Beer Reviews (Lagers and Wheat Beers)

In this section you will find reviews of lagers and wheat beers.  On this page you will find a running tab of the beers that have been reviewed, with a brief description of each beer and its rating.  You can access the full review of each beer by clicking on its name.

My rating scale is: 10 = perfection, 9 = excellent, one of the top beers in the world, 8 = very good, one of the top beers in its style category, 7 = good, a solid beer I’m happy to be drinking, 6 = average, not bad but not something I’m likely to buy again, 5 = below average, 3-4 = poor, should be avoided, 1-2 drainpour.

Skull Session Crimson Lager (Land Grant) Rating = 7  An Oktoberfest-like crimson colored lager that features bread and toffee flavored malts and finishes with spicy German hops.

Pool Party Pilsner (Land Grant) Rating = 7.5  A distinctive pilsner malt profile leads the way, complimented by Germanesque Southern Hemisphere hops Summer and Wakatu.

Samichlaus (Schloss Eggenberg) Rating = 9.0  Summary: The world’s strongest lager this behemoth of a beer (14% abv), brewed on St. Nicholas day and named after Santa Claus, is an elegant sipper akin to an English Barleywine.

Pixelated Sun (Sideswipe) Rating = 8.0  Summary: A hoppy American wheat ale that combines the aroma and flavor of Citra hops with the subtle lemony flavors and smooth mouthfeel of a wheat beer.  A highly refreshing summer seasonal.

Paw Paw Wheat (Jackie O’s) Rating = 7.0  Summary: This is Belgian-like ale that features mango like flavors from Ohio grown paw paw fruits.  Don’t be fooled by the name though, this is not your little sisters easy drinking fruit beer, it has a thick, coating mouthfeel and clocks in at 9% abv.

Decadence 2013 (Alesmith) Rating = 8.5  Summary: A barrel-aged German Doppelbock with rich caramel flavors from the barrel, vanilla highlights, and the expected dark fruit flavors of a Doppelbock in the background.  An aptly named rich, decadent treat this is probably the best Doppelbock I’ve yet to encounter.

Piercing Pils (Dogfish Head) Rating = 7.0   Summary: Dogfish Head goes against convention once again releasing a Czech Pilsner as their winter seasonal.  This beer is made with pear juice and white pear tea.

Jabby Brau (Jack’s Abby) Rating = 6.0   Summary: The aroma is crisp biscuit-like malts, slightly sweet with just a hint of fruit in the background.  Overall I think this beer is done very well for what it is, but in the end it is a refined version of the ubiquitous American lager.

Kiwi Rising (Jack’s Abby) Rating = 4.0   Summary: A double india pale lager from Massachusetts that is a showcase for New Zealand hops.  The problem is that the hops used in this beer taste more like onions, garlic and juniper than kiwis and oranges.  If you like NZ hops this may be a beer for you, but I couldn’t get past the odd taste/smell.

Gumballhead (Three Floyds) Rating = 8.0   Summary: A hoppy American wheat ale made with Red Wheat and Amarillo hops.  The hops add aroma and flavor and the wheat takes the bitterness out and gives a full body.  If you ever come across this beer don’t pass it by.

A Little Sumpin Sumpin Ale (Lagunitas) Rating = 5.0   Summary: An ale made with 50% wheat malt and lots of piney American hops.  Worth a try if you like pine-leaning IPAs, but the flavor combination doesn’t work for me.