Sisyphus More Than A Trace

 Sisyphus More Than A Trace. Buffalo Trace Barrel aged Imperial Stout w/ Dogwood Coffee.

13.5% ABV, 40 IBU, Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Strictly ebony, absolutely opaque, slim tan ring of foam.

In the nose: big barrel effects, bulging out of the aroma. Outsized bourbon notes, char and cherry, with coffee creeping in below. Massive malt associations abound. 

In the mouth: surprisingly smooth, resplendently rich. Thick, viscous, round and full. Coffee and cocoa are king, with bourbon barrel flavors right around the side. Whole lot going on here, much more than a trace. 

I am very fond of this bottling. I may have to return for more. 

We love Buffalo Trace barrels - we think they lead to some of the best barrel aged beers we've made.  This stout was aged for 1 year in a Buffalo Trace barrel and then finished on Dogwood Coffee - Espresso beans.  You can definitely taste and smell the coffee, but it doesn't overwhelm the barrel character.  The two blend together to create a creamy, vanilla-laden flavor, with an espresso finish. 

Revolution Fistmas

Revolution Fistmas. Full festive flavors for jolly joyful jingles. 

6.5 % ABV, Revolution Brewing, Chicago, Illinois. 

All the best holiday beers have naked Santas on the label. 

Clear, reddish hue, cream-toned layer of froth.

In the nose: slightly sweet, fruity, touch of spice. 

In the mouth; citrus blasts through the palate, with spice on the side. Medium bodied, long, finish, warm and malty. Ginger and orange. Easy drinking and delightfully delicious. 

Our Holiday Red Ale is steeped with ginger root and orange peel, resulting in a beer with aromas of fresh baked bread, caramel, and stone fruits. Fistmas was brewed with specialty malts to achieve a beautiful deep red hue.

Three Floyds Backmasking Oatmeal Stout

 Three Floyds Backmasking Oatmeal Stout.

8% ABV, 35 IBU, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana. 

I’ve never owned any heavy metal albums. But I can tell you this much: there is backmasking on Tommy James and the Shondells “Crimson and Clover” record. Turned me Satanist for a while there.

Full ebony hue, rich, creamy head, nearly opaque. 

In the nose: malty, slightly sweet, oaty. 

In the mouth: smooth, calm and comforting. Excellent balance, all parts in order, creating harmony and deliciousness. Earthy, gritty, chocolatey. Exceptionally rich, full and defiantly drinkable.

Wanted: more oatmeal stouts like this! (Found in the latest variety pack.)

Einbecker Vollmundinger Doppelbock Winter-Bock

 Einbecker Vollmundinger Doppelbock Winter-Bock.

7.5% ABV, 50 IBU,  brewed and bottled by EinbecknBrauhaus, Einbeck, Germany. 

Clear, caramel brown color, slim, cocoa-tinged head.

In the nose: sweet and malty, caramel, toffee, very inviting.

In the mouth: bright, malty, fully flavored. Medium-bodied, smooth, with moderate bitterness and major maltiness. Warm and toasty, a tasty little doppelbock. 

Einbecker Winter-Bock

»The Winter Treat«

Dark in character, full-bodied with a taste of malt.

When it's cool outside, it's time for the dark Einbecker Winter-Bock inside. Selected malts, the finest hops and a special beer yeast provide a true winter treat. With 18.2%, Einbecker Winter-Bock has the highest original wort of all Einbecker beers.

Luce Line Darkhouse Czech Dark Lager

Luce Line Darkhouse Czech Dark Lager.

4.5% ABV, 25 IBU. Luce Line Brewing, Plymouth, Minnesota.

Thoroughly dark, absolutely opaque, slim ring of cocoa foam.

In the nose: roasted malt, cocoa aromatics, minor hops. Warm and lovely. 

In the mouth: crisp, clean, dark, delicious. Dry, balanced, slightly sweet. Malty, smooth. Thoroughly delightful. Chocolate and coffee.?

I don’t drink enough Czech dark lagers. Maybe I should fix that. 

 Darkhouse is a dark but highly drinkable Czech dark lager. Brewed with 100% Czech grown malted barley and fermented with a classic Czech lager yeast strain, Darkhouse has notes of bakers chocolate and dark fruits with a crisp and clean drinkability. 

HeadFlyer Holla Day Cranberry Honey Wheat

 HeadFlyer Holla Day Cranberry Honey Wheat.

5.5% ABV, 14 IBU. Headflyer Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lightly hazy, deep amber color…actually looks a lot like what you’d get when you cross cranberry with honey…slim white head. 

In the nose: fruity and tart, smells like …what you’d get when you mix cranberry and honey…

In the mouth: light bodied, fairly smooth, with faint flavors of …wait for it… cranberry and honey. Plus wheat. 

It’s a decent beer and you can certainly drink it. Clearly, not for me, though. 

Holla Day is a special infusion of our Holla Honey Wheat Ale. Cranberry brings color and a slightly tart finish to the smooth, sweet honey base.

Back Channel Parody West Coast India Pale Ale

 Back Channel Parody West Coast India Pale Ale. 

6% ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park, Minnesota. 

I couldn’t find out where the name comes from, but this had better not be a parody of my favorite style. 

Clear, bright golden hue, stable ivory head. 

In the nose: pine and citrus, grapefruit and lemon.

In the mouth: floods the palate with hoppiness, crisp and clean. Nice and dry. Just enough bitterness to please this hophead. Just enough fresh, delicious flavor, too. Plenty of piney and citrus. 

(Addendum, weeks later):Okay, I’m a little embarrassed about this. Top hats, horns, records and the word Parody, what do they have in common? It can only be one thing. Minneapolis-born Barry Hansen, aka Dr. Demento.

Põhjala Cocobänger Imperial Stout with Coffee and Coconut

 Põhjala Cocobänger Imperial Stout with Coffee and Coconut.

12.5 % ABV, Product of Estonia, brewed and packaged by Põhjala, Tallinn, Estonia.

And here we have what must be, if I am not mistaken, my first Estonian beer. About damned time.

Strictly blackness, terminal opacity, slim brown ring of foam.

In the nose: rich, roasted malt, big cocoa, hints of coconut. Nutty, slightly sweet.

In the mouth: surprisingly smooth and sweet. Big boned and burly. Lots of depth and loaded with cocoa. Coconut and coffee are subtle, and that’s okay with me. They’re creeping up along the edges. Not in your faces, but gliding up right behind. Remarkably mellow for a beer this big. Not especially thick or rich, and just a little spicy.

I paid $8 for this 12 ounce bottle. I’ve spent more for less. Good job, Estonia. 

Oliphant Practitioner of Duck Arts Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

 Oliphant Practitioner of Duck Arts Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout. 9 and 18 month barrel blend.

13.5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin. 

Black as the darkest night, fully opaque,  tight tan head. 

In the nose: dark and rich, molasses and char, cocoa and hints of cherry. Beastly bourbon barrel business.

In the mouth: more chocolate, more thick, more viscous. Plenty of bourbon on the palate. Just sweet enough, and plenty boozy. Well-balanced and over-the-top at once. This one’s got the goods, sure way to send me off to slumber. A right good nightcap. 

This one is the real deal. I’m going back for more.

Warpigs Blinding Light Show Luminiferous India Pale Ale

 Warpigs Blinding Light Show Luminiferous India Pale Ale. Ale brewed with orange and lemon peel. 

7% ABV, 67 IBU, Warpigs Brewing, Munster, Indiana.

Slightly hazed, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus explosion. Bold orange and lemon, with a touch of tangerine. 

In the mouth: just a bit of bitterness to kick things off, then it’s a fairly smooth affair. Lean-bodied, bright and lively. Refreshing IPA, I can honestly say that I enjoyed. 

A Luminiferous India Pale Ale brewed with Orange and Lemon Peels. From out of the darkness comes the light. Blinding Light Show IPA wields bold citrus and tropical flavors of illuminating refreshment. All that was hidden shall be revealed.

BlackStack Late to the Party Fest Bier

 BlackStack Late to the Party Fest Bier.

6% ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

When this came out in September, I mentioned to the brewery rep that it was not that late at all. It is compared to everyone else, he said. So, naturally, I sat on it until December. Makes sense. 

Clear, bright golden hue, short white head. 

In the nose: malty, sweet, lightly floral. Classic German lager aromatics.

In the mouth: bright, malty, and quite delicious. Excellent drinkability. Light bodied, moderately hopped. Fits the festbier profile perfectly.

I still like Märzens best, but there’s nothing like a good ol’ festbier. Cheers to Ludwig & Theresa! (Better late than never!)

More like Awk-toberfest, amirite? We actually quite enjoy drinking these types of beers into the fall, so we figured we'd release it in the first week of October... so like 2-4 months after most folks. We brewed this beer with Weyermann Malt & spunded for natural carbonation as an homage to the endlessly gulpable biers you'll find at the tents in Munich during Oktoberfest festivities. Where is everyone going? We just got here.

Cigar City Florida Man On the Moon India Pale Ale

 Cigar City Florida Man On the Moon India Pale Ale. Brewed with Galaxy, Strata and Talus hops. (Are these all astronomical references?) 

6.5% ABV, 60 IBU, Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL. 

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

In the nose: soft and fuzzy, floral and citrusy. An intriguing melange. 

In the mouth: big, bold burst of hoppiness explodes on the palate. Just enough bitterness to keep this hophead happy. Orange and lemon meet mango and melon. Long, hoppy finish, medium bodied. 

This one was canned in the end of June, and was one of the last from the variety pack I purchased back in September. Did I sit on this too long? It definitely tasted better when fresher, but I feel this isn’t far from the first two I had. 

All in all, a zesty enterprise.

The World's Worst Superhero is going interstellar in this iteration of his namesake beer. Brewed with an astronomical amount of Galaxy hops, this IPA's bright tropical qualities are sure to send you to weird and wonderful worlds beyond the Sunshine State.

Barrel Theory All the Way Live West Coast India Pale Ale

 Barrel Theory All the Way Live West Coast India Pale Ale.

7.2 % ABV, 65 IBU, Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

And here we have my first review of a Barrel Theory beer in a can, not a crowler. This because they have all been hazy IPAs, fruited sours, or pastry stouts. I can’t go for that (no can do). A West Coast IPA? You know I am down with that.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose; floral a bit, mildly piney, plenty citrusy. Highly likable. 

In the mouth: big bitterness grabs the palate and clings to the tongue. Crisp, dry, bitter. Not a smidgen of sweet. 

Not a trace of fuzz. 

Well-composed IPA. Bright, bitter, snappy, creeping into delicious. I’ll be enjoying this one all the way down. 

West Coast Style IPA w/ Amarillo, Columbus, Simcoe & Chinook hops.

Founders French Toast Bastard Vanilla Cinnamon MaplebBourbon Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale

 Founders French Toast Bastard Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Bourbon  Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale. 

Barrel aged series. 11.1% ABV, 50 IBU. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Is that ever a mouthful!

Dark brown, fully opaque, slim off-white head.

In the nose: crazy maple! Slight cinnamon. Overpowering vanilla. And me without any pancakes.

In the mouth: smooth and mellow for this first five seconds, once the barrage of adjuncts begins. Huge maple, very vanilla, and at last the cinnamon chimes in. Where’s the bourbon? Who’s seen the scotch ale? Extra flavors have subsumed all else, but that’s the way you like it. 

Decadent treat that delivers all that it promises. So, Breakfast Stout was just never breakfast enough, eh? Oh, those were simpler times. Now, everything’s got to outdo everything else. This one does it right, I have to admit. 

Backwoods Bastard gets the full-fledged breakfast treatment! Our malty and rich bourbon barrel-aged Scotch ale is introduced to the essence of smooth maple, warm cinnamon and notes of sweet vanilla for an incredibly decadent brunch-inspired sipper. One taste and you’d swear you were digging into your Sunday morning French toast. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?

Oliphant Stout

 Oliphant Stout. 

6 % ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin.

Another label that begs a story to be told. An abandoned drum kit in a studio/practice space littered with Oliphant cans, a poster of a two headed puppy…what is going on? 

Strictly ebony, complete opacity, rich, luscious tan head. 

In the nose: caramel malt, cocoa, cream…mild roast. 

In the mouth: full body, rich texture. Semi sweet. Well balanced. Supreme drinkability for the dedicated stout fan. Just a little lush and just the right amount of smooth. Moderate bitterness. Altogether right on the money and super enjoyable non-pastry stout.

Hallelujah, they still exist! 

You might be a Chuck Norris if you can do a windmill kick, otherwise you're probably just a normal person, which is fine because we brewed this normal stout for you. Cheers!

Odell Harvest Fresh IPA

 Odell Harvest Fresh IPA. 

7.7 % ABV, 45 IBU. Odell Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Clear, bright golden hue, voluminous ivory head.

In the nose: vibrant pine and citrus, fragrant and floral. Super fresh.

In the mouth: bursting with bitterness, popping with hoppy flavors, over a crisp, clean malt bed. Grapefruit blends orange peel and pine, flavors cavorting upon the palate, leaving trails of bitterness behind. Medium bodied and fully flavored. A zesty enterprise of hop expression. 

In other words, I can dig it. 

Brewed with Roy Farms who grow some of our favorite hops. This is an easy drinking IPA with notes of citrus, melon, and tangerine. We threw in some Munich Malts to give this beer a nice backbone. Roy Farms out of Yakima Valley grows some of the best hops around and we are proud to do this collaboration.

Back Channel Ballooney Bin West Coast India Pale Ale

Back Channel Ballooney Bin West Coast India Pale Ale. 

7% ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park, MN. 

Well, all right, now, Back Channel made a beer that I might actually like. Let’s see how this goes. 

Clear, deep golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: vibrant piney notes with citrus on the side. Grapefruit and orange peel, with a squirt of lime. 

In the mouth: bitter and resinous at once, bursting with hoppy goodness. Sufficiently dry, clean and bitter. Medium bodied, with a long, bitter finish, lasting long on the tongue. 

This isn’t exactly how I like my West Coast IPAs, but I’m happy with how close they get. There’s a touch to much sweetness in it. I always want it dry and brittle. 

Can I get this one in a bowl?

Montgomery Suncoast West Coast IPA

 Montgomery Suncoast West Coast IPA.

6.7 % ABV, 48 IBU. Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, Minnesota.

Clear, golden hue, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: fruity and floral, grapefruit and orange. Citrus notes galore. 

In the mouth: bitter bite up front, with citrus splashes throughout. Bright and lively. Light bodied, well balanced and easily consumed. Does a body good. 

I love a good ol’ IPA, with neither fuss nor muss. . And this is one. 

Introducing SunCoast West Coast IPA, a true embodiment of the sun-drenched shores and adventurous spirit of the West Coast. Crafted with a meticulous blend of Cascade, Mosaic, Idaho 7, and Strata hops, this beer offers a bold and invigorating flavor profile that is sure to captivate IPA enthusiasts.

La Dona Prince Namor Barleywine

 La Dona Prince Namor Barleywine. 

9.5 % ABV. La Dona Cerveceria, Minneapolis, MN. 

The Sub-Mariner has his own beer? Ruler of the realm eternal? Monarch of Atlantis? Oh, wait, it’s not that anymore in the MCU, and you know what, I never saw that movie, it’s cool, it’s cool. 

So, let’s drink a Barleywine. 

Clear, deep reddish hue, slim white head.

In the nose: hoppy, but mixed with malt. Caramelly. Lovely stuff, so far. 

In the mouth: full, rich, complex. A kaleidoscope on the tongue. Malty flavors with a boozy kick, and just the right dose of hops. Full body, long malty finish, some fruity flavors pop up, dark and delicious, wrapped up in boozy malt ones. Very enjoyable. 

I’m relaxing and luxuriating, floating aloft, as if my ankles had wings. 

Modist Breffix 24 Hr Breakfast Stout

Modist Breffix 24 Hr Breakfast Stout. 

8% ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Breakfast Stout with barley, crystal malt, roasted malt,Wildflyer coffee, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla bean & oat milk.

Strict blackness, slim brown head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: roasty toasty malt up front, some cinnamon, a pinch of pepper, hints of cocoa. 

In the mouth: smooth and slightly sweet and creamy. Vanilla? But, of course. Oats? Gots to be. Full bodied and deceptively smooth. Altogether tasty.’

I tasted this without reading the ingredients list first. Missed some, obviously, and couldn’t pick out the maple, brown sugar or coffee. They all came together remarkably well. Quite a delicious concoction.