Town Hall Dortmunder Local Export Lager

Town Hall Dortmunder Local Export Lager. 5.4 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

I'm at Town Hall, looking at the options and wondering what beers of theirs haven't appeared here in the Nib. Well, this one. I just keep skipping it and skipping it, as I'd rather have an ale than a lager, just about every time. So, I bought a growler and now let's cross this one of the list and add another lager to the growing number of Bitter Nib beers.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Clean, malty, minor hops, a touch of cereal.

In the mouth: More clean and just a little crisp. A little bit of spicy hoppiness and a touch of sweetness on the palate. Light-bodied, tasty-drinking, soft and smooth. It is what it is, and it does what it does. Not a bad little beer, and you can drink it.

Light and refreshing German style golden lager brewed with classic German malt, Czech Saaz and American Sterling hops.

Utepils Springbok

Utepils Springbok. 6.8% ABV. 36 IBU. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden, large white head.

In the nose: clean, light malt sweetness. Light cereal touches.

In the mouth: Bam! Big blast of malt flavors, clean and crisp and bursting with flavor. Starts out sweet, and ends on a dry note. "Heller bock", I ask myself, what is a Heller bock? I've heard of Helles Lagers, and Keller Pilsners, but...I'm going to have to Google it. And lo, and behold, it's just another term for a Maibock, a style I've been familiar with for quite some time. Blonde bock is another way to put it, a light colored strong lager brewed for the spring time season.

Strong flavors. Big malt, slightly sweet, minor bitterness, (but much more than a traditional bock) hearty and satisfying. I'm sold. This is solid stuff.

And I like how they took the concept of the Bock beer, made for the spring, and named it for the African antelope known for the spring in it's step.

Let's watch some springbok pronking, shall we?

This is a terrific Heller Bock, or Maibock, or whatever we want to call it. I'm really enjoying this can, and I'll be drinking more of this in the months to come.


It's worth surviving a long, cold winter if you get to drink this in the spring. Springbok represents the gleeful leap from winter dreariness to spring renewal. It has all the depth and strength of a wintry lager, balanced with enough lightness to put a spring in your step.

Indeed Mexican Honey Light Lager

Indeed Mexican Honey Light Lager. 5.2 % ABV. Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, vast ivory head.

In the nose: a little bit of sweetness, a whole lot of lightness. Some cereal malt touches, a bit of floral, and a whiff of fruit.

In the mouth: Degrees of sweet honey, malt, light fruit, and a brief bitterness. Citrus notes on board the palate, turning dry in the end. Light bodied, and flavorful. I'm not normally one for the light lagers, or the honey lagers, but damned if this isn't tasty. It's a good one, and you can surely drink it.




Meet Mexican Honey Light, a lighter kind of buzz. This bright and clean cerveza is brewed with orange blossom honey straight from orange groves south of the border, Amarillo hops and a twist of citrus. Our new, more sessionable spin on Mexican Honey is refreshingly crushable and brewed to take it easy, anytime, anywhere.

Hop & Barrel Ridiculous Idiots Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Hop & Barrel Ridiculous Idiots Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. 11 % ABV. 54 IBU. Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, WI.

Full-on blackness, deep and impenetrable, rich brown head atop, large, then lessening.

In the nose: Ah, yes Cocoa, coffee. Rum, molasses. Char, tobacco. It's all happening. All the imperial, all the barrel.

In the mouth: Thick, rich, plump, and delicious. All the massive malt. Some roast and toast, a lot of chocolate and sweetness, but plenty of balance. Ends shy of sweetness. Much residual sugar, but so much flavor and taste, all is in good use, here.

Booze comes rolling in, and is welcomed. This is my little nightcap. It pounds on the walls, but offers certain comforts, too. The coffee, chocolate, molasses kind. Very tasty this. I'm highly satisfied with the contents of this can. Hey, let's go back to Wisconsin and get some more! Who's with me? Road trip!

Here's the deal: Brian and Justin are ridiculous and kind of idiots, at least according to Justin's wife. So in honor of ridiculous idiots everywhere this barrel aged masterpiece starts with a complex base beer that has enough residual body to hold up to a long barrel aging process. The result is a boozy, pleasingly warm, yet goes-down-easy imperial stout. Cheers to ridiculous idiots everywhere!

Junkyard Ultracloud New England Style Double IPA

Junkyard Ultracloud New England Style Double IPA. 8.1 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. Packaged 2/11/19.

Ever-so hazy. milky white head.

In the nose: Nicely hopped, low-key citrus notes. Orange and lemon, and ...what else? Something I can't quite define.

In the mouth: Soft, yet fruity, with an intense bite from the onset. Citrus-y/lemon-y flavors are big, but fade fast. Medium-bodied, and easy drinking for a double. Fresh, lively, and delicious. Ends on a nice and tidy dry note. Refreshing, tasty, and the booze finally hits. There you are, you little rascal. Come to papa.

Man, I'm liking this more and more as I go. Maybe I'll go back and get some more.

Dry-hopped with New Zealand grown hops, featuring Raaku, Motueka, and Konatu hops. 

Boom Island Chill Lacs Session IPA

Boom Island Chill Lacs Session IPA. 4.8 % Alc./Vol. 44 IBU. Hops: Chinook, and Wai-iti.
Boom Island Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Hazy orange, tidy white head.

In the nose: Mildly hoppy. Soft and citrus-y.

In the mouth: Malt and hops board the palate with equal aplomb. Earthy & spicy, cool, clean, and very mellow. Long bitter finish. A lot of tastiness going on in this one. I could definitely do a session or so with this one.

An easy-drinking IPA? Some said, "Impossible!" We say: "Chill Lacs." Inspired by Minnesota’s 10,000-plus lakes or "lacs", this session IPA has a delicate citrus nose and just a hint of bitterness. Enjoy a crisp, clean finish -- perfect for any season.

Surly DAF Brut IPA

Surly DAF Brut IPA. 7 % ABV. Limited Seasonal. Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center & Minneapolis, MN.

Here we go, everyone, another "brut" IPA. I hope it's really "brut" like all the others. That'd be just super.

Clouded and yellow slim white head.

In the nose: spots of citrus, trickles of tropical, and oh, so, very dry.

In the mouth: First of all, it's wet. And then, it's dry. And hoppy. Lemon and pineapple popping on the palate. Medium/light-ish bodied. Crisp, effervescent. Light malt character.

Here's the thing: the things that make this the thing that it is, are the opposite of what I like in an IPA. It's a beer, and you can drink it, and it's an IPA, and I like them. But as for the dry, why?

Not really a fan of the Brut, if you couldn't tell. Don't get it. Not seeing the point.

BREWED FOR THE OPPOSITE OF HAZE

This Brut IPA-style beer delivers dynamic, fruit-forward hop flavors and a finish so refreshing it begs for another sip. As for the name, it’s dry as…well, you know.

yeah, we know...AS FUCK. Because that moronic phrase says so much. It's what you say when you can't deal with metaphors. Just say "AF" and your work is done. Lazy, simple idiots. Oh, but it's much cooler to just say "as FUCK" than to actually think of something original or clever or smart. Yeah, it's not cool to be smart. I know, I know.

Badger Hill Vanilla Machiatto Stout

Badger Hill Vanilla Machiatto Stout. Brewer's Batch. A limited small batch run crafted by our brewers. 6.5 % ABV. 30 IBU. Badger Hill Brewery, Shakopee, MN.

Full-on blackness, with a rich, toasted tan head. Looking great.

In the nose: Vanilla, cocoa, coffee. Sweet, earthy, nutty. Lush & lovely. Creamy. Gorgeous.

In the mouth: Full bodied. Rich and delicious. Smooth and creamy. Hints of vanilla and coffee continue. All the notes from the nose appear on the palate. Just delicious. Nothing but. I like this a lot. Can't remember the last time I liked a Badger Hill beer this much. So very good.

This one's available as part of a current mix pack, I believe. It's worth getting it just to get this.

Espresso roast coffee beans and real vanilla beans add an extra layer of decadence to the rich and creamy milk stout. 

Mikkeller San Diego Staff Magician New England Pale Ale

Mikkeller San Diego Staff Magician New England Pale Ale. 5.5 % ABV. Mikkeller SD, San Diego, CA.

Hazy, pale golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus bursts forth, hoppy, soft, nice.

In the mouth: More mellowness on the palate, smooth and slightly hoppy. I said "soft" before, and here it is again. Silky smooth. Certainly citrusy.

 Drinkable. Good beer and that's what you can do with it.

O'so Blood of the Cherry

O'so Blood of the Cherry. Barrel Aged Blended Sour Ale Refermented on Door County Cherries. 7 % ABV. 10 IBU. O'so Brewing, Plover, WI.

Highly hazed, murky crimson coloring, swiftly departed white head.

In the nose: Tart. Fruity. Oaky. Sour. Delightful.

In the mouth: Even more so. Fiercely sour & fruity, deep and complex. Tasty. Medium bodied. Non-stop sour. Full-on cherry. Just a touch of sweet, to match the sour. Wow. I'm digging this. Bloody good.

Blood the Cherry (sic) was one of our first sours that we did regularly. Made with cherries from Door county. This sour comes in as a extremely cherry tart treat. Blood of the Cherry was first made in 2014. Made from a single barrel with cherries, however as we've gotten better at making sours, we started to do blends more. Blood of the Cherry now comes in as one of the best cherry sours out there.

Dogfish Head The Perfect Disguise Double IPA

Dogfish Head The Perfect Disguise Double IPA. 8% Alc. by Vol. 70 IBU.
Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, DE.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Popping with tropical notes and citrus, too. Clean and cool.

In the mouth: A flood of flavors, a blast of bitter and fruit. Starts fruity, ends dry. Crisp, smooth, with plenty of bitter. I went into this forgetting what I knew, with only the label art as my guide. Hops lurking inside a jolly German? Now, I sneak peek and I remember, it's the double IPA with kolsch yeast, right? Yeah, and it's working. Getting some stone fruit, some tropical, and plenty of bitterness.

I'm liking this a lot. Dogfish is at it again, and my cap is off to them for continuing to innovate.

On the surface, The Perfect Disguise looks like a straightforward Kölsch with a crisp Kölsch yeast and traditional German malts and hops … but things aren’t always what they seem. With a quick sniff and a slight sip, you’re greeted by a creamy mouthfeel and full body thanks to the addition of a unique German chit malt - the first hint that this beer may be somewhat different.

Hiding deeper behind that German disguise is the double dry-hopping of an American Double IPA, with nearly 4 lbs. of German and American hops per barrel. It brings tropical flavors of citrus, tangerine, mango, gooseberries and peach.

Indeed Dogwood Neon Espresso Imperial Stout Ale with Coffee and Vanilla Added

Indeed / Dogwood Neon Espresso Imperial Stout Ale with Coffee and Vanilla Added. "This can looks a little different. The beer inside is, too. Brewed for fun, it's just a quick run. Now you see it, now you drink it." Rum Barrel-aged King Ale.

I found this as a single in a local store, having heard nothing of it. It was a little more than I like to pay for a single 12 oz. can, about six bucks. But it's my kind of beer, so I had to have it. Now, we will drink it.

10.5 % ABV. 55 IBU. Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Total darkness, rich and bleak, full roasty brown head on top, looking amazing.

In the nose: creamy, chocolatey, coffee-y. Nutty.

In the mouth: Strong. Malty. Intense. Fierce. Powerful. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Wow. Tasty. Delicious. Full bodied. Incredible. Damnit, this is yum, a dum, dum.

Dave's BrewFarm In Machina Exspiravit

Dave's BrewFarm In Machina Exspiravit. 6.7 % ABV. Dave's BrewFarm, Wilson, WI.

You guys. It's been so long since I've written about a new BrewFarm beer. When I go there, which is never often enough, there's either no growlers to take home, or beers I've already written about. Frustrating. My last new beer from Dave was November of 2017. And then there's all of you people who thought that because he's been trying to sell his business for the past four years that means he's out of business. Well, it ain't true. and here's some proof that Farmer Dave is still making new beers:

Let's drink this beer, which has a strange name, and, surprise, surprise, fits no category

Clear, bright golden, maybe amber, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Bright and hoppy. Lively. Arousing. Citrusy, floral.

In the mouth: Hops aplenty, bitterness buzz, but not too much so. And it's hoppy, and malty and yum-a-dum-dum. Tasty. Fruity. Citrus meets tropical. All the goodness.

If forced, I'd call it a pale ale, or even an IPA. It's medium-bodied, smooth, and so nice that I just finished that growler, without worrying too much about expanding upon the notes above.

"The Ghost in the Machine." Brewed on Halloween and a nod to my AI studies. IME has Pils, Aromatic and Victory Malts, Centennial, Cascade, and Galaxy hops. fermented with an American ale strain. BOO!

"Al studies"? Dave's studying me....say what?

Downeast Aloha Friday Cider

Downeast Aloha Friday Cider. The Unfiltered Craft Cider. 5.1 % ABV. Downeast Cider house, Boston, MA.

Lightly clouded, golden toned, definitely tipping to pineapple. No head at all.

In the nose: Sweet and dry at once. Pineapple-y. Oh, yeah. Sweet turns to tart. Nice.

In the mouth: Sweetness kicks it off from the start, then turns nice and dry, ending on the cool side. Quite tasty.. Tangy. Tart. Very good. Hey, I like it. It ain't bad. In fact, it's good.

Unfiltered cider with pineapple juice– tangy and fruity with a dry finish. Infused with tart, tropical juiciness and hazy memories of a semester in Hawaii many years ago. 

Junkyard / Modist The Bar Side Episode Two: Betsy's Dark Secret

Junkyard / Modist The Bar Side Episode Two: Betsy's Dark Secret. 6 % ABV. Stout with coffee, chocolate, lactose, and natural peanut flavor.

So, this is part two of a collaboration between Junkyard Brewing of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Modist of Minneapolis. I haven't seen part one, the Modist version, yet. Is it sold out? Only at the taproom? Sold out of only the taproom?

Utter darkness (if I were a punning person, I'd say "udder"), deepest blackness, under a roasty tanned head. Looking very nice.

In the nose: Ah! Chocolate, coffee, peanuts! Who put their chocolate in my peanut butter? Scrump-diddly-uptious.

In the mouth: Roasty/toasty. Dry. Cocoa and espresso. Creamy-smooth. Delightful. Dreamy. Medium bodied, long-lasting flavors. Robust and relishable. (My new word, trying it out.) Flat out tasty.

I say, Go Drink It!

A Milk Stout brewed with coffee, chocolate, lactose, and natural peanut flavor. The flavor is reminiscent of chocolate covered coffee beans and peanut butter cups. 

This beer is one of a two-part collaborative series of beers that we brewed with Modist Brewing Co. of Minneapolis. Betsy's Dark Secret was brewed in Moorhead at Junkyard Brewing, and we brewed another "blonde stout" version called "Betsy's Bright Idea" at Modist. Both beers are being released during the same week, starting 1/29/19 on tap and in cans, so check them both out!

Bauhaus Crop Circus Double IPA

Bauhaus Crop Circus Double IPA. 8.4 % ABV. Bauhaus Brewlabs, Minneapolis, MN.

Here's one I've had before, on tap at Acadia, last year, accounting for my seven Untappd check-ins. I didn't get a keg (yet) this year, because I already have enough double IPA kegs on tap or hanging around. So, I made sure to pick up a can in a store, before it's too late, so it can make it's debut in the Nib.

Hazy, dark golden/amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrusy. Dank. Ominous.

In the mouth: Huge bitter bite from the first sip. Citrusy snap joins the attack. Plenty of malt to back it all up. Alcohol buzz comes popping in to catch up to the hop blitz. It all comes together. I love a good  double IPA, as any regular reader knows, and this is one I'd return to again and again.

Crop Circus Double IPA features a huge, juicy hop profile typical of New England-style IPAs, but without the pulpy haze. Instead of a bracing hop bitterness, this beer opts to focus on smooth hop flavors and aromas brimming with tropical fruit and fresh citrus that result from the use of multiple cutting edge (alien?) hop technologies, including cryogenically separated hop resins and aromatic oils (aka "cryo hops"). While this hefty DIPA clocks in at a 8.4%, it goes down exceptionally smooth and finishes with only a touch of lingering hop bitterness. To put it succinctly, it's out of this world. Get it before it leaves the planet!

Surly Darkness 2013, five years on

Surly Darkness 2013. 12 % ABV. Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, MN.

It's been a little bit since I've opened an older bottle of Darkness. I think five years on is as good a time as any to stop and pop the cap, so let's get to this one, aged 5 years and a couple of months.

Solidly Styg---ooo, I can't say that anymore, according to some....perfectly obsidian, shall we say? Venerably opaque, with a tight, brownish head atop.

In the nose: Here, it's popping. Molasses. Sassafrass. Anise. Charcoal. Espresso. Cocoa. Whiskey A-go-go. Deep and hypnotic. Ashen. Muscularly Malty. Impressively amazing. And more?

In the mouth: Thick, rich, delicious, hot. Impressive, incredible. Not shy for a second, half a decade from it's release. Almost anxious. Pounding the edges of the braincase, already. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Not just loud in an alcoholic sense, but bursting with myriad flavors, fairly blasting the palate. Charcoal and ash brush up against chocolate and coffee, cherries and figs. Yum, yum, yum-a-dum-dum.

There's so much going on here. It's lost nothing in five years. I wouldn't recommend testing it further, but at five plus years, it's tasting great. A touch hot, a bit more malty, and magnificently deliciously. Just the way I like it.


RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
COLOR
Black HOPS
Warrior
Amarillo
Simcoe
MALT
2-row
Golden Promise
Aromatic
Chocolate
Black
50/60
Special B
Roasted Barley
Oats
Brewers Crystals
DME
OG
28° Plato
YEAST
English Ale
IBU
Low
ABV
12%
SURLY MN USA

BREWED FOR: OUR FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR.

This massive Russian Imperial Stout brings waves of flavors; chocolate, cherries, raisins, coffee, and toffee, finishing with a non-traditional dose of aroma hops.

Venn Batch 125: Belgian Tripel (return of Batch 11)

Venn Batch 125: Belgian Tripel (return of Batch 11). 10.5 % ABV, 25 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, big, fuzzy white head.

In the nose: Sweetness and spice. Classic Belgian triple nose, here. Slightly sugar-y, light and airy spice, stone fruit, a touch of citrus, and a bit of bubblegum. Lively and invigorating.

In the mouth: All that and more appear on the palate. Sharp, sweet, spicy and delightful. Alcohol comes in a little hot. Vibrant. Lustrous. Light bodied and beautiful.
Just a little sting of the booze riding with all the other flavors.

A very nice interpretation of a favorite Belgian style of mine. Well done, Venn.



Complex, strong, dry. Venn's take on a classic Belgian Tripel. 

Malts: Pilsner, Vienna

Hops: Warrior (United States), Tettnang (Germany)

Yeast: Belgian Ale 

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo Boysenberry American Sour Ale

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

Perfectly hazed, dark crimson colored, completely and utterly pink-ed out head of foam. Looking all kinds of beautiful.

In the nose: it's berry time. Softly sour. Sweet, fruity, and funky.

In the mouth: There's your boysenberry. And here comes the sour. And then. Yeah, that's it. Light bodied, soft finish. It's sour and it's fruity and it's gone. It comes back fresh and flavorful for each new sip, then dips back out again.

We love to dress to impress...Mother Nature--and a button up flannel is about as fancy as the wilderness needs us to be! We brewed an American Kettle Sour, in the Berliner Weisse style, to pair with the fresh flavors of boysenberries. Low in alcohol with a refreshing, yet buttoned-up tartness, our Boysenberry American Sour will take you along on it's own adventure!

I guess that "buttoned-up" is their way of saying "not wild." If you want light, refreshing, fruity, and slightly tart, you'll get your wish in this one. But don't complain that it isn't more than that.

Lupulin Imperial Hazelnut Truffle Porter

Lupulin Imperial Hazelnut Truffle Porter. 9 % ABV. 30 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Dark brown, opaque rich tan head on top.

In the nose: Sweet and malty. Nutty. Chocolatey. Mmmm. Ah, yes. Utterly lovely.

In the mouth: Bigness and richness. A mountain of malt. I'm getting the hazelnut, large, with additional doses of vanilla, cocoa, espresso. Smooth and delicious. This one went down in no time. I slurped it, nearly guzzled it. Mighty fine.




Deliciously decadent, this Imperial Porter is infused with the rich flavors of chocolate and hazelnut. A beer this smooth and silky ought to be a sin. Sometimes it feels good to be bad...

Eastlake Velvety Bandit Barrel Aged Brown Ale

Eastlake Velvety Bandit Whiskey Barrel Aged American Brown Ale. 6.5 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Lake Street is for Lovers, Minneapolis, MN.

Thoroughly brown coloring, absolutely opaque, slim cream-toned head atop.

In the nose: Whiskey hits first, sweet and caramel-y. Touches of toasted dark malts just below the massive barrel effects. Hint of vanilla, whiff of cherry.

In the mouth: Once more, whiskey takes command of the palate. Sweet, supple, malty. Medium bodied. Whiskey flavors last long. And that's just what I like. I'm a sucker for it. And this one works for me. Hits all the right notes.

It's a good barrel-aged brown ale and you can drink it.

Pryes Miraculum Midwest IPA (can)

Pryes Miraculum Midwest IPA. 6.4 % ABV. 75 IBU. Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

This beer has been covered here before....we think. It was an unlabeled sample bottle given to me when the brewery first started operating out of their own facility. It wasn't the best way to appraise this India Pale Ale, which has only been available in cans in recent months. Looking back on that review, it's clear that the sample may have been flawed, for it didn't taste quite like it had when I'd had it on tap. Now that I finally have a can in hand, (thanks, Sample Man!--who in this case was the brewery's taproom manager), it's time to give it a re-review.

Clear, copper-y/crimson-ish coloring, fair layer of white foam above, leaving some lace behind.

In the nose: Bright, citrus-y hops start it off. Sweet malty notes keep time with bitter hops. A complex cornucopia of hoppy goodness.

In the mouth: Again, sweet and bitter take stage together, flooding the palate with their individual attributes. Well balanced, clean, and terrifically tasty. Citrus holds the spotlight, but other notes pop in, as well...apple, cherry, stone fruit. Splendid blend. Bitter and sweet take a bow, and the finish is dry. Medium bodied, expertly drinkable, and absolutely likable. In fact, it's downright delicious.

I definitely do like this IPA, and feel that it ranks among Minnesota's best. Go ahead and get some.


Dry hopped with over 50 lbs of hops, this hoppy, citrusy IPA finishes with light malt notes and sweet undertones, cutting the bitterness to round out the palate. This IPA finishes very clean, making it a great beer to pair with food.

Oliphant Ultra Tang Milkshake India Pale Ale with Orange and Mango

Oliphant Ultra Tang Milkshake India Pale Ale with Orange and Mango.

It happens again. I'm going to drink a milkshake IPA despite my deep hatred of them. Because I have to try everything Oliphant brews, and they just happen to keep on brewing these detestable bastardizations. Same with other favorite breweries, like Forager, Junkyard, Modist, and more. Is it I who will have to change, or they? Shall I continue to be a contrarian, or fold into the way of the masses?

Clouded ("hazy"), bright orange color, pure white head atop.

In the nose: bold citrus/tropical fruit flavors. Sweet and lovely. Any trace of a typical IPA aromatic lies well below.

In the mouth: Sweet and fruity kicks it off. Low bitterness. Big, juicy fruit. Medium malt. Highly drinkable. Tasty enough stuff.

Once more, my quibbles emanate from this style being called an IPA, when much of what makes an IPA an IPA is stifled, smothered and suffocated. Maybe it started as an IPA, before the lactose and fruit goes in, or vanilla, sometimes, as it does....but in the end, it ain't that no more.

Is that my only objection, that it's not as hoppy as a true IPA, that it so lacks the bitterness that it shouldn't carry the name IPA. The chorus will cry out, "Shut up, old man! Get with the times or get out of the way!" Yeah, maybe I'll be the one to fold. Or not? The constant battle.

Destihl Moonjumper Milk Stout

Destihl Moonjumper Milk Stout. 6.1 % ABV, 30 IBU.
Destihl Brewery, Normal, Illinois.

Deep black, nearly opaque, creamy tan head.

In the nose: Light roasted malt offsets the sweetness. Cocoa reigns supreme, with the slightest hint of coffee. Little to no hop bitterness.

In the mouth: Creamy and smooth, from the start. Soft, mostly malty, sweet cocoa tones in command. Well-balanced and likable. Medium bodied, easy drinking, a sessional milk stout, for certain. I like it. If I find myself in a milk stout mood, I'll pack the fridge with more of this.

Fasten your space helmet because this stout will quickly have you orbiting the moon. Notes of roasted and chocolate malts round out our milk stout's sweet side, creating a well-balanced beer with a smooth mouthfeel and creamy tan head. One sip of this medium-bodied stout will have you jumping over the moon for another. Cheers!

O'so DePeche a la Mode Peach Milkshake IPA

O'so DePeche a la Mode. India Pale Ale with peaches added.
#peachmilkshakeipa. #personalpeachus. (Verbatim from label.)

6% ABV. 40 IBU.
O'so Brewing, Plover, WI.

Highly clouded, fuzzy orange color, slim white head.

In the nose: Big hoppy nose on the outset. Slightly tart, funky, fuzzy. Interesting.

In the mouth: Bitterness bursts on the tongue and lays on the palate. Peach shows up just behind, but plays a minor role. I'm not getting as much of it as you'd think, from it's starring status. Medium bodied, easy-ish drinking. But not particularly exciting. I am ever so weary of lactose and haze. Bored to death. I wish I liked this, but....eh.

There are words on the side of the label. They read: "Succulent. Luscious. Inviting. Redolent. Keen. Nectarous. Fuzzy." I'm not sure if all of these words apply to this beer.

A iteration on our Hazy Ipa's, made with peaches and lactose sugar. De Peches a la Mode is what you would expect from a peach milkshake. 

Get an editor, guys. "Ipa's"? Sheesh! Also, "a iteration." A before consonant, an before vowel. That's how it goes, guys. Try reading it out loud before publishing it.

Surly Barrel-aged Darkness 2016

Surly Barrel-aged Darkness 2016. 12 % ABV. Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN.

I've been watched the snowfall all day long. Even went out into it myself, for a while. Glad that I am not obliged to shovel any sidewalks, driveways, or wheel wells. It's as good a time as any to break out one of these.

Inky dark, completely opaque, rich tan head on top, lasting long.

In the nose: Oak. Vanilla. Char. Molasses. Smoke. Chocolate-covered cherries. So much more.

In the mouth: Wow. Rich and luxurious. Thick, slick, and delicious. Coats the palate with bourbon-y flavors. Alcohol comes roaming on in. Vast and glorious. Tremendously stupendous. Coated and covered with all the big, bourbon flavors, and all the gigantic imperial stout goodness. Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

This is a bottle I managed to hang on to for about 2 years or so. Sort of wished I'd held on to it longer. No idea when or if I'll ever see another one.

Barrel-aged Darkness is indeed a wonderful thing of beauty.

This massive Russian Imperial Stout brings waves of flavors; chocolate, cherries, raisins, coffee, and toffee. Barrel-Aged Darkness is a limited edition variant that spent over three months aging in Rye Whiskey barrels from High West, a distillery in Park City, Utah. The aging process provides a distinct aromatic whiskey character that is oaky and spicy on top of the core Darkness flavors.

BARREL-AGED RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
COLOR
Black

HOPS
Warrior
Amarillo
Simcoe
MALT
Pale
Golden Promise
Aromatic
Chocolate
Black
Special B
Medium Crystal; Roasted Barley
Flaked Oats
Belgian Candy Syrup
Brewers Crystals
OG
29° Plato
YEAST
English Ale
IBU
Moderate
ABV
12%

SURLY MN USA

Seattle Cider Co. Dry Hard Cider

Seattle Cider Co. Dry Hard Cider. 6.5 % ABV. Seattle Cider Company, Seattle, WA.

Clear, bright yellow, no head.

In the nose: dry, apple-y.

In the mouth: exceptionally dry. Stripped of all sweetness. Drops right off the palate. Apple flavor remains. Light bodied, tasty, and highly drinkable. Quite nice.

If you're looking for a nice, dry hard cider, can't go wrong with this one.

One of the driest ciders on the market. The golden orange glow of this unique unfiltered cider lends way to notes of lilac, blood orange and green apple on the nose. Dry and pleasantly acidic, flavors of nectarine, under ripe peach and tart cherry hit the palate with no residual sweetness. 0 Brix

Third Street Brewhouse Minnesota Gold Lager

Third Street Brewhouse Minnesota Gold Lager. 3.9 % ABV. 12 IBU. ThirdStreet Brewhouse, Cold Spring, MN.

Clear, bright gold, large white head, softly settling.

In the nose: light, delicate, subtle...not much more to it. Soft malt character.

In the mouth: Light hops. Lightly toasted malt. Supremely drinkable. Crisp and clean. Nothing wrong with it. Actually, quite good.

This one's been around for years, but I'm tasting it for the first time because someone finally gave me a sample. I was never going to buy one on my own. Now that I've had it, hey it's a classic light lager. And you can drink it. Take that for what it's worth.

We are Minnesota, Land of 10,000 lakes. If we’ve got anything up here, it’s water. And we like our water. But more than that… we like to see our water put to good use. That’s why our brewers made Minnesota Gold, to see real Minnesota water brewed into a classic, premium quality lager. So please, go ahead and crack open a can. Here in your hands is a clean taste of Minnesota, from us to you.

ABV: 3.9 / IBU: 12
COLOR: Golden

MALTS: 2-Row, C60

HOPS: Hersbrucker, Willamette

BEST PAIRED WITH: 

Pairs well with many foods – suggestions include: herbed chicken, light seafood, salmon, burgers & hot dogs, mild cheeses, lemon based desserts.

Town Hall Near Gale 80 Shilling Ale

Town Hall Near Gale 80 Shilling Scottish Ale. 4.6 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear-ish, dark brown color, slim off-white head.

In the nose: Malty, but balanced. Cocoa tones, toffee, caramel. Sweet, but not too.

In the mouth: There it is again, the sweet malty flavors, all kept in balance. Cocoa, toffee, caramel, and a couple of dark fruits, here and there. Maybe a little molasses. Expertly drinkable. A tasty treat for when you need to step into the malty side of things.

Light bodied Scottish Ale balancing bready caramel pale and toasty English malt character.

Downeast Original Blend Cider

Downeast Original Blend Cider. 5.1 % ABV. Downeast Cider House, Boston, MA.

Bright yellow, no head, clouded. With particulates. I know this isn't the freshest sample, I have been sitting on it, but not that long. Huh, ...well, okay.

In the nose: tart & apple-y, smelling like a good cider should.

In the mouth: More of the same. Major tart, then fading off. Slightly sweet, but consistently apple-y. Smooth and refreshing. Nothing but good ol' cider. And you can drink it.

The original unfiltered. A hard cider that tastes like apple cider. Smooth and refreshing, perfectly balanced. Like the cider your grew up drinking. 

Fulton Mango 300 India Pale Ale with Mango

Fulton Mango 300 India Pale Ale with Mango. 6.9 % ABV. Fulton Beer, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly clouded, bright golden color, large, lasting, and lace-leaving ivory head above.

In the nose: Sweet fruit notes start it off, citrus and tropical. Hops file in.

In the mouth: Mango kicks it off, with hop bitterness flooding the palate, matching citrus notes joining the ride. Long lasting hoppiness, long lasting finish. Lean bodied, and easy-drinking. Go ahead and get it.

For this variation of 300 we left everything alone in this award winning beer with the exception that we fermented it on ridiculous amounts of pureed mango. The result? A subtly different and completely complimentary spin on your favorite Mosaic IPA.

Wild Mind Lightness of Being Foeder Wild Ale

Wild Mind Lightness of Being Foeder Wild Ale. 5.4 % ABV. 5 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Aw, funky now! Powerful sour, judicious doses of fruit. A little sweet, and a lot of dry.

In the mouth: Massive puckeration. Fierce sour. Stone fruit and citrus come on in. Light bodied, long sour. Lemon pops up here and there, bright and spicy.This is a terrific sour for all you sourheads out there.

After aging in large, oak foeders with our native wild yeast and microflora, this American wild ale is packed with flavor, including notes of lemon curd, vanilla, wildflowers, and stone fruit.

Goose Island Next Coast IPA

Goose Island Next Coast IPA. 7 % ABV, 40 IBU. Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, IL, (and elsewhere).

Clear, bright golden color, large and lace-leaving ivory head on top. Looking good!

In the nose: Grapefruit comes screaming out of the glass, with other citrus flavors beside it. Getting some sweet, tropical notes, too, pineapple, guava, et al. Lovely stuff.

In the mouth: Big bitterness attacks the palate first, piney/citrusy flavors tumble out. Bitter notes last long through the finish. Medium bodied, and a drinkable delight for the hardcore hophead. This one's got the goods.

It’s 7%, but totally crushable — it’s not quite like any other IPA you’ve had. Big, bracing, piney hop flavors meet a tropical bouquet of Eureka, Nugget, Mosaic Citra, and 06277 hops. There’s a balanced bitterness that blends seamlessly into the light to medium body. Sip it or rip it. Whatever. We’re not your mom.

Utepils Quadriga Belgian-style Quad

Utepils Quadriga Belgian-style Quad. 10.1 % ABV. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, beautiful reddish-brown/Burgundy hue, ample layer of creamy-toned head. Looking the very picture of a Quad.

In the nose: Belgian dark malts, Belgian yeast, fig, toffee. Caramel meets cotton candy.

In the mouth: Rich malty flavors, as described above, in excellent balance. All the hallmarks of a classic quadruple are here and it's all utterly lovely and comforting, with alcohol slowly showing it's stuff. Chocolate and banana meets spicy, toasted bread and candy-covered dark fruits. Delightful.

Yum. Yum a dum, dum. This is exactly what I look for in a Quad(Rupel). I've got to go back and get some more of this.




LIMITED RELEASE DEC 2018 - Brewery's 1st 750ml Bottle

Dangerously drinkable, don't get trampled... ;)

Quadriga is garnet red, with a tan head. Smooth mouthfeel - not prickly. Very low hop aroma and bitterness (all Styrian Golding hops from Slovenia) with lots of big toffee and caramel flavors - like a roast marshmallow with the subtlest hint of coffee.

Drawing our inspiration from The Quadriga, or four horse drawn chariot statues that adorn the MN Capital and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Germany; we're paying homage to those powerful monuments with our rich and bold Belgian Style Quad.

Boom Island Bicycle Thief Belgian White IPA

Boom Island Bicycle Thief Belgian White IPA. 6 % ABV, 51 IBU. Boom Island Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly clouded, bright orange/golden hue. slim ivory head.

In the nose: Coriander bursts out of this one. Spices and wheat dominate.

In the mouth: Bright happiness boards the palate, taking over from wheat and spice. Those two are quick to come back on board and steer the ship from here on out. Citrus notes aplenty. Light bodied, smooth, and very refreshing. Wheat flavor stays long into the finish. Light sweetness, long bitterness. Good white IPA, and you can drink it.

Bicycle Thief is a delicious white IPA with hints of sweet orange peel and coriander with a locally sourced honey and Belgian farmhouse yeast strain. And yes, a bicycle was stolen.

Mikkeller SD Look IPA

Mikkeller SD Look IPA-Double Dry-hopped NE IPA. 7% ABV. Mikkeller, San Diego, CA.

Hundred-percent hazed, dull yellow coloring, vast, lace-leaving bright ivory head.

In the nose: Fresh, lively, floral, funky. Citrus notes dominate, multitude of other notes abound. Liking it.

In the mouth: Bitterness hits up the palate first, then creamy, smooth fruity notes ride it on the way down. Turns from citric to tropical, some pineapple, touch of guava. Big 'n' juicy hop bitterness, playing on the palate. Utterly delightful.

Thanks, Gabby!

Gray's Busted Knuckle Irish style Ale

Gray's Busted Knuckle Irish style Ale. 5.2 % aBV, 32 IBU. Gray's Brewing, Janesville, WI.

Clear, amber/bronze color, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Malty-sweet, lightly fruity. Apple & cherry.

In the mouth: Sweetness kicks it off, but never too much, kept just in check with some bitter hop notes. Good balance. But, not great. Not really together, here. Just short of satisfactory. Eventually, over-sweet maltiness takes over, and the result is unpleasant. I'm not liking it.

This Irish Style Ale is a special blend of four types of malted barley and three varieties of hops. It is a medium-bodied ale showing off a deep reddish amber color and thick, tan bubbly head. The aroma is sweet and light followed by moderate caramel-malt flavors with a light roasty finish. 

Vander Mill Totally Roasted Cider

Vander Mill Totally Roasted Cider. 6.5% ABV. Produced and canned by Vander Mill, Grand Rapids, MI.

Clear, bright gold, no head, yadda yadda....

In the nose: Vibrant, lively green apples, and a hint of nuts below. Full disclosure: I did little research before cracking it open. I thought that, bases on the name, I should be on the lookout for roasted
coffee beans. I had to peek, when I wasn't quite getting that. Now, I know: pecans. Huh. Well, alright.

In the mouth: Crisp, tart, apple-y, and the toasted/roasted nutty character giving it a warm, earthy twist. Hey, this is tasty. Hitting the spot. Tastes like I'm drinking a pie over here. Nothing wrong with that. And I would drink another one. Good old apple and candied pecan cider and you can drink it.

Beginning with our traditional hard apple cider we then steep candied pecans. We make our own cinnamon roasted pecans that bring vanilla, cinnamon, and a nuttiness to this product that makes it a truly unique cider. Totally Roasted is semi-.sweet with a tart finish.

Venn Batch #122 Ridiculous Anniversary Chocolate Cake Imperial Porter

Venn Batch #122 Ridiculous Anniversary Chocolate Cake Imperial Porter. 10.8 % ABV. 30 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Total darkness. Sizable layer of cocoa-toned foam on top. Looking good.

In the nose: Chocolate is in command, here, sweetness reigns supreme. Am I sniffing the frosting? Maybe, maybe. Big & rich are the keys in this. Alcohol potency contributes, too.

In the mouth: Even more so. More rich, more thick, more big. And quite a lot of sweet. But never too, this one, well balanced, matched with some bitterness. Tasty, tasty. Chocolate cake flavor never gets out of hand. I'm digging this all the way down.



A huge, ridiculous American-style Porter infused with a ridiculous amount of chocolate and a ridiculous chocolate birthday cake.

Malts: Maris Otter, Munich, Chocolate, Flaked Oats, Caramel 60, Extra Dark Crystal

Hops: Warrior (United States)

Yeast: American Ale

And: Lactose, Cacao Nibs, Vanilla, Chocolate Syrup