Review: Rogue Honey Cream Ale

I expected a smoother taste. I am not really a fan of cream ales anyway. Usually a big fan of the Rogue beers. This one was just not doing it for me.

Review: Heineken Special Dark Beer

Somewhat different than what you might expect compared to regular Heineken. Not so different however that the regular fans wouldn't like it.

Review: Barrelhouse Microbrewery Festival 2000

Our first visit to the Barrelhouse Microbrew festival. The festival was 3 city blocks of beer booths. I sampled 17 different beers (they were small samples, but Barb drove home anyway) and I really can't say anything bad about any of them. If you get a chance to try one go for it. I was drawn that day to darker beers like Stouts and Porters. Here are some thoughts on the beers I sampled.

Willoughby Brewing Brown - Great flavor, nice and smooth

Western Reserve Nut Brown Ale - I am partial to the Nut Brown's and I loved this one

Hoster Scottish Ale - Very sweet and very tasty

Rock Bottom Brewery Rocktoberfest - Yet another entry into the crowded Oktoberfest category. Good beer but I like the Oktoberfest at Alcatraz brewery in Indianapolis better.

Kalamazoo Brewing Bells Porter - great porter very nice taste

Thirsty Dog Leghumper Porter - If you are ever in Dayton check it out.

Traverse Brewing Company Stout - Not my favorite stout, too bitter for my taste ( with apologies to my Michigan relatives )

Brooklyn Brewing Brown Ale - I just can't lose with the Brown ales. Loved the taste. Great balanced flavor.

Boonville Beer Oatmeal Stout - I really like what oatmeal does for the flavor of stouts.

Fullers London Porter - Great Porter I haven't met a Fullers I didn't like.

Bluegrass Brewing Co. Darkstar Porter. - Another fine porter.

Broadway Brewery Road Dog Scotch Ale - I still think they are a bit too sweet but I like the Scotch ales.

HC Berger Brewing Co. Chocolate Stout - This stuff is like a chocolate beer milkshake. Good Stuff. I found the 2nd try it was kinda flat and the flavor was not as good. I am thinking this is a beer to get out of a tap not a bottle.

Optimator from Spaten - Not too overbearing for a German beer. Very full, rich beer. Watch out for the alcohol content, it's higher than most.

Columbus Brewing Co. Nut Brown - See Western Reserve Nut Brown.

O'Houley's Pub & Brewery Porter - Yet another fine porter.

Review: Pipkin Bourbon Barrel Stout.

Stout aged in bourbon barrels. More than a little bit of bourbon flavor to this stuff. It adds a nice bite to the stout.

Review: Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale

Very good mildly Hoppy flavor with a hint of a orange / citrus taste. Similar to a Pete's Wicked or Sam Adams but not as full a flavor.

Review: Dundee's Honey Brown.

Not a huge hit with some of my other beer geek buddies. For the longest time this was my everyday, around the house type beer. You know, mowing the grass, working on the car, building a fence etc

Review: Ringwood Brewery Old Thumper

Very Good Ale. Really great full spicy / fruity flavor, nice tasting, smooth finish.

Review: Amstel Light

Decent light beer. Flavor is OK, good session beer. One of my fall back beers if there aren't any other choices.

Review: Oasis Oatmeal Stout

Nice Stout!!! Full flavor not too bitter not too heavy.

Review: Spanish Peaks Nut Brown Ale

Average nut brown not as strong as a Newcastle but a good flavor.

Review: Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat

I renew my objection to adding fruit flavors to beer. I have said numerous times that I am not a fan of this style of brew but my fellow tasters tell me this is a really good balance of the wheat and cherry. Kudos to Boston Brewing for using Traverse City Cherries!!!!

Review: Birra Peroni

This is a really nice Italian beer. Good addition to a huge plate of Pasta.

Review: Negro Modelo

Probably my favorite Mexican Beer. Love getting a gigantic draft and a huge Burrito.

Review; Entire Butt English Porter

The entire butt has nothing to do with anatomy. It is the long lost term for the 14 different hops and 3 malts that make up the most complicated tasting beer I think I have come across. Great blend of flavors, every sip has a different taste.

Review: Goose Island Honkers Ale

Have now had this on a number of occasions and it is a really good session beer. Nice taste, Not too strong for an ale. None of the typical ale hoppy after taste. Much better blend than most of the domestic "English" Ales.
This is basically the Miller / Bud of the Chicago area.

Review: Molson Golden

Old favorite, Good solid lager. Skyline chili and Molson, great combo!! Some like Labatts better, I disagree.

Review: Bitburger Premium Pils.

I have to say that this is exactly what you might expect from a good German pilsner. None of the bitterness that occasionally accompanies a pilsner. It also has a flavor that is not present in mass market pilsners.

Review: Mackesons XXX Stout

This is a awesome stout!! My favorite of all the original 30 beers. I know this is sacrilege but I like it better than Guinness. I actually did a side by side comparison on St Patrick's day a few years ago and Mackesons is actually darker than Guinness.
This was originally only available as an import, it is now brewed under supervision in the US. It has taken on a different flavor, not quite a sweet a taste and a more hoppy / bitter finish. Not bad, but not the same as the original.

Review: Bohemia Beer

Smooth with a nice finish, not as rich as most stouts. Great German-esque beer from Mexico.

Review: Dos Equis

Great lager to have with a big ol' burrito and some chips and salsa, ( funny how that works out!! ) Goes down smooth and not too heavy so you can fill up on the food. I will say that if you are just picking up a six pack there are other choices that are as good; ( or better ) and less expensive.