Blind Tasting 116 Single IPA's and picking one winner. It is a daunting task, I can tell you. I dare say, an almost impossible task. The hops will eventually overwhelm your taste buds and the next beer won't taste as intense. As such, I looked at this article I read with skepticism. Still, it is a good read and it brought about some nods of approval and gasps of shock at the inclusions and the snubbed alike.
In fact, they almost lost me when they snubbed the likes of Schlafly AIPA, Terrapin Hopsecutioner, and Great Divide Titan from the Top 50. On top of that, they included in the Top 50 the likes of Bell's Two Hearted, Sierra Nevada Torpedo, and Sweetwater IPA. However, these kinds of unpredictable tests tend to have unpredictable results. It still proves to be an excellent read. Check it out here.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Friday, April 24, 2015
Stone Shocks All
Stone Brewing Company is iconic in the minds of many a hop head. They pretty much made the Double IPA and Black IPA categories with beers like Ruination and Sublimely Self-Righteous. Recently they have pumped out one limited release after another with the majority being incredibly hop forward. So it shocked everyone when they announced they were discontinuing the Sublimely Self-Righteous and pumping replacing it with a new Enjoy By Black IPA.
Stone did it again. This time they discontinue Ruination as we know it. They are switching up the hops and the build, tweaking it to make it even hoppier to roll with the times. I will admit, I am very skeptical about this move. Ruination has been a staple of the DIPA category since it launched onto the scene so many years ago. To take that legendary recipe and tweak it seems almost blasphemous. Yet if anyone can do it, it is definitely Stone. Only time will tell if this move proves to be a breath of fresh air or a terrible error in judgement.
Source: http://www.stonebrewing.com/ruin/
Stone did it again. This time they discontinue Ruination as we know it. They are switching up the hops and the build, tweaking it to make it even hoppier to roll with the times. I will admit, I am very skeptical about this move. Ruination has been a staple of the DIPA category since it launched onto the scene so many years ago. To take that legendary recipe and tweak it seems almost blasphemous. Yet if anyone can do it, it is definitely Stone. Only time will tell if this move proves to be a breath of fresh air or a terrible error in judgement.
Source: http://www.stonebrewing.com/ruin/
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Beer Reviews That Should Have Been Done Weeks Ago
Yeah. That's right. I just called myself out for these four reviews that somehow have sat on my computer for over 2 weeks. I blame myself...which is probably accurate. If you all haven't picked up any of these delicious beers, I am positive they are all drinking fairly well.
Three Floyds Yum Yum Session Ale
I have had many a Three Floyds beer. I can't deny their legitimacy as one of the best breweries in the country. Yet recently they seem to be resting on their laurels. The last few beers haven't had much substance. This beer is mostly similar to the previous offerings but with one difference: it is packed with flavor for such a light beer. The nose is intriguing with hints of kiwi, lemon juice, and banana cream pie. The body of this beer is light but with flavors of lemon juice and sourdough. The beer remains pleasantly bitter throughout, and the finish brings a smattering of different flavors. Pine, crackers, and mineral water round out the end. While this beer isn't terribly exciting, it does pretty well at what it tries to do.
Mike's Rating - 7.5/10
Green Flash Mosaic Session Ale
Two session ales in a row. How incredibly dull. At least, that is what I would say if I were in your shoes. However, this entry is part of Green Flash's Hop Odyssey Series. That means it is guaranteed to be filled with hoppy goodness, even if the body remains light. The nose is very bright off the bat with thick aromas of oranges. Lighter hints of mineral water, crackers, and floral notes meet the nose later. The taste is one dimensional, which is to be expected with a single hop variety. However, the flavors themselves are quite intense. Tea and toast hit your tastebuds from the start. The finish brings a light bitterness and tons of pine flavor. At the end of the day, I craved more. Yet this beer was well made.
Mike's Rating - 7.75/10
Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
This is one of my favorite single IPA's. I really don't think it gets enough credit for its flavor. It has a great flavor yet remains easy drinking as the weather warms up. It is also packed full of delicious hops. The nose is exactly what I want from an IPA with pungent aromas of grapefruit and tangerines. Lighter hints of bubble gum also shine through. The front is all hops with flavors of tangerines, grapefruit, and pine. That delicious flavor makes way for the more malty finish with flavors of cream, bread, and floral notes. It isn't the hoppiest beer you will encounter, but it seems to blend just right.
Mike's Rating - 9/10
Great Lakes Chillwave Double IPA
Every time this beer comes out I exclaim "Alchemy Hour is here!" I have to catch myself each time. Still, original name or not this beer bursts onto the scene every year with quite the bit of fan anticipation. It is truly saying something as Great Lakes has one of the best 4 beer lineups as far as seasonals. Yet Chillwave is arguably the best. The nose is all tropical fruit with strong hints of mango, pineapple, grapefruit, and fruit punch. It is like a burst of hops that fills your nose. The taste is mango juice and grapefruit juice. It overpowers your senses with just lighter hints of alcohol and floral notes to draw you away. The finish is lightly bitter with flavors of grapefruit, pine, and hints of incense. This beer is slightly too sweet for my tastes, but remains a stellar offering.
Mike's Rating - 8.75/10
Three Floyds Yum Yum Session Ale
I have had many a Three Floyds beer. I can't deny their legitimacy as one of the best breweries in the country. Yet recently they seem to be resting on their laurels. The last few beers haven't had much substance. This beer is mostly similar to the previous offerings but with one difference: it is packed with flavor for such a light beer. The nose is intriguing with hints of kiwi, lemon juice, and banana cream pie. The body of this beer is light but with flavors of lemon juice and sourdough. The beer remains pleasantly bitter throughout, and the finish brings a smattering of different flavors. Pine, crackers, and mineral water round out the end. While this beer isn't terribly exciting, it does pretty well at what it tries to do.
Mike's Rating - 7.5/10
Green Flash Mosaic Session Ale
Two session ales in a row. How incredibly dull. At least, that is what I would say if I were in your shoes. However, this entry is part of Green Flash's Hop Odyssey Series. That means it is guaranteed to be filled with hoppy goodness, even if the body remains light. The nose is very bright off the bat with thick aromas of oranges. Lighter hints of mineral water, crackers, and floral notes meet the nose later. The taste is one dimensional, which is to be expected with a single hop variety. However, the flavors themselves are quite intense. Tea and toast hit your tastebuds from the start. The finish brings a light bitterness and tons of pine flavor. At the end of the day, I craved more. Yet this beer was well made.
Mike's Rating - 7.75/10
Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
This is one of my favorite single IPA's. I really don't think it gets enough credit for its flavor. It has a great flavor yet remains easy drinking as the weather warms up. It is also packed full of delicious hops. The nose is exactly what I want from an IPA with pungent aromas of grapefruit and tangerines. Lighter hints of bubble gum also shine through. The front is all hops with flavors of tangerines, grapefruit, and pine. That delicious flavor makes way for the more malty finish with flavors of cream, bread, and floral notes. It isn't the hoppiest beer you will encounter, but it seems to blend just right.
Mike's Rating - 9/10
Great Lakes Chillwave Double IPA
Every time this beer comes out I exclaim "Alchemy Hour is here!" I have to catch myself each time. Still, original name or not this beer bursts onto the scene every year with quite the bit of fan anticipation. It is truly saying something as Great Lakes has one of the best 4 beer lineups as far as seasonals. Yet Chillwave is arguably the best. The nose is all tropical fruit with strong hints of mango, pineapple, grapefruit, and fruit punch. It is like a burst of hops that fills your nose. The taste is mango juice and grapefruit juice. It overpowers your senses with just lighter hints of alcohol and floral notes to draw you away. The finish is lightly bitter with flavors of grapefruit, pine, and hints of incense. This beer is slightly too sweet for my tastes, but remains a stellar offering.
Mike's Rating - 8.75/10
Monday, April 20, 2015
Evil Twin Beer Names
I am sure many of you all have pondered over the meanings of beer names. They almost always have a meaning, and they aren't always well known. Evil Twin is notorious for names like Christmas Eve At A New York City Hotel Room and Ryan and the Beaster Bunny. This article sheds some light on the Evil Twin beers and their mysterious and usually amusing names.
29 Breweries in the US You Must Visit
I like these opinion articles with facts sprinkled throughout. Gives me a chance to compare my opinion. Sometimes I give approving nods, sometimes I am shaking my head at the foolish inclusions, and sometimes I am just wondering what the hell they were thinking for leaving someone out. For this list, I will give you one of each.
I very much approve of the inclusions of Founders and Cigar City. Both are in my Top 10 Breweries and I look forward to visiting them in the years to come. I shook my head at the inclusion of Magic Hat and Rogue. Magic Hat isn't exactly known for their big beers and went so far to try and sue West Sixth over the star in their logo. Rogue isn't much better after sending out a statement against Samuel Adams. Rogue, you would not even exist without the likes of Samuel Adams and Sierra Nevada. Lastly, I was sad to see that neither Stone nor Schlafly made the cut. Both are known for their stellar food and beer in house.
I encourage you all to read the full article here. Also, feel free to list your favorite inclusions, your least favorite inclusions, and the breweries you are pissed that weren't included in the comments section. Hmm...Perhaps I will write my own article on this in the future.
I very much approve of the inclusions of Founders and Cigar City. Both are in my Top 10 Breweries and I look forward to visiting them in the years to come. I shook my head at the inclusion of Magic Hat and Rogue. Magic Hat isn't exactly known for their big beers and went so far to try and sue West Sixth over the star in their logo. Rogue isn't much better after sending out a statement against Samuel Adams. Rogue, you would not even exist without the likes of Samuel Adams and Sierra Nevada. Lastly, I was sad to see that neither Stone nor Schlafly made the cut. Both are known for their stellar food and beer in house.
I encourage you all to read the full article here. Also, feel free to list your favorite inclusions, your least favorite inclusions, and the breweries you are pissed that weren't included in the comments section. Hmm...Perhaps I will write my own article on this in the future.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Cellar Reviews
Many of you know that I have started aging my beer. My collection has grown to over 3 cases of beer. Occasionally I get to pull one of these beauties out of the dark and enjoy quite an intimate night with the beer. I managed to jot some notes down after 2 beauties: Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout (Aged: 1 1/2 years) and Ballast Point Sea Monster Imperial Stout (Aged: 2 years). One of these is not available in Kentucky and the other might as well not be for all you can find. I will quit my babbling and move on now:
Ballast Point Sea Monster Imperial Stout
I picked this one up while I was in Florida last year. It already had nearly a year on it, and I was happy to set it aside for one more year before cracking into it. I heartbroken when I did. The nose was barely there and provided strong hints of raisin, oak, cocoa, vanilla, and rubbing alcohol. I was worried something had gone horribly wrong with the aging. The first taste immediately destroyed all doubts that I had. The flavor starts out quite bitter with strong flavors of espresso and dark chocolate. You can tell when the finish kicks in as it smooths out completely and brings about flavors of dark chocolate, brownies, cream, and espresso. This was my first experience with Ballast Point after hearing nothing but good things. After this, I will be spreading the word.
Mike's Rating - 9.5/10
Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout
Yes, I busted one of these bad boys out. After a year and a half, I wanted to see what they had to offer. I recently read an article where some people suggested drinking them all fresh for the coffee flavors. However, when fresh it is too hot. The alcohol overpowers most of the flavors. Mine is a year and a half old...and I still think it needs more time. The nose is intriguing, but bourbon and vanilla lead the pack. Lighter aromas of dark chocolate, fudge, and roasted coffee emerge. The flavor starts out hot and a tad bitter with thick flavors of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and coffee beans. The finish sweetens ever so slightly and offers flavors of milk chocolate, vanilla, wood, bourbon, and a touch of raisins and roasted coffee. Other than the heat, it was a brilliant stout easily worth its praise.
Mike's Rating - 9.75/10
Ballast Point Sea Monster Imperial Stout
I picked this one up while I was in Florida last year. It already had nearly a year on it, and I was happy to set it aside for one more year before cracking into it. I heartbroken when I did. The nose was barely there and provided strong hints of raisin, oak, cocoa, vanilla, and rubbing alcohol. I was worried something had gone horribly wrong with the aging. The first taste immediately destroyed all doubts that I had. The flavor starts out quite bitter with strong flavors of espresso and dark chocolate. You can tell when the finish kicks in as it smooths out completely and brings about flavors of dark chocolate, brownies, cream, and espresso. This was my first experience with Ballast Point after hearing nothing but good things. After this, I will be spreading the word.
Mike's Rating - 9.5/10
Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout
Yes, I busted one of these bad boys out. After a year and a half, I wanted to see what they had to offer. I recently read an article where some people suggested drinking them all fresh for the coffee flavors. However, when fresh it is too hot. The alcohol overpowers most of the flavors. Mine is a year and a half old...and I still think it needs more time. The nose is intriguing, but bourbon and vanilla lead the pack. Lighter aromas of dark chocolate, fudge, and roasted coffee emerge. The flavor starts out hot and a tad bitter with thick flavors of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and coffee beans. The finish sweetens ever so slightly and offers flavors of milk chocolate, vanilla, wood, bourbon, and a touch of raisins and roasted coffee. Other than the heat, it was a brilliant stout easily worth its praise.
Mike's Rating - 9.75/10
Sunday, April 12, 2015
New Holland Changes Mad Hatter IPA
Every brewery has their premier beer. The one that brings home the bacon that allows them to try various recipes. Stone has their IPA, Left Hand has their Milk Stout, Bell's has Two Hearted, and New Holland has Mad Hatter. As such, these beers develop a following that can make tweaks to the formula a very risky business. However, I think we all can agree this is a change for the good.
Sticking to just those beers that sell well for years can cause a brewery to become stagnant. Recently, a lot of breweries have gone about reinventing themselves. Trying to bring fresh new customers to their tasty brews. New Holland definitely needed this. Their beers were stale and the most interesting things they were doing involved the variety of new Hatters they have pumped out. Just reading the changes has already made me excited for this reinventing of an old classic. Check out the article here and keep your eyes peeled for this new rendition.
Sticking to just those beers that sell well for years can cause a brewery to become stagnant. Recently, a lot of breweries have gone about reinventing themselves. Trying to bring fresh new customers to their tasty brews. New Holland definitely needed this. Their beers were stale and the most interesting things they were doing involved the variety of new Hatters they have pumped out. Just reading the changes has already made me excited for this reinventing of an old classic. Check out the article here and keep your eyes peeled for this new rendition.
5 Pro Baseball Teams That Do Craft Beer Right
The weather has begun to warm and everyone has started to migrate outside after a long and vicious Louisville winter. Trips to lakes, amusement parks, and baseball games are at the forefront of everyone's minds. Well, at least they are in mine. The most frustrating part is finding craft beer at these establishments. Places have started to get better as the craft beer boom continues.
Kentucky Kingdom has graced their walls with West 6th beers. Reds games push a number of local craft beers. Even a family place like Disney World has Cigar City (IMO, the best brewery not available in Kentucky) in a number of their parks. It is a good time for us craft beer drinkers. Thus, I stumbled upon this article and was simply baffled at how things truly have taken large strides. Read this little excerpt on 5 baseball teams where the stadiums offer robust beer lists and consider them in your travels this Summer.
Kentucky Kingdom has graced their walls with West 6th beers. Reds games push a number of local craft beers. Even a family place like Disney World has Cigar City (IMO, the best brewery not available in Kentucky) in a number of their parks. It is a good time for us craft beer drinkers. Thus, I stumbled upon this article and was simply baffled at how things truly have taken large strides. Read this little excerpt on 5 baseball teams where the stadiums offer robust beer lists and consider them in your travels this Summer.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Fantabulous Beer Reviews
Hello my readers! Boy, do I have a list of awesome beers for you! You definitely need to sample these fabulous ales. But, don't take my word for it...Well. Actually, do take my word for it. Read on!
Sweetwater Blue
This beer is so smooth. The nose is all blueberry muffin, and we all know that is exactly what we want from our blueberry beers! This fruit beer is incredibly smooth and provides flavors of blueberry muffin. If that wasn't enough, the finish is non-existent and allows people to quickly consume vast quantities of these at a time. That combined with its super smooth blueberry flavor makes this a can't miss beer.
Mike's Rating - 9/10
Upland Wheat Ale
Upland Wheat Ale. Upland. Wheat. Ale. Remember that name, as you are remembering the name of greatness. This beer poured really cloudy and I wondered if something was wrong with my beer. It smelled like popcorn, mineral water, and lemons. The taste was ALL cinnamon though. It was like Christmas in my mouth, then tasted like cornflakes. I love cereal. This is a winner, and I will make this a regular staple at my home.
Mike's Rating - 9.5/10
Magic Hat #9 Not So Pale Ale
I am usually not a fan of a lot of Pale Ales. They tend to taste like grass and pine needles. So I was shocked to smell this beer and smell raspberries and peaches. After reading the bottle, I suppose it must be apricots. It tastes like raspberries and apricots too. I wish it was one or the other, as my tastebuds find this beer a little too convoluted. They need to stick to one flavor, but still pretty good.
Mike's Rating - 8.75/10
Green Flash Palate Wrecker
I took a big whiff off this beer and coughed. It smells like grass, mango, and oranges. It just smells hoppy. I gave it a gulp and nearly coughed to death. It is BITTER. Far too bitter for normal humans to endure. Bitter, pine, and grass. Tastes like something a farm animal would want to ingest. On top of that, I got a buzz from just a sip. Come on! I want to drink like, 20 beers Green Flash! At this rate I will have 3.
Mike's Rating - 5/10
Alright. Those are my reviews for this week. I hope you all enjoyed them and please stay away from the Palate Wrecker. For those of you who haven't realized what is going on by now...April Fools! Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did writing it.
Sweetwater Blue
This beer is so smooth. The nose is all blueberry muffin, and we all know that is exactly what we want from our blueberry beers! This fruit beer is incredibly smooth and provides flavors of blueberry muffin. If that wasn't enough, the finish is non-existent and allows people to quickly consume vast quantities of these at a time. That combined with its super smooth blueberry flavor makes this a can't miss beer.
Mike's Rating - 9/10
Upland Wheat Ale
Upland Wheat Ale. Upland. Wheat. Ale. Remember that name, as you are remembering the name of greatness. This beer poured really cloudy and I wondered if something was wrong with my beer. It smelled like popcorn, mineral water, and lemons. The taste was ALL cinnamon though. It was like Christmas in my mouth, then tasted like cornflakes. I love cereal. This is a winner, and I will make this a regular staple at my home.
Mike's Rating - 9.5/10
Magic Hat #9 Not So Pale Ale
I am usually not a fan of a lot of Pale Ales. They tend to taste like grass and pine needles. So I was shocked to smell this beer and smell raspberries and peaches. After reading the bottle, I suppose it must be apricots. It tastes like raspberries and apricots too. I wish it was one or the other, as my tastebuds find this beer a little too convoluted. They need to stick to one flavor, but still pretty good.
Mike's Rating - 8.75/10
Green Flash Palate Wrecker
I took a big whiff off this beer and coughed. It smells like grass, mango, and oranges. It just smells hoppy. I gave it a gulp and nearly coughed to death. It is BITTER. Far too bitter for normal humans to endure. Bitter, pine, and grass. Tastes like something a farm animal would want to ingest. On top of that, I got a buzz from just a sip. Come on! I want to drink like, 20 beers Green Flash! At this rate I will have 3.
Mike's Rating - 5/10
Alright. Those are my reviews for this week. I hope you all enjoyed them and please stay away from the Palate Wrecker. For those of you who haven't realized what is going on by now...April Fools! Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did writing it.
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