Three Floyds People Power High Tea

Three Floyds People Power High Tea. Sparkling Ale with Rare Tea Cellar's Darjeeling Black Tea.

Brewed for the People to Benefit the ACLU. 

5% ABV. 19.2 fl. oz. can. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

Now, here we have a kind of beer that I wouldn't normally be interested in. Not that into tea beers, but it's Three Floyds and I have to try everything they make. There's nothing they could make that I wouldn't plunk down the money to taste. Not yet, anyway. 

And I'm digging the label, for many reasons. First of all, there's the collection of Three Floyds label characters assembled, as they've done in the past. Zombie Dust, Gumballhead the Cat, Alpha King, Behemoth Barleywine, Deesko!, Necron 99, Rabbid Rabbit, Arctic Panzer Wolf, Alpha Kong, Robert the Bruce, and a bunch I can't recognize, all hanging out and getting hassled by some pigs. It's also drawn in a style very reminiscent of 1960's underground cartoonist Skip Williamson. Remember him, creator of Snappy Sammy Smoot?

Then, I see it, on the label: RIP Skip Williamson (he passed away a few years ago). Skip had roots in Chicago, and covered the trial of the Chicago Seven as a courtroom artist, and did illustrations for Abbie Hoffman's books. A fitting tribute to him for this ACLU-benefit beer. 

On with the liquid inside. 

Clear, pale golden color slim ring of ivory foam. 

In the nose: tea is here, not being shy. Slightly floral, lightly hopped. Intriguing, I like it. 

In the mouth: And tea is here in the taste, too. Again, high on the tea, low on the hops, light in body, easily quaffed. I haven't had an Australian Sparkling Ale in quite some time (where've you gone, Cooper's?), so I can't really tell how close they came to nailing the style. Light, delicate, fruity flavors. It's a pleasant beverage. Me, I need more hops, bigger body, and not tea. But, you go ahead and get you some if it sounds good to you. Don't let me stop you. 

Brewed as part of the People Power Beer Project to support the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)*, our Sparkling Ale honors the British working-class tradition of a restorative sip after a hard day’s work. Using Rare Tea Cellars’ intensely nuanced Darjeeling tea, this pale-gold hued ale has a soft bread/caramel malt flavor, full mouthfeel and bright aromas of muscat grape, watermelon, and strawberry.

Junkyard Members Bounce New England Style IPA

 Junkyard Members Bounce New England Style IPA.

7% ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Hazy, murky golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus, some tropical notes, all covered in fuzz.

In the mouth: bright and lively on the palate. Orange and lemon interplay with pineapple and papaya. Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat, it’s a tasty one. Medium bodied, refreshing, long fruity finish. Just enough hop bitterness to keep control of the sweetness. Yum, you guessed it, a dum dum.

I’m going to finish this crowler in no time and wish I had another.

Big Axe Santa’s Helper Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Big Axe Santa’s Helper Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.

10% ABV, 45 IBU, Big Axe Brewing, Nisswa, MN.

In my first few weeks at my new job, I was stationed at a register nearby one of the roller shelves, whose end display hosts large format single bottles, mostly from Minnesota breweries. I watched this lone bottle of a Christmas-themed barrel-aged imperial stout sit by itself in the middle of September, and I had to wonder if it had been there all year long. September is rather early to release a beer named for Santa or his helper. But, I was informed that it was new, and we had sold all but this one. I've been happy with most of the Big Axe output, so I plunked down the $20 for the single 750 ml bottle, something I rarely do. And then I sat on it until just now. Let's look at those notes. 

Strictly ebony, completely opaque, beautiful ring of brown foam serves as cap.

In the nose: Boom. OK, cocoa,  coffee, vanilla, dark fruits, cherries, raisins. It’s a big one.

In the mouth: Thick, rich, bittersweet. Fat and woody. Full bodied. Edging towards the fruitier side of the Imperial Stout in this one. And it could use a fuller body. Yeah, I said full, but it’s not quite full enough. 

This could be better, but I still enjoy it. Tasty. Roasty. But just a little short of what I really want.

And this is why I so rarely spend $20 or higher on new single bottles, if you don't know what you're getting. I can't find further information on this one. There's no entry on Untapp'd, or BeerAdvocate, but other barrel aged stouts, yes, just nothing with this name. Wondering how many they released.

No matter, I say give it another try, and give it a little something extra next time. 

Dual Citizen Flying Under the Radar Single Hop Saison

 Dual Citizen Flying Under the Radar Single Hop Saison.

5.2% ABV. Dual Citizen Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Clear, straw gold color, large white head, 

In the nose: bubblegum & banana. Some citrus, barnyard funk. Classic Belgian aromatics.

In the mouth: moderate hops, low bitterness, smooth malt. Crisp and clean, mostly citrus and spice flavors, stone fruit, still some bubblegum. Easy drinking as they come. This is a tasty one, light bodied, refreshing, and it is quite a capable rendition.

Straw-  in color with a dense white head.

Earthy aromas of clove with slight barnyard notes. 

A very dry beer with delicate flavors of Pinot Noir grapes. 

Pipeworks Got Ya Covered

Pipeworks Got Ya Covered Imperial Milk Stout Ale with lactose, cacao nibs, vanilla, pretzels, and sea salt.

10.5 % ABV. 16 oz. can ($7). Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Solid blackness, thorough opacity, slim and soon-gone brown head. 

In the nose: Rich, dark malts dominate. Cocoa comes out, with a dose of salt. Sweetness abides. Not getting much pretzel, though. 

In the mouth: Smooth, sweet, luscious. Cocoa is king here, but now we're picking up the vanilla. And the salt. Big beer, at, what? 10% +. Big stuff, indeed. Full-bodied, long, sweet-ish finish. Delivers some of the goods, but, really, you're not going to taste the pretzels in a beer like this. Definitely belongs in the category of "pastry stout", if I ever gave credence to such an appellation. I am heartened by the lack of such a word upon this beer's label. 

Imperial milk stout with lactose, cocoa nibs, vanilla, pretzels, and sea salt.

Yeah, I said that already. Though I am a fan of Pipeworks, they don't give out much information, alas. 

Duvel Tripel Hop Citra

 Duvel Tripel Hop Citra. Belgian IPA. 

9.5% ABV. Duvel-Moortgat.

Clear, bright golden color, small ivory head. (Unusual for a Duvel. Old bottle, maybe?)

In the nose: There it is, that unmistakable Duvel nose, spice and floral notes in full array, with emergent bouquet of citrus hops. 

In the mouth: crisp,,clean, and alive with the spark of Citra. Grassy hop texture on the palate, light bodied, bright citrusy flavors at play. Spice darts about the tongue. Quite refreshing and delicious. Only at the end does the higher ABV make itself known. Yum. 

I can’t help but wonder if a fresher sample might yield even more vital results.

Discover Citra, voted by our fans as the best hop variety for our special Duvel Tripel Hop. Citra enriches the already unique taste of Duvel with fresh notes of grapefruit and tropical fruit.

 

Alaskan Icy Bay IPA

 Alaskan Icy Bay IPA.

6.2% ABV, 65 IBU. Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, AK. 

 Clear, golden hue, lasting layer of ivory head.

In the nose: bright and lively happiness, citrus notes, faint pine.

In the mouth: slight sweetness, swallowed up by bitter. Crisp and clean, medium bodied, long bitter finish.Definitely drinkable. Citrus and pine aplenty.One of those good old fashioned IPAs. I can’t help but like it.  

Alaskan Icy Bay IPA is made from glacier-fed water and a blend of Cascade, Bravo, Calypso, Summit and Apollo hops and premium two-row pale and specialty malts.

I have recently discovered that this is the second appearance of this beer in the Bitter Nib. It appeared once before, when it was called merely Alaskan IPA. Back before they realized that you need more than one IPA. 

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Caramella Ale 2020

 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Caramella Ale 2020.

Wheatwine ale aged in bourbon barrels with apple, cinnamon and natural caramel flavor.

14.6% ABV, 60 IBU. Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Clear, bright ruby color, short, brownish, soon dissipating head.

In the nose: Big caramel, bigger than the bourbon, yet, brimming with richness and sweetness. We’re heading into decadence.

In the mouth: now we get the apples and cinnamon, backed up by caramel, all wrapped around a wheatwine, still aged in bourbon barrels. Whoa. Sweet is the order of the day. And let us not forget strong. Complexity compounds upon complexity. Richness repays richness. And the 14% begins a pleasant softening of the brain matter. Whoa. Apples and cinnamon still pop up among the bourbon and caramel. Mmm. Nice. 

Caramella or ‘candy’ in Italian is a wheatwine aged in Larceny Wheated Bourbon barrels with apple, cinnamon, and natural caramel flavor added after aging. Just like last year, the sweet smoothness from the Larceny Wheated Bourbon barrels adds a lingering warmth that complements the added flavor nuance. It’s nostalgia-inducing flavors are reminiscent of a caramel apple. Our Lead Lab Analyst, Joey Tidei, created this variant as a tribute to his love of seasonal flavors. This luscious embodiment of caramel perfectly paired with a slightly-tart apple flavor will transport you to a crisp Autumn day.

Lagunitas Super Cluster Mega IPA

Lagunitas Super Cluster Mega IPA.

8% ABV, 60 IBU. Lagunitas Brewing, Petaluma, CA, Chicago, IL

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

IIn the nose: Fruity, hoppy, citrusy. Nice.

In the mouth: blasts of bitterness on the palate at the start, fresh and arresting. Bold and citra-packed. Juicy, delicious. Stays fruity and bright, ending on a dry note. Rewards the senses with each new sip. Very likable IPA. You don’t even suspect how “mega” it is until...right about now. Boom, boom, boom, boom.

This out-of-this-world ale is a galactic blast from the glass, a Citra supernova in the sky, jettisoning lupulin lusciousness through the cosmos and across the universe of your palate. Enter its bitter orbit and we'll all float on, okay? Cheers!

Super Cluster is a Citra-Hopped Mega Ale of intergalactic proportions. Everything we've learned about making hop-forward beer: Pale, cold, alcoholic, and bitter.

Wild Mind Plato’s Cave Imperial Stout with Vanilla Beans and Toasted Coconut

 Wild Mind Plato’s Cave Imperial Stout with Vanilla Beans and Toasted Coconut.

12.3% ABV,  Wild Mind Ales, Brewed & canned in Minneapolis, MN.

Completely black, rich, roasted brown head, thoroughly opaque.

In the nose: coconut hits first, sweetness abounds, along comes vanilla. Dark, chocolate malts loom below.

In the mouth: huge coconut dominates the palate. Rich, slightly sweet, thick and tasty. Thick as motor oil, with never ending coconut flavor. Full bodied, long, sweet finish, modicum of bitterness to maintain some semblance of balance.

This one is deep and decadent, many layers of yum a dum dum. And the outsized ABV makes it a perfect nightcap. 

Brewed with oats and an array of roasted, chocolate and caramel malts, hopped intentionally with American varietals, Plato’s Cave is a massive Imperial Stout with a very heavy handed dose of Madagascar vanilla beans and toasted coconut. It drinks equally rich, bold and smooth with notes of Samoa cookies, fudge brownies, macchiato and flourless chocolate cake.

Oliphant Santa Squishy Cherry Cola Sour Ale

 Oliphant Santa Squishy Cherry Cola Sour Ale.

5.5% ABV. Fruited Berliner Weissbier with cherries, vanilla, lactose, sea salt, and cola flavor. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Who doesn’t love a picturesque, bucolic winter wonderland scene of naked Santas pulling a sleigh led by an Oliphant logo headed being?

So, it’s a cherry cola sour, eh? Sort of thing I’d usually shake my head at, but it’s Oliphant, so I have to try it.

Clear, bright crimson coloring, slim pinkish head.

In the nose:sweet cherry notes, but tart coming up behind.

In the mouth: sweet and tart together, with a tiny bit of cola flavor, just a smidge. Light bodied, refreshing, drinkable. The sea salt, once more, is noticeable in this, and the lactose makes it all the smoother. A ver well rounded beverage, and quite enjoyable if you’re into this sort of thing. Me, I can take it or leave it.

You hear me, Oliphant? Makes more IPAs. Or doppelbocks, or Baltic porters. Get off this all-sour kick.  I implore you. There’s more to beer than sours.

Sixpoint Mind Control Hazy Double IPA

 Sixpoint Mind Control Globally Hopped Hazy IIPA.

8.8 % ABV, 8 IBU. Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NYC, NY. (And two other locations, apparently.)

Hazy as she goes, bright orange color, slim white head. 

In the nose: vibrant, hoppy, citrus,enticing.

In the mouth:Juicy stuff from the start, with just a touch of hop bitterness. Medium. Bodied, smooth and drinkable, with higher ABV slowly revealing itself. Mostly citrus flavors, a twist of tropical, ending on a dry note. It has everything you want in a hazy DIPA. I’m glad that I gave this one a try. Just delicious.

“Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in shapes of your own choosing” the voice echoed as the Mas Scientists scoured the globe, compelled by a powerful force in search of wholly new flavors. A globally Hopped journey led them to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia to unite these flavors for explosive results. You’re getting thirsty...verrryyy thirrssrryyy. Is it all in your head? It’s time to break the cycle with a beer of global proportions. You’re in control.

Bell’s 35th Anniversary Expedition Stout

 Bell’s 35th Anniversary Expedition Stout.

11.5% ABV. Bell’s Brewery, Comstock, MI.

I’ve been sitting on this one for too long. And it’s a two for one. I couldn’t be sure what set the 35th anniversary Expedition Stout apart from the regular, besides 1% extra ABV, so I am m drinking them together to find out. Let’s go...

Strictly Stygian coloration, no light escapes, with a brief brown head. 

In the nose: deep, roasted, charcoal, some cocoa, a hint of espresso....Dark and resonant.Dark fruits, espresso, ash.

In the mouth: Rich. Thick. Damn thick. Chewing on bark thick. Chocolate. Coffee. Bitter. Sweet. Chewy. A decadent treat. Many layers. Multi faceted. Absolutely wonderful. Flips all the switches. Raisins cavort with cocoa. Sweetness, deliciousness, and they didn’t need to drop off an6 cookies or marshmallows.

Now, it’s time to try the normal version and find any differences. Mmm. So nice. Dark malts. Delicious. Chocolate. Leather. Caramel. Toffee. Chewy. Some pepper. A touch of anise. Slightly sweet. Not so hoppy. Well balanced.

I’m coming up with zilch on the difference meter. Maybe 35 is a little thicker?  A touched richer? A smidgeon? Nothing significant. They’re both amazing, and, now, due to this experiment, we know ...that I am twice as drunk. Thanks, @nd god night. 

Coronado Never Better DIPA

 Coronado Never Better DIPA.

8.1 % ABV. 65 IBU, Coronado Brewing, Coronado, CA.

Lightly hazed, bright golden color, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: sweet, fruity, minor bitterness, growing more sweet and fruity. Quite likable.

In the mouth: juicy. Fruity. Moderate bitterness. Big bursts of citrus and tropical fruit notes. Crisp and clean. Exceptionally likable.

Brewed with a vibrant blend of Vic Secret, Mosaic and Citra, this Double IPA is bursting with hop flavors of tropical mango, passion fruit, and resinous pine.  One sip and you’ll go from good to Never Better.

Great Lakes Hazecraft Hazy IPA

Great Lakes Hazecraft Hazy IPA .

Great Lakes Hazecraft Hazy IPA.

6.7% ABV, 40 IBU, Great Lakes Brewing, Cleveland, OH.

All hazy-like, bright golden, large, lush and lasting white head. Looking lovely.

In the nose: lightly hoppy, mostly mute. Some citrus.

In the mouth: nice hoppy play on the palate at first sip. Just enough bitterness to grab me. Citrus notes combined with a twist of the tropical, a touch of sweetness. Fairly smooth and mellow. Definitely drinkable. Soft finish. Enjoyable. 

Blast into orbit through a hazy galaxy of otherworldy tropical fruit aromas.

Pryes Blood Orange Miraculum Fruited IPA

 Pryes Blood Orange Miraculum Fruited IPA

6.4% ABV, 75 IBU. Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Slightly hazed, deep amber to crimson hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Blood orange is popping out. Hops hang far below.

In the mouth: fruit grips the palate at first, backed up by bitterness. Medium bodied, long bitter finish, unmistakable blood orange flavors, never quitting. Brisk, crisp, fruity and tasty.

I like a good blood orange IPA and this is one. 

Our Signature IPA with a bold infusion of Blood Oranges, creating a Fruity, Ripe and Citrus forward IPA.

Junkyard Son of Bean-Zilla Vanilla Stout

 Junkyard Son of Bean-Zilla Vanilla Stout.

6.3% ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.

Black as night, slim brown head, completely opaque.

In the nose: vanilla floats over cocoa. Oreo without the cookie. Sweet, dark, intriguing.

In the mouth: sweet vanilla notes hit first, again with chocolate right behind. That about does it. Lighter bodied than I like, but fairly easygoing. Yeah, I could go for more richness and/or complexity. 

I wish I liked this more. Just not hitting the right buttons.

Full-flavored, yet decadently drinkable, this vanilla stout boasts the perfect combination of chocolate and finishes with the smooth richness of real Madagascar vanilla beans. Light sweetness balances out the cocoa, making this beer a delicious winter treat for your cozy nights in.⁣

Falling Knife Matriarch Brooklyn Biscotti Pastry Stout

Falling Knife Matriarch Brooklyn Biscotti Pastry Stout. With orange, vanilla & fresh baked New York biscotti.

5% ABV, Falling Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And here we have what just may be the only beer named in honor of a Supreme Court justice. I could be wrong. Brewed in collaboration with Witch Hunt, a local gender equity focused beer organization. I think maybe RBG liked a snack of biscotti and oranges, I guess? And now here it is in beer form.

Solid blackness, utter opacity, slim brown head.

In the nose: big orange notes, mixed with baked bread. And, hey, vanilla. Nice.

In the mouth: Well-tempered sweetness hits first. Citrus splash on the palate. Warm, toasted malt takes the stage next. Just enough hops for balance. Medium bodied. Excellent drinkability. Some cocoa comes thorough. Not too sweet, not too strong. Hey, I’m liking it.

Brooklyn Biscotti Pastry Stout with Orange, Vanilla & Fresh Baked New York Biscotti

Andechser Weissbier Hell

 Andechser Weissbier Hell.

5.5 % ABV, 14 IBU. Klosterbrauerie Andechs, Bayern, Germany. Ingredients: water, wheat malt, barley malt, hops, yeast.Super Premium Bavarian Ale. 

We get four Andechser beers at South Lyndale, and the other three have appeared here in the Nib previously. Lookin on Untappd, I have checked in on it twice before, from when I had it on tap at Acadia four years ago. Didn’t take notes then. Gonna do it now.

Clouded, light orange color, large, lace-leaving, ivory head.

In the nose: sweet wheat hits first. Some citrus and faint banana comes up next. Slight spice.

In the mouth: softly on the palate, slightly sweet, smooth and refreshing. Light bodied, good dose of yeast, quite tasty. So satisfying, this one won’t last long. 

So, what we have here is a light (Hell) version of the traditional Bavarian Hefe Weizen. Guess what, I like it.

Untreated and bottled in its natural state of yeasty turbidity, this is a top fermented beer for the epicure. Its light honey colour makes it an immediate eyecatcher. Then there’s the opalescence and fine structure of the yeast turbidity. At the same time, the creamy, fine pored head invites you to get to know this light Weissbier from the Holy Mountain. First, distinctive fruity aromas like banana and honeydew melon come to the fore, followed by fine cloves. It is a very tangy, refreshing treat with the conviction of a full, soft body. It concludes on a finely balanced interplay of light sweet honey and a delicate acidity with undertones of bitter hoppiness that quickly subside into a harmonious aftertaste.

Alaskan Freeride Pale Ale

Alaskan Freeride Pale Ale.

5% ABV, 40 IBU. Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska.

And here we have the 3rd and final bottle of this beer from the Alaskan sampler pack I recently brought. It yielded 2 beers I’d had and reviewed here previously (Husky IPA and Hopothermia Double IPA, both enjoyable and well worth repeating) and two I’d never had (this one and an IPA new to me). I’ll be doing more reviews from beers out of sample packs, as I put the spotlight on $1.50 beers rather than $4/5 ones. One important matter is to remember to write the review. I went through a Cigar City sampler and totally forgot to set aside a single can of the one beer I hadn’t had, a Double IPA. Buy another one, or forge on ahead? Oh the problems I have...

Clear, bright amber hue, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus and pine. Touch of stone fruit.

In the mouth: crisp, brisk, Andy hoppy. Moderate bitterness, smooth malt. Citrus and slight grassy notes plus a bit of pine command the palate. Medium bodied, an excellent refreshment.

Good pale ale and you can drink it.

Arguably the style that triggered the craft beer movement in the United States, the American Pale Ale showcases the floral, fruity, and citrusy aroma and flavors of Pacific Northwest hops in balance with a medium malt body.

Alaskan Freeride APA features a lush, green, almost tropical hop aroma paired with the unique taste combination of these three, distinctive hop varieties, making it both full in flavor and crisply thirst-quenching.

Alaskan Freeride APA is brewed with Cascade, Citra, and Centennial hops, premium two-row and specialty crystal malts, and Juneau’s glacier-fed water.