So I (Brian) have been spending some time out in Seattle, WA this week. The weather has been amazing and I’ve been spoiled with some really good local brews! Wanted to high light the one I’m drinking right now. It’s the Lazy Boy Brewing IPA out of Everett, WA. Surprisingly, malt is the first thing that grabs your attention! Now, don’t get me wrong, the 3 kinds of hops in this brew are very much a part of the flavour but the malt hits your nose first. It’s pretty cool actually….different…you don’t get hit with a Christmas tree in the mouth when you take your sips. The hops come across floral and a little sweeter than other IPAs. Check these guys out at http://www.lazyboybrewing.com More Seattle beers to come! Lazy Boy IPA : B+
Posts tagged IPA
Part two of our Terminal Brewhouse tastings…
Again, HUGE thanks to our buddy Joel (@introvertedone on Twitter). He dropped off two growlers of beer from Terminal Brewhouse in Chattanooga, TN…their Oatmeal Stout and this, the IPA (named Magnum P.A.) which is fantastic! (*note: Josh wasn’t allowed to watch many things on TV as a kid but he was allowed to watch Magnum P.I. which makes this beer even cooler).
Grade: A
Click here to check out Terminal Brewhouse on Facebook.
If you like our blog for reals, like us on Facebook too.
Rocky Mountain IPA from the Fort Collins Brewery. First time trying this one…delicious! It reminds me of the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. Balanced perfectly. Tons of hops yet still a sweetness. Really tasty. There’s a place down on Nolensville Pike in Nashville (near Lenox Village) calle Ray’s Cigars and Brews that sells the stuff. Ray’s has a ton of variety…a great place to try a new 6-pack. Plus, they offer a make-your-own 6-pack options for $11.99. You can mix and match anything in their fridge.
I’m giving the Rocky Mountain IPA a solid ‘A’…great beer! - Josh
So I (Brian) have this friend that home brews. I know I know….big deal…who doesn’t home brew these days?!?! Well, first of all the beer is VERY good, and they “brew good and do good” — please check out our friends at NOEL Brewing
Here’s what makes them stand out besides just really good bee. They’re mission is bigger than beer, I know that may sound shocking to some but it’s actually really cool. Until NOEL becomes a household name (which we’re pretty sure it’s going to become) they are using their brew to generate profits that they will help people in need. I attended a fund raiser to help out a friend of Michael Gilbert (co founder of NOEL) who has recently incurred some pretty hefty medical bills. So I got to try 3 different NOEL brews and my donation was going to a great cause…perfect!
THE BEER: Ellie’s Amber Ale - Originally brewed to help raise funds for Ellies’ Run For Africa. It is what an Amber Ale should be. Hints of hops that aren’t overpowering, a sweet malty finish that leaves you wanting more. Very, very good.
Byun in the Sun - this was brewed specifically for the fundraiser I attended. It’s a summer ale with a hot day in mind. There are a number of Summer Ales out there that don’t seem to think of the season! It’s HOT in the summer people, keep it refreshing. Well, NOEL brewing does exactly that. It’s lighter in color and taste, with just the right amount of hops.
The IPA - I got a small taste of NOEL’s IPA. WOW! Can’t wait to have more of this. It’s hoppy and wonderful.
One more great thing about NOEL: BREWGIGS! What’s a brewgig??? “Well, it’s like food catering, only it’s better because it’s beer.” The folks from NOEL will come to your event and provide the beer. What else could you ask for really. It’s what they do! Check out their site for more info.
NOEL BREWING: A
Check out their site: Here
If you’re on Facebook then become a fan: Here
“Wile E. Coyote”
Have you ever bought something just because of its label? Well, if you have, ACME California IPA would already be in your repertoire! The retro label really makes this beer stand out. Honestly, it’s why Brian picked it out of the fridge at Woodland Wine Merchants in East Nashville where you can buy a single bottle for around 3 bucks. Brian’s a sucker for a fine looking label ;)
Acme California IPA comes to us from our friends at Northcoast Brewing Company. They have brought us one of our favorites, the Scrimshaw Pilsner. The Acme California IPA is a lighter amber color when poured into a glass. If you’ve had other Pale Ale’s but have not yet ventured into the world of the India Pale Ale, then it could be great for you to start with Acme. Don’t hear us wrong, it’s full of hops (like all good IPA’s) but it has a sweeter side that will surprise you.
BEEP BEEP — come on….road runner?? Looney Tunes?? Anybody? …. is this thing on?
GRADE A-
Happy Holidays! Because it’s the Holiday season we’re bringing you our 12 Beers of Christmas. Each day we’ll post a new video blog with our rendition of that famous carol “The 12 Beers of Christmas” and a review of a beer. We’ve selected some new seasonal beers to try and we will also feature some old favorites. So sit back, relax, and make Beer School Blog’s 12 Beers of Christmas your new Holiday tradition.
We got our Winter Warmer at Stogie’s Ales and Fine Cigars in Cool Springs
GRADE : A
On 11.13.08 Yazoo Brewing tapped a keg of their Fresh Hop IPA at 12th South Taproom in Nashville. This was a part of their one keg events held in and around Nashville and also in Memphis TN, Birmingham and Huntsville, AL. They tapped one keg at various pubs for one night and when they were gone, that was it. We were excited to be able to check it out.
Hops preserve beer. Pale ales originated in Britain but because of the heavy trading between Britain and India (mostly for spices) the IPA (India Pale Ale) was born. Because they were traveling by ship the British had to find ways to keep their Ale fresh for a longer period of time. So when they traveled to India more hops were added for preservation and this is why India Pale Ales have more of a hoppy taste.
The Fresh Hop IPA is awesome. It has a little bit of a bitter (citrus rind) taste that stays in your cheek bones for a second when you first sip it but the finish is really smooth. The smell is somewhat floral with a little bit of pine needle. It kind of smells like Christmas. GRADE : A
Rather than just crafting our thoughts from this wonderful evening into something fancy we thought we’d share them as we wrote them down. We drank three different IPAs…here you go!
Christmas
Bitter…Citrus Rind…Bitterness stays in your cheek bones
Floral
Smell is amazing!
It’s smooth for an IPA.
Nose(smell): spiced wine? Red wine….spiced red wine (haha)
Completely different.
Chocolate covered cherries that didn’t get tipped all the way…..covered in pine needles.
You’re in the happy forest, getting happily slapped by pine trees. Really strong. Oh wow that’s strong. Pine tress equal hops.
Conclusion:
Yazoo was super consistent and balanced. Didn’t lean too much to one side. If we were going to drink more than one IPA in a night we would have the yazoo.
Dogfish head - closer to yazoo than the Samuel Smith
