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Copper Canyon Brewery’s logo and the décor of its Southfield, Michigan, location make you feel as though you've stepped back in time—to an era when working guys enjoyed their beers after a shift at the plant. The huge mural on one wall reminds you of the odes to auto workers painted by famous muralist Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Art.
Detroit’s office space. Freeway construction almost killed the place twice, but it soldiers on. The restaurant offers a wide selection from Black Angus burgers, to steaks, seafood and salads. It’s a warm environment— literally, with the fireplace in the corner. Head brewer Todd Parker looks like the type of guy most comfortable in a denim shirt and work boots, but he’s actually a bit of an academic. He has a Master’s degree in marine biology, of all things. During his studies, Parker used his head for science to create homebrews, and eventually turned that passion into a Great American Beer Fest-medal-winning brewing career, with marine biology nowhere in sight. Parker’s been at Copper Canyon since 2007. Before that he worked at a couple other Detroit-area breweries, Royal Oak and Rochester Mills. Parker says his scientific background is what helps him create unique brews—like a Valentine’ s Day selection with rose petals, ginger, honey, and no hops. He says Copper Canyon’s management gives his the freedom to explore and take risks. "I like the fact that I am trying to help us regain the public's trust and faith in us, " he tells us. " I like the fact that I am making a small name for us as a place with special, unique beers that you probably will not find in any liquor store."
Porter and Stout taking turns on the rotation. To keep things interesting, throughout the year, Todd brews some truly amazing and adventurous seasonals. Killer Canyon Porter Appearance - In color, dark brown with hints of ruby. A nice, full beige head gently sat atop the glass and stayed there throughout. Smell - Aromas of coffee, chocolate, fresh-baked rye bread. Only a hint of hops is present. Taste - Rich, roasted malts hit first. Notes of sweet chocolate, toffee, almonds, and cashews. Feel - Solid mouthfeel. Not too heavy. Not too thin. As Goldilocks would say, it was just right. Finish - Very clean finish, with just a faint wisp of coffee on the end. Overall Impression - A very enjoyable and robust porter. Like the majority of the brews on tap at Copper Canyon, this doesn’t overwhelm the palate. If you’re a fan of porter style, Killer Canyon will not disappoint. Copper Canyon Alt Appearance - Dark amber is color with a medium off-white head with decent retention. Smell - Light aromas of nuts, caramel, and fresh hops. Taste - Simple tastes on this one: light roasted malts, some caramel, and mildly grassy hops. Feel - Light and crisp on the palate, with a fair amount of carbonation. Finish - Crisp on the end with a just faint hop bitterness on the tongue. Overall Impression - Copper Canyon has created a very nice classic Alt here. Alts aren’t supposed to be “big beers.” This is, quite simply, a very well-balanced session beer, with just enough complexity to keep your mind from wandering. Northwestern Gold Appearance - Gold, not surprisingly. Translucent gold with a decent amount of fine crystal-white head. Smell - Imagine standing in a wheat field at dawn in the summer: fresh grain, mild flowers, fresh air. Taste - Gentle tastes of malt, almost wheaty. Fresh-cut grass. Hints of caramel and anise. Feel - Highly carbonated. Crisp and clean. Finish - Clean on the finish as well. Slightly dry, it coaxes the mouth into the next sip. Overall Impression - This Golden/Blonde Ale is the perfect beer for the non-craft beer drinker, but interesting enough to please the beer aficionado. This is a highly drinkable beer. If you are going to be watching a Tiger/Piston/Lion/Red Wings game at Copper Canyon and want a beer that you drink all night, Northwestern Gold would be a fine choice.
Appearance - Light orange to amber in color, with a nice amount of creamy just-off-white head. Smell - Hops, hops, and a more hops. Wow. This is a pungent IPA... just how I like em'. Notes of grapefruit and juniper also rear their heads. Taste - Again, the hops are dominant at first, giving you a quick kick in the teeth. Soon though, a solid malt backbone becomes present, keeping the hop bitterness from overwhelming. Feel - Thick and chewy in the mouth. You can almost feel the hop resin coating your teeth, but then... Finish - Boom, a clean, dry finish, leaving you reaching for the glass again. Overall - There's a reason this is Copper Canyon's best seller. A truly stupendous IPA, this is one for the real hop heads. July 2008 |
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Copper Canyon Brewery Brew Reviews |
MidwestMicroBrews, 118 S. Washington Street #402B, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301 |
Copper Canyon Brewery 27522 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48034 Phone: (248) 223-1700 Brewmaster: Todd Parker |
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