Monkey Fist IPA from Shipyard Brewing

By Rick

Shipyard Brewing Company: Monkey Fist IPA

The name piqued my curiosity, so I checked the Shipyard Brewing Company website (www.shipyard.com) for information.  Monkey Fist IPA is so named because it is “edgy, aggressive and explosive.”

I would say this brew certainly qualifies as a classic American IPA.  It pours that classic copper-brown color with a frothy head- and that classic hoppy aroma is released with the pouring.  The classic hop experience continues through to its crisp finish.  I wanted to go a couple more rounds with this one!  (But be careful: this brew packs a bit of a wallop with a 6.9% ABV!)

Don’t be afraid to pair this brew with spicy, hearty foods- or just enjoy that classic IPA taste by itself!

Cheers!

Applehead Wheat Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company

By Rick

“Summertime… and the drinking is easy…”

I’m looking forward to the warmer weather in Central PA.  I’m also looking forward to trying some “warm weather brews”.

Applehead Wheat Ale certainly fits the bill. Check out the Shipyard Brewing Company website (www.shipyard.com) to find out more about this fast-growing craft brewery in Portland, Maine.

Applehead pours a golden yellow with a frothy white head.  (It looked quite nice in my pilsner glass!)  There’s a nice, subtle aroma of apple, cinnamon and nutmeg.

I was expecting a “cidery” taste, but I was pleasantly surprised with a sweeter, juicier taste and a crisp, refreshing finish.  (And with a 4.5% ABV- you can finish a few of them at your next get-together!)

Applehead would be great with grilled fruit- or how about as a “dessert beer”- with some apple pie and ice cream?!

Cheers!

Fixed Gear American Red Ale from Lakefront Brewery

By Rick

Balance.

The label of Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery (www.lakefrontbrewery.com)  Fixed Gear American Red Ale features a drawing with a unique theme and variation on a bicycle.  Balance is important in cycling- as well as in a good beer.

Fixed Gear pours a reddish-brown hue with a frothy head.  This brew left a very nice lacing throughout my sampling!  Its balance was readily apparent with aromatic hints of both hops and malts.  The balance continues throughout the mouthfeel and finish.  This is a very satisfying  (6.8% ABV) beer!

Don and I had just performed with our band at a local arts festival.  We had worked up a thirst and Fixed Gear was the perfect match for our post-concert pizza and salty snacks!

Nothing like balancing our business and pleasure too!

Cheers!

Blood Orange Imperial India Pale Ale from Freedom's Edge Brewing Company

By Guest Reviewer Jim Walter of Cheyenne, Wyoming

It's been a while since I posted a guest review here, and a lot has changed. I'm no longer in Upstate NY, one of the fastest growing beer areas in the states. I moved to Cheyenne, WY in May.

One of my concerns when moving to Wyoming was that I was leaving a great beer area, for the unknown. Yes, Fort Collins is only 45 minutes away, but I knew nothing about the craft beer scene in Cheyenne, or if there even was one.

Much to my delight, I quickly found Freedom's Edge Brewing Company and their fantastic tap room in the historic Tivioli Building in downtown Cheyenne.

This week they released the first of their Bad Horse Beer series this week. The Blood Orange Imperial India Pale Ale. This beer clocks in at a hefty 9% ABV and is only available in 22 oz bombers, and tastings in the tap room. The beer is a red IPA and it is brewed with orange peel and American hops.

My first impression of this beer comes from the packaging. The label is awesome, and the fact that they sealed the cap with wax, gives it a great eye appeal. The beer pours with a typical copper IPA color and left about 1 1/2 inches of foam. At 9% ABV, this beer is not at all overpowered by the alcohol in it. The aroma of hops is strong, and you catch a hint of oranges in it too. The beer tastes as advertised. It has all the characteristics of a good red IPA, and at the front, there  is just enough orange flavor to give it a signature taste. The orange lends a touch of sweetness to the beer balancing the bitterness of the hops. 

It wasn't long ago that I would instinctively turn my nose up at any beer that had fruit in it. It shows my palate has come a long way when it was announced on Facebook that this was going to be released last week and I was excited. The beer did not let me down. 

At $12 for a 22 oz bomber it is a touch pricey, so I was relieved that it lived up to the hype I created for it in my mind. You can find it at Freedom's Edge Tap House in Cheyenne, or you might get lucky and find them at a Rocky Mountain Brew Fest this summer. It is a limited release so enjoy it while you can.

Cheers!

Blue Heron Pale Ale from Mendocino Brewing Company

By Rick

“The legend grows.”

Mendocino Brewing Company was the 1^st Post-Prohibition brewpub in California- the 2^nd in the USA- commencing in 1983. Check out their interesting website ( www.mendobrew.com)   for more info.

Blue Heron is brewed in the classic style of the American Pale Ale.  It pours a golden-yellow with a frothy head- and with that wonderful hoppy aroma too!  Nice lacing continued throughout my sampling- as did a bubbly, effervescent mouthfeel and a nice hoppy finish.

This 6.1 % ABV American Pale Ale would pair nicely with practically any food.  With the Central PA weather finally warming up- I can’t wait to match this brew up with some of my favorite American classics: hot dogs and hamburgers!

Cheers!