This beer made me so sad. Up to this point, Alaska Brewing had been batting 100, scoring with the Amber, Stout, and Summer. Endlessly long winters however, seem to have taken their toll on the brewmasters. This beer advertises itself as being brewed with spruce tips..which should be your first warning. When I think of good beer flavor, somehow trees just don’t come to mind. But I was feeling adventurous.

How this beer really tastes is indescribable, since it assaults you with so many flavors you can’t really decide what it tastes like. Except for gross. On the upside, the overly powerful taste worked great for a marinade. Saved from a 1 by the mighty spruce.

Alaskan Brewing just brews cool stuff. One of my favorite types of lighter ales, Kolsch is always easy to drink and this copy of it works well. This stuff, according to Alaskan’s website , is based upon a Kolsch style.

OK, enough beer geek talk. This stuff ain’t too hoppy or heavy and is just nice to drink when the weather warms up. I buy this stuff in 24 packs at Costco and it doesn’t last too long. The wife doesn’t like it, but that isn’t always a bad thing. It just means more for me.

I’d rate it higher than a 4, but I’m still testing out the rating’s scale here. When I can find it, and room for it in the beer fridge, it’s an easy pick at the store.

-Cheers

Another fine entry into the pantheon of Easy Drinkin’ glory. This tasty beer is one of those that you buy when you’ve spent $30 in six packs and have nothing above a “2″ to show for it. More than once I’ve been a little gun-shy, and in those moments, Alaskan Amber is always a hit. I have to credit Big E for text messaging the recommendation for this one.  Sure, he may drink Bud Light, but this almost redeems him. Almost…

I love stouts, but I often hesitate at the oatmeal stouts, as unlike the previous entry, they tend to have that “kick you in the cheek” aftertaste that I dislike. As far as oatmeal stouts go, though, Alaskan’s offering is the best. It has the least amount of violence in every sip. It makes for a good drink to BBQ meat to, but requires that you are pretty thirsty to enjoy slowly. Despite being the best of the bunch, it is still an oatmeal stout, so get the cheeks ready.