father’s day finds me roaming the rails here in Chicago. Today I am here at Revolution Brewing with the sounds of the CTA in the background watching World Cup.

I ordered the pork belly. Wholy Bovine! That was a damn fine sandwich. You can probably hear my arteries slamming shut from whereever you are.

The Mad Cow stout is milky, very smooth. Almost no hints of chocolate or smokiness. Swishing it around in my mouth I can almost taste the alcohol.

The stout is almost black. There is some light lacing but little head. It has an ABV of 7.5%.

All in all a good brew.

The Coup de Grace is their saison. It is a wheat, no doubt. And it is sweet, surprisingly so. 8.5% ABV. Is smells citruicy. The color is a golden yellow with little head or lacing, but it is a taster. It’s the one on the right, btw.

The Best Coast IPA is a 7.2% ABV. Light yellow with a good head and lacing on the glass, you can smell the hops and a bit of fruit or flowers. It’s clear, not cloudy. A good amount of hops and fruit great your tongue right off. It’s more mild than a lot of IPAs. JK probably would give it a pass, but it works well for me.

Another from the twelve pack combo I picked up, this had to be the least hoppy, yet still hoppy, IPA I’ve ever had. Don’t get me wrong. The hops are still there. It’s just that they’re not as pronounced as one normally expects in an IPA.

Presentation:

I like the schooner in the emblem, but that’s my late-in-life New Englander coming out to say ‘hi’.

Pour:

Once in the glass the color is golden yellow with a finger of head. Most of the bubbles are small but a few are quitre big.

Aroma:

You can smell the hops, no doubt.

Taste:

As I said, the High Seas is less hoppy than the average IPA: Goose Island, Sierra Nevada, and Bell’s are all considerably more pronounced. The flavor is smoother as a result. There are tones of fruit, though I cannot place them.

Reviewer’s Grade:

B

From The Brewer:

“Our Interpretation of a legendary ocean crossing classic is not for the timid. Assertively hoppy and dangerously seductive. A skillful blend of three premium barley malts with generous amounts of Northern Brewer and Cascade Hops creates a special ale to satisfy the most demanding palate.”

Statistics:

Price/Quantity: $8.99/6 pack 12 ounce bottles
ABV: unknown
IBU: unknown
Calories: unknown
Suggested Glass: Pint glass
Website: Michigan Brewing Company

Initial take: It’s a 5.25% ABV India Pale Ale (IPA).

If you find yourself in or around Holland, Michigan, I strongly recommend heading downtown to New Holland. Their food is only rivaled by their beer.

I found these near to my house in a six pack of twelve ounce bottles.

Presentation

Dark bottle with an appropriate “Alice in Wonderland” theme.

Pour

Good pour. Healthy head. Orange color. Filtered.

Aroma

The nose is very hoppy, as one would expect of an IPA.

Taste

The taste is hoppy and citrusy. The drink is tart but goes down well.

Reviewer’s Grade

B

Statistics

New Holland Brewing Co.