We're here! We're beer! Get used to it! Check out local retailers and restaurants such as the Winetree, Old Chicago, Westside Liquors, the Gerst House, the Fox & Hound, University Liquors and other fine dispensers of goodness for brews along the lines of these. This month we welcome Michigan resident Dan Moit, a man for all seasons who brings a new set of taste buds to the table. Living in the remote wilds of the mitten-shaped state, Dan's stash of beer had to be drop-shipped (literally) by prop plane. Not a bottle was broken! Bubble wrap is a wonderful thing… on to the tasting and rating…

LEINENKUGEL'S APPLE SPICE

Sharon: 1
I guess it tastes okay, but I like my beer to taste like beer not spiced apple cider. It smells like lotion from The Body Shop. Too carbonated for me-Good grief! I just can't finish it!

Rachel: 1
Well, for someone who is a big fan of apple cider, you would LOVE this beer…I however cannot stand apple cider, but with this one, I am probably a minority. You definitely have to be a fan of apples… just not for me.

Todd: 1
Very sweet, candy-apple taste. Really not very beerlike. Smells like Glade air freshener and rather tastes like it, too. Easily the bottom of the beer-wagon this month!

Dan: 1 There are several Leinenkugel offerings that I enjoy - especially for the price. This isn't one of them. To be fair, it did have a pleasant apple flavor; it's just not what I want when I reach for a beer.

ABITA FALL FEST

Sharon: 3
Pretty amber color. Good flavor at first, but finishes kinda thin. I kept wanting more taste.

Rachel: 4
Good taste! This beer has a very crisp and refreshing taste… also made for seasonally for the celebration of Oktoberfest. You don't have to be in Germany to enjoy this German tradition, grab a 6 pack of these, cook some brats and kraut, turn on some polka and throw a few back while doing the chicken dance… good times, good times.

Todd: 2
Upon first taste, a very mild, sweet, and light disposition. Would've expected more hops, but a nice showing to be sure. Still, a little too far on the sweet side to win this battle.

Dan: 3
A good beer, with more hoppy flavor than I expect from and Oktoberfest style brew. It seemed more like a traditional German beer.

SCHLAFLY OKTOBERFEST

Sharon: 4
Just what you would expect in an Oktoberfest. Pleasing color and smell. Great taste and finish. Way to go Schlafly! Now I've gotta fight the husband for the rest of the bottle!

Rachel: 3
Mmm, pretty tasty, but doesn't really stand out among other Oktoberfest beers, but many props to this Schlafly beer's comrades. Great brews, this one maybe lacks a little originality, has a slightly funny aftertaste though.

Todd: 4
Strong, and more characteristic of a good Octoberfest brew than Abita's entry this month, Schlafly's seasonal lager covers all the taste complexity characteristics - not too sweet and not too hoppy. A well-balanced, solid, and ultimately drinkable brew.

Dan: 4
This was the best of the four sampled. It met all my expectations for this seasonal brew: robust flavor, malty, and not too hoppy.

ABITA PECAN HARVEST

Sharon: 2
It was really hard to choose a rating for this one because the Fall Fest is equally as mediocre! I do like the malty/pecan flavor. It's got a bit too much bite to it at first. Kinda leaves my mouth dry.

Rachel: 2
Not bad, a little too heavy for me, I do like the slight hint of pecan taste, this one is brewed with real pecans… and no artificial flavors! The aftertaste is overwhelming; the label says this beer would be good with seafood or red meats; I'll give it a try with dinner.

Todd: 3
Likeable, unusual taste, and more of a bitter, hoppy vibe. The pecan oil infusion is subtle but distinctive, and Abita's beers are usually pretty classy and unique. This is no exception, but it falls justshort of Schafly's glorious Oktoberfest this month. I still give Pecan Harvest high marks for creativity, though.

Dan: 2
Abita Amber is one of my favorite beers. Both Abita offerings made me wish I had the Amber instead. I like pecans, but I didn't detect their presence in this brew - which could be a good thing (I like app