Just received a text from my buddy the Beer Counselor, letting me know that Benz Beverage Depot has just received a shipment of beer from Shmaltz brewing.
Here is what they have in stock:
Genesis
Messiah
Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA
Hop Manna
Death of a Contract Brewer
The following is courtesy of beerpulse.com and Peace Tree brewing’s website:
(Knoxville, IA) – Peace Tree Brewing announced this week the upcoming return of Hop Sutra Double IPA and more. Check out the latest via the company’s email newsletter…
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We’re currently (pronounced, “anxiously”) awaiting the arrival of our very first centrifuge. A centrifuge is a large piece of equipment that separates solid matter from the beer by spinning as it’s being transferred from the fermenter to the bright tank. This piece of equipment should help us increase our production capacity through higher yields and shorter conditioning periods. Also, the centrifuge should help with product quality and shelf life, so we can give you the freshest beer possible.
______Thank you for all of your support throughout the release of our Templeton Red! We’ve bottled two batches of it already and it’s been selling out quickly across the state!
Our third and final batch of the season will be making its way into bottles – and finally to out-of-state accounts later this month.
We’ve already started filling fresh Templeton Rye barrels, so you can plan to see it again next winter!
______For those of you hop-huggers out there, Hop Sutra – our Double IPA – has been brewed and is scheduled to make a long-awaited return to store shelves by January 20th.
For those who haven’t tried it, this Double India Pale Ale is brewed with over 1-1/2 times the barley and 2-1/2 times the hops of our Hop Wrangler for a bold flavor and aroma and an ABV of 9%. It’s a favorite amongst the Peace Tree crew, and we hope you’ll feel the same!
HOP SUTRA
RATEBEER – 96
BEERADVOCATE – 88
Eastern Iowa, we are not too far away from Hopslam! releases! Here’s the latest from Bell’s and Reds Alehouse. The following comes from Bells Brewery blog.
Hopslam will start shipping to areas in Michigan the week of Jan. 6. It will begin shipping to Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri, Ohio and Arizona the week of Jan. 13. It will then start shipping to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, Kentucky and Pennsylvania the week of Jan. 20.
Wanting to hit a Hopslam! party? Here’s what Reds Alehouse in North Liberty has in store! (Credit @chinslovesiowa for the pic. Or visit Flannigans in Coralville.
In other Eastern Iowa beer news. Another big time brewery’s first quarter release has somehow left Iowa on their distribution map, but hopefully this is one we see sooner than later because they are pumping out some of the best beers around. Here’s more from Oskar Blues:
Oskar Blues Brewery has announced a handful of new market launches right out of the gate for 2014. First quarter new markets include a re-introduction to Idaho (Craig Stein Beverage), Minnesota (Original Gravity group of distributors), Kansas, Nevada and Delaware, along with increased distribution in southern Alabama.
This announcement follows a 37 percent (32,000 bbls) increase in 2013 while adding Michigan and Indiana. Oskar Blues also filled distribution voids in Central California, Eastern North Carolina and the balance of Tennessee and Kentucky in late summer of 2013.
Oskar Blues Brewery packaged 59,000 bbls in 2011 and doubled that production, reaching over 119,000 bbls in 2013. That growth has been fueled by the addition of the second Tasty Weasel Taproom and Brevard, NC, brewery, which began brewing in December 2012. The Oskar Blues Brevard Brewery shipped more than 46,000 bbls in their first year of operation as East Coast distribution grew throughout the year.
In addition to capacity increases, Oskar Blues added key player Lou Romano as National Sales Director in October and promoted Chris Russell to Business Development Director, in preparation for 2014. These two industry veterans lead a staunch group of regional managers and a sales force that has grown to over 45 strong.
I sort of fell behind on this endeavor so you can expect a more updates in the next few days. For today’s entry, we are looking at some fruit beers. A style that some love and some hate, but a style that has started taking off. Looking through my list, I had many more of these this year than I originally thought. Finalists for this years best “New” fruit beer where:
*New Glarus Strawberry Rhubarb
*Founders Rubeaus
*Hoppin’ Frog Turbo Shandy
*New Glarus Apple Ale
I had my first New Glarus Apple Ale last weekend and really thought it was delicious, but it’s going to come in 2nd to another New Glarus brew. This years best “New” fruit beer is……………
New Glarus Serendipity
Serendipity has a beautiful ruby-red pour with a nice off-white head. Cherry aromas dominate but hints of apple also come through. The flavor is remarkable. The sweetness from the apples combined with the tartness of the cherries and cranberries make this accident very forgivable. Here’s more from New Glarus on this brew:
Happy Accident Fruit Ale Severe Drought, we shared the farmer’s horror as Wisconsin’s cherry crop failed! Dan bought what cherries he could. The apple crop fared better. Then joy! A grand Wisconsin cranberry harvest. What will Dan brew with Apples, Cranberries and Cherries? Oh my! You hold the happy accident of Wisconsin’s favorite fruit aged in oak with an almost magical wild fermentation. Serendipity is a wondrous celebration that sparkles your senses and dances across your palate. A kaleidoscope of flavors discovered by accident in a sour ale! Cheers to the unexpected. Vielen Dank!
**If this is a brew much too sweet for you, I recommend mixing it with an imperial stout for nice fruity touch! **
2013 New Fruit Beer of the Year: New Glarus Serendipity
ABV: 5.1%
Ratebeer: 100
Beeradvocate: 96
Just saw the following post on beerpulse.com.
(Grand Rapids, MI) – Founders Brewing Co. will introduce Smoked Porter, brewed with a combination of beech wood–smoked barley and oak-smoked wheat malt along with a generous helping of chocolate malt, on shelves and draft lines beginning in February 2014. Like all Founders’ Backstage Series beers, Smoked Porter will be sold in 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price to be determined.
“This is a style of beer that we’ve discussed brewing for a decade,” said Co-Founder and Vice President of Brand & Education Dave Engbers. “We weren’t able to fit it into our production schedule for years. Now, with our pilot system, our brewers have room for greater experimentation and aggressive recipe formulation. Brewing beers like this was the idea behind launching our Backstage Series and was a driving force in our investment in a pilot system this past summer.”
The brewery’s taproom in Grand Rapids, Michigan, also recently announced the addition of a draft line dedicated to their pilot system, only pouring those small batch experimental beers. A recent offering showcased the brewery’s first lager in twelve years.
Founders’ Backstage Series is made up of boundary-pushing, experimental beers. The intent of the series is to take the diehard Founders fan experience to a wider audience—though all of the beers are still released in limited batches. Since its introduction in the summer of 2011, Founders’ Backstage Series beers have quickly become some of the most sought-after releases in the industry.
Limited bottles of Founders Smoked Porter will only be available in Michigan; draft will be available in most markets across the brewery’s distribution footprint. The beer will be released in February, with exact timing dependent on distributor shipments. Bottles will be released in the brewery’s taproom at a to-be-determined date. It will not be a pre-ticketed release. Look for at least two more Backstage Series releases from Founders in 2014.
Moving along with the list of best “new” brews we come to porters. With all the imperials, doubles, barrel-aged greatness that is going on basic styles such porters and stouts are getting lost in the shuffle and beer lovers need to know that there are some really terrific beers in these styles. For Eastern Iowans, we have Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Founders Porter, Stone Suede and now Millstream releasing a very good baltic porter, our shelves in the area have a really nice selection.
Millstream’s Blizen Baltic Porter would have been my winner, until I went up to Madison, WI last weekend. I walked into the Steve’s Liquor (one of my favorite beer shops!) and saw a display of 3 Floyds Alpha Klaus. I’ve never had Alpha Klaus before but have heard many rave reviews from fellow brew enthusiasts, in particular, my friend the Beer Counselor. So, I grab a few bottles, waiting for a nice snowy night to crack one open.
Once again, 3 Floyds has terrific bottle artwork and even if I hadn’t known what is was initially, the labeling would have drawn me to it anyway.
Alpha Klaus is Alpha King’s cousin. A big American X-mas Porter brewed with English chocolate malt and Mexican sugar and of course tons of strange American hops! Cheers.
Another 3 Floyds winner, and I’m not trying to mark out for them too much, (although it’s hard not too) it just goes to show that they are one of the best breweries in America. A trip to 3F’s on December 27 is coming up. Thinking of renting a U-haul to get all the beer back!
2013 New Imperial IPA of the Year: Three Floyds Alpha Klaus
ABV: 7.5%
Ratebeer: 100
Beeradvocate: 93
Awhile back I reported talk of a few breweries coming to Iowa and then all the talk kind of fell flat for whatever reason. However, I did just receive the following correspondence from Left Handing Brewing after me asking if they have any news of possibly distributing to Iowa in the future. Here’s the quick but exciting response”
Plan is sometime 1st quarter 2014. Not sure exact date yet.
Continuing on with the “best of the year”posts keep in mind these are beers that I’ve had for the 1st time ever this year and we are moving onto the double/imperial IPA category. A very tough category to pick one winner as I had quite a few brews on my list. But, after weighing each carefully I came to a conclusion that some might not agree with, especially since Pliny the Elder did not win as I enjoyed that brew for the first time this month. Now, I’m not saying Pliny isn’t a good beer, it’s actually an excellent brew, I just happened to enjoy the one I picked a bit more.
A brewery that seems to do no wrong when it comes to beers and one that is so in demand it is hard to find anything of theirs outside of Chicago, 3 Floyds Brewery has been dominating ratings, taste buds, and the IPA/Double IPA category. With fine ales such as Dreadnaught, Arctic Panzer Wolf, and the ever elusive and constantly sold out Zombie Dust, they are top-tier in this category (and others). Just when you think that they couldn’t do any better they bring to you my Double IPA of the year…….Apocalypse Cow!
The label is what catches your eye, and if you are familiar with 3 Floyds, you know they make killer labels. Now, what makes this brew a little bit different from other double IPAs, is that it is made with lactose. Lactose is what gives milk stouts their sweet, creamy richness. I was kind of apprehensive before cracking this bottle for that reason but after that first sip all of that went out the window. Sweet, but not too much, a lot orange juice flavor for me, and the creaminess from the lactose made this a wonderfully easy drink which is relatively frightening considering the 11% abv. Some negative reviews I’ve seen have knocked the sweetness, but I didn’t think it was nearly as sweet as others said. A beer to seek out to say the least. Here’s more from the brewery:
This complex double India pale ale has an intense citrus and floral hop aroma balanced by a velvety malt body which has been augmented with lactose milk sugar. With this different take on an IPA we have brewed an ale that is both pleasing to drink and, once again, “not normal.” Cheers! 100 IBU 11.0%ABV
I dont’ see this one as often, it is only a limited release during the summer, but if you see it, but it, (actually buy as many as you can), and enjoy as much as I did.
2013 New Imperial IPA of the Year: Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow
ABV: 11%
Ratebeer: 99
Beeradvocate: 94
When I saw this I was hoping to see Iowa on the list, but unfortunately not yet. With them going to be in 36 states and internationally, I can’t imagine it will be too much longer before we have them in Iowa.
Victory Brewing to add several new states and international markets this winter | BeerPulse.
I received the following email from Reds Alehouse with a huge list of events, tap lists, special releases, and much more concerning their 2013 Bells Brewery Week. Here’s a rundown of events:
This should be a terrific week at Reds and I hope to see a few of you there. The Black Note release is sure to make for a busy evening so get there early, order some terrific food, and have a good time!
