sodakbeer's Blog

Schell’s Brewing Company is located in New Ulm, MN and is celebrating their 150th Anniversary September 17-18, 2010.  Their Pils is a fine example of a European Pilsner lager made with 100% malted barley and Hallertau hops (no adjuncts such as corn or rice). ABV = 5.6% The beer pours out with a light white one finger [...] […]

New Belgium Ranger IPA is available throughout much of the country and even can be found in Brookings, SD.  It is a fine India Pale Ale (IPA).  New Belgium has marketed this beer well – go to their website to check out the humorous Ranger rap video – I dare you not to smile! IBUs = [...] […]

Sierra Nevada Summerfest is a great lawnmower beer!  It is a lager that really tastes good on a hot day! ABV = 5.0% IBUs  = 28 Summerfest pours out golden yellow with a 1/2 finger head that dissipates quickly.  It has good carbonation.  The aroma is a mixture of malt and spicy hops.  Sierra Nevada uses a mixture [...] […]

Here is a picture from the garden.  These Chinook hops along with some Cascade hops were planted last year.  I’m guessing the harvest will be around five gallons.  I planted some Centennial and Willamette hops this year.  They won’t be ready for any picking until next year.  They are very easy to grow.  I purchased [...] […]

The Brookings Area Home Brewers Association (BAHBA – the “Blacksheep”) is organizing for fall.  Seth Koch is the organizer.    The group is open to all beer lovers and home brewers.  Watch for an announcement on the first fall meeting.  Cheers! […]

The new Crow Peak Brewing Company label for Pile o’ Dirt Porter was revealed on beernews.org.  I hope to try this and their other fine beers soon! […]

The Brookings Liquor Store now has Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale in stock.  The ale uses freshly roasted Two-row Pale, Crystal, Chocolate & Smoked malts along with Challenger & Yakima Goldings hops.  The ABV = 5.5% & the IBUs = 37.  They are known for their good beer, so I’m sure everyone will want [...] […]

Brau Brothers from Lucan, MN are releasing Hundred Yard Dash Fresh Hop Ale. I don’t know about everyone else but the fresh hop ales are the highlight of the fall beer releases for me.  I encourage everyone to seek out and try this new release.  I know I will be looking for it! Beer details: 6.8% ABV Hops [...] […]

Avery Brewing is located in Boulder, CO.  I have visited their taproom twice.  They produce many good beers including the duganA IPA reviewed here. ABV = 8.5% IBUs = 93 The beer was poured into a snifter and had a 1 1/2 finger head.  The aroma was hoppy and piney.  The color was a “South Dakota honey” (see [...] […]

We visited the Olde Main Brewing Company in Ames, IA on July 1.  Ames is the home of Iowa State University where I graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine.  It is always fun to visit the town and see the changes and additions.  I was pleased to learn last spring that the Olde Main Brewing Co. was operating on [...] […]