A can that drinks like a cellar whale, a pastry porter that reads like a dessert menu, and a vanilla-forward barleywine that raises a simple question: at what point does “more” become “too much”? We pulled up five heavy hitters, welcomed two fresh palates to keep us honest, and let the barrels do the talking. From the peppery edge of a rye-aged Belgian quad to the silk and warmth of 18-year Elijah Craig influence, the spread made one theme impossible to ignore—balance beats bombast.

We kick off with 3 Sheeps Veneration, thin in body yet aromatic, where figs and molasses lead and cinnamon whispers. Then The Wolf stalks in, proving that a 12-ounce can can absolutely carry bottle-worthy gravitas. It’s rich, integrated, and smooth at altitude, earning multiple beer-of-the-year nods on the spot. Forager’s Space Goggles and Otter Z arrive with ambitious labels—almonds, cacao, astronaut ice cream, and a world tour of vanilla—but the table wrestles with sweetness, chalky finishes, and whether marketing outpaces flavor focus. A late pivot to Central Waters Vanilla Bean Stout offers a cleaner, thinner profile that newcomers find approachable, even as the bourbon burn peeks through.

Along the way we challenge myths (no, not all sours pucker and not all stouts taste like coffee and ash), talk distribution realities for small breweries, and map where the market may head: fewer breweries, stronger programs, and more barrel-aged experimentation beyond the usual stouts. The biggest insight comes from our newbies—they call out when a beer lingers in the wrong ways, reminding us that clarity and structure win over sugar load every time. If you’re stocking up, look for trusted barrel programs and labels that promise precision, not just volume.

Enjoy the ride? Follow the show, share this episode with a beer friend, and drop your pick for top pour—we nominated The Wolf. What’s yours?

Send a text

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

You can also find us on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram and Tik Tok.

If you are on Untappd, look up NorthwoodsBeerGuy and send a friend request.

Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or you can click on our RSS feed as well.