This weeks BotW was a crowler purchase from my multi-brewery trip last week to the Twin Cities. On our stop at Fair State Brewing Coop in Minneapolis’ Northeast Side I sampled their Dorado Golden IPA (good) and the Vienna Lager (very good). I also invested in some take-aways for sharing and review at home; the Lichtenhainer (smoked sour wheat), and Giantsbane, their double stout.

Giantsbane poured a semi-thick, almost-black, dark brown leaving a super creamy, dark chocolate colored dense foam cap. Aroma was subdued with a bit of roasted malt and a little oaty at the end.

The flavor is amazing. Solid is probably the best adjective I can use to describe this. Not too strong, not overly roast or boozy (only clocks in at 8%). Roasted malts, a bit of chocolate/coffee, but still focused on the malt component and not pushing the other flavor characters too much. Yet, a full, oats driven mouthfeel that isn’t motor oil-like in viscosity – only slightly chewy.

I chose Giantsbane this week because it’s just a really good, filling, easy to drink (or sip) double stout that doesn’t try to be anything other than a very solid example of what that style should be. After IPA’s, I think the Double/Imperial Stout category is the easiest to come up with crazy ideas/infusions/flavor combinations and it’s easy to lose focus on what makes that style so versatile.

Giantsbane provides that perfect “reset” of expectations of what a double stout can be when made well, and simply, solid.

Cheers!

(Now I wish I had grabbed a crowler of the Cookies ’N Giantsbane to compare)

(image from form a previous encounter with this beer at Rock Elm Tavern)