Sierra Nevada: Flipside Red IPA

Just spotted Flipside yesterday afternoon and picked up one bottle to sample. It pours the color of a well-worn penny, with a light tan head that starts toweringly tall and quickly recedes to a two finger cap. Hops evident right off the bat, with grapefruit and black pepper being the most obvious tastes. Floral and pine notes flit in and out as well. Supposedly 60 IBU's, but coming across hoppier than that. No malty sweetness like you'd expect from a red. Pretty decent IPA.

Guinness Red Harvest Stout

I love how a nitro brew's head fills up the whole glass and then slowly dissipates. Red Harvest Stout's got that little nitro ball that gives it a creamy smooth consistency - the color is a dark coppery red, with the head a dark eggshell hue. Lots of sweet caramel malts, not a lot of hoppiness, some nuttiness on the back end. Not what I'd call a Stout, more like a heavy Irish Red crossed with  Scottish Ale - but who cares? It's a great Autumn Ale. At 4.1% ABV, it's definitely session material: not very heavy, but full flavored.

Odell India Pale Ale

Pours an orangey-amber hue with a minimal head, aroma and taste of grapefruit and pine, very strong hop profile. Pretty sweet for an IPA, with some malty overtones suggestive of caramel hiding under all the hoppiness. Not much else to say...time for another.

Odell's Loose Leaf American Session Ale

In keeping with the extended summer season, I'm temporarily staying of the Fall brews and sticking with some summer ales and IPA's. Loose Leaf is an American Session Ale, sometimes called a Blonde Ale. It's light and refreshing and perfect for the hot, hot, hot, HOT weather. It pours a bright golden color with a three finger snowy white head. There's some subtle hoppiness, and a subdued taste of chamomile and lemongrass, and even a biscuity foundation to all the rest. The ABV is low, so it's, as advertised, a session beer. Cheers!

Weyerbacher Eighteen Weizenbock

Another anniversary beer by one of my favorite brewers, Weyerbacher. At 11.1% ABV, this is a badass beer, it pours a deep brown, and looks like you're pouring maple syrup rather than beer, mainly due to the unfiltered nature of this beauty. A student of fine beers will have noticed the weizen, indicating "wheat" paired with the bock, a traditional spring style. Reminiscent of the heavier Belgians, there's a bit of smokiness, partnered with figs, black cherries and dates. A little bit of bitter coffee and dark chocolate. Creamy texture and a hint of alcohol heat. Great nightcap. Don't bother if you're scared of "dark" beers or don't know the difference between an ale and a lager. This is a drink for beer aristocracy.

Odell's Loose Leaf American Session Ale

This weather has my beer schedule all screwed up; here I was all psyched up for Oktoberfests and Pumpkin ales and the temps climb to 100° - luckily there are still some light summery beers still lurking in the shadows and Odell's has a summer ale 12 pack. Summer Montage contains three bottles each of Odell's 90 Schilling and St. Lupulin, (which I have previously reviewed), their IPA (which I have not) - there is also a previously unreleased Loose Leaf Blonde (or American Session) Ale.

Here's a link to their website for more information:

http://odellbrewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Montage.pdf

New Belgium Pumpkick

That's right people, it's time for IGB to start in on the Fall beers, including the pumpkin ales. Pretty average in appearance: coppery amber with a snow-white head, but above average in taste. Brewed with pumpkin juice, as well as some cranberry juice, providing a smooth balance between spiciness and tartness. There's also some cinnamon in there as well, evening out the other flavors with its friendly aroma. Behind the Fall flavors, there's some solid beer lurking in there, with some caramel malty sweetness, over and above the sweetness of the additions. This may make the cut for the Joyce Family Thanksgiving.