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.
Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils
It is seldom that you come across a good Pilsner in a can. Let’s face it; most of them are mediocre macro-made brews not deserving of a pint glass pour. Thanks to Discount Liquors in Milwaukee I was able to get my hands on some Oskar Blues (their entire line-up to be...
Dogfish Head Festina Peche
My third Berliner Weisse in the last few months comes in the form of Dogfish Head’s Festina Peche. While I was excited to sample another variation of this style, I was not sure how the addition of peach concentrate would complement the already enjoyable qualities of...
Wychwood King Goblin
A big cousin to Hobgoblin, King Goblin offers a more enchanted approach to it’s dark ale counterpart. Brewed on a full lunar moon this beer is a special release with a bit more of a kick. It is by no means a double recipe of Hobgoblin, however there are a few...
The Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
I acquired this bottle for the purpose of doing a side-by-side comparison with Dr. Fritz Briem’s 1809. Being a style that not many breweries produce, I wanted to see how an American replication held up to its German model. Using the same glass (to limit the number of...
Mikkeller 1000 IBU
It was Christmas Eve when I opened this hop bomb of a beer. The snow was falling, creating a pure white blanket outside my window as afternoon progressed. Being that it was the time for giving I decided to gift myself with a little holiday beer. The decorative paper...
Dr. Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse
I have heard and read of this sour beer for some time now, but finally got up the gumption to buy a bottle of 1809. This beer was brewed in an attempt to recreate a nearly extinct style that was unique to Berlin Germany. According to the bottle, Napoleon and his...
Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti
May 17th, 2011 marked a milestone for me. I can now proudly say that I’ve sampled the Yeti Imperial Stout Series. It took me two years as this particular brew seemed to elude me, but at last the four variations (see also Yeti, Oak-Aged, and Espresso Oak-Aged) have...
Cigar City Humidor Series IPA
I have a wood burning stove at my house which keeps the living room toasty during the cool winter months. In order to keep said stove fueled, I regularly head out to the backyard with my trusty double bladed axe to cut up some logs. Well, in case you have never...
BrewDog Dogma Ale
This mid-range abv brew reminded me of an a newer twist on the Scottish ales of old. The beige thin head seemed to disappear into the amber-orange cloudy beverage as I pressed my nose in for a smell. Note: I have not had kola nuts or guarana so I have no point of...
Williams Brothers Alba Scots Pine Ale
This historic brew commemorates a practice that dates back to a time before hops were used. Implementing what mother nature gave them, Norse people groups used the sprigs of spruce and pine trees as the bittering agent in their beers. Through the vehicle of Viking...
Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale
Is it the name? I know, it’s the label…right? Whatever the reason, I must say that Moose Drool sure peaked my interest. At first I was a little hesitant when Noel introduced me to what the wide open state of Montana has to offer. However, upon one sip...
Odell Myrcenary Double IPA
Sent to me in a beer mail package (thanks Billy) I eagerly waited for the beer to settle down a little before opening. I’ve always enjoyed Odell’s bottle designs and this one was no exception. Then I read the short bio on the label and realized that even...
Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier
Hailing from the city of Bamberg in Germany, known for developing and making famous the Rauchbier (smoked beer), comes this pretty little number. My maiden voyage into the world of this interesting style took place about a half year ago when I sampled their Urbock. I...
Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA
Holy Cow!! What a brew! My first sample of Firestone Walker has set the bar high. This IPA was right up my ally with a wonderful clear bronze-honey color body, light malts, and larger-than-life hoppiness. Since it’s arrival in Chicago, this as been my go-to...
Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale
One of the best representations for a Flemish sour I’ve had! Vibrant, tart, crisp, and refreshing. Poured out of a small 12.7 oz corked and caged bottle this brew erupted with beads of bubbles pushing their way to the top of a reddish-brown elixir. The use of...
Dry Dock Seven Seas Double IPA
I received this beer in a trade with my friend Billy out in Colorado and I have a feeling I’ll be asking for more. This beer was knockout good. My initial impressions were sweet caramel and citrus on the nose with a mild up front and abrasivly in back taste. ...
Wychwood Hobgoblin Dark English Ale
I had sampled this beer two years prior out of a can and remembered it did not win me over at first. However, in search for a short break from American craft beers, I founds a stash of Wychwood brews at a local store and decided an indulgence in some sessionable...
Great Divide Espresso Oak-Aged Yeti
Tom: Three Yeti brews down, one to go on my quest to sample all of Great Divide’s Imperial Stout variations. I was super excited to open the gold leaf wrapped cap and pour this viscous, obsidian colored brew into my snifter. Having just had Goose Island BCS Coffee I...
Bridgeport Hop Czar Imperial IPA
According to the brewery there are two pounds of whole leaf hops cones per barrel making this a hop lover’s dream come true. The bottle depicts a regal king holding his own brew and a hop shaped scepter visually setting the stage for this deliciously royal hoppy brew....
Chatoe Rogue First Growth Creek Ale
The last of four Chatoe GYO brews, John Maier adds a little twist by adding a sour ale to the mix. Using an additional Belgian yeast strain and introducing cherries in the brewing process the old Flemish style ales of old come to mind. When examining its appearance I...
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Grand Cru
A blend of three beers and aggressively dry hopped. 22% barrel aged : 78% ale Oak aged Bigfoot Barleywine Celebration Ale Pale Ale (fresh) The last of the 30th Anniversary ales had to be huge and the team at Sierra Nevada chose to showcase three well-loved brews the...
Sünner Kölsch
A light refreshing brew that I chose to open during the autumn month this Sünner (pronounced “Zoo-nuh”) Kölsch hit the spot. Utilizing my new strange glass I found the color matched other brews of the style, hazy straw yellow. The carbonation was bubbly...
Goose Island Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout
Goose Island BCS Rare! The last of three special BCS beers released in 2010. What makes this beer different is that it was aged for two years in Bourbon barrels that had previously been filled with spirits in 1985 and emptied in 2008. I was lucking enough to get a few...