Beer of the Week

The beer: Cookies 'N Cream Stout

The brewery: Stevens Point Brewery, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Description (from the website): "Dunk the little cookies and watch bubbles come up. This sessionable dessert stout recalls everyone’s favorite sandwich cookie with a smooth, biscuity base of dark chocolate malt, softened with flavors of cream filling, speckled ice cream, and white chocolate."

Would I buy it again? I had never heard of Stevens Point Brewery before this, but apparently it's the fifth-oldest brewery in the country, dating back to 1857. It's also a top 20 craft brewery in terms of beer production. Presumably, their beers have just not been available in Maryland before now. Or I could just be blind. Anyway, this is definitely not the first Oreo-inspired beer I've had, and while it's not as good as the one Flying Dog made, it does have the advantage of being available. It could feature a bit more cookies and cream flavor, but it's solid enough, and with Flying Dog's version being discontinued, this is a decent substitute. I could definitely see myself buying this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Hazelnut Brownie Porter

The brewery: Whole Hog Brewery, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Description (from the website): "When the season turns cold, save room for Whole Hog Hazelnut Brownie, a sweet, strong imperial porter layered with hazelnut and milk chocolate. Feel the delicious warmth on your cheeks from the combination of Cluster hops and dark chocolate malt. With Hazelnut Brownie, Winter gets its just desserts."

Would I buy it again? Eh, this beer just didn't do much to impress me. It's fine, the taste works, but it's just very generic. Not much hazelnut here, much more chocolate. Which isn't a bad thing, but there are plenty of thick, chocolatey beers out there. I was hoping for something more, and this beer didn't provide that.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Pin Seeker Pilsner

Brewed by: Humble Forager Brewing Company, Waunakee, Wisconsin

Description (from Untappd): "This brew is a collaboration with one of the best pilsner makers in all the land, Fair State Brewing Cooperative. Pin Seeker was inspired and dreamt up during many rounds with our favorite golf mate, Jack Lester of Jack's Bottle Shop. It is meant to be enjoyed with your longtime friends, new acquaintances and cherished loved ones."

Would I buy it again? With a name and design like this beer has, all it had to do was not taste terrible and I'd definitely buy it again. And I'm happy to say that it stuck the landing. It's not too hoppy, it's refreshing and easy to drink, it's a solid pilsner. What can I say? I'm in the proper demographic for this particular beer.

Spotted Cows Demand Spotted Cow

Perhaps it's not the most surprising thing that a group of cows showed up at New Glarus Brewing Company late one night. The place is in the middle of rural Wisconsin. But it is kind of funny that a group of spotted cows wandered half a mile and up a hill to a place that sells a beer called Spotted Cow. Word must have spread to the cow community that there had been some copyright infringement, and they sent some representatives to sort things out.