A look back at April's beers...ginger, white, and Sam's stunning pils!

Ah, a little late this installment, but I hope you enjoy this brief look at some craft brews. I will have yet more beer reviews coming quite soon, so expect a treasure trove of tastes this month! Remember to support non-corporate artisan and local breweries, and do like Nancy Reagan and "Just say no" to lowest common denominator beer. Prost! Reviews are scored on a 5-point scale, with 1 being toilet swill and 5 being the nectar of Mount Olympus itself.

MICHELOB - GINGER WHEAT (St. Louis, MO) - 2.5

An unusual blending of citrus and spice with a zingy ginger flavor, this cloudy amber wheat ale boasts of a warm ginger aroma and a well-balanced taste. It's not harsh or complex in any way, though not offensive either. In fact, this one seems too tame and lacks personality. A promising idea, but not fully delivering.

TWO BROTHERS - MONARCH WHITE BEER (Chicago, IL) - 3.5

This hazy golden Belgian-style wheat ale pours with a big frothy head and a lovely spicy citrus aroma (according to the label, it's orange peel and coriander). Tastes rich and sweet, with a nicely-balanced tartness. Quite a pleasant drink, and this one doesn't need the orange slice to give it that zesty, crisp flavor. Solid.

SAMUEL ADAMS - NOBLE PILS (Boston, MA) - 4.0

I anticipated this well-advertised pilsner, as it's a seasonal lager from the always dependable (though never flashy) Samuel Adams. Brewed with 5 different Noble hops from around the world, this pours a golden yellow, with little discernable aroma, oddly. The abundance of suds subsides to reveal a clean, floral hoppy character (not a shocker, there) that's light and smooth, with a nice "flavor roll", which is the mark of a complex, quality brew to my taste buds. Superb.