Beer reviews and blog posts by Michael Larson
Michael co-founded The Beerly in 2009 with Taylor Birkey. He stumbled on to the idea of the blog after his move to Chicagoland. As he settled in to his new life, he realized he greatly missed the camaraderie of his brew-sipping buddies from the north. He wished to know what his friends all across the nation were sampling and thus, this site was born. He is currently in financial planning. Some of his current favorites are Hoppin' Frog's Pumpkin Ale, Southern Tier's Creme Brulee, and Bosteels amazing Tripel Karmeliet.
Summit Pilsener
The illustrious ‘bachelor weekend’ isn’t quite what it used to be. That’s because my beautiful daughter entered the world a little over a year ago and changed things up a bit. So the last few days as her mom travels halfway around the world I am no longer bored to the...
Lucky Bucket Lager
Prohibition is a scary word to us beer lovers. A time where just stopping by a brewpub or your favorite bar wasn’t an option. Well Prohibition didn’t just impact people’s abilities to consume the alcohol present in most beers, it also influenced the styles themselves....
Tyranena Three Beaches Honey Blonde
It’s back to back nights of beer brewed with honey for me. By pure mistake, tonight I am pouring Tyranena’s blonde ale, rife with connotations and, apparently, honey. In the little town of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, apparently there are three beaches and,...
Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA
Contradictions. Green Tea and Beer. An American beer described in Japanese. Stone and Being Nice. And yet, this most recent Stone collaboration has all three. The most shocking of the trio, Stone being nice, comes in the form of profits from this particular beer being...
Ale Asylum Bedlam
I found this beer’s title appropriate on a couple of levels. First, the label boasts it is a ‘chaotic blend of Citra hops and trappist-style years,’ so there’s that. Second, my wife just left for four days and I’m playing Mr. Mom. Now there is true Bedlam. Just a few...
Summit Honeymoon Saison
Honeymoon Saison is an ironic choice tonight, because my wife left me. Okay, yes, she’ll be back in four days, but even so, ironic. The latest offering in Summit’s unchained lineup, batch 07, was made just in time to be ready for brewer Sam Doniach’s wedding, thus the...
Founders Blushing Monk
Michael: I used to be into wine. I thought those days were over, until I poured Founders “Belgian Style Ale fermented with pure raspberries.” I have never had anything by Founders that wasn’t good and so I had saved this limited release for several weeks, waiting for...
Pangea Lilja’s Sasquatch Stout
So many things of note here, before I even crack the bottle. First, what is bigger than a Sasquatch? Nothing, I would argue, so already this stout is setting itself up to be a big brew. Second, the bottle is emblazoned with the phrase “brewed behind the Cheddar...
Summit Extra Pale Ale
I’m in the last hour of playing Mr. Mom for the weekend. My daughter is asleep and I have a few minutes before a crazy Sunday afternoon begins. The final orphan from my Summit Sampler was their flagship, this EPA, and I felt it time to do right by the brew and pour...
21st Amendment Fireside Chat
So … Christmas in July? Well, I didn’t realize exactly what I was grabbing off the liquor store shelf and adding to my mix-and-match sixer a couple of days ago. I ended up with this Winter Warmer from 21st Amendment and thought I’d better not wait another day,...
Surly Hell Lager
Its another day at the cabin. I know, I’m spoiled, but I’m going to take advantage of an impending storm developing over the lake by sipping on a new-to-me Surly brew. As always when passing through Minnesota, I snagged up a four pack of whatever Surly looks good....
Deschutes Inversion IPA
Deschutes description was too eloquent not to use…”Here in Oregon’s high desert, seasonal changes often bring about a peculiar weather phenomenon–an inversion. The higher up the mountain you go, the sunnier it gets, so even when Bend is covered...
Odell Red Ale
I’ve never had Odell before, but I like them. The bottle is interesting, slightly unique in shape and with glass-embossed leaves, their logo, ringing the body, just before it juts into the neck. The label is made of hearty paper, not shiny and slippery, giving it a...
New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole Wheatwine
I was first pleased to meet Pilgrim’s Dole at a cheese market located in the heart of a Chicago suburb. It made an impression on me and was pleased to find a bottle through the random use of a Groupon…I digress. In color, its practically a chameleon. Under the...
Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale
One of my favorite pizza places in the world is in Door County, Wisconsin. An unlikely place, yes, but there it is, after three visits it continues to impress. This sour ale was in their beer list and each time I went, I eyed it with interest but felt like it was...
New Glarus Raspberry Tart
Back to back New Glarus brews, now that is a real treat. Tonight’s offering, a rare and interesting drink, one that stretches to even be called a beer. And yet, it is, and so I embark on another flavor filled journey. Reading the label, I wasn’t convinced...
Allagash Odyssey
I’ve saved this treat for just such a special occasion. The last evening of a great weekend ‘up north,’ I was happy to share with family. It poured into a tulip glass wonderfully, a solid beige head formed at about an inch, looking like a liquid bed...
Flying Dog Wild Dog Barrel-Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter
Until I typed the title of this beer, I positively knew I was drinking a stout. I picked this up purely on the recommendation of my local beer guy, who is constantly informing me of beers I want, even thought I didn’t even know they existed. This one from Flying Dog...
New Belgium Somersault
It’s lunch time on a Saturday and it’s 90 degrees. I passed by my Samichlaus and my Aphrodite and went straight to this refresher from New Belgium. I poured it straight down the center of my lager glass. It foamed and fussed for several minutes before it...
Shipwrecked Peninsula Porter
There is one brewery in Door County. Enough wineries per capita to compete with Napa, but one place to get freshly brewed beer. Shipwrecked, located on the main drag in Egg Harbor, is that one. Despite my extended stay, until this evening I had yet to try one of their...
Brugse Zot
I am a Bruges fool. Almost three years ago, in the heart of Bruges, Belgium, I stumbled across De Halve Maan, Bruges’ only brewery. So after stuffing my face with the best French fries I had ever tasted, my wife and I wandered down the street to wash it all down...
Left Hand Polestar Pilsner
I am constantly trying to convert people. Those who hold a Big Three beer in their hand, clutching it with a death grip as though it were their key to survival, those are my mission. Last night, I was attempting to spread just such a gospel. I volunteered to bring...
Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
It smells like orange-flavored fruit snacks. And hops. Really, really good hops. It may be one of the best smelling beers that I’ve ever smelled. Mixed in is a slight bit of yeast, refreshing and cleansing. In color, it is a simple golden orange blend, clear and...