362. Capital Brewing – Square Series Weizen Doppelbock
I’ve mentioned that I’m at the Bruegala beer festival and they have several special release beers available. These are beers that are tough to find around these parts (Central Illinois) and are part of a limited quantity at the event. Ever since I was contacted by the Brewmaster at Capital Brewery, Kirby Nelson, last year, I’ve tried more of their beers. So, when I saw this one was available at the event, I went...
361. Southern Tier – Oak Aged Imperial Unearthly India Pale Ale
Another special release during the Bruegala beer festival, this one sounded pretty good. I’ve had several Southern Tier beers, and they do a pretty good job with some big flavored beers. I made an IPA aged on oak chips once and was surprised by how good the mix of hops and oak flavor tasted. This one was a much bigger beer, and it didn’t disappoint with an equally big flavor. Location: Enjoyed a 3oz sample, in a...
360. Two Brothers Brewing – Askew Sour Ale
During the Bruegala beer festival, they had a few special release beers, which were a few somewhat hard to get a hold of bottles. This one was one of those beers. My experiences with sour beers has been mixed, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but figured that since it was one of the featured beers, I’d give it a try. Location: Enjoyed a 3oz sample, in a sampling glass, at Bruegala in Bloomington, IL. Numbers: 6.5% ABV, ~...
359. Firestone Walker – Nectar Ales Nectar IPA
As I mentioned in my last post, I’m at the Bruegala beer festival in Bloomington, Illinois. At this festival, you buy a punch card with so many samples on it, but some beers cost 2-3 punches. I stopped at the table with Firestone Walker, because their Double Jack was only 1 punch (it’s an incredible beer, review coming later). While I was there, I noticed these Nectar Ales, also brewed by Firestone Walker. I thought...
358. Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works – Hawaii Five-Ale
Tonight I’m at Bruegala , our one and only beer tasting festival in the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois area. I’m working our Abnormal Brewers booth, and helping out Fred, our former president, and current head brewer for Destihl. I covered his booth for an hour or so, and got a chance to have a few of their beers. During a slow time, I thought I’d go ahead and review their Hawaii Five-Ale. This beer came to be as...
357. Sam Adams – Latitude 48 IPA Deconstructed Zeus
I’ve already reviewed the regular Sam Adams Latitude 48 IPA. This one is from the Latitude 48 Deconstructed 12 pack, where Sam Adams takes their Latitude 48 IPA and brews a beer with a single one of the five hop varieties used in the Latitude 48. It’s a good chance to see what each hop variety tastes like with an identical grain bill. For the first review of the deconstructed series, I thought I’d...
356. Terrapin Beer – Rye Pale Ale
This beer was given to me by my friend Joe, which he picked up on a recent trip to the south. He really recommended this beer, and tried to brew a similar one himself at home. I also knew this was one that was somewhat well known and well liked in the beer community. This was backed up by the label, which indicated that this beer won the gold medal at the Great American beer Festival in 2002 in the American pale ale category....
355. Eel River Brewing – Certified Organic Amber Ale
I was looking for something different to drink tonight when I found this Amber ale from Eeel River in my beer fridge. As I’ve mentioned a couple times before, my sister’s friend Courtney gave me several beers, and this was one of them. It looked interesting because the label says that it is brewed with the finest certified organic hops and barley and has a certified organic on the label. It says that Eel River brewing is...
354. Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works – Baldock IPA
My wife and I had a date night this evening and went and saw a movie (Planet of the Apes). After the movie we decided to stop at Destihl for dinner and a beer. We had the chicken wings, which were awesome. She had the hefeweizen, which was way, way sour and obviously contaminated. Fortunately, for me, the IPA didn’t seem to be contaminated. The menu said, “copper-colored, crisp and dry india pale ale with high floral,...
353. Flossmoor Station – Rail Splitter IPA
I’m at my homebrew club meeting tonight and decided to buy a drink before the meeting. I was looking for something I haven’t had before, and the Rail Splitter IPA caught my eye. I had no idea who made it, and another guy at the meeting and I sat there with our phones trying to figure it out (after we both ordered one). Initially, I thought it was from Triton Brewing in Indianapolis, since theirs was the only Rail...
352. Spoetzl Brewery – Shiner Old-Time Alt
A couple months ago, my friend Betty, who splits her time between Oregon and Texas, sent me package with a mixed pack of Spoetzl/Shiner beers. I’ve already reviewed their Shiner Bock, Marzen Oktoberfest, and Bohemian Black Lager, so I was looking forward to trying a few more of their beers in the mixed pack. The bottle says, “This copper colored, medium to full bodied Düsseldorf style. Alts features a balance of malt and...
351. Yazoo Brewing – Dos Perros Ale
My wife is gone for the weekend and while my kids sit and watch a movie, I decided to grab a beer and relax after an afternoon at the children’s museum. I wasn’t exactly sure what this beer was, but it was given to me by my friend Joe, who liked it, and I thought I’d give it a shot. The label says, “Many Mexican beer styles today are descendents of old Austrian styles. When Austria ruled Mexico in the late 19th...
