Velvet Rooster

From Tallgrass Brewing Co. in Manhattan, Kansas as well this is their newest widely available beer. This is a Belgian Tripel that really does what it should. It'll knock you back with it's 8.5% abv, but it isn't a boozey drink by any means. It's well crafted, and pours a rich orange-gold color that looks great in the glass. Not going to lie though, the can is just as awesome looking as having it in the glass. How can you not love that flamboyant rooster on there? Back to it, with a sniff you'll smell the malts and some grass right away, but also just a tiny hint of fruit aroma. It feels a bit thick while you're drinking it but it's a good, creamy thick that fits well with the flavors. The flavors are generally what you'd expect based on the aromas, but the fruitiness comes out a bit more and the malts aren't as overpowering as you might have thought. Overall, a very tasty beer that will taste even better the second time you have it! Impressed again by Tallgrass.

Rating: 84/100

Black Rock

This Irish Dry Stout brewed by Dungarvan Brewing Company in, you guessed it, Ireland (County Waterford to be exact) and is a good alternative to the giant Guinness. It pours into the glass nearly pitch black with a ton of brown bubbles reaching the top of the glass. Smelling it will bring a coffee-lover to their knees as great roasted coffee smells rule with hints of chocolate and other roasts. The taste almost did me in as it is so delicately hopped that it is almost none there at all making for an extremely malty beer. This does not make it heavy though which is a big plus. Their are also a lot of roasted coffee and cocoa flavors making up the taste as well, but the coffee seems to be almost over-roasted and maybe even burned because it knocked me back a little. For some this will be an extremely pleasant experience, while for me (a non-coffee drinker) it was too much roasting to handle and I couldn't go for a second thereafter. In my opinion it is a middle of the road Irish Stout, and could stand for improvement.

Rating: 76/100

Sky High Rye

This pale ale from Arcadia Brewing Company in Battle Creek, Michigan pours a hazy, golden color with bright white head along the top that leaves a good amount of sticky, good-looking lacing around the glass. You can smell the rye without getting your nose too close though it's not overwhelming, and there are other citrus and wood smells that compliment it well. The rye really hits you in the taste though. There are some pretty good, flowery hops but the bit of rye does a great job combining with the hops to make an easy to drink beer. It has a way of making itself sort of sweet tasting with the way it lasts even after you've finished your gulp. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to try a rye beer, or even a pale ale. The label also helped to draw me into trying this one; I love the style of Arcadia's labels.

Rating: 87/100

Nutcracker Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company has really done well with this brew. A perfect beer for the winter, as you would guess by the festive style label. It pours a beautiful, light amber color with a good looking foam top. There is a certain amount of fruitiness in the flavor that reminds you of some common Christmas dishes that might be served at a family get-together. It has just enough citrus flavors and smells that it won't be forgotten with the many other winter warmer beers that are released during the season. There are also some sweet smells that are enticing, like brown sugar. The unique mix of citrus fruits and sweetness is balanced well with light, bitter hops that will make sure you're awake. Overall this beer won't weigh you down as many winter seasonals would but because of its uniqueness it may not suit all drinkers and can even put you off from having another.

Rating: 74/100