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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.

DayTime

Lagunitas Day Time Session IPA Beer
Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
93
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Who says a beer must be high in alcohol to be remarkable? This golden, light-bodied, low alcohol ale showcases crisp, clean hop aromas of lemon, grapefruit, pineapple and kiwi.

Alt-Eration

alteration hops and grain beer
Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This is a crisp, clean example of an aged ale. The first impression is a malt-forward aroma, with elements of bread crust, nutty grain, dark chocolate, and light toastiness. A hint of caramel or toffee adds complexity and fruity esters are... Read More

Session Fest

Session Fest
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
87
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Brilliantly clear orange-amber with consistent off-white foam, this beer’s aroma is extremely clean and features toasty malt. As the beer warms, the hint of floral hops is superseded by pine and a touch of citrus.

Wookey Jack

Wookey Jack Firestone Walker Beer
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
98
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

As I lean in to check out the garnet highlights and thick tan head, I get hit with the Pacific Northwest in all its hop glory. Loads of grapefruit and pine with a nuance of citrus zest and spice dominate the aroma. After it warms, there’s a whiff... Read More

Devils Backbone Vienna Lager

Devils Backbone Vienna Lager

Virginia
United States
Devils Backbone Vienna Lager
Description 

Devils Backbone Vienna Lager is a delicious and smooth amber lager with no frills – unless you count all the medals it’s earned since 2008, then it’s got some flair. It pairs perfect with just about any food and is a crowd pleaser at the smallest reunions and the biggest celebrations. What’s not to love about perfectly balanced caramel sweetness and toasted malts? No matter where you find yourself, you'll have the taste of home wherever you’ve got a cold Vienna and your favorite people. 

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.2%
IBUs: 
18
Served at: 
45° - 50° F
Malts: 
Vienna, Pilsen, Dark Munich, CaraAmber
Hops: 
Northern Brewer, Saaz

 

 


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Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
96
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

The beer pours a lovely clear amber, with burnt orange highlights. The aroma is clean bright malt, somewhat reminiscent of freshly baked cookies, with maybe a touch of toasted pine nuts. The flavor extends the malt expression found in the aroma... Read More

Black Butte Porter

Deschutes Beer Black Butte Porter
Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

A rich mélange of dark chocolate and roast malt also displays hints of toasted grain, bread crust, and even toffee that all add to the multiple layers of malt complexity. Subtle fruity aromatics evoke cherry or berry, with an added dried fruit... Read More

Release The Hounds

Release The Hounds
Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
87
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This potent deep amber ale also reveals attractive orange hues when held to the light. The higher alcohol content of many barleywines may reduce head retention, but this beer shows no sign of the problem.

Valar Morghulis

Brewery Ommegang Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale beer
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer walks the fine line between the Belgian Dubbel style and its bigger cousin, the Belgian Dark Strong Ale. In the glass it is a deep brown with a reddish/orange hue and a big, white, rocky head.

Westmalle Dubbel

Westmalle Dubbel
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
97
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Dubbels are usually a bit lighter and more complex than other Belgian dark strong ales. This Dubbel has more than enough complexity. It starts with an aroma of Belgian spicy yeast, white pepper, with maybe a touch of rum, and burnt sugar. In the... Read More

Shake Chocolate Porter

Shake Chocolate Porter
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
89
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

A deep coppery brown, this beer serves up lots of chocolate aromas. The aromatics combine chocolate roast, a little coffee and notes of milk chocolate. The flavors are every bit as complex on the chocolate side.

Two Hearted Ale

Two Hearted Ale

Michigan
United States
Bell's Two Hearted Beer IPA
Description 

Brewed with 100% Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest and named after the Two Hearted River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this IPA is bursting with hop aromas ranging from pine to grapefruit from massive hop additions in both the kettle and the fermenter.

Perfectly balanced with a malt backbone and combined with the signature fruity aromas of Bell's house yeast, this beer is remarkably drinkable and well suited for adventures everywhere.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%
IBUs: 
55
Served at: 
45° - 50° F
Malts: 
Two-Row, Caramel
Hops: 
Centennial

 

 


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Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
96
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

A fairly clear orange-amber beer with a low white head offers a very complex aroma that speaks of American hop varieties – floral, citrus, pine and a little orange. Gradually, some caramel notes appear.

Hopothermia

Alaskan Beer Hopothermia Double IPA
Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Fresh, intense hops are prominent in the aroma; hints of tropical fruit are blended with an underlying resinous essence. Fruitiness is compounded by ester contributions from the fermentation, adding pineapple and berry character that invites a... Read More

Upland Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

With its sparkling clarity, dark gold/light orange tint and moderate carbonation, this lager nails the classic style descriptors for appearance.

Maudite

Maudite
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

You expect complexity in a Belgian-style ale and this one has plenty. The aroma has hints of spun sugar, plums, currants, and spices reminiscent of grains of paradise and allspice. The beer is hazy, light brown, beige, with substantial initial... Read More

Halcyon

Halcyon Thornbridge Beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Hops initially leap out with an herbal, leafy character atop a bouquet of pine and citrus. Fruity tones include berry, melon and stone fruit with light accents of tropical fruit adding an interesting layer.

Shark Attack

Port Shark Attack Brewing
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

There is an intense hop aroma that includes citrus, grapefruit, pine resin, spice, and even a little marmalade. It is not an all hop show though. The malt aroma includes toast and a lot of caramel. The flavor is a parade of hops and malt.

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