Steel Toe Brewing Barrel-aged Wee Heavy

It's May 1, 2016. Jason and I went to 3 breweries that Sunday by bike. Heading from my place in Powderhorn Park to Steel Toe Brewing in St. Louis Park, then to LTD in Hopkins, and finally back to Minneapolis for my second visit to Modist Brewing. There were bottles of this beer at Steel Toe, and opened one shortly after, took notes and saved them here on this blog, waiting until I would use them at the end of Steel Toe's Minnesota Breweries One by One entry (they are #36).

But that entry was never written, because the photos accompanying them were lost. I saved to an iPod Classic of all thing, my computer went down, and I cannot figure out how to get those pics transferred elsewhere, or if it is even possible. I have to have the pics. Pics or it didn't happen, right? This effectively stalled entires #31-42. It even has the geniuses at the Apple Store baffled. If I had the power to time travel, first I'd go back and kill Hitler, then I'd stop John Lennon's assassination, and after that I'd prevent the foolhardy choice to encapsulate those important pics in an old iPod. Sheesh.

So, anyway. I finally opened up bottle #2, as part of a big ol' tasting party with some friends last night, and here are the notes:

Barrel-aged Wee Heavy, Scotch Ale aged in Whiskey Barrels. Brewed and bottled by Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN. 11% ABV,
24 IBU.

Dark brown coloration, short-lived, slim brown head.

Deep, oaky aromatics, dripped in whiskey, vanilla and caramel abound. Charcoal, smoke and molasses. Complexity aplenty.

In the mouth: richness, sweetness, bomb-diggity-dangness. This is barrel-aging at his best, perfect combination, with the base beer and the barrel. Deliciousness for the win. So much delicious, with a little bit of alcoholic burn in the back. Beautiful night cap. Sublime fashion to end the day. Ah, yes.....

Those were the 2016 notes. I did not take notes last night, for I was in the company of friends, but 11 months later, it's even more satisfying.

Bear Republic Grand Am American Pale Ale

Bear Republic Grand Am American Pale Ale. 6 % ABV, 50 IBU. Bear Republic Brewing Company, Healdsburg, CA.

Hazy, pale golden color, slim, but lasting white head.

In the nose: bright, fresh, and hoppy. Airy. A little herbal, a little floral, and altogether nice.

In the mouth: Fresh, zesty, hoppy, and all atingle. Lots of hop essence on the palate, plenty of citrus, much vibrancy. Medium bodied, extremely easy drinking. Delicious. Going down so easy. Nice little hoppy buzz going on, and utterly quenching. Good pale ale and you can drink it.

From the label: Inspired by our team's passion for racing, Grand Am is an American Pale Ale worthy of the "Racer" family. True to our roots, this sessionable yet assertive ale balances both classic and new American hop varieties with a distinct malt backbone. Start your engines...."

Fair State Giantsbane

Fair State Giantsbane Double Stout. 8.6% ABV, 50 IBU. Fair State Brewing Co-operative, Minneapolis, MN.

Darkest blackness, utterest richness, slim brown head.

In the nose: Big cocoa, sweet, lightly fruity, lovely. Espresso notes. Nice.

In the mouth: chocolate, deep malt flavors, lush, coffee-ish. Yum. Roast, very tasty, very deep, very rich. I'm satisfied, I don't know about you. Mmmm. Yeah, I said it before and I'll say it again. Sweet to an extent, then dry, and all the while delicious.

From the website: Giantsbane is a Double Stout brewed with dark and roasted malts. Black, roasty, and hefty, we kettle sour a portion of the wort prior to the boil to provide the classic stout "twang."

Fulton Culture Project One

Fulton Culture Project Series No. One. Red Ale Aged in Wine Barrels. Ale aged in Wine Barrels with Facto, Pedio and Brett.
ABV: 6.7%. IBU: 7. PH: 3.5. Packaged: December 2016. (when I bought it.) Malt: Pilsner, Munich, Spelt, Carared, Red Fife, Simpsons DRC. Hops: Amarillo. Fermentation: Primary fermentation in stainless steel with Saccaromyces. Continued fermentation in oak for 12 months with Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Brettanomyces.

Clear, bright amber coloration, slim white head.

In the nose: aw, funky! Horse blanket, litterbox. Vinegar. Very ripe and pungent.

In the mouth: Major pucker. Good and tart, fresh, funky, fruity, then dry. Lean bodied, and utterly quenching. Tart and tasty. Big fruit, cherries and berries, pleasant tartness. Very easy, very mellow, very nice. Not too intense, and who really has to have all that, anyway? Just delicious. Yum, um, um.This is the start of what can only get better.

Boulder Pulp Fusion Blood Orange IPA

Boulder Pulp Fusion Blood Orange IPA. 6.5% ABV. 52 IBU. Boulder Brewing, Boulder, CO.

Clear, bright gold coloring, big ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: citrus-y hop attack, Lemon, lime, grapefruit. Centennial, Cascade and Glacier hops doing their thing.

In the mouth: Starts out fresh and juicy, with moderate bitterness. Ends dry on the palate. Dry and refreshing. Medium bodied. Smooth and tasty, this one, and an easy drinker. Orange flavor continues to build it's presence on the tongue. The blood orange flavor, for me, though, doesn't go far enough. It's quite consumable, however, and it does taste quite good. Just wish it was a little more little more. As it is, it's but a whisper.

Upper Hand UPA

Upper Hand Upper Peninsula Ale. 5.5% ABV.
Upper Hand Brewing, Escanaba, Michigan.

Clear-ish, amber-hued, big ivory head, leaving lace, looking good.

In the nose: fairly quiet, some hop notes, light caramel malt.

In the mouth: Earthy hops up on the front, bitter, but balanced. Caramel malt tones greet the palate next. A little fruity, little floral, nice and even. And a little complexity, too, lot of different flavors at play. This is alright, good upper peninsula ale, and you can drink it.

Also, there ain't nothing wrong with it.

From the label: "Brewed and bottled where it's meant to be enjoyed." If that's the case, why do they ship it out of Michigan? What is this bottle even doing in my hands?

From the website: Upper Peninsula Ale is an American Pale Ale, brewed just for the north. The use of toasted malt gives it a nice, deep golden color, and the Mosaic hops impart citrus, floral, and berry aromas, and give UPA® a crisp, moderately bitter finish.

Oliphant Tittleman's Crest Tequila-barrel aged black ale

Oliphant Brewing Tittleman's Crest.  Black Ale aged in tequila barrels. 8% ABV.

Solid blackness (though still a liquid), with a thin, brown head.

In the nose: Barrel rich. Deep and oaky. Portentous malt content, with barrel character creeping out. Chocolate and booze. Dark and massive, is what I want to say. Tequila notes haven't emerged yet, they've blended with the beer fairly well.

Now, to drink: Thick, lush, dark and delicious. Flat out delicious. Some of the tequila notes are popping up, but they're fairly covered, even smothered, by the richness of the malt. Medium-bodied, long, malty finish. Richness upon richness.

I'm skeptical of tequila barrel-aging. Not a big tequila fan. But, it worked this time. One of the tastiest beers I've had in a while.

I had to figure out where the name comes from, and it seems to be a throwaway reference to some cosmological phenomenon from a "Tim & Eric" sketch. One of many references from that show over the years.

Surly SeVIIN--3.5 years later

Way back in July of 2013, I sat down at the bar at the Blue Nile with a glass of Surly SeVIIn Ale from a freshly tapped keg and wrote up my notes for this blog. At the end of that review I wondered how the beer would improve with age. I've had a few bottles in the intervening years, but never thought to take notes and record what might have happened. Now that it's 3 1/2 years down the road, going on four, it's time.

And, you know what? I really ought to reduce the ol' cellar in preparation for my move next month. So, last night I peeled off the wax, poured it into a glass, and wrote this:

Surly Seviin. Trappist yeast, 3 malts, rye, wheat (first time at surly), and oats. 12.5 % ABV. Topped off with brettanomyces.

Burgundy coloring, rich creamy foam atop, lasting long, leaving lace, looking lovely.

Aroma: sweet, creamy, fruity, marshmallowy, orange, tangerine, bubblegum, ...all kinds or craziness.

Taste: mmm, sweet. Raisins. Caramel. Cream. Plums. Yum. Yu-um. Sweetness, and deliciousness, and very cool and mellow.

Have three years worked some magic here? Maybe, I think.

Surly Barrel-aged Pentagram

Surly Barrel-aged Pentagram. Malt Beverage aged in wine barrels, additionally aged in rye whiskey barrels. Unleash Pentagram. You have been warned!

Here's one of those beers where you had to chase some trucks to get your proper allotment. If you're one of those guys. I was able to get my hands on a bottle by putting my name on a list at a little liquor store the day before it was delivered. I've never seen any other bottles anywhere else. But, I don't do much bottle shopping, either. I held onto it for a few months, and finally cracked one open recently.

Deep mahogany hue, slim but staying whitish head. Looks good.

Aroma: sweet, plump, tannin-y. Aged in rye whiskey barrels, but the red wine affectations are still there. Cherry & vanilla pop out. Plenty happening here. Ripe and fruity.

In the mouth: starts out sharp and tart, not necessarily sour. Fruity, malty, delicious. Flat-out yum. (My newest catch phrase, I think.) Not getting much from the rye, though. Getting lots of Pentagram, but not much BA. Perhaps it's just playing it subtler than I suspected. As it is, though, dee-lish. Beautifully, tartly, fruitily fantastic.

Looking back, I do wish I'd saved it longer, and would love to get another bottle to see what will happen with some years on it.

Pryes Miraculum IPA (?)

Maybe you read the title of this post, and you're wondering why the question mark. It seems I got a visit from the Sample Man last week while I was not at work. Sometimes when this happens the Sample Man tells my co-worker that they leave the bottle or with (I will use gender neutral terms, for sometimes the Sample Man is indeed female.) the name of the beer, or will leave a note revealing it's identity.

This SM provided a blank bottle with his (for we know that it is a he) card affixed with tape. We shall assume that it is Miraculum IPA, for that is the only beer released thus far by Jeremy Pryes, in keg form, brewed at the Lucid/North Loop facility in Minnetonka, and I haven't heard that his new brewery in North Minneapolis is up and running and producing new varieties.

So, here we go, opening a mystery bottle and taking notes....if this is indeed Miraculum, it is 75 IBUs and 6.4% ABV.

Slightly hazed, bronze/copper color, prodigious head of creamy, milky-white foam, leaving lace.

In the nose: earthy, herbal, caramel notes, low hop bitterness. Some citrus pops up. A bit of butter. Diacetyl? Not sure. In time, the citrus-y hop tones outshine those earlier impressions.

In the mouth: Big blast of hops up front, bright and bitter. Plenty potent on the palate. Long lasting bitterness in the finish. Medium body, easy drinker for the hophead. I like this more and more as I drink it, and it does taste like the pints I've had on tap over the years.

Despite what may or may not be a flaw detected early on, good IPA and you can drink it. I look forward to drinking more of them, in their taproom looking out on the Mississippi river, soon, very soon.

Ballast Point Bonito Blonde Ale

Ballast Point Bonito Blonde Ale. Clear, pale gold color, slim white head.

4.5% ABV. 25 IBUs.

In the nose: soft, slight aromatics, a little bit floral, herbal, but fairly quiet and pleasant.

In the mouth: Crisp and refreshing. Light bodied. Minor hops, low bitterness. Easy-drinker. Pitch perfect American blonde ale.

I don't drink very many blonde ales, it's not what I reach for. But if you dig 'em, by all means give this one a try.

Sweetland Orchard Northern Spy Cider

Sweetland Orchard Northern Spy, A crisp dry hard cider. 7% alc. by vol.

The cider adventures continue, this time more from Webster, MN's own Sweetland Orchard. This is the 3rd cider of theirs that I've sampled, out of 5, and the first 750 ml. On the label it says: "A complex hard cider, perfect for sharing with friends over good food...", but I'm drinking it solo because that's what I do when I write about beers and ciders. And I'm going to drink it while I cook, maybe even include it in the cooking, and probably have some with the meal. And the label continues, of course, but we'll leave that for later.

Clear and yellow. Cider-y.

Nose: apples aplenty. Good ol' cider smells.

Mouth: Crisp. Dry. Very dry. And all kinds of apples. Extraordinarily dry, as well as refreshing. We're in Cider-town, fellas. (Although it's not tangy and brown. Ned Flanders doesn't know everything.)

Let's go back to that label...."made exclusively from Northern Spy apples, it is deliciously dry with a long finish. Sweetland Orchard is family owned and operated. We're proud of our Northern Spy and hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoy making it. We're growing, pressing, and fermenting Minnesota's original farmhouse cider. Sweetlandorchard.com." "Drink cider, eat apples."

I like this. It's good. Really good. I'm not a cider drinker, but if you are, go drink it.

Stillwater On Fleek Imperial Stout

Stillwater Artisan Ales On Fleek (FTW) Imperial Stout. 13% ABV. Collaboration with Casita Cerveceria.

I'm not going to mention what a stupid name this is, or how I despise the design of this label. Bright day-glo colors do not belong on an Imperial Stout label. Forget all that. Let's focus on the beer.

Dark, blackish, deep coloring, rich and toasted tan head, looks about perfect.

In the nose: toasted coconut, marshmallow, vanilla, caramel, toffee, toast, roast, cocoa, cream. Mmmm. Char. Molasses. Mmm, mmm.

In the taste: mmm turns to ahhh.  Thick, rich, full bodied, massive malt, deep chocolate, some anise, molasses and more. Boom! It's everything I want in an imperial stout. Big, beefy, plump, large, immense, etcetera. Delicious. Drinks down as well as any good RIS would. Mmmm, so rich, so chocolatey, so, so, so. So very so.

If you know me at all, you know I love an Imperial Stout. Love them when they're done well. And this one is, it really is.

Here's all the information the website gives: Big, overhyped imperial stouts, amirite? This one on fleek tho. The most amazing collaboration ever with Casita Cerveceria.

Indeed Lucy Session Sour

Something over a year ago, I tried a new kettle sour pale ale from Indeed called Lucy. Not long after that, I tapped a keg for Acadia, and it was well appreciated by our patrons. Now, Lucy comes in a can. And at last we can see that it is not only named for Josh Bischoff's daughter of the same name, but also the one in the sky with the diamonds. I asked if it was the same beer, and was told there were a few tweaks in the recipe, and so it calls for new notes, doesn't it?

Lucy Session Sour Ale Brewed with natural flavors. 4.2% ABV, 12 ounce can, 27 IBU. Brewed and canned by Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Very hazed, pale golden coloring, slim white head.

In the nose: tart, fruity, funky.

In the mouth: Sour hits the palate with a punch. Very funky.  Wild, crazy, and eminently drinkable.  A lot of citrus smacks the lips and tongue in this. Changes from the original, I was told, include lemongrass and passionfruit, Much sour abounds. Many fruits. Just delicious.

I can see having many dates with this Lucy, and strongly recommend listening to this (at right) while you imbibe:

From the website: Lively, spirited, and complex, Lucy Session Sour Ale is the latest labor of love from our Head Brewer Josh Bischoff. A tribute to his daughter of the same name, Lucy was a stubborn beer to make — sour, sassy, and unpredictable — but then again, nothing worth doing comes easy. Light in body with lush tropical fruit notes and a tart, citrusy finish, our Session Sour is brewed with lemongrass, orange peel and passion fruit. Sip after sip, let Lucy win you over.

Town Hall Blonde Crush

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Blonde Crush. Belgian strong golden ale. 9.1% ABV.

Clear, copper/amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: sweet, fruity, bubble-gummy, a sweet treat.

In the mouth: Malt bombs the palate, then leaves it clean. Medium bodied. Sweet, sharp, strong. Goes down nice and easy and deliciously. A blonde ale with the big bones of a triple.

Had this growler one day past the "best-by" date. I think it held up.

Town Hall Foolish Red

Ladies and Gentlemen, I've said it before, but I have to repeat it. This writer has always been a terrible procrastinator, all his life. The weight of what I want to do and need to do hangs heavy and hard in my mind, stalling me from the accomplishments I dearly want to achieve. "Get up and get going" I shout to my myself in my mind. But, there are only so many hours available every day, and other matters occupy my attention.

The other night I finally opened up a growler I bought almost a month ago, and took notes and as I prepared them for publication, I thought: a month ago? Town Hall Brewery's Barrel Aged Week was a month ago? Ay-yi, yi, how time does keep on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future, as Steve Miller wisely sang. (It's been a hell of a month.)

I wrote about last year's Barrel Aged Week here, as Town Hall's entry in Minnesota Breweries One by One (speaking of procrastination!). In that post, I wrote about Foolish Angel, the Belgian-style Quadrupel aged in two different bourbon barrels. Other barrel-aged Town Hall beers I've reviewed here include Cuvee of Consequence, Le Baltique, Manhattan Reserve, Buffalo Bock, Twisted Trace, and Czar Jack. It seems like a meagre lot, compared to how many different barrel-aged versions they release each time. Twelve was this year's count, with four of them new.

Foolish Single Reserve in it's natural habitat.

Every year, I try to add to that collection by picking up growlers, whatever's left and whatever I can afford. Sales of tickets for the barrel-aged growlers began at 10 am on Sunday the 19th of February, and once again I continued my neglect of this beer geek tradition as I do not recognize Sunday mornings, but from the other direction, due my barman's schedule. I often don't get to sleep until 4 am, and there is no way I'm getting up in time to join the geek parade. As it was, only one of the growlers sold out by the time I got there around 3 pm, the most limited of the new BA beers, Single Barrel Reserve Foolish Angel. I got to try that one the next day when the week began in earnest. Didn't take notes on it, though. I tend to avoid that practice at the bar, or even at a table, unless I'm visiting a place for the first, perhaps only time. It was wonderful, I'll tell you that much.

I didn't do a flight that night, choosing to skip a sample of the beer I'd be bringing home a growler of, opting to do full pours of Foolish Single Reserve, Cuvee of Consequence, which wasn't part of the week's releases, but was on tap nonetheless, and Foolish Angel, and my head was a little fuzzy come Tuesday morn. Such deliciousness. Looking back at the beers put out that week, I see so many that haven't appeared here, yet, but purchasing a growler of each would have obliterated my bank book. Another time, another time.

So here, they are, notes away!

Town Hall Foolish Red. Foolish, the Belgian-style quadruple ale,  aged in red wine barrels. 10% ABV.

Dusky crimson coloration, slim head atop.

In the nose: tart, sour, plump and fruity. Aburst with the barrel, cherries, berries, grapes aplenty abounding in this aroma. Ripe and deep.

In the mouth: Richness, fruit, and deeper complexities. Leather, wood, earth. Great depth playing on the palate. The red wine barrel effects have swallowed up the quadruple and made something bigger and better. Foolish Angel is already a tasty treat, but this one....this one. Man, oh, man. Slightly sharp,  tinged with tannins, smooth and well-rounded, and utterly lovely. I want to take my damned time with this one. Lush and luxurious.

Sweetland Orchards Scrumpy Cherry Rhubarb

Sweetland Orchard Scrumpy Cherry Rhubarb. Hard Cider with natural cherry and rhubarb flavor. 6.35% alcohol by volume.

Light, pale crimson coloring, slim to none head on it.

In the nose: Tart. I get it. Big, tart cherries, with rhubarb undertones. Nice, fruity, funky.

In the mouth: Wow. Big pucker here. Juicy, fruity, tart. Nice. Tasty, tasty. Refreshing and third-quenching. Cherry and rhubarb flavors occasionally displaced by apple. Delicious combination.

I still don't know if I know how to write about cider. But this one, it's a good cider and you can drink it.

Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale

Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale. An Irish Style Ale. Brewed and bottled by Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 6.5% ABV, 25 IBU.

Clear, amber/copper color, slim white head.

In the nose: malt-forward, earthy, floral hops, low-bitterness. Well-balanced, but leaning toward the sweet side.

In the mouth: Flat out tasty. Again, terrific balancing act, malty sweet with just enough hop bitterness. Kissed by caramel. Medium body, malty finish, drinkable as all heck. Well done.

"A pint for Pa Conway! Our co-founder's grandfather and policeman who'd likely uphold that an Irish Ale with full-bodied caramel malt flavors is just the ticket."

Ha. Ticket. Police. Irish. I get it.

Oliphant Amphibious Rodent

Oliphant Amphibious Rodent, black ale brewed with cacao nibs. 8% all./vol. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Dark brown color, full tan head, looking great.

In the nose: cocoa right off the bat, smooth, rich, sweet and very lovely.

In the mouth: big malt, rich, dark, delicious. great texture, mucho cocoa. Sweet and luscious. Excellent dessert beer. Little bitterness. Big cocoa, some espresso. Full bodied, long sweet, malty finish. Absolutely wonderful.

I don't know why it has the name it has, but it's a damned good beer.

Insight Defending the West IPA

Insight Defending the West IPA. Alc 7.6 by vol. Insight Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Utterly opaque, thoroughly crimson coloring, Slim, but lasting, creamy white head.

In the nose: pithy pine, citrus, grapefruit, orange. Bam!

In the mouth: Boom! Fruity, creamy, citrus-y, bitter, but mostly fruity. Medium bodied, long, bitter finish. Damned delicious. Bam, bam, bam, juicy, fruity, bitter, tasty. I love it.

I'll admit it, not the best notes I've ever composed while having a beer. Slightly better than merely saying "it's a good West Coast IPA and you can drink it." This was after a few, and the last beer of the night/morning. It's true, I sometimes wake up, look at my notes to see "what did I write last night?" And since this is the last can of the 4-pack, I'm stuck with it.

So, who won? They're both good IPAs, but I think East might have the edge here.