The Pint Report: Say What?!? Craft Beer From Kalona Brewing, IA

A lifetime a go my friends and I were road tripping on our way home from Missouri through East Iowa.  We stumbled through a small Amish community called Kalona, IA.  They had a fantastic cheese shop.  Fast forward to  2014 and my friend and I once again found ourselves road tripping through Kalona, but this time for a fantastic brewery.

 

Now I have been in a brewery our two, so when I saw the small town of Kalona, and immediate picture came into my head.  A small brewery in a space equivalent of my garage.  Not that there is anything wrong with that!  Great beers can be brewed anywhere, this is just my mental image strolling into town.  Imagine my surprise when I walked into one of the most modern, most state of the art, and one of the cleanest breweries I have EVER walked into.  We were warmly greeted by Head Brewer and Co-Owner Lew, and Marketing Director Nic. 

After a great podcast, our excited, and gracious, hosts left us with a few presents.  Among them were a couple of Mini-Growlers, one of Say What Saison, and You Be You Imperial Stout.  Here are my Mini-Reviews of these two GREAT Iowan Craft Beer Offerings:

Say What Saison:  This golden reddish beer maintained its carbonation well in the Mini-Growler.  This beer has that great hay/straw like flavors followed by a light peppery taste.  There were noticeable fruity notes.  It had a very thick mouthfeel compared to other Saisons I have had, but not by much.  It left lingering sharp bitter, banana, and clove notes in the aftertaste.  These final flavors intensify as the beer warms up.  Rating:  ** (Very Good).  Recommendation:  If you love Saisons you need to try this beer.  It rivals all but a few Saisons brewed in Minnesota.

You Be You Imperial Stout:  Another beer that held up in the Mini-Growler.  This beer poured inky black, I mean “LET NO LIGHT ESCAPE” inky.  This beer had plenty of carbonation for its high ABV and imperial status.  It poured a thick foamy nut brown head.  Your nose is immediately inundated with a milky chocolate aroma.  This beer had a very thick mouthfeel and warms your senses with a heavy coating of dark chocolate notes.  Very bitter/sweet.  No lingering aftertaste, and finished very clean.  The best part is that the lack of alcohol taste you get with high ABV stouts like this one.  Rating:  ****(Superb).  Recommendation:  This is THE PERFECT beer to sip in winter in front of the fireplace.  It’s warm, inviting, comforting, so forth and on forth.  This is a perfect example of an Imperial Stout!

If you want to learn more about Kalona be sure to check out our Podcasts show:

That’s all for now!  Prost!

You Betcha, It Is Worth A Trip Up To The Fargo Brewing Company!

When most people think of Fargo, ND, they start quoting lines from the 1996 Coen Brothers movie.  Surely, there are quite a few people up in that area whom have grown tired of this, given the fact that Fargo is not even in MN (the actual setting of the movie).  However, someone once said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."  By that logic, the movie and constant quoting of the lines from said movie are a way to pay homage to a place that flies under the radar.  People who live up in Fargo and its surrounding communities will tell you that Fargo's food and drink scene is on the upswing.  Driving around in Fargo, one notices an increase in eating and drinking establishments that tempt patrons with hip storefronts and neon craft beer signs in the windows.

On the day after Thanksgiving,  when most people were headed to the West Acres Mall in Fargo, ND, I set my GPS for the Fargo Brewing Company.  Having connected with them earlier in the year at the Autumn Brew Review, which coincided with their launch in the Twin Cities, I was pining to head up there and check out their operation.





The Fargo Brewing Company is located in a relatively large industrial warehouse between downtown Fargo and the NDSU campus.  Upon stepping inside, my olfactories were met with the familiar and intoxicating aroma of malted grains.  It was a busy day for them as they were releasing their 4th anniversary beer, Double Buster, an Imperial Porter.  When we got there, Zach Click, the Operations Manager was there to greet us and we chatted for a bit.  Then John Anderson, one of the owners came and began a very thorough tour of the facility.  The story of how it all started is chronicled on the brewery's website, but in short, the four owners all decided that each of them had an area of expertise that was right for opening a brewery.  They started in 2010 contract brewing out of Sand Creek Brewing Company in Black River Falls, WI.  Last March, they opened their current facility in Fargo complete with a taproom.  They operate on a 20 barrel system and they toured plenty of other breweries to make sure they laid out their brewery exactly the way that they wanted to streamline efficiency and production.  From the brewing kettles to the canning line, it all flows very well so that they can maintain a smooth flow from one part of the brewing process to the next.




One of the things that John is very proud of is how well their ownership group and employees work as a team.  About ten minutes into our tour, Chris Anderson, came up and started ribbing John for not putting a bucket under one of the fermenters.  They gave each other some "brotherly love" in the form of sarcastic banter and it was then that I really got to see why this operation works so well.  The same respect and admiration that they have for each other, they also have for putting out quality and tasty craft beer.



One of the most exciting things that they showed me on the tour was their barrel-aged souring program which is in the beginning stages now, but will eventually be a significant part of their seasonal rotation.  The water in Fargo lends itself well to dark and maltier beers, which is why their most popular beer is their Sodbuster Porter.  They had ten total beers on tap, 7 of which are regular offerings and 3 that are taproom trials of things that they are tweaking and experimenting with.  Their flagship beers consist of the previously mentioned Sodbuster Porter, Woodchipper IPA, Stone's Throw Scottish Ale and the Iron Horse Pale Ale.  In the interest of information dissemination, I tried several of their flagships and a few of the specialty beers that are taproom only offerings (Bent River Munich Style Helles and Deceiver Belgian Strong Ale) and was impressed by each one!  I brought a growler of the Woodchipper IPA home to a friend who is a very discerning IPA drinker.  He polished it off and has since procured more of the IPA in cans, which are available in most liquor stores in the Twin Cities.  He is quite taken with the IPA citing its cleanness and balanced flavor.

Driving around Northeast Minneapolis and seeing all the taprooms open, it is easy to forget that it was not that long ago that there was no craft beer scene over there.  Fargo Brewing Company can boast being on tap at 33 of the establishments in the Fargo area.  Over the weekend of September 27th, they launched distribution in the Twin Cities.  While craft beer is catching on mightily in Fargo, North Dakota was the last state in the union to have a craft brewery after prohibition.  In Fargo, they are the biggest craft brewery with their sights set on expansion.  They referenced Fulton, and how they quickly outgrew their space and had to expand as being a driving force behind settling on the taproom site.  They will be able to expand and stay in their same facility for a long time.  There is plenty of space to add more brewing capacity.  With John's culinary background, one of the things that is important to them is brewing beer that can pair well with food.  They are already planning on opening up a restaurant on site that will allow him to do beer pairings.

The Fargo Brewing Company's zymurgical offerings are spot-on and delicious, but the reason I will go back is because of the people and passion behind their beers.  The time that Chris and John took to show me around that day was the epitome of hospitality.  They answered questions and really enjoyed talking beer.  I was thinking I would be lucky if I got to briefly talk with the owner, but the fact that they spent an hour and a half showing my wife and I around their brewery speaks to their generosity and sincerity.  They want to put their personal touch on everything and make sure each and every person who walks into their taproom feels like they are welcome and valued.  Craft beer is still in its infancy in Fargo, but the people at the brewery have gone to great lengths to get people in the doors and feeling welcome.  They host Trivia Mafia events and even have a night called "Yoga on Tap."  The Fargo Brewing Company is gathering a following of faithful beer enthusiasts who are proud to call the taproom their gathering space.  So, do yourselves a favor and plan a weekend getaway to head up and have a pint or two.  You will be in for a nice surprise when you see the burgeoning craft beer culture developing in a city that desperately deserves it.

12 Beers of Christmas: Craft Beers to Celebrate the Holiday Season

When the weather dips down and the dulcet tones of Michael Buble assault my ear drums, it is time for two things: taking my bath and the colossal selection of holiday-themed craft beers.  We are not only lucky in this market to have local breweries concocting delicious holiday and seasonal offerings, but we also get many of the best national selections to fill our tulip glasses and pair with our holiday feasts.  I contend that if the Grinch had been able to savor the deliciousness of Indeed Stir Crazy, his holiday disposition would have been much different.  It is indeed a wonderful time of year and below you will find my list of 12 Beers of Christmas!  These beers go well, but are not limited to the following occasions: holiday work parties, family gatherings, helping one get through the wall to wall holiday music on Kool 108, happy hours with friends, family holiday fun, Bikram Yoga class, dealing with holiday shopping, waiting up for St. Nick to arrive, celebrating making it through your Festivus Airing of Grievances, and the wall to wall holiday music on Kool 108.  Whether you are with others in a crowd, or just at home relaxing by yourself, these yummy yuletide libations will take the chill out of the air and dazzle your palate with a variety of holiday flavor sensations.  While this is a list, there is no order.  This is a list of beers, of which each one offers something special that you will enjoy in your holiday season.  So, without further ado, I present my 12 beers of Christmas.




Indeed Stir Crazy-This Winter Ale is 6.5% ABV and 22 IBUs.  Stir Crazy is available in the taproom and most liquor stores starting in November and lasts usually until February.    It has a dark brown, and slightly dark reddish color with a slight to medium head.  This beer has a very nice roasted malt aroma, with a subtle hint of coffee.  The flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel and raisin intensify as it warms, so make sure you are not drinking it too cold.  There is just a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg spice in this beer which is nice because many people find overdoing of spices in a beer off-putting.  The mouthfeel is medium and the dark color of this beer makes it seem like the beer is heavier than it is.  It is not overly sweet and almost has a dry finish.  At 6.5% ABV, this is a very drinkable beer that will still take the chill out of your bones.



Bau Haus Brew Labs Jingle Fever-This Baltic Porter is 8% ABV and 20 IBUs.  This is a beer style that I am not all that familiar with and was very eager to try.  As most porters are very roasty in their aroma, the roasted malt character in this beer is more subtle.  However, that is not to say that it is lacking in flavor and depth.  It drinks smooth and velvety with the bittersweet chocolate and caramel notes and a nice black licorice flavor.  If you are dealing with a few humbugs at the work mixer, knock a few of these back and suddenly you will be riding the one-horse sleigh to fun town!




Summit Winter Ale-This beer is 6.5% ABV and 40 IBUs.  Summit Winter Ale has become synonymous with my holiday imbibing over the years.  Trust me on this, you will not regret getting a sixer of this to bring to the in-laws for some holiday cheer.   I know that there are people out there who often bypass Summit to have something trendier.  However, this is a great representation of the Winter Warmer style and has flirted with my palate for years with its nice nutty, roasty and malty flavor.  It drinks really smooth and goes well with many holiday foods like ham or a nice roasted prime rib.  For me, this is the beer I always drink when I am out at my favorite wing joint with my buddies.  So, to say that this beer is representative of the embodiment of holiday cheer is an understatement.  




Schell's Snowstorm Grand Cru-This beer is 6.5% ABV and 20 IBUs.  This is a bit of a departure from the dark and velvety Winter Warmers that are readily available during this time.  This is part of a series from Schell's that is a little different every year in regards to the style.  This year's rendition is an incredibly refreshing Grand Cru.  The aromas of citrus, esters and slight coriander are really bright.  It drinks very clean with a nice carbonation effervescence.  There is a slight chocolate hint that is an homage to the wonderful marriage of orange and chocolate.  This beer drinks lighter than the 6.5 ABV would suggest and because of that, is one of the more approachable beers on this list.



Bad Weather Ominious Midwest Warmer-This beer is 7.5% ABV and 40 IBUs.   The first thing I notice before I even take a sip is how amazing this beer smells.  The roasted malt character is so enticing and then you add in the hints of chocolate and coffee and I am ready for the snowdrifts to force me to stay home and read Garfield's 5th Treasury by the fire.  The beer is medium bodied and is very smooth.  Barry White would have absolutely loved this beer.  It is remarkably effervescent for having as much body as it does.  This is probably not the first thing that you think of when you think winter beers, but if you give this a try, you will be rewarded with a very solid drinking experience.



Lift Bridge Commander Barley Wine-This beer is 12.5% ABV and 75 IBUs.  This is a special beer.  The aroma has notes of bourbon barrel, vanilla and some slight cardamom spice.  There is no head on the beer and it is amber in appearance.  This beer is complex and is perfect for the season.  It is very balanced and there is very little hop bitterness.  The malty sweetness is the main act in this flavor show and as it warms, the flavors intensify.  The cardamom is used sparingly, and yet, it has a definite presence in the beer.  What a perfect beer for a nice cold night when all you have to worry about is which really good cheese are you going to pair with your snifter of Commander.





Great Lakes Christmas Ale-This beer is 7.5% ABV and 30 IBUs.  This beer is so easy drinking and delicious.  The spice is done with a deft hand and the hints of honey and cinnamon come through in a very pleasing way.  This beer is a mainstay for me and I have been lucky enough to have this in my kegerator during the holidays for the last couple of years.  Most of the people who come over and try this beer wind up enjoying it and by the end of the night are big fans of its drinkability and approachable flavor.  This is the beer that I want to be drinking when I am sharing a laugh at a holiday party with my family and friends.  This beer is as harmonious as the sound of the laughter that fills your home when you have people over to celebrate the holidays.




Odell Isolation Ale-This beer is 6.1% ABV and 29 IBUs.  This beer is a straight-forward ale with a very subtle aroma of cookie-like malt.  The flavor is balanced with caramel malt flavor and a subtle dry hoppiness.  This is the least spicy of all the beers on this list and would be a nice alternative for someone who doesn't enjoy too much spice in their beer.  It drinks smooth, like most of Odell's beers, it is very approachable and you will definitely want to have more than one of these!







Deschutes Jubelale-This beer is 6.7% ABV and 60 IBUs.  The smell of roasted malt along with some slight spice is very inviting.  This beer has a definite hop presence that is noticeable in the finish.  The flavor is roasty, somewhat sweet and toffee-like.  This beer is smooth and balanced.  As it warms up, the flavor of raisins and dates is more obvious.  This beer is very smooth for having as much of a hop presence as it does.  Deschutes is always a great choice, no matter what time of year it is.  However, you would be wise to add this to your holiday beer list and just pray that Santa saw you being nice this year. . .



Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale-This beer is 7%ABV in the style of an Old Ale.  This has a nice aroma of earthy hops along with a boozy aroma with a hint of smokiness.  The color is a beautiful reddish brown and looks magnificent in a snifter.  Old Man Winter is robust and has a good body.  One can definitely tell they are drinking a 7% ABV beer.  I still have yet to try a Southern Tier offering that I don't like.  This beer is definitely a nice sipper and almost tastes boozier than it is.  It has a very good hop flavor that cuts through the booziness of the beer.





Rogue Santa's Private Reserve-This beer is 6% ABV and 65 IBUs.  This beer has a very floral hop aroma.  The head is rocky with nice retention.  The flavor is very earthy and clean at the start.  That transitions to a piney and resiny hop flavor that stays on the tongue for a bit until it finishes very dry.  Based on this beer, I am thinking that Santa is definitely a hop lover.  It makes perfect sense, after spending all night long drinking milk and eating cookies he needs something hoppy to balance out all those sweets.








Great Divide Hibernation Ale-This beer is 8.7% ABV.  This is an English Style Old Ale.  It is has a rich and malty aroma with hints of roasted malt and coffee.  It drinks smooth and medium bodied without feeling heavy.  The malt and booze in the beer balance really well with the hoppy notes.  The color of this beer is a really beautiful hue of reddish brown.  This is the essence of a Winter Warmer as it really does take the chill out of the air.  I enjoyed this in my living room as we put up the holiday decorations and it was the perfect compliment to the nostalgia that comes along with this time of year.





As always, our mission at Beerploma is to educate and promote craft beer, locally and nationally.  Since this is the season for sharing and good cheer, head on down to your local craft beer store and maybe make yourself up a holiday six pack to bring to the next gathering on your calendar.  I am sure that you will find something on this list that you would want to have on your wish list.  My hope is that you find yourself enjoying this great season for merriment and laughter with the people that you find most important.  Beerploma wishes you all a very happy holiday season and please let me know if there are any of your favorites that I should go out and try.  As the season progresses, I will be enjoying many of these beers myself, as well as a Swiss Colony Beef Log or two.  Prost!

How To Talk Like A Beer Geek - Go Strong!

Today on How to Talk Like a Beer Geek we go STRONG with our beer terms! Let’s crank this thing up to 11% and get started!

The first term is IMPERIAL. This has nothing to do with Kings and Queens... Well, maybe back in the day it did, nor does this have anything to do with the Costa Rican beer by the same name. An Imperial is a version of a beer style that has a much higher Alcohol By Volume than the original beer style. This is why Imperial beers are usually always served in a smaller glass.... They are just trying to save you from yourself!

An example would be a Stout vs. an Imperial Stout. An average Stout will be in the 5%-6% A.B.V. range where an Imperial Stout could have anything up near 9% and even higher A.B.V. A good but obviously a bit rough rule of thumb is that an Imperial will be close to double the A.B.V..... Which leads us to our next beer term!


The next beer term is DOUBLE (Note: not Dubbel... although...well...we will cover that another day). This basically means the same thing as Imperial in the beer world. This term is much more common with IPAs that have the higher A.B.V. Basically, an Imperial IPA would be a Double IPA... Get it? IIPA... Two “I”s... Double I... PA... ok, I’m done, sorry about that. Double IPAs can also be a bit hoppier than a normal IPA.

The final beer geek term is TRIPLE (Again, please note: Triple, not Trippel. Again another day). This again just means a bigger A.B.V. beer (much bigger) but there is a hitch included in this one. Triple can also mean that the higher A.B.V. beer has a higher bitterness as well. Like a Triple IPA. It will have higher A.B.V. and higher bitterness to it. These aren’t super prevalent, but they are out there. If you are going to try some Triple IPAs, be ready for a solid buzz and a hop-puckered mouth!

Imperials, Doubles, and Triples can be damn delicious! But now that you know the terms, you can tread lightly so you don’t end up like Drinky Crow all hunched over in the corner with Xs over your eyes!