Midnight ELF Black Ale (AKA Black IPA, Cascadian Dark Ale)

Inspired by the Summit Black Ale I enjoyed over the holidays, I put together my own black ale recipe with Summit's key ingredient, Briess Midnight Wheat, and a couple of my favorite American hop varieties. Tonight I transferred to secondary and got my first taste.

As intended, the Midnight Wheat bring the color and flavor of roasted barley, but without the bitter edge. I thought initially my 6 ounces of high-alpha hops would be enough, but if I get a chance I may swing by Keystone Homebrew for a couple more ounces to dry hop.

I should also mention the 95 IBU number seems ridiculous. The beer tasted and felt more like a ~65 IBU ale.

Size: 5.5 gallons
Color: ~29 SRM
Bitterness: 95 IBU
OG: 1.056
FG: 1.010

Alcohol: 5.9% v/v (4.7% w/w)

Grains:
6 lb. Light dry malt extract
1 lb. American crystal 40L
4 oz. American chocolate
8 oz. Roasted barley

Hops:
1 oz. Simcoe (12.2% AA, 60 min.)
1 oz. Chinook (11.8% AA, 30 min.)
1 oz. Simcoe (12.2% AA, 15 min.)
1 oz. Chinook (11.8% AA, 5 min.)
1 oz. Chinook (flame out)
1 oz. Simcoe (flame out)

Yeast: Wyeast 1056 American Ale

Worst Beers of 2011

Brewers make better beer when customers demand it. So in the interest of constructive criticism, I present the five worst beers I had the pleasure of reviewing last year. You can see my top beers of 2011 here, but here are the most offensive brews I encountered in '11.

Palma Louca Pale Pilsner
Cervejaria Kaiser
German Pilsener | 4.50% ABV

1.95/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I hope nobody is seriously calling this mess a German pilsner. I don't usually walk away from a beer, but I left nearly half of this at the bar. This tasted like well water with lemon cookie ground up and mixed in. Yes, the body was watery. No, it wasn't refreshing or pleasant. Steer clear.


Lvivske 1715
Lvivska Pivovarnya (BBH)
Euro Pale Lager | 4.00% ABV

2.17/5
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I dont think is headed anywhere but the drain. It smells like a very light lager with a soft pale malt aroma, but the flavor is dominated by a sweet white grape juice taste. What the hell happened here? The Ukraine can have this one back.

I mean, if you're really into grape juice, this is your beer. If you're looking for a decent lawnmower lager, run.


Riserva
Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
American Wild Ale | 11.40% ABV

2.28/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

2010 Batch. I went to Abe's Cold Beer looking for a sour and this seemed like a good option. However upon opening, it was clear this beer wasn't going to stand up to previous reviews. There was a strongly acidic earthy garden tang. Not quite of rotting produce or horseblanket, but very unpleasant. The raspberry element was quite good and nicely balanced against the level of the funk. The sour character needs work, or at least a lot more time. I didn't bother to finish the bottle. It's not the pleasant, zesty flavors and aromas you'd expect in a framboise or lambic sour ale.


Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale
Alexander Keith's
American Pale Ale (APA) | 5.40% ABV

2.5/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I have to assume this beer is no way shape or form represents the pale ales of Nova Scotia. Otherwise, it implies the island has never heard of hops. For a cheap amber ale, the beer isn't bad - with only a hint of macro character. There's a basic caramel malt and bread crust taste and maybe, just maybe the slightest touch of earthy hops.


Terrapin So Fresh & So Green Green
Terrapin Beer Company
American IPA | 6.60% ABV

2.63/5
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had a pint at Liberty St. Tavern and didn't bother finishing the glass. It wasn't very hoppy and there was a strong, vaguely cheesy off flavor. Has this been sitting out too long, maybe with an infection run a muck? There was a little smooth ester character and a touch of grapefruit, but not much. Watch out for this landmine.

Best Beer in Burlington VT

I joined friends in Burlington over the MLK weekend for a few days of skiing, ice cream, cheese, and craft beer. The full day at Stowe was a treat, but the real highlight was easy access to Heady Topper, Hill Farmstead, and Lawson's Finest Liquids. I also swung by the Vermont Pub & Brewery and the Zero Gravity Brewery, which are both must-drink brewpubs. I had few complaints about the Vermont craft beer scene, so I'll just share my favorites:


Twilight Of The Idols
Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Porter | 7.50% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a glass at the Farmhouse in Burlington VT. Damn, that's a porter. The coffee and vanilla are wonderfully blended into the beer. So many coffee porters and stouts go too heavy on the java, and even get a stale taste. This beer takes a great cup of joe, adds a dash of subtle vanilla, and still brings a great porter. The malt brough a dark, chocolate character with a sharp roasted edge that's balanced by the sweet vanilla. The beer is formidable, but never too heavy. Find this porter.


Everett Robust Porter
Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Porter | 7.50% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. This is a hell of a porter. The body is thick, like a robust porter should be, but is a pleasure to sip (though you don't have to). In addition to a big mix of cocoa and mocha grains, there are clear notes of maple syrup, molasses, and smoke. Damn, this is good. It goes above and beyond what a good porter tastes like.


Double Sunshine IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids
American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV

4.28/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. Stopped by with friends for dinner on the way back from Stowe, and damn this hit the spot. The body is on the lighter side for the style, which I prefer, and the hop character is heavy on floral citrus, with an earthy undertone. The hops vary between fruity and juicy to a more herbal lemon, with a hit of spice. Damn tasty overall. Very hoppy, but I could enjoy a few glasses. You should.


Trapp Golden Helles Lager
The Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge
Munich Helles Lager | 4.80% ABV

4.2/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a pint at the Farm House in Burlington VT. Damn, it's hard to ask for much more from a helles. There's a crisp dry Brady malt character in the aroma with a little balance of spicy hops. There's mild lager fruit over the malt, but it's not sweet. Otherwise it's clean and super drinkable. Find this beer.


Heady Topper
The Alchemist
American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV

4.47/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Picked up a couple six-pack at the cannery. I'm told they were packaged just a week ago.

I wasn't sure what to make of this beer at first, which says a lot because DIPAs aren't usually a surprising style with a lot of leeway. It's most easily described as "hop juice," not an IPA. The balance of hops is unique in that the flavor is huge, but it's never over the top, where overly-hoppy beers become perfumey messes (I'm thinking of Weyerbacher's Hop Explosion).

The aroma has a clean and clear floral grapefruit character with an earthy, citrus seed edge—think about when you're eating an orange and you get a seed on your tongue. The flavor is intense but manageable. In addition to the vivid grapefruit and orange peel citrus, there's a vague grassiness, tropical notes, and an odd (and thoroughly unexpected) touch of barbeque sauce that fades as the beer warms.

I approached this beer as a skeptic, but it's easily one of the most complex beers I've tried, and one of the most drinkable at that. I should have bought a case.

Steel Toe Brewing Beer Reviewed

Steel Toe Brewing was a major highlight while I was back in Minneapolis over the holidays. I'd first found their Size 7 IPA on tap at Muddy Waters and immediately wanted to find the rest of their new offerings. Luckily, the fine folks at the Four Firkins had bombers of all four ales. Thanks Alvey.

Provider
American Blonde Ale | 5.00% ABV

4.1/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bomber at the Four Firkins for $5. I should have bought another. It's a simple, but very tasty and well-made blonde ale that borders on the lighter side of a pale ale. The aroma is a mix of lightly toasted pale malt and mild, floral tangerine hops. These carry through to the flavor, where the gentle, floral hops character picks up, reminding me of a for subtle Surly Bitter Brewer. It's smooth, very drinkable and finished with a little kick of pale malt grain instead of hops. Wow, this is a great session beer.


Rainmaker
American Amber / Red Ale | 6.50% ABV

4.15/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Off the bat, it reminds me a bit of Furious, as a big, red, and tasty beer with a huge hops character. Of course, it's plenty different when you get down to the details. Foremost, the Rainmaker has a strong floral component. You could also say it's a touch darker, though both are more red than your average IPA, or close to a double IPA or red ale. The aroma has a piney, pungent kick over the floral undertones. The flavor balances fruity citrus tangerine and grapefruit on top of mild spice, pine and the floral. The body is more drinkable for a double red, but that's fine by me. I'll take another.


Dissent
Foreign / Export Stout | 7.00% ABV

4.1/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cracked open a bottle for dessert. Poured pitch black with a short tan head from my bomber. Mmm, nice chocolate aroma with a fresh coffee background. The flavor has a tasty, clean dry cocoa roast with a bready malt undertone. Hops come in for a big dry bitter finish that's a little more American stout/double stout. This is an awesome stout, just don't expect something on the sweet side like Lion or Dragon stouts.


Size 7
American IPA | 7.00% ABV

4/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a pint at Muddy Waters on Lyndale. This is a classic American IPA like you'd expect to find in Denver, Boston, or of course, Minneapolis. I liked that it wasn't too thick, there was just enough clean malt to let the hops stand up and shine. The character was rich with floral fruit, lots of citrus, but nothing too biting. It was a big, but smooth bitterness in the finish. I'd like to try this side-by-side with Masala Mama, this is an IPA I'll be happy to see around town.

Best Craft Beers of 2011

2011, a fine year for beer indeed. My top picks came from a mix of collaborations, veteren craft brewers, younger, old styles, and new. Most notable was Summit's Black Ale, which is the best I've tried in the emerging Black Ale/Black IPA/Cascadian Dark Ale style. Unfortunately, it's a one-off by the St. Paul brewers, but at least I got another six-pack from my loving family for Christmas.

Summit Black Ale
Summit Brewing Company
American Black Ale | 6.50% ABV

4.47/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A little research shows this is the same brewer that made up the very very tasty India Rye Ale last year. This beer does what many dark ales fail, or at least fail to master, the balancing the lighter upfront hoppy notes with the rich dark malts. This beer smells like fresh grapefruit and citrus fruit sitting on top of toasty cocoa barley. Yum. The flavor follows up with a bigger malt kick and hint of wheat and caramel sneaking in as the pine and orange peel build on the chocolate malt throughout the finish. This is one of the best black IPAs I've had, right up with, maybe above, Deschutes' Hop in the Dark.


Biere De L'Amitie
Brasserie St. Feuillien
Belgian Strong Pale Ale | 9.50% ABV

4.38/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Duvel tulip, it was a hazy gold with a tall white head. There was a big grassy aroma that reminded me of Saison Dupont. After that big herbal hops hit, it immediately mellowed into a fruity yeast spice with fresh pale barley. It's a damn delicious mix and I wish I could find more of this beer. It's light on your tongue, really too drinkable for the alcohol, and holds a great complex mix of Belgian flavors.


Red Poppy Ale
The Lost Abbey
Flanders Red Ale | 5.50% ABV

4.38/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm not always a fan of the Flanders sours, but this tones down the creamy sweetness of a Duchess into a mellow cherry and strawberry character over biting citrus and sour tang. I'm most impressed by the balance of the different flavors, rolling from one to the other instead of just covering each other up. Find this beer.


(512) Pecan Porter
(512) Brewing Company
American Porter | 6.80% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Upfront I got a blast of sweetened coffee with chocolate liqueur and caramel underneath. It was both satisfying to have after dinner, but didn't fill me up. After the Live Oak Hefe, this is the next must-try beer in Austin.


32/50
COAST Brewing Company
Kölsch | 4.80% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It poured a hazy yellow with a tall white head. Wow, this has every nuanced flavor you'd expect from a kolsch, but dialed to 11. I'm not saying this is over the top, or too rich, or even unbalanced. It's like the brewery has just found a better way to make a kolsch, one that surpasses any German original I've tried.

Anyways, the beer opens with a light sulfur and mineral-rich water in the aroma and flavor.That's quickly followed up by dry, toasty grains and a light touch of a caramel and honey. A mild hit of earthy hops kicks in with a little lemon citrus, but then the beer returns to the clean, place barley.

Before I know it, I've nearly finished off the bomber. This is a hell of a session beer, but also something you could slowly sip and pick apart. Hell of a beer.


Malheur 12
Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV
Quadrupel (Quad) | 12.00% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a stemmed Malheur glass, it appeared a hazy red with a short tan head. While this beer was a bit of a sipper, I was impressed by how smooth it was for the strength and that it was relatively drinkable compared to other 12% beers. The flavor was dominated by sweet vanilla and plum, with berry fruits and typical subtle Belgian spicing in the background. The hops were there mostly for balance and contributed little to the taste. Heck of a quad, one of the best I've had.