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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.

Paleo Ale

Fossil Cove Brewing Paleo Ale beer
Reviewed by: Michael Heniff
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This American Pale Ale pours a crystal clear, dark golden color with a resilient, off-white head.

Kick Back Session IPA

Drake's Brewing Kick Back Session IPA beer
Reviewed by: Michael Heniff
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This Session IPA pours a crystal clear light golden color, sporting a small ring of off-white head.

La Brea Brown

Fossil Cove Beer La Brea Brown Ale
Reviewed by: Michael Heniff
Judges Rating:
84
Aroma:
18 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Self-described as a "Belgian Style Brown Ale," this beer unfortunately lacks many of the primary characteristics of Belgian ales -- especially fruity esters and peppery phenolics.

Frequent Flier

Boulevard Beer Frequent Flier Session IPA
Reviewed by: Dan Martich
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Upon pouring, the aroma is a welcome party of tropical fruit hops followed by a very faint piney hop character. The tropical fruit you'll find here is headlined by mango, passion fruit and papaya beckoning you to a first sip.

The Oracle

Bell's Beer The Oracle Double IPA
Reviewed by: Dan Martich
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

This beer poured a hazy golden-yellow hue that was quite typical of a Double IPA. In the aroma I found moderately high notes of citrus, lemon rind and spicy hops, as well as some ripe melon esters toward the end with a clean, bready malt note to... Read More

Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Despite this being an Imperial IPA, the hop aroma was surprisingly restrained. I was expecting a big hit of pine notes, but it was instead quite subtle. A beautiful light copper poured nicely into the glass followed by a well carbonated and... Read More

Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This beer poured a beautiful, pitch black color that featured a tan foamy head. I detected very nice aromas of roasted malts, chocolate, dried fruit and oak barrel with slight hop overtones.

Rare Trait

Cerebral Brewing Rare Trait IPA beer crowler
Reviewed by: Mike Castagno
Judges Rating:
96
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Creamy. Velvety. Luscious. Tropical. These are the main characteristics of this beer, but it is also much more than that. The beer puts down my skepticism for both "crowlers" (32-oz. cans that are filled from the tap then sealed) and hazy IPAs.... Read More

Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

For an Imperial IPA/Barleywine hybrid, the aroma was rather subdued and I really didn’t get that much of a hop aroma.

Cold Brew IPA

Rogue Beer Cold Brew IPA coffee
Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Judges Rating:
89
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

I was presented this beer by being told it was an IPA with coffee. Already, I'm thinking "clash of flavors." With that in mind, I proceeded with this beer cautiously.

Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Judges Rating:
93
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This IPA had a very subtle hop aroma of pine needles and not much more.

Snake Bite

TW Pitchers Snake Bite Cider Shandy Beer
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This brew starts off with aromas of apple taffy – slightly tart, salty, dried apple skins on a base of grape juice. Involuntarily, my mouth starts to slightly water while the aroma shows a clean yeast character with a hint of white apple blossoms... Read More

Two Pitchers Radler

Two Pitchers Radler Beer
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Upon pouring, prominent aromas of bright pink grapefruit fruit pour forth from the glass with a splash of fresh raspberry juice and all supported by a backbone of freshly milled white flour. The beer has a pleasing, ivory head that sits atop a... Read More

Chene Rustique

Toolbox Chene Rustique Saison beer
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

A complex and mouthwatering combination of sour lactic, yogurt and soured milk aromas mingle with secondary notes of vanilla, saltines, pickle brine, and squeezed lemon juice.

Callipygian

Avery Brewing Callipygian barrel-aged stout beer
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Upon pouring, I first notice the aroma of creamed bananas, followed by a warm chocolate brownie covered in a boozy vanilla fudge sauce. The beer has a creamy, dark tan head that clings to the sides of the glass, and is a dark, almost opaque,... Read More

Expletus

Avery Expletus Sour barrel-aged beer
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Judges Rating:
96
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

This beer starts out with a sour, caramel-glazed apple tart aroma, then evolves into a caramelized wafer candy with dried Montmorency cherries with a low, floral, barrel character. The beer is clear with a ruby-amber glow and a low, ivory-colored... Read More

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