sodakbeer's Blog

Lakefront Fixed Gear

The Lakefront Brewery is located in Milwaukee, WI.  It makes Fixed Gear American Red Ale.  This beer is definitely worth a try if you like red ales with some snap!  A six pack of 12 oz. bottles costs $7.99 at the Brookings Liquor Store.

The malts are a combo of 2-row pale and dark caramel malts.  Chinook and Cascade hops give this beer a great flavor!

ABV = 6.5%

IBUs = 34

This beer pours out amber with a white head into a pint glass.  The aroma and taste are a mix of piney and citrus.  This mixture is similar to Summit Horizon Red Ale which I really like.  Try it, you’ll like it!

Brownstone

The first Beer Geek Night will be held at the Brookings Brownstone Tuesday night January 17 at 8 pm.  The event costs $20 which includes three craft beers and a membership card good for 10% off all beers all of the time.  See you there!

January 16 update – You must RSVP to brookingsbrownstone at gmail dot com to reserve a spot.

35 beers on tap!

Crow Peak Brewing: New Year, New Brew

by Ben Lippert of Loud and Clear

A couple months ago, around Halloween, I wrote about the seasonal chili ale calledWICCA. This spicy seasonal, as you might remember, comes and goes very quickly. It is in high demand from the time it’s tapped until the last pint is poured.

Well, WICCA season is over and now Crow Peak is working on a new beer. This rich chocolaty Imperial stout will tickle your taste buds and make even the coldest winter wind sufferable.

“Some people have referred to it as liquid Almond Joy,” said Crow Peak’s vice president, Josh Fritz.

They’re calling the new creation “Crowcoanut Porter.” Fritz describes it as having a rich coconut and chocolate flavor with just a hint of bitterness. The bitterness comes from the dark roasted malts that it’s brewed with, complemented nicely with the sweetness from the coconut.

Fritz said they just began tapping the beer on New Years Eve. He hopes that it will become as popular as their other seasonal beers – and with that kind of flavor, how could it not?

By definition, a porter is “a dark-coloured style of beer.” The deep dark hue is a result of the malts it is brewed with. Porters also have a very distinct taste. They usually contain chocolate, coffee, caramel or nuts and have an overall smoky aroma.

Most people associate a porter with the winter season. As a result, they are widely consumed during the coldest months of the year. In my opinion, a good porter should make you feel warm and cozy. It’s the kind of beer you should sip while curled up in front of a fire – or for a more modern-day example, curled up with a snuggy while watching TV.

Fritz agrees.

“Crowcoanut is a high gravity beer coming in at around 8% alcohol … it gives you a warming sensation in your tummy. I can see enjoying this one in front of the fireplace paired with some nice dark chocolate.”

The Crowcoanut is brewed in the traditional style but with a twist. After fermentation they steep the beer in toasted coconut and cocoa nibs. Fritz says that’s where the beer gets its rich flavor that makes it perfect for pairing with chocolate and other sweet snacks.

Unlike some of their regular beers which are shipped to nearby bars in Rapid City, this seasonal treat is only available at the brewery in Spearfish. Fortunately for you, the Black Hills have been relatively snowless this winter, making for good travel conditions.

Hopefully the nice weather will hold on a little while longer because during my last visit to the brewery, the bartender urged that I come back within the next month, before the Crowcoanut is obsolete. This beer is highly anticipated by the locals and will surely sell out in due time.

Fritz wanted me to thank all the Black Hills beer connoisseurs for their loyalty and excitement about Crow Peak beer. The brewery will continue to produce top-notch quality brews in 2012 with hopes of improving production efficiencies to better meet the high demand for their product.

Although Fritz didn’t specify which one, they will also make another beer available in cans this year.

“Innovation is always a key factor in keeping customers coming back, so we will keep that in the forefront of our decision making.”

New Belgium Snow Day

The New Belgium Brewery is located in Fort Collins, CO, and is the maker of the well known Fat Tire.  Their winter seasonal release is Snow Day.  This tasty beer uses a mixture of Midnight Wheat, Pale and C-80 malts.  Hops are also a mix and include Styrian Goldings, Centennial and Cascade.

ABV = 6.2%

IBUs = 55

Here is the story on the name from the company website -

“In 2003, we had a massive 37-inch snowstorm over two days in Fort Collins. Everything shut down for a couple days – no work, no school, no cars. The only way you could get around was by ski or toboggan. When we began brewing Snow Day, we looked to this one storm for inspiration. The dark characters of the malt bill reflect the dark stormy sky at the beginning of the snowfall. But on the third day, the sun broke through and everything was glorious! The name Snow Day evoked joyful freedom. Everyone remembers waiting for the school report as little kids. When you heard your school was closed, you suddenly had all day to play in the transformed, white landscape. Well, that’s the kind of emotion we put into this beer.

Pleasantly hoppy, Snow Day carries the subtle chocolate and caramel flavors of a new brewing malt known as Midnight Wheat. The Styrian Golding, Centennial and Cascade hops bring the backbone of hoppy bitterness to complement the roasty undertones. This beer is the deep garnet of a roasted walnut and presents a creamy tan head, floating artfully atop. Snow Day is bold and hoppy, drinkable and strong.
It reminds you to enjoy the unexpected.”

The beer pours out deep brown with ruby highlights around the edges into a pint glass.  A light tan head is present.  The aroma is piney with light malt hints.  The flavor again is piney hops balanced with roasty malt and slight chocolate hints.  The glass has nice lacing.  This beer is a nice balance between the hops and malt, and it is a nice winter ale.

Grade = B+

Thanks New Belgium!  I will be definitely have this one again.

Brownstone

The Brownstone in Brookings, SD is now open.  This new eatery and bar is located in the former Coast to Coast Hardware (313 Main Avenue).  They have 35 beers on tap plus more in bottles.  Stay tuned for a more detailed update soon!

35 beers on tap!

Monk's House of Ale Repute

A Surly Brewing Company night was held at Monk’s House of Ale Repute in Sioux Falls November 23.  Surly beer used to be available on tap in selected South Dakota bars, but has not been available since the brewery reduced their distribution area.  South Dakota beer geeks still love their Surly so the place was packed.  A keg of Darkness was tapped at 5 pm and was gone in 30 minutes!  This Russian Imperial Stout is a highly sought after beer throughout the US.  Other Surly beers available included Furious, Smoke, Five, Hell and Bitter Brewer.

l-r Dale, Chuck, Luke & Richard

We loaded up a vehicle with Brookings people (Luke Rensink, Emily Ramerth, Richard Drawdy, Chuck Loose & Dale Miskimins) and headed straight for Monk’s.  We arrived just before 5 pm and enjoyed the great beer and company.  A quick stop was made at Taylor’s Pantry (Good Spirits) for some homebrewing supplies and more beer.  We were all starving, so a stop was made at Buffalo Wild Wings before returning home.

Be sure to visit Monk’s when you are in Sioux Falls.  They are one of the top 100 beer bars in the US as mentioned in Draft Magazine.  Like Monk’s House of Ale Repute on Facebook so you will be notified of upcoming events.

I will leave you with a photo of Surly’s Furious (my favorite Surly beer!).  Hopefully Surly will return to South Dakota when they build their new brewery.  Until then we will seek them out at special events and on visits to the Twin Cities.  Cheers until next time!

Surly Furious

Sully's Irish Pub

Sully’s Irish Pub is located at 421 Main Avenue in Brookings.  Brennan and Lori Sullivan have been the owners since 2004 when it was still known as the Safari.  In 2009 the name was changed to Sully’s.  It is a good place to meet friends for a drink, play a game of pool or to hear live music.  They offer 16 taps featuring many craft beers and other craft choices in bottles (Brau Brothers, Empyrean & Samuel Smith).  A recent visit revealed taps by Guinness (on nitro), Boulevard, Odell, Heist, New Belgium and Deschutes.  Snow Day from New Belgium Brewing was the seasonal offering.  Snow Day is a nice example of a black IPA (mix of roasty malt with a nice helping of hops).  The usual big brewery beers are available too (Budweiser, Miller & Coors).

New Belgium Snow Day

Catey & Ross

Catey and Ross will pour your favorite beer, mixed drink or wine and make you feel at home.  Ask them about the “Grizzly Bear for Hire” (a mixture of Odell Myrcenary & Deschutes Black Butte Porter) if you are feeling adventurous!

Ross's Bell's Brewery tattoo

Ross Bell, head bartender, is dedicated to growing the craft beer scene in Brookings.  He is a big craft beer fan and even sports a craft beer tattoo of the Bell’s Brewery symbol (well known Michigan craft brewery).  Their Two Hearted Ale is a favorite of many beer geeks.

The folks at Sully’s are excited about the upcoming opening of  the Brownstone Restaurant and Lounge in Brookings.  This new establishment is also owned by the Sullivans.  It will feature a full service restaurant.  The full service bar will offer 35 beer taps and 100 additional craft beers in bottles.

You can find Sully’s on the web or on Facebook.  Stop by for a good pint!

Things are looking great for fans of good beer in Brookings, especially at Sully’s Irish Pub!

North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin

The North Coast Brewing Company makes Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout.  This beer style was made by 18th Century English brewers who supplied the court of Russia’s Catherine the Great.  This is a big beer that needs to be sipped slowly and enjoyed.  I bought a four pack of twelve ounce bottles at the Brookings Liquor Store for $7.99.

ABV = 9%

IBUs = 75

The beer pours out very dark brown (almost black) into a snifter glass with a generous brown head.  The aroma and taste are a mixture of coffee, toasty malt and chocolate. Deliciousness in a glass!  The mouthfeel is medium, but not sticky.  The alcohol is not prominent despite the 9% ABV.  There is nice lacing on the glass.

Grade = A

This is a great beer and one that can be enjoyed  around the fire.  Check out the Old Rasputin float recipe at the North Coast Brewing website.  I dare you not to drool when you see the picture!

International Stout Day is November 3, 2011.  Enjoy a stout with friends or at your local bar.

Untappd will be offering a special badge to celebrate.

I will be enjoying a North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin.  What will be in your glass?

Chinook Hops

Many people look forward to Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers in the fall, but give me a fresh (wet) hopped beer!   Fresh hopped beers are made with hops soon after they have been picked.  Most hops are dried and pelleted for year around use.  Fresh hop beers typically have amazing hop flavor and aroma ranging from pine to citrus to grassy combinations.  Readers who have followed this blog know that hoppy beers are my favorites!

Fresh hop beers are usually produced in limited quantities and are best when consumed soon after release (don’t cellar these beers).  What beers should South Dakotans look for?  Brau Brothers from Lucan, MN have produced a new batch of their Hundred Yard Dash Ale.  I was very pleased to taste this beer and find a more pine/citrus combination than last year (see review of the 2010 release).  A six pack cost $11.89 at Taylor’s Pantry/Good Spirits Fine Wine & Liquor in Sioux Falls.

Fresh hops!

Pelleted hops

Other beers to watch for in this area include Deschutes Fresh Hop Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Deschutes Hop Trip and Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest.

Brau Brothers Hundred Yard Dash Ale

These beers are usually produced in small limited batches, so pick some up while it’s still available!  Here is a link to more on fresh hop beers from billybrew.com.