So when Brian poured us each a half glass, the first thing we noticed was the brown color in the pour, but how black it was in the glass. Brian was surprised about how much head there was. Maybe a bit much for an Imperial Stout, but whatever.

This is where it got weird. There was a nice roasty smell to it, with a hint of chocolate and some nice, sweet malty notes. Then we tasted it.

To be fair, Brian had it first. He wanted me to confirm that it tasted almost just like a porter we brewed once with some friends.

This is odd (and not so good) for a few reasons.

All in all, its not awful, actually not bad at all. We’re both willing to testify that our porter wasn’t the best beer we made, but also not the worst. However, I would expect more from something that someone is actually selling.

This is an Imperial Porter at best, and a sweet stout at worst. I’m not sure I’d buy it again, but I certainly wouldn’t avoid it either.

9/10 if they’d called it a standard porter.
6/10 for an Imperial Porter.
4/10 for attempting to be an Imperial Stout.

“Mahogany in color, entering with hints of maple, followed by a roasted hazelnut body, balancing a clean malty finish.”

This is probably the first beer I’ve ever had that had a description on its label that wasn’t just hype, and wasn’t stroking their egos – and is actually pretty accurate a description of the beer inside.

The picture is a pretty good representation of the color, which is kind of surprising – its really that dark. The nose is malty sweetness.

The first sip DOES have a little maple to it, but it doesn’t last. As you drink through the glass, its mostly just a sweet maltiness, and a definite hazelnut presence.

I would have to say that the predominant flavor is the somewhat roasty nut flavor, both in the mouth and in the aftertaste. It has a somewhat thicker mouthfeel that I’m not quite sure I’m in love with. A little less of the malt sweetness might back that off a bit too and do some really nice things for this beer.

My brother in law gave me a bottle when I was in Cincinnati (thanks Gordon!), as he is a big fan. I’m not sure I can say the same about this particular beer, but I can say that I would eagerly try anything else that the boys at Mt Carmel have to offer. I think this young brewery (est. 2005) has a lot of potential, and will keep doing good things. Keep it up guys, and people will keep drinking it. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for more of your beer in the future.

6/10

I like a good, drinkable brown, and if this was available here in Michigan, I would be drinking it a lot more often.

There is a great nuttiness in this beer, and it plays wonderfully with the bittering of the hops, and the lively carbonation. After a few sips, once my palate has grown a little more accustomed to it, the malt flavor pops through with just the right hint of sweetness.

I suppose I could do for a little less bitterness, but all in all, this is a really solid beer. Its not Cabin Fever or anything (one of my favorite browns), but its more in that vein than say, Newcastle (another well-loved beer). All that said, I would gladly drink this when presented with the option.

Good job, Moerlein, you’ve made me a fan. Now start distributing in Michigan.

7/10