Sirius clouds ahead: Taking a look at Stormcloud beers

Leelanau Pale Ale

6% ABV  •  “An ongoing exploration of local hops from the Leelanau Peninsula. Currently hopped with Empire Orchards Vojvodina hops.”

Oooh! Utilizing the local hops, eh? Glad to see that trend popping up. Granted, Michigan won’t provide all of our hop needs, but it’s quite some fun to assess the local flair when possible.

This is a clear and dark amber beer with a resistant tan head. I detect some subtle banana and bubblegum notes with a touch of pepper, the obvious byproducts of a Belgian-inspired brewery.

From there I pick up on notes of honey that latch onto a light nuttiness. The hops remind me of the German noble varieties in that they are a touch spice forward. The malt lends bread crust and granola flavors.

The brew then moves into a fluffy mouthfeel just before the hop bitterness swiftly cuts in to coat my tongue and hold on. All throughout are full notes of bread crust-like malt, spice-like hops and brisk hop bitterness.

It’s lovely to suck down beer while eat

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