Steel Toe Finally Hazy IPA

Steel Toe Finally Hazy IPA. W/ Citra, Strata, Nelson Saigon + Nelson Sauvin CGX Hops. A long-awaited collaboration. 

7.2 % ABV, 40 IBU, Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN.

I’ve made no secret of my affection for Steel Toe Brewing of St. Louis Park, MN. I also like Barrel Theory Brewing of St. Paul, MN. What I’m not so crazy about is catering to the trends of the beer geek crowd above all else, which has been BT’s stock in trade, since they opened five years ago. Neglecting fads and staying true to classic styles has been ST’s modus operandi for just about 11 years now. And now we have this.

Finally was released at both breweries last week at their respective taprooms. They say “finally we collaborated with Barrel Theory.” One could also easily say, as many have, “finally Steel Toe brewed a hazy.” I would have been happy if it had never happened. And I am presented with a dilemma. I like to try everything they make. Should I go to the tap room and pay $7 for a pint I may not enjoy? Or plunk down $17 for a 6-pack (Sticker Fight is $14, and delivers every time, Size 7 is $12, ditto.) when I may not feel like drinking all six? Oh, I would, but I might not enjoy them. 

My boss had a solution. He would buy a 6-pack, we would sample a can, and the rest would go home with us all. Let me tell you, free is the best. So, let’s drink it.

Highly clouded, dull yellow color, slim white head. 

In the nose: yeasty fuzz. Extra citrus. Orange and lemon, with a dose of grapefruit. Bursting with hoppy flavors. 

In the mouth: soft, mild, wet, squishy, citrusy, hoppy, with absolutely no bitterness whatsoever. Medium bodied, languid finish. In my opinion, this is exactly a Barrel Theory beer, and not at all a Steel Toe. It tastes like every single BlackStack beer. It’s pretty much dull as dishwater. Not a pinch of bitterness to be found.

They blew through kegs last week and cans are sold out. I hope we never see it again. Long live Size 7.

The Steel Toe crew finally teamed up with Barrel Theory Beer Company to brew our first hazy IPA Brewed with Pilsner and 2-Row malt, as well as a healthy amount of oats and wheat. We whirlpooled it with some Citra and then gave it a big ol’ dry hop consisting of Citra, Strata, Nelson Sauvin, and Nelson Sauvin CGX. Notes of peach, melon, white grape, and passion fruit. 

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

Barrel Theory Hüftgold Hefeweizen

 Barrel Theory Hüftgold Hefeweizen.

5.2 % ABV. Barrel Theory Beer Company, St. Paul, MN. 

Last week I found myself in St. Paul, and hoped to see these guys and bring back some crowlers. Unfortunately, they only sell them curbside, with ordering done online or over the phone, and they haven't yet opened the taproom, during our current uncertainties in the time of COVID. I didn't feel like dealing with that, so we skipped B.T. Luckily, there are still some local liquor store that carry their crowlers, and I found a few of their stalwarts that I've already reviewed, and this one. I'm looking forward to see if they've made a Traditional HefeWeizen that stands up with the great craft beers that they're famous for. 

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, large, lasting, and lace-leaving white crop of foam on top. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, citrus and spice, orange and clove, Bavarian-style delights. 

In the mouth: Medium body, creamy mouthfeel. Smooth, wheaty texture. Moderate hops. Easy-drinking, refreshing as they get. Classic, nearly note-perfect. Yum a dum dum. 

This is not the first hefeweizen from Barrel Theory that I've had, but it's the first one that I've enjoyed. I sampled one at the taproom nearly two years ago. (I seem to make it out there only about once a year, a trend I need to actively work on putting in reverse.) I wasn't thrilled, it didn't hit the right notes, and I despaired in the notion that these guys were only good at fruited sours, hazy IPAs, and pastry stouts. Now, I'm happy to see that that was just an unfortunate blip. 

Barrel Theory Gucci Piñata Berliner Weisse

Barrel Theory Gucci Piñata Berliner Weisse, with Mango, Passionfruit, & Pineapple.
4 % ABV. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Back in the end of March, when the quarantine was just getting underway, I broke free enough to pay a visit to Minnehaha-Lake Liquors, a store at the intersection that the name describes. Their beer selection had been getting better and better over the years and I liked to pop in and encourage that from time to time. It was on this occasion that I saw for the first time crowlers of Barrel Theory beer for sale at a retail location. A wonderful development, saving me the trip to far-off St. Paul. (And, currently, that extra hassle of pre-ordering for curb-side pick-up.)
My friend Leif, who used to tend bar at Pizza Luce while I was at the Nile, was working then and said he was surprised that they lasted the few days they'd been there. Maybe word hadn't gotten out yet?

Out of the several varieties available, I picked the least expensive ($10) and the wrong one. Somehow, I completely forgot that Rain Drops NE IPA was not only here in the Nib already, but actually the second BT beer I'd reviewed from a crowler, over two years ago. Oh, well, it's still good beer, and you can still drink it. (I committed a similar sin on my last visit, picking out of all the Drastic Measure beers one I'd already reviewed. You'd think I'd had all this stuff memorized, right?)

I keep thinking as the weeks went on that I should return and find more of those BT crowlers, but my plans ever changed. The 3-mile or so bus trip down Lake Street is longer than I like, and I didn't do until a week ago, last Friday. There was one left, this one, and the date on it was 3/23. Was it in that cooler the whole time? Did word just never get out? Did M-L never get a fresh shipment?

And then this week happened. A white Minneapolis police officer took a black man's life and the city went up in flames. Peaceful protests at the site of the murder, but violence rocked the corner of Lake and Minnehaha as demonstrators took their cause to the 3rd Precinct Police Station, across the street from Minnehaha-Lake Liquors. The store seemed safe for a few days, but fire took it eventually, Thursday night. The structure still stands, but the inside is a hollowed out husk of ash and smoke, and the iconic neon sign that stood above has disappeared. I've always wondered what "Drive-In" meant. Apparently, you can drive in to their parking lot, get out, and shop inside. These old-style neon signs, like the one above Hum's at 22nd & Lyndale, have a lot of charm and appeal for me. Where is that sign now? Did someone loot it?

(No, is the answer, at least for now. Photographic evidence finds it smack dab in the middle of the rubble.)

They'll come back, eventually, with a new building, and maybe that same logo. (Probably not.)
And I'll be back, too.

So, on with the beer!

Hazed, bright orange color, tiny head that whittles away.

In the nose: Sour blasts out of the aroma at first, followed swiftly by pineapple and it's pals.
Pulpy, potent, powerful. Sweetness and sour, together.
 In the mouth: The duo are sharing space on the palate, doing a two-step between tropical tones and the tartness. Tasty stuff. Medium bodied, with a swift finish. Mango steps out front once in a while, pineapple peeks back up, and here comes guava. Just a little bit of sugar, with a big bunch of sweet. Banana butts in. Just delicious.

I don't normally like paying $14.99 for a crowler, but I do like this quite a bit.

And I hope to see more Barrel Theory crowlers out there at stores, whenever they open up again.

Barrel Theory Not On My Worst Day West Coast IPA

Barrel Theory Not On My Worst Day West Coast IPA.
7.5 % ABV. ? IBU. Barrel Theory Beer Company, St. Paul, MN.

Barrel Theory Beer Company of St. Paul opened up in the summer of 2017 and their beers have appeared here in the Nib a total of nine times prior to this post, all of those occasions being reviews from growlers that I've taken home from visits to the taproom. I've been there maybe six times, most of them in company of my good friend Ed. This is the first beer I'll review from them that I did not transport back from St. Paul, and that's because Ed brought it to me in Minneapolis. That's what a good friend Ed is.

There's an important reason that Ed bought a crowler and crossed the river to give it to me. This beer seems to be the first non-hazy IPA ever produced by BT. I'm taking Ed's word for it, for he goes there much more than I. (None of their IPAs reviewed here in the Nib have any clarity.) And both Ed and I are very bored of the ubiquitous hazy IPA. Come on, already, people! Get off the haze train!

Well, they did, and Ed liked it so much, that he made sure that I could review it here, before it goes away. And notes begin....now.

Crystal clear, light amber/bronze coloration, sim white head on top.

In the nose: Citrus and pine, grapefruit, lime, tangerine, lemon rind. Classic West Coast IPA aroma. If a bit subdued.

In the mouth: Big blast of hop bitterness and juicy citrus fruit flavors right from the start. Bitterness lays long on the palate, but slide off in time. Medium bodied, lush malt, easy drinker. Pops with all the classic citrus and pine flavors, with just a little bit of extra juiciness. This one is giving me all the hop flavors I demand, without this cushion that seems to be demanded these days. An old school IPA. The kind that old school beer fans that Ed and I love.

I'm feeling good now. It's making me think of all my favorite IPAs. This doesn't happen with the haze craze for daze IPAze. This one is not only yum, it is yum-a-dum-dum.

This is pretty much absolutely perfect. Make more, BT, make more. Evade the haze! Phooey on the fuzzy!

West Coast IPA with Simcoe, Centennial, Amarillo, & Cascade hops

Barrel Theory After School Snacks Berliner Weisse with Tangerine and Blood Orange

Barrel Theory After School Snacks Berliner Weisse. With Tangerine and Blood Orange.
4 % ABV. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Fully opaque, bright golden hue, slim head.

In the nose: Tangerine pops out, blood orange stands by.

In the mouth: Yow! That's sour! Sweet and sour...like a SweeTart! Candied citrus fruit, all soured up scores highest in the ratings. Tangerine, orange, lemon, grapefruit....tastiness aplenty.
Big time, juicy puckering in this one. Medium bodied, full-flavored, long lasting fruity/sour taste. Long finish. Very nice. Delicioso.

Only eight of Barrel Theory's beers have appeared here so far, and none of them have been their sours. Now I know what all the fuss is about. This one is top notch.

Barrel Theory Shooter McGavin Double IPA with Citra hops

Barrel Theory Shooter McGavin Double IPA with Citra hops.
8.2 % ABV.
Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Looking at Untappd, I've checked into this beer once before, on August 27 of 2017. If memory serves correctly, that was my first visit to Barrel Theory. Dave and I arrived just before they were closing on a Sunday afternoon. They were operating with shorter hours back then, in order to keep supplied with beer. That's how it goes when you start out popular and the buzz always builds. We were able to talk the staff into serving us a quick one. I went with the Double IPA because that's what I do, but there were no growlers or crowlers available at the time, and now, two years later, I finally have one to try out for the Nib. Let's get into it:

Ever-so hazy, 'cause that's how it has to be from now on until...? Will this craze ever end? Murky gold/orange....slim white head.

In the nose: Leafy green hop notes, citrus aplenty, yeast all over the place. No NE it's cray-cray. All kinds of Lupulin powder going wild. Nice.

In the mouth: Boom! Big fat citrus hop flavor bursts on the palate, and a trickle of bitterness. Sweetness swims in. Medium body, moderate malt, nothing but smooth. Bitter, sweet, bitter, sweet, back and forth tango, ending decidedly dry. And actually lip-smackingly delicious. I can't help but enjoy this.

I like all the parts of this that are like a double IPA, and I can't stand the parts that are like an NE IPA. Damn, why can't the breweries I like just make a regular damned DIPA, without the haze...bros?

Also, I'm liking this more as we get in....getting stronger, more bitter, and that's the way I like it.

Barrel Theory Dorothy Mantooth IPA

Barrel Theory Dorothy Mantooth IPA. IPA W/ Mosaic Hops. (New England -style, of course)
7.2 % ABV.  Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN. Packaged 8/27/19. Purchased 9/1.

This beer has been around almost two years, since just after the brewery opened, and I'm finally getting some. Of course, I don't get there very often to pick up crowlers, but that's ...well, actually it is for a lack of trying. But it's not for a lack of thinking about trying. Where does thinking about trying get us, though? Nowhere, naturally. But I did something, I went there, and I got this, and now I will drink it!

Thoroughly hazed, pale golden color, thick and lustrous ivory head, holding infinite court above.

In the nose: All the hoppy delights are here. Citrus aplenty, with bits of berries and stone fruit, as well.

In the mouth: Citrus splash at the start. Big rush of bitterness, then calm and cool. Yeast at play. Medium bodied, fresh and refreshing. Long lasting hop delivery on the palate, keeping a strong residency through the finish. Flavors never quit. Just delicious. Nothing but. Crisp, clean, ending on a dry note. Just about right.

If you follow my writing here, you may have noted a lack of enthusiasm for the ubiquitous New England IPA style. But when it's done this well and this deliciously....what can I do but offer up high praise.

This all-Mosaic IPA is a saint.

Barrel Theory Cryptocurrency Double IPA w/ Citra and Strata

This is not a new beer. (Though there is a new version available now.)

I bought it at my last visit to the brewery in November. Drank it and took notes in December. And then I forgot about it.

No, that's not true. I thought about it every day. Just as it's always true when I tell Mom that I meant to call her every day. I just put it off. But, why?

Was I doing it again? Saving a beer review for when I write the brewery/taproom review, which takes much more time, so I put that off? Even though I promised not to do that anymore?

So, I'll post this review, and then I'll tackle the brewery & taproom. Or do I need to go back one more time? Why, I've been there four or five times already, that's plenty. But, I am overdue for another visit. And there's the new DDH version of this very beer that everyone's raving about. Got to give that a try. There's an angle for my brewery report.

And then, the thought occurs to me that there are people who visit Barrel Theory each and every day, who probably never once give any concern to how they will write about that visit in their beer blog. Huh.
I wonder what that's like?

Barrel Theory Cryptocurrency Double IPA w/ Citra and Strata. 8 % ABV. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.


Hazy (naturally), dull golden color, beautiful ivory head. Looks the part of the hazy  double IPA.

In the nose: Citrus/tropical notes. A little floral. Quite pretty. Instantly likable.

In the mouth: Nice drop of hops on the palate. Good amount of yeast in the mouthfeel. Smooth and tasty. Calm, cool mouthfeel. Good drinking double IPA, but could use more bitterness to really be in my wheelhouse. Big, bold citrus attack. I'm liking this.

Barrel Theory Black Lotus Milk Stout w/ Coconut

Barrel Theory Black Lotus Milk Stout w/ Coconut. 6.9 % ABV. 15 IBU. Barrel Theory Brewing Company, St. Paul, MN.

Dark, black, impenetrable, with a rich brown ring of foam, leaving lace. Nice.

In the nose: Coconut spills out from the start. Sweet. Lush. Lovely. Malty all the way. Lovely stuff.

In the mouth: Pow! Coconut! Mmm. If you like that stuff. Sweet and creamy and smooth. Never quits. Nice all the way. Not much from hops or roast in this one. But it gives you what it set out to give. If that's what you're into, go for it. Not what I would want on a regular basis. A tasty treat from time to time, sure. A one and done for me. Quite nice. Even delicious. But, I don't need another.

You want another? You go for it. I recommend this highly to those inclined towards it.

Milk stout with toasted coconut

Barrel Theory Fire Diss Track IPA w/ Mosaic

Kids these days. Always using that newfangled slang. I still like that old-fangled slang. 23 Skidoo, Cat's Meow, groovy, way-out, man, and all that. Let's see if I can figure out the name of this beer.

Fire, we know, is something hot, that has heat, or is ablaze.  "Diss" is to disrespect, of this I am aware. And track refers to a piece of recorded music, in this context. So, what we have here is a rap song, I think, where one musician calls out another with which he has a "beef" for being "wack", or some such, and does it so well that it is "fire." Why they need to do this, though, I'll never understand. Whatever happened to nice music, for the nice people? Why must the artists of today tear down others in order to build themselves up? Whatever happened to melody?

Okay, enough acting like an old fogey, let's drink one of those Barrel Theory IPAs that are all the rage these days...

Fire Diss Track. 7.3% ABV. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Thoroughly hazed, bright orange hue, long-lasting ivory head.

In the nose: bold hop presence, big citrus, orange, lemon, a pinch of pineapple. Other flavors lurk below. Mosaic going wild here.

In the mouth: hop bitterness blasts the palate, followed by nothing but juicy. Intense and delicious. Beautiful blend of bitter buzz juicy, smooth mouthfeel. Goes down remarkably easy. Hop bite continues to tread across the palate, providing additional delights.

I like this one. Surprise: BT makes great IPAs.

Official description: An IPA with all Mosaic hops.

Barrel Theory Xtra Basic Imperial Stout

Barrel Theory Xtra Basic Imperial Stout w/ pumpkin, coconut, vanilla, and spices. 10.2 % ABV. 10/16/18. Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Utter blackness, rich, dark brown head, shadowy, dotted, fully opaque.

In the nose: starts out fruity, vegetal, sweetness and smooth, with vanilla revealing, plus cinnamon and more. Hey! There’s the coconut!

In the mouth: right out of the gate, yum. Flat out yum. Coconut takes command on the palate, with an overarching sweetness that’s never too much. Full-bodied, rich, delicious. Vanilla & spice are around, too, with a good deal of chocolate.

I feel compelled to use a phrase I despise and call it a “coconut bomb”, but it’s well-balanced and so very tasty. This is well worth whatever I paid for it ($16? I think?) and I want to go back and get another before it’s too late.

(P.S. I waited too long. It's long gone.)

Barrel Theory Rain Drops Northeast India Pale Ale

Barrel Theory Beer Company Rain Drops Northeast IPA with Citra and Mosaic. 7.5% ABV. St. Paul, Minnesota.

I bought this on 12.31/17. I was filled three days prior. These beers are supposed to be consumed as fresh as possible. So,why did I sit on it for 2 months? I wanted to tie it in with the overall report on the brewery and my notes on their other beers, until the enormity of the endeavor always seemed more than I have time for. Well, no more of that. From now on, when I have a beer, I review it and publish it, and that's that. I've lost too many notes to time and procrastination.

Thoroughly hazed, naturally, utterly orange, with a prodigious, fluffy, lace-leaving white head. Looking great for the part.

In the nose: bright, brilliant, aburst with sunshine-y Citra hop sensations. The key to this beer is the extra dry-hopping with that do-no-wrong duo of Citra and Mosaic. Alone, they do just fine, but together they're unstoppable.

In the mouth: there's that "juicy" that's essential in the NE-style. Juicy, juicy, Joo-say! Bitterness garbs the palate just a bit at first, then is swallowed up by the juice. Touches of tropical meets the citric. Guava and passionfruit to bridge the orange and grapefruit. Malt is almost an afterthought. What we have going on in the mouthfeel is plush, yeasty, pillowy, squishy. Makes the beer go down mighty fine.

It's a tasty one, that's for sure. An admirable and absolutely likable brew. I might be turning around on these NE-IPAs, maybe, possibly, don't quote me on that. I still like them old time IPAs.

The more I drink it, the more I want to call it damned delicious. And maybe I will.

And two months old, it doesn't seem to have lost any freshness or vitality.

Although, it would be nice if folks could get it together: New England or Northeast, pick one and stick to it. Maybe that will happen. No one could settle Black IPA vs. Black Ale vs Cascadian Dark Ale, and before you know it, no one cares.

Barrel Theory Pullover Starter Jacket IPA

You know what highly hyped up new brewery I haven't talked about yet? Whose only appearance so far has been a coaster or two in the background collage, and a couple of mentions here and there? Yep, Barrel Theory in St. Paul. Been dragging my feet on putting out a report based on my three visits so far, for far too long. My last visit was when I bought two crowlers, for the very first time. I'll save the other one for when I write them up, but let's look at this one, first.

Here we have Pullover Starter Jacket, IPA with El Dorado, Columbus and Mosaic. 7.2% Alcohol by Volume. Canned on 12/28/2017, purchased on 12/31. One of 3 IPAs available in crowlers that day, out of the, what, six they had on tap.

Heavily hazed (it's the craze), golden-hued, lush ivory head, looking very nice.

In the nose: bright fruit notes, some papaya, pineapple, citrus tones, too. Just a touch of sweet in there to mingle with the bitter. Tropical takes the crown, though.

In the mouth: Big, beautiful, bountiful bitterness hits the lips first and foremost. One gulp begs another. Nice. Growing bitterness pleases this palate. Malt is crisp, clean, lean and slightly sweet. Yeasty goodness rounds it out. More citrus flavors pop out, some lemon and lime to match the tropical tones. Increasingly delightful. It has all the hoppy delights I require.

Is this a "NE IPA"? What does the brewery call it? Can't find any other info than what was on the crowler label. Maybe they're all NE IPAs?