Yeah, I didn’t like this one, and I’m totally into strongman feats of strength. I like beers that taste like smoke, cheap black coffee, NHRA Top Fuel Dragster drag racing, and strongman competitions, so pretty much, I am ready for this beer, but it didn’t work out. Maybe egos got in the way. The word milk didn’t help either. “Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m tired of coffee beers and I’m tired of milk stouts. And Strongman Coffee Milk Stout has both written right there on the bottle. So why did I review this? Because some guys at this new-money fancy beer store in Chattanooga told me it was smoky. Furthermore, there are beers that are brewed with coffee (not good), and there are beers that are brewed with coffee added after brewing (worse), and this is the latter. And wouldn’t you know it, the coffee added to this beer is cold brewed coffee. Pretentious! (I say pretentious because some smart guy said it at a party about this other guy that I hate). I don’t know, let me calm down a minute, I eventually came around with the whole barrel aging beer thing, maybe coffee and/or milk will have it’s day? In Hi-Wire’s defense, they delivered on what the label says. And in my defense, I know that Arnold Schwarzenegger was a body builder and NOT a strongman, big difference. 3 smokestacks out of 7. Failed to lift.
| Brewer | HI – WIRE |
| Beer Name | strongman |
| Brewer’s Description | Coffee Milk Stout Inspired by our head brewer’s cafe con leche-fueled travels in Key West. Local coffee from Dynamite Roasting Co. is cold-extracted and added post fermentation to this sweet, creamy beer. |
| Food Pairings | Brunch |
| Brewery Location | Asheville, NC |
| Alcohol content by volume | 5.3% |
| IBU (International Bitterness Units) | 28 |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 5.8 (32 SRM) |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 1 |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 2 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | N |
| Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) | 4.5 |
| Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) | 3 |
Good website, although it lacks any mention of strongmen, or even links to strongman sites:
https://hiwirebrewing.com/seasonals/strongman-coffee-milk-stout/
Feats of strength by Strongman Eddie “The Beast” Hall:
Here’s my proof on that Arnold Schwarzenegger quote:
I was in the audience in Columbus, OH for this last one. For the serious enthusiast only, and I hope you’re not squeamish:
SmokeBeerMinistry 