Home to some of the most idiosyncratic beers in the world, Franconia is rightfully known as the brewing world’s epicenter for rauchbiers, which are noted for the pungently smoky aromas and flavors.
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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: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
One of the world’s truly classic weizenbocks, in constant production since 1907, the Schneider Aventinus throws around gobs of prune, banana, and warm, exotic spices as the aroma billows from the glass.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
A Bavarian fixture for 150 years, Privatbrauerei Ayinger is one of the world’s classic breweries. The extensive lineup of traditional Old World beers includes the lightly chocolaty, faintly herbaceous Altbairisch Dunkel, a beer of exceptional... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
For 25 years, Middleton, Wisconsin’s Capital Brewery has supplied an increasingly large following with a solid line up of fine ales and lagers.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Made in a brewery launched by four Belgian schoolmates in 2000, Troubador Blond introduces itself with a complex nose. It teems with aromas of vanilla bean, clove, apricots, and cherries.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
An American take on the venerable Belgian Pale Ale, Ommegang BPA boasts big, citrusy hops over the more traditional spicy Belgian yeast notes, not unexpected from a brewery built on a former hop farm.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Initially brewed in 1918 and fermented to this day with the original yeast strain, Duvel is a beer of incredible complexity, demanding a full three months to produce. Swirling with notes of bread, ripe pears, and spicy Czech hops, Duvel’s nose is... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
2 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Brewed in the classic Bavarian Weizenbier tradition and released each May, Dancing Man Wheat has amassed an army of loyal adherents. Throwing off dense, saturated notes of banana, cotton candy, warm bread, and ground cloves, this beer’s nose... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
3 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Leaning heavily on Flemish roots, Brouwerij Het Anker produces a line of fairly high alcohol beers including Cuvée van de Keizer Rood, Although a high octane brew at 10 percent ABV, this is a drinkable Belgian golden ale, overflowing with aromas... Read More
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Made in a biodiesel-fired brewhouse, 32/50 Kölsch represents a unique take on the august Köln-based style. Coast Brewing uses certified organic malts and classic German hops to capture the style’s distinctive aromas and flavors.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
The relative young American offshoot of a centuries-old Austrian brewing powerhouse has produced the award-winning Trumer Pils since 2004. The aroma has a hop presence more subdued than expected of a Pils.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Papillion, Nebraska isn’t the first place your average beer hunter might consider when seeking out the origins of eclectic, Belgian-influenced farmhouse ales.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Moinette enjoys worldwide acclaim as a true representative of an almost forgotten brewing tradition.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
A quirky take on a classic Belgian style, Tripel Karmeleit uses oats and wheat in addition to malted barley. Aromas of vanilla, Satsuma, and honey abound, all floating over soft, lightly sugary pilsner malt.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Yet another amazing brewery from “The Class of ’96,” Paso Robles-based Firestone Walker Brewing Company has built a reputation for decidedly hop-centric ales of exceptional character.
Reviewed by: BC Review
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Boasting a whopping 10.5 percent ABV, Gulden Draak is a seriously hefty brew. Bottle conditioned after using wine yeast for the secondary fermentation, Gulden Draak’s aromas are dominated with notes of caramel, milk chocolate, black currants and... Read More