Following the SHORTEST and possibly the MOST embarrassing FINALLY FRIDAY post, here is a HO-HUM Monday Morning Memories. I spent the whole of the weekend at the pool staying cool and hydrated with my beer and water ratio. We did take in Como Park on Sunday, unfortunately I was unable to unearth any craft beers within Como Town… So here we go with the latest edition of Memories:
- Summit Brewing Company – Pilsener
4.5% ABV
25 IBU
Having a hard time believing that I haven’t chronicled this beer before, if so, here I go again. This past week’s weather was perfect for such a perfect pilsener. Summit describes it this way: “Authentic Saaz hops from the Czech Republic give our Pilsener just the right amount of spicy floral aroma. With a crisp, refreshing malt backbone and lightly spiced hops, it’s a taste of the Bohemian life.”
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
Leinenkugel’s Brewing – Big Eddy Imperial IPA
8.9% ABV
N/A IBU
What an AMAZING example of an amazing style of beer. Imperial IPA’s are another one of my favorite styles, ranking right up there with the Imperial versions of stouts. A friend of mine compares it to the nearly legendary Russian River Pliny the Elder! As of yet, I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting a Pliny, so I have NO way of saying it does or doesn’t. HIGH praise for a beer company that once was known only to brew cheap beer with a red label in the north woods of Wisconsin. According to Leine’s, “The 100% malt base makes for a bold foundation, while the perfect balance Big Eddy Imperial IPA delivers is derived from the five distinct hops that are hand-selected and added at each stage of the brewing process.” I am not the only one that thinks this is an AMAZING beer, according to RateBeer.com it is rated a 99 out of 100 by 87 users!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 4 out of 4 PINTS
Odell Brewing/Thornbridge Brewery – Pond Hopper Double Extra Pale Ale
8.9% ABV
N/A IBU
I raved about this beer last Thursday to help you get the weekend started. I can’t say enough about this beer, all that is left to be said is get yourself a bottle and see for yourself!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 4 out of 4 PINTS
Sierra Nevada Brewing – Summerfest
5% ABV
28 IBU
I enjoyed this beer at Manitou Station in White Bear Lake, although the server misidentified the beer as their winter Celebration Ale. Now that I know I drank Summerfest, I can say I enjoyed it on such a HOT day. According to the website: “Our Summerfest® is a refreshing, pilsner-style lager. Its incredible smoothness comes from an extra-long lagering period. Lighter in body than our ales but just as complex in character, Summerfest® quenches your thirst with big aroma and a tangy hop bite.” Sit on a lawn chair open a bottle and ENJOY!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
Schell’s Brewery – Stag Series #5 Czech Dark Lager
5.7% ABV
N/A IBU
Another lager for the HOTTEST week that I have endured in awhile. I found it to be very smooth and as i say probably too much, EASY TO DRINK! “The Czech Republic is famous for the golden lagers of Pilsen and Budweis, but they also have a history of producing darker versions as well. Some Czech styles have a dark red hue and a nutty malt accent while others are closer to black, richer and spicier in flavor, and sometimes have hints of licorice. The most famous in that vein is the house beer at U Fleku, the 15th-century brewpub in Prague, and the oldest brewpub in the world.”, per Schell’s website. If you have a chance, have a glass or three of this fine Minnesota beer!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
And NOW a few more entries from the St. Paul Summer Beer Fest:
- Purity Brewing – Munich Helles
4 out of 4 PINTS
- Brewery Ommegang – Belgian Pale Ale
1 out of 4 PINTS
- Gray Brewing – Oatmeal Stout
3 out of 4 PINTS
- Shmaltz Brewing – Messiah Nut Brown Ale
3 out of 4 PINTS
I have only another 35 or so beers to pass along to you from the St. Paul Summer Beer Festival. Toying with the idea of devoting another day to the beers, possibly tomorrow…STAY TUNED. Have a GREAT week BEER NORTH NATION! AND as ALWAYS THANK YOU FOR stopping by and spending a few moments with me…
CHEERS!!
