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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/580366
www.cheersonline.com 48 • October 2015 easy-drinking lager that will appeal to a wide variety of beer fans. The 12-oz. bottle poured a golden color with a ¼-in. head, and features a sparkling wine- like carbonation effect. With hints of honey and caramel, and a moderate ABV, this lager pairs well with chicken wings. (88) 1554 Black Lager (New Belgium Brewing 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 fl avor with understated dark grain presence. Dark chocolate and a hint of smokiness late. Dryish fi nish 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) 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 fi nish. (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. Flavors of roasted caramel malt, toffee and nuttiness with very subtle hop tones. Very smooth and enjoyable "all-occasions" brew. (87) Hell Helles Lager (Surly Brewing Co., Minneapolis) 4.5% ABV, 20 IBUs. Hell is German for "light," and this beer certainly fi ts that translation. Clocking in at 4.5% ABV and 20 IBUs, this Helles lager is crisp and refreshing, 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) 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, fi zzy, yellow beer your grandpa used to drink. 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. The lower ABV makes this a great alternative when you want a darker beer but are not in the mood for a porter or stout. (84) Longboard Lager (Kona Brewing Co., Kailua-Kona, HI) 4.6% ABV. Golden straw color with light, bready aromas. The clean, crisp malt fl avors and effervescent mouthfeel make this a refreshing beer—easy- going and welcoming for any drinker. Longboard is perfect for a hot day on the beach or backyard barbeque. 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 Baton Rouge, LA Mitch Worley Hy-Vee Springfi eld, IL CHEERS NATIONAL BEER PANEL The Cheers National Beer Panel is comprised of beverage experts from restaurants and wine shops around the country.