Surly Tiramisu Funeral Bar Dessert Stout

Surly Tiramisu Funeral Bar Dessert Stout brewed with Coffee, Vanilla Bean, cocoa, lactose & molasses. 10.2 % Alc./Vol. 1 pint. Brewed and canned by Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, MN-the original brewery, where it all started.

Straight up blackness, solid, lasting cream-tinged head. Utterly impenetrable.

In the nose: Soft and creamy. Incoming cocoa and espresso. And here comes more of the sweet stuff: molasses and vanilla are touching down. Nice stuff, so far.

In the mouth: It's all coming together, the cocoa and molasses leading the charge, coffee just behind, quickly caught up and left in the dust by vanilla and lactose. It's tasty stuff. Medium bodied, easy drinking despite the high ABV. Delicious and decadent. Alcohol comes shining through. Time for teddy-bye.


I've heard all kinds of criticism about this beer. That it's "too sweet" is one, but I think it's just sweet enough. If you didn't want a sweet strong stout, you should have left this on the shelf. Yeah, it's sweet, but it's supposed to be, and I'm liking it. It's got what it takes. I wouldn't have more than one in a row, but that's not the point of these beers, is it? One a night, after dinner, just before bed.

BREWED FOR THE AFTERLIFE. OR AFTER DINNER. WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU.

Plying the grief-stricken with church basement sweets is a Midwestern constant. Our newest sweet stout brings this tradition into the light, using waves of vanilla, cocoa, and molasses to soothe the saddened soul.

DESSERT STOUT
COLOR
Dark Brown

HOPS
Warrior
Cascade
MALT
Two Row
Red Wheat
DRC Malt
Chit Malt
Chocolate Malt
Coffee Malt
Golden Naked Oats
Flaked Oats
Honey Malt
OG
YEAST
English Ale
IBU
Low
ABV
10.2%

SURLY MN USA

Town Hall Dortmunder Local Export Lager

Town Hall Dortmunder Local Export Lager. 5.4 % ABV. Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, Minneapolis, MN.

I'm at Town Hall, looking at the options and wondering what beers of theirs haven't appeared here in the Nib. Well, this one. I just keep skipping it and skipping it, as I'd rather have an ale than a lager, just about every time. So, I bought a growler and now let's cross this one of the list and add another lager to the growing number of Bitter Nib beers.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Clean, malty, minor hops, a touch of cereal.

In the mouth: More clean and just a little crisp. A little bit of spicy hoppiness and a touch of sweetness on the palate. Light-bodied, tasty-drinking, soft and smooth. It is what it is, and it does what it does. Not a bad little beer, and you can drink it.

Light and refreshing German style golden lager brewed with classic German malt, Czech Saaz and American Sterling hops.

Utepils Springbok

Utepils Springbok. 6.8% ABV. 36 IBU. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden, large white head.

In the nose: clean, light malt sweetness. Light cereal touches.

In the mouth: Bam! Big blast of malt flavors, clean and crisp and bursting with flavor. Starts out sweet, and ends on a dry note. "Heller bock", I ask myself, what is a Heller bock? I've heard of Helles Lagers, and Keller Pilsners, but...I'm going to have to Google it. And lo, and behold, it's just another term for a Maibock, a style I've been familiar with for quite some time. Blonde bock is another way to put it, a light colored strong lager brewed for the spring time season.

Strong flavors. Big malt, slightly sweet, minor bitterness, (but much more than a traditional bock) hearty and satisfying. I'm sold. This is solid stuff.

And I like how they took the concept of the Bock beer, made for the spring, and named it for the African antelope known for the spring in it's step.

Let's watch some springbok pronking, shall we?

This is a terrific Heller Bock, or Maibock, or whatever we want to call it. I'm really enjoying this can, and I'll be drinking more of this in the months to come.


It's worth surviving a long, cold winter if you get to drink this in the spring. Springbok represents the gleeful leap from winter dreariness to spring renewal. It has all the depth and strength of a wintry lager, balanced with enough lightness to put a spring in your step.

Indeed Mexican Honey Light Lager

Indeed Mexican Honey Light Lager. 5.2 % ABV. Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, vast ivory head.

In the nose: a little bit of sweetness, a whole lot of lightness. Some cereal malt touches, a bit of floral, and a whiff of fruit.

In the mouth: Degrees of sweet honey, malt, light fruit, and a brief bitterness. Citrus notes on board the palate, turning dry in the end. Light bodied, and flavorful. I'm not normally one for the light lagers, or the honey lagers, but damned if this isn't tasty. It's a good one, and you can surely drink it.




Meet Mexican Honey Light, a lighter kind of buzz. This bright and clean cerveza is brewed with orange blossom honey straight from orange groves south of the border, Amarillo hops and a twist of citrus. Our new, more sessionable spin on Mexican Honey is refreshingly crushable and brewed to take it easy, anytime, anywhere.

Hop & Barrel Ridiculous Idiots Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Hop & Barrel Ridiculous Idiots Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. 11 % ABV. 54 IBU. Hop & Barrel Brewing, Hudson, WI.

Full-on blackness, deep and impenetrable, rich brown head atop, large, then lessening.

In the nose: Ah, yes Cocoa, coffee. Rum, molasses. Char, tobacco. It's all happening. All the imperial, all the barrel.

In the mouth: Thick, rich, plump, and delicious. All the massive malt. Some roast and toast, a lot of chocolate and sweetness, but plenty of balance. Ends shy of sweetness. Much residual sugar, but so much flavor and taste, all is in good use, here.

Booze comes rolling in, and is welcomed. This is my little nightcap. It pounds on the walls, but offers certain comforts, too. The coffee, chocolate, molasses kind. Very tasty this. I'm highly satisfied with the contents of this can. Hey, let's go back to Wisconsin and get some more! Who's with me? Road trip!

Here's the deal: Brian and Justin are ridiculous and kind of idiots, at least according to Justin's wife. So in honor of ridiculous idiots everywhere this barrel aged masterpiece starts with a complex base beer that has enough residual body to hold up to a long barrel aging process. The result is a boozy, pleasingly warm, yet goes-down-easy imperial stout. Cheers to ridiculous idiots everywhere!

Junkyard Ultracloud New England Style Double IPA

Junkyard Ultracloud New England Style Double IPA. 8.1 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. Packaged 2/11/19.

Ever-so hazy. milky white head.

In the nose: Nicely hopped, low-key citrus notes. Orange and lemon, and ...what else? Something I can't quite define.

In the mouth: Soft, yet fruity, with an intense bite from the onset. Citrus-y/lemon-y flavors are big, but fade fast. Medium-bodied, and easy drinking for a double. Fresh, lively, and delicious. Ends on a nice and tidy dry note. Refreshing, tasty, and the booze finally hits. There you are, you little rascal. Come to papa.

Man, I'm liking this more and more as I go. Maybe I'll go back and get some more.

Dry-hopped with New Zealand grown hops, featuring Raaku, Motueka, and Konatu hops. 

Boom Island Chill Lacs Session IPA

Boom Island Chill Lacs Session IPA. 4.8 % Alc./Vol. 44 IBU. Hops: Chinook, and Wai-iti.
Boom Island Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Hazy orange, tidy white head.

In the nose: Mildly hoppy. Soft and citrus-y.

In the mouth: Malt and hops board the palate with equal aplomb. Earthy & spicy, cool, clean, and very mellow. Long bitter finish. A lot of tastiness going on in this one. I could definitely do a session or so with this one.

An easy-drinking IPA? Some said, "Impossible!" We say: "Chill Lacs." Inspired by Minnesota’s 10,000-plus lakes or "lacs", this session IPA has a delicate citrus nose and just a hint of bitterness. Enjoy a crisp, clean finish -- perfect for any season.

Surly DAF Brut IPA

Surly DAF Brut IPA. 7 % ABV. Limited Seasonal. Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center & Minneapolis, MN.

Here we go, everyone, another "brut" IPA. I hope it's really "brut" like all the others. That'd be just super.

Clouded and yellow slim white head.

In the nose: spots of citrus, trickles of tropical, and oh, so, very dry.

In the mouth: First of all, it's wet. And then, it's dry. And hoppy. Lemon and pineapple popping on the palate. Medium/light-ish bodied. Crisp, effervescent. Light malt character.

Here's the thing: the things that make this the thing that it is, are the opposite of what I like in an IPA. It's a beer, and you can drink it, and it's an IPA, and I like them. But as for the dry, why?

Not really a fan of the Brut, if you couldn't tell. Don't get it. Not seeing the point.

BREWED FOR THE OPPOSITE OF HAZE

This Brut IPA-style beer delivers dynamic, fruit-forward hop flavors and a finish so refreshing it begs for another sip. As for the name, it’s dry as…well, you know.

yeah, we know...AS FUCK. Because that moronic phrase says so much. It's what you say when you can't deal with metaphors. Just say "AF" and your work is done. Lazy, simple idiots. Oh, but it's much cooler to just say "as FUCK" than to actually think of something original or clever or smart. Yeah, it's not cool to be smart. I know, I know.

Badger Hill Vanilla Machiatto Stout

Badger Hill Vanilla Machiatto Stout. Brewer's Batch. A limited small batch run crafted by our brewers. 6.5 % ABV. 30 IBU. Badger Hill Brewery, Shakopee, MN.

Full-on blackness, with a rich, toasted tan head. Looking great.

In the nose: Vanilla, cocoa, coffee. Sweet, earthy, nutty. Lush & lovely. Creamy. Gorgeous.

In the mouth: Full bodied. Rich and delicious. Smooth and creamy. Hints of vanilla and coffee continue. All the notes from the nose appear on the palate. Just delicious. Nothing but. I like this a lot. Can't remember the last time I liked a Badger Hill beer this much. So very good.

This one's available as part of a current mix pack, I believe. It's worth getting it just to get this.

Espresso roast coffee beans and real vanilla beans add an extra layer of decadence to the rich and creamy milk stout. 

Mikkeller San Diego Staff Magician New England Pale Ale

Mikkeller San Diego Staff Magician New England Pale Ale. 5.5 % ABV. Mikkeller SD, San Diego, CA.

Hazy, pale golden, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrus bursts forth, hoppy, soft, nice.

In the mouth: More mellowness on the palate, smooth and slightly hoppy. I said "soft" before, and here it is again. Silky smooth. Certainly citrusy.

 Drinkable. Good beer and that's what you can do with it.

O'so Blood of the Cherry

O'so Blood of the Cherry. Barrel Aged Blended Sour Ale Refermented on Door County Cherries. 7 % ABV. 10 IBU. O'so Brewing, Plover, WI.

Highly hazed, murky crimson coloring, swiftly departed white head.

In the nose: Tart. Fruity. Oaky. Sour. Delightful.

In the mouth: Even more so. Fiercely sour & fruity, deep and complex. Tasty. Medium bodied. Non-stop sour. Full-on cherry. Just a touch of sweet, to match the sour. Wow. I'm digging this. Bloody good.

Blood the Cherry (sic) was one of our first sours that we did regularly. Made with cherries from Door county. This sour comes in as a extremely cherry tart treat. Blood of the Cherry was first made in 2014. Made from a single barrel with cherries, however as we've gotten better at making sours, we started to do blends more. Blood of the Cherry now comes in as one of the best cherry sours out there.

Dogfish Head The Perfect Disguise Double IPA

Dogfish Head The Perfect Disguise Double IPA. 8% Alc. by Vol. 70 IBU.
Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, DE.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: Popping with tropical notes and citrus, too. Clean and cool.

In the mouth: A flood of flavors, a blast of bitter and fruit. Starts fruity, ends dry. Crisp, smooth, with plenty of bitter. I went into this forgetting what I knew, with only the label art as my guide. Hops lurking inside a jolly German? Now, I sneak peek and I remember, it's the double IPA with kolsch yeast, right? Yeah, and it's working. Getting some stone fruit, some tropical, and plenty of bitterness.

I'm liking this a lot. Dogfish is at it again, and my cap is off to them for continuing to innovate.

On the surface, The Perfect Disguise looks like a straightforward Kölsch with a crisp Kölsch yeast and traditional German malts and hops … but things aren’t always what they seem. With a quick sniff and a slight sip, you’re greeted by a creamy mouthfeel and full body thanks to the addition of a unique German chit malt - the first hint that this beer may be somewhat different.

Hiding deeper behind that German disguise is the double dry-hopping of an American Double IPA, with nearly 4 lbs. of German and American hops per barrel. It brings tropical flavors of citrus, tangerine, mango, gooseberries and peach.

Indeed Dogwood Neon Espresso Imperial Stout Ale with Coffee and Vanilla Added

Indeed / Dogwood Neon Espresso Imperial Stout Ale with Coffee and Vanilla Added. "This can looks a little different. The beer inside is, too. Brewed for fun, it's just a quick run. Now you see it, now you drink it." Rum Barrel-aged King Ale.

I found this as a single in a local store, having heard nothing of it. It was a little more than I like to pay for a single 12 oz. can, about six bucks. But it's my kind of beer, so I had to have it. Now, we will drink it.

10.5 % ABV. 55 IBU. Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN.

Total darkness, rich and bleak, full roasty brown head on top, looking amazing.

In the nose: creamy, chocolatey, coffee-y. Nutty.

In the mouth: Strong. Malty. Intense. Fierce. Powerful. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Wow. Tasty. Delicious. Full bodied. Incredible. Damnit, this is yum, a dum, dum.

Dave's BrewFarm In Machina Exspiravit

Dave's BrewFarm In Machina Exspiravit. 6.7 % ABV. Dave's BrewFarm, Wilson, WI.

You guys. It's been so long since I've written about a new BrewFarm beer. When I go there, which is never often enough, there's either no growlers to take home, or beers I've already written about. Frustrating. My last new beer from Dave was November of 2017. And then there's all of you people who thought that because he's been trying to sell his business for the past four years that means he's out of business. Well, it ain't true. and here's some proof that Farmer Dave is still making new beers:

Let's drink this beer, which has a strange name, and, surprise, surprise, fits no category

Clear, bright golden, maybe amber, slim ivory head.

In the nose: Bright and hoppy. Lively. Arousing. Citrusy, floral.

In the mouth: Hops aplenty, bitterness buzz, but not too much so. And it's hoppy, and malty and yum-a-dum-dum. Tasty. Fruity. Citrus meets tropical. All the goodness.

If forced, I'd call it a pale ale, or even an IPA. It's medium-bodied, smooth, and so nice that I just finished that growler, without worrying too much about expanding upon the notes above.

"The Ghost in the Machine." Brewed on Halloween and a nod to my AI studies. IME has Pils, Aromatic and Victory Malts, Centennial, Cascade, and Galaxy hops. fermented with an American ale strain. BOO!

"Al studies"? Dave's studying me....say what?

Downeast Aloha Friday Cider

Downeast Aloha Friday Cider. The Unfiltered Craft Cider. 5.1 % ABV. Downeast Cider house, Boston, MA.

Lightly clouded, golden toned, definitely tipping to pineapple. No head at all.

In the nose: Sweet and dry at once. Pineapple-y. Oh, yeah. Sweet turns to tart. Nice.

In the mouth: Sweetness kicks it off from the start, then turns nice and dry, ending on the cool side. Quite tasty.. Tangy. Tart. Very good. Hey, I like it. It ain't bad. In fact, it's good.

Unfiltered cider with pineapple juice– tangy and fruity with a dry finish. Infused with tart, tropical juiciness and hazy memories of a semester in Hawaii many years ago. 

Junkyard / Modist The Bar Side Episode Two: Betsy's Dark Secret

Junkyard / Modist The Bar Side Episode Two: Betsy's Dark Secret. 6 % ABV. Stout with coffee, chocolate, lactose, and natural peanut flavor.

So, this is part two of a collaboration between Junkyard Brewing of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Modist of Minneapolis. I haven't seen part one, the Modist version, yet. Is it sold out? Only at the taproom? Sold out of only the taproom?

Utter darkness (if I were a punning person, I'd say "udder"), deepest blackness, under a roasty tanned head. Looking very nice.

In the nose: Ah! Chocolate, coffee, peanuts! Who put their chocolate in my peanut butter? Scrump-diddly-uptious.

In the mouth: Roasty/toasty. Dry. Cocoa and espresso. Creamy-smooth. Delightful. Dreamy. Medium bodied, long-lasting flavors. Robust and relishable. (My new word, trying it out.) Flat out tasty.

I say, Go Drink It!

A Milk Stout brewed with coffee, chocolate, lactose, and natural peanut flavor. The flavor is reminiscent of chocolate covered coffee beans and peanut butter cups. 

This beer is one of a two-part collaborative series of beers that we brewed with Modist Brewing Co. of Minneapolis. Betsy's Dark Secret was brewed in Moorhead at Junkyard Brewing, and we brewed another "blonde stout" version called "Betsy's Bright Idea" at Modist. Both beers are being released during the same week, starting 1/29/19 on tap and in cans, so check them both out!

Bauhaus Crop Circus Double IPA

Bauhaus Crop Circus Double IPA. 8.4 % ABV. Bauhaus Brewlabs, Minneapolis, MN.

Here's one I've had before, on tap at Acadia, last year, accounting for my seven Untappd check-ins. I didn't get a keg (yet) this year, because I already have enough double IPA kegs on tap or hanging around. So, I made sure to pick up a can in a store, before it's too late, so it can make it's debut in the Nib.

Hazy, dark golden/amber color, slim white head.

In the nose: Citrusy. Dank. Ominous.

In the mouth: Huge bitter bite from the first sip. Citrusy snap joins the attack. Plenty of malt to back it all up. Alcohol buzz comes popping in to catch up to the hop blitz. It all comes together. I love a good  double IPA, as any regular reader knows, and this is one I'd return to again and again.

Crop Circus Double IPA features a huge, juicy hop profile typical of New England-style IPAs, but without the pulpy haze. Instead of a bracing hop bitterness, this beer opts to focus on smooth hop flavors and aromas brimming with tropical fruit and fresh citrus that result from the use of multiple cutting edge (alien?) hop technologies, including cryogenically separated hop resins and aromatic oils (aka "cryo hops"). While this hefty DIPA clocks in at a 8.4%, it goes down exceptionally smooth and finishes with only a touch of lingering hop bitterness. To put it succinctly, it's out of this world. Get it before it leaves the planet!

Surly Darkness 2013, five years on

Surly Darkness 2013. 12 % ABV. Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, MN.

It's been a little bit since I've opened an older bottle of Darkness. I think five years on is as good a time as any to stop and pop the cap, so let's get to this one, aged 5 years and a couple of months.

Solidly Styg---ooo, I can't say that anymore, according to some....perfectly obsidian, shall we say? Venerably opaque, with a tight, brownish head atop.

In the nose: Here, it's popping. Molasses. Sassafrass. Anise. Charcoal. Espresso. Cocoa. Whiskey A-go-go. Deep and hypnotic. Ashen. Muscularly Malty. Impressively amazing. And more?

In the mouth: Thick, rich, delicious, hot. Impressive, incredible. Not shy for a second, half a decade from it's release. Almost anxious. Pounding the edges of the braincase, already. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Not just loud in an alcoholic sense, but bursting with myriad flavors, fairly blasting the palate. Charcoal and ash brush up against chocolate and coffee, cherries and figs. Yum, yum, yum-a-dum-dum.

There's so much going on here. It's lost nothing in five years. I wouldn't recommend testing it further, but at five plus years, it's tasting great. A touch hot, a bit more malty, and magnificently deliciously. Just the way I like it.


RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
COLOR
Black HOPS
Warrior
Amarillo
Simcoe
MALT
2-row
Golden Promise
Aromatic
Chocolate
Black
50/60
Special B
Roasted Barley
Oats
Brewers Crystals
DME
OG
28° Plato
YEAST
English Ale
IBU
Low
ABV
12%
SURLY MN USA

BREWED FOR: OUR FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR.

This massive Russian Imperial Stout brings waves of flavors; chocolate, cherries, raisins, coffee, and toffee, finishing with a non-traditional dose of aroma hops.

Venn Batch 125: Belgian Tripel (return of Batch 11)

Venn Batch 125: Belgian Tripel (return of Batch 11). 10.5 % ABV, 25 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, big, fuzzy white head.

In the nose: Sweetness and spice. Classic Belgian triple nose, here. Slightly sugar-y, light and airy spice, stone fruit, a touch of citrus, and a bit of bubblegum. Lively and invigorating.

In the mouth: All that and more appear on the palate. Sharp, sweet, spicy and delightful. Alcohol comes in a little hot. Vibrant. Lustrous. Light bodied and beautiful.
Just a little sting of the booze riding with all the other flavors.

A very nice interpretation of a favorite Belgian style of mine. Well done, Venn.



Complex, strong, dry. Venn's take on a classic Belgian Tripel. 

Malts: Pilsner, Vienna

Hops: Warrior (United States), Tettnang (Germany)

Yeast: Belgian Ale 

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo Boysenberry American Sour Ale

Bent Paddle Wilderness Tuxedo Boysenberry American Sour Ale. 4.4 % ABV. 5 IBU. Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, MN.

Perfectly hazed, dark crimson colored, completely and utterly pink-ed out head of foam. Looking all kinds of beautiful.

In the nose: it's berry time. Softly sour. Sweet, fruity, and funky.

In the mouth: There's your boysenberry. And here comes the sour. And then. Yeah, that's it. Light bodied, soft finish. It's sour and it's fruity and it's gone. It comes back fresh and flavorful for each new sip, then dips back out again.

We love to dress to impress...Mother Nature--and a button up flannel is about as fancy as the wilderness needs us to be! We brewed an American Kettle Sour, in the Berliner Weisse style, to pair with the fresh flavors of boysenberries. Low in alcohol with a refreshing, yet buttoned-up tartness, our Boysenberry American Sour will take you along on it's own adventure!

I guess that "buttoned-up" is their way of saying "not wild." If you want light, refreshing, fruity, and slightly tart, you'll get your wish in this one. But don't complain that it isn't more than that.