DRINK THIS BEER: Moondog Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Company

And drink this seasonal soon, as Moondog is out in limited release from the skilled brewers at Great Lakes.

Excellent from the tap or bottle, this is GL's version of an English Bitter: more bitter than English, I might say, but outstanding none the less. Great Lakes calls it a session beer, but at 5% ABV, I'm thinking you should bring a designated driver to that session (from the SLWB editor: always do that. Don't drink and drive, you dolt.)

The stats: 5% ABV, 25 IBUs, 100% tasty.

DRINK THIS BEER: Hop Hearty Ale, New Glarus Brewing Company

If you saw our earlier post, you know that drinking hoppy beers will keep you alive forever. Or something close to that.

But which to choose? We've run quite a few hop-laden brews through the Still Life test pub, with names like Blonde Hop Monster, Hopzilla, Hopicity, Super Mega Hops (we made the last one up). We've tried IPA's, Double IPA's and Imperial IPA's, and we say... enough already. We get it. There is a considerable number of hop-heads out there, and they are digging on these preposterously bitter beers.

But the Still Life Testing Crew? Not so much. We like balance. We like, dare we say, malt flavors. That's why we can recommend, without reservation, New Glarus' Hop Hearty Ale. This IPA is bitter enough for the hop head in your family, yet very balanced. Plus, the labels on New Glarus bottles make the beers look like they were made in someone's basement, which we think is pretty cool.

New Glarus was the mid-sized brewery of the year at the last Great American Beer Festival. And, as we said before, evidence shows that by drinking hoppy beers (like Hop Hearty) you may never die. Do not hesitate. Drink a New Glarus today!

DRINK THIS BEER: Juniper Pale Ale, Rogue Ales

Our rating system is simple: we drink a beer, and we say, "Wow! This is very fine!", or we don't. There are plenty of sites that rate color, nose, head retention, finish, etc.

Not here. Beers make our list if we drink it, like it, and would drink it again. And Juniper Pale Ale, from the venerable Rogue Ales, is one we would go out of our way to drink.

It is brewed with juniper berries, although I have no idea what juniper berries taste like, other than they make a mighty fine ale. Another masterpiece from the good folks of Rogue.