Wild Mind Rider NE IPA

Wild Mind Rider NE IPA.
6 % ABV, 20 IBU.
Wild Mind Artisan Ales, Minneapolis, MN.

Hazy, bright golden, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Big, bold fruit flavors, stone and citrus and otherwise. Plump and scrumptious.

In the mouth: Mmmm, yeah. Peach, apricot, grapefruit on the downlow. Bright and beautiful bitterness blasts the palate.Medium/lightish body, easy drinker, IPA lover's treat. Very vibrant fruity character bounces on the the palate, delights the senses. Tasty stuff.

Rider was brewed with Vic Secret, Equinox, and Simcoe to create an IPA bursting with bright citrus notes with a dank, bitter finish.

Three Floyds Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter

Three Floyds Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter
6 % ABV. 33 IBU. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana

More Three Floyds beers are being released into our market, including some I've never had before. But, because I can't take all the beers home on the bus with me, I had to pick one and that one was this one that I first had 15 years ago. Acquired a bomber in a trade with an Indianian (?), and reviewed on BeerAdvocate.com in November, 2004. Here are those notes, warts and all:

deep brown color, with crimson highlights peeking through, blessed with a thick, prodigious cocoa-tan head...

Aroma: mmm, roasty-toasty, cinnamon, ginger, toffee, coffee, and cream...oh, yummy, oh, very good...nice as it gets...

Taste: Very smooth, yet terribly dark and full in the body, full in the flavor, ...a spicy, tastiness rings through the edges and uplifts and illuminates every aspect of the experience...nutmeg and clove...

Body never flags, stays full, and continually delivers flavor...finish isn't as strong as I'd like, but hangs on well enough...

overall, an excellent winter warmer/spiced ale, not a surprise from this outstanding brewery...wish it were easier to find though...

In 2019, would I change these notes? Less ellipses, more capitalization, better grammar and punctuation. About the beer, no. I wouldn't pull back on the enthusiasm. Maybe throw in a "yum, a dum, dum." And I'm so glad it is easier to find, now days.

Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout

Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout. 11.3 % ABV, 40 IBU.
Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI.

This has been an elusive one for me. For many years, it was only released as a bomber, limited editions, selling out immediately. I never saw one for sale. Now, I walk into a store and there's a 4-pack on the shelf. $22 for 4, so it had better be worth it. Right?

According to Untappd, I've had it twice before, a few years ago, when Bryant-Lake Bowl had it on tap. I don't order enough Founders kegs to qualify to receive a specialty like this one, and these days?

Anyway, let's drink the beer:

Rich ebony coloring, fully impenetrable, under a slim brown head. Looking great, in every way.

In the nose: Molasses, licorice leather. Smoke. Dark rum. Treacle. Dark chocolate, espresso, caramel and coffee. And maple syrup, of course. Damnably decadent. Utterly lovable. Oh, my. Ridiculously delightful.

In the mouth: Sweet, dense, delectable, powerful. Thick and delicious. All kinds of depth and decadence. Big 'n' bourbon-y. Tickles the tongue, pleases the palate. Indulgent all the way. Dark fruit, vanilla, cherries, chocolate, oak, sweetness and dryness together at once.

Canadian Breakfast Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with a blend of coffees and imported chocolates, then aged in spent bourbon barrels that have most recently been aging pure Michigan maple syrup. 

CBS was born when we stumbled upon some bourbon barrels that had previously housed maple syrup. We opted to put the same base beer as KBS, an imperialized version of Breakfast Stout, in the maple barrels and, after one taste, we knew we had something special. Rich maple syrup, roasted coffee and velvety chocolate meld together in what can only be described as a transcendental drinking experience.

Venn Lunarising. Stout with Coffee, Chocolate & Vanilla.

Venn Lunarising. Stout with Coffee, Chocolate & Vanilla.
6.6 % ABV, 20 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.


Fullest blackness. Utter richness. Slim brown head.

In the nose: Boom, cocoa! Boom, coffee. And, ah, vanilla. Earthy, lush, sweet, divine. Wow. Quite nice.

In the mouth: It's all there, again. Delicious. In fact, even yum a dum, dum. Much malt, moderate bitterness, plenty of coffee, cocoa, and vanilla, altogether tasty. I enjoyed this one all the way through.

Coffee, chocolate, vanilla. Venn's take on a Breakfast Stout.

Malts: Maris Otter, Munich, Roasted Barley, Caramel 80, Chocolate

Hops: Warrior (United States)

Yeast: American Ale

And: Coffee, Chocolate, Vanilla, Lactose 

Huh. If this is Venn's take on a "breakfast stout", then is this just a new name for their Breakfast Stout?

Lupulin S & M IPA

Lupulin S & M IPA.
7.5 % ABV, 60 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Hazy, bright golden, slim white, lace-leaving head.

In the nose: Big citrus. huge fruit. Grapefruit, tangerine, orange peel, lemon and lime. Blueberries. Delightful.

In the mouth: Beautiful, bountiful hop attack upon the palate, flush with fruity sensations. Light/medium bodied. Ease of drinking is high. Popping with hoppy delights. Nice buzz, good bitterness, exceptional smooth.

Simcoe and Mosaic? Those are the best hops! You can't go wrong with those two.

A bit fuzzy, heavy on the yeast...they can't quit the haze, bros...I'll forgive them for that. I'm still tired of it, but I am enjoying this.

IPA brewed with Simcoe & Mosaic Hops

Castle Danger Choice Pils

Castle Danger Choice Pils. 5.6 % ABV. Castle Danger Brewing, Two Harbors, MN.

Clear, bold, bright yellow coloring, slim white head.

In the nose: lightly fruity, hoppy. Slightly floral. A tad grainy.

In the mouth: Light-bodied, easy -drinking. Starts off a touch fruity, then turns dry. Nicely hopped. Clean. Crisp-ish. Likable. Nice pils.

Choice Pils is brewed in the tradition of classic German pilsners with our own dangerous twists. We use fine German malts and pure Lake Superior water for a great start, and finish with Saaz and Cascade hops for a floral, citrusy, and spicy zing. We chose to blend a classic European style with American craft brewing ingenuity. Here’s to making good choices.

Schell's Snowstorm 2019/2020: Red Ale

Schell's Snowstorm 2019/2010: Red Ale. 6.5 % ABV.
August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN.

Clear, bright crimson color, slim white head.

In the nose: Some sweetness at the start, lightly fruity, mostly malty.

In the mouth: Grabs the palate with a brisk bit of bitterness, lingering on the tongue. Bright fruitiness, crisp and clean, meaty malty flavors. Medium bodied. Excellent ease of drinking. Moderate hopping, medium bitterness, just enough to keep me happy (hoppy). Long lasting flavors in this highly likable ale.

A reddish amber ale for the seasoned winter veteran who can withstand even the coldest of days. Delicious malt flavors and a crisp, hoppy finish will leave you asking one question, were you prepared for the storm?

Drastic Measures Morning Dream New England IPA

Drastic Measures Morning Dream New England IPA.
7.1 % ABV. 66 IBU. Drastic Measures Brewing.

Absolutely hazed, bright golden, nearly peach-toned, with a lasting layer of ivory head above.

In the nose: Bitter orange peel and grapefruit. Pineapple and lime. A delight.

In the mouth: We're getting the haze, as well as the bitter. Nice and hoppy. Sweetness occasionally parlays with the bitter hop experience. A little dusty in the throat, a little chalky, but that is this style. I remain not the world's biggest fan of it, and will continue to cry out for the old school style of IPA, but this is a tasty one, for sure.

Collab with candian buddies Jeff and Russell!
Mosaic/Vic Secret

Firestone Walker Sucaba Vintage 2019 Barley Wine Ale

Firestone Walker Sucuba Vintage 2019 Barley Wine Ale.
11.3 % ABV. Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, CA.

Dark mahogany-hued, slim white-ish head.

In the nose: Big, boozy barleywine aromas, popping out the wazoo. All the earmarks of a classic big ol' barley-wine. Ablaze with all the the raisin and fig, the woody character, the deep malty, chocolatey, tobacco and leather notes.

In the mouth: here's where it's all delivered, right on the palate. More big, more booze, massive malt, plenty of bourbon, vanilla, cherry, and all the deep, devilish dark fruits aplenty. Yum a dum, dum. I could have sat on this another five years, but I just had to try it now.

One of the best barleywines I've tasted in a good long while. Mmm, hmmm.

As always, this latest vintage delivers big, boozy bourbon and American oak aromas combine with soft chocolate malt undertones. Complex malt flavors are framed in oak with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, toasted coconut and a touch of dark cherry. Sucaba is a one-of-a-kind sipping experience. It is a beer built to last, and one that will reward careful cellaring for years to come. We highly recommend counting the years with an abacus.

Sisyphus Brandy Barrel-aged Weeliam Wallace Wee Heavy

Sisyphus Brandy Barrel-aged Weeliam Wallace Wee Heavy.
9 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Rich, mahogany-hued, slim head.

In the nose: the brandy and the booze comes spilling out. Barrel business covers over everything else.

In the mouth: Bigness upon bigness. Sweetness, thick maltiness, flavors upon flavors. Big bad brandy barrel smothers all, covering an otherwise big beer. Caramel and toffee all over the place. Altogether delicious. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Needless to say, I'm liking this immensely.

Venn Grisette

Venn Grisette. Batch 215.
5 % ABV. 25 IBU.
Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

It's time to try my second "grisette" ever, proving again that Venn is trying to brew every single style in the world.

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, large, white, but disappearing head.

In the nose: Funky. wild. spicy. Some strange yeast probably at work here. Sweetness, some wheat malt. A touch floral.

In the mouth: Lightness and smooth. Slightly spicy, moderate hops. Lightly fruity, citrusy, lemony. And if I knew what spelt was all about, I'd mention it here, but I haven't got a handle on the whats, whys, and wherefores of spelt. Starts out sweet and fruity, ends on the dry side. Expertly refreshing.

Good grisette and you can drink it.

Complex, crisp, dry.
A fruity & spicy Belgian table beer brewed with spelt, oat, wheat, and pilsner malts.

Malts: Spelt, Oats, Wheat, Pilsner.
Hops: Cascade.
Yeast: French Saison.
Other: Dextrose.

Inbound Cinna-Man Buns Imperial Brown Ale

Inbound Cinna-Man Buns Imperial Brown Ale.
9 % ABV. 25 IBU.
Inbound BrewCo., Minneapolis, MN.

Some puns simply should not be made. This beer name is one of them.

Deep, dark brown, slim cocoa-tinged head.

In the nose: Cinnamon strikes first, quickly joined by other spices, ...cardamom, coriander...clove? It's  a mix, with rich malt base below. Caramel and toffee and a touch of coffee.

In the mouth: Slightly hot and quite spicy. Cinnamon leans on strong, holding it down heavy on top of this imperial brown ale. Starts a little sweet, and turns quickly dry. High alcohol starts ringing in high. Boom, boom, boom, boom. And I'm digging it. Not too shabby.

May have to come back for more of this.

Double brown ale with cinnamon, caramelized wort reduction, and toasted pecans. As sweet and warming as fresh cinnamon rolls...or a man bun. You pick. Brewed in collaboration with Invictus Brewing Co.

Madhouse Blue Dream Blueberry Sour Ale

Madhouse Blue Dream Blueberry Sour Ale. 6.7 % ABV.
Madhouse Brewing Company, Des Moines, Iowa.

One of the last of the bottles brought back from Des Moines a few months back, from this now-defunct brewery. 7 % ABV.

Thoroughly hazed, deep crimson, no head.

In the nose: Big time sour from the start. Intense, fruity, lovely and promising.

In the mouth: Blast of sour and fruit kicks it off, big pucker on the palate. Big, bold fruit, and exceptionally refreshing. Juicy stuff, very blueberry.

Good sour blueberry ale and you can drink it. Glad I got to, twice. (Once at the brewery, as part of a flight.)

Mikkeller Did you Mist ME? Collaboration with Fair State

Mikkeller Did you Mist ME? Collaboration with Fair State. Smoked lager brewed with hot rocks.
5.5 % ABV. Mikkeller SD, San Diego, CA.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Sweetness. Malt. Rye? Smoke. Hmmm. Highly likable.

In the mouth: Slightly sweet, mostly malty, lightly spicy. Light bodied, and tasty. Nothing beating that, it's flat-out enjoyable. Nice and delicately smoked.

Smoked Lager brewed with Hot Rocks. Collab with Fair State Brewing Cooperative

Stone Aggro Agronomist IPA

Stone Aggro Agronomist IPA.
7 % ABV. 57 IBU.
Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hued, large and lasting ivory head of froth.

In the nose: Bursting with citrus notes, and traces of the tropical. Prickly pine pokes in. Delightful.

In the mouth: Blast of bitterness on the palate, loads of hoppy flavors. Tons of citrus and pine. Medium bodied, easy drinking, flat-out tasty. Just enough juicy. Sparked with citrus, charged with delicious. I'm enjoying this one all the way.

Getting all aggro can sometimes be a negative. Getting aggro with your hops however? Awesome. (Try singing that aloud in your best Stone Aggro heavy metal falsetto). Equally awesome: getting aggro with hop agronomy. It's often a tradition passed down through generations, as is the case with Perrault Farms in Toppenish, Washington. Since 1928, the Perrault family and friends have honed their craft to breed new hop varieties with ever more awesome (sing it again) flavors and aromas. This beer features the powerhouse hop Citra as well as two new varieties - Sabro and the as-of-yet unnamed HBC 692. These new beauties balance classic citrus notes with intriguing hints of coconut, herbs and stone fruit. We've gotten aggro many times with our beers since 1996. So a tip of the hat to aggro agronomists like the Perrault family who give us the tools to aggressively propel our craft forward.

Town Hall Brown's Double ESB

Town Hall Brown's Double ESB.
6.2 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.
Canned on 11/4/19. (The day I bought it.)

Clear, caramel-toned, slim white head.

In the nose: Malty, sweet, more caramel tones, this time in flavor rather than color. So far, so delightful.

In the mouth: Clean, well-balanced, crisp and delectable. Lots of malty flavors here, all kept in check. A bit bigger than the average ESB, surely, but doesn't go overboard. I wouldn't really call it double, more like one and a half, but it definitely is tasty, and I'm enjoying every sip.

Surreal Brewing 17 Mile Porter (N/A)

Surreal Brewing 17 Mile Porter.
o.35 % ABV. Crafted and distributed by Surreal Brewing, Campbell, CA.

A while back, I received four samples from this non-alcoholic brewery. They were terrible. Two more to go. Because I have to. This is my promise, this is my quest.

And, who know, maybe this is the one that doesn't suck?

Dark brown, caramel-y colored, tight cocoa-tinted ring of foam above.

In the nose: dusted baker's chocolate...malty...eh...

In the mouth: here we go...and, thud. Just nothing. Joyless. Merest flavor. But, yet, not terrible. Not yet. I could drink this if I were forced to....and yet, I am not, so down the drain it goes. I can't waste time and bladder space on "beers" I just don't enjoy. And, still, I can't really recommend it. Although, why not? It's not awful, but it doesn't supply the pleasures a good porter should. Maybe this is as good as an N/A porter can be? Who can say, I've never had another.

Here are some words from the brewery about it:

17 Mile Porter is complex and delicious. Notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee are well balanced by earthy hops. It delights the senses with it's deep aroma and pours black with a tan head. 

Pairings: It pairs well with hearty stews, grilled meats, and desserts. Perfect for outdoor adventure during Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer;) 

The artwork on our 17 Mile Porter features the famous Lone Cypress tree which can be found along the California Pacific Coast Highway near Monterey. 

It goes especially well anytime you need a refreshing adult beverage without strings attached.

Surly Yummi Bear West Coast IPA

Surly Yummi Bear West Coast IPA.
6.9 % ABV. Surly Brewing, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN.

So, it's like a Gummi Bear, but Yummy? I guess? Let's find out...

Lightly hazed, bright golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Powerfully pungent. Intense citrus and pine aromatics. This is exactly what I want in an IPA aroma. Just about perfect.

In the mouth: Slight sweetness meets bracing bitterness. Medium bodied, smooth, easy-going. Loads of citrus and pine on the palate. Judicioius juiciness, ultimately dry and delightful.

Thanks, Surly, not not merely trotting out another NE Hazy IPA over and over again, like some breweries I could name. Thanks, for making IPA bitter again.

This west coast-inspired IPA is dry, bold, and hop-heavy–but with a twist. Yummi Bear swaps out the dank, resinous SoCal vibe for a bright, citrusy hop flavor and a hint of tropical fruit character. In other words, it’s Yummi.

Dogfish Head American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA

Dogfish Head American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA.
7% ABV. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE.

Another Grateful Dead beer. This one is no longer a granola pale ale, but ties in with the only beer anyone wants anymore, the hazy IPA. Even Deadheads are into them, now. So, let's drink one.

Hazy (naturally), bright golden tone, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrusy hop notes hit first, fresh and lively. Tangerine and orange, with a splash of lemon. Just lovely.

In the mouth: Juicy, juicy stuff. Splash of fruity hop flavors on the palate, ending on a dry note. Medium bodied, refreshing and delightfully drinkable.

It's a good hazy ripple IPA, and you can drink it. Here's some more about it:

It’s been a long strange trip, and we’re not about to stop now. After six years and four releases of American Beauty, we’re back with an encore … only this time you haven’t heard the melody.

Together with the Grateful Dead, we’re proud to introduce our latest collaborative iteration – American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA.

Inspired by the Grateful Dead’s beloved “American Beauty” album, American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA is an unfiltered India Pale Ale brewed with spelt – an ancient heirloom grain that contributes earthy notes and a natural haze – that’s then dosed with a special yeast variety to accentuate hop aromatics.

The result is a psychedelic 7.0% ABV ale that’s bursting with notes of tropical fruit and juicy citrus, while the style callout lovingly references the fan-favorite track “Ripple.”

Excelsior Rip Rap Peanut Butter Cup Stout

Excelsior Rip Rap Peanut Butter Cup Stout.
5.6 % ABV, 18 IBU. Excelsior Brewing, Excelsior, MN.

Thoroughly black, slim brown head on top. Looking good.

In the nose: Peanut butter is big here. Boom! It's a bomb. Quite nice. Rich malt below. Sweetness and lovely.

In the mouth: Mmm. Tasty stuff. Peanut butter flavor stays on top, stout body keeps it afloat. Medium bodied, easy drinking. Peanut butter isn't too anything in this, nicely balanced. Just enough flavor, never too much. Good drinkin' stout. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Riprap Peanut Butter Cup Stout is made with enough peanut butter cups to protect any shoreline. Each batch begins with our traditional stout recipe, then infused with milk chocolate peanut butter cups. The result is a familiar aroma and a touch of sweetness on the front end, finishing with the smoothness of a perfectly roasted stout