Tag: iowa craft beer

Big Grove Brewery announces Richard the Whale 2020 release for Dec. 5th!

Leave a comment

richard

Big news from Big Grove Brewery last night as they subtly announced the release date for Richard the Whale for December 5th! It was a sneak peek at a Richard sampling so as of now, no details on the process release were given, but stay tuned for more information on that as that date approaches! Here’s what BG had to say courtesy of their Facebook page:

Pulled a sample of Richard the Whale 2020 today from this Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel. Annnnd can bet the beer is fireĀ šŸ”„Ā But you may not know the barrel (and more specifically the nail we used to pierce the barrel) was on fire to keep the process sanitary.
šŸ˜Ā Oh and save the date for Saturday, December 5 for the release of our favorite barrel-aged Russian Imperial StoutĀ šŸ³

Clock House Brewing releasing “Holland Oats” Imperial IPA on 8/27(Thursday!)!

Leave a comment

clockhouse

Tasting sounding brew coming from the folks at Clock House this Thursday as they are set to release an Imperial IPA that is both west and east coast inspired! Holland Oats IPA will be released at 3:00 p.m. and will be available in cans!

An Imperial IPA inspired by West Coast bitterness and East Coast haze. Brewed with Galaxy, Vic’s Secret, and Citra hops. This beer has intense floral and melon notes with a nice clean bitter finish.

Cans will be available to purchase on Thursday, August 27th. Orders can be made using the link below!

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

Lion Bridge releasing “Oktobot 3000” Wednesday, Sept. 2nd!

Leave a comment

oktobot

This year’s version of Lion Bridge’s popular barrel-aged marzen is set to be released on Wednesday, September 2nd starting at 3:00. This beer will be available in 4 packs, and don’t forget about Wednesday’s (8/19) Collapse of the Multiverse release! Here’s more from Lion Bridge on this release:

Oktobot 3000 (Barrel-Aged Imperial MƤrzen, 8.5%abv) – A fusion brew with German and Czech roots in the recipe as well as the name (“robot” is a word with Czech origins). Munich and Bohemian Pilsner Malt are the motherboard to this amped up version of the style, while 6 months in Rye Whiskey barrels greases the cogs and makes sure it all computes. Available in 4 packs.

Prairie Artisan Ales highlight Abu Nawas drop this week!

Leave a comment

prairie artisan ales

Don’t forget to try American Solera’s Toucan Lady! A kolsch with passion fruit added! Hopefully we will see more beers from them down the road!

PRAIRIEĀ ARTISAN ALES BOTTLES:
  • PrairieĀ Weekend 12/12oz – Imperial Stout with Coconut, Cacao Nibs, and Marshmallow. 13.3% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Paradise 12/12oz Bottles – Imperial Stout with Vanilla and Coconut. 13% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Artisan Ales / Evil Twin Bible Belt 12/12oz –Ā PrairieĀ Version of A Collab of Epic Proportions. Bible Belt takes elements we love fromĀ PrairieĀ Bomb! and combines them with Evil Twin Brewingā€™s world-famous stout, Even More Jesus. 13% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ BOMB 12/12oz – Imperial Stout aged on Nordaggio’s espresso beans, chocolate, vanilla beans, and ancho chile peppers. All the flavors meld to create a truly uniqueĀ beer. The peppers add just the right amount of heat to complement the intense coffee and chocolate flavors. 13% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Oh! Fudge 12/12oz – Imperial Stout brewed with Brownies. 11.5% ABV.
  • Prairie PeKan 12/355 ml. Another winner from our friends at Prairie. Imperial stout aged on Pecans and Vanilla. 11.5% ABV
PRAIRIEĀ ARTISAN ALES CANS:Ā Ā 
  • PrairieĀ Artisan Ales Pineapple Upside Down Cake 6/4/12oz CAN – Sour Ale with Pineapple, Pecans, Cherries, and Yellow Cake. 4.9% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Artisan Ales Slush 6/4/12oz CAN –Ā Sour ale with strawberry and raspberry puree. Finished with fresh lemon and lime zest. 6.1% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Artisan Ales Rainbow Sherbet 6/4/12oz CAN – Back by popular demand! Have you ever drank a rainbow? Well, now you can! Sour ale with raspberry, pineapple, and orange. 5.2% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Artisan Ales Phantasmagoria 6/4/12oz CAN –Ā Big, Bold Double IPA. 8.0% ABV. Ā 
  • PrairieĀ Artisan Ales Standard 6/4/12oz CAN – Light, crisp farmhouse ale dry-hopped with Motueka hops, a lovely New Zealand hop with a spicy lime like flavor and aroma. 5.6% ABV.
  • Prairie Artisan Ales Vape Tricks 6/4/12oz CAN – Sour Ale Aged on Cherries. 5.9% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Artisan AlesĀ PrairieĀ Flare 6/4/12oz CAN –Ā Gose with Citrus Fruits and Coriander. 5.4% ABV.
  • PrairieĀ Artisan AlesĀ PrairieĀ No Way Frose 6/4/12oz CAN – Sour Ale with Lime Zest, Strawberry and Pineapple, and Juniper. Perfect SummerĀ Beer. 4.9% ABV

American Solera, Evil Twin, Nightmare, Hoof Hearted, Stillwater, Abomination, Freethought, Decadent, Public Access + Blackberry Farm highlight Abu Nawas release!

Leave a comment

Tons of beers will be hitting our shelves this week, including a delicious sounding Kolsch from American Solera! Here we go:

Blackberry Farm Brewery:
  • Blackberry Farm Classic Saison 6/4/12oz CANS –Ā Belgian-style Saison features European noble-type hops, authentic Belgian Saison yeast, and the finest European two-row malt. 6.3% ABV.
  • Blackberry Farm Summer 12/750ml. Summer Saison with floor malted barley and Australian hops. 6.1% ABV.
  • Blackberry Farm Classic Saison 12/750ml. This Belgian-style Saison features European noble-type hops, authentic Belgian Saison yeast, and the finest European two-row malt. 6.3% ABV
Public Access Liquids:
  • Public Access Reason in Disguise 6/4/16oz CANS – Dry Hopped IPA with Citra, Galaxy, and Comet hops. 7% ABV.
Decadent Ales:
  • Decadent Ales Orange Gusher 6/4/16oz CANS – Double India Pale Ale with Orange PurĆ©e. 8.5% ABV.
  • Decadent Ales Orange Cream Pop 6/4/16oz CAN – All Citra dry-hopped IPA with a proprietary blend of sugars, Madagascar Vanilla Bean and a touch of Orange Zest. 6% ABV.
FREETHOUGHT:
  • FREETHOUGHT Open6/4/16oz CAN – Unfiltered IPA brewed with flaked + malted oats, raw + malted wheat, double dry-hopped with Simcoe flower, pellets + lupulin powder. Bubblegum and subtle watermelon aromas sit on top of a soft, fluffy pour that yields delicate notes of floral honey and beeswax. 6% ABV.
  • FREETHOUGHT Night Vision 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Dark Sour Ale with blood orange and drinking chocolate. Brewed with chocolate malt, raw wheat, flaked and malted oats. Notes of citrus, raspberry, and cocoa. Lush mouthfeel with a bright and dynamic finish. 8% ABV.
  • FREETHOUGHT Good Eye 6/4/16oz CAN – Sour Ale dry-hopped with Citra, Galaxy, and Mosaic. Notes of passionfruit, Earl Grey tea, kumquat, pine nut, and lime. 7% ABV.
Abomination Brewing:
  • Abomination Bro Beer6/4/16oz CAN – Extremely Crushable New England session IPA brewed with Flaked Wheat and Oats. Gently dry-hopped with 100% Galaxy Hops 4.7% ABV.
Hoof-Hearted-Rose-Gose-12OZ-CAN
Hoof Hearted Brewing:
  • Hoof Hearted Thanks For Letting Us Play Tonight 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Dry-Hopped All Galaxy India Pale Ale. 5.5% ABV.
  • Hoof Hearted Rose Gose 6/4/12oz CAN – Gose Brewed with Himalayan Pink Sea Salt, Coriander, Hibiscus, then soured with Lactobacillus and fermented with Saison yeast. 4.2% ABV.
  • Hoof Hearted Are We Having Fun Yet? 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale with Belma, Citra, and Mosaic. 6% ABV.
Nightmare Brewing:
  • Nightmare Brewing Glasgow Smile 6/4/16oz CANS – Gose soured on Wild Scottish Bilberries with Heather, Lemon Zest, Raspberries, and Blueberries. 6.7% ABV.
Stillwater Artisanal Ales:
  • Stillwater Last Daze of Disco 6/4/16oz CAN – Stellar Classic Farmhouse Ale. 6.5% ABV.
  • Stillwater EXTRA DRY6/4/16oz CAN – Ā 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.
EVIL TWIN BREWING:
  • Evil Twin Anyone Have Any Thoughts On What An Empty New Haven Train Car Means? 6/4/16oz CANS – Outstanding thirst-quenching Pilsner. 5% ABV.
  • Evil Twin The Pure and Simple IPA Is Rarely Pure and Never Simple 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy NE-Style Double Dry-Hopped Session IPA. 4.5% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Low Life6/4/16oz CANS – Hoppy Pilsner. Why drink a high life when you can have a Low Life? 5.5% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Geyser Gose 6/4/16oz CANS – Collab Gose, made with Icelandic herbs and smoked sea salt. 5.5% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Even More 8 LB 6 OZ Newborn Infant Jesus 6/4/16oz CANS – Session Milk Stout brewed with Lactose. 5% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Even More JCs24/16oz Can. Affogato-style Imp Stout. 13% ABV.
  • Evil Twin Even More Jesus6/4/16oz CAN – Jeppe Legendary Imperial Stout. 12% ABV
american1
America Solera:

A single beer to start up with but a bangingĀ Kƶlsch, just what the doctor prescribed for this weather. We hope to see more down the road.

  • American Solera Toucan Lady 6/4/16oz CANS –Ā Kolsch Style Ale with Passion Fruit. 5% ABV.

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

Leave a comment

IMG_0828

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.

IMG_0831

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!

IMG_0836

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)!

Leave a comment

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. Weā€™ll let you choose whether or not to sip or chug this refreshing summertime fruit bomb!šŸ‹šŸŠšŸ’£

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

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

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

Leave a comment

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 thatā€™s bursting at the seams with all the right flavors – youā€™ll want to have it on repeat… or maybe more šŸ˜‰

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!

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

Leave a comment

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 Ā 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