Fros'e Kings Slurper
Kings Brewing Company

There are immediate concerns after a pint can's contents are emptied into a clear glass liter mug. Maybe it's the uneven distribution of color, with ranges from dark apricot-amber to even darker tan with orange tint. Maybe it's the uneven head, which also has various hues of tan. Maybe it was the way it poured, almost like it had curdled in some way. Yet, the carbonation is good and there was no massive foam to contend with. It smells like the epitome of a milkshake beer and that begins to explain things. At this level, it brings an obvious smell that's worrisome. Behind the lactose seems to be some cinnamon. The taste is so much more apple and cinnamon than could be expected. The taste is also wonderful, if you like stewed cinnamon apples. What is not wonderful is the unexpected pulpy mouthfeel. Now it’s understood why it looked like it might be curdled. But, like drinking unfiltered apple cider, you get accustomed to it. That doesn't mean you have to like it. The lactose doesn't create as much a negative as it could have. Although there's a relatively thick mouthfeel, certainly lactose contributes to that, it's not overly sticky in the mouth, just inside the glass. If nothing else, this is rather unique. There are other fruited sours with a thick fruit puree and lactose that don't drink as nicely. But there are those that bring full flavors, like this, but in a cleaner way. By the finish, it's still difficult to accommodate the fruit solids in the brew. They, unfortunately detract from a beer with a delicious taste. The ABV is well-hidden and the cinnamon keeps this from ever getting too sweet and assists on an enjoyable finish. As disconcerting the mouthfeel can be, the taste makes this a recommended try. You may want to share that try, because finishing a full pint might prove a little difficult.

Sweet and tart apple pie, cinnamon teddy grahams, and sweet brown sugar nose on this one! Nice aromatics! Taste follows with a nice cinnamon apple pie crust finish...there's some overripe apple tartness in there as well that it slightly off-putting IMO. And this is another one from King's that's not really pleasing to the eye. Still pretty good, though.