Brewz and Reviewz: Big Wood Bad Axe and a Sneak Preview of Jack Pine Savage

I normally leave the beer reviews to Andy and Des, but this week at Midweek Beer Geek we got not one but two tastes of one of Minnesota's newest breweries:  Big Wood Brewery out of White Bear Lake, MN.  

Their first offering was their Imperial IPA Bad Axe.  But they had a surprise for us, a taste of their new and upcoming beer Jack Pine Savage, and American Pale Ale.

The Jack Pine Savage is your typical American Pale Ale.  Nice fruity/citrus aroma.  Very crisp clean golden color with a little bit of haze (though that might have been the cold temperature the beer was served at).  This was you typical American Pale Ale with an earthy bitterness.  It had a light mouth feel, and a dry bitter after taste that lingered a little too long.  Pretty decent for an American Pale Ale, and will be a great addition to a summer line up.  Rating:  *1/2 Stars (out of *** or a "Good" rating).

The Bad Axe had a deeper, reddish gold color, hazy.  It had a great fruity aroma to it and formed a nice creamy head.  It was very sweet, and well carbonated for an Imperial.  Medium mouth feel, and a pleasant after taste.  It was also NOT bogged down by a heavy alcohol flavor.  Overall this is one of the best Imperial IPAs that I have ever had.  Rating:  *** Stars (out of *** or an "Excellent" rating).

Overall I enjoyed these two offerings and am looking forward to the future of this wonderful Minnesota craft brewery!

Jack Pine Savage (Left), Bad Axe (Right)

New Belgium Lips of Faith: Peach Porch Lounger

The most recent trip to the beer store was a shot in the dark. I had no agenda, wasn't sure what I was looking for until I found it. For the last month or so I've been burned out on coffee stout, bourbon barrel aged collaborations, hoppy hoppy super hop, and cold, snowy, cloudy, grey wintry days. I can't wait for spring, and summer: BEERS! I don't know who to give the credit to, but whoever put the floor stack of New Belgium: Lips of Faith Series: Peach Porch Lounger in a place where I couldn't get by without noticing, good job. It worked. The bottle label alone peaked my interest: a guy sitting on a porch playing guitar and sittin on the porch. YES, this is what I've been wanting and waiting for. I read several other reviews of this beer. Most of them bashed it saying there was too much going on and nothing worked, and the alcohal was overpowering. I guess its alot to attempt, the description says its brewed with molasses and lemon peel and with peach juice added. To me, its just what I've been waiting for and crave this time of year. As soon as I opened it the aroma hit me, peachy and citrusy orange and golden in color and tastes of apricot with a slight bitterness, but note from being a super hopped up ale. The ABV is 9.4 which you will notice and appreciate. But to me, the most important thing going on here is that they set the tone with the name and theme and delivered. A name like Peach Porch Lounger makes you want to be the guy on the label. "I've been thinking of a little place down by the lake, stomping our feet on the wooden boards never gotta worry 'bout locking the doors..." Two Stars ** Very Good! ~ Des