Lakefront 8-pack

[fretlessman71]

I picked up a taster 8-pack of Lakefront just the other day, and so far they're not bad. Drinking the Oktoberfest as we speak, and although it's not earthshattering it's pretty decent. The East Side Dark Lager was certainly tasty as well. Who's familiar with these brews?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Who's familiar with these brews?

I yam. Had lots of contact with the Klisch brothers over the years, from the original brewery to the current digs - due to my HBC's association with them, good people.

What else is in the pack? Can you give us more impressions on the Okto? I had a six-pack last season that had serious trouble - had a real vegetable taste going on - rhubarb character, if you can imagine that. I contacted the brewery about it, knowing that the store I purchased from is notorious for selling old beer - I thought maybe they had leftovers from '03.

I generally enjoy all of their beers, the Eastside is a favorite, and my local good-beer-bar usually has the Stein Beer on tap.

S.

http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/

[hops99]

What else is in the pack? Can you give us more impressions on the Okto? I had a six-pack last season that had serious trouble - had a real vegetable taste going on - rhubarb character, if you can imagine that.

I had a sixer of their Okto a few months ago (it was definitely an '04, from my store), and it was way off as well. Funny, I couldn't place the taste but I think you're right - it had kind of a sweet/sour veggie flavor; rhubarb.

That's the first and only bad beer that I've had from Lakefront though, and the Holiday Lager was good this season. Also, I've always thought their Pumpkin Lager is the best Pumpkin beer on the market. The Organic ESB and Pale Ale are ok - nothing special.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
[B]
What else is in the pack?

Yes what else?

[fretlessman71]

Let's see....

Fuel Cafe Stout
Cream City Pale Ale
Cattail Ale
Klisch Pilsner
Riverwest Stein Amber Lager
Organic ESB

Had the Amber last night - not bad, although I sensed something a little off from most lagers... couldn't put my finger on it. Didn't think it necessarily detracted from the flavor, just a little different. A little bit of a sour note in the finish that wasn't all that unpleasant. I'm saving the Fuel Cafe for last - it sounds deeeeeeeelish! :D

The Okto tasted to me like if you took a GREAT Okto like Capital and added a few teaspoons of water to it. Like it had a really nice flavor but less so somehow...

[fretlessman71]

Still wishing I could identify off flavors in all of this stuff (to be honest I can't for the life of me remember what rhubarb tastes like except how it mingles with strawberries in pie!). There's GOT to be a way to learn more about this from where I am in landlocked mile high America....

Oh yeah - I forgot a Lakefront beer I'd had just recently - it was the Beerline that steveh sent. Fantastic! And just the right amount in a 7 oz. bottle. :)

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
There's GOT to be a way to learn more about this from where I am in landlocked mile high America....

See if there are any Home Brew clubs or Beer Appreciation clubs that meet at some of the brew-pubs -- maybe even a Brewmaster's dinner, or something. Gotta be something for you with all that good brew around.

S.

[chazwicke]

I agree. Look around for some sort of beer event calander. And there has to be someplace that does tastings or beer dinners. DC has lots of these type of events. Even the Smithsonian gets in on the act. And there is a board kind of like this one that is for DC / Baltimore area beer postings. Do you have a local Brews Paper? Rocky Mtn Brew News? Lots of places to look. With all those Colo. brewers there has to be somewhere where you can attend tastings.

[ADR]

Riverwest Stein scores well with me, the Holiday Spice Lager gets my award for best use of honey and spice in a domestic lager, very nice brew...

The Pumpkin Lager had some vegetal celery aspects I didn't like...the ESB, not much in the way of spicy hoppiness and needed better body...

Interesting brewery...

[fretlessman71]

I found the Organic ESB very drinkable, but I'm noticing something: When a beer is something that I'd call "drinkable," it usually means it's somewhat light in body, but more importantly it means that it's lacking something; as if I'm drinking it faster in an attempt to find some character worth savoring. The ESB was nice, and held it head rather well, but I have to say that I don't remember anything outstanding about it. It was gone in 5 minutes, and for me it might as well have been a New York Minute. Only reason I mention this is because I just tried the Lakefront Klisch Pilsner, and I can basically say the same thing about it. Tasted fine, maybe a little on the sweetish side, but held its head just fine, okay, the color was very Pils-like, but less so, mouthfeel was average, not boring, but not making me want to jump for joy. Gone in 300 seconds, even at about 55 degrees. So far, I wouldn't turn any of these down if offered, but also wouldn't seek them out. Reading about the Cattail Ale on Beeradvocate.com, I'm afraid to even open it. Could it really be that bad?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I found the Organic ESB very drinkable, but I'm noticing something: When a beer is something that I'd call "drinkable," it usually means it's somewhat light in body, but more importantly it means that it's lacking something; as if I'm drinking it faster in an attempt to find some character worth savoring.

I think it means you're becoming a beer drinker! Seriously, there are plenty of beers out there that are good and meant to be "drinkers," not always completely savored - Dinkel-Acker is that way for me unless I consciously focus on it. In fact, unless I consciously focus on most beers I pick up to have in the fridge, I can suck 'em down without too much heavy thought. And that's not to say I don't enjoy them, it's just that I've become accustomed to good beer flavor and tend to expect it from the familiar beers I buy.

Reading about the Cattail Ale on Beeradvocate.com, I'm afraid to even open it. Could it really be that bad?

Or, you could stick to the neighborhood... (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=774&highlight=Cattail)*

S.

*Sorry, I'd actually forgotten I'd reviewed the Cattail until I saw it while searching other LF beers the other day.

[fretlessman71]

OK,OK, so we all know I have issues with not wanting to drink too much at once, and downing something that fast kinda scares me. But I see your point - it's not necessary to analyze something to death in order to enjoy it. The issue here was that it was a new beer for me, and I kept looking for something really interesting to comment on, and I didn't find it. But both beers were completely enjoyable - they just disappeared a little too fast!

A BEER DRINKER, did you call me? Pistols at dawn! ;)

And to be honest, I tend to overlook realbeer.com's tasting notes a lot of the time because the beeradvocate website is a little better organized, there's a pantload of reviews to read, and it's a rare beer I try that isn't represented over there somewhere. But your point is well taken!

[steveh]

A BEER DRINKER, did you call me? Pistols at dawn!

Um, you may want to re-think that...I have too many to choose from...

And to be honest, I tend to overlook realbeer.com's tasting notes a lot of the time ...

D'oh!! Why..you, I oughtta... Okay -- dawn it is! ;)

S.

[fretlessman71]

Fine! You will recognize me by what I carry in my hands.... (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/22/30/) :D

[chazwicke]

I enjoy reading the tasting notes. Maybe because I rarely do notes myself anymore. Only an occasional review. I drink beer because I love it. I gave up note taking years ago. I only will keep lists of what beers I drink when I am abroad and rarely make comments unless it is something truly outstanding. I do take time to savor them but usually it is in my easy chair and not in front of the computer. I don't really mind writing down a review it's just that I usually don't take the time to write as I drink. The tasting notes are fun to read because it is interesting to see others impressions of a certain beer and if they coincide with my own. Also a review may actually cause me to seek out a beer that I have not tried. Lastly, taking notes on a beer is good because I am frequently asked about beers that I have tried in the past and unless they were very outstanding or noteworthy I do not always remember them. Especially if it has been a decade or so. Keep up the good work all of you who post tasting notes and I'll continue to occasionally post some myself.

[BluesHarp]

I'd join in this thread, but I'm saving post 1000 for something really special, so I'll just...

OH, DAMMIT!!!! :eek:


(Sigh).... Lakefront, you say? I really like the ESB; one of my favorite session beers. It has a certain flavor characteristic I really like; maybe Steveh can help me out : it is a grain-like flavor, kind of biscuity or crackerish (new word?). Their O'fest has the same quality.

I've yet to have one of their beers that I actually didn't like...Riverwest Stein, Eastside Dark, Fuel Cafe, the White beer...all decent brews.

The Cattail ale is alright, but definitely not one of their best offerings in my opinion.

I haven't tried the Beerline yet...can't stand spending $3 for a seven ounce bottle; the same reason I don't buy Old Foghorn at $15 for a sixer of "minis".

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Fine! You will recognize me by what I carry in my hands.... (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/22/30/) :D

You have three hands? Uh, what planet..?

S.

[fretlessman71]

Never mind how many hands I have... I'm tasting beer. :)

The Cream City PA is HOPPY. At least the bottle I have is like that; so much that the malt character is sorta lost. Might be Centennial, not sure, but whatever they are, they're sure green tasting in comparison to many other beers I've had recently. Maybe I'm out of practice on pale ales, but I swear I can see a greenish tinge to the light cream-colored head (which sticks around for awhile). Not green in a BAD way, but very fresh - almost too fresh. Like a little less would have been plenty and also allowed the sweetness of the malt to appear. Now THIS would make a grea lawnmower beer.

[fretlessman71]

Steveh, as I approach the bottom of this pint, it occurs to me that this is pretty similar to the IPA I sent you that you didn't like so much. And now I have a working theory on what happened to the bottle that I sent you (you know, the shipment that was dripping?):

Most of the IPAs I have left are severely overcarbonated. Not so much that the bottles burst, but enough that if I pour half of a 12 oz. bottle into my 22 oz. pilsner glass it foams to the top. Wouldn't this have been enough to break the seal of the cap in the low pressure environment of 30,000 feet? And maybe enough to re-seal itself at sea level? AND.... enough to "flatten" the beer's flavor a little bit?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Steveh, as I approach the bottom of this pint, it occurs to me that this is pretty similar to the IPA I sent you that you didn't like so much.

Too many beers ago...

Most of the IPAs I have left are severely overcarbonated. Not so much that the bottles burst, but enough that if I pour half of a 12 oz. bottle into my 22 oz. pilsner glass it foams to the top.

Why?

Wouldn't this have been enough to break the seal of the cap in the low pressure environment of 30,000 feet? And maybe enough to re-seal itself at sea level? AND.... enough to "flatten" the beer's flavor a little bit?

Mmm. Maybe? But there are a lot of breweries shipping around the country from your neck of the woods that use similar caps. Not sure if your shipment to me traveled ground or air.

S.

[chazwicke]

I know that several of the Yards beers that I have opened lately have virtuallly exploded when opened. and when poured turn to nothing but foam. I know they do not distribute far enough from the brewery in PA to ship via air. I very much wanted to like the Philly Pale Ale but I was very disappointed with the foaming bottles.

[threecb]

I've been drinking the PPA regularly and, while it pours up a nice head, it's not all foam. Are you sure they were fresh? I'm not sure if Yards dates their bottles, I think it may only be on the cases.

And now back to Lakefront...

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh
Mmm. Maybe? But there are a lot of breweries shipping around the country from your neck of the woods that use similar caps. Not sure if your shipment to me traveled ground or air.

S. I know for a fact that it went air to you. I'm not saying that there's a problem with the caps (maybe the person doing the capping had heard too much about people snapping necks off the bottles and backed off?) but with the brewer, who probably added a little too much priming sugar, or failed to mix it in properly, resulting in a few that were too high and several that were too low. Not sure now... should I send you a replacement bottle?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I know for a fact that it went air to you.

That sort of change in air pressure could have caused trouble. Do many carriers guarantee pressurized cabin shipping?

What sort of capper are you using? I've used one of the old-fashioned pedestal jobs in the past and my friend uses the dual-armed, wing-type - both with good success. Though the wing-type can misfire once in a while, however without broken bottles.

...should I send you a replacement bottle?

Not necessary.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh
That sort of change in air pressure could have caused trouble. Do many carriers guarantee pressurized cabin shipping? Never heard of that - I'll have to ask next time. Although that might get them to be a little too curious about what I'm shipping...

What sort of capper are you using?
Dual wing type, like you said. I'll try to be more of a brute next time.


Not necessary.That bad, eh? ;)

Who knows - maybe I'll set one aside and surprise you with it should we ever orchestrate another trade.

[steveh]

Dual wing type, like you said. I'll try to be more of a brute next time.

Yeah, but I said misfired - very noticeable that the cap didn't take, and you start over. :P Yeah, it (I) can be clumsy.

Who knows - maybe I'll set one aside and surprise you with it should we ever orchestrate another trade.

Give the hops time to mellow! ;)

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh


Give the hops time to mellow! ;)
I bottled them 10 months ago; haven't mellowed much since then! Maybe I'll recap them and release a little pressure...

[fretlessman71]

Drinking the Cattail Ale as we speak. This is basically carbonated chardonnay. It's pretty sour! Does that sound right to anyone else? I think I'm about to pour it out and get something I'll enjoy drinking... :(

[fretlessman71]

...like the Fuel Cafe Stout. MUCH better. Dark brown, thick head, that receded to a scum cap. Coffee is all over this one! Lightly bitter, but not in a bad way. Very nice color, and - wait - is black considered a color? Well, whatever. Couldn't see through this unless I held a flashlight to it, when a faint ruby color grudgingly came forth. Went very well with a dark chocolate bar from Sunny Jim's in Loveland.

That's it for the Lakefront brews, folks - overall I give this taster pack a B-. A few standouts, a few ho-hums, and one plain ol' absolutely not. (Maybe when they said Cattail, they weren't REALLY talking about the plant.... :eek:)

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Drinking the Cattail Ale as we speak. This is basically carbonated chardonnay. It's pretty sour! Does that sound right to anyone else?

No, especially since chardonnay isn't supposed to be sour! :eek:

Seriously, sounds like the Cattail didn't survive the shelf - probably too light and delicate a brew.

S.

[chazwicke]

Sour beer also may mean infection. Anyone remember the old Monterrey Brewing in Calif. When I was there they had a serious infection going on. That was many moons ago. I do not know if they survived. The reputation spread fairly quickly. I like to say that they were making "unintentional lambics". :D

[Sladek]

Bumpity bump!!

I'd like to chime in here, possibly resurrect this, as I am a Lakefront devotee. Probably hometown pride clouding my vision, rooting for the underdog, as well (underdog in Miller's capitol). I'm drinking the Klisch Pilsner as I type this, and I really like it. A good American interpretation, I'd say, after having the real thing for so long. Nice hoppiness at the end, appropriate. Personally, I'd put it up there with Capital's Pilsner.

I've enjoyed all of Lakefront's beers; I've had them in Milwaukee, and now I can get them here in Mpls. Next time in Brewtown, I'm visiting the brewery. Good times.

[fretlessman71]

I do recall enjoying going through the slew of beers in that box. Who knows; I may get brave enough to do it again. It's just that there are so MANY fanTAStic brews right here in CO that I've been missing out on because I've been doing trade after trade, and I feel like I'm not showing enough love to MY hometown. One of the brewreries in Ft. C had an Oatmeal Porter on tap, and I missed it! ME! Missing a porter! I mean, come ON... gotta get my priorities straight, I guess... ;)

[Sladek]

Yeah, Fret, you are in beer heaven down there in CO. Up here in MN it's a bit more dire. But, a new brewery has opened up here,

Surly Brewing Co., Brooklyn Center, MN (http://www.surlybrewing.com/history.php)

Next time to "my" paint store, I'm getting a Breck sampler!