Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/565520
www.beveragedynamics.com September/October 2015 • Beverage Dynamics 59 (91) Brawler Lager (Yards Brewing CO., Phil- adelphia, PA.) 4.2%, 12 IBUs. Malt-forward and hopped, for a well-balanced flavor. Hints of caramel and toast. Ruby-colored beer, a true session-able beer. (91) Optimator Doppelbock (Spaten-Fran- ziskaner-Bräu Brewery, Munich, Germany) 7.6% ABV, 25 IBUs. A traditional German dop- pelbock that pours a dark, burnt-amber color. Medium-bodied with flavors of lightly roasted coffee, dates and smoky malts. With just a flash of hops on the finish, Optimator is a very bal- anced and enjoyable German doppelbock. (90) Prima Pils (Victory Brewing Co., Down- ington, PA) 5.3% ABV, 44 IBUs. Pours a clear, golden color, leaving a slight head. Prima Pils is Victory's wonderful example of a German pil- sner with an American twist. This hop-forward Pilsner is crisp, clean and refreshing, with a slightly bitter finish. Perfect for the warm sum- mer months. (90) Craft Lager (Upslope Brewing Co., Boulder, CO.) 4.8% ABV, 15 IBUs. Appearance was to be expected from a lager: a light yel- low tint and consistent head. Very light aroma. The taste is quite smooth, without that bite on the end. The malt and Czech Saaz hops work quite well together. There is no struggle on the tongue that I've experienced with other lagers. A great beer to have when you are thirsting for easy drinking. I can see why this is one of our customers' favorites in this category. (89) Helles Lager (Copper Kettle Brewing Co., Denver, CO) 4.8% ABV, 16 IBUs. A noticeable burnt orange hue as I poured this into the glass. When I had this from the can a few weeks ago, I had no idea it was this dark. This brew has a crisp taste, with a definite German-style yeast overtone. The aroma reminded me of an over- ripe banana or pineapple. Great label. (89) Beer Camp Hoppy Lager (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA) 7% ABV, 55 IBUs. This imperial lager is a rework of last year's Electric Ray, a collaboration with Ballast Point Brewing. Pours a light-golden color with a thin, white head. Hop-driven, finishes with a crisp bite. (89) Buffalo Lager (Flying Bison Brewing Co., Buffalo, NY) 5.2% ABV. A crisp, easy-drinking lager that will appeal to a wide variety of beer fans. The 12-ounce bottle poured a golden color with a ¼-inch head, and features a spar- kling wine-like carbonation effect. With hints of honey and caramel, and a moderate ABV, this lager pairs very well with chicken wings. (88) 1554 Black Lager (New Belgium Brew- ing Co., Fort Collins, CO.) 5.6% ABV. This dark mahogany brew exhibits ruby highlights, and a medium, frothy head. Mildly sweet malt aroma with background nougat and chocolate notes. Straightforward malt flavor with understated dark grain presence. Dark chocolate and a hint of smokiness late. Dryish finish with good length. Excellent balance. Medium-bodied. Very clean and un-complex beer — quite drinkable. This is a dark beer for people who don't like dark beers. (88) Firebrick Lager (Schell's Brewery, New Ulm, MN) 5% ABV. A Vienna-style lager with a rich amber color and a thick, white head. Fla- vors of roasted caramel malt, toffee and nutti- ness with very subtle hop tones. Very smooth and enjoyable 'all-occasions' brew. (88) Aying Jahrhundert Dortmunder Export Lager (Brauerei Brewery, Bavaria, Germany) 5.5% ABV. First brewed for the brewery's 100th anniversary. It pours a golden yellow with a moderate white head. Nice balance of malt and hop bitterness, leading to a crisp finish. (87) Leisure Time Wheat Lager (Jack's Abby Brewing, Framingham, MA) 4.8% ABV, 15 IBUs. Pours slightly cloudy with some sediment. Fruity, spicy and slightly sweet. Leisure Time reminds one of a Belgian witbier. This beer is anything but the simple, fizzy, yellow beer your grandpa used to drink. (87) Hell Helles Lager (Surly Brewing Co., Minneapolis, MN) 4.5% ABV, 20 IBUs. Hell is German for "light," and this beer certainly fits that translation. Clocking in at 4.5% ABV and 20 IBUs, this Helles lager is crisp and refresh- ing, with just the right amount of hop bite and bready pilsner malt. A well-balanced beer that is perfect for warm weather and spicy foods. (87) Brooklyn Lager (Brooklyn Brewery, NY, NY) 5.2% ABV, 33 IBUs. Pours amber, with a quick-forming, persistent head. Nice sweet-barley malts on the nose, as well as some subtle citrus hop notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with sweet malt taste up front, followed by notes of toasted barley, and citrus hops. Well-balanced, and simple. THREE STARS (86) Old Scratch Amber Lager (Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD) ABV 5.5% 19.5 IBUs. Pours clear and amber, with a nice head. Toasted malt, and bread on the nose. On the palate, light and refreshing toasted malt followed by a light sweetness. Very smooth, no bite at all. A very simple amber lager (86) Kostritzer Schwarzbier (Kostritzer Brewery, Germany) 4.8% ABV. Pours black with a thin, brown head. Malty aromas give way to a clean, balanced, malt-driven body. Low ABV makes this a great alternative when you want a darker beer but are not in the mood for a porter or stout. BD Matt Bardill Total Wine & More Potomac, MD Jeremy Bigelow Hy-Vee Bloomington, IL Nathan Burcham Hobart, IN James Campbell Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits Annapolis, MD Adam Carlson Gardina's Wine Bar & Café Oshkosh, WI Christopher Ciskey Yankee Wine Newtown, CT Jon Davidson Midwest Manager St. Killian Importing Zachariah Gaddis Staples Corner Liquors Crofton, MD Nick Guy Holiday Wine Cellars Escondido, CA Travis Harvey Young's Market Waipahu, HI John Hutton Cordially Yours Depew, NY Scott Marshall West End Outdoors Athens, AL Lisa Morrison Belmont Station Portland, OR Ed Mulvihill Peco's Liquors Wilmington, DE Derek Ridge Hazel's Beverage World Boulder, CO Greg Rixen Happy Harry's Bottle Shops Grand Forks, ND Nathan Robinette The Casual Pint Knoxville, TN Anthony Strange BevMo! California Jennifer Tague Liquid Assets, LLC Baton Rouge, LA Mitch Worley Hy-Vee Springfield, IL THE BEVERAGE DYNAMICS NATIONAL BEER PANEL