For those that aren’t aware of the historical significance of the Manhattan Project, I will provide a brief summary. Due to concerns that Germany, and the Nazi party, were funding research on nuclear power, the Manhattan Project was launched to study and research uranium. At extraordinary cost, and conducted in secret, this project would ultimately lead to the development and construction of nuclear weaponry. As most know, this power was eventually used in a sequence of attacks that effectively ended World War II. For those interested in more information regarding the project, there are innumerable resources available within reach of your googling skills.
Now that the history lesson has concluded, let’s get my personal Manhattan Project.
I’ve always been a big fan of the brewery Pipeworks, from Chicago. They make big, bold, creative beers, and are not afraid to take chances on potentially odd concoctions. Their abduction series of imperial stouts is particularly notable as are the ninja series of ipas. A while ago, I came across a beer brewed by Pipeworks called the Brown and Stirred. This beer was brewed to emulate a classic liquor drink, the Manhattan. I was quick to purchase this beer, as it sounded intriguing, and also because I had another idea. Why not try both the beer and the drink side-by-side, provide tasting notes, and see which is more enjoyable?
I selected an illustrious panel for this taste test, procured the whiskey, vermouth, bitters, and cherries, and stirred up a Manhattan to get the comparison underway.
Judge A – The nose from this drink is very bold, with a prominent vermouth smell. The whiskey notes in the nose are noticeable, but not overpowering, and the cherries come through as well. The taste provides a multi-layered experience. At first the sweetness comes through, then is followed by a slight wine/tannic flavor, and finishes with whiskey notes and alcohol heat. A subtle grape flavor emerges later, the enjoyability increases, and the flavors tend to fuse the more sips are enjoyed.
Verdict: 7.5/10
Judge B – The nose is prominently alcohol, with slight medicinal elements. The taste is smokey, with a slight boozy bite, and finishes with a lingering, not unpleasant, bitterness.
Verdict: 9/10 “Darn good!”
Judge C – The smell is exceptionally sweet with a hint of cherries. Elements of wine and mild tannins are also present in the nose. There is also a citrus note in the nose that is mostly of orange peel. The taste is starts off with a ton of dark fruit flavors, and is very syrupy. The next layer has zesty citrus notes with light, sugary, caramel apple accents. There is a slight heat in the finish, coupled with minor woodsy notes and a tinge of green apple and bitterness.
Verdict: 8/10
The consensus at this point, is that every judge would order another round of Manhattans. But, the comparison continues, and Brown and Stirred is up next.
Contender #2 – The Brown and Stirred
Judge A – This has an odd nose that is a fusion of raisins and pomegranates. There are sour notes as well, and what can only be described as the smell of a silo. (After clarification this silo smell is most akin to malty, fermenting, grain.) There are also hints of sulphur and molasses in the smell. The taste is of black strap molasses, and is very one-dimensional, unlike the Manhattan. There is an odd rhubarb taste, and overall the beer tastes stale, and flat, with an unpleasant aftertaste.
Verdict: 3/10 “Interesting attempt that falls flat.” “Not a hit.” “The smell is worse than the taste.”
Judge B – This beer has a lemony, malty, nose that is also reminiscent of fruitcake. The bitterness is dominant in the flavor. There is an odd sulphur-like tinge to the taste. This seems like a rich, bitter, porter, with very light carbonation.
Verdict: 3/10 “This BROWN and Stirred, is aptly named.” “Don’t expect much from this.” “There are absolutely no exceptional elements in this beer.” “Can someone else finish this?”
Judge C – The nose is actually quite complex. Rich, malty smells are prominent with notes of dark fruits, prunes, figs, caramel sugars, molasses, raisins, cherries, and blueberries all making a showing. The taste is rife with molasses and has a rich full mouthfeel. It has an odd bitterness to the taste on the backend. (This seems to be an attempt to emulate to bitterness in the Manhattan, it’s just seems to be off-putting in the beer version.) This very chewy beer has slight citrus notes, and also tastes of rich Belgian candy sugars, similar to a dubbel or quad.
Verdict: 4/10 “Kind of a mess.” “This gets worse the more I drink it.” “Ugh.”
Disappointingly, the beer attempt at a Manhattan fell short of the enjoyability of the liquor drink. The effort to emulate the Manhattan in beer form is admirable, and some of the elements seemed accurately reproduced. The overall feeling, though, after a few sips, about the Brown and Stirred, is sadly similar to regarding a nuclear catastrophe, a complete mess that all wish could be dumped down the drain and forgotten.
I certainly enjoyed my Manhattan Project experiment. I would also like to thank my judges for participating in this unique experiment. I am aware that the above opinions may not be shared. I encourage you to gather your Manhattan materials, and a bottle of the Brown and Stirred, and conduct your own research.
Cheers,
J