Copperstate Gary

December 8, 2022

stoutmaker review , , , , , , 1 Comment

Got my hands on one of the locals Halloween beers this time.
Copperstate Brewing’s Gary. An imperial stout with cocao nips and aged in rum barrels.

I picked up this 22oz waxed bomber back in October. And I have been waiting. So lets get at this one.

Just by the pour you can tell this is a fairly thicker body stout. And wow, the raisiny or plums aroma its throwing. Even in my small glass, the raisin is everywhere.
But behind that there is chocolate and roast malt, rum notes. There is quite a bit going on, but nothing (except that raisin) overpowering.

What I am not getting in the nose is any hops or yeast. Nor (to my absolute pleasure) any of the modern Imperial Stout syrupy sweetness. This just smells fantastic. 

Black. Black as you can get is what this is. But not much for a head. Just a slight ring aounf the glass. But, that does happen with a lot of barrel aged.

The first taste is just what I was hoping for. Everything that was in that fantastic aroma is also coming out in the taste. Roast, raisin, chocolate, now we are getting some nice hop. the rum is there but staying behind and letting the Stout do its thing.

Another wow. It is so balanced with all that is going on in there. The bitterness is firm. And it one of those bitterings that you feel right on the tip of your toungue, like the good old school bitterings were.

That thicker pouring body feels a bit thinner than it looked like it was gonna be, but again, tat seems to be a part of that barrel aged thing. Plus the  %11.5 is probably keeping the body incheck as well.

Well now. Gary is an Imperial Stout not like I have seen in ages. Not over the top in any part. Not stoopidly over sweet or over boozed. Just an overall drinkable, big stout. This is what I think of when I think Imperial Stout.

I am not only giving this a 5/5 but putting this as one of or maybe the best Stout I have ever had. Copperstate Brewing’s Gary

City Lights Coconut Porter

November 15, 2022

stoutmaker Porter , , , , , , Leave a comment

Seen the tap handle and was intrigued. We all know I am not a flavored beer lover, but it’s coconut!

Pours very dark for a porter. I’d say the brownest brown before black. A smallish tan head that didn’t stick around very long though,, but coconut is inda oily so not surprised.

Terrible pic but it was very dark in there

Got a good whiff of chocolate above everything, but more like milk chocolate. No hop or yeast or anything else.. including coconut.. but what would coconut smell like anyway?

Well remember when I said coconut is oily? Holy crap… Thats all I get when taking a sip. It like coats your whole face. Now there is coconut taste. Not much.. but it’s there. So is that chocolate. And a good hit of hops. But it’s that oil feel. Just take me out.

Its bitter enough for sure and full on body. Quite full for a porter but I’m not complaining about it. I think it’s good that it is as carbonated as it is or that oil slick would be even more over the top.

Ok. I would have liked the coconut. The bitterness level, the chocolate.. but that oil feel.. mucho no mas. I can’t do it.

I gave it a .5 for how good it smelled.. but that’s all I can do.

Mudpuppy Porter- Revisit

October 15, 2022

stoutmaker Porter, review , , , , , Leave a comment

We have already done a review of Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter, but that was a nitro version. Today I will be doing the canned beer.

Mudpuppy is a real staple around here. As the can points out, it’s brewed and canned in Amherst Wisconsin. Billed as a 5.8% American Porter.

Even with no widget it pours a large tan head, that sticks around. Big chocolate aroma busts through that thick froth. Dark brown, clear as a bell. It looks just what you think a Porter should. With a few coaxing swirls we also pick up some of the grainy notes along with a bit of sweetness. Nothing much for roast or hops.

Moving to taste, everything nearly matches the aromas. Big chocolate and malty. But also a decent amount of hop. The hop presence though is no match form that chocolate. Luckily, there is a dose of roast, but nothing burnt or harsh. And now that it is warming a bit. That sweetness and even a hint of caramel is poking out.

The body is spot on here. A more than thin, but not something too heavy. You do get all of the reported 28 IBU. If it was any less, this might feel a bit sweet.

This Mudpuppy Porter is mostly about balance. I say mostly because that chocolate is really dominant. But that is what this particular beer is about.

I don’t remember what I gave the on tap Nitro version.. but here I gotta go pretty high for this local favorite. 4.5/5. Pick this up for these colder days of October.

Older Entries Newer Entries