153. Boatswain H.L.V. Ale

This is the third and final beer from Trader Joe's in Portland. 2 of them are exclusive to Trader Joes and unlike the Hefeweizen reviewed previously this one may not have been worth the $2.50 I paid for it. The color is a great dark brown almost black, aroma is not all that pleasant with some malt and hops. Taste is a bit bland with nothing that really stands out. Decent alcohol content so after a 22 oz bottle you certainly feel it. A cheap buzz but not much else from this one. 
Pros: High ABV

Cons: Bland

Alcohol Content: 7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website: 

Brewers Description: 

152. Ringwood Brewery Old Thumper

I really was not sure what to expect from this one as it is an English beer brewed locally by contract with Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland, ME. The beer pours a nice copper with thin white head that has great retention. Aroma has a bit of caramel and yeast. Flavor was a solid Extra Special / ESB and went very well with the pizza I enjoyed last night. This was better than I expected however not in the top tier of beers. You would not be disappointed by this beer but at the same time probably would not go out of your way to find it again.

Pros: None

Cons: None

Alcohol Content: 5.8% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??

Rating: 

Brewers Website: Ringwood Brewery

Brewers Description: Ringwood's most iconic beer was first brewed in late 1979 without a name. A competition in the local press inspired Joe Leedham from Broadstone, Dorset to come up with a suitable suggestion! It has won many awards but is best remembered for being voted Champion beer of Britain by Camra in 1988. Nose - Peppery, spicy aroma with hint of apples. Palate - Luscious balance of grain and hop in the mouth, bitter sweet finish with delicate fruit notes. Comments - Warm, rounded yet surprisingly delicate pale strong beer. Awards - The bottled version won gold at the British Bottlers' Institute Competition in 1996 and silver in 1998.

151. Blue Moon Spring Blonde Wheat Ale

This is the sixth different variety of Blue Moon I have reviewed and I still cannot figure out why some people like it so much. This is brewed by Coors Brewing Company and while I have not had a Coors in some time I cannot imagine it tastes much different than the Blue Moon options. This beer is weak from start to finish. The only thing that is good about it is the solid 2+ finger head, taste is completely forgettable. It makes me wonder what those that enjoy Blue Moon would say about truly good craft beer. 
Pros: Head

Cons: Everything else

Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Blue Moon Brewing
Brewers Description: Light-bodied ale crafted with lemon and orange peel and white wheat. A refreshing taste with a crisp, citrus finish, the perfect accompaniment to that first glorious patio day of the season. Pairs well with seasonal salads and fruit sorbets. A splash of sunshine in a glass!

150. Gritty McDuff's Christmas Ale (Growler)

For my 150th beer review I decided to purchase my first growler from Gritty's in Auburn. They still had a bit of Christmas Ale on tap before the end of the night I was able to finish it with a couple of pints in the bar and a growler to take home with me. Enjoyed this beer while watching NFL football and while the beer may have been a bit flat, being the end of the keg it still tasted very similar to the bottle version. Christmas Ale is one of my favorite Gritty's options so this 1/2 gallon was gone fairly quickly. If you live near enough to a Gritty's location to pick up a growler I would recommend it. 

Pros: Color, aroma, taste

Cons: Seasonal

Alcohol Content: 6.2% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 28.5

Rating: 

Brewers Website: Gritty McDuff's

Brewers Description: If it looks like Ed just got merrier, you're right. Every November heralds the return of our holiday seasonal, Christmas Ale – available on draft and in six-packs. Our Christmas Ale is a robust E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) full of holiday cheer. Christmas Ale has a lovely, dark red/amber color and a rich, full-bodied, malty taste with a slightly roasted undertone. We brew our Christmas Ale to an original gravity of 1064 (about 6.2% alcohol by volume) using only the finest English Pale and Crystal Malts, with a touch of Roasted Barley as well. A blend of Clusters, Styrian Goldings, Saaz and Yakima Goldings leaf hops round out this hearty brew. Gritty's Christmas Ale has no additives, fruits or spices. It's just a good honest ale, perfect for the season. And to top it all off, it's already gift-wrapped! Happy Holidays!

149. Samuel Adams Alpine Spring

Initially I was disappointed to hear Sam Adams replaced their White Ale with the Alpine Spring for 2012 but after trying this new variety from Samuel Adams I felt a bit better. Pours a nice cloudy light orange with finger wide white head. Lemon aroma which comes through to the taste. Very refreshing and easy to drink. This 6-pack disappeared from my fridge very within a couple of days. While many craft beer drinkers dislike Samuel Adams I still enjoy most of their beer. All are very drinkable and while they may be more mainstream than the smaller brewers that does not mean they are not quality beers. I will continue to miss my White Ale but the Alpine Spring is a solid offering and you will not be disappointed if you typically enjoy beer from Boston Beer Company. 
Pros: Easy to drink

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 5.5% ABV
Calories: 186
IBU (Bitterness): 19
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description: Brewed especially for the season, this bright citrusy unfiltered lager is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect transition from winter’s heavier brews to the lighter beers of summer. Borne of our brewers’ many trips to Germany, Alpine Spring features a unique blend of lager attributes: the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a Helles, the smoothness and slightly higher alcohol of a traditional spring bock, and the unfiltered appearance of a Kellerbier. The beer is brewed with Tettnang Noble hops to add a unique, bright orange-citrusy aroma and flavor.

148. Sebago Brewing Lake Trout Stout

This is another of my purchases from Trader Joe's in Portland. Beer pours a great inky black with minimal tan head. Aroma has plenty of malt and a bit of coffee. Taste is what I expect from a stout however I am often disappointed. This one does not disappoint with the taste following the dark color with lots of malt, light coffee and chocolate tones. Smooth finish and reasonable ABV make this one easy to drink and enjoyable. I really enjoy brews by Sebago Brewing and if you like dark stouts please give this one a try. 
Pros: Black color, easy to drink

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 5.8% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 32
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Sebago Brewing

Brewers Description: Lake Trout Stout is midnight black with a thick and creamy head. It is a full bodied stout brewed with oatmeal and plenty of hops to balance the roasted barley. Our stout is an experience. It tastes the same way it looks - dark and rich. It is named after the famous deep water Sebago Lake Togue or Lake Trout which inhabit the depths of Maine's deepest lake. Enjoy.

147. Mission St. Hefeweizen

Picked this one up on my first trip to Trader Joe's in Portland. If you have never been the beer selection is good but the store itself was a bit overwhelming. I was ready to leave as soon as I walked through the door but made my way to the back of the store and picked up this beer as well as 2 others. This was a cheap Hefeweizen ($2.29 for the bomber) so I really was not expecting much but I have to say it was worth it. Color is a slightly hazy orange color maybe a little less cloudy than I would expect for a hefeweizen and a bit darker, minimal head that disappears quickly. Smells of citrus, a bit of yeast and tastes follows the smell. Easy to drink and a fairly refreshing beer.
Pros: Easy to drink, cheap

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website:  Steinhaus Brewing

Brewers Description: Cannot find online

146. Scaldis Noel (Bush De Noel)

It has been a couple of days since I drank this beer and I am still not sure about it. It is the first beer that does not come in a 12 oz or higher bottle with only an 8.5 oz pour from the very decorative Christmas themed bottle. Appearance is different than most other beers and the best comparison I can make is to apple cider with similar color, minimal head and a sweet spicy smell. Taste mirrors the smell as long as you let it warm slightly. Belgiums were not meant to be enjoyed cold and this is no exception. At 12% alcohol you do get a slight burn but the sweet malts and caramels mask this pretty well. Not really my style of beer but worth trying. 
Pros: Original

Cons: Expensive for a small bottle

Alcohol Content: 12% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Dubuisson

Brewers Description: Bush de Noël was born in 1991 to satisfy consumers seeking a hearty beer for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. A product made exclusively from malt, hops, candy sugar and water, Bush de Noël is a high fermentation, filtered beer and has an alcohol volume of 12%. The substantial use of caramel malt gives it a coppery red colour and an exceptional roundness. Particularly carefully studied hopping gives Bush de Noël a consistent, fruity flavour with a delicately hopped aroma. A limited edition beverage, Bush de Noël is an indispensable reference among the end-of-year beers

145. Allagash White (draft)

Went to a Portland Red Claws game last night with one of insurance companies and we stopped at the Dogfish Cafe in Portland for dinner before the game. They had a decent selection of beer including Allagash White on-tap so I decided to give this a try as I enjoyed it from the bottle and draft beer always seems better. The beer came with an orange slice which helps to enhance the already fruity aroma of the beer but I quickly removed and set it aside. Minimal head but nice lacing on the glass. Color is the typical of the style a cloudy pale yellow. Taste and feel are very similar to the bottle version but there is just something about draft beer that makes it better than from a bottle. Maybe it is enjoying the beer outside of my home with good food or the social aspect of drinking in a bar or restaurant. If you like this style of beer and Allagash is an option when you go out give it a try - you will not be disappointed. 
Pros: Color, great example of a Belgian wheat

Cons: Served with an orange slice

Alcohol Content: 5.0% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Allagash Brewing
Brewers Description: Our interpretation of a traditional Belgian wheat beer. Brewed with a generous portion of wheat and spiced with coriander and Curacao orange peel, this beer is fruity, refreshing and slightly cloudy in appearance .