Indeed Giant For a Day Double IPA

Indeed Giant For a Day Double IPA.

9 % ABV, 60 IBU. Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

And here we are, nearly 10 years into the life of the Indeed Brewing Company, and they have released their first ever double IPA.They've put out a double pale ale before, and many IPAs, but no double IPA. Let's check it out and see if it passes muster. 

Lightly hazed, not as clear as I'd hoped, probably chill haze, bright golden, orange-ish hue, voluminous ivory head. 

In the nose: big citrusy aromatics, orange, lime and grapefruit, plus candied apricots. A bit of peach and mango, too. Quite lovely. 

In the mouth: Pungent and powerful. Lip-smackingly delicious. All manner of citrus with a smack of pine, and a bit of the ol' sticky-icky. Citus plus stone and a dash of tropical. Dank, a little resinous, with oncoming high alcohol. Medium bodied, long hoppy finish, loaded with hop bitterness. This tasty nectar has it all. I'm impressed. It's no Steel Toe Sticker Fight or Surly Abrasive, but as it is, not too shabby. Could it be better? Of course, but I'm happy with it as it is. 

Keep on brewing, Indeed, keep it up, and I'll keep a'drinking.

Orkney Skull Splitter Scotch Ale/ Wee Heavy

Orkney Skull Splitter Scotch Ale. 

8.5 % ABV, 55 IBU. The Orkney Brewery, Stromness, The Orkney Islands, Scotland.

Skull Splitter, Skull Splitter! When was the last time that I saw Orkney Skull Splitter? It's been many a year. And out of the blue, some showed up at the store where I work. I had to get a 4-pack and reunite myself with this old chum. Here are my notes from way back in June of 2004. I gave it a 3.82 out of 5, which was 6.4 % below the average. Was that right of me? Probably not. I can't excuse the behavior of the me of 18 years ago. Yet, I still share these ancient ramblings. 

Clear, bright garnet hue,nearing auburn, with huge carbonation, bubbles all over the place, with a flush head of beige foam that goes down in a flurry of vanishing bubbles.

Aroma, deeply, darkly malty, woody, some spices float about in the nose, caramel, some fruitiness, dark ones, grapes and cherries, a wealth of complexities...

nice taste, caramel leads the flavor, just nearly definable as "rich", but not quite..nay, not quite as full in the mouth as we'd hope, and then the booze kicks in, and it tastes something like a blend of dark rum and cherry brandy. I swear I wasn't drinking officer, well, one teensy little beer, maybe...

Body's a bit medium, finish is, too, doesn't quite maintain a presence on the palate. Overall, a tasty, boozy blend of malt and fruit. 

For the sake of my skull, though, I plan to visit this brew at well-spaced intervals.

Guess what? I still like like it.

Skull Splitter has a rich fruity wine-like complexity. Flavours include fresh and dried fruits; warm exotic spice and mellow summer fruity notes.  

Sophisticated, satiny smooth and full flavoured beer. It is one of our strongest beers, named after Thorfinn Einarsson the 7th Viking Earl of Orkney. 

Pair with fruit puddings and or rich dark meats such as venison or alternatively, Skullsplitter is a delight as a digestif.

Bad Weather Glory Daze West Coast IPA

 Bad Weather Glory Daze West Coast IPA.

8.5% ABV, 77 IBU, Bad Weather Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

I like the Bad Weather Brewing Company. I have said it before and I'm saying it again. And now they have a West Coast IPA, and I have made my feelings very clear about them. Have they made the right West Coast IPA for me? Let's find out. (Actually, I've already found out, as this is the fourth can from the pack, and I had it at the brewery in September 2019. )

Clear, bright golden hue, large ivory head. 

In the nose: Big hops, bristling with citrus and pine. Highly likable. 

In the mouth: Hop explosion on the palate, a flurry of citrus, orange and tangerine, lime and grapefruit, brimming with bitterness. Only the slightest bit juicy,with bitterness aplenty. Medium bodied, with a long dry finish. 

Relive the style that got you into craft beer in the first place. Some will say it's washed up, past it's prime or already peeked. Before the haze was the Glory Days... of the West Coast IPA. 

GLORY DAZE is a collaboration brew with our friends at the soon to be open Arbeiter Brewing Co. Inspired by our favorite "classic" West Coast IPA's this beer is clean, very hop forward with a firm bitterness. Hoppy aromas of citrus, pine and resin.

Schell's No Frills Pils

 

Schell's No Frills Pils. German -style Pilsner. 

5% ABV, August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, Mn.

Years ago, the August Schell Brewing Company had a beer called Schell's Pilsner. It was good. Even I like it. And I don't really go for lagers. Then it was switched to Schell's Pils. This lasted for years, until it was dropped and later replaced by Keller Pils, which was very well received. And it went away. Now, this. Personally, I want to see this brewery pick a pilsner and stick with it. Maybe this time it will happen, maybe not. We'll see. Meanwhile, let's try it out. 

Clear, bright yellow, small white head. 

In the nose: Lightly floral, slightly sweet. Minor hops. Mildly malty. 

In the mouth: Light bodied. Malty flavors, played in a minor key. Delicate flavors unfold as we drink deeper down. Hops are more on the march, bitterness is small and plays well on the palate. Light, refreshing and definitely drinkable. 

I don't mind this one tiny bit. And I didn't detect a single frill anywhere in it. Someone who requires a pilsner devoid of hop bitterness might, though. 

Arbeiter Wee Heavy Scottish Strong Ale

Arbeiter Wee Heavy Scottish Strong Ale.

9.9 % ABV, 43 IBU. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Man, do I love a good Wee Heavy, and was I happy that Arbeiter brewed one. Let's drink it up and see how it is. 

Dark brown color, clear, slim head atop. 

In the nose: Caramel malt sweetness hits first, with a twist of toffee, too. Deep richness, sure to deliver decadence. 

In the mouth: More richness, more massive malt, more caramel and toffee. No hops to speak off, but still well balanced. Sweet, but not overly so, and the strength has only started. Getting bigger, boozier, ballsier, more rich and delicious. Yum a dum dum. 

Damn, this is nice. Keep 'em coming, guys. 

Pipeworks Unichrome Double IPA

Pipeworks Unichrome Double IPA.

9.1 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lush, creamy ivory head.

In the nose: bold citrus and pine, vibrant and hoppy as all get out.

In the mouths: starts out brash and bitter, with citrus and stone fruit joining the party. Bitterness hangs on the palate, but it’s more mild and mellow. Medium bodied, long, fruity/hoppy finish. Slight sticky, dank sweetness, just a kiss of the malt. Wonderfully resinous.

And the booze starts booming. 

This is what I want in a double IPA (aside from a little more dryness) and I am happy that Pipeworks took a break from the hazies to release it. 

Once again, this is can #4 And I wish I had more. Good thing there’s more to be found.

Unichrome is a robot unicorn made of chrome BUT ALSO a Double IPA with lush aromas of coconut, guava, and tangerine 

Portage Pine Line DDH West Coast IPA

Portage Pine Line DDH West Coast IPA.

6.8 % ABV, 65 IBU. Portage Brewing, Walker, MN. 

And here we have the first appearance of the Portage Breewery in Walker, MN, here in the Nib. I've only had one of their beers before, a mild ale that Dave shared with me. This one is in one of my favorite styles, although I've gone on record to say that doing the ever-so popular Double Dry Hop effect with a West Coast IPA is at the least counter-intuitive. Let's check it out. 

Clear, bright golden hue, huge ivory head. Looking the part. 

In the nose: Blast of citrus and pine, powerful, aggressive. Right on the money.

In the mouth: Grapefruit, lemon and orange, with a kick of pine. A little juicy, a lot of bitter, and ending on a dry note. Almost picture perfect. Medium bodied, with a long bitter, hoppy finish. This one is no piker, and I'm happy to see them putting something like this, a real IPA, that contrast with New England after New England, ad infinitum. 

I do wish this ever bitterer, but I'm happy they took it this far. 

Paying homage to the hops that the hoppy era you see today - made with Warrior, Simcoe, Chinook, Cascade hops. Bitter, piney.

I'm going to pretend that the above is an actual sentence that makes sense. 

Surly Gimme S'more Darkness Russian Imperial Stout 2021 Variant

Surly Gimme S'more Darkness Russian Imperial Stout. 2021 Variant. 

12 % ABV, Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN. 

Strictly Stygian , completely and utterly opaque, with a brief brown head. 

In the nose: Rich and roasted, caramel, toffee, vanilla. Oncoming cinnamon. Nothing from the barrel. Not much, anyway. 

In the mouth: So, the name suggests  a "s'more stout", as that is a thing. But there are no additions of graham cracker or marshmallow, which makes me respect Surly. Is cinnamon a thing in a 'smore? Or even vanilla? Isn't it just graham crackers, marshmallow, and sometimes chocolate? Are they trying to approximate the flavor without bringing marshmallows into the brewhouse? Again, props. 

Starts out sweet, spicy, hot, smooth, all at once.Cinnamon hot, vanilla cool. Big chocolate and notes of whiskey, lots of oak, big and bountiful. Char, molasses, treacle, slick and syrupy. A sweet, delicious treat that still dwells in the depths of darkness. 

Gather 'round the campfire with this Darkness variant conceived by Surly's Dave McGrath. Aged on vanilla and cinnamon in bourbon barrels, Gimme S'more more than lives up to its name. 

Pivovara Medvedgrad Crna Kraljica Schwarzbier

Pivovara Medvedgrad Crna Kraljica Schwarzbier. The Black Queen. 

4.8 % ABV, 20 IBU. Medvedgrad Brewery, Zagreb, Croatia. 

Hey, look , it's another Croatian beer. And it's another German style, one that I usually enjoy. And another awesome label illustration. Let's drink it up and see how it stacks up. 

Dark brown, nearly black, almost opaque, with rich tan head above. 

In the nose: Cocoa and cream. Caramel and coffee. So far, so nice.

In the mouth: Slight bitterness. Clean and balanced. Dark malty flavors are dominant. Medium body. Exceptionally smooth and easy drinking. Chocolate, coffee flavors return to the palate and are held in check. Rich and roasty and a little bit yum a dum dum. 

A dark lager with additional hops and a characteristic taste and aroma from dark, roasted malt grains. Crna kraljica (Black queen) is available throughout the year.

Bauhaus Froth Bite Dry-hopped German -style Pilsner

Bauhaus Froth Bite Dry-hopped German style Pilsner.

4.9 % ABV, 35 IBU. Bauhaus BrewLabs, Minneapolis, MN. 

It's about time I got around to this beer from the Bauhaus Freezebox. It's not freezing anymore. Snow is melting, temperatures are rising. And no one is getting frost bite. That pun is dead. Let's drink a bneer. 

Clear, bright yellow coloring, small white head. 

In the nose: floral, light citrus, minor hops. 

In the mouth: Clean and smooth, but something short of crisp. Soft, for sure, light, and exceptionally easy drinking. Appealing flavors, quite tasty, lightly hoppy and ultimately quaffable. A delightful little pilsner. 

Lift Bridge Batch 4000 DDH DIPA

Lift Bridge  Batch 4000 DDH DIPA.

8.5% ABV, 5 IBU. Lift Bridge Brewing, Stillwater, MN. 

Semi-hazy, bright golden hue, lovely little layer of ivory froth atop. 

In the nose: Citrus notes on top, touch of tropical on the side. Pleasing. 

In the mouth: Bitterness hits first. Big, juicy, candyish fruit flavors, led by orange, grapefruit, tangerine. Bold, aggressive, and certainly strong. (How strong I cannot tell, it is missing from the label. I'll find it somewhere.)

All in all, for a DDH DIPA, not too shabby. 

Powered up double dry hopped double IPA with aromas of citrus, grapefruit and tropical fruit from strata, mosaic and citra hops to celebrate hitting the 4000 mark on batches brewe

Founders KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa Imperial Stout

Founders KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa Imperial Stout.

12 % ABV, 45 IBU. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI. 

Solid blackness, thoroughly opaque, slim ring of brown foam above. 

In the nose: Creaminess. Vanilla first, then along comes cinnamon, and plenty of cocoa on the side. Everything else stands below. 

In the mouth: Spice hits first, surrounded by cocoa. Cinnamon bomb, some might say. Vanilla pops up and mingles. Big cocoa. Spice flits throughout. High ABV gives it a kick. The coffee and the bourbon barrels are in here somewhere, but they're swallowed up by the cinnamon. Rich, spicy, delicious. 

Here’s one for the cocoa lovers: KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa – the sumptuous, deep coffee and chocolate flavors of KBS rise to the next level with a swirl of cinnamon and a hint of vanilla to create a sweet-but-not-too-sweet barrel-aged drinking experience. It’s a whole new spin on KBS that’s sure to sweeten your spirits.

BlackStack The Lost World TIPA

BlackStack The Lost World TIPA. Collaboration with Toppling Goliath. 

10.1 % ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Once upon a time, a triple IPA meant something specific, a rarified category of ale. Rich, malty, dank, above 11% ABV, nearly barley-wine-esque in flavor. These days, it's any IPA more than 9.5 % ABV. Let's see what this one is all about. 

Clouded, of course, bright yellow coloration, large ivory froth atop. 

In the nose: Soft and fuzzy. Citrus notes, but more from tropical. Orange and lemon meets pineapple and mango. Maybe a pinch of guava and passionfruit. 

In the mouth: Bright, just and just a little bit juicy. Alcohol shows up early. Big hoppy flavors, balance between citrus and tropical, moderate bitterness, medium body. Long lasting finish. The warm fuzzies are flowing in. 

Despite my reservations about the ubiquitous hazy TIPAs, I didn't mind this one. 

Our homies from Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. came back up to get prehistoric again. To pay homage to their Dino classics & the not infrequent jokes about the amount of plants in our taproom, we used with earth rattling quantites of our Hand-Selected Mosaic & Mosaic Cryo with TG’s Hand Selected Citra, Mosaic Nelson Sauvin & that new hotness, Riwaka, from their super secret stash. Lots of oil. Tread Lightly.

Clutch Ruff Day American Porter

Clutch Ruff Day American Porter.

6.4 % ABV. 32 IBU. Clutch Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Nearly black, almost opaque, , slim brown heads rests atop for a spell. 

In the nose: Mostly malty, notes of coffee and cocoa, nicely roasted. 

In the mouth: Balanced, cool, mellow. Minor hops, major malt, medium body, excellence of drinkability. Requisite flavors of roasted malt, cocoa, coffee are in attendance. 

It's a good porter and you can drink it. 

This dark delight boasts a bold roast up front with smooth notes of chocolate and coffee that longer, with delicate herbal notes to balance.

Sweetwater 420 Imperial IPA

 Sweetwater 420 Imperial IPA.

9.1% ABV, Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA. 

And here we go again. Despite my dedication to sampling all the double/imperial IPAs I can find (minus the hazy/New England ones that I despise, of course), I didn't snatch this one up right away. But, once it was in a 19.2 oz. can, that's when I buy it to try it. It doesn't make financial sense, unless it turns out that I don't actually like it. That's where $3 for this big can works out to be a better deal than $10 for 72 oz, all told. Let's see if I was right to go with this format. 

Clear, crimson hued. nice dollop of milky froth atop. 

In the nose: Sweet notes, beeries and other fruit. Specifically: Crunchberries. It's that kind of sweetness. Not quite the hop aroma I was looking for. 

In the mouth: More berries, slight citrus. Minimal bitterness. Hop flavors abound amid a malty mouthfeel. Some citrus sneaks in, but it's hard to pick apart among the mess. And a mess it is. If you only want to high ABV and some manner of hop flavors, sure, it works for you. For me, it's lacking a lot. I mean, I can drink it, and that buzz is coming around, but the thrill is not here. 

A craft classic deserves imperial treatment. A fresh take on ingedients from the original 420, this bold, flavor-packed new brother features a fresh combo of hops for added intensity and complexity, creating flavors and aromas of mango, peach, pineapple, citrus, and pine. The result is a well-balanced Imperial IPA thats a super tasty, higher abv brew.

Oliphant Ingrained Midwest IPA

Oliphant Ingrained Midwest IPA.

6 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Lightly clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: bold citrus notes, orange and grapefruit, lemon, with a pinch of pine. Exceedingly pleasant. 

In the mouth: Bitterness blazes the palate, ever briefly in force, lingering lightly thereafter. Almost aggressive. Medium bodied, easier drinking. For those who insist on bold smack of bitter in their IPA. Just what Dr. Hophead ordered. 

This one, as is my usual habit, was the final can of the four. The first three were gobbled down with astonishing alacrity. I'm going to take my time and relish this last one. 

Midwest IPA Collab with Trollhaugen Ski Resort & Interior Plain Project Snowboard Company for Lord of the Ropes with Chinook, Columbus, Cascade & Mosaic hops! 

Arbeiter Citralus Double IPA

Arbeiter Citralus Double IPA.

8.1 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

This is rather unheard of of late, so I have to point it out to one and all. This beer was released on Friday, March 11, to absolutely no fanfare that I was aware of, and I bought this crowler the same day, and here I am reviewing it on Monday the 14th. (And not published until Saturday the 19th for some reason.)I don't always get as timely as that. I feel slightly ashamed of all the less-fresh beer that's been patiently waiting it's turn in the fridge, being pushed aside by this hot new can. Still working on clearing away the contents of the cooler, which means a lot of saying no to new beers. A vow which I broke by the lure of this Double IPA, as often happens. Oh, and also, I had already made up my mind to buy this when I discovered there was a BOGO going on! If I hadn't decided to buy a crowler, that would have changed my mind. 

Clear, bright golden, large creamy, snowy white head. 

In the nose: Lemon, lime, orange, and an echo of grapefruit. Exceptionally citric and utterly pretty. Delightfully floral. 

In the mouth: Hop bitterness spanks the palate on first sip. Big citrus and pine. Clean and crisp. Medium body. Slides down smooth, with brittle bitterness breaking the fall. Lip smackingly delicious and refreshing, despite the higher ABV coming a-calling.

Was the first double IPA from Arbeiter? Possibly. Let it not be the last.

Pivovara Medvedgrad Grička Vještica Doppelbock

Pivovara Medvedgrad Grička Vještica Doppelbock.

7.5 % ABV, Medvedgrad Brewery, Zagreb, Croatia. 

These Craotian beers showed up today. I've never had a beer from Croatia before. (Edit: not true. I had one called Karlovacki 19 years ago.)They're all German styles, and look, here's a doppelbock. You know I llove a good doppelbock. Why don't we drink it? 

Clear, crimson-hued, slim auburn head. 

In the nose: Rich, sweet malty flavors, caramel and toffee in charge. Beautiful. 

In the mouth: More caramel, toffee, brown sugar and butterscotch at play on the palate. Medium bodied, smooth, sweet and malty. Good balance, and easy drinking, though the higher ABV lo is increasingly encroaching. Floods the mouth with deliciousness and warmth.

Grička vještica (The Grič Witch) is a strong dark lager of a subtle ruby red color. It's flavor is light, rich in fine sweetness and of a pleasant aroma. The quality is ensured by the layering period of no less than 60 days. It is named after a legend of The Grič Witch, who was so beautiful as to enchant the people of Old Zagreb. 

Three Floyds Aggro Master Coffee Ale

Three Floyds Aggro Master Coffee Ale.

7.5 % ABV. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

Dark brown, not quite clear, slim beige head above. 

In the nose: Roasty/toasty, earthy, lot of coffee going on to match the malt. 

In the mouth: Starts out with sweetness from the malt, with coffee flavor on the chase. Medium body, maybe lighter than I'd like. Coffee flavor never flags, though. Sweet, slightly spicy, smooth and delicious. Nothing from hops buy balance, Sometimes that's all you need. And every now and then, you get a glimspe of the Scottish Ale below it. 

As coffee and dark ales collide on the battlefield of flavor, a new hero emerges victorious! Combining a malty, Scottish-style ale with hand-selected roast coffee, the Aggromaster is your champion of full-bodied beers . . . Destined for and greatness and enjoyment. 

Junkyard Undersea World Belgian-style Golden Ale

 Junkyard Undersea World Belgian-style Golden Ale.

6.8% ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.

Here's a beer I would have bought, except that I got it for free. It's by Junkyard, it's in a favorite style, and one I've never tried from this brewery. And it was only $10.99 for the 4-pack. I would have bought it, but for the getting it for free. Maybe if I like it well enough, I'll buy one. Let's see. 

Bright golden hue, large, lush ivory head, clouded, though it oughtn't be. 

In the nose: bubble gum and banana kick it off. Light fruit, delicate spice, ethereal yeast notes. Nice,

In the mouth: Bubblegum and banana again on the palate. Citrus speaks up, some light spice dances on the tongue. It's a bit busier in the mouth than it ought to be, should be crisper and cleaner, to be of my liking, but it's not bad at all. This would have done well with some filtering. But it's got enough of the good stuff to keep me happy. 

Almost. I felt the promise of the higher ABV coming on, then falling short. And then I find out it's only 6.8% ABV, not 8%+. I don't really think about Belgian Golden Ales that aren't Belgian Strong Golden Ales. Isn't that just a Belgian Blonde Ale? 

In the end, I like it, I just wish it would be making me drunker. 

Come on an Undersea Water adventure with us!? Growing up Aaron loved and still loves watching the undersea adventures of explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. That was the inspiration for the label. If you haven't seen any of Cousteau's underwater footage, we highly recommend giving them a view. Preferably with an Undersea World Belgian Style Golden Ale in your hand.

Flavor profile: A great balance of banana, honey, and clove.