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!

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.