Beer

DECEMBER BEER REVIEWS

This month’s beers are available depending on supply & demand at all 10 Liquor Locker locations. Visit our website at www.Liquor-Locker.com.

GOOSE ISLAND CHRISTMAS IPA

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4

This pours a dark amber with a thick tan head. It has a strong malt presence, with an abundance of hops leading to notes of citrus on the nose. This IPA really fills the palate with a strong malt body that isn’t too sweet, with plenty of citrus and pine hops on the finish. Bold and a bit warming at 7.5% ABV.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5

A thick off-white head rests on this red-tinted IPA and takes a long time to dissipate. The nose first comes through with malt notes, but hops come through shortly after. The malt stays with the initial tasting, and hops return in the long finish. Serve this beer during the holiday season. Enjoy it by a roaring fire and serve it with your favorite holiday meals surrounded by friends and family.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This is a dark, amber-colored beer. Even though it says it's an IPA, the hops don’t totally monopolize the flavor. I can still taste the malts, some spices and even some fruits. I notice that it has an ABV of 7.5% which is a little warming. It also has a light, creamy feel to it.

RHINEGEIST BLIZZBERRY

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 3.5

This pours dark red with a full pink head. An abundance of fruit on the nose, with raspberry and cherry notes taking center stage. Effervescent and sweet on the palate, distinct notes of apple are present to complement the berries. If you like a tart, fruit-forward beer, you should try Blizzberry.

PAUL BRAGIN - 3

A thick pink head forms on this deep red beer and evaporates quickly. The scent contains a strong burst of fruit notes like cherry, raspberry and blackberry. The fruit flavors continue with the first sip and develop a sourer note in the long finish. This seasonal release comes in November and December, but might work better during the summer. Pair it with fruity breakfast dishes, or use it as an ingredient in fruit desserts like pineapple upside-down cake.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3

This is a purple-colored beverage with pink foam. It has a lot of berry flavor but I don't technically consider this a beer. I can taste the cherries, raspberries and some apple. While it's refreshing, it's just not my cup of tea - just a little too fruity for me.

GREAT LAKES EDMUND FITZGERALD PORTER

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.5

A great example of a porter, this one pours dark brown with a thin tan head. It has notes of coffee and chocolate on the nose that follow through on the palate with a bit of sweetness. Slightly heavier than the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, it finishes with a pleasant touch of bitterness.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.25

A thick tan head crowns this black porter and slowly evaporates. Roasted malt with a hint of coffee notes and sweetness dominates the scent profile. The sweetness remains with the first sip, but roasted malt reappears during the long finish. People who like porters should drink this beer. Raise a glass while singing a ballad about the untamable sea. Pair it with shellfish like oysters or chocolate. Use it as an ingredient in chocolate desserts.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

I was looking at the bottle, thinking this will be one of those novelty beers that's usually not very good but I was SO wrong. This porter has an earthy malt flavor with a hint of chocolate. It's very smooth and easy to drink. I don’t believe I've had any other Great Lakes beers but I'm very interested to try them now.

BRECKENRIDGE VANILLA PORTER

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.5

This pours nearly black, with a thin caramel head and contains subtle notes of vanilla on the nose, along with sweet malt. Drier on the palate than you might expect, with hints of chocolate and a nice vanilla finish. Very drinkable with a fairly low ABV.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thick white head tops this porter but disappears somewhat rapidly. A combination of malt and vanilla control the scent. The flavor of roasted malt comes first when the beer hits the tongue, but vanilla begins to balance out the malt and stays for a long time during the finish. Pair it with hearty savory dishes like smoked meats and barbecue, serve it with a dessert like dark chocolate brownies, or add it as an ingredient in chocolate desserts.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 5

This is one of my favorite beers that I keep on hand at home. It's a nice dark beer with great vanilla flavor. It also has some chocolate and roasted malt flavors that I enjoy. It has a relatively low 5.4% ABV which surprises me - seems like it would be higher. This is my go-to porter as I stand and look at the wall of beer in Schnuck's and can’t make up my mind what to buy.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.