This comes from http://www.craftbeer.com and a tweet from @BeerBizdaily. Good news to say the least!
@BeerBizDailyHarry SchuhmacherDeschutes to enter Nebraska and Iowa this year, Ohio next year, per CBD. The march east continues.Unrelated, Asian carp enter G Lakes.
Like most people who have tried their beers, I have really taken a liking to Surly’s product (www.surlybrewing.com). Furious, Abrasive, Bender, and Coffee Bender are all fabulous beers that I’ve tried from them. Lately, a buddy and I have taken to ordering some beers from places like france44.com and halftimebeverage.com. France44 works out really well if you are in the mood for some Surly beers and with my buddy’s latest order he took a shot on a Surly beer neither one of us had tried yet.
I will be the first to admit that I haven’t had much experience with dortmunder or helles style beers but after trying Hell, it seems to me that Surly is doing this style justice. The name was kind of misleading to me at first; I was thinking of some sort of chipotle or pepper beer but instead, Hell is referring to the German word for light. This beer was definitely light in the pour with a golden hazy pour with a nice sized head. Very bready and yeasty in the aroma. Definitely get the pils malt with the first few drinks and the bread follows through with a hint a lemon citrus. Slight hops follow to round out this extremely drinkable offering from Surly. Maybe the perfect accompaniment to a summer BBQ? I think this would do nicely. Description from the brewery:
Finally, a Surly beer my German mother will drink. She says this one tastes like a bier from back home. Not unlike a Zwickel Bier from Germany, Hell is our filtered and fermented with lager yeast, American hops takes a back seat to the Pils malt sweetness and fresh bread aroma. The color is well… hell (Deutsch for light). It’s fiendishly drinkable, and you don’t have to sell your soul to get another.
The style of this beer isn’t one that is often talked about currently. IPAs, barrel-aged, sours, are dominating headlines with most craft beer drinkers but if you want to try different styles and try them when they are done right, I think Surly can be proud of this beer. This could also quite possibly be a great transition beer for those looking to get into the craft beer world. Rumblings of Surly wanting to expand a bit continues through the midwest and here’s hoping that they make it south to the lovely state of Iowa.
REVIEW
Style: Helles/Dortmunder
ABV:4.5%
Purchased at: France44.com
Pour: Golden straw color with a thick white head.
Aroma: Bread, yeast, light citrus.
Flavor: Lots of breadiness with lemon and bit of hops.
Ratebeer.com rating: 90/100
Beeradvocate.com rating: 88/100
Overall: B
My recommendation: A great beer for the style, extremely drinkable. Surly continues to do things and if you can get up north to Minnesota to get some, buy a bunch, or order from france44.com.
The following is a press release from Founders brewing courtesy of www.beerpulse.com. Great news for summer BBQ’s!
(Grand Rapids, MI) – Founders Brewing Co. announced today that they plan to release their craft beer in cans for the first time in their fifteen-year history. The brewery will put its warm weather seasonal, All Day IPA, in 12 oz. cans that will be available in 12-packs across their distribution footprint this summer.
“Especially in our recreational home state of Michigan, cans are a very functional package,” said Co-Founder & CEO Mike Stevens. “It means people will be able to enjoy our beer at golf courses, marinas and while hiking or camping. And we think All Day IPA works in a can particularly well.”
The brewery did extensive research to find a canning line that delivers a sealed container meeting the same quality standard as what comes off their bottling line every day.
“For this new canning line, we turned to the same manufacturer of our bottling line, world beverage industry leader, Krones. We are 100% confident in both this line and this package,” said Vice President of Operations Brad Stevenson.
All Day IPA will be the only Founders beer in cans to start. More Founders products may make their way into cans in the future.
For information on the states in which Founders is available, as well as details on their 2013 beer lineup and release calendar, visit http://www.foundersbrewing.com.
Thanks to Slim for the review. Sounds like 515 is has a very promising future in the craft brew business! Can’t wait to get out there to try some of their great beers.
I was fortunate enough to attend this fabulous event put on by the good folks at 515. I had done some research on them through their website (http://www.515brewing.com/index.html). It appears to be just a few former home brewers who decided to make their dream plan come to fruition. I had heard from a friend who visited their taproom a couple of weeks ago that he highly approved of the entire operation. Solid brews and atmosphere. This got me even more excited to head down there and see what all the buzz was about. When I saw the baron’s post on their grand opening event, it was simply game, set, match, on finding the right time to check out 515 brewing.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect in terms of attendance before I arrived. They advertised that the first 50 through the door would receive a free 515 t-shirt. Although the freebie was enticing, my main motivation for getting there as it opened was to secure a table for me and my two accomplices during the event. For the purposes of anonymity, we’ll refer to them as “Terrible Terry” and “Iceman Jr.” There was a sizable amount of people in line as I pulled up so being that my free t-shirt hopes were dashed, I focused squarely on getting in line to try one of their tasty brews before they ran out. They clearly did a good job of advertising the event; in fact, by the look on some of the brewers’ faces, they probably did too good. I also was astonished by the turnout but it’s clearly a good thing. It’s another sign that craft brewing has made it here and will hopefully be here for a long time to stay.
I was also unsuccessful at securing a table and it did not appear they had very many set out; possibly to allow for more room for the high number of guests that they had anticipated. The taproom is about what you’d expect. It was spacious and had a home feel to it. It is bigger than most taprooms I have been to before and I think it will serve them well. I didn’t see a space for a patio, however. It is my guess that they are addressing this issue and will possibly have something set up for this summer. It would put the finishing touch on an already great venue. They did have a food vendor available on this day but the brewery itself does not serve food at this time.
Onto the beers! They had a full lineup on tap for this event. In the past, they have had a few of their offerings in addition to making some taps from Confluence Brewing available (http://confluencebrewing.com/). The first I tried was 515’s “Numb Nut”. It is a spicy brown ale that 515 describes as tasting like Christmas. I have mixed feelings on this brew. I did enjoy the creativity that was put into the making of this beer. However, I was turned off by the aroma, not the kind of taste I look for in a brown ale. Not for one moment am I trying to take anything away from what is a good beer, it just wasn’t for me.
The beer that went the fastest was the “OJ IPA”. The keg was dry in an hour. Terrible Terry is partly known for his classic one-liners. He delivered one when he ordered this brew, “I’ll take an OJ Simpson IPA!” he said as he made his choice. It was the right choice, it’s wonderful wheat IPA that has a HUGE kick of orange/citrus. We immediately saw why it was so popular. Iceman Jr. also tried the Numb Nut and I think he liked it more than I did. The two of us then tried “Belgian Paradise”. It was a Belgian-style white ale that also delivered more flavor than a typical brew of that style. Finally, Terry gave the Lil’ Tart (only beer available under 5.0% ABV) a try. The name is deceiving, there’s A LOT of Tart. I remember hearing him say that he didn’t like the Jalapeno beer offered by Bent River Brewing at the Brr fest back in January. So I wasn’t surprised that this was not a hit with him either. The tart in Lil’ Tart is very prominent and is definitely not for everyone. The next time I attend, I’m looking to try the “Stout of the Closet” for sure.
515 lived up to my expectations and then some. Anybody who considers themselves craft brew enthusiasts needs to hit up this fine establishment. I recommend checking their facebook page/website before you visit in order to make sure they have several brews available. They keep this list updated and I would discourage going if they have less than 4 of their brews available. I’m sure you would still enjoy yourself but you’ll get the best experience if you go when they have a full line-up of their exceptional beers on tap.
Sam Adams is mixing up their summer sampler pack a bit this year, adding 2 new beers to this 12 pack sampler. I wasa big fan of their Porch Rocker and am hoping to see this on more shelves in Eastern Iowa this summer. Here’s the lastest, courtesy of www.beerpulse.com.
(Boston, MA) – Based on public data, it looks like the new Samuel Adams Beers of Summer pack started hitting shelves in some markets as early as the weekend of March 9th.
The Boston Beer Company has been a central target of criticism from those against “seasonal creep” in which seasonals are first released a few months before their respective seasons are officially recognized on the calendar. Samuel Adams seasonal brands have traditionally been among the earliest to hit the market.
In any event, this year’s summer pack features: Summer Ale, Boston Lager, Porch Rocker (radler), Belgian Session, Little White Rye (all-new) and Blueberry Hill Lager (all-new).
Porch Rocker six-packs will arrive in late April/early May, per the brewery.
The forecast for Boston, where the company is headquartered, calls for snow accumulation of 1-3 inches between Monday night and Tuesday.
The earliest known summer offering that BeerPulse is aware of is Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy which rolled out in mid-February.
Left Coast Brewery out of San Clemente, CA have made their way to Eastern Iowa shelves. On their website (www.leftcoastbrewing.com) they have 4 beers that are featured. Here’s a brief rundown of each.
*Hop Juice – 9.7% – Imperial IPA
Ratebeer – 98
At Left Coast Brewing Co. we pride ourselves on being one of the pioneers of Double IPA style craft beer. This hop monster uses Premium American 2– Row and a touch of light crystal malt to create a solid malt foundation. Five different Hop Varieties are used in the Hop Juice. It spends two weeks dry hopping in fermenter contributing to its great hop aroma. Starts out sweet and finishes with the crisp bitterness of a Double IPA. This drinkable blend will have you HOPPING till nights end.
Trestles – 6.8% – IPA
Ratebeer – 96
Trestles IPA is light bodied, clean, and pleasantly hoppy. With every sip this tasty IPA will take you back to your escape, such as local surf spot Trestles. Its strong copper color and clean finish on the palate are created by brewing with a 2-row malt and light imported crystal malt. We use CTZ and chinook hops and follow it up with the addition of dry hops of chinook and centennial in the fermenter bringing out a citrus aroma. Find your escape.
Asylum – Abby Triple – 11.8&
Ratebeer – 75
Asylum is in the style of a Belgian Tripel. It has a beautiful golden color. Its relatively light body is deceiving for a beer of its character. It has a sweet and spicy, complex fruity aroma and flavor derived from our distinct Belgian yeast strain. Asylum finishes with a subtle, warming character to help you relax on any night. Asylum is an exceptionally smooth Belgian-style brew. Drinking great beer brings the world together. “Vrede op aarde” (Peace on earth).
Voodoo- Stout – 8.5%
Ratebeer – 97
At Left Coast Brewing Co. we pride ourselves on a unique batch of beer in the style of an American Stout. Voo Doo is a full bodied, dark brew that is rich and malty with plenty of roasted barley character. This hearty stout is layered with flavors of roasted barley, chocolate, and coffee coming from the highest quality imported malts. Its creamy long lasting head completes the brew, tempting your taste buds to be spellbound.
Please drop a line, and let me know your thoughts on these brews.
Just found this interesting article over at beerpulse.com about Aleman/Two Brothers/Stone Dayman Coffee IPA being distributed around the country and it looks like us Iowans might be out of luck getting this brew. This isn’t finalized yet so hopefully we will see this product.
Available in: Limited 22oz bottles and draft
Stats: 8.7% ABV, 42 IBUs
Hops: Cascade and Citra
Malt bill: British and American Pale Malt, Crystal and Vienna Malts
Distribution (not necessarily finalized): AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, MD, MA, MO, NC, NM, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT, and WA
Tasting Notes, provided by Brewmaster Mitch Steele
Appearance: Clear amber with a tan head of foam.
Aroma: It’s difficult to discern which aroma hits first—the wonderful, citrusy tropical fruitiness of the Citra hops or the deep-roasted elegance of the coffee roasted especially for this brew.
Taste: The taste of this beer follows right along with the aromatics. Roasted coffee and citrusy hops play well together as the beer flows across the palate along with hints of toasted malt and a wonderful lingering bitterness.
Palate: Dry with a nice lingering bitterness. The coffee flavors hang on pleasantly after the hop bitterness recedes.
Overall: The Aleman guys developed a wonderful IPA recipe. The addition of coffee bringswonderful layers of totally unexpected roast components that make this beertruly unique. I’ve never had anything like it and I look forward to enjoying several pints. It’s been a pleasure to put this brew together with Aleman and Two Brothers.Suggested food parings, provided by “Dr.” Bill Sysak
Appetizers: Stuffed portobello mushrooms with blue cheese, pancetta-wrapped shrimp, carne asada tacos, Korean BBQ
Soups and Salads: Arugula salad with vinaigrette, chili concarne, hot and sour soup
Entrees: Caul fat-wrapped snapper, braised pork belly, meatloaf, chile relleno
Cheeses: Cabrales blue cheese, Fiscalini Bandage Wrapped Cheddar, Bayley Hazen Blue, Rogue Caveman Blue
Desserts: Bitter chocolate, tiramisu, toffee peanut butter brittle, dark chocolate-dipped strawberries
Cigars: Flor de las Antillas Toro, Rocky Patel Decade, Camacho Corojo Figurado
In other news, in a few correspondences with Nebraska Brewing Co. (http://www.nebraskabrewingco.com/main.asp) looks like they will be making their way back to our shelves, and hopefully soon. Here’s the email I got:
We are actually in the process of selecting a distributor and firing up distribution in Iowa (again). We’re glad to hear you like the beer! I’ll check out your blog and stay tuned for updates on our expansion into Iowa.
A few months ago it sounded like Oskar Blues and Odell was just a matter of time before they would be hitting our shelves in Eastern Iowa, since then, it’s been very quiet on that front. This was a tweet I found on http://www.beerpulse.com talking how Oskar Blues is going international, kind of kick in the balls for Iowans wanting this brewery, but I’m guessing the money is there for Oskar.
.@OskarBlues has gone international per Chris Katechis. 32 US states & now a full truckload for Sweden & few other European cities. #CObeer
Not sure how this slipped through the cracks so quietly but Twisted Pine Brewing out of Boulder, CO (www.twistedpinebrewery.com) has entered the Iowa beer market. I haven’t tried any of their beers yet but they seem to be a solid brewery to have on our shelves. If you’ve had their products I would love to hear your thoughts. Found this info on beerpluse.com.
(Boulder, CO) – Twisted Pine Brewing Companyadded three new states to its distribution base last year and plans to welcome four more territories in 2013. Iowa is first on that list and the Hawkeye State received its first shipment of Twisted ales earlier this week.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Twisted Pine was founded in 1995 and has been hand-crafting award-winning ales ever since. 2012 was a particularly fruitful year on the competition circuit, with the brewery taking two medals at the Colorado State Fair, another five from national events (including two from the GABF) and its first European Beer Star.
“The thing about winning awards and gaining all the recognition that goes along with it,” explains brewery President Bob Baile, “is that you wind up with a lot of distributors knocking on your door.” The decision to go with the Johnson Brothers distribution company in Iowa was in large part due to the successful relationship Twisted Pine has enjoyed with the distributor’s Nebraska branch for the past two years. “Iowa is a very thirsty market,” adds Baile, “and beer drinkers there are really starting to appreciate all that craft beer has to offer.”
In addition to Twisted Pine staples like Hoppy Boy IPA, Raspberry Wheat and Billy’s Chilies, Iowans will find the brewery’s multiple-award-winning Big Shot Espresso Stout on shelves alongside Ghost Face Killah, the spiciest beer in the world. Draft options for Hoppy Boy and Honey Brown will also be immediately available throughout Iowa, with a greater variety of keg shipments forthcoming as Twisted Pine’s presence in the state grows. For more information on the brewery and its offerings, visit http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Twisted Pine Brewing Company has been hand-crafting quality ales since 1995. In addition to such favorites as Hoppy Boy IPA, Raspberry Wheat Ale and Billy’s Chilies, the brewery has repeatedly pushed the boundaries of style guidelines with such creations as Big Shot Espresso Stout and Ghost Face Killah. Twisted Pine is actively involved with local charitable organizations and is a staunch advocate of sustainable business practices. For more information, visit http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com.
If there is any better way to throw a beer tasting event by handing out “Golden Tickets” I have yet to see one. Blackstone restaurant in Iowa City, IA held their Stout Night last night by giving golden tickets to customers who paid $25 to enjoy different stouts. Which leads to this:
A great lineup of brews to accompany a few appetizers made for a great night of fun. The lineup of beers was headlined by North Coast brewings’ Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XV. At 11.9% ABV it was definitely a sipper but the scary thing about this beer is how smooth and drinkable it is. Nice chocolate flavor that goes perfectly with the vanilla flavor that comes from the barrel aging. Terrific beer to go with Blackstone’s chocolate ganache cupcake. Before I jumped on the North Coast pour I started with Toppling Goliath Brown Sugar. Not a stout, I know, but I’m really glad Blackstone decided to have this in the lineup to showcases some Iowa beers. This brown was a bit different from most browns I’ve had as it had a much deeper roasted flavor than others. Very enjoyable and I hope to have access to this brew in the future. Next, I moved on to Green Flash Double Stout. I had yet to have this beer and to enjoy it on tap was very rewarding. This is what a stout should be like; rich, smooth, creamy, and very 
drinkable. Not boozy like some double or imperials, just bold and flavorful.
Bell’s Expedition Stout was up next and beside the Old Rasp this was probably the highlight of my night. Roasted malts, chocolate, and coffee dominate the palate with this beer. 10.5% ABV is in the aroma more than the taste making this dangerously drinkable. Awesome beer!
Overall, my wife and I give this a big thumbs up and are looking forward to more events at Blackstone. The wait staff, the menu, the beers all make this a great place to enjoy an evening of eating and beer drinking.
If there is any better way to throw a beer tasting event by handing out “Golden Tickets” I have yet to see one. Blackstone restaurant in Iowa City, IA held their Stout Night last night by giving golden tickets to customers who paid $25 to enjoy different stouts. Which leads to this:
A great lineup of brews to accompany a few appetizers made for a great night of fun. The lineup of beers was headlined by North Coast brewings’ Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XV. At 11.9% ABV it was definitely a sipper but the scary thing about this beer is how smooth and drinkable it is. Nice chocolate flavor that goes perfectly with the vanilla flavor that comes from the barrel aging. Terrific beer to go with Blackstone’s chocolate ganache cupcake. Before I jumped on the North Coast pour I started with Toppling Goliath Brown Sugar. Not a stout, I know, but I’m really glad Blackstone decided to have this in the lineup to showcases some Iowa beers. This brown was a bit different from most browns I’ve had as it had a much deeper roasted flavor than others. Very enjoyable and I hope to have access to this brew in the future. Next, I moved on to Green Flash Double Stout. I had yet to have this beer and to enjoy it on tap was very rewarding. This is what a stout should be like; rich, smooth, creamy, and very drinkable. Not boozy like some double or imperials, just bold and flavorful.
Bell’s Expedition Stout was up next and beside the Old Rasp this was probably the highlight of my night. Roasted malts, chocolate, and coffee dominate the palate with this beer. 10.5% ABV is in the aroma more than the taste making this dangerously drinkable. Awesome beer!
Overall, my wife and I give this a big thumbs up and are looking forward to more events at Blackstone. The wait staff, the menu, the beers all make this a great place to enjoy an evening of eating and beer drinking.
