BECK'S OKTOBERFEST (Germany)
Alison: 3.5
I like original Beck’s, and this Oktoberfest doesn’t disappoint either. It’s smooth going down, but finishes robust. It is definitely more enjoyable from the glassware I poured it into as the bottle stifled the smoothness of the taste.
Jabez: 3.5
This is a clear dark amber colored beer. It had some wheat flavor to it but also some all spice. It also had a subtle hops flavor but nothing overbearing. I didn’t have any flavors that were overbearing and I guess I would best describe this beer as “Oktoberfest Light.”
Todd: 3.5
This malty red-amber brew pours with solid lacing, and a rich, yeasty biscuit toastiness upon initial sips. Not really a complex beer, but more than pleasing to my palate. Good showing, especially from the usually sub-par Beck's label.
Tom: 3.5
A nice clear amber color with a slightly malty scent. It’s slightly dry with a mild malty flavor. It would be better with a little more body and little more flavor. A good beer, but it seems like it’s not living up to its true potential.
CASTELLO (Italy)
Alison: 1
I watched an episode of the Golden Girls the other day where a supposedly delicious sweet food was so horrible smelling that the women had to plug their nose to enjoy it. Whether this was built in to be a basis for appeal, after the appeal wears off you’re left with domestic lager with no taste.
Jabez: 3
This beer had a night light amber color and good carbonation. It did have a strong lager smell. Its flavor was on that light end of the lager spectrum. As I finished this beer it reminded me of another. It took me a minute but this beer tastes like Löwenbräu to me.
Todd: 2
Hmm. A thin, pallid appearance and major skunky odor are immediately apparent with this Italian lager. Not a good place to start. Taste is weak, watery, and, well, bland. There's little to grasp taste-wise. I know there are some good craft brews from Italy, but I've yet to encounter one, unfortunately! Awful stuff here.
Tom: 2.5
Pale straw yellow with an almost skunky pilsner aroma. The taste was better than I expected – thin, yet crisp and not too bitter. I am not a fan of light beers, but this one is not bad.
TYRANENA BREWING - ROCKY'S REVENGE (Lake Mills, WI)
Alison: 4
Dark and frothy, this beer isn’t lacking on the hops. There’s a sweeter end note, (Caramel maybe? Chocolate?) that one doesn’t find in their dirty thirty. Normally I prefer the glass, but this done is definatley better from the bottle.
Jabez: 4
This beer poured a deep rusty color. It had a quite complex flavor with a mix or caramel, chocolate and a little molasses. This beer seemed a little creamy with a bitter finish but very good. I should give it a better rating but I feel a four is good enough.
Todd: 4
This cloudy brown ale I'd never seen nor heard of, but it packs a wicked punch. Starting with the endearingly cool "sea monster" bottle art with local legend on the label doesn't hurt. But what matters most is the taste, and "Rocky's Revenge" hit me straight away with a strong nutty, hoppy kick. There's some chocolate notes, too, most definitely, but none of the coffee-like tones of a porter. It's sweet and malty, but, like, heavy, man. A real winner and a unique flavor.
Tom: 4
Rich brown color with a sweet bourbon aroma that carries over into taste. It has a medium, creamy body with moderate carbonation and a relatively complex flavor. It is a little sweet for my tastes, but is interesting enough to be enjoyable.
GREAT DIVIDE – BELGICA (Denver, CO)
Alison: 2
This beer pours out a crisp yellow. It goes down crisp, but just like a woman, I can find something that displeases me. The Belgian yeast that is prevalent on the last note of the beer leaves me wanting to clear my throat. I can think of more disgusting things that have left the back of my throat happier.
Jabez: 4
This beer totally messed me up. I poured it and it was a nice cloudy orange color and I could smell the fruity characteristics immediately. I was expecting a standard wheat style beer. It had a grapefruit taste to it but peppery at the same time with some of the yeast flavor also. Just having the spectrums of flavors this beer had was somewhat indescribable. You will either love or hate this beer because I don’t think someone with think its just “OK.”
Todd: 4
A "Belgian-style India Pale Ale"? Now that's something I've never had before. Kudos to Great Divide for creativity. Anyhow, Belgica pours a non-threatening pale gold (like a lager), but the sweet and spicy floral notes are prominent and welcoming. My first taste landed me headfirst on the spice train -- warm and peppery with an outlying hint of citrus underneath. Definitely one for the more adventurous, but quite delicious.
Tom: 3.5
Golden yellow with a hoppy citrus aroma. Medium, slightly creamy body. Dry and very hoppy flavor that borderlines on floral. There is something missing in the balance. It’s a decent beer, but I had expectations of more.
