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Author: Hoppy Craftsmen

Episode Review

Episode 04 Review: Operation Stoutapalooza

November 25, 2016 By No Comments

This week Brandon and Chris talk about and try some of the newly released beers to Arizona. Including Modern Times, and Prairie Artisan Ales. Then they babble on about something they call Stoutapalooza. Good times ensue!

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Music Credit: Porno Galactic by Concrete Dinosaur
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InDepth Beer Review:

  • Modern Times – Fortunate Islands
    • Rating – 3.75
    • Style – American Pale Wheat Ale
    • ABV – 5%
    • FINALLY!! Welcome to Arizona Modern Times, we can’t tell you how much we were looking forward to having MT brews available here and were surprised by the amount of beers they brought with them for their release parties. Among the specialties, were the staples and this one did not let down, a wheat beer that could pass for an IPA.  Smooth and not overly hoppy, almost like a session IPA.  Be on the lookout for this and other selections at your local bottle shop or brew pub.

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  • Modern Times – Sleepless City
    • Rating – 4
    • Style – American Coffee Brown Ale
    • ABV – 5.7%
    • One of the Special Releases that MT brought for their release at Brass Tap in Mesa was this amazing coffee brown ale, and it did not disappoint. It almost seems as though coffee beers are going the way of the pumpkin beer with most breweries dabbling in them, the good thing is that unlike most pumpkin’s being made with spices instead of actual pumpkin…coffee beers are actually brewed with coffee beans and this helps make the coffee taste just all the more delicious.  And this one is certainly that.

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  • Prairie Artisan – Bomb!
    • Rating – 4.5
    • Style – American Imperial/Double Stout
    • ABV – 13%
    • Chile Bomb, is really what it should be called…while it has a very bold chili aroma, it doesn’t leave a burning after taste. The spices just pull the chocolate notes out, providing a rich and smooth stout that is perfect for all beer connoisseurs alike.  Let these bad boys warm to room temp for the best taste.

bomb

  • Prairie Artisan – Christmas Bomb!
    • Rating – 4.5
    • Style – American Imperial/Double Stout
    • ABV – 13%
    • This one has more of a bourbon taste were the Bomb! had the chili’s. It gives the same beer a whole new life, crazy how a subtle tweak in ingredients can make a difference in the best way.  We’re so glad that Prairie Artisans is now available here in Arizona, they have such a great line-up of beers and we will definitely enjoy exploring them.

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*All rating an average of Chris and Brandon’s Untappd ratings.

Related articles:

  • http://beersmithrecipes.com/viewrecipe/230918/fortunate-islands
  • http://beersmithrecipes.com/viewrecipe/632769/sleepless-city-coffee-brown
  • http://mouthbysouthwest.com/2016/11/15/cogburns-sports-bar-taking-over-former-house-of-brews-in-gilbert-for-3rd-location/
  • http://mouthbysouthwest.com/2016/11/11/twisted-cactus-brewing-opens-today-in-former-nosh-space-in-chandler/
  • https://www.brewbound.com/news/craft-beer-guild-pays-ttb-750000-settle-pay-play-violations
  • http://www.brewbound.com/news/arizona-coyotes-partner-santan-brewing-first-ever-yotes-pale-ale
  • http://draftmag.com/13-beer-off-flavors/
  • http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/beverages/why-are-so-many-craft-breweries-selling-their-beer-in-cans/ar-AAjcimJ?ocid=mailsignout
Episode Review

Episode 03 Review: Operation Bipartisan

November 11, 2016 By No Comments

No matter what side you fall on, we can all agree on a few things. Beer is good, craft beer is great, and getting to do a show about craft beer is amazing!  This week Brandon and Chris split the isle and put aside differences to drink a few to the candidates and the whole election season. Mostly because its over now.

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Below you will find the in-depth reviews of the beers we enjoyed on the show and links to all the articles we talked about.

Music Credit: Porno Galactic by Concrete Dinosaur

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InDepth Beer Review:

 

  • DESTIHL – Wild Sour Series: Plum Sour Stout
    • Rating – 4.5
    • Style – Sour Ale
    • ABV – 5.6%
    • This “stout” is sour up front with a great chocolate flavor to back it up, the low ABV makes for a smooth drink. It’s almost crazy to think of a sour stout, this is one that most beer drinkers might turn their noses up at, but it’s a surprisingly perfect combination of the two and anyone that passes it by is not doing their taste buds any favors.

wild

  • Brooklyn – Post Road Pumpkin Ale
    • Rating – 3
    • Style – Pumpkin Ale
    • ABV – 5%
    • Another smooth pumpkin ales that doesn’t overdo it with the spices, it does carry a bit more clove flavor than some of its brothers, which helps it stand apart from many of the other we’ve previously tasted.  Slowly trying all that Brooklyn has to offer as they just recently became available to us here in AZ, but so far they have yet to disappoint.

post-road

 

  • Lagunitas – Wilco Tango Foxtrot
    • Rating – 3.25
    • Style – Double Imperial Brown Ale
    • ABV – 7.85%
    • If you’re not a fan of hops, turn back now…Lagunitas has not met a hop they don’t like and this one (like all their other beers) is no different and any brewery that cleverly names that beer W.T.F., well you better believe it’ll have you saying just that. This beer truly embodies the West Coast style and if you can handle a bold beer this one might just be up your alley.

wtf

  • Avery – Ale to the Chief!
    • Rating – 4
    • Style – Double Imperial IPA
    • ABV – 8.1%
    • In a tribute to our sitting President (Obama) and the newly Elected one (Donald Trump), this third adaptation of a beer that is brewed every four years for the Inauguration of the next or returning President, and the 2017 version boosts a bipartisan blend of malt and hops making for an incredibly smooth double IPA.  Be sure to crack a bottle on Friday January 20th to help welcome our next 45th Commander-in-chief.

chief

  • Unibroue – La Fin Du Monde
    • Rating – 3.5
    • Style – Belgian Tripel
    • ABV – 9%
    • When all of America is talking about moving to Canada, as they do after any election any more, you can stay here and enjoy this lovey treat from the Great White North. With an impressive 96 on BeerAdvocate it really is one of the finest Belgian Tripels around, one that would even make the monks of ol’ take notice.  Enjoy a bottle with a friend and watch to see how these next four years play out, plus see if you can find the hidden meaning in the name and its relevance for this show.

la-fin

*All rating an average of Chris and Brandon’s Untappd ratings.

Related articles:

 

Episode Review

Episode 02 Review: Operation Autumn Blaze

November 8, 2016 By No Comments

It’s only a week after Halloween, but the good thing is it’s still Fall and there’s plenty of time to still enjoy some delicious pumpkin brews, here were the one’s we sampled in the second episode. Let us know which are your favorites, which one’s you may have tried because you heard us talking about it, or even if you have suggestions for any pumpkin beers we didn’t get to you think we should try.

  • Dogfish Head – Punkin Ale
    • Rating – 3.75
    • Style – Pumpkin Ale
    • ABV – 7%
    • One of the original pumpkin brews and always a solid go-to, this ale was inspired and named after the annual “Punkin Chunkin” event and its chunks a full pumpkin flavor for sure. This pumpkin is a great choice for the beer novice and craft snobs alike. While it may be an early riser to the season, it does not lack in the pursuit of pumpkin flavor and enjoyment.

punkin

  • New Belgium – Pumpkick
    • Rating – 3.5
    • Style – Pumpkin Ale
    • ABV – 6%
    • Not just another pumpkin beer, but a hint of cranberry really makes this one pop and gives it the “kick” you’re looking for. As pumpkin’s go, it has been and always will be a true Fall staple.  It may be one of the early birds to the season isle, but its nothing worth holding against this pumpkin brew.

kick

  • Boulevard – Funky Pumpkin
    • Rating – 3.75
    • Style – Spiced Sour Ale
    • ABV – 5.8%
    • An interesting take on the pumpkin beer phenomenon, a sour pumpkin ale that is not so overly sour that is detracts from the overall pumpkin flavor, yet is just sour enough in smell and taste to let this beer stand apart from other pumpkin takes.

funky

  • Southern Tier – Pumking
    • Rating – 3.75
    • Style – Pumpkin Ale
    • ABV –8.6%
    • With a vanilla boost, this ale is a nice twist on the pumpkin game. The vanilla helps to accentuate the spice game and makes for a smooth, refreshing treat. This brew would pair great with your holiday cheese cake or s’mores by the campfire. Also available is the Blackwater Series Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout.

king

  • Four Peaks – Pumpkin Porter
    • Rating – 4
    • Style – Pumpkin Porter
    • ABV – 5.1%
    • A local fall staple, one of the OG pumpkin beers for the Phoenix and Arizona Craft Beer scene. A rich porter style pumpkin that holds its taste from start to finish with notes of chocolate and clove.  Also available the Imperial Double Pumpkin Porter at 8.3%…be sure to enjoy and check in on Untappd either of these two before 11/20/16 to earn your “Four Peaks Pumpkin Patch” badge.

4peaksbadge

  • Cascade – Pumpkin Smash
    • Rating – 4.5
    • Style – Northern Style Sour Ale (aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels)
    • ABV –11.1%
    • Cascade is known for their sour beers and this one does not disappoint. Very tart and mouthwatering. The sourness of this beer hides the 11.1% ABV way to well.  If you are not careful, this one will get away from you.  The “spices” definitely come through but not in an overwhelming fashion.  The only con for this beer and most Cascade beers is the sticker shock. But, if you love the style it is worth the money for a world class aged sour beer like this one.

smash

  • Avery – Pump(KY)n
    • Rating – 4.75
    • Style – Bourbon Barrel aged Pumpkin Porter
    • ABV – 15%
    • You had us at Bourbon…this full bodied porter has all the flavor of a bourbon barrel aged beer without taking away from the fact that it’s also a pumpkin brew. High ABV, but smooth to the finish.  Best served at more of a room temperature, which helps bring all the flavors together.  Also look for the Rumpkin, Rum Barrel aged Pumpkin ale at 18%.

ky

*All rating an average of Chris and Brandon’s Untappd ratings.

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