#9

Brewer: Magic Hat Brewing Co.

Style: Fruit Beer

ABV: 5.1%

IBU: 20

Serving type: 12oz bottle

Ap: Pale yellow with orange highlights. One and a half fingers of persistent white head.

Ar: Citrusy orange and apricot.

T: Very fruity, especially orange and apricot. Some citrusy hop character, but not overwhelming.

M: Light bodied, but with some definite wheat character. Fairly light carbonation. Semi-dry finish.

I: Very sessionable beer. Tastes great after a hard day's work in the garden. A good non-hop centric pale ale to have around.

My score: 3/5

Beer Advocate: B-

Rate Beer: 51

Pintley: 3/5

Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Brewer: Founders Brewing Co.

Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 11.2%

IBU: 70

Serving type: 12oz bottle

Ap: Dark, dark brown. Not black, but totally opaque. Head is dark tan/brown, slow to form and quickly fades to a thin ring around the glass.

Ar: Heavy notes of coffee and bourbon. Hints of chocolate.

T: Dark roasted coffee, bourbon. Strong flavors hide the bitterness. Little to no alcohol warmth.

M: Heavy body, but smooth as silk. Light in carbonation.

I: An incredible beer to be sipped like fine whiskey, or straight espresso (or both at once).

My score: 5/5

Beer Advocate: A+

Rate Beer: 100

Pintley: 4.6/5

Had to drive nearly half an hour to find this beer. People in Pekin must not know good beer, 'cause everywhere on my side of the river was fresh out. Definitely worth the trip.

Saison Dupont

Brewer: Brasserie Dupont

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.5%

IBU:
Serving type: 750mL bottle

Ap: Light straw color. Somewhat cloudy. Tremendous dense white persistent head.

Ar: Definite Belgian yeast character. Subtle spicy note.

T: Yeasty. Some clove.

M: Much lighter in carbonation than expected. Light body, dry finish.

I: Crisp, refreshing beer with plenty yeast character to back it up.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: A-

Rate Beer: 99/100

Pintley: 4.2/5

Shoals Pale Ale

Brewer: Smuttynose Brewing Co.

Style: English Pale Ale

ABV: 5.4%

IBU: 30

Serving type: 12oz bottle

Ap: Copper/amber. One finger of offwhite head. Excellent clarity. Decent lacing.

Ar: Rich, piney hop notes. Caramel malts.

T: Strong piney/citrus hop presence. Seems more bitter than the 30 IBU listed. Could use more malt character.

M: Very smooth, light to moderate carbonation.

I: The hop to malt ratio is a little high for my taste, but all in all, a pretty good beer.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: B+

Rate Beer: 89/100

Pintely: 3.3/5

Smuttynose Robust Porter

Brewer: Smuttynose Brewing Co.

Style: Robust Porter

ABV: 5.7%

IBU: 15

Serving type: 12oz Bottle

Ap: Deep, dark brown, nearly black. One finger of light brown head, fluffy and persistent. Nice lacing.

Ar: Dark roasted malts, coffee. A touch of chocolate.

T: Intensely roasted. Could almost be iced coffee.

M: Medium to heavy body. Moderate carbonation. Very smooth. Fairly dry finish.

I: An excellent porter. Wonderful alongside a big chocolate chip muffin.

My score: 5/5

Beer Advocate: A-

Rate Beer: 99/100

Pintley: 3.7/5

Brother Thelonius

Brewer: North Coast Brewing Co.

Style: Belgian Dark Strong Ale

ABV: 9.4%

IBU: 32

Serving type: 12oz Bottle

Ap: Deep copper/brown with red highlights. Pours with one finger of tan head that quickly fades to a thin ring around the perimeter of the glass.

Ar: Banana bread.

T: Well toasted, malty. Slight maple sweetness. Little alcohol taste, but slight alcohol warming.

M: Medium to heavy body, balanced by high carbonation.

I: Very drinkable considering the high alcohol content.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: B+

Rate Beer: 96/100

Pintley: 3.7/5