Goose Island Summertime
Alison: 2
Wow, I didn’t know a beer could look like Mellow Yellow. And yet this one does. Then I tasted it, well… It’s dry, so I had to keep drinking more. Nice strategy, but I’m not buying it. Swallowing this beer is like swallowing well an old sweaty sock. And I know you’re not supposed to smell what you drink, but it smells like one too.
Jabez: 4
This beer poured a clear yellow with a nice white foam head. It was pretty fruity and I could detect a slight taste of lemon – seems like everyone is throwing lemon in their beers this year. It had a very light and dry finish and I could detect a mild flavoring of hops also.
Todd: 4
Goose Island has always been hit and miss with me, but this clear golden kolsch is really enjoyable. It's not as light as appearances would normally dictate (this one's clear and pale golden), as there's a crisp maltiness, followed by a light mix of hops and citrus. A delicious and sturdy (but not imposing) brew that's worthy of praise.
Tom: 4
Another fine beer from Goose Island. This kolsch is much like other summertime beers, but has that extra something that makes Goose Island beers stand out from the crowd. A good, citrusy hop aroma with a sweet, yet bitter flavor. The light-medium body gives it enough weight to be interesting while staying light enough for the season.
Magic Hat #9
Alison: 4
Well, the “not quite pale ale” has a surprise up its sleeve. Upon pouring I can immediately see that it has a great color (one I wish I could pull off). It’s like a Cracker Jack box and the surprise inside, well, it’s apricot. If I’d of known this was coming at the beginning I’d probably be a little turned off. But going in blind I’d have to say it’s a pleasant surprise, definitely one worth enjoying.
Jabez: 4
This beer poured a nice rusty amber color with a solid white head. This beer was pretty sweet with a mild hop taste. It did have an odd aroma that I could not put my finger on but a good beer just the same. I like the bottle’s label and the beer was just as good. I have tried this beer about a year ago and now that I had it again, I think I appreciate it a little more.
Todd: 2.5
Clear and golden with a sweet and fruity scent, this one begins innocently, but upon first tasting, a weird fruit-infusion comes through. It's overly malty and not appealing to my nose or taste buds. A hint of hoppiness peeks out a little, but the overwhelming taste I get is that of artificiality. The beer taste seems far too obscured by a strange, unnatural flavor. Nay.
Tom: 2
The first time I saw Magic Hat #9, I asked the bartender about it and she said, “You don’t want it.” She was right. The nose lacks appeal and foreshadows the weak, unsatisfying taste. It’s just thin and wimpy with not enough malt or enough hops.
Schlafly Summer Lager
Alison: 5
Fresh, light, thirst quenching. What more can anyone ask for from a beer? How about a pleasant, aftertaste? Yes sir, this beer goes down smooth and doesn’t give that pesky feeling afterward. So, have I found my new favorite beer? Why yes, yes I did.
Jabez: 4
This beer also pours a pale clear yellow with decent carbonation. This beer also had a slight lemon flavor but it seemed a little lighter and crisper than the Goose Island, which made be score it higher. It did have a good hop flavor with a touch of spice which I really enjoyed. I haven’t had a Schlafly beer that I didn’t like.
Todd: 4
Now this is more like it! A pale, golden appearance with strong lacing and a very fresh, almost grassy scent opens the proceedings. The taste is strong, zesty, malty, and with a brisk and sharp flavor profile. This is a tasty treat, light but brimming with flavor. Quite enjoyable, Schlafly can be relied on for some quality beers, no question!
Tom: 3
A crisp, clean, light-bodied German Helles style lager. A fresh flavor with a hint of fruit and dryness. It goes down pretty easy on a hot summer day.
Boddingtons Pub Ale
Alison: 2.5
I could ski on the head of this beer. Well, I don’t ski, but maybe sled. Thanks to this avalanche, the beer is smooth going down, not fizzy like the others. I feel like if beer was an ice cream it would taste like this. Always trying to find something wrong, like a good woman, the malty flavor is a giant turnoff. And drink it ice cold, or don’t drink it at all.
Jabez: 3.5
This beer poured a creamy rust color with good carbonation. It had one of the CO2 cartridges in it like Guinness. It had a light malt and creamy flavor. I have heard others rave about this beer. I just thought it was an average ale that had great carbonation. It was good but nothing that put me over the edge.
Todd: 2
It's been a lot of years since my last taste of Boddingtons, and the novel "draught flow" system (in an aluminum pint can, no less) does manage to create a strong and foamy head, but this dissipates quickly and what's left is a pale imitation of a beer. It's an amber ale with a bland taste - malty and watery without any real personality. Far too plain and uneventful for me, sorry.
Tom: 3
Bright gold with a dense, thick head thanks to the nitro capsule in the can. Very little aroma and not much taste – just a slight fruitiness and a hint of bitterness. The creaminess supplied by the nitro is really all that saves this and makes it a decent beer.
