Sisyphus It’s Not On the Menu Double Barrel Imperial Stout

 Sisyphus It’s Not On the Menu Double Barrel Imperial Stout. Buffalo Trace & J. Carver Bourbon barrels.

13.5 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis , Minnesota.

For much of 2022, there was a special beer on tap at Sisyphus that you could only order if you were, you know, in the know. At last, I’m sitting down with a bottle of It’s Not on the Menu. 

Solid ebony, strictly opaque, brief brown head. 

In the nose: molasses, cocoa, caramel, vanilla and whiskey all the way. Charcoal and cherry. Smoke and oak. 

In the mouth: bombardment of riches deployed upon the palate. Much deliciousness. Super double massive attack. Cocoa and caramel, roast and toast. Low bitterness, but sweet is kept in check, too. Big and balanced. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom. 

All the goodness unfolds deliciously. Cherry and chocolate wrapped up in bourbon. Layers and layers of delight. 

I may need to buy a few more of these. A speakeasy double bba ris, utterly unmarketed, is a magical thing. A wonderful, magical thing. 

Sisyphus Room Flip Hazy New England IPA

Sisyphus Room Flip Hazy New England IPA.

6.8 % ABV, 50 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Crystal clear, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Popping with citrus notes, orange and grapefruit, with trickles of tropical. 

In the mouth: Juicy from the start, turning dry in the end. Hop explosion on the palate. A brief blast of bitterness, then all is mellow and cool. Smooth and tasty. An utterly enjoyable IPA, even if it misses the bitterness. 

But, that's okay, this is in the New England style, after all. But, hazy? Missing it there, not that I care. Best of both worlds, but it doesn't beat the bitter boys that Sam brews. As is, I can dig it. 

Sisyphus Nick's Double IPA

Sisyphus Nick's Double IPA.

8.5% ABV, 95 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Dank stuff from the start, and resinous, too boot. Big citrus, grapefruit and tangerine. 

In the mouth: Juicy, fruity, and plenty bitter. Lots of hops at play on the palate. Bright and shiny, an abundance of flavors, a marching band and a carnival rolling up in one dancing in the mouth. Crisp, clean, lean-bodied, fruit forward, heavy on the bitterness, and a pure, hoppy delight. This is just what I want in a double IPA.

And it's only the second time I've had it (well, third, counting at the taproom last week...no, fourth, because I had two.) This was originally released four years ago under the name Big Wet Baby. Sam found the recipe in his files, named it after the brewer, but didn't want to release it with that silly name, and here we have Nick's Double IPA. I'm not crazy about that one. But, one re-naming is once enough. 

Sisyphus Tilt Warning DDH NE IPA

 Sisyphus Tilt Warning DDH NE IPA.

6.8% ABV, Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

I hear you. Hey, Al, aren’t you boycotting the haze? Isn’t this your least favorite style? Even Steve said so, as I was buying it. Well, this is Sisyphus’ version, so I’m trying it out. What, was I going to buy two crowlers of Bottlecap Mosaic?

So. Lightly hazy, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: nicely hopped. Citrus and stone fruit. 

In the mouth: hoppy, fruity flavors spilling on the palate. Apricot meets grapefruit. Minor bitterness. Good dose of malt. Smallest touch of sweetness. Very pleasant, and lacking what I look for in an IPA. Luckliy, Sam still makes the kind I like. 

Yeah, this has good hoppy flavors, but is bereft of all bitterness, so I will avoid it on tap. If that’s what you like, though, go ahead, knock yourself out. 

Sisyphus Super Peanut Butter Jackpot

Sisyphus Super Peanut Butter Jackpot.

12.5 % ABV. 60 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Solid blackness, slim brown head. 

In the nose: Sweetness. Peanuttiness. Who put peanuts in my butter? And add to that a good deal of chocolate/cocoa. Tons of dark malty goodness, and a touch bittersweet, but leaning on more sweet than bitter. 

In the mouth: More of the same and then some. Safe Lady to the Extreme. Dark, decadent, deep, delicious. Full bodied and then some. Rich, earthy, malty, chocolate, espresso, and peanut butter. Massively major. Big and beefy with booze spilling out. Oh, is it only 12.5 %? Izzat ahhl? HIC!

This one has it all. The Super Jackpot. Peanut Butter meets Imperial Stout for the win. Well-balanced, all parts are in their proper place. Not too much sweet, not too much peanut butter, it's allll-right. 

Imperial Stout with Coffee/PB/Vanilla

Sisyphus Citra Town Wanderers Pale Ale

Sisyphus Citra Town Wanderers Pale Ale.

5.1 % ABV, 57 IBU, Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, amber hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus and gingerbread, marmalade on toast. 

In the mouth: Juicy on the palate, moderate bitterness, classic citrus hop character. All the good ones are in this, and the malt profile is classic caramel malt, crisp and crackery. Classic pale ale drinkability, too. This one has it all, in perfect style. Loaded with bright, hoppy flavors, balance, and character. This is an ideal pale ale, equal amounts of lively, citrusy hops and grounded, earthy malt, with a touch of spice. Refreshing and delicious. Yum a dum dum. 

Come on you Loons! Love MNUFC? So do we! We brewed this Citra/Cascade Pale Ale in collaboration with Hop Clouds/Dark Clouds, a Minnesota United supporter's club. A super drinkable classic Pale Ale that goes best watching Bebelo make some insane passes.

Sisyphus Flagship IPA

 

Sisyphus Flagship IPA.

8% ABV, 100 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

And here we have a beer from Sisyphus that, according to Untappd, I have enjoyed seven times over the past year or so, one of those from a crowler at home, yet I have not reviewed it yet. Was I under the assumption that it was the same as the beer previously called West Coast IPA, and that I shouldn't review it twice? Looking back, it seems that I edited my original post when the name was changed to Back to the Past IPA, a name change that I disliked, for I don't want that style to be considered a "thing of the past." Maybe Sam agreed with this assessment and changed the name again? Or, maybe it is a different beer? 

I am going to give this beer, new or recycled, a review though, out of the goodness of my heart. What if a dear reader wishes to search this blog for my thoughts on Flagship and comes away wanting? 

Also, this may be a good point to share a little list I compiled, out of curiosity, of the the breweries that appear here in the Nib the most, which, naturally makes them my favorites, if not now, then, at least, historically. Number one is no surprise: Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, at 199. 2: Oliphant, 132. 3: Surly, 127. And #4: Sisyphus, 106. I must like this place. Or., is it because they change the names of their beers, and I keep repeating them? 

Just for kicks, here's the rest of the Top Ten: 5: Dave's BrewFarm, 84. 6: New Belgium, 69. 7:Summit, 66. 8: Venn, 62. 9. Wild Mind, 61. 10: Sierra Nevada, 60. Want to see the Top, I dunno, 50? Maybe later. 

(By the way, this list does not mean that I like Summit, for instance, better than, say, Ommegang, or De Dolle, or Samuel Smith's. It's just that I've had 66 opportunities to talk about them over the past 10 years, for whatever reason, through whatever circumstance. And of course, I try not to actually name or play any favorites.)

On with the beer:

Perfectly clear, golden/amber hue, slim, soon settled, ivory head. 

In the nose: Bright, hoppy, citrus and pine. Orange, lime, grapefruit. 

In the mouth: Powerful bitterness from the jump, big, fat, dank and resinous juicy-oosy, and ultimately dry and satisfying. Hop flavors lean hard on the palate and last a long, long time, stretching through the finish. Medium bodied, relentlessly hoppy, easily enjoyable to a dedicated hop-head like me. This perfectly embodies the style and is right in my wheelhouse. 

I just now peeked at the post for Back to the Past West Coast IPA, and these two are certainly cut from the same cloth, if not actual duplicates. Forgive this repeat, I beg of you. After all, it didn't cost you nothing. 

Sure, you could move to California and drink a bunch of great IPA. But think of the traffic! The earthquakes! The hippies! Why not just stay here in Minnesota and enjoy this pine-forward, bitter West Coast style IPA? Much better.

And you know what? I really appreciate the lack of snark and sarcasm. West Coast IPA is a good thing, and not something to be smirked about ironically. 

Sisyphus Limited Resource DDH NE IPA

Sisyphus Limited Resource DDH NE IPA.

7.4 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

All hazed out. Bright orange hue. Large, pillowy white head. 

In the nose: Slight sweetness, minor bitterness. Waves of citrus. 

In the mouth: On the palate, a duet of sweet and bitter. Citrus fruit associations grab the tongue and smoothly glide away. Tropical notes take their turn, too, a blast of guava, passionfruit, et al. Fair amount of that yeasty fuzziness typical of the NE style takes over the character of the brew, but all in all it's a well-balanced, juicy NE-style IPA that I'm liking. 

Could use more bitterness for my taste, but that's what I always say. And that wouldn't make it a good NE IPA, now, would it? 

That crowler will be crushed in no time, I guarantee it. 

Sisyphus Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout Season w/toasted coconut

 Sisyphus Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout Season w/toasted coconut.

12 % ABV. 50 IBU. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Complete blackness, utter opacity, slim brown head. 

In the nose: rich and nutty. Coconutty. Bourbon barrel catches up. Just for a second, then toasted coconut comes back in command. Mounds bar aromatics, here. If you love coconut, this is your jam.

In the mouth: Coconut starts it off, but whiskey comes up from behind and takes over. It's a complex melange, and it's never too sweet. Just dark enough, malty enough, and maybe more than strong enough. I am strongly compelled to call this yum a dum dum. And I just might, you watch me. 

Yum, is what this is, a dum, dum. 

Sisyphus Wizard Mode Hazy NE IPA

Sisyphus Wizard Mode Hazy NE IPA.

6.8 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Hazy, bright golden hue, long-lasting ivory head. Looking nice. 

In the nose: Mellow citrus, floral, tropical aromatics. 

In the mouth: Sweet and juicy at first, with moderate bitterness eventually entering the stage. Just enough hop bitterness to keep my tongue tantalized. Citrus, orange and lemon, with a touch of mango/guava. Delicious. Smooth. Exquisitely drinkable. Tasty, tasty. Ending on a dry note. 

Very likable. I will, in fact, dub it to be: Yum A Dum Dum. 

Sisyphus Scott's Oatmeal Raison Cookie Porter

Sisyphus Scott's Oatmeal Raison Cookie Porter.
7.5 % ABV. 20 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Complete darkness, absolute opacity, slimmest of heads.

In the nose: Malt first, then cinnamon creeps in. Next, the raisins.  Nice.

In the mouth: Spice and fruit blast the palate together, cinnamon and raisins charge the senses. Warm, rich malt backs it up. Quite tasty. Sweet, spicy, fruity, strong. All things that I like. Chewy, full bodied, rich and delicious. I'm liking this more and more as I drink it.

I don't like that it's being called a "pastry porter", though. Even if that fits. Cookies aren't really "pastry", technically, are they? First time I've seen these guys use "pastry" anything. I thought they were off the hook. Milkshakes, peanut butter, pastries...where does it end, the infantilization of beer...? Where does it stop?

They're (not Sisyphus...yet...jk) doing popsicle beers, and creamsicle beers, ...where's the Kool-Aid beer? Don't tell me, I don't want to know.

Scott's a regular and he had a beer idea - an oatmeal raisin cookie porter. So we made it for him! Brewed with 30 pounds of Raisins, 100 pounds of Oats, and a dose of cinnamon. Just like grandma used to make - the homebrewing grandma's anyways. 

Sisyphus Neverlasting Gobstopper with Key Lime and Guava

Sisyphus Neverlasting Gobstopper with Key Lime and Guava.
3% ABV. 20 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazed, pale yellow/green color, slim head.

In the nose: Tart, fruity, key lime in charge.

In the mouth: Bracingly sour at the start, big puckering, with key lime screaming out of the gate. Washes down nice and easy, with a little salt at the end, finishing nice and dry. Light bodied, easy drinking. Guava lurks far behind the key lime flavor, but it's there. If this were "only" key lime, it might be too much lime for my taste.


Good sour ale, though, if you like 'em limey and salty.

Inspiration for beers and beer names can come from all sorts of places. In this case, our sour beer "Neverlasting Gobstopper", comes from one of my favorite movies from my childhood, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Everyday I come to work and brew beer I feel like Willy Wonka, but just because of the messed up things we do to people on our tours. Infused with Key Lime and Guava.

Sisyphus Jim Beam Me Up Barrel-aged RIS (and part four of Minneapolis Breweries 2020)

On June 27, after La Dona, Jason and I stepped into Sisyphus as the third stop on this sunny Saturday afternoon. It was a quiet one. Andy was behind the bar and Sam, the owner, was enjoying time away from that station. It's been a one-man show throughout all of this, and he keeps pushing that rock, every damned day (except Monday, I learned when I forgot to check the hours). He gets a little help from friends, though. And every one of them is masked-up, gloves on, hand sanitizer at the ready (and available for customers, who are asked to please keep masks on when ordering or when away from their tables. Just about everyone complies.

Unfortunately, there's not much space available for outside seating, and they were thrilled to finally open up the inside. Some tables are removed, some chairs and those things we can't communally touch any more, like water stations and the game collection, are stashed away. On this particular visit, I had a Cucumber Pils, which went down with great ease, and then one of the bourbon barrel stouts in question, poured into plastic. I've noticed it's about half and half when it comes to who's using plastic and who's using glass. The very vague rules and regulations are being interpreted differently, and I can't blame anyone about their particular take. Maybe the ones who are too strict on the "reservations required" business. That's not a factor at Sisyphus, and I'm fine with that.

Comedy shows have returned, with required spacing, but the Open Mic, one of their best event nights of the week, is still postponed.

I asked Sam to break his plastic only rule, just
this once, so I could take this pic.

So, on that Saturday, Jason and I did air-clinks with our beers, he took leave and biked the three hours back to his home, and I finished my stay with an IPA called The First Beer We Named, which I reviewed almost five years ago. I made it back again last Wednesday, and Sam was thrilled at the attendance. Actually, people in here! And all socially distanced, respectful, and courteous. Not as busy as it used to be, in the before times, but getting better.

And I'll pair this report with a review of a crowler took home back on June 12. Nearly a month in the fridge ain't bad, right? It's actually appeared here, before, but this is my take on it from a crowler.



Sisyphus Jim Beam Me Up Barrel-aged RIS.
11.5 % ABV. 80 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Absolute blackness, slim head, complete opacity.

In the nose: spills out solid bourbon notes, hanging over a morass of cocoa, coffee, vanilla, cherries, and an abundance of more malty flavors.

In the mouth: Rich and delicious. Bourbon-barrely all the way. Powerful. Thick, but never too viscous. Full-bodied, long lasting dark malt flavors. It's got all the goods.

We're giving this beer all she's got captain! Better "Jim Beam Me Up" Our latest barrel aged beer release! This imperial stout was aged in a Jim Beam barrel, and the robust aroma lets you know before you even taste it. 

Tons of vanilla and roast notes, that follow you as you take your first sip. The taste finishes with a nice rich cracker/bread note that rounds out the beer. Come in from the Minnesota cold and warm up with one of these!

Sisyphus Helles Yeah Helles Lager

Sisyphus Helles Yeah Helles Lager.
4.5 % ABV. 15 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

I've said it over and over again, but maybe you weren't there when the memo went out. I'm not that much of a lager lover. But, sometimes, the time is right for one. And I felt that tonight was the night to try out the helles lager from Sisyphus.

Clear, golden-hued, slim white head.

in the nose: Lightly hopped, floral, touch of malt sweetness.

In the mouth: Light bodied, smooth, easy-drinking. Low hop bitterness, touch of sweet malt/cereal grain flavors. Just a whisper on the palate, then off she goes. Thirst quencher, indeed. Damn, that's a nice helles.

You guys aren't open, what the helles wrong with you? We still want to get you this thirst quenching beer with our curbside ordering. Come grab one, two, or 12 crowlers to get you through this work week.

Contrary to what the above states, Sisyphus Brewing is open again, and it feels fine to sit down at a bar once more and relax with fine craft beer in hand. A little pinball. Chat with Sam for a bit. The prospect of slowly returning to normalcy. Little bit, by little bit.

Sisyphus Ends Justify the Beans Coffee Stout

Sisyphus Ends Justify the Beans Coffee Stout.
8.5 % ABV. 30 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Thoroughly black in color, slim cocoa-tinged head atop.

In the nose: Dark malts dominate, coffee notes and cola hints.

In the mouth: Beans are popping in the flavor. Rich and roasty malts. Coffee on top with a hit of chocolate on the side. It's not intense or overpowering, it's just right. Tasty stuff, here. Full-bodied, full-flavored, quite satisfactory. I'm liking this more and more as we finish off the crowler.

(Although, thinking back, I regret not using my Sisyphus coffee mug for the illustration.)

You gotta make the coffee beer, by any means necessary. This thick, sweet stout is infused with 5 lbs of fresh roasted Dogwood Coffee.

Sisyphus Milli Vanilla Porter

Sisyphus Milli Vanilla Porter. 8.5 % ABV.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Full-on blackish. Slim head. Utmost opacity.

In the nose: Slightly sweet mixing with dark malts. Chocolate, espresso, caramel.

In the mouth: Slightly sweet, ultimately dry. Dark malts expressed with cocoa, caramel, coffee, and just a hint of vanilla. I'm enjoying this. It's just enough and never too much. Sweet and delicious. Never too much and just enough. Wait, did I say this, or did I just say it backwards?

Maybe the 8.5 % is getting to my head?

All in all, thoroughly enjoyable. I like a moderate amount of subtlety now and then.

And, of course, there is only one piece of music to hear while drinking this one:

It's a Vanilla Porter, minus the career ending Lip-Syncing. Trust your senses with this one and enjoy the half pound of vanilla beans that this sweet porter was conditioned on. If you were born before 1995, Milli Vanilli was a popular early 90's band.

Sisyphus OPA (2) with Grapefruit

Sisyphus OPA (2) with Grapefruit.
6.2 % ABV. 62 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazy, bright golden, small ivory head above.

In the nose: Grapefruit looms large in this one, other citrus notes lurk below. Fiercely hoppy. Nice.

Inn the mouth: Big and juicy, robust hop bite, intense bitterness, then nothing but smooth, crisp, clean, and flavorful. Super clean. Light and malty. This is a good pale ale and you can drink it. With grapefruit.

This beer is  best consumed by the light of the grapefruit moon:

Sisyphus BA Peanut Butter Jackpot

Sisyphus BA Peanut Butter Jackpot.
10 % ABV. 55 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Solid blackness, slim brownish ring of foam.

In the nose: peanut butter pops on top, sweetness abounds, massive malt lurks below.

In the mouth: On the palate, whiskey is tops. Coming on thick, rich, lush. Dark, deep, and delicious. Chocolate and coffee flavors rise up to topple the peanut butter. Good dose of sweetness, just a touch of bitter, lots of balance. Full body, long finish. It's a good mix here.

This one really hit the spot. I let the notes above stand as I luxuriated in this one, indulging in some late night TV, before shuffling off to slumber.
"Look out, Baby Yoda, look out!"
Oh, no...no spoilers.

Sisyphus Stock Photos IPA

Sisyphus Stock Photos IPA. 6.8 % ABV, 60 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Lightly hazy, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus and pine, nice and dank. Remember when we used that word? That was fun, wasn't it?

In the mouth: Brisk and bitter at the start, with a fresh twist of fruity and juicy. Bright and citrusy, fresh and lively. Medium bodied, and refreshingly drinkable. It's right on the money.

Just delightful, this one. It's got all the right hops in all the right order. Giving me exactly what I want. More beers like this, please, and thank you, Sisyphus.

Our newest beer is now in stock... Stock Photos that is! Get it? Yeah, I know it's cheesy. Almost as cheesy as our stock photos on our Instagram - go check them out! This IPA has a hefty dose of Mosiac, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops.

Sisyphus Brandy Barrel-aged Weeliam Wallace Wee Heavy

Sisyphus Brandy Barrel-aged Weeliam Wallace Wee Heavy.
9 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Rich, mahogany-hued, slim head.

In the nose: the brandy and the booze comes spilling out. Barrel business covers over everything else.

In the mouth: Bigness upon bigness. Sweetness, thick maltiness, flavors upon flavors. Big bad brandy barrel smothers all, covering an otherwise big beer. Caramel and toffee all over the place. Altogether delicious. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Needless to say, I'm liking this immensely.