The Muddy Imperial Stout by Goose Island

I have to admit pretty much anytime I visit the grocery store I feel I have to check the beer aisle. Most of the time I walk out of the aisle with nothing. Nevertheless I feel I have to check because of that exciting moment every beer enthusiast loves, finding something new and exciting. I did just that on a recent visit when I came across The Muddy Imperial Stout by The Goose Island Beer Company. Now if the Bourbon County Series has taught us one thing, The Goose Island Beer Company knows how to make an incredible stout. I didn't think for an instant this was going to be in the same ball park as Bourbon County but I thought there was a chance it was the equivalent of tailgating outside of said ball park. Please pardon the bad sports metaphor but I was very excited about that. Add in the fact that this imperial stout according to the bottle featured “amplified sweetness with licorice notes” I probably could not have gotten it in the cart fast enough. The only question I was left with was, is this beer going to be as exciting as I think it's going to be?

The Muddy poured a thick black color with a dark tan head that went away almost immediately. The aroma was slightly sweet, full of roasted malt with chocolate and a hint of coffee. The aroma was also slightly boozy but with an ABV of 9% that is not completely unexpected. And while The Muddy is a fun name for a stout, unfortunately it accurately described the flavor. The roasted malt was easily detectable initially in the flavor but shortly after that the outrageous candy sweetness dominated my palate. It was so overpowering that any of the subtle flavors that I was doing my best to detect were pretty much “muddied” by this sweetness. The worst part to me was the fact that the licorice was practically nonexistent. As I made my way through the glass I kept hoping the next sip was going to be the one where I tasted the licorice, sadly this never happened.

When I was finished with The Muddy all I was left with was an empty glass and a whole lot of disappointment for this completely missed opportunity by Goose Island to create something new and creative. And it is also a reminder that unfortunately not every new beer we spot is as good as we hope it would be. But it is beers like The Muddy that make us appreciate when we find that good beer that much more.

Overall I give The Muddy Imperial Stout a 1.5/5. While it is not completely undrinkable it reminded me more of an extremely sweet cheap liqueur then it did an imperial stout.

Rating Scale:
1 - Repugnant and undrinkable
2 - Acceptable but forgettable
3 - Good, worth a purchase
4 - Excellent, a step above the norm
5 - Truly exceptional　

To discuss this blog or all things beer follow me on Twitter at @ACraftyLook

For more beer reviews go to: http://acraftylook.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading. Sláinte!

Genesee Bock Beer

Two things that I generally frown upon but I am sometimes guilty of are buying cheap beer and hoarding. But sometimes you are on a budget and sometimes you can't part with an ugly polyester bowling shirt that you haven't worn in years because at any moment an occasion might call for it. Nevertheless both of those things become common place in Upstate New York every late winter/early spring when the Genesee Brewery releases their Bock Beer.

Genesee Bock Beer to some is a well kept secret. A surprisingly good beer released by a brewery that produces a Cream Ale commonly referred to as a “Screamer” for its effects on the digestive systems of its drinkers. To others it's an afterthought because of the reputation of the product I just mentioned. And while you will never see me touch a Genesee Cream Ale, I along with beer drinkers from all over Rochester, NY and the surrounding areas flock to the grocery store every January in search of Bock Beer.

Over the past few years, Genesee Bock Beer has attained a cult-like status among beer drinkers who have affectionately nicknamed it “The Goat” after the logo on it's bright green can. In fact, the beer is so beloved that some will actually buy enough of it in January to last the rest of the year. I commonly wonder if this beer was available year round, would Bock Beer have the same loyal following? Or would it be lost in the fold like so many other beers?

Bock Beer does distance itself from other cheap beers with its' beautifully dark red color and thick tan head. The aroma is full of caramel sweetness with a hint of honey. Upon tasting, the caramel malt dominates the flavor before it finishes with a hint brown sugar and a mild hop bitterness to balance the sweetness. Bock Beer then washes away clean to cap off a pleasant beer drinking experience.

And while it may be a pleasant beer drinking experience, it's not an exceptional one. Perhaps the biggest con of Bock Beer might just be the fact that it plays it perfectly safe. It tries to walk the line between causal beer drinkers and experienced beer drinkers. And while this is perfectly fine, this might explain its seasonal appeal. Beer drinkers try it, like it and then forget about it. By the time it is re-released the cycle begins all over again.

Overall I'd give it a 3/5. It looks good, it tastes good and it's inexpensive. You really can't go wrong with trying it. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking.


Rating Scale:
1 - Repugnant and undrinkable
2 - Acceptable but forgettable
3 - Good, worth a purchase
4 - Excellent, a step above the norm
5 - Truly exceptional　

To discuss this blog or all things beer follow me on Twitter & Untappd at @ACraftyLook

For more beer reviews go to: http://acraftylook.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading. Sláinte!