Ciderboys Mad Bark
This Cider has strong hints of baked apples, cinnamon, and apple pie. It certainly smells like a fresh Spring day out in the country. The taste is smooth and semi-sweet. Those baked apples shine through with flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and Dutch apple pie. The finish is lightly crisp with flavors of Granny Smith apples. This cider is straight forward (as are most of them) but a fantastic brew all the same.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
Rogue Mogul American Strong Ale
This American Strong Ale isn't too heavy, weighing in at 7% ABV. It has a bit of age on it, but that hasn't decreased the hops that are present in the nose. Lemon, pine, and soap erupt off the nose with subtle aromas of spice and soy present on the end. The taste hits your buds with light lemon before being overwhelmed by pine resin and cracked pepper. The finish is very bitter with hints of extra dark chocolate and grass. The hops have dissipated slightly, but for the age it has it provides a pronounced flavor of both hops and malts.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.75/10
Great Lakes Blackout Stout
This is a nice change from the intensely black beers with tons of dark chocolate and roasted black coffee. This one is much sweeter. The nose displays tons of aromas with hints of hickory bacon, maple, brown sugar, white chocolate, raisins, and coffee. It truly makes for an impressive bouquet. The taste is instantly rich and sweet with flavors of milk chocolate, maple, and raisins. Lighter flavors of hay, orange zest, and alcohol were present as well. The finish combined bittersweet chocolate, hazelnuts, and cream. Lighter flavors of coffee built as the finish evolved. A fantastic stout for these cold, Winter months.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Left Hand Wake Up Dead Imperial Stout
This has definitely been Stout week. We decided that with so many Stouts moving onto tap, we might as well do it right. The nose is interesting with an eclectic mix of aromas that included tootsie roll, fudge brownie, dirt, hay, roasted coffee, and manure. The taste has hints of licorice and Necco hearts right off the bat with lighter flavors of brown sugar and toffee. The finish is a little weird with flavors of honey, mint, and sweet cornbread. Needless to say, we will have to see how this Stout does on tap. Last time it drank equally bad to start, but over time became a pretty decent stout. Only time will tell.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.75/10
The next couple I will be rating by myself. Tyler and I couldn't get it tasted together, so you will get my rating alone.
Founders All Day IPA
This sessionable IPA has gone from a Seasonal to an everyday brew for Founders, due to its popularity. So it is nice to welcome back this incredibly drinkable IPA. The nose is quite pleasant with strong aromas of lemon and pine. Lighter aromas of onion and floral hints were picked up as the nose persisted. The taste is instantly bitter off the front. Lemon, lime pith, and hints of onion all make themselves present before dissipating. The finish has the bitterness fade to nothing with lovely flavors of grass and mint leaf with floral notes. Certainly this beer is a bit light for Winter, but the taste is solid.
Mike's Rating - 7.5/10
Founders Imperial Stout
This big Imperial Stout was acquired and tapped for all of you Stout lovers out there. It makes it our 4th Stout on tap, and what a stout it is. The nose is sweet with hints of brown sugar, raisins, and cocoa. As the aromas moves on lighter flavors of cream and roasted coffee appear. The taste is instantly rich and sweet off the bat. Charcoal, milk chocolate, and hints of mint dominate the front of this beer and make for an intriguing entry. The finish is bitter with strong flavors of dark chocolate, black coffee, and fudge brownies. Some age would certainly serve this beer well in the front, but the finish I would put up against any Stout out there.
Mike's Rating - 9.5/10
