Surly Mosh Pit Imperial IPA

 Surly Mosh Pit Imperial IPA. 

9% ABV, Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, Minnesota.

The “brand family” trend has been getting more popular these days. Goose Island has Beer Hug, Sierra Nevada  has “Little Thing” and Boulevard keeps expanding the Space Camper IPA series. Revolution has spun off many “hero” IPAs from Anti-Hero, and Nee Belgium has put the Voodoo Ranger brand at the forefront, going beyond an umbrella for IPAs, tossing the name and skeleton based imagery on a line of boozy teas. It’s like they don’t want you to think of a brewery once known for Belgian styles.

Locally, this trend has taken off lately among the bigger breweries. Early last year, Summit decided that the Saga name belonged not merely to their popular West Coast IPA, but also to a hazy version, an Imperial, and in the Goddess Series variety pack, a tropical variant. Fulton followed suit by creating the Hop Kingdom umbrella, folding 300 inside, and adding a hazy, a juicy and an Imperial. I haven’t yet had the latter, so I can say so far my favorite part of this brand family is the illustrative efforts of Brent Schoonover.

Mere months ago, Surly got into the game. One Man Mosh Pit Hazy IPA changed it’s name to merely Most Pit, Logic Bomb Juicy Pale Ale traded its dripping brain for an electric guitar and this beer I am about to drink made it’s debut. One name for three completely different beers. Customers are confused. Not sure if this trend is the wisest one to follow. 

Let’s go ahead and drink one….

Mostly cloudy, bright golden hue, strong, but soon settling, ivory head.

In the nose: big citrus, slight tropical. Orang, tangerine, mango. Pinch of pine. 

In the mouth: splash of bitterness up front, then the harsh blast of alcohol clambers on the palate. Mushy malts. I shouldn’t be surprised if this is an “imperialized” version of the Mosh Pit Hazy. (Shouldn’t it be labeled Imperial Hazy IPA, or were we just supposed to guess?)

Bit too much fuzz on the tongue for me, but that’s what everyone is into these days, so who am I to complain? Some beers, it is clear, were not made with me in mind.  

This was released first as 12-packs and I picked one up before it was released as 6-packs, to save a couple of bucks. I drank down most of them without any critical thoughts, but the last cans got me thinking that I probably won’t return to this one.  I will have to wait until the next Abrasive Ale rolls around.

Lace up your Docs, put on your cleanest dirty flannel, and dive into the waiting arms of your fellow hopheads. No frills, no keyboard solos, no guy in a cape singing about unicorns or hobbits. Just a full-on facemelter, with Idaho 7™, Sultana, Amarillo, Citra, and Cascade hops leading the attack and heavy citrus notes of orange and lemon landing like a double kick drum.

Heller-Trum Aecht Schenkerla Erle Schwarzbier

 Heller-Trum Aecht Schenkerla Erle Schwarzbier. Mit Erlenrauchmalz. Schenkerla Alder Wood Smoke. 

Black, near-perfect opacity, small brownish head. 

In the nose: mild smoke meets dark malts. Uncured ham plus cocoa. 

In the mouth: exceptionally smooth and hearty. There’s nothing like this. I love a nice, malty schwarzbier, but this is another thing. Rich and delicious, with that unique smoked malt touch. I can’t tell you what makes alder wood distinctive, but it works. 

Oliphant Rusket Dark Wisconsin Dark Lager

 Oliphant Rusket Dark Wisconsin Dark Lager.

5% ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin,

You know, it’s been a while since I’ve had a Wisconsin dark lager. Let’s fix that. 

Deep, dark, nearly black, opaque, slim brown head. 

In the nose; sweet and creamy, cocoa and caramel, altogether pleasant and delightful.

In the mouth: mostly malty, minor hops, well balanced. Light to medium bodied. Mild cocoa flavor runs through. Solid in every way, except that it’s a liquid. Quite nice. 

A collaboration with St. Paul's finest beer emporium, The Ale Jail.

They have everything you could ever want, even ghosts. Enjoy!

Yours truly,

The Lager Blogger 

Modist Gifts of the Sacred Father Doppelbock

 Modist Gifts of the Sacred Father Doppelbock.

8.5 % ABV, Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, dark reddish brown, lush, creamy head on top, looking good.

In the nose: caramel and toffee notes, just slightly sweet. Hits the mark.

In the mouth: smooth and lovely, with the slightest hit of alcohol at the top.  Clean, rich, delicious, abundant with malty flavors. Caramel is king, of course, but it’s never too sweet. Nice balance. All in all, an exceptional doppelbock. Quite yum a dum dum.  

Doppelbock brewed with decoction mashed pilsner, Vienna and Munich malts. Kettle hopped with German Hersbrucker then fermented and lagered with German lager yeast.

Dual Citizen Rivertown Brown

 Dual Citizen Rivertown Brown.

6.4% ABV, 22 IBU, Dual Citizen Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Clear, deep brown color, cocoa-toned, lace-leaving head.

In the nose: soft caramel notes, a hint of cocoa, a very malty affair. 

In the mouth: semi- sweet malt flavors, slightest hop bitterness, excellent balance. Medium bodied, extremely drinkable. Fine and mellow, this. Almost dry, never sweet. Got to admire this one. Many brown ales are dreadfully dull. Not here. 

Destihl Deadhead IPA West Coast-style

 Deadhead IPA West Coast-style. 

7 % ABV, 60 IBU, Destihl Brewing, Normal, IL.

Slightly clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: citrus and pine, grapefruit and orange.

In the mouth: crisp, clean, with large and long-lasting bitterness at the front. Medium bodied, with a long, hoppy finish. Pine and citrus blazes the palate, dank and bitter at once. Bracingly delicious, I am increasingly liking this particular IPA. 

Like the bold colors & patterns of a tie-dye shirt, this West Coast-Style IPA is bursting with psychedelic hoppiness, fruity aromas & balanced bitterness from Citra, Mosaic & Chinook hops with a vintage malt backdrop. Cheers!

Dangerous Man Smash IPA

 Dangerous Man SMASH IPA. Golden Promise & Simcoe. 

6.8% ABV, 45 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head, leaving lace. 

In the nose: high pine and jacked up citrus, grapefruit and orange galore. 

In the mouth: big bitterness spikes the palate, the s slightly softens as juicy malt rises up to meet the hops. Stone fruit and a trace of tropical lends sweetnesses. Light bodied, expertly drinkable and a long, bitter finish. Highly likable. 

Smash stands for single malt and single hop. This malt and hop combination balances and complements each other while letting each shine. Golden Promise lends a big, bold, malty backbone to withstand the huge amount of hops, while Simcoe hops bring bright notes of stone fruit, citrus, and a dash of woody pine resulting in a refreshing, approachable and well balanced IPA.

Destihl Destihlinator Doppelbock German-style Lager

 Destihl Destihlinator Doppelbock German-style Lager.

9.5 % ABV, Destihl Brewery, Normal, IL.

Clear, deep reddish brown, slim layer of creamy white froth atop. 

In the nose: sweet caramel malt, touch of toffee.

In the mouth: starts out sweet, but bitterness reveals and it’s all wonderfully smooth, while rich and full bodied. Excellent balance, but the heat soon unfolds. It’s a big one and the booze begins to shine. 

This is an exceptional doppelbock. Maybe some day it’ll show up in Minnesota, for now I have Kevin & Laurie to thank.

Our German-style Doppelbock is full-bodied and light brown in color with aromas of toffee. Flavors of caramel, malty sweetness and a warming finish make this a perfect beer for pairing with food or celebrating with friends and family. Cheers!

Ārpus Peanut Butter Vanilla Coffee Imperial Stout

 Ārpus Peanut Butter Vanilla Coffee Imperial Stout.

12% ABV, Ārpus Brewing, Latvia. 

Question: Have I ever had a Latvian beer before? Unsure. Maybe not. Other question: have I ever had a Latvian Peanut Butter Vanilla Coffee Imperial Stout before? Highly unlikely. Let’s do it. 

Fully ebony, complete opacity, large and inviting brown ring of foam.

In the nose: boom! PB…and there’s vanilla…coffee’s coming along.

In the mouth: starts out rich, sweet, delicious. Overly sweet? Possible. No, I like it just how it is. Nearly full bodied, and spectacularly packed with flavor. All the flavors are in harmony, with pb and vanilla shiny brightest. 

It’s cool that Latvian brewers are making beers like this, and they’re coming over here. Craft beer is a world wide phenomenon. Was it worth the $9 for the can? (Before my employee discount.) I’d say yes. I don’t spend $9 a can often, but Latvian Peanut Butter Vanilla Coffee Imperial Stout? C’mon!

BlackStack Morning Routine Granola Stout

 BlackStack Morning Routine Granola Stout.

7% ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Look at this, boys and girls, it’s a BlackStack beer that I’m drinking and it’s not a triple dipple hazy IPA. Nope, this here’s a “granola stout”, and why don’t we find out what that is. 

Strictly ebony hued, thoroughly opaque, with a slim brown head on top. 

In the nose: malty, chocolatey, cream and cocoa. 

In the mouth: rich, mucho cocoa, some kind of sweet, plus smooth and delicious. Full bodied, richly textured, very rewarding and flavorful. I’m happy it’s not a “pastry stout” and only somewhat confused about the granola business. 

Getting into a new routine. Conditioned on granola for the full-on breakfast vibes.

Odell Wire Walker West Coast Style Double IPA

 Odell Wire Walker West Coast Style Double IPA. 

8% ABV, 50 IBU, Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mostly clear, but not clear enough, with a bright golden hue, large, lace-leaving head.

In the nose: pungent, tropical tones and a whiff of citrus. A bit oily. Not really fitting a West Coast style so far…

In the mouth: bitter at first, highly hoppy and showing off the high ABV. More oiliness on the palate. Medium-bodied, a touch dry, but still a far cry from what I expect from the description. 

This one is simply “okay” and will not entire my pantheon of favorite double IPAs. It is very confused, and not really as balanced as it claims. Or, maybe “balance” is not what I value most in this style? 

Coronado Big Weekend Double IPA

 Coronado Big Weekend Double IPA .

8.8% ABV, 62 IBU, Coronado Brewing, San Diego, CA. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lush white head. 

In the nose: big citrus, orange peel and grapefruit, with a touch of honey. 

In the mouth:  wild and wooly hoppiness, gritty and dank. Thick and twisted, bitter, juicy, dry. Full bodied,?brisk and dazzling hop attack is in charge. 

I love a good West Coast Double IPA and this is surely one. 

Expertly balanced and perfectly hoppy, Big Weekend is ready to kick it up a notch. Brewed with a unique blend of some of the world’s best hops, this Double IPA delivers all the juicy, tropical and floral flavors you could dream of. Here’s to living in the moment – Let’s make it a BIG Weekend.

Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus schwarzes

 Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus schwarzes.

14% ABV Doppelbock,  Schloss Eggenberg Brewery, Oberosterreich, Austria.

I’ve been sitting on this beer for two years. Bought it in late 2021, when it was already five years old. Time to drink and write. 

Utterly ebon, thoroughly opaque, rich, large head that quits quickly. 

In the nose: coffee and cocoa, dates and figs, immeasurable malt. Char and smoke mingle with the chocolate. 

In the mouth: luscious, thick and viscous, and altogether sweet, but not too. Caramel and toffee. Big and rich, super powerful. Whoa, I should not be up all night, drinking this. But, I am and I am grooving. 

This one held up very well after seven years. 

The newest edition to the Samichlaus line up is a Schwarzbier. Also brewed on December 6th, and aged for 10 months, Schwarzbier means “black beer” in German. It has flavors of spicy rye, dark oak and subtle smoke that balances quite nicely with more bittering and aroma hops than in prior versions of Samichlasus. Bittersweet and complexity is what this new amazing recipe is all about.

Lakes & Legends Barrel Aged Stout

 Lakes & Legends Barrel Aged Stout.Imperial Stout aged on American White Oak. . 

8% ABV, Lakes & Legends Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

I’ve been sitting on this crowler a little under two months. Of course, a beer like this can last longer, but I have limited space in the fridge and I just feel like drinking it tonight. It was filled on the brewery’s penultimate night of operations, 12/29/23.

Full-on ebony, complete opacity, tight brown ring of foam.

In the nose: chocolate, charcoal, ash. Caramel, toffee, raisins. Exceptionally malty beast. 

In the mouth: Along comes vanilla, big time, side saddle with oak. Clean, dry, full bodied, lush and almost overwhelming. Hearty. Massively malty, and only slightly sweet. Getting more complicated and complex as we go. Caramel and toffee, vanilla and oak sit shoulder to shoulder in the spotlight, remaining balanced and dry. Barely a swab of sweetness, which is a relief. I’m sick to death of pastry stouts , marshmallows and shit. 

Dangerous Man The Classic

 

Dangerous Man The Classic West Coast IPA.

7.5 % ABV, 65 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, Minnesota. 

Clear, amber toned, slim white head, leaving lace. 

In the nose: citrus and pine, lemon and grapefruit. Ah, that’s the stuff!

In the mouth: brilliant attack on the tongue, fierce and aggressive bitterness. Dry, brittle, clean, popping with citrus and pine. Lays long on the palate, with a rewarding finish. Smooth(ish) and terrifically drinkable. 

This was a free sample, but I am going to buy a six-pack before it’s gone. This might be my new favorite. 

Make it a year-round, DMBC! We need more like this! It can’t be only Steel Toe making excellent non-hazy IPAs!

We are bringing it back to The Classic, a piney, dank, and juicy West Coast IPA! The Classic is hopped up with Cascade, Cashmere, Chinook, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe Cryo hops for that hop-forward smooth-bitterness combo that is near and dear to our hearts. 

Revolution Cashmere Hero India Pale Ale

 Revolution Cashmere Hero India Pale Ale.

7% ABV, 65 IBU, Revolution Brewing, Chicago, I’ll. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim ivory head.

In the nose: citrus and tropical notes at play, tangerine, grapefruit meets mango.

In the mouth: flash of bitterness blazes the palate, exhilarating the tongue. More citrus, touch of pine. Medium bodied, long, hoppy finish. Quite delicious. Goes down nice & easy, but with a bitter bite, the way I like it.

A mountain of flavors rise above this silky, Cashmere-hopped IPA-lemon, lime, and ripe cantaloupe with a touch of grapefruit.

Hops: Cashmere, Centennial, and Amarillo

Three Floyds Cimmerian Sabretooth Berserker Double India Pale Ale

 Three Floyds Cimmerian Sabretooth Berserker Double India Pale Ale.

9% ABV, 100 IBU, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana. 

Clear, dark golden hue, solid slab of ivory froth atop.

In the nose: peach, tangerine, orange peel, apricot. Slightly sweet and very fruity. Enticing.

In the mouth: bitterness comes up front, not too bracing or piercing, just flavorful enough to play on the palate. Just a little juicy, redolent of the above mentioned fruits, with a jolt of grapefruit and a trickle of pine. More malty, sweet and juicy. Medium bodied, and remarkably smooth for a brew so big. 

I’m a sucker for all 3 Floyds DIPAs. They all work on some level. None of them truly lets me down. This one delights me, not as much. They can’t all be Permanent Funerals and Arctic Panzer Wolves. 

In the seemingly endless cruelty, battle and strife of the Hyborian Age, a warrior has but two pleasures: decimating one’s enemies in battle, and a horn of Cimmerian Sabertooth Berzerker to slake the thirst of victory.

Sisyphus Yule Cat

 Sisyphus Yule Cat Barrel aged Imperial Porter with Coconut and Cocoa Nibs. 

14.1 % ABV, 30 IBU, Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

In the efforts to stop the procrastination, here is a bottle I’ve only been sitting on for two weeks. It is also the second beer bottle with my art on the label, 16 years after Surly Two.

Solid blackness, utter opacity, slim, brief ring atop. 

In the nose: big coconut leads the way, with plenty of cocoa below. Massive malt. 

In the mouth: sweet, coconutty, smooth, rich, delicious. Also, strong. Big’n’ beefy. Chocotastic. Warming.  Wonderful. I’m swooning with delight. 

Okay, here’s the story. One day inNovember, I walked into Sisyphus and told Sam that I wanted to illustrate one of his bottles. He told me that the next bottle would be Yule Cat, a name I promptly forgot. I went back to find out the true name and to taste it on tap. I did a sketch, then Googled Yule Cat. I decided that my Yule Cat would not be a monster who devours Icelandic children who don’t receive clothes for Christmas, but just an ornery looking festive feline. I delivered the art in early December, but it took longer than I imagined for the labels to be printed. I’d hoped that the bottles would be out before Christmas, but, alas, .. Anyway, this beer will be brewed and bottled again, and maybe next year it will be more than 40 bottles. I think…

So, go there now and some limited edition bottles! You missed the event where I was on hand to sign bottles, so we’ll have to meet up in person to make that happen. 

Dangerous Man Coffee Stout

 Dangerous Man Coffee Stout.

6% ABV, 35 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing Company, Maple Lake, Minnesota. 

Dark brown, almost black, nearly opaque, slim tan head. 

In the nose: rich, earthy, bittersweet. A lot of grounds went down in this. Invigorating.

In the mouth: at the start, smooth and tasty just about creamy. Coffee flavor never stops. Medium bodied, rich and rewarding. Little bit of cocoa under the coffee, An absolute dream to drink down.

This was the first packaged DMBC beer from the Maple Lake facility. Everything else before that was something I had before or a sour I wasted interested in. I took too long to drink can #6, but not really, it tastes as good as when it was fresh. However, I’ve built up too large a collection of DMBC beers, while I waited to get to this one. Got to stop procrastinating!

(Research shows that my first can from this 6-pack was consumed in late October. Four months isn’t that bad, but it still is. You may read this and want to try it, but it’s long gone and for that I apologize. Stop procrastinating!)

BlackStack That Remains Unclear West Coast IPA

 BlackStack That Remains Unclear West Coast IPA.

7.1% ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: big citrus, loads of lemon & pine.

In the mouth: highly hoppy, lean bodied, smooth & sufficiently delicious. Hardly any bitterness, which is required in a West Coast IPA. Let’s take another sip and see if there’s some hiding. Okay, there’s some… a little…but not enough. For me, and for the style. 

Crisp-ish, clean, clear, and almost as bitter as I like an IPA to be, I shouldn’t complain…(Although…I followed this with an Alesmith…)

How's it looking out there? Where to start... Smooth sailing & clear skies courtesy of some choice Nugget & Amarillo with Amarillo Cryo & Mosaic Cryo. That remains unclear, but clearly... this crispy little number is a winner.