Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative Law & Porter Special Chocolate Unit Ancho Chili Edition

Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative Law & Porter Special Chocolate Unit. 6.8% ABV, 46 IBU. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis, MN.

Solid darkness, slim light brown-ish head rings above.

In the nose: Slight sweetness, bittersweet espresso notes, traces of cocoa. Dark. malts.

In the mouth: Bitter and sweet take the stage together, chocolate steals the show. Medium bodied, rich and full on the palate. Smooth and malty, nice and chocolatey, with a little heat popping out in the end. Not from an addition, like peppers, I assume, just alcohol heat? Anyway, all in all, it's a tasty one.

(Note: For reasons that no one can understand, I never bothered to read the sticker on the label. The skull & cross-peppers warning that this was the Ancho Chili Edition. I looked it up, and couldn't find any note about there being peppers in the beer. Until I realized I forgot to look up "Ancho Chili Edition." You'd think I'd notice a skull & cross-peppers. Going blind, I think.)

This porter has dark chocolate and toffee flavors with a solid hop backbone expected from this style.

Hop Backbone? That's a new one.

Sisyphus Uff-Da Pils

Sisyphus Uff-Da Pils. 4.2 % ABV, 42 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

I say it over and over again: I'm not a lager lover, or passionate about pilsner, but I'll appreciate a good one, and try them out from time to time. Also, relevant to this post: there was nothing else at Sisyphus the other night that hasn't already been written up here. So, why not take home some Uff-Da?

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Slight cereal notes, corn?, light floral tones. Clean.

In the mouth: A touch grainy. Crisp and clean. Light hops. Light bodied. Easy drinking. A bit too much of that corn-ish character I'm picking up. Not sure if that's a fermentation flaw, or just in the recipe, but it doesn't work for me. Hops start kicking in later on, and a fruitier character comes into play. Gets better over time, and my initial objections fade away. Though it still feels a bit too sweet.

As a lager, it's fine. As a pilsner, it's not great. As for me, I'm glad that just about every other option at Sisyphus suits me just fine.

Belching Beaver / Deftones Phantom Bride IPA

Belching Beaver / Deftones Phantom Bride IPA. 7.1 % ABV. 55 IBU. Belching Beaver Brewing, Oceanside, CA.

Okay. Belching Beaver. We have to get over this name. This stupid, stupid name. And just drink the beer. Regardless of how stupid is the name. Because, what if Farting Squirrel Brewery puts out the most divine saison ever brewed? Maybe the finest kolsch ever fashioned comes out of Diddling Daschhund Brewing Company? Got to stay open minded. Maybe Puking Pelican will be my new favorite?

Clear, bright golden hue, lush ivory head, leaving lace, looking fantastic.

In the nose: Mmm. Big, bright citrus, lots of hoppitude, aburst with flavor. yum.

In the mouth: Flat out yum. Medium bodied, long bitter finish. Citrus hop flavors popping on the palate. Just about lovely. Damned tasty. (Absolutely no pun intended.)

Named after the ethereal song by the one and only Deftones, Phantom Bride IPA is a blend of Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops delicately balanced for the perfectly drinkable mix of citrus and hoppy goodness. A truly original Deftones/ Belching Beaver collaboration envisioned by Chino Moreno and skillfully crafted by Thomas Peters. Sit back, put on your headphones and drink away.

56 Blackberry Berliner Weisse

56 Brewing Blackberry Berliner Weisse. 4.5 % ABV. 13 IBU. 56 Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Thick and clouded, dark crimson coloring, slim ring of pinkish foam.

In the nose: Tart. Fresh and Fruity. Very berry.

In the mouth: Fiercely sour and berry-vicious. Yup, that is the technical term. Sharp. tart, medium-bodied, easy-drinking. Good ol' fruited sour and you can drink it.

St. Feullien Grisette Blanch*Wit*Wheat Belgian Farmhouse Wheat Ale

St. Feullien Grisette Blanch*Wit*Wheat Belgian Farmhouse Wheat Ale. 5.5% ABV, 26 IBU. Brasserie St. Feuillien, Le Reoulx, Hainaut, Belgium.

Is this my first grisette? I think so. What the heck is a grisette? The label calls it a farmhouse wheat ale. Aren't farmhouse ales often brewed with wheat? Other sources I've checked tell us that they were originally created to refresh the thirst of miners, rather than farmhands. Some say it gets it's name from it's color, others the hue of the pinafores worn by the ladies who handed them out to returning miners. Well, I'm going to crack open the can and put it past my lips to find out a little more.

Lightly clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Slightly spice, maybe even salty. Light stone fruit notes, touch of citrus. We can get the wheat malt character, too.

In the mouth: Crisp, refreshing, smooth, and fruity. Again, citrus and stone fruit, with a touch of spice and salt. Zesty and smooth. Light-bodied, easy drinking, and not shy on flavor. Quite tasty.
I like this. I'd drink another. And another.

At the start of the century, in Hainaut, every small brewery produced a top-fermenting beer which was drawn from wooden barrels.
This traditional beer was the pride of the local breweries and quenched the thirst of the most demanding customers!
At the Friart Brewery, this beer, of which the formula is a carefully kept secret, was called the Grisette.
A few years ago, the St-Feuillien Brewery decided to take up the tradition and now presents four new varieties of Grisette.

Wild Mind Mahalo Sour Ale fermented with pineapple

Wild Mind Mahalo Sour Ale fermented with pineapple. 5.5 % ABV, 25 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Clouded, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Pow! Sour hits first, quickly followed by sweet fruit. Pineapple, large and in charge. Well-tempered combination of the sweet & sour.

In the mouth: Fierce and funky sour attack on the palate. Thereafter, it's all pineapple. Fresh, pulpy, flush with bright, tropical fruit. Quite refreshing. Medium bodied. Long, sour finish. Tasty sour, for sure.

In late January, in the worst temperatures that keep us all inside, we all want to imagine the sunny tropics. Having this beer tonight puts me on the beach in my mind. That's enough for me.

This blend of Camille, our base barrel-aged saison, was conditioned on pineapple puree and Motueka hops to create a fruity, hoppy, and refreshingly tart saison.

Town Hall Twisted Reality Barley-wine

Once more, as with the Foolish Quadrupel, a Town Hall beer was available in growlers for the first time in quite a while. It was not available at any time in the eight years and plus of this blog? Apparently so. Or, I just wasn't there when it was. The bourbon barrel aged version? Yes. The red wine barrel version? Also, yes. But never the original, which I first took notes on back in February of 2006, nearly 13 years ago. So, let's look back on...

Town Hall Twisted Reality Barley-wine, 10.3 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Went into Town Hall merely to grab a couple growlers, and noticed the regulars drinking out of snifters a beer that wasn't entirely black...so, it's not the Imperial Stout, what is it? The Twisted Reality barleywine that they debuted at Winterfest, which I missed, on cask! I had to have one...

Beautiful magenta hue, deeper in the top 2/3 of the glass, a clearer crimson at the bottom, under an attractive, lasting creamy head. Nice!

Aroma is lush and fruity, while never too sweet, brimming with flavor, enticing one to drink!

In the taste, a cornucopia of the usual barleywinish flavors, cherries and cognac, leather and burgundy wine...the cask-conditioning keeps it mellow, and the various characteristics roll around the mouth with careless abandon, yet somehow perfect balance. Plumb malt, and tasteful hops. Lush and luscious, a deep, dreamy ale one can savor at length. Gorgeous texture, keeps the mind active and the palate abuzz.

I wish I could compare this against the tap offering, which I never had, but on cask this is about near perfection. Plenty strong, though, but a delightful nightcap. I will have to go back for more before this disappears....

Notes at the bar, from a cask offering. Now, drinking from a growler at home, for the first time. Sweet and malty, while balanced. Big-boned and bodacious. Filling up with a warming alcoholic sense. Dark fruits and ton of molasses. Maple syrup, more than anything. Sweetness rules in here, and it's delicious and smooth. An even better nightcap than that cask serving, because I don't need to go home, just wander over to my bed. I finished the growler quicker than I thought I would and shuffled off to SlumberLand.

Venn Breakfast Stout

Venn Breakfast Stout. Batch #112. 6.6% ABV. 25 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Thick. Impenetrable Darkness. Solid blackitude. Sizable cocoa-tinged head. Looking good.

In the nose: Coffee hits first, rich and vastly fulfilling. Earthy, dirty, malty, espresso-licious.

In the mouth: Mmm. Mm, M. Deep, dark, malty. Chocolate and coffee. Yum-alicious. Just enough bitterness up front to stave off the sweet. And plenty of sweet, in just the right amount. A touch hot, a little alcohol burn. Mostly, the coffee and cocoa malt flavors keep it going. Smooth and delicious. Tasty and satisfying. I'll be back for more.



Actual coffee, actual chocolate, actual awesome. An American-style stout infused with coffee & chocolate. The return of Batch #18!

Malts: Maris Otter, Munich, Roasted Barley, Caramel 80, Chocolate

Hops: Warrior (United States)

Yeast: American Ale

And: Coffee, Chocolate, Lactose, Vanilla

Modist Wouldst Thou Like To Live Deliciously? Stout with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Modist Wouldst Thou Like To Live Deliciously?
Stout with Peanut Butter and Chocolate.
7.5 % ABV.
Modist Brewing,
Minneapolis, MN.

Thorough blackness, big, rich brownish head, looking nice.

In the nose: soft and peanutty. Chocolate lurks below. Peanut butter stays on top. Highly likable, this. So peanutty.

In the mouth: Sweetness at the start, with balancing bitterness. Sweet peanutty butter flavors take over, with chocolate keeping time. Delicious. Medium bodied, long, sweet finish. Tasty damned stuff.

I wouldst. I definitely wouldst.

Once more, this was can #4 of a 4-pack, the first three enjoyed without comment, and this fourth held until it was time for the note-taking. I hope it hasn't disappeared, as I would urge you to pick up any that you might see.

Stout brewed with golden promise, peanuts, cocoa nibs, and milk sugar.

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Liquid Paradise IPA

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Rotating IPA Series Liquid Paradise IPA. Alc. 7.8 % by Vol. 44 IBU. New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO.

Clear, bright golden, slight orange hue, stable slab of ivory head on top.

In the nose: Assertive citrus, little bit floral, popping with papaya and pineapple. Most delightful.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness boards the palate, bringing citrus & tropical fruit flavors. Dripping deliciousness. Light bodied, long, bitter finish.

This is an all-around right-on IPA. Whatever they were trying to accomplish with this one, they nailed it, right on the head. It has everything I want in an IPA, and then some.

Using Mosaic Incognito, Azacca and Cascade hops, Liquid Paradise boasts a mélange of tropical notes to create a delicately bitter and extremely aromatic IPA.

Woodchuck Amber Cider

Woodchuck Amber Cider. The Original American Hard Cider. Gluten Free. Made in Vermont. Est. 1991. Refreshing Red Apple. 5 % ABV. Canned by Vermont Cider Co., Middlebury, VT.

Clear, slight amber color, no head.

In the nose: Apples. Red apples.

In the mouth: Crisp, tart, refreshing. And apple-y. Red apple-y. Little bit of tannins, taste of the peel. Delightfully fruity. Smooth and tasty.

Good cider and you can drink it.

Woodchuck® Amber is the original Woodchuck Cider. It's made from a blend of apples and fermented with champagne yeast to produce a great tasting and refreshing alcoholic drink. 

Fiercely crafted with a medium body, golden hue and refreshing red apple finish. Enjoy the brand that started the American cider revolution. 

Odell Sippin' Pretty Fruited Sour Ale

Odell Sippin' Pretty Fruited Sour Ale. 4.5 % ABV. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, CO.

Clouded, foggy pink hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Tart from the start, then along come all the berries. Acai, elderberry, and guava. Lots of fruit action. Beautifully sour.

In the mouth: Fierce sour on the palate right off the bat, then it's all calm on the palate. Complex fruity flavors swim about. Slightly sharp and acidic. Sour sticks around for a bit, then leaves nice and clean. Low alcohol makes this one a session-er for sure, for some. Not me, with sours I'm one and done, til the next one.

But this one's pretty tasty. Go out there and drink it up.

More of a mantra than a beer, Sippin’ Pretty is our Fruited Sour Ale. Loaded with our unique blend of açai, guava, and elderberry, and balanced with a delicate addition of Himalayan pink sea salt, this beer pops with a bright ruby color and a refreshing tart finish. So sit back, relax, and sip on something pretty.

BlackStack Still Watching? Double India Pale Ale

BlackStack Still Watching? Double India Pale Ale. 8% ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Thoroughly clouded, dull gold, two inch ivory head, lasting long and leaving lace. They don't bother calling them "hazy IPAs" anymore, they just naturally come that way.

In the nose: fresh and lively. Vibrant hoppy goodness. Pine, citrus and a trickle of the tropical.

In the mouth: Soft and smooth. Creamy, even. Little layer of bitterness starts it off, then subdues and slides back. Sweet malt cuts through the bitter. Tasty stuff. Just enough IPA to hold back the haze, bro. Dance goes on between the hops, malt and yeast. High ABV doesn't encroach entirely, until...yep, here it is.

I'm enjoying it, though it's still far from my favorite interpretation of the double IPA. I want to taste the hops, not the pillow.

Are you there beer nerds? Its me, Blackstack. This is a beer for binge...watching and falling asleep on the couch. A hop hug so loving you’ll think it might carry you up to bed. Citra, El Dorado, Ella, and Rakau in “9 seasons with 22 episodes each” amounts. Bottoms up to being down for one more episode of collapsed cakes and overcooked pastries.

Wild Mind Puff the Passion Dragon

When Wild Mind announced their accounts-only program, they claimed that the beers that would go in kegs to bars and restaurants would not be on tap in the tasting room, but may occasionally show up in bottles or crowlers. Puff is a beer that I poured at Acadia and took great pride in promoting, but I never took notes on it, because I tend not to do that, the note-taking at the bar. On one of my recent visits to the brewery, there it was, a single crowler of Puff. I snatched it up. And now I drink it.

Clear, bright crimson color, short-lived pinkish head (so short it was gone before I could photograph it).

Wild Mind Puff the Passion Dragon Wild Sour Ale, with Fruit. 6.7% ABV. 25 IBU.

In the nose: Popping with berries, buzzing with sour. Bold and fruity. Nice.

In the mouth: Ooo! Fruity pucker-time. Big, juicy fruit. Starts sweet and sour and ends up dry. If memory serves, the ingredients in the beer are in the name. Passion Fruit and Dragon Fruit. Let's learn more about it:

There’s more than a bit of magic in our latest distribution beer. Puff the Passion Dragon was fermented with our own blend of 100 percent Brettanomyces, creating a funky and lightly tart base to which we added more than 60 pounds of tropical hops to add a soft bitterness and tropical flavor the complement the wild yeast. To wrap things up, we conditioned Puff on 336 pounds of passion fruit and 250 pounds of dragon fruit to add a final touch of tartness and a whole lot of tropical fruit flavor. This ambitiously funked up fruited sour pours a vivid pink and has notes of earthy funk, tropical fruit, and a hint of citrusy hoppiness.

A delicious fruited sour ale. Smooth, sour, sweet and lovely. Ends clean on the palate, with the tongue yearning for just a touch more. The glass happily obliges and the throat is eternally grateful. Stomach is pleased, tastebuds tingle, mind is happy. Everybody's good. Just enough malt, just enough fruit, great balance of everything you need, here. Just right on.

Yet another one that I wished I'd been able to pick up two of, and save one to share at some sharing event in the future. Alas. Next time, maybe. You will make this again, won't you, Wild Mind? Sure. Got to let that lightning strike twice.

If it wasn't abundantly clear, I really like this one. Another wild, weird success from Wild Mind.

Venn Batch 131 Denali Brut Double IPA

Venn Batch 131 Denali Brut Double IPA. 8.1 % ABV. 40 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Mostly clear, with a slight haze, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Mellow, but potent. Bold citrus hop presence in the aroma. Fruit flavors emerge, but remain far from sweet, sticking to the dry side.

In the mouth: Big hop bitterness bangs it off, with effervescence rushing to the fore. Sparkling and dry. Bone dry. Fruity, bitter, and nearly brittle. And then the alcohol comes ripping through. I could use more hop flavor, more malt flavor, and a little less "dry."

As an IPA fan, I'm liking this. As a double IPA fan, I'm loving this. As not a Brut IPA fan, I'm a little iffy on it.

I still firmly believe that nobody wants Brut IPAs, and I can't figure out how breweries have gotten hornswoggled into making them.

Pineapple, coconut, dry. A drier-than-water Double IPA featuring Denali hops.

Malts: Extra Pale Pilsner, Rice Syrup Solids

Hops: Denali (United States)

Yeast: American Ale 

New Belgium Up Next Series Brut IPA

New Belgium Up Next Series Brut IPA. 6.7 % ABV. 55 IBU.
Brewed by New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO, and Ashville, NC.

Hey, look, it's another "Brut IPA" from another large, national craft brewery. Let's drink it.

Clear, bright golden hue, fluffy ivory head, looking lovely.

In the nose: Mild citrus attack at the front, nicely hoppy, tropical tones, too. On the dry side. Fits the "brut" profile, so far.

In the mouth: More fresh, fruity hop flavors on the palate. Pineapple meets lemon, but steers away from the juicy and into the dry. Almost brittle. But, tasty. Medium/light-ish bodied, swift, clean finish. I keep coming back to clean and dry. Again, fits right into this new style, though I still haven't clutched it to my bosom, and don't know for sure if anyone else has, really.

Brewers keep making this new style, but it's not clear if anyone wants them to. Personally, I find that Brut IPAs take away much of what I enjoy in an IPA. There's simply none of the thrill of a good IPA.

Bubbly, dry, crisp, and refreshing, Brut IPA is inspired by our favorite sparkling wines. A perfect cheers to the New Year.

Duluth Brewhouse Starfire Pale Ale

Duluth Brewhouse Starfire Pale Ale. 6 % ABV. 59 IBU.
Duluth Brewhouse Pale Ale Beer. It's the beers of Fitger's Brewhouse in Duluth, but not the beer brewed there. Contract-brewed by others, and not able to be called "Fitger's", nonetheless these are the same recipes as the pint you'd down at the pub & restaurant on Superior Street.

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Big citrus. Nicely hopped.

In the mouth: Pops with grapefruit, orange, lemon. Juicy bitterness. Delicious malt base. Smooth and expertly consumable. Crisp, refreshing, and just as tasty as you want a pale ale to be. Lovely bitterness, absolutely beautiful.

If you're interested in my notes from a growler of the Fitger's brewed Starfire from going on seven years ago, check them out here.

Our signature North Shore style pale always on tap. A hop first balanced pale using American and German malts and all American hops. Stronger in hops then the usual pale but not at an IPA level. The beer the brewers drink. During the course of the year we brew about 20 different pale recipes but they all flow from the source STARFIRE.

O'so Barrel Aged Liquid Soul Imperial Stout

O'so Barrel Aged Liquid Soul Imperial Stout. 10.5% ABV. 40 IBU. O'so Brewing, Plover, WI.

Solid blackness, rich brown head on top.

In the nose: Ah, the smoke, the char, the chocolate. Rich, bitter, sweet. Whiskey flavor dominates, vanilla wafts out, a pinch of cherry. Deep, viscous.

In the mouth: Full. Hot. Thick. Intense. Bullet points. One. Word. Phrases. Slick. Sweet. Dry. Bitter. Chocolate. Bourbon. Decadent. Delicious.

Imperial stout aged in Bulleit Bourbon barrels.

What is a soul? 
​
Is it the sum of our human qualities? Perhaps it’s our perception of a human condition filtered through experience, circumstance, will and time. A culmination of human endeavor, and the dreams which forge triumph, failure, doubt, and ascension in the wake of creation. We suggest the soul is none of these things. As captured in this corporeal form to exist as vacancy, black and tempered by time in our contrivance to ascribe meaning to abstract existence, we create. This thought becomes reality, sublimated into liquid form from harmonious nothing, and transformed over time in bourbon barrels. Barrel Aged Liquid Soul is willed to be. It exists as a testament to creation and by consequence an approximation of the Liquid Soul. 

In other words, it's good beer and you can drink it.
​
​

612 Mill City Pilsner

612 Mill City Pilsner. 5.4 % ABV. 25 IBU. 612 Brew, Minneapolis, MN.

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, vivid ivory head. Looking nice.

In the nose: grainy malt notes, lightly floral, a touch of hops.

In the mouth: Crisp, hoppy, dry. Clean. Light bodied, easy drinkin'. Frequent followers of this blog know that I'm not a lager liker of a connoisseur of the pilsner style. When they're good, though, I'll give 'em a nod. Well, there ain't nothing wrong with this one. Good pilsner and you can drink it.

I'll have to admit that I didn't really try their last Pilsner, Gateway Park. I didn't have a ton of trust in the brand, and never tried it. I probably wouldn't have gone out of my way to try this, if it hadn't been given to me. This is one of many new beers from 612, as they're scrapping all of their beers but the Rated R Rye IPA, which was the best received of their beers.

Bright dandelion, light-bodied and crisp with an herbal hop aroma. Notes of cracker, hay and clover.

Clockwerks Mug Hunter Pale Ale

Clockwerks Mug Hunter Pale Ale. 5.6 % ABV. 54 IBU. Clockwerks Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Lively citrus notes aplenty, going wild with grapefruit. Nice.

In the mouth: Citric hop bite from the start that sticks around on the palate. Smooth, medium-bodied, tasty, with a long hoppy finish. Moderate bitterness, medium maltiness, crisp and easy-going. Slight caramel malt note to match the fruity hops.

Good pale ale and you can drink it.

Lightly toasted malt bread flavor with subtle caramel and bold grapefruit, passion fruit, and papaya. Pleasant Citra and Mosaic hop aroma

Able Party Room Rye IPA

Able Party Room Rye IPA. Made with Able Rye Malt. 5.9 % ABV. 28 IBU. Able Seedhouse & Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

I like the design on the can, which seems a little like the primary color thing which is in favor over at Fair State, and a little of BlackStack's, too. It's a thing.

Clear, bright amber hue, full white head, looking great.

In the nose: soft, citric, hoppy, slightly sweet, and just a little kick of spice.

In the mouth: More sweetness from the malt, quickly set off by a bit of the bitter. Hop bitterness hangs hard on the palate, but it's smooth and spicy/sweet, not harsh or hard. Beautiful balance of malt and hops. Quite tasty.

I'm a sucker for a good rye IPA, and this one here is one of them. Nice work.

Surly Grindcore Espresso Milk Stout

Surly Grindcore Espresso Milk Stout. 6 % ABV. Stout brewed with espresso and lactose. Brewed and canned by Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, MN. "The original brewery-where it all started."

Previously only available on tap, in nitro kegs, now in cans, it's the re-imagining of Surly Four. That was an iced espresso milk stout, at around 10%.

Total blackness, gorgeous creamy brown head, completely opaque. Looks fantastic.

In the nose: Beautifully complex. Rich and deep, earthy and sweet. Wafts out coffee and cocoa in the warmest way. Vividly expressive.

In the mouth: Full body. Chocolate and coffee flavors flood the palate and make themselves home in the mouth. Delicious malty character continues and spreads and delights. Little bit of dark fruit and cherries pops out with a touch of vanilla, too.

I'm really enjoying this one. Two more left in the 4-pack. Gonna make them last, and go back for more.

WAKE UP. An aggressive, unapologetic barrage of deep coffee flavor defines GRINDCORE. Fusing a rich, slightly sweet stout body with toasty, complex espresso notes, Grindcore thrashes with fervent, uncommon purpose.

ESPRESSO MILK STOUT
COLOR
Black

HOPS
Warrior
MALT
2 Row Pale Malt
Roasted Barley
Chocolate Malt
OG
15.4° Plato
YEAST
House Ale
IBU
Moderate
ABV
6%

SURLY MN USA

Wild Mind Sauce

Wild Mind is known by some as "the sour brewery", but that's a simplistic description, to say the least. To help destroy that myth, let's drink some of their Imperial Stout, shall we? Or, one of their Imperial Stout, I should say.

Sauce Imperial Stout. 9.2 % ABV. 40 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Solid blackness...Stygian, even....slim brown ring above. Looking very nice.

In the nose: Rich and chocolatey, some spice and smoke. Slightly ashen. Some peppers? Turns out, yes, peppers, and quite a lot of spices. I'm tasting this blind, as usual, without knowing all the details. Just peeked at them, which I will share at the bottom.

In the mouth: Full, Rich. Intense. Massive malt presence. Lush and luxurious. Minimal hops. And on comes the cinnamon. More spices flood the palate. Chocolate catches up. Sweetness and spice. Yum.

As you'll read below, the idea is to re-create a mole sauce in an imperial stout. I don't find that ingredient much in my diet, but I feel like they achieved their aim. My notes were succinct, but I feel that I made my point. Once I tapped those notes into the keyboard, I relaxed and luxuriated, and drank down just a little more than half of the 64 ounce growler. Probably a little more than I should have. It's good that I don't have a day job. (By the way, some of the prices on the 750ml bottles at Wild Mind go from $8-$25. $15 for 64 oz. of Imperial Stout seems like a steal.)

This Imperial Stout was brewed with the intention of reproducing the depth of flavors in a mole sauce. There are many varieties of mole sauce, some containing up to 30 ingredients, and this one is based on a mole dulce. It checks in at 20 ingredients with seven grains, two hops, one yeast and 10 other spices. This has robust malt flavors of cocoa, coffee and dark fruit in a full, sultry body. The addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, almond, ginger, raisins, vanilla, cocoa nibs and ancho chiles meld into that body and come across on the palate with a rounded spice character. With how much is going on, this stout leaves you with a singular and distinct impression that we hope reminds you of mole. 

Insight My Free 30 Day Trial of Mega Dankbot Double Dry Hopped Extra Dank Double IPA

Insight My Free 30 Day Trial of Mega Dankbot Double Dry Hopped Extra Dank Double IPA. 8.6 % ABV. Insight Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, amber/bronze color, large and long-lasting off-whitish head.

In the nose: Big juicy malt character paired with powerful hop payload. Potent pine and citrus. Floral, pretty.

In the mouth: From first sip: bold, aggressive, delicious. Intense attack. Bitter barrage on the palate, just the way I like it. Tasty malt hangs out underneath the blazing hop advance. Medium bodied, and easy-drinking (for the hop-head, who craves the blast of bitter hops, like me).

If this is what you get when you double dry-hop an extra dank double IPA, I'm all for it.

Extra, extra, extra dank version of our extra dank IPA. Brewed with CTZ, Amarillo, Citra, and Cascade hops AND a heavy malt bill, this double dry hopped double IPA is dank AF and will leave a mark on your pallet!

DOUBLE IPA
notes:
DANK
RESINOUS
FRUITY
PINEY
availability:
WINTER
abv:
8.6%
ibu:
100+

Ska True Blonde Ale

Ska True Blonde Ale. 5.3 % ABV, 22 IBU. Ska Brewing, Durango, CO.

Ska likes the random verbiage around the top of the can, just like Oskar Blues and others. It's a thing. This time: "Bee. Float. Recycle. Ska-B-Q. Play. Recycle. Picnic. Rally. Recycle. Adopt. Noodlin'. Recycle. Indie." Okay, we get it, we get it. Recycle! Adopt! Ska-B-Q! Whatever that means....

Clear, bright golden, solid slab of ivory head.

In the nose: soft, faintly hoppy, slightly grainy, a little floral.

In the mouth: A touch of juicy. Lightly fruity. Smidge of hops. Modicum of malt. Smooth, light and tasty. Honey-is. Expertly drinkable. Very lean in the bitterness department, but holding in more than usual for the style. It's a much more substantial version than we normally see. And I don't mind that one bit. I can drink this one, and not complain too much

A crisp Blonde Ale. Golden in color, medium in body—she’s brewed with the help and the honey of Durango ’s Honeyville bees.

Light enough not to overwhelm tasty greens regardless of dressing. Works well with delicate fish. Pleasant accompaniment to lobster, clams, shrimp and crab – great w/ lobster bisque. Thirst quencher, works well with spicy/hot foods.

Bent Paddle Doppelbock German-style Lager

Bent Paddle Doppelbock German-style Lager. 7.7 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, MN.

Dark brown color, nearly opaque under a thin slab of cream-toned foam.

In the nose: Sweet and caramel. Dark malts, brown sugar, molasses.

In the mouth: Sugary-sweet from the start, Uber-malty and tasty as can be. Medium-bodied, long, malty finish, ending a bit on the dry side, but the sweetness never falters. Might be "too sweet" for some. Me, I don't care. It's delicious.

This German style Doppelbock is a full bodied "meal in a glass"- a hearty lager perfect for the winter landscape. Malt forward flavors of bread and caramel dominate the subtle sweetness with a slight hint of chocolate in the finish. Pours a deep amber red with a full effervescent head.

Sierra Nevada Spring Seasonal Brut IPA Extra Dry IPA

Sierra Nevada Brut IPA Extra Dry IPA. Alc. 6.2 % by Vol. Brewed at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA & North Mills, NC.

Crystal clear, bright golden, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Clean, dry, slightly fruity, moderate bitterness. Touch of sweet.

In the mouth: Flash of fruit, splash of citrus, traces of tropical. Clean, crisp, drinkable. Just the briefest blaze of bitter. I could go for more.

This is our Brut IPA, a new take on IPA brewed for a bone dry champagne-style finish. Late hop additions give the beer balanced bitterness and a bright pop of citrus flavor. It’s as intriguing as it is drinkable.

ALCOHOL CONTENT  6.2% by volume

BEGINNING GRAVITY  12.5° plato

ENDING GRAVITY  0.5° plato

BITTERNESS UNITS  25

INGREDIENTS

YEAST  Ale yeast

BITTERING HOPS  Experimental

FINISHING HOPS  Comet, Crystal

MALTS  Pilsner

O'so Goldilock's Revenge Brandy Barrel Imperial Stout

O'so Goldilock's Revenge Brandy Barrel Imperial Stout. 10.8 % ABV. O'so Brewing, Plover, WI. Smoked Imperial Stout aged in Oak Brandy Barrels.

O'so Brewing has not appeared here in the Nib in seven years. When I visit Wisconsin to buy beer, I must be passing them over for other things. But now they are self-distributing to Minnesota, and I got some samples, all totally new to me. According to the rep, they're only bringing out the best stuff, not the cores. Sound fine by me. Let's start with this one.

Absolute blackness in the glass, complete opacity, slim brown ring on top.

In the nose: Brandy barrel's busting out all over. Big-boned and boozy. Substantial sweetness. Rich and alcoholic. Impressively expressive.

In the mouth: Massive malt, rich, slightly bitter, excessively dry. Barrel aged expresses itself exceptionally. Hot, hot, hot, and bursting at the seams. Dark, decadent, charred and smokey. Immense. Almost dangerous. Fairly impressive.

Goldilocks' Revenge? She ate their food, wrecked their furniture, slept in their beds, invaded their home....and she's taking "revenge" on the bears? In most tellings of the tale, she escapes and lives unscathed. Again, what's she taking revenge on? Their ire at having their home invaded, the privacy destroyed, their sacred sanctum desecrated? The Bears were innocent!

Our imperial stout aged in brandy barrels for five months. This beer symbolizes the fight that small breweries have to go through in order to get established in a market poisoned with greedy distributors, corporate idealism and fat cats with deep pockets. The small guy can still survive if they have enough true grit and work ethic. Feel the anger.

The O’so Extreme Beer series is our take on very limited production wood aged fine beers. These ultra premium beers are released only when we feel they are ready, and not a minute sooner. Some of them age for months, some of them years. Some of these will never be made again, some of them might be. We are always working on new Extreme Beers.

There's more on the label. "Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way...that is not easy."--Aristotle.

None of that has anything to do with Goldilocks and the Three Bears!

Town Hall Foolish Quadrupel Ale

Town Hall Foolish Belgian Quadrupel Ale. 10% ABV. 17 IBU. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

So, I bought this growler after making sure that I hadn't already done a review previously. Foolish Angel, the beer aged in Angel's Share whiskey barrels? Yes. Foolish Red, the beer aged in red wine barrels? You bet. But, the beer on it's own? Surprisingly, no. Just wasn't there when the growlers were available. Well, my luck changed the other day, so here we go, at last.

Clear, deep Burgundy hue, slim white-ish head.

In the nose: Huge malt sweetness from the get-go. Vanilla, dark fruit, rich & raisin-y. Candi sugar and plums. Really hitting the right notes for a Belgian quad. Sweet and lovely.

In the mouth: Pow! And Mmmm. A fierce entrance leads to lush and smooth and malty deliciousness. Bubblegum meets dark fruit, rum, rich malt and sugar-coated candies. A sweet, late-night treat. Perfect nightcap.

This is so delightful. I wish I were sharing it with friends. But then, I couldn't write this. And where would we be then? I should always buy two of of everything awesome. But, I can't afford that. I got to get a GoFund Me going. Help me buy beer, right? That'll work.

Wait! Stop the presses! I have reviewed this beer before, when it was first released in 2006!
Here are my notes from nearly 13 years ago:

Hazed coppery orange color, not as dark as I was expecting, with a slim ring of foam that quickly vanishes.

Deep, fruity aroma, wide open, starting out a bit exotic and wild, a mite musty, then spices speak up, peppers and oranges in a bewitching blend....

Taste: sweet up front, then a mellow complexity unfolds, a bit plummy, cherries, vinous, tangy...big malt, no real hop presence...Richness with every new sip, very fresh and brimming with flavor, primarily of fruit, with some wicked spices kicking it up here and there...Big body, with a long, lightly sweet finish.

A very likable brew. With time, you start to notice the higher abv, but until then it drinks down like a dream. It is so plump and delicious, though, with ever-revealing delights inside, you will take your time with it. You'd better...

as I get near the end of my first glass, I'm feeling more similarities to some of my favorites, like des Rocs, the Trappists, de Dolle, etcetera...I'm liking this a lot!

Sisyphus Winter Warmer with Cinnamon

Sisyphus Winter Warmer with Cinnamon. 6.7 % ABV. 15 IBU.

Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Dark brown color, ruby edges, clear-ash, slim beige head.

In the nose: Spice reigns supreme in this one. Cinnamon, ahoy. Dark malts and dark fruit & cocoa notes just below.

In the mouth: A flood of tasty dark malt flavors, studded with spices. Deep, warm, and welcoming. Fig, raisin, a bit of berries. Bittersweet and satisfying. Very cinnamon-y. Oh, so tasty.

BTW, and FYI, the original, non-cinnamon Winter Warmer was originally reviewed here. Go check it out.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO WARM UP IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, AND WHAT BETTER WAY THAN WITH A WINTER WARMER. SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS. ALSO SHOULD BE PRETTY OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU TASTE THIS BEER THAT WE'VE ADDED CINNAMON, YUM!

Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier

Okay. I'm going to open, drink and review this bottle of German Oktoberfestbier that I received as a sample well over three, maybe even four months ago, back when it was in season. And I will not beat myself up over not doing so sooner. Like, when it was in season. It just won't be discussed. Okay? Let's go.

Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier. 6.3 % ABV. 26 IBU. Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München, München, Deutschland. (Munich, Germany).

Clear, bright golden color, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Classic, noble hops and grainy malt. Clean and cool.

In the mouth: Wet, warm, sweet and lovely. Gritty, grainy malt texture takes control, moderate hop bitterness keeps the lid on malt. Ends on the side of dry. Classic festbier style. Exceptionally smooth and likable. I'll say it again: tasty.

Good old Bavarian festbier, and you can drink it. Fun fact: You may think from my surname that I'm Irish. Only 25%, actually. The rest is German and Swiss, and maybe a little etcetera in there, too. But, I like the beers of Ireland and Germany equally. And everywhere else's. You know the deal: I like beer. It makes me a jolly good fellow. Someday, I've got to go there. It's in the ol' bucket list.


The Munich Beer Festival, or Oktoberfest, is an event of superlatives - it’s the largest popular festival in the world, staging in the beer metropolis of Munich. Millions of visitors from all over the world flock along every year to enjoy its very special atmosphere. For this occasion, Hofbräu brews a rich, full-bodied beer which goes down ideally with traditional Bavarian cuisine. With its deliciously bitter taste and alcoholic content of 6.3% volume, Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier is as special as the Beer Festival itself.

Avery Out of Mind Coffee Stout

Avery Out of Mind Coffee Stout. 6.5 % ABV. Stout with Coffee Beans. Avery Brewing, Boulder, CO. "Intense. Wired. Beerista." Seems like they're getting into the whole "3 words" thing.

Solid blackness. Slim brown ring of foam.

In the nose: Warm, earthy coffee tones on top, dark malt notes just below. Cocoa flavors blend with espresso.

In the mouth: Sweet from the stout, with notes of cherry and vanilla, keeping up with the coffee flavors. Slightly bittersweet, ending dry. Medium bodied, long, dry coffee-is finish. Just enough hops to keep on top the roasted malt. Lovely stuff.

We've taken this big, intense stout to the extreme by boosting it with whole bean dark-roasted coffee. We aren't afraid to use plenty of rich roasted barley, balanced by the bitterness of coffee to give this full-bodied stout a little extra something you've been looking for in a beer.

Seattle Oaked Maple Hard Cider

What's with the bent can, somebody's probably asking.
Surely you didn't receive it in such a fashion?
Of course not. Lesson learned: If your bag has a little
hole in it, and you fill it with beers, you might have a
big hole, and that, my friends, is a problem.

Seattle Cider Co. Oaked Maple Hard Cider. 6.9 % Alc./Vol. Made with Washington Apples. "Not Your Standard Cider."

Clear, yellow, slim head.

In the nose: Apple-y, oak-y, touch of sweetness. Hint of maple.

In the mouth: Sweetness from the start, big ol maple flavor. Slightly sugary. Just a little oaky.
There's a little apple underneath, holding it down, but the flavor's mostly maple. Light bodied, easy drinking. Good cider and you can drinking...if you can handle all the maple.

Fermented with raisins and oak chips, this semi-dry cider is back-sweetened with pure Vermont maple syrup. Offering notes of vanilla and oak with a hint of maple, this unique cider is the perfect accompaniment to chilly winter weather. Best served chilled (50-55 degrees).

Oliphant The Mangus Tart Mango Milkshake India Pale Ale

Oliphant The Mangus Tart Mango Milkshake India Pale Ale. 5.6% ABV. Tart Milkshake IPA. Brewed by Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Hazed up, bright orange color, slim ring of ivory foam.

In the nose: traces of tart and fruit, unfolding and flowering. Quite promising.

In the mouth: Sour kick from the start, sour and salty. Tart uber alles in this one, so far. Waiting on the fruit. It's there, somewhere, underneath the sour. Where's the milkshake, though? And, while we're at it, the IPA?

Should I be expecting some happiness, or creamy/fruitiness? It's what they're advertising.

This gets more complex further in, the flavors widen and expand. But not enough that we ever get to taste the milkshake, or the mango, or the IPA. Just call it a tart mango ale. If the "milkshake" aspect doesn't actually come through, why call it such? And it certainly doesn't taste like an IPA.

I hate to knock a favorite brewery, but that's what's going to happen when you put out a "tart mango milkshake IPA." Is it me, not getting these new styles, am I the one who's wrong? Who out there is vigorously nodding?

Fair State FSB 2018

Fair State FSB. FSB for Fair State Brewing, as well as the pre-cursor to the KGB. Russian Imperial Stout. 13.9% ABV. 70 IBU. Fair State Brewing, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

Full-on ebony hue, here, with a swiftly disappearing brown head on it.

In the nose: Rich dark malts, cocoa, anise, espresso. Quite deep. Cavernous. Char, ash, nice.

In the mouth: Darkness reigns supreme. Richness, deepness, chocolatey-ness. Skirts shy of the sweet. Definitely on the dry side. And deeply satisfying. So much rich and thick and decadently delicious. Whoa. This one has everything. Yu-u-um, a dum, dum.

So good. So very good. So many ways the epitome of the very model of a major imperial stout. All the heat, all the action, and everything we need is going on.

As you can see, I'm fond of this. It boggles the mind that it hasn't had an entry here yet. It's been written about once before, in this post, the first time I tried it. I've served it on tap at Acadia in years past. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how I never picked up a bottle or a can before? Did I pass it up merely because I'd tried it before?

(Reading the link provided above shows that I answered that very question nearly 3 years ago. I passed on bottles because I already ordered the keg, and presumed that I'd take notes then. No such thing happened. And I continued to pass on bottles when I saw them, fool that I am.)

Well, don't you pass it up. This is one of the best imperial stouts made around these parts.

The 2018 version of our yearly Imperial Stout is a massive beer infused with orange zest and vanilla. Brewed with oats and an amalgamation of our favorite dark and roasted malts., its just the thing to start out your holiday dessert plans. 

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Lager

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Lager. 5.1 % ABV. Birra Peroni, Roma, Italy.

Once more, it's proof that if you give me a beer, it will be reviewed here. Got this from a distributor rep, probably due to this fact, not that he thought I'd like it and want to start selling it. I probably also received the bottle I reviewed in 2005 as sample. I found those notes. Here they are...

Transparent, yellowy appearance...big, bone-white head, softly settling.

Aroma: "eh, it's beer"...clean and dull, with merest hints of lemon zest and minerals...

Taste: ah! crap! harsh bite at the front...ow! not good! bad beer, bad beer!
Dissipates eventually, but offers no rewards...big, painful, citric sour quality pervades what little flavor exists, and each new sip brings a fresh wince to the face. Not what you want in a beer.

One of the worst experience I've had with a beer. Not quite Crazy Ed's, but close...
Yuck!
Someone please confirm for me, "Nastro Azzurro" is Italian for "Nasty Ass", isn't it?

6/15/05

Looking back, thirteen and a half years later....It's not that bad. But it is bland, watery, and unbelievably boring. Was the sample I got then bad, was the beer worse, or have I just built up a tolerance? Good questions. But, now more than ever, I'm staying away from this one.

I still don't know what Nastro Assurro means, though. 

Destihl Touch of Haze Hazy IPA

Destihl Touch of Haze Hazy IPA. 7.3 % ABV. 57 IBU. Destihl Brewery, Normal. IL.

Last night, I had an officially sanctioned Grateful Dead-themed beer from Dogfish Head. Now, here's an un-official tie (dyed)-in, from the Deadhead series, it seems.

Yeah, it's all hazy, bright golden toned, under a slim ivory, lace-leaving head.

In the nose: Softly fruity, lightly citric. Touch of tropical fruit.

In the mouth: More soft, sweet and fruity. Low on the bitterness, here. Lush malt. Tasty stuff. Medium bodied, long, fruity finish. Ends of a slightly dry note, with a persistent sweet/fruity echo in the back. I like this one. Go on ahead and drink it.

Our Deadhead IPA Series melds the strong vibe of our favorite music with the beer we love to drink, elevating both into a higher state of consciousness. Our Touch of Haze IPA resonates with big additions of Mosaic and Cascade hops harmonized with the smooth mouthfeel of flaked oats, for a mellow, juicy and hazy IPA that really strikes a chord. Cheers!

Oskar Blues Can-O-Bliss Tropical IPA

Oskar Blues Can-O-Bliss Tropical IPA. or, as the can says, "Mountain IPA." Also, for some reason: "Juice Willis." Not to mention "Trop It Like It's Hot." 7.2 % ABV. 68 IBU. Oskar Blues Brewing, Lyons, CO.

Hazy, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Bold and beautiful hoppy aroma. Citrusy, tropical, pineapple and mango. Fruity, juicy, nice.

In the mouth: Ah! Big drop of juicy hops on the palate. Citrusy/tropical. Lightish bodied, tasty and smooth. Ends on a big of dry note. Good IPA and you can drink it.

Once more, a brewery has put a lot of work into telling a tale about the beer. Much more than I can provide. Go ahead and check it out:

Take a swig and follow along in the brochure as we show you around the tropical hopscape of Can-O-Bliss. Please keep your arms and legs inside the Dank Tank at all times.

Ladies and gents, our first stop is Mosaic hops. Mosaic was originally bred by crossing Nugget hops with Simcoe and the result is complex and clean with notes of blueberry, mango, stone fruit and spice; juxtaposed with citrusy, tropical, herbal and floral flavors – clearly one of the busiest pallet ports on the island.

The next stop on our beer safari is a natural hop formation known as Azacca. Azacca boasts colorful tropical fruit and citrus flavors with tasting notes of spicy mango, pineapple, tangerine and pine.

Everyone grab your poncho because up ahead there’s a satisfying flavorfall of Galaxy hops, awash with peach, passionfruit and ripe mango. You might get a little wet.

Please remain seated as we tastebud-travel into El Dorado valley. You’ll notice the big aromas of pear, watermelon, stone fruit and candy. Sit back and enjoy the smells.

Lastly, let’s pull over into this Idaho 7 viewing area, complete with zesty orange, tangerine, marmalade and black tea vibes. Idaho 7 has only been around since 2015. You might want to pull out the ol’ camera and grab a couple shots of that pungent tropical fruitsphere.

Alright folks, we’ve finally arrived at our destination – juicy, hop-heaped, Tropical Can-O-Bliss IPA. Crack a can and taste that juicy tropical goodness! You certainly don’t need binoculars to peep the sunset-orange hue on that brew.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your tropical island tour, where sips are mandatory and tips are appreciated.

Stone Tropic of Thunder Lager

Stone Tropic of Thunder Lager. Tropical Lager. 5.8% ABV. Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white ring of foam.

In the nose: citrusy, floral, slight sweetness.

In the mouth: Lightly hoppy, a touch of bitterness, a smack of sweet. Easy on the palate, definitely refreshing and ridiculously drinkable. Little bit of citrus tastes bounce off the tongue as the hop bitterness increases a bit. This is tasty stuff, for sure.

I don't have too much more to say about it. In fact, that about covers it. Stone Brewing, however, has a lot more to tell you:


Maroon yourself: Imagine you set sail for a three hour tour. Let’s say from the Port of Escondido (work with us here). The weather started getting rough. Your tiny ship (but not lunch, thankfully) was tossed. Long story short: You’re marooned on a remote island somewhere near the Tropic of Thunder. The good news is that the Capt. of the S.S. Stone and her brewing kit were among the small cast of colorful characters that survived the rough voyage with you. Mainstays Citra & Mosaic along with newcomer Cashmere hops are joined by their juicy tropical aromas of citrus, pineapple and coconut (try stringing all that together in a catchy tune). The rescue ship will find you all soon enough. For now, set aside the non-working cell phone and lack of social media (again, work with us here), kick back and revel in your moment of tropical island lagoon serenity.

North Lake Golden Light Lager

North Lake Golden Light Lager. Owned by a company in Ramsey, MN, brewed over in Wisconsin, by Minhas in Monroe, as well as some other brewery in Tennessee, it seems.

Shut down by prohibition in 1919, the North Lake Brewing Company lay dormant for decades, only to be revived in 2013 under the same principles set forth a century earlier.

Minnesota owned and distributed, North Lake brews full-flavored lagers in small batches to guarantee the freshest beer for Minnesotans and Minnesotans at heart.

North Lake Beer is produced at both Minhas Brewing, Monroe, WI and City Brew, Memphis, TN and can be found at restaurants, bars and retail liquor stores across Minnesota.

Clear, bright golden color, slim head, swiftly disappearing.

In the nose: slightly floral, grainy, not much else.

In the mouth: Some sweetness at the start, mostly malty, nothing much from hops. Pleasant enough. Innocuous. Watery. Light. It's golden, it's light, it's a lager.

I drank it. It wasn't bad.

GOLDEN LIGHT LAGER

Ideal for those hot summer days on the water
Light, refreshing taste
4.1% ABV

Town Hall Raspberry Belgian Strong Ale

Town Hall Raspberry Belgian Strong Ale. 8.7 % ABV. Belgian Strong Golden Ale, with raspberries. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright crimson, short-lived pinkish head.

In the nose: Big time berry. Slight tart and largely fruity. Raspberry all the day long.

In the mouth: Powerful pucker at the start. Fruit follows, the rest is fairly smooth, while strong. Light bodied, but packed with flavor. Going to my head. Ringing with fruity, tarty deliciousness. Nighty night.

Brilliant red color, freshly picked raspberry flavor/aroma, with a delicious cotton candy finish.

Cotton Candy? Now, I've heard it all.

Indeed High and Dry Brut IPA

Indeed High and Dry Brut IPA. 5.6 % ABV. 20 IBU. Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, dull yellow, slim ivory head.

In the nose: soft and citrusy. Lemony and floral. Touch of pepper? I kind of like this.

In the mouth: Hoppy and dry. No juicy up in here. Downright brittle, it is. Clean and lean. Light bodied, zippy finish. It's here and it's gone, and it leaves one wanting. This is a fine interpretation of a pointless style. The more I try the Brut IPA, the more I wonder what is the point of this. Why? I'm not getting bitter, I'm not getting sweet or juicy, just ...what is it? Who wants it?

There ain't nothing wrong with this, but, man, once again, something that's called an IPA is missing what makes a great IPA.

Oh, what am I complaining about? It's alright.

A newly emerging style of IPA from San Francisco, a "Brut" IPA (referencing the very dry, sparkling wine) is an IPA where every last bit of sugar is fermented from the use of an enzyme added during the brewing process. Due to this lack of residual sugars that would normally act as a backbone to support bitterness in hop forward beers, a Brut's focus is on high quaffability, low bitterness and massive aromatics. Our Brut IPA is a highly drinkable ale with a boisterous blend of fruit forward hops including El Dorado, Belma, and Calypso. A simplistic and clean pilsner malt bill paves the way for this aromatic adventure into the hop fields. If you tend to shy away from the big bad IPAs, a Brut is great way to experience the glory of hops!

Oliphant Last Year's Talent Imperial Stout

Oliphant Last Year's Talent Imperial Stout. With Coffee, Almond, and Cacao Nibs. 9% ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Solid blackness, thick and rich brown ring of foam on top, lasting long, and looking lovely. Fits the part for the style.

In the nose: cocoa. coffee. Rich, dark malts.

In the mouth: More richness, deep cocoa. Warm, lush, full of dark malty goodness. A little anise, a touch of pepper. Loads of coffee and cocoa. Yum, -um, -um. A dum. dum. I can't emphasize this enough: you-u-um. So easy. So malty. So chocolatey, espresso-y. So, so, very, very. So very smooth and so very tasty.

I was quite delighted to find this one at a local store recently. Thought it was long gone and I'd never get to taste it. Oh, happy day!

Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead present American Beauty Pale Ale

Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead present American Beauty Pale Ale. 6.5 % ABV. 50 IBU. Brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, DE.

Dogfish Head is at it again with the music-themed beers, and this time it's a band that I've never really been into, not even a little. I remember one night at the Harriet Brewing taproom (RIP), a Dead cover band was playing, and some groovers asked me "do you like the Dead?" as I stood in an utterly un-grooving manner. Not really, I told them, and they looked at me as if a giant eggplant has suddenly bloomed on the top of my head. Yeah, well, how many Horace Silver albums do you have, you filthy hippies?

On with the beer:

Clear, bright amber hue, sizable ivory head, looking good.

In the nose: Clean, lightly hoppy. perfectly okay.

In the mouth: Fruity, earthy, gritty hop presence on the palate. Smooth stuff, quenchable, refreshing. Medium body, long hoppy finish. Ends on a dry note, with flavor everlasting. It's a good pale ale, and you can drink it. There ain't nothing wrong with that.

I forgot that they added granola to the beer (of course), but it doesn't really stand out, but, rather, blends in with the malt very well. Adds a particular grainy, roast/toasty character, and the honey smooths it out.

But, speaking of the Grateful Dead, I once had a co-worker who teased me for playing so much jazz at work. I told her that I'm tired of everyone picking on jazz, because jazz never hurt anyone, and the only bad thing jazz ever did was inspire the Grateful Dead. Boy, she did not like that.


American Beauty, a pale ale inspired by the Grateful Dead, captures the spirit of the band's 30 years of touring and recording. Dogfish Head and the Dead both built their followings by connecting directly with beer lovers and music lovers, so when we first started this collaboration (back in 2013), we asked those loyal fans to help drive the recipe.

After receiving more than 1,500 ingredient suggestions, granola was tops. It was the main course in millions of parking lot meals and is a sweet and toasty complement to the barley, succulent wildflower honey and all-American hops.

ABV:
6.5
IBU:
50
RELEASE:
Year Round
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE:
2013
STYLE:
Pale Ale
ENJOY

FOOD PAIRING
Thai, jambalaya, frites
EXPERIENCE

COLOR
Golden/orange amber
AROMA
Subtle fruity notes of marzipan/almond/cherries, citrus hops, orange, honey and malt
FLAVOR
Sweet lingering honey with citrus accompanied with fruity notes of almond
MOUTHFEEL

Warming and thin, lingering sweet and bitter

Lupulin / Drastic Measures Operation CoHoperation India Pale Ale

Lupulin / Drastic Measures Operation CoHoperation India Pale Ale. 7% ABV. 50 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN, in collaboration with Drastic Measures Brewing, Wadena, MN. (That's the new venture from the former Disgruntled brewer Brett Doebbelling.)

All cloudy-like, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus aplenty up in here. Orange and lemon, with a pinch of pine.

In the mouth: Popping with hops. Medium bodied, long, bitter finish. Deliriously delicious. Lots of hoppy goodness going on. Flat out yum.

Collaboration with Drastic Measures in Wadena, MN. A most mind blowing mash up of malt, hops, and hop hash. Two worlds colliding with a force so great that the resulting element is greater than the sum of its parts. From that collision poured this golden liquid hop juice. Enjoy!

Mikkeller San Diego Upstairs Downstairs Golden Lager with Spices

Mikkeller San Diego Upstairs Downstairs Golden Lager w/long Pepper, Kaffir Lime, Coriander and Oak Spirals. 5.2 % Alc./Vol. Mikkeller San Diego, San Diego, CA.

Clear, bright golden hue, vast ivory head.

In the nose: Slightly tart, fruity, lime. Floral/ vegetal. Damned interesting, to be sure.

In the mouth: Clean, smooth, light bodied. Just enough malt, and just enough hops to keep it interesting. More malty than hoppy and then the lime, the spice, and other. Tasty, tasty. Quite delicious, actually. Mmm, I'm digging it. Sweet and malty and tasty and mmmm.

Blonde lager w/ Kaffir Lime Leaf & Indian Coriander

Unmapped Topowit Belgian Witbier

Unmapped Topowit Belgian Witbier. 5.4 % ABV. 13 IBU. Unmapped Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Very clouded, deep amber hue, slim white ring of foam.

In the nose: Bright citrus, vibrant lemon and orange, delicate spice. Floral in abundance. Overwhelmingly pleasant and lovely.

In the mouth: Light-bodied, Excellently quenchable. Belgian funky flavors, citrus notes, slight spice. Smooth and refreshing. Lightly malty. Not exactly a note-perfect witbier, a little darker than style requirements, but I don't mind that much.

Topo Wit is our flagship Belgian White Ale. This easy drinker is packed with flavor but is still light enough to be the perfect “anytime beer.” Notes of fruit and spice add zesty overtones to this enjoyable wheat-based brew.

Sisyphus How Now Brown Cow

Sisyphus How Now Brown Cow Brown Ale. 5.4 % ABV. 22 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Dark brown color, rich, cocoa-tinged head on top.

In the nose: Soft, and creamy. Nutty, malty, a little earthy. Largely likable.

In the mouth: Cocoa takes command. Malty and slightly sweet. Medium -bodied, and delicious.
I have to say, I don't choose brown ales very often, but when they're done right, I'm pretty darned glad. This is just hoppy enough, malty enough, and so very tasty.

Town Hall E.T. Wee

Town Hall E.T. Wee. Wee Heavy Ale aged in Elmer T. Lee bourbon barrels. 8% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

I bought this one during Barrel aged Week last year, and sat on it for a little bit. Here come the notes:

Here's one I've never been able to take home in growler format. If I had, you'd have heard about it already.

Utter darkness, slim brown head, soon gone.

In the nose: Sweetness, first, then bourbon. Vanilla, cherry, charcoal. Intense bourbon flavors swallowing up a malty Scottish style. More flavors eke out, some molasses, more fruit. Just nothing but nice.

In the mouth: Deep, dark, malty, delicious. Mmm. Dark fruit, fig and raisin, sweetness and darkness plus bourbon means tasty.



Scottish-style Wee Heavy aged in bourbon barrels.

Oliphant Anutart Blackberry Sour

Oliphant Anutart Blackberry Sour. Berliner Weisse with Blackerries. 5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewery, Somerset, WI.

So, someone's got to solve this puzzle for me: Is it "ANN-you-tart", or "A-NEW-tart"? Got to find out. Also, this series' crowlers labels continue to look like demented teeth at play in some bloody gums. Okay, what the story, Jeremy Hughes?

Thoroughly hazed, rich and jammy, cast in a deep, Burgundy hue, with a fine layer of pink head atop.

In the nose: nice tartness starts it out, swiftly swallowed by fruit. Very berry in here. Just a touch of sweet.

In the mouth: Sweetness is charge at the forefront, and tart soon takes over. Bright and fruity and refreshing. Juicy. Only just a little bit on the thin & watery side, but I certainly don't mind, and it's not wrong for the style.

Good blackberry sour ale, and you can drink it.