Torpedo Extra IPA

Torpedo Extra IPA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA

(IPA, Rated 98)

Here is another mighty fine example of an IPA. Pours reddish-gold. Hops are apparent through the nose. Massive hop flavor that starts dry up front then followed by an almost tropical fruitiness and a smooth finish. A definite classic IPA!

3rd Wheel

3rd Wheel, Oso Brewing Company, Plover, WI

Nothing too special about this beer. It's a typical Belgian ale. Pours hazy and orange. Nice fruity aroma of apricots, citrus, and spice.  Moderate floral flavor, a bit of sweetness, and very smooth and drinkable. I may have said there wasn't anything special about this beer, but I'd certainly sit down with a six pack on a hot Summer day.

400 Pound Monkey

400 Pound Monkey, Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont, CO

The commercial description of this beer states "this one isn't for everyone." I wasn't a fan of it. Although I am a huge fan of IPAs, this is an English-style IPA, which is quite different. It is very malty with a lot of citrus taste and, unlike American IPAs, not a lot of hops at all. I found this beer to be dry with a dull taste and very disappointing.

Tips for how and why you should be drinking beer

Source: FrugalDad.com

Dirty Old Man

Brewers Gone Wild! Dirty Old Man Imperial Rye Porter Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels,
Tyranena Brewing, Lake Mills, WI

(Imperial/Strong Porter, Rated 99)

Incredible porter! Taste explodes in your mouth with dark roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and lingering hints of the rye whiskey.

Pepe Nero

Pepe Nero, Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago, IL

(Saison, Rated 93)

One of my all-time favorite beers, from one of my favorite breweries...and that's saying a lot...because I've sampled many. Unlike more traditional saisons, this one pours dark. It's a black rye saison with amazing smoky, roasted malt combined with a pepper spice that flirts with your palate.

Black Bavarian

Black Bavarian, Sprecher Brewing Company, Glendale, WI

(Schwarzbier, Rated 98)

One of my favorites from Sprecher! Distinctive malty flavor. Nice coffee, chocolate aroma. Very smooth and creamy.

Black Iron

Black Iron, Milwaukee Brewing Company, Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Brewing Company is one of my favorite craft breweries in Wisconsin. Black Iron is a black IPA that is part of their new seasonal line. Complex flavors but a nice smooth balance between the hops and malts especially at 7.5% abv.

MBC also has, in my opinion, one of the best brewery tours in Milwaukee. If you haven't been, you need to check it out. I'd recommend taking a cab though.

Anchor Summer Beer

The average beer drinker who may be getting tired of the traditional, internationally-distributed, yellow, tasteless, fizzy stuff; and is looking for something different; but is not ready to make the leap to more complex beers, will probably like "summer beers." Summer beers are clean, refreshing, and carry a much better taste than the aforementioned fizzy stuff. So for average beer drinkers who want to try something new, look for Summer seasonals from local craft breweries.

Anchor Summer Beer, Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco, CA

Summertime

I had thoughts on doing a '12 beers of Summer', but, to be honest with you, I don't find the Summer seasonals to be that good. Certainly not my favorites. They are light, tasty, and you are able to drink quite a few. So I'll post a string of them here.

Summertime, Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago, IL

Somersault

Somersault, New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, CA

Summer Ale

Summer Ale, Summit Brewing Company, St. Paul, MN

Fade to Black Volume 3: Pepper Porter

Fade to Black Volumer 3: Pepper Porter, Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont, CO

(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 96)

Outstanding porter with roasted malt, coffee, and a bit of chocolate in the aroma. Sweet coffee and licorice in the flavor...and then the pepper to heat things up a bit. When I spoke with a rep from the brewery, he said this was the most expensive beer they have ever made.  Why?...because all of the peppercorns were peeled by hand to get the seed out.  They didn't want the beer to be too hot.

Buffalo Sweat Stout

Buffalo Sweat Stout, Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, KS

Velvet Rooster Belgian Tripel

Velvet Rooster Belgian Tripel, Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, KS

Wisconsinite

Wisconsinite, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI

Made with 100% Wisconsin-grown malted barley, wheat, and hops, including a unique, first-of-its-kind, never before fermented, indigenous Wisconsin yeast strain.

Bucky Blonde Ale

Bucky Blonde Ale, Lithia Beer Company, West Bend, WI

Oasis Ale

Oasis Ale, Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, KA

(IPA, Rated 93)

Oasis is a big beer at 7.2% abv with over the top hops. Nice fresh citrus and pine aroma.Definitely full bodied. This IPA is very strong and full of taste.