Juniper Black Ale

Brewer: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Style: Cascadian dark ale, fruit beer

ABV: 8.2%
IBU: 61
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle poured into an English pub glass

Pours black with some faint red highlighting. A finger of lumpy, light tank head sits on top and is in no hurry to go away. Aroma is herbal, piney, perhaps a touch of dark fruit. Could be it's just the juniper I'm smelling, but it's not a fruit I'm terribly familiar with.

That herbal, pine flavor is right up front, very crisp and refreshing. Roasted malt is right behind, balancing the aromatics very well. Medium bodied with a fairly dry finish. Surprisingly drinkable and quenching for the style.

This was part of the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp variety pack in 2011. And I am a big fan of this beer; it's a shame it's such a limited release.

My score: 5/5

Beer Advocate: B+

Rate Beer: 97/100

Pintley: 3.4/5

Redband Stout

Brewer: Great River Brewery

Style: Coffee Stout

ABV: 6%
IBU: 36
Serving Type: 20 oz. can poured into a Bohemian Pilsner glass

Pour is thick and opaque, nearly black with no highlights. Two fingers of brown head that quickly fade to a thin but persistent film. Minimal lacing. The aroma packs a wollop, falling somewhere between a dark roasted coffee and an iced mocha.

Almost tastes more like coffee than beer. The dark malts are there, but the coffee definitely plays center stage in this one. If there are hops here, they're well hidden; the bitterness tastes like it's all coming from the astringency of the espresso. Medium to heavy in body, though perhaps just a tad lighter than expected. The moderate carbonation really helps the strong aromatics come out.

It's good to see such a good coffee stout coming out of a local brewery, and not have to rely on super limited releases like Kentucky or Bourbon County Breakfast Stout. If they start barrel aging this stuff, I'll buy it by the case. If there's a criticism, it's that this is a beer that probably doesn't need to come in a 16 oz. can.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: A

Rate Beer: 77/100

Pintley:

A brew pub since 2004, Great River Brewery began packaging out of Davenport, IA in May 2010, exclusively in 16 oz. cans.

Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale

Brewer: Boulevard Brewing Co.

Style: Saison

ABV: 8%
IBU: 38
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle poured into Czech pils glass

Deep yellow, slightly coppery. Fairly hazy. Two fingers of dense, ivory head. Actually took a while to pour, as the head just kept building up. Eventually settles to still dense quarter inch, and laces the glass well. Nice bouquet of earthy hops, citrus, fresh-cut grass, and... coriander?

Has a good flavor, a little more hops than I was expecting from a farmhouse ale/saison, though not overly bitter. Just a hint of sour tartness, welcome in the style. Keeps an appropriate medium body and super dry finish. Tickles the toungue with a high carbonation and a slight acidity. Very thirst quenching.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: A-

Rate Beer: 98/100

Pintley: 4.2/5