Strongliquor's Blog

New Holland Imperial Hatter (WIDLN 22)

strongliquor — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:54:57 +0000

Paying $7.49 for a 22oz beer in a liquor store seems on the high end of things. But why? The way I look at it is this, buying this bottle of Imperial Hatter is an experience. It took me over 2 hours to finish this one beer. I loved every bit of this beer, who I was with when drinking it, and the conversation that came from this bottle is something that stays with me. It is equal to buying a beer at a concert or a sporting event. You buy a beer at one of these venues for the experience, drinking a budweiser at the ballpark. Suddenly, paying for that 8 dollar bud and 6 dollar bag of peanuts isnt as important as whats going on around you and who you are sharing your time with. Maybe these random thoughts dont make sence to anyone else, thats okay!

ANYWAY…this beer was a mouthful! Lots of citrus hops and a great aroma made this seasonal offering by New Holland complete for me.

Founders Cerise (WIDLN 21)

strongliquor — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:00:50 +0000

Founders Cerise is a cherry fermented ale, a seasonal, that comes in a four pack. My only problem with this beer was that it came in a four pack. This is the beer of the summer for me. I think its the tart cherry taste that does it for me, that taste that tickles your tongue, making a 12oz glass not quite enough. I can see Cerise making a non-beer drinker, a beer drinker.

Odell Pale Ale (WIDLN 20)

strongliquor — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:49:31 +0000

“Alright! More beer from Colorado!” Was the first thing I thought of when I heard these guys were coming into the market. I was impressed with their pale ale, and would buy it again! Hop blast at first and finished nice and clean, leaving you begging to take another drink! After drinking these guys’ regular Pale Ale I am very excited to get my hands on some of their reserve brews!

Great Lakes Porter (WIDLN 19)

strongliquor — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:35:16 +0000

With Great Lakes in the market, I knew I would be running through their lineup in no time. Last night was the night! Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is lighter in body and has a pleasent smokey taste to it. I labeled it a bonfire porter. Porter’s on the light side seem to be the style most people prefer, and with the new ones in the market their are plenty to choose from; Odell’s 90 Shilling, Deschutes, ect. I enjoyed Edmund Fitzgerald more than the others I listed because the more flavor and body in a porter, the better I say!

Southern Tier Hop Sun (WIDLN 18)

strongliquor — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:20:16 +0000

Hop Sun is Southern Tier’s summer offering. I was very happy drinking this beer, I really enjoyed the soft orange taste with a bit of hop lingering in the mouth as well. Summer seasonal’s, to me, are beers you can drink during the day, out in the sun, without becoming intoxicated after two. This is the perfect definition of a summer beer to me! Cheers!

Central Waters Mini Series Part 4 (WIDLN 17)

strongliquor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:31:06 +0000

Mud Puppy Porter! What an excellent name for this beer. I enjoyed this very approachable Porter as much as any. Lighter in body it makes for a versitile Beer. Not to dark for summer patio drinking, but dark enough to drink by the fire on a Minnesota winter night. I will drink this one again, and soon. More than any of the others I had a lot of good pairing ideas with this beer!

Central Waters Mini Series Part 3 (WIDLN 16)

strongliquor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:26:17 +0000

Now its time for the “Shine On” beer, and I am going to rip it apart. Terrible beer, and also a serious pet peeve of mine. Using renewable energy, organic products and coming away with something that tastes like garbage. If you are going green, but end up making garbage, it seems counter intuitive. We agreed this beer had some sort of metalic taste to it that seems far from the “clean” taste they suggest. I will be trying this one again as soon as possible and hope my opinion changes.

Central Waters Mini Series Part 2 (WIDLN 15)

strongliquor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:06:53 +0000

Next in the lineup was the Satin Solstice Imperial Stout. I enjoy dark beer as much as anyone and this one did not leave me hanging. One quick problem with this though, the word “Imperial” in the beer world seems to be getting a little loose. If I read “Imperial Stout” I am usually looking for motor oil in my glass. So, final verdict, Satin Solstice very good stout, far from Imperial.

Central Waters Mini Series Part 1 (WIDLN 14)

strongliquor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:23:21 +0000

Central Waters Brewing Company will be available the first part of May. I got my hands on some yesterday and ran through the lineup. Here is what I found out..

Happy Heron Pale Ale – Solid Pale Ale! Happy Heron has an outstanding sharp bitter taste to it that I expect from a Pale Ale. I’m going to have to put my foot down here. You can tell when you have been cheated with a pale ale, blah taste, wondering where the hops went, et cetera. I would call Happy Heron a value. Going well beyond what price it is at..Which I will get to later..

Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WIDLN 13)

strongliquor — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:12:48 +0000

Often times, I hear of a beer coming down the pipe that I just cannot wait for. This is one of those tales.. As some of you know a black lab which I am very close to is named Wilco, named after one of my favorite bands. That was part of the excitement for me. The other part? Oh yeah, Lagunitas just made an imperial brown ale! This had way more hops to it than I would have thought a brown ale ever could. Touch of malt mid-palate balanced this beer to the point I could barely contain myself. This has exceeded my expectations and I had the bar set high on this one. New favorite beer of 2010. And I do not just throw that word around..