Town Hall Rye Barrel

Town Hall Rye Barrel. 8.3 % ABV.
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

The second to the last growler from barrel-aged week. I'm not going to cellar these, as I never do that with glass growlers. There may be more coming, as MTHB is selling whatever they have on hand in crowlers, to make up for lost sales at the pub. (Being the time of quarantine, to those of you reading this in the after-times.) Last time I bought take-out beers, I asked for Twisted Reality and got Twisted Trace, instead. That one has appeared here before, years ago, so I just leaned back and enjoyed while we wait out the virus and dream of that sweet day we can hang out and share beers without fears.

Clear, pale bronze coloring, soft head that swiftly settles.

In the nose: Rye whiskey aromatics coming pouring out of the glass. Spicy, fruity, boozy. Cherry and vanilla, caramel malt and rye. Very nice.

In the mouth: Bold, brash, sharp, then mellow. Many barrel elements mingle with the rye beer below. At times sweet, sharp, and smooth, unleashing flavors of spice, grain, intense fruit, berries, cherries, and dates galore. Whiskey flavors wrap around it all, covering with toasted wood, vanilla, earth and caramel.

This is a wondrous beast. Shows off it's edges, while unfurling it's curls. Tasty, tangy, tantalizing.

I briefly considering re-capping and saving for tomorrow (one of the advantages of growler over crowler), but I feel that finishing this off tonight won't hurt tomorrow in the slightest, he says.

This ale was made using over fifty percent malted rye and aged in barrels chosen because of the high percentage of malted rye used in the production of the bourbon that resided in them. The popularity of American rye whiskey inspired this journey. Enjoy the traditional flavors of rye and expect spice, earthy notes, toasted fruit, rose petal floral aspects, sweet cake frosting, and caramel. 

Oliphant 2cloned2getstoned key lime sour ale

Oliphant 2cloned2getstoned key lime sour ale. 5 % ABV.
Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Hazed, pale yellow, slim white head.

In the nose: Tart from the start, with citrus in command. Sharp, sour, pungent. Key lime all the way.

In the mouth: Coming on strong with the key lime and salt. Juicy and sour. Medium bodied, long tart finish. I like it. The Oliphant winning streak of sours continues.

Key lime sour with lactose & sea salt.

2clone2getstone

yes, we were not very creative with this title, but we can’t get enough of this movie. its got clones, its got jonn stones, its got action, drama, goofs, thrills, and a kiss at the end. what more could you ask for?

key lime sour w/ lactose, vanilla, & sea salt. 5% abv

Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout 2014 -Five Years Later

Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout 2014-Five Years Later.

A brief history of Surly Darkness in the Bitter Nib. The first appearance of this historic Minnesota-brewed Russian Imperial Stout was in October of 2011, where a photograph of a recently opened and consumed bottle from 2010 that I enjoyed with friends was used in a post with my original notes on the first draft-only release from 2006. That was several years before this blog began and was posted on BeerAdvocate.com as well as RateBeer. There was no photo taken for I had no decent picture taking device. If I had a camera in my cell phone back then, it was rudimentary and terrible. The notes were taken from the bar at the Blue Nile after closing time, several days after first tapping that first keg. I could not take notes on the first night of tapping, because I had three of them in large St. Bernardus goblets and that was plenty, and that's all you'll ever know about that.

I had originally intended to save the bottles that I purchased year after year for vertical tasting parties, which I did in 2011 and 2012, but have not continued on a regular basis. I decided instead to crack open a 5-year old or later bottle once a year. This began in earnest in 2017, when I opened a bottle of the 2012 version in October, a 2011 in November, and a 2010 in December. In the following year, I did a review of a new bottle for the first time in 12 years, with this post. Thirteen and one half months ago, I busted the wax of a five-year old bottle from 2013.

Additionally, barrel-aged versions of Darkness were reviewed in 2016 (the 2015 version), and 2019 (the 2016 version). A decision was made to age them a bit longer, but we don't know how hard we will cling to that policy.

(Of course, if we wish to read a history of Surly Darkness outside of the Bitter Nib, read those posts. Also, click on Darkness Day, to see a series of posts written about the event in 2011 and 2016.)

And now we come to the time when the 2014 bottling gets it's time to shine, having turned 5 years old. This was also the first year that all of the bottles being sold at the original brewery in Brooklyn Center, the original Darkness Day event, were barrel-aged.

Ah, yes, 2014 Darkness Day, the first that the event was being held while I was in between jobs, and found it very difficult to justify spending money on such things while living off unemployment benefit checks. Yet, I found it impossible to end such a rich tradition. (Which ultimately happened three years ago, when it was moved to Wisconsin.)

Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout. 9.8 % ABV. 85 IBU.
Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, MN.

This may be the last time I can match the Darkness bottle with the
glassware using it's logo. I have a glass problem, and had to stop
buying them year after year.

Expressly black, utter opacity, slim cocoa-tinged head, keeping at a lean length, though lasting long.

In the nose: Deep. Dastardly. Treacherous. All kinds of blackness and richness, tobacco and leather meets chocolate and dark fruits. Licorice, molasses, treacle, incredibly cavernous, holding dark riches below.

In the mouth: Smack of bitterness from the front, swallowed up by sweetness. Large sweet malt flavors take command, awash in dark fruits, berries, pit/stone fruit, charcoal and ash. Big chocolate, big coffee, big freaking everything. Full-bodied and fierce. Caramel and carob.

And here's where my notes ultimately ended, as I was doing something I normally never do: writing notes while socializing with friends. This was not while hanging out with them in person, but while doing some online video-conference calling on the Zoom platform in our current time of "social distancing" to ward off the COVID-19 threat. Was I trying to show off to my friends? Maybe, but one of them had a 2010, so that shows me, I guess. I could have easily gone with something ordinary, and wrote my notes in solitude, as usual, but something about the night urged me into bringing this out, even if I couldn't share it with my friends, ensconced in their homes, as are we all.

And these bottles remind me of those things we used to do, in the Before-Times....

From the back of the bottle: The legendary Harpy tortured unwary travelers by stealing their precious food and drink. This year’s cruel creature defends her cauldron of Darkness with razor claws and a dead stare of malevolence. Don’t mess with her Darkness.

She’s hoarding this massively opaque barrel aged Stout screaming with notes of chocolate, coffee, dried tart cherries, vanilla, rye whisky and raisins. The thick body of this Russian Imperial Stout finishes sweet, with a piney resinous hop character.

Dare if you will to open the bottle and steal from the imagination of our 2014 Darkness artist, Erica Williams.

The question everyone wants me to answer, though, is: How is it after 5 years? I think what I wrote above proves that it hasn't lost anything, and is staying as strong as ever.

Deschutes Handup IPA

Deschutes Handup IPA.
6.5 % ABV. 65 IBU.
Deschutes Brewing, Bend, OR.

Here's another one from a sampler pack, which I have been turning to more and more often. Others in the pack included such standbys as Black Butte porter, Obsidian stout, and Fresh Squeezed IPA, all of them always enjoyable. So, I had 11 bottles to down before I got to the one I needed to review.

Lightly hazed, bright yellow, slim white head atop.

In the nose: Citrus and pine play it nice and cool.

In the mouth: Blast of bitterness up front, waves of citrusy hop flavor (Amarillo, Azacca, & Centennial), lemon, orange, splash of grapefruit, ending on the dry side. Nice and crisp and lively.
Medium bodied, light malt flavors, a hop explosion. Slightly prickly, deliciously bitter.

IPA just the way I like it.

West coast IPA with light malt character, bright hop flavor and aroma. Grab a hoppy trackside Handup IPA and keep cranking across citrusy fields of floral hop flavor and tropical aromas to a crisp, dry finish.

Boom Island Pils

Boom Island Pils.
5.2 % ABV. 38 IBU.
Boom Island Brewing Company, Minnetonka, MN.

Clear, bright golden tone, cloud-white head atop, leaving lace, looking great.

In the nose: Nicely hopped, lightly floral, slightly grainy, and altogether pleasant blend for a pilsner nose.

In the mouth: Hoppy smack at the start, briefly bitter, exceptionally easy on the palate. Slight sweetness. Light-bodied, quite quenching. Little bit of lemon pops in the flavor, cracker-y malt tones.

This is highly likable. Good pils and you can drink it.

Indeed Sarah Jane's Maple Sticks

Indeed Sarah Jane's Maple Sticks.
Dessert-style stout brewed with vanilla,
maple & almond flavors,
cinnamon & lactose.
10 % ABV. 50 IBU.
Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Fully ebony appearance, complete opacity, large, rich, cocoa brown head, lasting long and leaving lace.

In the nose: Pow! Sweetness is pouring out of this one, big, fat maple oozing out. Molasses. Slick and syrupy. Decadence.

In the mouth: Powerful rich and luxurious sweetness rolls out onto the palate.
Hop bitterness is swallowed up by sweet, luscious malty goodness, deep and delicious. Vanilla's popping up now, but no trace of cinnamon yet, ...no, wait, here it comes.
Full-bodied, long malty finish. Never-ending flavors.

Big, chocolate malt body, finished off with sweet flavoring, maple on top, cinnamon, vanilla & more rushing in from the sides.  A masterful creation. Perfect little nightcap.

A Northeast Minneapolis staple for the sweet tooth set, now with 100% more beer! We collaborated with a Northeast Minneapolis neighbor—Sarah Jane’s Bakery— to capture the essence of their classic Maple Stick in pastry stout form. A staff favorite!

I've stated in several previous posts my distaste for the "pasty stout" designation. One Indeed representative told me about this one, and I insisted we forego any talk of pastry stouts. I notice on the label it's called Dessert-style, but once I downed a can, I can only think that if anything is a pastry stout, it's this. I've never been to Sarah Jane's or had their Maple Sticks, but I'm certainly down to try one now. See if they're as good as this.

Lupulin Dortmunder Lager

Lupulin Dortmunder Lager. 5.5 % ABV. 25 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Here's a beer that won a medal at the Great American Beer Festival a couple of years back, surprising many as this brewery is best known for it's IPAs. So, now it's been canned and the sample I got looks nothing like the one you'll see in store shelves. That's how it goes sometimes.

Crystal clear, bright golden color, large and lasting pure white head, leaving some lace. Looking fantastic.

In the nose: Vibrant aromatics, bold floral notes, lightly hoppy. Hint of malt, grain.

In the mouth: More bright and buoyant flavors grace the palate. Sweetness and malt, with just enough hop bitterness for balance. Light-bodied, clean, and refreshing. This one's downright juicy.

Award winning, easy drinking German style Dortmunder lager. Best enjoyed anytime, preferably among friends. 

Toppling Goliath Mornin' Latte Imperial Coffee Milk Stout

Toppling Goliath Mornin' Latte Imperial Coffee Milk Stout.
8.9 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Toppling Goliath Brewing, Decorah, IA.

Deep black, full opacity, slim brownish head.

In the nose: Earthy, rich, espresso, sweet and creamy malt flavors. A little nutty, bit of cocoa. Quite a lot happening.

In the mouth: Large malt presence, bursting with flavor, Creamy and smooth, while also outsized and expressive. Yum, I am forced to say, a dum dum. Milk, chocolate, coffee, booze, and not necessarily in that order. Damned delicious. Great balance in this one, too, as there's never too much of any element.

Imperial Coffee Milk Stout brewed with lactose and a careful blend of cacao nibs giving it a dark chocolate, toasty and toasty sweet coffee taste

Sociable Tandem Tap Blood Orange Cider

Sociable Tandem Tap Blood Orange Cider.
6.4 % ABV.
Sociable CiderWerks,
Minneapolis, MN.

Almost clear, bright golden hue, no head.

In the nose: assertive fruit, bold apple flavors, slight citrus.

In the mouth: Apple kicks it off, with citrus right behind. Here comes the orange, but not so bloody at first. Slightly tart and astringent. Tasty, though, and refreshing. It could have used a little more infusion, though. Just a tad.

Lift Bridge Barrel Dessert Series Mole Brownie

Lift Bridge Barrel Dessert Series Mole Brownie.
8% ABV, 30 IBU. Lift Bridge Brewing, Stillwater, MN.

Dark Brown color, fully opaque, hardly any head at all.

In the nose: Sweet malts and barrel effects beckon first. Molasses, brown sugar, bourbon, with spices creeping up thereafter. Cinnamon's coming on strong.

In the mouth: Starts off strong with spice, cinnamon biggest of all, with the fire from the peppers roaring behind. Strong malt flavors. Big bourbon barrel. Maybe too big. I feel that the body should be fuller to match the power of the bourbon barrel effects. Cinnamon, chocolate & peppers keep coming back, refreshing the flavors.

I like this. Don't love it, though. Missing some essential charm.

Mole Brownie is a Barrel Aged Stout that features a blend of whole dried peppers, cinnamon, coffee, cocoa nibs, and other spices.

Oliphant A Dog's Permbus Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Banana and Vanilla Wafers

Oliphant A Dog's Permbus Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Banana and Vanilla Wafers.
10 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Something tells me this is Jeremy's Got Talent aged in bourbon barrels provided by Zipp's Liquors of Minneapolis, one of two Minneapolis liquor stores that collaborated with Oliphant in this fashion.
(I didn't need to travel all the way to East Franklin Avenue to get this one, I got it in Somerset.)
The other was A Risk of Cats, with 1010 Washington. I'm stumped about what movie inspires this beer's name and illustration is spoofing. Maybe it'll come to me later.

Complete and utter blackness, fully opaque, with a slim, roasted tan head on top.

In the nose: Dark malts, deep flavors, soon revealing the banana, the vanilla, but not yet the barrel. It's coming, though, slowly but surely.

In the mouth: Big, full, & rich. Massive malt flavors. Bittersweet, but balanced. And underneath the cocoa and the char, emerges hints of banana and traces of vanilla. Just enough sweetness from the adjuncts to shine through the darkness. Everything is in correct order here, nothing dominates or overpowers. Pretty smooth, while remaining quite yum a dum dum. That's all there is to say.
Just yum a dum, dum.

Now it's time to read that copy on the side of the crowler. And I don't feel like transcribing it. Can't someone else do it? It's funny, though, and makes little sense.

Alright, no takes, huh? Here goes: Daniel, the labradoodle you know and love, is enjoying sweet success as a mobile dog perm operator. All of his friends and family get to try out his new dog doos and tell him if they are doo doos! or doo nots! 
and so on, and so forth, it's too long, I can't do it, even in quarantine!

Surly Scrillionaire Dark Lager

Surly Scrillionaire Dark Lager.
8% ABV. Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, MN.

And here we have the last can from my most recently purchased Surly sampler pack, the Thaw Pack if I'm not mistaken. The final can, of three, after finishing the first two without thinking too hard about them. Now, for some hard thinking.

Clear, pale crimson color, swiftly diminishing beige head.

In the nose: Sweet caramel malt notes start if off, with a side order of toffee. Stone fruit and berries merge with the mix. The briefest whiff off hops.

In the mouth: Flavors from the aroma appear on the palate. Richness and sweetness abound , with hardly a trace of bitterness. High alcohol content makes an early appearance. It's not too out of place, but I'd expect a fuller body to accompany it. As it is, it's a bit too much on the medium side. And fairly smooth and easy drinking.

This one's not really doing it for me. It's an alright beer, and I can drink it, but I'm not going out of my way for one.

BREWED FOR THOUSANDAIRES THE WORLD OVER

You don’t need to live in the lap of luxury to enjoy the finer things in life. Simply pour a glass of this rich, malt-heavy dark lager to find notes of caramel, toffee, dark fruit, and a hint of chocolate. Whether you’re overdrawn or flush, take a sip and you’ll feel like a Scrillionaire.

Town Hall Kentucky Truffle

Town Hall Kentucky Truffle. 2020.
Barrel-aged Imperial Milk Stout.
9.8 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Deep ebony appearance, powerfully opaque, slim head, soon gone.

In the nose: Ridiculously rich. Vast. Dark malts fully in charge, with cocoa, espresso, and cream riding hight on top. Vanilla and coconut, with an undercurrent of currants and other dark fruits.

In the mouth: Sweet and creamy, dark and decadent, decidedly delicious. Full body, enormous malt presence, slight hoppiness, barrel delivers hard. Dark fruit, deep and delectable cocoa. Purrs on the palate and lays down deliciousness. Alcoholic warmth washes over and everything is groovy. Aw, man. This is some right-on stuff, here. So big, fierce, full and so very tasty. Incredible.

While in Kentucky, we enjoyed some truffles made with three primary ingredients: chocolate, cream, and bourbon. Just so happens that we like htese treats so we decided to make our own in barrels for you, hope you enjoy! We made a strong stout with milk sugar that is rich in dark chocolate and fruit character, and aged it in a barrel chosen for caramel and vanilla notes, and finally finished with chocolate.

Summit Elderflower IPA

Summit Elderflower IPA.
6.2 % ABV. 41 IBU.
Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Here's one I had to purchase a sampler pack to get. The other nine cans included the ever-popular Saga, the newish "juicy IPA" Slugfest, and the newest entry, Twenty-One, all beers I've had before and will happily consume again. Sample packs are cost-effective, very important in these days of too much time and no money.

Clear, amber-hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Lightly floral, notes of sage, lavender and melon.

In the mouth: Pleasant entry on the palate. Moderate bitterness. Juicy malt. Stone fruit and melon. Not too citrusy, just a touch here and there. Delicate and drinkable.

This is a perfectly acceptable ale, but nothing not really up my alley. As far as IPAs go, it's a pass.
I'll down my allotment without a trouble, and move on to something with a bit more of a bitter bite.

Born from our brewer’s desire to try underutilized New Zealand hops and elderflower flavors, Summit Elderflower IPA combines a northwest European flower with south pacific island hops. Low in bitterness and high in flavor, Elderflower IPA is a perfect marriage of northern and southern hemisphere.

BEER FACTS
{Limited Release}
Alcohol By Volume: 6.2%
IBUs: 41
Original Gravity: 14º Plato
Color: Goldenrod (12 L)
Hops: Rakau, Bru I
Malts: Pale malt, Moravian 37, Carapils, Malted wheat, Simpson’s Dark Crystal
Yeast: Ale

Established: 2020

ONE Fermentery & Taproom Hugs & High Fives NE IPA

ONE Fermentery & Taproom Hugs & High Fives NE IPA.
8.7 % ABV. ONE Fermentery & Taproom, Minneapolis, MN.

Man, did I pick the wrong time to review this one. No hugs. High-fives are iffy, also. Definitely no handshakes. Deep, soulful nods are what we do, now. Knowing glances. Stuff like that. From six feet apart.

Hazed-up, deep orange, lace ivory head.

In the nose: Lovely notes of citrus and tropical hops intertwine. Slightly sweet, a touch prickly.

In the mouth: Juicy on the palate. Traces of bitterness, touch of sweet malt, but altogether balanced. Grapefruit, orange, little touch of passionfruit/papaya. Just enough bitterness to keep me satisfied. Just enough tasty to keep me happy. More than enough, actually. Almost yum, a dum, dum.
Medium-bodied, long, hoppy finish. Nice one.

Big, hazy IPA with a generous dose of Simcoe, Strata, and Citra hops.

Dave's BrewFarm Soapberry Surprise

Dave's BrewFarm Soapberry Surprise.
4.5 % ABV. Dave's BrewFarm, Wislon, WI.

Growler #2 from my recent visit to the BrewFarm. Time to plan another visit...whenever the government lets us out to go drinking again.

Meanwhile, I've never heard of a soapberry, so full steam ahead, here we go....

Clear, dark amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: Light fruity esters, reminiscent of a Belgian ale. Slightly malty. Faintly flowery. Delightfully delicate.

In the mouth: Touch of hop bitterness to please the palate. Brace of fruity flavors, touch of citrus and berry. Little trace of grainy malt. Just a tad juicy. Medium bodied, easily drinkable. Light, and refreshing. Altogether likable, in every fashion.

Pils and Melanoidin malts, Tettnang and Galena hops, with a late addition of Lychee concentrate (is of the Soapberry line of plants!), fermented with a Belgian yeast, unique and refreshing. 

And let us pause while we reflect on this last time we will ever see my BrewFarm tulip glass. As I went to rinse it out after use, it slipped from my fingers, as some things do, and fell into the sink, smashing to smithereens. It lasted me a good 7 years and then some, not a bad run. Alas, it would have made quite a nice souvenir.

Invictus Most of Our Favorites IPA

Invictus Most of Our Favorites.
5.7 % ABV. 85 IBU.
Invictus Brewing, Blaine, MN.

So, here we have the second sample of an Invictus brew delivered not via can or crowler, but an unlabeled bottle. This one didn't even have the name of the beer on it, so I'm taking it at the sales-rep's word.

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Bright, bold, & fruity. Big citrus notes, even bigger tropical tones. Interesting. Intriguing.

In the mouth: Bitter, hoppy, citrus, and sweetness. Bitterness wins, though. Medium bodied, easy drinking. Long lasting bitter smack on the palate. Tasty stuff, I like it. Loads of IPA goodness.

Thumbs up for this one.

It's Just what it sounds like. An IPA brewed with "most" of our favorite hops. Slightly hazy with an orange hue. This beer is our hoppiest IPA to date. Most of our favorites includes Citra, Lemon Drop, and Mosaic of course. Fermented with a German Ale yeast it finishes clean with just enough bitterness to keep you coming back for more.

Oliphant Gorb Gorb Double IPA

Oliphant Gorb Gorb Double IPA.
10 % ABV.
Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Earlier this year, Oliphant released a beer, another double IPA, in fact, called Zwub Zwub. Cool name, I thought, yeah, I can work with that. And now we have Gorb Gorb. I don't know about this guys. Really?

Gorb Gorb? You don't know what you're getting.

Anyway....

Hazy, bright golden toned, large and lasting ivory head. Looking good.

In the nose: Sweet tropical notes kick it off, following by citrus.

In the mouth: Smooth and almost creamy upon the palate, swept up in a brief wave of bitterness, drying off quickly. Medium bodied and a treat to drink down. Good hop presence, downright tasty stuff coming out of this can. Bright bursts of citrus continue through the drink.

Once again, I've saved the fourth can for the review, and I'm wishing I had more.

gorb gorb

read the exciting 3 part comic now available online!

hazy double ipa w/ mosaic cryo & amarillo hops. 10% abv

Lupulin Sophistry IPA 05

Lupulin Sophistry IPA 05.
7% ABV. 65 IBU.
Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN.

Hazy, bright orange color, large, lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Starts with the citrus notes, moves quickly into sweet and tropical tones. Blending orange, lemon, papaya, and pineapple.

In the mouth: Bitterness blasts the palate initially, then lays low. Sweetness pulls in. Malt is clean and delicious. Hops and popping, dropping flavor. Lean bodied, excellent drinking. Creamy-is and smooth-like.

A bit more of the haze than I'd like, but I have to admit that I'm fighting a losing battle. It's what they want, so it's what they'll brew. As it is, there's just enough bitterness riding through this one to keep me happy. I'd joyfully pick up some more of this.

We really pushed the envelope on this one. More hops in the whirlpool, more hops in the dryhop, more thinking about hops. More of those beautiful juice notes you are craving. Citra accents the dank, tropical notes of the Galaxy and Rakau. All brought to you with a tremendous body that reminds you of taking that first swig of OJ in the morning.

Hops: Citra, Ekuanot Cryo, Rakau, Galaxy, Falconers Flight
Malts: Pale ale, Flaked Oats, Flaked Wheat, Cara Vienna

I give up. So, we want the orange juice look, is that right? I just don't know any more.

Eastlake Tsathoggua Imperial Stout 2019 Aged on Oak and Spanish Brandy

Eastlake Tsathoggua Imperial Stout 2019 Aged on Oak and Spanish Brandy.
11 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

And here, ladies and gentlemen, we have the first review of this beer from a crowler. Two years ago, I did a post wherein I reviewed three bottled versions, all in one, 2015-2017 vintages. Looks like I skipped 2018. Let's see what a fairly fresh sampling is like.

Full ebony coloration, completely opaque, slim dark brown ring of foam.

In the nose: Dark malts, deep, chocolatey, coffee, anise, maple, more....charcoal, tobacco, dark fruits.

In the mouth: Brandy barrel pounds the palate from the start, no turn to subtlety here. Big, broad, powerful. Sweetness and alcoholic strength are high already, keeping ahead of malt flavors. Chocolate malts can't keep up with the brandy barrel.Stays sweet, but ends on a dry note, though the ABV never flags or falters.

But, if you don't care about balance and you're looking for a decadent, knock-out experience, here's one way to go. I can certainly dig it. Balance is something you need all the time. Once in a while, within the comforts of home and such...go off the rails.

Legend has it this beer is named for a toad-like gargoyle. This Imperial stout is barrel aged in American Oak and Spanish Brandy Barrels. Flavor notes include coconut, orange marmalade and pineapple. (in addition to)...traditional cacao, coffee and burnt caramel. Equally viscous and vicious, it pours out of the crowler like a torrent of black quicksilver, the opaque blood of the gods. 

I got not coconut, pineapple, or marmalade. Maybe I wasn't paying attention. Shame on me. Peeking at past notes, I did pick up some fruit. "Chocolate-covered orange" I said two years ago. Pineapple, though? Maybe....

Sociable Ciderwerks Road Rash Raspberry Lemon

Sociable Ciderwerks Road Rash Raspberry Lemon.
6.6 % ABV. Sociable Cider Werks, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, pale crimson, no head.

In the nose: sweet and tart together. Berry meets citrus.

In the mouth: More of the same on the palate. Crisp, light, refreshing. Berries and lemons, sweet, fruity and tart. Goes down nice and easy. This would be very welcome in the summertime. Or anytime.

But, not for me. I'll stick with beer. You, you go ahead, though. I'm sticking with beer.

What’s that you say? Shandy’s are only for the summer!? To that we say pish posh! Our Road Rash is crushable anytime of year!

Boom Island Rye-ish Irish Red Ale

Boom Island Rye-ish Irish Red Ale.
5.2 % ABV. 27 IBU.
Boom Island Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Let's have an Irish Red for St. Patrick's Day, because someone is celebrating it somewhere, just not here. Where will they sing "Danny Boy" when all the bars are closed for coronavirus pandemic? Who will sling corned beef and cabbage and pour the Guinness? Tough times all over. Let's just not die, people.

Clear, bold crimson color, slim white head.

In the nose: sweet, malty. Earthy. Light hops.

In the mouth: Minor bitterness. Touch of hops. Mostly malts. Rich and sweet, to a point. Nicely balanced, with all the elements intact. Perfectly serviceable red ale. Medium bodied, easy drinker.
It's alright.

Now, let's play The Chieftains and pretend it's an Irish pub, or something...sigh...

With notes of bis­cuit, roast­ed malt, and light tof­fee this Irish Red Ale is a tasty and easy-drink­ing beer.

Song for this beer is a natural. I just yanked this one randomly off YouTube:

Sisyphus Ends Justify the Beans Coffee Stout

Sisyphus Ends Justify the Beans Coffee Stout.
8.5 % ABV. 30 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Thoroughly black in color, slim cocoa-tinged head atop.

In the nose: Dark malts dominate, coffee notes and cola hints.

In the mouth: Beans are popping in the flavor. Rich and roasty malts. Coffee on top with a hit of chocolate on the side. It's not intense or overpowering, it's just right. Tasty stuff, here. Full-bodied, full-flavored, quite satisfactory. I'm liking this more and more as we finish off the crowler.

(Although, thinking back, I regret not using my Sisyphus coffee mug for the illustration.)

You gotta make the coffee beer, by any means necessary. This thick, sweet stout is infused with 5 lbs of fresh roasted Dogwood Coffee.

Surly Fall To Pieces Mosaic IPA

Surly Fall To Pieces Mosaic IPA. 6.8 % ABV.
Surly Brewing, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN.

You've got to have mosaic, man. Without mosaic in your hop bill, you got nothing.

Lightly hazed, bright golden, lasting ivory head on top.

In the nose: Bold, assertive citrus. Popping with hops, here. Lemon/lime, grapefruit, orange.

In the mouth: Juicy, fruity, bitter. It's got all things one clamors for in an IPA. Dry in the end. Drains the palate and urges on another sip. Medium bodied, and easy drinking.

 I took the first two cans down with no problem and saved this one for the review. Too bad it's only available in the sample pack, I'd love another 6 of these.

BREWED FOR PUTTING YOURSELF BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

Our Mosaic masterpiece puts juicy, tropical hops at the forefront of this light-bodied, delicious IPA. Notes of mango, honey, and papaya entice, along with a dank hint of green fruit.

There can only be one song you shall hear while drinking this beer:

Oliphant I Saw Trevor Crying In His Sleep Belgian Table Bier

Oliphant I Saw Trevor Crying In His Sleep Belgian Table Bier. 4.6 % ABV.
Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Growler brought back from the brewery this past Sunday. Name is a twist on a title for a song by a favorite band of the brewery, referenced in many beers over the years. Like this one. 

Clear, bright golden color, short white head.

In the nose: Lightly hoppy, fruity, floral. Slight tartness. Belgian-esque funk.

In the mouth: Lean bodied and expertly consumable. Just as a table beer should be. Unfussy, simple, lightly flavored. Citrus and straw. Smallest amount of hops, virtually no bitterness, light in the malt department, too, but a distinct Belgian snap. Tiniest amount of tart, too, pleasant and satisfactory. Good beer for the "I don't like beer" person in the group.

Very nice interpretation of this under-utilized style. And there is but one song that should accompany it's consumption:

i saw trevor crying in his sleep

it happens when you spend all evening listen to synthesizer music.

belgian table bier. 4.6% abv

Schell's Cream Ale

Schell's Cream Ale. 4.7 % ABV. 20 IBU.
August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, MN.

Clear, pale golden hue, lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Lightly hopped, slight fruit. Small measure of graininess.

In the mouth: Crisp and clean, brisk. Light in every way, with just enough malt for flavor. Fairly pleasant and expertly drinkable. No flaws in this, perfectly serviceable in every way.

I'm not the one to ask if it's a good cream ale or not, but it's not a bad one by any stretch. Actually, I'm enjoying it. If cream ales are your thing, by all means.

"Our Cream ale is lighter bodied with a subtle creaminess, leaving you with that smooth finish many of our beers have. Every sip is mild and refreashing, yet full of flavor, just the way a Cream Ale should be!" - August Schell Brewing Co.

Town Hall Orange Drop IPA

Town Hall Orange Drop IPA.
6.6 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright amber/golden hue, large and lasting, creamy white head.

In the nose: Citrus bomb. Bold citrusy goodness abounds. Orange, lemon/lime, pinch of grapefruit.

In the mouth: Big-time orange. Juicy and delicious. Other citrusy fruit notes at play, right behind orange. Just enough bitterness to keep my tongue happy. But not too much to scare others away. A moderate IPA, with plenty of juicy, and lots of fruit. A people pleasing IPA, this one. And I can dig it.

Actually. If you can believe this. It's actually, pretty much...yum a dum dum.


Orange fruit character from the hops with some underlying orange blossom and vanilla-orange cream flavors. 

Invictus Unafraid IKA (India Kolsch Ale)

Invictus Unafraid IKA (India Kolsch Ale).
6.1 % ABV. 30 IBU.
Invictus Brewing, Blain, MN.

Hazy. Golden Hued. Big, lasting ivory head.

In the nose: Soft, subtle, fruity, slightly sweet. Kind of kolsch-esque, but not quite.

In the mouth: A little kiss of the hops greet the palate. Bitterness is here, and it lasts long. Medium bodied, light and easy drinking. Not getting much of a classic kolsch flavor, but I shouldn't expect it to, either. Bright citrusy flavors keep it all tasty. Rather delicious and delightful. I'd go back for another.

I gather the use of a kolsch yeast lends this the name, but it lacks the other important elements.

India Kolsch Ale
Be unafraid! The use of Ekuanot and Mosaic hops gives this beer aromas of bright tangerine with papaya. On the palate, flavors of mandarin orange dominates with hints of mango and grapefruit.

ONE Ship of Fools Baltic Porter

ONE Ship of Fools Baltic Porter.
6.5 % ABV. Packaged 1/29.
One Fermentery and Taproom, Minneapolis, MN.

Dark brown, edging on black, completely opaque, slim brownish head.

In the nose: Coffee, cocoa, caramel, nuts. Slight sweetness, rich maltiness. Quite nice.

In the mouth: Slides smooth onto the palate, creamy and delightful. Some caramel, cocoa, a bit nougaty. Medium bodied, easy drinking. This one is lower in alcohol than I expect from a Baltic Porter. They're usually 7 % or higher, but I don't mind if it's a touch less than that, not when it's this nice. Sweetness is kept in check, held at bay by a modicum of hops.

I like this one and this ONE. I'll be back for more.

Dark chocolate and roasted malt with subtle hop spice

Dave's BrewFarm Mr. Fahrenheit

I don't listen to the rock band Queen much, and don't pay close attention to their lyrics. I did when I researched the name of this beer. More on that later.

It's been eight months since my last BrewFarm review. Forgive me father, for I have sinned. (Actually, I did visit the BrewFarm in December, but there were no growlers at all to take home, and I don't write reviews from the bar.)

I made the pilgrimage to Wilson, Wisconsin the other day, thanks to friends Renee and Jeff, my first stop of the new year, and not, I hope, the last. There were three beers available for me to take home and review, but one of them had appeared here in Ye Olde Nib over five years ago. So, two new BrewFarm reviews are coming your way, starting with Mr. Fahrenheit, which, as with so many BrewFarm creations, has no fixed style. Do any of them? It is the BrewFarm way.

Oddly enough, it's listed on Untappd as "Pilsner-other". But, I didn't add it, so I can't complain.
Just for kicks, Untappd says that there are 235 BrewFarm beers. This is the 83rd I have added to the Nib. (Wrong. I reviewed Hibiscus Lager twice, and one tag was not a review.)
Untappd also says I have checked in there 156 times. It will take more time than I wish to invest currently to figure out how many different beers that is. (Doesn't mean I won't some night when I'm bored.)
I have had more beers there than I've reviewed and I've had more than I've checked in to. Over on BeerAdvocate.com, there are only 91 beers listed for the BrewFarm, and I have reviewed 65 of them. More work to do. Divining exactly how many of them I have personally added to their database would also take more time than I wish to devote myself to. There are many, though.

Mr. Fahrenheit. 5.6 % ABV. Dave's BrewFarm, Wilson, WI.

Dark brown coloration, nearly opaque, richly cocoa-toned head.

In the nose: Mostly malty, lightly hopped, slightly spicy. Touch of caramel.

In the mouth: Now it's a mainly malty thing, with many touches of caramel. Bit of wheat character graces the palate, too, though (I peeked ahead) it is from yeast, not malt. Just the right amount of hops for balance. Little touches of spice on the tongue, from hops or yeast, nothing extra or external. Especially smooth, this one, and tasty, too.

It's a damned good beer that fits no style, though it may flirt with some at it's edges. Due to the yeast involved, it may favor a wizen style, at most, but the other ingredients don't help push it in that direction. It is one more example, I think, of Farmer Dave continuing to try every combination of ingredients in every variation possible, until he runs out of deliciousness. Which I wish would never happen.

There is but one song to hear while drinking this beer:


"....and that's why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit."
Hopped with Millennium and Azacca hops, Pils, Caramel 120 and Extra Special malts, and fermented with classic Weiss yeast."

Having a Good Time is a fitting slogan for my many memories of the BrewFarm. Where else have I enjoyed so many nights of singing along to songs with the owner and the brewer, beers in hand?

Hard Seltzers Ahoy! Bauhaus Lime & Dragonfruit + Fulton Hopped

And apology before I begin to my celiac friends who have a legitimate need for these products when requiring alcoholic refreshment:)

Hard Seltzers! Bauhaus Lime & Dragonfruit + Fulton Hopped!

It's time to drink some hard seltzers, yeah! Oh, whoa-o-o-o-o-yeah! Sham-a-lam-a-ding-dong, baby, yeah! All right! Wooo!

And so we shall.

Let's do Bauhaus Bolo Lime first, oh, yeah! Yeah, yeah, baby, yeah!

(Okay, I have to do something to keep my enthusiasm up.)

Watery. Seltzer-y. some lime. Light alcoholic water and you can drink it. Ho meets hum. Blah, blah, blah. I want to like it, but...how? Well, it's limey, in it's fashion, I'll give it that.

And now I shall drink a hard seltzer from Fulton called Hopped! #havemorefun. Minn Made.
Citrusy nose. Nice. Lemony/limey flavor. Nice blast of bitterness. Hey, this one's hoppy! Yeah, hoppy seltzer hard water...yum. Mmm. Yum, a dum, dum. It's hops and it's water and it's booze. yum, I said, a dum, dum.

But, ...ah, I get it. You don't want the carbs, just the booze. You want some flavor, not most, not more, not best. Ah, well. Cheers, my friend.

I was supposed to do Bauhaus Bolo Dragonfruit next, but I was all hard seltzer-ed out, so I retired for the evening and did the tasting the next day. And I attempted notes, but what more was there to say. Instead of lime, or hops, it tasted vaguely like dragonfruit. Which I like. In real-life. But, there was nothing else to say. So, let's just say that I said it already. Go get them, if they're you're thing, but I think I'm done.

No more hard seltzer reviewing for me.

Hurray!

Oliphant Blueberry Anutart Sour Ale

Oliphant Blueberry Anutart Sour Ale. 5% ABV.
Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Another curious label. A morose emo tooth broods inside a mouth, greeted by a friendly manta ray and a moth. Sure. Okay. Whatever.

Bold crimson color, utterly opaque, slim pinkish head. Looking very lovely.

In the nose: Bright berries, nice and tart. Fruity and mellow. More tart than sour at first, until...whoa, there it is. Gets tarter and tarter as we go. Altogether, very enjoyable.

I didn't have too much more to say about this one, so I went looking for other opinions. I've done this before, also with an Oliphant beer, where I search certain corners of the internet for other opinions. And the thing of it is, Untappd is not a place where I do any writing. Only the slightest bit, actually, for it all happens here. People are always asking me "So? What do you think?" and I want to say, "I already told you, go read the Nib!"

So, what do the kind of people who do write comments in Untappd say?

Well, they're mostly positive, of the few reviewers who said anything. But, hats off to Michael J. who points out that the color of the foam matches that of the pink in the gums of Jeremy's label painting. Nice work, Mike, I never would have caught that! Another testament to the brilliance of Hughes.

(Eh? See what I did there?)

Sociable Cider Werks Training Wheels Scrumpy Apple

Sociable Cider Werks Training Wheels Scrumpy Apple.
6.3 % ABV. Sociable Cider Werks, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright yellow, looking like a cider.

In the nose: Slightly sweet, slightly tart, a hint of slice, and all apple.

In the mouth: bright, vibrant, fruity. A trace of tart, a hint of sweet, and ending very dry. Medium bodied, excellent drinkability. Nice and juicy.

Despite what they say in the copy below, this was not hazy, and it did not taste unfiltered. It is tasty, though. Good cider and you can drink it.

Training Wheels steps back to a simpler time when ciders went unfiltered and you couldn’t fall off your bike no matter how many you had. This freshly pressed blend of Midwestern apples is hazy with sediment and sweet with unfermented apple sugars in a throw back to the ciders of the colonial era.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Coffee

Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Coffee. 5 % ABV.
Whoever owns PBR, Wherever they're located.

What am I reviewing here? Is it a beer, or just coffee with alcohol added? I'll investigate later, after the notes.

Creamy tan color, black coffee blended with milk, no head. Completely opaque.

In the nose: Mocha Java. Cream and coffee and cocoa. Nothing but.

In the mouth: Starbucks Frappacinno. Milk and coffee and ...is there alcohol? I'm not getting it yet, but it's not high, by any means. Higher than a coffee, that's for sure. Smooth and creamy. Vanilla-y.
A boozy latte. Yum a dum, dum.

But it's no beer. Why is it here? Someone gave it to me and it has the name of a beer on the can. So, I had to. Will I ever go out of my way to have one, or if not our of the way, even a slight pivot? Probably not.

Wild Mind Punk Tacos Fruited IPA

Wild Mind Punk Tacos Fruited IPA.
6.2 % ABV. Wild Mind Artisan Ales, brewed and canned in Minneapolis, MN.

Look at this one. It's all purple, with a pink head on it. Clouded. Cute.

In the nose: Fruity for sure. Not too sweet, too. Not too anything. Not sure so far.

In the mouth: Fresh and fruity. A smack of bitterness, turning dry in the end. Not a trace of sweet, nor sour. Berries are all about, but, again, it's never too much. Interesting. Berries? I'm not sure what the fruit is, actually. (blackcurrants, it turns out.) Is it more fruit than IPA? So far, it is. In fact, it's not really that much of an IPA. Again, ...sigh...call it something else.

Maybe it's just enough of an IPA, maybe...maybe not.

I do enjoy this, though, quite a bit.

Fruited IPA with black currant, hopped with Mosaic and Amarillo. 

Wait, there's more! A fruited IPA, Punk Tacos was brewed with herbal and floral Mosaic and Pacifica hops, which we complemented with 336 pounds of equally herbal and cordial-esque blackcurrant puree. The resulting beer has a light acidity from the fruit that brightens the hops' characteristics. With 4.4 pounds of hops per barrel, Punk Tacos has a bit of hop bitterness and a dry, tannic finish. Lactose was not added to this beer because we want a more pure expression between the fruit and hops that were used.

Boom Island Blood Orange Witness Witbier

Boom Island Blood Orange Witness Witbier. 5 % ABV. 13 IBU.
Boom Island Brewing, Minnetonka, MN.

Looking very bloody. Bright crimson, clear, slim white/pinkish head.

In the nose: Tart, sweet, fruity. Bright orange notes in the nose. Sharp and vibrant.

In the mouth: Bold fruit, overpowering the subtleties of the witbier style. Smooth, light bodied, easy drinkability. Blood orange flavor shines high over the wheat and the orange and the coriander. Good ol' witbier, with a twist.
Tasty beer, and you can drink it.

With its light, hazy blond col­or and fluffy white head, this is a clas­sic Bel­gian-style wheat fruit­ed with blood oranges. Slight tart­ness opens into a refresh­ing smooth­ness, with faint flo­ral notes that linger on the back.

Town Hall Bob-House Bock

Town Hall Bob-House Bock. 6.9 % ABV.
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, dark reddish-brown coloring, small and swiftly diminishing white head.

In the nose: sweet malt notes dominate. Caramel tones in the lead.

In the mouth: Again, malt sweetness drives it, with just enough hop bitterness for balance. Caramel and cocoa tones keep the palate happy. A little touch of nuttiness here and there. Sweetness remains restrained. Medium bodied, long malty finish, ends on a nicely balanced sweet/dry note.

Classic German traditional bock bier. You bet they're tasty. You better believe I love a good bock, and this is definitely one of them. Town Hall once again proves that they know the classic styles and do them well, and will never be caught up in chasing trends.

Strong cold-fermented German beer showcasing traditional floor malted and European specialty malts.

I have to know something, though. What the heck is a "bob-house"?

Definition of bob-house
: a small shack usually on runners and used for fishing through the ice (as for smelt or lake trout)

Okay, now we know. It's fun to learn new facts, isn't it?  Or maybe you already knew, duh, and I'm the stupid one. No need to get all uppity about it. Sheesh.

So, what song should you listen to while downing a Bob-house Bock? I'm going to go off the edge here a little bit. I love Talking Heads and usually find a cappella bands very irritating. But I can't help but like this. It's The Bobs. Watch it/hear it once and curse me for the rest of your days:

Eastlake Brewery Got Dang! Juicy Double IPA

Eastlake Brewery Got Dang! Juicy DDH Double IPA. Citra & Mosaic & Azacca & Mandarina Bavaria.
8.5 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis, MN.

Very hazy, very bright golden, with a huge cloud-white head that lasts long and leaves lacing.

In the nose: Bright, juicy, jubilant citrus notes abound, with touches of tropical, too. Sweetness spreads assuredly. All the lemon and lime and grapefruit, too, mixed with mango, pineapple, passionfruit, etc.

In the mouth: Boards the palate mildly, politely, spreading hop fruit flavors, some juiciness, some deliciousness. Mild bitterness, but strong flavors. Juicy, tangy, a touch of sweet, but ending dry. Loads of hoppy goodness, and the beautiful buzz of increasing alcohol, making everything a little more pleasant. Judicious malt adds to the pleasure. Just about yum a dum dum.

This big, juicy kviek comes at you dripping with a punch of vanilla, mango, and dank pineapple thanks to copious amounts of Citra, Mosaic, Azacca, and Mandarina Bavaria hops. Golden Promise malt and Hornindal kviek yeast from Norway enhance the lupulin fruit bouquet. Got Dang!

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I don't know what this "got dang" means. Is it some newfangled way to say "Goddamn" without getting the church ladies upset?

Well, whatever, there is only one song to hear while drinking this one. Take it away, Roger: