Beer Brief #48 - Star of the North

Brewery - August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, Minnesota

Beer - Star of the North

Style - Berliner Weisse

ABV - 3.5%

Color - Cloudy pale yellow with a white head

Aroma - Graham crackers, lemony citrus, earthy, sweet spice

Flavor - Brief yeasty dough, big bright tartness that's a cross of lemon and cranberry takes over, a bit of sourdough bread and minimal bitterness in the finish

Verdict - This is a wonderful, light, refreshing Berliner Weisse that is everything I expect from this type of brew. The low (and true to style) ABV allows you to enjoy the whole bottle of this sessionable beer by yourself if you want, but it might be nice to share this experience with somebody else...

Beer Brief #47 - L.S.D. Honey Ale

Brewery - Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Beer - L.S.D. Honey Ale

Style - Fruit beer made with lavender, sunflower honey, and dates

ABV - 7.2%

IBU - 20

Color - Hazy copper with an off white head

Aroma - Honey, lavender is powerful and dominates, touch of molasses?

Flavor - Sweet malt, flowers (lavender), light but fitting date flavor, spicy hops, mild bitterness

Verdict - This is my second time drinking this brew, and I love it just as much as I remember. The lavender is powerful, yet meshes so well with the other flavors that the level of floral character seems perfect. I've never had another beer like it.

Beer Brief #46 - Noir de Dottignies

Brewery - Brouwerij de Ranke, Wevelgem, West Flanders, Belgium

Beer - Noir de Dottignies

Style - Belgian Strong Dark Ale

ABV - 9%

Color - Dark brown and definite ruby when held to light with a light tan head

Aroma - Prunes, figs, berries, toffee, dark chocolate, hint of coffee

Flavor - Plums, raisins, bit of brown sugar, chocolate, dark roast coffee beans, surprising bitterness (in a good way: not overpowering, but very balancing)

Verdict - This is a very delectable strong dark ale unlike any I've had before from Belgium. The wonderful sweet fruit characteristics are there like I would expect, but the pleasant roastiness and balancing bitterness make this unique, I think.