Been too long since I posted a beer review! I promise to have at least one a week for the rest of this month and perhaps I can manage to pull that off for even longer. God knows I drink plenty of beer...
This time around I have a review of a regional seasonal brew in keeping with the month of October.
Great Lakes Brewing Company - Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale
Beer Type: American Strong Ale
Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with the trade mark Great Lakes Brewing label - black border with art and stylized fonts. Beer pours almost blood red into the glass with a medium ivory head.
Smell: Initial smell is sweet caramel and malt with a sour citrus note. A bit of hops bitterness comes through as well.
First Drink: Strong grapefruit citrus flavors quickly followed by sweet sticky caramel. I'm getting a bit of hops but not as much as I had expected.
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, and easy drinking, although the finish seems a bit dry. I wanted a glass of water after the first bottle.
Last Drink: Getting more hops in the finish, and an interesting aged wood flavor? Not sure where that is coming from but it's a neat trick.
Drinkability: This is 8% ABV but you wouldn't know it without reading the label. The overall brew hides the alcohol flavor well and holds up to repeat drinks. Enjoying this one.
Notes: Great Lakes Brewing Company may be one of the only things I like about Ohio. All of the beers I have had from this brewery have been good, and their seasonal ones are just as fine. This one reminds me of some of the Stone brews in a way.
Verdict: 4.5 out of 5. Good flavor, unique finish, and a decent buzz. What more can you ask from a beer?
Links: Beer Advocate and Great Lakes Brewing Company.
