Junkyard Bustin' Surf Boards Kölsch

Junkyard Bustin' Surf Boards Kölsch.

5.3 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

As I've said many times, I've become bored and disenchanted by all the hazies, and have no love for all the fruity sours with marshmallows and such. So, any time a brewery that only puts out beers like that sends something into to the world that belongs to quite a different category, I'll be there for it. And if Junkyard makes a Kölsch, you know I'm down. Let's crack a growler and see how it is. 

Clear, bright yellow, slim white head. 

In the nose: Soft, delicate, light floral hops, slight fruitiness. 

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, lightly fruity, some citrus, a bit of apple, a sliver of pear. Light bodied and exquisitely refreshing and drinkable. The flavors are delicate, but delightful. Minor hops and bitterness, but with every sip, it's nothing but delicious. This one nails all the essential aspects of a Kölsch, and I'm to have tasted it. It's a straight-forward, true to style Kölsch. Cheers to Junkyard!

Bustin’ Surf Boards is a Kölsch created with primarily German ingredients and hopped with Hallertau and Saphir hops! This golden Kölsch has a brilliant clarity and a gnarly combination of crisp and biscuity flavors, followed by a slight hint of fruity goodness, making it oh-so-drinkable! 

Great Lakes Tidal Fury Imperial Hazy IPA

Great Lakes Tidal Fury Imperial Hazy IPA. 

8 % ABV, 40 IBU. Great Lakes Brewing, Cleveland, OH.

I approached this beer with some trepidation. I like a good Imperial IPA. I don't enjoy the hazies. In fact, the hazy Imperial/ Double IPA will often disappoint me. On the other hand, I find that attempts at this style from reliable large regional breweries such as Great Lakes tend not to hew so closely to the interpretations of this style that I hold in disregard. It is mainly the small, local breweries that do this because, I don't know, they are so young and beholden to the fascination towards the newer styles that drive their mo

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head, looking amazing, really. Flat out gorgeous. 

In the nose: Bursting with citrus and pine. Rather arid and brittle. Aswim with hoppy delights. Urging one onward to the next stage, to drink...

In the mouth: Flush with citrus and stone fruit deliciousness. Crackling with fruity notes and hop bitterness. This certainly does not contain many of the characteristics of the New England style, but instead has a few of whatever is described as "hazy"...just being unfiltered, I guess. We can get away with that, sure. But it's too bitter for a New England-style, too traditionally hoppy of an Imperial IPA...which I like, of course. 

There's plenty of deliciousness here, lots of citrus, orange and grapefruit, and some stone fruit, apricot and peach, dripping with bitterness and juicy hoppy joy. Slowly but surely, the high ABV rears it's magnificent head, glowing with power and promise. Thanks for this beast, Great Lakes, I'm happy that you are around to make this magic. 

Delicious, bitter, and juicy. Double IPA almost the way I like it. 

A tempest of tropical fruit aromas rushes from the cloudy depths in this Imperial Hazy IPA, brewed with an epic blast of Trident™ hops fit for a king.

Finnegan's Fest Lager

Finnegan's Fest Lager.

5.6 % ABV. 33 IBU. Finnegans Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

I'm going to guess that this Fest is in the Festbier (formerly Weisn) style, not a marzen, for several reasons. It is not called one. It says Fest, rather than Oktoberfest (for we presume Oktoberfest to be marzens, at least here in the USA). The glasses in the label illustration are golden hued, not amber. Let's find out! 

Well, what the heck, I may be totally wrong. This is clearly amber-hued, not golden-toned, mostly clear, with a large and lasting creamy head. You can't believe every beer label. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, herbal, malty, floral hop notes, rich and definitely in line with the marzen style. 

In the mouth: Smooth, mostly sweet and malty, feeling every bit like a marzen. Once again, I've been duped by label art. It's a tasty little guy, medium bodied, lightly hopped, mostly malty, rich and easy drinking, all at once. I'm liking this one. I could ooo-pah-pah the night away with a couple or five. 

A Bavarian style fest lager brewed with all german malts, hops and yeast. Perfect for any sized stein!

Edit: on further research, this is more of a Festbier style, and in a certain light, it is not quite as amber as I called it. No matter what, it's tasty and you can drink it. 

Coronado Twenty-Fifth Anniversary San Diego-style India Pale Ale

Coronado Twenty-Fifth Anniversary San Diego-style India Pale Ale.

7.5 % ABV. Coronado Brewing, San Diego, CA. 

And now for a beer that I know I'm going to enjoy. Just look at it. It has me all over it. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Highly hopped. Citrus and pine. Fresh and lively. 

In the mouth: Crisp and bright. Good blast of hop bitterness starts it off. Snappy. Not soft or hazy. Not pillowy at all. Nothing but hops on the palate. Just the way I like it. Bursting with citrusy goodness, orange, lemon, grapefruit. And not a note of tropical on the side. Sweetness kept wholly at bay. IPA as it was meant to be, baby. 

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary IPA

25 years is a long time. It’s a ¼ of a century. It’s two and a half decades. Needless to say, we’ve learned a few things over the last 25 years brewing in San Diego. We’ve learned how to brew award-winning IPAs and how to cook the perfect fish taco. We’ve learned what it means to “stay coastal” and that supporting our fellow SD Brewers is really what it’s all about. While this beer celebrates a milestone in the CBC story, we know this is still just the beginning. So, let’s raise two pints this time. One for the last 25 years and one for the next.

Cheers & Stay Coastal!

Belching Beaver Hazers Gonna Haze Hazy IPA

Belching Beaver Hazers Gonna Haze Hazy IPA.

6.6% ABV. Belching Beaver Brewery, Oceanside, CA.

And here we have a beer I would have never bought on it's own. Still boycotting the hazies when I can, but it was included in an 8-pack that was the only way to try the Mosaic DIPA. So, let's drink up a hazy, cause everyone's crazy for the hazy. 

All hazed out, bright golden hue, vibrant ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: soft and citrusy. Grapefruit and pine. Orange and pineapple on the side.

In the mouth: Sweetness hits first, with minor bitterness. Juicy, too, with plenty of fruity flavors arriving on the palate. Citrus and a tad tropical are the watchwords once more. Slight astringency toward the back end, but it's overall smooth, medium bodied, with a soft, fruity finish. Ain't nothing too wrong about that. 

Hazy IPA showcasing a combination of new age hops that rotate throughout the year

Arbeiter Vanilla Mocha Stout

Arbeiter Vanilla Mocha Stout.

5.4 % ABV, 20 IBU, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Full ebony appearance. Large and long-lasting cocoa-tinged head. Complete opacity. 

In the nose: Coffee hits first, then vanilla, cocoa astride. Earthy, rich and sweet. 

In the mouth: Starts off bittersweet, lightly hoppy, then it all turns over to the malt and the flavors. Vanilla takes a backseat to the coffee. Perfectly balanced, never too sweet, just enough of everything. Good ol' easy-drinking, medium bodied, full flavored coffee stout. 

Stout w/Vanilla, Chocolate, & Coffee

Experiencing this beer is like walking into your favorite indie coffee shop. It’s chocolately with the perfect balance of Peace Coffee’s Birchwood Blend and makes for a perfect coffee stout.

The aroma is complex for a relatively simple beer. Initially, you’ll smell chocolate-covered espresso beans but the more it warms up you even start getting woody and tobacco aromas. 

If you’re a stout or coffee drinker, you’re going to love this beer. And on a cooler, rainy spring day like today…it’s going to be perfect.

Note: this beer was originally released in the spring.

Bear Republic Baba Yaga Imperial Stout

Bear Republic Baba Yaga Imperial Stout.

12 % ABV. Brewed and canned by Bear Republic Brewing, Cloverdale, CA. 

Solid blackness, complete opacity, slim ring of deep cocoa foam. 

In the nose: Richness upon richness, deep molasses, massive malt, heaping helpings of cocoa, a healthy dose of smoke, and good smack of anise. Deep and lovely. 

In the mouth: Deep and rich, and just a little sweet. A powerful bombardment of malt arrives on the palate, highly satisfying, unspooling many layers of deliciousness. Cocoa, charcoal, roasted malt, caramel, and a touch of licorice. All of the goodies you want in an imperial stout. Lays long on the tongue, perfectly balanced. 

This isn't the biggest Imperial Stout you'll find, but it's a damned nice one. It's got the goods. 

Drumconrath Zim Zam Thank You Mam Mother's Day India Pale Ale

Drumconrath Zim Zam Thank You Mam Mother's Day India Pale Ale.

6 % ABV, 45 IBU. DCR Brewing, Fargo, North Dakota. 

Why am I reviewing a "Mother's Day" IPA in September? Well, why did our store not get it until June? And why did the beer not find it's way into my fridge until August? I'm not late, beer, you are. 

Hazy, bright gold, large and lasting creamy white head. 

In the nose: Brilliantly bitter, abuzz with citrus and pine. Orange, grapefruit, a pinch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Soft and bitter at once, with a gentle blast of hops at the fore. A cornucopia of tropical delights unfolds upon the palate. Some sweetness to match the bitter, good balance, medium bodied, long hoppy finish. Tasty stuff, indeed. I think my Mom would like it. 

When BSG announced the release of Zamba hops, we looked at the flavor profile and just knew we had to get some. With HUGE tropical, citrus and stone fruit notes, it is one amazing hop! We were sitting around the table, trying to figure out what to call it, and our owner said Zim Zam Thank You Ma'am! ...let's make a Mother's Day Beer. So, here it is, dedicated to all you mothers out there, who give everything for us, encourage us to be our best, and buy us home-brew kits for Christmas. So grab your mom, give her a big hug and tell here thank you.

I was going to share a video for the song "Zim Zam Thank You Ma'am", but I can't find it on YouTube. It has to be on there, everything else is...I'll keep looking...

Able Oktoberfest

Able Oktoberfest.

6% ABV. 18 IBU. Able Seedhouse + Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, sizable and staying layer of ivory foam. 

In the nose: Lightly grainy, mostly malty, floral hop notes. 

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, light bodied, exceptionally drinkable. I had aniticipated this one to be a märzen style, for no particular reason. Clearly, it's a Festbier. I suppose that I expect domestic Oktoberfests to be in the märzen style. It's all good. This one is refreshing and delicious. You can drink this in quantity, do your polka, eat your sausage, all the things. 

A classic German Festbier for autumn. Crisp traditional lager profile with balanced floral hops and deep bready character. Prost!

BlackStack Red Bottoms Gold Top DIPA

BlackStack Red Bottoms Gold Top DIPA.

8.8 % ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Once more, a sample. I wouldn't have bought this due to the price and the inevitable disappointment. 

Vaguely hazy (of course), bright yellow coloring, long-lasting ivory head, looking lovely. 

In the nose: Softly citric, slight sweetness, echoes of the tropical, pineapple and papaya. 

In the mouth: Brisk, brief bitterness, then all is juicy and just a little sweet. flashes of citrus, some orange, lemon, grapefruit mingle with the standout sweetness of the tropical notes. Medium bodied, light, smooth and utterly lacking in any of the qualities I'd ascribe to a double IPA. 

It's a delightful enough drink, but 'tis no DIPA. Bring on the bitterness, load up on the hops!

I, for one, don't want a Double IPA that's been "smoothed out." 

I will suggest a new name for this kind of beer: Imperial Hazy Not-really-an-IPA. 

Try as I might, I can't help but gripe. These things they call DIPAs, they just aren't that anymore. 

Our friends & fellow merchants in murk, Track Brewing Company, from Manchester, UK were kind enough to let us borrow their Gold Top treatment to bless this collab. Mosaic, Strata & shiny new Riwaka from New Zealand with healthy portions of protein heavy grains & a dash of milk sugar to smooth things out. As a wise woman once said: "these bloody hops were expensive indeed.

Wooden Ship A Normal IPA IPA

Wooden Ship A Normal IPA IPA.

6.3 % ABV. Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Linden Hills is an old-fashioned neighborhood. I'm sure many of the ale afficianados who congregate  at Wooden Ship might see a Hazy IPA, the kind all the kids are into, of course, and wonder, "don't you have a normal IPA?" You know, not a milkshake, not a hazy, no lactose, or cotton candy, or marshmallows, or this fruit or that fruit, just a normal IPA? I'm glad that they got one. 

I also imagine that this must happen when these gentlemen or women strain to scan the beer list, traipsing through the various variations on farmhouse ales and such, and just want a normal IPA, dammit, do you have one of those? 

Clear, bold amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Bright, beautiful citrusy notes, with a dash of pine. Orange, lemon, grapefruit rule the roost. 

In the mouth: More brightness and boldness. Starts out a little juicy, quickly turning dry. Ample malt keeps it sweet and holds down the fort. Fruit flavors unfold upon the palate, accompanied by bracing bitterness, everything I look for in an India Pale Ale. Flat out Yum a Dum Dum. Lightish bodied, easy drinking, containing all the hallmarks of the style. 

This hits it in the right ways, brisk, crisp, refreshingly bitter, expertly consumable, pleases the palate, while never quite challenging, quite easy to pass down the throat and accompany pleasant times with happy company. That's what a good ol' normal IPA is all about. 

The Brewing Project Double Gunpowder Double India Pale Ale

The Brewing Project Double Gunpowder Double India Pale Ale. With Citra, Centennial, Green Tea, Orange Peel and Honey. 

10 % ABV. The Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI. 

Hazy (of course, naturally), bright golden tone, nearing orange, slim white head. 

In the nose: Orange peel sticks out first, then the tea rushes on in. A taste of honey. Some citrusy hop notes lurk below.

In the mouth: Smooth and mellow. The opposite of what I want in a double IPA. Tea flavor pops on top. Citrus kicks in just after. Fairly fuzzy and murky. Alcohol begins its rise. Honey takes a bow. Some good things going on. 

I can't get over how unlike the double IPAs that I like this double IPA is. I am still holding out hope that TBP will make one that I like. Couple tries left before I shut the door forever. 

I'm moving on to a Sticker Fight next, to reunite me with the style of Double IPA I want to drink. 

Even bigger citrusy IPA brewed with green tea.

Founders Highly Acclaimed KBS A Flavored Stout Maple Mackinac Fudge

Founders The Amazing Kosmicki's Highly Acclaimed KBS A Flavored Stout Maple Mackinac Fudge. Malt beverage with artificially flavored Mackinac Fudge Coffee. 

11% ABV, 40 IBU. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI. 

And here we have a beer that I have sat on for a good year, for no other reason than that I could. Many times over the past twelve months or so I have actually intended to drink and take notes upon it, but some voice inside me said, no, save it, for it is time to sleep.

Tonight, I silence that voice. 

And this may be a problem. You can't buy this beer anymore. Reading this post does you no good, if you glean from my writing that it's a beer you'd like to seek out and drink. For that, I apologize. 

But I don't apologize too much, for this is the journal of the beers I'm drinking now, now matter how missing from the shelves or out of season. I can't guarantee that'll you'll be able to drink them all yourself. That is the passion and the struggle. 

Full-on ebony appearance, throughly opaque, rich brown head, if slim, at best. 

In the nose: Caramel, coffee, massive malt, vanilla, coffee, dark fruit, ...and fudge. Sure, fudge. Maple? Sure, some of that. 

In the mouth: Rich and sweet. Deep, full-bodied. Vanilla and oak meet bourbon barrel and...fudge coffee? Is that right? They didn't add fudge, but "fudge coffee"? That's a head scratcher, there. 

I feel that this might have been "fudgier" when fresh. I did get to share a sample, way back then, and then I bought a bottle and saved it until tonight. No reason. Just realized that it had been nearly a year, and I'd better crack it open. My procrastination knows no bounds. 

Rich, deep, sweet, immense, almost overpowering...no, not quite. But, big, yeah, big. 

Michigan didn't invent old-fashioned fudge, but it was perfected here. We pay tribute to this time-honored tradition with KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge. By amplifying the rich chocolate notes of KBS using Mackinac Fudge coffee, then adding maple syrup and aging it in oak bourbon barrels, we've created a bold new take on our barrel-aged classic - one that could only have originated in Michigan.

Bent Brewstillery A Glitch In The Matrix DDH Hazy DIPA

Bent Brewstillery A Glitch In The Matrix DDH Hazy DIPA. Citra, NZ Kohatu and NZ Moutere. 

8.2 % ABV. Bent Brewstillery, Roseville, MN. 

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking, Al, don't you hate this type of beer? Well, yes, I do. But it was free, although I asked for it. And I haven't tried anything from this brewery in nearly three years. And that was a free sample, too. Then again, I must continue my streak of never paying for the DDH Hazy DIPAs that I review here. If I can help it. 

One further note: You can't just have the $20 4-pack of 16 ounce cans. You also have to have a pop-culture reference and clever title to boot, along with some cool graphics on the label. That's how you catch the eye of the hazy hounds. But it's not all you need, not by a long shot. 

On with the beer: 

Mostly clear, hardly hazy at all, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: soft and fuzzy, big citrus, some stone fruit, bit of tropical. 

In the mouth: Brief bitterness, then all is fuzzy and fruity. Citrus smacks first, followed by a cornucopia of delights. Orange, grapefruit, apricot, pineapple, peach. Medium bodied, and easily drinkable, despite the high ABV. Mellow bitterness, zesty citrus flavors. I'm liking it, if not a lot, just a little. Afficciandos of thes style will be sorely disappointed. It's just not hazy enough. 

DDH HAZY DIPA. Citra, NZ Kohatu and NZ Moutere Hops. 

Super dank, Tropical Fruits, Creamy and Strong Finish.

Weltenburger Kloster Anno 1850 Märzen Beer

Weltenburger Kloster Anno 1850 Märzen Beer.

5.5 % ABV, 24 IBU. 

Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg, Weltenburg, Bayern Germany

And here we have a beer from a brewery I'd never heard of until the bottle arrived at the retail store where I currently work. How could it have possibly have escaped my attention when it's been around for about 971 years, apparently? Heck if I know. 

Also, I passed on those bottles when the same came out in cans. Good ol' 16 ounce cans in a 4-pack. Everyone's doing it. 

Clear, amber-hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, grainy, lightly hoppy. 

In the mouth: Smooth, malty and delicious. Light grainy texture. Medium/light body, excellent drinkability. Classic Märzens flavors. Good ol' drinkin' Oktoberfest. 

This golden yellow Märzen beer, a jewel of Bavarian brewing, combines an exceptionally fine scent with a light, fruity flavor. Full-bodied and spicy at the same time, the malt is emphasized from first sip to the finish. 

Now, I have to wonder why they say "yellow" when it's clearly amber. Color is a universal language, people.

Uinta Caravan IIPA

Uinta Caravan IIPA.

8.5 % ABV, 37 IBU. Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT. 

Slightly hazed, bright golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and stone fruit scream out of the aroma, matched by pine. High levels of hoppiness happening. 

In the mouth: Starts out bright, hoppy, juicy. Then all becomes a bit more intense. Bitterness embiggens. Alcohol rises. Astringency grows, if a bit. But all becomes juicy, almost pulpy, slightly sweet and somehow, smooth. This is delicious. Yum, I might suggest, a dum dum, even. 

A very juicy West Coast style IPA.

August Schell Starkeller Adaptive Matter

 August Schell Starkeller Adaptive Matter. Mixed-culture Berlin-style Wheat Sour with Mango, Passionfruit + Guava. 375 ml bottle. 

4.8 5 ABV, 4 IBU, August Schell Brewing Company, The Starkeller, New Ulm, MN. 

Bright orange color, opaque, slim to no head. 

In the nose: sour & funky leads the charge, fruit right behind. Mango and tropical fruits in full force, with the sour dominating over any sweetness. 

In the mouth: Intense sour from the start. Begins forceful, then softly fades back. Delightful fruit flavors shine on the palate. Medium bodied, long softly sour finish. Yum a dum dum. 

Jam-packed with fruity flavors, this beer has the sweet and sour combination nailed. Seriously. Passion fruit, mangos, and guava front and center. Need we say more?

Brooklyn Butterfly Photobomb Double IPA

Brooklyn Butterfly Photobomb Double IPA. 

8.5 % ABV. Brewed by the Brooklyn Brewery, Boston, MA. (Whatever happened to Brooklyn, NY?)

And here we have one of the worst label designs I've ever seen. I honestly can't tell what it's supposed to be. What is being depicted here? Let me know if you can figure it out. But, on with the beer. 

Ever-so hazy. Why? Because that's the trend. Bright golden color, good sized and long lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: Powerfully hoppy. Super dank. Big citrus, orange and tangerine, with a side of grapefruit. 

In the mouth: Juicy on the palate, citrus and tropical fruit notes, with the booze coming in hot. Goes down easy, if a little sharp, with delightful hoppy flavors, and a lower bitterness than I appreciate in a double IPA. I'm getting the coconut, a little toasted, and wonder where that's coming from. 

Okay, I see the wings of the butterfly, but they don't resemble any patterns I've ever seen, and an odd combination of colors. They really should have thought this through. 

This is tasty stuff, nicely hoppy, but with far too little hop bitterness. It's got a bit of a buzz that I'm digging, though and that's all right with me. 

Juicy IPA with Sabro hop wings. Notes of freshly peeled tangerines, coconut milk, and sweet passionfruit. Very limited release with proceeds benefitting North Brooklyn Mutual Aid.

Wooden Ship Imperial Beer

Wooden Ship Imperial Beer.

9.7% ABV, Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Canned 6/28/21. 

And here we have a beer I tried for the first time at Wooden Ship Brewery a little over two months ago. I bought this crowler some weeks after that and it's about time I opened it and drank the dang thing. 

When I had this beer for the first time, the server told me "it's almost a barleywine." A curious thing to say. Once I tasted it, I couldn't have agreed with him more. Now to see if I can use words to describe this. 

Clear, bright crimson, slim ring of foam. 

In the nose: a bit sweet and caramel-y, a little fruity, but mostly quiet. 

In the mouth: Burst of malty flavors, coupled with a general blast of booze. Not as malty in the mouthfeel that we should get from an actual barleywine, but getting close. Big hops, big malty sweetness, and a cornucopia of fruits, some apple, grape, berries, a bit of cherry. 

It's an interesting beer, and I found much pleasure in drinking it. It doesn't fit any stylistic guidelines, it can't measure up to a real old ale or barleywine, but it's close. It does the trick. And I enjoyed it. Therefore, it's a good beer and you can drink it. 

BlackStack Thätz Kölsch Bier (or is it Thätz Bier Kölsch?)

BlackStack Thätz Kölsch Bier (or is it Thätz Bier Kölsch?)

4.4% ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. Collaboration with Bricksworth Beer Co. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: lightly hopped, slightly floral, delicate notes of citrus, apples, pear, lovely stuff. 

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, light bodied, just enough hop bitterness for balance and flavor. Fruity notes are at play on the palate, hopping off the tongue, delighting and refreshing at once. Plenty of flavor here to make it all worthwhile. I bet this would be great with pizza...

(...and I'm happy to be drinking something from BlackStack that's not a murky mess.)

We’ve had Kölsch on the brain with our fam at Bricksworth Beer Co., so we brewed up this preposterously approachable beer inspired by the imminently crushable pseudo-“lagers” that have been brewed in Köln, Germany for generations. This version is step mashed with our beloved Weyermann Pils, a kiss of Wheat & German Ale Yeast before cold conditioning for 7 weeks to crispy perfection. That’s Beer, Alright.