Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA, India Pale Ale Brewed with Green Tea

 Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA, India Pale Ale Brewed with Green Tea.

10.1% ABV. Brewed and bottled by Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA, with Baird and Kiuchi breweries, Japan. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Dank. Resinous. Fruity. Hoppy. And I’m getting a little tea.

In the mouth: why doesn’t the label say double IPA, or even triple? Doubly dank, deeply resinous overwhelming in its hop attack, gobsmackably boozy. And, sure, there’s some tea in it. Some sweetness, but largely bitter. Tea is in there somewhere. Kompai!

Our style of brewing has always been about taking chances. It’s an extension of our “What if” mentality, wherein we ask ourselves what would happen if we did things di­fferently in the brewhouse, such as fermenting with a di­fferent strain of yeast or, in the case of this beer, incorporating whole-leaf green tea imported from Japan. The answer, embodied in this IPA when we first released it in 2011, was something truly magnificent, delicious and well worth brewing again. But what if we changed it up a bit? This time around, we exchanged Pacifica hops from New Zealand for Helga hops from Australia. The result is an IPA that’s as bright, herbaceous and bitingly hoppy as the one that’s had our fans requesting its return ever since its depletion from store shelves, but with a modern, hop-driven twist that makes this second draft unique and tasty in its own right.

Southern Tier IPA

 Southern Tier IPA. 

7 % ABV, 60 IBU, Southern Tier Brewing, Lakewood, New York. 

I bought a Southern Tier 15-pack recently, because I haven’t had them in a while, and 15 is better than 12. That means I have 4 new  Southern Tier IPAs to review. Why not 5? One is a hazy IPA and I do not review those here anymore. You knew that. I’ll drink them, but I won’t enjoy and have grown tired of complaining about them. 

Clear, golden hued, large and lasting ivory head.

In the nose: soft, floral, slightly spicy, but most of all citric. 

In the mouth: more citrus zest and bright hoppiness on the palate. Minor sweetness to match the bitter, which hangs hard in the finish. A bit earthy, predominantly critic, with a touch of pine. Tasty stuff, good beer and you can drink it. 

Our IPA is timeless - brewed for those who give a damn about a well-crafted beer. As one of our original beers, its quality and consistency helped grow the popularity of IPAs from the ground up. The citrus and pine hop profile balanced by a subtle caramel sweetness are standard for a classic American IPA.

Wooden Ship Another IPA

 Wooden Ship Another IPA. 

5.1% ABV, Citra and Chinook. Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Largely clear, bright golden hue, ivory froth atop. 

In the nose: citrus for sure, slightly spicy, a touch floral. 

In the mouth: crisp and clean and plenty bitter. Grapefruit and orange and pine.Light bodied, with just a trace of malt. Superbly drinkable. 

Very diggable IPA. 

A malt-forward IPA made with Citra and Chinook hops

Alluvial The Visitor Triple Chocolate Barrel Agef Imperial Stout

 Alluvial The Visitor Triple Chocolate Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.

“September 2020 on 3rd Anna Weekend “ (was this written by Jeff, who gave me the bottle, or the brewery?)

11% ABV, 57 IBU. Alluvial Brewing, Ames, Iowa.

Full ebony appearance, cocoa tingedhead, a bit brief, utterly opaque. A little dirty at the top, as it diminishes. 

In the nose: chocolate dominates the aromatics, then along comes deeper, richer malty flavors, with barrel touches just below. 

In the mouth: thick, rich, dark, decadent. Chocolate frosting, fudge, oh, this is strong stuff, and it’s not on the label. Gonna have to look it up. Wait right here. 

11%? Is that all? I will finish this bottle and it will put me to sleep and I’ll be just fine in the morning, I promise. 

Whiskey barrel flavors coming on stronger, with dark fruits rising up to match the cocoa. Thoroughly delightful. 

Cholaca liquid cacao, Ghirardelli cocoa and Tcho cacao nibs. Aged 1 year in first use whiskey barrels.

Montgomery Brewing MNCity Pale Ale

 Montgomery Brewing MNCity Pale Ale.

4.7 % ABV, Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, MN.

Clear, bright golden hue, large, fluffy white head.

In the nose: floral, citrusy, hops a’poppin.’ Vibrant, vivacious.

In the mouth: soft slide onto the palate, with appropriate bitterness clinging on through the finish. Just malty enough, hoppy enough to bring balance. Meanders a bit to the sweet side, but bitter comes back to correct. Smooth and satisfying. 

"Minn" City Pale Ale is a refreshing and hoppy brew that is perfect for any occasion. This American-style pale ale is brewed with a blend of three classic hop varieties - Centennial, Cascade, and Amarillo - which gives it a distinct citrusy, floral aroma and a well-balanced flavor profile.

Three Floyds Pride & Joy Pale Ale

 Three Floyds Pride & Joy Pale Ale.

5% ABV, Three Floyds Brewing, Hammond, Indiana.

Ten years ago, I posted a review of Three Floyds Pride & Joy, but that’s when it was called a mild ale. Two years ago, I reviewed a beer called Pride &Joy 3000 that tasted more like a pale ale. And now, in the latest variety pack, we have a new P & J with the same label as the first, this time called a pale ale. Am I reviewing the same beer three times? Am I confused? Definitely yes to the second question, maybe also to the first?

Clear, bright golden hue, large, soft, creamy head.

In the nose: grassy, citrus, revealing malt notes below.

In the mouth: just a little bit of bitterness blesses the palate splash of grapefruit and orange, smidgeon of pine, dose of clean, biscuity malt just beneath. Crisp, medium bodied, expertly drinkable. Smooth, hoppy and utterly lovely. 

And I’m very sure this is the same beer, but properly named this time.

A smooth, medium-bodied pale ale with a bright citrus hop aroma and finish.

Great Lakes Chillwave Imperial IPA

 Great Lakes Chillwave Imperial IPA.

9% ABV, Great Lakes Brewing, Cleveland, Ohio. 

Clear, bright golden hue, with amber edges, slim, creamy head. 

In the nose: swirls of dank citrus and deep malt, slight sweetness, fruit aplenty.

In the mouth: fierce on the tongue, rich on the palate, hoppy goodness compounds it’s delights. Bitterness blazes, juicy, fruity sensations play among the senses. High alcohol rings loud and clear. Nicely numbing, slipping into sublimity. Ever so chillaxing. 

Inspired by the North Coast's dedicated (and sometimes chilly) surf community, our fully stoked Double IPA will melt the ice in your beard and never lose its balance.

Wooden Ship The Three Wishes of Rick IPA

 Wooden Ship The Three Wishes of Rick IPA. 

5.3 % ABV, Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

It was my first visit to Wooden Ship since last September. I’m back on the bike, enjoying the trip around the lakes. They’ve phased out crowlers for 16 ounce cans, and I was glad to learn that they happily assembled mixed four packs. So, this is one of four, with more to come. 

The three wishes of Rick. 

Yet another Wooden Ship beer that references Rick. I’m guessing he said, “I wish we had an IPA with Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops, my three favorites. I’d bet Al would like it.”

Clear, bright golden hue, slim, lasting, ivory head. 

In the nose: citrus and tropical fruity notes popping up in the aroma. 

In the mouth: moderate bitterness blesses the palate. Blasts and bites, then along comes smooth and malty. Orange and grapefruit meets pineapple and papaya, with a dose of berries. Just a little juicy. Long, bitter finish. 

This is definitely my kind of IPA. Delicious. 

Stone Delicious Double IPA

 Stone Delicious Double IPA. 

9.4% ABV, Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. 

This one was from a Stone variety pack and I should have had this one six months ago. C’est la vie. 

Opaque, deep orange/golden hued, large and lasting cap of ivory head. 

In the nose: dank and citrusy. Tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit. 

In the mouth: big, zesty, bitter, plus a little slick and smooth. Bitterness hangs on the palate, pine and citrus dominates the flavors. Alcohol hangs high over all. 

I am enjoying this particular beverage.

It’s hard to improve on something with a well-deserved name like Stone Delicious IPA… unless of course you could double the Deliciousness. We’re talking serious depth of flavor and an explosive aroma of lemon & tropical fruit from Centennial and Amarillo hops, all with less bitterness than a typical double IPA. The result is extra fruity, extra satisfying and extra Delicious.

Venn Saison Du Fleur

 Venn Saison Du Fleur. 

I had to search through my posts to see if I’d had this before. Sort of. I have reviewed an Imperial version of a hibiscus saison from Venn, ringing in at around 12%, back in 2018

Clear, crimson hued, below a brief brace of bubbles. 

In the nose: sweet, floral, funky, fruity. 

In the mouth: begins with a flash of bitterness, a touch of tart, then along comes a fruit flavor, ending dry after a touch of the sweet. Light bodied and easy drinking. The Saison at base has been subsumed by the hibiscus flavors. And I don’t mind ‘em. 

Looking at my notes on the Imperial version, they come off as strikingly similar. 

Clown Shoes Galactica Dank Nebula West Coast Style IPA

 Clown Shoes Galactica Dank Nebula West Coast Style IPA. 7.2 % ABV, Brewed by Clown Shoes Beer, Boston, MA & Windsor, VT. 

Clear, bright golden hue/near amber, full froth atop. 

In the nose: brash and bold, citrus and pine, and it’s got the dank. 

In the mouth: bursts of fierce hop flavor barrage the palate, blazing grapefruit, tangerine, candied mango. Bold bitterness, intense hop delivery, full body, rich richness. Dry and bitter, like any good West Coast. Delivers tantalization on the tongue, done with gusto. 

This modern twist on our classic West Coast style IPA features Galaxy, Simcoe, and Columbus hops, a rich malty base, plus Dank & Stormy Hopzoil™.

Warpigs Divine Huntress Weizen Doppelbock

 Warpigs Divine Huntress Weizen Doppelbock.

8.4% ABV, 24 IBU. Warpigs Brewing USA, Munster, IN. 

Next to a good ol’ doppelbock, I love a good ol’ weizenbock. I hope this is a good one. 

Clouded, fully opaque, crimson-tinted, nearly russet hued, slim white head above.

In the nose: banana hits first and hardest, sweet and malty below. Clove? A little. Utterly delightful. 

In the mouth: smooth, lush, more malty, more sweet, but well balanced and beautiful. Banana flavor stays on top and I’m enjoying it. Medium bodied, easily consumable, just about scrumpdiddlyumptious. You heard me. 

I love a good Weizenbock, and this is surely one. 

A Weizen Doppelbock featuring aromas of banana with hints of clove and vanilla, this German-style Ale has a full-bodied mouthfeel with a creamy and dry finish. 

Disgruntled Imperial Brunch Stout

 Disgruntled Imperial Brunch Stout. 

10% ABV. Bottled 7/20/18. Brewed and bottled by Disgruntled Brewing, Perham, Minnesota. 

Solid blackness, slim, cocoa-tinged head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: chocolate, charcoal, espresso, ash. Dark fruit. Anise. All the good stuff. A whiff of smoke. Leather & tobacco. 

In the mouth:  thick, rich, viscous, and filling. Massive malt, moderate hops, huge barrel action. Little vanilla, speck of cherry, loads of whiskey. Full bodied, immensely flavored, definitely decadent. Plenty bourbon, major imperial stout, put together in a perfect package. 

Aged in bourbon barrels, this Imperial Brunch Stout brings layers of chocolate, coffee, oatmeal, maple, bourbon and oak. It is as dark as sun—- a real supper. 

Montgomery Starchild American IPA

 Montgomery Starchild American IPA.

5.2 % ABV, 35 IBU, Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, Minnesota. 

Juicy/Dank/Clear. 

Clear, golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: bright, fruity, more stone fruit than citrus. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, refreshing. Light bodied, with low bitterness, perhaps too low for this hop head. Peach and apricot in the flavor. Hop bitterness lingers lightly on the palate. This is a great break from the relentless parade of hazy/ New England IPAs. Enough of that stuff, already!

Starchild is a truly unique beer that will take your taste buds on a journey through the cosmos. This ale is brewed using a special thiolized yeast that gives it a one-of-a-kind flavor and aroma profile. The addition of Amarillo, Azacca, and Hallertau Blanc hops creates a complex blend of fruity and floral notes that perfectly complement the yeast's distinctive character.

The Starchild’s role is to actively take part in transitioning the world into a new existence. 

BlackStack Magic Misfits West Coast IPA

 BlackStack Magic Misfits West Coast IPA.

6.5% ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Crystal clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: bright, bold, floral, fruity. Mango meets grapefruit. 

In the mouth: begins with bitterness, followed by fruit. Nice and dry, a bit brittle. Lighter bodied, bristlingly bitter, clean, popping with hops. Right on the money. A well-done West Coast IPA from BlackStack. 

Scott Johnson had a long history in beer here in Minnesota, one of the owners of the importer/ distributor All Saints, which brought us many great beers, back in the day. When he was putting his brewery together back on 2016, he would often lunch at Acadia with his crew while I was behind the bar and the conversation was always lively and he always overtipped. When I visited BlackStack, I could never spend any money. He gave me beers, growlers, glassware, merchandise. I never felt good about panning his popular NEIPAs and regret that our last interaction was when I posted a review online that he took issue with. A really great guy who left us too soon. 

Brewed with our buds at the Real Magic House in Hudson & Magic Giant, fine purveyors of top notch ear candy, in honor of a special show in a special place with some special folks. Chock full of Strata & Motueka with Phantasm, a newer product made out of Sauvignon Blanc grape skins from New Zealand that helps out hops shine even more brightly.

Duchesse Petite Barrel Aged Sour Ale

 Duchesse Petite Barrel Aged Sour Ale. Flanders Red Ale. 

4.5 % ABV. Brouwerij Verhaege, Vichy’s, Vlanderen, Belgium. 

Dark, dusky, magenta hue. Slim, off white ring of foam. 

In the nose: oak, cherries, plums, deep, earthy, fruity. 

In the mouth: slightly sweet, a little  bit tart, mostly smooth and fruity. Notes of chocolate and figs. Minor bitterness. Light bodied, full flavored, delicious. 

Duchesse Petite is an authentic Flemish Red Ale, brewed and bottled in Belgium. This refined ale, also known as "The Burgundies of Belgium" is a blend of beer matured in different oak casks for many months. 100% natural.

Lazy Monk Mad Monk IPA

 Lazy Monk Mad Monk IPA.

6.9 % ABV, 80 IBU. Lazy Monk Brewing, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Clear, but lightly billowy, immense ivory head, bright golden hue.

In the nose: bold, piney, citrusy. Lively hop attack. 

In the mouth: bitterness blazes the palate, a pleasing bombast. Orange and grapefruit and mango. Splashes the senses with hop flavors. Utterly delightful. This is my kind of IPA. 

A Centennial hop bomb, this unfiltered cloudy bier exudes strong pine & floral aromas that will remind you of warm summer days at the cabin. The taste will not disappoint you either; with 30 pounds of hops in 10 barrels, it holds all the hoppy bitterness that speaks to the heart of IPA lovers. 

Westmalle Trappist Extra

 Westmalle Trappist Extra. Belgia Enkel/Patersbier. 

Brouwerij see Trappisten,Van Westmalle 

4.8 % ABV, 30 IBU. 

What is a patersbier? A beer that the fathers enjoy, ie the monks who make it. They can’t, of course, do their brotherly duties while getting high off their own supply. One cannot live piously while sipping away at dubbels and tripels. 

Enkel? That means single. Like, below the dubbels and tripels? Or, you could say, table beer.

Well, I got one so, let’s drink one.

Clear, bright golden hue, luscious, long-lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: soft, fruity, citric. Bubblegum and orange peel. 

In the mouth: starts out smooth, mild with slightly sharp bitter bite. Belgian yeast character meets the juicy hop flavors up front, with mellow malt below. Crisp and cracker-y, with slight spice and splashes of citrus all over the palate. Light bodied and especially easy-drinking. It’s fun to drink like a monk!

This is one of the oldest beers of Westmalle Abbey, with a tradition that dates back to the start of our brewery. It was created to drink with meals in the abbey, something the monks still do today. As a top fermented golden yellow Trappist beer, the Extra is unique in combining a low alcohol content (4.8%) with a rich flavour. Enjoy its fruity notes and its refreshing, thirst-quenching character.

Firestone Psychedelic Arcade West Coast Golden Rye IPA

 Firestone Psychedelic Arcade West Coast Golden Rye IPA. 

6.3 % ABV, 50 IBU. Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Tobles, California. 

From the current variety pack. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: citrus and spice, with a pinch of pine.

In the mouth: hops are popping on the palate, bitterness buzzes, and the rye malt character comes shining through. Rich, spicy, nicely malty. Clean and just short of crisp. Delightfully delicious. 

Golden IPA brewed with rye malt and featuring Galaxy, Nectaron, Strata, and Simcoe hops for notes of ripe tropical fruit, grapefruit, pine dust, and dank.

Dual Citizen Cereal Money Breakfast Stout

 Dual Citizen Cereal Money Breakfast Stout.

7.8% ABV, Dual Citizen, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Solid ebony, thoroughly opaque, slim brown head. 

In the nose: roasty, chocolatey, deep and malty. 

In the mouth: rich, full, and smooth. More cocoa, some espresso hints. What makes it a breakfast stout? Cookies? Are cookies a breakfast food. There’setness a description on the back, but the type is too small for me to read. 

Light, but evident, sweetness. Moderate bitterness. Well balanced. Roasty toasty. A tasty treat. I feel like I understand why they’re not going with that lazy phrase “pastry stout.” It’s not that sickeningly sweet. 

A breakfast stout brewed in collaboration with our friends at Treats. An oat heavy stout brewed with six breakfast cereals, waffles, cocoa nibs, and Gus Dean coffee.