Flying Dog: Snake Dog IPA

There is something about the Flying Dog illustrations that make the beer desirable to me. That "Gonzo" attitude doesn't hurt either.

Snake Dog IPA part of the "pack" of year round beers served up by Maryland's Flying Dog Brewery. It's the hop heavy hitter of the bunch, but doesn't pack the wallop that her friend "Raging Bitch" does, but its heavy on citrus and hop flavor non the less.

Pours a light amber color, more on the yellow grapefruit side than orange. Slight very white head with some loose lacing down the side. Sweet Fruity / grapefruit combo aroma. High on the ABV (7.1%) but not noticeable in flavor. There is a fairly good balance between the malt sweetness and the bitter hop flavors. One of the smoother American IPA's out there, when comparing it to GLBC Burning River (one of my all-time favorites), it really goes down quite easy.

I feel that I should be drinking more from Flying Dog, but this past spring I got into a bit of a "fight" with the "Raging Bitch" and didn't realize she was 9-10% ABV and might have had a small (HUGE) headache in the morning.

Happy Drinking!

Who: The Crew
Where: Sonnett House
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

BridgePort Blue Heron Pale Ale

Blue Heron Pale Ale from Portland based brewer BridgePort

Our heritage beer, Blue Heron, was first brewed in 1987 as a special release for the Audubon Society, and named after Portland’s official city bird. The taste reflects its Northwest roots, drawing on indigenous ingredients from the hop fields of the Willamette Valley and the barley fields of the high Northwest desert.

I picked this beer out because when I was looking at cycling shirts when we were in Portland, I didn't feel that I could wear the shirt if I hadn't tried the beer!

This very much represents the NorthWest, style, taste and color that you get in these regional American Pale Ale brews. Light copper color and very clear, can see through the glass easily. Slight white lacing. Super malt/bread smell and the taste coincides with the aroma. Very easy and light flavor of malt, earthy with some slight citrus (bitterness is almost completely non-existent).

Honestly, it took me a few different APA beers to figure out this NW style, the local ingredients are very different than those from the Midwest American Pales that I am used to.

All in all this was a pretty good beer and easy to drink. I would love to be able to bring this one home and use it as a gateway beer for my non craft beer drinking friends. Lots of flavor, not filling, not bitter! Great for a newbie! I don't give out many 5 / 5's but I think this one deserves it based on being the beer that finally made me "get" the NW style.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Cathy
Where: Seaside, OR
Price: $$
Score: 5 / 5

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

Brooklyn Brewery - Black Chocolate Stout

The Brooklyn Brewery brews 2 winter seasonal's and we start with their Black Chocolate Stout.

A Russian Imperial Stout, poured a very dark black/brown with a nice head on top. This was a very full bodied beer and the smell and taste of dark chocolate and coffee beans is almost overwhelming. The alcohol is at the forefront, giving you a nice warm feeling on what should be a very cold winter day. There was a super strong bitterness in the beer from the dark chocolate and coffee flavors. I feel like it is almost too much though as that is the thing I most remember.

If you are into dark chocolate and coffee then this beer will be for you. It is a beer that is probably only for cold winter days/nights though. I can't imagine having this on a hot summer night. I know that a lot of folks really enjoy this brew and have it as one of the top winter seasonals. I don't think I would vote it to my top 3 but I was glad I gave it a try, and will probably come back to it again.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Joe
Where: BORZONE!
Price: $$$$
Score: 3 / 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

Heavy Seas Winter Storm

This beer is from the Clipper City Brewing Company out of Baltimore, Maryland. It is their seasonal winter brew and apart of their Heavy Seas collection. Winter Storm "Category 5" Ale is an Imperial ESB and is called the "winter warmer" by Clipper City.

The beer poured a reddish amber color without much head. Smelled pretty hoppy with some caramel malt tones and a small amount of citrus. This was a very good combination of sweet malt and bitter hop finish. What is nice about the beer is that their is a fairly large dose of both malt and hops. Malt sweetness first but then the bitter citrus and piney hops come through at the end. The bitterness isn't so much that it is a problem and that makes this beer very smooth. I don't think I could session this beer because it has a 7.5% ABV but could very easily enjoy one with dinner.

In the end this was a pretty enjoyable Winter Brew and I could see this being a staple for the winter months for the years to come.

Who: Joe
Where: BORZONE!
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

The winter brews have arrived! We have already tried 6 seasonal brews and it is only December 2nd. With so many more to try and write about I am excited for the next 2 months. If you have any winter seasonal's you think I should try, leave a comment after this post, I really appreciate it. Check the list on the right to see if I have tried it before you post!

Happy Drinking!

Bell's Hell Hath No Fury

This beer comes from the Bell's Brewing Company out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was able to try this beer the last time we were home in Cleveland for Cathy's birthday.

I have yet to try a beer from Bell's that I haven't liked. Hell Hath No Fury didn't change that one bit. It says on the label, which Bell's does very well and is one cooler label designs I have seen, that...

A brew that gives you either sympathy for the devil or the courage to face him. Goes especially well with your favorite lost my girl/truck/dog/trailer song.

I didn't have any sympathy for the devil after having this beer, but would want to face him either...Anyways, it was a solid Belgian Dark and I am sad that it is only for a limited release in October and November. Although I feel that Bell's best beers are their limited brews. I think that is the case with most brewers, knowing that they don't have much room for error, they put their best efforts into these beers.

It poured a dark chocolate brown color with heavy brown head. Smells of dark smokey chocolate. A very roasted bitter dark chocolate taste with a slight caramel malt flavoring. Reminded me of a stout which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Had a medium body, which allows one to have a few in a sitting. Would love to get my hands on another, but regrettably will have to wait until next Fall.


Who: Thad
Where: Visiting Cleveland
Price: FREE
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Magic Hat Odd Notion (Winter 08)

Magic Hat Brewing Company, Burlington, Vermont brews a solid winter ale with their Odd Notion (Winter '08). It was in the Feast of Fools Winter 12 pack, along with #9, Circus Boy and Roxy Rolles.

I really enjoyed this years Odd Notion beer. I believe that they brew it differently every year, which is a pretty cool idea to retire a beer every year. Last year if I remember correctly it was a darker (wheat?) beer, with some cinnamon. This year it is a lot lighter in color and is brewed with some honey flavor. It was a very light beer with a hint of orange and spice, very drinkable.

Chances are I'll probably give this another try since I will certainly buy another 12 pack before the season is up (Gotta get a few more Roxy Rolles). I wish that I could substitute out the Circus Boy because I really don't care for the Hefe's.

In the end, I was glad I had a try but won't be sad when they come up with a new recipe next year.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Fort Collins Retro Red

A Classic Ruby Red Ale, Fort Collins Brewing comes in with Retro Red.

Cathy and I picked this one out purely based on it's label. We really enjoyed the red wagon, carrying the beer bottles. I never did this growing up, but I know everyone has seen the kid with his red Flyer wagon corralling up used bottles and cans to take bake to the corner store. Very cool.

Not the best red ale I have had, and it pales in comparison to Founders Red's Rye. I think that drinking this so close after that beer really put a damper on what I think of it.

It has a very nice deep red color with a slight tan head. Smells of toasty caramel malt with a hint of nuttiness. Taste's like the smell (sweet caramel nutty) with a small amount of bitterness at the end. It was a good beer but not the best. I'll probably give Retro Red a try again because Cathy likes the Red Ales so much.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Great Lakes Burning River

Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale.

One of my all-time favorite beers gets its name from the 1969 burning of the Cuyahoga River (really it happened: Burning Cuyahoga). The label shows the Cleveland skyline with the burning Cuyahoga River running through it. A nice play on an easy target if you want to make fun of Cleveland.

I have said before that I am partial to the GLBC and almost all things Cleveland (my wife, Indians, Cavs, Cuyahoga Valley Ntl. Park, etc.), but I think that many will agree that this is a solid American Pale Ale. It was in the running for my Session #21 favorite beer but since I hadn't reviewed it yet, I didn't want to choose it.

The beer pours a light copper color with slight white head a decent lacing. Very hoppy citrus and floral smells, but not overwhelming. This medium bodied beer makes it very drinkable and has a very hoppy bitterness at the beginning. You really get to taste the malt and caramel at the end making this a very balanced APA.

I think that GLBC really comes through on this brew and if you haven't given it a try yet, I would recommend that you do.

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

Happy Drinking!

Bluegrass Brewing Jefferson's Reserve

Beer #4 from the parents.

Bluegrass Brewing Company Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout

When people think of Kentucky they think of Horses, Bluegrass and Bourbon. So it would make sense that beer and bourbon would come together. This stout is housed in old bourbon barrel's to give it that iconic Kentucky flavor. First you may think Thomas Jefferson, but you would be wrong. The Jefferson namesake would be the county that Louisville and the BBC reside in.

This is a very fine Imperial Stout. Smells of chocolate, bourbon, coffee and malt. Pours a very thin dark chocolate color with a slight off white head. It taste's exactly like it smells -- which is to my liking. Love chocolate and coffee but the bourbon flavor is very subtle and can be easily missed, a nice change up for me.

Who: Me and the UC Bearcat football game
Where: Home
Price: Free
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Dixie Jazz Amber Light

Beer #3 from the parents stash...

Dixie Jazz Amber Light from New Orleans, Louisiana. The brewery was almost completely demolished in Hurricane Katrina. During the rebuilding process, Dixie's brands are contract brewed by the Joseph Huber Brewing Company.

I've never been to New Orleans, but friends who have said I needed to try some Dixie beer. Amber light lager has a very nice light orange amber color, which distinguishes it from other American light lagers. Toasty malt smell, which is expected because of the Amber styling. It was a very bland / poor tasting beer. Not really much going on, just a very typical light lager without much flavor. It is very watered down and reminded Cathy and I an awful lot of Natural Light.

Really the most impressive part of the beer is the label. It totally captures that New Orleans feel with the typeface choice, piano keys and jazz singer silhouette.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: Free
Score: 1 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Breckenridge 471 Small Batch IPA

Breckenridge 471 Small Batch Double IPA.

Joe brought this down a few weekends ago along with the Lagunitas. That was a great beer tasting weekend, as both have been given 5/5 ratings from me.

Pours a nice orange color with a creamy head. You can really smell the hops, a hint of grapefruit citrus as well as a nice caramel really balances this out.

This beer is not for those who don't like hops. It was a great combination of the malt with the double hops though. Although the bitterness and hops are in your face from the beginning, it wasn't overwhelming. The sweetness of the caramel was their at the beginning, but it isn't enough to take away from the bitter finish. The brewmaster really outdid him/herself with this beer. Even with the high ABV (9.20%) I could sit and have a handful of these.

Highly Recommended!

Who: Joe
Where: Home
Price: Free
Score: 5 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Summit Oktoberfest

All the way from Minnesota, Summit Brewing brings us a decent Oktoberfest style beer.

Pours a light orange color with a slight off white head that disappears. A caramel, grainy, toasty smell is apparent. A very sweet caramely taste with a mixture of hoppy bitterness. Has a pretty high avb which is surprising from the taste. I would say it was a medium bodied beer as I had 2 at the end of the night (after pizza) and didn't fill me up completely. Easy to drink 2 or 3.

They didn't do anything to distinguish it from the others, but it is a decent Oktoberfest and I would recommend a try to anyone.

Who: Cathy and Dad
Where: Home
Price: Free
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

Coming from the Adirondack's, this is probably my favorite of the Pumpkin Ales.

Saranac Pumpkin Ale, pours a nice brown/orange color with a slight off white head. Pumpkin spice is apparent in the smell and the taste, but isn't overwhelming. I think the thing that sets this apart from the other pumpkin ales is the addition of vanilla. It really helps to smooth out the pumpkin pie spice and give you the feeling that you are enjoying a nice piece of pie.

I would love to give this another try before the season is over. Maybe for dessert when we are carving pumpkins for Halloween!

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Lagunitas IPA

Lah-goo-knee-tuss...Lagunitas IPA


This was my first experience with Lagunitas Brewing Company, out of Petaluma, California. My brother-in-law Joe brought the beer down from Cleveland last weekend for us to "tailgate" with before the UC vs. Miami (OH) football game Saturday night.

After diving into 3 of the 6 pack he brought, I am wishing this beer was one I could get my hands onto easier. Pours a nice amber color with a slight off white head. The smell isn't as strong as other IPA's but there is a hint of citrus fruit and hops. It was one of the better tasting IPA's I have had in awhile. A very nice blend of the malt, hops and bitter citrus finish. It was full of flavor but easily drinkable. I would very much recommend this beer to any IPA lover.

Who: Joe...Harps was here but wouldn't touch it.
Where: Home
Price: FREE
Score: 5 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Lefthand Jackman's American Pale Ale

Jackman's was another beer that Thad picked up a couple of weeks ago. I preferred it to the Southern Tier Harvest Ale.

Not much smell to the beer, but had a nice malty, citrus, bitter combo. It was a pretty smooth APA and I could've had a few without issue. It doesn't really stand out as a great beer, but there really wasn't anything wrong with it either. In the end it is a pretty basic APA and I might try it again down the road but I'm not going to go out and buy a 6 pack anytime soon.

Who: Thad
Where: Cleveland
Price: Free
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Samuel Adams Boston Ale

Samuel Adams Boston Ale

A very nice American Pale Ale. Amber color with a malty, caramel and fruity smell and taste. A little bitterness in the flavor as well.

This was a very nice change up from all of the pale ales that I normally drink and summer brews that are being served right now. This was part of a brewmaster's collection. I don't think that I have ever seen this available as a 6 pack on its own (in Cincinnati).

I really have a soft spot for Sam Adams and the way the do business. Most people don't know that they are a craft brewer. Even thought they are so large and have a great number of different brews, the quality is still. It is just on such a larger scale than the regional beer company's. Let's just hope they don't follow the trend of the other American brewing companies and sell out to the highest bidder


Who: Billy
Where: Johnson City, TN
Price: FREE
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!.

Rogue American Amber Ale

Rogue American Amber Ale

Pours a very nice reddish brown amber color with a fair amount of white head at the top. Very hoppy taste for an amber ale. I was very much expecting a more malty flavor but this tastes a bit more like an American Pale Ale than your typical sweet amber beer. Maybe that is why they called it the American Amber...

As I have found with other west coast brews, Rogue comes in with big flavor (a lot like Stone, Full Sail, etc). Not a bad thing when done right, and this beer was done right. It wasn't my favorite beer and I am not going to be rushing out to buy a 6 pack, even though I think that some of my friends could enjoy this beer, especially those who aren't hop heads. I believe that Dead Guy Ale is a much better beer to drink, but all in all, this turned out to be a nice surprise for me and I will definitely try it again.

Who: Joe
Where: Beer Engine
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Last Friday, Bill and I sat on the deck listening to the Reds lose to the Brewers and kicked back with a few beers. I went for the Brooklyn first, since I really enjoyed a few of their other brews.

American style Pale Ale that pours a typical amber/orange color. You could really smell the malt over the hops in this beer. A very sweet carmel flavor with a slight citrus bitterness at the end. It was a pretty smooth drink because the hops were very weak.

I would recommend the East India Pale Ale or the Brown Ale from Brooklyn over this brew. It's not necessarily a bad beer, just not what I enjoy so much. Especially copmared to the Stone IPA and the Hazed and Infuzed we ended up drinking alongside this one.

I wouldn't refuse one next time around, but you probably won't see me buying a 6 pack for myself anytime soon.

Who: Bill
Where: the deck
Price: $$
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!