I love trying out new beers but really get bummed when I spend $10-$15 (or more) on a bomber only to find out that it’s a real dud. I thought it would be fun to let readers of The Brew Bros in on my thoughts of some of the beers I tried over the previous week. I have a taste for hoppy beer and mostly focus on that category but try to branch out if something catches my eye. Below is week one of this article series. I hope you are able to find some beers to check out and some to avoid. Cheers!
First off, this week was over the Christmas weekend so there are quite a few expensive beers on this list. In future postings I doubt I’ll be able to keep up this many crazy tastings but for now check out some of these really good ones.
Southern Tier Un-Earthly Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.5%
Imperial IPA
At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with our most aggressive offering yet. Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.
Thoughts: This one was really nice. A rich, floral imperial IPA with a huge hop presence.
Southern Tier Oak Aged Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.9%
Imperial IPA
At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with an aggressive offering. Oak Aged Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste of this oak aged brew into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Oak Aged Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.consider it an immoral act to blacken an ale. We suggest they don’t rely on conventional standards. Allow the darkness to consume you. Cheers!
Thoughts: I thought the oak in this one was very nicely balanced. Tasting the regular right before this one was a great experience.
Harpoon IPA
ABV: 5.9%
IBUs: 42
American IPA
Harpoon IPA is an interpretation of the classic English style using hops and malt grown in the United States.
Thoughts: I’ve seen this IPA around but never tried it out before. It was ok, I like a bigger body and something with a little more malt flavor.
Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf
ABV: 9%
Imperial IPA
A dry and stupendously hopped medium bodied Imperial IPA brewed with Canadian two-row malt, dextrose sugar and lots of American hops. Arctic Panzer Wolf has superior aromas of marmalade, white wine, pine and apricot all mixed with an intense American hop bitterness.
Thoughts: GREAT. Enough said.
New Glarus Moon Man
ABV: 5%
American Pale Ale
Moon Man is a seriously cool cat. Always comfortable in his own skin, he never tries too hard. So cool we named our “no coast” pale ale after him.
You hold a session beer with a bright bold blend of five hops that flirt obligingly with the smooth malty backside. Don’t let this one lay around it is brewed to be enjoyed today. Bold and engaging without pretense, because in Wisconsin you do not have to be extreme to be real.
Thoughts: I really enjoy this beer every time I have a chance to pick some up. They only sell it in Wisconsin so if you’re there be sure to pick up a case..or two. Super crisp and clean, hoppy but not too bitter.
Firestone Walker Double Jack
ABV: 9.5%
Imperial IPA
Double Jack IPA is our first ever Imperial IPA. It features a big malty middle to cloak the high alcohol and mouth puckering hop bitterness. Huge tangerine, grapefruit and juicy fruit aroma blossom over the herbal blue basil and malt earthiness of this aggressive beer. Best enjoyed in moderation.
Malts: Premium Two-Row (Metcalf & Kendall varieties), Munich, Simpson’s Light Crystal
Hops: 4+lbs/BBL: Bittering—Warrior, Columbus; Late Kettle—Cascade, Centennial; Dry Hops—Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe
Thoughts: My local pub picked up a keg of this and I had to stick with it all night. Delicious!
5 Lizard from 5 Rabbit in Chicago
ABV: 4.3%
Specialty Beer
5 Lizard is a creamy and refreshing wheat beer with some spicy complexity and light touch of passion fruit for a delicious and slightly exotic flavor.
In Aztec mythology, 5 Lizard (Macuilcuetzpalin) is one of the 5 Gods of Excess (Ahuiateteo) and symbolizes overindulgence and gluttony. 5 Lizard is also considered the deity of dance and sexual desire.
Suggested food pairings include: Ceviche, grilled shrimp, green tamales, crab cakes and Caesar salad.
Thoughts: I tried this Witbier for the first time last summer at The Great Taste of the Midwest and it was one of my favorites of the fest. The new Chicago brewery is putting out some remarkable Spanish inspired beers with the help of Randy Mosher. This one is going to fly off the shelves come summertime. It’s very light and refreshing with a heavy grapefruit flavor and smell.
Doug joined the Brew Bros team in September of 2011. He has been an avid home brewer since 2005 and has earned numerous awards for his beers. He has taken brewery course work at the Siebel Institute of Technology and is working toward opening his own brewery. His favorite style of beer is American India Pale Ale and some of his favorite beers currently include Founders All Day IPA, New Glarus Moon Man, Firestone Walker Union Jack and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale.
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1 Comment
Doug, you’re killing me with some of my favorite brews! Arctic Panzer Wolf is my ALL TIME FAVORITE and I will be needing you to send me some soon. Great write up, and great insight!