Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Tröegs Mad Elf

Mad Elf poured a clear, dark amber color with a finger width head. The aroma consists of light malt a light fruity sweetness. The body is smooth and malty, with a light sweetness up front, and hop undertones that run throughout the body. The finish has some spices, with a light dryness and a slight alcohol twinge. There is a sweet, fruity aspect to the beer that is pleasant but I just cannot figure it out for the life of me.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable holiday beer. The body is deep and complex, yet somewhat delicate. After some brief research, the light fruity aspect that I could not put my finger on comes from cherries added during the brewing process. The cherries are a nice touch as they do a nice job of hiding the high ABV, without taking over the beer. This is an interesting take on holiday beers from Troegs, but I think they found a winner.

Appalachian Brewing Company Mountain Lager

Mountain Lager poured a hazy orange-yellowish color with a finger width, white head. The aroma is malty with citrus fruit notes. The body is smooth, and sweet with lots of malt. There are hints of apricots and a decent helping of hops towards the middle. The finish is uneventul, with only a whisper of dryness.

Overall, this is an average-above average beer. The carbonation is very low and the flavor profile taste much more like a golden ale than a lager. It is pleasant front and decent on the backend. This is a decent sessional to drink while watching a game.

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti

Yeti poured a pitch black color with a finger width brown head. The aroma is loaded with huge amounts of dark malt, coffee and some chocolate. The body is low on carbonation and very rich. Tons of coffee up front, with chocolate in the middle and tons of malt throughout. There is some weetness up front before lots of bitterness on the finish. There was some hanging lace left on the glas.


Overall this is one of the more interesting oak aged beers I have had. The nose is phenominal and the body is great up front. The finish is a little harsh in terms if bitterness and the transition lacks enough that it almost seems like two different beers. I think this is a decent brew, but nothing I will be seeking out again.

Bear Republic Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Wine Enthusiast's Top 25 Beers of 2009

Wine Enthusiast has recently released their Best of Year Issue and beer fans will be exicted to know that the magazine is now featuring their Top 25 Beers of 2009.

Lauren Buzzeo writes: "In compiling this list, I had to go beyond simple evaluation of numeric scores and pricing and also consider availability, buzz and balance. With so many selections currently available to the American beer consumer, it was important to showcase a wide range of styles produced in various countries and regions at all price points. From classic styles like American lagers and wheat beers to newer, more experimental styles such as American wild ales, this list demonstrates both the beauty and craftsmanship of a traditionally brewed beer as well as the excitement and cutting-edge adventure of the craft brewing scene today."


#1 - Captain Lawrence Rosso e Marrone
#2 - Unibroue Maudite
#3 - Orchard White
#4 - Avery The Maharaja
#5 - Southern Tier Imperial Pumking
#6 - Trappistes Rochefort 8
#7 - Eliot Ness Lager
#8 - The Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme
#9 - Nøgne-Ø-Jolly Pumpkin-Stone Special Holiday Ale
#10 - Russian River Beatification
#11 - La Moneuse Saison
#12 - The Lost Abbey Duck-Duck-Gooze
#13 - St. Bernardus Wit
#14 - Deschutes Jubelale
#15 - Stone Vertical Epic 09.09.09
#16 - Allagash White
#17 - Bam Bière Farmhouse Ale
#18 - Samuel Adams Boston Lager
#19 - Nostradamus
#20 - Sierra Nevada Summerfest
#21 - Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale
#22 - Left Hand Oktoberfest Märzen Lager
#23 - Dogfish Head Festina Pêche
#24 - Nuova Mattina
#25 - Victory Festbier



Editor's Thoughts:

1. New York, New York. Two of the top five beers come from the Empire State. Only one of the other top five even comes from America. How do you like that California and Oregon?


2. This is great for craft beer. For years, beer has been looked down upon by the wine community, and this attention is nothing but good for the craft beer industry.


3. A large number of these beers have very wine like characterstics. It did not surprise me very much that the #1 beer of 2009 according to Wine Enthusiast used wine grapes and was aged in grape barrells.


4. Wow. Hats off to Wine Enthusiast. The scope of beers tasted must have been incredibly impressive. I wonder exactly how many beers were tasted to narrow it down to these 25.


5. Interesting that Wine Enthusiast did not go by scores alone.

Stone Levitation Ale

Stone's Levitation Ale poured a reddish amber color with a finger width, off white head. The nose is clean with lots of hops and a strong pine needle aroma. The body is also really clean; smooth and malty up front, followed by a blast of hops that lend a crispness to the body. The finish is quite dry and has a long lingering bitterness.

Overall, this is really hoppy amber ale. There is a touch of malt sweetness up front but the body and finish are overwhelmingly bone dry. This beer is made with quality ingredients but the hops and bitterness are a little too much for me. I think that this beer needs food to either cut or compliment the dryness. This is a well decorated beer with awards such as the 2007 GABF Gold Medal, but I think that Stone has better, more balanced beers to offer.