Monthly Beer Review and Rating - May 2008

At Home:
Southern Tier - IPA
A solidly good IPA. A little off balance for me.

My Rating: The glass is half full

Great Lakes - Moondog ESB
A very good beer, but not excellent.
You really can't go wrong with any
beer from Great Lakes Brewery.

My Rating: The glass is half full
















New Belgium - Springboard Ale
This is indeed a good beer for Spring and Summer,
but the unusual ingredients of wormwood, lycium, schisandra,
and 2% ale aged in oak barrels just didn't work together that well
to taste that good to me. It was interesting to try, but I will likely
not want it again.

My Rating: The glass is half empty

Founders - Centennial IPA
This is one of the best IPA's that I have ever had. Awesome.
My Rating: The glass is full
















Lagunitas - Lucky 13
A great beer and a great deal ($5).
My Rating: The glass is full

On Tap:
at Poor Phil's in Oak Park, Illinois

1. Two Brothers Bare Tree Barley Weiss - first time having this, I really enjoyed it - My Rating: The glass is full
2. North Coast Red Seal Ale - one of my favorite overall great ales - My Rating: The glass is full
3. New Holland Existential - intense and strong, and I like hoppy beers, but doesn't taste very good overall, as it is very off balance to me - My Rating: The glass is half empty

at Small Bar, Avondale/Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois

1. Lagunitas IPA - My Rating: The glass is half full
2. Victory Prima Pils - My Rating: The glass is half full

at The Hopleaf, Andersonville, Chicago, Illinois

1. Surly Bender - My Rating: The glass is full
2. Founders Red's Rye - another awesome one from Founders - My Rating: The glass is full