98 Lolita, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2010. 7% ABV (5/11)
Pretty reddish amber copper color. Bold fresh raspberry, milk chocolate, wet sandalwood and profiterole aromas with a rich, juicy, fruity-yet-dry full body and a long, tangy and drying raspberry skin, jicama and sour cherry cider finish. Deliciously quenching.
97 Juliet, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2010. 6.7% ABV (5/11)
Penetrating reddish copper color. Aromas of blackberry yogurt, meringue and nut brittle with a tangy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, mouthwatering sour citrus and apple, mineral and grassy earth finish. A fantastic food beer.
96 Anniversary 17, Unibroue (Canada). 10% ABV (5/11)
Dark copper color. Bold aromas of toffee, dried meat and spice with a fruity full body and a long, complex lightly smoky and grassy finish. Superbly balanced.
95 Adoration Special Winter Ale, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 10% ABV (5/11)
Same, more intense and cream. Cola and root beer spiciness is seamless, sweet carrot and curry notes on the finish.
95 Samuel Adams Longshot Friar Hop Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 9% ABV (5/11)
Brilliant deep amber color. Rich aromas of honey drizzled dried stone fruits and toasted banana cake with a nice undertone of citrusy, grassy hops. Round and vibrant with a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long mélange of fruitcake, citrus marmalade, grilled golden beet and peppery arugula. Artfully crafted and totally delicious.
94 Deus Brut des Flandres, Brouwerij Bosteels (Belgium) Cuvée Prestige 2010. 11.5% ABV (5/11)
Lightly hazy golden color. Bold spicy herbal aromas of coriander, ginger and lemongrass with a panettone base. Frothy and highly carbonated with a spry fruity medium-to-full body and a creamy kiwi, radish and mossy limestone-accented finish. A fun and distinctive food beer that will go great with Thai curries and salads.
93 Samuel Adams American Kriek, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 7% ABV (5/10)
Reddish cherry wood color. Intense spicy, cherry cobbler and honeyed buttermilk biscuit aromas follow through on a supple, vibrant entry to a fruity-yet-dry body with great depth and tangy intensity. Finishes with tart apple, cherry scone and yeasty raisin bread notes on the long juicy finish. Deliciously quenching and food friendly.
93 He’Brew Rejewvenator Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Co. (NY) 2009. 7.8% ABV (5/10)
Deep copper mahogany color. Rich aromas of chocolate-covered roasted nuts, mashed raisins and dates, and herb biscuits follow through on a round, velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with excellent depth and intensity. Finishes with a long, chewy, mélange of dried fruits, citrus custard, nuts and herbal grassy hops. Robust and engaging; try with sausages and stews.
92 Twentieth Anniversary Ale, North Coast Brewing Co. (CA). 12.5% ABV (5/10)
Brilliant, deep old gold color. Intriguing aromas of mint creme anglaise, toasty caramel cake and mild tropical fruit salad follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with roasted root vegetable, nectarine skin, Key lime custard and delicate ginger notes. Finishes with long, chewy, fruity, peppery spice accents. Very different, very big and very tasty.
92 Fleur, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2011. 7% ABV (5/11)
Beautiful crystal amber color. Lovely, delicately floral aromas of peach custard, pineapple cake and herbal tea are enticing. Soft and satiny with a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a graceful pear-hibiscus jelly on pound cake finish. Delightful.
91 Belgoo Magus, Belgoobeer (Belgium). 6.6% ABV (5/10)
Lightly hazy yellow color. Intriguing aromas of cream of wheat, floral honey, mint and exotic spices follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with golden raisin, orange bread and praline notes. Finishes with a long fanfare of honey, spices and wheat grass. Deliciously different and fun.
91 He’Brew Rejewvenator Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Co. (NY) 2010. 8.2% ABV (5/11)
Murky copper color. Rich caramel sauce on sourdough raisin toast and sour cherry pie aromas with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry full body and a smooth cream sauce, roasted root vegetable and chive-accented finish. A rich, complex food beer.
89 Concentrated Evil, Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. (NE). 10% ABV (4/09)
Deep reddish mahogany color. Aromas of waxy apple, coriander, chocolate-covered raisins and nuts have a tangy yeasty edge and follow through on a creamy soft entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with toasty fruit cake, molasses and crabapple accents. Finishes with a lash of coriander, pepper and turned-earth-on-the-mouth coating finish A bit heavy on the coriander but very nice.
88 Black Wittow, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6% ABV (4/09) %{Brewpub}
Opaque mahogany brown with a lacy head. Aromas of dried cherry, banana peel, horse blanket and cocoa-dusted nuts follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good integration and depth. Finishes with a tangy brown apple, bubblegum and mild earthy hop-accented fade.
86 Yakima Biére, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.1% ABV (4/09) %{Brewpub}
Hazy copper orange color with a lacy head. Buttery peanut brittle, dried peach, grapefruit and dark toast aromas follow through on a soft entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with somewhat angular bread dough, grapefruit peel, hazelnut and pepper notes on the piquant, toasty, mouthwatering finish.
84 Raftman, Unibroue (Canada). 5.5% ABV (5/11)
Aromas of apricot butter and slightly smoky grilled golden apples, and faint pear cider vinegar with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peach yogurt, wafer, peat moss and leafy green vegetable-accented finish.