Flying Dog has always made good, craft beer, but it seems that the past couple of years has seen the brewery up the ante on their craftsmanship and quality — not to mention willingness to expand outside of their safety zone. The brewery’s latest year-round release, Wildeman, was first brewed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Amsterdam’s In de Wildeman. Now, they’ve unleashed it’s hoppy, funky madness on U.S. soil.

Building on the success of the surge in popularity of their Raging Bitch Belgian IPA, Flying Dog is continuing the experimentation with hop forward beers that are brewed with unique Belgian yeast strains. Wildeman’s Saison yeast brings a light barnyard funkiness to a brew that is packed with citrusy hop flavor and a solid helping of bitterness. It’s a wonderful marriage of flavors and styles.

Appearance

Wildeman pours a slightly hazy golden in color (it’s unfiltered so this is expected) with a large cap of white foam that settles slowly.

Aroma

This brew certainly has a hoppy aroma complete with citrus notes, spices, hay, yeasty funk and a light hint of pine. It’s smells great!

Taste

Wow. An assertive hop profile and a solid funkiness greet the palate almost immediately. Hints of hay and barnyard hit first before smoothly and quickly transitioning to a sizable hop bite that also carries with it grapefruit and pine. The hoppiness of the beer is only amplified by a crisp mouthfeel and seems to linger forever in the slightly dry finish. The 7.5% ABV is mashed quite well, making for a brew that — for fans of hoppy and/or Belgian style beers — is dangerously quaffable.

Overall

I’ve had some Belgian IPAs in my time. I’ve also had some fairly hoppy Saisons, as well, but this is by far the most hop-forward Belgian-style anything that I’ve had the opportunity to drink. That said, this is not simply just a case of all hops and nothing else. Wildeman is a near perfect blend of Saison and IPA characteristics. It’s got plenty of funkiness, hoppiness and more to keep you on your toes, all the while remaining grounded enough to stay quite drinkable. I’ll take another please.

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.

Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale is the first ale to be produced by Spoetzl Brewery in its 100+ year existence. It’s also the first time I’ve ever had anything from the brewery other than their bock. The 5.7% ABV American Pale Ale uses US Golding and Bravo hop varieties throughout the brewing process, as well as Munich and Caramel malts. That’s all well and good, but how does an ale from a brewery that’s known solely for it’s lagers turn out?

In truth, not too bad at all. For the company’s first foray into ales, Wild Hare is moderately assertive with the hops while still maintaining a solid malt balance. The beer probably won’t win over IPA or Pale Ale enthusiasts from their own favorite brews, but it’s still a solid first effort.

Appearance

The beer pours amber in color with a slowly dropping white head that resulted in decent lacing.

Aroma

Light floral hops, subtle citrus notes, a touch of pine and a balanced malt profile (light toast and caramel) join together for a clean nose.

Taste

A crisp, refreshing mouthfeel carries a well balanced beer over the tongue. The hops are moderate in potency with a decent level of bitterness and a light helping of citrus fruit. The malts have a light toast, a touch of caramel and leave behind a hint of sweetness. The beer is easy drinking.

Overall

I was never really a fan of the brewery’s flagship Bock. It just wasn’t a beer that I would go out of my way for. Wild Hare also isn’t a beer that I would hunt down at word of it’s release. I would, however, fully enjoy a six pack of it while watching some football on TV. The beer is well balanced, refreshing and with just enough hop character to make it interesting. Wild Hare would make for a great introductory sample for those (possibly fans of Shiner beers) looking to make the jump into the hoppier end of the pool. When all is said and done, I enjoyed this Pale Ale.

Rating: 3/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.

Press Release

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 30, 2011) – As the Shock Top family continues to grow in popularity, so does its line-up of offerings, beginning the year with Shock Top Wheat IPA, which hits store shelves Feb. 6.

The newest full-time addition to the Shock Top family, Shock Top Wheat IPA is a unique hybrid style that brings the refreshment and smoothness of a wheat beer and marries it with the crisp, hoppy bitterness of an India Pale Ale (IPA).

To create the new beer, brewmasters started with Shock Top’s signature recipe, adding citrusy Cascade and Magnum hops and dry hopping the beer for several days to give Wheat IPA the rich, hoppy aroma that is the signature of IPAs. Containing 5.8% alcohol by volume (ABV), Shock Top Wheat IPA will be sold nationwide in six- and 24-packs of 12-ounce bottles and on draught.

“Wheat beers and IPAs are among the fastest growing styles of beer, and as we look to build the Shock Top family, we wanted to try our hand at developing a hybrid of these two styles and make it available to beer drinkers across the country,” said Jill Vaughn, brewmaster for Shock Top. “Shock Top’s smooth, wheat malt base provides great balance of flavor to the citrusy hops – giving Wheat IPA a rich, hoppy flavor that’s very drinkable and refreshing.”

Shock Top Wheat IPA will join Shock Top Belgian White and Shock Top Raspberry Wheat in the brand’s latest sampler pack, in stores March 19. The 12- and 24-pack samplers will be available year round.

The launch of Shock Top Wheat IPA marks the first this year for the brand. In 2011, Shock Top rolled out its first year-round line extension with Shock Top Raspberry Wheat, and its first seasonal with Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat. Shock Top Belgian White also introduced 12-ounce aluminum cans and 22-ounce bottles to its packaging line-up last year, to provide even more options for Shock Top fans to enjoy their favorite Belgian-style wheat ale, whatever the occasion.

Shock Top Belgian White is an award-winning Belgian-style unfiltered wheat ale, with a naturally cloudy and light golden color. Shock Top is brewed with orange, lemon and lime peels and coriander, giving it a refreshing, smooth taste and a citrusy aroma.

Aging beer in retired bourbon barrels isn’t anything new. In fact, within the confines of this site you’ll find plenty of reviews for a variety of such beers including stouts, porters, IPAs and barleywines. This, however, will be my first Old Ale that’s matured in any sort of barrel.

And aged it has been. Karl Strauss set aside this Old Ale for 12 full months, letting the beer pull from the retired barrels all of the bourbony goodness it could. The beer has a bourbon character that I would describe as moderate, yet delicate. You would think that after a year in barrels the beer would be more bourbon-forward in terms of it’s flavor, but it’s actually quite approachable — hell, my wife (who isn’t a bourbon fan) kept stealing sips from my glass.

I’ve had the opportunity to sample many of this brewery’s beers over the past couple of years as they have experimented with barrel aging. The progression and craftsmanship that has evolved with regard to these specialty brews is impressive. Each release of this fashion just keeps getting better and better.

Appearance

The beer pours copper in color with a quickly dropping light tan head.

Aroma

There’s a strong vanilla/oak presence up front with a decent amount of caramel, a touch of raison and a glorious bourbon character. Unlike many of the barrel aged beers I’ve had, this one doesn’t reek of bourbon/booze or overwhelm the senses. That’s impressive considering this beer weighs in at 12.2% ABV.

Taste

Oh man, this thing is smooth. This unblended beer starts off with solid vanilla and bourbon notes that transition slowly over caramel malt and dark fruits. It doesn’t taste boozy and is deceptively drinkable though the higher ABV does leave a bit of a glowing warmth in the chest. The bourbon is definitely present, but it’s on a level that is delicate and refined. There’s a touch of hop bitterness late in the finish. As smooth and approachable as this beer is, it is still a big beer that doesn’t mess around. It’s definitely a sipper.

Overall

Drinking a beer like this, it’s easy to see why I’ve praised this brewery in just about every review of their products that I’ve done. This 23rd Anniversary release is well balanced, smooth, full flavored and a treat to enjoy. I’m still amazed at the refined bourbon character that the beer carries. The brewery has done a great job not letting the barrel overtake the Old Ale in terms of it’s flavor. This still tastes like a beer — just one that spent a good length of time in barrels that fully complimented it’s natural character. Well done, Karl Strauss!

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.

Here’s a little information on what sounds like a fun project from Colorado’s Odell Brewing.

Press Release

Fort Collins, CO. – On February 11, 2012, Odell Brewing will release its first single serve brew of the New Year. A uniquely collaborative project, Footprint RegionAle pays tribute to the brewery’s regional distribution.

This artful ale is a nod to the ten states that make up what Odell Brewing calls its “distribution footprint.” The brewery sourced select ingredients from each of these ten states and crafted a myriad of small batch brews that were then blended into one larger brew. Guest brewers comprised of distributor partners, retailers, co-workers and friends from each state were invited to Odell Brewing to help with the brews.

“I had the pleasure of making the trip to Odell Brewing Co to brew the Minnesota component of Footprint; we had the challenge of brewing with sticky Minnesota grown wild rice,” said Mike Illig, Craft Beer manager for C&L Distributing in St. Cloud, MN. “The whole concept of the brew is a great idea, and I am glad to be a part of such an interesting collaboration.”

Footprint includes hops and barley from Colorado and Idaho, wheat from Kansas and Wyoming, Arizona prickly pear, Minnesota wild rice, Nebraska corn, New Mexico green chilies, South Dakota honey, and oak barrels from Missouri. The final blend boasts a rich golden hue and an oaky stone-fruit nose, and a delicate sweetness from the wheat and honey that is balanced by a subtle spicy dry finish.

Odell Brewing will celebrate the release of Footprint on Saturday February 11th in the brewery’s Tap Room from 4-6pm. The event will feature samples of the beer, local food, and live music by The Constant Tourist. Footprint RegionAle is available in 750mL cork and cage finished bottles throughout the brewery’s ten state distribution.

There was a time (many moons ago) back in college when all I drank was Newcastle Brown Ale. As a student prone to be as thrifty as possible with what little cash I had, I usually resorted to ingesting mass quantities of macro-lagers, but once I tried my first nutty, malty Newcastle that all changed.

Now, I’m not attributing my evolution into a craft beer drinker to a fuller flavored and reasonably priced six pack — that honor goes to a long gone deli in downtown Fredericksburg and its rather small selection of Rogue beers and Belgian ales. I’m just saying that Newcastle Brown Ale and I have a bit of history; a history that may never have happened had Founders’ Ale been available back then instead.

Adorned with a five pointed star representing the five founding breweries of Newcastle, the company’s latest limited release is an English Pale Ale that was a treat to enjoy. It’s brewed with premium malts and Styrian Goldings hops that give the brew 20 IBUs — just enough of a bitterness presence to nicely balance out the lightly toasted malt character. And at 4.8% ABV, the brew is just about sessionable, a dangerous prospect indeed as this brew was not only a pleasant surprise, but if made available year-round, it would also be the product that I would easily select over the brewery’s flagship product.

Appearance

The brew pours a clean amber in color with a dense, creamy head.

Aroma

Toasted bread and a balanced measure of grassy hops combine for a welcoming and refreshing nose.

Taste

An initial caramel malt and subtle sweetness fade smoothly over the tongue to a moderate level of hop bitterness that hangs around for a good bit after each swallow. The lightly toasted malt and grassy hops (also with a touch of grapefruit) work well together to present a refreshingly tasty drinking experience which is only reinforced with a crisp mouthfeel and medium body.

Overall

I’m no expert on English Pale Ales (or any beer for that matter) and my go to beer of this style is usually something along the lines of a Bass or Fuller’s. As it stands however, for a relatively simple brew, Founder’s Ale packs more flavor than expected and is right up there with what I would consider favorites of this style. It’s not a big beer, it’s not extreme in any fashion and it certainly doesn’t need any bourbon barrel aging. It’s a beer that is refreshing, well balanced and clean. I would love to have a six pack of this at the ready for the Super Bowl coming this weekend.

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from PR company representing the brewery.

I don’t know why I purchased this bottle of Le Bilboquet L’Archange — a 5% ABV Hefeweizen. It’s not the right season for it, nor am I even a fan of the style. I suppose I may have been seduced by the tasty La Corriveau that the brewery also produces. Then again, maybe I was just looking for something to fill up the review quota.

Appearance

L’Archange pours a golden amber in color with a slight haze. A large white cap fell noisily to thin surface lacing.

Aroma

It smells like a hefeweizen with loads of lemon, wheat, light spices and a touch of banana.

Taste

I’m sure that there are plenty of Hefe fans that would go gaga over a beer like this, but I can’t. I tried. I barely made it through the pile of wheat, lemony citrus, spices (the clove is a bit too dominant) and enough banana to make a chimpanzee set for life. The mouthfeel is crisp on the tongue and there isn’t a hint of alcohol to be found.

Overall

I don’t know why I continue to subject myself to this style of beer. It never ends up as I hope it would each time I crack one open. I’m not disparaging the beer. Like I said, I’m sure that there are people out there that would love this brew. It’s just not my thing.

Rating:2.5/5

When I picked up this bottle of Victory Brewing’s Otto back in December I was under the impression that it was their attempt at your standard Rauchbier (smoked beer) and had put it aside for when I was really in the mood for one — which I have been in more often lately for some reason. It wasn’t until a need for smoke arose that I finally took the time to check out the beer’s history. It turns out that this 8.1% ABV brew is so much more than a Rauchbier.

Otto is apparently based off of an experience that he Victory co-founders had on a trip to Germany back in 1987. Why the muse or motivation struck them to produce this beer now, I have no idea, nor do I care. This is smoky treat isn’t your typical smoked beer. Sure it utilizes smoked malt, but these malts are Belgian, as is the yeast they pitch in during the brewing process. The end result of that process is a Belgian style dubbel with a strong smokey character. It not only served to satiate my craving for a little smoke, but I’m also a sucker for a decent Belgian beer.

Appearance

Otto pours a clear copper in color with a light tan head that fell slowly to patchy surface lace.

Aroma

The noce certainly packs a smoky wallop as a mental image of campfires arrive after just the first sniff or two. It’s got a smoked meat character as well as caramel, subtle Belgian yeast and a light sweetness.

Taste

The Belgian dubbel aspect of this beer arrives first with a moderate sweetness, caramel, dark fruits and yeast. That first round of flavors moves slowly over the palate to a smokey campfire. It’s not an overpowering smoke like a bottle of Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen can often be, but it’s still pretty demanding of your attention.

Overall

This was a dark tasty brew. I got the smoke I was in the mood for as well as the dark fruits and subtle sweetness of a dubbel. The smokey character was solid and forefront in the flavor profile, but it wasn’t so much that it took some time to get used to. I could certainly go for another of these.

Rating:4/5

It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a beer from Bison Brewing and, after spying this Gingerbread Ale on the shelf last month, I knew it was time to revisit the brewery. Much like pumpkin ales are appropriate for cool Autumn evenings, the thought of gingerbread cookies as snow falls outside was more than enough for me to commit to purchasing at least one bottle.

Weighing in at 6.0% ABV, this herbed beer looks more like a porter and, to some degree, even has a light roast coffee aroma amongst the spices to give it that impression as well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past wanting this to be a porter, but with the beer’s light body — appropriate for the spiced beer style, not for a porter — I’m not sure I enjoyed this one as much as I could have.

Appearance

Apparently, I got a little silly with the pour as the cola brown liquid was capped by a massive light tan head.

Aroma

The desired gingerbread cookie smell is there with wafts of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, malt sweetness, a light caramel come together nicely with the aforementioned coffee character.

Taste

With the beer’s appearance and subtle coffee aroma, I so wanted this to be a gingerbread porter, but the lighter bodied beer I encountered let me know right away that it wasn’t. Struggling to get past the whole porter thing, this beer is actually quite tasty as the gingerbread cookie aspect of the beer really shines in the lingering finish. The spices aren’t over the top and sit amongst the malt quite nicely. There’s also a light level of hop bitterness toard the tail end.

Overall

The porter issue aside, Bison has a pretty nicely balanced brew here. The spices are just at the right levels, sitting complimentary to the moderately sweet malt. And at 6.0% ABV, the beer is deceptively drinkable. I just really wish that either light roast coffee character weren’t present or that the beer was a full fledge porter.

Rating:3.5/5

Update: Thanks to @bisonbrew on Twitter for letting me feel even dumber than normal. This is a porter and I probably should have been able to figure that out on my own. I’d still like to see it a little fuller on the palate.

At first, it was the bottle artwork that intrigued me. Then I remembered the run of really tasty brews from Quebec that I’ve enjoyed over the past twelve months. Well, this 5.5% ABV Oatmeal Stout from Le Bilboquet is another notch in the belt of small Quebec breweries.

I also don’t know how or why my local shop keeps getting all this Canadian treats, but I hope they keep it up. This was one tasty stout that had an excellent roasty and earthy character without weighing heavily on the palate.

Appearance

Pouring black as night, the beer sits with a large mocha head.

Aroma

This beer smells great. An earthy character delivers hints of oats, roast coffee bean and a touch of chocolate.

Taste

This is spot on for the style. The levels of oats, roasted malt, coffee and cocoa are all at just the right level to give the beer a well balanced nature. It’s not at all overly sweet and is quite easy to drink with a medium body. As the beer warms a subtle anise character begins to emerge.

Overall

This is my kind of stout. It’s lighter than most, but that only proves to serve the beer for the better. The balanced characteristics of the beer make for one of the more enjoyable oatmeal stouts I’ve had in some time. I will most certainly be buying this one again.

Rating:4/5