Greenbush Brother Benjamin: Review

imperial india pale ale brewed with honey

‘Prepare to be Mystified’

Greenbush Brewing Company

Sawyer, Michigan, USA

Greenbushbrewing.com

114 ibu

10.1% abv

Appearance: ruddy brown body with an off-white two finger head that leaves tons of sticky lacing. The body color is not all that pleasing but, the lacing is very good.

Aroma: floral, pine sap, earthy caramel and grains; while I am drinking the pine note seems to change to a grapefruit rind note.

Flavors: the sweet dark amber honey is noticeable and it seems to control the hoppy style; notes of pink grapefruit, floral-herbal, earthy caramel, sour bread, multigrain bread, white peppercorn; don’t let the 114 IBU rating scare you; personally, it feels more like it’s around 70 to 80. 

Mouthfeel: honey up front and going down the middle with citrus notes swirling around the edges with a dusty white peppercorn finish along with some warmth from the alcohol, a linger citrus peel on the palate, dry, moderate carbonation,

Nice bitterness with a zesty feel and the earthy malts almost mute the hops … almost.  Full-bodied. 

To the Point: I was told since I like Hopslam that I would like this.  Well, this is okay.  The way I feel right now about this beer I might give it a B.  The honey in Hopslam seemed to become part of the hops; example sweet citrus, sweet floral. Maybe Greenbush used a different grade of honey that is earthier and has a touch a caramel.  And thinking about that, which could be why the malts standout the way they do.    

To me Bell’s Hopslam and Witch’s Hat Big Doedish are top shelf type beers; this is just the next shelf down; give it a try and see what you think.  Yes, I would buy this again. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – full bodied

I paired the ale with the Camacho Corojo 10 Anniversary 11/18

Corojo wrapper, binder, and filler

Jamastran Valley of Honduran tobaccos

Size: 6 x 54 slight tapering on both ends

The 10 year Anniversary Edicion Limitada

camachocigars.com

Flavor Profile: medium body notes of mineral earthy notes, earthy white mushroom, toasted grains and nuts.  This cigar has a smooth and sophisticated mouthfeel.  On my strength scale I’ll give this stick a 5.5. 

The Pairing

This is one tasty pairing.  The medium bodied earthy notes of the cigar mingle well the fuller earthy malts of this ale.  The citrus and white peppercorn notes seem to transfer nicely to the cigar for a pleasing taste. 

On this blog I have stated that you like to be within two points on strength rating to help maximize your tasting experience.  Here we have an ale at 8.5 and a cigar at 5.5.  What gives? 

This ale is a good example where you will want to go for the contrast.  You will want to go 3 or more points in the other direction – in this case, to the milder side.  I’ll bet this ale would be great with a creamy smooth mild earthy cigar with a 3 or 4 strength rating.  With that said, look forward to a pairing with this type of cigar in mind with this ale.