Beer reviews and blog posts by John
John is a pastor near St. Paul, the home of now-deceased Hamms Brewery. Beer tasting has become a hobby of sorts. The Twin Cities provides a host of local beers - Surly, Summit, etc., so the hobby has great potential for growth. He enjoys a Corona with pizza, a dark beer with chocolate and "the house" beer with ribs.
Great Waters St. Peter’s Pale Ale
On March 17 I purchased my first growler! For those who are new to the beer world a growler is 64 oz of beer in a bottle. Great Waters doesn’t sell their beer any other way. I had some extra on may GW gift certificate and wanted to spend it ASAP. So I bought the...
Southern Tier 2XIPA
Two words — GREAT BEER. Wow. As I look back on this a story emerges. First, I love Southern Tier. Just about anything they brew I like. Second I’m a six pack guy more than a four pack. For a couple reasons. If it is a bad beer I’d rather go cheaper...
Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly Imperial IPA
“Unearthly” is a great IPA. It was another hit that I discovered at a local beer festival. I wrote down “get this one” and two months later sipped the 22 ozer helping all alone. It poured a tan, sudsy head that disappeared quickly. This amber...
Widmer Brothers Deadlift Imperial IPA
Deadlift was another hit at the St. Paul Beerfest. I quickly noted to pick up a couple of these for the frig and a review. So here goes. If the words “smooth”, “thick”, “complex” and “berryish” appeal to you for a IPA...
Hoppy Face Amber Ale
Beer Festivals are great. You ought to go at least once in your life. It was a 90+ degree day in St. Paul so by the time I got to the display booth for Hoppy Brewery I was really in the mood for a hoppy beer. I had tried stouts, pilsners, blondes, porters and a number...
Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout
I was visiting a Binny’s in Chicagoland when I asked “the beer man” what was a great stout. He pointed me to Breckenridge Oatmeal. One of my first experiences with a stout was to get an oatmeal stout so I was ready for a very smooth drink. Good...
Southern Tier Pale Ale
I picked up this great ale in the Southern Tier mixer pack. I find it hard to not like every beer among the selection. This is a wonderful beer for the summer. Light, refreshing, sessionable and effervescent. Perfect. I pulled this out of frig at about 37 degrees. It...
Lazy Magnolia Indian Summer Spiced Ale
I love Brett Favre so when I saw that Lazy Magnolia is brewed in Kiln, MS (Brett’s home town) I was even more curious about the great name “Lazy Magnolia”. This light amber colored spiced ale starts with little fragrance and a mouth...
Sweetwater Blue
While visiting Atlanta I was on the hunt for Blue. I had tasted Sweetwater’s 420 and Geogia Brown but was not impressed. Tom (see Reviewers) had pointed me toward Blue and spoke highly of it. One taste and I too was hooked on this facinating beer. It was light,...
Ellicottville Pale Ale
I have learned to be cautious about my expectations when opening a bottle of beer from a “Beer-of-the-Month-Club” selection. So when I popped the EBC Pale Ale I was delighted. Ellicottville is located in southwestern New York state. It has been called the...
Deschutes Black Butte Porter
This was a $2.99! When I bought it from John at Dennis Brothers I looked at the receipt and told him there must be a mistake. No mistake. A 22 oz great porter for under $3. I lean toward the stout side of beers but liked this anyway. It is a “stout light”....
Sherwood Forest Sheriff’s India Pale Ale
Who doesn’t love Robin Hood? A tough guy, hero type who restores justice to the land. It doesn’t get any better than that. As to be expected he loves beer too! In fact he started a brewery in New England. Marlborough, MA to be exact. Today Robin and his...
Rogue Double Dead Guy Ale
I loved my first Dead Guy Ale so when I saw the “Double” I thought I’d better grab this one. I’m not sure what “double” does but this is a fine beer. I think it has something to do with it being categorized as a “Strong...
Great Waters Black Watch Oat Stout
The Great Waters Brewing Co is nestled in the quaintest part of downtown St. Paul on the corner of the “Hamm” building. Right there you have rich beer history. St. Paul has a long history of beer making and beer pride so when we entered into the GWB my...
Bud Light Golden Wheat
The commercials are better than the beer! You’ve maybe seen Budweiser’s campaign to capture another audience. On TV the bottle of BL (male) meets the grains of wheat (female) and they start a relationship. Provocative marketing out does the product. I...
Surly CynicAle
Main Entry: cyn·ic Pronunciation: \’si-nik\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle French or Latin, Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, like a dog, from kyn-, kyon dog Date: 1542 1 capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek...
Surly Bender
I hate warm beer! However, when it comes to Surly’s Bender I’ve modified my convictions. Bender is the darker cousin of Furious. It has a similar fragrance but richer. A similar color but deeper. A similar mouth feel but smoother. It has the Surly unique...
Surly Furious
Surly Brewing Co. has got to be the bright spot of Brooklyn Center, Mn. This is a Twins Cities suburb that made a decision in the 70s to not redevelop! Ouch! Ever since crime has gone up, commercial businesses have moved out and blight has come in. It’s a mess...
Inveralmond Blackfriar
“Inver” is a Scottish thing! Inverness is the most famous “inver” I assume but “inver” will now turn my thoughts not just to a fabled sea monster in a long, narrow, deep body of water but to beer. This beer is brewed just 2 and a half hours from the sight of the Lock...
Haandbryggeriet Nissefar
Haandbryggeriet is the brewer of Nissefar, a Norwegian ale. It’s a seasonal brew called “Father Christmas” in English. You need two things to want buy this beer; appreciation for a nice bottle and a love of molasses. This is a very dark beer. I...
Moylan’s White Christmas Spiced Winter Lager
Seeing as it’s “the most wonderful time of the year” I have been enjoying Christmas brews. A friend of mine owns a “ma and pa” liquor store so I dropped into inquire about this season’s selections. This was their newest one. I...
Avery The Reverend Quadrupel
Avery Reverend is a Belgian Quadrupel Ale brewed in Boulder, Colorado. The brewers tell us that “The Reverend, was created in tribute to the life of Sales Mgr. Tom Boogaard’s grandfather, an ordained Episcopal Reverend.’ I’m always looking for...
Fischer Tradition Amber
Fischer is a nice ale brew from Strasbourg, France which proves that the French can do more than whine about Americans, take long vacations and make wine. I was pleasantly surprised by this find. A year ago at Christmas time our family was in France drinking wine and...