Weekly Beer Reviews

Victor joined us this week to become a special guest taster. He happened to be passing through and we couldn't help but offer him a chance to sample these fine brews.

Goose Island 25th Anniversary Ale

Goose Island released their 25th Anniversary Ale, and no one was sure what to expect. After a talk with an Anheuser-Busch represenative, I have been informed that it is an Imperial version of Goose Island's best selling beer, their Honker's Ale. The nose was incredibly diverse for a lighter style with hints of orange zest, cracked pepper, shampoo, oak, caramel, and acorns with soft floral hints. It certainly made for a beautiful nose. The flavor was just as diverse with flavors of citrus, minerlas, nutmeg, lavender, lemon peel, and a touch of lime. The finish was slightly bitter and display flavors of wood, pine, oatmeal, and grass. This beer drinks exceptionally well and provides a solid flavor profile.

Mike, Tyler, and Victor's Rating - 8.5/10


Widmer Bros. Kill Devil '13

I was excited to try this Brown Ale aged in Rum Barrels and brewed with molasses. I was reminded of Dogfish Head's Barrel Aged Brown Ale, Palo Santo. Yet this one is nothing like that spectacular brew. The nose is interesting with hints of bourbon sweetness, rum, egg nog, caramel, and brown sugar. The taste has an overpowering flavor of rum with strong flavors of brown sugar, butterscotch, port wine, cream, and vinegar. These flavors threw each other off and made for an almost painful entry into this beer. The finish was creamy and had flavors of pine sap, and ashes, and more of that vinegar flavor. It couldn't save this brew. Tyler and Victor enjoyed it more than I did.

Mike, Tyler, and Victor's Rating - 5.75/10


Widmer Bros. Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout

After Widmer's last beer that we tried, I was a little reluctant to give this one a go. However, this one was far better than the last. The nose is interesting with aroma's of raspberry, citrus, coffee, dark chocolate, cough syrup, and broccoli. The flavor had lots of raspberry up front with hints of citrus, crushed grapeseeds, cough syrup, and what Tyler describes as "Cod Liver Oil". The finish lightly bitter with flavors of coffee, dark chocolate, espresso, hibiscus, and cough syrup. It made for an intense but fairly smooth Russian Imperial Stout.

Mike, Tyler, and Victor's Rating - 8/10