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    He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.

    Name – He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.
    Country – United States
    Type – American Double IPA

    Appearance – Poured a clear amber color with a slightly tan foamy head.

    Smell – Very prominent sweet malt smells. Rye bread and yeast is smelt as well.

    Taste – Big malty taste up front with caramel up front followed by a big rye taste. The hoppy flavor is there but not overpowering like most IPAs. Very slight alcohol bite at the end.

    Zak from Shmaltz Brewing Company (makers of He’Brew beers) highly recommended this to me. The beer is named after the late comedian Lenny Bruce. After not finding it a few times I was able to finally find it in one of my local beer stores. I will say that this is not your typical IPA. I don’t find it as hoppy as most. The sweet rye taste just does it for me. I could very easily have a couple of bottles of this and forget that it is 10% ABV. I would then probably realize that not too much later though. An outstanding beer on all fronts and by far the best double IPA I have had to this date.

    Overall Grade – A

    Avery India Pale Ale

    Name – Avery India Pale Ale (IPA)
    Country – United States
    Type – American IPA

    Appearance – A golden yellow pour that was pretty hazy with a nice white head.

    Smell – Citrusy notes on top of a nice hoppy smell.

    Taste – A sweet taste with tastes of citrus, lemon and grapefruit predominantly, and bread.  Not overly hoppy like most IPAs but just enough.

    I first had this at the beer and food pairing in early November that I went to and this just stuck out to me and made me want to have it again and review it.  I love the citrus tastes to it that make it just slightly sweeter than most IPAs.  This is definitely up there with some of the best IPAs I’ve ever had and showing that Avery is top notch brewery.

    Overall Grade – A

    Samuel Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner

    Name – Samuel Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner
    Country – United States
    Type – American Imperial Pilsner

    Appearance – Poured a cloudy straw color that was almost orange.  Nice sized white head.

    Smell – Quite hoppy for a pilsner with hints of floral notes.

    Taste – A sweet hoppy taste.  There was a significant citrus taste to it but what kind of fruit escapes me.  Finished very smooth.  This is not your typical store bought pilsner.

    I was extremely surprised in how good this one was.  It’s hoppy indeed but I don’t think it is overpowering with those bitter hops that you might expect from IPAs or other ales.  I really like the sweetness to it as it stands out but is not over powering.  This was the last bottle I saw in the store and hope that I can find it again as it was a very good one.  Yes this is getting a good rating.

    Overall Grade – A