Olde Main Brewing Co. - Sodbuster Stout; Clone American Pale Ale

From the Olde Main Brewing Company in Ames, Iowa.

Sodbuster Stout - This beer pours dark as midnight on a moonless night inside a cave whose walls are made of coal; I mean this thing is dark.  There is no head at all and it appears slightly viscous as it pours.  The aroma is dark, roasted malt, coffee, mocha, and somewhat sweet.  The taste follows the aroma but also has a very sour finish.  I had previously tried this on tap, and I have to say it was far better on tap.  My recollection of it was that it was drier on tap, without the sour finish.

Clone American Pale Ale - A good name for this beer, as Ames is home to the Iowa State Cyclones.  This beer pours a slightly hazy orange-amber in color with a good half-inch of off white foamy head.  The aroma is lightly fruity, of dark stone fruits, malty, a bit yeasty, with some floral aromas.  The taste follows the aromas, dark stone fruit, floral, yeasty, a touch of citrus, over a light base of caramel and malt.  The finish is moderately bitter and dry.  A tasty and nicely balanced pale ale.

I have also tried their Gryphonbrau Lager that is only available on tap at the brew pub.  It is a malty and flavorful American lager, very drinkable.

http://www.oldemainbrewing.com/