The Oro de Calabaza Artisan Golden Ale from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in Dexter, Michigan pours out golden-orange marmalade in color with some cloud and a frothy, white head that sticks around before reducing to a film. The nose is quite floral and accented with orange, lemon, spice, hay and some yeast. In the mouth this comes first with sweet citrus that becomes sour and almost bitter as it evolves. Nice spice and vanilla present too. Lively carbonation. Medium bodied. Good lacing. Fresh and crisp mouthfeel. Excellent dry finish with good sourness. An excellent Biere de Garde well worth picking up.

750ml bottle, 8.00% ABV

The La Biere des Collines Hercule Stout brewed & bottled by Brasserie des Legendes in Ellezelles, Belgium (although their website says Brasserie Ellezelloise) pours out a very dark brown (almost black) in color that is opaque and has a frothy, tan head that wants to hang out for a while before dissipating. On the nose aromas of licorice, coffee, dark dried fruit, chocolate, banana and pine forrest. In the mouth this is quite fruity with a good chunk of sweet malt that is intertwined with robust coffee, chocolate and spice. This is sort of like fresh baked, chocolate-banana bread dunked in espresso and alcohol (only there is more chocolate than banana in the bread). Full bodied. Good carbonation. Moderate lacing. Creamy, coating mouthfeel. This finish has good length and is both bitter and sweet. This is a little different than most Russian Imperial Stouts (the banana flavor and woodsy aroma may put some people off) but I loved it and will buy this again.

11.2 ounce bottle, 9.00% ABV

The Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon pours out light amber in color with good clarity and a frothy, white head that dissipates fairly quickly. On the nose there is caramel, citrus and floral notes. Lovely taste made up of bread, caramel, malt and citrus hops (mostly orange flavored to me). Good amount of carbonation. Light side of medium bodied. Nice lacing. Pretty clean mouthfeel with just a little oiliness. Nice hops on the finish balanced with some sweetness. A very good Pale Ale slightly skewed to the hop side. Well worth buying.

12 ounce bottle, 5.00% ABV

The Blue Heron Pale Ale from Mendocino Brewing Company in Ukiah, California pours out a light golden orange with good clarity and a foamy, white head that hangs on for a while. On the nose scents of citrus, fruit, yeast and a slight sweetness. In the mouth there is a good hop bite that is somewhat subdued at first then intensifies, nice spice and just a touch of sweetness too. Fairly carbonated. On the light side of medium bodied. Good lacing. Mild graininess to the mouthfeel. The finish is on the dry side with nice hop notes. A good Pale Ale that has a hop bite to it.

12 ounce bottle, 6.10% ABV

The Elliot Brew from Struise Mikkeller (a colaboration of Mikkel Bjergso & Kristian Keller of Mikkeller in Copenhagen, Denmark and Urbain Coutteau, Carlo Grootaert, Phil Driessens & Peter Braem of De Struisse Brouwers in Woesten-Vleteren, Belgium) pours out a dark amber in color that is cloudy with a huge off-white head that wants to go no where. On the nose big floral and citrus hop aromas with some underlying malty sweetness. In the mouth you first taste a little sweetness that is run over by a big hop bite laced with grapefruit rind. Hints of spice and pepper are intertwined. Full side of medium bodied. Phenominal lacing. Good carbonation. Coating, oily mouthfeel. Good length on the finish with pepper and a potent hop bite. An incredible Double IPA that leaves you wanting more.

11.2 ounce bottle, 9.00% ABV, 130 IBU