Beer Review: Faxe Lager

Faxe Brewery Danish Lager

This is one giant can of beer. At 32 ounces this stands out on a shelf in a very big way. Pours a golden yellow color with a very robust head. Some lacing here too. Aroma is of slight pale malt. Not too much of a smell. Looks and smells like a nice lager. Nothing too extreme.

Flavor is very nice. It is very light on the hops, more like an American light lager in character. It has a very unique flavor that is hard to describe. I would say it has a slightly sweet buttery metallic taste. This adds a bit of depth to the beer and allows it to distance itself from a standard bland light lager.

This is nothing amazing by any means but it is a nice drink. Very refreshing and drinkable which is necessary because of the can size. This maybe a little above average for a lager but considering how bland they can get that doesn't mean much. This is definitely worth a shot if you want a lighter beer that has a unique taste.

Final Score: 74% (Good, but Nothing Amazing Here)

Beer Review: River Horse Belgian Freeze

River Horse Brewing Company Belgian Freeze Winter Ale

Ah, the winter seasonals. Gotta enjoy them while they last. Pours a very dark amber color with a very thick head that sticks around for a while. Aroma is of quality fresh hops and strong Belgian yeast. I get some smoky Belgian yeast flavors. Definitely unique. Few winter beers dare to go into the rich and experimental territory of the Belgian freeze.

Flavor is solid Belgian. There is no substitute for quality Belgian ale and this one doesn't substitute. The smoky flavor is very distracting however. Tastes good but could be much more clean.

This is a good, readily available Belgian ale. I just wish it wasn't so smoky. If it was a bit smoother and hoppier I would be a very happy man. You won't hate this beer but you will miss the beer that this could have been. Smoke just isn't enough.

Final Score: 81% (Average Belgian Ale. Too Much Smoke)

Beer Review: Brooklyn Lager

Brooklyn Brewing Company Brooklyn Lager

This is a classic. After the tour of their brewery I had to have a taste of the flagship product. Pours exactly as seen in the above picture. Just with more hops than you can see. Head is strong and holds the line against the forces of weak thin evil heads. I definitely get some hops in the aroma. Citrus you tease me.

Flavor is exactly as a flagship balanced lager should be. The malt and the hops both shine. The rich amber malt shows it's presence and delivers the slightly roasted caramel flavor while allowing the very citrusy hops to shine though. No matter what you are looking for the flavor of this will not disappoint. Very drinkable yet deep. That rare combination of brains and brawn. If I could brew a beer of this quality I would be a happy drunk man. The only downside is the lack of... damnit, I can't come up with anything.

This brew has been a mainstay of my bar hopping choices for good reason. This will meet almost any beer craving I have. In one clean glass. Whether you want malt or hops this is a great beer for you. It doesn't explode with hops or malt but it delivers both. You will find yourself happier after finishing one of these.

Final Score: 88% (A Classic and a Quality Example of Brooklyn's Brews)

Beer Review: Saranac Pomegrante Wheat

Matt Brewing Company Saranac Pomegranate Wheat Ale

This is one of the most drinkable beers in existence. I don't know why this combo works so well but it does. I am not at all surprised that they decided to brew this year round after the popularity was clear. This is the epitome of summer beer to me. The head doesn't really happen but the aroma is all wheat and pomegranate. As expected.

The flavor is unique and delicious. The fruity pomegranate flavor hits you first followed by the solid wheat backbone. I am surprised there aren't more copies of this in existence. On a hot (or cold) day you will really enjoy this. Its kind of the sweet fruit and the sturdy/sour malt contrast. I have bought sixes of this in the past and will continue to in the future.

This is an excellent beer if you want something that is very drinkable yet different than a Coors light. I will always go for this on a hot summer day. If its warm, pick one of these up. You will be refreshed.

Final Score: 93% (One of the Most Drinkable Beers Ever)

Beer Review: Blue Point Oktoberfest

Blue Point Brewing Company Oktoberfest Lager

My second Blue Point review. I had to pick up the Oktoberfest as I love a malty lager and I don't really get Blue Point seasonals in Jersey City. Ah, the advantages of traveling. More places equals more beers. This fest brew pours a rich amber color with a brief head. I don't really get much in terms of aroma, though I am getting over a cold. Don't hold me to my aroma judgments.

Flavor is definitely malty and lagery (if that's a word). The malt flavor is radiant in this brew and is comparable to even the best microbrewed Oktoberfests that I have had. That same fresh lagered malt goodness. Its hard to describe. Kinda like sweet bread fresh out of the oven. That gets you drunk. Good bread. The hopping is exactly where it should be. Noticeable but in the background. The hops wait for the malt to come out on stage and pull the curtain down.

This is one of the most drinkable Oktoberfest beers that I have ever had. Second only to the Climax Oktoberfest. I will certainly get this again. Happiness comes from quality lagers.

Final Score: 90% (One of the Best Oktoberfests Available. Long Island Rocks.)

Beer Review: Blue Point Hoptical Illusion

Blue Point Brewing Company Hoptical Illusion India Pale Ale

The first thing that strikes me is that this is a strange name for an IPA. The name makes me wonder how much hopping actually occurred here. I wonder if this is some trick. What is the illusion? I have no idea, maybe it's just a play on words. Being that I am currently living part time in Long Island I felt that it was time for me to try some of the local offerings. This IPA pours a dark amber with a robust, lingering head. Aroma is all hops. Rock on.

Flavor is really good. The large amount of hops used is immediately noticed. I get lots of earthy and grassy hop flavors. The malt is also a great. Usually with a standard IPA the malt is good but nothing to take note of. This comes with delicious chocolate and caramel notes to balance out the strong hopping. This is definitely an above average IPA. Complex and drinkable in all categories. A great example of a big balanced beer.

This is a great beer. I would certainly consider getting more of these. You won't even notice the higher than average alcohol content (6.8%). If you have a craving for some serious hops this is no disappointment. They should call this hoptical no-illusion (takes some serious brain power to come up with this stuff).

Final Score: 89% (A Great IPA, Delightful in All Areas)

Beer Review: Saison Dupont

Brasserie Dupont Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale

The saison style is quickly becoming one of my favorite beer styles. Its got everything I love about beer. A ridiculous head, fruity ester flavor, hops galore, and unfiltered yeast goodness. At 6.5% ABV this pulls no punches either. The head is out of control, it fills up quick and lingers for a long time. A true product of bottle conditioning and quality Belgian yeast. Lacing sticks around for quite a while as well. Aroma is of citrusy hop and spicy fruity esters.

Flavor is obscenely good. This is truly a unique style of beer and if you haven't had a Saison I suggest you go out right now and find one. The spicy flavor the Belgian yeast contributes works so well with the strong bitter hop backbone. Its like a ying and yang, just done in an unexpected way. The hop oils taste so fresh. They must have done some dry hopping here. So full and rich in every way.

I really love this beer. I will certainly buy more of these. I wish more American craft brewers would attempt this style. I would love to have a readily available six pack. This is what the mystical Belgian brewing tradition is all about. Amazing and mysterious flavor. I can't think of one negative thing to say. This is traditional farmhouse ale at its best. I would work in the fields for this.

Final Score: 98% (Yes a Ridiculously High Score... Dupont Earns It!)

Beer Review: Saranac Hefeweizen

Matt Brewing Company Saranac Hefeweizen Wheat Ale

Definitely one of my favorite styles of beer. Wheat beer screams summer and warm weather to me. I love the combination of drinkability and depth of flavor. Pours a cloudy gold color with a rich and creamy head. It smells like a ripe banana.

Flavor is very good. Banana flavors hit you right away with a slight amount of clove. Refreshing and satisfying. I am not crazy about cloves and this brew keeps them to a minimum. This was the first hefeweizen that I got to experience and I hold it as the standard as a result. Other hefeweizens are better but this is damn good. I don't really taste any hops but that is expected. The hopping should be very light in this style.

If you want something inexpensive, satisfying, and different you can't go wrong with this. This is a staple of my summers and I suggest you make it one of yours. I think I just might need another.

Final Score: 90% (Banana Wheat Goodness...)

Beer Review: Budweiser American Ale

Anheuser-Busch Inc. Budweiser American Ale

I've been wanting to try this one for a while now. Finally got a chance to pick some up to see how AB's ale adds up. First thing I noticed was the excellent head and rich amber color. Very nice appearance. The head really sticks around with even some lacing present! I never thought I would see a Budweiser product with lacing. Aroma is very nice, I get some nice floral hop aroma with a nice malt background.

Flavor is very surprising. This is really a solid example of an American Pale ale. I don't taste any cut corners (rice) here. Very professionally balanced, I get enough of the slightly roasted amber malt with a solid hop presence. The hops really jump out. A quick bite with some smooth bitterness. Nothing too extreme but worlds better than the bland Budweiser lager. The dry-hopping really paid off.

I applaud Anheuser-Busch for getting smart and starting to cater towards the craft beer community. This is up there with any pale ale you'll find. I hope they continue to develop a line of richer, more flavorful beers and transition away from bland rice beer. The future of AB should be interesting.

Final Score: 83% (A Great Pale Ale, Budweiser fights Back)

Beer Review: River Horse Imperial Cherry Amber

River Horse Brewing Company Imperial Cherry Amber Ale

This is the second batch in the Brewer's Reserve line from River Horse. A craft brewing company based out of Lambertville, NJ. This is my first River Horse review but hopefully not my last. I like to support Jersey breweries whenever possible. Pours a rich cherry amber color with a decent sized head with some lacing. Aroma is very cherry like with a touch of hops.

Flavor is very nice. You definitely can't tell that this is 7% ABV. The cherry flavor really comes out but doesn't dominate. Hops, malt, and cherry flavors are all present and provide a very rich balanced flavor. The cherries were added in a perfect amount. Enough to taste but not too much. The hop bitterness is very much alive. They provide a nice counter to the sweetness while also imparting a little bit of earthy flavor. Very nice.

This is bound to be very scarce by now but if you see it, give it a shot. Even if you normally don't like fruit beer. This will surprise you. This is a great success from River Horse and I will certainly look forward to the next Brewer's reserve release.

Final Score: 83% (Hops and Cherries, A Nice Departure From The Norm)