Junkyard Double Dry-hopped Vince Vega NE DIPA

Junkyard Double Dry-hopped Vince Vega NE DIPA with Citra Hops. 

8.1 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Clouded as it gets, bright golden hue, large, lush ivory head atop. 

In the nose: Bold citrus, lemon, lime, and orange. Splash of pineapple, too. Oncoming passionfruit.

In the mouth: Blasts of Citra bombard the palate. Bright and juicy. Flat-out delicious. Pow, pow, pow! Non-stop hoppiness, spilling juicy goodness all about. Medium/lightish bodied, long, hoppy finish. Never-ending tasty delights. This one is quite diggable. 

This New England style DIPA was brewed with a blend of Citra, Citra, and more Citra hops, and for the first time ever, we double dry-hopped it!⁣

It’s bursting with aromas of juicy orange, white peach and pear, followed by flavors of candied orange peel and stone fruits. The finish is lasting and resinous, which makes this beer big, bold and straight to the point, just like Vince.

Pipeworks Karate Cats West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Blood Orange Juice

Pipeworks Karate Cats West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Blood Orange Juice.

7 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Why did I buy a 4-pack of this beer? The price was right. ($12) I usually enjoy Pipeworks, and I like to sample as much of their wares as I can. (If they are the right style and the right price.) The name and illustration sold me. But...nunchucks and swords aren't karate, you guys, and, besides, how do the cats hold them in their little, non- opposable thumb kitty cat paws, anyway? Think about it!

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Nicely hopped. Citrus and pine. Sweet meets bitter.

In the mouth: Juicy mouthfeel at the start, accompanied quickly by brisk, sharp bitterness. Clean and smooth. Blood orange flavor starts to emerge, but remains a participant, not a player. Slightly tart, but hops are still in control. Citrus and pine at play on the palate, with a long, hoppy finish. Light-ish bodied, and effortlessly drinkable. 

Another yum-a-dum-dum Pipeworks beer. Go get some! 

Arbeiter Wee-Kust Session IPA

Arbeiter Wee-Kust Session IPA.

5.5 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head (though starting large and lush).

In the nose: Fruity, hoppy. Plenty of citrus. Stone fruit. A bit of the tropical. Lushly aromatic. highly likable. 

In the mouth: Light bodied, smooth and tasty. Moderate bitterness clings to the palate, spreads delight. More bright citrus in the flavor, apricot and grapefruit, bitterness continues throughout. Easy-drinking, especially quenchable, and replete with delightful flavors. I'm really liking this one. An excellent sessional ale (although 5.5 % technically breaches the limit for that style). It's a good session IPA, and you can drink it. Another hit from Arbeiter. 

Only one left from the seven crowlers I bought at the brewery three weeks ago. But, I've got an urge to go check them out again, now that we can enjoy beers in the taproom (though not at the bar, just yet). Maybe, maybe...

West Coast meets Hallertau (hop growing region in Germany)! Wee Küst finds its way as an American Session IPA by enlisting a full array of German-sourced hops and malts.

The first of our “Bavarican” beer series, Wee-Küst achieves an American pale ale flavor profile by enlisting a full array of German-sourced ingredients. The blend of German-grown hop varieties employed provides a unique but familiar flavor profile that includes citrus, resinous, grassy, and some fresh herbal notes; not unlike what would be found in a traditionally made American pale ale.

Lupulin DDH Blissful Ignorance Double Dry-hopped Double India Pale Ale

Lupulin DDH Blissful Ignorance Double Dry-hopped Double India Pale Ale.

9% ABV, 70 IBU. Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN. 

Thoroughly hazified. Murky orange-ish hue. Thin slice of ivory foam atop. 

In the nose: Bright, bold happiness, citrus, pine, and such. Accompanied by the yeasty fuzzy stuff. 

In the mouth: Intense bitterness. Bright and beautiful. Does a whammy on the palate. The fruits are on full display, dazzling citrus, some tropical, brief piney-ness. Medium bodied, long, hoppy finish, with the shadow of increasing alcohol coming on. Silky smooth, tasty as heck, hoppy as hell. Utterly enjoyable, and just about delicious. 

As if the madness of our Blissful Ignorance Double IPA was not enough, we roundhouse-kicked it in the face, again, cranking the hop loudness to 11, again!

It's the same 9% ABV Bliss you know and love with a new twist for 2021! This time we hit it with Kohato and Galaxy, for extra pineapple, passionfruit, and citrus flavors. Here at Lupulin, we can't decide if we are geniuses, or idiots. What if we are both? Or neither? Take a sip and decide for yourself. 

Central Waters Fat Elvis Imperial Stout

 Central Waters Fat Elvis Imperial Stout.

10.6 % ABV, 30 IBU, Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI. 

Sublimely stygian, utterly opaque, large, looming cocoa-toned head. 

In the nose: spews out chocolatey goodness, cocoa powder galore. Espresso tinges. Slight smoke. Caramel. Honest to goodness goodness. 

In the mouth: Mmm. rich, sweet, indulgent. Deep, chocolatey, coffee-ish, dark and decadent. Luxurious. Lovable. Sweet, succulent, coated in cocoa. Alcohol rises, assuredly. Big and smooth. Bottomless riches. Indulgence in extremis. 

This Imperial Stout is robust yet retains an amazing ability to be so smooth it could be called Velvet Elvis. Dripping with chocolate and caramel with enough roast and and hop bitterness to balance itself, this beer is dangerously drinkable.

Jack Pine Blood Orange Cream Ale

 

Jack Pine Blood Orange Cream Ale.w

4.6 % ABV, 20 IBU. Jack Pine Brewery, Baxter, MN. 

Clear, slightly orange/reddish tint, slim head that disappears quickly. 

In the nose: lightly tart and citric, blood orange is all over this. 

In the mouth: Splash of tart and bitter, then the fruit takes over. Juicy, tasty, expertly drinkable, light bodied. I'm used to blood orange in an IPA, and a few other styles, but never a cream ale. The smooth, malty, light character is just below, barely revealing itself, but it's mainly a delivery vehicle for the blood orange flavor. I'm typing as fast as I can to get the notes down before it's all drunk up. Smooth, with a faint finish. Tasty enough, though. I don't mind it. 

Our ever-popular Dead Branch Cream Ale gets a citrus infusion in this winter seasonal. Vibrant blood orange greets the nose with hints of citrus and raspberry. A rich blend of bitter and sweet meld together on the tongue in this deliciously drinkable brew. Reach for a Blood Orange Dead Branch when you need a reminder of summer in the depths of winter.

Sixpoint Hootie Hazy IPA

 Sixpoint Hootie Hazy IPA.

6.2 % ABV, 5 IBU. Sixpoint Brewing, Brooklyn, NYC, NY. 

Hazy, bright orange hue, lasting milky white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and pine, all wrapped up in fuzz. Lively, enticing. 

In the mouth: Juicy/fruity, with just a splash of bitterness. Low bitterness, high citrus, ending on a dry note. Easy drinking, light/medium bodied. Perfectly adequate. 

If you like 'em fuzzy and without a hop bite, go ahead and get it. I won't stop you. 

Let your instincts take over. Channel your inner beast. When our brewmaster pulls a fresh beer off the canning line he brings everyone close to crack it open and inhale the instantaneous aroma explosion. It’s ritualistic. This sort of obsession led to vision quests in Pacific Northwest hop fields, not to mention years of maniacal recipe modification on a small scale. Embrace your inner HOOTIE and fly silently into the night!

Features Direct-sourced Idaho 7, El Dorado, and Amarillo hops, along with Galaxy hops from Australia

Two Roads Holiday Ale Biére de Noel

 Two Roads Holiday Ale Biére de Noel.

7.3 % ABV. Two Roads Brewing, Stratford, CT. 

I know what you're saying. You're saying, Al, what's up, Christmas was a month ago, why are you drinking this now? How to explain this? Okay, these cans came into my possession shortly before the holiday, and I enjoyed can #1, stashed the second away for another day and the note-taking. And that day become today because I am a terrible procrastinator. I've definitely done worse. You don't want to know. Believe me.

I didn't purchase any before that day that they became mine because there are so many new beers coming out around the holiday season, it's impossible to get them all. Some fall by the wayside, and, actually, holiday-themed beers aren't my top priority. I like 'em, just don't live for them. 

But every good holiday ale can be enjoyed anytime, and why not now, with snow piled up and temps in the teens. (At least we haven't dipped below zero yet. Fingers crossed.) We're not out of this for a long while. Brrr...

Clear, auburn hue, slim whitish head. 

In the nose: Deep, dark fruit, and slight spice. Figs and berries. Mostly malty. 

In the mouth: More spices grace the palate along with waves of malt. Moderately hopped. Some small sweetness. Like mulled fruit with spices. Definitely delicious. I'm liking this one. I'd drink it anytime of year. 

Beaver Island Tip Up Winter Ale

Beaver Island Tip Up Winter Ale. "Dam. Fine. Beer"

7.5 % ABV, 33 IBU. Beaver Island Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

Clear, mahogany hue, slim off-white head. 

In the nose: Malty. Slight spice. Spruce. Whiffs of dark fruit, berries. 

In the mouth: Mmm. It all comes together. Beautiful blend of spruce tips, hops, rich smoked malt. Medium bodied, highly flavorful, and fairly easy drinking for such a complex arrangement. So many flavors are at play on the palate that one is forced to take it slow and luxuriate, savoring the feeling, letting it flow. Spruce is bouncing well off the hops, and the malt holds it all in place, delivering warm feels to hold us through the cold. Quite likable. Go get yourself some. 

Our Tip-Up winter ale is brewed with a touch of smoked German beechwood malt, the first locally grown and pelletized hops, and a late kettle addition of young spruce tips. Our hope is to encompass the joys of MN winters; a warming fire, the scent of conifers, and a satisfying day on the lake waiting for the big one to hit our line.  

Waldmann Lichtenhainer Sour Smoked Ale

 Waldmann Lichtenhainer Sour Smoked Ale.

4.6 % ABV, Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

An unusual look to this one. Clear, dark, smokey amber hue, off-white head that drifts down quickly. 

In the nose: soft, sweet, with the smoke assuredly wafting in, and the sour coming in at the back. 

In the mouth: Starts out fruity and sweet, soft on the palate, light bodied. Smoke comes on slowly, sour is minor. Everything is in moderation here, which is fully in the German style. Nothing is too anything. Easy-drinking, and full of character. 

I may be disappointed that this isn't bolder or fuller, but who am to say that it isn't exactly what it's supposed to be? I've only had one other beer in this style, brewed by Fair State, and it tasted pretty much the same, if remember way back to 3 or 4 years ago. (It was just re-released, so maybe I should get over there and check it out again.)

Sour Smoked Ale - Brewed for centuries near Jena in the Thuringia region of northeastern Germany, this pale, unfiltered beer is brewed with both wheat and barley malts, including a touch of floor malted beechwood smoked barley. The use of 10% acidulated malt gives the beer a weakly sour taste. The style disappeared completely late in the last century and is still very rare in the US. A low ABV combined with a slightly smoky and tart flavor makes this the rarest breed of session beers.

Arbeiter Breaking Bread Pumpernickel Rye Ale

Arbeiter Breaking Bread Pumpernickel Rye Ale. 

"Brewed with a conscience to be consumed by people who have one too. Enjoy, good buddy."

5.6 % ABV. 17 IBU. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, auburn-hued, creamy, tannish head, lasting long. 

In the nose: light hops, spicy rye malt, caramel character. 

In the mouth:  Mmm. Likable, right off the bat. Caramel & rye malt character comes spilling out on the palate, with a touch of cocoa on the side. Rich and ready. Moderate hops, delectable malt. Medium bodied, clean, smooth, and exceptionally flavorful. Toasty, tasty, brimming with delights. 

This is crowler #5 of the 7 I bought nearly two weeks ago. It's my favorite so far. 

A pumpernickel bread beer with German ale yeast originating from Düsseldorf  with a generous amount of rye malt. Molasses and dark brown sugar were added to make a uniquely tasty beer.

Broken Clock Home Improvement Double IPA

Broken Clock Home Improvement Double IPA.

8.5% ABV, Broken Clock Brewing Collective, Minneapolis, MN.

Slightly clouded, dark crimson hue, large white head. 

In the nose: sweetness & fruit. Happiness, but low bitterness. A cornucopia of fruity sensations, but playing it rather cool, nonetheless. 

In the mouth: Cool, calm, slightly bitter, slightly sweet. Big fruit, bold and hoppy. Juicy to an extreme. As a double IPA, I like the boldness. Big time juicy/fruity. Rich, redolent, lush, delicious. Rich and malty, yet rich and hoppy. I like that combo. I like it a lot. 

Ever so tasty. Full of the citrus, the full-on fruit, the dank, and the resinous. All the goodies. The dankest. And I can dig it. 

Odell Hazer Tag Hazy IPA

 Odell Hazer Tag Hazy IPA.

6% ABV, 30 IBU. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, CO. 

I've been doing sampler packs again lately. It's a good way to stretch the dollars. I end up with a few new beers for the blog, and usually the rest are beers I'll also enjoy. It's good to have something inexpensive to just crack open when you get home. I got the winter sampler from Odell for about $17. That averages out to about $1.43 apiece. And I'd much rather get 12 bottles or cans for $17 than 4 of them. I'm holding fast on my boycott on the $16+ 4-pack. There are a lot of other beers out there, they don't all have to be DDH TIPAs. 

So, this pack came with 4 IPAs, which I always enjoy, and 4 Isolation Ales, maybe like that one a little less, and 4 of this "exclusive release", 3 of which have passed down my gullet with aplomb. Let's take a closer look at this last one. 

It's hazy, all right, golden hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big citrus smells, orange and grapefruit, lemon peel, with tropical tones coming on. Passionfruit/guava. 

In the mouth: Brief hoppy bite, a brief bit of bitterness, than more a sweet, fruity character takes over. Bitterness may be small, but it stays in control and sticks around. Medium bodied, easy drinking, very flavorful and mellow. Tasty stuff. 

Game-changing haziness awaits in the galactic arena of happiness. Experience the rush that comes with the heart-pounding excitement of IPA innovation. Passion fruit and citrus notes engulf the palate in a dynamo of hazy hop goodness. Draw your phaser and see how you measure up in our latest game of Hazer Tag. 

I have a love/hate relationship with the above verbiage. Why am I not getting paid to make up that kind of stuff? It's just not fair. 

Junkyard The Art of Selection IPA

Junkyard The Art of Selection IPA.

7.5 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

All hazy-like. Bright yellow. Lush, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: Tropical explosion. Citrus on the side. Very nice.

In the mouth: First off, the hazy/fuzzy/yeasty sensation that floods the mouth from the start. Then, the hops begin to shine, pineapple pops out, surrounded by citrus. "Coconut, peach,  & berries?" Not so much. Maybe a little, if you stretch it out. But nonetheless, it's a tasty treat. Bright and juicy. Yum a dum-dummy. 

The Art of Selection is a New England Style IPA with a killer hop bill. Hopped at six pounds per barrel with Mosaic, Citra, Sabro, Strata, El Dorado and Enigma, this IPA is complex and intriguing. Aromas of coconut, red berries and peach jump out of the glass, followed by tropical flavors of pineapple and citrus. We’re proud of this work of art and can’t wait for you to try it.

Toppling Goliath Double Dry Hop King Sue Double IPA

 Toppling Goliath Double Dry Hop King Sue Double IPA.

7.8 % ABV, 50 IBU. Toppling Goliath Brewery, Decorah, IA. 

Hazy as all get out, deep golden/orange, slimmish white head. 

In the nose: Citrus bomb, all lemon and grapefruit and orange. 

In the mouth: Bold, bright, juicy, and hoppy as all get-out. Citra spills out all the place. Shiny and slightly sharp, before the alcohol enters. Tropical touches make the scene, pineapple and passionfruit to add to the lemon zest and grapefruit peel. Dank and delicious. 

Yum a dum dum.

Citra hops give King Sue its bold flavors of mango, orange, and pineapple. This double dry-hopped version packs even more flavor into each bottle.

Drekker The Nightman Cometh Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

Drekker The Nightman Cometh Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout.

9.5% ABV, Drekker Brewing, Fargo, ND.

Full ebon, complete opacity, slim brown head. 

In the nose: Molasses, charcoal, dark fruit, deep malt, chocolate, coffee, vanilla and cherries, oak and whiskey. All the usual suspects are in full attendance. 

In the mouth: Sweetness, chocolate, espresso, all the deep, dark goodness. Decadence. Richness. Full bodied to the fullest extent. A whiff of smoke, a dip into molasses and treacle and all the dark fruits and a touch of anise, on the side. Woo. Boom. Boom, boom, boom, boom. 

Coming in at 9.5% ABV, this Russian Imperial Stout is intense and complex while staying amazingly smooth and approachable. Begins with the aromas of molasses and raisins and evolving flavors of toffee, chocolate and prune. Finishing slightly dry and acidic, with hints of star anise and the lingering notes of dark roasted malts.

Sisyphus Limited Resource DDH NE IPA

Sisyphus Limited Resource DDH NE IPA.

7.4 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

All hazed out. Bright orange hue. Large, pillowy white head. 

In the nose: Slight sweetness, minor bitterness. Waves of citrus. 

In the mouth: On the palate, a duet of sweet and bitter. Citrus fruit associations grab the tongue and smoothly glide away. Tropical notes take their turn, too, a blast of guava, passionfruit, et al. Fair amount of that yeasty fuzziness typical of the NE style takes over the character of the brew, but all in all it's a well-balanced, juicy NE-style IPA that I'm liking. 

Could use more bitterness for my taste, but that's what I always say. And that wouldn't make it a good NE IPA, now, would it? 

That crowler will be crushed in no time, I guarantee it. 

Ayinger Jahrhundert Bier

Ayinger Jahrhundert Bier. Dortmunder/Export Lager. 

5.5 % ABV, 22 IBU, Privatbrauwerei Ayinger, Aying, Bayern, Deutschland. 

And here we have a beer that I'd never heard of (although it's been brewed for 42 years) until we received some at the retail store where I now work. It's been a rapid seller since we stocked it, and I had to check it out and find out why. Another reason is that I have to try them all. After this one, there are still two other Ayinger beers we stock that have yet to find their way here in the Nib. Before I begin, I think I already know the reason I have to keep restocking this one: people like a good Dortmunder lager. 

Jahrhundert = year hundred, celebrating the brewery's centennial back in 1978. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lusty white head. 

In the nose: moderately hoppy, spilling out much malt in the aroma, classic dortmunder nose, slightly floral, clean and crisp. 

In the mouth: More crisp and clean, light and lovely. Slight sweetness, ultimately ending dry. Expertly consumable, quenching, and tasty. Malty flavors all the way through. Refreshing and delicious. 

This beer was first brewed in 1978 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our brewery. It has a golden-yellow color with a slightly flowery yeast, honey-ish aroma, tastes a little spicy and is full-bodied in initial taste, mild before swallowing and soft with a refined sparkle and fades with a well-balanced hint of bitterness. It is an especially drinkable and harmonious beer. Conrad Seidl, known as the Austrian “Pope of Beers”, on the Jahrhundert Bier: “It is a malty beer that pronounces the precious earthy quality of malted barley.” 

Oliphant Bourbon Barrel-aged Super Squishy

Oliphant Bourbon Barrel-aged Super Squishy.

5.5 % ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Deeply reddish appearance, largely opaque, sizable pinkish layer of foam on top. 

In the nose: Super Squishy is in full attendance, here, the berries, the coconut, the lactose, doing their thing. I'm not getting much else, though. 

In the mouth: Now, we're getting some barrel action. A little. But, the fruited sour that is Super Squishy is still in charge. And, ...I'm waiting. Waiting. Where's the bourbon barrel? I'm not getting anything, really. Maybe, very minor. Maybe this needed to stay in the barrel longer? 

I have to admit to feeling a little cheated. This was a $7 12 ounce can. And I'm not tasting anything like bourbon. Not really. Not enough. 

Arbeiter Winterzeit Festbier

 Arbeiter Winterzeit Festbier.

4.5 %, 22 IBU. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And now we have crowler #4 from the seven that I bought at Arbeiter two weeks ago. (What, it takes you two weeks to drink four crowlers, I hear you say. Fret not, friends, there are certain reasons and rules for the order that I drink my beers. Don't worry about it.) It's not often that I buy seven crowlers at once, but also it is rare that I have entered a new brewery and was not able to drink a pint within. A week later, restrictions had been lifted and we can once again drink and eat inside a bar, restaurant or taproom, although in Minneapolis we still cannot sit at a bar, merely take the beers to a table. I have only been to one taproom since, and it was Sisyphus, last Friday.  I will make it back to Arbeiter again soon, but probably not until I have finished all of these crowlers. (And that will take some time, due to the arcane rules that I have set for myself.)

So, on with the beer: 

Clear, bright golden/amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: crisp, clean, noble hops at play in a field of mild malt. Right on target. 

In the mouth: More crisp, more clean, and exceptionally malty. Outright tasty. Brisk hop attack, quickly turning to the malty side. Refreshing to a t. Classic festbier style. I can see this a definitive people pleaser. I even want to call it...you guessed it...yum a dum dum. 

WinterZeit, Festbier

ABV 4.5% | 22 IBU

Our golden lager, WinterZeit, is here to keep you warm (or at least warm inside). A pale German-style lager has a bright malt backbone, floral hops, and crisp finish.

Our golden lager stands tall on a blended base of bright German Pilsener and bready German Munich malts. Delicately balanced spicy and floral hop notes come from a new German hop, Aurum, which means gold in German. Not to be confused with amber lagers in the style of Märzen/Oktoberfest, Festbier is a pale German-style lager with great, long-lasting white head, moderately full body, and dry finish. It shares traits similar to Helles and Maibock.