Frangelic Mountain Brown, Founders Brewing Company

750ml bottle (retails for about $16) poured into a Dogfish Head Goblet.
This is a brown ale brewed with hazelnut coffee according to the bottle.
9% ABV.
Part of the acclaimed "Backstage Series" from Founders, released on July 2nd. Tasting notes from July 23rd, 2012.

Pours a dark brown, almost black with a thin tan head.
Smell - roasted light coffee, sweet.
Taste - disgustingly sweet - hazelnut, vanilla, toffee totally overwhelms the beer, which apparently is a brown ale. Tastes like a coffee drink you would order at Starbucks - I was told that this was artificially flavored and sure enough the bottle does say (along the side) "brewed with artificially flavored hazelnut coffee", which is rather disappointing considering the quality you associate with Founders. I know the saying goes "Beer, it's not just for breakfast"! but this reminded me of coffee with Nestle Coffee Mate artificial flavouring added, which I happen to enjoy but apparently doesn't work so well in beer. At least not this one! A tad thin for a 9% ABV beer, compared to Southern Tier Choklat or Creme Brulee, for example.

Rating : D
This would be a drain pour if it wasn't so expensive. Maybe my expectations were too high from probably my all time favourite brewery but it's hard to believe this is in the same series of Backwoods Bastard or the fantastic Curmudgeons better Half. I suppose they were due a dud! Don't worry - I'll be back for more - just not this one.


More info:
Established 1997
Founded by Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers
Ranked #2 Best Brewery in the World by Rate Beer 2011
www.foundersbrewing.com

Address:
235 Grandville Avenue Southwest
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
'PH: (616) 776-2182

"Le Merle", Saison (North Coast)

"Le Merle" ("Blackbird")
Saison Belgian Syle Farmhouse Ale (North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg, CA)
Part of their American Artisan Series (which also includes "Brother Thelonius"), comes in a cork-and-caged 750ml bomber that retails for around $7.99

Bottle reads :

"Le Merle is an elegant ale, pale in color, inspired by the rich brewing traditions of the Flanders region. Abundant hops and a Belgian yeast strain contribute the exotic aromas of tropical fruit".

Beer Stats:
Style : Saison
Colour: Straw
ABV : 7.9%
Bitterness : 26 IBU's

Seemed an appropriate choice of beer on a Sunday afternoon were the weather was as dazzling as Donny Osmond's teeth and I needed a respite from an exhausting morning reading the paper and drinking coffee. One of my favourite styles of beer, regardless of the season.

Poured into a Brewery Ommegang goblet.
Nice champagnesque "pop" upon opening.
Beautiful golden yellow. A very nice looking beer, it was hard not to devour this immediately but I managed to resist the instant gratification to let it warm up from it's initial chill.
Smell is of fragrant fruit, faint yeast?
Taste - immediate burst of citrus, melon, lemon, grassy with a subtle pleasant spiciness to round off the tartness.
Medium to light mouthfeel with a bit of a dry finish but not bone dry by any means.
This is a delightful and refreshing beer, immensely drinkable - I would never have guessed this as a 7.9% ABV, drinks like a 6% beer.
Rating : A-
A triumphant interpretation of a classic Belgian beer style by this iconic award-winning brewery, executed with aplomb!




More about the style:

Saison/Farmhouse Ale : Sturdy farmhouse Ale traditionally brewed in the winter to be consumed throughout the summer months when brewing was not possible due to the heat. Originated in French speaking region of southern Belgium (Wallonia), "saison" is French for season. Very complex style - fruity, spicy, earthy, mild to moderate tartness, medium bitterness, semi-dry. Normal ABV range from 5-8%.
Examples of the style include Saison Du Pont (the most acclaimed), Hennepin (Ommegang), Sofie (Goose Island), Cynic (Surly).

Door County Cherry Wheat, Hinterland

Door County Cherry Wheat, Hinterland (Green Bay Brewing Company)
Malt Beverage with Cherry Added
One Pint bottle

"Hinterland is a small artisanal brewery devoted to brewing world class beer. Founded in 1995, Hinterland makes it's home in a turn of the century meat packing warehouse in downtown Green Bay. It's beers are now available throughout the Midwest and New England".
Distributed in Minnesota by J.J. Taylor, it's beers have been on the shelves for a several months now.

One pint bottle poured into a Leinie's pint glass. No ABV or bottling date listed on bottle or label which is pretty disappointing/lame. I do like the look of the bottle though - reminds me of the returnable brewery bottles you see in Germany.
This is a seasonal - available May - August, so I will assume my bottle is pretty fresh. Comes in 4 pack 16oz bottles and retails for about $9.99. I've already sampled three other of their beers (IPA, Luna Stout, Saison) and have been unimpressed so far. How will this one fair?

Nice pour. Burnt orange colour with a frothy, billowy ice-cream cone head of a few inches. Very appealing looking.

Smell? Faint fruity smell, surprisingly muted, I was expecting more cherry aroma.

Taste? Slight tartness of cherry is noticeable, but no trace of wheat at all. A little sweet, a bit thin. I could see this being fairly refreshing on a blazing summer day but overall not a style I care for and I thought this was another very mediocre beer from this brewery. Bland. I'd leave the brewing of fruit beers in WI to the experts, New Glarus!

Rating? C-

Honestly, the low rating has nothing to do with my dislike for the Packers.  But I did ask Randy Moss what he thinks of this beer. He agreed with Joe Buck that it was a "disgusting act". J/K!






Green Bay Brewing Company
313 Dousman Street
Green Bay WI 54303
'Ph: 920-438-8050
www.hinterlandbeer.com



Our Door County Cherry Wheat pours a golden, orange hue. The frothy two finger off-white, slightly pink-tinted head fades to leave a spotty lace. The slight aroma of cherries doesn't over power the soft wheat smell. These flavors play wonderfully together, neither overpowering the other in taste. With a medium-light body, Cherry Wheat leaves you with a mildly tart Montmorency cherry finish.

Double Jack, Firestone Walker

After a bit of a hiatus from the blogosphere I've got a bit of a backlog of beer reviews that I'm going to start sifting through. I've been enjoying a lot of Imperial/Double IPA's in the last couple of months, Hoptimum (Sierra Nevada), Hopslam (Bell's), Oak-Aged Unearthly (Southern Tier), Maharaja (Avery) and Sneaky Pete Imperial IPA (Laughing Dog) - are a few that spring to mind. I'll  attempt to do a more diligent job of keeping this site updated going forward. As you may know, IPA's are not my preferred genre when it comes to beer selection but I do love me an Imperial IPA, anything around the 10% ABV (session beer as I like to refer to them as)! First up...

Double Jack Double IPA, Firetone Walker

This is part of a beer stash that a friend brought back from a trip to the West Coast. It's part of the "Proprietors Reserve Series" from acclaimed brewery Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, CA). From the label - this is described as a Double India Pale Ale, 9.5% ABV. 650ml bottle (1 pint, 6 fluid ounces). Retails for about $9. Bottling date is located on the neck of the bottle - this one is stamped 6/24/11 - yikes, this is pretty old for an Imperial IPA!

Pours a hazy orange with a crisp, white head.
Smells delicious - sweet, candi sugar? Taste is overwhelmingly boozy - mango, tropical fruit, caramel, toffee- but the booziness just overwhelms and overpowers this beer. This is a serious beer! I know it's listed as 9.5% ABV which is manageable but I have a feeling this one has refermented in the bottle. It tastes more like 12-14% ABV, it's so thick you could cut it with a chainsaw. Nice lacing though.

Rating:
B-
Honestly, I'd like to try a fresh bottle of this, I'm sure it would offer more complex flavours. To be fair, the site does recommend consuming the beer within 120 days of bottling date - this bottle being almost a year old is well beyond it's prime which is a shame. Like I said the alcohol is just dominating. Oh well. I do have a bottle of their much acclaimed Parabola RIS that I'm looking forward to trying, I'm guessing that will age a little better than this Double Jack!

More bollocks that may just interest me :
*Founded in 1996 by Adam Firestone (yes, he is related to the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company) and David Walker.
*Located in Paso Robles ("The pass of the oaks") in Central California, population is around 30,000. City is known for it's hot springs and wineries.
* World beer champion mid-sized breweries 2004,2006 and 2010. Awarded "Mid-Size Brewery of the year" 2007 by the Brewer's Association.

More about the beer from the brewery. "Double Jack" Double IPA.

Double Jack IPA is our first ever Imperial IPA. It features a big malty middle to cloak the high alcohol and mouth puckering hop bitterness. Huge tangerine, grapefruit and juicy fruit aroma blossom over the herbal blue basil and malt earthiness of this aggressive beer. Best enjoyed in moderation.

Brew Notes :
style American Imperial IPA

abv
9.5%

fermentation
100% Stainless Steel Fermentation

malts
Premium Two-Row (Metcalf & Kendall varieties), Munich, Simpson's Light Crystal

hops
4+lbs/BBL: Bittering—Warrior, Columbus; Late Kettle—Cascade, Centennial; Dry Hops—Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe

availability
CA, NV, OR, WA, AZ, CO, MO, Chicago, MA, NJ, NY, VA, PA, DC, MD
22 oz bottle/draft

I so want this bike jersey! How cool is this?



More info about the brewery:
www.firetonebeer.com
Firestone Walker Brewing Compnay
1400 Ramada Drive
Paso Robles
San Luis Obispo County, CA
(805) 225-5911

IPA, Cold Spring Brewery

This is an IPA from Cold Spring Brewery (MN)
This is a Big Ass Can (TM). Super-size, the Big Gulp, Gravedigger (obligatory Monster Truck reference). Minnesota's answer to the Foster's "Oil Can"? This gargantuan monster holds a whopping 1 quart of beer or 32 fluid ounces. Incredulously retails for around $3! You know it's gonna be good at that price!

Label features a rather garish scene of the great outdoors and reads thusly :
Cold Fusion Filled (I have no idea what that means)?
Brewed with Glacial Mineral Water (true dat - Cold Spring water source requires no additional filtration)
Double Pints 4 x 8oz servings (who drinks an 8oz serving anyway)?
IPA, dry hopped, double hopped (sounds impressive)
6.5% ABV 70 IBU's
1 Quart, 32 FL oz (946ml)

"Look at the heid on it....

This seemed a perfect time to break out the "Big Whopper" Schmidt Glass. Big Ass beer has met it's match! Picked this beauty up at an antique store about ten years ago. Note to self - when Googling "Schmidt Whopper" do not be surprised if the search engine returns some rather questionable results...ahem...for the record let me state that  have never heard of a "Wendy Whoppers". Although I am intrigued.....

Let's get to to the pour. Wow! Dark yellow/amber with a massive cruddy foamy head. Meringue.

"Look at the size of that boy's head. It's like an orange on a toothpick"! (with apologies to "So I Married an Axe Murderer").

Honestly, their are more suds on this beer than the local laundromat (guffaw). I know from my home brewing days I'd have been thrilled to see this level of fermentation of the wort in the carboy (krausen is the brewing term) but in the finished product not so appealing.

Tasting:

Initial impression is this tastes better than it looks. Tastes a little sweet. I wasn't able to detect the presence of any hops and despite claims of 70 IBU's no bitterness whatsoever. I'd liken this to a pale ale/lager rather than an IPA.

Rating:
As a beer a C- . For an IPA a D.

This is a perfect beer to crack open after a trip for some camo supplies to Mills Fleet Farm. A perfect transition from Busch Light? Perfect to snuggle up to while watching the 100th lap of a Nascar race or catching an episode of "Hillbilly Handfishin'".
This is a "Man's Man's Man's Man's Man's Beer" (I'm pretty sure this is what James Brown was singing about - poetic license from the author to add the extra "man" for emphasis by the way).

Another look at the "Whopper". I believe that is a Northern Pike.

More about the brewery:

Cold Spring Brewery
219 Red River Avenue North
P.O. Box 476
Cold Spring, MN 56320
'PH: (320) 685-8686
FAX: (320) 685-8318
www.coldspringbrewery.com

Extra Credit:

• Founded in 1874
• Fastest growing brewery in Minnesota
• #1 Energy drink and Speciality drink producer in the world.
• Contract brews for several different breweries including 21st Amendment (San Francisco,CA and until recently Lift Bridge (Stillwater, MN) was brewed here).
• They are currently in the process of a $15M expansion of a tap house/brewery that will concentrate solely on craft beer, called Third Street Brew house (this IPA was brewed at the original brewery). No hops were harmed in the brewing of this beer, but what did you expect for $3!
• www.thirdstreetbrewhouse.com

Brother Thelonius, North Coast Brewing Company

Brother Thelonius is a Belgian Style Abbey Ale, part of the "American Artisan Series" from North Coast Brewing Company (Fort Bragg, CA) better known for their flagship gem "Old Rasputin" Russian Imperial Stout.
Elegant cork-and-caged 750ml bottle that bears the image of it's namesake, jazz great Thelelonius Monk.
Bottle reads:
"We at the North Coast Brewing Co. are serious Jazz fans and we're proud to make a donation to the Jazz education programs of the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz
http://www.monkinstitute.org/
for every bottle of Thelonius sold".
"Carpe Diem Vita Brevis" which translates to "Life is short, seize the day".
ABV is 9.4%.

Here's a better look at the label artwork, designed by Mendocino artist Eduardo Smissen.



Paying homage to Thelonius Monk, it depicts him as a Belgian Monk holding a skull in one hand and a glass of beer in the other. The skull is a poignant reminder of our mortality - "remember you will die".
Jazz afficienados will know that Thelonius Monk (October 10, 1917 - February 17, 1982) was an America Jazz Pianist and Composer considered one of the legends of American music. One of only five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of "Time" magazine.



Time Magazine cover Feb. 28th 1964

Enough about the label, let's see what it tastes like shall we?

750ml bottle poured into a "Bavik" glass.
Vigirous pour reveals a beautiful mahogany body topped with a couple fingers worth of appetizing mocha head. Smells of dark fruit.
Luxurious thick mouthfeel. Prunes, raisons in abundance. Molasses? Oaky with a slight spiciness. Did I mention fruity?! Sweet, wheaty and refreshing. Rich and robust.

Rating : A

I'd forgotten how great this beer was until I had one recently on tap ("Hanger Room, Willernie"). A tremendous beer from a great brewery. Retails for around $8.99 for a 750ml bottle, also available in 12oz four-packs.

                                                   
 

More about the brewery:
North Coast Brewing Company
455 North Main Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
'PH: 707-964-2739
http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/

Established in 1988 as a brewpub, voted "One of the best Breweries in the World".






Favourite Places, Twin Cities : The Blue Door Pub (St. Paul)

First, the basics :

Blue Door Pub
1811 Selby Avenue
St. Paul
MN 55104
Ph: 651-493-1865
http://www.thebdp.com/
Hours : 11AM - 1AM 7 Days a week

Happy Hour : Daily (yes, that means everyday)! 2-5pm and Late Night 10PM - Close
HH features $2 pints, $5 glasses of wine and $2 baskets of fries or tots.
Late Night HH : $3 pints, $5 wine, $3.50 Deep Fried Green Beans or Pickles, Wings $5.50.

Located in the Selby/Dale neighbourhood in St. Paul, this place is rightly famous for it's stuffed burgers (their take on that Minneapolis invention/obsession, the "Juicy Lucy"). This place is always busy, probably due to all the college's located in close proximity. They don't take reservations, so expect a wait. They have a small patio but due to quirky city codes no alcohol can be served outside. It's tiny, loud and can be very claustrophobic - the bar only seats six - but the friendly service, value and quality make any wait well worth it. They have a small postage sized parking lot but we have always had good luck finding street parking. Inevitably if you do find yourself waiting there's an antique store next door that's worth perusing. If you are short on time their entire menu is available for take-out from 11AM to Midnight.

Business has been so good that they are opening another, bigger location in South Minneapolis (3448 42nd Avenue) scheduled for summer 2012. I was originally informed they had been looking at Eat Street in Minneapolis but that deal fell through - sad, because that would have been much closer for me. C'est La Vie!

Appetizers include Buffalo Wings, 1 1/2 LB's for $8.50 is a great deal. Very tasty!

Fries are done how I like them - almost burnt, with a light sprinkling of salt.

Available on draft on my most recent visit:
Alaskan Amber, Bell's Hopslam, Founders Dirty Bastard, Surly - Bender and Furious, Lift Bridge Farm Girl, Hamm's, Blue Moon, Odells 90 Shilling and Summit - EPA, Winter and Oatmeal.
 Not extensive but I can't think of any place that offers $2 pints of Surly or anything else for that matter. Sadly Hopslam was not included in HH but it was $6 pint (I'm guessing this was a lucky mistake)! I've been fortunate to partake of $2 pints of Surly 5 on a previous visit. Unbeatable!

Yes, it's a heart-attack on a plate but (only in moderation) one of my favourites, "The Breakfast Blucy".

Like they said.....

We augment our Classic with more cheese, thick-cut bacon, and a fried egg on top. Bye-bye hangover! … $8.50
The Blucy I get most often when I visit has to be the "Frenchy"......
Ooh La La! Think French Dip – Swiss cheese and caramelized onions on the inside, even more cheese on top, and served with a side of au jus. … $7.00

Frugal Tip : Save a few bucks at HH by ordering the basket of fries instead of paying for an individual side. Only $2 and more than enough for sharing! Another outsatnding example of value was during the holidays they were selling $125 worth of gift cards for $100. I wish this was a permanent offer!

As featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" before host Guy Fieri was exposed (allegedly) as a homophobe. Here's his signature above the tap list at BDP.



BDP punch card. 11th visit free!



Make sure to get a free punch card. Every Blucy you try earns a stamp and 11th visit gets a free one. Plus a special "winner" T-Shirt. Unbeatable! Best of all - they will stamp your card even if you don't try every variety of Blucy so even if you stick to your favourites it's all the same. They even give you a free T-Shirt!



I am the Wiener! 2011 "Space Invaders" style.





Winning! 2012 version.





View of the bar from a booth. Easily the slowest I've ever seen at BDP!



A view of the patio in summer.