#12: Brown Ale (Brygghuset Finn)

Name: Brown Ale

Brewery: Brygghuset Finn

Style: American Brown Ale, 4.9%

This isn't the prettiest bottle I've ever seen, but I thought the ultra-simple, straightforward, resource-saving label looked professional and its minimalism stands out on the shelves among regular labels. So, why not try it?

Because apparently I should stick to fancy labels, that's why. This beer was not impressive. It didn't even seem finished. It had the bitterness of a grapefruit rind without much flavor. Ick. Not what I look for in a brown, or really any beer. Moving on...

Label: 3/5

Beer: 2/5

#4: Voodoo Doughnut - Pretzel Raspberry & Chocolate Ale (Rogue Ales)

Name: Voodoo Doughnut - Pretzel Raspberry & Chocolate Ale

Brewery: Rogue Ales

Style: American Brown Ale, 5.4%

This is a collaboration between Rogue and Voodoo Doughnuts, an awesome groundbreaking doughnut shop in Portland, OR. They've done three beers together, and they're all in these bright pink bottles (because Voodoo doughnuts come in pink boxes) with the Voodoo doll doughnut on them. It certainly catches the eye, whether you're familiar with the doughnut chain or not.

I'd heard mixed reviews of the first Voodoo beer (maple bacon), so I didn't have my hopes too high for this one, but the description sounded good. By itself, the beer is kinda boring. Not bad, but not the deliciousness I would hope for with the taste combination of pretzel and chocolate and raspberries. However, pair this beer with a donut and it really brings out the flavors! Maybe it was a work of mad brilliance after all.

Label: 3.5/5

Beer: 3.5/5