Weekly Beer Reviews

Three Floyds Gumball Head American Pale Wheat Ale

A week removed from throwing on a couple of sessionable Three Floyds ales, we add yet another to that number. This Gumball Head is insanely fresh, having just had its week old birthday. The nose is dominated by oranges, with every bit of the orange detected. Lighter aromas of pine, cherries, pasta, and hay rounding out a fantastic nose. The flavor is smooth and refreshing with thick flavors of lime juice, oranges, and tea hit first with softer flavors of clove and hay with floral notes appear a little after. The finish is bitter and toasty with flavors of lime and hay remaining. This beer is one of the more perfect beers for Summer.

Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10


Atwater Voodoo Vator Doppelbock

Atwater is a relatively new brewery to Kentucky. Coming out of the Great State of Michigan though is never an easy task when you compare them to the likes of Bell's or Founders. Atwater stumbles out of the gate, but the beer isn't bad by any means. The nose is intriguing with aromas of coffee beans, cherry cough syrup, oak, and a hint of smoke. The flavor upfront is unlike most doppelbocks with flavors of milk chocolate, oatmeal, and cream giving it a decent flavor. Slightly bitter on the finish, it displays flavors of cream, coffee grounds, and smoke. The flavor is reminiscent of a Porter rather than a doppelbock, and came off a little more watery than you would desire. A very drinkable beer, but not the greatest example of a Doppelbock.

Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7/10


Atwater Vanilla Java Porter

The second offering this week from Atwater. We have had many variations of the Vanilla Porter, and this one ends up better than expected after the last beer. The nose doesn't branch out much with subtle aroma's of roasted coffee, milk chocolate, vanilla, and neapolitan wafers. The taste has an immediate sour twang before strong flavors of cocoa powder, vanilla, and black coffee. The finish is creamy with flavors of chocolate milk and bitter coffee. While very one-dimensional, what it does do is correct to form. A little more watery than to my liking, it actually reminds me of a Young's Double Chocolate Stout with a bit more bite. Definitely worth a try if this is your style.

Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.75/10