Beer of the Week

The beer: Bonfire Brown 

The brewery: Saugatuck Brewing Company, Douglas, Michigan

Description (from the website): "The smell of burning wood, the crackling embers, the warm glow of the fire. Whatever your favorite part of a bonfire is, take it all in with every sip of Bonfire Brown. This classic American Brown Ale is a perfect example of tradition; from it’s malty, rich body to a roasty & toasty finish. Kick back, crack one open and tell your story. After all, that’s what a bonfire is all about."

Would I buy it again? Of all the brown ales I've had in my life, this is one of them. It doesn't do anything exactly wrong, per se (then again, the head was absolutely abysmal), but neither does it do anything well. It's just sort of there, and when it comes to this particular style of beer, I expect more than that. So I would not buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Vanilla Pumpkin Ale

The brewery: Schlafly Beer, St. Louis, Missouri

Description (from the website): "Have you ever had perfection a la mode? Schlafly Vanilla Pumpkin Ale takes the seasonal fan favorite to a whole new level of perfection. All the classic notes of pumpkin infused with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg remain in harmony, and the addition of vanilla brings a creamy sweetness that delights the palate. Life is short, drink dessert first!"

Would I buy it again? I have to be fair with this one — this beer's been sitting in my fridge for quite a while, and I think it's gone off a bit. There's a weird aftertaste that really brought the beer down. The pumpkin does at least come through. I would probably try this again, if only to determine if my bottle was bad. If not, then I definitely would not buy this again.