Special Double Cream Stout

Bell's

Special Double Cream Stout

(Specs) 6.1 ABV

Colour: Black

Aroma: roasted malt, chocolate

Head: light brown, small amount

Initial Taste: sweet chocolate notes

Mouthfeel: velvity and bitter, coffee notes medium-heavy body

Aftertaste: intense coffee sourness, but not unpleasant

Note: As the beer sits in the air / warms up, its flavours really develop

Verdict: This beer is a keeper, you really get a huge amount of chocolate and coffee wrapped within a velvety cushion without the crushing heaviness that usually accompanies it.

Yes, the beer is hard to find. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, you should buy it.

You'll thank me.

Boatswain Double IPA

(Trader Joe's) Boatswain

Double IPA

(Specs) 7.5 IBU, 8.4 ABV, 17.15 OG

Colour: dark amber

Aroma: hops, slight malty sweetness

Head: white

Initial Taste: slightly hoppy

Mouthfeel: sweet malt, nice hoppy flavour develops

Aftertaste: slight sweet, fermented aftertaste

Dead Reckoning Porter

Tröegs

Dead Reckoning Porter

(Specs) 4.2 ABV

Colour: Dark Brown

Aroma: dark roasted grains

Head: small, off-white bubbles, small amount

Initial Taste: sweet roasted notes

Mouthfeel: smooth

Aftertaste: hoppy, slightly bitter

Nighty Night

Buckeye Brewing

Nighty Night

Colour:

Aroma: hoppy, slightly roasted/sweet (fruity)

Head: light brown, small bubbles, small quantity

Initial Taste: sweet, fruity

Mouthfeel: smooth, medium body, (fruity sweetness develops)

Aftertaste: slightly sour/sweet aftertaste

Maple Bacon Ale

Rogue / Voodoo Donut

Maple Bacon Ale

(Specs) 6.1 ABV

Colour: 

Aroma: Slightly hoppy, very maple-y, very bacon-y

Head: 

Initial Taste: intense maple and bacon flavours,

Mouthfeel: very rich, medium body, a hoppiness develops

Aftertaste: slightly sweet, maple-y aftertaste

Verdict: I don't know how they did it, but it literally tastes like Maple Bacon Donut, combined with beer. Though the flavours are bold, I don't find it tastes like chemicals or artificial flavouring, just the real deal. Your opinion of this beer will depend entirely on your opinion of Maple, Bacon, and their combination--if you don't like either, you won't like it; if you do, then you won't be able to get enough.

That said, as with many super small-batch beers, I highly recommend checking this beer out if you have the chance. It is an experience to have and to share. Especially since you probably won't be able to finish a bottle yourself, I suggest getting a couple of friends and splitting it after dinner or something. Maybe with some donuts.

The Buckeye Beer Engine

Recently I moved back to the Cleveland area for foreseeable future to try to find or make a job. However, as is my modus operandi for whenever I end up in a new area, I had to start asking and looking around places to great some great drafts. Fortunately, I have discovered that craft beer in my area is the norm rather than the exception and so I feel I have made the correct choice in my move.

On the first night I arrived, on a recommendation from my apartment manager, my family (who were helping me move) and I headed to a place called the Buckeye Beer Engine. Not really expecting much we were a bit surprised when we were greeted with a very unassuming fastfood looking joint with its windows covered in custom neon lights. Even more surprising was when we walked inside and we saw the absolutely huge U-shaped bar tucked into the place and the ceiling lined with old taps handles. Surprised continued with the incredible selection of beers on tap (and in cask!) and bottles available not to say anything about the fantastic burgers and sandwiches we ate for dinner.

If are ever in the Cleveland area and are looking for great food and great beer, I highly recommend checking this place out. They even have a Bike-In special on Monday where you get a discount on your order and so I will definitely be back before long and (un)fortunately, probably pretty often thereafter.

Black Beer Stout

Hite Jinro Co

Black Beer Stout

(Specs) 5.0 ABV

Colour: dark brown, almost like a dark maple syrup

Aroma: dark, roasted malt, cocoa

Head: tan, very little

Initial Taste: slightly roasted hoppy taste

Mouthfeel: light-to-medium body

Aftertaste: light roasted aftertaste