Lynlake Big Dill JSB (Japanese Special Bitter)

Notes from Tuesday, August 11, 4:04 A.M.:


There's this beer at the LynLake Brewery called Big Dill. They're calling it a JSB, or Japanese Special Bitter, because it uses the Sorachi Ace hop instead of traditional English hops. I liked it so much that I bought a mini-growler, or "roadie", as they call it, but I won't.

Appearance: clear, bronze-toned, with a rich, lush, creamy, off-white head.

Aroma: Oh. That's why they call it "Big Dill." It's Dill-icious, it's Dill-ightful, it's Dill-lovely. Vegetal, herbal, hardly any of the typical hop esters and aromatics. A little briny. And I kind of like it.

Taste: There's a slight bitterness gracing the palate. more of that odd dill flavor, then the stage is set for the malt to shine. Just a little bit of caramel and toffee, a touch of sweetness, and a whole lot of smooth. I've got to say that this is unlike any beer I've ever had. And I kind of dig it.

Lagunitas Pils Czech Pilsner

Lagunitas Pils. We had this one on tap a few months ago, and all I had to to was drink a pint and snap a pic, and I would have added my old notes back then. Didn't, and the keg drained quickly. Well, another bottle has found it's way to my fridge, and I hate to dis a sample, but that's the way it goes, and after having it again, I have to agree with my opinions from July of 2003:

Appearance: clear, bright golden color, active carbonation, with a thick, fluffy, bone-white head, which softly sizzles down to size.

Nose is dry, wide open and suggestive of absolutely nothing in particular, or at all.

Light and smooth, just right for a lager, but bad for a self-described "Czech-style pilsener." For one thing, very little hops are felt, and additionally, dryness is missing. Instead the flavor is bland, bald, and lagery sweet. I keep waiting for some dry hoppiness to emerge and assert itself through this treacly murk, something that may indicate a true "Czech-style Pilsner" profile, but, alas, it never does.

Again, far too thick and sweet...nice try, but you missed.

Sorry, but it just doesn't work for me.

Bent Paddle Lollygagger Pale Ale

Notes from Monday, July 27, 10:52 P.M.


Bent Paddle Lollygagger Pale Ale. Alc. /Vol. 5.2%.

Appearance: clear, bright golden, long-lasting ivory head, looking fine.

Aroma: All tings good and citus-y. Lemon and lime, orange and pineapple. A touch of floral and altogether delightful.

Taste: Bitterness boards the palate at first, bursts on board, then fades back, but lingers in for the long haul. Bitter bite, then smooth and mellow. Citric buzz hangs in hard in the back, but nothing troubles the drinker throughout the drink. Quenchable all the way. Medium to light-bodied, almost creamy, without missing the hops.

I like this. A nearly perfect pale ale, which means it's a good beer and you can drink it. This is can #6 of the 6-pack, I held on to the last to take the notes. Which is another way to say that I downed the first five way too fast.

This is a charitable beer, which may be why it's such a pleaser. Let's let the can copy tell us about it: "Community and partnerships are a large part of how Bent Paddle rolls. We have partnered with local manufacturers Loll Designs to create this flavorful West Coast style pale ale. We are dedicating 5% of our sales to our local cycling organization COGGS ( "Cyclists of Gitchee Gummee Shores") to help them reach their goal to create the first 100+ mile system of singletrack all within an urban environment--the Duluth Traverse Bike System."

Sisyphus The First Beer That We Named IPA

Sisyphus Brewing's The First Beer That We Named. None of the other beers had names, apparently. Just styles. I thought they were named after their styles, but I guess I was wrong. It's 7% ABV, 83 IBUs, and I'm pretty sure it's some kind of IPA. I've had it a couple of times, and I liked it more each time. Maybe I'll like it even more tonight? Let's crack the crowler and find out...

Appearance: hazy, golden/amber coloring. large and lasting, creamy white head. Looks great.

Aroma: Everything you want in a bright, citrus-y IPA is right here in the nose. Vibrant orange and lemon, a little grapefruit. Lively floral notes. Just about right on the money. Just a little piney, too, in fact.

Taste: Bam! An explosion of hops pounds on the palate, spreading citric flavors and bitterness about. Citrus zest is delivered in force with each new sip and swallow. Bam! Pow! Zazz! (Zazz?) (Yeah, zazz, and also gazork.)
Medium/light bodied, long, bitter finish. Succulent, this one. And satisfying. Just about right on the money, I'd say. (wait, I already said it. So, I said it twice. Worse things have happened.)

Fair State Pahlay' Ahlay Pale Ale

Notes from Tuesday, August 4, 3:53 A.M.


Fair State Pahlay' Ahlay, Pale Ale. I assume. Fair State Co-op. Minneapolis, Minnesota. IBU 45. ABV 4.8%.

Appearance: clouded, bright golden-hued, large, white head, leaving lacing.

Aroma: bright and citrus-y, lemon and lime. Beautiful.

Taste: light, bright, and lovely. Doing what's got to be done. Bracing bitterness at first, then all is mellow thereafter. Mango and pineapple. It drinks down a dream, for certain. Drinkability is supreme. A right on the money pale ale. Does what it's supposed to do, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Is there gobbledygook? Yes. ""Pale ale (get it?) brewed with citra hops for a tropical fruit explosion. Mahalo, y'all."

Is there more? Yes. "We believe in happy ours. At Fair State Brewing, our cooperative model puts the mutual love  between craft brewer and patron to work to create something that truly belongs to us all. It's our belief that quality beers can build infinite community. Cheers!"

Olvalde Farm Rise of the Burghers and the fall of the feudal lords

Notes written August 14, 2015. 2:20 A.M. (why so early?)

Olvalde Farm Rise of the Burghers and the Fall of the Feudal Lords, ale brewed with natural flavors, lightly hopped, unfermented, refermented in the bottle. Olvalde Farm and Brewing Company, Rollingstone, Minnesota.

Appearance: thoroughly hazed, bright golden coloring, large white head that drifts down to nil in no time.

Aroma: Tartness first, wild and crazy, horse blanket on parade. Funky stuff. Imperceptible hops, mild malt.

Taste: Whoa. Crazy, funky, wild, and fresh. Sour, for sure. Fruit lurks below, citrus and stone. There was nothing on the label to prepare me for this wild character, nor did I remember anything I heard or read, and I am liking it. Brisk, refreshing, crisp and delicious. All of a sudden, I'm starting to taste the hops a little, the malt is showing off, but nothing at the expense of the sour. Lemon starts to shine, then along comes a glimpse of pine.

Rise of the Burghers is ridiculously good. I'm practically in love with it. Where have you been all my life, I wonder. And I've still got half of the bottle left to enjoy. It can only get better.

Surly 1349 Pale Ale

Hey, check it out, another Surly beer that I've notated upon in the past month, unable to reveal to you until now. It's another ...well, you'll get the picture once you read these notes...from July 22, 2015, at 3:44 A.M.

Surly/Lervig 1349 Pale Ale. Alc. 6.66% by Vol. (naturally.) Brewed and bottled by Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center, MN.

Hmmm. Another collaboration with a Scandanavian brewer, another beer inspired by a heavy metal band. Ho hum. Get out of your rut, Surly! Make a beer with an Argentinean brewery, inspired by a barbershop quartet.

This is one of two 1349 beers, the Pale one. Okay, the wax is off, the cap removed, the ale in the glass. Let's drink:

Appearance: clear, bright golden, slimmish, but lasting chalk white head.

Aroma: Lovely, lovely piney and citric hop notes hit first. Tropical tones are ushered in next, Pineapple, orange, mango, guava. Soft, supple, sensuous.

Taste: Again, bittersweet hop notes board the palate first, some floral tones, too, but fruit remains dominant. Lean, that is to say, light-bodied. Exquisitely drinkable. Bright and beautiful citrus and tropical fruit notes explode on the tongue. Bitterness remains steadfast, holding strong, but falters or wavers or edges into the realm of the overbearing. It's high hopping reminds one of double IPAs, but the moderate alcohol level keeps it from becoming one.

There's some grandiose verbiage on the back of the bottle, urging us to revel in the Dionysian pleasure(!). A lot of gobbledygook. It does introduce a new word to me, one I'm aching to understand: "feinschmacker." I'm not sure what that means, but I know they've been called worse.

Oh, yes. It's good beer, and you can drink it. But, I don't think it's worth $15 a bottle. I've seen the Dark Ale going for $20. Bring it down, guys, they can't all stand with Darkness.

Indeed Wooden Soul #1

 notes from 12:40 A.M. Tuesday, July 28.

Indeed Wooden Soul #1.

the last time I was at Indeed Brewing's taproom, and I wanted to take home a growler, it was Wooden Soul #2. I stopped in the other day, a Sunday, and lo and behold #1 was available. $15 for the 750 ml. It's high for what I like to pay for a 750 ml bottle, really high for a growler. But I wanted it, and I bought it, so here I am ready to drink it, and find out all about it. Join me, won't you?

Appearance: hazed and golden, with some flotation devices detected, and a slim white cap atop. Looks fine if funky.

Aroma: fairly screams wildness from afar, but let's go in deep for a real examination. I'm picking up the essence and the oak of a white wine barrel, with the sharpness and strangeness of a wild yeast strain. Feline eliminations. The scent of a barn animal's pajamas. The very aromatics of where the horse hangs his head. And I like it.

Taste: Not much from hops at all, but the yeast twist kicks in right away. I'm unsure what the base beer is here, and I can only guess it began with some Belgian style, which this brewery doesn't do all that much. Just kind of makes some sense, though. Wicked, weird, tart, wild, crazy. Superlatives like that spin out with ease, but a mystery remains. Rich, tasty malt bottom. Tingly yeast flavors continue to delight. It's never too anything, though, thankfully. Not too strange, not too sour, but delivering the right amount of everything.

I can't remember what sets this apart from number 2, just as I currently don't know what #1 really is, either. I'll go to the website and it will all be revealed, I hope. But if this one is the start of their barrel-aging/sour program, they're on the right track.

Surly Todd the Axe Man IPA

Surly Todd the Axe Man. India Pale Ale. Originally brewed by the Danish brewery Amager in honor of Todd Haug and his musical skill. The bottles that were imported here sold out quickly and were never seen again. It wouldn't be like Omar or Todd to make a beer and name it after themselves. They merely re-created Amager's tribute and kept the self-aggrandizing name. Nothing wrong with that. And now, it's in cans, and now I'm drinking one. "Beer to shred your face, in a can." Let's see if my face gets shredded.

1 pint, 7.2 % alc. by vol.

Appearance: Lightly hazed, bright golden/amber-hued, solid ivory head, leaving a little lace.

Aroma: Ah, there's the stuff, that's the spark. A bit of tropical fruit character is mixed in with the usual citric suspects. Some pineapple and mango to match orange and grapefruit. The gentlest whiff of cat pee takes time with the scent of the pine forest floor. Some floral meets the fruit, and it's quite lovely. (Gosh, that didn't sound metal at all....perhaps I should imagine it reminds me of great suffering and horrible pain? Conjures images of demonic hordes and rivers of blood, etc., etc?)

Taste: Fierce flood of hoppy delights ensues from the onset. Nice and bright, aggressive, assertive, all
the wonderful things you want from a big and bold IPA. "Wonderful things"? How utterly un-metal of me. How about: "fills the fateful warrior with the pleasure one only gets from vanquishing foes underfoot and defiling their families with vileness and violence." Man, I should go to Munster, Indiana and work for Three Floyds.

Hops deliver the goods, but the bright, buoyant Golden Promise malts really do the trick with this one. Medium-bodied, long, bitter finish. Tasty as heck. Incredibly enjoyable. No, I can do better than that. "Rewarding as the moment of perpetrating unthinkable evils upon an unworthy world." Hmmm. Not great. I shouldn't write heavy metal lyrics.

Hey, look, there's some gobbledygook, let's find out how Surly sells it. "The Axeman Cometh. Amager Brewery in Denmark named this beer after our head brewer and heavy metal guitarist Todd Haug. They collaborated to make an IPA with hop character as intense as a thrash metal guitar. Golden Promise malt provides a blastbeat background to the screaming citrus notes created by overdriven amounts of citra and mosaic hops. Pour this in a tulip glass and let the aromas and flavors assault your senses."

Where the heck have I been?

Perhaps you're wondering where I've been these past few weeks. It's not like this faithful blogger to go missing for so long. It's simple: I'm locked out of my technological loop.

The MacBookPro that I normally used for writing, publishing, editing photos, etc. just plumb stopped working. Haven't been able to find a way to get all my data on a new machine, or get the old one fixed just yet. Doesn't mean I haven't been writing. Notes on 14 beers rest on the desktop of my 11-year old eMac, and pics sit inside my iPod. Can't wait to show them to you! Soon...soon...

Though I should let you know in case you thought I fell off the face of the earth. And also so this vacant spot doesn't get hacked by Korean spammers. You never know what might happen.

Sisyphus BA Wild Brown Ale

Sisyphus Barrel-aged Wild Brown. 7.7% ABV. 67 IBU. Date: 7/6. And some other scribbles, something something, then /63. Huh.

Ever the jokesters, Sam & company at Sisyphus have wax-dipped their can growlers (crawlers) for the anniversary celebration. Someone asked me why, what purpose does the wax serve. Well, none, but neither does wax-dipping enhance bottles. It's all for show. Why not show it off on a can?

Appearance: dark brown coloring, with ruby highlights. Creamy tan head, slim ring that drifts down to nil.

Aroma: Wild and funky. Red wine barrel characteristics. Vinous, let's say, with notes of cherries and berries. Chocolate notes lurk just below.

Taste: Dark malt notes hit first, cocoa and raisins pop up, then the rich barrel-aged wine characteristics, and the twist of funkaliciousness. What a weird, wild, wonderful thing this is. Beautiful blended weird, wild, wonderfulness.  Not quite full bodied, smooth and tasty. A treat, for sure.

I don't know everything about this beer. What kind of barrel? Red wine, I think. What kind of wild yeast? Brett, I think. But, maybe I'm wrong? I'm sure I'll find some answers soon.

Tallgrass Ginger Peach Saison

Tallgrass Ginger Peach Saison, Ale with Ginger & Peaches. "The opening riff in our saison medley." Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas.

Appearance: fizzy, hazy, lush white head, lace-leaving.

Aroma: Big spice, plenty of the advertised ginger, with the fruit component rushing to catch up. Big ginger in this one. Fair warning.

Taste: Bright, bold, fiercely carbonated. Giant ginger flavoring, with peach not shy, neither. Any trace of "saison" is fully hidden. Spice character is nearly hot in it's intensity. Medium-bodied, clean and refreshing, but…not for me. I usually like what Tallgrass makes, but this is too much of some, but not enough of the other. File this one under "not again, thanks."

Indeed Dandy Lager

Indeed Dandy Lager Pale Lager. 5.4% ABV, 12 fluid ounce can, 40 IBU. "Noble, Crisp, Lively." "We Are Thirsty Creatures Indeed."

Appearance: Clear, bright yellow, lush ivory head, leaving lace.

Aroma: malty, cereal grain nose, little else, not much from hops. A little flowery.

Taste: Crisp, indeed. Zippy play on the palate, with a lasting malty mouthfeel. Hops are here, if they weren't detected in the nose. Light-bodied, with sufficiently full of character and charm. Lingering, pleasant hop bitterness hanging in there. Clean and refreshing, just right for summertime.

Dandy Lager is in classic German style, with pilsner and CaraHell malts, and all German hops: Hallertauer and Mandarina Bavaria, with a classic Czech lager yeast. This is being launched as a year-round and referred to as a flagship. (How many flagships can you have?) Though I have to say again that I'm not partial to this style, it;s hitting all the right marks, and has every chance of being a hit for Indeed.

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefe Weizen

It's time to be economical in beer buying, once more. And there's nothing that delivers like a Sierra Nevada sampler box. The summer version contains a Kolsch, a Pilsner called Nooner (they had a Nooner IPA previously, but what the heck, spread the name around), the hefe weizen called Kellerweis, and the Pale Ale, always with the Pale Ale, as if everyone hasn't already had it. So, is that 3 new beers for the blog? I was sure that I'd done the Keller Weis before, so sure that when we had it on tap at Acadia, I didn't taken notes. But a look through the blog shows no Kellerweis. Was I wrong? A peek at BeerAdvocate.com reveals these notes from August of 2009:


Sierra Nevada Kellerbrau (sic) HefeWeizen

Highly hazed, bright straw yellow color, big bountiful snowy white head.

Lemony aromatics at first, soft spice, light and lovely...creamy hefe weizen yeast in the nose.

Yummy wheat texture, mouthfeel, vast drinkability, enormous refreshment. Floods the mouth and thrills the senses. Light-to-medium bodied. Mellow. Great summer brew. I'll be stocking up while the heat's still ablazing.

Him. Quick and to the point, not spilling over in flowery phrases. Ain't nothing wrong with that. I did neglect to make notes about bananas as well as clove that is de rigeur these days. Can't catch 'em all.

Ommegang Game of Thrones Three Eyed Raven Dark Saison

Ommegang Game of Thrones Three Eyed Raven. Dark Saison Ale. 7.2% ABV.

Another corked and caged 750 ml tribute to the Game of Thrones, which I continue to know nothing about.

Appearance: dark coloring, vast, creamy, off-white head, leaving lace, looking good.

Aroma: sweet and malty, with light spicy, peppery notes. Saison yeast character begins to flower. Just the stuff.

Taste: Rich and malty, some dark fruit and cocoa notes. A little anise, perhaps. Some dates and figs. Smooth and highly drinkable. Low hops, plentiful saison yeast character, keeping this authentic and ever so tasty.

Does it taste like a three eyed raven, though, in some far-away magical kingdom? I wouldn't know. Still digging it, though.

Bauhaus Hairbanger Belgo APA

Another local brewery, another new beer in a can. Man, we love cans! Cans, cans, cans, let's drink 'em all up!

Bauhaus Hairbanger Belgo-style American Pale Ale. Toasty & tropical. One of their "Seasonal Curiousites." Also, "Limited Release." 5.5% ABV. 50 IBU. 16 oz. Proudly brewed by Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Enough of that, time for my first-ever "Belgo-APA." (Cause the Belgo IPA is so yesterday's news.)

Appearance: lightly hazed, bright amber coloring, slim white head atop.

Aroma: Sweet, funky, fruity Belgian yeast greets the nose first, following by citric and floral American hops. A nice combination.

Taste: There it is, the sticky, bubble-gummy Belgian yeast flavors, playing with the snap and tickle of citrus-y American hops. Clean, lean-bodied, refreshing and delicious. Good beer, and you can drink it. Easy-going APA with a tasty twist.

I can't get my head around the name, though. Essentially a reference to thrashing one's long, luxurious locks in rhythm to metal music. Maybe the gobbledygook will fill me in? "Here's a beer that bangs to the beat of it's own double bass drum. Hairbanger features toasty malts and a classic Belgian yeast amplified by big, citrusy tropical American hops. This beer hits as hard as your favorite power chord. Turn it up, raise a fist, and rock out with this one, brother. Leather pants strongly encouraged."

Northgate Get Together Session IPA

Northgate Brewing Get Together American Session IPA. 4.4% ABV, 50 IBU, 16 oz.

My first can from Northgate, and here it is, yet another "session IPA", with the label graphics depicting an arm wrestling match between Yanks and Brits. Well, let's get into the glass and see what it's all about.


Appearance: lightly hazed, bright amber/golden hued, slim, but staying creamy white head.

Aroma: citrus and pine are here aplenty, with the friends in the stone fruit category and a dash of the tropical. None too bitter, and particularly pleasant.

Taste: Mmm. Yeah. It works. Lightly bitter, sweetly malty,lean-bodied and smooth. Apricot and biscuits. Tasty stuff. Long, hoppy finish. Toasty and fruity together.

Let's read the gobbledygook: "Just as the United States defeated the British in the Revolutionary War, it has won the war of the IPA. Now, both sides must Get Together to agree on terms over pints. The treaty for this ale hearkens back to the British style IPA with lower alcohol content and English yeast, but concedes the American malt and hop flavor's of today's IPA. Enjoy this session IPA anytime you want to Get Together with new friends or old adversaries."

Me, I like it. Not bad at all. And you sure can drink it.

Town Hall Pursuit of Happiness Blueberry Amber Ale

See, what they did there? Red, white, and ...blueberry? Get it?

Now, on to #3. What's what it looked like when I had it last night:

And here's what I originally wrote about it in July of 2005:An American amber ale, with blueberry essence added, filling in for hops, they say... 

Clear, coppery amber color, good, thick, creamy-toned head, disappears nearly instantly. 

Big aroma, projecting the fruit far and wide, from the moment the cap is removed. Blueberries, blueberries, blueberries, yum, yum, yum...nothin' but. 

TAste: smooth, and sweet, malt-dominated, with the fruit mingled in every swallow. Medium-bodied, with a light, dry finish. Very easy to drink, and a friend to all who favor fruit beers. 

Finishes the revolutionary troika of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, "Red", "White" and "Blue" beers, celebrating American Beer Month in July. An interesting idea, well executed. 

...although, as I finished my second pint, I eyed my neighbor's Masala Mama with envy...

Town Hall Liberty White Ale

Part two of the patriotic series from Town Hall is Liberty, a Belgian White. Here's what I wrote when it was first introduced in 2005:


Town Hall's latest version of a Belgian White Ale (or Witbier), but brewed with American yeast and a slightly different blend of spices.
Why? Because it's July, American Beer Month!

Clear, hazy straw yellow, big carbonation, nice head, an adequate layer of white.

Aroma is sweetness and spice, but which spice(s)? We took a vote and cinamon took the lead, but ginger was the sidekick. A hint of lemon behind. Just like the Belgian wit, citrus and spice are king. Quite a lively thing in the nose!

It sizzles in the mouth, too, jumps and jitterbugs...light bodied, supremely drinkable...if you like it. A caveat: not for everyone, there's something distinct in the flavor, that some may not be keen on. Me, I love it. Like I said, it's it's own thing, love it or leave...

Thinking on the name...seems they took "liberty" with a classic style, to their own end...and, it's also the second in a three part series...watch out for the Pursuit of Happiness!

Town Hall Life Imperial Red Ale

This week at Town Hall, there are three new beers themed for the 4th of July. Wait, did I say "new"? It seems that they did this 10 years ago, and the beers are the same. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. and red, a white, and a blue(berry ale). While I drink down a mini-growler, let's look back on my notes from July, 2005:

The name reminds me of a Sly & the Family Stone song, of the same name..."you don't have to die, before you live." How wise, Mr. Stewart... 

Only served in 10 ounce pours at the pub, somehow I have a whole 64 ounces at my disposal...goodness gracious! 

Dark crimson color, and clear, with a decent, long-lasting cap of off-whitish foam. 

Aroma is lush malt, tidy hops, fuzzy, warm, and strength peeks through and invigorates the overall feel. Ahhh!!! 

Taste: yes, let's! Huge fruit, fat malt, minimal hops, fierce alcohol...very warm...but it gets bigger and more complex as we sip it. We like it more...is it casting a spell on us, making us want it more? What is this beer doing? 

Cherries and berries are at large, grapes and melons...and booze, too. 

This is a lush and tasty thing...rather wise that they limit it to such a small serving at the establishment...who knows what chaos would ensue were we to toss back a pint of this in one sitting?

This is a tasty, tasty ale, with enough of a potent sting to slay the demons of the day and let one relax in forgetting those torments. It's good like that. And so is Life, when we have a beer like this at our disposal.