Beer Review #77: Heavy Seas Gold Ale

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Had a bottle of this left over from about 6 months ago. Gold ales are a style of beer that definitely do not impress me but also are not undrinkable. Commercial description of the beer.
“Deep gold in color with floral and spicy hop aromas. Brewed with pale, carmel, and Munich malts balanced with Cascade, Centennial and Hersbrucker hops. Well rounded, fruity and complex. Pairs well with salads, mild cheeses and pulled pork BBQ.”

About Heavy Seas Brewing from their website:
“Brewed by Baltimore’s Clipper City Brewing Co., Heavy Seas is produced by Baltimore craft beer pioneer Hugh Sisson – the brewery’s founder and managing partner – and Brewmaster Ernesto Igot, formerly brewmaster at San Miguel Brewery in the Philippines.  After successfully lobbying the Maryland Legislature to legalize brewpubs, Hugh began brewing professionally in 1989 at his family’s Baltimore pub – Sisson’s – which was coincidentally Maryland’s first brewpub.  In 1994 he left Sisson’s to found Clipper City and has been involved in all aspects of the business – brewing, finance, marketing, and sales. “

Drinking this beer on a mild Iowa day sure helps make this a nice refreshing thirst quencher. Not as much hops present, might be the age of the bottle, a tad bit of malt, but once again, minimal. Taste is resembling a Budweiser  with a tad bit more sweetness to it. Wouldn’t mind trying it again in a fresher bottle, not sure if it would change my mind, but I think I can forgo buying any more of this product. Ok, enough of this beer, got a Victory Hop Wallop to make me forget this one.

Style: Gold Ale

ABV:4.5%

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

REVIEW
Pour: Gold pour with a very small white head, no lacing.
Aroma: Citrus hops somewhat present.
Taste: A little fruitiness, hops, and a small bit of malts. Not much flavor.
Overall: D+

Recommendation: If you are Gold Ale fan, give it a shot; not really my style. With what Family Beer has to offer I would definitely seek out something else.

New to Shelves this Week: FOUNDERS HAS ARRIVED!!!

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The only thing I have new to report this week to beer shelves is the anticipated arrival of Founders has finally reached us. Hopefully this is the beginning of many great breweries making their ways to your local beer store shelf. The beers that will be available in most stores that Founders beers can be found are:

*Red’s Rye PA – 6 packs $10.99

*Centennial IPA – 6 packs – $10.99

*Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale – 6 packs – $10.99

*Double Trouble Imperial IPA – 4 packs- $9.99
*Porter – 6 packs – $10.99

Get out there, buy a 6 pack, (or 4 pack) or two and support this brewery so we can get more terrific beers distributed to Eastern Iowa. Check out this link for information on each of these beers:
https://iabeerbaron.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/beer-distribution-news-founders-coming-to-iowa-march-19th/

 

New to Shelves this Week: Boulevard, Angry Cedar, Ommegang, Bells

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Hitting shelves in Eastern Iowa this week are 4 beers, one an Iowa brew, the other 3 coming from very well-known and established breweries.

*Boulevard Rye on Rye- 11% ABV- Commercial description:
“Why Rye? A fair question, given this assertively flavored grain is more often associated with whiskey than with beer. Even in that arena, it has largely been eclipsed by corn and barley, the sources of bourbon and scotch, respectively. But when we procured some seasoned rye whiskey barrels from our friends at Templeton Rye, we asked ourselves, “Why not?” Why not brew a rich, tawny rye ale, then mellow it in the warmth of charred oak rye whiskey casks? Thus, Rye-on-Rye: a marriage of very similar, yet very different embodiments of this unique, distinctive grain. Two kinds of malted rye provide a spicy sweetness, giving way to notes of caramelized wood and the citrusy tang of Perle, Magnum and Saphir hops before easing into a dry, lingering finish. Rye-on-Rye’s body and character make it the equal to any sort of hearty stew or aged cheese. At the risk of seeming redundant, might we suggest pairing it with a classic pastrami-on rye? A rye beer with a hint of rye whiskey aroma, alongside a rye bread sandwich. Why not?”    

*Angry Cedar Flash Flood Pale Ale– Nothing posted on their website but from my understanding this beer can only be purchased in a growler; correct me if I’m wrong.

*Ommegang Art of Darkness – 8.7% ABV- Commercial Description:
“Let us now acknowledge the dark arts of brewing. Our limited edition Art of Darkness Ale is deep, dark and magical, with champagne-like carbonation and rich matiness from a complex recipe of multiple barley and wheat malts, as well as flaked oats. Using no spices or flavorings, Art of Darkness gains all its rich aromas, tastes, and apparent spiciness from the malts and Ommegang’s proprietary house yeast. There are no secret ingredients or magical incantation. There is only Ommegang brewers’ creating the finest quality dark, strong ale of complex and deep character. Art of Darkness is a fine ale to enjoy immediately, and is excellent to cellar.”

*Bells Consecrator Doppelbock- 8% ABV- Commercial Description:
“Consecrator is a traditional doppelbock-style fermented with a Bohemian lager yeast. Reddish brown in color, with a mild hop profile, Consecrator is a well balanced, full bodied beer with hints of caramel and molasses in its smooth, malty finish. Brewed for a Fat Tuesday release. “

Let me know if you have tried any of these beers and what your thoughts are. Did I miss a new release? Please let me know! Thanks!

Most Influential Craft Breweries: Food Republic Article

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Food Republic has generated a top ten list of the top craft breweries based on innovation and influence. Do you agree with this list? Anyone missing? Let me know your thoughts.

Personally, the only ones I cannot comment on are Ninaski and Russian River since I have yet to try any of their products, but all of the other ones listed I totally agree with. I think I would move 3 Floyds closer to the top and move New Belgium down a bit. All in all a great list. If you get  a chance to try anything from these breweries jump at the chance. Here is the complete article and breakdown. (http://www.foodrepublic.com/2012/03/13/food-republic-craft-beer-power-rankings)

10. Deschutes Brewing

9. Three Floyds                                                                                     

8. Surly Brewing

7. Ninkaski Brewing

6. New Belgium

5. Dogfish Head

4. Stone Brewing

3. Sierra Nevada Brewing

2. Firestone Walker

1. Russian River

Beer Review #76: Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale

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Flying Dog Doggie Classic Pale Ale brewer’s description:
“Dry Hopped with a load of Cascade hops grown in the Pacific Northwest. Doggie Style has enough hop character to satisfy hop-heads, but isn’t overpoweringly hoppy. It’s brilliant amber-copper color and pleasant malt flavor comes from the addition of Carastan malts.”

I’ve been pretty hit and miss with Flying Dog (flyingdogales.com/) products. Enjoyed their Raging Bitch and their hefeweizen isn’t bad either, but I didn’t find either of them mind blowing just average. I decided to try their pale ale. Pales are a style I enjoy and can enjoy on many occasions. I’m a fan of the balanced pales that show the maltiness and hoppiness with a nice bitter finish. This was one of the more assertive pale ales I’ve tried in a while; even close to being an IPA rather than a pale. Heavy aroma and long lasting finish in the flavor makes this a really enjoyable pale ale. The balance of the hops and the malt was spot on.

Style: American Pale Ale

ABV:5.5%

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

REVIEW
Pour: Cloudy amber pour, nice thick off white head.
Aroma: The smell of malts with some honey and citrus.
Taste: A little fruitiness, bread flavor from the malts. First few drinks seemed like an IPA, but then mellowed out.
Overall: B

Recommendation: An enjoyable beer that comes in six 12 oz bottles at around $8.99 per sixer. No longer found in Iowa though, got this at Family Beer and Liquor in East Dubuque.

Date Change: Founders Brewing Iowa Release Party

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Got this in my email from Reds’ Alehouse.

“It’s the moment we’ve been waiting months/years/eons for. Founders Brewing is finally making the leap into the Iowa craft beer scene! There has been a DATE CHANGE, so mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 20th for this (dare I say historic?) event. The COOLEST part? We will have 10 DIFFERENT TAPS dedicated to Founders that night! Not only will we be getting kegs of the common Founders favorites, but we are also getting a limited supply of some high end special release beers. Tap list is as follows:

All Day IPA (limited)
Centennial IPA
Dirty Bastard
Red’s Rye IPA
Porter
Pale Ale
Double Trouble (seasonal)
Breakfast Stout (limited)
Curmudgeons Better Half (limited)
Kentucky Breakfast Stout (limited)

Everything is first-come-first served, and weather permitting we plan on having a beer tent on the patio where Founders bottles will be available. If you’re not familiar with this amazing brewery, check out this video that explains their philosophy and great respect for craft beer. Also, check out their beers included in the Top 50 Beers on ratebeer.com. This is going to be an awesome party, and is hopefully the beginning of many more top-rated craft breweries entering the Iowa market, so help us give them a big Iowa welcome!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Reds will be closing at 2pm on the 15th, and reopening for mayhem at 4pm. No reservations. No Happy Hour that day, it’s all about the beer. Cheers!

New to Shelves this Week: Shlafly, O'Fallon; Founders news

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Will start of this weeks post updating the Founders release. There will still be the release parts at Reds Alehouse in North Liberty, (www.redsalehousenl.com) but Founders products won’t be in Eastern Iowa stores until the 20th. If you see it beforehand, please let me know. Onto what’s new on shelves.

Schlafly Irish Extra Stout– not really new, but I forgot to post on this last week. For this beer, think Guinness but with an 8% ABV. Sounds tasty! Here’s the brewer’s description:
“This full-bodied and full-flavored rich, dark ale has a malty sweetness balanced with plenty of hops to create the perfect stout.”

Available in 12 oz 6 packs.

O’Fallon B.D.S. Belgian-Style Dark– Brewer’s description:
“We brewed this Belgian-style dark ale (ALC:10% by VOL., SRM: 20, IBU:42) in July, 2010 and transferred it several weeks later into freshly drained Port barrels. For the next 11 months the beer worked in and out of the French oak barrels as the temperature in the brewery fluctuated with the seasons. In June 2011 we bottled the beer and put it aside to allow the flavors of the wood and the beer to marry and mellow. The result is spicy-sweet with hints of raisin and caramel that mingle with the dark fruit notes and oak from the barrels. We love this unique brew and hope you will too!”

Available in bombers.
*If you see anything new on the shelves please let me know or if you try ones that I have listed let me know what you thought of them. Drink up.

New to Shelves this Week: Shlafly, O’Fallon; Founders news

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Will start of this weeks post updating the Founders release. There will still be the release parts at Reds Alehouse in North Liberty, (www.redsalehousenl.com) but Founders products won’t be in Eastern Iowa stores until the 20th. If you see it beforehand, please let me know. Onto what’s new on shelves.

Schlafly Irish Extra Stout– not really new, but I forgot to post on this last week. For this beer, think Guinness but with an 8% ABV. Sounds tasty! Here’s the brewer’s description:
“This full-bodied and full-flavored rich, dark ale has a malty sweetness balanced with plenty of hops to create the perfect stout.”

Available in 12 oz 6 packs.

O’Fallon B.D.S. Belgian-Style Dark– Brewer’s description:
“We brewed this Belgian-style dark ale (ALC:10% by VOL., SRM: 20, IBU:42) in July, 2010 and transferred it several weeks later into freshly drained Port barrels. For the next 11 months the beer worked in and out of the French oak barrels as the temperature in the brewery fluctuated with the seasons. In June 2011 we bottled the beer and put it aside to allow the flavors of the wood and the beer to marry and mellow. The result is spicy-sweet with hints of raisin and caramel that mingle with the dark fruit notes and oak from the barrels. We love this unique brew and hope you will too!”

Available in bombers.
*If you see anything new on the shelves please let me know or if you try ones that I have listed let me know what you thought of them. Drink up.

Reds Alehouse Release Party!!!! Founders Brewing; March 15th

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According to Reds’ Alehouse Facebook page, they will be hosting a Founders Brewing release party on Thursday March 15th. Beers to be available are their year round beers along with the highly anticipated release of Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Curmudgeon’s Better Half, Double Trouble, Breakfast Stout, and many more. With college basketball tournament kicking off that day this might be an opportunity to be the greatest day ever!

Beer Distribution News: Founders coming to Iowa March 19th!!

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According to a couple of the beerbaron’s sources it is 99% positive that Founders Brewing will be on shelves in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City locations starting March 19th. Great news for beer lovers! Add this date to your calendars and stock up!
Unfamiliar with Founders’ products: Let’s take a look at some of their year-round brews:

*Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale – 8.5% abv – Founders website description: “So good it’s almost wrong. Dark ruby in color and brewed with seven varieties of imported malts. Complex in finish, with hints of smoke and peat, paired with a malty richness and a right hook of hop power to give it the bad attitude that a beer named Dirty Bastard has to live up to. Ain’t for the wee lads.”

*Centennial IPA – 7.2% – Description from Founders: “Get ready to bask in the glory of the frothy head’s floral bouquet. Relish the citrus accents from the abundance of dry hopping. This one’s sweet, yet balanced. Malty undertones shake hands with the hop character for a finish that never turns too bitter.”

*Red’s Rye PA – 6.6% – “Serious hop bitterness, along with an unyielding grapefruit bouquet from the Amarillo dry hop, balances the malty richness of four varieties of imported Belgian caramel malts. Pours a spectacular crimson with a creamy tan head. A generous addition of rye malt accentuates a spicy, crisp finish.”

*Pale Ale – 5.4% – “A testament to Cascade hops in a bottle, this medium-bodied pale ale has a refreshing citrus flavor and a distinctive floral hop aroma due to the aggressive addition of hops during fermentation. You’ll notice a slight malty sweetness with a balanced hop finish. Perfect to enjoy anytime, anywhere.”

*Porter – Pours silky black with a creamy tan head. The nose is sweet with strong chocolate and caramel malt presence. No absence of hops gives Founders’ robust porter the full flavor you deserve and expect. Cozy like velvet. It’s a lover, not a fighter.

Check out  http://www.foundersbrewing.com for more of their seasonals and info about the brewery.