Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale

Beer number 2 from the holiday beer cooler. The Flying Dog k-9 Winter Ale.

My favorite part of the Flying Dog series has to be the artwork on the labels. The illustrations are fantastic and a bit scary at the same time. Who would want to mess with that dog? Not me.

Not the best brew by Flying Dog, but still pretty good in my book. Pours copper/amber color with a nice white head. Lacing was seen down the glass all through the beer. The beer is way more malty than hoppy, though you can detect a slight earthy hop, but it is very subtle. There is a fruitiness to the beer as well but I couldn't quite put my finger on the taste, not a citrus fruit for sure.

A solid winter warmer, not the best but well worth the try.

Happy Drinking!

Who: the Fam
Where: Rita's House
Price: FREE
Score: 3 / 5

Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown

The holidays came and went like a flash. I still can't believe it's January...

Cathy and I had plenty of opportunities to try new brews over the past month. Both sides of the family know of our craft brew love, so they always try to have something new to try -- especially Joe and Thad.

That brings us to the first beer from our holiday beer fest: Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown.

A very tasty seasonal treat for sure. Maple, hazelnut and chocolate are front and center for this English Nut Brown styled beer. It was very different with the maple syrup flavor I almost forgot that I was drinking a beer and not a dessert wine or hot chocolate or something... One of those beers where you can only have 1 or 2 because it just isn't a session type of beer - unless you can handle the sugar overload!

Would be a very nice compliment to any holiday dinner. Thanks to Joe for bringing this one over to try.

Happy Drinking!

Who: the Fam
Where: Rita's House
Price: FREE
Score: 4 / 5

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is one of my holiday and winter staples. It is one of those beers that you will have a good chance of seeing in our refridgerator over the next few months. It helps that Cathy enjoy's it, so it is easier to have around than not.

The beer has a reddish brown hazy color with a nice thick head at the top. Sugary lacing follows all the way down to the bottom of the glass. Smells very hoppy, spicy (Christmas spice) and fruity. Tastes very hoppy with a nice slight caramel malt to balance it out. It is a medium bodied beer which helps the session. It is not so bitter that it is overwhelming but hops are the main culprit in the beer. Very good showing for a winter brew.

It is too bad that this beer is only a seasonal brew, because it is probably one of the best beers brewed in the country. I think it is Sierra's best beer for sure. Please give this one a go.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Cathy / Joe
Where: Home / BORZONE!
Price: $$
Score: 5 / 5

Brooklyn Brewery - Oktoberfest

Brooklyn Brewery - Oktoberfest

This is the 2nd fall beer that we picked up last weekend and also from the Brooklyn Brewing Company. Not bad, not great. A pretty typical Oktoberfest brew, nothing to distinguish itself among the dozens of German marzan's that come out this time of the year. I really enjoy the Brooklyn Brews but both of their fall beers disappointed me this year.

Nice dark amber color. Smells like a lot of malt. A nice caramel flavor and maybe some nutmeg. Cathy thought it was very earthy and grainy in its bitter finish, but not too bitter. The malt and hops combo is pretty smooth here. All in all it is a very drinkable beer.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 3 / 5

Great Lakes - Conway's Irish Ale

Great Lakes Brewing Company - Conway's Irish Ale. From my favorite brewer. GLBC produces what I believe to be one of the best seasonal brews out there. I find myself wishing this beer was available all year round, that is why I probably enjoy it so much (knowing I can only get it 4 months out of the year). It is the Winter/Spring ale brewed from January to April. This typical Irish Ale is a beer best enjoyed with your Irish food favorites (potatoes, corned beef, etc). A little history lesson: the beer is named after the grandfather of the founders of GLBC, Patrick Conway, a Cleveland traffic cop who used to work in the same area as the brewery.

Who: Cathy
Where: The old apartment
Price: $$
Score: 5 /5

Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve

Rogue's Winter Seasonal Brew. Although I do fancy the label on Santa's Private Reserve, I think that maybe Santa should keep his beer reserves to himself. It is a little overbearing with the cinnamon and spices which keeps me from enjoying this Ale. Maybe I just had high hopes since I enjoy the Dead Guy Ale so much. But to be fair I honestly shouldn't have gone in thinking it would be nearly the quality of a beer that is produced 12 months a year. There are plenty of better winter ales out there (see any of the Samuel Adams brews) that I would recommend over this one.

Who: Cody
Where: Nino's Bar (Findlay)
Price: $$
Score: 2ish / 5