Beer

OCTOBER 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.

CIDERGEIST BEEZY KONA PIPELINE

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.5

This pours a clear, light honey hue with a rapidly dissipating head expected from a cider. Crisp notes of tart apple on the nose have you expecting a typical dry cider, but once it hits the palate you are hit with the sweetness from its honey infusion. Distinct notes of honey and beeswax complement the apple, making this an uncommon, and pleasing, cider.

PAUL BRAGIN - 3.75

A thin white head appears on this cider but vanishes immediately. The scent of apples comes first, with some honey present. A burst of carbonation hits the tongue with the first taste, followed by apples. A pleasant honey flavor comes through in the finish. Cider lovers should drink this seasonal offering during late summer. Pair it with a cheese plate, breakfast or your favorite apple dessert. Also add it as an ingredient in apple desserts.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

I'm not normally a fan of the cider beers, but I like this one. It's light, crisp and refreshing with a pleasing taste of honey. Unlike most ciders out there, this one is pretty sweet while the others are generally sour and that's what turns me off. This is easy to drink, and I may have to purchase more of this to have on hand.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.5

This porter pours an expected black hue with a creamy tan head. Notes of coffee are distinct on the nose, along with the malty richness typical of a porter. On the palate the coffee continues, along with a pronounced malty sweetness. Lightly carbonated, full-bodied and well-balanced, this is a great beer for a cool fall day, the coffee complementing without overpowering.

PAUL BRAGIN - 3.5

A thick tan head tops this beer and evaporates slowly. The scent of coffee used during brewing fills the nose, with some roasted malt present. The coffee flavors continue while drinking the beer, but stop short of overwhelming the palate. Coffee aficionados should try it. Drink it with breakfast or pair it with hearty dishes like stew or pot roast. It might also pair well with chocolate and coffee desserts and work as an ingredient in them.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4

This is a very dark brown beer with good carbonation that leaves a creamy brown head. The aroma is big with coffee, then some roasted malt and chocolate - but it's the coffee that stands out. The flavor is similar to the aroma with strong, bitter coffee. A very nice coffee porter - this is my favorite Kona beer.

SIERRA NEVADA OKTOBERFEST

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.5

This Oktoberfest pours a caramel hue with a nice tan head. Sweet and malty on the nose with notes of molasses. Malty and smooth on the palate, this full-bodied marzen is perfectly balanced. It finishes very smooth, begging another drink. Check this one out if you like the Oktoberfest style. You won't be disappointed.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5

A decent white head forms on this Oktoberfest style beer when poured into a traditional beer mug. A generous amount of malt controls the scent profile. More malt flavors coat the tongue with the first sip of the beer and continue during the finish. People who like beers with a lot of malt should try this seasonal during its limited release. Serve it with German dishes like pork rouladen, spätzle or soft pretzels.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4

This is a pretty dark beer - almost brown in color - that's a solid Oktoberfest with its sweet malts and the marzen characteristics. I consider the flavor of this beer on the lighter side of the Oktoberfests but that's just fine with me. It goes down smooth - perfect to drink around the campfire.

LAGUNITAS MAXIMUS

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.8

Pouring a clear amber hue with a thin white head, this big IPA explodes with hop aromas immediately. Orange and grapefruit lead the way to subtle floral notes. The big hop bill is wellbalanced with enough malty sweetness to make it smooth and pleasing on the palate. It finishes with a satisfying, almost imperceptible hop bitterness. Give this Imperial IPA a try, but at 9% ABV, maybe just one.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thick white head rests on this IPA. Fruity hop notes dominate the scent. More hop flavors, especially pine, present themselves with the initial tasting and stay for an extended period of time during the long finish. People who like hoppy beer with a high alcohol content should try this. Pair it with barbecue, grilled meats, salmon, wild game or peppery cheeses like Monterrey jack or pepper jack.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This is a dark, amber-colored beer with decent carbonation. It's one of the smoothest and best IPAs I've ever had with a sweet hops flavor that's very appealing. Overall, it's extremely smooth and easy to drink. Most IPAs hammer you over the head with hops, but I really like this one as the hops flavor is more subtle.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.