Best “NEW” Brew of the Year: Double IPA

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2013Continuing on with the “best of the year”posts keep in mind these are beers that I’ve had for the 1st time ever this year and we are moving onto the double/imperial  IPA category. A very tough category to pick one winner as I had quite a few brews on my list. But, after weighing each carefully I came to a conclusion that some might not agree with, especially since Pliny the Elder did not win as I enjoyed that brew for the first time this month. Now, I’m not saying Pliny isn’t a good beer, it’s actually an excellent brew, I just happened to enjoy the one I picked a bit more.

A brewery that seems to do no wrong when it comes to beers and one that is so in demand it is hard to find anything of theirs outside of Chicago, 3 Floyds Brewery has been dominating ratings, taste buds, and the IPA/Double IPA category. With fine ales such as Dreadnaught, Arctic Panzer Wolf, and the ever elusive and constantly sold out Zombie Dust, they are top-tier in this category (and others). Just when you think that they couldn’t do any better they bring to you my Double IPA of the year…….Apocalypse Cow!

The label is what catches your eye, and if you are familiar with 3 Floyds, you know they make killer labels. Now, what makes this brew a little bit different from other double IPAs, is that it is made with lactose. Lactose is what gives milk stouts their sweet, creamy richness. I was kind of apprehensive before cracking this bottle for that reason but after that first sip all of that went out the window. Sweet, but not too much, a lot orange juice flavor for me, and the creaminess from the lactose made this a wonderfully easy drink which is relatively frightening considering the 11% abv. Some negative reviews I’ve seen have knocked the sweetness, but I didn’t think it was nearly as sweet as others said. A beer to seek out to say the least. Here’s more from the brewery:

This complex double India pale ale has an intense citrus and floral hop aroma balanced by a velvety malt body which has been augmented with lactose milk sugar. With this different take on an IPA we have brewed an ale that is both pleasing to drink and, once again, “not normal.” Cheers! 100 IBU 11.0%ABV

I dont’ see this one as often, it is only a limited release during the summer, but if you see it, but it, (actually buy as many as you can), and enjoy as much as I did.

Three Floyds2013 New Imperial IPA of the Year: Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow
ABV: 11%
Ratebeer:         99
Beeradvocate: 94

BEST “NEW” Brew of the Year: Imperial Stout

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2013A friend of mine, The Beer Counselor, suggested that I post best new brews that I experience for the first time this year by category. It sounds easy enough but when I went through the list of brews I had it turned out to be quite challenging.

For the first installment I went through my list of Imperial Stouts. I’m going to do a separate entry for barrel-aged so I can automatically take them out of this category. I thought that would make things a bit easier. My list included:
*Toppling Goliath Assassin
*Dogfish Head Bitches’ Brew
*Backpocket 1st Anniversary Stout
*New Holland Dragon’s Milk
*Mikkeller Black Hole
*To Ol Goliat
*Stone Farking Wheaton WOOtstout

And then I came to the winner. It’s really hard not to pick Toppling Goliath’s Mornin’ Delight. Not only is it my winner in this category, but it might be my favorite beer of all-time. I’ll never forget the first time I had it, the release at Toppling Goliath tasting room in Decorah. I rode up with a few friends expecting to get a pretty tasty brew, but instead I was blown away by a complex, flavorful, imperial stout that I couldn’t get enough of. I said it then, and I’ll say it again, this beer is breakfast in a bottle. Coffee, chocolate, maple syrup. An amazing brew that I hope I am lucky enough to get to try again in 2014.

mornin' delightBEST NEW IMPERIAL STOUT EXPERIENCED FOR THE 1st TIME: Toppling Goliath Mornin’ Delight

New To Shelves: Evil Twin Beers

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evil twinHy-Vee on Oakland Road just sent out this message. I’m guessing these beers are going to go very fast so make sure you try to get your hands on these. Here ya go!:

We have another limited beer release for you and if you didn’t  get your hands on some bourbon county stout. This would be a great opportunity to grab a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout. This is Eviltwins Imperial Biscotti Break aged in bourbon barrels for 9 months. This would be great to drink now or sit on for several years. We also have a couple cases of Justin Blabaer, a blueberry berliner weisse. This beer is outstanding and is now retired so get some while it’s available. And as always when you buy 4 or more out of our bomber bottle doors you save 10 %.

 Eviltwin Imperial Biscotti Break Bourbon Barrel Aged 22 oz

21.99 per bottle

 Evil Twin Justin Blåbær (Brunello Wine Barrel Aged) 22 oz

11.99 per bottle

Madhouse Iowa Hops IPA Release Party Info

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madhouseJust received the following email from Madhouse Brewing. Sounds like a fantastic time and I really enjoyed the Iowa Hops IPA last year. Check it out!

It’s time to celebrate! Each December we officially release our Iowa Hops IPA beer at Jasper Winery along with their new vintage wines. Join us Thursday, December 12, 2013, from 6-9pm to celebrate with a free, open to the public, beer, wine, and food tasting experience. We’ll be releasing our 2013 Iowa Hops IPA, made with Iowa grown hops. Jasper Winery will be releasing their 2012 Iowa varietal dry reds wines, including Marquette, Noiret, and Norton. You’ll make your way through the winery visiting tasting stations where we’ll pair wine and beers with food samples from local producers and restaurants. Live music will be provided by Tony Williams. The first 100 people (beginning at 6pm) will receive a complimentary cork screw or pint glass. 

 

New this year: Everyone (21+) who attends will receive a ticket for the chance to win free wine/beer for a year! Prizes will be given including a free case of wine or beer every month for a year. Local grape and hop growers will be on hand to talk about growing these products in Iowa. Special Release Party discounts of 25% off case purchase and 10% off ½ case, night of the event only. 

Beer Review #114: Bent River Jingle Java Holiday Stout

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javaThe time of year when you just want to jump into your recliner, turn the fireplace on, watch some football and enjoy a nice, thick stout is upon us. Craft brew enthusiasts are currently going crazy over many things imperial, especially stouts. Now, I don’t want to sound hypocritical, I love me some KBS, I was the first in line at Family Beer and Liquor on Black Friday to get Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, but there are days when I’m craving just a good old-fashioned, sessionable stout, and that’s exactly what Bent River (http://bentriverbrewing.com/) given us (again!).

For some of you this beer might seem a tad too sweet to deem it “sessionable”, as it has vanilla, pecans, and rum added to it so it might be a dessert beer for some of you and I do know that it pairs very well with pumpkin pie, but I could easily down a few of these on a long winter’s day. Here’s more from the brewery:

This highly anticipated seasonal beer marks the beginning of the holiday season for many. Our coffee stout is enhanced by adding vanilla, caramel, pecan, cinnamon, and rum. These festive flavors are the only sweet treat Santa really needs!
 Available now through mid-January at Bent River Moline, Bent River Rock Island. NOW IN 6-PACKS! 
 
If you are a bar looking to carry Jingle Java Holiday Stout, please contact Vanguard on the Iowa side and Stern Beverage on the Illinois side. 

It really is a great stout for the holidays as you get all the spices and flavors that scream “holiday” right in your glass/bottle. The vanilla adds a hint of sweetness and the coffee and chocolate really shine in this brew. Add a bit of smokiness from the roasted malts and you have a real winner of beer here. Only available until mid-January I suggest giving this brew a shot if you’re a stout fan.

REVIEW

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 6.5%

PURCHASED AT: Hy-Vee Marion, IA

POUR: Deep brown pour with a small tan head.

AROMA: Vanilla, rum, coffee dominate the aroma.

TASTE: Coffee, vanilla, chocolate and smokiness from the malt.

Ratebeer.com rating: 84

Beeradvocate rating: 85

Overall: B

My recommendation: If you need a break from the big imperials this is the perfect beer to take that break with, enjoy it for dessert, watching the game, or it would be even better for breakfast! Cheers!

Bells Brewery Week at Reds Alehouse Dec. 5-13th

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I received the following email from Reds Alehouse with a huge list of events, tap lists, special releases, and much more concerning their 2013 Bells Brewery Week. Here’s a rundown of events:

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This should be a terrific week at Reds and I hope to see a few of you there. The Black Note release is sure to make for a busy evening so get there early, order some terrific food, and have a good time!

Goose Island BCS Event at Oakland Road Hy-Vee

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bcsI just received the following email from the Oakland Road Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids, IA. Hope everyone gets a chance to get a few bottles of this brew!

Stop by this Friday and get your Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. We will start selling at noon on Friday. This will be limited and on a first come first serve basis. We will also be sampling some other tasty treats from Goose Island. Here is a list of what will be pouring

 

Goose Island 2009 Christmas Ale

Goose Island Matilda

Goose Island Juliet

Goose Island Halia

Goose Island Lolita

Goose Island Gillian