Are Great Lakes beers ever coming to Georgia? I’m beginning to wonder. Long one
of my veryfavorite breweries in America, I’ve endured long dry patches without their brew interrupted only by the occasional beer trade acquisition. Anyway, the latest beer I’m trying from them is Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale, a bold and satisfying brew sporting the likeness of Max Schreck as Count Orlok on the label.

Schreck, who lived from 1879 to 1936 was perfectly named and played the vampire Count Orlok in 1922’s Nosferatu. Schreck was perfectly named since his last name means fright or terror in German, and Great Lakes plays off this in their description of the beer.

From the label:

Don’t be afraid of things that go hop in the night! Rich roasted malt flavors haunt the shadows of our Imperial Red Ale’s bitter teeth.

Ingredients from the website:

MALTS: Harrington 2-Row Base Malt, Crystal 77, Special Roast

HOPS: Simcoe, Cascade

Great Lakes describes Special Roast malt:

A complex biscuit-style malt. Provides toasty, biscuity and bready flavors.

Great Lakes Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale has an alcohol content of 8% by volume with 70 IBUs. It is released in August, just in time to be enjoyed at Halloween. My bottle says enjoy by 11/16/16, but I kept a bottle in my beer fridge until May 2017 and it was wonderful.

Great Lakes Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale pours to a deep and dark almost blood red color with a medium head of creamy foam and a deep nutty malt nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a beautiful malt profile up front: fruity berry stewed malts, toasted nuts, roasted chestnuts, subtle chocolate, and a dry grassy bitter hop finish. It’s all I want in a classic red ale, but more of it, with a light kick of alcohol to boot. I just adored the luscious deep stewed malts here, they really make this one something special.

Max Schreck would have loved it….

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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