Frankenmuth Christmas Town Ale: Review

Frankenmuth Brewery

Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA

Frankenmuthbrewery.com

German Style Seasonal Lager

6% abv

27 IBUs

$29.00 a case at the Brewery

I visited the brewery last week for the introduction of the Christmas Town Ale.  The place was packed and a lot of cases were being sold and you got a free Christmas Town 16oz glass with that case.  I only bought a six pack to go.

Appearance: misty dark copper body with a little beige colored head; no lacing

Aroma: sweet toasted malts and a nice brown spice profile

Flavors: sweet toasted malty notes; grains; Christmas brown spice bread with grated orange peel in the mix; the brown spice reminds me of Allspice;

Mouthfeel: low moderate carbonation; light fizzy feel; light brown spice lingers on the palate; light-moderate body for a winter ale;

To the Point: a nice winter ale; I was expecting a little heavier body weight; the first time I tried it I just thought it was okay; after having a couple more since last Thursday – I like it a little more – let me call it pretty good and now I can say that I like it.   I’ll pick up another six to give it another try - 

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest: Review

Frankenmuth Brewery

Frankenmuth, Michigan, USA

Frankenmuthbrewery.com

German Style Seasonal Lager

5.27% abv
27 IBUs

$29.00 a case at the Brewery

A little late doing this Oktoberfest review but, I kept on drinking the six packs and never reviewing a beer.  But, it is not too late to get to the brewery to pick some up they had plenty on hand last week.

Appearance: misty copper body with a little beige colored head; no lacing

Aroma: Oktoberfest type sweet toasted malts and light spice

Flavors: sweet malty notes; light-moderate toasted grains; rye bread on the back and aftertaste with a little pink peppercorn

Mouthfeel: a nice medium body Oktoberfest; moderate carbonation; nice fizzy feel; sweet toasted malts up front; Oktoberfest like spice on the finish; and rye on the aftertaste

To the Point: easy to drink; I like the Oktoberfest type spice – it’s not too light and it is not too much; Maybe I’ll head up to the Frankenmuth Brewery and pick up a case of this tasty beer, pick up some Willy’s Sausage and strike up my own late in the fall Oktoberfest party.  

Game Six of the World Series is tonight and I'll say, Boston win the game 7 to 1 to win the World Series.

Mayan Mocha Stout: Review

Odd Side Ales

Grand Haven, Michigan, USA

Oddsideales.com

Stout with Coffee, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Habaneros

Habaneros! Yes – you saw that right – Habaneros

6% abv

$12.99 a six pack

Appearance: pitch black coffee with a little thin dark tan head

Aroma: dark roasted coffee and lightly toasted grains

Flavors: the chocolate coffee comes to the center with the brown spices in the mix; the habaneros show up on the finish and more so on the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: smooth up front with the habanero heat on the finish and aftertaste; the warmth or the heat builds with each sip; not particularly creamy or syrupy; very low carbonation

To the Point: a very interesting stout; I like the chocolate coffee note with the brown spices and the spicy habanero adds an interesting twist; I don’t think I could drink two bottles back to back

Zingiberene Ale: Review

Schmohz Brewery

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Schmohz.com

Ale Brewed with Ginger Root

5.3% abv

I like ginger.  Ginger Ales Sodas, fresh ginger on food, and candied ginger.  I am expecting something good here, but their other beers have not impressed yet.

Appearance: a hazy dirty orange colored body with little to no head

Aroma: light biscuit; light ginger (hoped for more); just light overall

Flavors: a nice ginger note with some sweet malts in the mix; I personally would like the ginger to be stronger but, I think more people would like this  

Mouthfeel: light to moderate carbonation; dusty grains; dirty water (not a bad thing here); light ginger taste;

To the Point: not bad here; good for something different; just wish the ginger was bolder; Grade: B-

Atwater Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

Malt Beverage Brewed with Chocolate

5.5% abv

11 IBUs

6 pack of 12 oz bottles

$

Appearance: dark dark brown almost black body with a ½ finger tan head and no lacing

Aroma: Oh yes, it is chocolate; second sniff – still chocolate; lightly roasted malts

Flavors: nice sweet and semi-sweet chocolate; hint of nut; grainy feel; light roasted malts on the finish;

Mouthfeel: light carbonation; medium body ale; lightly roasted notes; with an 11 IBU it is not sweet; very simple – chocolate with an ale backbone;

To the Point: very pleasing; easy to drink; I think this will be perfect to drink sitting around the campfire this fall; 

Atwater Double Down Imperial Amber Ale: Review

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

7.5% abv

90 IBUs

4 pack of 12 oz bottles

$10.99

Appearance: muddy brown body with a half-finger tan head that leaves some spotty lacing

Aroma: I can smell the rich malty aroma just popping the cap to the bottle; rich malty Amber Ale notes; toasted caramel, almost molasses like, grains, just a hint of hops

Flavors/Mouthfeel: big rich malts on the palate; toasted caramel, burnt sugars; firm yet moderate bittering from the hops; medium-full feel on the palate; low carbonation; flavor notes not all that discernable

To the Point: I am not a fan of Amber Ales but, I sure like this one;  if you want an Amber Ale that is a little bolder and richer if flavor and mouthfeel, well this is for you; I would buy this again; if I was going to give this a grade … I’ll say … B/B-

Schwartz: Review

Schmohz Brewery

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Schmohz.com

Schwarzbier Black Lager

5.6% abv

$11.99 a six pack

No date on the bottle

This beer was not kept properly in the party store.  It was on the shelf and not in the cooler.  You can see the label (above) and it says, 'Keep Refrigerated' on the bottom right.  I wrote to Schmohz about their Pilsner being suspect and they replied right away, even on a Sunday.  Chas was very helpful.

I am watching a Detroit Lion football game here on this Sunday afternoon and I thought I would try the Schwartz by Schmohz Brewing today for some reason.

Appearance: Okay, this company must use Champagne carbonation – I poured a glass of the John T. Pilsner last night and that beer had a four finger head that just would not go away – today I pour this one and I get a 3 finger head on a very light and easy pour.  Dark cola like body with a mountain of butter pecan colored saving cream textured head.  10 minutes later I can now try to take a drink without getting a nose full of foam.  No it is not breweries fault - it is the stores fault for not properly storing the beer.  Their beers are unpasteurized and when not stored properly (in the cooler) this is what you get.    

Aroma: dark roasted malts;

Flavors: slightly burnt toasted grains; tart burnt cranberry dark chocolate; 

I would like to try this fresh

Mouthfeel: over-zealous carbonation; the fizz just dominates the palate – I think it takes away from the flavors; lightly bitter on the mid and it has a bitter burnt note on the finish;  

Damn, I poured this bitch at the start of half time and now they are 8:00 minutes into the third quarter and there is still a one to two finger head sitting on top of the beer.   By the way: Packers 6; Detroit 3.  The high powered offense is showing – Can I take a nap now. 

To the Point: I think this Schwartz beer is just like the Schwartz coach of the Detroit Lions – I just don’t know if I like either one of them.  Damn, I bought a six pack of this beer.  I guess I’ll have to drink one of these beers during the next five Lions games.  This way I’ll have a legit reason to have a bitter taste in my mouth.  I’ll skip this one.  For 12 bucks a six pack you can do a lot better than this.  Grade: C- even for uncared for beer - When I get a fresh one I'll do a new posting.  

This beer did teach me one thing: It's not all about head.  Damn.

Also, for us customers, when buying beers off the shelf we need to check their labels.  

Atwater Teufel: Review

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

10.9% abv

20 IBUs

Style: Weizen Dopplebock

Four pack of 12 oz bottles

$10.99

Appearance: brown copper with some bronzy highlights; one finger – if that – bone white head that leaves some lacing; rather clear for the style

Aroma: basic malts with a dusting of wheat bread

Flavor: sweet brown fruit bread – you know the kind that has some raisins and other fruits along with some walnuts and a hint of spice; lightly toasted wheat; dusty grains; I was ready for a stronger sweet note, the sweetness is rather mild on the nose;

Mouthfeel: sweet, but only on the mild side of medium sweet; the alcohol is not really playing a role here to me; lightly roasted grains linger; sweet malts with a mild nut shell bitter note on the finish; medium body for a Dopplebock;

To the Point: Dopplebocks are not one of my favorite styles but, I like them; interesting enough is that a German Weizen Eisbock and Wheat Dopplebock are in my top five favorite beers; Teufel is a very pleasing Weizen Dopplebock with a nice 10% abv; the sweetness is not in your face; it is semi-complex; if I was grading this beer I would give it a B … naw … let me give it a B+.

Had a second Teufel with a Hemingway Classic Cigar and it was just perfect.