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.

Epic Brewing Co. - Smoked & Oaked Belgian-Style Ale

We now travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to the Epic Brewing Company to have their Smoked & Oaked Belgian-Style Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

"You are holding something special - one of only 1800 bottles released and numbered." Our bottle says Release #5. "Smoked cherry wood malt brings a smoky sweetness to the caramel malts and a bit of peat flavor with a Belgian-style yeast. The entire batch aging in the whiskey barrels nicely dries out the perceived sweetness of the caramel malt leaving an almost scotch like taste." This is part of Epic's Exponential Series and is 9.9% ABV.

Overall average rating: 8.0/10

This beer is opaque and dirty (lots of sediment floating around). It is a red amber color with an off-white, moderately diminishing head with lacing on the glass. We smell yeast, malt, a touch of citrusy hops, and nutmeg/allspice. We also get stone fruit and a dark, earthy floral - presumably the smoked cherry wood. The taste is rich, Chris compares it to a Belgian dubbel. The taste lingers on the center of the tongue and is very unique. We discussed anisette or fennel mixed with the oak with the yeast adding sweetness.

Shawn- I love how many different flavors you get. It is crisp but not completely clean, in part because it is bottle-conditioned. I enjoyed it, but I expected more smoke in the flavor, 8.25/10.
Angela- This is thick and sweet, and a very good beer for what it is, it's just not my kind of beer, 7.25/10.
Chris- I really like this, though I think it would be better aged. It was made in March and bottled in May, but I think it would be excellent after aging, 8.5/10.

Dark Horse - Boffo Brown Ale

Next, we venture to Marshall, Michigan, to the Dark Horse Brewing Co. for thier Boffo Brown Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

This beer was brewed years ago and then put in semi-retirement for a while. It is now a year-round beer that is a favorite to many employees at the brewery. This pushes the envelope as to what an American Brown Ale is to most people. "Flavors of malt, caramel, toffee, and a mild earthy nutty finish allow this beer to be paired with hearty food and sips of bourbon." This is 6.5% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.7/10

This beer is a dark coppery red color with a quick to diminish white head. Aromas of chocolate, caramel, malt, and oakiness are very present. The taste starts out rich, but thins quickly. It has a front and back tongue bite, with a hop finish and a slight metallic after taste.

Shawn- It could use a sweetness to alleviate the metallic after taste, 5/10.
Angela- This is slightly richer than the last beer, though I wish it were richer. Also, the more I drank, the less I tasted the metallic flavor, 6/10.
Chris- This has potential. It tastes like a nut brown, though I would appreciate a more nutty flavor, 6/10.

Fort Collins Brewery - The Kidd Lager

"Looks dark, drinks blonde"

Our next stop is Fort Collins, Colorado, at the Fort Collins Brewery. Their The Kidd Lager was purchased at Vintage Estates.

"A hint of smoked malt compliments [sic] chocolate malt in this Schwarzbier. Experience the Kidd's intriguing aroma and complex flavor as you enjoy this remarkable style of beer." This has about 24 IBUs and is about 4.5% ABV.


Overall average rating: 7.4/10


This beer is a translucent dark copper color with a quickly diminishing caramelly head. The aroma is of chocolate malt, caramel, and slight smoke. "This is one of the maltier smelling beers we've had so far" -Chris. The taste is thin with a front tongue bite, but has flavors of coffee, chocolate, and smoke with a slight hop finish.


Shawn- This beer smells fantastic, like Gonzo Imperial Porter. The taste is fairly spot on with the aroma, but it lacks boday, 7.5/10.
Angela- This is very delicious, though not as complex as I'd like. It is very fitting to the "looks dark, drinks blonde" description, 7.75/10.
Chris- This is a good representation of a Schwarzbier. It has crisp flavors that developed and aren't muddled, but I wish the flavors were richer, 7/10.

Victory - Golden Monkey Ale

"This Monkey's bound for glory!"

Next stop on our journey is Downingtown, PA, at Victory Brewing Co., drinking their Golden Monkey Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

"The magical, mystical Monkey whose golden soul glows with the wisdom of ages. This warming, flavored ale as rich in the spirited tradition of Belgian-inspired brewing. Our Golden Monkey is both playfully delightful and profoundly satisfying. Exotic spices from the East round out this global journey to joy. Get on board." This tripel ale is bottle-conditioned and brewed with spices and should be enjoyed before June 14, 2014. It is 9.5% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.7/10

The beer is a translucent, cloudy straw color with a moderately diminishing white, frothy head with lacing on the glass. The aroma is crisp and very wheaty with essences of Belgian yeast, giving it a light banana scent. The taste has a front/mid tongue bite with a hoppy and acidic/s;ight metallic bitey finish. We can taste the wheat and Belgian yeast, though the flavors seem muddled.

Shawn- The aroma makes you think you'll taste great flavors, but the taste is all one flavor. It smells crisp, but the muddled flavors almost taste dirty, 5/10.

Angela- This has a clean, crisp aroma, as well as a crisp taste, but it is a little bitey for me, 6/10.

Chris- I like the slight banana taste and the hoppy after taste, but the aroma far outweighs the taste, 6/10.

Spoetzl Brewery - Shiner Bock

We now head down to Shiner, Texas, to the Spoetzl Brewery to try their Shiner Bock purchased at Vintage Estates.

Since 1909, every drop of Shiner is brewed in Shiner. It's handcrafted in the same brewery where it was first made back in 1913, and it is a gently hopped medium brown brew that is the pride of Shiner, TX (pop. 2070). This bock beer combines old world Bavarian heritage with American handcraft brewing for a smooth, delightfully drinkable dark beer. "Prosit!" It has 13 IBUs and is 4.4% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.3/10

It pours a clear amber with a touch of copper. "In the very recesses of the smell" (-Chris) we get citrus hop and barley, as well as a light caramelly malt/molasses scent. The taste holds flavors of sweet molasses and a smooth, rich, caramelly maltiness. It's initially bitey with hits on the front and side tongue, but it is a well-balanced hop.

Shawn- This is reall well-balanced, and although it doesn't have much nose, I would drink this again. The brewery has perfected the flavors of this beer over the past 100 years, 7.5/10.
Angela- This is a good late fall/winter beer. It's sweet, but not in the normal "sweet" sense, 7.5/10.
Chris- This is a good fireplace beer. It's not a bad bock; it would be enjoyed on a cool autumn night. I do think the aroma and taste could be more pronounced, 7/10.

Tommyknocker - Golden Saison Belgian Style Ale

Our next stop is Idaho Springs, Colorado, at the Tommyknocker Brewery to taste their Golden Saison Belgian Style Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is a "bright golden, effervescent brew that is slightly tart with a pleasantly spicy aroma created by a special blend of 4 Belgian style yeasts, and Perle hops." It is brewed in the winter for summer refreshment and comes straight from the brewpub. It is 5% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.25/10

It pours a cloudy dirty blonde with a slow to diminish, thick white head. The aromas are of wheat, barley, citrus, and banana. There is a front tongue bite with a sweet, robust flavor. We get Belgian yeast, citrus, and wheat.

Shawn- This has a light, beautiful flavor, although it lack depth and complexity, in my opinion, 7/10.

Angela- This is another good, crisp summer beer. The citrusy bite makes me think it would be a good appetizers beer, 7.25/10.

Chris- This is the closest beer I've tasted to an actual Belgian beer from an American brewery, 7.5/10.

Merry Christmas! Tallgrass - Halcyon Wheat Beer

We celebrate this Christmas by beginning our trek through the Central United States! We start off in Manhattan, Kansas, at the Tallgrass Brewing Company, drinking their Halcyon Wheat Beer purchased at Vintage Estates. Their beers are all canned, and you can read their "Canifesto" here.

"Our thank to Bill Mai, the wheat farmer from Wallace County, Kansas that grows our wheat!" (At last year's Big Tap In, Shawn and I met a really nice guy from this brewery. Hopefully he'll be back this year!)

Overall average rating: 8.0/10

The appearance is an opaque, cloudy blonde, with a slow to diminish, thick white head. The aroma is of sweet wheat, citrusy hops, and a hint of sea salt. The taste is clean and refreshing, with wheat and hops (citrus with a little bitter) and a side tongue bite.

Shawn- This is well-balanced with a great flavor and aroma. I'd love to drink this again, 8/10.

Angela- This is a really good, crisp beer - like a light beer with flavor. I'm not normally a wheat beer fan, but I love this. It's a great summer beer, 8/10.

Chris- I could drink a case of this over the summer. It is so refreshing, definitely something I'd recommend to someone just getting into craft beer, 8/10.