Beer reviews

[Craigums]

Big Wood Brewery - Morning Wood Coffee Stout

5.5% ABV

35 IBU's

This beer is brewed in White Bear Lake, MN. The first thing that you noticed with this beer is its dark coloration, you can hardly see through it even when holding it up to the light. It pours nicely and has a chocolaty scent to it. When you take your first sip it has a definite coffee taste which isn't surprising since the box says they actually use Dunn Brothers coffee beans in the brewing process. This is a very smooth drinking beer, It is also very rich so it's best as a sipping beer. I can't help but thinking this beer would go well with some Bacon, Eggs, and Hashbrowns after a rough night lo

[Craigums]

Bell's - White Winter Ale

5.0% ABV

Brewed in Comstock, MI the first thing you noticed about this beer is its soft golden color, it does have a cloudiness however. It has a light citrus odor. This is a very tasty, easy drinking beer. Taste wise it reminds me of a blend between a Honey Weiss and Blue Moon. There is a slight aftertaste that reminds me of a Belgian tripel wheat just not as pronounced. This was a winner if you don't care for real dark or hoppy beers

[Craigums]

Indeed Brewing Company - Stir Crazy Winter Ale

6.5% ABV

Brewed in Minneapolis, MN this is a DARK caramel colored brew. I noticed a slight smell of roasted nuts and cocoa beans. This is a malty rather than hoppy beer. However, it does not have the creamy flavor of other malty beers such as Guinness. The aftertaste reminds me of figs, raisins or some other similar dried fruit.

[Craigums]

Sierra Nevada - Celebration Fresh Hop IPA

6.8% ABV

I believe this one is brewed in Chico, CA but it also lists Mill's River, NC on the label. This is a nice amber colored beer. The first thing I noticed was when I smelled it was the hops, I think I also smelled a slight citrus odor. It is a hoppy beer similar to a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale but it is not over powering. I usually read the labels on the beer to see if their description lines up with what I notice while tasting. The description on this label was spot on. They describe it is a complex, robust ale layered in pine, citrus and hops. This beer would have the highest IBU's of all the ones I've reviewed so far so if you try it make sure you like the bitterness that fresh hops provide.

[Craigums]

Southern Tier Brewing Company - 2XMAS

8.0% ABV

Brewed in Lakewood, NY in the "Tradition of Swedish Glogg"

Appearance: Has a dark amber coloration, IMO this is what a beer should look like!

Odor: Christmas spices, I detect a little cinnamon, clove and possibly some orange zest.

Taste: You can taste the hops in this one but it does not have the over powering bitterness of many beers that boast about their hops, very smooth.

Overall: 10/10; This is the best of the bunch I've reviewed so far. Easy drinking, flavorful, complex, a real winner.

[Craigums]

21st Amendment - Fireside Chat Winter Ale

7.9% ABV

45 IBU's

San Francisco, CA

Appearance: Dark crimson, light carbonation

Odor: Malts, Caramel, and maybe a hint of vanilla

Taste: I struggled to figure this one out, it has spices that tend to build up in the back of your throat. Extremely complex each sip brings different notes. Slight bitterness but not overpowering.

Overall: 8/10

[outdoors247]

Thanks for the reviews. There are so many beers out there and so little time to try them all!

[icehole10]

We've had three breweries open here in the Fargo/Moorhead area in the last year or so, and I have yet to make it to one of their taprooms. Shame on me!!

[OnAFly]

The tap house at Bigwood is pretty awesome. The chairs and tables all look hand made and they have taps that are not available anywhere else. Jacksavage brewed with Belgian yeast was effin awesome if you like pale ales and Belgian funk. They had another Belgian on tap that was spiced. Good change of pace.

Sierra Nevada has become a top 5 brewer for me. They make so many solid beers and every season come out with specials like the FRESH HOP Celebration Ale. Usually you can find the stuff for ~$12 a 12pk. That's an insane price for a fresh hopped beer. Ruthless Rye is another good one they've come out with recently along with their sampler pack which includes Boomarang, which I would compare almost to Ballast Point's Sculpin. It's really that good!

[delcecchi]

Too bad Stone Brewery products don't seem to be available here.

[OnAFly]

I've seen their brews around. Or do you mean around Rochester?

I've heard there's a few very good breweries down in Iowa in the Decorah area. Ever had anything from Toppling Goliath?

Widmer Bros (Oregon) 4pk special brews have been on sale near me lately. Their Imperial India Pale Lager aged with oak is pretty good. Kind of a muted citrus (I'm guessing due to the aging process) start with almost a Bourbon like finish. It's very good and at 9% ABV, it's got a sneaky kick.

They have a Black IPA in the same series. Most Black IPAs I've had are more IPA than black, but this one seems to be on the other end of the spectrum. Enough hoppyness to keep the flavors crisp, but not enough to overpower the roasted malts. It's a well balanced beer.

LiftBridge Brewery's (Stillwater, MN) Farmgirl is one of my favorite lighter beers. Nice smooth, slightly sweet and spiced and just a bit of the distinct Belgian yeast flavor. Great for a hot summer day or if you've burnt out a bit on the super hoppy IPAs.

Lucette Brewery's (Wisconsin) The Farmer's Daughter was a shot in the dark for me. I've had their pale ale, which was decent, but not this one. It's supposed to be a lighter flavored beer that still has something to it, but there is some flavor in three that is really off to me. It's tough to describe what it is, but it just kind of tasted dirty. I've got three left...I think they'll be given away.

I don't want to throw this brewery under the bus. Their pale ale (Ride Again) was a great mild flavored PA which was awesome for sitting around a fire in the fall and having a few without the flavor becoming overwhelming. The Farmer's Daughter just seems to be a swing and a miss.

[delcecchi]

Preferably someplace in Rochester for the Stone Brewery stuff, although Surly scratches that itch also.

[mainbutter]

We've had three breweries open here in the Fargo/Moorhead area in the last year or so, and I have yet to make it to one of their taprooms. Shame on me!!

I love that small-time breweries seem to be successful businesses. Hard work and a quality profit don't always bring success, but for brewing it seems to happen more often than many other ventures.

My college acquaintance opened up sociable cider werks in NE mpls - if you're looking for a twin cities taproom to visit I highly recommend it! Their ciders are wonderful.

[perchking]

When you drink quantity, quality typically suffers

[delcecchi]

Schaefer's, the one beer to have when your're having more than one..

[Craigums]

I've never had the widmer bros, I'll have to keep an eye out for it. That farmgirl saison is pretty good though. Busch light.... . Shaefer brings back some good memories for me, we drank quite a bit in St Thomas USVI

[shortfatguy]

Lift Bridge makes what is probably my favorite IPA, HopDish. If you like IPAs give it a try!

[Down2Earth]

When you drink quantity, quality typically suffers

Best beer listed so far......hands down.

[perchking]

I agree...me likey

[delcecchi]

I agree...me likey

Then you ought to try a more local beer of the same caliber....

Brewed in LaCrosse.

[Craigums]

Founders - Backwoods Bastard

10.2% ABV

50 IBU's

Ale aged in oak bourbon barrels

Brewed in Grand Rapids, MI

Appearance: Dark Brown, Lightly Carbonated.

Odor: Caramel, Whiskey, Charred Oak

Taste: Reminds me of drinking a Rootbeer & Windsor, There is a light fizz that dances on your tongue, coffee syrup aftertaste.

Overall: 8/10; Interesting taste, worth trying but won't be a go to.

[Deitz Dittrich]

If you are ever in Somerset WI, check out Oliphant brewing. Some of the best beers I have ever sampled.

As for an above review.. Farm Girl by Lift Bridge is fantastic..

[Craigums]

If you are ever in Somerset WI, check out Oliphant brewing.

Do they have a taproom or do you just pick it up at local liquor stores? do you have a favorite brew by them?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Craigums, they have a tap room, its very hard to find, its behind the store.. But you can buy it at that one store in growlers too.. but currently at the one store only I think?

[JP Z]

Picnic Ants by OSO brewery in WI. It's an amazing Siason style beer.