Founders, Grand Rapids, MI; 6.5% ABV,

The label indicates this is brewed with cherry puree, and it shows its presence in the hint of pale pink it gives the foam, the light aroma of tart cherries, and the more pronounced tart cherry flavour. There's a hint of almonds with brown sugar and cinnamon, and some biscuity malt. The overall effect is liquid cherry cobbler. Texture is smooth with a buttery quality. My style of fruit beer - not artificially flavoured or sweet. Finishes with a lingering tanginess. Very refreshing and well made fruit beer. 

North Coast Brewing Co, Fort Bragg, CA; 6.5% ABV, 55 IBUs

First of all, I like the retro-style label for this beer; it's fun and light-hearted. The beer pours with a golden honey-amber hue and slight haze. Short-lived head of white foam falls to a collar and some patchy groups of bubbles. Aroma initially brought toasted malt with little hop, making me think I have a bottle that’s sat in the store too long. But after sitting a few minutes I get more hops, floral & a bit citrusy.

The beer brings a delicious hoppiness up front, with floral & citrus rind notes, underpinned by a light, crackery malt base. Medium body with light carbonation bite and a dryish character. Bitterness is smoothly integrated, building gradually and expanding with the hop flavours to a peak, then slowly fading into a lengthy finish, the hops becoming resinous and oily on the palate. Great, lingering aftertaste just hangs around for ages. Nice lacework on the lower half of the glass.

Brasserie DuPont, 3.5% ABV, unfiltered biere de table, bottle conditioned, 750 ml corked bottle (cork dated 2008)

Pale golden hue with a touch of champagne, and a light haze. Meringue-like head of thick near-white foam. Zippy aroma with lemon zest, pepper, a little clove, lactic note and hint of horse blanket. Highly effervescent with a light body, the beer is instantly refreshing. It opens with light grainy malt briefly, then becomes sour and picks up notes of pepper, a little clove, lemon and grapefruit rind, which leads into a drying, bitter finish. The voluminous head eventually falls to a more modest layer of foam, leaving some lovely Belgian lace behind.

Loads of flavour for such a low alcohol beer! Great warm weather refresher or aperitif.

Harpoon Brewery, 10% ABV, 122 IBUs, hopped with Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe & Amarillo hops

Pours a lovely honey-orange hue; a finger of creamy, off-white foam fades to a thin collar and patchy foam islands after a few minutes. Aroma dominated by grapefruity and piney American hops, with alcohol evident, a sweet, candyish note and a little light crystal malt in the background. Listening in, there’s a high-pitched, crisp sound of fine bubbles popping, like the foam after a wave goes out at the beach.

Full mouth-feel is very smooth with light, fine carbonation tingle. Flavours are big, as to be expected for the style, with lightly sweet, caramel malt, floral, citric & piney hops, a bit of orange candy, then a building bitter finish. Flavours continue to expand after the swallow, then leave a resinous bitter-hoppy taste on the tongue with a note of orange. Luscious! Definitely not one I would want to drink too chilled.

Bell's Brewing Co., Kalamazoo, MI; 7.5% ABV

Pours a deep brown-black, opaque, with a warm beige head that starts a half inch thick and falls to an eighth-inch thick. Aroma is fruity with some dark malt and hint of yeast. Moderately-full body and light carbonation bite make it smooth and velvety on the tongue. Some mellow, sweet plum up front with rich, dark malts. Notes of molasses and light roast. Has a dryish edge, bit of a sour tang, and a gentle bitterness that enhances drinkability. Flavours expand as it loses some chill. Leaves a note of cocoa and a faint hint of licorice in the lengthy finish. Difficult to categorize exactly; has some characteristics of an abbey dubbel, but in any case it’s very tasty. Fairly substantial beer as well.

Might pair with crème brulee or cheesecake.