Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk Stout

You can smell the peanut butter, but I don't taste it so much. And "milk" stout is not my favorite kind of stout. This is just ok. But I've got another peanut butter stout in the fridge, so I'm hoping that will be more peanut buttery than this. ID

22oz bottle, 5.5% ABV
4 Hands Brewing Company
St. Louis, MO
purchased at Kenwood

Compass Sparkling Ale with Rose Hips

"& citrusy hops" is why I snatched this one up. I'm drinking it pretty cold, so no hop aroma, but it has bitterness and somewhat unusual flavors. Otherwise, less remarkable than I was hoping for : ( But not a bad swill, just not something crazy, though its pleasant flavor really hides some big booze on the back end. Alas, I must go to my own recipes for that craziness. And now that I'm on break from school, I definitely will! ID

22oz bottle, 9% ABV
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY
purchased at Holiday Market

Elevation 83 Extreme Pale Ale

This thing was way over carbonated, so maybe it's old. Tastes almost like a lager, and even after a shot of vodka, I can taste the booze on this. Otherwise, it has some bitterness, a decent flavor, but this head just won't settle. Third sip and 5 minutes and I've still got a 2 inch head! A hint of a fruity hop flavor, but so much carbonation it has the mouth-feel of champagne. ID

22oz bottle, 83 IBU, 8.3% ABV
Oceanside Ale Works
Oceanside, CA
purchased at Kenwood (I think, otherwise Holiday Market)

Gemini Super Hopped Ale

Had to try this one from one of my favorite brewers! Not much hop aroma, but some big citrusy hop flavor blending with some sweetness from the big alcohol. Smooth in the mouth, but there is no mistaking that this is a high gravity brew. Warms the cheeks after a cold spin on the bike, preparing for tomorrow's Toys for Tot's rally. ID

12oz bottle, 9% ABV
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY
purchased at Holiday Market

Hop° Thermia Double IPA

A nice hop aroma, and solid, but not too thick, malt body define this. The bitterness is strong, but in perfect balance with the maltiness. A great offering that I was happy to find in Michigan, as I don't believe I've had an Alaskan ale since visiting there, finding this brewer's amber as ubiquitous as water and fresh air up there. I still wear my Alaskan Brewing chook throughout the winter, and am glad to be swilling their wares once again! MB

12oz bottle, 8.5% ABV
Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, AK
purchased at Holiday Market

Un*Earthly Imperial IPA

This is a good IPA! In a previous post I criticised the oak barrel-aged version. And I guess I stand by that, because this is good, no barrel necessary and possibly detrimental. Big booze and good flavor. And the drain flies here are literally dying for a taste (ie. use this as a bug killer!) ID

12oz bottle, 9.5% ABV
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY
purchased at Holiday Market

Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

This fucking thing exploded when I opened it. I mean literally, beer on the god damn ceiling! So now I know why it was cheap, MF. It does have a nice flavor with pronounced bitterness and a toasty, malty backbone, while still feeling pretty light. I could drink this, but I'll take a pass on the beer shower. I mean, my shoulders are soaked. ID

22oz bottle, no deets
New Holland Brewing Company, LLC
Holland, MI
purchased at Kenwood