Cadillac Mountain Stout

Thanks to Adam Slaker and Jeremy Hoffman for bringing this beer, as well as five others, back from their trip to Maine earlier this summer. I finally got around to reviewing it on Saturday evening after a very eventful MUGZ meeting at the Scharr's house for the educational edition "How do YOU brew." I was in awe at their absurd collection of rare beers and SABCO brewing system - the same system Sam Calgione started Dogfish Head with!

Appearance: The pour revealed a very dark, yet surprisingly clear stream with a rich rubied hue. In the glass, clarity was negligible as it only took on a very dark brown/black color with a bit of transparent red/brown around the edges. Head was about a 1/4" in stature at the pour, but quickly retracted into a thin densely foamed beige ring around the inner perimeter of the glass.
Aroma: Robust chocolate with a subtle tint of roasted malt at the base. Predominantly a sweet dark chocolate malt backbone. A bit of pumpernickel breadiness as well as a oaky undertone may be drawn from the scent.
Taste: The forefront of this beer is impressively reminiscent of a 60% dark chocolate bar. Very rich in flavor. The midtaste doesn't reveal much of a change. The finish, however is alleviated with a bittersweet roastiness, that's accompanied with a neutral hop. If one is to get anything else out of the beer, it would more than likely be at the finish as it certainly leaves the palate wondering. Aftertaste is more of a brownie taste with a bit of added sugar for a toasted sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Carbonation seemed not to really fit in with the beer, as it seemed far too bubbly for such a stout. What could have been creamy ans smooth was left foamy and biting. Nevertheless as the body was polished into a lighter texture, it still made for a characteristically dryer feel.
Overall Impression: Certainly a fantastic stout. The sweetness and rich chocolate flavor was as basic as it gets, yet enough to leave the designated drinker in a devouring mood. I wasn't a fan of the carbonation, but that was hardly an issue over the other sensual perceptions


90/100

Thunder Hole Ale

Thanks to Adam Slaker and Jeremy Hoffman for bringing me back an assorted six pack from Maine! Tasted Sunday afternoon while harvesting some produce and monitoring the chickens in the garden.

Appearance: Mahogany brown with a poor head, yet what is there forms a ring around the center of the glass and leaving behind a wet lacing. Clarity is not the best either with a color inhibitory haze throughout. Quite still looking.
Aroma: Under malted toasted barley with a nutty undertone. Some chocolate and earthiness are present as well, but overall it lacks a healthy scent.
Taste: The flavor is sweet and tannic, especially at the end. First impression gave me honey and notes of nuts, but as the palate has adjusted, this has transferred into a woodiness with a finishing spice to it, reminiscent of light cloves. The finish is dry and of wood lignan, similarly representing and tasting of the ever so mouth drying tannins. As the beer warms, more of the toasted barley malt comes through at the front.
Mouthfeel: Heavier body, bordering somewhere around medium. Carbonation plays neutrally here, neither taking away from the flavor or adding a big crisp fizz, it's simply there to make a beer feel like a beer. Finish is dry and even a bit resiny
Overall Impression: Not something very spectacular, but I can certainly see it as a gateway beer into the mis-conceived darker "heavier" beers. It doesn't have really too much to offer, but the toasted malt and woodiness.


75/100

Harbor Lighthouse Ale

Thanks to Adam Slaker who picked up a 6 pack of assorted brews from his trip to Maine. Tasted Monday evening after a long Bix weekend.

Appearance: Amber color with a golden tint to it. Slightly hazy with a bubbly tan head that is nonexistent after a few seconds. Some visible carbonation. No lacing is made whatsoever.
Aroma: Rich and biscuity malt sweetness upfront, similar to aromas of baked bread and grains. Hints of caramel and toffee to complement. Some spicing, flavors of hazelnut.
Taste: Taste is for the most part mild and light. Presence of earthy, herbal hops that add a tinge of bitterness Although the aroma hints at caramel, yet nutty tastes dominate a good portion of the flavor profile. Also has a lingering malt backbone that adds a bready flavor and finishes with a citrus character. A bit of a vapored alcohol on the after-breath.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium mouthfeel with minuscule carbonation bubbles that spike the tongue. Leaves hardly any aftertaste that goes down smoothly and finishes quite dry.
Overall Impression: The light flavor of this brew makes it very drinkable. Mellowed malt profile, yet enough to maintain a distinct flavor alongside the complementary spicing at the very finish.


Jen: 77/100
Tim: 79/100