Blackout Stout

Blackout Stout, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH
(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)

In a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about how the world is a song. So if I had to pick a song for this beer, it just might be "Blackout" from the Scorpions..."Blackout, I really had a blackout." Fitting I think, especially after reading where the name came from.  Keeping with my dark beer trend this Winter, this imperial stout pours midnight black. Aroma has rich coffee with chocolate notes. Aroma carries into the taste...roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and a nice bittersweet finish.

Mocha Porter

Mocha Porter, Rogue Ales, Newport, OR
(Porter, Rated 95)

Here's another brewery that puts out some really good, quality beer. Rogue, the makers of Dead Guy Ale (one of my favorites), haven't disappointed. This porter pours a very dark brown with a light tan head. Aroma of coffee and chocolate, like a stout. Taste opens smooth with roasted malts, chocolate, with a slightly hop finish. Nicely balanced yet big at 8.2% abv.

Hopslam Ale

Hopslam Ale, Bells Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 100)

This is my absolute favorite beer from Bells Brewery. I love IPAs and this is a fantastic example of an imperial/double IPA. Brewed with six different hops. Pours a nice golden yellow with a white foamy head. Aroma is a great blend of grapefruit, citrus, and floral notes. A little earthy aroma in there as well. Taste is citrus hops, sweet and not overpowering. Extremely well balanced. Cannot tell that this beer is an imperial IPA at 10% abv.  Amazing!

Lakefront 25th Anniversary Series

Lakefront 25th Anniversary Series

To commemorate and celebrate their 25th year, Lakefront Brewery from right here in Milwaukee, WI, will release 4 special beers. The first beer was released on the brewery's actual birthday, December 2nd.

25th Anniversary Series #1: Imperial Stout, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
(Imperial Stout, Rated 97)

What a way to start this 4-beer series. This imperial stout pours pitch black. Aroma hits you with cocoa and cherries. Full creamy body with a robust flavor that starts with the cocoa, followed by the cherries, and finishing with a touch of vanilla and finally a bit of roasted coffee. So very smooth.  A really excellent stout!

25th Anniversary Series #2: Belgian-Style Apricot Ale, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
(Fruit Beer)

The second of the 25th Anniversary beers pours a nice golden, orange. Has a nice fruity, apricot, wheat aroma. Taste has an apricot sweetness mixed with a mild hop spice and a slight tart finish. The Belgian qualities are evident. Very smooth, refreshing, and delicious! This one could be a definite Summer drinker!

25th Anniversary Series #3: Imperial Pumpkin, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable)

When I heard that the third beer in Lakefront's 25th Anniversary series was going to be an Imperial Pumpkin, I was excited. Lakefront's Pumpkin Ale is one of their most popular seasonals and one of the better pumpkin beers that I've had. So what did they do? They took their pumpkin ale, added additional spices and vanilla, then aged it in brandy barrels. This beer pours a dark orange. The aroma is spicy, caramel sweet, with a subtle notion of the brandy. The taste is spicy, sweet pumpkin pie with cinnamon and nutmeg that is followed by vanilla sweetness and finishes with a nice brandy warming. This is my first pumpkin beer this season and already going to be tough to beat. Amazing!

Thumbprint Series Winter Warmer

Thumbprint Series Winter Warmer, New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, WI 

This scotch ale from New Glarus' Thumbprint Series pours an amber-orange color with no head. Sweet aroma of caramel, toffee, and some malts. Flavorful taste with toasted malts, toffee, little bit of belgian yeast, and some tangy floral hops at the finish. Not my favorite from this series, but definitely a Winter Warmer.

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Lexington Brewing Company, Lexington, KY 

Pours a clear copper color. Not much to the aroma. A vanilla aroma with very slight hints of bourbon. Taste is sweet and fairly bland for a bourbon barrel beer. Where's the bourbon?

Fascist Pig Ale

Fascist Pig Ale, Finch's Beer Company, Chicago, IL 

Though classified as an American Strong Ale, this one has red ale characteristics. Pours a reddish, brown color with little head. Strong malty aroma that is both sweet and hoppy. Taste is sweet up front with strong malts at the end. Some citrus hops in there as well rye.