Beer reviews and blog posts by Tom Smillie
Tom started his journey into the beer world the summer of 2007. What began as a simple post-garage-cleaning beer with his Dad turned into a love for this “art in fermented form.” Adhering to the motto I can try everything once, Tom's goal is to sample just about every beer ever created. Trying styles ranging from Pilsner to Oak Aged Stouts to Flemish Red Ales, his tastes are varied. Tom's favorite styles are ESBs, Stouts, and Wheats. About a year after he started sampling, he began home brewing.
Dogfish Head Midas Touch
Do you want to know what really elevates a beer into the A grade for me? Respect. Respect for the beer, the brewmaster, and the history behind the beer. At Dogfish Head they are all about the beer business and taking it to a whole new level. One way they are doing...
Samuel Smith’s India Ale
I’m sure all of us at some point can say, “I hate technology” (even you mac users). While making our lives essentially easier, when it fails it can make them a living hell. This is what happened to me the last week. My computer got a good old dose of spyware,...
Petrus Aged Pale
Holy Cow!!! My taste buds just got rocked. I’m sampling a Belgium pale ale and it was not what I expected. Petrus, a brewery known for its Flemish Brown (Oud Bruin) Ale, apparently produces a wider range of beers than I thought. Part of what tricked me was that this...
Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout
Continuing with my fascination with Samuel Smith brewery I picked up a bottle of their Imperial Stout of which I’ve only heard great things. With high expectations I cracked open the gold leafed top and slowly eased the contents into my glass. It was black as can be...Various Guinness Combinations
I’m sure at one point in the course of enjoying a tasty brew you have heard the term “Black & Tan.” This is referring to a popular drink using Bass Pale Ale and Guinness Draught. There are various methods of blending within the US and in other countries, but most...
Southern Tier Big Red
Heritage. That was the word that came to mind when I saw this beer. My great grandfather worked for 30 years with International Harvester (IH) Farmall producing the red tractors of old. Later, my grandfather worked 32 years with IH before the tractor line merged with...
Left Hand Juju Ginger
So I’m walking through the aisles of my local beverage store and happen upon a gift pack of Left Hand Brewing Co beers. It contained some brews of theirs I have been dying to sample and included a glass, so I grabbed it without thinking twice. The first beer I’m...
Great Divide St. Bridget’s Porter
The country of Ireland has a handful of patron saints. No doubt, the most famous is St. Patrick. Responsible for bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle, he is now affixed to a holiday that celebrates his legacy and unfortunately, in my opinion, encourages...
De Dolle Oerbier
I don’t really know how to review this beer. After doing a quick wiki search and then consulting the brewer’s website I’m not sure what to include. Here’s what I’ll do! You visit the website and check it out for yourself. You will find all the information on the odd...
Two Brothers Cane & Ebel
After a long weekend, I found myself searching for a local favorite in the fridge and coming up huge. A couple weeks ago I had stashed a delicious brew by Two Brothers (see brewery tour article). The name (Cane and Ebel) is rather catchy, using the brother’s surname...
Three Floyds Black Sun Stout
One of my favorite styles of beer is the Stout. While I’d enjoy just about any stout you gave me, I gravitate towards Oatmeal Stouts. My buddy Noel has a love for Dry Irish Stouts and over the last couple years his enjoyment of this style has taken root in me. I...
Summit Horizon Red Ale
Red Ales are a great way to experience a rich malt based and vibrant hop centered beer. You get the best of both worlds! Today’s brew under scrutiny is a melodious blend of both hops and malts. Summit Brewery in St. Paul, MN utilizes a nice variety of ingredients such...
DAB Original
About a month ago I purchased a six pack of DAB which gave me a great example of what a fine German lager. In Germany, just about every city has a brewery and most cities became well-known for a certain variation/style they brew (as most do). Often times, the brews...
Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier
In the world of German Weiss beers there are a couple terms which I have seemed to confuse and blend together. After reading Randy Mosher’s book Tasting Beer I finally got a good handle on my terms. The titles “weis,” “weiss,” “weisse” simply mean white. They usually...
Zipfer Original Lager
Continuing with the Euro Lagers I direct my attention to a brand called Zipfer. The brewery is located in Upper Austria in the little town of Zipf (makes sense I guess). I went to the distributor’s website and they claim that this is “one of the best beer in Austria...
Golden Pheasant
For some reason I always thought this beer was from Germany, Denmark, or the Netherlands. With a name like Golden Pheasant I would have never guessed it was from Slovakia. I stand corrected. Apparently, they are about the business of making a “premium quality lager...
Trappistes Rochefort 10
Beer reviewing can sure be intense! After a quick pit stop, a sandwich, and a couple big glasses of water I’m back to report on Rochefort 10. Here is what I found. Appearance: Similar head as #6 and 8. The color is truly remarkable resulting in a deep ruby/scarlet...
Trappistes Rochefort 8
Here is what I found for the second of Rochefort’s brews known as #8. Appearance: Darker than #6, more of a brown-ruby hue. Head was the same tan color, but there seems to be a more consistent replacement of surface foam. Aroma: Every pronounced and more predominate...
Trappistes Rochefort 6
At the recommendation that PHM review Rochefort 10, I thought it best to start at the beginning and work my way up, but first a little background. I sometimes get the perception that people think Trappist ale is this ultimate beer style that only coinsures and...
Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery Pale Ale
When you sample a couple beers from a brewery you enjoy it makes selecting another brewery that much harder. This is the dilemma I found myself in while standing in the aisle at the liquor store. There I was, looking at shelf where various Samuel Smith stared me down....
Bass Pale Ale
The only way to conquer the Monday (my arch enemy) blues is with a nice beer at the end of the day. Ironically, it’s also a great way to bring in the weekend after work on Friday. This only proves that beer fits many occasions. I feel this beer does not need a long...
Two Brothers Domain DuPage
Well, after getting some burritos and having a mini marathon of MacGyver with my roommate it has officially become a lazy Sunday afternoon. The temperature outside dropped and with a fire going inside I decided to crack open a beer. I believe a nap is in line after...
Bud Light Lime
After reading Brett’s review for Coors and then Michael’s subsequent comment I thought I’d jump in on the American Adjunct Light Lager debate. I need to preface my review by saying that I cringe at the thought of buying cheap, crappy beer let alone drinking it. It was...