Finnegans Dead Irish Poet Coffee Stout

Finnegans Dead Irish Poet Coffee Stout. Stout brewed with Caribou Coffee. 

7% ABV, 38 IBU, Brewed & canned by Finnegans Brew Co., Minneapolis, MN. 

Dark brown color, bordering on black, full opacity, rich brown ring of foam floats above. 

In the nose: Coffee pops out rich, earthy, bittersweet. Moderate, but well appreciated. Chocolate malt aromas rest beneath. 

In the mouth: Coffee flavors dominates, and it's sharp, sweet, bitter. Gritty, earthy, roasty and toasty. Unfortunately, I feel that the richness and fullness of the original beer is lost here. Not exactly a proper combination of the two. Body is medium, finish is bittersweet. Bit on the thin side.  Overall, enjoyable, but I kept wanting more. 

Coffee forward with roasted malt and dark chocolate. Silky smooth mouth feel with a rich tight foam cap 

Finnegans Huell Melon Helles

Finnegans Huell Melon Helles.

5.1 %, 31 IBU. Finnegan's Brew Co, Minneapolis, MN. 

Here's one from a variety pack. Not the current one, the previous one. Look, I said I would try to keep this thing more current and I mean it, I am trying, I promise you. 

Clear, bright golden hue, sizable ivory head. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, floral, malty. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean. Light. Slight malt. Brief hops. Ease of drinking is high. Tasty stuff. I'd even go to delicious. This one is done in no time. 

Helles style lager featuring Huell Melon hops for a nice floral and crisp beer

Finnegans' Dunkel

Finnegans' Dunkel. Dark lager brewed with Vienna & Munich malts. 

5.8 % ABV, 38 IBU. Finnegans Brewing, Minnepolis, MN. 

Dark brown, nearly black coloring, mostly opaque, slim off-white head. 

In the nose: Roasted malt. Hint of caramel. A little coffee. 

In the mouth: Starts out slightly sweet, notes of nuts, caramel malt, cocoa. Medium bodied and exceptionally smooth and balanced. A tasty one, and super sessional. 

A German style dark lager brewed with Vienna and Munich malts. Hopped with Saphir to boot. Smooth and very approachable for any lager fan.

Finnegan's Milk Stout

Finnegan's Milk Stout.

6 % ABV, 38 IBU. Finnegans Brewery, Minneapolis, MN. 

Utterly ebony, complete opacity, slim cocoa-tinged head. 

In the nose: Chocolatey notes hit first, then the bittersweet and the roast. Just about perfect. Hits all the right spots. 

In the mouth: More chocolate. It's a cocoa bomb! But, balanced. Medium bodied. Creamy. Smooth and silky, so easy drinking. Semi-sweet and super supple. Flat out delicious. Great beer and you can most definitely drink it. 

This is the kind of beer I'd like to have on hand at all times. (Unfortunately, this was only available in a sampler pack, and this was can three of can, or a pack that is gone now. Alas.)

Notes of dark chocolate and roasted malt, with a creamy mouthfeel.

Finnegan's Fest Lager

Finnegan's Fest Lager.

5.6 % ABV. 33 IBU. Finnegans Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

I'm going to guess that this Fest is in the Festbier (formerly Weisn) style, not a marzen, for several reasons. It is not called one. It says Fest, rather than Oktoberfest (for we presume Oktoberfest to be marzens, at least here in the USA). The glasses in the label illustration are golden hued, not amber. Let's find out! 

Well, what the heck, I may be totally wrong. This is clearly amber-hued, not golden-toned, mostly clear, with a large and lasting creamy head. You can't believe every beer label. 

In the nose: Slightly sweet, herbal, malty, floral hop notes, rich and definitely in line with the marzen style. 

In the mouth: Smooth, mostly sweet and malty, feeling every bit like a marzen. Once again, I've been duped by label art. It's a tasty little guy, medium bodied, lightly hopped, mostly malty, rich and easy drinking, all at once. I'm liking this one. I could ooo-pah-pah the night away with a couple or five. 

A Bavarian style fest lager brewed with all german malts, hops and yeast. Perfect for any sized stein!

Edit: on further research, this is more of a Festbier style, and in a certain light, it is not quite as amber as I called it. No matter what, it's tasty and you can drink it. 

Finnegan's Honey Saison

Finnegan's Honey Saison.

6.3 % ABV, 30 IBU, Finnegan's Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, honey gold color, strong ivory head. Looking fine. 

In the nose: Saison yeast starts if off, slightly spicy/musty flavors emerge. Some citrus and honey notes. Nailed the aroma on this one. 

In the mouth: Chock full o' character. Honey makes itself at home in the mouth. Citrus zest and funky Belgian yeast at play on the palate. Mellow malt, minor hops. Light bodied, flavorful, refreshing. This one's got the goods. 

Honey saison ale with hints of sweetness and a floral nose.

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? 

Finnegan's Kicked To the Herb Hemp Pale Ale

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

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

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

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

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

Lightly clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

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

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

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

Tasty little pale ale, and you can drink it. 

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

Finnegans Running With Axes Fresh Hop Ale

Finnegans Running With Axes Fresh Hop Pale Ale. 5.5 % ABV. Finnegans Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

I'm doing this one a little bit late. But it's not my fault. I didn't know this beer was even out until recently. Found a six-pack on sale. Like, real cheap. Down to the last can, as is my habit, and it's time to take notes.

Hazed & golden, large & lovely ivory head, leaving lace.

In the nose: All the hops, all the big, fruity flavors and tons of bitterness, buoyed by blasts of malt. It's a biggie. Fierce and fuzzy. Even thought this is being consumed six months later than it should be, there's a lot of action going on.

In the mouth: Pow, pow, pow! Bigness everywhere. Huge hop bitterness, fruit, citrus, otherwise. And mucho malt. Boom, boom, boom. Bam, bam, bam, bam. Tasty. Tangy. Vivid. Pow, pow, powerful. So full of everything, yet delightfully drinkable.
This hasn't seemed to have lost anything.  And I'll look out for it fresh the next time it's brewed.

A fresh hop Pale Ale brewed exclusively with Minnesota grown fresh hops by Mighty Axe Hop company. We are using over 150LBS of hops per batch of Centennial and Cascade hops picked just days before brewing the beer.  It’s a classic pale ale with earthy, pine, and citrus undertones. Once you go lumberjack you’ll never go lumberback.

Finnegans Irish Amber

Finnegans Irish Amber. 4.7 % ABV, 20 IBU. Finnegans Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Maybe this is your first time reading The Bitter Nib. Maybe you've been in it for the long haul. In either case, it's a well known fact that I drink all the beers. Also, I like to keep on top of the locals. So, why did it take so long for me to take notes on this beer, that's been around for so many years? One never knows, does one? Maybe because amber ales just aren't my style. And why is that? Good question....

Enough palaver, time to check this one off the old list. Here we go...

Clear, amber-toned. Respectable ivory head.

In the nose: Malty sweet. Slightly grainy.

In the mouth: Malty, tasty, smooth. Medium body. Definitely down able. Light on the hops. Good Irish Amber and you can drink it. Quite tasty.

I don't drink a lot of amber ales. I'll try them, but I won't choose them. Why? Just don't give me the hops I demand. But, I see their appeal, and doggone it, this is a good one.




The flagship brew that kicked off our whole beer-as-a-charity movement, FINNEGANS Irish Ale is a full-flavored, medium-bodied ale with a caramelly, malty finish. While most beers provide temporary bliss, FINNEGANS Irish Ale fills your soul with deep-rooted goodness. It’s charitably delicious, making it good in every sense of the word.
4.75 % ALC/VOL • 20 IBU
4 HEAVENLY INGREDIENTS:
WATER, YEAST, HOPS, MALTED BARLEY
PAIRS WELL WITH:
CORNED BEEF
POTATOES IN ALL FORMS
TACOS
CORNED BEEF
IRISH GUILT

Finnegans Cluster Truck India Pale Ale -can

Finnegans Cluster Truck India Pale Ale. 6.5% aBV, 65 IBU. Finnegans Inc., Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, large, lace-leaving ivory head.

In the nose: Aggressive aromatics: citrus, tropical, pine. Bold hop attack. Liking it.

In the mouth: Big hop bite from the start. More dry than juicy on the palate, but a balance of both. Slightly acerbic. A little astringent, then mostly smooth on the way out. Medium bodied, long bitter finish. Ever-lasting hoppiness.

Good IPA, and you can drink it.

An American IPA with a truckload of hops.

Postal Script: After posting this, I realized that I'd reviewed it before, from a growler, after my first visit to the taproom, about three months ago. Oops. Oh, well. Now you can drink it from a can, so we've got that going for us.

Finnegan's Cluster Truck IPA

Finnegan's, the non-profit, charitable brewery contracted for many years at Summit, has been around for around 10 years, but hasn't had a brewery of their own. Until now. On Saturday, March 30, the new Finnegans House taproom opened up to the public, after a soft open on St. Patrick's Day. Last Thursday, April 5, I decided it was time to check them out. .


I was on Hennepin Avenue and took a light rail to Government Station, got off and walked. I knew I'd be able to find my way to 817 5th Avenue South without any problem, just a walk of a few blocks. The Brewery itself is adjacent to the new Kraus Anderson construction company building. I'd heard that the original concept was for a brewery/hotel concept, but that doesn't seem to be in effect just yet. I walked in to the beautifully appointed room, warm and comforting, gorgeously furnished. Found a seat, scanned the chalk. Six beers on tap, two of which I'd had before, the Irish Amber and the Blonde Ale. There was a Czech Pils that I chose to skip, which means that there were three beers that I tried and did not take notes on. I was satisfied with the saison, and thrilled with the barrel-aged Biere de Mars. No growlers for this one, but bottles were available. I didn't feel like dropping twenty buck on them, not that day. That left the Cluster Truck IPA. Hey, I like IPAs. Why not take it home in a growler?

And I did. And here are the notes:

Finnegan's Cluster Truck IPA. 6.5% ABV. 65 IBU. Finnegans Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Yes, this I like. Delightful tropical and citrus notes, with a trace of pine, and just enough bitterness to tickle the nose. Very good. Right on for this hophead.

In the mouth: More yes, more fresh and zest. Right amount of citrus-y hops, right amount of bitterness to please the palate. Grapefruit, orange, lemon, pineapple plus. Light malt flavors. Easy drinker. Very refreshing and utterly delightful. Good ol' IPA, this one. I recommend it.

An American IPA with a truckload of hops. Cluster Truck is brewed with close to four pounds of Columbus, Comet Amarillo, and Citra Hops per barrel, creating a taste profile with hints of grapefruit rind, fresh cut grass, and rolled down windows. It’s hoppy but not too bitter. Perfect for having a few without filling your tank.

"Rolled down windows"? Are they suggesting we drink and drive? Or just a nonsensical automotive related pun? Or something.

More info: 6.5 % ALC/VOL • 65 IBU
5 HEAVENLY INGREDIENTS:
WATER, WHEAT, YEAST, HOPS, MALTED BARLEY
PAIRS WELL WITH:
SPICY DISHES
MEXICAN CUISINE
STIR FRY
TAILGATE PARTIES

Is there more you'd like to know about this new Finnegans Brewery? What can I tell you? All the beer brewed on site is for the taproom. The cans and bottles and now brewed at Badger Hill in Shakopee. There's usually a food truck, just not that day. There's a foosball table on a stage above the other tables. It's a brand spanking new room and looks ever-so lovely. The service was excellent. I had a nice time, and I'll be back, and tell you more about the beers.
How's that?

Finnegan's Hoppy Shepherd

Finnegan's Hoppy Shepherd Session Ale. 4.6% ABV. 50 IBU.

Clear, bright golden hue, lush ivory head, lasting long.

Aroma: big, hoppy citric nose, traces of tropical, more lemon and orange, though. Nice.

In the mouth: vibrant hop attack leads it off, then it fades to soft and malty. Clean, slightly fruity, well-balanced. Easy-drinker for sure. Light/medium body. Tasty enough for the hop head, and certainly sessionable.

Good beer. You can drink it.

Here's what the website says (AKA gobbledygook): To honor of the stoic and solitary men who provide Ireland with its much-needed wooly warmth, we proudly brew Hoppy Shepherd. It’s a lively session ale made from Admiral, Centennial, Citra and Jester hops with aromas of apricot, grapefruit and tangerine. We find it perfect for stirring conversation from even the most sheepish shepherd.

Finnegan's Dead Irish Poet

Finnegan's Dead Irish Poet. Extra Stout. Product of the USA. Limited Release. 7% ABV. 100% of profits go to feeding the hungry. Contract brewed and bottled by Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

I had a keg of this last fall/winter on tap at Acadia, but never took notes, so I bought a single bottle for this purpose. Sat on it for a bit, but this is the kind of beer that is meant for holding on to.

Full-on body, rich, cocoa-tan head, slims down in time.

Dry, malty nose, slightly grainy & roast-y. Slight cocoa and espresso in aromatics, getting stronger in time.

In the mouth: Mmmm. Cocoa is stronger, malt is rich and sweet. Smooth and easy-drinking, but substantial flavor. In a nutshell, this one is richness plus sweetness, added to smoothness. But, I said that already....what else to say? Little bits of dark fruit, raisin, plum. Delicious. Beautiful balance. Lovely. Tasty.....Mmmm.

Finnegan's Blonde Ale

Finnegan's Blonde Ale, contract brewed and bottled by Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 4.6% ABV.

Lightly cloudy/hazy, pale golden coloring, slim white head, leaving lace.

Clean, malty nose. Slightly floral, hoppy.

In the mouth: Slides on in with remarkable ease, smooth and easy. Light malty body, light this, light that. Slight honey-ish flavor. Crisp and clean and....we covered smooth and easy, right?

Once again, I don't drink blonde ales, but for those who do, this is a good one. Go drink it.