94 LTD 04, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 7% ABV (3/11)
Bright golden color. Rich aromas and flavors of salty toasty baguette with a slight hint of date and peach. Crisp and vibrant with a light chewy dryish medium-to-full body and a long, refreshing, a and astringent leafy green hop finish. A superb session or food beer.
92 Primator Premium Lager, Pivovar Nachod (Czech Republic). 5% ABV (11/09)
Gold amber color. Aromas of peach marmalade on nut bread toast and potter’s clay follow through on a soft, supple entry to a creamy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with hints of dried citrus and nice depth and balance. Finishes superbly in a dried fruit and nut-accented fade with lush astringency and earthy clay-like hops.
92 Captain Fred Pale Lager, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of fig jam, lemon and apricot butter on chewy baguette with a supple, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and zippy almond cookie, lemon curd and grassy hop finish. A very nice, very flavorful session lager.
91 Speciale Lager, Birra Ichnusa (Italy). 5.6% ABV (5/11)
Yellow color. Aromas of brazil nuts, bread dough and circus peanuts with a crisp, frothy medium body and a tangy peppery, honeyed citrus, apple and grassy earth finish. A nice zesty food beer.
90 Lager, Cable Car (USA). 4.5% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed biscuit have a hint cashew butter and micro greens and follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with nice light balance and a gentle, mild hop and mineral finish. A very nice, carefree quaffer that should cover most bases at the casual dining table.
90 Coney Island Sword Swallower Lager, Shmaltz Brewing Company (NY). 7.2% ABV (12/11)
Bright golden amber color with a rich white head. Rich aromas of spicy fruit pastry, grilled root vegetable and kale with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a hint of golden molasses and buttercream on the peppery, grassy hops finish. A rich and racy, hopped up lager.
89 Boxer Lager, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (11/11)
Old gold color. Fruit aromas of pineapple sorbet, macaroon, and banana cream pie with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a breezy, tangy citrus and watermelon-accented finish. A breezy, fruity pale lager.
89 Organic Lager Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (11/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of lemon marmalade on brioche with a supple, dryish medium body and tangy citrus, roasted corn, starfruit and straw-accented finish. Very tasty.
88 Warka Red Label Lager, Grupa Zywiec S.A. (Poland). 5.7% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Very mild toasted bread aromas follow through on a round entry to a dry medium body with honeyed nuts, wheat cracker, and golden raisin notes. Finishes with a crisp, astringent earth hop fade. A very nice quaffer.
88 Duke Mid Strength Pale Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 3.5% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Light, toasted raisin bread crust and herbal hop aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish light body with good depth and balance. Finishes with a crisp, toasty, lightly astringent fade. A nice lighter styled session beer.
88 Esser’s Best German Style Lager, Esserís Cross Plains Beer Company (WI). 5.2% ABV (11/10)
Dried peach and honeyed nut aromas and flavors with a round dryish medium body and a raisin, lemon zest and grassy hop finish. Chili and cheddar bread .
88 Baffo D’Oro, Birra Moretti (Italy). 4.8% ABV (5/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed wafer cookies and nut butter on toasted baguette with a soft, finely carbonated dryish medium body and a ripe melon, citrus and golden beet finish. Very tasty.
88 Estrella Damm Lager, Damm Brewery (Spain). 5.4% ABV (11/11)
Pale golden color. Aromas of frittata and toasted nut pastry with a crisp, dryish medium body and a red apple, lemon, and earth-accented finish. A lively, flavorful lager.
88 Chang Beer, Cosmos Brewery Co., Ltd. (Thailand). 5% ABV (12/11)
Bright yellow color. Very mild aromas of bread dough, white nut, and sweet corn with a soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a starfruit, apple chip and water chestnut-accented finish. A pleasant quaffer.
87 Islander Pale Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (11/09)
Golden color. Aromas of honeyed muffin follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with toasted grain and sweet, lettuce-like notes. Finishes with a crisp, mild citrus and cream-accented fade. A solid session beer that will shine at the table.
87 Ensign Fred Pale Lager, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 9.2% ABV (11/09)
Interesting sour yeast, roasted chestnut, herbal hop, and turmeric aromas follow through on a soft, gentle entry to a dryish and slightly sour light-to-medium body with roasted corn and plantain notes. Finishes with a toasty, grassy, mineral-accented fade.
87 Lager Beer, Narragansett Brewing Company (RI). 5.1% ABV (11/11)
Golden amber color. Attractive buttered orange bread toast aromas with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a grainy, white nut, starfruit and orange blossom honey-accented finish.
86 Moretti Lager, Birra Moretti (Italy). 4.6% ABV (5/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of nougat and honeyed toast with a crisp, frothy medium body and a refreshing pear, jicama, and mesclun green-like finish. Solid.
86 “Menabrea 1846″ Birra Bionda, Menabrea (Italy). 4.8% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Aromas of frosted peach danish and praline with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a buttered toast, arugula and straw-accented finish. A nice food friendly beer.
86 Rogue Irish Style Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 4.8% ABV (11/11)
Rich golden color. Aromas of buttered date nut bread and praline with a soft, dryish medium body and a smooth, even roasted grain and water chestnut-accented finish.
86 Pure Brewed Lager Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (11/11)
Deep old gold color. Sourdough, lemon and apple core aromas with a crisp, frothy, dry medium body and root vegetable, kiwi, and grassy earth-accented finish. A rustic, food lager.
85 St. Pauli Girl Lager, St. Pauli Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/10)
Bright yellow color. Buttery roasted corn and baguette aromas with a soft, supple dry medium body and a crisp, root vegetable, lemon and water chestnut-accented finish.
85 Shiner Blonde, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 4.4% ABV (11/10)
Bright yellow color. Buttery roasted corn and frittata aromas with a round dryish medium body and a frothy citrus granite-accented finish. A clean, light quaffer.
85 Lager, Birra Ichnusa (Italy). 4.7% ABV (5/11)
Aromas of stone fruits, figs, and banana bread with a crisp, supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a mellow apple sauce, bib lettuce and wafer finish. A clean, refreshing quaffer.
85 Lager, Copper Bell (USA). 4.5% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of scrambled eggs and raisin toast with a crisp, dryish light body and a refreshing citrus custard and bibb lettuce finish.
85 Point Special Lager, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.66% ABV (11/11)
Light golden yellow color. Aromas of buttered nut toast and polenta with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a tart lemon and orange-accented finish. A nice easy-going quaffer.
85 Duke Premium Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 4.8% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of omelet and fruit pastry with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp, tangy, toasty finish.
85 BIGHEAD No Carb Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 4.2% ABV (12/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of Belgian waffle, delicate herb and spice aromas with a soft, dryish light body and a pear, roasted root vegetable and sprout finish.
85 Anchor Smooth Beer, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 4.5% ABV (11/11)
Pale golden color. Aromas and flavors of pear tart and powdered Belgian waffle with a supple, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a toasty, snappy roasted golden beet and spout finish. Tasty.
85 Kenan Lager, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 4.1% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Bright roasted corn and lemon curd on buttered toast aromas with a soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a crisp, nut toast and earthy hop finish.
84 541 Lager, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Tilled earth aromas have hints of peach marmalade, banana bread, and buttered nuts. Frothy and medium bodied with chewy pastry dough-like malt a note of canned vegetables. Finishes with a zippy citrus and grassy hop finish.
84 Gold Crown Beer, Cambodia Brewery Limited (Cambodia). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Yellow color. Mild aromas of bread pudding and poached egg with a soft, silky, dry light-to-medium body and a tart apple core, radish and apple phosphate finish.
84 Cinco Pale Lager, Del Norte Brewing Co. (CO). 4.4% ABV (11/10)
Bright aromas apple vinaigrette, lavender talc, and buttered cornbread toast with a crisp, soft light-to-medium body and a polenta, roasted squash, lemon yogurt and light peppery spice finish.
84 Session Premium Lager, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.1% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Curious aromas of toffee and caramelized sweet potato with a supple, dryish medium body and a soft grain and watercress-accented finish.
84 Tiger Crystal Beer, Asia Pacific Breweries (China). 4.3% ABV (12/11)
Bright yellow color. Aromas of roasted corn and honeyed graham cracker with a supple, dryish light body and a crisp, apple skin, melon rind and sprouts finish.
83 Lager, Kodiak Ridge (USA). 4.5% ABV (12/11)
Pale yellow color. Aromas of roasted turnip and cinnamon rice pudding with a soft, light body and crisp citrus and grassy hop finish.
82 Lager, Wingwalker (USA). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Buttered popcorn aromas with a frothy light body and a crisp, sweet potato and lemon curd-accented finish.
82 All Malt Lager, Those Guys Beer (MI). 4.7% ABV (3/11)
Golden amber color with a slight haze. Lightly yeasty sour dough and corn pudding aromas with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a nice wet grain, starfruit, poached egg and mineral tang on the finish. A decent lawn mower beer.
82 Light Beer, Port Republic (USA). 4.5% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Starfruit, roasted sweet potato, and cinnamon roll with a soft, light body and a jicama, apple and chalk-accented finish.
80 Órale Mexican Style Lager, Del Norte Brewing Co. (CO). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Slightly skunky dried grass and toasted herb corn bread aromas with a round dry light body and a funky lemon yogurt, turnip, and musty rag-accented finish.