Guest Review by sLiM: New Glarus Apple Ale

December 22, 2011Leave a comment

Thanks to sLiM for another great review!

ABV: 4%

Style-Fruit Ale

As mentioned in earlier articles. New Glarus Brewing makes some of the best beers available in the country. I always make sure to get some anytime I am near Wisconsin. On my last trip, I visited Prairie Du Chien with some friends. I was planning on getting some various WI brews but I ended up leaving only with New Glarus products. One of them was a beer I haven’t tried before; Apple Ale. It is a thumbprint series beer that the clerk informed me is only available for 2 months a year. I sometimes enjoy the products of Woodchuck Cider which I do not believe is actually considered beer. This is, however, so I was hoping it would be a little different. It ended up being quite similar. It did not have as strong of an apple taste as the cider does, which I liked, but it still didn’t taste like I was drinking a beer. New Glarus makes some great fruit beers (see Belgian Red review) , but I don’t think this was quite on par with those.

Pour-Copper/light brown pour with very little head
Aroma-Nice apple aroma, no hints of anything else
Taste-Good solid apple taste; not too overbearing (Those of you who have ever tried Wild Blueberry Ale from a brewery that I can’t name right at the moment, it’s available around Iowa; will appreciate not getting flooded by alcohol and fruit flavor), unfortunately not much of what makes a beer taste like a beer.

Overall- C+. This is a good change of pace brew but nothing remarkable. Still, you have to appreciate how many different offerings a smaller brewery like New Glarus is consistently making available. A big reason they have been so successful is their creativity. A big part of brewing is and always will be a trial and error. This would still be considered a god beer by many peoples’ standards. But since I knew it was from New Glarus, I was kind of disappointed, guess that shows just how far they have come as a brewery.

Iowa Beer News: Another Brewery?

December 21, 20111 Comment

Just received an emai from Reds’ Alehouse with news that they plan construction on brewery starting in 2012. Here is the offical quote.

“As we wind down 2011, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank each of you for giving us another great year at Reds. Lots of good times at the alehouse were had by old friends and new. We will continue to bring you the best food and service in the area, but most importantly we appreciate your continued encouragement of our growing niche in the craft beer world.

2011 was highlighted by some great events like our first tap takeover, first beer breakfast, sold out beer dinners, and just for fun, a couple more tap takeovers. 2012 is looking to be an even bigger year for Reds with the anticipated construction of our own brewery right next to the restaurant. Things are looking up, and we have all of you to thank for it!”

Awesome news for those in and around North Liberty, IA. Keep the beer coming!

Beer Review #72: Boulevard Pale Ale

December 9, 2011December 9, 2011Leave a comment

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.

Restaurant Review: Zeppelins; Cedar Rapids, IA

November 29, 20111 Comment

Reviewing based on my 2nd trip to Zeppelins in Cedar Rapids. My wife and I took both our kids out to eat and decided on this place. We had been here once previously and had enjoyed our experience. Walking into the place it has a really nice decor and the bar area is very nice. The first thing I always check is the beer selection and Zeppelins was surprisingly good, actually it was fantastic. They had a few seasonals and then many local brews; including stuff from Great River in Davenport, Peace Tree in Knoxville, but they also had one of my favorites; Bells Two Hearted Ale. Anytime that is offered on tap I am a happy man.
We were there on a Sunday, and they still had happy hour 2 for 1 specials which is always a nice treat.

My wife and I each had a Great River Stout, which is very good on tap. We also shared an appetizer of their cheese wontons which are served with some excellent honey mustard sauce.
My wife ordered a steak sandwich and I had the Zeppelin burger which was a burger with fried onions, bbq sauce, cheddar cheese, and a few strips of bacon. Both meals were fantastic! I would definitely get either meal again; my five-year olds’ chicken strips were very good as well. Family friendly, good food, good beer, tough to beat that combination. I think one downfall many people would see, would be the price. But I’m a believer in you pay for what you get and at Zeppelins you get some really excellent food. If you are in the Cedar Rapids area and want some great food, (not only burgers, but steaks, seafood, etc.) check it out! Check out the menu here! http://www.zeppelinscr.com/

Beer Review #71: Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale

November 22, 2011Leave a comment

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.

Inside Look at DC Brau Brewery

November 16, 20111 Comment

A BREWERY BREAK IN GONE WRONG
DC Brau is the new kid on the block of the DC area brewing world and they’re not shy about making their presence known. They are the first production brewing facility in the District in over 60 years. The founders, Brandon Skall and Jeff Hancock are two ex DJs and DC natives who have a passion for creating something DC can call it’s own.

Restaurant Review: Dubuque Mining Company; Dubuque, IA

November 7, 2011November 7, 2011Leave a comment

This was meant to be posted a few months ago as that was the last time I ate at the Mining Company. I remember it very clearly as it was the day my daughter was born and I went with my brother to have a bite to eat. We both were wanting something with a little grease that wasn’t in a chain restaurant but something local and good. I remembered eating at the Dubuque Mining Company a year earlier and how I was pleased with it.
This place has everything I’m looking for in a pub/bar. A nice comfy feel that doesn’t have 50 feet ceilings, 90 tvs, loud music, and $5 shitty beers. It was cozy, a little dark, and had the type of food I was looking for, although the beer selection could have been a bit better; they did have Boulevard Wheat and Sam Adams seasonal on tap, so it’s not too terrible. When I sat down I was pleasantly surprised to see a brat burger on the menu. I’m a huge advocate of the brat burger, don’t get me wrong, I love brats, but the burger form is much easier to eat and less messy. Anyway, got one of those piled with warm sauerkraut and yellow mustard with a side of fries and life was good. They have an extensive burger list and the food hits the spot.
Here’s the link to check out the menu: http://www.dubuqueminingcompany.com/menu.cfm

Have you been there before? Let me know what I need to get next time!

Beer Review #70: Hub City Oatmeal Stout

October 26, 2011October 28, 2011Leave a comment

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.

Beer Video: A Look at Stillwater Artisanal Ales

October 19, 20111 Comment

Making beer around the world with a Gypsy Brewer…
You could describe Brian Stillwater of Stillwater Artisanal Ales as a Vagabond, Gypsy Brewer, Lone Ranger, whatever you’d like. But one thing is sure, he’s garnering a cult following because of his unconventional brewing method and his completely uncompromised brews.

He parallels his brewing method from that of his music days as a globetrotting DJ. The breweries he uses around the world are his studios and he is a visiting artist. Wherever his beer is made takes on a little flavor of the location it’s brewed in and he uses whatever ingredients he feels are appropriate to achieve his goal. He does not set any limits on the beer he crafts which is undoubtedly the reason it is so so good.

Beer Review #69: Goose Island Sofie

October 19, 2011October 28, 20112 Comments

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.