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JuKebox Hero is a new Black India Pale Ale from Revolution Brewing out of Chicago. You can only get it in bombers, but that's ok, it's the perfect size to settle down with and enjoy a podcast. This week, Dave and I split one during our show.

This is one of the better Black IPA's I've had the pleasure of drinking lately. In looking at reviews online, it didn't seem to blow people's socks off like it did mine. It's not as thick as other Black IPA's, and it's generally more hoppy, which I really like. Maybe this isn't a to the book version of this type of beer, but it's a great mixture of some heavy, delicious malts against the strong fruity hops.

Check this out if you see it in the store and you are a hop head of any kind. It's 7.5% and not too heavy, so it's a great session beer to go along with a sixer of A Little Crazy, their Belgian-style Pale Ale.

The beer, the myth, the legend, the 10,000th batch that Bell's has made.  Bell's has made milestone batches before, but this is apparently the last one they will be doing.  If they're going out - they sure did it in style.  It wasn't easy getting my hands on this beer.  Two six-packs made it all the way back to the burbs from the brewery in Kalamazoo, MI.

This strong american ale has a very bold malty taste to begin.  The finish is quite smooth for such a strong beer, and has a hint of hops.  The beer pours nearly black in the glass, with a creamy but light head.  Overall, I'd give this beer an A-.  Excellent all around for its style, and several bonus points for the fact that I'll never get to buy it again.

Aroma:  Nutty, almost chocolaty but not a strong aroma.

Appearance:  Dark brown - almost black with a light creamy head.

Flavor:  Malty to start, smooth to finish.

Body: Heavy and full flavored.

Cheers to the 10,000th batch made at Bell's.  Now make me some Hopslam!!

The air is getting cool and crisp here in Chicago and its my favorite time of year in the beer world.  Oktoberfest! The most enjoyable part of this season is trying every breweries own recipe at this historical brew.  

Today, I am indulging in the Spaten Oktoberfest.  This beer made the trip over from its brewery in Germany.  It is bottled in green bottles with a blue checkered label inlcuding the Spaten crest.  I tend to have issue with beers in green bottle because of the light refraction rate being lower than those beers in brown bottles.  This is especially concerning in imports.  nonetheless this beer doesn't disappoint.  Here's how I score it:

LOOK: A nice clear copper color, when pour there is a carmel colored head but it fades fast.

SMELL: Sweet malt, floral hops, a distinct caramel smell, nutty, this batch was slightly skunky from the green bottle

TASTE/FEEL: Sweet and Malty, distinct grain flavor, taste of bread almost.  This batch taste slightly watered down, taste profiles dont linger long on the palet.  the feel is crisp and smooth, dryness at the end leaving a nutty flavor.

OVERALL: I am a bit biased because I have had great, off the tap, experiences with this beer.  The green bottle and import obviously hurts the quality though.  I think this beer is certainly worth buying in bottles if you enjoy a true oktoberfest, but understand the risk your taking since it is imported.  If you ever get a chance to taste it out of the tap then you have to buy a pint.  Overall 3.5 for this batch (slightly higher than 4 out of the tap)

So here I am on the Tuesday night before the season opener of the NFL.  I have tomorrow off, and really no money to go out and pay $8 for a beer worth drinking.

So, what do I do?  Buy some Sam Adams Octoberfest and get to work on some drinkfive business.  I'm taking this time out to share with you all my thoughts about this years seasonal rendition from the fine Boston Beer Company.  

First, a little knowledge for you: Oktoberfest is a 16 day festival held in Germany that dates all the way back to 1810.  It is the largest fair in the world, and rightfully so. There are 3 criteria for an Oktoberfest beer to be served at the festival: 1. It must meet the Purity Law (only use water, barley, and hops), 2. It must have an original gravity of 13.5 to 14 degrees (6% alcohol) and 3. Be brewed within the city limits of Munich by a Munich Company.  Pretty tough to get your average home brew in huh?

Anyway, back to the beer.  Here is my review:

Aroma: Very Malty, little hint of hops.

Appearance: Deep Amber color, amazing clarity to this beer, very clean

Flavor: Super sweet and malty, followed by a bitterness from hops.  The balance could be better. (the 2011 version was much better)  After taste is strong malt flavors.

Overall: Good for an Octoberfest beer.  I would buy it again, but I was looking forward to the 2011 taste and flavors when purchasing this time.  Certainly a very drinkable beer with a modest 5.3% ABV.