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| Getting the tour from Steve |
Check out what the Roundtable had to say on the Reviews page! |
| MidwestMicroBrews' Midwest Beer Reviews! |
Copper Canyon Brewery - Southfield, Michigan 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. Point Brewery - Stevens Point, Wisconsin Burly Brown American Brown Ale The always-great Stevens Point Brewery has added a new beer to their year-round lineup: Burly Brown American Brown Ale. It started hitting store shelves and bar-taps at the beginning of the month. A classic American Brown Ale, Burly Brown packs a bit more of a punch than an English version of a Brown Ale. It has a stronger hop presence and a maltier backbone than its brethren across the pond. That said, Burly Brown is not a big beer. It doesn’t overwhelm the senses. It is an American Brown: it shouldn’t. What it is, is a very drinkable beer with a nice aroma and pleasant taste, feel, and finish. It’s a beer that you could drink all night. The MidwestMicroBrews roundtable got together last night and cracked open a few bottles. Here are the specs… Appearance - Translucent copper/brown with an auburn hue that reveals itself in direct light. The medium/thin head had decent retention. Smell - Aromas of roasted nuts, caramel, and fresh raisin-bread. A slight waft of hops is also present. Taste - Very pleasant taste. Notes of caramel, toasted almonds and sweet breads. Flavors of light smoke - like a campfire - are also there. Feel - I’m not going to say thin, but it is definitely light. Crisp on the palate. Medium carbonation. Finish - Very clean finish with just a hint of lingering spice and hop bitterness. Overall Impression - Point Brewery seems to have taken its inspiration for Burly Brown from another great Wisconsin American Brown Ale: Fat Squirrel from New Glarus Brewing. Like that beer, Burly Brown is a brew suited for those of us who live in the world of craft beer, as well as for those who are just visiting. Definitely worth trying. The Herkimer Pub & Brewery - Minneapolis, Minnesota Handy’s Lager Appearance - Light and clear. Looks like a gold medal. Smell - Clean, light smells of malt. Hints of fresh-cut sweet corn. Taste - Smooth, but with a hint of bitterness that lingers after a sip. Light enough to drink all night, but complex enough to keep your taste buds entertained. Overall - Whenever a customer asks for “something that tastes like a Bud or Miller Lite,” they get a Handy’s, and they’ re always pleasantly surprised. Sky Pilot Kellerbier Appearance - Light and unfiltered. It looks like apple cider with cloudy apple sediment. Smell - Whole-wheat bread baking in the oven. Grass. Some floral hop aromas are there too. Taste - Crisp and sweet on the tongue, yet tastefully bitter on the throat. Rich hops and lots of sharp flavor. This medium-bodied beer has a lingering aftertaste that will leave you wanting more. Overall - A true Frankish original. We really enjoyed this award-winning brew. Vienna Country Bier Appearance - Reddish-bronze, rich copper and cloudy. The clean white head had decent retention. Smell - Fresh roasted almonds and pecans. Light hints of vanilla and caramel come through. Taste - Smooth and warm with a hint of caramel. An easy-to-drink red with a lighter taste than we expected. This mildly-fruity beer with minimal hops will fill your mouth, but not your stomach. Overall - This Austrian-style country beer was another one of our favorites. And the fact that it’s 6-7% alcohol has nothing to do with it (well, maybe a little)! Alt Appearance - Its copper color is difficult to distinguish from the Vienna Country on appearance alone. The medium-t0- thick, off-white head left some substantial lacing that stuck around. Smell - An inviting, strong smell of hops stings the nostrils and gets us excited to taste this German form of a pale ale. Taste - We weren’t let down by the taste. What exciting flavor! The Alt is brewed with two types of hops at four stages. The hops are rich, thick, and smooth – and linger for quite some time. Overall - This is truly a great session beer for the hop-fanatic. We weren’t surprised to hear it, too, won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival. Bock Appearance - Dark amber color. Looks filtered, but it’s not. The fluffy, tan-colored head left some gorgeous web-like lacing around the glass. Smell - Smells of fresh-roasted malt hit first, but then we noticed delicate scents of fresh fruit and spring flowers. Taste - Sweet vanilla taste goes down like a delicious sandwich. Not terribly thick, but packs quite a punch of flavors. This brown lager offers a refreshing malt flavor with a soft aftertaste. Overall - Brewed traditionally in the spring to celebrate the coming of warmer weather, the Bock is the brewmaster’s favorite, and one of ours, too! High Point Dunkel Appearance - Medium-bodied, oatmeal-stout-like appearance. Inviting, caramel-colored head with excellent retention. Sticky lacing persisted. Smell - Toasted wheat. Brown sugar. Yeast. A bit sour. Just a faint trace of hops. Taste - Roasty taste with a smoky finish and a just a trace of chocolate aftertaste. There’s nothing overpowering about this “night starter” brew. Overall - This Munich-style Dunkel with complex maltiness should be drunk slowly to cherish all the flavors it has to offer. Detroit Beer Company - Detroit, Michigan Local 529 IPA 6.3 - 6.7% ABV Appearance - Pours a cloudy, medium-amber color with a fine, crisp, snow-white head. Smell - Strong fruity hops hit first, then sweetgrass, lemon-zest, orange and grapefruit. It also has light notes of rising bread. Taste - The heavy taste of hops is first to the tongue, then you'll notice tastes of sweet spiced fruit. Undertones of malt become more present as you work your way down the glass. Feel - Medium-bodied with a smooth, almost velvety mouthfeel. Finish - Expectedly bitter. Unexpectedly peppery bite to the finish. Overall Impression - A hearty malt presence creates a nice canvas for the hops to do their dance upon. Local 529 doesn't overwhelm with the hops. It may not satisfy the most hardcore of the hop-heads, but this classic IPA is a crisp and refreshing beer. The Detroit Dwarf (Zwickel/Keller/Landbier) (for the legend of the Detroit Dwarf, click here.) 6.8% ABV Appearance - Pours a nice ruby-red brown with a hint of glistening gold. A skinny finger of a just-off-white head with decent retention. Smell - Mild aromas of roasted almonds, tanned leather, and warm apple crisp. Aromatic hops gently tickle the nose. Taste - Mildly hopped with a sweet medium-roasted malt foundation. Spiced rye bread. Notes of brown sugar and sweet cherries. Feel - Medium bodied with light to medium carbonation. Finish - Smooth on the swallow with just a mild alcohol burn. At almost 7% ABV you'd expect more, but no complaints on that. Overall Impression - As you may notice, the word "mild" comes up quite a bit when discussing the Detroit Dwarf. There is nothing over-the-top in this Zwickel/Keller/Landbier, a style not too common... especially here in the states. This isn't a putdown. It's a very drinkable beer, one that the Dwarf would be proud of. Broadway Light Ale 4.5% ABV Appearance - Translucent yellow, almost gold with a full white head that sticks around the whole time. Smell - Light aromas, but there are scents of sweet malt grains, mild hops, fresh-cut grass with some hints of citrus. Nothing overpowers. Taste - Very light taste but sweet malts, gentle hops, grass and spiced orange are there. Feel - Light but not thin in feel. What you'd expect from a light ale. Finish - Crisp, clean, and just a bit astringent. Overall Impression - When those not interested in diving into the world or craft beer find themselves here and order a Bud, Miller, or Coors Light, DBC could give them this. They might think it's the best beer they ever had. It's an ale meant to please the general beer-drinking public. Many brewpubs will offer a beer like this, but Detroit Beer Company's Broadway Light beats most of them. This is a light, lively, and tasty brew that, while not impressive to everyone, won't offend anyone. People Mover Porter 5 - 6% ABV (The People Mover is the above-ground train system that serves the downtown Detroit area. To learn more about it, visit the official People Mover website here.) Appearance - Dark brown, not quite black with a tan cafe-latte-like head that leaves some beautiful lacing. Smell - Sweet milk chocolate, roasted barley, and fresh roasted coffee. Hints of sweet tobacco smoke sneak through. Taste - Fresh coffee hits first, then baked multi-grain muffins. An unexpected (for a Porter) level of hop bitterness makes itself known. Feel - Not as heavy as expected. Light to medium light in body, but smooth and silky. If Sade's voice was a beer, this might be it. Finish - Goes down smooth and warm with a lingering bitter bite on the back of the tongue. Overall Impression - People Mover is a very well-balanced Porter. The hops go mano a mano with the richness of the malts. Since it is a Porter, the malts win, but the hop bite at the end lets you know that while it may be down, it definitely is not out.
St. Benedict's Winter Ale The folks at Point Brewery kindly sent us a twelve-pack of this, their new seasonal. Well, not TOO new. St. Benedict's Winter Ale made its debut last year around this time. It proved so popular last year that they doubled production, started selling it in 12-packs as well as 6-packs, and expanded distribution into five new states. Last year, they sold St. Benedict's in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. This year, it can also be found in Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Oklahoma. John Zappa, Point's Brewmaster, tells us, “We use traditional abbey-ale ingredients, including a highly kilned dark malt, a two-row dark chocolate malt and even a two-row pilsener-style pale malt. Together these impart a smooth, well- balanced maltiness to this beer. St. Benedict’s Winter Ale is top-fermented with a special Belgian ale yeast, and we cellar-condition it at the brewery. The end result is a dark reddish-brown ale rich in flavor accented by hints of dark chocolate.” Appearance - Translucent, ruby to crimson in color, very effervescent giving off a solid off-white head which clings well and holds on throughout. Smell - Unexpectedly fruity like a Belgian-style dubbel. Aromas of raisins, fig, nutmeg, clove and yeast. Almost like the smell of a Christmas fruitcake. Taste - Subtle sweetness, even a bit tart. Tastes of spice, sweet chocolate, cranberry, and light malts. Only a bit of hop bitterness to it. Feel - Very light bodied, almost thin. The mixture of malts that Zappa uses definitely allow for a respectable amount of taste without being overwhelming in feel. Different from what we expected, but pleasantly so. Finish - Continual carbonation continued throughout, keeping it crisp on the finish, with just a hint of toasted malt remaining. Overall Impression - Unlike many bold winter-style ales, St. Benedict is aiming to be a session beer, or a beginner's winter ale. It has a warmth (about 6% ABV we'd guess since it isn't labeled) lower than most. The smell is milder. The taste is weaker. The feel is thinner. The finish is crisper. While others are a thick down-filled blanket, St. Benedict is a flannel sheet. It may not satisfy the palate of fans of beers that are big and bold, but for most St. Benedict is a nice guest to have over on a cold winter night. Notes from the Newbie - by Patrick "I've been away Lloyd, but now I'm back!" After a temporary lapse and a return to vodka, a brief period of detoxification, and far too many sleepless nights, it was time once again to dust off the sampling glasses and get back to good old fashion crafted brews. And how refreshing it is! On this particular night, the team from MidwestMicrobrews sat down to focus all of our efforts on one brew in particular: Point's St. Benedict's Winter Ale. The beer had a nice reddish color to it and was a bit effervescent (you'll notice I no longer say "bubbly"). It had a strong aroma that, due to a limited vocabulary, I can only describe as "layered." Different aspects of it reached me differently... certain aromas filled my nose while others kicked the back of the throat. Whenever possible, I make every effort to sample a beer BEFORE knowing the name or reading the label. Knowing too much in advance can cause me to intentionally seek out certain aspects, and I like to get a fair representation prior to getting information. That said, upon initial tasting my first reaction was "I could see drinking this on a cold night, sitting by the fire..." Boy was my face red when I learned the name of the brew. So Point succeeded, in my opinion, in getting the TASTE it wanted. My only complaint with this beer is that, much like the lead singer of Nickelback can't decide if he is a tough man trying to be sensitive or a wuss trying to be a bad-ass, this beer seems to be unsure if it wants to be light or heavy. It's stuck between the two. It was much thinner than I would expect a winter ale to be, and I found that to be rather unfortunate. I like my winter ales like I like my women: heavy. Having said that, however, if you are a light beer drinker trying to get into something a little bolder, this could be the stepping stone you need. Slainte! Pat Arbor Brewing Company - Ann Arbor, Michigan Sacred Cow IPA 6.5% ABV IBUs: 66 Sampled on-tap at ABC Brewpub Appearance - Golden copper to dark amber, mildly hazy Smell - Floral, hoppy but no moreso than with most IPAs, hints of grapefruit, grass, orange peel and coriander Taste - Citrusy, hoppy, wisps of pine and juniper, light caramel and yeast underneath. Feel - Light to medium bodied, with great balance between the hops and rich toasted malts. Mildly astringent. It took me aback at first sip with its high carbonation, but soon I got used to it and even appreciated it. Finish - Long, satisfying finish with a peppery bitterness that lingered Overall Impression - An awesome beer for a hot summer day. A very refreshing beer. The high-carbonation may be a bit too much for some. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: The Sacred Cow was Matt's first new recipe as a professional brewer. There weren't many hopheads in the Midwest in 1995 so when Matt decided to brew a big bold bitter I.P.A. to sell at the brewpub, it was truly his sacred cow. Cask conditioned and served gently carbonated and at a warmer cellar temperature from a British beer engine, the I.P.A. was sure to be a beer with a limited appeal. In fact the first few times he brewed it, he only brewed a 1/2 batch. But we clearly underestimated Ann Arbor's beer drinking clientele. The Sacred Cow I.P.A. quickly became our best-selling beer and retains the title to this day on tap at both of our pubs as well as in distribution.
5.5% ABV IBUs: 27 Sampled on-tap at ABC Brewpub Appearance - Dark chocolate or mahogany in color, with a thick roasted tan head that stuck around. Smell - Strong smell of buscuity malts, sweet smoke, chocolate, and coffee. Similar to many great porters. Taste - Rich malts, yeast, chocolate, subtley smokey with a taste of sour cherries that hits the side of the tongue. Feel - I expected a fuller mouth-feel, but it was actually medium-bodied, with mild carbonation. Personally, I would have preferred it to be served a bit warmer, but a few minutes on the table brought it to just the right temperature. Finish - Creamy at the end, but again the sourness is what you'll remember. Overall Impression - It seemed like a marriage of a brown ale or porter with a Belgian, due to the sourness. German Alts aren't a style that I can say I'm most familiar with, but this is definitely one I would go back for, especially on a cool autumn night watching the Wolverines play in the Big House. If I lived in Ann Arbor again, I could see this becoming a regular session-beer for me. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: Olde Number 22 is a special kind of Alt called a sticke or secret alt. This style was traditionally brewed in German brewpubs as a reward to loyal regulars. At a time when German brews were priced according to alcohol content, brewpubs would brew a secret alt that was richer, maltier, and higher in gravity. They served it unadvertised at the regular alt price exclusively to the regulars who knew to ask for it. Even though it is dark in color, this crowd-pleaser is mild, smooth and very easy-drinking. Brasserie Blonde Belgian 5.5% ABV IBUs: 7 On tap at ABC Brewpub Appearance - Gorgeous clear golden-orange color, with a thin wispy white head. Smell - Fruity, spicy, earthy, even a bit medicinal Taste - Orange peel and coriander, fruits both sweet (strawberry, apricot and plum) and sour (green apple and lemon), well balanced with sweeter malts and grassy hops Feel - Sharp carbonation gives it a light and fizzy feel. Finish - Very crisp on the end, left me wanting another drink. Overall Impression - This Belgian-style Blonde Ale is truly sublime. It's one of those beers that brings something new with each drink. My wife, who is not much of a beer afficianado, really liked this one. ABC has a similar beer, Arbor Brasserie Greff Blonde which is in 750ml bottles. That one is more of a champagne beer. I'd reccomend either of these blondes. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: Nestled between beer-loving Germany and wine-loving France, for centuries Belgium has produced some of the most interesting, complex, sophisticated, and delicious styles the beer world has to offer. Brasserie Blonde pays homage to this grand tradition. We brew the Blonde with a unique blend of rich malts, sweet orange peel, spicy hops, and zesty coriander. The result is a medium-bodied ale bursting with flavor. This is truly a beer-lover’s champagne (or a champagne-lover’s beer!). It is a dry, slightly tart ale subtly spiced with orange peel and coriander for a zesty taste with hints of sweet and tangy citrus.
6.5% ABV IBUs: 30 Poured from a 12-ounce bottle Appearance - Opaque black with a thin, yet creamy, head leaving only some lacing. Smell - Rich chocolate and coffee (of course). Not as overwhelming a smell as some coffee stouts (Central Waters Brewhouse Coffee Stout or Founders Breakfast Stout, for example), but very pleasant and homey. Taste - Sweet fudge, toffee and medium strength coffee. I wouldn't call it espresso. Fine hints of vanilla smoke, like one of those vanilla-scented cigars. Some unexpected sourness, which some don't enjoy. While I could do without it, it wasn't enough to turn me off. Feel - Rich and chewey. Is "oaty" a proper description? Finish - Semi-dry to dry in finish with slight taste of sweet tobacco. Overall Impression - Truly a breakfast unto itself. The addition of fresh cold-brewed coffee to an impeccable oatmeal stout makes this a perfect comfort food on a cold Michigan day. "Home-Sweet-Home" in a bottle. Delicious. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: A great beer is more than just the sum of its parts but even the best beers are only as good as the ingredients that go into them. That’s why we use 100% fair trade coffee locally roasted and ground to order by our friends at the Ugly Mug small batch artisan roastery. Espresso Love is a decadent brew that combines our creamy, hand-crafted oatmeal stout with fresh-ground, dark-roast, cold-brewed coffee for a bold coffee flavor without the bitter acids. The result is a rich yet delicate brew with a great espresso flavor, soft earthy notes, and hints of dark chocolate. It weighs in at 6.5% but its balanced flavors and drinkability make it a year-round treat. Stone Cellar Brewpub - Appleton, Wisconsin Marquette Pilsner Appearance: Light and hazy golden yellow with a thin, lacy white head. Smell: Grassy and earthy. Aromas of sweet malt and light spices. The Saaz hops let themselves be known. Taste: Pears and apples. Grain. Mildly sweet. Tastes of buttered (but not syruped) pancakes. Again, the Saaz hops are prominent. Feel: Light to medium body. Finish: Clean and crisp with light hop bite. Overall: This is the classic European pilsner that made Wisconsin beer famous. No one smell or taste overwhelms. Marquette Pilsner is a local favorite that has gained some national exposure after picking up a gold at NABA a few years back. We found this to be a great session beer for a Packers, Brewers, or Bucks game. Pie Eyed Pale Ale Appearance: Pale, golden amber with a thin, white head. Smell: Floral hops. Fresh biscuits, mildly citrusy. Taste: Well-balanced. While the hops are definitely there, they don't overwhelm. Light grapefruit, dandelion, and sweet malt. Feel: Medium to full bodied. Finish: Clean and slightly astringent. Overall: While not as bold as most craft-brewed Pale Ales, Pie Eyed is very drinkable. Another fine choice for a session beer. For those uninitiated into the school of the Hop-Head, this is a good starter Pale. English Six Grain Ale Appearance: Cloudy, light gold, with a thin, slightly clingy, white head. Smell: The rye hits first, then the other grains come through. Aromas of sweet bread and mild citrus. Taste: The rye is ever-present, but there is also sourdough, cloves, grass, and dry hops throughout. Feel: Full-bodied, with chewy and firm mouthfeel. Finish: Crisp with a sweetness that lingers on the lips. Overall: Silver medal winner at the '06 NABAs. The grains rule with this one. You can taste them all: barley, wheat, corn, oats, rice, and above all, rye. This English-style "common" beer is quite drinkable, if not remarkable. Vanishing Vanilla Stout Appearance: Thick and black like liquid mahogany, with a medium, golden-brown head. Smell: Vanilla. Vanilla. Vanilla... with just faint wisps of chocolate and coffee hiding underneath. Taste: The vanilla dominates the taste, but there are touches of oatmeal, roasted malts, and hot cocoa with marsmallows. Feel: Thick, rich and heavy. Finish: Medium bittersweetness. Drier than expected. Overall: This unfiltered stout may be too vanilla-y for some, but we found it to be a great dessert beer. Pair it with a dish of ice cream. Stone Cellar Stout Appearance: Deep dark brown, almost black with a full brown-beige head that lingered. Smell: Oatmeal cookies, sweet malts, brown sugar, coffee, roasted nuts, and sweet peat smoke. Taste: Chocolate, coffee, oats, and vanilla. Feel: Rich and velvety. Finish: There is a lingering bittersweet chocolate taste, with hints of toasted marshmallows. Overall: Another winner at NABA, this robust, unfiltered English Oatmeal Stout picked up a Gold and a Bronze in '05 and '06. Steve has created a great stout here. This is a perfect choice for a cool Wisconsin Autumn night. Blindsided Barley Wine Appearance: Hazy, deep amber. Almost ruby, like a Pinot Noir, in the right light. A thin, white head quickly faded. Smell: Sweet fruits, caramel, mildly hoppy and citrusy. You can smell the alcohol in this beast. Taste: Malt, bananas, raisins and figs. A slight zest hits the sides of the tongue. A good burn hits the back of the throat, letting you know it's working. Feel: Thick mouthfeel, with little to no carbonation. Finish: A mild bitterness lingers, along with tastes of dried fruit, sweet malt and blackberries. Overall: While not one of our favorite styles, Blindsided is a very good Barley Wine. It definitely makes us want to expand our horizons and get to know this style a bit better. Central Waters Brewing Company - Amherst, Wisconsin Happy Heron Pale Ale 5.2% ABV This is one of Central Waters' original brews and remains one of their most popular. It pours a gorgeous amber-orange, creamy and thick with an effervescent crystal-white head. The aroma is crisp: citrusy and spicy with a pronounced hop smell that lets you know you are holding an authentic APA. Sweet-tasting with a hoppy bite, it conjures up thoughts of the seasons. Tastes of sweet fruits like strawberries and apples give way to autumnal spices and fresh baked bread. As a great APA should, it finishes clean and crisp. This is the perfect beer to have at the end of a hot summer day watching the sun set over the lake. Ouisconsing Red Ale 5.0% ABV Another of the original offerings from Central Waters. Ouisconsing pours a translucent copper-brown color. The head was creamy, fluffy and off-white--almost tan in color. The first scents we noticed were vanilla, caramel and warm, buttered bread. Underneath are scents of almond, hazelnut and strawberry. Medium-bodied, Ouisconsing has a pleasing mouth feel. You first notice the sweet sensation of caramel mingling with a nice, hoppy bitterness. Throughout, there is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy malts with hops that taste of juniper and spruce. It finishes smooth and spicy. With a relatively modest (for Central Waters) ABV of 5%, Ouisconsing is a great session beer suitable for a warm summer day or cool autumn evening. Mudpuppy Porter 5.5% ABV This is a regular in the MidwestMicroBrews beer cellar. Deep ruby-brown in color, it pours with a thick rocky light-brown head. The aromatic foam doesn't let up as lacing sticks to the side of the glass. Aromas of chocolate, fresh-roasted coffee, and sweet malts hit the nose. The flavor is rich, smokey and bit sweet, with a thick and pleasing mouthfeel. The malts are what are we noted first. Roasted, almost burnt malts give way to potent chocolate malts. Underneath that, we tasted warmed hops, pepper and a smoky marshmallow flavor--almost like a s'more. Mudpuppy finishes with lingering notes of warm caramel and fresh toast. Like a great Hitchcock film, this bold and robust porter has so much depth, every time you have one you notice something new. Porters are one of our favorite styles, and this is one of our favorite porters. Michael was able to try Mudpuppy on nitro during his visit and says that, even though it's great from a bottle, having one served this way is an experience not to be missed. Satin Solstice Imperial Stout 7.5% ABV Central Waters' Satin Solstice Imperial Stout is another regular here at the MidwestMicroBrews office. It pours a thick, dark-cola brown with a creamy head. The first aromas we noticed were coffee, chocolate and fire-roasted malts. It has a mouth feel that explains why they call it Satin: smooth and inviting. The predominant flavor is smoky mocha: chocolate and coffee slowly dancing around a peat-smoke fire. Satin Solstice finishes with a perfect balance of malt and hops, leaving a bittersweet chocolate taste on the palate. Several Midwest craft brewers make great Imperial Stouts, but Satin Solstice is truly our favorite. Brewhouse Coffee Stout This is the all-time favorite beer of your MidwestMicroBrews Publisher, Michael. This stout pours as black as a Northern Michigan midnight with a creamy, tan head. The aroma is what you'd expect from a sweetened cup of Italian espresso with scents of rich, dark, chocolate malt poking through. The full-bodied flavor is, at first, all coffee. But it gives way to tastes of chocolate, caramel and sweet smoke without losing that roasted coffee kick. It has a dry, ashy finish, with just a hint of bitterness that lingers. This is the coffee stout that others pretend to be. If you like your stouts dark and your coffee darker, Central Waters has created your dream beer. Notes from the Newbie by Patrick As a duly appointed writer for MidwestMicroBrews, I am disappointed, and slightly embarrassed to say that after a great night of sampling delicious brews from Central Waters Brewing, I have unfortunately misplaced the notes I had taken. That being said, I'm afraid everything will have to come from memory at this point. I could attempt to recall the things that I had written about the fine brews we sampled, but I fear I would sound shallow and pedantic, or find myself just repeating the reviews that are already posted. So I would like to focus all of my efforts on one brew in particular: the Brewhouse Coffee Stout. As a longtime coffee addict, I was anxious to sample this beer. I have never done well with stouts, and seeing its true darkness upon pouring had me a bit intimidated. But the coffee aroma was calling to me, and I knew I had to try. The first taste was all coffee, stronger than any espresso Starbucks could whip up. In fact, the smoky flavor that comes with it was too strong. Initially. But much like judging a book by it's cover, I never stop a brew with just one taste. And it went down easier. Much easier. If you find this one too strong from the start, (and I can understand if you do) do yourself the favor of sticking with it. If you're like me, you'll like it more with each passing taste, until it is all gone and you find yourself scouring the internet until two am, looking for places or ways to get more. Move over coffee. I have a new addiction. Slainte! The Grumpy Troll Restaurant and Brewery - Mount Horeb, Wisconsin Erik The Red Ale Like almost all American brewpubs, The Grumpy Troll offers a red ale. But Erik The Red stands apart from most of those by... well, by actually being good! Beyond good, to be more precise. Even unfiltered, Erik has greater clarity than reds, with a gorgeous ruby-brown color. Scents of fruit and spice blend with the sweet malty aroma. It hits the tongue with a floral, almost spring-like taste that quickly gives way to the sweet caramel and smoke flavor that stays in the mouth for a moment after swallowing. A red ale is usually one of the last beers we would order, but if they were all done this well, we might reconsider that. Curly Scotch Ale When breweries tell us they have a Scotch Ale they want us to review, they better be able to back that up. If there is one thing Grandpa McFlannigan taught is, it's how to tell a good scotch ale from the rest of the pack. The Captain's done such a splendid job with Curly that you'd think he grew up in the Highlands. With a nice, hard pour, Curly delivers a thick head that holds itself to the side of the glass. The aroma is both smoky and sweet. Using Fuggle hops and just a bit of peat moss, Curly has a rich, autumnal taste with a sweet, malty complexity. Finishing smooth and velvety, it leaves you with a just a whisper of smoked peat. If we could choose only one beer to have at The Grumpy Troll (and that would be a sad, sad thing), we would go with Curly. Spetsnaz Named after Russia's Special Forces, Spetsnaz was originally going to be a Russian Imperial Stout, but ended up being what The Captain calls an American Styled Stout. Like both Russia and America, Spetsnaz is a beer that is remarkably complex. Spetsnaz pours thick and black. You might think you're getting a Guinness--until you bring it to your nose and the chocolate, smoke and coffee aromas let you know you're holding something with much more. Full and rich Spetsnaz carried those aromas to the mouth, delivering a roasted taste that reminded us of a warm breakfast on a cold winter morning: freshly baked bread, sweet coffee and spices. Taking the silver at the 2007 Beverage Tasting Institute World Beer Championship, and the top prize at The Best of the Midwest this year, Spetsnaz is getting some well-deserved attention. If you're a fan of big, bold stouts, this is one you owe it to yourself to try. Maggie Much like her namesake, Margaret Thatcher, Maggie is a beer that can inspire strong feelings. This is for those who like their beer hoppy, bitter and strong. She clocks in at 100 IBUs and 9% ABV. Like the former Prime Minister, Maggie is as British as they come, using ample amounts of British hops and malts. Maggie pours a creamy peach-brown color. Some IPAs' hops overwhelm the nose, but not Maggie's. The hops mingle well with the Munich malts, making each drink an adventure. Maggie first delivers tastes of juniper and spruce, then citrus and spice, all while maintaining a foundation of grain and hops. While definitely not a beer we would drink consistently over the course of an evening, if you've been drinking darker brews for a while, mix in a Maggie. It'll make you feel like your mouth just went though the car wash... in a good way. Maggie is clean and crisp and reminded us of the ales we've had in London. Flanders Red Ale Set to be released on April 22nd, Flanders is one of the new Belgian-style beers The Captain is trying out. Pouring with a relatively thin, soapy head, its color is actually more brown than red. Even from the smell, we knew we were going to be in for a very sour beer. Sour yes, but also absolutely delicious. At first it seemed a bit overwhelming, with flashes of grapefruit and lemon across the mouth, but after a few sips we began to notice the more complex fruity flavors within. Hints of concord grape and green apple blended with the sharpness and sweetness. Coming out at a perfect time, Flanders will be a great refreshing beer on a hot summer day. Titletown Brewing Company - Green Bay, Wisconsin Johnny "Blood" Red Coming out of the gate, the Roundtable headed right into one of Titletown's most popular house brews, Johnny "Blood" Red. This Irish Red Ale is named after Johnny "Blood" McNally, a Green Bay Packers halfback from 1929-33. Not quite as red as some Irish Reds, Johnny has more of a dark-peach complexion. It pours with a nice, thick, creamy head. Up front, the aroma has a distinctly fruity undertone. In terms of taste, it has a rather surprising malty flavor with just a touch of caramel. The Golding hops lend a nice counterbalance. This is not a rich, malty beer, nor is it overly hoppy. We thought Johnny was not an extremely lively beer, which we agreed isn't a bad thing. Titletown has plenty of really bold choices on its beer menu. For a simple Irish Red to compliment your meal, Johnny is one of those great "anytime" choices. English Ale The featured beer at Titletown right now is an ESB that brewmaster David Oldenburg has created. It comes from a rotating selection of unfiltered cask-conditioned English style "real ales" from the beer cellar housed in the top floor bar. Starting with Golden-Promise barley from Scotland, he has added English hops and English yeast. The beer is served from a hand-pumped beer engine at cellar temperature and with minimal carbonation. Poured from the pitcher, it appears a darker gold than the picture above shows. It poured with a thin soapy head due to the low carbonation, and released a heavier malt aroma and less aromatic bite than one would expect from a bitter. On first taste, we noticed some thin, fruity flavors which we didn't expect. This gave way to a nutty, bitter taste, which finished clean, leaving only a hint of an aftertaste that was both sweet and satisfying. Even though it's not as bitter as the ESBs that you would find in, well, England, this beer is a great American introduction to the world of bitters. Railyard Ale A regular offering, Railyard Ale is a Dusseldorf Altbier. Brewmaster David Olderburg says it marries the complexity of an ale to the smooth and clean palate of a lager. It pours a nice copper color with a good head that continuously replenishes. It has a slightly bitter, hoppy aroma with just the right amount of a smokey malt undertone. It has a good, roasted taste, and is just bold and hoppy enough. As with any good altbier, it doesn't confuse the tongue with too much complexity. With a clean, dry finish, it's not unlike many of the beers we've found during visits to Germany. A perfect beer for a crisp spring or autumn evening. Meditator Ahh, the meditator. This is one beer we've found damn hard to explain. A creation of David's, the Meditator is a Belgian Doppelbock. That is, a combination of two monastic beer styles, the German Doppelbock and the Belgian Strong Ale. This dark, ruby-colored beer is truly distinctive. It pours with a fine, caramel head that lasts a while. The first taste that hits your tongue is the good, peppery Belgian flavor. Then the sweet, roasted and chocolatey tastes of the malts of the Doppelbock side of the blend emerge. We found this to be an interesting marriage of two great beer styles, pulling out the best of each. A specialty beer, the Meditator hits at 7% ABV, the highest you'll find at Titletown. This is one we definitely wouldn't mind seeing perfected a bit and added to the list of regulars. Bridge Out Stout A favorite of the locals on these cold Wisconsin winter nights, this oatmeal stout is a meal unto itself. The Bridge Out Stout is poured using nitrogen. It has a gorgeous, deep-brown body with a full, thick, creamy head and a slightly nutty aroma. Uncomplicated, like an oatmeal stout should be, it offers tastes of coffee, cocoa, caramel and a hint of smoke. We hope you'll be able to try all of Titletown's selections, but if you can only try one, this is our choice. |
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