Pantown 1917 American IPA

Pantown 1917 American IPA.

6.5 % ABV, 66 IBU. Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

Clear, bright golden/amber, large and luscious creamy white head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Ah, hoppy delights aplenty. Citrus and spice and everything nice. Classic American IPA aroma. 

In the mouth: Zesty, citrusy, and appropriately bitter. Tons of flavor boarding the palate this time. Rich maltiness is here, too, some caramel, a touch of toffee, but the hops are truly in charge, lots of citrus and pine. This is strictly an old school recipe, made from people who know. It's just a little juicy, what we used to call malty, with moderate bitterness. All in all, a classic IPA that we just don't see enough of anymore. 

Made with plenty of Amarillo, Cascade, and Centennial hops, because, America. A traditional style with the color and aroma that you expect from American IPAs.

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.

Pantown Bluemound Road Mulberry Kettle Sour

Pantown Bluemound Road Mulberry Kettle Sour.

3.9 % ABV, Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

Here I am about to drink a mulberry sour beer, and I realize how little I know about mulberries. There's that bush that we all go around. There's a street that to think we saw it on, in a Dr. Seuss book you can't buy anymore. There are cities and handbags, plus a fruit that I've never eaten. I don't have any on hand to taste before this, so I'm going in blind. 

Clear, bright crimson color, nearly purple, slim head of indeterminate color above. 

In the nose: Very berry. Somewhere between strawberry and plum, with a little blue thrown in. 

In the mouth: Big pucker from the start, intense sour matched with fresh fruit. Moderate bitterness, medium bodied, easy drinking. Refreshing. Only a little does it feel overly sweet and/or unbalanced, just for a minute. 

Overall, I enjoyed it. 

Kettle Sour with Mulberries

Pantown The Pollinator Honey Wheat

Pantown The Pollinator Honey Wheat.

5.2 % ABV, 18 IBU. Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN.

Honey Wheat is not the type of beer I choose for myself. But, I did not choose this beer for myself. It was given to me, thus it became  my possession, therefore I must drink it and review it. This is the way. 

Clear, bright amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Honey sweetness hits first, malt, that's about it. 

In the mouth: Fruity flavor jumps the palate from the start...is there any fruit? No, it's all from the honey and the malt. Minor hops and bitterness. Touch of caramel. Medium bodied, easy drinking. 

It's a bit too sweet for me. I'm getting all honey and little wheat. Probably ideal for a lot of other folks, and good for them. I'll glad to finish the crowler, then move on to something more my style. Plainly put: I don't like it. 

We all know bees are super important, they make honey, and are amazing pollinators. We have brewed our honey wheat with honey malts, Woodruff, and locally sourced honey from Pantown Bee Co. Notes of honey on the nose to match the golden hue of the pour, gentle sweetness balanced with the bready backbone will make this your new summer favorite. Raise a glass and get your "buzz" on!

Pantown Dropforge Milk Stout

Pantown Dropforge Milk Stout.

5.1 % ABV, 24 IBU. Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN.

Dark brown, just about black, fully opaque, with a toasted brown head that slowly, softly crumbles. 

In the nose: Sweet cocoa notes hit first, followed by espresso traces. Mainly malty, sleek, smooth. 

In the mouth: Boarding the palate, it's a well-balanced affair, roasted malt and cocoa sweetness. Medium-bodied, creamy, easily consumed. Sweetness lingers on in the finish. Tasty little milk stout, here. 

When the Pan Motor Company opened in 1917, it was home to the largest drop forge west of Chicago. This beer is made with British malts and various roasted and chocolate malts. These roasted and chocolate malts give this beer a glorious chocolate taste with a hint of caramel. The addition of lactose (milk sugar) which is not fermentable by brewer’s yeast gives this brew the classic sweet taste that milk stouts are known for.