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.