Three Floyds Rabbid Rabbit Saison

The other Sunday found us in Wisconsin, Hudson, and that classic store, Casanova's. I hadn't been there in a while, and was delighted to see some new-to-me Three Floyds bombers in the coolers. It's been a while. Perhaps because we don't stop in Casanova's anymore due to the increased number of beers available in MN, and that I usually stock up pretty strong at Oliphant when we're in Wisconsin.

Rabbid Rabbit Saison was one that I had a question about, though. Had I had it? A quick look on BeerAdvocate show a review in June of 2004, 14 years ago, from a growler sent to me from someone in Indiana going by "cretemixer." I probably sent him some Masala Mama in exchange, for those were the days when I did that.

So, here's what I'll do. I'll open the bottle and drink it, post that old review for old time's sake, and see if I have any counter-arguments against my old self. Here we go....

Three Floyds Rabbid Rabbit Saison. 7.4% ABV. 25 IBU. Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, Indiana.

Lovely, luminescent amber/orange color, head is a tight 1/4 carpet of whitish fuzz, and there's active carbonation, bubbles rising perennially, a ripe appearance.

Warm, beatiful spices greet the nose immediately, is it cinnamon, aniseed, clove? Coriander, cardamom, lavender? I'm not so sure, nor does it matter, it feels most like pumpkin pie, or gingerbread cookies, or mulled cider, you could be at Grandma's house on Thanksgiving Day with this beer and not know which is which.

I pull my snoot out of the glass and drink at last...bold, bright, brisk hops storm the palate, buzz the tongue, set it stirring. Malt is luscious, and hops are high, lasting long in the mouth. Flavor is fantastic and in copious supply. I'm utterly enamored of this beer.

I had some Dupont before this, reacquainting myself after too long with this classic exemplar of the saison style, and eager to compare the two. There is no comparison, two different animals altogether, the Rabbit owning a unique claim on a particular spice blend, and possessing a fruity profile that goes beyond the citric character of so many others.

Yum. I feels so fine, fresh and fruity in the mouth, with each new swallow, and then the spicy kick rushes in, and it's just an extraordinary sensation.

I'm going to relax with this one, and pretend like I deserve it, it's that kind of brew.

So, here's the thing. I took out all of the exclamation points, a hallmark of my youthful days (of 36-years old), but everything else remains true. Would I have written the same today? Not the same words, but the same feeling and taste perceptions, surely. It's an excellent saison, and this is my first bottle of it. I still can't believe how lucky I was to get a growler, back then.

Little John’s local bees create a spring wildflower-honey that lends a sweet, earthy complexity to a traditional style of beer with a balancing snap of ginger in the finish.

&...

This Franco-Belgian style Farmhouse Ale has an effervescent body and a light straw color. Rabbid Rabbit, with its light malt body augmented by spices, is a complex and frothy beverage with a deceptively high alcohol content.

56 Brewing Citrafication Vol. 1 India Pale Ale

56 Brewing Citrafication Vol. 1IPA.
7.4% aBV, 39 IBU.
56 Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Heavily hazed, thick and murky, cloudy as all get-out, dull golden hue, lasting, lacey ivory head.

In the nose: big citrus notes, very vibrant and lively. Seriously smooth and exquisitely drinkable. Medium bodied, with a long, hoppy/fruity finish. Delicious citrus in this. Good IPA and you can drink it.

There must be a surfeit of Citra at 56, because it seems like they're going all-in with this 100% Citra thing. Can't wait to see what variation they try next.

The first in our series of IPAs brewed with 100% Citra hops; floral aromas of pineapple and grapefruit and juicy tropical flavors.

White Birch Double IPA

White Birch Double IPA. 9.2% ABV, 90 IBU. White Birch Brewing, Hooksett, New Hampshire.

Highly hazed, bright golden toned, voluminous ivory head. Looking great.

In the nose: Bitter and sweet at once. Pungent. Funky. In the current vernacular, "dank." Quite on the dank side. Wild and sticky.

In the mouth: Intense. Powerful. Extreme. Loose and easily provoked. Citrus forward, in, out and all about. Clings heavily to the palate. Long, bitter finish. More than medium bodied. Chock full of hoppy delights. And not an easy drinker. Leans hard on the sweet and the strong. Not that I can't handle it. I quite like it. It does something to me. Something that simply mystifies me.
A thoroughly diggable DIPA.

The Imperial or Double IPA is a true American creation and a beer style loved by many. This small batch DIPA takes some non-traditional hops and explores the finer flavors of tropical fruit, bitterness and spicy hops with a golden sweet malt body. Warrior, Summit, Millenium and Northern Brewer hops team up to deliver bold flavor without the tongue scrapping bitterness. Old school, tasty and best fresh. I hope you enjoy this fun beer.

Central Waters Honey Blonde Ale

Central Waters Honey Blonde Ale. 4.6% ABV, 12 IBU. Central Waters Brewing Company, Amherst, Wisconsin.

When I say that I try to write about every beer that comes my way, I mean it. Some have said that I write about many beers that no one, at least no one in their particular beer geek circle, cares about. Well, someone cares about them, or they wouldn't exist. And I write about beers I wouldn't pick up on my own, because...well, just because. It's there. And this one is quite probably a classic example.

Blonde Ales aren't my style. But your average consumer who just wants something to drink, free of extremes and challenges, loves this style. It's good to have them around, because, believe it or not, those are not bad people, and they deserve a style of beer that sets them at ease. And now, I'm going to drink one.

Clear, golden-toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Hey, there's honey in there. Low hops, light malt flavors. Mild and inoffensive.

In the mouth: Light and smooth. Easy. Breezy. Mild hop bitterness. Slightly sweet, a touch of malt and grain. Drink 'em up.

Ah, honey blonde ales. They're too sweet and ineffectual for me. But here's to those who love 'em. Good folks, they are. Salt of the Earth.

Made using real Wisconsin honey, our Honey Blonde is a traditional cream ale featuring a breezy floral bouquet, subtle sweetness, and crisp, clean finish. When you're feeling like something a bit more refreshing, this little number is sure to please.

Mankato Mad Butcher American India Pale Ale

Mankato Mad Butcher American India Pale Ale. 6.8 % ABV, 60 IBU, Juicy, Citrusy. Mankato Brewery, Mankato, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hued, slim white head atop.

In the nose: A sweet burst of tropical notes and touch of citrus. Big pineapple and papaya.

In the mouth: Brace of bitterness starts it off, just a little juicy, then a lot. Medium bodied, good drinking. Bitter and sweet keeps it cookin'. All the citrusy goodness you're gonna get from Citra and Mosaic hops. It's a good one, and I'll pick it up whenever it's near.

An American Style IPA delivers ripe tropical fruit flavors, citrus zest, and a touch of honey from the malt. Deliberately unfiltered. 

New Belgium The Hemperor, aka HPA, Hemp Pale Ale

Now here's a beer a first sampled a few months back, an early taster before the release, and I said to Mr. NB Sales- rep (forgive me if I've forgotten the name), "you know what, let's do this one." And lo and behold, we had a keg on tap of this stank-tacular ale until it all ran out. A fun, little gimmick thing to try, then turn to another beer. And then another Sample Man handed me this bottle, and I said to myself, "whoopee, now I can review it in the Nib!" And away we go....


New Belgium The Hemperor, 7% ABV, 55 IBU, New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado. And also North Carolina.

Lightly hazed, dark amber hued, slim white head on top.

In the nose: well, that's where it is, isn't. All that dank, the thoroughly stick-icky. If I were fluent in the pot terminology, it'd be flowing, but I'm not. It reeks of weed.

Now to taste: Starts out sweet, malty, low on the hops. Can you taste the hemp? Not sure if that's a flavor you can feel on the tongue. Definitely some herbal notes on the palate. Tasty enough stuff. Medium bodied, light finish.

The label calls it a "new kind of hoppy beer blending hemp with hops for complete sensory domination." I'm missing the hops here. The sensory illusion of drinking pot, if that's what they're trying to accomplish, is lost on me.

This is one where I can say, "yes, I tried it", and move on to the next, certain I never need to drink it again. But, it ain't bad for what it is.

Get ready: The Hemperor HPA, an exciting new style, will change the way you think about hoppy beers. We found a unique way to recreate the flavors of hemp with a beer that complements the inclusion of hop flavors and hemp hearts (seeds) to deliver something new, delicious and extremely dank.

Lakefront Eazy Teazy Low Calorie Green Tea Ale

Lakefront Eazy Teazy Low Calorie Green Tea Ale. Brewed and bottled by Lakefront Brewery, Inc., Milwaukee, WI. 3.4% ABV, 6 IBU.

Clear, pale yellow color, slim ivory head.

In the nose: sweet, floral, tea. Nice.

In the mouth: Little bit of hop bitterness on the palate, light bodied, swift finish. Minimal malt. A touch of spice, ending on the dry side. Not bad, not bad. Quite tasty.

Clearly a beer not intended for me. One and done all the way. But maybe it's for you? Maybe not? Oh, well, it's got to be for somebody.

Low-calorie with taste up the yin-yang! Brewed with green tea, oolong tea and a lively dose of Lemondrop™ hops, the light biscuit flavor, brisk herbal notes and snappy hint of citrus bring lo-cal and topnotch taste together like yin and yang. It’s crisp. It’s fresh. It’s Eazy Teazy®: the easy-drinking, tea-infused 99 Calorie Craft ale.

Sisyphus Saison of the Witch

Sisyphus Saison of the Witch. 6.5% ABV, 20 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden/orange-ish hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Belgian yeast, banana and bubblegum, fruit and spice, everything nice.

In the mouth: More fruit, more spice. Moderate hop bitterness, clean and crisp, mild malt flavors. Light-bodied and tasty. Oh, so tasty. Fruit and light spice and all the bubblegum off the bubblegum tree.

This one went down nice and smooth and I'd definitely drink it again.

A twist on a French Saison dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Sorachi Ace hops. Spicy and citrusy. 

Lupulin / Odd13 Operation CoHoperation IPA

Lupulin / Odd13 Operation CoHoperation. 7% ABV, 50 IBU. Brewed by Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

This is the second in the Operation Cooperation series from Lupulin. The first was with Barrel Theory, came out several months ago, and I quite enjoyed it. It never appeared here in the Nib. I had a keg of it on tap at Acadia, and that's where I enjoyed it, but I rarely review the beers that I drink there. When I saw it in stores, I wasn't sure I wanted to pay $16 for a 4-pack. Well, too late now. This time around, when I saw it, I got it, $16 4-pack be damned.

Heavily hazed, clouded, thick bright orange coloration, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweet and lovely. Major fruit notes. Flush with citrus.

In the mouth: Alive with grapefruit and orange, lemon and pine. Hop bitterness, ahoy! Bitterness lays long on the palate. Delicious. I'm still not too keen on the hazy stuff, but I'm enjoying this. Good IPA, and you can drink it.

Collaboration with Odd13 brewery, Lafayette, Colorado.

This version of Operation CoHoperation is crafted on a base of Thomas Fawcett Maris Otter malt, Flaked Barley, Triticale (a hybrid of Rye and Wheat), and a fun Blue Serenade malt from Troubadour Malting out of Colorado. The hop showcase here are two hot new South African hop varieties - Southern Star and Experimental variety XJA2

Bell's 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve

Bell's 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve. American Stout brewed with cherries. Brewed and bottled by Bell's Brewery, Inc., Comstock, MI. Alc. 9% By Vol.

Solid blackness, thin brown ring of foam.

In the nose: Rich and toasty, intense chocolate, with cherries just beneath.

In the mouth: Cherries and bigger and bolder on the palate, chocolate malt flavors hold down the fort. Massive malt mouthfeel. Fruity sweetness creeps on board. Might be 9%, but we don't feel it just yet.

I'm enjoying this. Happy Anniversary, Cherry Stout!

This version was brewed in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of our Cherry Stout, another specialty beer that was first brewed in 1988 as a nod to a local homebrew club in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It has grown to be one of the most anticipated beers we brew at the brewery every year.

We brewed a version of Cherry Stout in 2001 using oak chips and cherry pits. This time around, we decided to brew with whole cherries and oak chips. Coming in at 9.0% alcohol by volume, this commemorative batch is a celebration of what Cherry Stout means to us.

Alcohol By Volume: 
9.00%
Shelf Life: 
Unlimited

Brass Foundry Question 63 India Pale Ale

Just when you think you're on top of the new and upcoming local breweries, something comes along to screw the deal. I first became aware of this company when friend Bob Pirie picked up a growler (un-filled of course) at the All Pints North festival in Duluth (which I still haven't returned to, all these years later), a few weeks back, and shared this info on FB. What, a new brewery has opened in Minneapolis? Nope. They're contract-brewing in St. Paul, with Flat Earth, from what I hear. And cans are in stores. So, I found some cans, I drank some cans, and I wrote about one of those cans. (The other three, I just drank 'em.)

Brass Foundry Question 63 India Pale Ale. 6.2% ABV, 65 IBU. Brass Foundry Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Highly hazed (clear near the bottom), golden hued, lace-leaving ivory head.

In the nose: Big hop flavors waft out, fruity, citrus, some tropical, a touch of pine, with moderate bitterness. Pleasant stuff.

In the mouth: Fresh and fruity taste from the top. Abundant citrus notes play on the palate, yeasty presence, as well. Hop bitterness increases, as well, and that's just what I'm looking for. An enjoyable beer.



Question 63 is a complex IPA that's as mysterious as its name. We made this for you. It's yours. Enjoy. 

Surly Kitsch Hoppy Lager

Surly Kitsch Hoppy Lager, 6.1% ABV, IBU: "moderate", Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis & Brooklyn  Center, MN

This one appears in the new variety Hop Pack. And on tap, somewhere, I'm sure. Taproom, of course. Elsewhere? Maybe?

Lightly hazed, bright golden color, large crystalline white head, leaving lace.

In the nose: lightly hoppy, floral, nice.

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, bright, lean, and lovely. Big hop bitterness, climbs on the palate and sticks around for sure. Tasty. Light bodied. Expertly drinkable. Long hoppy finish. Did I say delicious?

BREWED FOR: OVERDOING IT. IN A GOOD WAY.

Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Especially when it comes to hops. A dry-hop bill of Citra, Amarillo, and Centennial turns this otherwise classic lager on its ear. Traditionalists may call it "kitsch." That's a good name. We'll use it. 


COLOR
Straw-yellow

HOPS
Warrior
Amarillo
Centennial
Citra
MALT
Pilsner
Vienna
Acidulated Malt
OG
13.4° Plato
YEAST
German Lager
IBU
Moderate
ABV
6.1%

SURLY MN USA

Pipeworks Smore Money Smore Problems

Pipeworks Smore Money Smore Problems. Imperial Stout. 10% ABV. Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. In collaboration with Keith Lonergan.

Full on ebony, slim brown head.

In thye nose: slowly unfolding cocoa, caramel, toffee. Increasingly rich and complex. Deeply flavors showing in time. Marshmallow starts to show. (When did I think I would ever write that?)

In the mouth: Here's where all the flavors come together, and cinnamon kicks in. Getting hotter as we go. Wonderful mix. Thick, rich, and quite delicious. I'm seriously digging this.


Imperial Stout brewed in collaboration with Friends With Benefits member Keith Lonergan with graham crackers, cacao nibs, vanilla bean, marshmallow and cinnamon

Able Big Blk Wlf Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout

Able Seedhouse + Brewery Big Blk Wlf Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout. 9.8% ABV. Able Brewery + Seedhouse, Minneapolis, MN.

Solid blackness, utterly opaque, slim brown ring of foam.

In the nose: Charcoal, ash, molasses. Massive malt, huge chocolate, plentiful espresso. Whopping whiskey, vanilla, marshmallow. Warming, alcoholic. Intense.

In the mouth: Vast presence on the palate, impressive mark on the mouthfeel. Richness in abundance. All the chocolate malts, all the coffee tones. Full body, long finish.

Notes trail off there, but I think I hit the essence of it. Saved this for about seven months since purchase, but seems to be just right. I enjoyed this all the way down.

This was purchased at the brewery back in January. I'm pretty sure it's all gone. Sorry about that.

Big Blk Wolf barrel aged in Wild Turkey barrels for a year.

Summit Cranky Woodsman Nut Brown Ale

Summit Cranky Woodsman Nut Brown Ale. 5.2% ABV, 30 IBU, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Here's a new one from Summit, set to be included in the upcoming fall sampler pack. Or on tap, perhaps. And I got this little ol' can to review, so here we go.

Clear, deep brown (nut brown?), caramel-y toned, off-white head.

In the nose: sweet, cocoa and caramel. Balancing bitterness.

In the mouth: Plenty of malt going on here, and, yeah, I detect a touch of smoke. Mostly caramel malt, hints of chocolate, and sure, a touch of maple syrup. Starting out a little sweet on the palate, but all in all, a dry finish. This is awfully nice and drinkable and I can picture having a few in a row and not get bored or nothing.

A Nut Brown Ale featuring rich, roasted flavors and aromas, Summit Cranky Woodsman is brewed with an incredible, complex malt bill including smoked oat malt and puffed wild rice, plus a light dash of maple syrup. Lacey barley from Alexandria, MN provides the foundation for a rich mahogany-colored beer with notes of toast, graham cracker and smoke, while Cascade hops from Mighty Axe Farms offer a hint of spice and citrus to complement a slight maple sweetness. Available on draft and inside the Summit Bonfire Box for a limited time only.

Venn Brewing Batch #73 Pink Guava Sour

Venn Brewing Batch #73 Pink Guava Sour. 8.5% ABV. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

I've been visiting Venn Brewing on a pretty much monthly basis since they opened up eight months ago. I try to take back crowlers and growlers each time to write about there and keep taps on the beers they brew. I'll never keep on top of them all. This is the 17th beer I've written about, out of the 90 they've produced so far. But in my efforts I try to sample the more interesting ones that I see. This doesn't explain why it took me so long to at last try out on of their sour ales. And here's Pink Guava for all of you all.

All opaque, pale orange coloring, little to no head at all.

In the nose: Fresh, fruity, funky, sweet. Quite a lot of guava going on,

In the mouth: Tart from the start. Palate gripping. Fruity and sour, ending on a dry note. Satisfying. Refreshing. Quite tasty. What I'm liking about this is that the sour is not out of control, it's quite mellow and easily consumed. I'm digging this, fruity and tart and tasty. Right on.



A kettle sour infused with pink guava.

Malts: Pilsner

Hops: None

Yeast: Lactobacillus, Champagne

And: Pink Guava

Note: This was purchased two weeks ago. I just now noticed that it is gone from the taps, no doubt replaced by something just as delicious.

Wild Mind Pass the Kvassier

Wild Mind Pass the Kvassier. 3.3% ABV. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis. MN.

What's a kvass? Have I ever had a kvass.? Checking on BeerAdvocate shows that I never entered a review there on that style, of Russian origin that usually involves rye bread, various grains, and whatever bettering  & fermenting agents are nearby, birch sap, berries, etc. A glance at the beers listing in the style show a predominance of Russian entries, with a smattering of American craft breweries, this one among them.

So, my first kvass, hooray! Check below for the full story from the brewery. This one came out many weeks ago, with the bottles sold out quickly. At my latest visit last week, I was happy to see it still on tap, so I had my Wild Mind growler filled up and now, it's time to drink it.

Highly hazed, pale straw color, slim/no head on this pour.

Nose: Minor hops, lightly spicy, some citrus. Fine and mellow.

Mouth: Once past the tongue, sour and spice invade the palate. Good and tart from the start. Lemon grabs on and holds tight, pepper adds a pinch. Tart, but smooth. Consistent flavors, and terrifically drinkable. Delightful.


Wild Mind Artisan Ales specializes in wild, sour, farmhouse, and rustic ales that are created using barrel aging, blending, and our own wild Minnesota yeast. We partnered with Patisserie 46, a South Minneapolis French bakery, to make Pass the Kvassier, a light, refreshing kvass ale with rich spicy notes, a light tartness, and subtle stone fruit undertones to accompany a lightly sour, malty beer that goes down easy at just 3.3% ABV. Sixty loaves of Patisserie 46's vollkornbrot (a german sour rye bread) and some rye malt were used to make a mash that was then fermented using the bakery’s sourdough yeast culture.

Aspall Imperial English Cider

Aspall Imperial English Cider. 8.2 % ABV.

I've had Aspall ciders before, but never taken notes on them. Or, actually, I did, but they never got published. So, let's hear it for the first Aspall cider here in the Nib. Maybe the Sample Man will bring me more, and the little guy can have come company. Did I say "little guy"? No way, he's Imperial.

Clear, bright golden, no head.

Nose: dry, apples. Yep.

Mouth: Lightly tart and largely tangy. Big and fruity. And dry, very dry. Strength is building a bit, as well. Light bodied, but just a bit heavier than the average cider. Smallest amount of sweetness here. Just about dry as dry can be.

Oddly, I can only find information about the "Vintage" version of this, of which this is not. There's no vintage on the label, and it does not resemble the description found for the vintage version.

We called this cyder Imperial in honour of our great grandfather JB Chevallier's success at the Imperial Fruit Show in 1921. Every year we craft a special vintage. This is our 287th. 

Sisyphus Barrel-aged Dubbel Trubbel

Sisyphus Barrel-aged Dubbel Trubbel. 8% ABV, 40 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Deeply crimson colored, utterly opaque, slim, short-lived, beige-ish head.

In the nose: all kinds of big and rich, major doses of dark fruit, plums aplenty, and more from raisins, dates, and let's not forget grapes. Wow, this one has it all, true believers. Depth and complexity all in a row.

In the mouth: Massive malt flavors, rich wine barrel additions. Long lasting flavors, full bodied. So many flavors. Take all those notes from aroma and plop them on the palate. Beautiful blend of red wine barrels and one of my favorite Belgian styles, the abbey triple. This is flat-out tasty. As heck.

I am digging this big-time. Yummy. Delicious. And intoxicating. Oh, yeah.

So, sorry. Don't go looking for this now. It was part of the 4th anniversary line-up. Not on tap now, or ever again. Or, at least, not for a long time. Who knows?


Aged 10 months in Red Wine Barrels.

Montgomery Peanut Buster Porter

Montgomery Peanut Buster Porter. 6.2% ABV. 45 IBU. Contains peanuts. Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, MN.

Thorough blackness, rich brown head of foam, completely opaque.

In the nose: peanuts, right off the bat, boom, bang, pea-nutty. Nutty 'n' sweet. Malty, naturally. Rich cocoa tones below.

In the mouth: Boom! Big ol' Peanut butter flavor dipped in chocolate. Nutty 'n' sweet. Wait....I said that already. And yet, it is still true. Delightfully malty. Yum, is a word I keep returning to, yum a dum dum. I keep returning to that, too.

So, another peanut butter beer, and, yeah, it's a beer with peanut butter in it. It's got that going on. Put Montgomery in the running for the peanut butter porter sweepstakes. Good stuff.

Dark. Peanutty. Goodness. Contains Peanuts.

612 The Outfit Oatmeal Porter

612 The Outfit Oatmeal Porter. 6.5% ABV, 22 IBU, 612 Brew, Minneapolis, MN.

612 Brew is a brewery that has only appeared here a few times. I've reviewed one of their cans before, and talked about the taproom once. Never took home a growler. Just never felt compelled. I've been back to the taproom, and liked it a little better that time, but I've been slow to publish those notes. This can arrived thanks to the Sample Man.

Total blackness, slim brown head. Altogether opaque.

In the nose: Nicely roasted malt, cocoa and espresso. Just right.

In the mouth: Sweetness hits first, rich and malty, bittersweet. More coffee and chocolate notes on the palate. Smooth stuff. Full body, but quite drinkable. Further notes of cherry vanilla. Very satisfying. A perfectly competent oatmeal porter that I'm liking quite a bit.

Our friends from the Outfit owe us big time. This English Porter is brewed with oatmeal which contributes to the rich and velvety texture of this winter seasonal beer. Patagonian caramel malts provide a wonderful toasted marshmallow flavor in the malt profile while the Nobel hops provide just the right about of bitterness and balance. So, if you’ve got friends like us, be sure to buy them this beer as Payback… and root for the bad guy.

Hoo boy. I have no idea what most of that means. I don't know who their friends from the Outfit are, but they've got to check their spelling. Unless there's a thing called "Nobel" hops that I've never heard of.

Correction: they've got "Noble" spelled right on the can, just not wherever the copy I swiped from Untappd came from. I still know nothing about the Outfit or the Payback or the friends like them, or rooting for the bad guy. It's okay, though, no big deal. I'll let it slide.

Dogfish Head Liquid Truth Serum India Pale Ale.

Dogfish Head Liquid Truth Serum India Pale Ale. 7% Alc. by Vol.  65 IBU. "An IPA brewed with ALL the hops! 1: whole leaf, 2: liquefied, 3: pelletized , 4: powdered." Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware.

Hazy, flashy yellow coloring, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: soft and flowery hop presence, splashes of citrus and pen. Lemon and grapefruit.

In the mouth: Big, bitter hop bite beats the drum up front. Just a little bit juicy, ending nice and dry. Tasty stuff, delightfully bitter, a good o' drinking' IPA. Medium bodied. Highly likable, for hopheads like me.

All the hops at play in this one. Well, all the types. I can't see where they tell us which ones. I'm not worried about that, doesn't matter, they all come together for a crisp, brisk, zesty package. Good IPA and I'm drinking it!

You can handle the truth!

MYTH: IBUs (hop bitterness) can only be achieved in the boil. TRUTH: Uh-uh!

The truth is, Dogfish Head has been doing innovative things in the world of hopping since we opened in the mid-90s. From our continual hopping method found in our 60 Minute, 90 Minute and 120 Minute IPAs to our latest innovation of post-boil hop additions found in our Liquid Truth Serum!

Our unique process involving pelletized, powdered, leaf and liquefied hops makes for a blissfully inefficient IPA that's truthfully hoppy without being deceptively bitter. You'll find the perfect match of citrusy and tropical notes, making for a zesty finish ... honest.

Avery Go Play IPA

Avery Go Play IPA. 5.5% ABV, 37 IBU. Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colorado.

"An activated India Pale Ale." Whatever that means. (I think they're trying to not say "session ale".)

Looks like they got Rocky the Flying Squirrel to pose for the label.

"Fuel your stoke." OMG.

"Brewed with Rocky Mountain Water, malted barley, malted wheat, salts, hops (Vic Secret, Idaho 7, Simcoe) & yeast."

Enough label crap, let's drink it.


Clear, bright golden hue, sizable, staying white head.

In the nose: lightly hoppy, citrus, pine, lemon, slightly spicy, dry.

In the mouth: nice bitter bite up front, then come the fruity sensations, all the citrus and pine from the hops, the light spiciness. Boards the palate with aplomb and climbs right off with a dry finish. Crisp and refreshing, medium bodied.

Here's one you can drink and drink and not get weighted down. Or if you're from Colorado, "activated".

Crisp, refreshing fruit, and it has what plants crave! Electrolytes! And more: Go Play IPA sports juicy, tropical, and dank aromas, fueled by dry-hop additions of Vic Secret, Idaho 7, and Simcoe hops. Better yet, sodium and potassium help activate this motivated, lively India Pale Ale.

Broken Clock Spartakus League Hefe Weizen

Broken Clock Spartakus League Hefe Weizen. (I have no idea what that name means.) 4.6% ABV. 14 IBU. Broken Clock Cooperative Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Classic clove and banana notes hit from the first, with slight floral and fruit, too.

In the mouth: Light-bodied, smooth, slightly sweet. All the classic hefe weizen flavors are here. Nicely spicy, just enough sweet and fruity. And definitely drinkable. Good one.

This traditional German wheat beer features banana and clove in the flavor and aroma. It is crisp, mildly spicy, and finishes semi-dry.

Town Hall Summer Silk Oatmeal Pale Ale

Town Hall Summer Silk Oatmeal Pale Ale. 5.7% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright amber coloring, brief white head.

In the nose: Citrus blast, with a pinch of pepper on the side. Bold and beautiful.

In the mouth: Hops pop up on the palate first, then smooth malt bill takes over. Oatmeal, wheat and pilsner? Can it get any nicer than that? Hops continue to dance on the palate, and there's nothing but tasty all the way down. Good oatmeal pale wheat ale and you can drink it.

Brewed with German Pilsner malt, oatmeal, and wheat. Centennial in the kettle. Centennial and El Dorado in the fermenter. 

Wild Mind Gardner's Bounty Barrel-aged Honey Oat Saison

Wild Mind Gardner's Bounty Barrel-aged Honey Oat Saison. 7.2% ABV, 5 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim, soon-gone head.

In the nose: Citrus and spice, tart and dry. Little bit o' honey.

In the mouth: Yeow! Terrifically sour! Yikes! But, oh, so pleasant. Medium-bodied, long tartness in the finish, sour sits long on the palate. Tasty and refreshing.

Gardner’s Bounty is a barrel-aged honey oat saison that was brewed with 62 pounds of organic raw honey from Ames Farm in Delano and a malt bill of 60 percent pils and 40 percent oats. Aged in oak barrels for more than a year, this lightly funky ale balances the sweetness of the honey with the chewy oats to create a mead-esque saison with notes of light citrus and an enticing nose of tropical flowers.

When I picked this one up a few weeks ago, one of the owners told me that the bottles lasted longer than he thought. perhaps because the word "sour" doesn't appear on the label. We need better beer education, people. Time after time, people peeped through the cooler door and thought to themselves, "barrel-aged? saison? honey oat? What are they trying to pull, this doesn't sound like a 'sour'?" It is sad to think of.

Venn Batch #72 Blueberry Vanilla Stout

Venn Batch #72 Blueberry Vanilla Stout. 7% ABV, 30 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Full-on blackness, rich brown ring of foam up on top, totally opaque.

In the nose: sweetness and fruit at the first layer, cocoa and coffee just below. I can pick up the blueberry, if it's a little faint.

In the mouth: Fruit comes first, floating over the stacks of dark malt deliciousness. There's vanilla here, too, but it's a bit further down. Give it time, and it climbs right up. Blueberry and vanilla practically float above the dark malt flavors in this one. Sweet and lovely all the way. A modicum of roast, just enough for balance.

I'm increasingly liking this. It is quite tasty, indeed. I'm enjoying it, I can dig it, it's a good blueberry vanilla stout, and you can drink it.



Actual blueberry, actual vanilla, stout. A sweet stout infused with blueberry and vanilla.

Malts: Maris Otter, Munich, Roasted Barley, Light Crystal, Flaked Oats, Caramel 80, Chocolate.
Hops: Warrior.
Yeast: American Ale.
Other: Lactose (NOT VEGAN).

Junkyard Murky Dimensions Hazy Double IPA

There's a special joy to visiting a local liquor store, hoping to find something new and untried when lo, and behold, there it is, something from Junkyard I've never even heard of. (Although, it's been around for many months. I don't get to the stores that often, due to all the growlers and crowlers I pick up at local breweries.) It's snatched up right off and gone into the cart. And it's time I gave it a good drinking.

Junkyard Murky Dimensions Hazy Double IPA. 8.5% ABV. 57 IBU. New England IPA. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.

Yeah, it's murky. Hazed and clouded as all heck. Bright golden hued, despite. Lush, large ivory head above, leaving some lace. Looking great.

In the nose: Big, bright, bold citrus notes popping up in the aromatics. Lemon and orange with a twist of tangerine.

In the mouth: More of the bold citrus fruit flavors, the hop attack, and a strange hit of anise. Honest to gosh black licorice notes popping up on the palate, and I can't imagine why. Okay, it's gone and done, but damn, did I feel it. Now, it's nothing but smooth, yeasty, malty, turning to the dry side, and quite delicious. Lemon, orange, grapefruit on the palate, just enough bitterness, just enough smooth.

This one starts out smooth and friendly, then shows it's teeth, giving off the alcohol strength and biting back. I'm liking that. It's doing it for me.

I can't find much information online, so instead of the usual copy and paste, here's some straight-up word for word from the label: "On a routine patrol of hoppy flavors, he expected clarity, but was shocked by an encounter with...murky dimensions! A big, hazy double IPA with multiple dimensions of juicy flavors."

I love the label illustration, evoking classic comic strip/book/pulp images in the vein of Alex Raymond, Al Williamson, Wally Wood, etc. And the beer is fine. I'm not always down with the murky, the hazy, the NE, but this one is doing it for me, that's for sure. Delightful.

Clockwerks Clockwerk Orange Witbier

Clockwerks Clockwerk Orange Witbier. 4.5% alc./vol. 13 IBU. Brewed and packaged by Clockwerks Brewing of Minneapolis, MN.

Hey, check it out, Clockwerks is doing crowlers now. One less place I have to drag a growler out to. And so, to commemorate this, we will drink some of their witbier, the Clockwerk Orange.

It's hazy, cloudy, straw yellow, slim white head.

In the nose: floral, spices, fruit, wheat. Nice.

In the mouth: There's the citrus, the coriander, the smooth, refreshing wheat malt. All the classic signs of the witbier. Light bodied, refreshing, tasty.

Going down nice and easy, hits all the right notes. Good old wit and you can drink it. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Orange, cloves, pepper, and coriander; light and refreshing.

Modist Empires Rise Extra Brut Double IPA

Modist Empires Rise Extra Brut Double IPA. 9% ABV, Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.


Extra Brut? And double IPA? This, I gotta drink!

Clear, bright golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Fruity, but not too sweet. Citrus and tropical, big pineapple. Lovely stuff.

In the mouth: Bright, sharp, strong. Big hop bite with a stronger alcoholic edge. Fresh fruity flavor, but "bone dry", as they all like to say these days, utterly stripped of sweetness. It makes for a unique flavor profile.

Quite the brut, this one, ever so dry. I'm liking this quite a bit. Very light in body, very clean, nothing but hops and deliciousness. I can honestly say that I like this. So, go drink it.

(I should point out that this one is only available at the taproom, for a limited time.)

This beer is designed to be light bodied, spritzy, and BONE DRY (as dry as water at 0°P) - and then brutally dry hopped with Citra, Huell Melon, and Montueka hops. This 9% ABV booze monster was made in collaboration with our friends at local art collective Rogue Citizen. Their badass mural, "Empires Rise," hangs in our taproom and also made for a badass crowler label.

Two things: murals, by their very definition, do not "hang." Call it a painting, there's nothing wrong with that. Second, this may be an unpopular opinion, but the word "badass" is now in overuse. Let's put a stop to it, everyone. Think of better words, please.

Oliphant Lazerhawke Hazy IPA

Oliphant Lazerhawke Hazy IPA. NE Style IPA. 5.6% ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

What is going on with this label? Some kind of space alien monster attack, I think. Whatever it is, I want to read that comic book. I want to see that movie. But, before that, I'm drinking that beer.

Hazy, murky, deep purple, large creamy head, looking good.

In the nose: big fruit, smooth, clean, lovely.

In the mouth: Fruity-sweet, mild bitterness, easy going. Citrus, berries, beautiful. Tasty stuff.    Medium bodied, light malt, nicely hopped. Good IPA and you can drink it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Double dry-hopped hazy IPA brewed with Wakata, Centennial, and Citra hops. 

Forager Shag Session India Pale Ale

Forager Shag Session India Pale Ale. 4.3% ABV, 13 IBU. Forager Brewery, Rochester, MN.

To the eye: slightly murky, dull golden hue, vast ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: Bold citrus. Pineapple. Lemon. Pinch of pine. Bright and lively.

In the mouth: Citrus shines even brighter on the palate. Big, juicy, delicious and refreshing. Light bodied. Tasty. Down-able and then some.

All Night IPA., they say. Opposite of Founders' All Day IPA?

Inbound Peanut Butter Milk Stout

Inbound Peanut Butter Milk Stout. 5.4% ABV, 25 IBU. Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis, MN.

To the eye: solid ebony, absolutely opaque, slim brown head.

In the nose: sweet peanut butter at first, backed up with chocolate. Sweet, rich, malty.

In the mouth: There it is, the peanut butter and the cocoa, mixed well with the milk stout. Smooth and tasty. Medium to full body. Sweet and malty, but never too much so. Not too rich, not too full is kind of the key here. A milder, more manageable entry in the collection of peanut butter stouts or porters. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Our creamy, chocolatey milk stout infused with rich peanut butter flavors.

Sisyphus Monk's Bread Belgian Pale Ale

Sisyphus Monk's Bread Belgian Pale Ale. 4.8% ABV, 17 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, crimson-colored, slim off white head.

In the nose: bread-y, toasty, Belgian yeast. Malt giving off caramel touches, hops display stone fruit and citrus. Sweet treat.

In the mouth: Caramel, toast, minor hop bitterness. Sweet and malty, but well-balanced. Medium bodied, long malty finish. Tasty stuff, and exquisitely drinkable. Quite a nice rendition of the Belgian pale ale. I'll be polishing off this crowler in no time at all.

Abbey Ale with all the Belgian Flavor with half the alcohol!

Peak Organic Brewing India Pale Ale

Peak Organic Brewing India Pale Ale. 7.1% ABV, 76 IBU. Peak Organic Brewing, Portland, Maine.

Clear, bright golden-toned color, ivory head, looking nice.

In the nose: bold, citrus aromatics, floral, fruity.

In the mouth: Here comes the big, citrus hop attack. Blast the bitter, sticks along for the ride. Medium bodied, long bitter, hoppy finish. Good drinking. A totally tasty organic IPA. And there ain't nothing wrong with it.

This unique India Pale Ale features our favorite hops—Simcoe®, Amarillo® and Nugget. A generous Amarillo and Simcoe dry hop provide for an assertive, hop-forward nose and front palate. We don’t use traditional bittering hops in our IPA, providing nothing but stimulating citrus and floral characteristics.

Inspired by a recipe from our good friend and fellow homebrewer Tim from the North Shore Homebrewers Club.

ABV: 7.1% IBUs: 76

SUGGESTED FOOD PAIRINGS: Spicy foods, pesto, smoked meats, mild cheddar or mild blue cheese, gorgonzola

Venn Batch 80 Brut IPA

Venn Batch 80 Brut IPA. 7.2% ABV. 50 IBU. Filled 7/29. consumed 7/30. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, light golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Fruity at first, tropical, then turning clean and dry.

In the mouth: It starts out bright and fruity, with an extremity of lightness on the palate. Quite delicate. Taste turns dry in an instant. Sparkling, crisp, dry, still a little fruity. Medium/lightish-bodied, long hoppy finish. But...

This is only the second entry in the Brut IPA sweepstakes I've yet to try. Haven't checked out Surly's, Indeed's, or Dangerous Man's, just this and Sisyphus'. And I don't really get the appeal. Can't see what makes it an improvement on the good ol' IPA. Am I being the cranky old man, yelling at those young whippersnappers? Maybe.

It's a good beer, and I'll enjoy it all the way down, but I don't see what all the fuss is about.

A new champagne-influenced IPA style emerging from the West Coast, it's fermented extremely dry - less dense than water - and super light in both color & body. This version features both Amarillo & Galaxy hops.

Malts: Extra Pale Pilsner

Hops: Galaxy, Vic Secret (Australia); Amarillo (United States); Callista (Germany)

Yeast: American Ale