When I was at Dark Horse last week, I picked up a few of their beers at Wacky Willy's Party Store, which sits at the south western corner of the brewery compound. I was told they sell all their beer through their tenant Wacky's... because before they did Wacky's wasn't selling any beer at all. It works out well for everyone as they have spirits liquors and wines as well as a few groceries and a lunch counter. If it has a theme, it is the "I am just about to go or just back from hunting" look. When we went in there were a couple of rather hearty bear-like lads having a bite. Wondering if I took the lad in too rough a place, I heard a quiet growl from the table say "if you can't find what your looking for, just be sure to ask." His head never lifted from the blue plate special.
The cream stout pours inky with a deep mahogany edge. Froth and rim the colour of espresso foam. On the nose, licorice meets dark chocolate and coffee beans. More of the same in the mouth with a surprising sour tang that works with the the dark dry notes and baking spices to create some pluminess in its heart. Oddly, pink grapefruit juice in the cocoa powder finish. Great BAer respect.
Comments
Spencer - August 17, 2009 11:36 PM
Last year, I was pouring Dark Horse stouts at the March stout beer tasting at Arbor Brewing. There were 4 stouts on my table: the Too cream stout, Tres blueberry stout, Fore smoked stout and Plead the 5th imperial stout. I was blown away by them. The Tres and Fore were particularly impressive, as they broke my preconceptions of what fruit and smoked beers are like.
The Tres is first a stout, with a definite blueberry presence harmoniously blended. Think pancakes, blueberry syrup, and coffee. Just yummy. It was a big hit with the patrons, too.
The Fore had just enough smoke to be interesting, and many of the patrons who said "Oh, I don't like smoked beers" were impressed by it. All four were great, and are definitely near or at the top of my list when I'm looking for a stout.
Alan - August 18, 2009 8:18 AM
I have a few more but missed the blueberry one. I like everything about DH - the dedication to local, the small town aspect. In their community they must be a significant presence. And the beer is intelligent and, at 8 bucks a four pack, very reasonably priced.
ben cultura - August 18, 2009 11:52 AM
Well I like reading articles about beer. I'm now in Germany for a while and here you can always find several kinds of local beer in every city. In Berlin there are so many activities and celebrations to convince you to drink beer with the local guys. Two years ago I was even alcohol free, but now you see, I can't live without it^_^
Alan - August 29, 2009 6:34 PM
Having another as the Mets and Cubs play. It's like a slice of pink grapefruit with a light dark chocolate coating.
Alan - September 28, 2009 10:35 PM
Their Fore smoked stout is a smore - smoked and chocolate. BBQ or dessert?