Chilly Water Pale Ale

Chilly Water Pale Ale, Tighthead Brewing Company, Mundelein, IL
(American Pale Ale, Rated 87)

This wheat-based pale ale pours a clear, golden-yellow with a nice thick, white head. Smells of citrus, orange zest, and a faint grassiness. Taste is fruity, light grapefruit, earthy pine, with a slight dank finish. No bitterness. Clean and crisp. At 4.8% abv, this is one delicious Session IPA!

Ruby's Tears

Ruby's Tears, Marz Community Brewing Company, Chicago, IL

(Grodziskie/Gose/Lichtenhainer)

Pours a color reminiscent of pink grapefruit juice. Subtle aromas of must, yeast, and floral notes. Bitterness is light in the nose. Taste is lemony-citrus up front with some sweet berries. A nice, tolerable acidic, salty, tartness. A very mild, tasty gose and crushable at 5.1% abv. These are great for hot, Summer days.

Very Hazy

Very Hazy, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Imperial IPA)

Pours a cloudy, golden-yellow, with a thick, frothy head. Right away you are hit with an immense amount of pungent tropical and citrus aroma from mango, pineapple, oranges, and muted grapefruit. Taste that mango and pineapple sweetness upfront with orange and grapefruit zest. A fantastic balance between sweet and bitter.  That earthiness is there. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a sticky resin. At 8.8% abv, this is one dangerous juice bomb!  Hats off to Tree House for another amazing beer!

Double or Nothing

Double or Nothing, Oak Creek/Lawson's Finest Liquids, Middlebury, VT
(Barley Wine, Rated 95)

This collaboration pours a deep mahogany. Fantastic aromas of caramel malt, dark fruits, and sweet maple syrup. Taste burnt sugar and dark fruits up front, buttery caramel, sweet maple syrup, and finishing with a nice, mild whiskey warming. Well balanced. A nice 10.5% abv kick as well. I really enjoyed this beer!

Old Man

Old Man, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(Premium Bitter/ESB)

Here's a style that is definitely a departure from the more regular pungent beers in Tree House's portfolio. Pours a dark, amber with a thin head. Aromas of sweet malts, caramel, little bit of clove and banana. Taste follows suit. Sweet caramel malts, bready, with notes of cloves and bananas. Very smooth and lightly bitter at the finish. Well done!

Aún Más Café Jesús

Aún Más Café Jesús, Evil Twin Brewing Company, Brooklyn, NY
(Imperial Stout, Rated 100)

Pitch black pour with a thin, mocha head. Intense aromas of burnt coffee, dark roasted malts, and notes of chocolate. Roasted coffee beans and dark, bittersweet chocolate dominate the flavor. Touch of sweet molasses. Alcohol (12% abv) is present but subdued. Creamy fudge mouthfeel. This is one fine dessert!  My favorite of the three.

Aún Más Chili Jesús

Aún Más Chili Jesús, Evil Twin Brewing, Brooklyn, NY
(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)

Pours a deep black with a mocha-colored head. Aromas of roasted, dark coffee, cacao, toasted malts, and faint green chilies. Taste is chocolaty sweet up front, roasted dark malts, salty soy sauce, and an abundance of chili. Rich, creamy mouthfeel.  Has a very, nice chili burn throughout that lingers after the finish. Like spicy food, pepper beers appeal to different palates. This beer has an incredible amount of flavor that is accentuated by the chili heat. 12% abv.