Beer Reviews

Country

Type

Rating

Hinterland Oktoberfest (USA)
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Brilliant, deep golden/amber color. The aromatics are fresh and vibrant with bready notes first greeting the nose followed by caramel malt and a bright dose of Hallertau hops. The palate echoes the nose delivering toasted and slightly sweet malt-driven core with waves of toasted bread and hops. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced being more restrained and dry than most American Oktoberfest. 4 Stars

Full Sail Wreck the Halls (USA)
Bright amber with golden tones. Semi-cloudy with a thick, rocky head of foam. The nose is fresh with sweet malt and citrus forward hops. The palate carries on where the nose has led us offering a firm hop driven profile with a sharp, bitter finish. This brew will thrill the hopheads. 3 Stars

Full Sail Old Broadhead Barleywine Ale (USA)
Deep amber/burgundy color. The nose is rich with sweet, caramel, a touch of allspice, rich malt, roasted nuts, toffee, and baked apples. The palate concurs being rich and lush while ideally balanced with fresh acidity and bright hops notes. A blockbuster Ale with super balance and layers of flavors to add interest. A very stylish Barley Wine. 4 Stars

Eel River Brewing Climax Noel 2009 (USA)
Dense amber to brick red with a good bit of haze and a creamy layer of foam. The nose is bright and assertive with berry fruits, cherry, sweet caramel, allspice, and dried raspberry. The palate confirms the nose being rich and quite sweet veering toward dessert flavors with pumpkin pie spices, ginger, and caramel. Far from shy. 3 Stars

Otter Creek Quercus Vitis Humulus (USA)
Bright, deep copper color with a rocky white head. The nose is wild and complex and while the wine notes come through (it is made with the addition of Sauvignon Blanc juice) the malt and hops take center stage. The palate is much richer than the nose suggests but all in line with the 12% alcohol by volume that the label states. Very malty and fruity with a good deal of alcohol burn that detracts from the overall experience. 3 Stars

Uncle John’s Fruit House Winery Apple (USA)
Bright, pale golden color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe and sweet apples with tart accents and hints of apple skin. The palate concurs fully with the nose being more tart than the nose would suggest with soft apple skin tannins. Finishes tart and clean with trailing apple and mineral notes. 3 Stars

Farnum Hill Ciders Farmhouse (USA)
Bright, pale gold color with a faint head and fine bubbles. The nose is filled with scents of tart apples, earth, autumnal leaves, and a dose of wood. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex tart apple wave with accents of earth, mineral, coriander, a hint of salinity and skin tannins. Tart and vibrant. 3 Stars

Farnum Hill Ciders Semi-Dry (USA)
Bright golden color with a faint head and subtle carbonation. The nose is fresh with the scents of sweet and tart apples, as well as a healthy dose of apple skin and celery leaf. The palate is equally fresh being more tart than the nose suggested with plenty of natural acidity and complex fruit notes. Wonderfully textured and certainly aimed at the dry wine drinker rather than the standard cider offered at the local bar. Serve with dinner! null null null 4 Stars

Farnum Hill Ciders Extra Dry (USA)
Bright golden color, slightly hazy with a fine, subtle bead of bubbles. The nose is very complex offering layers of sweet and tart apples. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a vibrant and tart core with accents of apple skin tannins, tart cucumber, celery salt, and citrus zest. A tart and fresh cider seeking to pair with food. A wide range of dishes from smoked salmon to fried chicken comes to mind. 4 Stars

Farnum Hill Ciders Extra Dry (USA)
Bright copper color with a scant trace of carbonation. The nose is rich with the scents of baked apples, lightly toasted almonds, tart, semi-oxidized apple juice, and orange reduction. The palate mirrors the nose offering complex layers of sweet and tart fruit with a nice dose of balancing acidity that keeps it vibrant and fresh despite its deep and ponderous nature. A unique beverage. 4 Stars