In the mouth: there it is, the salt, the sour, the grapefruit. Not much else. If that’s all you need, go for it. What else? Lemon...salt (I said that)...Sour (I said that too)...what else do you want? Appare ntly there is more going on than I was initially aware of of, aging on mezcal-soaked ash wood? Didn’t make an impression....sorry...ho hum.
A modern gose, infused with ruby red, lime and orange zest matured on mezcal-soaked white ash wood
6.5 % ABV. Eastlake Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis, MN.
Lightly hazed, bright orange hue, slim white head.
In the nose: Bold citrusy aromatics, with a side dish of tropical.
In the mouth: Jolt of bitterness and assertive hop flavors blast the palate from the start. Then the juice commences. A bath of juicy malt and bitter hoppiness, and next a turn to the dry side. This playful tango continues from one sip to the next. Medium bodied, with a long, bitter/hoppy finish. Grapefruit, tangerine, and mango, among other juicy flavors keep the party going. (There's a party in my mouth...and everyone's invited!)
This one I liked so much that I had three of them on the first night after bringing it home. It was a 4-pack of 16 ounces for only $13.49 at South Lyndale Liquors. I hope they still have some next time I visit.
Double dry-hopped juicy IPA. Hopped with Mosaic, Amarillo and Rakau. Tropical, with notes of mango and plenty of pineapple. Resinous and quite dank. Using Gulo yeast, the beer is dry and citrus-forward.
This can has some of the best artwork on an Eastlake label to date. Black Daze is a graffiti artist with colorful and creative pieces all over town, up and down Lake Street, and in spots very close to the Eastlake brewery. It makes me wonder, though, about how one hires a graffiti artist to do a beer label. They're not in the Yellow Pages. Did they reveal themselves to the brewery at the bar? Did someone who knows someone who knows them lead them to the gig? I wonder about everything.
I have since noticed that the artist's email is on many of their works, so what the hell am I going on about?
Eastlake Tsathoggua Imperial Stout 2019 Aged on Oak and Spanish Brandy.
11 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.
And here, ladies and gentlemen, we have the first review of this beer from a crowler. Two years ago, I did a post wherein I reviewed three bottled versions, all in one, 2015-2017 vintages. Looks like I skipped 2018. Let's see what a fairly fresh sampling is like.
Full ebony coloration, completely opaque, slim dark brown ring of foam.
In the nose: Dark malts, deep, chocolatey, coffee, anise, maple, more....charcoal, tobacco, dark fruits.
In the mouth: Brandy barrel pounds the palate from the start, no turn to subtlety here. Big, broad, powerful. Sweetness and alcoholic strength are high already, keeping ahead of malt flavors. Chocolate malts can't keep up with the brandy barrel.Stays sweet, but ends on a dry note, though the ABV never flags or falters.
But, if you don't care about balance and you're looking for a decadent, knock-out experience, here's one way to go. I can certainly dig it. Balance is something you need all the time. Once in a while, within the comforts of home and such...go off the rails.
Legend has it this beer is named for a toad-like gargoyle. This Imperial stout is barrel aged in American Oak and Spanish Brandy Barrels. Flavor notes include coconut, orange marmalade and pineapple. (in addition to)...traditional cacao, coffee and burnt caramel. Equally viscous and vicious, it pours out of the crowler like a torrent of black quicksilver, the opaque blood of the gods.
I got not coconut, pineapple, or marmalade. Maybe I wasn't paying attention. Shame on me. Peeking at past notes, I did pick up some fruit. "Chocolate-covered orange" I said two years ago. Pineapple, though? Maybe....
Very hazy, very bright golden, with a huge cloud-white head that lasts long and leaves lacing.
In the nose: Bright, juicy, jubilant citrus notes abound, with touches of tropical, too. Sweetness spreads assuredly. All the lemon and lime and grapefruit, too, mixed with mango, pineapple, passionfruit, etc.
In the mouth: Boards the palate mildly, politely, spreading hop fruit flavors, some juiciness, some deliciousness. Mild bitterness, but strong flavors. Juicy, tangy, a touch of sweet, but ending dry. Loads of hoppy goodness, and the beautiful buzz of increasing alcohol, making everything a little more pleasant. Judicious malt adds to the pleasure. Just about yum a dum dum.
This big, juicy kviek comes at you dripping with a punch of vanilla, mango, and dank pineapple thanks to copious amounts of Citra, Mosaic, Azacca, and Mandarina Bavaria hops. Golden Promise malt and Hornindal kviek yeast from Norway enhance the lupulin fruit bouquet. Got Dang!
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I don't know what this "got dang" means. Is it some newfangled way to say "Goddamn" without getting the church ladies upset?
Well, whatever, there is only one song to hear while drinking this one. Take it away, Roger:
In the mouth: A short, sharp sting at the front, then along comes the sour. Freshly fruity, turning slightly sweet, before ending dry. Cinnamon and brown sugar are blended in well, and not sticking out in the slightest. Mezcal comes through, though. Oh, wait...yep, here they come. It's getting just a little spicier as we go. Spicier and sweeter, too. I'm liking this one. Nice sour ale.
Influenced by Mexican tepache, we added loads of pineapple, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves to our house sour recipe before maturing the beer on mezcal
In the nose: Funky, fruity, citric, salty. Did you want a sour ale margarita blend? That might be what we're in for here, minus the triple sec.
In the mouth: Spark of sour hits the palate at first, fresh and lively. Then, comes the pucker, salt and lime comes in line, and it all makes sense. Sharp, citrusy, fresh and refreshing. Hey, I like this one! Sour Ale - lime, agave, sea salt and mezcal
Eastlake Mud In Your Eye Multigrain Brown Ale.
5.5 % ABV. 33 IBU. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.
Here's one I've had many times before, having been employed at the taproom when it was introduced. I first mentioned it here during that time in this post.
I have a growler to review thanks to the Sample Man. Now, let's drink it.
Thoroughly brown, utterly opaque, able ring of brown foam on top.
In the nose: A little sweet, a little dry. Some toast, some roast. Nice and malty.
In the mouth: Full bodied. Smooth. Minor hops. Malty. Nutty. Toasty. Tasty. Caramel malt with a touch of sweet, bit of bitter for balance. Quite likable. Just a solid brown ale. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.
Biscuity hazelnut races past licorice caramel on the copper cobblestone road of sweetness and leaves you in the dust. We use four different grains for a unique malt complexity of the American Brown style. The subtle floral hop presence from Willamette hops keeps the rubber side on the road. Here's mud in your eye.
Eastlake Dave's Fave Flav Old School Pale Ale. 5.2 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis, MN.
Clear, amber-hued, slim white head.
In the nose: bright, fruity, citrus-y, vibrant.
In the mouth: Fresh and zesty. Nice, balanced bitterness. Earthy malt character, fruity/herbal, biscuity. Little bit of malt sweetness to match the hoppiness. Right in line for a classic pale ale, nothing more to it. And there ain't nothing wrong with that.
Dave is a Brave knave and he'll crave his fave flav in a heat wave. We caved and gave that flav a home in our little enclave. It was a close shave. A classic Old School Pale Ale. engraved with that timeless sticky, floral, grapefruit and pine hop character that makes Dave rave.
Eastlake Sour Haze. Juicy Fruitless Sour Ale Dry-hopped with Mosaic. 4.8 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.
Highly hazed, dull orange color, slim white head.
In the nose: Big sour, fruity, hoppy, all at once. Funky stuff, for sure.
In the mouth: Intense sour at the start, Mosaic hops popping on the palate. Juicy, fruity, ending dry. Stone fruit, citrus, bits o' berries. Tropical tones, too. Clean, yet funky, and fairly easy-drinking. Not bad at all.
Our souring regimen joined the cool pool party hopping we use for our juicy IPAs. It’s a full-frontal fruit onslaught of passionfruit, pineapples, and nearly ripe raspberry, fruitless, yet fruitful.
And here we have another beer that I first had when it was introduced over four years ago, but am adding to the Nib now because I've gotten a sample crowler from the brewery. Blueliner got it's name because the owner and head brewer once drove the Blueline train from the Mall of America into downtown Minneapolis. Now, let's drink the beer.
Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.
In the nose: Bold citrusy notes, half bitter/half sweet. Niceness personified.
In the mouth: More bold and more bitter. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange peel. Bitter meets sweet. Smooth reigns supreme. Super drinkable, super delicious, and full of refreshing flavor. Ridiculously easy drinking, and soon the crowler is crushed.
Blueliner is the pale ale made for the longer shifts. For those who play with confidence at both ends of the ice. 007 hops go hard to the net with a big time piney apricot aroma, bu the real yeoman's work is the peachy citrus assist from dry-hopped Azacca. Go wild.
Lord help me, Jesus, but I cannot get what kind or how many references he is making there, or why.
By the way, this one is not to be confused with Bluer than Blueliner, a West Coast IPA named for the 1978 hit song by Michael Johnson, who lived above the Midtown Global Market and passed away a few years back. I poured an ample amount of pints for the sweet man.
Here we have again, thanks to the sample man, another serving of one of Eastlake's flagship beers that I first tasted when they first released it over four years ago, but I'm taking notes on for the first time now.
Full-on ebony, roasted tan head on top, utter opacity. Looking good.
In the nose: Creamy, nutty, malty. Small amount of bitterness, good dose of roast.
In the mouth: Roasted/toasted malt, minor hops, slightly nutty flavor. Veers toward the sweet, but ends on a dry note. Medium-bodied, goes down nice and smooth, crowler finished in practically no time.
I didn't have much else to say about this one. 'Tis what 'tis.
This entirely vegan brew is a sweet UK-style stout. Almonds, flaked oats, midnight wheat, Willamette hops.
"Pilsneresque Ale"? That's a new one for me. I'm pretty sure it was an actually lager when it was first released, four years ago. Or was I misled?
Clear, bright golden, flush and fuzzy ivory head holds down the fort.
In the nose: Floral and slightly citric. Nicely hopped. Crisp and clean.
In the mouth: Hoppiness on the palate from the top. Slightly fruity, mildly bitter, judicious hop presence. More crisp, more clean, and lightness personified. Southside is brewed in the style of a Czech Pils, only with a cool-fermenting ale yeast. We call it Pilsner-esque. A picaresque brew indeed, crisp and refreshing, Southside rolls with noticeable bitterness and spicy aroma from noble Saaz hops. This “Helles of the north” is the perfect beer to throw down after a long ride down the alleys and streets of Southside Minneapolis.
Eastlake the Raccoon and the Bear. 5.9 % ABV. 41 IBU.
Eastlake Craft Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.
I've checked into this beer on Untappd twice: this one here, and four years ago, when it was first released. Why has it taken me so long to review it? Well, back then I didn't review their beers because I worked there, and chose not to offer my opinions on them. Since then, we've had a history, but now I assess their offerings with a free mind.
Now, on to this beer named for a couple of the forest characters they've been randomly using in on their coasters and glassware since the start.
Clear, deep crimson, large, lush, creamy-toned head.
In the nose: floral, sweet, fresh, delightful.
In the mouth: Tasty, from the start.
Pine needles, birch sap, bark, spruce, wood, hops, and all the trimmings of the forest floor.
Rich and malty.
Tasty. Bright and highly likable. Conspicuously bitter, well-balanced, terrifically delicious.
Feeling adventurous? We’re in the forest now, baby. Fir tips and red cedar shavings were added to this flame-red hoppy American Amber Ale for a bright upfront woodsy whack and a clean citrus afterglow. Belgian red malt brings a unique malty layer, and Simcoe & Chinook hops double down on the coniferous character. Just one sip and you'll be pining for more.
Eastlake Arcturan Mega-Saison. 8.4 % ABV. 34 IBU. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis, MN. Brewed with pink grapefruit and ginger.
I wrote about the 2017 bottled version of this beer, which has been brewed since 2015 (I remember it's newness when I worked there), back in July of last year. I'm not 100% certain if this is the 2019 version or the 2018. I want it to be fresh, of course, but I wouldn't be too unhappy if this were an aged version. Though the thought of it sitting on a shelf for a year is rather sad.
Clouded, bright gold, slim ivory head.
In the nose: Sweet, fruit, funk, spice. Big citrus. Belgian yeast character. Tons of flavors.
In the mouth: Ginger strikes first, with grapefruit not far behind. Smooth, turning sharp. No pussywillow, this. Full-flavored, medium-bodied, long finish. Lives long on the palate. A perpetual delight. Alcohol comes on the horizon. Boom, boom, boom, boom, to quote John Lee Hooker. But it lasts just long enough. Not too fatal, in the end.
I'm as fond of this beer as I was when it was first produced, and I'm they glad that they continue to make it.
The star we call Arcturus is known as the harbinger of spring, for the time in which it appears in the night sky. Arcturus is also home to many types of mega-fauna, known by the phrase "One's soul moves at the pace of an Arcturan Megacamel." So, if you can't find Arcturan Mega-Gin, you might as well go with Arcturan Mega-saison."
Much of the above is taken from a work of fiction by Douglas Adams called "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", which I enjoyed as a teenager, and still do. There were two live-action versions, a TV series for the BBC in the 80's, and a major motion picture in 2005. Even though Adams was active in both, I'm partial to the first. The film is too American-ized, in my opinion. Took so much Englishness away. Talented as he is, Sam Rockwell doesn't compare to Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox. Who's just this guy, you know. And if I went on, I would have not very nice things to say about Martin Freeman and Zooey Deschanel and Mos Def or whatever he calls himself these days, or etcetera, etc.
If you are new to the Guide, and you have a few hours to spare, go here:
Eastlake Velvety Bandit Whiskey Barrel Aged American Brown Ale. 6.5 % ABV. Eastlake Craft Brewery, Midtown Global Market, Lake Street is for Lovers, Minneapolis, MN.
Thoroughly brown coloring, absolutely opaque, slim cream-toned head atop.
In the nose: Whiskey hits first, sweet and caramel-y. Touches of toasted dark malts just below the massive barrel effects. Hint of vanilla, whiff of cherry.
In the mouth: Once more, whiskey takes command of the palate. Sweet, supple, malty. Medium bodied. Whiskey flavors last long. And that's just what I like. I'm a sucker for it. And this one works for me. Hits all the right notes.
It's a good barrel-aged brown ale and you can drink it.
It dawns on me that I've written about this beer before, but that was from notes taken at the bar, not from a bottle, or growler, or crowler. And now, I have a crowler before me, and so I shall take some notes. Because.
Clear, bright golden hue, slim head.
In the nose: Citrus, splashes of tropical fruit, touches of stone. Nice and hoppy.
In the mouth: Big fruit, big bitterness. Nice and gritty, good and abrasive, just the way I like it. And then along comes the alcohol, boozy as all heck. Stone fruit, citrus, and that touch of the tropical. Nice, nice.
I have to note a failing in this report, however, and that is the illustration to the left. I wanted to use Eastlake glassware, but I only have one, and that is one custom made for their imperial stout, Tshthagguowhatever. I like the design for the beer, but feel that the shape of the glass is wrong for an RIS, and even wronger still for a DIPA. I should have gone with a round snifter style. I hope that you, dear reader, will forgive me.
Dank Aaron is a Double IPA that hits all the right stats - 100 IBU, 9% ABV, 755 HR – you get the idea. Stickier than pine tar from copious amounts of a rotation of our brewers’ favorite hops, Dank Aaron rounds the bases of flavor and aroma – citrus, pine, earthy, and resin. This is a beer that can hit it anywhere, any time, just make sure you can get home safely.
Eastlake 2017 Arcturan Mega-Saison. Aged on Peaches in a single red wine barrel for 12 months. 13% ABV. Eastlake Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.
Clear-ish, bright golden hue, slim-to-none head.
In the nose: bold, wine-like, showing alcohol. Fruity and sweet. And here come the peaches. Alcohol is coming on strong now. Ginger's running hot, keeping pace with the booze, grapefruit's got it going on. A little bit of sweet & fruity, trace of Belgian funk, and alcohol keeping it groovy.
This one's a once-in-a-while treat, but I like it nonetheless
In the nose: Deep citrus, with patches of pine. Floral matches the fruit. Grapefruit and lime.
In the mouth:Big smack of citrus on the palate, moderate bitterness. Balance of bitter and sweet, hops and malt, all kept in check. Medium bodied, long finish. Easy drinker. Juicy, indeed, with touches of the tropical blending with the usual citrus notes. Tasty stuff, and very likable. GB&YCDI.
Golden beer and golden tones. Welcome to Electric Mayhem. Guava, melon, apricot, and Fresca? Absotively posilutely. The mythical multi-headed psych-hop called Medusa gets the Sun Dogs' Juicy Citra IPA treatment, and it's far out. Don't get lost, man.
In the nose: tropical fruit notes, guava, pineapple, mango, and a bit of creamy. Smooth. Nice. Low bitterness. Along comes the citrus. Mmm, hmm.
In the mouth: Slight astringency. Touch of sweet. Here comes the bitter. Nice and juicy. Lean bodied. Drinkability is high, here. Pretty darned tasty. Hazy Mosaic Hash IPA.
Nice name, too, but I think that's enough Lebowski references for me.
