Mybeerbuzz .com Highlights Summit Brewing House Party Variety Pack (Review)

It was back in Feb of 2016 when I first interviewed the Brewmaster of today’s featured brewery. The beer was called Unchained #21 and I remember after just a few minutes into the interview that I not only really liked the beer, but I also really enjoyed the beer-banter with Brewmaster Damian McConn. Not only is his knowledge of beer first class, but his ability to make you love a good beer was also amazing.

Of course I’m talking about Summit Brewing and today I’m excited to feature more of their beers. Coming to us from St. Paul, MN, Summit Brewing first broke on the brewing scene way back in 1986, and almost 35 years later they are still considered one of the most underrated breweries in America.

Today we’ll be popping the top on the new 2020 House Party Variety pack beers. If you’re not familiar, this new pack features four different beers and two are pack-only exclusives: Summit Sága IPA, Summit Keller Pils, and the limited-edition re-releases Summit Dark Infusion Coffee Milk Stout and Summit Great Northern Porter. This music-themed pack includes three 12oz cans of each beer.

This pack contains a great mix of beers that are perfect for late summer and early fall, and if you’ve followed along with mybeebuzz.com, you’ll know I’ve heavily covered (and sampled) Summit Sága IPA & Keller Pils; so today we’ll focus on Dark Infusion and Northern Porter.

First off, I should mention that the new black Dark Infusion can looks amazing. Check out the photo. If I had my way, all cans would have cool colors like this; although I’m sure it’s not the cheapest option. Dark Fusion is returning for it’s fourth year and it is based on a 2016 Unchained Series beer (the only Unchained beer they’ve ever brewed more than once).

Great Northern Porter is also making it’s return after a brief hiatus, and it is also making the move from bottles to cans. Both of these beers can only be had in this variety pack. Naturally I can’t wait to sample them all, so off we go…

Summit Brewing Dark Infusion Coffee Milk Stout

ABV:  6.8%
Style:  Milk Stout
Packaging:  12oz cans
Appearance:  Deep oil black
Aroma:   Roasty biscuit malt & coffee
Mouthfeel:   Full-bodied and satisfying
Taste:   Roasty with slightly sweet chocolate and prominent late coffee bitterness.
Overall:  Dark Infusion Coffee Milk Stout has all of the characteristics of a great cup of coffee. The early roasted malt flavors give way to deep rich chocolate, a subtle creaminess and a coffee finish. The flavors really work all together and the beer has just the right amount of coffee presence to make it all very drinkable.

Summit Brewing Great Northern Porter

ABV:  4.8%
Style:  Porter
IBU:  51
Packaging:  12oz cans
Appearance:  Dark black
Aroma:   Toasted bread & cocoa
Mouthfeel:   Creamy and soft
Taste:   Mild sweet cocoa, cream and coffee
Overall:  Great Northern Porter remains a classic beer from Summit and a really pleasurable drinking experience. The beer is well balanced and it has a good mix of creamy, coffee and cocoa flavors. Overall it finishes a bit dry making it even more drinkable. This has to be one of my favorite non-Baltic porters.

The Summit Brewing House Party Variety Pack is available now with four different beers in 12oz cans. You’ll love seeing Sága IPA & Keller Pils again, and of course I know you’ll really enjoy Dark Infusion Coffee Milk Stout and Great Northern Porter. So get out there and try them all for yourself.  And when you do try them, be sure to let us know what YOU think.