Beer of the Weekend #752: Smoove Opferator
With a fridge full of beer, I decided not to try anything new tonight. Instead, I am going to post a review of Smoove Opferator, brewed by the Toppling Goliath Brewing Company of Decorah, Iowa.
I intended to recommend Smoove Opferator as the beer of the month in February. However, I do not know how much longer the local supply will last and the brewer told me did does not plan to brew any more in the near future, so I will save the recommendation for later.
The color is deep, mahogany brown. A finger-width of dense, bubble-spotted, shiny, cappuccino-colored head sits atop the beer and dissipates at a snail’s pace. The first whiff is a noseful of toasted malt, cocoa, caramel, and dark fruit. There is also a touch of vanilla. It has that oatmeal smoothness, and oatmeal seems evident in the smooth (smoove) mouthfeel, too. The flavor offers astringent toastiness, though perhaps that was just an initial shock to the taste buds after a couple days without beer. There are flavors of brown and toasted malt, black and fruit licorice, chocolate, that toasted astringency, perhaps a little burnt sugar, vanilla, and dark fruit. The toasted malt dominates. It works the taste buds but it is not overly astringent.
Fun facts about Smoove Opferator:
• Style: Brown ale.
• Price:$7.99 per 22-ounce bottle at the “Drug Town” on First Avenue in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
• IBU: 50.
• For some reason, I automatically assumed the beer’s name was Smooth Operator. I did not realize it was instead Smoove Opferator until holding the bottle. Why Smoove Opferator? The brewer’s last name is Opfer and I assume he must be pretty smoove. He is, after all, a damn good brewer.
• Yes, one can’t drink or mention this beer without thinking of Sade’s “Smooth Operator.” Go ahead and enjoy it. You know you want to.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
I intended to recommend Smoove Opferator as the beer of the month in February. However, I do not know how much longer the local supply will last and the brewer told me did does not plan to brew any more in the near future, so I will save the recommendation for later.
The color is deep, mahogany brown. A finger-width of dense, bubble-spotted, shiny, cappuccino-colored head sits atop the beer and dissipates at a snail’s pace. The first whiff is a noseful of toasted malt, cocoa, caramel, and dark fruit. There is also a touch of vanilla. It has that oatmeal smoothness, and oatmeal seems evident in the smooth (smoove) mouthfeel, too. The flavor offers astringent toastiness, though perhaps that was just an initial shock to the taste buds after a couple days without beer. There are flavors of brown and toasted malt, black and fruit licorice, chocolate, that toasted astringency, perhaps a little burnt sugar, vanilla, and dark fruit. The toasted malt dominates. It works the taste buds but it is not overly astringent.
Fun facts about Smoove Opferator:
• Style: Brown ale.
• Price:$7.99 per 22-ounce bottle at the “Drug Town” on First Avenue in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 5.5 percent ABV.
• IBU: 50.
• For some reason, I automatically assumed the beer’s name was Smooth Operator. I did not realize it was instead Smoove Opferator until holding the bottle. Why Smoove Opferator? The brewer’s last name is Opfer and I assume he must be pretty smoove. He is, after all, a damn good brewer.
• Yes, one can’t drink or mention this beer without thinking of Sade’s “Smooth Operator.” Go ahead and enjoy it. You know you want to.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
