Grand Cru (North Coast Brewing, Fort Bragg, CA)

Light golden ale with effervescent bubbles floating to the top, but the head disappeared immediately. Nose has a very light spice, clean and pleasant, with light apple, pepper and yeast. Bubbles appear with a carbonic bite with a spicy, light pepper before a sweet finish. Slightly hot with a clear taste of alcohol. Mouthfeel is a light for the style. Seems a bit out of balance, but a nice beer for the night. Not a fan of the beer, but enjoying it at the moment.

Simcoe Single Hop IPA (Mikkeller, Copenhagen, Denmark)

Copper ale with gold highlights, and, because I was watching football too closely, a fair amount of dregs in the bottom of the glass. Dirty white head on top that lingers for a long time. Simcoe hop is clean and clear in the nose, but not very strong. Need a swirl to pop it up. Strong carbonation bite along with the hop bitterness. Not an overly hoppy IPA, but very fun to drink.

Eighteen Anniversary Ale (Avery Brewing, Boulder, CO)

Copper ale with shiny gold highlights along the edge of the beer. Very thin off white head that melts immediately. Nose is promising with lots of clear hop and yeasty saison spice mixed in. Can clearly smell the dry hop. Pepper and spice strong in the mouth, but singular and a bit overwhelming and seems to clash with the nose. Mouthfeel is light with a dry bite in the aftertaste. Sounds great reading the bottle, but just doesn't seem to come together. Fine for the night, happy to give Avery the benefit of the doubt on any special beers, but I won't be seeking this one out again.

Pile O' Dirt Porter (Crow Peak Brewing, Spearfish, SD)

Dark black, opaque beer with a velvety brown head that dissipates fairly fast. Roasted barley and coffee in the nose with slightly burnt note over a light hop spice. Smooth taste with the coffee predominates and finishes bitter. Carbonation seems a bit high for the style, but the mouthfeel is very satisfying and rich. I was very happy to buy this Crow Peak porter in Sioux Falls and like it a lot—and not just because it was the best thing in Sioux Falls!

11th Hour IPA (Crow Peak Brewing, Spearfish, SD)

Copperish IPA in the glass with rocky, off white head that falls while leaving large bubbles around the edge. Strong floral and spice nose, clean American style hops with lots of grapefruit. The nose really attracted me to this beer initially, in part, because I didn't expect such a hoppy beer from a SD local brewery when I bought this in Sioux Falls. Very pleasant surprise. The hop continues in the taste and has a good strong bite, a bit grassy—if you like chewing your hops, this is a good one. Slightly resiny and piney like a Double IPA can often be. Somewhat sweet finish to counter the hop sting. Nice IPA and fun to drink. Good luck to Crow Peak Brewing—hope to buy some more next trip to SD.