542. Epic Ales – Simple Ale
When I was in Seattle for work a few months ago, I stopped at the Malt and Vine to pick up some beers I couldn’t get here in Illinois. Along with several beers from Russian River, I got several local beers (of places I didn’t visit, which is amazing, because I stopped at 12 breweries during my visit). This one appealed to me because of the simple label and Epic name. The bottle says, “Using only water, Washington...
541. Southern Tier Brewing Co – LIVE Bottle Conditioned Pale Ale
My sister is a big fan of my home brews, and shares those I give her with all her friends. She also tells them about this blog, and a few of them have sent me beers to review. This one (and another, with a review coming soon) were sent to me by her friend Brittany who lives not far from the Southern Tier brewery in New York. Thanks Britt! The bottle says, “Brewed with 4 varieties mod hops and 4 types of malts.” it also has...
530. Oskar Blues Brewery – Dale’s Pale Ale
I picked this beer up when I was on vacation in Florida this past summer. I stopped at a Total Wine and got several beers that I couldn’t get back here in Illinois. A six pack of this was perfect for enjoying on the beach in Florida. I got a chance to do a few reviews during my vacation, including an awesome stop at Pegs, but this final beer from the six pack has been sitting in the beer fridge waiting for my review since then....
527. Tallgrass Brewing – 8-Bit Pale Ale
The kids have the day off school today for a teacher in-service day. So, I had to stay home with them. It was nice to get some work done around the house this morning, and I just took a break for lunch. Since I didn’t have to go to work today, I thought, “why not have a beer at lunch?” My friend Joe gave me this beer while I was helping him move this past fall, and I figured it was time to pop the top on this kick...
519. Abita Brewing – Restoration Pale Ale
As I mentioned with the last few beers I’ve had, I’m cleaning out the beer fridge of beer that have been in there a while. I picked up this beer, along with a mix of other Abita and Dixie beers, during a trip to New Orleans last December. The bottle says, “Restoration Pale Ale is brewed with pale, caramel and carapils malts. It is liberally hopped and dry hopped with cascade hops. This golden ale has a rich body,...
498. Black Sheep Brewery – Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale
This beer was given to me by my friend Joe when he was moving. It’s been sitting in my beer fridge, and finally, tonight, it peaked my curiosity enough to give it a try. I love the Monty Python design and the related copywriting on it, but is it just a gimmick, or actually a good beer worthy of the title? Location: Poured into a slightly curved pint glass from the bottle at my home in Bloomington, IL. Numbers: 4.7% ABV, 150...
495. Brooklyn Brewery – Brooklyn Summer Ale
Tonight was a pretty good evening, I went to the local homebrew store, Twin City Homebrewing, where we had a small pumpkin beer homebrew festival. On my way home, I picked up dinner and decided to have a lighter beer with it. I can’t remember where I got this beer, but I thought I’d drink it before the summer was completely over (as if it weren’t already). The bottle says, “Brooklyn Summer ale is a summer...
492. Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. – Imperial Pale Ale
It’s just a relaxing evening at home, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to dig into the beer fridge and sample another beer. I’m still getting caught up on my reviews from my trip to Seattle, but I don’t want that to keep me from trying another beer. Location: Poured into a large tulip shaped pint glass from the bottle at my home in Bloomington, IL. Numbers: 7.5% ABV, 235 Calories Appearance &...
484. Hilliard’s Beer – Nautical Reference Pale Ale
It’s been a long day already in Seattle, Washington, where I’ve been the last few days for a conference for work. It’s my last day here, and I’ve already stopped at several places, and had several beers, including the Totem Pale Northwest Ale and Trickster IPA at Black Raven Brewing, the Harlot’s Harvest Pumpkin Ale and Space Needle Golden Anniversary IPA from Pike Brewing Co, the Robust Porter at...
478. Black Raven Brewing – Totem Pale Northwest Ale
I’ve you’ve read my last few posts, you’d see that I’ve been in Seattle and Redmond, Washington the last few days at a conference on the Microsoft campus. When I sent a note out to my Twitter followers, Facebook friends and posted on my Google+ page, this brewery seemed to be one of the most recommended breweries in the Seattle area. So, when the conference finished up, I first stopped at the Cork & Vine...
452. 4 Hands Brewing – Pi PA
Several weeks ago I was in St. Louis visiting my dad and my wife and I attended the St. Louis Brewers heritage Festival. I had to pick my wife up on Friday night at the train station since I took the day off and took the kids to the zoo on Friday. Her train was running a little bit late and so I stopped at Four Hands Brewing Company in downtown St. Louis. I had their Prunus Saison at the time, and picked up a growler of this to go....
442. Piece Brewery & Pizzeria – Dysfunctionale
Several weeks ago, I was in Chicago to watch my sister play football (she plays for the St. Louis Slam professional women’s football team). While there, we stopped at Piece Brewery & Pizzeria for a late lunch before the game. I had a couple of beers (as did my wife, although I had much of hers). Since I’d never been here before, I wanted a growler, and I couldn’t leave with it empty, so I took this beer to go....
