So, I realize it's been nearly three whole months since I've authored a post. But it certainly hasn't been that long since I last enjoyed a beer, visited a dank microbrewery, or otherwise thought about content for this blog. I/we have been ridiculously busy over the summer, to include extensive travel, a bunch of concerts, and work trips.
That said, I want to update you on some of my non-Colorado brewery visits AND let you in on some changes to this blog. I know I can't go explore a new microbrewery on a weekly basis, at least not now that I've covered a good chunk of breweries on the front range (although I still need to get up to Fort Fun and north Denver upwards!). So I'm going to start doing bomber and other dank beer reviews on here to keep myself...and you...more engaged. I've got a number of SUPER heady beers on stash in the house, and starting very soon I'll get in to individual beer reviews that I enjoy from the comforts of my own home.
This summer, Holly and I ventured up to her parent's lake house in MI...another FINE state for craftbrewing. Last summer, we did the same...and Holly and I managed to find a really neat little microbrewery in Sawyer, MI called Greenbush. Greenbush Brewing does some amazing work beer-wise...including their IPA Dunegras and their black IPA Anger. They do some really good specialty beers on-site too...so if you're ever in the area, including nearby South Bend...go and visit Greenbush!
While traveling back east, we also managed to visit one of my favorite non-Dogfish Head Brewery-breweries (more on them in a bit), Southern Tier Brewing Company. Southern Tier does AMAZING work...and their tap room, in little Lakewood, NY (near the beautiful Chautauqua Lake) is ideal: cozy but spacious, surrounded by natural wood elements and a great outdoor patio space. There's even a cool outdoor stage for live music. Anyway, back to the beer...2xIPA and Phin and Matt's (pale ale) are excellent year-round staples that we sampled on site. We also dug in to what can only be described as dessert-perfection in a glass: Crème Brûlée Stout. If you ever get a chance to try this beer, DO IT...9.5% ABV and delicious. We also dragged back across the country a few bombers from Southern Tier: Unearthly (Imperial IPA), Gemini (Imperial Blended Unfiltered Ale), and an oak-aged Unearthly. AND...to continue ranting about Southern Tier...I joined Let's Pour, a (sort of expensive) distributor of 'sale' microbreweries based out of Washington that will ship to your door. I executed my first order last week and am awaiting some deliciousness: Southern Tier Pumking (x3), Port Brewing Mongo Double IPA, Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA, and a Silver City Brewing 'Saint Florian' IPA. I'll be sure to post reviews of each of these in the coming weeks!
Finally, both work and personal travel brought me to northern Virginia, where I managed to get myself to Dogfish Head's Alehouse in Falls Church. If you know me, you know how much I love DFH. 90 Minute, 120 Minute, Punkin Ale, Palo Santo Marron...all SUPER DANK in my world. I managed to gather 6 of my local buddies at the Alehouse and I believe we all got tuned up on some DFH greatness. I managed to enjoy 120 Minute, Palo Santo, Raison D'etre, and Black & Blue on draft. I know that any time in the future I head back to the DC-area, I'll be making a stop here.
So that's it for now...I'll be posting some reviews...and any lucky trips to microbreweries...here in the coming weeks. Stick with it...there'll be a lot of really great sampling as fall gears up. Cheers!
Showing posts with label fruit beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruit beer. Show all posts
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Great Divide, Denver
Great Divide Brewing, visited 3/10/12 (http://greatdivide.com/)
A first stop on another mini brewery tour for Holly's brother's birthday. I've been to Great Divide a few times in the past, the last time in the summer of 2010 for Kyle Hollingsworth's Brewfest. I love the brewery and I love the beer. The venue is in a great downtown location, and while no food was present or served, a tasty looking food truck was posted up out front serving up around 7 different kinds of gourmet-ish looking sliders. The entry bar room is a little tight, but the bigger beer room in the back has plenty of space and great seating. This room is also exposed to the huge windows through the brewery room itself. The sun was shining through on a gorgeous and warm Saturday afternoon. Here's what we tried:
Hercules Double IPA - 10%abv; unknown ibus; love this in a bottle and on draft; pre-conceived notions of flavor; light head; significant lacing; exceptional bitter citrus on the nose; light lemon grapefruit notes too; the beer is very hop-forward, but retains good beer balance; a little nutty malted flavor here; easy on the mouth; could drink this all day; one of the boozier beers that hides his ABV content extremely well.
Espresso Oak Aged Yeti - 9.5%abv; good head...1/4 inch of brown foam; dark chocolate in color; good cocoa, coffee and even vanilla hints in the nose; very well-balanced; love the espresso overtones; after trying the Belgian Yeti in a bottle the night before, this one kind of blows it away; oak and subtle hop flavors on the back of the tongue.
Wild Raspberry Ale - 5.6%abv; no lacing; little head; very red in color; very fruit forward on the nose; love that it's more flavorful than a wheat; great balance; good beer...really enjoyed the refreshing taste on a warm day; good solid light fruit offering in a crowd of 'big' beers.
Oak Aged Yeti - 9.5%abv; why not try my second full draft of Yeti for the day and the third different Yeti in a 24-hour period; good near half-inch head; solid lacing; powerful oak on the nose; very earthy; slightly sweet up front; light cocoa and bitter; surprisingly hoppy; well-balanced; some hints of roasted vanilla; ultimately my favorite Yeti; this beer could get me drunk; super clean finish; still get the oak taste at the back end.
Great Divide is a downtown institution. It was slamming the entire 2 hours we were there. We even toured the brewery for shits and giggles. We tried a few other beers in sample sizes like the Hoss Rye Lager and the Nomad Pilsner, but I didn't consume more than a few sips and therefore refuse to give either a review. If you're heading to the stadium for a Rockies game, or anywhere near downtown and want to try some of the best of what CO as a whole has to offer, go to Great Divide. You won't regret it.
A first stop on another mini brewery tour for Holly's brother's birthday. I've been to Great Divide a few times in the past, the last time in the summer of 2010 for Kyle Hollingsworth's Brewfest. I love the brewery and I love the beer. The venue is in a great downtown location, and while no food was present or served, a tasty looking food truck was posted up out front serving up around 7 different kinds of gourmet-ish looking sliders. The entry bar room is a little tight, but the bigger beer room in the back has plenty of space and great seating. This room is also exposed to the huge windows through the brewery room itself. The sun was shining through on a gorgeous and warm Saturday afternoon. Here's what we tried:
Hercules Double IPA - 10%abv; unknown ibus; love this in a bottle and on draft; pre-conceived notions of flavor; light head; significant lacing; exceptional bitter citrus on the nose; light lemon grapefruit notes too; the beer is very hop-forward, but retains good beer balance; a little nutty malted flavor here; easy on the mouth; could drink this all day; one of the boozier beers that hides his ABV content extremely well.
Espresso Oak Aged Yeti - 9.5%abv; good head...1/4 inch of brown foam; dark chocolate in color; good cocoa, coffee and even vanilla hints in the nose; very well-balanced; love the espresso overtones; after trying the Belgian Yeti in a bottle the night before, this one kind of blows it away; oak and subtle hop flavors on the back of the tongue.
Wild Raspberry Ale - 5.6%abv; no lacing; little head; very red in color; very fruit forward on the nose; love that it's more flavorful than a wheat; great balance; good beer...really enjoyed the refreshing taste on a warm day; good solid light fruit offering in a crowd of 'big' beers.
Oak Aged Yeti - 9.5%abv; why not try my second full draft of Yeti for the day and the third different Yeti in a 24-hour period; good near half-inch head; solid lacing; powerful oak on the nose; very earthy; slightly sweet up front; light cocoa and bitter; surprisingly hoppy; well-balanced; some hints of roasted vanilla; ultimately my favorite Yeti; this beer could get me drunk; super clean finish; still get the oak taste at the back end.
Great Divide is a downtown institution. It was slamming the entire 2 hours we were there. We even toured the brewery for shits and giggles. We tried a few other beers in sample sizes like the Hoss Rye Lager and the Nomad Pilsner, but I didn't consume more than a few sips and therefore refuse to give either a review. If you're heading to the stadium for a Rockies game, or anywhere near downtown and want to try some of the best of what CO as a whole has to offer, go to Great Divide. You won't regret it.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Strange Brewing Company, Denver
Strange Brewing Company, visited on 2/18/12 (http://www.strangebrewingco.com/)
Saturday was a decidedly Denver-day-drinking experience, and only after we spent two hours at Hops and Pie in the Highlands were we ready to hit a brewery. Our stop at Hops and Pie was planned, but we weren't aware until the night before the H&P was having a 'grand opening' to celebrate the expansion...and the celebration happened to include the tapping of some 12-14 Dogfish Head beers. Now, if you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE DFH. They are far and away my favorite brewery on the east coast. There's almost nothing that comes close until you cross the Mississippi. Our group of 7 ALL enjoyed DFH beers on tap, with Bitches Brew, Chickory Stout, Hellhound, Pangea, Midas Touch, Fort, Raison D'etre and 120 Minute ALL being enjoyed in luscious pints or snifters (except Fort...which was sampled...and loved by me). I indulged in the latter two beers, having only tried Raison on draft once or twice when I lived back in NoVA and having NEVER had 120 on draft. I was actually pleasantly surprised when they came out with 120 poured in a 10 ounce pint glass...I fully expected an 8-ounce pour in a snifter. YUM. 120 Minute is easily my greatest beer indulgence.
Following our stop at H&P, we headed to Strange Brewing, kind of hidden in a non-descript commercial stretch of older shops near Mile High Station. Strange was pretty busy for a Saturday afternoon, but I'm assuming that was kind of normal. It was easy to try some other beers when you go in a group...everyone can still order a pint and everyone can give it a taste or two. Below are my tasting notes for beers I enjoyed at Strange:
Gingerbread Man - 6.5abv; 30ibus; I believe, if I can recall, that this is a brown ale, at least in style; the color was dark brown; a full inch head was found here; smells nice and spicy; there are subtle hints of nutmeg on the nose too; this tastes real gingerbready, which I love; very good, not overly sweet beer; moderate sweetness overall; very easy to drink; really good balance of taste and complexity; NICE!
Cherry Bomb Stout - 5.2abv; 46ibus; dark; very small head; no to little lacing; lightly bitter on the nose; good cherry flavor; tastes like a very light stout; sessionable; good beer with a touch of sweet cherry flavor and not overly heavy.
Cherry Kriek - 4.7abv; 15ibus; light in color; moderate to little lacing; almost red 'lager' in color; very sweet, tastes A LOT like cherry pie, and sold as such; good beer, but might be a little hard on the belly over time; probably something to enjoy after a meal; almost lambic-y without the heavy sweet.
IPAphany IPA - 7.0abv; 66ibus; light in color, almost a medium amber; minimal lacing; good hop odor, light though...likely a reflection of the moderate ibu number; good simple IPA in flavor; nothing overly complex, but well-balanced; drinkable in doses. I enjoyed this after all the sweetness I drank here.
Strange is pretty small and tight, with two rooms serving as tasting rooms with picnic tables in one; there was a food vendor on-site that was 'attached' to the open-ended picnic table room; we tried some of their 'beer balls' which were basically baked dough with sausage and something else undiscernible in it...not bad, and good to soak up some booze with. Overall, Strange had a mellow vibe with some good experimental but accessible beers. Once again, we'll be back!
Saturday was a decidedly Denver-day-drinking experience, and only after we spent two hours at Hops and Pie in the Highlands were we ready to hit a brewery. Our stop at Hops and Pie was planned, but we weren't aware until the night before the H&P was having a 'grand opening' to celebrate the expansion...and the celebration happened to include the tapping of some 12-14 Dogfish Head beers. Now, if you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE DFH. They are far and away my favorite brewery on the east coast. There's almost nothing that comes close until you cross the Mississippi. Our group of 7 ALL enjoyed DFH beers on tap, with Bitches Brew, Chickory Stout, Hellhound, Pangea, Midas Touch, Fort, Raison D'etre and 120 Minute ALL being enjoyed in luscious pints or snifters (except Fort...which was sampled...and loved by me). I indulged in the latter two beers, having only tried Raison on draft once or twice when I lived back in NoVA and having NEVER had 120 on draft. I was actually pleasantly surprised when they came out with 120 poured in a 10 ounce pint glass...I fully expected an 8-ounce pour in a snifter. YUM. 120 Minute is easily my greatest beer indulgence.
Following our stop at H&P, we headed to Strange Brewing, kind of hidden in a non-descript commercial stretch of older shops near Mile High Station. Strange was pretty busy for a Saturday afternoon, but I'm assuming that was kind of normal. It was easy to try some other beers when you go in a group...everyone can still order a pint and everyone can give it a taste or two. Below are my tasting notes for beers I enjoyed at Strange:
Gingerbread Man - 6.5abv; 30ibus; I believe, if I can recall, that this is a brown ale, at least in style; the color was dark brown; a full inch head was found here; smells nice and spicy; there are subtle hints of nutmeg on the nose too; this tastes real gingerbready, which I love; very good, not overly sweet beer; moderate sweetness overall; very easy to drink; really good balance of taste and complexity; NICE!
Cherry Bomb Stout - 5.2abv; 46ibus; dark; very small head; no to little lacing; lightly bitter on the nose; good cherry flavor; tastes like a very light stout; sessionable; good beer with a touch of sweet cherry flavor and not overly heavy.
Cherry Kriek - 4.7abv; 15ibus; light in color; moderate to little lacing; almost red 'lager' in color; very sweet, tastes A LOT like cherry pie, and sold as such; good beer, but might be a little hard on the belly over time; probably something to enjoy after a meal; almost lambic-y without the heavy sweet.
IPAphany IPA - 7.0abv; 66ibus; light in color, almost a medium amber; minimal lacing; good hop odor, light though...likely a reflection of the moderate ibu number; good simple IPA in flavor; nothing overly complex, but well-balanced; drinkable in doses. I enjoyed this after all the sweetness I drank here.
Strange is pretty small and tight, with two rooms serving as tasting rooms with picnic tables in one; there was a food vendor on-site that was 'attached' to the open-ended picnic table room; we tried some of their 'beer balls' which were basically baked dough with sausage and something else undiscernible in it...not bad, and good to soak up some booze with. Overall, Strange had a mellow vibe with some good experimental but accessible beers. Once again, we'll be back!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Twisted Pine, Boulder
Twisted Pine Brewing, visited on 2/4/12 (http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com/)
Following our stop at Avery, we decided to hit up the nearby Twisted Pine Brewing. We went for a sampler here of six beers and got a free taster of a special beer that will melt your face. The brew pub is smallish, cozy, and was pretty busy. The feel was definitely one of a 'local's brewpub'...we felt welcome, and they were celebrating the launch of their Imperial Indian Black...a black IPA. The pub had a very friendly vibe and there were parents with infants enjoying tasters...the parents, not the infants. Below are the tasting notes for the beers we tried:
Billy's Chilies - 5%abv; light head, solid lacing; "the most interesting beer I've tasted", says Holly..."where's the breakfast burrito?"; Indeed, the breweries site recommends this beer with a breakfast burrito; we both felt like some hot pepper jack cheese and a butter cracker would be a great compliment as well; distinct almost burning nose; very noticeable, although not intense, chili flavor all down the throat; full flavor..."it's fun", she says; great accessible experimental beer; four days after we tried it, I still find myself craving this beer.
Raspberry Wheat - 5%abv; low to little head; little lacing; light raspberry nose; very wheaty; very light in flavor; from Holly: "like drinking raspberry sparkling water with alcohol"; good, easily sessionable fruit beer.
Hoppy Boy - 5%, although I'm not sure; small head; exceptional lacing; lightly hopped; easily sessionable; light in color, prob. light abv w/o knowing; guessing under 60IBUs as well; expect more of a hop-forward flavor from TP's primary hop beer.
Honey Brown - 6%abv; amber to brown in color; light head; serious lacing; tastes like cocoa, but not over the top; easy to drink; made with local honey, but honey flavor kind of hard to find; good slightly sweet flavor
Big Shot Espresso Stout - unsure of the abv; little head; no lacing; dark; probably a great paring with cheesecake; smells like a cup of coffee; slightly espresso bitter; tastes as if a porter and a cup of coffee were poured in to one glass; good beer!; I believe I have a 22oz. of this upstairs...and didn't know it when we tasted
Imperial Indian Black - unsure of abv; this beer was launched the day we visited; dark!; small head; solid all around lacing; very fruity on the nose; hoppy and dark; very good balance; light grapefruit; love the dark/fruity combination; prob the best beer I've tried here; will be looking for a bottle down the road; tasty!
Ghost Face Killah - I have no idea what kind of abvs are in here...and it really doesn't matter; you aren't drinking more than a few sips; I saw a $4.50 12oz bottle at Bubbles last week and almost pulled the trigger; made with a blend of Ghost Chili; almost a metallic pepper smell on the nose; burns my throat immediately; my good lord that burns; this is the hottest beer (or drink!) I've ever or will ever taste; I almost can't type as I'm taking notes; instantly feel like I'm breathing fire; NOT for the faint of heart, fun experimental beer to share with friends.
And that's it! We enjoyed TP and I think Holly counts it among her favorite breweries visited thus far. It looks like there's a light menu of pizza, sammiches and snacks, although we didn't indulge. We'll certainly be picking up a 6er of Billie's Chilies with some good cheese. Yum.
Following our stop at Avery, we decided to hit up the nearby Twisted Pine Brewing. We went for a sampler here of six beers and got a free taster of a special beer that will melt your face. The brew pub is smallish, cozy, and was pretty busy. The feel was definitely one of a 'local's brewpub'...we felt welcome, and they were celebrating the launch of their Imperial Indian Black...a black IPA. The pub had a very friendly vibe and there were parents with infants enjoying tasters...the parents, not the infants. Below are the tasting notes for the beers we tried:
Billy's Chilies - 5%abv; light head, solid lacing; "the most interesting beer I've tasted", says Holly..."where's the breakfast burrito?"; Indeed, the breweries site recommends this beer with a breakfast burrito; we both felt like some hot pepper jack cheese and a butter cracker would be a great compliment as well; distinct almost burning nose; very noticeable, although not intense, chili flavor all down the throat; full flavor..."it's fun", she says; great accessible experimental beer; four days after we tried it, I still find myself craving this beer.
Raspberry Wheat - 5%abv; low to little head; little lacing; light raspberry nose; very wheaty; very light in flavor; from Holly: "like drinking raspberry sparkling water with alcohol"; good, easily sessionable fruit beer.
Hoppy Boy - 5%, although I'm not sure; small head; exceptional lacing; lightly hopped; easily sessionable; light in color, prob. light abv w/o knowing; guessing under 60IBUs as well; expect more of a hop-forward flavor from TP's primary hop beer.
Honey Brown - 6%abv; amber to brown in color; light head; serious lacing; tastes like cocoa, but not over the top; easy to drink; made with local honey, but honey flavor kind of hard to find; good slightly sweet flavor
Big Shot Espresso Stout - unsure of the abv; little head; no lacing; dark; probably a great paring with cheesecake; smells like a cup of coffee; slightly espresso bitter; tastes as if a porter and a cup of coffee were poured in to one glass; good beer!; I believe I have a 22oz. of this upstairs...and didn't know it when we tasted
Imperial Indian Black - unsure of abv; this beer was launched the day we visited; dark!; small head; solid all around lacing; very fruity on the nose; hoppy and dark; very good balance; light grapefruit; love the dark/fruity combination; prob the best beer I've tried here; will be looking for a bottle down the road; tasty!
Ghost Face Killah - I have no idea what kind of abvs are in here...and it really doesn't matter; you aren't drinking more than a few sips; I saw a $4.50 12oz bottle at Bubbles last week and almost pulled the trigger; made with a blend of Ghost Chili; almost a metallic pepper smell on the nose; burns my throat immediately; my good lord that burns; this is the hottest beer (or drink!) I've ever or will ever taste; I almost can't type as I'm taking notes; instantly feel like I'm breathing fire; NOT for the faint of heart, fun experimental beer to share with friends.
And that's it! We enjoyed TP and I think Holly counts it among her favorite breweries visited thus far. It looks like there's a light menu of pizza, sammiches and snacks, although we didn't indulge. We'll certainly be picking up a 6er of Billie's Chilies with some good cheese. Yum.
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