Beer Review: Celis White

Brewery: Michigan Brewing Company

ABV: 8.00%

Review: Wow! This is truly a great wheat beer. Bold, rounded aroma, with a full, sweet, complex taste. The Celis White pours well, with a strong head and lush, cloudy body. A kick of citrus flavor adds to the overall intensity without tipping the balance to become yet another novelty-flavor beer. An extremely drinkable beer, and most definitely a crowd pleaser – offer this to any guest and you’ll be a popular host! The Michigan Brewing Company are building a reputation for producing consistently fantastic beers; classic renditions of craft beer favorites.

Food pairing: This beer needs no accompaniment, but would be excellent with rich food, especially meat-based dishes. 

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 9 out of 10

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Beer Review: Laughing Dog Brewing India Pale Ale

Brewery: Laughing Dog Brewing

ABV: unknown (please add a comment if you know!)

Review: This is a curious beer. I found it in the bargain basket in my local supermarket, priced at $1.00. With no pre-conceptions or notions, I was firstly struck by the dense, cloudy body, topped by a substantial head. At first taste, it’s clear that this IPA is in the same league as many of its Northwest compatriots – very hoppy, strong malt flavors and traces of caramel. The aftertaste is rich, sticky and strongly hopped. Without further bottles to check, my judgment is still a preliminary one. While tasting, I had no idea of the ABV, but guessed it was north of 5%. A complex, curious brew worth a taste. Whenever I find more than a single bottle, I’ll give it a more lengthy tasting. 

Food pairing: This IPA would partner very well with seafood or spicy food.

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 7 out of 10

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Beer Review: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

ABV: 6.8%

Review: This seasonal beer from Sierra Nevada truly lives up to its celebratory name. When poured, the ale has an appealing head and rich amber tones – perfectly designed for the cold winter drinking period. It’s a wonderful, medium bodied beer, with an initial malty taste followed by a delicious, pronounced hoppy flavor that stands up well throughout the tasting. As befitting a seasonal ale, this special brew has an intense flavor that makes this a true pleasure to drink. If you haven’t yet sampled this fine ale during the festive period, it would make an excellent choice for ringing in the New Year. 

Food pairing: There really is no need to pair this fine drink with food. However, it would make an excellent companion to the usual holiday party snacks, or indeed, a turkey sandwich.

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 9 out of 10

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Beer Review: Henry Weinhard’s Hefeweizen

Brewery: Henry Weinhard’s 

ABV: 4.86%

Review: I have something of a soft spot for Henry Weinhard’s range of beers.They were my first introduction to craft beers of the Pacific Northwest, and although I’ve graduated to some of the true gems of the region, I routinely enjoy their signature strong, crisp ale that is usually priced very well for a craft beer. With that in mind, I decided to try their hefeweizen, billed as a ‘honey brewed wheat beer’. For me, it’s a little too subtle and restrained – I had to search long and hard for good flavor. There are faint wheat flavors and the honey definitely adds a pleasant sweetness, but overall, the result is a less than full-on experience. Typically, I like my hefeweizens to be refreshing and cravable; this succeeds in neither category for me.

Food pairing: I would pair this beer with calamari or other sea food, although only if my other options were ‘lite beers’.

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 2 out of 10

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Beer Review: Red Brick Brown Ale

Brewery: Atlanta Brewing Company 

ABV: 7.0%

Review: This distinctive ale packs flavor with a punch! The first sip is a full-on taste experience and it doesn’t let up right through the glass. At first appearance, this rich rust-red ale delivers an impressive head and a full bodied mouth of hops and malt. A most distinctive, memorable taste makes this a surprisingly easy drinker. It nicely balances between strong flavor and harshness, but never straying beyond a most satisfying level. Watch out for a superb hint of coffee as you down this one. Definitely one to investigate! 

Food pairing: I would pair this robust ale with a burger and fries, fish and chips or with BBQ food, such as ribs.

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 8 out of 10

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Beer Review: Celis Grand Cru

Brewery: Michigan Brewing Company

ABV: 8.00%

Review: Evokes an Autumnal night in Bruges: it’s raining outside, but why leave – this is the perfect beer for an evening by the fire. A very drinkable beer with a large flavor, the Celis Grand Cru is ultimately hugely satisfying. Aroma is nicely rounded. Full mouth flavor with delicate, perfectly balanced carbonation that lasts right to the end of the glass.

Food pairing: In keeping with the Belgian theme, try this beer with mussels and fries (plenty of garlic would be good).

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 8 out of 10

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