Finnegan's Brim Reaper Rye India Pale Ale

Finnegan's Brim Reaper Rye India Pale Ale.

You know what no one, and I mean no one, brews anymore? Rye IPAs. So, get them while you can, people, enjoy every last chance you get. 

This one is from a sampler pack that came out months ago, and has been replaced at least twice since. Fair warning so you don't blame me if you can't find it. 

Clear, reddish hue, large and lace-leaving ivory head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Spicy, bread notes kicking it up and mixing it up with grassy hops. 

In the mouth: Rye malt grips the palate from the start. More spicy/breadiness, blended with hop bitterness. I know why people, like me, love a rye IPA, and it's because they're delicious. So much flavor going on here. Malt and hops whipped up into a tasty, satisfying frenzy. Big citrus and pine meets fantastic rye malt flavor. 

Make more beers like this, brewers! Ya hear me? 

Tin Whiskers Bot of Prey Double IPA

Tin Whiskers Bot of Prey Double IPA.

A9.7% ABV, Tin Whiskers Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, brief ivory head. 

In the nose: Citrus, stone fruit, and a whiff of the tropical. Sweetness to stand with bitter. Piney, floral.

In the mouth: Dry, brittle bitterness on the palate from the start, with a dash of juicy on the side. High happiness, extra bitter, with citrus notes, grapefruit, tangerine, a splash of pineapple. And then a taste akin to candied apricots, orange slices drenched in honey, and a whole lot of hoppy goodness. High alcohol starts to take command and we are a good, groovy place. 

Brewed with Falconer's Flight, Centennial, and Ella hops. Our first non-humanoid entry into the Bot Army, Bot of Prey means business, with notes of freshly squeezed OJ, candied lemon zest, and pineapple 

Lake Monster Pilot Batch: Gill's Grand Cru

Lake Monster Pilot Batch: Gill's Grand Cru.

10 % ABV, 20 IBU, Lake Monster Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Largely opaque, burgundy-hued, slim to no head.

In the nose: Sweetness and malt, Belgian yeast, candy sugar, banana and bubblegum. Has the making of the dubbel or even quadruple about it. 

In the mouth: Dark malts, caramel, chocolate, Belgian Special B, dark fruits, cocoa, brown sugar. Full-bodied, long malty finish. Quite delicious. 

Our newest pilot batch concocted by our head brewer. A complex, dark Belgian ale with a hint of vanilla, prefect for a cold winter's night.

Hmmm, perhaps this is why the crowler was two-for-one that day. 

Venn Azacca IPA

Venn Azacca IPA. Limited Release. New England IPA featuring Azacca hops. 

6.8 % ABV, 40 IBU, Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Once more, I break my boycott against the hazes, and why? Because I didn't read the fine print. 

All hazy-like, bright golden, large, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: Soft and citric. Tropical, too. Orange, grapefruit, passionfruit, pineapple. 

In the mouth: Citrus and tropical fruit notes jam the palate. Lemon, and orange, papaya and mango. Juicy stuff. Minor bitterness. Clean, sweet malt. Medium bodied, Long, fruity, malty finish. Plenty of the fuzz and the chalk that I can do without, but it's soft and smooth like they like them these days. It's got the goods. 

Sweetwater H.A.Z.Y. IPA.

 Sweetwater H.A.Z.Y. IPA. "Hazy/Juicy/Fresh/Double Dry Hopped"

6.2 % ABV, 45 IBU, Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA. U

Once more, I break my vow against the hazes. And why, because it was a sample. I never refuse a free beer. So, let's drink it, already. 

All clouded-out, bright golden color, slim, but staying white head. 

In the nose: Soft and fuzzy. Light hops. 

In the mouth: Sweet and juicy from the start. Tropical hop notes are in command, passionfruit, and mango, with citrus on the side, and a touch of pine in the back. Pinch of  grapefruit, dash of lime. Fresh and zesty, with just a little bit of bitterness, maybe even enough for me, that hard to please HopHead. 

Not a bad little hazy, I didn't mind it one bit. 

We endowed this straight up juice bomb with a double dry hop of Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado and Azacca for a blast of mango, stone fruit, lime and pine. It’s not a mirage, but a tasty refreshing oasis in your pursuit of haziness.

Alesmith Speedway Stout with Espresso and Madagascar Vanilla

Alesmith Speedway Stout with Espresso and Madagascar Vanilla.

12 % ABV, Alesmith Brewing, San Diego, CA. 

Stygian blackness, thoroughly Stygian, (can't get more Stygian) completely opaque, under a rich brown head. Looking great. 

In the nose: Earthy, malty, cocoa, vanilla. Deep chocolate and espresso. Decadence awaits. 

In the mouth: Starts out smooth, small bittersweet drops, then comes the cocoa, the coffee, and last vanilla.  Creamy smooth, while deep, dark and delicious. Needless to say: yum a dum yum. Malt is king here, though hops are also on top, and the alcohol won't hide, it rises up and takes command in time. All the while, vanilla, cocoa and hazelnut notes play on the palate. 

Creamy espresso and lush Madagascar Vanilla add to the robust chocolate and coffee flavors Speedway fans already know and love and that classic 12% Imperial Stout punch will have you feeling juuuust right.

Fulton Pale Ale Project

Fulton Pale Ale Project.

5.1 % ABV, 37 IBU. Fulton Beer, Minneapolis, MN. 

There is nothing like a good ol' American Pale Ale and there aren't enough out there anymore. I was sad when Fulton discontinued their APA The Ringer, that was a good one. Isn't there room out there for something between Lonely Blonde and Sweet Child of Vine? I grabbed this one up as soon as it came out, but once again I drank up the first five like it was nobody's business, and this one had to wait it out til I chose it for review. Happily, a new batch has arrived. Keep 'em coming, Fulton. Notes away...

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. Looking pretty darned terrific.

In the nose: Citrusy and smooth. 

In the mouth: Hoppy, zesty, clean, refreshing. Medium bodied and easy drinking. Citric twang with a twist of tart at the end. Grapefruit, lemon, and white grape, with plenty of bitterness clinging to the palate. This might seem too bitter to some, who may confuse it with an IPA, but not me, I have a place in my heart for a pale ale this hoppy and bitter. 

What will the next in the series be? And while we're at it, let's learn more about this one, shall we? 

DRY HOPPED W/ GALAXY & NELSON SAUVIN

This is the FULTON Pale Ale Project. We are on a journey, a mission, (a side quest?), to craft the perfect pale ale. It's an audacious project, we know. Will we achieve it? Don't know; you tell us if you think we've done it. But we know this: Pale Ale is the purest expression of American craft beer, and we're having a hell of a lot of fun bettering our own best version of it.

Stacked Deck Angry Monster Spaceship Double IPA

Stacked Deck Angry Monster Spaceship Double IPA.

8.5 % ABV, Stacked Deck Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

I might be about to once again break my boycott on the hazies, against my will, but before we discover if I will or if I won't, a confession.

I am a hypocrite. I love the double IPA style so much, I wish every brewery made a great one, and they were available all the time. As it is, there are very few that are around nearly constantly, and I am grateful for them.Steel Toe Sticker Fight. Pipeworks Ninja vs. Unicorn. Odell Myrcenary. Rogue Collosal Claude. When others show up, I grab them up as best as I can, but how I wish that they weren't made only once or twice a year by most breweries. I want to drink them constantly, year 'round. 

And then it happens, and it's the new thing. The trendy breweries are putting them out on a near weekly basis, but there's a twist. They're almost always "hazies" and New Englands, and I'm sick of that shit. Local breweries like BlackStack and Modist and Falling Knife are trafficking in this stuff, but there's one that has been leaning hard on it recently. I've noticed it at the retail store where I currently work. Stacked Deck of St. Paul. It seems that every week for a few months now they've sent out a new DIPA, along with their regular "hazy", Weekend at Larry's, or whatever sours they're pushing. And they always have excellent artwork by Brent Schoonover, and I can't buy them because they're alway at least $18, and I can't be sure that they're not going to be Hazy/NEs. 

Hence, my hypocrisy. There are these breweries, even local ones, making double IPAs all the time. Just not the kind that I like. 

And the latest from them was one that I nearly paid the $18 for, because I was so taken with Brent's Kirby-esque illustration for the dumbly named Angry Monster Spaceship. I nearly bought it, but they gave us a sample, and my boss gave it to me, because he does not drink double IPAs, I guess. He just likes beer that tastes like pastries. Look at me, picking up scraps. 

Anyway, let's drink this sucker and see if I got tricked into drinking another Hazy DIPA, because that's all anyone knows how to brew anymore...

Of course. Of course I was. It's thick as...hell, it's just as damned glass of OJ, which the kids like these days. Sigh. Hardly any head. Dull orange color. More sighs.

In the nose: Citrus and fuzz. Orange and grapefruit and pineapple. Very fuzzy. 

In the mouth: Overwhelming fuzz. Big citrus, high hops, low bitterness. How many times do I have to say, when I want a double IPA, I want double bitterness, not just double alcohol. Damn! Why does no one get this? 

It's not a pretty beer, it's rather drab. And it's just...lazy. Hazies are lazy. 

Alchohol rises to prominence quickly, amidst a chalky residue. So much yeasty, fuzziness, some small hop bitterness, waves of citrus...and it lacks spark, lacks crisp, lacks a lot. Lacks what I want in a DIPA. 

I am only drinking this because it was thrust at me, and that is a motivating factor when it comes to writing reviews sometimes. I might have spent that $18, then regretted having to slog through three more of these. 

Well, I'm twice warned, again. Watch out for Stacked Deck, they're just riding the hazy train. Unless that's what you dig. And good for you, I guess.

They should totally collaborate with their St. Paul neighbor and make a BlackDeck beer. It's inevitable. And it would be so hazy. 

So, I know my opinion is against the tide, and I've decided to check in on the opinions on Untappd. Let's check them out.

Keith W. says, simply, : Delicious. 5 stars.

Nice Hoppy Bite, says Brian F., giving 4.5 stars. 

Marc S. offers the following: Not quite all there. Maybe canning line off but good hip flavor but the carbonation is off. 

I think by hip he means hop. His friend Mike adds: It's fucked up. 

And there's a whole lot of people disagreeing with me, and then this, from Robb L: This is a great beer, great hop combo between the vic secret and nelson making a grapefruit, earthy dankness with a great bitter hop bite. Well done Blackstack!

(See what Robb did there?  I don't think he meant it.)

Dan K. says: Too earthy/Danky for me. (not enough for me--A.)

Mike says: Weirdly murky. Seemed off. Fizzy like Alka seltzer then quickly went away. Drank it anyway.

I don't know what's going on with Andrew N: Oh my! Soft pillows upon pillows! This might be my new top favorite from Stacked Deck! This is fantastic. Great aroma, smooth throughout with just enough bite to remind you it is an IPA! Wünderbar! 4.85

Man, what to unpack first? Wünderbar? I want to imagine what LGBTQ icon he most resembles, but ...okay I'll do it. Jim Rash as Dean Pelton on Community. There, I nailed it, don't come at me. I. Nailed, It.

Or...maybe...Charles Nelson Reilly? I'm also hearing his voice...can't help it. 

Also: Snagglepuss.

Also, who eats pillows? Why do we describe beers as pillowy, when pillows are not things that we eat?

Wow, I am thoroughly in the minority here. I should just quit, right? 

Three Floyds Secret Savages Watermelon Sour Ale

Three Floyds Secret Savages American Sour Ale Brewed with Watermelon. 

10.4 % ABV. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

Thoroughly clouded, pale crimson/amber coloring, slim white head. 

In the nose: Powerful fruit, powerful sour. Intensity fresh out of the gate. Sour is King, watermelon on the side, all covered up in funk. 

In the mouth: Ooo, weee! Fierce funk, outsized sour, with fresh fruity flavors coming in fast. Medium bodied, eding on full, at points nearly thick. Watermelon flavor is muddied up by the funk & the sour, but there's nothing wrong with that. It's a beautiful mess, and I'm glad that I tried it. I can't believe that it's delivering on the Imperial side, though. 10.4 %? For a sour? A watermelon sour? Okay,  Floyds, let your freak flag fly. 

Meet the new kid in our wylde and sour ale program, Secret Savages! This tart and fruity ale harnesses the juicy power of watermelons and is conditioned for several months in our collection of wine and spirits barrels. Enjoy with friends and remember - it's not normal!

Humble Forager Voyager's Getaway Imperial Pastry Porter

Humble Forager Voyager's Getaway Imperial Pastry Porter. Marshmallow, vanilla beans, cacao nibs, coconut. 

12 % ABV. Humble Forager Brewing Company, Waunakee, WI. 

This beer has several strikes against from the start. First, it is called a "pastry porter", and second, it contains marshmallows. But, it's from Forager, or, more precisely, Humble Forager, and I decided to forgive it and give it a go. Here we go. 

Splendidly dark, fully opaque, slim to no head at all. 

In the nose: Sweetness in abundance. Nibs are in play, coconut is coming loose, there's a stroke of vanilla, and is that sweet, sticky marshmallow up in there? By golly, it is. 

In the malt: Gooey sweets start it off, richness in extremus. No hops to speak of, and the adjuncts have overcome any of the malt flavors that you should normally pick up in a porter, imperial or otherwise. But, pastry, however, that's another thing. The book's thrown out. Cocoa and coconut are king here, and balance is long gone and deserted. Then marshmallow mucks it all up. If you're looking for indulgence without purpose, here it is. 

And the alcohol starts it's assault. Body feels full at first, but is not hefty enough to support the indulgent flavorings and the huge alcohol. 

If you can read between the lines, you might find the attributes of an extreme beer that you're looking for. I'm certainly not telling one and all to stray far from this creation, but the word is out that it is certainly not for me. 

A well-built structure of specialty malts floats atop a bed of flavors reminiscent of vanilla cream-filled chocolate cake, covered with marshmallows and coconut. Coconut from Indonesia, vanilla from Papua New Guinea, and cocoa nibs from Uganda will ripple across your palate from this imperial pastry porter.

Well, here's the problem with this. The "well-built structure of specialty malts" does not float atop the bed of flavors, it is swallowed up by them. The malts should be the "bed", the flavors should float atop of them. Everyone should know this. 

Broken Clock Dankasaurus Rex Triple Dry-Hopped NE IPA

Broken Clock Dankasaurus Rex Triple Dry-Hopped NE IPA. 

6.5 % ABV, 55 IBU. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis, MN. 

Why did I knowingly break my ban on the "NE IPA" or "the hazies" once more? Because it has a hipster dinosaur on it, that's why. Duh. 

All fuzzed out and hazed-up, dull orange coloration, slim chalk-white head. 

In the nose: Enticing hop aromas abound. Citrus and pine aplenty. Highly likable.

In the mouth: Fresh and zesty hop flavors pound the palate from minute one. Slightly tart and beautifully bitter. Grapefruit and lemon galore, with a pinch of passionfruit and pineapple. Slightly juicy, but ultimately smooth, ending on a dry note. Clean malt flavors. Exceptional drinkability. 

I enjoyed this one, but one thing: could use a little more dank.

This prehistoric beast has been outlawed since the cretaceous for being the life of the party. Dankasaurus Rex is a triple dry hopped NE IPA featuring Censored, Citivia, and Evergreen hops. Harmoniously brewed to bring out dank, tropical, and fruit flavors and aromas. This is one you’ll not want to pass on.

BlackStack Fugazi "The Real Deal" Italian-style Pils

BlackStack Fugazi "The Real Deal" Italian-style Pils.

4.8 % ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

And here we have a beer that I wouldn't normally review in the Nib, because the Italian-style Pils, whatever that may be, is not the sort of thing that I would normally choose for myself. But, it fell into my hands, and that sealed its fate. If I goes in my fridge, I must review it for the Nib. This is the way. 

Clear, bright golden color, slim to no head. 

In the nose: Clean, malty aromatics, lightly hopped, slightly floral. 

In the mouth: watery and light. Very little flavor. I guess that's what an Italian-style Pils is. Lightly malty, slightly sweet. Not terrible, just not much. I'll drink this and forget it. 

Should I stop bashing BlackStack for only putting out expensive DDH DIPAs or TDH TIPAs and the like, because they sometimes put out lagers and sours? I still demand more variety. More variety until it hurts! 

Italian-Style Pils dry-hopped adoringly with Czech Kazbek. It's the Real Deal.

Arbeiter WestKüst West Coast IPA

Arbeiter WestKüst West Coast IPA.

6.9 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: large hop presence, big citrus notes. 

In the mouth: Bitter from the start, with a juicy mouthfeel, ultimately ending dry and brittle. Orange, grapefruit, lemon, and a side of pine. Bitterness never quits the palate, laying in long for the finish. This has all the hops and all the bitterness that a West Coast IPA demands, but it's just a little fresher, brighter, and tastier. Medium bodied, easy drinking (for the hop-heads among us, like me), and an exemplary example of an IPA. 

If you keep brewing this, Arbeiter, I'll keep drinking it. 

Waldmann Schokoladeweizen

Waldmann Schokoladeweizen. 

4.7 % ABV, Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

Inky black, wholly opaque, slim brown head. 

In the nose: Rich, sweet cocoa rings out loud and hard, accompanied by some fruity associations, first and foremost banana. So far, we've got a banana chocolate milkshake about to happen. 

In the mouth: boards the palate smoothly and assuredly. Silky smooth, and full of flavor. Medium bodied, easily drinkable. Malty magnificence. Chocolate malts meet wheat malt plus weizen yeast equals flat out deliciousness. Yum meets a dum dum. 

An unfiltered, dark brown, rich & smooth chocolate wheat beer. Floor malted pale & dark malts — wheat & barley — meet Caramel Wheat Malt & Chocolate Wheat Malt.

When I wrote my notes, I didn't know that their description would also use the word "meet"...now, it seems like I ripped them off. Do I edit it? No. 

Fair State Big Doinks Extra-Dank IPA

Fair State Big Doinks Extra-Dank IPA.

6.5 % ABV. 60 IBU. Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. 

Here I am about to drink a Big Doinks in a little glass. This is not the type of beer that goes into a tulip or a snifter, but I am currently without a Fair State pint glass or any other type. So sue me. Into the fancy glass it goes, just so I can show the logo. 

And before I begin, I'm happy to try out a Fair State IPA that's not just another hazy.

Clear (with a slight chill haze), bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head. Looking good. 

In the nose: classic citrusy nose, with a side of pine. Nicely hopped. Resiny and ...well, we'll get there shortly. 

In the mouth: Big happiness hits the lips and blazes the palate. Earthy, citrusy, deep lemon, orange and grapefruit, with a judicious bite. Definitely dank. Long-lasting alphas, dripping with hoppy goodness, exquisitely refreshing and bitter. Love it. This delivers IPA goodness just the way I like it. Big fan, here. 

Extra dank IPA with the stickiest of hops available

Cuvée des Trolls Belgian Blonde Ale

Cuvée  des Trolls Belgian Blonde Ale.

This is why I hang on to beer glasses for over a 
dozen years, you never know when you'll
need them again. 

7 % ABV, 19 IBU, Brasserie Dubuisson, Leuze-Pipaix, Belgium. 

Scanning this blog, I am disheartened to note that there are only three appearances by the Brasserie Dubuisson here, and they are Scaldis Tripel, Scaldis Noel, and Cuvee des Trolls Speciale. Over on BeerAdvocate.com, I have reviewed a few more: Bush de Noel Premium, Péche Mel, Scaldis Amber, and this very beer in question, the Cuveé des Trolls. There are other of their beers that are available to me now at the retail store where I work currently, but they are on the expensive side. 

Back in 2009, I had a keg (or maybe more) of the Cuvée des Trolls on tap at the Blue Nile. I'd never heard of it, but, hey, it had to be good, right And it was, and I was happy to pour it. And now it's back in the market, and I picked up a 4-pack for merely $15.49 to enjoy at home. And I will do what I do, which is reuse those old notes and see how they stack up against the one I'm drinking now. And here we go...

In the extra-cool frosted troll tulip... hazed, golden appearance, beautiful, bone-white, creamy cap.

Muted nose, mild and mellow, floral, soft citrus, light spice, lively, lovely.

Soft and mellow in the mouth, as well. Minor carbonation. Smooth and scrumptious. This doesn't explode with flavor, dazzle, titillate, or turn you inside out. It's just good drinking beer. Crisp, clean, and cool. 

Alcohol level is good for a blonde ale, small for a Dubuisson beer. But they want to sell to more than hardcore beer geeks, and hardened alcoholics, I guess. And using miniature mythological creatures is one way to do it. 

Not the sort of thing I would normally go for, but good for what it is.. .may they sell many a Troll... as long as it keeps 'em making Scaldis.

What did I miss? Notes of honey and stone fruit. Quite tasty, actually. I'm liking it more than it seems from those 12-year old notes. Maybe it's better in the bottle, over time, than fresh on tap? One never knows. 

Cuvée des Trolls was created in 2000 in the tanks of microbrewery Le Brasse-Temps, which was established in Louvain-la-Neuve by Brasserie Dubuisson.

It is an unfiltered blonde beer with a natural cloud. The beer is produced using only yeast, malt, hops, sugar and water and has an alcohol volume of 7%.

Thanks to the addition of dried orange peel during the boiling process, the beer has very pleasant fruity aromas that are in beautiful harmony with its delicate, fully rounded taste.

Oskar Blues Can-O-Bliss Resinous IPA

Oskar Blues Can-O-Bliss Resinous IPA.

7.2 % ABV. Oskar Blues Brewing, Longmont, CO. 

Lightly hazed, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Whoa! That's some dank stuff, there. Grapefruit, pine forest floor, and a freshly dusted bowl. This one's one fire. 

In the mouth: Bold, fresh, and juicy. Moderate bitterness, smooth malt flavors, exceptional drinkability, and heavy on the resin. Grapefruit, orange peel, pine, and a touch of tropical, with a long, bitter finish. A little bit sticky icky. Maybe a lot. And I like it. 

An extra special spin on a Can O’Bliss hop profile – Resinous features a bit of the old and the new. Old school Pine and Grapefruit with new school amplitude of hop aroma and flavor. The hop bill features an experimental variety HBC 692 alongside an unlikely trio of Meridien, Saphir, and Bravo.

Venn Maibock

Venn Maibock.

6 % ABV, 20 IBU, Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

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

In the nose: Classic Maibock nose, slightly sweet, floral, malty, clean. Beautiful. 

In the mouth: Slight sweetness, mostly malty, clean, crisp, and delicious. Hops impart just enough bitterness for balance. Medium bodied, easy drinking lager. They nailed it with this one. Quite delicious. 

Spring Seasonal Golden Lager.

Malts: Pilsner, Munich

Hops: Warrior, Saphir

Yeast: German Lager And: Dextrose

Straffe Hendrik Brugs Quadrupel Ale

Straffe Hendrik Brugs Quadrupel Ale.

11 % ABV, Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, Brugge, Vlaanderen, Belgium. 

This is the final bottle from a 4-pack that I took home for free because I provided my boss with the motivation to get all of the 17 (or was it 19?) new SKUs into the system, so I could get them on the shelf for the thirsty Belgian beer fans at the retail location where I currently work. Funny how that works. 

And once I had my first one, I was surprised. This was only my second time drinking the Straffe Hendrik brand. I had reviewed the now-discontinued Blonde 18 years ago, on BeerAdvocate. I was not impressed at that time, but what did I know then. But, still, my low score was not far from the average. 

Except, wait, that's wrong. According to Untappd, I checked in on this one in March of 2012. Then, why no review here in the Nib? That's just not like me. Did I have a friend over, or host a tasting party, and someone brought a bottle, and I said, "fuck it, let's drink it", with no review? Again, not like me. But, a little like me. I've always eschewed reviews in social situations. Did I host a tasting party of March, 2012? Or did I just bring home a bottle and guzzle it, no review? That's definitely not likely. 

Anyway, let's drink it...

Dark brown/burgundy color, fully opaque, creamy, beige-toned head rests atop. Looking great. 

In the nose: Dark fruits and Belgian yeasts. Figs, raisins, dates, berries, with that unmistakable whiff of the Trappist styles. Earthy,  yet angelic. Flashes of cocoa and caramel. 

In the mouth: Deep and dark, while smooth and creamy. Big, malty, boozy, full of vanilla, caramel, cocoa, dark fruits, and that inexpressible Belgian thing. Full-bodied, and full-delicious. This big, boozy one is sending me off to dreamland, making the perfect nightcap. I love a good quadruple, and this is definitely one. 

Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel, launched in 2010, is an intense beer, dark in colour and full in taste.

The aroma is elegant, spicy and slightly roasted. 

The sophisticated blend of special kinds of malt give the beer a complex character, combining a delicate dryness with hints of coriander, dark fruits, anise and roasted chestnuts. The palate finishes in a syrupy taste.

The refermentation in the bottle creates a living beer that will evolve over the years.

Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel finds an excellent partner in chocolate when it comes to foodpairing.

Oliphant Cats, Cats, Cats, Cats West Coast Double IPA

Oliphant Cats Cats Cats Cats !!! West Coast Double IPA. 

10 % ABV (shouldn't they be naming this a "triple IPA", as is the style of the day?), Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Back in October of 2017, I had a beer from Oliphant with this exact same name, but it was not this exact same beer. It was a mere single IPA. When it was released in cans not very long ago, it was renamed Cats Cats!, so they could produced a double IPA with this name. I've said this before, but why not name this one Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats!!!!!!!!???

Clear, bright golden hue, large and luminous ivory head capping it off. 

In the nose: Big citrus, orange, grapefruit, lemon, with a side of pine. Some tropical notes come through, too, a touch of passionfruit and pineapple. 

In the mouth: Once on the palate, the barrage begins.  Deep, and dank, rich with happiness, full of floral and bitter. More delicious citrus and pine hop flavors spreading all over the avenues of the senses. A little bit of sweet, and a good deal of bitter, tons of tasty. Medium bodied, long, bitter finish. And the high alcohol is slowly rising up and conquering the consciousness. 

Ah, this is my kind of double IPA. No hazy. No fruit. No lactose or sea salt. No marshmallow. Nothing messed up, no bullshit. And I'm digging it big-time. This one's got the goods. 

West coast-style DIPA brewed w/ Cascade, Centennial, Columbus and Chinook hops.

Alaskan Citrus Wheat Citrus Ale

Alaskan Citrus Wheat Citrus Ale.

Another sample from the sample man. The sample man isn't what/who it once was. Now it's cast-offs and hand-me-downs from my boss, the beer buyer/manager, when he's feeling generous. Oh, well, these days I takes what I can gets. 

Clear, bright yellow, brilliant white head, large and lace-leaving. 

In the nose: slightly tart and fruity, clean, citric notes. 

In the mouth: Light. Crisp. Tart. Wheat comes on smooth, citrus gives the palate some love. Minor hops, lean malt. Clean, sweet and lovely. Excellent refresher. Tasty. Good balance. Everything's in place. 

Nice one to slam on a hot day. I ain't got no problem with it. 

Citrus Ale - light summery beer

Full Sail West Coast Style India Pale Ale

Full Sail West Coast Style India Pale Ale.

7 % ABV, 70 IBU, Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, OR. 

Is the West Coast IPA my favorite style of beer? I still maintain that the Belgian abbey dubbel holds that status, but for casual, easy drinking that's not too rich or too strong or too expensive, I reach for a West Coast IPA any chance I can. Any time I see one, I'll give it a whirl. This time it's a West Coast IPA from Full Sail Brewing of Hood River, OR. This is the third appearance of Full Sail in the Nib, and the first time since 2014. Looking on BeerAdvocate, I have reviewed 18 of their beers on that site, between 2002 and 2010. Since starting this blog, I either haven't seen them that often, or haven't had that much interest in their work. This beer only recently arrived at the store where I currently work, and it was brewed in September of last year. The bottles were dusty when I opened the case. Why are such old bottles arriving in our market?

Other questions: Did I buy this 6-pack because it's a style I lean towards so often, or because I wanted to give Full Sail another try after so many years, or because it was only $8 a 6-pack? Maybe all three...but the third option is the strongest candidate. 

Clear, with a slight chill haze, bright golden, with a prodigious ivory head, looking fantastic. 

In the nose: Bold, vivacious, bristling with pine and citrus. Right on the money. 

In the mouth: Asserive hoppiness climbs on the palate and spreads citrusy goodness all around. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon, with a side of grass & pine. Medium bodied, easy-drinking, for the hopheads among us. If you're not into hop bitterness laying long on the palate and coating the tongue and every other crack and crevice that interfaces the senses, you're best of staying away. Dry finish, nearly brittle, but beautiful and quite delicious. 

Just about as note-perfect of a WC IPA as you're going to find. Once more, I waited until bottle #6 to take the notes. I might just have to pick up another 6-pack. (Although, I'd prefer them fresher.)

Pale malt, oats, and wheat combine to create a golden base allowing Cryo Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Ekuanot hops to shine. Beautiful aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, and melon are well complemented by clean malt notes. This refreshing beer is high on hop aromatics yet well balanced.

 

The Brewing Project Major Vida Mexican Lager with Orange Blossom Honey

The Brewing Project Major Vida Mexican Lager with Orange Blossom Honey.

6.5 % ABV. The Brewing Project, Eau Claire, WI. 

And here we have a beer that is not usually likely to find itself in my fridge. When I read "Mexican lager" on the label, it's just not going to go into the shopping cart. But, I got it for free, on Cinco de Mayo. So, naturally, I waited six days to drink it. And here we go...

Clear, bright golden hue, short-lived white head. 

In the nose: Some citrus and sweetness, light floral hops, some malt. 

In the mouth: Light. Easy. Boring. Bland. Faint glimmer of orange. Small amount of hops, whisper of malt. Clean. Well-balanced. Achingly free from flavor. That is, until the honey pipes up, just a little bit. Okay, I get it now. It is what it is. And that's fine. 

But, it's not for me, that's for sure. 

Mexican lager brewed with orange blossom, honey and Motueka hops.

Sisyphus Citra Town Wanderers Pale Ale

Sisyphus Citra Town Wanderers Pale Ale.

5.1 % ABV, 57 IBU, Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, amber hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and gingerbread, marmalade on toast. 

In the mouth: Juicy on the palate, moderate bitterness, classic citrus hop character. All the good ones are in this, and the malt profile is classic caramel malt, crisp and crackery. Classic pale ale drinkability, too. This one has it all, in perfect style. Loaded with bright, hoppy flavors, balance, and character. This is an ideal pale ale, equal amounts of lively, citrusy hops and grounded, earthy malt, with a touch of spice. Refreshing and delicious. Yum a dum dum. 

Come on you Loons! Love MNUFC? So do we! We brewed this Citra/Cascade Pale Ale in collaboration with Hop Clouds/Dark Clouds, a Minnesota United supporter's club. A super drinkable classic Pale Ale that goes best watching Bebelo make some insane passes.

Greenpoint Resist India Pale Ale

Greenpoint Resist India Pale Ale.

7% ABV, 50 IBU. Greenpoint Beer & Ale Company, Brooklyn, New York, New York. 

All hazed out, with various floaties floating about (this is not exactly a fresh can, some of which can be blamed on me for sitting on it for so long), bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrusy hops are here, some sweetness, soft and lovely. 

In the mouth: Soft and sweet rules the day here. Minor bitterness, moderate malt, yeast aplenty, fuzzy galore. Citrus and stone fruit flavors dominate. Just a little bit chalky. Mostly smooth and utterly unbitter. Lacking most of the qualities I look for in an IPA. 

I picked up the can (which was given to me as a sample) and though, "ah, an India Pale Ale, I like those," but once I started drinking it I knew, "no, it's a hazy, and there's nothing I can do about it." 

I couldn't finish the entirety of the can, too much flotsam and jetsam. 

Super soft and creamy, with the prerequisite haze. Mosaic, Simcoe, and Columbus hops showcase a medley of punchy tropical fruits and overripe berries, followed by a slightly resinous finish.

That's not what it says on the label.

Soft and hazy with crisp cereal like malt aromas. Pleasant yet gripping hop aroma highlighting hints of tropical fruit, citrus, and slight resin. A modern IPA for a progressive cause. Hop Heads Unite! Organize, march, drink, resist. 

Huh. Okay. Sure, whatever. 

Junkyard Father of Invention New England Style IPA

 Junkyard Father of Invention New England Style IPA. With Zappa and Cryo Azacca hops. 

KEEP COLD-DRINK FRESH! save the turtles, please recycle, unfiltered, may contain sediment. 

7.2 % alc./vol. Pkgd 03/30/21. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Here I go, breaking my boycott against the hazies one more time, and this one on purpose, all because I can't resist a tribute to Frank Zappa. Excuse me, now, while I change the background music and put on some Mothers...

Cloudy as it gets, bright and hazy golden, slim white head.

In the nose: bold citrus notes, with fierce fuzz. 

In the mouth: Starts out tropical, pineapple and passion fruit. Big sweetness, hardly a trace of bitter. Smooth and groovy. Citrus joins the scene. Grapefruit and lemon. Tasty stuff. And juicy, too. Slight bitterness lurks below. Ever so slight. 

I can't help it. I keep trying to try these, and my mind goes back to what I really want from an IPA, and it's not this. But, it is what it is, there's no denying it. It goes down effortlessly and imparts the requisite alcohol, but I'd like a little more hop bite, just a kick, just ...I can't fight it, I knew what I signed up for...

There's only one song to listen to while drinking this beer, and it's not "Let's Make The Water Turn Black"...

Surly And the Devil Makes Three Triple Dry-hopped Triple IPA

Surly And the Devil Makes Three Triple Dry-hopped Triple IPA.

10.6 % ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN. 

So, the name of this beer alludes to the designation of the "triple IPA" being one above 9.5 % ABV (though below 11.6 %, I guess.) . This feels like a very new trend. It used to be that a brewery would release a 10% ABV IPA and call it a Double. That used to happen all the time. Nowadays, they're calling those Triple IPAs. Why? Makes no sense. If the average IPA is 6 % ABV, doesn't that mean that a Double IPA should be 12% ABV? And that in order to have a Triple IPA, it should be at least 18% ABV? Come on, people, use your brains, start thinking!

This is also the second devil themed/named beer Surly has released recently. They've always been a little satanic, especially with Todd Haug's heavy metal tendencies, but they seem to be pushing it extra hard lately. 

Mostly clear, bright golden hue, slim white head, looking good. 

In the nose: A cornucopia unfolds. Candied apricots meets dank and resinous. Intense citrus. Some tropical delights. 

In the mouth: Big ol' citrus and pine greets the palate first, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, with a big blessing of the sticky icky fast on its heels. A lot of business on the palate here. Full bodied, full flavored, packed full of rich and resiny dank-a -licious flavors. I'm digging on this big time. Long hoppy, bitter finish. lays in for the long run on the palate. Just full-on hoppy deliciousness. Certified yum a dum dum. 

BREWED FOR AN UNHOLY TRINITY

Hops have been called a pernicious, devilish weed. If so, let’s dance with this devil and triple down on hops. This intense triple IPA was dry-hopped not once, not twice, but three times with El Dorado, Simcoe, and Cascade hops for a bedeviling hit of citrus, stone fruit, and pine flavor, all balanced by an oat-driven malt backbone and massively smooth body.

Able Melon Camp Hazy IPA

Able Melon Camp Hazy IPA. With Simcoe, Citra, and Huell Melon hops. 

6.4 % ABV, Able Seedhouse + Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 

My efforts to boycott the hazies have been hindered once more. This one was a sample from a brewery rep. Thanks, J.B! Let's see what we have here...

First of all, we have the most colorful and comical Able label I've seen in a long time. Also, they have links to Spotify playlists on the side of the can. This one was JB's turn, and although I haven't listened to it, yes, he assured me, it has some Mellencamp on it. 

It's all hazed up, dull orange, slim, bright white head, looking the part.

In the nose: Soft and slightly sweet. Tropical tones at play. Some citrus. 

In the mouth: Very mellow, mild, and approachable. Starts off fruity and fuzzy, eventually revealing traces of bitterness that tingle the tongue. Just a little juicy, with flavors of melon, berries, and just a touch of citrus. Goes down especially easy. Tasty stuff, here, and I enjoyed drinking it. I mean, if you have to have a hazy, I guess this one wouldn't hurt. 

Wish I could tell you more, but information is lacking. 

Arbeiter Broken Bock Maibock

Arbeiter Broken Bock Maibock.

6.9 % ABV, 39 IBU, Arbeiter Brewing, in collaboration with Witch Hunt. 

Clear, bright golden/amber color, slim, soon-gone ivory head. 

In the nose: sweet, malty, clean. Herbal, floral, light on the hops. Classic Maibock, so far.

In the mouth: Beautifully balanced. Sweet malt meets noble hops. Hop bitterness stays long on the palate, but malt keeps the whole thing running. Crisp, smooth, delicious. I'm liking this one a lot. It hits all the marks for the style and sends you straight into Maibock happy land. Yum a dum dum. 

Brocken Bock - The Maibock

Arbeiter’s first collaboration with Witch Hunt Brewing in Minneapolis, we set out to make a super solid, traditional Maibock that will make its mark for fans of the style. Brocken Bock is a decocted, malt-forward German lager using paler Munich and Vienna malts, and has a gorgeous light golden-to-dark-yellow color. This beer is a perfect transition beer for cool spring afternoons and sunny beer hall hangouts...it's the Mai-Bomb!

Breckenridge Juicy IPA

Breckenridge Juicy IPA. Mosaic & Palisade Hopped with Fruit Juice. Breckenridge Brewery, Fine Colorado Ales. 

6.7 % ABV. 

My final bottle from a Breckenridge sampler pack. This lone surviving bottle sat in the fridge, neglected, long after I sampled it's brethren and sisters, taking notes on some, and not on others. Time to drink it up. 

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Light citrus, at first. Impressions of other fruit, soft and slightly sweet, 

In the mouth: Starts off juicy, alright, with low bitterness, and sweet, juicy malt running the show. Grapefruit, lemon, and berries lead the charge. Fairly smooth stuff, clean and refreshing. 

This is for somebody, I am sure, but it's not for me. Too much juice, not enough IPA. If it's for you, bless you, sir or madam, but it certainly doesn't qualify as an IPA in my eyes. 

Barrel Theory Alligator Swag Hazy Double IPA

Barrel Theory Alligator Swag Hazy Double IPA.

8.1 % ABV. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

I hadn't been in a retail store other than the one that I currently work at in over seven months. I decided to see what I was missing, and stopped at another local establishment that I'd neglected all this while. One of the breweries we are not currently carrying is Barrel Theory, I was glad to see them there, and I wanted to stick them back into some kind of rotation. This means that my choices will likely be among fruited sour ales, pastry stouts, and hazy IPAs. That is why, once again, I have transgressed against my boycott on the hazies. (I feel that I should always explain it when this happens. Bear with me.)

All thick-like and clouded up, cast in a deep orange hue, large, long-lasting lace-leaving white head. 

In the nose: Bright and beautiful, shining out citrusy goodness, blasting waves of orange, lemon, grapefruit, with a side order of tropical tones, too. 

In the mouth: Bold and juicy on the palate, with a brace of bitterness, to boot. Nice balance between sweet and bitter. Medium bodied, excellent drinkability, starting juicy, but ending each trip on the palate with a dry finish. Soft and fuzzy, while still retaining some hoppitude. Sunny and yummy. I mean, yum a dum, dummy. I like this one. (Though I'd still like it better if it weren't "hazy.")

Hazy double IPA with Nelson Sauvin and Strata hops

Modist Day of Another Dream India Pale Ale

 Modist Day of Another Dream India Pale Ale.

7.1 % ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Modist's New England IPA re-done as a West Coast -style? Seems right up my alley, eh? Let's find out: 

Absolutely clear, (I'm proud of them, they pulled it off. Not a lot of hazy breweries can do that.) Bright golden hue, slim white head, looking the part. 

In the nose: plenty of citrus, partnered with pine. 

In the mouth: Juicy. fruity citrus-y hop flavors abound on the palate: orange, lime, a smattering of grapefruit, a whisper of tangerine. And a trace of bitterness. Light bodied, with a soft finish. A bit too much sweetness detected in the flavor, here, with hardly any of the trademarked bitter kick of a real West Coast India Pale Ale. 

How I wish they could have pulled it off, but this is so far away from it's goal, I'm let down. As and average IPA, it's okay. As advertised, as a West Coast style, it's a deep disappointment. Eh. 

A West Coast IPA version of our beloved Dreamyard: New England IPA. Brewed with malted oats, wheat malt, kettle hopped, whirlpool hopped and dry hopped with our hand-selected Citra, Citra Cryo and Sultana.

Pantown Classic Cream Ale

 Pantown Classic Cream Ale.

5.5 % ABV, 14 IBU. Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

And here we have something rare: I am going to drink a crowler of cream ale. It is not a favorite style of mine, so I would rarely if ever choose one to take home from a brewpub or taproom. But, it was given to me and according to the regulations and bylaws of this blog, which rules my life, I must drink it and write about it. So, away we go. 

Pours out clear, bright golden, with pretty much no head. Maybe it had one when it was fresh. It was not my fault that it sat as long as it did before it was given to me, but I am to blame for leaving it in the fridge for over a month. If there are pale ales, IPAs, or stout chilling, I'm just not going to reach for a cream ale. 

In the nose: Lightly malt, few hops, fairly innocuous. 

In the mouth: Lightness and moderately malt mouthfeel. Slight grainy texture. Nothing but smooth. Minor hops. Nicely textured. Goes down effortlessly, exactly like a cream ale should. Definitely drinkable, and rather tasty, too. Not bad at all. I believe I will finish it all. And then, turn to something hoppier, as is my won't. 

But if you like cream ales, go ahead, don't let me stop you. 

When I first heard of this brewery, I didn't know what "Pantown" meant. It turns out that it's a neighborhood in St. Cloud where once there was an automobile manufacturing plant owned by a man named Pandolfo. This beer is named after one of it's cars, hence the auto on the label. The owners of the brewery are fairly obsessed with the whole thing. 

This beer is as approachable as it is tasty. A style of beer originating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the workers at the Pan Motor Company likely enjoyed many Cream Ales. Made with Pale malts, 20% Corn, fermented with ale yeast and cold conditioned. This beer offers a slightly sweet taste from the corn, yet a nice crisp finish from the cold conditioning. The Classic Cream Ale is the perfect beer for a weekend at the cabin, or a day at the quarry. A perfect gateway beer for those new to craft beers.

Junkyard Alleviate Triple IPA

 Junkyard Alleviate Triple IPA. With Strata , Bru-1, El Dorado, and Cryo Azacca. 

11.1 % ABV. Pkgd 04/16/21/ Brewed and packaged by Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

First off, a question that's been on my mind a bit. When did breweries start with this "triple IPA" stuff? Who started it, and why? I remember the days (there I go, membering again), when you had an IPA that's above 8% ABV, and it could go up to 10 or 12 or more, but it was still a double IPA. But now we have these different strata. I brought it up with an employee of BlackStack, who not long ago released a 12 % "quadruple IPA", and he set me straight. According to the BJCP these days, he told me, the Double IPA ranges from 7.5 % to 9.5, while Triple IPA goes from 9.5 to 11.5%. Above that, they use quadruple, and where does that end. 

I look at the BeerAdvocate listings for Imperial IPAs and they have not yet divided this structure. Bell's HopSlam (10%) is still called a Double, not yet re-registered as a TIPA. Dogfish Head 120 Minute  (18%) has not become a septuple, thank goodness. Scrolling through that style on BA, sorting by ABV, there are a heck of a lot of 11% & above Double IPAs out there, hundreds of them, all over the USA, and the world at large, very few of which needed to call themselves triples or quadruples or quintuples, or what have you. 

These trends! I tells ya...

Enough of my prattle, let's see what a Junkyard Triple IPA is all about: 

And, again, they get me. Nothing on the label about it, but...

It's all cloudy, like they all are, dull orange/golden color, mightily murky, with a slim white head. 

In the nose: Hoppy, fuzzy, pineapple, orange, grapefruit and pine. All kind of leafy, green things. 

In the mouth: Climbs on the palate smooth, sweet, a little chalky/fuzzy/yeasty. Fruity, juicy. Plenty of citrus and tropical notes from the hops popping on the tongue, and swimming about the palate. Lean bodied, moderate finish, mild bitterness. Starts to get sharp as the looming alcohol looms. And then it hits, and it's good. Nice and mellow. 

Ultimately, though, it's too sweet and fuzzy and has almost no bitterness, which is what I want in a double, or triple IPA, not just huge alcohol. I need huge hops, too. Maybe that's just me. They tricked me, man. 

It's not what I want from a "triple IPA", but I'll enjoy it all the same. 

Kick back, relax, and rid the stress of the week with Alleviate TRIPLE IPA. Our brewers loaded this beer with Strata, Bru-1, El Dorado, and Azacca. This IPA boasts huge aromas of melon and is complimented by tropical flavors of mango and pineapple with a soft, smooth finish. 

Ommegang Double Chocolate Three Philosophers

Ommegang Double Chocolate Three Philosophers.

9.7 % ABV, 21 IBU. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Lightly clouded, dark burgundy hue, slim brown head that settles quickly. 

In the nose: Rich chocolate, delicate, bittersweet. Heavenly. 

In the mouth: Sweet cocoa takes command, but leaves room on the palate for the cherries and the deep, malty flavors of the quadruple at the heart of Three Philosophers. Chocolate rings back in with each new sip. Cherries and chocolate and Belgian malt make for a wonderful combination. Medium bodied, long, rich malty finish. Nicely balanced, never too much on either side. Plenty of delights in this bottle. 

P.S. You guys, I wouldn't have used "heavenly" in my review if I knew that it was the second word in their description. I never read them first, but I'll leave it unedited.

This heavenly confection pours a deep caramel in color with mahogany flecks, topped by a foamy tan head. Semi-sweet cocoa and subtle vanilla prevail in the aroma. The mouthfeel is textured and full-bodied, with caramel, toffee, and dark fruit wrapped in the embrace of rich, decadent Taza chocolate, culminating in a refreshingly smooth, lingering finish.

Two-row, amber, caramel, Munich-20, aromatic, extra specialcara-20 malts. Liefmans Cuvee Brut

HOPS: Styrian Goldings, Spalter Select

Fuller's London Pride Original Ale

Fuller's London Pride Original Ale.

4.7 % ABV, 30 IBU. Fuller's Brewery, London, England.   

This post marks only the fourth time that the beers of Fuller's have been in the Nib. According to Untappd, the last time I had this one was in 2013, but it doesn't say where I had it. At a bar, I'd guess. If I had it at home, I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to include it in Ye Olde Blogge. (but I'd bet that that's what happened, because those things do.)

So, I bought a single bottle at work, and will now drink it while I look back at notes from nearly 18 years ago, 4/28/2003:

Dark bronze color, medium amber at the edges, with a nice 3/4" fluffy white head. 

Aromatics are soft, creamy, herbal, with a touch of spice, and a little hint of fruit, with a hint of apple and citrus. 

Assertive hoppy bite upfront on the palate, which slowly, softly subsides. A touch of copper exists as well. A little caramel malt flavor, too. Texture and body are mild, with a good, lasting finish. For a "pub ale", quite good. Not the sort of brew that I'd write a sonnet upon. It tastes good, but not enough to divert your attention from the dartboard.

This exists solidly between their ESB and IPA. And that's OK.

So, that's what 2003 me said. I'd leave it at that. IPA? I haven't seen their IPA in years, and haven't thought about it in even longer. Looking back, 2002 me ripped that one to shreds. I ranked it 15.4% below the average. For the London Pride, I was only 6.1 % below. 

Brewed under the watchful eye of our Griffin since the 1950s, London Pride is unmistakably London's beer. With its well-rounded flavour and rich history, everything about this authentic, characterful beer binds it to our capital city and the people who love it.

Cask: 4.1% ABV

Bottle, Can and Keg: 4.7% ABV

Hammerheart Stjørdal Alderwood Smoked Farmhouse Ale

Hammerheart Stjørdal Alderwood Smoked Farmhouse Ale.

7 % ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Lakes, MN. 

And here we have the first appearance in the Nib of a Størdalsøl. Took me long enough to get around to one of these. Which I'd never heard of until this beer. 

Lightly clouded, golden/amber hued, large white head that softly drifts down, leaving some lace. 

In nose: Smoke comes screaming out of the glass. Soft, yet powerful. Rich and malty. Getting the wood and the fire. Very nice. 

In the mouth: Smoky malt rules the flavors here. It's moderate, balanced, and delicious, though. A manageable monster. Hammerheart gets wrongfully categorized as being nothing but dark and smoked. They're not all dark, and sometimes, albeit rarely, they aren't smoked. This is a sweet delight. Clean, medium bodied, long, smokey finish, but light and easily consumed. 

Once again, I gobbled the first three cans with utter joy, and not too much thought, saving that for now. With can number four, I can say that this one is another remarkable ale from Hammerheart whose great drinkability, yet surprising and wonderful flavors should come as a shock to no-one. It tastes as fresh as tomorrow, yet feels like it's been around for a thousand years. Sweet, juicy malt, with moderate hops for balance, and an incredible blend of the yeast and malt...and do I detect a hint of juniper?...for an unforgettable experience. Stjørsdalsøl, where have you been all my life? 

Stjørsdalsøl is a rare beer style named after it's place of origin Stjørdal Kommune in Norway. This beer was crafted with custom alderwood smoked malt run through juniper boughs and fermented with native Norwegian yeast strain. Art by A. Lunn based on Stjørdal's coat of arms. Proudly brewed with Sugar Creek Malt Co. malt. 

Able Cryosaurus Rex DDH DIPA

Able Cryosaurus Rex DDH DIPA. With Amarillo, Azacca, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic Cryo hops. 

8.7 % ABV. Able Seedhouse + Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 

The beers of Able (did that Seedhouse business ever get going?) haven't been in the Nib in a while. It's been over two years since I bought anything from them, and even longer since I've been to the taproom. The last time I hosted one of their beers on tap at Acadia was over three years ago. But, here we have something interesting, and someone from the brewery dropped off a can for me (thanks, JB!), and now I will drink it. 

Clear ("clear"? A clear, DDH DIPA?? Who ever heard of such a thing?), bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Grassy, floral, citrusy hop notes. Earthy & herbal. 

In the mouth: A fine panoply of hop varieties combine to deliver deliciousness to the palate. Blend of citrus and pine, with a touch of spice, goes juicy for a moment, then turns to dry. Clean, crisp, smooth, with a full brace of bitterness keeping the tongue happy. 

This is that kind of double IPA you just don't find anymore, and I'm glad to be tasting it. 

I couldn't find any other information online about this beer. So, I will type these words out from the label:

"This beer? Deliciously Dino-mite. Some might go so far to say it's Totally T-riffic...."

That didn't help at all. 

Wooden Hill Code 3 Juicy IPA

 Wooden Hill Code 3 Juicy IPA. 

"We're a small batch brewery that's been sharing the joy of craft beer since 2018, Cheers!--James & Sean, Owners, brothers, brewers."

6.5 % ABV, Wooden Hill Brewing, Edina, MN. 

And now we have for you the first appearance in the Nib of a beer from Edina, MN. It is my fifth time having this beer, the fourth can from a 4-pack, and that pint I had on visiting the brewery back in 2018. Nick, Jason and I biked there together on a Sunday, the final stop among several brewery visits, starting at Wild Mind, if I remember correctly. Lots of pedaling that day!

And we got them in at the retail store where I currently work. At a tasting with staff, several managers declared it too hoppy for them. I found it...well, you'll find out. Of the four beers (or beer-like things) we brought in, among them a Pina Colada seltzer, a kölsch, and a "Cinnamon Crunch" brown ale, this IPA was the first to sell out. So, let's drink it: 

Before I do that, I've got to stress: Guys, get a graphic designer, an illustrator, someone to help with these dull, uninspired labels. They are drab and lifeless, while also busy and confusing. 

the beer, though: 

Appearance: Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: bold and hoppy, citrus and pine aplenty. Right on the money. 

In the mouth: Bold, aggressively hoppy, bursting with juicy, fruity flavors. Orange, grapefruit, pine needles, fresh, zesty, delivering gobs of hoppy goodness. Tantalizingly tasty. Medium bodied, with a long, hoppy. bitter finish. Hop bitterness never leaves the palate and continually pleases the senses. 

On the other hand, it's not particularly "juicy", but neither is it very dry. Juicy enough, though. Why not use a marketing term, if it helps, I guess. What I've found, though, is that this marketing term leads certain individuals to imagine that there must be some kind of addition of fruit juice to have that appellation applied.  They're out there, believe me. 

A very successfully brewed American IPA, just the way I like it. Kudos, Wooden Hill. And I knew I had to enter this one into the Nib once I read their unapologetic disclaimer that you will see at the end of this statement: 

Our nod to the brave men and women of Emergency Medical Services, a Code 3 is the radio signal for lights and sirens. This bold IPA is triple-hopped with a juicy blend of Mosaic, Citra, and Cascade. Not Hazy. Not Sorry.