Goose Island Bourbon County Brand #4 Stout with Coffee and Maple Syrup

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand #4 Stout with Coffee and Maple Syrup.

13.3 % ABV. Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, IL & wherever else. 

Clearing out the fridge sometimes means opening up bottles you don't need to. I could keep this longer, but I feel like I've waiting long enough. Also, I'm drinking through my list of beers alphabetically. Next up: something that starts with H. 

Solid blackness, complete opacity, brief brown head. 

In the nose: Maple flavor comes first, followed swiftly by the coffee. Big sweetness, accompanied by the usual suspects: cocoa, roasted malts, espresso, vanilla and cherry, bourbon barrel flavors spilling out. Rich and complex. 

In the mouth: Big and rich from the start. All the flavors from the aroma comes roaring onto the palate. In this beer, we have an oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels with the addition of Ethiopian coffee and maple syrup also aged in bourbon barrels. So many goodies in play. Thick, rich, deep and delectable. Full bodied, and overflowing with flavor. Vanilla and cherry mixes up with maple and coffee, all blended and balanced. 

Damn, this is my kind of beer. At 13 + % it's great for a nightcap, though it feels like it should be had with breakfast. 

Bourbon County Special #4 Stout is an oatmeal stout variant of our original Bourbon County Stout recipe, also aged in bourbon barrels, that uses crystal oats to add a nutty character and a smooth mouthfeel. After barrel aging, we added Intelligentsia Coffee, both their cold coffee and single origin coffee beans from Ethiopia, called “Metad Buku,” to bring out a pleasant fruity coffee character. Lastly bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup from Bissell Maple Farm in Ohio is added which provides complexity to the nutty oats and coffee to round out the flavors, ultimately reminiscent of your breakfast ‘special’ at the local diner.

Deschutes Symphonic Chronic West Coast India Pale Ale IPA

Deschutes Symphonic Chronic West Coast India Pale Ale IPA. Limited Release. 

7.2 % ABV. 41 IBU. Deschutes Brewing, Bend, OR. 

Here we have the final bottle from a Deschutes IPACK (how do you pronounce that? IPA C-K? I-Pack? I.P. ACK?). Guzzled down the first eleven with wild abandon, as I do, saved this one for the Nib. Here come some notes: 

But, first: West Coast IPA! West Coast IPA! Rah, rah, RAH!!!!!

Lightly hazed, bright orange coloring, slim white head. 

In the nose: Pungent, overripe citrus, orange, tangerine, a hint of grapefruit, with a powerful punch of pine. Citrus bomb in the nose!

In the mouth: Intense hop bitterness from the start, met with juicy malt, and abundant hop flavors on the palate. Hops are popping. They're swimming all over the place, spreading deliciousness. Medium bodied, long bitter, hoppy finish, an absolute delight. This successfully mimics the West Coast IPA style, to a point, and the effort is appreciated. 

Mosaic LupoMax, Strata, Simcoe, Chinook and Nugget hops orchestrate an everlasting symphony of dank and tropical tones--creating a new take on the classic West Coast IPA. Encore!

Blacklist Double Hazy Project New England IPA Brewer's Series IPA VI

Blacklist  Double Hazy Project New England IPA Brewer's Series IPA VI.

9.5 % ABV, 30 IBU. Blacklist Brewing, Duluth, MN. 

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Intense citrus, big hoppiness, thoroughly dank. 

In the mouth: starts out citrusy and juicy, hops are in command of the palate. Smooth and super-drinkable, despite the ABV.  Citrus hop flavors aplenty, with a shot of tropical on the side. Definitely delicious. Like a cross between a hazy/NE IPA and the kind I like to drink. 

Confession time people. I bought this back in February. The first three cans were consumed in quick succession in the first few weeks of that month, so long ago. Five months ago, and I rejected the notion of composing my notes every single day. It wasn't hidden in the back, it was quite visible in the door of the fridge. I owe this beer an apology. Perhaps if I'd consumed this 4th can while it was fresher, I'd have had more to say, deeper insights, if only I'd caught it when it was at it's peak. Or not, who knows? 

Anyway, that's the nature of things right now, I'm trying to whittle down the amount of beers I possess that need to be written about, while avoiding the temptation to buy more, thereby building the pile up. It's a tough life, I know. Sixty-two is the current number folks. Sixty-two.  Working on getting it below 50, for once. 

The Project continues. In the search for the perfect Hazy IPA we turned our focus to the “Bigger is Better” mantra. All of the haziness you expect but with a bigger and bolder face. 

Eagle Park I Can Go For That Hazy India Pale Ale

Eagle Park I Can Go For That Hazy India Pale Ale. With our handlselected Citra, Simcoe, and Chinook hops plus 3 different kinds of oats. 

8 % ABV, Eagle Park Brewing, Milwaukee, WI. 

And here we have the first appearance here in the Nib of the Eagle Park Brewing Company. I've been in retail for over 10 months now, and the retail store where I currently work has always carried their beers throughout my tenure. Why have I never written about them before? Because they are all $20+ NE IPAs and fruited sours, so, no thanks. This one arrived to me as a sample. Sorry, not even Darryl Hall and John Oates on the label will make me drop twenty books for a hazy IPA. Also, "oat cream IPA"...sigh...

Thick and hazy. Protein shake hazy. Dull yellow, slim white head. 

In the nose: Bristling with citrusy hop goodness, covered up in fuzz.  

In the mouth: Soft, smooth, juicy. Hops are popping on the palate, leaving little bitterness behind. Much mildness and murkiness going on here. Juicy and bitter hops are fading in the background. Hop flavors are always at play, and the feeling is nothing but smooth. 

I don't prefer beers like this. But if you the NE way, it's a darned good one. 

Oat cream IPA with Citra, Simcoe, & Chinook hops.

Schell's Hefe Weizen and Strawberry Hefe Weizen

Schell's Hefe Weizen and Strawberry Hefe Weizen.

Hold the phone, people! It just dawned on me that the Schell's Hefe Weizen has not yet appeared here in the Bitter Nib! What? How is this possible? Well, it seems that when the 2014 30th Anniversary edition come out I chose that to stand in for the regular, year-in, year-out version. And, what of the new strawberry edition? Let's consider them both, side by side. 

Another reason I am tackling this and these tonight, besides that I have decided upon going forth in an alphabetical fashion: The other day, an older gentleman asked me for recommendations on good, local Hefe Weizen. I chose Utepils first, followed by Steel Toe, then remembered Schell's. Can't beat good ol' Schell's, I said. His response: No! I'll never drink it again! They changed it! It's not even unfiltered anymore! Can he possibly be correct? Let's find out

This post will include two reviews, one for each. And away we go....

Schell's Hefe Weizen, August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, MN. A family tradition since 1860. 

5.5 % ABV. 14 IBU. 

Lightly clouded, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Banana and clove, big time. Citrus on the sly. Beautiful expression, slightly sweet. 

In the mouth: More sweetness, followed by wheat flavor and texture, then nothing but smooth and creamy.  Light bodied and easy drinking. Citrusy flavors, lemon and orange, mingle with banana and clove hints from the yeast. Exceptionally refreshing, very much in the style of the great Bavarian wheats. 

Conclusion: the old guy's nuts. 

First brewed in 1984, Schell’s Hefeweizen is made with a blend of wheat malt and barley malts. We use an authentic wheat beer yeast culture, which gives the beer a fruity ale character dominated by a citrus-like tartness. Refreshingly light character with a higher than normal carbonation level. Straw-colored and cloudy from the unfiltered yeast left in suspension. Notes of banana and clove with a slight bready malt flavor. 

We invite you to join us in a hearty German toast to this gold medal winner. Prosit!

and now, Schell's Strawberry Hefe Weizen. Wheat Beer with Strawberry Flavor. Bavarian Style Flavored Wheat Beer. Limited Release. 

5.5 % ABV. 14 IBU. 

Perfectly clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory cap atop. 

In the nose: Sweet, sweet strawberries. Artificial, or real? I'm leaning toward the former. 

In the mouth: Sweet, phony strawberry flavorings, and little else. Practically empty of the flavors found in the true Hefe weizens. Moderate maltiness, minimal hops, and devoid of the Weizen yeast that gives so much character to the true Hefe Weizen. I don't think this beer and that are related at all. 

Who thought this was a good idea? Did anyone ask for this, at all? 

This comes in an odd package, a 6-pack of cans, 3 Hefe Weizens, 3 Strawberrys. I don't see how anyone could think this an improvement. 

BlackStack Local Dream Universe IPA

BlackStack Local Dream Universe IPA.

7 % ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

This beer was part one of a three-way (pardon the expression) collaboration between BlackStack, Modist, and Fair State, with each brewery making their own version of a mash-up, if you will, of their popular hazy IPAs, Local 755, DreamYard, and Mirror Universe. This one was another one of those $20 4-packs, but I went in on it with a co-worker, and we spilt the cost of the four. I had the first one shortly thereafter, back in February, and this second can got lost in the shuffle, and was largely pushed aside for the past five months. I am trying hard to drink down my reserve and make sure this doesn't happen in the future. 

The second one, by Fair State, was skipped because I remembered how much I hate the hazies. And the third, by Modist, was left behind for that reason and once more because it was another $20 4-pack. (How was Fair State able to get away with only $13.50 for theirs?)

So, here I go, reviewing a beer that you can't buy anymore, which I really should have poured down my throat months ago. ...

Hazed as all get-out, bright yellow coloring, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big citrus, large lemon and orange. High hopping. 

In the mouth: Light on the palate, mild hoppiness, mellow flavors, very smooth. Juicy for a bit. Citrus flavors are king here. More bright, tasty hop flavors shining away. With just enough, but not too much, of the fuzziness that the "murk" madmen crave these days. 

I don't mind this at all, but with every sip I have to remember that the murk is not for me, and I cannot does the fuzz. 

Also, I once again made the error of emptying the contents of the can into the glass, and witnessing the disgusting display of the the dregs of mess floating about, before settling at the bottom. I wonder if this is the result of the five months, or if it would have been sediment-free when it was fresher? If so, my fault, I guess. Don't save these things, everyone, it is to no one's advantage. 

A meeting of minds & murky mainstays with our peeps at Modist Brewing Company & Fair State Brewing Cooperative. We traded lots of our hand-selected hops and layered the dry-hop bills to fully lace up our foggy favorites. Oodles of pils, wheat & oats piled to the sky with our individually hand-selected T-90 & Cryo, lots of Citra, Mosaic, Sultana, Azacca, Amarillo & El Dorado. Drink Local. Play Fair. Be Modist.

Coronado Weekend Vibes IPA India Pale Ale

Coronado Weekend Vibes IPA India Pale Ale 

6.8% ABV, 60 IBU, Coronado Brewing, San Diego, CA.

Clear, bright golden/amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big citrus and pine. powerful hop, this is classic West Coast style. 

In the mouth: Big bitterness, juicy malt, a little earthy, a touch bready. Citrus and pine are still in style, and the command this thing. Everything starts out sweet, turns to bitter, and ends on a dry note. Just like life, baby. Absolutely delicious. It's all I ever want out of an American IPA. Good job, Coronado. 

Bursting with tropical dankness, this beer is everything you want from a San Diego-style IPA. It’s bright, bursting with hop fruitiness, and refreshingly dry. Crack one open and get ready to feel those weekend vibes. 

Able Grapefruit League Gose

Able Grapefruit League Gose. Pink Grapefruit Göse with Mandarin Bavarian Hops.

4.8 % ABV, 13 IBU. Able Brewery + Seedhouse, Minneapolis, MN. 

All hazy-like, grapefruit-ish hue, slim to no head. 

In the nose: Bright and citrusy. 

In the mouth: Big pucker from the get-go. Starts out tart, then fades out. Slight sweetness, big fruit, tartness goes from big to mild with a quickness. Light bodied, refreshing, easy drinking and tasty sour. 

Gose conditioned on Grapefruit

Town Hall Sabro SMaSH Strong Pale Ale

Town Hall Sabro SMaSH Strong Pale Ale.

6.1 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 

When one looks at the most reviewed breweries in this blog, Town Hall Brewery has been number one  for a very long time. Since last November, the number of posts tagged for Town Hall has rested at 199. It has stood there for far too long, and that must end. I have only been out there twice since then, and on neither occasion did I take home a new beer to break over the 200 line. I made it out there at last on the previous Friday night, and took home this growler to drink and share some notes with you, and make this Town Hall Brewery review #200 here on the Nib. 

Absolutely clear, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Soft and citric. Lemon/lime, grapefruit. Slightly tart, nicely hopped. 

In the mouth: Bright and crisp, light bodied, and easy drinking. Mild bitterness, good texture, interesting mouthfeel. Light and refreshing while still popping with hops. Golden Promise malts really makes the flavors and the mouthfeel here. An utterly unique delicious take on the pale ale. Not sure about "strong", though. 6 % ABV isn't really that ourageous. Is this going the way of the double  IPA, where they are now 7.5 % -9.5 %ABV.? Is a pale ale a double if it's a point over 6%? 

Whatever. Doesn't matter. It's a great beer and you can surely drink it. 

SABRO SMASH American Strong Pale Ale 6.1% abv Unfiltered Single Malt (Golden Promise) and SingleHopped (Sabro) pale ale (SMASH). 

Lupulin House IPA w/ HBC 472

Lupulin House IPA w/ HBC 472.

6.2 % ABV. 60 IBU. Canned: 6/17/21. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN. 

Mostly cloudy, bright golden color, lasting, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: Sweet and fruity starts it out. Plump stone and citrus, with a dash of the tropical. A beautiful barrage of hop flavors. 

In the mouth: Begins mild, sweet, and fruity, ending hoppy and dry. Bright juicy lemon, orange, and grapefruit, matched with a pinch of pineapple and guava. Moderate bitterness, light to medium body, and exceptionally drinkable. Tasty stuff. 

We dry-hopped 3.5 bbls of fermented, but not yet dry-hopped, Hooey with 11 lbs of experimental hop HBC 472. This hop is said to contribute "exceptionally unique, woody, herbal, and vanilla aromas, with a mix of floral and tropical fruit."

Thanks to the sample man who gave it to my boss, who then gave it to me. I don't know about "woody, herbal, and vanilla" aromas, though....guess I have to keep trying harder. 

Oliphant Ennui'd Mosaic Single Hop India Pale Ale

Oliphant Ennui'd Mosaic Single Hop India Pale Ale. India Pale Ale with Mosaic Hops. 

7.5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Second in the Ennui'd Series, the first one with a label illustration that I can kind of understand. A blue-faced man is giving pancakes to an eyeball creature. That means something, but I cannot tell you what it is.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Popping with bold citrus flavors. Orange and grapefruit and a bit of berries. Beautiful.

In the mouth: Crisp and clean. Moderate bitterness, never-ending hop flavors. Ridiculously easy-drinking, just a little juicy, and ending on a dry note. Absolutely delicious. This one is a nearly perfect IPA, and I wish we hadn't only gotten one case of these, and that it hadn't sold out so fast. We need more beers like this. Less milkshakes and NEs, please. 

pFriem Barrel-aged Nectarine Golden Ale 2020

pFriem Barrel-aged Nectarine Golden Ale.

7.1% ABV. pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR.

Clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: intensely sour and funky from the start, fruit comes rising up to meet the funk. Stone fruit and tropical with a splash of citrus. 

In the mouth: Citrus comes on stronger here, but the pucker never quits. Juicy for a minute, then nothing but dry. Wine barrel aged souring really comes through. Bright acidity on the palate. Equal parts fruity and sour. 

Some people think I don't like "sours." And they are wrong. I like this kind of "sour." And I like it a lot. 

Aged in Sauvignon Blanc barrels before we add local Flavortop Nectarines. Six months later, the resulting aromas of marmalade and citrus zest, and notes of peach nectar and cantaloupe practically leap from the glass.

Modist illbrewmanati Vol. 2 triple dry hopped triple IPA

Modist illbrewmanati Vol. 2 triple dry hopped triple IPA.

10 % ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.  

When this beer arrived on the scene, it's seemed like something I ought to try. However...according to my rigid rules, this beer had several strikes against it. It is a New England IPA, a thing which I rail against. It is in the current fad of the triple dry hopping, something else which doesn't fall in with my favor. And thirdly, it's one of these "triple IPAs" that is merely 10% ABV, a thoroughly stupid trend. Also, it was nearly $20 for the 4-pack, and I was hesitant to buy one...until my former co-worker J.B. stopped in and offered to split one with me. And so, I paid a mere $10 for 2, instead of the full $20. And I had one without taking notes, as I do, and now it's time to take the matter into hand ...

Completely hazed out, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Swimming with citrusy goodness. Popping with orange, lemon, grapefruit, and various stripes of the tropical tones...some pineapple, guava, etc. Accompanied by the yeasty fuzz.

In the mouth: Soft, and sufficiently hoppy. Plump with citrus feels on the palate. Big orange and grapefruit, low bitterness, smooth and nearly silky. Just about juicy, and ever-so drinkable, despite the ABV. I still wish for a more profound bitter bite, which this beer will not allow me. It's tasty, and enjoyable, but this new style does not deliver what I'm looking for...I guess I just have to face it. I will never understand the drive to fashion the bitter-less double  (or triple!) IPA....what happened? Where did everyone else go astray? 

I'm old, I guess, put me out to pasture, but leave out a bucket of beer, please...the hoppier the better...

Alvarado St. x Modist x Other Half

Tri collaboration triple dry hopped New England Triple IPA brewed with Golden Promise, Barke Pilsner, malted wheat, flaked oats, hopped and triple dry hopped with Citra, El Dorado, Strata, Nelson Sauvin, Citra Cryo, and El Dorado Cryo

The Brewing Projekt Gunpowder IPA

The Brewing Projekt Gunpowder IPA.

6.8 % ABV, The Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI. 

And here we have a unique offering from The Brewing Projekt of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the brewery voted least likely to win a spelling bee. The last time I had a Brewing Projekt beer, I was disappointed and declared that I would take a break from them. This one was bought before I said that. It was a mere $9.99 for a 4-pack, almost unheard of in these days of the non-stop $18.99 DDH DIPA with marshmallow fluff, lactose and jellybeans. I had to reward them with a purchase. On the other hand, it is a Tea IPA (not a TIPA)....and on the other other hand, every time I try a tea beer I usually end up liking it. 

So how is it? 

Lightly hazed, bright golden color, large and lasting ivory head, leaving lace. 

In the nose: Expressive citrus/fruity notes, with a side of pine. Tea notes slowly but assuredly peek on through. Lovely. 

In the mouth: Starts out bright and juicy, nicely hopped, mild bitterness. Delicate tea flavors start to unfold from below it all. Medium body, easily drinkable. Citra and Centennial are really bringing it in full effect, all the bright citrus and pine, gunpowder filling in on the side. Tasty. I can dig it. 

Citrusy IPA brewed with gunpowder green tea.

Scaldis Caractėre Imperial Belgian Ale

Scaldis Caractėre Imperial Belgian Ale. AKA Bush Caractėre.

12 % ABV, 25 IBU. Brasserie Dubuisson, Pipaix, Wallonie Belgium

Clear, amber hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: Here it is. Belgian yeast, Belgian malt, all the goodies, dark, sweet, funky, ...this has the goods. The deep, dark, Belgian yeast goods. 

In the mouth: Sweet meets strong. Bam. Malt is king, and alcohol is queen. 12%? Ha! I laugh at thee! And it rich, malty, nutty, caramely, all well-balanced, and delicious and lovely. So many layers of deliciousness, so many kinds of yum a dum dum. 

It's my last bottle of the 4-pack (as is my custom), and I wish I had more. $20 a 4-pack is too much for me to repeat it so soon, but I can only expressly encourage you to follow my lead, and pick this one up if you see it...you won't regret it. 

Introduced in 1933 under the name of “Bush Beer”, this is one of the oldest specialty beers in Belgium and the flagship brand of the Dubuisson Brasserie.

The Bush Caractère is a filtered, top-fermented beer made from malt, hops, natural sugars, water from the brewery’s own underground source and an exclusive house yeast that has been cultivated for 80 years.

The pronounced bitter-sweet taste of this beer, its gentle taste structure and characteristic amber colour are all due to the caramel malts used and the expertise and patience of the master brewer (the beer rests for four to six weeks). The high density – the proportion of malt – and the active house yeast make for one of the strongest Belgian beers, with an alcohol volume of 12%. 

Prairie Bourbon Paradise Imperial Stout

Prairie Bourbon Paradise Imperial Stout. Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout Aged with Coconut and Vanilla. 

13.7 % Alc./Vol. Brewed and bottled by Krebs Brewing Company, Krebs, OK. 

Full ebony appearance, slim brown head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: Heady aromatics. Vast richness, powerful flavors pounding into the olfactories. Vanilla and cocoa first, followed by espresso and plenty of bourbon. Cherries, and, who....coconut has taken over. It's the coconut, vanilla and whiskey show now, folks. 

In the mouth: Coconut is king from the start. Vanilla stands astride, with chocolate, espresso, and bourbon barrel essence hanging back in the wings. Richness to an extreme. Dense, thick, massive malts. High happiness to match the sweet adjunct flavors. Almost too much on the sweet side, but I'm embracing it this time. This bottle delivers everything promised and then some. 

Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Coconut and Vanilla

Stone Features and Benefits IPA

Stone Features and Benefits IPA. (AKA F + B). Session. lo-cal, gluten-reduced IPA. 

4 % all./vol. 12 fl. oz. Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. (& elsewhere.)

Crystal clear, bright golden color, slim whitish head, soon gone. 

In the nose: Heavy lemon. Heavier cat pee. Fairly stinky. 

In the mouth: Lightness personified. Beer-ified? Bold citrus flavors, slight hop bitterness, very little from malt, minimum texture. Extremely light in body, but not without flavors. This is definitely not brewed with me in mind, but some of you should really like it. Just far too thin for me. 

There's no way you can make an insanely flavorful, hop-forward IPA in true Stone fashion while keeping it under 100 calories, right? And surely not with just 2.9 carbs, gluten reduced and 4% ABV! Well, our brewers, along with the rest of Team Stone, love proving preconceived notions wrong. This beer brings all of the above together with the hop-driven boldness you'd expect from a Stone beer. Now, you can have both the features and the benefits.

Boulevard Bully! Porter

Boulevard Bully! Porter. Robust American. 

6 % ABV. 49 IBU. Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO. 

And here we have a beer that I am not sure has ever been available in our market before, except for in the form that I found it in. I first reviewed it from bottles shipped to me by two different trading partners in April of 2003. Boulevard entered our market in the next year, but I never saw this beer on shelves. Nor did I ever tap it at the Blue Nile or Acadia, which I surely would have, had I the chance. Or, was I just not looking very hard? 

In any case, I am reunited by virtue of a broken sample pack, and the surviving bottles that went to the singles shelf...from over six months ago. Yes, I've sat on this one for too long, and I need to get it out of the fridge and into my belly before I review those new beers from the newest sampler pack that I just bought. 

And I will not use my Boulevard tulip, because that was designed for Belgian beers (though I'll use it for other styles, like IPA or pale ale), but it definitely is not appropriate for a porter. Notes, away....

I like this beer, before cracking the crown, due to the distinguished-looking monocled bulldog, hoisting a pint on the label. It only gets better from there.

Completely black color,but for ruby red edges, with a fantastically fluffy cream/cocoa colored head. Aroma is sweet and creamy, notes of cocoa and spice, with big hits of espresso. Mysterious, beautiful, uplifting.

Great bitterness on the palate, full-bodied with massive malt. Long, lingering finish, which continues to deliver flavors of chocolate, anise, coffee. Lest I forget, an underlying fruitiness emerges in the middle, with tastes of dark cherries and grapes. A complex, tasty, and easily quaffable porter. This would be a regular in my fridge if it existed in my area.

Eighteen years later, I agree with my younger self. I gave it a 4.3/5 back then, nearly 13 % higher than the mean. (Or is it the average?) The flavors are the same, as is the effect. I don't mind the wild discrepancy between my ranking and the others, because I really do like a good robust porter, and dagnabbit, this is one. 

The intense flavors of dark-roasted malt in Boulevard’s rendition of the classic English porter are perfectly balanced by a generous and complex hop character. Bully! Porter’s robust nature makes it the ideal companion to a variety of foods, from seafood to chocolate.

Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen

Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen. Authentic Bavarian Wheat Beer. Naturally Unfiltered. 

5.2 % ABV. 13 IBU. Tucher Bräu, Subsidiary of Radeberger Gruppe, Fürth, Bayern Germany

Very slightly hazed, mostly clear, bright golden toned, with a smallish white head. 

In the nose: Big time banana, dash of clove on the side. Some citrus, and a heaping helping of bubblegum. 

In the mouth: Slight hop bitterness at first, then malt takes over. Nothing but smooth thereafter. Sweet and wheat-y is the order of the day. Terrifically refreshing and drinable like it ain't nobody's business. 

I have to admit to being somewhat confused by the designation "hellos Hefe Weizen" for I've never seen it before. No, wait, yes, I have, on Andechs Weissbier Hell. Is it merely to differentiate that beer from their Dunkelweisse? Or, does it mean something else? Give me a minute, I'll find out...

A traditional, high fermented Bavarian yeast beer specialty with an accentuated wheat beer flavour and high vitamin B contents. 

Natural yeast cloudiness due to top fermentation. 

A sparkling refreshing and thirstquenching product!

Oskar Blues Can-o-bliss Double IPA

Oskar Blues Can-o-bliss Double IPA. 

8.2 % ABV. Oskar Blues Brewing, Longmount, CO. 

Slightly hazy, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: The dank is in full effect. Huge citrus and pine, astoundingly resiny, all things good and sticky-icky. Hella promising. 

In the mouth: Pow! Big bitterness blasts the palate. Juicy, more dankness, more resin, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, and lemon/lime making their moves all over the mouth. The one has all the goods. Fierce hoppy flavor, juicy, dry, acerbic, just enough of the booze, full body, full flavor, everything I yearn for in a double IPA. This is the good stuff. Day-yum, a dum, dum. 

DIPA is chock full of Citra hops and delivers a one-two punch of hop aroma and blissful flavors of passionfruit and citrus, balanced with a substantial malt backbone.

Weihenstephaner Helles Lager

Weihenstephaner Helles Lager. The Worlds' Oldest Brewery. Brewed in Bavaria, Germany since 1040. 4.8 % ABV. 16 IBU. Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, Fresing, Bavaria, Deutschland.

Before  I picked up a 4-pack of cans of this classic Geman lager, I checked to see if I'd reviewed it before. Yes, I had, on beer advocate, back in 2003, from a bottle. But, wait, the description of this one on Untappd says that it debuted in May of 2020. Well, what did I drink eighteen years ago? That was called Original Helles. So, let's take some notes on New-fangled Helles. 

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, short ivory head. 

In the nose: Lightly floral, mildly hopped, slightly sweet cereal grain aromatics. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, light and lovely. Quintessence of a Helles lager. Just enough malt for flavor, minimal hops, expertly refreshing. Some amounts of a sweet, grainy taste. Flavorful, even delicious. You can drink a million of these. It's a good German light lager and you can surely drink it. 

Here's what they say: The Weihenstephan Helles was first introduced on the market in May 2020 - a mild, quaffable beer with a subtle hop bouquet. Over a year was taken preparing the beer to perfection – with numerous tastings, fine-tuning and expert opinions.

And here's what I said about the Original, back when I thought I knew it all, and was so holier than thou:

Appearance: clear as a bell, pale yellow, brief white head.

Nose: plain as the nose on your face, dry, with slight citrus and honey, but pleasant.

Citrusy taste, but mild as mild can be in every way possible, mild and light, light and mild, sticking together like Mutt and Jeff, nothing can tear them apart.

Good, tasty, lip-smackin' texture, though, so, it's got that going for it.

Light'n'breezy, so, it's perfect when that's all you what, but frankly, it bores me to bits. 

As good or better than, oh, say, 85% of all the lagers in the world.

....as I get older, I don't mind the "boring"...that's the way it goes....

Lua Grow Til Tall Pale Ale

Lua Grow Til Tall Pale Ale. Featuring Citra, Azacca, and Motueka hops. 

6 % ABV, Lua Brewing, Des Moines, IA. 

A couple years back, Jason and I took a little trip to Des Moines, Iowa, and managed to take in all of the city's breweries at the time, all within a short two-day visit. Just a few short months later, Lua Brewing opened in the Sherman Hill neighborhood to much acclaim, bringing their total number of breweries in the capitol city to six, I think,( unless more have opened in the past two years that have slipped past my attention. A good possibility.) 

And now they are distributing bottles to the Twin Cites, and I have spent $9 on a 16.9 oz. bottle from an Iowa brewpub, (more than I normally like to spend,) due to my desire to defeat the FOMO monster and say that at last, I have tried Lua. 

Now, let's open it up and see what all the fuss is about. 

All hazy ('cause everything has to be hazy now, don't you know) and dull yellow, with prodigious foam on top, brilliant white in color. 

In the nose: soft, citrusy, lemon and pineapple. Maybe.  

In the mouth: A little juicy at first, then dry til the end. Lightly fruity hop flavors, practically no bitterness. Medium bodied. Refreshing. Soft, with mostly muted flavors. Decent enough beverage, good beer and you can drink it, etc., but I'm a bit underwhelmed, and wonder where else that nine bucks could have gone. 

I knew that this would be a hazy from looking at the bottle when I first opened the case and put them out on the shelf. I'm still trying to avoid the hazies, so I don't keep repeating my objections over and over, but as I said before, I just had to give these guys a try. It's alright, but certainly nothing to swoon over. I guess I need to try more of their beers to get a grip on the hype. Another road trip? 

Surly Impossible Objects IPA

 Surly Impossible Objects IPA. 

7 % ABV. Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, MN

Here's one from the current Hop Pack. Juicy India Pale Ale, it says on the side.  Soft, juicy, hoppy, it goes on to say. . Untappd labels it a New England IPA. Let's see what that's all about. 

Fairly hazy,  bright golden hue, and with far too many floating particulates for me to be comfortable with. Downright disgusting. This can isn't old enough to have this sort of problem. 

In the nose: slightly citric, minimal hoppiness...eh. 

In the mouth: Some small bitterness on the palate, mostly mild, and, yeah, "soft"....I tell you, I'm sick of "soft". A touch of juicy, but at this point it's just a buzzword.  Soft and juicy...sheesh. Appallingly milquetoastian. Citrus snaps out and slaps the palate, the quickly crawls back, slinks away....

Medium bodied, long finish...and just kind of weak. Blasé'. I expect more from Surly. Or, more accurately, I used to...

Patterns upon patterns and layers on top of layers, each building on one another to create a seemingly impossible object. That was our goal with this new juicy IPA. Impossible Objects features zero hops in the kettle, relying instead on Sabro, El Dorado, Citra, and Amarillo dry-hopping to build a new vision of the IPA—massive hop flavor with almost no bitterness. Impossible? We object.

I object to the notion of the bitter-less IPA. And, yes, that is the hill I will die on. Why are we still calling it an IPA if we are striving to drive it away from what an IPA is? "New Vision"? You kids get off of my lawn!

Clown Shoes Apple Baron. Wee Heavy Aged In Apple Brandy Barrels.

Clown Shoes Apple Baron. Wee Heavy Aged In Apple Brandy Barrels. 

11 % ABV. Clown Shoes Brewing, Boston, MA. 

Hazed up, moderate opacity, cast in an amber-ish hue, with minimal head. 

In the nose: Ooo! Apple-y! And Brandy-y, too. No Wee Heavy-y showing up yet. Terrically sweet, so far. High-flung fruity. 

In the mouth: Whoa! Where to begin? It's a big mess of apples and booze, setting fire to the palate. Whatever was in here before it met the barrels is thoroughly consumed by this hot mess. But, I don't mind, I'm liking the flavors and loving the overbearing bigness of it all. Sweet, but not overly so, and the booze comes on strong. This leans very close to a barley-wine, and that I can dig. 

Wee heavy ale aged in apple brandy barrels.

Lagunitas Stereohopic Vol. 2: Elixir & Loral

Lagunitas Stereohopic Vol. 2: Elixir & Loral.

7:2 % ABV, 65 IBU, Lagunitas Brewing, Petaluma, CA & Chicago, IL.

Brilliant clarity, bright golden hue, lasting layer of ivory foam. 

In the nose: stone fruit and citrus, with a touch of the tropical. A dash of dank. Slight sweetness. 

In the mouth: A bit juicy at first, hops splash upon the palate, and it all end in a dry note, urging on another sip. Fruit fandango in the mouth, orange and apricot mingle with pineapple and peach. Good display of bitterness, rounded off by a bit of sweet, ending, again, on the dry side. Light bodied, expertly drinkable, exceptionally rewarding. 

I like a good IPA, as everyone knows, and this is assuredly one of them. 

This second volume shows what happens when the elusive Alsatian Elixir hop and the resin-y spicy notes mingle with Yakima's noble & floral Loral hop

Boom Island Barrel Aged Kollusion Russian Imperial Stout

Boom Island Barrel Aged Kollusion Russian Imperial Stout.

11% ABV. 

Absolute ebon, utterly opaque, slim brown head that disappears in no time. 

In the nose: Charcoal. Molasses. Bourbon, cherries, vanilla. Leather and tobacco. Big chocolate and a side of espresso. All the goodies are here. 

In the mouth: Pow! They all return to the palate. It's a big, thick, gooey mix floating amongst the senses. Not as thick in the mouthfeel as I'd guess based on the business from the nose, but it's still good. Now and then, we're getting hints of a Belgian influence, some fruitiness, some wine character. But, I need this to be bigger, richer, thicker...it's not quite that....but it's alright for what it is. 

AN AMERICAN SECRETLY COLLABORATES WITH BREWERY MANENHOUT IN PITTEM, BELGIUM, AND THEY’RE INFLUENCED BY RUSSIANS? IT MUST BE KOLLUSION! AGED OVER SIX MONTHS IN A TENNESSEE WHISKEY BARREL, KOLLUSION IS BREWED WITH SPECIALTY ROASTED COFFEE BEANS FROM DUNN BROTHERS NORTH LOOP AND PAIRED WITH RICH BELGIAN CHOCOLATE TO CREATE IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE OF COLLUSION AT IT’S FINEST. INVESTIGATE YOURSELF.

Venn Black Beer Baron Black IPA

Venn Black Beer Baron Black IPA. Limited Release. Benefit for Diversity in Brewing Scholarship. 

6 % ABV, 40 IBU.  Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Question for no one in particular: Did I purchase this growler at the brewery several weeks ago in order to support it's cause, or to continue to indulge what just might be another Simpsons reference? 

Thorough blackness, complete opacity, large, lush brown head above. 

In the nose: Dark malt flavors, some cocoa and coffee, slightly nutty and sweet. Oncoming grassy hoppiness. Hey, who put grass clippings in my cocoa mug? 

In the mouth: Hops are more pronounced once they pounce on the palate. Slick, sweet malty flavors kept in check by a nice blast of grassy, citrusy hops. Bitterness is fairly moderate, body is medium, drinkability good. I like this. Just enough hops, just enough black malt to make it all come together. 

Beyond the draw of the charity and the Simpsons reference, there's also the fact that no one is making a Black IPA anymore, and you've got to grab them up any chance you can get. 

We teamed up with Chicago's Black Beer Baron, Jay Westbrook, to brew a beer that draws attention to the lack of diversity in craft beer. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the MN Brewers Guild's "Diversity in Brewing" Scholarship.

Malts: Maris Otter

Hops: Warrior, Amarillo, Willamette, Simcoe

Yeast: American Ale

And: Sinamar

Sweetwater IPA

Sweetwater IPA.

6.3 % ABV, 50 IBU, Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA. 

This here beer is not available as a six-pack at the retail store where I currently work. I acquired it after someone damaged a variety 12-pack, and the surviving contents were sent to the singles shelf, and I purchased one, knowing it was needed in the Nib. And I looked way back to BeerAdvocate.com to discover that I'd received a bottle from a trading circle back in 2004, more than 17 years ago, and wrote these notes (then, not now)...

Nice, slightly hazy orane/apricottish hue, with a very generous helping of active foam bubbling above.

Aroma, wonderfully bitter hops greet the nose, grapefruit leads the fruit parade, orange, peach, apricot, but bitterness is king, a beautiful thing in the nose!

Taste is fresh, full, fruity, i reach readily for another sip, and happily, too, smiling all the way. Lordy, this is a happy, and hoppy IPA, oh, so, tasty and terribly rewarding in flavor beyond the bitterness!

Just delicious. Who needs Sierra Nevada PA when you're in Georgia, I say, this one matches that, and maybe even bests it, though they weren't even running a race! Yum, I say, yum, I mean, yum, I keep thinking until my tongue is no less than delighted.

Yep, that's what I wrote back in 2004, when this here market called the Twin Cities Metro was a desert for IPAs, or any kind of good beer, and I had to trade away whatever I could find, and when they sent me a decent IPA, I treated it like proverbial manna from the heavens. I left the exclamation points in this time, to prove how impressed I was with anything good and hoppy that I would find back then, several years before Surly started up. I gave this one a 4.2/5, a full 5.5 % above the mean. 

Drinking it now, it's good, very satisfying, but not much more than that. I recommend it, of course, but if I were taking new notes, there wouldn't be quite so many hosannas, or exclamation points. 

This mammoth IPA is defined by generous quantities of juicy American hops. The extensive dry hopping process contributes to its bright and flavorful character. This beer is unfiltered to leave all the natural flavors intact and bottle conditioned to stay super fresh.

Lucifer Black Belgian Ale

Lucifer Black. Belgian Ale. 

8.5 % ABV. Brewery Het Anker, Mechelen, Belgium. 

Dark brown color, completely opaque, slim white head atop. 

In the nose: sweet and fruity. Cocoa and cola. Raisins and plums. Very nice. 

In the mouth: Soft and smooth from the start, with dark fruits dominating the flavor. Slightly rich, deeply malty, with a raft of pleasant flavors aswim on the palate. Softly spicy, bits of pepper. Medium bodied, not quite full, but drink down smooth and full of flavor. Tastes like a dubbed, or is it a strong Belgian brown ale? Belgian Strong Dark Ale says BeerAdvocate.com. So says Untappd. I was going to check their website for a final opinion, but this wasn't listed and it was all in Flemish, or Dutch, or something. 

I call it tasty as heck, and recommend it to one and all. Only $10.99 a 4-pack, what a deal. Just delicious. 

Belgian Strong Ale that pours deep, dark brown with a beige head. Darkly roasted, rich malts produce an aroma and taste offering notes of chocolate, toasted bread, and dark fruit. The finish is smooth, dry, and warming.

Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Ale

Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Ale. Hazy. American Classic.

4.4% ABV.

Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO. 

I recently decided to buy a 12 bottle variety pack from Boulevard Brewing. Reasons: it was only $15 (and I am so tired of paying $15 or more for merely 64 ounces of beer, versus the 144 I'm getting here), and it contains 3 of their beers that I've never had before. But, wait, I think to myself, has the Unfiltered Wheat never appeared in the Nib before? Answer: no, it has not. When did I have it last? Actually, eighteen years ago. Let's go look at those notes: 

The decision to label this brew with the clunky technical term"unfiltered wheat beer" must have come from the marketing division. It certain lacks the poetry of "hefe weizen". The suits should learn a lesson: people like to speak German! All the kids are doing it!

Anyway...Slightly hazy, pale yellow color, with an admirably thick white head. Nose is oddly empty. I expect a good hefe to spring out with aromas and tickle my senses from the start, and that's not happening here. Very little suggests itself, apart from some citrus, straw, faint hints of vanilla, bananas, and overall, very dry. Typically grainy texture on the palate, a very light body, fine balance. Some honey flavors jump in the end, but it doesn't make much difference. The finish is swift, forgettable, disappointing. A lackluster hefe weizen, I'm afraid.

This bottle was a sample from a salesrep at a local distributor. I've got Schneider Weisse on tap at my bar now, and Bell's Oberon will be out soon. I'll have to pass on Boulevard, thanks.

So, nearly two decades later, I think I was wrong to expect a Hefe Weizen, and I judged it poorly against that perception. Gave it 2.93/5, which is 17% below the average. (You'll notice I don't do rankings here in the Nib, for various reasons.) I still don't think it's very good, but it's a decent beer, and you can drink it. 

Three Floyds Cheer Team Double IPA

Three Floyds Cheer Team Double IPA.

7.7 % ABV, 62 IBU. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

Thoroughly clear, bright golden hue, slim white head, looking good. 

In the nose: Starts out with citrus, then tropical notes make a cameo. slight sweetness. 

In the mouth: Small sweetness to start, then a brace of bitterness. It mellows out quickly and becomes nothing but smooth. Orange and mango, grapefruit and melon. Slightly higher than average alcohol starts to emerge and is welcomed. The palate is awash in hoppy delights, and nobody minds when the booze crashes the party. (I could use more than 7.7 %. Less than 8 doesn't feel Imperial enough for me.) 

It's getting juicier now, stickier, danker...good old goodness, and I am digging it. 

The new combination of American hops in this enigmatic IPA is an instant classic. The very fruity and may we say juicy hop character is unrelentingly delicious.

Arbeiter D-Hazy Hazy India Pale Ale (Lager?)

Arbeiter D-Hazy Hazy India Pale Ale.

7.8 % ABV. 35 IBU. Contains Wheat. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Look at me, taking a crowler of a hazy home, and why? Because I wanted to, why else? 

Mostly clear, hardly hazy at all. Big, puffy, lasting layer of ivory head atop. Bright golden hue. 

In the nose: Soft and citrusy, with a pinch of pine. 

In the mouth: Nice bitter hop bite up front, that fades in a minute. Citrus and pine on the palate. Very mellow and smooth throughout. Crisp and clean, nice texture, light bodied, well balanced. Tasty. I'm liking this. 

This is called an "IPL" on Untappd, but it's an IPA on the label. What do they say? Oddly enough, I can't find it on their website. Some day we'll figure this out. 

(I returned to the brewery recently. The menu calls it an IPL.)

Junkyard Freshness Packet Double IPA

Junkyard Freshness Packet. Double  IPA. 

8.5 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Once more, tricked into breaking my boycott of the hazes. Doesn't say New England, or hazy, or Vermont-style anywhere on the label, does it? Only "Cryo blend Double IPA." But, hazy it is, they got me again.

Hazy, of course, dull golden hue,  lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: soft and fuzzy, plenty of citrus, tropical tones, too. Terribly muted. 

In the mouth: Powerful blast of hop flavors on the palate, at first sip. Packed with citrus and pineapple. Slight sweetness, but there's some lingering bitterness that carries throughout. Medium bodied, and continually tasty. Is this only 8.5% ABV? No, way....

My objection to the non-stop hazies falls away. I'm no longer mad that they didn't warn me. Tasty beer is good beer. 

This Double IPA is exploding with freshness!! Freshness Packet is a Double IPA brewed with a dynamic mixture of Cyro Blend, Mosaic, and Sultana hops. This IPA is bursting with the freshest flavors of citrusy tropical fruits, which is supported by a stable pine finish and accompanied by a soft bitterness!

Rush River Arise Coconut Vanilla Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout 2019

Rush River Arise Coconut Vanilla Bourbon Barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout.

11 % ABV. Rush River Brewing, River Falls, WI. 

Complete and total blackness, slim brown head, total opacity. 

In the nose: Chocolate hits first, cocoa, mucho malt, and then the coconut meets the bourbon. Some vanilla. Lots of espresso. A bit o' cherries. 

In the mouth: Thick. Slick. Humungous. Huge malt. Ridiculous. Chocolate and coffee reign supreme, with coconut and vanilla coming in as a cameo. Rich and delicious. 

And that's where my notes end. It was my sixth beer of the evening. Looking back, I said all I needed to say. I did not know that Rush River even made an Imperial Stout until I visited the brewery last fall and bought a few bottles. They like to keep things nice and secret out there. 

Venn Comet Pale Ale

Venn Comet Pale Ale. Limited Release. American Pale Ale featuring Comet hops. 

5.6 % ABV, 35 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright amber/golden coloring, large white head, slowly drifting down, leaving minimal lacing. 

In the nose: Earthy, slightly spicy hop notes, a smattering of citrus, a pinch of pine. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, popping with hoppy flavors. Stone fruit and citrus abound on the palate. Moderate bitterness. Medium bodied, with a swift finish. Easy-going, refreshing, fairly straight-forward, just a good ol' pale ale and you can surely drink it. 

American Pale Ale featuring Comet Hops

Malts: Domestic Pale, CaraHell

Hops: Comet

Yeast: American Ale

Stone Enjoy By 07.04.21

Stone Enjoy By 07.04.21. Tangerine and Pineapple IPA. Ale with Tangerine and Pineapple. 

A fruitfully independent Double IPA. 

9 % alc./vol. 90 IBU.  Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, CA. 

Slightly hazy, bright orange hued, 1/4 inch head of ivory foam above, with a myriad of small, floating particulates about...bit of a surprise there. 

In the nose: Citrus and tropical fruit notes all over this aroma. Tangerine is king of the scene. Pineapple lurks just below. 

In the mouth: Great bitter blast at the start, fruit right behind. Just a little bit juicy, turning nice and dry on the end. Juicy, hoppy, dry, brittle, in direct succession. And now the alcohol roars in, and it's feeling groovy. 

This one arrived a week late to our store, for some reason, not showing up until 06-23-21. I wasn't too hip on the idea of a fruited double IPA, so I held off at first, but eventually I bought a 6-pack on 07-03, taking notes on my third can on the evening of 07-04-21, putting off publishing until 07-05-21. Now, to finish the last 3 before they've gone downward. (I say in all facetiousness, knowing that the best by date is merely a gimmick, tied mostly to holidays these days.)

There’s more than one recipe for independence. This edition of our brewed-to-be-enjoyed-now IPA is a fruitfully fresh new variant loaded with real tangerine & pineapple for maximized summer celebrations. Whether you crack into this one as soon as you get home or hold onto it until the 4th of July, make sure to enjoy it before the fireworks end as usual. And independence doesn’t have to mean keeping it all to yourself, especially if you’ve got some independently-minded friends and family to share with. 

Bell's Tropical Oberon

Bell's Tropical Oberon. Wheat Ale with Mango, Guava, and Passionfruit. 

5.8 % ABV. Bell's Brewery, Comstock, MI. 

I bought this beer for several reasons. I always like to keep up with Bell's, and this one has been around for a while, though I was unaware of it's existence. (How did that happen?). I've enjoyed Oberon for many, many years. And I need a reason to break out my Oberon weizen glass. So, let's drink it. 

Thick, impenetrable, turbid. Dull orange color. And a vast array of floating particulates. Terribly unattractive. (And this is hardly an old bottle. Packaged 5/20/2021, says the label, and I bought it just last week, after it had been in the store for a couple.) Large and lasting ivory head, though. 

In the nose: Pungent barrage of tart tropical fruit notes. Sour, overripe fruit. Funky. 

In the mouth: Tart from the start. Sweet fruit flavors kick it off, and the sour soon takes over. Throughout the drink, it's a tug of war between sweetness and sour. Medium bodied, leaning on light. Minimal texture. Not quite the fruit flavorings I'm looking for. Do we need three? Couldn't one or two have done the trick? 

In the end, I liked it. But I didn't love it. And I wanted to love it. 

Oberon shines vibrant and bright in this limited release. Brewed with real passionfruit, pink guava, and mango, this ale takes your favorite summer need to new shores. Mini drink umbrellas sold separately.