Dave's BrewFarm Fennel No. 5

Dave's BrewFarm Fennel No. 5. Not the fifth Fennel, but a reference to the famous fragrance.
Wilson, Wisconsin. 5.9% ABV.

Clear, amber-ish coloring, slim, soon-gone head.

Aniseed in the nose. Sweet and spicy, malt rich. The seed subsists.

In the mouth, the anise is not nearly as prevalent. Definitely an herbaceous flavor over any other. Smooth, easy-drinking, lean body, light malt flavors. Sweetness, ending dry.
Practically no hop presence. Caraway? Flax? Trying to pick what else I may tasting....Coriander? A touch minty, maybe?

I like this. It's a fun experiment, as are a lot of things from The LaBrewaTory. But, I couldn't see myself returning to it often.

Here's the official word from Farmer Dave: "Ever brewed with fennel?" Many new beers start with this question. We have Pils and Extra Special Malts, Aurora and select hops and a late addition of toasted fennel. Fermented with a lager yeast."

Indeed LSD Honey Ale

Nearly five years after this was first posted,
here is LSD, now called Lavender, Sunflower
Honey and Dates (thanks, Federal Government!)
in it's current form. It's still just as good. 

Here's one that we tapped a few days ago, and I'm just getting to a pint of it today. I bought a bottle some time ago, but am holding on to it. And I've had this beer in a previous version, when Josh created it for Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery. MTHB owner Pete Rifakes was kind enough to allow Josh to brew it at Indeed, and keep the name and recipe. The L stands for Lavender, the S for Sunflower honey, and the D for dates. LSD from Indeed. It's very innocent, nothing any stoner would be interested in. We swear.

Time to get into this pint....

Gorgeous amber coloring, nearing on orange, reaching towards crimson, with a lasting, creamy, off-white head. Looks great.

Aroma is heavenly, honestly. Absurdly floral and perfumey. Ridiculously lovely. Some of the other ingredients, the dates and honey,  lurk below. Devastatingly pretty nose.

Taste: Spices hang hardest over a medium bodied ale. There's sweetness aplenty, and not much in the way of bitter. Hops have a small role to play here, and malts stand their ground, and keep it all solid. The extra ingredients take care of the flavor, and it's a taste that nearly can't be described. Dark fruits, honey, and beautiful botanicals make something terrifically tasty, utterly unheard of, has to be tasted to be believed. Not too strong, either, just the slightest buzz going on.

Now, we will go back in time, and look at what I first wrote when I took a growler of this home from Town Hall, back in October of 2009. Spoiler alert: you may find some thoughts and phrases repeated, although I did not read the old review before writing the new one. Also it should be noted that this brew won a silver  medal for Town Hall at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado, in the herbal ale category.



Here goes: "LSD

Hazy copper hue, standard beige head o' foam.

Aroma is absolutely unheard of...floral, herbal, sweet, and singing. The loveliness of lavender and honey (sunflower honey, no less) kept in check with the depth of dates. That's got to be it. It's gorgeous. Sublime.

Now, to drink,...soft and supple. Lean-bodied, but with a strong flavor and a lasting finish. Lean texture, too, but the combinant flavors are so well integrated and make such a beautiful blend, it's a darned near perfect mix.

While this is sweet, delicious, super-tasty, yum, yum...I'm missing my hops."

I am missing my hops. But I'm very happy with the beer, and highly recommend it's loveliness to all.

Indeed Sweet Yamma Jamma sweet potato ale

Sweet Yamma Jamma, Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"We chefed up something special for fall with Sweet Yamma Jamma, a spiced sweet potato ale. Brewed with pulverized sweet potatoes, candied yams, and a special blend of spices, Yamma Jamma is full of flavors and aroma that pair well with fall colors and crisp nights. 5% ABV, 10 IBU, Style: Sweet Potato Ale.

Lightly hazed, copper-y, amber coloring, under a full, flush, stable head of off-white head.

Aroma: sweet and vegetal, little hops, much malt. Some spices, but which exactly, I'm not sure. Maybe cinnamon, allspice, a touch of clove? The fruit is biggest, though.

Taste: Mmmm, yeah. If I didn't know what this was, I'd guess it was a pumpkin ale, because the flavors are so similar. Large, plump, lush flavor of the gourd, whether yam or what have you, it's big and in it deep. 

I know what people may be thinking: Oh, my God, a Sweet Potato Ale, that's got to be weird, right? I've never heard of that, it's unfamiliar, I'm scared, oooo….Ooooo!

Yeah, that's how they talk, that's how they are…

But, this…this is nice. Here's a way to celebrate the season without being a conformist. I like that. I was skeptical, as well, about a sweet potato ale, but the drinking quits all doubts. Yum. Sweet, but not too much, good balance (I think this will be a common thread with Indeed…with some exceptions…), and utter deliciousness. Mmmm, tasty. I could drink it and drink it. 

But, not 9% alcohol, that may be where they went wrong, he asks, facetiously.