Written by Dean Zarbaugh

MadTree/Fat Head’s – Lupulin Effect Imperial IPA

This hop-forward imperial IPA is a collaboration between Fat Head’s Brewery in Middleburg Heights and Cincinnati’s MadTree Brewing. It sports an 8.1% ABV and 85 IBUs. Lupulin Effect is everything you’d expect from these two breweries joining forces; hoppy, juicy, and full of flavor. It has a slight sweetness to it and packs a deliciously bitter finish. Crisp and clean. An easy drinker for an 8.1% ABV. Excellent imperial IPA.

RATING
4.5/5

Written by Dean Zarbaugh

Sibling Revelry – Barrel Aged 2XRED

This was a special bottle release earlier this year for Sibling Revelry’s Two Year Anniversary. I was fortunate enough to attend and pick up a couple bottles. This was bottle number 28. Bourbon barrel aged beers can scare some people off, but this beer was well balanced in its flavor. Some barrel aged beers tend to overdo it with the bourbon, but Sibling’s barrel aged 2XRED keeps things in check with a nice hop bite, and a rich malt flavor. I’ll be sitting on my other bottle for a while to see how it ages.

RATING
4.5/5

Written by Dean Zarbaugh

Masthead Brewing Company – Brute Force Double IPA

This double IPA is incredibly smooth, and full of flavor, with notes of floral and citrus on the nose. Upon your first sip, your tastebuds are met with a burst of citrus flavor that continues throughout and finishes slightly bitter with notes of resin.  Brute Force is 8.7% ABV with 90 IBU’s.

RATING
4.75/5

Written By Dean Zarbaugh

Columbus Brewing Company – Uncle Rusty Imperial Red Ale

This is a full-bodied red ale. Uncle Rusty packs a hefty 9.3% ABV and 90 IBUs. Despite the high alcohol content, Uncle Rusty is a smooth red ale, with nice balance of malt and hops. The hops hit you first, with the malt coming in at the end. The malt gives it notes of toasted bread and a touch of sweetness to compliment the hoppiness. This is every red ale lover’s dream.

RATING
4.75/5

Written By Dean Zarbaugh

Photo Credit: Dean Zarbaugh

Masthead Brewing Company – Extra! Extra! Double NEIPA. I stumbled across my last can of this special edition double New England IPA from Masthead’s last canning release. Bursting with tropical citrus hoppiness, with notes of mango, guava, pineapple and melon, and finishing delightfully smooth. At 8% it can sneak up on you a bit too. You wouldn’t know the ABV is as high as it is just from the taste. It’s deceptively smooth. This was my absolute favorite out of the two releases; Extra! Extra! and Shoot from the Hip. Both are excellent beers, but I think I liked the Extra! Extra! a bit more. If you can find this on draft still, I highly recommend trying it. Masthead knocks it out of the park with their beers, especially NEIPAs.

RATING
4.75/5

Written by Dean Zarbaugh

Saucy Brew Works – Love You, Bye. This hazy imperial IPA is bursting with tropical citrus flavor; mango, guava, and pineapple. It finishes with a pungent bitterness that leaves you wanting more. It clocks in at 8% ABV, but you wouldn’t know it from tasting it. Love You, Bye will definitely sneak up on ya if you aren’t careful. This is a limited release from the Cleveland based Saucy, and the first in their new “Hazy Series” so if you’re lucky enough to find a 4-pack, don’t pass it by! I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

RATING
4/5

Written by Dean Zarbaugh

Stone Brewing Company – Enjoy By 4.20.18. This double IPA lives up its “devastatingly dank” label. Enjoy by 4.20 is bursting with dank, resinous flavors throughout. It finishes slightly dry with a touch of sweetness. Perfectly balanced. I’ve come to expect great things from the people at Stone, and 4.20.18 doesn’t disappoint.

RATING
4.5/5

Written by Dean Zarbaugh

Jackie O’s – Who Cooks For You New England Pale Ale. Smooth and light but packed full of tropical citrus flavor. Finishes with a crisp bitterness. WCFY is a crushable New England Pale Ale with 5.5% ABV, making this a great beer for spring. The can design is beautiful, and compliments their usual black artwork well. Get yours before they disappear in June!

RATING
4.5/5

And if you’re interested in hearing my feature on Jackie O’s, please follow the links below.

Chomolungma

Mystic Mama/MXDFRM & Primary

Crooked Stave – IPA. Bursting with bright tropical citrus hoppiness, and finishes clean with a slight bitterness to it. Smooth and crushable and clocking in with a 7% ABV.

RATING
4.25/5

Great Lakes Brewing Company – Cloud Cutter Ale. This new seasonal offering from Great Lakes is bursting with citrus hop flavor and packs a nice bitter finish. Clean, crisp, easy drinker. Perfect for the spring!

RATING
4/5