New Holland Dragon's Milk Reserve with Toasted Chilies

Today, I have New Holland Dragon's Milk Reserve with Toasted Chilies in my glass.  Years ago I used to say Michigan was my favorite beer state.  After all, they had Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, and New Holland.  I hadn't had bad beer from Michigan.  Later, some of these breweries began to disappoint me.  I didn't care for Dragon's Milk as much the third time compared to the first.  It seemed a little boring in a by-the-numbers sort of way:  not bad, but not especially interesting or good either.  But now I've heard a lot of buzz about the Reserve bottlings so I had to hunt one down.

Smaug's Breath, as the Chili de Arbol bottling is affectionately known, doesn't disappoint.  The chili peppers add a toasty heat and smoke counterpart to the sweetness lent by the bourbon barrel aging.  For an 11% ABV beer, this one is deceptively smooth, even after less than a month and a half of aging.  If I had a complaint about Smaug's Breath, it would be that the mouthfeel comes off a bit thin in points.  Perhaps a little aging will help to fill this out, but I was impatient.  I should mention that this is one of four in a series, though unfortunately I wasn't able to find the other three.  In short, maybe New Holland is a little better than I've regarded them recently and it's time to give standard issue Dragon's Milk another shot.  Keep your eye open for the Dragon's Milk Reserve bottlings, if you can find them!

Bell's Best Brown Ale

Today I have Bell's Best Brown Ale in my glass.  This one tastes like fall to me.  The lightly roasted malt is akin to the toasty leaves falling from the trees, the hops add crunching texture (like more leaves) ringing in like the last vestiges of summer, it feels like a step between the lighter beers so perfect for hot summer days and the heavy stouts that make winter a little more bearable.  Eminently quaff-able, I would never call any brown ale "my favorite beer," but at the same time there is absolutely nothing wrong with this beer.  It's simple, it's straightforward, and it's good.

Oscar Blues Death by Coconut

Today I have Death by Coconut from Oscar Blues in my glass.  And it is good.  Not sure I'd buy more if I could find it, but glad I bough a $3 single can.  Massive coconut nose with a little chocolate in the background.  A little thin and dry on the tongue, but nice well rounded choco-coconut mouthfeel on the finish, though I suppose the thin and dry nature is fitting to the Irish Porter style.  Pleasantly sweet, but not overly sweet.  I wonder how this would taste at a slightly higher ABV, say 8%. If you're a fan of coconut you should do yourself a favor and look for this one!

Surly Coffee Bender

Today I have Coffee Bender from Surly in my glass.  And I think it's good, if a bit overrated.  Probably more overrated than Surly Overrated.  I've been hearing good things about this one for awhile, and while it's not bad, I'm also not overly impressed.  It has a decent amount of flavor for a 5.1% ABV beer, but that qualifier is necessary.  The coffee in this beer is probably most evident in the pleasantly rich nose, though there are some pleasant notes on the tongue as well, and the finish is surprisingly long and full.  Okay, this is one of the more impressive overrated beers that I've had.  If it was half as expensive and hyped I would probably call it a great beer, as is it nearly lives up to its reputation.

Lagunitas Born Yesterday

Today I have Born Yesterday from Lagunitas in my glass.  And holy moly, I believe we have a winner.  Oh yeah, I guess Wet Hop Week isn't over yet.  This one has a powerful aroma of sweet sweet tropical fruit that hit me in the nose and made me happy.  The label mentions that it's rich with Mosaic, Amarillo, and Equinox hops that are fresher than fresh (picked on October 26th!!!)  There was a Herculean effort made on the part of the dedicated men and women of Lagunitas to get this beer to me ASAP for this review, so I hope it satisfies them as much as the beer is satisfying me.  I do have to admit though, the body is a little thin for my taste.  Very crisp, though, Fresh and sweetly fruity with a notable dose of Mosaic funk.  Have I mentioned how fresh this is?  Have I?

Sierra Nevada Harvest (4 of 5)

Today I have Sierra Nevada Harvest in my glass.  Just when I thought Wet Hop Week was over, this one pulled me back in.  This is the Fourth beer in a series of Five Wet Hop IPAs that Sierra Nevada is releasing this year.  I was pleased by the previous two I've had in the series (must have missed one), so I figured I couldn't go wrong with this.  For my tastes, this one is more good than it is great, but totally worth paying $5 for the 24 oz bomber.  These hops are pretty funky:  I'm getting some weird herbal notes, green tea, rose hips, a bit of funk and bitterness, grapefruit rind, and some other stuff I'm not able to pick out.  Price for quality, I'd say this is easily one of the best beers in Wet Hop Week, or as Sierra Nevada likes to call it, Wet Hop Year.

Sixpoint Sensi 2015

Today in my glass, I have Sensi from Sixpoint.  Wow, that is a huge departure from Surly's Wet and Founders Harvest (see posts from October 19th and 21st).  It's hard to say at first whether it's better or not, but it's certainly different.  There's definitely some good flavor here, it seems a little more toasted compared to the Surly and Founders, but I think it makes for a fuller beer on the palate, though the finish is admittedly incredibly short.  Perhaps I prefer the Amarillo and Cascade hops that went into this one, it's hard to say for sure.  This is by far the cheapest wet hopped ale I've had this week, and also arguably my favorite.  Give it a try, for sure. 

Founders Harvest Ale

Today I have Founder's Harvest Ale in my glass.  For what it's worth, I think I like this beer better than Surly's Wet (see previous post), but that isn't saying a ton.  The nose is full and juicy, but it's a bit thin on the palate, albeit fairly complex.  A little funk, a little juiciness, some herbal qualities, some grapefruit, and a bit of asprin on the finish.  Every year I want this to be one of the beers I most anticipate as we enter wet hop beer season, but every year I'm disappointed by it.  I'm glad other people love this beer.  I wouldn't go so far as to say that I hate it, but I feel like it's closer to good than great, and every year I want it to be great, I want to discover what I missed last time I had it, but I never seem to figure out why others are so enamored.

Surly Wet

Today, I have Surly Wet in my glass.  Unfortunately, it's not as sexy as it sounds.  I'm coming to a realization (either unfortunate or reassuring, i'm not sure which) that I'm not really into wet-hopped beers.  One of the first that I ever had, Sierra Nevada's Harvest (don't recall if it was Northern Hemisphere or Southern) was excellent.  I love the idea of drinking beer made with freshly harvested hops that are packed with juicy flavor, but so often I find myself disappointed.  Maybe I don't like this one because it uses Simcoe hops.  I'm detecting an unpleasant onion flavor with this beer that I don't care for.   I'm disappointed, especially considering I spent $5 for a pint-sized can.  If you really want to try it I recommend looking for a single, but I wouldn't recommend trying it.  Maybe if you're into Simcoe hops, I dunno.  It does have a nice, full mouth-feel, I'll grant it that, but the flavor itself doesn't do much for me, nor does the aroma.  File under "Overpriced, overrated." 

Karben4 Fantasy Factory

Today, I have Karben 4's Fantasy Factory in my glass.  Love it or hate it, this beer might be most famous for its artwork, which is typically a bad sign.  That said, in a country awash with IPAs, it's easy to notice the one with a headband-wearing, gun-toting,  unicorn-riding cat on it.  Did I mention the unicorn's glowing red eyes or the fire shooting from its nostrils?  Fortunately, Karben 4 has more going for it than eye catching artwork.  This flavorful IPA packs plenty of sweet, juicy hop flavor without overwhelming bitterness.  I recall it being better on tap than in the bottle, but this bottle is certainly not disappointing.  Fantasy Factory is probably one of my favorite beers coming out of Wisconsin at the moment, so do yourself a favor and try one if you haven't already!

Bell's 30th Anniversary Ale

Today I have Bell's 30th Anniversary Beer in my glass.  Bell's has been around for a long time.  I've been around slightly longer.  Today I am celebrating my 33rd anniversary of being alive with the beer that Bell's made to celebrate their 30th Anniversary of being, um, alive.  Anyway, it's good.  

This darker than dark Imperial Stout pours out with a very quickly settling head.  It weighs in at a full 11% ABV, but tastes notably less boozy and hot than a fresh bottle of Bell's standard Imperial Stout, Expedition.  As a rule, I would say Expedition should always be aged a few months to take the bite off, but this one is ready fresh out the gate.  There's a bit of sweet licorice and molasses in there, and a pleasant bitter hoppiness and cacao on the finish.  This one sits deceptively light on the tongue compared to my recollection of Expedition and my expectation from an 11% beer.  I'd recommend picking up a single of this beer, as I don't think it's really worth the price for a full six pack, but it's definitely worth trying.  It decorates the glass nicely with foam, and has a pleasant interplay of flavors, but ultimately I think it comes off a little too light in the body and heavy on the hops to be one of my favorite Imperial Stouts.

Founders Breakfast Stout

Today I have Founders Breakfast Stout in my glass.  Also known as "The Beer with a Baby on the Label."  At least in most states.  And it is good.  Founders Breakfast Stout has everything you need to start your day right:  chocolate, oatmeal, and of course coffee.  This one is deliciously coffee forward with plenty of dark chocolate riding through to a slightly hoppy finish countered with creamy oatmeal and, you guessed it, more chocolate and coffee.  Look up "perennial classic" in the dictionary and you might see a picture of this (though you're more likely to see a beer from Perennial Artisan Ales, or perhaps a flower.)  I recommend making sure you have a reasonably fresh bottle of it, as it's not a beer that ages well.  

Lakefront Brewery Tom

Today I have Tom from Lakefront Brewery in my glass.  Wait, that came out wrong.  Today I have Lakefront Brewery's Tom in my glass.  Uhh...Tom is the fifteenth beer in Lakefront's "My Turn" series where a random Lakefront employee gets to decide what they're brewing as a one-off bottling.  Tom is a sweet, Citra hopped IPA bottled at an easy going 6% which makes him, I mean it, very approachable.  For the time being Tom is a good alternative if you can't find or afford Zombie Dust or Pseudosue, but you'll have to act fast since it is a one-time deal.  Oh yeah, I should probably describe how it tastes or something.  Tom is light and crisp with some good juicy Citra flava.  Give it a shot if you like your IPAs sweet and tasty.

Lagunitas Citrusinensis One Hitter

Today I have Lagunitas Citrusinensis in my glass.  Wow, this is a tasty beer.  I really want to get more of this.  I really wish this wasn't a one off beer.  Damn.  Lagunitas.  Blood Orange.  I'm going to buy so much more of this.  If I can find it.  And write incomplete sentences.  Everything is here.  Citrus.  Blood Orange.  Hops.  Yes.  I'm going to buy as much of this as I can before you can get it.  Read this.  Share it.  I love you.  Share it.  Read it.  Share it.  Love it.  Share it.  Share it.  Share it.  Love.

Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

Today, I have Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA in my glass.  This one is bursting with ripe, almost rotten fruit flavor, like a fruit plate that's been left out too long.  I think that's the Mosaic hops talking; they can get a little funky.  This one is good, if a bit light on the tongue.  Probably lends itself best to hot summer days.  It pours out a rich copper color, little head but strong retention.  Not overly bitter, too funky to be sweet, good hop showing with a malty finish.  Lingers fruity in the mouth: peach and mango.  Others love this beer, but to me it feels like the crazy cousin who seems nice, and you can't quite put your finger on what's exactly wrong, but something is off and it's unignorable (just as unignorable is unignorably not a word).  If you've been waiting for a beer to perfectly marry the sensibilities of sweet Citra hops with funky Mosaic hops, then Fresh Squeezed might be your jam.

Surly Overrated

Today I have Surly's Overrated in my glass.  And I'll be honest with you, my first thought was that maybe there's a little truth in the name. I wasn't immediately wowed.  I didn't initially feel that my search across several stores to pay $10 for a four pack of this beer was worth it.  But slowly it unpeeled like a better-smelling onion and revealed itself to me and it's really a very good IPA.  Maybe a little thin for my taste, but definitely a complex beer!  Some grapefruit, a definite but not overwhelming aspirin bitterness, but most interestingly a mild but pervasive wintergreen note shining through on the finish.  Nice work!  Little confused about the artwork though.  Little red, decent amount of white, and mostly blue, with stars, fireworks, and fighter planes...this looks like a Fourth of July beer.  But today is June Sixth.  Help me out guys.

Founders Imperial Stout

Today I have Founders' Imperial Stout in my glass. I'll be tasting this one in four sessions, since I bought a four pack of it. I don't have a single favorite beer, but I do get especially excited each year when this one comes out. I can't say I've had anything else quite like it. Perfection from the label (featuring a Russian style eagle) to the last drop. Just don't make the mistake of pouring yourself a second. In my experience that's just too much flavor. Overwhelms the taste buds. But the first bottle is delightful.

Founders chooses to make their Imperial Stout with loads of hops, but I wouldn't say it's at all reminiscent of a black IPA (as I found with Victory Beer's Storm King). Instead, the massive hopping seems to add another layer of texture into a beer centered around 10 different roasted malts. The result is sublime.

Founders Imperial Stout pours dark as sin, with a quickly settling tan head. There's plenty of coffee and roasted malt on the nose. One of my favorite things about this beer is the way it doesn't need to age for a minute to be palatable. Other Russian Imperial Stouts need a few months to cool off before consumption. By contrast, Founders is delicious fresh out the gate, and I prefer it good and fresh.

Founders Imperial Stout is big, black, smooth, and rich on the tongue. It's got a nice little kick at the end to let you know it's not too smooth. This one ages fast; let it sit for a few months and it slowly morphs into a different beer. The hops subside. It becomes a little more like all the other excellent Imperial Stouts. At the end of the day, y'all can keep your Ten Fidy, I'm going to stick with Founders Imperial Stout.

Bjorn.

Editor's note: Bullshit he doesn't have a favorite. Yes he does. This is it.

Central Water's Space Ghost

Today I have in my glass, Space Ghost from Central Waters.  Before diving in I will say this:  I have a little experience with peppered beers, and some have been favorites (Mikkeller Chipotle Porter, I'm looking at you) while others were less exceptional.  I was intrigued when I first heard of this one, but intimidated by the thought of anything made with ghost peppers.  This came recommended by a friend who professed it to be "not too hot but really good," so Scott, I'm going to hunt you down after drinking this and either give you a hug or a punch in the face.  I think that's fair.  Pours out plenty dark, with a decent finger of mocha head.  Noses peppered chocolate, though not too hot.  I'm digging it so far.  There's a definite burn to this one, more subtle initially and building in the finish, lingering in the back of my mouth long after I swallow.  I've never had anything like this before. I don't think I would buy another, but I am glad to have this one.  I think the nose is probably my favorite part, and the finish my least favorite, but overall I like this one much more than I dislike it.  Scott, you get neither a hug nor a punch, but you can take a high five if you want it.

Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA

Today I have Sierra Nevada's Hop Hunter in my glass. I do like Sierra Nevada on the whole. Not every beer, not every time, but I've enjoyed a good number of their offerings over the years. Hop Hunter sounds like it could go either way.

It sounds fairly close to Lagunitas' Hop Stoopid, which is the only other beer I've had which used hop oil instead of physical hops. I've had mixed reactions to Hop Stoopid, so I'm curious but wary. Beer pours out golden, with a decent head. Noses strong, but soft hops, piney and thick. Nose is deceptive, though. This one seems a bit weak and watery. Hops seem indistinctly present, as if behind a curtain. Hops come through a bit more on the finish, but overall I'd say this is a lackluster effort.

It is, however, a drinkable and not unenjoyable beer. Inoffensive at worst and best. I suppose all things considered, it's not bad for the price. It's not a bad budget beer option, but it wouldn't be my first pick.

Saturday Bonus Post

I thought I would share a photo of last week's review, as it was sent to me. This is how a lot of them look when I get them from Bjorn.

Josephine.

Great Lakes Chillwave

Today I have Great Lakes Chillwave in my glass. Chillwave sounds like a dumb name to me, but evidently I'm having more trouble with the word "lakes." LAKES. LAKES LAKES LAKES [Imagine this all in red ink. - Josephine.]

Okay, that's better. Great Lakes' Chillwave is made using Mosaic hops, which are all the rage now. Mosaic are a little funkier than some of the other varieties out there. I read a review a while ago comparing the smell of this beer to cat urine, so I'm trying not to think about that. Frankly, I think this smells pretty good. Not at all like the basement of my childhood home.

It tastes good, too. I recommend this beer if you like weird IPA beer. Just look past the dumb name and that thing about cat piss. Granted, I don't think I would want to drink this beer every day but it's definitely worth trying. Damn weird though. Maybe that does taste like feline urine. I mean, probably not. I can't quite put my finger on it.

You should try this one just try try it. Think one is enough for me though. Could be interesting in a series trying beers that highlight different hops strains.

Lakefront IPA

Today I have Lakefront's IPA in my glass. For my money, this is the best regular... blah blah blah. It's good beer. It's an IPA. It tastes like hops. There isn't much about this beer that makes it better than the other IPA beers that I like, but there isn't anything wrong with it either. The hops in this one aren't my favorite hops (those taste sweeter and funkier) but they taste good.

Maybe part of the reason that I like this beer better than some of the other ones is because I can often get it fresher than beer from California, or even Michigan. Most beer taste better when it's more fresh. You should always check to see how fresh your beer is before buying it.

If you live in or around Milwaukee you should try Lakefront IPA. If you don't live around here you might still want to try it. It's not the best beer, but it is a good one, and that's worth something. Maybe next time I will try my favorite beer. Just kidding, I don't actually have a favorite.

Thank you for beer'n with me today. I hope you tune in next time.

Bell's Two Hearted Ale

Ernest Hemingway fishing at Walloon Lake, Michigan
1916, image in the Public Domain.

Today I have Bell's Two Hearted Ale in my glass. This is another old favorite. It was the first IPA style beer I had, and it changed the way I looked at beer and hops. I've since gone on to have lots of better beer, and a few disappointing bottles of Two Hearted, but on a good day Bell's Two Hearted can, like the Hemingway story it's named for, stand with the best. Today was one of those days:

Bell's Two Hearted pours a hazy amber color into the glass with a slight and quickly diminishing head. Rich and piney hops meld with tropically fruity ones to provide a pleasing nose and palate. A strong malt backdrop holds everything firmly in place. Hops round out the finish with pleasantly stinging bite. Two Hearted is a good choice for the hop novice who wants to learn something new, and it's also a welcome familiar option for the more experienced.

Try a Bell's Two Hearted if you haven't had one in awhile. Give it a go it you've never had the pleasure. Try it again in a few months if you're disappointed. It's worth trying again, because when it's good, it's good, even if it's not always so good.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Today I have Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale in my glass. This beer holds a special place in my heart as my first microbrew. Before trying it I was unconvinced that American beer could be any good. I've tried hundreds of different microbrews since then. I rarely buy Sierra Nevada, but I always enjoy it when I do. Take a walk with me down memory lane as I enjoy an old favorite:

It pours pale, true to its name, though richer than your average macro. Definitely noses like a transitional beer, a somewhat hoppier take on the average macro lager. It's straight forward and bitter on the palate with a decent hop dose. I recall this beer having a notably yeasty finish, but this bottle doesn't seem to be delivering it. After all of the nice words I wrote before, I have to admit this beer isn't doing it for me. I can be an apologist here, and say maybe it was poorly stored, or a bad batch. The best thing I can say about it is that it went well with fish fry, but so does Pabst. I hope this bottle was not a good representation of where this beer has gone, though it may be awhile before I try another.

Bjorn.

We missed a post!

Bjorn enjoying some fine eats at PC's
classic saloon.

I know, we missed a post. We're very sorry. Two new posts will be up this coming Thursday to make it up to you all. I hope we can make it up to you all!

There is a pretty okay excuse for missing this last Thursday: Bjorn was visiting me in Utah for my birthday. We had a lovely long weekend, including a whiskey tour at High West Distillery. We've attended several brewery and distillery tours over the years, and I can say with confidence that this was by far the best I have ever been on. It doesn't hurt that High West is such an interesting company with a real investment in local history and preservation programs.

After the tour and tasting, we headed up Park City's historic Main Street to enjoy a buffalo burger and a nice glass of whiskey at the No Name Saloon. No, there were no dancing girls or women of ill repute. Fun fact from my work at the local museum: the famous and long lived Red Light district in Park City had strict rules that the girls were not to walk the streets alone or hang out in drinking establishments! However, there has always been great food and good drink all over the city.

Keep an eye out for next week!

Josephine.

Ballast Point Sculpin

Today I have Ballast Point's Sculpin in my glass. Ballast Point is new to the Midwest and I'm at least a little curious about them. As a long-time fisherman I take notice of a beer who names all of their bottlings after fish and I'm even more intrigued when I'm unfamiliar with the fish in question. The Sculpin is a kind of funny looking fish. Take a look at one of Ballast Point's bottles if you've never seen one, or better yet open one with me.

Sculpin pours richly golden with little head. It has a deep sweet nose full of tropical fruits. It's smooth and easy to drink without any massive hop bite. It does have a little nice nibble on the finish though, and lingers citrusy in the mouth. Apparently Ballast Point also makes a version of this with Habanero Peppers, which sounds like it would be fun. Likewise I will be watching for their Grapefruit Sculpin.


Side note: this beer goes great with a fish fry. Side-side note: as I write more of these the format will tighten, as will my writing. I will become a machine. I will become one with my machine. Our words will warm your winters and cool your summers. Don't ask how it works. You cannot dissect gossamer. Magic falls apart under the microscope.

Bjorn.

Bell's Expedition (2012 Vintage)

Today I have Bell's Expedition in my glass. Every year devotees await the release of this annual beer from the esteemed Michigan brewery, though I think it best with at least a few month's age to take the kick off of its 10.5% ABV. Fortunately for me, this bottle has been left to "sit quietly in your (my) cellar, aging and improving while you (I) wait for the moment that seems perfectly appropriate for its consumption."

I think three years and some change is enough aging for this one, and the first issue of Beer'n with Bjorn is the right occasion for consumption so I'm going to open this up and tell you what I find:

The first thing I notice is a massive nose of dark roasted malts. I'm getting very dark chocolate (110% cacao) and some sweetness. A slight tan head forms, but it quickly dissipates. The aging has smoothed out the rough edges on the palate; this stout goes down velvety smooth with a parting satisfying smack at the end. The finish lingers with tons of licorice, chocolate, and dark coffee. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this may be one of my favorite Russian Imperial Stouts.

In summation, I recommend buying a six pack of it and trying one fresh. Then try another one in six months or so. Then another the following year. And if you like it, buy another six pack!

Bjorn.

Initial Post

Hello and welcome! With this post, Bjorn and I will begin our beer blog expedition. Which is strange, because I actually cannot drink beer. Anyway, I hope you will enjoy Bjorn's reviews. He mails them to me after typing them up on his typewriter. No joke.

We have something like 20 reviews lined up, so I had better get typing! Reviews will be posted every Thursday, just in time for your tasty weekend.

Enjoy!

Josephine.

Reviews from Bjorn