Results

Prairie Ale

Prairie Artisan Ales

ABV: 7 percent

Oklahoma's newest brewing company, led by Chase and Colin Healey, have "Gypsy brewed" this pleasantly straw-yellow, medium-bodied Belgian-style saison at Krebs Brewing Company, home of Choc Beer. Our tasters found it to be complex, but very drinkable. One said it tasted "a bit young," but it should round out in time.

80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer

Boulevard Brewing Company

ABV: 5.5 percent

This well-known Kansas City company brings us a brew that is available year-round, but one that is certainly appropriate for the season. Slightly cloudy-straw in color, several tasters noted a "fruity" nose, like "grapefruit and lemon grass." Another detected a "piney" scent. The hops definitely dominates the malt here, as expected, but it's still a well-balanced beer with a clean finish. It bridges the gap between their popular wheat beer and the kind of hoppy brews many enjoy.

Mustang Harvest Lager

Mustang Brewing Company

ABV: 5.6 percent

Mustang Brewery, from the Oklahoma City area, continues to produce a variety of very drinkable beers that appeal to a wide variety of people. Their Harvest Lager, which is available from September through November, is a Black Marzen -- a deep brown, but clear and medium-bodied brew that has a "good spice character." "Roasted" is a term heard from many of the tasters -- the roasted malt tasting a bit like chocolate and coffee. "A great beer for cool fall nights," one on the panel said. Left Hand Oktoberfest

Left Hand Brewing Company

ABV: 6.6 percent

Although we steered clear of most Oktoberfest beers for this tasting, since they're now at the end of their run, here's one that you'll still probably be able to find, at least for a short time.

Southampton Pumpkin Ale

Southampton Publick House

ABV: unpublished

Out of Southampton, N.Y., this seasonal, as the name implies, uses pumpkin in the brewing process, which works with the malt to produce a sweet ale very reminiscent of Thanksgiving. It is also spiced, and many of the tasters detected immediately strong hints of allspice, clove and nutmeg. Many beer-lovers aren't fans of pumpkin ales, which almost need their own category, but for those who do, this is an excellent example.

Newcastle Werewolf

The Caledonian Brewery Company Limited

ABV: 5 percent

From the makers of the wildly popular, and equally derided, "Newcastle Brown," Werewolf is a "Blood Red Ale" according to the clever Halloween-themed label. This beer is very clear, with no head-retention. Several tasters detected the scent and taste of cardboard. Another, noting a "disappointing sour finish," thought this "may have been pissed out of a werewolf." Other comments heard: "Hints of drywall." "Wet dog and sadness."

Sixth Glass Quadruple Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company

ABV: 10.5 percent

At 10.5 percent alcohol, a sixth glass of this second Kansas City entry might result in coma. But the consensus was that, in moderation, this is an excellent fall/winter "warmer." The Quadruple is a Belgian-style dark strong ale with a large, frothy head, a beautiful amber color, and a "bubble gum" and "clove" aroma. Although the alcohol is noticeable in the flavor, the malt and hops help to balance this out. One of the favorites of the night.

#100

Nøgne Ø

ABV: 10 percent

One of the few overseas guests in this tasting came from Norway, where they know how to keep warm. Named for their 100th batch, #100 is a "Barley-Wine-style ale" that is very malt-forward. It has a full, off-white head with a dark brown body, slightly cloudy in appearance. It's sweet -- like plums or raisins -- and although it has a high alcohol content, the balance makes it "non-aggressive," as one taster noted. Another good one for a cold night.

Downtown Brown Brown Ale

Lost Coast Brewery

ABV: 5 percent

Here is a solid American nut-brown ale from northern California. Brilliantly clear, with a good off-white head, Downtown is well-balanced, but with light hops -- putting the malt flavors out front. "Toast," "caramel" and "bread" were common describers used by the tasters. Very drinkable.

LTD 06 Limited Edition Lager

Full Sail Brewing Company

ABV: 7 percent

The label of this Czech-style "black bock" from Hood River, Ore. states, "There's no coffee or chocolate in this limited edition lager, but your mouth will insist otherwise." And the label is right. The malts do give this beer a very "coffee and chocolate" aroma and flavor, but these qualities do not distract. Tasters found this to be a very "distinctive" brew that is definitely worth a try. Another evening favorite. Available through December.

Full Sail Wassail

Full Sail Brewing Company

ABV: 7 percent

Full Sail has brewed this winter ale annually since 1988. And although it continues to be a popular seasonal, our panel was as disappointed by this brew as they were enthusiastic about the Full Sail LTD (above). The "burnt toast and toffee" aroma and flavor, which is very "malt-forward," leaves the hops behind, making this very imbalanced. "Does not live up to the style," one taster said. "Might be a good marinade for something." Another seemed to find "fallopian tube" imagery in the label, drawing unprintable conclusions about the source of flavor.

Witch Hunt Spiced Harvest Ale

Bridgeport Brewing Company

AVB: 5.8 percent

Portland, Oregon's Bridgeport Brewing Company offers this spiced harvest ale that our panel agreed, independently, was "an excellent holiday beer." The body has a pleasant amber/copper color, and is very clear. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and allspice do dominate the aroma, but it turns out to be a well-balanced beer that is very drinkable.

Great Divide Hibernation Ale

Great Divide Brewing Company

ABV: 12.40 percent

Great Divide, out of Denver, ages this English Olde Ale nine months in whiskey barrels, and it is a beer that can be cellared -- it will continue to develop complexity with a bit of age. The fine balance tips toward the malt rather than the hops, and the predominant flavor descriptions from the tasters were "molasses," "roasty" and "nutty." Another of a handful of favorites for the evening, one taster said, "I would like to be snowed in with this beer. 10 out of 10."

Slow Elk Oatmeal Stout

Big Sky Brewing Company

ABV: 5.4 percent

This oatmeal stout is very dark, with a medium head. It is literally slick on the tongue, which might not be appealing to some, but this is how oatmeal stouts are meant to be. The flavor is full-bodied, with roasted caramel, chocolate and toffee up front and a slightly bitter finish. This one is nearing the end of its availability, so go now if you want to try it.

Big Jamoke Porter

Marshall Brewing Company

ABV: 6.8 percent

Tulsa beer from UTW's next-door neighbors on East 6th Street. Big Jamoke is an American Robust Porter named for the B-25 flown by Brewmaster Eric Marshall's grandfather during World War II. It has a dark-brown/ruby color with a persistent off-white head. The aroma is "roasty" and "sweet malty," as is the flavor. Several tasters noted a pleasant, dry, "roasted tobacco" flavor at the finish. "A good presentation of the style."

Big Eddy Baltic Porter

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

ABV: 8.50 percent

This Baltic Porter from Chippewa Falls, Wis. is a very hearty and well-balanced dark beer "that would go great with smoked ham or turkey," said one of our panel members. The flavor is "malty," "creamy" and "sugary sweet," with a flavor not unlike licorice at the end. A distinctive beer that stands out from the crowd.

Marshall El CuCuy Black IPA

Marshall Brewing Company

ABV: 8.6 percent

This is a limited release India-style Black Ale that, in the opinion of some, is the best beer Marshall Brewing Company produces. It is dark brown with a very persistent off-white head and a hoppy, slightly roasty aroma. The flavors are a complex combination that some on the panel likened to "pine," "citrus" and "mango." Good stuff.

The Dogfather Imperial Stout

Laughing Dog Brewing

ABV: 11 percent

Another excellent beer that stands out even among the other solid selections of the night. Seven different malts and four hops go into this oak-barrel aged brew with a thick, dark, lasting head. Some oak notes have been infused due to this process, as well as Bourbon, and sweet, dried-fruit-like flavors. This was the favorite beer of the night for a few of the tasters.

Steelhead Extra Stout

Mad River Brewing Company

ABV: 6.5 percent

This is a black, opaque ale from Blue Lake, Calif. that the company calls a "dessert beer." Naturally, it shares some of the characteristics of many of the other stouts in the list, such as a dark, black opaqueness and "chocolate," "coffee" and "plum" flavors. A good, straight-ahead stout to warm you up in the fall or winter.

Troubadour Imperial Stout

De Proefbrouwerij

ABV: 9 percent

Another visitor from abroad, De Proefbrouwerij, from the Flemish region of Belgium, produces the Troubadour Imperial Stout year-round. It has a pitch-black body and an "excellent creamy, tightly-packed head with great lacing and retention," a taster said. Although there were many well-balanced beers in this lineup, our panel agreed that this was one of the best-balanced in the group. Would go very well "with blueberry pancakes, coffee, and roast and gravy," someone wrote, although he may have been getting hungry toward the end of the tasting.

Beer Geek Breakfast

Mikkeller Brewing

ABV: 7.5 percent

This Dutch beer is an American-style double/imperial stout brewed at Nøgne Ø. The body is opaque -- pitch black -- and it has a tightly packed tan head. Alcohol is prominent in the nose, and flavors detected by the tasters include "coffee," "toffee," chocolate" and "toasted bread." "I would definitely buy this one," someone said, even if it wasn't for breakfast.

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

The Great Divide Brewing Company

ABV:9.5 percent

And finally, Oak Aged Yeti has the best qualities of imperial stout: beautiful black body, thick head all kinds of roasty coffee, toffee flavors -- and this one has a "giant mouth feel" according to one reviewer. "Almost chewy." Infused with Pablo's espresso (from Denver) and aged in vanilla oak. Most of the crew thought we had saved the best for last. "Definitely the best beer of the night."