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Simple answer? So I can remember my impressions of different beers as time passes. It's too hard for me to remember which ones I thought were really good (and why) and which ones I would not buy again. In addition, some people have found my comments to be useful in making their own selections.
I wrote many of these notes back in 1996-97...then the page went dead. In 2006, I brought it back to life, and began adding new entries. All new entries have dates, the others are from 1996-97. I haven't retasted many of those older beers, so perhaps I'd have a different opinion today (personal tastes can change).
++ = Recommended beers
-- = Not recommended beers
No prefix indicates no strong feelings either way.
To be more precise, I also use a 5 point ranking system:
5 = superior, 4 = very nice, 3 = pleasant, 2 = in a pinch, 1 = no thanks.
The acronym "PIBF" means that I tasted this beer at the Peoria International Beer Festival, March 9, 1996. Beer festivals are a great way to try a wide range of brews!
See the end of the page for a list of recommended beers from a Summer 2006 beer magazine.
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A bitter Porter. Not my favorite. (1)-- Anchor Brewing, Steam Beer:
An OK beer, but not outstanding. A notch above American brews in body, but light on the hops. (2)++ Anderson Valley Brewing, Belk's Extra Special Bitter Ale:
Nice body, dark amber color. Very pleasant hop flavor. Leaves both a hoppy and sweet taste in the finish. Very nicely balanced brew! (5)Anderson Valley Brewing, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout:
Updated review! I liked this back in 1996 at the PIBF, giving it a 4. A recent sampling, however, makes me back off just a bit on that score. It has a rootbeer color, with a dark beige head. There is some hoppy bitterness, and a coffee nose. It looks "dark," but it's not really "heavy." In fact, I was expecting more body. So, I'd call it good, but not great. 9/13/08 (3.5)++ Anderson Valley Brewery, Boont ESB:
A nicely balanced ESB. Amber color. Creamy head. Definitely hoppy, but balanced with the malt. Very good. 6.8% alc. Summer 2008. (4)Avery Brewing, 14'er ESB:
Amber color. Bitter, but not bitey. Actually, rather smooth, with clean finish. Pretty nice. Summer 2008. (3.5-4)++ Bar Harbor Brewing, Cadillac Mountain Stout:
Excellent! Better have a spoon handy--this is definitely "chunky"! Nicely hopped with chocolate flavors. 6/2004. (5)++ Bells Brewery, Amber Ale:
Quite nice! Amber color (duh!). Nice head that holds it's foam. Good body, with tasty malts, but has a nice "bite," indicating good initial hopping (although not much dry hopping--little hop aftertaste or nose). Bell's calls this their flagship beer. Well deserved. 11/2007. (4.5)++ Bell's Brewery, Two Hearted Ale:
Cloudy amber color. Very hoppy! Nice body, with good follow. This is really good (like most Bell's brews). Summer 2008. (4.5)++ Block Brewery, Atwater Salvation IPA:
Medium amber color. Frothy head. Hoppy nose, bitterness, and aftertaste--but kind of clean too. Quite good! Summer 2008. (4.5)-- Boulder Brewing, Brown Ale:
So-so. PIBF. (1)++ Boulevard Brewing (Kansas City), Bully Porter:
A really excellent porter! Smooth, good body, very chocolaty, and with a nice taste of hops. Too bad this is only available in a relatively small area of the country centered on K.C. (thanks to Vivian for bringing me a couple!). (5)++ Chicago Brewing, Legacy Lager: (this style is not made any more)
Really good. Dark amber color. Nice hoppy smell, good finish. Good body. Note: Company is located in Las Vegas--not Chicago! (4)Christoffel Blonde:
Hoppy ale, but easy. PIBF. (3)++ Clipper City Brewing, Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale:
A very interesting brew! Yeah, it's got the hops of a nice IPA, but it's got something different. Sounds odd, but just after swallowing, there is an orange-citrus hit of flavor. Although I don't go for fruity beers, this isn't really fruity--just something different. It doesn't seem to be malty, and there is good bitterness to go with the flavor. Nice amber color. This was a recommended beer (see below) and I can see why. It's very good. 8/2006. (4.5)
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Clear amber color. Medium-light body. Not as hoppy as advertised. Malty sweetness. 6% ABV. 4/2006. (2)++ Dogfish Head Brewing, Indian Brown Ale:
Very dark, like a porter, color. Malty, but not too sweet. Smooth, not bity, with good body. A nice alternative to IPAs. Summer 2008. (4)-- Dogfish Head Brewing, Palo Santo Marron:
Mark Davis, owner of Pittsburgh Bottle Shop (offers a nice selection of beers that you can buy by the bottle!), gave me this bottle as a gift (he's a good guy!). Very dark color, like a stout, with a brown head. Very malty, like a Scotch Ale, only a bit better. Coffee overtones. Sweet with a smooth finish. It's 12% ABV, so beware! Naturally, it has a strong alcohol taste. I'm sure it is a good example of this kind of beer, but it's not my kind. 11/2008. (2)-- Dusseldorfer, Amber Ale:
So-so. Light body, not a very strong taste. (1)Dusseldorfer, Dark Ale:
Better taste than the Amber. So-so finish. Not bad but not great. (2)-- Erie Brewing, Misery Bay IPA:
Amber color with little head. Lot of sourness, with little body. NOT good! 11/2008. (1)Flying Dog Brewery, Classic Pale Ale:
Not too bad, but it had a bit of a sour aftertaste. 2006. (2)++ Goose Island Brewing, Honker's Ale:
A little darker than an IPA, with a smooth, hoppy flavor. Nice body and pleasant finish. It has a somewhat unique taste that is quite nice. Brewed in Chicago. (4)Gösser, Dark Bier:
A very pleasant dark lager. Medium body, dark color. Smooth finish. Good with food. (3.5)Great Lakes Brewing, Blackout Stout:
Wow! Just sipping the foam tastes like coffee liquer! The creamed coffee colored head is a hint. Dark brown/black color. Strong alcohol of 9% is another clue. This has plenty of body and a strong malt flavor. Oh, and you're not surprised by the coffee after taste. Who needs coffee?! It is a bit much though, at least with the meal that I drank it with. You'll have to be in the right mood for this one. Not one I'd drink often, although in it's class, it's very good. 9/17/2008. (4)Great Lakes Brewing, Dortmunder Gold Golden Lager:
Dry with some hops. Clean finish. Bit of a sour aftertaste. Decent body. Amber color. 3/2006. (3)++ Great Lakes Brewing, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter:
Outstanding! Lots of body, coffee flavors, and nice hops. One of my favorites. 3/2006. (5)++ Great Lakes Brewing, Nosferatu Stock Ale:
Deep red, garnet color. Claims to be "the beer with the bite"--and rightly so! Good body. A lot of malt, but balanced with a hoppy bite. Not a lot of hoppy nose, however. Appears to be heavily hopped in brewing, but light on the dry hops. 8% ABV. Fall 2008. (4)Great Lakes Brewing, Oktoberfest Amber Lager:
Hadn't tried a lager in some time, so I experimented with this one. Reminds me of why I prefer ales. A less complex flavor. Had a crisp bite, but overall the malt seemed to prdominate. Like Great Lakes' Dortmunder, this one had a bit of a sour aftertaste. Is it the type of yeast used in lagers? Since I have a bias against lagers, my opinion may underestimate the quality of this beer, but I won't ask for this one again. But, lager-lovers might like it. 9/19/2008. (3)++ Green Flash Brewing, Hop Head Red Ale:
Dark amber color. Thick beige head that lingers. Claims to be "Amarillo Dry Hopped." Not sure what this means, but this is one really hoppy and bitter beer! Medium body. Pretty zippy taste. The bottle asks if this is a Red IPA? Seems so to me. More IPA than Red Ale. 6% alc. Summer 2008. (4)++ Green Flash Brewing, West Coast IPA:
The bottle says, "Highly hopped, full flavored, medium body." And so it is! Dark amber color, with a creamy colored head. Quite hoppy! Yum! Summer 2008. (4.5)Heavyweight Brewing, Perkuno's Hammer Imperial Porter:
Thick, malty, coffee tones. Short finish. Low hops. Strong alcohol flavor (8% ABV). Not my favorite, but OK. 4/2006. (3)Ithaca Beer, Gorges Smoked Porter:
Really does have a smokey aroma. Light to medium body. OK, but not great. Summer 2008. (3)Joe's Brewing (Champaign, IL), Academic Ale:
Hoppy flavor adds a pleasant bitterness, but has a nice finish. Nice flavor. Was recommended as a "lunch brew;" a good suggestion. Not too heavy, but nice. (5% alcohol) (3)++ Joe's Brewing (Champaign, IL), Hop Head Ale:
Gotta love hops! Centennial hops give a strong smell and aftertaste. The hops stick with you long after you've finished. But after a little adjusting, it is quite nice. PIBF. (4)++ Joe's Brewing (Champaign, IL), Imperial Russian Porter:
Smooth and chocolaty. PIBF. (4)
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If I tell you this is a creamy smooth stout, are you going to be surprised! Moderate hops. Coffee overtones in the finish. Rich creamy head. Plenty of body. I had one with dinner, but I recommend you drink it after-dinner by itself so you can enjoy its flavors. (4.5)Kostritzer, Black Lager:
A lager stout. Chocolate overtones, but not as full-bodied as a "real" stout. I would rather have a real stout. PIBF. (2)-- Lal Toofan, Pilsner:
A rice beer from India. I was at an Indian restaurant in Washington, DC, so I tried it. Light, dry, fizzy, little hop, and pale gold color. Basically, a lot like your average American megabrewery beer. (1)Lancaster Brewing, Hop Hog IPA:
Updated review! Back in March 2006, I found this beer more pleasurable: "interesting balance of flavors: hoppy nose and taste, yet a touch of malt sweetness. Very good!" My recent bottle was more on the fair side. It was fairly hoppy, but rather "so-so." The aftertaste was only fair, and there was a touch of sourness. As a result, I've dropped my score by 1 point. 9/14/2008. (3)-- Leifmanns, Godenband:
A good example of a Belgian beer. I do not like the strong fruity flavor of these beers, however. PIBF. (1)Mackeson, XXX Stout:
Black in color, but rather light on the tongue. Not very strong in body or malt taste. Very smooth finish. Coffee flavors. (3)++ Mad River, Jamaica Sunset IPA:
Very nice! Cloudy amber color. Nice hoppy taste, but less hoppy nose. Brickskellar, 3/2006. (4)-- McEwan's, Scotch Ale:
Very dark and potent. I think it tastes like sweet vermouth, or maybe sherry. Definitely is not your usual "beer" taste. I couldn't finish the bottle. I'm told that McEwan's is a very fine example of this style, but this is not my style. (1)-- Negra Modelo, Dark Ale:
Dark color, but tastes like a dark beer. Little body, and typical American-style finish. (1)Nor'Wester, Dunkel Wiezen:
Dark, full-bodied version of Hefe Wiezen. More enjoyable. Black Coffee color, better taste and finish. (2)-- Nor'Wester, Hefe Wiezen:
Very strong yeast taste. Has that tangy flavor of yeast. Light gold color that is quite hazy with yeast sediment. I did not like this brew. (1)++ North Coast Brewing, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout:
Very nice. 9% ABV. Not too strong of body for an IS. Good coffee flavors. Brickskellar, 3/2006. (4)
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Hoppy with good finish. Feels "light" on your tongue. Oasis is a good line of beers. PIBF. (3)++ Okocim, Porter:
A porter from Poland! My favorite from the PIBF. Excellent chocolate flavor, and smooth. Read a Beer Advocate review. (5)Old Growler, Porter:
Was highly recommended at PIBF. Smooth and nice. (4)++ Oregon Brewing, Rogue Dead Guy Ale:
Tasted a while back, so I'm working from memory. I recall that this is a nice ale, though, in the hoppy, IPA style. c. 2005. (4)++ Oregon Brewing, Rogue Mocha Porter:
Opaque dark coffee color, rich creamy head. This is hefty porter with plenty of body and hops. Has a nice finish that lives up to its name with coffee-chocolate notes of flavor. This is really a nice brew. (4.5)Oregon Brewing, Rogue Wild Irish Rogue: (has been replaced by Shakespeare Stout)
A porter/stout with a lot of hops! The bottle gives a lot of information: "Ebony in color with a rich creamy head, an earthy flavor that comes from oats, and a mellow chocolate aftertaste." Pretty accurate description; although the hops make it more bitter than other stouts. (3)++ Paulaner, Salvator Double Bock:
Strong malt flavor produces a "sweet" finish, with no noticeable hop presence. Lots of flavor without the hoppiness of the Sierra Nevada brews. Makes a nice alternative. Has almost a winey characteristic (approaching a Scotch ale, but milder). (4)++ Redhook, Ballard Bitter India Pale Ale:
This is a really nice IPA. Well hopped, nice body, pleasant finish, and just a nice bite in the mouth. Good with meals or general drinking. (4)Redhook, Double Black Stout:
Actually brewed with Starbucks coffee! A very smooth stout, coming close to a Scotch ale in flavor. Low on hops. Pretty good, but I think there are stouts I like better. (3.5)Redhook, ESB: Extra Special Bitter Ale:
A drier ale with little hop aroma, but with a somewhat bitter (surprise!) taste. Not a bad brew--some people may really like it--but not my taste. (2)Redhook, Rye:
Contains live yeast, which adds a distinctive flavor and the typical cloudy appearance. Less bitey than a Hefe Wiezen. Pale golden color, light body, not much hop. Not really bad, but all in all, not my style. (2)
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A very nice ale. PIBF. (4)St. Louis Brewing, Schlafly's Oatmeal Stout:
A light, dry stout. OK, but I like mine sweeter. PIBF. (2)++ Sam Adams, Boston Lager:
Hoppy, but not too bitter taste. Tastes like a local microbrew with good combination of flavors. Familiarity may breed contempt, but Sam Adams does come through with this "standard" beer. (4)++ Sam Adams, Double Bock:
A hearty lager with a sweet finish. Really nice! (4.5)Sam Adams, Golden Pilsner:
Didn't think I liked Pilsners until I had this one! "Refreshing and robust" with a "lively hop character." Golden color, nice head. (4) NOTE: A "return visit" to this brew was not as satisfying as the first. Not sure why. Didn't care for it the second time all that much. Looks like I may need a third bottle to settle the score.Sam Adams, Scotch Ale:
Not as strong as the McEwan's, but has the vermouth-like character. Better if drank alone, rather than with food. (3)Schell, Doppel Bock:
Full bodied, with malty and hoppy flavor. Finish has a strong alcohol taste. (2)++ Shipyard Brewing, Old Thumper Extra Special Ale:
Dark amber. Nice bite. Hoppy nose and decent hoppy taste, yet a pleasant sweetness from the malt. Enjoyable! Fall 2008. (4)++ Sierra Nevada Brewing, Anniversary Ale:
Dark amber color. Smooth. Nice bitterness and hoppyness--but not extreme. A good balance between malt and hop. Summer 2008. (4)++ Sierra Nevada, Pale Ale:
A hoppy, IPA style. A really nice all-around beer. (4.5)++ Sierra Nevada, Porter:
A little lighter than Sierra Nevada Stout, but still well-done, with a pleasant hoppiness. Since the Porter is a little easier drinking, it goes better with food or casual refreshment. The Stout is good for a full-bodied glass of beer by itself. Hops and excellent brewing seem to be Sierra Nevada trademarks. I like their beers very much. (4.5)++ Sierra Nevada, Stout:
An excellent stout. Lots of body and hops (both are more so than Guinness). Hefty but not bitter. After drinking this for a while now, Guiness just doesn't do it for me any more. My standard "beer of choice" these days. (5)Signature Brewing, Spirit of St. Louis:
A nice ale. PIBF. (4)Snow Goose, Winter Ale:
Very nice. Reminds me of Newcastle Brown Ale. Has a sweet taste. Dark red color. (4)
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Clear dark amber color. Creamy head. Medium bitterness with subtle sweetness. Not overpowering in flavor, but nice. 4/2006. (3.5)Southern Tier Brewing, Porter:
Good body and hops. Coffee notes. Pretty good, but not as complex as Great Lakes' Edmund Fitzgerald. 3/2006. (3.5)Spanish Peaks, Black Dog Ale:
A fairly nice India Pale Ale style. Not very strong or heavy. (3)--Spaten, Oktoberfest:
Not as nice as their Optimator. Has a sour taste (the yeast?) and reminds me of American commercial beers. (1.5)++ Spaten, Optimator Dark Beer:
This is a very nicely balanced drink. Pleasant if slight hoppiness, but sweet malt finish. Medium body, dark color. From one of the premier lager brewers in Germany, a very enjoyable dark lager. Perhaps even nicer than the Gosser Dark Bier. A very nice choice for drinking with meals. (4)-- Stone Brewing, Arrogant Bastard Ale:
They warned me on the bottle that I was "not worthy" of this beer!! It's a good beer, no doubt (it's very expensive), but it has that fortified wine nose and taste that just doesn't appeal to me (like a Scotch Ale). Reading the bottle is a hoot, however! Thanks to Bill M., I had the chance to try it, but in the end, I'm not worthy. How about you? 8/2006. (2)++ Stone Brewing, India Pale Ale:
Very nice!! Very hoppy--yet very smooth. How did they pull this off? Brickskellar, 3/2006. (4)++ Stone Brewing, Ruination IPA:
Amber color. Definitely hoppy: both a hoppy nose and a nice hoppy aftertaste providing a pleasant balanced bitterness. Good body. 7.7% ABV, but doesn't taste like it. Really this is very good! 9/2008. (4.5)Thirsty Dog Brewing, Hoppus Maximus American Style Amber Ale:
Nice hop aroma. Hazy amber color. "Hay" malt aroma. Interesting combination of hoppy bitterness and yet a sweet malt balance. But hops win out! Medium-light body. 5% ABV. Pretty good, but not the best. 4/2006. (3.5)Thirsty Dog Brewing, Old Leghumper Robust Porter:
Malty with chocolate flavors, and decent body. Had a sour aftertaste, however, that I didn't like. Although only 5.7% ABV, it seemed to have a strong alcohol taste. 4/2006. (3)-- Victory Brewing, Festbier:
Amber lager. Light body. Really, very little flavor, with little aftertaste. What there is is sour. NOT good! 11/2008. (1)-- Victory Brewing, Storm King Imperial Stout:
Dark and lots of flavor--but too much alcohol taste (9.1% ABV). 4/2006. (2)-- Victory Brewing, Ten Years Alt Ale:
Strong alcohol. Although some hop aroma and taste, maltiness is stronger. 3/2006. (2)Watney's, Cream Stout:
Smooth, medium body. Little hoppiness. OK, but not the best stout. (3)++ Weyerbacher Brewing, Hops Infusion:
This is hops galore! 7 types of hops. Good body and nice finish. Dark amber color. Very good! 4/2006. (4.5)++ Weyerbacher Brewing, Old Heathen Imperial Stout:
Had this a while back (c. Spring 2005?), so I forget the specifics. What I remember is a really good stout with great flavor. I need to try another one. So far, Weyerbacher has been a very good brewery! (at least a 4)Woodchuck, Draft Cider:
Dark is dry and tart. PIBF. (1)++ Yards Brewing, George Washington Tavern Porter:
Light is sweet and pleasant. Easy to drink. PIBF. (2)
7% ABV. Made with molasses according to period recipe. Root beer color. Very nice flavor. Good bite, yet smooth. Good hops and good body. 3/2006. (4)
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I haven't tried many of these, but I'm putting them here so I can be on the lookout for the chance to do so!
Goose Island, Bourbon County Imperial Stout
Elysian Brewing, Dragonstooth Stout
Smuttynose, Robust Porter
Shipyard, Prelude Special Ale
McNeil's Brewing, Imperial Stout and [regular] Stout
Clipper City, Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale
Shenandoah, Stony Man Stout
Great Lakes, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter [but we already knew this was great!]