New Beer Friday 6/5/20

No matter where you fall in this long overdue societal upheaval; at least here, in this small corner of the interwebs, I think that we can all agree that craft beer is the unifying factor. And if we can all find common ground here, we can find it anywhere. So let's all unify around all of the liquid happiness we have swirling around us this week.

Shades - Pleasantly Pickled: The dill is of course most prominent. The pineapple is fairly subdued, with the chilies taking the rest of the load. This is quite different than many of the other kveiks that you've had from Shades and it's due to the low lactose levels and the intensity of the herbs and spices used. It's good on its own or as a cocktail mixer. Think: cheleda, bloody mary, margarita or as a pickle back. 6.5% - Only at Shades.

Cerveza Zólupez - Lager Mexicano: Before the pandemic Zólupez owner, Javier Chavez Jr. traveled to the city of Monterrey in Northern Mexico to make a collaborative beer with one of that regions premier brewers, Cerveceria Cabrito. Using Chavez's lager recipe they produced a classic Mexican lager. Ironically these lager have their roots in traditional German beers. This lager has a subtle malt profile with Saaz hops providing a slight zest. at 5.0% it's pleasantly dry and very crushable. This beer is just hitting the Ogden area and will so be in wide release.

Toasted Barrel - Pineapple Smoothie: Missed this one. However I understand this to be a barrel aged sour with the characteristics of of a kettle soured smoothie style ale. I'm very curious. Only at Toasted Barrel.

Bewilder - Mexican Lager: Sweet and grainy malts add a soft bread-like maltiness with a touch of toast. The hops are Nobel-like and add some nice grassiness and spice. Very drinkable on a warm June afternoon. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Level Crossing - Berry Hazy: This is an American style pale, with a good amount of citrus qualities from the hops. The berry medley used adds a complimentary fruitiness that works extremely well with the base beer and it never falters until the end of the swig. 5.0% - Only at Level Crossing.

Four Peaks - Gilt Lifter: I don't know if this is the right style of beer (Scottish Ale) to take you into the low cal/carb game. There are some nice sugary notes but, you really want those big toffee flavors in styles like this. This more of a pool or recreating beer. 3.4% - Found at Harmons.

Great Divide Car Camper: Nice grapefruit notes, good aromatics with hint of dank bitterness detected. Dry hopped grapefruit is upfront and forward with some piney elements as well. The malt profile is light which makes the beer finish failed dry. Pretty good, you could kill a few of these no problem. 5.0% - Found at Harmons.

Deschutes - Lil' Squeezy: Citrusy hops with bread hops that creep into cracker territory. The taste starts somewhat herbal with some caramel and tropical fruits. Hints of citrus and melon with a long dry finish. 5.0% - found at Harmons.

New Belgium - VooDoo Ranger American Haze: Some star citrus fruitiness in the nose with some cereal like grains. The flavor follows with low bitterness. 5.0% - Found at Harmons.

Firestone Walker - Fly Jack: Herbal nose with some grapefruit. Upon first sip there's  lot of grapefruit, with some earthy hops as well. The flavor has more citrus hops with some lemongrass as well. Notes of pineapple linger towards the end. finishes with some orange pith. Another entry into the low-cal beer game.

Returning Favorites:

TF - Who's Barry?: In this new iteration look for a slight reduction in lactose sweetness with an increase in overall berry fruitiness. Slightly more tannic which helps it keep that fresh fruitiness. The mouthfeel seems to have a creamier feel as well.

Hopkins Chile Mangose: This beer was originally made as a collaboration with Salt Flats for last year's Utah Brewers Guild Collaboration Festival. This version has been bumped up to 5.0%. The chilies provide more flavor than heat in this sour based beer. Ever tried mango dusted with chiles? it's very much like that; with less intensity. A wonderful beer. Only at Hopkins.

Hopkins also has a huge selection of small batch beers to offer this weekend.  Check these out!


Cheers!

New Beer Friday 8/30/19

Proper - Purple Rain: This is a Helles with blackberry and lime added. Nice tasting beer but you don't get too much of the Helles nice blackberry and lime flavors. 4.0% - at Proper Brewing.

Proper - Boston Girl: Nice tropical flavors with a good dose of citrus peel. A solid NEPA. 4.0% - at Proper Brewing

Proper - Foe Hammer: Another NEPA, this one is dosed with blood orange. The fruit kinda takes over the flavor, but not enough to to mute the hops. Nice beer. 4.0% -  at Proper Brewing

Proper - Bier Rose: This one is kinds muddled. Strawberry, Pomegranate and Hibiscus. The hibiscus kinda steals the show from the fruits; muting their flavors. 4.0% - At Proper Brewing

Level Crossing - Three Oaks Uncommon: I thought putting this beer on three different types of oak would make it real papery. Not at all the oak adds nice toasty and sweet flavors that are subtle and balanced. Very nice. 4.0% - at Level Crossing.

Kiitos - Northeast Pale Ale + Raspberries: This a very limited batch beer made to support the UofU's football team in last nights game. The aroma is hoppy with raspberry. The taste is basically, raspberry smoothie. Very tasty if you like raspberry. 4.0% - at Kiitos

Surly - Todd-The Axe Man: Tangy citrus, tropical fruits, maybe a little melon with a bit of pine in the end. Malts are nice and sweet. Solid IPA. 7.2% found at Beerhive, Bayou 

Firestone Walker - Old Man Hatten: The aroma smells like a Manhattan cocktail with some musty German spices. Te taste starts syrupy with some nice gingerbread and some holiday fruit cake. I get what they were trying to do here, but it comes across as a dessert dresssed up like cocktail, trying to be a beer. Didn't quite work for me. 9.6% - found at Beerhive and Slackwater.

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 4/6/18

It's pretty much an all local New Beer Friday, less a couple of Firestone Walker beers. Have a great weekend.

2 Row Hop Dust Ekuanot - Pours a hazy, medium golden amber with an aroma of citrus and pine, lemon and mixed tropical fruit. The flavor is caramel, citrus hops, light mixed tropical fruit, lemon and grapefruit. The hop flavor tapers off into a slightly astringent citrus rind finish. 8.1% ABV. Available at 2 Row, Beer Bar, Bayou - soon to most better beer pubs.

Squatters Hop Rising Tropical - The nose is fruity with lots of citrus peel and tropical fruits. The taste has pineapple right out of the gate with a good dose of tangerine and mango backing it up. The malt is subtly balanced with a bit of melon in the finish. 9.0% ABV. I had it at the UBC's West Side Tavern. It should be popping up at most Squatters/Wasatch locations anytime. 

Kiitos Grapefruit Pale Ale - The nose here has grapefruit peel and pine with a bit of malt sweetness. The taste is your tyical pale with addition of grapefruit juice. You can tell it's real juice because it's puckering on the sides of the tongue. Nice and refreshing. 4.0% ABV. Available at Kiitos.

Epic Beach Bash - This is a collaboration with Beachwood Brewing out of California. It's made with  passion fruit, pineapple and pink guava. It's in Epic's limited release growlers. A very limited supply. Not sure about the ABV here. Available at Epic Brewing

Firestone Walker Nitro Merlin - Nice looking ebony color with that great dense creamy tan head. The aroma is chocolaty with light coffee. The taste has chocolate, dark caramel, cocoa, and coffee with little bitterness. Very nice. 5.5% ABV. I found it at Beerhive, the Bayou also has some.

Stone Enjoy by 4/20/18 - You can always rely on Utah to bring in these beers at the last minute. Oh well, better late than never. The aroma is an intense tropical resin, backed by sweet malt.
The flavor is intense intense tropical fruit, citrus, bitter orange, tangerine, peach, papaya, lime and  dank pine with solid bitterness lingering at the end. Not for the timid. 9.4% ABV. Avaiable at the Bayou.

Uinta Berliner with Guava -  This one goes on tap around 11am today. I will let you know my impressions at 3:30 PM with Mick and Allen on the New Beer Friday segment on KBER 101.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday the 13th Part Deux

Be warned, I'm feeling a little ornery on this New Beer Friday morning. I desperately need a little attitude adjustment. Any suggestions?

2 Row Breakfast Stout: The newest entry from 2 Row has a nice aroma of coffee and some herbal hops. The Taste follows with some smoked molasses added and cocoa as well. The end is surprisingly hoppy and herbal. It's slightly over-hopped which seems to muddle the coffee flavors in my opinion. It looks like it's quite a hit. Don't wait too long, it moving fast! 7.8% ABV  Available at 2 Row and your better beer bars and restaurants.

Lagunitas Eroica: Th is new beer from Lagunitas pours a light amber color with little head retention. The nose tart and oaky with a bit of vinegar. It tastes mildly tart with oak-y red wine and tart cherry. A bit of vinegar in the end as well. It finishes dry with lingering sour notes. It's light and tasty, though I'm note sure what this beer is trying to be. Fuck it. Let it just be a tasty, tart beer. 8.0% ABV. Available at  Dick n Dixie's, Beerhive with more places being added.

Firestone Walker 2017 Helldorado: This "light barley wine" has notes caramel, vanilla and bourbon. Big malt sweetness hits right off the bat. with nutty cereal and caramel. Some honey flavors try to push out next but it's soon overtaken by oak-y bourbon. Most of the bitterness seems to come from the wood rather than hops. Seems to lack some of the balance it had from previous years. Still; a fine barley wine in any regard. Available at Dick n Dixie's and Beer Bar.

Talisman Witches Brew: I haven't hooked up with this witch yet. This is a Kolsch at it's base. And it's brewed with cranberries, orange peel and typical fall spices. 6.1% ABV. Available at Talisman's Brewery.

Mother Earth Four Seasons Autumn: I haven't had this one yet. I just couldn't commit to 22 ounces of 11.7% beer, solo. This is a barrel aged version of their Sin Tax Peanut butter Stout. I'm currious to see how this one works out. Have you had it? Please share, if you have. Available at Beerhive, Beer Bar, La Ferrovia, The Bayou.

Park City Oktoberfest: Caramel sweetness, a little nutty with Nilla Wafer notes and some grassy herbal hops. A nice seasonal offering from Park City Brewery. 4.0% ABV. Available at PCB's Brewery and Beer Bar.

Great Divide Chai Yeti: This new edition to Great Divide's Yeti series has dark chocolate and bitter cocoa notes with smooth chai and autumn spices rounding it out. It has some sweet latte qualities that chai fans will love. 9.5% ABV.  I found it at Beer Bar.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 5/26/17

Happy New Beer Friday! I hope you all have a safe and long weekend. There's a lot of tasty stuff out there to help you kick off summer right.

Cigar City: Jai Alai - This IPA pours a very clear, golden copper color with a nose that has pine and citrus. The taste follows the nose, with some pine up front, followed by a huge wave of malts. The finish is full of bitter citrus and pineapple.7.5% ABV @ Dick n' Dixie's, DABC, Bayou

Perrin: Black Goat Lager - Not tried this one yet. 5.8% ABV @ Bayou, DABC

Payette: Aura: Guava and Hibiscus - Not tried this yet, sounds interesting. 4.0% ABV @ Beer Bar

Firestone Walker: Luponic Distortion #6 - It has a nose of pine and citrus - a wee bit of pepper too. Big earthy bitterness dominates the taste with grapefruit peel and pine backing up some crackery malts. Not my favorite version of Luponic, but it's still pretty great. 5.9% ABV @ Beerhive, Beer Bar

Firestone Walker: Leo vs Ursus - The nose has mango, pineapple, vanilla and caramel. The taste starts with apricot, pineapple and orange peel. Sweet caramel malts come next with tropical and earthy hops backing it all up. finishes slightly sweet. For a DIPA it has a great balance - not too cloying and easy to drink. I liked this one a lot. 8.2% ABV @ BeerHive, Beer Bar

Laughing Dog: The Dogs of Helles - The nose has apple sweet grains with floral hops. The taste has a bit of creamed corn and nutty caramel. Finishes with grassy/floral hops. 4.0% ABV @ Harmons

Laughing Dog: The DogFather - The nose has chocolate, roasted malt, plum and bourbon. The taste starts with molasses, licorice, fudge abd wood. Vanilla, raisin coffee and bourbon. A bit of ash in the finish. Nice barrel aged stout. 11.0% ABV. @ Slackwater

Proper: Hop vs Hop 7 - This is being released today. This version is hopped with Eureka and Simcoe hops. 8.2% ABV. @ Proper

Avenues Proper: New Zealand Lager - This version is hopped with Dr. Rudi and Rakau hops. Not triedit yet. 4.0% ABV. @Avenues Proper

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 3/31/17

Sometimes you need to trust those who are more brilliant than yourself. Happy New Beer Friday!
 
Uinta Hopscursion #2 - This version has more pineapple notes than the previous version due to the addition of Mosaic, Simcoe, and Denali hops. The 100% brett fermented base is full of funky, doughy yeasty notes that give this beer a full and round body. Drink this fresh! This brett beer is not for aging. 6.5% ABV @ Uinta,
 
New Belgium Citradelic - Not tried this one yet. it's described as being a Tangerine IPA brewed with Citra hops, orange peel and orange. 6.0% ABV @ DABC
 
Stone Enjoy by 4/20/17 - This DIPA is very clean and balanced. It's citrucy proifile is assertive but not over the top and it's 9.4% ABV is well hidden. A must try. @ Bar Bar, Beerhive, Slackwater, Dick n Dixie's
 
Proper New Zeangland Hazy Session IPA - Featuring Waimea, Motueka, and Wai-iti hops. These impart the tropical notes you've come to expect with grapefruit peel, pith and a wee bit o' pine. The hops leave a lingering bitterness on the sides of the tongue. Quite nice. 4.0% ABV @ Proper
 
Boulevard Rye on Rye X: Sazerac Cocktail - I haven't tried this one yet, but I'm a big fan of the previous versions. Add the Sazerac Rye Barrel to it and I imagine that it's going to be brilliant! This beer is based on the New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac. The official recipe is composed of rye whiskey, absinthe or Herbsaint, a sugar cube and bitters all garnished with a lemon peel. To translate this classic cocktail into a beer, Boulevard brewed batches of the base rye beer that received spice additions mimicking bitters as well as lemon peel during the boil. The resulting wort was fermented with their house Scottish ale yeast before being aged in freshly emptied Templeton Rye barrels. 11.8% ABV @ The Bayou

Firestone Walker Bravo - Incredibly rich and smooth and complex with notes of graham cracker, tobacco, bourbon, coconut, orange marmalade, cherries, raisins, toffee, apricots, kiwi, and pralines. Holy shit! This is a phenomenal barleywine that you must try. @ Beerhive, Beer Bar, Slackwater

The Results are in, and it looks like it's going to be a 2 Row party in the finals this year. As you can see below, the voting was very close. But in the end 2 Row's fan base won out. 2 Row has pretty much dominated the entire competition, coming a long way in their brief time in the market. So, 2 Row's Tastes Like Citrus IPA and Dark Alley Imperial Stout will go head to head on Monday to see which beer is most beloved. After that we will begin the Session Beer Competition.

Cheers!

Total	Answer
51.5%	2 Row Tastes Like Citrus IPA	103 (51.5%)
48.5%	RedRock Paardebloem	97 (48.5%)

(200 Total Votes)

 Total

	Answer
51.01%	2 Row Dark Alley	101 (51.01%)
48.99%	RedRock Elephino DIPA	97 (48.99%)

(198 Total Votes)

New Beer Friday 8/21/15

Anheuser Busch Oculto - Came across this one on an end of the isle display at Harmon's. Didn't get a chance to try it. Oculto is described as having a hazy, straw color with a nose lemon, tequila and pale malt. Tastes of slight tequila, slight hop, strong citrus (lemon) and a hint of pale malt. 4.0% ABV @ Harmon's

Avenues Proper Marmalade Wheat - Havn't had the pleasure yet. looks to be an American wheat ale orange characteristics. perfect for clearing the smokey air from your lungs. 4.0% ABV @ Avenues Proper

Firestone Walker Helldorado - Pours a light, hazy amber/straw color With a great nose of mild citrus, oak, toffee and honey. The taste starts with honey, caramel, vanilla, coconut. Mild hops manage to break their way through next with shortbread and Bourbon rounding out the back end. The finish is slightly boozy and sweet with mild tannins. 13.2% ABV @ BeerHive - Beer Bar - Bayou

Cheers!

Firestone Walker Beer Dinner

The Annex by Epic Brewing is hosting Firestone Walker Brewing Company for a very unique beer dinner. Guests will have the chance to sample several Firestone Walker beers not available in Utah, including the extremely limited “Proprietor’s Vintage” §ucaba, Barley Wine, and Parabola, Russian Imperial Stout. “This dinner is a fantastic opportunity for locals to get to know a few of the terrific beers Firestone Walker is producing.” explains Marcel Paramore, General Manager at The Annex.  

Chef Craig Gerome has written a five course menu that begins with light spring flavors which complement the herbal qualities of well hopped beer. He then explores the complex and earthy characteristics of Saison paired with Bouchout Mussels before moving into the robust realm of barely wine and herb basted rib eye. For desert a Black Berry Vol-au-vent contrasts with the well-aged Parabola, a Russian Imperial Stout.

Elizabeth Isenbart, Firestone Walker’s Territory Manager will be attending the dinner to discuss the beers with guests. Seating is very limited. The event will consist of a 5 course beer pairing ($43 for dinner $22 for optional beer pairing) This event will be held on  June 1st  6:00 pm.  Please call The Annex at 801-742-5490 for reservations.

Cheers!

New "Big" Beer Friday

Quite a few "big" boozy beers for your New Beer Friday. Your tongues are in for a full frontal assault, so make sure your travel plans are in order before proceeding.

Firestone Walker §ucaba - Pours black with some dense brown foam. The nose is smooth with chocolate, caramel, toffee, candied fruit and char. The taste starts with a chocolate brownie character. A bit of fudge comes in next with Bourbon, oak, coconut and vanilla rounding out the end. It's one of the finest barleywines you'll find. So damn delicious! 12.50% ABV @ limited DABC stores

Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Narwhal - Pours a viscous black with a thin cap of light brown foam. The nose  has dark chocolate. Lots of tart, dark fruit, vanilla and a hint of Bourbon. I think the best way to describe the taste of this beer is simply Bourbon soaked tiramisu. Big coffee, chocolate and vanilla notes with a bit of boozy burn. Complex and wonderful. 12.9% ABV @ Limited DABC, Beer Bar.

New Belgium Salted Chocolate Stout - Black in appaerance with a nose of phenolic Belgian yeast, banana, asphalt, vanilla and chocolate. The taste is similar to the nose...lots of belgian esters, roasted marshmallows, moderate roast with a touch of coffee, some oaky notes in the middle. The end has a slight herbal bitterness. A hint of sodium in the finish. 9.0% ABV @ Beer Bar, Bayou, Beerhive, Limited DABC stores

Sockeye High Lakes Session IPA - I haven't had this one yet. Sockeye describes it as a session-style IPA is crafted with the full flavors and aromas of its big brother (Dagger Falls IPA), but with a low alcohol by volume so as to increase drinkability without losing its signature full hop character. It has a fresh, piney hop aroma with a slight hint of caramel malt to balance the bite, and a hop forward flavor with citrus up front and a mild spiciness throughout. Comes in at a whopping 80 IBUs 4.0% ABV  @ Maverik C-stores, Smith’s Food stores, and Walmart Superstores.

Hive Preacher's Son Blueberry Honey Wine - This Melomel is described as having a silky smooth mouth feel and rich color, this pleasantly sweet wine will delight the senses. Rich, flavorful blueberry dominates the front flavor with delightful, delicate notes of clover honey. 13.3% ABV @ Hive Winery Note: this bottle features our friends Nate & Misti Cobb, steam'n up the label with a bit of "Romance de foncé".

The Annex's Firkin will be pouring their Annex Golden Ale with Haribo Gummi Bears. Yup! I said, Gummi Bears. I admit, I am curious. The Bayou has The Annex IPL in their firkin, it will be dosed with Swedish Fish. So If you feel your not not getting enough gelatin in your beer, today is your hoof smacking day. I guess it goes without saying these gummi beers are not Vegetarian/Vegan friendly. The Bayou taps at 3:30 - Annex at 4pm.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday: Choose the Beer (CtB) Edition

Had this nice young man that "hates me" chosen the beer instead of the right he may not be in the cocaína fueled pickle he's in now. Max, try craft beer. It's legal, it's tasty and there's a whole new bunch of it today in New beer Friday!

The Annex - Single Hop Golden Ale with Galaxy Hops: The nose has pineapple, orange, and pine. The taste starts with a subtle malt sweetness. Pineapple notes and dank pine bitterness round-out the back end. The finish has a slight yeast breadlines. Damn tasty and drinkable. A nice single hop ale. 4.0% ABV @ The Annex and Beer Bar.

Deschutes - Foray Belgian IPA: The nose is malty with apple, pear and citrus. Hints of Belgian yeast spiciness as well. The taste starts with citrus zest, apple and pear flavors. Mild hop bitterenss and spicy yeast notes follow. The finish is nice and crisp. The fruity and mild Belgian yeast qualities make this a tasty and easy to drink Belgo-IPA. Worth your time! 6.5% ABV @ Beerhive

Firestone Walker - Oaktoberfest: The nose has biscuit malt and a touch of grassy hops. The flavor starts with caramel and biscuit malt. A nice touch of vanilla follows with light grassy hops rounding out the back. This is a tasty beer but not the best representation of a traditional marzen. 4.6% ABV @Beerhive

Kujukuri - Ocean Weizen: Big banana and spices in the nose. The taste starts fruity with banana and a touch of oranges. Spicy hops come next drying the beer out a little. The end has a nice sour edge with a touch more bitterness. A rich, Japanese Berliner weisse that is surprisingly refreshing. 5.5% ABV @ Takashi Sushi

Iwate Kura Japanese Herb Ale Sansho: The nose has strong notes of parsley, oregano and thyme. The taste starts with spicy thyme and parsley. Pleasant honey, caramel and ginger come nest with a nice herbal bitterness rounding out the end. For an herbal beer it's pretty drinkable. 5.5% ABV @ Takashi Sushi

Echigo Stout: The nose has roasted malts and some earthy chocolate. The flavor starts with nutty/roasty malts. Fig and currant sweetness come next. The end has more earthy chocolate with some nice espresso flavors. It finishes with some lingering smokey notes. 7.0% ABV @ Takashi Sushi

Returing Champions

Uinta Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale: Pours a dark copper orange. The nose is of sweet malt, pumpkin pie spices, vanilla, and some wood notes. The taste is of sweet malt and pumpkin puree up front while nutmeg, allspice vanilla and Bourbon round out the finish. The spices add a sight earthy bitterness that lingers on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is an incredibly delicious pumpkin ale with a nice balance of all the flavors. One of the best pumpkin beers, in the Universe.

Bohemian Octoberfest: The nose contains caramelized malts, fruit, some grassy hops and spices. The taste starts out sweet with flavors of fruit and caramel. Then some breadiness comes in from a hearty malt character and lager yeast. The hops presence is mild but brings some balance. Another excellent lager from Bohemian!

Kampai!

New Beer Friday 6/27/14

Had a lot of "research" to do last night. I do it for you my brothers and sisters in beer land. Here's some of the data I was able to collect for this weeks New beer Friday.

Squatters Hop Riot: Grapefruit hops in the nose. Quite a bitter citrus flavor, very smooth and a bit creamy with wheat and malt. Very drinkable. Not particularly complex but very decent Session IPA. 4.0% ABV @ Squatters

Bohemian Düsseldorfer Altbier:  pours a clear reddish brown with a moderate cap of beige head. The nose has strong toast with some medium caramel sweetness - hint of pine. The taste has strong malt up front with toasty crackers char and cocoa. Grassy and herbal hops pop in next with a hint of earthy cherry and biscuit in the finish. The flavor is complex and defiantly worth getting your hands on. 6.0% ABV @ Bohemian, Beerhive, Beer Bar, Liquor Stores next week. 

Bohemian Export Lager: pours a clear golden hue with two fingers of thick soapy white foam. The nose is full of  biscuit and bread, some mild grassy/floral hops "punch-up" from behind. The taste starts off bready with some toasty malt as well. Hints of lemon and grassy alfalfa-like hops round out the end. It finishes dry, clean, and with a mild floral hops notes. 5.3% ABV
@ Bohemian, Beerhive, Beer Bar, Liquor Stores next week.

Boulevard Love Child # 4: I havn't had a chance to try this one yet, from what I understand it's a little different from Love Child #3. #4 is made by blending batches of beer, aged for between 11 months and 5 years in whiskey barrels (50%), wine foeders (15%), and stainless steel tanks (35%). The beer gets it's funk from Boulevard's Saison-Brett Lactobaccillus and Brettanomyces yeast strains. 9.0% ABV @Beerhive

Firestone Walker Opel: Hazy or clear - depending on what part of the bottle you get. The nose is lemony with floral/herbal hop notes - light yeast ester as well. The taste starts with great lemon and tangerine flavors with awesome phenolic notes from the yeast. There's a vinous/herbal white grape flavor that comes next with some citrus rind hops. The end slightly pilsner-esque with some herbal/grassy notes. As Saisons go, this isn't quite textbook. As a damn fine summer beer it's off the charts! It has exceeded my high expectations. Firestone walker can do no wrong. 7.5% ABV @Beerhive

Uinta's 801 Pilsner hit shelves and taps much earlier than scheduled. It's pretty much everywhere by now. Go get 'em!

What did I miss?

Prost!

New Beer Friday the 13th!

Happy Friday everyone! Some of these may have been out for a while as I was on vacation last week and missed New Beer Friday.

Avenues Proper Marmalade Wheat: Named for Salt Lake's Marmalade neighborhood and inspired by a simple breakfast of toast with orange jam, this wheat ale is packed with flavor. The unfiltered beer pours a hazy orange with a white head and has a toasty wheat and citrus aroma. They used two kinds of dried orange peel, whole fresh oranges, Simcoe hops famed for their tangerine flavors and house-toasted wheat in the brewing process. The flavor starts warm and rich with little caramel sweetness in the body and a lasting, slightly bitter finish. The sharp orange flavors pair with the bready wheat to make a nicely balanced pint. For fans of pale ales and wit beers alike! 4.0% ABV @Avenues Proper

Bonneville Sun Twist: This refreshingly light beer was brewed with lemon peel and ginger to commemorate the birth of Head Brewer Dave Watson's first child! Congratulations Dave and Lindsay! 4.0% ABV @ Bonneville - Avenues Proper

Squatters Strawberry Kolsch: Somewhat hazy straw color. The nose is mostly malty with a bit of lemon and strawberry The taste starts toasty and malty with some cereal notes. A bit o' honey comes next with a tiny burst of strawberry in the finish. I thought the strawberry was pretty subtle, other thought it was quite pronounced. I thought it was a nice summer beer. What did you think? 4.0% ABV @ Squatters Brewpub

Mother Earth Pin Up Pale Ale: The nose is floral with big pine notes. The tastes starts with a little mango fruitiness and a dank spiciness. Herbal and cirtusy hops come next with a resiny pine citrus finish. Thin-ish body quite drinkable! 5.6% ABV @ Beerhive

Mother Earth Big Mother Triple: This has a great nose of boozy tropical and citrus fruit with some grape notes as well. This is a complex "triple IPA", with orange, grapefruit, melon, and grape flavors leading the way. There's also some sweet bread, high bitterness, and definite alcohol harshness. A definite American interpretation an the style. 10.8% ABV  @ Beerhive

Payette Outlaw IPA:  Golden/orange in color with slight haze. The nose has juicy citrus with bitter orange and grapefruit rind. hint of malt as well. The taste starts with nice grapefruit up front with a bit of sweet malt lingering in the background. Citrus peel and toast round out the end. finishes on the dry side. Quite tasty! 6.5% ABV

Firestone Walker Easy Jack: The nose has lots of grapefruit with some tropical elements. A hint of malt as well. The taste starts with clean grapefruit and lemongrass. Malt sweetness is at a minimum which creates a dry lime-like finish. A very clean and focused beer. 4.5% ABV

For Firkin Friday at the Bayou today, Hoppers is offering up the Aussie Lager. It's double dry hopped with Australian Summer hops. Once during conditioning and again in the firkin. It's light amber/orange in color. Malts have a toast and honey like flavor. The hops have an apricot flavor with a mild tropical   flower aroma and pine resin in the finish. Sounds perfect for a warm day like today. Tapping is at 3pm. 4.0% ABV




If I missed something new, please share!

Prost!

New Beer Friday 5/30/14

Happy New Beer Friday! The theme of the day is apparently Belgian-ish Quadruple Ales. Seems like an odd time of year for big boozy barrel age beers, but fear not  - there are a couple of locally made "quenchers" to help keep the balance as well.

Bohemian Rheinländische Bitterbier: The Bohemian Reasearch Team uncovered this forgotten lager style in an ancient, Rheinland tomb. It’s a hop driven lager that boasts 45 IBU’s and has an orange unfiltered appearance.  This Rheinlandische Bitterbier is dry-hopped with Tettnang for a fruity and herbal aroma that continues into subtle citrus notes for a beer that finishes clean and crisp with a pleasant bitterness that lingers long after the last sip. 4.0% @ Bohemian and select Boho accounts

Moab Little Steamer: The nose is bready with grass, pine and floral notes. The taste follows the aroma, with a sweet breadiness combined with nicely balanced floral and pine hops. The end is a bit earthy but it finishes toasty, grassy and dry. 4.0% @ Moab and Whiskey Street

Firestone Walker Stickee Monkee: The nose is big with Bourbon and oak and has a bit of a spicy Belgian notes. Slight alcohol burn as well. The taste starts with big toffee up front. Grape, plum and vanilla come next, with molasses and a hint of chocolate rounding out the end. Finishes sweet and slightly boozy. It's like a Quad had a freaky three-way with a case of Scotch and Bourbon. Delicious! 13.4% ABV @ Beerhive

Deschutes Not the Stoic: The nose has big, big malt and toffee with licorice and bourbon notes. The taste starts with Bourbon toffee and dark fruits. Cherry and grape come next with vanilla and dank barrel notes rounding out the end. For a big beer the alcohol is kept to a moderate roar - not too hot. This is on the fringe of what a Belgian Quad should be, it's quite frankly a barleywine. None the less it's complex and a brilliant beer. 12% ABV @ Beerhive

For Firkin Friday today at the Bayou, Shades of Pale is offering up their 4 Play Porter dry-hopped with Cascade and Centennial hops. Think, "Cascadian Porter".


If vodka is in your plans this weekend, the bottleshop at the Sugarhouse Distillery opens today as well. Located at 2212 South West Temple, Unit #14, Salt Lake City - the new local distillery is only offering their debut vodka for now with more labels coming down the road. The distillery's bottleshop is open from 11am to 7pm daily, closed Sunday. Drink local, People!

Prost!

New Beer Friday 1/3/14

In today's New Beer Friday, Firestone Walkers continues with "strong" offerings and the first batch of beer from the Annex is on tap now and looking to fill your glass. 

Annex Single Hop Golden Ale (Lemon Drop): The plan for this regular offing is to use different hops in every batch. Considering the size of the seven barrel brew system, this is likely to change quite often so stay on your toes. 4.0% ABV. @Annex

Firestone Walker Pivo Pils: A great, clean, simple lager with huge hop bitterness. Starts with peppery hops and biscuit. Toasted grain and crackers come next with subtle floral and lemonrass rounding it out. This is a really nice dryhopped pils. If you've stayed clear of Pilsners for a while it's time to come back. 5.3% ABV @Beerhive

Firestone Walker XVII Anniversary Ale: Big Bourbon up front. Toffee, chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla, , toffee, fig and molasses follow. It's got quite a full body and has a abv of 13.3%. It's a little young, could probably use a couple months in the bottle. @Beerhive and eventually Liquor stores

Roosters Up a Kriek: An interpretation on a light, tart cherry lambic. @Roosters

Today's Firkin at the Bayou is courtesy Unsacred Brewing. Today the are pouring their Unfaithful IPA dosed with Chipotles. Tapping is at 3pm.


Cheers!

New Beer Friday 11/1/13

Tenaya Creek - God of Thunder Baltic Porter: Nice nose full of espresso, roasted malts, chocolate and dark fruits.The taste is starts with roasted malts and dark fruits. Coffee notes come next with a nutty toffee end. Finishes smooth with chocolatle and a hint of booze. A nice, full bodied Porter. @Beerhive

Firestone Walker - Velvet Mirkin Bourbon Stout: Chocolate, The nose has dark fruits, but bourbon is most prevalent. The taste starts with chocolate and espresso, nice bourbon and oak characters come through next. with a finish that is surprisingly dry. This is not a big boozzy Impy Stout, so adjust you perceptions. Firestone Walker really know their barrel aging- a must try! @BeerHive

Deschutes - Black Butte XXV (25th Birthday Reserve):  The nose is of black currants, tart berries with a healthy doses of dark chocolate, coffee and bourbon. The taste starts with dark chocolates, pine bitterness and some tartness. Roasted notes of coffee come next with bourbon, black currants, dark fruits and rich chocolate. The finish is a bit boozy with a lingering tartness. @DABC - Bayou- Beerhive


Bear Republic - Café Racer 15 IIPA:  Nose is big with grapefruit, pine and big citra hops. Mild bready malt is beneath. The taste starts with juicy grapefruit and tropical hops. Spicy dankness and pine follows up in the middle. Bready briefly, then a nice dry, crisp resinous finish. Damn yummy! @ Beerhive - Bayou

John Smith's Extra Smooth Ale: The nitro can produces a finely foamed darkish ale. The nose was of faint malt, grain and dough. The taste has toasty malt with some light caramel followed by a mild, floral hop flavor. Leaves just a hint of bitterness on the tongue. @ Grocery (I saw it at Harmon's)

For Firkin Friday @ the Bayou, Hoppers presents Rockwell's Fireside Porter. It's full of smooth chocolate and dark crystal malt flavors with a light hop finish, cask refermented with real maple syrup and with lightly toasted American Oak.

Cheers!