Another day, another IPA.  Another good IPA to boot.   BridgePort Brewing Co.’s IPA is right what I expect from a traditional IPA.  Pine scents, citrus flavor, not much sweetness to speak of, and a nice strong bitter finish.

Founder’s Brewing has hit the nail on the head with Centennial IPA.  It’s extremely well balanced in all aspects.   It’s 7.2% ABV, nicely between the lightweights and the big IPA, a light-to-medium weight on the tongue, earthly pine scents on the nose, a sweet citrus-laden middle, and the signature bitter hop finish of an IPA.   An excellent IPA.

I give it a 4.6 out of 5.

Kalamazoo Stout by Bell’s Brewery is a nice, heavy bodied stout that though it has a distinct chocolate flavor, isn’t particularly sweet, which I appreciate.  Hints of coffee also keep this brew slightly on the bitter side.  A nice stout.

I give it a 4.25 out of 5.

Table Rock by the Olde Hickory Brewery is a nice pale ale, with a bit more flavor than I usually expect to find in a pale ale.  It’s well balanced, but not subdued at all.   It’s got pine on the nose, a lively fruity sweetness in the middle that’s offset by some seriously bitter hops in the finish.  This is a fun, tasty beer.

I give it a 4 out of 5.

OMB Copper is an amber ale from The Olde Mecklenberg Brewery right here in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It’s dark, for an amber ale.  Way on the copper side of amber for sure.  The nose picks up nutty malty scents, and flavor is balanced and mild.  It’s a medium bodied, very smooth and easy drinking ale, though the mildness makes it a touch boring, in my mind.   All in all though, a great beer worth drinking regularly.

I give it a 4.25 out of 5.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is a fantastic example of a barleywine ale.  The thick head in the picture is more a result of a careless pour than the beer.  Toasty caramel notes in the nose, and a full-body with a flavor that’s strong and evenly balanced between the malts and the hops.   This is an excellent beer.

Mighty Arrow is New Belgium Brewing’s spring seasonal and I recently snagged a six pack.  It’s a solid pale ale, hoppy, and not overly-bitter.  It is a little lighter than I was expecting, almost more of a summer brew.   A fine, if unremarkable beer, it’s one I could drink over and over.

I give it a 3.75 out of 5.

Another day, another canned brew from Oskar Blues Brewery, and today it’s a big IPA.  It’s a big beer at 10%, and full bodied, with a good balance of sweetness vs. bitterness.  The hops didn’t seem to have the complexity or richness that I’d expect from the hops in a top tier Double IPA like a Dogfish Head or a Stone, but it’s definitely a nice beer.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Old Chub is a thick, dark, heavy Scotch ale from Oskar Blues Brewery, the same fine folks who make Dale’s Pale Ale.   Old Chub is characterized by dark, sweet malts and a medium to full body.   I have to be honest, it’s not really to my taste.  If you’re a fan of very malty beers, this one might be right up your alley.

I give it a 2.5 out of 5, and that’s really due to it not being my cup of tea rather than the quality of the beer.

To describe this IPA from Bell’s Brewery in one word, the word would have to be bitter.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love bitter, hoppy IPAs, but this one is a bit heavy on the bitter, and light on the hops and flavor.  It’s a bit of a one note tune.  I certainly enjoy it, but it just isn’t complex, flavorful, or interesting enough to be one of the greats.

I give it a 3.9 out of 5.