Surly Brewing to Iowa Update

May 20, 2013May 20, 2013Leave a comment

Some possible evidence that Surly Brewing could land in Iowa from http://www.beerpulse.com as the brewery has signed with Johnson Brothers Distributing. Everything said in this article is a definite positive in terms of getting this wonderfully breweries beers on our Eastern Iowa shelves.

Brooklyn Center-based brewery chooses St. Paul-based distributor to help expand Surly’s future footprint in Minnesota

(Brooklyn Center, MN) – Surly Brewing Company today announced Johnson Brothers as its newest Minnesota beer distributor.

Surly Brewing has been distributing its own beer since its inception in January 2006. It now supplies beer to more than 500 bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout the Twin Cities and at various locations across the state.

As consumer demand continues to grow, Surly will work with Johnson Brothers to expand its network of on and off-premise accounts, enhance its brand reach, and find a more efficient way to distribute its beer. Surly Brewing will maintain its relationships with beer distributors in the northwest Twin Cities suburbs, Duluth and Rochester.

Omar Ansari, Founder and President of Surly Brewing said: “We wanted to partner with someone who understood our company. Johnson Brothers was the ideal partner. We’re both growing, family-owned Minnesota companies and it was clear that they understood the Surly Way. Surly couldn’t take its next steps without a partnership like this.”

By late 2014, Surly Brewing will be significantly increasing annual beer production when it moves into its new destination brewery. Once the brewery is fully operational, Johnson Brothers, through its Artisan Beer Company, will help Surly distribute significantly more beer to bars, restaurants, and liquor stores across Minnesota and eventually to customers in other states. [BeerPulse note: Johnson Brothers has a presence in 16 states including all states adjacent to Minnesota.]

“We are extremely proud and excited to be partnering with Surly, one of this region’s truly great craft breweries,” said Todd Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Johnson Brothers. “We look forward to working closely with Surly and helping make these fantastic beers available to even more beer lovers throughout Minnesota. They can’t build that new brewery soon enough.”

New Craft Beer Magazine for IPAD Review

May 20, 2013Leave a comment

A new craft beer magazine, appropriately titled Craft Beer Magazine, has been launched as an app for IPAD users! It is completely free to download and anyone who downloads it will be a one month free subscription. I was able to get a first hand look of the new magazine and I was pretty impressed with the content.

The magazine’s opening pages give you a brief tutorial on how to navigate through using your IPAD. It then delves into a brief history of craft beer in America which gave some great insight on how and when the craft beer boom started. I really enjoyed the visuals involved after reading through the article and thought it was perfect way to wrap up a great piece of writing.

Articles varied throughout, picking up stories from other countries, recipes, new innovations in craft beer (peel top cans from Madtree Brewing), and beer reviews. (A nice write-up on Rhizing Bines).

What also makes this a great and unique app is the interaction you can have with video, polls, and links throughout the magazine, making it perfect for the tech savvy craft beer lover. So if you are interested in some craft beer related readings check out Craft Beer Magazine on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/craft-beer-magazine/id643848007

Beer Review #103: Founders Breakfast Stout

May 13, 20131 Comment

There might not be a more proper beer for breakfast than Founders Breakfast Stout. I know that it is the time of year when people stop thinking about stouts and start heading into the lighter, more refreshing realm of the craft beer world. STOP! Don’t put away the stouts yet! This style of beer still holds a place among beers to drink during the spring and summer months.

I also realize that Breakfast Stout from Founders (www.foundersbrewing.com) shelf time has come and gone, and is now being replaced by All Day IPA (a great beer!) but I’ve been able to find a few four packs left and in my opinion this beer is tasting as good if not better than when it was initially released this year.

The first thing that grabs your attention with this brew is the fantastic artwork on the bottle label. A baby eating oatmeal for breakfast…easily one of the best labels and one of the reasons I first tried this beer years ago. The 2nd thing is the obviously the smell and taste. The aroma of coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt justify you cracking one of these bad boys open on Saturday morning and sit back and read your morning paper. The flavor is the same; the coffee and chocolate star but do not overpower with wonderful stout. Here’s more from the brewery:

You’ve got to love coffee to truly appreciate this phenomenal brew. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and sweetened imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee. We’re actually not sure if this is some type of coffee cake or a beer. Either way you can drink this ale with a fork. Breakfast Stout has an intense fresh roasted coffee nose toped with a cinnamon colored frothy head that seems to never fade and makes you wish breakfast could last forever.

I still believe you can find some four packs on shelves. This is an instance of beer where shelf life can help bring out the flavor; don’t shy away from buying it! Grab a few 4 packs and enjoy this terrific brew. Opening one these on a starry summer evening is the perfect ending to a summer night!

REVIEW

Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 8.3%

Purchased at: Brother’s Market; Lisbon, IA

Pour: Thick brown/black pour with a brown head.

Aroma: Wonderful aroma of rich coffee and chocolate with roasted malts.

Flavor: Definitely a full-bodied stout. A ton of coffee and chocolate flavor with the roasted malt rounding it out nicely.

Ratebeer.com rating: 100/100

Beeradvocate.com rating: 100/100

Overall: A+

My recommendation: A go to seasonal for sure. Like I said above, you still could possibly find some on the shelves and it’s the perfect time to stock on a few four packs. A must try brew.

It’s Official: Deschutes coming in July

May 8, 2013May 8, 2013Leave a comment

It’s been rumored for a while and to many people this is old news, but the official release from Deschutes with the announcement that they are indeed coming to Iowa this summer has finally arrived. Here’s the official release thanks to beerpulse.com.

(Bend, OR) – Deschutes Brewery announced today that its craft beers will be available in Iowa starting in the summer of 2013. The Oregon-based brewery will be working with Johnson Brothers of Iowa, one of the largest alcoholic beverage distributors in the state. The company is known for its outstanding service, recognized in recent years as “Supplier of the Year” by the Iowa Restaurant Association and the Iowa Grocery Industry Association.

“We are thrilled to be bringing one of America’s great craft breweries into the State of Iowa,” said Lyle Stutzman, President of Johnson Brothers of Iowa. “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Deschutes.”

Beer is slated to be available to Iowans in late July, with a formal launch planned for the fall that will include special tastings and other events in cities around the state. Initially, Deschutes Brewery will be offering Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, the nation’s number one selling craft porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, and its seasonal, Twilight Summer Ale. The beers will be available in six-packs and draft.

Early this year, Deschutes Brewery started distributing in the state of Illinois, and currently sells beer in Missouri and Minnesota. Iowa rounds out the region. Stacy Denbow, expansion manager for Deschutes Brewery, said, “After Iowa’s revised state laws, we’ve seen an impressive craft beer scene emerge that we’re excited to soon be a part of. We also really appreciated seeing the level of excitement and execution displayed by Johnson Bros.”

Deschutes Brewery added five new 1,300 barrel fermentation tanks in 2012 to increase capacity at its Oregon brewing headquarters, and plans to add five more tanks this month. When all the new tanks are online, the brewery will have the capacity to brew more than 460,000 barrels annually to fill demand in its expanding distribution footprint.

About Deschutes Brewery
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 20 states and two provinces. To find out more, visitwww.DeschutesBrewery.com.

About Johnson Brothers
Starting in 1985 in the state of Iowa, Johnson Brothers is a family-owned wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverages distributor with headquarters in St Paul, Minnesota. Johnson Brothers has been providing world class service to customers throughout the United States since 1953.

It's Official: Deschutes coming in July

May 8, 2013Leave a comment

(Bend, OR) – Deschutes Brewery announced today that its craft beers will be available in Iowa starting in the summer of 2013. The Oregon-based brewery will be working with Johnson Brothers of Iowa, one of the largest alcoholic beverage distributors in the state. The company is known for its outstanding service, recognized in recent years as “Supplier of the Year” by the Iowa Restaurant Association and the Iowa Grocery Industry Association.

“We are thrilled to be bringing one of America’s great craft breweries into the State of Iowa,” said Lyle Stutzman, President of Johnson Brothers of Iowa. “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Deschutes.”

Beer is slated to be available to Iowans in late July, with a formal launch planned for the fall that will include special tastings and other events in cities around the state. Initially, Deschutes Brewery will be offering Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, the nation’s number one selling craft porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, and its seasonal, Twilight Summer Ale. The beers will be available in six-packs and draft.

Early this year, Deschutes Brewery started distributing in the state of Illinois, and currently sells beer in Missouri and Minnesota. Iowa rounds out the region. Stacy Denbow, expansion manager for Deschutes Brewery, said, “After Iowa’s revised state laws, we’ve seen an impressive craft beer scene emerge that we’re excited to soon be a part of. We also really appreciated seeing the level of excitement and execution displayed by Johnson Bros.”

Deschutes Brewery added five new 1,300 barrel fermentation tanks in 2012 to increase capacity at its Oregon brewing headquarters, and plans to add five more tanks this month. When all the new tanks are online, the brewery will have the capacity to brew more than 460,000 barrels annually to fill demand in its expanding distribution footprint.

About Deschutes Brewery
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 20 states and two provinces. To find out more, visitwww.DeschutesBrewery.com.

About Johnson Brothers
Starting in 1985 in the state of Iowa, Johnson Brothers is a family-owned wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverages distributor with headquarters in St Paul, Minnesota. Johnson Brothers has been providing world class service to customers throughout the United States since 1953.

Confluence Brewing Keg Tapping Event

April 29, 2013Leave a comment

Confluence Brewing will be holding a keg tapping for their latest beer, May day May day Maibock at the brewery May 1st, starting at 5:00! Check it out! Here’s the press release from the brewery:

MAY DAY MAY DAY…its time for yet another tapping of the GOLDEN KEG! Its time to move this crummy cold and chilly spring-time weather out of Iowa so we can enjoy our latest refreshing beer…MayDay MayDay Maibock!. The tapping will start at 6PM on May 1st!

Tickets for a $2.00 pints from the Golden Keg go on sale at 5:00
p.m. (limit one ticket per person).

After the Golden Keg “kicks”, pints of MayDay MayDay Maibock will be sold
all evening for $3.50! Also new growlers of MayDay MayDay Maibock and refills of MayDay Maibock will be $2.00 off all night!

Beer Review #102 Hoppin' Frog Turbo Shandy

April 29, 2013Leave a comment

Finally! This past week in Eastern Iowa we were finally able to enjoy some nice spring weather. Temps hitting the high 60’s and low 70’s makes one think that the summer months and finally approaching (although snow is in the forecast for Wednesday. What the hell?). With the warmer months coming our taste for beer usually starts going for the lighter more thirst quenching styles. Many shelves have the summer beers stocked. We are burdened with the excess of Coronas, sugared up wine coolers, Shocktop’s nastiness, and the usual light fare of shit given to us by the “big 3”. The question remains, what is out there for a craft beer lover that would fall under a “summer beer” category?

A style with a lot of buzz lately has been a shandy or radler style of beer. These “styles” are usually just a lager mixed with citrus juice/soda and makes for a great refreshing beer. Leinenkugel’s is pushing their summer shandy hard, in fact, I believe I saw it on the shelves in late February, but the pledge taste it gives off makes it only a one and done. Mike’s Hard Lemonade is very successful with their products and have recently entered the world shandies.

Usually a shandy has a relatively low ABV. So if you are wanting to mix the “hardness” of a Mike’s Hard Lemonade with the drinkability of a shandy, look no further than Hoppin’ Frog’s Turbo Shandy (www.hoppinfrog.com). At 7% it easily hits the hardness that you want, but the tartness hides it deceivingly making for a very refreshing, drinkable summer brew. From the brewery:

The release of our Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale is around mid June. Born from European tradition, our Shandy is a refreshing combination of lemon and light malt flavors. Unlike traditional shandys, Turbo Shandy, revs it up a couple of notches with a high-test, full flavored approach as only Hoppin’ Frog can do.

The citrus flavor dominates the beer. I actually forgot I was drinking a beer and thought I was sipping on a glass of Squirt soda for a while. While, this a style for me is hard to down more than one, it was very tasty, but I can see that this isn’t the type of beer for the craft beer snob, but for someone who just wants to chill on the patio, let the rays soak in, and enjoy a crisp, citrusy brew.

REVIEW

Style: Fruit beer, shandy

ABV: 7%

Purchased at: Woodman’s Market; Madison, WI.

Pour: Blonde pour with a medium white head.

Aroma: Lemon fruit scent, maybe some yeast notes as well.

Flavor: The sweet lemonade is there. I described it as very close to drinking a Squirt soda.

Ratebeer.com rating: 39/100

Beeradvocate.com rating: 79/100

Overall: C+

My recommendation: A hot day, this works well. The only drawback for me, not enough beer flavor and too sweet. A good 22 oz bottle to share with somebody.

Beer Review #102 Hoppin’ Frog Turbo Shandy

April 29, 2013Leave a comment

The release of our Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale is around mid June. Born from European tradition, our Shandy is a refreshing combination of lemon and light malt flavors. Unlike traditional shandys, Turbo Shandy, revs it up a couple of notches with a high-test, full flavored approach as only Hoppin’ Frog can do.

REVIEW

Style: Fruit beer, shandy

ABV: 7%

Purchased at: Woodman’s Market; Madison, WI.

Pour: Blonde pour with a medium white head.

Aroma: Lemon fruit scent, maybe some yeast notes as well.

Flavor: The sweet lemonade is there. I described it as very close to drinking a Squirt soda.

Ratebeer.com rating: 39/100

Beeradvocate.com rating: 79/100

Overall: C+

My recommendation: A hot day, this works well. The only drawback for me, not enough beer flavor and too sweet. A good 22 oz bottle to share with somebody.

Beer Trip: New Glarus, WI; New Glarus Brewery

April 22, 20134 Comments

This past weekend my wife and I were childless for a couple of days and she suggested that we should finally take a trip to New Glarus, WI to visit the brewery (www.newglarus.com). We’ve talked about this trip quite often while we drive to Madison but it finally came to fruition this weekend. The drive is very simple, a right off of 151 and 16 miles later you are in the historical town of New Glarus. As we where driving in we noticed the old brewery off to the left coming into town. It was relatively small, and this but a mental image of the new one in or around the same size. Well, I couldn’t be more wrong. As you are going out-of-town you see a sign for the new brewery and as you turn into the winding drive you are taken to a hilltop were New Glarus Brewery rests. The scene is really quite beautiful. Old stone stairs, historical swiss architecture with a modern design, and the massive layout, made it look more like a quaint hotel than an awesome brewery.

My wife and I entered through gift shop and browsed a bit before deciding to hit the tasting room. At the tasting room you have the option of buying a full 12 oz glass with a draw of beer for $6 or a tasting glass and a small draw for $3. Both great deals as you get to keep the glasses. To make things even better they were pushing their Blacktop IPA because it has recently been added to their year-round lineup. I decided going with the black top and my wife went with the Two-Women lager. After a few rounds we decided to head back through the gift shop and going through the self-guided tour of the brewery. The place is absolutely pristine. Brand new looking, very clean, clean enough to eat (or drink) off the floor. The amount of piping and amount of equipment was very impressive.

Back in the gift shop I bought another beer glass and a sweet Moon Man pale ale t-shirt. So many cool items that would a great addition for any beer lover. After we made our purchases I had to stop downstairs to buy some brew. I was scared that there wouldn’t be anything left of their Double IPA but luckily there was enough left where my decision wasn’t how many four packs but how many cases to buy. Love that stuff. Got a case of IIPA, mixed and match of the Coffee stout, Cabin Fever, and Dancing Man Wheat, a few Serendipitys, 2 4 packs of Winter Warmer and some Moon Man. A nice little haul, not all for me, sharing with the Beer Counselor.

I asked the guys working where a good place to grab a quick bite would be and they both said to try out the Glarner Stube (www.glarnerstube.com). Driving into downtown New Glarus definitely feels like you are in Switzerland. The historic layout makes this place an excellent experience and as you walk into the Glarner Stube not only get the visual appeal you get to taste it as well. Glarner Stube means “Living Room of New Glarus” and it is that cozy. All old New Glarus brewing bottles line across the top of the bar and that is the only brewery available on tap, the only problem is deciding which one to order. A went with Moon Man and my wife suggested going with some Cheese Fondue to start. A great idea! Wonderful swiss cheese with cubed, crusted bread, that paired great with the pale ale. We also split a prime rib sandwich with horseradish sauce and a side of cooked sauerkraut with an onion cream sauce. The food was great but the people working there are so pleasant it makes everything that much better.

A great trip to New Glarus. I’m hoping to makes this a destination to hit a few times a year. Highly recommend making this trek, an easy 3 hour drive to beerdom.

Beer Review #101: New Glarus Serendipity

April 11, 2013Leave a comment

Leave it to Dan Carey at New Glarus to take a bad cherry harvest, an okay apple harvest, and a great cranberry harvest, mix all those together and get a wonderful beer accident that only he can produce! Behold, Serendipity! A sour fruit beer that shows the skill of the brewmaster and also makes the beer drinker yearn for more from this great brewery (www.newglarusbrewing.com). While Spotted Cow seems to be the most recognizable of the brews that New Glarus produces, and it definitely has its place, they push out much more great beer than that. If you’ve never had their Double IPA, Raspberry Tart, Belgian Red, Black Top, Moon Man, Enigma and many more, it’s time to run up to Platteville or even head to Madison or New Glarus itself to check out more of their products.

Serendipity is considered a fruit/sour beer and you can definitely get the tartness from this brew. The flavors of all the fruits really do a number on your taste buds, and the beer pairs perfectly with brownies, chocolate cake, or even makes a great dessert on its own. You can throw this one in with the great fruit beers that are available in the U.S. From the brewery:

Happy Accident Fruit Ale Severe Drought, we shared the farmer’s horror as Wisconsin’s cherry crop failed! Dan bought what cherries he could. The apple crop fared better. Then joy! A grand Wisconsin cranberry harvest. What will Dan brew with Apples, Cranberries and Cherries? Oh my! You hold the happy accident of Wisconsin’s favorite fruit aged in oak with an almost magical wild fermentation. Serendipity is a wondrous celebration that sparkles your senses and dances across your palate. A kaleidoscope of flavors discovered by accident in a sour ale! Cheers to the unexpected. Vielen Dank!

REVIEW

Style: Fruit/Sour beer

ABV: 5.1%

Purchased at: Woodman’s Market; Madison, WI.

Pour: Off-white, reddish hue, super thick head. Gorgeous ruby pour.

Aroma: Tart cherry aroma, with a bit of apple. Not much from the cranberries.

Flavor: The brewery calls it a happy accident, and it definitely makes you happy. I get somewhat of an apple cider flavor, with cherry flavor following. The cranberries add a perfect tartness to this beer. Excellent stuff!

Ratebeer.com rating: 100/100

Beeradvocate.com rating: 96/100

Overall: A

My recommendation: Yet another must try from New Glarus. Dan Carey continues to shine as one of the best craft breweries in America.