STONE BREWING CO. - Lucky Bastard 2014 This beer is a blend of Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, and Double Bastard. The pine and citrus pretty much dominate the aroma. Same in the flavor, there is a slight malt presence. I dont notice any of the oak, it might be there, but the hops seem to kill anything else. Very drinkable, like most Stone beers. It was nice to try, but there are many other Stone beers I would have before this one again.
BALLAST POINT BREWING COMPANY - Piper Down Scottish Ale Pretty standard Scottish ale aroma; lots of caramel and some brown sugar sweetness. Tastes the same. Caramel and sugar up front and finishes with a little booziness. I think its decent for the style, just not a style I look to to drink often.
NEW GLARUS BREWING COMPANY - Fat Squirrel Ale This is a brown ale.
Not much to the aroma at all, just some roastiness. Taste has some light roasted malts up front and has a nice clean finish. Flavor is pretty subdued. Nice brown ale, but nothing special. Not my favorite from New Glarus.
ROGUE ALES - Monk Seal Ale This beer from Rogue was a custom brew in honor of the Waikiki Aquarium's 110th anniversary. Part of the sales proceeds goes to it to help save and preserve the Monk Seal that is near extinction. The aroma has a strong malt presence with a little caramel and some honey hints. Tastes the same, lits of malt with a nice balance of hops. Nothing exceptional, but a great cause at least.
ABITA BREWING CO. - Strawgator Combination of their Andygator and Strawberry Harvest Lager beers. Huge strawberry aroma, I dont notice much else. Taste is pretty similar to the aroma. I have bought their Andygator and Strawberry Harvest beers before, and they are two of th best Abita offers. I would put this right up there with them. Although, from memory, this seems real close to the Strawberry Harvest to me, just with a higher ABV. If you like fruit beers, you will probably really enjoy this one. Very nice, and at $4.49 per bomber, a great deal.
FARGO BREWING COMPANY - Sod Buster Porter I had a couple different beers at the Fargo Brewing Company anniversary party a few months ago, but forgot to take notes on what I tried, so this is my first official beer from them I guess. Roasted malt aroma with a touch of chocolate. Also seems to have a little smokiness? Tastes the same. Decent take on a porter, but has nothing to make it stand out. A solid mid tier porter, nothing exceptional to get real excited about.
DARK HORSE BREWING COMPANY - Thirsty Trout Porter Aroma of chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. Pretty much exactly what a porter should be. Tastes the same, nice and smooth. Maybe a touch on the thin side. Nice, nothing exceptional, just a good solid porter. Would I have it again? Sure.
