Mike Loves Beer -

Okocim Porter

January 29, 2010

Name – Okocim Porter
Country – Poland
Type – Baltic Porter

Appearance – Pours a very dark brown that looks black at some angles with a big tan head that did leave some lacing on the glass.

Smell – Very nice malt smell with some roastedness (I believe I made that word up) in the background. A very small hint of dark fruit.

Taste – Roasted malts, chocolate, buttered toffee, some coffee and this porter is extremely well rounded.

After I had Okocim’s O.K. Beer I was told I had to have their porter. For many months I looked and could not find it in the store. Then out of no where it was there. I grabbed it and eagerly waited to have it. I was not disappointed. I put this at the top of my favorite porters list for sure. I know us of Polish decent are usually the butts of a lot of jokes but it seems we can make so really good brews too. Na zdrowie!

Overall Grade – A

Hibernation Ale

January 28, 2010

/ Beer Review /

4 Comments

Name – Hibernation Ale
Country – United States
Type – Old Ale

Appearance – Poured a deep brown color with some rub red highlights around the edges of the glass. Very minimal head on it.

Smell – Sweet smells of caramel and toffee with some roasted malts in there.

Taste – More of the caramel and buttery toffee mixes with a nutty flavor very well. A bit of an alcohol bite at the end but it is nothing bad at all.

I really like Great Divide. Between Hercules, Titan and Yeti they are all some of my favorites in their particular categories. They don’t let me down with this one either. While it is not the best old ale ever it is a pretty good one. I’m glad I picked it up before it is gone for the year.

Overall Grade – B+

Stoudt’s Fat Dog

January 27, 2010

/ Beer Review /

2 Comments

Name – Stoudt’s Fat Dog
Country – United States
Type – American Imperial Stout

Appearance – Pours a pretty much jet black color with a thin light brown head.

Smell – Roasted malts and coffee are the main smells I pick up but you do get a bit of oats and a little boozey whiff of the alcohol at the end.

Taste – Roasted malts as you expect and then the coffee and oats balance each other out very nicely so one doesn’t dominate more than the other. Add in a bit of chocolate for a very nice taste. The alcohol has a bite at the end to it that becomes more prominent as it warms up some.

This has been one that I have been wanting to try for awhile but always pass over it for something else. Finally I picked it up and gave it a try. I am glad I did. A very well rounded stout all together. It may have a bit more of a coffee taste than I normally care for but it was not overbearing at all.

Overall Grade – A-