Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark

December 17, 2019

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Leinenkuges Creamy Dark- Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.

Now I know this isnt what you would call a Stout or a Porter. Linnie’s calls it an American Dark Lager. Not even sure what that is really,, but this beer is a gateway to the dark side for many people. I have lost count of how many of these I have drank, especially this time of year.

Just opening the twist off cap you get a nice whiff of chocolate. Not much for roast though. There is a very appealing sweetness that mingles with a grainy bit, almost like one of those choclate no-bake cookies.

Before I even get to a sip the thin head dissapears completely. But in that sip you get nearly what had in the nose, powdered coco with just a mild sweetness. You do get some roast in the taste, but it is very much a background thing. I hate to say its got “lager characteristics” But it really does. Its clean, nothing as far as a yeast profile, and nearly nothing in the way of hop contribution.

The light sweetness and light coco, low bittered with middle of the road carbonation mixed with a nice finish and light body makes this beer quite refreshing really. You want to have another right away.

As much as coco or chocolate was mentioned here, I would in no way call this a dessert beer. If you blindfolded someone, I bet they would say this is a blonde ale or a light lager with hints of that chocolate. Solid beer here, and always a good choice to hand to someone who is a bit leary yet of dark beers.

This beer hits all of my buttons. I wish they made bombers of this. The manbuns would be all over it. 4.5/5

Mobcraft Vanilla Wafer Porter

November 27, 2019

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I’m at Glass Nickel Pizza today and I see they are putting up a new beer on tap.

Mobcraft Vanilla Wafer Porter. Sounds “interesting” so let’s give it a shot.

It is a nitro pour that seems to be a bit more active than the tender anticipated, but we finally got one poured and it looks pretty good.

Trying to get a good nose on it, but that damn nitro really covers most of it up. But there is still a good amount of chocolate and a sweetness here,, but like a cookie kinda sweet, not sugar. Not much for roast though.

This is a terrible pic of it,, but the beer is just on the line of dark brown and black. Nice highlights and that head laces all the way down.

When we get to tasting this, the first thing that gets you is the chocolate. Almost cake like,, but strangely,, no vanilla, unless you think Nilla Wafers taste like vanilla.

There is enough roast to call this a porter, but its really on the low side,, not sure where else this would fall so yea,, I’ll agree with porter.

There is no, or very little hop taste here, but the bitterness level really plays good with the sweet. The balance of this is quite admirable as this could have easily been overly sweet.

The 7% totally goes unnoticed with the huge body that I’m not convinced is due to the nitro. Feels like good old mash technique.

I gotta say that I like this beer quite a bit more than I expected. It’s light roast, chocolate, and pastry notes all come together well.

I gave this a 3/5,, but as it’s warming I could go higher now that the roast is peeking thru a little more.

Local Ruffian

May 29, 2018

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Another local beer this time out! We are at Badger State Brewing on a brisk 95 degree day. Perfect stout weather!
Their offering today is the Dubious Ruffian chocolate stout. One of the few (maybe two) year round local stouts.

This is usually in cans but since I am at their tap room this came in a pint. And as usual with the beers here, they are waaay to cold. Like Bud light cold. So take that into account when ordering.

Right at the pour there is not much for head at all. A thin little tan film. But this is probably from the pre-mentioned cold. Jet, opaque black.
Even the cold cannot stop the chocolate and sweet grain aroma. Right from the get go you know this is a chocolate stout. No perceived hop, alcohol or yeast aromas, But as it starts to warm a bit of roast starts to show.

Even though the roast in the nose was minimal, it is there is taste. An easy non overpowering roasty with no sharpness or burnt. Quickly followed by chocolate. Like a bittersweet chocolate square kind of thing.

It’s sweet, I’ll say that. But not anywhere near being overly sweet. Pair that with the almost non existent bittering hop you would think this would be syrup. But it keeps it’s self in check. The thin body, dry finish and moderate carbonation helps this for sure. And the mid 6% packs just enough punch to make it fun, but not dangerous.

This is a decent chocolate stout, but it really is in dessert beer range. And I’m not sure, especially on a screaming hot day like today, if I could have more than one or two at a time. Sweet, thin, low roast. But I do like it. And drink it quite regularly.

3.75 rated from me.

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