Wells - Bombardier English Premium Bitter Ale

We're moving onto Bedford, UK, to try Wells Bombardier English Premium Ale.

This canned beer is brewed with natural mineral water. "Bombardier is an iconic real beer loaded with distinct English brilliance. It''s the epitome of impeccable taste and great character. The rich, full-bodied nectar is a lingering reward - English, ever reliable and damned tasty!" It ranges from 4.7-5.2% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.3/10

The color is a reddish brown and it pours with a slight creamy off white head which moderately diminishes. We were surprised since it came from a can, but attribute it to the carbonation. The aroma is malty and nutty; Chris compares it to a weak nut brown. It tastes like a "malty nut brown ale" with an all over tongue bite.

Shawn- It's nicely balanced - the hops aren't overpowering and it accents the malt flavor well, 7.5/10.
Angela- It is rich and malty and really good. I get a little creaminess from this, 7.5/10.
Chris- It is surprisingly good considering it's in a can, 7/10.

Morland - "Old Speckled Hen" English Fine Ale

Our next English brew is from Suffolk, UK, and is Morland Brewery's Old Speckled Hen.

This brewery was established in 1711, and it was first brewed "to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MG Car Factory and affectionately named after an old MG car used as a factory run around - 'The Owld Speck'd Un.'" It is 5.2% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.0/10

It is an orangey color with a moderately diminishing frothy head. We smell malt as well as citrus and bitter hops; Chris identifies at least 2. The taste is malty, which is standard for English beers.

Shawn- I've had this on nitro; obviously bottled is different. I like the consistency of the flavors, but they don't really develop. It's a good beer for the price, but I wish the maltiness richened more, 6.25/10.
Angela- I don't care for the smell at all, and although it tastes a lot better, it's not something I'd choose to drink again, 5.5/10.
Chris- This is exactly what I would expect from an English Pub lager, 6.25/10.

St. Peter's - Sorgham Beer

Next on our beer journey, we go overseas to England. Our first English beer is from Suffolk, UK, and is St. Peter's Sorgham Beer. (We purchased all of these beers at Vintage Estates.)

This beer uses sorghum instead of wheat or barley. It is "clean, crisp with a pilsner style lager finish and aromas of citrus and mandarin from American Amarillo hops." It comes in a green bottle (which has us a bit skeptical.. green bottles typically yield skunky beer.)

Overall average rating: 4.3/10

It pours a carbonated, golden wheat color with a white head. The aroma gives off a citrus hop, mandarin, and a sweetness (possibly rice?). The taste gives a hoppy start with a back tongue bite and a lingering hop finish.

Shawn- I bought this because I really liked the bottle, however, I wish I liked the beer as much. There is an intense hop flavor that just isn't for me, 4/10.

Angela- I could drink this, but it's not something I'd seek out. It has an intense flavor with a bit of a skunky after taste, 4/10.

Chris- The first time I had this it was skunked, but this one isn't bad, especially there's no wheat or barley. It is a good beer for someone with those allergies, 4.5/10.

Lost Coast - Winterbraun

Our final winter ale is Winterbraun from the Lost Coast Brewery, purchased at Vintage Estates.

"Enjoy the full body and rich chocolate taste of Winterbraun. Brewed with American pale malt and a mixture of caramel and chocolate malts, with Czech Saaz hops added to give a unique spicy flavor and aroma." This '98 Silver Medal award winning beer is 6.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.8/10

This is a red beer with a slowly diminishing caramel head with lacing on the glass. It has just a little aroma, considering what the label boasts - hints of wheat, malt, light piney hop, and maybe brown sugar or molasses. There is definitely more taste than smell. There is a ginger taste with a hop finish; the two go very well together.

Shawn- It has a warming feel, and it develops as you drink it. It's as impressive as the http://twoguysagirlandahangover.blogspot.com/2011/11/saranac-pumpkin-ale.html with its surprising and unexpected flavor. I wish there was a little more nose, however, 8/10.

Angela- I like the slight chocolate caramel flavor, and it is the best winter ale we've tasted, in my opinion. I expected more aroma, but it is yummy and drinkable, 7.75/10.

Chris- I have never heard of this beer, but I will definitely drink it again, 7.75/10.

Great Divide - Hibernation Ale

Our next winter ale is Great Divide Hibernation Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is an award-winning malty, robust, English-style old ale. This "has been our celebrated winter tradition since '95. This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character." Suggested food pairings include Romano, an aged hard Dutch cow's milk cheese, grilled beef tenderloin, apple crisp with ginger ice cream. It is 8.7% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.4/10

This pours red with a nice white, sustaining head. The aroma is a deep, delicious caramel malt, reminding Shawn of the malt room at the Great Lakes brewery. We also smell a touch of molasses, a little cinnamon, and a little nutmeg which may be from how the malt is roasted. The flavor primarily is a rich caramel malt with a kind of chocolate/caramel flavor that fades into a hop finish, flavors which complement each other well.

Shawn- This beer has a Great Lakes taste, but with better water. It is rich and complex and develops nicely, 7.5/10.
Angela- It is rich and malty and a great cold weather beer that has a nice warming effect, 7.25/10.
Chris- This is less malty than the last time I had it, so my score is based on improvement over time, 7.5/10.

Pyramid - Snow Cap Winter Warmer

Our next winter ale is Pyramid Breweries' Snow Cap Winter Warmer purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is a winter seasonal full-bodied winter ale. "Life is what you pour into it. Your thirst for life demands an offering that can match it. With the artistry of our brewing, we've created in every bottle an adventure worth sharing with friends." It is 7% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.1/10

This is dark red in color with an off-white head. The aroma is of citrus hop, caramel, molasses, coriander, and ginger. The taste has a rich hop finish - it smells hoppier than it tastes.

Shawn- The hop finish develops more while you drink it, and I think it tastes better than it smells. The more I drink, the more the hop developed instead of being hop forward, 6.5/10.
Angela- There is a slight hop taste, but it's not overwhelming. It is drinkable and not bad overall, 6/10.
Chris- This is heavier than the Weyerbacher, and I actually pull more out of the smell than the taste, 6/10.

Weyerbacher - Winter Ale

Our third winter ale is Weyerbacher Winter Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

The label shows very happy snowmen carrying boxes of beer :) "Weyerbacher Winter Ale is the perfect libation for a winter meal, with good friends, or beside a warm fire fending off a cold winter night." It is 5.6% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.0/10

It pours a deep amber red with a quick to diminish head. It gives off aromas of caramel, malt, honey, molasses, cinnamong, ginger, and a touch of nutmeg. The taste is very thin with flavors of caramel and malt.

Shawn- This is thin and it doesn't develop; it is unmemorable. I wouldn't rank any other Weyerbacher beer below a 7, but this is my least favorite of their beers, 4.5/10.
Angela- This is also my least favorite Weyerbacher beer. This is very average for them, and while it's drinkable, it's not very memorable, although it gets better as it warms, 5/10.
Chris- It starts out thick, but thins out quickly, 5.5/10.

New Holland - Cabin Fever Brown Ale

Next up is New Holland's Cabin Fever Brown Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

The label has a log cabin in the snowy woods with smoke coming out of the chimney - looks like a nice place to hibernate for the winter :) The beer has hints of rye, roast and raisin which mix with a subtle caramel sweetness. This should be paired with roasted meats, dried fruits, gruyere and smoked cheeses. it is 16 P and 6% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.5/10

This pours a reddish brown with a carbonated caramel head. The aroma is of caramel, molasses, and a faint rye scent. The taste is very similar with flavors of caramel and malt with a side tongue bite and back of the tongue lingering.

Shawn- This beer gives a warming sensation, but it doesn't develop enough. I'm not a fan of the big hop finish, 6.5/10.
Angela- The finish is different with the hops with the caramelly malt flavor, but I don't get as much hop flavor as Shawn. It's a thick and good cold weather beer, 6.5/10.
Chris- This is a fairly thick brown ale, very fitting for the name, 6.5/10.

Sam Adams - Winter Lager

Our second winter ale is Sam Adams Winter Lager, purchased at Vintage Estates. (We highly recommend purchasing the seasonal holiday 12 pack if you can find it - it's a great buy!)

This is a malt beverage brewed with spices and is a classic holiday tradition. "Subtly spiced with a blend of freshly ground cinnamon, orange and ginger for a rich, satisfying brew that will make winter seem a little warmer." -Jim Koch.

Overall average rating: 7.6/10

This is a carbonated, red beer with aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and citrus (perhaps orange zest, as it's not an overly sweet smell). We taste cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. It is balanced and not too hoppy - the hop is mainly tasted on the finish. It really tastes like what the label says it will.

Shawn- The first thing I said was that it "looks warm and inviting." It is extrememly well-balanced, 8/10.
Angela- I like the citrusy ginger bite, and I think this is good and very drinkable, 7.25/10.
Chris- I like this more than the Sam Adams Boston Lager, as there are more flavors in this than the other Sam Adams beers, 7.5/10.

J.K.'s Solstice Hard Cider Farmhouse Organic

"Give me Yesterday's Bread, this Day's Flesh, and last Year's Cyder." -Benjamin Franklin

Our first Winter ale is J.K.'s Solstice Hard Cider Farmhouse Organic purchased at Vintage Estates.

The ingredients are fresh apple juice, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and yeast - no sulfites are added. It is USDA organic and gluten free. It is 6.9% ABV.

Overall average rating: 8.9/10

It pours a straw yellow, like apple juice. It is slightly cloudy and traslucent with no carbonation. We smell apple, cinnamon, and honey. The taste is crisp and smooth, and we don't taste alcohol at all. The other flavors are very complimentary to the apple flavor. This reminds Shawn and I of the cider at White House Fruit Farm.

Shawn- This reminds me of winter even though apples are more of a fall flavor. I really didn't think I'd like ciders, but this brewery is great, 9/10.
Angela- The slight vanilla flavor gives the cider a creaminess that's very yummy, 8.5/10.
Chris- I taste at least three kinds of apples, but I expected more carbonation. Honestly though, I have to nitpick to truly find flaws with this cider, 9.25/10.

Arcadia Ales - Cereal Killer Barleywine Ale

We end our journey by coming back to Michigan, this time to Battle Creek (home of Kellogg's!), to visit Arcadia Ales Brewing (the website is currently under construction) to drink their Cereal Killer Barleywine Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is brewed in the traditional English style of Barleywines. Having a high alcohol level allows this beer to be great for aging. As it ages, the beer will develop more sherry-like flavors and aromas similar to a cask-aged port. It has 70 IBUs and is 10% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.0/10

This is a translucent cloudy amber beer with a quickly diminishing, frothy off-white head. We smell yeast, barley, grapes, brown sugar, and a little clove. The flavors are a little hop, a touch of banana and chocolate, as well as a sweet wood flavor - maybe cherry wood?

Shawn- It smells more like a Belgian than a Barleywine to me. The flavors are somewhat muddled, almost like they aren't individually added. It could have been amazing, but it lacks palatability and needs blended better, 7/10.
Angela- To me, it tastes like a Barleywine, which is not my favorite style of beer, 6.5/10.
Chris- When I think of a Barleywine, I think of Hog Heaven from Avery.I might mistake this for a Belgian dubbel more than a Barleywine. I think if it were aged, the flavors would become more defined and I'd give it a higher rating, 7.5/10.

Boulder Beer Co. - Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout

We travel over to Boulder, Colorado, to visit the Boulder Beer Co. and drink their Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout purchased at Vintage Estates.

Boulder Beer is Colorado's first microbrewery, established in 1979. This is an ale aged with oak, and is part of the brewery's Looking Glass series. The label boasts that that color is "as dark as deep space" and defines obovoid as "1- an ovoid with the broad end toward the apex, 2- a fun word!" It has 40 IBUs and is 6.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 8.25/10

This beer is opaque with a caramelly/mocha moderately diminishing head. The aromas are coffee, oatmeal, chocolate malt, oak, some citrus, and molasses. The flavors include roasted, malty bitter chocolate, oats, and a strong coffee finish.It starts off with a front tongue bite and ends with an outside tongue bite.

Shawn- This is a balanced and well-done beer. The only flaws is that it could use more oak taste and body, but it has great drinkability, 8.75/10.
Angela- This has a good chocolate and malt taste, although I'm not a huge fan of the finish, 8/10.
Chris- I expected more from an oak-aged beer, although this is really delicious. It has the potential to be great, but I want more out of the flavors. I would love to try this on tap/on nitro, 8/10.

Left Hand - Black Jack Porter

We return to Colorado, this time to Longmont, to visit the Left Hand Brewing Co. to drink their Black Jack Porter purchased at Vintage Estates.

The ingredients are Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, malted wheat, hops and yeast. It is brewed on the banks of the mighty St. Vrain."You never know what treasures may be lurking in the darkness. Will you play the game?" It is 16 P, has 35 IBUs, and is 6.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.5/10

This pours a deep, rich dark red with hints of copper - almost borderline maroon. It is translucent with a quickly diminishing off-white head. The aromas are a deep caramel, chocolate, and a deep roasted malt. The taste initially is of very malty coffee. The flavors are not thick or long-lasting; there is just a slight lingering on the tongue. The guys also taste a touch of white pepper (perhaps some peppercorns are added in the brewing process?).

Shawn- This came after porter week, and it is an easy drinking dark beer. It doesn't possess the body and developed flavors of a porter, im ny opinion, 5.5/10.
Angela- This is a little thin for me, although it's not bad, I just wish it was more developed, 5.5/10.
Chris- I have been impressed by different porters, but this leaves something to be desired as far as the porter style, 5.5/10.

Dixie - Blackened Voodoo

We now travel down south (central south..?) to New Orleans to visit the Dixie Brewing Company to drink the Blackened Voodoo Lager purchased at Vintage Estates.

"Inspired by old-world brewing methods, this bewitching all-malt brew is a darkly rich, exotic lager, crafter with a touch of magical New Orleans spirit. The century-old Dixie Brewery was almost destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but restoration is underway. With the help of our friends, we're working hard to re-beer New Orleans and the rest of the country." It is 5% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.5/10

This beer is a translucent, dark coppery red color with a quickly diminishing slightly off-white head. The aroma is primarily a roasted rich malt with a light hop scent. We also get caramel and molasses essences. The taste has a strong side tongue bite with a slight front tongue bite. There is a slight caramel sweetneess, and the hops are balanced (light and thin). There is a molasses after taste lingering on the back of the tongue.

Shawn- This has a good drinkability, though it isn't terribly memorable. The flavors don't hit a crescendo, 6.5/10.
Angela- It is not amazing, but it has decent flavors, 6.5/10.
Chris- It says it's a lager, but it reminds me of an amber. It doesn't define the style, but I would drink this again, 6.5/10.

North Peak Brewing Co. - Siren Amber Ale

We travel north from Comstock to Traverse City, Michigan, to visit the North Peak Brewing Co. to have their Siren Amber Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

"A malty classic, with the subtle hop flavor & aroma from Willamette & Fuggle. Enjoy the caramel sweetness with just a hint of roasted barley, which provides the rich amber color & a slight dry finish." It is 5.1% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.25/10

It is a lightly cloudy, transparent beer with a color that we categorize as an amber with a little honey added. The head is slightly off-white and is quick to diminish. The aroma is caramelly and a little roasty, with a light barley an citrus hop scents as well. The taste has a front tongue bite and has a rich molasses and malty flavor.

Shawn- This has great drinkability with a smooth, clean finish. I wish it had some more nose, 7.5/10.
Angela- This is a clean beer that is flavorful but thin, 6.75/10.
Chris- There are more flavors than aroma, but I find it delicious. I would suggest this for anyone who hasn't had an amber beer before, 7.5/10.

Bell's - Amber Ale

More than halfway on our journey through the Central U.S., we stop in Comstock, Michigan, at the Bell's Brewery to have their Amber Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

This was first brewed in 1985, and it "embodies the heritage of our brewery and celebrates the nature of the Great Lakes region." It "deftly balances a mixture of toasted grain & light caramel notes with a range of floral, citrus and herbal hop notes, capped by a clean bitterness." It has a shelf life of 6 months and is 5.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.1/10

This is amber in color and very cloudy with aromas of malt, some citrus hop, and Belgian yeast. The taste is clean and crisp, with a front and side tongue bite and then a mid tongue bite in the after taste. We also taste light malt, slight barley, and a warming hop taste.

Shawn- This beer is pleasant, balanced, and clean. I actually love the hops in this beer. I would give this a higher rating if it weren't for the metallic taste, 7/10.

Angela- It's not terribly memorable, but it's not a bad beer. I (surprisingly!) enjoy the warming hop finish, 6.75/10.

Chris- I think the more I drink this beer, the higher I'll rate it overall, 7.5/10.

21st Amendment - Hell or High Watermelon

Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2012 with a stop in Cold Springs, Minnesota, at the 21st Amendment Brewery to have their Hell or High Watermelon canned beer purchased at the Cornersburg Party Shop.

"Like Lady Liberty, we stand for independence and perseverance. In the pursuit of innovative beer, there is no obstacle too great. No journey too long. No fruit too gigantic. This American wheat beer is brewed with real watermelon, for a flavor that's surprisingly crisp, dry and refreshing—summer in a can." This beer is a summer seasonal, available from April to September. It starts off as a traditional American wheat beer with fresh watermelon added during a secondary fermentation. It has 17 IBUs and is 4.9% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.9/10

The color is a translucent straw color with a white head. There are aromas of wheat, light barley, light citrus, and a hint of watermelon. The tastes starts out with wheat, with a front/mid tongue bite, and ends with a watermelon finish on the back of the tongue.

Shawn- I wish it was 110 F out - I love to drink this when it's hot out, but unfortunately it's December in Ohio so my score is somewhat effected. I love the watermelon finish, although I think the drinkability diminishes slightly in cold temperatures, 6.5/10.
Angela- It reminds me of a watered down watermelon Jolly Rancher. It is a uniquely refreshing summer beer, 7.25/10.
Shawn- This is a very adventurous beer as there are no other watermelon beers. It's like a Hefeweizen. I didn't rate it higher because I want more watermelon. The more it warms, the more wheat and less melon I taste, 7/10.