A Break from Summer with a Beer on a High Horse

Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout

The coolest thing about Mikkeller is that it was originally 2 guys who were home-brewing and decided to move to a larger stage . They began to rent out space at breweries to create large batches. Now it is down to one guy, Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, who brews alone in breweries around Denmark (his home), Europe, and the U.S. But...

Have you ou ever had that friend that didn’t shut up? Who thought they were the best? The thing about them that everyone quickly realized was that, while they were good enough to get away with the trash talk, they were no where near the best. While I really respect Mikkeller, that’s kind of how this beer is.

Don’t get me wrong, this kid can play in the big leagues; it’s a great beer, with an awesome smell, and balanced flavor. I really enjoyed this beer despite the fact that I was drinking a stout on a day where the temperature was pushing a hundred and the air was more humid than a rain forest.

The reason I compare this beer to the friend that talks too much is ‘cause of the price tag. It’s usually $15+ at the cheapest. While it’s a great beer, 15+ dollars for a 16 oz beer is just a bit on the crazy side. Drop that price, cut the unnecessary hype, and this beer is a thing of beauty.



QUICK TASTE

Mikkeller, Beer Geek Breakfast Stout

Nøgne Ø, Norway.

ABV% 7.50

Beer Style: Imperial Stout

Appearance: Dark Brown, little translucence, think dark brown head

Aromatics: Smelled of coffee and roasted/burnt flavors, malty

Taste: Strong coffee flavor, hint of malty sweetness, and bitter chocolate

Notes: This beer was rough on a day pushing 100 degrees, it was a good beer but I expected more from the hype and the price

Score: 80

Thirty Years Young

Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Series: Fritz and Ken's Ale

This stout is the first of a 4 beer series and is a collaboration between Anchor Brewing and Sierra Nevada. As the bottle says:

"Fritz Maytag, owner of San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company, is regarded as the godfather of the craft brewing movement. Fritz agreed to guest brew this very special ale with us in honor of our 30 ^th anniversary. As a nod to the robust black ales that seduced both Fritz and Ken in the early years, we bring you this Pioneers Stout, a rich and roasted ale, perfect for aging, and worthy of your finest snifter. Enjoy!"

This beer really lives up to its claims. It is one of the best hoppy stouts I have ever tired and it gives my all-time favorite beer, Rogue's 2008 Imperial Stout, a run for its money.

When poured it is a thick, very dark brown with a nice-sized dark tan head. The smell is very bitter, fruity, and a little hoppy. There is a slight coffee scent too, but not too much to make me step back (I hate coffee).

The flavor is well balanced; there aren't the overpowering chocolate or coffee notes that plague many stouts. The flavor is a bitter chocolate, but also has a subtle hops flavor and smokiness and it all wraps up with some notes of coffee. The complexity is nice and all of the flavors blend smoothly; like I said, not one of them overwhelms any of the others.

This beer was so nice that I bought a few bottles and put them away to age for a few years.

QUICK TASTE

Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary: Fritz and Ken's Ale
Chico, CA

ABV% 9.20

Imperial Stout

Appearance: Dark brown, dark tan head

Aromatics: Fruity, hoppy and little coffee

Taste: Hoppy, Bitter Chocolate, Smokey and Roasted

Notes: Very Interesting and Complex Stout, saved a few bottles for aging

92