Friday, April 10, 2009

Coney Island Human Blockhead


Another trip to the Mellow Mushroom in Winter Park yields a pair of beers to add to the list. First up: Coney Island Human Blockhead from Shmaltz Brewing Company, part of their Freak Beers series, and a new one for 2009. I'd just read a review of it in Beer Advocate, so I was anxious to try it out.
Shmaltz describes it as a "tough-as-nails lager", but BA describes it as a doppelbock. At 10%abv, it's a bit on the extreme side, with 7 different kinds of malt and 6 different hops.
As seen in the photo, it's a pretty deep amber-brown, but fairly clear. There wasn't much head on it when it was served to me, but there was a bit of lacing all the way down. Huge malty sweet aroma, with a little bit of alcohol aroma.
The first sip was pretty shocking - an all-out assault of heavy malt, hop bitterness, and heat from the alcohol. There's a little bit of sweetness if you search for it, big chewy mouthfeel, but the hops pound everything out with an almost numbing aftertaste.
It's not entirely unpleasant, I'm just not sure it's one I'd reorder. On the next round, I had to switch things up (see next review).

1 comment:

  1. Hey James. This is Zak from Shmaltz Brewing Company. Thanks for checking out Human Blockhead. We based it on a European Strong Lager, so I wouldn't say it's necessarily a doppelbock, although I don't know that there's a more fitting style on BA. If it was a little too much, try to get your hands on Sword Swallower. It's our IPA-inspired lager. It's got a great hop bite, but with a light, clean body. Not a punch in the face. Cheers!

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