MadCow Brewing - Evening Milking Stout
Evening Milking Stout 6.5 ABV
A simple, straightforward stout and nails exactly what it is going for. It is a stout that is not so heavy where you will need a nap and possibly an Uber after, while delivering on subtle vanilla and coffee flavors. The maltiness is the real star in this beer. If you are looking for a beer that can showcase how delicious a good malt can be, this is the one to have.
MadCow Brewery - Huckleberry Cream Ale 5.5 ABV
Huckleberry Cream Ale 5.5 ABV
A fairly transparent beer the delivers on the huckleberry in a subtle, yet brashingly apparent flavor. The normal sweetness one might expect from a cream ale was replaced with the sweet and semi tart of the huckleberry to bring a new twist to the style of beer. While it might seem an odd pairing of a cream ale with such a berry, it is a refreshing pairing and holds well, especially with the warming months coming and the river floats to come.
Hopworks Brewery - Velvet ESB
Velvet ESB - 5.2 ABV Amber Ale
Velvet ESB - Amber Ale 5.2 ABV
If you are a fan of an amber ale that does not try to be anything else, then I have the beer for you. Its smooth, deep rich flavor is one that you can either sip and enjoy slowly or due to it not being to heavy and more like a session, can drink with more of a ferver pace and be ready for a second. The maltiness and caramel come through in every sip, while being a nice friend hugging your tongue for a good amount of time after every sip.
It is one that I would not serve to just anyone with how bold, rich, and strong of the flavor profile it presents. It really is a beer lovers beer and that is great to have, especially when you want to have something that is not experimental.
54 40 Brewery - Red Zeppelin
Red Zeppelin - 5.6 ABV
A year round available beer is going to come with certain things that other seasonal or temporary beers don’t necessarily have. It is a beer that they have great confidence in, will appeal to people year around, and (possibly most importantly) can get the ingredients year round. This is certainly a red with some malt flavor to it and it comes through without much any distraction. If you want a fairly simple malt forward that you can introduce other people to for a start to craft beer, this is a strong contender.
https://www.5440beer.com/red-zeppelin
54 40 Brewery - There’s Always Money in the Banana Stand
Bavarian Wheat - 4.3 ABV
A classic wheat ale with the normal notes of banana with a hint of citrus, and filling without being heavy. As someone that once worked for a chain restaurant that had its nose way to high for their “hefeweizen” and would talk badly about other brands that used the term, this is refreshing an done I would definitely pick over theirs. It is still on the light side of flavor but definitely pulling its weight with the flavor still. It is definitely one I would suggest to have on a summer day, around the BBQ, doing chores, or even while kicking back watching the game.
https://untappd.com/b/54040-brewing-company-there-s-always-money-in-the-banana-stand/5754954
Fortside - The Pale GOAT
The Pale GOAT - Bock Lagerbier 6.5%
Malty forward and unexpectedly light in color while delivering in the ABV at 6.5%. It is deceivingly stronger than you would expect. While the flavor is welcoming, it has a wallop to hit you if you are not aware. It is dangerous for how delicious, light, and refreshing it is, while being as strong.
It is a great beer for someone that wants to have something easy, smooth, and refreshing to drink, while still feeling good at the end.
Fortside - Fashionably Late
Fashionably Late - Old Fashioned inspired barrel aged Vienna lagger
Reimagining what beer can be when taking your time and willing to go outside of the norm. Something that would be viewed as a waste in more Budweiser/Coors typical places, is a welcomed treasure here.
With the encouraged angostura bitters and twist of an orange peel, it is a love letter to what can be when rethinking why an old fashion and a beer can’t be distant cousins. With the beer being left in bourbon barrels and aging for two months, it picks up some unusual notes that you would not expect, while keeping the ABV (5.5%) lower than other barrel aged beers and keeping the light crisp lagger appeal, this is one that you can enjoy around the barbecue while not worrying as much about how much you had.
Being here for my first time, hearing that they do barrel aged experimental beers regularly, makes me excited to have something other than the much higher barrel aged beer that is meant to knock people off of their feet.
Level Brewery - Burger Boss
Level Brewery - Burger Boss - hoppy brown ale
Hop forward, with a snap to it. Holds its head well, fine, small/thin bubbles in the head, much more floral than expected, in a pleasant way. Rich flavor that will last for a bit and then leave you with little to no trace. With an ABV 5.3, it’s one that some might get happily full on while still able to enjoy their day. A great beer with a burger, amazing cooked meat sandwich (cheesesteak or pastrami maybe) that can hold its own to the robust, great flavor.
Burger Boss - hoppy brown ale:
Hop forward, with a snap to it. Holds its head well, fine, small/thin bubbles in the head, much more floral than expected, in a pleasant way. Rich flavor that will last for a bit and then leave you with little to no trace. With an ABV 5.3, it’s one that some might get happily full on while still able to enjoy their day. A great beer with a burger, amazing cooked meat sandwich (cheesesteak or pastrami perhaps) that can hold its own to the robust, great flavor.
Level Brewery - Daylight Cravings
Level Brewery - 12. Daylight Cravings - cascading dark ale
Feels like a great result expected from such a craft beer scene as in the PNW. With it being only 6.5%, the malty, rich, robust flavor makes it seem like it should be considerably more when compared with other beers on the scene that’s similar. Has malty notes that bring out hints of coffee and chocolate. Which are surprisingly missing in the days of hazies and IPAs. A great beer to finish a salted caramel browned. The salty flavor of a rich dessert would go wonderfully with it. It’s a great beer that celebrates the flavors and does not bring the heavier ABV often seen with such flavors.
Daylight Cravings - cascading dark ale:
Feels like a great result expected from such a craft beer scene as in the PNW. With it being only 6.5%, the malty, rich, robust flavor makes it seem like it should be considerably more when compared with other beers on the scene that’s similar. Has malty notes that bring out hints of coffee and chocolate. Which are surprisingly missing in the days of hazies and IPAs. A great beer to finish a salted caramel browned. The salty flavor of a rich dessert would go wonderfully with it. It’s a great beer that celebrates the flavors and does not bring the heavier ABV often seen with such flavors.
