Great Lakes: Lake Erie Monster

New on tap at 8th Street Grille. I got a sample of this last week while visiting Thursday as they opened to check out what was new on tap. 

Appearance: golden orange with a soft bubbly cream colored head. A prominent haze is evenly distributed throughout but the carbonation is still easily visible as some even accumulates on the side of the glass, like soda. Lacing cascades down the glass after each sip, creating layers of foam on the glass.
Aroma: sweet tropical fruit permeates the nostrils but remains restrained with a sugary light malt presence. Mango is most notable. Honey too.
Taste: the front permeates a rich honey flavor with a fruity sweetness immediately apparent. It's as if the hops are so strong that they begin to impede at the front of the beer, imparting a fruity, mango like sweetness. The mid taste hardly differs, only to propagate the tropical apricot and mango flavors, and even some coriander/orange. Towards the end one can get faint notes of rind, but it remains hardly a knowledgeable over the sweetness. Then, in finish, some characteristics of malt finally present themselves in the form of Belgian candy and brown sugar. The aftertaste holds a conglomeration of all of these characteristics, but most apparent is the finishing rind bitterness. The balance for this beer is impeccable especially with the alcohol.
Mouthfeel: rich creamy mouthfeel with a subtle carbonation, enough to tickle the surface of the tongue and fuel flavor. Body is quite heavy, but all factors aim towards balance, making this beer surprisingly drinkable.
Overall impression: wow, hop bomb, but with a very appealing fruit character I've had little experience with. Mango and honey are the most dominant notes within, followed by LME extract like sweetness and brown sugar. There is so much sweetness, that the 80 IBU's hardly over bitters the palate. Stellar beer, great lakes!

Dortmunder Gold

Tasted Thursday at 8th St. Grille. They are trying to blow out the taps that are nearly empty in order to fill them for their Founder's tapping event tomorrow night. They will be including 11 founders beers, including one that has yet to be found outside their pub - their take on a Milk Stout. Pint served ($3!)
Surprisingly I haven't reviewed this beer after many sessions of actually tasting it and even visiting the brewery. Anyway, to get it out of the way, here it is:
5.8%

Appearance: Golden with a darker hint of copper. Large voluptuous head pillows the surface of the beer with a dense cream colored profile. Very clear with large bubbles rising to the surface at different speeds. Lacing is entire and dry.
Aroma: Clean and slightly floral with a lager character in the end scent.  Some bready aromatics perfume as the beer warms, complimented with a semi-brown sugar element.
Taste: The start is defined with a CO2 flavor, but immediately transcends into a rich biscuit and toasted bread flavor. Warm biscuit and cracker crust become more robust the further into the taste one gets and is more prominent in the back of the mouth. The finish is lightly floral, but still maintaining the essence of the grain. However it remains very clean and crisp with not the slightest fruit character.
Mouthfeel: Easily drinkable with a fine bubbly mid texture and a dry feel at the tip of the tongue. A gluey feeling resides at the roof of the mouth giving off the remaining biscuit aftertaste.
Overall Impression: Don't be fooled by the color. This beer is malt forward, simplistic and can appeal to any crowd. I'd see this as a gateway, like Fat Tire, or even something similar to style - Two Brothers' Dog Days Lager - but with more of a richer, malt desired flavor. When indecision kicks in, hit the middle road and tap one of these.

Rally Drum Red Ale

Took my Saturday afternoon to 8th Street Grille to check out the local craft beer scene. This pub features over 25 taps of almost all Michigan craft beer. I spent the afternoon working my way through a couple samples in order to make up for the lack of posts these last few weeks.

5.8% ABV

Appearance: Frothy cream colored head that is well sustained. Some carbonated accumulation clings to the perimeter of the glass, reminiscent looking of a soft drink. The color is amber with a darkened hue. Very bright, with some carbonation visibly present.

Aroma: The malt bill is caramel and boastful of crystal and even notes of rye. Some floral undertones emerge, accompanied with dark fruit and dates. Towards the end I can draw a sweet pine scent and even grapefruit.

Taste: The start to me immediately opens with a strong acidity, this more than likely attributed to the hops. The base again is characterized by dark Munich malt, caramel and crystal. As one approaches the end, the acidity deepens, but supports that dark fruit flavor noted in the aroma. Pine is a primary player in this. I think that either Citra or Simcoe hops may have been used. The end rounds out quited bittered, with a near lemonfresh- pine needle complexity.

Mouthfeel: I found this beer to maintain a lot of carbonation up front, with a dense concentration of fine biting bubbles. This lasts throughout the taste. Frothy bodied and rich, but smooth and relatively easy drinking. The end is very dry and resined.

Overall Impression: Definitely a hopped-up Red ale by my standards, and perhaps overhelming to some. Nevertheless I enjoy the layers of flavor that emerge as the beer progresses in temperature and as the palate adjusts. The only drawback I may see would be the carbonation being a bit too biting, but everything else is great!

Brewery Review: Great Lakes Brewing Co. - Cleveland, OH

This was the final stop on our way home from New York. Originally we didn't have much planned after staying in Allegheny National park and Lunch at Barley Creek Brewery. However I had remembered talking to Sam at Fatheads Brewery that Great Lakes wasn't too far away. We literally drove in to Cleveland with no map/GPS/knowledge of where we were going. We stopped at a gas station, asked for directions and found we were on the opposite side of the city. A couple more stops which included one in the Flats eventually took us to where we wanted to be. After parking we decided to sit on at the outdoor patio of the brew-pub. Both James (our Server) and Bob (the supervisor) provided an exceptional experience, one that I wish every customer could experience. Because I've had many of the beers that reside on the tasting flight, I will simply direct you to the post that I've previously done. This is what I tried:

Dortmunder Gold Lager - [Haven't tried this one yet!]

Eliot Ness Amber Lager - See Review

93/100

Burning River Pale Ale - See Review

89/100

Commodore Perry IPA - See Review

90/100

Edmund Fitzgerald Porter - See Review [Pending]

87/100

Burning River Pale Ale

I was surprised I had never reviewed this, especially coming back from the brewery. Thanks to Jaron Gaier and Dean Burrier who ironically both told me they had a bottle for me to review the very same week!Tasted following a day filled with brewing an imperial pumpkin ale and running 21 miles! Reviewed prior to a homemade Indian dinner.

Appearance: Pristine Amber color with a balanced white filmed with an accumulation around the edges. Very clear especially for the color. Carbonation present in a consistent manner. White wet lacing.
Aroma: Citrus spicing with an undertone of caramel. Yeast attenuation makes for a mild vininess. Orange and earthy undertones predominate throughout.. Toasted malt present alongside a mild grapefruit scent.
Taste: Layers of different flavors. Malt backbone is emphasized on the caramel and notes as well as biscuit malt. Grape skins come to mind with an undertone of stale hops. There also remains a fruitiness of peaches and apricots. Definitely a rich flavor revolving around orange with a piney note. Characteristically simple. As the beer warms, however, the hops merge more into the beginning of the beer and become more reminiscent of under ripe grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a mild carbonation characterized by fine bubbles. A bit of stickiness on the edges. Creamy texture overall, while it finishes dry from the bittering alpha acids.
Overall Impression: Darker colored with a big hop profile that some should probably take note of. Nevertheless, the different layers of this beer are incredibly crafted to give each individual a different experience. The stale hops noted above were not a deterrent, but rather a refreshing surprise from the ordinary


89/100

Edumund Fitzgerald Porter

Purchased from the Wine and Cheese place in Plainfield a little over a month ago. First sampled it at the Great Lakes Brewery in Ohio and was glad to have a bottle at home to more thoroughly review. Tasted following a lovely sauteed eggplant and deconstructed steak kabobs dinner with my family.

Appearance: Poured with a thick tan, bubbly head that dissipated to leave barely nothing. Relatively clear and the color is a dark chocolate brown that reveals a ruby undertone when held up to a light.
Aroma: Lots of character. Noticeable sweetness reminiscent to chocolate that is complemented by roasted malt and a subtle coffee aroma to round out the finish. Underlying smokiness that accentuates the aromas.
Taste: A little taste of bittersweet chocolate upon first taste. Balanced by the malt and a hint of caramel sweetness midtaste. Also, the flavors and slight bitterness from roasted coffee beans are more prominent in the taste than the aroma lets on. Dry finish that is accentuated by a earthy hop flavor.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a good supply of carbonation to unveil flavors. Goes down relatively smooth but leaves a bit of a stale aftertaste.
Overall Impression: Decent porter courtesy of Great Lakes Brewing Co. I'm not particularly a fan of the stale aftertaste that stays long after the beer is finished but I did enjoy variety of flavors that did not feel heavy on the tongue.

87/100

The Wright Pils

Jen and I tried this while at the brewery in Cleavland this past Monday on our way home from New York. Thanks to James, our server and Bob, the supervisor for giving us a spectacular tour. Jen reviewed the basics, while I touched the review up. She said..."Tim it is taking all of my willpower to not guzzle this down."
Both served in Pilsner glass.

Appearance: 1/2 inch thick head that dissipates rather quickly into a spotted white thin film. Bright and clear glowing with yellow hue, near watery looking. Subtly rising visible carbonation. Looks so enticing, especially at this thirsty moment. Minute traces of wet lacing down the side of the glass.

Aroma: Nose is quite sharp and has the distinct pils malt graininess in the front. Accentuated by tart lemon and zest, with a hint of grassy hops to round out the finish.

Taste: Has a sweetness in the beginning, malt sugars followed by a light biscuit flavor, yet this is hardly noticeable over what's to come. Mid-taste there is the bite of grassy and flowery hops, with an all around emphasis on lemongrass. Delicate lemon zest spicing and citrus flavors to complement as they foam up along side the fizz of the carbonation. Finishes quite dry and crisp. Peppery is another adjective to describe this rich, flavorful, yet easy drinking summer beer.

Mouthfeel: Light body with a good amount of carbonation that keeps the brew light and refreshing. Goes down smooth and finishes crisp with a minuscule bite. Kinda leaves a stale flowery aftertaste?
Overall Impression: Yum this is a really great Pilsner, good when it's cold and it's just as good warm... wish I had another to enjoy! Take it from me Great Lakes, aside from your normal five, this would make a fantastic entry level beer, while appealing to those sophisticated pilsner lovers out there!



Jen: 89/100
Tim: 87/100

Holy Moses White Ale

Picked up a single bottle from the Wine and Cheese Place in Plainfield last week. Got around to tasting it after a long day of job searching and trying to beat the awful heat!

Appearance: Bright yellow, straw color with minimal clarity. Poured with a dense, white foamy head that dissipated rather slowly to leave a thin unbroken layer. Lacing forms on the side of the glass with each sip. Pretty active carbonation can be seen.
Aroma: A bouquet of spices make up a majority of the nose. Strong presence of coriander and maybe a bit of chamomile. Additionally, can detect a vanilla undertone. Complemented by a light yeast spiciness and malt/bready backbone. Typical clove and lemon zest/citrus aromas also contribute to the overall aroma. Very appealing!
Taste: Begins with a very light malt and wheat body, contributes to a bready flavor. Spicing then becomes dominant; consisting of cloves, coriander, and orange zest. Maybe some nutmeg? Hint of sourness that hits midtaste and appears again in the aftertaste. Very herbal and floral hops round out the finish. Chamomile adds a very smooth flavor to the finish.
Mouthfeel: Active carbonation that starts off prickly, making it crisp and slowly diminishes. On a lighter side of a medium body, thanks to the carbonation. Goes down relatively smooth.
Overall Impression: Refreshing and as expected, when the beer warms, the spicing and other flavors become more pronounced. Although I enjoyed drinking it, the spicing overpowers the malt backbone and makes it unbalanced. Would have been great by the pool!

Jen: 80/100

Conway's Irish Ale

Picked this six pack up from Plainfield's Binny's over spring break. Drank 4 and gave one away and now I'm finally getting around to rating the last one. Tasted following my first day Interning at Great River Brewery.

Appearance: Rubied amber with some copper to touch. The head is stable and for the most part off white and intermittently foamy. Maximal clarity runs throughout this well filtered ale with a strong visible presence of micro-carbonation bubbles quickly rising to the surface.

Aroma: Dry and fruity with a tropical hop element and a strong carameled backbone. The fruit reminds me of pears with an apricot/plum sweetness. Some nuttiness permeates with a bit of honey to contribute.
Taste: Starts sweet and nicely malted with the ever present dash of fruit, perhaps from Vienna malt I'd presume. Some toasted barley rounds in the sweet malt backbone and the end into the midtaste revolves around the caramel/honey and fruit sweetness. A roasted malt sensation appears if you can concentrate over the maltiness. Finally there finishes a mild hop profile that leaves the mouth clean with the ever subtle tannic nuttiness in the aftertaste. There may also bee some toffee'd character as well. The hops aren't really there to bring in too many additional flavors than to just encourage the already present malt taste.
Mouthfeel: Thicker body with a light carbonation that makes the beer seem almost syrupy. The bubbles hit a second or two after with a spike to the mid tongue and back of the throat. There beer is a little cloying and tacky to the lips.
Overall Impression: I did like this beer in the beginning, but gradually after the several I've had and some thought about it, I think the sweetness is overdone and may even wear on you. The complexity is well established but more so in the form of malt and fruit flavors. Pretty off balanced by way of lack of hop profile.
Perhaps for those with the sweeter tooth.


81/100

Commodore Perry IPA

Appreciation goes out to Nathan and Justin Smith for thinking of me when seeing this beer at a family gathering over thanksgiving and bringing it back for me to try. Tasted in the afternoon in a Guinness pint glass. Luckily they got me two bottles in case I butcher the first tasting from being sick.

Appearance: Ambered orange with an inhibited transparency from the dense micro-bubble carbonation that persistently blossoms up through the liquid. The head is robust, white and frothy maintained well over several minutes at a fingers worth, lacing the glass as it slowly dissipates. This beer has THE best sustained head I've seen. Even at the end of the glass there is still a froth (not just film) and it leaves in its path a layered lacing of each sip.

Aroma: Fruity with notes of apricots and peach with a alcoholic buzz at the end. Smell is crisp and citrusy. The aroma finishes with a subtle spiciness to it with a mix of pine hops and coriander.

Taste: Quite a flavor. With a amber pale malt backbone, the beer exhibits a wealthy crisp taste and fruity undertones. Orange peel and grapefruit juice notes with a tropical sweetness. The hop addition contributes a rich pine and resin flavor leaving a moderately bitter aftertaste, but the alcohol and hops add a manageable, but not overwhelming character to the beer that just wouldn't be the same without it. Gradually a sour flavor may be distinguished from this beer, but is perfectly complementary to the unique and well paired flavors.
Mouthfeel: Large body and medium mouthfeel with a constant and lower carbonation that I'd say fits the ale perfectly.
Overall Impression: What starts sweet and tropical quickly blasts a rush of grapefruit/pine bitterness and no sooner finishes dry and crisp. This is a completely unique IPA starting light and crisp and finishing dry and generally clean aside from the resinous bitterness left on the tongue. Well balanced between sugary sweetness and hopping. Get a six pack, it's worth it.




Tim: 90/100
Jen: 88/100

Eliot Ness

The first beer I tried at our family's favorite pizza place in Glenview, Dagastino's Pizza on Friday night. Their beer selection fluctuates, but constantly includes unique ales that I often have not tasted. Enjoyed this preceding a delicious thin crust pizza with goat cheese, mushroom, tomato and spinach.

Appearance: Pint poured. Bronzed/rubied amber with a stable 1/2 finger tan foamed head. No visible carbonation while clarity is maximal.

Aroma: This beer exhibits a sweet caramel malt smell with some complementing biscuit malt adjuncts. The smell finishes with a crisp smell reminiscent of a true German lager

Taste: Sweetness is extremely similar to Schwartz's Bavarian Red ale in Sydney of which many of us obsessed over. The rich caramel sweetness with the delicate biscuit malt lagered taste make for an ale that's sweetness is even more pronounced amongst a backbone of complex flavors. The finish is crispy with a note of spice within the finish. Similarly there are slight appearances of leafy bitterness which are then countered with toffee and light, dark fruit tones. Bitterness is not the central characteristic of this beer if at all. As the glass level diminishes I find more notes of nuttiness develop. Finally I can pinpoint the flavor of rye by the end, reinforcing the complexity of flavors.

Mouthfeel: Extremely smooth and refreshing. Body is light with a crisp clean finish of a normal American lager, but far from. Great carbonation ultimately completes this beer.

Overall Impression: Quite a lager. Extremely complex and balanced with nothing forgotten. Definitely the best of both worlds, a potential session and something one could down quite quickly. Simply fantastic.

93/100