Abu Nawas drops this week: More Hubbard’s Cave and Une Annee

May 3, 2019Leave a comment

une annee

I’m not sure what everyone else things but Abu Nawas getting us Hubbard’s Cave beers to our market sure has been a treat! Love what these guys are doing and look forward to trying everything they release. Here’s what’s coming down the line this week from Abu Nawas:

Hubbard’s Cave: Fresh IIPA V5 (Citra, Mosaic) 16oz CANS – While these tropical fruit bomb hops need no further description, we’d also like to note that in addition to the subtle changes to the malt bill/brew process to amplify body/sweetness we made beginning with last week’s release (V29), this is the first batch trying a different yeast strain from what we’ve been using. We won’t spoil all the surprises but just want to say we think everyone will be pleased with the results.

Hubbard’s Cave: Fresh IIPA V30 (Chinook, Idaho 7, Simcoe) 16oz CANS – This one is another new addition to the V series, Fresh IIPA V30, but keeping with the updated malt base and yeast profile beginning with V5. Chinook and Idaho 7 in the boil (or whirlpool, rather) give this one a nice piney and lightly bitter backbone, then a bit of each along with a large charge of Simcoe in the dry-hop drives this home while also yielding a beautiful bouquet of tropical fruit.

Hubbard’s Cave: Coco Van 16oz CANS –  From the Brewery: “Last time we made this beer we added more coconut than we’ve ever used and our backs paid the price when it came time to dig out the fermenter. This time we said backs be damned and added even more! We’re left with a thick and decadent coconut bomb of an imperial stout that goes down far too smooth for 12%.” ***Very Limited***

Hubbard’s Cave: Mocha Pot de Crème16oz CANS   –From the Brewery: “This is a brand new addition to the PdC series! We were, as always, excited to team up with our friends Brian and Josh at Abacus Coffee Roasters for our coffee addition on this beer. When we told them we wanted something to pair with a thick and chocolatey lactose stout, they came back with El Salvador Red Honey Bourbon, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Smooth, creamy, and bursting with coffee, this one lives up to its name.  ***Very Limited***

Une Annee: Framboise 16oz CANS –  American Wild Ale Fermented with Raspberries. 6.5% ABV ***Now in a Snazzy 2 Pack CANS***

Une Année Le Seul XXVI (Boysenberry)24-CANS – 2pk16oz –  Another in our Le Seul series makes its debut in cans! We’ve continued blending bits of our Brett culture into each batch of Le Seul to reduce acidity and add a little complexity, but that hasn’t stopped us from adding copious amounts of fruit to them! This batch saw a heaping addition of Boysenberries yielding a mild bitterness and strong aromas/flavors of sweet, jammy fruit.  ***Now in a Snazzy 2 Pack CANS***

Une Année Le Seul XXVIII (Tangerine)24-CANS – 2pk16oz   –  We have a new member of the Le Seul family with LS XXVIII (Tangerine). Falling in line with our other recent Le Seul releases, this one has a subtle tartness and a light Brett profile, with a luscious Tangerine aroma which brings Sunny D and daydreams of playing outside to mind. A springtime crusher!    ***Now in a Snazzy 2 Pack CANS***

Thew Brewing + Firetrucker Brewery Tap Takeover @Tin Roost set for 4/25!

April 24, 2019April 24, 2019Leave a comment

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Thew Brewing Company and Firetrucker Brewery will be co-hosting a tap takeover tomorrow night (4/25) at Tin Roost in North Liberty starting at 6:00! Three beers from each brewery will be available and also a Super Smash Brothers tournament will be taking place as well. Here’s more on this event:

We’re hosting a Super Smash Bros Tournament (Nintendo Switch) and Tap Takeover with Thew Brewing Company & Firetrucker Brewery on Thursday, April 25 from 6-9 pm! We’ll have 3 beers on tap from Thew and 3 beers on tap from Firetrucker – Beers TBA. We’ll have flights available too! Stop by Tin Roost to sign-up for the Tournament anytime before 4/25 – only 24 spots available, first come first served. FREE to play, we’ll have prizes to the top 3 finishers including swag from Roost and the breweries!

Beers Available:

Firetrucker Brewery:
Oakily Doakily Sour – Flanders Red
Double Mango Citra Tropical Burn Infusion – Double IPA
Buffalo Trace BA 2 Alarm Red
Copper Cat – Hard Ginger Beer w/ Lime

Thew Brewing Company:
Citrus Kölsch
Whatchoo Talkin’ Bout, Willis Dady? (Wheat)
Sounds Interesting (coffee chocolate blonde)

Iowa Brewing Company releasing barrel-aged In-Tents Smores Stout 5/11/19!

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019Leave a comment

iowa brewing.jpeg

Some exciting news out of Cedar Rapids as Iowa Brewing Company has announced their release on “In-Tents”, a barrel-aged Smores stout. The release will come on May 11th, right before the Benz Beverage Depot beer festival. To get more info read below or check out Iowa Brewing’s event release on Facebook by clicking here:

𝗜𝗻-𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 was brewed last year to celebrate our second anniversary. A huge imperial s’mores stout with tons of pale and biscuit malt, chocolate malt, roasted barley, and graham flour for a rich full flavor with notes of cookies and a touch of char. Afterwards we rested on pure liquid cacao and a blend of Madagascar and Tahitian vanilla beans. Half of the batch was put into Four Roses barrels and a vanilla bourbon barrel to rest for (almost) a year, and finished with cocoa nibs, graham crackers and marshmallows.

Two variants will be available in 375ml bottles:

𝗕𝗔 𝗜𝗻-𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 – Aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels plus a vanilla bourbon barrel and finished with cocoa nibs, graham crackers and marshmallows.

𝗕𝗔 𝗜𝗻-𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 – Aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels plus a vanilla bourbon barrel and finished with cocoa nibs, graham crackers, marshmallows, and Trung Nguyen Legendee coffee.

Stop by before Benz Beerfest starts and be the first to grab a bottle, these won’t last long. Bottle shares will be allowed in line, please line up at our patio door and keep any open containers inside the patio.

Bricks Bar and Grill presents “Smoked + Firestone(d)” on 4/20!

April 3, 2019Leave a comment

Bricks Bar and Grill in Cedar Rapids will be bringing us “Smoked + Firestone(d)” on April 20th! This event features a bunch of fantastic Firestone Walker beers on tap. Here’s the early release courtesy of Bricks:

We are back with our yearly 4.20 event and it is better than ever!
Come check out the buffet ($14.95) with our traditional smoked items and a few new things to peak your interests! (menu coming soon)

Firestone Lineup:

2018 Stickee Monkee
2018 Velvit Merkin
2018 Old Man Hattan
2016 Anniversary XX
2018 Anniversary XXII
2018 Bretta Tangerine
Pivo Pilsner
Easy Jack Session IPA
Mind Haze NEIPA
Union Jack West Coast IPA
Luponic Distortion #12 IPA
Lager

*bottles of 2018 Parabola will be available for purchase

Big Grove Releasing “Morgan Horse” barrel-aged maple imperial stout on 4/20! + 3 others!

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019Leave a comment

Big news from Big Grove this week as they prep to release “Morgan Horse” barrel-aged maple imperial stout on April 20th along with 3 variants of that brew. With that, they will be releasing “Color TV”, their double dry hopped New England style IPA as well. Both Big Grove locations will be participating in the release. Hope to see you there, check below for more info!

If you’re a fan of our Richard the Whale parties—or fond of fun parties in general—here we go again! Saturday, April 20 is the release of our new Barrel-Aged Maple Imperial Stout, Morgan Horse + 3 AWESOME variants.

Joining Morgan Horse at the party is the second coming of Color TV, our Double Dry Hopped New England Style IPA brewed with galaxy hops. Arrive early for brunch and stick around for what will be an all-day party. 9:00AM Doors Open. Free coffee for anyone in line.

No tickets required. This event will be hosted at both the Iowa City Taproom and Solon Brewpub. More info to be released in the coming weeks. Thanks for the support!

Thew Brewing 1st Anniversary Party announced for 3/16!

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019Leave a comment

thew

Thew Brewing will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary on Saturday, March 16th starting at noon. They will be releasing “Darkest Corners”, a barrel aged imperial stout at 5 p.m. Check below for more details. Happy Anniversary Thew!

Celebrate our first anniversary with us!

– Bottle release of Darkest Corners, barrel-aged imperial stout at 5 p.m. $20 each, limit 2 per person
– BOGO River Kings Kölsch all day
– Imperial stout in the Randall (infuser)
– $4 full pours of all other beers on tap (does not apply to kölsch or Randall)
– Free cake while it lasts
– For each beer purchased, receive an entry for prizes (you choose which prize you want to be entered for). Drawing will be at 10 p.m., you don’t need to be present to win.

We’re giving away:
* Brewmaster level Thew Crew membership (eight free beers a month for a year)
* $50 Thew Brewing gift card
* Four River Kings tickets to game of your choice
* Two field-level River Kings tickets to the April 20th game vs. Bismarck Bucks

Local/Small Iowa Breweries Need Your Support Now! Please Read!

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019Leave a comment

iowa beer.jpg

Tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. an Iowa bill, HSB 210, will be presented that will greatly impact where us, as Iowans can purchase our favorite Iowa made beer. The bill that could greatly affect almost every brewery in the state of Iowa states:

HouseStudyBill210-BY(PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE BILL BY CHAIRPERSON CARLSON)A BILL FOR An Act concerning alcoholic beverage control,relating to:
1)limitations on business interests of certain manufacturers,
2)wholesalers and retailers of alcoholic beverages.
3)BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

So, in essence this bill that may be passed unless people step up, email and voice their concern to the subcommittee, will affect how we get our beer in this possible way:

I live 10 minutes from Big Grove in Solon. I love being that close and I’m there multiple times a week, however, if this bill passes, we wouldn’t be able to get anything that is brewed in the Iowa City Big Grove location at the Big Grove Solon location. So, going to Iowa City would mean no BGB IPA, Easy Eddy, Arms Race and many other fantastic beers. This also means that any place partner owners of Big Grove are partner owners elsewhere, those other locations wouldn’t be allowed to sell Big Grove beers. So, no Big Grove beers at Reds Alehouse, Pullman, St. Burch, etc. Also, if multiple breweries are owned, they would be limited to produced 10,000 bbls.

Big Grove is just my local example of how they would be affected. Chances are you have a local brewery being affected as well. Help those who get us our wonderful beer, and shoot an email or make a call to the following to voice your concern:

*Gary Carlson (R-Dist. 91) Gary.Carlson@legis.iowa.gov
*John Jacobsen (R-Dist. 22) Jon.Jacobsen@legis.iowa.gov
*Amy Nielsen (D-Dist. 77) Amy.Nielsen@legis.iowa.gov
*Senator Jake Chapman (Dist. 10-Dallas, Guthrie, Adair Counties)
jake.chapman@legis.iowa.gov
*Senator Amy Sinclair (R-Dist. 14-Knoxville and to the SW)
amy.sinclair@legis.iowa.gov
*Senator Jim Lykam (D-Dist. 45-Davenport) jim.lykam@legis.iowa.gov

Get those emails to them by 8:30 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday 2/27) and support our local breweries. Please help stopping this bill.

This week from Abu Nawas: HUGE Evil Twin Drop!

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019Leave a comment

evil twin

Abu Nawas continues to get Iowans some delicious brews and this coming week will be no different as they will be bringing a whole bunch of new and returning Evil Twin beers to Iowa; many of them new releases so will start with those:

Evil Twin – New Releases:

*Evil Twin Learn What is to be Taken Seriously 16oz CAN – NE IPA
*Evil Twin Grand Cru 16oz CAN -21-month Maple Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout & Barley Wine Blend.
*Evil Twin Grand Cru Cuvee 16oz CAN -a double barrel-aged blend of 21-month Maple Bourbon and Marsala Wine Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout & Barley Wine Blend.

Evil Twin – Draft Releases:

*Evil Twin A Man Who Does Not Love IPAs Loves Too Much – 8% Double Dry-Hopped Galaxy & Wai-iti DIPA,
*Evil Twin Key Lime Pie IPA – IPA brewed with Graham Crackers & Key Limes. 7% ABV
*Evil Twin Learn What is to be Taken Seriously
*Evil Twin Poetry is What Gets Lost in Translation brewed at Westbrook, hopped with Moteuka, Idaho 7, & Citra
*Evil Twin This Must Be Where IPAs Go To Die – Double Dry-Hopped Hazy IPA Hopped with Wai-iti, Amarillo, & Citra
*Westbrook / Evil Twin OFYMD – Piña Colada Imp Stout 12.8% ABV
*Evil Twin I Love you my Stout – Jeppe Famed Stout 12% ABV

Returning Evil Twin Beers:

Evil Twin Even More Jesus 16oz CAN

Evil Twin Even More Pecan Jesus 16oz CAN

Evil Twin Hazelnut Imperial Biscotti Break 16oz CAN

Evil Twin Wet Dream 16oz CAN (Brown Ale with Kenyan Coffee!)

Evil Twin A is Apricot 12oz CAN

Evil Twin B is For Blueberry 16oz CAN

Evil Twin E is For Elderberry 16oz CAN

Evil Twin F is For Fruit Salad 16oz CAN

Evil Twin G is For Grapefruit 16oz CAN

Evil Twin Rhubarb Compote 16oz CAN

I Don’t Know How to Put This but This IPA Is Kind of a Big Deal 16oz CAN

Mosley’s hosting BBQ+Beer Dinner with Big Grove Brewery on Jan. 22nd!

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019Leave a comment

Mosleys BBQ and Provisions will be hosting a BBQ and Beer dinner with Big Grove Brewery on January 22nd! More info below:

BBQ+Beer Dinner is set for Jan. 22 with our friends from @BigGroveBrewery pairing brews with our finest barbecue over 4 courses. Tickets are $40 and they’ll go fast—reserve your seat by emailing mosleysic@gmail.com.

Food and beer pairings will be:

*Burch the Bear paired w/ smoked Ham hocks
*Quick n’Dirty w/ stuffed pork loin
*Blood Orange Arms Race w/beef rib
*Espresso Imperial Stout paired with pecan diamonds & bourbon whip.

Iowa Celebrating a Jolly Pumpkin Wedding!

November 9, 2018November 9, 2018Leave a comment

jolly

Our favorite sour-only brewery has sent Abu Nawas a few things that are only going to be sent to a very limited set of non-Michigan places, including a special beer Ron Jeffries brewed in honor of his son Daemon’s wedding next weekend in Hawaii. The wedding beer is Keiki No More (Children no more…) It’s brewed with raspberry, lime and lime peel, and then aged in wood 5 months and given another dose of raspberries. We are encouraging everyone to raise their glass to the happy couple when they have the beer and tag Jolly Pumpkin with the below hashtags: #JollyWedding #FromIowaWithLove

Here’s more on Keiki No More:

Keiki No More is a saison base that was then refermented with raspberry, lime, and lime peel. This is a very special beer, brewed in celebration of the marriage of Ron and Laurie’s son Daemon and his bride Ashley. The addition of raspberry has given this beer a brilliant pink grapefruit hue. Eruptions of sweet raspberry jam and our house funk fill the nose. While the tastes of raspberry cobbler, ripe raspberry funk, subtle hints of key lime pie, and light acidity, will have you falling head over heels in love.

This beer will be on draft in Iowa at Marquee Pizza, El Bait Shop, and Cheese Bar. Along with that big and super limited release Abu Nawas will also be bringing limited supplies of the below Jolly Pumpkin beers as well. If you can get to Marquee, Cheese Shop, or El Bait Shop, order Keiki No More, raise your glass and toast the newlyweds but also toast Jolly Pumpkin and their staff and be grateful that our state gets their wonderful beers!