52. Blue Moon Belgian White

I had high hopes for this one after I poured it into a glass as I typically enjoy unfiltered beer. It looks great and the aroma is OK. I did not garnish with a slice of orange as it suggests on the Blue Moon website so I may have to try another. If that was the missing component in this review than I will certainly come back and revise my rating. This was the first Blue Moon offering that felt like it was a beer brewed by Coors (they own Blue Moon). Will give it another try as I have one more in my fridge but as of now this is my least favorite Blue Moon variety and not something I will make any effort to try again. 
Pros: Unfiltered look
Cons: Lack of flavor
Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: 171
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Blue Moon
Brewers Description: Unfiltered for more depth of flavor and a unique, cloudy appearance. Ingredients; white wheat, oats, coriander, orange peel. Full of flavor with a smooth finish. Light, spicy citrus flavors go great with chicken, seafood and pork. Best when garnished with a slice of orange to bring out the natural spices and subtle fruit flavor. 

51. Samuel Adams Boston Ale

This one surprised me as I had never had a Boston Ale before getting a 6-pack for my birthday last week. It seems to be the "forgotten" Sam Adams brew as I have never seen this on tap and rarely see it in stores but it is a quality beer. Seems to be somewhere between a pale ale and a red, nice malt flavors and some sweetness from the caramels. Sam Adams got this one right and I will enjoy the remainder of this six pack soon. 

Pros: Smooth, nice flavor, good aroma

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: 188
IBU (Bitterness): 34
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description: A smooth, refined version of a classic ale.
Samuel Adams® Boston Ale was first brewed to celebrate the opening of our Boston Brewery. Like Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, it originated as an old family recipe rescued by Jim Koch from his father's attic. Samuel Adams Boston Ale, a stock ale, has distinct earthy and spicy notes from the traditional English ale hops supported by sweet caramel malt notes. The ale yeast imparts a variety of fruit and ester notes while longer, cooler fermentation adds smoothness and complexity.

As a stock ale, Boston Ale has its roots in colonial New England.  One of the few styles to originate in the United States, stock ales began over a century ago when the beer was carefully aged in barrels in cool rooms called “stock cellars”.  Essentially this process creates an ale that’s been lagered so the taste tends to have characteristics of both. This technique imparted a smoothness and body which became the hallmark of this style.

Keeping with the stock ale style, Samuel Adams Boston Ale is fermented at warmer ale temperatures.  The beer is then krausened like Boston Lager and dry hopped at cold temperatures like a lager.  The English hops used in Boston Ale give it an earthy, spicy character that complements the sweetness from caramel malt.  The resulting beer is smoother than most ales and richer than most lagers with a round, robust taste.

50. Gritty McDuff's Red Claws Ale

Whenever I buy a red ale I am always hopeful it will be the one that stands apart from all the others. Overall this is not a bad beer but certainly nothing here to make it stand out. Aroma is minimal, pours with a nice head that dissipates quickly and leaves almost no lacing on the glass. Slightly more carbonation than most and has a bit of an aftertaste. Smooth to drink and easy to have more than one. I could not find the ABV on this one anywhere but my guess is 5% or less. Just another average red ale. 

Pros: Color

Cons: No aroma, slight aftertaste

Alcohol Content: ??% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 16
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Gritty McDuff's
Brewers Description: Gritty McDuff 's Red Claws Ale is a what the Brits call a fine session beer: a smooth ale, not too strong and full of flavor. Red Claws Ale has a dark red-amber color; a full, round malt palate; nutty and roasted accents, and a delicate hop flavor that whispers with just a hint of floral finish. The perfect ale for a long afternoon in the pub with good friends and traditional fare.

49. Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest

I had never heard of Leinenkugel's before and I guess I was not missing anything. After pouring this beer I thought I was going to get something of quality as the color is great, poured with a nice head and leaves a nice lace on the glass as you drink but the beer itself is poor at best. Almost flavorless, slight skunky smell and just generally poor. Not a fan and will not be back for more. 
Pros: Color
Cons: Taste (or lack of)
Alcohol Content: 5.1% ABV
Calories: 170
IBU (Bitterness): 20
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Leinenkugel's
Brewers Description: A true Marzen-style bier - malts: blend of pale, caramel and munich. Hops: Tettnang, Perle, Cluster and Hallertau. Serving temperature: 45 degrees. Availability: September and October

48. Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale

This may be the final Pumpkin/Fall beer of the year. Overall not a bad a beer but not a lot of flavor here. Nice color, slight pumpkin aroma but very little pumpkin or spice flavor. When I buy a pumpkin beer I expect to have lots of flavor and this was a bit disappointing in that regard. Not a bad beer but if you are looking for a fall or pumpkin beer there are a number of better choices available. 

Pros: Smooth, decent alcohol content

Cons: Very little flavor - pumpkin or otherwise 

Alcohol Content: 5.7% ABV
Calories: 185
IBU (Bitterness): 20??

Rating: 
Brewers Website: Blue Moon Brewing Company
Brewers Description: Harvest Pumpkin Ale - Available September - November - Amber Colored Ale - Brewed with a bounty of fall flavors like vine-ripened pumpkin, allspice, cloves and nutmeg - Together with a touch of wheat, Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale has a smooth, lightly spiced finish. Pairs well with beef dishes and seasonal soups. 

47. Samuel Adams Imperial White

Sam Adams goal with their Imperial Series was to push the limits of classic beer styles and "create a new drinking experience". Well they certainly did that with this beer but I am not sure they were successful. The description from Samuel Adams website (see below) says "you'll be amazed by the flavors" however I could not taste anything more than the significant amounts of alcohol. Samuel Adams White Ale is one of my favorites so I was hoping the Imperial White would draw on that same flavor but it does not. I would not recommend this beer.
Pros: Color
Cons: Significant alcohol taste and burn
Alcohol Content: 10.3% ABV
Calories: 321
IBU (Bitterness): 15
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description :A new perspective on the classic witbier style.
Samuel Adams® Imperial White represents a new perspective on the classic witbier style.  Witbiers are normally light and refreshing with a fruity finish.  We wanted to see how these characteristics would stand up when we amped up the recipe and we were totally blown away by the flavors that were created in this beer.This is not just a more intense version of Samuel Adams® White Ale. Samuel Adams Imperial White is a new recipe that stands on its own.  In fact, it is more of a wine substitute than just another refreshing witbier. This is a beer that should be sipped and savored and you’ll be amazed at the flavors you’ll discover as the beer warms and opens up.

46. Samuel Adams Double Bock

Bought a 4-pack of Sam Adams Imperial Series and this is the only one that I had not tried before. Nice dark color with the right amount of carbonation and a nice head that lasts. This is a very sweet beer with lots of caramel flavoring but also has a high alcohol content which makes this more of a sipping beer. If you choose to have this with a meal I would recommend a good steak - would not go well with pizza, burgers, etc. 

Pros: Full of flavor

Cons: Slight alcohol burn

Alcohol Content: 9.5% ABV
Calories: 323
IBU (Bitterness): 40
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description: Intense and warming, a meal in a bottle.

One cannot help but appreciate Samuel Adams® Double Bock's huge malt character.  We use an enormous amount of malt, half a pound per bottle, to brew this intensely rich lager.  Its deep brown-ruby color is all made in the kettle, no black malt is used, resulting in a rich sweetness that is free of the rough taste of burnt malt.  All that remains is the velvet smooth flavor and mouth feel of the two-row malt. Samuel Adams Double Bock's intense malt character is balanced with a subtle piney, citrus hop note from the Noble hops.