July 13th, 2008 beckel
Boulevard Brewing is an interesting and rather large, craft brewery out of Kansas City, Missouri. They make some decent beers so when I saw a few of their big bottles, called the smokestack series, I thought I should give one a try. The Double-Wide IPA pours a very nice roasted red color with a good amount of somewhat tan head that is rather light in body. Aroma is a decent mix of malt and hops, somewhat bitter and a tad bit of fermented fruit. Mouthfeel is pretty light and the flavor is very intense. Bitter hop flavors are all over, almost a little much. The malt flavor adds a hint of sweetness but is not able to balance the bitter. This beer is classified as an IPA, but with 8.5% ABV one may be inclined to categorize it as a imperial IPA. Over all this is a decent Imperial IPA, but i feel it has much more potential if they could manage to balance it a bit better. If your looking for a strong bitter beer that should be available around most of the Midwest this is a reasonable choice. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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July 10th, 2008 beckel
This beer is not available in Minnesota, but my roommate delighted me when he returned from his cabin with a bottle of New Glarus Spotted Cow. This beer heading from Wisconsin is classified as a Cream Ale and is quite interesting. This cask conditioned secondary fermented ale has been enjoyed since before prohibition and has been enjoyed ever sense. Pours a light very yellow color that is quite transparent with very little head that fades rather slowly. Smells of pilsner malts, nicely sweet and sour at the same time. Mouthfeel is light and simple. Flavor is interesting, somewhat cirtus and carbonated though more is going on, you can almost taste the corn in this beer. A grand tribute to the Midwest. This beer reminds me a lot of a pilsner but it has a more complex flavor. Coming in at 4.8% ABV i would say this is a good session beer, though the professionals may disagree (looking for a lighter beer). This is a grand summer beer and would encourage anyone who ends up near Wisconsin to try it out. If you like simple beers that also have flavor this one is for you. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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July 9th, 2008 beckel
I had the pleasure of attending the Southern Tier tasting at the Blue Nile last night and sampling a few of their beers, their coffee stout is delicious, I’d say even better than Summit’s Oatmeal Stout but thats not what this is about. So today I am drinking Southern Tier’s Big Red an Imperial red ale. As the name suggests this beer pours a lovely red color. Head is plentiful but not too massive and light white in color. Aroma is very nice, largely of sweet malt. Their website suggests pouring this beer in a sniffer to enjoy the scent, and I understand why. Flavor is good and amazingly unbitter for its 93 IBU. Hop flavor is definitely present, but the malt profile is so intense it can be hard to tell. With the sweet malt flavor of this beer few will guess its 9.5% ABV. Mouthfeel is medium and very smooth. Though I prefer a more hoppy beer this beer certainly gets my approval and I would definitely drink it again. Anyone who likes a strong amber or a malty imperial ale will really like this beer. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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July 7th, 2008 beckel
This beverage isn’t exactly beer, and you probably won’t see too many reviews of its kind, but it is alcohol none the less. Also this blog isn’t about me, but about beer, anyhow last week I was taking my new BOB Yak bicycle trailer out on its maiden voyage (which kicks ass by the way) 
and after a sweaty ride to Surdyks and much indecisiveness I ended up in front of some Strongbow cider. This made me think of the joys I had while in England drinking a couple of these on the street before a Jack the Ripper tour. This is even further irrelevant because I then saw some Hardcore cider and decided to add that to my cart instead, as I remembered it being more dry and less sweet than the Strongbow. This cider pours a light apple juice color with only a bit of head even if you pour quite sloppily. Smells somewhat of fermented apples, but more of dry alcohol. Mouthfeel is light. As I hoped this is a refreshing drink. Tastes like apple juice with a carbonated alcohol in the end. With 5.5% ABV this seems like a great drink to choose if you don’t want beer, but still want something refreshing and alcoholic. According to the label this beer is brewed by The Hardcore Cider Company in Cincinnati, Ohio and distributed by Boston Beer Company obviously from Boston, Massachusetts but through some internet research it would seem it is simply a creation of Boston Beer Company. I have mixed feelings about the aforementioned company, but it is a decent drink and they do some interesting things for the craft beer community no matter how large they may be. They particularly get credit for their hop sharing program this year. If you looking for a cider, this one packs a nice light punch, give it a shot and ride your bike.
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July 5th, 2008 beckel
Goose Island out of Chicago, Illinois make some pretty decent beers. The beer I am drinking now, Pere Jacques is the first of their limited availability line that I have tried before. It is inspired by a brewery tour trip the brewers took in Belgium, and named after the gentleman who personally allowed them to tour his abbot. This particular batch is vintage December 2007. Considering its Belgian inspired roots the head of this beer is a bit different. A bit tan and somewhat plentiful but it fades very rapidly. The color of this beer is great, deep dark cherry color that light is barely able to penetrate. Smell is mostly of fruits, perhaps cherry or cranberry to name a few, quite pungent and nice. Mouthfeel is rather light. Flavor is predominately of many fermented fruits and Belgian yeast, though malt sweetness is also very present, particularly in the finish. Alcohol is somewhat present. It is impressive how well the intense fruit flavor in the beginning is smoothed out by the malts in the end, well balanced indeed. This beer packs a 9% ABV but you probably wont notice. Not exactly a beer for hop heads with 26 IBU but don’t let that discourage you. Not a super complex beer, but it certainly contains many flavors and the malt and yeast used are very nice. As someone who isn’t super big on fruity ales, this one is darn good. Maybe not every day drinking, but definately a worthy choice when you want something sweet, but still a complex ale. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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July 3rd, 2008 beckel
Previously I have had the opportunity to try a couple of beers from Tyranena Brewing, all from their “extreme” line if you will which they call Brewers Gone Wild. Perhaps I was introduced to this company with a bit of a bias because big beers are what I love. None the less after my first sip of Tyranena’s Bitter Woman IPA I know my bias is not without reason. Brewed in Lake Mills, Wisconsin this beer pours a delightfully red amber color, when brought to light it is more transparent, but still very nicely colored amber. Head is modest and white, but may erupt if you do not pour carefully. Scent is intense , incredibly hop filled but not bitter. Flavor, where to start with the flavor. Initially this beer is almost sweet, but somewhat bitter as hops are certainly present. Flavor is very smooth and malty in the end which makes the flavor of this beer all the more interesting. Mouthfeel is light. Simply this is a must try beer. It is much more malty than I would typically expect (and prefer) in an IPA, but the flavor profiles are simply amazing. This is a well balanced beer, with the 5.75% ABV barely noticeable with the malty finish. I am excited to drink more of this beer with a variety of foods because I think the flavor will come out nicely in a variety of ways depending on your current palate. If you like India Pale Ales at all, or perhaps more so if you would like an IPA with more of an intense malt profile you really need to try this beer. Over all very flavorful and impressive for a year round beer. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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July 1st, 2008 beckel
I have hesitated in reviewing this beer because even though I have a love for strong complex beers, I have not come to appreciate porters and stouts as much as I would like to. With that said Flying Dog originally from Denver, Colorado as of this year brewing out of Frederick, Maryland after acquiring Wild Goose Brewery in 2006, makes magnificent innovative beers that any craft beer fan can appreciate. To say this beer has massive intense head would be an understatement. Pours a heavy toffee brown colored head that is as plentiful as any good Belgian Ale. Color is deep dark black that light can not penetrate. Smell contains hints of coffee and gentle toffee like malt scents but is very pungent. Mouthfeel is somewhat thick but your definitely not chewing on anything. Tastes of coffee and sweet toffee malt flavor in the end. Hints of light chocolate ice cream are almost present. Clean malt finish takes almost all flavor of alcohol away from this beer even though it clocks in at 7.8% ABV. Even with 85 IBUs this beers intense malt profile over powers the hops used. Part of Flying Dogs Canis Major Series this beer is certainly for craft beer lovers. Over all even as someone who doesn’t particularly care for coffee flavored beers, this one is darn good particularly on my second tasting. The intensity of the coffee flavors in this beer is rather lighter than one might expect from an imperial porter but it is certainly not lacking in flavor. If you try this beer in more than one sitting I am sure you will find more and more complexities as has been my experience. I would suggest this beer to anyone who wants a nice dark beer to sip on, particularly on a cold day. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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June 30th, 2008 beckel
Boulder Brewing Company out of Boulder, Colorado makes some interesting beers. So a few weeks ago when I saw they came out with a Double IPA Mojo Risin via Beer Tap TV I figured I had to give it a shot. As the 6th release of Boulder’s Looking Glass Series of sepciality beers Mojo Risin seems sure to not disappoint. This beer smells a lot like Boulder’s regular IPA Mojo with a decent amount of citrus but seemingly more malt undertones. Head is a bit tan and fluffy and certainly plentiful. Color is very orange and transparent. Tastes of citrus and Amarillo hops but rather flat with the malt flavors in the end. Alcohol is certianly present but gives almost a sweet taste with a bit of sour in the end. By doubling the Amarillo Hops and Malt they put in their Mojo IPA Boulder’s Double IPA clocks in at 10% ABV. Mouthfeel is smooth and light but a bit sticky. Over all a pretty darn decent beer. The regular Mojo IPA was always a little simple for me, and Boulder did an awesome job stepping up to the plate with their Double IPA. Full flavor and alcohol and more of a malt profile than the original India Pale Ale. This beer is still has a bit more citrus flavor than I would normally go for, but it balanced out incredibly well. If you want a strong hoppy beer that isn’t particularly bitter this one will do the trick. Give it a shot and ride your bike.
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June 30th, 2008 beckel
Here is another lovely beer from Great Divide Brewing out of Denver, Colorado. This beer pours a hazy dark orange color. Head is dense, white and quite plentiful. Smells slightly of orange and other simple citrus, many hops and a bit of alcohol gently dulled by malt. This beer has great flavor, quite hoppy and a tad bitter in the end. Some alcohol is present in the flavor, which is understandable considering its 9.1% ABV but is not overpowering in anyway. Storming in at 85 IBU this beer certainly has a big hop profile but is smoothed out very nicely by malt flavor. This beer is best colder and amazingly well balanced. Mouthfeel is smooth and quite light. Anyone who likes hoppy bold beers should give this beer a try, it is a bit intense but not overpowering…unless you drink too many. Try it out and ride your bike.
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June 29th, 2008 beckel
For the past few days I have been attending my cousins lovely wedding in Shawnee, Kansas. While there we went to the nearby liquor store and I was pleasantly surprised by their selection. This beer chosen by my stepdad is brewed by North Coast Brewing from California; who in 1996 resurrected the Acme name originally from San Fransisco and continues to brew their Pale Ale and IPA in Fort Bragg, CA. This beer pours a deep hazy apricot color, certainly unfiltered. Smells of pale malt and quite a bit of citrus. Head is modest and white. Flavor is a bit sour but malty. Mouthfeel is light and refreshing. This is a decent drinkable beer, but a little simple and pale for my tastes. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from trying this beer, but it is a bit sour. If you like a citrus filled pale ale give it a shot and ride your bike.
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