Beer Review - New Glarus Fat Squirrel Ale

New Glarus Brewing Co. - Fat Squirrel Ale

Beer Type: English Brown Ale - 5.80% ABV

Appearance: 12oz brown bottle with a fat squirrel on the label in the middle of a bunch of text. Favorite part of this label is the story on the side - "There are some seriously fat squirrels out there. They are running all over the neighborhood. I think I should brew a Fat Squirrel Nut Brown Ale." Beer poured red/brown/amber color with a good sized off-white head that left lacing.

Smell: Malt and just a touch of something nutty. Pretty subtle.

First Drink: Kind of chocolate malt flavors up front and something a bit metallic/alcoholic a bit like a winter warmer style. Mellows out to a nice toasty malt flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and maybe a bit on the dry side?

Last Drink: A little more sugar and bread flavors coming through now.

Drinkability: A mighty fine brown ale good for drinking in cool fall weather.  

Notes: Can't get this regularly as there is a big lake (Michigan) in between me and WI but its not bad at all!

Verdict: 3.75 out of 5. Nice toasty brown ale and no squirrels were harmed in the making.

Beer Review - Alaskan Heritage Coffee Brown Ale

Alaskan Brewing Co. - Heritage Coffee Brown Ale

Beer Type: American Brown Ale - 7.00% ABV

Appearance: 12oz brown bottle labeled in the normal Alaskan style. Man I really dislike their font logo. Beer pours a dark amber/brown color with a thin head that didn't hang around.

Smell: Mostly I am getting a lot of malt as you would typically expect of a brown ale. Maybe just a bit of coffee in there too.

First Drink: Malt and sweetness followed by a slight coffee bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Thin but smooth and a bit sticky.  

Last Drink: More sweet malt flavors with very little coffee.    

Drinkability: Reminds me of another popular brown ale out there... *coughNEWCASTLEcough*  

Notes: First time I had this was on draft and I have to say I liked it much better. It had a bit more creamy body. Bottled it seems a bit thin and bland. Easy drinking though. 

Verdict: 3.75 out of 5. If you enjoy brown or coffee ales give it a try. 

Beer Review - New Belgium Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ale

New Belgium - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ale

Beer Type: American Brown Ale - 6.00% ABV

Appearance: 12oz brown bottle a Ben & Jerry looking bit of art (makes sense as this is a collaboration brew). Art does NOT make me want to try this beer. Beer poured a golden yellow color with a white thin head that left lacing.

Smell: Nothing cookie about the smell. Maybe a bit of "dough" in yeast and malt. Sort of smells like a protein bar.

First Drink: Very sweet and slightly tangy at first quickly followed by a sort of sickly raw cookie dough flavor. Mostly I get vanilla. Not much chocolate.

Mouthfeel: Thin and a little watery but it has some carbonation.  

Last Drink: More vanilla and I guess what tastes like stale chocolate chip cookies.      

Drinkability: Not going out of my way for this one. Bought it because it was a one time brew and the price was right (cheap).      

Notes: This is probably a good beer for those people who don't really like drinking beer. Not for me.       
Verdict: 2.5 out of 5. Drink a crummy macro brew and eat a fistful of preservative riddled chocolate chip cookies and you will likely get the same flavor.

Beer Review - Paw Paw Brewing St James English Ale

Paw Paw Brewing Company - St James English Ale

Beer Type: English Brown Ale - 5.10% ABV

Appearance: 12oz brown bottle with a red and white label. Beer poured a clear copper color with just a trace of head that lasted the whole way.        

Smell: Sweet bready malt with just a hint of something spiced?    

First Drink: A lot of sweet malt and biscuit flavors up front that mellows out to a rich bitter flavor.      

Mouthfeel: Crisp yet smooth. Easy drinking beer this.       

Last Drink: More caramel and pine/hops coming out now but basically the same.            

Drinkability: This is a mild ale that is a bit on the sweet side but totally drinkable.             

Notes: Who needs Newcastle when you can get a great local english style brown ale?!        

Verdict: 3.75 out of 5. I've had this in bottle and on tap and it's always got good flavor.