Review: 3 Floyds Gorch Fock

Brewery:  3 Floyds Brewing LLC

Locale:  Munster, IN

Craft Circa:  1996

Style:  Franconian Helles Lager

ABV:  5.2%

IBU:  25

Notables:  Seasonal - July release.

Label:  Classic 3 Floyds. Tremendous.    

Overall:   It’s that time of year.  It’s in fact a marvelous time of year for us potbelly beer drinkers (like me).  The weather is dropping, and the fall beers are in session.  I came across this German Lager by accident while obtaining something else a couple months back.  Well due to Gooner and myself taking part in some Oktoberfest festivities this week, I figured it would be appropriate to post a review to put us in the spirit of this fine season.

I admit I had to read about the Franconian style of beer to determine what the actual distinctions were.  It’s basically a style of beer from the region hyperlinked above.  This Helles, or Lagerbier  is a bottom-fermenting style of beer that is much hoppier in relation to Bavarian or other eastern European beers.  However upon tasting, I did not come across that, in fact I thought it lacked hops in comparison.  Now what makes this brew a bottom-fermenting style is that it uses bottom-cropping yeasts which are typically used to produce cool fermented, lager-type beers.  These yeasts ferment more sugar creating a dryer beer (per Wiki).  Thus explaining some of my worst hangovers. 

This particular lager seems fresh, and had an ideal fresh aroma to boot.  This almost straw colored lager has a semi-decent pour, and attires the glass nicely, almost as if the mug was attending a stein ball in Munich.  Nice golden color filled my new birthday stein from one of the best nieces in the world.  Hopefully she’s not reading this shout out for another 14 years or so.

The beer really tries to clear the palate quickly, and it does a good job in doing so.  Some toffee or syrup kicks in, creating this slightly sweet malt body.  However, the flavors are not pleasant, and overall was not a beer that I enjoyed.  The hop profile was quite lame, and there was no finish worthwhile.  This style is too light for my liking, and is nowhere near good enough to want to drink.  There’s really not much to write about other than it’s possible to assume that it’s really not the beer itself that’s to blame, but the style of beer instead.  If 3 Floyds did not make it worthy, why would I want to explore elsewhere?  For my intake it’s a tad pricey for what you get, and that’s a sub-par brew. 

Unfortunately beer was wasted in the writing of this review.  Pouring the brew in such a large stein, it was an awful thought putting down the entire thing, and sad to note, that some of it met its demise at the kitchen sink drain.  I know… cue the Second Line for this beer, it was a rough one.

On second thought, it’s a time for drinking, singing, and dancing… it’s a marvelous time of year.  Happy Oktoberfest!

The Pennsylvania Polka, an appropriate Oktoberfest tune, and the base melody for the team fight song you see on the stein above...  

Acquisition:  22 oz. - $10

~gY

Tidbit:  Boot of beer:  Per wiki, German themed bars in America may have boot shaped glasses, often engraved with insignias or logos, which may be passed among drinkers as a drinking challenge. These glasses are supposedly based on German "Bierstiefels", used in drinking games; though the origins of the boot glass are unknown and subject to speculation; the Germans call them "Stiefel" or "Damenbein" ("Ladies Leg"). 

Review: Limited Release of Pipeworks Brewing Something Hoppy This Way Comes IPA

Brewery:  Pipeworks Brewing Company

Locale:  Chicago, IL

Craft Circa:  2012

Style:  American Double / Imperial IPA

ABV:  10%

Notables: Very limited yield with this one; Sorachi Ace hops are very hard to come by according to Pipeworks.  B&B obtained batch #32.

Label:  Solid.  Shout out to a local artist yet again, and yet another winner.  The bottle art is by Jason Burke (Ink and Lead Designs).  We are thinking it’s a play on “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” a Ray Bradbury novel with a beautiful portrayal of a hopped up version of the carnival leader, Mr. Dark.   Oh, and the handwritten batch indicator as well.  Phenomenal Label.

Overall:   Very unique aroma smacks you in the nasal sensory once you pop the top.  Whatever hops those are, thinking the Sorachi Ace Hops -- since we were unfamiliar with this until promoted so wisely and effectively by Pipeworks on Facebook -- introduces itself nicely.  It’s an inimitable whiff of pleasantry, intoxicating, and builds excitement. 

It’s hoppy for sure. What an entertaining, complex beer to decode.  It is crisp, has a nice imperial dose of malts, and the flavor zig zags down LSD on a crotch rocket.  This is unlike any IPA we’ve had.  The hops “hop” on your tongue and present itself nicely with its full bodied flavor.  However, what gives this beer its charisma are the lemon & lime hints, the dill pickle undertones, and the bubblegum illusions of flavor?  Yes… you read correct, I’m going with bubblegum… it’s a hop carnival indeed.    

It was a short notice for a release, as many artisan brews are now these days.  B&B learned of its release and headed down to the local grocer to obtain a bottle about 20 minutes after the announcement.  B&B discovered Printers Row Wine Shop which is a nice hidden gem with a great selection in the south loop area.  Almost hate to mention it as I’m not one to share, but the service was top notch, and like I said, wonderful selection.  Upon purchasing, it was mentioned that this was bottled about 40 minutes prior to being shelved.  Bottled, distributed, consumed, and savored in a matter of 3 hours.  It’s euphoric.  That's a free market and capitalism for you.

It’s very smooth for a double, with a vast array of swirling flavors.  There is a lingering bitter presence after each sip that is rather enjoyable.  A hop carnival indeed; a spooky brew, and influenced perhaps by wizardry as well.  But this isn't "butterbeer" served at "The Three Broomsticks" or "The Hog's Head" in Hogsmeade…

Acquisition:  Two 22 ounces - $22

Windfall:  Fitting this brew made its way upon us seemingly in tribute to the works of Ray Bradbury, whom died in June of this year.  Suitable since this beer was so unique, outer space in a sense, similar to Bradbury works.  There’s an interesting, and timely piece on the significance of Ray Bradbury in pop culture here.  

In addition, John Williams took the dialogue from the famous scene in William Shakespeare's Macbeth in which the witches are around the cauldron and wrote lyrics for "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."  One of the witches says: "By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."

~GY Collaboration

Review: Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA

Brewery:  Founders Brewing Company

Locale:  Grand Rapids, MI

Craft Circa:  1997

Style:  Triple IPA

ABV:  12%

IBUs: 112 – (say what?)

Notables:  Specialty brew available in July

Picture taken at the fine establishment of Fountainhead, northside of Chicago. 
Fine place.  B&B review to come soon.

Label:  Effective.  Makes me want to sit on a kneeler and confess my sins before consumption. 

Overall:   Just when you think you start to get a handle on the entire field of artisan beers, along comes Founders with their dry-hopped, ten hop varieties triple IPA.  The complexity of this beer is quite something, and it certainly packs a punch while you try to decipher the triple IPA code.  As we noted in one of our earlier reviews, the IBUs provide a measure of the bitterness of the beer.  Coming in at 112 IBUs, in order to balance out the flavor of the beer a higher quantity of malt is needed.  A malty backbone is an understatement; however, I believe the malts did not realize it was a marathon because it just could not keep up with the bitterness.  Solid effort though.

The color is crimson, with the looks of something bold and chalked full of flavor.  All these elements make for a wonderful glow.  It also has an intimidating factor knowing it’s a double IPA on steroids.  But overall, all the factors make for delightful anticipation before imbibing.  I remember sitting out with my wife, trying to get a decent picture of the beer for B&B intentions and settling with what was posted because I was too eager to try it. 

The brew is a heavy dose of Founders, and sits like a block of led.  It’s very dense for ale, but there are a couple faint aspects from say a Founders Centennial or even a Double Trouble IPA that creeps in here and there with a touch of their citrus and fruity remarks, but overall the brew is annihilated by the outbreak of hops that are relentless.  It’s an extreme beer, for hophead thrill seekers.  A hophead application should come with each bottle or 4 pack. 

Maybe it should also come with a waiver before you dance with this devil in the pale moon light.

Acquisition:  12 oz. bottle at a Gastropub - $9 (That’s about 12.5 cents per IBU)

~gY

Review: Two Brothers Dog Days Lager

Brewery:  Two Brothers Brewing Company
Locale:  Warrenville, IL

Craft Circa:  1997

Style:  Lager – Dortmunder Style

ABV:  5.1%

IBUs:  17

Notables:  Seasonal between April & August

Label:  Appropriate for dog lovers and beer lovers alike.  

Overall:   Brings back memories of my first sip of dad’s MGD way back when…. only much better.   I usually do not drink too many lagers unless it’s an Iron City during a Stillers playoff game.  The lager is a crisp, refreshing beer.  It’s full of flavor, has slight caramel, and a hint of hops… overall a very good, quality lager.  The beer has stamina, and keeps delivering the goods.  I believe Two Brothers nailed this style.   

I rarely purchase lagers, but I would definitely drink this beer under the right circumstances.  For example, if Gooner was having a bash, and had some in the cooler, I’d be enthralled to drink a few or twelve.  If there are lager drinkers who are not accustomed to branching off from their MGD’s, get them a six pack to try.  They’ll love it.

It’s the best thing to come out of Germany since Indiana and Henry Jones on a zeppelin. 

Acquisition:  6 pack - $10

Windfall:  Dortmunder means something or someone from Dortmund, Germany.  In this case, it refers to the style of Lager.  Lagers are interesting in that it is one of the few basic brews that cannot be made by the amateur home brewer because it is a type of beer that is fermented and conditioned at low temperatures, which are difficult to control and mandate for the amateur brewer.

~gY

Review: Wild Onion Summer Wit

Brewery:  Wild Onion Brewing Co.
Locale:  Barrington, IL (Chicagoland)

Craft Circa:  1996

Style:  Belgian White

ABV:  4.2%

IBUs:  13

Label:  Misleading.  The can could easily be mistaken for an Orange Faygo in the fridge. 

Overall:   Wanted to go with the Hop Slayer, which is another Wild Onion Brew.  That brew jumped out at me because I prefer the hops, but I will save that for when the weather drops a little.  Due to the unpleasantness that this summer has provided thus far, I went with the summer seasonal. Per Wild Onion, their warm weather seasonal is perfect for enjoying the long-awaited days of spring and summer. This Belgian-style White Ale is traditionally brewed with a large dose of wheat malt and a splash of coriander and orange peel.

There WAS orange right off the bat, a little sour mash to an extent as well.  Although the initial tang was immediate, it was one dimensional and ran off like a thief in the night.  The tip of the tongue enjoyed it.  The rest of the mouth didn’t know it was there.  The brew dissipates on the palate.  It’s nowhere to be found after the initial taste.  An optical illusion of what seems to be a refreshing summer beer. 

I’ll pass.

Acquisition:  4 pack of Cans - $9

Tidbits:  Speaking of oranges, no words in the English language rhyme with orange.  Same goes for silver and purple.

~gY

Review: Smuttynose Summer Weizen Ale

Brewery:  Smuttynose Brewing Co.

Locale:  Portsmouth, NH

Craft Circa:  1994

Style:  American Pale Wheat Ale

ABV:  5.46%

IBUs: 15

Label:  Nostalgic. 

Overall:   What an appropriate beer for today.  A string of hot and humid days here, and what better way to end this run of Gainesville (shout out to Gooner) Swamp like weather than to give this wheat ale a try.  The beer pours almost as hazy as today, a nice golden haze.  It is lightly hopped, and quite refreshing, but lacks tastiness.  Overall, it is an average beer.  For the style of beer, it’s above average.  For a Smuttynose brew, it’s below average.  Probably my least favorite Smuttynose I’ve consumed, and I’ve been impressed with a couple other Smutty’s that I’ve tried.  There are plenty of other summer seasonal beers that are worth acquiring, and with so many options, I feel this one does not stand out in a crowd of summer seasonals like a Seminole fan would at a Gator game (Gooner again).  There is just not enough to it. There are some hints of what you may expect in a beer referring to itself as a Summer Weizen, but that’s the point…  they are only hints.   

There’s one person in mind that may be able to save this beer, with enough hard work and enough prayer.  This Man. 

Acquisition:  6 pack  - $9

Tidbits:  Smuttynose is named after Smuttynose Island, the third largest of the nine islands that comprise the Isles of Shoals, a small, rocky archipelago that lies seven miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. The name appears on nautical charts going back as far as the seventeenth century, so its true origins are lost to time.  Prior to the arrival of Smuttynose Brewing, the island was best known for a brutal double axe murder that occurred there in 1873.  This is per Smuttynose website.

~gY