New Beer Friday 3/27/20

No clever jabs at pop culture or current events for this week's New Beer Friday. Today it's all about honoring those who were our hosts when we used to go out to dine or imbibe. I personally miss you all. Heather, Ryan, Cardi, Gretchen, Dave, Mindy, Barry, Katie, Spencer, Amanda, Alec and so many more. I know I speak for others. Hang in there, and we hope to see you soon! If you'd like to help out your pals in service industry hit this link. https://downtownslc.org/tipyourserver

Level Crossing - Space Oddity: This Hazy IPA was brewed with orange blossom honey and an outer space themed blend of Comet, Galaxy, Apollo, Ekuanot, Strata and Enigma hops. You get a very explosive aroma, full of citrus peach and pineapple. The taste follows with the addition of grapefruit pith and some hints of mango. the pith carries into the finish creating some bitterness at the end.  8.8% Only at Level Crossing starting at 11am today.

Talisman - Spindrift Hazy IPA: Another hazy for Ogden's beer nerds. This one pops with  pineapple, mango and subtle pine with that smooth and creamy haze body. You can get this to go in growlers, crowlers, and grumblers. Hit Talisman up! One of Northern Utah's greater beer makers. From 12-8pm. 5.0% ABV

Rogue - Cherry Choctabulous: Chocolate and vanilla pop in this milk stout. There is a tartness to it, but it doesn't necessarily come across as cherry - maybe, citrus? regardless of the flavor, it seems to work well enough. Seems a little boozy for style, but tasty. 8.4% - Found at DABC.

Rogue - Shavasana: Rogue calls this an "Imperial, Granola Blonde". Look for flavors of granola, honey, coconut and black tea. Low floral hop bitterness. It's not as weird as it sounds. Again, probably stronger than it needs to be. 8.0% - Found at DABC.

Dogfish Head - The Perfect Disguise: A straightforward Kölsch with a crisp Kölsch yeast and traditional German malts and hops. A quick sniff and you’re greeted by the double dry-hopping of an American Double IPA, with nearly 4 lbs. of German and American hops per barrel. It brings tropical flavors of citrus, tangerine, mango, gooseberries and peach. 8.0% - 8.0% - Found at DABC.

Cheers!

Pictured above: Beer Bar's Heather Perry

New Beer Friday 12/6/19

The cuteness factor for this New Beer Friday is off the freak'n charts! All of these beers are adorably delicious AF, and ready for your favorite glass or trough.

Saltfire - Apollo 18: This IPA has a mellow aroma of grapefruit peel and 'herbs'. The taste is somewhat similar but more intense with  orange, pine, resin, and cannabis rounding out the flavor profile. The malts are medium sweet. Nice use of Apollo hops. NEIPA 'purists' may find its bitter finish and lack of suspended matter off-putting. 7.1% - Available at Saltfire

Hopkins - Strawberry Sorghum: For a gluten free beer, you'd never notice the lack of barley. The strawberry is subtle and it works well with the sorghum as it some sometimes add a hint of tartness. Nice GF (gluten free, not girlfriend) beer. 5.0% - Available at Hopkins. 

Fisher - Lotus pale ale: Missed this new pale ale. 5.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher - Polar bear pale ale: Missed this new pale ale. 5.0% - Available at Fisher.

Proper - Thunder Mountain Black Out: This new Schwarzbier ia a pretty traditional German version of the style, with all German ingredients and special techniques to extract the color and some characteristics of the dark malt while still making it something super crushable. 5.0% - Available at Proper.

Heber Valley - East Ridge Tripel: Missed this new Belgian style Tripel. 8.0% - Available at Heber Valley Brewing.

Shades - Egg Nogg: You may be saying, whaaa? Yup, the minds at Shades that brought beers like Peach Cobbler and Mojito are still blurring the line between beer and well.... everything else. This beer is a Wheatwine at its base with all of the traditional nog spices (no eggs). It was also dosed with bourbon oak chips and a shload of lactose for that big egg nog sweetness. It's a bit sweet for me but it definitely captures the whole holiday feel. There is a hint of tartness though from the Kviek yeast. 9.0% - Available at Shades. 

Funkwerks - Provincial Raspberry: The raspberry aroma is strong, along with tart almost lemon quality. The flavor is tart berry with subtle briny notes, and a touch of yeast. The drinkability is excellent. Dry but not puckery, crisp but not overdone. Because the berry flavor is mild. 4.2% found at Angry Goat.

Funkwerks - Provincial Pineapple: Aroma is splattered with random notes of peppercorn, pineapple, bread, and yeast. Flavor profile is pineapple with a slight tangy, sour twist. 4.2% - found at Angry Goat.

Roadhouse - Loose Boots: This ahs a hazy, pale yellow color with a big pine and citrus aroma. Excellent light citrus smack to the flavor; lemon; light bread with well-rounded hop bitterness. Crisp, dry. 4.7% - Found at Harmons.

Roadhouse - Family Vacation: This cream ale has flavors of nutty biscuit and bread dough with citrus rind and lemony hops. Aroma is very light with hints of grains. 4.9% - Found at Harmons

Odell - Good Behavior: This session IPA has an aroma of juicy citrus and dank piney hops. The flavor is citrus, tropical fruit some sugary malts. Semi-dry finish. 4.0% - found at Harmons.

Oskar Blues - One-y: This session IPA has an orange citrus character with a modest bitterness. malts are thin with a slight herbal bite in the finish. Good balance for a light IPA. 4.0% - Found at Harmons.

Rogue - Just a Pinch: This gose has a fruity aroma with hints of lemon peel, berry, and grass. Flavors of  boysenberry, lemongrass, biscuit and sodium round it out. Lighter body with a tart and salty finish. 4.5% - Found at Harmons.

Rogue - Dreamland: I wasn't able to get to this new lager. 4.8% - Found at Harmons,

New Planet - Seclusion (gluten free) IPA:  I wasn't able to get to this new session IPA. 4.9% - Found at Harmons.

Carakale - Dead Sea-rious Gose: This Gose comes from the country of Jordan. Aromas of grapefruit, wheat, lemon and salt. The taste follows with a more subtle interpretation. Very smooth and appealing. If your not into goses, this may not change your mind, but if you dig 'em you'll be quite happy. 5.0% - Found on draft; only at the Bayou.

Saint Somewhere - Saison: Missed out on this saison. 5.0% - Found on draft; only at the Bayou.

Breckenridge - Colorado Core: Missed out on this apple blonde ale. 4.9% - Found at Harmons.

Breckenridge  - Strawberry Sky: Missed out on this strawberry kolsch. 4.9% - Found at Harmons.

Also Happening tomorrow is the BAD Fest (Brewers Vintners and Distillers). This is an educational  opportunity to help inform locals about the brewing arts. Participants will experience tastings from wineries, breweries, distilleries, and enjoy artisans locally-made products at this ultimate craft beer, whiskey and spirits and wine experience.

Whether you are a full-fledged homebrewing expert or just trying to understand the difference between a rye whiskey and bourbon, you will find more than one workshop to expand your palate at the Brewers, Vintners and Distillers Festival.

There is something for everyone – from mead and wine tastings, seminars and burlesque performances, to conversations with craft beer and homebrewing influencers, there are tastes and enticements at every turn.

Your entry includes a commemorative glass, access to workshops, tastings and live entertainment. Tickets and more info about BAD Fest can be found here.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 3/15/19

Saint Patrick's Day is Sunday, but it will likely be celebrated all weekend long. There's no need for green beer, when you have a full board of new beers to choose from this week. Enjoy your weekend and please be safe!

 Zólupez - Hibiscus Wheat Beer: Inspired by Mexican Agua de Jamaica - brewed with coriander, chamomile/aka manzanilla, orange peel, and Pineapple Pale Ale (inspired by Tepache Mexicano- brewed with brown sugar. 5.3%. Available 3/16 at Zólupez Beer Store.

Zólupe Pale Ale: Described as having sweet fruity Pineapple notes, balanced with the hoppiness of a true pale ale. The unusual fresh aftertaste that hangs around after each sip derives from yerba buena (spearmint), the Mexican herb used a traditional “cure all.” Although unfiltered, nice clear appearance, solid head retention. Inspired by Mexican Tepache (a traditional fermented Pineapple beverage). Naturally bottle conditioned. ABV. 5.25%. Small batch 12 oz. bottles available Saturday 3/16 at Zólupez Beer Store.

Uinta Test Phaze IPA: The unique hop profile in this beer comes from an experimental hop that will likely never be used again. It starts grassy and herbal, then transitions into a good dose of citrus peel, then wraps up with pleasant melon notes. There's a slight hoppy bite in the end as well. One of the more unique tasting IPAs out there. 6.5%. Available at Uinta.

Odell 180 Shilling:  A hearty roasted malt base balanced by subtle earthy hops and aged on oak to create notes of toffee, plum, vanilla and dried cherry. 9.6%. Avaialble Beer Bar, Beerhive

Odell Bull Proof: This barrel aged imperial stout has a nutty chocolate Aroma. Taste of almonds, hazelnuts, dark chocolate and a hint of coffee. A little marshmallow in the slightly boozy finish.

Rogue Outta Line: The aroma is full of pineapple and orange peel. The starts with ripe pineapple, orange along with other tropical fruits. malt profile is honey-like and balancing. Finishes with a nice hop bite. Nice IPA. 6.9%. Available at Beer Bar, DABC

Upslope Blackberry Lemon Kettle Sour: Missed this one. Look for Blackberry and lemon (duh) and low bitterness. 4.2%. Available at the Bayou

New Belgium Mural: Slight pink hue with a fruity and sour aroma. The flavor starts mildly tart with a light malty base. Hbiscus pretty much, lime, melon and some unidentified elements. Beer Bar, Dick n Dixie’s

The following are "beer adjacent". They're not beer, but may appeal to beer drinkers. 

Squatters Grandeur Peak: Grapefruit aroma with light grapefruit peel in the taste. It watery because it's an alcohol based seltzer water. Defiantly a summertime pool beverage.  4.0%. Available at the UBC's West side Tavern.

Lagunitas - Hop: This sparkling water has heavy hop aromatics with citrus flavored water. This will give Mormons and non alcohol drinkers a good idea of why beer nerds like IPAs, This is a good non-alcoholic representation of what we are talking about. 0% ABV. Found at Harmon's.

Returning favorite

Epic - Elder Brett: I know we keep saying this but this may be the last release of this beer. This batch was hidden away for over a year and you can defiantly taste it. It's very tart with an almost balsamic fruitiness. Considering its age, this one is perfect for drinking now. Cellering this one may make it a bit too over the top.

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 8/24/18

New Beer Friday is precious. One day to rule them all! 

2 Row Sour IPA:  Lemon, orange zest, and herbs in the aroma. The flavor starts with lemon, some grapefruit, and piney/herbal undertones. It's light and dry in the mouth with almost no bitterness, and balanced tartness. Finishes quick and dry 6.1%. Available at 2 Row and better beer pubs

Fisher IPA #3: This is Fisher's third high point limited IPA release. This version features Denali, Galaxy, Citra and Mosaic hops. The nose has good dose of citrus fruit, citrus zest, pineapple juice, and berry. The taste is much the same with candied citrus zest, tropical fruit, and grapefruit juice flavors in the end. the finish is bitter and lightly dry. A great west coast style IPA. 7.0%. This goes on sale tomorrow (8/25) at 10am. This probably won't last the day.  

Fisher Galaxy Kölsch: Aromas of bready malt and some fresh fruitiness - mostly grapefruit and melons. Starts off with some toasty malts and a bit of fresh fruitiness quickly giving way to the citrus peel hops. The finish is lingering and dry. The hops take this Kolsch and transform it into a session IPA. 4.0%. Available at Fisher.

 

Fisher Bright Lights Pale Ale: This pale ale goes a little old school with Cascade & Simcoe hops. The aroma is malty, with caramel and toasted bread, plus some piney hops. The taste is the same. Sweet malt honey-like flavors, some toasty bread, and some tangerine flavors. There is some grassy bitterness in the finish. 4.0%. Available at Fisher.

 

Fisher Glacial Pace IPL: A very pleasant tasting hoppy beer - a hint of citrus/fruity hops, but the  resinous/piney/grassy hops drive the show for the most part. Sticky, dry aftertaste. Very nice! 4.0%. Available at Fisher.

Lagunitas Passion Grass: Citrus, passion fruit, in the nose. The taste follows with the addition of lemongrass up front along with light grapefruit and passion fruit. The end a bit drying with heavy lemongrass. Finishes dry and puckering. 4.6%. I found it a Beerhive. 

Innes & Gunn Bourbon Barrel Scotch: The nose has mostly sweet malt and vanilla and bourbon. The taste follows with sweet burnt toffee, wood and light bourbon flavors. metallic notes come next providing that typical old world ale flavor. The finish is sweet with roasted notes. 6.6%. Found at Beerhive.

Ommegang Fruittanomyces: I missed out on this one. It's described as having tropical and orchard fruits along with citrus and a tart bretty base. 5.3% Available at the Bayou.

Rogue Dead 'n' Dead: It's that classic malty and toasted dead guys with the addition of oak and whiskey flavors. A very nice ale. 8.2%. Available at the Bayou.

 

Stone Idolatrous IPA: Just came across this one. it's described as being piney and bitter with resiny hops that dominate the palate along with notes of lemon, grassy notes. 7.0%. Available at the Bayou.

 

What did I miss? Please share!

 

Prost!

New Beer Friday 8/10/18

All of this week's offerings feature a bit of tart and funk. I hope you guys like tart and funk!

Shades Kveik #2: This beer pours a purplish red color topped with a little to no head. The aroma has a fragrant sour cherry smell. Taste was tart and pleasantly fruity. Some warm spice notes in the end. The finish is very dry. Another winner from Shades' Kveik Series. 6.3%. Available at Shades Brewing.

Avenues Proper Brett Pale Ale 2:  Look for funky, earthy and tropical-fruit-like flavors in this dry and subtly tart take on the American pale ale. This beer is only available at Avenues Proper. 4.0%.

Rogue Combat Wombat: This sour Northeast-style IPA is brewed with blood orange and grapefruit. The taste has an ample amount of musty yeast tart tropical fruits, orange and grapefruit pith. It finishes with a good dose of piney bitterness. 7.2%. Available at select DABC.

Brewery Ommegang Queen of the Seven Kingdoms: Ommegang's latest beer in their Game of Thrones series features a base beer full of Belgian yeast, lemon tartness, apple and melon. The sourness is pretty light, it much more prevalent in the nose than on the tongue. A pretty smooth ale. 6.7%. Available at select DABC.   

In other beer news: Roosters Brewing Company will begin to unveil their new look and branding this Saturday at the Ogden Farmers Market from 9-2pm. There will be give-aways every half hour, from stickers and merch to gift cards and a private brewery tour of Roosters new B Street Brewery that is set to open this fall. The new brewery will feature a dining and tap room space along with an additional 6,000 sf of available space for retail and manufacturing, as well as an outdoor amphitheater and dining area.

From what I've seen the new B Street Brewery will be a beautiful addition to Ogden's craft beer scene. Stay close for further updates.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 7/20/18

Happy New Beer Friday! For the most part this week's option are mostly out of the Northwest, get on these while they're fresh and new. Also keep in mind that Pie and Beer Day is coming up. I'll be talking beer with Mick and Allen on KBER101 today at 3:30, then from 4pm - 7pm I'll be with Bad Brad Wheeler on KUAA 99.9 to preview Pie and Beer Day stuff.

 

Toasted Barrel Brett Brown: A malty brown base beer with a good dose of funky Brett. More beer like this is going into oak barrels to become sourlicious and funkified! 4.0%. Available at Toasted Barrel.

Rogue Kulture Clash: This beer/kombucha blend tastes malty and doughy with funky herbal tea and some orange/grapefruit rind. A hint of tartness and earthy/leafy hops round out the end. Even if you're not a kombucha fan you may like this. 6.9%. Available at DABC.

 

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 10: The nose has a good ctirus and stonefruit along with light pine and bready undertones. The taste starts off with a bit of orange, grapefruit and light apricot. Next comes a nice earthy pine bitterenss that has lightly toasty malt undertones. Finish is mildly bitter with lingering grass and a hint of citrus pith. Very nice. 5.9%. Found at Beerhive.

 

Anderson Valley Hop Hyzer: This has an aroma of toasted grains and lemon and coriander. The flavor follows for the most part; adding more citrus, a more subdued spice profile and a good dose of malts. Finishes with medium bitterness. 4.9%.  Available at DABC.

 

Gigantic Kölschtastic: A good amount of toasted cereal with complimenting floral and citrus-like hops. Slightly over hopped, other that that very true to style. 5.0%. Available at Beer Bar.

 

Gigantic Kiss the Goat: Missed out on this one. It's described a Bock/Porter hybrid if that helps. Can't wait to get into this one. 8.0%. Available at Beer Bar.

 

Gigantic High Fidelity IPA: Light citrus, tangerine and hints of stone fruit, light pine and citrus hops, semi-sweet malts. Nice IPA that veers into APA territory. 5.9%. Available at Beer Bar.

 

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 7/6/18

Whoa! It's damn smokey out there today; not to mention that it's going to get in the triple digits as well. You're definitely going to need something to lift your spirits from all of this bad air. Everything that I came across this week is more on the quenchable side of the beer spectrum, I hope you find these helpful.

Saltfire Saison De Trahison: The aroma contains clove, wheat malts and some citrus. The taste starts out bready with flavors of clove and a hearty malt character. Some caramel, and ginger root comes next with just a hint of lemony citrus coming through in the end. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bready. 6.3%. Available at Saltfire, Bayou and Dick n Dixie's.

Saltfire Charlotte Sometimes:  The nose is fruity and grainy, with some citrus peel, honey and earthy bread. The flavor opens mildly sweet with a peachy, fruity yeast note. There's citrus, a little bright, with honey, candied orange peel and a little grapefruit. 5.2% Available at Saltfire, Bayou and Dick n Dixie's.

Wasatch/Lauter Day Brewers - Raspberry Saison: Fresh raspberry in the nose. There is hint of spicy yeast as well. The taste is more fresh raspberry with a hint of the saison's yeast. It's not entirely noticeable, but it does add balance to the berry and helps round it out. finishes medium dry. 4.0%. Available at Wasatch Park City and at the UBC's West Side Tavern.


Odell Sunny Rain: The aroma is grassy and citrusy with a touch of acidity. The flavors start off with sweet malts, vague citrus and a touch of pineapple. A light dose of  tartness and moderate bitterness come next. The tartness is minimal, which gives the the juxtaposing citrus and fruit something to work with.  Very tasty! 6.0%. Found at Beer Bar.

Rogue 10 Hop IIPA: Missed out on this one. 10.1%. Available at DABC.

What did I miss? Please share.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 6/15/18

You have beer in your life, but do you have new beer in your life? If not; we'll fix that today.

Red Rock Mango Berliner: This lemony tart beer offers a medium amount of lemony tartness with a fairly subtle amount of mango. It's there, but not super fruity. I liked it, super crushable. 4.0%. Available at Red Rock downtown.

Rogue Cold Brew 2.0: This blonde ale with coffee has a moderate java aroma. The taste is mostly coffee with some sweet malt, biscuit and a smidge of hazelnut. 5.6%. Available at DABC.

Four Sons Brewing - The Great One IIPA: This brewery just snuck into the market the other day from Huntington Beach, Ca. This IIPA is named after Wayne Gretzky and is described as being full bodied with  Chinook, El Dorado, Cascade, Fuggle, Nugget and Saaz hops. 9.9%. Available at DABC.

Four Sons Brewing Sour K: I've not tried this one yet. This beer is listed as being a 7.9% Wild Ale but some people are reporting that they've bought it locally in C-stores; putting it at a max 4.0%. Can anyone confirm this?

Sierra Nevada Otra Vez (Lime & Blue Agave): big lightly tart limes, lemon, citrus zest, grapefruit, orange, peach, pear, red/green apple, melon, white wine, sea salt, 4.9%

Stone Vituale IPA: Missed out on this one. It's described as having big citrus notes of tropical fruit while upping the dank, resin qualities of Citra & Mosaic. 7.7% 

Deschutes The Ages: Just came across this at 4am, so I have no tasting notes on this one. This is a one and done American Wild Ale that is described as being a Gueuze-Inspired, multi-year wild brew brimming with hints of savory, fruity esters, and spicy, tangy pear and white pepper flavors. Be warned: there may be some sticker-shock involved here. 8.0%. Available at Bayou.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 3/16/18

All I can say about this New Beer Friday batch of beers is that they are all full flavored beasts. If you like your beer subtle and light, these will not make you happy. Let's proceed.

Bohemian SIMPL (Session India Munich Pale Lager) - This very hoppy lager has a huge grassy and spicy nose. The taste has a huge blast of herbal, grassy and spicy hops that play off the mildly sweet toasted grains. I love lagers like this, the Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertauer Blanc hops create a incredibly complex flavor profile. If you like hoppy lagers, you love this. 4.0% ABV. Available at Bohemian

Squatters Chasing Tail Orange - I hope you like orange, because that's what you're going to get with this new brew from Squatters. It starts with a orange soda like flavor. Not as cloying as orange soda but it has that syrupy feel. As you get through to the end more orange peel comes through with a bit of pith. 5.2%  ABV. Available at Squatters/Wasatch locations now - soon to DABC stores.

Rogue Paradise Pucker - Sour and tart dominate both the aroma and flavor. The addition of passion fruit, orange peels, and guava work well with the lacto tartness. The result is a nicely tart and fruity concoction. 6.0% ABV. Available at select DABC stores

Mother Earth/Melvin Four Seasons Collaboration - This beer is massively hoppy and dank as shit. From the aroma to the palate you're senses will be assaulted with big chewy citrus and tropical fruits. The bitterness is high as well, countering the moderate amount of malt sweetness. There are six different hop editions here, featuring Citra and Mosaic and Lupulin Powder. 8.5% ABV. Available at Slackwater, Beerhive and The Bayou.

Proper's Mr. Wolf - This is a pale ale that features Styrian Wolf hops. These have subtle floral flavors like rose, orange blossom, and geranium, and also has a pleasing amount of earthy dankness. 4.0% ABV. Available at Proper Brewing.

Proper is also re-releasing  Czech Your Head - Only difference this year is that Proper is introducing some Mountain Malt along with the pilsener and adding some Tettnanger along with the Saaz hops. This will be a year-round beer, and it will be in Proper's bottle shop shelves today. 5.6% ABV

Remember, If your out and about this St. Patrick's Day, please avoid the green beer and embrace something craft.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 02/02/18

It's getting warm enough to move your workouts outdoors; if that's the case then you're probably good to start with the warm weather beers as well. Luckily my fitness tracker monitors both parts of my life. This week's new beers are are mostly geared to the crushable end of the spectrum. Happy New Beer Friday!

Kiitos Barley Wine: The aroma is sweet and fruity with caramel malt, dark bread, brown sugar, raisin, fig and chocolate. The tastes starts with brown sugar, prune and fig. There's an herbal quality mid point with a bit of earthy tang which transitions to a bite of piney hops that provides a rather clean finish for such a malty beer. 11.1% ABV. Available at Kiitos.

Squatters Milky Way NEIPA: Lotsa citrus and tropical flavors happening in this surprisingly medium bodied 4% offering. The added pith flavors make it taste especially juicy. Limited at Squatters.

Desert Edge Beehive Brown Ale: This is an English style brown ale with flavors of toffee, toasty malt and chocolate. Low hops and bitterness let the smooth nutty malt flavor stand out for a malty but dry beer. 4.0% ABV. Available at Desert Edge.

Uinta Crisp Apple: Missed out on this one, I'll try and get some note for later. If I were to guess? I'd say, tart green apple flavor. On draft at the brewery and at Harmons. Soon, everywhere else. 4.0% ABV.  

Proper Sláinte Session Stout: This is the draft version of Proper's Grand Sláinte Stout. Look for big roasted components along with cocoa and char. 4.0% ABV. Available at Proper Brewing

Melvin Experimental J-Hole: This beer is basically a sweet citrus bomb. There's a lot of  grapefruit peel and orange marmalade with pant-loads of resinous piney hops for balance. 7.0% ABV. Available at Beer Bar, Bayou, Beehive, Dick n Dixie's and Slackwater.

Melvin Hop Shocker IIPA: This Mosaic and Simcoe hopped bomb is brewed with 100% Lupulin powder; which creates a tropical melange that is surprisingly balanced for a Melvin beer. There's plenty of dank Euro grass in the finish, helping out in that regard. 8.0% ABV. Available at Beer Bar, Bayou, Beehive, Dick n Dixie's and Slackwater. 

Radeberger Pilsner: Sweet grains combined with nice toasted cereal and herbal hops. The finish is moderately grassy. A nice German style pilsner. 4.8% ABV. Available at Beer Bar

Shiner Farmhouse Rye:  The nose has some fruity yeast aromas, not much else. The taste has mostly sweet malt, that little bit of fruitiness on the nose doesn't make an encore. There is some biscuit-like malts coming thru and it finishes with a semi spicy rye finish. If you're hoping for a farmhouse beer, you're not likely to find those funky characteristics here. Think spicy pils. 4.0% ABV. Available at DABC Stores.

Rogue Straight Outta Newport... Oregon: Aroma is fruity with citrus peel. The taste is juicy as well with big citrusy hops along with notes of peach. A nice harmonious beer. 8.7% ABV. Available Beer Bar, BeerHive

Schofferhofer Pomegranate Hefeweizen: I haven't tried this one yet. I have to admit, I am curious though. The grapefruit version has been known to hit the spot for me on occasion. It's a very lite 2.5% ABV. Available at Beer Bar and Bayou.

I'll be discussing these beers and other this afternoon on KBER 101 with Mick and Allen at 3:30pm. Please tune in!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 3/3/17

I'd like to thank the "Academy" for this prestigious honor. New Beer Friday began as a dream. A dream to find a pint of something new every week. I'd also like to thank my wife - who keeps me grounded, by roller her eyes at me at every available opportunity.

Talisman Imperial Coffee Stout with Cocoa nibs - This is under the Talisman Presents label Look for big coffee in the nose and on the palate. Chocolate rounds out the back with some acid coffee in the finish. Made with Wasatch Roasting Company and Ritual Chocolate. 9.5% ABV @ Talisman

Wasatch Denali UTX - I Haven't tried this one yet - look for a nice lemon/lime aspect from the hops with some slight resin. 4.0% ABV @ Wasatch/Squatters

Strap Tank Lorraine Tart Cherry Saison - I Haven't tried this one yet - It was made with Mexican hibiscus and tart cherries.You have my attention sir! 4.0% ABV @ Strap Tank

Strap Tank Road Rash IPA - This Beer isn't really new, ,just previously unmentioned.Straight up resony pine and grapfruit peel with a bit of light caramel backing it up.Solid Session IPA. 4.0% ABV

Squatters Tempest-tost Wit - I Haven't tried this one yet - Made with green cardamom, sweet orange peel and a healthy dose of torrified wheat. Remember, all proceeds from the sale of this beer will benefit the Utah Chapter of the International Rescue Committee, an organization that supports refugees in realizing their dream of leading self-sufficient and fulfilling lives. 4.0% ABV@ Squatters

Rogue Hazelutely Choctabulous - The nose is nutty and chocolaty with some vanilla and light char, cream, nuts, deeply roasted malts, dark breaded malts, light vanilla, and light char. The taste follows with vanilla and cake like malts swirling around a sea of hazelnuts and roasted malts. Some light coffee and dark chocolate as well in the finish. This is one of those beers you'll love or hate. I found it tasty but the 22oz bottle is too much for such a rich beer. 5.7% ABV @ DABC

Big Sky Shake-a-Day IPA - The nose has a fresh grapefruit and pine aroma with sweet malt beneath. The taste has a big dose of sweet caramel malt out of the gate - tangerine and orange come in next with a bit of pine to balance it all out. The finish is fairly bitter, which is good because it controls the initial sweetness. Overall a nice refreshing IPA. 7.5% ABV @ DABC

2 Row Hop Reload - Never got around to this one last night. But it's a 2 Row IPA. I'm sure it's a winner. Please share what you think! 6.2% @ 2 Row

Avenues Proper Chai-Hulud Saison with Chai - There are no Sand Worms in this beer, what it does have is Chai spices intermingling with spicy coriander from the yeast. With all of those assertive flavors, it's still pretty subtle - justy missing a little melange. Ok, i'm done with my "Dune geeking". 4.0% ABV @ Avenues Proper only.

Anchor Steam Brotherhood Steam - Made in collaboration with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood this steam beer has hints of wet grass and pine in the nose along with some toffee and biscuit. The taste is nicely bready and earthy with with notes of caramel, grass, and citrus. Floral hops come next with notes of grass and pine. The end has some light citrus notes of orange peel and grapefruit. Good malt presence with notes of caramel, toffee, biscuit, and yeast. A wonderful and solid beer. 5.6% ABV @ Beer Bar

Wasatch White Label -Though not new, it is returning after a long absence. It's wheaty, spicy with clove acsents and has hints of orange and mellow citrus. Good carbonation, balanced with a clean after taste. 6.0% ABV @ Wasatch Squatters - soon to DABC.

Tune in to Mick and Allen on KBER 101 today at 3:20pm as we discuss these and other beer related topics in New Beer Friday Radio.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday's Go Edition

One day we'll have our own App that'll have you running all over the universe looking for bottles and cans of brilliant real beers. Until then you'll just have to get off your ass [under your own motivating factors] and settle for some good ol' fashioned New Beer Friday.

RedRock Gineva - Yea! been waiting on this one for a while. A lot of juniper berries in the nose. The taste starts with coriander with a bit of tart juniper. The end moves to the yeasty side a big phenolic flavors take over. Would have liked to had a little more of the berry present. Finishes semi-sweet. 5.5% ABV @ RedRock

Rogue Honey Kolsch - The nose is grainy and grassy with white grape. The taste is much the same with white grape juice and honey flavors on the finish. There is a very mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. 5.9% ABV @ DABC

Hoppers Summerset Saison - Technically this isn't new, but it has been tweaked since it's long-ago debut in 2011. So I'm taking a Beer Gnerd liberty on this one. The first release of Summerset was hopped with Citra hops - this batch is dry hopped with German Mandarina Bavaria in place of Citra. More subtle with more dimensional in flavor and aroma with tangerine and spice. Base hasn't changed with Pilsener malt, malted spelt, and hint of raw oats. Upfront malty yet bright and the finish is fruity a dry. 7.4% ABV @ Hoppers after 5pm today [Friday].

Proper La Belle Peche -Not tried this one yet. Available starting today. @ Proper Brewing

Cheers!

New Beer Friday: Star Wars Edition

Payette Twelve Gauge Bourbon Imp Stout - Big, sweet bourbon nose with vanilla and toffee as well. The taste starts with caramel, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, hint of char The end has butterscotch and oak. Alcohol is fairly well hidden. Quite nice! 10% ABV @Beer Bar, BeerHive,

Bohemian CzechUlator Dopple Bock - The nose is nutty, chocolate, clean notes of malty sweetness. Some toffee and caramel in there as well. The flavor starts off similarly with some notes of traditional chocolatey, nutty, and toffee malts. As the flavor develops on the palate, though, I get some berry sweetness towards the end. Easy drinking and enjoyable. 7.6% ABV. A limited release that is only available at Bohemian's Brewery.

Rogue VooDoo Mango Astronaut Ale - I haven't tried this yet. It's described as having a cloudy copper color with a mango juice aroma. Taste has a noticeable mango flavor, with hints of vanilla. Not too sweet, but very flat body. Overall, its not too bad, mellow fruit flavors, easy to drink. 5.5% ABV @DABC

May The Force Be With You!

New Beer Friday - House of Cards Edition

The Mormon Francis Underwood's star may be on the rise, but that doesn't mean he has to piss all over your weekend. Here are some tasty, barley based treats to keep your spirits up!
  
Green Flash Jibe Session IPA - pours it clear golden color with a nose that is floral with some citrus and grass. The taste is piney and earthy upfront with toasty malt notes. The end is mostly piney with some floral bitterness.  Finishes quite dry. Overall this IPA is thin, even for Utah standards.  If you're a fan of Green Flash then it's definitely worth your time. 4.0% ABV @Smith's & Harmon's Grocery Stores.

New Belgium Fat Tire - This is the new 4% version that is mow available in Utah.  I haven't tried it yet,  should start showing up at most grocery stores and convenient stores around the state.

New Belgium Pumpkick - Pours a deep but clear amber color. The nose is mostly pumpkin pie spices. The taste has more of a yam character rather than pumpkin. She does not force the spices are subtle though. Drinkable but not my favorite of the pumpkin beers  that I've come across. 6.0% ABV @Bayou, Beer Bar, BeerHive

Descutes Zarabanda Saison - Pours a clear dark gold with a thin, dissipating head. The nose is full of spices and citrus. Lots of yeast, malt, lemon lime, pretty complex. The flavor is spicy yeast, pepper, very herbal, grass, grains, citrus lemon and lime. The finish is clean, crisp, very drinkable. 6.1% ABV @ Bayou, Slackwater

Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale - Pours a dark amber/orange color. The nose has vanilla, pumpkin spices, clove, allspice, and nutmeg. The tastes starts with vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and pumpkin flesh. Caramel malts come next with some hop bitterness and coriander rounding it out. It's okay, but thinner than expected 5.6% ABV @ Bayou

Sea Dog Sunfish Wheat - Pours a pale straw color with a medium thin head. The nose is big with floral notes and heavy peach. The taste starts out very sweet with flavors of orange and peach, then some mild breadiness comes in from the wheat. It's alight beer but the peach is quite overwhelming. 4.6% ABV @ Bayou

Upslope Brown Ale - The nose is a nice mix of nuts and roasted malts with a little hint of caramel and molasses. The nutty maltiness from the nose  continues through to the tongue with just enough caramel in there to weigh the beer down and a mild, bitter twang at the end. The finish is long toasty. 6.7% ABV @ Bayou, Beer Bar

Mother Earth Belgian Quad - Pours a mostly clears amber/brown color. The nose is a bit boozy with dark fruits and a hint of whiskey. Taste wise this is more akin to a barley wine than a Belgian quad. deep toffe notes and dark spicy fruits create an almost English barlewine feel. The alcohol for the most part is masked nicely. 12% ABV @ BeerHive

Green Flash Soul Style IPA - Pours clear golden color with a finger of head. The nose is strong with citrus, floral and some malty sweetness. The taste gets more complex with some melon flavor up front then more resiny flavors of citrus and floral. Finishes nicely with bitterness of hops dominating but some sweetness from malt. Overall, a nice IPA. 6.8% ABV @ Slackwater

Prost!

New Beer Friday 6/19/15

New Beer Friday is always great, but it's especially great when a local brewery debuts their beer. 2 Row Brewing is offering two of their beers for sale today, starting at 11am - at the brewery.

RedRock Gypsy Scratch 100% Brett Pale: Pours a hazy orange with a creamy white head. The nose has some wonderful Brett funk, along with tropical hop notes - some sweet malt as well. The taste is not tart. This is a young brett ale, instead the Brett takes a strong stance and adds an amazingly complex earthy quality despite being so young. Still getting some of the tropical flavors the nose suggested, but it's subdued. Medium-bodied, with a fairly crisp mouth-feel. Such a wonderful beer! Kudos to Brewer Chris Harlin for this great "out of the box" beer. 4.0% ABV @RedRock Downtown.

Rogue Fresh Roast: Poured a deep, brown that produced a thick, creamy, light brown head. The taste starts with some hints of coffee and roasted malts. Nice bready notes come next. Mild cocoa bitterness rounds out the end. The beer is very smooth and very easy to drink. 5.7% ABV @Beer Bar

2 Row Accelerator IPA: Pours a light amber with a large collar of foam. The nose was very sweet with big plunges of tropical/citrus fruits. The taste is much of the same. Some mild spicy hops with more tropical fruitiness. Malts balance nicely. The finish is semi dry and super clean. The body is thin to medium, with great carbonation giving it a light creaminess.7.0% ABV @2 Row Brewing

2 Row 24K Golden Ale: Pours a goldenrod color with a foamy, pillowy white head. The smell is fresh, lively citrus hops and a hint of sweet malt. The taste duplicates the smell and is so sweet and hoppy at the same time. Perfect balance with a creamy, smooth mouthfeel that is also crisp and refreshing at the same time. The drinkability of this is amazing. 5.7% ABV @2 Row Brewing

Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale: Me no Try yet - 5.5% ABV @Beer Bar

Ballast Point Wahoo White: Me no Try yet - 4.5% ABV @Beer Bar

Ballast Point Piper Down Scotish Ale: Me no Try yet - 5.8% ABV @Beer Bar

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 6/12/15

Sorry that New Beer Friday has been absent the last few weeks. Between a slow release schedule and a little "me" time, things got lost. Well, it's back now - in all of it's twisted glory... tall tales and all. Oh and by the way, The Upslope beers are here!

Uinta Contrail White: Pours a somewhat cloudy straw color. The nose is doughy with hints of coriander. The taste is similar with doughy bread and dry crackers. Coriander spiciness comes next with a moderate amount of florals and grass rounding out the end. 4.0% ABV @grocery

Ballast Point Even Keel: Pours a golden amber color with a nose that citrusy and floral. The taste starts with tangerine rind and grapefruit. Thin malts come next - the end is quite bitter and dry. It's nice, I was hoping for a little more from a Ballast Point offering. 3.8% ABV @Bayou, Beer Bar on draft. Should be available in can a some grocery.

Rogue VooDoo Doughnut Lemon Chiffon Crueller: Me no try yet. 6.9% ABV @better beer bars and some DABC

Rogue Brutal IPA: pours a light amber color with a citrusy nose - whiffs of malt as well. Nice balance  of caramel malts and citrus peel. A very easy drinking IPA. 5.8% ABV @most better beer bars and DABC

Full Sail Cascade Pilsner: pours a brilliantly clear golden yellow with a nose of toast, citrus and pine. The taste follows with nice toasty grains and bright cirus from the cascade hops. A bit of malt sweetness comes next with pine rounding out the end. A wonderfully drinkable American lager. 4.5% ABV @Bayou, DABC

Mother Earth Big Mother: Pours a hazy apricot color with a big fruity citrus nose - a little boozy too. The taste starts fruity with some mango and apricot. Big juicy hops come next, full of grapefruit and tangerine. Chewy caramel comes next with a little alcohol heat. For a 10.8% IPA it's pretty well balanced. Just don't underestimate it. @Beerhive

Upslope Craft Lager: Yup! They're here. Pours a crystal clear pale yellow color with a nose of toast, grain and grass. The taste is grainy sweet with a slight corny flavor. Hop are grassy and spicy. Nice, very drinkable lager. 4.8% ABV @Beer Bar

Upslope India Pale Ale: Pours A somewhat dark amber color with a nose of citrus peel and pine – hints of chewy malts as well. The taste is malty up front with a hint of toffee. Big bitter citrus rind comes next with a bit of pine resin in the end. This is more like a strong pale ale to me - rather than an IPA. Nice beer. 7.2% ABV @Beer Bar

Upslope Brown Ale: Me no try yet. 6.7% ABV @Beer Bar

Did I miss anything? Let me know. 

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 9/19/14

It's a slightly bleak, New Beer Friday. There are a couple of options but they may be tough to find. However one of North America's most coveted coffee beers returns today. So, at least we've got that!  

Rogue - Pumpkin Patch Ale: Me no try yet. @ DABC

Beck's Oktoberfest: Me no try either @ DABC

Returning Favorites

Epic's Big Bad Baptist returns today, this time it's made with Salt Lake City's Charming Beard Coffee. In the coming weeks you'll get to try it with the original Caffe Ibis Coffee as well. BBB will go on sale this morning at Epic's Bottleshop as well as the Annex's cold case. You can also enjoy Baptist by the taster or 10 oz glass. The Annex will also be tapping a Firkin of Brett Pale with Citra Hops at 4:30, $3 pints.

Avenues Proper - Hopspital IPA: English pale malt, German Vienna malt and Chilean crystal malt provide a solid backbone for three kinds of the aromatic cones. Chinook and Glacier hops from the Pacific Northwest add a piney, fruity body with hints of citrus while a huge dose of Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand at the end of the boil and in dry-hopping add a tangy, subtly tropical flavor. Look for notes of kiwi, gooseberry and peach! 

RedRock's India Dark Ale: A bit of roast with a healthy dose of citrus and pine bitterness. Damn yummy.

Desert Edge's Radius: Yup it's finally back! It disappears fast, so don't wait.  

Cheers!

New Beer Friday - Independence Day Edition

It's likely that I'm the only one in the United States working right now. If you're like me your gunna need some refreshments after your long holiday work day, here are some Independence Day - New Beer Friday options.

Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL: Pours a dark hazy straw color with some golden highlights. The nose is light with citrus, grass and biscuit. tropical, over a bit of biscuit. The taste starts with a bit tropical with herbal pine notes. Next comes some sweet biscuit with spicy cereal notes. The end is full of rind bitterness. Finishes fairly dry. 5.0% ABV @ Beer Bar, DABC

Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot: Haven't tried this one yet, but a friend described it as being dark red with purple highlights. A nose of berry/honey - Honey and berries are prominent in the taste with countering hop bitterness. 11.4% ABV @ Beer Bar, DABC

RedRock's 20th Anniversary Imperial Red Ale was such a hit that it's going into full time production and will have a new label soon. In case you haven't had it in a while, look for big ruby tones with a sturdy ruddy head. The nose pops with toasted caramel & pine. The tastes starts with toasted bread, tobacco and a hint of fudge. Big pine resin comes next with bitter citrus/chocolate and a hint of orange in the end. The finish is dry and bitter. This is a full flavored beer that crosses into barlewine territory. 9.5% ABV @ RedRock, Finer Beer Bars

Go Team 'Merica!

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!