Beer reviews and blog posts by Britton Smith
Britton is a pastor and loves beer, therefore appreciating Ben Franklin's quote that "beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy." Some of his favorite beers include Bell's Oberon, New Holland Brewing's Mad Hatter, Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale, and Old Style at Chicago Cub's games. Britton isn't very picky with his beer but has had a growing love for microbrews and is a mug club member at his local brewery, New Holland Brewing Co.
Michigan Brewing Celis White
This summer I had high hopes of writing many beer reviews. With this summer coming to a close, I have not even come close to achieving this goal. Today, I am being disciplined to review a beer that I’ve been waiting for a few weeks to get around to reviewing. It’s a...
Madison River Irresistible Amber Ale
All I wanted was a beer after trying to put together a baby crib. With a baby on the way there is a lot to get done. We got a new crib delivered today so I attempted to put it together. Of course, the directions were worthless and it took me half an hour just to...
Madison River Hopper Pale Ale
I’m glad my beer of the month club membership is shipped in an unmarked box. I was on vacation last week and when I got home this month’s beer delivery was waiting for me by the front door. I’m not sure how long it had been there but I’m glad a neighborhood kid didn’t...
Stella Artois
Stella Artois seems to be a popular beer one among individuals who don’t regularly drink craft beer. My mother-in-law was making a trip up to see my wife and me and we needed to get some beer to enjoy for the weekend. While I did have some beer in the refrigerator, I...
North Coast Red Seal Ale
After reading the reviews of North Coast Brewing Co. on The Perfectly Happy Man and seeing how highly rated their beers were, I figured it was time to introduce myself to this brewery. I primarily drink beer from breweries in my state of Michigan as I’m just doing my...
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale was my first introduction to IPAs, years ago. At the time I was drinking primarily cheap domestics and an occasional wheat beer. I had been impressed at the time with my first introduction to Bell’s Brewery with the Oberon summer wheat ale. I...
Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale
I recently got a new snifter so of course I needed a good beer to try it out. I’d heard good things about Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale so I decided to give it a try. I’m not always a huge fan of Barley Wine but finally having a snifter to pour it in made me want to have...
Unibroue Blanche de Chambly
I was eager to try this witbier from Quebec because it is refermented in the bottle. This beer is the first one brewed by the young Canandian brewery, Unibroue, that has only been around since 1992. According to my reading, refermentation is the same process referred...
Sapporo Premium
Britton: Japan is not a country that comes to mind when I think of beer. There are many great beer producing countries but after trying this one from Japan’s oldest brewery, I wouldn’t say Japan is one of them. I have to admit, I bought this one out of curiosity. I’d...
Magic Hat Odd Notion Winter 2009
I’m all for being different but if you aren’t careful, you cross into just being weird. That is what happened with this 2009 winter seasonal from Magic Hat in their “Odd Notion” series. Magic Hat says, “Odd Notions give our brewers regular opportunities to set their...
Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse
My wife and were Christmas shopping the Saturday before Christmas. If you have ever been shopping that day, it is insane. The stores are packed with people like us who have waiting until the end to get their final Christmas present. I was tired of shopping, tired of...
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen
Beer drinkers and teetotalers alike tend to be familiar with Oktoberfest. It is the 16 day festival held in Germany every year in late September and early October. Millions of visitors come every year to participate in this legendary festival. Marzenbier is the beer...
Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat
It’s all in the name. I have to admit the name caused me to buy a bottle of this one by Flying Dog. As I was scanning the selections on the shelf at the liquor store, the name “In-Heat Wheat” caused me to do a double take with this beer. As I picked up the bottle, I...
Hoegaarden Original White Ale
I had high expectations for this beer. I like wheat beers, I like Belgium, and I figured it must be good if the bottle gives specific instructions for how to pour this beer. It tells you to pour 2/3 into a Hoegaarden hexagonal glass (which of course I don’t have) then...
Short’s Huma Lupa Licious IPA
Holy Hops! You better like bitter beer if you are going to sip this one. I knew this beer would be hoppy as the label says, “A complex malt and hop theme park in your mouth” but I didn’t know it would that hoppy. Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised because the name...