Ratings are given from 1-5. “5” is the best rating a reviewer can give, meaning they were very pleased with the beer and would strongly recommend it. “1” is the lowest rating a reviewer can give, meaning they did not enjoy the beer at all.
Guinness – Black Lager
(Dublin, Ireland)
Amanda Smith – 4.0
This beer was my pleasant surprise of the month. I am typically not a Guinness fan; it’s just too heavy for me. Surprise! This beer takes the qualities I like from in Guinness, like the rich and creamy body, and weaves them into the qualities of a warm, German lager which happens to be my favorite style. Winner!
Jabez Martinez – 3.5
I was excited to try this beer, but was somewhat disappointed. I had too much expectation for Guinness. It appeared to be your standard black beer, but I would consider this a Guinness Light. All the standard flavors were there, but it seemed a little watered down.
Todd Zachritz 3.5
Deep and black (as Guinness well should be), this new brew leaves a large but erratic lace on my pint glass. The nose is grainy like most lagers, barely hinting at the flavors to follow. It tastes mildly burnt/roasty, but is still light on the body, as opposed to the usual heavier stout. Very enjoyable, and though I'd rather sip on a warmed Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, this one hit the spot.
Great Divide – Hibernation Ale
(Denver, CO)
Amanda Smith – 3.5
This beer has a wonderfully smoky, robust earthy flavor. Warm and filling, this beer is better warm, in my opinion, opening up the flavors and really making for a pleasant drinking experience. A creamy cheese, such as brie, would add a salty element that would put this beer off the charts!
Jabez Martinez – 4.5
This beer tasted great, but it had a funky smell to it. I thought it smelled like seaweed, but I liked the roasted malt flavor and the complex hops. I also liked the warming 8.7% alcohol content. Great to drink but maybe a little hard to get over the smell.
Todd Zachritz 4.5
This dark red/amber English-style old ale pours with a massive and lovely retention on the glass; a strong start, for sure. The aroma says roasty, peaty malts. It is earthy, like wet leaves and yeast. Nice. Taste is huge: strong peat-roasted malts, followed by a dry hops sharpness. The strong 8.7% alcohol isn't too apparent, but it is there underneath all the powerful flavors. I get even more of a pungent licorice, raisin, and tobacco tastes upon slight warming. A potent, heavy, and complex ale. High marks here.
Goose Island – Harvest Ale
(St. Louis, MO)
Amanda Smith 2.0
The calling card of this beer is the surprising spice woven into this brew which leaves an odd aftertaste in your mouth. It is sharp in finish and strongly carbonated. It’s not bad, but I wouldn’t venture to say it’s a standout either.
Jabez Martinez 3.5
This is a dark amber beer with a nice aroma. It had a light fruity flavor but I would also consider this a light IPA. This beer had a light grainy flavor to it, which I liked. I am a big Goose Island fan, but I consider this one average for them.
Todd Zachritz 4.0
This fall seasonal from Chicago's fine Goose Island is a fittingly rusty amber, and boasts of an ample head and stunningly gorgeous spiderweb lacing. The aroma is malty - like fall leaves and grains...robust and sturdy. Tastes well balanced, with a biscuity malt profile at first, followed by a hoppy, sharp bitter finish. Very good, and a welcome break from the usual fall Marzen/Oktoberfest styles.
Widmer Brothers – Drifter Pale Ale
(Portland, OR)
Amanda Smith – 3.0
I don’t think I’ve ever said, “Is that grapefruit?” after drinking a beer. What an odd citrus taste this beer has! It’s true to it’s name as being a light ale, but the flavor just isn’t pleasing to me. As a rule, I don’t care for citrus in my beer and this is no exception.
Jabez Martinez – 4.0
A dark copper-colored beer and very similar to the Goose Island Harvest Ale, but I liked this one just a little better. It had a fruity aroma, which was good. It also had a fruity flavor with bready malt flavors added in. It had low carbonation but a clean finish.
Todd Zachritz 3.5
Nice, clean pine-amber color with a modest head and a slight but attractive lace.
Pleasant pine aroma, with some orange tones. Easy-drinking hops presence, but very well balanced with the malts. Flavor reveals more pine and orange/citrus character. Fine and likeable, this is a superb session-worthy pale ale.
