Category: new beer

Bauhaus and Fair State Set to Release New Beers This Week

Scottish Ale

When you think of a Scottish-Style Ale you tend to think of a peaty beer backed with a boozy punch. Bauhaus broke down some of those walls with their brand new Scottish-Style Dark Ale named Tallander. First of all, the name (in Bauhaus fashion) is a nod to the 1986 movie “Highlander” that we all know and love. The beer itself is different in that it’s very drinkable at 6 % ABV and has some of those nice caramel notes typical of Scottish malts while teasing the palate with a tiny bit of smokiness. While sampling this one I couldn’t help but think of standing around a backyard fire pit with a Tallander in hand.
This brew can be found in 4 packs of 16 oz. cans at your local bottle shop, and on tap at the “Haus” in Northeast Minneapolis. Growlers will also be available.

Fair State’s first bottle release went so well that they decided to do it again. This time they are bringing Saison Drei to market which is a Brettanomyces Aged Saison. Expect some funky characters from the Brett that will mature over time—which means you can sit this one down in your cellar for a while. Brewer Niko Tonks had this to say about their latest release. “We modeled this beer after some of the beers we enjoy drinking the most. We hope you will enjoy it this holiday season, and down the road as well.”

This 5.7 % ABV will be on sale in the taproom ($11 per bottle) on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 17th in 750 ml bottles. I’m told that they will have more bottles for sale this time around and that the brew will also be on tap that day.

Cheers!

Schell’s Stag Series No. 9

Schells_Stag9_LageringCavesThe 9th beer in Schell’s Stag Series, is a nod to the 155 year old company’s 19th century brewing traditions. The limited edition offering is a dark lager aged in American whiskey barrels and stored in the brewery’s original lagering caves below the brewery. The lagering caves date back to the 1860s, an era that predated electrical refrigeration.

I plan to crack one of these beers open later today, but I’m told that the veer is extremely dark and features notes of roasted malt, dark chocolate, toffee, car and  vanilla. Barring blueberry Grain Belt, Schell’s never fails me. 🙂

It’s great to see the brewery embracing tradition and history and reshaping it to suit today’s beer nerds. I love the fact that Schell’s has chosen to take advantage of their unique and historic space. The brewery has plans to continue to use the historic lagering caves as a laboratory for traditional brewing techniques to create unique new beers. I can’t wait to see more!

Coming Soon: Bauhaus Brewlabs Über Düber

uberduberdooBauhaus Brew Labs is coming at you with another winter seasonal offering – Über Düber. Über Düber is described as a “hoppy bock.” This beer is loosely based on a traditional German bock, albeit hopped up a bit. They’re added Oceanic hops to this traditionally malt-forward beer. At 7%, we’re curious to see how these two elements play together. Bauhaus notes earthy flavors of Black currant and cherry as well as a “straight up dank” aroma. I’m down for a few pints!

Look for 22 oz. bombers of Über Düber in stores in late January. And if you can’t wait, it will debut at the St. Paul Winter Beer Dabbler on January 24th. You’ll also be able to catch it on tap at Bauhaus and select other locations starting on the week of January 26th.

Summit Unchained 17 – Harvest Fresh IPA

summit unchained 17, harvest fresh ipa

Considering that Unchained 16 hasn’t yet hit your pint glass, we’re probably jumping the gun here (better to jump the gun than a shark, though)… regardless, here are some details about Summit Unchained #17, “Harvest Fresh IPA” courtesy of brewer Tom Mondor. Right now the tentative release is planned for the week of October 20th. Summit describes it as “an exploration of fresh hops picked at the peak of the fall harvest and shipped directly to Summit.” Included in the mix will be fresh hop pellets from Roy Farms, pelletized fresh from the kiln floor. These pellets include Centennial, Cascade and Chinook with additions of fresh, wet Chinook hops from Michigan.

They’re shooting for a beer that weighs in around 7% ABV and 70-80 IBUs, Given all of those “C” hops, you can expect some citrus from the beer. Summit says it will have notes of pine, resin, grapefruit and citrus along with a strong malt backbone. Look for it in 12 oz. bottles, kegs and perhaps some firkins.

Badger Hill Traitor IPA

Traitor-IPA-PintBadger Hill Brewing Co. is rolling out a new IPA and you may just want to try it. Traitor IPA is a year-round offering. Badger Hill’s new Head Brewer Michael Koppleman has been pounding away at this beer for two years, tasting and tweaking to get it where it is today. “This is the beer I’ve been vectoring towards my whole life and I love it.”

The brewery describes this beer as “part West Coast IPA, part not.” Curious? You’ll find it in draft now and in 12 oz. bottles in early May.  While definitely a hop forward beer, Traitor IPA will be consistent with Badger Hills mission to brew approachable, balanced beers – as balanced as a 70 IBU IPA can be. Traitor IPA uses four hop varieties (Citra, Centennial, Cascade & Galaxy) for flavor and aroma and British ale yeast helps for a smooth, dry finish.

Releases and Events
-April 4 – 7 at the Hopkins Pizza Luce for the March Madness IPA showdown with Traitor IPA squaring off against 3 other craft IPAs.
-Duluth Launch @ G B Schneider & Co – Wednesday, April 9th
-Old Chicago Launch at all 8 MN locations, plus live remote at Eagan location, featuring 105 The Ticket – Friday, April 11th
-NE Minneapolis Launch @ Grumpys NE – Monday, April 14th

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