Beer Tasting Notes – October 27
Welcome to Drinking N Stuff
Another week, another round of beers from all over the map — from white chocolate stouts to blood orange wheats. This week’s lineup brought some real surprises (and one or two you might want to sip slowly). Here’s how it all went down…
The Serac – Martin House (Golden Stout, 13.5% ABV, ★★★★☆)
Whiskey barrel-aged and full of surprises. White chocolate dominates — creamy and smooth — melting right on your tongue. You can taste the booze, but it doesn’t overwhelm. At 13%, this could have been a mess, but it’s fantastic. Base beer still shows through beautifully.
Parker County Peach – Martin House (Blonde Ale, 5.2% ABV, ★★★★☆)
Real peach flavor with zero artificial notes. The fruit isn’t overpowering, just bright and natural — like biting into a ripe peach. Simple, clean, and done perfectly. A great easy drinker for any day.
Nano 108 – Turning Point (Pale Ale, 5.5% ABV, ★★★½☆)
A throwback Pale Ale featuring Centennial hops smoothed out with Saaz. Old-school Dale’s Pale vibes but more balanced and less bitter. Great hop profile with a mellow finish. A local standout.
Empourium – Conditions of My Parole (Coffee Blonde, 5.1% ABV, ★★★☆☆)
Coffee and chili aromas up front with a surprisingly crisp, light body. I’m not usually big on coffee beers, but this one works — refreshing and drinkable without being heavy. Unexpectedly good.
Grimm Brothers – The Griffin (Blood Orange Hefeweizen, 5.3% ABV, ★★★☆☆)
Not much hefe character (the clove is missing), but it nails the blood orange flavor. Drinks smooth and easy, with a wheat base that keeps it light. Not a traditional hefe, but still tasty.
Hello Darkness – River North (Barrel-Aged Porter, 13.1% ABV, ★★★½☆)
Whiskey barrel-aged with oak and smoky tones. Comes across a bit dry and ashy — could use another year to mellow out. Still, solid aroma and complexity. Personally, a bit disappointing since I love River North, but time might smooth it out.
Nano 108 – Turn Coat (Brown Ale, 6.5% ABV, ★★★½☆)
Roasty and malty with a soft sweetness that rounds it out. Light-bodied for a brown, but still manages to hit the dark notes. Smooth, comforting, and balanced — an easy fall favorite.
Overall Takeaway
A big mix of beers this week, but Martin House absolutely crushed it with The Serac and Parker County Peach. Nano 108 continues to show up strong locally. River North’s porter needs a little more time, but the potential is there.
#CraftBeer #BeerTasting #ColoradoBeer #MartinHouse #Nano108 #RiverNorth #BeerReviews #Stout #Hefeweizen
