This weeks pick for Beer of the Week comes simply from a taster. It’s one that I will be making a concerted effort to visit their taproom and get some to bring home and share. And yes, it’s a bit of a novelty beer, but it’s a novelty beer done very, very well.

I occasionally work at a taproom in Big Lake, and, like many I think, there’s a roster of regulars who bring in interesting and cool beers to share with the brewers and staff. I happened to be working the day one such customer brought in an Almynd Joyz Imperial milk stout from The Brewing Projekt out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I’ve not had their beers before so if this is any indication, I think I will be suitably happy when I get a chance to visit.

I was aware of their Dare Mighty Things IPA and Resist Milkshake IPA by reputation on the local-ish Facebook beer groups but not heard of this. As much as it sounds cliche, simply think of an Almond Joy candy bar, distilled down to a slightly warming/boozy beer, and drink it. There’s the hybrid milk/dark chocolate coating, the slightly oily, sweet, grainy coconut, and a touch of sweet almonds. All are perfectly in balance, reminiscent of the candy bar in all respects. Except there’s a little alcoholic kick that’s smooth and warming, not at all harsh.

Here’s the reason why I choose this beer, and by extension, this brewery; It’s not because of a novelty beer, it’s because they didn’t screw anything up. Novelty beers, surprisingly, are easy to screw up. Balance is a huge hurdle. Too much of any one of the components and it’s no longer an Almond Joy, it’s something else. Coconut is notoriously hard to work with due to its oil content and I think pairing it with a higher abv beer was a smart move – the “legs” from the booze helps counteract, or even mask, the oiliness of the coconut.

Kudos to The Brewing Projekt for such a stellar example of what a really great and interesting novelty beer can be – just like unwrapping a piece of your childhood and drinking it instead (as an adult, of course).

Since this beer seems to only be available at their taproom of locally, I can’t wait til I get a chance to visit and bring some more back to share with others. Great beer.

Cheers!