superspak (10160) reviewed Sandbar Sour: Tart Lemon from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 6/3/2019. Pours slightly hazy pale golden straw color with a 1 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with solid retention, that reduces to a minimal spotty lace cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big juicy/tart/tangy lemon, lime, orange, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, melon, red/green apple, white grape/wine, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, light peppercorn/lacto funk, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of lemons, fruity/acidic yeast, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with big strength. Taste of big juicy/tart/tangy lemon, lime, orange, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, melon, red/green apple, white grape/wine, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, light peppercorn/lacto funk, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tartness fruit tang; light zesty bitterness and spiciness on the finish. Lingering tart/tangy lemon, lime, orange, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, melon, red/green apple, white grape/wine, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, light peppercorn/lacto funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of lemons, fruity/acidic yeast, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with an awesome malt/tartness and tangy fruit balance; with no puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Moderately crisp/clean finishing. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering tartness, tangy fruit, and zesty bitterness. Medium-plus carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth and moderately creamy/grainy/acidic/tangy/zesty balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 4.2%. Overall this is an awesome fruited session kettle sour. All around awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of lemons, fruity/acidic yeast, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, clean, and refreshing to drink with the mellowly acidic/tangy/drying finish. Very flavorful and not watery for the ABV. Awesome balance of super juicy/vibrant lemons and Lacto complexity; with a great pale/wheat malt backbone against acidity for the ABV. Minimal residual sweetness with crisp drying. A really enjoyable offering, and impressive style example. Fantastic summer beer.
ericsc (2969) ticked Camper from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
superspak (10160) reviewed Tangerine Haze from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 5/17/2019. Pours very hazy deep golden amber/light orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/tropical/fairly earthy hops, tangerines, and moderate bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness; and slight fruit tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/fairly earthy hops, tangerines, and moderate bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness, and tart/tangy fruit balance; with no astringent hop/fruit flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness and tart/tangy fruit. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy, fairly crisp/sticky/resinous/rindy, and lightly acidic/tangy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 5.5%. Overall this is an excellent fruited NEIPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/fairly earthy hops, tangerines, and moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth and fairly crisp/refreshing to drink, with the mellowly bitter/resinous/drying finish; not overly aggressive. Great Citra/Mosaic profile. Very juicy/vibrant hops/fruit, with some dank/earthy notes; and a nice clean wheat/oat/malt backbone. Minimal residual sweetness with lingering crisp dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and well made style example as expected. Another great variant on their house NEIPA.
superspak (10160) reviewed Camper from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 4/22/2019. Pours very hazy/cloudy deep golden amber/light orange color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew, watermelon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, light peppercorn/pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great complexity and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical hops and bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew, watermelon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, light peppercorn/pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Mild pine, citrus peel/zest, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness on the the finish. Lingering notes of mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew, watermelon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, light peppercorn/pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical hops and bready malt flavors; with a solid malt/bitterness balance, and no cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/bready, and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is great. Slight lingering resins/rinds through the glass. Minimal warming alcohol for 7%. Overall this is an awesome NEIPA. All around awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical hops and bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the mildly bitter/drying finish; great soft feel. Feels like Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado. Extremely juicy, and lightly dank/earthy hops; with a perfectly balanced wheat/oat/malt backbone. Light residual sweetness with lingering bitter dryness. A really enjoyable offering, and outstanding spot on style example. One of their best.
blackflag321 (2817) ticked Sparti Parti from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
superspak (10160) reviewed Lake King from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 3/18/2019. Pours slightly hazy medium golden/amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. nice dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big lemon, lime, tangerine, red grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, citrus peel/rind, wood, onion, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, toasted biscuit, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lemon, lime, tangerine, red grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, citrus peel/rind, wood, onion, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, toasted biscuit, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, woody, floral, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of lemon, lime, tangerine, red grapefruit, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, citrus peel/rind, wood, onion, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, toasted biscuit, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and no astringent hop flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/sticky, and fairly crisp/resinous/rindy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 7%. Overall this is an awesome IPA. All around awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops and bready malt flavors; very smooth, easy, and fairly crisp to drink with the modestly bitter/resinous/drying finish, not overly aggressive. Awesome classic Columbus profile. Very vibrant, dank, earthy, and fairly juicy hop complexity; with a great balanced bready malt backbone. Mild residual sweetness with lingering crisp resin dryness. A really enjoyable offering, and spot on West Coast style example. Loved the hop profile as expected.
superspak (10160) reviewed Dragon Death from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned in 3/2019. Really like the GoT can art reference. Pours moderately hazy/cloudy deep golden amber/light orange color with a 1 finger dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/rind, wood, light peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/tropical/fairly earthy hops and bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/rind, wood, light peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, woody, floral, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/rind, wood, light peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/fairly earthy hops and bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance; with no lingering hop astringency after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/silky/bready, fairly sticky, and lightly resinous/rindy mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.5%. Overall this is an excellent NEIPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/fairly earthy hops and bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the mellowly bitter/drying finish. Nicely soft feel, and not aggressive. Feels like Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic. Extremely juicy, vibrant, and fairly dank/earthy hops; with a great balancing wheat/oat/malt backbone. Mild residual sweetness with lingering resin dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example as expected. Tastes just like Dinosaur Death minus the orange peels.
superspak (10160) reviewed Pom Haze from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 3/11/2019. Pours very hazy deep golden amber/light pink/orange color with a 2 finger dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big lightly tart/tangy pomegranates, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey/vanilla, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance of pomegranates, citrus/fruity/tropical hops, and bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart/tangy pomegranates, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey/vanilla, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Light pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness; and fruit tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart/tangy pomegranates, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light honey/vanilla, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of pomegranates, citrus/fruity/tropical hops, and bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness, and tart/tangy fruit balance; with no lingering hop/fruit astringency after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness and fruit tang/tartness. Medium-plus carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready/grainy, fairly sticky, and lightly acidic/tangy/resinous/rindy mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol for 5.5%. Overall this is an excellent fruited NEIPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of pomegranates, citrus/fruity/tropical hops, and bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the mellowly bitter/tart/drying finish, great soft feel, not aggressive. Awesome Citra/Mosaic profile. Great balance between very juicy hops/fruit, with light dankness; with a perfectly balanced wheat/oat/malt backbone. Light residual sweetness with lingering dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example as expected. Another impressive variant on their house NEIPA.
superspak (10160) reviewed Raspberry Shandy from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
16 ounce can into pint glass, canned on 2/22/2019. Pours moderately hazy/cloudy medium golden/yellow/slight pinkish color with a 2 finger fairly dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of juicy/fairly tart/tangy raspberries, fruit skin/seeds, lemon, peach, pear, melon, red apple, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, herbal, floral, grass, pepper. and yeast earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of raspberries, fruity yeast, pale/wheat malts, and moderate earthy hop notes; with solid strength. Taste of juicy/fairly tart/tangy raspberries, fruit skin/seeds, lemon, peach, pear, melon, red apple, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, herbal, floral, grass, pepper. and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, grassy, peppery bitterness; and fruit/wheat tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart/tangy raspberries, fruit skin/seeds, lemon, peach, pear, melon, red apple, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, herbal, floral, grass, pepper. and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of raspberries, fruity yeast, pale/wheat malts, and moderate earthy hop flavors; with a great malt/bitterness and tart/tangy fruit balance; with no astringent flavors after the finish. Moderately crisp/clean finishing. Moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitter/tartness and carbonation. Medium-plus carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth and moderately bready/grainy/sticky/tangy/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected or 4.2%. Overall this is a delicious fruited American pale wheat ale. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of raspberries, fruity yeast, pale/wheat malts, and moderate earthy hop flavors; very smooth, crisp, clean, and refreshing to drink with the modestly bitter/tart/drying finish, not overwhelming on any aspect. Great balance of juicy raspberries, American wheat yeast, pale/wheat malts, and earthy hops. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on base style example.
superspak (10160) reviewed Darkstar: Barrel-Aged from Big Lake Brewing 6 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9
16 ounce can into snifter, canned on 3/11/2019. Pours dense pitch black color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky tan head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, medium roast coffee, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, bourbon, coconut, toasted oak, roasted nuts, fudge, biscuit, and dark/brown bread/crust; with lighter notes of molasses, licorice, raisin, fig, date, smoke, oak char, herbal, grass, and yeast/roast/toast/oak earthiness. Slight booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malts, cocoa, coffee, and bourbon barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of huge milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, medium roast coffee, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, bourbon, coconut, toasted oak, roasted nuts, fudge, biscuit, and dark/brown bread/crust; with lighter notes of molasses, licorice, raisin, fig, date, smoke, oak char, herbal, grass, and yeast/roast/toast/oak earthiness. Light herbal, grassy, roast, char bitterness; and bourbon/oak tannin spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, medium roast coffee, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, bourbon, coconut, toasted oak, roasted nuts, fudge, biscuit, dark/brown bread/crust, molasses, licorice, dark fruit, smoke, oak char, herbal, grass, and yeast/roast/toast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Amazing complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malts, cocoa, coffee, and bourbon barrel flavors; with an amazing roast/hop bitter/sweet, and bourbon/oak spiciness balance; with no cloying, acrid, astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering hop/roast bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness after the finish. Medium carbonation and fairly full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/velvety/bready, and lightly sticky/chalky/tannic mouthfeel that is fantastic. Mild increasing warmth of 11%, with minimal lingering barrel booze after the finish. Overall this is an amazing barrel aged imperial breakfast stout! All around incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malts, cocoa, coffee, and bourbon barrel flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to drink for the big ABV, with the mildly bitter/tannic/drying finish. Amazing balance of super rich malts/oats, cocoa, and fruity/nutty coffee complexity; with perfect barrel presence/integration. Not overly boozy, tannic, or drying on barrels. Not overly sweet/heavy from lingering dryness. A highly amazing offering, and top tier style example. A great improvement over the base beer as expected. Smoother/silkier from the barrel aging. Tastes identical to KBS all the way through.