Boulevard Tasting Room Series: Milk Stout

For a tutorial on just what milk stout is, refer to a recent IGB review:

http://ill-gottenbooty.blogspot.com/2017/03/elysian-brewing-split-shot-espresso.html

This black beauty pours a impenetrable black with a frothy beige head. Coffee, toffee, vanilla, caramel & chocolate all battle for dominance. At only 12 IBU's, the hop bitterness is all but absent, very different from their Bully Porter. The lactose imparts a sweetness that melds well with the creaminess from the rolled oats. Overall a fine example of the style.

Boulevard Tasting Room Series: Rosemary India Pale Ale

Boulevard has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to experimenting with new beer styles, but I'm not sure that this is a cutting edge brew, or just another IPA with some oddball flavoring thrown in. Not to say that this isn't a tasty offering. I have been using rosemary, as well as marjoram, as a seasoning for sauteed vegetables lately, so I am familiar with the taste profile. I must say that am surprised at how well it contributes to the bitter edge of the IPA. As usual, Boulevard's India Pale Ale is a great example of the style, the rosemary melds very well with it; there is also a hint of mint in the mix. I can see this being an ideal companion for spicy meats, or perhaps barbecue. Nice surprise from our friends in Kansas City.

Elysian Brewing Split Shot Espresso Milk Stout

No beer style is better suited to accept into its bosom coffee beans than a stout (we can throw porters in there too, but you know where I'm coming from). And no stout sub-style provides a happier home for coffee than the delectable milk stout. Stout's natural heavy creaminess is enhanced by the rich coffee flavor. Milk stouts (also known as sweet stouts) get their name from the additional of lactose to the brew. Since lactose is a sugar that does not convert to alcohol during fermentation, its reside imbues the brew with a sweet taste, and a firm rebuttal to the "I don't like dark beer" crowd. Split Shot pours a deep impenetrable brown, admitting nary a photon. The head is a short, lacy tan; the consistency is a medium-heavy. The coffee is up front and obvious, but somehow not overwhelming. As Split Shot warms up, vanilla and chocolate notes swirl unto the taste horizon. I'd give this an 8.5 on the IGB beer scale.

Goose Island Fassinator Blonde Dopplebock

As everyone knows, Spring is the season for the bocks. Okay, everyone doesn't know it, but it is. Here's a previous IGB article about Bocks:

http://ill-gottenbooty.blogspot.com/2010/02/beer-reviews-bocks-are-coming.html

Let's start off with the name: Fassinator. Pronounced Fahs-in-Ator, derived for the German word from draught: Vom Fahs, and a traditional suffix for bocks: -ator. The ABV is 8%, about what you'd expect for a strong bock. It pours an apricot hue with a three-finger head that very slowly recedes to a lacy frill. fairly complex flavor mix, with malty sweet biscuit-y notes with some banana undertones. Light hop bitterness that kicks in after the beer warms up a bit - not noticeable straight from the fridge. A lot smoother than a typical doppelbock, with no noticeable alcohol heat. I'd classify this more as a strong maibock rather than a doppelbock, but your mileage may vary.