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!!!

Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout

This stout pours as black as the coal you’re gonna find in your stocking this year with one fingers worth of creamy gingerbread cookie colored head. The aroma is big, with heavy notes of nutmeg and ginger. I became a fan after the first sip. Notes of gingerbread, malts, and spice complimented with a smooth rich body. The alcohol is nicely masked, but intensifies the closer you get to the bottom of the glass. The finish has notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and toffee. 

I like stouts, and I like mischief, and this tasty holiday offering from Sam Adams is just full of holiday spirits (literally and figuratively - 9% ABV rating). Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout is another impressive addition to Boston Brewing’s impressive small batch specialty brews. If you like heavy stouts and holiday cheer, then give Merry Mischief a try. I triple dog dare you!!!!!

Holiday Cheers!!!