Saturday, June 15, 2013

Beer Review: 3 Floyds' Gumballhead Wheat

 Here we go with another offering from 3 Floyds Brewing! This is the much sought-after Gumballhead Wheat. This is not your typical wheat. With its amarillo-esque  profile, this beer stands out in a room full of fruity or super mild wheats!

Beer: Gumballhead Wheat Ale
Brewery: 3 Floyds Brewing, Munster
Price: $10/Six pack or $35/Case
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 35 (deceivingly low)

Appearance: Pale golden color, pale head that persists, great lacing as it dissipates.
Nose: Fresh cut grass, grapefruit, pine
Taste: Hops on the front end, big time, considering it is a wheat. That is evident in the mouthfeel which sticks to your pallet like glue. Good malt finish to prove once and for all that this is truly a wheat ale.
BA gave it a 94, I concur.

Cheers,

Nate

Beer Review: Elysian Bete Blanche Tripel

On our trip to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest last summer I picked up several bombers from local brewers around the area. I picked up this little gem at the brewery in Seattle.

Beer: Elysian Bete Blanche Tripel
Style: Belgian Strong Ale (tripel)
Price: $8
ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 41
Appearance: Pours well out of the 22 oz bomber. Deep gold, slightly hazy, expected more haze. Pale head that quickly disappeared.
Nose: Strong floral notes, but not overly strong. Clearly a belgian yeast. Citrusy.
Taste: Light on the body for a tripel. Was expecting a little more, but with the low ABV I guess that makes sense. Low hop presence, just enough to cut the sweetness. Esthers and citrus notes evident, but not overpowering.
For the money, this beer is a definite must try. I would say as far as tripel's go, it is a little lackluster, but still a solid overall beer and a good drink. It got an 81 on BA; I would give it an 87.

Cheers,

Nate

Beer Review: Risgoop





I live in Indiana so I am no stranger to 3 Floyds Brewing, but I had never had this before as it was a collaberation with Mikkeller. 
Price: $20
Purchased from: 3 Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN
Appearance: Deep golden, hazy, bright white head that dissipates quickly but leaves good lacing. Very much like a belgian golden strong.
Nose: Fruity, strong hop presence, alcohol very prevalent.
Taste: Clean, crisp (deceivingly so compared to the smell), strong hop presence, good carbination.
Overall: Although I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from 3 Floyds, I am not so sure it was worth what I paid. I would give this a 95 on BA because it is still outstanding!

Cheers,

Nate

GYO and Rogue

As I have mentioned, this past summer has been an eventful one. In June of 2012 my wife and I visited Seattle and were able to rent a car so we ventured out of the city and down the coast to Oregon where we found probably the coolest thing a beer lover could find, a hop farm. Rogue Brewing has a hop, hazelnut, honey, and pumpkin farm. They grow 42 acres of proprietary strains of hops with names like Revolution, Dare, and Risk. They have released a line of GYO (Grow Your Own) beers that have been wildly successful on a national scale. Be sure to check it out if you are ever in Oregon. It is worth the trip.

Cheers,

Nate