Budweiser Copper Lager

6.2% ABV
Beer Advocate - 3.45/5
Untappd - 3.19/5

1B. American Lager: A very pale, highly-carbonated, light-bodied, well-attenuated lager with a very neutral flavor profile and low bitterness. Served very cold, it can be a very refreshing and thirst quenching drink.

Purchased at Safeway (but really any grocery)

Sooooo, I broke a rule that I set for myself. The rule states "I will not buy any "beer" that is owned by any of the major companies or has sold to them in any capacity." Believe me, it is very hard to uphold this rule especially since my favorite (ex-fave now) brewery in the Lane County area went down this path about 4 years ago. But I broke this rule for family. It was suggested by the Missus's uncle that I try this particular beverage. He swore by it and said that I wouldn't regret it...he even begged me to do it (I can't actually remember how the conversation went but I imagine it was something like this). So here we are, almost an entire year later and I finally succumbed. I hope you're happy Teddy, I hope you are happy. On to the review!

Aroma: Not much going on here. A little malty and a tad of spice. Overall, it's fairly bland.   5

Appearance:  This concoction has little to no head and minimal lacing. I do like the color of it though. It's a beautifully clear copper color.   8

Flavor: Tastes like a Bud Lager with a little bit of whiskey added to it...maybe enough to bring it up to 6.2% ABV? Probably not. I was a hoping for a little more in this category.  5

Mouthfeel: It gave my mouth a weird sensation...like I hadn't drank anything after I took a sip. I also thought it needed more carbonation.   5

Overall: I must admit, I didn't hate it. Not a ringing endorsement is it? It's a little dangerous 'cause you might be thirsty and need some water and accidentally pick this up and don't realize it's alcoholic. I mean, 6.2% ABV can mess you up if you aren't expecting it. The label touted some really nice flavoids to expect from the Copper but mostly, it just tasted like regular Budweiser to me...which is the main reason I started drinking craft in the first place...the color of it is really nice though...   5.75


Matt's mark: 2.88/5

Ommegang Brewery's King in the North Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Game of Thrones Royal Reserve Collection

11% ABV
Beer Advocate score - 4.05/5
Untappd score 3.94/5

20C. Imperial Stout

An intensely-flavored, big, dark ale with a wide range of flavor balances and regional interpretations. Roasty-burnt malt with deep dark or dried fruit flavors, and a warming, bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors, the components need to meld together to create a complex, harmonious beer, not a hot mess.

Found at Market of Choice

If I need to explain why I chose this brew for this week's review, you're obviously not a Game of Thrones fan. I know I am not alone in imbibing this treat for the premiere of the last season. That is all. Now on to the review!

Aroma:  First whiff of this one and I knew it was going to be good. Mainly Bourbon and vanilla up front. Rounded out with chocolate and coffee. Salivation occurs instantly.  9

Appearance:   It's not tar black. More of a really deep dark coffee color with red hues to it. Very pretty. Has a thick tan head to go along with it.  8

Flavor:  I feel like this is exactly the same as the aroma. Bourbon and vanilla up front with chocolate and coffee afterwards. The boozy bourbon floats back in at the end. Stellar.  9

Mouthfeel:  Thick, coats the tongue. Does have a nice creaminess.  8

Overall:   I must be kin with the King of the North 'cause it feels like Ommegang made this for me. I just love a big boozy imperial stout and this one does not disappoint. If I had one complaint, just a tad too sweet. Not cloyingly sweet, so it does not detract from the brew that much...if at all. A great companion (along with the Missus) for the premiere of the final season of GoT (which, of course, we immediately watched again as soon as it ended). 8.5


Matt's mark: 4.25/5

To Øl Goliat Maple Beacon Edition

10.2% ABV
Beer Advocate - 3.78/5
Untappd - 3.93/5


220C. Imperial Stout

An intensely-flavored, big, dark ale with a wide range of flavor balances and regional interpretations. Roasty-burnt malt with deep dark or dried fruit flavors, and a warming, bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors, the components need to meld together to create a complex, harmonious beer, not a hot mess.

Purchased at Market of Choice

So, ok, I originally selected this brew because I thought the label said Maple Bacon...it doesn't. It actually reads Maple Beacon...and I have no idea what this means. Whatever, it's an imperial stout that rested on bourbon oak chips. It has to be good, right? On to the review!

Aroma:  On my first whiff, I detect a little smoke. Behind it is a sweet burnt sugar (maybe maple?) and an earthy wood aroma. Finishes off with a faint coffee and chocolate teaser.  8

Appearance:   Black. Tar black, with a nice thick tan head that lasts for a very long time. Great lacing.  9

Flavor:  A touch of smoke up front. Dives in to some coffee bitterness that parlays into some chocolate undertones. Smooths out to a sweet burnt sugar and some earthiness on the back end. Very little bourbon but it is detectable if you try hard enough.  8

Mouthfeel:  Heavy, thick, oily. Coats the mouth and leaves you tasting the brew well after each sip.  8

Overall:  After my initial disappointment of realizing there is no bacon in this brew, I was definitely satisfied with the quality of it. In other words, the disappointment didn't last long after the first sip. To Øl does a nice job mingling different, distinct flavors into this bottle of smoky imperial heaviness. None of which are overpowering. This is a definite must try if you come across it.  8.25


Matt's mark: 4.13/5

Monkless Belgian Ales Dubbel or Nothing

Belgian-Style Dubbel Ale

7.2% ABV 23 IBU's
Beer Advocate - 3.79/5
Untappd - 3.78/5


26B. Belgian Dubbel

A deep reddish-copper, moderately strong, malty, complex Trappist ale with rich malty flavors, dark or dried fruit esters, and light alcohol blended together in a malty presentation that still finishes fairly dry.

Purchased at Market of Choice

Believe it or not, but this is the first time I've had anything from Monkless. Many people in the know (beer snobs, which I include myself now) have recommended them to me countless times. I would see a bottle of their brew and get distracted by a barrel aged brew every time. Can you blame me? I mean, really, can you? But finally! A Monkless brew to review. On to it then.

Aroma: It has a mild spicy floral with hint of citrus in the aroma to my nose, which, admittedly, deceives me this time of the year. Too many flowery things growing outside. The missus says there is the tiniest hint of coffee but I didn't detect it myself.    7

Appearance:  A nice darker amber color but is not a clean beer with a little haze. It has a good head at least an inch thick (probably thicker) that slowly dissipates. Decent amount of lacing.  7

Flavor: Nice malty backbone. Has a bit of raisin (where the hell did I get citrus from?) and some caramel character. Finishes off with some toast. Well rounded flavors. The bottle does say hints of chocolate but I call shenanigans on that.   8

Mouthfeel: A nice dry finish with the right amount of carbonation for the style. Leaves me wanting more on each sip...I like that.  8

Overall: Well, the beer snobs were not wrong, Monkless makes a solid Dubbel. It doesn't blow you away by any means but I don't think that is what they are going for. It is a nice, consistent brew trying to adhere to the style guidelines... to which Monkless did an impressive job. I would drink this anytime, anywhere.  7.5

Matt's mark: 3.75/5