Breckenridge Brewery - Small Batch 471 DIPA

Tonight we feature a guest review from our good friend Dave Kasper, who we know simply as Kasper.  Kasper has traditionally been a fan of Keystone Light, with an emphasis on quantity over quality....

Kasper is historically an anti-hop-head, but he's broadened his horizons to include some of the more....hop-nasty...brews in recent months.  He even authored this photoshop masterpiece, highlighting the intense hoppiness of Surly Furious:

Makes me laugh every time

Tonight Kasper will be reviewing a hop-bomb - the Breckenridge Small Batch 471 Double IPA.  This is a big, aggressive IPA with 9.2% alcohol and a mean American hop profile that is available year-round.  Just to put things into context, this is Kasper's recounting of his first experience with this beer - he wasn't planning on reviewing it at the time of drinking...

In my quest to experience the finer points of the hoppy beer world, I have taken it upon myself to pick out beers with big, bold flavors. This visit to the liquor store, I stumbled across Breckenridge Brewery's Small Batch 471 Series Double IPA.  Without any preconceived notions about the beer, it was off the shelf and on it's way home with me!

Absent-mindedly, I poured a glass of this Double IPA and continued about my evening, not paying any real attention to the beer.  Taking the first sip really snapped me back awake... it was amazing!  Holding my glass to the light, I peered into the beautiful deep clear copper color, and began to wonder why I'd never heard of it before.  Each successive sip had me singing this beer's praises.  Until it was gone, and I was left with the sinking sadness knowing that I didn't have anymore.  

The beer is very light on carbonation, and pours with a thin creamy head.  It's scent is a little muttled, but there is a faint fragrant floral scent that permeates it.

On the palate, you are first hit with a full mouth flavor of caramel, sweet malt, and almost fruity hops.  Initially I thought it was going to be too heavy, but the flavor waned and was replaced with a sharp short burst of hoppy bitters.  Intense, vivbrant, then gone, leaving only a lingering taste of caramel.  For a beer with such a heavy bitter bite it doesn't pollute your palate with lingering bitter.  It finishes quite clean.

Overall Rating:  This beer is certainly my favorite imperial IPA, and has actually taken a place in my top ten of all beers. Quite an unexpected surprise. I'm sad that this is the only current offering I can find at my local liquor store, as the other 3 offering in the 471 series really have me intrigued.

Epic Brewing - Imperial IPA

Before I get to the brew-review, a quick soap-box.  This week has been rough on the wallet.  First, I headed out to Men's Warehouse for a much needed wardrobe...enhancement.  2 suits, 2 dress shirts, and 2 ties later, I'd spent nearly $900!  Nice clothes are important, especially for the workplace, but damn!  Then, yesterday, I decided it was a good idea to go replace my ailing iPhone (it's got a line of dead pixels running across the middle, nearly unusable).  So I headed out to the Verizon Wireless store, and walked out with a brand new Motorola Droid Bionic, which cost a painful 300 bones.  It's an awesome phone though, and I'm excited to start using the 8MP camera that comes along with it - nice upgrade - which you'll see in the photo below...

Tonight I'll be drinking an Imperial IPA from Epic Brewing in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I've recently tried a couple brews from their Elevated Series, the Hopulent IPA and the Brainless Belgian-Style Ale.  This Imperial IPA is a part of their Exponential Series, which goes a step beyond the Elevated Series and brings the biggest, most ambitious brews to the forefront.  This bottle is from Batch# 7, which is their most recent release, and registers 9.5% alcohol. 

The beer is definitely easy on the eyes - nice soft honey-golden color with a fresh white plume of foam that never really recedes.  Pretty cloudy, looks unfiltered.  The aroma is straight from hop-heaven - a combination of the pine resin anvil, and a big freshly cut grapefruits and other citrusy zest, all topped with sweet boozy fumes.  The flavor starts off with a coating of pine resin.  Grapefruits and spicy orange peels are next up, complimented by a firm base of grainy caramel malts.  Oily, resiny, and some alcohol punches through everything else with a finishing touch of hot boozy sweetness.  The texture is on the heavier side, with a sticky finish.

Overall Rating:  I really enjoyed this Imperial IPA.  It gives you a little bit of everything you'd ever look for in the style, and doesn't leave anything behind.  At $4.99, this bottle is an absolute steal!  Pick one up if you can find one!  A-

Epic Brewing - Hopulent IPA

Tonight I'll be drinking a big bottle of Hopulent IPA from Epic Brewing in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I was first introduced to this brewery back in July with their Brainless Belgian-Style Golden Ale, which was pretty delicious.  This is another brew in the Elevated Series, which is basically a free innovation-card for the Head Brewer to go create unique takes on traditional styles of beer.  Hopulent IPA is released in batches, and each batch is done a little differently, ending up with slight changes in the final flavor profile.  This bottle is from Batch #24, which was brewed on July 5 2011.  The label states this brew is 8.7% alcohol, and it includes a contrast picture of a hop bine.


This is one of the most beautiful beers I've ever seen - hazy but very bright golden orange color with a full three inches of foam and loads of white lacing behind it.  Perfection.  The aroma is absolutely packed with tropical fruits - citrus, passion fruit, fresh oranges, peaches, and some lime zest.  Alcohol is also present in the nose, and a hint of pine.  The taste starts off with a firm bitter tongue-punch, thick, resinous hops with some pine and grassy lemongrass coming through first.  The bitterness continues all the way through to the end.  There are some gritty grainy malts that do little to add any flavor, mainly just adds some grittyness to the texture of the beer.  I can't find any of the tropical fruits that I smelled earlier....it's all pine and dank herbal bitterness.  Also some alcohol heat is present, mainly in the background.

Overall Rating:  After smelling the beer, I was expecting a tropical, fruity, sweet IPA.  Instead I got a piney, resinous, bitter hop-slammer.  Despite the strange disconnect there, I thoroughly enjoyed this beer, but be warned, it's not for the faint of heart....if you pick up this beer, be prepared for a palate-slam.  B

Widmer Brothers - Nelson Imperial IPA

Sorry Steve, I'm going to break up the Summit week tonight, but not on purpose....unfortunately I don't have any Summit in the fridge.  The fridge is actually depressingly empty right now, I'll have to stop at the beer-shop tomorrow to re-stock!  Tonight, I'll be drinking Nelson Imperial IPA from Widmer Brothers Brewing out in Portland, Oregon.  This is a year-round offering from Widmer that showcases the Nelson Sauvin hop from New Zealand, which is known for it's big hop flavors and relative drinkability.  Many big DIPAs are saturated/DRIPPING, in hops, and the result is a heavy, oily characteristic that takes away from the overall drinkability and leaves you feeling full and with a destroyed palate.  These New Zealand hops supposedly bring the flavor without the heaviness.  The brew comes in at 8.6% alcohol and 70 IBUs. 

The label on this one is boring - it states on the front "Hopped to Perfection" and above that "Prost!  Or if you prefer, Haka."  Diversity.  The beer is a clear, bright copper color with a hefty white froth after a gentle pour.  The aroma is surprisingly nice and full, with loads of grapefruit and other zesty citrus.  Almost like pineapple juice spiked with booze.  The first drink brings more of a piney edge than I expected.  Right behind it lies some spicey pepper, maybe a hint of that pineapple citrus in there but I have to search for it.  A touch of caramel toffee malts sit in the background along with a warm edge of booze.  The texture is smooth and silky, with a mild amount of carbonation, and a dry resiny finish that leaves my mouth happy.

Overall Rating:  This was a pleasant Imperial IPA - great balance of different flavors.  Widmer Brothers has built a formidable player in a growing (dare I say saturated) beer style.  Great beer - if you're in the mood for a good hoppy brew, go pick up a 4pack of Nelson.  A-

Dark Horse Brewing - Double Crooked Tree IPA

Tonight we're going off the beaten path with Dark Horse Brewing based in Marshall, MI.  We've reviewed a couple of their full timers like the Amber Ale and the Crooked Tree IPA, but tonight I'm going to be drinking their Double Crooked Tree IPA.  This is an interesting approach to the Imperial IPA genre - Dark Horse has taken the recipe for the regular Crooked Tree, and doubled all of the ingredients except the water.  It will be a sipper, at 12% alcohol (yes, they doubled that too).  Won't be driving anywhere after this brew!

Let's talk about this label.  For the first time in the history of my Dark Horse experience, the label is on straight, unripped, and clean.  It doesn't look like it was applied by a 5 year old - they're making progress!  The picture on the front depicts an angry looking old-man-tree.  Almost reminds me of the Ents from Lord of the Rings.  There is some odd chinese-like writing behind the beer name, and on the side of the label reminds us that this is 98 IBUs, and also states that it "Ages Well". 

The beer builds a huge light tan foam after a tough pour, with sticky lacing left behind after a minute or two.  The color is a dark, cloudy reddish brownish.  It definitely looks as big as it sounds on paper...  And WOW, smells big too.  Musty, pungent blend of alcohol, pine resin, and tropical juices chilling in the background.  Also a hint of bubblegum in there.  After the first sip, first thing that comes to mind is the thick, heavy body of the beer.  Syrupy, creamy delivery.  The forward flavors are chewy caramel malts, sweet pie crust crumble.  Those malt flavors enjoy a brief spotlight, then give way to a rolling tsunami of hop flavors - some pine, but primarily tropical juices made up of mango, some ripe peach, and a little oak/vanilla woodiness sneaks in with it.  The bitterness is never biting, the juiciness just rolls softly through the palate.  The alcohol warms me up but doesn't play much part in the flavor profile. 

Overall Rating:  Great brew from Dark Horse!  Ridiculously complex but very well-balanced, so much so I find it hard to believe the 12% alcohol is actually there.  I consider this a must-drink, especially for you hop-zombies out there.  A 

New Holland Brewing - Imperial Hatter Imperial IPA

Today I'm going to try a brew from New Holland's High Gravity Series, the Imperial Hatter DIPA.  This is a red-headed step child of their perennial IPA, with a hefty 9.4% ABV behind the curtains.  There isn't much information available about the brew on their website, but they do include a cartoon drawing of the Imperial Hatter, and it looks just like my buddy Zikra (I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing).

I'm pouring this 12oz brew into my ale glass.  The bottle states this is a 2010 vintage, no indication of exactly when it was bottled though.  The beer is a hazy dark golden hue, almost velvety in color, with a light white head the falls away quickly.  The aroma is pungent, malty, and loaded with boozy herbal citrus.  Also some honey sweentess present in there.

The taste starts off with a gritty, earthy bitterness on top of a blast of citrus.  Mostly grapefruits and some orange peels.  Immediately after that first wave of bitterness comes a lingering, astringent, very unpleasant alcohol burn that takes this beer off the rails.  It's almost got a rotten-sour-apple flavor to it, not good.  The malt backbone is noticeable and nice, with some of that honey sweetness coming through, but I just can't make it past this acidic booziness.  The body is heavy and creamy, and the carbonation is relatively light, fitting nicely in the style. 

Overall Rating:  It's hard for me to call this a bad beer...it's definitely not bad, there are some positive qualities to it including the citrusy hops and the nice malt characteristics.  However, I just couldn't overcome that sour booze flavor in the middle...  C-

Two Brothers - Hop Juice Double IPA

Tonight I randomly came across this bottle of Hop Juice from Two Brothers Brewing, and bought it without a second thought.  Every brew I've had from Two Brothers has been phenomenal, so I'm excited to try their version of the hop-bomb.  This beer features a 9.9%ABV and 100 IBUs, dry-hopped with over a pound of hops per barrel (that' a lot). 

The label artwork is slick - roughly drawn plyers squeezing the juice out of a hop flower into a glass of beer, with "We squeeze to please" written in between.  There's also a short description on the label which is pictured below. 

This brew is going into my snifter glass - it's a dark, cloudy amber color with a full 2 inches of creme head that dissipates slowly leaving a snail trail behind.  The aroma brings boatloads of citrus, with grapefruit rinds, orange peels, and a hint of pineapple mixed with them.  Also, loads of pine resin and even some floral notes in there.  Smells terrific! The taste immediately confirms that yes, this is definitely a hop-bomb.  Blammo!  Bitter citrus rinds - orange zest - grapefruit zest - a touch of bitter sweetness that kind of reminds me of tangerine.  Then the flavor slowly meld into a musty, earthy, gritty middle that showcases some big, sweet caramel malts, while continuing to carry the pine resin on it's shoulders.  The alcohol pops in towards the finish, adding some welcome warmth to the bitterness.  The finish leaves a lingering oily, resinous sensation on the throat, capping off a hop fiesta. 

Overall Rating:  This DIPA is not for the faint of heart.  Big bitterness, big alcohol, big maltiness - custom built for the hop-heads of the world.  If your have a hop-minded palate, go grab a bottle of Hop Juice!  B+

Brew Dog - Hardcore IPA

Tonight we head to Scotland to try out this Hardcore IPA from Brew Dog Brewery.  Back in May 2011, Steve reviewed their Punk IPA and gave it a fairly poor rating.  But this is my first taste of Brew Dog beer, so I'm coming into this brew with a thirst for hops and a clear, unbiased palate.  This is an Imperial IPA with some big numbers; 9.2% alcohol, 150 IBUs, and a potent blend of American hops including Centennial, Columbus, and Simcoe.  They hopped this brew to ring 1 of hell, and then dry-hopped it all the way down to the 7th ring.  The website includes a hilarious video from BrewDog that includes some creative ways to destroy big commercial rice-waters - definitely worth checking out - BrewDog Hardcore IPA.

The label on this 11.2oz bottle states that this is an 'explicit imperial ale'.  It also includes a description, photo included below.  The beer is a cloudy red-brown color with a fluffy light tan head that leaves nice lace rings.  The aroma is pungent!  Acidic citrus, ripe grapefruits and pineapples, mixed in with loads of resins and buttery biscuits.  The drink starts off with that buttered malt sweetness.  Followed closely by sweet oranges, grapefruit peels, and some oily pine resins that build up slowly in the back of my mouth, but never reaches the hop-bomb bitterness that I expected from the aroma.  A hint of spice comes in at the finish.  The mouthfeel is oily and creamy, with a lower amount of carbonation that adds to the character of the brew.

Overall Rating:  I wouldn't put this beer in the ring against American hop-bombs like Avery Maharaja or Stone Ruination or Surly Furious, but it certainly held it's own and exceeded my expectations.  This is a juicy, dangerous IPA that delivers great flavor and dangerously masks the 9.2% alcohol.  Those Scots put together a nice Imperial IPA - give it a try!  A-

Tallgrass Brewing - Oasis

Tonight I'll be drinking a tall can of Oasis brew from Tallgrass Brewing Company in Manhatten, KS.  This is a "Double ESB/IPAish" beer that was derived from one of the founder's home-brew recipes.  This is one of the bigger, more expensive brews in their year-round line-up at 7.2% alcohol and 93 IBUs.

The 1 pint can states "Agressively Hopped.  Mightily Malted.  Pour a Pint."  Don't mind if I do!  The front of the can features a rather evil looking jester-type guy meditating over a globe of skyscrapers.  Creepy, if nothing else.  The brew is quite a bit darker than I expected - dark orangish brown, hazy but no sediment visible.  It leaves a nice full 2 inches of dense cream-coloured head that laces well.  The aroma brings a hint of pine, fresh chopped flowers, some lemon peels and a hefty amount of sweet caramel malts behind it.

The flavor starts off with faint pine and some sweet bread crumbs, pretty subtle and clean.  Then we enter Stage 2 - Blammo!  Intense bittering hops appear out of nowhere and bring loads of gritty, earthy, spicy pangs on the palate.   Caramel malts make up the backbone of the brew, almost a Vienna malt characteristic to it.  The alcohol is well incorporated into the flavor profile and hardly noticeable.  The carbonation is on the heavier side, quite prickly.  The finish leaves a lingering sensation of musty, woody, herbal flavors that hang around almost to the point of festering.

Overall Rating:  This Double ESB/IPAish brew was spot-on as advertised.  It dropped a nice anvil of hop bitterness, but countered it well with a sturdy balance of malts.  Spices are definitely the star of the show.  A nice brew - especially for the hopinistas!  A-

21st Amendment - Hop Crisis Imperial IPA

On deck tonight, 21st Amendment Brewery's new release of Hop Crisis - this is an oak-aged Imperial IPA with 9.7% alcohol and a staggering 94 IBUs.  This year, hop prices have gone up considerably, leading to what some brewers have coined a 'hop crisis'.  Well you know what they say...out of every crisis comes opportunity, and that is exactly the approach 21st Amendment took with this brew.  Hops are more expensive?  Let's hoard them and brew a beast!  I'm a big fan of this attitude, and I'm really looking forward to trying this bad-boy out. 

This beer is a beautifully clear, golden yellow with a nice inch of white head that is persistently sticky on the glass.  The aroma is pretty sexy - big sweet juicy citrus up front, with a hint of vanilla from the oak, and touch of alcohol sitting behind it.  The drink starts off with a bitter, soft-moving resiny pine and flows into those juicy fruits that were in the nose, although the fruits are far more subtle then the aroma let on.  They have more of an acidic citrus bite to them.  The malts move in to provide a creamy, rich caramel backdrop.  The alcohol is definitely a player, but it doesn't take over the show, just warms things up.  The finish leads into a deep, lingering earthy bitterness - tobacco leaves, maybe some of that oak?  The oily bitterness takes it's sweet time to drop off, a little too much time because it morphs into a medicinalishness.  Mouthfeel thick and creamy, with a light amount of carbonation.

Overall Rating:  A big, brawny Imperial IPA, this certainly is.  The hop profile wasn't a jack-hammer, but it slowly and quietly did it's damage.  A slight hint of medicinal flavors snuck through, but nothing too negative - I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Give Hop Crisis a try!  B+

Great Lakes - Lake Erie Monster

Tonights review is of a relatively recent entrant to the Imperial IPA market.  Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster.  I love the label art on this bottle.  It depicts a scaled dragon beast as a red-eyed demon creature waiting to sink the next shipping cartel it sees.  Very intriguing and imaginative.  If you have a boat on lake Erie, make sure you install 5 foot long spikes on the bottom of it.  I wouldnt want this thing swimming around my watercraft.

This IIPA fills my glass with a hazy amber and effervescent brew.  A tight, white foam quickly fills the remaining space within my pint and refuses to recede.  Pungent notes of grapefruit, citrus and pine accentuate its imperial status.  A nice malt backbone brings a welcomed balance to the obvious hop bias.  Sticky hop lupulins quickly overcome the matly sweetness that builds the overall base of the flavor.  Definitely on the hoppy side, but not so much so that its out of balance.  Floral and citrus notes come through as it warms.  And alcohol and bitterness take the main stage to help dry out the finish.

Overall - One of the better Imperial IPAs on the market.  I like the malt backbone and bold hop aromas.  Easily drinkable and well balanced.  It comes in a four pack and is a bit pricy.  But if you are a hop head, this is one that you should go out of your way to try.  Easily in my top five when it comes to IIPAs.

Sprecher - Double IPA

Tonights review is another from Sprecher's Premium Reserve line-up.  Their IPA2, or Double Indian Pale Ale, is one of five in a special offering of beers from this Wisconsin based brewery. Sprecher claims this imperial IPA focuses more on the hop and malt balance as opposed to the standard 'West coast' style imperial IPA's that focus primarily on hop explosions and lupulin torpedoes to the tongue.  Judging from the color and viscosity of the liquid I just dumped into my pint glass I can already tell they are going in a different direction then our hop-loving friends from the West.

Sprecher IPA2 certainly fits the bill as a malt forward imperial IPA.  The color is a cloudy orange while boasting a plume of off-white foam.  Peering closer into my pint I find tiny clumps of yeast hovering throughout.  A little unexpected, but not a deal breaker.  Aroma-wise, it is unmistakably a malty IPA.  Lots of bready citrus, lemon zest, a little caramel and an off flavored tang.  Not very pleasant unfortunately.  Diving deeper into the flavor profile I find heavy melanoidin and bready characteristics intertwined with an abrupt bitterness and unsatisfying carbonation level.  This brew finishes a little sweet for my liking and does little to lure me back for a second helping.

Overall - As I've said before, IPA's and Imperial IPA's are a tough category to compete in.  You either really nail down a great recipe and brew process or make a deviation of the style that is intriguing enough to bring the drinker back.  Unfortunately, at least for me, Sprecher's IPA2 fails to meet both criteria.  While its not an entirely bad brew, I wont be going out of my way to find this imperial IPA again.

Avery Brewing - Maharaja 2011

Today, is a great day.   The beer I bought during my Avery Brewing tour in Boulder, CO has finally arrived!!  I wanted to bring it back with me, but ran out of space in my small carry-on bag, so I had to suck it up and patiently wait for it ship in the snail-mail.  Well, today is the day, I finally get to try this beer for the first time!

Maharaja is Avery's seasonal hop-bomb that's brewed from March through August each year, available only in bombers and kegs.  According to their website, Maharaja is derived from the sanskrit words mahat (great) and rajan (king).  This is a big brew with big numbers - 10.24% ABV, 102 IBUs. 

The label on the bottle features a creepy, eye-bulging king of some sort - looks like he may have drank one too many Imperial IPAs.  The label also states this bottle is from Batch No. 13, March 2011.  Super-fresh.  I took this out and poured it about 15 minutes ago, to give it some time to warm a bit since it's been in the fridge all day.  I don't have to bring the glass too close to my nose to catch the fumes of this brew - it practically reaches out of the glass and punches me!  Pineapples, peaches, grapefruit and pungent pine oils slam the nose.  The alcohol is definitely intermingled in there also. 

The flavor begins with fruity oils, lots of tropical sweetness, with passion fruit, orangey grapefruit, and a pungent version of fruit punch.  These hop flavors initially are very soft and creamy on the palate, nothing monstrous or destructive...but wait, there's more!  The flavor makes a quick transition into a rich honey and caramel malts.  Then, it hits.  A massive wave of hop bitterness that bites, and an alcohol warmth along with it - AWESOME.  After more drinks, contemplation and reflection, pine and spice come in and out of the picture.  The body is thick and chewy, and the carbonation is on the lighter side giving the beer that creamy sensation.

Overall Rating:  Insanely good.  I don't think there's much I can say that hasn't already been said about this beer.  Avery does amazing things, especially considering their current brewing set-up (small), and their distribution requirements - these guys are literally brewing 24/7/365 to meet their current demand.  Keep it up guys!  And if you haven't tried Maharaja yet, find it and buy it, damnit.

Southern Tier - Gemini Imperial IPA

Tonight I came across this bottle of Southern Tier Gemini Imperial IPA at a liquor store that I rarely venture out to.  I thought Gemini was out of the question for me this year, because it's been sold out everywhere I've looked for over a month now.  But in the most unlikely of places, the little hop-hosed spaceman showed up!  This beer is a combination of Southern Tier's Unearthly Imperial IPA and hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale, two of their big hoppy year-round brews.  Yes, please!

Their website lists this brew at 9.0%ABV, but my bottle says 10.5% ABV.  Not sure who to believe here, we'll just have to see how I feel when the green bomber is empty.   I couldn't find a bottled-on date anywhere on the green shiny stuff.....but the label has a space man floating around, with hoses connected to the suit that are also...hop vines.  Or is it bines?  Hop bines sounds awkward, but I'm fairly certain that's the correct spelling.

The beer is a vibrant dark orange with a heavy two fingers of head.  Awesome lacing.  The aroma is citrus all the way.  Peaches, oranges, and lots of grapefruit....sweet grapefruit with a sprinkle of sugar on top.  The flavor starts with a heavy dose of pine, then transitions immediately over to that sweet citrus.  Very sweet!  Quite a mix of flavors, jumping from pine resin to sweet peaches and grapefruits and pineapple, and then back again to some pine.  The mouthfeel is thick and creamy, and leaves a warming sensation at the end that is pleasant.  Carbonation is on the lighter side, which helps add to that creamy factor.

Overall Rating:  This was probably my favorite Southern Tier brew that I've had to date.  Absolutely packed with flavor - I don't see any need for Southern Tier to continue offering Unfiltered Hoppe and Unearthly individually....they taste better together!  It's out of season now, but if you can find a bottle, grab it for sure.

Stone - Ruination IPA

Stone Brewing is here!  It's taken them 15 years, but they've finally decided that Minnesota is worthy of their presence.  Hopefully this will be the first of many....Russian River, you better be taking notes.  Minnesota needs you also.

Stone is based in Escondido, CA, and was founded back in 1996.  They've been one of the fastest growing craft breweries in the US over the last decade, which probably feeds into their brewing arrogance.  Arrogance in the world of craft beer can be justified, even celebrated, if the beer tastes good enough.  That seems to be the case with Stone Brewing, although I've only tasted a sample of their Ruination IPA in Vegas, so for me the jury is still out.  Ruination is a year-round offering with 7.7%ABV and 100+ IBUs.  The featured hops are Columbus and Centennial.

The beer is clear, golden, and effervescent with a nice layer of pure white head.  The nose is full of tropical fruits - pineapple, mango, and some grapefruit.  Very resiny, with a just a hint of pine.  This beer smells a lot like Surly Wet fresh-hopped brew, which is a very, very good thing.  The flavor is, surprise surprise, full of hops!  Not nearly as bitter as I expected with all the talk of ruination and palate destruction.....the hops are full of flavor.  Grapefruit, some almost-ripe pineapple, and resiny pine oils.  The finish brings an oily, sticky feeling that hangs around for a while afterwards, also revealing a soft floral scent.  The body is medium, and the carbonation is spot on - perfect hop delivery system.

Overall Rating:  (5.3 out of 6.0)  Stone set some high expectations with all of their hop-talk around this beer, and in my opinion, they hit the bar that they set.  This is a hop-monster, but it's not overdone to the point where drinkability is affected.  In fact, just the opposite...this beer is scarily drinkable.  If you're a Minnesotan like me that's been excluded from the Stone distribution channel for all these years, go pick this one up, stat!

Lagunitas - Hop Stoopid Marinated Chicken Tacos

Tonights BeerCraft mealtime creation comes courtesy of my cooking fiend of a friend Kasper.  Earlier in the week Kasper was telling us about the delicious meals he crafted over the weekend.  It included bacon wrapped steak tenderloin medallions marinated in an amazingly complex sauce that I couldn't even begin to describe.  He also cooked a full slab of brisket and marinated a bunch of chicken and ground beef for tacos throughout the weekend.  While all of that sounded delicious and made me want to drive down to Kansas City immediately, the marinated chicken sounded the best to me at the time.  So I figured I would take Kasper's creation and modify it to include beer!  Because we all know everything is better with beer.

Suzy and I started this meal the night before.  We made a marinade for five chicken thighs, bone-in with skin.  The marinade consisted of lime juice, cumin, cayenne, chalotes, fresh thyme, sage, a bit of rosemary, salt, pepper, a shot of Tres Generaciones Anjeo and half a 750ml of Lagunitas Hop Stoopid IPA.  We threw the chicken in some plastic bags with the marinade and let them sit overnight.  Its a well known fact that if you dont marinate your meat in a plastic bag then you think too highly of yourself.  If you don't believe me, just ask these guys.  After about 24 hours in the marinade it was time to cook!  We sauteed some bell peppers and chalotes before adding the chicken and marinade in the pan.  We brought it up to a boil and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken was done.  The marinade turned into a nice creamy sauce and the peppers were nice and soft.  The chicken was removed from the bone and placed into my hard shell taco.  Add a little Mexican cheese and some bell peppers and you have yourself a delicious beer taco!

The chicken was tender and full of flavor.  The cumin, lime juice and herbs played the main role in the overall flavor.  The cayenne gave hit a bit of heat and the Hop Stoopid was there to provide some citrusy support.  After being boiled down the hoppiness of the beer feel out more than what I would have liked.  Next time I think Ill be adding some fresh beer after the chicken is done marinating.

As for the beer, it was delicious on its own.  Lagunitas makes some decent beers but I have always liked this one the most.  The aroma is extremely inviting with a sticky citrus and pine hop mix.  The color is a pale gold/amber hue with a off white head that recedes rather quickly.  Drinking this hop bomb is a treat.  Its almost all hops with hardly a malt backbone in play.  Those citrus hops play the primary role with a hint of caramel malt in the bitter finish.  The mouthfeel is smooth with hardly any alcohol showing up throughout the drink.

Overall, this was a great meal and well worth the time and preparation.  I would have done a few things differently with the chicken after it was done marinating.  I would have added some fresh beer and herbs to accentuate some of the flavors and bring them center stage.  I would have also used soft shells but thats just preference.  I think the Hop Stoopid was a great beer to use.  Its not too expensive that you cant buy two bottles for both days and the flavors it provides play nicely with the herbs and spices used in this taco creation.  Give it a shot for yourself.  Its easier to cook than it sounds!

Hop Stoopid - 102 IBUs, 8% ABV, 1.085 OG.

Surly Abrasive Ale

Abrasive Ale classifies as a Double Oat IPA.  Didn't know that was a style?  Neither did I!  But Surly is always full of surprises.  At 8.8%, and 120 IBU's, this beer packs some serious punch.  It was originally called 16 Grit, which is a size of abrasive grit used at the old Abrasive factory that once stood at the location of the brewery. 

Pouring this beer into my snifter, the color is a glowing amber/orange with a thin egg-white layer of foam - completely clear, a very nice-looking brew.  The nose is what I've come to expect from Surly - fumes.  Sharp florals are dominant, some lemon-lime zest and citrus peels are also in there.  The taste of the beer starts off with mild citrusy bitterness from the hops, but that quickly gives way to a creamy maltiness full of toffee and nuts.  Nuts....haha.  Focus!  This beer is hoppy and juicy, with a firm malt backbone that holds it's ground.  Extremely drinkable, the carbonation is fairly strong, and the beer is smooth and light.  The 9% alcohol is almost entirely hidden. 

Overall Rating:  (5.2 out of 6.0):  Yet another brilliant brew from the geniuses over at Surly.  These guys are the real deal - they have been growing exponentially every year for the last 4 years, and this beer is yet another badge of honor for them.  Grab it while you can. 

Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial IPA

Congratulations to the Packers and all you cheeseheads out there - Super Bowl Champs!  Rodgers has indeed proven to be a legitimate successor to Favre.  By the way, did anyone else think the half-time show was awful?  The song Fergie sang with Slash was like nails on a chalk-board.  But, the game was great and the Packers earned their throne.

You may have noticed that lately, I've been drinking and reviewing a lot of Imperial IPAs.  Well, it's true, and I can't really explain why that is.  The only explanation I can come up with is the fact that we are about 65% through an absolute shit-storm of a winter in MN, and my body is naturally craving the warmth, bite, and vitamins found in big IPAs.  So for those of you that hate IPAs, and hate me for reviewing them so much, I give you my most insincere apology. 

Tonight I am popping open this bottle of Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial IPA.  This beer comes in Moylan's signature pint bottle with a label that lists the awards the beer has won, along with a map that shows where the brewery is located.  The label states that this beer is 9.2%ABV, and that it is "Triple Hoppy".  Triple hoppy makes me triple happy.  The beer pours a clear dark orange with a hefty off-white head the sticks.  The aroma is....pungent, wafting, fumegous, potent!  Strong smells of ripe, fresh-cut oranges and smashed flowers, and lemon zest.  There's also a bit of sweet honey in the background.

The first sip doesn't disappoint - this beer is an absolute hop-bomb.  Oily resins and bitterness lead the assault.  The hop profile is a blend of fresh pine and cedar, along with fresh lemons and some flowers (imagine eating... the smell... of a fresh flower).  The malt backbone takes back seat - it's there, and provides a nice honey sweetness, but really hides in the shadows of the hops.  The finish is a paradox, dry and oily.  The body is medium and the carbonation is crisp.

Overall Rating:  (5.5 out of 6.0)  Now please keep in mind, these ratings are always subjective, so they have to be taken in context.  My taste buds crave the lupulins - the more bittering hops, the better.  So for me, this beer was bliss.  This is an IPA that actually comes close to my favorite - Surly Wet - a beer that sits close to my heart.  The only difference with this beer is the malt backbone - a little more muscle there, and this could take down Surly Wet as my favorite IPA.  Hop-lovers rejoice - this beer is phenomenal. 

Bell's - Hopslam

Tonight is my night to just hang out, relax, chill by the fire and give my brain a break.  I just finished taking two 30 question practice tests (scored above 80% on both!) and am now in need of a delicious, liquid treat.  The first brew that caught my eye on my fridge door was Bell's Hopslam.  How could I miss it with its bold, green label and awesome hop art on the front?!  Honestly, I wouldn't mind being the guy crushed under enormous hop cones at this point.  Ive got me a hankerin' for some hopped up goodness!

This is a seasonal release for Bell's brewing out of Michigan.  The bottles batch number is 10,094.  It comes in 6 packs and mini kegs which I was surprised to find out.  The 6 packs are $20 which is normally a ridiculous price to pay for beer.  However, Ive had this brew in the past and it made me smile.  So Dunz and I decided to split it and reduce the hit to the wallet.

Hopslam pours a clear orange color with an off white head that collapses into a thin layer after about a minute.  The aroma packs a nice hoppy punch.  Very citrusy and fresh.  Grapefruit and green apples are the two fruits that initially come to mind.  A subtle sweetness mixes in with the hoppy aroma.  I'm wondering if thats from the honey used to brew this hop monster.  My first sip is smooth with the hoppy bitterness, honey sweetness and alcohol all congregating together towards the dry finish.  The aromas are certainly not defiant of the flavor here.  Grapefruit, honey, caramel all make an appearance.  A slickness forms on my tongue from the hop resins this IPA packs.  A slight fussel alcohol flavor shows up at the end but doesnt burn on the way down.  I suppose thats to be expected with 10% ABV.

Overall 5.2/6.0 - A big, bold monster of an IPA this is not.  This hop-packed brew sneaks up on you and is dangerously drinkable.  The aromas and flavors are very pleasant and inviting.  The honey adds a nice sweetness that you cant replicate using only malt.  It keeps this beer from being too cloying and adds to the overall balance.  If you have $20 to drop on a six pack this is certainly a great choice.  Or split one with a buddy like Dunz and I did.  Either way, I think its worth the money.

If I were ballsy enough I would get this as a tattoo.  Such an awesome graphic.

Schmaltz Brewing He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A

Tonight I'm drinking the one, the only, Schmaltz He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA.  This beer comes in a slick 22oz bottle with a show-time movie theme.  On the neck of the bottle, the label states, "Leonard Alfred Schneider.  Born in New York 10.3.1925 Died in California 8.3.1966.  Finally, one last four-letter word concerning Lenny Bruce: DEAD.  At 40, that's obscene."  There is also a little story on the bottle that you can check out here.  It classifies as a big Imperial IPA at 10%ABV, and an absurd hop bill that is too long to list.

Pouring this beer into my goblet, it pours a sexy rusty amber color.  It has a hazy look to it, but when held up to the light it's perfectly clear.  Light beige head that reaches an inch high, with clinging sticky lace that holds strong. 

The aroma, mmmmm, the aroma.  There is a hoppy fruit aroma there that reminds me of fresh apples and tangerines.  Also some lemon zest present, along with a muted bready malt.  The taste is a simultaneous rush of multiple hop notes, sweet biscuity malts, and strong carbonation pushing it all around.  The hop profile definitely has multiple personalities.....oily, bitter, herbal, spicy notes that really linger.  I think the rye shows up in that sweet biscuit (toasted bread) malt backbone, which holds it's own against those schizo hops.  The texture is dense and chewy, and there is a pleasant warmth attributed to that big bang of alcohol content.  Despite the thickness, and oily mouthfeel, I still get that sense of a dry finish. 

Overall Rating:  5.8 out of 6.0   This is an aggressive brew - it dances dangerously close with the Barleywine style, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!  If you're in the mood for a big-time IPA with a big bite, dig your teeth into this behemoth.  Phenomenal brew.