Badger Hill Hop Hill Pale Ale

Badger Hill Hop Hill Pale Ale. 5.3 % ABV. 40 IBU. Badger Hill Brewing Company, Shakopee, MN.

I've reviewed this beer before, from a growler, before it had this name. Now, let's try it from a can.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, stable slab of ivory head rests atop.

In the nose: Bold citrusy hop notes in charge of this one. Fresh and lively.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness crashes the palate from the get-go. Bursts of citrus-y, grassy hop goodness assault the senses. Crisp, brisk, refreshing. Light to medium body. Just enough malt for balance. Both easy-drinking and intensely satisfying. This is exactly how I want my pale ales to be.

Something about this feels different. Was it as brash and bitter three years ago, when it first came out? It might actually have been, and I didn't give it enough praise thereafter. I'm going to quit that kind of behavior from now on.


Hop Hill tastes like courage. It tastes like a satisfying click on a Cat-5 cable or a perfectly hit golf ball. It has the aroma of hope, rebellion and stability. It’s clear, like vision or like glacial ice. On a more serious note- Hop Hill is the perfect pale ale. Notes of grapefruit, crisp bitterness, easy drinking with just enough body and bitterness to create a satisfying finish and flavor.

Fulton Cacao War & Peace

Fulton Cacao War & Peace. 9.5 % ABV. 81 IBU. Fulton Beer, Minneapolis, MN.

Perfectly black. Complete opacity. Slim brown ring on top.

In the nose: All the coffee, all the time. Espresso bomb, with cocoa coming right behind. Gritty, earthy, sweet, rich, and deep. Loving it.

In the mouth: Plump. Thick. Viscous. Decadent. There's an imperial stout under all this chocolate, and it tastes delicious. Whoa. Quite a lot of bitterness to match the massive malt. All those flavors from the aroma appear on the palate, along with a myriad more. Intense sensations in every sip. So very rich, and so very powerful, yet delightfully smooth.

Fulton War and Peace is a Russian Imperial Stout conditioned with whole bean PEACE COFFEE in the fermentation tank. It's an epic work of beer, but unlike the novel, this beer is brief and fleeting, appearing just once a year in Winter. Historic quantities of chocolate malt and roast barley clash over a field of dark roast Peace Coffee beans. Like Tolstoy's masterpiece, it may take some time to finish and require some thought along the way. But by the end, we think you'll find yourself better for the effort. Better yet? This version (exclusively found in our Mixed Coffee 4pack) we've added Cacao Nibs for a rich, chocolate taste.

Big Wood Cabin Daze NE IPA

Big Wood Cabin Daze NE IPA. 5.1 % ABV. 43 IBU. Big Wood Brewing, White Bear Lake, MN.

And here we have a sample with no label. I'm told that it will look quite nice with a label. I was even shown a graphic displaying this upcoming label. For now, we just have the blank, silver one to see. Trust me, this is the beer I'm telling you that it is. Now, let's drink it.

Very lightly hazed, nearly clear, bright golden color, milky white head, last long. Looks good.

In the nose: Sweet, creamy, tropical fruit notes popping up. Promising.

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, with sweet malt and just enough bitter hops. Stays and leaves the palate in a quickness. Slick and supple. It's a juicy one, too, and quite tasty. Flavorful, drinkable, just right. Not the NE IPA that some might be looking for, but it is a refreshing form of an IPA that, yeah, you can while away those lost hours at the cabin. Or the porch. Patio. Kiddie pool. Stoop. Whatever you got.

Cloudy with a chance of delicious! A golden, hazy, Citra-hopped IPA with tropical flavors and a refreshing finish. Brewed to be an all-day drinker.

Insight Picnic by the Wicked Thicket Dry-hopped Witbier

Insight Picnic by the Wicked Thicket Dry-hopped Witbier. 5.3 % ABV. Insight Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Cloudy, golden-toned, bright ivory head.

In the nose: Citrus notes. Nice and hoppy, Coriander and orange zest lurk just below. Sweetness and spice.

In the mouth: Enters the palate smoothly and sweetly, with a side order of gentle hop bitterness. Soft and mellow. Yeast and wheat flavors intermingle with fruit and spice. Citrusy hop flavors stay on top of the scene, mingling nicely with the witbier taste. Damned delicious. Best of both worlds in this one.

A delicious balance of orange peel and lemon-zest blend well with the richness from the wheat. The malt and wheat backbone provides a velvet mouthfeel while layers of Citra hops deliver orange blossom and lemon on the nose while the yeast hints at pepper and coriander. Crisp and refreshing with citrus finish.

Wild Mind Oolong Kvass

Wild Mind Oolong Kvass. 2.6 % ABV. No IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, pale golden color, no head to speak of.

In the nose: Tart from the start. A little funky. Slightly spicy.

In the mouth: Crisp and highly carbonated. Lean and clean. I'm picking up the tea and the honey. Quite delicate, with a refreshing tartness to it. It's an adequate ale and drinking is quite possible.

I'll admit that I bought this because it was at a low, low price. (Two bucks!) Lacks the things I look for in a beer, like ABV, IBU, malt body, that sort of stuff. But, I don't begrudge it's existence.

Our second kvass was brewed with 60 loaves of 46th Street Levain from Patisserie 46, a South Minneapolis Bakery. We also added some pilsner malt to round out the body, honey, and oolong tea. The kvass was fermented using a sourdough starter from Patisserie 46, resulting in slow, steady fermentation that yielded a lightly tart, crisp kvass. The beer was then bottle- and keg-conditioned with champagne yeast to enhance the beer's light, lively character. 

Odell Mountain Standard IPA

Odell Mountain Standard IPA. 6.5 % ABV. 40 IBU. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, CO.

A new year-long IPA offering from Odell, an attempt to create some new style, a mash-up of West Coast and New England style IPAs?

All hazed-up, as all IPAs must be now, with a hefty offering of ivory foam, cast in a dullish yellow tone.

In the nose: Citrus and pine, with a touch of tropical sweetness. Pineapple, mango, passionfruit. Nice.

In the mouth: Hops hit the palate, make a splash, then shake it off. Crisp and refreshing. Medium-bodied. Just enough juice and bitterness to keep me happy. In fact, it's got plenty of it, and that makes me more than happy. Ends on a tidy, dry note. Leaves me wanting more.


This is Mountain Standard, a tribute to our backyard and the Rocky Mountain lifestyle. Hand-selected, modern American hop varieties build layers of complex hop flavors with juicy, tropical notes and bold, vibrant aromas. Join us as we help define the Mountain-Style IPA.
At 6.5%, this Mountain Style IPA is brewed with modern, American hop varieties which bring tropical hop aromas of pineapple, orange, and mango. To accentuate juicy hop aromas without using adjuncts or fruit, Mountain Standard IPA is triple dry-hopped. The result is an extremely drinkable IPA bursting with bright hop flavors, low bitterness, and a slight haze.

Inbound Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout (RIS)

Inbound BrewCo.Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout (RIS). 11.4 % ABV. 77 IBU. Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis, MN. Bottle 125/500.

I thought that "RIS" was an abbreviation. Inbound is using it as the name for their Russian Imperial Stout. The staff at the taproom is calling it "Ris". (Not everyone, actually. Just this one guy.)
It reminds me of the time I heard a friend pronounce "D.I.P.A." as if it were a word, rather than abbreviation. "Dippa." We don't say "Ippa", or "Eye-pa", we say "I.P.A." And we shouldn't say ""Rizz." I'd rather they didn't. Oh, well. I can't fix everything just by complaining. There are breweries out there calling their Russian Imperial Stouts "Russian Stouts." A little reminder: Russian Imperials did not come from Russia.

I've had this before, at the taproom, and on tap at Acadia. Made sure to get another keg of it this year. And now, for my first bottle.

Solid blackness, under a rich brown head of foam. Ultimately impenetrable.

In the nose: Whiskey, first. Bourbon barrel. Molasses, brown sugar, anise. Smoke, tobacco, cocoa. Deep stuff. Arresting and arousing.

In the mouth: Slightly sweet, strong, and bursting with flavors. All those from the nose come on board the palate. Dark fruit mixed with chocolate, and a touch of coffee. Bourbon Barrel covers it all. It's sweet, bitter, hoppy, rich, luxurious and uncommonly smooth, all at once. Alcohol content comes roaring out. It is a most excellent nightcap.

A lot of rich malt goodness coating the palate, and lasting long through the finish. So many layers of deliciousness. I'm liking this lots. Paid $17 for the bottle at the taproom. I'll be back for more.

Our Russian Imperial Stout aged in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels for five months. The result is a rich, smokey, chocolatey, and fruity-estery Barrel Aged RIS.

Belching Beaver Me So Honey Blonde Ale

Belching Beaver Me So Honey Blonde Ale. 5.5 % ABV. 19 IBU. Belching Beaver Brewery, Oceanside, CA.

Clear, golden-toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweetness at the fore, honey notes, mild malt, minimum hops.

In the mouth: Again, sweet from the start, but not quite "too." Just well-balanced enough. Light-bodied, clean, and quaffable. Moderate hop bitterness. There's flavor here, and not a small amount.

I'm not one for blonde ales or honey blonde ales, but this one is alright. Go ahead and drink it. I won't stop you.

Our smooth drinking Honey Blonde Ale is one of our best-sellers and for good reason, we brew with the finest quality honey available. Floral aromas leap from the glass while subtle, sweet, honey flavor linger on the finish, making this a beer for all occasions. This golden brew is an easy drinking favorite enjoyed by our whole Dam crew.

More beavers puns? You're killing me, guys!

Fulton Fika Coffee Stout

Fulton Fika Coffee Stout. Milk Stout with Maple Syrup. Alc. 8.6 % by Vol. 45 IBU. Fulton Beer, Minneapolis, MN.

Full-on blackness, with a deep brown, but swiftly gone, head.

In the nose: earthy, gritty, nutty coffee. Just a touch of cherry-ish sweetness. Malt-forward, for sure.

In the mouth: Roasty, toasty, smooth and slightly sweet. Creamy. Flush with nutty, fruity coffee flavors. Medium-bodied, nearly full, and exquisitely drinkable. I'm not really getting the maple syrup, though it's there, at work, I'm sure. No matter, it's delicious.


 
For this stout, we used a high ratio of oats (23%) in the mash to create a smooth and full mouthfeel. We added pure maple syrup from Sawtooth Mountain to the kettle for flavor as well as some lactose to ensure a smooth and slightly sweet finish. We used just enough Herkules hops to balance out the intense malt character and finished it with 1#/BBL of Fika Dark Roast Coffee cold steeped in the fermenter. The result is a very complex stout with notes of chocolate, coffee, and maple that has a luxurious mouthfeel and a slightly sweet finish.

Town Hall Vine's Eye 2019

Town Hall Vine's Eye 2019. American Honey Ale (Eye Of The Storm) aged in red wine barrels. 9.7% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

This beer has been made since last year, and it's my first time reviewing it. Growlers were sold out before I could get them last year, as is often the case with Barrel Aged Week offerings. There was one in 2017 called Eye Wine Red, and I'm not sure what, if anything sets them apart. Perhaps it was because that year there was Eye Wine Red, as well as White. And the base beer, Eye of the Storm? I can find no evidence that I've ever taken notes on it. This seems terribly, terribly wrong. I just don't understand it.

Wait. Looking at my review of Eye Wine Red, it looks like I shared my notes on Eye of the Storm from 2007. So, I either I didn't search correctly, or once again, a review got lost on BeerAdvocate. Sigh....

Anyway, here we go, into the growler:

Clear, bold gold coloration, slim whitish head.

In the nose: Sharp, sweet, strong. Honey meets wine this time. Brash expressions.

In the mouth: More sweet, more sharp, more big and boozy. Complexities abound in this. Red wine tannins bump against buzzing honey sweetness, a tasty tug of war. Mead-like, wine-ish, and boom, boom, boom, boom.  The remainder of the glass unfinished at the table went with my to the nightstand, as companion into my surrender to slumber.

Beaver Island Tangerine American Wheat Ale

Beaver Island Tangerine American Wheat Ale. "Dam. Fine. Beer." Ha! Beaver puns. Beaver Island Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 4.5 % ABV. 22 IBU.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Big citrus. Light and smooth.

In the mouth: Plenty of tangerine on the palate. Well balanced. Easy drinking. Lean and clean. Light bodied. Refreshing. Good beer and you can drink it.

A crisp and refreshing American Wheat with a spike of Tangerine. Perfect for those warm weather days. It’s like sunshine in a glass! Cheers!

Guinness Blonde Lager

Guinness Blonde Lager. 5 % ALc./Vol. Brewed and canned by the Guinness Brewing Company, Latrobe, PA.

Clear, golden toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Thin, slight, corn-y, vegetal, grainy. Eh.

In the mouth: Lightness. Water. Barest wisp of malt. Nothing else. Oh, wait, here it comes. Second sip, getting more citrus from hops. And a little more than a bare wisp of malt. Not bad, after all. Tasting like a classic blonde lager, and you can drink it.

Brewed with North American ingredients, including Pacific Northwest hops, as well as our classic Guinness yeast, Guinness Blonde is a crisp, golden beer. It has a noticeable but gentle hop aroma of citrus and tropical fruits, clean cracker-bread malt flavor and a pleasantly bitter refreshing finish. Brewed at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House in Baltimore, Maryland.

Eastlake Arcturan Mega-Saison

Eastlake Arcturan Mega-Saison. 8.4 % ABV. 34 IBU. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis, MN. Brewed with pink grapefruit and ginger.

I wrote about the 2017 bottled version of this beer, which has been brewed since 2015 (I remember it's newness when I worked there), back in July of last year. I'm not 100% certain if this is the 2019 version or the 2018. I want it to be fresh, of course, but I wouldn't be too unhappy if this were an aged version. Though the thought of it sitting on a shelf for a year is rather sad.

Clouded, bright gold, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Sweet, fruit, funk, spice. Big citrus. Belgian yeast character. Tons of flavors.

In the mouth: Ginger strikes first, with grapefruit not far behind. Smooth, turning sharp. No pussywillow, this. Full-flavored, medium-bodied, long finish. Lives long on the palate. A perpetual delight. Alcohol comes on the horizon. Boom, boom, boom, boom, to quote John Lee Hooker. But it lasts just long enough. Not too fatal, in the end.

I'm as fond of this beer as I was when it was first produced, and I'm they glad that they continue to make it.

The star we call Arcturus is known as the harbinger of spring, for the time in which it appears in the night sky. Arcturus is also home to many types of mega-fauna, known by the phrase "One's soul moves at the pace of an Arcturan Megacamel." So, if you can't find Arcturan Mega-Gin, you might as well go with Arcturan Mega-saison." 

Much of the above is taken from a work of fiction by Douglas Adams called "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", which I enjoyed as a teenager, and still do. There were two live-action versions, a TV series for the BBC in the 80's, and a major motion picture in 2005. Even though Adams was active in both, I'm partial to the first. The film is too American-ized, in my opinion. Took so much Englishness away. Talented as he is, Sam Rockwell doesn't compare to Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox. Who's just this guy, you know. And if I went on, I would have not very nice things to say about Martin Freeman and Zooey Deschanel and Mos Def or whatever he calls himself these days, or etcetera, etc.

If you are new to the Guide, and you have a few hours to spare, go here:

12welve Eyes Winter Warmer

12welve Eyes Winter Warmer. 7.1 % ABV. 12welve Eyes Brewing, Lowertown, St. Paul, MN.

Clear, dark crimson coloring, leaning toward bronze, with a slim whitish head.

In the nose: Mostly malt, with a touch of spice. Cinnamon? Nutmeg? Slight dose of grassy/citrusy hops. Orange zest?

In the mouth: Malt and spice hit the palate together. Hot and toasty. Medium-bodied, easy drinking. Spice and fruit notes continue. Dominate. Delight. It's a bit thinner in body than I'd like, but it's tasty stuff, so I don't really care. Clove is coming through. Overall, it's got the flavor of a mulled ale. Raisins and orange mix with cinnamon and clove. Getting honey, too. Love it.

Getting my last tastes of winter flavors, as we welcome spring, at long last. Oh, it's gonna be great. Been a rough winter. Gonna real love this spring.

Wild Mind Leia Hazy IPA

Wild Mind Leia Hazy IPA. 6.5% ABV. 25 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Another Hazy IPA. What do I have to say about another hazy IPA?

Thick, thick, thick. Cloudy as she gets. Hefty chalk white head. Dull yellow color. Not especially attractive. Or, maybe...in the light, it looks a little nicer.

In the nose: Sweet. Hoppy. Yeasty. Chalky. Some citrus. Trifling tropical.

In the mouth: Thick and yeasty on the palate. Dry and chalky. A little bit of juicy, but not much. Sure, berry, but only a hint, if at all. Just a touch. I'm not getting much of this tropical and plenty of the grass. (I've peeked a bit at the brewery notes before writing my own, something I never do.)

I keep drinking hazy IPAs and pooh-pooh-ing them. And then I try another and reach the same conclusion. Hey, I've got consistency going for me. But the brewers don't stop brewing them and everyone but me doesn't stop liking and drinking them. Again, it's not my ideal IPA, but it ain't bad. And you can drink it. (Is that a new version of my motto?)

I can't help but like a beer named for Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, and that's why I include the video below in honor of Carrie Fisher.

Part of a trio of hazy IPAs featuring Ella hops, an Australian variety that provides bright aromas of fresh cut grass and tropical fruit flavors. Leia was brewed with 2-row barley, malted wheat, flaked oats, and pairs Ella with Mosaic hops,which provide her beer with a hint of berry.

Corona Premier

Corona Premier. Brewed and bottled by Cerveceria Modelo Mexico. 4.1 % ABV. 7 IBU.

I was told that this is lighter than Corona Light. Well, that sealed the deal. Give me a bottle, please!

(Perhaps I'm taking a facetious tone. I might need to remind some of my goal to try all types and styles, brands and trends. I don't want to pay for every one of them, so if a sample comes my way, it will find a spot here in the Nib.)

Clear, pale golden hue, not a head to speak of.

In the nose: Sad, sick, disappointing. Vegetal. Mineral. Dull and dead. Nobody's wafting the aroma about, though.

In the mouth: Wet. Light. Containing no flavor at all. Slightly alcoholic water and nothing but. No joy, no thrill, nothing. Slight cereal/malt, maybe. Grainy, gritty, but ...blah. "Higher expectations"? What the Hell are they talking about? Is this some Bizarro world, where nothing is something? Gimme a break!

Blah!

Blech!

Blourgh!!!


Lower carbs. Lower calories. Higher expectations.

Fair State Strata Single Hop DDH Hazy IPA

Fair State Brewing Cooperative Strata Single Hop DDH Hazy IPA. 6.2 % ABV. 25 IBU. Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Mpls./St. Paul, MN.

All hazed up. Dull orange. Full ivory head. Looks good for the style.

In the nose: We've got citrus notes, hop presence, all clouded up with yeast.

In the mouth: Cloudy, cloudy, yeasty, yeasty. Citrus and pine, and murk and dry, dry, dry. Not enough hop bitterness for this old school IPA lover and not enough. ...sigh. I'm not enjoying the things that make this beer succeed as what it's trying to be. I don't get what that is.

I can drink it, though. It is a good beer. I just don't get it.

Trying harder: It is juicy. And that's nice. Slightly sweet, tropical-y toned, and just a touch of the bitter. Ending dry.

Everyone's excited by these, but not me. What's wrong with me?

Finnegans Running With Axes Fresh Hop Ale

Finnegans Running With Axes Fresh Hop Pale Ale. 5.5 % ABV. Finnegans Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

I'm doing this one a little bit late. But it's not my fault. I didn't know this beer was even out until recently. Found a six-pack on sale. Like, real cheap. Down to the last can, as is my habit, and it's time to take notes.

Hazed & golden, large & lovely ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: All the hops, all the big, fruity flavors and tons of bitterness, buoyed by blasts of malt. It's a biggie. Fierce and fuzzy. Even thought this is being consumed six months later than it should be, there's a lot of action going on.

In the mouth: Pow, pow, pow! Bigness everywhere. Huge hop bitterness, fruit, citrus, otherwise. And mucho malt. Boom, boom, boom. Bam, bam, bam, bam. Tasty. Tangy. Vivid. Pow, pow, powerful. So full of everything, yet delightfully drinkable.
This hasn't seemed to have lost anything.  And I'll look out for it fresh the next time it's brewed.

A fresh hop Pale Ale brewed exclusively with Minnesota grown fresh hops by Mighty Axe Hop company. We are using over 150LBS of hops per batch of Centennial and Cascade hops picked just days before brewing the beer.  It’s a classic pale ale with earthy, pine, and citrus undertones. Once you go lumberjack you’ll never go lumberback.

Unmapped Primetime Porter

Unmapped Primetime Porter. 7% ABV. 31 IBU. Unmapped Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Utter blackness, thoroughly opaque, with a rich tan head above, leaving lace.

In the nose: Sweet, creamy, malty. Cocoa and molasses. Rather nice.

In the mouth: Smooth, malty, big-time chocolate-y. Medium-bodied. Exquisitely drinkable. Dry in the finish. A touch of roasty malt. Sweetness stays on top, perfectly balanced. Tasty stuff.

Another winner from Unmapped. Keep 'em coming.

You might not know it, but we spent more time on planning Primetime Porter than any other beer we've ever brewed...that's because Math is hard! We channeled our collective inner (and outer) nerd and made sure that every. single. input. of this beer was a prime number. From the 61 minute boil to the 31 IBU calculation to the actual day of the month it was brewed (the 19th), this beer is chock full of prime numbers and prime flavors! Medium-bodied with chocolate and mild roasted malt notes, math has never been more fun (and delicious)!

Vander Mill Blue Gold Apple Blueberry Cider

Vander Mill Blue Gold Apple Blueberry Cider. 6.9 % ABV. Vander Mill Cider, Spring Lake, MI.

Clear, bright crimson coloring, nothing on top.

In the nose: Bold and fruity, blueberry comes creeping in. Sweet, lovely, a twist of tart.

In the mouth: Tart kicks it off, big time pucker. Sweetness rises back up. Blueberry is all over here. Sweet and tart do a tight little tango, til dry ends it out. Light bodied, easy drinker. Tasty stuff. Well balanced flavors. I recommend it.

Apple Blueberry Cider. When creating products from Michigan fruits it seems natural to include Michigan blueberries. They add a nice fruity flavor to the cider. Like our other hard ciders, this one is not too sweet or overpowering.