Off Color Beer for Fantasy Witbier with Blood Orange and Dragonfruit

 Off Color Beer for Fantasy Witbier with Blood Orange and Dragonfruit. 

5% ABV, Off Color Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Clear, pale crimson coloring, slim white head. 

In the nose:  citrus explosion. Dragonfruit and blood orange hold court, but the essence of a wit lies beneath. 

In the mouth: light bodied, with a touch of spice. Touch of tart. Essentially easy-drinking. Hits the spy on a day like today (high in the mid-90’s). 

Good fruited witbier and you can drink it. 

Dragon fruit lends hints of kiwi and bartlett pears while the blood orange puree casts a peach hue with subtle flavors of raspberry. Crack one open as you begin your next adventure and don't forget to pour one out for those lost along the way.

Falling Knife The Long Highway Cold IPA

 Falling Knife The Long Highway Cold IPA.with HBC 586 and Simcoe hops. 

7.3 % ABV, Fallible Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

I don’t review Falling Knife’s beers very much these days, for one main reason: my ban on hazies. It seems that it’s all they ever release. Well, now here’s a Cold IPA. Didn’t I ban those once, too. Let’s see if I can remember why. 

Clear, pale golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose; soft and citric. 

In the mouth: light bodied, slight bitterness, appropriate levels of hoppiness, easy-drinking and most assuredly refreshing. Some citrus, some stone fruit. Maybe a little melon? 

I think I remember why I stopped writing about Cold IPAs….there’s not much to say about them. 

Fulton Hop Kingdom American IPA

 Fulton Hop Kingdom American IPA .

5.8% ABV, 35 IBU, Fulton Beer, Minneapolis, MN.

Something new in the brand family. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: fresh zest, citrus notes, moderately hopped.

In the mouth: more moderation in the name of refreshment. Crisp and fairly clean. Mild and easy going, medium bodied with a good measure of hop bitterness. Sure, I can see this as a boat beer, a dock beer, even a pier beer. 

This one came as part of the latest Hop Kingdom. Variety pack, replacing Juicy IPA. 

In the land of 10,000 IPAs, this cooler beer is a real catch. Crafted for unspooling lakeside stories of lures and lore – balanced hop notes of Citra, Galaxy, and Motueka marry sweet grapefruit piths and bitter orange peel for an American IPA fit for the walleye capital of the world.

Surly Parker’s Heavy Char Darkness Imperial Stout

 Surly Parker’s Heavy Char Darkness Imperial Stout.

12% ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN.

Utterly and vastly Stygian appearance. Totally opaque. Slim, soon gone head. 

In the nose: richness, bourbon, high char, molasses, anise, chocolate, espresso…all those goodies.

In the mouth: big and thick and viscous. Rich and altogether every kind of perfect. Big time big. All sorts of whoa, and hey, hoo! Slips deliciously upon the tongue. For all that it is, it is wonderfully smooth and delicious. 

I’m going to take a long time to soak this in, well past beddy- bye time. C’est La vie. 

Our legendary Russian imperial stout aged in Parker's Heritage 10-Year Heavy Char bourbon barrels. We really don’t need to say anything else besides, “Drink this.”

Destihl Evel Knievel Imperial IPA

 Destihl Evel Knievel Imperial IPA. 

9% ABV, 60 IBU, Destihl Brewery, Normal, IL. 

Clear, bright golden hue, lush ivory head.

In the nose: bold citrus and pine. 

In the mouth: big flavor, juicy with tropical tones to match my the citrus. Orange and mango and grapefruit. High bitterness and large and in charge alcohol come roaring in. Hop bitterness lays long upon the palate and all is pleasing to this hophead. 

Can four from the 4-pack. I may go back for more. 

And now observe the beer description most filled with pins, references and word play EVER: Evel Knievel Imperial IPA is a daring West Coast-style brew that is ramped up with a thrilling burst of hoppiness, fruity aromas and perfectly balanced bitterness. Citra, Mosaic & Chinook hops take center stage, soaring through the flavor profile, while a vintage malt backdrop adds a touch of nostalgia. Cheers!

Three Floyds Turbo Reaper IPA

 Three Floyds Turbo Reaper IPA. 

7 % ABV, 47 IBU, Three Floyds Brewing,  

 Mostly clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: big fruit explosion, grapefruit and mango, lemon zest. 

In my mouth: bitterness blasts the palate, then all becomes smooth. Medium bodied, easy drinking India Pale Ale. Bitterness travels on the tongue, fruit follows. Quite enjoyable. Yes, I’ll have another. 

Without warning something’s dawning as our latest West Coast Style IPA awaits your defenseless thirst. As colossal hop aromas rise in harmony with tropical and citrus notes you better run for cover.  There is no other.

Bhavana Sprout Fig Dubbel

Bhavana Sprout Fig Dubbel. 

7.6 % ABV, Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh, NC.

Clear, dark burgundy hue, slim head.

 

In the nose: brown sugar, dark fruit, caramel malt. Belgian malt?

In the mouth: mild and mellow at first, swiftly unfolding into something significant. It’s a little figgy, a bit datish, but more clean and malty. Alcohol provides warmth, but doesn’t threaten brain cells. Classically composed, almost elegant. Highly enjoyable. 

Sneaky fig dubbel ale

Whole figs gives this refreshing Dubbel a tricky, sweet aroma and amber hue that belie it’s clean, dry finish.

Wandering Leaf Pils Rx Good Czech Pilsner

 Wandering Leaf Pils Rx Good Czech Pilsner. 

6.3% ABV, Wandering Leaf Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: nicely hopped. Citrus and spice. Classic. 

In the mouth: crisp and clean. Mildly malty, minor bitterness, plentiful hop flavor. Light bodied and refreshing. Tasty pilsner, well done. 

Pipeworks Bluetooth Squirrel Pale Ale with Nelson Sauvin hops

 Pipeworks Bluetooth Squirrel Pale Ale with Nelson Sauvin hops. 

5.9 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus and white grapes. Slightly floral.

In the mouth: low bitterness, moderate hopping, clean and crisp. More flavors of fruit, finishing dry. Exquisitely easy drinking. Little bit of lemon and grapes. Light bodied and delightful.

Quite delicious, this.