Oliphant cats, cats, cats, CATS!!! India Pale Ale

Oliphant cats, cats, cats, CATS!!! India Pale Ale, 6.7% ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Clear, golden/amber hue, slim ivory head.

In the nose: bright, citrus-y, orange and grapefruit, all the C-hops are at play here, yes, indeed. Everything you want in an IPA, if you're not one of these trend chasers like all those kids these days! (Damnit, where'd I put my pills!)

In the mouth: Smooth and clean and oh, so hoppy. All the C's abound, with tons of citrus/pine flavors.  Bitterness on top, smooth and malty below. Just about perfect. This is IPA.

good news everyone! even if you are allergic to cats, you can still enjoy this beer. it's made with only the finest hypoallergenic cat hairballs.

india pale ale with chinook, cascade, centennial, and columbus hops. 6.7% abc

In some places on the board, the chalk art of Jeremy
Hughes has now been replaced by the vinyl on
album cover art of Jeremy Hughes. The canvas that
Also Bort was painted upon is Tommy Roe's Greatest
Hits, yes, Tommy Roe of "Dizzy" and no other classics.
Put to good use at last, I'd say.

(Note from the Editor: I have once again become the victim of a technological failure. Some time yesterday, my MacBook Air that I used to download and edit pictures no longer recognizes the iPhone I'd been using to take them. The picture of the crowler of cats, etc that I consumed Sunday night and took notes upon will instead be represented by the first beer I had at the taproom Sunday afternoon. Until I get it working again, I'll have to use the iPod Plus that I used to take photos previously, which it does recognize, oddly enough.)

Editor's Note: Fixed.

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Special Release Passion Fruit Imperial IPA

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Special Release Passion Fruit Imperial IPA. 8% ABV. New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO (and wherever else.)

Hazy, bright golden appearance, beautiful white head, leaving some lace.

In the nose: Tropical fruit. Funk. Tart. Weird. Hops? Hmmm.....

In the mouth: Ah! Sweet, fruity, tart, funky, and, yeah, weird. Fresh, lively. Not much hop bitterness. Okay, there's some. The tropical fruit overpowers it. But I like it. I like it, yes, I do. And the body is medium, the mouthfeel is semi-smooth, fruity, funky. And, still, huh.

I'm not getting the Imperial IPA I want out of this, but if you don't mind your passion fruit being all passion fruity, then there we go.

A double IPA bursting with breezy, tropical flavors. This Voodoo Ranger special release features a hefty amount of passion fruit, which pairs perfectly with the fruity citra and galaxy hop additions.

Clown Shoes The Barista Breakfast Brown Ale

Clown Shoes The Barista Breakfast Brown Ale, brewed with espresso, oatmeal, and milk sugars. Clown Shoes Beer, Ipswich, MA. 8.5% ABV.

Dark brown color, with crimson highlights, under a toasted tan head, leaving lace. Nice.

In the nose: largely malty, rich, warm, lush. Slightly bittersweet, roasty-toasty. Dark fruits. Decadence.

In the mouth: Big malt. Tasty. Coffee flavor is in here, but not dominate, mixing well with the malt and sugar. Reading the label is see that it's Brown Angel with coffee, and a little more booze in it. I'm getting the oats now, and the grassy/citric hop nature of Brown Angel returns to the palate. I don't seem to recall if the original BA had oatmeal as well, but it's definitely coming through here. Brown sugar, molasses, and more coffee. So nice.

This is a good one, and I'm really enjoying it. Very smooth and comforting. Relaxing, luxurious, and invigorating, all at once.

It's also the first part of my correcting the mistake of having only reviewed 10 Clown Shoes beers in the past 7 years. That's way too low. Way, way too low.

A Clown Shoes legend, Brown Angel put away her dancing shoes to focus on extracting espresso, brewing coffee and pouring latte art with zen-like focus.   The Barista Breakfast Brown is crafted with Maris Otter malt, flaked oatmeal, cold brewed espresso, milk sugar and the spirit of angel wings.

Surly Darkness 2012, Five Years On

In late December of 2007, I was one of a few hundred people who made the trip to Surly Brewing in Brooklyn Center to buy 2 of less than 500 bottles of Darkness Russian Imperial Stout. The event continues year after year, though in 2008 it occurred in October and the allotment per person rose to six bottles each. And each year, I return to keep that collection going. This year, like last, I biked 10 miles from my home in Minneapolis on a Saturday morning in order to volunteer and pour beer for the attendants. This means no standing in the cold (or in the case of this year, rain) for hours. I like that.

The intent is to have enough bottles that I can annually host a tasting event with a "vertical" of Darkness. The first time I did this was six years ago, when I opened a bottle each from every year 2007 -2011. I had every intention of taking notes on everyone's opinions, but we were having too much fun for such seriousness. Since then, I make no pretenses to taking notes in the company of friends and merely enjoy.

But why not takes notes on vintage bottles as they take on the effects of time? Why not, indeed. The only appearance of Darkness here in the Nib, aside from the notes taken on 2015 Barrel-aged last year, was my posting of notes on the original 2006 version taken while consuming on tap, after having had a bottle of 2010, in 2011.

So, let's start things off with a 2012 bottle, now five years old, consumed last night.

Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout, Surly Brewing, Brooklyn Center, MN. 10% ABV.

Solid Stygian, utterly ebon, under a lush brown head that coats the glass with cocoa lace. A pinnacle of RIS appearance. Just flat out gorgeous.

In the nose: Aroma screams out of the glass. I love it when that happens. The aromatics are not shy here. Smoke, char, ash, chocolate, molasses, anise. Richness, decadence, deepness and sublimity.

In the mouth: Mmmm. Sweet, and bitter. Chocolate kisses. Caramel and cocoa and toffee and rich delights. Immense body, but not too thick, not un-manageable. Has time tamed it, made it more relaxed and easier to slide down the gullet? Perhaps. Right now, it's smooth and lovely, mostly malty, and totally chocolatey.

This is just about perfect. Nothing is lost, nothing has left, and what has been gained? It's all here, in full force. Yum upon yum, compounded by yum. So, five years on....yes, indeed. Six? We'll see. I should open an '11 soon, right? Oh, yes.

Utepils Ewald the Golden Bavarian Style HefeWeizen

A number of Utepils cans came in to my possession not too long ago, but I wasn't in a big hurry to sample them, since I'd already tried them at the brewery, and in this case, already had a keg on tap at Acadia. So, I saved them for review and the time has finally come. Need to clean out that fridge. (Once in a while, I think about visiting breweries and picking up growlers or crowlers, and then I remember that there are 3 dozen or so bottles, cans, crowlers or growlers awaiting review, and then I'll order a pizza and stay home to drink them up.)

And while I'm at it, there's that one Utepils beer review I've never posted, because it's tied to my report on the brewery itself, which I've procrastinating on posting. Time's up, got to do it. And we'll start with this one....

Utepils Ewald the Golden Bavarian-style Hefe Weizen, Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 5.2% ABV. 15 IBU.

Thoroughly hazed, pale golden color, beautiful ivory head, leaving lace behind.

In the nose: Straw first, then comes the fruit. Banana, citrus, then a little touch of clove. Light, airy, lovely. Just right.

In the mouth: slightly sweet, fresh and refreshing. Smooth wheat malt texture. Light bodied and quaffable. Spot on rendition of the style. Hefeweizens are great summer satisfiers for sure, but they are terrific drinks at any other time as well. And this one is quite tasty. I'd rank it among the better locally made versions, hands down

A HEAVENLY HEFEWEIZEN CREATED BY YOUR HEAD BREWER. WITH A HAZY GOLDEN HUE AND AROMAS OF BANANA AND CLOVE, THIS BAVARIAN STYLE BREW PAIRS PALE WHEAT WITH MALTED BARLEY AND FINISHES WITH A BUBBLY FOAM HALO.

Wild Mind West Coast Vibes

Wild Mind West Coast Vibes. American IPA. 7.2% ABV. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Slightly hazy, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: bitter, funky, fruity.

In the mouth: More tropical fruit hops, a touch of citrus, just a little bitter, just right.
Lean bodied, mellow malt. Easy drinker. Smooth and refreshing. A twist of tart in the finish. Quite tasty, goes down with ease.

Has me wondering what yeast they used to get this slightly funky flavor. I'll ask around.

Hoppy, piney, tropical.

Lynlake Sirius Pale Ale

Lynlake Sirius Pale Ale. Lynlake Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 5.7% ABV.

Clear, bright, golden/amber coloring, slim, soon-gone head.

In the nose: Citrus notes, grapefruit and lime, nicely hopped. Minor malt. Just right for a pale ale.

In the mouth: Good and bitter up front. Big, citrus blast from the hops, long on the palate. Each new meeting of ale and tongue is one full of delight and deliciousness. Really. Honestly, that's how I feel. It's damned tasty stuff. I'm going to keep on drinking it.

Pale Ale-ABV: 5.7% IBU:-35 SRM:5

Abbaye Val Dieu Cuvee 800

I haven't done a true Belgian ale here in the Nib in a while, and that's a shame. Partly because my focus has been turned to the local scene, and partly because I can't find a lot of affordable new ones. This bottle was fairly priced, and one I knew I was going to like, having had it before. That's a story I'm going to leave until the end.

What we have here, The Cuvee Speciale 800 Ans, the anniversary beer for the Abbaye Val Dieu, was released late last year, a Belgian blonde ale, 5.5% ABV. Brasserie de l'abbaye Val Dieu, Aubel, Belgium. "Let's celebrate this historic event with a beer brewed in the cisterian abbey of Val-Dieu. Rich in authentic taste, roundness and complexity, this beer also offers a subtle touch of hops. Unleash the art of beer craftsmanship and enjoy this Belgian-brewed beer. Limited edition." (Update: It's coming back.)
So, yeah, let's. Here are my notes:

Lightly clouded, bright golden, slimmed ivory head, looking very lovely.

In the nose: sharp and shimmering, alert and lively, brimming with the elegant promise of Belgian yeast and hops. Stunningly gorgeous.

In the mouth: Sparkling. Citrusy-y. Sunshine. Alive. Nothing short of wonderful. Lush malt, vibrant yeast character, and transcendent flavor. Not shy of saying it, this is one of those beers. Lifts up and separates from the common. Impossible to put into words. Neither sweet nor bitter, nor sour. Flat out wonderful.

Really. Honestly, Find a bottle yourself. (They're out there, believe me, despite the amazing quality, these didn't fly off the shelves.) If you put this past your lips and aren't lifted into realms sublime, well, buster, you and me don't see eye to eye, see? Citrus and spice and everything nice, little bits of angel dust, plus unicorn sweat and dragon wings. Gossamer fairy fuzz, smurf spittle, gnome niblets, ....all the good stuff.

I first had this one early this year when I had a keg of it at Acadia. I bought it late last year at the urging of my sales rep from the distributor, who also sold it on the basis of those gorgeous chalices you see above. I didn't tap it until early this year, and it was a bit of a hard sell, but only to those who are not devoted followers of Belgian ales. The price was too high for a "boring blonde" of "only" 5.5% ABV. Far too many people look at a high price point (based, of course, on a high cost for the keg), see a medium-range alcohol level and assume that they aren't getting "bang for the buck". If the only draw is a beautiful flavor, not a big buzz, they feel their money isn't well spent. It's too bad.

I started seeing this beer in bottles, and eventually picked one up, holding on to it until the other night. I needed to have enough time to take proper notes on it. Those of you who have stuck it out and read this far, get this beer if you see it. It's well worth the price.

Modist Deviation 10

Modist Deviation 010. 5.6% ABV. Lager brewed with huskless barley. Modist Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, smallish white head. 

In the nose: no bitterness, light hops, cereal grains, mostly malty, but altogether clean. 

In the mouth: Clean, malty, fruity. Just about nothing but nice. Smooth, easy, drinking. I have to educate myself on the difference between husked and huskless barley. One guess I'd offer is makes for a hearty, yet clean malt flavor. Little hops, no bitterness, good balance, moderate sweetness. Good ol' drinking lager, this one. 

I like it. Good lager, and guess what? I'm drinking it. 

 Deviation 010 is a smooth, full-flavored lager brewed with CDC Clear malt from experimental huskless barley from our partners at BSG CraftBrewing, lightly hopped with Denali, Huell Melon, and Bravo, and then fermented with our house lager strain. It’s lightly fruity, bready, drinkable, and clocks in at 5.5% ABV.  It’s good. Come and try it.

Sisyphus Mashtadon Barley-wine

Sisyphus Mashtadon Barley-wine. 11.3%. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

To the eye: hazy, burgundy-hued, slimmed, but lasting, off-white head, looking the part.

In the nose: fruity, flowery, malty. A sweet thing in the nose. Promise of things to come.

In the mouth: rich, super-malty, thick and nearly viscous. All kinds of caramel-y, sticky, juicy, fruity flavors coalesce on the palate. Some spice in this, a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, just a little. Not as profoundly heavy or bombastic as I sometimes like, but very likable all the same.

What if you don't need them burly and ballsy, though? Maybe something more manageable is more your style? Maybe I should try something like that....more something less commanding, less punishing, would be nice for a change?

Yes, maybe. You know what? Yes. But, still, I'm talking about an 11.3% beer. I forgot that. And the proverbial chickens are coming home to roost. Boom, boom, boom, boom. (Cue John Lee Hooker.)

This is flat out delicious. Man, do I dig it.

Made with 100% real mastodon - do you know how hard it is to find good mastodon these days? Seriously - if you know someone we can buy more mastodon from please let us cellarman Andy know - he's looking for more. 
Flavors: Caramel malt, more caramel malt, mastodon.

Firestone Walker XX

Firestone Walker XX. A blend of barrel-aged beers. Firestone Walker Brewery, Pasa Robles, California. 13% ABV.

Full-on darkness, extra black, with a thin, brown ring of foam up above.

In the nose: bourbon barrel richness. Vanilla, molasses, dark rum deliciousness. Cherries, chocolate, and a hint of spice.

In the mouth: Mmm. Big, sweet, vast, deep, and luxurious. I still haven't figured out what the base beer is on this one. Something strong. I will take to Google to find the answer. Huh. It's blend of barrel aged beers. 40% bourbon barrel Parabola RIS, 20% bourbon/brandy barrel barley-wine (Stickee Monkey), 17.5% Velvet Merkin Bourbon barrel oatmeal stout, 12.5% Bravo bourbon barrel imperial brown ale, and 10% Helldorado bourbon barrel blonde barley-wine. Oh, my. It's a wide one.

I've only had one of those base beers before. They're terrific together.

My notes did not go as far as I'd wanted them to. This one just kind of knocked me out. Thanks to Chris for the bottle. I only had to give him one of my last remaining Surly Two posters. It was worth it.

Fulton Specter India Pale Ale

Fulton Specter India Pale Ale. Alc. 7.1% by Vol. 35 IBU. 1 pint can. Brewed and packaged by Fulton Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

This beer is the new name for the IPA formerly known as Grog, which was named for a Fulton employee who left us tragically too soon.

Hazy, bright golden appearance, slim white head atop.

In the nose: soft tropical fruit notes, pineapple and papaya, less bitterness than your average "IPA." Just a little bit on the sweet side.

In the mouth: right off the bat, there's something a little off, neither bad nor good, just different. Creamy. But no lactose in this one, I don't think. Very smooth. Oats? I'll find out. Some citrus-y, grapefruit-y character starts to jump on board the palate. Lots of hop flavor, but still very low bitterness. It's a tasty one, very interesting, and a good drinker. Much complexity in this.

This is fine, if you like those NE-style IPAs. I'm not entirely sure if I do all that much.

Specter, our NE Style IPA has a number of very distinct traits that separate it from the rest of our IPAs. It’s smooth, creamy mouthfeel and it's hazy appearance are by-products of a number of ingredients and process. We used nearly 20% oats in the mash, a chloride-heavy water chemistry, and low flocculating yeast. We aggressively hopped Specter with late boil and whirlpool additions, leaving it with little perceived lingering bitterness, but rather a tropical and juicy finish. If that wasn't enough, we dry-hopped this beer twice with Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Nelson Sauvin to add aromas of citrus and stone fruits.

Wild Mind Vivid Gold Triple IPA

Wild Mind Vivid Gold Triple IPA. 10.8% ABV. 75 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, amber-hued, slim white head.

In the nose: big fruit, big, bold, pithy hop bitterness and fruit notes aplenty. Sweet, hoppy, bitter, beautiful. Me, I like it.

In the mouth: Big bitterness, huge fruit, tasty all the way. Alcohol creeps in, assuredly. A veritable cornucopia on the palate. Bigness upon bigness.

I have to admit it. My notes ended there. I did not go on to write the Great American Novel on the subject of Vivid Gold triple IPA, alas. But, I swam in it, I luxuriated in it, I drank in all and had a restful slumber. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.

"this was a crowler filled on 8/3/17, and purchased by me some time later, and opened on August 30. The notes remained to a state of suspended animation, while I wondered what to do about their unfinished-ness. I finally decided that they were good enough to go forward. Meanwhile, I still wonder what VGML stands for. Anyone know?)

Brewed with five pounds per barrel of hops that include Citra, Cascade, Azacca & Motueka. Notes of sweet grapefruit, pineapple, mango, papaya, bright Citrus, Fresh hay, and Stone. 

Minneapolis Town Hall Fresh Hop 100 2017

It's October, 2017, and time to celebrate 20 years of Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery. This year, the annual Fresh Hop Ale was released just before the week-long anniversary events, so it would still be on tap as well as the other special goodies. And this year I had to make sure I got there in time to get a growler, because something disturbing, unsettling had occurred to me. In the seven years of this blog, and over 100 reviews of Town Hall beers, the Fresh Hop, now called Fresh Hop 100, is missing!

How can this be? I honestly don't understand it. In the days before I published my beer thoughts here, I posted reviews on BeerAdvocate.com and rate beer.com. The debut of Fresh Hop was in 2005, and at the time there was nothing else like it. We had only recently been seeing Sierra Nevada's Harvest Ale locally, and there were no other local breweries doing anything of the kind. (And, need it be said, a general paucity of local breweries to do so.) I posted reviews every year, each one an effusive missive on the merits of these bold hop bombs. Many exclamation points were misused, and there was expressive profanity, as well. No holds barred in my enthusiasm. Those were the days when new beers were being released almost every Monday afternoon, it seems, and I was there at each new release, taking home a growler to type up my notes on them. The first batch of growlers usually had a surprise inside, a single hop cone floating on top of the beer.

For five years straight I did this, but as time went on I wasn't always there for the release date, and would get my growlers without the hop cone. Then, in 2010, I wound up being too late to get a growler at all and took no notes, of course. But how could be so unlucky, or so bad at planning that for the next six years that I never got the beer to take home at all? Not once? I scanned through the 118 listings under Town Hall, stupefied that this had happened. It was imperative that this slight be corrected. I brought one home Tuesday night, along with a small growler of Three Hour Tour (too late, alas, for Six Hour Tour, the doubled-up and barrel-aged version of their venerated coconut milk stout) to save for a special day, and took these notes:

American IPA. 7% ABV. IBU:?

Clear, bold bronze coloring, hefty head, egg-white hued and lace-leaving.

In the nose: citrus, pine, and more. Apple? Blueberry? Mosaic hops keep me guessing. A cornucopia of fresh hop flavors at play. Lovely and lively.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness grabs the palate from the start. Grips it fast and holds it down. Lot of malts keeping it interesting on the back end, caramel and I'm not sure what-all. English varieties, I'm guessing. A little bit of spicy kick in there, too. Much more complex and flavorful than previous entries. Long, bitter finish. Medium bodied, excellent drinkability.

I have to admit, though, that I don't like this one quite as much as previous iterations that were straight-up palate piercers, with less malt to cushion the blow. But there's room for all kinds of expression in the big, wide world of beer. They can't all be Cascades and Centennials. Make room for Mosaic. Although, that Mosaic/Citra combo is so hot, what if....maybe....?


Hopped exclusively in the kettle and hop-back with wet whole cone Mosaic from Yakima Valley, WA.

Stone 21st Anniversary Hail to the Hop Theif Double IPA

Stone 21st Anniversary Double IPA Hail to the Hop Thief, brewed and bottled by Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA & Richmond, VA. 9.8% Alc. by Vol.  80 IBU.

 "A double india pale ale fit for our 21st year."

Hazy, bright golden, voluminous ivory head, and composed of a multitude of "floats". Did I get an old bottle? Not sure. Huh.

In the nose: lovely hop expression, floral, lightly citrus, slightly tropical, delicate fruit notes. Nice.

In the mouth: Bold, brash bitterness at the start, resinous, oily, hop-forward for sure. A barrage of bitterness, a brisk blast of hop flavors. Lean bodied, mellow malt, all here is in service of letting the hop flag fly.  Creamy, smooth, and big and bitter. Just like I like my double IPAs. Yum. Yu-um. Or even, as I like to say from time to time, Yum-a-Dum, Dum! (Don't forget to quote me when you use that next!)

This is awfully good, forgiving the floaties. (Storage issue? The bottle was sitting at room temp at the store where I bought it.)
There's a whole lot of gobbledygook on the label....maybe I'll find a link for it. I'm sure it's amusing and informative.

The big wide world inspires our imagination and fuels our passions. Anything from music, film, beer, literature, architecture, food, engineering, poetry…all art forms essentially, including more beer. We steal with any and all things that possess the one value that we hold most dear: authenticity. The important thing of course is that ‘It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.’ So, what are we saying about this beer, exactly? We gave it our take. We took all there is to love about the IPA, got creative, dry-hopped it a lot, left it unfiltered and shared it openly in the hopes that in some way it may, in turn, inspire you. Hail to The Hop Thief, an original.

That's much shorter than what's on the label. Guess I've got to break out my reading glasses....

Coronado Orange Ave. Wit

Coronado Orange Avenue Wit. 5.2% ABV. 15 IBU. Coronado Brewing, Coronado, California.

Clear, light golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: fruit forward, orange and other citrus, slight spice, sweet wheat.

In the mouth: Generous flavors up front, loaded with coriander, orange peel, etc. Abundant fruit, , mellow malt, and a bit hoppier than your average wit. Lean bodied, easy-drinking, definite sessioner.

Good balance in this one, and definitely an American/ Californian take on the style. Misses a little something more special to the Belgian style. But a good beer nonetheless.

Our spiced California style Wit is both refreshing and complex. Brewed with wheat, coriander, California orange peel and local orange blossom honey. From the first sip to the last you’ll find subtle flavors of bread, spice, citrus and a thirst quenching orange honey finish.

LynLake Dougie Fresh

Dougie Fresh. Double India Pale Ale. 8.4% ABV. 77 IBU. Lynlake Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright amber/crimson coloring, enormous ivory froth atop.

In the nose: ah! yes! fresh, floral, lively, beautifully hoppy. Citrus  and tropical notes aplenty.

In the mouth: Big bigness, big bitterness, largely fruity, slightly floral, absolutely lovely. Medium bodied, long hoppy finish. An absolute delight.

This one ranks up there with my favorite beers put out by this brewery. Go get some before it's gone.


Brewed with Centennial, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Summit hops. Succulent hop little hop bomb.

Modist Deviation 09

Modist Deviation 09 Double IPA, 8.1% ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Bright golden, hazy, big ol' ivory-toned head. Looking good.

In the nose: nothing but nice. Beautiful hop flavors abound, tropical tones, citrus, pineapple meets grapefruit, orange....banana? Nah....or, maybe? Bit of Belgian funk, as well.

In the mouth: Yum. Hoppy goodness all over the palate. Remember my latest catchphrase? I haven't used it in a little bit, but it applies here: Yum-a-dum-dum! TM, C, R. Big hops, Fantastic Belgian yeast delivering the delicious oddness. Bright, bold citrus hop character carries through. Lean bodied, long, bitter finish, fruity, delightful, delicious.

Double IPA made entirely from wheat and oats, fermented with Belgian yeast, and hopped with Bravo, Amarillo, and Ekuanot hop powder.

Oliphant Mr. Samurai Karateguy India Pale Ale

Oliphant Mr. Samurai Karateguy India Pale Ale. 5.8% ABV. one pint can. Brewed by Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin (at Barley John's Brewing Company, New Richmond, WI.)

To the eye: Slightly hazy,  bright golden hue, large, lush cloud-white head. Looking fantastic.

In the nose: big citrus aromatics, orange, tangerine, lemon/lime. Lovely. Not too bitter, not yet. Some pine, too. Just about right on the money.

In the mouth: Mmm. Bitter, hoppy, fruity, yes, delicious. Fresh, zesty, arresting. Flat out tasty. Medium bodied, long-lasting flavor, eternal finish. I want to say yum. I want to say damn, this is nice. Maybe I will. So smooth, so hoppy, so nice.

he may seem like an ordinary fry cook or chef, i don't know which one he is, but look closer at those hands...gasp! those aren't hands, they are karate swords!!!

india pale ale with citra and centennial hops. 5.8% abc

And also: he's never known the pleasure of scratching his own back. sadly, mister double sword hands here lives a life of utility and he knows it. 

Sisyphus Sisy-fest

Sisyphus Sisy-fest, Oktoberfest-style beer. 6.3% ABV.  36 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, deep amber/bronze color, slim, short-lived ivory head.

In the nose: classic fest bier nose, German malt, sweet, but balanced. Nice.

In the mouth: Tidy little taste of hops up front, then malty and smooth. Clean, crisp, slightly sweet, but altogether balanced and beautiful. Smooth and delicious. Good ol' drinking oktoberfest, all done in style.

I like this one. Pretty good O-fest.

Sisy-Fest, n: 1) Our Oktoberfest bier 2) A large gathering of cowardly people 3) A party where everyone talks about death and the embrace of life's absurdity 4) All of the above
Flavors: Caramel malts, slight bitterness, dry finish

Tallgrass Blueberry Jam

Tallgrass Blueberry Jam. Blueberry Berliner Weisse. German-style tart wheat ale brewed with blueberry. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewery, Manhattan, Kansas. 4.3% Alc. by Vol.

Clear, golden/amber hue, smallish ivory head.

In the nose: tart, sweet, wheat, blueberry-ish.

In the mouth: More of the same: crisp, tart, fruity, delightful. Light bodied, easy drinking, smooth but slightly sour. Very nice. Go for it, if it's your, ahem, jam.

After a successful solo tour, we decided to put a band together with our Jam series. Jam out with this refreshingly tart, German-style wheat ale brewed with blueberries. 

Cosmos Buzzed Aldrin

Cosmos Buzzed Aldrin. Coffee Ale. Alc. 7% by Vol. 20 IBU. Cosmos Brewing, Hugo, MN.

Golden toned, lightly hazed, nice ivory head that slims down in due time.

In the nose: Earthy, nutty coffee notes hit first, with juicy malt just below. Smells of fresh ground beans. Delightful.

In the mouth: Straightforward, simple, and tasty as heck. Juicy malt mingled with coffee flavor. Virtually no hop presence, just the proverbial kiss. Maybe a little too sweet, though, but I get what they're going for. I'm really not liking lactose in beers these days, though there's no denying the affect it has, and the taste it delivers.

I like this. It's a bit like a beer Frappucino, but that's not going to be something I'll want too many of. One and done for me. (And I come off as a hypocrite for railing against "milkshake IPAs" while enjoying a beer like this.)

"Is there alien life out there?" Golden cappuccino ale is the best way to describe Buzzed Aldrin. A large coffee addition imparts both aroma and flavor, lactose bring sweetness and flaked grains round out the body. Looks like a pale, drinks like a stout. SAVE SPACE FOR BEER! Made with Alaska Artisan Coffee." 

Omnipollo Shploing!!!

Omnipollo Shploing!! Mango S'mores India Pale Ale brewed with marshmallows, graham crackers, salt and lactose sugar with mango and vanilla added. 12 fl. oz. All. 7% by Vol. Brewed and canned for Omnipollo by Dorchester Brewing, Boston, MA. Product of the United States, store cool and dark.

Once again, it's the last can of a 4-pack that cost much more than I normally like to pay. The first three was consumed by gusto and alacrity, and not much contemplation. With the final can, I take a wider scope of consideration. I've liked all the Omnipollo's I've had before, and this one? Just had to try it.

Clear, bright golden, enormous ivory head.

In the nose: nothing but fresh, bright, bold citrus. Exactly what you want in an IPA.

In the mouth: more bold citrus hop flavor, smooth 'n' fruity. Nice bitterness, medium bodied, easy drinker. I can taste some of that mango, but all those other ingredients are a bit lost in the shuffle. Don't really get the "s'mores" aspect at all. I wouldn't call it a failure, but the parts are not greater than the whole, here.

LTD World Traveler Costa Rican Cold Press Coffee Stout

LTD World Traveler Costa Rican Cold Press Coffee Stout. Alc. 6% by Volume. Brewed and bottled by LTD Brewing Co., Hopkins, MN.

Solid blackness, nice lightly toasted tan head, looking very nice.

In the nose: A lot of coffee in here, rich, herbal, earthy. Very nice, with chocolate malts just behind.

In the mouth: A little bit of fruit, cherries and berries pop up to match the mighty malt. Mouthfeel is a little thin for the style, and could really use some richness and thickness. Flavor's good, but it doesn't feel right without the weight. I could say more, but I'd rather not depress myself further by dwelling on the inherent flaws.

Finishing out the bottle (yeah, I don't drain pour), I remain disappointed. Definitely not worth what I paid for it. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

(There's a whole lot of gobbledygook on the label, in tiny type, but I'm going to skip it.)

Town Hall Golden Cone IPA

Town Hall Golden Cone IPA. 6.3% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright amber color, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: a wide mix of flavors in the aromatics, a veritable bouquet. Citrus fruit, tropical, blueberry, pine. Sweet and fruity to match the bitter hops.

In the mouth: There's that fruit basket on the tongue, Low bitterness in this IPA. And deep swath of hoppy tastes on the palate. Quite different. And it's an easy-drinker, smooth, tasty.

Chinook, Denali, and Eureka in the kettle.
Chinook, Citra, Denali, Eureka, and Simcoe in the fermenter.

Pulpit Rock Malawi Pour-Over

It was on September 3 that Jason and I went to Decorah (not "Deborah", cut that out, auto-correct!), Iowa, visited their two breweries, and brought home beers. I didn't open up the final growler until the other night, and as I gazed on it sitting in wait in the fridge, I wondered. Why did I put it off for so long? Why did I leave it sit and choose other beers before it. There must be a reason, there must....but what?

Pulpit Rock Malawi Pour-Over. 6.8% ABV. 34 IBU. Pulpit Rock Brewery, Decorah, Iowa. Part of the series of coffee baltic porters done in collaboration with a local roaster.

Solid darkness, rich brown head of foam, perfectly impenetrable.

In the nose: earthy, rich, chocolate and coffee. Slightly on the sweet side. Quite nice.

In the mouth: Mmmm. Light fruit, cherries and berries. Creamy and full-bodied at once. Lush, dense, delicious. Smooth. Did I say "smooth"? Oh, so, very, good.

Epilogue: This was my second beer of the night, which I opened around midnight. The beer was so very tasty that I simply could not stop myself from emptying the contents of the growler into the glass, and all the way down the ol' gullet. I didn't get to bed until some time later, and woke up a mere four hours after, and was utterly unable to return to slumber. I had forgotten a lesson I learned many years ago when I finished off a Town Hall Coffee Stout late at night and neglected to consider the effects of so strong a dose of caffeine in my beverage. This, of course, is why I kept rejecting from inclusion in the nightly reviews. It's a lesson I forget at my own peril. Mornings, afternoon, early evenings, that's when you drink the coffee beers, Al, not after midnight, or
2, 3 am!

Sisyphus He Is California IPA

Sisyphus He Is California. India Pale Ale. 6.3% ABV. 80 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, ample ivory froth atop.

In the nose: bold citrus tones, plenty of grapefruit, orange, and pine. Lovely citrus and floral notes abound.

In the mouth: Full body, rich fruity malt mouthfeel. Hop-forward, delightfully delicious, mild in the malt, but extraordinarily drinkable. Plenty of ripe citrus hop flavors, grapefruit and orange, with a dose of pine, too.

I dig this one. I dig it lots.

This West Coast IPA was brewed for our friend John Craigie to celebrate his second concert at Sisyphus. 100% of proceeds from each pint will go to Hopewell Music Cooperative North. John is California, this beer is California, you are California? Nah, you're not California.

Flavors: Pine, spruce, fir, other coniferous trees

Oliphant Honees Honees

Oliphant Honees Honees. Peanut Butter Honey Ale. 5.6% alc./vol. "ale brewed with honey & lactose with peanut butter flavor and caramel color."

Clear, dark amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: Malty sweet, low hop bitterness, and, hey, there it is, that blend of peanut butter and honey. Huh. Very interesting.

In the mouth: Peanut butter is big in the flavor, but not overpowering. Medium-bodied, long, sweet finish. But never too, not so much. Just right. Very well-balanced. Tasty, smooth, likable. I can see this pleasing a certain sort. As for me, I've cracked the last can of the four, and I'm happy to move on. I'm glad it exists, I'm happy for those who like it, but it's not the sort of thing that trips this guy's trigger.

In all, good peanut butter/honey beer, and you can drink it.

I could give you a link, and have you go find this on your own, but, no, I'm not like that. Here you go, straight from the deranged mind of, I think, Matt?

while rising from the smoke, the snake-god burped forth a decorated warrior. 

this warrior was decorated with jiffy jars, with honees wrappers, and that particular sulphuric stench of rebellion. part devil, part gentleman, part legume, the warrior began to dance through the haze, stepping intricate circles on the ground with his feet and conjuring in the air with an open palm and a honey wand.

the snake-god was taken aback and was unsure of the next course of action. he knew this warrior to be trouble but he saw that the warrior was working on dimensions far from his own and with a puff he saw the warrior disappear, by either will or conjuring, away from his presence. 

the snake-god slithered on. 

-------------------------------

matt sitting at his kitchen counter, hummed softly. the kitchen was cluttered but the day was over and the candles lit so there was nothing to be done about the mess. the small flames flickered in the kitchen as he closed the shade in front of him and began to prepare his meal. 

there was whole wheat bread in front of him and he crinkled his nose at it but had to eat it anyway, there was chunky chunky peanut butter, and there was a dab bottle of honey. nothing fancy, nothing too special. matt felt a little different as he began to assemble the sandwich -- he realized that he was making it slower than usual, with more care, and somehow the tune he was humming seemed to fit in with it. as if he was constructing an idea more so than just a sandwich. 

for a second the candles blew themselves out and matt constructed the sandwich in the darkness as if he hadn't realized. the candles flickered themselves back on and standing just outside his formerly shaded window was a grand peanut butter & honey warrior. a happenstance light of moon shining directly on him as the warrior danced in infinite circles. 

matt ate the peanut butter & honey sandwich slowly as the warrior danced behind the glass, candles swaying in time. 

after that heartbeat of infinity, a loud crash seemed to emanate from somewhere and matt, in sudden realization, found he had devoured his sandwich and just five feet from his window was a truck -- it's axle split in half as it had jumped the concrete embankment into his yard. the driver circling the car frantically, looked at matt through the window and ran away. 

and it dawned on matt, then and there --

honees honees | peanut butter & honey ale | 5.5% abc

Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale

Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale. Petaluma, CA, and also Chicago, IL. 8.7% ABV. 72 IBU.

Clear, golden-toned, lasting ivory head above.

In the nose: citrus-y hop character.....yup, that's it.

In the mouth: Nice, juicy hop flavors slide on the palate. Smooth malt character.  Easy drinker. Further in, hops are getting more prominent, juicier, alcohol's getting kickier, shall we say.

It's alright.

The big sister of the Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale...Lots of wheat for a curious malt complexity and leaving it light in color, but huge in flavor and satisfaction.

I forgot, there's more, on the label, and you've always got to read the gobbledygook on a Lagunitas label: "These words are the voice of the beer you are about to drink. they are an attempt to be understood. The beer beneath is more than just words. It is a promise. You are the promise. Revel in your times."

Wow. Like, heavy, man.

Big Axe Splinter Cat IPA

These notes have been sitting in wait for far too many weeks, while I wondered if I should combine them with my MN Breweries report on the brewery. Jason and I visited Big Axe on Sunday, August 21, 2016, after Roadhouse, Jack Pine, and Gull Dam. What a day that was. And I've decided to wait and wonder no more, posting this, but plotting to get to that report as well, a little bit farther down the line. Here we have notes on Big Axe Splinter Cat IPA:


Big Axe Splinter Cat IPA. Big Axe Brewing, proudly brewed in Nisswa, MN. 6.3% ABV. 63 IBU.

To the eye: Slightly hazed, murky amber-ish coloring, off-white froth atop.

In the nose: Fruit and funk. Stone fruit, pitted fruit, much malt. A little bit odd, this one. A little herbal....not at all typical. huh.

In the mouth: Bitterness hits first, followed by fruit, then sweet turns to dry. Medium body, longish, bitter finish. Funky malt, but not in the usual meaning. There's something off about this one. Not unpleasant, but not pleasing, either. I so want to like it, for I had a good experience at the taproom last year. But I have to call it as I see it. This one needs to go back to the ol' drawing board. As it is, it's a very mediocre India Pale Ale.

 I'll keep trying the Big Axe canned efforts, hoping for better success.

I wonder what a "splinter cat" is? Must have a logging connection. I Googled. It does.  I didn't need to Google, though. The label tells us this: "The splinter cat will hurl itself from tree to tree, smashing the trunks to pieces, revealing the tasty morsels inside."

Fair State Pineapple Cromulence

Fair State Pineapple Cromulence. 4% ABV, 10 IBU.
Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Clear, pale gold, heaping helping of ivory froth atop.

In the nose: Sour and sweet, together at last. Pineapple plentitude.

In the mouth: Not too complex, not too hard to understand. It's right there on the palate: pineapple Berliner Weisse. Fresh, wheat, sour, and fruity. Light bodied, easy drinking, refreshing, pretty damned tasty.


Now, the last time I had a fruity kettle sour, Toppling Goliath's Dragon Fandango, I sounded off a bit about the style. I haven't changed my mind. There ain't nothing wrong with them, and they will ever remain popular, but I think I'm through with them. Maybe I'll stop drinking them. Or, maybe I'll drink them, but I'll stop complaining about it. Or, should I give a greater exposure to traditional mixed-fermentation beers, when I see them? Of course, I should.

Goose Island Juicy Double IPA

Goose Island Juicy Double. "A crisp and citrusy double india pale ale brewed with orange juice." 8.3% ABV, 70 IBU. Goose Island Brewing Company,
Chicago, IL, and other places.

Clear, bright crimson/amber color, slim ivory head. Looking nice.

In the nose: Powerful citrus and pine aromatics, big time grapefruit and orange, pungent, bitter, bold.

In the mouth: Less than gentle, more than beastly. Plenty juice, and massive double. Big hops, big bitter, full of fruit. Just a little bit sweet, and a touch on the boozy side. What are we talking here? 8.3%?

You know, what?  I liked it, but I ain't going crazy over it. It's just fine.

Juicy Double is a crisp Double India Pale Ale brewed with Orange Juice for a refreshing citrus finish.  Brewed with 7 hop varieties, this Imperial India Pale Ale weighs in at 8.3% ABV with an IBU of 70.  The bold hop character is nicely balanced with the citrus from the orange juice.

Modist German Fat Cap

Modist German Fat Cap. 6.5 % ABV.  82 IBU. "German IPA". Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

To the eye: Clear, crisp, bright crimson coloring, moderately sized cap of whitish froth atop.

In the nose: Medium hop bitterness, some fruity esters, quite nicely balanced.

In the mouth: Big, beefy, malty. Bold, fruity, dry. Exceptionally clean and full-bodied. Hop bitterness is coming on strong now. Okay, I'm getting it. Marzen-Style malts, big ol' hoppitude. It's a drinkable beer that's just about to bust it's britches. I was confused, but now I like it.

Here's another Modist beer that doesn't fit any category. An ale Oktoberfest. This "German IPA" they're calling it doesn't work, sorry.

What do they say about it? Our answer to an Octoberfest beer. It's a crispy malty German festbier meets an aggressively hopped American IPA. We use a German water profile, malt, hops, and yeast, then use hopping rates and techniques similar to an American IPA.
Ingredients: Malts: Weyermann Pale, Vienna, Munich I,Carafoam,Caramunich II Melanoidin // Hops: Magnum, Polaris, Mandarina Bavaria // Yeast: German Ale,

Montgomery Hop Junkies Volume 1

Montgomery Hop Junkies Volume. 1 Double India Pale Ale. 9.1% ABV. 110 IBU. Brewed and bottled by Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, MN.

Lightly hazed, deep golden hue, with crimson edges, slim, but lasting ivory froth atop.

In the nose: Citric fruit notes, caramel malt tones, piney, earthy. Interesting.

In the mouth: More malt, more hops, moderate bitterness. But, wait, moderate? With 110 IBUs? Well, yeah. Malty, spicy, earthy, and hoppy, too. And here comes the booze.

It's pretty nice. But not quite what I like. Not bad, but not ....great. Not really what I look for in a double IPA.

This was a tough one for me to write. I like the brewery, but I don't like this beer. I have to go ahead and publish it, though, to lay out the evidence against those people who say that I like everything.

Just because we're small doesn't mean we don't brew big. Volume 1 comes on strong. A classic with notes of citrus, pine, and spice. It's the beginning of our series of small batch IPAs. 

Unmapped Quadruplication Quadruple

Unmapped Quadruplication Quadruplel. 10% ABV. Unmapped Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Last Sunday, I stopped into Unmapped Brewing in Minnetonka for the first time, thanks, again, to Jason. I didn't have my notebook and my phone that I use for a camera had run out of power, so I couldn't document the visit for a Minnesota Breweries One by One. This would be, and will be, #120, by the way. I did a flight of four (Topo Wit, Saison Amelie, Mind the Map ESB, and Apricot Sour), and a pint (No Trace IPA), but I decided to take this one home, instead. It might have been a risk, but I have full faith in brewer Derek Allmendinger. I've known him for a few years, before his brewing career (Schell's, Surly, Excelsior) began, and I think he knows what he's doing.

Clear, deep, dark crimson coloring, slim whitish head.

In the nose: sweet, candy-ish Belgian esters are streaming out of the glass....let's go in deep. Ripe, rich dark fruits, a touch of tart, ....figs, dates, raisins, all the good ones. A little vanilla, a touch of clove, and, I'm reluctant to admit this, but a part of me wants to say marshmallow. Honest.

I'm dying to taste it. So, in the mouth: Mmmm. Mmmm! Yeah. A wonderfully balanced, yet outsized beer, this one. Sweetness and dry, not overly anything. More of that rich, delicious dark fruit, dark malt flavor, minimal hops, and increasing alcohol. A little cocoa, some more of that ephemeral "marshmallow" I was thinking about, and oh, so good.

Quadruple is a flexible style. So many variations. Only constant, really, is big malt and big strength, plus Belgian yeast, and that je ne sais qui. Many interpretations go heavy on the malt, heavy on the booze, usually in the wrong direction. This one gets it done in a whole other way.

This is one of those beers that keeps me thinking while I'm drinking. I keep thinking new thoughts about it, new revelations unfold, new sensations trip off the tongue. A little bit of bubblegum below the dark, chocolatey malt. It's altogether delicious.

This is the big one! Like its sister-beer Disorientation, Quadruplication is brewed to honor the age-old traditions of the Trappist monks. Darker malts and dark candi sugar are used to craft a full bodied ale with a deep chestnut color. As this beer warms up, it grows in flavor complexity- each sip offers a new experience. Hints of caramel, plum, grape, and licorice can be noted in different stages of its journey.

Toppling Goliath Dragon Fandango

Toppling Goliath Dragon Fandango Mango/Passionfruit kettle sour. Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, Decorah, Iowa.

On Sunday, the 3rd of September, I made my first ever trip to Decorah, Iowa and the Toppling Goliath brewery, at long last. Thanks to Jason for taking the wheel. On tap were many beers I've had before with two exceptions, Supa Sumo, which I've recently reviewed from the bottle brought back from here, and this one, Dragon Fandango, which I'm about to tell you about. One very hot commodity was on, the coffee stout known as Mornin' Delight. I'd love to review that one from a bottle, but I don't think I can afford one, if I'll ever see it on sale. I've had it and it's good, but not for the price that's being asked. We each enjoyed servings of 5 ounces for 10 dollars each. Let that sink in: $2 per ounce for a coffee / maple syrup stout. And the server marked our hands so that we could not order another. Only one per person, per day (or ever?). I've never seen or heard of a brewery doing that. I've never even conceived of any brewery treating any of it's beers as that precious. It's good, but it's not that good. Nothing is, really.

Jason's still on his MD, and I've moved on to one of
the IPAs (forgot which one).

Good for Toppling Goliath, I'm happy for their success. But I can't join in on these extreme prices. I'll keeping drinking their beers that I can afford (and this one, too, was expensive, but I paid the price in order to try it at home, no complaints). And that's about as far as it'll go.

So, let's talk about Dragon Fandango:

Thoroughly hazed, bright red, no head to speak of.

In the nose: Pulpy fruit, getting more dragon than passion and more of that than mango. Plenty of tart to play with the juicy.

In the mouth: Intense puckering to go with big, juicy fruit. A lot of sour, and a lot of fruit. Not too complicated. Sigh. Yep, pretty much. Fruit. Sour. Kettle. ....yawn.

It's tasty stuff, done well. But, I still feel like....I don't know, is this a boring beer (naw...), or am I just bored of these beers? What a sourpuss I would be to feel that way, but I think I can only take so much of it. This was probably the wrong beer to take home in a growler, in that case.

Also, if you read the copy below, I hate it when they tell you what to do. I ain't performing any damn dance, no thank you, sir.

Join the dragon in a dance to celebrate this unique kettle sour, blended with dragon fruit, mango and passion fruit puree. Raise a glass, dance the fandango and celebrate the magic of these tropical fruits.