Gossamer Golden Ale

Half Acre Beer Company

Gossamer Golden Ale

(Specs) 4.2 ABV

Colour: light gold, with a hint of orange

Aroma: spicy, hoppy

Head: white, small amount

Initial Taste: spicy

Mouthfeel: medium body

Aftertaste: slightly bitter

Paradox Smokehead (Cask)

Brewdog
Paradox Smokehead

There are few things that I always seem to order when I am presented with a long list of beers, and they are 1) Cask Ales 2) Interesting Named Beers and 3) Beers with intensely visual descriptors of they flavour. When I returned back to Houston to visit my family and we headed out to the phenomenal Hay Merchant, this beer checked all of my tics.

Now, before I continue, It should be noted that I am not a whiskey drinker--I am working on it, but haven't gained the taste yet--and that definitely coloured my experience with the beer.

(Specs) ABV 10%


Colour: Dark Brown
Aroma: Smoky
Head: Off white cream

Inital Taste: no initial taste
Mouthfeel: medium body, intensely peaty
Aftertaste: very smoky aftertaste

Verdict: I couldn't finish this beer, because of the overwhelming taste of smoke and peat. I can imagine that if you like whiskey, and you like it chock full of smoke, this could be a beer you fall in love with, but if you don't I'd recommend you try something else.

Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout

Ridgeway Brewing Company

Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout

(Specs) 8.0 ABV

Colour: dark dark brown

Aroma: roasted hops

Head: light tan

Initial Taste: bitter, rich, slightly hoppy

Mouthfeel: medium body

Aftertaste: bitter, spicy aftertaste

Note: as the beer sat, the sharper flavours mellowed noticeably

Dortmunder Gold

Great Lakes Brewery
Dortmunder Gold

One of the great things about living in the Midwest, and specifically Ohio is the craft beer scene and at the top of that list is Great Lakes Brewery. That is not to say that everything they make is the bee's knees but they generally keep to a high standard. The other great thing is that they are everwhere, even a shitty dive with only corporate "Lite" beers, will often have a tap, which makes trying to get a decent beer, no matter where you are, a much easier task.



Colour: Golden
Head: White, almost creamy head

Inital Taste: Slightly hoppy
Mouthfeel: Incredibly smooth, medium body
Aftertaste: Slight spice aftertaste

Verdict: This is one of my favourite beers from Great Lakes. It isn't knock your socks off amazing, but I find that whenever I want a beer, this usually kits the spot, no matter the occasion. If you see if on draft or bottled and you haven't had, I highly recommend checking it out.