Bear Republic Brewing Co. - XP Pale Ale

What: Bear Republic Brewing Co. - XP Pale Ale
Style: American Pale Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $6.99 (22 oz bottle)
Where: Home
When: October 19, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: This is a great beer! I picked this up in Chicago and decided to crack one open while watching the Colts game (disappointing loss). What a smooth carmel-y beer. A great carmel flavor with just enough hop to make it a little bitter (and tasty). When I first pulled it out of the fridge I thought it was a bit over carbonated, but I let it sit for a bit and it really opened up and the carbonation dissipated. There was a bit of sedimet in the bottom of my glass when I had finished it, but it wasn't enough to deter me. Other than the Colts loss, this was a great drinking experience!
Ratebeer Link: http://ratebeer.com/beer/bear-republic-xp-pale-ale/7710/

Left Hand Brewing Company - Warrior IPA

What: Left Hand Brewing Company - Warrior IPA
Style: American IPA
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $5.99 (22 oz. bottle)
Where: Home
When: May 6, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: Before I started this blog I received two beers from Left Hand Brewing Company (Deep Cover and Sawtooth ESB) as part of the Beer of the Month club. I remembered them being pretty good and saw this IPA offering on a stock up trip to the store. This one is what I like out of an IPA - smooth, bitter, and not very sweet. The hop profile isn't very citrus-y, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do tend to prefer more of a citrus hop flavor (i.e. Hopslam). I'll be adding this one to the rotation (assuming I can find six packs). I didn't notice this on the bottle, but evidently this is a wet hopped beer - probably the best one I've had (not that I've had all that many).
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/left-hand-warrior-ipa/18691/

Three Floyd's Brewing Company - Behemoth Barley Wine

What: Three Floyd's Brewing Company - Behemoth Barley Wine
Style: American Barley Wine
Vessel: Tulip Glass
Price: $4.50 (ish - I didn't see a detailed receipt)
Where: Hot Shotz Gastropub
When: May 3, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: I had time to grab a quick lunch, and decided I was close to Hot Shotz, so why not get a good beer with lunch. I had a great burger, and a great beer. I'm normally not a huge barley wine kind of guy, but I enjoyed this one. It didn't have an overpowering alcohol flavor and it was nice. I'd say give it a try. I wasn't going to until Chris, one of the owners, offered me a free taster of it (and a couple of other beers). That's the benefit of getting there before any crowd starts arriving. I really need to add this place into the rotation. They've got great food, beer and service.
Ratebeer Link:http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/three-floyds-behemoth-barleywine/6055/

Brugge Brasserie - Blonde

What: Brugge Brasserie - Blonde
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $4.25
Where: Brugge Brasserie
When: April 20, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: I wrapped up the evening by finishing off a Brugge Blonde. It was also a great beer. Our dining companion had recently been to Brugge for work and hadn't been to the restaurant in Broad Ripple, but after our experience last night, I'm sure we'll be going back for some mussels and beer sometime soon. He's also inspired us to add Brugge to the list of places to visit. I wasn't too sure after seeing the movie, In Bruges, but after his commentary on the city, it's on the list! The movie, by the way, was pretty darn good - a little more disturbing than I expected, but there are some great lines in the movie.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brugge-brasserie-gentlemans-preferred-blonde/51781/

Brugge Brasserie - Black

What: Brugge Brasserie - Black
Style: Belgian Dark Ale
Vessel: Tulip Glass
Price: $4.25
Where: Brugge Brasserie
When: April 20, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: After enjoying a great cigar, we decided to move on to Brugge, in hopes of having a beer and a desert crepe. Unfortunately, we were too late for the crepe, but we were able to fit a few beers in. After starting with the Triple de Ripple (still quite enjoyable), I moved onto the Black. It was pretty solid. I remember it being a bit better the other times I've had it, but it is still worth seeking out and sampling. I would NOT recommend trying to make a "black and tan" with the Black and the Blonde - it's amazing what sounds like a good idea after a few drinks, vs. the reality of what a good idea is. Good thing we only poured about a shot of each into the glass, and not more!
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brugge-brasserie-the-black/55500/

Brouwerij Huyghe - Delirium Tremens

What: Brouwerij Huyghe - Delirium Tremens
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $8.99 (25.4 fl. oz.)
Where: Friend's house
When: April 11, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: After hearing this was the "Best Beer in the World", I had to add it to the list. It was a pretty darn good beer. It had a nice citrus and floral aroma and it really had a nice mouth feel to it. I'd say it's just a step below Triple de Ripple, both because of the flavor and because Triple de Ripple is a local. It's worth a go.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/delirium-tremens/1039/

Lake Placid Craft Brewing Company - Ubu Ale

What: Lake Placid Craft Brewing Company - Ubu Ale
Style: American Strong Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: Gift
Where: Home
When: April 9, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: This is another BOM selection from my awesome wife. I am really surprised at how much I like this beer. It's a little watery, but it's extremely smooth and not overly sweet. It's dark - darker than Newcastle. I can't believe how easy this is to drink. It's not at all what I expected, but I'm very happy with it. If you can get your hands on it give it a whirl, you won't regret it. I don't know why I'm surprised, but this beer, from Lake Placid, along with their IPA have made a pretty darn good impression on me. I think I might be up in that region for a business trip this year. If so, I'll be visiting the brewery.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lake-placid-ubu-ale/15484/

Saint Louis Brewery - Schlafly Pale Ale

What: Saint Louis Brewery - Schlafly Pale Ale
Style: English Pale Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $1.59
Where: Home
When: April 6, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: I vaguely remembered tasting this at AleFest Indy not too long ago, and I remembered it being pretty solid. What I didn't remember was how solid it was. After a disappointing first beer of the evening I decided to go with something I knew. It was a good choice. Nice and smooth, and not overly sweet. Mmmm....this is what beer should be like.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/schlafly-pale-ale/7100/

Bell's Brewery - Two Hearted Ale

What: Bell's Brewery - Two Hearted Ale
Style: American IPA
Vessel: Bottle (no glass offered)
Price: $4.50
Where: D'Vine - A Wine Bar
When: March 26, 2008
Rating: 2
Comments: Met some friends for drinks and a cigar after work. We'll be going on a fishing trip in a few weeks and this was a great preview of what we have in store for us. If the trip is anything like the evening, I expect a lot of immature hazing, drinking and cigar smoking. What more could a guy ask for?!

Even though D'Vine is a wine bar, I was in a beer mood. I've had Two Hearted before, and having enjoyed it, I decided I would order it again, for review purposes. This is another great IPA. It's probably a little more "balanced" than some of my other favorite IPAs. It's a pretty hoppy beer, but the beers I rank as a "1" have a bit more hop flavor than this one. I'm becoming more and more impressed with Bell's - I haven't had any of their beers that I didn't enjoy.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/two-hearted-ale/1502/