Mid-summer in Cincinnati means high temperatures and even higher humidity. In many cases, the best way to beat the heat is to just stay inside where the A/C and beer are both cold. Despite the hot weather, I think you’ll be surprised at the types of beers that made my list of Best Craft Beer for July.
If you want to keep up with what I am drinking in real time, make sure that we connect on Untappd. Click that link or search for craftbeerjoe.
Don’t forget to take time to review your check-ins and think about what would make your list of the best craft beer. I’d love it if you sent me a message or chatted on social media about the best craft beer you had in July.
Here’s the Best Craft Beer I had last month:
Cafe Deth
Style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 14.8% IBU: 30
Description
A weaponized quantity of freshly roasted whole bean coffee from Gaslight & Dark Matter coffee roasters imbues our Deth’s Tar Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout with assertive coffee aromatics without overshadowing the base beer on the palate. Pair with rich food or enjoy on its own. Keep cold. Enjoy now. We mean it.
Why it made the list?
There’s few things better than having a friend gift you a beer; especially when that beer is a special release beer that you’d never have a chance to get without their help.
That’s exactly how I got this can of Cafe Deth. A friend went to Chicago and stopped by Revolution during their annual release of Deth Star (and its variants). He picked up some of Cafe Deth and gifted me a can of it.
The base beer Deth Star is a very boozy, high ABV barrel-aged stout that I really enjoyed but some may think that the flavors are a little harsh.
That’s where Cafe Deth is different. The coffee smooths out the edges of this boozy beer and even adds some sweetness. It is still a sipper due to the nearly 15% ABV.
I’d highly recommend this to anyone that is able to get to Chicago when Revolution releases this beer.
Punch You In The EyePA
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.25% IBU: 105
Description
Ever been punched in the face with a fist full of hops? Well pucker up, because at 100 IBUs you’re about to take one straight to the kisser. Weighing in at 9.2% ABV, this brew isn’t a love tap, it’s a haymaker.
Why it made the list?
If you don’t know much about Fifty West, then check out my Brewery Spotlight on them.
The abbreviated story is they are a great Cincinnati based brewery that has taken their time and developed a great brewery experience that goes well beyond the beer.
Earlier this year, they began canning their beer on a regular basis for the first time and their fans couldn’t be happier. The excitement escalated when they released Punch You In The EyePA.
This Imperial IPA is the kind of beer that made me fall in love with IPAs years ago. It’s strong, bitter, sweet and very aggressive. Now we just need to convince them to can it year round!
Spirit Beast
Style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 11.9% IBU: N/A
Description
A special blend of barrel aged beers synergized within our barrel room. Some elusive barrels obtained through friends were the catalyst for a style bending concoction. Barleywine style ales and imperial stouts were carefully forged together. Experimentation and consideration spawned the third vintage of a continual project exploring the relationship between beer and barrel. Enjoy at room temperature.
Why it made the list?
Barleywine is a style that I don’t pick up very often. While the English version is often really good, I’m not always a fan of the American style.
So I’m not always willing to take the risk on a bottle that I may or may not like.
But Jackie O’s blended a barleywine with an imperial stout and barrel-aged it which made me believe that I’d enjoy it.
The barleywine added a foundation of earthy hop flavor but it wasn’t bitter at all. Instead, the boozy barrel-aged flavors balanced out this beer really well.
It drinks very heavy so I’m glad this bottle was split with someone else. As the description notes, this is the third time this beer was made and it is a continual experiment. So each year will provide a unique beer so be sure to check this one out.
Black Note (2017)
Style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 11.2% IBU: 65
Description
One of the most sought-after stouts in Bell’s history, Black Note Stout blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout and ages the combination in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso & dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel. Aimed squarely at the stout and bourbon aficionados, Black Note makes a grand statement about the art of the dark.
Why it made the list?
Black Note has made my list in the past and I’m pretty sure it will make it again in the future. I can’t deny how much I enjoy this one.
Every time, I am amazed at how it truly has dark fruit elements to the flavor. This plays perfectly with the heavy bourbon and barrel characteristics.
I know there are a lot of barrel-aged beers that are praised but this one shouldn’t be missed. But like most barrel-aged stouts, it can be tough to get. If you run across a bottle, it’s worth the price so don’t pass on it.
Broken Boiler
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV: 13.5% IBU: N/A
Description
Belgian strong dark ale aged in bourbon barrels with tart cherries added.
Listermann (Cincinnati) and Fifth Street Brewpub (Dayton) collaboration.
Why it made the list?
You may have noticed that I love barrel-aged beers and many of those are stouts. But it is always fun to drink a beer that is barrel-aged and not a stout.
That’s what made this one so great. The Belgian element wasn’t overpowering as it was evident primarily in the aroma. That quickly changes when you take the first sip.
The flavor has huge bourbon and cherry flavors to it and the high ABV isn’t hidden at all. Each elements plays off the others to make a beer that is quite approachable yet complex.
I’d love to see this collaboration brewed again in the future or even see them experiment with other styles.
Aged Scotsman
Style: Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale
ABV: 12.3% IBU: N/A
Description
Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale
Why it made the list?
I love visiting a taproom because the beer always seems to taste just a bit better. What I like even more is bringing someone to a brewery’s taproom for the first time.
That’s exactly what happened when I took my wife, father and father-in-law to Wooden Cask for the first time. I had been a few times and knew the space was great and the beer was even better so I was excited to share this spot with them.
It proved to be a great afternoon of beer and conversation. And by the end we all agreed that the Aged Scotsman was our favorite of the day.
I try a lot of barrel-aged beers so it takes something special to catch my attention and the Aged Scotsman did. The base beer was already a favorite of mine from Wooden Cask. Putting this beer into Rye Whiskey barrels for a few months took it to another level.
The spice of the rye really shines while also providing a big sweet caramel characteristic. And I’d be doing it an injustice if I didn’t mention the strong boozy flavors that the rye adds.
This body isn’t heavy so you feel like you can enjoy more than one but that might be a little much for most people so proceed with caution.
Learn More About Craft Beer: Pale Ale Vs IPA: What’s The Difference?
Final Thoughts
It’s the middle of summer and dark beers dominated my list of the best craft beer I had this past month. Which continues to prove that styles shouldn’t be restricted to a specific time of year. Some of my favorite beers are confined to just a few short months each year because they are considered seasonal styles.
Fall is quickly approaching and with it will come the release of many seasonal styles; including pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers.
Are there any specific releases you are looking forward to or do you dislike the fall beer styles?
I’m a big fan of both pumpkin and Oktoberfest beer styles so there’s a good chance that they make their way onto a future Best Craft Beer list.
Sound off in the comments below or send me a message to let me know what beer you’ve had recently that was great or to let me know what beer you are looking forward to this fall.