Lakes & Legends Board Shorts

 Lakes & Legends Board Shorts.

6.3 % ABV, Lakes & Legends Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Brewed with Centennial, Hercules & Comet hops. 

I’ve been to Lakes & Legends a bit more than usual lately, after moving just a few blocks away from the brewery three months ago. On every visit, I enjoyed this beer, sometimes twice. And on the occasion of the purchase of this can, I was told, “it’s can only now, is that okay?” They had another West Coast IPA on tap to replace it, and I tried that one out. 

And then and there, I was confronted with a fresh section of our new taproom terrain. Breweries can now sell cans of their beer to go, sure, but for on-premises, too? I hadn’t thought about that. I turned to my right and saw a man on the bar slurping from a can Marigold, their Belgian strong golden ale.  Was that sold out on tap, also, or did he just prefer it from a can? Was he offered a glass, or does he eschew such fanciful preparations? Some enjoy the simple comforts of sucking strong beer out of the top of a can, but should that really be done in public? Can’t that be left to one’s home or tenement stoop, or bus terminal?

All good craft beer should be enjoyed in a glass, whether poured from tap, or from can or bottle. I have spoken.

Clear, with slight chill haze, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: plenty of pine, stocked with citrus. Grapefruit, orange and a pinch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: brace of bitterness up front, laying hard on the palate for a bit, before laying low. Floods the mouth with hoppy goodness, finishing dry and bitter. Medium bodied, refreshingly drinkable for this hophead. Hop bitterness never quits. 

This is one of the best West Coast IPAs brewed locally that I’ve had in a long time. 

Clown Shoes Galactica SoCal Citra West Coast Style IPA

 Clown Shoes Galactica SoCal Citra West Coast Style IPA.

7.2% ABV, Clown Shoes Brewing, Boston, MA. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: a little dank, a whole lot of citrus and pine. Grapefruit and tangerine.

In the mouth: big bitterness, fresh citrusy flavors. Crisp and clean. Ending dry. 

So, this was a short one. Guess what, I liked it. Find it in the Ahopcalyse Meow variety pack. The one with the cat space rangers shooting lasers at some kind of hop monster. 

Modist Imperial Teal Label Imperial West Coast IPA

 Modist Imperial Teal Label Imperial West Coast IPA.

8.5% ABV, Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

This sounds like all the things I like, doesn’t it? So, let’s drink some!

Partially clear, mostly hazy (points off), golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: citrus and pine, grapefruit and orange. Dank and hoppy. Great promise. 

In the mouth: bursts of citrusy flavors on the palate, some bitterness spreads around. Slight sweetness dallies with the dank. Alcohol creeps in. Just a little on the dry side, could be more. Booze gets more and more prominent. It’s more on the crisp and clean side, but I wish it were more so. Give it to me, don’t hold back, now. Medium bodied, and delightful to drink. 

I just want more dry, more bitter. This comes close enough. 

Imperial West Coast IPA brewed with Maris Otter Pale Ale malt, then hopped & dry hopped with our hand-selected Columbus Cryo, Simcoe, Strata & Citra

Spiral Foxtoberfest Oktoberfest Lager

 Spiral Foxtoberfest Oktoberfest Lager.

5.6 % ABV, Spiral BrewingHastings, MN. 

Clear, Amber hued, sizable ivory froth atop. 

In the nose: appropriately malty, classic aromatics.

In the mouth: smooth and slightly sweet, fills the mouth and rolls off the palate. Medium bodied and highly drinkable. Not a bad little Märzen. 

This smooth, clean beer has just enough hops bitter to balance it out, but the malt is what really comes through with each sip. This bready, malty beer is light to medium bodied and is meant to be consumed by the liter.

Badger Hill Double Traitor Double IPA

 Badger Hill Double Traitor Double IPA.

10% ABV, Badger Hill Brewing, Shakopee, MN.

Chill hazed, but clear, bright golden, with an amber tint, solid , rocky white head.

In the nose: bright, bold, dank, resins. Brash citrus and pine. Old school in the house.

In the mouth: clamorous to the point of cantankerous. Big, bustling, bitter, juicy, malty, chaotic. Has the booze, has the britches. Voluminous and violent. Yet still, surprisingly smooth. 

Bitterness rides all over the palate. Grapefruit rind, orange peel, pine sap. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom. 

I surely dig of this. 

Steel Toe Dunkelweizen

 Steel Toe Dunkelweizen. 

5.6% ABV, Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN.

At last, a dunkel weizen from Steel Toe! I’ve only been waiting, like, 12 years. 

Dark amber hue, lightly clouded, large milky white. 

In the nose: soft, banana & clove, caramel tones, light sweetness. 

In the mouth: starts out lush, smooth, sweet. Caramel malt, wheat texture, fruity notes, slight spice on the palate. Excellent drinker, medium body, ending dry, with great balance. 

I love a good dunkel weizen and this is surely one of them. 

Drastic Measures So They Say West Coast IPA

 Drastic Measures So They Say West Coast IPA.

6% ABV, Drastic Measures, Brewing, Wadena, MN.

I like West Coast IPAs. If you’re a regular reader, you know that. And I try to keep up with new ones, even, or especially, from breweries that are known for the diametrically opposite style, New England/hazies. Let’s see how this one is. 

Chill haze. An attempt at clarity. Golden toned. Slim white head.

In the nose: grapefruit rind, orange peel, pinch of pine.

In the mouth: bitterness boards the palate, accompanied by a sliver of sweet. Crisp and clean,, but I want it crisper, cleaner. Medium bodied, slightly bitter finish. Easy enough drinking. Passable, but a bit too soft. 

Unfortunately, the back label copy is not in the Untappd listing, so I can’t copy and paste it from there, I’m not going to search for it elsewhere, and I’m certainly not going to write it all out, as I used to do. I’ll share this small tidbit: “…crystal clear and loaded with a hop bite that is sure to make even the most hardcore beer gangsta smile.”

Question: does every brewery think of “gangsta rap” when the subject of West Coast IPA comes up? Does the name of this beer come from a Tupac lyric? 

Maine Beer Company Little Whaleboat India Pale Ale

 Maine Beer Company Little Whaleboat India Pale Ale.

6.5% ABV, Maine Beer Company, Freeport, Maine.

Mostly clear, bright golden hue, small white head, leaving a little lace. 

In the nose: shining strong citrus, grapefruit, lemon. 

In the mouth: hoppy splash on the palate, bright, citrusy, delightful. Light bodied, easy drinking. Minor bitterness. Just enough. Perfectly pleasant. 

Notes of tropical fruit (mango, pineapple), grapefruit, pine, and floral aromas of rose and chamomile.

Little Whaleboat Islands (made up of Little Whaleboat, Nate & Tuck) are a cluster of 3 small islands and ledges in Casco Bay, a vital link in the chain of protected islands conserved by Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Protection of these islands provides sanctuary to a range of wildlife including seals, seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds, while preserving a unique place off the coast of Maine for future generations to experience.

You know me, though. I need a little more edge, a little more bitter, a bit more bite. 

Sisyphus GSB Extra Special Bitter

 Sisyphus GSB Extra Special Bitter.

3.8% ABV, 35 IBU, Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, amber toned, small white head. 

In the nose: classic English malty aromatics, earthy, sweetish, clean, restrained fruity notes. Caramel and toast. 

In the mouth: minor bitterness, mostly malty. Slightly sweet. Low alcohol, light body. Pretty tasty, too. Goes down with the greatest of ease and flush with English character. 

It’s not what I usually drink, but it’s not too shabby there. 

Our take on a classic British style - This isn't your ordinary bitter, this is a special bitter.  Made by our especially bitter brewer - Grant.  Grant's Special Bitter is here to add a touch of British charm to your day - and help you shoot a 105 at your favorite golf course.   Our take on a classic British style - This isn't your ordinary bitter, this is a special bitter.  Made by our especially bitter brewer - Grant.  Grant's Special Bitter is here to add a touch of British charm to your day - and help you shoot a 105 at your favorite golf course.   r take on a classic British style - This isn't your ordinary bitter, this is a special bitter.  Made by our especially bitter brewer - Grant.  Grant's Special Bitter is here to add a touch of British charm to your day - and help you shoot a 105 at your favorite golf course.  

Outstate Shore Lunch Shandy

 Outstate Shore Lunch Shandy. 

4.2 % ABV, 17 IBU. Outstate Brewing, Ferguson Falls, Minnesota. 

Lightly hazed, pale gold color, slim white head. 

In the nose: lemon. Floral hops? 

In the mouth: more citrus, clean and smooth. Light bodied, easy drinking, perfect for warm weather. Hey, it’s a shandy. 

fresh, zesty lemon on the nose, and treats your mouth to a dry and bubbly citrus blast upon the first sip. best enjoyed on the beach while you sauté up your fresh caught northern over a campfire. 

Pipeworks Birdbrain India Pale Ale with Cryo Amarillo and Centennial Hops

 Pipeworks Birdbrain India Pale Ale with Cryo Amarillo and Centennial Hops.

7% ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, Illinois. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: nicely hopped, smooth and citrusy. Orange and grapefruit with a little lemon.

In the mouth: hop explosion on the palate, burst of citrus notes, and a trickle of pine. Crisp and clean, moderate bitterness, easily drinkable. Classic IPA, all the way. I am enjoying this beverage. 

Little Thistle Minn Bloom West Coast IPA

 Little Thistle Minn Bloom West Coast IPA.Collaboration with Pryes Brewing.

6.2 % ABV, 63 IBU. Little Thistle Brewing, Rochester, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: nicely hopped, well balanced, mildly citrusy. A little tamer than I like. 

In the mouth: coming in nice and bitter. Pounces the palate, politely. Clean, crisp, delightfully smooth, This is not the style of West Coast IPA that I crave. That would require a fierce hop attack that this one lacks. But, it’s enjoyable enough for what it is.

A West Coast IPA made with CTZ, Mosaic, and Strata hops. Here you will find a classically bitter IPA, with notes of dank citrus. We made this beer in collaboration with our friends at Pryes Brewing.

De Ranke Guldenberg Belgian Abbey Ale

 De Ranke Guldenberg Belgian Abbey Ale.

8% ABV, Brouwerij De Ranke, Dottignies, Belgium. 

Moderately hazed, deep amber Hurd, sizable slab of milky froth atop. 

In the nose: bubblegum and banana. Funky, fruity Belgian yeast. Ethereal sweet maltiness.

In the mouth: full mouthfeel, full flavors. Mostly malty, minor hops.Defies categories. What kind of an “abbey ale” is this? It’s neither Tripel, dubbel, or quad. Single? At 8%, no. It is sui generics. Not too sweet, not too strong, but quite delightful. Mix between strong amber (Kwak) and a dubbel? I don’t mind it one bit. 

(This is called a Tripel on Untappd.)

Guldenberg is a high-fermenting, balanced bitter beer. The origin of the name comes from the former Guldenberg-abbey in Wevelgem where monks used to make beer. Also, Wevelgem is the birthplace of one of the brewers.

Taste: A full-bodied abbey beer that balances between sweet and bitter. It is dry-hopped with Hallertau Mittelfrüh which results in a unique soft-bitter taste and aroma.