Great Lakes Nosferatu - Great Lakes Brewing Company

tectactoe

Michigan

3.96/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a murky copper, burnt amber color with a light tan head, small and receding leaving the smallest amount of lacing along the sides of the glass. Aroma was sweet and malty - lots of heavily toasted caramel malts, giving a nice backing sweetness and toasty feeling, along with a decent sized handful of hops, floral and lightly peppery around the edges, adding a bit to the sweetness but more to the herbal and bitter side of the aromatics. Nosferatu has a pretty powerful nose; strong and robust, but not fear-inducing or overly abrasive.

The first thing that hits the palate is the solid malt infrastructure. It rolls out on the tongue and coats the mouth to hold steady and pave the way for the upcoming flavor rush. Caramel and toffee malts line the walls, along with a grape and plum flavored sweetness that kicks into high gear almost immediately. The malt displays some other characteristics, like toasted bread, sweet and buttery, with a touch of brown sugar and/or molasses. The alcohol is there, but not too strong, and give it that "booze-soaked" dark fruit profile that is common in many strong ales and barleywines.

Don't let the malt fool you, though - the hops are no stranger to Nosferatu. On the nose, they were more detectable as peppery and herbal, but on the palate they come off as more floral and citrusy, as they bring some lighter fruits to the table; grapefruit, apricot, faint oranges. Bitterness remains on the lower side, meaning this doesn't quite resemble an IPA or a DIPA, but the hops still play a huge role in this beer's flavor. Aftertaste finishes with a floral, peppery warmth and a fading, boozy raisin flavor. Medium body, almost on the thick side, just a touch away from being sticky - slightly wet and slick with medium carbonation.

I've been wanting to try this one for a while now, and I'm glad I finally did. Wonderful flavors all around. I've heard this one compared to Arrogant Bastard often. Is it better? Tough call. I think I'll give the edge to AB, because of it's abrasive, yet controlled hop profile and pronounced bitterness while remaining so malty and drinkable. But Nosferatu is still a damn good beer that I wouldn't pass up if given the chance to have again.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 12:38:51 | More by tectactoe

jgarvis

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%

05-25-2013 15:53:49 | More by jgarvis

josephwa

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-24-2013 21:13:43 | More by josephwa

msinger1002

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-23-2013 21:39:26 | More by msinger1002

UWBadgerFan4Life

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-23-2013 02:20:13 | More by UWBadgerFan4Life

Wally

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-23-2013 00:05:20 | More by Wally

kell50

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-22-2013 01:46:18 | More by kell50

nstorts

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-21-2013 02:09:55 | More by nstorts

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-20-2013 01:00:55 | More by NJB145

Jakob

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-18-2013 16:22:25 | More by Jakob

GinsuDave

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-15-2013 10:23:41 | More by GinsuDave

sugrefd

Illinois

5/5  rDev +21.7%

05-13-2013 10:28:41 | More by sugrefd

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-09-2013 17:25:23 | More by ncstateplaya

ahbithwabm

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

04-30-2013 16:34:48 | More by ahbithwabm

fullmoonbeer

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

04-30-2013 01:54:23 | More by fullmoonbeer

Hanzo

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.7%

04-28-2013 19:04:25 | More by Hanzo

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.7%

04-27-2013 16:08:54 | More by Jason1337

Bluecane

North Carolina

2.75/5  rDev -33.1%

04-21-2013 06:51:35 | More by Bluecane

mscudder

Georgia

3.16/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Served in a snifter.

A - Deep amber hue with a large ivory head. Head reminds me of a Belgian Quad and leaves fair lacing.

S - Warm hops, light booze, caramel, pepper and some grapefruit.

T - Warmth from the booze throughout, hop bitterness is high for a red while other flavors are overshadowed by the presence of pepper. Finishes dry.

M - Medium body with moderate carbonation.

O - Reminds me of a tamed, slightly thin, Arrogant Bastard. Not a huge fan of either brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 04:44:44 | More by mscudder

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%

04-19-2013 01:45:15 | More by Casey3236

DCgolfpro

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

04-18-2013 03:09:55 | More by DCgolfpro

AlphaKingKegger

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

04-15-2013 04:56:01 | More by AlphaKingKegger

Aosemidey

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

04-13-2013 17:49:50 | More by Aosemidey

Skott1123

Ohio

5/5  rDev +21.7%

04-13-2013 16:47:37 | More by Skott1123

rkf1976

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

04-13-2013 15:41:27 | More by rkf1976