#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

#2: Motherland (Hopworks Urban Brewery)

Name: Motherland

Brewery: Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB)

Style: Russian Imperial Stout, 9.6%

What was I just saying about liking things that look like stereotypical Commie Russia propaganda?

I had high hopes for this one because I loved the label, and I love stouts, and I knew I could usually trust HUB to make a good beer. This one, however, was nothing special. I wouldn't quite say it was as boring as a communist's closet, but I wasn't impressed. It's a stout that doesn't stand out. It'll do the trick if you're craving a strong dark brew and this is the best one available, but this would never be the one I crave specifically.

Label: 4/5

Beer: 3.5/5

#1: Rise-Up Red (Hopworks Urban Brewery)

Name: Rise-Up Red

Brewery: Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB)

Style: American Red Ale, 5.8%

I have an affinity for things with a stereotypical Commie Russia propaganda style. I've bought comic books, novels, breath mints, soda, and home decor (among other things) just because they had that kind of design. Beer is no exception.

Rise-Up Red is one of my favorite red ales. It goes down easy but still has a lot of flavor. It's full-bodied and hoppy and a tiny bit earthy.

Label: 4/5

Beer: 4/5