Three Floyds Slapasaurus Double IPA

 Three Floyds Slapasaurus Double IPA.

9.9% ABV, 74 IBU, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana.

I’ve got a very simple motto in this crazy, mixed world of ours: if it’s a Three Floyds Double IPA, then I must drink it. Often, multiple times. Words to live by.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Dank & resinous, citrus and pine, with a jolt of sweet to match the high hoppiness. 

In the mouth: bold and brash, big and bitter, with nearly 10% ABV swimming up fast to crease the cranium. Huge hops and brazen bitterness gird the palate. This one’s on fire, glistening with citrusy goodness. Full bodied, powerful, uncompromising. Exactly my kind of double IPA. 

Keep on bringing ‘em, Floyds, keep on keeping on.

Terror of the Cretaceous period, Slapasaurus conquored Laramidia with nothing more than four strings, a little hat, and a song. 

Steel Toe Fresh Hop IPA

 Steel Toe Fresh Hop IPA. 

6.3 % ABV, 50 IBU. Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

A week and a half ago, this beer appeared at the store where I work, five cases of it. I bought a 6-pack immediately. I asked the driver if this was their first one, since I’d never heard of a fresh hop from Steel Toe. He said they made one three years ago, but I can’t find it on Untappd.

I drank one a night every night, hoping there’d be some left so I could buy more when I got back after my two days off. Nope, all gone. The beer buyer ordered extra Size 7 to last until he got back from vacation. Fifteen cases was enough for Size 7, but 5 was not enough for Fresh Hop. Maybe I need to hit up the brewery?

I saved #6 for when I felt like taking notes, which turns out to be tonight.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim, lasting layer of ivory head.

In the nose: deep dankness. Lively and pungent pine and citrus notes. 

In the mouth: hop assault on the palate, bursting with bitterness. Lean-bodied and luscious. Ridiculously drinkable. Ever so delicious. Hoppy goodness lays long through the finish. I can’t say enough good things. A thorough delight. 

To celebrate this year's hop harvest, we teamed up with Waterford Hops out of Monticello, MN to bring you Fresh Hop IPA. Featuring Centennial Hope which were picked at their peak then added into the beer in less than 12 hours, creating a beer bursting with orange blossom and citrus notes. Finishes crisp to maximize your enjoyment of the fresh! 

Revolution Arcade Hero IPA

 Revolution Arcade Hero IPA.

8.8% ABV. “A pixilated punch of hops.” Revolution Brewing, Chicago, Illinois. 

Clear, bright golden color, moderate layer of ivory froth atop.

In the nose: slightly floral, mostly pine and citrus, touch of tropical. 

In the mouth: bitter dry, bursting with hoppy goodness at play on the palate. Medium bodied and packed with citrusy delights.  Refreshingly quenchable, while unrepentantly bitter. IPA the way it was meant to be. 

This was found in the current League of Heroes 12-pack, which also included Anti Hero, a new “cold IPA” and a new hazy IPA. I wrote about Anti Hero many years ago and consider it one of my favorite IPAs. I no longer find that I have anything to say about the hazies or the colds. 

Hit the start button and speedrun a sparkling-clear Hero that leaves the high scores filled with REV in every spot. An unstoppable dry hop combo spawns all the berry, orange, tangerine, and pear sprites you can handle.

Kloster Andechs Festbier

 Kloster Andechs Festbier.

Brewed and bottled by the Andechs Monastery Brewery, Andechs, Bayern, Deutschland. Switch 1455. Super Premium Bavarian Lager Beer. 5.9% ABV.

Clear, bright golden hue, ivory ring of foam that starts big, then slips down to size. 

In the nose: clean, mildly hopped, mostly malty.

In the mouth: crisp and bright, rich and malty, but the caramely kind associated with Märzen. Smooth and delicious. Light bodied, easy drinking. Slight sweetness, well rounded, excellent balance. The merest bitterness lingers  on the palate. 

I enjoy drinking this lager. Märzen is still my preferred Oktoberfest style, but I can’t deny the brilliant flavors here. 

Prost!

Pipeworks Oktoberfest

 Pipeworks Oktoberfest. 

5.3% ABV. Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Clear, deep amber hued, slim white head atop. 

In the nose: classic Märzen aromatics, caramel malts and noble hops in combo. Delightful. 

In the mouth: rich, sweet, warm and clean. Well balanced, crisp and highly satisfying. Medium bodied, smooth and pretty much delicious. I am enjoying this one. 

Prost!