From the start, this is a different beer: near-black in color with a smoky-roasty aroma that evokes dark chocolate and charred hardwood. Leathery and bacon-like aromas add to the curious mix. No notable hop character is present in either the... Read More
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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.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Intense smoke dominates upon fi rst sniff, with a distinctive beechwood-lox character. The smokiness covers any trace of hops, but some toasty, grainy malt aroma does escape. The flavor is initially reminiscent of cured meat (ham or bacon).
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Earthy, slightly piney hops dominate the aroma, followed by slight toasty malt that gives way to berry and cherry fruitiness. The flavor starts with herbal and resinous hops with a supporting grainy, nutty maltiness that has a slight caramel... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Like American Pale Ale and IPA, the Imperial IPA and Barleywine categories can get muddled. This beer tends toward a barleywine due to the aroma which is very malty with burnt caramel, toffee, and even some vinous, aged ale notes. The resinous,... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This beer makes a great first impression with a tall white head topping a clear gold column of beer. The familiar pine and citrus of Cascade hops are restrained but not so high as to blank out the cracker, hay and touch of honey from the malt.... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
The beer itself pours a beautiful copper-orange with exceptional clarity and a bright white head. The aroma is a mélange of classic “C” type American hops, blending into a combination of woody, weedy, and citric components.
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20
This beer looks perfect in a glass and the grapefruit, pine and resin are evident from arm’s length. Beneath the layer of intense hop aroma is an enticing dark chocolate and nutty roast.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
A dark brown beer awaits after the pour with a low tan head. The aroma is dark chocolate with a little biscuit, oatmeal and just a hint of vanilla. The flavor has the same aspects as the aroma.
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
One would expect pale ale to be more balanced, but these days those distinctions have become muddled. This is a hoppy beer with a fresh, West Coast aroma of hops, at once both resinous and citric. The beer pours a slightly hazy, pale golden with... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
The nose picks up a cornucopia of caramel, sour cherries, passion fruit and fig jam with traces of dark malts, cocoa nibs and balsamic vinegar. This deep brown ale boasts ruddy red hues and soft, tan foam that leaves attractive lacing on the... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Pouring with a bit of chill haze, the initial aroma is very clean with a touch of floral and spicy hops. The malt has both a honey note and a husky grain edge to it. The flavor is very much like the aroma with just a bit of hop spice and biscuit... Read More
Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
The relatively pale color belies the malt intensity as an aroma of rich, toasty Vienna malt wafts up, inviting deeper scrutiny. Layers of malt suggest bread crust, graham crackers, and grainy malt with a suggestion of molasses. A hint of fl oral... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
When swirled, this inviting ale smells of caramelized malts, sweet toffee, candied cherries, raisins, plums, vanilla and warming alcohol vapor. Lively with substantial carbonation and a thick, fl uffy, off-white head that settles quickly, this... Read More
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
A somewhat bready malt aroma intertwined with fresh-smelling hops that can best be described as having the aroma of a wide field of clover-grassy and floral. After a beautiful copper/orange pour, the malt is dry and bready, almost cookie-like,... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
19 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
This slightly hazy, light golden ale pours with a lofty stand of snow-white foam that seems to dissipate rather quickly.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Convoluted aromas of dry wood, treacle, caramel candy, earthy hops, brown sugar, vanilla and allspice emerge from this dark amber, slightly hazy ale.