Short’s Brew Cup A Joe: Review

Short’s Brew Cup A Joe – Coffee Crème Stout

Stout brewed with coffee and milk sugar

8 % abv

30 IBU

12 oz bottle
shortsbrewing.com

My Strength Rating: 8.5

Short’s Brewing Company

Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA

Appearance: Black as night body with a fine bubbly, dark tan, ½ finger head.  Very little carbonation here it looks like.  That little foamy head sure leaves plenty of lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: What else coffee and a big roasted malty sweetness

Flavors: Creamy semi-sweet chocolate coffee taste.  If you drink weak coffee in the morning don’t even think about drinking this.  This is no girly-man coffee.  Rich and deep roasted grains and malts mix with some dark chocolate and coffee bitterness.  To me this is very pleasing to drink. 

Mouthfeel: yes, very low carbonation.  The texture is smooth and somewhat creamy.

This stout is going to be used in my March Matching Cigar Review in the month of March.  See CigarPostings for the competition. 

A Beer Review: The Lost Fugawi Ale

Belgian Style Quad Ale

12.8% abv

Growler

Black Forest Brew Haus

Sullivan’s Black Forest Restaurant

Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA

My Strength Rating: 6.5 one word ‘alcohol.’

This ale pours a burnt amber color with golden highlight.  Not much in the head department but, that is another story; oops I am talking beer here.  No lading at all.

Dark dry fruit and candy coated malts on the nose.

That candy coated malt quality just smacks the palate and screams Belgian sweetness all the way home.  The alcohol spice and high content is very noticeable with each sip.  And, a sipper it is.  The raisin like note and the touch of caramel seem to take a back seat to the alcohol and candied sugar. 

This is worth trying, by the glass at the brew pub, to see if you like it. 

Liberty Street Resinator Doppelbock: Review

6.5% abv

Growler

Liberty Street Brewing

Plymouth, Michigan, USA

Libertystreetbeer.com

Here is their description from the web site:

“This beer is a collaboration with Sherwood Brewing. They make my favorite hemp ale, and this collaboration uses toasted hemp seeds to add a nutty character that is slightly present in the finish.”

The nose has a nice toasted malt aroma.  The body color is brown with some amber highlights.  The head is tan and dissipates fairly quickly.  Not much (some) on the lacing of the glass. 

Since, this is called a Doppelbock, I am ready for some big malty sweetness with some chocolate.  Being brown in color and not blackish let’s skip the chocolate.  Well, it does not have a big sweet malty presence.  Yes, the malts are sweet but, not overwhelming.  I like this version with the hemp seed to give it a nutty character.  Which makes me think this drinks more like a Nut Brown rather than a Doppelbock.  The carbonation is mild-medium, which I like. 

Overall, this is a very nice beer to drink.

A Biere Review: Les Trois Mousquetaires

Dopplebock Grand Cuvee Printemps 2009

9.5% abv

Les Trois Mousquetaires Microbrasseurs

Quebec, Canada

Lestroismousquetaires.ca

My Strength Rating: 7

This lager has a rich malty profile.  Sweet caramel and molasses are the main players with dark dried fruits – like raisins and figs with a touch of milk chocolate make for good role players.  The texture is almost creamy with a bit of bitterness on the edges. 

This was okay to me.  A bit too sweet and lacking that wow factor.

Tasting Experience: Objective vs Subject

Writing a review can have both.

When tasting a beer or wine we all have our opinions. When I sit down to review a product I do have my opinion but, when it is review time I try to set my opinion to the side and try to get my mind-set for the type of beer or wine that I am ready to review. There is objectivity to reviewing and when I review I have to concentrate on the type of product that I am preparing to taste. So, in my reviews I try to give some objective notes so you can make up your mind and I also give my opinion. My opinion only works for you if your perception (or palate) is similar to mine.

Let’s critique pizza for an example. Here is the subjective critique: “This is one great pizza.” “I hate greasy pizza.” “I only like thin crust.” Having an opinion is fine but, does not help us to critique the pizza.

When tasting beer or wine it helps to know some objective material to the beverage you are going to drink. Let’s go back to the pizza. We order a medium size, thin crust, double cheese, and pepperoni pizza. Looking at the pizza we observe: very thin crust with the toppings going all the way to the edge of the pizza. There are no baking bubbles that disfigure the look of the pizza. The pepperonis are curled and the edges are slightly burnt. There are about three pepperonis per slice of pizza. The cheese looks well baked. Coming from the cheese and pepperonis there is plenty of grease floating on top of the za. The information here is primarily objective material.

I can mix the objective material with my subjective opinion. The pepperonis are curled and the edges are slightly burnt – Oh, how I dislike burnt pepperoni. If you like slightly burnt peps you know the objective material to know this pizza is for you regardless of my opinion that I dislike them.

Let’s look at statements that are made in reviews.

“This is a bad Cabernet Sauvignon.” This is pretty much opinion. I would argue it depends who said it. If it is my friend who drinks nothing but Merlot, well it is only an opinion statement and not a good opinion at that – for he has no experience with wine beyond a Merlot wine. What would he know about a good or bad Cabernet Sauvignon?

“This is a weak example of a Cabernet Sauvignon.” While, the statement, by itself comes across as subjective we need to read the full review. “This Cab has a light body, some thyme, clove, pie spice, violet, and blackberry.” Now, we have something to work from to form our own opinion. This wine sounds like we may be drinking Mourvedre and not a Cab. Sauv.

So, know some objective material about your beverage. What type of beer or wine are you ready to drink. What are some of the basic characteristics of this type?

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Basic Characteristics: Dark berries (currants, blackberries), eucalyptus, chocolate, good earthy notes, tobacco, … . Medium-full to full mouthfeel. Good acidic and tannins, astringent notes.

So, prepare yourself for your tasting experience. Learn to read some tasting notes and match your experience to those notes. Also, learn to broaden your horizons. Just drinking one type of beverage limits your view. You also don’t know much about Merlot until you learn and taste other wines. You may also find another wine that you truly like, maybe a Gamay Noir or Shiraz.

Enjoy the Experience

Jolly Pumpkin La Roja Artisan Amber Ale: Review

The Ale

Jolly Pumpkin La Roja Artisan Amber Ale

Ale aged in oak barrels.  Barrel aged and bottle conditioned

7.2% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$11.00 a bottle

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Dexter, Michigan, USA

Jollypumpkin.com

This ale pours a murky amber color with a beige colored head.  The aroma has a bit of a sour note with a touch of caramel and spice.  The spice seems to have a ginger like quality.  The sour note is coming from the oak barrel aging process.  I bought this one because of the oak aging.  I have learned over the last year that I really like this type of ale. 

The sour green apple and oak taste is right up front and center.  The caramel and spice mix well with the other flavors for a tasty ale.  I am looking forward to sitting back and drinking this bottle tonight. 

La Granja Espresso Stout: Review

The Stout
Stout Brewed with Coffee
7.5% abv
1pt 4.3oz bottle
$15.00 a bottle
Sale price $10.00
My Strength Rating: 6
Bottled by: Norrebro Bryghus
Copenhagen, Denmark

Near black body with a fine tan head on top of this stout. Coffee for sure with a touch of dark chocolate on the nose. The flavors follow the nose with a bit of roasted grains and a touch of malty sweetness to give some good balance. Overall, simple and tasty. This is a good after dinner stout to be paired with a nice slice of cheese cake or other dessert.

Preparing the Palate: Bananas

Beer and wine drinkers need to be in tuned with their taste buds. 



The Red Bananas are next to the pineapples
The Baby Banana are in the upper left
The Yellow Bananas have the one large Plantain on top of them

 For beer drinkers you have Abbey Double and Triple Ales, IPAs, Pale Ales, Stouts, Dopplebocks and a variety of other styles that offer a variety of flavors.  Flavors can range from: coffee, chocolate, pineapple, citrus flavors, apples, bananas, woody notes, nuts, an assortment of spices, and more. 


For red wine drinkers you can have flavors of dark berries (many to choose from), fruits, red berries, coffee, variety of chocolate notes, pepper and other spices, and a lot more.


For white wine drinkers the flavors are of course lighter in nature compared to red wines.  With flavors of pear, apples, peach, lemon, lime, honey, rose petal, other floral, melon, pineapple, a variety of spices and much more.

To help identify and distinguish the different flavors and the level or degrees of flavor it is important to sample these flavors at different times.  Take some time to sniff out the spice cabinet.  Smell the different types of pepper (see white, green, pink, and black pepper postings).  Smell the nutmeg, cinnamon, and then some of the herbs in the cabinet. 

Plan a tasting day and focus on different types of fruit.  And, that is what ‘Preparing the Palate’ postings are going to focus on. 

Today’s focus Bananas

There are around 500 different types of bananas to choose from but, most people have only had the common yellow banana.  For this tasting I have selected the Baby Banana, Red Banana, Plantain, and the common Cavendish. 

Baby Banana:  They are also called lady finger and finger bananas.  Because of the size and sweetness they would be perfect for the kids to eat.  I also use them for the dark chocolate fountain but, people are intimidated by them or they think they are just decoration.  They can be a pain to peal though. 

They say this is one of the sweetest of the banana family.  This banana does have a sweet banana taste and aroma.   I think it has a nice little nut taste when they are plenty ripe to eat.

Red Banana: I have read where the red banana is supposed to have a raspberry –banana flavor.  I am still looking forward tasting one with that flavor profile.  To me this banana has a wonderful sweet and creamy taste that is much better than the common yellow banana.  Of course this red banana has a banana taste and it too is better than the yellow banana.  Not only does this banana have a creamy taste but, the texture is creamy as well.  The aftertaste on the red banana seems to linger longer than the common banana. 

Plantains: This banana is not actually good for just eating.  They are very firm and personally not all the tasty when eaten plain.  This banana is for cooking.  Boiled, fried, steamed or cooked.  The aroma is very mild and not sweet at all.  The taste (eaten plain) yuk!  They are right, it needs to be cooked.

Cavendish (common yellow) Banana: This is the one everybody buys at the grocery store.  This banana has a mild-medium banana taste.  It is not all that sweet tasting and the texture is rather dry.  Comparing this banana to the other two I ask myself ‘why would I even buy this banana?’ 

 Head on out to the store and pick up some bananas and do your own tasting.  This is fun to do with the family or at your next wine party or beer sampling party. 

Personally, the red banana is it!  I’ll use for my cereal, banana splits or for just plain eating.  The taste is that much better than the common yellow.  I also, think I start using the red and baby banana as descriptors in my reviews. 

To the Point:

Red Bananas: Creamy-sweet banana taste and creamy texture.  A solid medium banana taste.

Baby Bananas: Sweet banana nut taste.

Cavendish: A mild or mild-medium dry, slightly sweet, banana taste.

Plantains: Save them for cooking.

Samuel Adams Double Bock: Review

Imperial Series

9.5% abv

$12.00 a four pack

The Boston Beer Company

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

A nice amber color to the body with a fine beige head on this double bock.

Toffee, brown sugar, and caramel sweetness greet the palate in an overwhelming fashion.  This is too much sweetness for me. 

This beer got a B+ out of 970 reviews on beeradvocate.com. 

If you like sweet beer then, this is for you. 

Atwater VooDooVator: Review

9.5% abv

12 oz bottle

$11.00 a four pack

30 IBU

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

A solid black body with plenty of foam. 

Solid hop bitterness, nice caramel taste, a touch of plain milk chocolate, roasted malts, and a medium peppery spice.

Arcadia Ales Cocoa Loco: Review

Stout brewed with Chocolate, Molasses, and Lactose

The Brew Crew Big Beer Series

Vintage: 2006

7%abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$7.50 a bottle

Arcadia Brewing Company

Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

Drinking this 2006 vintage bottle is going to be interesting.  Did I waste my $7 bucks or is it going to be really good or somewhere between?  Let’s find out!

The color of the body is black with a good looking roasted brown colored foamy head.  There is plenty of lacing on the glass.

The aroma is interesting.  Toasted grains, chocolate, and I am picking up that lactose smell (just a hint). 

First thing I notice is that lactose taste with a burnt molasses, burnt sugar, roasted coffee, toasted grains, and of course … chocolate.  A dark 90% type chocolate.

I’ll have to admit that I am not a fan of the lactose taste in my beer. 

Beer Review: Oro de Calabaza

The Beer
Oro de Calabaza
Artisan Golden Ale
Ale Aged in Oak Barrels
8% abv
1pt. 9.4 oz bottle
$11.00 for the bottle
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales LLC
Dexter, Michigan, USA
Jollypumpkin.com
My Strength Rating: 6

Appearance: bright yellow with the whites foam I have ever seen.

Aroma: Lemon zip with a zesty lime, throw in a tart apple and then a little spice and floral notes. Overall bouquet has a pleasing zippiness. The sour note picks up as the ale warms up.

Flavors: The citrus notes of lemon and lime rind steal the show. There is a tart and/or sour note probably coming from the oak ageing process. There is a nice green peppercorn like quality on the back of the palate. Green apple tartness along with a sour mash mingles with a little sweet malty note. Good complexity to the overall taste. This is like white wine with hops. Now, if white wine could only be so good.

Mouthfeel: This ale if very crisp, zippy, zesty, fizzy, and refreshing. The body seems light to medium. The carbonation gives it its fizzy feel. There is an aftertaste on the gums of lemon wedge.

Damn this is good. Must try. Worth every penny.

Detroit Brewing Chocolate Stout: Review

 

The Stout

Detroit Brewing Chocolate Stout

Sanders fine chocolate

Brewed and Bottle for Detroit Brewing Company

By: Detroit Rivertown Brewing Company

7.8% abv

My Strength Rating:4.5

There is a bite of roasted coffee and a touch of chocolate on the nose.

The body is black with some cola highlights.  There is a good looking tan head.

The overall taste is okay to good.  A nice touch of dark chocolate greets the palate.  As the stout warms there is a roasted mild-medium coffee note but not that strong.  There seems to be a good balance between the bitter and sweet notes. 

Not a strong stout. Not a creamy stout. A good introductory chocolate stout.

There is a lingering aftertaste of bitter dark chocolate. 

Overall an average, at best, stout.  I have never had this stout before and I was hoping for more from the stout. 

To the Point: A good introductory chocolate stout.