If you aren’t familiar, the specifics of the beer were discussed on the October 18, 2011 episode of Basic Brewing Radio.  Again, thanks to James and the guys for giving me a vote of confidence to enter the beer!

Related thoughts:

1. Festival of Iowa Beers 2011
2. Building a Keg Totem
3. Basic Brewing Interview About Spontaneous Homebrew

Heartbreak Brewing

A startup brewery in Des Moines, Heartbreak Brewing, is trying a new way to fund a portion of the new nano-brewery, Kickstarter.  If you aren’t familiar with Kickstarter, it’s a new way to crowd-source funding for a variety of projects, including music, movies, and, in Heartbreak Brewing’s case, beer brewing.

What makes Heartbreak Brewing unique is it’s planning on going completely electric for reduced cost and reduced carbon footprint.  I spoke with Dan Haggerty, Jr., the owner, and he gave some of the initial details about the brewery:

They plan on starting small and expand

They will initially keg their beers and bottle some of the main beers.  He also mentioned they are going to support a bottle recycling program that will give points toward growler refills and merchandise.

The distribution will start in Des Moines, and go outward from there

I’ve contributed to the Kickstarter campaign that ends June 1st, 2012.  Support more good beer, and help the new brewery!

Related thoughts:

1. Confirmed: Backpocket Brewing Coming to Coralville

Red’s Alehouse in North Liberty is hosting a Founders release party is on Tuesday March 20th.

Who else can’t wait for Founders in Iowa?

Related thoughts:

1. Festival of Iowa Beers 2011

Samuel Adams Spring Brewers' Choice Mix Pack

For spring, Samuel Adams this year decided to go back to the Brewers’ Choice mix pack instead of again releasing the “American Originals” spring pack. The beers in this year’s spring mix pack show a few big changes, most notably Noble Pils is now a full-time beer, and no longer the spring seasonal.

In the pack, there are 2 bottles each of:

• Boston Lager (Chosen by Jim Koch)
• Irish Red (Chosen by Bob Cannon)
• Black Lager (Chosen by Grant Wood)
• Alpine Spring (Chosen by David Grinnell)
• Mighty Oak Ale (Chosen by Andrew Lamont)
• Whitewater IPA (Chosen by Dean Gianocostas)

It is a large change in a seasonal pack, where the only overlap is the Boston Lager and Irish Red.  New to the pack is the new spring seasonal, Alpine Spring, which is a light, crisp lemon-like brew.  Also in the pack, which is available in six-packs is the Whitewater IPA, which is a cross between a witbier and an IPA, similar to Boulevard’s Collaboration #2, the White IPA.  Finally, the pack is rounded out by the Mighty Oak Ale, which is a carmel-flavored amber ale with vanilla and oak notes.

Have you tried the Brewers’ Choice Spring Variety Pack? What did you think? Which ones did you like? Which ones didn’t you like?

Related thoughts:

1. Samuel Adams Harvest Collection Variety Pack
2. Samuel Adams Winter Classics Variety Pack 2011

Backpocket Brewery Tour

This past weekend was the first annual Brrrfest in Coralville.  Here were some of the highlights:

1) We got to “tour” the new Backpocket Brewery.  As of right now, it’s a wide-open building with little more than structure.  A few concept drawings, like the one labeled “Taproom” were placed in front of the caution tape, but it was exciting to see the progress.

2) Over 1,800 tickets were sold, and I’m willing to bet that at any one point, there were around 1,500 people enjoying beer at the 40+ vendors

That's a lot of Brrr Lovers!

3) If beer wasn’t your thing, Cedar Ridge was present with Bourbon (aged and unaged) and few of their own vodkas and rums.

4) Jolly Pumpkin only had one different beer on tap, but it rotated every couple of hours, so it got you back to the booth

5) At 3PM, Peace Tree tapped a Templeton Rye aged Imperial Stout.  There was a mad rush for the deliciousness, and it was worth it.

Those were my list of highlights for the Brrrfest.  What did you like about the festival?

Related thoughts:

1. Confirmed: Backpocket Brewing Coming to Coralville
2. Festival of Iowa Beers 2011
3. Northside Octoberfest/Brewfest 2011

Brrrfest 2012

Coralville is hosting the first annual Brrrfest – celebrating winter beer.  It will be held at the Coralville Marriott on January 28, 2012 from 1 PM to 4 PM.  More detail can be found on their website: brrrfest.org.  Hope to see you there!

P.S. – A hardhat tour of the new Backpocket Brewery will be given to those who pre-order tickets.

Related thoughts:

1. Confirmed: Backpocket Brewing Coming to Coralville
2. Brrrfest 2012 Highlights

Samuel Adams Winter Classics Variety Pack

Samuel Adams has once again announced the arrival of winter with the release of this year’s Winter Classics Variety Pack.

In the pack, there are 2 bottles each of:

Boston Lager

Holiday Porter

Black and Brew Coffee Stout

Chocolate Bock

Winter Lager

Old Fezziwig Ale

Again this year, Samuel Adams has kept the spices low to ensure drinkable, non-cloying beers. Chocolate Bock is back, and I hope it’s only a matter of time before they make it available in 6/12-packs.  This year’s addition to the mix pack is the Black and Brew Coffee Stout, which replaces White Ale in the pack.  I had my first experience with Samuel Adams’ coffee stout several years ago (2008) when it went up against the Blackberry Witbier in the Beer Lover’s Choice where, sadly, it lost, even though it received my vote.

Have you tried the Winter Classics Variety Pack for 2011? Which ones in the pack do you like? Which ones don’t you like?

Related thoughts:

1. Samuel Adams Harvest Collection Variety Pack
2. Northside Octoberfest/Brewfest 2011
3. Samuel Adams Spring Brewers’ Choice Mix Pack 2012

Totem Keg on TV

Over the weekend, my friends and I were interviewed by the local news about the Totem Keg. Check out the feature on the Fox affiliate or on the CBS affiliate.

I feel an Emmy isn’t out of the question…

Related thoughts:

1. Building a Keg Totem

New Belgium Clutch

New Belgium has introduced several new beers to the Lips of Faith series.  One you may remember I mentioned tasting at the Iowa City Brewfest was a sour brown ale, Clutch.  I had the chance to try it in a more controlled environment over the weekend.

With the first taste, Clutch has a nice roasted chocolate and coffee flavor, and leaves a slightly sour, not over-the-top, taste in the back of your tongue.  The finish also has a slight coffee flavor.  I thought it was a great beer that’s very drinkable, and reminds me of New Belgium’s 1554 with slight sourness.

Have you tried Clutch?  What was your experience?

Related thoughts:

1. New Belgium La Folie
2. Northside Octoberfest/Brewfest 2011

Check out the episode now!

Related thoughts:

1. Totem Keg Featured on Local News
2. Spontaneous Homebrew Takes First Place