New Beer Friday 1/27/12

Please thank avid beer lover Douglas for todays, New Beer Friday. For he selfishly did the the legwork on the following beers.... By the way. When I say "legwork", I mean he walked his ass across the street to the liquor store, bought some and called me. So... Thanks, Dougie!

Deschutes Abyss '11: One of my favorite Imperial Stouts. I haven't had the 2011 yet, but I have had the 2009. The nose is of vanilla, dark fruits, prune, chocolate and licorice. The taste stars with notes of bourbon, oak and vanilla. Roasted malts, dark fruits, dark chocolate, and molasses round out the end. Extremely layered and complex, exceptionally well-balanced. Its quite a treat!

Pyramid's Discord Dark IPA: Pours black like a porter but the nose is all IPA. Citrus and piney hops with roasted malt and coffee. The flavor starts with a fair dose of roasted malt, caramel, toffee, and chocolate. Grapefruit and pine come next to round it out. The finish is tangy with peachy citrus that carries through to the finish. The best Pyramid beer to come along in quite some time.

While I have your attention there are some new beers coming soon to a liquor store near you... Maybe. This is the DABC we're talking about.

PRIMATORE - MAIBOCK, DOPPLEBOCK & DARK LAGER: These beers hail from the Náchod brewery, one of the oldest in the Czech Republic.

CORONA FAMILIAR: This is apparently a repackaged version of Corona Extra.

GUINNESS BLACK LAGER: I understand it's a basic black lager. Nothing like the tradition Guinness that your used to.

As always, if you come across any of these let the rest of us know what store you found them at.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/18/11

Looks like the weekend weather is gunna be crap. So we've found a nice diverse selection to help you trudge through it.

Rogue: Good Chit Pilsner - The nose has a subtle note of pear and grass. The flavor is malty with a strong floral and grassy edge, a fair amount of bitterness, a metallic tang and a whisper of fruit. A good Czech style Pils. @Beerhive

Lagunitas: Dopple Weizen - The nose is fruity, but dense. Lots of banana and peach. Some clove and pepper. Very nice. The taste follows suite with a healthy banana presence, as well as peach, apple, and fig. Herbal with a faint tart spiciness in the finish. Very nice! @Bayou, Beerhive

Deschutes: Fresh Hop Mirror Pond Pale Ale - The nose is fruity, grainy, and deliciously hoppy. This is a well-balanced pale ale. All of the flavors are there. It's hoppy, but not too much, has a significant malted barley flavor, mango citrus, and pine notes. Delicious! @Beerhive

Shades of Pale: 4 Play Porter - Just released. 4-Play Porter is a tribute to aviators across the ages for their courage and sense of adventure, especially friend of the brewery Marilyn, an acrobatic pilot, that flies a plane nick named 4-Play. It is a traditional English style porter right down to the top fermenting yeast. Brewed with high quality brown malts which gives this ale a light caramel, black liquorish, peat flavor porter fans love.. @412 Bistro, Park City.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 9/9/11

Today we have three new style bending beers that frankly defy categorization. And just in case you missed last nights post Uinta's Jacked Imperial Pumpkin should be on sale today at the brewery.

North Coast Grand Cru: Pours a rich golden color, with a large quickly dissipating head. The nose is of apple, pear, honey and vanilla. The tastes starts with pear, raisins and sweet caramel. Dark fruits come next with slight bourbon notes. The finish is boozy and phenolic. This is one sweet som' bitch and it's 12.9% abv is not something to take lightly. @ Beerhive.

Deschutes/Boulevard Collaboration No. 2 - White IPA: The nose is of lemon and grapefruit with notes of coriander, pepper and Belgian yeast. The taste starts with coriander and orange peel with hints of lemongrass. Next comes a malty spiness that transitions into a hoppy, bitter - west coast IPA finish. This is an anomaly. It's like a Saison and a Belgian IPA got drunk while listening to the Conan The Barbarian Soundtrack (Arnold) and had a kid. Yeah, I know!
@ Beerhive & Bayou.

Epic's Brainless on Cherries #5: This one is unique from the others because it was aged in red wine barrels instead of white wine. It's described as less sweet as the dryer red wine adds more tannin and tartness to round out the cherries and malty sweetness of the beer. Sound like the dryer #5 will be more complementary toward the fruit. Can't wait to try it. @ Epic

Crom!

New Beer Friday 9/2/11

Whew... man, what a crazy beer week. I don't know if you noticed, but you don't fuck with a Utahans beerfest. Christ, many of you brought your "A" games to the forum along with throwing stars, nunchakus and baseball bats when it came to the Utah Beerfest analysis.

You were also full of piss and vinegar when it came to Senator Valentine's pious bullshit on X96's Radio From Hell Show. After all the frustration & irritation of the past week, we're gunna make sure it ends right.

This weeks new beer selections are as yummy as they are different.

First off is Full Sail's Elevation IIPA: The nose is very floral and grassy with a mild sugary sweetness. The taste starts with citrusy grapefruit up front, floral and perfumey hops take over coming in behind the initial citrus hit. Smoothing sugary sweetness underneath the hops and into the finish. Not the best or the worst IIPA I've had but it's a limited edition, so it'll likely not be available again.

Next is Deschutes' Black Butte XXIII Porter: This is "the shit". Pours brown with hints of tinted ruby red on the sides. The nose is slightly vinous with notes of cocoa, vanilla and oak. The taste starts with intense cocoa, roasted malts, molasses and oak. The end is full of vanilla, cinnamon and bourbon. The finish is bitter and boozy. The flavors are spot on for the style. Everything is nicely balanced. A great beer that will just get better with age.

Both are in select liquor stores around the state.

Also, Uinta is still waiting on the state to approve their Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale. As soon as it gets the green light we'll let you know.

Cheers!

Hop Harvest Help!

Oh my Brothas and Sistas.... I feeel your souls are heavy.... I feeel that your Karma is as thin as the rice paper beneath Quai Chang Kane's feet (look it up).

I offer you salvation.... yes, salvation that can only come from working the land... from being one with the soil... oh and did I mention that it pays in beer?

Our Brotha, Chris Haas - Brewmaster at Desert Edge Brewery needs your help making his special all local, wild hopped beer, Radius.

If you have the time, Chris could really use a few extra hands today. Meet at Desert Edge (The Pub) at 10am or email Chris at brews@xmission.com to find out where they are.

Be sure to wear long pants and shirt sleaves, the hop leaves can be very scratchy.

Did I mention it pays in beer?

Cheers!

New Beers on the Horizon

Over the last few weeks we've had a lot of great new local beers hit the market; Which is a great thing. We should be spending the majority of our allocated beer money on our local breweries.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't explore all of the great option available. And there are some great option coming to you very soon.

FIRESTONE: ABACUS BARLEYWINE. This is an absolutely exquisite barleywine. It has an understated bourbon and vanilla blend up front. There is a gradual transition into sweet chocolate & caramel malts with dark fruit spices coming out in the finish. The taste is amazingly clean, with no lingering sweetness or booziness; which is surprising because it has an abv of 12.0%

DESCHUTES: THE DISSIDENT. Starts with a nice blend of sweet and sour cherries. A bit of funk and tartness follows. Notes of oak follow at the end. Really, this beer has a lot of tartness, but not a lot of true sourness. Still, It's quite good. We don't get a lot of sour beers brought into the state, this one may go fast.

SAMUEL ADAMS: LATITUDE 48 IPA. Starts floral and herbal unlike traditional piney and citrusy American IPA. Next comes a moderate caramel malt presence. The caramel malts play enough of a role to help balance out the bitterness of the hops. The body was smooth and very easy to drink. Reminds me more of a British style IPA.

CHIMAY: RED CAP. The same as your traditional Chimay Red except it comes in a handy 330ml bottle with bottle cap!. Sometimes ya just don't need a big corked bottle.

All of these beers get here, when the get here. We'll let you know when they start popping up and where.

Cheers!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Deschutes Red Chair

Looking for a something special to ring in the new year? Dechutes' Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale, a winner of multiple awards, including. World’s Best Beer, World’s Best Ale, World’s Best Pale Ale, World’s Best Standard Pale Ale, and The America’s Best Standard Pale Ale.

It has a plush body with satiny caramel flavors derived from seven varieties of malt. Yet, despite it all, it remains a hop-forward ale with that distinctive citrusy punch. Minus any mouth-puckering bitterness.

Available at most liquors right now.

Cheers!

Rooster's 15 - Deschutes 10

In 1890 a building was erected that has housed everything from Chinese laundries to a brothel. 119 years later that same building is home to Ogden's most popular Brewpub.

Roosters is celebrating 15 years in it's historic 25th street building with a special menu and three anniversary brews.

Along with the brews you can purchase a 15 year commemorative pint glasses and fill it
with one of our anniversary brews for only $2.50.

The specials are available at both the Ogden and Layton Brewpubs.
In other beer news, Deschutes' Jubel has arrived and is at the Bayou & Beerhive. 2010 marks only the second time they have ever bottled this rare libation. The first and only other time this special brew was bottled was to celebrate the new millennium as Jubel 2000.

Jubel is based on Deschutes' winter seasonal, Jubelale. This one is aged in Oregon Pinot wine barrels and has a much bigger alcohol content. Jubel 2010 is a once-a-decade experience that may not be made again until 2020. I don't know about you, but I can't wait that long.

Cheers!

Hell's Keep and Other Favorites Return

Hell's Keep returns today. This Belgian style strong ale from Squatters was originally released for the first time in March of '09 at Squatters Pub Downtown. It was apparently such a big hit that they decided to move the production over to the Utah Brewers Cooperative facility so they could take care of the massive bottling project. Hell's Keep is 7.75 ABV and comes in a 750 ML bottles.

Poured into a tulip: a lightly hazy honey/orange with a dense 3 fingers of white foam, which fade into a moderate sized cap. The nose is lemony coupled with dusty-oak and a wild yeastiness. The taste starts with dry apricot and pear followed by spicy malty grains. The end is lemony with notes of straw and wheat. The finish is nice and dry with a lite champagne like carbonation. This beer is very crisp and refreshing. Just so easy going down and incredibly light on the palate. The the 7.7% ABV doesn't have any burn and is well hidden.

Also available today at the Beerhive, Hop Henge from Descutes. This is a great double IPA. It's nicely balanced with a flavor-profile consisting of citrus and pine hops wrapped in a somewhat light blanket of a biscuity malt peaches and mangos. Delish!

There's more.... Andrew spotted some of the Full Sail Imperial stout and Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Porter at the 3rd east Wine Store. Have we given you enough to talk about?!!!

Cheers and have a great weekend.

Abyss is Finally Here

I have "good news" and "not so good news". After a delay of far too many months Deschutes' Abyss is finally here! That's the good.

The not so good... it looks like your going to have to jump through the same ol' hoops to get it - you know, as your currently going through to get Uinta's Bourbon Barrel Barleywine. Which, by the way is at the downtown wine store (thanks for the heads-up Christian).

So here are your options. You can get the Abyss right now at the Bayou & the Beerhive. They got ten cases each. The rest are allocated to a hand full of liquor stores and there will most likely be a 3 bottle limit.

So, if you don't live in or near SLC it looks like your about to get "boned" once again.

On a brighter note. Kevin Templin Brewmaster at RedRock just bottled 1500 Reve. They should be done conditioning around February 22nd.

Cheers!

Winterfest Returns & The Abyss

One of my new favorite winter beers is back, and that means Mikey is happier than a pig in.... beer.

Wasatch Winterfest debuted this time last year to rave revues and most recently won a Bronze medal at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival. If you never got a chance to try it last year, this is your opportunity.

Pours a clear ruby color with a moderate fluffy off-white cap of foam. The nose is bright with citrus and pine with subtle spicy caramel malt beneath. The flavor starts out with grapefruity hops and a bit of orange zest. Next comes a faint hint of gingerbread then transitions to a rich maltiness. I think there may be a little roatiness in there as well. Very nicely balanced with a well hidden 7.1% abv.

Last September I was ecstatic to report that Deshcutes' incredible Abyss Imperial Stout was on it's way to Utah for the first time. Initially It was only going to be available to our two local beer emporiums the Beerhive and the Bayou. Now it looks like it will be available at Utah liquor Stores as well. The Abyss should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. This beer ages well, buy a few and put some away for while.

Also, arriving from Deschutes is Hop Henge Experimental IPA. This one is also new to the state. Deschutes describes it as having several pounds of Centennial & Cascade hops in each barrel with a heavy dry-hop presence to top it off. A blend of crystal, pale and caraston malts creates an overall biscuity characteristic that is dense and muscular, building the alcohol base to support the monstrous hop profile.

Hope Henge will hit shelve in Utah this January.

Cheers!

Moab's Wee Heavy

The Third beer in Moab's Desert Select Series is available for purchase Moab's Scottish Style Ale or "Wee Heavy" is a rich, full ale made with smoked malt, English hops and is aged in French oak barrels.

Head brewer Jeff Van Horn describes it as "A great winter beer with rich caramel and dark fruit flavors". The Ale was bottle conditioned for four months in one liter bottles and has an ABV of 8.6%. The cost is $12.99. Only available at the Brewpub in Moab.

In other beer news Sierra Nevada's Estate Harvest Ale is finally here. I had it at the Bayou, so it should be in select liquor stores.

Also in are two new Deschutes labels. Jubelale is a Holiday ale that's full of hops caramel, toffee malts with a light, dry fruitiness 6.70 abv.

Hop Trip is from Deschutes' Bond Street Series. You'd think with a name like Hop Trip that this would be a "hop monster". It's actually a nicely balance American Pale Ale, nice hop profile with a healthy malt backbone. 5.5% abv.

I believe Jubelale is only available at the Bayou & Beerhive. Hop Trip Should be available at state liquor stores.

And... The 9th Annual Beer Dinner at Lugano will be held November 4th. Cutthroat, Duck Confit and King's Peak Porter will be part of the six-course menu.

$45 per person
optional pairings:
beer $18
wine $39

Call Lugano for reservations: 801-412-9994.

BOO!

Abyss is On It's Way

On the heels of yesterdays Deschutes-gasm comes word from Del Vance over at the Beerhive that he has ordered 50 cases of Deschutes' Abyss Imperial Stout. This 11% a.b.v. impy stout is wood aged and pours roasty, woody and sweet.

It is without a doubt one of the most sought after craft beers in the nation. If you've had it you know why. Del isn't sure if his order is what's left of last Novembers '08 batch or this new batch that's due out in the next month or two.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Cheers!

A Deschutes-gasm

When the state decided to start carrying Descutes beer a couple of months ago they only planned on buying two of their labels. Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Black Butte Porter.

Well frankly that just wasn't good enough for those of us who wanted more from this outstanding northwest brewery. So bars like Bayou and the Beerhive started placing special orders for some of their seasonal and more in demand beers.

The Bayou recently got in a huge order of Deschutes that'll satisfy any range of taste and help you get your Deschutes-gasm on. Here's what they got.

Black Butte Porter
Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Inversion IPA
Green Lakes Organic
Obsidian Stout
Bachelor ESB
Cascade Ale
Twilight Ale
Jubelale
Red Chair
Black Butte XXI
Mirror Mirror

I was quite fond of the Twilight Ale. It's low in abv's, about 5.0%. But full bodied and nicely hopped with a combo of four hops. Most noticeably Amarillo. Many of these are only seasonals and won't be around long.

Also returning from back-order-limbo are Anchor Brewing's Liberty Ale, Anchor Porter and Old Foghorn Barleywine. As well as Boulevard's Double Wide IPA and Saison-Brett.
Cheers!

New Beer at the Beerhive

When Del Vance opened the Beerhive a couple weeks ago, he did so promising that he'd be delivering more unique beers for Utah's starved beer community.

It's a slow process getting the fridges stocked with new stuff, but they are starting to trickle in.
Yesterday the Beerhive sent me a list of some new and nearly new Deschutes labels.

Mirror Mirror
Black Butte XXI
Red Chair IPA
Obsidian Stout
Inversion IPA
Bachelor ESB

That's most of Deschutes' regular line-up, half of the Reserve Series and a third of their Bond Street Series. Not Bad considering Deschutes has only been in the market for a couple of months.

The only places you can get these beers are the Beerhive and the Bayou. Mark says he has Mirror Mirror and Black Butte XXI and says he's expecting the Red Chair IPA soon. Cheers!

Deschutes & Other New Beers in Utah

You should start seeing Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale & Black Butte Porter in state stores with in the next week or so. If sales are descent we could see more of their labels in the coming months, so do your duty. But not at the expense of our local guys.

Also I'd like to thank the "Original" Andy for bringing this up. Unibroue Maudite and Rogue's Yellow Snow are listed as 50% off at the liquor stores. That's great news! However, this means that the state stores will no longer be carrying them.

Not to worry though, The Bayou - who originally brought these beers into the state to begin with, will still be selling Maudite and Yellow Snow there.

Other new beers out there for you to enjoy.
- Sam Adam's Imperial White
- Sam Adam's Imperial Stout
- Sam Adam's Imperial Double Bock
- Rogue's Double Dead Guy Ale
Cheers!

Beer Wars LIVE info for Utah

Just a reminder that the documentary Beer Wars LIVE premier is tonight at 6pm MDT.
Remember this film only plays once. So if you were planning on checking it out this weekend... well you'll be shit-out-of-luck.
There will be a live discussion after the film via satellite hosted by Ben Stein. Also be aware that ticket prices are around $16. A list of theaters is below.

Also, if your a fan of Deschutes' beers they'll be hitting the SLC market on may 1st. There's been no announcement on what lables will be available, but if I were to guess I'd say Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Inversion IPA, Obsidian Stout, Bachelor ESB and their Cascade Ale. If anyone has any info I don't have please let us know! Cheers!

Century 16 (Salt Lake) 125 East 3300 South @ State Street, Salt Lake City

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Century 16 (Sandy) 7670 South Union Park Avenue, Sandy

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Cinemark 16 (Provo) 1200 Town Center Boulevard, Provo

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Cinemark 24 (Jordan Landing) 7301 South Jordan Landing, West Jordan

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Cinemark University Mall 1010 South 800 East, University Mall, Orem

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Tinseltown 14 (Ogden) 1038 Newgate Mall, Ogden

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Tinseltown 17 (Layton) 720 West 1500 North Layton Hills, Layton

(4/16) 6:00 pm.

Deschutes Coming to Utah

Good News! One of the northwest's finest breweries will be sending their suds to Utah in '09. Deschutes Brewery makes some of the most flavorful beers in the northwest, including Black Butte Porter, Quail Springs IPA and "The Abyss" a tasty & highly sought-after Imperial Stout.

Deschutes opened it's doors in 1988 in Bend, Oregon and has become one of the more established craft brewers in the United States.
Right now the nearest place I know of to buy Deschutes is Franklin, Idaho. Not a brutal drive, but it'd be nice to have 'em in the neighborhood. No word yet on exactly when they'll be in the market, but look for them in the state stores.