Yard's Brewing Company's Brawler Pugilist Style Ale

This is the second time I've had this beer. The first time I saw the label and I thought it was pretty cheezy. Pugilist ale? For when you want to go a few rounds? Ehh.

I'll tell you what though, this is a damn good beer.

Pours a deep copper color, much like some bocks. Great light tan head that slowly recedes.

Nice, complex and floral smell, backed by a neutral malt.

Feels like a bock too. Great flavor in a 4.2% beer. If a session beer can have this much taste, maybe even Oklahomans could brew good beer if they put their minds to it--probably not though, cow turds brewed by hayseeds won't taste good no matter how much alcohol is in it.

Slightly tart and malty both, this really does taste like many bocks. Fairly neutral hops profile, and malty but not sweet or bready. Still, although neutral in many ways that should not be mistaken for flavorless. Like many bocks it's not really sexy, but it's solid. Just more feel and flavor than most lighter beers.

Yard's Brewing Company's Philadelphia Pale Ale

Pours a clear yellow, with a great light tan head and strong carbonation.

Throws off a great smell. Equal parts malt, yeast, and slightly sharp hops, combine for a nice floral bread smell.

The hops aren't as clean in the taste as the smell, and they're nice and mild like a pale should be. Strong grainy malt that isn't bready, but more raw grain--like a strong Coors. In a good way. Finishes with a touch of grassy hops that fades quickly to a cardboardish (again, in a good way) bitterness.

Good beer. Highly drinkable and light, with good flavor in a light body. It would be good to have these folks available in Texas.