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Latest Reviews

Explore The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's database of most recent beer and cider reviews as evaluated by our panel of judges in the Official Review.

Hacker-Pschorr Weisse

Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

German Weissbiers, known as hefeweizens in America, generally range from light and spritzy to dark and a bit fuller. This one is on the fuller side. The aroma is sweet and bready with a touch of banana.

Dortmunder Gold

Dortmunder Gold
Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Vividly golden and exceptionally clear, this malty lager throws aromas of floral hops, grains, hints of sweet corn, honey and hard water with traces of sulfur.

Maibock

Maibock
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This clear light amber beer sports a thick, cream-colored head. The aroma is clean with toasted malt and a touch of spicy hop character. I detect a hint of bready yeastiness and sulfur notes, which is consistent with a well lagered beer.

Affligem Blonde

Affligem Blonde Beer
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Deep gold with fairly good clarity and a modest white head, this beer exhibits Belgian aromatics with pear and apple the dominant fruit. Pepper and coriander are the prevailing spices over a bready malt backbone. Once it warms there is a little... Read More

Thiriez Extra

Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
86
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This hoppy interpretation of a Saison starts off with a yeasty, bread-like aroma that gradually melds with a honey sweetness. Perfumy hops mingle with some peppery phenols and hints of lemon zest, resulting in a very appealing bouquet.

Stony Brook Red

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Like a rustic wine, this fruity selection suggests odors of sweet cherries, prunes, berries and hints of lactic acid and mild balsamic vinegar. A shy caramel malt note struggles to be noticed.

Grand-Am

Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

American Pale Ales used to imply a balance to the malt and hop character in a beer, but these days, the hopheads have taken over.

Blood Orange Gose

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Much like Berliner weisse, salty gose beers have experienced a surge in popularity among craft beer buffs in recent years. This gose includes a healthy dose of pungent blood oranges that merge with fragrances of toasted bread, marmalade and... Read More

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This unusual ale smells of cocoa powder, orange zest, overripe figs and plums, slight earthy hops and bittersweet chocolate. With moderate carbonation and an off-white, slightly tan foam that settles quickly, this dark red ale seems quite... Read More

Double Bock

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
86
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Uncomplicated aromas of caramel malts, toffee, brown sugar, raisins and fig preserves on toast emerge from this clear, ruddy brown/orange lager that produces an impressive layer of thick foam. Rich malts barrage the tongue with waves of treacle,... Read More

Wee Mac

Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

The aroma is sweet, with a touch of burnt marshmallow and hazelnut. The beer itself is a clear brown with reddish tints reminiscent of a hazy sunrise. The flavor remains sweet, but hardly cloying.

Shiner Holiday Cheer

Holiday Cheer
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
86
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

The aroma definitely highlights the peach, which is a sweet, almost overripe statement. The pecans are there, along with a touch of vanilla flavor. The beer itself is clear, reddish brown, almost ruby with a substantial slightly off-white head.... Read More

Choklat

Southern Tier Choklat
Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

The aroma of intense chocolate suggests a hot fudge sundae or a pan of freshly baked brownies. A malty edge provides an overall candylike impression. Some aspects of dried fruit are also present: raisin, fig, and cherry.

Narwhal

Narwhal
Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
89
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This is a thick, luxurious, opaque, deep black stout with a moderately dark head.

Yellow Snow IPA

Rogue Ales Yellow Snow IPA Beer
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

The initial aroma is a clean mix of grapefruit and resiny hops with a little biscuit malt character peeking through. There is more hop flavor than the nose would suggest, including pine, spice and a little tropical fruit character.

Milk Stout Nitro

Milk Stout Nitro
Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Welcome as a cup of sweet coffee and cream by a campfire, this jetblack brew throws aromas of espresso, heavy cream, sweet chocolate, roasted malts and a hint of smoke. Soft esters and hops are deep in the background, and the beer pours with a... Read More

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