Steel Toe Floriane Blanc Dry Hopped Tart Ale

Steel Toe Floriane Blanc Dry Hopped Tart Ale.
6.2 % ABV. IBU: low. Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Floral, funky, fruity, tart. Delicate and intriguing.

In the mouth: Starts out with the tart, nearly sour, and continues with the smack of citrus. Fairly effervescent. Definitely delightful. Lip-smackingly fruity flavors abound in this, lime and peach and melon, with the kiss of hops planted upon it. Light bodied, and refreshing.

This is one of the most unique beers yet in the Steel Toe repertoire and a step forward for their beers. I think I need to return to the brewery for some more bottles to share with friends.

FLORIANE BLANC “WHITE FLOWER” (DRY HOPPED TART ALE)

SEPT. 2019

The newest release in our Brewers Evolution Series, Floriane Blanc “White Flower” a wine-like spritzy lightly tart ale. Unlike anything we’ve done before, this beer pushes the limits of what beer can be. Refreshing, fruity, tart, dry hopped. The aromas are of white peach, melon, kiwi and lime, with a ripe berry undertone. The aromas carry through on flavor, bright citrus fruit, wine like, with a bright refreshing acidity finishing. Tantalizing the taste buds at every sip, this beer is sure to please the palate!

Color: Bright pale straw, clear
Alcohol content by volume: 6.2%
International Bitterness Units: Low

Anchor San Franpsycho Juicy IPA

Anchor San Franpsycho Juicy IPA. Ale brewed with peach and apricot.
6.3 % ABV. 40 IBU.
Anchor Brewing, San Francisco, CA.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim ivory ring of foam stands above.

In the nose: A little bit of funky stone fruit at the start, powerful peach and apricot. Hop flavors lurk below.

In the mouth: Juicy, indeed. Pungent, lightly tart, increasingly bitter. Medium bodied, and fairly easy drinking. Lively and refreshing at once. Just a touch of sweet, with enough hop bitterness to match it. This is quite tasty. I certainly wouldn't turn one down.

Brewed with 2-row pale, red wheat and acidulated malt, San Franpsycho® IPA pours a hazy golden straw color with a white fluffy head. The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth yet mildly effervescent with a hint of back-end tartness. San Franpsycho® IPA is fermented with a mixed culture of yeast to create a unique and fruity estery nose, unlike any other IPA from Anchor. Anchor brewers add peach and apricot fruit puree during the secondary fermentation, giving the beer a pleasant hint of sweetness and abundantly fruity aromas of peach, apricot, and pineapple with a bit of funky dank.

Venn Norwegian Northodox IPA

Venn Norwegian Northodox IPA.
6.5 % ABV. 40 IBU.
Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Norwegian Kweik yeast seems to be a thing that's going around. I've barely heard of it, but it seems to be making the rounds here and there, for some reason. Am I so behind the times? Got to catch up and figure this stuff out.

Highly hazed, bright golden hue, tight white ring on top.

In the nose: Soft, lightly fruity, dry. Slightly citric.

In the mouth: Clean, crisp, fruity, slightly sweet, but ending on a dry note. Cool and refreshing. Lush malt and low, almost non-existent bitterness. Light bodied, smooth. Citrus notes, and traces of tropical. This is a calmer version of the regular Northodox, more restrained, less effusive in it's hop expression. I'm not sure if that was the aim of this particular project, but that's what's coming through to me.

It's tasty, though, and it's a good beer and you can drink it. Who could ask for anything more?

Most of the American experimentation with this resurgent Norwegian yeast strain seems to be in the arena of farmhouse ales and saisons, not necessarily hazy IPAs. There's a can in my fridge from Bauhaus and it's a Kviek IPA. We'll get to that one soon, see what's going on there.

Our house IPA, Northodox, fermented at 95°F with Norwegian Kveik Hornindal yeast.

Malts: Domestic Pale, White Wheat, Flaked Oats.
Hops: Citra, Simcoe, Mosaic.
Yeast: Norwegian Farmhouse.

New Belgium Nitro Cold Brew Cream Ale

New Belgium Up Next Series Nitro Cold Brew Cream Ale.
Crafted with High Brew Cold Brew Coffee.  5 % ABV.  13 IBU.
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO.

Very dark, pretty near black, with a thin, roasted tan head, setting up above.

In the nose: Coffee notes from the start, earthy, nutty, semi-sweet, turning creamy. Nice.

In the mouth: Mostly malty, minor hops. Begins cool and refreshing, chocolatey malt catching up with the coffee. Smooth, lightish bodied. But, overall, ...yawn.

I'm not thrilled about this one in the least. Fairly blasé'. It's inoffensive, it can be drunk, but essentially it's a misfire. Someone might like it, though. Definitely not for me.

A smooth, creamy, and refreshing coffee beer? Thanks to our friends at High Brew Coffee, that's exactly what this beer is. We infused a cream ale with oats and High Brew's cold brew for a velvety mouthfeel and refreshing finish that will have you wanting more! Infused with nitrogen, so pour hard! 

I didn't read the above first, and therefore didn't "pour hard!" Maybe that's why it made no impact on me. Or, maybe it sucks.

Fair State Pahlay Hazy Pale Ale

Fair State Pahlay Hazy Pale Ale. 5 % ABV. 45 IBU.
Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

So, a little while back I got some samples of this beer. And I drank them without review because, of course, I've had it before, right? Until it dawned on me that I didn't, because that was another beer. That was Pahlay Ahlay, and it wasn't a hazy, "tropical" pale ale. So, it's high time I took notes on this.

(Looking at that old review and it's illustration, I have to wonder, where did my Fair State pint glass go? Should I get a new one? Or should I just always use my Town Hall Masala Mama glass for every pale ale/IPA I review?)


All hazed up, bright golden hued, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Fresh and zesty, bursting with citrus notes. Lemon, grapefruit, tangerine start bumping into pineapple and passionfruit.

In the mouth: Juicy, lively, flush with fruit. Bitterness buzzes the palate, but for a bit. Light bodied, crisp and refreshing. Tropical/citrus hop flavors never waver or flag in the slightest. It's actually quite delicious. Unquestionably likable.

What makes this different from the original offering, put out a little over four years ago? The addition of Denali hops, creating the tropical hop element, and the haze, which is all the craze these days. So, they took a good thing and made it fit the taste of the times. Does that make it better? Not necessarily. But, in this case, it didn't change it for the worse. This is one of the best Minnesota-brewed pale ales you can pop open and push past your lips.

A hazy and tropical pale ale brewed with wheat, oats and Citra/Simcoe and Denali hops.

Boom Island Bell Rock IPA

Boom Island Bell Rock IPA.
6.4 % ABV. 48 IBU.
Boom Island Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Lightly hazed, amber hued, slim, but lasting, white head.

In the nose: Lightly hoppy, fruity, mild. Slight caramel malt flavor. Mmm, hmm.

In the mouth: Buzz of bitterness hits the palate first. Malty goodness arrives next. Fruit makes a cameo. Crisp and clean. Medium body. Drinkable. Yep, good ol', easy-going IPA and you can drink it.

And this the part of the review where I unnecessarily admit that I could have been harder on this beer, but chose not to do that. It's not exciting, it's not bad, it just is.

A Juicy West Coast style IPA brewed Chinook and El Dorado hops.

Madhouse Strawberry Fields

Madhouse Strawberry Fields. Barrel aged sour ale with strawberry and basil.
6.8 % ABV, 10 IBU.
Madhouse Brewing Company, Des Moines, Iowa.

The last of my Iowa beers from my August visit are from Madhouse, which is now no house. I waited a month before cracking my first bottle, then learned of their fate. There are two more. I will enjoy them, and tell you about them, while I can't truly recommend them, since you probably can't buy them.
Sorry.
Maybe some are still left in stores.
No guarantees.

Clear,  bright golden color, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Tart at the start, then come the berries. Sour, fruit, and funky yeast commingle.

In the mouth: Sweet at first, for a second, then, YOW!, comes the sour. Lip-smackingly tart, and forever fruity. Sour never stops. Light bodied, fresh, and refreshing. Sour and fruit keep coming up and jumping on the palate, delivering deliciousness.

I'm enjoying this.

And I'm peeking on the internet and seeing that others are still enjoying it. Bottles are still around, kegs still exist in Iowa bars, enjoy it while you can, Iowans. Bless you, all.

Lupulin Sultana Sexy Hop Pale Ale

Lupulin Sultana Sexy Hop Pale Ale. New England Pale Ale.
5.8 % ABV. 40 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

All haze-ified, bright golden color, firm ivory head above.

In the nose: Sweet, fruity, soft. Tropical touches, traces of citrus. Lovely stuff, for the style.

In the mouth: More soft, more smooth. Flush with the freshness and fruit. Citrus notes, plus passionfruit and such. Ends on the dry side. Excellent drinkability. Low, very low hop bitterness. Exceptionally refreshing and delicious.

A single malt, single hop, hazy pale ale series showcasing the finest ingredients in the world. Thomas Fawcett Pearl malt's rich and bready flavors create a wonderful base for the huge pineapple and tropical fruit flavors of the Sultana hop. 

Lift Bridge Juice-Z NE IPA

Lift Bridge Juice-Z NE IPA. 5 % ABV. 40 IBU. Lift Bridge Brewery, Stillwater, MN.

Quite the hazy. Bright golden. Slim white head.

In the nose: Soft. Fuzzy. Fruity. Lacking what I look for in a normal IPA, but right on the line for this NE Hazy stuff.

In the mouth: More soft, more fuzzy. Minor bitterness. Tropical notes to match the citrus. Smoothish, and light bodied. Easy drinker. Yadda, yada....

It's hazy, it's juicy, if that's what you want, here you go. If you read my words with any regularity, it's plentifully evident that I don't have a lot of love for this style. This version is not changing my case in the least.

A monstrous blend of fruit-forward hops is balanced out with golden malt, wheat and oats. Forget the bitter aftertaste – this New England Style IPA is smooth, citrusy ray of tropical sunshine in an otherwise chaotic world.

Three Floyds Necron99 IPA

Three Floyds Necron99 IPA.
 7.3 % ABV. 61 IBU.
Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN.

Here it is, folks, the fourth Three Floyds beer to come over to Minnesota since their return a few months ago, and the first one that is wholly new to me. Gumball Head, Alpha King, Zombie Dust....I'd had them all before. Now what's this one all about?

Clouded, pale amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: Bold citrus. She notes of other, sweeter fruits, creeping toward the tropical.

In the mouth: A brace of bitterness, matched with juicy. Tasty and bright. Long lasting bitterness on the palate. Medium bodied. Tropical tones match the citrus bite. Easy drinker.

Side note: Examining the packaging, it bears a strong resemblance to the artist behind the Space Riders comic book series, the very one that Oliphant named four of their beers after. Yes, indeed, it is Alexis Ziritt who designed the label for this Interplanetary IPA.

Note: Scortch ale, not Scotch ale. This is in reference to the film, Wizards. Tropical fruit aroma, primarily passion fruit, pineapple, and mango. More subtle notes of berries, melon, citrus, and floral are also present with a full malt profile and a bitter finish.

From the six-pack holder: "A juicy and interplanetary IPA ideal for roaming the radioactive Scortch Wastelands in search of peace."

Mikkeller Awful Gato Imperial Brown Ale with Vanilla and Coffee

Mikkeller Awful Gato Imperial Brown Ale with Vanilla and Coffee.
10.1 % ABV. Brewed and canned by Mikkeller SD, San Diego, CA.

Solid blackness, thin ring of cocoa foam. Looking good.

In the nose: Vanilla hits first, followed by cocoa. Nice and sweet. Coffee and cream, resting over a big ol' brown ale. I'm enjoying this.

In the mouth: The palate gets socked with massive malt, resplendent richness, and a healthy dose of sweet. Vanilla and coffee are in command. Full-bodied, rich, and ever so tasty. Smooth stuff, and flat out delicious. Go out and get some.

A big, luscious Imperial Brown base exuding layers of toasted crust, warm cocoa, and milk chocolate. Made sexy with the addition of espresso coffee and vanilla to imitate a comforting cup of affogato. Hence Awful Gato… you see what we did there? 

Steel Toe Mighty Fresh IPA

Steel Toe Mighty Fresh IPA.
6 % ABV. IBU: ?
Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN.

It's fresh hop season. I haven't had any fresh hop beers yet. Nor have I ever had this one. Let's kick it off...

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lasting ivory cap on top.

In the nose: Ah! Fresh, lively, pure. Plump with citrus and pine. Gorgeous.

In the mouth: Sweet at first, followed swiftly by bitter. Plenty of citrus punch on the palate, lemon, orange, grapefruit. Just the thing my tastebuds require. Medium bodied, easy drinking, just right.
This is exactly my kind of IPA.

I wish I had more information on this one, but I'm coming up empty everywhere I look. Should've taken a pic of the menu while I was at the taproom, maybe that had some answers.

Firetrucker Tropical Burn DIPA

Firetrucker Tropical Burn DIPA.
8.5 % ABV. 90 IBU.
Firetrucker Brewery, Ankeny, Iowa.

Fully opaque, deep amber/crimson color, lasting layer of ivory froth atop.

In the nose: Nice and fruity, more tropical than citric. Creamy-smooth.

In the mouth: More fruit on the palate, with low bitterness. Juicy malt. Medium bodied. Alcohol picks up steam. Brief citrus bite, matched by a mix of tropical fruit flavors, then, yeah, the burn of the higher alcohol, tearing up the palate, buzzing on the brain.

I wish this was cleaner, more coherent, but as it is, it's just adequate. Not the DIPA I'm looking for, I'm afraid.

This high-gravity double IPA is loaded with hoppy and citrus flavors. The nose begins with sweet and fruity mango, pineapple and grapefruit aromas, accompanied by a slight tang of alcohol. The initial sweet citrus flavors slowly blend into a dry and lingering hoppy bitterness. Idaho 7 and Citra hops are dominant and balance well with the large addition of whole mangos.

I don't know why, but I really didn't pick up on the mango on this one.

Barrel Theory After School Snacks Berliner Weisse with Tangerine and Blood Orange

Barrel Theory After School Snacks Berliner Weisse. With Tangerine and Blood Orange.
4 % ABV. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Fully opaque, bright golden hue, slim head.

In the nose: Tangerine pops out, blood orange stands by.

In the mouth: Yow! That's sour! Sweet and sour...like a SweeTart! Candied citrus fruit, all soured up scores highest in the ratings. Tangerine, orange, lemon, grapefruit....tastiness aplenty.
Big time, juicy puckering in this one. Medium bodied, full-flavored, long lasting fruity/sour taste. Long finish. Very nice. Delicioso.

Only eight of Barrel Theory's beers have appeared here so far, and none of them have been their sours. Now I know what all the fuss is about. This one is top notch.

New Belgium Hop Avenger IPA

New Belgium Hop Avenger IPA. 7.7 % ABV. 45 IBU.
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO.

Thoroughly hazed, pale orange appearance, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus abounds. Grapefruit, lemon, orange. Soft, juicy, tropical fruit notes accompany. Passion fruit, guava.

In the mouth: Bright and bitter at the start. A jolt of refreshing juicy flavors. Fresh and zesty. Hop bitterness never ceases, and is never too much. Last long on the palate, continually tasty. Bold, even intense. I can't help liking it.

Looking at their notes on this, I'm amazed that I didn't feel the pineapple as strong as they do. Perhaps I'm weary of picking out pineapple. Too much pineapple in the IPAs these days.

VOODOO RANGER HOP AVENGER IPA
The people have spoken! With over 50,000 votes, Hop Avenger IPA edged out Starship IPA in the battle for the next super beer! With its super juicy tropical aromas and light sweetness, Hop Avenger IPA packs a powerful pineapple punch! 

TASTING NOTES,VISUAL
Golden haze with a light sheen and moderate white foam.
AROMA Moderate pineapple, and tropical fruit aromas.
FLAVOR Slight sweetness moving to a moderate bitterness.
MOUTHFEEL/BODY Slightly coating and warming with moderate astringency. Medium-bodied.
BEER FACTS
ABV 7.7%
IBU 45
YEAST House Ale Yeast
HOPS Nugget, Mosaic Incognito, Ekuanot Incognito, Jester, Chinook, Citra, Mandarina Bavaria
MALTS Pale, Caramel 20, Munich

Beaver Island Oktoberfest Marzen Lager

Beaver Island Oktoberfest Marzen Lager. Award Winning. Dam. fine. Beer.
Beaver Island Brewing, St. Cloud, MN.

Clear, amber/copper color, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweet and malty. Just enough hops. Lush, herbal.

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, juicy malt flavors abound. Just a touch of hop bitterness, enough to keep it nice and balanced. Ends on the dry side. Tasty stuff.

This authentic Märzen transforms German malts and hops into a rich, balanced lager. Pairs perfectly with lederhosen.

Exile Dankalope American IPA

Exile Dankalope American IPA.
6.8 % ABV. 40 IBU.
Exile Brewing, Des Moines, IA.

This is not my first time having this beer. The first was at the brewery, in mid-August of this year. I did not take notes, nor a picture, and didn't check in on Untappd. I fell into a black hole where no beer reporting occurs. I was sure to pick up 4-pack before we left Des Moines, and I'm finally taking notes on the final bottle.

Clear-ish, bright golden color, large, lacey, ivory head.

In the nose: Bold, assertive, citrus and pine. Just lovely. Exactly what I want in an IPA.

In the mouth: Fresh, zesty, awash in hop bitterness and flavor. Juicy. Delicious. "Dank" without being...undank. It's Crescent Fresh, is what it is. Lots of hop interplay on the palate, medium bodied, slightly sweet malt flavors, long lasting flavors in the finish. Delightful.

This is one more example of how Iowa is making some damn good beers. Wish I'd bought a second 4-pack. Well, I would have finished them a long time ago, but I'd be four times happier than I am now. It is a clear and shimmering example of how to do an IPA best. More and more, I want to go back and pick up more examples of their beers, and sing the praises of Iowa beers.

Independent, self-reliant & free-spirited, Dankalope rides on his own terms. Dankalope American IPA is brewed with Simcoe, Chinook and Mosaic hops. Citrus and floral notes made for the open road.

Mikkeller San Diego Cryo Room IPA

Mikkeller Cryo Room IPA. 7% ABV.
Mikkeller Brewing, San Diego, CA.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Citra's popping! Simcoe and Mosaic on the side. Loads of lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruit. Fine stuff, indeed.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness blasts out and buzzes the palate. Juicy on the tongue. Citra-delic, man.
Clean and delicious.
Easy drinker, for the hopheads among us.
Quite nice.

I was surprised to at last taste a non-hazy IPA from this brewery, and I was happy with the results. Good IPA and you can drink it.

IPA with mosaic, simcoe, and citra cryo hops.

Town Hall Hopfen King

Town Hall Hopfen King. 6.1 % ABV. German IPA.
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Clean, grainy/malty, light hops. Slight citrus.

In the mouth: Zippy, tangy, tasty. More clean, lightly malty, just enough hoppy & bitter. Smooth stuff.  Medium/light bodied, excellent drinkability.

I wish I could share more information, but I have none. The website can only tell us: German IPA. Whatever that is.

Peace Tree Cold Brew Coffee Stout

Peace Tree Cold Brew Coffee Stout. 6.5 % ABV.
Peace Tree Brewing Company, Knoxville & Des Moines, Iowa.

Solid blackness. Slim brown head. Absolute opacity.

In the nose: Rich. Earthy. Coffee. Roasty. Deep. Slight cocoa.

In the mouth: Bright berries, dark coffee. Richness and malt. Smooth, delicious. Medium bodied, long, malty/nutty/coffee finish. Quite excellent in all regards.

I enjoyed the first 5 of this 6-pack with relish. I took great pleasure in the sixth without the aid of condiments.

Come on, you've got to let me get my jokes in, now and then.

It started with an idea in our taprooms: There should be dark beer you can enjoy year-round. Our Cold Brew Coffee Stout starts with dark and caramel malt for a roasted, chocolate character. In a process called cold brewing where time replaces heat, fresh ground coffee is steeped at cold temperatures in the final brewing stages. The result is smoother taste and fragrant aromas without sacrificing any of the rich flavor.

Boom Island Boom Light Blonde Ale

Boom Island Boom Light. Blonde Ale.
4.2 % ABV. 25 IBU.
Boom Island Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: sugar, yeast, malt. Belgian blonde is going on. Cereal, grain, minor hops. Pleasant, inoffensive, yada, yada.

In the mouth: Lightness personified. Goes down with utmost ease. Light and delightful. Somewhat. Waiting for further flavors. Light bodied, easy drinking. Continued grainy/malty flavors, minor hops, not much else. Eh. Okay beer and you can drink it.

Boom Island has picked up stakes and moved their shop from North Minneapolis to nice, safe Minnetonka, and their new taproom, which I have yet to visit, is far more popular there than the old location ever was. If you've ever worked in a taproom, you'd know that the most commonly asked question is: "what's your lightest beer." I'm glad that in order to satisfy this inquiry (which could have been done with Witness Wit, I guess), they didn't simple put out a lame light lager.

Clean, crisp and refresh­ing, this blond ale is the per­fect go-to for easy drink­ing. It’s light on hop bit­ter­ness and full flavored. 

Drekker King of the Thing Double IPA

Drekker King of the Thing Double IPA.
8.3 % ABV. Drekker Brewing, Fargo, ND.

So, I haven't had any Drekker in a while. And here's one with an attractive grotesque illustration of some Goblin King (or is it Augra from The Dark Crystal) on the label. And it's a double IPA, which is a style I crave from time to time. Let's try it out.

All hazy. Murky yellow. Large white, lace-leaving head.

In the nose: Soft, fruity, high citrus. Big lemon and orange. Pinch of pineapple.

In the mouth: Sweetness hits the palate first, way before the bitter. More soft, more smooth, and again, I'm coming up short on what I like in an IPA. Juicy Tasty. Ending dry. Medium-bodied, with increasing booze. Leaves the palate quickly.

Personally, I feel that a double IPA should have extra hop bitterness, not just extra booze. But, that's just me, I guess.

Quick question: Are hazy IPAs just the default style now? It didn't see "hazy" or "NE" preceding "DIPA" on the label. I feel kind of cheated when I open a DIPA and find that, alas, again, it's another haze bomb, bros. I just want the OG, dudes.

Designed to showcase to the beauty and splendor of Citra, this beer is built on a mountain of oats and spelt for a decadent and smooth mouthfeel. Bursts with notes of lychee, candied lemon, and peach Bellini. It's royally smooth like the juice of the highest order.⁣ ⁣

Malt: Pale Two Row, Carafoam, Oats, Spelt

Hops: Citra

Yeast: House IPA yeast.

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest 2019 (collaboration with Bitburger)

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest 2019 (collaboration with Bitburger)
6 % ABV. 22 IBU. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA.

Clear, amber/copper color, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweet malt pops up first, nice and toasty, caramel-y, certainly in marzen-style. Quite nice.

In the mouth: More of the same. Mostly malty, clean, with brisk bitterness. Not too sweet, just right. Crisp. Toasty. Caramel-y. Smooth and lovely.  This is yum. Even yum a dum dum.

Clean, smooth, light, tasty. Good beer and you can drink it.

It’s the ultimate season of revelry, so we teamed up with Germany’s Bitburger Brewery for an Oktoberfest that turns backyards into beer gardens. Rally your friends and celebrate with a festbier whose rich amber color, secret hop blend, and smooth malty flavor bring the Munich tents to you. 

Schell's Fort Road Porter

Schell's Fort Road Porter. English-style Brown Porter.
4.8 % ABV August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN.

Fully opaque, largely brown, full tan head atop.

In the nose: Cocoa. Minor espresso. Much malt. Nicely roasted and toasted. Largely likable, so far.

In the mouth: Sweet, then dry. Mostly malty, minorly hoppy. Sweet malt kept just in check. Chocolate and coffee, with a touch of roast. Medium-bodied, easy-drinking. Every inch delightful.

This is solid stuff. I had every intention of finding fault with their attempt at an English style ale, but, hey, these guys know what they're doing, no matter what.

Chocolate and caramel notes will shine through this brew, leaving room for the roasted malts to make their appearance. With barley grown near the brewery on the historic Fort Road, this beer gets its name and runs during the colder months, opposite our Fort Road Helles.

Lupulin CPB Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter

Lupulin CPB Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter.
5.25 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Murky brown, slim, tan head.

In the nose: Peanut butter pops right out. Malty flavors lurk below. Sweet, earthy, balanced. Not getting any chocolate yet.

In the mouth: Peanut Butter flavor remains on top. Smooth and creamy. Minor hops, just enough for balance. Chocolate creeps out from under. Tasty, tasty stuff. Medium bodied and a treat to drink down.

Layers of decadent chocolate and peanut butter built into a rich oatmeal porter make this beer impossible to have just one. We're not sorry.

Oliphant 2HI2SpY Grapefruit Sour with sea salt and lactose

Oliphant 2HI2SpY Grapefruit Sour with sea salt and lactose.
5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Clear, bright golden color, large, lasting, lace-leaving ivory head, sure to drift down to a tight ring.

In the nose: Sour and salt hit first, no sign of grapefruit yet. Another sniff: maybe a little bit, but not much.

In the mouth: Tart and sour from the start, lip-smacking and puckering aplenty. Brisk, bright and beautiful. Grapefruit still remains subdued, while salt shines, but lactose? What's it up to?...not sure the idea there. I've not yet heard of a sour ale with lactose added. Are they going lactose happy, or is it's presence in the recipe guided by some principle I don't yet understand?

Grapefruit's coming on stronger, and the creamy smooth of the lactose seems to tame it, if that was the intent. Maybe I've answered my previous query. And what's else is, it's pretty damn tasty.

Delicious sour, this one. I'm enjoying this crowler, and I'd go back for more.

Wrapping my head around the name & label art. Spoof on James Bond if he was a stoner? Maybe?

Surreal N/A Juicy Mavs Hazy IPA

Surreal N/A Juicy Mavs Hazy IPA. "A brew for the limitless you!"
0.5 % ABV. Surreal Brewing, Campbell, CA.


So, it's an N/A hazy juicy IPA, and the last sample I tried was offensive. How will we do this time?

Hazy, sure, dull golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Hoppy. Citrus and tropical. Not bad, so far.

In the mouth: Oh, no, not again. Cardboard. Pennies. Garbage. Yuck. Flat. Dull. Drab. Lifeless. And, I know this is not a technical term, again: Yuck. Oh, and a touch of coconut.

Another drain pour. Yikes. Two more to go with this brewery. Are any of them any good?
We shall see.

This Hazy IPA bursts with tropical fruit and citrus character, accentuated by fruity yeast esters & a subtle, clean malt finish.

Waldmann German Triple( Strong Golden German Ale)

Waldmann German Triple ( Strong Golden German Ale).
7.7 % ABV. Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN.

Here's the second crowler I've reviewed from Waldmann Brewing in St. Paul. The first was a gift from Ed, last year. This one was purchased at the brewery on September 1, when Ed and I biked around St. Paul, visiting 5 breweries, 3 of them new to me. Yes, this was my first visit to the charming Waldmann, and it won't be the last. I cannot explain why I waited a month to open the growler, though. Sometimes it just has to be the right time. And the beer held up.

Clear, bright amber color, large and lasting ivory head, leaving some lace.

In the nose: lively blend of fruity esters at work, some apple, some citrus. Unexpectedly delightful.

In the mouth: starts off nice and hoppy, with low bitterness, then the smooth, sweet malt flavors kick in. Nice interplay, good balance, excellent drinking. Crisp, clean, and complex. Lots going on, lovely taste, outright enjoyable.

A gold German stark beer. A handful of different German and Czech Pilsner malts combine with U.S. Santiam hops gor a fruity and spicy strong German ale.

Date filled: 26-Aug-2019. Version 19A