New Beer Christmas Eve 12/24/21

All I can say is, please be happy and safe this holiday. Too many wonderful people have left us this year due to COVID and other equally shitty things. Here's a merry list of beers that will be available today for a limited time this afternoon. Most of the breweries will be closing early today, so I recommend getting your Christmas Day beverages earlier, rather than later. Let's share a pint soon and happy New Beer Christmas Eve. 

RoHa - Dog Tag IPA: Probably one of the more unique IPAs from RoHa. This is very citrus forward with lotsa lemon grass, lime & floral profiles. It’s herbal, but not obnoxiously so. In closing: If lemon, lime and botanicals are on your happiness chart look no further. 5.0% - Only at RoHa.

Grid City - The Big Fruit Cake: At first swig I thought this was a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot. It hits all the right notes. Then all of the dark fruits roll in; cherries, fig, dates with a shload of toffee & tobacco. It finished with cranberry & a medium citrus peel & pine bitterness.11.3% - Only at Grid City.

Toasted Barrel - Tiger's Bolld Snow Cone IPA: It smells like a milkshake, it tastes like a milkshake, but this is no lactose IPA. 44 LBS of coconut gives this unique IPA its creamy feel. The strawberry & watermelon work perfectly with the hops to make this DIPA highly drinkable & enjoyable. 10.0% Only at Toasted Barrel.    

Bewilder - Plumdog Millionaire: Nutty & malty aroma. The flavor is much more berry forward. For the most part this is all fruit, but the end still retains some of its blonde roots. PUN INTENDED! 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Shades Carrot Cake: The aroma is absolutely dead on. There is not much else to really say. Vanilla, cinnamon, a toffee sweet malt aroma, ginger, and nutmeg. I think that covers it. Wow, the flavor is nice, but does not quite live up to the aroma. Some toffee sweetness goes with the malt flavor, and some vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice are there as well. 

Fisher - White IPA: This is a new higher alcohol version of the Fisher favorite.  There's a very aromatic nose of citrus peel here, along with light biscuit malt. The hops finish it off with nice citrus and tropical flavors. Very nice! 7.5% - Only at Fisher to-go in 32 ounce crowlers.

The following are new from Offset Bier 

Tmavé Pivo Czech Dark Lager: Notes of milk chocolate with spicy hop character from the copious additions of Czech grown Saaz.  Packed with flavor yet so light on the palate and easy to drink due to it’s extended 6 week lagering time. 5.0% - Only at Offset Bier.

Helles German Pale Lager: A very traditional German light lager. Yeast from an old Monastic brewery, step mashed, cold fermented, naturally carbonated, and 6 weeks lagered. Bier flavored Beer. 5.0% - Only at Offset Bier.

Phone It In Modern IPA: This one features Strata and Idaho 7 hops. Potent hop aromas of Strawberry, Peach, Dankness, and a hint of Melon. Hazy 'cause it’s hoppy. 7.8% 

Pale Ale Classic American Pale Ale: Hopped with Cascade and heavy amounts of choice Centennial. Prominent notes of fresh cut lemons backed up by pine and slight floral notes. 5.0% - Only at Offset Bier. 

Divi IPA: New recipe! Hopped heavily with Idaho 7, Citra, HBC 586, and the new hot hop from New Zealand, Nectaron. Notes of Pineapple, passion fruit, grapefruit, mango, guava, lychee, and coconut. 

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/17/21

Nearly forty beers this week, and I drank them all! Actually I probably didn't even have half. But in my tiny mind I swilled every last one! If these don't get you prepped for the holidays, nothing will. This New Beer Friday list is somewhat incomplete because I ran out of gas compiling it. Very sorry. 

RoHa - Spudnik 7: If you’re familiar with your hops, you may have guessed this is made with Idaho 7. This has mostly herbal hops with some citrus peel. malt profile is mostly toasty with light caramel. 5.0% Available at Roha.

Bewilder - WhistleGoWoo: This saison was dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin & Motueka. The aroma is all clove & bubblegum. The taste starts the same, then the hops come in with spicy orange peel and a good dose of herbal hops smacking the sides of the tongue. The hop bill here helps keep the yeast from getting too ‘chewy’ & gives the beer some balance. 5.0% - Available at Bewilder starting today.  

Bewilder/Strap Tank - Wee Heavy: The boys and girls at both breweries decided to go with a direct fire boil, to ‘amp up’ the caramelization in this single malt ale. The nose is mostly caramel and floral hops. The taste is all creamy caramel. There’s some nice vague fruity notes in there as well, but holy shit this pleasant and dangerous. The 10.4% ABV is hard to detect until it warms. Outstanding Wee Heavy. Available at Bewilder today. Strap Tank will have some to sell as well; keep your eye on their social media for the where and when. 

Strap Tank - V-Twin (Nitro): Who loves a lager on nitro? This beer nerd right here. You might ask, “this ain’t a new beer”! and I’d reply, “au contraire mon ami”. The simple change of gas can completely alter a beer’s flavor profile. You’d be surprised by how bitter co2 can be. This lager is a Vienna. It come across more sweet than normal. The nitro gives its creamy texture that amplifies the nuttiness from the base malts. Hops are grassy and herbal. Excellent stuff. 5.0% - Only a Strap Tank Lehi 

Epic - Big Boy Hoppy Brown: O.G. beer nerds will remember Epic’s Santa Cruz. It was billed as a ‘brown IPA’ and I very much loved it. Apparently I was the only one. After years of pissing in Epic’s ear in regards to bringing it back, the powers that be decided to shut me up and resurrect Santa Cruz as Big Boy Hoppy Brown. It’s not the same beer, the malts bill has been altered along with hops. As far as brown ales go this less malty and much more toasty. The hop bill offers a punch of floral & pine along with an amped-up ABV. Nostalgia seekers & beer nerds who require something different- look no further. 7.4% - Available at Epic. 

Policy Kings - WiseUp: Missed this new IPA. 5.0% - Only at Policy Kings

Fisher - Buzzard's British Brown: A medium amount of malt sweetness with an extra dose of toastiness. Light floral hops round it out.

Fisher - Desert Rose Prickly Pear Lager: Prickly pear is dominant. It's not super sweet but it does dominate most of the lager. 5.0% - Only at Fisher.

Grid City - Oatmeal Stout: This comes across as your classic Irish oatmeal stout. A medium amount of roasted grains, cocoa and light malt tartness. Textbook stuff. 4.7% - Only at Grid City 

Shades - Pecan Pie: Missed this, and I love pecan pie! 6.5% - Available at Shades

Toasted Barrel - Biere de Garde: Missed thiss sour aged in whiskey barrels. 7.0% - Available at Toasted Barrel.

BootStrap Brewing - Lush Puppy: Not super juicy. Nice citrus with herbal qualities. It’s okay. 6.3% 8.5% Found at Beer Bar, Bayou and Slackwater.

BootStrap Brewing - insane Rush: More Ruby colored than your typical IPA nowadays. More malty too. A very nice, sorta old school IPA. Love caramel and the late addition citrus/berry hops. Very nice. 7.6% Found at Beer Bar, Bayou and Slackwater.

BootStrap Brewing - Wreak Havoc: A very nice nice Impy Red with light citrus & berry notes. Light fruity malts as well. Very nice. 8.5% Found at Beer Bar, Bayou and Slackwater.

Pipeworks - Abominable Snowman vs Unicorn: Missed this IPA Found at Beer Bar, Bayou and Slackwater.

Pipeworks - Forest Fauna: Missed this IPA- Found at Beer Bar, Bayou and Slackwater.

Pipeworks - Imperial Blood of the Unicorn: Missed this IPA - Found at Beer Bar, Bayou and Slackwater.

Pipeworks - Gingerbread Unicorns: Missed this - Found at Bayou Slackwater

Pipeworks - The Finest Dopplebock: Missed this - Found at Bayou Slackwater

Pipeworks - Picnic in the Clouds: Missed this - Found at Bayou Slackwater

Pipeworks - Blood of the Unicorn: Missed this IPA - Found at Bayou Slackwater

Pipeworks - Layers Are Key: Missed this IPA - Found at Bayou Slackwater

As far as I know, the following are mostly exclusive to the Bayou. 🤷‍♂️

Birrificio Almond 22: This is a pink peppercorn IPA 

Baladin - Super Floreale: This is a Belgian style golden strong

Birrificio - Torrente: This is an American IPA

Bootstrap - Stick’s Pale Ale: This is an American IPA

Carlsberg Sverige - Carnegie Porter: this is a Baltic Porter 

Cascade - Baked Sour Apple: This is a fruited sour with cinnamon and maple syrup  

Cascade - Cash Nelson: A Golden sour aged in oak

De Glazen - Ondineke Triple: This is a Belgian style Tripel

Extraomnes- Straff:This is a Saison 

Perennial Prism - Centennial Hallertau Blanc: This is a saison 

Perennial Prism - Ekuanot Cryo Cash: this is a saison 

Prairie - Barrel-aged Moose Boots:  Made with maple syrup with toasted almonds and vanilla

Prairie - Double Vanilla Noir: Aged in rum & whiskey 

 St. George Brau - Kellerbier:

Stift Engelszell - Gregory’s:This is a Belgian style Quad

Wild Beer Company - Modus Vivendi: Oaked with wild yeast  

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/10/21

Need a lil' extra something that'll take that holiday work party to the next level? New Beer Friday researchers have found the optimal number of fresh new suds to enhance your vocational cheer factor. 

Fisher - Maximum Mosaic: This has been out since Saturday but it didn't have a name until Tuesday.  I let this warm up a bit before jumping in. The hops are citrus forward with some hints of white pepper. Once in the mouth the bitterness is low though there is a slight tingling on the sides of the tongue. There's a lot of creamy oat and dried citrus peel. Bitterness is low, quite tasty. 5.0% - At Fisher

Saltfire - Series of Singularities (Citra): This is defiantly has a west coast IPA feel. It's not quite dank, but it has a nice chewy hop character that is almost sticky in the mouth; it all revolves around orange and tangerine peel. Not for the timid IPA fan. 5.0% - At Saltfire

Grid City - Sigri Estate Papa New Guinea Coffee Hazelnut Vanilla Maple Nitro Brown Ale: Just when you thought the crew at Grid City could possible give one of their beers a longer name, they step-up and deliver. A very nice coffee profile. I was worried the Hazelnut would take over, but it’s pretty subtle and relegated to the end. Nice vanilla sweetness for balance. Not much maple; which is fine. It would make it overly sweet. 4.7% - Only at Grid City

Red Rock - Back Door Series Double IPA:  There's a real nice aroma here, starting with zesty citrus oils of lemon and tangerine. The hops get into an herbal spicy like component as well. The taste keeps it simple. Juiced flavor with slight malty sweetness accents; an excellent and somewhat varied fruity hop flavor. Nice qualities of grapefruit to orange citrus juice with a spritzy lemon oil mixed in. 7.0% - Available at Red Rock Downtown.

Bewilder - Maple Lactose Oatmeal Stout: This small batch release harkens back to the home brewing days. missed this one, but I think that you get the idea. 5.0% - At Bewilder.

Level Crossing - Plum and Black Currant Philly Sour: This pale ale was fermented with Philly Sour yeast, then aged with plum and black currants. 5.0% - At Level Crossing. 

Proper - Ivar the Boneless: This is a Finnish-style Sahti aged in rye whiskey barrels. Sahtis are made with barley and rye. Traditionally they are flavored with juniper in addition to, or instead of, hops. This should be very interesting with the rye whiskey. At Proper

Returning Favorites

Ogden River - Injector: This Hazy IPA returns with new packaging - its own 16 ounce can. 7.8% - only at ORB.

Red Rock - Secale: The 2021 version is all barrel strength, no blending. pours a dark ruby color with a moderate two fingers of off-white head. The nose has a dry roasted malt aroma along with a light rye spiciness. It's rounded out with a mild caramel malt and vanilla aroma. The taste starts with Caramel malts and toffee. Chocolate covered raisins come next come next with a dry rye spiciness. Hints of vanilla and whiskey come next in the end, as well as a subdued hop bitterness that balances the malty sweetness in the finish. The body is full and the whiskey notes become a bit more pronounced as it warms. The 8.5% abv is well hidden but sneaks up you quickly.

2 Row - Chocolate Covered Raspberries: This beer mimics the holiday treat quite well. It's got a good balance of raspberry and chocolate; the raspberry is particularly tart and fruity. The chocolate part adds a nice silky element to the stout. A very nice beer. 8.3% - Available at 2 Row

Hopkins - Strawberry Sorghum: This beer is one of Hopkins’ classic Gluten Free homebrews. The recipe consists of organic strawberries, sorghum syrup, and raw local honey. This beer is light and effervescent with a nice mild tartness from the sorghum that pairs beautifully with the strawberries. 5.0% - Only at Hopkins.

Speaking of Hopkins, Saturday is their 3rd anniversary, stop in and enjoys some special pints, some of which are listed below.

Scion Cider Bar

If you drink beer, there's good chance that you also dabble in cider. The two beverages have gone hand in hand throughout history, being the beverages that common folk could easily craft with minimal ingredients and effort. As a home brewer I discovered cider's appeal as an excellent beer alternative and a simple brew day.   

Rio Connelly: of Proper Brewing Company, has branched out on his own and deemed that the time is right to get Utahans familiar with hard ciders and built a pub dedicated to ciders with a minor emphasis on beer and liquor. 

At Scion Cider Bar you'll find 25 taps, 20 of which will be exclusively ciders from all over the world. An extensive bottle and can list is also being built. You may or may. to be aware that cider is considered wine in Utah and therefore can be poured on draft, so you'll see many ciders (if not all) above 5.0% ABV being served. Currently draft handles are pouring various local hard ciders from Mountain West and Hive Winery. 

Scion Cider Bar is now open and located in SLC's up and coming Central 9th or Granary District (whichever you prefer) and is located at 916 s. Jefferson Street - near Nohm and Water Witch. I'm super happy for Rio and and all of us adult beverage loving adult along the Wasatch Front and Back.

Congrats and Cheers!

Photo: Scion Cider Bar

New Beer Friday 12/3/21

Level Crossing - Cryptoporticus: This double IPA was made using the new-ish Philly Sour yeast. First whiff gives off some lacto sour notes then explodes with dank hops. First sip is like the screech of a needle on an LP. Big sourness with equally big dankness. It’s all Sour & IPA. It’ll blow yer mind.Releases today. 8.4% - Only at Level Crossing.

Proper - Wolf of the Eclipse: This Roggenbier (rye lager) was aged in pinot noir barrels. You’d think this might be tart or sour by the Pinot noir barrels. Nunnna no... It’s actually quite balanced. The barrel is present but not overwhelming. The rye is immediately noticeable too. It’s all very balanced and quite enjoyable. Releases today. 6.66% - Only at Proper Brewing.

Proper - Novemberfest: I guess I drunkenly suggested the name for this beer & the Proper crew figured I wasn’t a complete drunk-ass idiot, so it's obviously brilliantly named. It’s a Märzen that wasn’t quite ready by Oktoberfest…. You get the idea. Such a wonder and malty lager with nice caramel & vanilla notes with medium IBUs. If you're craving a fresh Märzen, look no further. 5.0% Available at Proper. 

Fisher - Yakima Bloke: Missed this pale ale. 5.0% - Available at Fisher.

Uinta - Schmetterling Altbier: You've probably wasted enough bandwidth here to figure out I'm a total tart for Altbiers. Looking forward to trying this later this one this afternoon for sure. 5.0% - Available at Uinta. 

Bewilder - 60 Shilling: This is the second runnings or "small beer" from the forthcoming, Wee Heavy collaboration beer Strap Tank Brewing. This beer is lightly malty and hoppy; very much like an English Mild ale. Small Beers are one of the most under appreciated beers you'll come across. They're light, wonderful and mini versions of their big brothers or sisters they're emulating and definitely worth your time. 3.7% - Only at Bewilder starting today. The Wee Heavy  collaboration is coming soon.    

Firestone Walker - Cinnamon Dolce Nitro Stout: I missed this. I hope this is good, I want it to be good, but 100% of the time cinnamon is into a beer 99.9% of the beers are over spiced. Please don't be over-spice!!! 6.0% - Found at The Bayou in cans.

Cheers!

New Beer Black Friday 11/26/21

Hope you all had a great holiday. If you thought that the our local brewers would be taking the week off, you'd be sorely mistaken. This New beer Black Friday has a something for everyone. 

Kiitos - Key Lime Pie: Pours a hazy gold color with a decently retained half inch white head that left little lacing. Smells like lime juice with a hint of sweetness. Tastes of lime, lime zest, lactose sweetness, salt, crackers and moderately sour . Light bodied, medium carbonation, tart, sour and refreshing. Pairs great with Mexican food.

Salt Flats - Brew-Tiful Mind: Made with Mindful Coffee Co's Ethiopian blend. It has a nice coffee aroma with a hint of flowery hops. Flavor starts with more coffee the malt sweetness gives it a nice cappuccino feel. Coffee lovers will find it a pleasant cold weather lager. 5.0% Available at Slat Flats and the Garage Grill.

SaltFire - Grievance: The aroma is quite boozy with Brandi and apples. Some apple pie as well. The taste is more mellow with pleasant toffee malt driving the flavor. Brandied apple and spice pick-up the rest of the show and drive to the end. The malt sweetness is quite complimentary. This might be my favorite winter warmer so far this year. 8.0% - Available at Saltfire. 

Heber Valley - Fixed Grip: This pale ale was hopped with Idaho 7 and Sabro hops. Sadly I missed it. 5.0% - Only at Heber Valley.

Ogden River - Mango with the Flow: This is part of ORB's Separation Sour Series featuring, you guessed it.. mango. Missed this. 5.0% - only at Ogden River Brewing.

Strap Tank - Twisted Cherry: This is cherry pie beer that's made with tart pie cherries. The malt mimics pie crust quite well and rounds out he cherry tartness. 5.0% - only at Strap Tank in Springville. 

Level Crossing - Tangerine and Pineapple Philly Sour: Ale was fermented with Philly sour yeast then aged on tangerine and pineapple purée. It has intense tart and fruity aromas and mouth puckering, yet refreshing flavors from the sour fermentation.5.0% - only at Level Crossing  

Melvin - Scenario: Missed this robust porter. 6.4% - Found at The Bayou and Slackwater.

Melvin - Comet Me Sabro: Missed this is a IIPA. Found at the Bayou and Slackwater. 

Cascade - Baked Apple Sour: This barrel aged sour features apples cinnamon and maple flavor and I missed this one as well. 5.0% - Found at Slackwater. 

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/19/21

Many of you may be planning your holiday getaways. If you're getting away for Thanksgiving, please bring back beer. If your sticking around like me, I have found some excellent New Beer Friday suds that'll make those excursionists wish that they'd kept their asses put!

SaltFire - Mobius Trip (Prickly Pear#2): This foeder-aged golden features the addition of prickly pear. This version features more prickly pear flavor with with medium tartness from the base beer. Oak is prominent along with some watermelon flavors in the finish. 8.0% - Only available at SaltFire.

Offset Bier - Movember (Mosaic/Motueka): Missed this pale ale, sounds tasty though! 5.0% - Only at Offset.

TF - Jarda: This Czech Pilsner starts with nice toasty and sweet crackers. The hop profile is is nice, gassy and herbal with some sneaky lingering bitterness. A great example of the style. 5.0% - Only on draft at TF.

Fisher/City Weekly - Private Eye PA: This beer is an ode to City Weekly's beginnings and is made to support local Journalism. This pale ale has an aroma that 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. 5.0%. Available at Fisher.

Bewilder - Sauced: This beer is a sour at it's base and is dry-hopped with Idaho Gem. Cranberries, cinnamon and orange peel. Its designed to be a holiday beer. The nose has a lot of orange peel and cinnamon. taste is mildly tart with more orange peel. The cinnamon isn't too overwhelming but it does cover up the hops. 5.8% - Only at Bewilder

Epic - Cranberry IPA: Wasn't sure this would work, but it does. It has a nice malty body with noticeable citrus forward hops (Centennial/Amarillo?) the cranberry is present for sure but not overwhelming. The can says there's lactose but no sweetness that I can detect. Nice stuff. 7.5%. This will be released on Monday 11/22. 

E9 - Transmissions On Air: Missed this new IPA. 6.4% - Found at the Bayou.

E9 - Realize Real Lies: Missed this new IPA. 6.5% - Found at the Bayou.

E9 - Puppies vs Kittens: E9 - Puppies vs Kittens. 6.6% - Found at the Bayou.

Cascade - Single Malt Sour: Missed this new sour. 11.2% - Found at the Bayou.

Cascade Double Dutch: Missed this new sour. 9.2% - Found at the Bayou.

Here are this week's Small Batch beers from Hopkins.

Cheers!

Hoppers Says Goodbye to Fort Union

 In 1996 craft beer life got a little easier in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. Though craft beer had had a presence in Utah for a solid 11 years, we who lived in the southern part of SL County never had a place to call our own. Then came Hoppers. 

It was a modest brewpub that was started by the local owners of the Sizzler/Red Robin franchise. Who used the small 10 barrel brewery to feed many of its multiple locations with local beer, all made from the brewdeck located at the corner of 900 e. Fort Union. 

At the helm, secret agent and tenured brewmaster for nearly twenty years, Donovan Steele has been overseeing many of the brewery's advancements and innovations taking in from neighborhood pub to a south valley member of the family. 

Now all the dozens of fermentors, medals, staff and award winning beers will need to look for a new address, as the current landowner has sold the property to the incoming Raising Cane’s franchise out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ironically, both Hoppers and Raing Cane’s were both established months apart in 1996.  

Hoppers is NOT done, but they’re last day of operation at their corner on Fort Union will be on November 24th, as the new property owners take control on Dec 1st. The time in between will be used to dismantle the brewery, Kitchen and all the important equipment to get them off and running at their new location. 

Speaking of the new location, that is still up in the air. Hoppers owners (not the Sizzler people) have been scouring Salt Lake County for a new address for the past six months, trying to find the best fit for Hoppers 2.0 and its staff. 

If you have some time in the nine days I’d encourage you to stop by to hoist a pint or two for the old building that took care of us when we were in need, and to encourage the staff that we’ll be back when Hoppers 2.0 opens its doors once again.

Cheers.         

New Beer Friday 11/12/21

Well, we're at the beginning of 'barrel-aged season'. All manor of full flavored and boozy lagers and ales are rolling in as we speak. Also happening this week, the newly reorganized Park City Brewery is debuting some of their beers this week. These are all new beers that are coming from all new management and crew.  These Park City beers are hitting various pubs around the Wasatch Front and Back, including  O.P Rockwell, Grappa, and Downstairs, as well as Whiskey Street and Piper Down Pub, located in Downtown Salt Lake City. 

Park City Brewery - Siren’s Call American Lager: 5.0%

Park City Brewery - Powder Buoy Pilsner: 5.0%

Park City Brewery - Sneaker Tree IPA: 5.0%

Park City Brewery - Silver Creekwater Amber Lager: 5.0%

Park City Brewery - Gold Town Pale Ale: 5.0%

Salt Flats - Barrel-Aged Rye IPA: Nice aroma mostly whiskey and sweet malt. Big rye whiskey up front with a good amount of toffee. Nice hop punch of mostly citrus and pine. The finish is moderately bitter with a wee bit of alcohol heat. 9.3% 

2 Row - Covert Hoperation: This has a big explosive nose full of citrusy hops. Taste follows with pant loads of tangerine and grapefruit peel. the malt brings out some peach and vague tropical notes as well. The alcohol is very well hidden. One of the best IPA in the market right now for sure. 9.0% - At 2 Row, the Bayou, Beer Bar, Dick n Dixies and Slackwater to name a few.  

RoHa - Barrel Aged Nights Out: This is a Belgian stout at its base aged for six months in Beehive Rye barrels. It starts with pleasant chocolate qualities that quickly transition into rye whiskey with notes of vanilla. Alcohol heat is low, and its 8.6% ABV is pleasant. A small batch Available at RoHa, Slackwater. 

Uinta - Ellipses: This barrel-aged oatmeal stout debuts today. Sorry, no notes. 11.9% - A limited batch beer only at Uinta.

Lagunitas - Contents Under Fresher: This features whole-cone Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe & Sabro hops. Lots of piney, resin on the nose and the taste follows suit. Pretty dank with a nice mouthfeel and bite. On the bitter side. Good stuff. 7.7% - Found at Slackwater.

Odell - Hazer Tag: Not completely opaque, but a half hazed apricot color. A grapefruit aroma starts your off with tangerine, mango, and passionfruit. Taste is light citrus without tang, acid or sweetness. All of the aromatic notes are mild and restrained on the palate. The hops are super light grapefruit and not bitter. Some light malt as well. 7.0% - Found at Slackwater and The Bayou.

Odell - Positive Latitude: This IIPA is made with passion fruit and is pretty much the opposite of the Hazer tag. Besides the notes of passion fruit you also get more citrus peel and more dank pine bitterness. 8.0%  - Found at Slackwater and The Bayou.

Mother Earth - Wet Hop Dream: This year's version features Sabro hops. It has a nice chewy quality full of citrus peel and herbal hops. great stuff. 6.7%  - Found at Slackwater, Dick n Dixie's and The Bayou. 

Mother Earth - Barrel Aged Old Fashioned: This is an Old Ale as its base, Mother Earth's brewers blended Maraschino cherry syrup, Navel orange zest, and Aromatic bitters and aged it in whiskey barrels. 12.5% - Found at Beerhive.

Mother Earth Abstract Consciousness:  7.3% Found at Dick n Dixie's 

Revision - Reefer Truck:  Pours a clear pale yellow straw color with a nose that is piney and full of tropical fruit. Taste is resinous and mildly dank. 6.5% - Found at the Bayou.

Revision - Moment Commander: This is full of Citra and Simcoe hops which provide nice  orange, grapefruit and pine blast all around. Very crushable with medium bitterness and some tropical notes.  6.6% - Found at the Bayou

Lone Pine - Kiwi Cannon: Missed this one. Look for light, fluffy, silky flavors of honeydew melon, white flowers, and of course, kiwi. 7.7% - Found at the Bayou, Slackwater

Bombastic - Pandemonium: Missed this one. This imperial stout combines heaps of peanut butter and marshmallow to bring back the classic FLUFFERNUTTER! 10.5% - Found at the Bayou

The Bruery - Frucht Cucumber: Missed this one. Look for the freshness of cucumber blended with the sour aspects of the base beer. 4.3% - Found at the Bayou.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/5/21

The last few weeks have been quite brutal in regards to quantity. So I'm defiantlye not going to complain about this relatively light New Beer Friday weekend.  I hope you find a way to enjoy some of these tasty beers.

Epic - Big Bad Baptist [Chocolate mint]: This is the last of Epic's 2021 BBB variants. This stout features the usual suspects: Coffee, cocoa and whiskey barrels with the added chocolate and mint. The nose is rich with chocolate, mint and whiskey. The taste starts with big Thin Mints cookie flavors that seem like they were dipped in Kahlúa. Notes of bourbon come in next, adding some vanilla and heat. The mint intensifies towards the end. Another big beer at 12.0% - Available starting today at Epic.

Hopkins - Cowboy Lite: This unique pilsner is truly a league of it’s own, bittered with Chinook and Saaz hops, it clocks in just above 40 IBU’s. They fermented it off their Campfire Smoked Lager yeast, giving it a fairly subtle amount of smoke. The hop profile is very nice, with a firm bitter smack of grass and citrus peel. excellent stuff. 5.0% - Only at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Sauvin Blanc Brut IPA: Highly effervescent and super dry with a low malt-profile, this beer style focuses on hops that produce a white wine-like flavor and aroma with homegrown Chardonnay grapes added to the fermenter to make this a true wine-beer hybrid. Hallertau Blanc hops were used in the whirlpool, then Nelson Sauvin hops were used in the dry-hop. The beer's vinous qualities are pretty subtle.

Policy Kings - Terror Squad IPA: This is described as being brewed with Nelson, Citra and Mosiac hops with a perfect amount of bitterness and hoppiness.

Policy Kings/Iron Gate Winery - Anniversary Ale: Brewed to celebrate PK's 3rd Anniversary. This sour ale was aged on Merlot grapes from Iron Gate Winery with added vanilla and the perfect amount of tartness. 6.0% -This will be released Nov 6th at 3pm. This is a limited release so don't miss out on this incredible creation.

Sünner Kölsch: I first tried this at the Utah Beer Festival. It pours a clear golden/dark straw color with a slightly metallic aroma, followed by a wheat, toasted malts and light herbal spice.

Sweet and malt forward at first with balancing, moderate grassy and herbal hops. Some nice  lemon zest with a finish that is semi dry. Medium to light in body with a moderate and tingly carbonation which adds crispness. Solid and refreshing all around. 4.8% - Found at the Bayou on draft.

Here are this week's Small Batch beers from Hopkins Brewing.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/29/21

All penned-up with nothing to do? This week's New Beer Friday offers a nice selection of dark and malty with some excellent IPAs peppered in. 

Offset - All Black Nothing: This is Offset's first "high point" beer and it's not a Black IPA, as the name may suggest. All Black Nothing is dedicated to showcasing the amazing aromas, flavors, and complexities of New Zealand hops. Equal amount of Nelson Sauvin and the incredibly scarce yet fascinating Riwaka combined with a small addition of Southern Cross bring out flavors and aromas of ripe grapefruit, mango, gooseberry, and apricot layered on top of fresh cut herbs. Coating hop oils hit the front of the palate yet the beer still remains light and airy and doesn't linger.  6.5% - Available starting today only at Offset Bier to-go. 

Epic - Big Bad Baptist [Black Forest Cake]: Smells like chocolate cake doughnuts, fresh from the case. Taste starts with big chocolate & whiskey. Some tart cherry comes in next with some big sweetness that may be the coconut. Loose the coconut & this would be exceptional. 11.5% - Available starting today.

TF - Jesse Delmar Barrel Aged Imperial Stout: Aged in whiskey barrels, this big impy stout goes on sale today at noon. 12.0% A limited run only at TF. 

TF - Europa: This Hazy IPA actually came out last Sunday and features a wonderfully spicy hoppy citrus profile. with a mango and apricot malt flavors. Galaxy hops are getting old to me but this showcases them in a whole new way. Not bitter, but “rack” spice forward. Easy drinking & full of tropical gravy. Very nice. 6.7%  - Only available at TF.

Uinta - Children of the Corn Black Saison: This debuts today from Uinta's R&D dept. Look for a whiff of chocolate that gives way to hints of allspice, nutmeg and clove. Belgian yeast adds subtle fruity notes and depth. 5.0% - Only at Uinta.

Ogden River - Devine Apparition: This limited release was made to celebrate ORB's one-year anniversary. This dark sultry Baltic Porter has a rich tan head and bold aromas of dates, chocolates, prunes, caramel, and dark toasted vanilla. A full-bodied beer with a warm finish. Available at Ogden River Brewing.

Strap Tank - Lil' Scot: This Scottish style wee beer is malt forward with creamy caramel, toast and light floral hops. This is a table beer perfect for meals and session drinking. 4.0% - Available at Strap Tank (Springville).

Hopkins - Don't Use Jelly Tangerine IPA: Nice citrus profile. Not sweet but you can tell that there’s tangerine juice. Finish is dry, but not super bitter. I like it’s drying citrus qualities a lot. 5.0% - Only at Hopkins.

Toasted Barrel - Fall Beer: This limited ale features Cranberry, maple and cinnamon with a lightly malted base. 5.0% - Only at Toasted Barrel.

RoHa - Mild and Free: This was made from the second running’s of RoHa’s Nights Out Stout. Traditionally this is called a “small beer” and it’s the best way of getting every drop of goodness from the malts.

RoHa - Dad Bod: This is a sour brown ale. Big bracing tartness with some balancing caramel malt sweetness lurking beneath. Puckering finish. 5.0% - Only at RoHa.

Mountain West - Ghosted Hard Cider: This limited release offers the intense flavors of Ghost Pepper with only a mild amount of hot spice on the finish. This cider balances the spice with the full flavored apple base that Mountain West is known for. 6.8% - Only available at Mountain West. 

Stone - Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout: Dark roast malt, candied pecan, dark chocolate. Subtle bourbon, but still there. Burnt caramel/molasses, rye spice with slight bitterness and alcohol burn on back end. Well balanced and lots going on.  13.0% - Found at the Bayou. 

Pipeworks - Spice Latte: Oat Ale with pumpkin puree, Dark Matter coffee, lactose, vanilla, and pumpkin spices. Basically, if you like Pumpkin Spice lattes, this is a beer for you. 6.8% - Found at the Bayou.

Returning Favorites 

2 Row - Devine Lunacy: The barrel aged quad is back! aged in bourbon barrel for nearly a year. The bourbon is nearly overpowering at first, but once you palate adjusts the bubblegum and peach from Quad begin to assert themselves. Very nice! 11.5% - Available at 2 Row Brewing.

Level Crossing - Red Sea Rift: Really strong rich roasted coffee dominates the nose. A touch of dark chocolate is there, but the coffee roastiness is the main factor here. Taste starts with a rich dark chocolate, slowly turning over to a deep, rich coffee and a moderately high bitterness. Coffee character on the backside overrides the other flavors. 9.6%

Bewilder - Mole Porter: This has a solid Porter body without a doubt. There is a bit of chocolate and maple up front. Those flavors give way to chili, cinnamon and peppers. Not much heat – butr the mole spects drive you to the finish.This was Bewilder's first beer above draft level and it hits at 6.0%. 

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/22/21

You'll see your world in a whole new way after sampling the massive amount of tasty suds that your favorite beer spots have to offer this weekend.

Level Crossing - Rising Hope: This fruited IPA supports children's cancer charities and is part of a nation collaboration.  Passion fruit hits off the top with the mango coming in next. Malt profile is nice but mostly hidden behind the fruit. Orange juice rounds it out with a good dose of bitterness for balance. The finish is long & lingering. 6.5% - Available at Level Crossing.

 Level Crossing - Idaho 7 Wet Hop: This will debut Saturday. 5.0% - Only at Level Crossing. 

Grid City - Ghost Pepper Mango Azacca Whole Flower Dry-Hopped Nitro Pale Ale: Peppers & mango up front. The heat is real, the ghost peppers are not at full strength but there’s definetly  some fuego involved. They’re offering to cut it with nitro pale if you’re not into the whole heat thing, there’s a nice pale beneath with nice citrus and mango qualities. Tasty stuff. 5.0% - Only at Grid City.

Wasatch - Brave Noise: This beer was made to support safe spaces and inclusive environments by requesting breweries be transparent with their policies and commit to long-term work. Nice citrus qualities with notes of pineapple and melon. Crazy drinkability. 5.0% - Available at All Wasatch locations.

Epic - Big Bad Baptist (Double Jam): This version of BBB features Raspberry, blackberry, and coffee.  Sweet blackberry that stands out and jives well with the base chocolate and the whiskey/vanilla sweetness. Sweet caramel and vanilla linger in the end with a slight booziness. There is also a hint of raspberry in the finish. 11.1% 

RoHa - Bodhi Brett Beer: The first beer in RoHa's 'Point Break' Brett Beer Series honors Bodhi 'Bodhisattva', dreamy surf hunk and the head of the Ex-Presidents gang. Funk & horse blanket. Nice berry fruitiness (no fruit added). A really tasty combo of funk, malt & age. Sadly I’m drinking the last one, must have been quite popular. The next in the series should be our soon. 5.0%. 

Fisher - Stream Access Ale: This special Hazy Pale Ale was brewed with the Utah Stream Access Coalition and gives a nod to the unclear rules and regulations surrounding public access to Utah rivers. Dry-hopped exclusively with Citra, this hazy is slightly lighter in color than recent iterations, but is perfectly hazy. Low to no bitterness, the beer pops with ample fruity, citrus aromas. A portion of proceeds from the entire 10 barrel batch of beer will be donated to the USAC. 5.0% - Only at Fisher.

Fisher - Uranium Maiden American Honey Wheat: This beer was made to coincide, and celebrate Kate Mcleod's this new album of the same name. The beer itself is ultra refreshing. Low on bitterness, the smooth graininess from the wheat is apparent, while a slight acidity is is present, courtesy of high carbonation playing off the mild astringency left over from the fermented honey. A very nice beer for the few warm days ahead, 5.0% - only at Fisher.

Hopkins - Friendly Introduction Pale Ale #16: Hopkins' house pale ale is brewed with locally grown and malted Solstice Mild Malt, then dry-hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Centennial, Chinook, and Cascade. Tropical, citrus and stone fruit aromas and flavors are the highlight of this pale ale while allowing a delicate malty backbone with minimal bitterness and a dry finish. 5.0% - Only available at Hopkins

Hopkins - Deseret Dunkel: Not “dessert” not “desert”; say “deh·zr·et”. This is Hopkins' version of a Munich Dunkel. The aroma is malty and bready, while the flavor profile is rich and complex; displaying notes of toasted bread, chocolate, and graham cracker, with a minimal bitterness. A delicious dark lager without the roasty character of a stout or a porter. 5.0% - Only available at Hopkins

Hopkins - Campfire Smoked Lager: This is Hopkins' version of a German Rauchbier. Local cherry-wood smoked malt from Solstice Malt adds a distinct smokiness with some light crystal and aromatic malts to give it a nice malty backbone but a nice crisp finish. 5.0% - Only available at Hopkins

Bewilder - Mouth Hugs: Missed this one. 5.0% - Only available at Bewilder 

Offset Bier - Stivot: This is a modern hop forward lager made with Motueka and Centennial hops. Intense with hop flavors of lemon and lime, subtle bready flavors from the German Pilsner base and a dry, crisp, snappy finish. Lagered for 5 weeks. Think the Sprite soda version of a beer. 5.0% - Only available at Offset Bier.

Shades - Hazy Brah (Tall Pines): Brewed with Spruce tips, juniper, pine cones, fir tips and dry hopped with Simcoe. If you like piney IPAs you'll be in heaven with this one. The juniper adds a nice balancing fruitiness that is subtle snappy. I'm loving this so much! 7.0% - At Shades.

Beer Zombies - Evil Haze: A big DDH hazy DIPA with Citra, Mosaic & Galaxy that's absolutely stuffed full of hoppy, hazy deliciousness! Fresh pineapple, ripe mango & juicy peaches blend together with a blueberry lemonade back end that comes cutting through the can!  9.666% - Only available at Beer Zombies 

Beer Zombies - The Hoppy Horror Picture Show: A DDH Hazy Double IPA, oozing with Ekuanot! Citra! Amarillo! They went all big citrus on this one, grapefruit, lime, lemon and loads of juicy orange. With a hint of floral sweetness and ripe peaches rounding out the back end. 9.1% - Only available at Beer Zombies 

Mason Ale Works/Booze Brother's Brewing - Bothers of the Freemason: This beer contains nothing but Citra. The two breweries tracked down every different variation of the Citra hop they could find to create this citrus bomb. Containing Cryo Citra, Incognito Citra, and regular T90 Citra hop pellets, this beer is much more complex than your standard single hop beer. 9.0% - Only available at Slackwater

Mason Ale Works - Dankenstein's Monster: Just in time for the spooky season, this monstrous unfiltered double IPA packed is packed to the brim with classic and dank hops. We pieced together this monster with Cascade, CTZ, Chinook, Centennial, and Simcoe giving you big citrus. big pine, and all the dankness you could ask for. 10.0% - Only available at Slackwater

Mason Ale Works - Bride of Dankenstein: This Classic west coast single IPA is the significant other, or bride so to speak, to Danknestein's monster. Mason sewn together a bouquet of Citra, Idaho 7, Cascade, Cashmere, Strata, and Amarillo to create a beer that is lighter and more fruit forward than her more monstrous other half. - 7.0% - Only available at Slackwater

Mason Ale Works - Jambi: Their flagship IPA features flavors of aggressive Pine and Citrus. Classic hop notes from a blend of Amarillo, Cascade, Simcoe and Mosaic 7.2% - Only available at Slackwater

Mason Ale Works - Sword of Surtr: A giant pastry stout named after a fire giant. See what they did there? Much like Surtr, the fire giant prophesied to destroy Asgard during Valhalla, this giant of a stout is sure to destroy your taste buds with big Coffee, Oreo, Vanilla, and Chocolate notes. 13.0% - Only available at Slackwater.

Great Northern Brewing - Going to the Sun: 5.0% - Only at Uinta Brewing in 12 ounce cans, Soon to grocery stores.

Great Northern Brewing - Huckleberry Lager: 5.0% - Only at Uinta Brewing in 12 ounce cans and draft. Soon to grocery stores.

Lagunitas - Hazy Wonder IPA: Missed this one. 6.0% Found at the Bayou.

Lagunitas - StereoHopic #2: Missed this one. 7.2% Found at the Bayou.

Revision - Boogie Bus: Missed this one. 6.0% Found at the Bayou.

Revision - Soul Gangster: Missed this one. 6.5% Found at the Bayou.

Revision - Invitation to Party: Missed this one. 8.5%. Found at the Bayou.

Prairie Ales-  Christmas Bomb!: Missed this one. 13.0% Found at the Bayou.

Prairie Ales - Seasick Crocodile: Missed this one. 6.3% Found at the Bayou.

Cascade - Northwest Flanders: Missed this one. 7.1% Found at the Bayou.

Cascade - Pineapple Dragon: Missed this one. 7.2% Found at the Bayou.

Here are this week's Small Batch beers from Hopkins Brewing.

Cheers!