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.
Flossmoor Station Master Wheat Ale
Finally! I get another extended weekend to relax. Fortunately, I already had plans for New Year’s Eve so the yearly last minute dilemma of where to go and what to do is gone. Although it was a shortened week at work, it was probably more stressful that the last 3 week...
Casablanca Lager
I’m sure most would agree that the movie Casablanca is a classic. Unfortunately, the beer I’m currently sampling is another classic adjunct lager. There is nothing unique or impressive about this beer. Appearance: light golden color with a small hint of haze. It had a...
Baltika #7 Export Lager
What better way to bring in the New Year than with a beer review. This brew hails from the Motherland of Russia and is probably going to be the quickest review for a beer ever. It’s easy because it is your standard, skunky Euro lager. The only thing going for this...
Svyturys Ekstra
After a long day it was time for a brew. I found the selection of this beer to be rather comical. I wanted to try a beer from a new country, but I was looking for a beer with some dynamic. You know…something other than the classic “lager beer” that every country seems...
Peroni Nastro Azzuro
The first time I had Peroni was in Boston while picking up my sister from college. My parents and I had walked the Freedom Trail and took a detour for some dinner in Little Italy. While most think that wine should be the standard drink of choice when in an Italian...
Belhaven St. Andrew’s Ale
I think I have found the perfect combination. Scotland, Golf, and Beer! This delicious brew caught my eye in all three accounts. In Jr. High I took golf lessons and enjoyed learning and playing a gentleman’s game. I have also had the privilege of attending the Western...
Fort Collins Retro Red
Sitting inside the cozy confines of my home the snow continues to fall. It looks like there is about 4 inches with no signs of letting up. While I read a beer book my mom got me for Christmas I’m enjoying a new brew. Half way done with my drink, I realized I review...
He’Brew Rejewvenator (Year of the Date) 2009
After recovering from 13th Anniversary Jewbelation ale I wanted to give Shmaltz Brewing Company another shot. I’m a sucker for “limited release” beers and I just happened to find one by them. In keeping with the fact that just about all Bocks end in “tor” this beer is...
Two Brothers Prairie Path Ale
In my neck of the suburbs there is a prairie path that stretches for miles connecting multiple towns and giving eager runners, walkers, and bikers a place to get the iron out. Illinois was once host to a vast prairie of tall grasses and wild plants. In celebration of...
Goose Island IPA
Here goes. My top four IPAs to date: Goose Island IPA Dogfish Head 90 Minute Two Brother’s Heavy Handed New Holland’s Mad Hatter Phew…that was tough! In my early quest for finding the most amazing IPA I quickly realized that there are three different styles. There are...
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale
After a few hoppy beers I thought it best to even out the score and indulge in a “maltastic” brew. I have increasingly become impressed with Samuel Smith’s ales out of England. From what I have experienced they produce some smooth malty ales that are top notch. The...
EKU 28 Dopplebock
I going to come right out and say it. I’m not a huge fan of Bocks. I feel that their hardiness and malty features are better suited for ales and rather than lagers. However, I’m not saying that I completely hate them. If I were to drink a bock I would lean towards a...
Reissdorf Kölsch
What a day? Looking out my office window all I saw was snow…all day. Thankfully, the ground was warm and the snow was wet so it was quickly dispatched by city snow plows and traffic. Since I work in customer service my job is to make people’s lives easier and...
Stiegl Premium Lager
A couple weeks ago I visited the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, Illinois with some friends for a couple pints. One of the beers they had on tap was Steigl. I was looking for a light European Lager for my second round and this beer fit the bill. I enjoyed this beer fresh...
Gavroche French Red Ale
At the beginning of my beer sampling days I was heavily into IPAs and Pales. I liked the hoppy bitterness that they carried. A year later I was into Stouts and Porter for their roasted malt profile. Currently, I’ve been enjoying Red Ales. My influences? Matt and Nate,...
He’Brew Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah (13)
After reading a couple of reviews for Shmaltz Brewing Company’s line of He’brew ales, I decided to give them a try. On a mission, I managed to walk through the endless aisles of beer (which usually distract me) to find this “chosen beer.” One that particularly caught...
Duvel
Duvel, pronounced (Doov’l), is the Flemish term for Devil. Surprisingly the brew is not all that “devilish,” but nursing a glass while reading Jonathan Edward’s Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God might give you a new perspective. This beer throws a lot at you all at...
Anchor Steam Beer
If you are looking for a beer with history and character then pick up a 6pk of Anchor Steam Beer. Known as a California Common, this beer is a lager that is fermented at ale temperatures (60-75˚F). Little has been found as to why this beer was given the name “steam”...
Two Brothers Red Eye Coffee Porter
The other day I woke up and wanted to make myself some coffee. I must admit I was not a coffee drinker until I started trying dark beers. The flavor profiles in Stouts and Porters prepared my taste buds which now appreciate the occasional hot cup of joe. At any rate,...
Sierra Nevada & Dogfish Head Life and Limb
“Wow!” “Are you kidding me?” Those were the first two reactions out of my mouth after I took a smell and sip of the collaborative brew by Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada. I was able to obtain a bottle because I know a guy at the local beverage depot. This beer is...
Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager
Since it is late on a Sunday night and I’m feeling lazy this is taken straight off the back of the bomber. “St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, is a magical figure, the bringer of gifts and an icon of holiday spirit. Forgotten by most is his evil side kick and enforcer of...
Sam Adams Honey Porter
Who would have thought to combine honey and a dark beer? I’m glad you asked. That would be Sam Adams, who is currently the largest independently own American brewery to date. This took place after Anheuser-Busch was bought by InBev, a Belgium based conglomerate months...
Moylan’s Irish Red Ale
After church, I decided to head home and fix myself a turkey sandwich and relax. While that was an easy decision to make, my choice of beer was quite the opposite. After stocking up on some fine brews last night I had a fridge full to select from (more reviews to...