#242: Westbrook Brewing Co. » Mexican Cake (Imperial Stout)

Westbrook Brewing Co. » Mexican Cake (Imperial Stout)
ABV: 10.5% | IBUs: 50 | Rating: 9.7/10

This is my first go-around with Westbrook's lauded anniversary ale, Mexican Cake. A beast of a brew, this American Imperial Stout is packed with cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and fresh habanero peppers, and unlike many big stouts, it's recommended to drink fresh. A bit of a bumpy start to the week rebooted with great beer, A/C, and cartoons? Sign me up.

As with many well-hyped beers stuffed with a plethora of additives, I approached this one with a touch of skepticism, but also a great deal of excitement. While I haven't been wowed by every Westbrook, the ones that do, really knock it out of the park for me. Mexican Cake delivered on the latter.

This double stout pours up jet black with a thick, reddish, dark-mocha head. Smooth, sweet cinnamon & cocoa nib aromas rise up from the glass backed by mild notes of roasted coffee and vanilla.

The first sip is transcendental. This isn't even beer, it's a thick, beautiful desert cocktail. A smooth and silky mouthfeel, supported by lively carbonation makes for a pleasant, sippable canvas for a plethora of flavors.

The chocolate / pepper combo here is crucial and one of the most well-balanced habanero beers, or any hot-pepper beer, I've had yet. Big flavors smooth, cake-like chocolate and an ever-building pepper fire is rolled off with sweet vanilla and lovely hints of sweet, spicy cinnamon.

Overall, Mexican Cake is elegant for the over-the-top recipe, storming in unabashed, but never overbearing. Highly recommended and damn fantastic.

#225: Westbrook Brewing Co. » One Claw (Rye Pale Ale)

One claw to rule them all...?

The Brewery: Westbrook Brewing Co. (Mount Pleasant, SC)
The Brew: One Claw (Rye Pale Ale)
Availability: Cans & Draft (Year-Round)
ABV: 5.5%
Rating: 8.6/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

We've been steadily seeing more of Westbrook's offerings in the area since the initial launch of their IPA and White Thai cans in our region. Since my partner and I have been on a bit of a Rye kick, I grabbed a couple cans of their One Claw in addition to my six of Gose.

One Claw pours out with a voluminous, soapy white head, crowning a cloudy, pale yellow body. The nose is a beautiful bouquet of hops with strong aromas of grapefruit and citrus rind.

The taste is significantly mellower than the nose suggests unfortunately, but there is a gentile hop presence throughout that threads from the sip through the finish. It's nice and wet up front with a semi-dry finish.

Overall, a touch underwhelming for a rye after such a wonderful nose, but a drinkable, tasty beer either way.

#222: Westbrook Brewing Co. » Gose

Sour & salt in the afternoon...

The Brewery: Westbrook Brewing Co. (Mount Pleasant, SC)
The Brew: Gose
Availability: Cans & Draft (Seasonal, Limited)
ABV: 4.0%
Rating: 9.2/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

It was unexpectedly nice that first warm day of April a few weeks back and perfect for relaxing with a beer out back, the vegitation still brown and yellow, but the promise of lush green in a few more weeks is delightful.

I was lucky enough to snag two glasses of  Westbrook's wonderful Gose on draft earlier in the month, in a rare post-work minute to relax before evening events. I stopped into Fingerlakes Beverage and though I was lucky enough to pick up their final can of the stuff, only to be even more enthralled they still had a six-pack in the fridge.

This Gose pours up with a fizzy, white head over a hazy, unfiltered straw body. Mild salty and sour notes punctuate a yeasty nose.

The taste is wonderfully astringent. Biting tartness, a quenching aspect, and drying salt all vie for its defining characteristic. Strong lemon and wheat notes are present amidst a slight earthiness, as well backed by a light body and bone dry finish. Further through, notes of unripe white stone fruits are apparent.

Overall, a fantastic Gose, perfect for a warm, relaxing afternoon.

#179: Westbrook Brewing Co. » White Thai (Witbier)

Belgian-styling meets Southeast inspiration...

The Brewery: Westbrook Brewing Co. (Mount Pleasant, SC)
The Brew: White Thai (Witbier)
Availability: Cans & Draft (Year-Round)
ABV:  5%
Rating: 8/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? 2013 was a good year for several, fan-favorite craft breweries to make their way into to the NYS marketplace. Bell's I've talked the most about, but towards the end of the year, Westbrook Brewing out of South Carolina made their way in as well. Their first offerings to Upstate NY are their IPA and White Thai witbier. 

The cans are eye-catching - bright, simple, yet artisan in design. This Witbier skips the usual orange/coriander road, instead taking inspiration from the Southeast, and utilizes fresh lemongrass, ginger root, and a dash of Sorachi Ace hops. I was honestly very excited what results lay in store. 

The Beer? White Thai presents itself with a hazy, golden-straw colored body under a half finger of pure-white head. A lovely, delicate nose of dry yeast and nod of citrus zest follows. 

The flavor is pleasant. A quick spice of ginger jumps out of the first sip, but quickly smooths out. The Belgian Wit inspiration is apparent, but subtle. Notes of straw, mild lemon, and soft ginger all linger just beyond the foreground. Carbonation levels are typical and mouth feel and coat are somewhat mediocre. 

Overall, a light, tasty brew, but I would have loved a stronger presence of the lemongrass and ginger for a more adventurous offering. 

#088: Evil Twin » Justin Blåbær (Berliner Weiss/Fruit Beer)

ZOMG is Blåbær fea4ver...

The Brewery: Evil Twin Brewing (Denmark)
The Brew: Justin Blåbær (Berliner Weiss/Fruit Beer)
Availability: Draft and 22 oz. bottles
ABV: 4.5%
Rating: 9.3/10
Location: Home
Found: Finger Lakes Beverage Center

The Story? As you may have deduced from some of my earlier posts, I'm a big fan of Evil Twin and Berliner Weisse beer. When I caught wind of this collaboration with Westbrook Brewing Co. (where it's brewed), despite it's insanely bizarre labeling and branding concept, it went high on my radar.

I just missed the boat TWICE enjoying this on tap in Vermont (taps of this kicked at two different bars in two different cities shortly before I arrived), but Finger Lakes Beverage Center (our newest supporter to the right of your screen) came to the rescue as usual, having stocked it just moments before I stopped in for a growler.

This particular Berliner Weiss is brewed with real blueberries, taking the Berliner Weisse mit Schuss tradition in a less syrupy direction. As many Evil Twin brews pack a serious punch of flavor, I know I'm in for a treat with this one.

The Beer? Blåbær immediately doesn't look like any other Berliner Weiss I've had yet - hazy, deep amber coloring crowed with white, fizzy head that has a light violet hue to it on first pour. The blueberries really enriched deepened the appearance of this typically golden, translucent beer.

The taste? BAM! Bright sour flavors of lemon, cherry, and blueberry slap the palate right out of the gate. Acetic and astringent on the tongue and taste, Blåbær hits like a fierce, further soured lambic.

In the second glass, the carbonation eases from prickly, to a fine effervescence and the tartness hits it's stride. The blueberries subtle flavor begin to peak through adding a through of sweetness while emphasizing the tartness, backed by firm yeast notes.

An excellent sour for the adventurous beer enthusiast and a steal for the price, especially compared with some of Evil Twin's line.