Ginger Shandy

I was not a shandy fan, now I really like drinking them on ice in the summer. This version is great! Very dry, and not sugary at all. Really refreshing. Am i drinking beer, or am i drinking Vernors? Gotta be beer, otherwise I'd be on sugar overload. Of the flavors I've tried so far, this is my go to shandy! MB

12oz can, no deets
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls & Milwaukee, WI
purchased at Mariano's

Chilly Waters Pale Ale

I love the label art on this. This has a ton of flavor, hoppy and grain in maybe the perfect ratio, and then feels like air as you swallow. Really the epitome of "Great Taste, Less Filling"! One of the best bottled pale ales I've had in a long time. Tastes so fresh I'd think I brewed it myself. The only disappointment is the low alcohol. MB

22oz bottle, 4.8% ABV, 40 IBU
Tighthead Brewing Company
Mundelein, IL
purchased at Kenwood

Akari Shogun American Wheat Ale

I'm not sure if this is meant as a joke, "American" wheat ale from Chicago with a Japanese sounding name? But the beer is no joke. This is Gumballhead, only better! Nice hop nose and flavor. Infinite drinkability. Seriously, why to the cans only come in 4-packs? I'm not sure why I'm impressed by wheat beers that don't taste like wheat beers, but I enjoy FFF Gumballhead, and I enjoy this even more. MB

16oz can, no deets (even more like packaged FFF!)
Half Acre Beer Company
Chicago, IL
purchased at Kenwood

Lead Feather Black Ale

Dark grainy flavor that sits velvety on the tongue. Ample bitterness lets you know it is not a stout, and its not think. But black is the predominant flavor. This is a nice all around ale, for something a bit different. ID

16oz can, no deets
Half Acre Beer Company
Chicago, IL
purchased at Kenwood

Helles Yeah

Labelled an "American Helles", this is a great lager, coming from someone who doesn't much care to drink lager. This is another one of these deals I occasionally score at Kenwood: only $10.99 a case. I really regret now that I bought just one. I didn't even know what a Helles was, but this beats the pants off a pilsner any day. More malty, just a hint of sweetness, followed up by the hop bitter lager finish. This another beer that is a perfect entry for anyone considering a life beyond American light beers. So easy drinking that I just gotta find more, and spend more time investigating this style as interpreted by other brewers. MB

12oz bottle, 5.5% ABV
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (Miller-Coors)
Chippewa Falls & Milwaukee, WI
purchased at Kenwood

Where The HELLES Summer?

A question I'm asking myself this year! I'm not a lager fan, but I've read a helles is a lager that is slightly maltier and less hoppy than a pilsner. This fits the bill, and I'll take it over a pilsner any day. This beer is good, and an excellent entry to craft beer. Why hasn't the mainstream Bud/Miller/Coors world tried this offering yet? Southern Tier again does not disappoint. This ale drinker has polished off these lagers right quick! ID

12oz bottle, 4.6% ABV
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NY
purchased at Kenwood

Grapefruit Shandy

Feelin' like summer today! This has a VERY intense, wonderful grapefruit aroma. But the flavor is more subdued. From the can, it tasted like a horrible combination of old grandpa beer and grapefruit juice! Foul! But in the imperial pint glass with ice, it is a refreshing little brew. Claims to be a Weiss beer with honey and grapefruit flavor. For pure grapefruit flavor, this can't touch Stiegl Radler, but if that is too much grapefruit, then this may be your choice. Perfect for summer days when you don't want to be drunk in 3 beers! ID

12oz can, 4.2% ABV
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls & Milwaukee, WI
purchased at Mariano's