Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hi everyone, and welcome to this week's episode of Beverage Chronicles.
Gary monterroso here and this week we're going to be
devoting a bit of time to porters and stouts. Causes
a bit of confusion among a lot of people, like
what's the difference between a porter and a stout? And
those differences, in fact are very very small. So I
(00:30):
want to start by describing one of my favorites. This
is from the state of Michigan, and I'm talking about
Kalamazoo Stout. Now, this is a beer that pours a deep,
inky black with ruby highlights when you're tilted in the
light and it's topped off by a thick tan head.
(00:51):
It's about one finger high. The layer of foam it
sticks around, leaving some spotty lacing on the glass, just
like traditional robust stouts. The creamy retention and dark color
give it a truly classic stout vibe. The aroma kicks
(01:12):
off with a strong roasted malt, bringing to mind freshly
ground espresso and dark chocolate. A lot of tasters pick
up on a hint of licorice, thanks to the brewers
licorice in the grain mix, which adds depth without being
too much. You can also catch secondary notes like black coffee, molasses,
(01:33):
and sometimes a light pinty hop character or a damp
wood hint. The result is a welcoming aroma that balances
dessert like sweetness with earthy roast. Now, when you take
your first sip, you'll get a strong roasted malt flavor
right away, and then that transitions to a roast that
(01:54):
reminds you of dark, dark coffee and milk chocolate. The
licorus is subtle, and it plays a role in the background,
sometimes showing up as a mild black liquorice or even
a touch of tobacco, never overwhelming, but nicely rounding out
the taste. As you reach mid palate, a gentle hop
bitterness comes through, crisp and herble, with faint evergreen notes
(02:17):
that add balance. Many reviewers mention a finish that's drier
than expected, with a mildly bitter coffee driven fade. With
a medium to full body and moderate carbonation. Kalamazoo stout
has a smooth, almost milky feel. Its creamy texture is
fully drinkable, not too heavy or syrapy. The finish is
(02:40):
pleasantly chewy, keeping things interesting and avoiding the flatness that
can sometimes affect darker stouts. Some people notice a slight, prickling,
carbonic bite that really wakes up the palate. Now the
spear comes in as six percent alcohol by volume ABV,
and it a warmth that's noticeable but well balanced. Some
(03:03):
tasters even mention a hint of heat that dries out
the finish. Overall, the alcohol enhances rather than overpowers. It
adds a subtle structure and weight without taking away from
the clarity of the flavors. Kalamazoo stout is available year round,
sold in six packs of twelve ounce bottles and on
(03:25):
draft many bars. It's distributed in all fifty states plus
the district of Columbian Puerto Rico, making it easier to
find compared to Bell's seasonal stouts. Now it may not
be as common as the flagship IPA's like they're too
hearted or oberon. This stout is still a regular presence
(03:45):
on shelves and taps nationwide, with flavors centered around dark chocolate, coffee,
and licorice. It pairs wonderfully with rich savory dishes think
of venison or Lamburger's roast beef, black olives, and some
age cheeses on the sweeter side. It goes well with
(04:06):
dark chocolate, desserts, nutt he treats, and even Backlova. Bell's
Calamazoo stout is a solid, dependable American stout that strikes
a balance between tradition and a hint of Bell's unique flare.
From the moment it's poured into the glass to the
lingering finish, it consistently shows off its quality. The visual
appear I'm sorry. The visual appeal, opaque black with a
(04:30):
rich tan head is striking and sets the tone for
an engaging drinking experience. The aroma combines espresso, roast, dark chocolate,
and a hint of licorice to teas as the taste buds.
The flavor follow suit. Roasted malt and coffee take the lead,
comfortably enveloped in a medium to full body that's creamy
yet light enough to avoid feeling heavy. The licorice lingers
(04:54):
in the background, not overly flashy, but noticeable, and it
adds a depth that some describe as licorice tobacco, or
a sweetness reminiscent of liquors root. A balanced hop, bitterness
and a subtle herbal note prevent the sweetness from becoming cloying. Now,
my buddy, Vince Douglas's going to take over and talk
a little bit more about Kalamazoo's Stout. Take it away, Vince.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Even with its six percent ABV, Kalamazoo's Stout shows restraint.
The alcohol is present without being overpowering. Many tasters commend
its streakability and balance. While some reviews find it a
bit simplistic, others appreciated straightforward charm and consistency. Beer Advocate
(05:38):
gives it a solid average score of three point nine
eight from nearly five thousand ratings, and craft beer critics
value its honest flavor profile and reliable execution. What it
lacks an extravagance, it compensates for with versatility. It's not
trying to be an imperial stout that overwhelms the senses. Instead,
(05:59):
it's a medium bodied, medium strength stout that hits all
the right notes, whether enjoyed chilled from a bottle or
freshly poured from a tap. It pairs well with hearty meals,
after dinner, desserts, or a relaxing night cap. Regarding availability,
it's year round presence and Bell's distribution across the US
(06:21):
make it a go to for stout enthusiast. It's not
rare or limited, but it's also not everywhere, making it
both accessible and appreciated when you come across it. In summary,
Bell's Kalamazoo stout is a reliable, well crafted American stout
characterized by rich roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, and a gentle
(06:42):
liquorice touch. It's smooth, balanced, and full flavored without being
too much. If you're a fan of classic and drinkable stouts,
this one is a no brainer. It doesn't try to
reinvent the wheel, but it carries out its mission with
clarity and consistency.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
All Right, that's our summary of I'm a Zoo Stout.
Now I'm gonna turn over to our brew team to
talk a little bit about stouts and porters.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Ever stared at a beer menu completely baffled by the
difference between porters.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
And stouts happens all the time. They look similar, but
there's a world of difference exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
So we're diving into this food and wine article to
clear up the confusion.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Let's crack this code.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
First things first, what's the basic difference Joe stouts? What
makes them tick?
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Roasted barley is key. It gives them that dark color
and often a boulder flavor.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Right, and they're generally bigger beers, right, more body, higher ABV.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Usually, Yeah, though Guinness is a notable exception, surprisingly light
for a stout.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
True, and the crazy variety of stouts out there, oatmeal, milk, imperial,
it's wild to give us some examples of popular stouts.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Samuel Smith's oatmeal stout is a classic. Then you've got
Bell's Kalamazoo stout, Al Smith's speedway stout. The list goes
on and on.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Wow, and they could be quite different from each other.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
Right, Absolutely, Domestic stouts tend to be a bit more
bitter than their European cousins, which are often creamier.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Okay, let's talk porters. What's their story?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Porters actually came first. They were originally a workingman's drink
in England.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Interesting.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Yeah, the name porter came from the dock workers who
drank them. Stouts evolved from stronger porters.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
So stouts are basically supercharged porters. What are some well
known porters.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
To shoots, Black Butte porter is a big one, Alaskan
smoked Porter, ballast Point, Victory at Sea. They're all quite different, and.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
The ABV range seems a bit narrower than stouts.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Generally, Yes, they're usually in the four to six point
five percent ABV range, though Baltic porters can be stronger.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
So how do we tell them apart without looking at
the label?
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Porters are usually smoother, easier drinking, and less intense than stouts.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Stouts have more of a punch a boulder flavor profile exactly.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
Think of it like pale ales versus IPAs. Uh, similar
families but distinct personalities.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Why are there so many more stouts than porters these days?
Speaker 4 (09:00):
American tastes shifted. I think the craft beer boom led
to a demand for boulder, more intense flavors.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
So stouts fit that bill perfectly exactly.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Plus some breweries might even label a porter as stout
to attract more attention, you know.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So the bottom line is it's all about the nuances,
roasted barley, body, ABV and overall.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Intensity, and ultimately, the best beer is the one you
enjoy the most.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Definitely, that was a great discussion. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Here at Beverage Chronicles, we talk about all different kinds
of beverages. Let's face it. Most of the time we're
discussing beer, whiskey, wine, et cetera. But every once in
a while we'll delve into the non alcoholic segment, and
this is one of those times. Just read a study
this has probably no surprise to you that said that
(09:50):
more Americans consider purchasing Coca Cola than any other soft
drink or beverage. And that number was thirty five percent.
By the way. That was according to a new u
gov report, And this was based on a survey from
more than twenty four thousand people. And you goov came
(10:10):
out with soft drink rankings for twenty twenty five, highlighting
the most considered brands across still and sparkling water and
also energy hydration brands and carbonated soft drinks. So Coca Cola,
as I mentioned, was favored by thirty five percent. Second,
(10:31):
I'm sure you can guess this, pepsi was it twenty
seven percent in the carbonated soft drink category. You gov
had this to offer in a category defined by loyalty, lifestyle,
and rapid innovation, Knowing which soft drink brands consumers are
actively considering is more important than ever now. This report
(10:55):
also identifies leaders for each category. Across generation and category,
fifty two percent of Americans drink bottled water weekly and
fifteen percent drink sparkling water weekly. I'm in both categories.
I drink a lot of water bottled water, especially when
(11:15):
I'm at my gym, but pretty much every day. I
also drink sparkling water, and the report finds among still
and sparkling water brands, Aquafina at twenty one percent, Smart
Water with nineteen percent, and Vitamin Water sixteen percent are
(11:37):
most considered. With the US general population, Smart Water is
the most considered water brand by women twenty one percent,
whereas men sixteen percent rank them second. Thirty one percent
of Gen Z Americans consider drinking Aquafina, the highest of
any generation for any water brand. Millennials are twenty seven
(12:01):
percent more likely than other generations to consider drinking Lacroix,
Pure Life, Aquafina, and Vita Coco. Thirty six percent of
Americans drink regular carbonated drinks weekly and twenty eight percent
drink diet carbonated drinks weekly, and the report finds that
(12:22):
among carbonated soft drink brands Coca Cola and Pepsi as
I mentioned thirty five percent twenty seven percent are one
and two. Number three was Sprite twenty five percent. Coca
Cola's dominance is driven mostly by men at forty percent
and gen Z at fifty one percent, although the soda
(12:44):
also ranks first with women, Millennials, gen X, and the
baby boomers. Coca Cola also improved the most year after year,
increasing purchase consideration by two point seven percentage points and
slash year year twenty twenty four. Pepsi also improved, improving
two point three percent each points over twenty twenty four.
(13:07):
Pepsi was second with men thirty percent, Sprite was second
with women at twenty five percent. Among baby boomers Canada,
dry is extremely popular. Get into the energy drinks. Number
one Gatorade thirty one percent of the people favor Gatorade,
followed by Power Aid at eighteen percent and Red Bull
(13:29):
at thirteen percent. Red Bull is much more considered among
US men than women nineteen percent versus nine percent, and
that's a trend also mirrored by Monster, about twice as
many men like Monster as opposed to women. Among companies
with increases, Red Bull had a large increase over three percent,
(13:53):
Celsius increased by one point four percent, and Liquid four
at one point four percent. They the most year over
year with the US general population. Okay, and that's it
for this week's episode of Beverage Chronicles. I'm Gary monterro
so my co host Michelle Lamb. We'll be back next week,
(14:14):
and I think we'll also be hearing from Rachel Benkowski,
our beer historian, and probably Robert Shreeves will return with
another wine report. I want to mention that our website
is Beverage Chronicles dot com, so if you'd like to
hear this episode again, you can go to that site. Also,
(14:36):
various podcast platforms as well as certain networks and radio
stations who have been so kind as to pick us up,
and we really appreciate all of them. You can find
them all on our website again at Beverage Chronicles dot com.
All right, everyone, we will be back next week. Thanks
for joining us. We will see you then