Beer Review #107: Goose Island Sofie Paradisi

July 2, 2013Leave a comment

When AB-InBev bought Goose Island a few years back, I vowed to stay away from their beers solely on the basis of any trying to support craft breweries. It hasn’t been all that difficult to do, except for the occasional Bourbon County Stout, Matilda, or Sofie. But now, after trying Sofie Paradisi, the task may prove to be more daunting than originally thought.

I know many of you will scoff at the idea of not drinking Goose Island just because InBev owns it now, and that’s fine, to each his own. But when a beer gets this much pub and chatter about it, you just have to get your hands on it. Well, I wasn’t able to find this beer anywhere in Iowa, but on a recent trip up north to Madison my wife and I stopped and ate at the Craftsman Table and Tap (http://www.craftsmantableandtap.com/) in Middleton, WI. A really great beer menu to go along with some fantastic food (I recommend the pulled brisket sandwich and a side order of cheese curds) my eyes darted right to where the listing for Sofie Paradisi was. YES! Finally!

The difference between Goose Island Sofie and Goose Island Sofie Paradisi uses grapefruit instead of orange peel. The grapefruit is definitely in the nose along with the earthiness that accompanies a saison style brew. Along with grapefruit rind you get yeast, grassiness, and a little hop bitterness. Overall, a highly drinkable beer. More from the brewery:

60% Ale Aged in barrels with grapefruit rind and juice, 40% Ale (Base Sofie)

Now the question is…which one is better? If you’ve had both feel free to cast your vote below. I’m still up in the air, I would love to have Paradisi a few more times before giving my final verdict.

REVIEW

Style: Fruit Beer/Saison

ABV: 6.7%

Purchased at: Craftsman Table and Tap; Middleton, WI

Pour: Golden pour with a thick pillowy head.

Aroma: Yeast, grapefruit, earthiness

Flavor: A bit of oak, grapefruit, yeast, a bit peppery

Ratebeer.com rating: 97

Beeradvocate rating: 95

Overall: A-

My recommendation: A perfect summer beer. Really would love to get my hands on a few bottles of this. Terrific brew!

New to Shelves: Rubeus, Stone Ruin 10, Point Beyond the Pale

June 28, 2013June 28, 2013Leave a comment

Some old news and some newer news for Eastern Iowa beer lovers this week. Talking with some sources it seems some of you have been able to get your hands on Founders Rubaeus whereas others are still waiting for it to hit their market. If you haven’t been able to get it yet it should be available Eastern Iowa wide by next week.

Also, Stone Ruin 10 is available and is always a must try brew.

Now, I know that Point Brewery beers haven’t really been thought of as must try beers, and rightfully so, but they appear to see the writing on the wall and have now released Point Beyond the Pale IPA. All galaxy hopped IPA. I haven’t had it yet, but am willing to give it a go. Here’s the break down of all three brews:

Founders Rubaeus:
ABV: 6.9%
Ratebeer: 91
Beeradvocate: 88

Stone RuinTen IPA
ABV: 10.8%
Ratebeer: 100
Beeradvocate: 97
Point Beyond the Pale IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Ratebeer: N/A
Beeradvocate: 85

**Also is going to come in at an affordable $6-$7 six pack.

If you spot any new beers on your shelves please drop me a line and spread the knowledge! Cheers!

Iowa Beer Review #106: Great River Dirty Blonde

June 25, 20131 Comment

Keeping the theme of Iowa beers this week, we move on down the Mississippi to Davenport, IA to review a brew from Great River Brewing Company (www.greatriverbrewery.com). One of their beers is already a mainstay in my fridge and that is the Redband Coffee Stout which packs a huge coffee punch and is also remarkably smooth, but we are going to focus on one of their newer releases, their Dirty Blonde Chocolate Ale.

When one thinks of chocolatey beers, you go right into stouts and porters, but with this brew, you are getting a lighter beer with subtle hints of chocolate. The six-pack design is poised to sell just from looks alone but if you are a beer drinker who is in to pilsners, blondes, or even mass-produced BMC, this might be a perfect companion to your summer days/nights.

You got a faint hint of bittersweet chocolate on the nose once the can is cracked. The first sip is where you get the chocolate, and if you forgot their would be chocolate in this blonde ale, this first sip might take you aback a bit. After the first chocolate flavor, the subtleness and refreshing qualities of a blonde ale took over. It was easy to put down a six-pack of this and I’m looking forward to grabbing another one of these off the shelves.

Like the Peace Tree Sidekick Kolsch, this isn’t going to be a beer that knocks your socks off like some Imperial IPAs or barrel aged stouts, or anything like that. It’s just an easy drinking, perfect for the summer months, unique blonde ale that anyone can enjoy.

REVIEW

Style: Blonde ale

ABV: ?

Purchased at: Hy-Vee; Marion, IA

Pour: Light yellow pour, drank from the can or pour.

Aroma: Nice smell of chocolate initially.

Flavor: Chocolate flavor right away and then mellows into a nice blonde.

Ratebeer.com rating: 32

Beeradvocate.com rating: 85

Overall: C+

My recommendation: Very enjoyable and unique. If you want something easy drinking this is a great choice.

Madhouse Brewing Belgian Golden Ale releases next week!

June 19, 20133 Comments

The next part of the successful Madhouse Brewing (www.madhousebeer.com) Venture Series is due to hit Eastern Iowa shelves next week. Their summer seasonal Belgian Golden Ale will be making its way to Eastern Iowa. From the Madhouse Brewing Facebook page:

This Belgian Golden Ale features the Nelson Sauvin hop from New Zealand. This hop variety is named for its aromatic similarity to Sauvignon Blanc wines. This creates a complex aroma which mixes the spice and clove from the Belgian yeast with tropical fruit and citrus from the hops. This beer finishes clean and crisp to make it the perfect summer release.

I’m really excited for this release as I’ve been exploring more Belgian style brews lately. Also, if you haven’t had their Maple nut-brown, I’ve seen some bombers still on the shelves. I really enjoyed that beer, give it a shot! Support Iowa craft beer!

Distribution News: Horny Goat Brewing Heading to Iowa

June 18, 2013Leave a comment

I’m not sure who’s going to get excited for this, but according to http://www.beerpulse.com, Horny Goat brewery out of Milwaukee, WI will started distributing their beers to Eastern Iowa shelves in the 2nd Quarter of 2013. I’ve had a few of their offerings, and the only thing I can say is that I hope they get a hell of a lot better and a name change might do them good as well. But anyway, the following news comes from beerpulse.com:

(Milwaukee, WI) – Horny Goat Brewing Company is starting their 4th year in the craft industry with new brews and new distribution. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Horny Goat prides itself on creating delicious beers that are both traditional and different. This summer marks the second year Watermelon Wheat, their best selling seasonal, will be available in markets. With real watermelon added during the fermentation stage this wheat ale is a great beer to enjoy during the summer. They are also perfecting new brews in preparation for mass distribution at their Milwaukee Brew Pub. Horny Goat Brewing Company is expanding its reach to many additional markets in the United States in the near future.

RECENT ADDITIONAL MARKETS
3rd and 4th Quarter 2012:
Texas, Nebraska, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee

1st Quarter 2013
Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri

2nd Quarter 2013
Iowa

Horny Goat Brewing Company currently serves 19 states. Horny Goat was founded in 2009 on the idea that craft beer should be fun and not so pompous. Horny Goat Brewing Company’s line includes a wide variety of flavors both traditional and unique: Exposed Cream Ale, Hopped UP ‘N Horny IPA, Horny Blonde Lager, Baby Got Bock, Watermelon Wheat, HornyCopia Pumpkin Ale, Oktoberfest, Stacked Milk Stout, Brownie Porter, and Chocolate Cherry Stout.

Newest Beer Label Approvals from Beerpulse

June 17, 2013Leave a comment

I love Beerpulse (www.beerpulse.com). Not only do they have constant news from the beer world but one of my favorite things is when they show the newest label approvals for beers yet to be released. It gives us a great opportunity to take a look and plan out what is ahead. Now, not all of these beers will be available in Iowa, in fact, we might not see any of them. But I know there are readers that come to this blog that will travel to different states to get their hands on beers that we can’t get in Iowa. Below is a list of the newest label approvals, a brief description, and their link to beerpulse.com. Are any of these beers worthy of a drive to Chicago? Madison? Minny? Are any of these beers, whose brewer’s beers are usually on our shelves, absolutely a must to get into Iowa? I would love your thoughts! Here is a sampling:

Pipeworks Brewing Company (http://www.pipeworksbrewing.net/)

*Raspberry Truffle Abduction Imperial Stout – http://beerpulse.com/beer/pipeworks-raspberry-truffle-abduction-imperial-stout-2/
*Chipotle Smoked Porter – http://beerpulse.com/beer/pipeworks-chipotle-smoked-porter/

Bear Republic Brewing Company – http://bearrepublic.com/

*Cafe Racer 15 Imperial IPA –http://beerpulse.com/beer/bear-republic-cafe-racer-15-double-ipa-2/

Summit Brewing Company – http://www.summitbrewing.com/

*Another IPA – http://beerpulse.com/beer/summit-another-ipa-2/

Boulevard Brewing Company – http://www.boulevard.com/

*Mid Coast IPA – http://beerpulse.com/beer/boulevard-mid-coast-ipa/

*Westside Rye Ale – http://beerpulse.com/beer/boulevard-westside-rye-ale/

Magic Hat Brewing Company – http://www.magichat.net/

*DeVEILed Amber Ale – http://beerpulse.com/beer/magic-hat-deveiled-amber-ale/

*Seance Saison – http://beerpulse.com/beer/magic-hat-seance-saison/

Dogfish Head Brewing Company – www.dogfish.com

*Northfield Mount Hermon Ale – http://beerpulse.com/beer/dogfish-head-northfield-mount-hermon-ale/

Really excited for the Boulevard series they are coming out with. Also, I think I would head to Madison to get my hands on the Cafe Racer 15 from Bear Republic. To check out all the recent label approvals head over to http://beerpulse.com/beers/ with more from Lakefront, Alaskan, Anchor, Slyfox, Bells, Shipyard, and more!

Beer Release News: Green Flash, Widmer, Goose Island

June 17, 2013Leave a comment

Some news on some harder to come by beers has made its way to the Baron. Green Flash, Widmer Brothers, and Goose Island all have beers that should be making their way into our market in the next few months and a couple of these might be harder to come by than others. Here we go!

Green Flash Citra Session IPA – My sources tell me that is beer is only going to be available on draft at these locations (so far): Parlor Ciy, The Mill, Reds Alehouse, and Lot 1 (Dubuque). Should be seeing this brew this week! More on this beer:

ABV: 4.3%
BA Score: 81
RB Score: 87

From the brewery: A pale gold citrusy brew with notes of lemon and floral undertones, this is the perfect summer IPA.

Widmer Brothers Kill Devil – Kill Devil is a brown ale made with brown sugar and molasses and then aged in rum barrels. The date for this is not quite definite yet but hopefully in the next few weeks. More on this beer:

ABV: 9.5%
BA Score: 83
RB Score: 90

From the brewery: Aged in Puerto Rican rum barrels, and brewed with Sweet Barbados and Blackstrap molasses, palm sugar, and Calypso hops, Kill Devil’s flavor and name were inspired by the ingredients used by Caribbean distillers.”

Continue reading →

Iowa Beer Review #105: Peace Tree Sidekick Kolsch

June 12, 20131 Comment

Looking for that beer that you grab out of your fridge in the garage after doing some yard work? Or a brew to grab and then sit in your lawn chair and listen to a ball game on the radio? Or just a nice, crisp, refreshing Iowa brewed beer that hits the spot in any situation? Well, look no further than Peace Tree Brewing’s Sidekick Kolsch (www.peacetreebrewing.com). When drinking a Kolsch style brew you should be light fruit flavor, minimal hop presence, slight bitter and dry finish to the beer, and Sidekick does is a very strong representation of this style.

Old Chicago Restaurants Re-branding; more Iowa brews to be featured?

June 11, 20132 Comments

After reading through the article below I think this would be a great step for this franchise to make. I’m not a huge proponent of national chain restaurants but I’ve always thought of Old Chicago as being a decent fall-back choice when other options were not available. Now, if I can go to the Coralville location after an Iowa football game and enjoy a Toppling Goliath pseudoSue or a Millstream Back Road Stout, that would definitely put my butt in their seat. Here is the press release courtesy of www.beerpulse.com:

(Boulder, CO) – Old Chicago Pizza and TapRoom, founded in Boulder in 1976, is unveiling a national brand redesign that includes a new look and feel of the restaurant’s atmosphere and a revamped menu featuring 40 new offerings focused on fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients. To celebrate the redesign in the mile high city, Old Chicago created a pizza that is five feet in diameter with two toppings that weigh 80 ounces each. It will be Colorado’s largest pizza and available for tasting for the first 400 guests at the Old Chicago at 1280 S. Colorado Blvd. The pizza will be available from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11(th) .

A leader in the traditional casual dining space, Old Chicago has been serving handcrafted cuisine and local craft beers in Colorado and across the nation for 37 years. The brand redesign is driven by Old Chicago’s commitment to quality creations and to showcasing Colorado-based brewers while providing great value in a welcoming atmosphere.

“We’re proud to offer our guests the same great quality they have come to love over the last three decades, with a new twist sure to excite old and new guests,” said Will Powers, senior director of Marketing for Old Chicago. “With the brand redesign, we’ll introduce the next generation of Old Chicago and continue our tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live and work.”

Over the past two years, Old Chicago has aligned with national brand partners and invested significant resources to test new concepts and launch the redesign with the number one goal of enhancing the overall customer experience. The redesigned interior and exterior of the restaurant includes re-engineered kitchen and bar technologies, a new guest-tested menu specializing in handcrafted pizzas, and a vast craft beer selection tapping into Colorado’s local brewers.

Offering a variety of quality beers has always been an important focus for Old Chicago, with the well-known World of Beer tour; however, with the brand redesign, the company is redefining its commitment to offering local craft beers. Each restaurant now offers 36 craft beers on tap, with a rotating schedule featuring local beers from microbreweries.

“Colorado is a leading area for craft brewers,” said Daniel Imdieke, manager of Beer Operations for Old Chicago. “People from all over the country come to Colorado to taste some of the best craft beers available, and we’re excited to feature those varieties on a regular basis at all of our locations.”

Additionally, Old Chicago has a long tradition of giving back to the communities in which they operate through the CraftWorks Foundation. The foundation is committed to combating and addressing the social issues of hunger. Over the next year, Old Chicago locations in Colorado and across the country will create opportunities to contribute to their local neighborhoods.

Founders releasing Backstage Series in August: Mango Magnifico con Calor

June 5, 2013June 5, 20132 Comments

This comes from Founders’ facebook page:

Announcing the next beer in our Backstage Series: Mango Magnifico con Calor, a never-before-released, high-gravity fruit beer brewed with mango and a touch of Michigan-grown habaneros. Available this August.

Sounds very interesting and I’m looking forward to trying it out!