Arbeiter Chocolate Imperial Stout

Arbeiter Chocolate Imperial Stout.

9.7 % ABV. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Absolute ebon, fullest opacity, under a rich, roasted brown head. 

In the nose: Cocoa pipes up first. Dark malts aplenty. Bits of molasses, dark fruit, anise. 

In the mouth: Thick and rich, deep and heavy. Again, chocolate is lord of the palate. Almost a fudge-y flavor, without, you know, having to actually throw in a pan of fudge. Wonderfully warming. I thoroughly enjoyed this full-bodied, fully flavored Stout.

Arbeiter’s first imperial stout! This beer has all the specialty malts in this big beer but in the end it equals very palatable and rich imperial stout with all the dark chocolate and roasted coffee flavors one could ask for. Cacao nibs contribute a great dark chocolate aroma but do not typically impart much flavor – therefore the borderline bitter bakers chocolate, burnt caramel, dark roast black coffee, and even some black cherry and/or blackberry flavors all come from the extensive combination of all the malts. This delicious beer will be perfect to warm you up around the fire.

Gigantic Hellboy Trevor Bruttenholm British Barleywine

 Gigantic Hellboy Trevor Bruttenholm British Barleywine. Beer #6 of 6.

Alc. by Vol. 9.99%. Gigantic Brewing, Portland, OR. 

Gigantic Hellboy Trevor Bruttenholm British Barleywine. That's quite a mouthful. Let's break it down.

Gigantic is the Portland, Oregon brewery that made this beer. This is my first time drinking them. The store where I work only stocks the beers in this series. Maybe the buyer is a big comic book guy. I don't know, it's never come up. Strange.

Hellboy is the comic book and film franchise created by Mike Mignola, who I've been a fan of since the early 80's. His illustrations for Jack Kirby characters (the trolls in Asgard from Thor, the Deviants from The Eternals)  in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe caught my attention and I followed him through runs on The Incredible Hulk and Alpha Flight, and still treasure his work on the Rocket Raccoon mini-series, which I have in hardcover now. Hellboy came around in the 90's, and I kept up with it for a while, and am now catching up through volumes borrowed from the library.

Trevor Bruttenholm is a character in the Hellboy series. He's the gent who discovered the little demon way back in 1944. They call him Broom in the films, for some reason.

British Barleywine is the style of beer, one that I adore, so let's drink it...

Deep burgundy hue, utter opacity, full, long-lasting beige-tinged head. Looking great for the style. 

In the nose: Rich and wondrous maltiness. Plenty of hops, to boot. Very vinous. All the dark fruits at play. An abundance of luxuorious goodness. 

In the mouth: Thick, full, totally bombastic barley-wine flavors pummel the palate. Hops are heavy, malts majestic. Roasty, toasty, toffee-is, caramel-y goodness. This fits the bill. Put this in your brandy snifter, by the fire, old dog Trey at your feet, in your slippers, paging through a volume of Voltaire. It's what barleywines are made for, contemplating the world, while partaking of it's best creation. This is yet another example of what makes beer superior to wine. So much more complex that the fruit of the grape, so many mansions all assembled in one house. 

This makes for a magnificent nightcap. I might have to grab that final bottle and see how long I can hold on to it. 

Good ol' barleywines. How I love them. 

(anyone who gets the comic strip reference above gets a No-Prize.)

"There are some for whom old age lends a fatherly gravitas. A paternal might. This barleywine is much the same. With intriguing nuances of toffee, dark fruits, citrus, and caramel that will develop over years." 

Breckenridge Juice Drop Hazy IPA

Breckenridge Juice Drop Hazy IPA.

7 % ABV, Breckenridge Brewing, Littleton, CO. 

There it is, all hazy-like, but never too turbid. Bright golden hue. Slim, but stable, layer of milky white froth atop. 

In the nose: Citrus aplenty, lemon and orange galore, with slight whiffs of tropical tones, and plenty of fuzz. 

In the mouth: Hoppy blast on the palate up front, a spasm of citrus and a glimmer of tropical notes, then all is mellow and fine. Quite a lot of juicy going on, without too much of the fuzz. Don't go in expecting more in the style of the NE/hazy IPA, it's strictly on the juicy side. A bit light bodied, with a faint finish. 

Not my favorite IPA of late, but there ain't nothing wrong with it. Decent enough IPA, and you most certainly can drink it. 

Hop forward aroma and low bitterness with tropical fruit and orange citrus foe that juicy and creamy mouthfeel 

Leinenkugel's Session Helles

Leinenkugel's Session Helles. Light Bodied German Style Lager. 

3.4 % ABV. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Chippewa Falls, WI. 

So. A Leinie's, huh? Running out of beers to review, are you? No, not at all, but there are rules to this blogging thing of mine, and one of them is that I never turn down a free beer. Two cans were in my possession when my boss handed them to me and I accepted them. I'm not going to refuse them. "Session Helles," he mused aloud, "aren't all Helles' session beers?" Well, they're extra session when they're only 3.4 % ABV. 

The beers of Leinenkugel's have appeared here eight times before. Six of them were craft beers from their long-gone Big Eddy series, one was a sample given by a sales rep a few years ago, and my review of Honey Weisse was from a bottle taken from the cooler at the Blue Nile. I know nobody cares about minutia like these, but I write it anyway. It's a compulsion of mine. This whole thing is my compulsion. 

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, large white head that settles down swiftly. 

In the nose: light malt, no hops, slightly corny, but inoffensive. 

In the mouth: More of the above. . Crisp and clean, light as air. Watery. Quick finish. Slides off the palate with the greatest of ease. Ends on a dry note. Fairly forgettable, though it does accomplish exactly what it's trying to. Certainly not for me. 

Ballast Point Fathom IPA

 Ballast Point Fathom IPA.

6 % ABV, 60 IBU. Ballast Point Brewing, San Diego, CA. 

Clear, bright golden/amber hue, large and lasting ivory head. Looking nice. 

In the nose: Brimming with citrus and pine. Orange and grapefruit, side of lemon. 

In the mouth: Big blast of bitterness starts it off. Classic West Coast-style approach to an IPA, giving hops, hops, and hops, and not afraid of bitterness. Crisp and clean. Zesty, citrusy hop flavors pound the palate, filling every crack and corner of the mouth. Grapefruit rind and orange peel. Lean malt body, long bitter finish, just about delicious. 

I love a good West Coast IPA, and this is surely one of them. 

Fathom IPA highlights our favorite characteristics of the west-coast IPA style. This crisp and clean brew features a touch of malt on the surface with an ocean of zesty orange and piney hops below. The result is a refreshing, easy drinking IPA with just the right amount of depth.

Beaver Island Coffee & Vanilla Sweet Miss Oatmeal Stout

Beaver Island Coffee & Vanilla Sweet Miss Oatmeal Stout.

And here we have beer #3 of the Beaver Island Sweet Miss variety pack. Did I save the best for last? We'll see. We'll also see more Beaver Island, for I intend to pick up their other variety pack and try out some of their beers that I've passed by. Perhaps the Axe Dragger IPA has gotten better since I tried it last, this past April? 

Solid blackness, completely opaque, slim brown ring of foam atop. 

In the nose: Coffee comes on first, cocoa just below. The, along comes vanilla. Nice. 

In the mouth: Starts out bittersweet, lightly hoppy, but mostly malty. Smooth and easy drinking, medium bodied, slightly toasty. Earthy coffee flavors continue,  sweetened by vanilla notes. 

Personally, I could do with a fuller body and a little less sweetness, but that's what I say about a lot of things. As it is, it's tasty and a treat to drink. I'd gladly have another. 

Oskar Blues Can-O-bliss IPA Series Citrus India Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Can-O-bliss IPA Series Citra India Pale Ale.

7.2 % ABV, 68 IBU. Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO. 

All  hazified, bright golden hue, small white head. 

In the nose: bold citrus notes, lemon, grapefruit, orange, tangerine.  Lovely. 

In the mouth: Brisk, crisp, refreshing. Just enough bitterness to tickle the palate. Medium bodied, long, hoppy finish. Fruity and juicy for a bit, but ending dry and delightful. Tasty little IPA, this one. I like it.

A complex, international blend of Motueka, Amarillo, Mandarina Bavaria, Citra and Experimental Hop #06277 contribute to a big, juicy, citrusy IPA experience with notes of orange, tangerine, and zesty tropical fruit.

Waldmann German Porter

Waldmann German Porter.

5.5 % ABV, Waldmann Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

What? German Porter? There's no such thing! You gotta be kidding me....but, if they say so, I mean, who knows, right? Let's give it a whirl. 

Dark brown, nearly black, with full opacity, and small, short-lived brown head. 

In the nose: Bittersweet. Caramel and cocoa. Expresso notes, too. Mostly malty. 

In the mouth: Chocolate and coffee hit the palate first. Small dose of bitterness, there for balance. Malt rises up to take over. Medium bodied, slightly sweet, but ending dry and earthy. Smooth stuff, easy drinking, fairly delightful. 

A “GERMANIFIED” VERSION OF A LONDON PORTER BREWED PRIMARILY IN EAST GERMANY UNTIL VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARING AFTER REUNIFICATION.  OUR GERMAN PORTER IS MADE WITH ENGLISH MARIS OTTER MALTS, GERMAN NOBLE-AROMATIC HOPS AND A CLASSIC GERMAN ALE YEAST FOR AN INTERESTING COMBINATION OF BRITISH-ALE COMPLEXITY AND GERMAN MELLOWED DRINKABILITY.

Stone Cosmic Runestone IPA

Stone Cosmic Runestone IPA. India Pale Ale brewed with Centennial and Sabro hops and juniper. 

A discovery carved by hops. 

7.3 % ABV, 40 IBU. Brewed and bottled by Stone Brewing co., Escondido, CA & Richmond, VA. 

Another one from the 12 IPAs variety pack. Not sure if this one is available on it's own, but it is back in the latest IPA 12-pack. Only four individual beers in that one, but, heck, if you like, there's more. Unfortunately, I only have this one.

On to the beer! 

Clear, bright golden/amber hue, long-lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: Dank and sticky. Big citrus, tossed in with some candied stone fruit (no pun intended)...and then along comes the juniper. Interesting, very interesting. 

In the mouth: Starts out fruity, juicy, dank and delicious. Smooth, tasty, and utterly intriguing. Moderate bitterness, medium malt, long finish, fully flavored. Fresh and zesty fruity flavors never quite quit on the palate. It's a very good IPA and you can drink it. Also, I feel like it deserves a rank of: yum a dum dum.

Once again, Stone overdoes it with the label copy. Nothing wrong with that...

We often associate space with the future. Progress. What’s next. But in reality, any cosmic body you’d encounter out there is unfathomably ancient. It may take cutting-edge technology to reach it, but upon discovery, you’re immediately taken back in time. 

It’s in this spirit we offer Stone Cosmic Runestone IPA, a blend of historic Nordic brewing tradition (Voss Kveik yeast and juniper berries) and American craft beer innovation (a healthy dose of Centennial and Sabro hops). Like the eons old entity that is our watchful Gargoyle, journeying through the infinite universe, leaving cosmic breadcrumbs and waiting to be discovered by a fortunate explorer.

Today, that’s you.

Pryes Peace Offering Cold Press Stout Brewed with Peace Coffee

Pryes Peace Offering Cold Press Stout Brewed with Peace Coffee.

5.8 % ABV, 28 IBU. Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

A new Pryes beer that's not a "pastry" or "smoothie sour" or anything? Coffee stout? Right up my alley, let's drink it. 

Strictly ebony, fully opaque, under slim, brown head. 

In the nose: Rich, earthy, nutty, espresso all the way. Brings me back to my days of prepping cold press for Sebastian Joe's back in the summer of '98. Exact same aromatics. 

In the mouth: Smooth as silk. Full bodied. Deep and rich. Chocolate malts dominate, and maybe a touch of caramel in there, too. Mostly malty, low bitterness. Genuine flavors, on full display. This is terrifically tasty. Definitely one of the better coffee stouts I've had in many a day. 

This silky smooth cold press stout, infused with fresh roasted Peace Coffee beans, is perfect for brunch, bonfires and breaking bread.

Junkyard Nectar-tron New England Style IPA with Citra and Nectaron hops

Junkyard Nectar-tron New England Style IPA with Citra and Nectaron hops.

6.6 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Ever-so hazy, bright yellow hue, large and lasting pure white head. Looking great. 

In the nose: The Citra. the citrus, the fuzz. I don't know from "nectaron". 

In the mouth: From the kick, it's a juicy one, and a fuzzy one. Some bitterness, but mostly low-key, mild, moderate, slim malt, but heavy on the citrus. Fruity all the way. Lemon and orange and grapefruit. Highly diggable. 

I like this character on the label. He's reminding me of my Micronauts toys from my childhood, and the accompanying Marvel comics. 

Sometimes I turn to Untappd for the description of the beers. This is all they give: New England Style IPA with Citra and Nectaron Hops. 

But, there's more on the label. Before I type that out, I'm going to see if it's on their website, so I can cut and paste. Huh, it's gone. Maybe it's on BA. Nope, it's not even on there. Jeez, you turn your back on a website for a decade, and no one rises up to cover the database. sigh. I'll get my glasses on...

We managed to procure a small quantity of the new "nectaron" hop variety out of New Zealand. This IPA highlights the citrus and passionfruit flavors of this exotic new hop variety. (Don't they mean "varietal"? It can't be a variety if it's one thing.)

This beer is everywhere you want to be. Ain't that right, JubJub? 

As I said, it's expertly diggable, and I am indeed digging it. Close observers of this blog may have noted that I have been reviewing more Junkyard beers than ever, due to my easy access to them these days. For reasons we still haven't figured out, they haven't been flying off the shelves like they used to, and we continue to stock all the new stuff. Last week was the first that I've worked at this retail location, that I can remember, where we didn't get new stuff. Maybe that's because as of last week we had 17 different Junkyard beers. 17! As of today, we're down to 10. And I tend to go with the IPAs first, stouts second, and the sours will come in last. Marshmallow beers way last. So, as they continue to supply us with IPAs, that's what I'll continue to drink. If we run out of IPAs, I'll take home a stout. After that, I'll break down and bring home a sour. Further down the line, something with marshmallow....no! Musn't! Can't Won't! Don't! 

Oliphant Cats Cats West Coast IPA

Oliphant Cats Cats West Coast IPA.

7.5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Three years ago, or so, Oliphant released a West Coast-style IPA called "cats, cats, cats, CATS!!!", or something like that. Was this the same beer under a new name, I wondered? I asked Josh who told me that they were saving that name for when they make a double IPA version. So, it begins with Cats Cats, to become Cats Cats Cats Cats, as they have done with Gorb Gorb and Zozo Gun Gun. But, I ponder, why not call the new DIPA Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats? What about that, huh?

Anyway, same beer or not, I'm going to review it again, just for fun...and just as soon as I get this cat off of my arm....damn you, Sonny Boy!

Clear (with a slight chill haze), bright golden hue, long-lasting and lacey white head. Looking great!

In the nose: Bold citrus and pine. Orange, grapefruit, a pinch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Brash bitterness pounces the palate, plays around and sticks it out for the long haul. Slightly fruity and juicy, but ultimately dry and just a little brittle. Medium body, light malt, nothing but hops and all the goodness that comes from them. Flawless rendition of the style. Make more of these please!

IPA w/ Cascade,Centennial Hops

So, I wonder if my old review of the earlier beer read the same, and, yeah, pretty much. Read it here. Is it the same beer, though. The other was reportedly made with Chinook, Columbus, Cascade, and Centennial hops, and for this one they kept to the final two, apparently. Nothing wrong with that, that's a classic combo right there. They can't all be Citra and Mosaic. 

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Tadcaster The Famous Taddy Porter

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Tadcaster The Famous Taddy Porter.

5 % ABV, 32 IBU. Samuel Smith's Brewery, Yorkshire, England. 

There are those times when I page through this blog and consider a certain brewery and think about which beers are represented within it, and which are not. This is one of those instances, looking at Samuel Smith's, the traditional Yorkshire brewery, and the merely seven beers contained herein.  So many missing, and among them, this, a favorite of mine for so many years. 

I will do something that I've done before and will do again. Write new notes, then look at the old, for I know for a certainty that I'd written about this one many years ago. Let's crack this crown and get into it: 

Just about blackness, conplete opacity, short-lived brown head. 

In the nose: slightly sweet, treacle, molasses, brown sugar. Mostly malty. Whiffs of anise, raisins, rum. All this in a traditional English porter? 

In the mouth: Some sweetness again, with a modicum of bitter, to match the black, caramel-y malts. Dark fruits, once more, but altogether well-balanced, smooth and satisfying. Tastes of cola, coffee, cocoa, and some spice, too. Medium body, and easy drinkability. A fine beverage, sets the soul at rest. This is truly as traditional an English porter as you're going to find with any ease at all. (If you ever see Salopian Entire Butt, get some.)

As promised, here's what I offered up to BeerAdvocate back in January of 2003, eighteen years ago (!): 

Tan, creamy head. Pitch black. Intenslely aromatic: rich, roasted coffee, butterscotch, toffee. Great hop presence. but light on the palate. Smooth, well-rounded, a porter full of character, that will remain on the top of my list until the end of time. Absolutely perfect. Light enough in alcohol to stand in as a session beer (but too expensive to actually work that way), and with plenty of body and bite.

A very dark, full bodied ale with a rich, creamy head and an intense dry, tangy character. Brewed with well water (the original well sunk in 1758 is still in use), malted barley, roasted malt, yeast and hops. Fermented in stone Yorkshire squares. The type of beer first brewed in the early 18th century; gained its name from being drunk by porters in the fish, meat and other produce markets.

Boulevard Tasting Room: Strata / Citra India Pale Ale

 Boulevard Tasting Room: Strata / Citra India Pale Ale.

5.2 % ABV, 50 IBU, Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO. 

Here's one from a variety pack that I never bought. But, someone dropped one and the package was unsellable, so they all went on sale as singles. Hence, I get to try this beer, without purchasing the whole magilla.

And here we go: 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. Looking very nice. 

In the nose: Citrus notes, and more. Citra brings us citrus, but what does Strata do? I'm a little behind on this one, admittedly? Flowers? Onions? I can't pin it down. A little funky. I like it. 

In the mouth: Nothing but juicy and fruity. Good dose of bitterness, citrus notes, touch of pine. Bright, crisp, a burst of hops on the palate. Medium/light-ish bodied, and excellent drinkability.A touch of white grapes/wine, and a whiff of cat pee. I'm enjoying this immensely. Drink this if you see it. 

Bursting with intensely juicy and floral hops this Tasting Room IPA features bright aromas of passion fruit and citrus with a balanced bitter finish.

Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel

Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel. "Velvety. Smooth. Majestic." Belgian-style dubbel ale brewed with spices. Aged in brandy and bourbon barrels. 

9.9% ABV. 20 IBU. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Clouded, burgundy hued, slim, brief, magenta-toned head.

In the nose: Boom! Wow! Fruit at first, then the barrels, brandy takes hold, bourbon creeps in, cherries, vanilla, oak, caramel, and a dubbel lurks below. Mmm. Ah.

In the mouth: Grape, berries, cocoa, caramel, bittersweet. Alcohol starts in early and stays strong. Boom, boom, boom, boom! A few more sips in and the dubbel below (how I miss Ommegang Abbey Ale!) reveals itself, that special Special B malt character that I adore. Fruity, nutty, chocolatey, and all things Belgian, all at once. Bit of molasses. The very definition of Yum a Dum Dum. Rich, luxurious, delicious, complex, and ...just, damn. 

Unfortunately, this is my last bottle. I may have to leave the safety of the retail store where I currently work and look for some establishment that still has some. It's just the best. Wow meets wow. 

This luxurious brew begins with a big, beautiful Abbey Dubbel which then heads to our cellar, where it's gracefully aged for six months in a mix of bourbon and brandy casks. This blend of barrels adds an additional layer of flavor and complexity to what is already an incredibly layered drinking experience. The result is a beer worthy of slow-sipping, and deep contemplation. A beautiful fusion of dark fruit, caramel, molasses, and bourbon. Sip and enjoy, but be warned, Double Barrel Dubbel may result in a spiritual awakening. 

Stone Exotic Destinations IPA

Stone Exotic Destinations IPA.

7.5 % ABV. 53 IBU. Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. 

This bottle came from the Stone 12 IPAs of Christmas sampler pack, in which, along with everything else they were putting out at the time, all the labels were printed upside down for some reason. I think they're back to normal, now. 

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, large and lasting white head.

In the nose: Wide and wonderful aromatics, big splash of citrus and pine. Touch of tropical. 

In the mouth: Ah, yes! This is my kind of IPA, indeed. Bold blast of bitter hoppiness from the top, juicy delivery of citrusy hop flavor onto the palate, orange and grapefruit, with a pinch of pineapple and passionfruit on the side. Long bitter finish. Medium bodied. Not an especially high IBU, but the bitterness clings on the palate through out the duration. Bright, juicy, bitter. Shove that bitterness down my happy, hoppy tongue, baby, this is how all IPAs should be!

I'm going to keep my eyes out for more of this stuff. 

Introducing Stone Exotic Destinations IPA, a 7.5% creation loaded with Citra and the brand new Talus (HBC 692) hops. Huge floral aroma with notes of citrus and sweet fruit plus just the right hint of tartness. Greetings from Beer Paradise. Population: you.

Sierra Nevada Big Little Thing Imperial IPA

 

Sierra Nevada Big Little Thing Imperial IPA.

9 % ABV, 45 IBU, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, CA (and elsewhere). 

Hey, let's review from a 19.2 ounce can, even though I still have a 12 ouncer in the fridge. Why not? It made no sense to buy this, but sense can go take a flying leap sometimes, I say. It is called BIG Little Thing. (Although, shouldn't I have a bigger glass to go with this? Probably. Wish I could bring my broken Sierra Nevada IPA glass back to life. Alas.)

Completely clear (it's so nice to see that once in a while), deep golden. almost apricottish hue, slimmish white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and stone fruit, a little tropical. Touch of pine. 

In the mouth: Starts out big and bitter, not to mention juicy. Bitterness grabs the palate and won't let go. A melange of flavors convene in the mouth, some citrus, a bit of mango, pine needles and peach. Big alcohol starts to loom, enriching the flavors on the palate and stirring the brain a bit. Earthy malt feels under the blazing hoppification. Pretty damned delicious, pretty damn strong. I'm digging it, big time. 

Make way for the Big Little Thing, an Imperial IPA flexing a full malt body, restrained sweetness, and tropical hop flavors of mango, grapefruit, and tangerine.

MALTS: Pale malt, Wheat malt, Munich malt

HOPS: Magnum, Crystal, Chinook, Idaho 7, Columbus, Cascade, Mosaic

YEAST: Ale Yeast

Blacklist Finally We Got Our IPA

Blacklist Finally We Got Our IPA.

7 % ABV, 60 IBU. Blacklist Brewing, Duluth, MN. 

Blacklist is one of those breweries who wants to do a specific thing, in their case creating Belgian-style beers, but their fan base keeps asking for an IPA. Or, more likely, people walk into the taproom and say, "what's your IPA, do you have any, or....?" Exactly the kind of question, exactly the phrasing I was once posed at Harriet. Take your West Side, and be happy, you. On the other hand, I recall hearing one of the owners at Fulton saying that people were asking them to do Belgian-style beers, to which he replied, "we love them, too, but it's not what we do." Not every brewery can be all things to all people, though some may try. 

And henceforth, Blacklist has decided to diversify and create non-Belgian style beers for those that don't want them. And here, they finally have their IPA, and I'm finally going to drink it. I like my IPAs, and I want to like this one. 

(This shouldn't necessarily go into a tulip, but it's my Blacklist glass, so use it I shall.)

Lightly hazed, bright golden/amber hue, lush and long-lasting ivory-toned head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Big, bold hoppiness, citrus and pine at play. Slight sweetness. 

In the mouth: Huge bite of bitterness, right from the top. Dankalicious. Aggressive expression of the palate-busting West Coast style. Low on the malt-o-meter. Lemon and grapefruit. Medium-bodied. Just a little bit juicy, ultimately brittle and dry. 

I enjoy this one, and I would return to it again, but I don't think it's the IPA people were looking for. Here are some excerpts from Untappd, where this beer receives a solid 3.5 average.

Jeff H says: "Bitter. Like, no malt. At all." Like, zoinks, Scoob.

Alec C. gives it 1.75 stars and writes: "Finally we got our asshole. That's what this tastes like." Ouch! Alec, do kiss you mother with that mouth?

Eric V. opines: "Good - a little more way coast than I was hoping for" I disagree, it is just the right amount of coast. 

Kyle M. offers this description: "Pretty awful to be honest. Taste like the evergreen tree in my front yard. But it’s my day off so I will still drink it & another one."

Scott G. tells us: "Good hoppy flavor with a hint of dark or chocolate flavor. I like it." To each their own, but...chocolate? No...

I'll stop there, because I'm tired of seeing pictures of people holding cans in their hands. Get a glass and pour it people, make sure it's clean, and turn the glass around if you're using one with another brewery's logo. Why is that so hard. 

Anyway, I liked it, but didn't love it. Here's what the brewery says: Sometimes waiting makes things better. Finally stretching our west-coast-wings, we introduce you to our California-yeast cousin. Bright, fresh hop notes with minimal malt to get in the way of your alpha-acid fling. So squint your eyes, look straight at the sun, ‘cause the only sense you need for this affair is your tastebuds.

Lupulin/ Melvin Brewing Operation CoHoperation West Coast style Double India Pale Ale

 Lupulin / Melvin Brewing Operation CoHoperation West Coast -style Double India Pale Ale.

9 % ABV, 100 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN. Collaboration with Melvin Brewing, Alpine, WY. 

Hazy (I want to take points off for this misstep), bright golden, small white head. 

In the nose: Big citrus, orange, lemon and grapefruit. Future forebodings of the dank and resinous loom ahead. Potentially potent. 

In the mouth: Strong from the start, powerfully hoppy. Bold bitterness blazes the palate, with a slight sweetness to keep it in check. Just a little juicy. Medium to lightish body. And the booze starts swinging. 

I'm liking this a lot, and finished the can too quickly. Must. Get. More....

This West Coast Style Double IPA is big and bold with a fruity kick. A clean canvas malt bill supports the bodacious amounts of Simoce and Columbus serving up their grapefruit and dank aromas. Then we bumped it up a notch with Talus to add citrus, woody and floral notes.

Melvin Brewing was born in the back of a Thai restaurant in 2009. Six years later a 30-barrel production facility was unveiled in Alpine, WY, population 750, and from this Mothership, Melvin started shipping beer across the U.S. and went on to win Brewery Group of the Year at GABF in 2017.

Waldmann Roggenbier German Rye Ale

Waldmann Roggenbier German Rye Ale.

5.8 % ABV. Waldmann Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Clear, chestnut coloring, large and lasting creamy, near-brown head. Looking nice. (Although there some particulates floating about. It's not an especially fresh growler, nor is it terribly old.)

In the nose: Rye malt pokes out from afar. Slightly spicy. Pumpernickel. Very bready, malty nose, minimal hops. Beautiful. 

In the mouth: Slightly juicy, extra malty, rye bread flavor reigns eternal. Malty texture grips the palate, hops exist for balance only. Smooth, hearty, fulfilling. I want to take my time with this one, though it is easy on the tongue. Let's just see if there's a description...

An unfiltered, silky, deep russet colored, German-style rye beer, made with a classic Weizen strain, and a spicy finish.

Is that it? This is on the back of the can (but not on the website, so I can't copy and paste...sigh!...): Inspired by the German American brewers who supplied Waldmann's limestone saloon before the Civil War, Waldmann Brewery utilizes decoction mashing, Heritage malts & hops, horizontal fermentation and long maturation. These unfiltered beers are as central to the restoration of Waldmann as it's pine-planked floors, hand-blown windows and whale oil lamps. Please visit our historic taproom in St. Paul. 

That's some great information there. Also, it's yum a dum dum. For a moment, I'm going to relax with the rest of the crowler... ah... good stuff. 

Pipeworks Lizard King versus The Cryo Pale Ale

Pipeworks Lizard King versus The Cryo Pale Ale.

6 % ABV. Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Clear, bright golden hue, snow-white head. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet and floral, soon swallowed up by citrus and pine. 

In the mouth: Soft at first, slightly bitter, but smooth on out. Citrus and pine, with trickles of tropical, bits of berries. Medium-bodied and immensely drinkable. Clean, crisp, and delightful. 

This pint will be done in no time. Wonderful hop flavors at play on the palate. Bitterness lingers ever slightly. I'm enjoying this one. Just delicious. Yum, as I've said before, a dum dum. 

Brrrrr..... THE CRYO HAS STRUCK AGAIN! This cold-hearted foe is not only the enemy of the Unicorn, but also The Lizard King! The cool and collected Cryo and his army of cold-to-the-bone soliders have raised their icicle swords against the legendary Lizard King. Will the Lizard King win this battle or will he be iced out from a win? 

We took our Lizard King recipe, but brewed this batch with Cryo Mosaic hops instead of Mosaic hops. Cryo hops are hops that have been cryogenically frozen immediately after harvest in a nitrogen-rich environment. This process preserves the hop oils and aromatics resulting in a pure and true-to-hop expression of the hop oils. 

This beer takes on an incredible berry, melon, aroma with floral and rich earthy notes. 

Junkyard Pulpasaurus New England Style India Pale Ale

 

Junkyard Pulpasaurus New England Style India Pale Ale.

7.5 % ABV, 67 IBU. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Hazy, hazy, hazy. I'm drinking another hazy, 'cause I have to try new IPAs, and they're just gonna be hazys. It's the way things go.

A short while ago, I told of a customer who wanted recommendations for hazeys, even though he didn't like them, because that's all anyone makes anymore. The same lament that often comes out of these pages. Did I have more of that rye IPA I found for him last time, or a red IPA, maybe, any kind of IPA, but hazy. He just couldn't get into them. I offered up old stand-by West Coast varieties, good ol' hoppy, bitter and dry stuff, but he needed something maltier. 

I don't know what to say, buddy. It's all about the haze craze now.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, am I right? 

So, let's drink a beer. 

All hazed up. Bright golden hue. Large and lasting ivory head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Big citrus. Lemon/lime, orange, grapefruit, along with the yeasty fuzz in attendance. 

In the mouth: Bright, fresh, and fruity. Citrus zest dominates the palate. Big ol' glass of orange juice, with a slice of grapefruit. Light bitterness. Medium bodied. Overflowing juiciness. Pretty, pretty, pretty damned good. Loving this. 

The Pulpasaurus uses his claws to crush cans of this juicy IPA! Together, Citra and El Dorado hops bring aromas of apricot and citrusy zest. These aromas are paired with flavors of tropical fruit, juicy orange, and a touch of herbal notes - creating a well-balanced, roaringly delicious drink.

Shakopee Brew Hall Fine, Whatever New England IPA

Shakopee Brew Hall Fine, Whatever New England IPA.

7.6 % ABV, 44 IBU, Shakopee Brew Hall, Shakopee, MN. 

And now we will drink the most indifferently named beer of all time. "Fine, Whatever"...yeah, that's going to get me excited. Trying it anyway. 

Mostly cloudy, bright golden hue, long-lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: hoppy, fruity, citric, fuzzy. 

In the mouth: Citrus notes first, orange and grapefruit, with tropical tones coming in soon after, pineapple, passionfruit. Starts sweet & fruity, ends on a dry note. Moderately bitter, medium bodied, long, hoppy finish. 

I wonder if the "don't care" attitude in the name reflects the feelings of the brewers and their intention in making this beer. It really comes across as a half-assed try at a NE/hazy IPA. They're not truly attempting to make a great one here, or even a good one. If you're a real fan of that style, I can't recommend this to you. If you prefer a beer that fails in that regard, yet strains toward a traditional IPA, like me, then it's okay. 

Fine, whatever...a brewer's lament to follow the phase or the craze. With the array of hops used this IPA is bursting with citrus flavor and aroma. Don’t let “IPA” fool you, while loaded with hops, this is a smooth pour - easy for conversation or dismissing a thought…fine, whatever.

Ah, ha, now, we get it. 

Montgomery Yippee Ki Yay Imperial Peanut Butter Porter

Montgomery Yippee Ki Yay Imperial Peanut Butter Porter.

7.6 % ABV. 59 IBU. Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, MN. 

So, it seems that MBC used to have an imperial peanut butter porter called Yippee Skippy, which I never tried.  And it also seems that the fine folks at Hormel, current owner of the Skippy peanut butter brand, took exception to the use of their trademark and sent a cease and desist. MBC changed to name to the iconic phrase from "Die Hard" and the new label for the new name for the old beer has scenes from the film acted out by peanuts. Because. 

And this is the second beer I got from my co-worker while she was winding down her peanut butter porter/stout phase. Told me she wasn't interested in finishing off her fourth can. I gave her a Beaver Island Sweet Miss Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Milk Stout in exchange. She liked it okay. Will I like this one? Let's find out...

I'll note before beginning that the old Yippee Skippy was 8.6 % abv, and this new one a less imperial 7.6.

Dark brown, nearly black, ultimately opaque, large brownish head that slims down soon.

In the nose: Peanut butter and chocolate come spilling out. Not too much else.

In the mouth: Slightly sweet, minor hops, well balanced, smooth and easy going. Medium bodied, bordering on full. Cocoa more than peanut butter in the flavor. Mostly malty. 

This is tasty stuff, but not especially remarkable. 

I'm kind of on the fence on this one, so I'll poll the users of untapped: 

Laurel F. says: "Wow!! This has the best peanut butter taste hands down! Smooth creamy delicious.... Yum!!"

Two exclamation points, huh...could have used an extra "a dum dum", though, to round it out. 

Says Rick F.: "Yippee-ki-yay mother effers! This is an absolutely fantastic peanut butter Porter! Very smooth on the palate, and a nice heavy peanut aftertaste. Low bitterness, and a nice sweet Loopty loo around the tongue."

Okay, Rick, I note your enthusiasm.

And now, for the first time, I see that Untappd has it as "Yippie Ki Yay." Why they or Bruce Willis left out the "Yi Yo" part from the song Bing Crosby sang in 1936's "Rhythm on the Range" no one seems to know. 

One thing I definitely notice, though, is that everyone is tasting more peanut butter than I am. Am I missing the peanut butter gene? 

21st Amendment Down to Earth Session IPA

21st Amendment Down to Earth Session IPA.

4.4 % ABV, 42 IBU. 21st Amendment Brewing, San Leandro, CA. 

Mostly clouded, bright orange/golden coloration, slim white head. 

In the nose: soft, citrusy, fruity. 

In the mouth: Hop bitterness blasts the palate, then cools down quickly. Hop flavor persists longer. Grapefruit, orange, splash of pine, bits of berries, all the goodies you get from Cascade and Mosaic. Medium bodied, light on the malt, easy drinking all the live long day. 

Tasty stuff. I don't mind it. 

Whether you have a long mission behind you or a full afternoon ahead, this session IPA will help keep things real. More relaxed than an IPA, but with all the hop aroma and flavor, Down to Earth is our tribute to unsung heroes and unplanned adventures.

Down to Earth is the natural evolution (pun intended) of Bitter American, our original session ale. We thought it would be fitting to bring our space chimp home and let him chill. Down to Earth is available year-round in 6 pack cans and on draft and pairs nicely with a variety of things, including lunch.

Malts‍:Golden Promise, Munich, Cara-Malt, Crystal

Flavor Hops:Cascade, Mosaic

Dry Hops:Centennial, Mosaic

Bitter Hops:Warrior

Pryes El Camino Hazelnut Macaron Pasty Stout

Pryes El Camino Hazelnut Macaron Pasty Stout.

9% ABV, 28 IBU. Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Maybe I said it, and maybe I didn't, but the facts are, folks, that the Bitter Nib is boycotting "pastry stout". Also, "pastry porters", "pastry ales", "pastry lagers"...everything "pastry." Did I mention why? Pretty sure I have, probably a hundred times. And, occasionally they slip in, though. Like when they don't call it a "pastry stout" on the front of the label and they do on the back. They tricked me! 

Also, if the beer falls into my possession somehow, through some other means than purchasing it by myself. And this one became mine when a co-worker could not drink another and gave her last can to me. I wanted to give her a beer, to make it a fair trade, but she refused, feeling it was unworthy of such retribution. How can I not be intrigued? I must try the thing that so turned her off. Perhaps she has become twice-shy after being bitten? Currently, she is exploring Belgian beers. I hope she finds the delight in them that I do and indeed becomes a convert. I think she has a good head on her shoulders and will come on into the good side. 

Enough palaver, let's crack it open and see what's inside...

Dark brown coloration, slim brown head, murky, to say it best. 

In the nose: Intense sweetness from the start, vanilla, coconut, caramel, chocolate. All the sweet, gooey-ness. "Rich hazelnut, cacao, and nougat" says the label. 

In the mouth: From sip one, nothing but sweet candy bar and cocoa. Hazelnut, sure, but all kinds of sticky-icky. Unbalanced malt out the wazoo. Saccharine sweet, treacly...I am truly finding no joy in this. Perhaps it's what you want, this out of control, sticky sugary mess. Not me. 

Look at this flavor wheel on the back. Not so strong with bitterness or roast, but lots or hazelnut, almond, fudge and cookie. Fudge and Cookie. 

It's a once in a while treat, a sometimes indulgence. Once a lifetime, maybe. This way lies diabetes. 

Damn, this could use some balance. A little, at least. These candy bar beers, and pie beers, and cake beers, and frosting beers, and cotton candy beers, and fucking French toast beers...it's way time people grew up and got over this shit. I've said it before, the infantilization of beer. This whole thing of holding ones toes, rolling on one's back and giggling, "whee! It's like drinking something I ate when I was three!!!" 

God, it's stupid. And now the high alcohol is starting to ring in. Good gravy, I'm going to get drunk on a "cookie beer". How low can I go? 

Pastry Stout | Hazelnut, Cocoa, Rich | 9.0% ABV | 28 IBU | El Camino is “The Way”. This beer is your path down the road to rich hazelnut, cacao and nougat. Prepare for a smooth ride. Away we go.

Fair State Life Ain't Fair Barleywine-style Ale

Fair State Life Ain't Fair Barleywine-style Ale. 

14.8 % ABV, 15 IBU. Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. 

Dark as sin, deep black, reddish tinges, thoroughly opaque, brief brown head. 

In the nose: Massive malt. Dark fruits, plums and berries. Hugeness. Foreboding alcohol. 

In the mouth: Hooey! Immensely complex upon the palate. Richness compounded upon luxuriousness, deep, dense, thick, ominous. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Chocolate meets dark fruit, molasses, sweetness, wow...this one goes...almost to 15. This is pretty damned amazing. 

I'm going to need to snag one or more of these to stash away for a special day. 

Sometimes life calls for a barleywine and we’re here to provide. This is bound to keep you warm and satisfy your sweet tooth. We’re torn between saying it tastes like a liquid See’s Chocolate Caramels or a Riesen candy, but you get the point. Low bitterness and very, very malty.

Beaver Island Sweet Miss Chocolate Oatmeal Milk Stout

Beaver Island Sweet Miss Chocolate Oatmeal Milk Stout.

6.5 % ABV, 25 IBU. Beaver Island Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

Dark brown coloration, nearly black, completely opaque, this brown head. 

In the nose: Bittersweet. Mostly malty. Cocoa and coffee. 

In the mouth: Chocolate's on top, and from there on down it's rich, smooth and satisfying. Slight espresso hints. Medium bodied. Creamy. Yum a dum dum. 

I like a good chocolate oatmeal milk stout, and this is one. In fact, I feel this beer deserves greater recognition. I'll do my part. 

We sourced the finest ingredients from around the world to brew this decadent treat. Sweet Miss is made from a blend of the UK's finest malts, flaked oats, milk sugar and fair trade cacao nibs from Ecuador. This careful combination of flavors creates alchemy in the glass; thick, rich, and dangerously delicious. Enjoy!

Oliphant Rum Barrel Aged Spooky Squishy

Oliphant Rum Barrel Aged Spooky Squishy. Fruited Sour. 

5 % ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Dear  friends, Before I begin my notes on this beer, let me address the 900 pound elephant in the room. The picture at left could be better. The glass could have been a lot cleaner. I should have used a cleaner wash cloth when washing it, and in a thoroughly scrubbed sink, completely cleaned after doing dirtier dishes. There is no excuse for this. I goofed up. Please do not direct these pictures to the Dirty Glass Mafia, do not scold me on Twitter, know that I see my faults and will strive to do better, and I am ashamed. Lower your weapons, put down your pitchforks, let me repair my errors and do better next time. Let us move on from here. Also, don't do that shit to any one else. They learn on their own time. Dragging people through the dirt doesn't do anything to educate. 

On to the beer: 

Lightly clouded, deep amber appearance, slim white head. 

In the nose: Apple and spice comes first, followed by rum & alcoholic heat. Well-rounded, so far. 

In the mouth: Starts sweet, then sour, and all the while fruity. Rum barrel comes creeping up afterward, but not really enough to make a difference. Spicy and delicious, nonetheless. I feel that this should have been in the barrel longer, picked up more character. It's coming up short in that department. The base beer provides the goods, though, with just a touch of that rum barrel. I'm still enjoying it. It's still some good squishy.

Barrel-Aged Apple & Spices Sour Ale w/ sea salt, vanilla, & lactose.

Weldwerks Juicy Bits India Pale Ale

Weldworks Juicy Bits India Pale Ale. Brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops. 

6.7 % ABV. Weldworks Brewing, Greeley, CO. 

Hey, heee's something new and fresh. Let's drink a hazy NE IPA. That never happens, right? True story: The other day a guy says to me, "Hey, I'm not really into hazy IPAs, but since that's all there is anymore, can you help me find some good ones?" Statements like that occur in this blog regularly. Was he reading my mind, or reading this blog? Or do dispirited minds think alike?

Anyway, I've never had one from this Colorado brewery yet, so that's something. Let's drink. 

All orangey and hazy with a fine white head on it. 

In the nose: Bright citrus notes with appropriate accompanying fuzziness. Touch of the dank. Nice.

In the mouth: Bold, brisk, hoppy, fruity, exceptionally expressive. Juicy, for sure. Moderate, but long-living bitterness. Full of hoppy goodness. And plenty of the yeasty fuzz everyone seems to like so damned much. It's very yum a dum dum. I admit it, sometimes I like these stupid things. Sometimes, they ain't so bad. 

Our flagship IPA features a huge citrus and tropical fruit hop character from the Mosaic, Citra & El Dorado hops and softer, smoother mouthfeel from the adjusted water chemistry, higher protein malts, and lower attenuation. The end result is a beer reminiscent of citrus juice with extra pulp, thus the name Juicy Bits.

Big Axe Stoutrageous Peanut Butter Stout

Big Axe Stoutrageous Peanut Butter Stout.

6.8% ABV. 44 IBU. Big Axe Brewing, Nisswa, MN. 

Strictly ebony hued, completely opaque, thin ring of a roasted brown head.

In the nose: There's the sweet, peanutty-ness right out of the gate. Chocolate lingers just below. 

In the mouth: Chocolate and peanut butter are at it again, moderate bitterness is here for balance, too. Not too sweet, not too strong, not too anything. Medium bodied, long lasting flavors, subtle finish. 

If you're looking for the most peanut butter, or the thickest stout, this will not qualify. But as it is, it's pretty damned tasty. There's something to be said for restraint. 

Lupulin DDH Hooey IPA

Lupulin DDH Hooey IPA.

6.2 % ABV, 60 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN. 

Clouded-up, bright golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: Shining citrus and pine, all the fuzz. 

In the mouth: Bursting with hoppy goodness. Citrus explosion. Juicy as it gets. Fresh and vibrant. Medium bodied, long, hoppy finish, flush with flavor. Damn. I could drink this all night and never get tired of it. But, I only have the one. File under: Yum a dum dum. 

Don't be like me, go out and get a 4-pack, but don't drink it all in one night. Space 'em out, let the deliciousness last. 

Hop punch your tongue hole with DDH Hooey! We jacked up our hazy hop elixir with even more of the juiciest hops available. 

Arbeiter Black is Beautiful Stout

Arbeiter Black is Beautiful Stout.

5.3 % ABV. 32 IBU. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

At last, I'm down to the final crowler from the seven that I bought just a little over a month ago. "What, it takes you a month to drink seven crowlers?" you're obviously asking me. No, if it was just about drinking them, I would have done them all weeks ago. But, I have to pace it out and space it out. One of the rules of this here blogging thing. This means it's time to return and try out the new beers they've put out since. On my next day off, I'm boldly venturing out into the polar vortex and drink some new beers. 

Ebon hue, complete opacity, dotted cocoa/tan head. Looking great. 

In the nose: Cocoa and coffee, hint of anise, dark fruits. Mostly malty. 

In the mouth: What style is this, exactly? Just a straight up American Stout, nothing frilly or fancy or nothing. Mucho malt in the mouth. Hearty, full-bodied. Flavors of cocoa and coffee on the palate, moderate, balancing bitterness. Excellent drinkability. 

We need some of these good ol' drinking stouts, sans maple syrup, sans marshmallow, sans barrel-aging, sans cookies and fudge. Just a good ol' beer. And you can drink it.

Our interpretation of the national Black Is Beautiful collaboration effort to raise awareness for the injustices People of Color face daily. A chocolate-caramel nose welcomes rich, yet smooth and clean flavors of dark chocolate and coffee with a subtle raisin essence in the background.

100% of the profits are being donated to Appetite for Change. AFC believes food is the key ingredient to nourishing wellbeing. Systemic barriers make accessing fresh food in North Minneapolis a challenge for many. Through youth and workforce development programs, social enterprises, and policy initiatives, AFC builds community capacity to engage with the food system in a fresh and sustainable way. 

Hitachino Nest White Ale

Hitachino Nest White Ale.

5.5 % ABV, Kiuchi Brewery, Naka-shi, Ibaraki, Japan. 

This blog has only three Japanese beers within it, yet so far. Four years ago was the last one, a can of Sapporo Black given to me as a sample. And before that, a can of Kirin Ichiban, and before that, Angry Boy Brown Ale from Baird, one of the few Japanese craft breweries available domestically, as far as I know. That's it. And nothing yet so far from one of the other better known Japanese craft breweries, Kiuchi, who market their beers as Hitachino Nest. Looking at BeerAdvocate.com, I've reviewed nine of their beers over there, and nothing here since. I can't tell you how many of their beers are still imported here, but there are just two available at the store where I currently work. One, really. This bottle that I purchased was the last one, until we get more. 

So, now we will drink a Belgian-style beer from a Japanese brewery, and I will share notes from 2006, which oddly enough, are not from a bottle, but from when I had it on tap at the Blue Nile. Which makes me wonder, did I have it on tap before I ever saw the bottles? Things get fuzzy after all these years. 

So, here are those notes from September, 2006: 

Highly hazed and golden-toned, a thin layer of bone white foam above, eventually narrowing down.

Lovely aromatics, a twist of lemon, hint of orange, and beautiful spices. I'd always assumed coriander, but recent research revealed to me they also use nutmeg in here. It works well.

Taste: light bodied, but sublime drinkability. Just enough flavor to keep the tongue happy. Zesty and refreshing. Minor hops, slight bitterness, a touch of sour, and a dash of sweet. 

Moderate carbonation, not too spritzy, just mellow enough.

Never dreamed I'd have a Japanese Belgian wit on tap, but, hey, crazier stuff has happened.

And look at that, I still have the glass the distributor gave me, fourteen and a half years later. 

This White Ale is brewed with wheat malt, and flavored with coriander, orange peel and nutmeg. Please enjoy the soft and flavorful taste.

Junkyard Aerial Scenario Hazy New England Style Double IPA

Junkyard Aerial Scenario Hazy New England Style Double IPA.

8.8 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

It's all haze-ified, as advertised, lacking opacity entirely, full-on orange coloration, with a long-lasting, dotted ivory head on top. 

In the nose: There's all that yeasty fuzz, along with citrus notes, lemon/lime, orange, and a splash of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Juicy stuff, from the start. Moderate bitterness, abundant hop flavor. Citrus aplenty here, with tropical notes joining in. Joyously at play on the palate. Just delightful. Delicious. Yum a dum dum. 

And now, the high alcohol enters the scene...whoa...

Did I just say only a couple of days ago that maybe I don't like hazy DIPAs all that much? I make exceptions. This one I like a lot. 

Take your tastebuds on a flight to the tropics with this NE Double. It’s a fruity, citrusy haze bomb with an explosive tropical flavor & aroma profile unmatched by any of our prior DIPA’s!

El Dorado pairs up with the trending Denali hop + dry hop additions of Azacca, Citra, and a double dose of El Dorado to create this spectacularly bright beer with layers of pineapple, mango, lemon, and the right amount of zesty bitterness. It’s like sipping on sunshine.

Venn Peanut Butter Oatmeal Stout

Venn Peanut Butter Oatmeal Stout.

6.6 % ABV, 25 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

"This time, for sure." (A reference to a story I won't tell.)

Solid blackness, utterly opaque, rich, brown head that crumbles quickly. 

In the nose: Peanutt-y and chocolatey, bing, bang, boom. Malt-driven, sweet, luxurious. So far, so good. 

In the mouth: Sweet and nutty, with loads of cocoa flavor. Lasting long on the palate. Medium bodied, smooth and easy-drinking. Quite enjoyable. 

Oatmeal Stout made with peanut butter. CONTAINS NUTS. NOT VEGAN.

Malts: Malted Oats, Domestic Pale, Munich 30L, Special B, Roasted Barley, Chocolate

Hops: Warrior

Yeast: American Ale

And: Lactose, Peanut Flour

Oliphant Seventh Squishy

Oliphant Seventh Squishy. Fruited Sour Ale. 

5.5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Thoroughly opaque, deep reddish, raspberry-esque color, large pink head that drifts down quickly. 

In the nose: All the berries are here: the straw, the blue, the rasp. A pinch of salt, and a touch of the floral. 

In the mouth: Tart, fruity, puckering, but altogether smooth and delightful, ending dry. Sweetness never takes command of this fruit-forward concoction. Salt and hibiscus counter the sweetness of berries. But the berry flavor is strong, and remains delicious in this tasty sour. Lactose smooths it out a bit. 

Question: are these little guys with the Oliphant logo heads actually called "squishies"? So, are they like the seven dwarves in this label, mining berries from some strange cave? Where are the footnotes on this one? Ah, not yet, though they are putting out the stories on the blog as new ones come out. 

another soured Squishy fermented with Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, & Hibiscus. 

Lactose, sea salt, and vanilla to round it out! 

Bell's Light Hearted Ale

 

Bell's Light Hearted Ale.

3.7 % ABV, 36 IBU. Bell's Brewery, Comstock, MI. 

And here we have a beer that has been around for a few years, but I have never gotten around to trying because it just doesn't seem like the kind of beer I like to drink.  I wasn't going to pay for a 6-pack, and both my distributor rep and the Bell's brand ambassador (whoever that is...Andy...)were neglect in their duties. So, I bought a sampler 12-pack, which also yielded a new-to-me exclusive IPA. They called this one Jingle Bells because it came out in late November, not because any of them were holiday themed beers, no, all IPAs. So, let's drink this lo-call IPA, because who cares about spelling. 

Clear, bright golden hue, small white head. 

In the nose: moderately hoppy, sparks of citrus, portions of pine. 

In the mouth: Hop attack blazes the palate, and sticks around a bit. Body is significantly lighter than your normal Two Hearted Ale. Flavors vanish from the palate, leaving just a ghost of the IPA that was just in your mouth. Crisp, clean and just tasty enough. 

If you're in need of a low calorie ale, this is just right. I'm going to stick with heartier IPAs. No pun intended. 

Light Hearted is aromatic, balanced, and incredibly easy-drinking. This Lo-Cal IPA has only 110 calories, yet all the Heart. Centennial and Galaxy hops result in citrus and pine aromas, while a variety of specialty malts help give Light Hearted its body and flavor.

New Belgium Higher Plane Hazy Imperial IPA

New Belgium Higher Plane Hazy Imperial IPA.

8.5 %, 45 IBU. New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO & elsewhere. 

Hazy, bright orange hue, with floating pariculates that inevitably settle, under a stable layer of cloud-white froth. 

In the nose: Shining citrus, with a touch of pine, hints of pineapple and coconut. Creamy and sweet takes turns with the hoppy. Orange-sicle. 

In the mouth: Fuzzy. Yeasty. Bright and bold. Incoming alcohol. Citrus and pine and fruit. Little traces of tropical tastes. Medium bodied, medium hoppy. Just enough to keep the palate happy. Tasty stuff, but ...

...I probably just don't like Hazy Imperial IPAs. Actually, if you've been reading this blog long enough and thoroughly enough, you'll know this is true. Maybe someday, I'll be won over, but, I don't know how likely that is. I do know that I'll still keep trying them, and you know why that is...they keep making them, and they don't always tell us when they do. I'll keep getting tricked, over and over again. 

Higher Plane IPA achieves the perfect balance of delicately bitter flavors and tropical, juicy aromas. Channel your inner haze.

TASTING NOTES

VISUAL

Deep gold, medium-heavy sheen. Moderate white foam.

AROMA

Strong hop aroma with notes of mango, pineapple, and passionfruit. Hints of warm bready notes that invite you in.

FLAVOR

Slight-moderate sweetness through the middle, then a slight-moderate bitterness that grows to moderate and lingers slightly.

MOUTHFEEL/BODY

Smooth and slightly coating. Medium Body. 

Ayinger Ur-weisse Authentic Bavarian Dunkel Weisse

Ayinger Ur-weisse Authentic Bavarian Dunkel Weisse.

5.8 % ABV, 13 IBU. Ayinger Privatbrauwerei, Aying, Bavaria, Germany. 

So, here I am trying to close the loop as best as I can on this classic Bavarian brewery, and I inevitably get myself a case of glassware envy. Why don't I have any Ayinger glasses? Probably because I never sold a lot of it, in my career in bars, and never encountered any elsewhere. I don't remember ever tapping a keg of their stuff, except for Celebrator, four years ago at Acadia. I blame not my self for this, of course, but whoever had the job of selling it to me back then. Maybe if I stocked bottles of Celebrator and persisted enough, they'd have given me some. Alas, no Ayinger, especially no Celebrator glasses in my collection, so I went on eBay. Can't find any for less than $20, with an extra $20 shipping. But, I want it, though, I want it! I don't need it, but I want it. 

And now it is time to revisit the Dunkel Weisse, and I'm going to pour it into a SurlyFest glass, because. And I am going to recycle old notes, this time, looking back on what I wrote in August of 2005, over fifteen years ago: 

///

Lovely hazed magenta, soft cocoa, with a lovely, light layer of foam atop. Excellent look for the style.

Aroma: Ahhhh! this is dunkel weizen! Clove is huge, and banana behind it, with traces of grapes and melons and berries, too...a beautiful mix, really, and the sort of thing you only find in beers of this kind. Reminds me of why I like the style so much. Masterful.

Taste: mmmm...there's a lot to talk about...bubblegum, banana, spices, clove, dark fruits, ...but still quaffably refreshing!

An excellently sessionable brew, you can take several in all night long, 

classic representation of the style. 

Tasty, and quenching...gotta love it! 

Lightish body, lightly spicy finish, rich and delicious.

Loveable mouthfeel, lushly carbonated, great flavor, wondrous drinkability. Class act, all the way.

Yum.

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And, all these years later, I might even add...a dum dum. 

“The union of wheaty freshness and dark malt often produces a fullness of taste and complexity”, explains the world-famous English beer commentator Michael Jackson.

This also applies to the Ayinger Urweisse, which is a strong amber-colored, yeast cloudy wheat beer. The beer is strong with the first taste and malty in aroma. The top-fermented, yeasty taste sensation is unmistakable. This beer is rich in sparkle and has just a touch of a special bitter quality. The fruity, malty mild aroma will have you won you over immediately!

Tin Whiskers Skate Bot IPA

Tin Whiskers Skate Bot IPA. With Citra and Calypso hops. 

6 % ABV, 37 IBU. Tin Whiskers Brewing,  St. Paul, MN. 

All clouded up (because of course), slight white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and pine, pinch of pineapple, and a good whiff of the yeasty fuzz.

In the mouth: Brief blast of bitterness, then all is mellow. Smooth stuff, and juicy, too. Lemon, lime, grapefruit. Light body. Fruity for a spell, then ending on a dry note, cleansing the palate for the next sip. Nothing too special about this one, but they don't all have to be. I'm enjoying it just fine, all the same. 

Brewed with Citra and Calypso hops for notes of grapefruit, pear, and lime, it's perfect for sipping between long grinds in the schoolyard and racking up big combos through the warehouse.

Hop & Barrel 5th Triple IPA

 Hop & Barrel 5th Triple IPA.

10% Alc./Vol. 85 IBU. Triple India Pale Ale, Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, WI.

Clouded, bright golden hue, lasting white head, leaving some lace. 

In the nose: Fruity, spicy, floral. Citrus and pine. Dank. Pungent. 

In the mouth: Boom! Hop Bomb! Aggressive, potent, powerful. Just juicy enough, but quickly turning to the dry side. Resiny, oily, flush with happiness. All the citrus, a touch of the pine, much of the green. High alcohol rises up to match the depth and the power of the alpha acids. 

Yow. Big bitterness and big booze make a damned good beer. A decadent little treat. I'll be back for more.

The first beer in our Brew Like A Girl series, crafted by women from start to finish, is a massive triple IPA.

Waldmann Düsseldorf Altbier

Waldmann Düsseldorf Altbier.

5.6 % ABV. Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

Dark brown color, nearly opaque, large creamy/tan head. 

In the nose: Sweet malt, mild hops, nuts, cocoa and cola lead the aroma. 

In the mouth: Sweet from the start, malt-driven, smooth and tasty. Ultimately balanced, ending on a tidy dry note. More of the cola/cocoa/nut flavors, rolling off the palate. Hints of anise. Moderate bitterness, Exceptionally likable. Ridiculously drinkable. I can't recommend this highly enough. 

Originating in Düsseldorf in the early 19th century alter is a copper-colored session beer of well-balanced bittersweet drinkability. Brewed with a mix of German noble hops, our version is fermented with a classic ale yeast at cooler temperatures and then lagered for several weeks producing both the nutty malt aromas of an ale and the dry finish and lingering hop aromas of a lager. 

Junkyard Double Dry-hopped Vince Vega NE DIPA

Junkyard Double Dry-hopped Vince Vega NE DIPA with Citra Hops. 

8.1 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Clouded as it gets, bright golden hue, large, lush ivory head atop. 

In the nose: Bold citrus, lemon, lime, and orange. Splash of pineapple, too. Oncoming passionfruit.

In the mouth: Blasts of Citra bombard the palate. Bright and juicy. Flat-out delicious. Pow, pow, pow! Non-stop hoppiness, spilling juicy goodness all about. Medium/lightish bodied, long, hoppy finish. Never-ending tasty delights. This one is quite diggable. 

This New England style DIPA was brewed with a blend of Citra, Citra, and more Citra hops, and for the first time ever, we double dry-hopped it!⁣

It’s bursting with aromas of juicy orange, white peach and pear, followed by flavors of candied orange peel and stone fruits. The finish is lasting and resinous, which makes this beer big, bold and straight to the point, just like Vince.

Pipeworks Karate Cats West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Blood Orange Juice

Pipeworks Karate Cats West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Blood Orange Juice.

7 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Why did I buy a 4-pack of this beer? The price was right. ($12) I usually enjoy Pipeworks, and I like to sample as much of their wares as I can. (If they are the right style and the right price.) The name and illustration sold me. But...nunchucks and swords aren't karate, you guys, and, besides, how do the cats hold them in their little, non- opposable thumb kitty cat paws, anyway? Think about it!

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Nicely hopped. Citrus and pine. Sweet meets bitter.

In the mouth: Juicy mouthfeel at the start, accompanied quickly by brisk, sharp bitterness. Clean and smooth. Blood orange flavor starts to emerge, but remains a participant, not a player. Slightly tart, but hops are still in control. Citrus and pine at play on the palate, with a long, hoppy finish. Light-ish bodied, and effortlessly drinkable. 

Another yum-a-dum-dum Pipeworks beer. Go get some!