Padraig’s Red Chimney Red Ale

 Padraig’s Red Chimney Red Ale.

Padraig’s Brewing (pronounced Patrick’s) is the newest brewery in town, having taken over from 612 Brew in NordEast. This was the first original beer they’ve released in cans, while keeping a few of the old styles. 

Clear, dark reddish color, fine creamy froth atop.

In the nose: sweet and malty, moderately hopped.

In the mouth: coppery twang of bright hops meeting rich malt hits the palate first.   Medium bodied, smooth and flavorful. Bitterness remains throughout, though it’s well balanced by the malt. Nice to have another Irish Red option made locally:

The Irish theme is strong in this brewery, and I hope that works out for them. I was able to try more of their offerings at an event at work (South Lyndale Liquors) and was quite take by their porter. I’ll have to take a trip out to the taproom to taste it fresh off the and see what else they’re pouring.

Hand crafted in the tradition of the red ales brewed by monks at the St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny, Ireland. Medium bodied, hints of roasted caramel and a floral hop flavor with a clean bitter finish.

Three Floyds Age of Otters India Pale Ale

 Three Floyds Age of Otters India Pale Ale.

7% ABV, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: bright and beautiful, popping with citrus and pine. 

In the mouth: fresh, brash, buzzing with bitterness. Citrus notes of orange and lime and grapefruit blast the palate. Crisp and refreshing. Quite delicious. Just a little bit on the sweet/juicy side.

A pity it only comes in the variety pack. On the other hand, I like ‘em all. 

A graceful and harmonious balance of rich malt sweetness and piney hops await. Swift, agile, captivating . . . the age of otters is nigh.

Arbeiter Pale Ale

 Arbeiter Pale Ale. 

5.2 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

You know I love a good ol’ American Pale Ale. I like them better with India in front, but plain pale suits me fine just as well. 

Clear, bright golden hue, lush, lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: bright and lovely. Slightly sweet and tropical toned, plenty of citrus on hand.

In the mouth: soft, yet bitter, but balanced. Light to medium bodied. Citrus glides along the palate, dripping grapefruit and orange, with a spicy touch. 

Quite an easy drink, fraught with delicious delights. I’d happily have another, every time I see it.

Surly Mosh Pit Imperial IPA

 Surly Mosh Pit Imperial IPA. 

9% ABV, Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, Minnesota.

The “brand family” trend has been getting more popular these days. Goose Island has Beer Hug, Sierra Nevada  has “Little Thing” and Boulevard keeps expanding the Space Camper IPA series. Revolution has spun off many “hero” IPAs from Anti-Hero, and New Belgium has put the Voodoo Ranger brand at the forefront, going beyond an umbrella for IPAs, tossing the name and skeleton based imagery on a line of boozy teas. It’s like they don’t want you to think of a brewery once known for Belgian styles.

Locally, this trend has taken off lately among the bigger breweries. Early last year, Summit decided that the Saga name belonged not merely to their popular West Coast IPA, but also to a hazy version, an Imperial, and in the Goddess Series variety pack, a tropical variant. Fulton followed suit by creating the Hop Kingdom umbrella, folding 300 inside, and adding a hazy, a juicy and an Imperial. I haven’t yet had the latter, so I can say so far my favorite part of this brand family is the illustrative efforts of Brent Schoonover.

Mere months ago, Surly got into the game. One Man Mosh Pit Hazy IPA changed it’s name to merely Most Pit, Logic Bomb Juicy Pale Ale traded its dripping brain for an electric guitar and this beer I am about to drink made it’s debut. One name for three completely different beers. Customers are confused. Not sure if this trend is the wisest one to follow. 

Let’s go ahead and drink one….

Mostly cloudy, bright golden hue, strong, but soon settling, ivory head.

In the nose: big citrus, slight tropical. Orang, tangerine, mango. Pinch of pine. 

In the mouth: splash of bitterness up front, then the harsh blast of alcohol clambers on the palate. Mushy malts. I shouldn’t be surprised if this is an “imperialized” version of the Mosh Pit Hazy. (Shouldn’t it be labeled Imperial Hazy IPA, or were we just supposed to guess?)

Bit too much fuzz on the tongue for me, but that’s what everyone is into these days, so who am I to complain? Some beers, it is clear, were not made with me in mind.  

This was released first as 12-packs and I picked one up before it was released as 6-packs, to save a couple of bucks. I drank down most of them without any critical thoughts, but the last cans got me thinking that I probably won’t return to this one.  I will have to wait until the next Abrasive Ale rolls around.

Lace up your Docs, put on your cleanest dirty flannel, and dive into the waiting arms of your fellow hopheads. No frills, no keyboard solos, no guy in a cape singing about unicorns or hobbits. Just a full-on facemelter, with Idaho 7™, Sultana, Amarillo, Citra, and Cascade hops leading the attack and heavy citrus notes of orange and lemon landing like a double kick drum.

Heller-Trum Aecht Schenkerla Erle Schwarzbier

 Heller-Trum Aecht Schenkerla Erle Schwarzbier. Mit Erlenrauchmalz. Schenkerla Alder Wood Smoke. 

Black, near-perfect opacity, small brownish head. 

In the nose: mild smoke meets dark malts. Uncured ham plus cocoa. 

In the mouth: exceptionally smooth and hearty. There’s nothing like this. I love a nice, malty schwarzbier, but this is another thing. Rich and delicious, with that unique smoked malt touch. I can’t tell you what makes alder wood distinctive, but it works. 

Oliphant Rusket Dark Wisconsin Dark Lager

 Oliphant Rusket Dark Wisconsin Dark Lager.

5% ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin,

You know, it’s been a while since I’ve had a Wisconsin dark lager. Let’s fix that. 

Deep, dark, nearly black, opaque, slim brown head. 

In the nose; sweet and creamy, cocoa and caramel, altogether pleasant and delightful.

In the mouth: mostly malty, minor hops, well balanced. Light to medium bodied. Mild cocoa flavor runs through. Solid in every way, except that it’s a liquid. Quite nice. 

A collaboration with St. Paul's finest beer emporium, The Ale Jail.

They have everything you could ever want, even ghosts. Enjoy!

Yours truly,

The Lager Blogger 

Modist Gifts of the Sacred Father Doppelbock

 Modist Gifts of the Sacred Father Doppelbock.

8.5 % ABV, Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, dark reddish brown, lush, creamy head on top, looking good.

In the nose: caramel and toffee notes, just slightly sweet. Hits the mark.

In the mouth: smooth and lovely, with the slightest hit of alcohol at the top.  Clean, rich, delicious, abundant with malty flavors. Caramel is king, of course, but it’s never too sweet. Nice balance. All in all, an exceptional doppelbock. Quite yum a dum dum.  

Doppelbock brewed with decoction mashed pilsner, Vienna and Munich malts. Kettle hopped with German Hersbrucker then fermented and lagered with German lager yeast.

Dual Citizen Rivertown Brown

 Dual Citizen Rivertown Brown.

6.4% ABV, 22 IBU, Dual Citizen Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Clear, deep brown color, cocoa-toned, lace-leaving head.

In the nose: soft caramel notes, a hint of cocoa, a very malty affair. 

In the mouth: semi- sweet malt flavors, slightest hop bitterness, excellent balance. Medium bodied, extremely drinkable. Fine and mellow, this. Almost dry, never sweet. Got to admire this one. Many brown ales are dreadfully dull. Not here. 

Destihl Deadhead IPA West Coast-style

 Deadhead IPA West Coast-style. 

7 % ABV, 60 IBU, Destihl Brewing, Normal, IL.

Slightly clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: citrus and pine, grapefruit and orange.

In the mouth: crisp, clean, with large and long-lasting bitterness at the front. Medium bodied, with a long, hoppy finish. Pine and citrus blazes the palate, dank and bitter at once. Bracingly delicious, I am increasingly liking this particular IPA. 

Like the bold colors & patterns of a tie-dye shirt, this West Coast-Style IPA is bursting with psychedelic hoppiness, fruity aromas & balanced bitterness from Citra, Mosaic & Chinook hops with a vintage malt backdrop. Cheers!