Capital Brewery
Microbrewery
in Middleton,
Wisconsin,
United States 🇺🇸
Associated Venue: Capital Brewery
Established in 1984
Clarkvv (16327) reviewed Brown Ale from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5
2006 bottle from StewardofGondor consumed on 5/21/06. Initially large off-white head recedes fairly quickly to cover, with some moderate lacing. Brown, chestnut-beige body is lightly bubbly and quite clear, with no sediment on the bottom. Damp soil, nutty, leafy hops and light root-beer-like notes. A touch of cola adds zest, while medium-dry toffee pinches at the nose, not overly strong and lasting. Some light honeysuckle rubbed with chocolate finishes off the nose. Dry brown malts and soft, nutty hops cover the palate, with loose carbonation exposing a good deal of wateriness. But it’s clean, with some minor fruitiness and soft buttercream and mild bitterness mixing/balancing on the finish. Dry chocolate is there as well, though very passing. With warming and breathing the hops do become a touch more piquant, but the buttercream and soily malts keep things rather basic, if I may be so bold.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6
2005 bottle from the illustrious StewardofGondor, consumed at about 3:00 P.M. on 5/19/06. Strong head at first is somewhat of a tease, as it quickly recedes to light lacing and a partial cover. Yet it never disappears. Head is butter colored while the beer is a clear orange-melon-amber. As much as I didnt care for the pils, this came across husky, dry, but not too much so, with some barley and even a light caramel-breadiness. Crisp, like crackling burnt autumn leaves, and yes, even a smoky, rye-seed sort of spiciness and dryness on the end. The flavor was quite full of caramel, with an oily, but not thick bread and liquid caramelized sugar mixed amongst dough. Sweet, but yet husky and drying perfectly with lightly engaging carbonation that brings things to a final, clean ending. Ok, nothing to get overly worked up over, but still very competent and defintely drinkable.
Clarkvv (16327) reviewed Special Pilsner from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
2006 bottle (I assume) from StewardofGondor, consumed on 4/19/06.
Large-bubbled white head is aggressive and slow to recede, piling itself atop a lightly chill-hazed golden, old brass colored body with plenty of tiny bubbles. Fair amount of lacing, and sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Aroma is saazy and even lightly herbal-plant-like with something like Norther Brewer or spalt. I’m pretty poor at distinguishing low AA German hops, so my apologies if I’m dead wrong. Light dough and yeast on end asserts a balance. Medium strength to the aroma, with some funky/sweaty notes that I just can’t attribute wholly to Saaz. Some dry, toasty, sauna-smelling grains add to the crispness.
First sip and I get a rush of spicy, peppery, freshly cut herbal hops. Sweet honey nips at the palate, but is wisked away on a flurry of fine carbonation and hops bitterness/spiciness. It fizzles about (the peppery-herbal hop notes), like a sparkler flaring up before going out, upon a light plant-like and graham cracker (dry) background. Crisp, with pleasantly tasteful carbonation on the end. No alcohol, no flaws, near perfect attenuation. Could use some more malt dryness, as the mouthfeel is perilously near to round (were it not for the carbonation), but the malts should be a little edgy/biscuity, regardless of carbonation.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
2006 bottle from StewardofGondor, drunk on 4/18/06
Brimming over the top of the glass with rocky white head that is both well-retained and lace-forming. A highly clear, baked-straw golden body shows a flurry of medium-small sized bubbles.
Rather muted straw and grassy hops, not overly crisp or aromatic, seem to hover above the liquid. Little more than fluffed grain in a warehouse, as far as malt goes. I first pass it off as the large head impairing the the aroma, but after swirling the glass some and allowing it to breath further, the most I get is a bit of light honey and sourdough or cedary-oily notes. A bit more sweaty hay emerges, as well, but it’s a far cry from crisp or lively on the nose.
Flavor is rather heavy in water to malt ratio. Not loose/thin in texture, but just lean on malt. Dry cereal and some moderately crisp straw show redeeming qualities, as the palate adjusts to the wetness. Moderate carbonation and certainly drinkable, but there’s a bit too much dough on end and I can’t shake the initial cidar-cedar note. Ultimately too round for a pils and especially for a Bohemian Pils (which this is not). Dry finish at least, with no alcohol.
jcr (3165) reviewed Winter Skål from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 3 | Overall - 14
Dark orange pour, thin head. Malty aroma. Flavor dominated by sweet malts providing notes of caramel. Finishes bitter which is nicely balanced with the malts. Thin to medium body with moderate carbonation for a pleasant, crisp mouthfeel.
Clarkvv (16327) reviewed Bavarian Lager from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
2006 bottle from the ever-generous StewardofGondor, consumed on 4/6/06
Wow! A big head pours on this one. That’s something I dont usually see on Capital brews. Some light, spotty lacing as it recedes, which it does fairly rapidly, remaining at partial cover. Head is light straw in color, with the body being a lightly hazed golden-brass.
Straw and zesty grass, rather herbal in nature, rise up, invigorating the senses and clearing the way for soft honey and almond paste-like malts. Actually quite light on the yeast, at this point, and no munich malt that I can discern. This makes for a softer, more easygoing, American-like pils. But oh those hops! Grassy, herbal and dry. Well apparent, providing much interest, and importantly, a wonderfully balanced nose.
Flavor shows light yeast up front, adding a light lager yeast bite that combines with the hops, to balance the doughy (warm, freshly made honey-dough) malts. Breadiness evolves, rather aggressively (relatively speaking) on the end and a fair amount of yeastiness builds as well. Hops become more muted and heavily dry out, giving just a hay and sweat-like note, that sort of melds in to the doughy malts, losing some of its balancing appeal. Bit of cidery notes, as is bound to happen when bottling a low gravity helles, and, unfortunately, a touch of alcohol noted in the aroma. But as it warms fully and breathes (and the head completely disappears), it remains smooth, mostly clean and with a remnant of snappy grassy-like hops (however dull) on the end, easygoing maltiness, with correct attenuation and little wateriness. Low carbonation could, perhaps, use a boost, but its a minor complaint. Not going to confuse this for, say, Wolnzacher Helles or Cisco Summer of Lager, but that’s ok, this one hits many of the marks.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7
Sampler from bottle. Boy, why can’t I get hands on more Capital beers? Anyway, this is very light in color… as befits its name, I guess. Sugary and malty, kind of like french toast with syrup. Yet I like this one a lot.
Clarkvv (16327) reviewed Kloster Weizen from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
2005 bottle from StewardofGondor drunk on 2/16/06. Bubble gum rises heroically upon opening, remaining powerful for a minute and then receding rather abruptly to allow a succulent note of sticky, moist, freshly prepared honey whole wheat dough. The malt overtakes teh bubble gum,, almost completely, while clove phenols lightly grace the nostrils, providing balance to the rich malts. A small amount of dry wheat finishes things, putting the coup de grace on this most deliciously rich and balanced nose of unyielding strength. From the nose, it seems to be one of the most malt driven hefes I’ve encountered. Appearance is all Capital, with the head immediately receding to a ring, and some light haziness. Golden copper colored body. Flavor does the nose justice. Rich, sticky honey and light graininess sticks all over the palate, while a touch of wheat sourness is felt in the back of the mouth, adding a most curious balance. Bubblegum and even light clove is apparent, further adding complexity. What is most notable, is the first flavor mix of bananas foster drenched in honey. Very rich mix of honey and caramel all told, while the wheat continues to build, further giving relief from the heavily sweet malts. Carbonation is moderately tight, but low, allowing the malt that much more sway. But between wheat, barley and yeast, I’d certainly say it strikes a balance. The sourness is quite authentic. The texture has an oily/slippery feel to it, almost creamy before it breathes and loosens up a touch. Carbonation could still stand to be a bit higher, but I’ve had the bottle now for a couple months. Wheat and a very light milky smokiness ligners on, while no alcohol is apparent. Fresh on draught this must be heavenly.
Silphium (4310) reviewed Autumnal Fire from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Somehow this beer has managed to elude me to this point. Slightly hazy orange-red body, thin/medium off-white head. Caramely aroma with toast and hints of dark fruit and earthy hops. Caramely, cerealy, toasty, quite sweet body. Alcohol notes peek through the caramel swirls. It’s interesting that the description notes this is "based on an Oktoberfest personality," as the sweet caramels and toast are present, but the beer lacks the heavier raisins and prunes typical of the best doppelbocks. Nevertheless, quaffable and rich. Thanks to RooftopRogue for the bottle.
JK (8140) reviewed Dark Doppelbock from Capital Brewery 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
Good. It is dark; cloudy brown. The aroma is malt and carmel. Not a very intense flavor, a little sweet with sugar, malt, butter, and carmel. Medium body. Pleasant.
Brewery Stats
| Score | 6.54 |
| Beers | 54 |
| Ticks | 416 |
Top Reviewers (Not including batches)
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JK | 28 |
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nuplastikk | 27 |
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Drake | 25 |
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McDermottDrink | 19 |
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Clarkvv | 17 |
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SpringsLicker | 13 |
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Dogbrick | 13 |
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bhensonb | 11 |
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thegreenrooster | 11 |
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jmagnus87 | 11 |