"Irish Coffee" Firkin, Tallgrass Brewing Co., Manhattan, KS

 

These are pics from St. Patrick's Day at Stubby's Pub and Grill, Milwaukee, WI. Tallgrass Brewing Company made 4 very special Firkins to commemorate the holiday and one of them came to Wisconsin.  This Firkin is their take on Irish Coffee. Let me tell you it was nothing short of fantastic!! The head brewer used their Buffalo Sweat Stout as the base, then added lactose sugar, oak cubes that have been soaked in Jameson Whiskey, and coffee to enhance the coffee notes. The coffee aroma was quite apparent. Had the glass not been cold, I would have thought it was a hot cup of coffee. The taste was amazingly smooth and the very last taste that came across my palate was the sugar. I sat right next to the Firkin for a few hours.

Rendezvous Ale

Rendezvous Ale, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI

Buffalo Sweat Stout

Buffalo Sweat Stout, Tallgrass Brewing Co., Manhattan, KS

I really like this sweet stout. Fantastic coffee aroma and very smooth!

Consecrator Doppelbock

Consecrator Doppelbock, Bells Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI 

(Doppelbock, Rated 94)

Iniquity Imperial Black Ale

Iniquity Imperial Black Ale, Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood, NY 

(Black IPA, Rated 98)

I've had this special beauty sitting in my fridge for a while now, just for a day like today. This black as night ale is an amazing blend of hops and malts that compliment each other. The malty aroma as well as the malt and caramel flavor hints make this one smooth drinker at 9% abv.

Don de Dieu

Don de Dieu, Unibroue, Chambly, Canada 

(Belgian Strong Ale, Rated 97)

Double Chocolate Stout

Double Chocolate Stout, Youngs, London, England 

(Stout, Rated 96)

Long Weekend IPA

Long Weekend IPA, Big Bay Brewing Co., Shorewood, WI

Encore

Encore an American Wheat IPA, Magic Hat Brewing Co., South Burlington, VT

Road Slush Stout

Road Slush Stout, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI 

(Sweet Stout, Rated 96)

This aptly named sweet oatmeal stout from another great Wisconsin brewery is smooth and tasty.

Gandy Dancer Porter

Gandy Dancer Porter, Potosi Brewing Co., Potosi, WI 

(Porter, Rated 96)

Potosi is becoming a favorite WI brewery for me. 

Frank's Double Wild Rye'd India Pale Ale

Frank's Double Wild Rye'd India Pale Ale, Sand Creek Brewing Co., Black River Falls, WI

Fade to Black Volume 3: Pepper Porter

Fade to Black Volume 3: Pepper Porter, Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, CO 

(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 96)

All I can say is "Wow"! What a fantastic combination of fruit flavors, pepper, and black licorice. The taste is smoky. The spiciness is nice.

Black IPA

Black IPA, Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK 

(Black IPA, Rated 90)

While boasting dark colors and the full-bodied flavors of a porter, there's no mistaking this is an IPA. It has a nice amount of citrus hops along with tinges of coffee and chocolate.

Ruthless Rye IPA

Ruthless Rye IPA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA 

(IPA, Rated 98)

A definite favorite of mine, this IPA is amazing! It combines a peppery spice of rye with citrusy flavors from the hops to create a complex ale. A perfect drinker for the Spring/Summer. 6.6% abv

Fleur

Fleur, Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, IL 

(Belgian Ale, Rated 96)

Goose Island is another of my favorite breweries. They have many excellent beers and this is one of them. Fleur is a beglian style pale ale brewed with a couple of different teas. It has a flowery, fruity aroma that starts sweet and finished just a bit tart.

Bell's Best Brown Ale

Bell's Best Brown Ale, Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI 

(Brown Ale, Rated 94)

Smooth, tasty brown ale with hints of caramel and cocoa.

Glacial Trail IPA

Glacial Trail IPA, Central Waters Brewing Co., Amherst, WI

Commodore Perry IPA

Commodore Perry IPA, Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland, OH 

(IPA, Rated 94)

Wild Ride IPA

Wild Ride IPA, Sand Creek Brewing Co., Black River Falls, WI

Snake Dog IPA

Snake Dog IPA, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD
(IPA, Rated 92)

Probably one of the hoppiest beers from Flying Dog. The citrus fruit aroma is amazing.

Our Own Bavarian-Styled Doppel Weizen

Our Own Bavarian-Styled Doppel Weizen, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA 

(Weizen Bock, Rated 96)

A newer beer from another one of my favorite breweries, this weizen bock is crisp, fruity, and bold.

Arctic Panzer Wolf

Arctic Panzer Wolf, Three Floyds Brewing Co., Munster, IN 

(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 99)

Another fantastic beer from one of my favorite breweries! A massive IPA that is damn tasty! 9% abv.

Hop Wallop Ale

Hop Wallop Very Hoppy Ale, Victory Brewing Co., Downington, PA 

(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 97)

Excellent aromas and a bounty of hop headiness that gets my taste buds dancing. Very refreshing. At 8.5% abv, it certainly lives up to its name.

Liljas Hop Nest Monster

Liljas Hop Nest Monster, Pangaea Beer Co., Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Dragonfly IPA

Dragonfly IPA, Upland Brewing Co., Bloomington, IN

Pandora's Bock

Pandora's Bock, Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO

Blithering Idiot

Blithering Idiot, Weyerbacher Brewing Co., Easton, PA 

(Barley wine, Rated 97)

I've mentioned I'm becoming a big fan of barley wines. This one is on the malty side. Not too sweet. I'm begging for more!

Hop Hearty Ale

Hop Hearty Ale, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI 

(IPA, Rated 97)

Caramel color, rich flavors, and a nice strong hop aroma. New Glarus makes some mighty fine beer!

Thunderhead IPA

Thunderhead IPA, Pyramid Breweries, Seattle, WA

Hinterland IPA

IPA, Hinterland Brewery, Green Bay, WI

There are those that don't like hoppy beer, but if you like IPAs, you can't go wrong with a Hinterland.

Lucky U IPA

Lucky U IPA, Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO

Sam Adams Alpine Spring

Sam Adams Alpine Spring, Boston Beer Co., Boston, MA

This premium lager from Sam Adams sure hits the spot on a cold Winter day.

Old Scratch Amber Lager

Old Scratch Amber Lager, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD

Komodo Dragon Fly Black IPA

Komodo Dragon Fly Black IPA, Upland Brewing Co., Bloomington, IN 

(Black IPA, Rated 94)

Dryhopped with roasted black malts, definitely heavier and darker. Lacks the usual sweetness you find in many IPA.

Anchor Bock Beer

Anchor Bock Beer, Anchor Brewing Co., San Francisco, CA 

(Dunkler Bock, Rated 94)

The term 'bock' means a beer darker and stronger than the brewery's regular brew. I've only had one other beer from this brewery which was their holiday ale, Our Special Ale (Check out my '12 Beers of Christmas'). Both are fantastic!

Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale

Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale, North Coast Brewing Co., Fort Bragg, CA 

(Belgian Strong Ale, Rated 92)

Belgian Strong Ale is one of my favorite styles. But I don't discriminate, that's for sure. Smooth with a mild citrus, fruity flavor and finishes clean.

Thumbprint Series Barley Wine

Thumbprint Series Barley Wine, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI 

(Barley Wine, Rated 98)

If I said I was becoming a fan of barley wine beer before, I am definitely a fan now! Sweet citrus hops and fantastic flavor. I can only one day hope New Glarus distributes to other states so my friends outside of WI can enjoy what I'm enjoying now.  Cheers!

Smuttynose IPA

Smuttynose IPA, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Portsmouth, NH 

(Imperial Pale Ale (IPA), Rated 97)

Love me some IPA. Not many people care for the hoppy bitterness of this style. I find IPA to be less filling than a lot of other styles. Nice citrusy hop flavor on this one. And it's from New England, in support of my team this weekend...Go Patriots!

Laughing Dog IPA

Laughing Dog India Pale Ale, Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, ID

(IPA, Rated 93)

Sticking with the IPA and another good one at that. This one is on the malty side with a smooth clean finish. Cheers!

Lupulin Maximus IPA

Lupulin Maximus IPA, O'SO Brewing Co., Plover, WI

(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 97)

This is not your typical IPA! Some bottles come with a hop cone in them...mine did. Pours amber in color. Starts with a caramel flavor with lots of hops, though surprisingly its not very bitter. 9% abv is a bonus.

Sam Adams Black Lager

Sam Adams Black Lager, Boston Beer Co., Boston, MA 

Peruvian Morning 2012

Peruvian Morning 2012, Central Waters Brewing Co., Amherst, WI 

(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)

This imperial stout is infused with Peruvian coffee and aged in bourbon barrels. Very smooth. Just a hint of coffee, unlike some stouts that overdo it, but the bourbon flavor finishes it off nicely.

Dig

Dig, New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO

Manoomator

Capital Square Series Manoomator, Capital Brewery, Middleton, WI

This dopplebock is part of Capital's special series, but I didn't find it that special. Has a nice rich malty flavor and is drinkable.

La Fin du Monde

La Fin du Monde, Unibroue, Chambly, Canada 

(Abbey Tripel, Rated 99)

Oh Canada! Unibroue has a reputation for producing highly rated, high quality beer. This abbey tripel is robust with a zesty flavor. How do you say 'Cheers!' in Canada?  I think I just did! :)

Hebrew Messiah Nut Brown Ale

Hebrew Messiah Nut Brown Ale, Schmaltz Brewing Co., Saratoga Springs, NY

Hebrew Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale

Hebrew Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale, Schmaltz Brewing Co., Saratoga Springs, NY