I picked up the Samuel Adams Octoberfest as part of my yearly ritual of trying different Octoberfest and Pumpkin Ales for the Fall season. This particular beer was part of the Sam Adams Harvest Variety Pack which also included their new Harvest Pumpkin Ale and Dunkelweizen

Posted in 3 Star Reviews, American Beers, Lager, Seasonal Beers 13 Comments »

Do the beer reviews that you read influence you as a consumer? Have you ever gone out and bought a beer specifically because of a good review? Conversely, have you ever specifically avoided buying a beer because of a bad review?

Posted in Beer Blog Focus, Other Stuff 13 Comments »

The Hairy Eyeball from Lagunitas Brewing Company out of California is an interesting beer with an interesting name. From what I can tell, this is considered an ‘American Strong Ale’ and checks in at a respectable 8.8% ABV, but nothing on the label really indicates what’s inside the bottle.

Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Seasonal Beers 6 Comments »

A fascinating recreation of what English ‘country ales’ were like in the 18th century. It’s made by blending two different Greene King Ales – Best Pale Ale (brewed to 5% ABV) and Old 5X which is brewed to a rather intimidating 12% ABV and stored in wooden vats for at least two years.

Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, English Beers, Views from a Brit 2 Comments »

Sierra Nevada Tumbler is a 5.5%ABV ‘Autumn Brown Ale’ that I picked up because of the pretty picture on the label. (I’m a sucker for fall foliage!) Actually, Tumbler is a welcome change to the flood of Oktoberfest beers and the Pumpkin Ales that fill the shelves this time of year.

Posted in 2 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Seasonal Beers 19 Comments »