Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Wolaver's India Pale Ale

Wolaver's India Pale Ale
Otter Creek Brewing Company got me. Never buy two sixpacks by same company at one time. Didn't realize they made Wolaver's beers until I got to car and looked at beer caps. The beer? Hops understated. Accompanying flavors lacking. Scent vague. Musty and indistinct. Not good enough.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Cricket Hill Brewing Company American Ale

Cricket Hill American Ale
In color, it is almost a brown ale. Not a very appealing scent. Malts are the element that jumps out most. Hops are there, but not a very good balance. There's not much in the way of supporting flavors here. It's a straightforward beer and not an exceptional one.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Old Forge Brewing Company Endless Summer Ale

Old Forge Endless Summer Ale
Bought this beer because I was attracted by the canned sixpack of 16-ounce pounders. A little bit of wheat taste. Little bit of hops. Little bit of an aftertaste. Basically, it has a little bit of flavor, period. Very disappointing purchase. Not much better than big-box light beers.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Viven Imperial IPA

Viven Imperial IPA
Had this beer at TJ's the other night as well. Was one of two double IPAs I tried that night. Other one was a bit better. That being said, I don't remember the name of the superior one. This was still good though. Try it if you get a chance!
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project Jack D'Or

Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project Jack D'Or
The Audubon Ale House has a pretty decent beer selection. Still, I was constantly intrigued when I would approach their freezer case and see the cool label art of this Massachusetts Saison. Lemony scent. Slightly bitter mouthfeel. Golden color. Effervescent head. Bit of a lingering aftertaste. Overall, quite fine.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stillwater Stateside Saison

Stillwater Stateside Saison
Been a while since I tried this beer at TJ's. All I remember is I really liked it. And that I wished it had come in a bigger glass. And that it made me want to drink more beer from Stillwater. And that I forgot to take notes.
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Growler Wars: Free Will vs. Long Trail

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

Free Will Brewing Company 7 Course Red
I first had this beer at Chap's Taproom in Norristown (will do separate blog later) and, quite frankly, was blown away. It's got a reddish color. Almost brown. The malts shoot up the nose quickly as its brought up for the first sip. There's a dry, piney flavor that gives the beer an extra bit of character. Despite the full, complex flavors, it's smoothly textured. Smoky and almost stoutish, the beer just does not seem like the work of two guys from Perkasie. This is seasoned-veteran beer. A truly delicious specimen.

Long Trail Brewing Company Double IPA
Let's get the intangibles out of the way: It's a little bit of a cloudy golden color. The beer remains bubbly despite a ten-minute interval spent sipping the Free Will joint. Lively, full head. The scent is spectacular. Vibrant. Fruity. Citrusy. Floral. Truly one of the best aromas I've ever experienced in a beer. There is a very nice balance of hops and orangey flavor. Almost feels like a little bit of strawberry in the finish. If I were to have one complaint (and it would be nit-picky), I would say that it seems a tad bit light for a double IPA. Another application of hops and this beer might be completely next-level. While I have had a mixed experience with Long Trail, this is a completely legit IPA.

The Winner
Make no mistake about it: These are two exceptional beers. However, as a winner, I have to go with Free Will. The only (and I mean, only) reason I am going with Free Will is I don't believe Long Trail quite meets the grade of a double IPA. The hops are a little subtle for that genre of beer. So I am going to downgrade it slightly for not quite meeting its stated objective. While I believe 7 Course Red is the slightly better beer, the truth is, if you should see either of these beers on a tap near you, you should go ahead and make a purchase.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's IPA

Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's IPA
When I drank this, I wasn't taking notes. It was directly after a viewing. And the Sixers game where they closed out the Chicago Bulls was playing. Needless to say, I was distracted. I remember it being extremely hoppy. And slightly better than Russian River Damnation. That's saying something, right?
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Russian River Damnation

Russian River Damnation
Spy 12-ouncers of this in stores for $8. Saw it on tap at Philadelphia's St. Stephen's Green. Had to try it. It's a very good beer. But it's not worth $8 retail for a short bottle. For that, it would have to be UNPARALLELED! Maybe come with an E pill?
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lavery Liopard Oir Farmhouse Ale

Lavery Liopard Oir Farmhouse Ale
When I go to Wegman's, I'm allowed two sixers and a 22-ouncer due to their Draconian regulations (I'm sure the rules are created by some idiotic entity). This week, chose this Erie, Pa. beer for big bottle. Was really rooting for it. But there were no elements of note.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Flying Dog Woody Creek Belgian Style White

Flying Dog Woody Creek Belgian Style White
After having a bust of a wheat in Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen, it is nice to have a white that makes you believe in the lighter ales. This beer by the quietly great Maryland brewery is a gorgeous, effervescent clear color. The orange notes and Belgian spices combine perfectly. Total class.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen

Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen
Not good. There's slight lemony aroma. Cloudy color is unattractive. Flavor doesn't pops. Hints of citrus and pepper, but really bland. In attempt to get flavor out, I did a little wine mouth-swish thing. Almost choked. Heard Portland beer was on the come, but this one was wack.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Ithaca Pale Ale

Ithaca Pale Ale
First thing that scared me about this beer was the pour. The head had disappeared from the top of the glass about 3.2 seconds after the thing was full. Very average beer. Malty scent. Little bit of orange, little bit of caramel. Copper color. Nothing really offensive, nothing particularly wonderful.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Goose Island India Pale Ale

Goose Island India Pale Ale
This one ranks as a major improvement over the previously sampled Honker's Ale. It has a powerful citrus scent, a pleasant color that falls between golden and amber, and a spikey hop flavor that really pops. Also features a smooth texture that makes it go down easy as session beer.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
This is, quite simply, an awesome beer by one of the nation's most underrated craft beermakers. Made in Colorado, the beverage features vibrant hop flavor, serious citrus kick, low-level strawberry notes, pungent, flowery scent, and dry texture that sticks around after consumption. Packs major punch at 10% ABV.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Magic Hat Elder Betty

Magic Hat Elder Betty
Another loser for Magic Hat, a high-profile brewery that I believe makes more bad beers than good. Main attraction is elderberry. Fruity for my taste. Don't know what elderberry is. Must be similar to honeydew. That's what this beer tastes like. A honeydew beer. As bad as it sounds.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Goose Island Honkers Ale

Goose Island Honker's Ale
I've had a few English bitter-style beers. They never really appeal. The version by this Chicago-based brewery is no exception. There's a little pop if you really focus, but the malts are too subtle. Have to chalk it up to the genre. Too understated. Always seems flat.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale
First thing about this beer: coloring is brown for a "pale" ale. Then the aroma. Nails you right in the nostrils as you lift to lips. The sip? Cracks you with IPA-level hops yet goes down nice and smooth. Elite beer. Underrated brewery. Bonus: Wonderfully quirky bottle art.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Williamsburg Alewerks Wheat Ale

Williamsburg Alewerks Wheat Ale
Disappointing offering from brewery that had produced two decent hoppy bottles previous. Not much flavor. What little it has sticks around in form of a nasty aftertaste. Cloudy yellow color. Nonexistent scent. Plenty of wheat flavor (if you can call it that), but nothing there to serve as complement. Avoid.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Leffe Blonde

Leffe Blonde
Like a trip in a time machine: Was one of my first steps toward craft beer many years back. Pours thick, creamy head and features a spicy yet slightly stale aroma. Belgian notes and citrus are strong. Was prepared to write off due to palette expansion, but it holds up.
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