Stone Brewing Bourbon-Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard
Escondido, California
Bourbon-Barrel Aged Ale
ABV: 7.9%
Over the years, Stone has done just about everything imaginable to Arrogant Bastard, their mainstay strong ale—oaked, double, aged in rye, dry hopped, chipotle peppers—you name it, and they’ve “bastardized” it that way. As a result, we’ve developed a healthy skepticism toward the parade of new variations that they seem to announce every week. But a bourbon-barrel-aged version in a six pack? Now you have our attention. Unexpected cherry notes lead on the nose, and a sip uncovers rich wood, char, and slight smoke notes from the barrel without the fusel alcohol heat that defines many bourbon-barrel beers. It’s full bodied but not too sweet, despite the drinkable 7.9% ABV, and its 100 IBUs are barely noticeable within the flavor context. It’s a feat to brew a bourbon-barrel-aged beer at this ABV and in quantities large enough to package in six packs, but Stone has been doing this a while and obviously has the process down. We hope this member of the Arrogant Bastard family sticks around a while. —Jamie Bogner
4 Hands Send Help
St. Louis, Missouri
American Blonde Ale
ABV: 4.5%
Send Help opens immediately with classic grapefruit aroma from the Pacific Northwest hops and segues into a light, crisp body that showcases the citrus and almost candy-like C-hops notes. As a fan of flavorful, low-ABV beers, I could absolutely see myself crushing this while skateboarding down the block (if my skate skills were anything worth talking about), and the touch of lingering bitterness keeps it refreshing and very drinkable. —Austin Grippin
Surly Doomtree
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ESB
ABV: 5.7%
Surly has never been one to brew to “style,” and Doomtree is more of the same. Don’t expect an ESB (as the overly reductive style denominators have categorized it). Instead, think malt-forward ale with a bitter backend bite and a curious character that evokes everything from dried lumber to harvested hay bales or a pine forest in dry summer heat. It’s suitably dry, remarkably bock-like in its clean and restrained ester profile, and drinks bigger than its 5.7% ABV suggests. —Jamie Bogner
Devils Backbone Azrael
Lexington, Virginia
Belgian-Style Golden Ale
ABV: 7%
Ever felt like you’ve been punched in the face by a bunch of bananas? The overwhelming banana esters of Azrael might lead you to think you have. Over-the-top yeast flavors notwithstanding, Azrael is an enjoyable, but one-note Belgian-style golden. The body and color are spot-on, but the lingering sweetness is a bit cloying to me, and the beer would be easier to enjoy if that yeast had gone just a tad farther and dried it out a touch more. —Austin Grippin
Upslope Belgian-Style Pale Ale
Boulder, Colorado
Belgian-Style Pale Ale
ABV: 7.5%
Made for the Colorado summer, Upslope’s Belgian-style pale is perfect for pairing with your post-hike thirst or a fireside sunset. The expected banana and coriander notes lead on the nose, but the attenuation and background bitterness balance those esters and spice, making it refreshingly dry, crisp, and drinkable. The malt foundation adds a depth and interest to the flavor that I don’t see often in other American takes on this Belgian style. —Haydn Strauss