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Two Brothers Tap House

Two Brothers Outlaw IPAThis past weekend I took a very brief trip to the Chicago area for a good friend’s graduation. My wife and I received a call Friday night informing us that our hotel reservation for the next day in Bolingbrook, Illinois could not be honored because the hotel had an issue with flooding. After re-booking at a hotel in Naperville, and a subsequent search for bottle shops in the area, I discovered (much to my delight) that the Two Brothers Tap House was less than two miles from my room in near-by Warrenville, Illinois.

The Tap House is located in a nondescript, white building tucked away in the corner of an industrial complex off Route 56 in Warrenville. It is easy enough to locate with GPS, but it’s not in a location where you might stumble upon it without looking for it specifically. There are no other bars or restaurants in the immediate area (at least not that I saw), but this is a brewery, so as such I’d say it is appropriately located.

I popped into the Tap House on Saturday night for a beer or two after a very busy day. Two Brothers beer is available locally in Columbus, OH, so I asked the bartender if they had anything exclusive to the Tap House, or any beers that are not widely distributed outside the Chicago area. He suggested the Two Brothers 16th Anniversary Belgium Strong Ale.

In honor of their 16th Anniversary, the goal for this Strong Ale was to reach an ABV of 16%. The bartender (who’s name, saddly, escapes me) explained that, although it’s listed as 16%, it may not actually be that potent. However, the man sitting next to me at the bar (a chef who has worked with the brewery to supply beer to his restaurant) said that the ABV is actually higher than 16%. Either way, suffice it to say that this is a very strong beer.

I won’t go point-by-point on this beer as I normally do because, honestly, I was just more interested in relaxing and enjoying my beer than concentrating on every detail. However, I will say that it was was very big, had lots a great, complex flavors from the malt and a nice hop balance. Also, I was expecting it to be very astringent given the high alcohol content, but there was very little burn at all on the finish. This is a very delicious beer, and if you enjoy Tripels and have a chance you should give it a try.

I also had an Outlaw IPA at the Tap House, but I really don’t have much to say about it. After a 16% beer, I don’t fully trust my taste buds enough to give you a full review. I can say that it was not exactly memorable, and I would likely call it an average IPA. Having said that, I’d like to grab a six pack of it and give it another shot.

I was at the bar late in the evening so I didn’t order any food, but that aside, I really enjoyed the Two Brothers Tap House. It was clean, well decorated, and had nice-sized, lively crowd. The windows into the brewery and the adjacent gift shop are nice touches that let you know this is not an average bar or restaurant. Given the chance, I’d like to go back for a tour the next time I’m in Chicago. If you’ve been to the Two Brothers Tap House, what were your impressions?

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Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red IPA

Oskar Blues G'Knight Imperial Red IPAI’ve grown quite fond of Oskar Blues’ beer since the became available in Columbus last year. Dale’s Pale Ale is a great go-to beer, and Gubna is an absolutely incredible Imperial IPA (which I had a for the first time a couple days ago and will write about shortly). Tonight though, I’m drinking Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red IPA, a beer that is as interesting and awesome as it’s history.

G’Knight is a rich, perfectly clear amber-burgundy color. It pours with about a finger and a half of creamy off-white head which lingers for bit before dissipating. The lacing left behind on the glass is not great, but not dismal either.

The aroma on G’Knight is a treat. As the name would suggest, the aroma is a nice combination of what you might expect from both a red ale and an IPA. There is a big bready malt scent present, as well as some sweetness from caramel malts. The hops give a delightful kick to the nose, though perhaps not as much of a kick as I might have expected from an Imperial IPA. All-in-all, the aroma is mouthwatering, and I can’t wait to dive in.

This is one of the more malt-forward IPAs I’ve tasted. There is big bread flavor here, as well as caramel malts which lend to some sweetness upfront. This is still an IPA, though, and there certainly is no shortage of hops. I love the huge grapefruit and tangerine citrus notes from the hops. The hoppy finish bites the pallet with a pleasant, but not over-powering barrage of bitterness. G’Night has a sticky, chewy mouthfeel and, at 8.7 ABV, is a bit astringent.

Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red IPA is a beer that has an incredible back-story that is well worth the read, but is also an incredible beer that is well worth a try. This is a huge beer, but it’s very well balanced and easy to drink. I don’t normally do ratings, but if I did, I’d put this at about 8/10. Go out and get some, right now! Cheers!

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Harpoon El Triunfo Coffee Porter

Harpoon El Triunfo Coffee PorterHarpoon El Triunfo Coffee Porter is release number 44 in Harpoon’s 100 Barrel Series. The name of this coffee porter comes from the area in Chipas, Mexico where the coffee beans used in the beer were harvested.

El Triunfo pours a thick, dark brown that reminds me of cola. The two fingers of off-white head recedes relatively quickly and leaves behind little to no lacing on the glass.

Huge roasted coffee notes jump out immediately from the aroma. The coffee intertwines nicely with the chocolate and caramel malts to create a delightful nose for this beer.

The deep roasted coffee and chocolate from the aroma carries over to the flavor as well. The coffee is clearly the most prominent flavor, but I was surprised by the intensity of the chocolate malt flavor. There are plenty of nice undertones of caramel and vanilla to add some measure of complexity. The finish is mildly bitter with very little hops flavor.

My one knock on El Triunfo is that it is a lot lighter than I was hoping for. I would put it on the low end of medium-bodied, which is a bit of a disappointment. Having said that, this is an incredibly smooth and easy-to-drink beer.

Harpoon El Triunfo Coffee Porter is a great option if you’re looking for a beer with a huge coffee flavor. Although it fell short of expectations in terms of body, it’s still a delicious, if somewhat one-dimensional beer.

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Epic Brewing Double Skull Doppelbock

Epic Brewing Double Skull DoppelbockSpring has just begun, but I’ve been on a bock and doppelbock for a while now. Rogue Dead Guy is a favorite of mine, and Brooklyn’s Silver Anniversary Lager is amazing, but I have also been trying some new beers within this style as well. On that list is a bomber of Epic Brewing Double Skull Doppelbock Lager, which my brother was kind enough to share with me. As the title suggests, this is a doppelbock, which means it’s high in alcohol (9% ABV) and big on flavor.

Double Skull is part of Epic’s Exponential Series. Beers in this series tend to be higher quality brews that are released in somewhat limited batches with the release number and date printed on the label. Sadly, I didn’t think to write down which batch this bottle is from.

Double Skull is dark reddish-brown in color with a finger and a half of thick, creamy, light tan head. Retention is fair and as the head recedes, small traces of of wispy bubbles are left behind.

The aroma is dark and made up mostly of malts and fruits. There is a lot of bread and yeast present, as well as raisins and dates. I smell a lot of caramel and chocolate, also. There are some faint hints nutty and grassy notes, and the hop aroma is very mild.

The taste follows the aroma pretty well. The bready, biscuity flavor is very forward with the caramel and chocolate flavors adding some complexity. The roastiness in the malts is quite noticeable. The dark fruits, particularly raisins and dates, provide a lot of sweetness.  There is not much in in the way of hops flavor, save for slight bitterness on the finish. At 9% ABV, the alcohol is hidden very well. Double Skull is medium to full bodied and feels very smooth.

This is only the second beer from Epic Brewing that I’ve had (Wit Beer being the other) and I must say I’m pretty impressed. It is quite sweet, but the flavor is big and complex. Although it won’t rank among the most memorable Doppelbocks I’ve tried, it’s worth trying, for sure.

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Southern Tier Jahva Imperial Coffee Stout

Southern Tier Jah-Va Imperial Coffee StoutSouthern Tier Brewing Company, located in Lakewood, New York, has built a reputation of brewing some pretty awesome beers since 2002. They have a number of popular year-round beers such as their 2X IPA, Iniquity Black Ale, and Unearthly IPA. They also feature seasonal favorites like 2X Christmas and Imperial Pumpking. This is my first bout with Southern Tier Jahva Imperial Coffee Stout, and much like my previous experiences with the brewery, this one rocks!

This beer pours a very, very dark brown with about one finger of tan head. The head does not last long but lacing is decent. Overall this is very visually attractive beer.

The aroma is a blast of roasted coffee and dark chocolate malts. There is a little bit of caramel and vanilla present, but the coffee and chocolate really take over here. There is also a bit of a boozy smell on the end of the nose. It smells great, but not overly complex. It’s pretty much exactly what you might expect from a coffee stout.

The taste doesn’t deviate much from the aroma, which is not a knock on this beer at all; it’s delicious. The flavor is heavy on the chocolate malts and the coffee is quite pronounced. I get some caramel, hints of vanilla, and some molasses as well. It’s relatively sweet for the most part, but on the back end there is a nice hop bitterness that melds nicely with the bitterness from the coffee.

Jahva is full-bodied and feels very creamy, if not a bit oily, on the pallet. It weighs in at about 10.5% ABV, and you’ll know it by the boozy taste left on the back of your tongue on the finish.

I’ve had a handful of coffee beers, and generally they tend to be hit-or-miss to me. This one is a hit, for sure. It’s big, and while it isn’t very complex, it is very delicious. Southern Tier aimed for a particular flavor here, and it’s executed excellently. Go give it a try. Cheers!

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Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Bell's Two Hearted AleAs a life-long resident of Columbus, Ohio, graduate of THE Ohio State University and die-hard Buckeye fan, I don’t freely give compliments to “that state up North.” I must begrudgingly give credit where credit is due, though, when it comes to Bell’s Brewery. All kidding aside, Bell’s produces some of the best beer around and every beer of theirs that I have tired has been of top-notch quality. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is their IPA offering and is one of their most popular brews (for good reason).

The pour is gold-orange color with about a finger of off-white head. Retention is fair, leaving behind a small ring of suds around the edge of the glass. There is not much lacing to speak of.

The aroma is full of tropical fruits and hops. I get a lot of orange, grapefruit and apricots. I also get some pine and other floral notes. There is slight hint of some caramel malt aroma hiding here as well. Finally, there is a bit of a boozy note mixed in.

This beer is sweet up front, but not overly so. The tropical fruit flavors are very prominent with the grapefruit and apricots taking center stage while pineapple and peach tag along. There is bit malt sweetness along with some pine notes, as well. The hops give a nice bite of bitterness on the pallet, but it’s not the huge barrage of bitterness you may experience with other IPAs.

The body on Two Hearted is medium with a creamy mouthfeel. There is a bit of booze taste on the finish that leaves the pallet mildly dry and wanting more.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is a year-round offering and widely available in the Mid-West and Eastern states. Two Hearted is also often readily available on tap. Although it isn’t as big and bold and many other IPAs out there, this is a high quality beer that is a refreshing change of pace from the many overly hopped IPAs and DIPAs popping up today.

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Biffy Clyro- Opposites

Biffy Clyro- OppositesScottish rock trio Biffy Clyro dropped their sixth studio album, and their first since 2009′s Only Revolutions, on Tuesday. Over the last decade, Biffy Clyro have perfected the formula for big rock albums, and their newest release is no exception. Opposites is  20-track, double record that is packed full of 80 minutes-worth of huge rock anthems. But does it really need to be that long?

The title Opposites seems to be a bit of a misnomer. When looking back though the annals of rock history, and specifically the release of other double-disc albums, conventional wisdom would tell you to expect something profound. Opposites leads you to expect each side of the album to have it’s own distinct sound or story to tell. But both discs of this record sound remarkably similar and could have been easily contained within one 10 or 12-track disc. Also, Biffy Clyro are not exactly breaking new ground with album either; their sound remains easily recognizable and largely the same. I’m not sure exactly what the band is trying to tell us with the title and I’m not sure the double disc format is necessary here.

Having said all that, this is not at all a bad album, especially if you’re a fan of Biffy Clyro. All this really means is that you get twice the Biffy Clyro for your money. Songs like “Stinging Belle” and “Modern Magic Formula” hit hard with piercing guitar riffs and thunderous base lines. You’ll also find plenty of catchy, pop-rock choruses that are easy to sing along to, like “Black Chandelier.” Simon Neil’s raw, Ayrshire-accented voice really shines on “Pocket,” which also finds its way onto the album as a bonus acoustic track; a real treat.

Opposites is unmistakably Biffy Clyro, and that’s awesome. I’m just not sure the album really needs to be two discs. As a fan of Biffy Clyro, I’m not complaining because it’s like getting two albums for the price of one. However, the band has not done anything remarkably different or profound to really warrant the length  or title of the album. I really enjoy this album, and I even highly recommend it, but you may only need to listen to about half of it to really appreciate it.

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Best Places to Buy Craft Beer in Columbus

ColumbusOne of my favorite things about drinking craft beer is the adventure involved in trying to get my hangs on some of the more difficult to find beers. There is certainly no shortage of great places to buy craft beer in Columbus, including some chain stores, such as Giant Eagle and World Market. Those stores, however, don’t usually carry the one-off, specialty brews that true beer nerds love to drink. Therefore, finding a local bottle shop to fill your needs is essential. Below is a few of my favorite spots around the city, but this is not at all meant intended to be an exhaustive list.

Kenny Road Market, 4658 Kenny Road- When I first really started getting into drinking craft beers beyond what I could find at Giant Eagle, Kenny Road Market became my go-to spot. From the outside, the store looks like a typical carry-out, but don’t let looks deceive you; they have an awesome selection of specialty and craft beer. They also have a pretty decent wine selection, but I’m not much of a wine drinker. Kenny Road Market has a very helpful and knowledgeable staff who will help you find what you’re looking for.

Palmer’s Beverage Center, 3375 Indianola Avenue- Palmer’s has a really good selection of craft beer in their coolers, but I like to come here for bombers. They also have an impressive wine selection.

Weiland’s Gourmet Market, 3600 Indianola Avenue- Weiland’s Gourmet Market is a full supermarket that can be a one-stop shop for all your grocery needs. They’re on this list, though, because the have an outstanding craft beer selection. If you like to put together your own 6-pack, this is the place to go. They also carry a wide variety of spirits.

Blacklick Wine & Spirits, 7199 East Broad Street, Blacklick, OH- I have only been to Blacklick Wine & Spirits a couple of times because it’s quite a drive for me, but their selection is truly impressive. They have just about everything; import and domestic craft beer, a huge wine selection, and they are a State Liquor Agency. If you already know what you want and don’t need to browse, they have a “Brew-Thru” drive-up window for convenience  Better yet, if you live nearby, they’ll deliver to your door. They also have beer and wine tastings on Thursday and Friday nights. I only wish they were closer to my home.

Gentile’s Wine Sellers, 1565 King Avenue- Gentiles’s Wine Sellers has a very nice craft beer selection, including keg sales, but that’s not the only reason they’re on this list. For the home-brewer, Gentile’s is a must. They have everything you could possibly need for your home-brewing operation, whether you are a novice or a seasoned vet.

Savor Market, 4440 Indianola Avenue- Savor Market has quickly become my favorite spot for all my craft beer needs. They have over 600 craft and import beers, tons of bombers, and great wine selection. They have also recently added a growler-filling station with awesome, rotation selection on draught. You can purchase a growl there with the Savor logo on it, but they’ll also fill outside growlers if you already own one. You can also join them every Friday nights from 5-7 for beer tastings. The staff here are amazing and will help you find what ever meets your tastes.

These are few of my favorite locations in Columbus to by craft beer, but it’s certainly not a complete list. There are tons of great locations in and around the city to serve the craft beer crowd. So I want to hear from you; if your favorite isn’t on my list, tell me about it and I’ll go check it out. Cheers!

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Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPADogfish Head 75 Minute IPA is much more than just a mid-way point between the popular 60 and the 90 Minute IPAs. The Delaware-based brewery does a number of things differently with this limited-release beer to make it a truly special brew. Maple Syrup is added to the beer and it is bottle conditioned (which is another way of saying it is allowed to ferment in the bottle). It is also dry-hopped with cascade hops to give the aroma a little extra hop kick.

The pour gives way to a vibrant orange beer with some moderate haze. This haziness is the by-product of the bottle conditioning. There is a lot of sediment in the bottom of the bottle, so pour with care. My pour yielded several fingers of creamy, off-white head with decent lacing and retention.

Being dry-hopped, this beer has a strong hop nose, but it’s also very complex. There’s definitely some sweetness in the aroma, perhaps from the maple syrup, and the hops give the beer a really great citrus blast. It also has a very earthy undertone, with lots of pine and floral notes.

Up front, the 75 minute IPA is quite sweet, and I can taste a bit of yeast and bread. The piney and floral earthiness in the aroma comes though in the taste as well. There is only a very faint hint of maple syrup in the taste, with is a little disappointing. It’s quite hoppy, but unlike beers that more aggressively hopped (Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, for example), the hops in this beer gradually sneak up on the pallet rather than bombard it, and the bitterness lingers for a while. The hops also impart a wonderful grapefruit and orange flavor to the brew.

This a full-bodied beer with a very creamy mouthfeel and moderate carbonation. The finish is a bit sticky and dry with very little boozy taste.

I really enjoyed this beer. It has a unique flavor profile and a great aroma. This is a limited release specialty brew from Dogfish Head, so you may have trouble finding it. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some, let me know what you think. Cheers!

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A New Batch of Stone Enjoy By IPA Is On It’s Way

Stone Enjoy By IPAIt looks like Stone Brewing Company already has a new batch of Enjoy By IPA ready to be bottled. Their last batch was released last week with an “Enjoy By” date of 04.01.13, and it has been widely popular for good reason; it was delicious! According to Stone’s website, this latest batch is scheduled to be bottled on March 20 and will be distributed immediately follow. The newest batch will have an “Enjoy By” date of 04.20.13.

The fun thing about the Enjoy By series is that the distribution areas are determined by crowd-sourcing. Fans of the beer can vote for their city via Facebook  Twitter and Instagram by using a hash-tag with their city or state.

The newest batch of Stone Enjoy By IPA will be limited to just seven distribution areas; Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Las Vegas, Missouri, Sacramento and Washington. Sadly, that means none coming my way this time around. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of those locations, expect the newest shipment of Enjoy By IPA to hit your local bottle shop sometime after March 20. In the meantime, I’ll wait patiently whilst voting incessantly for Ohio to be included in the next round.