Reggies Music Joint - Metal show

My Metal band played Reggies Music Joint last night and I was pleased to see the fairly excellent selection of local and regional micro brews on tap. the picture above is from the Stage bar which is sort of limited but definitely a crowd pleaser. Gumball-head on Tap is much more enjoyable but still a very light session beer 100% worthy of summer time. The photo below is of the restaurant tap selection, I wasn't sitting close enough to grab the full rail. Bells, Half Acre, Goose Island, Three Floyd's, Laguintas, New Belgium, Stone, Dogfish Head all represented below. 

New Belgium - 1554 / Mighty Arrow

New Belgium 1554- Dark Black lager ale, pours a rich dark smooth. Very malty with a coffee aroma. Back in 2005 when I first had this beer at the Mothership, I was not very fond of this or any dark ale. I can safely say this was my first darker beer brew that I ever tried. Verdict A-, one of my bench marks for when I try other dark ales. I tend to drink this slower and enjoy its taste of the coffee/chocolate and smokey aroma.

New Belgium - Mighty Arrow, I am still on the fence as far as Pale Ales rank, but New Belgium Mighty Arrow is very good, and this year in Chicago the 6 pack offering has been on the shelves at just about every store i've been to. Great Pale ale, good golden orange color, citrus notes and bit of hop. Verdict B+

New Belgium - Ranger IPA

2011 marks the the third year for Ranger IPA being sold in Chicago. I was not a fan of Ranger at first but now I love the hop taste. Grapfruit citrus notes, bold hoppy attack. Verdict: B+

Kirkland (Costco) beer pack

This brew pack was purchased at CostCo, it came in a 24pack 6 of 4 styles. I would recommend this to anybody who orders Miller/MGD/Coors/Budweiser as a safe first step into the variety of beer styles. 

Amber Ale: not a lot of flavor. Verdict C-

Pale Ale: Verdict C+

India Pale Ale: typical IPA taste, nothing note worthy. Verdict C+

Belgian White: probably the best tasting brew from the pack. Verdict B-

Big Flats - Walgreens

I think my reaction in the video is really all you need to know if it is worth your time to pick up some Big Flats Beer at your local Walgreens. ($2.99 a six pack) Verdict: D+

Frosty 2 Below

Blizzard storm

Nothing says staying in during a winter storm like 2 Below from New Belgium Brewery.