SF 2088 – One Year Later

A Couple of the Stronger Millstream Brews
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

Millstream Hop 2 Double IPA
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?

Festival of Iowa Beers 2010

Joey and I at the Festival
Joey (right) and I (left) at the Festival

This past Sunday, the sixth annual Iowa Festival of Beers was held in Amana, next to Millstream Brewing.

This year was very exciting because of the opening of a few new breweries in the past year, including Peace Tree Brewing and Madhouse Brewing, along with the availability of “high-proof” beers.

In addition to the Iowa breweries, several of the area homebrew clubs, including those from Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, were able to share beers by several of their members.

Some of my favorites included Peace Tree’s Cornucopia, a farmhouse ale (saison), made with sweet corn.

Also, there were several beers from Old Man River Brewery and Restaurant in McGregor, Iowa that were very good, including a dunkel.

The local news was also there, and my friend, Joey, and I ended up in one of the cutaway shots (see the photo).  It was a great day with great beer.

Did you get to the Festival of Iowa Beers 2010?  What was your favorite?

Millstream 25th Anniversary Dopplebock

Millstream 25th Anniversary Dopplebock
Millstream 25th Anniversary Dopplebock

To finish off American Craft Beer Week 2010, I cracked open my Millstream 25th Anniversary Dopplebock.  This was a limited edition release, and was available at the brewery, or John’s Grocery in Iowa City.

Right off the bat, I noticed it was very smooth.  Because of how smooth it was, it seemed like they had lagered (stored) it for a while.  I had it on the cool side, so there may not have been as much carbonation bite as usual, and the carbonation seemed low.

True to style, it was very malty sweet with very little bitterness and had nice balance.  It seemed lighter in body than many of the other dopplebocks I’ve had, making it very drinkable.  It was a very nice beer, and a great first high gravity beer from Millstream.

Did you get a chance to try the Millstream 25th Anniversary Dopplebock?  What was your experience?

Millstream Brewing German Pilsner

Millstream Brewing German Pilsner
Millstream Brewing German Pilsner

On my way to New York yesterday, I had a chance to sample Millstream Brewing’s latest seasonal offering, German Pilsner.

It was light and crisp.  Taking care to taste it on the front of my tongue first, the malt flavor comes through and leaves a nice lingering bitterness once it hits the back of your tongue. It was a very good pilsner, like pilsners should be.

Have you tried the German Pilsner from Millstream?  What did you think?