Here we are folks. For 3 weeks I have regaled you with tales of the return of the IPA's. That week has arrived and when the bell tolls at 4:30 PM on Friday, the festivities will begin. Until then you all will have to be content with the reviews I have compiled from our tasting notes. We have 6 of the 12 ready to review today, so here we go.
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA
It has been a long time since the Hop Ottin' has graced our wall, though I can say that with many of the IPA's going up. The nose on this IPA is different and shows off the higher malt content and the bit of age the keg has. Dark brown sugar, raisins, grapes, lemon-lime soda, and wheat bread were all detected on this diverse aroma. The taste displayed quite a bit of bitterness, though it didn't overpower the flavor. Juniper berries, citrus, and a subtle woodiness were present on the initial taste. The finish went in a different direction with the bitterness lightening up and displaying soft flavors of toast, minerals, and burnt butterscotch. This is a much different IPA than the usual.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.25/10
Green Flash West Coast IPA
I have always enjoyed the Hop Head Red from Green Flash and been indifferent when it comes to the West Coast. Time, it seems, has addled my memory. The nose on this IPA is one of the best I have inhaled from a single IPA. Fresh oranges and cracked pepper hit our noses first and it was followed by softer aromas of pine, pear, tea, and a little skunk. A slight bitterness start out the flavors with flavors of orange juice, pine, and necco candy. It makes for a wonderful start to this IPA. The finish ramps up that bitterness and throws in a smattering of completely opposite flavors like blueberries, wintergreen, and toasted almonds. After tasting this, I have little doubt this will be the best single IPA we put up this weekend.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Anderson Valley Heelch O'Hops Double IPA
This is the first time this DIPA from Anderson Valley will grace our wall. I have had their now defunct Imperial IPA and so I had a decent idea of what we were getting into...Until we tasted it. First off, the nose smells like a pine forest. Evergreen trees, pine, and rainwater start off the aroma with lighter hints of citrus, sawdust, and floral notes. Just like with the Hop Ottin', this brew is bitter throughout. Lemon juice, orange juice, orange zest, and blueberries made for a very fruity opening to this beer. The finish was all blackberry jam with a dash of lemongrass. With very little malt presence for a double, this ended up being a little unbalanced for sure.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8/10
Dogfish Head Burton Baton Oak-Aged Imperial IPA
I was worried about this beer, as it has a lot more age than I like on my IPA's. However, with it being an Oak-Aged beer, I figured it would hold up to the test of time. I have never been more mistaken. The nose was different with aroma's of coffee grounds, grass, astringent orange juice, and aged white cheddar. Not at all the bright nose that you tend to expect from IPA's. The taste had a powerful flavor of mint leaf up front with softer flavors of lemonade and cocoa powder. None of those flavors seemed to go together and instead seemed to compete for dominance. The finish was sweet and earthy with flavors of toffee, burnt brown sugar, mint, and alka-seltzer. Tyler enjoyed it for what it was...I will plead the 5th on this one.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.5/10
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA
Many of you have asked me for months about this one, and I am happy to say that it has returned! The nose is incredibly pungent and thick with strong flavors of onion, garlic toast, and seaweed. Softer aromas of pine, herbs, snow peas, and gumbo are present on the back end. This one is full of stinky aromatic hops. The taste is smooth up front with flavors of onions, garlic, and sea salt. The finish has a strong bitterness to it with flavors of citrus, cracked black pepper, and sea salt. This beer is definitely hoppy but the salty notes seem to detract from the flavor a bit. Still, it is a wonderful Imperial IPA for those that enjoy those funky hops.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Green Flash Palate Wrecker Double IPA
I must admit that this is the beer I was waiting for when I got all of my kegs. Let me tell you, it certainly delivers. The nose has tons of pine and lime on it. Softer hints of lemon zest, sharp cheddar, oregano, and rosemary make for a beautiful nose. The flavor is even better than the nose would imply. I usually don't go for the bitterbombs, and this one is certainly one. The intensity is there from the start with flavors of pine, grass, basil, mint, and a dash of crackers. The finish ramps up the bitterness even more with more of that strong pine presence. Flavors of lemon and lemon pith were also strongly represented with small flavors of plums. This is definitely the best we have tapped so far.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews
Hello folks. We have several new beers that have made it onto the wall. Falls City Pale Ale, Falls City Black IPA, and Falls City American Wheat have taken over the tap wall, with a Founders Double Trouble joining them to boot. We only just tapped the Pale Ale and American Wheat, so we only have two available for review right now. Check out the blog later for additional reviews.
Falls City Black IPA
I must say, I was a little disappointed that I bought a keg of the old batch of Black IPA. That was until I found out it would be the last trickle of the Black IPA until November. The age shows as it tastes more like a Smoked Porter than a Black IPA. The hop presence is practically non-existant with just a slight twang of lemon. More pronounced on the nose was aroma's of roasted peanuts, roasted coffee, bacon, and milk chocolate. The smoke definitely translates to the flavor with the bacon becoming very pronounced in the flavor. Light flavors of citrus and cheddar cheese also shine through. The finish has more bacon, but then the dark malts really start to shine. Smoke, peanut oil, cracked pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso round out an excellent finish.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.75/10
Founders Double Trouble
Ah, it has finally returned! This happens to be one of my absolute favorite Double IPA's. To the point where I got it on tap fresh 2 years ago and declared that I would take it over Arctic Panzer Wolf AND Dreadnaught. This years batch isn't that good, but it is still stellar. The nose is incredibly diverse with strong aromas of pine, pine sol, lemon, violets, grapefruit, onions, and honeycrisp apples. The first taste reveals an explosion of flavor with a strong bitterness starting this beer out. Onions, lemon zest, oranges, mangos, raspberries, and pineapple make for an incredible introduction to this wonderful DIPA. The finish continues the bitterness with flavors of lemon zest, chives, fresh cut grass, pine, and orange juice. This is certainly a must-have on the wall.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Falls City Black IPA
I must say, I was a little disappointed that I bought a keg of the old batch of Black IPA. That was until I found out it would be the last trickle of the Black IPA until November. The age shows as it tastes more like a Smoked Porter than a Black IPA. The hop presence is practically non-existant with just a slight twang of lemon. More pronounced on the nose was aroma's of roasted peanuts, roasted coffee, bacon, and milk chocolate. The smoke definitely translates to the flavor with the bacon becoming very pronounced in the flavor. Light flavors of citrus and cheddar cheese also shine through. The finish has more bacon, but then the dark malts really start to shine. Smoke, peanut oil, cracked pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso round out an excellent finish.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.75/10
Founders Double Trouble
Ah, it has finally returned! This happens to be one of my absolute favorite Double IPA's. To the point where I got it on tap fresh 2 years ago and declared that I would take it over Arctic Panzer Wolf AND Dreadnaught. This years batch isn't that good, but it is still stellar. The nose is incredibly diverse with strong aromas of pine, pine sol, lemon, violets, grapefruit, onions, and honeycrisp apples. The first taste reveals an explosion of flavor with a strong bitterness starting this beer out. Onions, lemon zest, oranges, mangos, raspberries, and pineapple make for an incredible introduction to this wonderful DIPA. The finish continues the bitterness with flavors of lemon zest, chives, fresh cut grass, pine, and orange juice. This is certainly a must-have on the wall.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Falls City Triple Decker Pint Night Spectacle!
Hello People,
This Friday's Pint Night offerings will featuring all three of the Falls City brews:
The American Wheat is a new brew by the brewery, while this batch of the Black IPA is roasty and tasty, with hints of smoke and citrus, along with the profound flavor of peanut oil. We have also tapped the Founder's Doulbe Trouble Double IPA for all of you hop heads. And let's not forget, the Friday after this one will feature a varitable flood of IPAs, so get your hop heads strapped on tight!
We should be getting in Falls City American Wheat pint glasses; studious observers keeping count will note that this is the third type of Falls City pint glass we have had available, one for each beer! Those of you desperate to have the complete collection won't want to miss tomorrow.
Another amazing Pint Night is in store this Friday, with good times and fun company always at hand! Make sure to stop in and give everyone the pleasure of your company too.
This Friday's Pint Night offerings will featuring all three of the Falls City brews:
- Falls City Pale Ale
- Falls City Black IPA
- Falls City American Wheat Ale
The American Wheat is a new brew by the brewery, while this batch of the Black IPA is roasty and tasty, with hints of smoke and citrus, along with the profound flavor of peanut oil. We have also tapped the Founder's Doulbe Trouble Double IPA for all of you hop heads. And let's not forget, the Friday after this one will feature a varitable flood of IPAs, so get your hop heads strapped on tight!
We should be getting in Falls City American Wheat pint glasses; studious observers keeping count will note that this is the third type of Falls City pint glass we have had available, one for each beer! Those of you desperate to have the complete collection won't want to miss tomorrow.
Another amazing Pint Night is in store this Friday, with good times and fun company always at hand! Make sure to stop in and give everyone the pleasure of your company too.
Growler List Added
Greetings folks! It seems we have quite a few updates today. You may have noticed a massive change on the blog page. We have added our complete Growler List (sans prices) on the left side so that you can check to see if your favorite beer is still on tap. We will strive to update it daily so that it will be a reliable source of information for all your beer shopping needs!
Looking Ahead...
Greetings fellow beer enthusiasts! I just wanted to take a moment to look ahead a week. Many of you all have probably noticed an increased number of empty taps. That will be remedied next Friday when we have an IPA Takeover Night! Overnight, 12 new single and double IPA's will be tapped for your drinking pleasure. Signs have been posted in our store as to the lineup, but I will also put it up here for those of you Blog addicts! So, without further ado, the list:
Quite the lineup, no? On top of that we tapped Green Flash Hop Head Red IPA last week, and will be tapping Founders Double Trouble this week! As if that wasn't enough, we will also have 2 IPA's waiting in the wings to go up when 2 blow off the wall. For those, you will just have to check in and see what we have to deliver. It is an exciting Spring for all of us Hop Lovers!
- Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA
- Anderson Valley Heelch O'Hops Double IPA
- Breckenridge 471 Imperial IPA
- Dogfish Head Burton Baton Oak-Aged Imperial IPA
- Green Flash West Coast IPA
- Green Flash Palate Wrecker Double IPA
- Heavy Seas Big DIPA
- North Coast Acme IPA
- Sierra Nevada Hoptimum
- Southern Tier IPA
- Stone IPA
- Stone Ruination Imperial IPA
Quite the lineup, no? On top of that we tapped Green Flash Hop Head Red IPA last week, and will be tapping Founders Double Trouble this week! As if that wasn't enough, we will also have 2 IPA's waiting in the wings to go up when 2 blow off the wall. For those, you will just have to check in and see what we have to deliver. It is an exciting Spring for all of us Hop Lovers!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Derby Double Pint Night Jamboree!!!
You read correctly folks! For the legendary Kentucky Derby we will be having two Pint Nights, one on Thursday and Friday! We will be featuring the Lore Derby Brown Ale right out of Danville, Kentucky!
We have also tapped the Great Lakes Rye of the Tiger Rye IPA, as well as the Green Flash Hop Head Red IPA for you hop-heads out there! Lore pint glasses are also available!
Exclaim!
We have also tapped the Great Lakes Rye of the Tiger Rye IPA, as well as the Green Flash Hop Head Red IPA for you hop-heads out there! Lore pint glasses are also available!
Exclaim!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews - Cider Edition
That's right folks, we have had a cider takeover on the wall. 4 of our 5 new brews on the wall will be Ciders from 4 different companies. The odd man out appearing on our wall is Bell's Oberon, a truly delectable Summer beer that is sure to be perfect with Derby ahead. Due to time constraints, only the Ciders were available for review. So, here we go, the Weekly Beer Reviews Cider Edition!
Strongbow English Dry Cider
The first cider hails all the way from the U.K. The cider itself is almost clear it is so light, and the nose has only slight hints of red apples, mint, and watermelon. It is certainly meant to be a quaffable cider. The taste itself is crisp up front with flavors of Granny Smith apples. The finish is light with a bit of sourness that comes off with a grape flavor. Soft flavors of hay and melon were also prevalent. Perfect for a nice, hot day.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Angry Orchard Crisp Cider
This has been a favorite among the staff and customers alike. It has made numerous appearances to our wall and sells quite well. As such, it was a given that it would be here for Cider Night. The nose is sweet with lovely aromas of Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, and lighter hints of sage and melon. The taste is sweet up front, but quickly mellows out with flavors of yellow apples, melons, sage, and a slight hint of chicken broth. The finish has softer flavors of overripe apples and baked cinnamon apples. Quaffable while having tons of flavors, come see why this Cider has become a Best Seller.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Woodchuck Spring Cider
Woodchuck has been the dominant cider on the market for years...Until recently when several new Cider companies have hit the shelves with a splash. Woodchuck has shaken up a few of their ciders, and this is one that got a makeover for the better. The nose is intense with aromas of grape Kool-Aid powder, maple syrup, caramel, marshmellows, vanilla, and banana pudding. It is a very aromatic cider to say the least. The taste delivers with strong flavors of maple syrup and lighter flavors of caramel and brown sugar. The finish continues that strong maple syrup presence with a dash of whipped cream. While I feel this cider would be better for fall, there is no denying the quality in this one.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Ciderboys Magic Apple Strawberry Cider
We come to the newest cider to our shelves...Which has quickly become my favorite on the shelves. Ciderboys has a few ciders, and all of them deliver. It has made itself an instant hit, and so I look forward to bringing this to you all. The nose is all strawberry with aromas of strawberries, strawberry milk, strawberry syrup, and strawberry seed. The taste is tart with flavors of honeycrisp apples, fresh strawberries, and strawberry seed. The finish continues the tone of the strawberries with flavors of orange juice an parsley as well. This is easily my favorite cider that has ever been on the wall.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Strongbow English Dry Cider
The first cider hails all the way from the U.K. The cider itself is almost clear it is so light, and the nose has only slight hints of red apples, mint, and watermelon. It is certainly meant to be a quaffable cider. The taste itself is crisp up front with flavors of Granny Smith apples. The finish is light with a bit of sourness that comes off with a grape flavor. Soft flavors of hay and melon were also prevalent. Perfect for a nice, hot day.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Angry Orchard Crisp Cider
This has been a favorite among the staff and customers alike. It has made numerous appearances to our wall and sells quite well. As such, it was a given that it would be here for Cider Night. The nose is sweet with lovely aromas of Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, and lighter hints of sage and melon. The taste is sweet up front, but quickly mellows out with flavors of yellow apples, melons, sage, and a slight hint of chicken broth. The finish has softer flavors of overripe apples and baked cinnamon apples. Quaffable while having tons of flavors, come see why this Cider has become a Best Seller.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Woodchuck Spring Cider
Woodchuck has been the dominant cider on the market for years...Until recently when several new Cider companies have hit the shelves with a splash. Woodchuck has shaken up a few of their ciders, and this is one that got a makeover for the better. The nose is intense with aromas of grape Kool-Aid powder, maple syrup, caramel, marshmellows, vanilla, and banana pudding. It is a very aromatic cider to say the least. The taste delivers with strong flavors of maple syrup and lighter flavors of caramel and brown sugar. The finish continues that strong maple syrup presence with a dash of whipped cream. While I feel this cider would be better for fall, there is no denying the quality in this one.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Ciderboys Magic Apple Strawberry Cider
We come to the newest cider to our shelves...Which has quickly become my favorite on the shelves. Ciderboys has a few ciders, and all of them deliver. It has made itself an instant hit, and so I look forward to bringing this to you all. The nose is all strawberry with aromas of strawberries, strawberry milk, strawberry syrup, and strawberry seed. The taste is tart with flavors of honeycrisp apples, fresh strawberries, and strawberry seed. The finish continues the tone of the strawberries with flavors of orange juice an parsley as well. This is easily my favorite cider that has ever been on the wall.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
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