With the Christmas season being over and the time  on winter ales coming to an end I thought I would do a review of a beer I would consider a guilty pleasure. I would like to think that I have a pretty broad mindset when it comes to trying different beers, there are a few styles that I’m not particularly fond of and there are some that I favor but overally sweet beers are not usually my thing. Saying that, however, I do enjoy O’Fallon’s Cherry Chocolate beer during the holiday months. It satisfies my sweet-tooth craving and is also very light and refreshing.

O’Fallon (http://www.ofallonbrewery.com/ |) makes a few sweeter beers that I do enjoy. In the summer I like to pick up a can of their Wheach and in winter a Cherry Chocolate does the trick. This beer, for me anyway, is limited to one, but it tastes great with dessert (chocolate cake) or on its own.

My first encounter with this product I immediately thought a stout or porter for sure but was surprised that it was a lighter lager. Reading further into it, it is considered a dark wheat beer. Dark wheat is coming from O’Fallon, all I taste is a chocolate covered cherry or tootsie roll; no wheat in there for me. It’s an interesting beer to try, I think you will either love it or hate it. Give it a shot; it’s only out there for a limited time.  Great to enjoy by the fireplace!

**If you liked this; try Boulevards’ Chocolate Ale! Just released!**

Style: Fruit Beer

ABV:5.7%

Purchased at: Hy-Vee; Marion, IA.

REVIEW
Pour: Dark reddish-brown pour with a medium tan head.
Aroma: Cherry, chocolates, some vanilla. Think cherry cordial.
Taste: Cherries and chocolate, not as strong as I thought it would be.
Overall: C+

Recommendation: I think it is worth a try. If you dig cherry cordials or even Cherry Dr. Pepper or tootsie rolls, I think this could be enjoyable for you.

Ok, finally getting to this. I’m pretty sure I have them in the right order, we lost the sheet but I think this is correct; if not someone let me know.
This years beerfest was marked by the unprecedented third straight victory for the IaBeerBaroness; another important feat accomplished was the first Iowa brewed beer won the competition. A very good selection this year, maybe the best. Notable happenings were the bringing of Bells Two Hearted Ale by two different people and having them finish in different spots (it’s a blind testing). Also, the argument between the ladies and gents over IPAs. The women do not like them, but they guys do. We did have IPAs show well, but not win. Onto the results.

1st PLACE: Great River Brewing Coffee Stout  —- an easy victory here as the Baronness delivers again.

2nd PLACE: Bells Two Hearted Ale —– my clear-cut favorite, the aroma won over the ladies, but the hops did not.

 

3rd PLACE: Victory Hop Devil —– a surprising third; either showing that hops are coming on or that they will never get 1st

 

4th PLACE: Celis Raspberry Wheat — I thought this one was terrible, but I don’t speak for everyone (I probably should though).

 

5th PLACE: Bells Two Hearted Ale — not a typo, entered twice and finished in two different spots.

 

6th PLACE: Left Hand Milk Stout —- One of my favorites, but this bottle tasted way off for some reason.

 

7th PLACE: New Belgium Fat Tire — A few years ago this might have won it.

 

 

 

8th PLACE:  Stone IPA — my entry into the festival; thought I had shot; love this beer! I stand by my entry!!

9th PLACE: Potosi Porter — Another last place finish for Tees Dees. He should have brought some Sun King from Indy.

Anyway, another great year, another fun year, but this one had more controversy to go along with the tasting. The Baroness continues to sit at the top of the throne, but is a marked lady as the rest of the family is already looking forward to next year.

Boulevard Brewing is the reason that I got into drinking craft beer and the reason why I can be kind of a prick or beer snob when it comes to talking or drinking beer. I’ve reviewed many of their beers in the past and after enjoying my time at Reds Alehouse with Boulevard’s tap takeover I thought it would be a good idea to review their flagship beer which is their pale ale.
A few years ago I would have considered this to be right up there with some of my favorite pales, but after drinking tons of pales, IPAs, and double IPAs, this beer just doesn’t stick out to me like it used to. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a pretty decent brew, just doesn’t have the flare that many in this category do, and maybe that’s ok. Boulevards’ heavy produced beers like their wheat, porter, and pale it seem are being overshadowed by their Smokestack Series.

The commercial description of Fresh Hop from Great Divide is:
“Boulevard Pale Ale is a smooth, fruity, well-balanced beer with year-round appeal. A variety of caramel malts impart a rich flavor and amber color, while liberal use of whole Cascade hops adds zest and aroma. Pale Ale is the first beer we brewed, and continues to be a perennial favorite.”

Style: American Pale Ale

ABV: 5.1%

Purchased at: Gary’s Grocery in Mount Vernon, IA

REVIEW
Pour: Cloudy orange, pour with nice white head.
Aroma: Citrus hops and sweetness from the malt.
Taste: Light on the hops that follows with the sweetness of the malt.
Overall: C

Recommendation: Still a solid beer that is very drinkable for just about any occasion. Boulevard is a brewery worth supporting, maybe not the flashiest beers, but they don’t have to be.

I fell in love with Great Divide (www.greatdivde.com) products two years ago on my first trip out to Denver, CO. We hit a Rockies game and then decided to try Great Divide brewery and it would turn out to be one of the best ideas ever. We enjoyed trying many of their beers; Raspberry Ale, Yeti products, DPA, Titan, and many more. The bartenders were knowledgeable and the atmosphere was fantastic. Upon returning to the great state of Iowa, on one of my frequent trips to East Dubuque, IL to get some good brew I noticed they had Great Divide products!! I was ecstatic! They had the Yeti, Raspberry, and Titan, but I also noticed a bomber bottle of Fresh Hop Ale so I went with it.
The commercial description of Fresh Hop from Great Divide is:
“Brewing with fresh hops is a big endeavor, requiring four to five times the hop volume compared to using pelletized hops. Although the process is complex, it brings impressive results: Fresh Hop is an American-style pale ale with moderate hop bitterness marked by a unique and intensely grassy hop flavor and aroma.”
Shared this brew with my brother and we both thought it was damn good. To the review!!

Style: American Pale Ale

ABV: 6.1%

Purchased at: Family Beer and Liquor; East Dubuque, IL

REVIEW
Pour: Hazy orange, amber pour with nice white head.
Aroma: Tropical fruit and grassy smell.
Taste: Medium bodied hops with citrus and spice, a little grassy.
Overall: B+

Eastern Iowa Residents: Pretty sure that Great Divide has had to pull out of Illinois also due to high demand, but keep an eye out anywhere you go because hopefully it will be returning soon.

I consider myself a huge fan of stout beers. Seeing a few being brewed in Iowa really puts a smile on face. With that being said I was pretty excited to try Hub City’s Oatmeal Stout out of Stanley, Iowa. Upon pouring this beer it looked like a good stout, smelled like a good stout, and tasted like a………………………..metallic, chalky, stout. Not impressed at all with it. I’ve had a few times since then, along with a few more brews from Hub City, and come away shaking my head. I really want to enjoy them, but it just doesn’t happen.

Style: Stout

ABV: 5.8%

Purchased at: Hy-Vee

REVIEW
Pour: Dark black pour with a nice tan head.
Aroma: Coffee and chocolate aromas.
Taste: Metallic, chalky, not what I was looking for.
Overall: D

Eastern Iowa Residents: Available pretty much anywhere in Eastern Iowa, but pick another stout to go with.

Damn you Anheuser Busch, damn you for buying out Goose Island and now making hard for me to want to buy any Goose Island products because you are now running the show. As much as Goose Island’s products are very drinkable, I will continue to fight the good fight and refuse to buy any product from AB-InBev………………………however………………. this bottle of Sofie sure is tasting pretty damn good right now. So many complex flavors are in this wonderful brew making a very enjoyable beer overall. I was introduced to this brew by my brother, Meat, at the 4th annual BeerBaron Family Beer Tasting, and I thought it should have been a definite top 2 beer…… Okay, Sofie is one beer I will continue to buy from Goose Island BUT THAT’S IT!!!

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.5%

Purchased at: John’s Grocery; Iowa City, IA

REVIEW
Pour: Cloudy gold with a nice thick white head.
Aroma: Yeast aroma with some citrus and banana.
Taste: Sweet and sour with citrus fruit, a little peppery and some banana.
Overall: B+

Eastern Iowa Residents: Available pretty much anywhere with a decent beer selection, usually in a bomber or 4 packs.
Would I Buy Again: Hesitantly, (up yours AB), yes.