New Eastern Iowa Beer Releases: New Belgium Dig Pale Ale and Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA

2 Comments

Gonna try something different and try to post new releases to the Eastern Iowa area; not sure if I will be able to keep it updated so any help would be great.

The first beer we will talk about is New Belgium Dig Pale Ale. I had this at Brrrr Fest but I must say, it was after about 14,240 other beers I had there so I cannot fairly or accurately describe this one. However, here is the company’s product description:
“Unearth your bottle-opener because this Pale Ale is something you can Dig. Sorachi Ace hops provides a fresh Spring zing with incredible lemon aroma. Nelson Sauvin is next in line with bursts of passion fruit, mango and peach. American favorites, Cascade and Centennial round out this crisp, clean Pale Ale. Dig in!”

The second beer is a beer I’ve had on tap at Red’s Alehouse in North Liberty and instantly took a liking to it; I hope it will be as good out of the bottle. Sierra Nevada always has strong products and this one is no exception: combining a great balance of the rye flavor with the hoppiness of an IPA. Here is the commercial description.

“Ruthless IPA is brewed with this rustic grain for refined flavors – combining the peppery spice of rye and the bright citrusy flavors of whole-cone hops to create a complex ale for the tumultuous transition to Spring. ”

*Like I said above, this could be difficult for me to keep up with but please help out and drop me a line if you find something new to the Eastern Iowa area. Both of the beers have been spotted in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, and Ruthless Rye is even available in my small grocery store, Gary’s, in Mount Vernon. If you try these, let me know what you thought!

Drink up!

2012 Brrr Fest; Coralville, Iowa; Saturday January 28, 2012

1 Comment

We are one day away from the Brrr Fest at the Coralville Marriott. Description of the event from website:
“Coralville Brrr Fest celebrates the beers of winter and the brewers who make them.  Brrr Fest features breweries from across the Midwest and focuses on winter seasonals.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit Coralville’s annual 4th Fest celebration.”

Tickets have been selling very well which is an excellent sign. If you bought your tickets in advance you have opportunity to tour the new Backpocket brewery. Tickets are $30 at the door. The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. If you go to the Brrr Fest feel free to give me a write-up of your favorite beers, least favorite, overall experience; etc.
Here is a list of breweries scheduled to participate:
From Colorado:
Breckenridge
New Belgium

Illinois
Bent River
Goose Island

Iowa
Angry Cedar Brewing Company
Backpocket Brewing
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Depot Deli
Granite City Food & Brewery
Great River Brewery
Hub City Brewing Company
Keg Creek Brewing
Lost Duck
Madhouse Brewing Company
Millstream Brewing Company
Olde Main Brewing Co.
Peace Tree Brewing Company
Raccoon River Brewing Company
Rock Bottom Brewery
Sutliff Cider Company
Third Base Brewery
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Worth Brewing Company

Michigan
Bells

Minnesota
Brau Brothers
Crispin
Shell
Summit

Missouri
Boulevard
O’fallon
Schlafly

Wisconsin
Capital
Lakefront
Potosi
Sprecher
Stevens Point

Beer Review #75: Boulevard Irish Ale

1 Comment

Product description from brewery”
Irish Ale, Boulevard’s spring seasonal beer, is our Midwestern tribute to the legendary red ales of old Ireland. Our recipe combines six kinds of pale and roasted barley malts to provide a rich, toasty flavor and tawny reddish hue. Whole hops are added to enhance the beer’s complexity and to produce a pleasing balance.

I would say that this is a typical Boulevard product (www.boulevardcom). Nothing over the top but what you’re given is just a nice solid brew. A very smooth Irish ale that doesn’t have as much bitterness as other Irish ales. The hoppiness and malts go well together. Boulevard continues to be a standby for me and their Smokestack Series continues to produce some really intense brews.

 

Nothing overally complex about this beer, just nice and easy to get into. You could easily down a few of these during a sitting and it comes at a very affordable price.
Style: Irish Ale

ABV:5.8%

Purchased at: Hy-Vee; Marion, IA.

REVIEW
Pour: Amber pour with a medium tan head.
Aroma: Grainy aroma with the malts really coming through.
Taste: Mild fruit flavor and almost a grain cereal like taste.
Overall: C

Recommendation: An enjoyable beer that comes at a reasonable price tag. Max $8 a sixer. Most Boulevard products come in that price range and usually are very enjoyable.

Beer Review #74: O'Fallon Cherry Chocolate Beer

Leave a comment

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.

Beer Review #74: O’Fallon Cherry Chocolate Beer

Leave a comment

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.

Beer Release News: Bell's Hopslam

2 Comments

One of the most anticipated beer releases of the year is coming to a shelf near you. Originally reported as a late January/Early February release; some news that comes from http://www.beernews.org and Bells’ twitter account that they will be expecting Hopslam to arrive this week! Rejoice hopheads and beer lovers!!
In the dark about Hopslam? Here’s the commercial description:

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repetoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

There goes my paycheck! If you are in Iowa and have seen it, please let me know!

Beer Release News: Bell’s Hopslam

2 Comments

One of the most anticipated beer releases of the year is coming to a shelf near you. Originally reported as a late January/Early February release; some news that comes from http://www.beernews.org and Bells’ twitter account that they will be expecting Hopslam to arrive this week! Rejoice hopheads and beer lovers!!
In the dark about Hopslam? Here’s the commercial description:

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repetoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

There goes my paycheck! If you are in Iowa and have seen it, please let me know!

Beer Review #73: Boddington's Pub Ale

1 Comment

Boddington’s is a beer that I thought was very good when I started going outside the realm of mass-produced light beers. Drank it frequently at various bars and restaurants, but lately it seems to be rather lackluster and missing some flavors. Maybe it’s too light? Maybe the body is too thin? Or maybe my taste buds have just expanded a bit. Is it still a drinkable brew? You bet, but instead of ordering one of these I’m looking for a great American Craft Beer or at least a Guinness. Usually around a $7-8 price tag for a four pack.

 I do love the can that the beer comes in. Anybody have this on tap? Maybe there would be a taste difference between can and tap.

Style: Bitter

ABV: 4.7%

Purchased at: Hy-Vee; Marion, IA.

REVIEW
Pour: Pale orange pour, nice thick head.
Aroma: Malty, caramel smell.
Taste: Bitter taste, somewhat bready and malty. Too watered down for me.
Overall: C

Recommendation: Not a terrible beer to order, but save the money and get something better. Try maybe a Honker’s Ale, or if you can get your hands on Surly’s bitter. Available pretty much everywhere with a decent selection. Thoughts?

Beer Review #73: Boddington’s Pub Ale

1 Comment

Boddington’s is a beer that I thought was very good when I started going outside the realm of mass-produced light beers. Drank it frequently at various bars and restaurants, but lately it seems to be rather lackluster and missing some flavors. Maybe it’s too light? Maybe the body is too thin? Or maybe my taste buds have just expanded a bit. Is it still a drinkable brew? You bet, but instead of ordering one of these I’m looking for a great American Craft Beer or at least a Guinness. Usually around a $7-8 price tag for a four pack.

 I do love the can that the beer comes in. Anybody have this on tap? Maybe there would be a taste difference between can and tap.

Style: Bitter

ABV: 4.7%

Purchased at: Hy-Vee; Marion, IA.

REVIEW
Pour: Pale orange pour, nice thick head.
Aroma: Malty, caramel smell.
Taste: Bitter taste, somewhat bready and malty. Too watered down for me.
Overall: C

Recommendation: Not a terrible beer to order, but save the money and get something better. Try maybe a Honker’s Ale, or if you can get your hands on Surly’s bitter. Available pretty much everywhere with a decent selection. Thoughts?

IaBeerBaron 5th Annual Family Beer Festival Results

1 Comment

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.