Latest Community Beer Reviews

This is what happens when you are in a hurry and send the wife in to purchase a growler of beer! You end up with a beer that you yourself wouldn't pick and, then, because you don't like it, the wife decides the taste test in the bar was misleading. There are three extra types of hops that are added to this beer to give it a slight hoppy finish. The aromatic rye and orange blossom honey give a definite fruity scent; seems like peaches(?). The beginning of the after taste has a similar flavor to the scent. I have to admit I don't remember having another rye beer in the past, so this may be because of the rye. The rest of the after taste quickly finishes to hops. Couldn't make out any scent or flavor of honey in the beer. Little disappointed. Although they don't really advertise it as an IPA, I would say it is one.

My first Irish Ale so I was surprised with the roasted malt flavor as I didn't expect it from a "red" beer. I guess I still have memories of Killians Red from college when I thought it was the best beer ever! :) Hint of caramel. Finishes a little dry. Advertised as a meat and potatoes beer, I definitely would have to agree.

My most optimistic viewpoint would be that it's a very unique Summer Wheat Ale. But, I would define the taste as somewhat gimmicky, with it's blueberry and orange smell/taste. Not a bad beer (well there's really no such thing), but loses points because it doesn't seem genuine.

This used to be my favorite beer! I couldn't wait for April for the first signs of this beer in the stores. But, I feel they have changed their recipe in the last six months, as the aroma and taste of the beer seems different. They have started distributing to non-liquor stores locally. Appealing to the masses? Don't let the unfiltered "floaties" bother you. Has a fruity taste with a hint of spice. The wife enjoys adding an orange that seems to bring out even more of a fruity flavor. One of the few beers I have ever had in which the after taste is extremely smooth. The definition of a refreshing American Summer Wheat Ale. There was almost a two year hiatus of distribution in Illinois due to the crazy distribution laws that heavily favor the distributors. At the beginning of that time, Bells actually offered a 10% or 15% boot-leggers discount if you showed up with an Illinois license at the brewery.

The light color reminds me of a, umm, Miller Lite or Bud Lite. Refreshing to the nth degree. Mildly carbonated with a light mouth feel. Not much of an after taste and not much of an overall flavor - extremely light. I could understand on a hot day how 3 or 4 would go down smoothly. Fun times! This is my first Kolsch style beer and I would like to try some more!

Great clean, refreshing taste. The hop level, without any added flavor separates this American Wheat Pale Ales, from all the other summer "fruity" wheat ales. Very well balance taste. Even though I am not a huge fan of hoppy beers, I don't mind it here even though the hops flavoring doesn't seem to go with this style of beer.

Wheat Ale. Light, refreshing - more like a spring or summer beer. Bland after-taste. Just because you place winter scene on the bottle doesn''t make it a winter beer.

A sophisticated brew from a long time, well established, brewery. Complex taste: roasted not smoked, malt sweetness is very well balanced. High end of bocks. Don''t know if it is the best bock but it is certainly a benchmark in this style category.

Admittedly prejudice to bock beers, when you live in the northern climates, bock beer is the first sign of spring to a beer drinker! I have fond memories of Leinenkugel Bock Draft from Champaign, IL from the mid '80s. The beer disappeared and has now reappeared as 1888 bock. Not a sophisticated beer but an immensely good interpretation of a style: bock. I could drink this day-in and day-out throughout the spring. Very smooth malt without sweet.

Rating it high as Christmas Winter Ale - Molassy, spicy but works well together. Wouldn''t drink a six pack but a good blending of flavors. Definition of a Christmas Ale. Heavy end of the ales - close to a porter.

Super heavy: aroma, taste flavor. Big ass beer. Most complex and intense aroma and taste. One at a time beer that is to be savored

Brewerer calls it assertively hopped, but more well balanced taste. Much better flavor than Rogue and Sierra Nevada seasonal.

High hop (IPA). Typical high hop flavor of S.N., they just balance it well.

IPA tasting. Seemed out of season. Not bad, but not even a good IPA.

Pleasant malty, sweet, chocolate ale. An overall well balanced flavor for a brown ale.

Creamy stout. Definite hint of milk.

Really good, straight forward stout.

Unusual sweet aroma w/ semi-sweet taste.

Dark and thick. Beginnings of a great stout but finishes rough and raw. Very bitter after taste.

Part porter part lager.