Beer Review: Edmund Fitzgerald

Reviewing the Edmund Fitzgerald, a porter from Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Score: 87

Tap pour from an unknown vintage keg (told it's from 2011) at the Brickhouse BBQ, served in a pint glass and enjoyed on 01/21/12

Appearance: Deep, dark brown body. Opaque with plenty of brown/ruby transparencies when held up to light. Served with a thin layer of creamy tan colored head. Excellent lacing. 4/5

Smell: Roasted malts, vanilla, caramel and a hint of coffee. Some notes of chocolate too. 3.5/5

Taste: Taste essentially follows the nose. Noticeable roasted malts throughout. The backbone of this beer is largely a blend of roasted caramel and chocolate malts. Some light coffee and molasses in the middle with a light nuttiness. Finish is a blend of caramel malt and vanilla cream soda, and reminds me of Surly Bender. The finish grows increasingly "caramel sweet" as the beer layers. Increasingly hints of roasted nuts come out on the midpalate at the beer layers too. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-light carbonation. Sweetish caramel finish 3.5/5

Overall: A very solid porter. This is a very accessible brew that is usually my "go to" beer at non-craft bars in the Midwest.

Recommendation: A great craft beer starter point for casual beer drinkers and very solid porter.

Pairings: Duck legs.

Cost: $4 for a pint or $8.99 for a six pack.