Mackeson XXX Stout

[Krougar]

In my definite uneducated and unexperienced version of a beer "palate", I've always found exploring new beers in the form of stouts more rewarding for a couple of reasons. I've personally found more diversity in what breweries call a stout than, say, an IPA. This may just be my inability to pick out the subtleties of the base ingredients in most beers, where stouts often implore more powerful flavors that leave a clear imprint on your tongue.

Without having the availability of many micros in our area, I'm stuck with what's popular and semi-available. Usually this means occasionally seeing something new in the store that only lasts a week after the only people buying it, being us, decide we don't like it and let their stock rot on the shelves as it were. I considered myself lucky to taste Mackeson for the first time 6 years ago, and have sense only been able to find it on two occasions (the establishment we found it at in the past 2 years has recently stopped ordering it).

After talking to a few people from this community and others in my area, it seems that most people regard this beer as either "too sweet" or just generally not a well crafted flavor. I guess I like it when a beer has a little too much of something in it, as long as it's a taste I take well to. Can anyone give me some input on what their taste experiences of Mackeson are? And possibly why you think it isn't popular (or good) enough to stay widely available?

Krougar

[steveh]

Originally posted by Krougar
Can anyone give me some input on what their taste experiences of Mackeson are? And possibly why you think it isn't popular (or good) enough to stay widely available?

While I haven't tried Mackeson in some time, I think it's a beer that may suffer from misperception among the average beer drinker - much as Guinness does. Your average light, fizzy, flavorless beer drinker takes one look at a dark, rich, thick stout like Mackeson and is immediately repulsed.

I had this reactive experience on St. Pat's while sharing a growler of dry stout from a local brew-pub with friends - one of our co-workers, a devout Miller Lite drinker whose idea of stepping up to a more adventerous beer is MGD, walked by as I was pouring into a pint and exclaimed, "What is that? That's foul, how can you drink that?" Having never even tried it.

On the other hand, even if they do try it, that doesn't mean their palates are sophisticated enough to separate this as a "beer," when all perception of beer throughout their lives is the exact opposite of a Mackeson. Fortunately, I've found more drinkers willing to take a chance than not, so there is hope.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Cookeville, eh? Too bad we're moving at the end of the month - we could have gotten together and had a brewparty!

Nashville is only an hour and a quarter away... you ought to make a pilgrimage every so often to a few places down here and see what you can find. There's not the variety of beers that you hear about on this board, but they're getting better. If you need some suggestions on places to visit, drop me a PM.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by Krougar
...After talking to a few people from this community and others in my area, it seems that most people regard this beer as either "too sweet" or just generally not a well crafted flavor. I guess I like it when a beer has a little too much of something in it, as long as it's a taste I take well to. Can anyone give me some input on what their taste experiences of Mackeson are? And possibly why you think it isn't popular (or good) enough to stay widely available?

Krougar

Mackeson's XXX is a fine example of a milk stout - it's supposed to be sweet. Matter of fact I was thinking of brewing a clone of Mackeson's for my next beer.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by steveh
While I haven't tried Mackeson in some time, I think it's a beer that may suffer from misperception among the average beer drinker - much as Guinness does. Your average light, fizzy, flavorless beer drinker takes one look at a dark, rich, thick stout like Mackeson and is immediately repulsed.

I had this reactive experience on St. Pat's while sharing a growler of dry stout from a local brew-pub with friends - one of our co-workers, a devout Miller Lite drinker whose idea of stepping up to a more adventerous beer is MGD, walked by as I was pouring into a pint and exclaimed, "What is that? That's foul, how can you drink that?" Having never even tried it.

On the other hand, even if they do try it, that doesn't mean their palates are sophisticated enough to separate this as a "beer," when all perception of beer throughout their lives is the exact opposite of a Mackeson. Fortunately, I've found more drinkers willing to take a chance than not, so there is hope.

S.


I couldn't agree with Steveh more. Peoples perceptions of beer based solely on appearance, without ever having tried it, is frustrating. When I put my stout on tap, inevetibly, someone will say "how can you drink that?" And I will say, "have you tried it?" I will give them a sample, explaining the chocolate, roast/coffee flavors. "Do you like it?" I ask. "Actually, yeah, its pretty good." they reply. "Can I have a Kolsch?" Frustrating, but at least they are trying it. And I can't complain that they're still drinking my Kolsch.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
Mackeson's XXX is a fine example of a milk stout - it's supposed to be sweet.

Yes it is. As a matter of fact, I try to keep some Mackeson's XXX on hand in the beverage cooler, for when I get one of those "hankerings" that it can satisfy. It certainly isn't one of those beers that you are going to drink a sixer of in a session, but when your taste buds are yearning for a rich brew, one will sure hit the spot!

[Sorny]

For me XXX is a great beer to wind down with. If you are a true Mackeson fan some of you have surely tried this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a wonderful dessert. Just give it a try sometime I am sure you will like it.