New Beer Friday 6/1/18

Welcome to June! I haven't been around much so the majority of these of New Beer Friday beers have basic descriptions. Have a great weekend!
 
Kiitos Big Gay Ale: The is beer has a nice fuchsia appearance that has an aroma of hibiscus and lemon. The taste is somewhat similar. The hibiscus drives this beer for the most part. Some light citrus like hops in the end. If you get you ass over to the brewery's pub you'll also have the added option of getting your Big Gay Ale dosed with edible glitter. That's right; at some point you'll have disco party during your morning constitutional. Go team America! 4.0%. Available at Kiitos, Bayou.

2 Row Pineapple Mango Sour: I haven't tried this one yet. It's described as tart fruity and crisp with a dry finish. 6.4%. Available at 2 Row, Bayou.

Pelican Honey Citrus Pale Ale:  I haven't tried this one yet. Described as having Citrus honey and apricot notes. 5.0%. Available at the Bayou.

Fisher/Desert Edge Rye Pale Ale: Not tried this collaboration beer yet. It's made with Azacca and El Dorado hops. 4.0%. Available only at Fisher and Desert Edge.

Stone I'm Peach DIPA: Described as a typical Stone DIPA with the additions of peach of course, subtle pine, mandarin orange and pineapple notes. 8.8% ABV. Available the Bayou.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the 2018 Mountain Brewers Festival. You can get tickets online here or they ca be purchased at Bohemian Brewing or Roosters Brewing. You cannot buy them at the festival this year.

Cheers! 

New Beer Friday the 13th!

It's a Wee New Beer Friday this week. The two beers that I was able to scrounge up this week both hail from out of state, but are dialed in with the grocery store and tap handles in mind.
  
Upslope Belgian Style Blonde with Guava - The nose has honey and apple with some hints of clove. The taste starts a little vinious with some tropical flavors backing it up. Coriander and some doughy spices round out the back end. A pleasant beer with a fruity character that's not overdone. 4.0% ABV @ Grocery/C-Stores

10 Barrel Cucumber Crush - The nose is dry with lemon and pepper. The taste starts with lemon tartness which continues on to the end. Midway you get subtle cucumber mixing with wheat crackers.
It's a beer that doesn't seem like it should work, but it strangely does. Think summer salad. 4.0% ABV. @ Beer Bar

Pelican Dirty Bird IPA - I havsn't tried this one yet. It's described a being mildly sweet with caramel, mild hop bitterness with a shade of resin and a nice hop flavor. There's tangerine, pine a little grapefruit present as well. 6.5% ABV. @ The Bayou

Don't forget New Beer Friday continues this afternoon on KBER 101 at 3:30pm with Mick and Allen.

I've added some new events to the Craft Beer Week Calendar. There will likely be more coming so keep checking back.


Prost!

New Beer Friday 1/22/16

It was a busy week with all the new brewery talk. Now it's time to decompress with pant loads of new beers. You can't go wrong this week!

Uinta Farmhouse Saison - The nose has orange peel, pepper, clove, and Chardonay grapes with a Brett like funk. The taste tends to follow. Upfront you taste Belgian yeast with good notes of black peppers, clove, and a funky taste that is akin to Brett. Chardonay grapes shine throughout giving it a nice tart vinious taste. Also some notes of pear, apple and orange zest. Hops are very subtle. If your a saison fan, you'll love this. 5.6% ABV @ Uinta Brewing 

Uinta Cutthroat+ - This version of Cutthroat pale ale (called Cutthroat "plus") is made with cocoa nibs, orange peel and cayenne pepper. Sadly I've not tried it yet. Please share your thoughts! Only available in Utah. 4.0% ABV. @Uinta Brewing

Bohemian Bremish White - Not tried this yet. Described as incredibly smooth and drinkable. Orange and lemon citrus in the nose . Smooth malt and a wee bit of lacto. (thanks Zach Bells) 4.0% ABV @ Bohemian

Heretic Brewing Shallow Grave - This porter is described as a big, dark ale with a complex and rich chocolate and caramel malt character followed by a touch of warmth and light malt sweetness, leaving you ready for more. 7.0% ABV

Heretic Brewing Evil Twin - This blood-red ale is described as a malty and hoppy craft beer. Evil Twin has a rich malt character, without being overly sweet. It has a huge hop character, without being overly bitter. It is a great example of a bold, rich, balanced craft beer, without being heavy and hard to drink in quantity. 6.8% ABV   

Heretic Brewing Evil Cousin - Heretic's take on a West coast imperial IPA is described as a bold, in-your-face hop monster. It has a light, easy drinking malt character that allows the hops to stand out. The hop character in this beer is intentionally on the dank side; big, sticky, and aggressive. This beer is for those of you who can't get enough hops. 8.0% ABV

Heretic Brewing Chocolate Hazelnut Porter (CHP) - Is described as dessert in a glass. It is a rich, robust porter bursting with luscious chocolate and hazelnut. Notes of coffee and caramel round out this delicious treat. 7.0% ABV

Heretic Brewing Torment - This 10% Belgian-style dark ale is described as a rich beer with lots of caramel, malt, dark fruit, and Belgian candi sugar notes. The luscious fruity character is full of caramel apples, candied pears, and chocolate covered oranges. Torment is the dark counterpart to Heretic's Worry Belgian Golden Ale.

New Belgium Blackberry Barleywine -  Pours a ruby color with golden highlights. The nose has a mild combo of caramel, malt and berries. Sugary malt up front with a lot of berry syrup. Some boozy clove and oak flavors round it out towards the end. Finishes cloyingly sweet. This beer lacks balance. English barleywines are sweet as it is - the berry fruitiness just turns this beer into "diabetes in a glass". Too sweet for my wussy palate. 10.0% ABV

Augustiner Bräu Maximator - Ruby/brown in color with a nose of caramelized sugar, pumpernickel and allspice.. The taste starts with caramel, dark cake and toasted malt. Next comes a bit of vine fruitiness. More toast and oak in the end - slightly warming. Complex and sweet not at all like the Blackberry Barleywine. 7.5% ABV

Laughing Dog De Acheste Hond - Pours a golden amber color. with a peachy nose with a hint of tart strawberry. The taste is mildly tart with some peach and more strawberry. The tartness has a yogurt like sour profile. The end has some tangy citrus flavors. There's an odd flavor in here that I'm having trouble identifying. It's not offensive, but it takes me away from the enjoyment of the beer. 7.0% ABV @Bayou

Samuel Adams Winter Snap - Described as an unfiltered White Ale with smooth wheat with the bright snap of spring spices. From the subtle sweetness of orange peel and plum to the peppery bite of fresh ground coriander, the blend of spices creates just the right refreshing kick to signal that spring is on its way. 5.3% ABV @DABC

Pelican Saison Du Pelican -  The nose is strong with musty yeasty pear and apple. The taste is somewhat herbal and phenolic with some peppery notes. A bit of lemony tartness comes through in the end. The finish is herbal and dry. Alcohol is noticeable. 6.0% ABV @Bayou

Cheers!

New Beer Friday...er Thursday!

Since it's Christmas tomorrow, we'll have New Beer Thursday! Note: LIQUOR STORES WILL CLOSE AT 6PM TONIGHT.

Uinta Stomping Grounds - It's a stout, so it looks "stouty" of course. Coffee is all over the nose a bit of malt trying to poke it's way through. Big coffee dominates the taste. Some chocolate and caramel round it out. It's pretty simple. If you're into coffee - you'll love it. Not so much? then I'd still give it a try. Who doesn't love coffee???? 8.1% ABV @ Uinta for now.

Uinta Snowbasin Amber Rye - Nice ruby hue. The nose is mostly pine and toasty malts. The taste starts malty and nutty with some rye spiciness. Big pine and a hint of citrus peel round it out. Finishes quite dry. Kinda reminds me of Cutthroat with rye. 4.0% ABV @ Uinta & Snowbasin Resort (for now)

Lagunitas Copper Fusion - I haven't tried it. If you have? tell us and share your thoughts on it here, please. This is Lagunitas' only draft beer available in Utah. 4.0% ABV @ Beer Bar, Spedelli's

Pelican Umbrella IPA - Fragrant nose of citrus and berry. The taste starts with a bit of malt sweetness. Some passion fruit and pear flavors come next. The fruitiness transitions to citrus peel and it ends with a bitter smack. Finishes moderately dry. Lighter in body, very drinkable. 7.4% ABV @ Bayou

Ommegang Game of Thrones - Iron Throne -Not tried this yet. Described as a Golden Blonde Ale with Noble hops. Iron Throne is certainly fair in color and soft in appearance.

Utah Brewers Cooperative  UT-X Series 1 - Not had this yet. It's descibed as unfiltered and light in color like a pale ale, with a sweet pear, light lemon and citrus flavor. 4.0% ABV @ Squatters/Wasatch Locations

Happy Holidays!

New Beer Friday: Pie & Beer Day Edition

Oh yeah, Baby! It's New Beer  Friday, and if that's not enough for you to celebrate it's also Pie & Beer Day! I know that many of you have your Pie & Beer Day celebrations already planned out. Weather your celebrating at home with friends and family or hitting some of the many planned events around the Wasatch Front, these great new beer option can only make your day better.
 
Squatters - Safety Meeting IPA: All Vienna malts and 100% Summit hops - create a damn refreshing citrus blast in this seasonal session IPA. 4.0% ABV @Squatters - Pair with Cheesecake

Pelican - Golden Pelican:  Herbal, fruity and hoppy nose with a spicy rye flavor profile that works well with the fruity and spicy Aramis hops and farmhouse yeast. 8.5% ABV @Beerhive, Beer Bar, Slackwater, Bayou - Pair with Cherry Pie

Pelican - Flock Wave Pale Ale: Bright floral and citrusy nose. The taste has smooth wheat characteristics with a crisp citrus peel snap. Finishes light and dry. 5.9% ABV @Beerhive, Beer Bar, Slackwater, Bayou - Pairs with Rhubarb Pie

Full Sail - Session IPA: Light citrus in the nose. The taste is slightly grassy with cirus and pine beneth. Malts are light. Refreshing light body. It's not going to blow your mind but it'll do. 5.1% ABV @Beer Bar - Pairs with Quiche

Aztec  -Sacrifice Red India Ale: Dank, hoppy nose. The hoppy bitterness comes on strong and lingers throughout. Big caramel and roast malt flavors are intense as well. Quite dry and roasty for a Red Ale. 7.6% ABV @Beer Bar, Slackwater, Barrelhouse - Pairs with Pecan Pie 

Aztec  - Hop Serpent: Flowery and piney nose with a nice woody malty taste. A hint of char comes next with herbal hops and apricot. Interesting IPA. 9.9% ABV @ Beer Bar, Slackwater, Barrelhouse - Pairs with Apple Pie

Shiner - Ruby Redbird: This Radler has a spicy grapefruit nose and a palate to match. The taste is mostly grapefruit with ginger ale backing it up. This has much more of a snap than your typical raddler. 4.0% ABV @ Harmons  - Pairs with Custard Pie

Santa Fe - Black IPA: Roasted malt, pine and orange peel in the nose. The taste starts with a big dose of char and toffee. Strong piney hops come next with a hint of citrus in the back. Finished bone dry. I think I'm loosing my enthusiasm for the Black IPAs. It's a good representation of the style. 7.1% ABV @ Beer Bar, Slackwater  Pairs with Black Berry Pie

Deschutes - Pine Drops: Big piney/citrusy nose. Herbal up front with a nice dose of honey malt. The rest of the beer is an onslaught of resinous pine and citrus. So damn tasty! 6.1% ABV @ Beer Bar - pair with Key Lime Pie

Have fun and be safe this weekend.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 3/7/14

Hoppers Brewmaster and Secret Agent, Donovan Steele has stepped out of the box once again to deliver something new for us today.

Waikikamukau Draught (pron. Why-kick-a-moo-cow) is an interpretation on a mild ale that has it's roots in 19th century New Zealand. Immigrants from the U.K. back then craved the Mild Ales and Bitters they had back in England. Utilizing locally sourced grain and hops this beer evolved to become a lager. Made with lager malt, light caramel malt, and chocolate malted barley.

Hoppers' single hopped New Zealand-style Draught has an amber brown color, complex malts flavors balanced with juicy New Zealand Rakau hops. The Rakau hops have a pleasant tropical flavor and perfume aroma that sit nicely on top of the soft rich malts. It has a lager crispness, making for a very drinkable session lager. 4.0% ABV @Hoppers

Pelican Doryman's Ale - The nose smacks with sweet pumpernickel, coffee and spicy hops. The taste starts with roasted coffee and sweet toasted malts. The middle brings out some balance with citrus rind and pine. The finish is semi-toasty and dry. 6.2% ABV @Bayou

Pelican Tsunami Stout - Big nose, full of dark fruits, smokey/bitter chocolate and nice rich espresso. The tastes starts dry with slightly bitter coffee beans. Dark chocolate comes next adding some bitterness. Figs, dark wheat, raisins and graham crackers round out the middle with a dry dark chocolate powder finish. 7.0% ABV @Bayou

Roosters Deep Powder Dortmunder - The nose is grassy with a fair amount of citrus peel. The taste starts with strong grassy and herbal hops up front. An understated toasted malt presence comes next with a lingering earthiness. The end is slightly dry with a lasting bitterness. Nice, clean taste. Reminds me more of an Altbier than a Dortmunder - regardless, it's quite tasty. 4.0% ABV @Roosters, Beerhive

Firkin Friday at the Bayou this week is courtesy of Wasatch Brewing. Today we have Alta Ale hopped with Mosaic and Chinook hops. Looks to be a winner. 4.0% ABV
 
Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/22/13

When local beer geeks heard that New Belgium Beers were hitting the market, the first question people asked was, "are we gunna get more than just Fat Tire"? Well we all hoped that would be the case, today I can say, that is the case! - and the Beerhive just got quite a few regular and seasonal beers from NB. Here they are.

New Belgium: Lips Of Faith - Cigar City Collaboration (Ale Brewed With Chilies) - The nose is spicy with cinnamon fresh chiles. The taste starts with apple and a bit of roasted chile meat. An earthy bitterness comes next with spicy Belgian yeast rounding out the end. Interesting, but a little thin and light to hold my attention.

New Belgium: Hop Kitchen - Fresh Hop India Pale Ale - A nice nose of citrus, pine, grapefruit mingled with earthy New Belgium yeast. The taste follows the aroma. Citrus, bitter pine with floral hops that meld with a plain caramel malt flavors. The end is dominated by earthy yeast, citrus and floral hops. The finish is semi dry. Nice beer but it won't be so nice in a couple of weeks so drink it now.

New Belgium Rampant IIPA: The nose is primarily citrusy hops, followed by some sweet grainy malts. The tastes starts with citrusy hops with some bready caramel malts. Caramel and toasted malt tend to dominate in the middle. the end has hints of lemon and pine. Not too complex, malts tend to dominate over the hops.

New Belgium: Abby - The nose is of banana, maple syrup and some dark fruit with mild alcohol. Caramel and syrup in the beginning with notes of banana, some fruitiness. Spicey esters come next with toffee and a mild alcohol warming at the end. The flavor was left lingering on the taste buds for a nice long while along with the mild taste of alcohol. This is a really nice full bodied Abby style ale.

New Belgium: Trippel - The nose full of floral notes, clove, coriander, and some strong banana character. The taste starts ripe with banana and cookie dough. Corriander, and clove come next with as juicy citrus hops round out the finish. The alcohol is very well hidden. Again a nice interpretation on the style, very nice.

New Belgium: Lips Of Faith - Wild2 Dubbel (Ale Brewed With Schisandra) - The nose starts with raisins, molasses and some spicy banana. The taste follows with Belgian yeast, fig, raisin and gingerbread. The end is peppery and yeasty. Faint hints of sour funk appear in the finish. I don't normally gravitate to Dubbels but I like this.

Kona: Pipeline Porter - The nose is straight-up coffee. The taste is coffee with some cocoa, cola and some smoke in the finish. This is a straight forward coffee porter. If you like 'em you'll love this.

Pelican: Silverspot IPA - A nice hoppy nose with a light maltiness and a hint of spicy yeast. The taste starts sweet with malt and hints of toffee. Nice, floral and citrusy hops come next with a bit of earthiness. The hops are not as strong as they are in the nose, but the balance is nice. Quite a tasty example of the English style.

Wasatch: Park City Golden Anniversary Ale - I haven't tried this one yet, anyone? @ Beer Store - Squatters/Wasatch bottleshops. 

All of these are available at the Beerhive, get before they dissapear!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday!!! 12/14/12

Sierra Nevada Narwhal: This Imperial Stout pours dense black with about half a finger of espresso colored head. The nose is a rich blend of strong, dark roasted coffee, unsweetened chocolate, and roasted barley. There is also some earthy hops making its way into the mix. The taste begins with a big shot of strong coffee along with unsweetened chocolate and roasted barley. The end is full of bold, earthy hops and spicy hops. Full bodied with some noticeable alcohol. A very nice Impy Stout. @ Beerhive - DABC

Full Sail Session Fest: Pours a nice shiny copper color with just a bit of haze. Little bit of eggshell colored head makes a brief appearance. The nose is of toasted grain, slight caramel & floral hops in the background.  The taste starts with biscuits and toast alongside some caramel malty goodness make for a nice refreshing brew. Hops add just a bit to florals to balance things out. Mouthfeel is light, crisp, and refreshing. Flavors don't exactly 'wow' you but it's still got enough going on to keep it interesting. @ Beerhive - DABC

Pelican Bad Santa:  Pours a very dark redish brown color with a large, tight khaki head. The nose is hoppy with earthy spices, a bit of citrus and some sweet malt. The taste starts with dark, toasty malt and a blast of spicy & citrusy hops. A nice, coffee like astringency and lingering, bitterness round out the finish that flashes a hint of alcohol. Sorta has a cascadian dark ale feel to it. Quite nice. @ Beerhive

Fresh Cask Friday - This is the Pilsener: Today Donovan has an unfilteted version of his Bohemian-stye pils, one cask with loads of Belma hops and the other cask with a blend of Amarillo and Czech Saaz. Servered in imperial pint dimple steins at $2.50. Starts 5pm @ Hoppers.

Returning Champs
Desert Edge Raspberry Stout @ Desert Edge
Uinta Yard Sale @ everywhere

Cheers!

CoHOPperation India Style Rye Lager

I love collaboration beers! There's nothing better than having creative minds come together in the brewhouse and produce something entirely new. That's what's coming your way tomorrow, the first-ever collaboration brew between RedRock Brewing Company and the Pelican Pub & Brewery in Oregon.

The concept for this beer began last spring, while Brewmasters Kevin Templin and Darron Welch were judging at the North American Beer Awards. These two previous winners of the Great American Beer Festivals 'Large Brewpub of the Year' had found over years of beer judging that they had a lot in common and shared similar philosophies in regards to brewing.

The result is a beer that's designed to be very hoppy. It has the hop bitterness and profile of an IPA, but with the hop character of a pilsner. Cleanness of the flavor profile will come from fermenting with lager yeast. Added spiciness will complement the malt character by including malted rye. A unique hybridization of existing beer styles has created something completely new and different.

Besides having the best name, ever! this beer pours a brilliant straw-tinged amber color with a vigorous off white head that leaves webs of lace all over the tulip.

Upon first impression, the nose is like an ordinary, citrusy IPA. As I bury my generously sized, ancestral, German sniffer deeper, the pilsner malt, and noble hops come through.

This is the beer that hop heads WANT and the masses crave. Great IPA qualities. The hops in this beer are amazingly intact. Front and mid body the citrus and florals seem to dominate the palate. Gritty pale, and caramel tastes appear. Finishes very rind-like with notes of berries and some dry spiciness from the rye malt. Very soft and mild, with a decent carbonation. Not extremely sweet; but very dry and bitter.

A refreshing and different variation from your run of the mill IPA. The 6.9% ABV, while not terribly strong, will sneak up on you if u have at least 2 of these 500ml gems.

CoHOPeration Will be only be available at RedRock locations starting tomorrow and at the Pelican Pub & Brewery. I imagine the Bayou and Beerhive will snag some as well.

Cheers!

Pelican Comes to Town

There's a great little brewery that literally sits right on the Oregon coast that makes some of greatest beers I've had the pleasure to sample.

The Pelican Pub & Brewery opened in May of 1996. From the start Pelican's brewmaster, Darron Welch's goal was to create beers that were stylistically distinctive from anything else around.

Although he favors highly aromatic beers with hops and malts that seem to jump right out you, Darron always seems to find a way to produce assertive yet balanced beers with clean, snappy finishes that demand your attention.

Luckily for us, Del Vance over at the Beerhive has been working on acquiring Pelican's beer - they're due to arrive sometime next week?

The first beers to arrive will be:

India Pelican Ale - The nose has a great citrus hoppiness to it. Mango, peach, pineapple and grapefruit all come out. The taste shows more of the grapefruit flavors throughout. A dry, fruity, herbal, bitterness coming through in the finish. An outstanding IPA.

Stormwatchers Winterfest - The nose is a rich aroma of caramel, fig, dates, leather and is slightly nutty. The Tast starts with a caramel and dark fruit flavor, that adds an earthy hop element by mid-palate; nuts and toffee smoothness come next, with a bit of booziness in the finish. A Warming and creamy winter beer.

Kiwanda Cream Ale - The nose is malty with some floral hoppiness. The taste started with a mild maltiness next comes moderate floral and citrus hops. Finishes clean and dry. Nicely balanced beer. Fruity and refreshing.

The Pelican's are only available at the Beerhive. We'll let you know exactly when they arrive.

Cheers!