Horizon Red Ale - Summit Brewing Co.

Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you crossed an IPA with an Amber ale? You would get the Horizon Red Ale. This complex roller coaster of hops and malt is a perfect balance of both. It's almost pine smell, worty aroma and sharp hop taste distinctly yells IPA, but it's smooth mouth coating malt flavor reminds you of it's soft amber side.

The Horizon Red Ale is one of the newest beers to come out of Summit Brewing found in St. Paul Minnesota. It is brewed with a hand full of different aromatic hops such as Amerillo, Cascade, and of course...Horizon.

84 Points

I would grill up a nice angus burger to eat along side your Horizon Red. With the subtle complex nature of this beer, you do not want to become too distracted with the competing complexity of the burger and miss enjoying it.

Other beers from Summit...
IPA 76 Points
Winter ale 84 Points

www.summitbrewing.com

Batch 9000 - Bell's Brewery

This rich beer pours a dark brown with a carmel colored head that dissipates quickly. Nose has soft fig tones. On the palate the aromas are rich with bourbon, mollasses and prunes. Aftertaste has a sweet alcohol flavor. We experienced a lingering dark roasted cofee taste. Burps bring out a heavy hop taste. Batch 9000 is a really well balanced beer at 12.5% that warms the soul.

This could be called a hybrid of a barley wine and an imperial stout. While originally considered by the brewers to be an imperial India Pale Ale, the brewers later labeled this beer as an American Strong Ale which basically means they have no idea how to classify it. Neither do we.

93 points.

This Michigan beer was brewed only once. Since you'll probably not find it in many other states it's only fair to say the only true burger pairing would be our very own East Lansing Crunchy Burger. A juicy half pound chargrilled burger with American cheese. This burger is known in the Lansing area as one of the “Best of the Best” so it deserves to be paired with one of the best beers brewed in Michigan.

Many other beers from Bell's are so great they will most certainly get their own reviews later.

www.bellsbeer.com

Conway's Irish Ale - Great Lakes Brewery

If you are looking for an authentic style Irish ale but don't want to fly to Ireland to have it on tap, Conway's Irish Ale would be a wonderful choice. Just by looking at it's crisp clear amber-red color you know that you're about to dive into a true irish tradition. It's sweet caramel and slight malt taste allows Conway to drink smooth, while at the same time giving your taste buds a nice level of complexity to ponder until your next sip.

Conway's Irish Ale is a seasonal beer who's name derives from the grandfather of Patrick and Daniel Conway, owners of the Great Lakes Brewery found in Cleveland, Ohio. He worked near the brewery as a Cleveland police officer for 25 years building a respected name in the community, and that name still holds that same respect today in our eyes. Patrick Conway, we raise our glass to you.

82 Points

A guacamole bacon burger would be a great pair for the Conway. I know, I know, you were expecting more of a good old fashion Irish tradition, but the complex flavors found in this ale would complement well with this wonderful non Irish dish.

Other beers from GLB...
Edmond Fitzgerald 79 Points
Moondog 72 Points

www.greatlakesbrewing.com