Category: Beer Reviews

Posted on: April 11, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

3Beans Beer Review

  3Beans is a strong porter that Sixpoint has released, and it is perhaps one of the most complex beers that we have had the chance to review. Each can of 3Beans represents a unification of disparate elements, beginning with the inclusion of Romano beans. These beans continue much to the vastness of the beer, and are united with cacao beans sited from Mast Brothers Chocolate. 3Beans is made complete…

Posted on: April 11, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Steam Engine Stout Review

This is one heavy beer. Our introduction to the beers of the Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company is a 6.4% ABV stout which pours incredibly dark. With each initial sip, a distinctive dark malt flavor touches upon coffee, chocolate, and the bitterness of chicory.  The mouthfeel of the Steam Engine Stout quickly dissipates, allowing for a refreshed taste with every sip. For every hint of bite or bitterness, there is a…

Posted on: March 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

John Barleycorn Barleywine Ale 2011 Review

There is no sense that this beer is 11.1%. There is a silky smoothness that will draw imbibers in, while the cloying sweetness (and lack of an alcoholic bite) will allow individuals to sip with (measured) abandon.  In the John Barleycorn Barleywine, there is a warming effect that sticks around long after the beer is drank. Hints of caramel, fig and even slight notes of vanilla will appear in each…

Posted on: March 28, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Swing Session Saison Beer Review

  Swing is a wonderful break from the masses of heavy or hoppy efforts that have been everywhere through the fall and winter. Swing, what Victory calls a “session Saison) is pegged at a 4.50% ABV. The hazy initial flow of Swing provides a decently large heads. Initial tastes that become prevalent here include citrus (orange, lemon) and coriander notes and bits of pepper, opening up into something that is…

Posted on: March 11, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Ebel’s Weiss Beer Review

  Ebel’s Weiss Beer is our introduction to Two Brothers Brewing Company, and represents an entry in the Hefeweizen style. The initial sip of the beer is bold and provides imbibers with hints of cloves, spice, and lemon. Ebel’s Weiss pours nicely, with a very thick head and lacing remaining after each sip. The mouthfeel of the beer gradually fades to allow the beer to become eminently drinkable, while the…

Posted on: March 10, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Abita Fall Fest Beer Review

  Abita Fall Fest is the latest seasonal from perhaps the best brewery in Louisiana; this is a lager that has a considerably larger and more bold flavor than similar efforts on the market. This is due to the inclusion of Hallertau and German Perle hops, which pushes the IBUs up to 20. The bold malt and hop attitude of the Fall Fest distinguishes it from the rest of Oktoberfest…

Posted on: February 27, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Allagash Dubbel Reserve Review

  The malty flavor of the Dubbel Reserve is moderated nicely by the 7% ABV. This dark beer has hints of chocolate and coffee as a nutty flavor concludes the experience. The lack of carbonation in the Dubbel Reserve is absolutely perfect, as there is a smoothness that ensures that a bottle will be drained with the utmost quickness. With all of these facets considered, one would do better to…

Posted on: February 11, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Maduro Brown Ale Beer Review

The Maduro Brown Ale was canned and tests incredibly fresh; the dark brown pour provides some hint of the flavor profile that is to come. The initial sip will provide imbibers with hints of coffee and chocolate with an overall smooth mouth feel; the small amount of carbonation that is present here provides additional complexity to the Maduro. Nutty and caramel hints break through at certain points during the experience,…

Posted on: January 21, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Magic Hat #9, Pistil, Elder Betty (4.5% ABV)

  We received a few brews from Magic Hat and are pleased to report that each effort has a decidedly different bent than the rest of the line. It is this ability to create unique flavor profiles that makes their flagship (and year-around) beer #9 such a stand-up effort. This “Not Quite Pale Ale” contains an alluring opening that leads forth into a full-bodied flavor. While there is a little…

Posted on: January 15, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Wisconsinite Summer Weiss Beer

  The Wisconsinite Summer Weiss Beer showcases the essence of beer, tying together fruit and spice flavors with a crisp and refreshing beer backdrop. The light straw head that comes with each pour obscures the light golden haze of the beer.