Always up for some BCBS News:
lhttps://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/07/goose-island-adding-2018-bourbon-county.html
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Illinois Craft Beer Week
News You Can Use: Illinois Craft Beer Week.
Be fearless. Go out and do some Research.
And remember, "The difference between screwing around and science is writing it down." (Adam Savage)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-illinois-craft-beer-week-picks-2018-story.html
Prost!
Be fearless. Go out and do some Research.
And remember, "The difference between screwing around and science is writing it down." (Adam Savage)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-illinois-craft-beer-week-picks-2018-story.html
Prost!
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Beer Of The Day: Short Fuse Bee-33
BOTD: Short Fuse Bee-33
Short Fuse Brewing Company (Schiller Park, IL)
( https://www.shortfusebrewing.com/ )
"Triple" IPA
11% ABV
Triple IPA? I have seen this label pop up more, recently. According to the BJCP* officially as a style...it doesn't exist./ A Double IPA"....Bigger than either an English or American IPA in both alcohol strength and overall hop level (bittering and finish). Less malty, lower body, less rich and a
greater overall hop intensity than an American Barleywine...."
So if by it's measurable and observable characteristics, why the "Triple" label? If double is 10%, wouldn't triple be 15? Shouldn't the hop nose and flavor be powerful enough to require a biohazard protocol?
Well, as in other Triple experiences, prepare for disappointment if your expectations are for a Lupulin Overdose leading to a Transformative Hop Experience.
That doesn't mean it's not a good beer.....
In this case, the team from Schiller Park has done a nice job on what is essentially a DIPA in a way that is unique and enjoyable.
Poured from a can into a 16 oz pint glass, the beer pours clear golden with an average white foamy head. The aroma is not particularly hoppy, and has some notes I can only ascribe to the honey component of the "malt" bill. The flavor is surprisingly light, slightly sweet, with a mildly bitter finish. Not currently listed on the Short Fuse web site, Beer Advocate says the ABV is 11%, which is either incorrect, or it hides its gravity quite well. There is no noticeable alcohol burn, and the body is light. Far from being the malt+hop bomb I expected, it is actually quite a nice thirst quenching beer with modest DIPA character. If you see it, pick up a four pack and tell me what you think. Perhaps "Lawnmower IPA" will be picked up as an official style by the BJCP.....
My Rating: 4 / 5
Untapp[d: 3.76 / 5
Prost!
*Beer Judging Certification Program, a body that trains tasters and tracks and documents "official" beer styles. Like the dictionary and new words, something that becomes common enough for long enough will eventually be adopted as "official" and its expected characteristics documented.
Short Fuse Brewing Company (Schiller Park, IL)
( https://www.shortfusebrewing.com/ )
"Triple" IPA
11% ABV
Triple IPA? I have seen this label pop up more, recently. According to the BJCP* officially as a style...it doesn't exist./ A Double IPA"....Bigger than either an English or American IPA in both alcohol strength and overall hop level (bittering and finish). Less malty, lower body, less rich and a
greater overall hop intensity than an American Barleywine...."
So if by it's measurable and observable characteristics, why the "Triple" label? If double is 10%, wouldn't triple be 15? Shouldn't the hop nose and flavor be powerful enough to require a biohazard protocol?
Well, as in other Triple experiences, prepare for disappointment if your expectations are for a Lupulin Overdose leading to a Transformative Hop Experience.
That doesn't mean it's not a good beer.....
In this case, the team from Schiller Park has done a nice job on what is essentially a DIPA in a way that is unique and enjoyable.
Poured from a can into a 16 oz pint glass, the beer pours clear golden with an average white foamy head. The aroma is not particularly hoppy, and has some notes I can only ascribe to the honey component of the "malt" bill. The flavor is surprisingly light, slightly sweet, with a mildly bitter finish. Not currently listed on the Short Fuse web site, Beer Advocate says the ABV is 11%, which is either incorrect, or it hides its gravity quite well. There is no noticeable alcohol burn, and the body is light. Far from being the malt+hop bomb I expected, it is actually quite a nice thirst quenching beer with modest DIPA character. If you see it, pick up a four pack and tell me what you think. Perhaps "Lawnmower IPA" will be picked up as an official style by the BJCP.....
My Rating: 4 / 5
Untapp[d: 3.76 / 5
Prost!
*Beer Judging Certification Program, a body that trains tasters and tracks and documents "official" beer styles. Like the dictionary and new words, something that becomes common enough for long enough will eventually be adopted as "official" and its expected characteristics documented.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Beer Of The Day: B.A. Lord Humongous
BOTD: B.A. Lord Humongous
Imperial Oak Brewing (Willow Springs, IL)
( http://www.imperialoakbrewing.com/ )
Barral-Aged Barleywine
11 % ABV
$15/22oz Bomber - taproom only.
"Barleywine aged for 1 year in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels. The base beer brings malty, toffee and dark fruit flavors that blend with vanilla, oak, and tropical fruits from the barrels"
Imperial Oak Brewing (Willow Springs, IL)
( http://www.imperialoakbrewing.com/ )
Barral-Aged Barleywine
11 % ABV
$15/22oz Bomber - taproom only.
"Barleywine aged for 1 year in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels. The base beer brings malty, toffee and dark fruit flavors that blend with vanilla, oak, and tropical fruits from the barrels"
Admit it. You hear Lord Humungus, this is where you go......
Licensing being what it is, they went here:
A fat dude with a snifter. Whatevs.....
Don't let that put you off the beer. It is totally worthy of the top photo....if you can get one. Thanks to my loving and faithful beer mule / spouse, I was able to get at least one (or more bottles of this year old, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged barley wines. This is the beer equivalent of a bacon cheeseburger with extra bacon, if done right. And it was.
Pours dark brown, cloudy, very little tan head, quickly dissipates like most barrel-aged beers.
Modest carbonation. Nose is bourbon barrel, a good sign, oak and rich malt. Tastes caramel-ly, good balance of sweetness and bitterness for an X-treme style. Medium bodies, rich mouthfeel. Starts sweet and finishes slightly bitter.
If you can find a bottle, invite a friend and have some. It is worth your investment. And if the wasteland warriors find you and demand your beer rather than your guzzeline, drain it and flip them off. Max would.
My Rating: 4.5 / 5
Untappd: 4.25 / 5
Prost!
Monday, April 30, 2018
Venue: Plymouth Brewing Company (Plymouth, WI)
I had the unplanned opportunity to explore a new-to-me taproom in Wisconsin over the past weekend. Although I had been in Plymouth Wisconsin once or twice a year for the last ten years or so, it seems this venue had escaped my attention, as we wandered in on their fifth anniversary party....
( https://www.facebook.com/plymouthbrewing/ )
A small (nano) storefront operation, this small taproom has 12 taps currently serving:
Cheddarhead Amber/Red
Nutt Hill Nutbrown
HubCity Hefe
Stone Blu Blueberry Belgian
'Sconsin Belgian
Dairyland Dark Milk Stout
Murdered Out Coffee Stout
Ardellia Passionfruit Belgian
American Pale Ale w/Azacca Hops
DeerCamp Smoked Ale
Sworn To Avenge Russian Imperial Stout w/Cherries
Condemned To Hell Russian Imperial Stout w/Raspberrys and Habanero.
Recommendation:
Prost!
The Scale:
- Wow! Drop everything and go. It's a Destination - plan a trip.
- Add this to your beer journeys in this region.
- Stop if you're in the neighborhood.
- Skip it.
( https://www.facebook.com/plymouthbrewing/ )
Cheddarhead Amber/Red
Nutt Hill Nutbrown
HubCity Hefe
Stone Blu Blueberry Belgian
'Sconsin Belgian
Dairyland Dark Milk Stout
Murdered Out Coffee Stout
Ardellia Passionfruit Belgian
American Pale Ale w/Azacca Hops
DeerCamp Smoked Ale
Sworn To Avenge Russian Imperial Stout w/Cherries
Condemned To Hell Russian Imperial Stout w/Raspberrys and Habanero.
and two Guest Taps.
Your Brew Review Crew was able to try the Murdered Out Coffee Stout, Sworn To Avenge Russian Imperial Stout, Bearded Coconut, and Condemned to Hell Russian Imperial Stout. All were competently prepared and served, hitting the right style marks. I was particularly happy w/ the Condemned To Hell, having distinct but not overpowering raspberry notes and just enough habanero heat to know it was there without turning a good stout into a dare. If the list seems rather brown, it is simply the season. Looking at their back catalog on Untappd reveals plenty of lighter and hoppier treats in store, depending on when you visit.
The ambience is comfortable, dominated by the bar and the ubiquitous chalkboard listing the available libations, with high tops, couches, and no sports screens. That night it was packed for the afforementioned Anniversary. This is a BYOF location, and there are a few reasonable choices within walking distance (go to DeOMalley's across and down the street and pick up the 7 Meat Delight Pizza - you can thank me later.)
If you find yourself in the area, hiking the Ice Age trail in the Kettle Moraine, watching auto or motorcycle racing at RoadAmerica, taking in some living history at the Old Wade House historic site, visiting nearby Kohler for R&R at the American Club, or just passing through on your way to other points on the compass, a stop here will not be wasted.
Recommendation:
Prost!
The Scale:
- Wow! Drop everything and go. It's a Destination - plan a trip.- Add this to your beer journeys in this region.- Stop if you're in the neighborhood.- Skip it.
Prost!
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Beer Of The Day: Barrel-Aged Amen!
BOTD: Barrel-Aged Amen!
Cahoots Brewery (Chicago, IL)\
( http://www.cahootsbrewing.com/home )
Barleywine; barrel-aged
11.1% ABV
Its two, two, two beers in one!
So what's with the Barleywine thing? If you've been reading this blog for a bit, you know I like higher gravity beers. A barleywine is simply two-beer's worth of ingredients boiled into one batch. The BJCP style guidelines says this, in terms more about the end result than the ingredients:
" A showcase of malty richness and complex, intense flavors. Chewy and rich in body, with
warming alcohol and a pleasant fruity or hoppy interest. When aged, it can take on port-like flavors. A wintertime sipper."
So we should expect rich, complex flavors. Chaoots says "this well-rounded beer was aged in bourbon barrels, which add sweet, complex notes to the flavor profile."
If your typical beer has the word "-lite" attached to it, this has become unbeerlike in flavor, mutated into some sort of hangover-inducing malt-infused nightmare. Call Uber now.
DISCLAIMER: I had a cold when I sampled this. Actual results may vary. No warranties, written or implied. Please refer to experienced service personnel. May contain BHA or BHT to preserve freshness.
Poured from a 22oz bomber into a goblet. Pours brown and cloudy, modest tan head, dissipating quickly (typical of stronger barrel-aged beers). Aroma is of malt sweetness, caramel-like in character, with Oaky overtones. Tastes of caramel, with a slight bitterness from the hops, medium bodied, it starts slightly sweet with a lingering, mildly bitter finish. Did not show as much barrel-aging character as I favor, but still a solid example of barrel-aged goodness. Pick one up at your local stockist and enjoy it with a friend.
My Rating: 4 / 5
Untappd: 3.84
Prost!
Cahoots Brewery (Chicago, IL)\
( http://www.cahootsbrewing.com/home )
Barleywine; barrel-aged
11.1% ABV
Its two, two, two beers in one!
So what's with the Barleywine thing? If you've been reading this blog for a bit, you know I like higher gravity beers. A barleywine is simply two-beer's worth of ingredients boiled into one batch. The BJCP style guidelines says this, in terms more about the end result than the ingredients:
" A showcase of malty richness and complex, intense flavors. Chewy and rich in body, with
warming alcohol and a pleasant fruity or hoppy interest. When aged, it can take on port-like flavors. A wintertime sipper."
So we should expect rich, complex flavors. Chaoots says "this well-rounded beer was aged in bourbon barrels, which add sweet, complex notes to the flavor profile."
If your typical beer has the word "-lite" attached to it, this has become unbeerlike in flavor, mutated into some sort of hangover-inducing malt-infused nightmare. Call Uber now.
DISCLAIMER: I had a cold when I sampled this. Actual results may vary. No warranties, written or implied. Please refer to experienced service personnel. May contain BHA or BHT to preserve freshness.
Poured from a 22oz bomber into a goblet. Pours brown and cloudy, modest tan head, dissipating quickly (typical of stronger barrel-aged beers). Aroma is of malt sweetness, caramel-like in character, with Oaky overtones. Tastes of caramel, with a slight bitterness from the hops, medium bodied, it starts slightly sweet with a lingering, mildly bitter finish. Did not show as much barrel-aging character as I favor, but still a solid example of barrel-aged goodness. Pick one up at your local stockist and enjoy it with a friend.
My Rating: 4 / 5
Untappd: 3.84
Prost!
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