Never The Machine Forever

This Friday we have Gandy Dancer Porter from Potosi Brewing Company in Potosi, WI.  As home to the National Brewery Museum, and with all profits going to charity, what more can be said about his brewery?  Don’t forget to see my other reviews of Potosi Pure Malt Cave Ale and Potosi Snake Hollow IPA.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of caramel sweetness pairs very well with an undertone of tart cherries, which helps to give balance to the unusual sweetness of the overtone. (14/15)

Flavor: The beer begins with tones of sweet whiskey and rum, which drop off in the middle, leaving only a noticeable sweetness and hints of coffee.  The end brings in some low alpha hops that help to balance the sweetness and round out the beer nicely.  Whiskey and rum return in the aftertaste accompanied by a slight, lingering sweetness. (17/20)

Appearance: A very dark brown with hints of reddish amber along the periphery. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: A medium body with hints of alcohol throughout.  Carbonated properly. (3/3)

Overall Impression: A sweet porter with the many nuances of rum and whiskey.  The sweetness can be a little overwhelming at times, but it certainly makes this beer stick out from the crowd. (9/10)

Total Score: 45/50

B

This Friday we have Satin Solstice Imperial Stout from Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst, Wisconsin.  Central Waters consistently makes good beer and is able to be found at more and more locations around Madison; just look for the hand-carved wooden cranes that they use for tap handles.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of milk chocolate with an undertone that hints at raisins.  (14/15)

Flavor: The beer begins with hints of milk chocolate, followed by medium alpha hops in the middle.  A sprinkling of raisins over a backdrop of dark chocolate makes up the ending.   A surprise at the end comes in the form of an aftertaste of citrus. (17/20)

Appearance: A dark black body with a strong head that is such a light tan, it is almost white. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with no alcohol burn. (2/3)

Overall Impression: A great aroma and a great complexity of flavor that just needs a more robust body. (9/10)

Total Score: 45/50

B

On Tap

This Friday we have Scaredy Cat Oatmeal Stout from Vintage Brewing Company in Madison, WI.  Every Monday, The Vintage on University Avenue (not associated with Vintage Brewing Company) has $1 Wisconsin taps, and among the best beers available are a series of beers from Vintage Brewing Company.  Here is how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of chocolate with hints of coffee, paired with an undertone of even richer and creamier chocolate.  Hints of hops are sprinkled throughout. (14/15)

Flavor: The beer begins with dark grains, and then leads into a middle with medium hops and hints of sweetness.  The ending showcases low alpha hops, which continue to linger in the aftertaste along with a sweet graininess. (17/20)

Appearance: Pitch black with a good, tan head. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Velvety and full bodied, with just a hint of alcohol. (3/3)

Overall Impression: The aroma suggests greatness, but the flavor, while still good, ultimately can not live up to what the aroma has promised.  A great aroma on a good beer. (8/10)

Total Score: 44/50

B

This Friday we have Hoptober Golden Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, CO.  New Belgium is famous for the very popular Fat Tire Amber Ale, but they also offer a great variety of other beers, including the very impressive Lips of Faith collection.  Hoptober is a golden ale, so it isn’t really pushing the envelope, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be good.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of fresh, medium-bitterness hops, paired nicely with a grapefruit undertone. (14/15)

Flavor: This beer starts out hoppy and then surprises you with some light coffee notes in the middle from the roasted grains.  The end presents a lemon and coffee mix which is gone all too soon.  The aftertaste is clean. (19/20)

Appearance: Medium yellow hue with a strong head and great clarity. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: A medium body with no alcohol burn. (3/3)

Overall Impression: A good balance between citrus hops and roasted grains.  A very drinkable beer that is great for ushering in Fall. (9/10)

Total Score: 47/50

A

This Friday we have One Planet Ale from Sand Creek Brewing Company in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.  It is made with barley, oats, wheat, and rye from Wisconsin.  Using local ingredients is a growing trend among microbreweries, and is part of the larger Buy Local movement.  In fact, it’s almost like buying local twice, because the ingredients are grown in Wisconsin and the beer is brewed in Wisconsin.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: Overtone of sweet barley and wine. Undertone of lemon, with hints of honey. (14/15)

Flavor: The beginning is quite dry, but the beer makes a complete 180 in the middle by switching to a sweet honey flavor that is reminiscent of ice wine. The sweetness subsides in the end, and the dryness of the beginning returns in the aftertaste leaving only hints of pineapple. (18/20)

Appearance: Light amber hue with good head and carbonation. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Medium, with no alcohol burn and proper carbonation. (3/3)

Overall Impression: A seemingly average ale with a lot of subtle surprises throughout. This is a beer that doesn’t have to be over the top to stand out. (9/10)

Total Score: 46/50

B+

This Friday we have an unfiltered wheat ale from the Odd Notion series at Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington, Vermont.  The Odd Notion series is a seasonal series that beer fans are highly encouraged to give their feedback on, and since they asked for it… Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: Crisp hops and a bit of yeast in the overtone. Light lemon notes with hints of sweet berry in the undertone. (13/15)

Flavor: A slightly sour beginning with some wheat apparent. The middle has a light sprinkling of hops, which leads into a lemon dominated ending. An aftertaste of wheat, with hints of other grains. (18/20)

Appearance: An opaque, pale yellow with a good head. (18/20)

Mouthfeel: Medium, with some alcohol burn and light carbonation. (3/3)

Overall Impression: Refreshing, light, but still with lots of flavor. A great beer for Spring. (9/10)

Total Score: 43/50

B-

This Friday we have Snake Hollow IPA from Potosi Brewing Company in Potosi, WI.  I recently reviewed Potosi’s Pure Malt Cave Ale, and since Potosi seems to be the hot new brewery in Wisconsin, I figured that I had better review another Potosi brew.  One great reason to try all of Potosi’s beer is that all the profits go to charity.  Drinking and helping people out is always a good combination.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of sharp, bitter hops.  The undertone brings in hints of citrus and a pinch of alcohol. (14/15)

Flavor: The beer starts out with a “hop shock,” that is somewhat overwhelming and unbalanced.  A sharp grapefruit flavor dominates the middle, with a rush of bittering hops rounding out the end of the beer.  The aftertaste is clean with hints of biscuit and some lingering hops. (16/20)

Appearance: Golden, medium amber with a good head and good clarity. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a very slight alcohol burn. (3/3)

Overall Impression: The hop profile on this IPA is much too simple and unbalanced.  The hops just seem to be there, and don’t add much to the overall character of the beer. (8/10)

Total Score: 43/50

B-

This Friday we have Scurvy IPA from Tyranena Brewing Company in Lake Mills, WI.  This beer is an IPA that has orange peel added, presumably to prevent scurvy in the taster, or at least that’s what the government thought. Tyranena Brewing Co is doing more than just preventing disease, it is also helping people stay in shape.  They sponsor a half-marathon Beer Run and an Oktoberfest Bike Ride to help stave off those beer guts.  Here is how the beer adds up:

Aroma: A “soapy” hops overtone of medium bitterness that reminds one vaguely of Palmolive dish soap.  The undertone balances nicely with hints of sweetness and citrus. (14/15)

Flavor: Palmolive soap initially greets the taster with hints of lemon and sweet grain.  The middle brings a surprise in the form of roasted grains, which is followed by a medium hoppiness to finish the beer.  The aftertaste is one of lemony hops. (17/20)

Appearance: A medium amber hue with excellent clarity and a strong head. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with no alcohol burn. (3/3)

Overall Impression: A good IPA with some interesting characteristics, but throughout, you just can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. (8/10)

Total Score: 45/50

B+

This Friday we have Pure Malt Cave Ale from Potosi Brewing Company in Potosi, WI.  Many people may not be aware of this, but Potosi, with a population of less than 1000, is home to the brand new National Brewery Museum, which showcases the rich brewing history in America through historical beer advertisements and vintage brewing equipment. The Potosi Brewing Company, founded in 1852, is the heart of the community, and was just recently restored after being shut down in 1972.  It is once again serving Potosi beer after an almost 40 year hiatus.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of yeast with a slight maltiness, and an undertone of hops, which provide a hint of bitterness. (13/15)

Flavor: The beginning is quite mellow and bland, but the beer wakes up in the middle with traces of hops making an appearance over an unsweetened caramel maltiness.  The hops peak in the end, but still can not overcome the dominating malt.  The aftertaste is buttery with hints of salt. (17/20)

Appearance: A golden amber body with good clarity and a well sustained head. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a noticeable alcohol burn.  (3/3)

Overall Impression: An easy to drink ale that stands out due to its lack of hops at a time when many breweries are stepping up hop use. (9/10)

Total Score: 44/50

This Friday we have a Smoked Porter from Corner Pub Brewery in Reedsburg, WI.  The capacity at Corner Pub is only 100bbl per year, which means that the only place to sample their beer is on tap at the Corner Pub in Reedsburg.  While you’re there don’t forget to check out the large mural on the side of the building, which describes the brief “Hop Boom” that took place in Reedsburg during the 19th century.  On your way out, make sure to buy some homemade bread too, as it is made with the spent grains from the brewing process.  Here’s how the beer adds up:

Aroma: An overtone of creamy caramel, with an undertone that can best be described as root beer. (14/15)

Flavor: The beer begins with strong coffee flavors combined with a hint of smokiness and bitterness.  The middle is where the coffee flavor really comes through in a powerful but not overwhelming way.  A surprising amount of mild hops bring balance to the end of the beer, but coffee makes a return and dominates the aftertaste. (18/20)

Appearance: Strong, sustained head on top of a dark body with hues of deep amber visible. (3/3)

Mouthfeel: Smooth, with a medium to full body, and no alcohol burn. (3/3)

Overall Impression: A flavorful porter that does an excellent job of balancing deep coffee flavors with the right amount of hops.  Easy to drink from start to finish, and well worth a trip to Reedsburg. (10/10)

Total Score: 47/50