350. Terrapin Beer Co. – Hopsecutioner IPA
This beer was given to me by my friend Joe, after his trip down south a couple of months ago. He seems to be a fan of Terrapin beers and gave me a few of them, including this one. I was looking forward to something with a good hop flavor, so I thought I’d crack this one open after dinner this evening. Location: Enjoyed the bottled beer, in a Sam Adams perfect pint glass, at home in Bloomington, IL. Numbers: 7.2% ABV, 78 IBUs,...
341. Samuel Adams – Latitude 48 IPA
It’s a relaxing evening, and I reached into the beer fridge to grab something new. I bought this a couple weeks ago as part of the Sam Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed 12 pack, which includes this Latitude 48 as well as single hopped versions of the beer. Tonight, I was able to sit down, relax, enjoy this beer, and make a few notes… that is before it was time to put the kids down to bed. Location: Enjoyed this bottle in my...
339. New Belgium – Ranger IPA
I’m out with my family for dinner tonight and was ready for a big beer. Fortunately, they had this freshly tapped beer to satisfy my craving for something hoppy. Location: On tap at Joe’s Station House Pizza Pub in Normal, IL. Numbers: 6.5% ABV, 70 IBUs, 14.6 OG, 2 TG, 185 Calories Ingredients: Hops: Chinook, Simcoe, Cascade; Malts: Pale, C-120. Appearance & Aroma: The beer had a Soapy head on it which left some very...
334. Square One Brewery – IPA India Pale Ale
We’ve already stopped at Urban Chestnut, Six Row, and The Stable, so our next stop on our mini tour of St. Louis microbreweries was Square One Brewery. I’ve been here a few times, and there’s something about how these tap handles line up with the arched window that I find artistic. Oh, and the beer here pretty good too. However, much like we discovered at Six Row, it seemed that the selection was limited to the...
326. Rogue Ales – Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m vice president of the ABNormal Brewers homebrew club here in town. Tonight we have our monthly steering meeting to discuss our plans for the next meeting. It’s a great chance to get together to discuss topics for the meeting, as well as try some of the good beers on tap at Fat Jack’s. Location: On tap at Fat Jack’s in Bloomington, IL. Numbers: 6.2% ABV, 80 IBUs, 75...
322. Lucky Bucket Brewing – IPA
If you’ve been following this blog, you may have noticed a lot of reviews lately, and they’ve been a few weeks old. I’ve been really trying to get caught up, and finally have. It’s Memorial Day weekend, and I’ve been planning to homebrew for the first time in over 6 months. I’ve got the boil going and it was time to take a break and grab a beer. My beer fridge is packed, as I’ve been...
307. Harpoon Brewery – Harpoon IPA Draft
I had a nice weekend at home, but I’m back out on the road for work again this week. The storms throughout the Midwest have been awful, so I’m not sure we’re going to get out of DFW on time. That gave us plenty of time to have a nice dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood House in the airport. Fortunately, they had these very large glasses and this Harpoon IPA on tap to pass the time until we find out what time we’ll...
302. The Abbey Brewing Co – Immaculate IPA Draft
I’ve got a “day off” in Miami, so I decided to head down to South Beach and get in a little run and a little sun (despite the fact that I had my laptop there with me to get in a little work). After a morning on the beach, and getting a nice sunburn, I looked to see if there might be a good brewpub or microbrewery nearby. That’s how I stumbled across The Abbey Brewing Co. As I took tasting notes on my phone, I...
296. Stone Brewing – Cali Belgique IPA Draft
Last night I was at the Stone Brewing kick off event at Fat Jack’s. I found out they also had an event at Medici in Normal, and tonight I’m at Medici for a “Tweetup” for an upcoming social media conference – @Midwest – I’m participating in. The last Belgian IPA I decided to try here – Flying Dog Raging Bitch – I really, really liked, so I thought I’d give the one from Stone...
285. (512) Brewing – (512) IPA Draft
When I checked into the Downtown Austin Residence Inn for the beginning of the SXSW Interactive Festival, I got a coupon for a couple free drinks at the attached Champions bar and grill. So, my friend Robert and I headed to the bar before dinner. Fortunately, they had some local brews on tap, so I got a chance to try this local IPA. Numbers: 7% ABV, 65 IBUs Appearance & Aroma: It was a somewhat hazy brown-orange color with a...
282. Widmer Brothers – Broken Halo IPA
I’m still sitting in the Austin, Texas airport, now watching the second half of the Missouri-Kansas game in the bar just outside of security. Unfortunately, my Tigers are down, and it doesn’t look good. However, the bar was almost empty, so I could relax and enjoy sipping on this brew during the second half. After having the Shiner Bohemian Black Lager I was looking for something a bit hoppy. Numbers: 6% ABV, 45 IBUs,...
276. Ballast Point – Sculpin IPA India Pale Ale Draft
Tonight I’m at Fat Jack’s for our monthly steering meeting for the ABNormal Brewers. I like that they usually have some different beers on tap, and tonight was no exception. I felt like something hoppy, so I decided to go for one of the only IPAs on the list. Numbers: 7% ABV, 70 IBUs Appearance & Aroma: It was slightly hazy and golden-straw colored. It had a very thick, creamy, bright-white head on it, which left...
