Mike Loves Beer -

Smooth Hoperator

April 29, 2009

Name – Smooth Hoperator
Country – United States
Type – Doppelbock

Appearance – Pours a clear red color with a slightly tan head that disappeared quickly but left good lacing on the glass.

Smell – Big citrus and earthy smelling hops. Smells more like an IPA.

Taste – Sweet malt flavor upfront that is followed by some earthy hops with some grapefruit notes in there. Good bitterness.

For the second beer in a row the classification on it just doesn’t seem to match the taste of it. This beer just screams IPA at me. If you would have put it in front of me without knowing what it was I would have thought IPA no doubt. But not to take anything away from this one as it is a really good beer. I got it mainly because of the awesome goat (a universal bock symbol) looking all suave. If you like big hops I would highly recommend this one.

Overall Grade – A-

Chocolate Indulgence Stout

April 28, 2009

/ Beer Review /

5 Comments

Name – Chocolate Indulgence Stout
Country – United States
Type – Chocolate Stout

Appearance – Poured an opaque black color with a light brown head that left some nice lacing on the glass.

Smell – Milk chocolate smell with sweet malts.

Taste – Tastes of dark chocolate with a slight roasted flavor to it and nice malt backing.

This is a little light for a stout, not completely a full body on it but I like that in this one. Beer Advocate calls it a Belgian Dark Strong and I really don’t get that classification. I guess because of the body of it. But there is little doubt to me that this is a stout and a really good one at that.

Overall Grade – A

Reissdorf Kölsch

April 27, 2009

/ Beer Review /

1 Comment

Name – Reissdorf Kölsch
Country – Germany
Type – Kolsch

Appearance – Pours a very clear yellow with a small bubbly head that disappeared quite quickly.

Smell – Not a whole lot hits the nose but some slight grainy smells.

Taste – Very light body with slight grain taste and a little bit of malt.

I’ve only had one other kolsch before and that one was light as well so I believe it is just the style that makes it so very light. It is a very crisp and clean finish that is very refreshing but not a whole lot going on in the flavor and smell department. This would probably be a pretty good session beer considering all that and that it is only 4.8% ABV.

Overall Grade – C