Bad. Very, very bad.

Bad. Very, very bad., originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Awful stuff. Barely got 5 sips out of it!

Newcastle Hops and Glory

Newcastle Hops and Glory, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A summer ale from Newcastle! And it's pretty darn good.

A refreshing, hoppy beer (that makes great shandy's!).

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."