Surly Des Moines Launch Update

February 26, 2015February 26, 20151 Comment

**UPDATED** For Eastern Iowa folks: The following comes from Reds Alehouse Facebook post:

BIG NEWS!! Surly Brewing Company will make their way to our tap lines Saturday March 7th! And not just one or two lines; we’re talking TEN lines! 10!! They include: Hell, Todd the Axeman, Furious, Coffee Bender, Smoke, Cynicale, Mild, Doomtree, and Fiery Hell. These will all be tapped at 11am Saturday with a special early tapping of Furious Tuesday morning that will last all week, just to get you familiar with Surly.

The dudes from Surly will be hand that evening sometime around 6:30-7:00. Then the party really gets started!

Wait a minute, that’s only 9 beers.

I must be forgetting something…

I just received the following information regarding the upcoming Surly Brewing Iowa launch on Tuesday. If you are in the Des Moines area make sure you get to one of the following venues and enjoy some Surly beer!

Three buses are coming down from Minneapolis, full of fans and the whole Surly crew and all the Doomtree guys. Each bus will stop first at one of either Ingersoll Tap, Quinton’s or Mullet’s at 5pm. People are encouraged to share a beer there with us.

Then all three groups converge on Up-Down at 7:30p, then upstairs for the Doomtree show at Wooly’s. Big thing is tickets are still available. $10.

Each bar has a slightly different beer mix, but people can expect to see Furious, Bender, Hell, Cynic and Doomtree and some or all of the venues.

Toppling Goliath will be canning by Summer!

February 24, 20151 Comment

The following tweets have been sent out by Toppling Goliath Brewing out of Decorah, IA and the news is very exciting to say the least!

TG Brews Hop Patrol ‏@TGBrews 14m14 minutes ago

“@RKMetheny: @TGBrews @TGVectorizer you messing with us this morning?” Nope big news for you. We should be canning by mid-summer.

Details

TG Brews Hop Patrol ‏@TGBrews 2h2 hours ago

Hey @TGVectorizer how is that art coming for the 16 oz #pseudoSue can? 🙂

Lunch at Pullman Bar and Diner; Iowa City, IA

February 22, 2015Leave a comment

The latest venture from the folks at Reds Alehouse/Big Grove/30 Hop/Blackstone brings us a retro diner feel with an eclectic menu consisting of a burger to fried chicken to bone marrow. Add in a nice tap list of craft beers and the IC/CR area just got another gem of a restaurant to go to.

When any announcement that a group consisting of the Swifts are opening up a new restaurant, the excitement hits right away and your counting the days down to opening. That was the case with Pullman. My first experience was a Friday afternoon for lunch and luckily the only two seats open in the place were at the bar. Upon entering you get the feel of 50-60’s diner, from the old school stereo, the visibility of the chefs cooking up your meals, and some things on the menu with a new age twist.

Usually when I go to a new restaurant I usually try a burger if it’s on the menu. I was recommended the burger here by a few folks on Twitter and that’s what I went with. My wife opted for the Quiche Lorraine and I was happy to see Big Grove Brewery arms race on tap. The burger was double patties with american cheese, house made bread and butter pickles and a “special sauce” which seemed like a garlic aioli. I’ve made many Top 5 lists in my day, Top 5 beers, top 5 books, top 5 movies, etc. Well, if I had a Top 5 burger from area, this Pullman Burger might be at the top, or at least close to it. Juicy burger, the sauce and cheese seem to melt together, and their hand cut fries were crisp on the outside and nice and soft in the middle. Paired with the arms race it was close to a perfect lunch. The Executive Chef is Benjamin Smart who is the chef at Big Grove Brewery so you know the meal is going to be of supreme taste and quality.

As we paid our bill I was very happy with my selection for lunch…….until I saw the fried chicken come out. My god! Two big pieces of chicken, fried until crispy as hell. I was tempted to sit back down and order but I’m trying to put a damper on my gluttony. I do know what I’m going to order next though. For all those folks waiting in line for 3 hours to get yourself some Popeyes, maybe take a trip to Iowa City and try Pullman’s fried chicken. I guarantee it will be 100 times better.

Overall, a wonderful addition to the downtown Iowa City area. The food was wonderfully prepared, beer selection was good, and the atmosphere makes you want to come back and bring friends and family next time. What’s next for this group of investors? I don’t know, but I can’t wait for the next announcement if there is one. Check out the menu items here: http://pullmandiner.com/

Tap Wars Rd 3: Deshutes v. Stone Brewing @Blackstone Restaurant Lineup for 2/28/15

February 20, 2015Leave a comment

Here is the lineup and tapping times for the 3rd round of Tap Wars presented by Blackstone Restaurant. After 2 very successful tap wars, this one pits 2 west coast powers against each other. Get to Blackstone restaurant on February 28th to try the following beers:

Tap Wars – Round 3 – puts two west coast powerhouses to battle!

Saturday
02.28.15
11:00 AM

Lineup with aprox. tapping times:

Stone:
Green Tea IPA 11:00
Enjoy by 3.14 11:00
Old Guardian w/hops 11:00
12.12 Vertical Epic 12:12
Arbalest 12:30
Bang Bang 1:30

Deschutes:
Hop Henge 11:00
Chainbreaker 11:00
Fresh Squeezed 11:00
Black Butte 25 11:30
Super Jubel 2015 1:00
2012 Abyss 2:00

West Coast themed entree specials will also be available as well as custom cali inspired t shirts for sale.
A few highly limited and rare bombers will be on hand for samples throughout the day as well.

Wood-Aged Weekends: Presented by Madhouse Brewing Company

February 18, 20151 Comment

I just received the following email from Madhouse Brewing. The food sounds amazing and the beer sounds even better. Check it out if you are in the area!

When: Fridays, 5-9pm.

Where: Madhouse Brewery, 501 Scott Ave Des Moines, IA 50309

What: This winter, Madhouse will be releasing 4 barrel-aged beers in subsequent weekends, each representing a particular country of origin. These brews will be available on tap throughout the weekend of their release (Thurs-Sat), and thereafter will be available in 750ml bottles at Madhouse Brewery. (el Hefe will be distributed to select retailers on a very limited basis)

The Friday evening of each weekend, HoQ restaurant will be onsite serving paired dishes from 5-9pm. Food options will cost around $6 and the cuisine will draw inspiration from the featured beers country of origin.

Feb. 20: Mussel Frites paired with High Tucker Belgian Dark Ale

Feb. 27: Seafood Shepherds Pie paired with London Harlot English Stock Ale

March 6: Potato Fritters paired with Weak Ender Scotch Wee Heavy

March 13: Big Steak Tacos paired with el Hefe Mexican Stout

Also Check out our Deal on Living Social Here!

For more info-

Brewing phone- 515-988-5535

info@madhousebeer.com

sLim Reviews Wellman’s Pub and Rooftop: West Des Moines, IA

February 13, 20153 Comments

This post is as much of a restaurant/bar review as it is a celebratory article on the success of craft brew in Iowa. Just a couple years back, I would “hate on” a place like this because the beer selection was terrible and it was popular. And most places that would have fit the criteria of that kind of establishment wouldn’t have cared that people like me thought the place sucked because they don’t need my money; they do just fine on their own.

I would have thought Wellman’s to fit directly into that category and for awhile I’d say they did. But the last few times I’ve been there I’ve noticed some changes; namely, a fine tap selection for a place that I would normally consider somewhat of a swanky nightclub. So it turns out I’m wrong, my jaw nearly hit the floor when I happened upon this place around midnight on a Friday, scratch that, early Saturday morning and saw that Tallgrass Zombie Monkey was on tap.

Wellman’s is clearly trying to improve their restaurant by catering to all types of individuals. In this case, they’ve reached out to the craft beer fan. They feature fine beers from the likes of New Belgium, Boulevard, Deschutes, Peace Tree, and they even have bottles of Rogue (Dead Guy). Only the most snobbish of beer snobs would turn their nose up at such a selection offered by a place that mostly caters to the bud light/cran-vodka type of crowd…or this guy.

Guy+Fieri+NBC+Universal+2011+Winter+TCA+Press+cEz7SheA-7Ll

The rest of the restaurant speaks for itself. The interior is expansive and modern. There’s an enjoyable lower level patio that is complete with its own bar. The rooftop is what it’s most known for. It is the biggest rooftop bar in all of Des Moines and you can make a solid argument that it’s the best outdoor hangout in the metro on a stunning summer evening. They keep it heated in the winter but regardless of the conditions, you’ll have to venture downstairs if you want a good beer as the craft selection is only offered at the main bar. A small price to pay in order to enjoy a good beer amongst the rest of the crowd who more interested in “getting their drink on”

I don’t have a lot to say about the food. I’ve only eaten there a couple of times but I remember their nachos being good. The foods not going to blow you away but wing night (Thursday) is worth checking out. It’s definitely passable for a place that’s not known for its food.

In closing, Wellman’s is a hot-spot that I don’t mind going to. Even though I’m not all about the ambiance that the music/decor creates there, being able to enjoy a great tasting beer makes it very tolerable. The staff here works hard and is managed very well. If you find yourself in the Jordan Creek area, resist the urge to stop at one of the legions of chain restaurants and visit Wellman’s. You’ll be glad you chose a restaurant that has more character and caters to a much larger crowd than a typical chain.

Founders Blushing Monk Returns March 2nd

February 10, 2015Leave a comment

The following comes from Founders Brewing company’s Facebook page:

Today we are bottling Blushing Monk. Look for it beginning March 2!

Blushing Monk is part of the Founders Backstage Series and is a Belgian style ale fermented with raspberries. From beeradvocate: Essentially an “Imperial Rübæus,” this ale contains four times the amount of raspberries as Rübæus and is fermented with a Belgian yeast strain.

Scores from ratebeer at 100/100 and from beeradvocate at 95/100.

Beer Review #120: Nomader Weisse by Evil Twin Brewing

February 10, 2015February 10, 2015Leave a comment

Now, I was in the dark when it comes to the difference between a gose and berliner weisse, but I believe the difference, and please correct me if I’m wrong, is a Gose style beer is more on the salty side and a berliner weisse is more tart and is obviously made with wheat…could be wrong, but that’s the interpretation I got.

Anyway, this brew was given to me by a buddy at work who has become a fan of the gose/berliner weisse beers as well. He found it at Oakland Road Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids, and I haven’t seen it anywhere else. Although it’s available now it would be an ideal beer for the spring and summer months. This beer is much more tart than a gose, but there is some salt as well. A bit of sweetness from the wheat and some funk and a bit of tropical fruitiness.

Here’s more on this brew:

Nomads; constantly moving, ’round and ’round; sometimes settle, if just for a bit. Perhaps the muse moves one to brew a sharp and clean session beer, one inspired by the Berliner-weisse of old, and the nomad rests. Enjoy this beer, here, there, perhaps north of Madison Square Park, in lovely New York City. Wherever you are, this beer was made nice, simply for you.

Glad to see this in cans as well and once again, a perfect session beer. My only problem is that with multiple sours for the Baron comes the awfulness that is acid reflux..but that’s why tums are made, so I drink this brew! I’m not sure on the release schedule of this beer but I would love to see it again this spring and specifically a few of these for opening day for my Dodgers.

STYLE: Berliner Weisee

ABV: 4%

PURCHASED AT: Oakland Road Hy-Vee

POUR: Hazy golden pour with a medium white head.

AROMA: Lemon smell with a bit of malt.

TASTE: Lemon/citrus flavor with sweetness from the wheat. You get the vinegar/brine as well.

Ratebeer.com rating: 89/100

Beeradvocate rating: 87/100

Overall: B+

My recommendation: If you need your sour fix this is definitely the beer for you. Tart as can be with a bit of saltiness. I hope to have more of this in my fridge for March Madness going into MLB opening day. Dodger dog and this beer would be just perfect.

Guest Beer Review by sLim: Firetrucker Under Lager: Search and Rescue IPL

February 4, 20151 Comment

Thanks to sLim for taking the time out for a review. If you’re in Des Moines you might find him slinging some suds at El Bait Shop! Always good to have sLim keep us posted with Central Iowa happenings in the beer world.

A new beer from a new central Iowa brewery is Firetrucker’s Under Lager: Search and Rescue IPL. Once again, Firetrucker takes on a style that is hard to find on shelves and in drinking establishments. They’ve previously brewed a California Common, a smoked sour porter (collab with C.I.B), and a hard ginger beer. The hops that were used during the boil were magnum and cascade. It was dry hopped with cascade and northern brewer.The india pale lager is a style that is best described as a hybrid type of brew.TIt was dry hopped with cascade and northern brewer. Per Greg Kitsock from Washington Post, It’s brewed at colder temperatures like any lager would be; but then is hopped much past the point that a typical lager would be. One has to be careful during that process as a lager cannot withstand too aggressive of hopping.

Here’s more on this beer from the brewery: “Our India Pale Lager has a complex flavor profile with sweet grapefruit and citrus up front that leads into a lingering minty bitterness”

My personal opinion…I get more of the citrus flavor than anything else. It’s a balanced, hoppy front but the back end is where this beer shines. It has a lasting, floral taste that creates a merge between a fine pilsner and a flavorful, sessionable ale. I applaud Firetrucker’s efforts to think outside the box and release a beer that no other local breweries have tried their hand at. This beer is a hit and I look forward to seeing them try their hand at various other styles…sour, imperial stout perhaps? We can only hope but the word on the street is the next seasonal to be released is a double-mango IPA; which I’m extremely excited for. Des Moines already had some breweries come out with great double IPA’s like Confluence’s Rock Dodger and 515’s Hopititus C. It’ll be interesting to see how Firetrucker’s take on this highly popular style goes over.

STYLE: India Pale Lager (IPL)

ABV: 4.9%

PURCHASED AT: Firetrucker Brewery, 716 Southwest 3rd Street in Ankeny

POUR: Dark gold with a thin, white head.

AROMA: hoppy with a touch of grapefruit.

TASTE: definitely hoppy up front but with a thicker, malty finish that more resembles a lager than an ale

Untappd rating: 3.4/5

My rating: 3.75/4

My recommendation: I enjoy this unique style. At 4.9% ABV it’s sessionable and delivers plenty of hoppy, ale flavor.

Hopslam Release Details for Oakland Road Hy-Vee CR

February 2, 20151 Comment

Just received the following info from Cedar Rapids Oakland Road Hy-Vee and by the sounds of it, they aren’t expecting Hopslam to last to long. Here it is:

It’s that time of year again, we are gearing up for our annual Bell’s Hopslam release this coming Tuesday, February 3^rd. Starting at 4:30 we will hand out tickets good for one 6 pack of Hopslam, once the tickets are gone so is the beer for this year. We are also going to offer an extra incentive with this as well, if you buy 3 six packs of Bells Two Hearted and 1 six pack of Bells Hopslam, you will receive a 10 % discount on the case purchase. See you then and good luck.

1 ticket per person!!