Beer of the Week

The beer: House Stout

Brewed by: Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, New York

Description (from the website): "House Stout is a seasonal expression crafted in harmony with the rhythms of upstate New York. This classic dry stout is light and smooth, with layers of roasted malt and a hint of smokiness, reminiscent of the classic sugar houses that populate the hills of the Adirondacks. Gently rounded by a touch of sweetness, a result of secondary conditioning using maple syrup sourced locally from the Upstate New York Maple Syrup Collective. House Stout pays tribute to the annual sugaring season, when sap is transformed into one of our region's most sought-after and cherished gifts. Maple conditioning adds nuance and depth, finishing with a lingering maple note that complements the stout’s roasty character. Ommegang House Stout is our ode to the forest, sugar shacks, and timeless craft that makes this season so special."

Would I buy it again? The maple finish adds a lot to this beer, giving a nice subtle bit of welcome sweetness to what would otherwise be a pretty dry and smoky stout. Not that I don't like that sort of beer, but the maple gives it a real drinkability that you don't always see. I would definitely but this beer again. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: Maple Warlock

The brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, New York

Description (from Untappd): "The Dark Side just got a little sweeter! Maple Warlock lures you in with a magical dose of maple syrup to complement his dark and mysterious Imperial Stout base. Let Maple Warlock’s swirls of maple, pumpkin pie spice, and roasted malts enchant you sip by sip, casting an alluring spell you won’t want to break."

Would I buy it again? There may be beers more appropriate to the Halloween season than an imperial stout with both pumpkin and maple in it, but I'm having difficulty thinking of any. All Southern Tier had to do was not mess it up with too many hops, and I'm happy to report that they did not. This is a great beer, thick and maple-y with just the right amount of pumpkin spice to compliment. You can't do much better than this.

Cider of the Week

The cider: Maple Stout

The cidery: Cobbler Mountain Cellars, Delaplane, Virginia

Description (from the website): "Red Delicious apples ware warmed up with cinnamon and given a smooth Maple finish for this full-bodied, you-know-you-want-it, cider."

Would I buy it again? This isn't quite as good as the maple bourbon barrel–aged cider I reviewed last year, but that stuff was actual ambrosia, so I won't hold it against this cider, which is also very good. Maple and apple cider just work very well together. I'd happily buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Waffle Sauce Maple Pecan Imperial Brown Ale

Brewed by: Rusty Rail Brewing Company, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Sweet Maple flavor & aroma, with a subtle pecan flavor on the finish."

Would I buy it again?: How could I resist buying a beer that had a picture of waffles on it? I couldn't. And the verdict? It was very good, very much maple syrup flavored. But that's where I run into an issue. See, I've already come across a maple flavored beer that I liked a lot, and that one was significantly cheaper. So while this is good, I'd opt for Starr Hill's version most of the time.