New Beer Friday 8/14/20

I'm not a doctor, but I play a beer doctor on the interwebs. If you're suffering from end of the week fatigue, Doc Mikey has his New Beer Friday prescription pad out and has provided a list of remedies below. Please follow dosage recommendations and have an excellent weekend.

Shades - Slurry (Peach Habenero): If your not familiar with Shades' Slurry series, It's basically at tart kveik yeast base with rotating fruits. This week's fruits a both potent enough to punch through the tartness but don't overwhelm the entire beer. the peach comes of green due to the tartness and the habenero is more scratchy in the throat than hot. Tasty stuff. 5.0% - Available at Shades.

TF - Cool Change: This is an IPL (India Pale Lager). It basically a pilsner that's been hopped like an IPA. TF's Starts off like an NEIPA but quickly diverts with a noticeable dryness that you get from the pilsner malt and the lagering. The dry hopping adds some welcome bitterness, making this a very crushable - hopped up lager. 6.9% - Available at TF starting today.

Fisher - Rotating IPA (Big Citra Bomb Tom): As of this writing, I don't think this one has an official name, but I was told that it's basically an amped-up version of Fisher's Citra Bomb Tom. There's a fresh aromatic burst of grapefruit, lemon, and lime. Tropical citrus. Piney accent. It just smells fresh and clean.
The taste is very "bright". Citrus immediately hits your tongue, with grapefruit and lemon zest, light-medium bitterness. Finishes with mango and a light malt. 6.9% - Available at Fisher in Crowlers to-go starting today.

Fisher - Black Lives Matter: A portion of the proceeds from this beer will go to non-profits that support Black Lives Matter. Nose of chocolate, char and malt goodness. The flavor brings more chocolate, yeasty breadyness, pumpernickel, rye and even some whole wheat. A very drinkable, smooth and satisfying dark lager. 5.0% - Available at Fisher on Saturday 8/15/20.

Wasatch - Top of Main Series (Belgian Double aged in Brandy Barrels): Nose is brandy, port, raisins, oak, and maybe a touch of spice. The taste is great. Tons of flavor exploding on the first sip. Lots of brandy - the most I have tasted on a beer aged in brandy barrels. Lots of grapes, oak, candy, toffee, bread, and leather. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and the alcohol is well hidden. 10% - Available at most Wasatch/Squatters locations. I found it at the Co-op's Beer Store.

Wasatch - Landbier: I initially got a pretty healthy dose of toasty malts and sweet malts. I do get a bit of hops adding a subtle grassy note, but they are very supportive of the malts. The flavor is really clean and malty with toasty and sweet light caramel aplenty, but there is a welcome bitterness present in the finish . Overall the mouthfeel of this beer is medium to light with plenty of carbonation, so it comes across quite light. You could drink this beer all day and I really dig the unexpected hoppy burp. 6.0% Available at the OG brewery in PC - I found it at the Beer Store. 

Policy Kings - Dark Hustle: I missed this new coffee stout from the Cedar City brewery. If you've had it, please share your thoughts. 5.0% - only at Policy Kings.

Modern Times - Critical Band: Brewed with Denali, Ekuanot, Citra, and Centennial hops, Critical Band is a blast wave of pineapple, papaya, and pink grapefruit over a crisp, restrained malt bill, before wrapping up in a soft, round finish. 6.7% - Found at Slackwater.

Here's a list of the small batch beer available this weekend from Hopkins Brewing.

Prost!

New Beer Friday 5/22/19

Full disclosure: I've been out of town and didn't get a chance to try much of what is out this week. That's too bad, because there's a lot of interesting sounding stuff out this week. I'll be back this evening, don't drink 'em all before I get back!

Toasted Barrel - Oak Aged Pilsner: I'm big on pilsners right now. I'm curious to see how this one came out. 5.0% Only at Toasted Barrel

Uinta - Free Form Rose Ale: This is the latest offering from Uinta's Free Form line of lower calorie beers. Look for a lightly tart ale with slight fruitiness. 4.3%

Proper Fault Line Red IPA: Yeah, yeah this isns't exactly new. However it hasn't been made in quite a while and on top that it was never a 5.0% beer. So, I'm calling it new ya jerk! This has a good amount of malt to it, almost toffe like the hops are aggressive and start with citrus peel. They soon change over to resiny pine and finishes off with a balancing bitter bite. I generally like hoppy reds to be a little more fruity; this one is dry and I crushed all 16 ounces of it in 5 minutes. Good stuff. 6.9% - Available at Proper.

Bohemian - Best of Show Dopple Bock: This was the winner of last year's Lagerpalooza. True to form, Bohemian said they'd make the winner and they have. Look for this clean, toffee driven malt machine at Bohemian Brewing. Dials in at a big 9.3%.

Policy Kings - Chai Saison: This is listed at 14% on Untappd. Seriously? That doesn't sound right. If it is, it's probably the one of the biggest saison ever made. 

Kiitos - Pineapple Mango Fruit Milkshake: I'm generally a fan of this series. They're always as described and not to sweet, relaying on the Fruit to do most of the lifting. 5.0%

Heber Valley - Coconut Girl: This is a Belgian style blonde ale brewed with coconut. 5.0%

Sawtooth - Pika: This is a peanut butter milk stout. It dials in at 5.0% and is already popping up at grocery and c-stores around SLC.  Sawtooth is from Hailey, Idaho and their brand new to the Utah market.

Modern Times - Star Cloud: Just hit SLC yesterday, This a hazy made with Citra hops. 6.8% - Available at DABC and possibly some of the opening better beer bars.

In case you missed it last week Epic's new CBD Free IPA is now in 22 ounce bottles, so there's an option for your as well.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 2/21/20

Every damn beer this week is an IPA, IPA variant or a hoppy pale ale. If these are not your jam, you have my apologies. If you dig the hoppier side of life, then please proceed. Happy New Beer Friday!

Roosters/Square State - Lime Rickey Milkshake IPA: This collaboration with Square State Brewing Company out of Rock Springs, Wyoming was made to help celebrate Roosters' 25th Anniversary. Look for a good dose of lime and lime zest with a medium amount of lactose sweetness. The hop profile should be lightly bitter. 5.0% - This is pouring Square State now, and is currently on draft at Roosters 25th Street location only for now. It will hit B-Street and Layton in the next week or two. Not vegan friendly

Templin Family - Who's Barry:  We have another 'milkshake' IPA. this one is a mixed berry sour. This one hits Saturday morning, hopefully we'll have some tasting notes this afternoon. 6.8%.  Not vegan friendly

Fisher - 3rd Anniversary IPA: Another anniversary beer is hitting this week as well. It may not be a quarter of a century - like our friends at Roosters, but well take a solid three years from our pals at the re-born A. Fisher Brewing Company. This anniversary IPA will be a New England style and it will be available Saturday morning as well in 32 ounce crowlers. 7.2%

Epic - Spiral Jetty:  Robert Smithson's iconic Spiral Jetty on the north shore of the Great Salt Lake turns 50 next month. to celebrate, Epic made a special, limited batch of their Spiral Jetty IPA. It has all of the great citrus peel and pine, with added notes of vanilla and berries from the yeast. 6.6% - Available now only at Epic SLC.

Policy Kings - Pekin Pale: This new beer was brewed with pomegranate  and mint green tea. Look for a sweet aroma from the tea and just a touch of Pomegranate on the front then the mint and citrus hops take over for slight bitterness on the back end. 5% - only at Policy Kings.

Flying Fish - Hopfish IPA: This New Jersey made beer is new to our market. Look for floral hops dominated by caramel malt and hints of dark fruit. Towards the finish there's a small dose of pine hops and biscuit. 6.2% - found at Slackwater

Ninkasi -- Galaxy Trippin': Missed this one. Look for citrus and passionfruit flavors to dominate this new IPA. 7.0% - Found at DABC

Rogue - Newport Daze: Missed this one too. This is so new only a handful of markets have revived it. Look for aromas of pineapple & stone fruit, features tangerine and peach flavors and finishes slightly sweet. 5.5% Found at DABC

Destihl- Touch of Haze: This is described as having big additions of Mosaic and Cascade hops harmonized with the smooth mouthfeel of flaked oats, for a mellow, juicy and hazy IPA. 7.3% - Found at DABC

Modern Times - Mythic Worlds: This is one of Modern Times' newer IPAs; stuffed with Galaxy, Motueka, Mosaic, and Experimental hop 06277. This makes notes of peach, passionfruit, and tropical fruits over a backbone of ripe citrus. 7.6% - Found at Beerhive

Revision Brewing - Alpha Point: I hear a lot of brewers say that Galaxy hops are hard to get, but there seems to be no shortage of Galaxy driven beers this week. This new session IPA also features Citra hops for a nice tangerine twang. I've only seen this one on draft so far. 5.0% - Found at Bayou and Angry Goat.

Returning

RoHa -  Americano: This American ale brewed with espresso and coffee returns, this time it's in cans. Now you can stuff your fridge until your heart is content. 5.0% - At RoHa, grocery and C-stores soon.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday 2/7/20

I think you'll find these New Beer Friday options agreeable to most beer nerds. If you're into stouts and porters this will be a good weekend for you.

Wasatch - Cerveza Molé (Mexican Red): Mexico was the inspiration for this beer. Brewed with corn, dried chilies, peanuts, cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, cumin and coriander. for such a busy beer it comes together quite nicely with mole flavors that take advantage of the caramel malt base. Quite nice. 5.0% On tap now, only at Wasatch Brewpub Sugar House, and only for a limited time!

2 Row - Smoked  Jalapeño Porter: The aroma has a faint hint of chilies and roasted malt. In the mouth you get a nice dose of cocoa and dark roast coffee. The jalapeño heat is pretty subtle and is mostly limited to a scratchiness on the back of the throat, with little fire. A solid chile beer. 7.5% Available at 2 Row, I also found it a Beer Bar.     

Policy Kings- Imperial Stout: Missed this one. Look for flavors and aromas of dried fruit, coffee, and dark chocolate in this new offering from the Cedar City brewery. ABV N/A. Only available at the brewery.

Policy Kings - Juiced Up: Missed this one.This a citrus forward pale ale featuring notes of grapfruit. ABV N/A. Only available at the brewery.

Roosters - Untamed Juicy IPA: This new IPA is very cirtus forward along with big tropical notes. It only has about 20 IBUs, so the bitterness is pretty low. This just went on sale and shout be at all Roosters locations soon (if it isn't already) 7.0%

Squatters - Strawberry Kolsch: This new 5% version has in-house made strawberry puree. It punches up the fruitiness, but not in an obnoxious way. It's clean, fruity and highly drinkable. Very nice. Available at Squatters Downtown.

RoHa - Barrel Aged Porter: This is RoHa's project porter aged on oak. Look for vanilla undertones with robust malts and a slight bourbon aroma. 5.0% - This is very limited and only available at RoHa.

Kiitos - Oatmeal Stout: This is a straight-up oatmeal stout. Lots of cocoa and chocolate notes here with a slight bit of coffee. It's silky smooth and perfect for a rainy day. 5.0% - On Draft now at Kiitos.

Deschutes - Planéte Rouge:This is a somewhat vinegary take on the oud bruin style. Notes of dark malts, cherry and apple. The 10.2% ABV is a bit overwhelming; combine that with the acidic vinegar and you get an overly aggressive sour that's just average. Available at Slackwater Sandy and select DABC stores.


Returning 

Shades - Kveik Thai Tom Kah: Shades' 2019 gold medal winning herb and spice beer is back in limited release. The coconut is strong enough to be noticed, Ginger is pretty subtle and the lemon grass gets a little lost. All n’ all it’s damn delish. 6.5% At Shades.

Salúd!

New Beer/Brewery Friday - Bewilder Brewing Co.

This has been a pretty big year for beer in the state of Utah. We of course had the the big switch fro 4.0% to 5.0% along with four new breweries opening around the state. Four breweries is a big number for a state with our low alcohol consumption, and in any other that would be a record breaker. Not this year however. as of today we now have five new brewery to end 2019, as we welcome Bewilder Brewing Company into Utah's craft beer fold.

Cody Mckendrick and Ross Metzger have sent the better part of the last two years turning their dream into reality and as of today, their dream has finally been realized. It's a good day for all of us and an even better day for them. If you get a  chance stop by sometime this weekend and help them celebrate the opening of Utah's 40th brew house.

 Bewilder Brewing- Munich Festbier: This beer was made with cooperation from Bohemian Brewing. Crystal clear with a nice aroma grainy malts and crackers. The flavor is similar with toasted bread, more crackers and herbal hops. There's a hint of malt sweetness in the end but it's most hop driven in the finish. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Bewilder Brewing- Amarillo Mosaic Oat Pale Ale: This pale is was made in cooperation with 2 Row Brewing. It's got a huge citrucy and fruity nose. The taste follows with nice tropical fruits and massive grapefruit and mango. It's simple, yet straight to the point. Very nice. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Bewilder Brewing - Apple wood Smoked Porter: This beer was made with cooperation from Toasted Barrel Brewing. There's a good amount of smoked cocoa in the aroma. There's less smoke on the tongue as you get nice roasted malt character with chocolate and grainy malts. Nice medium body, highly drinkable. 5.0% - Only at Bewilder.

Roosters - Nordic Porter: Big chocolate and espresso up front with sweet caramel and roasted grains. Soon after the barrel kicks in with nice spicy bourbon notes that hike the body and add complexity to an already beaming palate. This is a barrel strength porter, not blended which gives it raw untamed character. Thisis Roosters first barrel aged beer. Nicely done. Git sum! 9.3% - Only at Roosters.

2 Row - Cherry Chocolate Stout: Nice chocolate aroma with roasted malts up front on the palate. Smooth black coffee follows; mixed with bittersweet cocoa. It finishes with a mild dark cherry twang. As the beer warms the sweet tart cherry part of the beer becomes more pronounced. 11.0% Available at 2 Row, also found at Beerhive.

Policy Kings - O.P.P. IPA: Missed this one. 5.0% only at Policy Kings.

Toasted Barrel - Chardonnay Farmhouse: Missed this one too. 5.0% - Only at Toasted Barrel.

Funkwerks - Tropic King: Super hopped saison with big citrus peel bitterness and essence. The taste is dominated by equally huge wheat and yeast phenolic spices. Found at Beer Bar.

Funkwerks -Saison: Missed this one. 5.0% - also found at Beer Bar.

Cheers!

New Beer/Brewery Friday 10/19/18

I loves me some New Beer/Brewery Friday. This edition features new beers from Cedar City's new Policy Kings Brewing Co. It's another good week for beer in Utah.

Speaking of new breweries; I've updated the Utah Brewery Map above, cleaned it up and added some logos on the pins to make it easier on the eye. You may see some interesting additions. Any feedback is welcome.

Policy Kings IPA: I've not tried this. Look for a west coast style IPA. 8.5% Available at Policy Kings

Policy Kings NE IPA: I've not tried this. Look for a North East Style IPA. It's described by some as having a little more bitterness than is typical for style 6.5%. Available at Policy Kings

Policy Kings Wheat Ale: I've not tried this. Look for a bready and toasty ale with little yeast esters. 6.5%. Available at Policy Kings

Fisher Whups Pale Ale: This "wet hop" pale ale was made with fresh Idaho 7 hops and boy does it taste fresh. It's simple clean and citrusy with medium bitterness. Made me wet.... er.... a fan, a wet hop fan I mean. 4.0%. Available at Fisher

Fisher Democracy Pale Ale: . medium malt sweetness with a salad of citrus, floral and piney hops. Another crushable pale ale. 4.0%. Available at Fisher

Fisher RYEot: Quite light in color. Another tasty pale ale, though the rye component is a little subdued. I'd love to taste more of the spic rye  4.0%. Available at Fisher.

New Belgium Oakspire: This beer is fairly malt forward with a good amount of oak and toasty flavors. The wood adds a slight vanilla quality. The ABV is very well hidden, be careful of this one. 9.0%. Found at Beer Bar, Dick n Dixies.

New Belgium Sour Saison: A medium amount of sourness here. I don't get a lot of saison here, but you can tell it's definitely a Belgian style base beer. Tasty. 7.0%. Found at Beer Bar, Beerhive.

New Belgium Honey Orange Tripel: Tastes of Orange peel, candied sugar, white bread, peach and vanilla. Definitely on the sweeter side of the style, but it's pleasing nonetheless. The honey is most prevelent in the finish. with some spicy notes from the yeast. 10.0%. Found at Beer Bar, Beerhive.

Cheers!

Policy King's Brewing Compny Debuts Today

Cedar City's Policy King's Brewing Company is officially the state of Utah's newest brewery today. The first beers out of the gate are one of the obscure IPA varietals. Simply called India Pale Ale, the beer is described as west coast style and has an ABV that is "to style". It goes on sale today from 10:30a to 7:00pm.

Other beer coming from Policy Kings include: N.E. Style IPA, Porter, Wheat Ale, Piisner, Stout and a Pale Ale. Policy Kings is located 223 n. 100 w. in Cedar City (I've included it in my Utah Beer Map above). The brewery's pub is still a few weeks away, stay close for that announcement as well.

Congrats to Cedar City's first brewery in well over a hundred years!

Photo Courtesy Policy Kings

Policy Kings Brewery Needs Your Help

To (the best of) my knowledge Cedar City, Utah has never had a brewery. I'm sure at some point in the state's distant pass a small brewery may have existed in the small Mormon founded mining community, but I can't find any trace of one. The nearest breweries I were able to located existed in nearby Beaver, Utah: The George Buchner Brewery,  A. A. Fischer Brewery and the Jas. Valentine Brewery. managed to stay afloat at different stages from 1874 - 1884.

Some Cedar City residents are looking to rectify this omission in the history books by finally bringing craft beer to the thirsty beer lovers of Southern Utah. The Policy Kings Brewery (named for the infamous Chicago gambling racketeers) is looking to build their new brewery/brewpub near Southern Utah University and could use an infusion of cash.

A Barnraiser campaign has been set up to help Policy Kings gain momentum. With your support, all funds will contribute to finishing construction to the building and equipment. This will also get the doors open faster. The funding effort will only be successful if they can reach $5,000 by 7/5/18. This isn't the final goal, but it's the minimum needed to keep the project alive.

If you have a few spare quatloos left in your beer fund consider throwing some their way. We all benefit from a broader craft beer community, right? Here's a link to their Barnraiser page along with their Facebook. Best of Luck, Policy Kings!

Cheers!