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.
Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf
Three Floyds knows how to make great hoppy beers, but I have come to realize that their niche or specialty is found in their IPAs. While most craft beer drinkers love a good IPA from time-to-time, we all have our preference as to what makes an IPA enjoyable to us. I...
Crown Valley Horseshoe Pale Ale
My second beer from Crown Valley Brewing needed to be one that is somewhat hop centric in order to see how they do brewing hoppier beers. I chose their APA as they do not brew an IPA that I could find. Now to start off, let me acknowledge that they brew a good number...
Port Brewing Panzer Imperial Pilsner
What do you think of when you hear the beer style known as Pilsner? Some might think of the watered down macro brewery rendition, others Pilsner Urquell, or even a light grain that imparts a bready sweetness. Well, whatever comes to mind just realize that I’m...
New Holland Beerhive Tripel
After a productive evening being a worker bee around the house I decided it was time to unwind and enjoy the cool breeze, my hammock, and a beer. Searching the newly arrive shelf I located a new release by New Holland that fell in their high gravity series. The label...
Founders Nemesis 2010
A thunderstorm rolled in just as I prepared to open my bottle of Nemesis purchased two hours earlier. So, before setting up for the picture I ran upstairs and got my head light in case the power went out or I needed to run outside to reposition a downspout. After...
BrewDog Rip Tide
My first venture into the world of BrewDog starts out with their interpretation of a Russian imperial stout. I found this bomber at the bottom of a shelf tucked behind a couple other singles. While I’d love to have reviewed a fresh bottle, I must report that my bottle...
Abita SOS Pilsner
When I sat down to write this review I didn’t realize how much of a hot topic post it could be. I’m sure everyone is completely disgusted with BP and possibly the US government with regards to the Gulf Coast oil spill response. Without getting politically heated allow...
Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale
This is the second of apparently four GYO Rogue beers that I have been able to find in my neck of the woods. If you check their website (www.rogue.com) you’ll find they currently offer a Blonde Ale, Black Lager, and two Pales as a part of this series. Looking back at...
Port Brewing Midnight Session Lager
The summer here in Chicago has been one of the rainiest I’ve experienced. If not the rain, than the humidity has sure been uncomfortable. With an increase in precipitation the grass tends to grow much quicker. So was the case last week and today called for a mowing....
Rock Bottom Powerhouse Pale Ale
If you visit the Rock Bottom of Lombard you’ll notice that the Pale Ale is a beer of choice for both regulars and guests alike. This beer is readily on tap as it holds a key spot in their daily line up. I frequented there a couple days ago and thought I should write...
Three Floyds Samurai Gazebo
While at the Bavarian Lodge for the rare Mad Hatter flight I stayed for dinner and needed another brew. I found on the list of tap beers an interesting lager by 3 Floyds called Samurai Gazeebo. Since I’m a sucker for limited edition/one-off beers I had to give it a...
Half Acre + Three Floyds Shewolf IPA
Half Acre and Three Floyds are at it again. After their one-off release of Invasion (a Helles Bock) these breweries teamed up a second time to create an IPA. I was excited to hear about this given that 3 Floyds is known for its hoppy beers and Half Acre produces a...Mad Hatter Days at the Bavarian Lodge, Lisle, Illinois
Wow! It has been a while since I sat down to type up a review. Please accept my deepest apologies. Getting back into the swing of things (after various weddings and computer failures) I thought it might be cool to break down a few beers I had the privilege to sample....
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
I was going to wait until I had a collection of Imperial Stouts in order to do a sampling and determined which one I enjoy best. Unfortunately, that plan failed after this Yeti had been staring me down for two weeks (I still might get around to my idea). I will say...
Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier
I picked up a Summer seasonal pack of Sam Adams (who by the way redesigned their website) the other day and finally got around to opening up a bottle. My first beer of choice was their Blackberry Witbier which was selected over as the 2008 winner of the Beer Lover’s...
Saison Dupont
It’s surprising how many of us beer drinkers have heard or read about a certain beer, but have failed, for one reason or another, to actually try it. Such was the case for me regarding Vieille Provision Saison Dupont from the Hainault/Wallonia region of Belgium....
Half Acre & Three Floyds Invasion Helles Bock
Phenomenal would be the word I’d use to sum up this collaborative brew between two great brewing companies: Half Acre and Three Floyds. I picked up a bomber when I was down at Half Acre a couple weeks ago claiming my allotment of Double Daisy Cutter. I had heard some...An Evening with Doug and Tracy Hurst from Metropolitan Brewing
I must say I’m a little up to my ears in beer. Allow me to qualify that statement. I’m not hammered or swimming in beer for that matter…I’m simply feeling burnt out by the whole beer scene (if that’s possible?). I only say this because not long after the Craft...
Half Acre Double Daisy Cutter Pale Ale / Doble Cortador
FRESH BEER!!! That is what I’m enjoying right now. Half Acre Beer Company released a special edition brew called Double Daisy Cutter/Doble Cortador just yesterday. In light of Craft Beer Week this beer could not have come at a better time. For those of you who have...
Ommegang Belgian-style Pale Ale
Well, the summer is me. I can tell because my weekends are quickly filling up with weddings, camping trips, and various activities. I will say that it is nice to come home and lie in my hammock while enjoying a brew now that the weather is warmer. I was in a Belgian...
Anchor Summer Beer
I needed a little break from doing the dishes, some laundry, and a little light reading. In the mood for something refreshing, I pulled out Anchor’s Summer offering-a pale wheat. Brewed a year after my birth in 1984 the brewery claims to have revived not only dark...2010 Craft Brewer’s Conference Chicago: Sam Calagione at Lush Wine & Spirits
April 7th-10th the Craft Brewer’s Conference was held here in Chicago. The city was abuzz with all things beer as various events, tastings, dinners, and releases took place. Intent on being apart of the action, I was able to get into the city on Thursday the 8th for a...Photos and Recap of Three Floyds’ Dark Lord Day 2010
How do I begin to sum up my first Dark Lord Day experience? The best way is to just make a pro/con list. Pros A lot of craft beer fans from a plethora of backgrounds. The sharing of beer and food. People went out of their way to generously share rare beers, homebrew,...