Thursday, January 17, 2013
Introducing Tyler Mathis
Greetings folks! We have some big news this week. The blog adds another writer as we all know I don't always get the time to put as much information on the blog as I would like. So my fellow beer aficionado, Tyler, will be joining me on the blog as he does on the wall. So look forward to more information from a fresh face, and make sure to let him know how he's doing. Meanwhile, look forward to the reviews which will be hitting the blog sometime tonight.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews Pt. 1
Greetings folks! Just by sheer chance, we have Jacob back as a guest taster this week. He happened to be passing through, and we happened to be passing judgement on some brews. So here goes with Part 1!
Stone IPA
It has been a while since we have welcomed one of my Top 5 single IPA's on tap. Stone makes a triumphant return onto our wall with this soapy and citrusy ale. The nose is full of lemon, grapefruit zest, cracked pepper, and ranch. The taste was pleasantly bitter with subtle flavors of citrus, soap, parsley, and cracked pepper. The finish has the bitterness lingering with lemon and mineral flavors. This IPA drinks easy, but is heavy on those soapy hops.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 8.5/10
Founders Centennial IPA
Founders is one of my favorite breweries out there, and each time I try it I want to like their IPA. This will not be that time. The nose is interesting with aroma's of fresh linen, chinese food, shrimp, pine, and floral hops. The nose alone threw me off, though Tyler sung its praises. The taste is very bitter, which almost overpowers the light flavors of lemon juice, black cherries, and soap. The finish is incredibly dry with the bitterness ramping up even more to mask the flavors of pomegranite and blackberries. Tyler loved this beer. Jacob and I did not. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 6/10
Founders Imperial Stout
This is one of Founders most impressive beers and is only available for about 2 months out of the year. If you are a stout lover then you owe it to yourself to give this great beer a try. The nose is wonderful with strong aroma's of rich dark chocolate, cream, smoke, chicory, cognac, and vanilla. Tyler declared that it had the best nose of any stout. I couldn't disagree. The flavor is rich and chock full of chocolate and coffee grounds. Softer flavors of maple wood, cherry wood, and blackberries made for a wonderful flavor. The finish was bitter and had wonderful tasting notes that included coffee beans, 70% dark chocolate, espresso, raisins, and light hints of smoke. This is truly an impressive stout.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 9.5/10
Stone IPA
It has been a while since we have welcomed one of my Top 5 single IPA's on tap. Stone makes a triumphant return onto our wall with this soapy and citrusy ale. The nose is full of lemon, grapefruit zest, cracked pepper, and ranch. The taste was pleasantly bitter with subtle flavors of citrus, soap, parsley, and cracked pepper. The finish has the bitterness lingering with lemon and mineral flavors. This IPA drinks easy, but is heavy on those soapy hops.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 8.5/10
Founders Centennial IPA
Founders is one of my favorite breweries out there, and each time I try it I want to like their IPA. This will not be that time. The nose is interesting with aroma's of fresh linen, chinese food, shrimp, pine, and floral hops. The nose alone threw me off, though Tyler sung its praises. The taste is very bitter, which almost overpowers the light flavors of lemon juice, black cherries, and soap. The finish is incredibly dry with the bitterness ramping up even more to mask the flavors of pomegranite and blackberries. Tyler loved this beer. Jacob and I did not. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 6/10
Founders Imperial Stout
This is one of Founders most impressive beers and is only available for about 2 months out of the year. If you are a stout lover then you owe it to yourself to give this great beer a try. The nose is wonderful with strong aroma's of rich dark chocolate, cream, smoke, chicory, cognac, and vanilla. Tyler declared that it had the best nose of any stout. I couldn't disagree. The flavor is rich and chock full of chocolate and coffee grounds. Softer flavors of maple wood, cherry wood, and blackberries made for a wonderful flavor. The finish was bitter and had wonderful tasting notes that included coffee beans, 70% dark chocolate, espresso, raisins, and light hints of smoke. This is truly an impressive stout.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 9.5/10
Monday, January 7, 2013
Pint Night News
Greetings folks! I have some early news for you all this week. Our featured beer will be Founders and we will have a few offerings to choose from which include: Founders Centennial IPA, Breakfast Stout, Imperial Stout, and Dry-Hopped Pale Ale. Hopefully we will see you all out here for this wonderful assortment of beers from one of my favorite brewing companies.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews
We had a special guest taster this week folks. Jacob, a regular at our draft wall, visited us and lent his insight and ratings to go alongside ours.
Three Floyds Gumballhead
This hopped Pale Wheat Ale is one of the most popular beers we put on tap, and with good reason. Light and drinkable with plenty of hop flavors brings in a diverse crowd of people. The nose had a lovely aroma, with hints of lemon zest, cracked pepper, and onions. The taste was nice with soft flavors of lemon pith, mint, soap, and mango. The finish was quick with most of the flavor melting away and leaving very light flavors of lemon juice and wheat. A perfect Summer beer for those of you wishing those warm day were already here.
Tyler, Mike, and Jacob's Rating - 9/10
Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale
Another Three Floyd's had graced our wall. Those nose on this one was also impressive. The nose gave off delightful wafts of fruit medley, tropical fruit, and heavy syrup. The taste had a mineral bite up front, which quickly mellowed into dark berry flavors, cream, and a dash of bitterness. The bitterness continued into the finish with strong flavors of soap and pine.This beer never disappoints even though it is sometimes forgotten behind the likes of Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadnaught, and Zombie Dust.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 9.25/10
Three Floyds Zombie Dust Pale Ale
Speaking of Zombie Dust, here it is. The creme de la creme from Three Floyds. The nose was diverse with aromas of grapefruit, onions, pepper, raspberries, and light floral notes. The taste was interesting and seemed a little off compared to the last Zombie Dust on tap. Buttered toast, heavy whipping cream, lemon, and honey suckle made for an interesting taste. Onions, oranges, and floral extracts shined through on the finish. This was certainly not what I expected. Tyler and Jacob gave it the ever elusive 10. I wasn't as impressed.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 9.75/10
Three Floyds Gumballhead
This hopped Pale Wheat Ale is one of the most popular beers we put on tap, and with good reason. Light and drinkable with plenty of hop flavors brings in a diverse crowd of people. The nose had a lovely aroma, with hints of lemon zest, cracked pepper, and onions. The taste was nice with soft flavors of lemon pith, mint, soap, and mango. The finish was quick with most of the flavor melting away and leaving very light flavors of lemon juice and wheat. A perfect Summer beer for those of you wishing those warm day were already here.
Tyler, Mike, and Jacob's Rating - 9/10
Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale
Another Three Floyd's had graced our wall. Those nose on this one was also impressive. The nose gave off delightful wafts of fruit medley, tropical fruit, and heavy syrup. The taste had a mineral bite up front, which quickly mellowed into dark berry flavors, cream, and a dash of bitterness. The bitterness continued into the finish with strong flavors of soap and pine.This beer never disappoints even though it is sometimes forgotten behind the likes of Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadnaught, and Zombie Dust.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 9.25/10
Three Floyds Zombie Dust Pale Ale
Speaking of Zombie Dust, here it is. The creme de la creme from Three Floyds. The nose was diverse with aromas of grapefruit, onions, pepper, raspberries, and light floral notes. The taste was interesting and seemed a little off compared to the last Zombie Dust on tap. Buttered toast, heavy whipping cream, lemon, and honey suckle made for an interesting taste. Onions, oranges, and floral extracts shined through on the finish. This was certainly not what I expected. Tyler and Jacob gave it the ever elusive 10. I wasn't as impressed.
Mike, Tyler, and Jacob's Rating - 9.75/10
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Pint Night News
Friday will be a very special day indeed. Three Floyds is our featured brewery, and we have quite the lineup. Gumballhead, Alpha King, and Zombie Dust will all be on tap. Bring your own glasses, as it is just the beer this weekend folks (though we always have spares). On one last note, we will NOT be filling any growlers of Zombie Dust during Pint Night on Friday. If you would like a growler, we will have them for sale on Saturday (one per customer).
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Weekly Beer Reviews
We brought in a special guest taster to help us this week. Tyler's friend Allen gladly helped us taste and rate this weeks brews.
Upland Dragonfly IPA
The first of 3 IPA's from Upland, this one had a very subtle nose. Applesauce with soft hints of citrus and lime made for a pleasant aroma that isn't overpowering. The taste is very bitter up front, though with a soft mouthfeel. Very floral, it had light flavors of fruit punch. The finish ramps up the bitterness, though not enough to hide the toasty finish. This IPA definitely will appeal to those bitter bomb lovers out there.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 7.75/10
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
This beer is always insanely popular at this time of year. It is one of the few beers we have to limit the amount of 6 packs we sell. As such, I saved it for the week and weekend leading up to Christmas. The nose is definitely spiced with aroma's of pine, apple spice, cinnamon sticks, holly, and peppermint. The taste is lighter than expected with hints of earth, oranges, cranberries, and spice. The finish is lightly bitter and offers a lovely malt profile that includes flavors of toasted crust, pine, whipped cream, and graham crackers. This is perfect for a lighter beer that fits the season.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 8.25/10
Upland Double Dragonfly Double IPA
The second of Uplands IPA's that we have on tap, this one definitely ramps up the hops. The nose is absolutely beautiful with hints of orange juice, pineapple, cherries, and parsley. The taste is bitter up front, which quickly seems to sweeten. Flavors of lemon, alcohol, and cilantro are prevalent up front. The finish is a completely different story. The lemon remains, but with it are wonderful flavors of mango and pineapple. While not the most intense IPA, it certainly has a lot of flavor.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 8.5/10
Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA
For a second week in a row we bust out a keg of this intense Imperial IPA from Three Floyds Brewing. The nose, Tyler proclaims, is heaven. Strong aroma's of lemon, lemon zest, onions, garlic, and pine create a truly impressive nose on this beer. The taste is a little more one-dimensional. Rich with bitter pine flavors. The pine continues into the finish with strong tastes of lemon and perfume coming through.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 9/10
Upland Komodo Dragonfly Black IPA
We have had quite a few Black IPA's on tap this past month. Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous and Falls City's Black IPA have come before, and now we present Upland's Komodo Dragonfly. The nose was all malt with strong hints of bacon and smoke and lighter hints of pepper and salt. The taste was bitter up front with very little hop presence. A strong flavor of bacon came on strong, with the finish being all cream, coffee grounds, and baking chocolate. Not my favorite Black IPA, but definitely worth a try if you are a Stout fan.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 7/10
Upland Dragonfly IPA
The first of 3 IPA's from Upland, this one had a very subtle nose. Applesauce with soft hints of citrus and lime made for a pleasant aroma that isn't overpowering. The taste is very bitter up front, though with a soft mouthfeel. Very floral, it had light flavors of fruit punch. The finish ramps up the bitterness, though not enough to hide the toasty finish. This IPA definitely will appeal to those bitter bomb lovers out there.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 7.75/10
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
This beer is always insanely popular at this time of year. It is one of the few beers we have to limit the amount of 6 packs we sell. As such, I saved it for the week and weekend leading up to Christmas. The nose is definitely spiced with aroma's of pine, apple spice, cinnamon sticks, holly, and peppermint. The taste is lighter than expected with hints of earth, oranges, cranberries, and spice. The finish is lightly bitter and offers a lovely malt profile that includes flavors of toasted crust, pine, whipped cream, and graham crackers. This is perfect for a lighter beer that fits the season.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 8.25/10
Upland Double Dragonfly Double IPA
The second of Uplands IPA's that we have on tap, this one definitely ramps up the hops. The nose is absolutely beautiful with hints of orange juice, pineapple, cherries, and parsley. The taste is bitter up front, which quickly seems to sweeten. Flavors of lemon, alcohol, and cilantro are prevalent up front. The finish is a completely different story. The lemon remains, but with it are wonderful flavors of mango and pineapple. While not the most intense IPA, it certainly has a lot of flavor.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 8.5/10
Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA
For a second week in a row we bust out a keg of this intense Imperial IPA from Three Floyds Brewing. The nose, Tyler proclaims, is heaven. Strong aroma's of lemon, lemon zest, onions, garlic, and pine create a truly impressive nose on this beer. The taste is a little more one-dimensional. Rich with bitter pine flavors. The pine continues into the finish with strong tastes of lemon and perfume coming through.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 9/10
Upland Komodo Dragonfly Black IPA
We have had quite a few Black IPA's on tap this past month. Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous and Falls City's Black IPA have come before, and now we present Upland's Komodo Dragonfly. The nose was all malt with strong hints of bacon and smoke and lighter hints of pepper and salt. The taste was bitter up front with very little hop presence. A strong flavor of bacon came on strong, with the finish being all cream, coffee grounds, and baking chocolate. Not my favorite Black IPA, but definitely worth a try if you are a Stout fan.
Mike, Tyler, and Allen's Rating - 7/10
Pint Night News
Greetings folks! The Holidays have been busy, but we certainly haven't forgotten Pint Night. Upland is coming to share a Pint Night with us, and they have brought three of their IPA's for draft. Upland Dragonfly IPA, Double Dragonfly Double IPA, and Komodo Dragonfly Black IPA will all be on tap. In addition, we will have Great Lakes Christmas Ale on tap for the holidays and yet another keg of Three Floyds Dreadnaught which will not be sold in growlers as of this writing. Come in and enjoy this wonderful lineup!
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