What’s The Mt. Carmel Taproom Series?

It’s this city’s oldest continually operating craft brewery, and with them situated off in Clermont county it’s often easy to overlook Mt. Carmel Brewing company and what place they hold in this ever growing craft beer scene.  It’s going to catch a lot of craft beer fans off guard then when they do make their way out to the taproom and see that they are growing… they are evolving, and they are becoming one of the breweries that is going to be talked about a lot in the coming year or two.

Part of their growth that is most exciting for me is the introduction of what they’re calling their Taproom series – a line of 22oz bombers and 12oz bottles that showcase some of the fantastic beers that up until now you’ve had to make your way out to their farmhouse taproom to try.  The line kicks off next week with the first “Neapolitan Ice Cream Stout” and will continue from there… stay tuned to this, it’s sure to showcase some stuff that you can get excited about!

Mt.CarmelIceCreamIce Cream Stout

This is a stout blended with Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla.  Packed in a 22oz Bomber. – it comes in at 6.7% ABV and 38 IBUs.

Tasting Notes:  This is an easy one to describe… it tastes like Neapolitan ice cream.  When your first pour it into your glass you’re hit with a strawberry and vanilla aroma that immediately brings to mind a big bowl of the ice cream, and as you sip away at it, the chocolate comes through in a sweet roasty finish.  There are some flavors here that taste a bit artificial, and though I’d usually be saying that in a negative manner… I mean it 100% honestly in this case that it works wonderfully.  They taste exactly like a big tub of ice cream might.  My advice, though… don’t stash this way.  Drink this fresh and enjoy!

Release Date: 12/14/2015

 

MtCarmelJackdJack’d Frost Stout

This is a stout that spend a some time tucked away in a Jack Daniels whiskey barrel.  Packaged in 12oz bottles.  – The beer comes in at 6.7% ABV with 38 IBUs.

Tasting Notes: This is delicious… that’s first and foremost.  Starting with the base stout recipe is a great plan for a brewery that is making one of the best American Stouts in the city, and the layer of complexity that sits on top from the barrel is a fantastic addition.  The beer most certainly has a woody and vanilla flavor added, but isn’t “in your face whiskey” like can happen in some barrel aged stouts, instead sitting solid in the complex and smooth category.

Release Date: 2/11/2016

MtCarmel-IrishCoffeBrown-LabelIrish Coffee Brown

This is a brown ale with lactose and vanilla added, being packaged in 22oz bombers it comes in at 6% ABV with 38 IBUs

Tasting Notes: Dear God, this is some tasty stuff.  With a base beer of their Coffee Brown Ale, it should be assumed that this is going to kick some serious butt, but I’m not sure I was prepared for just how much it kicks.  The vanilla is a fantastic flavor compliment, and the addition of lactose really fills out the mouth feel of this beer.  It’s creamy and delicious – I certainly hope that we’re going to see more of this at some point.  Wow.

Release Date: 3/17/16

Mt Carmel Sap AttackSap Attack!

Sap attack replaces the seasonal Maple Doppelbock in the draft line up this year… it uses fresh Maple Syrup from the Nature Center, and drops it off in an Imperial Brown Ale that clocks in at 8.7% ABV and 38 IBUs.  This is a big, solid beer…perfect for chilly spring nights on the patio.

Tasting Notes: Big doesn’t even describe the body of this beast.  The maple is balanced out expertly, filling out a smooth mouthfeel and making this fairly easy drinking for the higher ABV.  There is a slight toasty nuttiness that sits under a slightly dry finish… very good stuff, great use of maple without it being over the top.

Release Date: 3/24/16

MtCarmel-HibiscusBlueberryHibiscus Blueberry

Hibiscus Blueberry, to me, represents where the Taproom series really started from.  Light, summery sessionable, this beer is a hit whenever it gets tapped.  It’s also the perfect candidate for bottling.  It comes in at 5.5% ABV and 21 IBUs

Tasting Notes: Light, fruity and refreshing is the best descriptor for this one.  It’s easily a sessionable summer beer that is as at home next to the pool as it is while you’re porch sitting with some friends.  This sucker is delicious!  Read more about it.

Release Date: 5/2/16

Mt.Carmel-SaisontineOh My Darlin’ Saisontine

This is another killer summer beer from Mt. Carmel.  It comes in at 7.1%, so you might not be able to drink as many as you would of the Hibiscus Blueberry…but it’s goes down pretty darn easy when it’s hot outside.

Tasting Notes: The fruit plays with the yeast character perfectly, creating a beer that almost tastes like Mt. Carmel feels.  It’s rustic, but fresh and clean.

Release Date: 9/2/16

Leave a Comment.