Tröegs Rugged Trail Ale

Rugged Trail poured a dark brown color, with a thumb width, tan head. The aroma is malty, roasted malts specifically, with lots of chocolate notes. The body is smooth, dry, and malty, with coffee notes at the end. The finish is a little faint, with a light dryness.

Overall, this is an average to decent brown ale. Rugged Trail has some nice characteristics. It was smooth and easy drinking and would make for a very nice session beer at 4.4% ABV. Troegs bills this as a nut brown ale and I didn't quite get the nutty character that is apparent in other beers of this style. It seemed a little unbalanced with the sweet malt taking over and nothing really jumped out. This is a nice beer but I have come to expect better from the brewers who make Nugget Nectar, Mad Elf, and Hopback.

Dogfish Head Pangaea

Pangaea is brewed with ingredients from every continent including crystallized ginger from Australia, water from Antarctica, basmati rice from Asia, muscavado sugar from Africa, South American quinoa, European yeast, and North American maize. The beer is annually in the fall and is bottled in 750ml bottles.

Pangaea poured a clear, orangey yellow color with a pen width, off white head. The aroma is sweet with some pale malt. The body is short, smooth up front, with more pale malt, and a sweetness that runs the duration of the body. The finish is short and crisp with a slight ginger bite. Overall, this is just and ok beer from a brewery that I have come to expect great things from. The sugar runs wild here and the result is an unbalanced beer. It is easy drinking and the flavor is there, but I can't help but feeling a little disappointed.

Great Divide Titan IPA

Titan IPA poured a clear, amber color with a finger width, off white head. Aroma is is hoppy with some underlying bready malt. The body has a decent amount of malt up front with a little sweetness before the hops start to take over and lead to the finish. The finish leaves a lingering dryness that invites the drinker to have another sip.

Overall, this is a really nice IPA. The aroma is inviting, the body is clean, well balanced, and "assertive" as the label promises. Titan is easy drinking, especially for a beer with 7.1% ABV. This is a must try for all craft beer drinkers, especially IPA fans.

Sierra Nevada Glissade Bock

Tröegs Nugget Nectar