Modus Hoperandi (can) - 3.5

Modus Hoperandi
India Pale Ale
Ska Brewing Company
Durango, CO
ABV: 7%

Jon:
Copper complexion, sweet orange hoppy nose. The aroma didn't prepare me for the mouth-puckering bitterness -- somehow the sweetness I smelled just doesn't transfer to the tongue. Unique and tastes good, but unexpectedly harsh for me.

3.5	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 9/10 3/5 6/10 2/5 4/5 7/10

Mark:
I really like this IPA. Full palate, slightly toasty with bitter floral notes. I can definitely taste the 7% ABV.

3.8	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 8/10 5/5 7/10 3/5 4/5 7/10

Jere:
Canned IPA -- WTH? Actually not that bad, considering... Not sure if I'll have another though.

3.3	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 7/10 3/5 6/10 3/5 4/5 6/10

Southampton IPA (bottle) - 3.6

Southampton IPA
India Pale Ale
Southampton Publick House
Southampton, NY
ABV: 6.2%

Jon:
A serious amount of roasty/caramel flavors for an IPA, quite unexpected. Very sweet and somewhat bitter but doesn't quite strike a balance. It's sweet, then bitter. With a gummy aftertaste. Same aftertaste as after drinking a sweet and sour margarita. Very unique, but not a favorite.

3.6	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 8/10 3/5 7/10 3/5 4/5 7/10

Mark:
I'm not sure what to say about this one. It's a golden caramel color with an eggshell head. The bottle claims that "balance" is their difference. Not so hopped as an American-style IPA, closer to an English IPA. Slightly bitter, toasty with a strange lemon rind / sour skittles aftertaste. It's definitely a quality brew, but I'm not crazy about it.

3.3	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 3/5 7/10 3/5 6/10 4/5 4/5 6/10

Jere:
Not bad for a 6.2%. The Mexican Mojito I had beforehand may have clouded my judgement, though... Hopefully it won't be another long while before I try one again.

3.8	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 8/10 4/5 7/10 3/5 4/5 8/10

American Dream IPA (growler) - 3.9

American Dream
India Pale Ale
Rock Bottom Westminster
Westminster, CO
ABV: 7.2%

Jon:
Very floral nose mixed with grapefruit. Soothing mouthfeel with a little alcohol heat on the finish. The floral notes are a bit too pervasive on the tongue, otherwise a great brew.

3.8	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 9/10 3/5 7/10 3/5 4/5 8/10

Mark:
Tasty. The first thing you taste are the floral notes followed quickly by a white grapefruit sweetness, fading to a bitter finish. I would say this was the best beer that I've had at Rock Bottom except that I just tried their recently released Naked Hop Bomb--amazing!

4.1	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 4/5 8/10 5/5 8/10 3/5 5/5 8/10

Jere:
I like. Definitely one of the better brews I've had in a while. If I remember it next time I'm at Rock Bottom, I'll be sure to revisit.

3.7	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 5/5 8/10 4/5 7/10 2/5 4/5 7/10

Bud Light (can) - 1.7

Bud Light
American-Style Lager
Anheuser-Busch Company
St. Louis, MO
ABV: 4.2%

Jon:
This is Good Times: Recession Edition. It's cheap but I think there are better values out there (Tecate, IMO). I'm scared to pour it in a glass after my PBR experience last year. Tastes like a mega-corporation.

1.5	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 1/5 2/10 3/5 2/10 4/5 1/5 2/10

Mark:
Almost defies description, like that guy you know that so lacks personality that it's impossible to ever be offended by him. That said, this is good, cheap summer beer and I don't know anyone who won't drink one if they're handy.

1.7	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 2/5 1/10 3/5 3/10 4/5 1/5 3/10

Jere:
This Bud ain't for me. "Superior Drinkability" is deceptively accurate--thankfully I won't be partaking again anytime soon. Less filling? I think not.

1.9	Appearance Aroma Palate Flavor Price Buzz Overall 2/5 3/10 2/5 3/10 4/5 2/5 3/10