Lupulin Night Witch Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

Lupulin Night Witch Barrel-aged Imperial Stout. Aged in Heaven Hill & Buffalo Trace barrels.

12% ABV, Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, Minnesota.

I got this one for free because the bump on top of the can made it unsalable. Would I have paid $7 per can? Let’s drink and find out....

Deep black color, complete opacity, large, but brief, rich brown head.

In the nose: molasses, vanilla, chocolate, oak, big whiskey. Deep and wide and full of Barrel-y goodness. 

In the mouth: Starts out rich and slightly sweet. Caramel, cocoa, a touch of espresso. A bit of toffee. Full bodied. Quite indulgent, while never overbearing. It’s got the goods.

Would I have spent $15 for two? Right now, no, but you go ahead. You have my permission. If I was rolling in the dough, though, yeah, I’m right there with you.

Crafted in honor of the brave female pilots who flew combat missions for the Soviet Union during the Second World War. Only allowed to fly in outdated wooden bi-planes against the German enemy, these brave women had to fly only at night, shutting off their engines to glide in silently and bomb the German lines. The Germans nicknamed them the Nachthexen(Night Witches) as their gliding planes sounded like witches riding on broomsticks in the night. This Imperial Stout was boiled all night to create a deeply complex flavor, and then aged in Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels for good measure.

Sisyphus The Spice Must Flow

 

Sisyphus The Spice Must Flow.

4.8% ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I decided to do another phone post, and Sisyphus was the place to do it. Wouldn’t you know, there was a new beer for me to try.

Clear, dark amber toned, slim white head. 

In the nose: lightly spiced, cinnamon, clove, warm….pumpkin-y. 

In the mouth: mild hops, moderate malt, medium bodied. Fairly mellow. Pleasant. Were any pumpkins harmed in the making of this beer? Unsure. No, I have learned, it’s 100% pumpkin-less. Also, the base beer is the SisyFest Märzen lager. With all the spices.

Venn Fresh Hop Northodox

 Venn Fresh Hop Northodox. Northodox IPA with Fresh Citra, Simcoe & Mosaic hops.

6.5% ABV, Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Lightly clouded, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: dankness, resinous-ness, super citrusy. Orange marmalade and lime.

In the mouth: more bold hop flavors, a blast of citrus, a splash of pine, and a little bit of berries. Light bodied,easy drinking, flush with fresh hop flavors. Juicy throughout, but ending on a bit of a dry note. I

I a man enjoying this immensely.

Our house hazy IPA, Northodox, brewed with fresh hops. Tis the season!

Hammerheart Stone Circle Imperial Gravøl (Ale)

 Hammerheart Stone Circle Imperial Gravøl (Ale). Or “grave ale”, I think. 

10% ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Likes, MN. (R.I.P.)

I’ve been sitting on this one for too long. My last can from the final beer out of Lino Lakes, while we wait for the Ely facility to get up and cranking out the dark, smoky goodness.

Solid blackness, complete opacity, slim brown ring of foam.

In the nose: smoked malt comes first, fully cured. Sausage and salmon spilling out. Dark malts loom below, but mostly muted by the smoke.

In the mouth: chocolate malt sand cacao nibs are creeping to the fore, though smoky flavors remain foremost. Deep and dark, full bodied, rich, warm, lightly bitter, supremely satisfying. There’s a hell of a lot going on here. Wow. Highly diggable.

I need more, Austin and Nathaniel! Best of luck on bringing it all together and treating us to more great beers like this. 

Our final beer produced a tasty the Lino Lakes brewery, and the last until the Ely brewery is up and running. Gravøl is a traditional dark beer made in and after the Viking age to console mourners during a funereal times. We brewed this beer with many brewers that were a part of Hammerheart past and present in collaboration with their respective breweries (Klockow, Northbound). This beer was made with Voss Kviek, all manner of smoked malt, a juniper stuffed kuurna, and cacao nibs. Takk for alt og vi sees snart. Men, til vi møtes igjen. Skål!!'

Surly 16 Grit Double IPA 2022 vs. Abrasive Ale

 Surly 16 Grit Double IPA 2022.

10%  ABV. Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

There are two entries here for a beer called Abrasive Ale. In the first, I reused my notes on 16 Grit, it’s original incarnation, from December 2008 as I consumed can of AA. But were they really the same beer? Did they just change the name or were there other changes? 

Years later, I at last reviewed AA from a can. And now here we have 16 Grit in a crowler, purchased at the brewery on October 8, Darkness Day, which I held on to until today, when Abrasive was released again. I will have one and the other, to compare. And then, I’ll probably have to go to sleep.

Clear, with a slight chill haze, deep golden hue, large and long lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: dank, devious, devilish. Orange, marmalade, grapefruit, cooked to fine carameling. Citrus explosion, with grassy/ piney notes at the side. 

In the mouth: pow! Pummels the palate, blasts the tongue and scorches the roof of the mouth. Candied apricot and seared mango. At 10% ABV, this would be called a triple IPA by some according to the latest calibrations, but it feels like the flavors I attribute to a triple IPA. Much malt, some juicy sweetnesses, but overall, powerful and overloaded with hops. Full body, long hoppy, bitter finish, incredible flavors that will not quit the palate or remove from memory. Amazing. 

I’m looking on BeerAdvocate, to find original information for the initial 16 Grit. It says that I haven’t reviewed it and that it was added to their system on 10/09/2022. Also, it lists the ABV as 9.2%, where my crowler says 10%. The ABV listed for AA (I keep called it that, though the label no longer does) is 9.2%. Looking on the AA listing, I find my 2008 16 Grit notes. Are the the same? Let’s open an Abrasive and find out...

Softer, paler color, larger head,....milder nose, more floral, less harsh....and to the taste....more sweetness, but no lack of hoppy flavors. Not as dank, harsh, punishing...body is smooth, delicious,  none too gritty...I feel I had too much 16 G left in the mouth and did not do a proper palate cleanse...gone for a quick water....

Man, Abrasive Ale is one of my all time favorite beers, and it is so different from 16 Grit, at least this current version, which may be exactly like the old one. How did I ever think they were the same beer? Is it the oats? Different hops? Rates of hopping? Two completely different animals. And while 16 G is a mighty, untamable beast, Abrasive is a more comfortable creature, a support double IPA, you might say. 

The name is an homage to Surly's original brewery, former home to Sparky Abrasives. 16 Grit is one of the coarsest sandpaper types, and the beer lives up to it, providing a pleasing, super-Citra-hopped punch in the mouth for all to enjoy. 

Falling Knife 365 Days of Incidents TDH Anniversary Triple IPA

 Falling Knife 365 Days of Incidents TDH Anniversary Triple IPA.

9.9% ABV/vol. Brewed and packaged by Falling Knife Brewing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Hey, they T’d the DH’s this time, and T’d the IPA, too! All for the third anniversary.

All hazed up, slim white head, murky orange look.

In the nose: bright, citrusy, fuzzy, dank, floral.

In the mouth: extra fuzzy.Super citrusy. Medium bodied. Encroaching alcohol. Much murk. It’s the fashion of our  day, and it leaves me nonplussed. I yearn for a spark on the tongue, a kick to the palate, some bite here or there. 

It’s very hoppy, plenty flavorful, utterly lacking in bitterness, highly boozy, but does nothing for me. 

Still, congrats!

TDH Anniversary TIPA with HBC 586, Mango Cryo, Talus Lupomax & Mosaic Cryo Hops

Mason Ale Works Bride of Dankenstein West Coast IPA

 Mason Ale Works Bride of Dankenstein West Coast IPA.

7% ABV, Mason Ale Works, San Marcos, California.

A few weeks ago, I had the Monster, now it’s time for the Bride. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus and pine, grapefruit and lime. Touch of tropical fruit sweetness.

In the mouth: juicy, dank, dry, in that order. Orange and lemon make way for mango. Fruity at first, turning bitter and dry, just the way we like it. All those bitter hops scour the palate, leaving it brittle and dry and deliciousness reigns. Absolutely delightful.

You know what they say, the best things come in pairs. This Classic west coast single IPA is the significant other, or bride so to speak, to our Dankenstein's Monster. We sewed together a bouquet of Citra, Idaho 7, Cascade, Cashmere, Strata, and Amarillo to create a beer that is lighter and more fruit forward than her more monstrous other half, although sure to still ELECTRIFY

Goose Island Secret Beer Hug No. 1 Hazy IPA

 

Goose Island Secret Beer Hug No. 1 Hazy IPA. Umbrella drinks in a can. (Says the can.)

6.5% ABV, Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, Illinois.(and elsewhere)

Look at me, reviewing another hazy. This one came in a Beer Hug variety pack. I drink variety pack more often, and base my buying on how many hazies they stick you with. All hazies? No thanks! 

Lightly clouded, orange/golden hue, slim white cap.

In the nose: soft, sweet, floral. Touch of tropical. Lovely.

In the mouth: citrus splash on the palate, brief burst of bitterness, then mellow gold. Intriguing mix of bitter and sweet going on. A little harsh bitterness hangs in the pack, nut nothing that will ever bother me. 

Medium bodied, easy drinking. As Krusty the Clown would say, “I don’t mind the taste!”

Classified Hazy IPA described as being "Umbrella Drinks in a Can"

Great Lakes IPA

 Great Lakes IPA.

6.5% ABV, 50 IBU. Great Lakes Brewing, Cleveland, Ohio.

Clear, bright golden hue, small cloud white head. 

In the nose: citrus and pine aplenty, lightly spicy, very floral. Quite delightful.

In the mouth: poppin’ with hoppiness, bright, zesty, and just bitter enough. Medium bodied, easily consumed. Floats down the throat without a care. Highly likable IPA.

I got this as a free sample out of a sampler pack. I have no idea if you can buy this by itself around here. 

With a breezy, aromatic hop blend and clean malt flavor, our lightly filtered American IPA is as bright, bracing, and inviting as the beautiful lakes we call home. 

Hike, bike, sail, or laze your way through a dry-hopped, easy-drinking American IPA that’s perfectly suited for wherever the trail takes you.

Ursa Minor Oktoberfest Lager Beer

 Ursa Minor Oktoberfest Lager Beer.

5.2% ABV. Ursa Minor Brewing, Duluth, Minnesota.

Oktoberfest might be over in Munich, but it’s still October and there are still beers to be had. I’ve got a few left from what I’ve been sampling to review, and I might pick up some more, you never know. Meanwhile, let’s sip on the märzen from Ursa Minor.

Clear, dark amber color, slim ring of off-white foam atop. 

In the nose: sweetness, caramel/ toffee, classic malty notes.

In the mouth: clean, even, balanced. Sweetness is tempered on the palate. Crisp and delicious. Not aa overly gooey as some märzens may be. Slight bitterness, just enough to stand out, and I can dig it. 

Well done. 

Rich and malty. Easy to drink. Minnesota and German malt. Proest!

Arbeiter Wildflyer Coffee Stout

 Arbeiter Wildflyer Coffee Stout.

4.8% ABV, 23 IBU. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

It’s time for another phone post, I said to myself, and let’s do it at Arbeiter this time at the release of a new beer. But it’s busy and noisy in here. The coffee shop they collaborated with is having an event and the only seat I could find is the middle of it. Add kids and dogs to the social mix and they are a lot of distractions. I’ll try my best. 

Dark brown color, mostly opaque, slim ring of cocoa-toned foam stands above.

In the nose: earthy, cocoa and coffee, bittersweet.

In the mouth: bit of hops up front, then malt takes command. A bit of coffee sweetness to match the grit. Berries and nuts grace the palate. Medium bodied, smooth and delightfully drinkable. 

I like a good coffee stout and this is surely one. 

A collaborative stout made with a special Arbeiter blend of coffee from our friends at Wildflyer Coffee. Made with cold press coffee, this stout will give you that late-fest jolt!

BlackStack Who Put You On? DIPA For Otis

 BlackStack Who Put You On? DIPA For Otis.

8.3% ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Clouded, golden, long lasting ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: citrus-y and floral.

In the mouth: brief bitterness blazes the palate. Mostly soft and juicy. Very soft. Like chewing on a pool toy stuffed with feathers. Little bit of lemon with a swirl of grapefruit. Light in body, blah, blah, blah. Here comes the booze...

I drink these when they’re free, I can’t pay the $18-20+ per 4-pack you’ve got to drop for them. I’ll just go back to Sticker Fight ...or Ninja vs. Unicorn, that’s a good one, too.

One of our dearest friends of many years and former coworker recently passed. Otis loved many things, including, but not limited to: his family, his friends, his French heritage, his dog Bootsy, First Avenue & Paris Saint-Germain. But few things gave him more joy or satisfaction than taking credit for having been the first one to have shown you any musical artist, song, film, book, tv show, comedian, ramen shop, cocktail bar, vintage store or place to buy Jordans... regardless of whether this was factual or not. Overly exuberant additions of our hand selected Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, Experimental HBC 630 & Strata. Rest easy borther, we're gonna miss you dearly.

Equilibrium Austin Farmhouse Ale

 Equilibrium Austin Farmhouse Ale.

6% ABV. Equilibrium Brewery, Middleton, New York. 

Equilibrium Austin Farmhouse Ale.

6% ABV, Equilibrium Brewery, Middleton, New York. 

Clear, straw gold, large and lasting, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: just a whiff of funk, lightly hopped, a splash of citrus and floral notes, lemon leading into barnyard.

In the mouth: big sour smack to the palate leads it off, tart and smooth. A bit of citrus and spice in the flavor. Medium bodied, light and easy, while refreshing and complex. Lots of sour hanging on the tastebuds, laying deep and long in the back, never quite quitting.  

People have asked over the years why hasn’t there been a base Austin? The answer simply is it hasn’t been ready yet. It plays well with fruit and oak, but it hasn’t been ready as a standalone. Like our stouts, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to create a reproducible process that produces a beautiful and elegant farmhouse ale that is dry, slightly tart, full of flavor, and super drinkable. The interplay of our slow souring process, its respective microorganisms, hops, bitterness, gravity manipulation, and minerality has been through countless iterations over the years from different engines of Casey, Fruited Austin, TABA, DH TABA, and we’re pleased to announce that after years of RnD we finally have it dialed in and base Austin is ready. This ale while deceptively simple is one of our largest accomplishments to date. Austin has a similar elegant acidity of our recent DH TABAs, similar final gravity, but uses completely different microorganisms for fermentation, different hops, and hop process.

Austin is a farmhouse ale built by the inspiration to share beer with people close to heart. It is pale, tart, delicate, and complex with a bit of pleasant funk. This beer is unfiltered, unpasteurized, naturally carbonated and will continue to evolve over time if properly cellared.

Outstate Star Island IPA

 Outstate Star Island IPA. A hop forward clean and tasty IPA. 

7.2% ABV, 72 IBU. Outstate Brewing, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

If you know me at all, you know a like a good old fashioned IPA. The real kind. The right kind. And now to try the one my nephew brews in Fergus Falls.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim,but lasting ivory head.

In the nose: bursting with citrus and pine, all manner of hoppy goodness. Orange and grapefruit mixed with apricot.

In the mouth: popping with bitterness, but moderate, not extreme by any means. Bitter, juicy, fruity notes pounce on the palate and play in the senses. Medium bodied, full of flavor, just bitter enough. Crisp and clean, tasting just like a good ol’ IPA should. I would be happy with a fridge full of these. Maybe next time  I’m up north, I’ll find some. 

Classic American IPA lovers rejoice! Star Island uses 100% Cascade hops in the whirlpool and dry hop. Balance leans towards with hops, but a clean caramel maltiness rounds out the flavor.

Hoppy, Citrus, Pine, Bitter, Malty

Lupulin Oktoberfest Märzen Style Lager

 Lupulin Oktoberfest Märzen Style Lager.

5.6% ABV, 30 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, Minnesota.

Clear, dark amber coloring, slim white head.

In the nose: sweet and malty, rich and slightly caramel-y. Brown sugar, pretzeled bread.

In the mouth: more rich, more sweet, but properly balanced. Overflowing with flavor, while excelling at drinkability. Classic, crisp, clean. Can’t helping liking this bier.

Märzen or Märzenbier is a lager that originated in Bavaria, and is the beer style that was traditionally served at Oktoberfest in Germany.

Kilned malts and specialty malts produce a rich, toasty aroma, with a sweet flavor, while the traditional lager fermentation produces a clean yeast profile.

Hops: Hersbrucker

Malts: Vienna, Munich, Pilsner, Caramunich

Three Floyds Yella Rrari Barrel Aged Pale Imperial Stout

 Three Floyds Yella Rrari Barrel Aged  Pale Imperial Stout. With vanilla beans coffee and cacao nibs added.

13.2% ABV. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana. 

Mostly opaque, dark brown, small brown head.

In the nose: big vanilla, coco, pinch of coffee. Mega malty. Sweet, rich, deep, inviting. 

In the mouth: complex, rich, rewarding. Big sweetness at first, slowly smoothing out. Vanilla, cocoa, brown sugar, molasses. Intense, with alcohol breaking through the barriers. Not as full bodied as I want in a beer this strong. Is that where the “pale” comes in? Oh, well, it is what it is, and what it is is delicious. 

This is a beer I tucked away when it came out last year and saved it in a cooler at work until a few months ago. This is bottle #4. How I wish I had the cash to buy enough of beers like this to last me through the years. Wouldn’t that be something? Alas. 

A hulking, decadent Pale Imperial Stout brewed with mountains of malted oats and aged for over a year in hand-picked bourbon barrels. Notes of chocolate are underscored with the addition of vanilla beans, Ehtiopian blonde roast coffee and copious amount of cocoa nibs. Yella’ Rrari's comin'!

Half Acre Magic Power IPA,

 Half Acre Magic Power IPA.

6.3% ABV. Half Acre Brewing, Chicago, Illinois.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim, but lasting, milky white foam atop.

In the nose: the general aggregate of citrus and pine, nothing really stands out, though it is bold and pleasant.

In the mouth: orange zest and peel, with a twist of grapefruit. Some bitterness, but it smooth smooth out far too soon. And there’s a bit of muck in the mouthfeel. Too much muck. Or murk, whatever they want to call it these days. No crisp, no clean, like I expect in a good IPA. 

I got fooled by Half Acre again, another hazy under the radar. When I don’t see that word, I think maybe there’s a chance. I dream, I hope, but I never pray. 

If you’re into the haze craze, you’ll like this. I’m just disappointed. I’m going to buy some Daisy Cutter, next.

Comforting hazy IPA brewed with experimental hop HBC 630 for a soft mouthfeel and balanced bitterness with a touch of sweet caramel malt, ripe berry, pineapple, and spruce.

Alesmith Aleschmidt Oktoberfest

 Alesmith Aleschmidt Oktoberfest. Gernan-style märzen lager. Clea. Malty. Elegant.

(“Schmidt” is the deutsch for “Smith”, get it?)

5.5% ABV, 13 IBU. Alesmith Brewing, San Diego, California.

Clear, amber hued, small white, soon gone.

In the nose: sweet and malty, caramel-ish, toasty. Highly likable.

In the mouth: more smooth malty flavors ensue. A sweet treat that can’t be beat. Mild hops, mostly for balance. Medium bodied, long malt finish. Delicious.   More caramel-esque-ishness, lightly toasted, excellent Oktoberfest.

This classic German-style amber lager has been brewed in Germany and Austria for hundreds of years, though it was made famous for being served at Munich’s Oktoberfest celebration since 1872. Modern versions exported to the United States are often labeled Oktoberfest and the name has become synonymous in the minds of most brewers and consumers with the traditional Märzen style, though modern iterations of the style in Europe are considerably lighter. Our take on this classic is characterized by a clean, elegant, and toasty malt character. Prost!

Revolution Tropic Hero India Pale Ale

 

Revolution Tropic Hero India Pale Ale. Ride the tropical wave.

7% ABV, Revolution Brewing, Chicago, Illinois. From the latest League of Heroes variety pack.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim layer of white foam.

In the nose: citrus notes swiftly subsumed by tropical, orange rolls over for tangerine, passionfruit, pineapple. 

In the mouth: fierce bitter bite up front, smoothing out swiftly. Citrus and tropical tones persist on the palate, grapefruit mingles with mango. Magnificent melange. Juicy, while bitterness yet reigns. Medium bodied, long, hoppy finish. 

I’m enjoying this one. 

Tropic Hero is an American IPA brewed with 2-row and Pale malts to establish a smooth malt profile and golden color.  We used Apollo, Warrior, Crystal, Cascade and Amarillo hops in the brewhouse to achieve an intense but clean bitterness and aromas and flavors of fresh flowers and citrus juice.   

Near the end of fermentation we dry-hopped this beer with Mosaic, Citra, Crystal and an experimental hop #438 to infuse this IPA with notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and freshly grated citrus rind!   

The resulting beer is both clean and crisp,  bursting with tropical fruit character and very easy drinking even at 70 IBUs and 7% ABV.

56 Epic Duel Sultana DDH Double IPA

 56 Epic Duel Sultana DDH Double IPA. 

7.5% ABV, 48 IBU. 56 Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Don’t I usually avoid the hazies? Yes, somehow I tricked myself into buying this one. Also, it doesn’t admit that it is a hazy anywhere on the label. They don’t have to tell you, you know. Also, I will admit that  I probably should have tackled this one months ago. On we go. 

Bright golden color and strictly unclear, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: soft, subtle, citrusy. Faint lemony grapefruit.

In the mouth: starts off with a bitter bite and an early onset of alcoholic heat. (A mere 7.5% ABV) Gets a little bit juicy, while the bitterness lingers on the palate. A little stone fruit and just a twist of tropical adds to the melange. Medium bodied, long lasting bitterness, never ending hop flavors.

I’m still missing the crisp and the clean, as well as a bigger blast of bitterness that I expect from a DIPA, but this was not too shabby.

Double dry hopped double IPA single hopped with Sultana. 

THE EPIC HOP DUEL OF OUR AGE IS IMMINENT. TEST THE MAGIC OF HOP AGAINST HOP IN THIS DOUBLE DRY-HOPPED SHOWDOWN. WHICH VARIETAL WILL STAND VICTORIOUS? IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE.