Hardywood Gingerbread Stout

Get ready, folks, here comes the first beer in the Bitter Nib from the state of Virginia...

Hardywood Gingerbread Stout . Imperial Milk Stout with fresh local ginger and honey.
9.2 % ABV.  55 IBU.
Hardwood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond, VA.

Thorough blackness, outright opacity, rich, roasted brown head. Looking mighty fine.

In the nose: Sweetness and spice, mixed with dark malts.  Ginger is way ahead. It's definitely a ginger snap cookie beer. Honey's on point, too. Nice.

In the mouth: Spice and honey are right on top of this one, other flavors far below. Holds it's command for a very long time. Rich and full bodied, fully flavored, with alcohol not hidden in the least. Buzzes with heat and spice. Doesn't calm down for quite a while.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this big, bad boy. Thanks, Julie!

Brewed with baby ginger from Casselmonte Farm and wildflower honey from Bearer Farms, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout captures the terroir of central Virginia in a rich, creamy libation with a velvety mouthfeel and an intriguing evolution of flavors from milk chocolate and vanilla to honeycomb and cinnamon to a snap of ginger in the finish.
Deep, dark chocolate in color with a mahogany tint and a frothy, caramel colored head, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout offers aromatics of holiday spice originating from the ginger, and balanced with a generous dose of whole Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and Vietnamese cinnamon. Milk sugar (lactose) contributes to the full body of this stout and tames its roasty character, while oats lend a silky quality. Enjoy fresh, or cellar for a special occasion. We hope Hardywood Gingerbread Stout contributes to your merriment this season.

BlackStack Leopard Print DDH DIPA

BlackStack Leopard Print DDH DIPA.
8.4 % ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Thoroughly hazed-up, luminous golden hue, small white head that lasts on top.

In the nose: Bright, citrusy aroma, lemon and grapefruit galore.

In the mouth: Juicy stuff, lemon and lime with a twist of grapefruit. Plenty hoppy, too, but just enough bitterness to make it all worthwhile. Medium bodied, long hoppy finish. Good old hazy, good ol' DDH, good ol' DIPA, it's got 'em all wrapped up.


Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it. This is a humble homage to the one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments of the past century. Strata, Mosaic Cryo & El Dorado in Ferrari decommissioning proportions. Take the day off, you deserve it.

So, leopard print in honor of Ferris Bueller, huh? Do they know he's not wearing a leopard print vest, it only looks that way if you're not paying attention?

Lakes and Legends BloodCat Belgian IPA (part five of Minneapolis Breweries 2020)

Stanchions are getting greater use at taprooms these
days. We stand apart from one another and we
keep our masks on. 

In my attempt to revisit the breweries of Minneapolis, I have compiled a list and arranged them in order of when I'd been there last. Fourth from the top is Lakes and Legends, which I haven't been to since November of 2017. Two and a half years! How did that happen? It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I kind of forget about them. If I'm in that area, I'm usually inclined to go to Sisyphus, or else I'm on way to downtown, or beyond. And there was, actually, a period where I wasn't especially sold on this brewery. Long about time to try them out again.

So, I went down to 1368 LaSalle Avenue, blocks from the lovely Loring Park,  saw the outside seating on the sidewalk was busy, parked my bike, turned to the door, and glanced the long, wordy sign about their COVID-19 plan. Reservations were necessary, no walk-ins. I walked up and asked the masked bartender, "can I take any table I like? " "Sure", came his reply.

And there we go. So, I occupied a couple of hours, tasting a few new-to-me brews in plastic cups, without taking notes. Two of the beers I took home in crowlers (which is something new since last I visited), and you'll see one of them below. The other was a pale ale called Wee Tiger, and it hit all the notes, but I'd love to try it in glass some day.

Half the taprooms think they have to
pour in plastic, half of them don't.
I've never seen it set down anywhere,
but I'm not going to argue. It's
a good move these days, just
don't argue.

The three beers I tried were actually a mixed bag. The one I was less of a fan of, I actually purchased a crowler of anyway, so you'll see that soon. (I take the good with the so-so.) The others were just fine, nothing too fancy. And one of those I liked better in the growler, and that review is below. Maybe it's a matter of the plastic? (Current count, after seeing eight breweries since the slow re-open: 4 glass/4 plastic).

Barncat IPA is a beer I'd never had before, and, actually, still haven't. It was among the beers available  in kegs, but the rep from the distributor never gave me a sample. He gave me a can of 5-weight, and that's a nice cream ale, and it sold well on tap. But, I just wasn't in the mood to try their IPA without sample first and didn't feel like paying for a 6-pack at the store. Maybe go in to the taproom and taste it there? says the little man on my shoulder. Nope not doing that. And I don't know why. They're making perfectly okay beer. I should peek in on them more often, and see how things go.

So, my first review of Lakes & Legends in over 2 1/2 years is the blood orange version of this IPA.
Notes ahoy!

Lakes and Legends BloodCat Belgian IPA. (Blood Orange Barn Cat.)
6.5% ABV, Lakes & Legends Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, large, brilliant white head. Looking very nice.

In the nose: Funky and fruity. Belgian yeast meets large dose of citrus.

In the mouth: Juicy at first, then comes the bitter, followed by the twist of Belgian funky yeast. I like Belgian IPAs, it's a trend that regrettably never quite caught on, and I miss them. In this instance, I feel like the deployment of the blood orange fruit is not as forward as I'd like. The blood orange IPAs I've enjoyed have been more heavy-handed in their use of the fruit.

Wait, though. Here it is, and matched by a high quotient of hop bitterness. Orange flavors are growing and growing. Malt is potent, too, and it's all a well-balanced affair. I'm really enjoying it now, actually. My kind of blood orange Belgian IPA.

Surly Neon Dragons DDH Hazy DIPA

Surly Neon Dragons DDH Hazy DIPA. "Hazy. Juicy. Glowing."
9.6% ABV. Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN.

I broke the barrier for this one. It's a $19.99 4-pack, because you all are buying them, so why can't they all be $4.98 cans. If they're DDH enough, and hazy enough. Let's see if it's worth the coin.

Hazy. (But not the full-on hardcore orange-juicy haze that the haze hounds crave. They've never made one of those, and I for one don't care if they ever do.) Bold golden tones, slim white head.

In the nose: Fruit notes are bumping here, citrus and tropical aplenty. Grapefruit and pineapple bump and grind. Quite nice.

In the mouth: Juicy, bitter, and powerful. Pungent malt plays a part. Alcohol shows up early. Bitterness buzzes out quick, and lets the juice shine in. Mix of the citric, the tropical and the stone. Apricot gets in on with grapefruit and tangerine. Delicious. I can see the appeal here.

But not $4.98 a can delicious. And there was no "glowing."

A flicker. A buzz. Suddenly, this hazy double IPA crackles to life with an electric jolt. Double dry-hopped with Huell Melon, Amarillo, Mosaic, and Centennial hops, this juicy, fruit-forward DIPA glimmers with citrus and stone fruit flavors. 

La Doña Enmolada Stout

La Doña Enmolada Stout. 7% ABV. 31 IBU.
La Doña Cerveceria, Minneapolis, MN.

Blackness supreme. Tight roasted brown head atop. Absolute opacity.

In the nose: Espresso, cocoa, cinnamon. Dark malts on top, with peppers coming in later. Very promising.

In the mouth: Dark malts dominate, deep and earthy. Peppery heat comes on, after the dark malt, coffee and cocoa. Medium bodied. Easily consumed, past the peppers. Another excellent La Dona cerveza. I will be back for more.

Mole stout with cacao and Serrano peppers.

Waldmann Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Berliner

Waldmann Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Berliner.
9.2 % ABV.
Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN.

What? Huh? Okay...Never heard of a beer like this before. Until their regular customer, ol pal Ed, told me about it. And that they weren't crowlering, so I'd better get down there and try it out. But then, he gave me a crowler, what an ol pal, that Ed.

Clear, dark amber hue, slight, then no head.

In the nose: bursting with bourbon, caramel, vanilla, cherry...on fire!

In the mouth: Big sweetness, swallowed up by sour, covered up in bourbon. Never heard of a beer like this before, never had one. Wow. Body is on the thin side, but that's the nature of the beast. Sweet bourbon effects match the tartness of the Berliner Weisse, and it's powerfully strong, to boot.

Terrifically complex, rich and, in fact, delicious. I'm going to let the notes cease now and relax and luxuriate with the remainder.

It's a tasty treat that can't be beat.

A bourbon barrel aged imperial Berliner-style Weise. Floor malted Pilsner and Wheat malts are mashed, then kettle soured for several days, before a German ale yeast completes the fermentation process. 

The Brewing Projekt Things Of That Nature: Could Care Less Double IPA

When I saw that the Brewing Projekt had a series of Double IPAs named after common grammatical/spelling errors, my interest was naturally peaked. I was peaked because I saw the price tag. $22.49 for a 4-pack!? There was no way I would of paid that much! Unless, it's dry-hopped with Citra, Houtere and Simcoe! Now, we're talking!

Okay, cracking open a $5+ can of beer, keeping my fingers crossed...

The Brewing Projekt Could Care Less (Things of That Nature Series)
Double NE IPA with Citra, Simcoe and Moutere. 8 % ABV.
The Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI.

Man, is it hazy! Bright golden-is, large white head...it's the paragon of hazies, here, folks.  So hazy!

In the nose: Soft and lovely. A big spread of citrus. Trickles of pine, perhaps. Ultimately pleasant.

In the mouth: Short spank of bitterness on the palate, then just a little juicy, turning dry at the end. Soft and "pillowy" on the mouthfeel. Light bodied, and easily dranked. Citrusy, slightly piney flavors persist throughout. Alcohol slowly creeps in, until...there it is...right on time.

This is tasty. Delicious, even. I approve. But, not $5.62 a can approve. I'm going back to IPAs that aren't crazy expensive.

The Brewing Projekt’s mission is to create damn good beer. Not beer that EVERYONE will like; rather beer that many will love. Boring just isn’t our style. If that’s what you want… Go somewhere else.

Stacked Deck Sally Forth Saison

Stacked Deck Sally Forth Saison.
6.5% ABV. 14 IBU.
Stacked Deck Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

This is the second canned Stacked Deck can offering I've tried so far, and it's another quality illustration, but I can't catch the reference. If anyone can figure out who this ghoul on the label is, don't be shy about telling me.

Clear, bright golden/amber hue, slim to no head at all.

In the nose: Belgian yeast, sweetness, some fruit/spice. Hits all the right notes for a Belgian ale.

In the mouth: Light bodied, easy-drinker. Belgian yeast & malt at play, mild hops, moderate malt. Some citrus fruit, a bit of stone, apricot, etc.
Tasty, but a bit too on the sweet side. Could use from a little more attenuation. But that's a minor quibble. Aside from that, it's a passable summertime pleaser.

Spring couldn't come soon enough so we brewed this light, slightly fruity Saison. Bring on the warmth!

Three Floyds War Mullet Double India Pale Ale

Three Floyds War Mullet Double India Pale Ale.
8.1 % ABV. 80 IBU.
Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN.

Mostly clear, dark amber/near golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Big, citrus hop explosion in the nose, lovely stuff.

In the mouth: Powerful hop attack on the palate. Wonderfully bitter, and just a little juicy. Alcohol peeks out early, shows it's claws with each new juicy, dank sip. Clean, but sharp and bitter. Big malt, too, ripping with flavor.

Good double IPA, and I can dig it. Not about to knock over Dreadnaught, but an able replacement.

This double IPA will make you want to grow a mullet (if you don’t already have one) and go to war (if your’re not already)

Destihl Drivin' That Haze Hazy IPA

Destihl Drivin' That Haze Hazy IPA. From the Deadhead IPA Series.
Brewed with Cashmere, Amarillo, & Simcoe hops.
7 % ABV. 55 IBU.
Destihl Brewery, Normal, IL.

All hazed up, cast in gold, slight white head on top.

In the nose: Citrus explosion, with a sidecar of tropical sweetness.

In the mouth: Blast from citrus, once again, with just a dab of hop bitterness. Little bit of sweet, little bit of juicy, before turning dry in the end. Yeasty/chalky, as we get from the hazy's. Light bodied, easy drinking.

Not bad, not a bad little hazy IPA, and you can drink it.


Our DeadHead IPA series melds the alluring vibe of our favorite music with unbounded tasks on the hoppy beers we love to drink, unleashing a whole new groove. Our Drivin' That Haze IPA features Pilsen malt, flaked oats & Vienna malt with a chord of Cashmere, Amarillo & Simcoe hops, for a smooth malt melody with notes of tropical and citrus fruits.

Untitled Art. Rocket Popsicle Sour (Ale)

Untitled Art. Rocket Popsicle Sour (Ale).
Version 2. Berliner Style Weisse Ale with lemon grass, cherry juice, and blueberry juice.
brewed and canned by Untitled Art, Waunakee, WI.
5 % ABV.

On the one hand, I've been trying to stretch out and try some of these hot, new breweries that everyone raves about, despite the prices that scare me off, and that they often make those "non-beer" styles that are so hip and hot and that I hate.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, I really hate $18 4-packs, and I totally despise these non-beer fruity sour styles.

On another hand, that really was just two sides of the same hand. Or the same side of one hand?

I'm confused.

Confused about why I bought this. I'm taking this time to review it with can #2 and then I don't know what I'll do with cans 3 or 4. Mix them with Gatorade, maybe?

Crystal clear, Windex blue, no head at all.

In the nose: Sweet, fruity, artificial. Not a trace of tartness. Darned if it doesn't smell like a popsicle, though. Once more, the infantilization of beer. Making alcoholic the things we enjoyed as children.

In the mouth: Uh-oh, here we go. Fruity. Flimsy. No tartness, no sourness. It looks like the "rocket popsicle" ("bomb pop" to many) and tastes like one, but is only slightly sour. On second sip, that's being generous. I don't know how they had the chutzpah to release this thing.

This thing is so devoid of life, of authenticity, so far from any kind of beer that anyone knows of, it leaves me utterly hollow. There is nothing here, but the gimmick itself, to look blue and taste like a popsicle. I'm not sure who wants that, but I'll trade them those last two cans. For anything.
Any flavor that it starts out with disappears with a quickness.
Looks like mouthwash, taste has none of it's charm.

This is completely bullshit.

Blech.

I'm considering drain-pouring this.
The more I drink, the sadder I get.

Addendum: I didn't drain-pour, I added orange juice to the remainder, turning it a lovely teal / torquoise color. My soul restored by this hybrid. It tasted like something, at long last.

Addendum the Second: In a corner of the great swamp of the Internet called Untappd, I am once again the grumpy curmudgeon. I gave this one 2/5, but the average rating is 4/5. I am strictly in the minority. Here are some pulls from the peanut gallery:
"Tastes like it's name. Yummy. Is this really beer?" --Don B.
"Very sweet, but absolutely true to what they're trying to achieve"--Jamie S.
Question, if they call it "sour", but it's "very sweet", how is it true to what they're trying to achieve?
"Everything I was hoping for and more, bomb pop in beer form 100!"--Nicole R.
Finally one I agree with: "Tastes too much like Kool-aid and not enough like beer to me"--Ryan.
I like you Ryan, we should have a beer together some time.
Further on, Christopher T, reveals the following: "Super weird, but also super mellow. Makes sense flavor wise now that I know it’s actually a seltzer base."
If this is so, why does the label say Berliner Weisse Ale? That makes it more fucked up.
Daniel S. is confused: "Technically a Berliner I guess? Tastes more like a white claw. I don’t hate it tho"...I do hate it, tho, I'm not ashamed to admit that.

Sisyphus Jim Beam Me Up Barrel-aged RIS (and part four of Minneapolis Breweries 2020)

On June 27, after La Dona, Jason and I stepped into Sisyphus as the third stop on this sunny Saturday afternoon. It was a quiet one. Andy was behind the bar and Sam, the owner, was enjoying time away from that station. It's been a one-man show throughout all of this, and he keeps pushing that rock, every damned day (except Monday, I learned when I forgot to check the hours). He gets a little help from friends, though. And every one of them is masked-up, gloves on, hand sanitizer at the ready (and available for customers, who are asked to please keep masks on when ordering or when away from their tables. Just about everyone complies.

Unfortunately, there's not much space available for outside seating, and they were thrilled to finally open up the inside. Some tables are removed, some chairs and those things we can't communally touch any more, like water stations and the game collection, are stashed away. On this particular visit, I had a Cucumber Pils, which went down with great ease, and then one of the bourbon barrel stouts in question, poured into plastic. I've noticed it's about half and half when it comes to who's using plastic and who's using glass. The very vague rules and regulations are being interpreted differently, and I can't blame anyone about their particular take. Maybe the ones who are too strict on the "reservations required" business. That's not a factor at Sisyphus, and I'm fine with that.

Comedy shows have returned, with required spacing, but the Open Mic, one of their best event nights of the week, is still postponed.

I asked Sam to break his plastic only rule, just
this once, so I could take this pic.

So, on that Saturday, Jason and I did air-clinks with our beers, he took leave and biked the three hours back to his home, and I finished my stay with an IPA called The First Beer We Named, which I reviewed almost five years ago. I made it back again last Wednesday, and Sam was thrilled at the attendance. Actually, people in here! And all socially distanced, respectful, and courteous. Not as busy as it used to be, in the before times, but getting better.

And I'll pair this report with a review of a crowler took home back on June 12. Nearly a month in the fridge ain't bad, right? It's actually appeared here, before, but this is my take on it from a crowler.



Sisyphus Jim Beam Me Up Barrel-aged RIS.
11.5 % ABV. 80 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Absolute blackness, slim head, complete opacity.

In the nose: spills out solid bourbon notes, hanging over a morass of cocoa, coffee, vanilla, cherries, and an abundance of more malty flavors.

In the mouth: Rich and delicious. Bourbon-barrely all the way. Powerful. Thick, but never too viscous. Full-bodied, long lasting dark malt flavors. It's got all the goods.

We're giving this beer all she's got captain! Better "Jim Beam Me Up" Our latest barrel aged beer release! This imperial stout was aged in a Jim Beam barrel, and the robust aroma lets you know before you even taste it. 

Tons of vanilla and roast notes, that follow you as you take your first sip. The taste finishes with a nice rich cracker/bread note that rounds out the beer. Come in from the Minnesota cold and warm up with one of these!

Falling Knife L-Bombs DDH Hazy DIPA

Falling Knife L-Bombs DDH Hazy DIPA. With Denali, Mosaic and Sabro Hops.
8% ABV. Falling Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clouded (of course), bright golden, large and long-lasting ivory head on top. Looking good.

In the nose: It's a kaleidoscope of aromatics, each hop in the profile expressing something special. Starts off a citrus bomb, then along come berries, the lens shifts again and pineapple pops in. Glorious.

In the mouth: Crisp and lively. Juicy, and bitter, fruity and dank. Just a little bit sweet and creamy.
Alcohol reveals itself rather early in this. I don't mind that, it's fine if you know you're in for it.
Ends on a snappy dry not, until next you left glass to lip.

I know I rag on the hazy stuff a lot, but when they're good, they're good.


DDH Hazy DIPA dripping with tropical flavors from Denali, Citra cryo, Mosaic and Sabro hops

La Dona Cuauhtli Imperial Stout

La Dona Cuauhtli Imperial Stout.
9.5 % ABV. 58 IBU.
La Dona Cerveceria, Minneapolis, MN.
Packaged on 2/03/2020. (Purchased 5/26.20)

I do not know how to say the name of this beer, but that doesn't stop me from drinking it.

Solid blackness, complete opacity, rich, roasted tan head. Looking good.

In the nose: Fruity notes hit first, before the arrival of cocoa and coffee. Sweet fruity feel stays strong over all. Very promising, very interesting.

In the mouth: Dense. Thick. Rich, Viscous, Delicious. Massive malt, chewy chocolate, with the mezcal barrel hold forth over all. Incredibly complex. Universes collide in the consumption of this one. Wow upon wow. It's a great blend between the traditional Russian Imperial Stout flavors, and the mix with the mezcal.

Top notch. Good Imperial Stout and you can drink it.

Imperial Stout featuring rich roasted chocolate malts was aged in our Mezcal barrels

Town Hall Hop Cruise Pale Ale

Town Hall Hop Cruise Pale Ale. 5.6 % ABV.
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright crimson/amber-ish coloring, large white head, leaving lacing. Lovely.

In the nose: Splash of fruit, spark of spice, all kinds of hoppy. Dankness. Delightful.

In the mouth: Bitterness smacks the palate, but gently. Citrus note, plus berries, apple. Juicy, then dry. Medium bodied, malty, and quite refreshing.
Good pale ale and you can drink it.

BlackStack Is West Coast IPA Okay?

BlackStack Is West Coast IPA Okay?
7.3% ABV.
BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Well, yeah, it is. That answers your question, right? Better be a good one.

Thoroughly clouded, not clear in the slightest, bold yellow, slim white head.

In the nose: Big citrus, huge lemon, a little lime and grapefruit.

In the mouth: Juicy, citrusy, and utterly devoid of bitterness. Let's try again. Well...slight bitterness, medium bodied, fairly easy drinking, but this tastes in no way like a West Coast IPA. Barely makes it as any kind of IPA. There's no bitter hit on the palate at all.

Let's see what the description says: Sorry Hun, we ran out of foggy brews to release this week. Is West Coast IPA Okay? It’s clear & a lil’ bitter, just like what they drank in covered wagons on the frontier. Simcoe, Mosaic & Strata done up crispier than a side of diner-style H-Browns.


Huh. It's not clear and not even slightly bitter. The logo suggest Pepsi-Cola, and yeah, I get it, but how did they forget how to make a West Coast IPA? They just did one, called Concerned Citizen, released not too long ago, and it was perfect. Now, they put this in cans as ...I don't know, some kind of a joke?

Falling Knife Frequency Waves Hazy IPA

I bought this on 6.30. Wrote these notes on 7/7 (I think). Held on to it for awhile, because I wasn't sure about posting about a bad beer. This happens once in a while. This is the only way that I've tried this beer, from this growler bought at the brewery, that in no way reflects how the beer is supposed to be. Who knows how this happened.

Falling Knife Frequency Waves Hazy IPA (part four of Minneapolis Breweries 2020).
6.7 % ABV.

Brewed with pilsner malt, spelt and wheat.

Thoroughly hazed, with an undeniably strange hue, a dull peach? Fuzzy amber? Smokey gold? I'm at a loss. Slim white head atop. (Looking at other peoples' entries on Untappd, I'm not seeing a similar color. Strange.)

In the nose: Small sweetness, slight fruit. some hops. Huh.

In the mouth: Starts off juicy, hoppy, smooth. Moderate dose of bitterness drops on the palate. Medium-bodied, easy-drinking. There's something weird and a little smokey in the flavor and texture.  Little bit of spice. Is it from the spelt? Not sure.

Bitterness grows, before fading, and citrusy hop flavors emerge.

I feel like I've got a different beer from others, somehow. Not sure why that is. Very bizarre. This is my least favorite Falling Knife so far, but I'm sure it's just a bump in the road, and my next one will be fine.

NE IPA with featuring Spelt grain and a generous dose of El Dorado, Simcoe and Taiheke hops

Lupulin West Coast Bias Double IPA

Lupulin West Coast Bias Double IPA.
8.5 % ABV. 80 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Clear, bright golden/orange coloring,
small white head.

In the nose: Bold, assertive, hoppy. Dank. Reeking with citrus and pine. Sticky icky. Just how I like it.

In the mouth: Pow! Most boisterous when slamming the palate. Massive payload of hops hitting the tongue. Big bitterness. Juicy. Boozy. Medium bodied. Tons of hop bitterness, and it's about damned time.

Wildly off-balance...just how I like it. Sometimes, you don't want balance. Sometimes, you want big. And this one delivers.

West Coast Style Double IPA.
You forget a thousand things a day, pal... but this piney hop blast ain't one of 'em. They said Lupulin is all about that haze, bro. They be trippin'. This old school banger screams drop-tops, 20 inch rims, sunsets, and hip hop so loud, the neighbors will hear you rollin' up for miles.

Three Floyds $600 Lizard Shoes 16x Champion IPA

Three Floyds $600 Lizard Shoes 16x Champion IPA.
6.9 % ABV. 74 IBU.
Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN.

Clear, bold amber color, firm and fluffy ivory top.

In the nose: a panoply of fruits in this aroma, not all giving off their truth at once. Berry, apple, citrus far behind. Interesting.

In the mouth: Juicy and bitter. Big hops, and, again, an unnamable cornucopia. Once more, I'm getting some citrus, plus berries, stone fruit, apple, all coated with copious amounts of bitterness. Nice and malty, too, Medium bodied, with a long hoppy/bitter finish, and easily consumed.

This is a good IPA, and I can drink it.

Thanks again, to Cory J., for getting this for me. Another taproom-only (when the taproom is closed) beer that seems to be based on some wrestling lore I am utterly unaware of:
It's all about Stylin' and Profilin'. We're talking about the Rolex wearin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', limousine ridin', jet flyin' son of a gun. "You've got to make the assault on life itself! WOOOOO!"

Surly Warp Zone Pilsner

Surly Warp Zone Pilsner. 5 % ABV.
Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Broooklyn Center, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Crisp, floral, light hops, slight spice. Right on the money.

In the mouth: Clean, light, with a zippy, hoppy buzz on the palate. Slight citrusy flavor, but ultimately dry. An excellent example of utter censurability, with just enough pop to keep it interesting. Quite likable.

I went looking for further info and got a lot of stuff about video games.
At the bottom was this:
5.0% ABV
Spalt Select hops
Low bitterness
Easy-drinking with a light gold body and a pop of floral hop aroma
This can run is limited!

If you want to slog through the other stuff, see the link above.

Now, it occurs to me that this is all from the original 16-oz. can release from last year, which I skipped because pilsners are low on my rankings. Maybe they should be higher, because all the DDH Hazy DIPAs that I don't actually like are too expensive. Anyway, I got these 12 ouncers in the current sampler pack.