Beer

JANUARY 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 TROPICAL BEER HUG BELL'S BRIGHT WHITE FIRESTONE CINNAMON DOLCE

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4

Pours golden and almost clear with a thick white head. Wheat with strong tropical notes of pineapple on the nose. Boozy on the palate, the 9.9% ABV is not hiding. While this may be called a tropical Imperial IPA, it has many characteristics of a Belgian triple. Spicy, malty on the palate with a very light bitterness. Good, but not sessionable.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.25

A decent white head forms on this IPA and dissipates slowly. Citrus notes from the hops control the nose. The citrus remains with the first sip of the beer and in the long finish. People who enjoy hoppy beers and IPAs need to try this one. Pair it with blue cheese, salmon, spicy Mexican, Cajun or Asian cuisine, or desserts like carrot cake, cheese cake or crème brulée.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This beer is a slightly darker amber but with decent carbonation. I view this more as a Belgian triple than an Imperial IPA. I really like this beer as it has a little more flavor than an IPA as the hops don't beat you down. Goose Island has brought out something a little different with Tropical Beer Hug and it's a winner. I will have to track down some more of this and have it on hand through the holidays.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.5

This Belgian Wit has a hazy golden pour. A thin white head gives way to aromas of orange citrus and clove. On the palate it has a slight peppery spiciness with clove notes and typical Belgian yeast esters. It finishes smooth and balanced. A delicious example of the Belgian Wit style.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thick white head crowns this beer when poured into a wheat beer glass and remains for a long time. The light scent of wheat fills the nose. The wheat flavors continue while drinking the beer, with clove and banana also coming through on the tongue. People who enjoy wheat beers should drink this seasonal offering while they can find it. Pair it with seafood dishes like mussels and sushi, or pair it with bananas Foster.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 5

This is a hazy, golden-colored beer that's sweet and slightly malty. It's very refreshing and I could drink it all night. It has a nice yeasty aroma like you find in most Belgian wheat beers. I just wish they produced this all year long. I have found other beers that are similar but just not as good. It's just a solid beer unlike most that throw in fruit flavors or overdone hops to try to make them unique.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4.75

Pours black with a creamy tan head. Silky on the palate due to the nitrogenation, with faint notes of chocolate on the nose, and a pronounced cinnamon presence. It has the body of a dry stout, with just enough sweetness to offset the bitterness of the cinnamon. This is an all-around great dessert beer, without being too heavy.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4

A thin tan head tops this black stout. A burst of cinnamon used during the brewing process dominates the scent. The beer feels smooth on the tongue with the first sip before cinnamon, vanilla, coffee and chocolate flavors hit and stay during the long finish. Drink this seasonal offering next to a roaring fireplace. Pair it with rare beef tenderloin and buttery cheeses, or serve it with desserts like s’mores, donuts or pour it over vanilla ice cream.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3.5

This is a dark-colored beer, but it's a nitro stout - which I'm not a big fan of. I can smell the cinnamon right away. There's a silky mouthfeel that I think takes away from the richness of the true flavors. On the plus side, it has a 6% ABV. I do like the flavors of the beer but just feel it lacks a little punch.

DOGFISH HEAD HAZY-O PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4

Pours a hazy orange with a thick white head. Citrus on the nose, with distinct notes of grapefruit. It is light on the palate where the grapefruit notes are pronounced. A subtle hop finish makes this wellbalanced New England IPA a real joy from start to finish.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.25

A thick white head rests on this golden IPA and takes a long time to evaporate. The scent profile contains a good balance of hops and sweetness from the oats and oat milk used during brewing. Likewise, the balance continues with the initial tasting, with fruity hops coming to the forefront in the long finish. Pair it with citrus-forward dishes like salad with citrus vinaigrette, pineapple salsa or fish tacos.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

This is a hazy, golden-colored beer. It has a nice sweet hops flavor that isn't overwhelming. I can taste some of the malts and some of the oats but not much. I notice it has an ABV of 7.1% which is always nice. And it does have a clean finish. I really like this beer.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.