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