New Beer/Brewery Friday 1/4/19

It's a good thing when you can start off the new year with a New Beer/Brewery Friday. On the last day of 2018 Hopkins Brewing became Utah's newest brewery; debuting with seven new beers. Hopkins is an adult only brewpub and is open from 11am- midnight seven days a week. Welcome to the Utah Beer Family! 

Hopkins - Friendly Introduction Pale Ale: Nose of grapefruit, mild orange citrus, some sweet malt, and woody/floral grass. Tastes like grapefruit peel, sweet malt, some spice with floral pine and earthy grass. Light bodied, creamy with low carbonation. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins Brewing 

Hopkins - NAIPA: Aromas of biscuit, citrus fruit, and floral tickle the nostrils. The taste is much the same with biscuit, floral, citrus zest, and pine needle flavors on the finish. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins Brewing

Hopkins -  Bourbon Barrel Porter: The nose has notes of roasted malt and cocoa. Roasted malt and chocolate is present throughout the flavor profile with whiskey notes becoming more apparent after it warms. The finish is bitter with slight lingering bourbon notes. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins Brewing
 
Hopkins - Smoke Porter with Jalapeno: Aromas are driven by a refined leathery, roastiness; char, tobacco and chipotle brings clarity and roundness. The flavors follow the nose, with an added tickle from the chipotle creeping in. The smooth leatheriness from the chiles plays off the chocolate and malt of the base porter without dominating. Finishes with a rather bitter roast character. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins Brewing

Hopkins - Old Merchant Nitro Cream Ale: Very light aroam with some lemon citrus and cracker malt. Taste is more assertive but still light, like most cream ales. Earthy malt with a light citrus hoppy character that shows up in the finish. Definitely maltier than hoppy. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins Brewing.

Hopkins -Coffee Cream Ale: The smell of coffee hits you nicely; not overpowering, but not subtle either. The taste is where the subtlety of the coffee is, which is perfect as i didn't want to dominate. The La Barba coffee addition is very easy to drink; creating a nice representation of a coffee infused cream ale.

Hopkins - Winter Ale: Missed this one. This ale is made with orange peel and mulling spices, so it will definitely live up to it's name. 4.0% - Available at Hopkins Brewing 

Saltfire - Barrel Aged Baltic Porter:  Roasted brown malts and floral bitterness combines with wonderful rye whiskey to create a spicy, chocolate alcohol fueled bomb. Very limited. 8.0% - Available at Saltfire.

T.F. Brewing - Albion Belgian Tripel: This has a golden cantaloupe color with sweet spicy nose of yeast and candy. The taste starts with notes of stone fruit, then quickly transitions into bubblegum and peppery yeast. Dangerously drinkable for a Tripel. 10.2% - Available at T.F. Brewing. 

T.F. Brewing - Helles: This unfiltered lager pours a hazy golden yellow under a solid fluffy white head. Sweet grainy aroma with a little hoppy spice. Flavor is biscuity and sweet - not much from the hops other than some bitterness. Pretty light and crisp. 4.0% - Available at T.F. Brewing.

Avenues Proper - Breakfast Juice: Designed with the day's first meal in mind. Both malted and flaked oats were used to add chewiness and body with hints of vanilla that complimented the addition
of lactose. The ABV is kept deliberately lower and finally the addition of a special blend
of Coffee from La Barba adds rich complexity. 4.0% - Available only at Avenues Proper.

Toasted Barrel - Black Currant Sour: Pours a jammy purple color with a creamy white head. Smell is nice with an extremely sour taste and lots of black currant. A surprisngly estery start on the tongue, with a long-lasting sour black currant and raspberry-like finish. 6.5% - Available at Toasted Barrel.

Toasted Barrel - Belgian Blonde: Aroma has some hefty Belgian yeast imparting some citrus and astringency. Taste is decidedly yeasty as well. Minor amounts of clove, grapefruit, apple and pear from the yeast. Its actually pretty straight forward. 7.5%. - Available at Toasted Barrel.

Squatters - Red Hop Redemption: Missed this New England style hopped red ale. It's described as having Ekuanot, Simcoe, and Idaho 7 hops with a strong supporting malty backbone. 4.0% - Available at Squatters brewpub.

Roosters - Blackberry Cream Ale: This is being canned as of 7am this morning. Goes on sale this afternoon at Roosters B Street Brewery in Ogden. 6.0%. 

Policy Kings Hefeweizen: Missed this one. 4.0% - Available at Policy Kings

Anchor - Brewer's Pale Ale Citra: Missed this one. 5.3% - Available at DABC

Sam Adams - Cold Snap: Missed this one. 5.3% - Available at DABC

Sierra Nevada - Brut IPA: Missed this one.6.2%  - Available at DABC

If you've tried any of those that I missed please share your thoughts with the rest of us, please.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/9/18

What a weird week; though it was good to see everyone involved in the political process. No matter where you fall politically, I think we can all agree we all deserve a beer this weekend. Happy New Beer Friday! Desert Edge - Alpha Coffee Lager:  This kelllerbier has cold brewed coffee added from Alpha Coffee, a veteran owned roaster that sends coffee to deployed troops. For every Alpha Coffee Lager that Desert Edge sells, DE will donate money to send 100lbs of Coffee. The beer is toasty and slightly malty with a pleasant coffee flavor that works quite well with the base beer. Great beer, great cause. 4.0% - Available at Desert Edge. Anchor - Our Special Ale 2018: This is the the 44th year of this beer and every year has been different. This version has a nice caramelized chocolaty quality with vague spices, estery banana and a good dose of piney hops. 6.9%. Available at DABC Rogue - Yellow Snow Pilsner: The beer is malt forward with biscuit notes and caramel sweetness. Hints of lemongrass and spruce emerge next; the hop balance isn't quite up to the levels it should be at it tends to rely a bit too much on the spruce tips for bittering. Not a bad beer; I like the spruce but it needs balance. Rogue - Counter Currant: This beer is defiantly fruit driven with black currants dominating the flavor profile. The fruit is tart and pleasant with a small dose of malt. You do get a tiny smack of hops in the end. Not bad. 6.4% - Available at DABC Snake River - Alpha Prime: Assertive grapefruit and pine combines nicely with tropical flavors and medium bitterness. The malt profile id pleasant and balanced with the hops. Nice IPA. 7.5% - Available at Slackwater Caldera - Dry Hop Orange: Toffee malts are present, with a hint of butter. A big than I'd orange pith taste comes in next, stomping out some of the malt's flaws. The end has a good dose of bitterness. 5.6% - Available at DABC, Beer Bar Caldera - Hopportunity Knocks: Orange and grapefruit flavors with pith; balanced by an interesting toffee malt profile - very floral with some pine in addition to the citrus - moderately bitter, but mostly sweet. 6.8% - Available at DABC, Beer Bar Caldera - IPA: Malt forward; caramel and toffee followed by floral & citrus hops. Bitter finish & aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium bodied moderate carbonation is creamy. 6.1% - Available at DABC, Beer Bar Caldera Mosaic IPA: Grapefruit peel is noticeable right off the bat. From there a good dose a buttery malt sweetness comes in. The end has a medium amount of hop bitterness. There a major diacetyl problem here (buttered popcorn). Not too good.   Caldera - Pale Ale: The aroma is citrusy with some pine hops and a good deal of bready malts. The taste is more bready malts and toffee upfront followed by some light citrus and pine. Bready finish. 5.5% - Available at DABC, Beer Bar Caldera - Ashland  Amber Ale: The nose was malty and sweet with caramel hints. Taste was malty with toffee and caramel notes with  grassy hops on the back of the tongue. Mouthfeel was full and creamy. 5.4% - Available at DABC, Beer Bar Samuel Smith - Yorkshire Stingo: Missed out on this one. 8.0% Available at Slackwater. On a side note: If you missed out on Squatters' Fifth Element release last weekend, well.... actually you didn't. There are still quite a few bottles left; so there ya go, get on that shit! Cheers!

New Beer Friday 6/29/18

New Beer Friday really does care. Do You? This week we have an eclectic range of suds along with a local favorite that will be making it's final appearance.

Shade's Kviek #1: The aroma is very hoppy with citrus overtones noticeable lemon tartness. The taste is lightly piney and hoppy with hints of citrus and berry. All IPA upfront, tart in the middle with a lemony ice tea finish. 6.5%. Available Saturday at Shades Brewing.

2 Row Blood Orange Sour: Not tried this one yet. The only place I know of that has this is the Bayou; don't even have the ABV on this one. I hope to have more info for you this afternoon on New Beer Friday with Mick and Allen on KBER 101 at 3:30pm.

Epic Utah Session Series - Passion Fruit: Brilliantly clear appearance. Passion fruit and a little sulfur in the nose. The taste is mostly passion fruit with some Belgian-ish yeast spices. Hint of surfer in the finish that fades after a while. 4.0% ABV. Available at Beerhive, soon everywhere there's an Epic seasonal handle.   

Proper/Sawtooth Puddleduck: This draft collaboration was brewed with Sawtooth Brewery from Hailey, ID. This is a light colored, wheat-based ale using a ton of fruit-forward hops and a special yeast favored for its use in hazy IPAs. The result is full bodied and juicy with notes of mango, melon, lychee and strawberry. Available only at the Main Street brewery.

Anchor's Nelson Pale Ale: The aroma is grassy and funky, with orange, melon and blueberry. The flavor starts with citrus peel, pine and melon . Some vanilla and a vague berry round out the back end. Overall this is a very nice and complex pale ale. 5.3%. Available at DABC.

Odell Onolicious: This has a tart lemony base with a good dose of passion fruit, mango and guava. The flavors get a little muddled but you get the idea that this is a tart fruity salad in a glass.6.5%. Found at Beer Bar. 

Odell Friek: This has a dusty dry raspberry aroma with a hint of cherry. The taste has raspberry and tart cherry; it's more tart than sweet. Some nice citrus notes round it out with a noticeable amount of oak, and a lingering funk. A nice barrel-aged fruited sour. 6.5%. Found at Beer Bar.

Mother Earth Call Me Ginger: The aroma is mostly big candied ginger. The taste is much more subtle with semi-sweet malts and light dose of ginger root. Next comes a nice balancing dose of lemon peel that serves mostly to keep the root in check. I liked it more than I thought I would. 4.8%. Found at Beer Bar.

Full Sail's Citrus Maxima: Missed out on this one. 5.7%. Available at DABC.

Upslope's Rocky Mountain Kölsch: Missed out on this one. 5.1%. Available at DABC.

Crazy Mountain's Lava Lake Wit: Brand new to our marketThe nose has crackers with floral, spicy and citrus hops. Tastes of earthy floral hops, pale malt and a hint of spice. A nice Witbier. 5.2%.  Available at DABC.

Crazy Mountain's Hookiebobb IPA: The aroma is floral and citrus with some candied fruit and pineapple. The taste is citrus and pine with a lingering, pithy bitterness. A bit chewy with a touch of crackery sweetness. A nice IPA. 6.7%. Available at DABC

Stone Enjoy by 7/4/18: Lotsa peach and tropical flavors going on here. The hops are big and assertive with a descent dose of malt backing it up. It's got an ABV of 9.4%, so don't drink this one on an empty stomach. As usual we're getting this one late, so drink 'em up by Independence Day.  Should start popping up in bars and stores later today.

Returning Favorites

Elder Brett: It looks like our favorite Elder is coming home from his mission for the very last time. This is the last batch of Epic's original barrel aged sour and it will only be avaiable in SLC starting today. Elder Brett's aroma is rich with the musty, barnyard-like character that “Brett” is famous for as well as some remnants notes of white wine. The flavor also has wonderful amounts of fruity notes both from the yeast and hints of peach, all rounded out with a pleasant and refreshing acidity and incredible drinkability for an 9.5% beer. We will miss you.

Litha Imperial Saison: The nose is earthy with some funky peppery saison yeast countered by zesty rye spices, bread, alcohol and light tropical fruit. The taste starts with a bit of pepper, clove and and coriander followed by estery fruits. Brady malts come next witha touch of alcohol. The end has a nice balance berries and tropical hops. Finishes semi-dry. 8.0%. Available Proper Brewing.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 8/18/17

Not only is it New Beer Friday, but it's also Utah Beer Fest weekend. There will be a ton of breweries and a shload of beers pouring at the state fairgrounds. Follow the links to get an idea of what to expect. Here's all of the other info you may need. Hope to see you there!

Full Sail Session - Watermelon Wheat: Pretty much as advertised. The nose has watermelon and the taste is subtle watermelon flavor with wheat. You already know if this is your thing or not. Proceed accordingly. 5.4% ABV @ DABC

Anchor - Coffee Porter: This beer is brand new practically everywhere and not many have had it yet, including me. Look for nice coffee notes that don't overwhelm the base porter. 6.7% ABV @ DABC

Kona - Lemongrass Luau: A lot of ginger in the nose with some hops. The taste is big with herbal, ginger, lemon peel, and grass. The lemongrass is most prominent in the end. The ginger is just too strong for me, but I'm not a huge ginger root guy. If your a fan? you'll probably love this light and crisp ale. 5.0% ABV

Ninkasi - Oktoberfest: This seems to be a new incarnation of their Festbier that hit this time last year. This version is heavily bitter for marzen (though they don't cal it that). Picking out the malts is a bit difficult which should be easy because this should be more malt driven. It does indicate that it is dry-hopped. It's not a bad beer but if you're looking for a tradition Oktoberfest Lager this may leave you wanting. 5.9% ABV @ Beer Bar

Wasatch - Nitro Pumpkin: Though it's technically not a new beer, it's nitrogen conditioning takes this beer into other dimensions. The pie spices are prominent and the bitterness is low. It's kinda cool to try this beer side-by-side with it's CO2 brother to see how different the same beer can taste with different gasses.  Which do you like better? 4.0% ABV @ Grocery, C-stores, Bayou

Don't forget to tune in to New Beer Friday on KBER 101 this afternoon at 3:30 as Mick, Allen and myself discuss these beers and other Utah beer related stuff.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 3/24/17

The sweet 16 Round is over in the Utah Beer Challenge's High Point Competition and there were a few upsets. Shades of Pale's Salt City Citrus had a big win over perennial favorite, Labyrinth from Uinta and 2 Row's Dark Alley edged out what many believe is Utah's best local beer, Big Bad Baptist. It's all listed above in all of it's "bracketie glory". The Elite Eight round will begin on Monday morning.

Now, on to New Beer Friday!

Uinta 24th Birthday Suit - Mostly tart, cherry is subtle with some floral notes. You get a bit spiciness from the Belgian yeast. Overall: not the best year for this beer but it's still very refreshing and drinkable. 6.2% ABV @ Uinta

New Belgium Juicy Watermelon - Melon notes are present along with lime, but not over powering.. light pale malt and some background citrus hoppiness. A slightly tart, refreshing bright fruity pilsner. Has a definite artificial flavor. 5.0% ABV @ DABC

Sam Adams Fresh as Helles - The nose is grainy with cracker-like pale malts along with a mix of citrus fruitiness. The taste is bready and doughy with a bit of caramel and cereal. Vague citrus comes next with some earthy/floral hops rounding out the back end. This isn't a textbook Helles but it is quite enjoyable. @ DABC

Anchor Liberty IPA -This is not Anchor's Liberty Ale - a beer that most beer historians consider to be the original American IPA. This is a re-imagining of that beer. The nose is citrusy with bready/fruity malts. Pine and citrus dominate with bready malt and ripe fruit in the back. The finish is bright and hoppy. It's a simple - not too gaudy IPA. 5.9% ABV @ DABC

Bonneville 4th Anniversarye -  Haven't tried this one yet. This year’s beer features malted rye, caramel rye and big blasts of Eureka hops. It's also fermented with lager yeast at room temperature to add an additional twist to the flavor profile. The result is earthy, spicy and herbal with splashes of citrus and pine. A big, round mouthfeel that transforms into a snappy dry finish. 4.0% ABV @ Bonneville, Allstar Lanes and where there's a Bonneville seasonal tap handle.

Lagunitas Bavarian Style Dopple Weizen - The nose has banana bread, clove and honey. The taste starts with sweet banana bread and clove with pepper and spices lingering throughout. Bubblegum and orange peel round out the end. Finishes witha bit of herbal bitterenss. Quite a departure from the typical Lagunitas offering. 8.7% ABV @ Beerhive, DABC

Proper Hop vs Hop release #6 - Missed out on this one last night. This version features Idaho 7 and Wakatu hops from New Zealand. Look for resinous pine and citrus combined with stone fruit and tropical notes.7.6% ABV @ Proper

Elysian Split Shot -There's a good balance here of coffee and milk sugars. has a slight cappuccino feel. If you like your coffee beers this will please you. 6.0% ABV @ Beer Bar

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 3/4/16

This guy is making my brain hurt. Luckily New Beer Friday will numb us from the dumb.

Anchor - Saison Spring Ale: This beer is described as having lemongrass, lemon peel and ginger - whose synergy adds a tangy crispness and herbal spiciness to this sharply refreshing, uniquely California saison.

Ballast Point - The Commodore: This American Stout has a nose of coffee, roasted malt, chocolate, some caramel, and some bready malts. The taste has roasted malt, chocolate, some slight coffee, and a bit of vanilla. Finishes on the bitter side with hops and char. A nice stout. 6.5% ABV @ Bayou, Beer Bar, Beerhive

Boulder - Shake Chocolate Porter: The nose is is full-on milk chocolate not much else. The taste is slightly sweet chocolate syrup and roasted malts followed by coffee-like bitterness. Very creamy texture with a semi-sweet, piney bitter finish. 5.9% ABV @ Bayou, DABC

HUB - IPX El Dorado: This IPA is huge with floral and tangerine and tangerine both in the nose and in the taste. Malts are subtle and sweet with a moderate to strong bitter finish. Really nice an easy drinking beer. 6.0% ABV @BeerHive, BeerBar

Hive - Ghost town Dry Oaked Mead: described as having a bourbon nose with clover, sage and oak on the tongue. Sounds wonderful. No ABV listed @ Hive Winery

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/11/15

Okay, There's a shload of new stuff today, so we're just going to get right to it.

Anchor Brewing Our Christmas Ale 2015 - Pours dark mahogany color with Carmel colored head. The nose has nutmeg and toffee notes. There's a nice balance nutty chocolate, gingerbread spices up front with earthy hops and roasted bitterness rounding out the back.The finish is quite bitter. Overall, this is one of the better years for this beer.  A great Christmas ale. 5.5% ABV @BeerHive, DABC

Sockeye Brewing Winterfest - The nose is sweet and fruity with herbal hops orange peel and a bit of vanilla. The taste starts sweet with vanilla and fruity alcohol notes. The English-style ale peeks through underneath with that distinct sweeter malt edge. Herbal hops come next balancing out the sweetness of the malt. Toasted malt and sweet orange peel come next rounding out the back end. Lingering resinous hops on the finish. A really nice winter warmer. 7.0% ABV @ DABC

Shades of Pale Beer X White IPA - Cloudy straw color. The nose is tangerine with some coriander & clove. Tastes with orange peel, a bit of tangerine and lemon peel. A little doughy sweetness comes accompanied by coriander spices. 7% ABV. @ Shades of Pale

RedRock Furlong Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout - I hope you like Bourbon. Because this beer comes with a shload of it. It's very whiskey forward upfront, with some nice caramel and roasted malts punching up from beneath. The finish is herbal and quite bitter. This beer is not blended. It went from barrel to bright tank to bottle. It's raw and unapologetic. Sadly it sold out on the first day of the release. However, it is available at RedRock locations for in house consumption and it's at most better beer bars as well. 10.2% ABV

To Øl Jule Mælk - I haven't tried this one yet. This is a 15% ABV Milk Stout. Yeah, I know... me too! @ Bayou

Hive Apricot Eau Da Vie Brandy - This elegant brandy opens with a wonderful warm apricot nose, transporting you to a warm summer day standing next to an apricot tree full of ripe fruit. A distinct, but not overpowering, apricot flavor makes this a perfect spirit for sipping. @ Hive Winery

Hive Blackberry Eau Da Vie Brandy - Proudly made from Blackberries  picked fresh at Frost Farms in Layton, this clear spirit has a fresh blackberry nose with slight floral undertones.  A light pleasing blackberry flavor dominates the profile of this smooth and pleasant brandy. Enjoy it neat in a brandy snifter, or using it in place of vodka in a “screwdriver” for a delightful berry twist on an old classic. @ Hive Winery

Hive Sisterwives Sparkling Bing Cherry Wine - A delightfully sweet, subtly sparkling wine featuring a full, rich, sun ripened dark cherry flavor with pleasantly understated earthy undertones, reminiscent of a good port. Perfect addition to any Holiday Celebration; try it in place of a standard Champaign in your favorite holiday drinks. @ Hive Winery

The DABC finally let the Bayou have their shipment of Holiday beers. Here's what's available today.

Mikkeller Winbic

Mikkeller - Santa's Helper
Mikkeller From/To

To Øl Frost Bites Holiday IPA

Bourganel - Biere aux Marrons (Chestnuts)

Ridgeway Brewing Beers:
Bad Elf
Very Bad Elf
Lump Of Coal
Santas Butt
Warm Welcome
Reindeer Droppings

Serafiijn Christmas Angel

Sruise Tsjeeses 
Thiriez Noel

Also today, Squatters and Wasatch are now serving some of their "high point" beers in Crowlers! They will have 3 Wasatch beers – Ghostrider White IPA, Devastator Double Bock and a seasonal offering, which is First One Down Winter Warmer. The Squatters beers are Hop Rising Double IPA, Off Duty IPA and the Seasonal offering, which is currently Takeout Rye IPA.

They will be filling the Crowlers every morning and will only fill a certain quantity for the day in order to keep the product fresh. Since they are Crowlers, they will be filled off their tap lines, then purged and sealed, which makes it possible for them to stay fresh for a longer period of time. The price will be $5.50 per Crowler. As these were just approved yesterday, I'd call ahead before making the trip. Capiche?

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 8/28/15

Wow August is almost over, that means the falls beers should be getting into full swing. While most of these are not "fall beers", there is a nice theme happening in regards to the pale ales. They're not the typical varieties we've been seeing as of late.

Anchor IPA - This is not Anchors Liberty Ale which is widely regarded as the mother of American IPAs. This is a new IPA that pays tribute to the American IPAs of the early 90s. It's mostly pine and malt driven with some peach and berry notes. 6.5% ABV @ Bayou & DABC

Upslope Thai IPA - It's the Thai basil and ginger that really sets this one apart. The IPA at it's base has pleasant caramel sweetness with citrus and pine beneath the spices. You'll either love it or hate it. I quite liked it. 6.5% ABV @ Bayou - Beer Bar

Upslope Imperial IPA - Nice citrus hop driven IIPA. It is a little boozy with some nice tropical flavors and pine in the finish. 10% ABV. @ Bayou - Beer Bar

Green Flash Hop Odyssey 30th Street IPA - Very herbal with little malt backbone. A nice change from the sweet and fruity American IPA.  6.0% ABV. Bayou - Beer Bar

Shades of Pale - Beer X Galaxy/Centennial IPA - Citrus peel and some pineapple notes with a piney resinous finish.

Shades of Pale - Beer X Beehive Gin Barrel Aged Pale Ale - Boozy nose of pine and berries. Taste is much more subtle - juniper with a bit of tartness in the back. Finishes with citrus peel. Damn tasty beer from SOP, grab some at the brewery or Beer Bar. 7.0% ABV

Ace Pumpkin Cider - Not tried this one yet. Anyone? 5% ABV. @ Bayou

Cheers!

Bohemian Dampfbier

Bohemian Brewing thrives on sticking with old world beer styles. Now they have another new interpretation on a beer style born in the old world but perfected in the new.

Steam beer also known as California common beer, was originated by Anchor Brewing Company, which trademarked the name Anchor Steam Beer in 1981. Due to lack of refrigeration, these beers were originally thought of as a "cheap beer" because they were fermented with lager yeast at near ale temperatures. The name Steam Beer derives from "Dampfbier" (literally "steam beer"), a traditional German beer that was also fermented at unusually high temperatures and that may have been known to 19th-century American brewers, many of whom were of German descent.

Bohemian Brewery’s latest Brewer’s Stash offering picks up on this tradition. It's a brilliant copper colored beer boasting smooth caramel malt notes but with noticeable hop bitterness and finish.

It likely won't be around long, so get on it.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 10/18/13

This week's New Beer Friday is more triumphant than a bad-ass Mormon Jebus saving a damsel, while riding a unicorn - Beer in hand. That's some pretty Triumphant shizzle yo!

Anchor Bigleaf Maple Autumn Amber: The nose is dominated by piney hops with dank dark fruits. The beer tastes the same. It starts with the pine and dark fruitiness but it also has a bit of maple flavor in the end. There’s a lingering bitterness undercut with a maple sweetness. Not really my style, but I am glad to see more seasonal offering coming from Anchor Brewing.

Squatters Gourd Almighty Pumpkin Ale: Typical Pumpkin ale flavor profile, but more subdued than some pumpkin beers in the market right now. If your not a fan of the style this one may be kinder to your palate.

Firkin Friday at the Bayou and at Poplar St. Pub has a new beer from Squatters, a Chocolate Witbier. I know Chocolate and Witbier is a bit of an oxymoron, but it does sound delicious. Should be tapped around 3pm.

A couple of returning beers from Avenues Proper include Benches Belgian Brown  as well as their session IPA, Hopspital.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/7/12

Many new beers today, most are seasonal for the holidays but there are a few surprises as well. Let's begin.

Gordon Biersch Winter Bock: Poured a reddish brown with a nice lasting tan head. The nose initially was heavy on roasted malts, becoming sweeter as it warms. Taste is heavy on roasted malts and finishes somewhat sweet. Mouthfeel is pretty good as it is medium bodied, decently carbonated, and fairly smooth across the palate. Overall drinkability is pretty good. @DABC

Samuel Adams Winter Lager: Pours a clear brown/copper color with a moderate head. The nose is mostly of malt with some hops a touch of toffee. Taste is about the same, mostly malty with toasty notes. Toffee comes next with some slight floral hops at the end. Not exciting, but solid. @DABC 

Crispin Hard Cider: Is described as an unfiltered apple wine, fermented from fresh pressed apple juice and smoothed with novel organic natural sugars, such as honey or maple syrup. @DABC

RedRock Forbidden Peach: This new seasonal offering is a Belgian style witbier at it's base and is brewed with peach, rose hips and is dry hopped. @RedRock

Roosters Höpfner: This one is quite different. It seems to be a light ale at it's base but the taste is mostly of oregano, basil, bready malts, spice, yeast.. The result is beer that tastes like a pizza. This is a beer that will do better with a meal rather than a stand alone quencher. I'd recommend trying it with cheesy bread sticks. @Roosters-Beerhive

Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin: The nose is of  coffee, roasted malt and some milk chocolate. The taste starts with roasted malt, espresso, with a semi-sweet chocolate finish. Pretty consistent flavor from sip to sip. Some nice bready notes in the finish, with some mild dark fruit up front with the husky roasted malt and coffee flavors. A very nice oatmeal stout. @Beerhive

Firestone Walker XVI Anniversary: Pours a deep ruby-black-brown topped by a finger of dark khaki foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, whiskey, dry oak, toasted caramel, a hint of coffee, light dark greens, and a hint of pine. The taste starts off with a mix of dark caramel malts, vanilla, tequila, dark fruits, and some toasted coconut. Through the middle, there's oak, Bourbon, Brandy, chocolate, roasted malts, brown sugar, and bit of citrus hop. The finish is a mix of dark caramel malts, dark fruit, oak, vanilla, toasted coconuts, Bourbon, Brandy, Tequila, chocolate, molasses, and booze. Feels smooth with a sweet and warming finish. A very drinkable. Amazing blend of flavors. Very complex but still has a great deal of smoothness. @Beerhive

Deschutes Chasin' Freshies: Pours a rather light, clear golden yellow with about three fingers of fluffy white head. The nose is complex with hoppy notes of peach, apricot, slight citrus rind (grapefruit), flowers, and mint The taste follows the nose with notes of pale pilsner malts, stone fruits, mint, and green herbal hops. The finish has that touch of citrus rind, and the aftertaste is bready, herbal and spicy. Good flavor combination. Has a drying finish, and soft carbonation. Drinks very well. A well done IPA. Great balance between hops and malt, with a unique hop profile and tons of flavor. Smooth and easy to drink. @Beerhive

Returning Favorites

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout: Much more coffee forward than previous releases. The nose is of dark coffee with cream similar to a cappuccino but with a hint of malt and hops. The taste follows the nose with coffee and a nice roasted malt. it's lacking the creaminess of previous releases. I feel like the creaminess should be more balenced with a stronger coffee flavor. It's a good coffee stout but your going to gave to really dig to find the cappuccino in there. @Beerhive

Anchor Our Special Ale 2012 (Anchor Christmas Ale):  Poured a deep roasted chestnut brown with ruby hues, very little head to speak of. The nose has graham cracker and ginger with some oak. The tastes has a good amount of roasted malts with some nutmeg and a bit of ginger. Cocoa, brown sugar, and toasted bread come next with a small amount of dark fruits rounding out the end. Finishes fairly dry. It not too different than years past, still worth checking out because it's unique. @Beerhive - DABC

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/2/12

The session beer invasion continues this week with the arrival of Anchor Brewing's Small Beer. Anchor Small revives the ancient brewing tradition of creating two distinct beers from one mash. Made from the second runnings of their Old Foghorn Barleywine mash, – a sweeter, stronger and traditionally more expensive beer made for sipping, and a more plentiful drinking beer. The Anchor brewers sprinkle warm water over the Old Foghorn mash after the first “wort” has run off, creating a second, lighter brew. Technically, both beers are the same, the alcohol by volume being the only difference.

This beer is light, even for Utah standards. It comes in at a whopping 3.3% abv. and is available at some grocery stores right now. You may also see it on tap in the coming weeks as well. There have been some sightings at Harmon's; if you see it anywhere, please share the love!

Widmer Bros. Drop Top Amber: Pours a somewhat hazy orange-amber color with a moderate cap of foam. The nose has bready malt with a mild honey-like character. A tart fruity character is present also, balanced with a fresh herbal hop presence. The taste starts with biscuit flavors that balance nicely with some caramel sweetness. Surprisingly tart, although not over the top. Hop bitterness is moderate, with a balanced fruity and herbal flavors. the finish is lively and crisp. 5.0% abv.

The unusual hop profile and tartness saves this from beer from being another nondescriptly average amber ale. It drinks easily enough and is pretty approachable. @ DABC, Beerhive

We haven't seen Unibroue's Grande Réserve series in few years, Unibroue 17 is the perfect beer to revisit this annual offering. Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve Pours a nice auburn color with a sturdy foamy head. The nose is a beautiful blend of toffee, caramel, vanilla, and just a touch of banana. The taste starts with tobacco, maple, vanilla, and brown sugar, with just a bit of cocoa. In the middle there's a dramatic shift with cherry tannis, plums, pepper and clove. The tannins carry thought to the finish, though the sweetness from the front end lingers underneath.  10.0% abv.

The tannic elements really dries out what could have been a very cloying chewfest. Very nice beer! @ Bayou, DABC

Also from Widmer Bros. we have a winter warmer that hop lovers will really love. Brrr has a deep amber color with a nose of caramel, lemon zest and grapefruit. The taste is equally rich with a nice malty beginning followed by a quick bite of citrus zest and pine, ending with a glowing balance of the two. The Citrus really kicks in at the end and really holds on. A really solid beer, very enjoyable. 7.2% abv.

 I have to say, the Widmer beers that have popped into the market, have been exception if you haven't tried them your really missing the boat. @ DABC

And don't forget Alta's 75th Anniversary Ale is also available.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 1/6/12

For the first New Beer Friday of 2012 we get to enjoy a beer that's long overdue.

Our Special Ale 2011 (Anchor Christmas Ale) has been released annually since 1983. Every year is unique in some way. It's one beer I always look forward to every year. I've been drinking it since 2002. Sadly I don't love it every year. This year is one of those "meh" years.

The 2011 has a nice soapy, herbal nose with prune and raisins. The taste starts malty up front with cocoa, spices and dark fruits hit the tongue strong. Semi-sweet cola rounds out the back end. Hints of spices & prune make for a rather dry finish.

This one of those beers that won't "wow" you, but will make you glad you had it.

I had it at the Beerhive, but it usually shows up in various liquor store that normally sell Anchor Beer.

Also, there's a new poll!

Cheers!

Better Late, than Never

Christmas may be gone, but as the title says, better late than never. Don't fret though - there's still New Years Eve.

We first told you about late comer, numero uno back in early October. This collaboration between Weihenstephan, one of the world's most important breweries and Samuel Adams has been eagerly awaited by many in Utah and it doesn't disappoint. Taste wise - that is.

The bottle presentation is beautiful. Poured from 750mL corked bottle. Infinium is quite dry with crispness o' plenty. Starts with bready hints along with some slightly ripened, vinous notes. Slight banana and some pear come next with apple and grape rounding out the middle. The finish is definitely very Champagne-like and dry. Mouthfeel is crisp and dry with a medium-light body. There is slight heat from the alcohol but the carbonation cuts-it a bit, just like it would in a sparkling wine.

Be prepared for some bottle shock, as Infinium will set you back a few Hamiltons. Available at the Bayou and soon to allocated liquor stores.

The next "tardy beer" is Anchor Brewing's Our Special Ale. This Holiday institution goes back all the way to 1983 and has had a different recipe every year. Some years have been better than others. I think this year is one of the good ones.

The nose is dry and roasted with some toffee, raisins, figs, caramel and fruit esters. The taste starts dry and bitter. Then the spices kicks in: They give way to notes of passion fruit, oranges, figs, root beer and a hint of chocolate. The finish is lightly dry with some roasted malt, dried fruits and mixed exotic spices. The 5.50% ABV is almost sessional. Wide release.

The last of the "hind tit" beers is Boulevard Brewing's Harvest Dance Wheat Wine. Yup, a Wheatwine. The Wheatwine is akin to a Barleywine in strength, but contains a large portion of wheat malt; upwards of 50%. The wheat provides a soft and fluffy mouthfeel.

This beer has a fruity nose with sweet malt notes. The flavor starts with a complex blend of sweet, bready malt, next comes vanilla, oak, and a slightly vinous backbone. Rounding slowly to a long, dry, oaky finish. The ABV is 9.10% and is served from 750mL corked bottle. At the Bayou and some allocated liquor stores.

These are all great choices to help ring in the New Year. If you find any of these at area liquor stores, please comment on where you found them.

Cheers!

Anchor Brewing to be Sold

When I first heard that Fritz Maytag was selling Anchor Brewing after 45 years, my heart sunk. Fritz, how could you sell off this piece of history? especially to an investment and consulting company that focuses on multiple alcohol brands.

Well after listening to this interview from KQED in San Francisco, my fears were lessened. But I have a feeling the craft beer community will keep a constant eye on the Griffin Group to make sure sure they don't screw up an American Institution.

Here's the entire interview. It's worth checking out.
Cheers!