What's the last malt-forward beer that impressed you? (That's not high ABV or barrel-aged.)

Does rye count on the malt side? Either way, this beer fits, with a link to the Instagram post/video from all three collaborators describing it: Carolina Riverbend Rye by Three Notch'd and Ornery, both from Virginia.

The beer was brewed with coastal Virginia malts and Carolina rye processed by a Carolina malt house. The can I reviewed was on its best by date, so maybe the hops had faded (though maybe not after only about 3 month), but it had a nice old school amber ale-like malt base and a nice bit of spice from the rye. Other cans were a little less rye-forward to me, but still full of malt/grain goodness - and I am not a big amber ale fan.


Hopefully this at least becomes a seasonal, I'll be looking for it next spring at least.

 

Seems like people are counting the "imperial" designation too literally and not going with the spirit as I assume it was intended. Either that or they just don't care.

It's still early, but so far we've got:
2 "quads"
2 Scotch ales
a barley wine
3 Doppelbocks
and even an "Imperial Dunkel"

C'mon folks... we're still waiting for a 15% ABV brew.

 

When in Doubt is killer! Wish it were available here in Pittsburgh. I seek it out when I'm in the Hershey area.

 

Neshaminy Creek - Churchville Lager

I made a trip to Lancaster, PA recently and was able to score some of this and bring it back to the Pittsburgh area. I first had it on-tap at the brewery and it was love at first sip but hadn't had it in a couple years. It's just a great Vienna Lager. It'd be a staple in my fridge if I could get it here.

 

Before you-know-what, I was drinking at Suarez and I left to go to a place that had Riegele Aechtes Dunkel. I love drinking Suarez beers (and it's a rarity that I can do so in their space), so at the time I was thinking to myself, "Am I an idiot?" (I usually ask myself that question when I first wake up every morning... but not typically when out having a beer.)

After one sip of that Dunkel, I wished that I spent the whole evening with that beer instead of splitting my time... which is saying something. Maybe it was just the right beer at the right time, but man did I love Riegele Aechtes Dunkel that night. We need to meet again.

 

Definitely second the Shipping Out of Boston love. Ambers aren't usually my favorite but I've bought multiple twelve packs of this already. And a hefty 'cheers' to it replacing the Orange Wheat in their 12 packs!! (many thanks for writing those letters @ecpho )

Idle Hands new (? - not really sure) German Pilsner 'Gretel' was exactly what the doctor ordered this past 100 degree week. Crackery, crisp, poundable goodness. Looking forward to lots more potential entries in this thread once the Oktoberfests hit here any day now...

 

Kudos to @Smakawhat for reminding me about Czech Dark Lagers!

First, let's discuss some Tmavý Ležák beers I drank last year during my two week vacation to the Czech Republic:

Below is a photo of Bernard Tmavý Ležák:



And here is a photo of U Fleků Tmavý Ležák:



Triple Crossing in Richmond, VA brews a tasty Tmavý Ležák:



And saving the best for last, my homebrewed Tmavý Ležák:



Cheers to Tmavý Ležák beers!

 

Damn, I really need to revisit Rolling Rock.

 

Don't forget to ask for Rolling Rock Dark.

And remember: Don't be afraid of the dark!

Cheers!

 

Ive has a couple of the Tree House <8% milk/sweet stouts and found them pretty amazing IMO. How they get that level of richness in the body and pastry stout-like sweetness in a non-imperial ABV level is just crazy level mad science.

 

Enegren's The Big Meat
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25260/194462/

 

Yuengling’s Hershey’s Chocolate Porter

 

I'll say Outer Range Outings Belgian Dark Strong Ale. 8%. Tastes like all malt. Rounded, molasses, like fields of sweet gold. With a kick.

 

Either that or it’s just milk sugar.

 

Pretty much every Pohjala I’ve found, all of their porters and stouts I’ve had are great.

 

I continue to find Old Chub a malty delight.

 

I don't have too many good malty beer alternatives lately, due to the IPA onslaught. For years my favorite was Blue Point ESB. When that disappeared, I went to Montauk Driftwood: also gone. Lately I've taken to Lidl Store 735 brewery No 03, which is a bargain amber ale. Keegan's Hurricane Kitty, is a bit too hoppy to qualify, but hits the spot. I may have to go resurrect the home brewing equipment in the basement (including my grandfather's prohibition era cast iron capper).

 

I posted above on recent beers, but Elliot Ness is great. Their lagers all seem worth drinking. I can't get Great Lakes beers in Eastern NY, though.

 

There are two very small local breweries to me that have made some tremendous malt forward beers. Logyard Brewing in Kane, PA brews Tally Brook Nut Brown and Mahogany Red Ale, an Irish Red. Bent Run Brewing in Warren, PA brews Deer Foot brown ale and a malt forqard red ale, Allegheny Amber.