The Beer Experience The Standards Amstel Light (Holland) 95 calories 5.25 Light, slightly dry with a refreshing taste Blue Moon (St. Louis, MO) 4.25 Budweiser (St. Louis, MO) 3.95 Bud Light (St. Louis, MO) 110 calories 3.95 Corona (Mexico) A sweet medium lager. 4.95 Usually served with a lime. Corona Premier (Mexico) Need we say more. 4.95 Non Alcoholic St. Pauli Girl (Germany) * Brewed to full 4.25 German standards. Light hoppy flavor with some maltiness. O Doul s, (St. Louis, MO) A hint of fruitiness 4.25 with light hop character and spritzy finish. Fat Tire (Ft. Collins, Co) A lightly spicy amber ale. 4.95 Heineken (Holland) A hint of fruitiness 4.95 with light hop character and spritzy finish. Coors Lt. (Golden, CO) 105 calories 3.95 Michelob Ultra (St. Louis, MO) 95 calories, 3.95 2.6 gm carbs * Smooth and refreshing light beer. Miller Lite (Milwaukee, WI) 96 calories 3.95 Modelo Especial (Mexico) A medium-bodied 4.50 lager with high carbonation and low hop flavor. Negra Modelo (Mexico) Dark lager with a 4.50 creamy body and a hint of chocolate. Red Stripe (Jamaica) Light in body, 4.50 slightly sweet, high in carbonation. The Drafts 98 Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, OR. 6.4% ABV 60 IBU 6.50 Pours a crystal clear dark orange/copper with powerful tropical fruit aroma, (mango, tangerine, grapefruit), mint, pine, and caramel malt. Lush, juicy tropical and citrus forward (matches the fruits found in the nose but some added lemon/lime). Semi-sweet malts (buttered biscuit) come through in the mid-palate and provide a nice base for the hops to blend with. Finishes with tangerine peel and fresh mulled spearmint. WOW! 92 Left Hand, Travelin Light Kölsch, Co. 4.8% ABV 6.50 Nice grass and citrus aroma with gentle light malt qualities. Crisp apple, pear, lemon, clean grainy malt, straw and light grass, with a crisp grainy, pilsner-like malt backbone. Slight honey sweetness. Touches of hay and grass on the backend, but no discernable bitterness. Finishes crisp, clean, and lightly dry with a bit of fruitiess. A well-rounded, easy drinking light ale perfect for kölsch fans. 91 Four Peaks, Kilt Lifter, Arizona 6.0% ABV 21 IBU 6.50 An easy drinking Scottish Ale. Solid and clear copper in color. Sweet toasted malt aroma of brown bread, doughy biscuits with a sharp peat accent with a hint of smoke. The malt base is laden with caramel and sugars. The peat and sugar really kicked off the flavor here. The scotch notes are subtle, the finish is of caramel malt with a hint of hops. The Beer Styles Lager... Characterized by its light body, pale hue and mellow flavor, this beer is made with bottom-fermenting yeast and lagered (German for stored or aged) at temperatures close to freezing. Its worldwide popularity is due to its clarity and smoothness. Pilsner... Originally from Pilsner, Bohemia, this lager-style has a slightly tannic character, with an emphasis on hops. Aged in wood, it glows with golden color and is traditionally the palest of all lagers. Wheat (Weiss, Weizen)... Highly carbonated, low in alcohol and prized for its refreshing qualities. Wheat beers substitute malted wheat for barley, resulting in a characteristic yeasty aroma, dense foam head and thirst quenching tartness. Ale... More full bodied, hop flavored and bitter than lagers. Its characteristic malt flavor, full flavor palate result from the use of top-fermenting yeast. Many micro-brews are brewed in this style. IPA... India Pale Ale was invented in the late 18th century for thirsty British Colonial troops stationed in India. Regular beer would spoil on the 5-month voyage, so brewers made a stronger, more highly-hopped brew that would survive the trip. It became very popular. Lighter and hoppier than pale ales, if you like hops, you ll love IPAs. Porter... A traditional English beer, originally brewed to satisfy the demand for a 50/50 mix of ale and stout. Its dark brown hue and full body come from roasting the barley before brewing. Less hoppy than a normal ale with a hint of sweetness. Stout... Richer and more full-bodied than porter, stout is a dark, heavy, top-fermented beer with a rich malty flavor and bitter hops taste. It is usually low in carbonation and may be served at closer to cellar temperatures. Belgium/Trappist... Trappist Ales are indeed brewed within the monasteries in Belgium. Today many former trappist beers are brewed for monasteries in the old style. This list offers several of the great remaining trappist beers. The beers display high ABV as a result of as much as 3 times (tripel) the malt normally used. The result is complex flavors with a smooth, almost sweet finish. Barleywine... An English term for an extra strong ale. Barleywine is very full-bodied, malty, highly hopped and very high in alcohol. Typically consumed in smaller servings, this beer makes an excellent nightcap.
Lagers 90 Boston Beer Co. Samuel Adams Light 4.75 Pale amber color. Pleasant aroma of lightly fruity caramel and toast follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with good balance and depth of flavor. Finishes with a long, crisp earthy hop and mineral accented fade. A very nice light beer with considerable flavor and style. 94 Lagunitas Pils, Ca. 5.3%ABV 5.00 This lager has a bright and lively nose on it. There s a fruitiness which is delicate and faintly citrus in nature. There is an immediate richness and almost sweet feeling. The beer then quickly shows it s assertive, although balanced, hopping and finishes nice and dry. The saliva glands squirt and it s time for another sip. 94 Oskar Blues Brewery, Mama s Little Yella Pils, Colo. 5.3% ABV 5.50 Deep golden color. Honeyed baguette and apricot skin aromas lead to a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with great depth and balance. Finishes in a crisp, citrus on toast fade with earthy hops lingering. Delicious and very Czech-like with a fruity twist. 95 Pilsner Urquell, Czech Republic 5.50 The nose on this beer is very fragrant with flowery/herbal hop aromas. The palate is soft, with lots of good crisp pilsner malt flavors, and just a touch of diacetal, which makes the mouth feel slightly buttery. The body is round and clean making it so, so drinkable. Finishes with more of that good malt flavor up front, then ends with a dry, grassy, balancing hop bitterness that slightly lingers. 90 Stella Artois Lager, Belgium 5.75 Pale golden amber color. Delicate aromas of citrus peels and baguette bread follow through to a frothy, grainy medium body of wheat toast, clay, and caramelized dried fruit flavors with a long, sweet and sour citrus and earthy hop finish. Nice depth of flavor and vibrancy. 92 Boston Beer Co. Samuel Adams Boston Lager 5.50 Deep amber color. Aromas of apricot butter on raisin toast follow through on round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with excellent balance and vibrancy. Finishes with a long nutty praline and earthy citrusy hop fade. An excellent refreshing beer with nice complexity. 100 Privatbrauerei Aying Celebrator Doppelbock 6.7% ABV 10.00 Deep mahogany brown with a ruby cast. Vibrant aromas of baker s chocolate, fruit nut caramel fudge, light molasses and cigar box spice jump from the glass and follow through to a rich, velvety full body with a lingering nutty, spice, and earth fade. Wonderfully rich and contemplative. Truly world-class. 97 Spaten Optimator, Germany 9.5% ABV 6.00 Dark brown color. Nutty, dark chocolate covered cherry aromas follow through to a frothy, dryish medium-full body of tangy tangerine, and dried peach, honey, and brown sugar flavors. Finishes with a tangy chocolate, orange peel, and vibrant spicy and earthy hop fade. Nice expression of hops through the sweet malt. Wheat Beers 97 Privatbrauerei Aying Ayinger Bräu-Weisse 11.2 oz. 5.1% ABV 7.00 Cloudy bright golden color with an ultra fine blanket of mousse. Lightly toasted nougat, banana bread, and delicate clover aromas follow through on a velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with seamless integration of creamy banana and gentle citrusy elements and outstandingly clean wheat cracker like malt. Finishes with a very long, graceful fade of lush, refreshing and inviting lightly spicy flavors. Classic. 96 Brau Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Germany 5% ABV 7.00 Cloudy old gold color with silky blanket of superfine mousse. Dried citrus, peppery spice, and moist bread dough aromas. A satiny smooth entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body of citrus and peach marmalade, fig, cream, and sweet wheat cracker flavors. Finishes with an ethereal fade of dried fruit, dusty spice, and delicate minerality. 98 Bell s Oberon, Michigan 5% ABV 6.00 Pours to an beautiful deep golden, murky, color. All of Bell s beers are unpasturized, and unfiltered. The nose is very wheaty. Grainy wheat aromas marry with grassy hop aroma. Oberon is hopped with Saaz hops. The palate is very firm, crisp, and grainy. Imported Belgian malted wheat is used, and this gives this beer a very tart, slightly sour edge. Finishes with more of that tart wheat character, and grassy hop bitterness.
Ales 93 Firestone Walker, 805, CA 4.7% ABV 5.50 Classified as a Blonde ale. This is a very subtle brew, unlike most craft offerings today. However its reserved character is refreshing. There is a light carbination that dances across the tongue. Hop bitterness is similar to a pilsner, but is more than balanced by the creamy, nutty malt. Excellent light bodied brew. 96 Sierra Nevada, Pale Ale, CA 5.6% ABV 37 IBU 5.25 Dark gold with an amber hue when poured. Nice sweet citric malt aroma with orange overtone, balanced by a light pine hop note. Juicy citric malt meets a dry, herbal hopiness when first tasted. Notes of orange, melon, green tea and forest leaf come through on the palate. Lightly dry, tangy finish. Full enough in body to make for a well-rounded brew, a first class example of Cascade hops. 92 Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond Pale Ale, 5% ABV 5.50 Pure pale amber color. Aromas of candied grapefruits and apricots with a hint of citrus shaving cream follow through on a round, plush entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with bread pudding and toasted nut notes. Finishes with a long, crisp, and refreshing honeyed citrus and pine accented fade. A deliciously flavorful and balanced pale ale. 94 Full Sail Brewing Co. Full Sail IPA, Oregon 6% ABV 5.50 Pale amber color. Honeyed orange bread, tapioca, and mild peppery spice aromas follow through on a smooth creamy entry to a rich, dryish medium-to-full body with great vibrancy and balance. Finishes with a long, refreshing burnt orange peel, custard, and toast fade. A rich, flavorful IPA in the English vein. 100 Bell s Two Hearted Ale, IPA Michigan 7% ABV 6.50 Sweet citrusy notes dominate the nose: tangerines, lemons, mangos, and grapefruits! Has a nice hint of floral hops as well. Flavors are bright and clean w/ a crisp, snappy hop profile. Plenty of fruit character shows, with some apricot and other fleshy stone fruits, citrus rind, and mild caramel malts create this wonderful specimen. 94 Lagunitas IPA, CA 5.5% ABV 5.50 Clear amber color. Aroma of grapefruit. The mouthfeel is medium and full of hops and lots of caramelly malt and definite citrus. Finish is nicely dry and refreshing. Above medium bodied with good levels of bitterness. 100 Dogfish Head 90 minute Double IPA, Delaware 9% ABV 7.00 Reddish amber. Flowery, citrusy nose. Full bodied, seet, slightly syrupy mouthfeel, and a late bitterness that just keeps growing. Sweet and citrusy hop aroma with some tropical fruit notes. Despite it s bizarre hop ratio it somehow manages to remain somewhat balanced. As usual a very interesting brew from Dogfish Head. 100 Stone Brewing Co. IPA, California 6.9% ABV 70+ IBU 6.50 Pours golden amber, lovely head & lacing. Fresh citrus on the nose, with white grapes; like walking through an evergreen forest after a rain. Hops-forward, pleasant resiny flavor fills your mouth with pine-bright goodness. Clean, fantastic aftertaste, perfection that lingers in the best way. 100 Stone Ruination Double IPA, California 7.7% ABV 100+ IBU 9.50 Wonderful hoppiness to the flavor with a surprisingly strong backbone of malt that balances this out perfectly. A perfect beer for hopheads. The aroma speaks of huge hops and flowers and grapefruits: a citrus lover s ultimate fantasy. Ruination is perfectly named, and has this way of making you notice the flaws in other brews.
Ales 97 Ommegang, Hennepin Farmhouse Saison Ale, NY 7.7% ABV 8.00 99 Unibroue La Fin du Monde 9% ABV (Abbey Tripel) 8.50 93 Moose Drool, Big Sky Brewing, Montana 5.1% ABV 5.50 91 Newcastle, England 5.50 94 Oskar Blues, Old Chub Scottish Style Ale 8% ABV 5.50 Golden color. Lavender bath soap aromas follow through to a fruity medium body of tangerine, toasted wheat bread, honey, and spice flavors. Finishes with a mandarin orange, spice custard, and talc fade. Interesting and quite lively and refreshing. Very wine like. Slightly hazy golden amber color with a fine mousse. Aromas of toasted muffin, poached egg, sautéed spinach and peach jam are reminiscent of Eggs Florentine and follow through on a round, foamy entry to a dryish medium-full body with tangy spiced orange, honeyed apple and pear skin, and creme brulee crust notes. Finishes with wave of alcohol, baguette, and earthy hop flavors. A big, delicious food centric beer. Deep almond color. The taste is very rich and full without being full bodied and maintaining good drinkability. Complex and smooth nutty, roasted flavor. It is similar to an oatmeal stout in terms of flavor and complexity. Hops provide a mild bitterness that keep it balanced. Hazel brown in color, semi-transparent. Sudsy tan head that shrinks quickly. Little lacing. Sweet malt, slightly nutty scent as well. Dominated by malt, a slight touch of hops, and some caramel. Taste is clean and crisp. Sweet malt flavor dominates and is nicely done. Nutty, slight buttery taste, some caramel. Clean finish with no aftertaste. Outstanding drinkability makes this special. Dark brown color. Bold aromas of chocolate covered espresso beans and dried meat. A supple entry leads to dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with accents of sweet spice and smoke roasted nuts. Finishes with long, zesty toffee and dried ruby grapefruit fade with a touch of earthy hops. A tasty balance of smokiness and sweet malt.
Stouts & Dark Beers 94 Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter 5.00 Wine Enthusiast #5 Best in World Very dark brown with beautiful lacing left after the head subsides. The aromas are dark and decadent: coffee, roasted grain, burnt sugar and bittersweet chocolate. The same flavors appear in the mediumbodied, silky mouth, with a rich finish like a café mocha. A touch of sweet spice and hop bite lingers on the finish 98 Breckenridge Brewing Co., Vanilla Porter 5.7% ABV 6.00 It begins with a malty-toasted-vanilla aroma followed by a rich, silky mouthfeel with tastes of dark malt, chocolate, and hints of coffee. It then finishes with flavors of toasted coconut and hoppy spice to balance the finish. 94 Left Hand Brewing, Milk Stout 6% ABV 6.50 Smooth aromas of coffee, roasted malts and chocolate. Taste is on the sweet side with a perfect low bitterness, the flavor of a jamocha milkshake...finishes VERY smooth. 99 Samuel Smith s Oatmeal Stout, England 5.7% ABV 8.00 The aroma is of caramel and dark fudge with a rich fruitiness. The taste is full-bodied, with notes of fudge, raisins, sweetness with a wonderful balancing faint bitterness. The palate is thick, creamy, and silky. Finishes with an off-dry dark toasted raisin bread fade. 90 Guinness Stout, Ireland 6% ABV 7.00 Robust burnt roast color, rich creamy head but lightly carbonated. A nice smell of dark roasted malt contains some nuances of coffee and cream. Taste is creamy, roasty, subtle, and refreshing, with all the flavors in the nose coming to visit the tongue. Mouthfeel and drinkabiliy are exceptional and extraordinary. 98 Rogue Ales Hazelnut Brown Nectar 22 oz. 6.2% ABV 13.50 Deep copper brown color. Aromas of milk chocolate covered hazelnuts follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with lively carbonation and a honeyed pumpernickel toast notes. Finishes with a crisp, white grapefruity-like hops and a lingering subtle hazelnut mocha latte note. Very tasty and refreshing. 100 Rogue Ales Chocolate Stout 22 oz. 6.2% ABV 13.50 Aromas of sweet maple and cocoa. Full nectar w/ ample residual effers creating somewhat of a velvety texture. Decadent roasted malts and bakers cocoa. Huge chocolate essense. A little citrus shines through as it warms. Nice balancing hop component. Finish has precision bittering to a pin point w/ velvety hops. 100 North Coast Brewing, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout 9% ABV 7.50 Brown black color with a light brown head. Toffee and citrusy, piney hops aromas and flavors with a rich honeyed medium full body with great, creamy frothiness. Rich lemon marmalade, celery salt, praline, and resiny hops on the finish. A wild and woolly, broad shouldered, richly hopped west coast interpretation of the style that really works. 100 Bell s, Kalamazoo Stout, Michigan 6% ABV 6.50 Beautiful roasty, mocha aroma which picks up a subtle smokiness and malted milk balls as it warms. The flavor is a lovely mix of roasted malt, dark toasted grain/caramel, coffee, dark chocolate, mocha and hops. Thick and rich with that perfect level of sweetness and prominent, but not astringent roastiness. Mouthfeel is very full, round and ridiculously velvety/creamy.
Trappist/Belgium 99 Chimay, Red Ale, Belgium 11.2 oz. 7% ABV 9.00 Deep amber-brownish color, slightly cloudy. Flavors of spice; cinnamon, clove, with some nutmeg, toasted breadiness, dark fruit (plum like), with nice mild hops at the end. Medium bodied, almost chewy mouthfeel, with carbonation that seems alive. Finishes off extremely smooth and clean. 96 Duvel, Belgium 11.2 oz. 8.5% ABV 9.00 Delicate spice, pepper aromas and notes of clean malt sweetness.appearance is cloudy (from escaped yeast) and pale. A grand creamy, chunk head adorns the top and sticks with great stay. The color and head are perfection incarnate. Smooth and extremely creamy on the palate. A lively carbonation creates a light mouthfeel and crispness. Upfront flavors are bitter and sweet, with a lean on the sweet; distinct fruity malt esters, bold spiciness and rind-like twang that mellows and balances. Finishes slightly grain/dry with some residual spice and dextrin notes. Deceivingly seductive and powerful. 99 Gulden Draak, Belgium 10.5% ABV 11.00 Pours a dark hazy brown with a thin, sticky head. The smell is amazing. Spicy pepper, sweet prune, medicinal herbal tea with an almost menthol quality. Earthy, leathery with a ton of different flavors; Sweet and tart cherries, black pepper, spicy, earthy, oak notes. Green tea with lemon grass. There is some understated hop bitterness. Lots going on. It s 10.5 abv, but the intensity of the flavors merge with the heat beautifully. 98 Rochefort Trappist 8 Belgium 11.2 oz. 9.2% ABV 12.00 Hazy mahogany color. Roasted nut, yeast and dark caramel aromas. A frothy entry leads to a rich, dryish medium-to full bodied palate with dark caramel, raisin, and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes with a long fade of chocolate citrus peels. Very deep and flavorful that keeps evolving. 99 Rochefort Trappist 10 Belgium 11.2 oz. 11.3% ABV 15.50 Burnished copper color with rocky manilla head. Dark caramel, baker s chocolate, toasted fruit bread, and toasted nut aromas. A smooth, velvety entry leads to a sweet, fruity medium-bodied roasted malt palate with chocolate covered citrus peels, nut bread, and mild brown spice flavors. Finishes with long cocoa, coffee bean, pepper, and dried fruit fade. A rich and satisfying meal in a glass that is remarkably light in texture yet rich in alcohol and effortlessly drinkable. 98 Westmalle Trappist Tripel, Belgium 11.2 oz. 9.5% ABV 14.00 Wine Enthusiast #1 Best in World A classic Belgian tripel that is truly the benchmark of the style. It pours a hazy golden color with a thick off-white head that shows serious staying power in the glass. The aromas are fairly intense with fruity notes of banana and stone fruit at the forefront and supporting aromas of sweet spice, yeast and a touch of candi sugar. The full and creamy mouth offers more of the same rich flavors as the nose suggests, with a great spice and lemony hop characteristic remaining on the long finish Lambics 92 Lindemans Framboise Lambic Certified Organic 11.2 oz. 4% ABV 10.50 Deep hazy reddish mahogany color. Raspberry jam, spice, honey, and caramel aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a tart medium-full body of raspberry, balsa, and delicate spice flavors. Complex in how it changes from sweet, tart, sour, and slightly bitter with each sip. Crisp & simply delicious. 91 Brouwerij Lindemans Kriek Lambic, Belgium 11.2 oz. 4% ABV 9.75 Spontaneous fermentation, aged in oak with fresh cherries added and fermented again. Rudy red body topped by a pale pink, frothy and bubble laced head. The scent of yeast is first to hit followed by pungent cherries and raspberries. A sweet and tart cherry flavor dominates with a tone of malt. A slightly coarse texture really brings out the flavor.