Beer of the Weekend #466: Dos Pistolas
The beer of the weekend is going to be interesting because I have no clue what to expect. It says “Dark Beer” on the can, but we shall see. The beer is Dos Pistolas, brewed by the Great River Brewery of Davenport, Iowa.
Serving type: 12-ounce cans. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a pilsner glass. The color is deep caramel brown. A half-finger of light, off-white foam disappeared almost instantly, leaving behind a skim and thin ring around the edge.
Smell: Hairspray, or faint nail polish, is most noticeable at first. (It is nowhere near as strong as it is in some Schell beers, though.) Underneath are toasted malts, caramel, and a little toffee. There are hints of dark fruit esters hanging around in the background, and there is a surprise dusting of cinnamon. As it warms it becomes very bready. It kind of oscillates between a salon and a school lunch cinnamon roll.
Taste: The first couple sips are an awkward fusion of the hairspray (I really have no clue what that would impart that; floral hops?), bready malts, and caramel. As the beer warms, the mix becomes much more pleasing and tasty. Hairspray continues to dominate, though.
Drinkability: This is the last Dos Pistolas I will drink from a glass. The rest will be straight from the can, baby!
Fun facts about Dos Pistolas:
-Style: Great River calls it “Mexican Dark Lager.” However, it is classified on BA as “Vienna Lager.”
-Price: $9.92/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 40-45ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5.6 percent ABV.
-Nerdiness from the Great River site:
-Nerdiness from the can:
The Quiet Man’s grade: C.
Serving type: 12-ounce cans. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a pilsner glass. The color is deep caramel brown. A half-finger of light, off-white foam disappeared almost instantly, leaving behind a skim and thin ring around the edge.
Smell: Hairspray, or faint nail polish, is most noticeable at first. (It is nowhere near as strong as it is in some Schell beers, though.) Underneath are toasted malts, caramel, and a little toffee. There are hints of dark fruit esters hanging around in the background, and there is a surprise dusting of cinnamon. As it warms it becomes very bready. It kind of oscillates between a salon and a school lunch cinnamon roll.
Taste: The first couple sips are an awkward fusion of the hairspray (I really have no clue what that would impart that; floral hops?), bready malts, and caramel. As the beer warms, the mix becomes much more pleasing and tasty. Hairspray continues to dominate, though.
Drinkability: This is the last Dos Pistolas I will drink from a glass. The rest will be straight from the can, baby!
Fun facts about Dos Pistolas:
-Style: Great River calls it “Mexican Dark Lager.” However, it is classified on BA as “Vienna Lager.”
-Price: $9.92/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 40-45ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5.6 percent ABV.
-Nerdiness from the Great River site:
A special brew made for Cinco de Mayo, the Dos Pistolas Negra is a Mexican-style Dark Lager that is light, crisp, and smooth with just a hint of caramel. This brew also goes great with a lime!
-Nerdiness from the can:
At long last, a dark beer that you do not have to be afraid of. While most dark beers are tall, dark and chewy, Dos Pistolas is short, dark and drinkable.
The Quiet Man’s grade: C.
