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%

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%

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%

J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd - Vintage Harvest Ale (2001 Vintage)

2001 Vintage

Poured cloudy brown with ruby hints. Virtually no head. Great aromas of malty sweetness, very little if any hop aromas. Malty aromas are dark fruits. Definite alcohol in the aroma as well. Taste is very sweet, with some fig, raisin type fruity flavor as well. Alcohol doesn't really appear until the end, pretty well masked. Feel is smooth, syrupy and has very little carbonation. Overall a very good Barleywine with great characteristics. Really enjoyed the beer.

Rating: Best

ABV: 11.5%

Samuel Smith Old Brewery - Nut Brown Ale

One of my favorites....

Poured a nice Orangy, Amber brown slightly cloudy with good head and retention. Nutty maltiness aroma with a balanced and flavorful taste that was malty with a nutty finish. Nice light carbonation and only slight aftertaste.Very drinkable and quite sessionable, I could easily enjoy a six pack of these no problem.

Rating: Best

ABV: 5.0%

Samuel Smith Old Brewery - The Famous Taddy Porter

Poured into a standard pint glass a deep dark brown/amber color, very clear, tan head that laced very well and dissipated quickly. Aroma is malty notes of coffee and caramel, with a taste that mimics. Feel is very nice, carbonation lingered and was tight in nature. Very drinkable and quite enjoyable.

Rating: Best

ABV: 5.0%

Meantime Brewing Company Limited - India Pale Ale

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass. Poured a slight brown with some cloudiness and a light tan head that dissipated quickly and left little lacing. Aromas revolved more around the malty sweetness than the hoppy bitterness. Some alcohol also in the aroma. Taste was sweet as well, almost a hint of brown sugar detected. Light to medium bodied, with appropriate carbonation and some slight oiliness on the finish. Good beer though the sweetness could limit drinkablility some.

Rating: Good

ABV: 7.50%