Ommegang Witte - Draft (8/10)

Ommegang Witte is a traditional Belgian wheat ale. The color is an orangey yellow. It has a thin white head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind a lot of lacing which hangs around.

The flavor has a hint of clove, and of citrus. It's a little sweet, but with a decent mild hoppiness to balance it out.

Beer Advocate rates it average. I would rank it above average myself.

I sampled this at The Winking Lizard Tavern on Bethel Road.  I've not noticed it for sale at any local retailers, but that doesn't mean you won't find it if you look.

IBU: 11
ABV: 5.2%
My rating: 8/10

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Thirsty Dog Twisted Kilt Scotch Ale (8/10)

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company's Twisted Kilt pours into the glass a medium brown color with a thin off-white head that dissipates quickly.

The flavor is very slightly smoky, with a very mild but balanced hoppiness. It's a very smooth and easy to drink beer.

Beer Advocate rates it 83-95, placing it in the good to exceptional range.

I don't recall having seen this at any local retailers recently, but Cost Plus World Market has a number of other Thirsty Dog products in stock and may carry this one also.

ABV: 5%
IBU: 13
My rating: 8/10

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter (8/10)

Breckenridge Brewery's Vanilla Porter pours into the glass with a deep brown, almost black color.

Its flavor is a very pleasant combination of vanilla and chocolate, with a very mild hoppiness. It's not a beer I would drink more than once in a session, but it is one that I would drink again many times.

Beer Advocate rates it "average to good" with a range of 79-84 out of 100.

Although I had this at The Winking Lizard Tavern on Bethel Road, I've seen it for sale at a number of Columbus area retailers.  I've found it at Kenny Road Market, The Andersons General Store, and others.

ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 16
My rating: 8/10

Rooster Red (7/10)

Rooster Red is a house brand of the Rooster's wing restaurants. It is a clear, reddish brown with minimal head which dissipates quickly and leaves behind almost no lacing.

The is little or no aroma. The flavor is sweet and malty, with just a touch of hops to balance it.

Because it's a domestic beer, it is available in their happy hour specials (at least at the location I am visiting).

If you are visiting Rooster's, be sure to try a glass!

I sampled this particular glass at the Henderson Road location.

IBU: unknown, best guess about 28
ABV: unknown
My Rating: 7/10

Thirsty Dog Raspberry Ale (7/10)

Thirsty Dog's Raspberry Ale is an interesting fruit beer.  It pours into the glass a rich amber color with an amazingly tall white head that dissipates slowly.  The aroma of raspberries is so strong that you expect it to be a soda-pop-like Lambic style of beer - but it isn't.

The flavor is not what you would expect.  There is a hint of raspberry to it, but otherwise the flavor is that of a relatively standard ale with a mild hoppiness to it.  It was pleasant, but I doubt I'll buy it again any time soon.

Beer Advocate gives it a 78 out of 100, describing it as "average".

I sampled this particular bottle at The Winking Lizard Tavern on Bethel Road.  Thirsty Dog products are stocked at Cost Plus World Market.  I've not noticed them at other local retailers, but I may just not have been looking closely enough at the time.

ABV: 3.9%
IBU: 7.5
My rating: 7/10

De Dolle Special Export Extra Stout (6/10)

De Dolle Special Export Extra Stout is a deep brown, almost black, beer.  When poured into the glass, it generates an incredibly thick light brown head that takes a long time to dissipate.  The flavor has a hint of smokiness to it, slightly sweet, a tiny bit tart, with a mild chocolate note to it.

When I reached the bottom of the glass, it had residue in it that resembled coffee grounds at the bottom of a coffee cup.  Very unusual.

Overall, it wasn't bad but not one of my favorite beers.

Beer Advocate rates it an 88 out of 100.

I sampled this beer at The Winking Lizard Tavern on Bethel Road, and I don't recall having seen it at any local retailers.

ABV: 9.0%
IBU: 50
My rating: 6/10

Rogue Ales Dead Guy Ale (6/10)

Rogue Ales produces several interestingly-named products.  Dead Guy Ale, a Maibock or Helles Bock style ale, is one that I order when I am in the mood for a hoppier beer, which isn't often.

The label features a skeleton wearing a hat, sitting on top of a beer cask.  It pours into the glass a light brown color with a pale tan head.  It leaves behind a lot of lacing in the glass.  There is a moderate hops presence, approaching the upper limits of my taste for it.  The flavor is slightly sour with hops bitterness behind it.  I'm not sure why I like it exactly, but I do.

Beer Advocate gives it an 89-94, which rates it as "good" to "exceptional".

I had this particular bottle at a pizza shop on Lane Avenue, but Rogue Dead Guy Ale is available at many local retailers.  I've specifically seen it at Whole Foods in Upper Arlington and Kenny Road Market.

ABV: 6.5%
IBU: 40
My rating: 6/10