Beer Genius

Odell's Cutthroat Porter

2008-05-06T22:23:00.002-05:00

Odell’s Cutthroat Porter

Doug Odell, founder and owner of Odell Brewing Company, started his passion for brewing in Seattle and in 1989, took it to Fort Collins, Colorado, to start his brewery, Colorado’s second microbrewery. Odell is a true do-it-yourself-er and innovator in the craft brewing community. In the beginning, Odell recalls having to deliver the kegs to restaurants himself in his old Datsun pickup. As the demand for his beer grew, so to did the brewery. Undergoing upgrades in 1994, 1996, and again, in 1997. In 1994, Odell’s brewery nearly quadrupled in size, going from a 15-barrel brewhouse to a 50-barrel brewhouse. In 1996, Odell Brewing Company added a bottling line and in 1997, a smaller 5-barrel pilot system to do their single batch series, like the Imperial Stout or the Double Pilsner. Odell Brewing Company brews about 40,000 barrels annually and is on the forefront of the green movement, which I found incredibly honorable and interesting. They harvest all of the electrical needs from wind energy. They invest in, use, and promote the use of biodiesel and other renewable energy sources. Now, I know what you are thinking, did I drink the beer or not? I did and it was delicious.

Odell’s Cutthroat Porter is your typical porter. It has a rich, dark brown colour that fades to a lighter tan at the edges. This beer pours very nicely with about a finger of head that stayed remarkably fresh for a couple of minutes. Like with any other porter, the nose is going to be big. This porter doesn’t shy away from that fact. Coffee, coffee, and COFFEE… this beer was so fragrant with roasted malts and chocolate, I could have easily confused it for my Vente Mocha Frappuccino that I had this morning, only this tasted so much better. This beer has a good mouthfeel, with a velvety aftertaste that lets the hints of coffee and chocolate linger on your tongue for your taste buds.

Character: 18. Reviewing this many porters back to back, it will be difficult to find enough descriptive words to replace “rich”… a fantastic dark coloured beer is like a bell to Pavlov’s dogs for me… mouth-watering… the brief but nice retention of head, allowed the beer and all of it's aroma and flavour to stay hidden from me for only a couple of minutes.

Nose: 18. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine that this beer’s aroma includes coffee, chocolate, cocoa, roasted malts, and the slightest hint of nuttiness.

Character: 17. A good bitterness to sweetness makes the Odell Cutthroat Porter a representative of what porters are supposed to taste like. It’s smooth with a great mouthfeel and a great aftertaste. This beer is very drinkable.

Originality: 17. Odell didn’t have to spice up this porter with fancy flavours or anything. He just brewed a damn good beer and let it speak for itself.

Versatility: 16. Porters are best drank after a meal, but in this case, drink one with the meal, too. So when you go to build your six-pack, pick up two…

Overall: 86/100. This beer is good. If it were an amp, it would be turned to “10” and you just wished it could go to “11”, meaning I just wish everything about this beer was just a little more.

Beer: Odell’s Cutthroat Porter
ABV: 4.8%
Brewer: Odell Brewing Company (Fort Collins, CO)
Availability: Year-round
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Ward

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

2008-04-18T14:43:00.006-05:00

Friday April 18, 2008

A Flurry of Porters (Part 1):

• Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

“To ski all day and drink great beer every night…” To some this is a pipe dream… well for Richard Squire, founder of Breckenridge Brewery, this soon became life and could you really ask for a better one? Squire started on his passion by home brewing and in February 1990 his pet project took off, opening the first, of three, restaurants and brewpubs in Breckenridge, Colorado. But it wasn’t until May of 1996 that the brews that Squire created were available outside the restaurants. That year, Breckenridge Brewery expanded to a full bottling line to ease the growing demand of their beer. Over the past decade, Breckenridge Brewery went from a small 3,000 barrels-a-year brewpub to 30,000 barrels-a-year, becoming one of the most successful craft breweries in America.

The Vanilla Porter is the first review from Breckenridge Brewery by BeerGenius and I will admit it, not my favourite beer from Breckenridge (Small Batch 471 IPA… just so you know). What this beer does have is an exceptionally dark brown body that lightens out around the edges. I didn’t get too much foam out of my pour, I would say about a half inch of head, with minimal retention. The aroma of the beer is simply great. It was like Starbucks… only with alcohol. The chocolate, coffee, and roasted nut aromas rose out of this beer with a hint of the vanilla that was promised in its name. Aroma and bouquet matched the taste almost perfectly. It started with a full-bodied dark chocolate taste and finished with a creamy hint of vanilla. So I guess it was worth the trip to Madagascar and Papua New Guinea to get the vanilla beans they used to finish off the flavour of this beer. A good way to describe this beer to friends is silky and smooth, and who doesn’t like that.

Body: 16. The Vanilla Porter was rich and dark in colour. The head dissipated for the most part in about two to three minutes.

Nose: 18. Porters have a distinct coffee and chocolate smells to them, now throw in some subtle vanilla notes to the aroma and it just gets better. I did a little more research into the hops that compose this beer, which are; Chinook, Tettinang, Perle, Goulding, and found out most of these are aroma-cultivating hops, which explains the intense nose from this beer.

Character: 18. I have to admit, I really hoped that this beer didn’t turn out like the Grape Pale Ale, where it promised to have a flavour and it didn’t deliver… at the same time, I was afraid that adding something like vanilla would over-power the taste and turn this beer sickly-sweet. Breckenridge put just enough flavour for you to know, but not so much that it over-whelms your senses. It also had a good hop bitterness to malt sweetness.

Originality: 16. How do you make a porter better? Breckenridge Brewery’s idea was to add vanilla beans from halfway across the world during the brewing process.

Versatility: 17. Due to the nature of a porter, it is best to enjoy it after the meal. In fact, the Breckenridge Brewery website, http://www.breckenridgebrewery.com/, suggests making a milkshake out of the Vanilla Porter by adding ice cream. Now doesn’t that sound good!!!

Overall: 85/100. This beer looked good, it smelled good, and it tasted good. Too bad I don’t have an extra one to make that milkshake because I am about ready to make dinner…

Beer: Vanilla Porter
ABV: 4.7%
Brewer: Breckenridge Brewery (Breckenridge, CO)
Availability: Year-round
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Ward

Sorry guys. I got sick and didn’t get a chance to finish the porter post. I will get more of it up next Monday and Wednesday. Thanks.

Samuel Adams "Long Shot" 2007

2008-04-03T02:10:00.017-05:00

Tuesday April 2, 2008

The 2007 winners of Samuel Adams “Long Shot” Home Brewers Contest:

• Mike McDole’s “Imperial IPA” originally brewed in California
• Rodney Kibzey’s “Weizenbock” originally brewed in Illinois
• Lili Hess’s “Grape Pale Ale” originally brewed in Hawaii

Since 2006, Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts has been encouraging home brewers across the nation by sponsoring American Homebrewing Contest called “Long Shot”.

In 2006, over 1500 beers were submitted to five different regions for judging. Winning brewers got the opportunity to have their beer brewed by Samuel Adams and be a part of the first “Long Shot” mix pack. The 2006 “Long Shot” was an exceptional year; it contained “Boysenberry Wheat” by Ken Smith, “Old Ale” by Donald Oliver, and “Dortmunder Export” by Bruce Stott.

In 2007, more entrants equaled more beers. Judges sifted through more than 1900 beers by more than 1300 home brewers… as Samuel Adams founding brewer, Jim Koch, said, “this is proof positive that Homebrewing is alive and well!” The winners for 2007 were Mike McDole with his "Imperial IPA”, Rodney Kibzey with his “Weizenbock” and Lili Hess with her “Grape Pale Ale”. Unfortunately, due to hop shortages, Samuel Adams won’t be able to brew Mike’s "Imperial IPA” until 2009.

I started with Kibzey’s “Weizenbock”. Remarkable in color and the head that was produced with what I deemed a perfect pour. The first thing I noticed about this beer truly was the color, a dark, unfiltered brown, almost amber. The head of this beer stuck around for a good ten to fifteen minutes and provided a balance of fruit and spice aromas. I picked up a bouquet of dark fruits and allspice, with a dominating factor of clove. Weizenbocks typically have more alcohol than their cousin, a Dunkel Weizen, but as far as being able to smell the increase in alcohol was not there. Taste on the other hand, you could tell that it had more alcohol than your average beer at 7.2%. Continuing with taste, sweet wheat with fruit and spice is a great way to describe it. Fruits that I managed to pick out include banana, coriander, and dark fruits. The mouthfeel of this beer was pretty exceptional. A creamy, medium to full body with almost a caramel malt taste. The only thing that detracts from it is it leaves a chalky after-taste.

Body: 15. The Weizenbock has a beautiful, unfiltered amber color.

Nose: 17. This beer is very fragrant. No two doubts about it. The head ensures that your first smell is the clove and allspice, once this dissipates, the banana among other fruits take over.

Character: 15. It is not like I didn’t like the taste of this beer. I liked the initial taste… the complex malts mixing with the fruits and spices. The after-taste left something less than desired, a chalky and bitter taste, so much so that I needed to cleanse my palate before thinking about anything else.

Originality: 20. Let’s face it. Almost every beer has been done. But this beer was originally brewed at home and beat out some 1900 others to be included in Samuel Adam’s “Long Shot” mixed pack.

Versatility: 16. I am at an impasse here. I liked, not loved, this beer. It would probably be great more towards the end of a meal, specifically dessert, like chocolate fondue with an assortment of fruits, that way you magnify the highlights of this beer, its intense caramelized malts and fruit aromas.

Overall: 83/100. Like I said, I liked, not loved, this beer. The flavour stays with you a long time after you drink it. It is has characteristics that I enjoy, but some that I don’t. With that being said, congratulations Rodney Kibzey on your fine beer!

Beer: Weizenbock
ABV: 7.2%
Brewer: Rodney Kibzey (original brewer)
Brewed and distributed by: Samuel Adams Brewery (Boston, MA)
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Ward

Grape Pale Ale… first of all, the name intrigues me. The past two reviews I have done have been pale ales, and if it is not apparent, I like pale ales. The first notes for this beer is how clear and filtered it is. The head on the Grape Pale Ale dissipates very, very quickly (15 seconds, maybe), leaving you to admire a light-bodied golden ale. The bouquet for the beer was slightly floral and grassy, typical of pale ales. If it looks and smells this good, then it must taste this good… but looks can be deceiving. After tasting it, I took a huge yawn, which is a metaphor for its taste… boring. It tastes more like a light beer, than pale ale. Again, I must emphasize the lackluster attempt at flavour for this beer. I barely tasted the supposed grape infusion, unless it is that millisecond of sweetness right when the beers hits your mouth and taste buds. After about half of the beer, I could taste a little bit of fruit, green grapes and orange zest, specifically, but I really had to concentrate and swirl a little to get that. Upon reading the label more closely (and some other reviews), apparently maple syrup was added sometime during the brewing process, so maybe that is why I got the sickly sweet flavour that I couldn’t exactly grasp. I sit here at my computer, still with half this beer left, not really wanting anymore of it…

Body: 13. The Grape Pale Ale was a light-bodied golden ale. Looks good…

Nose: 13. The Grape Pale Ale aspired to be a lot. The bouquet was light, grassy, and slightly fruity. In my opinion, its floral aspects and fruity smell/taste was not well protected because the head dissipated too quickly.

Character: 7. I think I would have liked this beer better had it tasted more what I envisioned… a pale ale mixed with a couple of grape Jolly Ranchers in it. Instead, I got a light beer that supposedly had grape flavouring. The maple syrup not only confused me, it confused this beer. Pale Ales are hoppy and pop on your tongue and taste buds. This one just sat there lifeless and too sweet for my taste. I hate to say it, but this beer failed at taste factor from the first sip to when I decided to not drink anymore. If you want a strong fruit flavour with your beer, try a Lindeman’s Lambic beer.

Originality: 15. I feel like I might be unfair in this score because the other “Long Shot” beer, I gave an automatic 20 to… but if Samuel Adams Brewery thought this was the best beer that one of their employees could come up with and brew, then I fear what they will make next…

Versatility: 12. If you want to taste the grape, then I suggest eating a bunch of grapes with this beer. Other than that, this beer would probably fit at the start of the meal with a light salad with a fruit infused vinaigrette or at the end, with a dessert with berries.

Overall: 60/100. Not every beer I will like. Samuel Adams Grape Pale Ale a testament to what I don’t like in beers. I need flavour, this beer didn’t have it, and I need to want to actually finish it, and I didn’t.

Beer: Grape Pale Ale
ABV: 5.35%
Brewer: Lili Hess (original brewer)
Brewed and distributed by: Samuel Adams Brewery (Boston, MA)
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Ward

Next Week: I will try to get together two, hopefully four posts. Expect beers from Breckenridge Brewery, O’Dells Brewery, Avery Brewery, and Great Divide Brewery… oh yeah, and it will be a flurry of porters…

Well Kids...

2008-04-01T14:04:00.006-05:00

Well kids (I mean those above the age of 21, because why else would you be here, naturally...), it looks like it will only be me posting for a while. Jameson has taken refuge in Iraq for the next year doing something with computers and non-alcoholic beer. Let us laugh in unison at him for a moment... He swears he is working for the Marines, but we all know what he is really doing... making sand castles, professionally, of course!

In attempts to keep our pet project going, I, Jeffrey Ward, have agreed to drink twice as much beer and blog two times as much... which if our track record proceeds us, will be four times this year... kidding. Anyways, I just had a get together with a lot of our friends in which I called "Beergenius.net presents: Beer-ster Egg Hunt 2008". I bought almost 80 different varietals of beer for my guests to hunt for and enjoy! (The idea is copyrighted... don't even think about it... once again, kidding) So let's get this ball rolling, this beer drank (drunk?), and get you all trying what I thought was intriguing enough to buy!!!

The next post will actually be a beer review(s)... I promise!!! In fact, I'll give you all a head start... I purchased the "Sam Adam's Long Shot Ale 6 pack" which contains Rodney Kibzey's "Weizenbock" and Lili Hess's "Grape Pale Ale". Was it worth it? Will I be disappointed? Post coming tomorrow!!!

Boulevard Lunar Ale

2008-01-03T01:46:00.000-06:00

I'm not going to lie to you - I've always been a bit of a fanboy of local breweries. Call it tradition. A brewery was often the cornerstone for towns and cities. The Germans do it. The Czech do it. The English definitely do.

In the middle ages, breweries were often the center of town for a number of reasons. First and foremost, beer was far safer than water, as the water was boiled during the brewing process. It can, in fact, be argued that beer is the primary reason people began to settle down into villages in the first place.

"...beer was the driving force that led nomadic mankind into village life...It was this appetite for beer-making material that led to crop cultivation, permanent settlement and agriculture." 
- Alan Eames

So in doing the best I can to continue the tradition of supporting local breweries, I'm going to begin a review stint with the breweries that are within an arm's length of me (Kansas City/Lawrence area). With that said, when people associate beer with Kansas City, Boulevard Brewing Co. most often comes to mind. So they're going to be review number one.

Yes, I know - I already reviewed Boulevard's excellent Pale Ale in an earlier glance at the country's 10th largest regional microbrewery. What you may not know is that Boulevard offers a total of six beers at any given time. Nutcracker Ale is their current seasonal - a classic spiced winter brew. They offer five all-season beers, including their flagship Pale Ale, their Unfiltered Wheat (which makes for 73% of their sales), the Dry Stout, the excellent Bully! Porter, and their Dunkelweizen (dark wheat, auf Deutsch) Lunar Ale, released just last March, of which we'll be taking a look at this time.

A couple friends and I always make it a point to take the Boulevard tour a couple times a year. We've started a bit of a tradition - we'll take the tour, enjoy the free beer at the end, and then head to one of dozens of excellent mexican restaurants in the immediate vicinity. It's always a blast, and usually nets me quite the headache the next morning.

It was last December that we were on a tour, and Jeffrey, my partner in crime, spotted some label art for the not-yet-released Lunar ale.
"WHAT is LUNAR ALE!?" he flipped out as he pointed to the obviously Boulevard-esque artwork.

Our tour guide told us it was a new year-round beer that Boulevard would soon release - the first since Dry Stout appeared in the mid 90's. "Think of it as our Unfiltered Wheat, but dark..." he began to explain. The collective "ooooh" of our tour group was as if we were witnessing the discovery of a new planet. Or the unveiling of the moon. Or something. Needless to say, I was a bit stoked to try Boulevard's new heavenly

With the recent surge in popularity of wheat beers in this country, it's surprising to me to see such a lack of Dunkelweizen, or dark wheat beers that are easily found. Part of the problem is most certainly the aversion to 'dark beer' by the general public. The concept of the Dunkelweizen is simple: make a malty sweet beer that is balanced with the body of the wheat adjunct, and top it with a touch of citrus.

Pretty different from a stout or a porter, but people don't seem to understand that quite yet. It's my job to change this gross misconception.

Lunar is a project by Boulevard that seems geared toward getting people more interested in darker-colored beers. It's a bit of a cloudy, murky brown with a slight deep amber touch that gives it some depth, and keeps it away from the 'river water' designation. Hints of sweet malt and orange peel shine through, with other citrus notes typical of a hefeweizen.

They call these wheat beers 'fruit loop' beers, but I'm not sure this one necessarily falls into that category. The fruit is balanced out by the malt, more so than in a normal hefeweizen. And that would make perfect sense, because this one isn't normal.

I'm mixed on this beer. The first time I tried it, I was hoping to see God. The idea of a beautiful mesh between rich, sweet malt, wheat as an adjunct to the malt, and the citrus subtleties sounded like the ultimate beer.

Well, that didn't happen. It tasted plain. Dull. Almost lifeless. The yin overtones that I expected were cancelled out by the yang. They didn't exactly work together. All the nuances that come from rich malt and other traditional wheat beers were just not there. And then I realized something - Boulevard wasn't TRYING to create a crazy complex and beautiful beer. That quality is reserved for other things - namely their smokestack series, and on occasion, their seasonal beers. What they were trying to do is create a darker beer that more inexperienced drinkers would really enjoy.

Look at Boulevard's Wheat - it's a good beer by any standard. Certainly not the best I've had, no. But it encompasses nearly three quarters of Boulevard's overall sales. People like it. When someone asks for a "Boulevard" at the bar at which I work, my first instinct is to ask 'well, which one?' It's the wheat that brings people into the world of good beer. It's not busy. It's easy to drink. It's beautiful in its own right. Boulevard, I believe, is trying to do the same with Lunar and dark beer. And I support them 100%.

Body: (19) - This baby has quite the mouth feel. It's full and rich - there's a lot to it. I'm not referring to the complexity, but the viscosity. It's not too much - you don't feel like you're drinking heavy cream. But you're not drinking water, either. Call it 'Goldilocks' style, for being just right.

Nose: (16) - I smell malt. Lots of it. Sweet malt. It's nice, but some people will most certainly raise their eyebrows.

Character: (12) - This is where Lunar falls on its face. Despite Boulevard's assumed goal of creating a dark beer that more inexperienced drinkers can cope with, I'm flat-out disappointed.

Originality: (19) - A Dunkelweizen. I dig the idea. Now let's hope some of the other bigger microbrews catch onto the idea.

Versatility: (18) - There's no reason this beer can't be drank year-round. Boulevard apparently thought the same. Goes fantastically with a dish along the lines of a citrus and pepper chicken.

Total: 84 out of 100. Give it a shot.

Beer: Boulevard Lunar Ale
Style: Dunkelweizen
ABV: 4.5%
Brewed By: Boulevard Brewing Co. - Kansas City, Missouri
Reviewed By: Jameson Huckaba

Sierra Nevada's Anniversary Ale

2008-01-03T01:00:00.000-06:00

2007 Anniversary Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, California

How I choose which beer I review next is like a game to me. I get a mixed six-pack from a local liquor store (Jensen’s or Mass Street Beverage in Lawrence or Lucas Liquors in Overland Park, are some of the ones I go to) and I randomly assign numbers to the beers. I have Jameson pick a number and I drink and review the beer that corresponds. I wish I had a cooler way of figuring out which beer got reviewed next, like Johnny 5 in “Short Circuit” prints out a slip with a beer’s name on it. But I digress…

This past year Sierra Nevada produced its 27th incarnation of their autumn seasonal, the Anniversary Ale, and finally bottled it to bring it to the consumer. Before this year, this gem of a beer was only available at their brewpub. In a press release, Sierra Nevada Brewery was surprised that some people had driven 3 hours from San Francisco to taste this beer. Imagine if Jameson and myself made the day-long-plus trek from Lawrence, Kansas to Chico, California, where the brewery is located, just to taste it…

Sierra Nevada is the second largest craft microbrewery in the United States, second only to Sam Adams of Boston. They have won numerous gold medals and first place awards for their four-year-round beers (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Porter, Sierra Nevada Wheat, and Sierra Nevada Stout) as well as for their two other regular seasonal beers (Summer’s Summerfest Ale and Winter’s Celebration Ale) and their limited supply beers (Bigfoot Ale, a barleywine ale, and Harvest Ale, a fresh hop ale, of which is also available for the first time in the brewery’s history in 24-oz. bottles).

Body: 17. The Anniversary Ale is a light and bright American India Pale Ale that opens itself up tremendously after a few minutes.

Nose: 17. I picked up grassy and earthy undertones as well as a slight citrus aroma. This is primarily due to the Chinook hop varietals used to bitter it and the Cascade hop varietals to finish and dry hop it.

Character: 18. This American IPA did not have that sharp, bitter first taste that I was expecting. Instead, it left you with that quandary of whether or not it truly was an IPA and left you with the desire to take yet another sip. With that being said, it was a nice balance of hop bitterness to malt sweetness.

Originality: 20. So this is the first time (granted it is only my second review) I will have bestowed the prestigious score of “20”, but Sierra Nevada deserves it. For 27 years, beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs would have a difficult time getting this beer. It was only available in their restaurant. The only unfortunate thing is that since this beer is one of their seasonals, so it may not be available by the time you read this. This may not be the best American-style IPA I have had but it certainly ranks in the top 10.

Versatility: 16. IPAs tend to busier on the tongue and have a bitter mouth-feel, but the Anniversary Ale is subtle in its appearance and taste, which could make it more appealing to the average consumer. Sierra Nevada recommends pairing this with something spicy, like Southeast Asian or Indian cuisine.

Overall: 88/100. This beer was a great adaptation of the India Pale Ale process. Its availability is limited so pick one or a six pack up if you see it.

Beer: Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale
Style: American India Pale Ale
ABV: 5.9%
Brewer: Sierra Nevada Brewery (Chico, CA)
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Ward

Rocky Mountain IPA

2007-12-17T21:12:00.000-06:00

The Rocky Mountain India Pale Ale is my first review here with Beer Genius, so bear with... wait, you don't even know who I am. Well, in that case, let me introduce myself. My name is Jeffrey Ward, friend and fellow drinker of fine beers to Jameson. I went to and graduated from University of Kansas with a degree in Genetics and have plans of going back, shortly. Anyways, we here at Beer Genius will strive to bring you news and reviews about all things beer. Thank you and on with the review.

Now, before I get anywhere in this review about the Fort Collins Rocky Mountain IPA, a big “Thank You!” to George Hodgeson, because without you, we never would have had the recipe for a fantastic beer, which would henceforth become known as an India Pale Ale, or IPA for short.

The IPA style was created in the mid 1700s for the sole purpose of getting fresh beer from England to India around the Cape of Good Hope (75th Street Brewery, you will get your review soon enough). The first official IPA was “Hodgeson’s India Ale”, a variation of his pale ale recipe from the 1750s, and was brewed and shipped around the 1780s, and it set the market on fire with other breweries, like Bass, attempting recreate it for the locals. They never achieved the same flavour of Hodgeson, due to the 6-month fermentation process the beer took in the barrels during the voyage.

Modern versions of the IPA recipe have been done by many of craft breweries in United States, but do not reflect the Hodgeson recipe, and are classified American India Pale Ales. Anchor’s Liberty Ale or Victory’s HopDevil Ale, are some of the more notable forms of the American India Pale Ale. Hops used in American IPAs are citric in nature and are most commonly the Cascade, Chinook, and Columbus varietals. The focus on the hops for IPAs is to give the beer that strong bitter start, with a crisp finish.

Fort Collins Brewery, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, is your typical microbrewery. They brew 6 year-round beers (Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat, Rocky Mountain IPA, Kidd Lager, Z Lager, Retro Red, and a Chocolate Stout) as well as 3 Seasonal Beers (Spring: Spring Bock, Fall: Doppelbock, Winter: Big Shot Ale). Some of these our in our fridge, waiting their time in the spotlight to be drank and reviewed by the team here at Beergenius. FCB has a fairly wide distribution range, predominately in the mid-west, but can be found on the east coast in states like New York and Pennsylvania.

Body: 16. A golden, amber ale that presents an excellent color at first pour. Head dissipated fairly quickly leaving a very floral beer to drink.

Nose: 18. First whiff of the beer, you will get a very floral nose and a wonderful aroma.

Character: 19. First quaff of the beer, an intense hop flavour kicks you in the mouth, as most IPAs will give you. The flavor of the beer has edge to the hop bitterness over the malt sweetness. A lingering finish and mellow aftertaste stays with you long until your next drink. Because of the mouth-feel of this (and most) IPAs, solid cleansing of the palate is recommended if you will be sampling other types of beer.

Originality: 15. IPAs have a deep back-story as told in the article. Now, Fort Collins Brewery does their best at replicating a fantastic recipe for beer, but I have certainly had better IPAs.

Versatility: 15. IPAs tend to have higher alcohol and are a lot busier on the tongue than your traditional pilsner or lager, drink this one (and other IPAs) if you can stand the bitterness that the intense hops give.

Overall: 83/100. The Rocky Mountain IPA from Fort Collins Brewery was good beer to be challenged with for my virgin review.

Beer: American India Pale Ale
ABV: ~6.2%
Brewer: Fort (Fun) Collins Brewery (Fort Collins, CO)
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Ward

Chocolate Imperial Stout

2007-12-12T22:50:00.000-06:00

This particular beer review is a bit different. It is different in the sense that none of you will actually be able to buy it. “What’s the point, then?” you ask. Well, I wanted to swing things a little differently today and talk about homebrew beers as a whole. Don’t really know anything about it? Yes, it’s a geeky thing you can do in your mom’s basement with your friends. But it can be much more.

Anyone that is truly serious about beer has at least looked into brewing at home. Those who are completely obsessed actually do it.

I’ll admit – I haven’t taken the plunge quite yet. I’ve got a reasonable amount of book knowledge without any physical application. A real expert, right? Yeah , that’s me. I’ll tell you what, though: I’m excited enough to write about the art of homebrewed beers, and hopefully that’ll push me over the edge.

My cousin, though, has taken the plunge. In fact, he’s already three years into the hobby. The guys he brews with have been doing it for close to twelve. So what is this all about? “I like good beer, what can I say?” my cousin Dominic starts out. “Plus, I like the challenge of trying to create something to be proud of, and the fellowship that comes with the many hours involved in the process.”

Dominic was kind enough to send me (by proxy) one of his “Three Stooges Brewing” Chocolate Imperial Stout beers. It came in a plain brown bottle with a home-printed label to identify its contents. I thought it would only be done justice by pouring it into the correct glass, so I chose a tulip-type snifter to allow some of the more subtle characteristics to work their way out of this gorgeously-dark ale.

Initial taste is pretty rockin’, with that classically dark roasted malt prevailing (as it should in a good stout). The chocolate portion of the namesake is displayed as a nice undertone to the whole lot – much more subtle than in other distinctly-chocolate beers I’ve tasted. I’ll be honest – I prefer it this way.

The finish was, to me, the most interesting part – It almost finished like a port wine, leaving traces of booze and grain long after the main ingredients have disappeared from your palate. Dominic says this particular beer is around 7.5% alcohol; that’s the ‘Imperial’ part.

Overcoming my selfishness to drink the beer myself, I allowed my buddy Gunar (www.mad-avenue.com) to have a sip. “Wow – that’s really good for a homebrew…”

My thoughts exactly.

So while you can’t buy this beer, at least not yet, the point is that there’s an entirely different world out there that most people don’t ever venture into. That’s okay ; that’s what makes home brewing unique and totally rad. If you’re really curious, there is a lot of material to read out there:

www.beertown.org – home of the American Homebrewers Association
www.homebrewtalk.com – Good online forum for discussion, learning, and advice.
www.morebeer.com – Good place to buy homebrew equipment.
www.howtobrew.com – Excellent introduction to ho mebrewing.

There’s something to get you started – I think you’ll rather enjoy it should you choose to take the plunge. I know I’m going to do so. Call me out on it a couple months from now, and see if I’ve made anything cool.

And now for the rating. I’ve been complaining for the past couple of reviews that a couple of the categories bother me, as their qualities don’t necessarily make a good beer. What I’ve done is taken the system and completely revamped it into something that seems a bit more fair. To keep consistent with my past reviews, the rating will still be out of 100. Also, beers will be compared to others in their category with regards to rating, otherwise we might fall into the trap of regarding a more complex beer a better beer when in actuality it may not be. Any feedback is certainly welcome.

Body: (16) - This guy isn’t as much of a mouthful as many other stouts, and has more of a two-dimensional feel than the depth and breadth that I was hoping for.
Nose: (18) - I absolutely loved the way this one hit me when in the tulip glass. The chocolate was certainly prevailant and rich. I don’t know whether this beer was brewed from a malt-extract or the barley itself, but I certainly couldn’t tell one way or another.
Character: (15) - Again, a bit ‘flat’ in overall complexity, where I was hoping to be knocked off my feet. Props for choosing to do something different. This one certainly has room to grow.
Originality: (20) - It’s a homebrew – certainly an advantage for this category in that regard. There are a few chocolate stouts to which this can be compared, but none that I’m aware of with such a nice finish.
Versatility: (14) - let’s be honest here – this beer isn’t for everyone. Non-beer drinkers won’t really care for the highly-alcoholic finish, or the impression the dark malt gives to the drinker. Pair it with a busy pizza, any red meat, or a spicy Italian or Mexican dish.

Total: 84 out of 100 – certainly respectable. Definitely for a homebrew.

For those that don’t know, it’s quite difficult (so I hear) to achieve commercial-level consistency and complexity with inexpensive homebrew equipment. Sterilization of absolutely everything is key, along with proper temperature throughout the entire fermentation process. I’m definitely impressed, and I hope to make something similar someday.

Beer: Chocolate Imperial Stout
ABV: approx 7.5%
Brewed by: Three Stooges Brewing (Homebrewers)
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

Budweiser. The King.

2007-12-08T13:24:00.000-06:00

We've all been in the situation where there's no question whether or not you'll be drinking beer. The situation where you're encouraged - no, expected, to hang with the guys. But there's often one slight problem. You walk into 31 flavors, and all they have are 31 variations on vanilla. Not exactly what you were hoping for, eh?

Now my vanilla may be different from your vanilla, but it's pretty clear what is implied here. Do yourself a favor - have a friend pour, in separate, unmarked glasses, all of the major domestic pilsner beers. I bet the only difference you'll be able to tell between them is whether it's a 'lite' beer or not. And don't give me the crap about how much Coors tastes from Miller. Only the most discerning palate can truly tell the difference. It's the genius of marketing, dear friends, that makes us believe one is so much better (well, different) than the other.

After your experiment, open a Budweiser. No, not Select, not Light. The original Budweiser. "But, the calories, Beer Genius! What'll I do? I already have enough of a 'spare tire' around my midsection!"

Let's face it. If you're worried about calories, you probably shouldn't be drinking beer anyway. You're not going to get skinny by drinking light beer. So you might as well drink real beer. And truly, there's only about a 45 calorie difference (on average) between any given original and its 'lite' variant. With that said, turn on a football game. Grab a 36 pack (yeah, they make those now!) of Bud Heavy. Get a buddy. Fire up the grill.

Forget about sophistication for one second - this beer is about enjoying beer for beer's sake. Unlike most domestics, it doesn't have to be chilled to 33 degrees (F) to be enjoyed. It has some body - didn't expect that, did ya? Taste the slightest hint of citrus. Savor the aftertaste, and you'd be surprised to find the slightest touch of honey. It's just carbonated enough to feel a bit busy. No, it's not the best beer I've ever had. But some beers aren't about being the best.

Guinness is about feeling Irish. Paulaner is about feeling German. Budweiser is about feeling American, and everything that goes with it. And you know what? I like that feeling. I like the idea of grilling meat and watching football. I like the idea of getting together with some friends and causing trouble.

Let us not forget - it's because of Anheuser-Busch that we can enjoy so many wonderful beers from all over the world. They practically invented beer pasteurization, the magic bottle/bottlecap combination, and refrigerated transport.

It may surprise you to learn that Budweiser is brewed in the traditional way. It is aged in a time-honored beechwood lagering process, and naturally carbonated. The brewmasters are obsessed with quality and consistency. They get mad when you rip on their beer. While I typically don't care for traditional American Pilsner Lagers, this one isn't half bad.

So next time you're in that beer-drinking, pretzel-eating, football-watching situation, grab the Budweiser. Savor it. Enjoy it. Because sometimes, as true beer-lovers, drinking beer just for the sake of drinking beer is what we're called to do. Friends and memories are made. And you just don't mess with the King of Beers.

Character: (13) - This one won't blow you away with its complexity. Sometimes, though, you're just looking for something simple and easy to enjoy. All the basics are here, with more bitterness in younger bottles.
Exclusivity: (20) - Again, I don't know why I have this category. Some restructuring is needed. Budweiser is easily the most widely distributed beer in the world. Props for that.
Flavor: (12) - Not a lot here. Notes of citrus and honey, with hops shining through as the beer ages a couple months beyond the bottling date (or the "Born on:" date).
Originality: (17) - One must give credit where credit is due. This one is the original, as far as I am concerned.
Versatility: (16) - I must admit, for such a glowing review, I can only handle this guy every once in awhile. However, it's cheap, and goes great with pizza.

Total: 78 of 100

Beer: Budweiser Lager (American Pilsner)
Alcoholic Content: 5% ABV
Brewed by Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, Missouri
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

RSS feed woes.

2007-12-05T17:14:00.000-06:00

So I know my RSS feed isn't working quite yet. Big problem - I agree! It should be fixed by later tonight. Thanks for your patience!

Also, a welcome back, and a thank you to my old readership that I left hanging for so long. It's my goal to publish at least every other day.

The look and feel of this site will evolve, hopefully sooner than later.

Any comments or suggestions are always welcome. Just shoot me an email at jameson@beergenius.net. Thanks!

- Jameson Huckaba

Boulevard Pale Ale

2007-12-05T14:40:00.001-06:00

A friend of mine has a saying. "I don't drink beer I can see through," he says. Fair enough - you like what you like, but you're missing a whole different world by closing that door. We all know that guy that won't touch a dark beer, simply because it's dark. What he doesn't realize is that, like wine, the beer world consists of more than just light-colored and dark-colored variants (or red and white...nevermind). My point: A classic porter is as different from a dry stout as Miller Lite is from a lambic beer.

A far-too-general description for its classification, pale ales vary widely in color and taste. An Indian Pale Ale (or IPA) is as different from a Saison beer as Dennis Rodman in Vegas is from Emily Post at a state dinner. Most people tend to like beers at either extreme - sometimes unintentionally skipping over the mild-mannered classics in the middle of the bunch, such as Boulevard Brewing Co's flagship beer - the Pale Ale.

That's right! I said it. Although Boulevard's Unfiltered Wheat makes for over 73% of the brewery's sales, their Pale Ale was the first beer created by the regional craft brewery, and remains their flagship product. And what a product it is. It has a gorgeous deep-golden color that captivates. A lengthy taste reveals notes of citrus - mainly lime - and honey, with enough hops to give it a pleasant texture. Complete with the slightest caramel undertones, it hits exactly where it intends: right in the middle of the way-too-broad pale ale spectrum.

To be fair, it's technically an American Pale Ale - a category shared with Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale and Rogue's Juniper Pale Ale, both of which are not at all like this finely balanced example I'm enjoying at the moment. As I try and pick another beer that's identical, I fail. Sure, there are other mild pale ales out there, but Boulevard's example has to be among the most finely balanced available.

Unfortunately for East - and West coast readers, Boulevard isn't quite available there. They have an approximate 500-800 mile distribution radius from the brewery, and growing. Their sales have jumped approximately 15-20% since the brewery opened in 1989, so expect their excellent beers to creep to your area in the near future.

Character: (18) - The straight-laced kid doesn't always have to be the boring one. Don't expect a lot, and be pleasantly surprised. Just like the middle child in your family. Always underrated.
Exclusivity: (17) - I've been contemplating tossing this category - as an exclusive beer doesn't necessarily mean it's a good beer. Personally, I wish Boulevard was available everywhere. Expect to find it in most midwestern establishments.
Flavor: (19) - Perfectly balanced. Supreme enjoyment.
Originality: (18) - None exactly like it in this crowded category. Again - the middle is often overlooked for something more 'exciting.' Don't make that mistake with this beer.
Versatility: (20) - Full points for this bad boy. Refreshing and clean in the summer, and just busy enough to be warming in the cold months. Your friends won't go "eww!" like they might with a porter.

Total: 92 of 100 points.

Beer: Boulevard Pale Ale (American Pale Ale)
Alcoholic Content: 4.9% ABV
Brewed by Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Missouri
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

Sundance Amber Ale

2006-06-30T23:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to possibly my favorite genre of that cool beverage we call beer: the Amber Ale. I like ambers for their variety - they can consist of so many great flavors and still be called an 'Amber.' They are typically robust, flavorful beers that beg to be drank at almost any occasion.

This one is certainly distinct from many I've enjoyed. A deep copper color, it is said to be the color of a Colorado Sunset. Ok - maybe stretching it a bit far, but that's what Boulder Beer Company says. Boulder Beer is the first microbrewery in Colorado - sock that away in your trivia bank for a rainy day.

A first sip reveals notes of smoke and roasted barley, with a strong yet warm malt taste, a signature of any good amber. Further progression yields a full body and an almost dry finish. I like it. There are the classic elements of a great amber with Boulder's own little twist on it. Nothing too crazy or out of the ordinary. Definitely a pretty versatile brew.

Sundance won a Silver Medal at the 2000 World Beer Cup, an annual competition of over 2000 beers. More than 500 brewers participate in this annual event, and it is always stiff competition.

If you like beers that have flavor, you'll like this one. The roasted barley and flavorful hops make for quite a well rounded taste - you won't be disappointed. While not the best amber I've had, it certainly distinguishes itself among the others.

Character: 17 - original, but not outstanding. Plenty to love here, but the components leave you wanting just a little bit more to spice things up.
Exclusivity: 16 - Found at most liquor stores around the midwest. I'm not sure how widely Boulder distributes, but this is one of your more 'average' ales. Most people wouldn't go pick it up, so extra cool points for that.
Flavor: 18 - Different enough to be distinguished. Everything is well balanced and sophisticated.
Originality: 18 - Boulder was the first real microbrewery in Colorado, and they like to brag about it. This particular beer is pretty unique among the ambers I've tried.
Versatility: 19 - As said before, this one can be drank pretty much year round. Not too filling, light and crisp, yet robustly flavored makes for a perfect year-round selection.

Total: 88 of 100

Beer: Boulder Sundance Amber Ale
Alcoholic Content: 4.8% ABV
Brewed by Boulder Beer Company, Boulder, Colorado
Amber Ale
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

Staropramen

2006-06-06T18:09:00.000-05:00

So I'm not typically a pilsner fan. But when I asked the barmaid at one of my favorite hangouts to suggest a beer I most likely had not tried, she was more than happy to suggest Staropramen Pilsner Lager for me. I thought 'great...I've done the Czech pilsner thing before (Pilsner Urquell).'

However, I took her up on her suggestion, and was pleasantly rewarded. Served relatively cold, as most pilsners are, this particular lager had a rich, warm character to it. While still having the characteristic pilsner bite, I discovered that it was nicely balanced by the complexity of flavor the czech hops gave. Slight hints of melon and lemon were found, along with that classic european hops flavor.

One of the complaints I often hear is that european pilsners are skunkish. This is not a 'stinky' beer. For someone looking to transition from our favorite domestics (riiight...), this would be a great place to start. Full flavored, not too weird, and good enough to make you wonder what else is out there.

From their website:

Traditional Czech brewing methods are used in the brewing of Staropramen. Staropramen uses a special blend of natural Czech ingredients. Bohemian barley and Zatec (Saatzer) hops have been used to produce Czech beer for hundreds of years.

When you take a sip of our pale lager, you will surely appreciate its natural "bite." Consistent and sufficient fermentation give Staropramen a full- bodied, pleasantly smooth taste with a thirst quenching finish known as RIZ or "just right." a rich head of foam, and deep golden colour.

I'm not sure that I could have stated it better.

Staropramen is brewed by Pivovary Staropramen a.s., and as of 2000, is actually owned by InBev, who also owns Stella Artois and Becks, among others. Founded in 1869, Staropramen is one of Prague's most popular beers, served in over 800 locations within the city. They are also the Czech Republic's third biggest brewery.

Staropramen Pilsner Lager

Character: 17 - A unique pilsner with a complexity of hops and fruit that will please the palate.
Exclusivity: 18 - while popular in eastern Europe, I've not seen it too many places here in the US. Certainly less popular than other imported macrobrews, such as becks or warsteiner, or Pilsner Urquell.
Flavor: 16 - Still a pilsner, although a good one. This left no hint of a cheap beer after each sip, and the flavor continued to unravel itself as I made my way through the bottle.
Originality: 18 - one of Czech Republic's original brews, and from my experience, unique in its construction.
Versatility: 20 - I can't place a season or an event to this one. You'd be perfectly comfortable slamming (I mean enjoying) one of these before a ball game as you would at a wedding.

Total: 89 of 100

Beer: Staropramen
Alcoholic Content: 5% ABV
Brewed by Pivovary Staropramen, Smichov, Czech Republic
Czech Style Pilsner Lager
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

Pabst Blue Ribbon

2006-06-01T17:41:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I had to do it. I was at Old Chicago with my buddy Jeff yesterday, which so happens to be Beer Tour Wednesday. For those who aren't in the know, every Wednesday, Old Chicago will feature a beer (usually unique and obscure) that will count for four beers on one's quest to conquer the World Beer Tour.

Well, the story goes on, and we discover that the 'unique and obscure' beer of their offering just so happened to be the infamous PBR, or Pabst Blue Ribbon. I was jumping for joy, let me tell ya. So what's the excitement about? Blatantly put, I wouldn't pick this beer up just for the heck of it. I've gotta have a pretty good reason. Available most places for $5.99 a 12 pack (yeah, you heard me right), the stuff is akin to some of the more inexpensive beers you can buy.

Pabst Brewing company was founded in 1844, and has a strong will for adhering to tradition. Maybe too strong. They tend to be fans of locality and culture of particular regions, given different brews like 'Lone Star' and 'Old Style.' A quick glance at their other brands reveals several traditionally laughable brands such as Colt 45 and Schlitz. My biology professor was discussing digestion one day and cracked a joke about Schlitz. But that's for another day.

So being the objective type of person I am, I decide to put away my prejudices and preconceptions, and go for it. After all, every beer I take a look at can't be absolutely fantastic, can it? Maybe I'll see this one as something different this time. Probably not, but oh well. It's worth a shot.

PBR won a blue ribbon, hence its name, back in the late 1800's. From Pabst's website:

Our beer was originally called "Select," but people started asking for that "Blue Ribbon" beer in 1882 when we started tying silk ribbons to the bottles. We officially added the words "Blue Ribbon" to the bottle in 1895. Pabst was the first brewery to put beer in cans way back in 1935. This was Blue Ribbon beer but it was called "Export" when sold in the can. Our first cans had a picture of a can opener on the side with instructions on how to open the can of beer, with the can opener.

During World War II, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans were painted olive drab at the factory for military use. All of the canned beer was for the military. Pabst Blue Ribbon beer was not sold to civilians in cans during the war because of tin rationing.

So the taste test began. I took an initial sip, and I was stung with a blast of carbonation. And then came that taste. That sour, stinky, warm beer taste that even the poorest of frat boys loathe. Keep in mind that particular PBR was ice cold.

...and that's all there really is to the taste. It hits your mouth and dies. In an emergency situation (use your imagination on that one), it's drinkable. For comparison's sake, take a warm Natural Light (one of the few beer companies to spell "light" correctly, I commend them for that), and let it sit open overnight. You'll begin to see what I mean, and you can skip the PBR all together.

I had to work to choke it all down. It seemed like such a waste to dump those calories and maltose sugars in me when I clearly wasn't interested in compliance. On Pabst's website, they indicate that one 'wouldn't be at home' dropping a motor into a car or changing the oil without a PBR by their side. I think I'd rather take the motor oil. And no, not Guinness. But hey - maybe It would get better?

It didn't. Drink this one as quickly as you can. It gets worse with age. No decanting on this one, ladies and gents. I moved on to Sierra Nevada's Porter. A beer never tasted so good.

Pabst Blue Ribbon
Character: 15 points - I had to give this one some points for being so terrible. There aren't too many beers out there that one just completely laughs to themselves when asked if they would like one.
Exclusivity: 5 points - Available everywhere, predominantly in boothill regions. No offense to my country lovin' friends, as I'm sure they enjoy a good beer as well. I'm just stating matter of fact.
Flavor: 1 point - I'm being generous with this one. Order of preference: A good beer > water > corona > club soda > gasoline > pea soup > rubber cement > PBR.
Originality: 5 points - This was probably a respectable beer in the late 1800's, but that was also when cholera and diphtheria were prevalant, and muddy lake water was just fine. This stuff is probably still made with that water, and whatever else they put in it definitely kills any diseases that might be inhabiting your cold, refreshing beverage of choice.
Versatility: 3 points - This beer has two purposes. Getting wrecked, and killing diseases. Use as a substitute for Mr. Clean.

Total: 29 of 100

Beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon
Alcoholic Content: 5% ABV
"Brewed" by Pabst Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas
American Style Pilsner
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

La Fin Du Monde

2006-05-17T18:33:00.000-05:00

La Fin Du Monde, or The End of the World as it is translated, absoluely assaults your tastebuds with nothing but wonderful flavor after flavor in a seemingly endless fashion. A wonderfly golden deep yellow, the color only hints at the punch of flavor this beer brings to your tastebuds. La Fin Du Monde is brewed by Unibroue in Chambly, Quebec, but you wouldn't have guessed that. Upon simple observation,you'd guess this was a Belgian beer.

Unibroue recommends a tulip glass for serving this beer, as it will allow a full flavor release as well as an appropriate sized head. And what a head it is, with wonderful suds abounding on top of the initial pour.

This beer completely floods you with a burst of flavor with every sip. I was able to pick out grapes and melons, along with a hint of spice. You could almost compare this to a sweet white wine. This is a good spring/early summer beer, with an incredibly refreshing taste. Re-fermented yeast on bottom gives it an interesting character and the triple fermentation makes it an incredibly complex beer. Let this beer sit in your fridge for several hours as to allow the yeast to settle before you pour it.

A lingering sweetness resides in your mouth and prompts you to take another sip, and eventually, another beer. This is most certainly one of the most interesting and complex beers I've come across. But at 9% ABV, take it slow. Otherwise, you may just find out why this beer is named La Fin Du Monde, or The End of the World!

Character: 19 points - One of the more unique beers I've come across - this one definitely stands out. At 9% ABV, watch yourself. The alcohol is noticeable, but just barely when stacked up against these other premium ingredients.
Exclusivity: 18 points - I have seen this beer before in select liquor stores - it's available on what I would guess is a limited basis. However, ask the guy next to you at the bar if he's tried it before, and I'd venture no. A wonderful beer, and yet easily overlooked.
Flavor: 20 points - Wow, what a bombardment of the senses. A gorgeous color, and a sip rewards you with an intense burst of fruit, a hint of spice, and sharp hops, all perfectly balanced together.
Originality: 20 points - Not a whole lot of beers like this one. I'd describe it as a wheat beer mixed with a barley wine and then tied up with an IPA without the bitterness. Certainly not something you'd run into everyday.
Versatility: 17 points - Acceptable year-round, but best in late spring/early summer. Refreshing quality. Most people would find it pleasant.

Total: 94 out of 100

Beer: La Fin Du Monde Ale (The end of the World)
Alcoholic Content: 9% ABV
Triple fermented, brewed by Unibroue in Chambly, Quebec. Belgian Style Ale.
Reviewed by: Jameson Huckaba

In the beginning...

2006-05-15T23:58:00.000-05:00

We're going to attempt to pick out some good beers, tell you what we like about them, and when/how you should drink them. We're bossy like that.

We're excited to turn our love for beer into useful information for you when you make your next trip to the liquor store. We've created a simple rating system on a scale of 1 - 100 that we think you'll find effective in making your next malt beverage choice.

Once a week, sometimes more often, you can expect a review of a new beer. Eventually, you'll be able to sort by:

Alphabetically
Region
Type
Occasion
Season

To the upper right is Free State Brewery's Oatmeal Stout. We'd spend time telling you all about it, but unfortunately, it isn't available outside of the Kansas City area.

Ok, we changed our minds. It's too good to ignore.

The Oatmeal Stout is a year-round beer at Free State, and is one of our personal favorites. It's rich, bold character gives a hint of spice and molasses, yet it's not too thick to order more than one. It's versatile character allows it to be drank in any season.

From their website:

In 1989 the Free State Brewery in Lawrence opened its doors as the first licensed brewery
in Kansas since 1881 and joined the resurgence of small-scale breweries across the United States offering fresh, full-flavored beer in a variety of styles.

Free State is famous in Lawrence for their Monday night Pint Nights. They select usually three beers to put on special for $1.75, and the Oatmeal Stout is often one of them. Oh yeah, and they're also a great place to eat. The food is fantastic. Your server can recommend a beer to go with your entreé selection.

On our rating scale, we assign points on both subjective and objective characteristics:

Free State Brewing Company's Oatmeal Stout:

Character - 18 points
Exclusitivity - 19 points
Flavor - 18 points
Originality - 16 points
Versatility - 17 points

Total: 88 points

Pretty darn good.

Check them out at http://www.freestatebrewing.com/.

We'll eventually be up at www.beergenius.net. Give us a little time.

If you have any suggestions of brews you'd like us to review, we'd love to hear them! Shoot us an email at beergenius@gmail.com and hopefully your favorite brew will be available in our area.

Thanks!
Beer Geniuses