= Brewpub95 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2007. 27% ABV (8/08)
Reddish, deep copper color. Warm caramel, baked apple orange and pear, pepper, nutty bourbon barrel and spice aromas follow through on a round, syrupy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with layers of exotic spiced nuts, orange marmalade, honey, mushrooms and white clay. Finishes with a long, spicy, peppery praline fade with a dash of dried lemon peel. A big, spicy and peppery dessert beer with an astringent earthy edge. Give this some time.
94 Samuel Adams Millennium, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 20% ABV (8/08)
Cloudy, copper brown color. Rich aromas of caramel apple pie, roasted nuts, brown sugar and delicate spices follow through on a thick, syrupy entry to a mildly sweet full body with no carbonation and accents of dried autumn fruit and honey. Finishes with a long, nutty, yeasty and tangy oloroso sherry like fade. Enjoy as an after dinner sipper as you would a PX sherry.
93 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2009. 27.5% ABV (9/10)
Deep reddish mahogany color with no carbonation. Complex aromas of sautéed almonds, maple, sherry, figs, orange marmalade and fancy chocolate. Syrupy and satiny smooth with a fruity-yet-dry full body. Long, pepper, oak and earth-accented finish. A great after dinner “beer” that defies categorization. (Or try on pancakes!)
93 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2005. 25% ABV (8/08)
Hazy tawny copper color. Aromas of melted caramel, lemon pepper and roasted nuts follow though on a round, lightly syrupy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with layers of dried fruits and pepper spice. Finishes with a lively, yeasty baguette toast and nutty, sherry barrel notes. A big flavorful after dinner beer to enjoy like an amontillado sherry.
92 Samuel Adams Triple Bock, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 1994. 18% ABV (9/10)
Opaque brown black color. Pure and dimensional aromas and flavors of shaved chocolate, toffeed nut, dried sour cherry and delicate baking spices. Thick and syrupy with a fruity-yet-dry full body. Well-meshed flavors are complemented by raisin, honey, molasses, soy sauce and a plethora of baking and confectionary elements. Impressive, alive and evolving.
90 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2003. 23% ABV (8/08)
Hazy orange deep amber color. Caramel, raisin and nut aromas follow through on a gentile lightly syrupy entry to a dryish full body with toasted baguette and treacle accents. Finishes with a long, nutty oloroso sherry like fade with a nice citrus and yeast tangy. Enjoy after dinner like an oloroso sherry.
90 Ginger Beer, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada) 2010 Limited Release. 5% ABV (9/10)
Bright golden color. Bold ginger and lemongrass aromas and flavors. Crisp and zesty with a dryish medium body. Toasted raisin bread and citrusy hops emerge on the finish. Nicely balanced and intense ginger flavor that doesn’t knock you out.
90 Estrella Damm Inedit, Damm Brewery (Spain). 4.8% ABV (9/09)
Hazy golden yellow color with a thin fine head. Delicate aromas of orange honey, coriander and herbed flat bread like malt follow through on a supple, soft entry to a dryish medium body with great smoothness and integration. Finishes with a refreshing, supple interplay of light toasty grain, dried citrus and mossy hops.
89 Storm IPA, BrewDog (Scotland). 8% ABV (8/08)
Pale, golden amber color. Aromas of burning cigar embers, peat and honey-roasted nuts follow through on a bold, round entry to a dryish full body and a lingering tobacco, herbal moss and honeyed cracker fade with a deft touch of astringent dried citrus hops. A brawny, smoky beer for adventurous hopheads looking for the next frontier.
89 Morocco Ale, Daleside Brewery (England). 5.5% ABV (3/10)
Beautiful reddish mahogany color. Exotic curry spiced nuts, dried papaya and ginger and nutmeg seed aromas follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with brown sugar, lemongrass and coriander notes. Finishes with a long, umami dominated matcha green tea, soybean and ginger fade. Exotic and tasty.
89 Ginger My Tart, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). (9/09) 
Hazy amber orange color. Aromas of sour yeast, bruised citrus and shaved ginger peel follow through on a round, supple entry to a tart, dry medium-to-full body with sour green apple notes and a tangy, mouthwatering fade. A nicely balanced sour beer with a refreshing hint of ginger. Pair with spicy General Tso chicken.
89 Fraoch Heather Ale, Williams Bros. Brewing Co. (Scotland). 5% ABV (3/10)
Pretty old gold color. Aromas of floral white tea, crystallized ginger and honeyed Hawaiian bread follow through on a round, soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a nice creamy nectarine soufflé note. Finishes with a tangy, vanilla cream, spice cake and honeyed ginger-accented fade. Very tasty and exotic; try with Vietnamese food.
88 Rye Bob, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (3/10)
Bright copper color. Mild aromas of raisin bread toast, dried cherry and rye flour follow through on a round, satiny entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and creamy, seamless balance. Finishes with a long dried citrus and earth-accented fade. Very nice.
88 Alpentraum, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 7.3% ABV (9/10)
Murky copper brown color. Aromas of banana bread, spicy fruity caramel and smoked nuts. Plush and frothy with a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body. Cherry compote, craisin and peppery spices bubble throughout the citrus and grass-accented finish. Very nicely done.
87 Rye Bob, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (3/10)
Bright copper color. Mild aromas of raisin bread toast, dried cherry and rye flour follow through on a round, satiny entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and creamy, seamless balance. Finishes with a long dried citrus and earth-accented fade. Very nice.
87 Point 2012 Black Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (9/10)
Brown black color. Restrained dark chocolate covered cherries and roasted coffee aromas. Crisp and supple with a dry medium body. Root vegetable, nougat, dried citrus and grassy earth notes twinkle on the zesty finish. A nicely quaffable dark beer.
87 Miss Spelt, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5% ABV (9/10)
Lightly hazy amber orange color. Aromas of honey toasted multigrain bread, apricot jam and candied orange zest. Soft and supple with a dry-yet-fruity medium body. Apple butter, wafer and grassy earth notes dance on the finish.
84 Rye of the Tiger, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 6.5% ABV (9/10)
Brilliant deep amber color. Spicy pancake batter, maple syrup and pomegranate jam aromas. Round and finely frothy with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body. Sourdough toast, citrus yogurt, soap, rye flour and wheatgrass notes permeate on the finish. Different.
81 Lemon Radler, Stiegl Columbus (Austria). 2.5% ABV (9/09)
Pale golden yellow color. Bright aromas of lemon grapefruit soda (Squirt) and a hint of dough follow through on a round, buoyant entry to a fruity light body with lime star fruit candy and toast notes. Finishes with a lingering, drying, bitter children’s aspirin fade.
