Beer Review #118: Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break Natale Pretty Please with a Cherry on Top

August 25, 2014August 25, 2014Leave a comment

The name sold me on this brew, and with most Evil Twin offerings I was expecting it to be good. Some of their brews have been great, and some I thought missed the mark for my tastebuds, but this one seems like a can’t miss. Adding sour cherries to an imperial porter had me salivating on the spot so I grabbed a bottle which my local Hy-Vee had marked down to $7.99 from the original $13.99 price tag.

I shared this bottle with a buddy of mine and before drinking it I went ahead and read some reviews on Untappd from some people whose opinions I respect and half of those fine folks found this beer to be a bit medicinal and didn’t care for it while others thought it to be one of their favorite porter style beers they’ve had. Here’s what I found:

Off the pour with a decent sized tan head. Dark black color and quite a bit of lacing around my glass. The aroma wasn’t dominated by the cherry at all but much like any imperial stout/porter; chocolate and coffee were very present. The taste right away was a bitter chocolate with a small amount of dark fruit present. Not a cherry overload, but I was hoping for more cherries than what I got. Maybe the “cherry on top” in the title suggests a tad bit of cherry flavoring and not a more abundant amount, so if that’s the case, my bad.

Overall, it was decent. At $13.99 a bottle I would pass as I was hoping for a little more than “decent”, but the $7.99 price tag made me feel better about the purchase. Was this something that needed to be fresh? If so, that’s my fault. I think a Founders Porter or Deschutes Black Butte could satisfy my porter needs just as well as this imperial, if not better.

REVIEW

STYLE: Imperial Porter

ABV: 11.5%

PURCHASED AT: Oakland Road Hy-Vee

POUR: Dark black with a thick, tan head.

AROMA: Dark chocolate and coffee.

TASTE: Dark chocolate and coffee with a touch of dark fruits.

Ratebeer.com rating: 98/100

Beeradvocate rating: 92/A

Overall: C+

My recommendation:I might take a little flack for this rating but it just didn’t do it for me. It was decent. That’s the bland word I would use to describe it. A lot of great porters out there that I would buy over this.

New Holland Brewing coming to Iowa by September!

August 15, 2014Leave a comment

The following comes from a New Holland press release and is courtesey of http://www.beerpulse.com. More beer coming our way, can’t wait!

(Holland, MI) – Holland, Michigan-based craft brewery and artisan distiller, New Holland Brewing Co. has announced plans to distribute their products to four new markets across the great plains and into the Rocky Mountains beginning mid-August. Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa will soon be a part of the brewery’s now 24-state territory for beer and 17-state territory for spirits, including Washington D.C. To celebrate, New Holland will be hosting a handful of events in each state in August and September to kick off their launch in Central U.S.

“We are inspired by our mission to contribute flavorful choices to the passionate and thirsty craft drinkers,” stated Fred Bueltmann, VP of Brand and Lifestyle. “We feel connected to these markets for so many reasons, and have heard the call of demand for our beers and spirits. It’s clear there is a strong and growing craft scene, with passionate and dedicated people moving it forward”

New Holland has tapped several respected companies as their distributors for the new territories. CR Goodman in Colorado, Quality Brands of Omaha and Double Eagle in Lincoln, Nebraska, Worldwide Wine and Spirits in Kansas, and Glazer’s of Iowa. “It is amazing to see the remarkable level of service in the craft distribution game,” stated Bueltmann. “We have come a long way as an industry and we are impressed and excited to work with our new partners.”

New Holland will release their Year Round series of craft beer (Mad Hatter IPA, Sundog Amber Ale, Full Circle Kolsh, Monkey King Saison, The Poet Oatmeal Stout and Dragon’s Milk Barrel-Aged Stout) and many of their spirits (Knickerbocker Gin, Hatter Royale Hopped Whiskey and Clockwork Orange Liqueur), as well as several seasonal offerings, with their popular but allocated Beer Barrel Bourbon to follow as production allows. Additionally, the New Holland and Carhartt collaboration brew – The Carhartt Woodsman – will be launched in mid-September.

“As Midwesterners, we have great affinity for the lifestyle of the Great Plains and the Rockies. We embrace the outdoors, craftsmanship and taking time to linger over flavors and conversation. We’re looking forward to sharing New Holland’s Stop and Taste way of life.”

Big Grove Brewery’s Bitchin Birthday Bash Details!

August 13, 2014Leave a comment

In late August the town of Solon will be flooded with beer lovers for almost one whole week as Big Grove Brewery celebrates their 1 year anniversary with an array of fantastic brews and some unique and wonderful food. I just came from the brewery and picked up a release brochure and here is what is planned, I wish I could make all events but if you are going drop me a line and I would love to meet up for a brew or 10. Here we go!

Tuesday, August 26 @ 6pm

“Cry Havoc! and Let Slip the Hos of War.”

$50 tickets (tax and tip included)

Carnitas tacos made from a whole roasted hog served with house made salsas and accoutrements. Preview ALL special release beers! Includes one 1/6 bbl each and all you can eat/drink. Only 50 seats available.

Wednesday, August 27 @ 6 pm

“All Hops, All the Thai’m”

$29 tickets (tax and tip included)

That BBQ buffet and full flight of DIPAs, Bell’s Hopsolution and a selection from Lagunitas.

Thursday, August 28

“Acid Funk”

Sour beer highlights with HotRod Lincoln performing on the patio. Tapping BGB young sour peach.

Friday, August 29

“The Pin is Mightier…”

BGB and Summit casks on the bar. 3 pm tappings.

Saturday, August 30

“Hawks Host Panthers, Big Grove Hosts Single Speed.”

A taste of Cedar Falls for the Hawkeye opener.

Sunday, August 31

“Aging Gracefully”

We’re taking over Iowa Street for a barrel aged beer release day, with live music. Sepher will be manning the outside grill for Persian Kabobs and housemade pita.

For more info check out Big Grove Brewery on Facebook for follow them on twitter. An exciting week that I can only hope I can be a small part of! Cheers!

Beer Review #117: Lion Bridge Brewing Whirligig

August 11, 2014Leave a comment

I’ve become a regular at Lion Bridge as I had been spending a decent amount of the month of July at St. Luke’s hospital for a family emergency. And though I always intend to spend dinner time at a Subway or even do the unthinkable and eat the hospital food with my “free” meal pass, I always took that time and wandered around the downtown Cedar Rapids area. Many stops at Batas (review to come), beers at Parlor City, a buffalo chicken wrap at Bricks, and then the majority of my stops would always conclude at Lion Bridge Brewery in the Czech Village.

I’ve enjoyed many of the beers here, the smoked chocolate stout on Nitro, the Ziva Voda, the new double IPA, El Doble has quickly become a favorite but I was really impressed with Quinton’s new saison style brew called Whirligig. I know saisons are not a style for everyone, but I do think they are climbing the ladder into the niche market of double ipas, barrel aged anything, and sours.

The first flavor I experienced from this brew was a bazooka like bubble gum flavor followed nicely by the mild tart and bitterness. A really refreshing brew that I intend to have growlers of during the Iowa Hawkeye football season to enjoy. Almost seemed like a mix of a saison and an American wheat brew. Very drinkable and very tasty!

Not only is Lion Bridge doing great things beer related, their kitchen also impresses. Locally made sausages, meat and cheese plates, pulled pork nachos (fantastic!), reuben fritters, and muffaletta fingers make fantastic companions to the beer that flows through this brewery. The staff is always friendly and accommodating and the brewer is usually on hand happy to have a conversation with you. If in the area check this place out, grab a growler and enjoy!

REVIEW

STYLE: Saison

ABV: 4.5%

PURCHASED AT: Lion Bridge Brewery; Cedar Rapids, IA

POUR: Hazy yellow pour, nice white head.

AROMA: A little barnyard, lemon, grass.

TASTE: Bubble gum, lemon, grassy notes.

Ratebeer.com rating: N/A

Beeradvocate rating: N/A

Overall: B

My recommendation:Between Lion Bridge and Big Grove, you’ll usually can find the Baron at one of these locations!

Guest Review by Matt Poge: Cinder Block Brewery; Kansas City, MO

August 5, 2014August 6, 20145 Comments

Thanks to my good friend Matt Poge on the review. Definitely a place to visit if you are ever in the Kansas City area:

Since I moved up to the north part of Kansas City last summer one of the places I’ve been told I had to check out was Cinder Block Brewery. Coinciding with our move was the birth of our first child, so free time and nights out on the town have been scarce for the past year to say the least. We finally got over to Cinder Block this past weekend and I have nothing but good things to say about their beers and taproom. My wife and I were really impressed and will be going back every chance we get.

The brewery is located in North Kansas City, an area I knew very little about until the past 6 months or so. We have made our way over there a few times to check out a really unique theater (Screenland Armour, which has a nice little selection of beers on tap, by the way) and to have some barbecue at Smoking Guns, which we had seen on the Food Network.

Cinder Block has a nice open taproom area with a plenty of seating and a large bar to belly up to. They have bar snacks and popcorn, and you are welcome to bring in your own food. Every Friday and Saturday they have the “Back Rack Grill” food truck set up outside the brewery. After smelling the bbq from the truck when we walked into the place, I was wishing we hadn’t eaten before we came. On the night we were there we were treated to a cowboy-hatted duo that played live music featuring covers of anything from Prince to Dwight Yoakam to Beck. They were great.

Onto the beers: (Disclaimer—My palate is not as refined as the Baron’s, and although I have put back a few brews in my time I claim no expertise when it comes to beer. This is a weekend warrior’s take, if you will).

—Northtown Native (California Common) – Perfect session beer. I could drink a lot of these (and did, in fact). Nothing overwhelming here, just a light, crisp beer that has a slight malt and hop taste to give it a little character.

—Prime Extra Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) – Got a lot of citrus with the aroma on this one, and it definitely had some fruit in the taste as well. I’ve always had trouble distinguishing between certain pale ales and IPA’s. There is a blind spot in my palate, I think. My wife liked this one more than I did, which is not to say that I didn’t like it.

—Paver Porter (Porter) – I’m a sucker for a good stout or porter. This was my favorite beer that I tried. Big on malt with a little chocolate and just a touch bitter. This is the type of beer I want to be clutching in my paws when they bury me. I actually had this one at a craft beer festival a few months back so I knew what to expect. Big fan.

—Block IPA (IPA) – This one surprised me, as I am admittedly not a huge IPA guy. The description provided by the brewery claims a burst of green hop and pine flavors, and that is certainly accurate. Very hoppy, very crisp. Good beer.

—Hop Maven #2 (IPA)– This was the seasonal that came with our sampler flight. Just like with the Block IPA I liked this one better than I thought I might. In fact, I might put this as my second favorite beer that I had after the porter. Tasted more like a session IPA, with a very smooth feel to it. The right amount of hops and bitterness.

—Weathered Wit (Belgian Wit) – This was the last one I had from the sampler that we got and I think the taste got lost a little bit after I had been drinking the IPA’s and the porter. My wife said she liked this one a lot, and I will have to give this another go sometime after I have cleansed my palate thoroughly.

El Bait owners possibly opening Iowa Craft Beer Restaurant

August 4, 20141 Comment

I received the following information from my good buddy sLim and also the link is from dmjuice.com. El Bait Shop looks like they will be opening an all Iowa craft beer restaurant with 75 Iowa beers on tap and serve Iowa food products. Here’s the original article from dmjuice.com.

Full Court Press is known for its great beer bars with international themes like The Royal Mile (British) and Hessen Haus (German). For its next project, the group is aiming a little closer to home.

The Iowan Craft Beer Hall will feature more than 75 Iowa beers on tap and serve predominately Iowa food products. Iowa now has more than 50 breweries producing beer, which should provide plenty of beers to choose from.

But one thing Full Court Press is still looking for is a location. The group is currently seeking developers to find the right location downtown.

“We can’t keep up. We need a space that’s all Iowa,” Full Court Press partner Jeff Bruning said of the beers at El Bait Shop. “The Little Giant Beer Summit we put on is kind of the festival version of what we’re going to do. The Iowan will have the best of what Iowa Breweries have to offer.”

Bruning said The Iowan Craft Beer Hall is an idea he and his partners have been brewing up for years, ever since he tried his first Peace Tree beer.

“People thought we were crazy in 2006 when we put 105 taps up on the wall for craft beers (at El Bait Shop),” Bruning said. “Now there are all these Iowa breweries starting to come up at the same time the craft beer industry is blowing up; things are going so well that Iowa beer warrants a bar dedicated to it.”

Bruning said that Des Moines IPA from Confluence was El Bait Shop’s best selling beer in 2013 and that six out of the bar’s top 10 selling beers were from Iowa.

Full Court Press has put on a number of beer events, including Oktoberfest, the Little Giant Beer Summit and Des Moines Beer Week. The Iowan Craft Beer Hall is not affiliated with the Iowa Craft Beer Tent.

Featured breweries at The Iowan Craft Beer Hall could include:

515 Brewing (Des Moines), Albia Brewing (Albia), Backpocket Brewing (Coralville), Boone Valley Brewing (Boone), C.I.B. (Chefs In Black) Brewery (Carson), Confluence Brewery (Des Moines), Exile Brewing (Des Moines), Firetrucker (Ankeny), Granite City (Clive), Great River (Davenport), Kalona Brewing (Kalona), Keg Creek Brewing (Glendale), Madhouse Brewing (Newton), Millstream Brewing (Amana), New American Brewing (Ankeny), Peacetree Brewing (Knoxville), Rock Bottom Brewery (West Des Moines), Sutliff Cider (Lisbon), Toppling Goliath Brewing (Decorah), Twisted Vine Brewery (St Charles), Van Houzen Brewing (Newton), West O Beer (West Okoboji) with more to be added in the future.

Goose Island finalizes Bourbon County Stout Lineup

August 3, 20141 Comment

The following article comes courtesy of Chicago Tribune writer Josh Noel. Another Black Friday release should see beer lovers hitting the liquor stores early! Cheers!

Goose Island has finalized its roster of 2014 releases in its vaunted Bourbon County Stout series, all of which will be released, as usual, on Black Friday. This year that lands on Nov. 28.

Beergraphs.com lists seven of the world’s top 20 beers as from the Bourbon County Stout series. The rankings may be due for a shakeup.

Here’s Goose Island’s lineup:

Bourbon County Brand Stout: Same recipe has always, this bourbon barrel-aged stout will be available nationally in four-packs.

Proprietors: The second annual release under the Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout will feature panela sugar that’s made into a syrup with coconut water, Cassia bark (which is essentially cinnamon) and cocoa nibs. (Last year’s version, a stout aged in rye whiskey barrels with toasted coconut, might have been the brewery’s best release of 2013.) Available only in Chicago, in 22-ounce bottles.

Vanilla Rye: Goose’s previous stab at a Vanilla Bourbon County Stout beer, in 2010, remains one of the brewery’s most-lauded beers ever. A return seemed inevitable, and here it is — sort of.

This incarnation is aged in rye whiskey, instead of bourbon, barrels. Goose is using barrels from four different distilleries, then blending the results before bottling. Each rye barrel is aging with two pounds of vanilla beans from Mexico and Madagascar. There will be limited nationwide availability in 22-ounce bottles.

Coffee: An annual staple, but with a different coffee infusion every year, the 2014 incarnation features Rwandan coffee from Intelligentsia. Available in four-packs nationally.

Barleywine: This beer debuted last year and will be similar to the original, featuring “third use” barrels — former Kentucky bourbon barrels that later housed Bourbon County Stout before hosting the barelywine. Available in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles.

Boulevard Hibiscus Gose next in Backroads Series

August 1, 20141 Comment

The following information comes from Boulevard press release and also http://www.beeradvocate.com. Really excited to try this one!

Boulevard Brewing (Kansas City, MO) recently released the first offering in their new Backroads Series, Entwined Ale. The series is described as “journey off the beaten path.” A little fun for both the drinker and the brewer.

Poised to be the next release is Boulevard Hibiscus Gose. The German-style salt beer uses hibiscus flowers, coriander, and of course, sea salt.

Expect Boulevard Hibiscus Gose in 12oz bottles.

Style: Gose (Hibiscus, Coriander, Sea Salt)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Arrival: TBA

Beer Tasting w/ a Brewer at 515 Brewing; Clive, IA 8/3/14

July 29, 2014Leave a comment

I’ve had the pleasure of going to 515 Brewing in Clive, IA a handful of times. Sure, I wish I was closer, (or they were), so I could frequent more often, but these folks are what make craft beer great. I was just sitting enjoying a few brews with friends when owner/brewer Dave Ropte sat down and talked to us about all things beer for a good hour. It was great. Informative, honest, and just a pleasant experience. I highly recommend anyone who is the the Des Moines area on August 3 to check this event out. Their beer is terrific and the folks are even better! Here’s more from 515’s Facebook page:

Join us for a brewer-led beer tasting this Sunday. Purchase a brewer-designated beer flight between 1:30 – 2p with the tasting starting at 2p. (4-5oz pours for $8). Our brewers will talk about each selected beer and answer any questions you have about the beer or the brewery.

Visit their Facebook page for more or follow them on Twitter:
@515brewing
http://www.facebook.com/515Brewing?fref=photo

Left Hand Brewing Release Party Info!

July 21, 20141 Comment

Pour Hard Iowa!
Left Hand Brewing returns to Iowa

LONGMONT, CO • July 21, 2014 – Left Hand Brewing Company is excited to announce their return to the Iowa market in early August! Left Hand, in partnership with Johnson Brothers of Iowa, will officially re-enter the state and feature their award-winning portfolio of balanced and innovative brands including Milk Stout Nitro. “We’re thrilled to re-introduce Left Hand to the Iowa market and to offer our accounts and beer drinkers the full line of one of the most recognized breweries in the country,” comments Lyle Stutzman of Johnson Brothers.

Outpaced demand forced Left Hand to temporarily withdraw from the state in 2011, in order to maintain quality and service standards. In recent years, Left Hand has undergone a significant production expansion, including a new bottling hall, 6K sq. ft. cooler, and the addition of eight-480 bbl fermenters. As a result, barrelage has increased 78% in volume since 2011, yielding 65,879 bbls in 2013 and on track for over 80K in 2014. The increased capacity has allowed for Left Hand’s expansion, including entry into upstate NY, MD, DC, Western PA, and Iowa in 2014. The nearly 21 year old brewery is now the 38^th largest craft beer brewery in the country by volume and distributed in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

Fortunately, growth has not compromised quality. Left Hand won 3 Gold medals at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival, a 2013 Gold European Beer Star and most recently a Gold award at the 2014 World Beer Cup. “Left Hand has really pushed the envelope in the last couple of years by being the first craft brewery to bottle nitrogenated beer while continuing to produce beers that have consistently set the standard within multiple style categories,” notes Lyle Stutzman from Johnson Brothers. “Not only are we excited to have flagship favorites like Sawtooth Ale back, but also bring the Nitro series of beers to Iowa for the first time!”

Johnson Brothers will distribute Left Hand’s perennial line and Nitro series including: Milk Stout & Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Ale & Sawtooth Nitro, 400 Pound Monkey IPA, Black Jack Porter, Polestar Pilsner, Stranger Pale Ale, Left Hand’s variety pack – Mountain Mixer as well as seasonals and limited editions. A series of launch events will be held in Iowa the first week of August including release parties at the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, el Bait Shop, Zombie Burger, and more!

For a full digital list of Left Hand’s Iowa Events to share, visit our blog!

8/5-8/7 Left Hand Tastings
17 tastings from Council Bluffs to Bettendorf! Check out our Google map and get your first taste!

8/5 BLT – Beer, Bacon and our Return to Iowa!
Left Hand and the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival are teaming up to to re-introduce Left Hand Beers to Iowa. Join us at Brenton Skating Plaza on August 5 for three Iowa favorites: sweet corn, B.L.T.s and cold beer!

8/5 – Reds Alehouse Release Party – Iowa City
Red’s Ale House welcomes Left Hand Brewing back to Iowa with a comprehensive Tap Takeover including the rare Wake Up Dead Nitro, our Russian Imperial Stout!

8/5 Zombie Burger Late Night Release Party – Des Moines
Join Left Hand’s Iowa Beer Hero Joe Shea and Midwest Regional Manager Mike Walters at Zombie Burger in Des Moines for a Special Late Night Release Party featuring Wake Up Dead Nitro.

8/6 The Keg Stand Tap Invasion Launch Event
Left Hand is Invading The Keg Stand in Des Moines featuring our whole line-up of craft Beer for the Iowa Market. There is no better time to find your favorite Left Hand Beer.

8/7 – el Bait Shop Welcome Back Party
Join us as El Bait Shop welcomes Left Hand Brewing to the great State of Iowa with a Ten Line Tap Takeover, our largest of the Week including 4 special releases!

– See more at: http://lefthandbrewing.com/blog/2014/07/pour-hard-iowa/#sthash.SQrQLsLW.dpuf