Bear Republic Racer 5 Review

Name: Racer 5
Brewed by: Bear Republic
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 7%
Overall Score: 8/10

Comments: A sparkling gold color and hop-rich flavor, aggressive is certainly a good word to describe this brew. The initial taste is a bit too tart for me... but it regained some merit by discouraging, in a non-authoritarian way, drunk driving right on the label. If/when I'm in the Sonoma area, I would not mind visiting this brewery.  

Boddingtons Pub Ale Review

Name: Boddington's Pub Ale
Brewed by: Inbev UK Limited
Beer Type: Pub Ale
ALC/VOL: 4.7%
Overall Score: 3.3/10

Comments: Founded during the midst of an over-seas revolution, the founders had more important issues on their minds. The proof is in the pudding so to speak; in the horrid taste of this beer is more precise though. This British beer is on Facebook's 100 beer challenge page, so a few months after spotting it in a liquor store I bought it and brought it to a family party. I made the mistake of making one of the four Boddington cans my first drink. Out of a can it's less than a three on the taste scale. I had another one that night when I was intoxicated and couldn't taste anything; I gave another one to my brother. I brought one home and drinking out of a glass, it's less painful, but still a chore to drink this beer. Flat smell, too creamy of an initial taste, and a flat aftertaste. It's bloody awful.

Starr Hill Northern Lights IPA Review

Name: Northern Lights
Brewed by: Starr Hill
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 6.5%
Overall Score: 9/10

Comments: Another Virginian beer I had while in Virginia. Another winner. Plenty of hop flavor; a brisk bitter taste with a crisp after taste.

Lagunitas Undercover Shut-Down

Name: Undercover Shut-Down
Brewed by: Lagunitas
Beer Type: American Pale Ale
ALC/VOL: 9.75%
Overall Score: 8.7/10

Comments: Another gem of the Lagunitas company, this product signifies a protest to being shut down for twenty days after an incident in 2005. It's inspired and savory.

Miller High Life Review

Name: Miller High Life
Brewed by: Miller Brewing Co.
Beer Type: Lager
ALC/VOL: 4.6%
Overall Score: 5.5/10

Comments: The Champagne of Beers; a clever, ironic slogan. This is a blue-collar beer, at panhandler wino price. Ice cold and out of a bottle it's actually pretty good. A go-to if you're boozing on a budget; the cheapest drinkable beer in central Illinois (and avoiding the college cliche choices).

One of the few bottled beers I prefer to keep in the bottle rather than pouring out into a glass-- like a bad genie.

Dogfish Head 75-Minute IPA Review

Name: 75 Minute IPA
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 7.5%
Overall Score: 7/10

Comments: This was my latter beer at the Gaithersburg Dogfish Head. I'm unsure if this got an unfair shake because I like my former one so much, but this beer was nothing spectacular. Still a very solid concoction, just nothing special.

Hellhound On My Ale Review

Name: Hellhound On My Ale
Brewed by: Dogfish Head Brewery
Beer Type: Imperial (Double) IPA
ALC/VOL: 10%
Overall Score: 9.2/10

Comments: I had this at a Dogfish Head restaurant-- the one in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Diverse menu, good atmosphere, great beer. It seems with this brewery line the stronger it is, the better it is. This one was super hoppy; made with lemons peels and flesh...lemon-flesh I'm assuming. Whatever's in it, I like it. 

Sculpin IPA Review

Name: Sculpin IPA
Brewed by: Ballast Point
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 7%
Overall Score: 9.7/10

Comments: There's a fantastic new alehouse in New Lenox, Illinois; Flyod's, where this is a regular-- most beers fluctuate, but not this bad boy-- on a rotating menu. It's a rich taste, Scuplin seems to coat the mouth with a pleasant aftertaste. Have never seen this brew or brewery outside this bar, but this Californian company definitely got this one right.  

Snake Dog IPA

Name: Snake Dog IPA
Brewed by: Flying Dog
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 7.1%
Overall Score: 9/10

Comments: Now right off the bat this beer gets points from me for being brewed by Flying Dog, so the packaging is surrealistic art...and a strong and tasty beer. Flavor, style and power make a potent-yet-amiable drink. 

Lagunitas IPA Review

Name: Lagunitas IPA
Brewed by: Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 6.2%
Overall Score: 9/10

Comments: Such a great beer. Down in Decatur, Illinois it's the best beer you can get; at least at a gas station on ELDORADO STREET (pronounced 'EL-DOR-A-DO by locals and those born in the proximity). This beer is a keeper; let it breathe and you won't believe how flavorful it is looking at its light color. I hope to visit this progressive brewery if/when I'm in the Bay area.    

Devil's Backbone Eight Point IPA Review

Name: Eight Point IPA
Brewed by: Devil's Backbone Brewing Company
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 5.9%
Overall Score: 9.6/10

Comments: My favorite beer of the summer trip, I discovered this beer a couple days before returning to the Mid-West. It has so much flavor it's hard to describe, very crisp and clean-tasting. It was so good out of a bottle (poured into a glass), I can only imagine what it'd be like on tap.

Speakeasy Big Daddy IPA Review

Name: Big Daddy IPA
Brewed by: Speakeasy Brewing Co.
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 6.5%
Overall Score: 10/10

Comments: I picked this up at a local liquor store a few months ago because I liked the packaging (and I love IPAs). I pleasantly surprised; one of the few perfect beers I have tasted. It's so smooth, crisp, and refreshing, this San Francisco brewing company hit a bull's eye with this one. If you're a fan of IPAs, you have to try the Big Daddy.

Eleven-Beer Flight; Wild Wolf Brewery

This was the second stop on the aforementioned brewery tour, and, admittedly, I was a little tight already at the time of arrival. So the grading may be more liberal. But it was an attractive brewery; clean, efficient, and affordable prices. The flight had two more beers to sample at a fraction of the price. It included:

Name: American Pilsner
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Pilsner
ALC/VOL: 4.5%
Overall Score: 8.3/10

Comments: Smooth and refreshing-- an interesting take on a German Pilsner style beer.

Name: Blonde Hunny
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Belgian Pale Ale
ALC/VOL: 6.8%
Overall Score: 8.6/10

Comments: Not usually a fan of honey beers (I think Lienie's Honey Weiss is by far their worst brew), but this one is an exception. With only a hint of honey, this beer is balanced.

Name: Anniversary Ale
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Dark Ale
ALC/VOL: 3.5%
Overall Score: 5/10

Comments: I won't lie, I don't remember much about this beer. Maybe the fact it's not memorable is testament in itself.

Name: Alpha Ale
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Pale Ale
ALC/VOL: 5.1%
Overall Score: 9.4/10

Comments: The crown jewel of Wild Wolf, I love this beer. It satisfied my hop cravings while simultaneously leaving me wanting more. Balanced and delicious, this pale ale is aptly named.

Name: Wee Heavy
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Scottish Style Ale
ALC/VOL: 5.7%
Overall Score: 7.2/10

Comments: This Scottish Ale is solid. The scotch flavor is not overdone, leaving the beer drinkable.

Name: Dry Stout
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Stout
ALC/VOL: 4.1%
Overall Score: 8.4/10

Comments: Rich and textured, this beer has a lot of chocolate flavor to it.

Name: Strawberry Schwarzcake
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Fruit Beer
ALC/VOL: 5%
Overall Score: 8.6/10

Comments: Most concoctions like this go awry, not this one. I don't know if it was the buzz or the beer, but I really liked this one-- it tasted remarkably like the dessert it's named after.

Name: Ginger Ale
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Spiced Beer
ALC/VOL: 7.5%
Overall Score: 4.5/10

Comments: The clunker of the batch, this beer was not for me. Bitter in all the wrong ways; it didn't even seem like a beer.

Name: Honey Saison
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Saison
ALC/VOL: 9.5%
Overall Score: 5.3/10

Comments: As I mentioned, most honey beers do not tickle my fancy. This beer is not an exception. It had a weird tangy taste and this score is probably inflated.

Name: Double IPA
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Imperial Pale Ale/ Double IPA
ALC/VOL: 10%
Overall Score: 9.3/10

Comments: No surprise, I was a fan of their Double IPA. Lots of hops, lots of body, and lots of alcohol by volume.

Name: WolfNstein Imperial Stout
Brewed by: Wild Wolf
Beer Type: Imperial Stout
ALC/VOL: 10.5%
Overall Score: 8.6/10

Comments: This beer is an ideal dessert beer; if you don't mind getting an after-dinner buzz. This beer packs a punch. It has a coffee and chocolate flavor with plenty of hops to keep some balance.

Lagunitas Maximus IPA Review

Name: Lagunitas Maximus
Brewed by: Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Beer Type: India Pale Ale
ALC/VOL: 7.9%
Overall Score: 4/10

Comments: I'm a fan of Lagunitas's image and culture, and I love their original IPA. However, this is a complete departure from the original; the balance is way off. It's bitter beyond belief, and this is coming from a hophead.

Loose Cannon IPA Review

Name: Loose Cannon IPA
Brewed by: Heavy Seas
Beer Type: American IPA
ALC/VOL: 7.25%
Overall Score: 9.4/10

Comments: This was my go to brew during my vacation in Virginia. I found a couple that I ranked higher near the end of the trip, but this was on tap at the hotel restaurant, and it is delicious. Surprisingly light for an IPA, this beer has just a hint of citrus undertones. Pairs well with any meal in my opinion. Another east coast only product.

Yuengling Traditional Lager Review

Name: Yuengling Traditional Lager

Brewed by: Yuengling Brewery

Beer Type: Amber Lager

ALC/VOL: 4.4%

Overall Score: 8.2/10

Comments: Yuengling (pronounced 'YING-LING') is America's oldest brewery. That right there scores some points. It's also an affordable and tasty beer. I was first introduced to this historical drink while visiting my (now ex) girlfriend in Allentown, PA; her dad had a twelver of this in his fridge. After that, and a few more trips out east, I have become envious that they don't sell this beer west of Ohio (especially after visiting Florida and seeing it down there; Illinois is a hell of a lot closer to Pennsylvania than southern Florida). If you live on the east coast, you're probably acquainted with Yuengling. If you don't, but are or will be there in the future, I suggest you give this brew a go. 

Six-Beer Sam Adams 'Beers of Summer' Variety Pack

I picked up this pack at a local grocery store. I'm not a huge fan of Boston Lager (more on that shortly), but I do admire the hell out of the company for being a pioneer in the craft brewing industry, and some of the beers are quite enjoyable. This pack included:

Name: Blueberry Hill Lager
Brewed by: Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams)
Beer Type: Fruit Lager
ALC/VOL: 5.5%
Overall Score: 7/10

Comments: An interesting concoction; I don't believe I have ever tried a blueberry beer before this one. Smells good, has some hoppiness to its taste and a smooth finish. Not something to drink all night, but an interesting change-of-pace.

Name: Porch Rocker
Brewed by: Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams)
Beer Type: Fruit Lager
ALC/VOL: 4.5%
Overall Score: 8.2/10

Comments: A subtle lemon flavor highlights this beer. A refreshing, clean, crisp taste; thoroughly enjoyed this beer.

Name: Belgian Session
Brewed by: Boston Brewing Company (Sam Adams)
Beer Type: Belgian Pale Ale
ALC/VOL: 4.25%
Overall Score: 4.5/10

Comments: This flavor of beer is not my cup of tea (better-- bottle of beer). The citrus flavor is just off somehow; too tart maybe. It reminded me a lot of Goose Island's Sophia. Decent balance but just bad flavor, in my humble opinion.

Name: Little White Rye
Brewed by: Boston Brewing Company (Sam Adams)
Beer Type: Witbier
ALC/VOL: 5.3%
Overall Score: 6.5/10

Comments: The description of this beer on the bottle was the most interesting thing about it. It had good drinkability, just no flavor whatsoever.

Name: Summer Ale
Brewed by: Boston Brewing Company (Sam Adams)
Beer Type: American Pale Wheat Ale
ALC/VOL: 5.3%
Overall Score: 7.7/10

Comments: Sam Summer Ale is not too shabby; it's much lighter than the Boston Lager, so you can have more than two without feeling like Violet Beauregarde after chewing some of Mr. Wonka's gum. A crisp, slightly tangy flavor.

Name: Boston Lager
Brewed by: Boston Brewing Company (Sam Adams)
Beer Type: Vienna Lager
ALC/VOL: 4.9%
Overall Score: 5.5/10

Comments: The flagship beer of Boston Brewing Company, the Boston Lager is an icon of craft beer. I am grateful for it's influential role in making craft beer a national phenomenon. However, I have never been (it has grown on me in the past couple years but still) a fan of its taste. It makes one feel very full very fast and the finish is not smooth.

Nine-Beer Flight; Blue Mountain Brewery

The next two flights happened the same day, as part of a bus-driven all-day tour through our hotel, both in the heart of Virginia.

The first one, which I have no doubt I gave more discerning scores to, was Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, Virginia. The view of the mountains was spectacular in spring, I can only imagine early fall. The food was not bad, and the beer was good (overall):

Name: Blue Mountain Classic Lager
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Lager
ALC/VOL: 5.3%
Overall Score: 7/10

Comments: Very clean, but not much flavor.

Name: Rockfish Wheat
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Kristalweizen
ALC/VOL: 5.4%
Overall Score: 6/10


Comments: Not a fan of this one-- too much wheat. The initial taste is good, followed by a tangy after taste that is not.

Name: Kolsch 151
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Kolsch
ALC/VOL: 5%
Overall Score: 8.5/10

Comments: A fine beer; ultra light and refreshing. Reminded me of a Coors Light with more flavor.

Name: Sour Cherry Lager
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Flavored Lager
ALC/VOL: 5%
Overall Score: 3/10

Comments: This was an experimental concoction (that's why there are no pictures of it), that tasted like part of a Warhead candy. The bad part.

Name: Maggie Maibock
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Helles Bock
ALC/VOL: 6.6%
Overall Score: 8.5/10

Comments: Another of the better beer Blue Mountain offers, this one is very drinkable.

Name: Mandolin
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Tripel
ALC/VOL: 9%
Overall Score: 7/10

Comments: run-of-the-mill flavor, but super clean, and quite strong.

Name: Steel Wheels E.S.B.
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Extra Strong Bitter
ALC/VOL: 6.5%
Overall Score: 9.3/10

Comments: Some bitter beers can be too bitter, but this one has a good balance with plenty of hops to go along with it.

Name: Full Nelson Strong Pale Ale
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: India Pale Ale [Virginia Pale Ale]
ALC/VOL: 5.9%
Overall Score: 9.3/10

Comments: My favorite brew of the brewery, this one is delicious. Strong and hopilicious.

Name: Dark Hollow
Brewed by: Blue Mountain
Beer Type: Imperial Stout
ALC/VOL: 10%
Overall Score: 9.2/10

Comments: The best stout I've tried to date. As sweet as ice cream, but easier to consume. Even my mom liked it; first dark beer ever.

Yard's Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Name: Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale
Brewed by: Yard's Brewing Co.
Beer Type: English Ale
ALC/VOL: 8%
Overall Score: 7.2/10

Comments: Picked up a sixer of this while on the way to Monticello, in a gift shop next to the wait-listed Michie Tavern (we decided to hold off on eating till we got to Monticello). The beer inspired by my favorite president is not bad; it's quite strong with a distinctive aftertaste. I loved the branding of this product, and I hope to try Yard's other patriotic brews.

Eight-Beer Flight; Appalachian Brewing Co

In May I went on a family vacation to the the East Coast-- Virginia, Maryland, and a day trip to Pennsylvania. It was a relaxing trip full of historical sites, and visiting three separate breweries.

The first full day we went to Gettysburg, PA. After taking a two-hour bus tour, and visiting the museum and gift shop, we headed south, towards Virginia. Only everyone was hungry. We stopped at a craft beer restaurant on the outskirts of town, Appalachian Brewing Company, for something to eat; and for those old enough and not driving, drink.

Naturally, having the goal of a thousand documented different kinds of beer sampled, I got a flight. I was not disappointed-- with food, atmosphere or beer. The flight included:

Name: Trail Blaze Organic Brown Ale
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: Brown Ale
ALC/VOL: 5.3%
Overall Score: 8.2/10

Comments: Not a fan of very many brown ales to date, but this one is solid. Being organic, it's very clean-tasting.

Name: Water Gap Wheat
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: American Pale Wheat Ale
ALC/VOL: 4.5%
Overall Score: 8.6/10

Comments: It's hard to produce a balanced wheat beer, but this brewing company does it.

Beer Name: Celtic Knot Irish Red Ale
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer type: Irish Red Ale
ALC/VOL: 4.8%
Overall Score: 7/10

Comments: The first Irish Red I have tasted. I wasn't thrilled about it, but it was still a well crafted concoction.

Name: Jolly Scot Scottish Ale
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: Scottish Ale
ALC/VOL: 5.2%
Overall Score: 7.2/10

Comments: Nothing too thrilling about this beer. I personally like beer or (mutually exclusive) whiskey, not beer that tastes like whiskey. Still a well made brew.

Beer Name: Mountain Lager
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: Lager
ALC/VOL: 4.5%
Overall Score: 7.5/10

Comments: Good lager; made me think of a more refreshing Bud Light.

Name: Purist Pale Ale
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: Pale Ale
ALC/VOL: 4.8%
Overall Score: 8/10

Comments: Not too bitter, not too light, the drinkability on this pale ale is just right.

Name: Hoppy Trails IPA
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: IPA
ALC/VOL: 6%
Overall Score: 8.5/10

Comments: At this brewpub my current favorite type of beer, the IPA, did not disappoint. If you love hoppiness and are in the area, you have to try this one out.

Name: Susquehanna Stout
Brewed by: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Beer Type: Stout
ALC/VOL: 4.6%
Overall Score: 9/10

Comments: Hands down the best stout beer I had tasted up until that point, it would quickly be dethroned later in the week by a stout at the third and final brewery. It was so smooth and rich; the perfect after-dinner desert drink.