Brewery: Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Beer: Riverwest Stein
Serving: 12 oz bottle
Glassware: Lakefront imperial pint
Information: 5.7% ABV, Bottled during May Wk1 (2012) notched on label. Ideal Serving Temp: 46-48° F
Style: American Amber / Red Lager
Price: $8.99 / 6-pack
Availability: Year-round
Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Pairings: “Pair this beer with any good German entrée like schnitzel or rouladen and you’ll have an instant hit.”
Appearance
A giant lumpy, fluffy, egg-shell colored head floats atop a clear and well-carbonated deep amber colored beer. After thinning out to loose bubbles, the foam left lots of lacing.
Smell
Malt heavy but well-balanced in deed, Riverwest is loaded with toast and bread qualities draped in melted caramel cube along side shards of toffee and a light nut blend. Earthy hops faintly arise through a vigorous swirl.
Taste
Hops emerge with a finer level of balance, asserting themselves into the flavor of this malty lager. The same earthy notes combine with just a pinch of pine to teeter-totter the delicious toasted bread malts with a slight hint of mild, light, Connecticut Shade tobacco.
Mouthfeel
Riverwest is a medium-bodied lager that’s crisp and clean, exhibiting no off flavors, but, while there’s a carbonation tickle on the tongue, it still feels kind of flat, very slick almost. It’s incredibly smooth, but mid-palate, Riverwest falls short. The finish has some nice lingering dryness and mild astringent bitterness to balance the malt out.
Overall
Lakefront’s “flagship” beer, Riverwest, is an easy-drinking amber lager that’s got the malt and hop balance down pat. If you like your lagers malty but not cloyingly sweet, this utterly smooth lager is for you!
Score: 83 / 100 - Very Good
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Cheers,
-Andy
