Stopped by the Il Vicino Brewery Canteen with E-Rock, Shilling, and the Professor Emeritus of Beer on a quiet Monday afternoon. There is something about the Canteen that just lends itself to a slow-down-and-enjoy-a-pint kind of day. Located at 2381 Aztec Rd. NE, the Canteen sits just about a block north and then a block east of La Cumbre. On a nice day somebody can walk from one to the other, just make sure one has a ride afterward, of course.

The Canteen is the hub for brewing all the beers available at the various Il Vicino pizza kitchens around town, only with even more beers. In addition to favorites such as the Slow Down Brown and Wet Mountain IPA, the Canteen rolls out a seemingly never-ending list of seasonal and experimental beers.

Greeting us Monday was the new Milk Chocolate Cherry Stout, an obsidian amalgamation of multiple flavors. There is a slight smoky bite, followed by a cherry sweetness and finally a smooth, dark chocolate finish. The beer literally debuted as we arrived; the giant wall menu was not even complete for its entry.

Comments from the rest of the group:

Sweet, but with a bite. You can definitely taste the chocolate in there. It’s almost like something you’d find at Bad Ass, but with a better aroma. — E-Rock

I had a horrible day. I need something stronger. — Shilling (who just jumped on the regular stout in a 22-oz. power-blast glass)

That’s … a little different. — Professor Emeritus

Other beers on tap (as of Monday, Feb. 13; I’m not kidding when I say the menu changes frequently) include an Amber, which was described by our waiter as hoppier than most of its genre (he was not kidding, as E-Rock can attest to); the Bosque Blonde, a Belgian ale; the Dark ‘n Lusty Stout, which we reviewed in our great battle of the stouts on Super Bowl Sunday; the Fruit Cake, a cousin of Tractor’s super-sweet, multi-flavored Turkey Drool; the Marzen, a German-style amber lager; the delicious Irish Red (Mrs. Professor Emeritus, a.k.a. mom, enjoyed hers, and if she can drink it, anybody can); and the new Hop X Pale Ale, which E-Rock had a pint of and allowed us to try. Made with HBC Hops, a new style, it offers up a unique mix of, well, let the Crew speak:

It’s like a cross between an IPA and a Pale Ale. — E-Rock

It has a hoppy bite, but not too much of one; it’s sweet, too, a surprising second flavor. — Stoutmeister

The Canteen also has food, for those who need some grub with their beers. I prefer the Sauce Hog, a pulled-pork sandwich (wear a bib), but even the non-meat lovers can find some proper pub grub to enjoy.

For a relaxed atmosphere with a wide variety of (ever-changing) beers, stop by the Canteen any afternoon. Just remember, Cask Wednesday unleashes a specific new brew (this Wednesday, Feb. 15: Cherry Brown) or an old favorite served up cask-style.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister