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.
Blue Point Hoptical Illusion IPA
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Three Floyds Broo Doo
Broo Doo, a beer that I’ve passed over the last couple years. Maybe it was due to the flamboyant/tripping label art which included a troll (with hops for hair), a rainbow, a princess, and a unicorn. Whatever my reason, I have definitely been missing out. When...
Anderson Valley Anniversary Imperial IPA
For having never tried an Anderson Valley beer, why not start off with a limited edition brew that celebrates the use of hops in a big way. Catching a little blurb on the side of the bottle it became apparent that I was in for a hefty beer. They claim that it “is...
Founders Harvest Ale
Riding the wave of fresh hop harvest beers, I obtained a 4 pack of this gem. Known for brewing quality beers Founders on one of the few breweries I’ll return to when I’m not sampling/reviewing a “new” brew. As you can see the label art is top notch with amazing colors...
Blue Point RastafaRye
Jammin’ to some Bob Marley this brew sure does go down easy. Crafted in honor of the Rastafari Blue Point is donating part of the proceeds on this beer to “improve the lives of orphaned, at-risk, and underprivileged children, throughout the Caribbean.” This will be...
Port Brewing High Tide IPA
2010: My days have been extremely long as of late balancing my time between my new job, with all its transitions and my church where I serve in multiple ministries. So, on this now rare occasion, I decided to write up a review on a beer that I tried and immediately...
Blue Point American Pale Ale
Another regional brew I’m not able to get in the Midwest has graced my presence. Blue Point claims to be “Long Island’s Brewery” and being that I’ve never been to Long Island I can’t speak otherwise. This APA is a brewed in honor of their 10th anniversary and uses...
Sierra Nevada Jack & Ken’s Black Barleywine
In celebration of closing a chapter at one job (10-1-10) and starting a new one the following Monday, I decided my choice of beer should be rather celebratory in nature as well. Insert the third of four beers commemorating Sierra Nevada’s 30 years of brewing. This...
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
What can I say? It has been a while since my last beer review. The month of July was a busy one with weddings, seeing a roommate move out, and getting around to switching over an internet account. Well, I’m back…and in a big way! The beer I chose for my re-entry was...
Duvel Triple Hop
Upon receiving my email for recently arrived beer from my local Binny’s I made it a point to stop in for this brew. It seems the “triple hops brewed” marketing worked to a certain degree (unfortunately for Miller it had the opposite effect…suckas). As you can see in...
Sierra Nevada Tumbler
New to their fall seasonal line up is this pretty little Brown ale. After looking at their website I looks as though this is been substituted for their Anniversary ale (personally I’m quite alright with that). The fresh new label art given to their bottles over the...
Dogfish Head Bitches Brew
The Bavarian Lodge had a Dogfish Head invasion night a number of weeks ago and I was fortunate enough to try Bitches Brew on draft. Although, I arrived too late to try the 90 minute through the Randall (see pic) the experience was unforgettable nonetheless. “Brewed in...
Rogue XS Imperial IPA
Rogue decided to switch up their Imperial series packaging from those large ceramic bottles to little 7 oz samples. From what I have heard it was partly due to product movement which is sad to hear. Now if want a full glass I have to buy 3-4 mini ones. Displaying a...
Ommegang Cup O Kyndnes
Spotting another limited edition Ommegang brew on my way to the checkout line caused quite a problem as I had two bottles under each arm and both hands full (tip: use a cart of baskets). Having Scottish roots and a curiosity for Belgian beers I opened up this plaid...
De Proef + Terrapin Monstre Rouge Imperial Flanders Red Ale
After a long week Sunday afternoon is a great time for kicking back and watching football, reading, or a nap. For me it is a time to catch up on my beer reviews. In the mood for a Belgian beer I reached for the collaboration brew by Terrapin Brewing Co and De Proef...
Captain Lawrence Xtra Gold American Tripel
Well, this is the first Captain Lawrence brew I’ve ever had and let me tell you I was pretty stoked. After hearing about the quality of this brewery I was eager to give them a try. I’m going to let you read up on the history of the brewery and dive right into this...
Rogue John John Hazelnut Ale
The 3rd release of these John John ales by Rogue is easy drinking, elegant, and loaded with delicious aromas and flavors. Combining the Hazelnut Brown Nectar with white oak barrels that once contained Hazelnut spiced Rum, this beer is an instant winner in my book....
Guinness Black Lager
Guinness! Personally, I think it can be placed in the top 5 greatest companies this world has seen. Whatever your feelings are on the brewery, its operations, marketing, or the beer it produces, the legacy of Guinness is shrouded in a family instilling [Christian]...
Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin (Pugsley’s Signature Series)
The leaves are starting to turn color ever-so-slightly and I received a pumpkin beer in a trade with Lee Williams from Hoptopia last week. Before I started reviewing for PHM, pumpkin beers continually received the worst possible grades in my personal notes. Often...
Beer and Food #1: Italian Sausage
I had some spicy Italian sausage in the freezer left over from a night my buddy and I made pizza. Not wanting it to go to waste I decided to grill them up and do a little food and beer pairing. Posing the question on Twitter I received two separate responses...
Half Acre Sticky Fat
Sticky Fat! What is that? I had the same question when I read Half Acre Beer Company’s blog about a month ago. According to the legend, it is a bear that loves to steal ready-to-pick hops right off the vines. This beer is only available on-tap on the brewery and is an...
Great Divide Rumble
Fall is approaching us here in Chicago as the temperatures are dropping and more importantly the humidity is gone. However, this morning when I woke up it was rainy and overcast. Wanting to say in a catch up on some much needed rest I hunkered in with a nice beer and...
Anchor Humming Ale
My initial experience with this brew came in April during Chicago Craft Beer Week when I went to a meet and greet with Fritz Magtag. It was on tap, along with almost all Anchors beers, so I decided to give it a try. This Pale Ale was brew to be a new seasonal from...