New Beer Friday 12/14/18

Are you wondering if you're actually experiencing New Beer Friday? If so, I'd like to introduce to you the new 'New Beer Friday' test applicator from Utah Beer Labs. Simply drink a beer and pee (not on yourself) on the applicator, then throw it away and check the Utah Beer Blog for updates. Happy Friday!      

Squatters - War on Xmas: This nitro porter is infused with orange and orange peel. The orange part is super subtle with the base beer doing most of the work. The porter is mostly chocolate with a bit of coffee. hints of orange in the finish. Very tasty. 4.0% - Available at Squatters

Kiitos - Holiday Ale: You can smell this one coming a mile a way as cinnamon explodes from the rim of the glass. This basically reminds me of a ginger snap cookie with subtle malts and a lot of spice. It finishes "snappy" and prickly. 4.0% - Available at Kiitos  

Toasted Barrel - Barrel Aged Sour: I missed out on this one, but I hope to have tasting notes later this afternoon when New Beer Friday joins Mick and Allen on KBER101at 3:30pm.

Shades Brewing- O.J. Simcoe: This new IPA is obviously driven with Simcoe hops. It's in that gray area between pale ale and IPA. Lots of citrus fruitiness with light tropical notes. Finishes softly bitter and dry. Super quaffable at 5.5%. Available starting today at Shades Brewing

Proper - Ahern Nut Brown: Nuttty and toasty caramel dominate this ale. Great balance with just enough floral/pine bitterness to balance it out. Finishes with bread like toastiness. Very Yummy. 4.0% - Available at Proper Brewing.

Mare Island - Hydraulic Sandwich: Orange peel and grapefruit in the nose. The taste has a good dose of tropical fruit-like hops with citrus and caramel rounding it out. Medium bitterness in the finish. 7.1% - Available at DABC.

Ritual - Art of Dankness: Aromas of berries, melon and citrus combine with bandy sweet malt. It tastes very sweet and malty up front with notes of fresh bread and sugar. The back end has a fruitiness from the hops that imparts a flavors of berries and fresh grass. Finishes a bit malty. 9.2% - Available at DABC.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday: Rivalry Edition

If you're a BYU fan and reading this post, odds are pretty good that your bishop will soon be calling you in to his office for a little "come to Jebus" talk, in regards to your reading habits.

So, going with the assumption that things are mostly crimson red in here today - combined with the fact that proper tailgating is absolutely verboten in Provo. I'm happy to bring you a few new options for your rivalry enjoyment. No matter if you're tailgating, chill'n in the casa or at the pub.
   
Desert Edge Rye Pale Ale -This is the first brand new beer brewed by Brewmaster Chad Krusell since taking over the reins at Desert Edge. This ale is nice and malty with a touch of rye spiciness. the hops are citrusy and fruity. It finishes semi-dry. This beer is soooo damn tasty. It wont be around for too long so be sure to snag a growler of this one for the game tomorrow. 4.0% ABV @ Desert Edge

Squatters Old Castle Brown Ale - As the name suggests this beer is akin to the English staple, New Castle Brown. This interpretation uses all English malts and is lightly hopped. the result is a brown ale that has more toffee and toasty flavors than it's American counterparts. Look for very low bitterness in this brand new seasonal. Very enjoyable. 4.0% ABV @ Squatters Downtown 

Proper Ainsley Amber - Not tried this yet, it will be released later this evening. Described as having rich earthy and fruity flavors to compliment the full-bodied amber base. The result has a nutty tang, a malty middle and a dry, dark chocolate finish with a int of smoke. This amber ale is imminently drinkable and surprisingly refreshing. 4.0% ABV @ Proper Brewing

These Ritual beers are new to the market. If you made it to the Utah Beer Festival the other week you may have got a sneak peak of these.

Ritual Wit's End - Not tried this one yet. It's described as having an orange, peppery and floral nose with flavors that are floral, malty and have a malty finish. 4.8% ABV @ The Bayou

Ritual Hop o Matic IPA -  The nose is piney with citrus peel and toast. The taste follows with ample hops, followed by resinous pine and a slight alcohol bite. An overall tasty IPA. 7.1% ABV @ The Bayou

Ritual Extra Red Ale - The nose is malty, with citrus and grass. The taste starts sweet with toffee, caramel and toasted malts. Next comes vague citrus notes with grapefruit, and a touch of pineapple. A very flavorful American Style Red Ale. Definitely worth trying. 6.5% ABV @ The Bayou

Ritual Hellion - Not tried this one yet. It's described as having a nose of fruity spices with lots of yeast spices and fruit flavors. Biscuit malts and caramel sweetness is abundant and has a dry hoppy finish. ABV. 8.4% ABV @ Bayou

New Beer Friday hit's the airwaves today at 3:30pm on KBER 101. Join Mick and Allen along with myself as we discuss this week's beers and other sudsy topics.  Go Utes!

Cheers!

Ritual Brewing Coming to Utah

Ritual Brewing out of Redlands, California has inked a deal to start sending their suds to the Beehive State. Ritual is a production brewery that concentrates on distribution and has a dozen-plus beers in their portfolio - including multiple takes on IPAs, Stouts and Belgian styles.

I got to meet co-owner, Steve Dunkerken a few months back while he was visiting Utah. Steve spends a lot of time in Salt lake, he tells me and would like to share his beers with his new found friends along the Wasatch Front.

Look for Ritual beers to start popping up at better beer bars in the coming weeks - then to DABC Stores.

Cheers!