Beach Fire Brewing Co – Wheel Bender Irish Stout

Overview

Beach Fire Brewing Co – Wheel Bender Irish Stout Review

Stout lovers can sometimes bemoan the long summer months as many breweries only offer stouts as a seasonal if they brew them at all. With limited tank space and great commotion (and profits) that come from more beach-friendly styles, who can blame them. But after all the hefes, fruit sours, and session IPA’s have been abundantly explored, one might find oneself craving one thing: roasted malts. Then the great annual challenge of finding a nice stout in mid-summer begins again. Very quickly one will learn of those few, brave breweries who choose to offer a stout year-round.

Just such a brewery is Campbell River’s Beach Fire Brewing. Wheel-Bender Irish Stout is black with brown highlights. There is a good tan head that lingers well and mild carbonation. The aroma of coffee is pronounced with moderate notes of unsweetened dark chocolate and cherry-like esters. This beer is dry with very little residual sweetness. It has a creamy smooth mouthfeel. The flavour is roast coffee beans and deeply darkened toast. There are notes of blueberries, cocoa, earthy East Kent Goldings hops, and fresh cigar. There is a slight bitterness. Wheel-bender finishes long and mildly roasty.

  • (4)
    Appearance
  • (4.25)
    Aroma
  • (3.75)
    Palate
  • (4.25)
    Flavour
  • (4.25)
    Overall Enjoyment
4.1

About This Beverage

  • Colour: Black
  • Head Size & Retention: Above average head/retention
  • Carbonation: Mild Carbonation
  • Clarity: Clear
  • Balance: More Malty
  • Drinkability: Definitely Drinkable
  • Enjoyment: I would definitely seek this beer out again
  • Malt Characteristics: Coffee or Chocolate, Toasty/Roasty
  • Hop Characteristics: Earthy
  • Palate: Creamy, Soft or Silky

Summary

A delicious and drinkable example of an Irish Stout. Beach Fire’s Wheel-Bender will have you craving it even on the hottest of beaches.

Pros

Brewed year round. Hooray for year round Stouts!

Nicely dry and drinkable.

Stylistically spot on.

Cons

Liquor stores will probably be reluctant to stock until fall.

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