With so many craft beer styles and breweries to choose from, it is easy to become overwhelmed with such a huge selection. To help make the decision a little easier, we have created a summary of the microbrews in each of our beer gift baskets.
**This list does not include all of the beer available. For our most current offerings, visit the Build Your Own Beer Basket page and view all available beers in the drop-down menu.**
Ales are typically known for their sweet, full-bodied and often fruity characteristics. The Ale-style can be broken down into several sub-categories including: Amber, Brown, Blonde, Pale, Strong, Wheat and IPAs just to name a few. IPAs are the most popular types of ale and are listed in their own category below.
Bell’s Brewery – Oberon Ale (Michigan)
Oberon is a wheat ale fermented with our signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic summer beer. Made with only 4 ingredients, and without the use of any spices or fruit, Oberon is the color and scent of sunny afternoon. (Brewers Description)
Blue Moon Brewing Company - Belgian White (Colorado)
This Belgian Style Wheat Ale is brewed with 2 different types of orange peels offering a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Top with an orange slice for the ultimate citrus flavor.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.4%
Dogfish Head Brewery - Indian Brown Ale (Delaware)
This 5 star brew is actually a hybrid cross between a Scotch Ale, an IPA and an American Brown.Your nose will love the aromas of roasted malts, chocolate, caramel, rich toffee and a slight Hoppiness! Your taste buds will swim in the flavors of dark fruit, toffee, hints of spices and herbs blending together to create the full bodied roasted malt flavor that is this excellent brew.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7.2%
Elysian Brewing – Space Dust IPA (Washington)
If space dust is made of hops, this may be real space dust. This has a lot in common with traditional Indian Pale Ale brewed from pale malt. It pours a golden color and has the scent of tropic fruit, lemon and pine. The aftertaste is like biscuit and jam made with pulpy orange. Overall this is one of the most hoppy bears on the list, slightly bitter but that touch of citrus still makes it a classic IPA.
Funky Buddha Brewery - Floridian Hefeweizen (Florida)
Brewed in Boca Raton, FL, this German style wheat beer is very flavorful while light on the palate. Notes of Bananas, cloves and citrus are perfectly blended with light malts offering a refreshing, light flavor.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.2%
Lexington Brewing Company – Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (Kentucky)
This ale definitely hits you with the bourbon aroma, it's very pleasant, and you'll get the flavor of the bourbon as well. It has a pretty high alcohol content so the mouthfeel is a bit sharp, but it's quite nice if you like a full bodied beer. In addition to the bourbon you will notice smooth vanilla and an almost-sweet oak flavor.
Magic Hat Brewing Company - #9 Not Quite Pale Ale (Vermont)
This pale ale is hard to describe as it stands out from other pale ales. It is considered a fruit beer with apricot flavor and a mild, not too hoppy finish. This brew is definitely a favorite for those who don’t want to be over-powered by hops, but want a subtle hint of fruit flavor.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.5%
Rogue Brewing – Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale (Oregon)
Roque’s Hazelnut Brown Nectar is dark brown in color and you can catch the aroma of hazelnut when you go in for a sip. The fruit and nut flavor comes right through and if you like truly flavorful ale you’ll enjoy this one.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.6%
Rogue - Dead Guy Ale (Oregon)
This mixed style brew combines a German Maibock and a Helles Bock for a very nice beer. The aromas are floral hops, citrus rind and a slight malt sweetness. The body is full with a medium flavor blend of malt, toffee and slight notes of herbs and spices to round out each sip.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.6%
Sam Adams - Cherry Wheat (Massachusetts)
This cherry wheat has very nice aromas are a slight tart, slightly sour cherry scent from the Michigan cherries used while brewing. The flavors match, but you also get a nice malt cereal note to calm it down and mellow out the tartness. If George Washington knew you could brew like this with cherries, he might not have cut that tree down!
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.3%
Sea Dog Brewery – Blueberry Wheat Ale (Maine)
The blueberry in the name is right on, so if you aren’t a berry fan, you may want to pass on this one. If you feel adventurous, enjoy berries, or love blueberry pie, by all means it’s time to try this. The blueberry aroma is more there than the fruit taste, but it sticks with you. A biscuit-like flavor comes through and the finish is sweet and almost like a tart candy.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.7%
Indian Pale Ale’s are often referred to as IPAs and are known for their bold, hop characters. Within the category of IPAs, it can be broken down further to styles such as Double IPAs and Imperial IPAs both with a higher alcohol content then traditional IPAs. Session IPAs are typically lower in alcohol content, allowing for a full day’s worth of drinking without feeling the effects of a brew with a much higher ABV.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company - Hop Ottin’ IPA (California)
This well balanced IPA from Anderson Valley is excellent. The aromas are malty molasses notes that are balanced with piney citrus scents. This “dance in the nose” leads to a “party in the mouth” as the flavors of malty sweetness swirl with the medium citrusy bitterness of the hops, creating a very well- balanced, full-bodied brew. The 7% ABV brings the silky warmth in every sip!
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7%
Ballast Point Brewing - Sculpin Grapefruit IPA (California)
The Sculpin IPA's are American-style India pale ales and the brewer lays claim to some flavored ales that pack "a bit of a sting, just like a Sculpin fish." Grapefruit Sculpin has a genuine grapefruit flavor with the lightly bitter and tangy tastes you'd expect along with crisp apricot, peach, mango and lemon. It's a full flavored IPA with a citrus bang that demands your attention.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7.0%
Ballast Point Brewing Company - Sculpin IPA (California)
An American IPA with apricot, peach, mango and lemon aromas with strong hop character. This IPA is rated at the top of its class according to Rate Beer and Beer Advocate.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7%
Bear Republic - Racer 5 IPA (California)A 5-star Brew from Bear Republic! IPA lovers will love this brew, as each sip gives the floral citrus flavors of fresh hops. The sweet malts give a nice backbone of balance to round out the flavor experience This full bodied Brew has character that lingers until the next delicious sip.
ABV: 7%
Bell's Brewery - Two Hearted Ale (Michigan)
This Michigan favorite has delicate hoppy aromas of citrus, orange peel and light lemon. You can also smell the mellow sweetness of malt. As you take your first sip, you get a very nice floral citrus flavor that’s balanced nicely with the sweetness of the malt’s toffee-like character. This creates a perfect blend of sweet and bitter that gives you a full-bodied, lingering flavor.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7%
Dogfish Head Brewery - 60 Minute IPA (Delaware)
60 Minute IPA is continuously hopped -- more than 60 hop additions over a 60-minute boil. 60 Minute is brewed with a slew of great Northwest hops. A powerful but balanced East Coast IPA with a lot of citrusy hop character; it's the session beer for hardcore enthusiasts!
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6%
Florida Beer Company - Swamp Ape DIPA (Florida)
Brewed in Melbourne, FL, this Double IPA has a combination of orange peel, pineapple and other citrus notes combined with sweet caramel notes for an overall refreshing, fruity flavor.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 10%
Funky Buddha Brewery - Hop Gun IPA (Florida)
A must have for hop lovers looking for a Florida favorite. The American hops in the IPA are bursting with flavors of grapefruit and pineapple. The smooth caramel malts create a perfectly balanced brew.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7%
Goose Island - Goose IPA (Illinois)
An English India Pale Ale and winner of the Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal in 2012. Hazy golden-amber color. Shows a great balance of malt and hops. Herbal, grassy, citrusy hop notes meet toasted malt on the nose. Sweet malty flavors appear along with citrus hops up front followed by an assertive bitterness.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5%
New Belgium Brewing Company - Citradelic Tangerine IPA (Colorado)
This American IPA is full of citrus flavor. Citra hops and tangerine peel offer a fruity flavor. A touch of malty sweetness makes this IPA a year round favorite from New Belgium
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.0%
New Belgium Brewing – VooDoo Ranger Imperial IPA (Colorado)
The Voodoo Ranger series of beers are really easy to drink and they make a great interesting beer to bring to a good party. There’s a clear golden body with champagne-like bubbles and a medium cream-colored head. This one is a bit heavy on the pine notes for some, but the malty caramel and fruit follows up well. Rich and fresh mouthfeel combined with an intense resin and fruit flavor will be enjoyable for those trying new things.
Sam Adams - Rebel IPA (Massachusetts)
An American IPA brewed with a variety of West Coast hops. The fruity flavors of grapefruit and citrus combined with subtle pine notes make this a refreshing and favorite IPA of hop lovers.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.5%
Saugatuck Brewing Company – Backyard IPA (Michigan)
A light-bodied session IPA with a hoppy burst of flavor. Floral, Citrus and Resin flavors with light touches of malt make this brew the perfect session IPA for hanging out in the backyard.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.5%
Stone Brewing Company - IPA (California)
IPA by Stone is rated in the top of its class. This American IPA is known for its huge hop aroma and taste. The malts are noticeable yet the dry hops leave the palate with a crisp, hoppy flavor.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.9%
Stone Brewing Company - Ruination Double IPA 2.0
This Double IPA pours a hazy, honey-straw color into your glass, as it builds a medium to thick, creamy-white head. You get nice floral hop aromas from this, such as pineapple and orange. You also get a slight pininess that’s mellowed out by the malt’s sweetness. The flavors are beautiful citrus notes across the palette with a nice, semi-sweet malt balance.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 8.5%
SweetWater Brewing – Goin’ Coastal IPA (Georgia)
This is a very citrusy IPA, especially strong on the pineapple. The flavor comes through quickly and the finish is fast. It has a pretty golden-bronze color from all the types of citrus and zest. The aftertaste is malty and some drinkers detect just a touch of resin flavor.
Thomas Creek – Up The Creek Extreme IPA (South Carolina)
Pours a deep brown, almost black and has a big head with a light tan color. It smells sugary right away but then you get the aromas of pine and grass. The flavor is also candy-like along with pears, apples and malt. It's unusual sweet for a typical IPA but it's a good ale. Just a little bitterness comes through to balance it out and there's a little very dark chocolate at the finish. If you enjoy sweetness in your ale, you'll like this.
Victory Brewing Company - Dirt Wolf Double IPA (Pennsylvania)
This excellent Double IPA pours a clear honey into your glass, as it builds a medium creamy-white head. It’s also brewed with whole hop flowers, which give huge floral aromas that are sticky- sweet notes of grapefruit, and lemon citrus, with a slight cattiness. The mouthfeel of this brew is silky smooth, as you get a rich maltiness that dances perfectly with notes of lemon zest and red grapefruit.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 8.7%