Balistreri Syrah 2008

Description - Syrah

Maker - J.A. Balistreri Vineyards

Notes - A surprisingly smokey syrah with equal highlights of spice and an overall medium body. 

9/10

Orval Trapist Ale

Description - Belgian Style Ale

Maker - Orval Abbey

Notes - A rich fruitiness is quickly overtaken by the unmistakable effervescence of Smarties.  This sweet flavoring is quite intriguing, making this ale a very interesting try.

6/10

Firestone Union Jack

Description - IPA

Maker - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Notes - Distinctive bitters of an IPA with a nice balance of grains and fruity sweetness.

7/10

Cassis Lambic

Description - Beer made with Black Currants

Maker - Brouwerij Lindemans

Notes - Tart and fruity!  The Cassis flavor really comes through and is reminiscent of a bubbly cranberry juice.

6/10

Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale

Description -Wheat-ish ale brewed with sugar and spices

Maker - Blue Moon Brewing Co.

Notes - A solid ale with lots of interesting notes of sweetness.

7/10

Frambozen

Description - Raspberry Brown Ale

Maker - New Belgium Brewing

Notes - Light and tart, just the right amount of raspberries.  Very pleasant on the palate.

7/10

Jiahu

Description - Ale brewed with honey, hawthorn berries & grape juice

Maker - Dogfish Head

Notes - Sweet and fruity, this ale really cuts it close to the champagne of beers - in the good way. 

9/10

Chocolate Shop Creme De Cocoa

Description - Chocolate Wine

Maker - Chocolate Shop Wine

Notes - Smooth, creamy, and VERY chocolaty.  It's almost like a light Bailey's.  A definitely kick of alcohol, but surprising that it's wine!

7/10

Mirror Pond Pale Ale

Description - Pale Ale

Maker - Deschutes Brewery

Notes - A nice balance of hops and malty goodness.  The flower scents led nicely into the solid grain flavors.

7/10

Kingfisher Premium

Description - Lager

Maker - Kingfisher Brewing Co

Notes - This lager had an intriguing spicing that I couldn't tell if I liked or not.  Slightly reminiscent of urinal cake smell, but not in a bad way.

5/10

Chang

Description - Lager

Maker - Cosmos Brewery Co

Notes - A pretty standard lager comparable to any of the major US brands.  Didn't notice anything that stood out.

5/10

Chocolate Box Shiraz 2008

Description - Shiraz

Maker - Rocland Estate

Notes - A rich and almost creamy shiraz with deep flavor and a nice tangy twist.

8/10

Sam Adams Octoberfest

Description - Lager

Maker - The Boston Beer Company

Notes - A surprisingly spicy and fruity Oktoberfest seasonal.  Fun to drink.

7/10

Shock To Pumpkin Wheat

Description - Wheat Beer made with Pumpkin

Maker - Shock Top Brewing Co

Notes - A decent wheat beer with some tangy highlights.  Minimal spicing that I could tell.

6/10

Arrogant Bastard Ale

Description - IPA

Maker - Stone Brewing Co

Notes - Heavily hopped ale with a full body.  Unfortunately not my thing.

5/10

Rio Seco Pinot Noir 2010

Description - Pinot Noir

Maker - Rio Seco Winery

Notes - I don't remember a lot about this one.  So I'll give it the median score.

5/10

Maui Coconut Porter

Description - Porter

Maker - Maui Brewing Co

Notes - Since I first tried this brew at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival, I was hooked.  A great blend of roast and creamy sweetness, and even a fruity kick towards the end.

8/10

Tommyknocker Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale

Description -Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices

Maker - Tommyknocker Brewing Co

Notes - A pumpkin ale with a darker take - more like a brown ale.  Still has nice hints of spice and I guess a little pumpkin.  Well rounded.

7/10

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

Description - Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices

Maker - Matt Brewing Co

Notes - A rather average pumpkin ale.  Not a strong holiday flavor - more like a normal ale.

6/10

America's Original Pumpkin Ale

Description - Ale brewed with pumpkin and spices

Maker - Buffalo Bill's Brewery

Notes - With an ample amount of well-balanced spicing, this pumpkin ale takes a place at the top of pumpkin ales I've tried.  Lightly sweet with noticeable pumpkin.

7/10

Euphoria Pale Ale

Description - Pale Ale

Maker - Ska Brewing Co

Notes - Mostly bitter, not much else.

3/10

Beringer White Zin 2009

Description - White Zinfandel

Maker - Beringer

Notes - Pretty standard white zin.  Lightly sweet, a bit tangy.

6/10

Grande River IPA

Description - IPA

Maker - San Luis Valley Brewing Co

Notes - An unfortunately average IPA.  Bitter, very little other flavor.  Still in the palatable range.

4/10

Hefe Suave

Description -Hefeweizen

Maker - San Luis Valley Brewing Company

Notes - A little unusual for a hefeweizen.  Less fruity and more pezzy.

6/10

Monteith's Pilsner

Description - Pilsner

Maker - Monteith's Brewing Co.

Notes - A pretty drinkable pilsner - mild, yet full.

6/10

Rcok Bottom Hop Bomb

Description - Imperial IPA

Maker - Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery

Notes - Lots of different hops flavors, but none too overpowering.  A very green taste - like the bottle!

7/10

Bristol Dark Oatmeal Stout

Description -Stout

Maker - Bristol Brewery

Notes - As the name suggests, this stout touts a very dark, coffee flavor.  I'm not usually a fan of the heavy roast, but this was pretty nice.

6/10

Beck's

Description - Lager

Maker - Brauerei Beck & Co

Notes - Pretty standard lager.  Enjoyable.

6/10

Mojo

Description - IPA

Maker - Boulder Beer Co.

Notes - Pretty standard IPA. Nothing to write home about.

5/10

Otokoyama 2011 Tanabata Special

Description - Sake

Maker - Otokoyama Sake

Notes - Light, smooth, and perfect chilled for summer.

9/10

Special Sake from Niigata

Description - Sake

Maker - ?

Notes - Sweet and delicious.

9/10

Russian Beer purchased in Wakkanai, Hokkaido

Description - Ale

Maker - ?

Notes - An interesting sort of beer with hints of molasses and coffee. Overall a dark, but pleasant character.

7/10

Otokoyama Momenya - Hokkaido Limited

Description - Dry, aromatic sake

Maker - Otokoyama Sake

Notes - All around a great sake. Smooth with some slight hints of floral and fruit.

8/10