Michigan Brewing Peninsula Porter

3.1/5

AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20

12 ounce bottle, bottle date of 04/08/10. Pours clear reddish brown color with 1-2 fingers of a fairly dense light tan head with nice retention that reduces to a cap that lasts. No lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of roasted malts, light chocolate, caramel, coffee, and a good amount of spicy hops. Some pretty weak aromas here, with a lot of hop presence. It improved a bit as it warmed up. Taste of spicy hops, with a bit of roasted malts, light chocolate, bitter coffee, and caramel. Fairly dry finish, but has a decent amount of bitterness, with lingering notes of roasted malt, light chocolate, caramel, and spicy hops. Medium bodied with fairly high carbonation. A bit of creaminess in the mouthfeel as well. Overall quite a hoppy and interesting porter, but 1.5 years have not been kind to this beer. I may have to pick one up fresh and see how it is. I had no idea they dated the front of the labels.

It may be better when it is fresh, but I can't be sure yet. I may try out some more brews from Michigan Brewing in the future, but I am not sure which ones as of yet. I really enjoyed the spiced ale though.

Michigan Brewing Screamin Pumpkin Spiced Ale

4.1/5

AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20

12 ounce bottle, no bottle date, but I am pretty sure it is this years batch. Pours slightly hazy and cloudy golden amber color with 1-2 fingers of a fairly dense white head with very good retention; that reduces to a fairly thick lacing cap. Not much lacing on the glass. Tons of carbonation streaming from the bottom of the glass. Aromas of huge amounts of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, caramel, and pumpkin. Huge on the spices, but this smells fantastic. Taste of cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, pumpkin, caramel, and other spices. Not much bitterness noticed, but there are lingering notes of cinnamon, clove, bread, caramel, and other spices. Medium carbonation and body, with a bit of a creamy mouthfeel as well. No alcohol noticed other than a small warming after the finish, and this is very drinkable and smooth. Overall an excellent and drinkable pumpkin ale for the fall season!

An excellent spiced ale from Michigan Brewing. I will definitely be trying out some other offerings since I live in the area now.