Beer

AUGUST 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.

RHINEGEIST WOWIE KONA BIG WAVE GOLDEN ALE

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4

A departure from Rhinegeist's usual offerings, Wowie is an ale that will be appreciated by cider drinkers as well. Straw-colored, with a thin white head, this ale has notes of pineapple on the nose. On the palate, the pineapple and passion fruit are the dominant flavors. If there are any hops flavors they are overpowered by the tropical flavors. If you are looking for something akin to a cider, give this a try. It lives up to its name.

PAUL BRAGIN - 3.25

A decent white head tops this slightly hazy beer, but it evaporates somewhat quickly. Pineapple, passion fruit and apple scents fill the nose. Sweet fruit flavors reminiscent of a cider hit the tongue first. This seasonal offering seems like a good choice to drink on a hot summer day to ward off the heat. Use it as an ingredient in apple pie, pineapple upside-down cake and drink it while eating a slice of each.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This is a slightly cloudy, straw-colored beverage. I'm not usually a fan of fruit-flavored beers but I like this one - perhaps because of the sweet pineapple flavor. I can also taste a light apple flavor. Overall, it's tart with a little sweetness at the finish. Very refreshing and enjoyable.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 3.75

Smooth and light, this is a classic ale. Pours a clear straw color, with a slight fruitiness on the nose. It's very smooth on the palate, with very little hop presence. Overall, Kona has produced a balanced and very drinkable ale that's ideal for the sweltering August days in the tri-state.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5

A thick white head rests on this golden ale and gradually evaporates. Malt scents dominate the nose, with a little bit of hop presence. Similarly, the initial tasting of the beer sees the malt and hop flavors going back and forth in a nice balance. The slightly lower alcohol content lets the drinker imbibe a few without going overboard, especially at a summer picnic or ballgame. Pair it with seafood, poultry, salads and light pasta dishes.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3.5

This is a clear amber beer with a very predominate sweet malty flavor and a light yeast aroma. I would definitely classify this as a light beer that's refreshing and perfect for the summertime - especially after mowing lawn during the heat of the day.

BELL'S TROPICAL OBERON

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 3

Pours a hazy orange hue with a thin white head. On the nose are typical wheat beer estery notes, with a slightly tropical essence. On the palate the guava comes through the strongest, and it finishes with a hint of mango. This is a fresh take on Bell’s Oberon.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thick white head forms on this beer when poured into a wheat beer glass and evaporates slowly. The scent boasts a lot of tropical fruit notes from the mango, guava and passion fruit used during the brewing. Likewise, the first sip of the beer contains more of the fruit flavors. Drink this while sitting on a beach or pair it with goat cheese, Manchego cheese, jerk chicken, salsa verde or pair it with your favorite fruit dessert.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4

This is a cloudy, straw-colored beer. It's tart at the beginning with a noticeable burst of passion fruit and mango and a very tropical aroma. I'm not sure what guava tastes like but it's in there, too. Overall, this Bell's offering is a little too fruity for me, but I admire the effort.

SIERRA NEVADA SUMMER BREAK

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.75

There’s an abundance of grapefruit notes on the nose as this pours a hazy yellow hue with a thick white head. Light on the palate, this goes down easy and fast. It’s a session IPA, and one could easily put a few of these away quickly on a hot summer day. One of the best session IPAs I’ve had in a while.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5

A thick white head crowns this IPA and dissipates slowly. Hoppy citrus notes control the scent profile, with some pine also present. Subdued hop flavors remain with the first taste of the beer, but continue in the very long finish. IPA and session beer lovers will want to try this seasonal offering. The lower alcohol content gives the beer a lot of drinkability. Pair it with fish tacos, ceviche, fresh salsa or burgers.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4

This beer pours a hazy straw color. It has a sweet hops aroma but it's a little light on the flavor. The 4.6% ABV is a little light for an IPA, but it's a summer beverage and meant to be easy to drink. That's why I gave it a 4 because I could drink this while enjoying a summer activity.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.