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It may not be the nectar of the Gods, but a tall cold one tastes really good, especially on a hot day. Check out our beer reviews below, while our Beer Web Guide lists sites with brewpub, brewery and tavern locators, beer news, beer stories, beer columns, beer talk, beer travels, beer that goes with food, beer…well, you get the idea.

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Beer Reviews by Mike Barkacs

Maredsous 8: Brewing perfection (11/06/2008)
Mike's Duvel love affair endures, but the Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat isn't a one-trick pony. Enter Maredsous 8, a magically complex Belgian ale that proves Duvel's brewing perfection was no fluke. And at 8% alcohol, Mike suggests fighting the urge to knock them back all night.

Trois Pistoles: The special occasion sipper (09/11/2008)
Fruity, malty and heavy, Trois Pistoles is not a beer Mike should like. So why does he? It tastes more like an after-dinner wine than a manly man beer, but there's nothing wrong with that. When you're looking for something different to wrap up an evening, give Trois Pistoles a shot.

Kwak: A fad wannabe (08/07/2008)
If you've been paying attention, you'll know that Mike is a big fan of Belgian beers. Of course, that doesn't mean he likes all Belgian beers. Enter Kwak, a cutesy brew that uses a gimmicky glass to attract customers. Don't be fooled; Kwak is heavy, sticky and ultimately forgettable.

La Chouffe (07/18/2008)
"La chouffe" means "gnome" in Belgian, and since nobody likes gnomes, Mike didn't hold out much hope for the Belgian ale La Chouffe. He should've known better. Coming from the world's best beer-brewing country, La Chouffe is a balanced, unfiltered brew with a full, crisp taste.

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale: Perfect summer swill (07/04/2008)
Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale isn't the tastiest beer on the shelf, but it serves a purpose: the perfect summer swill to chug down in the hot months. This soft, smooth and creamy wheat ale helps beat back the heat of the day and, at just 4.2% alcohol, it'll keep you upright at your cookout.

Tripel Karmeliet (06/20/2008)
If you're searching for a tasty, complex but not overdone beer to toast the good times, Mike suggests trying a Tripel Karmeliet. It balances fruit flavors with a little spice and comes at you with an aroma that goes deep into the glass. Fine with food, it might be even better as an after- dinner drink.

Lasko Club: Liquid courage for your next polka party (06/06/2008)
Need to get up the nerve to dance a polka with your Aunt Edna? Mike suggests downing a few Lasko Club lagers, an Eastern European import so thin and unassuming that it barely qualifies as beer. As far as liquid courage goes, eight or 10 of these will most definitely get the job done.

Bell's Amber Ale: What a craft beer should be (05/22/2008)
If you want a true and proper craft beer, look no further than Bell's Amber Ale. While many craft brewers here in the land of WaterbeerLite throw just about anything into their expensive micros to make them stand out, Bell's actually lets their easy drinking and unpretentious beer speak for itself.

Add Affligem Blond Ale to the list (05/08/2008)
Belgium is only slightly larger than Maryland but it produces 500 beers, and all of them seem to be on Mike's "best-of" list. Affligem Blond Ale has a crisp, complex flavor with a touch of honey to mellow it out. Enjoy it alone or with food, but savor it in the springtime, when it really hits the spot.

Bell's Hopslam Ale: Too much of a good thing (04/25/2008)
Proclaimed by many as the "beer to end all beers," Bell's Hopslam Ale proved to be a bitter disappointment. It's a thick and over-the-top IPA with no redeeming qualities, a Frankenstein of a brew that Mike says is about as subtle as whacking your tongue with a meat tenderizer.

Estrella Galicia es malo (04/10/2008)
It's pretty unusual to find a god-awful lager, but Mike came pretty close when he grabbed a six pack of Estrella Galicia off the import shelf recently. In fact, after sampling this watery brew, Mike now understands why there's such a lack of Spanish beers: Spaniards make awful beer.

The famous Anchor Steam (03/28/2008)
From one of the original U.S. micro breweries, Anchor Steam Beer is a classic that goes with just about any type of food and should appeal to a wide range of beer enthusiasts. It’s a lager that plays out like an ale, with a taste heartier than the average macro beer but not too heavy for the American palate.

Murphy's Stout for the long haul (03/14/2008)
Irish eyes are smiling on March 17, if they aren't red and glazed over. Mike says Murphy's Stout is the perfect beer for the long haul on St. Patrick's Day, a smooth and creamy, light-in-alcohol dark brew that isn't bitter and allows for hours of reveling. Even better, it goes well with food, friends and fun.

Hennepin is a suitable pseudo-Belgian (02/29/2008)
It may not match the quality of an authentic Belgian beer, but Mike says Hennepin is one of the best Belgian-style ales you'll find in the States. Brewed in Cooperstown, New York, Hennepin boasts an earthy taste and a whopping 7.7% alcohol. Be careful.

Dortmunder Gold: The Great Lakes stand-by (02/15/2008)
Instead of guzzling the beer companies' watered-down marketing experiments, Mike says the American masses should turn to Dortmunder Gold. This versatile Great Lakes brew is a good everyday beer if you don't mind spending a bit more for quality.

Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale: Danger ahead (02/01/2008)
The slogan for Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale is "gift of the Gods." Considering this smooth, easy-drinking Belgian beer packs a hefty 7.5% alcohol, Mike Barkacs says mischievous gods must be responsible for its creation. In short, Corsendonk Pale Ale is Hoegaarden on steroids. Proceed with caution.

Brooklyn Lager: Simplicity at its best (01/18/2008)
In the crowded beer aisle, amid watery mega- brews, frou-frou microbrews and pricey imports, stands Brooklyn Lager, a simple and economical American beer. No pretense or fancy gimmicks here, Mike says, just an everyday kind of beer that will make any Bud drinker feel right at home.

London Pride Ale is London in a bottle (01/04/2008)
It's not the best English beer you'll find on the import shelf but Mike says Fuller's London Pride Pale Ale is as close as you'll get to London without a passport. Dark, thin and sharp, a few bottles of London Pride is all Mike needs for a quick trip back to the Blighty. Pass the curry.

Goose Island Christmas Ale (12/14/2007)
Normally, Mike says "Bah humbug" to the typically over-spiced Christmas-style beer that flies off the shelves every holiday season. But Goose Island Christmas Ale is one of the few exceptions, an easy- drinking, unpretentious cold weather brew that actually tastes like beer, not fruitcake.

Karlovacko: All too typical (11/30/2007)
What's the main reason to try Karlovacko? Mike doesn't know, unless maybe you're Croatian. There certainly isn't much of an interest when drinking this forgettable European pilsner. Sure, it's clean, crisp and refreshing, but it's all too typical for a beer that comes at an import price.

Old Rasputin is a manly beer…or so it would appear (11/16/2007)
Sometimes a man just has to have a beer that will put hair on his chest, and Mike says Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout is up to the task. Thick, creamy and heavy with 9% alcohol, Rasputin may be the benchmark for stouts and most certainly is not your girlfriend's Bud Light.

Nothing Especial (11/02/2007)
Modelo Especial is Mexico's most popular canned beer. Are alarm bells going off? Mike says Especial is popular south of the border because it's cheap there, not because it's any good. Sure, it might be a good choice to wash down some hot Mexican food, but that's about it.

Augustiner Munich Maximator (10/12/2007)
He's not the biggest fan of German beer and he loathes most Oktoberfest varieties, but Mike sings the praises of Augustiner Munich Maximator. Rich, complex and perfectly balanced, Maximator is the finest Oktoberfest beer on the planet that's perfect for cool weather and bratwurst.

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat: Making Miller Chill look good (09/28/2007)
Mike comes out with guns a-blazin' after trying Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat, a beer in the loosest sense of the term. This so-called "Sunset in a Bottle" is more like orange juice with a few drops of light beer swirled in. To put it bluntly, Mike says it's an abomination that needs to be avoided.

Sierra Nevada Porter: From swill to riches (09/14/2007)
Mike says the Sierra Nevada Porter is an old school porter with no bells and whistles that doesn’t try to awe you with sophistication. And while it's not a light beer, it's surprisingly drinkable with a medium body and 5.6% alcohol content that make it a good 'just a couple with dinner' beverage.

Goose Island Summertime Ale: It's for the summer, ya know? (08/24/2007)
Goose Island Summertime Ale is one of those considerate beers that tells you when to drink it, like Christmas ales and Winter stouts. Mike says it's also a light, comfortable beer for those lazy days when the living is easy and you don't feel like stumbling over the deck after the cookout.

Miller Chill: A new low (07/13/2007)
Do you like beer? Then Mike says you should skip Miller Chill altogether. For starters, it's not really beer -- not in the true sense, anyway. Instead, it's something a 14-year-old girl might mix if she was forced to use Miller Lite as the base for her Barbie beach party punch. In other words, not very good.

Chimay White: Beer by God (06/22/2007)
Are all European beers thick and heavy like the beard on a Polish longshoreman? Not Tyskie, a Polish pale lager that Mike says American beer drinkers, like their counterparts in Poland, will enjoy as a light-bodied "eat, drink and be merry" ale.

Tyskie: Polish beer disguised as American? (02/23/2007)
Are all European beers thick and heavy like the beard on a Polish longshoreman? Not Tyskie, a Polish pale lager that Mike says American beer drinkers, like their counterparts in Poland, will enjoy as a light-bodied "eat, drink and be merry" ale.

St. Bernardus abt. 12: Perfection in a bottle (02/09/2007)
Mike had given up hope after sampling a sea of bog standard beers in search of the apparently unattainable ideal of an ale. But then he was rescued by St. Bernardus abt. 12, a smooth, dry and dangerously drinkable Belgian ale that's simply the best beer he's ever had.

Zywiec: Worth asking for, if you can (01/26/2007)
You may have trouble finding it and even more trouble pronouncing it, but Zywiec is a Polish import that's perfect for typical American beer drinkers. Mike says it's a dry, thirst quenching lager that'll leave you wanting another. And if you can't ask for it by name, just point.

Duvel worship (01/05/2007)
Duvell, a Belgian ale that ranks right near the top of Mike's list of favorite brews, is complex without showing off. Its sweet aroma, dry finish and 8.5% alcohol make Duvel a great beer to sip with a group of friends or strangers. After a few of these, they won't be strangers anymore.

Railbender Ale: Why I don't brew the stuff (12/29/2006)
We've all heard the saying, "Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it." Mike was on the lookout for an anti-holiday beer, a good, strong, simple ale with plenty of bitter hops. Railbender Ale fits that description precisely, and yet Mike says it tastes like an amateurish stab at a beer with everything.

Great Lakes Christmas Ale: Disappointed by a favorite (12/22/2006)
He waited for it all year. It was perfection in a glass, a balanced holiday brew with just the right amount of alcohol and spice. But Great Lakes Christmas Ale isn't everything Mike remembered it being. With a stronger 'festive' flavor and a heavier price tag, it's no longer his first choice of the season.

There is no reason to drink Bavaria Holland (12/01/2006)
Why in the world would anybody import a beer that is made to taste just like the run-of-the-mill domestic swill? That's the question Mike asked after trying Bavaria Holland, a pilsner style lager that is incomprehensibly made to appeal to American tastes. Why pay the extra cash for a fancy Bud?

McEwan’s IPA just isn’t (11/10/2006)
If you're hunting for a good India Pale Ale, do yourself a favor and skip McEwan's IPA. Mike says this weak and watery Scottish brew is anything but a good India Pale. In fact, it looks like a glass of iced tea and doesn’t taste far from that, with a thin body, no bite from the hops, and only 4.7% alcohol.

Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale: All trick, no treat (10/27/2006)
Don't be fooled: Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale is all trick and no treat. Mike says it’s purely a gimmick brew that's smooth but rather thin, a perfect selection for those who don’t really like much flavor but want to pretend they’re having something interesting.

Sam Adams: What not to drink for Octoberfest (10/06/2006)
When you opt for an 'Octoberfest' beer, you expect something with a bit more wallop than a normal brew, something heavier than your typical summer lager. In short, it should taste like a big German beer, but Mike Barkacs says Sam Adams' Octoberfest tastes like a sorry American knock-off of the idea.

Burning River is the 14th-best beer? (09/29/2006)
It's hard not to like Burning River Pale Ale, the best of the selections that Great Lakes Brewery offers year round. It's not a beer you'll want to pound at the bar all day, though. Instead, Mike Barkacs says Burning River is meant to be savored and enjoyed in moderation.

Greene King IPA: Just beer (09/22/2006)
A beer that tastes like beer, looks like beer, and drinks like beer. In short, Mike says Green King IPA is real beer. It's not fancy or complicated, and it only clocks in at 3.6% alcohol, but it's a solid import that's made for drinking and always leaves you ready for another one.

Negra Modelo: A Mexican surprise (09/08/2006)
It may be more expensive than it deserves to be, but Negra Modelo may also be the perfect beer to go along with Tex-Mex food. But Mike Barkacs warns don't be fooled by its label: despite calling itself a "dark beer," Negra Modelo is definitely a thirst-quenching lager that hits the spot on a summer day.

Great Lakes’ Commodore Perry: Worth the wait? (09/01/2006)
A little strong and more flavorful than your run-of-the-mill ales, India Pales have always been one of Mike's favorites. And being such a big fan of Great Lakes Brewery, you'd think their Commodore Perry India Pale Ale would sit atop Mike's list. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

The Black Stuff (08/18/2006)
Mike says if you walk into any self-respecting Irish pub and simply ask for a pint, it's always understood that Guinness is what you’re asking for. It's one of those beers that everyone has had at one time or another. Some love it, some don’t. And some, for no good reason, are afraid of it.

Wexford Irish Cream Ale: tastes like home (08/11/2006)
If there were any good American cream ales, Mike says Wexford Irish Cream Ale is what one would presumably taste like. It's a bit pricey and finding it here in the States can be tricky, but for those who enjoy creamy beers that are a little on the sweet side, Wexford is well worth the hassle.

Classic Bass Ale (08/04/2006)
If you walk into a new bar and see a red triangle when you scan the taps, rest assured: the place has at least one good beer. Bass Ale is a classic, balanced beer. Everyone's heard of it, most have had it, and you can always count on it being fresh and going with whatever grub you've ordered from the bar.

Looking for a Great German Beer (07/28/2006)
As a guy who always considered himself a fan of German beer, Mike was shocked to learn that he couldn't name one German brew he really enjoyed. And then, on the recommendation of a stranger, he had Spaten Premium, a light, refreshing lager that's similar to a pilsner, only sweeter.

Honker's Ale: A better bitter (07/21/2006)
With such a wide range of varieties, a good bitter can be found to suit just about any occasion. And don’t all occasions call for beer? Honker’s Ale is the signature selection from Chicago's Goose Island Beer Co., a strong and flavorful brew that's cheaper and better than most English bitters.

Just O.K.? (07/14/2006)
Leave it to Poland. They make a perfectly suitable pale lager and what do they call it? O.K. Beer. Fortunately, this hard-to-find brew is far better than just okay. In fact, Mike says it's a refreshing beer that's easy to pound and, at 5.6% alcohol, it'll get you drunk in a hurry without all the heaviness.

Holy Moses: Great Lakes makes an average beer? (07/07/2006)
Mike has been a fan of Great Lakes Brewing Co. for years, but Holy Moses White Ale is not one of the Cleveland-based microbrew's best offerings. It's not a bad choice, Mike says, especially with a light meal, but there are better white ales, and better Great Lakes brews, available.

It has to be all-American with a name like Yuengling (06/30/2006)
The most important question for any July 4th cookout? What beer do you stock the fridge with? Consider Yuengling Traditional Lager, an all-American macro from Pennsylvania that's a perfect complement for grill grub and, at 4.9% alcohol, you won’t have to worry about everyone at your party collapsing in a stupor.

Best case of the DT's, ever (06/23/2006)
Dubbed by some as the best beer in the world, Delirium Tremens is a Belgian pale ale that boasts a whopping 9% alcohol content. As Mike warns, if you're not careful, this deceptively strong and very drinkable brew can get you in trouble.

It's not "Stellar Artois" (06/16/2006)
Coming from Belgium, home of some of the best beer in the world, Stella Artois is a disappointment. Mike says, while this import isn't bad, everything about Stella screams "middle of the road," a mass-produced lager that doesn't live up to its hefty price tag.

Smithwick's: The new Irish option (06/09/2006)
Leave it to the Irish to make a good, honest, drinking man’s beer. With a smooth, mild taste and 4.5% alcohol content, Mike says Smithwick’s Irish Ale is ideal to pound and the perfect complement to the staple Irish foods. Plus, it's made by Guinness, so how could it possibly be bad?

Bitburger: if you only have a bit of money (06/02/2006)
Bitburger, a mediocre German brew that's meant to be one of the cheapest selections in the import aisle, isn't entirely undrinkable. In fact, Mike notes, after you have 12 or 15, you'll hardly notice how much you don’t really like it anymore.

Can Italians do beer? (05/26/2006)
Unlike the more famous Moretti and Peroni brews, Castello is a pure Italian beer. The question is, is a pure Italian beer any good? Mike says Castello is an innocuous selection that might fit the palate for American beer drinkers, a thin, simple European lager that'll quench your thirst on a hot day.

Good old broon (05/19/2006)
A moderately priced brew that's one of the safest, surest bets in the import aisle, Newcastle Brown Ale is a good transition beer from the usual American hop-water to something just a bit more daring. With its 4.7% alcohol content and sweet taste, Mike says Newcastle appeals to just about anyone.

But, why bother? (05/12/2006)
It’s almost shocking something like Steinlager is the main import from New Zealand, a wild land of manly men and heavy beer drinkers, because this brew is not wild or manly. Instead, Mike says Steinlager is an okay lager that leans too much towards its rather generic American cousins.

The first and still the best (05/05/2006)
Searching for a good pilsner? Look no further than the granddaddy of them all, Pilsner Urquell. Mike says this Czech brew, perhaps the best mass produced beer in the world, is everything a pilsner lager should be: full-flavored, easy-drinking, dry and crisp.

Once in a Blue Moon (04/28/2006)
Blue Moon Wheat is a nice enough brew, an easy-drinking ale that goes well with just about any food. However, Mike cautions two things: ignore the fact that Coors Light owns Blue Moon and, whatever you do, forgo the orange slice some will try to foist on your glass. It just ain't cool.

A sweet little blond Belgian (04/12/2006)
Before getting bought by Interbrew, Leffe blond ale built its reputation on quality rather than clever marketing. Mike says Interbrew may need to ramp up the marketing to mantain Leffe's reputation because this Belgian brew tastes and smells like Bazooka bubble gum.

Manna from Heaven (03/26/2006)
Mike reviews one of his all-time favorites, the English-brewed Boddington's, a bitter pale ale that mixes perfectly with bar food (like wings and burgers) and rivals just about any other American lager.

What'll ya have? (03/26/2006)
In this introduction to the "perfect beverage," resident beer god Mike Barkacs takes a brief look at the many differences between ales and lagers. Whatever your choice, it's good in almost any circumstance, with enough variety for even the pickiest drinker.

Beer Web Guide

DrinkingStuff.com
Check out DrinkingStuff.com, a new site selling everything drinking related, from six man beer bongs to shot glasses made from ice. They also have a ton of free online drinking tools to check your B.A.C. level and more.

Brian's Belly
Great beer site because it sets just that right tone. Crack open a beer and have some fun!

All About Beer
Online version of All About Beer Magazine. Comprehensive and useful. 

The Real Beer Page
Billed as the largest repository of beer information in the world. 

PubCrawler
Strictly a brewpub, brewery and beer bar locator (more than 3,676 listings and 16,096 reviews). Just type in the city of your choice and PubCrawler will generate a list of places for you to visit. You can also read viewer reviews. 

Beer Expedition
Another brewpub locator. It's slogan says it all: "A good beer is not hard to find, you just have to know where to look." 

Beer Across America
A beer of the month club. For $16.95 per month, a 12-pack of beer arrives at your doorstep. If you want to go through life fat, drunk and stupid, this is a good place to start. 

Innovative Brewing Technologies
For all you wannabes, this site professes to show you how to start up, own and operate your own brewpub. All you have to do is order the handy "how to" manuals for only $109 (or you can make three easy payments…). If you like this site, you'll probably find the Beer Across America site useful.


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