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!!!