Finnegan's Fest Lager

Finnegan's Fest Lager.

5.6 % ABV. 33 IBU. Finnegans Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

I'm going to guess that this Fest is in the Festbier (formerly Weisn) style, not a marzen, for several reasons. It is not called one. It says Fest, rather than Oktoberfest (for we presume Oktoberfest to be marzens, at least here in the USA). The glasses in the label illustration are golden hued, not amber. Let's find out! 

Well, what the heck, I may be totally wrong. This is clearly amber-hued, not golden-toned, mostly clear, with a large and lasting creamy head. You can't believe every beer label. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, herbal, malty, floral hop notes, rich and definitely in line with the marzen style. 

In the mouth: Smooth, mostly sweet and malty, feeling every bit like a marzen. Once again, I've been duped by label art. It's a tasty little guy, medium bodied, lightly hopped, mostly malty, rich and easy drinking, all at once. I'm liking this one. I could ooo-pah-pah the night away with a couple or five. 

A Bavarian style fest lager brewed with all german malts, hops and yeast. Perfect for any sized stein!

Edit: on further research, this is more of a Festbier style, and in a certain light, it is not quite as amber as I called it. No matter what, it's tasty and you can drink it. 

Coronado Twenty-Fifth Anniversary San Diego-style India Pale Ale

Coronado Twenty-Fifth Anniversary San Diego-style India Pale Ale.

7.5 % ABV. Coronado Brewing, San Diego, CA. 

And now for a beer that I know I'm going to enjoy. Just look at it. It has me all over it. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Highly hopped. Citrus and pine. Fresh and lively. 

In the mouth: Crisp and bright. Good blast of hop bitterness starts it off. Snappy. Not soft or hazy. Not pillowy at all. Nothing but hops on the palate. Just the way I like it. Bursting with citrusy goodness, orange, lemon, grapefruit. And not a note of tropical on the side. Sweetness kept wholly at bay. IPA as it was meant to be, baby. 

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary IPA

25 years is a long time. It’s a ¼ of a century. It’s two and a half decades. Needless to say, we’ve learned a few things over the last 25 years brewing in San Diego. We’ve learned how to brew award-winning IPAs and how to cook the perfect fish taco. We’ve learned what it means to “stay coastal” and that supporting our fellow SD Brewers is really what it’s all about. While this beer celebrates a milestone in the CBC story, we know this is still just the beginning. So, let’s raise two pints this time. One for the last 25 years and one for the next.

Cheers & Stay Coastal!

Belching Beaver Hazers Gonna Haze Hazy IPA

Belching Beaver Hazers Gonna Haze Hazy IPA.

6.6% ABV. Belching Beaver Brewery, Oceanside, CA.

And here we have a beer I would have never bought on it's own. Still boycotting the hazies when I can, but it was included in an 8-pack that was the only way to try the Mosaic DIPA. So, let's drink up a hazy, cause everyone's crazy for the hazy. 

All hazed out, bright golden hue, vibrant ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: soft and citrusy. Grapefruit and pine. Orange and pineapple on the side.

In the mouth: Sweetness hits first, with minor bitterness. Juicy, too, with plenty of fruity flavors arriving on the palate. Citrus and a tad tropical are the watchwords once more. Slight astringency toward the back end, but it's overall smooth, medium bodied, with a soft, fruity finish. Ain't nothing too wrong about that. 

Hazy IPA showcasing a combination of new age hops that rotate throughout the year

Arbeiter Vanilla Mocha Stout

Arbeiter Vanilla Mocha Stout.

5.4 % ABV, 20 IBU, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Full ebony appearance. Large and long-lasting cocoa-tinged head. Complete opacity. 

In the nose: Coffee hits first, then vanilla, cocoa astride. Earthy, rich and sweet. 

In the mouth: Starts off bittersweet, lightly hoppy, then it all turns over to the malt and the flavors. Vanilla takes a backseat to the coffee. Perfectly balanced, never too sweet, just enough of everything. Good ol' easy-drinking, medium bodied, full flavored coffee stout. 

Stout w/Vanilla, Chocolate, & Coffee

Experiencing this beer is like walking into your favorite indie coffee shop. It’s chocolately with the perfect balance of Peace Coffee’s Birchwood Blend and makes for a perfect coffee stout.

The aroma is complex for a relatively simple beer. Initially, you’ll smell chocolate-covered espresso beans but the more it warms up you even start getting woody and tobacco aromas. 

If you’re a stout or coffee drinker, you’re going to love this beer. And on a cooler, rainy spring day like today…it’s going to be perfect.

Note: this beer was originally released in the spring.

Bear Republic Baba Yaga Imperial Stout

Bear Republic Baba Yaga Imperial Stout.

12 % ABV. Brewed and canned by Bear Republic Brewing, Cloverdale, CA. 

Solid blackness, complete opacity, slim ring of deep cocoa foam. 

In the nose: Richness upon richness, deep molasses, massive malt, heaping helpings of cocoa, a healthy dose of smoke, and good smack of anise. Deep and lovely. 

In the mouth: Deep and rich, and just a little sweet. A powerful bombardment of malt arrives on the palate, highly satisfying, unspooling many layers of deliciousness. Cocoa, charcoal, roasted malt, caramel, and a touch of licorice. All of the goodies you want in an imperial stout. Lays long on the tongue, perfectly balanced. 

This isn't the biggest Imperial Stout you'll find, but it's a damned nice one. It's got the goods. 

Drumconrath Zim Zam Thank You Mam Mother's Day India Pale Ale

Drumconrath Zim Zam Thank You Mam Mother's Day India Pale Ale.

6 % ABV, 45 IBU. DCR Brewing, Fargo, North Dakota. 

Why am I reviewing a "Mother's Day" IPA in September? Well, why did our store not get it until June? And why did the beer not find it's way into my fridge until August? I'm not late, beer, you are. 

Hazy, bright gold, large and lasting creamy white head. 

In the nose: Brilliantly bitter, abuzz with citrus and pine. Orange, grapefruit, a pinch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Soft and bitter at once, with a gentle blast of hops at the fore. A cornucopia of tropical delights unfolds upon the palate. Some sweetness to match the bitter, good balance, medium bodied, long hoppy finish. Tasty stuff, indeed. I think my Mom would like it. 

When BSG announced the release of Zamba hops, we looked at the flavor profile and just knew we had to get some. With HUGE tropical, citrus and stone fruit notes, it is one amazing hop! We were sitting around the table, trying to figure out what to call it, and our owner said Zim Zam Thank You Ma'am! ...let's make a Mother's Day Beer. So, here it is, dedicated to all you mothers out there, who give everything for us, encourage us to be our best, and buy us home-brew kits for Christmas. So grab your mom, give her a big hug and tell here thank you.

I was going to share a video for the song "Zim Zam Thank You Ma'am", but I can't find it on YouTube. It has to be on there, everything else is...I'll keep looking...

Able Oktoberfest

Able Oktoberfest.

6% ABV. 18 IBU. Able Seedhouse + Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, sizable and staying layer of ivory foam. 

In the nose: Lightly grainy, mostly malty, floral hop notes. 

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, light bodied, exceptionally drinkable. I had aniticipated this one to be a märzen style, for no particular reason. Clearly, it's a Festbier. I suppose that I expect domestic Oktoberfests to be in the märzen style. It's all good. This one is refreshing and delicious. You can drink this in quantity, do your polka, eat your sausage, all the things. 

A classic German Festbier for autumn. Crisp traditional lager profile with balanced floral hops and deep bready character. Prost!

BlackStack Red Bottoms Gold Top DIPA

BlackStack Red Bottoms Gold Top DIPA.

8.8 % ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Once more, a sample. I wouldn't have bought this due to the price and the inevitable disappointment. 

Vaguely hazy (of course), bright yellow coloring, long-lasting ivory head, looking lovely. 

In the nose: Softly citric, slight sweetness, echoes of the tropical, pineapple and papaya. 

In the mouth: Brisk, brief bitterness, then all is juicy and just a little sweet. flashes of citrus, some orange, lemon, grapefruit mingle with the standout sweetness of the tropical notes. Medium bodied, light, smooth and utterly lacking in any of the qualities I'd ascribe to a double IPA. 

It's a delightful enough drink, but 'tis no DIPA. Bring on the bitterness, load up on the hops!

I, for one, don't want a Double IPA that's been "smoothed out." 

I will suggest a new name for this kind of beer: Imperial Hazy Not-really-an-IPA. 

Try as I might, I can't help but gripe. These things they call DIPAs, they just aren't that anymore. 

Our friends & fellow merchants in murk, Track Brewing Company, from Manchester, UK were kind enough to let us borrow their Gold Top treatment to bless this collab. Mosaic, Strata & shiny new Riwaka from New Zealand with healthy portions of protein heavy grains & a dash of milk sugar to smooth things out. As a wise woman once said: "these bloody hops were expensive indeed.

Wooden Ship A Normal IPA IPA

Wooden Ship A Normal IPA IPA.

6.3 % ABV. Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Linden Hills is an old-fashioned neighborhood. I'm sure many of the ale afficianados who congregate  at Wooden Ship might see a Hazy IPA, the kind all the kids are into, of course, and wonder, "don't you have a normal IPA?" You know, not a milkshake, not a hazy, no lactose, or cotton candy, or marshmallows, or this fruit or that fruit, just a normal IPA? I'm glad that they got one. 

I also imagine that this must happen when these gentlemen or women strain to scan the beer list, traipsing through the various variations on farmhouse ales and such, and just want a normal IPA, dammit, do you have one of those? 

Clear, bold amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Bright, beautiful citrusy notes, with a dash of pine. Orange, lemon, grapefruit rule the roost. 

In the mouth: More brightness and boldness. Starts out a little juicy, quickly turning dry. Ample malt keeps it sweet and holds down the fort. Fruit flavors unfold upon the palate, accompanied by bracing bitterness, everything I look for in an India Pale Ale. Flat out Yum a Dum Dum. Lightish bodied, easy drinking, containing all the hallmarks of the style. 

This hits it in the right ways, brisk, crisp, refreshingly bitter, expertly consumable, pleases the palate, while never quite challenging, quite easy to pass down the throat and accompany pleasant times with happy company. That's what a good ol' normal IPA is all about. 

The Brewing Project Double Gunpowder Double India Pale Ale

The Brewing Project Double Gunpowder Double India Pale Ale. With Citra, Centennial, Green Tea, Orange Peel and Honey. 

10 % ABV. The Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI. 

Hazy (of course, naturally), bright golden tone, nearing orange, slim white head. 

In the nose: Orange peel sticks out first, then the tea rushes on in. A taste of honey. Some citrusy hop notes lurk below.

In the mouth: Smooth and mellow. The opposite of what I want in a double IPA. Tea flavor pops on top. Citrus kicks in just after. Fairly fuzzy and murky. Alcohol begins its rise. Honey takes a bow. Some good things going on. 

I can't get over how unlike the double IPAs that I like this double IPA is. I am still holding out hope that TBP will make one that I like. Couple tries left before I shut the door forever. 

I'm moving on to a Sticker Fight next, to reunite me with the style of Double IPA I want to drink. 

Even bigger citrusy IPA brewed with green tea.

Founders Highly Acclaimed KBS A Flavored Stout Maple Mackinac Fudge

Founders The Amazing Kosmicki's Highly Acclaimed KBS A Flavored Stout Maple Mackinac Fudge. Malt beverage with artificially flavored Mackinac Fudge Coffee. 

11% ABV, 40 IBU. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI. 

And here we have a beer that I have sat on for a good year, for no other reason than that I could. Many times over the past twelve months or so I have actually intended to drink and take notes upon it, but some voice inside me said, no, save it, for it is time to sleep.

Tonight, I silence that voice. 

And this may be a problem. You can't buy this beer anymore. Reading this post does you no good, if you glean from my writing that it's a beer you'd like to seek out and drink. For that, I apologize. 

But I don't apologize too much, for this is the journal of the beers I'm drinking now, now matter how missing from the shelves or out of season. I can't guarantee that'll you'll be able to drink them all yourself. That is the passion and the struggle. 

Full-on ebony appearance, throughly opaque, rich brown head, if slim, at best. 

In the nose: Caramel, coffee, massive malt, vanilla, coffee, dark fruit, ...and fudge. Sure, fudge. Maple? Sure, some of that. 

In the mouth: Rich and sweet. Deep, full-bodied. Vanilla and oak meet bourbon barrel and...fudge coffee? Is that right? They didn't add fudge, but "fudge coffee"? That's a head scratcher, there. 

I feel that this might have been "fudgier" when fresh. I did get to share a sample, way back then, and then I bought a bottle and saved it until tonight. No reason. Just realized that it had been nearly a year, and I'd better crack it open. My procrastination knows no bounds. 

Rich, deep, sweet, immense, almost overpowering...no, not quite. But, big, yeah, big. 

Michigan didn't invent old-fashioned fudge, but it was perfected here. We pay tribute to this time-honored tradition with KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge. By amplifying the rich chocolate notes of KBS using Mackinac Fudge coffee, then adding maple syrup and aging it in oak bourbon barrels, we've created a bold new take on our barrel-aged classic - one that could only have originated in Michigan.

Bent Brewstillery A Glitch In The Matrix DDH Hazy DIPA

Bent Brewstillery A Glitch In The Matrix DDH Hazy DIPA. Citra, NZ Kohatu and NZ Moutere. 

8.2 % ABV. Bent Brewstillery, Roseville, MN. 

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking, Al, don't you hate this type of beer? Well, yes, I do. But it was free, although I asked for it. And I haven't tried anything from this brewery in nearly three years. And that was a free sample, too. Then again, I must continue my streak of never paying for the DDH Hazy DIPAs that I review here. If I can help it. 

One further note: You can't just have the $20 4-pack of 16 ounce cans. You also have to have a pop-culture reference and clever title to boot, along with some cool graphics on the label. That's how you catch the eye of the hazy hounds. But it's not all you need, not by a long shot. 

On with the beer: 

Mostly clear, hardly hazy at all, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: soft and fuzzy, big citrus, some stone fruit, bit of tropical. 

In the mouth: Brief bitterness, then all is fuzzy and fruity. Citrus smacks first, followed by a cornucopia of delights. Orange, grapefruit, apricot, pineapple, peach. Medium bodied, and easily drinkable, despite the high ABV. Mellow bitterness, zesty citrus flavors. I'm liking it, if not a lot, just a little. Afficciandos of thes style will be sorely disappointed. It's just not hazy enough. 

DDH HAZY DIPA. Citra, NZ Kohatu and NZ Moutere Hops. 

Super dank, Tropical Fruits, Creamy and Strong Finish.

Weltenburger Kloster Anno 1850 Märzen Beer

Weltenburger Kloster Anno 1850 Märzen Beer.

5.5 % ABV, 24 IBU. 

Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg, Weltenburg, Bayern Germany

And here we have a beer from a brewery I'd never heard of until the bottle arrived at the retail store where I currently work. How could it have possibly have escaped my attention when it's been around for about 971 years, apparently? Heck if I know. 

Also, I passed on those bottles when the same came out in cans. Good ol' 16 ounce cans in a 4-pack. Everyone's doing it. 

Clear, amber-hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, grainy, lightly hoppy. 

In the mouth: Smooth, malty and delicious. Light grainy texture. Medium/light body, excellent drinkability. Classic Märzens flavors. Good ol' drinkin' Oktoberfest. 

This golden yellow Märzen beer, a jewel of Bavarian brewing, combines an exceptionally fine scent with a light, fruity flavor. Full-bodied and spicy at the same time, the malt is emphasized from first sip to the finish. 

Now, I have to wonder why they say "yellow" when it's clearly amber. Color is a universal language, people.

Uinta Caravan IIPA

Uinta Caravan IIPA.

8.5 % ABV, 37 IBU. Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT. 

Slightly hazed, bright golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and stone fruit scream out of the aroma, matched by pine. High levels of hoppiness happening. 

In the mouth: Starts out bright, hoppy, juicy. Then all becomes a bit more intense. Bitterness embiggens. Alcohol rises. Astringency grows, if a bit. But all becomes juicy, almost pulpy, slightly sweet and somehow, smooth. This is delicious. Yum, I might suggest, a dum dum, even. 

A very juicy West Coast style IPA.

August Schell Starkeller Adaptive Matter

 August Schell Starkeller Adaptive Matter. Mixed-culture Berlin-style Wheat Sour with Mango, Passionfruit + Guava. 375 ml bottle. 

4.8 5 ABV, 4 IBU, August Schell Brewing Company, The Starkeller, New Ulm, MN. 

Bright orange color, opaque, slim to no head. 

In the nose: sour & funky leads the charge, fruit right behind. Mango and tropical fruits in full force, with the sour dominating over any sweetness. 

In the mouth: Intense sour from the start. Begins forceful, then softly fades back. Delightful fruit flavors shine on the palate. Medium bodied, long softly sour finish. Yum a dum dum. 

Jam-packed with fruity flavors, this beer has the sweet and sour combination nailed. Seriously. Passion fruit, mangos, and guava front and center. Need we say more?

Brooklyn Butterfly Photobomb Double IPA

Brooklyn Butterfly Photobomb Double IPA. 

8.5 % ABV. Brewed by the Brooklyn Brewery, Boston, MA. (Whatever happened to Brooklyn, NY?)

And here we have one of the worst label designs I've ever seen. I honestly can't tell what it's supposed to be. What is being depicted here? Let me know if you can figure it out. But, on with the beer. 

Ever-so hazy. Why? Because that's the trend. Bright golden color, good sized and long lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: Powerfully hoppy. Super dank. Big citrus, orange and tangerine, with a side of grapefruit. 

In the mouth: Juicy on the palate, citrus and tropical fruit notes, with the booze coming in hot. Goes down easy, if a little sharp, with delightful hoppy flavors, and a lower bitterness than I appreciate in a double IPA. I'm getting the coconut, a little toasted, and wonder where that's coming from. 

Okay, I see the wings of the butterfly, but they don't resemble any patterns I've ever seen, and an odd combination of colors. They really should have thought this through. 

This is tasty stuff, nicely hoppy, but with far too little hop bitterness. It's got a bit of a buzz that I'm digging, though and that's all right with me. 

Juicy IPA with Sabro hop wings. Notes of freshly peeled tangerines, coconut milk, and sweet passionfruit. Very limited release with proceeds benefitting North Brooklyn Mutual Aid.

Wooden Ship Imperial Beer

Wooden Ship Imperial Beer.

9.7% ABV, Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Canned 6/28/21. 

And here we have a beer I tried for the first time at Wooden Ship Brewery a little over two months ago. I bought this crowler some weeks after that and it's about time I opened it and drank the dang thing. 

When I had this beer for the first time, the server told me "it's almost a barleywine." A curious thing to say. Once I tasted it, I couldn't have agreed with him more. Now to see if I can use words to describe this. 

Clear, bright crimson, slim ring of foam. 

In the nose: a bit sweet and caramel-y, a little fruity, but mostly quiet. 

In the mouth: Burst of malty flavors, coupled with a general blast of booze. Not as malty in the mouthfeel that we should get from an actual barleywine, but getting close. Big hops, big malty sweetness, and a cornucopia of fruits, some apple, grape, berries, a bit of cherry. 

It's an interesting beer, and I found much pleasure in drinking it. It doesn't fit any stylistic guidelines, it can't measure up to a real old ale or barleywine, but it's close. It does the trick. And I enjoyed it. Therefore, it's a good beer and you can drink it. 

BlackStack Thätz Kölsch Bier (or is it Thätz Bier Kölsch?)

BlackStack Thätz Kölsch Bier (or is it Thätz Bier Kölsch?)

4.4% ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. Collaboration with Bricksworth Beer Co. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: lightly hopped, slightly floral, delicate notes of citrus, apples, pear, lovely stuff. 

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, light bodied, just enough hop bitterness for balance and flavor. Fruity notes are at play on the palate, hopping off the tongue, delighting and refreshing at once. Plenty of flavor here to make it all worthwhile. I bet this would be great with pizza...

(...and I'm happy to be drinking something from BlackStack that's not a murky mess.)

We’ve had Kölsch on the brain with our fam at Bricksworth Beer Co., so we brewed up this preposterously approachable beer inspired by the imminently crushable pseudo-“lagers” that have been brewed in Köln, Germany for generations. This version is step mashed with our beloved Weyermann Pils, a kiss of Wheat & German Ale Yeast before cold conditioning for 7 weeks to crispy perfection. That’s Beer, Alright.

St. Feuillien Tripel

St. Feuillien Tripel.

8.5 % ABV. Brasseries St. Feuillien, Le Roeulx, Belgium. 

The beers of the Brasserie St. Feuillien have appeared six times here in the Nib. Grisette, Grand Cru, Wit, Saison, Speciale, and a collaboration with the Green Flash brewery called Biere de L'amitie. But not the Triple. Did I never tap a keg of it between December of 2010 and when I left the Blue Nile in April of 2014? Possible, but it seems unlikely. Perhaps it just slipped my mind when I had it on tap, and didn't use the opportunity to enter it here. Just doesn't seem like me, though.

So, some bottles showed up at the store I work at now, only 4 packs of 11.2's, for $20 I 'd rather pick up a bomber for $10. But that's okay. It reminds me of the time back in March of 2003 when a distributor rep gave me a bomber of this triple from a brewery I hadn't even heard of before then. I wrote the following words for BeerAdvocate.com and gave it 4.5 out of 5, a fell 12.8% higher than the average. I guess I must have really liked it. 

Clear golden hue, and a towering, fantastic, huge white head. 

Aroma is gorgeous and spicy, with citrus and honey notes. So far, it's a perfect profile for a tripel without even taking a taste.

And, that taste? Divine! Utterly lovely, light, buouyant, with a dazzling hop prominence at first, and a good touch of graininess in the texture. Sweet, light, and scrumptious, and the sugar starts to take prominence here in the middle.

An utterly unreproachable tripel, and a complete delight. Top-notch tripel, beautiful beer.

After 18 years, do I still like it? Yeah, a lot. Just the same and more. And I'm trying to figure out how we can get the young beer geek crowd into Belgian tripels, instead of thinking the only things worth drinking are over-fruited marshmallow sours and DDH DIPAs. There's got to be a way. Beers this delicious should not be ignored. How did the love of Belgians seemingly skip a generation? Something's wrong here, people, and it's got to be fixed. 

This beer has a white, smooth and very compact head. Its pale amber colour is very characteristic revealing a distinctive maltiness. It has a rich aroma with a unique combination of aromatic hops, spices and the typical bouquet of fermentation – very fruity. Secondary fermentation in the bottle gives it a unique aroma due to the presence of yeast. St-Feuillien Triple has a very strong and exceptionally lingering taste thanks to its density and its long storage period. Whether served as a refreshing aperitif in summer or savoured during the winter months, the Triple is a connoisseur’s beer par excellence.

21st Amendment 21st Anniversary IPA

 21st Amendment 21st Anniversary IPA. West Coast India Pale Ale.

7.4 % ABV, 65 IBU. 21st Amendment Brewing, San Leandro, CA. 

You know me. If a West Coast brewer puts out a West Coast IPA, I'm there for it. I know they won't half-ass it, or get it completely wrong. And they've been around long enough that they don't think of the style as some misty, half-forgotten legend of the olden times. I'm going to enjoy this one, so let's crack it and see...

Clear, with just a touch of chill haze, bright golden tone, slim white head. 

In the nose: Old school aromatics. Fruity meets piney. Vivid and vibrant. A whiff of the dank from the back of the brewhouse. 

In the mouth: Zesty, bold and bitter. Citrus notes aplenty on the palate, with a dose of pine, and a finish most dry. Never too much bitterness, just enough. I want to call it "juicy" out of force of habit, but it ain't. Clear, dry, and bitter. The way the Good Lord intended an IPA to be. None of this "soft and pillowy" bullshit! IPA the right way! And keep on making them, 21A, be bold and hoppy until the bitter end!

When Shaun and Nico met in brewing school. They were a couple of self described beer geeks and West Coast IPA was the hottest style around. The two formed the vision for their 21st Amendment Brewery. Opening in San Francisco in 2000. As we turn 21, we celebrate our brewing roots with this West Coast IPA. Bringing it forward with modern take using an abundance of few New World hops plus a dash of heart. Soul and history. Our 21st Anniversary IPA drinks like the dreams of a pair of beer geeks.

Sisyphus Nick's Double IPA

Sisyphus Nick's Double IPA.

8.5% ABV, 95 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Dank stuff from the start, and resinous, too boot. Big citrus, grapefruit and tangerine. 

In the mouth: Juicy, fruity, and plenty bitter. Lots of hops at play on the palate. Bright and shiny, an abundance of flavors, a marching band and a carnival rolling up in one dancing in the mouth. Crisp, clean, lean-bodied, fruit forward, heavy on the bitterness, and a pure, hoppy delight. This is just what I want in a double IPA.

And it's only the second time I've had it (well, third, counting at the taproom last week...no, fourth, because I had two.) This was originally released four years ago under the name Big Wet Baby. Sam found the recipe in his files, named it after the brewer, but didn't want to release it with that silly name, and here we have Nick's Double IPA. I'm not crazy about that one. But, one re-naming is once enough. 

Venn Fest

Venn Fest. Standard Beer That's Anything But Standard. 

5.5 % ABV, 30 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And here we have my first Oktoberfest beer of the season. No, wait, check that. First Märzen-style Oktoberfest, and it comes from Venn. They've been making this for years, but I've missed it every time. Happy to get a crowler to try it out tonight. 

Clear, deep amber hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: rich, sweet and toasty, caramel malt notes dominate, noble hops assist. 

In the mouth: Brief kiss of the hops up front, then malt takes over and rides it all the way through. Just enough sweet to delight the tongue, but well-balanced all the way. Crisp and clean, with that classic Märzen taste staying true til the end. Medium-bodied, with a long malty finish. 

Classic Märzen lager, thoroughly enjoyable. This one's taking me to Happy-town. 

September in a glass! Venn's take on a traditional German Märzen.

Malts: Vienna, Pilsner, Munich, CaraMunich II

Hops: Warrior (United States); Tettnanger, Hallertauer Mittelfrüh (Germany)

Yeast: German Lager

Hammerheart Reva's Cryin' In My Beer Edition Imperial Hazy India Pale Ale

Hammerheart Reva's Cryin' In My Beer Edition Imperial Hazy India Pale Ale.

Alc. 10% by Vol. Brewed and Canned by Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Lakes, MN. 

Lightly hazed (very nearly transparent, actually), bold amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: A good dose of dank kicks it off, with fruity, citrusy notes taking control. A whole lot of sticky.

In the mouth: Big hops bombard the palate, with high alcohol roaring right behind. One-two punch. Great blast of bitterness holds it own for the long haul. Medium bodied, but flavorful as they get. The sticky gets ickier. Candied fruit meets dank and boozy. I'm making prayers for my sobriety. Plans for future reviews tonight are being cancelled. I might just have to lay down for a while. By the way, does anyone have any orange slices? 

Very yum a dum dum. 

Before our dear friend Reva left this world, she made a request of our brewer, Austin: "After I'm gone, make an imperial version of my beer and call it Cryin' in my beer edition". So, here we have an Imperial version of Reva's IPA that she loved so much... just as she asked for. We miss you and love you Reva!

Junkyard It's Hip To Be A Cube IPA

 Junkyard It's Hip To Be A Cube IPA. With 100% Hand Selected Strata Hops. 

6.8% ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Hazed, golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: citrus pulp. Soft and fuzzy. 

In the mouth: Fruity, juicy, popping with citrus. Bright and bold. Citrus flavors dominate, accompanied by a dose of the tropical. Tasty hazy. Not too shabby. 

You know what I've got to do, though. I've got to stop thinking that because it doesn't say "Hazy" or "New England" or "Vermont-style" on the label might mean it won't be one of those things. All of Junkyard's IPAs will always be hazies, and I'm still tired of the hazies. 

I'm not quitting on Junkyard entirely, though. Just need a break from the damned hazies. 

Whats cooler than being cool? Being a cube!! It’s Hip To Be A Cube is absolutely packed with a hefty dose of hand selected Strata hops, pumping this clean, drinkable IPA with juicy bursts of passionfruit & pineapple, followed by a dank backbone. This IPA wouldn’t be complete without aromas of overripe awesomeness & tropical fruit punch jumping out of this yellow hazed brew.

BlackStack TDH Thread Count Triple Dry-Hopped Double IPA

BlackStack TDH Thread Count Triple Dry-Hopped Double IPA.

8.1% ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

I’m not a fan of the TDH DIPA, or TIPA...or even DDH, for that matter. The fewer DHs the better, I say, and I must be in the minority. I thought it was fun when beers were dry-Hopped, singly, that was cool, but now they’re going nuts, thinking that it improves an IPA to keep the hops out of the picture until the very end. “It’s softer now, man, can’t you dig it when your IPA is nice and soft?”

Anyway, I received this sample and all samples get a review, so here we go...

Thoroughly clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: sweetness first, tropical fruit notes coming first, citrus behind. Pineapple and papaya rule the roost. Soft, of course.

In the mouth: soft, sweet, and with only the slightest trace of bitterness. Making this the very antithesis of the sort of double IPA, you know, the that is wonderfully bitter and plump with citrus and pine. That old West Coast Style, the kind no one knows how to make any more.

I had to look back and see if I’d had any of the previous Thread Counts. No, so I’d never had the chance to commend them on the name. Thread Count, like a pillow, cause it’s pillowy. That’s clever. I have to stop now before I further become the caricature that some already see me as. It’s true, in my day, Double IPAs were bitter, and that was good, because we liked it! Dagnabbit!

I wish all my BlackStack reviews didn’t end up like this. Next time I write about them, it won’t be a TDH or aDDH...or anything promising to taste like something you sleep on.

We've all heard of less is more, but maybe with Thread Count... Not so much? Higher thread counts make for softer sheets, and more 'schmere makes for softer beer. Our hand-selected Mosaic, Cashmere, Mosaic Cryo & Cashmere Cryo spun together thrice for Egyptian cotton level lushness. Who knew soft could go so hard?

Wooden Ship Witbier

Wooden Ship Witbier. Belgian Style white Ale.

4.6% ABV, Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clouded, bright golden hue, ivory head.

In the nose: big coriander with citrus on the side. Sweet and spicy, very pleasing.

In the mouth: bright and sunshiney, smooth & Wheaty. On the palate, the spice takes center stage, with orange peel right behind. Refreshing and easily downable, perfect for summertime. This hits all the hallmarks for a wit, and I am enjoying it. 

a cloudy wheat beer, brewed with orange peel and coriander.

Surly Fifteen Blended Barrel-aged Grand Cru

Surly Fifteen Blended Barrel-aged Grand Cru.

10.3 % ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN. 

I'm not sure what the face on the label represents, or if there's any story behind the illustration, but it's an impressive visage. Is it a god, or a wizard, some elemental force who holds sway over nature, maybe? Someone powerful to signify fifteen years of beer, it seems. 

As the illustrator of the first label for a Surly anniversary beer, I can say that my choice of a punk rock chick with a cranberry on her tongue was indeed intended to send a strong message about the beer and the brewery. How far we've come in fifteen years. 

Enough of my jibber jabber, let's open a box, and crack open a can. 

Dark burgundy hue, near transparency, slim whitish head. 

In the nose: Vanilla, caramel, and bourbon notes come popping out. There's a twist of tart in here, too. Big malt notes, as well, giving off the husky tone of a Belgian quadrupel. A lot going on here.

In the mouth: Intense from the start. Rich and malt-forward, wrapped up in bourbon. Caramel and toffee are chiefly in charge. Dark fruits start charging in, raisins and dates, a fig or two. A bit brandy-ish. Sweetness takes command, and the strength roars up. It's a sipper, for sure. And I'm enjoying it. 

There's a hint of a Flanders Red in this, coupled with a mix between a quad and a dubbel, covered in whiskey barrels. I can't help but wonder how this would taste after a few years. Guess I'll have to pick up a few more ...cans...still getting used to that....

Surly built its reputation on not necessarily brewing to style. Our 15th anniversary beer embraces that ethos. Fifteen is a Belgian strong ale aged for eight months in Parker’s Heritage Heavy Char Bourbon Barrels, then back-blended with a touch of High West Rye barrel-aged wild ale. Expect cocoa, milk chocolate, and dark fruit notes with a hint of tartness beneath, plus honey and vanilla from the barrel, and a little spice from the Belgian yeast for good measure. Unclassifiable and wholly unique, Fifteen is a true celebration.

I'm feeling nostalgic for in-person celebrations. Let's saunter down Memory Lane...

Surly One did not have an official release event, but I did pour it at the Blue Nile back in February of 2007. Surly Two, Three, and Four all had their release parties at the Nile, where I was master of ceremonies, and each event got bigger and busier. So many memories. With Five, a barrel-aged sour that became Pentagram, the honors went to Republic bar in the Seven Corners district. Six. I mean Syx,  got it's debut at Aster Cafe along the Mississippi River. Seven's, I'm sorry, SeVIIn's debut was held at  the Varsity Theater, where plans for the upcoming destination brewery were discussed. Eight was the one anniversary ale release party I missed after all those years. It was on a Sunday night at the Dakota Jazz Club, for some reason, and I was working at the Harriet Brewing taproom that night. I really missed not seeing the brewery crew and my friends. Nein got it's release at the Black Forest Inn, which I thought was odd in that they'd never sold Surly before, but Omar was determined to get in there, and thought that a German restaurant was the best place to debut an imperial smoked wheat ale, whether they'd supported the business before or not. And Ten or Eleven, did they get a release at a bar? (Looking on Untappd, I am seeing a check-in to Nein in an Eleven glass at McKenzie's in 2017. Was that a release party? Probably. Also checked into Ten that day. And a couple of Elevens.)(by the way, Eleven was also the one for which I participated in the wax-dipping. Reminding me of how the original bottling of Two had no wax and my disappointment caused Omar to go back and get them all dipped.)Was that the end of the bar release events? In the days of brewery taprooms, was everything getting their debut in-house? Had they gotten too big? Surly Twelve never saw the light of day, and was the last time the anniversary beers were bottled. Now, we get cans in boxes. And Surly Pizza Upstairs. 

Insight Drift West Coast IPA

Insight Drift West Coast IPA. Featuring Simcoe, El Dorado, Mosaic, Citra Hops. 

WORK IN PROGRESS-NOT FINAL. (This refers to the label, not the beer.)

6.6 % ABV, Insight Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

The can pictured is an unfinished preview of what will probably be a much more attractive label, designed by my old friend Mark Rivard. It is not the first label he's done for them, but you haven't seen the first here yet because I can't get too excited about raspberry pineapple wheat ales. I've been on the fence about it since it came out....show support for Mark, or endure a style I'm not wild about? The debate rages on. If only someone would just come out and give me one, right? But this sample was gifted to me, and I never need hesitate to drink down a West Coast IPA. 

Clear, bright golden color, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: Burst with citrus notes, right out of the gate. Pow! Orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine explosion. It fairly pulsates the dank. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, bold and shiny. More powerful citrus notes, with a trickle of pine on the side, advance on the palate. A trifle of sweetness, turning swiftly dry, but overly so, and not too brittle or bitter. Hop bitterness is a good sized component of this tasty ale, but it's all well-balanced, smooth and delicious. I look forward to drinking more of this. 

Drift, a mysterious combination of booming multi-dimensional flavor that finishes with an unmistakable finality. Enjoy a bouquet of Pacific Northwest hops. Citrus forward with background of pine, earthiness, and resin. Bitter with a deep and bold flavor profile. 

Original artwork provided by local artist Mark Rivard of Minneapolis. 

Weihenstephaner Festbier

 Weihenstephaner Festbier.

5.8 % ABV, 26 IBU. Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, Freising, Bavaria, Germany.

I have to come straight out and admit something to one and all. My understanding of the different types of "Oktoberfest" beers has been a bit slow to come to full fruition. I haven't had a solid handle on the Festbier style until recently. Here in America, when we hear of an Oktoberfest bier, we sort of expect it to be in the Märzen style, deep amber, rich and malty. We never pause for a second to think any Festbier offering might be a lighter, golden lager. Though the Märzen was the official style of the Munich celebration of the harvest for over a hundred years, the Festbier style is only about 30 years old, and is now the only version available at the actual event. When I look through the 43 posts here in the Nib labeled "Oktoberfest", only one appears to be in the Festbier style, and that is the one from Höfbrau. No, wait, also Sierra Nevada's 2016 collaboration with Mahr's. 

I have to admit that I was disappointed to find that this next beer that I am going to drink, from Weihenstephaner, is not a Märzen but a Festbier. I thought that since they are the world's oldest brewery, they ought to present a version of the style that's been around the longest. Never mind, let's just drink it...

Clear, bold yellow color, sizable white head, slims down swiftly. 

In the nose: Clean, faintly floral, slightly hoppy. touch of sweetness. 

In the mouth: Crisp, light, with delicate malt flavors. Clean and effortlessly downable. This is why the Festbier style replaced Märzen: because you can them back with greater ease, and remain in a celebratory mood, without worry. This one is just a little hoppier than your average lager, and just a little maltier, and quite tasty and refreshing. I could go for a couple, why not? 

A full rich bodied, hoppy, seasonal lager. Especially brewed for the Festbier season. This beer truly represents the Bavarian way of celebrating. Deep gold color, great mouthfeel and lots of flavor. Prost!

The Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan, founded in 1040, is the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world. Being owned by the Free State of Bavaria, it is run as a modern company brewing beers of the highest quality successfully selling them in more than 50 countries worldwide. 

Venn Limited Release Pineapple Northodox NE IPA

Venn Limited Release  Pineapple Northodox NE IPA.

Northodox IPA infused with pineapple. 6.5 % ABV. 40 IBU. 

Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

I'm not typically open to fruited IPAs. There was that phase when I dabbled with mango infusions, but that has come and gone. Do I like pineapple in my IPA? It's a question I had to answer. 

All hazy-like, bright yellow coloration, large, lace-leaving, lasting head. 

In the nose: Sweetness and fuzz. Pineapple is king, citrus lies below. Nicely hopped. 

In the mouth: Fruit is on top, hop bitterness lays low. Juicy stuff, for sure. Pineapple flavor grows and grows. Bitterness keeps time with the acidity and pulp. Tasty enough stuff. Medium bodied, long, fruity finish, easily enjoyable. Exceptionally smooth. Just sweet enough and never too. Yeah, I can dig this one. But I wouldn’t make it a regular thing.

Our flagship hazy IPA, Northodox, infused with pineapple.

Malts: Domestic Pale, White Wheat, Oats

Hops: Citra, Simcoe, Mosaic

Yeast: British Ale

And: Pineapple

Three Floyds Crom's Beard India Pale Ale

 Three Floyds Crom's Beard India Pale Ale.

7.5 % ABV, 60 IBU. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

Clear, with a slight chill haze, bright and beautiful golden tone, small white head. 

In the nose: Citrus bomb, bold and piney. Big time grapefruit, with a lot of dank.

In the mouth: Flavors from the nose arrive on the palate. Great blast of bitterness starts it off and citrus flavors, with a side order of pine, carry it though. Good old fashioned IPA, without a hint of haze, the kind of beer only the few, the proud, the true are still making. Just a little bit of juicy, until ultimately ending dry. Non-stop tasty, that's for sure. Flat out yum a dum dum, like they used to brew. 

A single-hop IPA brewed with Strata, a new hop from Oregon with aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit and wafting weed.

“He dwells on a great mountain. What use to call on him? Little he cares if men live or die. Better to be silent than to call his attention to you; he will send you dooms, not fortune!”

— Robert E. Howard

21st Amendment Hell or High Pomegranate Wheat Ale

21st Amendment Hell or High Pomegranate. Beer Brewed with Pomegranates and Natural Flavors. Seasonal Release. 

4.9 % ABV, 17 IBU, 21st Amendment Brewing, San Leandro, CA. 

Here we go again, drinking out of season. Not too out of season, though, for the calendar still calls this summer. But, this beer has since disappeared. That's what happens when I buy a 12 pack at the end of it's shelf-life, only because it's on sale, and now I'm down to the last few. Again. I'm working on it, trying to reduce the overstock inventory, and keep things fresher from now on. It's hard work though, drinking beer...

And once again, Lady Liberty has left New York harbor and traveled across the country just to weigh down the Golden Gate bridge and much on some mutated pomegranates. Giant, green, living statures can get very, very hungry. 

Clear, golden tinted, slim white head. 

In the nose: sweet, fruity, slightly tart. 

In the mouth: crisp, sweet, balanced. Just a twinge of tart, just enough fruit, but not too much. How much actual pomegranate is in here, I wonder. Will we ever know? And is this a wheat ale, as is the first in this series, Hell or High Watermelon? Doesn't say anywhere on the can, and, well, I just can't tell. (It's listed as a Wheat Beer on untapped, but I can't find that information elsewhere.)

Light bodied and refreshing. Nice little summertime thirst quencher. 

Lady Liberty stands tall and regal welcoming the brisk sting of winter and its traditions, reflected in what we eat, drink and enjoy. A refreshing beer brewed with real Pomegranate juice for fruity and slightly tart notes that meld with soft malt and biscuit flavors. Perfect for a bracing winter day.

Pairs with: Hell or High Pomegranate compliments the comforting dishes of this cooler season with grilled apple brined pork chops, roast turkey with cranberry gravy, roasted winter root cellar vegetables with a honey glaze, pan broiled miso glazed salmon and garlic mashed potatoes. 

Hold on, this was a winter seasonal release? Whoa, no wonder we put it on sale, to make way for the watermelon. Untappd shows that I had the first from the 12-pack back in late June. I tend to drink beer number one on the first day/night and put off my notes for the last one, whenever I get around to it. I'm a bad procrastinator, and I'm trying to fix that. 

Oliphant Dracula Weed West Coast IPA

 Oliphant Dracula Weed West Coast IPA. With Cascade, Chinook, Simcoe and Warrior hops.

6% ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Mostly clear, with a light haze, bright golden/orange hue, stable layer of ivory head.

In the nose: orange and tangerine,,grapefruit and lemon, citrus aplenty. Traces of pine behind.

In the mouth: powerfully pungent, dank & funky on the palate. Jolt of bitterness on first swallow, then fading back and resting, laying long into the finish. A hoppy banquet, a feast for those who hunger the bitter bite, the wild herbal spray, and a bit of the juicy drip. Ending positively dry and nearly brittle, this shows that the folks at Oliphant know their stuff.  

This is one of the good ol’ good ones. Hope they make it again real soon. 

Wabasha Son of Eric Cream Ale

 Wabasha Son of Eric Cream Ale.

6.2%  ABV, Wabasha Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

And here, dear readers, we find the very first appearance in the Nib of the Wabasha Brewing Company of St. Paul, MN. I know, I am as surprised as you are. 

I made one appearance at their old taproom, over five years ago. I never wrote about that visit, unfortunately. And I took a growler of their Red Desert IPA home with me, and took notes, but never published those, for reasons unexplainable. Their cans appeared in local stores, but I was never inspired to purchase them. For a brief time, a sales representative courted me in my capacity as beer buyer for Acadia Cafe, but he never provided me with samples that I could take home and review here. Also, I was taken with some of the samples we did try together, but he never followed through to check back and finish the order. Since working at a retail establishment that carries their beer, I have not yet been moved enough to spend my own money on their product, although I have come close. And so, my first notes on the works of this brewery come from a sample can of a style I mostly avoid because the beer buyer passed it on to me, and when I have a beer, I must review it.

(Editor's note: If I have an old beer, that I receive because it is old, I do not review it. It's just not fair to the beer.)

Clouded, opaque, amber color, short white head.

In the nose: malt-forward, slightly sweet, yeasty. Is there rye malt here? It’s just a bit unusual. Makes me think of earthy Belgian amber ales, not cream ales.

In the mouth: fruity and spicy. Again, a rye bread feeling in the mouth. Some citrus appears, a light hop presence, low to no bitterness. Much more interesting and complex than I’d expect from a cream ale. I’m not sure what to make of this, but I am enjoying it. It's perfectly fine for what it is. Whatever that is. Decent beer and you can drink it. Who knows, Maybe I'll like more from these guys, we'll see. 

Nordic Cream Ale, full bodied and smooth. A great anytime beer. Light blonde in color with a pure white head. 

Wait a minute. "Light blonde"? The beer I had wasn't light blonde, and all the photos on Untappd are. What was in this can? Was I drinking the wrong beer? Did they mislabel it? What the hell did I drink? This was a sample from the brewery, and couldn't have been too old. 

Steel Toe HopTread 9 India Pale Ale

Steel Toe HopTread 9 India Pale Ale. Experimental IPA Series. 

6.9 % ABV, 60 IBU.

Brewed and bottled by Steel Toe Brewing, LLC, St. Louis Park, MN.

Last Monday, on a whim, I decided to bike to Steel Toe. It had been over a year since I'd done so, and a few months since I'd been there at all. Once on the GreenWay, a sign was posted: Trail Closed August 24. What? No! So, this would be be my last chance to travel there that way in...who knows how long? Will I have to walk next time? 

I took home two bottles from this visit, and you have seen one already, the Schwarzbier that I actually reviewed that one the very evening that I took it home. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting, creamy white head. Looking great. 

In the nose: screaming out citrus and pine, putting me in hophead heaven, and I haven't even tasted it, yet. We can use the dank word here. A hopslosion, of sorts, very diggable. 

In the mouth: Bitterness pounds the palate and pleases the senses from the first sip, hop flavors flow over it all. Grapefruit and lemon, orange peel, tangerine. Crisp, refreshing, and bubbling with bitterness. Light bodied. Downable, delicious, delightful. Pretty much yum a dum dum. 

For fun, I looked back on nearly 10 years of Steel Toe Brewing reviews. In 2017, I once again kicked myself about how I don't get out to the brewery enough and took notes on the HopTread #1 that I was drinking. Four years have gone by and I missed seven HopTreads. Damn. I'm going to have to get used to that walk, I guess. 

Surly Invisible Rays Tropical IPA

 Surly Invisible Rays Tropical IPA.

6.8% ABV, Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, MN, USA. 

Mostly clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: soft, slightly sweet, lushly tropical. Delightful hoppiness.

In the mouth: nice bracing blast of bitterness at the front, turning juicy and slightly sweet. Big citrus with a healthy dose of tropical, passion fruit and papaya with a pineapple spear mixing up with a little orange and lemon. Medium bodied, long hoppy finish, quite a tasty little number. Refreshingly consumable. All in all, not. Too. Shabby, there. 

BREWED FOR THE DOG DAYS

The summer sun hits different where we’re from. The warm rays are the hard-earned reward for our brutal winters, and we cherish them just a little bit more. Surly salutes those Invisible Rays with this tropical IPA full of pineapple and guava notes and just a kiss of lactose. Summer isn’t endless here, but you’ll wish this beer was.

Note: Brewed with lactose.

TROPICAL IPA

COLOR

Golden

HOPS

Mosaic

Lotus

Talus

Ahtanum

MALT

2-Row

Honey Malt

Oat Malt

Golden Naked Oats

Flaked Oats

Unmalted Wheat

OG

16.4

YEAST

English Ale

IBU

Low

ABV

6.8%

SURLY MN USA

Stone Scorpion Bowl IPA

Stone Scorpion Bowl IPA. A punch to the stinger.

7.5% ABV,  76 IBU, Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white froth atop.

In the nose: dank is the word. Candied apricot, peaches, orange, citrus galore. Entrancing. Powerful.

In the mouth: hop flavors bombard the palate, Stone fruit and citrus blast the senses, leaving trails of bitterness. Brittle, yet vibrant, feeling fantastic, for a hophead like me. Just delicious.

Medium bodied, with a long bitter finish, and forever unfolding flavors. Small bit of sweetness interrupts the bitter bounty but for a moment, then the fierce assault begins it’s rotation anew.

You can always count on Stone for a great IPA, done right.

To create a recipe so tropical and fruity without the addition of fruit was no feat our team of brewers would leave up to the gods. They took floral and citrus notes from Mosaic, Loral and Mandarina Bavaria hops to dish up a mouthwatering fruit punch to the palate. Get deserted on your own island or share with others. One thing is for sure: there is no need to light this one. It is already on fire.

Able Interstellar Overdrive Space Hazy

Able Interstellar Overdrive Space Hazy. IPA, I guess? If they’re following my notion that they shouldn’t be called IPAs, hear, hear, good on them.  

6.5% ABV, Able Seedhouse + Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Thoroughly clouded, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: soft and fuzzy, loads of citrus, big time lemon and orange. 

In the mouth: juicy at the start, brief bite of bitterness, then softly lingering on the palate. Slight sweetness, maybe more than slight. Much yeast, much citrus, ending on a dry note, but the juicy comes roaring back sip after sip. 

This is a completely okey dokey hazy, if that’s your thing. 

We make the beer. You make the memories…

One sip of this will take you on a journey thru the universe…

Simply drink this heavenly elixir and you will find God…

Ok too much sell, but we made a new hazy IPA and for real it’s really good. Come to 1121 Quincy St NE in Minneapolis and try it unless you’re a coward… 

Hops: Galaxy, Strata, Comet, El Dorado 

If you go to Spotify, and you scan the code on the side of an Able can, you'll get to a playlist. Or just search for the account Ablebeers, that works, too. If you get to the playlist for this beer, which uses the above image for it's thumbnail, you get some David Bowie, ELO, Beastie Boys, Gorillaz, Smashmouth, too many songs from the Space Jam soundtrack, and Pink Floyd. But not "Interstellar Overdrive." What's up with that? I hope somebody got fired.