Four New Brew Reviews: Microbrew Beer of the Month Club II

Beer Luvvas,

I've finally had a chance to sample each of the wares from this month's Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club....So let's hear about how each of the four beers tasted.

First item of note is that none of the four beer styles (Pilsner, Bock, Pale and Porter) rank as any of my favorites. However, that's not to say that there isn't a tasty beverage in the bunch....

Surprise! I just realized that each of the two Pennsylvania beers were from two different breweries! As previously noted, Penn Kaiser Pilsner was brewed by Pennsylvania Breweing Company in Pittsburgh; but Stegmaier Brewhouse Bock was brewed by The Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre, PA! Four beers...THREE brewers! Shocker!

OK, Penn Kaiser Pilsner - crisp and light as one would expect from a Pilsner. However, Penn Brewing's 'traditional German Pils' brought more flavor than what I've come to expect from the style. This would have been an excellent sizzling summer sipper during my time in Phoenix - just outside the seventh plane of Hell from May-September.

Stegmaier Brewhouse Bock - Another great example of an American beer brewed in the exacting tradition of the German style. Unfortunately for me, too malty and sweet for my more NW hops defined pallet. However, I'm sure German purists would love this bock.

Santa Fe Brewing Pale Ale - This beer was my second surprise of this shipment. I believe that Santa Fe brewing has altered the recipe since I consumed copious quantities of this beverage a decade ago during my stint in NM. Again, the brewers packed much more flavor - both malt and hops - into this version of a Pale Ale. Sitting on the patio grilling Copper River salmon on a cedar plank with this beer in hand was a perfect way to finish a day.

But the pick of the litter for this second shipment of the MBoTM Club was the Sante Fe Pen Porter. This Porter is exceeded only by my recent Full Sail Top Sail Reserve experience. Better than "The Standard" Deschutes Black Butte Porter. There was no lager 'tang' at the finish, and the roasted malts and coffee flavor arrives rounded and full, rather than soft or faint. Superb!

Prost to Second Shipment Surprises! Prost to Sante Fe Pen Porter! Prost to Pennsylvania Brewers!