Indian Wells Brewing Co. ‘Whiskey Barrel Brew’ Amber Lager. 12% abv. Deep ruby color. Thin ivory head that falls to a sustaining collar. Fair retention, little lacing. Nose of sweet amber malt, grain, corn, white bread.

Front taste is caramel, herbal hops, faint whiskey, wood expression on the back end. Dry finish. Aftertaste is treacle, bitter herbal, vegetal, yeasty. Aroma of a sweet bread emerges as the temp rises. Medium body. Mouthfeel is cool at first, warm-hot as the temp rises to room. Thin, tacky, boozy, slightly carby.

This is sadly a mediocre beer at best, one that doesn’t benefit from its whiskey barrel treatment, a technique that usually guarantees some level of richness and flavor. It feels and tastes like a bourbon barrel aged beer that been watered down. The thin body betrays its image of a big beer, while the flavor profile is plain and weak. 

Mt first thought was that perhaps an amber lager is not ideal for a barrel program, because t then I remembered the world class barrel beers from Firestone Walker, whose brewmasters can make barrel aged gold from any category of craft beer. I’ve been disappointed by Indian Wells before, a contract craft brewery that seems to keep their creations at arm’s length. Today’s tasting is unfortunately no exception. Pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"Truly unique! We started with a special amber style beer to complement the beautiful glow of great whiskey and then racked our special brew - which is made with 2-row malt, Munich, and Caramel Malts with Noble & Mt. Hood hops - into freshly decanted Evan Williams bourbon barrels where it lagers until ready. The outcome is a perfect "sipping beer" with a wonderful flavor, aroma and whopping 12% alcohol content! This beer is made in very small batches, under carefully supervised conditions. We're certain every beer drinker will love our very special limited quantity 'Whiskey Barrel Amber'!"

[source: mojavered.com]

"As a young boy in the 1940’s, Cliff Fyffe used to contemplate the old, broken whiskey barrels in the Evan Williams Distillery Yard. He noticed the barrels were giving off the aroma of the aged Kentucky whiskey in the summer heat. Cliff shared this memory with the Indian Wells Brewing Co. founders, Rick and Greg, who suddenly had an inspiration! They reached out and contacted Kentucky whiskey distilleries and purchased used oak barrels for their own whiskey barrel aged beer. Indian Wells Brewing Co. then left these barrels in the direct Mojave Desert sun until ripe. When the barrels were ready, they brewed a special 'amber' style lager by using their own natural artesian spring water, filling the whiskey barrels and allowing them to lager down to 34-degrees for months. Our own delicious whiskey barrel aged amber lager. It pairs well with BBQ and is just great for sipping. We hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed making it."

[source: bottle]

The beer was completely flat within minutes of the pour.

Toppling Goliath 'Dorothy's New World' Lager. 5.5% abv. Pale yellow in color, Hazy with plenty of sediment. Thin, white, bubbly head that dissipates quickly, right in front of your eyes. Zero head in about a minute. Poor retention, no lace.

Nose of grain, semi-sweet bread. Front taste is grain, vegetal, slight butter on the back end. Aftertaste is grassy, canned veggies. Thin body. Mouthfeel is cool, round, a little sticky on the tongue.

This is a mediocre beer, one that could perhaps serve as a "bridge beer," a beer that helps ween a Bud Light drinker into the craft beer world. It's aroma is barley, some veggie notes, slightly sweet malt, all of which are hallmarks of macro beers. The head is gone in the blink of an eye. I had to take my photos quickly as the head dropped as if it were in a contest.

If you're used to Bud Light, Coors Light, and the like, and want to explore craft beer, I suppose you could to worse than this simple lager. The brewery is proud of how "simple" it is, but one should strive to be both simple and still outstanding. If you are a seasoned craft beer enthusiast, you could enjoy this around a barbecue, maybe even marinade your beef skewers in this. Otherwise, I'd look elsewhere. Pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"Named after our father's grandmother, Dorothy's is our 'Classic Beauty." She is easy going, mild in body, and clean in taste. Each sip charms the senses with distinct flavor and refreshing simplicity. Just like Grandma Dorothy, our unfiltered flagship beer is forever dear to our hearts."
[source: can]

Head dissipated right before my eyes.

Head was completely gone after about a minute. Disappointing, even for a simple lager.

Schönramer 'Gold' Fest Beer. 6% abv. Pale yellow-gold color. Clear. Bubbly white head that disappeared alarmingly fast. Nearly flat in a minute. Poor retention, little lace. Nose of vegetal grain, sweet corn. Front taste of pale malt, light corn syrup, mild greens on the back. Aftertaste is mild bitter herbal hops, botanical, canned corn. Light body. Mouthfeel is warm, thin, watery, resin at the end.

This is a barely adequate beer, a cheap adjunct lager created for mass consumption rather than savoring. I imagine you are meant to knock back a few of these in one sitting to best appreciate it. There is no head or lace. The aroma is canned cooked vegetables. The body is water thin. The taste is more of the same with some sweet corn-ish malt.

In looking for something good to say, I can tell you that there are no off flavors, nothing that will make you crinkle your nose in disgust and promptly put the glass down. It's drinkable, which is not high praise, but it's a modicum of comfort considering I just spent 15 minutes with it. Avoid this one.

From the brewery:

"Deceptively pale in color, Gold possesses a full-bodies assertive character, brewed for all festive occasions by the Private Landbrauerei Schönram."

[source: bottle]

Beer was flat in less than a minute.

Got some more head off the second pour. Didn't last long.

Westheimer Premium Pilsner. 4.8% abv. Pale straw color with a finger of white bubbly head. Clear. Good retention coupled with outstanding lace. Nose of bright sweet corn, grain, light vegetal. Aroma of herbal soap comes across after a bit. Front taste of grassy malt, mild herb, corn husk, sweet herbal on the back end. Aftertaste is grain, sweet botanical, mild bitter herbal hops, dry finish. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, soft, carby, clean.

This is an excellent pilsner, which is saying a lot considering that, next to sours, pils is my least favorite type of beer. Still, despite my reservations, a good beer is a good beer, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's well constructed end to end, starting with a light yet dancing aroma, continuing with a flavor profile that offers a gentle blend of malt, herbs, and distant sweet botanicals. The body and feel are superb, and the overall impression is refreshing and slightly sweet.

I love old world classics as well as new world craft beers, and this is a wonderful old beer that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. I've always preferred German pils over Czech or Austrian pils, and this beer further supports that. Very good stuff. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Unpasteurized, full-flavored live German lager. Produced strictly according to the German Purity Law of 1516."

[source: bottle]

"One of the best beers in Germany. Year after year, Westheimer Premium Pilsener beer passes the hardest test in the world. Experts at the German Agricultural Society rate this peak Pilsener with top marks. A Spitzen pilsener with multiple awards for quality and taste, you can count Westheimer Premium Pilsener rightly with the best beers in Germany. Craft brewing from exquisite ingredients is what makes Westheimer Premium Pilsener true to the German Purity Law of 1516, carefully brewed and then aged for a full four weeks for unique Pils quality."

[source: westheimer.de]

21st Amendment Brewery 'El Sully' Mexican- Style Lager. 4.8% abv. 19 IBU. Pale straw color. Thin white bubbly head. No retention or lacing. Head was completely gone in one minute flat. Nose of mildly sweet corn, white bread. Front taste of corn, canned vegetables, light grassy, faint lemon. Aftertaste is bready, floral, citrus peel. Light watery body. Mouthfeel is thin, sticky, slight resin.

This beer is clearly designed to be a light session "lawnmower" beer and nothing more. Despite coming from a craft brewery, the overall flavor is pure macro brew, an adjunct lager to drink when doing yard work or standing around a barbecue grill. That was clearly the intention, and in that respect, mission accomplished. However, sitting beside other lawnmower brews, this one is perhaps too close to the bull's eye. It's so on target that there is nothing special about it. It's better than a Bud Light or the like, but not by much.

As with most light beers, it's light in alcohol, light in body, and light in taste. It's essentially beer-flavored water, which does have its place, don't get me wrong. You'll just have to decide if it's a place you want to be. For me, for those times when such a beer is warranted, there are plenty of far better choices out there, cerveza or otherwise. Pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"The sun was in our eyes and we did not get a good look, but you are closer to him right now than most will ever have the good fortune to be. Who is El Sully? Grab a can of this Mexican-Style lager, head to the nearest beach, even if it’s imagined, and perhaps he’ll come to you. El Sully (the beer) is available this Fall inside our new 12-can variety pack. El Sully (the legend) is a little harder to find."

[source: 21st-amendment.com]

Heater Allen 'Winter Bock' Handcrafted Lager. 6.3% abv. 31 IBU. Dark ruby, nearly black. Thin collar of tan head. Moderate retention, no lace. Nose is hard to discern cold. As the temp rises to room, aromas of red berries and port emerge. Front taste of sweet malt, dark berry, earthy hop background, mild roasty cocoa back end. Aftertaste of milder dark fruit, mellow bittersweet malt, bright red grapes. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, somewhat thick, tangy on the end.

This is a great winter brew, one that flies below the normal flavor profile of bright spices and thick malt. It tastes subdued by design, its flavors reigned in yet still complex and varied. Delicate.

If you like big bold spice in your winter/xmas beers like ample spoonfuls of nutmeg or cloves, you may find this beer too mild. However, if you normally dislike fall/winter spice blends and but still wish to try seasonal offerings, you may be delighted. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"In past years we called our Bock Hugo after Jan's (Rick's wife) grandfather, Hugo Effenberger. This year we decided to change the name and label due to consumer confusion over the old label, which had a picture of Hugo on it. Our Bock is big and malty with just a slight hop presence. Rich caramel notes are balanced with nice roasted flavors on the back palate. We plan on releasing the Winter Bock in January of each year."

[source: heaterallen.com]

This collar of head was all we got, but it stuck around just long enough.

Our beer being served to us by the friendly barkeep. Note the nearly absent head.

My friend Steve and I split this beer at the wonderful bottle shop Beer To The People.

Sierra Nevada 'Oktoberfest' Lager 2015. 6% abv. 30 IBU. Amber color. Two fingers of foamy white head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of sweet malt, cracker, faint earthy hop. Front taste of light roast malt, caramel, toasted bread. Aftertaste of sweet bread, roasted malt, herbal hops. Medium body. Mouthfeel is rich, sticky, bubbly.

This is an excellent Oktoberfest brew. It hits the notes of its category well, with a tall malt presence, sweet caramel, some toasty notes, and a slight herbal bite of hops in the aftertaste. It stands firmly beside other Oktoberfest beers. For me, a merely good Oktoberfest is still something to celebrate, and this new recipe for 2015 rises above. I'd surely have this again. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"We partnered with one of Germany's oldest breweries - Brauhaus Riegele - to create a true festival beer unlike any other brewed in the USA. Using traditional techniques and ingredients, were bringing the style back to its authentic roots with a deep golden color, delicate hop note, and rich malt complexity."

[source: bottle]

"A German-American collaboration on the classic festival beer. We’re on a mission to explore the roots of Germany’s festival beers. Each year, we’ll partner with one of a handful of incredible German brewers to create a traditional take on the most famous beer style in history. This year we’re working hand in hand with Brauhaus Riegele of Augsburg. Together we created an authentic Oktoberfest beer, true to the roots of the festival, that’s deep golden in color and rich with complex malt flavor from the use of traditional German Steffi barley."
[source: sierranevada.com]

Sudwerk Brewing 'Märzen Amber' Lager. 5.7% abv. 22 IBU. Deep Amber cool. Thin ivory head off the tap. Moderate retention, no lacing. Nose is malty, herbal. Front taste of caramel, slightly sweet malt, grain. Aftertaste is earthy, dank herbal, faint grassy sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, thick, bubbly, faint sweet finish.

This is a good beer, adequate for its category. The malt taste is a touch sweet but mostly earthy, almost botanical, with an aftertaste of herbal and grassy notes. On its own, this is an enjoyable beer. However, it fails to stand tall next to other brews in this category. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Choice hops and five different specialty malts are combined to produce this rich, amber and copper-toned lager. Sweeter in flavor than Sudwerk’s other core offerings, the Märzen has a full robust character with a smooth, zen-like finish."

[source: sudwerkbrew.com]

Full Sail Brewing '25' Pale Doppelbock Lager. 9% abv. 70 IBU. Hazy orange color. Half-finger of tan head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of malt, sweet citrus. Front taste of bittersweet malt, light fruit, round citrus. Aftertaste of sweet orange, mild bitter fruity hops, bitter earthy sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, small-bead carb, tangy back end.

This is a fine beer that crosses category lines. "Pale" and "Doppelbock" seem contradictory, but it works here, with flavors of sweet mellow citrus over a solid malt backbone. Wonderful. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Brewed to celebrate our 25th Anniversary, '25' is a complex, luxurious beer brewed with Vienna Malt and Saaz hops, extended lagering produces full bodied flavors of caramel and honey with a hoppy backbone of white pepper and lemon spice. A beer made for celebration, Full Sail 25 is an elegant Northwest Style Pale Doppelbock."

[source: fullsailbrewing.com]

"So here we are 25 years later. Very humbled, grateful, and amazed that we got here in one piece. Still a mix of beer geeks and boardheads. Still independent. Still trying to find that perfect balance between art and commerce, work and play, inspiration and perspiration. Thanks for supporting us for all these years. And next time you’re in Hood River, stop by for a beer."

[source: bottle]

Sierra Nevada 'Summerfest' Lager. 5% abv. 28 IBU. Pale yellow color. Over a finger of bubbly white head. Excellent retention with moderate lace. Nose of faint sweet light malt, herbal hops on the back. Front taste of grain, corn, floral bitter hops. Aftertaste is spiced hop bite, bitter grassy grain on the sustain. Thin body. Mouthfeel is crisp, effervescent, slight carb.

This is a good easy-drinking summer brew. The thin almost watery body and mouthfeel lend to outdoor sessions, but with just enough hop bite to bring you back. The flavors range from herbal to floral, always with a fresh bitter sting in the background. A worthy lawnmower beer, by design. Good stuff. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"Since their invention in the 1840s, Pilsener-style beers have become the world’s most popular style. With a nod toward the original Czech tradition, Summerfest is brewed to feature the best of Bohemian nature. Crisp, golden, dry and incredibly drinkable, Summerfest has a delicate and complex malt flavor and spicy and floral hop character—the perfect warm weather beer."

[source: sierranevada.com]

"There's something about a warm summer day that calls out for a cold glass of great beer, and this classic Czech-style lager is sure to for the bill. Crisp, golden and refreshing, Summerfest is the perfect choice for soaking up the sunshine."

[source: bottle]

Sapporo Premium Beer. 5% abv. Pale yellow color. Thin white bubbly head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose is skunky, corn, boiled veggies, yeasty. Front taste of sweet light malt, canned corn, tangy back end. Aftertaste is sugar sweet syrup, canned greens, metallic sustain. Thin body. Mouthfeel is tangy, metallic, watery.

This is a Japanese macro beer. Don't let the fancy can and marketed heritage fool you, this is a cheap grain adjunct beer. The flavors are the standard boiled vegetables and overly sweet syrup to help mask off flavors, all wrapped in that classic metallic aftertaste and thin body.

This is one of those beers that's best served ice cold - in order to numb your tastebuds - and much helped by nostalgia, a beer that may remind you of hanging out at a nice sushi bar with friends. I had this beer at a get-together, and several people commented that they love pairing it with sushi. The beer reminded them of late nights with friends and tempura rolls. Unfortunately, without the ambiance of a nice Japanese restaurant and fond memories to look back on, this is just another cheap adjunct beer. Pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"With lush use of aroma hops, Sapporo Premium has an amazingly crisp taste, refreshing flavor, and refined bitterness to leave a clean finish. Whether in our iconic SILVER CAN that is long loved by our American fans, in bottles, or on tap, Sapporo Premium Beer can be enjoyed on any occasion."

[source: sapporobeer.com]

Miller 'Fortune' Lager. 6.9% abv. Gold-orange color. Half-finger of white head. Moderate retention, some lace. Nose is very faint malt, grain, corn. Front taste of malt, caramel, slightly sweet biscuit. Aftertaste of corn, heavy bread, caramel. Thin body. Mouthfeel is hot, carby. crisp end.

This is a macro lawnmower beer with relatively more kick and malt flavor than you'd expect, which may come from the ‘spirits’ blended in. This is Miller’s attempt at a bourbon-infused beer, a bridge between a light macro lager and a rich craft beer. I feel they’ve succeeded in this precise taste, for better or worse. I can certainly enjoy one at a party, but would not purchase it again. Against true bourbon-aged craft beers, it’s not even close. Still, it has more dark malt taste than most macros. Take that as you will.

From the brewery:

“Miller Fortune, developed to compete within spirits' occasions, was introduced to the market in February 2014. The jet black bottle is branded with the Miller script "M," a nod to Miller's time honored brewing tradition. Miller Fortune is undistilled at 6.9% ABV and crafted with caramel malts and cascade hops for a balanced taste and smooth finish. It's best served in a rocks glass.”

[source: millercoors.com]

“Miller Fortune is a premium golden lager undistilled at 6.9% abv. It boasts a rich, malty aroma, a light body, and a crisp, clean finish, balanced, yet unexpectedly bold.”

[source: millerfortune.com]

Session Premium Lager. 5.1% abv. 18 IBU. Straw-gold color. Finger of white bubbly head that falls to a sustaining collar. Fair retention. Moderate lace. Nose of grain, grassy, veggie. Front taste of light malt, corn, herbal. Aftertaste is corn, cooked greens, faint herbal hops on the back. Thin body. Mouthfeel is warm, astringent, crisp.

This is a decent lawnmower beer. Full Sail Brewing markets this separately from its other offerings, touting it as a bridge between macro and micro beers, which is another way of saying it tastes like a macro but is made by a micro. Imagine a car that drives like a Ford Fiesta but is made by Ferrari. Is that the car for you?

The appearance, body, taste, and marketing strategy all remind me of Firestone Walker's '805' of which I gave a less-than-glowing review. Their similarity is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly since Session tastes slightly better and is significantly cheaper than 805. Stacked against all beers, I'd pass on this one. Stacked against macros and other micro-macros crossovers, this beer is not the worst. Recommended, if you are going to a barbecue or mowing the lawn.

From the brewery:

"It's all about Session-ability! Session’s not a micro, a macro or an import. It’s a little bit of each. Yet none of the above. Which makes Session a true original. Just about everybody who likes beer likes Session... This is the Session that started it all, with that retro-cool red label and rock-paper-scissors under the caps. The original Session is a classic, all-malt lager that’s crisp, smooth, and refreshing. Winner of multiple gold medals at the top national and international competitions, Session Premium Lager is a beer that truly crosses boundaries, from blue collar to white, red state to blue, cocktail bar to bar-be-que. Session Premium lager is an extremely tasty import-style lager, like the kind of beer made back in the pre-Prohibition days— plenty of flavor that goes down clean and smooth, we like to call it "Session-ability." American and European hops offer a wonderful noble hop aroma, and the two-row barley malt and a touch of wheat malt give a pleasant, refreshing finish. Why have a beer when you could have a Session!"

[source: fullsailbrewing.com]