February 2008 Archives
In my experience, Murphy's is the third-most popular of the major Irish stouts (after Guinness and Beamish) -- a little bit harder to find, but certainly worth the effort.
Characteristics: Rich blackish-brown (nearly opaque) color with the classic tan creamy head, nitrogen widget can pour that takes about a minute to settle to light carbonation, smooth toasted malt flavors with just enough hops (especially at the beginning of each sip, and then lingering at the back of the tongue) to keep the sweetness out.
Minor Gripes: Is it bad that this beer goes down so easy? It would be nice to find this on tap more often... instead, one Irish pub in my neighborhood has stopped offering Beamish on tap (presumably for lack of sales) and I've only seen Murphy's in a great bar / guest house in Milwaukee.
Bottom Line: Admittedly, I've never understood the fear that many people have of Irish stouts... I find them easy to drink, perhaps even on the lighter end of the spectrum (especially compared with beers like the chocolate porters). And overall I'd rather drink Murphy's than Guinness from the nitro-can.
Rating: 6.75 / 10
Characteristics: Rich blackish-brown (nearly opaque) color with the classic tan creamy head, nitrogen widget can pour that takes about a minute to settle to light carbonation, smooth toasted malt flavors with just enough hops (especially at the beginning of each sip, and then lingering at the back of the tongue) to keep the sweetness out.
Minor Gripes: Is it bad that this beer goes down so easy? It would be nice to find this on tap more often... instead, one Irish pub in my neighborhood has stopped offering Beamish on tap (presumably for lack of sales) and I've only seen Murphy's in a great bar / guest house in Milwaukee.
Bottom Line: Admittedly, I've never understood the fear that many people have of Irish stouts... I find them easy to drink, perhaps even on the lighter end of the spectrum (especially compared with beers like the chocolate porters). And overall I'd rather drink Murphy's than Guinness from the nitro-can.
Rating: 6.75 / 10
I have always gone back and forth on Blackened Voodoo, as it seems to be rather sensitive to its environment (temperature, glassware, age, etc.) and there are few guarantees once you get the bottle in your hand. My most recent six-pack met that expectation, but generally came out to the positive side. And raise a glass to the Minhas Craft Brewing Co (f/k/a Huber Brewing Company) of Monroe, Wisconsin, which has stepped up with contract brewing facilities to help keep Dixie alive while the original New Orleans facilities are still out of commission.
Characteristics: Dark reddish-brown color, decent head (quickly receding), light body that allows for some translucency, medium carbonation that underscores an intriguing battle between dry hops and sweet malts that continues all the way down.
Minor Gripes: Similar to its new stablemate Huber Bock, Blackened Voodoo will change from bottle to bottle, glass to glass, and the "sweet spot" is notoriously hard to replicate.
Bottom Line: For those who like schwarzbiers and other dark lagers, Blackened Voodoo is worth checking out. Just treat it like an English ale (i.e. warm it up a little) to get the full flavor experience. Or seek out Köstritzer at a good German restaurant or rathskeller and enjoy a consistently strong beverage.
Rating: 6 / 10 on a good day, 4.5 / 10 on a bad one.
Characteristics: Dark reddish-brown color, decent head (quickly receding), light body that allows for some translucency, medium carbonation that underscores an intriguing battle between dry hops and sweet malts that continues all the way down.
Minor Gripes: Similar to its new stablemate Huber Bock, Blackened Voodoo will change from bottle to bottle, glass to glass, and the "sweet spot" is notoriously hard to replicate.
Bottom Line: For those who like schwarzbiers and other dark lagers, Blackened Voodoo is worth checking out. Just treat it like an English ale (i.e. warm it up a little) to get the full flavor experience. Or seek out Köstritzer at a good German restaurant or rathskeller and enjoy a consistently strong beverage.
Rating: 6 / 10 on a good day, 4.5 / 10 on a bad one.
