Budde's- The Coolers Part 4

More beers.

Today's first selection is Ska Brewing's Buster Nut Brown Ale. This is a very good brown ale. It combines the flavors of toast, roast, chocolate, bitterness and spice. The slight amount of bitterness and hop flavor keep this beer from being too sweet. If you enjoy Newcastle Brown Ale you will like this beer.

This is Lakefront Brewings New Grist Pilsner. It is brewed without wheat or barley so it is gluten free for those afflicted with Celiac disease. The brewing process utilizes sorghum, rice, hops water and yeast. It was the first beer government approved to label as gluten free. I appreciate those needing a gluten free option having a beer to drink. I tried it and frankly I will pass on having another one.

Bells Java Stout is another coffee flavored stout. It is not as silky as the offerings from Bent River and Schlafly. Still it is an excellent choice for those cold winter days up north.

IPA's were first brewed in the late 1700's for export by English brewers. Beer was spoiling on the long voyage to India so brewers fortified their traditional pale ales with additional malted barley for a higher alcohol content and hops to aid in preservation. This American IPA by Schlafly combines Amarillo, Centennial and Simcoe hops for bitterness and malts for an alcohol content of 7.2%. As with all American IPA's you need to like hops or don't drink them.

Bell's Hopsoulution is a Double India Pale Ale or alternately called an Imperial IPA. It is a step farther down the hop trail. If you love hops this is a beer to try. Please note above beer from Schlafly you could just like hops. In defense of this beer, you must love hops.