Going Rogue

This is a Rogue Shakespeare Stout. I liked it a lot. This stout had a nice malty taste with a thick dark head and a chocolately nose.

I'm not worthy

This is an Arrogant Bastard Ale. The bottle warns that I'm not worthy and they are probably right. I've had this before and remembered liking it a little better. I wanted a little more hoppy flavor and a sharper finish. Or maybe I just wanted a different beer.

Another mixed drink

This is an Aviation, also at the Violet Hour. A friend recommended this drink and it was very good. It's made with gin and has a citrus flavor. If we had stayed longer, I would have had another.

Mixed drink detour

This is a Juliette and Romeo at the Violet Hour. Although their drink menu says it's made with Beefeater, I had mine with Hendrick's, which I think was a good choice because the drink - and the gin - have cucumber in them. The drink was great but get there before eight unless you want to wait.

Two for one

On the left is the pilsner and on the right is the iron fist pale ale. I think the pale ale is my favorite Revolution beer. Or maybe i like the Englishman Working Mild. Either way, it's a close call and there are other local brews I like better.

Village Green

This is the Village Green English Bitter. I think it was on the cask. I expected it to be, well, a little more bitter.

Downhill slide

I first had a Leinenkugel a few years ago and I thought it was pretty good. Back then, it was still a relatively small independent brewery with limited distribution. Then one of the big boys bought them and I think things have gone down hill since then. A "friend" brought three over for a banana pancake breakfast. He got the better end of the deal!

Lost Abbey

This is a Lost Abbey Serpent's Stout. It has a caramely head with a chocolate malty body. Sometimes Lost Abbey is a little much for me, but I liked this stout. It was a little heavy to have two, but it was a great choice to start.

With a rebel yell!

Another beer from the Revolution Party. I think this was a pilsner style lager but I cannot remember what they told me when I bought it. It is a nice refreshing beer - crisp lager taste and a smooth finish. This was a pleasant surprise. In addition to fitting the theme.

Anchors Away

I have never been a big Anchor Steam fan but I bought the Liberty ale for a revolution themed party. I like this much better than the Anchor Steam. But that's just about all I remember about this beer. Next time I'm at a Giants game (some time after they dump Pat B.), I'll Drink a Liberty in honor of the Phillies!

Great Lakes Burning River

I went to Cleveland last summer to meet some friend's for fourth of July weekend. We were really excited about going to Great Lakes Brewery. Unfortunately, everything in Cleveland was closed for the weekend, except the house where A Christmas Story was filmed. Back to the beer.

A friend brought this over to the house for us to try. It's a smooth pale ale and very drinkable. It has a nice copper color and a crisp finish. I enjoyed this beer but I shouldn't be surprised because I also like Dortmunder Gold and Edmund Fitzgerald.

Hoppiness found

I have heard a lot of good things about Grand Teton Brewing so I thought I'd buy this imperial red ale for a friend and then try to steal a sample. Success! This was a hoppy red ale - not quite as bitter as an IPA, and not as alcohol-y as some imperials. I recommend picking up one if you can find it.

(root) beer

Ok, this is neither an ale nor a lager, but it is made by a local brewery. This is a very good root beer. I think it's my favorite Goose Island beverage.

Iron City

The local beer store stocked this for the Super Bowl. I've had it before and not been impressed, but it fit the theme. I wasn't impressed with the Steelers' performance in the big game. In fact, the Iron City was just a little better than their team.

Trippel

This is a Piece Superfluous Trippel. It's a Belgian style ale brewed with Belgian yeast and candy sugar. It doesn't have a strong nose, but it's sort of strong at 9% abv. It finishes, well, with an after-finish. I think I'm coining a new phrase here. It finishes really quickly and crisply, not real sweet like a trippel usually finishes. Then it sits on your tongue for a while as the Belgian sweetness gathers up for a second, more traditional, trippel finish. Worth a try. 

Rogue!

Dead Guy Ale. Hmmm.  Hoppy and bitter. Pretty good. I'm sure you've had this. 

Snowtastrophe!

In honor of the snowstorm of the decade, so far, here is an IPA called Yellow Snow. This was fantastic. A nice balanced IPA that is hoppy, but not too hoppy. My favorite Rogue. So far.

Bitter

This is a Piece bellend bitter. It smells super hoppy, but it tastes very smooth. It's a session ale and surprisingly pleasing at 4% abv.