Stacked Deck Citiva IPA

Stacked Deck Citiva IPA. Made in collaboration with BSG (Brewers Supply Group). 

7.5 % ABV, Stacked Deck Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Once more, my efforts to sidestep the hazies has been stymied. There is nothing on the label here to say "hazy" or "New England-style" or, NE. You just have to expect it now. Certain brewers, it's what they're gonna do. I guess Stacked Deck is one of those. Learn something new every day. 

The look: all fuzzy-like, hazy as it gets. Thick, even. Dull orange color. Milky. Slim, if long lasting white head. 

In the nose: This is something else. Citrus, with a side of berries and melons. Fresh, vibrant hoppiness, fruity, slightly sweet. Arrestingly original. 

In the mouth: More fuzz from the start. Coats the palate, Flavors from the nose emerge on the tongue, but all covered in fuzz. Chunky, almost. Hop flavors abound, but this one steers too hard into sweetness, leaving bitter way behind, practically nonexistent. I still don't see why anyone wants to pursue that and still call it an IPA. Don't get it at all. 

I will finish this, I will enjoy it to an extent, but mostly I yearn for some kind of clarity, even just a little. It's too much. 

Our collaboration with BSG Craft Brewing. Loaded with BSG's Citiva hop blend.

Starry Eyed XX Cream Ale

Starry Eyed XX Cream Ale.

6.8 % ABV, 17 IBU. Starry Eyed Brewing, Little Falls, MN. 

Clear, pale golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Mostly malty, little hops, slightly corny, clean. Bit o' sweetness.

In the mouth:  More malty, some grainy, and all smooth. Light bodied, slight corn husk flavor that I'm not sure is completely out of place for the style. It's not the freshest bottle, but that's all my fault. I left it in the back of the fridge and continually chose other beers before it. 

I drink cream ales so rarely, I can't recall if this should stand astride the best in the style. Gotta brush up on my cream ales. And so, I reread my reviews of other cream ales that I liked, and this one doesn't stray too far afield. It's a good cream ale and you can drink it, but maybe maltier than most. I don't mind that in the least. 

Sweetness remains, but doesn't overpower. Grainy/malty feel dominates, but persists pleasantly. Okay, I like this. But, I'd love to visit the taproom and drink it fresh. Someday, soon, I hope. 

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale.

4.2 % ABV, 19 IBU. Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

At last, I think to myself, an excuse to use my Goose Island 312 glass! And then I have to think, why do I have this? When have I used it before (I have other weizen-style glasses.)? Where did I get it? And then I started to wonder why I had the beer. Then, I remembered. My boss at the retail store I currently work at just decided to open up a variety pack of Goose Island to do a tasting with staff, and this one was left over, so I took it home. 

And now I discover that I reviewed it fifteen and a half years ago. I'm going to drink it and look at those old notes...posted on BeerAdvocate back in September, 2005:

So strange to see this beer "retired", as I'd just bought it, and never heard of it. Our local distributor doesn't like adding the number of beers they carry from a brewery like Goose Island, so I could only get it in the pub pack.

And, I've put away the pint glass I was going to use, as the box urged to employ correct glassware, and I always obey the box. Into a Weihenstephaner weiss glass you go!

Hazed, straw yellow look, big, booming head, commands the top of the glass, but assuredly simmers down. 

Aroma: soft, spicy, citric. Banana and lemon on top, creamy underneath...nice. 

Nice in the taste, too. Soft and mellow, fruit and light spices. Delightfully flavorful, and terrifically quenching. Very downable, light and easy, delicate in flavor, but tasty as heck.

Reminds me a bit of Oberon, without the funky yeast. 

If that silly distributor would have let me pick this up in a 6-pack, I surely would have gone through plenty over the summer.

I'm going to let those old notes stand. They do the trick. And I always use that Weihenstephaner glass, every time, except this time. 

And I have to notice that despite my last statement in those old notes, how rarely I've touched this beer since. And how quickly after this that it became one of their best sellers, and ubiquitous on tap.

Inspired by the city of Chicago and densely populated with flavor, 312’s spicy aroma of Cascade hops is followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body that's immensely refreshing.

Surly Rivet Head West Coast IPA

 Surly Rivet Head West Coast IPA.

6.9 % ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN. 

Another Surly West Coast IPA? Again? Well, this one was released as part of the Unusual Suspects variety pack, before they put out Havoc Machine in six-packs. Let's take it out for a spin.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Popping with citrus and pine, all the goodies are here. Intermingled among, notes of stone fruit, apricot, peach and such. 

In the mouth: Bitter, fruity, juicy, then dry, dry, dry. All those flavors from the nose arrive on the palate, clean and balanced. Bitterness never quits in this, and that's how I like. Barest malt, big hops and bitterness. Just my style. 

Hops, yeast, malt and water—those are the simple components of great beer. How those four are joined is where the magic happens. Rivet Head fastens a heavy dose of citrusy hop flavor to a dry and slightly sweet malt backbone for a classic take on the West Coast IPA.

Bent Paddle Hazy Pôrdij India Pale Ale

Bent Paddle Hazy Pôrdij ( #6) India Pale Ale. Featuring Suitana + El Dorado + Cashmere. 

When meeting someone coming the other way on a portage, the person carrying the canoe should always be given the right of way. (I'm just reading off the can here, folks.)

6.3 % ABV, 50 IBU. Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, MN. 

Another exemption from the boycott on the hazy. And why, this time? 1. It was a free sample. 2. I like Bent Paddle and I want to keep up with them. Let's go.

It's hazy, bright golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: Pleasantly citric, fruity, some berries, melons. 

In the mouth: Exceptionally sweet and fruity. Low bitterness. Lean malt, light bodied, Just enough hops to tickle the tongue, but bitterness is consistently mild. Smooth stuff. Easily consumable. Some tropical notes come through, a bit of pineapple, and even banana, terrifically tasty. Yum meets a dum dum. This is enjoyable, and  I enjoyed it. 

Every Pôrdij leads to new adventures! Just as a portage takes you to a new body of water, our Pôrdij navigates the ever-changing currents of the IPA style. This version of our Hazy India Pale Ale piles on a massive hop load, but the bitterness is kept at bay despite the added weight. The haze descends on this IPA like an early morning North-Shore fog with Sultana, El Dorado, and Cashmere hops leading the way. The bright hop flavors cut through the haze and lend a tropical citrus forward nose that supports the ample malt frame.

Waldmann Maibock Strong Golden Lager

Waldmann Maibock Strong Golden Lager.

6.3 % ABV. Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

Clear,  amber-hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, mostly malty. Fruity, floral, lightly hoppy. Nice.

In the mouth: A little sweet, a little sharp, and every inch a maibock. Rich and malty, while clean and lovely. Moderate bitterness, smooth drinking. Quite a delight. 

An unfiltered, deep golden, malty German style Maibock. Floor malted Czech Pils malt used in a traditional decoction mash is balanced by a noble hop bitterness, heritage flavor hops, and Hallertau Hersbrucker aroma hops. 

Alaskan SMaSH Galaxy Double IPA

Alaskan SMaSH Galaxy Double IPA.

8.5 %, 86 IBU, Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, AK. 

According to Untappd, this will be my sixth check-in to this beer. The last three were my previous cans from this 4-pack, and let me tell you, if I see a 4-pack of a double IPA for $12, I buy it. The first two were from when I had it on tap at Acadia Cafe in the fall of

2016. Let's drink it again and take notes, okay? Okay!

Clear, bright golden hue, slim, but long lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: Big, beautiful citrus notes, with a side of pine. Ah!

In the mouth: Bracing bitterness that starts fierce, then mellows out, leads the charge, with a large deployment of citric fruit flavors, orange and grapefruit and lime. Starts juicy, then turns dry, bitter, brittle. This is Double IPA the way it is meant to be. Absolutely delicious. Abundant citrus, growing alcohol presence, and unrelenting bitterness. Does everything a self-respecting double IPA ought to do. 

A balanced aroma gives intense passion fruit, light guava, and herbal notes similar to thyme, and hints of exotic citrus.The hop aroma is balanced by light honey notes that are characteristically associated with the malt of a crisp Pilsner. The flavor has an initial rush of tropical fruit and herbal notes that linger intensely. The Galaxy hops take center stage, and after several seconds the juicy hop notes are joined by the very intense bitterness typical of this Australian variety. 

Oskar Blues Pinner IPA

Oskar Blues Pinner  Session IPA. 

4.9 % ABV,  35 IBU, Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO & elsewhere. 

Clear, with light haze, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and pine in command here, with a dose of tropical on the side. 

In the mouth: A blessing of happiness abounds on the palate, bitter and delicious. Light bodied, easy-drinking, while remaining flavorful. Just a little juicy in the mouthfeel. Ain't nothing wrong with this one. I had the first two from the sampler pack, tossing them back, thinking merely, "yeah, that's good." Now that I am publishing notes, what more need I say? Only that: I don't normally like most "session IPAs", but this one makes you forget that it is one. Well done. 

At 4.9% ABV and 35 IBUs, this drinkable IPA uses several varieties of hops to target the ever-evolving flavor. With tropical fruits, citrus juices, pineapple and spice berry up front in the aroma and flavor, the biscuit & toasted bread at the back balance out all the hops and make a great finish to go on to your next can of PINNER. It’s the perfect beer for a little sip, sip, give.

HeadFlyer Peach Whip Ale

HeadFlyer Peach Whip Ale.

5.2 % ABV, HeadFlyer Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And here we have the fifth appearance of HeadFlyer Brewing in the Nib, the first in over two years, and the first time from a can. What took me so long? Suffice to say that I never saw anything that compelled me to buy, though did give a few some long, hard looks. Maybe next time, Coffee Porter. And this one was just given to me, so I had no choice. It certainly doesn't seem like my usual thing. Let's find out about it. 

First, I check it on Google, and have to bypass the stuff about a brand of pale ale made by the leader of a heavy metal band. Then, I use my noggin and guess that it's probably a cream ale with fruit added.  Next, I check their website and confirm my suspicions. I go into this knowing that it is definitely nothing I would spend my own money on, but forward we must go. 

It's all hazy-like, dull orange color, large, long-lasting ivory cap. 

In the nose: Sweetness. Fruit. Not much else. 

In the mouth: Fruit. Cream. Peach flavors coming forward. Silky smooth. Light bodied, easy drinking. Milky. A milkshake cream ale. This is what milkshake IPAs should be. Stop pretending to be an IPA, if that's what you're struggling not to be. Just be this. 

I will finish this, because that it what I do, and I tried it because that it what I do, but would never choose one again, knowing what it is. Maybe it's for you, though, go knock yourself out. I don't judge. (Well, maybe a little.But when I do, you deserve it.)

The freshest iteration of our Fruited Whip Series is Peach Whip, featuring healthy amounts of milk sugar and oats for a creamy mouthfeel, and of course loads of Peach for that taste of summer.

Finnegan's Kicked To the Herb Hemp Pale Ale

Finnegan's Kicked To the Herb Hemp Pale Ale. Pale Ale brewed with hemp seeds. "Here's to doing good."

5.5 % ABV, 45 IBU, Finnegan's Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And here we have what will be the eighth appearance of Finnegan's in the Nib, but only the 7th beer reviewed (I did one twice, accidentally). The last one was over two years ago. This is a long-overdue revisit to this brewery. 

I purchased a 6-pack of this beer not due to any enthusiasm for hemp seeds, but because I wanted to have a pale ale in the fridge and I wanted to pay no more than $9.99 for it. That's how you get me. 

Shouldn't I have had this one on  4/20? Maybe, if I thought like that. 

Lightly clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrusy, hoppy, with a smear of stank. 

In the mouth: Fresh, lightly fruity, neatly bitter, but altogether smooth and palatable. Highly satisfying. Just a little juicy, moderate malt, well-balanced. Medium -bodied. Not too much of the hemp character comes through....no, wait, wait a minute...ah, there we go....a little herbitude goes a long way. 

Sweetness rounds out and it ends on a dry note, the throat is parched, and the thirst must be quenched....

Tasty little pale ale, and you can drink it. 

Pale Ale brewed with Citra, MN grown Zeus and Chinook hops to push the aromas of the hemp seed. You get high tropical notes and a piney resinous nose. Mid-level bitterness any hophead would love.

Arbeiter Hoop Jump Cold IPA (collaboration with Bad Habit Brewing)

Arbeiter Hoop Jump Cold IPA (collaboration with Bad Habit Brewing).

8.1 % ABV, 80 IBU, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And now, for the first time, I will consume a Cold IPA. Not an IPA that has been kept at cold temperatures, (although it has), but, well, I don't know what the hell it is. This is the first time I've heard of the "Cold IPA." Again, whatever that is.

It is called Hoop Jump because the two collaborators once worked together at Town Hall under Mike Hoops. 

Let's drink it. 

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: fresh, lively, bursting with citrus and pine. Good ol' IPA aromatics, the way they were meant to be. 

In the mouth: Crisp, hoppy, bitter. More notes of grapefruit, orange, lemon/lime, with a slice of pine, greet the palate harmoniously. Everything an IPA should be. Clean. Vibrant. Refreshing. Delicious. Light bodied, lean malt, just enough to hold it all together. 

I'm looking at the description posted below, trying to discern the qualities of the "Cold IPA". This is not rich in maltiness, at least not how I see that, but it does pack something of a punch. I cannot figure out what makes this different from other IPAs or double IPAs. This is just a good ol' IPA, or double IPA. And you can drink it. And I am. And I am liking it. 

Hoop Jump Cold IPA

ABV 8.1% | 80 IBU

We are excited to bring you Minnesota’s first COLD IPA!

Aaron Herman of Arbeiter and Erik Salmi of Bad Habit worked together at Town Hall Brewery under the tutelage of brewing legend Mike Hoops. After having the Bad Habit crew out for a brewery tour, Erik and Aaron hatched a plan to brew their collab. It just so happened Erik’s brother Drew recently sent him a new beer by Kevin Davey of Wayfinder Beer in Portland, it was a “Cold IPA”. It’s brilliantly clear, clean, has classic hop flavors yet it is rich in maltiness and packs a punch! Sometimes all the hoops line up perfectly, if you are ready, you can jump right through!

Aroma: A supernova of citrus and tropical hop aromas including passionfruit, grapefruit, and lime, along with bright cosmic dankness.

Flavor: Soft but intense tropical and pungent hop flavors of passion fruit, and restrained citrus, all followed by a warming and inviting resinous finish. Due to the high alcohol content and rich maltiness, Hoop Jump drinks “fuller bodied” than it actually is – the first sensation of a very light beer on your palette is quickly overcome with the aforementioned malt and alcohol.

Drumconrath Brewing Company Fluff Diver Fruited Blonde Ale

Drumconrath Brewing Company Fluff Diver Fruited Blonde Ale.

5.4 % ABV, 12 IBU. DCR Brewing, Fargo, ND. 

I am breaking my boycott against marshmallow beers, and it is for one reason only: this was given to me. It found it's way into my possession, I did not reject it, it was filed into my fridge, therefore it must be reviewed and entered into Ye Olde Nib. This is the way. Here we go: 

Thick and turbid. Slim white head. Orange juice orange. 

In the nose: Sweet and fruity, in that order. Citrus and ...fluff? Am I smelling the fluff?

In the mouth: Okay, now I can definitely taste the marshmallow. Orange, tart, citric, sweet, fluffy. No hops, malt is hidden. Carbonated fruity fluff. Definitely not made with me in mind. 

I'm going to finish this because that's what I do. And I'm sure some of you would like it. But I can't in good conscience recommend it. It isn't bad, but....I am a real beer drinker. I drink real beers. That is that. 

Fruit and marshmallows go together like best buds. We brewed up this fluffy guy with Rahr 2-row, and a pile of oats, then added heaps of marshmallow fluff and over 400lb of orange puree and some Madagascar vanilla just for good measure. What came out was a big, soft, fluffy beer that's perfect for dessert. Move over, fruit salad!

Junkyard Simcoe Single Hopped Double IPA

Junkyard Simcoe Single Hopped Double IPA.

8.5 % ABV, 100 IBU, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

It's clear (if just a little, lightly hazed), bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Bold and brilliant. Screaming Simcoe. Citrus, pine, stone fruit, and, yeah, a good dose of the litter box. Simcoe in your beer? You're gonna get some cat pee. 

In the mouth: Juicy, light bitterness, fresh hop flavor. Clean, lightly malty, delicious. Alcohol provides no hindrance just yet. Drinks down like a dream. The citrus and stone fruit is popping in the flavor. Tropical? That's here, too. Just a little bit of mango in my life, to match the grapefruit and orange. Here comes the ABV, tasting like candied fruits, gummi bears, grapefruit zest, ...tasty stuff, indeed. I'm digging it. 

This double IPA is hopped with all "Simcoe" hops. This hop variety boasts a medley of tropical fruits, reminiscent of tangerine, mango, and papaya. Pale base malts and a low final gravity give this beer a dry finish.

BlackStack Bottles IPA in Cans

BlackStack Bottles IPA in Cans.

7 % ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

And here we have a beer that I purchased in 4-packs for several reasons: 1. It was not priced above $16. 2. It seems like it might resemble a beer I could like. 3. I read the back of the can and felt that this was one I had to enter into the Nib. For reasons. 

Of all the interesting and fun names that BlackStack has given to their beers, they go ahead and call this one Bottles. There are bottles flying through the sky in formation on the label. And below, where they normally give me abbreviated style designation, i.e., "TDH DIPA", "DDH TIPA" and the like, they say: IPA in cans. Again, it's a beer called Bottles and it's an "IPA in cans." Aren't all of their beers IPAs in cans?

Bottle people are weird, but maybe can people are even weirder. I met a bottle man not too long ago, who said to me, "Hey, I usually drink Bass, or Sierra Nevada, or Fat Tire, but I think I should branch out and try something new. What do you suggest?" I pointed at Steel Toe Size 7, and he countered with, "do you have it in bottles? I haven't had a beer in a can in 30 years!" I assured him that cans are just as good, even better than bottles, and have been for a good 20 years, almost. (I also ignored the fact that Size 7 is in bottles, albeit bomber size.). That everyone's canning, even Sierra Nevada and Fat Tire. And that the beer is all the same once you pour it into a glass. I won him over. (For the sale, anyway, we haven't circled back with one another to check on his acceptance of cans.)

Bottle people are fussy people, resistant to change, sure in their ways, married to the glass through romance and nostalgia. What about can people, though, what can we say about them?

We'll get to the can label copy after we drink the beer. Let's crack it open, and pour it out: 

Hazy (this is BlackStack, they can't help themselves), bright yellow color, slight white head. 

In the nose: mild and citrusy, grapefruit and lemon. Orange zest. Pleasant enough. 

In the mouth: Big lemony, citrus hop bite up top. Thins out & dries out quickly. Fuzzy, yeasty flavor takes over. Malt is meager. Body is light. Drinkability is okay. Yes, just okay. Decent beer and you can drink it. Yeah, there's nothing particularly thrilling about this one. 

So, let's check out the back label copy that somebody wrote while stoned: 

A modern take on IPA as an homage to simpler times. 'Member going to the store and grabbing a sixer of clear & bitter IPA in twist off, short, squat, brown bottles and life was grand? Those were the days. This is 16oz of less than see-thru juice, courtesy of our hand-selected Mosaic, El Dorado & Simcoe Cryo in beer tubes for times like these.

Breaking it down: first line makes no sense. How do you do a "modern take" as an "homage to simpler times." If you half-ass it, I guess. The next two lines are meant to be read sarcastically I'm sure. The use of "'member" conjures up the member-berries of "SouthPark." Then, at the end, the omniscient narrator awakes from his dream with a confident voice, and we learn more unassailable facts about beer today. That it is called "juice", now.  That they will not brook clarity. That the 16 ounce "pounder" can, aka "tallboy",  is also known as a "beer tube", and that these are "times like these", times that call for tubes of juice. 

I don't know what to make of it. It drips of smarm and smirk. It feels like the voice of the tube is mocking those who 'member back when things came in glass bottles, because that's how it was, dagnabbit, and we liked it that way! 

Was someone "'membering" a bit too loudly at the taproom, and the brewers decided to take them down? They certainly didn't make a beer that evokes the IPAs of those days. Not even as an homage. 

I wish I could find a BlackStack beer that I really like, but it seems more and more that I am not in their audience. 

Surly Vietnamese Coffee Darkness Russian Imperial Stout

Surly Vietnamese Coffee Darkness Russian Imperial Stout.

12 % ABV, Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN. 

And here we have the final of the three Darkness variants that were released late last year. Possibly the best? We'll see...

Strictly Stygian appearance, utter opacity, slim brown head, nestles into nothing in no-time. 

In the nose: Deep malty expressions, cocoa, espresso, molasses, and more. Dark fruit, vanilla, cream, starting to pick up on the whole Vietnamese Coffee thing, slowly but surely. 

In the mouth: Pow! Intense entrance. Powerful malt flavors, the essence of Darkness are in full display from the start. More coffee, more cocoa, and a side of cream. 

Ultimately, not quite enough cream to deliver what I was hoping for in stout of this style. Came close, but didn't get there. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. 

Inspired by the flavors of Vietnamese coffee–traditionally made by mixing concentrated coffee with sweetened condensed milk–we infused our Darkness base with a blend of organic robusta and arabica coffees from UP Coffee Roasters, vanilla beans, and coconut. After quality time aging in rum barrels, the rich coffee notes and enticing aromatics mimic the silky, bittersweet beverage with a distinctly dark twist.

Bear Republic Hop Shovel Double IPA: Citra! Citra!

Bear Republic Hop Shovel Double IPA: Citra! Citra! 

Independent Family Brewers. Independent Since 1995. 

9 % ABV, 85 IBU. Bear Republic Brewing, Healdsburg, CA. 

Clear, bright golden color, brilliant white head looms large atop. 

In the nose: Big, beautiful, bitter buzz at the start. Blazing citrus and pine and nothing but. Essential West Coast Double IPA aromatics from one of the pioneers. Intense. Grapefruit on fire!

In the mouth: Dank, resinous, rich and profound upon the palate. Citra-delicious. Explosion of wet, bitter, grapefruit and lemon flavors. Bam! Major hop delivery. I am personally loving it. This is a thick, wicked, mess of hops, juicy, then dry, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Full bore brunt force hop attack. Every double IPA should be exactly like this. 

And this is why I grab up a $12 4-pack of something like this, and eschew the $22 "TIPAs" and the like. I don't need to spend twice the money to get less flavor and hoppiness. 

An epic West Coast Double IPA brewed with shovels full of CITRA and CITRA. Gobs of citrusy grapefruit, lime, and orange hop flavor and aroma, a dry malt undertones and a pithy bitterness that invites another sip.

Stone Enjoy By 4.20.2021 IPA

Stone Enjoy By 4.20.2021 IPA. Blazy Hazy IPA. Brewed to be blazingly fresh. 

9% ABV, 50 IBU. Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. 

Lightly hazy, bright orange hue, large and lasting creamy white head. 

In the nose: Fresh, lively happiness. Citrus & pine, slightly floral and tropical, with a touch of stone fruit, to boot. Lovely stuff. 

In the nose: More of the above drops on the palate. Big hoppiness matched by bigger booze. Powerful. Juicy. More tropical notes emerge  to join the citrus explosion. Full body. Big spill of flavors, juicy fruit, candied apricot, orange pith, gummi bears. 

Once again, the sixth bottle in the 6-pack is the one I publish notes upon. I did it, though, if there was any doubt, I managed to finish off the lot of them before the due date. Six bottles down in 10 days. I did it!

We’ve been brewing the groundbreaking Stone Enjoy By IPA series since 2012. Despite dozens of releases and a few variants over the years, we’ve never done a hazy version… until now. Stone Enjoy By 04.20.21 Hazy IPA is a celebration of those magical little green buds we call hops. This stunningly fresh imperial IPA is brewed to be enjoyed within 37 days, so don’t let the back of your fridge bogart. Sit back, relax, and take this puppy down in a blaze of hazy glory with a b̶i̶g̶ ̶o̶l̶’̶ ̶r̶i̶p̶ series of thoughtful sips.

Founders 4 Giants IPA Imperial India Pale Ale

Founders 4 Giants IPA Imperial India Pale Ale. 

9.2 % ABV, 80 IBU, Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI. 

Clear, bright amber/crimson coloring, large and lasting ivory head above. Looking good. 

In the nose: Big everything up in here. Prodigious hops, substantial malt. Citrusy, slightly piney, plus plenty of malt sweetness. Interesting and inherently likable. 

In the mouth: First the juicy, then the bitter. Right from the start, I've met the kind of double IPA that I love to drink. Just delicious. Lot of fruit, juicy, bitter, grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, apricot, met with massive malt, matched with the fire of higher alcohol. It's a hot one, sure, but so, so very yum a dum.  Quite tasty, and very satisfying . 

This was made from the recipes of four different double IPAs that Founders has previously brewed, and those beers seem to be represented by four figures convening on the label. I only recognize the bottom left face from Double Trouble. I searched BeerAdvocate and could not find labels corresponding with those other three. Is there a Founders superfan out there who can identify them for me? Step up, please! 

We’ve made a lot of imperial IPAs over the years and, in turn, have had a lot of arguments over which one is the absolute best. So, to settle this once and for all, our brewers mashed up four of our favorite recipes into the ultimate imperial IPA. 4 Giants boasts aggressive bitterness balanced by a malty, sweet backbone while huge aromatics come courtesy of the seven American hop varieties.

WarPigs Forge of Mars Intergalactic Porter

WarPigs Forge of Mars Intergalactic Porter. Ale with Coffee and Vanilla.

6.8 % ABV, 25 IBU. Brewed and packaged under supervision of Warpigs Brewing USA, LLC, Munster, IN. 

Deep black color, thoroughly opaque, large, if brief, brown head. 

It he nose: Coffee is here in abundance, with cocoa behind and vanilla sneaking in at the end. Earthy, nutty.

In the mouth: Coffee flavor is in command of the palate, with berries and nuts doing a cameo on the side, vanilla pops in to add a dash of sweetness. Medium bodied, smooth and drinkable. Some commenters have said that the coffee flavor feels "stale", and while I'm not sure I agree, I can certainly see what they're talking about. It lacks freshness, and the flavor falls off the palate far too soon.

This one has is good points, but not enough of them. Simply an average coffee porter, at best. Far from my favorite. 

Powered by solar flares and stoked by grim artisans, martian smiths craft the finest wares for exploring the Milky Way and beyond. Infused with coffee and vanilla. 

Odell Solarized Yuzu Double IPA

Odell Solarized Yuzu Double IPA.

8.2 % ABV, 60 IBU. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, CO. 

Who doesn't love turtles? Or, turtles reaching their necks out to greet the sun? Or, wait, is he going for that yuzu fruit, is that it? 

Clouded, if but lightly, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: sweet, fruity, not too overt bitterness. Pleasing. Intriguing. 

In the mouth: Big, juicy fruit attack at the start, with hop bitterness coming in from behind. I am not familiar with the yuzu fruit and therefore cannot determine what exact properties it delivers to this beer. It's slightly sweet and juicy/tasty, that I can say. Bitterness is kept at bay, malt is perfect for balance. Alcohol slowly creeps in. Citrus flavor continues unabated. Very tasty, quite delightful. 

I enjoy the drawings on the labels of Odell beers so much that I forgot how much I detest the back side. Here goes: wait. I can't just swipe it off of Untappd. It only says: "Double IPA with Yuzu fruit." I don't want to have to type it out after reading the label. Let's try the website. Ah, perfect, here it is: 

Slow down, soak up the sun and get Solarized. The Western painted turtle inspired us to create Solarized Yuzu Double IPA. Featuring the exotic Yuzu fruit, characterized by a zippy grapefruit-like flavor with notes of mandarin orange and lemon zest, we carefully crafted a citrus-foward Double IPA that’s certain to shine a light.

You know what, that wasn't so bad. Moderate usage of punning. Although I do wonder, did they really think about a turtle and decide to make a beer after such contemplation? 

Hammerheart Fimbulvetr Oak-Smoked Wheat Hazy DIPA

Hammerheart Fimbulvetr Oak-Smoked Wheat Hazy DIPA.

10.6 % ABV. Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Lakes, MN. 

Here we have a beer I've had before, but never in this form. The first time, according to my posts on Untappd, as well as my blog post of May, 2016, was at the brewery. With Jason, and my Mom. I checked into it on Untappd three times when I had it on tap at Acadia in February and March of 2018. And now, here it is in cans. And I will drink it once more. Oak Smoked. Wheat. IPA. Double. Hazy. Here we go...

First, when I stage this thing before drinking: 1. I miss my now-gone, long-broken Hammerheart glass. It's long-past time to revisit the taproom and get a new one. 2. Why is Hammerheart the only brewery, it seems, to never do coasters?  They are sorely missed in my collection. 

On with the beer: 

Thoroughly hazed, bright orange coloring, large and lush creamy white head. Looking great. 

In the nose: Smoked malt hits first. Beyond that, fruity hop associations. We get the sense of an IPA, but the smoke caps it all. Who put their smoked sausage in my IPA? 

In the mouth: Slips down the throat like a dream. A smokey, hoppy, utterly unheard-of dream. Most surreal. This is a wonderful, funderful treat. How often do you find a smokey IPA, or double IPA? Damn. Smooth and lovely. Just enough of everything. 

I carried a good amount of Hammerheart beers at Acadia that never made it into the Nib, because I didn't take notes at the bar back then. Various reasons. And so, I'm glad to revisit them again, in can or bottle form. They sure are nice. And weird. And I like that. 

Named after the brutal winter that will destroy a third of mankind before Ragnarok in Norse mythology. This beer is a hazy IPA with mellow smoke undertones complimenting floral, juicy hops. 

Brewer owned since 2013. 

Gouden Carolus Ambrio

Gouden Carolus Ambrio.

8 % ABV, 30 IBU, Brouwerij Het Anker, Mechelen,  Belgium. 

The beers in the Gouden Carolus family, brewed by Het Anker, are among my very favorites. They have appeared here six times: Christmas Ale, Tripel, Van De Kaiser Red & Blue (two different beers), Classic, and Easter. Some of these were bottles consumed at home, and some on tap at the Blue Nile, and there have been no appearances since 2013. Had I had them all? BeerAdvocate.com shows another beer, Hopsinjoor, which I can't believe I never had after starting this blog. It's possible, I guess. (My notes on BA are from 2008, and I know I had it on tap at the Nile after that. There's video evidence.)

So, it seems they went away from our market for a while, and now they have returned and we just got them at the retail store where I currently work. But only one of them, that being the Ambrio, or Amber, which I've never seen before. I'm so glad to finally have a reason to dust off my Gouden Carolus chalice and try out a new (to me), tasty Belgian!

Lightly clouded, amber hued, small ring of beige foam atop. 

In the nose: It's classic, ethereal, utterly unearthly Belgian yeast magic at play, very malty, very bready. Graham cracker meets pumpernickel. Low hops. Caramel-y sweetness. 

In the mouth: From the start, hops kick if off, but remain mellow. Excellent balance in this. Caramel-y, toffee-ish flavors from malt dominate the senses. Slight citric and other fruit notes chime in, as well. Belgian yeast takes it to special places. Absolutely delicious. Well-rounded taste, sparks of the comfortable and unfamiliar make themselves at home on the palate, and one is given over to a general sense of well-being. The higher ABV delivers it's own bewitching touch, sending one into a fantastic, yet familiar atmosphere. Bitterness lays low, letting malt do the magic. 

Simply put: yum a dum dum. 

Gouden Carolus Ambrio is aromatically brewed according to the ancient recipe of the Mechelschen Bruynen. Ambrio is an 'amber' ale brewed with 'brio'. This white beer of high fermentation finds its origin in the traditional beer of the city of Mechelen. As each city had its own typical beer, the Mechelenians drunk their amber beer: "Mechelschen Bruynen" for hundreds of years.

Our brewery is the only brewery that still brews this type of beer. According to the tradition the basic recipe of this beer dates from 1421 and is therefore the oldest beer from the brewery.

The current version is slightly heavier than the original and finer hopped. The balance between the different malts, the fine hops and typical aromas with herbs ensure that this beer combines the whole-hearted nature of brown beers with the freshness of blonde beers.

This flavored and spicy light brown tasting beer should be served fairly fresh. Refermentation in the bottle. 

Drumconrath Dankify India Pale Ale

Drumconrath Dankify India Pale Ale. Made in North Dakota with an Irish spirit.

6.5 % ABV, 45 IBU. Drumconrath Brewing, Fargo, ND. 

Throughly and utterly hazed-out (doesn't say it on the label, doesn't matter anymore, they're all hazies now). Fuzzy yellow color. Large and beautiful ivory head. 

In the nose: Bright and sunny, tropical tones meet citrus. Lemon, grapefruit, pineapple. Inviting and lively. 

In the mouth: Bitter at first, with sweetness on the side. Bitter hop attack lays long on the palate, then turns dry before rolling off. Juicy stuff. Medium bodied, quite tasty, and easily consumable. Dank flavors aplenty in this. And just enough of the bitter to keep me satisfied. 

I rag on the NEs a lot here, but this one hits the right balance. A delight. 

Dankify New England style IPA! Made with Sticky Fingers hops, a blend of 15 varieties of hops from our main supplier, Michigan Hop Alliance. This beer is sweet and dank. Super delicious!

One thing I have to get off my chest, though, is the strange design decision to only use one color on the perfectly rendered illustrations on all of their labels. They use one color for the background and title card, and one in the drawing itself, leaving the rest of the figures in black and white. I'd like full color, please. This choice sets the labels apart, but not in a good way. 

Central Waters Straight Outta Amherst West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale

Central Waters Straight Outta Amherst West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale.

9 % ABV, 80 IBU. Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI. 

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

In the nose: Citrus and pine aplenty, with stone fruit on the side. Hints of candied apricots meet orange and tangerine. 

In the mouth: Bold and bitter at first sip. Juicy, dank, resinous, all the things. Much malt at work, as well. Bomb-Tactic. Huge and delicious. Audacious. This one goes to town on the palate, in a good way, of course. Some might call it "hot", I call it Bombitty-bomb, bom, boom. Also, yum-a-dum-dum. 

I've become very fond of this. It's can #6, but there may be reinforcements on the way. 

Before the haze hysteria swept the craft beer industry, IPA was defined by coast and the IBU was king. This example of a west coast style IPA is brewed with a touch of oats and double dry hopped with Centennial and Sultana hops.

Pantown Bluemound Road Mulberry Kettle Sour

Pantown Bluemound Road Mulberry Kettle Sour.

3.9 % ABV, Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

Here I am about to drink a mulberry sour beer, and I realize how little I know about mulberries. There's that bush that we all go around. There's a street that to think we saw it on, in a Dr. Seuss book you can't buy anymore. There are cities and handbags, plus a fruit that I've never eaten. I don't have any on hand to taste before this, so I'm going in blind. 

Clear, bright crimson color, nearly purple, slim head of indeterminate color above. 

In the nose: Very berry. Somewhere between strawberry and plum, with a little blue thrown in. 

In the mouth: Big pucker from the start, intense sour matched with fresh fruit. Moderate bitterness, medium bodied, easy drinking. Refreshing. Only a little does it feel overly sweet and/or unbalanced, just for a minute. 

Overall, I enjoyed it. 

Kettle Sour with Mulberries

Chimay Premiere (Red)

Chimay Premiere (Red), or "Rouge" 

7 % ABV, 19 IBU, Bieres de Chimay, Belgium. 

You know, I most certainly do love the beers of Belgium. I am very enamored of the Trappist styles, and count the Dubbel among my favorite styles of beer of all. This blog has notes on 34 Dubbels, most American interpretations, but a good lot of Belgians, including the Trappists, Westmalle, Achel, La Trappe, etc. But, not this one, nor anything from Chimay. 

Someone else noticed this and wondered why, but I can't give a good reason. I tried them all (almost, at least the ones easily found) and wrote about that experience on BeerAdvocate many years ago, but something wasn't right about what I wrote. That's why I vowed to write new reviews for this here blog, once I procured some new bottles. That went the way of all procrastination, until that someone who noticed the lack of Chimay in the Nib visited the retail store where I currently work and bought a bottle and gave it to me. Thank you, August, you are a prince among men. I really meant to get around to it, now I have incentive to do the thing I am doing now, (although, several months later) and after that, take the other two home to review, as well. 

Enough palaver, let's open that bottle...

Clear, deep auburn/ burgundy coloring, slim, brief brown head. 

In the nose: Sweet malt notes at first, caramel and toffee, cocoa, cola, slight spice. 

In the mouth: Arriving on the palate, it's a balanced affair, with caramel and toffee flavors rolling on the tongue. Major malt, minor hops, increasing flavors emerging. 

I think that my numbers on dubbels are faulty, in that I am not sorting certain beers as dubbels that I should be. I'll fix that. Looking on BeerAdvocate, this beer is #5 among all dubbels, the first four being Westveleteren 8, Unibroue's Maudite, Westmalle, and Ommegang, a ranking I'd agree with. The bottom half of the Top Ten goes: Rochefort 6, St. Bernardus Prior 8, Achel 8, Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel, and St. Bernardus Pater 6. I've had them all. 

I'm surprised when I go through that list. Brother Thelonious is only #198? Something's fishy here!

To continue with the beer, we're getting some brown sugar, molasses, a touch of cocoa, a never ending sweetness that is adequately balanced. 

I'm going to cheat for a minute and consult Michael Jackson's Great Beers of Belgium, which is handily within arm's reach and say that he refers to it's fruity character and offers up: blackcurrant, nutmeg, vanilla? What's with the question mark, Mike, say it or don't say it! Black currant is possible, vanilla, yeah, I get it, and nutmeg? Sure, why not. Not exactly, but this is not wholly imagination, and also never an exact science. No one is really wrong, but some are more right than others. (And Mr. Jackson was probably the rightest among everyone.)

The spicy character is getting broader and wider, and the fruit unfolds. Dark malt flavors make their magic in the mouth, slowly unspooling. The alcohol isn't crazy high, but it is unraveling in a wonderful way. The sweetness gives way, and everything ends on a dry and delicious note. 

I'm enjoying this more and more as the bottle and the glass empty. More complexities arise, flavors ripen, taste emerges. Rounds off beautifully on the palate, ending on a graceful, serene note. 

This one is quite nice, though it certainly doesn't catapult into the upper echelon of my favorite dubbels. More of an acknowledgement that I was wrong to dismiss it for so many years. 

I will not share my notes of disappointment from 2004. I'll probably delete them. This beer didn't deserve my scorn. It may not be the greatest, but it's still pretty good. 

First sold in 75 cl (25.4 fl.oz.) bottles, it is noted for its copper color and as the first beer brewed by the monks of Chimay in 1862.

Topped with a creamy head, it gives off a light, fruity apricot aroma produced by the fermentation. The taste perceived in the mouth is a balance confirming the fruity nuances noticed in the fragrance. 

Its taste, which imparts a silky sensation to the tongue, is made refreshing by a light touch of bitterness. To the palate, the taster perceives a pleasant astringency which complements the flavor qualities of this beer very harmoniously.

This top-fermented Trappist beer, re fermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized.

Deschutes Squeezy Rider West Coast IPA India Pale Ale

Deschutes Squeezy Rider West Coast IPA India Pale Ale.

7 % ABV, 47 IBU, Deschutes Brewing, Bend, OR. 

Once again. I'm having the last can from the 6-pack, several weeks after I finished the fifth one. I drank the first five with such wild abandon, way back in early March, I'm sure it was a terrific beer. Now, to find out for sure. Let's take some notes!

Clear, bright golden tones, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big citrus: orange, lemon/lime, grapefruit. Piney on the side. Nice. 

In the mouth: Burst of bitterness on the palate at first sip, turning juicy, ending dry. Citrus explosion. Medium bodied, long, bitter finish. On all levels, pleasant and appropriately drinkable. Quite delicious. 

But it's not really a West Coast IPA, it fails where the bitterness should be higher, mouthfeel drier, not so sweet and tropical. This is kind of a mutant hybrid version. I still like it, but it doesn't merit the nomenclature. 

Big tropical fruit punch aroma, light dank, and melon paired with clean, light malt character. Hop and yeast-driven fruity sweetness balanced with a bitterness that is laid back, leaving you care-less about IBU's.

Bell's Juicy Gossip Juicy Pale Ale

Bell's Juicy Gossip Juicy Pale Ale. Polite Society Says You Shouldn't Gossip. This Is Not One of Those Times. You Know Something Don't You? We Won't Tell Anyone. 

4.7 % ABV. Bell's Brewery, Comstock, MI. 

Once more, my procrastination reveals itself. Final can of three from a sampler pack released in December. The first two were consumed in early January. But, I'm chipping away at the beers awaiting review in the fridge. After this one, only 63 more to go...sigh...it's true, I have a problem...

This beer is no longer merely an exclusive in a sampler pack, it is now available in bottles, and has been for several weeks. And that poor can just sat there in the back of the fridge, waiting for me to crack it open...which I will now do. 

Clouded-up, hazed-out, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Bold, zesty, hoppy, citric, delightful.  

In the mouth: Tangerine, orange, grapefruit, and pineapple at play on the palate. Juicy, yeah, for sure. Slightest trace of bitterness. Bold citrus flavors. Light / medium bodied. Moderate bitterness. Slight finish. Good beer and you can drink it. 

Psst, did you hear about Juicy Gossip? Developed over several batches at our Innovation Brewery, this Juicy Pale Ale has a soft bitterness with a fruity, juicy hop character and tropical notes. Sessionable, this beer is perfect for those who want tropical hop flavor at a lower ABV.

This brand new beer is available exclusively as part of our Jingle Bell's Holiday Variety 12-pack along with Light Hearted, Official and Two Hearted. 

Surly Havoc Machine West Coast Style India Pale Ale

Surly Havoc Machine West Coast Style India Pale Ale. Clean. Hoppy. Devastating.

7.5 % ABV. IBU: "high" (They no longer release the number, it seems.)

Surly Brewing, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN. 

This one showed up out of the blue without warming or fanfare. A new Surly West Coast IPA. Oh, hurray, I'm so tired of everything being all hazy all the time. I wonder how it compares to Over-rated? 

Clear (with a slight chill haze), bright golden tone, slim white head. 

In the nose: orange pulp, grapefruit rind, lemon zest.  Packing a powerful citrus punch.  Nothing but hops. 

In the mouth: Crisp, refreshingly bitter, bursting with happiness. Citrus and pine gang up on the palate and never stop. Just a little bit of juicy, then turning dry, brittle, with never-ending bitterness laying long in the throat, on the tongue, all over the place. Medium bodied, expert drinkability, if only for the dyed-in-the wool hopheads (like me).

Cheers to Surly for proving that it is still possible to brew a real, true classic West Coast IPA, when so many other breweries can only seem to release half-assed, sarcastic ones. 

So, a theory, perhaps. This is slightly different beer than Over Rated, which was initially released around eight years ago. Attitudes towards Surly have changed over the years. I know a guy who was the biggest Surly fanboy you could find, diehard, dyed in the wool, die another day, you name it, he was all about the Surly. He came into the retail store where I currently work while I was on a register and what did he buy: Warpigs and Three Floyds. Now he's a Diehard Todd fan, it seems (probably always was) and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

My point being that perhaps they want to have a new West Coast IPA with a new name that doesn't actually hand out ammunition to the Surly haters out there? 

BREWED FOR WREAKING HAVOC. OR WRECKING HAVOC. YOU DO YOU, HAVOC DOER.

Cry havoc and let slip the hops of war! Get caught up in the gears of this bitter and clean West Coast-style IPA. The classically dank and and citrus-heavy hit of Cascade, Chinook, and Amarillo hops conjure a chaos of flavor, delivered with brutal and devastating efficiency.

WEST COAST IPA

COLOR

Golden

HOPS

Warrior

Chinook

Cascade. Dry-Hop: Chinook

Cascade

Amarillo

MALT

2-Row

Carahell

Acidulated Malt

Flaked Oats

OG

YEAST:English Ale

IBU:High

Utepils Pontoon Afternoon Rapsberry Kölsch Style

Utepils PontoonAfternoon Rapsberry Kölsch Style.

4.9 % ABV, 25 IBU. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

There's something off about the appellation applied to the label of this can. They need to add the word "ale" at the end there, otherwise it's got me thinking "Kölsch Style" what?  Raspberry? Are they missing a comma? Were they going for "Raspberry, Kölsch style"? No, that's not right. They certainly don't want to just say "kölsch", because they're not in Köln, are they? (If anyone's a stickler for that stuff, it's these guys.)

Anyway, I don't normally like flavored kölsch, but maybe I'll change my mind this time. 

Clear, crimson-tinted, slim white head. 

In the nose: very berry. Little else. 

In the mouth: Berries, slightly tart. Light bodied. Nothing kölsch-like can be detected, the raspberry smothers over all. It's not bad, necessarily, but it's not something I can really endorse. Might go down just groovy in the heat of a lazy, hazy summer. But, eh, I'll pass. 

Drop anchor and relish a sunny afternoon floating on the water. Nothing makes you forget your troubles more than an afternoon in the sun sippn' Utepils. Pontoon Afternoon is a refreshing rasberry infused golden colored ale that puts your mind at ease. Allow life's interuptions to drift away and savor these moments of natural bliss

Junkyard O.G. Kushions New England Style IPA

Junkyard O.G. Kushions New England Style IPA.

7 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Once more, I have broken my anti-hazy ban, because it is Junkyard. This will happen. I usually end up liking all of their IPAs. Trends may continue, may they not?

Hazy as they get, bright yellow hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Soft citrus. Orange, grapefruit, lemon aplenty. But all played out low-key. 

In the mouth: Just a little juicy, but also very much dry. More citrus, a touch of pine, and a trace of the tropical. Medium bodied, fuzzy on the palate, moderate bitterness, exceptionally smooth and delightful. 

This is in the New England Style that I don't like. Not enough bitterness, a weak imitation of an IPA. But it succeeds at what it's supposed to be, that's for sure. I will finish this, and be happy with it, but it still is a far cry from what really trips my trigger. My fault, I guess. I knew what I was opening, after all. 

Packed to the brim with Citra, Bru-1, Summit, Mosaic, and Eureka, this brew boasts flavors of melon, tropical notes, and is followed by a dank resinous finish. The nose lends sweet aromas of white peach, orange zest, and hints of herbs.

Pantown The Pollinator Honey Wheat

Pantown The Pollinator Honey Wheat.

5.2 % ABV, 18 IBU. Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN.

Honey Wheat is not the type of beer I choose for myself. But, I did not choose this beer for myself. It was given to me, thus it became  my possession, therefore I must drink it and review it. This is the way. 

Clear, bright amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Honey sweetness hits first, malt, that's about it. 

In the mouth: Fruity flavor jumps the palate from the start...is there any fruit? No, it's all from the honey and the malt. Minor hops and bitterness. Touch of caramel. Medium bodied, easy drinking. 

It's a bit too sweet for me. I'm getting all honey and little wheat. Probably ideal for a lot of other folks, and good for them. I'll glad to finish the crowler, then move on to something more my style. Plainly put: I don't like it. 

We all know bees are super important, they make honey, and are amazing pollinators. We have brewed our honey wheat with honey malts, Woodruff, and locally sourced honey from Pantown Bee Co. Notes of honey on the nose to match the golden hue of the pour, gentle sweetness balanced with the bready backbone will make this your new summer favorite. Raise a glass and get your "buzz" on!

Waldmann Brewery Pilsener Hoppy Golden Lager

Waldmann Brewery Pilsener Hoppy Golden Lager.

5.5 % ABV, Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

I had this beer once before, on the first day of September of 2019, on the occasion of my first visit to the brewery, with my pal, Ed. Right now, I am able to buy their crowlers at the retail store where I currently work. And there is quite a variety available right now, but I chose to tackle the Pilsner next because, well, sometimes having a pilsner is a good idea. And so it shall be. Let's drink it. 

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, pure ivory head, large and lasting. 

In the nose: Sweet malt, slight spice, a touch of hops. Highly likable.

In the mouth: Starts out sweet and malty, quickly matched by a slightly bitter hop presence. Clean and smooth, with a little extra malty sweetness hanging on. Notes of citrus and honey. Light bodied, easy drinking, and pretty much yum a dum dum. I'd drink this one any time. 

Bold, bitter and not at al what you might expect from a Pilsener. This deep golden beer benefits from seven hop additions for a heavenly flavor marked by nuanced notes of honey and wheatgreass. 

21st Amendment A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA India Pale Ale

21st Amendment A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA India Pale Ale. (I'm just quoting the can, here.)

Collaboration with Fieldwork Brewing Company.

6.8 % ABV, 54 IBU, 21st Amendment Brewing, San Leandro, CA. 

Again, I break my hazy ban. Because I bought this in a 21st Amendment sampler pack. What can you do?

Lightly hazed, nearly opaque, slim layer of ivory head. 

In the nose: Citrusy hop notes aplenty, mixed with the tropical tones. Grapefruit meets papaya. 

In the mouth: Slight sweetness, just a kiss of the tropical taste, right in step with the smack of the citrus. Just enough bitterness going on. Medium bodied, excellent drinkability, tasty malt. Nice stuff. 

This is a tasty, downable beverage. The brewery has much more to say about this one: 

At first sip, you’re lulled into delicate malt clouds, then brace yourself for a MAMMOTH dry hop charge - 4 pounds of hops per barrel to be exact (which is twice our typical rate!) – and juicy notes of peach, orange, mango and pineapple.

“We used four pounds of hops per barrel in the dry hop alone, which is twice our typical rate for most of our 21A beers,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21stAmendment. “At one point I remember asking Barry and Alex if adding this many hops was a terrible idea and they just shrugged their shoulders and added more.”

“The Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops in this beer were all I heard about for days and days. They couldn’t get enough,” said Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment. “But we also used a Vermont ale yeast, so that makes A Terrible Idea a ‘California New England Style Hazy IPA’ (new category?) that is in a league of its own.”

Stacked Deck Leisure Force Double IPA

Stacked Deck Leisure Force Double IPA.

8 % ABV, Stacked Deck Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

I don't know what the next eight months hold for us, but I've already declared this to be the beer label of the year. Way to go, Brent Schoonover! And then, this week they released Caged Rage, with this host of Nicolas Cages. This one is still the best. Cats make everything better.I especially like that there are two different fat cats in Two different Batman costumes. Enough of that. Let's drink the beer. 

And it's hazed (of course, can't not be), dull golden color, slight white head. 

In the nose: Bright and fresh with notes of orange, pineapple, grapefruit, mango. Citrus and tropical tones holding hands here. Quite delightful. 

In the mouth: Starts out both sweet and citric. All the hops happily at play on the palate. And all the yeasty fuzzies are swimming in the mouth. Just enough bitterness to keep me satisfied. Medium bodied and majorly murky. 

You know what I hate most about the hazies? The dregs. I guess I'm supposed to leave them in the can, but I can't help myself. Yes, they're kind of gross. 

It goes without saying that I'd like this double IPA a lot more without the haze. But, I did enjoy it enough. 

I'd like to see more come out of this brewery than just hazy IPAs and sours. That seems to be the secret to everyone's success these days, but come on, folks, break out of the mold a bit. 

Strata + Citra

...and that's all you need to know, I guess...

Evil Twin Most Men Pursue IPA With Such Breathless Haste That They Hurry Drinking It Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale

Evil Twin Most Men Pursue IPA With Such Breathless Haste That They Hurry Drinking It Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale. 

7% ABV. Brewed and Packaged by Evil Twin Brewing, North Haven, CT. 

Someone told me today that it is National Beer Day. Well, here at the Bitter Nib, we celebrate beer every day. Sometimes, five or six times a day.To commemorate this occasion, I will drink an Evil Twin beer. Make that an Evil Twin IPA. No, even better, it should be an IPA named for a paraphrase of a quote by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. (Substitute "IPA" with "pleasure." Though, to me, they are one and the same. Sometimes.)

It's all hazy-like, and milky yellow. Utterly opaque, with a stable layer of ivory froth atop. 

I have violated my ban on the hazies in order to review this beer with a funny name. Although, there is nothing on the label to tell me that this is a hazy. Also, I broke another boycott with this $18 4-pack. (I try to skip anything over $16.) I accomplished this when I was allowed to take it home free as a reward for putting in some hard time in the salt mines. On with the beer...

In the nose: Semi-sweet meets citrus, with a whole lot of fuzz. Orange and grapefruit with a touch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Blast of bitterness up front, followed by citrus and tropical fruit notes riding the palate. Hoppy bitterness hangs hard on the palate, a factor that I am enjoying. Plenty of yeasty fuzz in the texture. Medium bodied. Fairly drinkable, despite that I keep wishing it was cleaner and clearer. It's a good hazy and you can drink it. 

Tasty hazy, with an unrelenting hoppy, bitter attack. So, I like it. 

Schell's Stag Series Black Bock

Schell's Stag Series Black Bock. Small Batch. Limited Release. Since 1860.

August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN. 

This one arrived to me via the Harvest Collection variety pack (or was it Brewer's Stash?), last one out of the bunch, after finishing off the Fort Road Porter, the Keller Pils, and the Firebrick. Did I leave the best for last? We'll see. 

Dark brown color, nearly black, mostly opaque, with a large brown head, that slowly, but surely settles. 

In the nose: Soft, semi-sweet, mostly malty, minor notes of cocoa, brown sugar, molasses. 

In the mouth: Starts with a sweetness. Major malt, gets clean after a spell. Cocoa flavor is first, here, once more, followed by caramel & toffee. Medium bodied, malty finish. Tasty little beverage. Good bock and you can drink it. 

A rich and toasty black lager with notes of caramel, toffee and a light chocolate malt sweetness. Dark and malty, this beer is the perfect winter sipper.

Sweetwater 420 Strain G13 IPA

Sweetwater 420 Strain 613 IPA.

6 % ABV, 43 IBU, Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA.

Crack it open and the stink spills out. Whoa, Nellie!

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white ring of foam on top. 

In the nose: Smells like Otto's jacket. Citrus and pine, with a whiff of tropical, covered up in Ooo, That Smell.

In the mouth: Bitter. Juicy. Dank. Citrus flavors dominate the palate. Medium bodied, long bitterness in the finish. Quite a lot happening in this IPA, and it all works. The pungency of the initial aromatics does not threaten the enjoyment of this ale. 

I like this one. I could have a few of them, no problem.

G13 IPA is a strange new strain, indeed. We took the dank hop profile you’d expect from a hazy IPA, and married it with terpenes and natural hemp flavors. The result is a big yet balanced IPA that mimics the aroma and taste of a heady, green G13. G13 IPA is a sticky super-hybrid that’s ready to rip.

Pungent and dank aromatics on this terpene infused IPA fill the room once the beer is opened. We went with an aggressive dry hop schedule which interlaces nicely with the unique flavors to bring forward citrus and earthy notes followed by a resinous finish. This one’s fire!

Columbus and Simcoe in the boil and dry hop! 

Arbeiter Orange Ya Hazy Hazy Pale Ale

Arbeiter Orange Ya Hazy Hazy Pale Ale.

4.7 % ABV. "Contains Wheat" Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

I may have mentioned this already, but I am attempting to boycott the hazies on here, in order to avoid complaining about them. There will be exceptions to this, and times when I can't resist, when it's something I have to check out. Or, those inevitable examples when they trick you, and don't tell you on the label that the insides hold a hazy. 

This is a beer that I could have purchased at the retail store where I work, but that it sold out so quickly. It was the one beer I chose to take home after my visit to the brewery last week. And why am I lifting my hazy ban for this? It just seemed like the option that I was most likely to enjoy. Now, let's find out if that's true...

Fully clouded, absolutely obscured, with a large, proud, ivory head, and an apricottish hue. 

In the nose: Nicely hopped, citrus and some tropical notes. 

In the mouth: Smooth and hoppy. Light bitterness blitzes the palate. Medium bodied, easy drinking, exceptionally sessional. Notes of grapefruit, orange, pine. Tasty pale ale. Not amazing, just plain ol' good. 

(But I'd like it better without the haze. I'm old fashioned, what can I say?)

Here's where I'd share info from the brewery to shed additional light on this beer, but I can't anything about it on the website. Alas. No marketing speak this time. 

Dangerous Man Nelly Stratado Double IPA

Dangerous Man Nelly Stratado Double IPA.

9% ABV, Dangerous Man Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big time citrus and pine. Orange, grapefruit, berries, melon. Nice. 

In the mouth: Mild at first, smooth, mellow. High hops riding the palate, citric, piney, but very cool and balanced. Citrus and tropical fruits both board the palate. Big, fresh, bursting with juicy, fruity associations. Big bitterness, lush malt, and terrific tastiness. Yum a dum dum. 

STYLE:Hazy IPA, Hoppy, Smooth and Fruity

IBU:23

ABV:9.0%

AVAILABILITY:Crowlers$12

MALTS:* Local MN Pale Malt -- Maltwerks* Local MN White Wheat -- Maltwerks

* Maris Otter* Flaked Wheat* Flaked Barley* Dextrin

HOPS:* Nelson Sauvin* Strata* Mosaic Cryo

YEAST* Dry English Ale

Sisyphus Flagship IPA

 

Sisyphus Flagship IPA.

8% ABV, 100 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

And here we have a beer from Sisyphus that, according to Untappd, I have enjoyed seven times over the past year or so, one of those from a crowler at home, yet I have not reviewed it yet. Was I under the assumption that it was the same as the beer previously called West Coast IPA, and that I shouldn't review it twice? Looking back, it seems that I edited my original post when the name was changed to Back to the Past IPA, a name change that I disliked, for I don't want that style to be considered a "thing of the past." Maybe Sam agreed with this assessment and changed the name again? Or, maybe it is a different beer? 

I am going to give this beer, new or recycled, a review though, out of the goodness of my heart. What if a dear reader wishes to search this blog for my thoughts on Flagship and comes away wanting? 

Also, this may be a good point to share a little list I compiled, out of curiosity, of the the breweries that appear here in the Nib the most, which, naturally makes them my favorites, if not now, then, at least, historically. Number one is no surprise: Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, at 199. 2: Oliphant, 132. 3: Surly, 127. And #4: Sisyphus, 106. I must like this place. Or., is it because they change the names of their beers, and I keep repeating them? 

Just for kicks, here's the rest of the Top Ten: 5: Dave's BrewFarm, 84. 6: New Belgium, 69. 7:Summit, 66. 8: Venn, 62. 9. Wild Mind, 61. 10: Sierra Nevada, 60. Want to see the Top, I dunno, 50? Maybe later. 

(By the way, this list does not mean that I like Summit, for instance, better than, say, Ommegang, or De Dolle, or Samuel Smith's. It's just that I've had 66 opportunities to talk about them over the past 10 years, for whatever reason, through whatever circumstance. And of course, I try not to actually name or play any favorites.)

On with the beer:

Perfectly clear, golden/amber hue, slim, soon settled, ivory head. 

In the nose: Bright, hoppy, citrus and pine. Orange, lime, grapefruit. 

In the mouth: Powerful bitterness from the jump, big, fat, dank and resinous juicy-oosy, and ultimately dry and satisfying. Hop flavors lean hard on the palate and last a long, long time, stretching through the finish. Medium bodied, relentlessly hoppy, easily enjoyable to a dedicated hop-head like me. This perfectly embodies the style and is right in my wheelhouse. 

I just now peeked at the post for Back to the Past West Coast IPA, and these two are certainly cut from the same cloth, if not actual duplicates. Forgive this repeat, I beg of you. After all, it didn't cost you nothing. 

Sure, you could move to California and drink a bunch of great IPA. But think of the traffic! The earthquakes! The hippies! Why not just stay here in Minnesota and enjoy this pine-forward, bitter West Coast style IPA? Much better.

And you know what? I really appreciate the lack of snark and sarcasm. West Coast IPA is a good thing, and not something to be smirked about ironically. 

Oddside Hoplicated Imperial Citra Pale Ale

Oddside Hoplicated Imperial Citra Pale Ale.

9 % , 61 IBU. Odd side Ales Grand Haven, MI.

Slightly hazed, deep orange hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Intense aromatics, big citrus, huge pine, a bit of stone, too, and a touch of candied/carmelization, with the roar of oncoming alcohol. 

In the mouth: Big bitterness starts the charge, slightly juicy, but ultimately dry. Splash of the juice, then all ends on a dry note. We're getting the grapefruit and the orange, tangerine, the pine, and the sticky-icky. Medium-bodied, long flavors through the finish, and just flat-out delicious. Yum a dum dum. 

Imperial Citra Pale Ale. Aromas of citrus, lemon, and pine with a hoppy, bitter finish

New Belgium Captain Dynamite IPA

New Belgium Captain Dynamite IPA.

7.7 % ABV, 45 IBU. New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO. 

Clouded, golden hued, bright white head, and some odd particulates floating about, settling at the bottom of the glass. Not especially attractive, that last part. 

In the nose: Popping with tropical fruit aromatics: passionfruit, papaya, pineapple, mingle with orange and lemon. Sweetness sticks out some, but it's a balanced and likable nose altogether. 

In the mouth: Boom, starts it off with sweet, fruity, tropical, with just a twist of bitter. Mild bitterness treads lightly on the palate and hangs in for the long haul. It's a good ol' IPA that tastes like an IPA. Medium bodied, smooth, easy consumable. Good ol' IPA and you can drink it.

This IPA was the winner of the Vote Voodoo Campaign. 

Locked, stocked and fully hopped. Captain Dynamite showcases bold tropical fruit flavors. Dry-hopped with Mosaic, Simcoe and Cascade hops adding full aromas of pineapple and guava.

Pipeworks Sundae Sauce Imperial Stout

Pipeworks Sundae Sauce Imperial Stout . Collaboration with Hacienda Beer Co. With lactose, cherries, vanilla, cacao nibs and natural pecan flavor. 

10.5 % ABV. Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Strict blackness, no head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: Huge malt, ginormous chocolate, and where are the additives? They're playing it in a minor key right now. Very lightly. 

In the mouth: Here they come. Vanilla is strong in this one. Rich and sweet. Some suggestion of cherries comes through. Cacao? Yeah. Not sure if pecans will make an impression, we'll see. Here comes the cream, and the cherry on top. Maybe some nuts, maybe...

Fullerst of fullness in the body. Not too rich, though, nor too strong, it straddles the line between doing it and overdoing it. Low bitterness, perfectly indulgent, terrifically tasty. 

Collab w/ Hacienda Beer Co. Imperial Stout with lactose, cherries, vanilla, cacao nibs, and natural pecan flavor.

Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale

Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale.

5.7 % ABV, 39 IBU. Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA. 

It is 2021 and Sweetwater Brewing of Atlanta, GA has just entered the Minnesota market. I have not had any of their beers in well over ten years (hence this being their first appearance in the Nib), but I have had at least 5 of their beers previously, procured through beer trades, including this one. So, I'm going to look at my old notes, plucked off of BeerAdvocate.com and see what I thought then, back in March of 2005: 

hey, 420, that's my apartment number! they must have brewed this for me, right? very sly suggestions on the label at the real inspiration for that name..."kind" beer..yeah, huh!

clear, light, peachy/amber color, thin, but staying bone-white head.

Nice, hoppy aroma...cascades and such...some citrus, peach, lemon, a nice fruity bouquet...lovely.

Taste: smooth, yet crisp and hoppy, a trifle spicy, then mellow...a gentle, peachy/fruity flavor, very tasty, drinks like a dream...a very agreeable pale ale, even if it's inspired by dope addicts.

Much better than the numbers, a very nice ale.

Cheers to Southernbrew!

So, back to 2021: The "southernbrew" that I cheered was, of course, the user name of the trader that got it to me. I can't imagine what I sent him, the beer scene here was like, dullsville, man, back then. The numbers refers to the ranking on that site. I gave it a 3.75. It's current average is 3.66, my rank is 2.5 % higher than that. Now, it is time to drink again, for the first time in sixteen years. Hmmm. Yeah, it is a good pale ale and you can drink it. On first re-reading those notes, I though, man, I was hung up on "peach", but drinking again, I get it. You got it right, me of 2005. 

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, our most popular brew, is a tasty West Coast Style Pale Ale with a stimulating hop character and a crisp finish. 1st brewed on April 20th 1997