Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark

It seems every summer Leinenkugel bombards every party stores and bar in Michigan with their latest Shandy brew. It’s as if every spring Willy Wonka shows up to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and unleashes his beer brewing bearded Oompa Loompas inside the Leinenkugel brewery. The result - Summer Shandy, Orange Shandy, Lemon Berry Shandy, Snozzberry Shandy, ect. Even in Comerica Park there is a Shandy stand with a big red Leinenkugel canoe logo attached to a rough wood frame. All they sell is Shandy! I have nothing against Leinenkugel personally, but the Shandy is getting out of control. Will the real Summer Shandy please stand up!

That being said, tonight’s brew review focuses on one of Leinenkugel’s year round offerings - Creamy Dark. 

Creamy Dark pours dark chocolate brown with nearly two finger's worth of tan head. Big malty aroma on this brew with a trace of dark fruit. The malty aroma follows to the pallet, along with flavor notes of toffee, chocolate, and a hint of caramel. It’s not really creamy as the name advertises, and has more of a slick mouthfeel. Creamy Dark finishes with lingering notes of roasted malts.

I like this brew. It’s doesn’t have a real heavy body, which makes it good for those who are looking for a dark brew to enjoy during the summer months. That being said, it isn’t watery or thin either, there is substance to this brew. Overall, I’m usually not a fan of lighter bodied darks - (ever have a porter that has the mouth feel of a lager?), but this brew balances well in my opinion. Not bad Leinenkugel, not bad. 

Cheers!!!

Southern Tier Brewing Company - Creme Brulee Stout

22 oz bottle
9.5% ABV

One of the first things you'll notice when you pours this dark chocolate brown stout is the aroma. Mouthwatering notes of butterscotch candy and caramelized sugar rise from a thick tan head. The flavor of this brew is just as big as it's aroma, with hints of caramel, malts, and sweet vanilla. Nice full body on this stout with a mild bitter presence. Further enjoyment reveals other developing flavors as hints of custard, sweet cream, and coffee join the dessert extravaganza. This imperial stout has a smooth finish that rides a slow receding tide of vanilla flavors. The classic caramelized sugar/ creme brulee flavor is a constant presence. 

If Willy Wonka closed his chocolate factory and opened a brewery, I'd imagine he's brew Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout. I also like to imagine it would be on tap in an adjacent bar and promptly served by a handle bar mustached Oompa Loompa bartender. Much like Wonka's "chewing gum that changes flavor," this brew is a smorgasbord of dessert delights. Muy Delicioso!

My only recommendation would be to share this brew if you're cracking open a 22oz bottle. The rich dessert flavors can become a bit sweet towards the end. 

Cheers!!!

First World Craft Beer Problems

OddSide Ales Simcoe Sensation

Odd Side Ales opened in 2010 in an old piano factory in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Simcoe Sensation pours hazy gold, with one fingers worth of white head. Big aroma on this brew - floral and grapefruit notes, with a slight detection of lemon. Big Simcoe hop flavor - notes of grapefruit and pine dominate the pallet. It’s a little sharp initially, but my taste buds adjusted quickly. The pine notes develop a spiciness that is similar to white pepper. Medium body with nice carbonation. As the ale warmed a bit, mango notes joined the flavor party. This IPA has a tasty bitter finish that lingers before giving way to a dry ending. 

(4.5% ABV)

Notes

I liked this brew. It has a lot of changing flavors. As far as I’m aware, this was my first introduction to Simcoe hops. They certainly make their presence known. They’re big, sharp, and spicy. My first impression of this ale wasn’t too favorable. It seemed too hoppy and one dimensional, but this brew rose to the challenge of gaining my admiration. It didn’t take too long for this ale to shape up and balance out. In between sips it suddenly became round and complex, and the slow developing mango notes created an enjoyable compliment to the bitter finish. In the end, my taste buds pulled a 180 and jumped on the Simcoe Sensation band wagon and rode off into the craft beer sunset.

Cheers!!!

Stone Brewing Co. - Espresso Imperial Russian Stout

Enjoyed on Draft at a local watering hole.
As expected, this stout is espresso black, with a short lived tan head that recedes to a thin oily cap. It's like a black hole in a glass, which entertains the question, "who's consuming who?"
The aroma is unmistakable - dark roast coffee. First sip is a bold shock to the taste buds. I'm talking French Roast with a sunburn bold. This stout certainly doesn't waste any time making an impression. Rich espresso flavors - with hints of toasted malts and dark chocolate. There is a smokey bitterness to this brew, which is best expained as an attractive lack of sweetness. This isn't the Caramel Macchiato of Imperial Stouts. This is the raw bold espresso lovers stout, complete with a ring of crema-like froth that flares after every sip. These bold coffee notes sit heavy on the pallet, and are complimented by a long chaulky dark chocolate finish. A boozy warmth is steadily apparent throughout enjoyment, but is minimal considering this brews 11% ABV.
I really enjoyed this offering from Stone Brewing. Its very bold, and has a rich espresso quality that is untainted by sweetness or conflicting flavors. Highly recommended if you're a serious dark roast coffee drinkers.

Right Brain Brewing - Naughty Girl Stout

This stout from Right Brain Brewing was inspired by those addictive Thin Mint cookies. And just like those chocolatey mint cookies; I found I had no self control when It came to purchasing this brew. Naughty Girl Stout pours dark chocolate brown and is topped with a thick taupe colored head. The aroma is very mild, and only has a subtle hint of the advertised mint chocolate. First sip. Strange. The chocolate is apparent, but it gets over powered by the mint. And it's not the enjoyable chocolate mint dessert flavor you would expect from a Thin Mint. Its more herbal - think mint tea.

This brew also suffers from a thin watery body. It doesn't have the traditional heavier presence that you'd expect from a stout. I understand that a style can fluctuate, but I would even consider this brew thin if it were a porter. The chocolate notes continue in the finish, but once again are overshadowed by a lingering medicinal mint flavor. Bummer. I was really hoping to enjoy this stout. I like the concept, and can see the potential. If executed right this could be a unique and enjoyable brew, but unfortunately the "Thin/Mint" inspiration becomes a too literal in this offering. 

Cheers!!!

L.L.Lind

New offerings from B. Nektar

Black Fang

Pours dark purple, with a lavender colored head. By appearance alone, it has the look of Faygo Grape soda. I'd recommend enjoying Black Fang in a Juggalo free zone. One can never be too careful. This draft style mead has a sweet clove aroma. The first sip mirrors the aroma, rich clove flavor, with notes of blackberries. The body has a brightness to it. I wanted to use the word sparkling, but considering the vampire on the label, I’ll stay as far away from "sparkling" references, for the vampire's sake. The carbonation flares on the taste buds, especially when served from a keg. The finish is clove spice, with a hint of citrus. The flavor of Black Fang is more saturated compared to other B. Nektar draft offerings i've tried, giving this mead a plum like richness. 

Dwarf Invasion 

This mead pours dark red, nearly purple, with a cherry aroma. Dwarf Invasion has a big tart cherry flavor. The tartness adds a nice bittersweet balance. Balancing sweet meads is something B. Nektar does very well. The addition to hops adds another dimension to the flavor, giving it occasional flavor notes of grapefruit and rye. Yet the star of this mead is the rich cherries. This mead would be amazing with chocolate. Dwarf Invasion has a long finish, with a lingering sweet/ tart cherry flavor. Like Black Fang, the body has a heavier feel than other B. Nektar meads, which well suits fall and winter weather. 

Join the Invasion, or suffer the consequences!!!

Clown Shoes Vampire Slayer

Today we have the Second Anniversary Ale from the brewery with the big feet - Clown Shoes. This stout is darker than the entrance to Dracula’s tomb with a creamy head the color of a fresh whittled hickory stake. Big aroma on this brew with notes of dark fruit and malts. Deep smokey flavor - hints of raisins, fudge, malts, and roasted coffee. Medium body with minimal carbonation. Boozy finish with lingering notes of semi-sweet fig, black licorice, and charcoal. 

Great Imperial Stout. I loved the smokiness of this brew.  With 10% ABV, this would be a good brew to invite a neighbor over to share. But on second thought, if you only see your neighbor after sunset, it would probably be best to leave them “uninvited”. Might not be a bad idea to start a garlic garden along the fence line as well. One can never be too careful during these troubled times. 

Pairings: During the daylight, beneath a crucifix, with super soaker full of holy water nearby. 

Cheers!!!

Three Floyds Brewing - Zombie Dust

This brew pours a cloudy burnt orange with a healthy finger’s worth of long lasting white head. Big aroma on this pale ale. Strong floral notes with a big citrus presence. The flavor has notes of citrus, peach, and mango with hints of pine spice and malt. The variety of fruit flavors gives this ale some nice tropical flavor notes as well. Zombie Dust has a medium body with a good amount of carbonation. Long finish with lingering notes of ripe orange balanced with a sweet floral bitterness. This brew leaves a slippery coating on the palate, think loose flesh on zombie bones. 

Real enjoyable brew. Very tasty from start to finish. The fruit really develops midway through enjoyment, and the foam cap of the surface lasted till the last sip. At times had a creamy presence.  

Cheers!!!

B. Nektar Necromangocon

Necromangocon is a mango and black pepper mead. It’s recipe was translated from a mysterious book discovered by a group of friends in Ferndale, Michigan. Much like the Book of the Dead from Sam Raimi’s cult classic film The Evil Dead, terrible forces were unleashed, and great consequences followed while trying to contain the conjured spirit.  

This draft style mead pours a clear honey gold color and coats the glass with micro bubbles. Mild sweet aroma with a hint of the advertised mango. First sip. Big mango flavor. The pepper flares on the back of the throat, complimenting the sweetness provided by the mango. A great balance between the two flavors. The finish has a slight tangy tartness that enhances the enjoyment even further on this well rounded beverage. What I really like is the black pepper never intensifies, or becomes dominant. It keeps a nice constant ever so mild heat/ burn presence. This offering from B. Nektar is a deliciously addictive combo of flavors, almost as if my taste buds are being possessed. It’s as if when opening this bottle, I released a spirit that wants to take over....

B. Nektar is awesome. Mead is good for you. Listen to Chin Chin, they know what they’re talking about. Spend all your money on B. Nektar meads...

Seriously folks, this is great stuff. Really good by itself, and delicious with food. Grab a bottle and get possessed!

6%ABV 

Cheers!!!

Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero

Todays brew is a Mexican style chocolate stout from the Mercury Brewing Company. The label features a multi limbed, sombrero wearing, stout drinking, traditionally masked, Mexican Wrestler. Mexico is know for it’s entertaining over the top high flying wrestling. This sport was imortabized in the film Nacho Libre. I’m a sucker for anything with Jack Black, and for chocolate stouts. Uncap, pour, Nachoooooo!!!!!

Chocolate Sombrero pours dark brown with a beautiful light brown head. Sweet spice and malt aroma. Nice dark chocolate flavor, with a developing chili spice bite. The spice itself is not that hot, and just flares on the back of the throat, giving a nice balance to this Imperial Stout. This medium body brew also has hints of vanilla and roasted malts. The ancho chile certainly makes this a unique stout. This brew has a long sweet finish that finally ends with a chalky chocolate mouthfeel. 

A good stout. The chile flare really helps mask the alcohol content (ABV 9%). Great body on this brew, and it certainly captures that mexican chocolate essence. Pour one the next time you are alone in your room and are wearing stretchy pant. It’ll be fun.

Schmaltz HE'BREW Messiah Nut Brown Ale

Schmaltz Brewing Company is known for its HE'BREW Beer, which is widely recognized for its playful study of Jewish, world, and pop cultural. With brews named "Rejewvenator" and Funky Jewbelation, it's easy to get an idea of this brewery's sense of humor, and the spell check nightmares the front office must deal with on a daily basis. Today's Kosher Certified Rabbi approved brew is Messiah Nut Brown Ale. 

Pours cola brown with one finger's worth of wheat bread colored head. Aroma notes of malts. Roasted malt flavor with mild notes of nuts, toffee, and caramel. Medium body and carbonation. Bittersweet finish with a subtle hint of chocolate and lingering nutty notes. 

Overall a pretty good brew. Full bodied flavor and easy drinking.  If you're a fan of brown ales, give He'Brew Messiah a try, Jew'll be glad you did. I know, Adam Sandler ain't got nothing on me. 

L'Chaim!!!

New Holland Farmhouse Hatter

Farmhouse Hatter pours a clear copper with a thin short lived white head. The aroma is a blend of hops, grass, and citrus. First sip - pucker your taste buds beer drinkers, this brew is good deliciously sour. The flavor has tart citrus notes, with some funky farmhouse elements. The clean crisp body gives this brew a refreshing quality.

A long tart finish wraps this up nicely for this IPA followed by lingering hints of malts and spice.

Overall I loved this beer. It's certainly a pallet smacker. If you like pickles, or yellow pepper rings on your pizza, you’d probably enjoy this brew. In fact, this would be a great beer to enjoy with a meal. I’m thinking chicken piccata, heavy on the capers. This brew would act as a great pallet cleanser for the cream sauce, with the capers complimenting, but not over doing, the funky tart flavor.   

New Holland Recommends: Seafood, Fennel, Mushrooms, and Pickled Veggies.  

Chin Chin Warning: Enjoying this brew with pickled veggies may just warp your pallet into another taste bud dimension. 

Cheers!!!

Schlitz Lager - The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous

There’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen one of the vintage ads for Schlitz. Great masterpieces of women bringing their husbands a cold brew after a rough day at the office, or a clown enjoying a frosty mug after a tough day of entertaining children. “If you like beer... you’ll love Schlitz”! There was a time when Schlitz was the most popular beer in the world, and it often teeter tottered with Anheuser Busch as America’s favorite brew. Lets face it, we’re spoiled nowadays. Today’s craft brewers look like scientists in comparison to brewing techniques used during this country's beer loving infancy. Today we have whole aisles worth of choices and styles. Beers from around the corner, or across the seas. Yet back in the good old 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, the choices weren’t as vast. So lets take a trip down beer loving Americana lane and rediscover the “The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous”.

Schlitz pours a pale transparent gold with a good old frothy white head. Lots of micro bubbles sparkle and rise to the foam cap. Schlitz smells like your father’s paper bag full of empties that briefly sat on the counter on a Sunday afternoon. This lager tastes like the bottom half of a plastic pitcher found at any random table during the last song of a wedding reception. The put it short, Schlitz tastes like good times. This light and refreshing brew is a backyard quencher, and it's the perfect reward for a fresh cut lawn. It goes great with hamburgers and hot dogs, and pairs well with overly competitive backyard picnic games. It’s best on a hot day, pulled from a cooler full of ice, and with just a sprinkle of salt. It’s the beer America fell in love with, and the one soldiers looked forward to when heading home. In todays pricey brew market, this affordable lager is damn near two for one in comparison. Sure today’s brews shine, but Schlitz undeniable was a paving stone for the success of today’s modern brews. “When you’re out of beer... You’re out of Schlitz.” 

Cheers!!!

Brooklyn Brewing Sorachi Ace

This is a brew I've wanted to try for quite some time. I first heard of it when an old friend of mine used this ale as his drink of choice for his birthday celebration. I didn’t know what to think when opening this session ale. It’s packaged in a champagne bottle, stopped with a cork and wire basket, and it’s bottle conditioned with champagne yeast. I was cautious when opening this brew, anticipating a carbonated pop, but fear not, this ale is not as fizzy as a bottle of bubbly. Sorachi Ace pours a cloudy rust orange with a thick white head that takes a permanent residence on the top of the glass. Lots of visible micro bubbles on the rise. Fresh citrus aroma. Flavors of tangy orange zest and coriander. Full body that coats the pallet with a silky mouthfeel. Long clean refreshing citrus finish, like a sunset in June, lingering with golden citrus hues. This offering from Brooklyn Brewing is named after the rare japanese hops (Sorachi) used to create the vibrant citrus sunshine flavor. Really enjoyable brew, and considering the 750ML bottle, there is plenty enough to share, but I wouldn’t blame you for keeping it all for yourself.  

Sorachi Ace comes in at 7.7% ABV. 

Cheers!!!

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

This stout pours black coffee brown with a nice brown sugar colored head. Fruity aroma with a hint of chocolate. The flavor is a blend of malt, coffee and bittersweet chocolate, with a hint of sweet caramel. Old Rasputin has a rich creamy body, and a bold smokey espresso finish followed by a nice warming effect. Considering the 9% ABV, the stout is beautifully masked, but it defiantly a brew you should sip and savor. 

This brew is everything I want in a stout; bold, creamy, and with layers of big flavors. It's chocolate/ coffee notes make it sinfully delicious, and it's potent! - Just like a good Russian Imperial should be. The label features a drawing of Rasputin with a encircling phrase written in Russian that translate: A sincere friend is not born instantly. 

I would pair this brew with rich chocolate desserts, cheesecake, cigars, and sincere friends new and old. 

Cheers!!!

Tastes From The Black Lotus Brewing Company

I like the Black Lotus Brewing Company. Not just for their quality handcrafted brews, great food and atmosphere, but for their experimental approach of their core products. There is always something different on tap, which keeps them one step ahead of the brewing game. This gives their customers the opportunity to try something outside of the box. When it comes to craft brews, the Black Lotus isn’t afraid to color outside the lines. 

THAIPA - 9.0%ABV

This cleverly named brew pours rusty peach in color with a lively bread colored head. Very little aroma detected. As expected, this ale is unique as the dominate flavor is basil spice. I’ve noticed basil popping up a lot in cocktails recently, but this is my first encounter in a brew. It definitely lends a summer quality to this ale, no doubt attributed to all the fresh basil dishes that pop up when the spice is in bloom. The body is a little heavier than I expected, with medium carbonation that leaves some nice lacing on the glass. This brew finishes with a mild warming sensation, with lingering notes of basil. Overall I have to admit this brew different, but is a good way, but only if you like basil. The summery feel promoted by the basil gives it a refreshing quality, which makes for a nice seasonal brew.

Eh.... What’s Up Doc? 10%ABV

I was really excited to try this brew, which hinted to by it’s name, is flavored with carrot cake spices. Pours burnt terra cotta with a creamy sand colored head. The aroma has hints of clove spice. First sip is all head, and its delicious. So unique is a “why haven’t I tried this before” way. Notes of nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla. It’s like a field trip for your pallet. The body is clean and creamy. I was expecting a heavier body for the sole fact I attributed carrot cake with fall baking, and heavier style brews that come along during that season, but What’s Up Doc is light(er) and easy drinking. The finish has notes of raisins and baking spices. Holding strong at an impressive 10% ABV, this wascally wabbit has masked it’s alcohol so well that even Elmur Fudd wouldn’t be able to trace its potency on the opening day of hunting season. 

Cheers!!!




Black Lotus Brewing Company is located at the corner of 14 Mile Road and Livernois (1 East 14 Mile Road) in Clawson, Michigan. Their Beer Battered Deep Fried Pickles are the best in the state!!! 

www.blacklotusbrewery.com

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere Farmhouse Ale

This brew is named and dedicated to a Jack Russell who was hit by a car and sprung back to life in “fine tenacious Jack Russell style.” You ever meet a Jack Russell, those dogs are crazy. They’d run into a hurricane if they had reason to. I’m all for dogs, and a beer that embodies the “get back up when life knocks you down” attitude. 

Jolly Pumpkin Brewing takes pride in using only natural earth created ingredients. You won’t find any additives or chemicals, and thats how it should be. What sets JP apart from most brews is the the old time method of maturing their product in oak barrels. This creates a longer and more expensive brewing process, but the end result is a flavorful brew that boasts complexity and depth. They call their brews Artisan Ales, and I think Its the perfect description for their rustic approach of brewing

Bam Biere pours a cloudy gold, with two fingers of off white head. Citrus aroma with notes of pine - a prelude of the hops to come. Bam Biere has some nice citrus notes with hints of malt and a bit of spice. This Ale has a nice tangy/ sour element, which I've found is common in most farmhouse styles I've tried. It's certainly an element I look forward to when enjoying farmhouse style brews. This ale has medium carbonation with a nice hop presence that doesn’t go over the top, which to me, is the balance I prefer. This brew finishes with a clean tangy ending with a mild lingering essence of malt. 

Jolly Pumpkin was founded in Dexter, Michigan in 2004 by Ron Jeffries. Their barrel aging, unfiltered, unpasteurized method of brewing creates some unique earthy flavors. There are currently two brew pubs in operation in Ann Arbor and Traverse City (Michigan) with talks of a third location coming to Royal Oak. Jolly Pumpkin is also available at most specialty beer stores in Michigan. 

Cheers!!!

Rochester Mills Brewing - Rochester Red

Today's craft brew, from the Rochester Mills Brewing Co, is in a can?!?! Isn't that like a bottle of wine with a twist off cap. Before you pass judgment, read on...

Rochester Red pours a dark amber with about 2 fingers of creamy sand colored head. This brew is beautiful in appearance and makes my mouth water just looking at it. The froth is long lasting and leaves a mosaic of lacing on the glass as it recedes. The aroma is rich with malts. The favor is creamy malty bliss. Rochester Red is smooth and this brew has a nice clean refreshing quality about it as well. The finish has a mellow tangy kick that helps it end on a crisp note. Just a beautiful brew all around. Appearance, aroma, body, taste, and finish. I know there are some out there who may be turned off by “craft brew in a can”, don’t be. Those guys in Rochester are brewing some of the best beers in the state. Crisp, creamy, and put your feet up relaxing. 

Side Note: Rochester Mills also has a Irish Red, which has a similar appearance, so double check if you're thinking about picking up this fine brew.

New Castle Winter IPA

Pours a light brown with a thin short lived white head. Nutty aroma, with hints of toasted grains. The flavor has notes of caramel, malt, grain, and fruit. This brew has a thin watery body and fizzy carbonation. What seems to be missing is the citrus hoppy elements of a traditional IPA. Wait a minute, I thought this was an IPA. It says IPA on the label. The finish has a notes of toffee, and ends with sweet with a lingering biscuit flavor.

This "limited" release by New Castle was nothing special. The IPA advertising was the selling point for me, but clearly this brew doesn't live up to the style, actually it doesn't even come close to resembling an India Pale Ale. Aside from the biscuit finish, the flavors were very watered down. It's not terrible, but It close. I was defiantly expecting something more from this winter style brew. Its more along the lines of a nut brown ale, and even then, it's below standard. 

Lienenkugel Snowdrift Vanilla Porter

Pours dark brown with a short lived tan colored head. Light penetration through the glass reveals a dark red hue. Smells like vanilla and malts. In other words, this porter smells good. Big vanilla flavor, with notes of toasted malts and a subtle hint of chocolate. The medium carbonation creates a nice creaminess to this brew. Melted vanilla/ coffee ice cream finish, ending with just a whisper of maple. 

Another nice winter offering from Lienenkugel. I suppose I’ll forgive them for not bringing back Fireside Nut Brown this winter. What I will not forgive them for is including that Lemon Berry Shandy in their Winter Variety 12 pack. A disgusting failure that ranks at the bottom of the wine cooler barrel. 

Cheers!!!