7/2009 BELL'S BREWERY, INC. TWO HEARTED ALE
When's the last time you heard something good about Michigan? The Wolverines football team is dreadful, the auto industry has cratered, and yet another one of its politicians is going to jail.

But, we are pleased to report something is going right in the state --- Bell's Brewery of Kalamazoo. We tried this IPA not too long back at the suggestion of a friend.

Wow, what a hop bomb. Beer geeks can find the specs on this beer here. The hops are more floral than bitter, so we did not get the unhappy grimace on our face that we have so often gotten from MAGIC HAT brews of late.

Yum, TWO HEARTED ALE is a beer that seems to be designed to pair with a burger and fries. (Rating ****)

Surf to http://www.BellsBeer.com/ to learn more, or bug InternetWines.com to see if they can sell you a six pack or two.

Labels: Bell's Brewery Inc., India Pale Ale, Michigan

 

2/2008 FULL SAIL BREWMASTER RESERVES SLIPKNOT IPA AND TOP SAIL IMPERIAL PORTER
The folks at FULL SAIL BREWING COMPANY of Hood River, Oregon have again impressed us. These two brews are a delightful pair. SLIPKNOT IPA is a hop festival in a glass. So pungent, yet, it's not obnoxious. Though a hefty pour, we could have enjoyed a few 22 ounce bottles of it. (Rating ****1/4) Meanwhile, TOP SAIL IMPERIAL PORTER is an absolutely fantastic beer. Aged in bourbon barrels for 10 months, it oozes roasty-malty notes. It's almost port-like; as it warms and breathes more flavors tumble forth-- fig, berry of some sort.... Wow, so much flavor. What can we say-- it's terrific. A PERFECT score. (Rating *****)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here. Otherwise, check with the FULL SAIL folks at http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/.

Labels: Full Sail, India Pale Ale, IPA, Oregon, Porter

 

5/2007 FLYING DOG BREWERY SNAKE DOG IPA
This is a solid offering from Flying Dog. This IPA is malty, HEAVILY hopped, and weighs in at 5.8% ABV. Serve it cold because as it warms up the hops become a bit overwhelming. (Rating****)

To see if our retailer can send you SNAKE DOG IPA, click SHOP and type "FLYING DOG" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass. Otherwise, surf to http://www.flyingdogales.com/.

Labels: Colorado, Flying Dog, India Pale Ale, IPA