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.

Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve Ale

by Tom Smillie | American Amber / Red Ale, Mug, Oregon, Pilsner Glass, Pint Glass, Rogue Ales, United States | 2 comments

For all of you hopheads our there I think you’ll love this Santa’s Private Reserve by Rogue Brewing. Known for making amazing beer John “more hops” Maier, head brewmaster, out does himself yet again with his lively rendition of an Amber (Red) ale. SPR is an extension...

Great Divide Yeti Oak-Aged Stout

by Tom Smillie | Colorado, Great Divide Brewing Company, Pint Glass, Russian Imperial Stout, Snifter, United States, Wood-Aged Beers | 0 comments

One of my favorite aspects of sampling beer is finding a new brewery that I have never tried before. This happened in September when I tried Hoss by Great Divide out of Denver Co. Since then I have tried a couple more of their brews and have not been disappointed....

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis

by Tom Smillie | California, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, United States, Weizen / Weissbier / Hefeweizen, Weizen Glass | 1 comment

I love Wheat beers! Unfortunately, I’m not a big fan of Hefeweizens. There are three basic types of Wheat beers: American Wheats, Belgium Wit biers, and German Hefes. While the first two are very enjoyable and delicious, the latter is rather unpleasant. There are two...

Pilsner Urquell

by Tom Smillie | Bohemian / Czech Pilsner, Czech Republic, Flute Glass, Mug, Pilsner Glass, Pilsner Urquell Brewery, Stange | 9 comments

PILSNER URQUELL!!! It is the quintessential beer to try if you want to enjoy a true, original pilsner. Hailing from the city of Pilsen, this glorious brew bears its namesake. How much more original can you get? Well, to add greater designation, the term Urquell means,...

Two Brothers Heavier Handed IPA

by Tom Smillie | American IPA, Illinois, Mug, Pint Glass, Two Brothers Brewing Company, United States, Wood-Aged Beers | 1 comment

Two Brothers Brewery out of Warrenville, Illinois has created one big beer. This artisan brew falls in between two of there current beers in production. It is a step above their IPA (Heavy Handed) and a notch down from their Double IPA (Hop Juice). It is significantly...

Redhook Treblehook Barley Wine

by Tom Smillie | American Barleywine, Pint Glass, Redhook Ale Brewery, Snifter, United States, Washington | 2 comments

Today I was pleasantly surprised when I sampled Red Hook Brewery’s Treblehook Barley Wine Ale. I have to admit I’m not a big fan of this particular style, but since it is a limited release the bottle was calling to me from the shelf. From what I can...

Boddington’s Pub Ale

by Tom Smillie | England, English Bitter (ESB) / Pale Ale, Hydes Brewery, Mug, Pint Glass | 5 comments

What comes to mind when you try to think of a well-known beer from the UK? Most often the phrase, “my goodness, my Guinness” comes to mind. Allow me to introduce you to a beer I like to call “liquid gold.” While, there is no catch phrase for Boddington’s Ale, you...

Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter

by Tom Smillie | England, Mug, Pint Glass, Porter, Samuel Smith's Brewery | 1 comment

If you are a hard working blue collar laborer then you need a hard working beer. That beer can be found in Samuel Smith’s famous Taddy Porter. Known for being the beer of the working class of England in the 18th century, the Porter was a rich, full-bodied beer....