Featured Review – Vanilla Coffee Lager from Sudwerk

IMG_4762
When I get a “blah” / “meh” kind of beer, my first and charitable reaction is to think that I bought it or drank it too late.

That may be what happened with this Coffee Vanilla Lager. I recently had Sudwerk’s Citrus Gose and really enjoyed it so my expectations were high for this beer but it never really took flight.

Coffee notes were really muted. No sweetness from the vanilla or cocoa nibs was evident, so I was left with a middling slightly flavorful dark lager. I will chalk it up to bad timing and try it again. Maybe if I see it on draft.

Review – Cascaderade from Sudwerk Brewing

IMG_7423

Sudwerk is one of those breweries that will pop up in LA on occasion but I haven’t seen much from them until this new beer hit Sunset Beer Co.

Pours a clear orange color.  This beer is a bit schizo.  A by-product of the IPL category.  Up front there is a definite citrus.  Light orange juice taste which fades off rather quickly into a slightly hoppy lager finish.  With some of the characteristics of that style coming forward.  Lots of bubbles coming up in the glass but the taste is more slick than it is bubbly and carbonated.  Aroma is muted with a touch of pine notes to it.  Love the name and the label.  Both excellent.  Clever wordplay that is incorporated into the design.

IMG_7424