Sisyphus Replay IPA #4

Sisyphus Replay IPA #4.
8.1 % ABV. 38 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweetness. Fruit. Citrus. Pulpy. Tangy. Nice.

In the mouth: Sweet hits first, right there with the fruity. Bitterness lays low. Just a little buzz. All the rest is clean, smooth, delicious. Gets so close to the way I like an IPA to be, and getting very near how every one else prefers them these days. Tons of citrus and tropical fruit tones, very easy on the palate, drinkable as she goes. Flat out delish.

I picked this one up at the brewery a week and a half ago. 6/19/19, as the label tells me. Wait, that's not right. Should be 6/17. Must be marker smudge. Anyway, it's fairly brand new, and only 19 other people on Untappd have had it. That's a strangely small number. Sisyphus is a popular enough place that their IPAs should get more samplings amongst the Untappd users. Whatever. No biggie.

But I thought I'd poll their opinions, as I sometimes do, whenever the mood strikes me.

Jonathan: "Eh."

Ric D: "Refreshing Non-bitter IPA."

Droo L: "Tastes like pickles at the end."

Danny Boy: "Adorable."

Man, I've got to get together a tasting panel with these four guys. Gonna be a baller night. And you know, Droo L may have something there. Maybe I'm getting some pickles, too. He may not be wrong.

Damn. Pickles. Why don't I talk about pickles more often?

Junkyard How Bizarre New England style ipa

Junkyard How Bizarre New England style ipa. (sic). India Pale Ale. Brewed with Triumph hops.
7.2 % ABV. PKGD 5/31/19. Sweet Zina. (?)
Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.

All hazed up and orange, with a slim white head on top.

In the nose: Citrus tones & pine, turning tropical. Playing it light, rather nice.

In the mouth: Sweet and fruity from the start, with traces of bitter. Sweetness increases, getting juicier. Pineapple, guava, passionfruit. Sweet malt, light body, high drinkability. A tasty beverage, but...

This New Englander is hopped with Azacca and dry-hopped with Triumph for a fruit forward IPA with prominent peach and hints of pear, melon, & orange. A nice sweet maltiness, full body, and low bitterness make for a super balanced, amazingly refreshing beer with 0 IBUs. How bizarre! 

I've said it before and I have to say it again. If you're trying to make the 0 IBU, non-bitter IPA, stop calling it an IPA! (or "ipa", as the label artist has it). You tricked me into trying it by calling it an IPA, but I'm not getting what I want and expect. I demand a bitter bite. Taking the IBUs out is like, ...well, it just ain't right, gol' durn it.

(Despite all these quibbles...it's still pretty damned delicious.)

And one more thing: I always write my notes before reading the brewery's and while I enjoy seeing how many things they have in common, it's a little jarring when they differ so much. I say light body, they say full. Was that really a full body? Am I wrong, then? So confusing...

Lakes & Legends 5-Weight Cream Ale

Lakes & Legends 5-Weight Cream Ale.
5.6 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Lakes & Legends Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Well, look at this. Lakes & Legends makes a cream ale, and it comes in a can. I've just opened that can, and now I'm going to drink it.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: slight, sweet, a little malty, clean. Eh.

In the mouth: A little grainy, clean malt-y flavors. Slightly sweet, creamy, bordering on buttery, but not quite. Light bodied, minimal hops. Got nothing really to say about it but: not bad. Not for me, but if you're a cream ale guy or gal, go for it.

A refreshingly light, crisp ale with a light and clean malt character.

Weihenstephaner Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage

Weihenstephaner Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage. Contains less than 0.5 % Alcohol.
Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Wihenstephan, Freising, Bayern, Deutschland.

Well, if I'm reviewing shandies and radlers and hard seltzers and ciders, why not an NA beer? It hasn't happened before in the Nib, so let's kick it off with this one from the makers of one of my favorite Bavarian Hefe Weizens.

Clouded, bright golden, large ivory head. Looking just like a true Bavarian wheat, so far.

In the nose: citrus and spice, notes of banana and wheat.

In the mouth: All of the flavors are here, and nearly none of the alcohol. Light-bodied, fruity, slight spice, malty. If I couldn't have any booze, I sure wouldn't pass this up. Not terrible at all.

Our golden-yellow, alcohol-free wheat beer tastes like a premium wheat beer: tangy, fresh and full-bodied, with hints of cloves and honey as well as a fine yeasty spirit. The unique wheat beer taste is achieved by a method developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich-Weihenstephan: the top fermentation is not interrupted and the beer has time to mature, only after the maturation the alcohol is carefully withdrawn. It is a first-class thirst quencher after sports or a good companion to light summer dishes, sweet and sour dishes, or fruit sorbets. Brewed according to our centuries-old brewing tradition on the Weihenstephan hill.

Oliphant Hobocop Gose Style Ale with Orange, Lime and Sea Salt

Oliphant Hobocop Gose Style Ale with Orange, Lime and Sea Salt.
5 % ABV. IBU: ?
Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: salty, slightly sour, citric, wheaten.

In the mouth: Bracingly sour from the start. A touch fruity, but all about the sour, ending on a dry note. Citrus reigns supreme, with salt on the side. Refreshingly delicious. Wow. I can dig this, big time. Go out and get some, now. Enjoy with a side of summer.

Quite an excellent gose. I'm enjoying this all the way down.

From the website: i had a great description for this one, but josh just stepped in wet cement. again. excuse me as i pull him out, he is slowly sinking because he panicked and gave up.

gose-style ale w/ sea salt, orange, and lime. 5% abv. 

Eastlake Sour Haze

Eastlake Sour Haze. Juicy Fruitless Sour Ale Dry-hopped with Mosaic.
4.8 % ABV.
Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Highly hazed, dull orange color, slim white head.

In the nose: Big sour, fruity, hoppy, all at once. Funky stuff, for sure.

In the mouth: Intense sour at the start, Mosaic hops popping on the palate. Juicy, fruity, ending dry. Stone fruit, citrus, bits o' berries. Tropical tones, too. Clean, yet funky, and fairly easy-drinking. Not bad at all.

Our souring regimen joined the cool pool party hopping we use for our juicy IPAs. It’s a full-frontal fruit onslaught of passionfruit, pineapples, and nearly ripe raspberry, fruitless, yet fruitful.

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo American Sour Ale with Mango & Guava

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo American Sour Ale with Mango & Guava.
4.4 % ABV. 10 IBU.
Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Tart from the start, tropical fruit coming in from behind.

In the mouth: Sour and refreshing once on board the palate. Goes down mighty easy. Guava/mango flavor could be stronger in my humble opinion. Low hops, light malt, just sour, fruity, and extra-drinkable.

I like this one. I'd have another.

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 tropical flavors of Mango and Guava. Low in alcohol with a refreshing yet buttoned-up tartness, our Mango/Guava American Sour will take you along on its own adventure!

Wild Mind Weekday Warrior

Wild Mind Weekday Warrior. American Pale Ale.
5.5 % ABV. 35 IBU.
Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Hazy, pale orange, slim white head.

In the nose: nicely hoppy, citrus-y.

In the mouth: Fresh, zesty, delicious. Traces of tartness, touch of spice, but mostly citrus-y hop flavors. Light-bodied, refreshing, supremely drinkable. This crowler is going down in no time flat.

Brewed on Monday. On tap Friday. Weekday Warrior is an experimental beer that was fermented using Voss Kveik yeast, which is known for quick fermentation and a citrus flavor profile. The beer was dry-hopped with Amarillo, Cascade, and Centennial just 24 hours after the yeast was pitched to bring out more of the yeast's citrus notes.

Sisyphus Blueberry Belgian Blonde

Sisyphus Blueberry Belgian Blonde.
5.1 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, berry-ish crimson hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweet and fruity, with a whiff of Belgian funk.

In the mouth: More sweet, more fruity, with moderate hops and nothing but refreshment. Light, slightly malty, a treat to drink down. Good blueberry Belgian blonde and you can drink it.

Light and clean, slightly malty - with blueberries.

Town Hall Boreal Hills IPA

Town Hall Boreal Hills IPA.
6.6 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, beautiful amber hue, large, creamy, long-lasting head.

In the nose: Spruce pops right out at you, with citrus-y hops just behind.

In the mouth: Bold and juicy on the palate. Bright hops keep a-bouncing. Well-balanced, medium-bodied, and easy drinking. Tasty, tasty stuff.

IPA featuring fresh Colorado Blue Spruce tips, Tropical, zesty hops and smooth layered malt flavors.

Surly Electric Sombrero of Death

Surly Electric Sombrero of Death. Double Dry-hopped Imperial Mexican-style Lager Aged In Tequila Barrels.
Well, that's a mouthful.
9 % ABV. Malty/Complex/Electrifying. Brewed and canned by Surly Brewing, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN. In collaboration with Sun King of Indianapolis, IN.

Dark brown, cocoa-tinged head.

In the nose: This is strange. What should I expect from a double dry-hopped imperial Mexican-style lager in tequila barrels? Lots of tequila? It's there somewhere, but it's slow in showing itself. And what does the double dry-hopping do?

In the mouth: Malty. Strong. Hoppy. Definitely getting some tequila flavor, but not especially distinct. It's kind of messy.

Here's what throws me off. When I hear "Mexican-style lager", I don't think of schwarzbiers. It's true that the German influence on Mexican breweries results in a number of dark lagers being brewed south of the border, but that doesn't mean we call them "Mexican-style lagers." They're still "German-style" beers. When you say, "Mexican-style", people are going to think of Corona, Bohemia, Modelo, etc.

Oh, wait, it's not a Schwarzbier, but a Vienna Lager, another popular German-style brew also made in Mexico? Okay. But, again, you don't just call it "Mexican-style" because it's popular in Mexico.

I don't think this works. It's not particularly tasty. Too many things going on that don't necessarily belong together. It's a whole mess of shit thrown together just to say that they did it. I'm not that crazy about these kinds of beers. But they suckered me in for paying for it, so they've got that going for them. And it's got high ABV, so that's clouding my judgement and turning the tides in their favor.
Although, I've always got bourbon for that.

Brewed in collaboration with our friends from Sun King Brewery in Indianapolis, Electric Sombrero of Death is inspired by the dark, malty lagers brewed south of the border. This version dials up the wattage with an imperial malt backbone, a double dose of dry-hopping, and quality time spent in tequila barrels.

Here's more promotional info: Surly loves a good, dark Mexican-style lager–we’ve even gone so far as to collaborate with our friends at Cerveceria Transpeninsular on one. Sun King Brewing out of Indianapolis shares that affection, along with our interest in what would happen if you tweaked this very traditional beer with a smack of dry-hopping and letting the situation develop in some tequila barrels.

The product of that curiosity goes by the name Electric Sombrero of Death. It’s both our latest collab with a fellow independent craft brewer *and* our newest BC Small Batch beer.

Surly and Sun King brewers raising a toast at the 2019 Firestone Walker Invitational.
Electric Sombrero of Death amps up the already rich character of the style with an imperial malt backbone. To keep the beer from being a full-on tequila bomb, a third of the batch was aged in 5-year tequila barrels and the remainder dry-hopped on Citra, Sabro, and Bravo hops, then blended after the barreling process finished.

The result is a surprisingly subtle and remarkably easy-drinking imperial lager that checks in at 9% ABV with a ruby brown pour. Expect aromatic notes of caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, and (duh) tequila, with the hop bill balancing the inherent sweetness of the style.

Electric Sombrero of Death is available to all U.S. Surly markets. Indiana—Sun King will have some on draft, check with them on dates/times.

Smithwick's Irish Made Red Ale

Smithwick's Irish Made Red Ale.
4.5 % ABV. Guinness LTD, Dublin, Ireland.

I got some samples of Irish beers months back in an attempt to get me turn go all Erin Go Bragh in time for St. Patrick's Day. It didn't work. I reviewed the other two a long time back, but this one's just been sitting in the fridge giving me a puppy dog look every time I open the door. So, let's drink it up.

Clear, red, slim white head.

In the nose: Malty, herbal, slightly nutty, maybe a whiff of fruit. Little from hops.

In the mouth: Mainly malty, with an edge of roast and caramel. Hops only on hand for balance. Light bodied and drinkable, fits the Irish Red Ale style fairly well. But not well enough. I've never been much of a fan of that style, and this one isn't making me a convert.

A robust red brew with a gentle hop bitterness & a sweet malt finish.

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler.
2 % ABV. 8 IBU.
Stiegl Brewery, Salzburg, Austria

I've reviewed ciders, hard seltzers, and who knows how many other variations on beer. What's wrong with a radler? At least it's partially beer. This is one of the more well-known radlers on the market, but they don't all have to be grapefruit. They do have to be soda and beer combined, fruit is optional.

Highly hazed, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Grapefruit. And soda. What else do you need?

In the mouth: Brisk, high carbonation, sweetness and tart. Light and refreshing. Go drink one or two in the summer heat. I wouldn't blame you.

According to my research, I last had this three years ago. However, search as I might, it has not appeared in the Nib until now. The new, improved Bitter Nib: now with radlers!

Oliphant Jeremy's Got Talent Imperial Stout with bananas and vanilla wafers

Oliphant Jeremy's Got Talent Imperial Stout with bananas and vanilla wafers.
10 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Normally, I would shy away from something like this. Bananas? Vanilla wafers? What? But it's Oliphant, so I have to try it. Like back when I was a Marvel zombie. I had to have them all in my collection. The No-Prize Book. The Fumetti issue. All the What Ifs. US-1. Secret Wars 1 and 2. Dazzler. Crystar, Crystal Warrior. That one Marvel Team-Up where Aunt May became the Herald of Galactus.
 Let's drink it and complete my collection.

Thorough blackness. Slim brown head, settling swiftly.

In the nose: Dark malt. Cocoa and ....it's missing many of the usual suspects, perhaps supplanted by whatever 'nanas and 'Nilla provides...if anything. In time, they file in: smoke, char, chocolate.

In the mouth: there they are, the richness of the dark, chocolate malts. a slight sweetness, minor hops, and wonderfully warm feeling on the palate. Sweetness comes through, and surely the bananas and wafers have something to do with it. Okay, the bananas are opening up now. Not too shabby. I'm digging it now. Digging it big time.

who has talent? jeremy has talent. but that’s not to say you don’t. i just got a really good deal on it and had to horde most of it. i hope you understand.

imperial stout w/ banana and vanilla wafers. 10% abv

Bell's Official Hazy India Pale Ale

Bell's Official Hazy India Pale Ale.
6.4 % ABV.
Bell's Brewery, Comstock, MI.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, thick and lasting snowy white head.

In the nose: Soft and hoppy. Nice enough. Quiet.

In the mouth: more soft, more pleasant. Very mellow with the hops. Here comes the juicy. Tasty malt, minor hop bitterness. Very minor. Like, none. Not an IPA, in my book. Maybe it succeeds as an "NE", but I'm just not getting what I like from an IPA in this one. (Although Bell's says that this shouldn't be confused with an NE, it should be strictly identified as a Hazy.)

As we go further, I like it more, though. Or maybe I just become more forgiving. Still doesn't have the hop bite I want. It's coming through a little bit. Little bit by little bit. Okay, I'd drink this again. And who knows, maybe you'd like it more than me.

Two of our favorite ingredients come together in the brewhouse; pungent American hops and delicious wheat malt. This Hazy IPA is double dry-hopped (a combination of Mosaic, Citra, Azacca, Amarillo and El Dorado hops) resulting in complex peach, stone fruit and tropical notes with a dry finish and balanced bitterness. A refined beer for those who love hops and for those who prefer wheat beers. Go ahead and make it Official.

Fair State Zoot! A zippy little witbier

Fair State Zoot! A zippy little witbier.
5.2 % ABV.
Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Mpls./St. Paul, MN.

Highly hazed, bright orange, large, lasting ivory head.

In the nose: citrus and spice, everything nice. Light and airy and lovable.

In the mouth: Light-bodied, fresh and juicy. Coriander and orange zest have it going on. I believe that other fruits have been introduced as well, but they're not popping out at me. Okay, wait, I'm picking up on lime and grapefruit, yeah, they're there. This is quite tasty, and a downright delectable summer treat. I wouldn't pass it up.


A blend of lime & grapefruit-infused witbier + tart wheat beer. Lightly acidic, fruity, and crushable.

Third Street Brewhouse Sun Setter Blueberry Shandy

Third Street Brewhouse Sun Setter Blueberry Shandy.
4.2 % ABV.
ThirdStreet Brewhouse, Cold Spring, MN.

It's red, with a pinkish head.

Sweet/tart nose. Very berry. Oh, so fruity.

In the mouth: Blueberry's here. Light bodied. Easy drinking. Low hops, merest malt. Refreshing-ish. Utterly blasé'. Terribly boring. I'm not one for shandies or radlers, though. This isn't bad. It's just not very much of anything. Except blueberries. If that's enough for you, be my guest.

Wild Mind Registered Trademark DDH DIPA

Wild Mind Registered Trademark DDH DIPA. Collaboration with Drastic Measures (Brett Doebbeling, formerly of Disgruntled).
8.3 % ABV. Amarillo, Citra, Ekuanaut, El Dorado, Mosaic, and Simcoe,
Brewed & Canned in Minneapolis, MN, by Wild Mind Artisan Ales. Drink Fresh. Filled: 5/16.

So, this beer came out some time ago, and I regretted not being there the day it was released or every day since. It's really been nagging on me. Today wasn't even the plan, but I changed it, to go to Wild Mind, and lo, and behold, the beer was still on tap. I peeked into the bottle/crowler/merch room. Crowlers still exist?!? My lucky day, calloo, callay!

I talked to one of the bartenders about this, and the theory went: "you know, everyone's on to the next new thing." "Yeah, but," I mused aloud, " to the expense of this beer sitting around for a month?" Does it mean that the loyal customers of WM stop caring about taking this beer home, or the feeding frenzy of beer geeks in the Twin Cities at large stop caring? Are they only chasing after cans? No interest in crowlers at taprooms? Or just that this place is not high on the radar? Places like Modist and Dangerous Man sell out of their special releases in a matter of hours. Is it a matter of quantity, or, again, that elusive "it" factor, where those breweries, by their reputations, elicit such a response, but despite all the best efforts of Wild Mind and Drastic Measures (with the pedigree of Disgruntled), they can't cause a sell out?

So, truth be told, I don't really give a damn. I'm glad the beer is still around, and that I could still get some. In fact, I really should go back and get more. I hate hype. And I love a beer as good as this. I had two at the taproom tonight, and I'm opening this up right now!

Highly hazed, bright golden color, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Soft, citrusy, slightly spicy. A touch tropical. Nicely hoppy.

In the mouth: Blast of bitterness kicks it off, then comes the fruit, stone and citrus. Apricot, peach, orange and lemon. Creamy and smooth, while fruity and lightly bitter, fully flavored. Right on the money, this one. The kids these days, they love the DDH, and if it's a DIPA, all the better, right?
Juicy, bitter, dry. Nicely drinkable. Yum, a dum, dum.

in collaboration with Drastic Measures, Registered Trademark is a double IPA that was brewed with 2-row, malted oats and flaked wheat and HEAVILY hopped in the whirlpool and dry-hop stages with Amarillo®, Citra®, Ekuanot®, El Dorado®, Mosaic®, and Simcoe®. Like, really heavily hopped with Amarillo®, Citra®, Ekuanot®, El Dorado®, Mosaic®, and Simcoe®.

Lot of Registered Trademarks there.

Eastlake Blueliner Pale Ale

Eastlake Blueliner Pale Ale.
5.1 % ABV, 33 IBU.
Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

And here we have another beer that I first had when it was introduced over four years ago, but am adding to the Nib now because I've gotten a sample crowler from the brewery. Blueliner got it's name because the owner and head brewer once drove the Blueline train from the Mall of America into downtown Minneapolis. Now, let's drink the beer.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Bold citrusy notes, half bitter/half sweet. Niceness personified.

In the mouth: More bold and more bitter. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel. Bitter meets sweet. Smooth reigns supreme. Super drinkable, super delicious, and full of refreshing flavor. Ridiculously easy drinking, and soon the crowler is crushed.

Blueliner is the pale ale made for the longer shifts. For those who play with confidence at both ends of the ice. 007 hops go hard to the net with a big time piney apricot aroma, bu the real yeoman's work is the peachy citrus assist from dry-hopped Azacca. Go wild.

Lord help me, Jesus, but I cannot get what kind or how many references he is making there, or why.

By the way, this one is not to be confused with Bluer than Blueliner, a West Coast IPA named for the 1978 hit song by Michael Johnson, who lived above the Midtown Global Market and passed away a few years back. I poured an ample amount of pints for the sweet man.

Sisyphus Replay NE IPA III

Sisyphus Replay NE IPA III.
7 % ABV. 33 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Highly hazed, deep crimson hue, slim whitish head.

In the nose: Nice and dank, big hops. Fruity, citrus and other.

In the mouth: Aggressive bitterness and juicy malt are the hallmarks here. Dripping with juices. Merely than merely citrus, there are traces of apple, cherry, stone fruit and more. This one is working for me, it's got the right stuff. Tasty.

Every Pinball Wizard's dream... The Replay. Thankfully, this beer is scientifically proven to help you reach that elusive replay score. This rotating IPA features new hops each time we brew it.

I do wish that they'd let us in on which hops are used. It would help me get an idea of how these flavors come together.

Utepils B.R.D. (Beer Ready to Drink) Munich Style Helles

Utepils B.R.D. (Beer Ready to Drink) Munich Style Helles.
5.1 % ABV.
Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.Clear, bright golden appearance, slim white head.

In the nose: clean, light malt, grain-y, slight sweetness.

In the mouth: Mild hops, well-tempered malt sweetness. Light bodied, clean, crisp and highly drinkable. Refreshing and likable. Good Munich Helles and you can drink it.

Pale gold lager that is elegantly bright with a clean refreshing balance. 10% of proceeds go to supporting MACV.org. 

Schell's IPA

Schell's IPA. India Pale Ale.
5.8 % ABV. 40 IBU.
August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN. A Family Tradition Since 1860.

Slightly hazed, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: mildly hoppy aromatics, light citrus notes. Pleasant enough.

In the mouth: Fresh and vibrant blast of hoppiness upon the palate. It's hitting on all cylinders, before politely backing down. Light bodied, slightly sweet malt character at the base. Citrus-y and sweet tropical fruit notes dominate. Bitterness mellows and deliciousness takes over. Easy-drinker. I'll have another. And another.

For the first IPA ever from the 159-year old German brewery, it's an excellent entry in the field.

Schell's IPA is hop-forward and bursting with tropical fruity aromas. This brew pours a light golden color and has a low hop bitterness.

From the label: Yes, you read that right. We're not just slaying with lagers, we've got some mad skills with IPAs, as well. Schell's IPA is hop-forward and bursting with tropical fruity aromas. The brew pours a light, hazy gold color. has a creamy mouthfeel, and low hop bitterness. You've all been asking for it, so here's your IPA!

Deschutes Li'l Squeezy Juicy Ale

Deschutes Li'l Squeezy Juicy Ale.
5% ABV. 40 IBU.
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR.

It's interesting how trends and their adherents lead the way. You may notice that the label of this can does not refer to the beer inside as a pale ale, but as a "juicy ale." It's not an IPA, which is the style that the juicy lovers are chasing, but they perhaps wouldn't pick up on the pale style. Just call it "juicy ale" and you've got 'em. But, wait, it's not a "hazy"? Alright, juicy is close enough.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: soft and citrus. Pinch of lemon.

In the mouth: Bracing bitterness first greets the palate, then swiftly fades back. Juicy malt texture. Easy squeeze, lemon peasy. Nice and drinkable, with a lasting hop bitterness. You know, I'm a little surprised by this. It's a pale ale version of Fresh Squeezed IPA, but I didn't think it would be so darned tasty. Well, why would I think that, Deschutes rarely misses.

Brewer Notes
Refreshingly juicy. Effortlessly drinkable. Freshly Squeezed. No fruit was harmed in the making of this beer. Malt 2-Row, Munich, C15, Golden Naked Oats
Hops Nugget, Citra, Azacca, El Dorado, Chinook
Alc. 5.0% IBU. 40

Kick back with a breezy blend of juicy hops and delicate malt character that’s dripping with fresh citrus flavors and zesty aroma. Lil’ Squeezy is gluten-reduced which means we took that gluten out!  Check out our report to learn how many parts per million in that can you’re holding.

Perennial Artisan Ales Saison de Lis

Perennial Artisan Ales Saison de Lis. Belgian-style ale brewed with chamomile flowers.
5 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, MO.

Lightly hazy, golden toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Bright citrus notes, lemon and spices. Floral. Belgian yeast. Whiff of funk.

In the mouth: Light bodied. Smooth. Crisp and delicious. Belgian malt and yeast play on the tongue. More citrus notes, a modicum of hoppiness, and, yeah, a little more floral. Tasty stuff, and quite refreshing. Fits the saison style to a T.

A straw colored Belgian-style Saison brewed with chamomile flowers. It is fermented with a traditional saison yeast strain that imparts fruity and spicy notes that dovetail perfectly with the tea-like quality of the chamomile. Finishes dry, tart, and refreshing.

Grain Belt Southwest Cerveza

Grain Belt Southwest Cerveza.
Mexican Style Lager with Natural Lime Flavor.
4.5 % ABV.
August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Clean, crisp, lightly hopped. Some cereal notes, in classic Grain Belt style. Not picking up anything extra yet.

In the mouth: Light. Light. ...Let's see, what else....ooo, there's some lime flavor, as promised. And....not much else. I've already mentioned it's best properties. If that's good enough for you, go for it.


Southwest Cerveza is a crisp, copper lager, both dry and refreshing. This easy-drinking lager puts a twist on the friendly beer with its subtle lime flavor.

Beaver Island Tribute Summer IPA

This may not be the best IPA in the world. But it's a tribute to the best IPA in the world.

Beaver Island Tribute Summer IPA. Dam. Fine. Beer.
4.7% ABV. 50 IBU.
Beaver Island Brewing, St. Cloud, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Bold hop presence, bumping with citrus and pine. Beautiful and balanced.

In the mouth: Big time bitterness. Fierce hop bite. Lean bodied. All the sunny, spicy flavors we want in an IPA are at play on the palate. Easy-drinking, for a hophead like me.

I'll glad take another, please.

What makes this a Summer IPA? What is a "summer IPA", anyway? Does it have summery attributes, whatever those are, or is it just an IPA they make in the summer? Not sure, and currently not caring.

Bold Amarillo, Mosaic and Citra hops hit all the right notes for a jam session IPA that salutes Minnesota's fabulous bands.

Availability: April – August
Malts: Maris Otter, Cara Munich
Hops: Magnum, Cascade, Armadillo, Mosaic, Citra
OG: 1.050
IBU: 51
SRM: 6.6

ABV: 4.7%

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicifer IPA

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicifer IPA.
7.7 % ABV. 50 IBU.
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO (& elsewhere).

Thoroughly hazed, bold orange hue, bright white. lasting head. Looking good.

In the nose: aggressive hop presence, potent, powerful, gorgeous. Citrus, pine, and a twist of tropical.

In the mouth: Hops are busy from the start, but never obtrusive. Quite mellow, smooth, even. Lands on the palate and softly glides on. Citrus zest and juice plays a primary part in the flavor. Just enough bitterness in this IPA to keep my tongue happy. Medium bodied, easy-drinking. Good ol' IPA, this one. They've got my number here.

Brimming with citrus aromas from Galaxy and Citra hops, this moderately sweet and hazy IPA is devilishly juicy.

Sisyphus Uff-Da Pilsner Foeder Fermented Lager

Sisyphus Uff-Da Pilsner Foeder Fermented Lager.
4.2 % ABV. 40 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, golden-hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Clean, crisp, hints of cereal/grain and not much else. Touch of sweetness, not much else.

In the mouth: More crisp, more clean, slightly fruity, just a touch of grain. Clean, smooth, easy. Where's the oak come in? That's where, I think. Nice and balanced, keeping it all in perfect flux.
Not too much, not too little. Well-tempered and tasty. I like that in a pilsner, or in any beer.

Fulton Solar Vortex Session ale with Blood Orange

Fulton Solar Vortex Session ale with Blood Orange.
3.8 % ABV. 10 IBU.
Fulton Beer, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Bold, citrus-y aromatics. Ooozing blood orange and grapefruit. Beautiful.

In the mouth: Fresh and vibrant. Orange is all over this. Underneath all that, light and lean and thirst quenching. Mild malt, meager hops. Evaporates without effort, leaves the palate with no fuss.

This was certainly not made with me in mind, but I'm sure plenty will be pounded on many a patio.

It's raining. It's snowing. It's too hot. It's too cold. In the land of partly-cloudy we sure do enjoy our talk about the weather. And in that spirit we've crafted our newest beer-a Blood Orange Session Ale we're calling "Solar Vortex". Inspired by a yet-to-happen summer weather phenomenon (call it wishful thinking) it's dry, low in alcohol, and perfect for the summer ahead. Pick up your 4packs of tallboys beginning next week around the Metro.

Fair State / Modern Times Crankin' Foamers Lager

Fair State / Modern Times Crankin' Foamers Lager.
4.5 % ABV "American Slammin' Beer. " 18 IBU. "#corniscool."
Fair State Brewing Company, Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN, in collaboration with Modern Times Beer, San Diego, CA.

And now we have my fourth can of this beer, so that means I have to review it. Until I hear a compelling tale about the name, I'm going to have to count it as among the worst I've ever heard. As a "foamer" really a term for beer that's slipped past me all these years?

It's crystal clear, bright golden, with a outsized ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: Dry as a cracker. Lightly floral, grainy.

In the mouth: lightly hoppy, trace of bitterness. Excellent balance. Stays far from the sweet. Subtle citrus flavors, clean mouthfeel, ease of drinkability.

I'll admit that I picked this up without knowing much about it. "Hey, a new Fair State can, I'm sure that it'll be just like their last collaboration with Modern Times." And I finished off the first can a bit surprised and maybe disappointed that it wasn't an IPA. Got through the next two with no trouble, and this one is really hitting the spot.

As it is, this is quite good. I'm a bit shocked that I enjoyed a beer that boasts of it's use of corn.

I'm just a little iffy on all this pounding and crushing and "American pace" nonsense. I like my own, sometimes slow, pace.

Just some regular American lager for drinking at a regular American pace. Made with real corn, the old-fashioned way. 

Wild Mind Spontane' Bramble Fruited Coolship Wild Ale

Wild Mind Spontane' Bramble Fruited Coolship Wild Ale.
6 % ABV. 5 IBU.
Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Bright red coloring, slim pinkish head. Opaque.

In the nose: Tart and fruity. Very berry. Blackberry, cherry, & boysenberry. (I peeked ahead.)

In the mouth: Seriously sour. Big funk in here. Juicy, fruity, tasty. Medium-bodied, and exceptionally refreshing. Rich and complex. Dark berries aplenty, applied to the sour, producing deliciousness.

Damn, this was good. I should have bought a couple of them, but they were $25 a bottle. Worth it, though.

This single-year blend of our first 100 percent spontaneously fermented wild ale was inoculated overnight in our custom-made coolship and then fermented on blackberries, cherries, and boysenberries. The truly wild ale was refermented in the bottle and has notes of dark currants and fresh berries with a strong base of barnyard funk.

Bauhaus Cosmic Headshift IPL

Bauhaus Over the Charts Series Cosmic Headshift India Pale Lager with Passionfruit.
6 % ABV. 80 IBU.
Bauhaus BrewLabs, Minneapolis, MN.

Very hazy, bold & golden appearance, slim white head.

In the nose: Nice and hoppy, bursting with tropical and citrus fruit notes.

In the mouth: Big, beautiful blend of juicy and bitter. Passionfruit aplenty in the flavor. Body is medium, soft-ish, slightly smooth. Grapefruit pops up and does it's thing. Hops are at play long on the palate.
Quite nice, this one.




This is where the italicized copy normally goes, fished from the brewery website. I can't find anything additional on this one, anywhere. I'll keep looking, though.