3 Iowa Beers to Drink Now!

January 27, 2017January 27, 2017Leave a comment

beerbaron I couldn’t do just 1 Drink This! edition this time around as the state of Iowa is sending out so much great beer I had to do three! As we approach the 2017 Coralville Brrr Fest and with the program released this past week anticipation is mounting for ticket holders to get a taste of Iowa’s finest breweries and beers. Within the last 5 days I’ve had the opportunity to try 3 amazing beers from 3 amazing Iowa breweries. So here are three beers the you have to DRINK NOW!

**Big Grove Brewery – Buster Triple IPA** – Buster released this past Tuesday and I knew for sure I had to hit Big Grove and try this baby fresh. Mosaic hops shine with flavors of juicy fruit gum, tropical fruits, and some grassiness. A wonderful dank ass triple IPA. There is one thing that can be bad about this brew…it’s scary drinkable. An 11.4% ABV triple IPA can definitely put you on your ass if you don’t pay attention! This might arguably be the best or one of the best double/triple IPAs in the state. Follow this link to see my post on where it will be available and they also just hit the Cellar Peanut Pub in Pella with a hell of a lineup! So good, can’t wait for another glass! Cheers Big Grove!

**Lion Bridge Brewery – GAZPROM 2017** – I’ve been waiting for this release since last year. Lion Bridge takes the shitty, dark, long ass month of January and makes pretty damn enjoyable with their Barrel-Aged January releases. A new release, every week, for the month of January and all barrel-aged beers. I’ve loved the Winter Warmer and the Royal Wee but the big dog for me is GAZPROM!. The sweetness from the syrup is the perfect balance to booziness from the barrels. I say this a lot but this is a top-tier beer for me….maybe top 10? Top 5? Either way, I can’t wait to have more of this and thank you Quinton and Alec and Lion Bridge for making January tolerable!

**Madhouse Brewery – VIP Barrel Aged Vanilla Porter** – was happy my Mt. Vernon Road Hy-Vee had a few bottles of this, wasn’t sure if we would see it all. I had been hearing good things coming from the fine beer folks in Des Moines and was hoping to land one of these. I’ve been hit and miss with vanilla added to my beers. Sometimes I dig it when it’s not over they type vanilla extract and with Madhouse VIP I’m really digging it. The slight sweetness from the vanilla pairs with the barrel and just a faint hint of cigar smoke on the aftertaste. Viscous, tasty, and warming. An excellent companion to a chilly January evening.

There you go Iowa. Three newer beers for you to try. Hopefully all 3 make it somewhere close to your area and you get a taste, and hopefully you enjoyed them as much as I did/do! Cheers!

Reds Alehouse Hopslam Release Party set for Tuesday, January 24th! A 1 Night Stay in Kalamazoo giveaway also!

January 16, 2017January 16, 2017Leave a comment

Reds Alehouse will be hosting their Bells Hopslam release party next Tuesday, January 24th. They will tap the keg at 11 a.m. Along with this event will also be a chance to win a 1 night stay to Kalamazoo, Michigan and a $150 gift card to spend at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe and Gift Shop! The drawing for the stay will be at 7:30 p.m. The official release from Reds is below:

Tuesday, January 24th – The release of Hopslam!

We all know you want Hopslam, but we didn’t want to stop there. So, listen up beerlings. One lucky Hopslam drinker will win a trip to Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, MI!

The grand prize includes:

– One night stay in Kalamazoo, MI
– $150 gift card to spend at the Eccentric Cafe and/or Gift Shop at Bell’s.

How do you enter? That is super simple my friends. Drink Beer! You order a Hopslam, your lovely bartender or server will give you a ticket to enter the drawing.

Hopslam taps at 11am – drawing at 7:30pm.

*Must be 21 and present to enter/win, one entry per person. ID required to claim your prize!*

2017 Sierra Nevada Hoptimum to be “reimagined” + “hoppiest yet”

January 16, 2017Leave a comment

Sierra Nevada Brewing company looks like they are tweaking their Hoptimum recipe a bit as according to mybeerbuzz.com, they are reimagining their popular triple IPA and they have stated it will be their “hoppiest beer yet”. The back of the bottle description informs us that it will be a tropical hop and citrus hop aroma profile. It looks to also check in at 9.6%.

According to their release schedule, Hoptimum is a May release. I would expect 4 packs/12 oz bottles once again and it looks like different packaging. Sierra Nevada has taken a different approach with their latest releases of their pales and IPAs. Their Sidecar Orange Pale Ale and Tropical torpedo have recently hit shelves and the future release of a Peach IPA shows the attention is being given to fruit forward ales so you can probably expect the same type of attention given to Hoptimum’s release. Cheers!

Barrel-Aged January Returning to Lion Bridge Brewery

December 2, 2016December 2, 2016Leave a comment

It used to suck to have a birthday in the month of January, but thankfully Lion Bridge Brewery just turned what is usually a shitty, cold, dark, month into a glorious, beer-filled month! Lion Bridge Brewery in Cedar Rapids just released the details on their Barrel-Aged January releases and lineup looks outstanding. These are going to be some can’t miss beers folks so I hope you get to try as many as possible. Here’s the release deets courtesy of Lion Bridge’s Facebook page which you can view here:

You have all patiently waited for the past year. We have been carefully filling barrels and planning how best to counteract the frigid month of January with soul-warming beers.

Here’s the lineup for 2017’s Barrel Aged January:

Tues 01/03 – CSA member private event. This event is for members only. If you aren’t a member of the our Community Supported Ales Program, be sure to get one for you or as a gift for your loved ones for the holiday. It’s the gift that keeps on giving: http://www.lionbridgebrewing.com/store/
*Lion Bridge Barrel-Aged January 2017 Rastal glassware for pre-sale!

Wed 01/04- Winter Warmer (English Old Ale aged in Templeton Rye Barrels, 10.5%) – A big, complex beer that is sure to warm the cockles of your heart. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want their cockles warmed?
*Featuring live acoustic music 6-9pm from Kevin Burt, Brett Messenger & Ben Soltau

Wed 01/11-Barrel-Aged Click Bait – (Double IPA kissed by Whiskey Barrels, 9%) – 3 short weeks in Cedar Ridge barrels contributes slight vanilla and whiskey characteristics, but a big dry-hop post aging produces a unique addition to our barrel-aged line-up.
*Featuring live music 6-9pm by Devin Scott The Duke of Uke

Sat 01/14- Sour Cherry Ale (6%)- A low-hopped version of our Kundera Kölsch went into 2 wine barrels dosed with Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus and almost 100lbs of sour cherries. Here it is!

Wed 01/18- The Royal Wee (Strong Scotch Ale aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels, 9%)- A Strong Scottish Ale that is malty, rich, and slightly smokey.
*Featuring Lion Bridge Barrel-Aged January 2017 Rastal glassware giveaway!

Wed 01/25- GAZPROM! (Russian Imperial Stout aged in Buffalo Trace Barrels, 12%) – Viscous and black. After primary fermentation this oily, Russian giant is re-fermented with dark maple syrup in bourbon barrels then blended back together to add consistency and complexity. 2016 GABF Bronze Medal Winner for Specialty Beer!
*Featuring live music 6-9pm by Cedar County Cobras

Sat 01/28- 2015, 2016, 2017 GAZPROM! Vertical @ 3pm along with a keg of an unoaked GAZPROM!

Cheers and hope you can join us for a great January!

Thanksgiving Week: Beer Happenings in Eastern Iowa

November 16, 2016November 21, 20162 Comments

Quite a few things going down Thanksgiving weekend in the beer community in Eastern Iowa. Everyone knows that Goose Island Bourbon County Stout releases on Black Friday but there are a ton of other goings on happening with local bars and breweries too! Below you will find a list of many releases taking place, not just BCBS. Also, a big update on future Big Grove pins and an update on their new brewery too! I’ll hopefully be updating this as the list continues to grow. For more info on Lion Bridge’s release, make sure you clink the link to their Facebook page. If you have more news, shoot me a message and I’ll get it posted ASAP!

Another Road Brewing
Another Road will be having a free lunch with a beer purchase. They will have beef stew made with Dry Pump Stout, beer cheese soup made with our Honey Wheat, and Brownies made with our Vanilla Porter. We will be tapping the Vanilla Porter at noon, As well as setting out food. This is all taking place on Small Business Saturday. Another Road brewing is located in Marion, IA.

Benz Beverage Depot
Benz Beverage Depot will be handing out samples and releasing Goose Island Bourbon County Stout on December 10th from 10-Noon. Allocation information will be coming soon. On November 23rd they will be having a whiskey tasting. 10% off wine beer and spirits all day, and on November 25th it will 15% off wine beer and spirits.

Big Grove Brewery
Here is the release schedule for future Big Grove pins. Make sure you mark these on your schedule. Also, some picture updates below on the new brewery coming to Iowa City next year!

11/18 Boomtown with ginger, Honey, Vanilla

11/25 Que Onda Roja with Dates and Figs

12/2 IPA with Juniper

12/9 Arms Race Pale Ale with Pineapple, WL Amarillo

12/23 Russian Imperial with Ginger, Clove, Allspice, big-grove-2 Molasses

12/30 Que Onda Roja with Tart Cherries’

big-grove-1

Big Grove 3.jpg

**30bbls serving vessels and a 60bbl fermenter.

Bootleggin’ Barzini’s
Barzini’s will be having a 6:00 p.m. release on Black Friday for regular Bourbon County Stout and the limit will be 2 per person. Any other Bourbon County offerings will be available via lotteries during December along with many sought after bourbons and whiskies…..Pappy something I hear. If in the Iowa City area check them out!

bricks Brick Bar and Grill
Bricks is hosting Stout and Wars and although the event is sold out there may be some tap lines that still have some greatness in them. Here’s more from Bricks:

11 of the 12 beers should make it through the event to be available at around 5 pm on December 10th when it finishes. (Vanilla Rye will be the only bottle pour of this event). To recap the full lineup:

1. Founders Brewing Co. Kentucky Breakfast Stout
2. Goose Island 2015 Bourbon County Brand Stout
3. Stone Brewing w00tstout 3.0
4. Stone Brewing Xocoveza Charred
5. Oskar Blues Brewery Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy
6. Big Grove Brewery Richard the Whale Praline
7. Odell Brewing Co Jolly Russian
8. Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Rye 2014
9. Third Base Brewery TBD Stout
10. Founders Brewing Co. Lizard of Koz
11. Avery Brewing Company Vanilla Bean Stout
12. Evil Twin Brewing Imperial Biscotti Break

Confluence Brewing Company
We will have extended taproom hours and beer specials throughout the week of Thanksgiving! Make sure you stock up on beer for your holiday gatherings. Our hours and specials are listed below.

Tuesday, November 22nd- noon-10pm. $2 off 64oz growlers, $1 off 32oz growlers (new and refills).

Wednesday, November 23rd- noon-10pm. $2 off 64oz growlers, $1 off 32oz growlers (new and refills).

Thursday, November 24th- Taproom CLOSED.

Friday, November 25th- Black Friday special! $1 off pints of “black” beers from noon-5pm.

Saturday, November 26th- noon-11pm. No beer specials.

Sunday, November 27th- noon-7pm. No beer specials.

Coralville Brrr Fest

Brrr Fest tickets go on sale on Black Friday. Brewmaster/VIP tickets sold out in less than a week last year. Date for this year’s Brrr Fest is January 28th. John’s Grocery and Coralville Hy-Vee will be selling general admission tickets as well.

Coralville Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits
The Coralville Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits will be having a Black Friday bourbon county release 11/25/16. Their release will start at 6:00 am and be 2 per person limit on Bourbon County Stout and 1 per person limit on barleywine.

Iowa Brewing Company
Iowa brewing company is having a Ready for Eddie party on the patio Thanksgiving morning from 7-12. They are offering $3.00 beers and an escape from parades and family. unless your family is cool, then you can bring them along. More details on our Facebook page.

Johns Grocery
John’s Grocery will be filling Richard the Whale, Richard with Coffee, and Richard with Praline starting on Black Friday @ 11:00 a.m. They are hoping to have Bourbon County in at the same time but it all depends on the truck drops. BCBS Barleywine will be released sometime in December.

Kickshaw Barrel Works

Kickshaw Barrel Works will be doing a Pipo preview at Lion Bridge Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids on November 26th. Here’s more on Pipo:

7% watermelon sour, fermented for 5 months with Kroul Farms watermelons.Lion Bridge Brewery

Lion Bridge Brewery

Lion Bridge will be having their Maple Disaster bottle release on Saturday, November 26th starting at noon. They will also be selling 2nd Anniversary Biere de Garde bottles and will have maple disaster, Coffee maple disaster, and Biere de Garde on tap that day as well. Click HERE to link to their Facebook event page, should be great!

Madhouse Brewing Company
Not technically Thanksgiving week but Madhouse will be hosting a Barrel-Room Open House and tasting party. According to their Facebook page, which you can visit HERE, this is the list of brews that will be available:

Join us for a beer release party and grand opening for our new Sour Barrel-Room events space.

NEW BEERS TO BE RELEASED:

-2016 Madhouse Wee-Heavy – Imperial Scotch Ale aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. Caramel and toffee aromas with sweet malt flavors. Available in 750ml bottles.

*Madhouse Fruit & Spice Series – A collection of sour beers, each showcasing a unique flavor combination of fruit and spice. Available in 750ml bottles.
-Strawberry Fields – Strawberry/Basil
-Mango Tango – Mango/Cardamom
-Velvet Fuzz – Peach/Lavender
-Maui Wowie – Pineapple/Coconut

Mt. Vernon Road Hy-Vee

We will be doing a first come first served basis on all bourbon county that we get, limit one or two depending on how much we receive. Delivery should be early in the morning but no set time. On Tuesday, November 22nd they will be releasing a barrel-aged Maple Disaster by Lion Bridge starting at 5:00. Limit 1 per person.

Oakland Rd Hy-Vee

Oakland Rd. Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids will be releasing on the 28th at 4:00 pm and limit 3 person until it is gone.

Quarter Barrel Brewery and Arcade
Quarter Barrel Brewing will be releasing Ebenezer Old Ale on Black Friday. This is a recipe that the brewer and his wife have homebrewed and shared with friends and family for years before opening our brewery. Since they weren’t able to open in time to release a full scale version last year, it was brewed in February and set it off to age. A more limited availability whiskey barrel aged bottled version will be available closer to Christmas.

Red’s Alehouse
Reds Alehouse is planning a BOCO event on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and are still hammering out the details. They won’t have the 2016 release since that doesn’t drop until Friday but they are hoping to have some vintages and other cellared Goose Island brews available. All the information will be out in the next day or two! They will also be opening their doors Thanksgiving morning from 8-9 a.m. to do growler fills!

Sanctuary Pub
The Sanctuary Pub in Iowa City will be tapping the Boulevard/Firestone Walker Collaboration on Black Friday. Here’s more on that brew:

Collaboration No. 6 will be composed of the following beers:

Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad – 45%
Based loosely on the Smokestack Series’ The Sixth Glass, this abbey-style quadrupel is separated into a number of oak bourbon barrels where it ages for varying lengths of time, some for up to three years. Cherries are added to make up for the “angel’s share” of beer lost during barrel aging. Selected barrels are then blended for optimum flavor. The resulting beer retains only very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore.
ABV – 11.8, IBU – 19

Firestone Walker Stickee Monkee – 35%
Brewed with Belgian candi sugar and aged in a selection of ﬁne bourbon barrels, Stickee Monkee trailblazes its own category as a “Central Coast Quad.” The name Stickee Monkee is a nod to the Central Coast’s native Sticky Monkey ﬂower, as well as a shout‐out to the Belgian monks who pioneered the Quad style. The Belgian candi sugar imparts a signature molasses sweetness to the beer. Meanwhile, maturation in bourbon casks brings ample barrel expression with notes of toasted oak, coconut, leather and cigar tobacco.
ABV – 13, IBU – 45

Imperial Stout X – Tart Cherry (Whiskey Barrel-aged) – 10%
Our special treat for lovers of big, complex stouts, the Imperial Stout “X” series offers a year-long roster of limited releases, each with a significant variation. This riff spotlights the addition of tart cherries to fermentation as well as a lactic souring on the brewhouse. The result is a perfect marriage of robust, smoky maltiness and bracing tartness. Unlike the release version of Imperial Stout X – Tart Cherry, this portion was briefly aged in previously used whiskey barrels.
ABV – 11, IBU – 64

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin – 10%
Velvet Merkin is the beer that almost wasn’t…Indeed, this vintage oatmeal stout’s comical (or is it scandalous?) name went oﬀ the grid for several years, but now it’s back due to popular demand. Velvet Merkin is aged for a full year in retired spirits barrels from Heaven Hill, Woodford Reserve and others, yet manages to oﬀer mind-boggling balance and restraint. You will wig out when you taste Velvet Merkin’s rich milk chocolate, bourbon and espresso ﬂavors, preceded by aromas of vanilla, coconut, toasted oak and mocha.
ABV – 8.5, IBU – 33

Collaboration No. 6 – Barrel-Aged Blend will be released starting in the Greater Kansas City Area on November 7th (draft) and November 8th (750 mL bottles) and will be sold through Boulevard’s distribution network. Areas that normally see Smokestack Series limited release beers like Saison-Brett or Rye-on-Rye should expect to see Collaboration No. 6 in the coming weeks.

Central Waters Releasing Bourbon Barrel Quad

September 8, 2016September 8, 2016Leave a comment

Some great news coming from Amherst, Wisky as Central Waters has announced they are going to release Bourbon Barrel Quad to their distro footprint! It was bottled yesterday (9/7) and should be coming soon. Stay tuned for more release details. Here’s the release courtesy of Central Waters Facebook page:

Central Waters Brewing Company

22 hrs ·

Hello September!!! Cool nights, changing leaves (which actually kicks off the celebration of Christmas for one of our brewers!), and big beer weather! Getting bottled today – the newest beer to come out of the barrel warehouse – Bourbon Barrel Quad!

Boulevard’s 2017 Release Calendar is Out

August 26, 2016August 26, 2016Leave a comment

Drink This: Big Grove Brewery Raspberry Que Sera

July 28, 2016July 28, 2016Leave a comment

Man, where was this all summer? What a wonderfully refreshing brew on warm Thursday afternoon. Big Grove Brewery in Solon just possibly made the perfect summer brew. If you like white wine, margaritas, fruity beers, or just beer in general then this is one you are going to want to get your hands on.

According to Chad Young of Big Grove, 20 pounds of raspberries were added into a 7 bbl batch. This maybe one of the best noses I’ve ever gotten off of a beer and it wasn’t that fake artificial raspberry shit either, this was the real deal. The smell of fresh raspberries that you picked at your grandma’s farm when you were younger.

It hadn’t made its way to the taproom quite yet, but as soon as Otra Vez kicks it’s going to be good to go and I don’t think it will be too much longer. I posted where this beer will be tapped around the CR/IC area but I’m not sure when it will be. But check out my previous post here to see where it will be. All I know is, when Mr. Young brought me a pour, the hue and the aroma beauty were backed by a tart, fresh, and thirst-quenching berliner-weisse. It also pairs pretty well with their strawberry cheesecake with basil ice cream. Thank you Chad!

This beer is nostalgic, this beer is summer, this beer is a beer you need to drink now!

Big Grove Brewery Releasing Raspberry Que Sera to accounts this week!

July 28, 20161 Comment

Big Grove Brewery will be releasing Raspberry Que Sera to various accounts throughout the the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas. A play on their popular Que Sera Berliner Weisse, they add 20+ pounds of raspberries into a 7 bbl batch. You will be able to find this refreshing brew at the following locations:

Cedar Rapids
*Need Pizza
*Zeppelins Bar and Grill

Iowa City
*Mosleys
*Shorts Burgers
*Uglys
*Shakespeare’s

North Liberty
*Reds Alehouse

Coralville
*30hop

Guessing this brew won’t last that long so hit a few of the places above or head to Big Grove and have yourself a glass or two!

Hitting Shelves: Fall Releases, Stone Oakmeal, Jubalale, BB Quad, Destihl

July 19, 2016July 19, 2016Leave a comment

Quite a few new brews will soon be hitting packaging lines and then off to distro and HOPEFULLY!…hopefully hitting our shelves. Let’s get on with the list!

**Stone Oakmeal Bourbon Barrel Stout** – this is part of Stone’s Small Batch series so I’m not sure if we will see this beer or not. According to mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com this is Stone’s bitter chocolate oatmeal stout aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels for 7 months. It will come in at 11.4% ABV and packaging will begin this month. More on this beer courtesy of Stone Brewing:

Brewed December 5, 2015
Originally inspired by the recipe of two Team Stone members, Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout became an instant classic. The onyx-hued beer also proved to be an ideal barrel-aging specimen, thanks to the rich, thick mouthfeel and chocolate-heavy flavors and aromatics.

**Destihl Wild Sour Series: Synchopathic** – another brew is making its way to Destihl’s popular Wild Sour Series and Synchopathic is a dry-hopped American Wild ale bursting with flavors.Here’s more on this brew courtesy of beerstreetjournal.com:

…with totally rad aromas and flavors reminiscent of grapefruit, orange, lemon, tangerine, pineapple and hints of pine, giving way to a biscuity-crackery malt back beat, low bitterness and a dry finish to bring everything in synch.

Destihil Wild Sour Synchopathic is available in 12 ounce cans and draft starting in mid-July.

Style: American Wild Ale
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Release: Mid-July, 2016

6% ABV

**Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad** – the 750 ml are no more for this beer as we will be getting it in 12 oz 4 packs. It will still check in at 11.8% ABV and it sounds like it will become available in October. Expect the price to be a tad higher than most other Boulevard 4 packs due to it being barrel-aged.

**Deschutes Jubalale** – the annual release from Deschutes will be available starting in October. It will once again be available in 12 oz 6 packs and check in at 6.7%. Here’s more on this beer courtesy of Deschutes’ website:

Available October – December. Warm spiciness and tradition grace this bold winter ale. Intriguing, layered flavors unfold to reveal chicory, dried fruit and toffee notes with a hoppy kick to finish. The deep garnet color pairs perfectly with holiday celebrations.

**Boulevard Cranberry Orange Radler** – something you usually consider a summer-style beer, radler, is getting fall makeover courtsey of Boulevard. Their popular lemon/ginger radler will take a backseat as the cooler months approach and be replaced by Cranberry/Orange radler. We will see this one coming in October as well. Here’s more from Boulevard:

Beginning in the fall of 2016, Cranberry Orange Radler will be available in six packs of 12-ounce cans. Using our experience from creating Ginger Lemon Radler, we’ll follow the same process, but instead of using ginger and lemon juice, we’ll add (no surprise here) orange and cranberry to the beer.

Beautifully hazy and slightly pink in color, Cranberry Orange Radler will open with an aroma of sweet blood oranges and just a hint of cranberry. The blood orange character boldly manifests in the flavor giving way to cranberry tartness. The base beer, Unfiltered Wheat Beer, contributes a slightly sweet bready flavor to the malt profile of the beer that shines with bright citrus flavor and a touch of acidity. Cranberry Orange Radler clocks in at 4.05% ABV and 12 IBUs.

– Jeremy Danner, Ambassador Brewer

Know of anymore releases? Send a message my way! Cheers!