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| MidwestMicroBrews' Midwest Beer Reviews! |
Arbor Brewing Company - Ann Arbor, Michigan Sacred Cow IPA 6.5% ABV IBUs: 66 Sampled on-tap at ABC Brewpub Appearance - Golden copper to dark amber, mildly hazy Smell - Floral, hoppy but no moreso than with most IPAs, hints of grapefruit, grass, orange peel and coriander Taste - Citrusy, hoppy, wisps of pine and juniper, light caramel and yeast underneath. Feel - Light to medium bodied, with great balance between the hops and rich toasted malts. Mildly astringent. It took me aback at first sip with its high carbonation, but soon I got used to it and even appreciated it. Finish - Long, satisfying finish with a peppery bitterness that lingered Overall Impression - An awesome beer for a hot summer day. A very refreshing beer. The high-carbonation may be a bit too much for some. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: The Sacred Cow was Matt's first new recipe as a professional brewer. There weren't many hopheads in the Midwest in 1995 so when Matt decided to brew a big bold bitter I.P.A. to sell at the brewpub, it was truly his sacred cow. Cask conditioned and served gently carbonated and at a warmer cellar temperature from a British beer engine, the I.P.A. was sure to be a beer with a limited appeal. In fact the first few times he brewed it, he only brewed a 1/2 batch. But we clearly underestimated Ann Arbor's beer drinking clientele. The Sacred Cow I.P.A. quickly became our best-selling beer and retains the title to this day on tap at both of our pubs as well as in distribution.
5.5% ABV IBUs: 27 Sampled on-tap at ABC Brewpub Appearance - Dark chocolate or mahogany in color, with a thick roasted tan head that stuck around. Smell - Strong smell of buscuity malts, sweet smoke, chocolate, and coffee. Similar to many great porters. Taste - Rich malts, yeast, chocolate, subtley smokey with a taste of sour cherries that hits the side of the tongue. Feel - I expected a fuller mouth-feel, but it was actually medium-bodied, with mild carbonation. Personally, I would have preferred it to be served a bit warmer, but a few minutes on the table brought it to just the right temperature. Finish - Creamy at the end, but again the sourness is what you'll remember. Overall Impression - It seemed like a marriage of a brown ale or porter with a Belgian, due to the sourness. German Alts aren't a style that I can say I'm most familiar with, but this is definitely one I would go back for, especially on a cool autumn night watching the Wolverines play in the Big House. If I lived in Ann Arbor again, I could see this becoming a regular session-beer for me. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: Olde Number 22 is a special kind of Alt called a sticke or secret alt. This style was traditionally brewed in German brewpubs as a reward to loyal regulars. At a time when German brews were priced according to alcohol content, brewpubs would brew a secret alt that was richer, maltier, and higher in gravity. They served it unadvertised at the regular alt price exclusively to the regulars who knew to ask for it. Even though it is dark in color, this crowd-pleaser is mild, smooth and very easy-drinking. Brasserie Blonde Belgian 5.5% ABV IBUs: 7 On tap at ABC Brewpub Appearance - Gorgeous clear golden-orange color, with a thin wispy white head. Smell - Fruity, spicy, earthy, even a bit medicinal Taste - Orange peel and coriander, fruits both sweet (strawberry, apricot and plum) and sour (green apple and lemon), well balanced with sweeter malts and grassy hops Feel - Sharp carbonation gives it a light and fizzy feel. Finish - Very crisp on the end, left me wanting another drink. Overall Impression - This Belgian-style Blonde Ale is truly sublime. It's one of those beers that brings something new with each drink. My wife, who is not much of a beer afficianado, really liked this one. ABC has a similar beer, Arbor Brasserie Greff Blonde which is in 750ml bottles. That one is more of a champagne beer. I'd reccomend either of these blondes. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: Nestled between beer-loving Germany and wine-loving France, for centuries Belgium has produced some of the most interesting, complex, sophisticated, and delicious styles the beer world has to offer. Brasserie Blonde pays homage to this grand tradition. We brew the Blonde with a unique blend of rich malts, sweet orange peel, spicy hops, and zesty coriander. The result is a medium-bodied ale bursting with flavor. This is truly a beer-lover’s champagne (or a champagne-lover’s beer!). It is a dry, slightly tart ale subtly spiced with orange peel and coriander for a zesty taste with hints of sweet and tangy citrus.
6.5% ABV IBUs: 30 Poured from a 12-ounce bottle Appearance - Opaque black with a thin, yet creamy, head leaving only some lacing. Smell - Rich chocolate and coffee (of course). Not as overwhelming a smell as some coffee stouts (Central Waters Brewhouse Coffee Stout or Founders Breakfast Stout, for example), but very pleasant and homey. Taste - Sweet fudge, toffee and medium strength coffee. I wouldn't call it espresso. Fine hints of vanilla smoke, like one of those vanilla-scented cigars. Some unexpected sourness, which some don't enjoy. While I could do without it, it wasn't enough to turn me off. Feel - Rich and chewey. Is "oaty" a proper description? Finish - Semi-dry to dry in finish with slight taste of sweet tobacco. Overall Impression - Truly a breakfast unto itself. The addition of fresh cold-brewed coffee to an impeccable oatmeal stout makes this a perfect comfort food on a cold Michigan day. "Home-Sweet-Home" in a bottle. Delicious. Beer History Courtesy of ABC: A great beer is more than just the sum of its parts but even the best beers are only as good as the ingredients that go into them. That’s why we use 100% fair trade coffee locally roasted and ground to order by our friends at the Ugly Mug small batch artisan roastery. Espresso Love is a decadent brew that combines our creamy, hand-crafted oatmeal stout with fresh-ground, dark-roast, cold-brewed coffee for a bold coffee flavor without the bitter acids. The result is a rich yet delicate brew with a great espresso flavor, soft earthy notes, and hints of dark chocolate. It weighs in at 6.5% but its balanced flavors and drinkability make it a year-round treat. |
MidwestMicroBrews, 118 S. Washington Street #402B, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301 |
Read more MidwestMicroBrews Reviews... Arbor Brewing Company - Ann Arbor, Michigan Central Waters Brewing Company - Amherst, Wisconsin Copper Canyon Brewery - Southfield, Michigan Detroit Beer Company - Detroit, Michigan Goose Island Brewing Company - Chicago, Illinois Grumpy Troll Brewpub - Mount Horeb, Wisconsin Herkimer Pub & Brewery - Minneapolis, Minnesota Short's Brewing Company - Bellaire, Michigan Sprecher Brewing Company - Glendale, Wisconsin Stevens Point Brewery - Stevens Point, Wisconsin Stone Cellar Brewpub - Appleton, Wisconsin Sun King Brewing Company - Indianapolis, Indiana Titletown Brewing Company - Green Bay, Wisconsin |