Millstream Brewing Company - Back Road Stout

Pouring a very, very, dark coffee-like brown color, this 2011 Great American Beer Festival Gold medal winning oatmeal stout offers up quite the inviting aroma. Deep roasty notes of scorched bread and coffee are underpinned by hints of caramel, toffee, and a hint of grassy, herbal hops. With a grain bill as complex as Back Road's, it's not surprising the flavor profile is both robust and interesting. Expect big roasty notes along with flashes of dark fruits, a bit of cocoa powder, and a wisp of cherry – all delivered with the trademark velvety-smooth feel of a good oatmeal stout. Bitterness comes from both the hops and the dark roasted malts, which leads to a fairly dry overall impression, but at warmer serving temperatures, more residual sweetness becomes apparent and balances the beer quite nicely. Pair this with grilled meats, like a pork tenderloin with gravy. Or, go with something sweet and decadent like a hot fudge sundae. Cheers!

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James & Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was the first microbrewery in the state of Iowa, and was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... 35 years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!

In 2001 the brewery was sold to its current owners, Chris Priebe and Tom & Teresa Albert. Master brewer Chris trained at Chicago's world-famous Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, so rest assured, his brewing skills make the cut on paper... But hey, paper doesn't taste all that great, so get to the tasting notes below and pour a couple Millstream beers for the real proof.

If you're ever in the area of Amana, IA, stop by Millstream's Brau Haus for some tasty German pub fare in addition to their excellent beers (as well as their hand-crafted root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda). For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call 319-622-3672 or check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com .