While I am sure that most of you are excited about the upcoming Friday Beer News, tomorrow is also the beginning of the Craft Beer Advent Calendar.

As I did last year, I plan to blog about these beers again.  Every day.  That means 24 posts, hopefully.  The goal of these posts is education. Mine and, hopefully, yours. It’s about learning more about the beer and the breweries who make them. Here is how the post will be organized:

• Beer name, location, and style of beer.
• Description of the style, origins and information about the brewery.
• Rating of the beer based on the following:
  • The appearance of the beer
    • What’s the colour, the head and the retention of the foam?
  • The smell of the beer
    • What notes are present and are there any off notes that shouldn’t be there?
  • The big one
    • How do the smells come through in the taste, is it pleasant, are there any off-flavours or things that just aren’t quite right?
  • Mouth Feel
    • What’s the body of the beer, is it light, or heavy? Is there a good carbonation level for the style?
  • Overall thoughts on the beer in relation to the style
  • Whether I actually like the beer or not and why

I want to make a note on the reviewing system I use.  I’m not a beer judge. Those who have been trained to be able to smell and taste what is off in a beer are very good and I respect their opinions.  With that exception, I don’t always take stock in how people rate beers.  Perhaps someone doesn’t like a particular style, or they don’t think the beer is good.  It doesn’t mean I, or someone else, won’t like it.

So, while I will be reviewing these beers, it is more for my own personal education and to keep track of which ones I liked the best throughout the process.  You can take my reviews as you like, either listen or don’t.  Ultimately, I want people to try new beers and take chances.

These posts will be done in the evening so as not to spoil anything for those who have this calendar as well. I look forward to trying these “All-Star” beers and hope that you’ll enjoy following along. Check out the wrap-up post from my last two Advent Calendars here and here.

-Beer Winnipeg