Tag: iowa craft beer
What to drink? What to drink?
Three breweries have/are entering the Eastern Iowa market in the next few weeks. Great Divide is here, New Holland Brewing is on their way, and Lagunitas has had a little trickle of their beers around but a big rollout is coming. Adding those three breweries along with all the others that are currently on our shelves, the wonderful dilemma of what to buy because there are so many choices is out there. Now, I know the talk of some oversaturation is out there and that is for a different blog post, but I would like to know what beer are you looking forward to the most from these breweries? We will be able to do the same thing once Surly, Southern Tier, and whoever else decide to enter the market. Would love to hear some comments as well!
Stone Smoked Porter with Chocolate in Orange coming in October
The following information comes courtesy of http://www.beerpulse.com. Another variant added to Stone’s Smoked Porter repertoire.
We decided early on that we wouldn’t do seasonal beers for the sake of doing seasonal beers. Summer ales and winter lagers certainly have a ring to them. Big-beer focus groups prove consumers get a kick out of them, and macrobrew marketing analyses suggest they sell well. But for us, beer comes first, much as Stone Smoked Porter came first. Actually, it came second — oddly enough, in the form of a seasonal. Our co-founder and original brewmaster, Steve Wagner, thought it would be an innovative, warming creation suited for winter…and it was.
This version, released in the literally gray area separating sunshine and snowfall, incorporates dark chocolate and orange peel, making for a semisweet, citrus-nuanced porter that comes across like a break-apart chocolate orange enjoyed by a campfire. It’s not a seasonal-it’s just a phenomenal beer, regardless of the time of year. Throw out the calendar and enjoy.
ABV: 5.9%
Distribution: Nationwide
Release Date: Starting 10/6/14
Restaurant Review: 30hop; Coralville, IA
The trend of some excellent craft beers and tasty food continues to strike in Eastern Iowa, this time in the Iowa River Landing area in Coralville. A location that already hosts Backpocket Brewing the newly opened Winestyles continues its impressive dedication to craft beer and food with 30hop. More from their website:
Trendy and yet a comfortable, urban-industrial, dining and drinking establishment will feature the area’s first rooftop patio. The contemporary menu will focus on simple, fresh, delicious offerings and will include 60 beers on tap on the main level and 30 beers on the rooftop. Through constant focus on superior service, exquisite food, and craft beers, guests will be eager to make 30hop a new hangout. Welcome to the newest addition to Iowa River Landing, Coralville’s gateway to the corridor.
As you approach it’s hard to ignore the rooftop seating and the view that you will experience when you get up there. But once you get in it’s hard to ignore the view of the 60 beers on tap! A fantastic looking chalkboard with ever-rotating lines of deliciousness greets you as you enter. I think I was too busy focusing on the board of beer as the hostess was trying to ask how many in my party, but eventually she got through to my beer-numbed mind and we took a spot near the back wall with the sweet looking giant American flag. 
The beer menu was up-to-date and I noticed Toppling Goliath pseudosue, which I 
hear is good:), so I order a glass of greatness as my wife and I pondered our food move. So many things that looked intriguing and unique but I usually test a place by their wings. It might be a bit cliche but damn, I love wings. These were called Firecracker wings and they had an asian flare to them. Soy, sesame, cilantro with a cool blue cheese dipping sauce and fried crisp to perfection was the perfect starter and went well with my Sue.
And then it was on to the beast. Now, it wasn’t a huge burger size wise, but it was huge in flavor. The 50/50 burger at 30hop is 50% beef and 50% bacon and is mouth watering delicious. My wife and I agreed we would share it, (I could eat 2 by myself and then die a happy heart-attack death) and after our first few bites she made me promise I wouldn’t order it again because…..IT WAS SO FREAKING AWESOME! I loved this burger! A bit messy, but you really can’t go wrong with that mix of ingredients. Burger went terrific with a Deschutes Black Butte Porter and the trip overall was great. Was happy to meet a few beer lovers there as well!
After leaving I took a trip to Winstyles and picked up a few bottles of brew. (Evil Twin BA Imperial Biscotti Break!) This area really has it all, great food, shopping, and not too far from University of Iowa athletics. We will be back (and have been!).
Boulevard Joins up with Brewery Ommegang for Collaboration #4 Saison!
The following information comes courtesy of the thefullpint.com:
Kansas City, MO – There is no sibling rivalry between Duvel Moortgat’s US-based Boulevard Brewing Company and Brewery Ommegang. The sister craft breweries recently partnered on Boulevard’s newest edition of its Collaboration series. Collaboration No. 4 is a Spiced Saison, which will be distributed in 750mL bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs throughout Boulevard’s distribution network later this month (Kansas City distribution begins on September 22nd for draught and September 23rd for bottles; other markets to follow soon after) .
Ommegang’s brewmaster Phil Leinhart traveled to Kansas City in July to make the beer alongside Steven Pauwels, brewmaster at Boulevard and his team of brewers. After the brewing process, the wort was transferred into two fermentation vessels. Boulevard’s primary Belgian yeast strain was added to one, and the other tank received Ommegang’s house yeast strain. The two batches were blended during the filtration process resulting in Collaboration No. 4. In addition to a variety of malts and hops, sweet orange peel, lemon peel, coriander and grains of paradise played key roles in the beer’s characteristics.
“Brewery Ommegang excels in using spices to add complexity and character to their Belgian-style beers while we’ve become known for our saisons at Boulevard,” said Pauwels. “The mutual admiration each brewery has for the other worked well as we combined our strengths into a complex, yet approachable beer that serves to reintroduce our breweries as Boulevard joins the Duvel Moortgat family.”
Previous beers in Boulevard’s Collaboration series include an “Imperial Pilsner” made in 2010 with esteemed Orval brewmaster Jean-Marie Rock, a “White I.P.A.” with Deschutes in 2011, and a “Stingo” with Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project in 2012.
Blackstone Restaurant Presents: Goose Island One Night Stand 9/19/14
Per Blackstone’s Facebook Page:
Our Goose Island Beer Co. One Night Stand lineup is official! This Friday the 19th – 10 beers(3 Bourbon Counties!) – 1 night – entree specials from Chef Will, Chicken and Waffles may be making a comeback…. Cheers!
Great Divide Brewing at Reds Alehouse Sept. 18!
Just found this on Reds Alehouse Facebook page:
We just received some awesome, awesome news! Great Divide Brewing Company will be in the state of Iowa next Thursday 9/18. More specifically, be at Reds Alehouse next Thursday 9/18! First place in Eastern Iowa to get your Yeti on! Or maybe your Titon on! Or Hercules if that’s what your flavor is. Maybe some BBA Yeti?? I don’t even know, I’m too excited to think!!
Stay tuned for a more detailed post on what we’re getting!
Stone Releases Update: Xocoveza Mocha Stout and Hibiscusicity
The following information comes from http://www.fullpint.com.
Stone Xocoveza Mocha Stout
August 25th, 2014
starts shipping to distributors
September 8th, 2014
public national release date
Stats: 8.1% ABV, 50 IBUs
Availability: Limited22-ounce bottles and draft
Hops Bill: English Challenger, English East Kent Goldings
Commercial Description
“This year’s American Homebrewers Association winner, Chris Banker, helped keep us grounded to our homebrewing roots by introducing flavors consistent with our regional palate. His chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, chile pepper and coffee-infused milk stout was built to mimic the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, a beloved specialty from our neighbors to the south, as our callaborators from Baja California, Cervezeria Insurgente, will attest. Layered with tiers of earthiness, spice and roast, this creamy, semisweet blue-ribbon beer confirms that the spirit of the American homebrewer is not only alive and kicking, but thriving on an all-time high.”
Distribution: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico
STONE Hibiscusicity
September 1st, 2014
starts shipping to distributors
September 15th, 2014
public national release date
Hops bill: Sterling
Special ingredients: Hibiscus flower and orange peel
Packaging: 22oz Bottles and draft
Stats: 7.5-8% ABV (TBA)
Available in: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, and WA
TASTING NOTES
The Stone Stochasticity Project’s recent creation of an imperial golden stout might lead one to believe this pink-hued brew is aesthetically driven, but its outwardly brilliant color is merely a side effect of our pursuit of intense flavor. It takes an immense dosing of dried hibiscus flowers—a full pound (roughly two kajillion deep crimson plant petals)—to infuse the essence of flor de Jamaica into this Belgian-style ale. Wheat and dried orange peel enhance the inherent flavors of hibiscus while bringing citrus notes and increased drinkability to the beer. One taste is all it takes to clearly see there is so much more to this beer than its looks.
Guest Review: sLim Reviews Firetrucker Brewery; Ankeny, IA
http://www.firetrucker.com/index.php
I had long heard we were finally getting a brewery right here in my city of residence, Ankeny. Firetrucker Brewery opened in the uptown part of town back on July 4th and they’ve made quite a splash. My first experience with their beers was tasting their Steam Engine at my workplace, El Bait Shop. It is a crisp, refreshing lager that just has enough hop flavor to get your attention. While not having tried most of them myself, their beers appeared to be selling well and were accepted by the bait shop clientele.
I did some research on the company before visiting their taproom. They brew inside of an old fire station in Ankeny. It’s in an older, residential part of town. There definitely appears to be a very talented graphic artist on their staff as their website and logo designs are unique and visually appealing. This does not come as a surprise as the brewery is heavily influenced by art, and believes that beer is art itself.
As I entered, I was greeted by a very aesthetically pleasing taproom and lounge area. There are traditional restaurant style tables, sofas, and high top tables for whatever kind of social experience you’re going for. Upon walking up to the bar, you’ll notice a cool backdrop of barrels and other brewing equipment that gives off the impression that you’re right in the middle of the brewing process, a staple of any good taproom. You can also take growlers (32 & 64oz) home with you if you want to enjoy their fine ales away from their locale
Onto the beers, as is the tradition whenever I visit a brewery for the first time, a purchase of a flight was in order. They had 6 of their own beers on tap (including a 4% ABV ginger beer). $6 lets you try any four. I decided to go with the 2alarm (imperial red), burnout brown, pumper truck porter, and the steam engine (California common). It was a tie between the 2 alarm (4/5) and the burnout brown (4/5) for my favorites. I did not realize the 2 alarm was imperial until after a staff member informed me of this. I highly recommend giving this a try, it’s a very satisfying red. I imagine the burnout brown will be my go-to whenever visiting this brewery. There’s a toffee flavor to it and it’s an extremely sessionable American brown ale at a mere 5%. Despite its low ABV, there still enough body and malt to the taste as well.
The steam engine is a respectable effort for a California Common (3.5/5). I’m not overly crazy about this style of beer but I think it’s cool that they tried something that no other local brewery has tried yet. This is just my opinion on it, I’ve noticed it’s become very popular around town so it’s definitely worth giving a try. The pumper truck porter was a satisfying drink (3.5/5). My only knock on it was that I didn’t pick up anything else besides a thick, roasty flavor. I would get this beer again, however.
They do offer an IPA, uptown, which is an easy drinking, sessionable ipa.
The staff was very helpful. I didn’t get a chance to talk to any of the brewers but all of the workers present were plenty knowledgeable on the beers themselves. They allow you to bring food in and also have different food ordering options depending on what day of the week it is. If you look at the events section on their website, you’ll notice there’s a variety of functions going down at this brewery, including live music sets.
Firetrucker is a very welcome addition to Central Iowa and Iowa Brewers alike. I’m highly impressed with how well put-together their entire operation is. They’ve set the bar high for themselves and have an excellent vision. They have already made a big mark on the beer scene here in Des Moines and I look forward to seeing what else they can accomplish.
Stone’s Next Project: Enjoy After Series Brett IPA
The only thing that the article does not talk about is where these beers will be distributed and when. So fellow Iowans, keep our fingers crossed because this sounds amazing and Stone’s marketing and labeling hits another home run. The article is from http://www.mybeerbuzz.com.
Here’s your breaking beer news of the day…and in a few days you’ll see it elsewhere so check it out here first! Stone will be launching a new series of beers that are called Enjoy After. This is the first edition and it will be Enjoy After 10.31.15. Playing on the success of their Enjoy By series of beers, this series takes the opposite tack and recommends you cellar the IPA until at least the date on the label so it has a chance to develop and mature. This IPA will be “spiked” at the time of bottling with Brettanomyces wild yeast and the date on the bottle indicates the earliest you should open the beer because that is how long it will take to be fully carbonated. Stay tuned for release details.
