Moylan's Brewery - Moylander Double IPA

Moylan's Brewery "Moylander Double IPA" pours a clear copper in color with an orangish tint, ample head lacing is minimal. Smell initial malt aromas a bit of a surprise from an IIPA even given the notes on the bottle. Expected more of the piney and citrusy hops up front. Taste has similar notes, caramel malts are more prevalent than the piney hops. Crisp feel initially, with some oiliness. I guess overall, Moylan's does not disappoint with "Moylander Double IPA", it fits squarely in the style, and drinks well.

Rating: Better

ABV: 8.5%

Belhaven Brewery Company Ltd. - Wee Heavy

Belhaven's "Wee Heavy" initially appears dark brown or black, but when held to light is a deep dark red. Solid one finger head that leaves minimal lacing very small bubbles. It is definitely malty on the nose, some fruit apparent as well. A really enjoyable aroma. Taste is similar with fruitiness and maltiness. Balance is the name of the game here. A bit of a creamy feel, with a light and tight carbonation. some dryness on the finish. Overall Belhaven's "Wee Heavy" really doesn't disappoint, a nice drinkable beer, nicely balanced.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.5%

Avery Brewing Company - The Czar

Avery Brewing Company's "The Czar" pours a deep dark black opaque, tannish golden head of one finger that dissipated to a nice crown. It smells of a nice roasted malt aroma, with some hop characteristics finding their way through. The taste is malts again, very prevalent, some crisp bitterness on the finish. Feel has a crisp carbonation, and an oily finish. Overall "The Czar" is as drinkable as the style can be given the sweetness and abv's prevalent. A good imperial stout though I typically prefer a bit more balance of hops to the malts.

Rating: Better

ABV: 11.03%

Bass Brewers Limited - Bass Pale Ale

Pours a deep reddish copper color with a little tan head. Smell is malty flavorings initially of banana, little hops to speak of. Taste is crisp, malty, some late hop notes. Feel has great carbonation, medium in feel, some oilyness. Overall a very good sessionable beer.

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.0%

Ska Brewing Company - ESB Special Ale

Pours from the can a nice copper color little haze, with an off white two and a half finger head that laces enough, but dissipated pretty quickly. Smell pine notes initially with some malty sweetness following. Taste is crisp and piney followed with some roasted malt flavors. Feel is crisp yet very oily, good carbonation. Great drinking beer, very enjoyable, not too stout.

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.7%

Alaskan Brewing Company - White

Pours somewhat hazy, golden blonde in color with a slightly off white, tiny bubbled head that dissipated quicker than expected given the two fingered amount. Smell is definitely banana and spices with some breadiness. Taste spices and citrus, a lttle graininess. Nice crisp feel, carbonation is just right. Overall enjoyable beer, definitely drinkable.

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.3%

Schmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew) - Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah (13)

Pours a motor oil black with a lighter than anticipated yellowish golden head that dissipates quickly, bubbles are small. Smell initial notes of brown sugar, alcohol presence is noted. Taste is coffee, caramel and chocolate. Full bodied feel, with some oiliness and light carbonation. As drinkable as the style allows, given the ABV, good overall.

Rating: Better

ABV: 13.0%

Southampton Publick House - Southampton IPA

Pours golden with a slight bit of copper coloring, head was one finger that stuck around quite a while and leaves ample lacing. Smell is initially yeasts and cakey aromas, followed by some citrus and banana notes. Tastes cakey, with the banana following, some citrus and pine notes. Big feel with light carbonation, oiliness on the finish. Very drinkable, very enjoyable, nice balance.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.5%

Schmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew) - Genesis Ale

Pours a nice brownish copper color, head is one finger and dissipated quickly. Smell malts initially, with hints of raisin, hops character brings grapefruit, well balanced, just not very bold with the flavors. Taste malts again on the front, hops are less characterized in the taste than the smell. Good feel some oililiness, not super carbonated or crisp. Good drinkable beer, enjoyable, would like something with a little more bold flavorings.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.6%

Rogue Ales - Chocolate Stout

Pours a deep dark opaque brown, with little 1/2 finger head that laces well. Smell cocoa and chocolate on the nose, some hops crispness in the back. Taste again cocoa and chocolate, with bitterness and crispness on the finish. Feel crisp carbonation, very tight, with some slight oiliness on the finish. Not real drinkable for me due to the sweetness and chocolaty flavors, but good for the designed taste.

Rating: Good

ABV: 6.0%

Rogue Ales - Double Dead Guy

Nice deep copper color, very clear, pours a nice two finger head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma opens with some caramel malts, followed by some slight pine notes of hops. Taste is very crisp initially, malts sweetness, with some crisp pine notes, overall nice balance. Feel is good with tight and crisp carbonation that transitions to an oiliness on the finish. Overall nice drinkability, very balanced and a good overall beer.

Rating: Better

ABV: 9.0%

Deschutes Brewery - Hop Trip (Bond Street Series)

Beautiful glowing copper color. Very clear and bright. One finger head that dissipated quickly not any noticeable lacing on the pint glass. Smell of pine and grapefruit on the nose, some malts balance very nicely. Taste pine and grapefruit again, but again very balanced. Great feel, nice carbonation, ample oiliness and feel. Great taste not overly sweet or bitter, great drinkability.

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.5%

Odell Brewing Company - India Barley Wine

Darker copper color, with a light brown head that laced slightly in the glass. Some sweet malts presenting as banana, but the primary aroma is from the hops, grapefruit mostly. Taste is crisp pine followed with sweetness and some alcohol. Initially very carbonated but by the second pour carbonation was mostly gone. Enjoyable beer, abv limits repeatability, though i will drink again. Would like to try this aged several more months.

Rating: Better

ABV: 9.7%

Odell Brewing Company - Mountain Standard Reserve

Deep, very dark brown with a slight off white head that left some lacing on my snifter. Smell is a hoppy citrusy aroma, with some finishing malts on the end. Taste is very similar to the smell with a nice balanced flavor, citrusy hops up front and malt sweetness finishing. Light carbonation, gentle feel, soft finish. Good feel, and taste. Good balanced beer.

Rating: Better

ABV: 8.5%

Goose Island Beer Company - Bourbon County Brand Stout

Deep dark used motor oil black, poured an abysmal 1/2 inch head, that dissipated quickly with little to no crown in the pint glass. Smell, bourbon is more muted than expected, malts are vary prevalent, with coffee and caramel being the primary aromas. Taste is malty more than bourbon-y, definitely chocolaty with coffee and caramel, some bitters on the tail end. Very tight carbonation, with some crispness and dryness to it. Very sweet, and the ABV don't lend to true sessionablity though I could drink it several nights in a row.

Rating: Better

ABV: 13.0%

Avery Brewing Company - Hog Heaven Barley Wine

Deep dark copper color, clear, with ample tan head and some minimal lacing on my snifter. Great pine and citrus aromas, followed with some definite malt sweetness. Taste is again hoppy with pine and grapefruit, followed by some brown sugar and caramel on the finish. Great feel, with a nice carbonation, and some oiliness on the finish. Overall great, very balanced beer with great character, abv the only thing keeping this from sessionability.

Rating: Best

ABV: 9.2%

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Anniversary Ale (2007-2009)

Darker in color than some IPA's, pours a copper/golden/amber color with ample tan head of about 3 fingers, laces nicely on my snifter. Faint notes of pine on the nose, not overly aromatic. Taste is again pine, with some malty presence following, almost caramel. Feel is crisp on the front and oily on the finish. Nice sessionable beer, not super bold on the aromas or the flavors, but enough to keep it good.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.9%

The Lost Abbey - Avant Garde

Pours a nice reddish brown copper color with an off white head that laces decently and dissipates quickly. Not very strong aromas, but some biscuity malt followed with some apple. Taste is similar to smell with some dryness and crispness. Dry feel with some good carbonation that doesn't stick around long. Drinkable for sure, but not one I'm going after really often.

Rating: Good

ABV: 7.0%

Brouwerij St Bernardus NV - St. Bernardus Prior 8

Deep, hazy, dark brown, with a large off white head that laces nicely. Smells of banana and cocoa with a definite presence of alcohol. Taste is cocoa malts and sweetness up front, banana and alcohol on the end. Feel is very tight up front on the tongue, finishes almost flat, thick, alcohol very warming. Nice beer not overly drinkable or sessionable.

Rating: Good

ABV: 8.0%

Bear Republic Brewing Co. - Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Poured a hazy(bottle conditioned) golden color, with little head, and not any retention past about a second. Great aromas of hops, specifically citrus and pine did not notice a strong malt presence. Taste is crisp pine notes, with grapefruit finish. Crisp feel, little carbonation, some oiliness. Enjoyable, and very drinkable. Nothing keeping me from downing a sixer of these.

Rating: Best

ABV: 7.0%

Paulaner Brauerei GmbH & Co. KG - Paulaner Original Munchner

Pours a golden, apple juice color, with a limited amount of head. Smells grassy, with some amount of lemony aroma. Taste is much like the smell with the grassiness up front and the citrus following. Love the crisp dry nature of the feel. Very drinkable, could definitely enjoy quite a few of these on a poker night.

Rating: Good

ABV: 4.9%

Brouwerij Het Anker - Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor

Pours a golden yellow with some haziness, extremely large white head, dissipates gradually, leaves beautiful lacing. Smell has a faint citrus aromas of lemon, grassiness, and the definite Belgian yeastiness, as it warms the strong aroma changes from the yeastiness to the citrus. Taste is again lemony with a cakey aftertaste. Feel is sharp and crisp, tight, with ample carbonation. Definitely enjoyable and drinkable, watch the ABV, though not extreme.

Rating: Better

ABV: 8.0%

Ska Brewing Company - Decadent Imperial IPA

Pours really much redder than expected, deep amber/copper color with ample tan head. Smell alcohol as really the first aroma, followed by malts, very sweet smelling. Taste again has alcohol up front, followed by malts and sweetness, some hoppy bitterness on the end. Nice feel, very oily with ample carbonation. Not as drinkable as some of the same style, enjoyable, though quite sweet and the abv does not lend to extreme drinkability.

Rating: Good

ABV: 10.0%

Moylans Brewery - Hopsickle Imperial Pale Ale

Pours a nice clear copper color, with an ample tan head that dissipates quickly. Smooth citrus notes of grapefruit, with pine following in the aroma. Taste of pine is most prominent with the citrus as a follower. Feel tight, strong carbonation with an oily finish. Drinkable given the obvious fact of the alcohol content, other than that i could drink these for days.

Rating: Best

ABV: 9.2%

Wychwood Brewing Company Ltd - Hobgoblin

I first had this beer in college, when a group of us went across from Johnson City, TN to Boone, NC to get good beer that wasn't available to us in Tennessee. I don't think I appreciated the beer near as much as I should have back then, but it was a cool bottle. This time around I was able to really sip, enjoy and finally review it. Here is what I came up with.

Pours a deep, dark brown/ruby almost black, clear color. One finger of sligtly off-white head that dissipates quickly to a thin crown. Smell is bananas, raisins, sweet malts. Taste is similar to the smell though not quite as bold, a little bit spicier. Light carbonation, with a dry finish, little aftertaste. Drinkable for sure, sweetness is not over powering, very balanced and full flavored.

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.2%

Lagunitas Brewing Company - 2009 Correction Ale

Pours a golden, slightly amber clear, with an ample head that dissipates slowly to a nice off white crown. Aromas of pine, florals and grapefruit hardly a hint of alcohol. Taste has crisp pine notes with some florals on the finish. Feel is tight, and light with strong carbonation that gives way to the oiliness on the finish. Overall bold, but not overpowering, strong and flavorful.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.33%

Ska Brewing Company - Nefarious Ten Pin Imperial Porter

Pours a deep dark ruby almost black, clear when held to the light. One finger of tan head that is barely there before it is gone. Slight bit of lacing left behind as the beer disappears. Smell is chocolate malts and some coffee, with a slight aroma of raisins. Taste is again, chocolate with definite coffee. Slight fruityness on the tail, with the alcohol. Feel has very light carbonation, smooth, slightly oily. Drinkable as any beer at 8% is, taste, aroma worth it, overall a good beer.

Rating: Best

ABV: 8.0%

Twisted Pine Brewing Company - Billy's Chilies Beer (Timberline Series)

Pours a cloudy golden color with a white one finger head into my pint glass. The head dissipates rapidly to near nothing. Smell is very much what was expected, very peppery and spicy on the nose, with jalapenos being the primary pepper noticed. Taste is spicy with the jalapeno being the pepper flavor that i was able to pick out, leaves a gentle warming on the lips and tongue after the beer is long gone. Good feel pretty light on the carbonation though. Drinkable, but not something I would choose to have a bunch of in one sitting.

Rating: Good

ABV: ?

Staatliches Hofbräuhaus (Hofbräu München) - Hofbrau Dunkel

Deep dark amber/ruby in color with a just barely off white head of about two fingers that dissipates quickly to crown the beer. Some initial bitterness with caramel and toffee malts evident on the aroma. Taste has a definite bitterness with a malty aftertaste. Gentle smooth feel and light carbonation in the mouth. Overall extremely drinkable and enjoyable.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.5%

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Harvest Wet Hop Ale

Initial appearance is a deep amber copper color, with a nice "glow". Ample thick tan head that dissipates to a nice crown. Smell has nice pine and pineapple notes with some alcohol and malts creeping in on the back end. Taste has crisp pine flavors with gentle sugar sweetness on the back. Light oily feel, with crisp light carbonation, nice warming from the alcohol. Greatly drinkable, could easily drink 3 or 4 not overpowering in any aspect but nicely flavorful in most.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.7%

Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery - Ten FIDY

First of all this is one of my favorite beers of all time. I love canned beer, especially canned beer that pours as deep, dark brownish black with a slight amount of dark caramel/golden color head as this does. The smell has aromas of cocoa, coffee, and alcohol with some sweetness evident. The taste is sweet cocoa, with some bitterness on the tail end, alcohol is fairly well masked. Feel is crisp with some carbonation, nice alcohol warming and a great smoothness. Overall this beer is a great version of an American Imperial/Double Stout, and the presentation just seals the deal for me.

Rating: Best

ABV: 10.5%

Shmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew) - Coney Island Freaktoberfest

Pours a very bright red color with a pinkish white color head and a solid two fingers on the pour. Laces nicely and lasts well. Malty on the nose, with primarily caramel aromas. Nice taste, would be very confused given the color, malty sweetness of caramel with a taste of hops bitterness on the end. Feels nice with a medium carbonation and body. Taste is good, not overwhelmingly sweet, drinkable though not quite sessionable.

Rating: Good

ABV: 6.66%

Anchor Brewing Company - Anchor Liberty Ale

Pours slightly cloudy, dark golden color with slightly off-white half finger head that dissipates quickly. Smell is malty, with hops following, floral notes. Taste is dry, crisp, malty, followed by floral flavors. Great feel, very crisp and carbonation is nice and strong, tight. Good, not overly bitter or sweet, yet still bold.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.0%

Blackwells Neighborhood Pub - Vestavia Hills, AL

All right, here we go! Adding a new feature to the blog, with some reviews of great spots to have a great beer, and many times some great food. After all, what is a beer, but a beverage to be enjoyed in a bar watching the game or eating some food with friends.

First up is one of my favorite joints in Birmingham. Blackwells Neighborhood Pub in Vestavia Hills. A little hidden, it is located on Green Valley Road near the intersection of Crosshaven Boulevard. Close to The Summit and some of Mountain Brook and Liberty Park.

Open for lunch and dinner, it has a great beer selection for the area, both on tap and in bottles. The bottled beer menu is two full 8 1/2" x 11" sheets organized by style. They carry many of the local and regional brews along with a good selection of classics in many of the styles.

The food is excellent, with great appetizers (try the Gator Bites and Crawfish Jalapeno Skins) and the burgers are wonderful. If you have a risk taking compulsion definitely give The Gambler a try.

Sometimes the service can be a little slow around lunch, but, with a beer selection like theirs wating is not that big of a deal.

Rating: Better

Address: 3151 Green Valley Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243

Boulevard Brewing Company - Saison

Pours a bright golden yellow with a white head of 3 finger that dissipates slowly and laces nicely. Smell has a great yeasty cakey entrance some spiciness in the aroma along with light fruityness of banana. Taste is gentle spiciness with the fruitiness. Great feel with a light soft carbonation and a clean finish. Very drinkable, love the light feel and the gentle spicy flavors.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.2%

Deschutes Brewing - Mirror Mirror

Pours a dark copper color with light loose head of a tan color. Less than one finger of head. Nice smell of caramel and alcohol very malty and sweet aromas. Taste is much the same, sweet, with alcohol on the back end, caramel with maybe a slight fruityness. Feel right with light carbonation, very loose but nice. Alcohol warms nicely. Good enjoyable beverage with nice smell, taste and aromas.

Rating: Better

ABV: 11.0%

Breckenridge Brewery - Lucky U IPA

On tap at Breckenridge Oktoberfest...pours a nice deep copper color with ample head. Smell oozes pine on the nose, crisp and bitter. Taste has great pine crispness and quite dry and bitter. Good feel, really light on the carbonation, some oiliness on the finish, light aftertaste. Nice beer very drinkable and enjoyable, could have kept going on this all day....

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.2%

Green Flash Brewing Company - Le Freak

Pours a golden copper color with an off white head of one finger that hangs around quite well. Smell is definitely spicy with a cakey aroma to open with clear hops following. Love the spicy flavors initially with a crisp clear hoppy bitterness finishing each sip. A little light on the carbonation in my opinion, but overall a good feel. Overall very enjoyable and a great change of pace, though these hybrids arent usually my favorite.

Rating: Better

ABV: 9.2%

Bear Republic Brewing Company - Hop Rod Rye

Pours a deep dark amber color with slightly off white head. Initial malts note followed by dry crisp smell of hops. Definitely hoppy on the front, coffee notes in the finish. Feel is light, lazy carbonation some oiliness. Good beer, medium drinkability due to ABV.

Rating: Better

ABV: 8.0%

Odell Brewing Company - Levity Amber Ale

Pale copper color, ok maybe not pale but lighter than expected. One finger white head that dissipates quickly and laces moderately. Smell is initially yeasty in aroma, followed by slightly more malty sweetness than hoppy bitterness but very balanced, and relatively plain. Taste again is not powerful but malts sweetness overides that bitterness from the hops. Feel has light carbonation and medium body. Good, generally pretty plain though.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.0%

Boston Beer Company - Samuel Adams Irish Red

Pours a nice deep amber color with tan/khaki two finger head that dissipated rather quickly. Smell has a nice aroma of malts with a slight banana aroma. Taste has great flavor of malts that reminds of caramel and coffee on the finish. Feels has a light tight carbonation and lingering aftertaste. Overall extremely drinkable and enjoyable.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.8%

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Dunkelweizen

Pours a deep dark orange with one finger of off white head. Smell is yeasty, cakey, with a banana and maybe raisin aroma. Taste has malts and banana flavors with a yeasty finish. Nice crisp mouth feel, almost dry, carbonation is rather strong. Good and enjoyable, nearly sessionable.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.10%

Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) - Oktoberfest

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass a deep amber/copper color with one finger of slightly off white head. Sweet malty aromas with a hint of hops very nice balance. Taste has sweet caramel malts with a hint of hoppy bitterness. Light carbonation and a minor aftertaste. Overall very enjoyable and drinkable

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.3%

Breckenridge Brewery - Avalanche Ale

Poured from the bottle into a snifter a darker amber/copper color, with a white one finger head. Initially notice aroma of malts followed by some faint bitterness. Taste is similar to the smell with malts present first and bitterness following. Not the boldest of smells, or tastes. Light carbonation with little oiliness on the feel. Drinkable, though I would probably go elsewhere most times.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.41%

New Belgium Brewing - 1554 Enlightened Black Ale

Deep, deep, dark amber/black colors with a one fat finger of head, tan/khaki in color. Smell has some spiciness, with some intriguing smokey notes. Malts and yeast prevalent. Taste is smokey, banana, with the yeastiness and maltiness expected. Great carbonation and light bodied feel, refreshing. Extremely sessionable and enjoyable overall. One of my favorites.

Rating: Best

ABV: 5.6%

Alaskan Brewing Co. - Alaskan IPA

Pours an orangish copper color without the "glow" I associate with the best ipas, two finger head that laces nicely. Smell is rather yeasty intially with some grapefruity citrus notes following. Taste is much like the smell, with a yeastiness and a dryness to the flavorings, some pine and citrus mixed in. Feel is dry, medium bodied, with generous carbonation. Overall an average abv and decent taste make it drinkable.

As a fan of most of the Alaskan offerings this left me somewhat disappointed.

Rating: Good

ABV: 6.2%

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale

Pours a deep copper color with an off-white two finger head. Smell is not a powerful aroma, some piney and alcohol notes initially with some slight floral notes following. Not an overpoweringly hoppy beer, piney notes initially with what seems to be a grapefruity finish. Great feel, some slight oilyness with a powerful but light carbonation. Very enjoyable and drinkable beer, good taste, feel and moderate ABV.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.7%

Great Lakes Brewing Company - Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

Pours with great colors, with the deep dark reddish brown (almost black) coloring. Nice tan head, about two fingers worth. Smell has wonderful aromas of chocolate and malts, some slight breadiness on the end. Taste has nice easy chocolates and malts in the taste, light alcohol flavors as well. Very nice crisp carbonation, some slight oiliness to finish. Very drinkable, though sweetness of malts can get old for some.

Rating: Best

ABV: 5.8%

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Torpedo Extra IPA

Pours a golden/amber/copper color with an off white one finger head, laced the glass nicely. Great smell, very much piney with some light floral notes on the end. Taste, again very much a piney flavor of the hops, some slight grapefruit notes finishing. Good feel, light carbonation, not to dry. Nice, abv isn't out of this world, but more than a few is a few too many.

Rating: Best

ABV: 7.2%

Cucapa Brewing Company - Cucapa Obscura

Pours a very dark amber color with some clarity and a one finger off white head. Smell is sweet chocolate notes with slight alcohol aroma. Sweet tasting malts with little bitterness to balance. Light carbonation and slight oiliness. Drinkable and enjoyable though not super.

Rating: Good

ABV: 4.5%

Unibroue - La Terrible

Pours a very dark (black) with no clarity. Head is off white and approx 1 finger. Laces minimally. Smell has initial cakey banana aromas with some maltiness. Cakiness comes through in the taste as well, alcohol comes around on the end. Some malty notes but overall very balanced and enjoyable. Nice carbonation with a tight feel. Drinkable, enjoyable, however the alcohol content hinders this a little.

Rating: Better

ABV: 10.5%

Green Flash Brewing Company - West Coast IPA

Pours a gentle golden/copper color with a white head. Smell is very strong pine notes initially then some more floral notes that follow. Taste is very bold hop flavors, pine followed by floral notes. Nice light tight carbonation with ample all the way through even on a slow drink. Good, the only thing keeping this from being an all night beer is the ABV.

Rating: Better

ABV: 7.3%

Avery Brewing Company - The Reverend

Pours a very reddish amber color, with a lightly tan one finger head that dissipated quickly. Smell of cake and some fruitiness, lightly like bananas. Taste is gently spicy with some malts and fruitiness on the tail. Light tight carbonation with an easy feel. Enjoyable beer, ABV to high to enjoy too many...

Rating: Good

ABV: 10.0%

Grand Teton Brewing Co. - Bitch Creek ESB

Poured a deep dark brown in color with little clarity, light brown head, one finger. Smell is malty caramel aromas with bitter hops very evident. Taste has good bitter flavors with the caramel/coffee malts nicely present, overall a nice balance of flavors but each very evident. Very light on the tongue, small tight carbonation. Overall a good beer, sessionable, and enjoyable.

Rating: Good

ABV: 6.0%

Breckenridge Brewery - 471 IPA

Poured a very copper color with a slight amount of white head that dissipated quickly. Not hugely aromatic, but the slight aroma is very citrusy and floral in nature. Not huge flavor, I have noticed this about some of the Breckenridge beers, that they can tend to be very subtle in flavor and aroma. Hoppy citrus and pine notes are there just not quite as "punch you in the face" as some other beers. Nice light carbonation, like other attributes of the beer somewhat subtle. Alcohol is not overly evident, though the ABV is limiting drinkability or sessionability. However I do find this beer to be enjoyable in its quietness.

Rating: Better

ABV: 9.2%

Cucapa Brewing Company - Chupacubras Pale Ale

Pours a deep amber with a two finger slightly off white head. Smell some coffee malts with a slight amount of hoppy bitterness. Taste is good, light malt flavors of coffee, hint of bitterness following. Nice crisp carbonation, no oiliness, with good aftertaste. Enjoyable, not too stout, easily sessionable, my favorite Mexican brew.

Rating: Better

ABV: 5.8%

Ska Brewing Company - Modus Hoperandi

Poured nice clear copper color, one finger off white head. Smell notes of pine, definite bitterness, some malty hints on the tail end. Smell more aggressive than taste, though similar. Hops present piney tastes, with the aftertaste presenting the malts. Carbonation is light, but tight small bubble feel on the tongue. Good flavor, enjoyable and not killer amount of alcohol all lead to a very drinkable beer.

This is one I really miss after my move from Colorado to Alabama. Will be keeping an eye out for it whenever possible.

Rating: Best

ABV: 6.8%

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Palo Santo Marron

Pours a very dark almost oil like darkness. Tan/golden head dissipates quickly. Smell some initial sweetness to accompany the malts, nearly coffee like in its aroma. Very sweet taste, some bitterness and coffeelike. Light carbonation, fades rather quickly. Very potent, though not like some other DFH beers, though it hinders sessionability.

Rating: Better

ABV: 12.0%

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery - Bottoms Up Kolsch

Pours a hazy copper with a two finger head from a vigorous pour. Smell has lots of malts up front, some grainy smell and some faint fruits on the end. Taste is not very bold on flavors, but not bad tasting, some citrus notes and relatively balanced. Good feel note crazy carbonated, gentle aftertaste. Overall the beer is drinkable, and even enjoyable, not outstanding but still worthy of a pour.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.0%

Rogue Brewery (Brewers on the Bay) - Dead Guy Ale

Pours hazy with a copper color and two finger head when poured more gently. Complex smell with the malt out front presenting a grainy nose, some hop notes but overall very balanced smell. Taste is similar to smell though the hops are more prevalent on taste than smell. Carbonation disappears quicker than most, though not terrible. Good beer, definitely drinkable, overall I enjoyed the beer.


Rating: Good

ABV: 6.5%

Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery - Dale's Pale Ale

To me presentation is as much a part of the appearance as the color and head, the can presentation is great, I Love It. Pours a darker than expected copper, some haze. Head is about two fingers and sticks around quite a while. Smell is interesting my nose first picks up the malts, then the hops. Taste has citrusy hops with a nice balance of malts to finish. Very enjoyable light carbonation. This has become a staple in my beer fridge as what I go to when I just can't decide what I want. Very sessionable.

Rating: Best

ABV: 6.5%

Stone Brewing Company - Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Pours a deep dark ruby colors with an offwhite two finger head. The oak barrel ageing is definitely apparent in the aromas, though some other maltiness and latent hoppiness is lurking. Ooak barrel aging up front in the taste with hoppiness following. Great mouthfeel, very carbonated with smooth finish. Enjoyable and somewhat stout, limits drinkability, however the alcohol is not out in front and therefore could sneak up.

Rating: Better

ABV: 7.2%

Odell Brewing Company - St. Lupulin

Pours a beautiful golden/copper color with a one finger bright white head. Smell has piney notes followed with some citrus (grapefruit), very clean, crisp smells. Taste is outstanding gentle hoppiness, not overwhelming but very present. Again, piney notes with some citrus aftertaste similar to grapefruit. Feel has some oiliness, gentle carbonation, very smooth. Extremely enjoyable and definitely sessionable.

Rating: Best

ABV: 6.5%

Odell Brewing Company - Red

Poured wit a very appropriate appearance, deep dark red/amber color with nice one finger head with an off white color. Smell was initially yeasty, malty aroma, followed by very heavy hops smell. Taste has some initial malty notes with the hoppy bitterness in the aftertaste. Gently carbonated but very nice feel in the mouth, some light oilyness in the end. Extremely, very enjoyable beer, moderately high alcohol content but still on the border of sessionable for some, definitely for me.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.5%

Victory Brewing Company - Wild Devil Ale

Poured from the bottle an amber/copper color with an off white three finger head. Nice balanced smell with some malts up front, bitterness of hops is still very evident. Taste strong flavors from both ends of the spectrum, malts evident with some hop bitterness as well. Yeast really transforms flavor of the original. Enjoyable feel no great distractions. Drinkable and even sessionable, enjoyable beer though not anything outstanding.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.7%

Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV - Maredsous 6 Blonde

Poured from the bottle a golden copper color with some very slight haze. Capped by a 3 finger white head. Smell is yeasty, malty, with some floral notes. Taste some cakiness, nice light taste very balanced. Light feel nice carbonation. Very good and definitely a tasty beer, drinkability is high with moderate alcohol content and a light feel.

Rating: Best

ABV: 6.0%

Terrapin Brewing Company - So Fresh & So Green, Green

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass a nice deep orange color. Good citrus notes on the nose, some sweetness present. Taste is balanced with an initial tinge of hoppy citrus bitterness. Feels amply carbonated with some hop oil and a medium body. Overall a good representation of an IPA with a fresh hop flavor.

Rating: Better

ABV:6.6%

Green Flash Brewing Company - Hop Head Red Ale

Poured a deep reddish copper with a tan two finger head that dissipated to cap the beer, some yeast floating in beer. Definitely hoppy pine aromas, some maltiness hiding in there. Similar to smell, starts, goes, and finishes with hops, but not overpowering. Very nice feel with good carbonation that keeps on coming all the way through, and crisp finish. Definitely enjoyable and very sessionable. A great cross between a red(amber) ale and a IPA, though it is very much skewed toward the IPA.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.4%

Victory Brewing Company - HopDevil Ale

Pours deeper color than some IPA's, on the darker side of copper with an of white head. Smells on the drier side with piney tones and bitterness. Very crisp with some dryness, piney flavors with citrus notes on the back end. Feel carbonation on the lighter side with definite crispness. Very sessionable in my opinion, I could put away a few of these easily. Overall a good offering in the style.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.7%

Boulder Beer Company - Mojo Risin' Double IPA

Pours a slightly hazy yellow with a white head that dissipates quickly. Smell of piney hops with slight citrus notes. Smell is not super strong. Good IPA taste, piney notes, some citrus notes, overall a good beer just not my favorite in the style. Feel some oilyness, good carbonation, tickles the tongue. Drinkable,again not my favorite but sessionable if necessary.

Rating: Good

ABV: 10.5%

Great Divide Brewing - Hercules Double IPA

Pours a deep dark golden brown, slightly darker than honey with an off-white almost tan head that dissipates quickly to cap the beer. Wonderful smell of hops with very piney notes. Not very much citrus on the nose. Taste is very similar to the smell, with piney hops being the primary flavor, and some faint malt flavors on the finish and aftertaste.Good feel, light carbonation, not huge alcohol flavors or warming. Some oily feel.Overall very good clean crisp flavors and really a good drinking beer.

Rating: Better

ABV: 10.00%

Brasserie de Rochefort - Trappistes Rochefort 8

Pours a deep dark brown with just slightly off white head, while leaving moderate lacing. Smell imparts some dark fruits, bread and yeast. Alcohol not too noticeable. Tastes similar to smell, very nice and balanced, some dark fruits, light alcohol. Feels good with a gentle tingling, slight oilyness. Overall very good, not an overpowering taste, light sweetness, gentle aftertaste all lend to good drinkability.

Rating: Best

ABV: 9.2%

O'Fallon Brewery - Smoke

Poured from the bottle into a snifter a dark opaque brown with an offwhite head that left a minor crown after dissipating quickly. Smell was smokey with a roasty smell behind. Taste was much the same. Feel was smooth and lighter bodied than expected, some oilyness was noticed. Overall a pretty decent "Smoked Porter" but not the best "Porter". A good beer and I will not turn it down.

Rating: Good

ABV: 6.00%

The Matt Brewing Company -Saranac High Peak Series imperial IPA

Poured from the bottle into a snifter a darker amber golden color with an off white head that dissipates quickly. Smell is faint but primarily malty in nature, more like a barleywine. Taste generally is much the same with malts taking the forefront and some slight pineyness on the finish. Feel is amply carbonated and crisp, with a medium body and a dry finish. Overall not a bad beer but not the best IIPA in my opinion.

Rating: Good

ABV: 8.5%

Abita Brewing Company - Restoration Pale Ale

Poured from the bottle into a snifter a lighter yellow color with white head. Smell is slightly citrusy with some grassiness. Taste was very similar with a bit more hops citrus. Feel was a lighter medium body with a good carbonation and some oiliness on the finish. Overall a good pale ale that I won't shy away from when purchasing.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.00%

Great Divide Brewery - HadesAle

Poured into a snifter a light yellow color with a white head that dissipated quickly. Aroma definitely brought the bready, floral scents. Taste followed with the spice and floral. Feel had quite the bite, a medium body and an oily finish. Overall I enjoyed the beer but not my favorite in the style.

Rating: Good

ABV: 7.8%

Harpoon Brewery - Harpoon IPA

Poured from the bottle into a snifter with a nice amber-golden color and a white head that dissipates quickly. Little lacing. Smell is floral with a hint of citrus. Taste is more of the floral notes, balance is nice. Feel is smooth and medium bodied with a nice, oily finish. Overall a good beer and a tasty IPA.

Rating: Good

ABV: 5.9%

Brasserie de Rochefort - Trappsites Rochefort 10

Poured a deep dark brown, with a slightly off-white quarter inch head that dissipated quickly and laced a little bit. Smell has notes of yeast and fruity notes of banana. Taste is sweet with malty notes and followed by the fruity flavors and the alcohol. Mouth feel is deep with some thickness, medium aftertaste. Overall a good drinking beer, with ample complexity and feel.

Rating: Better

ABV: 11.3%

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Indian Brown Ale

Pours a deep dark amber brown but clear when viewed to light has an off white one finger head that quickly dissipates. Balanced smell, some hops on the nose, but very even with malts as well. My favorite thing about this beer is the balance in the taste. Starts with some citrusy, bitterness and the hops but leaves a nice even hops aftertaste. Feels very nice even carbonation. Overall, excellent, I could sit and drink these all night. I have to give full disclosure, this is and always will be one of my favorite beers.

Rating: Best

ABV: 7.2%

Avery Brewing Company - Mephistopheles Stout

Pours deep dark brown/black with a dark brown head that starts at one finger and dissipates quickly. Smells of roasted malts and alcohol. Taste starts with a bitter coffee bite and finishes smoother with chocolates. Feel has a nice early sharp tingle that smoothes away. Overall sweet, high ABV both lend to one and done status for me, but keep in the style pretty well.

Rating: Good

ABV: 15.1%

Good People Brewing - IPA

Tonights reviews are some of the enjoyable brews I have had to taste since moving to Alabama. These are some that are readily available in the Birmingham area, though not exclusive to to Alabama. With the new laws in place it should open up to a better selection of both local and regional beers. Enjoy.


Poured from the can into a snifter a cloudy orangish copper color with an off white head that lingered and laced nicely. Smell is more piney and floral with ample bitterness. Not so much on the citrus side in this one. Taste is similar with pine leading the charge of a pretty balanced taste. Feel has a good carbonation and body with a slightly dry finish. Overall a good IPA and a beer that has become one of my favorites from the area.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.0%

SweetWater Brewing Company - SweetWater IPA

Poured from the bottle into a snifter, color is a good coppery-golden hue with an off white head that laces nicely. Smell is primarily hops with citrus leading the way and some pine following. Taste is very similar with a little more pine. Feel is very nice and smooth, with an oily finish. Overall a great representation of an IPA and a very good beer.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.7%

Cigar City Brewing - Jai Alai IPA

Poured from the bottle into a snifter a nice orangy copper color with ample offwhite head that laced nicely. Smell is of pine with some citrusy grapefruit background. Taste is citrusy with some caramel malt notes. Good smooth, medium bodied feel with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Overall a great IPA that has quickly become one of my new favorites.

Rating: Better

ABV: 7.5%

Terrapin Beer Company - Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Poured from the bottle into a snifter a deep dark almost black opaque color with little to no dark brown head. Smell is very much coffee malts with little if any hop character. Taste is very similar, very coffeelike with littly hoppiness. Feel has very light carbonation and is very smooth. Overall a great beer and one I will frequent when available.

Rating: Best

ABV: 8.1%

Brouwerij Verhaeghe - Duchesse De Bourgogne

Poured a deep dark ruby with little if any haze, two fingers of slightly off white head that faded to a nice cap and laced slightly. Aroma is complex almost like a red wine vinegar but not as pungent, some fruityness. Nice taste of fruit followed by malts, relatively gentle taste compared to the smell. Gentle carbonation with light aftertaste. Overall very good, not too sweet, not too tart really pretty balanced but with some sourness, not too difficult to finish the 750.


Rating: Better

ABV: 6.2%

North Coast Brewing - Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Poured a deep dark brown, almost black with a very thick (3 finger) dark brown almost golden head. Smell is hazelnut and chocolate, roasted malts, no alcohol odor. Taste is definitely roasted malts and chocolate/cocoa flavors, really seems to be very balanced. Feel has good light carbonation, not tremendous thickness. Overall very good and very drinkable, easily have more than 2 at a session.

Rating: Best

ABV: 9.0%

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - World Wide Stout

Pours a deep dark brown, almost black, very opaque. Head pours a light brown approx two fingers. Smell has notes of vamilla, roasty malts, and the alcohol is extremely noticable. Taste is again malty and very sweet with some vanilla notes, but the alcohol almost dominates. Good mouth feel with light carbonation and definite alcohol warming. Too sweet for my taste, and alcohol is too prevalent.

Rating: Good

ABV: 18.0%

Unibroue - La Fin Du Monde

Poured a hazy golden color topped with an ample, slightly off white head that laced the glass as the beverage went down. Smell is floral with spices, malty-breadiness evident. Taste has spiciness with fruity tones, breadiness and alcohol present. Feel has a nice tingliness with carbonation, some oiliness. Overall very drinkable and enjoyable.

Rating: Best

ABV: 9.0%

Boulevard Brewing Co. - The Sixth Glass

Pours a deep ruby with ample off white head into my snifter. Nice smell of spice, bananas, and alcohol, some maltiness. Taste has a very nice balance with malts up front and finishes with spicy aftertaste and alcohol. Feel has a very tight carbonation that tickles, and some alcohol warming. Overall a good, enjoyable beer. The alcohol hinders drinkability some but not because of taste.

Rating: Better

ABV: 10.5%

Boulevard Brewing Company - Double Wide I.P.A.

Found this beer to be extremely enjoyable, I was trying several different IPA this night and it fit right in with some of my favorites

Poured from the bottle with lots of head, three to four fingers, settled quickly to a 1/8" cap on an amber hazy color. Good hoppy citrusy aroma, thought I noticed some smokiness but very faint. Taste had nice citrusy flavors, some dryness. Good feel and carbonation in line with the style. Overall very drinkable, alcohol not extremely noticable.

Rating: Better

ABV: 8.5%