Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout

The intoxicating and inviting aromas of South Tier Creme Brulee Stout draw you in the second you pop the top. Tons of toffee, butterscotch, and milk in the nose and a gorgeous dark tan head floating on a sea of black.

Sweet sugar with a little bit of char to go along with the butterscotch and warm milk and a very creamy texture. There's also a hop bite at the back end to remind you it's a beer. Never having had creme brulee (I know, how bourgeois of me) I can't say how close it is to Creme Brulee in a bottle, but gosh is it tasty. Might be too sweet for some, but I think it's delicious. The burnt flavor lingers more than anything, but it goes very well with the sweetness. Not even a hint of the whopping 9.6% ABV

Excellent brew!

Grade: A

Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat

Here's another case of high expectations simply based on the name. With Tallgrass's Buffalo Sweat, I want something big, bold, and kinda nasty.

They've got the color right for sure with a black pour and some deep brown on the edges. Lots of roasted and smokey oatmeal in the nose. Surprisingly creamy with some delightful chocolate and strong coffee flavors. The coffee really lingers. Mouthfeel is a bit light for as dark as this is, but it's really tasty and goes down rather easily.

Overall, I think it's great. Smooth, not too big, bold and well balanced flavors. I'm a fan!

Grade: A

New Holland Dragon's Milk

There are few, if any, brews like New Holland Dragon's Milk. Inky black, with the smell of vanilla, oak, bourbon, and an alcohol burn. Creamy, bitey, bitter. Of all the barrel aged stouts I have had, this one brings the most powerful bourbon punch. Lots of roasted malt and bitter chocolate. The finish is like dry cedar.

Tons of complex, full flavors, and at 10% ABV, tons of alcohol.

An absolute gem!

Grade: A+

Lilja's Sasquatch Stout

I'm a sucker for a cool name and a cool label. Lilja's Sasquatch Stout has both! Thankfully, it tastes as good as it looks! It has all the characteristics I want in a stout. A dark color, great head, strong roasted flavor with a bitter, dry finish. This one also has a taste of currants and rye bread. Very complex, very interesting, and very delicious. Reminds me both of a milk stout and an imperial stout. I'm a bit confused as to who makes it, though. The label will lead you to Pangaea Beers, but beeradvocate.com has it under Sand Creek Brewing. However, Sand Creek's website doesn't have Sasquatch listed. I don't care who makes, it's wonderful!

Grade: A