Category: beer baron

Crane and Against the Grain brews coming from Abu Nawas!

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CRANE BREWING:

  • Crane Brewing 1,000,000 Watts 4/6/12oz CANS – The latest version of 1,000,000 Watts! Dual-fruited Sour IPA, features Blood Oranges, Black Currants, Lactose, and Madagascar Vanilla Beans. 6% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing The Time is Always Right 4/6/12oz CANS – Cold IPA featuring pilsner malt, rice, and lager yeast creating a light-bodied, incredibly delicate, crisp beer. It is then loaded with Cascade, Mosaic, Cashmere, and Amarillo hops providing full aroma, flavor, and a splendid finish. 6% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Monument 4/6/12oz CANS – Sour Ale brewed with Blackberries, Passion Fruit and Lactose. 6% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing It’s Just A Phaze 4/6/12oz CAN – Delicious NE-Style IPA. 6.5% ABV
  • Crane Brewing Farmhouse IPA 4/6/12oz CAN – Dry Hopped Belgian Style Farmhouse IPA. 6% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Thundergong 4/6/12oz CAN – Just in time for Spring! Wheat Ale with Orange Peel. 1$ from every case donated to Steps of Faith Foundation for amputees in need. 5% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Trailsmith 4/6/12oz CANS –  Classic Farmhouse Saison. Delicate esters, crisp, refreshing, and perfect for whatever trail you are on in life. 6.8% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Odd Bird 4/6/12oz CAN – Mexican-Style Lager named for the Odd Bird Farm, who collects and uses our spent grain to feed their heritage Meishan pigs. 4.7% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Apricot Weiss 4/6/12oz CANS – The OG of Crane Sours. Juicy, tangy, and oh-so-perfect, no matter the season. 4.5% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Gooseberry Gose 4/6/12oz CANS – Deliciously Refreshing Gose with Gooseberries. 4.1% ABV.  
  • Crane Brewing Guava Weiss 4/6/12oz CANS – Sour Wheat Ale with Tons of Guava Fruit. 4.5% ABV
  • Crane Brewing Hail Mellie 4/6/12oz CAN – brewed in honor of Mellie Pullman, the nation’s first woman brewmaster. This recipe, name, label, and release were created by the Women of Crane Brewing. Gose with Cucumbers & Watermelon. 4.5% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Tea Weiss 4/6/12oz CAN – Easily their most approachable sour beer, this Berliner Weiss combines the distinct flavors of a berry rooibos tea blend with the mild acidity and tartness of their base beer. Tea Weiss pours like a fine rosé with a delicate pink hue attributed to hibiscus found in the tea, which is sourced from the Hugo Tea Company located in North Kansas City. 4.1% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Beet Weiss 4/6/12oz CAN – The beer that made Michael Crane famous is an earthy, zinger that pairs great with food. The Berliner-style Weiss combines a sour German wheat beer with an unlikely vegetable, and, frankly, they look really good together. “Not Your Grandma’s Canned Beets!” 4.5% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Apple Spice Gose 4/6/12oz CAN – As delicious by the fire or on the beach, they’ve struck the perfect balance with this lemony tart Gose with Apples and Cinnamon. 4.5% ABV
  • Crane Brewing Lady Midday 4/6/12oz CAN – Gose brewed with Green Hatch Chiles, Apricot, and Mint. 5.5% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing If…Then…. 4/6/12oz CANS – Fantastic Scotch Ale with Caramel and light roast flavor. 8%. ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Omar 4/6/12oz CAN – Named after their cat that passed away too soon, Omar is a take on the traditional English porter. The fruity esters compliment the notes of bitter chocolate, licorice, and a hint of caramel sweetness. Almost an acceptable substitution for snuggles with sweet Omar! 6% ABV.
  • Crane Brewing Thought & Memory 4/6/12oz CANS – Coffee Stout infused with Coffee from brand new KC roaster, Oleo Coffee with a high focus on family grown coffee from Brazil. 7.5% ABV.

Against The Grain:

  • Against the Grain Loo-a-vuhl Pale Ale 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy Pale Ale. Generous dry hopping lends notes of peach, strawberry, mango flavors. 5.5% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain Citra Ass Down 6/4/16oz CANS – American style IPA with 11Lbs of CITRA in the Boil and 6Lbs of CITRA post-fermentation. Notice a theme? 8.2% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain Pile of Face 6/4/16oz CANS – American IPA. 6.5% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain Pool Boi Light 6/4/16oz CANS – Light Beer with Blackberry. Some of y’all only drink seltzer, and it shows. Why not mix it up and grab a Pool Boi Light? This crisp, refreshing beer with Kentucky blackberries is everything you wanted in a light beer. 3.2% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain Fish Boi 6/4/16oz CAN – Refreshing Ale with Strawberry & Rhubarb. 3.2% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain Keller 6/4/16oz CAN – Malty, balanced German-style Kellerbier aged with oak alternatives that result in a spicy, floral aroma and flavors that complement this lager and replicates the old-style wooden cask character. 5.8% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain / Freigeist Gegen Den Strom: Lichtenhainer 6/4/16oz CAN – A Traditional German Style Smoked Sour Beer. 4.7% ABV. 
  • Against the Grain / Freigeist Gegen Den Strom: Zerbster Bitterbier 6/4/16oz CAN – Traditional German-style smoked beer. 6.8% ABV.
  • Against the Grain Retitled Pils 6/4/16oz CAN – Lager Beer. 5% ABV. ATG ****NEW PROMO PRICING!****
  • Against the Grain The Brown Note 6/4/16oz CANS – The brown ale to end all brown ales. Enjoy it, because there is no longer any reason to drink another. You’ve reached the pinnacle. 5% ABV. ATG
  • Against the Grain 35K 6/4/16oz CANS – Delicious Full Body Milk Stout. 7% ABV.
  • Against the Grain Mix Case 12/750ml: 2 Bottles of Atilla the Hen 750ml 2 Bottles 70K 750ml 2 Bottles Johann Paycheque 750ml 2 Bottles Herbie Samplecock 750ml 4 Bottles BRETT THE HIPMAN HOP 750ml

Clock House releasing “Orange XXplosion” sour on Friday April, 2nd!

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Another tasty sounding sour coming our way from Clock House brewing this coming Friday, April 2nd! “Orange XXplosion” will be the second release of their XXplosion series! Here’s more from the brewery:

The second variant of our XXplosion series features a trio of orange citrus fruits including: Tangerine, Cara Cara Orange, and Southern Hemisphere Oranges. Thus, creating a complex plethora of flavor that XXplodes out the glass. Enjoy this crushable juice around the table during brunch or outside on warm sunny day. We’re talking Vitamin C all day long baby!Available on draft and in cans. No growler fills due to limited supply.Release date: Friday, April 2nd at 3 PM.

Iowa Eats: The Red Frog – Cedar Rapids, IA

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As the weather warms and the itch of getting outside is finally getting scratched, the streets and sidewalks start to come to life in the Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. There are many locally owned restaurants, breweries, bars, and shops in the few blocks that make up the Czech Village area and this past weekend I was able to pay my first visit to The Red Frog. The Red Frog is owned by Jake Brummer and Amy Winkler, who had opened up the Kingston Pub only for the Derecho to rip its roof off. The Red Frog is located in what used to be Dirty Shirleys, tucked in between Anvil Meat Market and Luckys.

The Red Frog could fit the dive bar definition, which I love and appreciate, but the uniqueness and variety of their food menu is what many restaurants strive to achieve and many miss the boat. Great appetizers, sandwiches, and smoked meats make up the menu the but the Frog also serves breakfast on the weekends.

BEER
10 tap lines filled with a nice mix of styles and many local beers. Tank Puncher, Easy Eddy, Witch Slap, Tip the Cow, and a few more to go along with your typical domestics along with some breakfast cocktails if you choose to go that route. I went with a Witch Slap (a few of them) to go along with my food.

FOOD
Went with my buddy’s recommendations at the started with Sriracha cheese balls. A brilliant call from him on this one, I know I have a lot of Top 5 lists, but these cheese balls definitely hit that list, maybe even to the top. The spice added to the breading from the sriracha and how perfectly cooked and creamy they were make for the perfect start and will wake up your taste buds a bit. Glad I had that cold beer next to me.
Next up, the Reuben Wontons. Take your favorite wonton from your favorite chinese restaurant, and stuff that baby with a reuben mixture of swiss, kraut, and corned beef, add a side of homemade 1,000 island and you have an Irish twist on a delicious dish. So far, 2 for 2 at the Red Frog. Lastly, had to try something from the smoker. Really wanted the ribs but after devouring 2 apps I was getting a bit full, so I went with the smoked wing basket. 6 plump and juicy wings with the perfect amount of smoke, accompanied by one of the best blue cheese dressings I’ve had, raspberry habanero sauce, and regular wing sauce hit the spot. The wings were crispy, filling, and tasty.

OVERALL
There are so many things on their menu that I haven’t tried yet that I would love to get a taste of. Do yourself a favor, head to the Czech Village and check out the many restaurants/bars/stores in that area, and then stop by The Red Frog and get yourself those sriracha cheese balls and a beer and just sit back and enjoy! Check out their menu by clicking HERE or their website by clicking HERE!

Reds Alehouse w/ Pulpit Rock cans available for purchase! + more from Reds!

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Reds Alehouse has just gotten in a shipment of some tasty brews from the folks at Pulpit Rock. Limited quantities available so get there ASAP to get a couple cans for yourself! Here’s what is available:

**Easy Lover – session IPA
**Saftig – New England IPA
**Never Again – pastry stout w/ peanuts, maraschino cherries, sugar cookies and cocoa nibs
**Show and Tell – blackberry infused kettle sour
**Island Life – pastry sour infused strawberry, mango, and lemonade mix
**What Would You Like for Breakfast? – blackberry pastry kettle sour with maple extract and fresh baked muffins
**Prances with Wolves – pastry sour packed with peaches, graham crackers, and cinnamon
**Scone On – Pastry sour with blueberry and fresh blueberry scones

Clock House Brewing releasing “Morning Nitecap” coffee sour Friday 3/5!

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Clock House is back at with another release! This Friday they will be releasing “Morning Nitecap” coffee sour! This will be a draft only release at the brewery, here are the details for this:

We love pushing the boundaries of innovation. For this small project we partnered up with Dash coffee roasters to create a simple but complex sour. We infused a small portion of our sour base with carefully selected Kenyan coffee that was roasted on the lighter side. Thus accentuating the tropical fruit character of this particular bean. We chose this bean alongside with our friends because we felt it paired well with our already fruit forward sour base. We then added vanilla to marry the coffee and beer together. Creating a very complex yet familiar character. Roasty nose, with a tropical sweet mid palate, and a familiar coffee aftertaste.Draft Only Release on Friday, March 5th at 3 PM.

Clock House releasing “Witches be Trippin” on Thursday 3/11!

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Clock House will be bringing back the delicious double New England IPA, Witches be Trippin’ back to tap lines and in cans on March 11th! Here’s more from Clock House:

The witches have returned with their signature Double NEIPA potion. This hazy, juicy, witch is flippin’ trippin’. Double dry hopped with loads of Azacca, Idaho 7, Citra, and Mosaic. Intense mango and tropical melon rounded off with a savoring sweet finish.Available in cans/growlers, and on tap

Big Grove Solon tapping Richard! 2019 Coconut Vanilla Richard and 2020 Richard the Whale tomorrow (2/28) @ 9 a.m.!

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Big Grove Brewery in Solon will be tapping a couple of heavy hitters tomorrow (Sunday 2/28) to go along with their amazing brunch menu! 2019 Coconut Vanilla Richard and 2020 Richard the Whale will find their way to the tap lines in Solon on Sunday morning! To go along with those two beers they will also be serving:
*Biscuits and gravy
*Brioche french toast with coffee custard
*Breakfast pizza

Brunch starts at 9 a.m. A perfect way to start your Sunday and finish your weekend!

Evil Twin, Blackberry Farm, Twelve Percent, American Solera, + FOC coming from Abu Nawas this week!

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Tons of brews will be hitting the shelves this week thanks to Abu Nawas! Here’s what’s coming:

Evil Twin Brewing: 

Evil Twin Pink Pineapple 6/4/16oz CANS – CORAL-PINK SOUR IPA WITH NOTES OF RIPE PINEAPPLE AND A DROP OF LEMON. MEDIUM BODIED AND TART WITH A HINT OF SWEETNESS. 7% ABV.

Evil Twin Blue Raspberry 6/4/16oz CANS – AQUA-BLUE SOUR IPA WITH NOSTALGIC NOTES OF CANDIED RASPBERRIES AND A KICK OF LEMON. MODERATE TARTNESS WITH A TOUCH OF SWEETNESS. 7% ABV.

Evil Twin Brewing ET Left Home 1 6/4/16oz CANS – Sour IPA with Blueberry and Raspberry. 7% ABV.

Evil Twin Most Men Pursue IPA With Such Breathless Haste That They Hurry Drinking It 6/4/16oz CANS – IPA DDH with Ariana, Citra, and Callista. 7% ABV.

Blackberry Farm Brewery:

Blackberry Farm BFB Stout 6/4/16oz CANS – This robust, hoppy American Stout is a hearty welcome on a brisk evening, but balanced and drinkable for enjoying year-round. In addition to a complex roasted malt character of coffee and dark chocolate, a hefty addition of American hops adds bright, distinctive layers of tropical fruits, citrus, and pine. 6.8% ABV.

Blackberry Farm Leather Britches 6/4/16oz CAN – Dark, Rich Porter featuring a malty finish and hints of dark fruit and chocolate. An homage to the farm tradition of Leather Britches. An old southern method for preserving late-summer green beans. The beans are harvested, left in their pod, and hung up to dry. Dehydrating on the string, they start to look like leather pant legs. Brewed in collaboration with Heidi Geist of the 48 Beer Project. 6.4% ABV.

Blackberry Farm Spring Saison 12/750ml – A yearning for better days! Made with a healthy proportion of wheat, and gently spiced. 6.2% ABV.

Blackberry Farm Native Series Sorghum Saison 12/750ml – Farmhouse Ale brewed with Tennessee Heritage Malt, Sorghum syrup, and fermented with a wild strain of native yeast from the orchards at Blackberry Farm. 6.3% ABV.

Blackberry Farm Classic Saison 6/4/12oz CAN – Belgian-style Saison features European noble-type hops, authentic Belgian Saison yeast, and the finest European two-row malt. 6.3% ABV

Blackberry Farm Mountain Lager 6/4/12oz CAN – Vienna-style Lager showcases Vienna and dark Munich malts, with distinctively toasty, bready aromas and flavors. A judicious hopping lends balance to the malty goodness. 5% ABV.

Blackberry Farm Boundary Tree 6/4/12oz CAN – A hop-forward Farmhouse Ale brewed with Hallertau Blanc, Southern Cross, Comet, and Citra hops. 6.5% ABV

Twelve Percent Beer:

 Twelve Percent Beer Project House Lager 4/6/12oz CAN – A Snappy American Lager. 5% ABV.

American Solera:

American Solera Power TIPA 6/4/16oz CAN – Triple IPA with Citra & Mosaic Hops. 10% ABV.

American Solera This Is Cashmere 6/4/16oz CANS – American IPA brewed with Cashmere, Azacca & Mosaic hops. 7% ABV.

FAT ORANGE CAT FOC:

Fat Orange Cat FOC Baby Kittens 6/4/16oz CANS – NE IPA with Citra, Simcoe & Galaxy Hops. 6.5% ABV.

Fat Orange Cat FOC Dazed and Confused Teenage Kittens 6/4/16oz CANS – Awww, they’re growing up and going through those awkward & rebellious teenage years! A slightly amped-up version of Baby kittens, and aggressively hopped and dank; clocking in at 7.10% ABV.

Fat Orange Cat Vito The Beer Whale Cat 6/4/16oz CAN – Double IPA with Azacca and Simcoe Hops. 8% ABV

Fat Orange Cat Living In Our Own Private Idaho 6/4/16oz CANS – NE-IPA with Idaho 7, Azacca, and Simcoe hops. Citrusy with a hint of that undeniable piney Idaho 7 hop flavor on the end. 7.5% ABV.

Fat Orange Cat FOC I Don’t Like Mondays 6/4/16oz CAN – New England style IPA brewed with Galaxy, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. 7.5% ABV.

Fat Orange Cat FOC Severe Tire Damage 6/4/16oz CAN – New England-style IPA hop forwarded with Simco, Citra and Mosaic hops. It’s a big beer at 9.4% ABV.

Big Grove Iowa City celebrating 4 years on March 13th! Batch 1000, Color TV, + Coconut King available!

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BG 4 year Anniversary March 14th!

4 year anniversary party coming to Big Grove’s Iowa City location and as always, Big Grove will be throwing some amazing brews our way! Here’s quick rundown of what we can expect and stay tuned for more info on these brews and on this anniversary party and check out Big Grove’s latest “Morning Brews” episode explaining the Batch 1000 variants. Here we go!

*Batch 1000 Barleywine
*Batch 1000 w/ 4 variants
*Color TV
*Coconut King – hazy IPA- in house only!

Beers will be available, allotments undetermined at this point, online for pickup or dine in with presale starting Wednesday March 3rd. Stay tuned for link info for that and below is the “Morning Brews” episode that is going to make you extremely thirsty! Happy Anniversary BG IC and I can’t wait to have a taste of all those brews! Cheers!

Check out the Morning Brews episode by clicking <a href="http://<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBigGroveBreweryIC%2Fvideos%2F741688760053355%2F&show_text=false&width=560&quot; width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true">HERE