Lights On

Lights On, Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, MA
(American Pale Ale, Rated 98)

Nice little treat from the East Coast, this ale pours a hazy, golden, yellow, with a nice, thick, white head. Aroma is loaded with sweet, tropical fruit. Mango, papaya, citrus, and floral notes. Taste is light on the malt with tons of juicy citrus. Soft, light, and fluffy mouthfeel. Smooth, dry finish with a hint of orange zest. A daily drinker at only 5.6% abv. This is one fantastic beer!  Cheers!

Mean Old Tom

Mean Old Tom, Maine Beer Company, Freeport, ME
(Stout, Rated 99)

Maine Beer Company has quickly become one of my favorite breweries. Each and every beer I sample from them is fantastic. This stout pours a deep, chocolate-black color with a small mocha-colored head. Aroma of burnt, roasted malts, cocoa, and faint vanilla. Flavor is roasted chocolate, vanilla sweetness, and burnt coffee. Silky mouthfeel. Very, very nice beer!

Two Lakes Triple IPA Brewed with Grapefruit

Two Lakes Triple IPA, Tyranena Brewing Company (Lake Mills, WI) - Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee, WI)
(Imperial IPA)

In the last year or so, it seems beer brewed with grapefruit has been a hot commodity and IPAs are the perfect style for it. When it was learned that two of my favorite Wisconsin breweries were going to collaborate on a grapefruit IPA, I was thrilled. Man, did they deliver. This beauty pours a clear, golden, orange hue with a nice white head. Huge aromas of grapefruit and citrus. Citrus hop bitterness throughout the taste with loads of grapefruit flavor. Perfectly balanced between the bitterness and the grapefruit tartness. Let's also not forget that this is a triple IPA with abv around 9.5%. Unlike other beers brewed with fruit that often turn out more like a shandy, Two Lakes is a fantastic beer!