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So we think everyone has their “beer soul mate” out there, wishing on stars every night, and it’s our job to introduce you to each other! Check out this month’s yums, yucks and everything in between. But don’t take our word for it… Beauty is on the tongue of the beholder.

 

THREE FLOYDS – ROBERT THE BRUCE

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Dylan: 1

King Robert the Bruce, warrior of many a battle against the hated English, is a fitting figure for this superior Scottish-style ale. Abrupt in its initial taste, fast to convince me with a nutty but unburnt flavor, and with an easygoing aftertaste, this is a fitting Hoosier tribute (yay Munster – think Chicagoland) to one of the bravest of the brave Scots in history. Sir William Wallace probably has his own beer anyhow.

Sharon: 5

Red, Amber color. Really good flavor. Interesting smell, I can’t quite place it.  Not a bad smell just interesting. Reminds me of the Winter Cask ale we reviewed a few months ago.  Nice and smooth great for a cold winter night.

Todd: 5

Wow. This is one fine ale, rich with a smooth complexity and well-balanced maltiness. Nice golden color, and reminds me slightly of the finer bourbon cask ales. Nectar!

Brad: 3

Sits on the tongue a little too long with a hint of berries, but it’s going in the right direction. I am a fan of ales, so this is a beer I could actually drink a full glass of and enjoy it, but at some point the berry flavor would become overwhelming.

Sam: 4

Dark color, chocolately flavor, little to no aftertaste.


UPLAND – WHEAT ALE

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Dylan: 4

Ah, Upland. Bloomington’s best export since Calbert Cheney – who’s actually an Evansvillian by birth. Anyway, their wheat ale makes jollies in my mouth, and happies in my gullet. They’ve graciously pinched in a hint of spici-osity rounded with a glint of prairie earthiness that’s making for a really great breakfast.

Sharon: 4

Cloudy-unfiltered yellow color (my daughter says it looks like pee) overall good flavor with a small bite.  If you like wheat beers than you’ll like this one.

Todd: 2

Cloudy disposition here, with a lemony zing to it. Very smooth, and will likely appeal to fans of stuff like Blue Moon. Enjoyable.

Brad: 3

This one holds a three rating with me because the stages of taste make for an interesting mouth and breathing exercise. There are three distinct stages of taste here. The first is a brown caramel flavor, followed by a bright, almost stinging sensation of wheat, rounding off on the exhale with a flavor like freshly baked bread.

Sam: 2

Spice flavor, not bitter, little aftertaste.

 

BELLS – HOPSLAM

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Dylan: 3

Well, look what happened: Hops just sprouted out of my nose and pores. If the dang things weren’t so easy to yank out by the pointy tip of their hydrangea-colored leaves, I’d be angry. But this is a heady ale launching me into a delirious wander through a tangled trellis bulging with the noble plant that makes this beer taste so fine. IPA fans will delight in this Michigan-made brew; cautious dwellers on the fringe of the garden of goodly beer delights will come away confused, frightened and hopefully even converted.

Sharon: 1

Next to a fruit flavored beer this is probably the worst beer I’ve ever tasted.  I knew by the name that I wouldn’t like this one very much.  OMG!  The smell is horrible and very strong!  It’s too hoppy and too sweet and too yucky!  If you love lots of hops, then you love this crap.

Todd: 4

With a name like Hopslam, you have to expect a rich and bitter brew, and deliver this does. The touch of honey sets off this intense collision of ultra-hoppiness and sweetness. Score one for extreme beer done right!

Brad: 1

Whoa. This is what happens when someone accidentally spills a half a ton of potpourri and a few bushels of marijuana, yes marijuana, into the brew and doesn’t tell quality control. Also akin to using the barrel to cleanse a horse’s privates between brews and not changing the water. The label makes no bones about this being a serious, tongue bruiser of a beer, so maybe they did it on purpose.

Sam: 3

Fruity smell, citrus taste, bitter but good, strong aftertaste.

 

SUNDOG – ANHEUSER-BUSCH

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Dylan: 2

A luxurious-looking ale and delicious to sample. Better and better with each swig and sip, canis del sol nourishes and fortifies!

Sharon: 3

Cloudy-unfiltered, amber color.  Has a bigger bite than the Upland.  Good wheat flavor.

Todd: 1

A nice, summery (as I drink this there's snow on the ground- hah!) citrus-flavored ale, quite light and easygoing. Pleasant, but ultimately forgettable.

Brad: 4

Here’s one I could actually stand to have a second glass of. The amber wheat ale seems to be one of the few ales Americans do an ok job at. A light ale with a pleasant taste that does not offend every last taste bud in my mouth is a good thing.

Sam: 5

Good flavor, not bitter.
                                                                                    
Rating Scale:
5-Kickass Amazing
4-Almost Amazing
3-Pretty Good
2-Fair
1-Just Okay, But it's beer so it's still awesome