Square Mile Cider Spur & Vine 6.7% ABV Spur & Vine puts an aggressively different skew on the traditional hard cider, packing a haymaker of hops. It has a rich, golden hue with subtle effervescence. On the first sip, it’s almost as if the potent flavor is jumping right out of the glass. With a … [ Read more]
Four Daughters Loon Juice
May 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Four Daughters Winery Loon Juice 6% ABV This local cider is currently only available in five-liter kegs as well as bombers, but will soon be available in six-pack cans just in time for warm weather. An impressive amount of carbonation and a bright-yellow body sends a clear message: “Drink me…now!” The dry apple scent combines … [ Read more]
Victory Kirsch Gose
May 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Victory Brewing Company Kirsch Gose 4.8% ABV Sours are making a big splash in the craft-beer scene right now, and finding one that comes in a four pack proves to be difficult. Luckily, Victory has done sour fans a solid with their bright and refreshing cherry gose, available in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles. This beer’s … [ Read more]
Founders Rübæus
May 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Founders Brewing Company Founders Rübæus 5.7% ABV, 15 IBU If ever there was a beer that tasted like happiness and frolicking through the morning sunshine it would be Founders Rübæus. This beautiful fruit beer, made with fresh, juicy raspberries, is the kind of treat that can only mean that spring has arrived. With its low … [ Read more]
Stieglbraueri Grapefruit Radler
May 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Stieglbraueri Stiegl Grapefruit Radler 2.5% ABV This beer is the epitome of summer in a can: crisp, light, and refreshing. It’s the perfect beer for those long summer days on the lake, afternoons spent grilling, or nights around the bonfire. The 40/60 blend of Stiegl’s Goldbrau Lager and grapefruit juice gives this beer the perfect … [ Read more]
Paradox Skully Barrel No. 22
May 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Paradox Beer Company Skully Barrel No. 22 8.5% ABV It’s exciting to see a well-made elderberry beer in the market, and not just for the possible Monty Python references. Skully Barrel No. 22 is worth seeking out for this fruit, which adds a juicy-sweet element to an already complex red wine–barreled sour. This is a … [ Read more]
No. 12 Cider House Sparkling Dry Cider
May 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
No. 12 Cider House Sparkling Dry Cider 7.4% ABV While everyone and their mom has noticed that craft beer is on the rise in popularity and presence, not everyone has taken note of the rise of craft ciders that are being produced with just as much care and attention to detail. Enter No. 12 Cider … [ Read more]
Left Hand Good Juju
April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Left Hand Good Juju 4.5% ABV Seems fitting a store with a 666 address should be reviewing this beer. This year’s almost sessionable version of Left Hand’s Good Juju herb beer is less gingery and more citric than prior releases. The bright grapefruit and passion fruit notes play well off the hops and light toasted … [ Read more]
Sweetland Orchard Roundabout #5, Barrel-Aged Rye
April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Sweetland Orchard Roundabout #5, Barrel-Aged Rye 7% ABV First: it’s important to drink this cider at a warm enough temperature (at least 50°F) to allow all of the flavors to express themselves. Your reward is a refreshing, white wine-like experience. This cider is almost clear with just a hint of gold color. Carbonation is light … [ Read more]
Millstream Brewing Company Raspberry Latte Stout
February 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Millstream Brewing Co Raspberry Latte Stout 7.6% ABV The espresso aroma leads off this coffee-colored brew, before a sweet raspberry smell enters your nose. It has a very light mouthfeel despite big black coffee notes. The tart and sweet raspberry flavor creeps up on the finish and lingers on your palate. Pair with a rich … [ Read more]
Bent Brewstillery Maroon and Bold
February 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Bent Brewstillery Maroon and Bold 9.1% ABV The color is a rich maroon/bronze with a cream-tinted head. A dank, piney, and earthy hop scent turns to a vanilla/marshmallow aroma the longer it sits. It has a smooth and bitter mouthfeel that slowly sucks the moisture from your tongue. Dried apricots are the dominant fruit, while … [ Read more]
Style Profile: Holiday Ales
December 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Illustration by David Witt Cue the sleigh bells. Winter’s cold has arrived and brought with it the holiday ales. Liquor store shelves are lined with poinsettia and elf bedecked bottles. Winter warmers can be found by the dozens. There is even a Hanukkah beer or two out there. What is it that makes these beers … [ Read more]
Wyder’s Cider Reposado Pear Barrel Aged Series
December 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Wyder’s Cider Reposado Pear Barrel Aged Series 6.9% ABV One tequila, two tequila, three tequila… Wyder’s popular dry pear cider can now be found aged in reposado tequila barrels. Yes, tequila barrels! Reposado is the name given to tequilas that have been aged in oak barrels for two to twelve months. This barrel-aged cider pours … [ Read more]
The Bruery (Famille Rue) White Oak Wheatwine
September 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Bruery (Famille Rue) White Oak Wheatwine 11.5% ABV, 20 IBU Barrel-aged blended beer, say that five times fast. The Bruery’s take on this style of beer is sweet and fruity taking on characters from the bourbon barrels in which it was aged. Notes of vanilla and dark fruits rub off on this blended wheatwine. The Bruery … [ Read more]
Woodchuck Hopsation Hard Cider
September 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Woodchuck Hopsation Hard Cider 6.9% ABV Beer drinkers, your cider is in. Yep, Woodchuck hopped up some cider for you. It pours a light straw-yellow, much like a pilsner, but the head does not linger long. Tight tiny champagne like bubbles continue to be released as you sip and agitate your glass. On the nose it … [ Read more]
