Framboise Raspberry Lambic: 28

Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 5
Total: 28

It looks and smells like fruit juice mixed with Sprite. Wow, a very tart punch up front from the raspberries. No trace of alcohol (~3%). Just pure carbonated punch. Drink it by the gallon.

Rogue Single Malt Ale: 18

Taste: 6 Finish: 6 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 18

It has a clear copper color with a quick head. The aroma is sweet but faint. The first sip has a good carbonating bite to it. In the back a bit of hops peek in. Under it all is a dry hay flavor. The flavors are very light and subdued. I mean, there's enough hops there to distinguish itself. But this is a lite craft beer.

Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale: 19

Taste: 7 Finish: 7 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 22

Yards is the only full brewery actually in Philadelphia. This excludes small batch brew bars. They've been relatively well respected so I finally decided to pick up a six and start with their Philadelphia Pale Ale.

It has an interesting golden orange hue. I kind of like it. The head is full. The aroma has a real nice mix of lemon peel and hops.

It hits you with moderate bitter hops right from the tip. But it quickly mellows in the middle. There is a trace of citrus throughout which is nice. And then at the end the hops and bitterness swell. The hops are sharp but not overpowering. At this point I would consider it a pretty good pale ale that's definitely worth trying.

Smuttynose IPA: 24

Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 24

Good creamy head. Lots of lacing. Cloudy and golden/amber color. Flecked with yeast. The aroma is of hops and grapefruit, it's just very light. Upfront it's got a good amount of floral hops. A bit of grapefruit comes in the middle as well as the hop bitterness. In the back is a bit of piny oil which stays on the tongue. On the breath is more floral hops. It's got good punch but it won't knock you out. A well balanced IPA.

Harpoon UFO White: 16

Taste: 5 Finish: 5 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 16

Harpoon recommends serving with a slice of orange. I have to agree. There is orange undertones to the brew, but it needs a real orange to kick it up and make it taste good. Heck, maybe even a shot of orange juice would help. The flavor is also a bit chaulky and has a seltzer-quality backbone. The head is huge on pour but dissipates quickly and has no lacing. The brew could be much better, but instead it's middling at best.

Rodenbach Flemish Red Brown: 20

Taste: 6 Finish: 7 Visual: 3 Aroma: 4
Total: 20

It's a deep and cloudy mahogany with a thin head. The aroma is light but sweet with ripe cherries. The flavor is very pungent, tart, and sour. Under it is more cherries and ripe red plums. But it fades quickly leaving behind a slightly sour finish. It could use a bit more fruit throughout instead of just the tartness. Certainly a refreshing beer that will clear the palate. But not one I'd reach for again.

Stone 14 Imperial IPA: 29

Taste: 10 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 5
Total: 29

Stone commemorates its 14th anniversary with another huge IPA. It really looks more like a wheat beer. Golden, almost orange colored. Totally unfiltered. You can't see through it at all. Big creamy head. Nice lacing. The aroma has malt, but also grapefruit and orange and even a bit of pine. It's almost sweet upfront. The citrus is really front and center with the sweetness of orange juice and the bitterness bite of grapefruit. But then the hops kick in big. It's sharp on the tongue. A good bit of pine hits the back of the tongue. It's very oily on the tongue with plenty of lingering hops, pine, and grapefruit. Along with its almost 9%, the bigness of it makes this a slow sipper. Grab a bottle for a long night, or split it with a friend. Fantastic.

Philadelphia Brewing Newbold IPA: 21

Taste: 6 Finish: 7 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 21

A good whiff of roasted malt and honey. Creamy head with a bit of lacing. Good amber color. But after the pour it's slightly flat which gives it a mellow mouth feel. Nice big cream flavor upfront. Good roasted malt. A moderate amount of hops in the back. But there is no bite from the hops. No grapefruit or florals. I would say it's a very smooth IPA. Good flavor but not bold or overbearing. Slightly more hops than a Sam Adams. More of an "everyday" IPA.

Dogfish Head My Antonia: 29

Taste: 10 Finish: 10 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 29

An Imperial Pilsner? Yes, please! You know it's going to be good when even the foam is tasty. It pours with a big, creamy head. The color is a slightly cloudy gold. The aroma is big with grapefruit and hops. The flavor is very reminiscent of a medium IPA like their 60 Minutes. But it's somehow cleaner than that. The spiced hops are there. Lots of grapefruit, lemon, and coriander. But it slides down the tongue instead of punching it. The lagering really helps mellow the flavors without muting them. You could down many of these without hesitation despite the 7.5% alcohol. It's just that clean and smooth without sacrificing flavor. Why haven't I seen this before? Truly a great concept and a new favorite.

Stoudt's Pils: 24

Taste: 7 Finish: 8 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 24

Big creamy head with lacing. Light golden in color. Slightly cloudy. Faint malt, bread, and banana in the aroma. Just having their Gold, the Pils is like the lighter version of it. Much lighter in hop flavor, but a lot more crisp. Definitely lemon peel and slight black pepper. And cleaner finish. This is definitely a hot weather brew.

Stoudt's Gold Lager: 24

Taste: 7 Finish: 8 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 24

The color is a perfect golden yellow with a rich, creamy head. Plenty of lacing. The aroma is mild, but of bread and bananas. Upfront it's a bit spicy and tangy on the sides and back of the tongue. It has a moderate amount of fullness to it. Definitely roasted malt dashed with maybe nutmeg and some earthy herbs. I was expecting something much cleaner and sweeter. Toward the back and in the aftertaste are mild but present hops. Overall it is well balanced. But for me, even though the malt is there, there is little sweetness which hurts it a bit. But it is very easy to drink with enough flavor to please, and enough crispness to quench the thirst.

Sam Adams Pale Ale: 25

Taste: 8 Finish: 9 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 25

It has a very large creamy head. Minimal lacing. The color is a good golden. It has a good malt aroma. A good amount of malt sweetness kicks in front. Towards the middle the hops start to show up giving it a mild tang. And then towards the back and into the finish is a bit of grapefruit/lemon with honey and bread. The flavors are light and very well balanced. Served ice cold it cuts through my thirst and leaves just enough lingering flavor on the tongue. A bit warmer and the honey/bread inches up to give it more body. For a pale ale it's about perfect.

Elysian Loser Pale Ale: 20

Taste: 7 Finish: 5 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 20

It has a great creamy head. Lots of good lacing. The color is a perfect amber. There is very little aroma. Just a hint of roasted malt and bread. It has a lot of flavor throughout. The hops are present but not overpowering. A bit of grapefruit cuts it. Under it is a nice, maybe banana flavor which lends to a certain sweetness to it. Maybe a bit too sweet. And behind that and into the aftertaste and breath is some alcohol. Probably it's main weakness. At "only" 7% it should have that much of an alcohol flavor to it. And if you belch, there is definitely an odd carbonation flavor to it. Overall it's worth a try. Good but has a couple flaws to it that prevent it from being great.

Founders Double Trouble IPA: 29

Taste: 10 Finish: 10 Visual: 4 Aroma: 5
Total: 29

When did beer get so expensive? At $12 for a 4 pack, it's a bit pricey. But given the 9.4% alcohol in the end it's worth it. Visually it is cloudy and the color is a pale amber. The head is very creamy with good lacing. The aroma is very strong. Lots of grapefruit and bread. The bitterness kicks in early and stays throughout. Under it is plenty of grapefruit and orange. A slight banana flavor. And the hops definitely spice it up. The alcohol is very "round" and helps mellow it a bit. Flavor and bitterness. Really a terrific double IPA.

Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock: 22

Taste: 7 Finish: 8 Visual: 4 Aroma: 3
Total: 22

Nice creamy head. Minimal lacing. A good golden color leaning towards amber. The aroma is very clean. Definitely some honey upfront for the sweetness. The carbonation kicks in nicely. I get a good amount of spice/clove. Under it is banana. And under that is a bit of lemon on the tongue and in the finish. Hops show up towards the back which lends to the spiciness. A nice brew that's easy to drink.

Flying Fish Exit 4: 24

Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 24

Exit 4 nabbed the gold at the Great American Beer Festival for best American made Belgian ale. This version is a tripel. The color is great showing a cloudy and glowing orange. It is very lightly carbonated with no lacing. Aroma gives off some citrus and banana. The taste is very smooth. It has a lot of sweetness of honey. There is a decent citrus bite and then a good taste of hops. Under it is banana and clove. The alcohol (9.5%) is muted and definitely contributes to its smoothness. I think the lower carbonation hurts it a bit. It would give it more of a bite to combat the sweetness.

Is it worth the gold? A bit too sweet for me. But very good and it makes my hometown proud. Go Cherry Hill, NJ!

Unibroue Don De Dieu: 27

Taste: 10 Finish: 10 Visual: 4 Aroma: 3
Total: 27

A triple wheat brew at 9% and a shelf life of 3 years. The color is great giving off a deep and cloudy orange. The head dissipates too quickly. The aroma is very light but it smells sweet and hints of vanilla. Most of all though it is clean.

On the first sip I get a lot of honey and bit of vanilla. The carbonation fizzes on the tongue nicely in the middle. Towards the back the flavor really comes through. Surprisingly there is a strong flavor of ripe fruits like plums and apricots. It finishes well leaving a bit of yeasty bread on the tongue.

This is a totally unique wheat. I was expecting more bread, straw, grass, etc. Not red fruit like a porter or an imperial IPA. It's really fantastic. Refreshing, smooth, and full of flavor. How often does that happen?

Slyfox Odyssey: 26

Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 5 Aroma: 5
Total: 26

The color is amber with hints of orange. The head is creamy and there is plenty of lacing. The aroma consists of malt and pine. There are lots of bitter hops all the way through. Under it is honey. There is also grassy/piney notes. Could use some citrus. It definitely leaves a bit behind on the tongue, but in a good way. Overall, a very good brew. Very strong and bold without overpowering.

Old Monk 10000 Super Beer: 6

Taste: 1 Finish: 1 Visual: 3 Aroma: 1
Total: 6

I mean, really. How can you not try this beer? Hailing from India. With a Manufacturing Date section clearly on the label...yet blank. Even a blank Batch Number. And the slogan, "Go for Monk". It screams quality.

Visually it is very nice. A clear golden amber with a thick head. But it fizzes out quickly. It smells like a copper penny. Oh, god. The flavor. A copper penny soaked in some sort of medicine. Or maybe floor cleaner. It leaves a fantastic metallic taste on the tongue. And alcohol. 8% never tastes so strong. Reading a couple of other reviews, I figured out what it tastes like. A wet band aid. Seriously. It's a very cheap malt liquor. I guess I'll have to try Old English and compare. But right now I'm pouring this out.

Samuel Adams Noble Pils: 25

Taste: 9 Finish: 6 Visual: 5 Aroma: 5
Total: 25

Sam's Spring 2010 brew puts all 6 noble hops into one brew. One or six, all I care is if it tastes good. It's got a huge head and plenty of lacing. The color is gold with a hint of amber. The aroma is faint and clean with a bit of malt. Perfect for a pils. Upfront is definitely lemon. Under that is a bit of honey. Also get some grassy and bready notes, but they are muted. And towards the back the hops come in nicely. The hops definitely have a bit of a roasted flavor to them. Through the first beer, it's a very very good pils. But after my second, the flavors really mash together and it more and more tastes like a generic pils telling me the finish isn't as crisp as it should be.

Overall, an excellent brew. Just switch to something cheaper if you're planning on drinking more than 2-3.

Southern Tier iniquity: 17

Taste: 5 Finish: 5 Visual: 3 Aroma: 4
Final: 17

It's a bit flat with a head that disappears quickly. Limited lacing. The color is a very dark brown but not black. The aroma has some nice roasted coffee and chocolate. The flavor is very watery and thin. Sure, there is chocolate and coffee undertones. I also get a bit of butterscotch. And in the back is a bit of the alcohol (9%). In fact, it's pretty amazing that it doesn't have a large alcohol flavor or numbing quality. But really the flavors are muted and rather boring. Overall I find it unimpressive.

Southern Tier Phin and Matt's Extraordinary Ale: 16

Taste: 5 Finish: 5 Visual: 4 Aroma: 2
Total: 16

It pours with a thick and creamy head. Lots of lacing. The color is a very crisp amber. Perhaps a bit too fizzy. The aroma is weak with boiled hops. The brew is a bit too sweet with malt upfront. The hops peek in the middle and are a bit present in the finish. The hops get a bit better when the beer gets slightly warmer. Really, a very plain pale ale. Slightly too sweet for my tastes. But nothing off putting either. A decent session beer and a slight step up from a middling macrobrew.

Andelot Mystique: 24

Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 24

It is a dark mahogany brown with a full creamy head. Good lacing throughout. The aroma is sweet of ripe fruit and malt. Upfront it is very smooth and creamy. Mild hops kick in mid tongue. Towards the back the ripe fruit blooms well. Plums and red grapes. And to finish it is a hint of chocolate. Throughout it all it remains a bit sweet. There is very little taste of alcohol even though it's 8.5%. A very good brew with plenty of flavor without overpowering.

Samuel Smith's India Ale: 20

Taste: 7 Finish: 7 Visual: 4 Aroma: 2
Total: 20

It has a huge foamy head which lasts a long time. The color is a very good amber. The aroma is a bit disappointing smelling of boiled hops. The brew does have a good bite. But it's not over the top. This is more pure to style than the ultra-hopped Americans. The flavor is reminiscent of a copper penny with a bit of grapefruit and butterscotch. The bitterness stays on the tongue for a while without killing your taste buds. A pretty good medium IPA by today's standards. I wouldn't mind trying this next to a Stone IPA to compare.

Dogfish & 3 Floyd's Popskull: 27

Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 4 Aroma: 5
Total: 27

A joint brew by Dogfish Head of Delaware ((thanks Chad!) and 3 Floyd's in Indiana. They've combined for a special "braun" ale that's aged on pala santo wood with botanicals.

The brew is a very dark brown with almost no light through it. On top is a thick, creamy, and chocolate head. It leaves a bit of lacing, but not much. The aroma is fully chocolate and roasted coffee. The carbonation sizzles on the tongue. A good amount of roasted black coffee and chocolate come through. A bit of caramel as well. It tastes "spiced" although I can't pinpoint anything specific. In the back is a moderate amount of alcohol although the label doesn't indicate it's strength. It leaves a good bit of flavor in the finish.

Overall, even with a lot of flavors, it doesn't overpower. An excellent brown ale worthy of the collaboration between the breweries.

Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale: 19

Taste: 6 Finish: 7 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 19

I've seen this for years but never have tried it. I'm not much of a "winter ale" person since I don't like nutmeg.

The head is full and creamy. It has a light amber color and is crystal clear. The aroma is faint with a hint of malt. The flavor is very interesting. It's slightly creamy and malty. A bit of hops in the back. And it has some fall and winter flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon. A bit of butterscotch at the back of the tongue. And at the very end, just a hint of alcohol. It finishes very cleanly and a bit dry.

Not a bad choice for a winter ale. It is subtle and more of a session beer. It doesn't knock you over with nutmeg and other spices which for me is nice.