If you like Tripels and you enjoy rather complex beer, or if you just want to expand your palate I would recommend giving this beer a try. It had all the classic qualities of a tripel, but the honey and ginger heightened the whole experience. Very well done!

The aroma was fruity, but in that deep rich way common to Tripels. A spiciness hovered in the snifter as the yeast and ginger packed a 1-2 punch that awoke my senses. There was a small alcoholic presence that only helped to bring out the spices. I’m not sure if they used Belgian candi sugar since honey was added, but it smells thicker and more floral than other tripels I’ve had. Fruity notes of grapes, plums, prunes, and dates are noticeable.

If my homebrewing knowledge proves me right candi sugar adds something for the yeast to feed on without added a full, heavy sugary body. If that is the case then this beer differs as it is thicker and somewhat sticky. The honey does give off a more “natural” floral sweetness, but true to the label it is not cloying since the ginger helps to rinse away the majority of sugars. Very yeasty and the malts are layered and smooth. There might have been a little bit of earthy hops in the finish, but it’s hard to draw out over the ginger (which almost acts as the bittering agent). While some sugars remain, the palate is overtaken with a drying effect in the aftertaste. At 8.74% abv I might by another bottle and let it age for a year to see how the flavors develop.

ABV: 8.74%

Grade: B+

Emptying the beer into my trusty sifter it looked like a cup of coffee with a deep brown/mahogany body and ruby undertones. The head was a light beige color that fizzed up nicely, but then faded rather quickly.

The bottle reads, “Every batch diabolically brewed to decimate ordinary-average-run-of-the-mill tasting beer.” I’d say this is true for the aroma as well. One whiff of this beer and I was met with a plethora of interesting notes. Deep rich fruits, plums, dates, figs, grapes, raisins, peppery, sweet, dark caramel, roasted grains, molasses, light chocolate, high alcohol (more so as it warms), toasted bread, woody, tannins, oak, floral hops, spicy, piney, and a slight hint of butterscotch (maybe that is toffee).

From what I can gather the brew is different from year to year according to Founders who states, “You never know what you’re gonna get, but you can be sure it’ll be damn tasty.” This 2010 vintage comes in at 100 IBUs and 12% ABV so you know your taste buds are in for a real treat. At least they better be at $6.00 a bottle.

Despite its daunting name, it is actually pretty smooth. The tastes I picked out were varied as I found myself selecting flavors that are common in other styles. Hopefully this breakdown might help summarize my thoughts.

• Belgian Dubble/Tripel = sugary, peppery, deep fruits, raisins, (slight bubblegum note).
• Brown Ale = nice toasted, caramel malts, some nuttiness.
• Old Ale/Barleywine = high alcohol, sweet stickiness, and amped up hop character.
• IPA = spicy, floral, pungent, citrusy, piney, fruity (picked out some peach mid way through), dank hops in a big way. Bitterness is noticeable throughout.
• Porter = roasted grains that lend a coffee/chocolate finish.
• Oak Aged = tannins, wood caramels, drying effect on palate.

It had a medium body and semi-chewy mouthfeel. While being a big beer the ingredients blend well together. The aftertaste leans more towards the darker malt side, but that is only after you’ve enjoyed a hoppy, boozy, (oaky?) finish. I feel one could probably call this a number of things Imperial Brown Ale, Black IPA, American Strong Ale, or Barleywine.  A rather interesting beer that I found needs no classification…simply enjoy it as a unique non-conforming beer it was brewed to be.

ABV: 12.0%

Grade: A

It pours a beautiful, clear copper color with a one finger head that disappears quickly to a film. Some decent lacing has started to form along the sides of the glass. The aroma is an interesting mixture of hops and malt, but a grainy malt note seems to dominate. It could also be an earthy hop note mixed in. I also pick up a bit of an alcohol aroma. There are some floral aromatics at work, but really nothing too impressive with such an extensive hop bill that include Amarillo, Perle, Cascade, Apollo, Magnum, Fuggle, and Goldings. I’m pretty surprised.

The taste is that of an IPA that lacks a punch. There are hops and a decent bitterness, but it lacks the flavor depth that I enjoy in such a wide ranged style as IPA. There is a malt backbone present, but it simply lacks the complexity of flavors that is so possible for a beer like this. The carbonation is well done and right in the middle range. The bitterness tries to dance on the tongue and succeeds; it just lacks a superior flavor that is so often associated with this style.

Overall this is just a run of the mill IPA for me. That’s not to say it doesn’t have a place in my beer world. On the right day I could see really enjoying this beer as it certainly does have a drinkability that I don’t attribute to every IPA I taste. It goes down easy, has a good mix of flavors, and is clean throughout. I’m interested in trying more beers from Breckenridge.

Grade: B-

ABV: 6.2%

When I poured it into the glass, I wasn’t surprised with the white pillowy head that quickly disappeared along with very minimal lacing. I was, however, very surprised with how light this Belgian wheat was. It is a very light, water down yellow that is slightly cloudy. Definitely the lightest color beer I’ve had in this category.

The smell is primarily of wheat, banana, and a hint of cloves. When I took the first sip, I was hit with grainy flavors with a touch of orange. Then a growing taste of bread and cloves flooded my tongue. It had a good amount of carbonation that was a nice balance with everything else going on in my mouth.

This beer is very drinkable and has good flavor despite the low alcohol content. A solid witbier.

ABV: 3.9%

Grade: B

They commissioned a SOS Pilsner where .75¢ of the proceeds go to “the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry, and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill.” I commend them for their effort to help out their statesmen and neighbors.

The beer itself is a Wiezen Pils brewed with pilsner and wheat malts. It is also dry-hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops in addition to the bittering. I found a bag of sand in my basement which got me to thinking about fun photo shoot I could set up. I personally think it adds a nice touch to the already straw-golden brew that boast a slight cloudiness from the wheat malt. There is a big billowing egg shell white head that replaced by a well carbonated body.

The aroma is definitely that of a sweet pilsner, but crossed with a wheat beer. It is rather interesting because at some points I feel like I’m drinking a 312, while at others I get a pleasant German Pils character. The wheat malt lends some body and smoothness to the beer. Marked by a honey, herbal hoppiness the Sterling and Perle offer a dry finish while supporting the bready pils malt nicely. The 7% abv is hidden very well to the point where I didn’t even notice it. Perfect for a hot day this beer not only helps to “save our shores” but could also save your summer.

ABV: 7.0%

Grade: A-

It pours a rich, golden honey color with a fluffy, dense, billowy head. Aroma is of sharp citrus and floral hops, with a hint of lemon. A very potent, present and pleasing smell. Very inviting.

The taste is just phenomenal! I’ve enjoyed 5 of these ever since the 6 pack arrived, and waited on the sixth to give it a review that does it justice. I’ve been impressed by Odell so far, and St. Lupulin is no exception. This is a remarkable beer. Full of hops, yet tamed with the perfect amount of caramel malt sweetness. This beer is not only flavorful, it’s very drinkable. I enjoy every sip. This beer tastes very similar to English style IPA’s that I’ve enjoyed. The beer coats my mouth with a lingering bitterness that lasts a while, but makes you want more. Overall it has a very clean flavor profile, start to finish, no off flavors, and exceptional taste. A beer I could grab at anytime if only it were available in IL. It’s actually a seasonal release so unfortunately nobody can enjoy it all the time.

Odell does it again with a great beer. If you ever have the chance to enjoy this, make sure you do, as I can’t imagine you would regret it. In the comparison to similar beers of this style, I would put St. Lupulin near the top. Although technically it’s an Extra Pale Ale, not an IPA, but with an ABV of 6.5% it finds itself right in the middle for me. A great balance of malt and hops, with enough body and ABV to only need one or two. But I must admit, if I had another one, I’d probably open right now. It leaves some very intricate lacing down the glass also. Thanks Odell. Great beer.

Grade: A

ABV: 6.5%

For the rest of you, it’s time to kill two birds with one bottle. Rogue Chocolate Stout. Boom. Your beer- and chocolate-craving birds just got annihilated. This brew keeps it simple and rocks your face off. I can’t be positive, but I’m fairly sure this is the process brewmaster John Maier follows:

Step 1 – Make a killer stout.

Step 2 – Import some Dutch chocolate.

Step 3 – Combine the two using magic powers.

Step 4 – Stop.

Step 5 – Drink.

Step 6 – Smile.

Step 7 – Sell.

Truly, it’s a singular experience that your eyes, nose, mouth, and stomach need to experience to believe. In my opinion, never have chocolate and beer combined so effortlessly. It pours pitch brown, it smells like freshly baked brownies … and it tastes like chocolatey beer (or, perhaps, beery chocolate) … because that’s what it is. 69 IBUs of smooth bittersweet gold, with hints of oat, coffee, and even citrus (Cascade hops). What more could you ask for? A nice tan head? Done. A low ABV? Sure thing. Pure joy? Easy. It’s delicious, it’s nutritious*, and it’s available year-round. I’m beginning to wonder why you’re still reading this, and why I’m still writing…

*This may or may not contradict the Surgeon General.

ABV: 6.0%

Grade: A+

This beer however utilizes a few more hops (Willamette, Sterling, and Revolution) and malts (Dare and Risk) providing for a richer/hoppier beer. The name OREgasmic comes from the fact that all the ingredients come from Oregon and its well…damn good! While the website classifies it as a Pale Ale I would say it leans more towards a Red Ale and is similar in aroma and flavor as Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale and St. Rogue Red.

I’ve always enjoyed pouring Rogue beers as they are always very aromatic producing a glass lacing dense head that welcomes you to yet another brewing masterpiece. What greeted me were a hazy copper/burnt orange color and a wonderful nose.

The hop that stuck out to me was Revolution which was familiar to me from the last GYO brew. I’ve found that Sterling is more of an herbal pungent hop and Willamette is a floral variety so combined the three produced an earthy, dank blend that had hits of pear and a definite spicy pine note. The malts refused to be ignored as they yelled at me with loud toffee and caramel toasted notes.

I found the taste balanced between a really hoppy amber or spicy red ale. I’m not sure how Rogue harvests the raw materials, dries the hops, and kilns the grain, but you can tell there is a freshness to the brew. The hops cast a mild bittering at first which then open up into a piney resinous finish. All the while the malt coats your palate with a creamy caramel body. The aftertaste is clean with no one ingredient overpowering the other. I’d say this is a well balanced, full body beer.

ABV: 6.0%

Grade: B+

What turned out to be my afternoon refreshment was a black lager from San Marcos. Now I’ve had my share of Port Brewing Company’s beers so I knew I was in for a treat. Despite thinking that a hot summer day should be filled with cold Pilsners I selected a lager with some body. Lunch in a bottle perhaps?

As you can tell by the picture this black lager produced a tan creamy head that rested atop an almost black liquid. It was actually a hazy brown color lighter than that of a porter, but the aroma was definitely deep and rich. From the few black lagers I have had, there was a definite roasted grain profile closer to that of coffee ala Shiner’s Black Lager. Port’s interpretation is chocolatier in aroma with a light floral nose probably from the hops (which take a back seat).

There is a minor coffee note that offers a touch of bitterness in the palate as you embark on enjoying this session lager. Coming in a 5.0% this brew holds up to its name. Rich, smooth, creamy and medium would be good descriptors for the mouthfeel this brew. I’m still convinced there is more chocolate flavors (milk, bitter, dark) in this brew than coffee, but that is quite alright. It is tasty nonetheless. At cold temps this brew is remarkably refreshing for its color and body. As I normally do I let a little warm up which brought out more of a brown ale quality. This beer’s flavors unfold in the middle and back half of the sip bringing with it a roasted bitterness and chocolaty finish. Overall, not a bad brew that I might save to enjoy on a cooler Fall night.

ABV: 5.0%

Grade: B+

Deadlift pours a smooth, rich amber with an average off-white head. Nothing out of the normal so far but then you smell it. Piney, hoppy, citrus is what struck me. I knew I was going to love this. First the mouthfeel–thick and rich, smooth and rich! Rich, rich, rich almost oily in the best possible sense. Then I took a sip. The hops and malt take over. This is a wonderful balance of “confident” malt and “robust” hops but not so dominate that you miss the New Zealand berry influence. I love hops but throughout my session I was impressed by the muscle of the malt which provided a slight sweetness and a touch of caramel. My taste buds loved it. Hope you can find Widner Brothers where you are.

ABV 8.6%

Grade: A