relatively new brewery. I had never heard of the Sixpoint Brewery until my beer researcher Barb found this one. It is a lighter cream ale, bordering on a wheat. Still not quite sure what I think of this one, it will require further research.

Review: Full Sail LTD #4

This is a very tasty, clean and crisp lager. I am happy I was able to find this limited availability brew. Great session brew, if you chose to spend the money to drink this one as a session beverage

Review: Founders All Day IPA

Of the many beers I have sampled from Founders Brewing, this is probably one of my favorites. This is a really fantastic session Ale, it has all the flavor and body of a top end IPA, but is not as potent as most. I guess that with the slightly lower ABV it is a better choice for a session than most IPA's.

Review: Trappistes Rochefort 10

Excellent Belgian Ale from Abbey Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy.
Very full rich flavor, with an amazing sweet finish.

Review: Raging Bitch Belgian IPA

I am not sure what I was expecting from this beer. It wasn't like most IPA's, and nothing like a Belgian. Very interesting flavor, but I am still not sure if I liked it or not. I guess further research will be required.

Review: White Rajah IPA

Very good IPA from The Brew Kettle. It has a different flavor than most American IPA's, bitterness was there but not overwhelming. The citrus flavor was odd, I have seen other reviews that describe it as a pineapple taste, I guess that is as good an example as any.

Review : Milwaukee's Best Premium

Just for the record, I feel obligated to review this beer, because I actually purchased one. However I did not purchase it to consume, I bought it to use as a slug eliminator. We had been having a problem with slugs eating the ornamental flowers in the yard, so the remedy was to put out small containers of beer. Well there was no way I was going to use the good beer I had in the 'fridge. So the only review I can give this beer is that is was very effective as a slug extermination product. Other than that, I have nothing good to say about this beer.

Review: Bitter American Pale Ale

Another fun beer from 21st amendment. This is a good session beer. Goes down smooth and the ABV is low enough to not get you in too much trouble.

Review: Brooklyn Blast Double IPA

I don't think I have ever had a beer that I didn't like from Brooklyn Brewing. This DIPA is full flavored, smooth and has a tasty finish.

Review: Breckenridge Brewery Mighty Brown Ale

I am surprised it took me this long to find this amazing beer. It has the full flavor similar to Turbodog or Newcastle, but slightly sweeter, with a nice malty finish.

Review: Southern Pecan Brown Ale

Excellent brown ale, moves on to my list of favorite browns. I think the pecans are hiding in there somewhere. Full rich malt flavor, roasted taste and finishes surprisingly clean. This is the first beer I have tried from the Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. I should track down more of their offerings.

Review: Maduro Brown Ale

This is a pretty decent Brown Ale from Cigar City Brewing. Flavor was not quite as full and rich as some browns.
Overall good taste with a nice rich finish.

Review: Little Kings

So I had to grab one of these for old times sake.
Just like I remembered, a little bit bitter, but a mild taste. Then it is gone.

Review: Golden Helles

Great lager from Christian Moerlein. It has a light Hop flavor, with a little Citrus taste back there somewhere. Nice clean session beer. Had this on tap at the Moerlein Lager House at the Banks in Cincinnati.

Review: Gemini Southern Tier

Got a chance to try this amazing beer on Tap at a Southern Tier Tasting at Habits. Very strong and full flavored ale. Good sweet and fruity taste I have seen it listed as a DIPA and a American Strong Ale, I think either description works.

Review: Merry Monks' Ale

This Belgian Tripel style Ale from Weyerbacher Brewing is lighter in color than you might expect. It has a similar flavor and taste of the Chimay White, but not nearly as good.

Review: Namaste

I am generally not a fan of the Whitbier style of beers. That being said, I was not really impressed by this beer. All of the herb and spices are in the smell but not in the taste.

Review: Southern Tier Unearthly Imperial IPA

Looks like a Amber ale, smells a little like citrus at first with almost a pine scent in there somewhere. The overall taste is very hoppy and in your face. This in one to be careful with, the taste is so good that you might not notice the high alcohol content.

Review: Farmers Tan Imperial Pale Lager

Got a chance to try this at a Southern Tier Brewing tasting at Habits Cafe. Very interesting mixup of flavors. The citrus and herbal flavors are slugging it out for your attention. Not a beer you are going to rush through, the taste is too complex and aggressive to do anything but sip it slowly.  

Review: 471 Small Batch IPA

Pretty amazing Imperial IPA from Breckenridge Brewing. I have always been a fan, and this one did not disappoint. Very complex taste ranging from citrus to bitter hops.

Review: Nugget Nectar

I was able to find this amazing beer at the Dilly Deli during it's brief seasonal appearance.
What can I say? Great citrus hops flavor, followed by a sweet malt taste. Very thick feel to this one. I had a 20oz draft and that was enough for one evening. I will have to find this again!

Review: More Brown Than Black IPA - Collaboration by The Alchemist /Ninkasi / Stone

Very interesting, but kind of dissapointing Black IPA. It does not have traditional Black Ale flavor and it was probably too hoppy, even for a IPA.

Review: Flashback India Brown Ale

All my brown ale predispositions aside, this is a great Brown Ale from Boulder Beer Co. It has different style than most Brown Ales, but still has the character of a Brown.

Review: 21st Amendment Special - Allies Win the War

This is a great joint effort in the Special Edition Ale. Very complex and tasty. Lots of fruit, herbs, nuts, malts and hops in the mix.

Review: Founders Double Trouble Ale

Very impressive Imperial IPA. The Hops smack you in the face and the Malts help calm you down after getting your ass kicked.

Review: Bell's Two Hearted Ale

Nice mild ale, clean and refreshing taste. The hops are there but not too in your face.

Review: Bell's Hopslam

Finally got a chance to try this elusive beer.  Crazy hoppy up front and then it mellows out. Very well rounded. Deceptively easy to drink, this one goes down way to smoothly for the ABV.

Review: North Peak Brewing Diabolical IPA

Very clean taste, citrus and hops are there but not over the top. Good flavor, not outstanding.

Review: Left Hand Brewing 400 Pound Monkey

Very good IPA. It has a sweet malt taste, rich and full bodied without being too hoppy.

Review: BJ's Brewing Nutty Brewnette

Good strong Brown Ale. More roasted malt flavor than many Brown Ales.

Review: Murphy's Irish Stout

Not as full and rich as many stouts. I like the chocolate flavor, but that doesn't really make up for the slightly weak flavor,