Craft Beer Monday Review: Capital Amber

I was out to watch the 4th of July spectacular fireworks show and I wanted to try something in the can to enjoy it, so I went to my local beerstore and the selection was unbelievable, of course. I narrowed it down to TB Outlaw Pale Ale (see review here) and this one, which I have tasted and enjoyed in the bottle before. So I bought them both and took them to the show. I have to confess I used the Outlaw coozie for all of them, though.

As you might be able to tell I have been leaning more and more towards canned beers (see here and here). Binny's selection is numerous, and it was tough to decide. I had a few problems with some: I haven't had Point Beer in ages (is it good, any opinions out there?) so while they must have had 8 or 10 in cans, and the Leinenkugel summer variety was rather limited (half the beers I don't drink-Shandy and Berry), I had to choose among the others, which also included Sierra Nevada 12 packs or 312 12 packs. They had a ton more of the craft beer (is Point or Leinenkugel craft?) but these are the ones that caught my eye. They also have an Anderson Valley selection and Ska set too which I might consider sometime too. Plus the ones we have had before including Finch and Half Acre etc.

Sorry, back to the Capital: This one, I have to admit, tasted more smooth and balanced than before, even if it is a mellower beer anyway. I thought it was a good idea for one to put in the can, even though I am told the Island Wheat is canned too. Any other Capitals canned?

While I wasn't terribly thrilled with the US Pale Ale, I was pretty happy with this one. I guess it is not too hard to screw up an Amber (although Mickey Finns in the can was borderline, I think). The can is attractive too, while it brigns back our old collecting day memories of Drummond Beer it still works. I am not a Badger either, but thats ok. I totally recommend it for all occasions, especially the outdoor ones where a can is a benefit. Watch the price though, it isn't too cheap.

CBC Rating: 4. Straight from the can into my mouth. From Binny's 12 pack.

ABV:  5.2% (right on the front of the can).

Craft Beer Monday Review: Mad Hatter

I have had this beer before and it is one of my favorite IPA's, but not necessarily my favorite from NH, if that makes any sense. I just re-tried the Sundog and it is really my favorite from them. But this is still pretty good.

It is good, floral, piney, with only a slight edge of bitterness, which becomes greatly more pronounced as it warms a little bit, but still a mellower and balanced beer. I might, actually say it is a little on the mild side. A little fruit is added at the end too.

 From them:

Dry-hopped for a distinctive, floral hop aroma; subtly balanced with delicious malt notes. Pairings: spicy dishes, greens and aged cheese. 12.5° Plato Alc. 5.25% by Vol. Last Shipped: Ongoing Estimated...

They have actually spawned some other hatter beers. In fact, they went really crazy with the following:

I think this is overdoing it a little but, I suppose, but they found something good and they stayed with it.

CBC Rating: 4. Poured from the bottle into my Finch pint glass. Bought as part of a Binny's Craft Your own sixpack.

ABV: 5.25%

Craft Beer Monday Review: Bitter End

Yes, I am biased towards Two Brothers beers. I have to admit it.

I am thinking back to when I started to really enjoy craft beers and besides Sam Adams and Leinenkugels, which I had been drinking for a long time, I really didn't have too many of the craft beers. There was a small microbrewery start-up in Arlington Heights once that I went a few times (O'Gradys) but they closed down years ago, and the few times I went out with Bingo that we tried some of them down by him. But Two Brothers was the perfect place for me, great styles and flavors and a really enjoyable place to drink them too.

Anyway, now to the Bitter End. It is a really great example of an American Pale Ale, plain and simple. Unfiltered, brownish gold, cool and crsip but with a kind of a sour or tangy taste along with the stronger bitterness at the end.

They describe it this way: This Pale Ale has a subtle malty character with noticeable hop flavor and aroma. Three classic American hop varieties add complexity to this incredibly drinkable beer. At the end of every glass, you will discover how this pale ale got its name.

TB has chosen to make this a regular in its year round favorites, and you can find it a few different ways, such as the case selection that will include it with the Domaine no matter what time of year it is. Plus when they expanded their choices into 12 packs BE was one that would be available. Good thing too. See that announcement here.

CBC Rating: 4. Poured into a shaker pint glass and drank it very cold.

ABV: 5.2%

Ceaft Beer Monday Review: Moon Man

This is one seriously cool cat. Always comfortable in his own skin, he never tries too hard. So coll we named our "no coast" pale ale after him. This one contains a bright bold blend of 5 hops that flirt obligingly with the smooth malty backside.

This, of course, is on the bottle of Moon Man, an American Pale Ale that is hoppy and fresh and not too much pine or citrus. It is a good balanced beer and one of my favorites.

I had already tasted this one and wanted to review it officially. Originally I tasted it in the big 12 pack that is offered which contains this one and Cow, along with a Naked and lately they have been throwing in a Two Women, which I personally think is too mellow and tasteless.They should always put this one in the 12 pack because it really rounds it off nicely.

 Plus, it is a little on the lower side in alcohol content, which makes it a little more refreshing. There are so many flavors and tastes and tongue tantalizers that you really have to drink this yourself to find out just how good it is.

CBC Rating: 5. Drank from a pint shaker glass, out of the six-pack from Woodman's.

ABV: 5%.

 

Craft Beer Monday Review: Wisconsonite

Wow is all I have to say. That's it.

Not really. But I was really pleased with Wisconsonite. I have been looking for this and waiting for a trip to Woodman's to pick up some, which I did, along with an New Glarus favorite (which will be reviewed here shortly!)

You get your share of wheat beers, some unfiltered, and you can taste the wheat and some of the other fun flavors in those, but this one has that authentic Weiss beer taste, along with all the fun stuff you get with Weiss beers, but without all the head and the alcohol. I know, this is not such a bad thing, but this one being a session beer really makes a difference, with some bold tastes and a little sourness yet a good balance. Unfiltered too, it is really appropriately labeled a summer beer.

I think they may be served to identify it as a Weiss beer not made in Germany, but in Milwaukee. Instead, they place the accent on all the ingredients being from Wisconsin, which is not a bad thing either. 

From their website:

Made with 100% Wisconsin-grown malted barley, wheat, and hops, including a unique, first-of-its-kind, never before fermented, indigenous Wisconsin yeast strain.

This strain was envisioned by Lakefront President Russ Klisch and developed by Jeremy King of home brewing supplies distributor Northern Brewer. Their new strain is believed be to the only North American-grown yeast in commercial use today as well as the first native brewing yeast from Wisconsin. Yeast is just the tip of the local-sourcing iceberg, however. All products used in Wisconsinite hail from the state, including its water, malted barley, wheat and hops.

Need to go back up and get more. If you're going, pick me up some please!

CBC Rating: 5. Poured into my 22 oz Franziskaner Weiss Beer glass.

ABV: 4.2%!