Brettanomyces used in place of conventional yeast, or in conjunction with conventional yeast, provides beer with a somewhat earthy, bitter, funky character.
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Latest Reviews
Explore The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's database of most recent beer and cider reviews as evaluated by our panel of judges in the Official Review.
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
There’s been some discussion on what the difference is between East Coast and West Coast IPAs, and it seems to be the balance between malt and hops in the East Coast versions and the hop dominance in the West Coast examples. This Double IPA... Read More
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
How do you define a great American Blond Ale? A perfect one would be exceptionally clean and refreshing, but after that, not much can be said – that’s just the nature of the style.
Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
What this beer is, more than anything else, is a good IPA. The normally citrusy hops in the beer become accentuated with the addition of grapefruit. The aroma is redolent of citrus and tropical fruits, and the hibiscus masks itself as a floral... Read More
Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Aroma:
19 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
A big bready, wheat-like, sweet aroma backed by vanilla from the barrels and light cherry and apricot esters is found in the nose. There is some haze in an otherwise pale copper liquid with firm, small tan bubbles hugging the edge of the glass.... Read More
Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Chocolate nib aromatics with a light roast character and hints of hazelnut fill the nose. The color is very dark, almost opaque, like a cola soft drink. Very little head is present, but a thin ring of light brown bubbles hugs the edge of the... Read More
Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Aroma:
15 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
27 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
The aroma is intensely roasty and backed by a huge coffee smell. Vegetable and unroasted coffee aromatics indicate that there may be an infusion of green coffee beans in this beer. Chocolate nibs come through after a little warming in the glass... Read More
Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
The beer poured a beautifully clear straw color that featured very good carbonation and a hint of citrus in the aroma. There was no noticeable malt nor hop aromas, which is to be expected for the style. The flavor itself wasn't much like a beer,... Read More
Reviewed by: Jim Koebel
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This American Strong Ale checks all the stylistic boxes. Its aroma consists of citrusy and resinous hops that contrast with lightly caramelly and bready malt. Also in the mix are stone fruit and ethanol aromas, with a touch of chocolate.
Reviewed by: Jim Koebel
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This Märzen smells bready, spicy, and very clean. It has a low malty richness and sweetness that become apparent as it warms.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
A classic example of the style, Full Sail Amber ale is arguably the American Amber Ale's style archetype, garnering countless awards since it first came to market more than 20 years ago. Full Sail's flagship pours a deep, burnished copper with... Read More
Reviewed by: Nelson Crowle
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This beer pours a very pretty deep amber with a nice fluffy beige head that sticks around and produces a pleasant Belgian lacing on the sides of the glass. The first impression when raising this beer to your nose is of an orange grove -- a big... Read More
Reviewed by: Josh Weikert
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Brewing an Imperial IPA is almost a requirement for breweries these days, but it's still nice to see one get it right and not create an IBU/ABV bomb! This one has a lot going for it -- it's complex without being over-the-top, and provides a solid... Read More
Reviewed by: Josh Weikert
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
This beer is a solid attempt at a Robust Porter, and doesn't give in to the temptation to overload it with hops to make it "big" enough to catch folks' attention.
Reviewed by: Josh Weikert
Aroma:
18 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
A so-so IPA doesn't cut it in the marketplace today, and this beer comes across as very one-note -- and not a great note at that.
Reviewed by: Josh Weikert
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
13 / 20
Farmhouse ales tend to be relatively easy drinkers, but some really swing for the fences. This is one such Saison, and while the effort is commendable, the beer is sharply unbalanced and tough to drink.