Tag: iabeerbaron

Small Town Iowa Eats: Kula’s It’s Just the Sauce; Walker, IA!

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If you’re looking for some excellent BBQ you need to head to Walker, IA. Yes, that is correct…Walker, IA. Once you get to town, roll your window down and let the aroma of smoking meats fill your car! Sitting on the main drag of Walker is Kula’s, It’s Just the Sauce BBQ!

Kulas is barely a year old and besides a Casey’s General Store, is about the only place to dine in this small town. What used to be a bowling alley is now a refurbished bbq joint where three smokers are filled with delicious meats!

During my visit there was a brisket sandwich special but I definitely wanted to try the wings and why not some fries smothered in pulled pork, bbq sauce, and cheese sauce?

THE FOOD

The brisket was tender with the perfect amount of smoke and just a little bit of bbq sauce, I also got horseradish sauce on mine. The wings were smokey and crispy, smoking the wings and then flashing frying them leads to tender and delicious meat, accompanied by a few sides of Kula’s famous sauces! The Carolina fries were exactly what I was expecting; delicious pulled pork, tangy bbq sauce, and cheese sauce. A great item to share.

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The menu has something for everyone. If you’re not a bbq fan, they’ve got homemade pizzas which is something I need to try for sure and I also hear that their Friday fish fry is phenomenal as well. Smoked chicken dinners, smoked prime rib…etc., so many great specials on any given day at Kula’s! Make sure you check their Facebook page by clicking HERE to see what specials they have and to also view their hours!

BEER

Kula’s has your pretty typical tap offerings that you would find in most small Iowa towns but a big plus for me was seeing that Big Grove Easy Eddy tap handle!

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OVERALL

Kula’s has given me enough reason to make the 25 minute drive to Walker to have some excellent BBQ. There are so many other menu items that I would love to try so if you’re driving around the Cedar Rapid’s area and craving some ‘Q head to Walker and to Kula’s, you won’t be disappointed!

Clock House Brewing releasing “Summertime SIPA” this Friday (7/24)!

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clock house

An already busy week for beer releases in Iowa is getting even busier as Clock House Brewing out of Cedar Rapids has announced they will be releasing a sour IPA title “Summertime SIPA” this Friday at 3:00! Here’s more on this brew!

This Friday at 3 PM, we will be releasing Summertime SIPA! A Sour IPA that showcases the fruity character pulled from hops. Flavors of apricot, mandarin orange, lemon, and lime. Tart with a clean and crisp finish. We’ll let you choose whether or not to sip or chug this refreshing summertime fruit bomb!🍋🍊💣

Cans of Summertime SIPA will be available for purchase this Friday from 3-6 PM. To pre-order, click the link below! 🍻

https://fs26.formsite.com/kYff6Z/form/index.html

Releases this week in Iowa Beer

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A lot of great beer releases happening this week around our state, so if you’re looking for something to do, supporting your local brewery is always an option. I know doubt know I’ve missed some other releases and many others may be posted later this so please feel free to let me know what to add! Contact me here benmed15@yahoo.com Here’s a look at this week’s releases:

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**Contrary Brewing – Friday July 24th – Syvyys Russian Imperial Stout

Barrel-aged (for 16 months!) Syvyys Russian Imperial Stout release is this Friday, July 24th at 3pm! We are selling the Syvyys 4-packs for $80/tax included. Sorry, no substitutes. Individual bottles will be available for sale, while supplies last. There will be no limit. No preorders, except for our Lifetime members (some limit restrictions apply, please see your email). That said, we did our best to get enough Syvyys into bottles that we do not foresee running out too quickly (I’ve been wrong before, and I will be again, but…). We look forward to sharing this beer with you!

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**Lion Bridge Brewing – Wednesday July 22nd- Cucumber Kolsch

One of our summer favorites, Cucumber Kölsch, will be available this Wednesday on draft and in cans for the first time ever!

The bright melon character of freshly picked local cucumbers play with the crisp, spicy nature of the style. The result is refreshing and delightful.

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**Big Grove Brewing– Saturday July 25th – BA Velvet, Double Nod, Into the Jungle

BA Velvet is a sold out ticket release, but will be available on tap. Double Nod and Into the Jungle will be available presale starting on July 22nd so check Big Grove out on Facebook for that link. Along with those 3 beers, their popular Strawberry Lemonade sour is available around the area right now. Here’s more on the 1st 3 brews:

We are excited to present you with Barrel Aged Velvet. This special brew is an Extended Boil Imperial Stout that we aged in freshly emptied Kentucky Bourbon Barrels. The beer was aged for a year and then finished on Grade A Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans. You can expect a viscous mouthfeel, notes of roasted malt, marshmallow, dark chocolate, and an explosion of vanilla—highlighted by a smoothness that only comes from age and using the finest ingredients.

We offer BA Velvet to you as an escape from life’s stressors, and a celebration of what is good in life.
Many thanks and cheers,
The Big Grove Team

Barrel Aged Velvet will be available for pick up July 25 in Iowa City and Solon. The Iowa City Taproom and Solon Brewpub will each open at 9:00 am. You’re welcome to come into the Taproom to get your beer (with strict social distancing measures in place), or we will have a contactless drive-thru available from 9-11 am. You’re required to have your ID and receipt with your order number (paper or electronic version) available for pick up.

We will be running food specials starting at 9:00 am and Barrel Aged Velvet will be on tap at both locations.

Double Nod and Into the Jungle (new) will also be available for purchase. We will be launching a pre-sale for those 2 brands on 7/22 at 10 am. They will be available for pick up when during the same period as Barrel Aged Velvet. It is okay to order separately and pick up together, though we ask that you please keep all receipts on-hand.

Proxies are allowed. The party picking up the beer must have a photo of the buyer’s ID (smartphone image is acceptable) and the order receipt (paper or electronic version) for the beer they are picking up.

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**Backpocket Brewing – Wednesday July 22nd – Pucker Up Right Meow

Backpocket will be releasing their double dry hopped sour this coming Wednesday and if you’re a mug club member you can get a free pour today!

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**Marto Brewing – ALL WEEK! Happy 1 year anniversary to Marto Brewing Company and they have a lot of tasty beers in store all through the week! Here’s their lineup:

Bent w/ hazelnut, Madagascar vanilla beans, & coconut. 11% ABV pastry stout brewed with lactose. Available on tap only, no crowlers.

Monday- Bent w/ hazelnut, vanilla, & coconut. On tap only.

Tuesday- Squishee – Say It Ain’t So (Raspberry, Black Currant, Cherry Kool-Aid, & marshmallow) On tap only.

Wednesday- Member Berries – It’s back! On tap & crowlers.

Thursday – Whammo – Hefeweizen – On tap & crowlers.

Friday- Bent w/ cinnamon, vanilla, cacao nibs, & habanero. On tap only.

Saturday – Birthday Diva – Bourbon barrel aged imperial stout w/ toasted coconut, vanilla beans, cacao nibs, & pecans. On tap & available in limited bottles at noon.

Sunday – Bent w/ maple & Stone Bru coffee. On tap only.

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**Barn Town Brewing – Saturday July 25th – Citra Neon

Coming off a delicious release of Nelson Sauvin Neon, Barn Town looks to go back to back with the release of Citra Neon. Here’s more on this brew:

Our Neon Hazy IPA made with 100% Citra Hops & Double Dry Hopped with all the Citra Hops! Available in 4 packs and draft!

 

 

Brews from Une Annee/Hubbard’s Cave + Ciders from Eden Ciders highlight this week’s Abu Nawas drop!

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Tons of drinks for cider + beer lovers this week, here we go!

Eden Specialty Ciders:
  • Eden Heritage Cider 6/4/16oz CAN – Authentic Heritage Cider. Locally grown Heritage apple varieties. Pressed at harvest, fermented slow and cold to preserve every drop of flavor. No added sugar, color or flavoring. Kingston Black, McIntosh, Empire, Bulmers Norman, Gravenstein. 6.2% ABV.
  • Eden Sparkling Dry 12/375ml Bottles. This elegant hard cider is reminiscent of Champagne. Barrel-fermented and aged 1 year in French Oak puncheons • Secondary fermentation in the bottle using juice, no sugar added.100% Vermont Apples. 8.5% ABV.
Eden Specialty ICE CIDERS:
  • Eden Heirloom Blend Ice Cider 2013 6/375ml Bottles. Ice Cider brings the essence of pure apple to a sophisticated dessert wine. Vermont’s natural winter cold is used to concentrate cider to the optimum balance of sweetness and acidity. Our unique blend of traditional and heirloom apples produces a complex, delicious flavor that complements food yet may be savored on its own. It takes over 8 lbs. of apples to make just one beautiful bottle! 10% ABV.
  • Eden Honeycrisp Ice Cider 2015 6/375ml Bottles. This tangy, elegant ice cider is made 100% from Vermont-grown Honeycrisp apples. The Honeycrisp is a prized Northern USA apple variety. As its name suggests, there is a honeyed quality to its sweetness, accompanied by sufficient acidity to keep the flavor fresh and crisp. Enjoy with cheese, maple Cème Brulee, or butter cookies. 10% ABV.
Eden Orleans Specialty Aperitif:
  • Eden Orleans BITTER Aperitif 6/750ml BOT – ORLEANS BITTER. Traditional and heirloom varieties of apples, infused with red currant and blended with dandelion, gentian and angelica bitters. 16% ABV.
  • Eden Orleans HERBAL Aperitif 6/750ml BOT – ORLEANS HERBAL. Traditional and heirloom varieties of apples, infused with whole fresh Vermont-grown herbs. 16% ABV.
  • Eden Orleans WOOD Aperitif 6/750ml BOT – ORLEANS Wood APERITIF is a CIDER INFUSED WITH WORMWOOD ROOT, SPRUCE TIPS, SWEET GALE, WILD MINT & RAW HONEY. 16% ABV
Une Année / Hubbard’s Cave Brewery:
  • Une Annee MAYA 6/4/16oz CANS – Belgian IPA with Amarillo, Citra, and Summit hops. 7.6% ABV.
  • Une Annee TABLE 6/4/16oz CANS – Dry-Hoppy Tart Light Saison. 4.8% ABV.
  • Une Annee QUAD Vintage 2019 6/4/16oz CANS – The richest of all Belgian ales, the Quadrupel is not for the faint of heart. Pouring deep amber, mellow in color but rich with flavor. Look for plum, dried cherry, and fig esters with mild phenolic spice notes and a dry finish. 11% ABV.
  • Une Annee Framboise12/2/16oz 2-Pack CANS – American Wild Ale Fermented with Raspberries. 6.5% ABV
  • Une Annee Kriek 12/2/16oz 2-Pack CANS – American Wild Ale with Morello Cherry. 7.5% ABV
  • Une Annee Le Seul Tangerine 12/2/16oz 2-Pack CANS – American Wild Ale Fermented with Tangerine. 6.5% ABV.
  • Une Annee Le Seul Tart Cherry & Cranberry 12/2/16oz 2-Pack CANS – Wild ale fermented with Tart Cherries and Cranberries. 7.1% ABV.
  • Une Annee Le Seul Elderberry  12/4/16oz 2-Pack CANS – Wild ale fermented with Elderberries. 6.5% ABV.
  • Une Annee Le Seul Plum 12/24/16oz 2-pack CANS – 2 Pack. American Wild Ale Fermented with Plums. 6.5% ABV.
  • Une Annee Peche 12/2/16oz 2-Pack CANS – American Wild Ale with Peaches. 7.5% ABV
  • Hubbard’s Cave GLAMPFIRE VICTUALS 6/4/16oz CANS – Golden Pale Ale with Mosaic, Simcoe, and Ekuanot hops. 6% ABV.
  • Hubbard’s Cave ICED MOCHA 6/4/16oz CANS – Delicious Stout with Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla, and Lactose. 6% ABV.
  • Hubbard’s Cave BLACKBERRY FRENCH TOAST12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – Imperial Stout with Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Lactose, and Blackberries. 12% ABV.

Drink This! My Beer of the Summer (so far); Big Grove Three Peat Wheat

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The dog days are upon us and the typical Iowa July is officially here as the temps and humidity keep making us thirstier and thirstier for a cold brew. And while there are many great Iowa beer options out there I recently had the chance to try Big Grove’s latest wheat, Three Peat. Here are the deets:

Passion fruit, pineapple, and plum come together to create an exceptionally light and refreshing fruited wheat ale that’s bursting at the seams with all the right flavors – you’ll want to have it on repeat… or maybe more 😉

This wheat beer is brewed with pineapple, passion fruit, and plum and checks in at 5.2%. While this may sound like an over the top fruit beer, it’s not. In fact BG brewers did a great job on balancing the three fruits and not making this an over the top sweet treat. Big Grove knew exactly what they were doing with this one…hot ass Iowa months ahead, let’s make a summer slammer and this sure is hell is it. Easy drinking on their beautiful patio and add with a tuna poke bowl and you’re in heaven.

So, go grab yourself a pint or a growler and just hope they keep making this one as we hit these hot months. Any chance we can get these mutha in cans BG? My mouth is watering…I’m going to need one of these again really soon. Make sure you get out there and Drink This!

Stillwater, Omnipollo, + Evil Twin drop from Abu Nawas this week!

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STILLWATER ARTISANAL ALES:
  • Stillwater MICRO 6/4/16oz CANS – Citra-focused Pale Ale. 4.5% ABV.
  • Stillwater SPACED 6/4/16oz CAN – Delicious Low-gravity IPA Brewed with Spelt and Wheat. 3.8% ABV. Just the way we love them!
  • Stillwater THE CLOUD 6/4/16oz CAN – Soft and Fluffy IPA brewed with Oats and Lactose as well as an absurd amount of new school German hops Huell Melon & Mandarina Bavaria and accented with Mosaic & Centennial. 7% ABV.
  • Stillwater FAST FASHION 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Dry-Hopped IPA Brewed with Spelt and Oats. 6.5% ABV.
  • Stillwater NO EXIT 6/4/12oz CAN – Dry hopped sour ale with white sage. Collaboration with the indie band Tennis. 4.5% ABV.
  • Stillwater NU TROPIC 6/4/12oz CAN – Tropical IPA with Mango & Passionfruit. 6% ABV.
  • Stillwater EXTRA DRY 6/4/16oz CAN –  Definitely one of our Island Beers. Sake Style Saison brewed with sake rice and dry-hopped with Citra, Hallertau Blanc, and Sterling. 4.2% ABV.
  • Stillwater EXTRA EXTRA 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Brut IPA where Champagne Yeast is King resulting in a Bone-Dry IPA. 8% ABV.
  • Stillwater TANGERINE HAZE 6/4/12oz CAN – Juicy Dry-Hopped Sour IPA with Tangerine. 7.0% ABV.
OMNIPOLLO:
  • Omnipollo ZODIAK MULTIVERSE 6/4/16oz CANS – Double Dry Hopped DIPA generously hopped with Simcoe, Citra, and Centennial. 8% ABV.
  • Omnipollo NEBUCHADNEZZAR6/4/16OZ CAN- DIPA scaled up with no consideration to economies of scale. 8.5% ABV.
  • Omnipollo DEVIN THE DUDE 6/4/12oz CAN – Beautifully made German-style pilsner. 5.2% ABV. 💗THE BEER IN HONOR OF YOUR RAPPERS FAVORITE RAPPER 💗    http://blurredculture.com/devin-the-dude-releases-his-own-beer/
  • Omnipollo AGAMEMNON 6/4/16oz CAN – OmniPollo’s beloved, original Maple Syrup Imperial Stout is back and better than ever in 16oz cans. 12.5% ABV.
EVIL TWIN BREWING:
  • Evil Twin Sanguinem Aurantiaco 6/4/12oz CAN – Delicious Blood Orange Sour Ale. 3.25% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Mission Gose 6/4/12oz CAN – A Thirst-Quenching Gose with Eucalyptus. 4% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Learn What Is to Be Taken Seriously and Laugh at the Rest 6/4/16oz CANS – Double Dry Hopped IPA. 7% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Imperial Simcoe Slacker 6/4/16oz CANS – Simcoe packed IPA. 7.5% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Falco 6/4/16oz CAN – Perfectly balanced American IPA. 7.0% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Molotov Grapefruit 4/6/12oz CAN – Jeppe’s Legendary Triple IPA with a surprise Grapefruit twist. 12% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Molotov Peach 4/6/12oz CAN – Jeppe’s Legendary Triple IPA with a surprise Peach twist. 12% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Molotov Passionfruit 4/6/12oz CAN – Jeppe’s Legendary Triple IPA with a surprise Passionfruit twist. 12% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Molotov Cocktail6/4/12oz CAN – Jeppe’s Legendary Triple IPA. 12% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Molotov Lite 6/4/16oz CAN – Lite version of a Triple IPA is a Double IPA at only 8.5% ABV.

Lion Bridge releasing 2 beers tomorrow (7/1) + Cucumber Kolsch coming to cans 7/28!

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Lion Bridge brewing will be releasing 2 new cans to their lineup tomorrow (7/1) at 3 p.m. at their brewery in the Czech Village. Here’s what we can expect tomorrow!

A new one: Green Dragon (New Zealand Pilsner, 5.5%abv) New Zealand Motueka hops and a cool fermentation with our house Alt yeast yield this niche style that is clean and quaffable with pronounced tropical fruit and citrus flavors.

And an old favorite, now in CANS: Kundera Kolsch (4.6%abv) Slight hop bitterness, pleasing European malt character and pleasant floral German hop flavor and aroma.

We’ll also have Dan & Debbie’s ice cream pints for sale out of the Taproom tomorrow.

Also announced for a July 28th release is a personal summer favorite and that is Cucumber Kolsch coming to cans!

Cucumber Kölsch (Field Beer, 4.6%) – Lion Bridge Brewing Company teamed up with Bass Farms to brew this intriguing take on a classic German style. The bright melon character of fresh picked cucumber plays with the crisp, spicy nature of the style. The result is refreshing and delightful. Cheers to local producers!

Clown Shoes drop this week! Including “Rainbows are Real” hazy IPA infused with Terpenes

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Here comes a big Clown Shoes drop! Check it out!

  • Clown Shoes Crunkle Sam 2020 1/12/19.2oz “Stovepipe” CAN – Bourbon Barrel-Aged American Barleywine. 10% ABV. Just in time for the 4th!
  • Clown Shoes Undead Rhapsody 1/12/19.2oz “Stovepipe” CAN – American Imperial Stout With Barleywine Ale Aged in Bourbon and Rum Barrels. 11% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Rainbows are Real 6/4/16oz CAN – Hazy IPA Infused with Terpenes. 6.75% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Cashed Up Bogan 6/4/16oz CAN – Double IPA with Australian Hops. 8% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes DDH Zen Garden 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Dry Hopped New England India Pale Ale, flush with full-bodied, hazy flavor from wheat and oat in the malt bill and a steady stream of hop additions. Hopped with Azacca, Citra, and Mosaic. 6.75% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Coconut Sombrero 6/4/16oz CAN – Mexican-Style Chocolate Stout adds Coconut into the mix for a smooth and sweet seasonal twist alongside the classic roasted malt and chocolate flavors that define our Sombrero series. 7% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Mocha Sombrero 6/4/16oz CAN – A variant of Chocolate Sombrero. Mexican-Style Chocolate Stout with Coffee and Vanilla. 7% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Sunhat 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy Farmhouse IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado Hops. Great Citrus-Forward Aroma Flavor. 7% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Drongo 24/16 oz 4-Pack. This beer is a blend of kettle sour and Australian hopped IPA (Galaxy and Ella). 6.5% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Leaving Atlantis 6/4/16oz CAN – IPA with Chardonnay Grape Must. 7% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Galactica IIPA 6/4/16oz CAN – Clown Shoes Famed Double IPA Dry hopped with Galaxy Hops, this one balances a hop profile of light bitterness and notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and pine with a clean malt backbone.. 8% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Space Cake 6/4/16oz CAN – Clown Shoes Space Cake 6/4/16oz CAN – Double IPA with Mosaic and Citra Hops. 9% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Pineapple Space Cake 6/4/16oz CAN – Pineapple Double IPA. 7.77% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Bubble Farm IPA  6/4/16oz CAN – American IPA maintains an approachable medium-body without sacrificing any of the full aroma and flavor of copious dry-hopping additions of Simcoe, Azacca, and Idaho 7 hops. 6.5% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Lil Crispy 6/4/16oz CAN – Crisp Light IPA with Centennial, Simcoe, and Huell Melon Hops. 4.8% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Clementine 6/4/16oz CAN –  White Ale with Spices, All Natural Clementine Flavor, Sweet Orange Peel, Coriander, Mandarina Hops. 6% ABV. ***NEW 16oz CAN***
  • Clown Shoes Mango Kolsch 6/4/16oz CAN – American Kōlsch with All Natural Mango Flavor, Columbus and Huell Melon Hops. 5.5% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Pecan Pie Porter 6/4/16oz CAN –  American Porter with All-Natural Pecan Pie Flavor. 8% ABV.

Backpocket Brewing July Releases! 8th Anniversary Stout set for 7/18 taproom only release!

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saturdaytikiSales Sheet - July 2020 12 oz Cans

Here’s the inside scoop on upcoming July releases from Backpocket! If you haven’t tried their latest sours you should add that task to your weekend list! Here are the dates for their July releases!

07/04/20 Saturday Morning: Berries 4pk/16oz
07/10/20 Angel Haze NEIPA 4pk/16oz
07/17/20 Pucker Up Right Meow  6pk/12oz
07/18/20 8th Anniversary BA Stout 12oz Bottles (Taproom Only)
07/24/20 Tiki Sour 4pk/16oz
07/24/20 Hawktoberfest 6pk/12oz
07/24/20 Clonefest Festbier 6pk/12oz
07/31/20 House Divided NEIPA 4pk/12oz