Beer #19 - 3 PUCKS - LAKE TROUT STOUT - SEBAGO BREWING COMPANY, GORHAM, MAINE

Lake Trout Stout, Sebago Brewing Company, Gorham, Maine. You have to be selfish with your coveted microbrews of the month. This is the one you give the guests. Started off at the top of beer mountain and just thrown into piss beer valley with this one. Fricken coffee beer. I love coffee. I love beer. I don't love them mixed. If this was the only beer left on earth, one might choose to dump them out. Dear Microbrew of the Month Club, remove Lake Trout Stout from my order. I would like to send the other 2 bottles of this poison back to you. Send more cats and sharks. Never been to Maine and this beer keeps me away.

Beer #18 - 5 PUCKS - FRYE'S LEAP IPA - SEBAGO BREWING COMPANY - GORHAM, MAINE

Frye's Leap IPA, Sebago Brewing Company, Gorham, Maine Well, it was good while it lasted. I expected every beer in the microbrew of the month club to have me typing positively. You usually lose me at IPA. This one is no different. Stay in India. But this one I could find a home for a 6-pack on a Friday wth a pizza and good conversation. The bite of IPA just lowers the puck score. Too intense with that bite. Even for playoff hockey. It's in the Beer of the Month Club so it gets some street cred to keep it from 4 PUCKS.

Beer #17 - 8 PUCKS - GREAT WHITE BEER - LOST COAST BREWERY & CAFE, EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

Great White Beer, Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe, Eureka, California Following up Alleycat is like being 1st up after Babe Ruth just hit the go ahed grandslam in the top of the 9th. Will anyone notice you? Will anyone care? But Lou Gehrig hit many out of the park after Ruth and Great White (shark on the bottle) does as well. This Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe needs to expand to MN or at least WI. Their beers are too good to be enjoyed just once in life.

Beer #16 - 9 PUCKS - ALLEYCAT- LOST COAST BREWERY & CAFE, EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

Alleycat Amber Ale, Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe, Eureka, CA You saw the rating. My wife signed me up for the Microbrew of the Month Club. I would have never found this top performer without it. Alleycat is smoother than Summit and the after taste is better than the perfect taste. One could move to California simply for access to this beverage. Sign up. Sign up now. The microbrew of the month club could find us that 10 puck beer at this rate. A born and raised Minnesotan can't even put Summit ahead of Alleycat. I'm allergic to cats. Hate them. This cat changed my mind.

Beer #15: 6.5 PUCKS Summer Ale, Summit Brewing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota

Summer Ale, Summit Brewing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota. Oh, Summit, how I honor you. But the Summer Ale never had a chance. If your favorite hockey player in the history of man was suddenly traded away without reason, without warning, and without a final goodbye performace how would you feel? August 1988: Edmonton, you know what I'm talking about. The guy replacing your favorite never has a chance. If this Summer Ale is the replacement for Summit's Hefeweizen (Hef would skate to 9 PUCK range if it is still in the league?) then let's all stop for a moment of silence. We lost a legend. We lost what could be Summit's only chance to obtain the coveted 10 PUCK trophy for 2012. So I digress from Summer Ale but when you have the Patrick Roy of beers roaming the crease of your heart and then he's gone, someone must pay. And that someone is all of us. Summer Ale, your shoes are too big to fill. Hit the road and come back with your big brother...your legendary cloudy wheat brother. My attempt to get a reply from Summit is still craving a reply. FINAL SCORE: 6.5 PUCKS. The bottle earns a trip to the BENCH. Summer Ale, you're good enough to keep on the team but so many of your peers stand out more. I want the Great One back. Send the cap to the BENCH as well. Wife sips and says 8.5 PUCKS.

Beer #14: 8.5 PUCKS Extra Pale Ale of Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Shame on St. Louis, Missouri for lying to America. The true KING of beers is Summit and it all starts with their Extra Pale Ale. My first real beer (a microbrew) was Summit. And like they say in hockey and life, you never forget your first. Ever since then it has been the Captain of my Microbrew squad. About two years ago my bachelor party started the day on a Summit Brewery Tour and married life has been bliss ever since then. Coincidence? I think not. Summit is the perfect beer to get your piss beer drinkin' friends introduced to a microbrew and to stop drinking the dirty water. Summit...The King of Beers. FINAL SCORE: 8.5 PUCKS p.s. The bottle is a classic. How can it not slip one by the goalie for a game winning GOAL? The cap, classic as well. GOOOOOOOOAL! Wife sips and says 6 PUCKS.

Beer # 13: 7.5 PUCKS Irish Amber, Finnegans, St. Paul, MN

The Irish Amber. The original "100% profits to charity" beer. Finnegans makes your heart and taste buds smile. By giving all their profits to charity (Yes, it really is true--a company with a soul...a giving soul.) Finnegans is the easy choice to fill any pint glass. The taste of doing good never tasted so good. Next time you're watching the big game or want to impress your co-workers at happy hour with your big heart, order a Finnegans Irish Amber. I know I will. FINAL SCORE: 7.5 PUCKS p.s. The bottle hammers home a GOAL and the cap follow up with another GOAL. Wife sips and says 7.5 PUCKS.

MICROBREW REVIEW PUCK RATING SYSTEM

You don't need to be a Puck Head to figure out this ratings system for your favorite microbrew. Microbrew Review Puck Rating System: 10 PUCKS (Hall of Fame) = The entire reason you are reading and I am tasting. The REAL King of Beers. Gretzky. 9 PUCKS (Hall of Fame)= One of the greatest ever but not THE Babe Ruth of beer. 8 PUCKS (All-Star) = If you have a choice, this is the go to beverage that you want. You want Steven Stamkos. 7 PUCKS (Starter) = A great beer and a fan favorite. Think Cal Clutterbuck amongst Wild fans. 6 PUCKS (Bench) = Still an above average beer, but not good enough to crack the line-up. Think of this as Vikings back-up QB Joe Webb. 4-5 PUCKS (Minors) = Will not purchase again but could tolerate if you're buying. Think of this as an old, hobbled Jim Thome coming in for that one pinch hit. Most likley a strikeout. Slim chance of a homer. 3 and under PUCKS (Retire) = Never made it to the Big Leagues Beverage and should get the heck out of the game. Think of some no name minor leaguer you don't know, don't care to know, and will be fine not knowing.

SIX-PACK SUMMARY 7-12

Six-Pack Summary: ALL-STAR: 8 PUCKS, Farm Girl, Lift Bridge Brewing Company, Stillwater, Minnesota STARTER: 7.5 PUCKS, Blonde Ale, Finnegans, St. Paul, Minnesota STARTER: 7 PUCKS, Lonely Blonde, Fulton Beer, Stevens Point, Wisconsin BENCH: 6 PUCKS, Garde Dog, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland MINORS: 4.5 PUCKS, Summertime, Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago, Illinois RETIRE: 2.5 PUCKS, Ruthless Rye, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, California

SUMMERTIME, GOOSE ISLAND BEER COMPANY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Summertime from Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois. If this is the taste of summer, I want spring to stick around for a few more months. Summertime can have July. Winter starts in August. A beer brewed amongst White Sox, Bears, and Blackhawks fans already has the odds against it for a Minnesotan. This beer tastes so close yet has so much missing to get it off the island and in my fridge ever again. I'm flying away from this beer in the future. FINAL SCORE 4.5 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a quick trip to the PENALTY BOX and the cap earns a POWER PLAY. Wife sips and says 5 PUCKS.

BEER #12: 4.5 PUCKS

SUMMERTIME, GOOSE ISLAND BEER COMPANY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

LONELY BLONDE, FULTON BEER, STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN

Lonely Blonde from Fulton Beer of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Why is this blonde so lonely? Probably because a person with adequate, refined, and knowingful microbrew taste buds sips it down leaving only one or two left in the fridge until next Friday night. Whoever Fulton is, all Blondes should shake his or her hand. It's so good shake both hands. They got it right with this American Blonde Ale. There is a long list of bad beers out there. However, this Lonely Blonde makes the short list. She'll keep you coming back for more. FINAL SCORE: 7 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a quick trip to the PENALTY BOX and the cap gets a major trip to the PENALTY BOX. Wife sips and says 8.5 PUCKS.

BEER #11: 7 PUCKS

LONELY BLONDE, FULTON BEER, STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN

GARDE DOG, FLYING DOG BREWERY, FREDERICK, MARYLAND

Garde Dog "Biere De Garde" of Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland. A former co-worker of mine went to work for this company and therefore I want to give them a lot of pucks. But this wasn't the beer. I look forward to trying other dogs in the sky but this was just...just. "Good people drink good beer," says Hunter S. Thompson. No, Hunter. Good people give Flying Dog another shot at the coveted 10 PUCKS. Better Luck next time. Until then, try this and then move on. FINAL SCORE: 6 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets on the POWER PLAY and the cap simply STAYS IN THE LINEUP. Wife sips and says 5.5 PUCKS.

BEER #10: 6 PUCKS

GARDE DOG, FLYING DOG BREWERY, FREDERICK, MARYLAND

BLONDE ALE, FINNEGANS, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

Blonde Ale of Finnegans from St. Paul, Minnesota. "100% of Profits go to feeding the hungry." Come on and help out. It's for the kids? This beer is truly changing the way you look at drinking a beer. And the taste makes you want to help, help, and help some more. I'm part of the Team Finnegans crew so yes I'm biased. But does some random piss beer give 100% back to local charities? Answer that and then let me know what your heart tells you as this pleasing beverage wets your soul. Tough week at work? Down on your luck? Do some good and bring home the Blonde. FINAL SCORE: 7.5 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a GOAL and the cap slaps in a GOAL as well. Wife sips and says 9 PUCKS.

BEER #9: 7.5 PUCKS

BLONDE ALE, FINNEGANS, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

RUTHLESS RYE, SIERRA NEVADA BREWING COMPANY, CHICO, CALIFORNIA

Ruthless Rye from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company of Chico, California. This beer bites back. The opposite of a Hefeweizen for this guy. An IPA basically has no chance. But a chip and a chair and see what happens. This one lost its chip and needs to write me an I.O.U. I've now tried Ruthless Rye and not even someone name Ruth or Ry would enjoy this pint. FINAL SCORE: 2.5 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a POWER PLAY but the cap heads to the PENALTY BOX. Wife sips and says 3 PUCKS.

BEER #8: 2.5 PUCKS

RUTHLESS RYE, SIERRA NEVADA BREWING COMPANY, CHICO CALIFORNIA

FARM GIRL, LIFT BRIDGE BREWING COMPANY, STILLWATER, MINNESOTA

Farm Girl from Lift Bridge Brewing Company in Stillwater, Minnesota. Renting in Stillwater and being walking distance to the Lift Bridge itself might put added pressure to rate this beer with a lot of PUCKS. Not so. It's not needed. This beer stands on its own quality. You MUST try it. Ask for it. Beg for it. Demand it. Farm Girl is a girl you definately want to meet....today. FINAL SCORE: 8 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a POWER PLAY but the cap earns a trip to the PENALTY BOX. Wife sips and says 8.5 PUCKS.

BEER #7: 8 PUCKS

FARM GIRL, LIFT BRIDGE BREWING COMPANY, STILLWATER, MINNESOTA

SIX-PACK SUMMARY 1-6

Six-Pack Summary: HALL OF FAME: 9 PUCKS Unfiltered Wheat, Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Missouri STARTER: 7 PUCKS Pandora's Bock, Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge, Colorado STARTER: 7 PUCKS Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, Oregon BENCH: 6.5 PUCKS Vinyl Lager, Magic Hat Brewing Company, South Burlington, Vermont BENCH: 6 PUCKS #9 Ale, Magic Hat Brewing Company, South Burlington, Vermont BENCH: 6 PUCKS Irish Pale Ale, McSorley's Brewery, Utica, New York

IRISH PALE ALE, MCSORLEY'S BREWERY, UTICA, NEW YORK

Irish Pale Ale from McSorley's Brewery in Utica, New York. When a beer has Irish in the name and a Mcanything on the bottle your expectations naturally rise. Unfortunately McSorley's didn't do anything to make this I.P.A. stand out. Simply a 3 leaf clover among many while I keep looking for the lucky 4 leaf. FINAL SCORE: 6 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a POWER PLAY and the cap earns a POWER PLAY. Wife not available and missed her Mcsip.

BEER #6: 6 PUCKS

IRISH PALE ALE, MCSORLEY'S BREWERY, UTICA, NEW YORK

#9 ALE, MAGIC HAT BREWING COMPANY, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT

#9 Ale of Magic Hat Brewing Company from South Burlington, Vermont It is what it is. This won't be your favorite and it won't send you back to the liquor store crying with your receipt. Slightly above an average microbrew. Your socks won't be knocked off. Don't seek it out but don't deny yourself trying it. FINAL SCORE: 6 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets sent to the PENALTY BOX and the cap earns a POWER PLAY. Wife sips and says 5 PUCKS.

BEER #5: 6 PUCKS

#9 ALE, MAGIC HAT BREWING COMPANY, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT

VINYL LAGER, MAGIC HAT BREWING COMPANY, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT

Vinyl Lager a Spring Seasonal from Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington, Vermont. When you rate a beer six and one half pucks you are saying it's right on the edge of paying for the quality. This is worth standing in line for. But, don't go bragging around the water cooler about it. If the 7's and 8's are out at your favorite watering hole this is your liquid. FINAL SCORE: 6.5 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a GOAL and the cap earns a POWER PLAY. Wife sips and says 5 PUCKS.

BEER #4: 6.5 PUCKS

VINYL LAGER, MAGIC HAT BREWING COMPANY, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT

HEFEWEIZEN, WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING, PORTLAND, OREGON

Hefeweizen from Widmer Brothers Brewing of Portland, Oregon is a tasty find. Portland might have some dreary weather but don't let that prevent you from raining this beer in your favorite pint glass and smiling "Cheers" to good conversation. If a Hefeweizen is ever below seven pucks from this guy the end is near. FINAL SCORE: 7 PUCKS p.s. The bottle STAYS ON THE ICE and the cap earns a GOAL. Wife sips and says 8 PUCKS.

BEER #3: 7 PUCKS

HEFEWEIZEN, WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING, PORTLAND OREGON

PANDORA'S BOCK, BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY, BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

Pandora's Bock from Breckenridge Brewery in Breckenridge, Colorado was born in a state that every microbrew fan should visit and visit and visit and visit. Find me a 12 pack of this and let's have the happy hour at home. I want to get to this Brewery after trying the 1st of their "Fine Colorado Ales" and you should, too. Go ahead, buy it. Pick some up for the neighbors who shoveled your walk this past winter, too. FINAL SCORE: 7 PUCKS. p.s. The bottle gets a POWER PLAY and the cap earns a trip to the PENALTY BOX. Wife sips and says 6 PUCKS.

BEER #2: 7 PUCKS

PANDORA'S BOCK, BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY, BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

UNFILTERED WHEAT, BOULEVARD BREWING COMPANY, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Unfiltered Wheat from Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, Missouri starts us off leading the bottles and it'll be tough to top. Nothing like drafting Wayne Gretzky 1st. My disclaimer is I favor wheat beers but this beer must find its way to the back of your fridge. Hide it from people. You must. Trust me. You can't run out of this one. A beer this good deserves special occasions, an average Friday night at home watching the NFL Draft, or to start off a Microbrew Review. FINAL SCORE 9 PUCKS p.s. The bottle gets a GAME ON and the cap earns a POWER PLAY. Wife sips and says 8 PUCKS.

BEER #1: 9 PUCKS

UNFILTERED WHEAT, BOULEVARD BREWING COMPANY, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Searching for the 10 PUCK Beer!

Your Hometown Connection Microbrew Review...my journey begins.

1 Day Away!

10 Pucks? Can any microbrew earn all 10?

COMING SOON: JASONdeanSTERN'S MICROBREW REVIEW !

This microbrew lover/big beer hater's quest to find the best available beer in Minnesota starts today. Come with and see if you agree. The first 6 beers unveiled shortly. Where will your favorite microbrew or "piss" beer rank on the ultimate list??? All beers will be rated on our Minnesota Nice Hockey Puck Rating Scale. 0-10 hockey pucks determine if this beer is one to keep the fridge, garage, and basement full (That would be a 10), just an average girl next door (She's a 5), or if the white porcelain next to the shower needs watering (Score those a 0 and your liver says never come back, eh!). This new dad that happily stays home a lot more these days could have a newfound hobby or his belt could have a newfound notch. Regardless, the REAL King, Queen, and Prince (Minnesota reference) of beers will be crowned. I will find you. Bottoms up, JASONdeanSTERN's Microbrew Review