#304: The Bruery » Atomic Kangarue (Wild Ale)

The Bruery » Collaboration Series: Atomic Kangarue (American Wild Ale) 
ABV: 9.5% | IBUs: 32
This Smog City Brewing collaboration is a Belgian-style golden ale at it's core,  brewed with Semillon and Viognier grapes plus three types of hops, fermented with Brettanomyces Trois as well as The Bruery's house yeast strain, then blended with a sour blonde ale and finally dry-hopped with Amarillo hops. That's a lengthy list to label and in less deft hands than The Bruery, this could be a trainwreck. Instead, it's a blissful and exotic trip for the palate.

A lightly spiced nose starts things off, followed by mildly tart aromas of white grape and a hint of kumquat.

Onto the palate, it's lively carbonated and quite unique. Definitive star fruit flavor is backed by underripe mango and young white peach finish, with a touch of booze heat in the finish. Further through, the Viognier grapes peak through to my delight, as they're one of my favorite varieties for wine. A slow, lingering, tart finish of white wine and white stone fruits elegantly teases until the next sip.

Atomic Kangarue an exotic and extremely palatable brew. It's never over bearing, despite a paragraph of ingredients. The incredible minds at The Bruery have done it once again.

#291: Sierra Nevada /Boulevard Brewing Co. » Terra Incognita (Strong Ale)

Sierra Nevada /Boulevard Brewing Co. » Terra Incognita (Strong Ale) | ABV: 9.8%
Beginning life as a hoppy, imperial brown ale, it's a blend of 55% wine-barrel aged, 32% bourbon barrel aged, and 13% fresh ale. Initially collaboratively brewed for a Brewers Association food event, Sierra Nevada has kept it a yearly tradition to release this big brew.

The nose is subtler than anticipated, with expected wine and bourbon notes, but soft, paired with aromas of cocoa and an herbal coolness to it. It pours up a deep, dark, opaque brown with thick head.

On to the palate, it's wonderfully smooth and offers a touch of sweetness. Red wine tannin peak through flavors of butterscotch and vanilla, finishing dry with a mild, mouthcoat. There's a soft bitterness of the bourbon & wine, quietly vying for attention and a boozy heat in the breath and chest of the finish. Far in, there's a dry tartness that develops with wonderful notes of black current.

A great brew that offers unique complexity due to the combination of beer style and blended aging.

#263: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » Chico King (3 Floyds Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » Chico King (3 Floyds Collaboration)
ABV: 6.5% | IBUs: 45 | Rating 9.2 (Draft @ Ithaca Ale House)

Another birthday Beer Camp brew, down at Ale House, this time in collaboration with the lauded 3 Floyds. My only 3F experience so far has been a De Struise collaboration down in Philly. It was fantastic, but I'm still highly jealous of my mid-west pals with ample experience.

A hazy exterior and fluffy heads reels me in. This unreal pale is incredibly smooth, packing hoppy, cool, and spicy flavors. Backed by high carbonation and a big malt backbone, this King is rustic and dry. Lots of dry resin notes in fact, augmented by serious rind notes and amped up herbal and pine.

A solid hop heads dream...

In the bottle... the story is a bit different, as with the Yonder Bock. Still comes off a hazy amber (with a bit more bubble) and thick white head, but not nearly as complex and boisterous as it's draft counterpart. The big malt and huge hop notes are rolled way back and a bit lack luster.

Not sure if my palate wasn't into it this time around, but the story brewing here seems to be check these Beer Campers out on draft & bottle/can for the full experience.

#258: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » Yvan The Great (Russian River Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada / Russian River » Yvan The Great (Belgian-style Blonde)
ABV: 6.3% | IBUs: 50 | Rating: 8.8

This one one of the top 3 beers in the Beer Camp box I was pumped for. Our here on the East Coast and especially Upstate NY, bottles of Russian River are hard to come by, outside of Sierra Nevada's other collab, Brux.

A hybrid brew featuring Belgian yeast and plethora of hops, this pale Blonde has a clear, golden-straw body topped with fizzy, lacy head.

Belgian spice and yeast flavors swirl with notes of peach skin and lemongrass, all wrapped in quick, prickly carbonation ending in a semi-dry mouthcoat and finish.

Crisp citrus hops follow with distinct orange notes and slight tropical flavors. Yvan The Great (reference to Yvan De Baets, of Brasserie De la Senne) is beamingly bright and grows a bit grassy.

I was lucky enough to have this on draft and bottle and the experience was for all intents and purpose identical. While I was hoping for something a bit more groundbreaking and adventuresome from Russian River, this is still one of the standouts of the box so far. Nothing that I'll plead to go year-round, but worth checking out on several occasions.

#257: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » Electric Ray (Ballast Point Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada / Ballast Point » Electric Ray (Imperial Pale Lager)
ABV: 8.5% | IBUs: 70 | Rating: 8.9

I have to admit that I am enjoying this Lagers rebirth - from the staggering number of brews Jack's Abby is slinging, on to Founder's latest Backstage Series release (coming soon...). When I heard that two hop-forward Western U.S. breweries were collaborating on an IPL jacked with Cascade, Zues, Nugget, and Northern Brewer hops, it peaked interest for sure.

Electric Ray serves up with a fluffy, ivory head crowning a deep amber body with hot fumes of piney, spicy hop aromas. Quickly taking the first sip, this collaboration is damn tasty.

Firm, growing hop presence starts off the ride with a rising heat in the finish. Big, bursting citrus flavors weave with inferred notes of chili spice, all supported by a healthy malt backbone. Strong grapefruit and floral flavors continue throughout, but are never overwhelming.

Hot-hop, med-high booze India-Pale that's well balanced and done right.

#256: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » Torpedo Pils (Firestone Walker Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada / Firestone Walker » Torpedo Pils (Czech Pilsener)
ABV: 5.2% | IBUs: 45 | Rating: 8.5

Next up, Sierra Nevada fills their Hop Torpedo with New Zealand hops for a hop-forward take on the Pilsner style.

Torpedo Pils kicks off with a bright, Euro-hop nose. It sparkling aromas of kumquat and a soft, grassy or herbal note that I can't quite put my finger on. Alluring none the less. All these fuming up from a translucent straw body topped with a fading, fuzzy white head.

Onto the palate, it's a swirl of soft flavors and mildly lively carbonation. Tender balance of tropical New Zealand hop notes with a wonderful ride of light malt sweetness in a flip on the finish. There's dry, zesty lemon notes up front, with a mild, soothing finish.

Overall, a solid, understated brew.

#253: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » There And Back (New Glarus collaboration)

(Last week yielded some nice scores to say the least including a 2014 box of Beer Camp...)

It's Beer Camp time. 2013 was a little bit of a let down, with only three varieties, all of which were hop-centric. Mind you, they were tasty, but two were the same offering as 2012 - which also had an impressive Pislner and Oatmeal Stout.

On to 2014, we have a true collaboration box of 10 unique bottles and 2 cans that flaunts a who's who of U.S. craft breweries. While 2013 boxes lingered long into the summer & fall, best of luck to everyone seeking a pack and don't sleep on it.

Sierra Nevada / New Glarus Brewing » There And Back (English Bitter)
ABV: 5.6% | IBUs: 40 | Rating: 8.7/10

My partner & I first crossed paths with New Glarus at a bleary eyed dinner, crossing Wisconsin on our way to a wedding in Minnesota. We were both pleasantly surprised by their tasty, English-leaning brew style. While their sours have not graced these lips yet, I'll jump at any chance to taste what they're up to.

There And Back seemed like a solid place to start in such boisterous box. The English Bitter-style brew pours out with a rising, fluffy white head, that boasts plenty of lace, atop an amber body.

Aromatic notes of malts, herbs and fruit kick off a highly fragrant offering. There's a touch of soft peach and other white fruits tucked in there that are just lovely.

Down the hatch, it's a delightfully agreeable beer. Bright and toasted bitterness shines throughout, briskly hopped with alfalfa-like notes.

Wonderfully complex balance and quite drinkable, it's a true collaboration, balancing Sierra Nevada's bitter-enthusiasm and New Glarus' restraint and precision. It likely won't be the stand out beer of the box, but for the style it's notable.

#162: Hill Farmstead » Grassroots Brewing Sankt Hans (Amber Saison)

Denmark / Vermont mild sour lovechild...

The Brewery: Hill Farmstead (Greensboro Bend, VT)
The Brew: Grassroots Brewing Sankt Hans (Amber Saison)
Availability: Bottles (limited)
ABV: 5.4%
Rating: 9.5/10
Location: Home
Found: Hill Farmstead Brewery

The Story? Sankt Hans is a collaboration between former Ølfabrikken brewer, Christian Skovdal Andersen, now of Beer Here and Peter Sonne of Flying Couch Brewing, both from Denmark, and Shaun Hill of Hill Farmstead, for their Grassroots Brewing line in celebration of the summer solstice. I picked this up during the Vermont haul this fall.

The Beer? Sankt Hans pours out a deep, rich amber-caramel color with a fizzy, quickly fading bright white head. The notes quickly presents firm funk and sour aromas and subtle spice notes.

This collaboration has yielded an enjoyable sour. Pleasant earthy and fruit flavors swirl around the palate. Notes of lemon, yeast, slight herbal spice, rose hips, and tea are all apparent and close with a slight funk on the finish. There's a smooth nuttiness in there as well.

Delicate, but not breakable, this saison is well-balanced, going down smooth with only mild astringency.

This Grassroots offering continues to grown in complexity with each sip and each glass, drying out into stronger influence of green apple, champagne, and black cherry flavors. Rich, tart, and funky, this unique saison continues to evolve until the final drop.

Over all, a distinguished brew that only leaves me craving more.

#128: De Struise Brouwers / 3 Floyds » Shark Pants (Belgian IPA)

De Struise Brouwers & 3 Floyds collaborate on hop insanity...

The Brewery: De Struise Brouwers (Belgium) / 3 Floyds (IN, U.S.A.)
The Brew: Shark Pants (Belgian IPA)
Availability: Draft, Bottle
ABV: 9.0% | IBUs: 260
Rating: 9/10
Location: Monk's Cafe (Philadelphia, PA)

The Story? Knowing I had to limit myself was a tough call with all the amazing brews on Monk's menu. However, De Struise offering on the menu caught my eye, due to my recent bushes with their Black Domination and Weltmerz. Looking further at Three Floyds involvement and a ludicrous 260 IBU, my decision became far easier.

This brew came into existence from De Struise's Urbain visiting Three Floyds Indiana brewery with their house yeast and is brewed in memory of 3F's friend and employee Rich Sheppard who passed in 2011.

The Beer? This, my first introduction to Three Floyds, collaboration or otherwise, sits with an almost opaque, amber-red body with zero head. The aroma is packed with hops as expected, with a touch of funkiness.

I'm far too excited to spend too much time on the nose of this one, so it's head-first into tons of hop power with a distinct, but mild sourness and plentiful boozy esters. Shark Pants is busting with a strong, full body, but despite the 200+ IBU, it's not a palate killer.

This beer is somewhat reminiscent of a heavy-hopped barleywine, but with much more going on. Belgian yeasts dance with hop citrus aside sugars, chocolate, alcohol heat and inferred bourbon flavors, that all tie together into a dry, earthy finish.

Overall, it's a hell of a beer. Recommended for anyone looking for a big, complex beer. Not one I'd hope to have on say, a weekly basis, but I'd never turn down an opportunity if it were presented. Solid, unique, full-flavored beer.

#091: NOLA Brewing / New Belgium » Swamp Grape Escape

First beer on my first night out...

The Brewery: New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewing Company (New Orleans, LA)
The Brew:  Swamp Grape Escape
Availability: draft only (brewed once)
ABV: 5.0%
Rating: 8.5/10
Location: The Avenue Pub

The Story? After my first day at the conference and having the opening event end earlier than expected, I decided to do some exploring on my own. On the recommendation of my friends who have lived in NOLA, a current resident who walks a lot, and my own judgement; I decided to take the evening in the opposite direction of Bourbon Street. While I love the red light district of any city like the next guy (actually... that's probably not true), I decided an experience I would enjoy versus just an "experience" was more in-line with needing to be bright-eyed at 7AM and feeling more like clearing my head than clouding it, I took the trek up to the brew-pub I'd been reading up on before the trip... The Avenue Pub.

About a 30 minute walk from my hotel later (great, warm, humid night for a walk - I do love the South), I entered. From the beer selection online and the fact it was open 24/7, I half expected it to be a bit stuffy, but found just the contrary.

Enter a slightly busted, aged wood establishment, endearing to my heart and mindset for the night. Smoking downstairs. Two different tap lines - while holding the same tab - and quality food if you're peckish or ravenous. I sit down at the bar - "What can I get you boo?"  Oh my glob, I love the south...

Let's see... where to start. Not too high gravity, local... but still delicious. A NOLA / New Belgian, draft -only collaboration under the sour section?  Strike me down.

The Beer? Swamp Grape Escape was NOLA's contribution to the Louisiana Craft Brewer Week. A Belgian single, brewed with local muscadine grapes - part of the "swamp grape" family.

The beer itself is hazy, dark brown with a slim bit of head. After a somewhat stressful day, this is tally quenching - light body, plenty of grape flavor with a touch of sourness. There's something distinctly old school abbot this one. While slightly on the sour side of things (my weakness), it's never overbearing or acidic. I could easily see beating the heat with a growler of this on the front porch. Quality tartness and good mouthfeel.

Overall, a solid one-off for a beer-week brew. Accessible, while holding its own.

(pics in the darkness)

#065: Mikkeller » Invasion Farmhouse IPA

Gypsy brew masters invade Brett heaven...

The Brewery: Mikkeller (Denmark) brewer / Anchorage Brewing Company
The Brew: Invasion Farmhouse IPA
Availability: 750 mL
ABV: 8.0
Rating: 9.4/10
Location: Home

The Story? My mind nearly melted when I heard one of my favorite brewers would be brewing at one of my favorite breweries. Mikkeller's bold adventures with IPAs plus Anchorage Breweries' Brettanomyces expertise. This is either going to be a train wreck or a mind-bender.

The Beer? The eyes spy a finger of fluffy white head and a hazy, unfiltered body - reminiscent of a wheat. Drawing the glad in, there's a brilliantly bright citrus nose, filled with hot hop heat and that unmistakable mild funk of the Brett.

I can't wait... first sip and my palate is already bursting with various sour and funk spectrum notes and a firm taste of musty grapefruit married with mild hop heat. Initially, the brew is wet up front and moderately juicy. The grapefruit and other sour and bitter citrus nose are all fruit, not rind or pith-like. The inaugural glass finishes minerally with distinct, but subtle notes of pine needles.

As I continue through, the complexity of this one really takes off. It's a train to full-blown funk land. Earthy, farmyard elements dance with perfume, maybe lilac; but all is kept in excellent balance through the bold hop fruit and flavors flavors. This one is always on the verge of running off, but kept on course wonderfully. Unrestrained, but focused delivery.

Easy recommendation for any Brett enthusiast and any fan of similarly minded brews from Anchorage, Evil Twin, and Stillwater.