Fort Street Brewery Reviews

patrick767	3.5 Fort Street Opus Amor Very old rating found on a loose page while cleaning, possibly from 2010 RB gathering in Grand Rapids - Near the bottom of the page and the notes were nearly unreadable at this point. Malty, sweet, caramel, minimal hops. Full body. Lingering sweetness. Sunday, November 26, 2017
Bulk_Carrier	4 Fort Street Jack the RIPA Reviewed from notes. The appearance was a semi-hazy copper color with a thin foamy white head that sustained for a little bit and then slid off at a good pace. Some stringy lace. The aroma had the sweet and spicy rye first and foremost allowing some dankness coming in and touching down on a little bit of grapefruit. Light biscuits round out the edges. The flavor melds the sweet to the spicy to the dank. The aftertaste followed suite and emphatically bled into the finish. The feel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Despite some strength from the bitterness, this one played nicely with it’s carbonation. ABV felt good. Overall, damn nice rye IPA that I can’t understand why this doesn’t have more reviews. Why do I have to toot Fort Street’s horn from Vermont? Well, I do blame myself a little bit for not saying something about this beer sooner. Saturday, May 6, 2017
Bulk_Carrier	3.9 Fort Street Touchdown Brown Reviewed from notes. The appearance was a sturdy milky brown color with a finger’s worth of white foamy head that fell off fairly quick. Mild lace. The aroma had some clean toffee malts up front with some nuts and then some dry leafiness with just a touch of grassy/earthiness rounding it all out. The flavor slid towards the sweet side initially and then developed the dry leafiness a bit more as it warmed. Nice blend in the aftertaste and rolling into the finish. The feel was about medium bodied with a decent sessionability about it. Good carbonation. ABV felt good. Overall, doesn’t say it was an Autumn release, but somehow I thought this was. Looks like one I get to research, which I don’t mind, as I would have love to have this again if I could get it. Saturday, May 6, 2017
Bulk_Carrier	2.7 Fort Street Big Brother Reviewed from notes. The appearance was a ruddy burnt amber color with a finger’s worth of foamy head. Slides off immediately. Light lace. The aroma had some citrusy hops, somewhat sweet with some light floral tones to it. Stiff malt backbone. The flavor brought the hops forward to a rugged bitterness. Slight aftertaste of the malts and bitterness of the hops. Yeasty impalement on my tastebuds, somewhat Belgian. Finish was weird, slightly like orange juice. The feel was almost medium bodied but a tad leaner. Made for a decent session, even as a DIPA. Carbonation felt good. Overall, had to reword several thoughts before entering in here, but as someone who lives in Vermont now (the land of hoppy beers), I have to think to myself, what exactly was Fort Street trying to pull off with this one? Saturday, May 6, 2017
Bulk_Carrier	3.6 Fort Street Black Tie Rye Reviewed from notes. The appearance was a dark brown color with a finger’s worth of eggshell white foamy head that fell off fairly quick. Some light stringy lace. The aroma had some milk chocolate, light citrus smooth sweet pulp, and some peaches. The flavor leaned towards the sweet side taking the previously mentioned aromas into the aftertaste nicely. Finishes semi-sweet. The feel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Good carbonation. ABV felt right. Nice smoothness rolling over my tongue. Overall, nice beer, but where was the rye? Maybe I missed the memo and it wasn’t actually supposed to have rye in it. Saturday, May 6, 2017
Bulk_Carrier	3.9 Fort Street Brown Bomber Reviewed from notes. The appearance was a semi-dark brown color with a finger’s worth of white foamy head that held for a little bit and slid off nicely leaving some sly lace. The aroma had milk and dark chocolate up front, roasty to bitter. Earthy, piney and citrusy hops burst forth to embolden yet balance the intake. The flavor brought all of the previously mentioned aromas together, sweetly, bitter, and a gentle roast. All came together in the aftertaste and rode into the finish nicely. The feel was about medium bodied having a spectacular balance of the smoothness from the malts to play with the abrasiveness of the hops. Carbonation felt good. ABV felt good too. Overall, being a former hophead and loving the brown ales, this is one of those beers that both sides can enjoy. Thursday, May 4, 2017
tmongoose	3.2 Fort Street Wee Bit Peaty draft that poured a medium brown smallish white head. the aroma was mild roasted malts some light smoky peat and some sweet malt. truly wasn’t a fan of this one its drinkable and mild in all respects. rather disappointed it didn’t have more peat in this one. Friday, December 30, 2016
koleminer20	3.2 Fort Street Mexican Chocolate Shaky Milk Stout From notes. Had this on tap at the 2016 MGB Summer Beer Fest. The pour is a darker brown with a thin ring of khaki colored head that leaves a spot or two of lace. The aroma is pretty out there. There is a ton of pepper and cinnamon with a huge lactose. It’s really forced on you. The cinnamon really controls this one. It’s a little better than the hazelnut because it doesn’t have the sweetness. The flavor is just as, well, good I suppose. The pepper really comes through on this one. The cinnamon and pepper flip roles and the sweetness is still resounding with a light lactose. The mouth feel is very thin and watery with a strange off carbonation and a lingeringly cinnamon and pepper milk finish. This is something else. Friday, August 19, 2016
koleminer20	3 Fort Street Hazelnut Milk Stout From notes. Had this on tap at the 2016 MGB Summer Beer Fest. The pour is a darker brown with a big white head that slowly froths down to a cap. The aroma is very sweet. The lactose in this is huge. The hazelnut offers a different sweetness, but this is almost gut-rot levels of sweet. It’s thin and light. I’m not sure how to feel on this one. The flavor is just as weak and sweet. I can’t get over the level of lactose here. The hazelnut is a little more prevalent, but it’s just nothing that I can really enjoy. The mouth feel is thin and watery with a sharp carbonation and a lingeringly sweet, nutty lactose finish. It’s a mess. Friday, August 19, 2016
umich03jm	3.3 Fort Street Lil SIPA Tap at Fort St. Aroma is somewhat dank. Pretty malty for a session IPA. Caramel, candied pineapple, and citrus juice. Tastes sweet and thick. Almost like pulpy orange and tropical juice. Very light bitterness in the finish. Decent. Wednesday, November 11, 2015
FlandersNed	4.1 Fort Street All Day Parade Tap @ brewery. Lightly hazy amber color. Very nice toasted hop nose. Lots of flavor for a session IPA - almost a creamy citrus edge. Solid! Sunday, September 6, 2015
Pailhead	3.5 Fort Street Bedlam On tap: The aroma consists of light apple, Belgian yeast, banana, and a touch of hibiscus. It’s a slightly hazy amber with a one finger off-white head that fades to a thin film outlined by a slightly thicker ring. The flavor starts with light-moderate Belgian yeast, light banana, and a hint of citrus. The finish has light-moderate apple, light hibiscus, and a touch of clove. It’s light-medium bodied with mild carbonation. Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Pailhead	3.5 Fort Street Supermassive Black Hole of Deliciousness On tap: The aroma consists of chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, and a hint of cherries. It’s a dark brown with some orange highlights and a one finger tan head that eventually fades to a thin film. There is a thin sheet of lacing left on the sides of the glass. The flavor starts with light-moderate chocolate and roasted malt. The finish has light burnt notes, coffee, and a touch of cherry skins. It’s medium bodied with soft carbonation and mouthfeel. Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Pailhead	3.3 Fort Street All Day Parade On tap: The aroma consists of light fruit, grapefruit, grass, and a hint of caramel. It’s a transparent amber with a small off-white head that fades to a thin film. There are some thin rings left on the sides of the glass after each sip. The flavor starts with light tropical fruit, citrus, and a hint of toasted caramel. The finish has light-moderate grapefruit with some faint grassy notes. It’s light-medium bodied with light-moderate carbonation and a somewhat soft mouthfeel. Overall, it’s solid, but even a little caramel is more than I like in a Session IPA. Tuesday, August 18, 2015
firstsip	2 Fort Street Lincoln Lager Tap. Clear straw yellow. Corn. Thinnish. They admittedly put this on the menu for... less discerning palates. Saturday, June 6, 2015
firstsip	3.8 Fort Street 5x2 Tap. Super opaque dark gold. Honey sweet nose. Full body. Tastes like a sort-of Belgian IPA crossed with a wild ale. Really nice. Saturday, June 6, 2015
Pailhead	3.6 Fort Street 5x2 On tap: The aroma consists of moderate citrus/orange, lighter honey, and a hint of grass. It’s a transparent amber with a small off-white head that fades to a thin film outlined by a slightly thicker ring. There is a good amount of sticky webbing left on the sides of the glass. The flavor starts with moderate citrus/orange with honey and a touch of peach. The finish has citrus hops, light rye, and a touch of alcohol. It’s medium-full bodied with mild carbonation and a somewhat sticky mouthfeel. Overall, I’m not sure what this is, but it’s tastes like it borders on the line of IIPA and American Barley Wine. Sunday, May 24, 2015
umich03jm	3.8 Fort Street Gold Green Tap at the brewery. Cloudy dark orange pour with a big head that fades slowly to a nice ring. Aromas are pineapple, melon, bubblegum, banana, and oranges. Tastes great. Bubblegum yeast taste is balanced nicely with juicy citrus and tropical fruit. Mild bitterness. Big carbonation but still soft. Very nice Belgian IPA. Thursday, May 21, 2015
ebone1988	3.7 Fort Street 5x2 The style is ambiguous, and I’ve added as an Amber simply because the bartender described it as an ale, but it tastes like a Doppelbock. Aroma is sweet, some nice malt, caramel, candy sweetness, slight hop presence. Appearance is amber, off-white head. Taste is caramel, malt, butterscotch, tastes like a Doppelbock. Mouthfeel is a little light, but pretty sticky and overall enjoyable. Overall, the booze is well-hidden in the beer, and it’s very drinkable so be careful with this one. Thursday, May 14, 2015
umich03jm	3.1 Fort Street Snowplowed Tap at Fort St. Clear copper pour with a messy head that fades to a messy film. Aromas are juniper berries, caramel, and fruit cake. Tastes the same. Very light sweetness. Kinda dry in the finish. Thin body. Ok overall. Friday, April 17, 2015
umich03jm	3.4 Fort Street Green Gold IPA Tap at Fort St. Clear gold pour with a small head that fades to a messy ring and leaves nice webbing. Aromas are oranges, flowers, and light pineapple. Tastes surprisingly more sweet than bitter. Juicy, sugary oranges, pineapple and flowers. Decent. Could definitely use more bitterness. Friday, April 17, 2015
Pailhead	3.8 Fort Street The Old Black Barn On tap: The aroma consists of chocolate, roast, citrus, lemon, lemon peel, and pine. It’s a dark brown with some orange highlights and a two finger tan head that eventually fades to a thin film outlined by a thicker ring. There’s is a good amount of webbing left on the sides of the glass. The flavor starts with a light-moderate citrus/oranges and chocolate. There is a nice funky lemon and tropical fruit flavor in the middle. The finish has light-moderate pine and roast. It’s medium bodied with light-moderate carbonation. Overall, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a farmhouse Black IPA, but this worked really well. Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Pailhead	3.8 Fort Street Sack O Chit On tap: The aroma consists moderate grapefruit, citrus, light fruit, and grass. It’s a cloudy amber with a small off-white head that fades to a minimal film outlined by a thin ring. There is some thick webbing left on the sides of the glass. The flavor starts with citrus, tropical fruits, and pineapple. The finish has moderate grapefruit with hints of lemon peel and grass. It’s light-medium bodied with soft carbonation and mouthfeel. Friday, January 30, 2015
Pailhead	3.7 Fort Street Burning Leaf Lager On tap: The aroma consists of Camelback, fruit, roasted nuts, and a hint of grain. It’s a transparent dark amber with a small off-white head that fades to a minimal film outlined by a thin ring. The flavor starts with light-moderate toasted caramel and light fruit. The finish has light-moderate roasted nuts and a hint of grain. It’s medium bodied with mild carbonation and a slightly sticky mouthfeel. Overall, a really solid Oktoberfest. Thursday, January 29, 2015
FlandersNed	4 Fort Street Liquorish This nitro cask was their signature Beernormous imperial stout with licorice root added. Sunday, January 11, 2015
FlandersNed	4 Fort Street Beernormous Sunday, January 11, 2015
Beerandsex	3.6 Fort Street Beernormous Black body and decent head. The aroma is mostly of chocolate and a hint of coffee. Medium mouthfeel on this. Flavor was big on the sweet chocolate, and that was about it. Pretty one dimensional, but tasty at the same time. Sunday, January 11, 2015
umich03jm	3.6 Fort Street Snow White Tap at the brewery. Very cloudy orange pour with a small, creamy head that fades to a film. Leaves thick webbing on the glass. Aromas are juicy oranges, wheat, light bubblegum, and light lemon. Tastes moderately bitter. Fresh orange-y hops, some grass, lots of wheat malt, some biscuits, and light Belgian yeast. Medium to full body. Friday, December 26, 2014
koleminer20	3.2 Fort Street Sunshine Stout From notes. Finally getting around to adding beers from the Ypsi Summer Beerfest! Enjoyed on July 25. The pour is a dark dark brown with a thinner light head and no lace. The aroma is pretty plain. There is a decent amount of roasted malt, and some light chocolate. That’s about it. Just really thin and light. The booze presence comes through on the back end. The flavor is just as it smells. Light and roasty. The mouth feel is thin and slick, offering minimal carbonation to help out and leaving a whole lot to be desired. The aftertaste is quick and painless, finishing a little dry and roasty. Tuesday, November 18, 2014
umich03jm	3.6 Fort Street Amber Waves of Wheat Tap at the brewery. Clear bright amber-copper pour with a small foamy head that fades to a ring. Aromas are biscuits, toast, light citrus, and light grass. Tastes very biscuit-y with some toasted grains. Light citrus and grassy hops in the finish. Good stuff. Friday, September 19, 2014
umich03jm	3.6 Fort Street Hawke's Bay IPA Tap at the brewery. Cloudy gold pour with a small head that fades to a thin ring. Aroma is tropical fruit and wheat. Very nice. Tastes a bit grainy but I love the fresh and somewhat juicy tropical fruit taste. Moderate bitterness. Medium body. Good IPA. Friday, September 19, 2014
Tambo	4 Fort Street Amber Waves of Wheat Saturday, September 13, 2014
firstsip	3.7 Fort Street Saison des Pommes Tap. According to Doug, it’s the replacement for Summer Sunsation (RIP). Beautifully opaque brownish color. Good head and lacing. Thiiiick mouthfeel. Slightly fruity nose. Tastes of mild Belgian yeast, apples, slightly sour. Friday, June 20, 2014
umich03jm	2.6 Fort Street Saison des Pommes Tap at Fort St. Pours a very muddy light orange-brown color with a small head that fades to a ring. Looks very odd. Very weird aroma but I like it. Peanuts, bubblegum, overripe banana, apples, and bread. Tastes like a tart apple cider with some saison spices and yeast. Very odd and I don’t really like it. Just drank a sample of it. Could never finish a full glass. Tuesday, June 3, 2014
umich03jm	3.2 Fort Street NV Tap at Fort St. Pours a hazy copper with a very thin ring of head. Aroma is pretty malty and slightly sugary. Nice nuttiness to it and a little fruit too. Tastes fairly sweet with a big nutty character. Pretty smooth but the fruitiness in the finish doesn’t seem to fit right. Medium to thick body which seems unusual for this style but I like it. Overall, nothing special. But it’s still a pretty enjoyable malty, nutty lager. Tuesday, June 3, 2014
umich03jm	4 Fort Street Jack the RIPA Tap at Fort St. Pours a hazy copper color with a small foamy head that just sits there. Eventually fades to a nice ring leaving tons of webbing. Great appearance. Aroma is somewhat faint for an IPA but still good. Lots of rye, slight dankness, grapefruit peel, little bit of weed, and biscuits. Tastes awesome. So smooth and spicy. Strong bitterness hits right away with grapefruit peel and rye. Get lots biscuits and more rye in the finish and just a touch of citrusy sweetness. Medium body. I slammed my pint in about 2 minutes. Yum. Tuesday, June 3, 2014
firstsip	3.8 Fort Street Corktown Red Tap. Dark red. Full body. Great dry red; good balance of slight caramel character and burnt malt. Thursday, May 29, 2014
umich03jm	3 Fort Street Corktown Red Tap at the brewery. Clear dark red pour with a small head that fades to a thin ring. Aromas are caramel, nuts, chocolate, and red fruit. Taste brings a big fruitiness and toasted nut flavor. Light caramel and chocolate in the background. Finish is actually a little warming which is odd. Very thin and kinda watery. Ok amber. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
umich03jm	3.2 Fort Street 9X9 Tap at the brewery. Pours reddish-orange with a very small head that collects to a ring. Aroma is funky and hard to describe. I guess it’s like a mixture of different grains with a hint of caramel. Taste brings in a little hops which is nice. Different flavors are caramel, toffee, wheat, rye, grass, flowers, and nuts. Smooth to drink but almost no carbonation. Odd beer but I would think it’s hard to make a normal tasting beer with nine different grains. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
umich03jm	3.4 Fort Street Downriver Fog Tap at the brewery. Hazy light amber pour with a small head that fades to a thin ring. Aroma is perfumy and piney. Getting a bit of fruity pebbles cereal too. Tastes extrememly piney and is a bit hard to drink sometimes. Fruity finish. If the piney was tones down a bit I would love this. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
umich03jm	2.5 Fort Street Doug's Turbo Sarsaparilla Tap at the brewery. Pours a cloudy dark orange with a small thin ring of carbonation. Aroma is just straight up root beer candy which is pretty cool. The taste, however, is disappointing. It’s like someone dropped some root beer candy in a macro pale lager. Watery with some light root beer and bread. Dry finish. Not my thing. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
umich03jm	2.7 Fort Street Lincoln Lager Tap at the brewery. Pours a clear bright yellow color with a small soapy head that leaves a little lacing. Aroma is like generic macro lager. Bread, corn, and weak grassy hops. Taste is a step above the macro lager but not by much. Bread and corn with stale hops. Watery. Crisp finish. Carbonation is smooth which definitely makes this easier to drink than Bud. Decent pale lager. Tuesday, April 29, 2014
firstsip	3.9 Fort Street Brown Bomber On tap. Wish they made this beer more regularly! Smooth, stout like body, excellent balance of malt and hops. Deep brown. Great beer. Friday, April 4, 2014
hotstuff	3.1 Fort Street Ed Rated on 8-21-2010 at Fort Wayne, IN Gathering. This growler pours has a very small head with a long retention, opaque reddish brown body, suspended carbonation, and virtually no lacing. The aroma is caramel malt, nutty, lightly roasted, hint of smoke, lightly hoppy, and a hint of spice. The taste is caramel malt, lightly roasted, lightly hoppy, hint of spice and a short dry finish. The mouth feel is smooth and this beer is medium bodied. A very easy drinking session beer. For a such a low ABV, it has a good flavor to it. Sunday, March 23, 2014
tectactoe	2.1 Fort Street Oakenbock Tap: mahogany with lots of vibrance & clarity; shades of ruby red at the edges with a khaki colored layer of cream on top. Aroma has notes of leather, faint smoke, mild peat, & strong bourbon-soaked, charred oak chips in the background. Some burnt caramel & toasted brown sugar, mild. Reminds me of a Hair of the Dog beer, but with much less presence, robustness, or refinement. Taste is... a little too barrel heavy. Huge oak & bourbon presence. Too much. Light vanilla, cola, & the leather & smoke characteristics are toned way down as well. Would be better if it wasn’t so heavy & abrasive on the barrel aging. Monday, January 20, 2014
tectactoe	2.3 Fort Street Lincoln Lager Tap: Pale, pale yellow with clarity off the charts, topped with a small, foamy white film - not much of a head. Definitely has the BMC look down. Aroma is very faint; grains, pilsner malts, bread, some sweet corn-y notes. Kind of boring, but void of the cloying sweetness or metallic notes of many macro lagers, which is good. Taste is a grain filled backbone with some bready, lager yeast, faint lemon zest, & mild musty hops (with no real bitterness, just moderately leafy flavor) over the top. Super sharp carbonation, really dry finish. Crisp. Reminds me of a BMC lager minus the awful faults of too much DMS, metal, corn, or rice. Still kind of one-dimensional & a boring, but it might be okay as a macro converter? Monday, January 20, 2014
tectactoe	3 Fort Street Doug's Turbo Sarsaparilla Tap: dingy, swamp-brown body, foggy & opaque with essentially no head when it arrives. Smells like root beer Bottle Caps or those barrel shaped root beer hard candies. Basically root beer with a sweet, almost sugary undertone. Faint graininess, mild vanilla? Taste has a heavier induction of that musty, grainy note mixed with the sarsaparilla root beer flavors. Hints of mint, residual sugar, & vanilla hang around, too. Thin bodied... Kind of one dimensional, but I like root beer. This one doesn’t get too "root-y" or menthol-like, which is nice. Monday, January 20, 2014
umich03jm	3.7 Fort Street Gentlemen, the Queen! Draft at the brewery. Pours a cloudy amber color with medium foamy head that lingers nicely. Aroma is dominated by fruity and herbal hops. Taste is slightly sweet with a moderate bitterness. Pine and herbs up front and citrus hops in the finish. Bready malt backbone. Pretty smooth, slightly creamy. Medium to thick body. Solid DIPA. Thursday, November 7, 2013
SpongeRuiner	3.6 Fort Street Apples By The Barrel On tap at the Michigan Fall Beer Fest. A lot better than I thought it would be. Probably my favorite I’ve had from the brewery. Monday, November 4, 2013
firstsip	3.7 Fort Street The Cucurbita Family Had at Detroit Fall Beer Fest. Pretty sure name of beer was just "Cucurbita"? Dark brown pour. Sour! A bit like their "Great Pumpkin Ale," squash presence adds more to a full, creamy body and richness than actual root flavor. Good, sharp sourness--not too vinegary or funky. Monday, November 4, 2013