Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster
IPA season is drawing to a close. The weather is getting cooler, so that means darker and more full-bodied ales are around the corner. So, I decided to crack open one of the last few bottles of this hidden gem. Here is my review: A: Pours a real cloudy golden yellow. The beer must be unfiltered as there is a lot of yeast at the bottom of the bottle. Head sticks around and lacing is minimal. Looks nice. S/T: Hops and more hops. Excellent aroma. Lots of floral, citrus notes with a touch of sweet malt. Taste is even better. Very similar to Founders Double Trouble. Lots of grapefruit, pineapple, earthy hops, and floral hops. I even get some orange notes in there. The only hops missing are the piney ones (ie. a lot different than The Maharaja). The beer is a little sweeter than a typical IPA. But I think the bitterness and sweetness contrast each other perfectly creating a whirlwind of flavor senations. Possibly Great Lakes best beer. Top notch. M/D: Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Finish is bittersweet. Pretty juicy in the mouth. Makes you salivate after each sip. Drinks too easily. Alcohol is hidden very well. This is a Great Lakes classic. Perfect balance of hop flavors mingle with the interesting malt character to create and exceptional IPA. This should be in the Great Lakes regular rotation. Possibly as a summer seasonal 4-pack? A top notch IPA that NEEDS better distribution.