Vinter Varmer

Vinter Varmer, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Vinter Varmer, from Laurelwood
Season: Winter
ABV: 6.4%

A yummy, malty winter ale.

Bifrost Winter Ale

Bifrost Winter Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Bifrost Winter Ale, from Elysian Brewing Company
Season: Winter
ABV: 7.5%

One doesn't think of hoppy when they think of winter ales (or at least, I don't...), but maybe they (I) should, as this bitter treat takes a nip out of the winter air!

Fresh Hop Pale Ale

Fresh Hop Pale Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Fresh Hop Pale Ale, from Great Divide Brewing Company
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 6.1%

A seriously delicious pale ale, with a fresh citrusy hop bitterness - which makes sense, as it is a fresh hop ale...

Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale

Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale, from Oakshire Brewing
Season: Winter
ABV: 6.8%

A hoppy brown ale with bite!

C-Note Imperial Pale Ale

C-Note Imperial Pale Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

C-Note Imperial Pale Ale, from Lompoc
Season: Christmas/Holiday/ Yule/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Thanksgiving/Black Friday
ABV: 8%

I'm confused. It's an "Imperial Pale Ale" that is, in fact, copper in color. With the color, one would expect an Oktoberfesty-type ale with a mild bitter start and strong malty finish. This copper-colored pale ale starts out with a hugely strong hoppy, bitter taste that stays on through the alcohol finish (that sort of tastes malty, but is more booze than malt).

Don't let my confusion fool you into thinking that I don't like it. I do indeed like it and will most likely indulge in more before the end of "the season."

Rogue Mogul Madness

Rogue Mogul Madness, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Mogul Madness Ale, from Rogue
Season: Winter
ABV: 6.6%

A surprisingly bitter and hoppy winter ale, with a beautifully sweet boozy finish.

Wreck the Halls

Wreck the Halls, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Wreck the Halls, from Full Sail
Season: Christmas/Holiday/ Yule/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Thanksgiving/Black Friday
ABV: 6.5%

A hoppy holiday ale that makes me hoppy - err, happy.

This holiday ale is surprisingly hoppy, with a malty kick in the ass! Seriously. The smell and initial taste is all hops, but then it warms into a strong malt finish. It doesn't leave a strong aftertaste, which always makes me go back for more.

Yummy!

Harvest Wet Hop Ale

Harvest Wet Hop Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

13th Release Harvest Wet Hop Ale, from Sierra Nevada
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 6.7%

A beautifully bitter, copper ale with the most amazing head. Seriously. Look at the stuff! It's creamy.

I'd love to try this on a nitro tap!

Snow Cap

Snow Cap, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Snow Cap, from Pyramid
Season: Winter
ABV: 7%

A classic winter ale that's dark and malty.

And at half the price of other craft beers, it fits my budget rather nicely!

Wet Hop Ale

Wet Hop Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Wet Hop Ale, from Rogue
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 6.4%

More fresh hop goodness - this time from the ever-wonderful Rogue Brewery who grew their own hops for this beautiful amber-colored ale.

It has a nice balance between the malts and the hops, creating an almost-Oktoberfest-type ale.

Hop Trip

Deschutes' Hop Trip, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Hop Trip, from Deschutes
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 5.5%

A wonderful, seasonal treat.

It has a yummy, creamy, fresh citrus hop, without being crazy-bitter.

Wassail

Full Sail Wassail, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Wassail, from Full Sail
Season: Winter
ABV: 7%

A yummy winter concoction full of spices and malts without too many of any.

Something to warm the body after a chilly day.

Oktoberfest

Bayern Oktoberfest, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Oktoberfest, from Bayern
Season: Oktoberfest
ABV: 6%

A well-rounded Oktoberfest-style ale. It starts sweet and malty and ends on a refreshing, hoppy bitter note.

I liked it so much, I forgot to shoot it until the very last sip of the very last beer of the six-pack...

Hop Harvest Ale

Bridgeport Hop Harvest Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Hop Harvest Ale, from BridgePort
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 7%

Probably my favorite fresh hop beer. An Imperial Style ale that uses hops "from field to tank in one hour." It's so yummy, it's almost creamy!

Thirteenth Anniversary Ale

Thirteenth Anniversary Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Thirteenth Anniversary Ale, from Stone
Season: Anniversary
ABV: 9.5%

Malty, malty, malty.

If you like your beer malty and boozy, you'll like this. Personally, I don't. It may be the first Stone beer that I really don't like.

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale

Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale #beer, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, from Elysian
Season: Fall
ABV: 6.1%

A spicy, but not overwhelmingly pumpkiny beer. I don't like fruity or flavored beers, but I liked this one. I'd drink it again!

O'Brien's Harvest Ale

O'Brien's Harvest Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

O'Brien's Harvest Ale, from Hale's Ales
Season: Fall
ABV: ?

A malty, spicy ale that really isn't my thing. If you're into spicy fall ales, you'll probably really like this.

Okto

Okto, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Okto, from Widmer Brothers
Season: Oktoberfest/Fall
ABV: 5.5%

Another fine brew from Widmer Brothers. An amber ale strong in malts, with a nice bitter, hoppy finish.

Widmer Brothers has yet to produce a beer I don't like (or love)!

Bobtoberfest

Bobtoberfest, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Bobtoberfest, from Heater Allen Brewing
Season: Oktoberfest/Fall
ABV: 5.4%

A full-bodied, delicious lager.

It's a smooth amber beer rich with malts and a touch of hops. A great way to celebrate fall!

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, from Stone Brewing
Season: the good season
ABV: 7.2%

This shit's hardcore. It makes my tongue go numb.

It goes really well with Tim's Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips.

Shipyard Brewing Summer Ale

Shipyard Brewing Summer Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Summer Ale, from Shipyard Brewing
Season: Summer
ABV: ?

A yummy way to spend a day!

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Sam Adams Summer Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Summer Ale, from Samuel Adams
Season: Summer
ABV: ?

A consistently delicious summer ale. Perfect for hot and humid New England summer days.

Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier

Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Blackberry Witbier, from Samuel Adams
Season: Brewmaster collection
ABV: ?

Pretty gross. I would never buy a six-pack (or big bottle) of this stuff, but it came in a Sam Adams Seasonals twelve-pack. I was hesitant to even try it. Gross. Gross. Gross.

Sam Adams Pale Ale

Sam Adams Pale Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Pale Ale, from Samuel Adams
Season: Brewmaster collection
ABV: ?

A decent pale ale.

Infidel Lime IPA

Infidel Lime IPA, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Infidel Lime IPA, from Trade Route Brewing Company
Season: Spring
ABV: 7.5%

A good, hoppy IPA with a heavy citrus taste - which could come from the hops, or the lime leaves it was brewed with. Ive never heard of a "Spring IPA," but whatever - I'll drink it!

Radiant Summer Ale

Radiant Summer Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Radiant Summer Ale, from Ninkasi
Season: Summer
ABV: 6%

A delicious copper malt, followed by a wonderful hoppy bitterness. I would have to say that this is my favorite of all the summer beers that I've tried.

McMenamins Copper Moon

McMenamins Copper Moon, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Copper Moon, from McMenamins
Season: Summer
ABV: 5.03%

A light and fresh summer alternative to pilsners and wheat ales. It has a nice malty bite without being overbearing.

Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale

Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale, from Sierra Nevada
Season: Harvest
ABV: 6.7%

A yummy, freshy-hoppy ale - in the summer!!

Cascade Lakes Brewing Company Nitro Red

Cascade Lakes Brewing Company Nitro Red, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Nitro Red, from Cascade Lakes Brewing
Season: Summer
ABV: 6.0%

A smooth red ale.

Nitro Oatmeal Stout

Bend Brewing Company Nitro Oatmeal Stout, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Nitro Oatmeal Stout, from Bend Brewing Company
Season: Summer
ABV: 6.6%

A yummy, smooth stout.

Curve Ball Blonde Ale

Curve Ball Blonde Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Curve Ball Blonde Ale, from Pyramid
Season: Summer
ABV: 5.0%

It's a blonde ale.

Not really my cup of tea, but refreshing on a hot day.

Twilight Ale, from Deschutes

Twilight Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Twilight Ale, from Deschutes
Season: Summer
ABV: 5.0%

A hoppy beer with a malt essence. Delicious - and fitting, as we just found out that we're going to Bend, Oregon (the home of Deschutes Brewery) next, rather than Boise, Idaho as had been planned.

Oh, the life of a gypsy!

Summerfest Lager

Summerfest Lager, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Summerfest Lager, from Sierra Nevada
Season: Summer
ABV: 5.0%

A simple, refreshing lager.

SUMMER {Kolsch-Style Ale}

SUMMER {Kolsch-Style Ale}, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

SUMMER {Kolsch-Style Ale}, from Alaskan Brewing Company
Season: Summer
ABV: 5.3%

Summer in Alaska. What is that? Like 6 hours of sunshine and temperatures above freezing?

I may have a hard time imagining summer in Alaska, but the folks at Alaskan Brewing Company don''t seem to have any problems imagining what a proper summer ale should taste like. Their Summer {Kolsch-Style Ale} is refreshing and light - perfect for the hot day we had today!

Copper Hook

Copper Hook, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Copper Hook, from Redhook
Season: Spring
ABV: 5.9%

A lightly malty, somewhat hoppy ale that goes well with all the warm weather and sunshine we've been seeing recently.

Summer Grifter IPA

Summer Grifter IPA, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Summer Grifter IPA, from MacTarnahan's Brewing Company
Season: Summer
ABV: 6.2%

It's delicious. As far as IPA's go, it's fairly tame, as the hoppy aftertaste is more reminiscent of a pale ale. It was the perfect drink to end this hot day.

The picture doesn't do the color of the beer any justice, as it has a beautiful amber glow. I thought it would be fun to take the picture out on the street, to give it that "grifter" look (and make my neighbors look at me funny) and all, but I guess the dark background wasn't the best way to show off the pretty beer!

Wailua Wheat Ale

Wailua, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Wailua Wheat Ale, from Kona Brewing Company
Season: Limited Release
ABV: 5.4%

A refreshing beer for sure, and easy to drink! I'm not a fan of fruity beers, so I was a bit hesitant about getting this wheat ale brewed with passion fruit. I really couldn't taste any fruit, but I do notice how much "lighter" it tastes than most wheat ales (which are generally pretty light to begin with!). It's been perfect for the hot, sunny weather we've been experiencing!

Mom Hefeweizen

Mom Hefeweizen, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Mom Hefeweizen, from Rogue Ales
Season: Mother's Day
ABV: unsure

I'm not usually a big hefeweizen fan, but this beer is yummy! It's unfiltered and just a touch spicy (like your mother...).

84/09 Double Alt

84/09 Double Alt4, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

84/09 Double Alt, from Widmer Brothers
Season: 25th Anniversary
ABV: 9.4%

A heavy-duty beer - for a heavy-duty anniversary; 25 years of brewing yummy beer in Portland, Oregon. The beer has a heavy malt taste and booze kick. One bottle and you'll be singing, "Happy Birthday!"

--------------------------------------------------
I realize this may not be a "seasonal ale" in the traditional sense of the (you know, the four seasons and all that stuff) but I figured that anniversary or celebration-type ales could fit the bill.

Especially considering the fact that our life is about to get crazy as we move forward with a gypsy existence, following Nikki from rotation-to-rotation.

We'll spend the month of July in Idaho, August in New Hampshire, September in San Diego, and from there until the end of the year, we're not sure.... Hawaii may be a destination....

We'll be spending January through March of next year in the Cascades of Washington, up near Snoqualmie Pass and April through August in Portland.

W '09 Belgian Style Ale

W '09 Belgian Style Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

W '09 Belgian Style Ale, from Widmer Brothers
Season: Brewmasters' Release 2009
ABV: 6.5%

A delicious, spicy ale!
--------------------------------------------------
I realize this may not be a "seasonal ale" in the traditional sense (you know, the four seasons and all that stuff) but I figured that anniversary or celebration-type ales could fit the bill.

Especially considering the fact that our life is about to get crazy as we move forward with a gypsy existence, following Nikki from rotation-to-rotation.

We'll spend the month of July in Idaho, August in New Hampshire, September in San Diego, and from there until the end of the year, we're not sure....

We'll be spending January through March of next year in the Cascades of Washington, up near Snoqualmie Pass and April through August in Portland.

Henry Weinhard's Summer Ale

Henry Weinhard's Summer Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Henry Weinhard's Summer Ale, from Blitz-Weinhard
Season: Summer
ABV: 4.95%

Like a good Budweiser.

This isn't normally the type of beer I'd purchase, but I'll do anything for science...

This is a decent, refreshing beer. I could certainly see it's appeal on a 90-degree day.

Cinder Cone Red

Cinder Cone Red, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Cinder Cone Red, from Deschutes Brewery
Season: Spring
ABV: 6%

A red ale that strikes a nice balance between malty and hoppy.

Spring Reign Ale

Spring Reign Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Spring Reign Ale, from Ninkasi Brewing Company
Season: Spring
ABV: 6%

A delicious ale with a malty flavor to start things off and a bitter hoppy taste to finish it up.

Yum yum.

Mighty Arrow

Mighty Arrow, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Mighty Arrow Pale Ale, from New Belgium Brewing Company
Season: Spring
ABV: 6%

A delicious, golden ale dripping with hops and honey malt.

Welcome spring!!

2 Below Ale

2 Below Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

2 Below Ale, from New Belgium Brewing Company
Season: Winter
ABV: 6.6%

A hoppy good winter ale that's golden in color, with just the right balance of malt.

A great winter ale for hopheads.

Oatis Oatmeal Stout

Oatis Oatmeal Stout, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Oatis Oatmeal Stout, from Ninkasi Brewing Company
Season: Winter
ABV: 7.2%

A rich and creamy stout that's as smooth and delicious as it is dark.

Early Spring Beer

Early Spring Beer, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Early Spring Beer, from Sierra Nevada
Season: Spring
ABV: 5.9%

A delicious beer from Sierra Nevada. The label says it all; malty, hoppy goodness.... with excellent mouthfeel.

Buzzsaw Brown

Buzzsaw Brown, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Buzzsaw Brown, from Deschutes Brewery
Season: Winter
ABV: 4.8%

A delicious brown ale with a hint of hops. On the bottle, they describe this beer as having a "biscuity character."

I'm not sure what they mean by that. Whatever. I still thinks it's pretty dang yummy.

Brrr

Brrr, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Brrr, from Widmer Brothers
Season: Winter
ABV: 7.2%

A delightfully hoppy winter ale that will see more time in my refrigerator in the next few weeks!

Papa Noel's Olde Ale

Papa Noel's Olde Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Papa Noel's Olde Ale, from Alameda
Season: Winter
ABV: 7.2%

A thick winter ale that's creamy and full of spices.