Beer Reviews By lucyburningham

lucyburningham reviewed Fort George Vortex IPA
Did you know this beer now comes in cans? At this time, the brewery only cans this IPA and their lager, but both are welcome additions to the roster.

As for the Vortex, I thought it was a solid IPA. Not super bitter or over the top on hops, but pleasantly fruity, citrusy and a bit chewy. I will definitely order this beer again or happily chug a lug it from the can. April 14, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Deschutes The Abyss 2010 Reserve
I recently had the chance to have this beer on tap and I have to say, it was even better than I remembered. The Abyss is so deliciously complex, with lots of chocolate, vanilla and raisiny notes. But I really love the warm bourbon finish that comes from its time in barrels. Outstanding beer. I can't wait to see how it ages. April 14, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed 21st Amendment Bitter American
This beer is interesting because 1) it has a very low alcohol content and 2) it's so hoppy it's hard to believe it's classified as a pale ale. I like this beer for both these reasons. It's a super hopped session. March 15, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Dupont Avril
This beer is exactly what you want to swill on a hot summer afternoon. Lemony, grassy, fizzy with a touch of Belgian yeast. And with just 3.5% ABV, you can drink it all day long. March 15, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Stiegl Pils
Classic pils in all the best ways: crisp, clean, refreshing. The best part? No sense of wateriness. Saaz hops mean a sharp bitterness (some people might call it skunky) and floral tones. Finishes smooth and clean. March 10, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Victory Yakima Glory
A lovely, balanced CDA with plenty of strong citrusy and piney hops and just enough malty goodness to keep the hops from getting out of hand. Fresh and bitter at the same time. Might be too hoppy for some, but I thought it was tasty. March 2, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Deschutes Hop in the Dark
This was one of my favorite CDAs last year, and I look forward to trying the 2011 release in April. Nice wallop of hops is balanced with flavors of espresso and caramel. But it's the hops that linger. March 2, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Hopworks Secession
Pours super black with a creamy cocoa head, but don't let appearances fool you. This is a serious IPA cloaked in darkness. Bitter and floral hops dominate this beer right from the start with some smokey malts stepping in for support. Less body than I would like, but a good example of what's coming out of the CDA craze. March 2, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne
I love this beer not for its smell (which isn't bad, just a musty barely there), but for the way it tastes bubbly and light and rich and earthy at the same time. The Duchesse is tart with a clean finish and tastes like raisins and black cherries. Delicious. January 14, 2011

lucyburningham reviewed Full Sail Wreck the Halls
The holiday beer for IPA lovers. Pours a beautiful pink/orange color. Super hops up front with a nice malt backbone with just a hint of spice. December 3, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Full Sail Wassail
This is the kind of winter warmer that makes you appreciate the season. Smells a little sweet and candyish but has a light mouthfeel and a good amount of carbonation. Then there's some caramel and bread going on. The best part? Bracing, hoppy finish. December 3, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale 2010
Not much aroma but a nice, creamy malty winter beer. That said, the flavors are very even...nothing too memorable. One taster called the flavor "not unpleasant." I like this beer more than that though. December 3, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Deschutes Jubelale 2010
I look forward to drinking this beer every holiday season, and this year's release didn't let me down. It's got a nice heavy malt that holds up hints of toffee, raisins and a touch of hops. This year's Jubel is not a cloying winter warmer, but a tasty light yet complex beer. Get it while you can! December 1, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Weissbierbrauerei Hopf Helle Weisse
This is a refreshing classic Hefeweizen. Smells apricot fruity and a bit yeasty, but tastes like bananas and cloves mixed with a little zing of citrus. I love the bubbly going on here, too, which leads to a nice dry finish. Great palate cleansing food beer that has enough flavor to stand up to richer dishes. October 19, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Southampton Pumpkin Ale
This beer puts me in a cool fall/holiday mood. Maybe it's the taste of nutmeg, which yes, is a little pumpkin pie. Or the notes of orange. Overall this is a balanced beer with a light to medium body and a refreshing amount of carbonation, an interesting take on what can be a heavy style. October 14, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Walking Man Black Cherry Stout
I recently heard the Walking Man brewer say, "People either love or hate this beer. There's no in between." I know where I stand. I liked the cherry nose, but on first sip, a cloying black cherry flavor reminded me of a Jolly Rancher, which seemed entirely separately from a dusty, chalky stout. Guess I'm a hater. September 17, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Everybody's Brewing Summer Lovin
Orangey and smooth, like a refreshing beer creamsicle with a malty nose. September 10, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Caldera Brewing Dry Hop Orange
I was skeptical about the "orange" in this beer, but happily found a nice, hoppy IPA with a bit of floral flavors. Orange flavors are so subtle, you'll want another sip, then another, to really ID this citrus. September 7, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Upright Reggae Junkie Gruit
No hops in here. Flavors come from orange peel, Sichuan peppercorns, hyssop and lemongrass. August 3, 2010

lucyburningham reviewed Maui CoCoNut Porter
Strong coconut and chocolate flavors make you feel like you're eating an Almond Joy candy bar. That said, it's not over the top sweet and overall is a very nicely balanced porter. August 3, 2010