Barrel Theory All the Way Live West Coast India Pale Ale

 Barrel Theory All the Way Live West Coast India Pale Ale.

7.2 % ABV, 65 IBU, Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

And here we have my first review of a Barrel Theory beer in a can, not a crowler. This because they have all been hazy IPAs, fruited sours, or pastry stouts. I can’t go for that (no can do). A West Coast IPA? You know I am down with that.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose; floral a bit, mildly piney, plenty citrusy. Highly likable. 

In the mouth: big bitterness grabs the palate and clings to the tongue. Crisp, dry, bitter. Not a smidgen of sweet. 

Not a trace of fuzz. 

Well-composed IPA. Bright, bitter, snappy, creeping into delicious. I’ll be enjoying this one all the way down. 

West Coast Style IPA w/ Amarillo, Columbus, Simcoe & Chinook hops.

Founders French Toast Bastard Vanilla Cinnamon MaplebBourbon Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale

 Founders French Toast Bastard Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Bourbon  Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale. 

Barrel aged series. 11.1% ABV, 50 IBU. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Is that ever a mouthful!

Dark brown, fully opaque, slim off-white head.

In the nose: crazy maple! Slight cinnamon. Overpowering vanilla. And me without any pancakes.

In the mouth: smooth and mellow for this first five seconds, once the barrage of adjuncts begins. Huge maple, very vanilla, and at last the cinnamon chimes in. Where’s the bourbon? Who’s seen the scotch ale? Extra flavors have subsumed all else, but that’s the way you like it. 

Decadent treat that delivers all that it promises. So, Breakfast Stout was just never breakfast enough, eh? Oh, those were simpler times. Now, everything’s got to outdo everything else. This one does it right, I have to admit. 

Backwoods Bastard gets the full-fledged breakfast treatment! Our malty and rich bourbon barrel-aged Scotch ale is introduced to the essence of smooth maple, warm cinnamon and notes of sweet vanilla for an incredibly decadent brunch-inspired sipper. One taste and you’d swear you were digging into your Sunday morning French toast. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?

Oliphant Stout

 Oliphant Stout. 

6 % ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin.

Another label that begs a story to be told. An abandoned drum kit in a studio/practice space littered with Oliphant cans, a poster of a two headed puppy…what is going on? 

Strictly ebony, complete opacity, rich, luscious tan head. 

In the nose: caramel malt, cocoa, cream…mild roast. 

In the mouth: full body, rich texture. Semi sweet. Well balanced. Supreme drinkability for the dedicated stout fan. Just a little lush and just the right amount of smooth. Moderate bitterness. Altogether right on the money and super enjoyable non-pastry stout.

Hallelujah, they still exist! 

You might be a Chuck Norris if you can do a windmill kick, otherwise you're probably just a normal person, which is fine because we brewed this normal stout for you. Cheers!

Odell Harvest Fresh IPA

 Odell Harvest Fresh IPA. 

7.7 % ABV, 45 IBU. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Clear, bright golden hue, voluminous ivory head.

In the nose: vibrant pine and citrus, fragrant and floral. Super fresh.

In the mouth: bursting with bitterness, popping with hoppy flavors, over a crisp, clean malt bed. Grapefruit blends orange peel and pine, flavors cavorting upon the palate, leaving trails of bitterness behind. Medium bodied and fully flavored. A zesty enterprise of hop expression. 

In other words, I can dig it. 

Brewed with Roy Farms who grow some of our favorite hops. This is an easy drinking IPA with notes of citrus, melon, and tangerine. We threw in some Munich Malts to give this beer a nice backbone. Roy Farms out of Yakima Valley grows some of the best hops around and we are proud to do this collaboration.

Back Channel Ballooney Bin West Coast India Pale Ale

Back Channel Ballooney Bin West Coast India Pale Ale. 

7% ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park, MN. 

Well, all right, now, Back Channel made a beer that I might actually like. Let’s see how this goes. 

Clear, deep golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: vibrant piney notes with citrus on the side. Grapefruit and orange peel, with a squirt of lime. 

In the mouth: bitter and resinous at once, bursting with hoppy goodness. Sufficiently dry, clean and bitter. Medium bodied, with a long, bitter finish, lasting long on the tongue. 

This isn’t exactly how I like my West Coast IPAs, but I’m happy with how close they get. There’s a touch to much sweetness in it. I always want it dry and brittle. 

Can I get this one in a bowl?

Montgomery Suncoast West Coast IPA

 Montgomery Suncoast West Coast IPA.

6.7 % ABV, 48 IBU. Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, Minnesota.

Clear, golden hue, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: fruity and floral, grapefruit and orange. Citrus notes galore. 

In the mouth: bitter bite up front, with citrus splashes throughout. Bright and lively. Light bodied, well balanced and easily consumed. Does a body good. 

I love a good ol’ IPA, with neither fuss nor muss. . And this is one. 

Introducing SunCoast West Coast IPA, a true embodiment of the sun-drenched shores and adventurous spirit of the West Coast. Crafted with a meticulous blend of Cascade, Mosaic, Idaho 7, and Strata hops, this beer offers a bold and invigorating flavor profile that is sure to captivate IPA enthusiasts.

La Dona Prince Namor Barleywine

 La Dona Prince Namor Barleywine. 

9.5 % ABV. La Dona Cerveceria, Minneapolis, MN. 

The Sub-Mariner has his own beer? Ruler of the realm eternal? Monarch of Atlantis? Oh, wait, it’s not that anymore in the MCU, and you know what, I never saw that movie, it’s cool, it’s cool. 

So, let’s drink a Barleywine. 

Clear, deep reddish hue, slim white head.

In the nose: hoppy, but mixed with malt. Caramelly. Lovely stuff, so far. 

In the mouth: full, rich, complex. A kaleidoscope on the tongue. Malty flavors with a boozy kick, and just the right dose of hops. Full body, long malty finish, some fruity flavors pop up, dark and delicious, wrapped up in boozy malt ones. Very enjoyable. 

I’m relaxing and luxuriating, floating aloft, as if my ankles had wings. 

Modist Breffix 24 Hr Breakfast Stout

Modist Breffix 24 Hr Breakfast Stout. 

8% ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Breakfast Stout with barley, crystal malt, roasted malt,Wildflyer coffee, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla bean & oat milk.

Strict blackness, slim brown head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: roasty toasty malt up front, some cinnamon, a pinch of pepper, hints of cocoa. 

In the mouth: smooth and slightly sweet and creamy. Vanilla? But, of course. Oats? Gots to be. Full bodied and deceptively smooth. Altogether tasty.’

I tasted this without reading the ingredients list first. Missed some, obviously, and couldn’t pick out the maple, brown sugar or coffee. They all came together remarkably well. Quite a delicious concoction.