The Stout bucked this trend by virtue of it’s tasty malt flavoring and above average drinkability. I still wouldn’t say it’s high on personality but it does sit at the top of the Schell’s beeramid.

A google search for the name of the beer doesn’t reveal much, and if you end up on the Blue Diamond web site there’s no mention of the beer. Fortunately, Doug Houverson’s Land of Amber Waters refers to the beer and references an article from the Star Trib explaining the history.

I guess ol’ Frank decided that too much information would ruin the mystery that is Brewer’s Cave. As for the beer itself, not much of a mystery there. It’s a decent sweet beer, too sweet to drink more than one.

This year’s Snowstorm pours into the glass with a nice ruby/mahogany color and a slight, creamy head. The aroma reminds me of dark fruit, brown sugar and caramel. More of the same flavors come through in the taste and the Belgian yeast really comes through as well.

Belgian beers are a bit of an acquired taste and I think Schell’s did a good job of making a tasty dubbel that is also palatable for folks whose most adventurous experiences with a darker beer beers are Newcastle, Moose Drool and Guinness. The yeast character is more subtle than other dubbels and it lacks some of the stronger dark candy sugar elements of other dubbels, but it’s still a really tasty, easy-drinking beer. Kudos to the oldest family-run brewery in the state for another gem.