AW's Beer Reviews

[AWMiller]

Squatters Full Suspension Pale Ale
Utah Brewers Cooperative | Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  American Pale Ale

ABV - 4%

This brew poured up a cloudy amber colored body with a thin, fizzy off-white head that dissipated somewhat slowly and left incredible lacing on the glass. Aromas of floral hops, caramel, sweet malts and citrus (like orange peels). Flavors full of the citrus notes and sweet malts with a nice hoppy bite on the finish. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, very smooth and creamy with a finish that is very clean and tart.

Pairing Recommendations: Excellent when paired up with some hot-n-spicy buffalo chicken tacos and some extra creamy bleu cheese dressing!

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
Lagunitas Brewing Company | Petaluma, California USA
Purchased @ Lone Star Beverages - Carrollton, Texas USA

Style:  American Double/Imperial Stout

ABV - 8.8%

IBU - 29

Definitely a fine quality brew from the Lagunitas line! This brew poured up a near pitch black colored body sporting a hearty foamy tan-colored head with amazing retention and lacing effects. Hearty aromas of coffee, caramel, and toffee; flavors of the same but so intense and so well-balanced. Medium- to Full-bodied so it’s a good thick brew with a good strong coffee taste throughout with a clean, warming finish full of sweet malts and a subtle hint of hops for a ultra-slight bitter hit and a long lingering aftertaste just as though you finished off your favorite cappuccino.

Pairing Recommendations: Pair this brew up with a juicy steak right off the grill or with your favorite smoked or grilled meats.

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Squatters Captain Bastard’s Oatmeal Stout
Utah Brewers Cooperative | Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  Oatmeal Stout

ABV - 4%

Now this is one exceptional stout!! It poured up a jet-black colored body with a hearty, foamy mocha-colored head with amazing retention and lacing effects. Aromas of roasted/sweet malts, coffee, and a hint of hops. Flavors of the same but oh so intense and well-balanced! Medium-bodied, thick and creamy, with a warming finish full of robust coffee and dark chocolate flavors.

Pairing Recommendations: Would make for an awesome compliment to some decadent burgers or venison burgers!

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Squatters Hell’s Keep
Utah Brewers Cooperative | Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  Belgian Strong Ale

ABV - 7.75%

Truly one of the finest offerings one can partake of from Squatters!! This brew poured up a cloudy light-golden colored body with a meringue-like head with awesome retention and lacing effects. Aromas full of pear, cloves, banana, and peppery spices. Flavors are intense and very well-balanced with the addition of lemon-grass and a fruity hint somewhat like starfruit. Medium-bodied, good carbonation, very creamy and a finish that is dry, tart and tangy.

Pairing Recommendations: A perfect companion with a slow-grilled rib-eye steak and grilled veggies and another one of these beers for dessert!

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[FinsnFur]

Whoa hoe HO!! We got the ratings graphics now.

Did I read Lemon Grass in one of those. Ok I gotta be honest, that just sounds nasty

[AWMiller]

not at all... it's a great lemon-y taste... much like that found in some white wines.

[AWMiller]

Real Ale Devil’s Backbone
Real Ale Brewing Company | Blanco, Texas USA
Purchased @ Lone Star Beverages - Carrollton, Texas USA

Style:  Tripel

ABV - 8.1%

IBU - 36

This brew from Real Ale completely exceeded all of my expectations of this Tripel! It poured up a hazy dark golden colored body with a foamy head that possessed great retention and lacing effects. Aromas of yeast, peppers, spices, bananas. Flavors of the same and also include pears and sugars. Medium-bodied, good carbonation, very easy to drink with no harsh aftertastes and a smooth, clean finish with just the right amount of hoppy bite. This is definitely one of the finest American Tripels that I have even had the pleasure of tasting!

Pairing Recommendations: beef, poultry, pork

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Spaten Munchen Dunkel
Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau | Munchen, Germany
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  Munich Dunkel Lager

ABV - 5.5%

This was a fairly good dunkel. It poured up a dark root beer colored body with a hearty two-finger off-white colored head that had fair retention and some lacing effects. Aromas of caramel, toffee, warm bread. Flavors of the same but also include raisins or figs. Medium-bodied with a sweet flavored finish (hardly any detection of hops) that lingers for quite some time.

Pairing Recommendations: grilled/smoked meats or various wild game

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Oskar Blues Gubna Imperial IPA
Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery | Lyons, Colorado USA
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  American Double/Imperial IPA

ABV - 10%

If I’m going to get hooked on IPAs then it is going to be this one! This brew pours up a rich burnt orange colored body with a thick foamy head with good retention and excellent lacing. Hearty aromas of sweet malts, lemon, orange and sugar. Flavors are very complex and rich â€" grapefruit, orange, lemon, sweet malts, and hints of various tropical fruits. Medium-bodied, good carbonation, very smooth with a nice hoppy bite throughout. The finish is very clean and refreshing with a lingering hit of bitter hops and sweet malts.

Pairing Recommendations: wild game, grilled/smoked meats, fish/shellfish

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest
Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. | Fort Worth, Texas USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  Marzen/Oktoberfest

ABV - 5.5%

What an awesome Texas-brewed Oktoberfest!! This brew poured up a dark amber colored body with a one-finger thick tan colored head with fair retention and minimal lacing effects. Aromas and flavors of sweet malts and warm bread along with subtle hints of hops throughout. Although a somewhat dark beer it is very light on the palate with a smooth, clean finish filled with lingering aftertastes of warm sweet bread.

Pairing Recommendations: Smoked brats or wurst

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Kirin Ichiban
Anheuser-Brusch (funny, an American company brewing/distributing a foreign beer)
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  Adjunct Lager

ABV - 4.9%

Probably one of the worst brews I have tasted thus far (next to Wacko and Rheingold)! Seriously I could not finish the brew. It did possess the standards of the “Add-Junk” (a.k.a. adjunct) lagers; pale golden yellow, moderate fizzy head, skunky odor (from the lesser quality grains and hops that are used), little to no real taste, and a bland but bitter aftertaste. This is one brew that is best left in the cooler for some other poor soul to purchase and consume.

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Chimay Rouge (Red) Premiere
Bieres de Chimay (Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont) | Baileux (Chimay), Belgium
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  Dubbel

ABV - 7%

This brew poured up a murky mahogany colored body with an enormous frothy head with amazing retention and lacing effects. Aromas of sweet malts, spices, and peppers. Flavors of the same along with cloves, dark fruits (dates and plums), and warm hints of chocolate. Medium-bodied with a dry finish and lingering aftertastes of sweet malts and spices. This brew improves as it warms after pouring.

Pairing Recommendations: beef, buffalo, rattlesnake

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Anchor Liberty Ale
Anchor Brewing Company | San Francisco, California USA
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  American Pale Ale (APA)

ABV - 5.9%

A mainstay to be enjoyed every Independence Day! This brew poured up a luscious golden amber colored body with a foamy head with good retention and lacing effects. Aromas of floral hops, some grains and fruits (oranges, lemons). Flavors of hops, apricots (or maybe nectarines), a slight hint of honey (or burnt sugar). Light- to Medium-bodied, very smooth with a dry finish.

Pairing Recommendations: beef, buffalo, poultry, duck/goose, fish, partridge, pheasant, quail, grouse, rabbit, salmon, shellfish, squirrel, venison

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Real Ale Full Moon Pale Rye Ale
Real Ale Brewing Company | Blanco, Texas USA
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  Rye Beer

ABV - 5.6%

This brew poured up a dark amber colored body with a one-finger thick off-white colored head with good retention and lacing. Aromas of warm biscuits, rye, and peppery spices. Flavors of the same. Medium-bodied, good carbonation, very smooth with a nice hit of hops and peppery spices on the finish.

Pairing Recommendations: pork or wild boar

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Stone Ruination IPA
Stone Brewing Co. | Escondido, California USA
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  American Double/Imperial IPA

ABV - 7.7%

This brew poured up a rich dark amber colored body with an enormous frothy, creamy head with amazing retention and lacing. Pleasant aromas of citrusy hops with some old peppery spices intermingled, roasted malts. Flavors are of intense hops. Hops, hops, hops and some more hops. Ironically it was not as hoppy as what I was building myself for it to have! Other flavors include a nice mellowing from the sweet malts along with orange zest and some spices. Medium-bodied, lightly carbonated and the finish is very mouth-puckeringly clean.

Pairing Recommendations: Definitely a good brew to have with some spicy fish tacos!  Also would pair well with beef, buffalo, fowl (ducks, geese, partridge, pheasant, quail, grouse), poultry, fish, salmon, shellfish, squirrel, venison, rabbit.

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Squatters Beerista (Small Batch Series)
Utah Brewers Cooperative | Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  American Stout

ABV - 6.3%

IBU â€" 30

What an amazing stout! This brew poured up a near black colored body with a thin, bubbly head that dissipated quickly and left marginal lacing on the glass. Awesome aromas of powdered cocoa, robust coffee, dark chocolates, and sweet roasted malts. The flavors are of the same and absolutely intense in this robust brew; very well-blended. Near medium-bodied, creamy, good carbonation, and very easy on the drinkability scale. Would pair up very nicely with a juicy rib-eye steak or perhaps some succulent beef fajitas!

Pairing Recommendations: beef, buffalo, dove, duck, geese, squirrel, venison, wild boar

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Squatters Fifth Element
Utah Brewers Cooperative | Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  American Wild Ale

ABV - 6.75%

I have been venturing out into the sour/wild ale arena and can say that once you’ve acquired the taste for these mouth-puckering ales you’ll take to liking them quite a bit! This brew poured up a murky orange colored body with a bright white frothy head with good retention and marginal lacing. Aromas of citrus, yeast, floral hops, cooking spices, and a notable sour scent. Flavors are absolutely complex, each vying for its 15 minutes of fame; orange, lemon, grapefruit, and spices (cloves, etc.). Light-bodied, loads of carbonation, very tart with a dry finish. Would pair up nicely with some smoked oyster fritters topped with a jalapeno/orange marmalade glaze!

Pairing Recommendations: beef, buffalo, fish, salmon, shellfish

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Squatters Outer Darkness
Utah Brewers Cooperative | Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Not purchased; received as a gift!

Style:  Russian Imperial Stout

ABV - 10.5%

Oh my … this brew is hitting right near the top of my all-time favorites!!! Poured up a hearty black colored body with an enormous bubbly mocha-colored head with unending retention and lacing. Decadent aromas of spices, dark chocolate, light hints of roasted coffee beans, caramel, toffee, and cloves. After pouring I took a quick sip and then let it sit for an hour to warm so that the flavors and aromas would intensify! Oh how long that wait was because that first sip was oh-so-blissful! The flavors are so intensely filled with the dark chocolates, toffee, hearty coffee; each so rich that one does not want to swallow that delicious liquid so quickly! Full-bodied, thick-n-rich, with a warming finish that is dry and full of lingering chocolaty sweetness. This would pair well with many meals but I’d much rather save this for dessert on its own!!

Pairing Recommendations: beef, buffalo, dove, duck, geese, squirrel, venison, wild boar

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying | Aying, Germany
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  Doppelbock

ABV - 6.7%

Why oh why did I wait so long to try this stellar brew?! This brew poured up a hefty dark mahogany-colored body with a thick one-fingered tan colored with retention lasting long after the beer was gone and amazing lacing effects. Aromas of warm dark bread, caramel, molasses, malts and hops, and a very slight hint of alcohol. Of the doppelbocks, I am sure that this one reigns supreme! Medium-bodied, light carbonation, very thick and creamy with a well-balanced hit of hops on the finish that is dry but not too dry.

Pairing Recommendations: beef, buffalo, rattlesnake, squirrel, venison, wild boar

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.

[AWMiller]

Anchor Summer Beer
Anchor Brewing Company | San Francisco, California USA
Purchased @ Beer & Wine World - Mansfield, Texas USA

Style:  American Pale Wheat Ale

ABV - 4.6%

This brew poured up a cloudy amber colored body with an intense foamy white head with amazing retention and lacing. Aromas of toasted/buttered wheat bread, lemon zest, and a hint of some field grasses.  Light- to medium-bodied with a nice lemony/bready flavor (almost like a good tea cake) and a subtly hoppy bite on the finish with is smooth and crisp and definitely not heavy or harsh.

Pairing Recommendations: poultry, fish, pheasant, quail, grouse, pork, shellfish

Disclaimer: All beer tasting notes and reviews are subjective. The thoughts and opinions contained herein are those of the ‘bier vorgeschmack’ and him only. The intent of this beer review is to spur interest in brands and styles that one may not normally indulge in and to entice them to venture out and try new brews.  While some may argue that there are no other beers than Miller, Coors, Bud, and Keystone, this is much akin to arguing which vanilla ice cream tastes the best.  There are more brews out there; try some and enjoy the savory adventure.