By DCBeer contributor Bruce Webster

Name: Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

Location: Warren, MI (~18 miles north of Detroit)

Website: http://www.kbrewery.com/

Type: Production brewery

Sponsorship

Available in DC Market: No

What you need to know: Converted from a hardware store/homebrew shop to a production brewery in 2001, Kuhnhenn is a multiple award winning brewery with a large and diverse beer list. Besides the beers they have selected for SAVOR, other highlights of their beer list include their popular hefeweizen, and their 2010 GABF silver medal winning Belgian IPA, Simcoe Silly. Many of their other beers also rate highly on the usual beer review websites.

Beer #1: DRIPA: Double Rice IPA (Imperial IPA / 9.5% ABV)

In Their Own Words: A gold colored, West Coast style imperial IPA, the DRIPA has a strong citrus aroma. The hops are also prevalent in the taste. The American long grain rice gives the beer a crisp aftertaste. This beer has won a gold medal in the IPA category at the 2012 World Beer Cup.

Food Pairing: Rice Pudding – Classic rice pudding crowned with raisins and a crisp ginger tuile.

Our Thoughts: Reviews describe this as an extremely drinkable imperial IPA, and descriptors like “refreshing” and “great mouthfeel” were being repeated throughout numerous posts, so sign me up. I’m not sure about the pairing – matching the rice in the beer to a rice dessert seems too simplistic to me.

Beer #2: Fourth Dementia Olde Ale (Old Ale / 13.5% ABV)

In Their Own Words: A cloudy, brown ale, that has toffee, caramel and molasses notes in the nose. Plenty of sweetness at the first sip, with flavors of toffee and butterscotch, followed later by dark fruits and leather. The beer ends with a creamy/sticky mouthfeel.

Food Pairing: Rice Pudding – Classic rice pudding crowned with raisins and a crisp ginger tuile.

Our Thoughts: With this being the singular old ale at SAVOR, the Fourth Dementia is definitely on my list of beers to try. In addition, this beer sounds like the better match for the rice pudding that will be featured at this table.

This profile is a part of the DCBeer.com SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2014 SAVOR participants.