Beer Bites

Aprihop
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Delaware
7 percent alc./vol.
$11.99 per 6-pack

In lieu of the recent rise in temperature, I picked up a 6-pack of what I like to call "warmer weather beer." Dogfish Head's Aprihop is a wonderful bridge from the dark, spicy winter beers over to the more spring-oriented fruity and flowery brews. Aprihop is an India Pale Ale, so it has a nice hop aroma that is slightly fruity with a dark caramel overtone. Aprihop pours an orange-amber hue and has just the right amount of carbonation to make it quite refreshing. Aprihop delivers a wonderful cast of sweet apricot, mango and even a hint of lemon. Supporting actors include a balanced hop bitterness and a smooth caramel body. With fine carbonation, well-rounded flavors and a unique overall presence, I would skip Magic Hat's Number Nine and try one of these.

3 out of 4 mugs

Wagner Valley India Pale Ale
Wagner Valley Brewing Company
Lodi, N.Y.
6 percent alc./vol.
$9.99 per 6-pack

I picked Wagner Valley IPA on a whim but was then happy to discover that it was a product of New York. The closer your beer source, the more fresh and better tasting it will be. This was certainly the case with Wagner Valley, as it was easily one of the more appealing IPAs I've recently consumed. My first impression was great, as I got a nose full of orange and grapefruit citrus. The flavor was fairly bitter, with a major hop presence and good amount of carbonation. For an IPA, this was really easy to drink and tasted just fine. I am intrigued by Wagner Valley as a brewery and look forward to trying more.

2.5 out of 4 mugs

Sublimely Self Righteous Ale
Stone Brewing Company
California
8.7 percent alc./vol.
$8.99 per 22-ounce

I have never seen this style of beer from Stone, so I was quick to pick up a bottle at the store. In the past, Stone has been a wonderful brewery, offering a number of well-balanced, well-hopped and affordable brews. The Self Righteous Ale is no exception. The ale pours a deep dark brown, almost like that of a stout. However, the smell gave this beer away. Instead of the stout coffee smell, I sensed citrus and dark fruits, with a low lying hop background. Upon drinking, I was amazed at how easy I could handle it given the 8.7 percent alc./vol. Yet it is the combination of the hop/bitter character balanced with an even carbonation that makes this ale so delicious. While I would have this beer again, I would not make this a regular purchase.

2.5 out of 4