Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat

Brewed by: The Boston Beer Company
Brewed at: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Type: flavored wheat beer
A/V 5.3%

First Impression
Sam Adams makes some of the finest beers I've had, and their labels look as one might expect of a big successful "micro" brewery hailing from the you-ess-of-eh. Which is to say with respect to the aforementioned, favorable in both instances.

First Sip
The cherry aspect of this beer reminds me of cherry Kool-Aid. Not exactly "real". But the beer is somehow not awful.

Halfway
Even though the "cherries" are too sweet and one-dimensional Sam has prepared a beer that is quite drinkable. Cold and refreshing, this probably has a time and a place where it might even be enjoyable.

Bottoms Up
I've got it! Summertime barbecues, picnics, that sort of thing. Save Cherry Wheat for seasonal out of doors type occasions. It might even find favor with the non-beer drinkers from whose company you have yet to permanently extricate yourself.
Not my wheelhouse. But not godawful.

66/100

Cameron's Auburn Ale

Brewed by: Cameron's Brewing Company
Brewed at: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Type: Ale
A/V 5%

First Impression
Even though the design looks just like every other Cameron's beer bottle I find this one to be very attractive. Metallic copper, gold, and pale yellow it seems to work really well as a whole. It really looks delicious! Nice deep brown liquid, just a hint of red and very little head.

First Sip
It smells fantastic! A bouquet of nice and toasty malts. But crisp, clean, citrusy hops on the tongue!

Halfway
It's a sandwich beer! With all the malts and toastiness on the nose followed by fresh bold hops and just a little bitter, the back palate malty character is just as good as the rest of it!

Bottoms up
A vigorous start has sort of fizzled. Sadly. It's a decent beer but it doesn't have a heck of a lot going on from start to finish.
Uniquely this beer gets less interesting as it warms up. Where a rising temperature tends to unlock different flavors in beer, this one doesn't let any secrets out, it just gets warmer... and tastes the same.

64/100

Ellies Brown Ale

Brewed by: Avery Brewing Company
Brewed at: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Type: Brown Ale
A/V 5.5%

First Impression
A really picturesque chocolate Lab dominates this handsome sticker. Gives me a feeling of confidence.

First Sip
A typical nice nutty, malty brown ale. It looks darker than it tastes. Not horrible at all.

Halfway
Ellie must've been a great dog, this is a lovely, friendly, tail-wagging ale.

Bottoms Up
Good. It won't drool on your hand and it won't collect you slippers for you. But it's good drinking. And it won't pee in your rug, but you might, so apply moderation.

79/100

Heavy Seas Märzen

Brewed by: Clipper City Brewing Company
Brewed at: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Type: Märzen
A/V anyone's guess

First Impression
A little hokey. I haven't wanted to be a pirate since I was six. However I've never heard of Märzen and we both know I'm a sucker for something new.

First Sip
Not bad! Mild, malty, easily drinker. Not even remotely making me think of pirates.

Halfway
This should be good with sandwiches or barbecued ribs or all on its own.

Bottoms Up
Despite the overly cheezy label this is a nice honest middle of the road sort of thing. Most will drink it with little distain.

75/100

Blueberry Ale

Brewed by: Blue Point Brewing Company
Brewed at: Patchogue, NY & Rochester, NY, USA
Type: Novelty Ale
A/V 4.6%

First Impression
Could it look more micro? Old Westy lettering, "Barkeep, whiskey for my men, water for my horses and a Blueberry Ale for me!" Somehow I think not...

First Sip
Very blueberry to smell! Clear, light amber, bond white head. Refreshing!

Halfway
Even though it's the dead of winter (-17 Celsius outside) this beer makes me think of sitting on a dock at a cottage catching bass.

Bottoms Up
Subtle, but definitely a good summertime grass cutter or cottage beer. Not heavy and a friend to many.

77/100

Wellington Special Pale Ale

Brewed by: Wellington County Brewery Inc.
Brewed at: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Type: Pale Ale
A/V 4.5%

First impression
I like Wellys current can motif. Simple, a little cartoony but really gives an impression of quality. The beer looks like a gold standard pale ale; medium deep amber. Disappointingly watery head though.

First Sip
Ugh. There is something of a local quality that I've noticed in several beers from this little corner of Ontario, it's a sort of grainy almost breadlike connotation. I don't know if it's an over enthusiasm with malts or what but I'm not a fan. Not a good Pale Ale in my estimation.

Halfway
Nearly entirely flat. Each sip is just like the last. There is definitely something going on with the malts in this beer that I am not happy about. Don't get me wrong, I love malt. I love beers made with abundant malt. Check out my posts on some of the English ales. Malt is the brewers friend. But there are a smattering of beers brewed in the Guelph - Waterloo area that share this peculiar flavor which for me is not enjoyable. Maybe it's a local grain or something that creates the specific quality I'm speaking of.

Bottoms Up
To be fair this odd taste must appeal to or go unnoticed by legions of beer drinkers as I've encountered it with some of the most popular micros local to this area. So maybe it's me. In any case this is my blog. If you don't like my opinion write your own blog. It's free. And if you do let me know. I read other people's beer blogs. And find myself disappointed with those too. Maybe I should write a blog about beer blogs...

48/100

Doppel Pils

Brewed by: Mill Street Brewery
Brewed at: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Type: Czech-style Lager
A/V 7%

First Impression
A new-school/old-school label, Mill Street has had some fun with labeling lately and they tend not to disappoint with the vessel interior either. Looks like lotsa hops to be had with the Doppel Pils, so this should be good!

First Sip
Lovely golden colour. A subtly citrusy nose and a really nice, soft, curvy sort of hop on the tongue.

Halfway
Surprising drinkability for a big ole pile of steeped hop buds! For fans of hops this is an interesting beer. It is hoppy for sure but it is hoppy without the typical clout of a heavy hopped beer.

Bottoms Up
This is once again a well crafted beer from the brewers of Mill Street in Toronto. They've managed; to as great an extent as I've experienced, to load up the hops without getting crazy. Either through careful selection of some pretty special hops or by artfully and precisely folding the hops into the brew or both carefully selecting and masterfully brewing the whole orchestra they've accomplished a beer of distinction. The finer qualities of the brewers bud have been revealed in as polite a fashion as is likely possible. As a fan of atomic hopping of beer to the point that the bitterness is nearly painful I must admit this could easily make a daily refreshment in my home. My recommendation: buy some, chill it and drink it. It's pretty darned good.

89/100