236. Baxter Brewing Celsius Summer Ale

I was really looking forward to the fourth offering from Baxter Brewing and when they announced 6-packs of cans were available at the brewery I was the first one there. My office is less than a mile from the brewery so it was not difficult to get over to the brewery at lunch. Picked up a 6-pack, Baxter glass and a sticker for the truck. Stuck the beer in the fridge at work and patiently waited for 4:30 to come so I could go home and give it a try. 

This is the first unfiltered offering from Baxter and I prefer unfiltered beer. It also is a summer beer with a low ABV and plenty of lemon flavor for those warm Maine summers. Beer pours a nice deep yellow with thick white head. The smell is where this one seems off. I could not quite figure out what the aroma was but it was not pleasant and not something you usually get from beer. With 235 other beers reviewed prior to this one I can honestly say I have never smelled something like this from a beer. I chatted with a few others that have had this beer and they all mentioned an unpleasant smell so it does not seem to be just me or the batch I had. (Read more)

160. Penobscot Bay Humble B

This is the fourth beer from Penobscot Bay Brewery and so far this is the first that is truly forgettable. The color is a clean light orange with a decent white head. Minimal aroma, slightly sweet but the taste is where it falls short. Very simple with hints of ginger but really not much else going on. Easy to drink with a low ABV made this one tolerable but not really my style. Guess I have been having too many stouts and porters recently to really enjoy a light beer. 
Pros: Color

Cons: Lack of taste

Alcohol Content: 4.9 ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??

Rating: 

Brewers Website: Penobscot Bay Brewery
Brewers Description: Humble B spiced lager is our version of a "Light Munich" or pale lager. It was slowly fermented and then cold conditioned for months before bottling. Made with lager malt, a touch of wheat, ground fresh ginger, and local Winterport honey. Lightly hopped with Hallertan and Tettmanger which are noted for lower bitterness and more aroma thus allowing the spice from the ginger and the sweetness from the honey to fill the glass.

80. Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

This was an interesting beer and a good addition to the Winter variety pack from Sam Adams. Color is a dark red / brown color with a very nice head that lingers throughout the beer. Taste is complex with lots of malt flavors and sweetness with a slight chocolate finish. Very good beer and this combined with the others in the variety pack make it worth buying. 
Pros: Color, complex taste

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 5.8% ABV
Calories: 213
IBU (Bitterness): 25Rating: 

Brewers Website: Samuel Adams

Brewers Description: Spicy and bold, a big Christmas cookie of a beer.
Samuel Adams® Old Fezziwig® Ale is bursting with spices of the season.  With a remarkably full body and flavor it helps those long winter nights pass more quickly. The rich taste hits the palate with a depth of malt character ranging from sweet toffee and caramel notes to dark, roasty chocolate notes. Then the spices come in full force. Cinnamon, ginger and orange peel dance on the tongue bringing with them the celebratory spirit of the season.

75. Fisherman's Imperial Pumpkin Stout

Was not sure what to expect from this one as you usually see pumpkin with ales and not stouts. Being an imperial this has a little extra kick - 11% ABV but the taste is not overpowering. Pours a very dark brown almost black with a nice tan head. Aroma is of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice. Taste has a fair amount of spice and just a bit of pumpkin. This is a very good fall stout and if you are able to find this one locally I would certainly recommend picking it up. 

Pros: Color, taste

Cons:  

Alcohol Content: 11% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 30
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Cape Ann Brewing

Brewers Description: A dark stout accentuated by flavors of the Autumn season. Using real Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Allspice, the Cape Ann Brewing Company took a fresh take at the common fall seasonal. This rich dark stout offers an inviting pumpkin spice aroma that gives way to the potent roasted chocolate flavors of a stout and finishes with the delicate essence of real pumpkin.

71. Dogfish Head Midas Touch

This beer is certainly unlike anything else I have tried. A very interesting combination of honey, saffron, papaya and melon. You can certainly smell the saffron after poured. The head in the photo is probably a result of a bad pour on my part but it does have a fair amount of carbonation and great coloring. Overall I gave this an above average rating as I like original beer and of the 71 different beer reviews done to date this one is unique. 

Pros: Unique

Cons:  Alcohol taste is strong at times

Alcohol Content: 9.0% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 12
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Dogfish Head

Brewers Description: This recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! It is an ancient Turkish recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine & mead; this smooth, sweet, yet dry ale will please the Chardonnay of beer drinker alike.