Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Yumm....hops. Not as hop loaded as some, this is as much an American Strong Ale as a DIPA. It reminds me quite a bit of DFH 90 Minute IPA, but seems a bit more quenching, somehow. Pours a dark gold with a small stand of eggshell foam. Medium bodied mouthfeel with zero alcohol burn, even the booze flavor is nearly imperceptable. Caramelly, grainy malt, rich hop flavors. Simcoe and Cascade, while evident meld together seemlessly and the Tettenang really elevates it to the next level with a spiciness which marries the hop and grain flavors. Really, quite an accomplishment.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

I'm not sure if this was lackluster offering as much as I'm spoiled with smoked porters. Slightly roasty aroma, without much depth. Deep ruby/brown with a small cap of head and nice lacing. Medium bodied and drinkable, lower carbonation. Low smoke character and boring porter backing. Sadly, I could just not get excited about this beer...

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

A flavorful and excellent Xmas Ale, while rather conflicted. It lies btween Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Boulevard Nutcracker Ale, hoppy and citrusy with spicy overtones, yet malty and sweeti without bitterness, yet harboring a bitterness unseen by most. A fine, brooding, holiday beer.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

As much of an ESB as a hoppy blonde as a Pale Ale, the point is, its a damn fine English Ale. Hoppy, bright, solid malt backing. Its straightforward and simple, just like this review.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

What a winner of a Schwarzbier, here! Clean, layered maltiness dominates the aroma with wafts of spicy hops sneaking in. Shockingly smooth acorss my palatte, from the fine, soft carbonation to the dry, refreshing finish. Poured a dark, very dark brown with a small cap of head and tiny wisps of lace. Rich malty flavor, mild hop bitterness, layered melanoidin and grainy malt flavors with light flavors of bitter chocolate. Its a winner! Upon further review, this one has seemed to have taken on some diacetyl, minus a few points...

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Smells like Christmas! Orange rind, sweet malt, cinnimon, cardamom, allspice/clove and others dance around a tiny hop punch, this is a winter warmer for sure. Pours a deep amber with very little head and lace. Low carbonation, warming in the mouth and on the swallow, pleasant but not memorable. Spicy and malty sweet in great balace with a touch of warming alcohol, who needs eggnog! This joins my OSA, O'Dell's Isolation and others in the cellar.

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

The 15th Anniversary Ale from Schlafly, and its a nice little celebration. Very festive aroma, spicy and fruity to the max. Orange, pepper, clove, coriander, vanilla/chocolate, banana and sweet malt top the list, with peaches and other fruits following. Pours a mildly murky brown/copper. Rather thin and flatter across the palate than expected given the inspiration for this one. The flavors follow the aromatics beat by beat. On the whole, a nice Dunkel Witbier, or Spiced Dunkelweizen or whatever it is...I like it.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Another nice surprise from He'Brew. Pours with a very malt accented and grainy aroma with some muddled hops coming through as it warms. Deep dark brown with a great, fluffy, tan head. Coating mouthfeel with nice carbonation, soft and filling but not sticky. Very balanced flavors, full grain flavors, hoppy bitterness with spice and floral flavors. A nice beer, it fall on the complicated side rather than complex, but it still a nice effort, it should age rather well.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Another great find. Pours with a coffee/cocoa nose and that distinct baltic character. Deep dark brown with a nice cap of head that hung on shockingly well for a 9% brew. Rich mouthfeel and coating but not the least bit syrupy. Well attenuated and very malty in flavor, rich and roasty. This would pair phenomenally with vanilla bean cheescake or seared beef tenderloin, or even venison kebabs. A great brew, buy it, drink it, buy more, cellar it, then drink more.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

Smells of coffee, chocolate, sugar and malt. Pours deep ruby/brown with nearly no head. Thick and syrupy mouthfeel, very low carbonation and very thick. Quite sweet and despite the 6.8%abv it still feels forced, almost like they took a smaller porter and, well, treated it like a port, adding DME and vodka or something. On the whole, not bad, but less than inspiring.