How to Talk Like a Beer Geek: We Aren't in India Anymore!

Did you know ‘India’ Pale Ales aren’t even from INDIA?! Uhhhh... What?!?! Yep, they were actually made for British Soldiers. The astringent nature of the extra hops made it possible for the beer to survive travel to faraway places... Like India!

Nowadays it is getting increasingly hard to find just an IPA without a word or two before ‘IPA’ on the label. A style of a style if you will. Confusing, yes. But, I got your back! This isn’t necessarily meant to be an actual style guide per se, but more of guide to help you understand and decode those qualifier words.


First English IPAs. These are the first. The original. The real deal! English IPAs were basically Pale Ales that were hopped up, a bit maltier, and a bit bigger on the ABV percentage. Again, made so that they would survive the long voyage to the British troops in India.

Next up, American IPAs! USA! USA! USA! American IPAs are a bit more robust in the ol’ flavor area than an English IPA. Typically more hopped up and usually with hops from this side of the pond. Now, this is where things get interesting! Much like the rappers of the rap battles of the 90s, American IPAs are often either West Coast or East Coast.

West Coast IPAs are the hoptastic flavor blasts that are pretty popular. Hopped usually with exclusively west coast hops, these beers don’t try to hide the floral citrusy hoppiness. Balance? Screw balance!

East Coast IPAs on the other hand tries to save your palate a bit from the hop overload. East Coast IPAs are still hoppy, but they tend to be balanced out better with a bit more of a malt profile. East Coast IPAs are basically West Coast IPAs’ more conservative brother.

For the last one, let’s hop back over to the other side of the pond; Belgian IPAs. Belgian IPAs are IPAs that have been made using Belgian yeast strains. Think of crossing a Belgian beer with an American IPA. You get the hoppiness of an IPA and you get the flavors from the Belgian yeast like you would in a dubbel or tripel. To me, this one is the most complex of the IPAs.

There we go! IPAs are not just IPAs anymore. Next time you want to pound a couple of these hoppy tasty beers you will be able to better decide what style of this... ummm... style you wish to get in your beer hole!

Join the Pack:An Interview with Lupine Brewing Company

The howl you heard the other night during the full moon wasn't a werewolf, it was Eric Sargent, Michael Dumas and James Anderle, the founders of Lupine Brewing Company getting ready to brew their Convocation IPA.  When they aren't brewing beer up in St. Cloud, they are working feverishly on plans to relocate to the Twin Cities.  I got the wonderful opportunity to interview them about their relocation plans, their Kickstarter and everything beer-related in between.

Beerploma:  What was the genesis of your passion for craft beer?  
Lupine:  All three of us have had a passion for great tasting beer.  We like trying new flavors and like to explore depending on mood and season.  We also enjoy the whole craft beer community, that feeling of getting together and discussing ideas of what works, over a beer.
Beerploma:  When did you know that starting a brewery was a feat you wanted to undertake?
Lupine:  April of 2013 was when we sat down to discuss starting a business together.  Brewing beer was the most logical and each one of us bring a unique skill set to the business plan.  James is the corporate guy that doesn't want to be corporate anymore.  Mike is sales and marketing currently and Eric is automation and facilities.
Beerploma:  Did you start off as a home brewer and when did you realize that you could brew professionally?
Lupine:  Eric started home brewing in 1993, but recently had his passion for brewing reignited.  When the three of us (Eric, James and Mike) started perfecting our recipes, the feedback we were getting was very positive.  Many of our family and friends told us that all of our beers were drinkable.  We have a phenomenal light beer that even non-traditional craft beer drinkers would enjoy.  We have six different IPAs, two of which are closer to APAs.  Our brown ale was perfected to have a wonderful start and a full-bodied finish.

Beerploma:  What are your favorite beer styles to drink?
Lupine:  We all like different beers, but Mike's go to is an IPA.  Eric's is primarily darker beers, but always wants to try new ones when out and about.
Beerploma:  Were there other Minnesota breweries that helped you along the way or inspired you?
Lupine:  Every one of them has helped out in one way or another.  We have stopped at most of them to see what went right and what went wrong with them.  The craft beer community is always willing to talk to you.  Our first official meeting was with John Klick at Execlsior.  He spent two hours with Eric and James answering any questions we asked.  It truly is a great community of brewers.
Beerploma:  What has been the biggest challenge so far in getting things up and running?
Lupine:  Waiting.  We had name issues with regard to trademarking.  Then it was licensing and now it is the final facility.  Waiting for things that are out of our control is always the worst waiting.
Beerploma:  You currently have 4 styles.  How did you decide that those would be the beers you started out with and do you see yourself expanding to offer more flagship and seasonal offerings?
Lupine:  We want a full color and flavor palette.  The first four are proven, but we have eight others perfected and will always be brewing more with a pilot system.
Beerploma:  What equipment do you still need to produce and market your beers the way you feel would be best?
Lupine:  Right now we need a kegging system, a larger pilot system and a some web design to complete so that we can sell our logo products.
Beerploma:  Where will your new brewery be locate?
Lupine:  We are currently brewing in St. Cloud and will be distributing from there until we get into the new facility.  Within the next two weeks we will be able to announce where in the western suburbs we will be going into.
Beerploma:  As you look at the overall Minnesota craft beer scene, how does Lupine Brewing Company's philosophy and name fit into that?  
Lupine:  Lupine is anything dealing with or pertaining to the wolf.  Minnesota has one of the largest populations of wolves.  We started our logo around the paw and then the name fell into place.  We are going to be a place where everyone can be a part of our pack.  It doesn't matter what you do or where you came from, you just have to enjoy great beer and good people.
Beerploma:  What is your favorite brewery and beer from outside Minnesota and why?
Lupine:  We really like the philosophy of New Belgium and their beers.  They are green in every way they can be and their beers are solid and consistent.  For the most part, we like flavors that are solid and consistent.

After interviewing the folks behind this new brewery, I am very excited to try their beer and become part of the pack.  One thing is sure, Lupine Brewing Company is passionate about beer and providing others with a great place to enjoy their product and hospitality.  So check out their Kickstarter and get ready to enjoy some of their beer, good people and maybe even a full moon.

LynLake Brewery: A Great New Place to Grab A Craft Beer!

On what turned out to be the last Friday in October when one could go without a jacket, I met a friend for some beers at the newly-opened LynLake brewery.  I had been excited to try their beers because they are advertised as having "bold flavors and aromas."  I also wanted to see how a brewery could replace the old historic Lyndale theater.  I was pleasantly surprised on both fronts because the beers are distinct and memorable and the space is incredibly unique and provides the perfect backdrop for grabbing a beer with friends.

Let's start with the beers.  In the interest of research, I tried samples of everything that they currently had on tap.  The first flight that I got included the Ponyboy Gold, Take 6 IPA, Rubbish Oat Amber Ale, Yea-Yea Pale Ale.  Then I moved on to samples of their Take 6 IPA cask with Cascade hops, the Y2K 2014 Hoppy Dark Ale, and the Sideburns Milk Stout.  One thing is for sure, they are right about bold favors and aromas.  None of these were run-of-the-mill style representations.  I also appreciated the unique titles for their beers, as they will go a long way in helping them build and grow their brand.  The Ponyboy Gold is a very approachable and drinkable offering.  This will probably be a gateway beer for a lot of people.  The Take 6 had a very pleasing piney and resinous quality that comes from a very nice hop presence.  I liked how the Rubbish Oat Amber Ale had nice touch of roast and caramel to the malty sweetness.

My favorite offering, by far, was the Sideburns Milk Stout.  This beer showcases dynamic flavor and mouthfeel.  When you sip this beer, it feels like your tongue is spooning with greatness.  I love how velvety and smooth the mouthfeel is on this beer.  There are so many stouts on the market that neglect this element of the sensory experience, and I am so grateful to the brewer that the Sideburns hit this nail on the head.  I ordered another pint of this beer and my companion, who doesn't usually like stouts, tasted it, and declared it a win because it didn't taste too much like coffee.

The atmosphere of this place is extremely relaxed and friendly.  The beer-tenders are cordial and willing to chat and answer questions about the beers.  The brewing equipment is visible from anywhere in the main bar.  There are Edison light fixtures hanging from the ceiling casting a warm glow on patrons as they enjoy their craft beers.  The presence of the old theatre is still there as one can see the moldings up on the high ceilings and I thought this was very cool.  As I sat at the bar, I saw patrons heading up the stairs to the rooftop and I immediately began looking forward to next spring, when I could enjoy a delicious pint out in the sun for happy hour.  This neighborhood already has tremendous offerings for food and drink, and LynLake is going to fit in tremendously.  So, get out there and try some of their wonderfully unique beers that will make you think and smile.  Go there to meet up with a friend or coworker, or simply fly solo and chat up one of the beer-tenders or a complete stranger next to you; either way you will walk away already looking forward to your next visit.

The Pint Report: Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub's Fresh Hop IPA

There are some fall seasonal beers that are only out for a seemingly limited time.  It is not that there aren't a lot of barrels of these beers brewed.  It is that these beers are made so well, that the masses consume them at a rate on par with adolescent boys at an AXE body spray giveaway.  Between Oktoberfests, pumpkin beers and harvest ales that so many breweries are putting out, it is easy to look past the special variety of Fresh Hop IPAs that are out there.

Northbound brews their version of this beer with three hop varieties: Cascade, Columbus and Centennial hops to give it a very clean and distinct hop flavor.  They brewed 14 barrels of the Fresh Hop IPA this year.  Northbound gets their hops for this beer from Gerhard Hops, a local hop farm in Pine City which also happens to be the largest MN hops producer.  This beer comes in at 6.9% ABV with 80 IBUs.  

The Fresh Hop IPA is medium amber in is very clean and clear.  There is not a lot of head on this beer.  The beer smells amazingly earthy and floral.  At the time of the review, I was one of several people at our table enjoying this beer and we all agreed that the aroma is what makes this beer a great selection.  I have had several other fresh hop beers and they are all very clean and aromatic.  This is a great beer style for someone who is intimidated by the bitterness of IPAs because this beer is the definition of approachable.  The 80 IBUs might also cause one to pause at ordering this beer, but fear not, the hops are not going to split your tongue in half.  

The flavors in the Fresh Hop IPA are nicely balanced.  One great thing about how Northbound brews this beer is that the drinker gets the appealing sensory elements of each hop they use in the beer and they all go well together.  There are floral and citrus notes from the Cascade and Centennial, and the slight bitterness from the Columbus and Centennial.  Because this is fresh-hopped, these flavors are all very much at the forefront of this beer.  There is some light bitterness, but that showed up in the aftertaste. The mouth feel of this beer is unique because it is initially crisp, and then seems to smooth out.  

This beer pairs very well with the smoked buffalo wings that I ordered.  The logic behind that pairing is that the smoked wings highlight the flavor of the smoked meat because they are not swimming in sauce.  The Fresh Hop IPA has clean hop flavors front and center and I wanted to see how it would hold up the the smoke and spice of the wings.  I was very pleased with the combination.  Northbound also had a very limited supply of Fresh Hop IPA infused with Tangelos, a hybrid of citrus fruit made of tangerine, mandarin orange and grapefruit.  This was a very refreshing taste and combination.  So, if you are lucky enough to find the Fresh Hop IPA with Tangelos on tap, order a pint because it won't be around long!  The Fresh Hop IPA is a great beer to enjoy on Northbound's patio as Minnesotans soak up the sun and hold on tight to the last few nice days of fall.

The Pint Report: Big Wood Brewery's Wicked Ex IPA

We've all been through a tumultuous relationship at some point in our lives; one that seems like a great idea, full of some fun times, but ultimately leaves you feeling as though you are missing something, bored, or just feeling downtrodden.  For seasoned beer geeks, this describes their relationship with IPAs. Oh, they were that beer that got you started down this dark path of beer nerdery, but now you can't stand the site of them after either discovering more unique styles or having so many of them, the mere smell of one makes you cringe in horror.

But sometimes, beers like Wicked Ex from Big Wood Brewery out of White Bear Lake, MN make you remember why you fell in love with this rather popular style in the first place.  In the right kind of glass and the right temperature to show off its figure and taste, Wicked Ex rushes back all those early memories of you falling in love with IPAs and makes you forget, even for just a moment, whatever fancy style it is you are consuming/brewing now.

This brew has just enough of a bite to it that tickles the taste buds, but not too much that it repulses away the adventurous spirit.  That small hint of bitterness comes from the blend of Ahtanum hops, mixed with Cluster hops and a special blend from Northern Brewer.  The Anthanum hops give this brew that familiar citris and pine aroma and flavor that excite both the tongue and nostrils.

Oh, you may have found yourself steering away from beers of this variety, given your time and experiences with every other IPA that you've found nowadays, but the Wicked Ex is a Siren of this style.  It lures you in with an initial sweet flavor, then slams you up against the wall with that fresh bitter hop that will linger just long enough so that you don't forget it, but not too long so that you can't enjoy that burger and fries later on.

For beer purists, Wicked Ex tends to point in the direction of being a West Coast IPA, similar to other local Minnesota brewers who brag a similar style.  While this beer doesn't outright advertise itself as such, the fact the main hops hail from the Pacific NorthWest, coupled with the strong hoppy aroma of this brew, would suggest that is the style the brewer was going for.

Calm yourselves everyone, I'm married

It's ok to say you still love hoppy beers. It's even more ok to say that Wicked Ex IPA from Big Wood Brewery is one of those subtly unique beers that makes you think of those early days. Boasting an 80 IBU, the hoppiest of beers from the suburban brewery, this beer packs a nice little love bite that will keep you coming back for more.  Try not to daydream too much about this foxy beer; sure you may have moved beyond this type, but you still gave it your heart at one point in your life for a reason.

Recap of the 2014 Autumn Brew Review

Photo courtesy of Allegra Smisek

The 2014 Autumn Brew Review took place on Saturday at the historic Grain Belt Brewery complex in Minneapolis.  The weather was warm, the craft beer drinkers were out in force and the breweries all brought their A-games.  I had lofty goals of getting out and trying all the beers that I highlighted in the program.  I even made a spreadsheet.  I know that some of you office monkeys who are reading this are thinking that you make spreadsheets every day, but I don't even make my bed, so a spreadsheet is definitely next-level stuff.

My plan was to focus on the MN breweries and then maybe hit some of the other ones if they had something really intriguing or special on tap.  As with all plans, sometimes one veers off-script and changes some things up.  I didn't make it even two-thirds of the way through my spreadsheet, but it was not for lack of trying.  I was not side-tracked by what typically plagues fest-goers; getting separated from the group then spending way too much time trying to find them or waiting in a line for that incredibly rare beer that everyone and their brother has been talking about.  Instead, I found myself spending more time talking to the people pouring the beers and really inquiring about what they had.  As a result, the time absolutely flew by and I have less beers to talk about for this review.  However, I came away understanding a lot more about what festivals should be about.  I immersed myself in the camaraderie and symbiotic relationship between those that market and create beer and those who talk and imbibe this wonderful creation we call craft beer.  

The first beer that really wowed me was something that I had not had before.  I don't know if it was the higher than fall-like temperature or the fact that I was wearing a prototype of a Nicaraguan designed Spankx for men, but I was in the mood for an IPA.  The Brau Brothers Smash Simcoe IPA was just what the doctor ordered.  I feel that sometimes, a brewer can really show their mettle when they use fewer types of hops or malt in a beer.  That way, the particular hop is front and center and the flavor is deftly on display.  Of course, that gives very little room for error and anyone with a decent palate will be able to tell if the brewer missed their mark.  This fine beer accomplished everything one would want in an IPA.  It had citrus notes and was incredibly refreshing, while at the some time, showcasing the Simcoe hop.  The program indicated that it is a taproom exclusive so maybe the next time you feel like a beer trip, maybe set your coordinates for Brau Brothers and try this along with many of their other great beers.

The next new beer I had set my sights on hailed from up north at Bemidji Brewing Company.  They had several good selections, but the one the piqued my interest was their special release of an Espresso Porter.  This beer was very much coffee forward, but where some might worry about the coffee taking over, I felt that it was just right.  Dark like the soul of someone who goes around literally taking candy from babies, this beer looked and smelled like every porter I have ever written about in my diary.  I would tell you to head up to Bemidji based on this beer alone, but they had several other offerings that made me excited to make the trip up there sometime in the not too distant future.  

I spent a lot of time in this corridor of MN breweries

Not every brewery was new for me.  There is always the excitement about the tried and true breweries that never disappoint.  I will be the first to admit that there was a time when I would see Summit on a menu and think, "Summit EPA is good, but I want something different."  Those days are long-gone.  Summit has upped their game in the last couple years and they are now releasing so many beers that make you think critically about what you are putting into your proper glassware.  Last year, Summit brewed their Rebellion Stout, and it was on the shelves for about as long as one can stand listening to Kim Kardashian speak.  This beer was on tap at some of the fine beer bars in the cities and I remember really wishing that I had been able to get my hands on more than just a six-pack of it.  The complexity and depth of flavor when the beer was fresh put it into a class by itself.  I remember listening to Damian McConn tell our BBSU class that this beer would be even better if one had the self-discipline to let it cellar for a while.  Well, I drank all of mine and I am glad that Summit has folks who understand how to stave off the siren call of a great stout because they released this beer midway through the fest and it made me very happy to be there.  Time has rounded out some of the flavors of this beer and while I didn't feel like the dryness was as sharp in this beer after being aged, some of the the other flavors were allowed to come to the forefront making it a very special drinking experience.  

Some other notable beers I tried came from Bent Paddle(Best of the Fest Award winner for their Double Shot Double Black), Surly(Winner of the best brewery and best display award), Bent Brewstillery, Tin Whiskers Brewing Co., Fargo Brewing Company, August Schell Brewing Co., BauHaus Brew Labs, Lakefront Brewery, Inc., Blacklist Artisan Ales, and Hammerheart Brewing Co.



I am curious what your favorite beers were from the Autumn Brew Review.  Tweet us @beerploma and let us know what you thought of the festival and the myriad of beer offerings.  What were your favorites?  ABR being one of the better festivals that happens in MN, I know that there were many people enjoying what our beer scene has to showcase.  Now, the bittersweet reality is setting in that I have to wait a whole year to do this again and, perhaps more depressing, I have to find a way to get out of these Nicaraguan Spanx.  

Milwaukee Ale House; A Brew City Bright Spot!

Recently I had the opportunity to head to Milwaukee to perform a show with my band, Marked 4 Deletion. Milwaukee is one of my absolute favorite cities. The water, the architecture, the festivals, and of course the BEERS!

(The taps!)

This time I decided to hit up The Milwaukee Ale House with my drummer and our beautiful wives for lunch. I had read the menu online a bit earlier, and honestly I will have to admit that what sold me was how great the food sounded!

(Brewery at MKE Ale House)

To set the stage, let me tell you about the place itself. Milwaukee Ale House is a restaurant/taproom/brewpub in Downtown Milwaukee along the river. Inside the Ale House there are tons of taps, lots of wood, and tons of space. There is even a nice sized stage for entertainment. This is a really nice clean place perfectly decorated that tiptoes the lines between taproom, restaurant, and night club.

(MKE Stage)

We sat outside on their beautiful second story deck overlooking the Milwaukee River. I have had a lot of beers at a lot of places in Milwaukee, but this patio has to be one of the best spots to enjoy a cold one and a bite to eat. You can even go straight from the patio down to the river walk and work off your extra calories after dinner. Heck, they even have a few boat slips if you are on the river and want to stop in for a beer or some food.

For my first beer I tried a Sonne Weisse, while Vicky had the Columbian Siason. The Sonne Wiesse is a hazy berliner style weisse beer that had a nice tartness to it from the lactobacillus that was balanced by a sweetness that was achieved by the use of strawberries during this beer’s cellaring, which interestingly came across only as sweetness, not actual strawberry taste. I will say, this beer had significantly less bubbly carbonation than I am used to a berliner weisse having. This was a great tasting, refreshing, easy drinking beer. As is I would drink it again for sure, with a touch more sparkling carbonation I would drink it by the bucket!

(Columian Saison on the left, Sonne Weisse on the right)

Next, the food came. I ordered the Duck Sliders. Hot damn these were good! BBQ duck confit using Louie’s Demise BBQ sauce on local mini pretzel buns with apple slaw and goat cheese. First off, I am a sucker for anything on a pretzel bun. I’ve never even seen mini pretzel buns. They were dynamite! Kudos, Milwaukee Pretzel Co. The duck was perfect, the apple slaw worked with the BBQ sauce awesomely, and goat cheese was the absolute correct cheese pick for these mini pieces of heaven!

(Duck Sliders and Sweet Potato Fries)

I washed down my sliders with a Pull Chain. Pull Chain is a citrusy, hoppy IPA. It wasn’t a bitey hoppy, but instead had a nice smoothness to it. Carbonated perfectly. This was a really good IPA and my favorite beer of the visit.... Not just the visit to Milwaukee Ale House, but my favorite from the whole trip to Milwaukee!

(Increased Wheat on the left, Pull Chain on the right)

Vicky opted to stay on the healthy side of things and had a hummus wrap, which she said was really good. Hummus just ain’t my thing, but she loved it! She had the increased wheat with it, which is a berliner weisse with gooseberries. I didn’t try this one, but it sounds great. Wheaty, tart, sweet... What’s not to like?

(Hummus Wrap)

Great view, great place, great food, and great tasting beer all in an awesome city! Milwaukee Ale House; come for the food, stay for the beer... wait... come for the beer, stay for the food... wait... ummm...  Either way just go there and you will love it!

Brews and Reviews -Wings and Craft Beer at Pizza Luce

So Andy and I headed out to Pizza Luce last week for a little strategy meeting about the blog.  Pizza Luce is so far the best place in Richfield, MN that I have found for craft beer.  They have a cozy little patio, and the staff was in good spirits and quick on their feet.

Andy and I had a pretty good night working on Beerploma's future so we were both in the mood for celebrating.  I wasn't quite up for pizza, but their wings looked pretty good:

I ordered the spicy buffalo and the spicy peking.  Both sets of wings came out whole, with great charring on both sides.  The peanut dipping sauce was a bonus.  Creamy, flavorful and paired well.  Also both wings were ample spicy.  For those of you who want to "crank it up notch" every time you order something hot, and get something Minnesota hot (you know, like Ketchup), then these wings are for you!  After so many mediocre wings, these were a spicy treat to behold and cherish, and no, I did not share them with Andy.

There beer list was extensive and had a little something for everyone.  If I had one recommendation I would have a couple more local porters/stouts on hand, especially to pair with some of their more earthy pizza, but overall really a good selection.

First on my list of beers to try is Enki's Hootenanny Hefe Weiss (Seasonal):

This hazy golden brew serves up a thick banana/clove armoma.  It had a very smooth taste with slight spicy notes, and a great biscuit/malty flavor.  Very well carbonated.  Thicker mouthfeel then what I am used to for Hefe beers, but this seems to fit and didn't detract from the beer at all.  It was perfect for a summer day and paired best with the Peking wings.  Rating:  ** (Very Good)

Well Andy and I rarely get together and have just one.  A second one was definitely in the works.  For me it was Lift Bridge's Shadow Effect on Nitro:

This pitch black beer allowed no light to escape it.  The aroma gave off an inky chocolaty smell, and was served with a creamy head.  Smooth caramel like flavors with back hints of chocolate, and a fruity sweetness.  It had a silky medium mouthfeel.  A dry finish with a light coffee like bitterness.  This a very well put together beer, and a great choice for porter/stout beers who are looking for something different.  Rating:  ** (Very Good).

Great wings, great beer!  Who can ask for anything better then that!

Beerploma Craft Beer Tour: Cigar City, Miami Brewing, and more from Florida

I love getting to travel to work.  Well let me clarify.  I miss my family and friends...but I get a hotel room all to myself, get to meet new people, get to see new things and try new foods, and most of all I get a free trip to try new beers.

My recent trip to Miami, FL was no exception.  I got to go with a great crew, who were very adventurous about craft beers.  And of course I went on the hunt for the Legendary Brewery:  Cigar City!

Our first beer on the list was from the Florida Beer Co. Florida Lage:

The thick white foamy head topped the light reddish color of this beer.  It had a piney aroma.  The taste was low on malt flavors and high on the piney saaz hops.  It was a very solid beer that reminded me of many German pilsners, especially Jever.  Over all it was a good solid beer.  On my scale of 1-3 stars I gave this * (Good). 

Next up on our list is OPB's Orange Blossom Pils:

I have heard a lot of good things about this beer, even reading it in many of my Beer Suggestion books.  I had to give the beer a try.  Like the Florida Lager it had a very clean piney aroma.  It was almost identical in color to it as well.  The taste is what sets these two beers apart.  This one had low hops in the in the flavor, slight sweetness.  I picked up a little bit of the honey, but I kind of would have liked more.  Overall another solid brew earning a rating of *(Good)

Next on our list are two beers from Miami Brewing:  Vice IPA and Gator Tail Brown Ale

Vice IPA:  This dark reddish IPA started with a thick foamy white head.  It had a really thick caramel aroma.  It had a medium mouthfeel and left a piney/citrus after taste.  The malty caramel came on strong through out the tasting.  This is very much done in the British Styles of IPAs.  It was a solid hit and perfect for sitting pool side on a hot spring day.  It scored a *1/2 (Very Good) rating.

Gator Tail Brown Ale:  This was the sleeper hit of all the beers I tasted on this trip.  It pours thick and foamy with a tan head.  It had a medium mouth feel.  It was light on carbonation.  It had a really robust sweet coffee aroma.  It was the heaviest beer I drank, but still light enough for the Florida weather!  Great coffee flavor, and a very well rounded beer.  Fans of porters would enjoy this!  It scored **1/2 (Excellent).

And last but not least we have two beers from the legendary Cigar City:  Florida Cracker Belgian, and Hotter then Helles Lager.

Hotter then Helles Lager:  This brewery lives up to the hype!  This hazy gold elixir had a soft fruity apple aroma.  It carried over into the flavor.  Light biscuit notes from the malts.  I have been to Germany many times, and this would go right up their with the best of the German Helles, easily.  Rating is **1/2 (Excellent)

Florida Cracker:  This hazy straw gold brew poured light with a thick foamy head.  It had a great spicy aroma., most notably a coriander scent.  Very well carbonated, light mouth feel.  It had a spicy taste with a hint of cloves.  This beer is enough to make you forget that Blue Moon even exists.  Quite possibly the best Belgian Wheat beer I have ever had.  Rating:  ***(Awesome)

I am looking forward to getting down there again to partake in even more of these really awesome beers!  Until next time keep those beer mugs full!  PROST!

Rise of the Beer Baron Pt 5: A Homebrewer Is You!

It's been a while since I blogged about the beginnings of my love for craft beer.  So when we last left off I had just gotten my first homebrew kit.

 







This was my introduction to how beer was made.  Even with the first batch I learned A LOT about the mechanics of brewing.  Here is a quick list of lessons that I learned:

1. Brewing the beer is easy, it's the pre-cleaning, post-cleaning, and bottling is hard.
2. You will learn to clean EVERYTHING.
3. Repeat step 2 in case you missed it.
4. No really, read step 2 again, it's important.
5. Having and empty plastic jug on hand for water is a nice to have
6. Don't even bother with the plastic bottles that comes with the kits.  Move right into glass
7. If you start with Mr. Beer and love it, you will quickly want to invest in a more mature kit
8. You will want to watch your beer every day, note, I didn't say need to.  You will just want to to make sure it is okay.
9. In the end, you're entire job is to make yeast cells happy.

In the end I was very happy with my first beer.  It was a style I had never had at this point (a Vienna style ale), well carbonated, and wasn't too bad.  But I know I could do better.  I quickly moved to the next step kit from Midwest Homebrew Supplies.

I did a lot of beers with honey during this phase.  I even got creative with a batch of beer, using my Mr. Beer kit to experiment.  Here is the recipe that I used:

2 Cans of Stickey Wicket Stout (from Mr. Beer)

2 Packets of Brewers Yeast

1 pouch of booster

14 oz of coconut in the fermentor

3oz. of chai tea per 22oz bottle during bottling.

Yeah.  I know it sounds a little strange, but it was one of the best beers I ever brewed.  Not enough beers utilize coconut....

So now the fire was lit.  I was beginning to understand the basics of brewing, beer styles, and proper beer handling.  It was time to see how the big boys play, it was time to start meeting the great brewers of Minnesota!

Beer Style Guide: American India Pale Ale (IPA)

The temperatures rise as we push nearer to August.  The rain storms of June have stopped, but the humidity has not.  Now is the season for lawn mower beers.  Today we will talk about what is arguably the most popular lawn mower beer in the craft beer industry:  The American India Pale Ale (IPA). 

As beers go this beer is relatively new on scene, but it parent beers the American Pale Ale, and the India Pale Ale have roots that date back hundreds of years.  The India Pale Ale dates back to the 18^th century at the peak of British Colonization.  Pale ales were very popular at the time.  Now contrary to the name, the “Pale” in pale ales only means that is lighter than a porter (a heavy dark brown or red), and it covered a wide variety of beers we now call by different names.  As Britain colonized east including India there was a growing demand for British made beers, but there was a problem with the delivery service.  It took months for the wind powered ships of the days to make the voyage.  Now it is greatly disputed who was responsible for this, but someone figured out that if you put an abundance of hops in the beer that it would survive the voyage.  Thus IPAs were born. 

American Pale Ales was the beer that launched the craft brewery industry.  New Albion Brewery, started by Jack McAuliffe , was looking to brew something the big national brewers were not.  He started with heavily hopped (at least at the time, compared to today’s standards it’s pretty mild) pale ale.  While the brewery did not last for very long, it started the trend of craft brewing in the US, and it would have an early influence on Sierra Nevada Brewing, a brewery known for its hoppiness. 

The trend of hoppy beers became very popular in the craft brewing scene, creating a sub culture of beer drinkers called “hop heads”.  This lead to extreme breweries like Surly and Stone creating hoppier and hoppier beers.  Thus the American India Pale Ale was born. 

American IPAs generally start out with a caramelish or raisin like base malt.  They are then given a fruity or citrus like aroma hops, usually Cascade.  IPAs tend to be stronger and lighter in color then Pale Ales, but this is not always the case.  IPAs can range from straw gold, to a mid-range red.  Flavor wise, it is usually a characteristically citrus like hops, usually accompanied with a sweeter maltiness.  (Mosher, 2009)

Just about every brewery these days makes some version of an IPA.  So finding a local version of an IPA should not be very difficult.

Minnesota:

MankatoBrewery:  Haymaker IPA

Flat EarthBrewery:  Northwest Passage IPA

Surly:  Surly Furious

Big WoodBrewing:  Bad Axe (Seasonal)

Wisconsin:

LakefrontBrewery Inc.:  IPA

ValkyrieBrewing:  Supernova

Works Cited

Mosher, T. (2009). Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide To The World's Greatest Drink. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.

Oliver, G. (2012). The Oxford Companion to Beer. New York: Oxford University Press.

An Adventure to Castle Danger!!!!

Before I get to the cheesy title I would like to talk about the other dragon I have slain this week.  My Father-in-law, Hubert, is visiting from Germany this week.  He normally has a good taste for GREAT pilsners on his home turf but someone got him in a bad habit of drinking Budweiser.  Well this week I convinced him to try Grain Belt Premium.  And while this might not be the shining example to some craft beer drinkers (I personally like it), at least I am keeping it local.  That and he has been doing some major damage to my stash of August Schell's Zommerfest.

 


For those of you traveling the North Shore this summer you are in for a treat.  The Duluth Area has new breweries opening left and right.  But don't forget the breweries in other parts of this great scenic drive.  While on a little family get-a-way I had pleasure of visiting Castle Danger Brewing, in Castle Danger, MN just a little over 10 miles north of Two Harbors (just a hint, bring driving directions if you decide to go, my two GPS units in the car failed to find the place).

Now for those of you used to going into breweries in the city might be in for a little shock, because this brewery is set up in the space that is about the size of your average garage.  But don't let its small size fool you, this brewery packs some flavor!  You are instantly greeted by friendly faces offering you a taste of their wares from the makeshift tap room.  I got the chance to taste 5 of their beers:  Danger Ale, Nordic, Gale Force Wheat, Double Crossing IPA, and George Hunter Stout.

All five beers were solid, and definitely all worth the trip if you are in the area.  For me three of them stand out as noteworthy:

1.  Nordic:  This is Castle Danger's take on a Finish Sahti style of beer.  Made with Juniper Berries for a bittering agent (usually in place of the hops).  This beer had a thick golden color, and a hearty and sharp aroma which translated easily into the taste.  It was, in my opinion, even a more robust beer then their stout.  The rye in the beer gave it a thick mouth feel, and it finished clean.  For those looking for something different from the craft beer industry needs to look no further then Castle Danger's Nordic!

2.  Double Crossing IPA:  Seeing brewers buck the trend of over-hopped (or as I like to say over-hyped) IPAs makes me smile.  Double Crossing IPA is a great IPA because it actually tastes like something other then grapefruit.  It has a very fruity taste, and is thick.  It was tasty and is a great IPA that can be enjoyed all year round!

3.  Gale Force Wheat:  When picking my growler this is what I decided to take home.  This was a softer more gentler take on a wheat beer and was perfect for spring time at the cabin.  This beer is a little hard to describe, as it is not your typical wheat, but don't let that statement make you think any less of it.  It had a noticeable clove/banana flavor that accompanies a true German wheat style, but the hops felt a little more prevalent in this beer.  For me this was the perfect spring time beer.  When I crack open the growler I will write a little more in-depth review of it.

So with another brewery under my belt I was happy, and my adventure had come to an end.  It was time to return to our rented Cabin and enjoy some family time.  But the next day held a little surprise when we stopped for lunch at the Rustic Inn Cafe & Gifts, also located in Castle Danger, MN.  Their feature beer is...you guessed it, Castle Danger.  They also included Castle Danger beer in some of their recipes including the beer batter used to make the Onion Rings (pictured below is Beth Sullivan, one of the co-owners making the beer batter).  The food is some of the best I have had along the North Shore, and their pies are top notch to boot!

Over all it was quite the Beer Adventure for that little family getaway.  So if you find yourself in the area this summer stop in at Castle Danger and have your own adventure!