Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Latest Reviews

Explore The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's database of most recent beer and cider reviews as evaluated by our panel of judges in the Official Review.

Fancy Lawnmower

saint arnold fancy lawnmower beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Touted as “Texas’ Oldest Craft Brewery,” St. Arnolds continues to produce a respectable lineup of characterful beers in Houston including Fancy Lawnmower. Crisp and refreshing, Fancy Lawnmower won the 2010 Great American Beer Festival’s gold... Read More

Ommegang Witte

Witte Brewery Ommegang
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Located where a hop farm once produced the annual harvest, Brewery Ommegang brews a very limited range of Belgian-style beers, preferring to focus on quality over quantity, traditional ingredients and brewing methods.

Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

The waves of clove, ripe banana, and sweet tangerine aromas wafting from the glass of Schneider Weisse Original promise great things within. This brew from the producers of acclaimed Bavarian weissbiers impressed Pete with its luscious banana and... Read More

Wit

Brouwerij Bernardus Wit
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

A recent addition to the brewery’s lineup, the St. Bernardus Witbier is a wonderful example of a style that nearly went extinct. Developed in cooperation with Pierre Celis, who almost single-handedly resurrected witbier, the St.

Sorachi Ace

Sorachi Ace Brooklyn Beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
98
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Experimenting with the recently developed Japanese Sorachi Ace hop, Brooklyn Brewery delivers in a big way with its beer of the same name.

Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
76
Aroma:
19 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

The fourth and final entrant from the Class of 1996 in this issue, Flying Fish has grown from humble beginnings to become the “largest craft brewery in New Jersey.” The brewery produces a number of quality ales and has a dedicated following in... Read More

Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
86
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Firmly straddling the line between Old World classicism and New World swagger, Jolly Pumpkin produces quirky, hugely flavorful beers, providing drinkers with an updated take on the more rustic “farmhouse” brewing tradition.

Bender

Surly Bender Beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
87
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Canned beer continues to carve out an increasingly sizeable niche in the American craft beer market, and Surly Brewing’s brown ale, Bender, stands shoulder to shoulder with the best and brightest.

Pride & Joy

3 Floyds Pride & Joy
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

One of four breweries in this review from the now-legendary Class of 1996, Three Floyds has become an Indiana institution, providing monstrously flavorful beers to a thirsty (and rapidly expanding) fan base.

California Kölsch

California Kolsch Ballast Point Beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

From their humble beginnings in the back of a San Diego homebrewing supply shop, the folks at Ballast Point have built a true beer juggernaut, knocking out superlative brews across a broad range of styles.

Double Chocolate Stout

Young's Double Chocolate Stout Beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

A perennial British brewing powerhouse, Wells & Young’s enjoys worldwide acclaim for their flagship ales. Lesser known than their bitters, yet nonetheless a fine beer, Double Chocolate Stout continues to garner accolades.

Brawler

Brawler
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

With an eye toward sustainable brewing and boasting a 100 percent wind-powered brewery, Philadelphia’s Yards Brewing has been producing standout ales since 1994. Brawler is brewed broadly in the mild style, and though it weighs in at only 4.2... Read More

Session Black Lager

Session Black Lager
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Although not a wildly popular style, American dark lager is starting to build a following, and Full Sail Brewing’s Session Black Lager is a stellar example.

Reissdorf Kölsch

Reissdorf Kölsch

Reissdorf Kölsch bier beer
Description 

Very light color, slightly malty, fairly soft palate, dry finish. The Kölsch is fermented with an ale yeast, but matured at cooler "lagering" temperatures to produce an ale's fruity complexity with a lager's crispness.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.8%
IBUs: 
27
Served at: 
40 - 45° F

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

One of 24 Köln-based signatories to the Kölsch Convention, Reissdorf produces their flagship beer in strict compliance with the tenets of the Convention as well as the Reinheitsgebot.

Cutthroat Porter

Cutthroat Porter Odell Brewing Beer
Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Now in their third decade of operation, Odell is still churning out well-crafted, highly individualistic brews for an ever-growing legion of fans. Their Cutthroat Porter is a dark and enticing brew, imbued with aromas redolent of cocoa, luscious... Read More

Hofbräu Dunkel Beer

Hofbräu Dunkel Beer

Hofbräu Dunkel Beer
Description 

Dark beer existed in Bavaria long before light beer. This was the first type of beer to be brewed at Hofbräuhaus when it was founded. Today, when beer-lovers all over the world talk about dark beer, they usually mean a Munich style dark beer.

Today, Hofbräu Dunkel – the archetypal Bavarian beer – is still as popular as ever. With an alcohol content of around 5.5% by volume and a subtle spicy and rich flavor, this is a refreshing beer that suits all kinds of occasions. A beer in the traditional Munich style!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%
Served at: 
45 - 50° F

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Reviewed by: BC Review
Judges Rating:
97
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

The venerated Hofbräuhaus invariably comes up in any discussion concerning “classic” or “epic” breweries, and their sublime Münchner Dunkel most certainly contributes to the reverence in which beer aficionados hold the brewery.

Pages

Partner Sponsor - Official Review