Great Lakes Nosferatu
Pours a deep caramel amber with a nice thick head and good lacing. Looks astonishingly similar to the homebrewed Cal Common I just had in this glass. Aroma is.. wtf.. hops.. malt.. and brett? You get a faint trace of fruity hops and some crystal malt but along with an almost overwhelming funkyness. Not really sure what to think. A little raisiny but it also smells like a sewer. Maybe the taste will clear this up. Strong on the alcohol at first with a good raisin character. Finishes very dry with a slight lingering hop bitterness and acidity from the alcohol. Maybe some honey or candy sugar in the front too. Has some Belgian qualities to it.. but to me that just mean it tastes a little like windex. Exceptionally smooth. By now the head has given way to the alcohol. I'd say this beer turned me off at first but I grew to like it quickly. An interesting and daring take on an American Strong Ale. They don't go overboard in any one direction but definition create something very definitive and unique.