90 Dortmunder Gold, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 5.8% ABV (10/08)
Deep amber color. Toasty caramel cake and orange marmalade aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with savory roasted nut, prune and root vegetable accents and a long peppery, clay-like hops fade. Great depth and balance.
88 Baltika #7 Export, Baltika Brewery (Russia). 5.4% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Bold, honey roasted nuts, moss and fresh baguette aromas follow through on a soft, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with tangy honeyed orange peel, mint and peach yogurt accents. Finishes with a zesty citrus pastry and grassy hop fade.
88 Anheuser World Lager, Anheuser Busch (MO). 5% ABV (11/06)
Pale golden amber color. Golden raisin toast and caramelized nut aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of light cream and honey, toasted raisin nut bread and lemon curd flavors. Finishes with a refreshing sweet citrus and mildly earthy and salty hop fade.
86 Islander Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (10/07)
Rich old gold color. Creamy honeyed nut, wheat bread and delicate anise and bubblegum spice aromas. A round, zesty entry lead to a dryish medium body of very toasty bread and delicate fruit gum flavors with a round citrus custard and nut fade with a touch of wet stone.