Beard Bender. A dry cider. I have to admit, I don't drink a lot of dry ciders. I typically like my beverages on the sweeter side of the spectrum. But, I like Blake's Hard Cider. While I've only discussed one of their offering's on here (Wayward Winter, the company's winter seasonal), I've actually had quite a few more than that: El Chavo (spiced with habanero with added mango), Flannel Mouth, Wakefire (flavored with cherries and orange peel), and Tonic (with cucumber and ginger).


In my mind, the cider company has a very fine pedigree. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I've had from them. Now I'm breaking into a Beard Bender for review purposes. Will it join the ranks of Blake's' other ciders?

I've been saving this lager for a day just like today. Upon receiving a sixer of New Glarus beer back in March, I had a vision of enjoying this exact bottle of Two Women on a pleasant, hot June evening. Well, good news for me. The sun's shining. The birds are singing. And, damn, is it hot.


Maybe it's the color of the label. Maybe it's that this beer is a craft lager. Whatever the reason is, the fact remains: I saved this bottle for a day exactly like today. The question is, was I right to do so?

I've talked about Saugatuck Brewing Company before, way back in the early days of the blog--nearly year and a half ago. That was for a flavorful, somewhat oddball milk stout inspired by, and containing, the three unique flavors of neapolitan ice cream. I liked that beer.


Now I have on hand another of the brewery's somewhat oddball milk stouts. This one's inspired by, and is made to taste like, blueberry pancakes. Does it? Well, yes. I tried a bottle of it before and fell in love immediately. However, I'm ready to sit down and give the brew the full-fledged John Likes Beer treatment. Let's get it.

I was sold on this brew from its ad campaign. An all-American lager inspired by camping days of yore? Sign me up. Also sign me up for the kickass color scheme on the can. Blues and whites coming together in a nostalgic '50s throwback? Yes, please.

I've been waiting to try this one. I'm amazed that I was able to keep away from it for so long. It's been sitting in my fridge for a few weeks now. If you'll recall, my previous (and only) experience with Upland was extraordinary. It ended with my giving Bad Elmer's a very serious 9.5/10. So, needless to say, I have high hopes for REVved UP.


Compound this with the Schlafly coffee blonde I had a few months back, and my frothing demand for this brew increases. Go figure, too. I like other beers from the brewery. I like other beers in this style. I'd have to be a fool not to want to break into this bottle.