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!!!