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 1/31/20

It's the last day of January, Dryuary, Veguary, Mortuary, or whatever. If you decided to forgo something in your life to help you get a jump on 2020, I'm officially giving you permission to dump that shit and get on with your life. This week's New Beer Friday options will defiantly help with the latter. Try not to do it all in one day like me....

TF Brewing - Fluffy Nuts: Yes, I said "Fluffy Nuts". This is a 5.0% pastry stout, and the complimenting ingredients are marshmallow and peanut butter. Fluffy Nuts debuts today; I hope to have tasting notes for you on this, later this afternoon with Mick and Allen on KBER101 at 3:30pm. Fluffy Nuts....

Proper - Peach and Mango Sour Ranger: The newest member of the Sour Rangers squad is quite tart and slightly soapy. The flavor for the most part is lemon with some mango floating around in the background. The mango becomes more pronounced towards the finish. Not much in the way of peach flavor. Enjoyable enough. 5.0% - Available at Proper

Epic - Sour Brainless Lucy: This is a tart, foeder aged, unfruited blonde ale with notes of green stone fruit and mild tannins. The effervescence is on the light side and it finishes quite dry. Lucy is the name of the foeder that had aged this particular sour beer. Sadly Lucy's day are over and she's being dismantled. All that's left is being put into crowlers and they can be found at Epic Brewing. Thanks, for all of you delicious beer, girl. 

Level Crossing - Dallas Alice: This new beer from Level Crossing is a Belgian style blonde ale. There;s some sweet earthy clove and banana in the nose. The taste follows with added candy sugar sweetness that punches up the body and flavor. German hops round out the overall providing balance. Finishes with a hint of sweetness. 6.2% - Available at  Level Crossing - There will a release party today as well.

Bewilder - Oatmeal Stout: This is not an overly roasty stout, but it does have nice cocoa notes to carry it through. The oatmeal adds smoothness to the overall feels of the beer. The nitro gas adds a perceived sweetness that is pleasant and authentic. 5.0% - Available at Bewilder

Talisman - Adventures in IPA No.5: I'm really pissed that I missed this one. Talisman went a different direction in this IPA; pursuing German hop varietal instead of American/New Zealand blends. The use of  Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertaur Blanc Hops, will likely make this a different and delicious IPA. 5.0% - Available at Talisman

Hopkins - Cranberry Farmhouse:  Brewed with cranberry and a touch of cinnamon, this beer has a
slight cranberry tartness, balanced with complex notes from the Kveik yeast. 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Apple Pie Amber:  Heavily malted with just enough hop bitterness. Brewed with apple,
cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla. It's the American classic in a glass! 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins -  Citra Hefe:  Traditional-style German Weissbier featuring Citra hops which are
very popular among IPAs for its tropical citrus aroma and flavor. 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Dankster Saison:  This "dank" saison is heavily hopped with a citrus blend and finishes
with complex spiced notes of the Belgian style yeast. 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins -  Kitchen Sink Session IPA: This beer has a heavy body for a traditional IPA, but sits nicely at 80 IBUs. 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Mango-Lime Ale:  Brewed with mangos and lime; featuring a simple grain bill with a citrus blend of hops, perfectly complimented by mango and lime. 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins - The Dude Ale: Inspired by the drink of choice of the hero in Big Lebowski, this beer is
White Russian themed. Cream ale base, lactose, vanilla, rum extract, coffee.
It really ties these small batches together, and we abide by that! 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Hopkins - Early Morning Stout:  Brewed with maple syrup, vanilla, coffee, toasted oak chips. This beer will have you feeling like you're spending time away in a cabin in the woods! 5.0% - This very small Batch beer will be available starting Saturday at Hopkins.

Roadhouse - The Walrus: I missed this Double IPA. Look for flavors of tangerine, pineapple and  melon with big tropical fruits and bitterness. 8.3% - I found it at the Bayou.

Roadhouse - Outcasty Sweet Potato Porter: Made with hand-peeled, quartered and roasted sweet potatoes, this porter has all of the classic flavors - caramel, cocoa and coffee with added earthy/nuttiness from the sweet potato. 8.0% - Also found at the Bayou.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 12/20/19

You can "use me" for all of your holiday beer research, and as a conduit for hours of classic holiday music and beer pairings (sorry Meista). The New Beer Friday Singers will be singing classics such as "All I want for Xmas is Brew", "The Little Drammer Boy" and that classic, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Haze Bro".  Be safe out there, kids!

Fisher - Holiday IPA: This hits Saturday morning and it will be one of their high point crowler releases. This is full of grapefruit peel & dehydrated orange with herbal and floral hops backing it up. West Coast IPA for sure. Nice beer. 7.0%

T.F. Holahaze:  This one drops Saturday Morning as well. Big citrus peel and herbal nose, that creeps into dank territory. Medium malt sweetness nourishes a good dose of chewy grapefruit peel that creeps into that gange territory. Not a classic ‘haze’ beer but it’s got broad appeal. 7.4% at TF starting Saturday morning.

Kiitos - Lime Salt Pilsner: there’s a fair amount of lime tartness backing sweet and toasted malts. 5.0% - Available at Kiitos.

Proper - Yacht Rock Juice Box: This has more of that herbal/citrus combo with light caramel malts.  5.0%. - Available at Proper

Proper - Bonestorm: This hopped-up amber ale hits taps today. Much more toasty than malty. Feels more like an ESB - 5.0% Available at Proper.

Bewilder - Coffee Bock: Missed this collaboration with Wasatch Beers. 5.0% - Available at Bewilder.

Bewilder - Citra Wheat Lager: Clean wheat crackers with a nice hoppy zip. Mostly tangerine & orange. Super drinkable. 5.0% - Available at Bewilder.

Heber Valley - Snake Creek BA Imperial Stout: Missed this one. 10.0% - Available at Heber Valley.

Level Crossing - Oat Slayer: 4.6% 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Level Crossing - West Coast IPA:  5.0% 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Level Crossing - Santa Slayer: Stout brewed with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, vanilla and nutmeg. 4.6% 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Level Crossing - Peppermint Slayer: Aged on Brazilian and Mongolian oak. Infused with York Peppermint Patties. 4.7% - Released on 12/21

Shades - Grape Kviek: One of my favorites in their Kveik Series. Mostly tart berries that come across as Smarties candy. 5.6% - available at Shades.

Destihl - Wild Sour Cranberry Criek: This sour evolved by merging tart cranberries with sweet cherries, normally associated with a traditional kriek, but in a kettle sour beer that is wonderfully intricate, balanced, fruity and tart. It was then dry-hopped adding a touch of citrus aroma and flavor, adding another layer of complexity with a tart finish. 5.0%. Found at DABC

Destihl - Weissenheimer Hefeweizen: This classic German-style Hefeweizen has fruity aromas and flavors of banana, clove and vanilla with a full mouthfeel and an appropriate amount of yeast haze. 5.2%. Found at DABC


Elevation - Señorita: This Imperial Porter has aromatic notes of vanilla, cinnamon and sweet milk. The beer hits the palate with vanilla, sweet chocolate malts, and a hint of cinnamon; all with a medium body and a balancing pine hop bitterness. 8.2%. Found at DABC.

The Following (for the most part) are largely exclusive to the Bayou this week. If you're a fan of sour beers the Bayou is defiantly a must stop for you this year.

Dogfish Head - Super 8: This Gose style sour ale was brewed with Hawaiian red sea salt, prickly pear, mango, boysenberry, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, and kiwi juices & toasted quinoa. It's bacically a fruit salad. 5.3%

Dogfish Head - Wood Aged Bitches Brew: This a fusion of a Russian Imperial Stout aged in American oak and an Ethiopian Tej Honey. This beer was also aged in Paraguayan, Palo Santo Wood. 9.0%.

Boulevard 30th Anniversary: This beer is a blend of nine Boulevard beers. 34% Imperial Stout in rye whiskey finished port casks –  26% Belgian Dark Strong Ale in ruby and tawny port casks – 16% Double Mashed Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels – 9% Belgian Dark Strong Ale in California sherry casks – 5% Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels – 5% Imperial Stout in Spanish sherry puncheons – 3% Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels followed by ruby/tawny port casks and 2% Belgian Dark Strong Ale in bourbon barrels. Yeah, this screams the holidays. 12.5%

Firestone Walker - Mole Merkin: This version of Velvet Merkin has dried Puya chili, cinnamon and cocoa nibs from the Dominican Republic to a brandy barrel-aged version of Velvet Merkin. The chili adds a spicy. yet approachable heat, with rich dark berry fruit flavor. The addition of cocoa nibs helps balance the heat from the peppers, adding to the mouthfeel. The result is a complex, yet delicate beer, with flavors of earthy chili pepper, cinnamon and cocoa. 7.8%

Stone Jägermeister & Arrogant Bastard Ale: Flavor-wise there's a bit of pine and black licorice up front. An oaky character brings notes of cinnamon. It finishes with dark fruits and an herbal bite - similar to strong mint tea with lemon. The flavors in this beer are extremely strong. Not for the timid. 8.5%.

Stone - Enjoy by 01/01/20: These IPAs rarely disappoint. Havn't had this one; it's more of a double at 9.4%.  

Jester King - Super Ultrameg Hyperforce: This saison has a orange, golden color with a nose of funk, tartness, melon, yeast spiciness and wheat. Taste follows, but it finishes with melon, and a nice crisp tartness. Very nice. 4.5%.

Jester King - Vague Recollection: Funky yeast with wine barrel notes. Grape must, apricot and lemon as well. Apricot and peach notes with lemon acid round it out. The mouthfeel is tart, dry and crisp. 6.0%.

Jester King -  B.A. Bier de Miel: Missed out on this 6.9% Bier de Garde.

Jester King - Das Wunderkind: This saison was refermented in oak barrels with wild yeast and souring bacteria. It was then blended with fresh, dry-hopped beer prior to bottle-conditioning. Dry and lightly tart, with notes of citrus, barnyard, and tropical fruit. 4.5%

Jester King -  Hibernal Dichotomous: This wild saison is brewed with cardamom pods and refermented with roasted beets and carrots. Notes of earthy carrots, pears, apricot, dark fruits, plum, lemongrass and beets. Finishes slight tart. 5.8%.

Jester King - Le petite Prince: Throughout Northern Europe, light-bodied, well-hopped, low alcohol table beers were often the beverage of choice with all meals at times and in places where the water wasn’t always safe to drink. This is a clear and simple expression of the delicate interplay between noble hops and farmhouse yeast. Low point beer haters need not apply. 2.9%.

Jester King -  No Whalez Here: This witbier has notes of sweet wheat crackers, plantains and coriander. Subtle floral hops play well of the white pepper from the yeast and lemony twang. 6.8%.

Jester King -Nobel King: Missed this one. This is a highly attenuated, unspiced farmhouse ale brewed with an abundance of organic noble hops, and fermented with wild yeasts from the Texas Hill Country. 5.9%.  

Prairie Artisan Ales/Evil Twin - Bible Belt: This huge Imperial Stout is based on Evil Twin Brewing's "Even More Jesus" Imperial stout, but spiced like Prairie Artisan Ales' "Bomb!" made with coffee, vanilla, chilies and cacao nibs. This one may make you clutch your pearls at 13.0%.

Prairie Artisan Ales -  Birthday Bomb: Caramel Sauce and a healthy dose of coffee and spices make this one unique from the standard Bomb! 13.0%.

Prairie Artisan Ales - Oh Fudge: This a chocolate brownie stout. The flavor is roasted malts, dark chocolate brownie and raisins. It's a bit sweet and quite tasty.11.5%.

Prairie Artisan Ales -  Bomb!: This imperial stout is aged on coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla beans and ancho chili peppers. 13.0%.

Cascade Cuvée Du Jongleur: A blending of select barrels of Cascade's Flanders Reds and soured Belgian Triples aged in oak for up to 18 months. Then blended with fresh 25° Plato, Blonde Quadruppel - then aged, allowing lactic fermentation. 8.4%.

Cascade - Rose City Sour: This is a blend of wheat and blond ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 14 months with rose petals, rose hips and hibiscus tea. Look for fresh roses matched with notes of dried cranberries, pomegranates and a hint of white pepper. 6.8%.

Cascade - Brunch Line: This sour was made with chardonnay grapes and orange zest and aged in white wine barrels. A mature, puckery, and clean sour ale. 9.6%.

Cascade - Coastal Gose: Missed this beer. 7.3%

Cascade - Coral Horizon:  This is a blend of sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 16 months with late infusions of grapefruit zest, hibiscus tea and freshly chopped ginger root. Pouring a brilliant coral-red hue reminiscent of a summer sunset, this small batch blend offers a soft, approachable acidity level with aromas of ruby red grapefruit and a refreshing ginger spice. 8.0%.

Cascade - Pistil Whipped: A blend of sour strong blond ales infused with saffron, annatto and chamomile flowers. Pouring a rich golden-yellow from the saffron’s distinct color infusion, this Sour Flower Fest creation captures saffron’s earthy, hay-like spice character with a gentle chamomile tea background. 7.6%.

Cascade - Tropical Embers: Missed this one. 7.3%.

Cascade - Vlad the Impaler: Dark Fruit with big sour and heat from the 12.5% alcohol. Notes of bourbon and a lactic bite as well. This sour quad is hugely complex.

Revision -  IPA: Simcoe hops lay the hop foundation for this extremely delicious, flavorful and quaffable American IPA. Tropical citrus, orange and pine accents meld seamlessly. Low impact bitterness, high impact aroma and flavor. Very nice IPA. 6.5%. Also at Slackwater

Revision -  Double-Up IPA: Simcoe and Mosaic hops battle for domination in your mouth. 8.0%. Also at Slackwater

Revision - Citra Slam: This West Coast IPA is of course hopped with Citra and is tropically sweet with ripe tangerine, with an edge of mango and passion fruit. 6.5%. Also at Slackwater

Petrus Cherry Chocolate Nitro Quad: This is a perfect blend of Quadrupel, using 6 different types of roasted malts and cherries. The nitrogen adds nice body to the quad, giving it more body and creaminess and making it extremely drinkable. The only Belgian Quad on nitro! 8.5%.

Have I given you enough! If not, please share, damn it!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 10/11/19

New Beer Friday may not be the biggest thing in your life, but for some of us, it's a strong third and for that we're pretty damn thankful.

2 Row - Boysenberry Sour: Tart lemon/lime base with a generous dose of boysenberry. 2 Row always manages to create fruity sours that don't skimp on fruit. 6.1% - Available at 2 Row.

Avenues Proper - Where the Wild Hops Are: They're referring to this new ale as an Autumn Ale. The base beer is Proper's Best Bitter. Hops were foraged from the mountains near Wanship, Utah. Boiled and dry hopped with the wild hops. Smooth, rich, earthy, stone fruit.

Level Crossing - Look-Up Amber: Aroma is toasted malts, thin caramel with a small dose of floral hops. Taste is slightly a slightly more robust version of their 4.0% Amber Ale - with more hop character emerging in the finish. 5.0% Available at Level Crossing.

Level Crossing - In the Pines: Citrus filled aroma. Initial taste is very mild. Light-moderate bittering with moderately juicy - citrus, orange and pineapple. Certainly tropical. 5.0% Available at Level Crossing.

Fisher - Best Fresh: This wet hopped pale ale was made with 100 lbs. of fresh Idaho 7 hops. All hops were added post boil; giving the beer a grassy citrus quality with a good dose of hop bitterness in the finish. Nice beer. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher - Chandler’s Backyard: This pale ale was hopped from the bines in "Chandler's" back yard. I belive they said, Chinook and Cascade? Thanks for the Hops Chandler! 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher - Fist Full of Aces: This pale ale was hopped with Sorachi Ace. this hop has a slight lemony profile which comes though in the body of the beer. It's not tart just subtle lemon. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Fisher- (IM) Peach Sour: This one definatly has a tart lemon base with peach that is detectable and not completely over powered with the base beer's tartness. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Wasatch Barrel Aged Polygamy Porter (High West): Last year's version of the beer was aged in  Heavenly Hills Bourbon barrels. This year we get our whiskey: High West. This version offers a tad more bourbon and rye components with all of that wonderful chocolaty good you expect. A nice blend. 9.5% - Available at all Wasatch locations.

Dre Fontaine Ode Geuze: This geuze is dusty dry with sharp & tart lemon, poppy seed and oak  tanins. It has all of the classic gueuze characteristics. Puckering finish. 6.0% - Found at Beer Bar

Dre Fontaine Cuvée Armand Gaston: The nose is acidic with Smarties, apples and hay. There is also a light funk. The taste is dry and tart with more hints of apple, lemon and hay. The finish is clean lip smacking, making it easy to quaff. 6.5% - Found at Beer Bar.

Jolly Pumpkin/Monkish - Problem No Problem: This saison was brewed with raw sugar, green lentils, sweet and bitter orange peel, and a funky homemade curry spice blend (cumin, ginger, mustard seed, peppercorns, coriander, and fenugreek).  Aromas of brown sugar, oak, and funk in the nose. Tastes of oak, maple syrup, and just a hint of spices pairs well with the subtle funk, and light tartness. 7.6% - Found at the Bayou. Cheers!

Ninkasi - Dry Skies: This brut IPA smells of cracker malt with floral hops and citrus hops. The taste is mostly bitter piney hops with a modest backing of cracker malts. The finish is crisp and dry, but given the style could be drier. 6.8% - Found at Bayou

Green Flash Tropical DNA: Missed this one. 7.0% Available at DABC

Wild Ride - Nut Crusher: This peanut butter porter is mostly chocolate and caramel complimented by the addition of creamy peanut butter flavor. Think: Reese's Peanut Butter cups. 6.0% - Found at the Bayou.

Pipeworks - Ninja vs Unicorn: Missed this one. It's supposed to be big and dank with 5lbs of hops per barrel. 8.0% - Found at the Bayou.

Pipeworks - Lizard King: Flavors of Stone fruit, orange and caramel start you off with strawberry and melon accents rounding it out. malt profile is caramel-y and round. 6.0% - Found at the Bayou.

The Bayou also got a bunch of exclusive beers for those of you that prefer a European twist.  I haven't had a chance to try any of these. 

Brouwerij Alvinee - Sour'ire De Mort

Brouwerij Alvinee - Cuvée Freddy (Sofie Edition)

Birrificio - Loverbeer Bruga

Birrificio - Loverbeer Nebiulina

Dulle - Teve Beer

Bayerischher - Bahnhof Leipziger Gose

Baladin - Xyauyu Barrel Aged '13


Cheers!

New Beer Friday the 13th - 9/19

Shades - Berry Pie Kveik: The flavors here are basically a berry medly. The fruits are semi sweet with some lactose for balance. Graham cracker comes in next to give it the full pie effect. Very drinkable and enjoyable. It won't last long, get it before it's gone. 6.5% - Available at Shades, also found at Craft by Proper and Bayou. 

Epic - Deep Pocket: This is Epic's first Helles and it's pretty solid. It offers a touch of sweetness with a good dose of spicy German hops. The malt character is soft and bready and the finish is slightly bitter. 5.0% - Available at Epic in growlers.

TF Brewing - Luckenbach: This American brown ale is mostly toasty and malty with some pine bitterness backing it up. It's on the edge of being dry, but the malts have enough sweetness to keep it balanced. 4.0% - Available at TF Brewing.

Level Crossing - Jazz Loon: Can you Spot the Easter egg on the can? This new lager is made with all German hops but it's not your typical German pils. Mild melon and clementine meld with a grassy hop character. The malts are toasty and sweet giving the hops something to play with. A nice change of pace pils. 5.3% - Available starting today at Level Crossing.

Wasatch/Level Crossing - Collaboration 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 most Wasatch locations. Coming soon to Level Crossing.

Toasted Barrel - Chardonnay Apricot Sour: Haven't tried this yet, it hits later today. 2 lbs of apricot puree per gallon in this barrel aged sour. Can't wait to try this one. 6.6%.

2 Row Feelin' Fruity: This is another apricot infused beer. This is Feelin' Hazy with apricot added. The fruit adds a lot of body and depth to this beer. A hint of tartness from the stone fruit provides a welcome zip to this NEIPA. Very Nice! 8.6% - Found at Bayou.

2 Row Dunkel: Smells quite dry. Once on the tongue it's much maltier. Flavor-wise it's dominated by notes of bread, nuts, and perhaps a touch of chocolate. An enjoyable lager. 6.6% - Available at 2 Row.

Bonneville - Pumpkin Ale: Made with real pumpkin, traditional spices and lactose for a nice round mouthfeel. One of the better pumpkin beers you'll try. Available at Bonneville, Soon to All Star Lanes. 

Dogfish Head - World Wide Stout: This beast of a beer generally dials in anywhere between 15 - 20% and is made with a massive amount of barley to get it there. The nose is super boozy with roasted malts and char. The flavor is fairly sweet with chocolate and espresso up front with hints of vanilla and more hot alcohol in the finish. It has a very thick and oily mouthfeel. Found at the Bayou and Beerhive.

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 Brews Soon For You Bohemian, Red Rock, T.F. Brewing and Uinta

On a dreary Monday morning, I thought a little sunshine in the form of new brews, coming soon for you would be a simple way to cut through this soggy weather spell spell that we've had to endure. All of these beers are NOT out yet, but are are their respective schedules for release in the coming weeks or months.

Red Rock - Biere De Mars: [Pictures Above] Literally meaning “March Beer”, This French/Belgian ale is a type of low-alcohol lambic beer that was made from the second and/or third runnings from the lauter tun during the production of lambic beer. This beer looks to be less tart and more malt driven. ThisSpringtime ale will hopefully be coming our way soon. Hell, were halfway through April already. Look for this in Red Rock's 16 ounce bottles.

T.F. Brewing - Squirrel Juicy IPA: This high point IPA will follow the the New England IPA style by being high in tropical fruitiness and low on bitterness. In will hit in 16 ounce cans and dial in alcohol wise at 6.5%. This should be a big hit for those who aren't exactly big on traditional IPAs.

Level Crossing Soul Rex: This Double IPA will likely be around, sooner than later. Look for an IPA

driven by hops that lean towards tropical fruits, melon and citrus. This one will also hit in 16 ounce cans and have a respectable 8.6% alcohol content. So far Level Crossing has just offered up low point beers to get themselves established. This will likely be one of the first of many high points to make you swoon.

Uinta - Tu Meke Tart: This new beer part of Uinta's "Limited Release Series" will a variety of (as of yet undisclosed) New Zealand hops. The base beer will be a kettle sour, so look for a nice lemony tartness with a fair amount dry-hopping. I'd guess it will be close to a sour IPA. This beer will pop up at 6.5% and will be in uinta's 12 ounce cans.

Keep checking back, when these are official the where and when will show up here as soon as I get the word. Any thoughts on these new beers?

Prost!

Images found at Shipcomplient.com and appear courtesy of Red Rock, T.F., Level Crossing and Uinta Brewing.

New Beer Friday 4/5/19

After last week's massive New Beer/Brewery Friday, it was nice to have a chill beer "research" day. This week we have another solid, all local beer showing to end the work week.

Bohemian Ode to Solstice: This beer is made with malt from local maltster “Solstice Malt”. It is unfiltered and amber in color, using healthy amounts applewood smoked malt to provide an apparent yet subdued smoke character. Bready and biscuit notes add complexity for a beer that is smoked out and loc’ed out. 4.0% - Available at Bohemian

Avenues Proper - Blackcurrant and Blueberry Brett beer: The nose has currents, with tart brett funk and a light spice. Taste is full with complex red berry notes, and yeasty spice. The addition of the blueberry works well, as they are fairly light and add an additional flavor rather than take over the beer. The Brett is strong and very flavorful. Great stuff. There aren't many local breweries that are willing to put brettanomyces beers on draft, take advantage of this special beer. 4.0% only at Avenues Proper.


Proper Brewing - Apricot SkittleBrau: Missed this one yesterday. I hope to have tasting notes for you when New Beer Friday continues this afternoon at 3:30 on KBER 101 with Mick and Allen. Please tune in.

Level Crossing - Unfiltered Kölsch: A nice toasty aroma with hints of green melon. The taste follows with some toasty grains and biscuit flavors. The hops come in late and add citrus peel and honeydew flavors. Not exactly to style, due to the hops but it's damn tasty. 4.0% - Available later this afternoon at Level Crossing.   

Fisher - Yet unnamed Sour beer with blood orange and black currents: Yogurt and berry aroma with a sharp tartness on the tongue. the berries are subtle at first but begin to pop through the tartness towards the end. Finishes dry. 4.0% - Available at Fisher.

Cheers!

Two New Breweries Open This Week

You know you've got a strong beer culture when two new breweries hit the scene just days apart. That's what happening this week as Level Crossing and Utah Ogden (UTOG) Brewing companies  open their doors just days apart.

Concept wise both breweries are pretty much on track with what people are looking for from their beer destinations. Each place is making high and low point beers in cans and on draft - in comfortable re-imagined urban storehouses and have opted to go with in house kitchens versus food trucks.

UTOG Brewing Co. will have their grand opening today in Ogden. This new addition to Northern Utah's beer scene boasts a large spacious dinning area with a full bar and liquor license to go with it. The brew house is sunken below the pub area and has an easy to access walkway around the perimeter if you'd like to see the beer making happen. UTOG also has a

package agency license with beer to go and swag.

Beers offered for grand opening: Golden Grant, Citra Pale Ale, Session IPA, Hops Deep IPA and Buffalo Soldier Black Rye IPA.

Interesting note: Linguist Field home of the Ogden Raptors Baseball Team is located directly behind  UTOG for easy free views of the parks events. (coming soon).

Level Crossing Brewing Co. opens it doors to the public this Saturday March, 30th. Though one of their beers has been out in the market for the last couple of weeks this will be the first debut of all of their current beers. The South Salt Lake space offers huge windows both inside and out which give the space a huge feel. Level Crossing has a dozen tap handles that will probably be half full by Saturday. High point beers will be coming soon (still awaiting federal label approval) and will feature head brewer, Chris Detrick's infamous Rye IPA. Level Crossing also has a full bar license. 

Beers offered for grand opening: Amber Ale, You-Tah Uncommon, American Wheat, Oat Pale ale, Double Dry Hopped Oat Pale,
Kentucky Common (Jack Mormon Coffee edition). 


Interesting note: Level Crossing features a separate tasting room for groups and tours and also features an indoor mural by famed artist, Jann Harworth who co-designed the Beatle’s Sgt Pepper Album cover [for which she received a Grammy]. Pretty cool, eh?

I hope to have tasting notes on most of these beers for you tomorrow on New Beer Friday. Welcome to the Utah Beer family!

Cheers!

New Beer/Brewery Friday 3/22/19

It been two months since I've been able to announce a new local brewery; lately that seem like along damn time, considering that the end of 2018 saw a new brewery every damn month. Today, I'm happy to say that Level Crossing Brewing Company is Utah's newest brewery. Though their official opening isn't until March 30th, their beer is already hitting the streets. So congrats to Mark, Katie and Chris on creating a new beer oasis that will be a welcome edition to Utah's craft beer family.

Level Crossing - You-Tah Uncommon: Dark amber in color with an aroma of subtle spicy rye and sweet malt. The flavors follow the nose with rye and corn notes that mingling with caramel malt and light herbal hop notes. The finish is lightly dry with a grainy aftertaste. A highly drinkable first brew. 4.0% - Available only at Lucky 13 for now.
 
Desert Edge - Pro Tem Pale Ale:  Meaning "for the time being" this is a new rotating pale ale series with each batch using different hops. This version uses Denali, Citra and Cascade hops for a bright citrus aroma and tropical fruit flavors. It's unfiltered with a light malt character, medium bitterness, and a dry finish. 4.0% - Available at Desert Edge

Desert Edge - Frühlingspunkt: Meaning "vernal equinox" in German. This is a golden colored lager with a very light toasted malt flavor and floral hops. This lager is a balance between the darker, malty flavored beers of winter and the crisp refreshing beers of summer. It's a perfect beer 
for the transition to the sunny days and cool nights of spring. 4.0% - Available at Desert Edge.

Epic/Ellipsis Brewery - Wheat Wine: This collaboration beer between Epic and Florida's Ellipsis Brewing has a light copper color with an amber hue. The aroma starts with sweet honey and lightly burnt caramel. From there alcohol soaked raisin and hints of banana begin to emerge. Lots of peppery alcohol. The herbal and piny hops become more pronounced towards the end. The finish is dry with a slight but lingering bitterness. 10.1% - Available at Epic Brewing.

Hoppers - Hell’s Backbone Porter: Named after one of Utah's iconic destinations for dark skies and dramatic scenery, this beer is made with Utah grown barley and malted here in the Salt Lake Valley. The owner of Solstice Malt personally smoked some of the barley with mesquite wood. English Chocolate Malt and Crystal malt are added for color, flavor and full body. The flavor is a smooth chocolate and caramel with a light smoke flavor that becomes more noticed in the finish as it warms.  4.0% - Available at Hoppers.

T.F. Brewing - Delmar: This new Imperial Stout is full of dark roast components with big molasses and burnt toffee. Coffee flavors come in next adding some astringent qualities. Char and caramel duke it out towards the end. The finish is quite hoppy and bitter with a bit of heat as well. Not for the timid. 11.5% - Available at T.F. Brewing and at better beer pubs.

T.F. Brewing - Pineapple Berliner: Like most Berliner Weisse beers this starts with a good dose of lemony tartness, then bam! your hit with pineapple. It's not super sweet like juice it closer to the green part towards the rind. A super refreshing sour beer. 4.0% - Available at T.F. Brewing.

Proper - SEE YA LATER, DENISE:  Named tor an an obscure infamous specifically Utah-flavored misinterpretation of the phrase "bye, Felicia", this whirlpool-hopped American pale ale is juicy and full of fruity aromatics - and most importantly, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Hunstman Cancer Institute in honor of our badass friend, cancer warrior, and amazing beer lady Jamie Burnham - come enjoy a pint of Denise for a great cause while it lasts! 4.0%

Lagunitas - Secret Agenda: It has a very clear deep gold appearance with a nose that is malty and hoppy. The tastes is mostly malt driven with a caramel nuttiness. Some grapefruity hop flavors round out the back end. There's a slight bitter finish. If your looking for a traditional bock, this ain't it. The hop bill is somewhat unconventional for the style. 7.1% - Available at DABC.

Elevation - Apis IV: Aromas of plum, fig, caramel and honey with hints of chocolate and molasses. Rich and dark flavors with an interesting honey flavor. Next comes Fig Newtons along with the dark roasted malt. Some dank and earthy sweetness rounds out the palate. 10.7% - Available at DABC.

Elevation - Pilsner: The aroma has some light, cereal/grainy notes with grassy hops. The flavor starts light and toasty with minimal malt sweetness. From there a good dose of Saaz hop bitterness blasts the palate. Finishes crisp and dry. Nice pils. 5.0% - Available at DABC.

Elevation - 8 Seconds Kölsch: The nose offers up some hay, honey and some grainy breadiness. The flavor was quite similar with hay, lemon, honey, floral and some light grainy bread. Not quite traditional but it's got good flavor and it kinda reminds me that it's finally spring. 4.5% -  Available at DABC.

New Belgium -Glütiny Pale Ale: This beer is brewed using an enzyme to break down the proteins that trigger a reaction from gluten sensitive drinkers. Therefore, these beers are being referred to as “gluten removed” instead of gluten free. The beers fall within the FDA guidelines of less than 20 parts per million. Glütiny features Equinox hops, for flavors of guava and papaya. 6.0% - Found at the Bayou.

New Belgium Liquid Paradise IPA: Missed out on this one. It's described as having Mosaic, Incognito, Azacca and Cascade hops that boasts a mélange of tropical notes to create a delicately bitter and extremely aromatic IPA.7.8% - Found at the Bayou.

Cheers!