Bent Paddle Pordij Imperial Pale Ale

Bent Paddle Pordij Imperial Pale Ale. 8.2% ABV, 70 IBU. Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, MN.

Lightly hazy, bright golden hued,  fresh ivory head.

In the nose: A blast of citrusy hop notes, big orange, grapefruit, tangerine,. Fruity, fresh, sweet, citric, bitter.

In the mouth: Big bitterness on the palate, at first. Fresh fruitiness. A blast of bitter hop flavors on the palate, then cool and even. Brisk, bitter, beautiful. Not hoppy enough, I guess, to be an IPA, just a big ol', strong ol' Imperial Pale Ale. I'm enjoying this one all the way down.

Dogfish Head Wood-aged Bitches Brew

Dogfish Head Wood-aged Bitches Brew. Stout brewed with honey. 9.5% Alc. by Vol. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE.

Full-on ebony, dark and dense, slim brown head.

In the nose: toasty, roasty, rich, coconut, slightly sweet, some chocolate, hickory. Nice. Very nice.

In the mouth: Great balance. Just enough bitter, just enough sweet. richness upon richness. Altogether tasty. Very mellow, very fine. I think I need to change my aural environment....

ah, yes. Much better with Miles in the background. Or fore, whichever. And very cool to see Mati Klarwein's art on the label again.

Hey, you know what? Listening to Miles is one thing,
 but you should check out the words, as sung by Eddie Jefferson. Right here....And over there...

So Cool. Then I switch to Spanish Key, and even more it chugs along in a funky, fusion way....

This is so nice. So good. So groovy.

A big roasty, oak-aged stout brewed in concert with a Palo-aged African Tej with Zambezi Honey

Much like Jazz fusion, which blends different musical styles, our Wood-Aged Bitches Brew is a fusion of three threads of Imperial stout aged on oak and one thread of Tej - a native African honey beer - aged on Palo.

The result is a roasty brew chock full of aromas of vanilla, licorice and chocolate, while you’ll find notes of sweet roast coffee with every sip. It’s slightly dry in the mouthfeel with a mild bitterness that make it the perfect sipper.

Dogfish Head founder & CEO Sam Calagione says Wood-Aged Bitches Brew is best when “sipped cool, not cold, from a snifter or red wine glass while listening to the Bitches Brew album.” We like the sound of that.

Modist Har Mar Superstar's Bye Bye 16 Ounce Personal Tallboy Citrus Lager Best Summer Ever Beer

Modist Har Mar Superstar's Bye Bye 16 Ounce Personal Tallboy Citrus Lager Best Summer Ever Beer. 4.9% Alc./Vol. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

There are times when my quest to drink them all takes me into places that I'd usually rather not go. This beer, a collaboration with local music legend Har Mar Superstar, was released at Modist's 2nd anniversary party a couple weeks back. It was not released on tap, tallboys only. I saw it at a store recently, and had to give it a try. But is it my kind of beer? We'll see.

Lightly hazy, bright golden, slim ivory head on top.

In the nose: Citrus-y, sure. Light, delicate, airy. Yup.

In the mouth: Big, citrus-y bite up front. Light bodied.Tangerine and lime really come through. Light and citrus-y just about covers it. Very limey. And tangeriney.

Yup. Citrus lager and you can drink it. I'm finishing my notes on the second tallboy from the 4-pack. I'm going to push the other two to the back of the fridge and drink them when it's 95 degrees out. For now, it's just not interesting enough.

And, hey, why not a Fancy Ray McCloney collaboration beer? That sounds like fun. I know he doesn't drink, but it might be more interesting than this one.


A crisp crushable lager thats fermented with tangerine and lime.

Inbound Imperial Saison

Inbound Imperial Saison. 9.7% ABV. 42 IBU. Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis, MN. April 11, 2018.

Lightly hazy, amber-ish coloring, creamy, lasting head above.

In the nose: Soft, malty, Belgian yeast. Little bit of funky. Touch of the bubblegum. Some citrus, straw, spice. Nice.

In the mouth: More fruit, more spice, more full bodied flavor. Yum. Major Yum. Big, bold, and increasingly boozy yum. Slips down effortlessly. But it is Imperial, it's outsized and big-boned, sweetish and bombastic. I don't mind that a bit. Fruity, fresh, Funky, Belgian, tart, tasty. I am digging this.

Focused pear and pineapple with spicy melon and clove background. Layers of complexity reveal subtle coconut, cedar, cantaloupe, and bubblegum. Slight alcohol pepperiness. Earthy warm finish with lingering bright farmhouse notes.

Fair State / Surly Clarity of Purpose IPA

Fair State / Surly Clarity of Purpose IPA. 7.2% ABV. "A distinctly haze-free IPA from Surly Brewing Company + Fair State Brewing Cooperative." Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MPLS/STPL, MN.

So, Surly and Fair State got together for some collobatings. The Surly version is called Obscurity of Purpose, and it's the hazy one. I had it last week at the brewery, but I was with family for the 21st birthday of a nephew and I didn't take notes. It was a good beer, and I could drink it.

Fair State's end was the non-hazy version, Clarity of Purpose, and I've got a feeling that hazy IPA fans are not interested in this experiment. "No haze? Then, what's the point?" I was lucky enough to find a 4-pack and here are the notes. (By the way, if you want to read more about the process, click the link above.)


Clear, bright golden, slim white head, gone with a quickness.

In the nose: tropical tones hit first: the mango, the pineapple and passionfruit, and then...maybe some citrus, but that's about it. Sweetness abounds, with little bitterness, and very quiet malt.

In the mouth: Brisk, bright, beautiful bitterness, buoyed by bountiful sweet hoppy flavors, and a modicum of malt. Sweetness, slight bitterness, utter smoothness. Terrifically likable.

Venn Brewing Batch 32 Big Red Rye

Venn Brewing Batch 32 Big Red Rye, 8% ABV, 45 IBU, Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, dark crimson coloring, slim whitish head.

In the nose: sweetness first, rich, red, fruity, then along comes malt.

In the mouth: comes on bold the spicy rye malt, and the big hop attack. Rich malt, with a fair pounding from citrusy, piney hop bitterness. Medium-bodied, easy-drinking, toasty and tasty. Quite nice. Alcohol creeps in just a little bit. Altogether satisfactory.

Spicy rye, piney hops, toasty malt.
A big, balanced, Imperial Red Ale featuring Chinook hops from Community Hops in Longfellow and a hefty dose of rye malt.

Malts: Red-X, Rye, Oats.
Hops: Warrior, Chinook.
Yeast: American Ale.

Oliphant Crabbin' On The Beach Rum Barrel-aged Wee Heavy

Oliphant Crabbin' On The Beach Rum Barrel-aged Wee Heavy. 9.5% ABV, IBU:?. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Solid darkness, creamy, brown-tinged head on top.

In the nose: very inviting. Rum stands over all. Strong, boozy, sweet, sitting on top of an already big, bold beer. Malt-massive. Really appealing.

In the mouth: Big sweetness from the start, full-on effects from the malt and the barrel. Practically no input from hops, no bitterness, all malt, all rich, humungous. Big and deep, large in it's depth. Boom, boom-ba-doom. Add to that, yum. Rich and utterly delicious.

Town Hall Full Sun Pale Ale

Ah, the sun. Bring it on, baby, it's spring at last! Free from winter! In mere days, that ol' sun's going to do double time and the snow will drop out. The last of the snowmen will fade, flowers will bloom, trees will blossom, birds will sing. Everyone was out today, jogging among the withering snowbanks, biking around the disappearing ice slicks.

So, what a fine beer to drink in honor of this beautiful time, the end of winter, the start of spring, the time of the sun.

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Full Sun American Pale Ale. 5.6% ABV. Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, golden toned, lovely cloud-white head atop.

In the nose: bright citrus, orange, lemon, a little grapefruit. Just slightly sweet. Very nice.

In the mouth: Hop bitterness grips the palate first and foremost. Mellow malt sweetness kept in check with high hop bitterness, though IBUs are undisclosed. Light-bodied, long-lasting hop attack. Refreshing and delicious. Hoppy pale ales are, in the current parlance of our times, my jam. I dig 'em the most.

And this is a really good one. Go drink it. I will, over and over again. If they run out too quick, go ahead and blame me.


American Pale Ale dry-hopped with Pacifica (NZ), El Dorado, Summit, & Citra.

Day Block 4th Anniversary Russian Imperial Stout

Day Block 4th Anniversary Russian Imperial Stout. 11.2% ABV, 55 IBU, Day Block Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Dark, dark black color, slim, soon-gone brown head, fully opaque, looking the part.

In the nose: pumpernickel, chocolate and molasses. Richness aplenty here. Quite nice.

In the mouth: vanilla. cocoa. espresso. slight cherry. Raisins, dates, figs, etc. Rich, full, major, ultra, bigness. All that. Big time bigness. I thoroughly dug it.

Cheers to four years and the tapping of this king stout to celebrate our Anniversary! We got together with FEW and brewed a chocolate forward Russian Imperial Stout. Barrel aged in Rye and Bourbon Barrels brings out a fantastic aroma of fresh dates, vanilla and chocolate.

Furstenberg Black Forest Pils

Furstenberg Black Forest Pils. "Crisp and Refreshing", "Bierkultur seit 1283", 31 IBU. Beer, Premium Import from Germany. Brewed and bottled exclusively by FurstlichFurstenbergische Brauerie GmbH & Co KG, Donaueschingen, Germany. Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops, & hop extract. (I'm sure they want to include yeast, as well). 4.8% ABV.

Here we have a pilsner from a Germany brewery that seems to have had a bit of history behind it (since 1283? really?), and yet I'd never heard of it. If I'd seen it in a store, I probably wouldn't pick it up right away, since "pils" is a not style that sets me off. But the Sample Man dropped it in my lap, so it goes in the queue, and I'm going to drink it.

Crystal clear, pale yellow color, sizable ivory cap of foam on top.

In the nose: clean, cereal notes, malt sweetness.

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, light bodied, smooth and highly drinkable. Minor hop bitterness, malty flavors dominate. Hop flavor profile grows in time. Quick an easy drinker, with some nice flavor in it. Stays sweet until it ends dry. Quite nice.
Good pils and you know what you can do with it.

Dogfish Head / The Flaming Lips Dragons & Yum Yums

Dogfish Head / The Flaming Lips Dragons & Yum Yums.  Pale Ale brewed with dragonfruit, and yumberry. Passionfruit, pear, and black carrot juices. Brewed and bottled by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. 6.5% ABV, 25 IBU.

Clear, pinkish hued, with solid ivory head. Weird and good.

In the nose: Lightly sweet and fruity. Very berry. What other berries? I can't say for sure. (I'm drinking this

In the mouth: Slight tart, big fruity. Dragonfruit? I love Dragonfruit! I don't go out of my way for it, but if it's there, I'm drinking it. Or eating it. Plenty of dragonfruit, and who knows what else pounds the palate on every sip.

Light body, smooth, easy drinking, lots of fruit....tasty and tart.

I haven't any familiarity with the music of The Flaming Lips, and can only imagine what their song about dragons and yum yums can possibly sound like. Maybe it's out there somewhere, or do I have to wait for Record Store Day?

An explosion of fruit in every sip, Dragons & YumYums is an intensely tropical - yet subtlety bitter - pale ale brewed with a combination of dragonfruit, yumberry, passionfruit, pear juice and black carrot juice. Clocking in at 6.5% ABV and 25 IBU, Dragons & YumYums is a first-of-its-kind beer and vinyl collaboration with American rock icons, The Flaming Lips. 

A sensory enveloping experience at the intersection of creative beer paired with creative music, the energy of this union inspired Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne to use ingredients from the beer - dragonfruit and yumberries - as characters in two original songs, The Story of Yum Yum and Dragon and Pouring Beer in Your Ear … making this the first beer with its own theme song!

With dragonfruit and yumberry as the main elements, Wayne transformed them into storyful lyrics in the song like, “Yum Yum and Dragon went out for a drive, but Yum Yum doesn’t have any eyes….Yum Yum and Dragon, they’re happy they’re friends…”

The psychedelic influence of the label artwork, designed by Marq Spusta as part of Dogfish Head’s Off-Centered Art Series, was influenced by the legacy of the Flaming Lips and the culinary components in Dragons & YumYums shown through radiating lines, movement of fire, dancing lips, rainbows and bold pink colors.

Inbound Apricot Pale Ale

Inbound Apricot Pale Ale. Currently bearing the name of The Fuzz in the new cans that are out, though I am drinking from a crowler I bought about 10 days ago.

5% ABV, 24 IBU, Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis, MN.

I'm looking on Untappd and it shows 3 check-ins to this beer, the first one being October 17, 2016, which was my first visit to the Inbound taproom. I liked it, good apricot pale ale. Check-in number two was from a sample bottle, provided by the brewery, enjoyed at my home, but I didn't publish the notes that I took on December 16 of 2016 for some reason. Again, I liked it. Why didn't I order kegs from the brewery for the bar that I work at? Good question. And check-in #3 was at Acadia on January 17 of 2017, when I had it on tap at Acadia, but ...well, there's a story there, and I'm going to tell it to you, soon, dear reader.

But for now, I'm just going to go ahead and drink Apricot Pale Ale, aka The Fuzz one more time and take notes from this crowler that I purchased at the taproom, because it's good enough, it's tasty enough, and doggone it, people like it.

Clear, dark amber coloring, slim, whitish head.

In the nose: bright, fresh, bold, fruity. Plenty of apricot aromatics at play, amidst the hops and malt.  Just delightful.

In the mouth: tasty, fruity. Sweet and hoppy. Juicy. Malty. Delicious. Fresh and zesty. Medium bodied, with a long hoppy/fruity finish. It's scrumptious. I don't use that word very often, but it naturally fits right here. Scrum-diddly-umptious. This is one apricot pale ale that I honestly and truly absolutely fully enjoy.

And you should, too.

Or, do you need everything to be hazy, or milk-shakey, or vanilla-y, or bourbon barrel-y? Ah, nertz to that. Good old simple apricot pale ale is good enough for me.

Venn Brewing Batch #48 White Stout

Venn Brewing Batch #48 White Stout. 7% ABV. 22 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Filled 4/12/18, opened and consumed 4/19.

White Stout? White. Stout. White Stout? What? No, I mean it, what?
Well, first off, it's not white. In the nitro version, maybe, but CO2, not quite, more amber/bronze, and clear, with a short-lived whitish head.

In the nose: Coffee hits first, with cocoa right behind it. Semi-sweet, rich, lively, vibrant, terrific.

In the mouth: There's that dynamic duo again, hitting the palate hard from the start. Medium bodied, easy drinker. Tasty stuff. I like it. Quite nice. I'm going to enjoy finishing this growler. Just enough sweetness, just enough hop bitterness for balance. It's interesting, as we say in Minnesota, and it's a good beer and I can drink it.

I've never had a "white stout" before, and I still don't get it. It doesn't really have all of the flavors, or the mouthfeel and texture of a stout. It isn't a stout. There's no roasted malt at all. Just call it a coffee/chocolate ale, but this nomenclature doesn't fly. A term of art, perhaps. But I know what a stout tastes like, and it's not just coffee, chocolate and vanilla added to an amber ale.

(Understand that I have no problem with the beer itself, merely the name.)

Actual chocolate, actual coffee, it’s not dark?
A pale colored ale infused with a heavy dose of Ghana cacao nibs, a blend of coffee roasts, and vanilla. Served on either co2 or nitro.

Malts: Simpsons Maris Otter, Flaked Barley, Flaked Oats, Caramel 20.
Hops: Warrior, Willamette.
Yeast: American Ale.

Summit Skip Rock White Ale

Summit Skip Rock. "A crisp white ale with citrus peel and spice." "Proudly brewed in St. Paul, MN by Summit Brewing Company. "4.5% ABV. 18 IBU.

Cloudy, bright golden-hued, milky froth atop. 

In the nose: ah, there's the spice! Coriander hits the nose, some citrus, light, airy, delightful. D'lovely. Slightly sweet and fruity. 

In the mouth: Sweetness, smoothness, fluffy wheat texture. Fruit, Belgian yeast. Low bitterness, juicy malt. Delicious. I could waste a day away on the dock with a ton of these. That is a fact. Though at this writing, such a thing is only a dream in the mind. Come spring, and send summer not far after you. ( Looks at snow outside. Sighs again.)

Not a bad version of a witbier in the least. Not at all.

A floral white ale featuring tangerine peel and fresh-ground coriander, Summit Skip Rock offers notes of zesty citrus, clove and biscuit. Unfiltered and brewed with a complex malt bill including wheat and oats, it’s full-bodied, slightly sweet, and a little tart beneath the surface, leading to a crisp, refreshing finish.

And more: Summit Skip Rock features tangerine peel from California and New Mexico, a fresh and fruity variation on the Curaçao orange often used in white ales. Hopsteiner’s new Lemondrop hop enhances the final beer’s citrus flavors and aromas. You may be tempted to garnish this beer with an orange wedge, BUT DON’T DO IT. As Head Brewer and noted Irishman Damian McConn says, “They don’t drink ’em like that in the old country.”

No, they don't, Damo. That all started as marketing from Coors, to get people into dipping orange wedges into their Blue Moon, and just as Widmer started the whole lemon wedge in your Hefe Weizen thing. That a beer contains a certain flavor doesn't require that we junk up our glasses with other representations of that taste. Should every stout have a Kit Kat bar dunked in the glass? Do we festoon a framboise with a wreath of raspberries? Let beer be beer, I say!

Ale Asylum Hush Money India Pale Ale

Ale Asylum Hush Money India Pale Ale. 7.8% ABV. Ale Asylum Brewing, Madison, WI. "All natural, unfiltered ales and lager made with passion and best enjoyed that way."

Lightly hazed, bright orange coloring, lovely ivory head, leaving lace, looking good.

In the nose: soft, sweet, citric. Touch of tropical: passion fruit and guava.

In the mouth: Sweet and fruity, low bitterness. I had no knowledge of this one before opening the can, but is this their version of an NE/hazy IPA? Could be. Bright and juicy, yeasty, tasty. Medium bodied, long, hoppy finish. Lacks the bitterness I desire, but once more, it seems they're shooting for that low bitter, high juicy, hazy business everyone's going for. Not me, but who am I to fight the maddening crowd?

This IPA is bright and fruity with a juicy flavor of white grapes being shot from a cannon. Hu$h Money will be available February through April 2018, both packaged and on tap throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota.

Warpigs Salmon Pants Lager.

WarPigs Salmon Pants Lager. 5.3% ABV, 45 IBU. WarPigs

I don't own any salmon pants. Who does, anyway? Or are they referring to the pants that belong to salmon. Salmon don't wear pants. My head hurts. Never mind, let's drink a beer.

Clear, bright golden, ample head of ivory froth.

In the nose: Clean, sweet, malty, little hops or bitterness. Scant traces of fruity esters.

In the mouth: I'm getting more hops and touch of bitter once on the palate. Growing more and mores. Light-bodied, excellent drinkability. Quite tasty. Nice, fruity flavors from hops mixing with the malt.


 WARPIGS – SALMON PANTS
A full-flavored and hoppy WarPigs lager forged in collaboration between 3 Floyds and Mikkeller. Grainy malt aromas mixed with floral, citrus and melon notes. A light body and a dry finish.

ABV 5.3% IBU 45

Sisyphus Citra Lager

Sisyphus Citra Lager. 4.7% ABV. 25 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden, high carbonation, slim white head on top.

In the nose: Clean, lightly fruity, slightly hoppy. Citrus notes.

In the mouth: Fruity, citrusy, lean bodied, and delicious.
Ah! Bright and citrus-y, and utterly delightful. Downable as anything. Sisyphus hasn't done a lot of lagers, and I'm not big on lagers. Citra lager, though? That's gonna work. And it does.

Surly First Avenue +1 Beer

Surly First Avenue +1 Beer, Golden Ale. 5.1 Alc. by Vol. Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

This is a different kind of collaboration. We don't have two or more brewers/breweries getting together to craft a recipe. Instead, Surly showed First Avenue three different beers and asked which one they'd like their name on. Not really a collaboration at all.

Clear, bright golden, brilliant white head atop.

In the nose: Cereal notes, malt-forward, hop-backward. Slight sweetness, but well-balanced.

In the mouth: clean, lean, light bodied, low hops. Added corn to a golden ale is not my favorite aspect of this beer. It is a golden ale, it is not unpleasant, and it can be consumed. In fact, it is pleasant, you can drink it. Unfortunately, the corn keeps nagging at me. I can't shake the adjunct.

Definitely better than Hamm's or PBR. Something that can get rocked out at First Ave without too much thinking involved. I don't love it.  But it's okay. Just okay.

{Editor's note: When I stop thinking about the beer, and merely drink it, my opinion is improved. I think that's the whole point of this one.}

An old Minneapolis bus station. An abrasives factory in the ‘burbs. From these humble beginnings sprang the last great rock club in the country and one of America’s leading craft breweries. A collaboration just makes sense.

First Avenue and Surly Brewing are proud to present +1, an easy-drinking, classic-style golden ale ideal for the Mainroom, the Entry, the Turf, or anywhere the music hits you.

“It’s an honor to be working with First Avenue on +1,” says Surly founder Omar Ansari. “It’s a Minnesota institution, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

“We wanted to make the kind of beer we like to drink at a Mainroom or Entry show,” says Surly Head Brewer Ben Smith. “We went over a few styles with them, and this one emerged as the clear winner.”

The key to +1 is balance and simplicity. Subtle hop notes, low bitterness, and a refreshing malt profile carry this light-bodied, low-ABV beer. And not to take away from the beer, but the can is an absolute beauty:

Venn Batch #43 Golden IPA

Venn Batch #43 Golden IPA. 7.1% ABV, 70 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Filled 4/11, purchased 4/12, opened 4/15.

Clear, bright golden/orange-tinted, sizable ivory head. Looking good.

In the nose: Citrus notes and tropical tones aplenty in this one. Soft and fruity. Light on the bitterness.

In the mouth: Clean, lean, and outstandingly drinkable. Long hop presence on the palate. Moderate bitterness, but long-lasting in the finish. Definitely dank. Lots of hop gooey goodness. I'm digging this big-time. Plenty of enjoyment occurring here. Man, I like this.

Dank, resinous, bitter.
A single hop IPA featuring Idaho 7 hops, AKA, “the Golden Hop.”

Malts: Domestic Pale, Munich.
Hops: Idaho 7.
Yeast: American Ale.

Uinta West Coast-style IPA

Uinta West Coast-style IPA. 6.3% all. by vol. "great tasting & gluten reduced.""Parked by Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah." (Parked?)

To the eye: Clear, bright golden. good sized layer of white foam for the cap. Nice. 

In the nose: Hop bitterness and citrus notes team up, with pine lurking behind. Grapefruit rind, orange zest, and a patch of forest floor. 

In the mouth: Bold bitterness, bright citrus flavor.  Medium, to lightish bodied. Absolutely delightful. This one's got it just the way you want it.

Our bold and citrusy West Coast-style India Pale Ale—brewed using four different hop varieties—features pronounced aromas of pineapple, mango and pine.

Oliphant Just Horseplay Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout

At it's very essence, this blog is just a place where I write about the beers I've had. I can't guarantee that your experiences will in any way resemble mine. There are instances where the beer I write about may no longer be available. Why am I telling you about it if you can't have it? Go to the first sentence of this paragraph.

This is one of those beers. I was lucky enough to have a crowler socked away by a certain friend at the brewery, and picked it up a few weeks ago. There are no more to be had. You may not be able to go there, or anywhere else, and find it, and drink, but at least you'll come away with a different understanding of one of my favorite little breweries and perhaps make the trek to Somerset, and you'll become an acolyte of Oliphant, like me.

And that's cool with me. So, on to it:

Oliphant Just Horseplay Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout. 10% ABV. Ale aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels. Brewed by Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

The label is a contour line poem by Jeremy Hughes, depicting the horseplay from the title, between Matt and Josh one day. Or was it night? Or morning? Did Josh really pin Matt to the ground and release his soul? That's what Jeremy seems to be saying, and no one else was there.

Utter blackness, perfectly opaque, rich ring of brown foam above. Beautiful.

In the nose: Big & Rich, deep and delightful.  All sorts of dark associations creep in: chocolate, molasses, brown sugar, coffee, and more. Dark rum. Whiskey.

In the mouth: A lot of sweetness, a ton of malt, full and rich. Ah, mmm, yum. Heavy-bodied, and fully mouthfeeled. Viscous, thick, slick, sticky. A cosmic ton of luxurious deliciousness.

This was an I'm taking my time with this and definitely sleeping in tomorrow, AKA later this morning, or maybe afternoon, kind of beer. The kind of beer that makes you ponder. Ponder what? Ponder lots. Just lean back and ponder the day away. What were we pondering about? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? How many roads must a man walk down before he gets to the other side? Who put the boom in the boom sh-boom sh-bop? Who knows, ponder some more.

story: mattwallace
art: jeremy hughes

while josh tries to slot the keycard into the lock, matt startle-jumps him into the door -- his perfect hands are crushed! mangled!

beyond-belief!

screaming,  his eyes wild and hoggish, then snorting,  his jaws locked and boarish, josh torques his body to face matt. his legs were still facing the door! and josh one-hand grabs matt under his armpit and pitched him into the room over his body. 

pink balloon lettering formed the onomatopoeia "aieieeeeeee!!" in the air following matt's thrown body.



fat globs of sweat streak from josh's pores as he stomps into the hotel room that has become filled with a red, pounding mist. it oozed from the doorway and into the hall over my shoes.

matt's body contorts between the bed and the floor with a leg akimbo in the air and both arms pretzel-twisted somewhere near his torso.

the mist laps a gentle shore over matt's body; josh is pleased and i saw him rub his mangled hands together like a chunky preying mantis. 



using his red-headed stephen king powers, josh picks matt up using only his mind and the muscles in his arms and legs and back. "it's a choke slam! it's gonna i'm choke slammin' you now! now!?" and grasping matt's throat and underjaw he lifts him,  with some effort, and gravity -slams him forcibly onto the bed. 



panting, with one eye larger than the other, josh towers over matt and rains down a steady beating of passive-aggressive "sorrys" and "i'msosorries!" with each blast blood spurts, matt's face is pulped burger -- i saw 30 gallons of blood ejaculated out of his mouth! it broke the hotel window!



i thundered by josh and yell "what's the meaning of this!?this!?thisthisthisthis" and i can visibly see the words echo into their ears. 

shrugging matt and josh looked at me and responded, "it's just horseplay!" 



...just "beyond belief," is what i thought. 

Town Hall Balance IPA

Town Hall Balance IPA. 7.5% ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim ivory head. Looking right for the part.

In the nose: sweetness, bitterness, fruit. Many citric notes. Grapefruit and orange, with a touch of tropical.

In the mouth: Fruity, juicy, and pleasantly bitter. Big, bold citrus. Resinous. Lightly piney. Medium bodied, easy drinking, for the hopheads among us, of course. A little touch of malt at the base, but hops are the main thing here. Balanced in just the right way.

I don't know if this has become apparent, dear reader, but I like a good India Pale Ale, and this one is one of them.


A balanced American IPA with a couple classic "C" hops as well as a couple newer varietals. Golden Promise and Vienna malts lay the base, with just a touch of wheat and oats for body and complexity. Hopped in the kettle and fermentor with Cascade, Centennial, Citra, and Mosaic.

Finnegan's Cluster Truck IPA

Finnegan's, the non-profit, charitable brewery contracted for many years at Summit, has been around for around 10 years, but hasn't had a brewery of their own. Until now. On Saturday, March 30, the new Finnegans House taproom opened up to the public, after a soft open on St. Patrick's Day. Last Thursday, April 5, I decided it was time to check them out. .


I was on Hennepin Avenue and took a light rail to Government Station, got off and walked. I knew I'd be able to find my way to 817 5th Avenue South without any problem, just a walk of a few blocks. The Brewery itself is adjacent to the new Kraus Anderson construction company building. I'd heard that the original concept was for a brewery/hotel concept, but that doesn't seem to be in effect just yet. I walked in to the beautifully appointed room, warm and comforting, gorgeously furnished. Found a seat, scanned the chalk. Six beers on tap, two of which I'd had before, the Irish Amber and the Blonde Ale. There was a Czech Pils that I chose to skip, which means that there were three beers that I tried and did not take notes on. I was satisfied with the saison, and thrilled with the barrel-aged Biere de Mars. No growlers for this one, but bottles were available. I didn't feel like dropping twenty buck on them, not that day. That left the Cluster Truck IPA. Hey, I like IPAs. Why not take it home in a growler?

And I did. And here are the notes:

Finnegan's Cluster Truck IPA. 6.5% ABV. 65 IBU. Finnegans Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Yes, this I like. Delightful tropical and citrus notes, with a trace of pine, and just enough bitterness to tickle the nose. Very good. Right on for this hophead.

In the mouth: More yes, more fresh and zest. Right amount of citrus-y hops, right amount of bitterness to please the palate. Grapefruit, orange, lemon, pineapple plus. Light malt flavors. Easy drinker. Very refreshing and utterly delightful. Good ol' IPA, this one. I recommend it.

An American IPA with a truckload of hops. Cluster Truck is brewed with close to four pounds of Columbus, Comet Amarillo, and Citra Hops per barrel, creating a taste profile with hints of grapefruit rind, fresh cut grass, and rolled down windows. It’s hoppy but not too bitter. Perfect for having a few without filling your tank.

"Rolled down windows"? Are they suggesting we drink and drive? Or just a nonsensical automotive related pun? Or something.

More info: 6.5 % ALC/VOL • 65 IBU
5 HEAVENLY INGREDIENTS:
WATER, WHEAT, YEAST, HOPS, MALTED BARLEY
PAIRS WELL WITH:
SPICY DISHES
MEXICAN CUISINE
STIR FRY
TAILGATE PARTIES

Is there more you'd like to know about this new Finnegans Brewery? What can I tell you? All the beer brewed on site is for the taproom. The cans and bottles and now brewed at Badger Hill in Shakopee. There's usually a food truck, just not that day. There's a foosball table on a stage above the other tables. It's a brand spanking new room and looks ever-so lovely. The service was excellent. I had a nice time, and I'll be back, and tell you more about the beers.
How's that?

Inbound Brewco Chinook IPA

Inbound Brewco Chinook IPA. 7% ABV, 70 IBU. Inbound BrewCo., Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, golden/amber color, beautiful ivory head, leaving lace and staying strong. Looking good.

In the nose: Grapefruit, orange, and lemon. Big citrus, with a touch of tropical. Juicy, resinous, a little floral. Delightful.

In the mouth: Nice bite of bitterness from the start, chomping on the palate, then smoothing out. Brash, bold citrus attack offers more delights. Light bodied, lean and clean malt, little bit of cracker/biscuit. Some caramel coming in. Beautiful balance. I like the push and pull between the malt and hops. Good and tasty. This one is A-alright.

(That's my new catchphrase, I'm testing it out. I refuse to jump on the bandwagon of such idiocies as "fire" and "whatever AF".Bleh. Boring. Yech. )

Brewed with 100% Chinook hops. Bouquet of pine and spice characteristics.

Against the Grain Citra Ass Down Double India Pale Ale

I became aware of Against the Grain many years ago, and wasn't exactly curious about their beers after being turned off by the artwork. Just too weird for me. Made me question everything about them. What, you ask, you like Ralph Steadman, but this illustrator you can't get behind?. Yeah, too strangely perverse. The nipples and costumes, it's just...what? When I heard they "Randallized" their Brown Note beer through a pair of underpants, in tribute to the stained shorts on that beer,s label, I was, just, like, "Huh?" Come on.

This explains why I have been very slow to investigate their beers. They've been available here for a few years now, it seems, and The Sample Man has finally put a can in my hands. That's why, at long last, here's the first ATG on TBN. I expect it to go well. I'm all about the double IPAs and this is one of the least baffling labels I've seen. No weird touching or filthy underwear anywhere.

Against the Grain Citra Ass Down Double India Pale Ale. Against the Grain Brewery, Louisville, Kentucky. 8.2% ABV. 68  IBU. "Drink From The Can." (No, thanks.)

Clear, pale crimson coloring, sizable ivory toned head, leaving lace and looking fine.

In the nose: Fresh 'n' zesty. Bright citrus. Lemon-y, orange-y, grapefruit-y.

In the mouth: Big, bold, strong citrus flavors dominate the palate from the start. Bright and piney, mucho resinous. Bitter and ripe. Hop character remains sharp and strong, matched by the book, with toasty malt back-up holding on. Juicy. Tasty. And the beat goes on.

Yeah, it's a good one. I give it the old thumbs up. And not, you know, any weird thumbs tweaking nipples, or anything. Regular ol', wholesome thumbs up.

"Citra Ass Down & Crush this Beer. This beer is not candy or mother's milk. It is not brewed by gypsies or aliens, nor does it contain any zombie dirt. This is a Double IPA brewed with Citra hops. It is sticky, hoppy and delicious. Simply drink it and enjoy it. Don't hoard this beer. Citra Ass Down and drink it down."

Then there's the technical side: This is a very hop forward American style IPA. Brewed with Pale, Vienna, Munich and wheat malt for a solid base for all American hops, focusing mainly on the variety “Citra.” Citra hops are a relatively new variety introduced in 2008. It was bred as a hybrid of a number of different hops, including Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, U.S. Tettnanger, East Kent Golding, Bavarian, Brewers Gold, and other unknown hops. The resulting hop, Citra, has a distinct citrusy and tropical fruit flavor and aroma. In Citra ass down we used American Columbus for bittering and 11# of Citra at the end of the boil for late kettle addition flavor and aroma. Then we added 6 more pounds Citra and 5# Centennial post fermention for aroma. Rebrewed for your tasting pleasure!
ABV 8.2%     OG 17.0      IBU 68.0

Sisyphus Raspberry Weizenbock

Sisyphus Raspberry Wheat. 6.9% ABV, 10 IBU. Weizenbock. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.
Filled and purchased 4-2/ consuming 4-10 (or 4/11, if we're being technical).

Lightly clouded, hazy crimson coloring, slim white head atop.

In the nose: fruity, perky, rosy, and slightly tart. Lots of raspberry in here. Liking this a lot.

In the mouth: Fruit flavor smacks the palate first, then the lush malt is revealed. Nothing but smooth and easy-drinking, light bodied, and likable. Sweet, but balanced. Low bitterness, easy drinking. Tasty stuff.

I don't drink a lot of raspberry wheats, but I sure as heck don't mind them. This is a good one.

Hop & Barrel Lactose Panda Milk Stout

Hop & Barrel Lactose Panda Milk Stout. 6.1% ABV. 30 IBU.
Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, Wisconsin.


I often gripe about lactose in beers, especially IPAs, but you'll never hear me complaining about milk stouts. Somehow they just work better that way. Milkiness goes best with chocolate malt flavors, rather than hops. Let's drink it and find out if it works in this one.

Solid blackness, slim brown head.

In the nose: Creamy malt, light roast, coffee and cocoa.



In the mouth: More creamy, more smooth. Medium bodied, easy drinker, nothing but tasty. Chocolate and coffee plays it light. Sweetish, but ending dry. Very nice.

This is the third of the three crowlers I brought back from Hop & Barrel two weeks ago. I feel like I didn't choose the beers that would most appeal to me. I'm looking forward to tasting a few more and get a better sense of what they're capable of out there in Hudson town.

Our Taproom Manager Eryka made us put the word "Panda" in a beer name. Her first choice was Lactating Panda, so... Hope you're happy, Eryka. 

Bauhaus Short Pants Lemon Shandy

Bauhaus Short Pants Lemon Shandy. 4.5% ABV. 15 IBU. Bauhaus BrewLabs, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lasting pure white head. Looks good.

In the nose: Loud lemon. Big citrus. Quite fruity.

In the mouth: Big lemon bursts out from the start. Slightly tart, refreshing. Light bodied. Lip-smacking. Lean and clean. Quenching.

I don't care for shandy, but I understand their appeal. Believe it or not, we do feel the heat in the summertime here, we can get above 100 for awhile, and beers like this come in very handy. It's too lemony and light for me now, when it's the second week of April AND SNOWING!...but, when the time is right, I wouldn't refuse one, that's for sure.

For now, it's too early. I know what they're going for, but I'm not ready for it. Want to be. So want to be.

Oliphant Party On Garth Righteous Black Ale

Once more, just like Party On Wayne, here's another Oliphant beer that's been brewed for a while, but I'm just getting around to it. The answer to "why?" can only be that there were other beers that caught my fancy, and you can only take so many home at one time. (According to Untappd, I had it at least once before, a little more than two years ago.)  It's 6% ABV, IBU unknown, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Deep, dark brown, under a creamy tan head. Leaving a little lace. Lovely.

In the nose: soft, malty, caramel-toned, mild, with minor cocoa notes. Nice enough.

In the mouth: Chocolate-y, malty goodness aplenty, with a cool sprinkle of hop bitterness. Medium bodied, bordering on full, rich and delicious. I'm liking this one a lot. Is it a "Black IPA", a porter, a stout? No, it's it's own thing, and I can dig it. Nearly sessionable, and altogether likable. Roasted malt, a little toasty, notes of espresso and dark fruit. So tasty, and definitely downable.

Another must-try Oliphant beer. If you see it, don't hesitate: Drink one. Do it.

this is quite lit. almost as lit as my first time meditating. there was no transcendence, but i did meet a guide with a bowl cut and fancy suit. also there were a bunch of characters getting ready for a journey or a real long hike. my guide wanted to feed something in a tent i had in my yard...but then i came back to the real world via a goose honking. darn goose. if you're wondering, it's the same goose that chased me once. 

black ale. 6% abv

There must have been some reason that there was an illustration of Shrek
that Jeremy transformed into Mike Meyers, who doesn't portray Garth,
but did, of course, create him. Would a Dana Carvey Shrek-Garth
 have been any better?
I'm not sure, but I'll say no. Observations on this got me, inevitably, in a
discussion about the great William Steig, Shrek's creator.
 If you ever want to talk
about William Steig, hit me up. 

Flying Dog Tropical Bitch Belgian IPA

Flying Dog Tropical Bitch Belgian IPA. Belgian-style India Pale Ale brewed with orange and pineapple. 8% Alc./Vol. 55 IBU. Flying Dog Brewing, Frederick, Maryland.

When first I tasted the beers of Flying Dog Brewing Company, then of Colorado, now of Maryland,many, many years ago,  I was more delighted by the Ralph Steadman art on the label, I must admit. There's quite a large segment of the beer-drinking public with a contrary opinion of his work. I don't care what they think, he's one of my all-time favorite cartoonists. And the beer isn't bad, either. It's another area in which we don't agree.

And now we have a fruity twist on one of my favorite Flying Dog beers, which was also one Steadman's most controversial labels. The head of the original bitch (hey, they're a dog-themed brewery. It's not out of place.) has been isolated and is floating amidst a display of flowers. Apparently, they've been making this for a few years, yet this is my first time with it. And I'm striving not to give the beer a gender, as the label copy likes to do. (It's a riff on "The Girl From Ipanema", and I always saw her as aloof, not as a bitch, but, whatever.)

Anyway, let's crack it open and see what we have.

Clear, golden/amber color, lasting layer of ivory foam on top.

In the nose: alcoholic/phenolic fruity & floral notes flit out of the glass before I get a closer sniff.  Citrus overload. I'm getting a little pineapple. Overall, very promising.

In the mouth: Hop explosion on the palate, the tastebuds take a gentle pounding. Slightly harsh, but pleasant, with tropical fruit notes and hop bitterness expanding.Light-ish body. Easy drinking, for a DIPA.  It hits hard like other double IPAs I like, but the Belgian yeast quality seems to be missing in this one. Did the orange and pineapple take over for the Belgian funk? I can taste the orange and very little of the pineapple, and ...Well, it's a good beer and I can drink it, but it's not shooting up the charts and taking over for any of my favorites. I'm going to keep Tropical Bitch on a lease.

The aroma begins with the familiar Belgian yeast notes found in Raging Bitch, paired with aggressive notes of bright pineapple and bubble gum. The flavor follows the aroma with a peppery, phenolic profile that becomes dominated by orange citrus flavors and subtle pineapple.

Clockwerks Equanaut IPA

I have a Clockwerks growler, and I've only filled it once. It came to me first at my birthday last year, courtesy of my friend Dan, filled with the Belgian Golden Strong. I didn't drink it at the birthday party and took notes when I did open it up. I sat on those notes until I wrote about the brewery a few months back. In between, I did return to the brewery and filled it with a Kolsch, though I either took no notes or abandoned them. The first rarely happens, the second once in a while.
So, I felt a little bad that I've only written about this brewery once. And the other day I stopped in, filled it with another beer, and I'm writing about it now. There we have it, and so....

Clockwerks Equanaut IPA. 5.8% ABV. 73 IBU. Clockwerks Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, amber-ish hue, slim but sturdy ivory head above.

In the nose: Citrus and tropical fruit notes land first, with a measure of hop bitterness. A touch earthy/spicy, altogether pleasant.

In the mouth: Bright citrus-y hop flavors board the palate, bolstered by robust malt back-up. Caramel malt tones dominate the malt mouthfeel. Good balance in this one, nicely tempered. Medium bodied. Easy drinking. Forever flavorful. Fruity flickers daub the palate anew. A tasty one. A few strokes shy of downright delicious, but definitely close to it.

I like you, Equanaut. You're a mighty fine IPA.

Ekuanot and Galaxy hops lead, supported by apricot and bright citrus flavors and aroma. Biscuity malt balance.

Summit Lazy Sipper

Summit Lazy Sipper. Proudly brewed in St. Paul, Minnesota. Hops, malts, and strawberries. 4.7% ABV, 19 IBU.

Clear, golden-toned, able head of ivory froth atop. 

In the nose: mild fruit in the aromatics, minor hops, low malt. Strawberry scent hovers over all. 

In the mouth: Hey, there it is again. More strawberry. Light-bodied, refreshing, delightful. A blonde ale, strawberry-flavored. Nothing wrong with that. Nicely balanced, ending dry. Pretty alright.

I tried this for the first time last year, not at the State Fair, but at their anniversary backyard bash in September. I liked it okay, then, and I like it okay now.

Beer Facts: Original Gravity: 11.5° Plato
Alcohol by Weight: 3.84%
ABV: 4.8%
Color: Strawberry Blonde, 6ºL
IBU: 19
Hops: Cascade, Crystal from Mighty Axe Hops in Ham Lake, MN
Malts: Lacey Barley from Rahr Malting in Shakopee, MN
Kettle Additions: Strawberry
Yeast: American Ale
Established 2017

Town Hall Barley Vine Wine-barrel-aged Barley-wine

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Barley Vine. 11.2% ABV. American Barleywine (Twisted Reality) aged in red wine barrels.

On Tuesday, February 21, Day Three of Town Hall Brewery's Barrel Aged Week, the Vine series was released. Vine's Eye, Strong American honey ale aged in French oak red wine barrels. Frosted Vine, | Imperial stout aged in French oak red wine barrels. And the one I'm about to tell you about.

I was not there that day, for I had to work at 5, when they released the beer. Wednesday, when they also released Strawberry Stave and Kentucky Truffle, two brand new beers, I started at 6 pm and had time for a quick one, after a long wait at the busy bar. Next day's a day-off, so I went in with plenty of time to catch up on what I couldn't have for the past few days. The Vine series had some hits and misses. I definitely enjoyed Frosted Vine, and wished I could have taken a growler home, but it had sold out the first day, being a new beer, and being a bourbon barrel imperial stout. Vine's Eye was less successful, and I passed on a growler, when they were still available weeks later. Why spent $19 when I already found it disappointing?

And that's why I brought home a Barley Vine, and finally cracked it open the other night to take these notes:

Dark brown color, with ruby highlights, slim-ish, whitish head above.

In the nose: So beautifully smooth. I'm picking up some wine barrel effects, some that Twisted is coming through, but it's really a great blending. A little sweet and vinous, a little deep and malty, and altogether lovely.

In the mouth: Yum. That's the first order of business. Flat-out yum. Rich red wine goodness, followed by caramel-y, chocolate-y maltiness. It's divine, this Barley Vine. I'm soaking in it. Always a fan of a good barley-wine, this one goes the extra mile.

Sisyphus Cinnamon Roll Imperial Stout

Sisyphus Cinnamon Roll Imperial Stout. 11.5 % ABV. 80 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Solid blackness. Creamy brown colored head atop. Looking nice.

In the nose: dark malt, chocolate, espresso. And slowly rolling out, the cinnamon. Little bit of hot, little bit of spice, a whole lot of nice.

In the mouth: All those flavors board the palate with aplomb. Hot, fierce, fiery, but sweet and malty all the way. Lush and tasty. Full-bodied, full-flavors, thick and luxurious. Chocolatey,  spicy, whole lot of cinnamon going on. But, not as much as in this one.

Paulaner Salvator Double Bock

Each time it happens, I still can't believe it. A classic beer is found to not be in the Nib. After seven years of this blog, there's still a few that haven't made it in. A lot of work to do. And this week, the Sample Man gave me some Paulaner beers, one of which has been covered here, the Hefe Weizen, but the doppelbock? The doppelbock, Salvator, hasn't made it in?

Time to correct that, and I'm going back and using notes from October of 2003:

Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock (Double Bock), 7.9% ABV, Paulaner Brewery, Munich, Germany.

Appearance: clear, gorgeous, deep garnet hue, with a fine, fuzzy cream-colored head.

Aroma: bready, yeasty, but soft, slightly hoppy and spicy, with some traces of fruit.

Taste: smooth flavor, but soon chocolate-y, caramel-y flavors, derived from malt, dominate the palate. Tasty, rich and malty, improving exponentially as we go.

Bright, shiny, delicious, with alcohol content eventually rearing it's powerful head. Flavor feels burnished, roasted, still fruity, and let us never forget, delicious. A world class beer, a champion doppelbock, and surprisingly approachable.

This unfiltered bottom fermented double bock beer has been brewed for over 375 years--always adhering to the original recipe. The taste is unmistakable, with its smooth chocolate flavor, robust dark caramel maltiness and a light note of hops--providing a nice intensity on the palate.

Inbound Conifer Crush IPA

Inbound Conifer Crush India Pale Ale. 7% ABV, 75 IBU. Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis, MN.

Canned 3.20. Purchased on 3.27. Consumed on 4.2. Let's crack it open and drink.

Highly hazed, deep orange/golden-ish, lush ivory head atop.

In the nose: all of the tropical, spilling out with glee. Bright, bountiful, resinous, delightful.

In the mouth: Big, bright, tropical-forward and bitter-ly delicious hop attack from the start. Brilliant blast at the palate. Pine and citrus take their turn. It's juicy, folks. Big, bold, bitter, vibrant and tasty. One might also say that I like it. It treats the tongue in a most lascivious fashion.

Big, bouncy, ballsy, bodacious. Fruity, bitter, juicy, pithy, delicious. It's a forest floor on the palate, it's juicy citrus hop delivery. It's a bounce house of pithy tastiness and beautiful bitterness.

Another right-on IPA from Inbound. Keep 'em coming, guys.

Citra and Super Galena hops blend together like the ripest, dankest, sticky-icky you ever smelled. Pine flavors prep you for chilly Minnesota weather.

Hop & Barrel Hudson Fog Hazy IPA

Hop & Barrel Hudson Fog Hazy IPA. 6% ABV. 28 IBU. Hop & Barrel Brewing Company, Hudson, WI. In that good ol' Wisconsin 32 ounce crowler. Filled 3/15. Purchased 3/25. Consumed 4/1.

Lightly hazed, golden-hued, with a strong, ivory-toned head. Looks fine, unless you're one of those fools for whom it can't be hazy enough. Give me tropicana or give me death! Boo.

In the nose: Sweet tropical notes tickle the nostrils first, pineapple, mango, passionfruit. Low bitterness.

In the mouth: Creamy, smooth, fruity, hoppy. Low bitterness. Lush and lightly malty. Easy drinking. Delightful. This seems to fit the requirements of those who favor the "NE"-style of IPA. And even smoother and creamier. I'm not a fan of the lactose in the IPA. Nope, not for me. If it's for you, go on ahead.

Realizing that this isn't in my favorite style, I wish I'd brought back a crowler of the "regular" IPA, the Crooked Grin, which I sampled on site and was thoroughly happy with. Next time, next time.


Kinda hazy IPA. More lactose than a cup of milk. Hopped with Citra, Vic Secret, and Galaxy Hops. 

Peak Organic Brewing Company Evergreen IPA

Peak Organic Brewing Company Evergreen IPA. 7% ABV. Brewed and canned by Peak Organic Brewing Company, Portland, Maine.

Lightly hazy, golden toned, slim whitish head.

In the nose: Prickly pine and plenty of citrus. Grapefruit, tangerine, lemon. Lovely stuff.

In the mouth: Nice citrus explosion on the palate. Lean bodied, light malt. Slightly sour note that shouldn't really be there.

 I want to like this. I start out liking it, but in the end...eh. Can't do it.

Evergreen IPA is built from Peak’s flagship IPA, but enhances the hoppy pine notes by blending in organic juniper berries and organic spruce. The result is a unique IPA with bright pine and resin hop character. The finish is distinctly crisp, begging for another sip.

ABV: 7%

SUGGESTED FOOD PAIRINGS: Thai Food, green curry, a juicy burger, or pho.

Mankato 'Kato German-style Lager

Mankato 'Kato German-style Lager. 5.0 % ABV. 20 IBU. Mankato Brewing, Mankato, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, sturdy white head on top. '

In the nose: Light, slightly malty, clean. Cereal notes. Minimal hops.

In the mouth: Sweet maltiness hits the palate first. I don't mind it. It's clean, it's crisp, it's, as they say these days, crushable. Tasty helles, and you can sure as heck drink it.

Here's what they say on the can: "A crisp, refreshing German-style lager, as a nod the the classic beer from the old Mankato Brewing Company, Kato is a swift, easy-drinking, roundhouse kick to your palatte (they must mean "palate"). Kato is always alert and ready for action: the perfect anytime beer.

From the website: A Munich Helles Style Lager brewed in the German tradition, as a nod to the classic from the Mankato Brewing Company, that once brewed in our Key City. 
BEER FACTS:
Style: Munich Helles Lager
ALC: 5.0% by Vol
OG: 12.2° P
IBU: 18
Color: 3° STM, STRAW

Brooklyn Naranjito Orange Pale Ale

Brooklyn Naranjito Orange Pale Ale. 4.5% Alc. by Vol. Brewed and Bottled by Brooklyn Brewing, Brooklyn, NYC, NY.

Clear, golden-hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Orange zest. Citrus-y hops. Slight bitter, balanced fruit.

In the mouth: Hops take command of the palate, aided by the juice of the fruit. Nice balance of bitterness. Light bodied, easy drinking, fresh with citrus flavors. Tasty stuff. Good orange APA, and you can drink it.

Brooklyn Naranjito is a classic American pale ale pushed a tiny bit further. An extra burst of aromatic hops and a sizable helping of sweet orange peel create just the right pop of citrus. It elevates your favorite meals, brightens spices, and proves what a little orange can do.

Uinta Farmside Saison

Uinta Farmside Saison. 5.6% ABV. Ale brewed with white grape must and gooseberries. Brewed with renewable power, wind & solar. Tilled by Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Crystal clear, bright golden color large and lasting ivory head. Looking great.

In the nose: hits the nail on the head here. Light spice, fruit, and that unforgettable, indelible saison yeast aroma. Slightly sweet and a little funky. Right on.

In the mouth: Light bodied, but bursting with flavor. Funky yeast character hovers over it all. Nice, delicate fruit at play on the palate. Deliciously downable. Ends on a dry note. Not a bad sessionable saison at all, actually.

Boasting funk & fruit notes from white wine must and gooseberries, this earthy saison is approachable yet complex.