Cigar City Brewing Co.: Humidor IPA

Date: Tue, Apr 12, 2011

Humidor IPA
Cigar City Brewing Co.
3924 West Spruce St. Suite A.
Tampa, FL

Aroma: (10/12)
Wow, cedar totally dominates! There are some hints of spices, almost like a saison.

Appearance: (3/3)
Pure copper hued. This beer is bottle conditioned, so it pours a massive head. Highly carbonated.

Flavor: (15/20)
The first thing tasted is cedar. Heavy, heavy cedar! The hops briefly show themselves before the cedar regains dominance.

Mouthfeel: (4/5)
Light to medium body, pretty darn dry.

Overall Impression: (8/10)
I liked the uniqueness of this beer, but the cedar flavor way over-powered everything else. No balance of flavors. Totally masks the underlying IPA.

TOTAL: 40/50

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Odell Brewing Co.: Myrcenary Double IPA

Date: Tue, Mar 29, 2011

Myrcenary Double IPA
Odell Brewing Co.
800 East Lincoln Avenue.
Fort Collins, CO

Aroma: (11/12) 
Intense waves of tropical fruits. Grapefruit, mango and peach dominate the hop profile and aroma. Maybe a slight sweetness detectable. In all, fantastic!

Appearance: (3/3) 
Very clear and definitely filtered. Color is a light gold that is on-par with Surly's Abrasive.

Flavor: (17/20) 
A healthy amount of bitterness up front, but it mellows quickly enough not to pucker the face. After the initial hop blast, like I said, it does lessen through the middle tongue, but from there on, the hops intensify through the finish. Hop flavors are slightly citrusy, but not as much as was present in the aroma. Extremely drinkable for a 10% beer, with no heat at all. Excellent job Odell!.

Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
A light body. Slightly drying finish, but not much at all. Finishes clean.

Overall Impression: (9/10) 
I really like this DIPA from Odell. They did a great job of balancing the hops with the malt as to not make it too much of a hop bomb. The tropical fruits, aroma and flavor really hit the "sweet spot"..

TOTAL: 46/50 

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Central Waters Brewing Co.: Illumination Double IPA

Date: Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Illumination Double IPA
Central Waters Brewing Co.
351 Allen St.
Amherst, WI

This is my re-review of this beer. I last had and reviewed this beer on September 13, 2010 (review here) I unknowingly reviewed it when the beer had been upwards of 6 months old, and we all know that an IPA / DIPA should be had as fresh as possible. The review wasn't too shining (37/50). I've discussed this beer with fellow beeradvocates and decided to pick this beer up again and give it another try. People had told me that this was one of their favorite beers of 2010, so let's see how a fresh 2011 version comes off:

Aroma: (10/12) 
The fruity hop characteristics hit my nose first, then a little underlying pine.

Appearance: (3/3) 
A fairly clear beer with just a touch of haze, most likely from the hopping. Last years 6 month old beer was extremely hazy (2010 photo)

Flavor: (17/20) 
Bitterness hits you up-front, with a punch. Through the middle-tongue, the malt does kick in some, but not much - as the hops carry through fairly strongly. At the back of the tongue to the finish, the hops increase in intensity. Very bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: (4/5) 
A medium-bodied beer. A pretty sweet brew. A little too sweet for me. Not too dry.

Overall Impression: (9/10) 
This is a pretty good beer and I see a lot of people really like it. It is a little too bitter and sweet for me, especially the finish. Bood brew, just not for me.

TOTAL: 43/50 

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Short's Brewing Co.: Woodmaster

Date: Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Woodmaster
Short's Brewing Company
121 N. Bridge St.
Bellaire, MI

Aroma: (9/12) 
Huge sweet nut and or hazelnut nose. Huge sweetness from maple syrup used in this brew?
Appearance: (3/3) 
Brown-hued. Pours a half-fingered head from the bottle; it exits stage-left rather quickly. Somewhat murky.
Flavor: (14/20) 
The flavor follows dead on from the aroma. Huge sweetness combined with nuttiness. Level of nuttiness is so high, it seems this flavor comes from an extract.
Mouthfeel: (3/5) 
Medium body. The level of sweetness is off-putting.
Overall Impression: (6/10) 
This beer reminds me of the Henry Weinhard's Hazelnut from many many years ago. Fake / extract flavoring. Way too sweet! Not a beer I will be revisiting. I actually couldn't even finish the bottle.
TOTAL: 35/50 

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Yards Brewing Co.: IPA

Date: Wed, Mar 9, 2011

IPA
Yards Brewing Company
901 N. Delaware Ave
Philadelphia, PA

Aroma: (10/12) 
A very pleasant, light citrusy IPA. I'm guessing more of an English IPA here...
Appearance: (3/3) 
Copper-hued and slightly hazy. Carbonation racing from the bottom; highly carbonated.
Flavor: (17/20) 
Wow, I really like this beer. The hops are very present and pleasant, but not too hoppy or bitter. The malt is there, but very light and plays second fiddle; keeps the body nice and light.
Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
Nice and light. Bitterness is on the perfect level to allow such great drinkability, this possesses.
Overall Impression: (9/10) 
I really like this IPA. Perfectly hopped, lightly malted and finishes clean, making me want another sip!
TOTAL: 44/50 

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Cigar City Brewing Co.: Jai Alai IPA

Date: Tue, Mar 8, 2011

Jai Alai
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street Suite A
Tampa, FL

Aroma: (10/12) 
The nose has a nice fruity aroma. It is of medium-strength, by no means "in your face". I get notes of pineapple and mango; most likely the Simcoe hops that are used...
Appearance: (3/3) 
A deep copper color; on the verge of orange. The beer is clear, until the last inch or the bottle is poured, then it turns cloudy.
Flavor: (16/20) 
This IPA gives you more malt than Sculpin, Union Jack and Dreadnaught. The front end begins with a good amount of bitterness, the middle tongue brings the malt characteristic up, but not quite to the forefront. The finish has a nice bite, that intensifies in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: (4/5) 
Not your crisp IPA, medium malty that equals a medium-bodied brew. Slightly dry.
Overall Impression: (8/10) 
A very enjoyable IPA for sure. Nice hints of pineapple and mango. I'm not big on malty IPA's, but this beer does a nice job. It's well-balanced and easy-drinking. I'd prefer it to be more crisp and lighter bodied, but those are MY preferences.
TOTAL: 41/50 

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Tröegs Brewing Co.: Nugget Nectar

Date: Mon, Feb 28, 2011

Nugget Nectar
Tröegs Brewing Company
800 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA

Aroma: (11/12) 
A very nice medium-hoppy nose. Mostly of the pine-variety, but there are a few hints of floral/fruity variety.
Appearance: (3/3) 
This beer is definitely filtered as it is very clear. Nugget Nectar is an Imperial Amber and the color follows as advertised. It pours a very nice one fingered head that sticks around and laces the glass very well.
Flavor: (17/20) 
Piney hops dominate the palette. Quite bitter on the back end of the tongue, through the after-taste (bitterness increases).
Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
Medium body, like a typical amber. Extremely clean, with a very slight dry finish.
Overall Impression: (9/10) 
From aroma to flavor, I am very impressed with this Imperial Amber from Troegs. It is extremely clean, crisp, hoppy and drinkable. 93 IBU's, and it delivers every single one!
TOTAL: 45/50 

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Surly Brewing Co. $20 Million Expansion Plan

Date: Tue, Feb 8, 2011

Surly announced last night at The Muddy Pig, that they intend to expand the brewery, creating an events center, 100,000 bbl brewery and restaurant.  The only road-block is that Surly brews too much beer to be licensed as a brewpub – according to MN law.  It also states that large breweries can’t sell beer out of the brewery.  The archaic laws are on the books still, so they are trying to get them changed, to allow such facility.

Here is the Surly flyer handed out:

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My Oatmeal Stout wins 1st place at 2011 Upper Mississippi Mashout!!

Date: Mon, Jan 31, 2011

I was uber happy to read the Upper Mississippi Mashout Blog, that I placed first in the Oatmeal Stout category (Category 13). I had made an Oatmeal Stout back in 2008 and submitted to the competition then, it was awarded 2nd place. The judges gave me some good feedback, which helped me reformulate my recipe and make changes for this version. I switched out some heavily roasted grains for some debittered and also substituted in some Franco-Belges coffee malt. The handling of the oats made a big change as well. I toasted some oats in the oven before adding them to the mash, while also adding some oats that weren't toasted. I think this combination added some great oatmeal complexity.
The beer turned out really great. It was definitely my best beer yet. I plan on submitting the beer to the National Homebrew Competition and see how it turns out. I think my next homebrew is going to use this recipe, but make it into a version of Founders Breakfast Stout, while adding some Cacao nibs in the secondary fermenter.

Full 2011 Upper Mississippi Mashout Results by Category

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The Muddy Pig's 3rd Annual Festival of Hops

Date: Fri, Jan 28, 2011

Bell's Hopslam

Aroma:
All grapefruit, peaches and mangoes.  Very pungent!  You will not find an IPA/DIPA with a more fantastic aroma.
Flavor:
Fruity hops that are in your face.  Some slight pine notes.  10% ABV that is nicely hidden, but one can still notice it.  The honey they add to this really adds a nice flavor, while also pumping the ABV up to its formidable level!  One of the best DIPA’s you can buy!
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Odell Doulbe Black IPA

Aroma:
Slight roastedness and hoppiness present.  Some small chocolate hints.
Flavor:
Wow, a very harmoneous marriage between roasted grains and hops in an IPA.  Crazy amounts of lacing.  Hops are of the piney varietal.  Medium to highly hopped; very good beer!

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21st Amendment IPA

Aroma:
Minute hoppiness, almost undetectable. 
Flavor:
Doesn’t taste very clean at all.  Has a little soapiness flavor that is definitely off-putting.  Hop type aren’t determinable, can’t even tell fruity or piney – it’s almost neither.  Very muddled tasting.  Not a fan of this beer at all.

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Rush River Double Bubble

Aroma:
Citrus and pine hops, not too much, though.  Picking up some maltiness, too… 
Flavor:
I’m a little perplexed by this flavor, here.  There is something different about this double IPA that I haven’t had before.  It almost seems spiced or it was fermented with a Belgian yeast.  I don’t think I like it…just weird tasting for a Double IPA.

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Dieu du Ciel Brewing Co.: Peche Mortel

Date: Thu, Dec 9, 2010

Peche Mortel
Dieu du Ciel Brewing Co.
259 rue de Villemure
St-Jerome, Quebec



Aroma: (10/12) 
Huge chocolate nose on this one. Chocolate is the only aroma I pick up. I'm not sure if the chocolate over-powers everything else or not, but is all I get.
Appearance: (3/3) 
Jet black, no light gets through this. Half finger head from tap pour; it does vanish fairly quickly.
Flavor: (18/20) 
Coffee dominates the flavor, with chocolate playing 2nd fiddle. Tons of coffee on the front-end. Chocolate surfaces in the middle, then once again, succumbs to the coffee. 9.5%, but there is no heat at all!
Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
Medium to heavy, but more so on the medium.
Overall Impression: (9/10) 
A fantastic coffee Imperial Stout! Coffee dominates flavor, but doesn't overpower the base Imperial Stout. Extremely balanced between the two. Hell of a beer!
TOTAL: 45/50 

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Firestone Walker Brewing Co.: Union Jack IPA

Date: Fri, Dec 3, 2010

Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
1400 Ramada Dr
Paso Robles, CA



Aroma: (11/12) 
Light citrusy hop aroma. Even smells like a great and clear beer.
Appearance: (3/3) 
A very clear copper color with a nice one-fingered head poured from the tap. Some pretty damned-good lacing on the glass, even before I take my first sip. A real good sign!
Flavor: (18/20) 
Definitely hoppy on the front end, then the red malt kicks in. The back-end is very well supported with smooth, citrusy hops. The aftertaste keeps the hops hanging on. A very good IPA that isn't over-hopped at all. A go-to IPA!
Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
A very by the book American IPA, that is light bodied, smooth, with both ends of the malt buttressed by copious hops.
Overall Impression: (9/10) 
Classic, clean and beautiful. A definite favorite of mine. Now only if I could get this locally...
TOTAL: 46/50 

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Boundary Bay Brewing Co.: Imperial Oatmeal Stout

Date: Thu, Dec 2, 2010

Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Boundary Bay Brewing Co.
1107 Railroad Ave
Bellingham, WA




Aroma: (9/12) 
Some sweet roastedness that takes some digging. As I let the beer warm, some oatmeal comes out. When this beer was poured from the tap, the beer had no aroma at all.
Appearance: (3/3) 
Jet black, no ruby on the edges. Half-fingered head that is hazelnut-colored.
Flavor: (18/20) 
The aroma had some oats, but the flavor has tons of oats and roasted malts. The roastedness never becomes astringent, very nice roast throughout.
Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
Medium bodied and very creamy.
Overall Impression: (9/10) 
A very oat-forward brew and a very good one at that. A very smooth and velvety brew that I would drink all night in the cold Minnesota winter.
TOTAL: 44/50 

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Town Hall Brewery: Three Hour Tour

Date: Mon, Nov 22, 2010

Three Hour Tour
Town Hall Brewery
1430 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN



Aroma: (11/12) 
Very light roasted hints, together with a good amount of coconut and sweetness.
Appearance: (3/3) 
Very black; virtually no light getting through at all. Poured from the tap a half-finger of head that is fleeting. Dark tan head.
Flavor: (17/20) 
The sweetness / lactose and coconuts hit the tongue right away and carries through in the middle. The coconut dominates the back end and aftertaste. Strong coconut flavor!
Mouthfeel: (5/5) 
Very silky and smooth! Medium-bodied. Sticky lips from lactose.
Overall Impression: (9/10) 
This is a very good beer that is extremely smooth and silky! The lactose makes a nice heavier body and definitely adds some stickiness to your lips. Very well crafted, but I could only have one pint per sitting - the coconut flavor would become too much for me.
TOTAL: 45/50 

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