The Wish List

Happy American Craft Beer Week!

To celebrate ACBW, I am going to do something backasswards.  Instead of celebrating what we do have here in America’s Heartland, I am making a wish list of what I wish we had available.  I picked twelve breweries, both large and small that I dearly wish we had readily available.  As you’re traveling about the country, you might look for some fine beers from some of these outstanding breweries.

Of the twelve breweries listed, nine could make it to this part of the country perhaps.  There is no chance for one of them.  As for the other two, well they are small Colorado breweries that I really, really like.

1.       Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, California.  Why Russian River?  Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Damnation, Supplication, Consecration, Temptation,  Sanctification, Redemption, Beatification, and Salvation.  Any more questions?
2.       Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Delaware.  60 minute, 90 minute, 120 minute IPAs.  I don’t really need more reasons than that, but if you really want some other reasons, I guess 61 minute and 75 minute IPAs.  ApriHop?  Bitches Brew?  Burton Baton?  Chicory Stout?  Hellhound on my Ale?  Immort Ale?  World Wide Stout?  I’m getting sad.
3.       Brooklyn Brewery, New York, New York.  Black Ops, Black Chocolate Stout, Dark Matter, Cuvee Noir, Grand Cru, Detonation, Local 1 and Local 2, Sorachi Ace, Monster, Wild 1…  I mean, I think I could get used to having some of these beers readily available.  Couldn’t you?
4.       Sixpoint Craft Ales, Brooklyn, New York.  Yes, another brewery from the Big Apple.  Have you had the 3beans?  No?  You should.   Try the Belgian-Rye IPA, Bolshoi, Black Market Porter, Guerilla Warfare Porter, Otis, Resin, and Triple Sweet Action too.  You won’t be disappointed you did.
5.       Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida.  From California to New York to Florida.  So what would I drink from Cigar City?  What wouldn’t I drink from Cigar City??  That said, how about the … well anything.  I really would like a Café con Leche Stout right about now though.  Coco Loco, Cubano Imperial Sweet Stout, Death Metal Rye Stout, and anything from the Humidor series would also be welcome.
6.       Port Brewing/Lost Abbey, San Marcos, California.  Lost Abbey is the Belgian inspired line of beers from Port Brewing.  Judgment Day, 10 Commandments, Amazing Grace, Avante Garde, Carnevale, Gift of the Magi, Framboise de Amorosa, Red Poppy, Serpents Stout, Veritas, and The Angels Share are all some beers that I would go broke buying.
7.       The Bruery, Placentia, California.  Black Tuesday Imperial Stout.  Coton.  Fruet.  Hottenroth.  Something about Turtle Doves, French Hens, and Calling Birds.  Saison Rue.  Sour in the Rye.  Saison de Lente.  Cherry Oude Tart.  Sigh.
8.       Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons, Colorado.   Why?  CANS!  I LOVE CANNED BEER.  Yes, I said it.  Try the Dale’s Pale Ale,  Deviant Dale’s IPA, Old Chub or 10 Fidy.  But don’t steal the ones in my basement.
9.       Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah.  Utah?  Seriously?  UTAH?  They don’t drink in Utah, right?  Not true!  They not only drink but they make some darn fine beers.   Try the Dubhe, Barley Wine, Hop Notch, and anything from the Crooked Line Series.  I am quite fond of the Labyrinth and Detour double IPA from that series.
10.   New Glarus Brewing, New Glarus, Wisconsin.  New Glarus is the pipe dream, as New Glarus only distributes in Wisconsin and has no plans to distribute outside the state as far as I know.  Should you travel to the land of sausage and cheese, find a place to stop and get a Serendipity, Wisconsin Belgian Red, Black Top, Apple Ale, Raspberry Tart, and/or anything from the Unplugged or Thumbprint series of beers.
11.   Trinity Brewing Company, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Trinity recently starting distributing outside of Colorado Springs to the rest of the state.  That’s a start.  They make some dynamite beers, such as TPS Report, Slap Yer Mammy double IPA, The Flavor, Brain of the Turtle, and a number of saisons/farmhouse ales.  They also play around with brett, so look for that as well if you’re in Colorado.
12.   Paradox Beer Company, Woodland Park, Colorado.  Another small brewery from Colorado.  I have had a few of their beers, and I thought the Belgo Rye IPA aged in barrels was quite interesting (Paradise Nines – The Catcher).  I think they have a chance, since they do some really interesting combinations of styles and such.
13.   Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana.  Okay, okay. I said I was going to have twelve that I wish was here, but that’s because I have a love/hate relationship with Three Floyds.  I love the beer, but I hate that I keep not getting tickets to Dark Lord Day.  So yes, I am bitter.  But bitterness aside, I do wish that Three Floyds was here in the Heartland.  I am willing to sacrifice myself so I can have Zombie Dust.  But who wouldn't?

So that's my [baker's] dozen wish list.  Who would you add? 

Happy Birthday, Flying Saucer KC

I have never been very good about keeping my mouth shut when I probably should.  I chew on my own toes quite often from putting my foot in my mouth.  I use social media to say things that might well be left unsaid, or said in a different way.  Sometimes I don’t express myself clearly or completely.  I fully acknowledge those things.  On the other hand, it also indicates that I am not shy about expressing my opinion.

So, because I have an opinion to express, I have dusted off my blog.  (As I am being self-reflective, I should be writing more.  I will.  I promise.  Maybe.)

Yesterday was the 5^th Anniversary of the Flying Saucer Kansas City.  Every year, the KC Saucer has a celebration on or near their anniversary.  This year, it fell on the exact anniversary of the opening.  Jillian Murphy served me the very first day, so obviously I remember the opening well.  Of course, I was very excited when wandering through the un-finished Power & Light District I saw the windows installed for a Flying Saucer.  I had been to the Flying Saucer in Fort Worth, and I loved the place.  I had sent a half-joking e-mail to the good folks at the Flying Saucer corporate office imploring them to open a KC location.  Then it finally opened.  I had to be there.

Five years ago the beer scene in Kansas City was terrible.  Perhaps that is overstating it, but it was not good.  Charlie Hooper’s had perhaps the best beer selection in Kansas City, and mostly I was happy to have a Bell’s Two Hearted.  Sure, in Kansas I could go to Barley’s Brewhouse, which is misnamed because it’s not a brewhouse.  They have a fair number of taps, but five years ago, they had a ton of American adjunct lagers and a few imports.  New Belgium, Sam Adams and Boulevard dominated the rest of the taps as I recall.  The Yardhouse had also opened in the Legends, and they have a fair selection, but it really wasn’t substantially better than Barley’s, and they had no bottles.

75^th Street Brewery, McCoy’s, and a brewpub in the River Market pretty much completes the KC beer scene c. 2008.  Oh, yes, there was a brewpub in Parkville.  I liked that place.  (Unfortunately, Kansas City lacks brewpubs, as two of those four have closed and only Gordon Biersch and Granite City have taken their place.  I need to win the lottery.)

When the Saucer opened, they did not (and still don’t) have any American mass produced lagers on the tap wall.  There is no Bud, no Coors Light, no Miller Lite.  They could make money on such beers, but choose not to.  For that I am thankful.

Instead, the Saucer opened and tried to obtain as many rare and distinct beers that they could.  It was at the Saucer I fell in love with sour beers, with traditional lambics, with double IPAs, with brett beers, among others.  The Saucer afforded people in KC with opportunities to sample, quaff, drink, consider, argue about, discuss, and love a variety of different beers.  It provided a gateway for many people to expand their beer palates, to learn about beer.  The training the staff went through was terrific; I loved being able to talk to the servers, bartenders, and managers about beer.  They are informed, they are passionate.

I don’t know if it is coincidental or if there is some sort of causal relationship, but with the opening of the Saucer came many, many new beers and breweries into Missouri (and to Kansas, for that matter).  The expansion of the beers in the KC market in the last five years is amazing. 
On Thursdays, when the Saucer first opened, it was “Mystery Beer” day.  I quite enjoyed Mystery Beer, when I could order a beer for three bucks and get some sort of bottle.  I got bottles that were pretty terrible, I got bottles that were pretty good, I got big bottles, I got small bottles.  Beers were lagers, IPAs, wheats, stouts, and so on.  It was a fun day at the Saucer.

With the increase in the number of breweries and beers in Kansas City, the Saucer changed its Thursday special from Mystery Beer to Rare Beer night.  Now, Matt Gardner (the GM) finds a rare beer to offer the Kansas City market, a beer that isn’t normally available on draft.  That seems easy enough, right?  Try doing that 52 times a year.  It’s a hell of a challenge to find a keg of something that is unique that often.  But, the Saucer makes an effort to provide KC with rare and unique beers.

Along with that expansion of beers into the Kansas City area, there has been an expansion of bars in which to get a good beer.  Bier Station, Beer Kitchen, The Foundry, The Riot Room, Waldo Pizza’s Tap Room, Anton’s, All Star Pizza, and others have made serious efforts to provide Kansas City with outstanding and rare beers.

With that, the Flying Saucer has become a victim of its own success.

Let me explain.  One of the wonderful aspects of the anniversary party is that Matt tries to hoard beers and provide a selection of unique and rare beers to members of the Flying Saucer’s UFO club.  The Saucer has a lineup of select beers they release once per hour during the course of the day.  There are both firkins and regular draft beers that they release.

This year, the lineup included:

Perennial Imperial Milk Stout firkin
Mother’s Lil Helper IPA firkin
Green Flash Hop Odyssey Imperial Red Rye
Widmer Brothers Kill Devil
4 Hands Bona Fide Imperial Stout firkin
Evil Twin Yin
Empyrean Dark Side Vanilla Porter firkin with lactose and chocolate
Founders Doom
Firestone Walker Double DBA
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

With the exposition out of the way, now the explanation.  People complained about the beer selection.  For example, Waldo’s Tap Room had Kill Devil previously.  Bier Station had already tapped Doom.  OH NO!  Those are fantastic beers and maybe I would have to have them twice?  The horror, the horror.  Yes, that’s sarcasm (stolen straight from Berkeley Breathed’s Bloom County).  Someone else had the Goose Island somewhere.   Another dismissed the FW Double DBA.  I drank them all.  Well, not all nine.  I had four: the FW Double DBA, the Doom, the Goose Island, and the Bona Fide.

People complained that the Saucer is living off their own success.  People complained the Saucer just isn’t trying as hard as it used to.  People complain.  I think they complain because they like to complain.

I disagree with the complaints.

The way that I look at it, I am thankful for the Saucer.  The Saucer (at least in part) has turned the KC beer scene upside down in five years.  From being thankful that our friends at Boulevard initiated the wonderful Smokestack Series, we’re now complete and total rare beer whores and are never satisfied unless it’s the first time we’ve had a beer.  If we can’t put a new beer in Untappd, we aren’t happy.  It’s true.  Well, I won’t say the entire KC beer community, but it seems it’s a damn lot of us.  Or maybe people just like to complain.  I like to think the Saucer has spoiled us and transformed us so much that we have upped our expectations to an unreasonable place.

Instead of complaining about the beer selection, be happy about what they do have.  Enjoy the variety, enjoy the firkins, enjoy the local rarities and the rarities from California and Michigan and Nebraska.  When you’re at Bier Station enjoying a delicious Doom, be thankful for the Saucer, because it sure seems to me that the Saucer paved the way for that tavern.  When you’re at the Waldo Tap Room enjoying a Kill Devil, be thankful that the Saucer opened the door and spurred competition.  When you’re at Ugly Joe’s drinking a Southern Tier 2xIPA from a big plastic cup, be thankful there are other options besides a Boulevard Pale Ale or Wheat (not that there is anything wrong with that, mind you—it’s just that Boulevard was the ONLY craft beer option in Kansas City in non-beer bars from 1989 until the Saucer opened).

Matt finds 52 rare beers a year.  Some are better than others.  Sure.  That’s going to happen.  He tries to find another ten for the anniversary party.  The Saucer always gets the beers we want over and over (I want another Bell’s Hopslam firkin.  Stat.).  The Saucer will have rare beers on glassware night at times.  Christmas/holiday rare beers are hoarded for the Christmas Party. 

The success of the Saucer has spurred competition.  The Saucer has helped transform the Kansas City beer community and palates.  The Saucer has taught us about beer.  The Saucer has helped us love good beer.  The Saucer has led to good beer being in a variety of places in Kansas City.

Sure, maybe the Anniversary Party beer list wasn’t completely unique and rare, but it was a damn fine selection of damn fine beers.  And for that, I am thankful

Happy Birthday Flying Saucer KC.  I love ya and hope you have many more.

Beer News 9/11

Remember those who died and who sacrificed themselves on 9/11.

Do you have beer news?  E-mail us at midwest beer [at] gmail.com so we can pass the word!

So, Boulevard Beer is getting a new CEO?  Yes, it's not new news.  But just in case you haven't heard, John McDonald is stepping down as CEO and will be replaced by Mike Magoulas, formerly of Miller Coors.  McDonald will remain president and says that he will have more time to spend in the brewery, which isn't bad news.  Of course, when Magoulas was named CEO, the jokes started to flow ("So how do you know when a Boulevard is ready to drink?  When the smokestack turns blue!"), but that's unfair as another Kansas City blogger pointed out in an outstanding mock interview.

Holy crap it's Sour Beer Week!  Well, at least it is at the Kansas City Flying Saucer.  Yesterday, sad to say, was Jolly Pumpkin day, with six different releases on tap.  Oh my it was delicious.  Tonight, they have a couple Berliner Weisses to release, and later this week, the Saucer will have brett night (Thursday).  Other sour beers will be released on Wednesday and Friday, so get down there and drink damn good beer.

Anyone flying to Atlanta?  It's not local, but if you're flying to Atlanta, a Belgian beer cafe is opening in the Atlanta airport. 

Boulevard is trying to take over Wichita.  If you're in Wichita and you've not tried the 80 acre hoppy wheat or Bob's 47, you're in luck.  Free tastings are scheduled this week and weekend!  Check out RJ's on Saturday, or check out craftbeer.com's calendar for more locations and opportunities.

Do you have a favorite bar or beer store and you wish that you knew what they have have available?  Encourage them to use BeerMenus.com. 

Schlafly Pumpkin beer is all over the Kansas City metro area, as is Southern Tier Pumking and O'Fallon's Pumpkin.  Ugly Joe's, Riot Room, Grinder's, The Foundry, Granfalloon, Waldo Pizza, the Saucer, and others have the pumpkin beers.  Check them out!  I have had several debates over which one is the best of the three.  What do you think?  Of course, they are all terrific beers, so choosing a favorite can be hard to do.

Craft brewers are doing great overall in 2012, with dollar sales up 14%, according to the Brewer's Association.  I think I have contributed to about 10 of that 14% growth.  Do you part!

Review: Free State Brewery

Wednesday afternoon @FreeStateBeer tweeted that they had put C4 and Stormwatch on tap.  I knew immediately what I was doing for dinner; I was heading thirty minutes up the road to Lawrence, KS, for dinner and a couple beers.  I freely admit that I am a huge Stormwatch (and CDA/Dark IPAs in general) fan, so I was super excited to get another pint of the Stormwatch.  FS had also tweeted that they were taking C4 to the Great America Beer Fest, so I was intrigued by trying a double black IPA as well.

 

The Restaurant

 

The wait was marginal, about 20 minutes, which isn't bad (especially since we could get a beer at the bar while we waited).  Just as an FYI, Free State has a text system where you can give them your mobile phone number and get yourself in the queue.  They will text when it's almost time for your party to be seated.  I like that system.

 

Ashley was our server; she didn't seem to like the awkward questions that many guests ask, such as "Which is the better menu item between this and that?"  I can't say that I blame her; she doesn't know what the custom is in the mood for or likes.  That said, she was attentive and helpful in making selections.

 

The menu I would characterize as upscale bar food, though with a variety of ethnic menu items.  They have the typical burgers, sandwiches and fries, but also have entrees that are Thai, Cajun, Indian, Mexican, and so on, along with beer battered fish and chips.  We had beer cheese soup and hummus for an appetizer, and Korean Bolgogi (a daily special) and a turkey bacon foccasia sandwich for our entrees.  The Bolgogi was terrific and the sandwich was solid.  We didn't have any complaints with the food, and we were able to have something a little bit different.

 

The prices are very reasonable; 8-12 dollars on average for entrees.  There is a steak on the menu, but even that is less than 20 bucks.  Plus, the beer isn't expensive, so it's definitely an affordable place to eat and drink.

 

The atmosphere is not typical for a college town.  It was a bit loud, but that's because they tables are packed fairly tightly.  They want to maximize the space!  It's a clean, well kept restaurant.  I certainly appreciate that.

 

Overall, it's definitely a good place to stop and get something to eat.  I have been their previously, and our visit on Wednesday was typical.  That said, sometimes the Free State beer is hit and miss for me; I was particularly looking forward to a beer that I knew that I would enjoy.

 

 

Stormwatch Ale

 

On tap, poured into a rinsed glass.  Nice fluffy head, nice lacing.  Well, you can see for yourself!  A deep amber/brown, not overly carbonated.  $3.75 a pint.

 

Aroma was nutty and roasty, with the roasted malts really coming through.  Definitely some hop notes mixed in; it wasn't overpowered by the roasted malt.

 

Starts with roasted malts and then mellows and the citrusy/tart, hoppy, piney, bitter hops come through.  The beer finishes bitter, with a combination of bitter from the hops and the roasted malts.

 

It has a nice mouthfeel, not too watery, not too heavy. 

 

Overall I think it's a very well balanced beer, and it doesn't leave me wishing it was something else or wanting more of anything.  Well, that's not exactly true.  It makes me want more Stormwatch Ale!

(That's a true story.  Stornwatch had gone off their rotation, but every time I had seen a Free State rep or ownner around town, I pleaded for the the beer to make a return.  I am happy they brought it back and I hope people drink and enjoy it!)

 

 

C4

 

On tap, I didn't see the glass get rinsed but I assume that it did.  10 oz. pour for $3.75.  A fair bit of head; it's a fluffy, carbonated beer.  Nice lacing.

 

Aroma is very, very roasty and very, very piney.  Super piney.  Almost overwhelmingly piney.  Not that it's a bad thing, it's just piney.

 

The taste starts very piney (imagine that!) and then fades, which is when the roasted malts come rushing to the fore.  Wow.  Very roasted malts, but no malty sweetness.  Once the roasted bitterness starts to fade, the pine comes back.  It's funny, there isn't a citrus make-up that I found in the beer-pine, roasted malts, pine.  Bitter on bitter on bitter.  I'm not bitter.

 

The beer has a nice mouthfeel.  I prefer double IPAs to be a little viscous, and the C4 is.  Not too heavy though. 

 

Overall, I am still not quite sure what I make of the beer.  I enjoyed it, but it just seemed like it was a little out of whack for my palatte.  I would have like a bit of citrus or a bit of malty sweetness to counter the bitterness from the beer.  But, that's MY palette.   I am very curious what will be said about C4 at the GABF.  I would definitely have it again, just to contemplate it more.  Definitely an interesting brew.

 

The overall experience was a plus.  We had a good meal and good beer.  Sounds like a great night to me, and it was.



 

Beer News 8/29

So I have a confession to make.  Every time I see a Free State Brewing representative, I have pleaded for a return of Stormwatch Ale.  At long last my pleas have been heard, and the restaurant has tapped Stormwatch today (which means I know what I am doing for dinner tonight).  Not only that, but Free State has also put C4 (a double black IPA) on tap too.  It's going to be a good night.  If you decide to try some of their beers, don't go on September 10 or 11.  The restaurant will be closed down those days for some paint and other refresher projects.

I have a second confession to make.  Last night I was at Royal Liquor on 103rd and State Line in Kansas City last night looking for...  well, anything and everything delicious (I wound up with a New Belgiam Lips of Faith beer and one other) including Southern Tier Pumking.  Sadly, the guys at Royal Liquor told us they are holding back part of the Southern Tier for later in the fall season.  Fair enough, especially since they pointed us across the parking to Ugly Joe's Bar, where they have the Pumking on tap!  I can now tell you, Pumking and dollar tacos are a good combination.  I can also report that Ugly Joe's has an excellent selection of televisions and has a reasonable selection of taps for a sports bar.  Who knew that they would have Mirror Pond, Southern Tier 2X IPA, Crispin Cider, and a few other tasty treats?  It just might be a good place to catch a football game in the fall.

Oh, back to Free State for a moment.  From their most recent newsletter:

NEW BREWERY EQUIPMENT ARRIVING

At the beginning of September we’ll be receiving two new large capacity tanks at our Eastside Brewery.  We’re also preparing for the delivery of multiple components of our new bottling line that will triple our bottling capabilities. The construction project to double our production space is nearly complete, and this fall promises to be an exciting time at our Eastside location.  Ultimately, it leads to even more Free State beer for your enjoyment.

Barley's Midland is having a design the coaster contest.  You could win free beer for a year.  Barley's is also hosting a redneck picnic beer dinner on September 1.  Friday, they are having a firkin, but the image isn't working for me, so I guess it's a surprise firkin!  If I was a guessing beer geek, I would guess it's a firkin of Red Hoptober.

I mentioned above that Southern Tier Pumking is in the area.  It's true.  It's 97 degrees out but fall Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers are hitting the shelves.  Boulevard's Bob's 57 hit the shelves yesterday, and many stores currently have an ample supply of Schlafly Pumpkin (my personal favorite) and O'Fallon's pumpkin (also a darn good pumpkin beer). 

That said, it's also close to stout season, and Founder's Breakfast Stout is likely to be found on shelves in the area soon.  I do love stout season.  I have been contemplating a stout and coffee diet today.  Or, just a good old fashioned coffee stout diet (at Lukas Liquors, I picked up a Southern Tier Mokah yesterday).

If you're going to attend University of Kansas football games, park at the 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence and take the shuttle.  Drink good beer and be safe too and from the game!

Riman Liquor is having a taster for beer floats over the next few days.  An interesting concept.

That's all for now.  Be safe and drink good beer.

GNBF Brew Review - An Cat Dubh

The Great Nebraska Beer Festival was a wet and wonderful affair in the parking lot of Nebraska Brewing Company in Papillion, Nebraska, and featured many local and national breweries.  Over the next few days, I will be featuring different beers that I sampled at the festival, highlighting those that particularly stood out to me.  I don't have awards to give, but if I did, these beers would be the winners.  I will admit up front that many sour beers really were very interesting, and so several of these mini-reviews will be about some of the outstanding sour beers.

The first mini-review would be an award for the "Surprise of the Festival."  I generally don't find "chain brewery" beer to be particularly interesting, but Rock Bottom-Des Moines brewmaster Eric Sorensen has changed my mind with his An Cat Dubh, a sour/wild ale checking in at an easy drinking 4.75% alcohol.  It's a dry irish stout barrel aged three years that has two strains of brett yeast working it and then blended with fresh stout, turning it into a delicious concoction.  It is a slightly roasty, slightly chocolately, tart and floral beer; not overly sour but definitely different and worth a try!

Of course, brett beers are crazy difficult to deal with, as is explained in an article by MetroActive and by WYeast Labs.  In a brief discussion, John McDonald of Boulevard Brewery explained to me how difficult it is to control brett yeasts within a brewery; it's always a fear of brewers that the brett yeast strains will get out and damage other beers.  So it's quite an accomplishment for Rock Bottom Brewery.  Congratulations to the brewery for a fine, fine beer.  Cheers!

GNBF is over

And the Great Nebraska Beer Fest went on, even though it was raining for parts of it. That said, even in the rain, there was a great selection of beer available to taste, and taste them we did! 

My personal beer list included:

• Cigar City Jai Alai
• Morgan Street Lactovision
• Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
• Nebraska Brewing Infinite Wit
• Green Flash Rayon Vert
• Lucky Bucket Certified Evil
• Lucky Bucket Barrel Aged Kriek
• Little Apple Prarie Pale Ale
• Keg Creek Red Ale
• Keg Creek Breakdown Brown
• Green Flash Rayon Vert
• Maui Brewing Coconut Porter
• Heretic Brewing Gramarye
• Perennial Belgian Style
• Victory Hop Wallop
• Rock Bottom Saison
• Rock Bottom An Cat Dubh
• Ploughshare Weathervane
• Cinder Block Naked Wit
• Cinder Block Hopgrass Saison
• Infusion Lohr of the IPA
• Infusion Maximus Hefeweizen
• Blue Blood Ethan's Stout
• Blue Blood Wicken Snout
• Funkwerks Deceit
• Funkwerks Bastogne
• Funkwerks Tropic King
• Blind Tiger Top Gun IPA
• Homebrewers Local 402 Sofa King Barrel Aged Triple
• Moonstruck Meadery Capsumel Mead
• Gottberg Dark Star Lager
• Gottberg Red Eye IPA
• Peace Tree Templeton Red (i can't read my handwriting, imagine that)
• C.I.B. Cheri Tart
• Empyeran Brewing Watch Man IPA
• Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout
• Firestone Walker Wookie Jack
• Schell's Shocked Radler
• Grimm Brothers Little Red Cap

Several of these beers really stood out, and mini reviews will be coming through the week!