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.
by Michael Larson | New Glarus Brewing Company, United States, Weizen / Weissbier / Hefeweizen, Weizen Glass, Wisconsin |
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Wisconsin? Drink New Glarus. I try to abide by this mantra each and every time I make a trip to or through this neighboring state. New Glarus has become a hot commodity to the Chicagoan, in part, I’m sure, to it’s...
by Michael Larson | Belgian Pale Ale, Belgium, De Struise Brouwers, Snifter, Tulip, Wine Glass |
A friend just got back from the beer lover’s dream trip. He sat in my office and described his river boat tour through Belgium and I practically teared up. He described beer after beer, reveling in each one, reliving the taste and making me, well, jealous. So, while I...
by Michael Larson | Harviestoun Brewery Ltd., Old Ale, Pint Glass, Scotland, Snifter, Wine Glass |
Surprise birthday gifts are the best. Surprise birthday gifts that are beer, are even better. Without even a mention, a good friend of my wife’s left two bottles of Ola Dubh 30 on my kitchen counter. As my wife would rather have Pinot than a pint, I guessed that...
by Michael Larson | Abita Brewing Company, Fruit Beers, Louisiana, United States |
I had this beer a week ago for the first time. It was 80 degrees out and gorgeous. The first heat of the summer always feels weird to me. It’s extra humid and its always a bit surprising, like heading towards Florida and getting out in Georgia and realizing that...
by Michael Larson | Baltic Porter, Finland, Mug, Pint Glass, Sinebrychoff Brewery |
During my last trip into my local beer store, I wasn’t looking for a porter. Honestly, I am never looking for a porter. I guess I’ve just had too many let downs, too many hopefuls that just couldn’t quite get me excited about the style. Well, last...
by Michael Larson | Flute Glass, Illinois, Pilsner Glass, Schwarzbier / Black Lager, Two Brothers Brewing Company, United States |
Fresh beer is the best beer and being just 20 minutes from Two Brothers brewery and knowing that this particular brew was bottled within the last week, I would say this one classifies as fresh. The pour was nice, a dark, deep brown but nothing too thick or syrupy. It...
by Michael Larson | Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), Massachusetts, Pint Glass, Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, Snifter, Tulip, United States |
Its not often that I’m sipping a brew before noon. Even a breakfast stout feels a little weird if I can still pick up my phone and greet ‘good morning.’ But on this oh-so-special occasion, I have decided to imbibe a bit before the minute and hour hands meet at the 12....
by Michael Larson | American Amber / Red Ale, Capital Brewery, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, Wisconsin |
I’m always up for a red ale. I like the way they look and taste and they’re typically hearty enough to be interesting, but drinkable enough to quench. Capital’s version, dubbed rustic for whatever reason you’d like to dream up, pours in that typical red ale way. Its...
by Michael Larson | American Pale Ale (APA), California, Mug, Pint Glass, Stone Brewing Company, United States |
Teamwork. Its not a word associated with big beer. Can you imagine an InBev-Miller Coors collaboration? Escondido’s Stone Brewery, however, has made collaborative brews commonplace. The telltale light brown bottle sitting innocently on my local liquor store shelf,...
by Michael Larson | American Pale Ale (APA), Capital Brewery, Mug, Pint Glass, United States, Wisconsin |
I haven’t thought about beer in a while. Now, its not quite as tragic as it sounds, I’ve drank beer recently, I just haven’t sat down and really thought about what I was tasting. Today, amidst Chicago’s 5th biggest snow storm on record, I thought it would be a good...
by Michael Larson | Belgian IPA, Colorado, Goblet, Great Divide Brewing Company, Tulip, United States, Wine Glass |
Purchased for a neighborhood get together as something ‘a little different,’ Belgica found its way into my glass just a bit before the crowd showed up. Like, three days. But it was a new beer to me, and new beers don’t sit untouched for too long in my back room mini...
by Michael Larson | American Wheat Ale, California, Mug, North Coast Brewing Company, Pint Glass, United States, Weizen Glass |
As I’ve said before, beer is the best gift someone could give. Okay, maybe not the best, but top three, easily. This one was a single from a set of six, a mixed bag of California brews graciously bestowed on me by a friend. I have always loved wheats. Now when I say...
by Michael Larson | American Amber / Red Ale, Emmett's Brewing Company, Illinois, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, United States |
Tonight, I was vain, I’ll admit. I wanted a pretty beer. It may sound strange, when you drink beer, not stare at it, but its true, I was looking for a good lookin’ brew. And I found one in McCarthy Red Ale. This red ale was definitely that, a beautiful auburn,...
by Michael Larson | American / Robust Porter, Emmett's Brewing Company, Illinois, Mug, Pint Glass, United States |
First off, I’m not a huge porter fan. That was, until this porter hit my unsuspecting tongue. In general, porters are a bit weak for me, I like big, smooth and robust and typically the porter just doesn’t hit those notes for me. This one, however, is a whole different...
by Michael Larson | Märzen / Oktoberfest, Mug, New Glarus Brewing Company, Pint Glass, United States, Wisconsin |
With just a slight dusting of snow on the ground, a fire crackling in the fireplace and a Sunday afternoon full of NFL football, it felt more like the middle of October than January. Picking up a create-your-own six pack on my way back from Minnesota a few weeks ago,...
by Michael Larson | Capital Brewery, Dunkel Lager, Flute Glass, Pilsner Glass, United States, Wisconsin |
After a B+ pilsner just a bit ago, I was anxious to use the few moments when my daughter was napping to further explore the world of Capital Brewery. On my fifth venture into the brewery’s fine concoctions, I decided to dabble in the dunkel. Titled as dark lager, I...
by Michael Larson | American Pilsner, Emmett's Brewing Company, Illinois, Malt Liquor, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, United States |
The more you understand something, the more appreciation you have. At least that’s my general feeling. With beer, it often goes the same way. Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of a personalized tour, meal and tasting at Emmett’s Ale House in Palatine, IL. I will,...
by Michael Larson | Capital Brewery, Flute Glass, German Pilsener, Mug, Pilsner Glass, United States, Wisconsin |
This one’s a gold medal winner. And not by my review, but by the Beverage Institute’s World Beer Championships of 2009. Anxious to put my yet-to-be-used pilsner glass to good use, I poured this Capital brew with anticipation. Pouring gently, but not timidly, the brew...
by Michael Larson | Adjunct Lager, American Pilsner, Hawaii, Kona Brewing Company, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, United States |
After a great coffee stout, but with still much of the evening ahead, I felt like a palate cleanser. A few weeks ago, an incredibly generous friend toted a couple of boxes into my home. He had surprised me with six Californian brews and a Chicago classic, all but one...
by Michael Larson | Anchor Brewing Company, California, Pint Glass, United States, Winter Ale / Warmer |
Well it’s Christmas Eve, 2010. Just 36 hours from now, Christmas will have come and gone. The extra ham or turkey will now go between two pieces of bread and the mashed potatoes and Jello salad will be nibbled ‘til they’re gone. So with the holiday season’s end...
by Michael Larson | Coffee Beers, New Glarus Brewing Company, United States, Wisconsin |
Once a month I have a guaranteed guys night. Or should I say guy night. My wife and her lit-loving girlfriends gather around a few bottles of wine and chat till I’m long asleep. On tonight’s guy nigh, I choose a stout, I’m feeling like sipping on something, not...
by Michael Larson | Coffee Beers, Milk / Sweet / Cream Stout, Minnesota, Mug, Pint Glass, Surly Brewing Company, United States |
After several months of sitting in my fridge and repeated trips to and from my parents ending in unsuccessful sampling, I have finally come to the perfect tasting time. Amidst the feet of snow on the suburban Minnesota lawn out the window, and a long night ahead, a...
by Michael Larson | American Amber / Red Lager, Capital Brewery, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, United States, Wisconsin |
After a couple of cups of coffee way past when I should have had them, I wasn’t as near as ready for bed as I should have been. And with sheets of ice covering the 4 inches of recently fallen snow and Elf playing on the TV, a winter seasonal seemed a more than...
by Michael Larson | Baltic Porter, Minnesota, Mug, Pint Glass, Smoked Beer / Rauchbier, Stange, Surly Brewing Company, United States |
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in MN? Drink Surly. Today, I had the pleasure of drinking my second in a series of Surly special release beers. Less impressed than I had hoped with Four, I still had high expectations of Smoke. My father’s generous gift pours...
by Michael Larson | Capital Brewery, Doppelbock, Mug, Pilsner Glass, United States, Wisconsin |
I haven’t shut off my phone for months. I mean really shut it off. Hold the power button, slide the little red arrow and watch the Apple swirl until all goes black. Tonight, with a special release Capital Square Series brew in hand, it felt like the right thing to do....