Rogue Ale's Santa's Private Reserve‏ (JT's Review)

Let me say that this is not a beer that I was really excited about drinking. I am not a big fan of the Rogue family of beers. They all seem to finish with a hoppy explosion that is way too much for me.
 
The Santa seasonal was not different. The malt flavor was almost nonexistent to me. The hops crushed me from the beginning, and it was way over carbonated, which only added to the burn of the excessive hoppiness.
 
I will give them this: The bottle is cool as hell. The guy on the from looks like a cross between Captain Morgan and Santa Clause, drinking a beer. I should have saved this one for a decoration and not tried to drink it.

Bell's Winter White Ale‏ (JT's Review)

Unless winter brews continue to be on sale, this should be my last winter seasonal of the year. This beer made me very ready for Spring/Summer seasonals to arrive.

You would think that people in Michigan, where Bell's is brewed, would know something about winter beer. This just wasn't for me at all.

It had two characteristics that I do not like. First it was very earthy. It had a mixed greens taste to it. I like vegetables on a plate, not in a beer. After the salad flavor came the very dry hoppy flavor. I had three drinks of this beer and dumped it out. For me to dump a beer out, should tell you all you need to know. I'm ready for summer in a big way!

Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Black Ale‏ (JT's Review)

You have heard me say before that I really like Black Lagers. I really haven't had a lot of experience with Black Ales. I have seen Old Engine Oil on the shelves at Macadoodles for a while. I haven't ever been able to pull the trigger and get it because it is $23.00 a six pack. I finally found it in a build your own sixer at The Bottle in Fayetteville.

I am really glad that I didn't drop 23 bucks on a 6 pack of this beer. The beer itself wasn't bad at all, but it is way over priced.

Brewed in Scotland by the Harviestoun Brewery, it has an ABV of 6.0%. It tasted like a black lager with a more hoppy finish. I felt like the taste was a little thin and it had a relatively low alcohol content. There are a lot of beers out there that are much better and much more reasonably priced.

Hibernation Ale (JT's Review)

Confusing is the word that I would use to describe this beer. It is considered an ale, but it wasn't like any ale I have ever had.

Hibernation Ale is brewed in Denver by Great Divide Brewing Company. The bottle said "robust" and "malty". I was intrigued.

I usually love good malty beers. This beer is a real life example of too much of a good thing. It was a malt explosion. The best way for to describe it is this: three things I like a lot 1) fried chicken 2) Copenhagen 3) ice cream. I would not mix them in a bowl and expect them to taste good. That's what I felt like drinking this beer. The hops were really dry and it finished with an alcohol bite that was too much. It was 8.7% ABV, which could explain that.

The beer has won some awards, so try it if you dare, but you have been warned.

Shock Top Wheat I.P.A.

I saw this beer last night and I had to buy it.  I am not a fan of I.P.A.s but I am a fan of Shock Top.  And man, does it have a cool bottle! 

The goal of this beer was to combine a wheat beer with an I.P.A.  I think they did a good job.  I like this beer.  It has a definite addition of hoppiness (and ABV of 5.8%) but not too much for my taste.  The wheat and citrus tones down the hops.  I am not sure if true I.P.A. drinkers/lovers will like this adaptation.  But, I could see myself drinking the whole six pack in one sitting. 

I guess we will have to see how long this beer sticks around. 

Ray Hill's Classic American Pilsner

This is another beer that my neighbor was kind enough to hook me up with.  He gave me half of his sixer.  I am a little confused on just where this beer is brewed.  On the bottle you see Weston Brewing Co. in Weston, MO.  You also see Hill Brewing Co. listed on the box, as well as www.rayhills.com.

I guess it really doesn't matter to me because I don't see myself drinking or buying this beer ever again.  The look and smell of this brew was fine, and I like the 4.9% ABV.  The taste was just not good to me.  I am trying to decide if it was more bitter or sour tasting.  It also seemed a little metallic as well. 

I sampled three of these beers................that was probably three too many!

Easy Street Wheat

Yet another beer that my neighbor was kind enough to hook me up with.  It's official.........I cannot and will not move.......ever  (if he insists on providing me with this "research.")

I have had other beers from Odell Brewing Co. (Fort Collins, CO), but never this one.  Like I have said before, I really like wheat beers.  This unfiltered beer is pretty good.  No real complaints.......It is an easy drinking, hazy wheat beer.  I could probably find myself drinking a lot of these in a day if the situation called for it.

The only thing is that there is nothing that really sets it apart from the other craft beer unfiltered wheats.  I would rather spend less money on an equal or better tasting wheat like Boulevard.  If you like wheat beers, by all means, try this one and tell me what you think.

Like JT says.............There are too many great beers out there for just "OK"