I consider myself a huge fan of stout beers. Seeing a few being brewed in Iowa really puts a smile on face. With that being said I was pretty excited to try Hub City’s Oatmeal Stout out of Stanley, Iowa. Upon pouring this beer it looked like a good stout, smelled like a good stout, and tasted like a………………………..metallic, chalky, stout. Not impressed at all with it. I’ve had a few times since then, along with a few more brews from Hub City, and come away shaking my head. I really want to enjoy them, but it just doesn’t happen.

Style: Stout

ABV: 5.8%

Purchased at: Hy-Vee

REVIEW
Pour: Dark black pour with a nice tan head.
Aroma: Coffee and chocolate aromas.
Taste: Metallic, chalky, not what I was looking for.
Overall: D

Eastern Iowa Residents: Available pretty much anywhere in Eastern Iowa, but pick another stout to go with.

Damn you Anheuser Busch, damn you for buying out Goose Island and now making hard for me to want to buy any Goose Island products because you are now running the show. As much as Goose Island’s products are very drinkable, I will continue to fight the good fight and refuse to buy any product from AB-InBev………………………however………………. this bottle of Sofie sure is tasting pretty damn good right now. So many complex flavors are in this wonderful brew making a very enjoyable beer overall. I was introduced to this brew by my brother, Meat, at the 4th annual BeerBaron Family Beer Tasting, and I thought it should have been a definite top 2 beer…… Okay, Sofie is one beer I will continue to buy from Goose Island BUT THAT’S IT!!!

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.5%

Purchased at: John’s Grocery; Iowa City, IA

REVIEW
Pour: Cloudy gold with a nice thick white head.
Aroma: Yeast aroma with some citrus and banana.
Taste: Sweet and sour with citrus fruit, a little peppery and some banana.
Overall: B+

Eastern Iowa Residents: Available pretty much anywhere with a decent beer selection, usually in a bomber or 4 packs.
Would I Buy Again: Hesitantly, (up yours AB), yes.

O New Glarus, how I wish you would distribute to Iowa. Fortunately we don’t have to drive to far to get your wonderful brew. It would be nice to be able to drive to the local grocery store to grab a sixer though, but I could say that for many beers. Dan Carey continues to excel with New Glarus brewing, winning awards on a consistent basis as he continues to pump out fantastic brews. One of my favorites is their Fat Squirrel. Fat Squirrel is a nut brown ale using hazelnuts. All of the malt used in this brew come from Wisconsin. This state keeps pouring out wonderful beers and New Glarus might be the king of the hill for craft beer in Wisconsin.

Style: Seasonal/Nut Brown

ABV: 5.5%

Purchased at: Piggly Wiggly; Platteville, WI

REVIEW
Pour: Deep amber pour with a thick tan head.
Aroma: Smell is somewhat nutty, with maybe some brown sugar.
Taste: Nutty and sweet brown sugar rounded out nicely by the malts and hops.
Overall: B

Eastern Iowa Residents: Take a little road trip to Wisconsin and stop at the first gas station and I guarantee they will have it.
Would I Buy Again: This and all of New Glarus products.

The first thing you notice when pouring a Sam Adams Octoberfest is the color; a deep amber pour that goes perfect with the season. This may be the beer that is synonymous with Octoberfest beers for the new craft beer drinker and rightfully so as Sam Adams once again impresses with this fall seasonal. They may be big business for craft beer, but there is no denying that Sam Adams brings their best with 95% of their offerings. I was disappointed with their Blackberry Wit and maybe their Cranberry Lambic just isn’t for me, but for the most part they give top quality options to craft beer drinkers in every market.

Style: Octoberfest/Marzen

ABV: 5.3%

Purchased at: Found just about everywhere.

This beer is usually on tap at most bars/restaurants and is always a relief when I see that lined up save the day alongside your mass-produced domestics. A nice malty beer that gets rounded out nicely by the hop bitterness. Maybe Sam’s best seasonal brew? Or is Noble Pils on top?
REVIEW
Pour: Amber colored pour with a nice white head.
Aroma: Kind of a nutty smell/almost nut brown ale like with sweetness of the malt and a little hop presence.
Taste: You get all sweet malts first but then rounded out nicely by the hops.
Overall: B

Eastern Iowa Residents: Everywhere! If they don’t have Sam Adams products then walk right out of the store. Would I Buy Again: This is no doubter and an always eager fall purchase.