Thoughts on Beer

New Belgium Le Terroir

A few days ago I had the chance to sample one of the new sour beers from New Belgium, Le Terroir. It is a dry-hopped (with peach/mango flavored Amarillo hops) sour ale that changes from batch to batch (sounds like homebrewing).

The beer had a nice citrus aroma, similar to a grapefruit or a lime. The taste had a hint of sour on the front of the tongue that became more pronounced toward the back of the tongue. It left a nice refreshing finish with a bit of lingering sweetness. The beer reminded me of grapefruit juice, and I thought there was a nice amount of sourness without being too overwhelming. I enjoyed this beer very much.

Have you tried Le Terroir? What was your take?

Sipping a Guinness in Ireland (wearing green, I might add)

Since last year’s trip to Ireland, I’ve been excited to try some of my new Irish-ness this year on St. Patrick’s Day.  This year I plan to enjoy some time with friends, good food, and some Guinness.  Isn’t that what St. Patty’s Day is all about?  Also, don’t forget the good, better, and best beers to try tomorrow, and be safe!

Oh, and this is actually another milestone – Thoughts on Beer’s 150th post, so raise a glass and toast, “Sláinte!”

What are your plans?  Lots of Guinness and corned beef & cabbage?  Let us know what you do!

A Couple of the Stronger Millstream Brews

Well, it’s been one year since the March 10, 2010 signing of SF 2088, which included a resolution to allow higher alcohol beers to be brewed by Iowa brewers.

So what’s changed?  In addition to brewers outside Iowa being able to more easily sell their high-gravity beers in the state, it has become much easier for the breweries in Iowa to brew these stronger beers, such as Double IPA‘s and the majority of Belgian-style beers.  This has allowed Iowa breweries to compete with those in other states, and will give Iowa breweries the chance to make almost any beer style they want without the state coming down on them for having stronger beers.

Although this isn’t an exhaustive list, here are several of the beers in the higher-proof category that came out in the past year (this doesn’t include all the beers local breweries and brewpubs created, such as Third Base Brewery and Rock Bottom Brewing):

Millstream Brewing:

1. Doppelbock
2. Weizenbock
3. Triple Raspberry
4. Hop 2 Double IPA

Peace Tree Brewing:

1. Double IPA
2. Imperial Stout

So, in the past year, the beer landscape in Iowa has become more diverse and flavorful.  Even the local Iowa City paper recently wrote about the changes in the state after the law was passed.

Now is a great time to be a beer lover in Iowa, and it will only get better from here.  Have you enjoyed the change in the beer scene in Iowa?  What other changes would you like to see?

Millstream Hop 2 Double IPA

Over the weekend, I had a chance to sample the latest Millstream offering, the Hop 2 Double IPA.

The Hop 2 poured a copper color, and had a floral scent with a bit of citrus.  With the first taste, the first thing I noticed was the medium body.  It had a citrus hop flavor with a slight hint of a earthy, noble hop with a strong malt balance.  It finished on the light side, with just a bit of lingering hop flavor.  It was a very balanced Double IPA.

Hop 2 didn’t list the alcohol percent, but even as a Double IPA, it didn’t have much of an alcohol warming, which was great.  Overall, Hop 2 was a nice beer that, with the lighter body, makes me want to have more then one.  So why don’t I?

Have you had the Hop 2?  What did you think?

Old Man River Brewing

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the local brewpub in McGregor, Iowa: Old Man River Brewing Company. Over the course of the meal, we got the scoop of several expansions the brewery was planning:

1. There are plans in the works to possibly expand to a location in Dubuque, Iowa, including the restaurant and brewery
2. Also, and more exciting for us personally, there is a rumor that the brewery is looking into expanding to Iowa City and create a production brewery. This will allow them to distribute the beers created at the brewpub, including a dunkel and a helles (also which happen to be the beers I had while at the restaurant – both were great). Hopefully a tasting room is in the plans.

This wasn’t the first time I had heard the rumor of the brewery coming to Iowa City, but I was glad to have it confirmed by another source who worked there.

What do you think? Have you heard about either one of these rumors?