Thursday, November 29, 2012

Leinenkugel's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter: Review


Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA
6% abv

“Complex Malt Character Reveals Layers of Coffee and Cocoa” – on the bottle

Appearance: a nice tan head sits on top of an almost coffee like colored body with some cola edges.  Note much on the lacing.  The head was gone before I noticed it was gone.  When I poured my second glass I had a nice two finger head that took about three minutes to dissipate and it left a thin tan layer sitting on top.   

Aroma: coffee with a roasted vanilla bean

Flavors: pretty much what they have on the label. This is what I say, ‘sweetened coffee and semi-sweet chocolate with a dose of vanilla bean. 

Mouthfeel: light-moderate bitterness, toasted sweet malts, good body weight for a porter, a lingering semi-sweet chocolate note on the finish

To the Point: I have to admit that I did not have much hope for this one.  But, I like it.  I enjoyed a couple sitting by the campfire the other week.  And two is about all I can take of this Porter because I start to grow tired of the sweetness.    

Thinking of that sweetness … I know what could help battle it … the right cigar.  Click here to read the cigar pairing. 


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

MOA Breakfast: Review


Ale brewed with natural flavors
Super Premium Belgian Style
Bottle Fermented and Conditioned
MOA Brewing Company
New Zealand
5.5% abv
12.7 oz bottle
4 pack $22.99

Appearance: dirty lemon-aid with a fine white head and no lacing

Aroma: cherry bubble gum, fruity,

Flavors: medicinal, cough drop like cherry flavor with a little white fruit in the mix, a little dusty wheat

Mouthfeel: light carbonation, light fruitiness, light sweetness on the front along with that medicinal note, dry and a slight hoppiness on the finish,

To the Point: the jury is still out on this one; I still can’t get over that this is a wheat type ale; with the word ‘breakfast’ on the label I was thinking when I opened this that it would be a stout type ale.  An interesting ale … ‘interesting’ being a euphemism for I am not really sure about this one.  Final thought – the medicinal cough drop flavor is too much of a negative.