Beer Review: Full Suspension Pale Ale

Interesting grapefruit-orange color, with both of the fruits in the taste mix. Similar in style to an English bitter (think LunaSea ESB). Very hoppy, as you'd expect from a Pale Ale, almost (but not quite) crossing over into the IPA category. The low ABV (4%) makes for a good session beer.

Beer Review: Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager

Nice fruit beer, even though I'm not really a fruit beer guy. It poured clear and golden, with a fluffy white head, distinct strawberry aroma, like strawberry ice cream! Could be a great summer beer.

Beer Review: Big Sky Heavy Horse Scotch Ale

According to Rich Chapin Scottish Ale is lighter compared to Scotch Ale, Heavy Horse is billed as a Scotch Ale. The real heavy stuff is called Wee Heavy. At 6.7% ABV this is somewhere between Scotch and Wee Heavy in my opinion. It poured a medium brown with a generous head, the taste was evocative of caramel, with a "wee" bit of alcohol warmth. There was a bit of barleywine sweetness to it as well. I had mine with some roasted chicken, which seemed to be a good pairing. Not an everyday beer, but definitely a repeater.

Sam Adams Wee heavy

From Wikipedia:


Strong Scotch Ale is also known as "Wee Heavy". Examples of beers brewed in the USA under the name Wee Heavy tend to be 7% abv and higher, while Scottish brewed examples, such as Belhaven's Wee Heavy can be found between 5.5% and 6.5% abv. On the other hand, Scottish brewed exceptions include Traquair House Ale which is brewed to a strength of 7.2% abv, and Traquair Jacobite Ale which is 8% abv. McEwan's scotch ale is also 8% abv ^[19].


Unveiled recently as part of Sam Adams' "Imperial Series", this beer is incredible. Traditionally, "Imperial" refers to a style of beer known as Imperial Russian Stout, but in recent years has come to be used to describe a style's "big brother", like Sam Adams' Imperial White, or the Empyrean Limited Edition Imperial Pale Ale both of which had higher ABV than was typical for the style. I was somewhat skeptical about the "Wee Heavy", thinking it was just a jacked up version of their Scotch Ale (part of their Brewmaster's Collection), but this is over and above...and beyond!


Wee Heavy was darker than I expected, a deep mahogany, rich brown head, and an aroma that evokes barbecue! Lots of caramel and hints of chocolate under the smokiness, but the smokiness is smooth, not the "liquid smoke" crap that some smoked ales have. Good stuff, I'd try it again!

Beer Review Summit Maibock

From wikipedia:

Maibock or helles bock

The maibock style is a helles lager brewed to bock strength, therefore still as strong as traditional bock, but lighter in color and with more hop presence. It is a fairly recent development compared to other styles of bock beers, frequently associated with springtime and the month of May. Color can range from deep gold to light amber with a large, creamy, persistent white head, and moderate to moderately high carbonation, while alcohol content ranges from 6.3% to 7.4% by volume. The flavor is typically less malty than a traditional bock, and may be drier, hoppier, and more bitter, but still with a relatively low hop flavor, with a mild spicy or peppery quality from the hops, increased carbonation and alcohol content. Examples include Augustiner Hellerbock, Hofbräu Maibock, and Stevens Point Einbeck.

Bright golden color, fluffy head that dissipated quickly, spicy aftertaste. Very dry, medium hoppiness, very clear, perhaps filtered. 6.7 ABV gives it a bit of a punch, but very light feel to it. 7 on the IGB beer scale. 

Beer Review: Empyrean Ales Wild Rice Ale

Straight from the mind of Brewmaster Rich Chapin, Wild Rice Ale is the latest limited edition offering from Empyrean Ales. There are some other wild rice ales out there, notably Schell's Wild Rice Saisson, but this is the first one that I tried. Wild Rice Ale is mild enough that even those new to craft beer would not find this off-putting; low hop profile, 4% ABV, smooth, nutty, grassy flavor, similar to a mild rye ale. I recommend getting yourself a glass or two before they run out.