Weekly Beer Reviews

Great Lakes Ohio City Oatmeal Stout

This Oatmeal Stout from Great Lakes joins our ranks. Haven't heard of this one? That is because it is exclusive to the draft wall. The nose is diverse with aromas of coffee grounds, espresso, milk chocolate, cream, clover honey, and minerals. It definitely has the nose of a sweet stout. However, that is where the diverse part of this beer ends. The flavor is slightly watered down and has notes of smoked wheat, watermelon, soap, and cocoa powder. This mix of flavors that do not mix well put both of us off. Thankfully, it evened out in the finish with flavors of roasted coffee, cream, milk chocolate, and minerals. I found this Oatmeal stout to be a little thin and a little unbalanced, but still a good option for the price.

Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7/10


Great Lakes Rye of the Tiger IPA

This Rye IPA has quickly become a growler favorite in its couple appearances on the wall. The nose is interesting though it has lost some of its pungency. Hints of rye, snow peas, lemons, and pistachios were picked up. Many of these aromas are present in the taste too. Bitter up front, you are still able to pick up strong flavors of lemon, toasted garlic, fennel seed, and pistachios. The bitterness increases as this beer finishes with strong flavors of rye and resin and just a hint of lemon juice. I tend to shy away from the bitter bombs, but this one packs quite the flavor.

Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10


Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster

The last few weeks have brought about the end of Alchemy Hour season. However, that isn't completely a sad thing as it ushers in the dawn of a new era...The Lake Erie Monster era. This Imperial IPA is definitely one of Great Lakes best. The nose is quite aromatic with hints of garlic, armpit, onions, melon, grapefruit, and lemon. Definitely a great aroma for an Imperial IPA. The taste is all lemon with soft hints of pine and lavender picked up after that heavy dose of lemon. The finish ramps up the bitterness a bit with dry flavors of resin, pine, and grapefruit. Light flavors of lemon drops was also picked up on the finish. This is surely a worthy IPA on a wall full of hop-heavy favorites.

Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10