Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 3/17/2019. Pours slightly hazy deep orange/copper color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy cream colored head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, nuttiness, raisin, plum, pear, and red apple; with lighter notes of toffee, wood, herbal, floral, grass, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness. A bit too fruity/yeasty aromas, but not overwhelming. Nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/bready malts, fruity yeast, and light earthy hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, and nuttiness; with lighter notes of toffee, raisin, plum, pear, red apple, wood, herbal, floral, grass, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal, floral, woody, grassy, spicy bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, nuttiness, toffee, dark fruit, wood, herbal, floral, grass, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts and light-moderate fruity yeast/earthy hop flavors; with a nice malt/bitterness balance, and no cloying flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready, and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 5.6%. Overall this is a delicious Irish red ale. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts and light-moderate fruity yeast/earthy hop flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the mildly bitter/drying finish. Very clean and rich English malt complexity; balancing earthy hops, and restrained fruity yeast notes. Light residual sweetness with lingering dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and well made style example.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into tulip glass, filled on 3/17/2019. Pours opaquely hazy deep golden/orange/amber color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of juicy/lightly tart/tangy mango, apricot, melon, fruit skin, peach, pear, strawberry, pineapple, grapefruit, red apple, citrus peel/zest, wheat, cracker, and biscuit dough; with lighter notes of toast, banana, bubblegum, clove, peppercorn, pine, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of mangoes, apricots, fruity/spicy yeast, citrus/fruity/earthy hops, and bready malt notes; with solid strength. Taste of big juicy/lightly tart/tangy mango, apricot, melon, fruit skin, peach, pear, strawberry, pineapple, grapefruit, red apple, citrus peel/zest, wheat, cracker, and biscuit dough; with lighter notes of toast, banana, bubblegum, clove, peppercorn, pine, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, grassy bitterness; yeast spiciness; and light fruit/wheat tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of mango, apricot, melon, fruit skin, peach, pear, strawberry, pineapple, grapefruit, red apple, citrus peel/rind, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, toast, banana, bubblegum, clove, peppercorn, pine, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of mangoes, apricots, fruity/spicy yeast, citrus/fruity/earthy hops, and bready malt flavors; with a nice malt/bitter/spiciness balance. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitter/spiciness. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready/grainy/sticky, fairly crisp, and lightly acidic/tangy balanced mouthfeel that is good. Light lingering resins/rinds through the glass. Light lingering hop/fruit astringency, but not overwhelming. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.1%. Overall this is a very nice hoppy fruit wheat. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of mangoes, apricots, fruity/spicy yeast, citrus/fruity/earthy hops, and bready malt flavors; very smooth and fairly crisp/refreshing to drink with the modestly bitter/spicy/drying finish, not overly aggressive. Great balance between juicy fruits, Belma hops, American wheat yeast, and bready pale/wheat malts. Mild residual sweetness with lingering resin dryness. Wish it was a bit less bitter/drying; but a very enjoyable offering, and well made style example otherwise.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours crystal clear dark ruby reddish/brown color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky khaki head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Thick soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a light amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark bread/crusts; with lighter notes of licorice, raisin, prune, fig, date, smoke, charcoal, herbal, wood, grass, peppercorn, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malts; light-moderate fruity/spicy yeast, and earthy hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark bread/crusts; with lighter notes of licorice, raisin, prune, fig, date, smoke, charcoal, herbal, wood, grass, peppercorn, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, woody, grassy, roast, char bitterness; and peppery yeast spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, dark bread/crusts, licorice, dark fruit, smoke, charcoal, herbal, wood, grass, peppercorn, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness and balance of dark/roast/bready malts; light-moderate fruity/spicy yeast, and earthy hop flavors; with a great roast/hop bitter/sweet, and yeast spiciness balance; with no acrid/astringent flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering hop/char bitterness and yeast spiciness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth and moderately creamy, bready, grainy, sticky, chalky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 6.6%. Overall this an excellent English style porter. All around great complexity, robustness and balance of dark/roast/bready malts; light-moderate fruity/spicy yeast, and earthy hop flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the modestly bitter/drying finish. Not overly bitter/charred. Awesome balance of rich malts, earthy German noble hops, and fruity/spicy Kviek yeast complexities. A very enjoyable and unique offering. Really well made style example, even with the Kviek yeast. Still tasted like the English porter I expected.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours crystal clear medium golden yellow color with a 1 finger dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a small cap that lasts. Nice dense spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a light amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of red grapefruit, mandarin orange, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, red apple, citrus peel/rind, wood, light peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread dough, toasted biscuit, and herbal/flora/grassy earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and moderate bready malt notes; with solid strength. Taste of big red grapefruit, mandarin orange, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, red apple, citrus peel/rind, wood, light peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread dough, toasted biscuit, and herbal/flora/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of red grapefruit, mandarin orange, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, red apple, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread dough, toasted biscuit, and herbal/flora/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and moderate bready malt flavors; with an awesome malt/bitterness balance, and no lingering hop astringency after the finish. Moderately crisp/clean finishing. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth and moderately bready/grainy/sticky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Light lingering resins/rinds after the finish. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 4.7%. Overall this is an excellent session IPL! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth, and moderately crisp/clean/refreshing to drink, with the modestly bitter/drying finish. Very flavorful and not watery for the ABV. Awesome Mandarina Bavaria profile. Very juicy, vibrant, and fairly dank/earthy hop complexity; with a great clean Vienna malt backbone for the ABV. Minimal residual sweetness from crisp dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and impressive style example.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours fairly crystal clear pale golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, wood, pepper, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. A bit of fruity/yeasty aromas, but not overwhelming. Nice and pleasant aromas with pale malts and light-moderate earthy hop notes; with solid strength. Taste of cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, wood, pepper, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit, wood, pepper, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great robustness and balance of pale malts and light-moderate earthy hop flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and no lingeirng hop astringency after the finish. Fairly crisp/clean finishing. Very clean on lager flavors, minimal fruity/yeasty notes. Moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy/sticky, and lightly resinous balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.5%. Overall this is a delicious German pilsner. All around nice robustness and balance of pale malts and light-moderate earthy hop flavors; very smooth and fairly crisp/clean/refreshing to drink, with the modestly bitter/drying finish. Very flavorful and not watery for the ABV; and not overly aggressive. Great clean pils malt showcase, with great noble hop presence/balance for the style. A very enjoyable offering, and impressive spot on style example.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 12/10/2019. Pours fairly crystal clear deep golden/amber/light orange color with a 1 finger dense and rocky off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a light amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, and toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of nuttiness, roast, plum, pear, red apple, herbal, floral, wood, grass, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Slight touch of diacetyl in the aromas. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/bready malts and light-moderate earthy hop/fruity yeast notes; with solid strength. Taste of big caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, and toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of nuttiness, roast, plum, pear, red apple, herbal, floral, wood, grass, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, nuttiness, roast, plum, pear, red apple, herbal, floral, wood, grass, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts and light-moderate earthy hop/fruity yeast flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and no astringent hop flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy, and fairly crisp/sticky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.3%. Overall this is a delicious ESB. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts and light-moderate earthy hop/fruity yeast flavors; very smooth, refreshing, and fairly crisp to drink with the modestly bitter/drying finish. Very flavorful and not watery for the ABV. Very clean and nicely rich English malt showcase for the ABV, balancing earthy English hops, and restrained fruity yeast character. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on classic tasting style example.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours fairly hazy very dark ruby red/brown color with a 1 finger dense and rocky khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark/brown bread/crust; with lighter notes of dark fruit, smoke, herbal, floral, wood, grass, pepper, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. A bit too fruity/yeasty aromas, but not overwhelming. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malts, and light-moderate earthy hop/fruity yeast notes; with solid strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark/brown bread/crust; with lighter notes of dark fruit, smoke, herbal, floral, wood, grass, pepper, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery hops; and roast/charred bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, dark/brown bread/crust, smoke, char, herbal, floral, wood, grass, pepper, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malts, and light-moderate earthy hops, and light fruity yeast flavors; with a great roast/hop bitter/sweet balance, and no acrid/astringent flavors after the finish. Very clean on lager flavors, minimal fruity/yeasty notes. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering hop/char bitterness. Medium carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy, and fairly sticky/chalky mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 4%. Overall this is a very nice session Baltic porter style. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malts, and light-moderate earthy hops, and light fruity yeast flavors; very smooth and refreshing to drink with the mellowly bitter/drying finish. Very flavorful and not watery for the ABV. Very clean and nicely rich malt complexity for the ABV; with balancing earthy hops. A very enjoyable offering, and impressive style example for a session version.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours slightly hazy pale golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of red grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pear, melon, red apple, licorice, citrus peel/rind, wood, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread dough, biscuit, light nutty/toast, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and moderate pale malt notes; with solid strength. Taste of big red grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pear, melon, red apple, licorice, citrus peel/rind, wood, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread dough, biscuit, light nutty/toast, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, woody, floral, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pear, melon, red apple, licorice, citrus peel/rind, wood, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread dough, biscuit, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and moderate pale malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and no lingering hop astringency after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy/sticky, fairly crisp, and lightly resinous/rindy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol for 5.6%. Overall this is a delicious SMaSH American pale ale. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and moderate pale malt flavors; very smooth, refreshing, and fairly crisp to drink with the modestly bitter/drying finish. Very flavorful for the ABV, and not aggressive. Very unique hop profile from Mt. Rainier. Very vibrant citrus/fruity/earthy hop complexity; with a great clean pale malt backbone. Mild residual sweetness with crisp lingering dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and impressive spot on style example.
superspak (10160) reviewed Guava IPA from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce prowler into tulip glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours fairly hazy medium orange/amber color with a 1 finger dense and rocky cream colored head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lightly tart/tangy guava, fruit skin, red grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, apricot, melon, berries, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, caramel, toasted biscuit, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, guava puree, and dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart/tangy guava, fruit skin, red grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, apricot, melon, berries, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, caramel, toasted biscuit, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness; and slight fruit tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of guava, fruit skin, red grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, apricot, melon, berries, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, caramel, toasted biscuit, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, guava puree, and dark/bready malt flavors; with a with an awesome malt/bitterness balance, and no lingering hop astringency after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy/sticky, and fairly resinous/rindy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.2%. Overall this is an excellent fruited IPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, guava puree, and dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the mellowly bitter/resinous/drying finish, not aggressive. Awesome classic Chinook/Centennial profile, with added guava puree. Very juicy, vibrant, and fairly dank/earthy hops/fruit; with a great dark/bready malt backbone. Light residual sweetness with lingering resin dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on classic tasting Midwest style example. This is just their Mile Away IPA with fruit puree, and was equally impressive.
superspak (10160) reviewed There & Back from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
16 ounce prowler into pint glass, filled on 2/10/2019. Pours slightly hazy medium orange/amber/light copper color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky cream colored head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a large cap that lasts. Thick soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a light amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of caramel, brown sugar, wheat, brown bread dough/crust, and toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of toffee, nuttiness, grapefruit, tangerine, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/bready malts and moderate citrus/earthy hop notes; with solid strength. Taste of big caramel, brown sugar, wheat, brown bread dough/crust, and toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of toffee, nuttiness, grapefruit, tangerine, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, wheat, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, toffee, nuttiness, grapefruit, tangerine, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts and moderate citrus/earthy hop flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and no astringent hop flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy/sticky, and fairly crisp/resinous/rindy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 6.2%. Overall this is an excellent American amber ale! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts and moderate citrus/earthy hop flavors; very smooth and fairly crisp/refreshing to drink with the modestly bitter/resinous/drying finish, not aggressive. Feels like all Columbus hops. Very clean and rich malt complexity; with great balancing juicy/dank/earthy hops. Mild residual sweetness from lingering crisp resin dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and impressive spot on style example.