Hop & Barrel Space Force Double IPA

Hop & Barrel Space Force Double IPA. 8.8% ABV, 62 IBU. Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, WI.

Clear, bright golden/amber color, big ivory foam, leaving lace and looking fine.

In the nose: Hops come on strong in this one, resiny, piney, a whole bunch of bitter. Citric fruit and a touch of floral. Quite nice. Blistering raw, and, I'll say it: dank.

In the mouth: Bigger and bolder once on board the palate. Juicy, hoppy, bitter, then drying dry towards the end. Scant malt, prominent hops, just the way we like it. Tasty as heck. Bright, citrusy, delicious, with alcohol strength creeping through. Yow! This is my kind of Double IPA. And that's my favorite kind.

This is actually the 8th can I've consumed. Once more, I've waited to write notes on the last one. It's just how I do. And I liked them all more than the last. That means I like this one best of all. When in Wisconsin, go get yourself some.

DDH DIPA with Galaxy and some other hops and stuff.

And from the label: "Any brewery can make a Double Dry-hopped Double India Pale Ale, but not every  brewery can craft one so elite it's fit to hold the monkey: "Space Force." A myriad of classified hops make this beer taste like it comes from another galaxy. Malty sweet, pleasantly strong, and bitter enough to know you're drinking beer, not fruit juice. The only full-flavored DDH DIPA that can live up to it's namesake." 

A bold claim. I like their moxie.

Shiner Light Blonde

Shiner Light Blonde. 4.25% ABV, 10 IBU. Spoetzler Brewery, Shiner, Texas.

Clear, light yellow, no head.

In the nose: Light to empty. Slightly sweet, floral. Eh.

In the mouth: More of the same. Almost not even there. Exceptionally vapid. Slightly malty, a touch of lemon in the taste. Lightest body. Gone in a trice, vanishes from the palate. Ends less than sweet, not quite dry. Light is right, blonde, sure.

Another from the sample man that I consumed out of obligation, and also to feed my manic addiction to reviewing every bottle, can, crowler, or growler in my possession. But, I'll never drink one again, unless there are worse options. Coors Light, MGD, stuff like that.

I always thank the Sample Man, but some things I could go without trying, when it all comes down to it.

Our Spezial Leicht beer – only 99 calories – delivers great flavor and refreshment.

Deschutes Fresh Haze IPA

Deschutes Fresh Haze IPA. 6.5% ABV, 45 IBU. Deschutes Brewing, Bend, OR.

So, Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA is very popular. And hazy IPAs are tres chic, non? So, it makes perfect sense, right? Let's find out.

Hazy...lightly hazy...I can still somewhat see my hand on the other side....amber/golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Aggressive citrus, loud grapefruit, big and bold. Just what you'd expect out of Fresh Squeezed, or anything bearing the name.

In the mouth: Juicy citrus hop flavors from the very beginning. Dripping with orange and grapefruit, all up and down the palate. Light, crisp, refreshing, with minimal malt. Citrusy goodness explodes through the senses again, and again. Hard not to like this.


A hazy twist on your main squeeze, this juice bomb explodes with notes of orange citrus sweetness and a soft malt body.

And also: Introducing Fresh Haze IPA, our newest IPA is hazy with a chance of obsession. The flavor explodes in your mouth with notes of orange citrus sweetness and a soft malt body. Carrying both citrus and tropical fruit from Mandarina, Amarillo and Simcoe hops…OJ for days.

Bent Brewstillery The Great Sweat West Coast -style India Pale Ale

Bent Brewstillery The Great Sweat West Coast -style India Pale Ale. 6.5% ABV. 65 IBU. BentBrewstillery, Roseville, MN.

I am so behind. I've got to catch up and try to get to these samples faster. Look at this label. This guy's really excited to be eating a corn dog, on the Midway, under the August sun. The State Fair is a distant memory now. Autumn is here, it's getting colder, no sweatin' any more. Enough self-flagellating, let's drink a beer.

Clear, bright golden, large and lasting ivory head, looking nice.

In the nose: Aburst with citrus and pine, big ol' grapefruit and lemon. Very vibrant.

In the mouth: Out-sized and aggressive hop bitterness pouncing the palate. Fairly juicy, slightly sweet. Then bitter dries it out. Light bodied, hop driven. Long, bittersweet finish. This tastes exactly like a good West Coast IPA should. Not the best, mind you, but a good one nonetheless. Cheers to that.

I like this. More than some other Bent beers. Is this my favorite? Maybe.



The gold medal winning West Coast IPA recipe is a happy, hop-forward jobber that’s a bit dank and catty with notes of squishy fruit, pine and citrus, finishing crisp, dry and thoroughly digestible. With loads of MN malt, more than ample hooch and buckets of New World hops, The Great Sweat can stir even the swelteriest soul.

I'll apologize again for the tardiness as I bundle up to head outdoors. I promise to review the beers in the proper season. Seriously, this time.

56 Brewing Harvest Helles

56 Brewing Harvest Helles. 5.2% ABV, 30 IBU. 56 Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden hued, large white head, looking great.

In the nose: Light, floral, grainy, slightly sweet. Exceptionally lovely.

In the mouth: Smooth, a little sweet, delicious. Lightish bodied. A touch of honey, grainy, malty, crisp and tasty. Ever-so nice. If you can't tell, I like this one.

A Helles lager with some locally-grown ingredients. And guess what? It tastes great, and you can drink it. Go on and do it. Won't hurt you none.

Celebrating Minnesota’s harvest season using MN grown and malted grain from Vertical Malting and hopped with traditional Hallertauer and German Magnum hops.

Vander Mill Ginger Peach Hard Cider

Here we have just the first of many Michigan ciders from Vander Mill brought to me by the sample man. I swear I will get through all the ciders samples in the fridge, mark my words. Maybe I'll even order some, one fine day.

Vander Mill Ginger Peach Hard Cider. Produced and bottled (or, actually, canned) by Vander Mill, Spring Lake, MI. 6.9% ABV.

Crystal clear, light yellow, no head.

In the nose: ginger butts in first, followed by apple. Any peach yet? Oh, there we go.

In the mouth: Light, refreshing, slightly spicy and lightly fruity. Peach is more apparent on the palate. Crisp-ish, increasingly peachy. It's nice. Go drink it, it's tasty stuff.

A refreshing balance of bright ginger bite and peach sweetness, neither of which will over power your face. Pair it with food, or crush it on its own, this cider is clean and crisp from start to finish.



I believe that this one will be "crushed on it's own", the next beverage will be paired with dinner. And the age of not drinking, but crushing, is in full effect.

Venn Juicy IPA, Batch #89

Venn Juicy IPA, Batch #89. 6.5% ABV, 35 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Hazy, bright golden, slim white head, leaving lace and looking fine.

In the nose: Bold burst of tropical fruit notes: pineapple, papaya, mango, & more. Sweet, but not unbalanced. Maybe a little bit of citrus, some grapefruit and lemon?

In the mouth: Smooth, juicy, fruity, and the bitterness begins. Lean bodied, easy-drinking, very tasty. A touch of astringency, but altogether downright peachy. Tropical tones keep on coming, smooth never stops. Bitterness doesn't quit, either. This one has it going on.

I like this. Unfortunately, it's gone. It was gone when I got the crowler, which I've had for a few weeks. But now that they've done 100 beers in 9 months, maybe they'll do it again some day soon?

Tropical fruit, soft, juicy. A hazy, New England-style IPA.

Malts: Maris Otter, Domestic Pale, Flaked Oats

Hops: Citra, Mosaic (United States)

Yeast: American Ale

Oliphant Super Squishy Blackberry and Raspberry Sour

Oliphant Super Squishy Blackberry and Raspberry Sour. Berry Sour Ale. With lactose, vanilla, coconut, and sea salt. 5% ABV. Brewed and crowlered by Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

You know what I said a little bit back about how I can only do sour ales in small doses? And remember the thing I've also said before about how my fascination with the Oliphant Brewing Company is akin to comic book collecting in that I can't help myself from trying them all, in a maniacal desire to complete a collection?  It's as if I had to buy that issue of Marvel Team Up where Spider-Man and the Thing battle the Basilsk because I have to have every appearance of Benjamin J. Grimm, even though I don't collect Marvel Team-Up, and am not as obsessed with Spider-Man as I am of the Thing...but I still like Spider-Man, too, I mean, who doesn't. I just don't need every appearance. I like him, just not in every single comic book.

And that's why it's time for another sour, this time from Oliphant. Yeah! Let's drink it...

Opaque, dark berry-colored, thick pink, lace-leaving  head. Good God, it's beautiful.

In the nose: Sweet meets tart. Berry upon berry. Creamy, salty, and, by Crom, coconut. It's all there. The legends are true. It's wacky, it's weird, and it just might work.

In the mouth: Whoa, that's good squishy. Big punch of berries and tartness, and this coconut comes right on in. Whoa, that wasn't expected, vanilla and cream pops up next. This is something else. Salt stays right in time with the rest. This one is really the sum of all it's parts, and then some.

I think it's pretty damned delicious. I wouldn't drink it on the regular, but it's a nice tasty treat for now and once in a while and then again.

I like the contrast between the salt, the sweet and the sour. I like that it uses that vanilla & lactose but isn't trying to muck it up by also making it an IPA, for the love of Benji.

Therefore, I heartily recommend that you check it out, and then go crazy, Broadway-style.

super squishy 
we called this super squishy because we are not very creative. if you have ever met any of us, you have probably said to yourself, “ wow, these guys are rectangular as a money bill; meaning they don’t have fun and wouldn’t know what to do with fun if it flew toward them like a speeding projectile”. so what can i say on behalf of all of us? nothing. we expect that you will enjoy this on an adequate level, at most, but also you might not like it, and that is fine too. back to my saltines!

raspberry & blackberry sour ale w/ coconut, lactose, & sea salt . 5% abv

Maiden Rock Honeycrisp Hard Cider

I've got so many ciders to drink. They're taking up the fridge space, and I've got to get them out of there. Let's get this ball rolling right now.

Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery Honeycrisp Hard. Stockholm, WI.
Natural Semi-dry Hard Apple Cider. Artisanal. Gluten-Free.
6.8% ABV.

It's clear, pale yellow, no head or active carbonation.

In the nose: Bright and fruity, all apples.

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, snappy. Sweet. And all apples. Tasty stuff. Starts sweet, ends a little dry. And that's alright in my book. I wouldn't pass one up.

There's a lot of information in very tiny print on the label, but I don't feel like getting out my reading glasses, so this will have to do:




Like the apple that is its namesake, Honeycrisp Hard™ apple cider is distinctive, snappy and sassy. It tickles the palate with a crescendo of subtle flavors and a crisp, lingering finish.

Let the record state that I typed the word "snappy" above before I ever saw it among the words in Maiden Rock's description of this cider. Also let it state that I never said "sassy", never would, probably never will.

Omnipollo Oaxaca Mango margarita slush IPA

Omnipollo Oaxaca Mango margarita slush IPA. 6.5% ABV. Brewed by 12 Percent, Stratford, CT.

I don't know if you've heard this by now, but I tend to steer away from the milkshake IPA. I just hate them. But, this was a sample, so I'm gonna drink it and give my honest opinion. Away we go.

Utterly hazed out, thick and impenetrable, deep golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus notes. Some tropical. Minor hops. Touch of sweet and creamy.

In the mouth: I get the IPA here. I'm not picking up on the vanilla and lactose, so much. These beers should be fresher than this, I think. Come to think of it, what is this, anyway? "Mango margarita slush IPA?" "India Pale Ale brewed with lactose sugar, mango, lime, grapefruit, and vanilla added."
Yeah, it's "margarita"-ish, I guess. Limey. Mango-y. Grapefruit-y. Yeah. And milky. And vanilla-y. And a crazy, mixed-up mess.

The one thing this has going for it is that it's more IPA than milkshake, but it's got nothing else going for it. It's alright, but ...not very necessary. I'm pretty sure that I don't like it. I'll finish it, but it won't make me happy.

Mango margarita slush IPA brewed with lactose, mango, lime, grapefruit & vanilla.

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo Raspberry American Sour Ale

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo Raspberry American Sour Ale. 4.4% ABV, 5 IBU. Bent Paddle Brewing Company, Duluth, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright crimson colored, slim pinkish head on top.

In the nose: Bold fruit. Not too sweet. Nicely tart. Very raspberry.

In the mouth: Fierce puckeration. Forward fruit. Starts sweet, turns tart, ends dry. medium-bodied. Dry, fruity finish. Out of nowhere, a whiff of the funk wafts in.

This is nice. Go ahead and drink it.
In fact, seek it out and stock up on it.



We love to dress to impress...Mother Nature! & a button up flannel is about as fancy as the wilderness needs us to be! We brewed an American kettle sour, in the Berliner-Weiss style, to pair with the fresh flavors of the Raspberry harvest. Low in alcohol with a refreshing yet buttoned-up tartness, our Raspberry American Sour will take you along on its own adventure! Get ‘yer “Tuxedo” on and get out and pick some berries!

Wait a minute. Did they just start a sentence with an ampersand? Very bold, BP, very bold.

Venn Brewing Oaked Imperial Brown Ale

Venn Brewing Oaked Imperial Brown Ale. What batch #, though? (56, a little research shows.)
9.4% aBV, 34 IBU. Venn Brewing,  Minneapolis, MN.

Some beers don't move as fast at the taproom. I was quite surprised to find this one still around when I bought this two weeks, since I first tried it back in July. Not everything's for everyone, but I'm surprised there aren't more Imperial Brown Ale fans in attendance. Guess I'd better hang out there a little more often, and be counted among fans of the style, such as it is. Let's drink it...

Clear, dark brown, with a lasting, slim tan head atop.

In the nose: caramel, toffee, cocoa...all kinds of richness and malt. And all that oak.

In the mouth: ah, now it all comes together. So smooth, semi-sweet, chocolatey, all those sweet notes, the caramel and toffee, rounded out by the oak. Ending nice and dry. Then along comes the booze. Quite nice.

Caramel/Bread Crust/French Oak. 

A bold, rich Imperial American-style Brown Ale aged on French oak.

Malts: Domestic Pale, Flaked Oats, CaraHell, Victory, Pale Chocolate, Caramel 60, Chocolate.
Hops: Warrior, Willamette.
Yeast:  American Ale.

Other: Medium Toast French Oak.

De Proef / Surly Zwart Black Star

De Proef / Surly Zwart Black Star. 8%ABV. Old Ale brewed with star anise, aged on wood with brettanomyces. Brewmaster's Collaboration, Brewed & bottled (or canned) by: De Proefbrouwerij, Lochristi, Belgium, product of Belgium. Ben Smith, Jerrod Johnson, Surly Brewing, Dirk Naudts, De Proef Brouwerij.

Once again, I turn to can #4 of a twenty dollar 4-pack to take notes. I like the first three a lot. And now I will finally tell you about it.

Lightly hazed, burgundy/dark amber hue, long-lasting off-whitish, creamy head. Looking great.

In the nose: rich, malty, slightly sweet, fruity and funky. This one has it all. Not so much of that promised anise here, but so much else. Wow.

In the mouth: Dark fruit, stone fruit, grapes, plums, etc. Bigness and richness, wonderful play on the palate. Deep, complex, significant. Brett gives it a funky twist. The heralded anise plays it light. So much of the fruit and malt, very little hops in comparison, and the alcohol starts to creep in. I liked this from the start, and I'm digging it more and more.

This is my kind of beer. It's definitely an old ale, with plenty of Belgian character. Flat out delicious, and ever-so satisfying. Get out there and drink some!

For this year's De Proef Brouwerij's annual Brewmaster's Collaboration series, Dirk Naudts partnered with Surly's Jerrod Johnson and Ben Smith to craft an old ale with star anise and Brettanomyces, creating a delicious beer that will continue to develop with time.

The overall effect of the anise on the flavor is subdued and brilliantly integrated. It's reminiscent of oak tannins to a certain degree, providing an edge for structural purposes, and letting the dense caramelization remaining in that old ale roll out as dried dark fruits, cotton candy and chewy taffy. The impact of the Brettanomyces makes this comparatively dry and more easily drinkable than most old ales. 

Inbound Brut IPA

Inbound Brut IPA. 5.9% ABV, 57 IBU. Inbound Brewco, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, dark amber, nearly crimson colored, big ol' white head, leaving lace and looking nice.

In the nose: Bright and fruity. Slightly sweet. Berry-licious. What's the hops? We'll find out later. But  I like it.

In the mouth: More sweet, more fruit,  more berry, and just enough bitterness to keep it interesting. Sweet keeps it's distance, and it ends up on the dry side. Medium bodied, easy-drinking, utterly delightful. Clean and lovely. I enjoyed this crowler all the way down. Very nice Brut IPA.

Hallertau Blanc hops are simple and crisp, and our brewers’ magic in the mash tun create a dry finish in this IPA, just like your favorite Brüt champagne.

Town Hall Brewery East Kent Sparkling Ale

Town Hall Brewery East Kent Sparkling Ale. 5.6% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright amber color, sim white head on top.

In the nose: soft, lightly spicy/foral, nice hopping, very mellow.

In the mouth: crisp, crackers, just fruity enough. Moderate hop bitterness, sweet malt character. That promised effervescence is there, is some small degree. Light bodied, and delicious. Classic English ale. Liking it lots.

 I could drink this like crazy and while the day away on a patio, if it still felt like summer. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow will be no rain, and ninety degrees again? Or, perhaps it's fall for good now. We just can't tell around here.

Effervescent English ale with bright and soft character.

Hop & Barrel Crooked Grin India Pale Ale

Hop & Barrel Crooked Grin India Pale Ale. 6.66% ABV, 54 IBU. Brewed and packaged by Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, WI.

Clear, amber hued, slim white head takes the top.

In the nose: Lightly spicy and herbal, mild fruit, nice and cool. Very promising.

In the mouth: Pop, pop, pow! Hops jump on board the palate with exuberance and alacrity. Bitterness swims amid the senses, coating the tongue and sliding down the throat. Packed with citrus and pine. Good and gritty, but not too aggressive. Of course, this comes from a hop-head, inured to the stuff. All the classic West Coast hops are in this one, malt is muted, great IPA flavor stays at the fore.

A tasty can of IPA here. This is my fifth, I saved the last to take notes on, as I often do. I like forward to H & B crossing the border and coming down here.

Classic West Coast style IPA. Citrus and pine. Hopped with simcoe, columbus, amarillo, and centennial.

And from the can: Yeah, yeah, keep your hat on, we've got your damn IPA right here. Ever get that tilt in your brim and twinkle in your dimple? Simcoe, Columbus, Amarillo, and Centennial will do the to a guy or gal. This thing's got enough citrus and pine for a wilderness retreat. And, yeah, dude, we went West Coast style.

Oliphant IFeelCream ale brewed with vanilla, lactose & fruit cocktail

Oliphant IFeelCream ale brewed with vanilla, lactose & fruit cocktail. 7% ABV, 20 IBU. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Highly hazed, murky, burgundy-hued, slim, soon-gone head.

In the nose: plums, cherry, blackberry? What else? I'm not sure, it's a mixed bag, and I'm not 100% that it's working on me....melon? Boysenberry?

In the mouth: Tart, fruity, ....a touch sweet, but not too much. Minor hops, moderate malt. Sweetness continues, mixed with cream. Oh, creamy, cream-cream. I find it yummy, but....mostly unfulfilling. A bit too much of a mishmash, and less of a cocktail. Ah, well.

This is a nice little fruity thing, and good for a summer fling, but I'd never want to go out of my way for one.

Peachy goodness

Peach? I never woulda guessed....

Modist PMP (Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit) Foeder Sour #2

Modist PMP (Pineapple, Mango, Passion Fruit) Sour. AKA Foeder Sour #2. 4.8% ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

This one's been sitting in the fridge a little too long. Not very long, but, yeah, I should have taken these notes right away, or at least a week after. But, I'd been overdoing it with the sours. I really only need one per session. I never want to have more than one at a time, at home, the bar, at a festival or tasting. I'm glad the sour game is going so strong, locally.
I am, really. Truly. It's great.
But....sigh...small doses for this guy.

And now I will drink another one. Here we go....

Clear, bright golden, slim head.

In the nose: yeah, that's sour, fruity, funky, oaky. Nice.

In the mouth: Yum, it's a sour brew, and it's got some fruit in it. Smooth malty body, easy drinker, for the sour-heads among us. Nice and sour and dry and pineapple, mango, and ....well, I wish I didn't have this disease, this mania, this compulsive urge to keep every new beer and write about it here. It would be great to share at a beer tasting party with like-minded pals. As it is, it's more than enough for me.

Confession time: My name is Al and I'm just not that into "sours" anymore.

The INFO: Sour ale brewed with 75% wheat malt and 25% Pilsner malt and fermented in one of our American oak foeders with pineapple, mango, and passion fruit.

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA. 7% ABV, 50 IBU. New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado, & other places.

You guys. It seems that I have reviewed at least 3 different New Belgium  beers with the Voodoo Ranger named attached to them, but not once the Voodoo Ranger IPA. I will now attempt to rectify this.

Clear, bright golden color, lasting ivory head on top, leaving some lacing.

In the nose: Dank. Citrusy. Fruity. Gots all the hops. Has everything a hophead like me desires.

In the mouth: moderate hop bitterness blasts the palate at first, then all is smooth and mellow. Nice malt ballast below. Crisp, clean, cracker-y. I like it. Good IPA and you can drink it. Smooth, hoppy, and ever-so lovely.

Bursting with tropical aromas and juicy fruit flavors from Mosaic and Amarillo hops, this golden IPA is perfectly bitter with a refreshing, sublime finish.

Utepils Receptional German style festbier

Utepils Receptional German style fester. 5.9% ABV, 28 IBU. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: Slightly sweet, grainy, malty. Mild hops. Nice.

In the mouth: Starts out sweet and goes from there. Crisp, clean, light and lovely. Smooth and highly drinkable. I could drink a few of these, and then some.


Seasonal; An Oktoberfest beer brewed to be highly drinkable with balanced, smooth flavors of malt and biscuit.

Indeed Flavorwave IPA

Indeed Flavorwave IPA. 6.2% ABV, 70 IBU. Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Ever-so slightly hazy, bright golden hued, lovely ivory head holding down the fort.

In the nose: Bold pine and brash citrus. A slice of tropical fruit notes, a splash of tangerine, grapefruit.

In the mouth: Bitterness breaks through from the start, crashing hard on the palate. Fruity flavors follow, citrus, tropical, pine. Bitter, fruity, a little juicy, then ending nice and dry. Moderate malt, not enough to get in the way of the hops, and that's the way that I like it. Lightish bodied and easy-drinking, for hop-heads like me.

The blend of hops in the flavor is what really makes this one for me. Indeed crafted a fine one, here, and I'll reach for it with something approaching regularity.

A juicy and tropical IPA exploding with notes of pineapple and dank citrus. A blend of Denali, Citra, Mosaic, Centennial, and El Dorado hops give this beer a whirlpool of flavors sure to send your taste buds on a ride while remaining approachable. Flavorwave pours a sunlit golden color with a respectable amount of natural haze.

Lupulin Two Nuts Brown Ale

Lupulin Two Nuts Brown Ale. 6% ABV, 30 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Rich brown coloration, opaque, but showing clear at the bottom, with a slim, short-lived brownish head.

In the nose: Slightly sweet (but balanced), malty, nutty. Along comes hazelnut, brown sugar, caramel.

In the mouth: Low bitterness, minor hops, major malt. Substantial body in this one, almost stepping into "full", but not quite. Sweetness never cloys. A well put together brown ale, just the way we like it. Tasty, and definitely downable, ending on a dry note. I might even say delicious. Do all the D's while we're at it.

If you see it, go ahead and drink it.

Venn Brewing Batch #97 12welve Eyes Collaboration IPA

Venn Brewing Batch #97  12welve Eyes Collaboration IPA. 5.7% ABV, 40 IBUs. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

It's a hazy one, murky, golden hued, slim to no head on it.

In the nose: Citrus and pineapple. Sweet, fruity, quite likable.

In the mouth: Starts out bitter, and slightly tart, then along comes the fruit. Citrus and tropical fruit notes pound the palate, slide off lightly, turning dry. Nice. More tropical notes pop off, more sweet, less bitter, and ever-so smooth. Hard not to like it.

The only complaint I have is that I've never seen this style as an end-all/be-all, and can't really get behind it's popularity. Oh, that's right, people want to like IPAs, but don't really like IPAs.


(Complaint Against NE IPAs #567. I know I'm repeating myself.)

But, go out and drink it, by all means, and I'll see you there soon, drinking a double IPA that as bitter as can be!

Tropical fruit, citrus zest, soft. A brainchild of Venn + 12welves Eyes Brewing in St Paul. A malt bill of over 80% wheat & oats meets a hefty dose of Denali & Chinook hops.

Malts: Unmalted Wheat, White Wheat, Flaked Oats, Domestic Pale

Hops: Denali, Chinook (United States)

Yeast: British Ale

Town Hall Centennial SMASH

Town Hall Centennial SMASH. 5.3% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazy, bright orange/golden hue, sizable, lasting layer of lace-leaving froth atop.

In the nose: soft, floral, slightly citrucy, beautiful. Little bit of lemon.

In the mouth: Big hop bitterness blasts the palate, with a side order of astringency. Just fine for this hophead. Bountiful citrus notes from the centennial hops. Lean malt body. What's the malt? No idea. Zero information on this beer on their website. Oh, well. (Actually, zero information on any of the seasonal beer. Get with it, guys!)

It's a fine pale ale, and damned if I can't drink it. It's exactly what I want in a pale ale, plenty of hops, easiest of drinkin.'

Single malt and single hopped pale Ale.

( I had to get the above off of Untappd, and I could have guessed that information! See what I mean, get it together, Town Hall! )

Oliphant Boodoir Barrel-aged Doppelbock

Oliphant Boodoir Barrel-aged Doppelbock. 9% ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Dark, black, obsidian, beautiful brown head.

In the nose: Big ol' whiskey. Cocoa, molasses, vanilla. Charcoal. Deep. Wonderfully inviting.

In the mouth: Bourbon coats the scene, covers the palate, grips the senses. Strong. Slick. Suggestive. Super duper. Sweet and delicious. The doppelbock below is fairly covered over by all the bourbon barrel action, but I don't mind a bit. I can feel it's tracings, just a smudge.

It's a decadent treat that can't be beat, and it's just what I need right now.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dopplebock

Three Floyds Live A Rich Life Belgian Style Double India Pale Ale

Three Floyds Live A Rich Life Belgian Style Double India Pale Ale. 9.5% ABV. 100 IBU. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana.

Thoroughly hazed, rich orange / golden hue, full, long lasting off-white head.

In the nose: hops are big, bold, brash here, spilling out all sorts of intense fruity esters, powerful and pungent. Alcohol ain't shy, either.

In the mouth: I'm going to want to use intense here again. Because it is. Immensely flavorful, from both malt and hops. Massive bitterness, incredible flavors, and a hearty malt ballast. Can I use intense again? It's like a triple IPA meets a barleywine, with a Belgian twist. This is right up my alley. Love it.

Good nightcap, this. Nighty-night, everybody.

This intense Belgian-style double IPA has an amazing amount of hops. This beer was brewed in loving memory of a former employee, Rich Sheppard, who passed away on 4.11.11. Try this beer and enjoy a Rich life.

Wild Mind Element of Progress

Wild Mind Element of Progress. New England IPA. 5.8% ABV, 30 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright orange, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Tropical notes pop out of the glass, citrus strides behind. Plentifully flavorful, ultimately mellow. Smooth and pleasant.

In the mouth: Bitterness plods on board the palate with confidence, if not aplomb. Nice, medium level of hop attack. Fruity notes, citrus and tropical take command and ride on through the finish. Medium bodied, easy in the drinking.

I love the way this one comes together. Beautiful. Slightly sweet, mild bitterness hangs out on the palate, hop delivery does it all. Another in a great line of IPAs from Wild Mind. I will drink this anytime I see it.

Brewed with 2-row, malted white wheat, and flaked wheat, this hazy Northeast-style IPA is heavily hopped with Azacca, Amarillo, Motueka, and Citra for a slightly bitter and enticingly sweet finish. The Element of Progress has a soft, pillowy mouthfeel and is bursting with notes of fresh tropical fruit and citrus zest alongside a hint of fresh herbs.

Surly 3dh (Triple Dry-hopped Double IPA)

Surly 3dh Triple IPA. 10% ABV. BC Small Batch. Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center (& Minneapolis), MN.

Clear, bright golden color, lasting, lace-leaving ivory head.

In the nose: Fruity, citrus, tropical, but straying from sweet, ending on dry. Quite likable.

In the mouth: Whoa! Bold blast of bitter from the start, a jolt of hops to the palate, exiting swiftly and turning dry on a dime. Big citrus and pine, with alcohol rushing on in. Aburst with flavor. Stays quite far away from being overly sweet.

This has got just the right hop tastiness, the correct juicy, and all the booze without going over the top. It's giving me all the things I like, and it's getting juicy and boozy together at once.

This, I dig.

From the label: Cloaked amid the brewhouse shadows, rites and rituals conjure impossible hop flavor. Over the low rumble of equipment, whispers of a triple dry-hopped beer arise. New and unknowable, 3DH is your initiation. Join us and live.

And from the website: “The trouble with a lot of triple IPAs is that I’ve never really had one I liked.”

This, from Surly Head Brewer Ben Smith, was the hurdle to clear for making 3DH, the triple IPA that’s our latest BC Small Batch offering.

“Finding one I truly liked was difficult,” said Smith. “They’re under-attenuated, too boozy, and too sweet. It was a challenge for our brew team to solve. I think we succeeded. Maybe too well, because it’s real easy to drink for a 10% (ABV) beer.”

3DH is triple dry-hopped (hence the name) on Simcoe, Amarillo, and Citra. “We added glucose solids to make it super dry, we used a simple malt bill, and then we dry-hopped the hell out of it,” says Smith. Experimentation came into play with FLEX® by Haas, a kettle bittering addition that boosted the IBUs without losing the yield one would expect from an extensively hopped beer.

The result is a highly aromatic and flavorful triple IPA that goes right up to the edge without going over. But you can see it from there.

With that in mind, and with that many hops, the recommendation is to drink it fresh and drink it now. 45 days from the brew date is ideal. The turnover on our BC Small Batch beers is monthly, and most beer geeks don’t need to be told to chase fresh beer, but we really mean it this time. Cellar something else.

The particulars:

ABV: 10%
Hops: Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra
Aroma: Lemon, honey, biscuit
Visual: Light orange
Where: MN, ND, WI, Chicagoland
When: Now

Hop & Barrel Chad's Pale Ale

Hop & Barrel Chad's Pale Ale. 5% ABV, 42 IBU. Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, Wisconsin.

Slightly hazed, bright golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Big citrus, bold grapefruit, touches of lemon and orange. Pungent and lively.

In the mouth: Pops with hops. Dazzling citrus flavors. Lean bodied, smooth mouthfeel. Deliciously drinkable, definitely downable. Mosaic hops deliver all manner of fruity associations. Once the citrus mellows out, the berries drop in.

I saved the last of my 4-pack to take the notes, once again. Now, I wish I had more. Go get some for yourself and go ahead and drink it.

Chad's Pale Ale: pale ale with 100% mosaic. Named after our dear brewer, Chadbro.

"A wise man once told Chad he only needed to use a few pounds of hops for a calicoes pale ale. Chad chuckled, stroked his beard back into place, and simply said, "hold my beer." A craft beer of gargantuan flavor is the result of being wiser than the wise man. Dry hopped at rates that would make a hop farmer blush, Refreshing, citrusy, juicy. Don't be a wise ass, drink yourself a Chad's Pale Ale." 

Sisyphus Raspberry Mango Never-Lasting Gobstopper

Sisyphus Raspberry Mango Never-Lasting Gobstopper. 3% ABV. 20 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Canned 8/20/18. (I've been sitting on this a bit too long, but it shall be none the worse for wear.)

It's clouded, opaque, and all the colors of the raspberry, with a slim, forgotten head.

In the nose: Fruity, fruity, fruity. Big and berry-y.

In the mouth: Tart starts it off, flush with fruit. Delightful and delicious. Fresh 'n' zesty. Long tactile presence on the palate. Mango hangs just below the raspberry, doing a tidy tango. This is nice. Full flavors, long sour. Interminal tart. Long-lasting fruit. And just terrific. I'm enjoying this one all the way down.

From Brewer Sam:
Inspiration for beers and beer names can come from all sorts of places. In this case, our sour beer "Neverlasting Gobstopper", comes from one of my favorite movies from my childhood, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." 
Everyday I come to work and brew beer I feel like Willy Wonka, but just because of the messed up things we do to people on our tours. 
This mouth-puckering beer will be infused rotating mixtures of fruit, differing every batch. This round we used Raspberries. How long will this last on tap? We are...never...quite sure. And if anyone knows how to get their hands on some snozberries, we'd appreciate the help.

The Brewing Projekt Dare Mighty Things IPA-Cryo- Single Hop-Citra

Here we have the first beer from this brewery to appear in the Nib, aside from the collaboration with Oliphant that came out last year. I hope there are more to come.

The Brewing Project Dare Mighty Things IPA-Cryo- Single Hop-Citra (Is that what it's called?). New England IPA. 6.4% ABV. The Brewing Project, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Highly hazed, bright orange, thick perfect ivory head.

In the nose: Big blast of bitterness, at first, then along comes the citrus. Brash and bold orange, grapefruit, lemon, a little bit floral, too. Traces of tropical towards the end.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness jump in and mellows out. So smooth. Smooth, fruity, while strong and fierce. Quite a juicy one, too. Medium bodied, fully flavored. Tasty and delicious and all that. A nice iteration of this style, even if I remain nonplussed by the trend.

I can't find anything further on this one, anywhere, and I've looked. There's a quote from Teddy Roosevelt on the can, but it tells us nothing about the beer. Oh, well, 'tis what 'tis.

Oliphant She-Hunk Milkshake IPA with Coffee

Oliphant She-Hunk Milkshake India Pale Ale with Coffee. 5.6% ABV. Oliphant Brewing,

Somerset, WI.

Part one of the label depicts the She-Hunk, no relation
whatsoever to a certain cousin of the irradiated,
and angry one, also emerald hued. 

Dear readers, if dear readers ye be, ye...I mean, you have perhaps read one of the several blogposts where I professed my disdain for this "milkshake IPA" style that's all the rage these days. That all the kids are into. I have stated more than once that I really ought to avoid them, in order, if nothing else, to stop repeating myself. If I don't like it thus far, I'm probably not going start liking it. But, one never knows for sure, does one? One doesn't.

And yet, I still pick one up from time to time. In the case of this beer, it's because, doggonit, it's Oliphant and I like to try all of their beers, no matter what. Enough palaver, let's get on with it.

Lightly hazed, dark orange/bronze-ish coloring, slim off-white head.

Part two of the illustration brings us Dr. Josh, amid his
examination of Ms. Hunk. Do the milkshakes bring
the muscles? Or the caffeine? 

In the nose: Big coffee aromatics, with a malty base below. Creamy in the middle.

In the mouth: There it is: gritty and smooth at once. Huh? Yeah! Hop bitterness starts it off, coffee comes in quick, and then the lactose and vanilla. An unlikely melange that manages to hang together. Medium-bodied, moderately bitter, surprisingly smooth. Smooth, and creamy and coffee-tastic!

I wasn't crazy about this one the first time I tasted it (12/31/17), nor the second time, really (08/26/18). But, right now, out of this crowler, it's alright in my book.

shehunk
so it has come to this? today i woke up after a very restorative night of sleep and there was gum in my hair, again! like, what in the world? i do have chewing gum at night to help me sleep, but i always swallow it. i am perfect and there is no way it falls out of my mouth while i'm sleeping, thusly rolling in it. so it has come to this; i guess i can't sleep anymore. get ready for a crabby jeremy, world!

coffee milkshake india pale ale. 5.6% abv

56 Raspberry Berliner Weisse

56 Brewing Raspberry Berliner Weisse. 4.5% ABV. 13 IBU.

Bright crimson coloring, big pinkish head, opaque.

In the nose: Fruity and tart. Very raspberry.

In the mouth: More tart, more berry, very fresh and fruity. Lean bodied, smooth malt mouthfeel.
Quite clean. And it's got all that raspberry.

Not too terribly complex, but that's a quality that's not in large supply, nor in demand. I'll take some, but this will do in the meanwhile.


A refreshing and lightly tart sour ale infused with over 300 lbs of pure raspberries. 

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Wally's Wit

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Wally's Wit. 5.3% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus and spice, boom and bam. Flavors float from the aroma and play gently in the senses. Coriander, citrus zest, bit of flowery and perfumery. Nice and nice.

In the mouth: A smooth, malty wheat ale strictly in the Belgian witbier tradition. Spice and citrus played just right. Light bitterness. Easy-drinking, refreshing, all the live-long day. Flavors drop at the top, then it's a clean ride all the way down.

I'm not 100% sure what set "Wally's Wit" apart from other White Ales made in Town Hall's past, but it's got to be something, hops, malt, what-have-you. And I can't say that I know who this Wally guy is, either. Any old way, I'm liking this one. Good old wit, and you can drink it.

Traditional Belgian-style Witbier brewed with malted and unmalted wheat, oats, Tahoma hops, coriander, bitter and sweet orange peel.

Lakefront Mosaic Blonde Ale

Lakefront Mosaic Single Hop Blonde Ale. 5% ABV. Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI.

Clear, pale golden, lasting white head on top.

In the nose: honey. grains. something I can't put my finger on. Smells more than anything like fresh wort. Grape Nuts! Is that it? A puzzler.

In the mouth: Fruity/grainy, minor hops, mostly malty. I've not experienced Mosaic hops in this way, yet. Not as clean as you'd expect from a blonde ale, but this is a bit experimental, after all. Easy-drinking stuff, as you'd expect. I'm not getting all I'd usually get from Mosaic, but I'm enjoying it, nonetheless.

Mosaic® hops owe their name to the assortment of flavors they can add to a beer. Just like an artist arranging a hodgepodge of colorful tiles to create a mosaic, brewers unlock the patchwork of blueberry, orange blossom, and bubble gum aromas with well-timed Mosaic® additions to the boil kettle. Our brewers thought the soft, malty sweetness of an easy-drinking Blonde Ale best delivers the berry medley and citrus flavors. Unlock a bottle for yourself and see.

New Belgium Sour Saison

New Belgium Belgian Reserve Sour Saison. Blended barrel-aged farmhouse ale. Bottle conditioned. 7% ABV. 18 IBU. Brewed and bottled by New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Clouded, bright golden hue, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Spice notes hit first, with fruity esters (citrus aplenty), and horse blanket coming up from the rear. It's getting funky in here, someone open a window.

In the mouth: Sourness from the start, fresh and zesty. Little bit of hops comes through, with a clean malt body, and the sour never stops. Lemon-y flavors sustain through the tasting, but barnyard hangs in for the long haul.

This is the kind of beer that New Belgium should be known for, it's the kind they do right. Go ahead and drink it.

This intriguing Saison took years to perfect. Our Brewers worked tirelessly to brew an exquisite French-style Saison, while our industry leading Wood Cellar Team worked to mature the perfect Sour Golden Ale in large, French oak barrels called Foeders. The best of both worlds is brought-out with this Sour Saison – a traditional barrel-aged sour ale artfully blended with a rustic, champagne-like Farmhouse Ale. With over 20 years of barrel-aged sour experience and the largest Wood Cellar in the United States, we’re proud to offer Sour Saison as our first ever year-round, traditional sour ale that’s so uniquely New Belgium, it can’t be replicated. 

Surly Sleek IPA

Surly Sleek IPA. 6.5% ABV. IBU: "moderate." Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN.

Clear-ish, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Screaming citrus. Grapefruit, lemon, orange. Bold and bitter hoppiness here, just the way I like it. Bring it on, man!

In the mouth: Sharp bitterness hangs high in the roof of the mouth and all over the palate. All the citrusy/piney goodness glides along the mouth. Starts out acerbic, then melts into mellow. But a mellow with a bitter bite.

This one is my kind of IPA. It's great to get a taste of that again, away from the milkshakes and the NE's and the hazy and juicy's and such. Good old bitter and refreshing, intensely hoppy and tasty as it gets. Love it. Make some more, and I'll drink it more.
File this under: me like.

Brewed with oats for a rich mouthfeel without added sweetness. Sleek IPA features malted oats, flaked oats, and golden naked oats as a base for a hefty dry-hop dose of Simcoe hops. 

IPA
COLOR
Golden

HOPS
Warrior
Simcoe
MALT
2-Row
Acidulated Malt
Oat Malt
Carafoam
Flaked Oats
Simpson's Golden Naked Oats
OG
14.5° Plato
YEAST
English Ale
IBU
Moderate
ABV
6.5%
SURLY MN USA
Fall
BREWED FOR: A SMOOTH, STREAMLINED HOP EXPERIENCE

Purring with aromatics from hefty Simcoe dry-hopping, Sleek’s grapefruit, pine, and melon flavors race across the tongue. Dynamic hop taste. Zero drag. Sleek.

Wild Mind Second Man on the Moon Brett Pale Ale

Wild Mind Second Man on the Moon Brett Pale Ale. 6.2% ABV, 30 IBU. Wild Mind Artisanal Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, sold slab of ivory foam on top.

In the nose: mild, lightly hoppy. And here comes the funk. Oh, yeah.

In the mouth: Starts with a sour pucker, then it's clean, lean and a touch of citrusy hops. Delicious and funky, wild and refreshing. Yum. Even Yum-dum-dum.

This one flips all my triggers. I can drink it all night long. I love a Brett ale, and this is a damned good one.

Fermented using Bootleg Biology’s “Funk Weapon #2” strain of Brettanomyces yeast, Second Man on the Moon has bright citrus aromas and flavors that were complemented with a heavy dose of Motueka and Pacifica hops. Buzz Buttons, an edible flower that causes a tingling sensation, were added to the pale ale to bring out the dry body of the beer while providing a faint tingle at the finish.

"Buzz Buttons:, huh? Well, who'da thunk it, eh?

Forager Twisted Zweig Raspberry Berliner Weisse

Forager Twisted Zweig Raspberry Berliner Weisse. 8% ABV, 4 IBU. Forager Brewery, Rochester, MN.

Clear, bright crimson coloring, slim pinkish head.

In the nose: tart, sweet, and all about the berries.

In the mouth: Big sour from the start, intense acidity. Berry flavors take over after the tart attack. Along comes the jam. Fresh and lively. Ends on a lightly hoppy,slightly bitter,  dry note. I'm enjoying this. Do drink it if you see it.

There's no brewery info for me to share with you, as I usually do. Let's put on the reading glasses and see what's on the label: Nope. Actually, the label reads "Framboise", not raspberry at all.
What's the website tell us? Nothing at all. Maybe more research will find more information, but I'm gonna shelve that for now, and leave it here. Good raspberry Berliner Weisse and you can drink it.