3.5 stars

Very readable series with a unique small town craft brew setting. Sloane Krause walked away from a cheating spouse, her livelihood in their family brewery, and her in-laws -- the only family she had ever known. She is strong and resilient and soon is brewing again at a smaller local craft brewery.

Her small town is in an uproar over the mayoral candidacy of an anti-beer crusader. Since the whole town is mock Bavarian and depends on tourist dollars, the locals can't figure out this man's appeal. When he is found murdered, there are literally dozens of suspects. Sloane keeps her ears open to help pass info to the local police chief for the investigation.

I recommend this series with a caveat: I find that the sub-plot having to do with Sloane's past is distracting and I think it takes away from the story. And I am NOT a fan of last chapter bombshells. I like these characters and will read the next book, but the last page teaser left me feeling manipulated. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another adventure in Leavenworth for Sloan. A murder, high winds and questions from her past. This will keep you reading until the end. You'll also learn interesting facts about craft beers. Very enjoyable read.

What a great story! It's a compelling mystery with an interesting, intelligent lead character in Sloan, a look at small town life in Leavenworth, a Bavarian themed tourist town in the Pacific Northwest, and a primer on craft beer brewing all in one. There's an election for town council going on and Kristopher Cooper, one of the candidates in trying to turn this "beertopia" into a dry town, much to the dismay of all of the local beer brewers as well as other merchants who depend upon the tourist trade. The night after he tries to crash a campaign event for his opponent, Valerie, who is favored by the merchants, and gets into an argument with several of them, he is found dead in the office of April Ablin, the self proclaimed "Leavenworth Ambassador" who has been a thorn in Sloan's side. After April is arrested she begs Sloan to help find the true culprit and Sloan, who believes in April's innocence, reluctantly agrees to help. In addition to the mystery story there is also the family story - Sloan's relationship with her former husband, with his family, most importantly with her son Alex and the mystery of her past. This was a truly wonderful book -a big cut above most cozy mysteries.

I didn't really care for this book, although it's not fault of the book. It's well written and well paced. It has likeable characters and an good story. I didn't like all the information about brewing beer and the history of beer and so forth. I felt that it took away the emphasis on the mystery. I'm not really into beer, but that's just me. #Beyond a Reasonable Stout #NetGalley

The bustle of Oktberfest is over and there's a lull before the Christmas festivities begin in Leavenworth, Washington. In Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander, Sloan Krause is happy for the reprieve. It gives her time to plan Nitro's holiday beers. But there's trouble in Leavenworth because of a candidate in the city council election. Kristopher Cooper wants to pass an ordinance to make Leavenworth a dry town. And then there is a murder. Another thirst-quenching mystery from Ellie Alexander.

A review of Beyond a Reasonable Stout will appear on www.MapYourMystery.com on Sept. 23.