About Reviews

I like to review beers that I enjoy or I think others will enjoy, even if they’re not my personal favorite.  I don’t post negative reviews.  I have a limited amount of time and would prefer to spend it talking about positive things.  I may make some constructive criticism, but I won’t bash a beer or a brewery.  The reviews I do are unsolicited and are beers that I’ve chosen to review because they sound interesting.

If I do have a solicited review, I’ll clearly note that the samples were sent to me by a brewery.  On solicited reviews, I’ll probably be more critical, but still polite, than I would on a beer I choose to write about, but if You’re asking me to review your beer I’m assuming you want an honest opinion.  If you’d like to send me samples, please use the Contact button below or email me at beer(at)ithinkaboutbeer(dot)com and we can discuss it.

Contact Me

Reviews are organized by country and in the case of the United States, subdivided by state. To begin your journey through the hundreds of reviews, simply click the region of the beers you're interested in viewing.

Old World

Belgium Europe Trappists Breweries

New World

Oregon United States Canada New Zealand

Belgium - A list by Brewery

Rodenbach Vintage 2012

Christopher Barnes   September 8, 2015

Brouwerij Rodenbach's release of their Vintage beer is always one of the releases I anticipate most.  The 2012 version was...

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Brasserie Dupont Foret Blanche

Christopher Barnes   February 9, 2014

Foret Blanche is another of Brasserie Dupont's excellent beers.  Foret, as a labeled in the US, is part of their...

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Scotch Silly Scotch Barrel Aged

Christopher Barnes   November 8, 2017

Scotch Silly is Brasserie de Silly's most famous beer. Created at the end of WWI to satisfy the thirst of...

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Strubbe Ichtegem’s Grand Cru

Christopher Barnes   November 9, 2015

Ichtegem's Grand Cru is one of the newer beers in venerable Brouwerij Strubbe's lineup.  Introduced in 2006, Ichtegem's Grand Cru...

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Tilquin 2014/2015 Oude Mûre À L’Ancienne

Christopher Barnes   July 5, 2016

Tilquin is the newest of the Gueuze blenders to join the select group of this dwindling tradition. While Pierre Tilquin...

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Hof ten Dormaal Saison

Christopher Barnes   January 10, 2015

When I was in Belgium last fall, I had a chance to try one of the new beers from Hof...

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Westvleteren 12 (8/31/16) – Bottle No. 1 11/22/2016

Christopher Barnes   December 1, 2016

Westvleteren 12 is a world classic beer and one that's often lauded as the "best beer in the world." It's...

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De Ranke Saison de Dottignies

Christopher Barnes   August 16, 2014

Founded in 1996, Brouwerij De Ranke has been brewing up a mix of hop inspired beers and traditional Belgian flavors for 18...

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De Glazen Toren Jan De Lichte

Christopher Barnes   August 29, 2015

Brouwerij De Glazen Toren is almost 11 years old.  Founded in 2004 by brewmasters Jef Van den Steen and Dirk...

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De Plukker All Inclusive IPA 2014

Christopher Barnes   September 26, 2015

Brouwerij De Plukker is making waves in the world of Belgian beer with their highly sought after beers.  In a...

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2011/2013 Tilquin Oude Gueuze²

Christopher Barnes   February 5, 2015

Sometimes at breweries, something goes wrong.  Everyone who drinks craft beer has experienced this, even unwittingly.  That special one-off on...

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Brouwerij Dilewyns Vicaris Tripel

Christopher Barnes   April 14, 2014

Brouwerij Dilewyns is another example of the growing beer movement within the borders of Belgium.  While Belgium saw huge decline in...

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Brasserie de la Senne Brusseleir Zwët IPA

Christopher Barnes   October 11, 2014

As much as I've been talking about them and drinking their beers, how could I NOT visit Brasserie de la Senne....

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Nieuwhuys Alpaide Blond Cuvee van de Generaal

Christopher Barnes   December 5, 2016

The town of Hoegaarden is famed for its eponymous beer which is now only a bland, pale version of its...

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Boon Duivels Bier

Christopher Barnes   March 18, 2015

Last weekend, March 14-16, the town of Halle celebrated its annual Lent Carnival.  Halle is situated outside Brussels in Vlaams...

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Les 3 Fourquets Lupulus Hopera

Christopher Barnes   February 21, 2017

Les 3 Fourquets was initially founded by Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts as a pilot/test brewery for Brasserie Achouffe 2004. When...

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Rochefort 6

Christopher Barnes   May 17, 2013

Rochefort 6 was first released to the public in 1953 after Chimay helped the struggling Trappist brewery revamp their brewery...

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Achel Blond 8

Christopher Barnes   May 16, 2014

Achel has only been brewing beer since 2001, making them one of the newest breweries in the Trappist community.  They basically...

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Fantôme Printemps

Christopher Barnes   March 20, 2017

Fantôme Printemps is a seasonal saison or a saison seasonal or a saison saison*, if you're into a beer wordplay......

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Brasserie d’Achouffe Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel

Christopher Barnes   September 21, 2014

Earlier this week, I announced my upcoming trip to Belgium with a review from one of the breweries I'm scheduled...

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Brasserie de la Senne Brussels Calling 2013

Christopher Barnes   April 9, 2014

Brasserie de la Senne is one of Brussels’ newest breweries with their doors opening in December of 2010.  However, owners Yvan...

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Westvleteren 8 – Aged Version

Christopher Barnes   June 4, 2014

This is the 2nd of 2 Westvleteren 8 bottles I acquired on my 2012 trip to Belgium.  It's been resting...

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Saison Dupont Dry Hopping 2016 Brewers Gold

Christopher Barnes   December 22, 2016

Another year another edition of Brasserie Dupont's Saison Dupont Dry Hopping. This is the 4th year it's been released in...

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Malheur Zestig

Christopher Barnes   January 16, 2016

Brouwerij Malheur's newest release is somewhat of a departure for the brewery, although well within the range of the brewery's...

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Dubuisson Surfine

Christopher Barnes   December 26, 2016

Brasserie Dubuisson is one of the longest running continually operated breweries in Belgium with a family history that goes back...

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Tilquin Oude Gueuze 2010/2011

Christopher Barnes   March 14, 2014

Gueuzerie Tilquin burst onto the scene a few years ago with an outstanding, new Gueuze that quickly got the beer...

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Girardin Gueuze 1882 (Black Label – 2014)

Christopher Barnes   March 14, 2015

Girardin Gueuze 1882, sometimes known as "Black Label," is one of the most elusive Gueuzes on the market. Less than...

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Lindemans Oude Kriek Cuvée René

Christopher Barnes   April 15, 2016

Lindemans has finally released their Oude Kriek Cuvée René in the United States. Lindemans, the largest Gueuze and Lambic producer in...

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St Bernardus Extra 4

Christopher Barnes   July 24, 2014

In a beer world of constant innovation and "new, new, new," sometimes it's great to look back in time to...

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Liefmans Goudenband

Christopher Barnes   March 13, 2014

Liefmans Goudenband is a classic Flemish Brown or Oud Bruin representing the special version of the brewery's everyday Oud Bruin....

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Achel Extra Brune

Christopher Barnes   May 22, 2013

Achel has only been brewing beer since 2001, making them one of the newest breweries in the Trappist community.  They...

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Timmermans Lambicus Oude Gueuze

Christopher Barnes   October 28, 2013

Brouwerij Timmermans lays claim to the title of "The World's Oldest Lambic Brewery."  Founded in 1702, the brewery that would...

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Brouwerij Slaghmuylder Witkap Pater Stimulo

Christopher Barnes   April 5, 2013

Brouwerij Slaghmuylder is better known under its Witkap Pater label of abbey inspired beers.  The Stimulo is their version of...

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Brasserie de la Senne Crushable Saison

Christopher Barnes   February 27, 2014

Brasserie de la Senne is one of Brussels’ newest breweries with their doors opening in December of 2010.  However, owners...

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De Cam Lambiek Special

Christopher Barnes   March 16, 2014

Geuzestekerij De Cam is part of the new vanguard of blenders reviving the ancient tradition of Lambic blending.  Founded in 1997...

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Brasserie du Bocq Gauloise Christmas

Christopher Barnes   December 24, 2014

Brasserie du Bocq (pronounced like "bock") is a family brewery situated in the picturesque hills of the French speaking Wallonia...

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Boon Oude Kriek 2011

Christopher Barnes   April 28, 2014

2014 was a good year for Brouwerij Boon at the World Beer Cup held in Denver, CO; they took home...

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Brasserie de la Senne Taras Runa

Christopher Barnes   September 1, 2014

When you're the popular brewer on the block, other breweries want to brew collaborations with you.  For only being in...

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Lindemans Ginger Gueuze

Christopher Barnes   November 15, 2017

The newest release from Brouwerij Lindemans is the next beer in their new botanical series. The first one was created...

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Boon Kriek Mariage Parfait 2008

Christopher Barnes   October 3, 2014

Brouwerij Boon is famous for their Oude Geuze and Geuze Mariage Parfait.  They're also rightly known for their fruit Lambics....

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Hof ten Dormaal Blond

Christopher Barnes   March 18, 2014

Hof ten Dormaal Blond was the first beer I tried from this exciting new brewery from the Flemish countryside in...

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Brasserie du Bocq Saison 1858

Christopher Barnes   September 16, 2014

In a little over a month, I'll once again be exploring the breweries and beer scene in Belgium.  Over the...

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Orval – Bottle no. 2 28/03/2017

Editor   December 8, 2017

And now, bottle number two in The Brux Project Orval edition! Years in the making, I'm finally getting to properly...

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Westvleteren 8

Christopher Barnes   December 17, 2012

Westvleteren 8 is the next beer in my Westvleteren tasting flight.  This is the second beer in Westvleteren's lineup.  I've...

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Brunehaut Bio Amber

Christopher Barnes   July 23, 2012

Brunehaut, founded in 1890, is a brewery from the French speaking portion of Belgium. Today, they produce 2 lines of...

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Hof Ten Dormaal Wit Goud (White Gold)

Christopher Barnes   January 4, 2014

Brouwerij Hof ten Dormaal has quickly become one of my favorite new breweries from Belgium both because of the quality...

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Saison Dupont Dry Hopping 2017 Styrian Eureka

Christopher Barnes   September 4, 2017

2017's edition of Saison Dupont Dry Hopping takes the drinkers to the hop fields of Slovenia and the Styrian Eureka...

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Westmalle Trappist Dubbel 330ml

Christopher Barnes   November 17, 2013

Westmalle Trappist is one of the 10 Trappist Breweries (including the new Spencer Abbey in Massachusetts and Zundert in The Netherlands)....

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Rodenbach Vintage 2011

Christopher Barnes   December 22, 2013

The 2011 version of the Rodenbach Vintage just landed on the west coast, just in time for a last minute...

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Saison Dupont Dry Hopping 2015

Christopher Barnes   August 24, 2015

With the 2015 edition, this is the 3rd year of the Brasserie Dupont's Saison Dry Hopping being released in the...

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Hobbybrouwerij Het Nest Turnhoutse Saison (Turnhoutse Patriot)

Christopher Barnes   February 15, 2014

I've been spending a lot of time researching, drinking, and writing about the new wave of breweries in Belgium.  Like...

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Boon Faro

Christopher Barnes   August 25, 2014

Faro is a rare treat in Belgium and even rarer outside its borders.  It was once the standard everyday drinking...

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Ruwet Cidre Brut

Christopher Barnes   September 2, 2017

Belgium makes cider. Bet you didn't know that? There are a grand total of two cidreries left where once there...

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De Ranke XX Bitter

Christopher Barnes   October 30, 2013

Brouwerij De Ranke has been one of the Belgian breweries leading the way when it comes to hoppy Belgian beer.  Their...

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Hof ten Dormaal Winter 13

Christopher Barnes   November 13, 2013

Brouwerij Hof ten Dormaal is a newer member of the Belgian brewing family, but one that has quickly made a...

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Rochefort 8

Christopher Barnes   August 22, 2013

Rochefort 8 was first released to the public in 1955 after Chimay helped the struggling Trappist brewery revamp their brewery...

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Orval – Bottled: 14/06/2012

Christopher Barnes   June 1, 2014

Orval is consistently one of my favorite beers.  Brewed in the Trappist monastery of Orval deep in the Belgian Ardennes,...

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Hof Ten Dormaal Donker (Dark)

Christopher Barnes   September 25, 2013

Hof Ten Dormaal is an interesting brewery, to say the least.  They call themselves a "farmhouse" brewery, and they mean...

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Brasserie Caracole Saxo

Christopher Barnes   October 1, 2014

Deep in the heart of southern Belgium lies the last wood-fired brewery.  Brasserie Caracole, founded in the 18th century, is...

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De Plukker Keikoppen

Christopher Barnes   February 11, 2016

Brouwerij De Plukker was one of my more enjoyable finds on my 2014 fall trip. I'd heard good things about...

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Rodenbach Fruitage

Christopher Barnes   July 14, 2017

Rodenbach is best known as the maker of one of Belgium's classic sour beer styles: The Flemish Red. The style...

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Chimay Dorée

Christopher Barnes   January 10, 2014

Chimay, also known as the Abbaye de Scourmont, is the largest of the Trappist Breweries with a global reach.  Their...

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De Struise Brouwers Pannepot 2011

Christopher Barnes   October 3, 2013

De Struise Brouwers Pannepot has become a classic Belgian Strong Dark Ale in only a short time since the brewery's...

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Cantillon Classic Gueuze

Christopher Barnes   March 12, 2014

Brasserie Cantillon brews and blends what are arguably the world's most sought after Lambics and Gueuzes.  Cantillon beers are consistently on...

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De Dolle Stille Nacht 2014

Christopher Barnes   December 5, 2015

De Dolle Stille Nacht (Silent Night) is usually one of the more anticipated winter beer releases of the season for...

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De Glazen Toren Lentebier

Christopher Barnes   July 3, 2013

Brouwerij De Glazen Toren is a tiny brewery in the Flemish portion of northern Belgium.  What makes this brewery so unique...

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Petrus Sour Framboise

Christopher Barnes   March 22, 2017

Petrus, brewed by Brouwerij De Brabandere, is a line of traditional Belgian beers. In the US, they're probably most well...

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Brasserie de la Senne Stouterik

Christopher Barnes   February 20, 2015

Brasserie de la Senne does it again with a low ABV stout: Stouterik.  If you're not familiar with Brasserie de...

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Van Honsebrouck Bacchus

Christopher Barnes   October 10, 2015

The Van Honsebrouck family has been brewing in West Flanders since 1811 and in Inglemunster, their current home, since 1900....

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Oud Beersel Bzart Kriekenlambiek

Christopher Barnes   September 1, 2017

Champagne is the celebratory beverage of the wine world, although one can certainly drink it anytime. I'm quite fond of...

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De Struise Brouwers Ypres 2009

Christopher Barnes   May 9, 2014

Ypres is another experimental beer marked with De Struise Brouwers characteristic bold house style.  Ypres is their interpretation of a Flemish Oud...

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Hanssens Artisanaal Oude Gueuze

Christopher Barnes   October 19, 2015

Hanssens is one of the small number of Lambic blenders in Belgium.  Blenders don't actually brew their own beer.  They...

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Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux

Christopher Barnes   December 23, 2016

Many people's favorite holiday release is Brasserie Dupont's Avec Les Bons Voeux ("With Good Wishes"). First brewed in 1970, it...

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De Leite Cuvée Souer’ise

Christopher Barnes   May 30, 2015

Brouwerij De Leite is another of the great new breweries popping up in Belgium's current Craft Beer Revolution.  Opened in 2008...

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De Plukker Single Green Hop 2014

Christopher Barnes   February 16, 2015

De Plukker has only been brewing for a few years yet they've been growing hops for generations.  In 2011, the...

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Hobbybrouwerij Het Nest SchuppenAas “Ace of Spades” Amber

Christopher Barnes   October 17, 2013

Hobbybrouwerij Het Nest has a fun story and some great beers to go with it.  What started out as a...

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Préaris Grand Cru 2012 Cognac

Christopher Barnes   February 24, 2014

Préaris, Vliegende Paard Brouwers, burst onto the Belgian beer scene in 2011 when they won a prestigious home brewing competition...

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Vapeur Saison de Pipaix

Christopher Barnes   February 28, 2015

La Brasserie à Vapeur is one of the more historic breweries in Belgium.  It's probably more accurate to refer to them as...

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Rodenbach Vintage 2013

Christopher Barnes   June 16, 2016

Rodenbach is the famous West Flemish producer of red/brown beers renowned for their sweet/tart flavor. To obtain this unique profile,...

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De Troch Oude Geuze 2014

Christopher Barnes   February 18, 2015

De Troch is nearing its 200th year of brewing.  Despite this milestone, the brewery is virtually unknown in the United...

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Tilquin 2014/2015 Oude Quetsche Prunes de Namur

Christopher Barnes   September 7, 2017

Gueuzerie Tilquin is blending some of the best lambic beers in Belgium. Besides making an excellent Gueuze, Pierre Tilquin is...

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Rodenbach Caractère Rouge

Christopher Barnes   March 11, 2014

Rodenbach Caractère Rouge is a newer project from the venerable old Flemish Red producer.  Created in collaboration with Antwerp Chef...

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Rince Cochon

Christopher Barnes   June 6, 2012

Rince Cochon is a Flemish Blonde Ale from Belgium.  The best information I can find is that this beer is...

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De Troch Oude Kriek 2014

Christopher Barnes   April 28, 2016

In the US, it's pretty evident in sales and the increase of locally brewed options that sour beers are gaining...

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Dilewyns Vicaris Generaal

Christopher Barnes   September 15, 2015

I'm always excited to try new beers from breweries I admire.  Sometimes they're new to the world; sometimes they're just...

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Saison Dupont Cuvée Dry Hopping 2014

Christopher Barnes   February 3, 2015

The 2014 edition marks the next incarnation of  Brasserie Dupont's Saison Dupont Dry Hopping which is a dry hopped version of...

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Drie Fonteinen (3 Fonteinen) Oude Kriek

Christopher Barnes   May 21, 2014

3 Fonteinen is one of the classic Geuze blenders of Belgium.  Their Geuzes and Lambics are highly sought after by sour...

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Préaris Quadrocinno

Christopher Barnes   May 18, 2016

Préaris, Vliegende Paard Brouwers, burst onto the Belgian beer scene in 2011 when they won a prestigious home brewing competition...

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Saison Dupont

Christopher Barnes   October 10, 2012

The summer of 2012 seemed to be the summer of Saisons on ithinkaboutbeer.com  I probably reviewed at least a half-dozen...

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Tilquin Oude Gueuze 2011/2012

Christopher Barnes   October 8, 2014

I'm less than 3 weeks away from getting on a plane for my 2 weeks in Belgium where I'll be...

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De Ranke XXX Bitter

Christopher Barnes   August 28, 2013

Brouwerij De Ranke has made a name for itself producing some of Belgium's hoppier ales.  Their XX Bitter is a favorite...

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Orval Day 2013

Christopher Barnes   November 11, 2013

Orval Day 2013 - 3 November, 2013 Orval Day is an annual event held at The Beer Mongers in Portland,...

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Chimay Spéciale Cent Cinquante

Christopher Barnes   June 10, 2014

2012 marked the 150th year of brewing for Chimay.  Founded in 1850 by monks from Westvleteren, the decision to brew...

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Orval – Bottle no. 1 28/3/2017

Christopher Barnes   June 5, 2017

Orval is a beer I've wanted to add to my cellaring project for a long time. The problem though: by...

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Westvleteren 12

Christopher Barnes   April 7, 2015

Westvleteren 12 is one of the most pursued and lauded beers in the world.  Usually, you can only get it...

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Orval – Bottle no. 3 14/07/2018

Christopher Barnes   August 29, 2018

A little over a year since its bottling/packaged on date and it's time for bottle number three in The Brux...

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De Plukker Single (Double) Green Hop 2015

Christopher Barnes   July 28, 2016

Each year, Joris Cambie, organic  and multi-generational hop farmer and recent brewer, picks a day to brew his green hopped...

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Boon Kriek Mariage Parfait 2007

Christopher Barnes   January 22, 2014

Brouwerij Boon is famous for their Oude Geuze and Geuze Mariage Parfait.  They're also rightly known for their fruit Lambics....

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Fantome Pissenlit

Christopher Barnes   April 16, 2014

Brasserie Fantome is a small, Belgian brewery from the Walloon province of Luxemburg in Southeast Belgium.  They are most famous for...

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De Ranke Père Noël

Christopher Barnes   December 12, 2013

Brouwerij De Ranke Père Noël is, like most of De Ranke's other beers, a departure from the Belgian norm of darker...

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Trappist Beer - All About the Trappist Abbeys and Breweries

Zundert Trappist Ale

Christopher Barnes   January 20, 2014

Founded in 1899 by the monks of Konigshoeven, the Trappist abbey called Abdij Maria Toevlucht is located near Klein Zundert...

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Westvleteren Blond

Christopher Barnes   December 11, 2012

De Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren is one of the Trappist Monasteries that brews beer and is allowed to use the Trappist...

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Orval – Bottle no. 1 28/3/2017

Christopher Barnes   June 5, 2017

Orval is a beer I've wanted to add to my cellaring project for a long time. The problem though: by...

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Rochefort 6

Christopher Barnes   May 17, 2013

Rochefort 6 was first released to the public in 1953 after Chimay helped the struggling Trappist brewery revamp their brewery...

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Achel Blond 8

Christopher Barnes   May 16, 2014

Achel has only been brewing beer since 2001, making them one of the newest breweries in the Trappist community.  They basically...

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Westmalle Trappist Tripel 330ml Bottle

Christopher Barnes   September 6, 2012

Westmalle Abbey is one of the 8 recognized Trappist Breweries (Achel, Chimay, Konigshoven, Orval, Rochefort, Stift Engelszell, Westmalle, and Westvleteren)....

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Westvleteren 12 (8/31/16) – Bottle no. 4 11/11/2018

Christopher Barnes   November 14, 2018

From the fall of 1914 through the end of the war in 1918, thousands of troops were stationed at the...

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Stift Engelszell Nivard

Christopher Barnes   October 1, 2015

Stift Engelszell was the first new Trappist brewery to join the ranks in quite some time.  For years, the Trappist...

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Westvleteren 12 (8/31/16) – Bottle no. 3 2/19/2018

Christopher Barnes   March 15, 2018

  Westvleteren doesn't quite fit into the normal perameters of The Brux Project. For one, as indicated by the name...

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Chimay Dorée

Christopher Barnes   January 10, 2014

Chimay, also known as the Abbaye de Scourmont, is the largest of the Trappist Breweries with a global reach.  Their...

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Westmalle Trappist Dubbel 330ml

Christopher Barnes   November 17, 2013

Westmalle Trappist is one of the 10 Trappist Breweries (including the new Spencer Abbey in Massachusetts and Zundert in The Netherlands)....

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Westvleteren 8

Christopher Barnes   December 17, 2012

Westvleteren 8 is the next beer in my Westvleteren tasting flight.  This is the second beer in Westvleteren's lineup.  I've...

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Westvleteren 12 (8/31/16) – Bottle no. 2 6/14/2017

Christopher Barnes   June 15, 2017

Westvleteren 12 is a world classic beer and one that’s often lauded as the “best beer in the world.” It’s...

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La Trappe Isid’or

Christopher Barnes   October 22, 2015

La Trappe is the elder of Netherland's two Trappist breweries with over 130 years of brewing experience.  Zundert, on the...

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Westvleteren 8 – Aged Version

Christopher Barnes   June 4, 2014

This is the 2nd of 2 Westvleteren 8 bottles I acquired on my 2012 trip to Belgium.  It's been resting...

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Spencer Trappist Holiday Ale

Christopher Barnes   December 4, 2017

Special beers created to commemorate the Christmas season are a long tradition of the monastic brewery. Brewed to a higher...

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Chimay Spéciale Cent Cinquante

Christopher Barnes   June 10, 2014

2012 marked the 150th year of brewing for Chimay.  Founded in 1850 by monks from Westvleteren, the decision to brew...

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Achel Extra Brune

Christopher Barnes   May 22, 2013

Achel has only been brewing beer since 2001, making them one of the newest breweries in the Trappist community.  They...

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The Brewing Monks: A New Trappist Brewing in England

Christopher Barnes   November 22, 2017

On my recent trip to Belgium last September, I learned that several Trappist monks from an English abbey were touring...

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Orval – Bottled: 14/06/2012

Christopher Barnes   June 1, 2014

Orval is consistently one of my favorite beers.  Brewed in the Trappist monastery of Orval deep in the Belgian Ardennes,...

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Tre Fontane Tripel

Christopher Barnes   February 3, 2016

Tre Fontane is the newest brewery to join the brotherhood of Trappist breweries. Their first offering is a Tripel. Thanks...

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Westvleteren 12 (8/31/16) – Bottle No. 1 11/22/2016

Christopher Barnes   December 1, 2016

Westvleteren 12 is a world classic beer and one that's often lauded as the "best beer in the world." It's...

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Rochefort 8

Christopher Barnes   August 22, 2013

Rochefort 8 was first released to the public in 1955 after Chimay helped the struggling Trappist brewery revamp their brewery...

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Achel Extra Blond

Christopher Barnes   December 21, 2017

Some beers are available all over the world, including some Trappist beers. If you look hard enough, you can probably...

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Spencer Trappist Ale

Christopher Barnes   April 7, 2014

Spencer Trappist Ale is the first Trappist Brewery to join the Authentic Trappist Product group outside of Europe.  For years,...

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Westvleteren 12

Christopher Barnes   April 7, 2015

Westvleteren 12 is one of the most pursued and lauded beers in the world.  Usually, you can only get it...

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Oregon - A list by Brewery

Cascade Brewing Vlad The Imp Aler 2009

Christopher Barnes   January 24, 2013

Cascade Brewing can trace its history to 1998 with the founding of Cascade Brewing Company at the Racoon Lodge in...

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Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Ales Seizoen

Christopher Barnes   July 9, 2012

Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Ales is another new brewery in Hood River, Oregon.  Their focus is to create authentic Belgian style...

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Pfriem Brett Wit – Bottle no. 2 11/2/2017

Christopher Barnes   November 3, 2017

Unfortunately, this review is about 4 weeks behind schedule thanks to a couple different reasons. When I returned home from...

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Full Sail “26” Cascade Pilsner

Christopher Barnes   September 19, 2013

Full Sail Brewing "26" Cascade Pilsner is the brewery's newest creation and will be used as their year-long 26th Anniversary beer....

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Pfriem Cognac Barrel-Aged Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale

Christopher Barnes   December 30, 2016

Pfriem Family Brewers has quickly created one of the best barrel-aging programs in the Northwest. With a combination of Belgian-Style...

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Pfriem Brett Brux Pale Ale – Bottle No. 4 6/6/2017

Christopher Barnes   June 7, 2017

4 bottles in and Pfriem Family Brewers Brett Brux Pale Ale is developing quite nicely! It 's been a little...

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Deschutes Black Butte XXIV

Christopher Barnes   June 3, 2014

Deschutes Black Butte XXIV celebrates the 24th year since the release of their seminal release, Black Butte Porter.  Black Butte...

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Pfriem Brett Trois Pale – Bottle No. 1 – 3/16/17

Christopher Barnes   March 23, 2017

This year's edition of pFriem Family Brewers' Orval inspired brettanomyces pale ale features a slightly different strain of brett. Last...

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Cascade Brewing Vlad the Imp Aler 2011

Christopher Barnes   July 11, 2013

Cascade Brewing can trace its history to 1998 with the founding of Cascade Brewing Company at the Racoon Lodge in...

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Pfriem Brett Brux Pale – Bottle No. 1 – 12/14/2015

Christopher Barnes   December 22, 2015

It was only a matter of time before a brewery as adept at brewing Belgian-style beers as Pfriem Family Brewers...

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MacTarnahan’s Noble Scot

Christopher Barnes   August 8, 2012

MacTarnahan's was one of the original Portland, Oregon breweries at the beginning of the first craft beer revolution in 80's....

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Pfriem Brett Brux Pale – Bottle No. 3 – 12/13/2016

Christopher Barnes   December 19, 2016

It's been one year since Pfriem Family Brewers released their  Brett Brux Pale Ale. One year ago, I did my...

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Deschutes Brewing Chasin’ Freshies 2013

Christopher Barnes   October 4, 2013

Deschutes Brewery has long been a pioneer of hop use in the American beer scene. They're the #2 purchaser of...

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Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Ales Bergschrund Aberrant

Christopher Barnes   November 3, 2013

  Logsdon Farmhouse Ales Bergschrund Series is brewer Chuck Porter's new separate line of beers.  They will still say brewed...

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Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Ales Peche ‘n Brett 2013

Christopher Barnes   January 10, 2013

The next sour or "wild" beer in my series of New Year's Sour Reviews is the newly released Logsdon Organic Farmhouse Peche 'n...

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Hair of the Dog Brewing Adam (Batch 85)

Christopher Barnes   September 24, 2013

Adam was the first beer Alan Sprints created at Hair of the Dog Brewing when he opened it in 1993....

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Pfriem Gose

Christopher Barnes   September 4, 2015

Pfriem Family Brewers has consistently been my favorite all-around local brewery in Oregon.  Firstly, their Belgian-styles have been the most consistently...

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Pfriem Brett Brux Pale Ale – Bottle no. 5 12/12/2017

Editor   December 16, 2017

Two years ago, Pfriem Family Brewers released their Brett Brux Pale Ale. Their homage to Orval, the classic Brettanomyces bruxellensis spiked Belgian...

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Pfriem Brett Wit – Bottle no. 1 3/28/2017

Christopher Barnes   April 11, 2017

Wits or Blanches have long been one of my favorite styles. Unfortunately in the US, most people's first impression of...

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The Commons Wit

Christopher Barnes   August 13, 2012

The Commons Brewery may be one of my favorite new smaller production breweries in the Portland area.  I've been very...

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Deschutes Brewery Green Monster

Christopher Barnes   September 12, 2013

Deschutes Brewery's Green Monster is a new sour release from the brewery who's most famous sour, The Dissident, has long...

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Pfriem Brett Trois Pale – Bottle No. 2 – 4/29/2018

Christopher Barnes   July 9, 2018

Pfriem's Brett Trois Pale Ale was the 2017 release of the brewery's Orval inspired Belgian-style Brett Pale Ale. This edition...

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The Commons Brewery Haver Bier

Christopher Barnes   July 7, 2012

The Commons Brewery is one of Portland, Oregon's new "nano" breweries.  They brew on a 7 bbl sytem (217 gallons)....

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Pfriem Brett Brux Pale – Bottle No. 2 – 7/4/2016

Christopher Barnes   July 14, 2016

Well, six months have come and gone and it's time to review the 2nd bottle from my case of Pfriem...

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Hair of the Dog Brewing Fred (Batch 86)

Christopher Barnes   July 2, 2012

Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog Brewing created "Fred" to honor beer writer Fred Eckhardt who was one of...

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Block 15 Here Comes the Sunshine

Christopher Barnes   May 11, 2017

Mars, the Roman god of war, kindly lent his name to the month of March while the northern French took...

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Upright Brewing Four

Christopher Barnes   August 11, 2012

Upright Brewing is one of the newer Oregon small scale breweries which started operations around 2009. They specialize in Belgian...

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De Struisse Brouwers and Hair of the Dog Brewing Extravaganza

Christopher Barnes   June 30, 2012

2012 saw a unique collaboration between one of Belgium's newer microbreweries and one of Oregon's oldest, but smallest microbreweries: De...

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Pfriem Belgian-Style Christmas Ale

Christopher Barnes   November 22, 2016

It's the winter beer time of year! Hood River's Pfriem Family Brewers produces several festive offerings, including this Belgian-Style Christmas Ale....

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Pfriem Oud Bruin

Christopher Barnes   March 28, 2017

pFriem's latest barrel-aged beer is an homage to Belgium's East Flanders Oud Bruin style. This is part of their white...

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Full Sail Brewer’s Share Chris’s Summer Delight Berliner Weiss

Christopher Barnes   June 2, 2012

Full Sail Brewer's Share Chris's Summer Delight Berliner Weiss (in case you're looking for the beer with the longest name)...

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Pfriem Brett Wit – Bottle no. 3 4/15/2018

Christopher Barnes   July 13, 2018

This beer wasn't a guaranteed choice for aging in The Brux Project. A wit isn't a particularly age-worthy beer in...

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Gigantic Brewing Black Friday Beer

Christopher Barnes   February 21, 2013

Gigantic Brewing is one of the many new Portland breweries to come online in the last couple of years.  Stationed...

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Deschutes Brewery The Dissident 2012

Christopher Barnes   January 21, 2013

Deschutes Brewery releases The Dissident approximately every other year, or as they say: "When the beer tells us it's ready."  This...

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Sierra Nevada Brewing 2012 Narwhal Imperial Stout

Christopher Barnes   November 20, 2012

It seems like there is no shortage of new and interesting beers from Sierra Nevada Brewing these days.  What with...

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Russian River Publication 2009

Christopher Barnes   August 6, 2012

Russian River Publication was a collaboration beer made in 2009 with the Publican National Committee, consisting of: Brouwer’s, The Falling...

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New Belgium Brewing Transatlantique Kriek

Christopher Barnes   March 27, 2013

New Belgium Brewing's Transatlantique Kriek is a collaboration beer made Kriek Lambic shipped from Brouwerij Boon in Belgium with beer...

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Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Saison

Christopher Barnes   June 4, 2013

Sierra Nevada‘s Ovila project is a joint venture with the Trappist monastery of New Clairvaux in Vina, California.  This project began in 2011 with...

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Crooked Stave Vieille Artisanal Saison

Christopher Barnes   June 18, 2013

On my recent trip to Colorado, one of the breweries I was most excited to visit was Crooked Stave in...

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Odell Brewing Celastrina

Christopher Barnes   August 20, 2013

Odell Brewing is located in Ft. Collins, CO and was founded in 1989.  They've grown slowly and steadily, achieving distribution...

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North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Christopher Barnes   November 16, 2013

North Coast Brewing celebrates their 25th anniversary in 2013 and has done so in collaboration with other "Class of '88"...

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Russian River Brewing Sanctification (Batch 006)

Christopher Barnes   July 5, 2012

  Russian River Brewing is probably one of the hottest names in the American craft brewing scene.  Vinnie Cilurzo has...

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Russian River Salvation

Christopher Barnes   September 11, 2012

Salvation is one of Russian River Brewing's Salvation belongs to the "-tion" series of named beers which fall into two...

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Dogfish Head Birra Etrusca Bronze

Christopher Barnes   February 8, 2013

Dogfish Head Brewery and brewery founder Sam Calagione have long been a pioneers in the craft beer industry, but where...

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Ommegang Bend the Knee “Game of Thrones”

Christopher Barnes   June 1, 2017

Brewery Ommegang has been brewing a series of licensed beers for the HBO TV series Game of Thrones. Their newest...

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Trinity One Ear Naked Saison

Christopher Barnes   April 6, 2016

Trinity Brewing of Colorado Spring, Colorado just introduced its first flagship beer with their new One Ear Naked Saison. Jason...

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Brewery Ommegang Rare Vos

Christopher Barnes   April 22, 2014

Brewery Ommegang is one of the original US breweries that specialized in Belgian-style ale.  Now they’re owned by the Moorgat familybrewery of...

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Samuel Adams 13th Hour Stout

Christopher Barnes   November 15, 2013

Samuel Adams, also know as the Boston Beer Company, is one of the largest Craft Beer companies in the US....

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New Belgium + Brewery Vivant Biere de Garde

Christopher Barnes   November 19, 2012

New Belgium Brewing's "Lips of Faith" series is about creating unique one-off beers using interesting ingredients. Many of these beers...

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Dogfish Head Festina Peche

Christopher Barnes   June 11, 2012

Dogfish Head's Festina Peche is a "neo-Berliner Weisse," according to their website.  Berliner Weisse is a tart, light wheat ale...

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Stone Brewing Ruination IPA Tenth Anniversary

Christopher Barnes   July 3, 2012

Ten years ago, Stone Brewing launched Ruination IPA with the mission statement of destroying people's palettes one bottle at a...

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Ommegang Winter is Here “Game of Thrones”

Christopher Barnes   November 6, 2017

Brewery Ommegang just released the next beer in its ongoing Game of Thrones beer series. "Winter is Here" is a double wit featuring...

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Russian River Brewing Consecration (Batch 008)

Christopher Barnes   January 9, 2013

Russian River Brewing is probably one of the hottest names in the American craft brewing scene.  Vinnie Cilurzo has reached...

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Brux Domesticated Wild Ale (A Russian River & Sierra Nevada Brewing Collaboration) Bottle No. 12 – 4/26/2018

Christopher Barnes   May 9, 2018

Twelve bottles and five and a half years went into this project, the first of my cellar series and the...

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New Belgium Brewing Le Terroir 2013

Christopher Barnes   October 9, 2013

New Belgium Brewing's Le Terroir has been a sought after beer for a while.  It had made some festival appearances...

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Harvest Single Hop Yakima #291 Hops

Christopher Barnes   March 24, 2014

Sierra Nevada Brewing has long been a pioneer in the use of hops.  They're the largest purchaser/user of whole cone...

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Dogfish Head + Sierra Nevada Rhizing Bines

Christopher Barnes   March 28, 2013

Rhizing Bines marks the 3rd beer in the "Life & Limb" collaboration series between Dogfish Head Brewing and Sierra Nevada...

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Spencer Trappist Holiday Ale

Christopher Barnes   December 4, 2017

Special beers created to commemorate the Christmas season are a long tradition of the monastic brewery. Brewed to a higher...

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Crooked Stave Surette Provision Saison

Christopher Barnes   September 16, 2013

On my recent trip to Colorado, one of the breweries I was most excited to visit was Crooked Stave in Denver.  Since...

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Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

Christopher Barnes   July 1, 2013

San Diego, California's Ballast Point Brewing just arrived in Oregon and Washington in June of 2013.  Because I'd heard rumors...

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Green Flash Saison Diego

Christopher Barnes   June 14, 2012

Traditionally, saisons come in 2 major varieties; the first is the variety brewed with higher alcohol to last over the...

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Stone/Iron Fist/Ken Schmidt Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout

Christopher Barnes   November 2, 2012

The Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout is the newest collaboration beer from the Stone Brewing lineup.  This one in particular is...

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Brux Domesticated Wild Ale (A Russian River & Sierra Nevada Brewing Collaboration) Bottle No. 10 – 3/12/2017

Christopher Barnes   March 15, 2017

Here we are! We're in double digits with the 10th bottle of The Brux Project (You can read about the project and...

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Spencer Trappist Ale

Christopher Barnes   April 7, 2014

Spencer Trappist Ale is the first Trappist Brewery to join the Authentic Trappist Product group outside of Europe.  For years,...

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Monks’ Tripel Ale

Christopher Barnes   June 21, 2013

Monks' Tripel Ale is brewed by the Benedictine monks of The Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico....

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Russian River Redemption

Christopher Barnes   August 14, 2013

Russian River Brewing's Redemption falls in the oft overlooked part of their portfolio that isn't an IPA or a Sour....

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Brewery Ommegang Witte

Christopher Barnes   April 12, 2013

Brewery Ommegang is one of the original US breweries that specialized in Belgian-style ale.  Now they're owned by the Moorgat...

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Brux Domesticated Wild Ale (A Russian River & Sierra Nevada Brewing Collaboration) Bottle No. 11 – 9/4/2017

Christopher Barnes   September 5, 2017

This is the second to last bottle of the case of Brux I laid down just over 5 years ago....

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Lone Peak Brewery – Big Sky, Montana

Christopher Barnes   June 23, 2014

Sometimes you go on a vacation that's completely unrelated to beer and stumble upon some darned good beer.  I've been...

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Ballast Point Victory At Sea

Christopher Barnes   July 4, 2013

I thought I'd do a fun, "thematic" review for the 4th of July.  I decided to go with an American...

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Green Flash Flanders Drive

Christopher Barnes   February 14, 2013

Green Flash Brewing's Flanders Drive is a Flemish-style sour Red Ale that was released for the brewery's 10th anniversary in...

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Ommegang Saison Rosé

Christopher Barnes   July 7, 2018

The newest trend or newest revived trend in drinks right now is rosé or pink drinks. If you're not familiar rosé,...

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Russian River Pliny the Elder

Christopher Barnes   August 25, 2012

Russian River's Pliny the Elder is probably one of the most hyped and sought after beers in the United States.  On the...

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Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Quad with Plums

Christopher Barnes   February 12, 2013

Sierra Nevada's Ovila project is a joint venture with the Trappist monastery of New Clairvaux in Vina, California.  This project...

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Prairie Artisan Ales Standard

Christopher Barnes   April 11, 2013

Prairie Artisan Ales (officially Krebs Brewing Company) is a farmhouse style brewery from Krebs, Oklahoma.  The specialize in farmhouse ales...

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Brux Domesticated Wild Ale (A Russian River & Sierra Nevada Collaboration) – Bottle No. 1 9/2/2012

Christopher Barnes   September 2, 2012

This review is part of the ongoing "The Brux Project" at I think about beer.  To read the details, follow...

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Funkwerks Saison

Christopher Barnes   April 25, 2014

Funkwerks is part of the thriving Colorado beer scene.  Located in Fort Collins, they've made a strong splash despite only...

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Sierra Nevada Ovila White Ale

Christopher Barnes   June 30, 2017

Ovila Abbey Ales is a collaborative project between Sierra Nevada Brewing and the Trappist Abbey of New Clairvaux in central...

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Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca

Christopher Barnes   July 27, 2014

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is one of the new wave of American breweries playing with funky strains from Europe.  Founded...

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Dogfish Head Aprihop

Christopher Barnes   April 28, 2013

Dogfish Head Brewing's spring/summer seasonal is an IPA brewed with apricots.  The apricots are added into the boil while the...

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Stone Brewing’s Double Dry Hopped IPA

Christopher Barnes   June 5, 2012

Stone Brewing's Double Dry Hopped IPA is a super limited, draft only version of their standard India Pale Ale.  Normally,...

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Monks’ Tripel Ale Reserve

Christopher Barnes   May 13, 2014

Monks’ Tripel Ale Reserve is brewed by the Benedictine monks of The Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico.  The...

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Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red

Christopher Barnes   January 3, 2013

Here at ithinkaboutbeer.com, I'm a particularly big fan of "sour" beers.  So I thought I'd start the year with a...

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Ommegang Smoked Porter

Editor   December 28, 2017

Brewery Ommegang's newest release departs from their normal Belgian-inspired beers by creating a delightfully dark and rich Smoked Porter. This...

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Stone Brewing Ruination IPA

Christopher Barnes   June 24, 2012

This is the 10th anniversary of Stone's Ruination IPA.  Since I bought a bottle of the 10th Anniversary edition, I...

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New Belgium Rolle Bolle

Christopher Barnes   April 27, 2013

The newest edition to New Belgium's seasonal lineup is the Rolle Bolle summer seasonal replacing last year's Sommersault.  Continuing in...

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Unibroue Blanche de Chambly

Christopher Barnes   August 16, 2012

Unibroue is my favorite Canadian brewery.  I do need to qualify this statement though.  I haven't had any of the...

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Lighthouse Brewing Belgian White

Christopher Barnes   November 7, 2012

In early October, Vancouver Island beer blogger "Leapbeer" visited Portland. We planned on meeting up to enjoy some beer and...

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Driftwood Brewery Gose-uh

Christopher Barnes   April 24, 2014

Driftwood Brewery continues to push the boundaries of Canadian beer with their sour program.  One of the newest seasonal sour releases...

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Renaissance Craftsman Oatmeal Chocolate Stout

Christopher Barnes   September 4, 2012

I had seen a few reviews of this brewery's beers on New Zealand and Australian beer blogs and was curious to see...

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Driftwood Brewing White Bark Witbier

Christopher Barnes   February 11, 2014

  I first encountered White Bark Wheat Ale about 5 years ago, the last time I visited Victoria, BC.  I...

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Four Winds Brewing Juxtapose Brett IPA

Christopher Barnes   August 30, 2014

Four Winds Brewing is only about a year old.  Located in Delta, British Columbia half way between Vancouver, BC and...

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Gulf Island Brewery Salt Spring Ales Saturnalia Gruit

Christopher Barnes   August 21, 2013

Gulf Island Brewery Salt Spring Island Heather Ale was another beer I got in my second beer exchange with Leapbeer.  Gulf Island...

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Driftwood Brewery Fat Tug IPA

Christopher Barnes   September 8, 2013

Driftwood Brewery's Fat Tug IPA was one of the first beer I opened from my first beer exchange with Leapbeer.  While...

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Lighthouse Brewing Road Trip

Christopher Barnes   January 8, 2014

Lighthouse Brewing is one of Vancouver Island's older breweries.  Founded in 1998, this brewery has become part of the new...

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Four Winds Brewing Wild Flower Saison

Christopher Barnes   March 29, 2014

Four Winds Brewing is only about a year old.  Located in Delta, British Columbia half way between Vancouver, BC and...

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Driftwood Brewery Sartori Harvest IPA

Christopher Barnes   November 12, 2012

Driftwood's Sartori Harvest IPA was the first beer I opened from my beer exchange with Leapbeer. This brewery got it's...

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Driftwood Brewery Old Cellar Dweller 2011

Christopher Barnes   September 26, 2013

Driftwood Brewery Old Cellar Dweller 2011 was another fine gift from my beer exchange with British Columbian beer fan Leapbeer. Old...

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Moa Brewing Pale Ale

Christopher Barnes   November 2, 2013

Moa Brewing is part of the new vanguard of great beer coming out of New Zealand. Earlier this year, they celebrated...

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Le Trou du Diable La Saison du Tracteur

Christopher Barnes   February 28, 2014

The craft brewing scene in Quebec has long been admired, mostly due to the export work of Unibroue.  However, there...

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Moa Brewing Blanc Evolution

Christopher Barnes   August 30, 2013

Moa Brewing is part of the new vanguard of great beer coming out of New Zealand. Earlier this year, they...

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Gulf Island Brewery Salt Spring Island Heather Ale

Christopher Barnes   November 9, 2012

Gulf Island Brewery Salt Spring Island Heather Ale was another beer I got in the beer exchange with Leapbeer.  Gulf...

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British Columbia Quebec New Zealand