Outlaw India Pale Ale (IPA)

Jen and I found this at the Green Grocer this weekend while visiting Chicago. It was a Sunday afternoon and we had been biking for much of the day to reach Haymarket Brewpub where we were given a great tour by Janna. To follow, we were in desperate need of food, so we stopped here to pick up an assortment of organic and local dips. It was here I noticed they sold six packs of the stuff! I waited till the evening to come back and pick it up because we still had to bike to Revolution Brewing co. later. Sweet label, and can! Tasted Wednesday afternoon prior to my 2nd shift at the brewery.
Can poured, snifter served.
6.3% ABV

Appearance: A rustic glowing amber with a subtle haze present throughout. The head is bubbly with a dense film coating the most outer surface of the head itself. Dissipation is relatively quick. Carbonation persists in a random, but constant manner within the glass. Lacing is dry.
Aroma: The scent protrudes caramel and brief toasted malts, along with a faint "plastic" smell. I think this can also be attributed to and/or confused with a grassy aroma combined with yeast phenol byproducts. Some fruit emerges towards the end, reminiscent of apricots and some sweet orange peel.
Taste: Beginning with a malt base primarily of biscuit and sweet caramel to which the rest will work off of. Midway through, an orange bitterness emerges, with a sweet tang, as if it were a tea. Some spicing follows along with a notably floral and sweet earthy bitterness. As the beer warms, this orange flavoring from the hops becomes all the more prominent. Pine is to follow, winding down the sweetness and providing a bitter crispness to clean out the palate. The finish is piney with a similar aftertaste in conjunction with the preliminary malt sweetness that was present in the start.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, but still relatively thick and rich. The sweetness is so prominent here, that it makes me think that the beer wasn't taken to absolute terminal gravity, leaving behind a stickiness on the lips. Carbonation makes for a soft, foamy feel and a finishing bite. Hops leave a crisp clean end, drying out the palate with a resiny feel.
Overall Impression: More of an English IPA but with the American pine twist to is. Big on the malt base, but the hops certainly help to balance it out. Fruity and smooth, carameled sweetness and a pine resin finish. Definitely something good to come out of a can! And I'm stoked that Two Brother's got a canning line addition! Steve, I want a tour!

Circus Penguin Brewer's Choice

Jen and I picked this up from the Rock Island Hy-vee Wednesday night after baking an organic pizza and acquiring a thirst for some more craft beer (as if we didn't have enough in the house). But in hindsight, Thad had told me earlier that week they were getting a new stock in and I was interested to find out. Luckily, this was a stand out bottle on the bomber shelves.
5.9 % ABV

Because this beer is so new, I had difficulty finding the label.
Therefore this one will do for now...

Appearance: The pour exhibited an extremely pale yellow colored liquid, with a slight haze. Within the glass, all features are amplified, presenting an extremely hazy pale beer. The head is present, but not noteworthy, as it consists of a soapy accumulation within the inner perimeter of the glass.
Aroma: I get the floral undertones of the hops, then to be balanced out by a more citrus sweetness from the blood oranges. Beets remain relatively non-existent. Faint malt bill, but pretty negligible. The orange comes out the most
Taste: Sweetened honey and pale two row at the forefront of the beer. What follows is a bit of a spicy zestiness from the hops, but in conjunction with the additions of the blood orange, and perhaps some earthy complexities of the beets. The finish is mildly zesty and accompanied with tropical fruit sensations of grapefruit and papaya.  Once the carbonated bite passes, I get more of the earthiness from the beets, and a paralleled contribution of citrus zest from the hops. Finish is dry and fruity.
Mouthfeel: Carbonation is high, but incorporated nicely to the extent that it enhances the flavor profile, exposing a second edition of flavors as it bites. The body is modestly fuller than expected, while the mouthfeel is both smooth and crisp. Some stickiness remains on the lips.
Overall Impression: I was expecting this beer to be a bit more brightly colored in terms of the fruits and tubers it was brewed with than the pale color it displayed. Overall I think this could certainly be a beer Two Brothers should add to its line-up in the Spring/Summer seasonal campaign, and not just the bomber editions. This is a beer that can attract a wealth of newcomers. I see myself drinking this again...

Hoppy Porter

Thanks to Justin Smith for bringing me back a growler of this from their visit to the brewery over Augustana's winter break. I tasted it Wednesday night after grilling up a large organic Mexican dinner. It was complete with local deer meat cooked in onions and olive oil, lettuce, tomato, refried beans, salsa, and rice. We made so much I ended up making 8 other burritos and freezing them for later (unfortunately I have no Microwave).

Appearance: Foamy and thick mocha colored head. Reminiscent of childhood root beer floats; when ice cream and root beer meet. Very slow to dissipate, keeps a robust layer of foam and leaves a thick wall of lacing in its wake. Very dark chocolate hue and opaque when held up to the light.
Aroma: Nuts and chocolate are the most prominent characters in the overall scent. Some floral complexities with a brief smokiness are present. At the end, I find myself experiencing subtle notes of Belgian yeast elements and phenols. Brief citrus hop permeates from the depths of the beer at the very end.
Taste: Interestingly, the front of this beer has a peated, smoked malt profile to it, along with a chocolaty backbone. Similarly, with it comes toasted malt and a mild roastiness. The hop citrus, which rounds out the very end of the beer (but emerges in the middle), helps balance the acidity of the coffee/roasted flavors that grow in from the later half. The hops exhibit a sweet pine citrus, but pair very well with the other dark malt flavors. Smokey, burnt, drawn out flavored finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a light carbonation, to leave a soft bubbly texture on the tongue. The finish is extremely dry from the roasted grains and rich hops.
Overall Impression: An interesting combination if anything. Roasted malt and pine/citrus forward hops? Wouldn't think, but it definitely makes a good overall flavor. There is a bite at the end after the carbonation that really makes the beer almost refreshing. I found out the name of this beer post review.


86/100

Atom Smasher

Found this beer while I was strolling the streets of Lincoln Park. Earlier that afternoon Jeff had taken us to Three Floyd's,but the rest of the day was spent walking and exploring the area. Purchased from World Market, as I was stoked to find that Two Brothers had produced and bottled a new beer!

Appearance: Glowing orange amber with almost no head in existent. White speckled lacing when the head was present, but otherwise it is quite minimal. Definitely a chill haze was gained after putting it in the
Aroma: A bit of a stale hop pungence which is equally complemented with a highly apparent yeast scent. There is also distinguishable apricot/peach fruit note. I even get a note wet dog/oxidation. a bit deterring and unimpressive.
Taste: Sharp taste of ginger and cinnamon with a sweetened honey foretaste. The midtaste introduces somewhat of the viney flavor of wine, but with the graininess of beer. Malt becomes more present as the beer warms, a bit biscuity. Definitely a bit of tartness that may have been drawn out from the oak, however it is very well complemented with the toasted character of the Munich malt. Finish I think is just a bit overly spiced while still maintaining the flavor of mild citric sourness, cinnamon/ginger and earthy undertones. Hops leave a drying earthiness/leafiness at the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a faint micro-bubbled carbonation. Some stickly/waxiness on the lips, but doesn't hold any sort of cloying texture. Finish is very drying, and without leaving any residua aftertastes.
Overall Impression: I was certainly expecting something a lot cleaner and more balanced. It was interesting having the notes of oak in the beer, but it was a bit overwhelmingly spiced and even soured. I think the more they use the Foudres, the more souring bacteria and strange microbes get into the pores of the wood.


73/100

Reprieve SchwarzBier Lager

Thanks to Jen for bringing this beer back from Plainfield's Binny's on her visit to Rock Island this week. Got around to reviewing it on a quite Saturday night (her last night here) after a day at Great River for the tapping of the Wit. Enjoyed over Mad Farmers Ancient world bread and hummus

Appearance: Quite dark and surprising at that. The beer is a rustic brown with an initial beige foam head, that soon dies down into a spotted bubble accumulation. Definitely filtered because upon the pour it was transparent.
Aroma: Fruit and smoked peat. Really earthy that almost singes the end of the nose. A basic caramel malt sweetness, maybe brown sugar. Perfumy. A bit of a burnt/roasted finish.
Taste: Foretaste reminds me of molasses, but not in a thick way. The flavor revolves around an absurd almost overwhelming smokiness and peated earthiness, especially initially. But the palate gradually adjusts, and it becomes more and more palatable. Wood and oakiness, as well as an undertoned peppercorn bitterness and spice. This may even be permeated into a mild fruitiness if one cares to really think about it. I try to think of this as a pilsner, and it's difficult over all that peated/smoked malt. Some roasted and burnt malt comes through in conjunction with the smokiness. The finish is herbal and burnt leaving a very dry and plainly bittering aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: High carbonation that bites the top of the tongue, yet it further maintains the light drinkable body. Finish is extremely dry and crisp. However, it does have a velvety feel to it.
Overall Impression: Ironically, the bitterness or IBU's from the hops are quite low, yet the burnt/roasted/peat malt adds an additional bitterness that may not be accounted for. Props for the low alcohol! A huge smokiness, so be weary. I do enjoy the rarity and uniqueness of this beer for itself, though probably wouldn't seek it out (but certainly would taste again). Definitely something to be served ice cold.


83/100

Domaine Dupage French Style Country Ale

Thanks to Elise Meyer for bringing a bunch of two brothers to the dinner party last night. I had thought I had reviewed this one, as I'm more than well acquainted with the Two Brother's beer. But I guess not. Tasted Monday afternoon prior to a Bryan Kest yoga session.

Appearance: Dark bronzed amber with a sudsy off white head that maintains a soft surface, but is held up by very large bubbles. Dissipation s quick but still leaves a dense covering. Primarily cloudy but with an underlying deep glow. Carbonation is still visible against the side of the glass.

Aroma: Very mellow sweet caramel and candied sugar. Some yeast breadiness hints the nose. A bit of corn is present as well. The emphasis here is on the malt and what the yeast strain produced from fermentation. Biscuit present as well. Nevertheless, the aroma is very minimal and difficult to put a description to.
Taste: Caramel and toasted malt encapsulate the malt backbone. Much of it doesn't fully blossom until the second half of the taste where the alcohol comes in and aids in the encouragement of more complex flavors. Belgian candy sugar must have helped with the attenuation. Hops are noble and drying, yet mellow and de-emphasized. Rich fruit esters and flavors permeate through in the form of plums and raisins, and even figs. Some yeast funk is present as well as tannins and woody flavors which preside in the aftertaste, and is prolonged into the back of the throat. Alcohol warms the chest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a stickiness to the lips. Carbonation is perfectly integrated to lightly fizz the tongue at just the right moment as the alcohol and hops emerge releasing a burst of new flavors. Still, quite drying.
Overall Impression: I certainly see this pairing well with many cheeses, particularly Roquefort and other bleu cheeses. Malt profile is a central theme, though it isn't necessarily a completely dominitive one. Nevertheless it is well balanced and delicate tasting.


85/100

North Wind Imperial Stout

Spent the morning at the farmers market and filling Firkins of Roller Dam Red with Simcoe and Cascade. The rest of the day was spent napping. Tasted in the evening following a 12 mile run into Bettendorf. I had thought I had reviewed this beer 9 months ago when I bought 2 six packs. But somehow I forgot. I'd place this as one of the best stouts I've had. Let me know what you think.

Appearance: This beer maintains a dense foamed head initially, brown in color. Dissipates quickly into an inconsistent film with soapy bubbles accumulating on the side. Color is coal black with no transparency. Wet lacing clings to the sides of the snifter.
Aroma: Robust chocolate and roasted nuttiness predominates over all other characteristics. Sweet malted caramel is present, but chocolate malt and some licorice are present. No alcohol shows up either. I can tell this is a very sweet beer, right from the aroma. Modest coffee in that it remains mellow and not acidic.
Taste: The most apparent element of this beer is its sweetness. Dominantly chocolate with a sweet backbone makes it characterized more in a milk chocolate flavor. The other residual flavors only further the depth and complexity of this beer. Roasted barley presents itself more on a sweeter side of the coffee bean. There is a nutty/caramel undertone, along with a chalky, dough-ball flavor (trust me, I like eating them before jumping in the mash tun) that encouraes the malt base. The finish is clean with hardly any alcohol to hinder or overtake the flavor. I don't detect much fruitiness to this which means a pure yeast was used and it was attenuated and temperature controlled perfectly! One could say that this beer has a "cocoa powder" profile to it...perhaps.

Mouthfeel: Big bodied, but smooth and soft. There is a chalky density to this beer making it slightly filling, but delectably inviting. Carbonation takes a background appearance, only loosening up a bit of it, all the while encouraging a creamy texture. Finish is dry, but not resinous.

Overall Impression: One of the most impressive imperial stouts I've come across. The flavor profile revolves around a chocolate malt backbone, and all other blossom from that. Alcohol could creep up on you because it takes on a un-noticeable part in the finish. Hops are relatively non-existent too. Ultimately, I see this as a beer to recon with against all other categories.

Binny's: $8.99 /six pack
Two Brother's Brewery $9.99 /six pack

Similar stouts:
Big Bear Black Stout

94/100

Resistance India Pale Ale

Thanks to Aunt Doreen for picking up a six pack for our Easter lunch at her place. I was very grateful to have some beer other than my own. I drank a few and brought one home so I could write up this post. Having been to the brewery just a day earlier I found it both ironic, but strange I had never logged this one before. This was tasted immediately following a 15 mile run through the harms forest preserve in under 90 minutes!

Appearance: A very clear and brilliantly golden. Carbonation bubbles slowly arise from obscure etchings in the German handle mug. Dense white foam head that dissipates rather quickly, but leaves a foamed ring on the glass. Sticky lacing coats the sides where the head once was.

Aroma: A little boozy and grassy with some oak tannins and toasted malt sweetness. Honey resides as another foundation to this beer. Some sanitizer/soapiness to the nose isn't very flattering. However this could be confused with the grassiness and mild pine resins from the hops.
Taste: The foretaste is smooth with a blend of honey and biscuit malt. It then transitions into a highly floral and peppery. Touches of clove, lemon and citrus coat the tongue. Overall the combination of complex flavors is characteristically earthy and herbal. Permeation of all these elements creates an amazingly delicate finish with woody tannins/lignin that are reminiscent of bark, but finally with a grassy spike and a boost of alcohol the flavor leaves the palate dry and leafy with the taste of greens and a dash of pine. Basically a forest in a bottle.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied, but packing a punch of flavor. Carbonation is optimally integrated to encourage a refreshing, bubbly crisp feeling to complement the hops and alcohol. Finish is dry, and coats the mouth with a floral resin
Overall Impression: I enjoy this beer because it adds a little extra to the already popular IPA. it maintains a malt base, but packs in some honey and wood to compliment and maintain a backbone against the robust hop profile. The soapiness in the nose was deterring, but went undetected in the flavor, making me think it was just the combination of alpha acids.


86/100

Monarch White Beer (2011)

Thanks to Jaron Gaier and Maggie Hayes for dropping this beer off the other day. Tried Sunday afternoon while enjoying a old world ciabatta bread that the Mad Farmers taught me how to make.

Appearance: Golden in color with a subtle haze about the beer. A white frothy head braces the top with intermittent soapy bubbles. Carbonation looks high. Clarity is inhibited by a protein haze, a product of the unmalted wheat.
Aroma: Sweet and citrusy with some biscuit malt at the beginning. The spicing is highly apparent in the form of a finishing orange peel and coriander scent. A generous character of yeastiness permeates under the spicing, along with mild breadiness.
Taste: Foretaste is sweet and bready, but the back half of the beer is strangely flavored. I'd characterize it as coriander, but a sage and bay leaf finish. Combined with this is a stale grassy hop flavor that only encourages the beers uncommon flavor. Finally I taste brief notes of pepper-corns combined with a floury flavor from the oats and an nondescript orange peel bitterness. Extremely herbal.
Mouthfeel: Very light body with a frothy texture and a soft carbonation. The carbonation itself immediately fizzes the tongue, but mellows soon after. Some tackiness.
Overall Impression: As the beer warms, more bready/flour flavors emerge and the spicing only gets stronger and more bitter. Finally I sense oregano/thyme as well in this one. Eh. I think they over did the spicing and definitely went over the edge for a white beer. I congratulate the creativity but frown on the balance. I thought the 2010 version was a LOT better. Too herbal for my liking.


Tim: 68/100
Jen: 75/100

Long Haul Session Ale

Tasted following work. I was looking for something of lower alcohol content, especially after yesterdays activities touring Chicago's breweries. Served warm in a goblet.

Appearance: Loose pour exhibiting a deep reddish hued amber. Head is very bubbly and is very quick to dissipate. Somewhat clear but maintaining a darkened haze. Visibly uniformed carbonation.

Aroma: Malty and sweet with a bit of a tart aroma. I definitely pick up on the wooded smells along with caramel and biscuit. I'd like to say it smells boozy but, that's impossible.

Taste: Rich malt overtones of caramel and toffee at the foretaste that sweep the palate. Mild overall but still exhibits a Flanders like sourness upon the finish. There isn't much bitterness to this beer, but what is there resembled grain and wood tannins. Some candied sugar and maybe vanilla may make some appearances to the palate. Sweet and fruity with apple cider-like characteristics. By the finish that subtle sourness begins to resemble orange peels.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a smooth carbonation that does little for the beer except help and maintain texture. No tackiness.
Overall Impression: A rather good beer that remains drinkable yet just suited for sipping. Choked with flavor, and an interesting, yet appealing one at that. I tried this at the brewery and it didn't stand out at me, but by itself, it has an enjoyable profile.


82/100

Heavy-Handed IPA

Picked up a six pack of this earlier this fall because it was new to the shelves. I was amazed! I've also had it at the brewery in several forms: Galena Hopped Heavy handed as well as Heavier Handed. Thanks to Joshua Schipp for getting a sixpack in Mid october of 2011 for a second try. Everything was pretty much the same hopped-up goodness!

Appearance: A rich dark bronzed red color with a copper hue. There is an off-white or head foamed head. Clarity (1-10) = around an 8. Lacing layers the glass with complete lacing as the head dissipates following the pour
Aroma: Strong biscuit malt aroma with caramel undertones. Smells deliciously pungent of wildflowers and green plant tannins.
Taste: First right away penetrates the back of the throat with a spicy pine-needle punch that soon mellows into a fruity zest bitterness. The beers backbone is immediately sweet with a dark fruit and toasted caramel taste with unique fig and raisin notes. Following is a subtle vanilla undertone. Amylase is an interesting component to this beer, creating a mix between flour and yeast, yet this is ever so slight. Mild tones of chocolate both represent themselves at the beginning and finish by mid-glass.
Mouthfeel: Creamy and full bodied mouthfeel that remains consistent on the way down as it coats the tongue and cheek.
Overall Impression: A beast of its own. Sweet malt flavors cannot stand up to the bitterness, but nevertheless do create a necessary foundation that ultimately makes the beer. A slow drinker that is both refreshing and drinkable. I had difficulty letting his one last more than 5 minutes.


93/100

Brewery Review: Two Brothers - Warrenville, IL

In celebration of the end of the term, Jen and I made sure to make a visit to Two Brothers Brewery following a run and dinner at her parents house. I've been here several times so this review may be a conglomeration of a variety of different beers available at one point or another throughout the year. [I had to re-write this post a 2nd time because apparently Ipads don't automatically save posts as you go]

Prairie Path Ale - Ironically this is the first time I've been able to try this. Straw gold with foamed film head. Very carameled with biscuit undertones. Great balance with the grassy herbal hops. Slightly dryer than the Bitter End.

86/100

Ebel Weiss - A turbid yellow straw color. Yeasty at the nose with notes of citrus and bread. Creamy mouthfeel but the flavor is far more aggressive by most weiss beers.

70/100
Golden Ale - Warmer feel to this one, but with a different yeast taste than the other ales they serve. Slightly metallic with a plain, characteristically indistinct bitterness.
80/100
The Bitter End - One of their best ales. The pinnacle of amber. Floral and Fruity bitterness at the nose. The balance within this beer for a pale ale is outstanding. Malt character holds a perfect foundation for the complexity of the alpha acids.
89/100
Domaine Dupage - Rubied amber with a stronger head. A mellow candied toffee aroma to start. Taste is phenolic and carameled with dark fruit. Hints of bourbon.
77/100
Cane & Ebel - Dark brown with a red hue. A sweet aroma of apples/champagne to complement a subtle vanilla touch from the hops. Bitterness is quite tamed by the malt profile.
85/100
Oak Aged Domaine - Strong caramel notes meld into a rich malted character. To complement there is a vanilla and nutty backbone underlying the sweetness.
83/100

Hop Juice Double IPA - Robustly hopped with aromatically complex tones of citrus and orange zest with herbal and grassy alpha acids. Malt reveals a brown sugar taste.

87/100

Resistance IPA - Light amber color. A strong off white head. There are oak notes with a complementary vanilla bean and roasted nuttiness. Zesty hops are there as a follow-up.

84/100

Long Haul Session - Smooth, but overly carbonated. Biscuit malts and pale are tasted. yet there was something slightly unfavorable about this one.

70/100

Two Brothers is located in a small industrial warehouse district off Butterfield Road in Warrenville, IL. The location is difficult to find without the assistance of GPS searches like mapquest. Nevertheless it resides within a gray warehouse structure, revealing inside a homebrew store (The Brewers-Coop) and an authentically simple restaurant. Their food is outstanding consisting of growing attempts to serve organic and local meals to the growing demands of the public. Their staff is for the most part quite knowledgeable. One of my visits, Adam Slaker and I went with my parents and the waitress, seeing my beer journal brought us a tasting sample of all ten beers they had on tap! Alternatively, the most recent attendance only got us 5 of their most basic (Prairie,Weiss, Bitter, Domain and Cane) of which I was unimpressed. That same visit we did get a pint of their Galena Hopped Heavy Handed IPA which I thought was a great beer to start with,(I had purchased a 6 pack at the Hy-Vee in Rock Island in early October). Similarly they have a great selection of rare and unique brews from across the country like Stone, Lagunitas and Bear Republic. I enjoy this brewery because their beer is consistent in quality and flavor. The atmosphere is simple, yet inviting and comfortable. I like the fact that Two Brothers, like Goose Island (though unfortunately infiltrated by Anhauser-Busch now), are helping to re-define the microbrewery industry. Specifically more towards local, organic and sustainable practices. I do however with that they would attempt darker beers more often and (though I haven't the experience with their other seasonal) attempt some further-out ales and to experiment with vegetables or herbs? In all this brewery offers a great experience and method of ideology around their beer. Always worthy of trying.

Check them out:

http://www.twobrosbrew.com/

Brewery Experience: 46/50

Weiss Ebel's Beer

This was one of the beers that come in the Costco 24 assorted pack from $24. I try to get this whenever I'm home and headed back to school. This one is unfortunately the least looked-forward to beer in the batch

Appearance: Golden yellow have with a bubbly head with strong retention

Aroma: Very yeasty with the usual banana and clove overtones, yet I find predominantly a bold orange zest mixed in. Subtle spicing as well. Very phenolic.

Taste: The spiciness transfers on over through to the bitterness of which resemble a tannin/resinous character possible from the wheat hulls. Reminiscent of sourdough bread but countered in sweetness of citrus zest and fruit phenol presence. Low hop profile.

Mouthfeel: light and smooth but a ironic prickle from the carbonation. Refreshing, but not like a lager.

Overall Impression: I find this to be a far from ordinary wheat beer, perhaps from the unusual spicy character, my guess is its a mutant yeast or the there were quite a few adjuncts added during the brewing process? This beer graduates with a vanilla finishing flavor. Though I highly respect Two Brothers and get their beer whenever possible, this is not the most desirable of beers, or even Hefeweisens for that matter.

67/100

Dog Days Dortmunder Lager

Tried this during my transition phase during which our lease didn't start until June 1st but we had to be out of the campus house by May 23rd. Therefore I was 1/2 living in a house whose electricity was shut off on the 25th and lease ended the 27th and staying with Jen in Parkander. Yup this was the beer.

Appearance: Pint Poured. Light gold color and crispy clear, bubbly frothy head. Visible carbonation in the glass
Aroma: Slightly yeasty and hot but still same subtle floral notes. Slight burnt/smoke aroma. Some straw/hay character to it as well.
Taste: Crispy to the taste which still maintains a malt sweetness to complement. There are still several notes of citrus, perhaps lemon peel that permeate in the aftertaste. This lager has hints of honey and light toasted caramel notes. I'd say I also taste a bit of extra sugar adjunct, but more so a refined sugar.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium body and mouthfeel.
Overall Impression: This lager is very complex in flavor and aroma, therefore, it amounts to one of the best lagers I've had so far, accompanied by Mr. Hoss Rye Lager by Great Divide. Definitely a quencher.


86/100

Red Eye Coffee Porter

Tried a while back during one of our cooking nights for all organic/local pizza.

Appearance: Dark and syrupy pour into a wine glass. Thick black with maybe, just maybe a brown hue. Minimal head

Aroma: Extremely potent, but subtle bouquet of coffee, chocolate and hopped finish

Taste: Robust and rich with a brief initial taste of bitterness. It then immediately transitions into a full fledged 85% dark chocolate bar. Subtle roasted/burnt flavors, but overly maltose-like sugarinesss which perhaps distorts an otherwise great porter. notes of vanilla bean

Mouthfeel: Thick and tacky. medium carbonation.

Overall Impression: I think with a couple years of aging, this could be a fantastic porter, though I find it interesting how the richness of the flavors mask the 9.2 ABV. Coffee was overwhelming especially in the bitterness.

78/100