Two breweries debuted their first ever packaged beers this week. On top of that, we have another strong local showing full of big flavored beers designed for the holidays.
Policy Kings - 01-01-01: Policy King's first official packaged beer pours a light gold hazy color with a nice thick and creamy off white head. Aroma is more on the citrus side for hazy IPAs..lemon rind, orange and a bit of peach. But pleasing none the less. Again the flavor is more of a citrus/floral IPA, not the fruit bomb expected, It has a fairly nice medium mouthfeel that is appropriate for the hazy style. 7.6% - Available at Policy Kings.
Desert Edge - 2020 IPA: Desert Edge has been brewing beer since the mid 90s. This is their first official "high point" release in all time; I must say their debut is absolutely wonderful. Aroma of pale malt, citrus and tropical hops, orange, grapefruit, pineapple and mango. Flavor is mildly caramel and pale malt, citrus hops, orange, grapefruit, dried papaya, mango and exotic mixed tropical fruit; finishes with nice moderate citrus and slightly piney hops. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess, nice mouth feel. This is a hazy I can get behind.
Epic - Grandma Van's Candy Cane Stout: The flavors here are semisweet chocolate and flavors of roasted malt and bitter roasted notes. At first sip, you might not even realize that this is infused with mint if you weren't paying attention. Though that's likely a good thing, since you don't want the mint to overpower the flavor. Once again, the peppermint comes through in more of an herbal, even earthy vein than the kind of artificial profile in mint candy. In fact, the mint imparts zero sweetness whatsoever, relying on the chocolate malt and cacao to counteract the bitterness from the roasted flavor profiles. Think Brownies with mint icing. 6.0% - Available at Epic.
Shades - Slurry Series Sugar Plum: This beer is thick – like tomato juice thick. This is a super fruity and tart milkshake style sour beer. Marshamallow and lactose counter the base sweetness creating a well rounded fruit bomb. Perfect for the holidays. 5.0% - Available at Shades. Not vegan friendly.
Hopkins - Strawberry Zinfandel Sour: This has a bright vinous nose. The taste follows with mostly Zinfandel grapes dominating. The strawberry part is for the most part dominated by the grape. The tartness from the base beer gives the whole package a unripened sour profile. I found it quite drinkable. 5.0% - Only at Hopkins.
Proper - Barrel Aged Geol: Most barrel-aged barleywines tend to nap in whiskey barrels. Proper's new barrel-aged version of Geol (Yule) was aged in Pino Noir barrels. The aroma is sweet and slightly vinous with some oak. The taste is surprisingly, not super sweet. The barrel treatment here has mellowed what is normally a big malt profile. The Pino portion combines to make an almost Port-like flavor with a nice punch of drying oak. A very nice take on the barleywine. 10.6%
Kiitos - Mocha Brown: This has a nose full of coffee aromas. The taste follows, but is more intense. There's a ton of cold drip medium roast coffee flavors. It has a nice fresh taste with some drying toast from the base beer. If you love coffee, this will make you day. 5.0% - Only at Kiitos.
Level Crossing - XII.XI.XIII Barleywine: Brewed to honor the birth of Head Brewer, Chris Detrick's son. This is an American Style Barleywine which is more hoppy than the English style. And this delivers with a full 222 IBUs. This is a hoppy and bitter beast. There's a nice amount of toffee at the base and then it kicks into hop overdrive. This beer was designed for aging; to be laid down for many, many years. So, buy a few for your cellar. 12.1%
Lone Pine - Quantum Cuddle Kitten: Missed this one. 8.2% - Found at Slackwater in Sandy.
Returning Favorites
Tf Brewing - HollaHaze
Proper Geol
RoHa - Millenium Falcon
This week Hopkins Brewing is celebrating 2 years in business and have a special Small Batch selection for the weekend.
Cheers!
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