Beer Review: Bell's Oberon Ale

For my next installment I chose a beer that is from a brewery my buddy Tim has raved about. The beer is called Oberon Ale, and it is from Bell's Brewery in Comstock, Michigan.

Oberon Ale has to be one of the best summer seasonal brews I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. It is light and smooth with just a touch of fruity flavor, but not really any citrus flavor.

Unlike quite a few of the summer seasonal brews, this beer isn't stocked full of spices. It seems like the brewers were thinking about the fact that to be a good summer beer, you have to be able to drink a whole six-pack without getting tired of the beer. I can attest to the fact that this beer tastes good even when it is 110 outside, and that is not something you can say for every brew.

Bottle for bottle I would chose Oberon Ale over Sam Adam's Summer Ale for my current summer seasonal brew. Especially if you are looking for a good pool side beer in 110 degree weather.

Miraculously, this beer is available right now at my local Fry's. Probably just a fluke from a distributor, but you never know. Here's hoping some more Bell's beers make it out my way.

Bitterness: ~17 IBU
ABV: 5.8%
Style: American Wheat Ale

Beer Review: Lagunitas Lucky 13

My hardcore beer drinking buddies are all enamored with IPAs, but my personal favorites are always Red Ales. So, for the first review I found a good compromise.

According the brewer's website, Lagunitas Lucky 13 was brewed to commemorate their 13th anniversary. Lucky 13 is an American Amber Ale with a kick (ABV: 8.3%). The staff liked the beer so much that they started brewing it every year. It is shipped every June as part of the brewer's seasonal line. I purchased my 22 ounce bottle at Sprouts.

This beer is pretty unique. It has a dark reddish brown color, with a nice frothy head. In fact, at first taste is almost tastes a bit creamy, but that taste quickly goes away.

With the alcohol content you would expect this beer to have more bite, but it really is very smooth. The balance of spices comes off with a touch of citrus flavor, with the typical crispness of a Red Ale.

Bottom line, this is a good twist on a typical Red Ale. I will certainly buy another bottle or two, if I can find it.


Bitterness: 77 IBU
ABV: 8.3%
Style: American Amber Ale / Red Ale

Beer Reviews

I was listening to a country song the other day, go figure, and I realized they were telling my story.

Billy Currington - Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer
I WASN’T BORN FOR DIGGIN DEEP HOLES
I’M NOT MADE FOR PAVIN LONG ROADS
I AINT CUT OUT TO CLIMB HIGH LINE POLES
BUT I’M PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN BEER

I’M NOT THE TYPE TO WORK IN A BANK
I’M NO GOOD AT SLAPPIN ON PAINT
DON’T HAVE A KNACK FOR MAKIN MOTORS CRANK, NO
BUT I’M PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN BEER

SO HAND ME ONE MORE
THAT’S WHAT I’M HERE FOR
I’M BUILT FOR HAVING A BALL
I LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE
I LOVE MY BUDLIGHT
I LIKE ‘EM COLD AND TALL

I AINT MUCH FOR MOWIN THICK GRASS
I’M TOO SLOW FOR WORKIN’ TOO FAST
I DON’T DO WINDOWS SO HONEY DON’T ASK
BUT I’M PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN’ BEER

A GO GETTER MAYBE I’M NOT
I’M NOT KNOWN FOR DOIN’ A LOT
BUT I DO MY BEST WORK WHEN THE WEATHER’S HOT
I’M PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN’ BEER

SO HAND ME ONE MORE
THAT’S WHAT I’M HERE FOR
I’M BUILT FOR HAVING A BALL
I LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE
I LOVE MY BUDLIGHT
I LIKE ‘EM COLD AND TALL

I WASN’T BORN FOR DIGGIN DEEP HOLES
I’M NOT MADE FOR PAVIN LONG ROADS
I AINT CUT OUT TO CLIMB HIGH LINE POLES
BUT I’M PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN BEER
I’M PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN BEER

I may not have many talents, but I am "pretty good at drinking beer." So, with that in mind, I have decided to do a weekly beer review.

It gives me an excuse to go buy a new beer every week, and maybe some of my friends can find some use out of my reviews. If nothing else, it will use up some of my newly discovered free time.