Central Waters Straight Outta Amherst West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale

Central Waters Straight Outta Amherst West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale.

9 % ABV, 80 IBU. Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI. 

Clear, bright amber/golden coloring, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and pine aplenty, with stone fruit on the side. Hints of candied apricots meet orange and tangerine. 

In the mouth: Bold and bitter at first sip. Juicy, dank, resinous, all the things. Much malt at work, as well. Bomb-Tactic. Huge and delicious. Audacious. This one goes to town on the palate, in a good way, of course. Some might call it "hot", I call it Bombitty-bomb, bom, boom. Also, yum-a-dum-dum. 

I've become very fond of this. It's can #6, but there may be reinforcements on the way. 

Before the haze hysteria swept the craft beer industry, IPA was defined by coast and the IBU was king. This example of a west coast style IPA is brewed with a touch of oats and double dry hopped with Centennial and Sultana hops.

Central Waters Fat Elvis Imperial Stout

 Central Waters Fat Elvis Imperial Stout.

10.6 % ABV, 30 IBU, Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI. 

Sublimely stygian, utterly opaque, large, looming cocoa-toned head. 

In the nose: spews out chocolatey goodness, cocoa powder galore. Espresso tinges. Slight smoke. Caramel. Honest to goodness goodness. 

In the mouth: Mmm. rich, sweet, indulgent. Deep, chocolatey, coffee-ish, dark and decadent. Luxurious. Lovable. Sweet, succulent, coated in cocoa. Alcohol rises, assuredly. Big and smooth. Bottomless riches. Indulgence in extremis. 

This Imperial Stout is robust yet retains an amazing ability to be so smooth it could be called Velvet Elvis. Dripping with chocolate and caramel with enough roast and and hop bitterness to balance itself, this beer is dangerously drinkable.

Central Waters Extremely Unsettled NE DIPA

Central Waters Extremely Unsettled NE DIPA.
8.9 % ABV, 45 IBU. Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI.

All hazed up and orange, under a vast ivory head.

In the nose: Outsized hop presence in the aroma, large with fruit, citrus and tropical. Bold, fresh, and lovely.

Now, to drink, or as we say in the Nib, in the mouth: Splash of hop bitterness up front, that fades a touch, but continues through the finish. Fruit and juicy dominates the flavors. Deliciousness abounds. Medium bodied, long finish.

Yum. Even yum a dum, dum. I'm not always into the NE DIPAs, but this one worked for me.

Here it is. The big one. A subtly bold Double New England Style IPA featuring Mosaic, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria hops. Wherever you're trying to go, this thing will get you there. 

Central Waters Unsettled New England style India Pale Ale

Central Waters Unsettled New England style India Pale Ale.
6.7 % ABV. 50 IBU.

Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI.

Highly hazed, pale orange hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Pungent citrus aromatics at first, grapefruit and orange. Tangerine creeps in. Slight whiff of the tropical.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness smacks the palate at the start. Nice and bracing, leading the way to calm and pleasing. Medium bodied, quite an easy drinker.
Halfway in, I'm picking up the tropical fruit notes that are de riguer for this style. It's not devoid of bitterness, and not especially soft. Lacks some of the hallmarks of that New England style, but I don't care. It's a good India Pale Ale, and I can drink it.

Ever felt like something is just...off? So have we, and we know why! Although usually clear, we have manipulated the malt, wheat, and insane amount of hops in a way that creates a purposely hazy beer. Still unsettled? Give it a try...we don't think you will be!

Central Waters Crew Drive Brut Pils

Central Waters Crew Drive Brut Pils.
5.5 % ABV. 25 IBU.
Central Waters Brewing Company, Amherst, WI.

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Lightly hoppy, slightly floral, right in tune for a pilsner.

In the mouth: Nicely hopped, just a touch of bitter, laying long on the palate. Light-bodied, easy drinker. Lingering hop bitterness, the way I like it, ending very dry. Quite nice. I'd have another.

What the heck is a "Crew Drive"? We are glad you asked! It is a standing tradition for brewery employees to clear the benches and crowd a market to represent their brewery for a day. It's a team effort that ends over a beer or four and a toast to victories won! Dry, effervescent, and dangerously drinkable, this beer is brewed for celebration. Join our crew for a cold one!

Central Waters Honey Blonde Ale

Central Waters Honey Blonde Ale. 4.6% ABV, 12 IBU. Central Waters Brewing Company, Amherst, Wisconsin.

When I say that I try to write about every beer that comes my way, I mean it. Some have said that I write about many beers that no one, at least no one in their particular beer geek circle, cares about. Well, someone cares about them, or they wouldn't exist. And I write about beers I wouldn't pick up on my own, because...well, just because. It's there. And this one is quite probably a classic example.

Blonde Ales aren't my style. But your average consumer who just wants something to drink, free of extremes and challenges, loves this style. It's good to have them around, because, believe it or not, those are not bad people, and they deserve a style of beer that sets them at ease. And now, I'm going to drink one.

Clear, golden-toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Hey, there's honey in there. Low hops, light malt flavors. Mild and inoffensive.

In the mouth: Light and smooth. Easy. Breezy. Mild hop bitterness. Slightly sweet, a touch of malt and grain. Drink 'em up.

Ah, honey blonde ales. They're too sweet and ineffectual for me. But here's to those who love 'em. Good folks, they are. Salt of the Earth.

Made using real Wisconsin honey, our Honey Blonde is a traditional cream ale featuring a breezy floral bouquet, subtle sweetness, and crisp, clean finish. When you're feeling like something a bit more refreshing, this little number is sure to please.

Central Waters Brewers Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout

Central Waters Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout.

Full-on black, slim brownish ring of foam.

In the nose: roasted malt meets sweet fruit, with a touch of tart.

In the mouth: More of that. Some cocoa/chocolate, roasted malt gets smothered by the cherry, which is then covered up by the barrel. Bourbon takes command. Cherry and a touch of vanilla coming through. Nicely textured, a bit of tannins on the palate. Some tart, some sweet, and a lot of complexity happening. I like this one, I do, indeed.

From the website: We throw 75 pounds of tart Door County cherries into each oak barrel with a rich imperial stout then age it for 6 months. Cheers!

Central Waters Space Ghost Imperial Stout with Chili Peppers

Central Waters Space Ghost, Imperial Stout brewed with Chili Peppers. ABV unknown. Brewed and bottled by Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI.

Solid blackness, resting under a toasty brown cap. Looking perfect for the part.

In the nose: Right off, this has everything we want from an Imperial Stout. Tremendous depth, absurdly rich, evocations of all the dark delights, chocolate, espresso, anise, dark fruits, smoke, caramel, and more. We haven't even gotten to the peppers yet.

In the mouth: There they are! Peppery heat boards the palate first, charging ahead and setting it all aflame. There's plenty of richness and sweetness behind to back it up. With each new sip, the heat is ahead, but the rich malt is right behind it, holding down the fort, and keeping the palate safe from being burned to the ground.

I try to avoid the chili beers, but on the other hand, I'm partial to tasting all the Imperial Stouts. So, I had to check this one out, right? And you know what? I like it. Not going to turn into a favorite, but somehow I like it. Ain't bad at all. Very flavorful, very tasty, very delicious, and the heat's not too
much. I do not mind this at all. That's how much I like it. Just right.

Okay, Central Waters, you won me over. Just kidding. You already did.

From the label: "Out of the light and into the darkness comes an Imperial Stout with ghost peppers added. Space is full of mystery, darkness, and the heat of 1,000 suns. Don't fear the heat. It's the ghost that will get you!"

Central Waters Octoberfest Lager

Central Waters Octoberfest Lager. Amherst, WI.

Lightly hazed, amber-hued, slim off-white head.

Malty aromatics, a little earthy/herbal, a touch of fruit, slightly sweet.

In the mouth: Clean, smooth, tasty. Medium-bodied. Nicely hopped, lovely sweetness, ending deliciously dry. Good beer. You can drink it.

Here's some gobbledygook: "With an enticing bread-y maltiness characteristic of traditional marzen-style lagers, Octoberfest is a radiant, amber-colored brew that finishes crisp and clean. Enjoy this fall seasonal as summer turns to autumn and the colors of the Northwoods are ablaze." No other information given.

Central Waters HHG APA

Central Waters HHG APA, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Americana Pale Ale. Amherst, WI.

Highly hazed, deep amber coloration, slim white head.

Lively, vibrant & loud hop aromatics, big pine and citrus, major league grapefruit. Bold and unrepentant.

Same goes in the mouth, fresh and zesty, lots of hop flavor all over the palate. Nice balance, just enough bitter, just enough sweet. Medium-bodied, crisp and clean. Not bad, not bad at all. I'd have another one, no problem.

Central Waters Brewhouse Coffee Stout

Central Waters Brewhouse Coffee Stout.

Dark color, nearly black, with ruby highlights peeking through at the edges, and a lush, looming toasty tanned head.

Intense coffee aromatics. Roasted espresso beans aplenty. Dive in deeper and chocolate reveals itself. Rich, dark and decadent.

In the mouth, coffee comes first, meshed with lush dark malts. Smooth and tasty. Not as full-bodied as I like my coffee stouts. I need them really thick and substantial. There's nothing wrong with this approach, though, and plenty of other people seem to prefer it. I'm used to being in the minority.

As is, this delivers the coffee for sure, if it's not as full-bodied as I like. You can't win them all. Unless you can, in which case good for you.

Central Waters Slainte Scottish Style Ale

Central Waters Slainte Scottish Style Ale, brewed in Amherst, WI.

Appearance: dark brown, crimson highlights, under a tan head, lasts a while, then zips away.

Aroma: All malt emanating from the nose, semi-sweet, flavors of cocoa and cream.

Taste: More of the same at play on the tongue. Malty sweet, with cocoa and molasses flavors, and just enough bitterness for balance. Easy-drinking, and tasty. It's more of a Scotch Ale, than a Scottish Ale, though.

Hey, what's the label say? "We're just short of the 45th Parallel marking the halfway point between the North Pole and Equator. We experience the full on splendor of all four seasons. To each we raise a bottle of our seasonal series and give thanks we didn't build our brewery anywhere else."

Doesn't tell me much about the beer. Just more evidence that Wisconsinites are full of themselves.

Central Waters Glacial Trail IPA

Central Waters Glacial Trail IPA. Why has it taken so long for me to get to this? It's been around about 6 years. Good question. Well, we're fixing that right now. It's from Wisconsin and it's an IPA.

Hazy amber hue, lush, creamy-toned head. Looking good.

Aroma: Pine first, then all kinds of citrus. Bright and resiny. A beautiful bounty of bitterness. Mmmm. I like it.

Taste: Bitter hops hit first, once more the one-two punch of pine and citrus, leaving bitter trails on the palate. Bright, bold, and brilliant. Medium-bodied, easy drinking. This one's got it all.

Glacial Trail is good go-to IPA. Go to it!

Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter

Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter. It's a porter called Mudpuppy. Whatever that means. Like all the other CW brews, not much more information. So, away we go…

Dark brown coloring, under a slim, cola-toned head.

Aroma: Some small suggestions of espresso, with faint hints of coca, with the slightest bit of roast. Eh.

Taste: There's a that lackluster dark malt from the aroma arriving on the palate, and it's staging a very mediocre performance. All the typical players are involved, but giving the performance of no lifetimes, …shall we say. Medium bodied. Flat finish. We're getting parts of a porter, but not the good parts. Not the best parts.

All in all, this Mudpuppy is a humdrum affair, a porter of the shortest order. Central Waters makes many good beers, but this one isn't among them. Blah.

Central Waters Shine On Ale

Central Waters Shine On Ale. No style designation, no gobbledygook, no nothing. Except, of course, brewed in Amherst, WI, as well as "Ale, Sun, Earth, and Sky", whatever that may mean. I got this in a sampler 12-pack, and there's no further information there, either, it just says "Shine ON" (any significance to the capital letters?).

It's a cloudy reddish amber, with a slim, soon-gone head. I suspect it's unfiltered.

Aroma: malt all over. Bold fruity, nutty malt nose. On the sweet side.

Taste: All that and more re-appears on the palate. Rich, generous malt flavors tend toward lushness. Moderate bitterness holds sweetness just a little bit in check. Long, malty finish, excellent balance of malty sweetness and hop bitterness.

I would not have guessed based on the label that this would be a rich amber / red ale, and it makes me wonder why they're reluctant to give it a style name, that might aid in getting the proper audience to this beer.

Or, perhaps they want to drive customers to it who might pass on an amber? One never knows.

Central Waters La Petite Mort

I have some questions about barrel-aging beers, which continues to be all the rage. Is it a style? A tradition? A fad, or a trend? When is it good, when is it great, when is it just so-so?
For me, particularly, if I don't know what the beer was before it was barrel-aged, I have to wonder what I'm drinking. This happened with this beer. It's merely labeled as "malt beverage aged in bourbon barrels", but is it a stout, a brown ale, an ale, or what? Is it a beer they've brewed before, of somehthing new? This one, while demonstrably strong, did not even have a clear ABV labeled. So, I'm left not knowing what was aged in those barrels, and only able to appreciate that something ended up tasting like whiskey. Great. The resultant beer is fine, but only because I like bourbon.

Here come the notes...

Central Waters Brewing Company, Inc. La Petite Mort, Malt Beverage Aged in Bourbon Barrels, Brewing in Amherst, WI. Brewed in collaboration with Local Option, Chicago IL.

Dark mahogany coloring, thin dirty tan head.

Aroma: bourbon, vanilla, cherry, black pepper. Sweetness and strength.

Taste:  rich, thick and redolent with whiskey notes. All that from aroma lands on the tongue, all the sweet, syrup-y flavors of the barrel come rushing out, lasting long on the palate. Not quite full bodied, and I truly detect any flavors past the ones brought on by the bourbon. It's malty enough to hold up the richness, with hardly any hops, and a good degree of balance.

The label is free of gobbledygook, to the extent that not even the ABV is given up.
But I have to say that this is another example of a barrel-aged brew that may deliver on the barrel aspects, but neglects to delight in any other area.

Central Waters Hop Rise Session Ale

Central Waters Hop Rise Session Ale. Brewed in Amherdt, WI. "Ale, Sun, Earth and Sky", it says on the label, not sure what that's about. 12 ounce bottle. No ABV given.

Very clouded, copper-colored, with a smallish white head.

Aromatics: hoppy, oily, pine-y and citrusy. Fresh and lively. I like it.

Taste: Plenty of hoppitude happening here. Big, bitter bite up front that lasts long through the drink. Bright  and vivacious. Medium-bodied, lean and easy-drinking.

Let's read that label description: "An explosively hoppy yet sessionable IPA, bursting with a citrusy array of mango, orange, and pineapple pleasantries. Hop Rise is a brewer's beer for one and all. Generously hopped throughout the boil, then dry-hopped at the tail end of fermentation for a large bouquet."

Hey, guess what, I liked it.

Central Waters Kosmyk Charlie's Y2K Catastrophe Barleywine

Central Waters Brewing Company, Inc. Brewers Reserve Kosmyk Charlie's Y2K Catastrophe Ale Barley-wine Style Ale. Amherst, WI.

Y2K? Wasn't that 13 years ago? What's going on here? I thought I'd had this before, but there's no evidence of it. I must've had it when I wasn't taking notes. Or maybe I'm out of my damned mind. A resurrection of an old ale beyond it's enjoy by date? Okay.
Let's get to this bottle already…

Look of it: Deep crimson coloring, large, lush creamy-toned head, lovely stuff.

Smell of it: ridiculously rich, deep, dark and crazily delicious. Dark fruit, cherry, berry, brandy, leather, luscious and massively malty,

Tasting it: Luxurious. Expansive.  Full to bursting. Malt to the max, hops a plenty. It's all going on. It's giving me all the things I want in a barley-wine. Should I age this? Isn't it already 13 years old? The bottled on says: nothing? There seems to be some marks somewhere around November, but it's not clear. (There are similar random markings around June, July, and August.) It's like there are some random scratchings in the direction of that particular square. And I don't remember when I bought it, it's been sitting around waiting for me to take these notes for months.

Let's see what the label tell us: "Originally designed for the Y2K survival kit, this beer has proven to be a staple for anyone's emergency plan. Kosmyk Charlie's is a delightful treat, aged for a year in our cellars to create brew smooth enough to overcome any disaster. So when homeland security raises the alert level, open a Kosmyk Charlie's and raise your glass."

Interesting. The Y2K threat is long gone, but one thing has appeared since then that we didn't have in 2000, or 1999, and that's Homeland Security and alert levels. That's it, let's celebrate the latest tragedy.

All in all, a toasty, malty, high alcohol (none given on the label, I'm only guessing). treat, to be sure. Fits all the marks of a true barleywine. Nice stuff. Right on.

Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barley-wine Ale

Here's one that I had for the first time in June of 2007. This bottle I enjoyed today is the first one that I have been able to purchase locally. Let's look at those old notes now...



bright crimson coloring, highly clouded, stable off-whitish head above...

Aroma is ripe with fruit...plump and luscious, orange, lemon, grapefruit, mango...ripe and pungent, very lively, very hoppy...nice, nice...

Fresh blast of deliciousness onto the palate at first...fruity and full of flavor...all types of them, a zesty cornucopia, replete with refreshing bitterness...Lordy, I like it! Well done!

Long lasting in the mouth, never quitting...very satisfying flavor...like an orange wedge doused in cognac! So good! An excellent nightcap, which this is tonight...lovely, lovely...

and, it still is! Glad to finally get it locally.

Central Waters Ouisconsing Red Ale

Central Waters Ouisconsing Red Ale, Microbrew for the Microfew, …there's some words on the sides for when I want to cock my head. Let's read it later, as we do. By which I mean me. The royal me.

Clear, amber, small whitish head.

Aroma: malt malt malt. red. sweet, just balanced enough. A kiss of the hops. Right on red ale aromatics.

Taste: There it is again, the malt malt malt, and the sweet, just curbed enough so things don't go awry. Tasty, tasty with the malty malty. Dries out nicely in the finish. Very enjoyable, excellent sessioner. For those searcher for a nice, uncomplicated amber/red that's geared for one-after-another drinkin'….take one of these, and another, please.

Now, let's see what they say: "This smooth amber ale with it's mellow nutty flavor and subtle flowery nose is a hit with even the newest of specialty beer drinkers. Named for the Algonquin word for the Wisconsin river, Ouisconsing Red makes even our neighbors to the west and south "want to be a badger."

So, Minnesota wants to be a badger because of this beer, as well as Illinois and Iowa, but not Michigan or Ontario? Whatever, Wisconsin...WHAT...ever.