Chimay Premiere (Red)

Chimay Premiere (Red), or "Rouge" 

7 % ABV, 19 IBU, Bieres de Chimay, Belgium. 

You know, I most certainly do love the beers of Belgium. I am very enamored of the Trappist styles, and count the Dubbel among my favorite styles of beer of all. This blog has notes on 34 Dubbels, most American interpretations, but a good lot of Belgians, including the Trappists, Westmalle, Achel, La Trappe, etc. But, not this one, nor anything from Chimay. 

Someone else noticed this and wondered why, but I can't give a good reason. I tried them all (almost, at least the ones easily found) and wrote about that experience on BeerAdvocate many years ago, but something wasn't right about what I wrote. That's why I vowed to write new reviews for this here blog, once I procured some new bottles. That went the way of all procrastination, until that someone who noticed the lack of Chimay in the Nib visited the retail store where I currently work and bought a bottle and gave it to me. Thank you, August, you are a prince among men. I really meant to get around to it, now I have incentive to do the thing I am doing now, (although, several months later) and after that, take the other two home to review, as well. 

Enough palaver, let's open that bottle...

Clear, deep auburn/ burgundy coloring, slim, brief brown head. 

In the nose: Sweet malt notes at first, caramel and toffee, cocoa, cola, slight spice. 

In the mouth: Arriving on the palate, it's a balanced affair, with caramel and toffee flavors rolling on the tongue. Major malt, minor hops, increasing flavors emerging. 

I think that my numbers on dubbels are faulty, in that I am not sorting certain beers as dubbels that I should be. I'll fix that. Looking on BeerAdvocate, this beer is #5 among all dubbels, the first four being Westveleteren 8, Unibroue's Maudite, Westmalle, and Ommegang, a ranking I'd agree with. The bottom half of the Top Ten goes: Rochefort 6, St. Bernardus Prior 8, Achel 8, Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel, and St. Bernardus Pater 6. I've had them all. 

I'm surprised when I go through that list. Brother Thelonious is only #198? Something's fishy here!

To continue with the beer, we're getting some brown sugar, molasses, a touch of cocoa, a never ending sweetness that is adequately balanced. 

I'm going to cheat for a minute and consult Michael Jackson's Great Beers of Belgium, which is handily within arm's reach and say that he refers to it's fruity character and offers up: blackcurrant, nutmeg, vanilla? What's with the question mark, Mike, say it or don't say it! Black currant is possible, vanilla, yeah, I get it, and nutmeg? Sure, why not. Not exactly, but this is not wholly imagination, and also never an exact science. No one is really wrong, but some are more right than others. (And Mr. Jackson was probably the rightest among everyone.)

The spicy character is getting broader and wider, and the fruit unfolds. Dark malt flavors make their magic in the mouth, slowly unspooling. The alcohol isn't crazy high, but it is unraveling in a wonderful way. The sweetness gives way, and everything ends on a dry and delicious note. 

I'm enjoying this more and more as the bottle and the glass empty. More complexities arise, flavors ripen, taste emerges. Rounds off beautifully on the palate, ending on a graceful, serene note. 

This one is quite nice, though it certainly doesn't catapult into the upper echelon of my favorite dubbels. More of an acknowledgement that I was wrong to dismiss it for so many years. 

I will not share my notes of disappointment from 2004. I'll probably delete them. This beer didn't deserve my scorn. It may not be the greatest, but it's still pretty good. 

First sold in 75 cl (25.4 fl.oz.) bottles, it is noted for its copper color and as the first beer brewed by the monks of Chimay in 1862.

Topped with a creamy head, it gives off a light, fruity apricot aroma produced by the fermentation. The taste perceived in the mouth is a balance confirming the fruity nuances noticed in the fragrance. 

Its taste, which imparts a silky sensation to the tongue, is made refreshing by a light touch of bitterness. To the palate, the taster perceives a pleasant astringency which complements the flavor qualities of this beer very harmoniously.

This top-fermented Trappist beer, re fermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized.

Deschutes Squeezy Rider West Coast IPA India Pale Ale

Deschutes Squeezy Rider West Coast IPA India Pale Ale.

7 % ABV, 47 IBU, Deschutes Brewing, Bend, OR. 

Once again. I'm having the last can from the 6-pack, several weeks after I finished the fifth one. I drank the first five with such wild abandon, way back in early March, I'm sure it was a terrific beer. Now, to find out for sure. Let's take some notes!

Clear, bright golden tones, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big citrus: orange, lemon/lime, grapefruit. Piney on the side. Nice. 

In the mouth: Burst of bitterness on the palate at first sip, turning juicy, ending dry. Citrus explosion. Medium bodied, long, bitter finish. On all levels, pleasant and appropriately drinkable. Quite delicious. 

But it's not really a West Coast IPA, it fails where the bitterness should be higher, mouthfeel drier, not so sweet and tropical. This is kind of a mutant hybrid version. I still like it, but it doesn't merit the nomenclature. 

Big tropical fruit punch aroma, light dank, and melon paired with clean, light malt character. Hop and yeast-driven fruity sweetness balanced with a bitterness that is laid back, leaving you care-less about IBU's.

Bell's Juicy Gossip Juicy Pale Ale

Bell's Juicy Gossip Juicy Pale Ale. Polite Society Says You Shouldn't Gossip. This Is Not One of Those Times. You Know Something Don't You? We Won't Tell Anyone. 

4.7 % ABV. Bell's Brewery, Comstock, MI. 

Once more, my procrastination reveals itself. Final can of three from a sampler pack released in December. The first two were consumed in early January. But, I'm chipping away at the beers awaiting review in the fridge. After this one, only 63 more to go...sigh...it's true, I have a problem...

This beer is no longer merely an exclusive in a sampler pack, it is now available in bottles, and has been for several weeks. And that poor can just sat there in the back of the fridge, waiting for me to crack it open...which I will now do. 

Clouded-up, hazed-out, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Bold, zesty, hoppy, citric, delightful.  

In the mouth: Tangerine, orange, grapefruit, and pineapple at play on the palate. Juicy, yeah, for sure. Slightest trace of bitterness. Bold citrus flavors. Light / medium bodied. Moderate bitterness. Slight finish. Good beer and you can drink it. 

Psst, did you hear about Juicy Gossip? Developed over several batches at our Innovation Brewery, this Juicy Pale Ale has a soft bitterness with a fruity, juicy hop character and tropical notes. Sessionable, this beer is perfect for those who want tropical hop flavor at a lower ABV.

This brand new beer is available exclusively as part of our Jingle Bell's Holiday Variety 12-pack along with Light Hearted, Official and Two Hearted. 

Surly Havoc Machine West Coast Style India Pale Ale

Surly Havoc Machine West Coast Style India Pale Ale. Clean. Hoppy. Devastating.

7.5 % ABV. IBU: "high" (They no longer release the number, it seems.)

Surly Brewing, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN. 

This one showed up out of the blue without warming or fanfare. A new Surly West Coast IPA. Oh, hurray, I'm so tired of everything being all hazy all the time. I wonder how it compares to Over-rated? 

Clear (with a slight chill haze), bright golden tone, slim white head. 

In the nose: orange pulp, grapefruit rind, lemon zest.  Packing a powerful citrus punch.  Nothing but hops. 

In the mouth: Crisp, refreshingly bitter, bursting with happiness. Citrus and pine gang up on the palate and never stop. Just a little bit of juicy, then turning dry, brittle, with never-ending bitterness laying long in the throat, on the tongue, all over the place. Medium bodied, expert drinkability, if only for the dyed-in-the wool hopheads (like me).

Cheers to Surly for proving that it is still possible to brew a real, true classic West Coast IPA, when so many other breweries can only seem to release half-assed, sarcastic ones. 

So, a theory, perhaps. This is slightly different beer than Over Rated, which was initially released around eight years ago. Attitudes towards Surly have changed over the years. I know a guy who was the biggest Surly fanboy you could find, diehard, dyed in the wool, die another day, you name it, he was all about the Surly. He came into the retail store where I currently work while I was on a register and what did he buy: Warpigs and Three Floyds. Now he's a Diehard Todd fan, it seems (probably always was) and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

My point being that perhaps they want to have a new West Coast IPA with a new name that doesn't actually hand out ammunition to the Surly haters out there? 

BREWED FOR WREAKING HAVOC. OR WRECKING HAVOC. YOU DO YOU, HAVOC DOER.

Cry havoc and let slip the hops of war! Get caught up in the gears of this bitter and clean West Coast-style IPA. The classically dank and and citrus-heavy hit of Cascade, Chinook, and Amarillo hops conjure a chaos of flavor, delivered with brutal and devastating efficiency.

WEST COAST IPA

COLOR

Golden

HOPS

Warrior

Chinook

Cascade. Dry-Hop: Chinook

Cascade

Amarillo

MALT

2-Row

Carahell

Acidulated Malt

Flaked Oats

OG

YEAST:English Ale

IBU:High

Utepils Pontoon Afternoon Rapsberry Kölsch Style

Utepils PontoonAfternoon Rapsberry Kölsch Style.

4.9 % ABV, 25 IBU. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

There's something off about the appellation applied to the label of this can. They need to add the word "ale" at the end there, otherwise it's got me thinking "Kölsch Style" what?  Raspberry? Are they missing a comma? Were they going for "Raspberry, Kölsch style"? No, that's not right. They certainly don't want to just say "kölsch", because they're not in Köln, are they? (If anyone's a stickler for that stuff, it's these guys.)

Anyway, I don't normally like flavored kölsch, but maybe I'll change my mind this time. 

Clear, crimson-tinted, slim white head. 

In the nose: very berry. Little else. 

In the mouth: Berries, slightly tart. Light bodied. Nothing kölsch-like can be detected, the raspberry smothers over all. It's not bad, necessarily, but it's not something I can really endorse. Might go down just groovy in the heat of a lazy, hazy summer. But, eh, I'll pass. 

Drop anchor and relish a sunny afternoon floating on the water. Nothing makes you forget your troubles more than an afternoon in the sun sippn' Utepils. Pontoon Afternoon is a refreshing rasberry infused golden colored ale that puts your mind at ease. Allow life's interuptions to drift away and savor these moments of natural bliss

Junkyard O.G. Kushions New England Style IPA

Junkyard O.G. Kushions New England Style IPA.

7 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Once more, I have broken my anti-hazy ban, because it is Junkyard. This will happen. I usually end up liking all of their IPAs. Trends may continue, may they not?

Hazy as they get, bright yellow hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Soft citrus. Orange, grapefruit, lemon aplenty. But all played out low-key. 

In the mouth: Just a little juicy, but also very much dry. More citrus, a touch of pine, and a trace of the tropical. Medium bodied, fuzzy on the palate, moderate bitterness, exceptionally smooth and delightful. 

This is in the New England Style that I don't like. Not enough bitterness, a weak imitation of an IPA. But it succeeds at what it's supposed to be, that's for sure. I will finish this, and be happy with it, but it still is a far cry from what really trips my trigger. My fault, I guess. I knew what I was opening, after all. 

Packed to the brim with Citra, Bru-1, Summit, Mosaic, and Eureka, this brew boasts flavors of melon, tropical notes, and is followed by a dank resinous finish. The nose lends sweet aromas of white peach, orange zest, and hints of herbs.

Pantown The Pollinator Honey Wheat

Pantown The Pollinator Honey Wheat.

5.2 % ABV, 18 IBU. Pantown Brewing, St. Cloud, MN.

Honey Wheat is not the type of beer I choose for myself. But, I did not choose this beer for myself. It was given to me, thus it became  my possession, therefore I must drink it and review it. This is the way. 

Clear, bright amber color, slim white head. 

In the nose: Honey sweetness hits first, malt, that's about it. 

In the mouth: Fruity flavor jumps the palate from the start...is there any fruit? No, it's all from the honey and the malt. Minor hops and bitterness. Touch of caramel. Medium bodied, easy drinking. 

It's a bit too sweet for me. I'm getting all honey and little wheat. Probably ideal for a lot of other folks, and good for them. I'll glad to finish the crowler, then move on to something more my style. Plainly put: I don't like it. 

We all know bees are super important, they make honey, and are amazing pollinators. We have brewed our honey wheat with honey malts, Woodruff, and locally sourced honey from Pantown Bee Co. Notes of honey on the nose to match the golden hue of the pour, gentle sweetness balanced with the bready backbone will make this your new summer favorite. Raise a glass and get your "buzz" on!

Waldmann Brewery Pilsener Hoppy Golden Lager

Waldmann Brewery Pilsener Hoppy Golden Lager.

5.5 % ABV, Waldmann Brewery, St. Paul, MN. 

I had this beer once before, on the first day of September of 2019, on the occasion of my first visit to the brewery, with my pal, Ed. Right now, I am able to buy their crowlers at the retail store where I currently work. And there is quite a variety available right now, but I chose to tackle the Pilsner next because, well, sometimes having a pilsner is a good idea. And so it shall be. Let's drink it. 

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, pure ivory head, large and lasting. 

In the nose: Sweet malt, slight spice, a touch of hops. Highly likable.

In the mouth: Starts out sweet and malty, quickly matched by a slightly bitter hop presence. Clean and smooth, with a little extra malty sweetness hanging on. Notes of citrus and honey. Light bodied, easy drinking, and pretty much yum a dum dum. I'd drink this one any time. 

Bold, bitter and not at al what you might expect from a Pilsener. This deep golden beer benefits from seven hop additions for a heavenly flavor marked by nuanced notes of honey and wheatgreass. 

21st Amendment A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA India Pale Ale

21st Amendment A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA India Pale Ale. (I'm just quoting the can, here.)

Collaboration with Fieldwork Brewing Company.

6.8 % ABV, 54 IBU, 21st Amendment Brewing, San Leandro, CA. 

Again, I break my hazy ban. Because I bought this in a 21st Amendment sampler pack. What can you do?

Lightly hazed, nearly opaque, slim layer of ivory head. 

In the nose: Citrusy hop notes aplenty, mixed with the tropical tones. Grapefruit meets papaya. 

In the mouth: Slight sweetness, just a kiss of the tropical taste, right in step with the smack of the citrus. Just enough bitterness going on. Medium bodied, excellent drinkability, tasty malt. Nice stuff. 

This is a tasty, downable beverage. The brewery has much more to say about this one: 

At first sip, you’re lulled into delicate malt clouds, then brace yourself for a MAMMOTH dry hop charge - 4 pounds of hops per barrel to be exact (which is twice our typical rate!) – and juicy notes of peach, orange, mango and pineapple.

“We used four pounds of hops per barrel in the dry hop alone, which is twice our typical rate for most of our 21A beers,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21stAmendment. “At one point I remember asking Barry and Alex if adding this many hops was a terrible idea and they just shrugged their shoulders and added more.”

“The Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops in this beer were all I heard about for days and days. They couldn’t get enough,” said Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment. “But we also used a Vermont ale yeast, so that makes A Terrible Idea a ‘California New England Style Hazy IPA’ (new category?) that is in a league of its own.”

Stacked Deck Leisure Force Double IPA

Stacked Deck Leisure Force Double IPA.

8 % ABV, Stacked Deck Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

I don't know what the next eight months hold for us, but I've already declared this to be the beer label of the year. Way to go, Brent Schoonover! And then, this week they released Caged Rage, with this host of Nicolas Cages. This one is still the best. Cats make everything better.I especially like that there are two different fat cats in Two different Batman costumes. Enough of that. Let's drink the beer. 

And it's hazed (of course, can't not be), dull golden color, slight white head. 

In the nose: Bright and fresh with notes of orange, pineapple, grapefruit, mango. Citrus and tropical tones holding hands here. Quite delightful. 

In the mouth: Starts out both sweet and citric. All the hops happily at play on the palate. And all the yeasty fuzzies are swimming in the mouth. Just enough bitterness to keep me satisfied. Medium bodied and majorly murky. 

You know what I hate most about the hazies? The dregs. I guess I'm supposed to leave them in the can, but I can't help myself. Yes, they're kind of gross. 

It goes without saying that I'd like this double IPA a lot more without the haze. But, I did enjoy it enough. 

I'd like to see more come out of this brewery than just hazy IPAs and sours. That seems to be the secret to everyone's success these days, but come on, folks, break out of the mold a bit. 

Strata + Citra

...and that's all you need to know, I guess...

Evil Twin Most Men Pursue IPA With Such Breathless Haste That They Hurry Drinking It Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale

Evil Twin Most Men Pursue IPA With Such Breathless Haste That They Hurry Drinking It Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale. 

7% ABV. Brewed and Packaged by Evil Twin Brewing, North Haven, CT. 

Someone told me today that it is National Beer Day. Well, here at the Bitter Nib, we celebrate beer every day. Sometimes, five or six times a day.To commemorate this occasion, I will drink an Evil Twin beer. Make that an Evil Twin IPA. No, even better, it should be an IPA named for a paraphrase of a quote by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. (Substitute "IPA" with "pleasure." Though, to me, they are one and the same. Sometimes.)

It's all hazy-like, and milky yellow. Utterly opaque, with a stable layer of ivory froth atop. 

I have violated my ban on the hazies in order to review this beer with a funny name. Although, there is nothing on the label to tell me that this is a hazy. Also, I broke another boycott with this $18 4-pack. (I try to skip anything over $16.) I accomplished this when I was allowed to take it home free as a reward for putting in some hard time in the salt mines. On with the beer...

In the nose: Semi-sweet meets citrus, with a whole lot of fuzz. Orange and grapefruit with a touch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Blast of bitterness up front, followed by citrus and tropical fruit notes riding the palate. Hoppy bitterness hangs hard on the palate, a factor that I am enjoying. Plenty of yeasty fuzz in the texture. Medium bodied. Fairly drinkable, despite that I keep wishing it was cleaner and clearer. It's a good hazy and you can drink it. 

Tasty hazy, with an unrelenting hoppy, bitter attack. So, I like it. 

Schell's Stag Series Black Bock

Schell's Stag Series Black Bock. Small Batch. Limited Release. Since 1860.

August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, MN. 

This one arrived to me via the Harvest Collection variety pack (or was it Brewer's Stash?), last one out of the bunch, after finishing off the Fort Road Porter, the Keller Pils, and the Firebrick. Did I leave the best for last? We'll see. 

Dark brown color, nearly black, mostly opaque, with a large brown head, that slowly, but surely settles. 

In the nose: Soft, semi-sweet, mostly malty, minor notes of cocoa, brown sugar, molasses. 

In the mouth: Starts with a sweetness. Major malt, gets clean after a spell. Cocoa flavor is first, here, once more, followed by caramel & toffee. Medium bodied, malty finish. Tasty little beverage. Good bock and you can drink it. 

A rich and toasty black lager with notes of caramel, toffee and a light chocolate malt sweetness. Dark and malty, this beer is the perfect winter sipper.

Sweetwater 420 Strain G13 IPA

Sweetwater 420 Strain 613 IPA.

6 % ABV, 43 IBU, Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA.

Crack it open and the stink spills out. Whoa, Nellie!

Lightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white ring of foam on top. 

In the nose: Smells like Otto's jacket. Citrus and pine, with a whiff of tropical, covered up in Ooo, That Smell.

In the mouth: Bitter. Juicy. Dank. Citrus flavors dominate the palate. Medium bodied, long bitterness in the finish. Quite a lot happening in this IPA, and it all works. The pungency of the initial aromatics does not threaten the enjoyment of this ale. 

I like this one. I could have a few of them, no problem.

G13 IPA is a strange new strain, indeed. We took the dank hop profile you’d expect from a hazy IPA, and married it with terpenes and natural hemp flavors. The result is a big yet balanced IPA that mimics the aroma and taste of a heady, green G13. G13 IPA is a sticky super-hybrid that’s ready to rip.

Pungent and dank aromatics on this terpene infused IPA fill the room once the beer is opened. We went with an aggressive dry hop schedule which interlaces nicely with the unique flavors to bring forward citrus and earthy notes followed by a resinous finish. This one’s fire!

Columbus and Simcoe in the boil and dry hop! 

Arbeiter Orange Ya Hazy Hazy Pale Ale

Arbeiter Orange Ya Hazy Hazy Pale Ale.

4.7 % ABV. "Contains Wheat" Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

I may have mentioned this already, but I am attempting to boycott the hazies on here, in order to avoid complaining about them. There will be exceptions to this, and times when I can't resist, when it's something I have to check out. Or, those inevitable examples when they trick you, and don't tell you on the label that the insides hold a hazy. 

This is a beer that I could have purchased at the retail store where I work, but that it sold out so quickly. It was the one beer I chose to take home after my visit to the brewery last week. And why am I lifting my hazy ban for this? It just seemed like the option that I was most likely to enjoy. Now, let's find out if that's true...

Fully clouded, absolutely obscured, with a large, proud, ivory head, and an apricottish hue. 

In the nose: Nicely hopped, citrus and some tropical notes. 

In the mouth: Smooth and hoppy. Light bitterness blitzes the palate. Medium bodied, easy drinking, exceptionally sessional. Notes of grapefruit, orange, pine. Tasty pale ale. Not amazing, just plain ol' good. 

(But I'd like it better without the haze. I'm old fashioned, what can I say?)

Here's where I'd share info from the brewery to shed additional light on this beer, but I can't anything about it on the website. Alas. No marketing speak this time. 

Dangerous Man Nelly Stratado Double IPA

Dangerous Man Nelly Stratado Double IPA.

9% ABV, Dangerous Man Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Big time citrus and pine. Orange, grapefruit, berries, melon. Nice. 

In the mouth: Mild at first, smooth, mellow. High hops riding the palate, citric, piney, but very cool and balanced. Citrus and tropical fruits both board the palate. Big, fresh, bursting with juicy, fruity associations. Big bitterness, lush malt, and terrific tastiness. Yum a dum dum. 

STYLE:Hazy IPA, Hoppy, Smooth and Fruity

IBU:23

ABV:9.0%

AVAILABILITY:Crowlers$12

MALTS:* Local MN Pale Malt -- Maltwerks* Local MN White Wheat -- Maltwerks

* Maris Otter* Flaked Wheat* Flaked Barley* Dextrin

HOPS:* Nelson Sauvin* Strata* Mosaic Cryo

YEAST* Dry English Ale

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. 

Oddside Hoplicated Imperial Citra Pale Ale

Oddside Hoplicated Imperial Citra Pale Ale.

9 % , 61 IBU. Odd side Ales Grand Haven, MI.

Slightly hazed, deep orange hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Intense aromatics, big citrus, huge pine, a bit of stone, too, and a touch of candied/carmelization, with the roar of oncoming alcohol. 

In the mouth: Big bitterness starts the charge, slightly juicy, but ultimately dry. Splash of the juice, then all ends on a dry note. We're getting the grapefruit and the orange, tangerine, the pine, and the sticky-icky. Medium-bodied, long flavors through the finish, and just flat-out delicious. Yum a dum dum. 

Imperial Citra Pale Ale. Aromas of citrus, lemon, and pine with a hoppy, bitter finish

New Belgium Captain Dynamite IPA

New Belgium Captain Dynamite IPA.

7.7 % ABV, 45 IBU. New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO. 

Clouded, golden hued, bright white head, and some odd particulates floating about, settling at the bottom of the glass. Not especially attractive, that last part. 

In the nose: Popping with tropical fruit aromatics: passionfruit, papaya, pineapple, mingle with orange and lemon. Sweetness sticks out some, but it's a balanced and likable nose altogether. 

In the mouth: Boom, starts it off with sweet, fruity, tropical, with just a twist of bitter. Mild bitterness treads lightly on the palate and hangs in for the long haul. It's a good ol' IPA that tastes like an IPA. Medium bodied, smooth, easy consumable. Good ol' IPA and you can drink it.

This IPA was the winner of the Vote Voodoo Campaign. 

Locked, stocked and fully hopped. Captain Dynamite showcases bold tropical fruit flavors. Dry-hopped with Mosaic, Simcoe and Cascade hops adding full aromas of pineapple and guava.

Pipeworks Sundae Sauce Imperial Stout

Pipeworks Sundae Sauce Imperial Stout . Collaboration with Hacienda Beer Co. With lactose, cherries, vanilla, cacao nibs and natural pecan flavor. 

10.5 % ABV. Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Strict blackness, no head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: Huge malt, ginormous chocolate, and where are the additives? They're playing it in a minor key right now. Very lightly. 

In the mouth: Here they come. Vanilla is strong in this one. Rich and sweet. Some suggestion of cherries comes through. Cacao? Yeah. Not sure if pecans will make an impression, we'll see. Here comes the cream, and the cherry on top. Maybe some nuts, maybe...

Fullerst of fullness in the body. Not too rich, though, nor too strong, it straddles the line between doing it and overdoing it. Low bitterness, perfectly indulgent, terrifically tasty. 

Collab w/ Hacienda Beer Co. Imperial Stout with lactose, cherries, vanilla, cacao nibs, and natural pecan flavor.

Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale

Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale.

5.7 % ABV, 39 IBU. Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA. 

It is 2021 and Sweetwater Brewing of Atlanta, GA has just entered the Minnesota market. I have not had any of their beers in well over ten years (hence this being their first appearance in the Nib), but I have had at least 5 of their beers previously, procured through beer trades, including this one. So, I'm going to look at my old notes, plucked off of BeerAdvocate.com and see what I thought then, back in March of 2005: 

hey, 420, that's my apartment number! they must have brewed this for me, right? very sly suggestions on the label at the real inspiration for that name..."kind" beer..yeah, huh!

clear, light, peachy/amber color, thin, but staying bone-white head.

Nice, hoppy aroma...cascades and such...some citrus, peach, lemon, a nice fruity bouquet...lovely.

Taste: smooth, yet crisp and hoppy, a trifle spicy, then mellow...a gentle, peachy/fruity flavor, very tasty, drinks like a dream...a very agreeable pale ale, even if it's inspired by dope addicts.

Much better than the numbers, a very nice ale.

Cheers to Southernbrew!

So, back to 2021: The "southernbrew" that I cheered was, of course, the user name of the trader that got it to me. I can't imagine what I sent him, the beer scene here was like, dullsville, man, back then. The numbers refers to the ranking on that site. I gave it a 3.75. It's current average is 3.66, my rank is 2.5 % higher than that. Now, it is time to drink again, for the first time in sixteen years. Hmmm. Yeah, it is a good pale ale and you can drink it. On first re-reading those notes, I though, man, I was hung up on "peach", but drinking again, I get it. You got it right, me of 2005. 

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, our most popular brew, is a tasty West Coast Style Pale Ale with a stimulating hop character and a crisp finish. 1st brewed on April 20th 1997