"Ruthless Rye", Sierra Nevada (Chico,CA)

"Ruthless Rye", American IPA

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 I always get a little misty-eyed when the last of the “Celebration Ale” disappears from the store shelves. Every passing year it seems to happen faster, a good thing, as more disciples have discovered it’s hoppy goodness. But it’s not all doom-and-gloom, as Spring beckons Sierra Nevada brings us a new seasonal gift in the shape of “Ruthless Rye”. Mercifully it replaces the truly awful “Glissade Bock”, which has ingloriously been dropped from their line-up – a sensible decision.

                                                   12oz bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada pint glass

“Ruthless Rye” pours a nice amber with a crisp white collar that leaves an impressive lacing on the glass. The beer exhibits a crisp hoppy bite (they use Chinook, Citra and a new proprietary hop for aroma and Bravo for bittering) that is cut nicely with a malty rye. The rye lends a slightly spicy and tangy taste with a floral, dry finish (from the dry-hopping). This is a perfect everyday “fridge” beer – unremarkable, unpretentious but delicious tasting beer at a budget friendly price – the usual trademarks of a Sierra Nevada beer. $7.99 a sixer or $12.99 (I've seen this as low as $10.99 for a 12 pack). ABV is a manageable 6.6% with a respectable 55 IBU’s present.

My Rating : B/B+

If I was to use one word to describe this beer it would be "solid" - not earth shattering but it will tide me over until "Hoptimum" hits the shelves next month. Here's hoping its as good as last year (probably my favourite beer of 2012).

Others:

Beer Advocate Score is 88 (Good) while Rate Beer gives it 99 Overall, 97 for the Style


Useless Trivia Fact that nobody cares about : Chico, CA is also the birthplace of P*ckers QB Aaron Rodgers

"Wuthless Wye" - Elmer Fudd's favourite beer? Check this translator website, it's hilarious! I was going to translate this post into Fudd-speak but decided it was too much effort.

www.rinkworks.com/dialect/



                                  Photo Courtesy of Andrew May Studios


Vital Statistics:

ABV : 6.6%
Beginning Gravity : 15.2 degrees Plato
Ending Gravity: 3.1 degrees Plato
IBU : 55

Yeast - Ale
Bittering Hops - Bravo
Finishing Hops - Chinook, Citra and a new Proprietary variety
Malts - Two-Row Pale, Rye, Caramel and Chocolate

Brewery Description (from the website) :

Rustic grains, refined flavor, ruthless character.

Rugged and resilient, rye has been a staple grain for ages and its spicy black pepper-like flavor has been prized by distillers and brewers for centuries. Rye thrives in the harshest conditions and comes to life in Ruthless, a spicy and rugged IPA with fruity, citrus and herbal hop notes balanced with the dry spiciness of the rye, making the beer aggressive yet comforting to bolster against whatever the winter winds may bring.

Rye

Brewers looking for added flavor character and malt complexity occasionally use rye in addition to malted barley. Rye is a hearty and rustic cereal grain that has long been favored by the distilling industry. Brewers embrace it for its signature spicy, black pepper-like flavors and complex dryness.

Dry Hops

We work hard to get strong hop flavors into our beers and one of the ways we do that is through dry hopping. Dry hopping refers to the addition of whole-cone hops to the fermentation tanks. The addition of hops to cold beer allows the aromatic oils and resins to infuse the beer with flavor and aroma without adding any additional bitterness.




Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
1075 E. 20th Street
Chico, CA 95928
'PH: 530-893-3520
www.sierranevada.com
Twitter @SierraNevada
 

Rosee D'Hibiscus, Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel!

Rosee D'Hibiscus, Microbrasserie Dieu Du Ciel, St-Jerome, Quebec (CA)

11.5fl oz bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada "Ovila" Chalice

Gorgeous label! Reads "Ale Brewed With Spices and Hibiscus Flowers"

5.9% ABV Bottle Conditioned

Style : Herbed/Spiced/Vegetable Beer

"Rosee D'Hibiscus is a soft spoken Belgian-style wheat beer. It's rose colour comes from the hibiscus flowers added during the brewing process. The aromas and flavour of this tropical flower are very prominent in the beer, giving it a slight acidity and a very agreeable fragrance.

The Rosee D'Hibiscus was born in our Montreal brewpub in May 2006".

Bottle is date-notched and is Imported by (the infamous) Shelton Brothers, Belchertown, MA.

"Don Du Ciel" translates from the French to "A Godsend"  or "God of the Sky". Probably a good idea to verify that though, given my dodgy Grammar school French. In my defence I was a little distracted in class (ahem). Her name was Ms. Essler.


Despite my reputation as a miserable bastard (well-justifed, I assure you) some things still excite me. Like discovering a great new beer, against all expectations. This is one of those occasions. Drawn by the fantastic, mesmerizing artwork on the label this is the second Dieu Du Ciel beer I've ever tried ("Rigor Mortis" Abt and that was outstanding).

Pours a beuatiful ruby with a pinkish hue. Slightly cloudy (to be expected - it is un-filtered). Wonderfully aromatic - melon, lavender, floral. Delicate rose petals. Taste is unique - tart and tangy, sweet, tropical mango,berry and definitely pear. Very light body and mouthfeel, it's hard to believe this is a beer with a 5.5% ABV - it should be in the health foods section of your local Co-Op! Refreshing, agreeable and I agree with their sentiment that it would be the perfect thirst-quencher on a hot summer day (or any other).

My Rating : A-

Beer Advocate gives it a 86 (Very Good) while "The Bros" rate it as a 94 (Outstanding)

Rate Beer : 90 (Overall) and 96 (Style)

UNTAPPED : 3.60% average rating out of 5

I don't recall ever having hibiscus in a beer (I know it is popular addition in some teas) but this adds a unique flavor to this wheat beer that works remarkably well.







Brewery Info:

Diel Du Ciel Microbrewery                Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30AM - 2PM
259 Rue De Villemure                                    Friday-Sat. 2PM - 3AM
St-Jerome, QC J7Z 5J4                                   Sunday 2PM - 1AM
'PH: (450) 436-3438
FAX: (450) 436-3455
www.dieuduciel.com

Montreal Brasserie:

Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel                    Hours: Daily 3PM - 3AM
29 Laurier Ouest                              Subway Directions : Take Orange Line to the Laurier Station,
Montreal, Quebec                            take Laurier St. Exit and walk towards the west, crossing both St.
'PH: (514) 490-9555                        Denis and St. Laurent Streets before reaching the pub.

Apple Ale, New Glarus

Apple Ale, New Glarus Brewing Company (New Glarus, WI)

12oz red-foiled bottle poured into a New Glarus goblet. $9.99 a 4 pack from Cassanova in Hudson (hard as it was to turn down the $50 for 3 x 24 flats of Coors Light they had on deal)! Yes, all the cars in the parking lot had MN plates - Sunday opening activists....
ABV : 4%
Part of the very limited "Thumbprint" Series, the inspiration behind it described below:

It is always flattering when less imaginative competitors copy our beers, packaging, and/or marketing. I usually accept this as a personal challenge to do something more. When our trademarked Solstice name was infringed on, I regrouped with Dancing Man. When lots of deconstructed 4 and 6 packs showed up I knew I was doing a good job. When another Midwestern brewer released a "Un*******" series. I thought I can do better.

Thumbprint beers are still brewed with the beer enthusiast in mind. Thumbprint beers are brewed in small batches that are intended to be available for one time only. However, popular demand has caused some styles to return. This is my own thumbprint, to let everyone know this is a real New Glarus handcrafted beer! Cheers.

—Deborah Carey (President, New Glarus Brewing Company)

Style : Fruit/Vegetable Beer. Description from Beer Advocate :

A generic form of flavored beer, some breweries actually use real fruit or veggies, though most use an extract, syrup or processed flavor to give the effect of a particular fruit or vegetable. Usually ales, but with not much ale character to them and commonly unbalanced. Malt flavor is typically hidden with a low hop bitterness to allow the fruit or vegetable to dominate.

While PONDER-ing my latest beer pick in the midst of a dismal Vikings loss to the P**kers, it occured to me the perfect penance would be to review a beer from a perennial Wisconsin favourite, New Glarus Brewing. I'm asked on a daily basis at the store if we carry New Glarus and of course the answer is no - it's proudly exclusive to Wisconsin. In 2011 it sold all 108,000 barrels it produces within Wisconsin borders. On a side note, I found it interesting while at the GABF in Denver in October the longest lines were not for Dogfish Head, Three Floyd's or even Surly but for New Glarus.

"Apple Ale sings with the fresh crisp taste of apples. Our brewmaster begins with a brown ale base employing Wisonsin farmed wheat and a blend of fresh picked apples. Our apple growing friends squeeze them especially for this brew. Expect this ale to pour a beautiful copper colour. The fresh bouquet of apple will rise to meet you even before the glass touches your lips. So be sure to sip slowly and enjoy the fruits of a Wisconsin harvest".

My take:

Pours a clear, dark yellow. Aroma of tart apples, taste is sharp and refreshing, Granny Smith. Crisp, quenching, light bodied - nothing artificial tasting about this beer. Apple juice, with a little more carbonization and a pleasant, if ever so slight, vanilla aftertaste.

Rating: A

I'm a fan of Furthermore's "Fallen Apple" New Glarus' Apple Ale is less creamy than that and reminds me more of a British cider than a beer, but perhaps not as dry. Whether it is really a cider or a beer is another matter but who cares, it is delicious!

Rate Beer Score : 98/100 Overall
Beer Advocate : 92 (Exceptional)




More info:

*Brewery founded in 1993 by Deborah and Dan Carey, making Deborah the first woman to operate a brewery in the US.
*Today is the 21st largest craft brewery and 32nd largest overall brewing company in the US.
* New Glarus Brewing is a big supporter of Universal Health Care (are you reading this Papa F***g John)?!
*The town of New Glarus has a population of 2,304 according to 2010 Census. It was named after the Canton of Glarus in Eastern Switzerland and was founded in 1845 by immigrants from Glarus, Switzerland.
*New Glarus is the best known Swiss settlement in the country.
www.swisstown.com


New Glarus Brewing Company      Hours : Mon-Sun 10am-4pm
2400 State Highway 69
New Glarus, WI 53574
'PH: 608-527-5850
www.newglarusbrewing.com Twitter: newglarusbeer

Driving time from Minneapolis is approx. 4 Hours 40 Minutes (281 miles). Madison is nearby, (27 miles, about a 45 minute drive).

Vampire Slayer, Clown Shoes

Imperial American Stout, 22oz bomber poured into Ommegang goblet. I paid $8.49 for my bottle.

What they said :

"In a world full of uncertainty, hardship, and people trying to hold us back, do we need Vampires, too? Clown Shoes says, "No! Die, monsters, die!"

Our second anniversary ale incorporates signature dark malts, holy water, and malt smoked locally with hickory, ash, and vampire killing stakes".




Interesting that the above label reads "Smoked Imperial Stout" while the label on my bottle has "Imperial American Stout". No bottled on date (disappointing but not that essential for a big beer like this - if it was an IPA I'd be concerned).
Pours as expected - pitch black with a thin tan collar, very appetizing!
Roasted malt, toasty, licorice, chocolate - stale cigarettes (and for what it matters I'm a non-smoker)! ABV may be 10% but alcohol is well disguised, not overly boozy. Another surprise is the fairly thin mouthfeel for such a big beer, not as chewy or as much of a sipper as I typically like but no matter this is another impressive effort from Clown Shoes.

Rating : B maybe B+

This is the third Clown Shoes beer I've tried in earnest since they have been unleashed on the MN market and I've been impressed with all of them, so far (Chocolate Sombrero, Eagle Claw Fist). This is another solid offering from this 3 year old upstart. I'll be interested to compare Vampire Slayer with Blaecorn Unidragon, a bottle of which is  (not so) patiently awaiting in my beer fridge. According to the blog it seems they are expanding at a rapid pace and are now distributing to Wisconsin.

Chocolate Sombrero, Clown Shoes Brewing

"Chocolate Sombrero" Mexican Style Chocolate Stout by Clown Shoes Brewing (Ipswich, MA)

22oz bomber poured into Ommegang goblet.
Bottled on 5/2012 (nice touch - easy to read as well).
Tasting notes from 9/23/12.

It seems every week there is a new entrant in the ever burgeoning world of craft beer. This week it's Clown Shoes that is responsible for setting beer geeks hearts a-flutter. I'm here to tell you that not all clowns need to be creepy (yes, it took years of therapy to be able to write that sentence). Clown Shoes is a brash contract brewer based in Ipswich, MA that has a mission statement that reads "clowns are questionable but the shoes make me laugh. They remind me about humility and to find humour in life". Chocolate Sombrero is evidence of this humour with the label depicting a somberero-wearing Mexican wrestler on the label. The beer is no laughing matter - this is a Mexican-style stout with ancho chile and vanilla extract and lots of chocolate malt. The beer pours a beautiful midnight black with a thin tan collar and the smell is of roasty chocolate. With a laundry list of ingredients the taste does not dissapoint - thick, rich and decadent with discernible notes of chocolate, coffee and a hint of spiciness. Even with the substantial ABV that weighs in at 9% I didn't find this particularly boozy. Would make an excellent dessert beer. As a first introduction to the brewery I'm very impressed. It may not inspire me to run away and join the circus but it will make me want to devour more of their beers. Chocolate Sombrero is available in 22oz bomber for around $8.49 and is part of their limited release series.

 

Rating: A

 

As a first introduction to this brewery I can honestly say I got more than I expected. Also tried Tramp Stamp Belgian IPa (initial impression - sweet and fruity but not bad) and also Brash Bollocks Imperial IPA (12% wow! my sort of beer - not Maharaja standard but decent, well brewed). Impressed.

 

Beer Advocate rating : 87 (Good)

RateBeer Score : 97

 

 

 

In their own words:

 

"Roasted dark malts plus extra chocolate malts plus ancho chile plus a chocolate loving beer drinking, clown shoes wearing, multi limbed gorgeous and glorious Mexican wrestler on the label. That's the recipe for a chocolate sombreror".

 

Distributed in Minnesota by Clear River (Rush City, MN) Millstream, McNeill's etc

More about the brewery:

 

Clown Shoes Brewing Company*

23 Hayward Street

Ipswich, MA 01938

www.clownshoesbeer.com

 

Email: Sean@clownshoesbeer.com

 

*Contract brewed by Mercury Brewing Company (Ipswich, MA) which confusingly is also known as Ipswich Ale Brewery

www.IpswichAleBrewery.com

 

Clown Shoes produces a ridiculous amount of beers, some with very cringe-worthy names (Tramp Stamp, Muffin Top, Lubrication, Pimp)! which fits in well with their attitude "produce beer without pretension while being free and a little crazy".

 

Year Round:

Hoppy Feet, Brown Angel, Clementine, Tramp Stamp,Eagle Claw Fist, Lubrication, Supa Hero, Miracle, Let my people go

 

Limited:

Pecan Pie Porter, Hoppy Feet 1.5, Clementine 1.5, Muffin Top, BlaeCorn Unidragon, Vampire Slayer,Chocolate Sombrero, Pimp

 

Super Limited (made once):

Angry Beast, Fight of the Pimp, Third Party Candidate.

 

 

 

 

Sneaky Pete, Laughing Dog Brewing

Imperial IPA by Laughing Dog Brewing (Ponderay, Idaho)



OK, Time to put down "Fifty Shades of Grey" for a moment and get on with a new post. Although it is a riveting read....next up is "Sneaky Pete" an Imperial IPA from Laughing Dog Brewing Company (Ponderay, Idaho).

Another new entrant into an already crowded Minnesota craft beer market. Imported  by www.kysela.com (primarily a wine company) and is distributed in the local market by Paustis Wine Company. It's been on the shelves for a couple of months now and is available in 22oz bombers (expect to pay around $8.99) or 4 pack 12oz bottles (rather pricey at around $12.99). I had the 22oz bomber poured into a Granville Island (Vancouver) glass. My bottle was clearly dated 3/5/12. Tasting notes are from 5/8 (usual procrastination on my part). Bottle numbered 6045/2192.

This is a prime example of that old adage - never judge a book by it's cover.

What I thunk:

Well carbonated. Really good looking beer, impressive crisp one finger head. Appealing dark amber colour. Nice hop aroma -piney, floral. Malty back bone, robust - tangey, orangey. Nice lacing on glass. Perhaps a little bit "thin" on the finish but that's a minor complaint.

Rating:
B/B+
Impressive. Exceeded my expectations, a very solid double IPA that I would buy again. At the time Avery's "Maharaja" was also available on the shelf at a buck cheaper which makes "Sneaky Pete" a bit of a hard sell. Surprisingly the 4 packs seem to sell well at the rather exorbitant price but I think it's mostly due to the adorable Boston Terrier on the cover (modelled on one of Kysela's owners dogs I was reliably informed). Too bad the beer is not available in "growlers"!

Useless information alert - I was told that the brewer of Laughing Dog was sent a bottle of Bell's Hopslam and asked to replicate it. Sneaky Pete is his response. Would it be dogmatic of me to sugggest he at least achieved the same price-point as Hopslam!!!







"Sneaky Pete" Imperial IPA uses a tremendous amount of simcoe hops and a splash of honey. First released in Spring of 2011. Gets a 99 on ratebeer.com and a B+ on Beer Advocate."

Laughing Dog, Sneaky Pete Imperial IPA 24/12ozSneaky Pete is a blend of five hop types: Simcoe, Glacier, Centennial, Vanguard and Hallertauer, with Simcoe playing the dominate role at 30%. In addition, three separate malts were used: Honey Malt, Rye Malt, and Munich Malt. The brew has a copious aroma of white grapefruit, citrus overtones, a complex rich middle and long flavors in the finish; a real beauty. Finished with wild clover honey. 89 IBU’s, 10% ABV.

About the brewery:

•  Founded August 2005 in Ponderay, "Little City with the big future", Idaho (population 1,137 according to the 2010 Census). Ponderay is located in the heart of the Selkirk mountains just outside of Sandpoint.
•  A yellow lab (Ben) appears on all the brewery's logos - he's the family dog and is almost 7 years old
•  Other owners are Michelle Douglass ad Fred Colby (co-founder and brewmaster)
•  Has brewed over 15 distinct beers including 7 that are ranked in the 90th percantile in either overall or style category on beer rating sites Beer Advocate and RateBeer.com
•  Current capacity is 4,500 barrels per year
•  Motto is "Fetchingly Good Beer"
•  Year round beers are : Cream Ale/Alpha Dog IPA/CSB ESB/Dogzilla Black IPA/IPA/Pale Ae
•  Seasonals - Cold nose winter Ale/Huckleberry Cream Ale
•  Reserve Series - Devil Dog Imperial IPA/Dogfather Imperial Stout

www.laughingdogbrewing.com
1109 Fontaine Drive
Ponderay, ID 83852
'PH: 208-263-9222

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