Beer Review #32: Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale

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Good beer can come in a can. Oskar Blues (www.oskarblues.com) Dales’ Pale Ale is one of the best pale ales I’ve had in a long time. This beer is brewed with 4 different kinds of hops and does have 6.5% ABV which seems like quite a bit for a pale ale. The alcohol does not dominate the flavor of this beer though as the hops shine through. No longer do we have to worry about drinking shitty canned beer while grilling, tailgating, at the beach, Oskar Blues (and now many more craft beers) have come canned to save the day. The one bad thing……….not available in Iowa yet:( However, they are working their way over, and they are available in Wisconsin. Not to far away. If you see this great brew available in Iowa, let me know.
Enjoyed this on tap at the Sports Column in Denver, CO. Fantastic on tap as well.

REVIEW
POUR: Copper colored pour with nice sizeable head.
AROMA: Smell of hops, citrus, and a faint hint of malts.
TASTE: Awesome hoppy flavor with a hint of caramel at the end.
OVERALL: A-

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: Not available yet, but it won’t be long before you see this on shelves at your liquor store or Hy-Vee.

Beer Review #31: Rogue Chocolate Stout

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A brewery that seems to continue to do things right is Rogue Brewery out of Oregon (www.rogue.com).  I’m a fan of their hazelnut brown beer so I thought a chocolate stout would be superb. Usually, you can’t go wrong with stouts in general and when you add chocolate and oats to the mix it always has a chance of being great. I’ve had it out of the bottle, but recently found out they had this on tap at Reds’ Alehouse in North Liberty, IA and got to try it on tap. This beer is a winner all-around. A must try out of the bottle and it tastes even better out of a tap.
REVIEW
POUR: Dark chocolate pour with a brown head.
AROMA: Chocolate, oats, coffee, and caramel.
TASTE: Nice chocolate flavor with oats, and a little hop bitterness at the end. OVERALL: A-

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: Select Hy-Vees carry it, and so does John’s Grocery at times. Recently found it on tap at Reds’ Alehouse in North Liberty, which is must try if you are in that location. If you’ve tried it, let me know what you think!

Beer Link #1: Pintley

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Wishing for a pandora like site, but for beer? Well, now you’ve got it!! Pintley is a great link to help you choose your next beer. Wanna try something different but can’t choose because there are so many options? Sign up at Pintley and they will have you rate 30 common beers and start recommending beers for you to try. It’s fun, it’s beer, it’s helpful, and it makes you thirsty. Check it out at this link: www.pintley.com

Guest Review #2: SLIM Reviews Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss Hefeweizen

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Thanks for the review SLIM!

Guest Review by SLIM: Sierra Nevada Kellerweis, Hefeweizen

 The first beer I’ve chosen to review is also the first offering I have ever had from Sierra Nevada (http://www.sierranevada.com/index2.html). I’m not completely sure why I have avoiding trying this brewer until now but it could be because it’s pretty mainstream and made in California . They’re most famously known for their pale ale (I’m not too crazy about pale ale’s…almost always pick a hefeweizen or a stout over a pale ale). I certainly did enjoy Kellerweis, though. It had a lot of flavor, was very drinkable, and finished okay. I recommend this beer to anyone but don’t think I would go as far to say it is as good as Boulevard Wheat. It is moderately priced though and worth a look.

 Review (Unfortunately, I don’t have quite as good of a flavor-catching pallet that the beerbaron boasts but I will do the best to relay my opinion on the quality of this brew to the best of my ability.)

Pour-Hazy golden pour with an all white head.

Aroma-Smell of citrus and a slight hint of hoppiness.

Taste-Very fruity, sweet, but somewhat artificial tasting finish.

Overall: B

  Eastern Iowa Residents: You will generally find this at any Hy-Vee and at most liquor stores. This isn’t quite as widely available as the Pale Ale but you should be able to track it down without much difficulty.

Guest Review #1: SLIM Reviews Legends American Grill, Des Moines, IA

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Guest Review by SLIM: Legends American Grill, Des Moines IA

I’m very excited to contribute a review to this fine website. I chose Legends (http://www.legendsamericangrill.com/home.htm) for my first restaurant review. This is a popular dining option in the Des Moines area with 5 locations in the metro area and 2 more in Marshalltown and Ames . We went to the Johnston location and were very satisfied with our experience. It’s a very sports themed environment but a more causal dining environment section of the restaurant is available too. I was impressed by the amount of different selections they had on tap and in bottles. Some brewery selections they featured here that I hadn’t previously seen in other places included: Flying Dog, Point, and Samuel Smith. Legends has good drink specials every day of the week and the food is reasonably priced. I would say the food is above average. If you’re not familiar with Des Moines and you’re looking for a place to eat, Legends is a good bet with its casual, relaxed environment and convenient locations.

Beer Review #30: Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse

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If you are a fan of wheat beers and have not tried Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisee you are missing out. A very good wheat beer that is brewed with 60% wheat and 40% barley for a refreshing beer. Made in Munich, this beer is a go too for many wheat fans. I do like this beer, however, there are other German Hefe’s out there that can trump this. A little pricey but it is worth it, especially if you have not tried it yet.

REVIEW
POUR: Hazy golden yellow pour with a thick white head.
AROMA: Wheat, banana, and bubble gum aroma; maybe a grassy smell as well.
TASTE: Wheat and banana flavor with lemon zest at the end.
OVERALL: C

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have seen this beer at every Hy-Vee and liquor store in Eastern Iowa that have decent selections. Also John’s has many Hacker-Pschorr products, including their Octoberfest, which I have yet to try.
If you’ve tried it, let me know what you think!

Beer Review #29: Millstream John's Generations White Ale

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I remember when my wife first brought this beer home and I was thinking that any beer named after a grocery store in Iowa City was going to be awful. I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you like Blue Moon, Shocktop, and white ales, then you must try this beer. A really great example of how a white ale should taste. Breadiness, spicy with corriander and orange peel. Very easy to drink and very refreshing. Another great thing about this beer is that it is brewed in Amana, IA at Millstream brewing (www.millstreambrewing.com) which is only 20 or so minutes from my front door. Sadly, I haven’t been there to drink but that is on my to do list. (Road trip anyone?)
REVIEW
POUR: Hazy yellow pour with a nice thick white head. Great lacing on the glass.
AROMA: Smell of citrus, corriander, and orange peel.
TASTE: Spicy flavor of corriander and orange/citrus. Sweet finish.
OVERALL: B+

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have seen this beer at every Hy-Vee and liquor store in Eastern Iowa that have decent selections. Very affordable and a very good beer. Check out the brewery in Amana also.

Beer Review #29: Millstream John’s Generations White Ale

1 Comment

I remember when my wife first brought this beer home and I was thinking that any beer named after a grocery store in Iowa City was going to be awful. I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you like Blue Moon, Shocktop, and white ales, then you must try this beer. A really great example of how a white ale should taste. Breadiness, spicy with corriander and orange peel. Very easy to drink and very refreshing. Another great thing about this beer is that it is brewed in Amana, IA at Millstream brewing (www.millstreambrewing.com) which is only 20 or so minutes from my front door. Sadly, I haven’t been there to drink but that is on my to do list. (Road trip anyone?)
REVIEW
POUR: Hazy yellow pour with a nice thick white head. Great lacing on the glass.
AROMA: Smell of citrus, corriander, and orange peel.
TASTE: Spicy flavor of corriander and orange/citrus. Sweet finish.
OVERALL: B+

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have seen this beer at every Hy-Vee and liquor store in Eastern Iowa that have decent selections. Very affordable and a very good beer. Check out the brewery in Amana also.