Category: Restaurants/Bars/Pubs

Crooked Stave Beers Hit Eastern Iowa Shelves!

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staveI was very excited to get the following information from the beer and wine manager at the Oakland Road Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids. Crooked Stave is here! Here’s what they are getting to us:

Crooked Stave Hop Savant 375 ml

7.99 per bottle

RateBeer  99

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION

100% Brettanomyces Pale Ale. Dry Hopped Artisian Ale Fermented in Oak Foeders.

36% Citra, 36% Mosaic, 28% Simcoe.

 

Crooked Stave Vieille Artisanal 375 ml

7.99 per bottle

RateBeer 98

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION

Vieille meaning “Old” is our artisinal barrel-aged Saison, lightly dry hopped. Each batch release is a diverse blend of Vieille casks that have taken on a soft Brettanomyces character before being lightly dry hopped. Dominated by a floral, citrusy hop character, a subtle herbal note and a tart finish, Vieille’s character exemplifies artisan Saisons.

 

Crooked Stave St. Bretta (Summer) 375 ml

9.99 per bottle

RateBeer 98

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION

Whitebier Brewed with Blood Oranges(100% brettanomyces)

 

Crooked Stave Surette Provision Saison 375 ml

9.99 per bottle

RateBeer 98

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION

Brewed with traditional harvest grams. Surette is a provision Saison with a tart and vinous character from extended barrel aging.

Beer and Food Pairing: Stone Enjoy By 9-13-13 and Shrimp Ceviche

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photo (1)Thanks to the recommendation from Marc Morehouse I have now found the perfect mexican restaurant. El Perico in Marion, IA serves some great homemade mexican food. My favorite thing on the menu, their shrimp ceviche. Now, I understand ceviche is relatively easy to make. Just chop up a bunch of seafood or fish and let it soak in citrus juices for a few hours to cook it. But El Perico does it better than I can, and better than anywhere else I’ve ever had it.

My wife and I decided to grab El Perico for some takeout food, you know it’s good when you make a 20 minute drive for takeout, and I thought it would be great to pair the ceviche with a brew.

I bought a shit load of Enjoy By from Stone so I went with it knowing that IPAs usually pair well with spicier foods. This ceviche had lime and orange juice as well as jalapeno, which went perfectly with the IPA. The malts come out from the IPA and the citrus from the hops really shines through. If you are in the CR/Iowa City area, El Perico does ceviche right, and an IPA goes excellent with it! If you want a great homemade IPA recipe, I’m a big fan of the Beeroness and her blog, check it out here: http://thebeeroness.com/2012/08/21/ipa-ceviche/

Beer Trip: 3 Floyds Brewery; Munster, Indiana

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photo 1A few weeks back as my wife and I were traveling to Chicago with her brother and his future old lady, the comment of someone saying we have time to either stop and shop at an outlet mall or head to Munster, Indiana to go to 3 Floyds brewery is a definite possibility. As tears of joy sprang to my eyes, everyone was on board for the trip to the brewery. Having traveling companions that also enjoy good food and great craft beer is always a plus and makes for an even better experience. No planning whatsoever, just a trip over, so the possibility of getting a few cases of Zombie Dust was really up in the air. So often I see a Facebook message from 3 F’s saying they are sold out of Zombie Dust, so I wasn’t going in with high hopes.

3 F’s is very easy to get to, 20 minutes or so outside of Chicago, a nice easy drive from Iowa. It was around 2ish in the afternoon when we pulled in on a Friday and the amount of people heading into the brewpub was quite impressive. A line to get in to eat, a line at the beer take out-door, but never fear! Once you reach this great destination, patience is thephoto 3 key. You CANNOT go in and hang by the bar and order a beer, you must wait for a table or chair, then sit and they will serve. So, after putting our names down for a late lunch, we got in line to buy some brew to take home. OUT OF ZOMBIE DUST was the greeting, but that was ok because I was to make up for not getting bottles to trying in fresh on tap for the first time, and then repeating a few more times. I was able to procure a case of Gumballhead and a few random bombers of greatness (Dreadnaught, Panzer Wolf).

photo 4The brewery is very hard rock/punk concept but at the same time there were multiple tables with their kids eating as well. We got a table in about 15 minutes and then tried to decide what to eat. The menu was very unique but intriguing at the same time. The table behind us commented a few times about how great the food was so it was tough to choose. My wife and spilt the brisket tacos, pulled pork, and tator tot poutine. All were fantastic! The brisket was melt in your mouth tender, the pork with flavorful without being overly sweet, and poutine had tons of flavor. All washed down with fresh beer making it a wonderful experience. (Check out their menu here). The artwork on the way to the pisser was great and worth time to check out as well, featuring the photo 1 (1) photo 2 photo 3 (1) photo 1 (2)Gumballhead cat.

With the kind of food and beer you can get, mix in a great and knowledgable wait staff, Munster is a must visit location for all craft beer lovers. 3 1/2 hours or so from Iowa City is well worth the drive. I can’t wait to go back!

Beer Release News: Green Flash, Widmer, Goose Island

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green flashSome news on some harder to come by beers has made its way to the Baron. Green Flash, Widmer Brothers, and Goose Island all have beers that should be making their way into our market in the next few months and a couple of these might be harder to come by than others. Here we go!

Green Flash Citra Session IPA – My sources tell me that is beer is only going to be available on draft at these locations (so far): Parlor Ciy, The Mill, Reds Alehouse, and Lot 1 (Dubuque). Should be seeing this brew this week! More on this beer:

citra sessionABV: 4.3%
BA Score: 81
RB Score: 87

From the brewery: A pale gold citrusy brew with notes of lemon and floral undertones, this is the perfect summer IPA.

 

 

kill devilWidmer Brothers Kill Devil – Kill Devil is a brown ale made with brown sugar and molasses and then aged in rum barrels. The date for this is not quite definite yet but hopefully in the next few weeks. More on this beer:

ABV: 9.5%
BA Score: 83
RB Score: 90

From the brewery: Aged in Puerto Rican rum barrels, and brewed with Sweet Barbados and Blackstrap molasses, palm sugar, and Calypso hops, Kill Devil’s flavor and name were inspired by the ingredients used by Caribbean distillers.”

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Old Chicago Restaurants Re-branding; more Iowa brews to be featured?

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blogAfter reading through the article below I think this would be a great step for this franchise to make. I’m not a huge proponent of national chain restaurants but I’ve always thought of Old Chicago as being a decent fall-back choice when other options were not available. Now, if I can go to the Coralville location after an Iowa football game and enjoy a Toppling Goliath pseudoSue or a Millstream Back Road Stout, that would definitely put my butt in their seat. Here is the press release courtesy of www.beerpulse.com:

(Boulder, CO) – Old Chicago Pizza and TapRoom, founded in Boulder in 1976, is unveiling a national brand redesign that includes a new look and feel of the restaurant’s atmosphere and a revamped menu featuring 40 new offerings focused on fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients. To celebrate the redesign in the mile high city, Old Chicago created a pizza that is five feet in diameter with two toppings that weigh 80 ounces each. It will be Colorado’s largest pizza and available for tasting for the first 400 guests at the Old Chicago at 1280 S. Colorado Blvd. The pizza will be available from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11(th) .

A leader in the traditional casual dining space, Old Chicago has been serving handcrafted cuisine and local craft beers in Colorado and across the nation for 37 years. The brand redesign is driven by Old Chicago’s commitment to quality creations and to showcasing Colorado-based brewers while providing great value in a welcoming atmosphere.

“We’re proud to offer our guests the same great quality they have come to love over the last three decades, with a new twist sure to excite old and new guests,” said Will Powers, senior director of Marketing for Old Chicago. “With the brand redesign, we’ll introduce the next generation of Old Chicago and continue our tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live and work.”

Over the past two years, Old Chicago has aligned with national brand partners and invested significant resources to test new concepts and launch the redesign with the number one goal of enhancing the overall customer experience. The redesigned interior and exterior of the restaurant includes re-engineered kitchen and bar technologies, a new guest-tested menu specializing in handcrafted pizzas, and a vast craft beer selection tapping into Colorado’s local brewers.

Offering a variety of quality beers has always been an important focus for Old Chicago, with the well-known World of Beer tour; however, with the brand redesign, the company is redefining its commitment to offering local craft beers. Each restaurant now offers 36 craft beers on tap, with a rotating schedule featuring local beers from microbreweries.

“Colorado is a leading area for craft brewers,” said Daniel Imdieke, manager of Beer Operations for Old Chicago. “People from all over the country come to Colorado to taste some of the best craft beers available, and we’re excited to feature those varieties on a regular basis at all of our locations.”

Additionally, Old Chicago has a long tradition of giving back to the communities in which they operate through the CraftWorks Foundation. The foundation is committed to combating and addressing the social issues of hunger. Over the next year, Old Chicago locations in Colorado and across the country will create opportunities to contribute to their local neighborhoods.

iabeerbaron's 10 Beers for Summer

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The weather is getting warmer, the grass has just been mowed, and there are various meats sizzling on the grill. You’re conflicted as you reach into your beer fridge and try to decide what beer to go with. Do you go with a lighter pils, a higher ABV IPA, or a dark, thick, stout? The answer? All three are perfect for summer weather! Now I know that most people like to have sessionable beers for summer, but don’t think that a stout doesn’t go down smooth and refreshing on a nice summer evening, or that a big IPA can’t be enjoyed on your deck as you watch your kids play. I could go the route of listing a bunch of sessionable beers but let’s make it fun throw everyone in the pool. All styles are fair game this time of year, and here is my breakdown of what to enjoy this summer. (All available in Eastern Iowa).  Sidenote: I know that I most likely left out some beers unintentionally so feel free to add your favorites.

madhouse10. Madhouse Hopburst
Brewery: Madhouse Brewing
       City: Newton, IA
       Style: American IPA
       ABV: 7.2%
Website: www.madhousebeer.com 
A wonderful American IPA brewed right here, in the great state of Iowa. A great balance of malt and hops make this an easy pick for a very enjoyable summer beer. Enjoy this beer with a bratwurst loaded with sauerkraut, spicy mustard, and onions or a thick ribeye cooked medium rare. Perfect!

big honey9. Millstream Big Honey Hefeweisen 
Brewery: Millstream Brewing
     City: Amana, IA
     Style: Weizen Bock
     ABV: 9.2%
     Website: www.millstreambrewing.com

Another Iowa brewed beer making the list and this is a big boy! A huge aroma and flavor of bananas, rounded out by cloves and tons of honey make this a fantastic beer for a crisp fall day/evening, but also makes for the perfect ending to a warm summer day as well. Enjoy this beer with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to end the evening. 

 

bells8. Bells Oberon
Brewery: Bells Brewery
    City: Kalamazoo, MI
    Style: Wheat Ale
    ABV: 5.8%
    Website: www.bellsbeer.com
Moving onto a more “sessionable” and distinct beer for the summer. Bells Oberon ale is usually on everyones’ summer list when it’s time to talk summer beers, and rightfully so. Citrus and spice flavor make this a very refreshing summer beer pick. Pair this with some grilled fish and a tomato avocado salad and all will be well with your day. 

 

tangerine7. Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat
Brewery: Lost Coast Brewery
    City: Eureka, CA
    Style: Fruit Beer
    ABV: 5%
    Website: www.lostcoast.com

Summer can’t be complete without a trip out west to California. A staple in my fridge throughout the summer months is Lost Coast’s Tangerine Wheat. Not only do I enjoy one or two of these but it is the perfect beer to have on hand for the BMC drinkers to enjoy as well. It seems that most BMC loyalists will always welcome a fruit beer, not sure why, but anyway, this brew has a low ABV and a refreshing tangerine presence. Tough to pair fruit beers but a light salad with a tangerine wheat vinaigrette would do nicely or some shrimp tacos with spicy salsa.

saison dupont6. Saison Dupont Farmhouse Ale
  Brewery: Brasserie Dupont
     City: Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium
     Style Farmhouse/Saison
     ABV: 6.5%
     Website: brasserie-dupont.com/
I have really taking a liking to saison styles in the last 6-7 months and it’s all thanks to this beer. Saison Dupont has everything you need in a saison: barnyard qualities, grassiness, banana, black pepper spice, and citrus. Amazing beer for a summer day. This beer would go perfect with a herb seasoned beer can chicken stuffed with lemons and onions!

 

all day ipa5. Founders All Day IPA
Brewery: Founders Brewing
    City: Grand Rapids, MI
    Style: IPA
    ABV: 4.7%
    Website: www.foundersbrewing.com 

Association sessionable to IPA isn’t usually ones’ first thought. But Founders Brewing has created a beer that will appease both hopheads and also people who want to sit around at a camp out and drink a six-pack or two of really good beer. Take it on a picnic with a bucket of fried chicken and coleslaw!

summit4. Summit Oatmeal Stout
   Brewery: Summit Brewing
     City: St. Paul, MN
     Style: Sweet Stout
     ABV: 4.7%
     Website: www. summitbrewing.com 

A popular summer destination for my family is supper at The General Store Pub in Stone City, IA. Why? Good bar food, a great locale, and Summit Brewing Oatmeal Stout on tap! A wonderfully, creamy stout, easy to drink and hard to put down your glass. Goes well with some fried foods or just on its own.

tank 73. Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
  Brewery: Boulevard Brewing
     City: Kansas City, MO
     Style: Farmhouse
     ABV: 8.5%
     Website: www.boulevard.com 

A beer that is moving up my “favorites” list is Boulevard’s Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. Boulevard hits an absolute home run with this brew, and coming in a 8.5%, a bomber of this,  an all-beef hot dog with sauerkraut, jalapeños  spicy, mustard, dill pickle relish, and an L.A. Dodger game will do just fine.

 

green flash2. Green Flash Imperial IPA
 Brewery: Green Flash Brewery
     City: San Diego, CA
     Style: Imperial IPA
     ABV: 9.4%
     Website: www.greenflashbrew.com 

Man do I love this beer. The description of this beer says, “It’s all about the hops!” and there’s no doubt about it. An in-your-face Double IPA with amazing citrus flavor that is slightly balance by malts. My favorite Green Flash beer so far. Smokey, sticky, mouth-watering BBQ ribs and a bomber of this Imperial IPA make for quite an evening.

 

pseudo sue1. Toppling Goliath pseudoSue
Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewery
    City: Decorah, IA
    Style: American Pale Ale
    ABV: 5.8%
    Website: www.tgbrews.com  

Described as an American Pale Ale this beer has more hop presence than some IPAs on the market. If you are craft beer lover from Iowa I’m guessing you’ve had this beer, if not, you must try! All craft beer lovers for that matter! Toppling Goliath is starting to put their name on the craft beer map nationally and this is one of the beers responsible for that. Hard to come by in bottles for the time being but hopefully soon they will be cranking them out quick enough to meet or come close to the demand. Second to none and goes great with some spicy chicken wings, a medium cooked hamburger with grilled mushrooms and swish or  just enjoy this work of art by itself.

**Once again, a fun list to come up with, a fun list to drink, but I know I left some beers out. Feel free to add comments and let me know what your favorite beers of summer are. Cheers! **

iabeerbaron’s 10 Beers for Summer

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The weather is getting warmer, the grass has just been mowed, and there are various meats sizzling on the grill. You’re conflicted as you reach into your beer fridge and try to decide what beer to go with. Do you go with a lighter pils, a higher ABV IPA, or a dark, thick, stout? The answer? All three are perfect for summer weather! Now I know that most people like to have sessionable beers for summer, but don’t think that a stout doesn’t go down smooth and refreshing on a nice summer evening, or that a big IPA can’t be enjoyed on your deck as you watch your kids play. I could go the route of listing a bunch of sessionable beers but let’s make it fun throw everyone in the pool. All styles are fair game this time of year, and here is my breakdown of what to enjoy this summer. (All available in Eastern Iowa).  Sidenote: I know that I most likely left out some beers unintentionally so feel free to add your favorites.

madhouse10. Madhouse Hopburst
Brewery: Madhouse Brewing
       City: Newton, IA
       Style: American IPA
       ABV: 7.2%
Website: www.madhousebeer.com 
A wonderful American IPA brewed right here, in the great state of Iowa. A great balance of malt and hops make this an easy pick for a very enjoyable summer beer. Enjoy this beer with a bratwurst loaded with sauerkraut, spicy mustard, and onions or a thick ribeye cooked medium rare. Perfect!

big honey9. Millstream Big Honey Hefeweisen 
Brewery: Millstream Brewing
     City: Amana, IA
     Style: Weizen Bock
     ABV: 9.2%
     Website: www.millstreambrewing.com

Another Iowa brewed beer making the list and this is a big boy! A huge aroma and flavor of bananas, rounded out by cloves and tons of honey make this a fantastic beer for a crisp fall day/evening, but also makes for the perfect ending to a warm summer day as well. Enjoy this beer with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to end the evening. 

 

bells8. Bells Oberon
Brewery: Bells Brewery
    City: Kalamazoo, MI
    Style: Wheat Ale
    ABV: 5.8%
    Website: www.bellsbeer.com
Moving onto a more “sessionable” and distinct beer for the summer. Bells Oberon ale is usually on everyones’ summer list when it’s time to talk summer beers, and rightfully so. Citrus and spice flavor make this a very refreshing summer beer pick. Pair this with some grilled fish and a tomato avocado salad and all will be well with your day. 

 

tangerine7. Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat
Brewery: Lost Coast Brewery
    City: Eureka, CA
    Style: Fruit Beer
    ABV: 5%
    Website: www.lostcoast.com

Summer can’t be complete without a trip out west to California. A staple in my fridge throughout the summer months is Lost Coast’s Tangerine Wheat. Not only do I enjoy one or two of these but it is the perfect beer to have on hand for the BMC drinkers to enjoy as well. It seems that most BMC loyalists will always welcome a fruit beer, not sure why, but anyway, this brew has a low ABV and a refreshing tangerine presence. Tough to pair fruit beers but a light salad with a tangerine wheat vinaigrette would do nicely or some shrimp tacos with spicy salsa.

saison dupont6. Saison Dupont Farmhouse Ale
  Brewery: Brasserie Dupont
     City: Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium
     Style Farmhouse/Saison
     ABV: 6.5%
     Website: brasserie-dupont.com/
I have really taking a liking to saison styles in the last 6-7 months and it’s all thanks to this beer. Saison Dupont has everything you need in a saison: barnyard qualities, grassiness, banana, black pepper spice, and citrus. Amazing beer for a summer day. This beer would go perfect with a herb seasoned beer can chicken stuffed with lemons and onions!

 

all day ipa5. Founders All Day IPA
Brewery: Founders Brewing
    City: Grand Rapids, MI
    Style: IPA
    ABV: 4.7%
    Website: www.foundersbrewing.com 

Association sessionable to IPA isn’t usually ones’ first thought. But Founders Brewing has created a beer that will appease both hopheads and also people who want to sit around at a camp out and drink a six-pack or two of really good beer. Take it on a picnic with a bucket of fried chicken and coleslaw!

summit4. Summit Oatmeal Stout
   Brewery: Summit Brewing
     City: St. Paul, MN
     Style: Sweet Stout
     ABV: 4.7%
     Website: www. summitbrewing.com 

A popular summer destination for my family is supper at The General Store Pub in Stone City, IA. Why? Good bar food, a great locale, and Summit Brewing Oatmeal Stout on tap! A wonderfully, creamy stout, easy to drink and hard to put down your glass. Goes well with some fried foods or just on its own.

tank 73. Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
  Brewery: Boulevard Brewing
     City: Kansas City, MO
     Style: Farmhouse
     ABV: 8.5%
     Website: www.boulevard.com 

A beer that is moving up my “favorites” list is Boulevard’s Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. Boulevard hits an absolute home run with this brew, and coming in a 8.5%, a bomber of this,  an all-beef hot dog with sauerkraut, jalapeños  spicy, mustard, dill pickle relish, and an L.A. Dodger game will do just fine.

 

green flash2. Green Flash Imperial IPA
 Brewery: Green Flash Brewery
     City: San Diego, CA
     Style: Imperial IPA
     ABV: 9.4%
     Website: www.greenflashbrew.com 

Man do I love this beer. The description of this beer says, “It’s all about the hops!” and there’s no doubt about it. An in-your-face Double IPA with amazing citrus flavor that is slightly balance by malts. My favorite Green Flash beer so far. Smokey, sticky, mouth-watering BBQ ribs and a bomber of this Imperial IPA make for quite an evening.

 

pseudo sue1. Toppling Goliath pseudoSue
Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewery
    City: Decorah, IA
    Style: American Pale Ale
    ABV: 5.8%
    Website: www.tgbrews.com  

Described as an American Pale Ale this beer has more hop presence than some IPAs on the market. If you are craft beer lover from Iowa I’m guessing you’ve had this beer, if not, you must try! All craft beer lovers for that matter! Toppling Goliath is starting to put their name on the craft beer map nationally and this is one of the beers responsible for that. Hard to come by in bottles for the time being but hopefully soon they will be cranking them out quick enough to meet or come close to the demand. Second to none and goes great with some spicy chicken wings, a medium cooked hamburger with grilled mushrooms and swish or  just enjoy this work of art by itself.

**Once again, a fun list to come up with, a fun list to drink, but I know I left some beers out. Feel free to add comments and let me know what your favorite beers of summer are. Cheers! **

Surly Brewing to Iowa Update

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surlySome possible evidence that Surly Brewing could land in Iowa from http://www.beerpulse.com as the brewery has signed with Johnson Brothers Distributing. Everything said in this article is a definite positive in terms of getting this wonderfully breweries beers on our Eastern Iowa shelves.

Brooklyn Center-based brewery chooses St. Paul-based distributor to help expand Surly’s future footprint in Minnesota

(Brooklyn Center, MN) – Surly Brewing Company today announced Johnson Brothers as its newest Minnesota beer distributor.

Surly Brewing has been distributing its own beer since its inception in January 2006. It now supplies beer to more than 500 bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout the Twin Cities and at various locations across the state.

As consumer demand continues to grow, Surly will work with Johnson Brothers to expand its network of on and off-premise accounts, enhance its brand reach, and find a more efficient way to distribute its beer. Surly Brewing will maintain its relationships with beer distributors in the northwest Twin Cities suburbs, Duluth and Rochester.

Omar Ansari, Founder and President of Surly Brewing said: “We wanted to partner with someone who understood our company. Johnson Brothers was the ideal partner. We’re both growing, family-owned Minnesota companies and it was clear that they understood the Surly Way. Surly couldn’t take its next steps without a partnership like this.”

By late 2014, Surly Brewing will be significantly increasing annual beer production when it moves into its new destination brewery. Once the brewery is fully operational, Johnson Brothers, through its Artisan Beer Company, will help Surly distribute significantly more beer to bars, restaurants, and liquor stores across Minnesota and eventually to customers in other states. [BeerPulse note: Johnson Brothers has a presence in 16 states including all states adjacent to Minnesota.]

“We are extremely proud and excited to be partnering with Surly, one of this region’s truly great craft breweries,” said Todd Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Johnson Brothers. “We look forward to working closely with Surly and helping make these fantastic beers available to even more beer lovers throughout Minnesota. They can’t build that new brewery soon enough.”

20 of the Most Coveted Craft Beer Releases in America? Agree/Disagree?

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20 of the most coveted craft beer releases in America (via Matador Network)

HE WAS COMING for me. “Want the last pour of Isabelle Proximus?” It may seem odd that a person I’d officially met only hours ago was offering me a glass of this highly coveted beer, but our online trading and posting history had forged a strong bond. Besides, it was Dark Lord Day — the beer…

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New Belgium adds 2 new beers to Lips of Faith Series

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newbelgiumNew Belgium Brewing (www.newbelgium.com) is releasing 2 new beers into the Lips of Faith series. Would love to hear thoughts on these two beers and where you can find them. The following is courtesy of beerpulse.com.

(Fort Collins, CO) – New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a wide variety of award-winning beers, has two new quarterly Lips of Faith offerings now available:Paardebloem, which is the newest collaboration with Red Rock Brewing in Salt Lake City, and Pluot.

Paardebloem is the sixth collaboration beer with Red Rock Brewing. The beer brings together a newbelgium#2diverse set of ingredients ranging from peach juice to dandelion greens. It blends funky brettanomyces with New Belgium’s house Belgian ale yeast, and includes a touch of wood-aged sour beer and Grains of Paradise. Paardebloem pours a light, hazy gold and is 9 percent ABV.

Pluot is a subtly sweet ale made from pluot juice, which is a hybrid of a plum and an apricot. Pluot is light golden, delivering fruity aromas and distinct esters. It is also created with house Belgian ale yeast and brettanomyces, bringing a hint of spice and a malty backbone. ABV is 10 percent. Both of these Lips of Faith selections will be available through July or until supplies run out.

“All three of these selections are bold statements of Belgian tradition, offering imagination in every pour,” said New Belgium Assistant Brewmaster Grady Hull. “The Lips of Faith series was created for those wanting to push their palate.”

As you begin your annual festival and beer-tasting planning, don’t forget to see if either New Belgium’s Tour de Fat (https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat/events) or Clips Beer and Film Tour (https://www.facebook.com/ClipsBeerAndFilmTour/events) is coming to your area.

To find New Belgium beers near you, use the New Belgium Libation Location tool: http://www.newbelgium.com/beer.aspx. Pricing varies by location. You can also follow New Belgium on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/newbelgium and Twitter @NewBelgium.