Bridge War
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Yet another on-tap only “pub exclusive” only available at the brew pub at the GLBC. Served in a pint glass, this beer draws a very dark brown color with an off-white, slightly tan had that’s a good solid inch thick when first drawn and served. Head quickly settles to a very thick foam ring along with a nice big cluster swirl of surface foam. Aromas of roasted, slightly bready malts with slight hints of dark chocolate followed by piney, floral, earthy, slightly resinous dank hop notes. A very similar flavor profile with quite roasted, slightly bready malts and a hint of dark chocolate followed by big flavors of piney, floral, earthy, resinous, dank hops. While the hop flavors certainly do dominate the flavor profile, this is a refined hop bitterness going on here with all the different aspects of the hop flavors. This isn’t clonk your tongue over the head super bitterness hop flavors. Has a fairly crisp, also smooth, slightly dry, medium to full bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Has a clean, somewhat dry finish and aftertaste. Another very enjoyable beer from the fine folks at the GLBC.

Eric

This is nearly as black as night but just barely lets some light peek in at the edges. It doesn't appear thick, though, and that bodes well for the style. The head is a few shades beyond white, about half a finger tall that stays there, keeping up a bit of creamy foam the whole way and dropping down some pretty nice lace.
The flavor follows the aroma, and it balances each aspect between the hops and malts pretty evenly. The malts contribute plenty of roast and just a little char while adding a bit of creamy sweetness underneath, while the hops contribute a strong bite of pine and something that, despite being citric and juicy, doesn't clash with the malts. There's just a hint of nut and some leaf in the end.
This beer holds up a medium body the whole way through. Crispness bites consistently and never too hard, though it never backs down either. Somehow, though, it also flows very nicely, rolling creamy smooth in the tongue all the way through the finish.

 

 

a: Black body and a creamy looking white head.

s: Charred, nutty malts and plenty of piney hops.

t: Mimics the smell; Roasty char and pungent pine. Long lingering bitterness from both elements.

m: Creamy and hefty.

o: Great example of a style I tend to ignore.