Smoked Cherrywood Stout (ReplicAle 2011)
Mishawaka Brewing Company

On tap at the Pub.

A- Pours a deep darker brown with some light amber highlights when I held to the light. One finger off white head shows great retention. Light whisps of foam left to cap the beer. Spotty lacing was all that was left on sides of the glass.

S- Light roasted malts in the front of the aroma with a nice smoke presence. Light notes of darker fruit with a ton of cherry toward the middle. Chocolate with hints of vanilla and grassy hops in the ending of the beer. Alcohol is present but nothing overbearing for the aroma itself.

T- There is a sweet malt upfront on this that caught me by surprise. This quickly turns into a light roasted malt followed by a even lighter smoked flavor. There is some darker fruits that show themelves throughout the beer itself but cherries are the most flavorful fruit that makes itself celar. Chocolate towards the ending of the beer with light notes of vanilla. Grassy hops make a crisp bitter clean bite in the ending of the beer.

M- Light mouthfeel. Carbonation is light for the style and beer overall. Cherries and light smoked chocolate are left on the palate. Aftertaste is fading alcohol, cherries, faded grassy hops, and light chocolate. Flavors were balanced actually quite well for the style. No real off flavors to speak of just a little medicinal alcohol that follows the cherry flavor quick creating a light cough syrup taste. Medium alcohol drying on the palate.

D- This beer was a easy drinker. The flavors were light but it worked well not making this a messy stout which would be easy to do. It is beers like this that make me think Mishawaka Brew Co. is starting to come back around to their old glory days. I hope they keep this up because I ended up drinking a couple pints of this beer.