The Brew Kettle ‘Kitka’ Coconut Stout.

The Brew Kettle (Strongsville, OH)

Its been quite some time since I have had a minute to myself. Today I had a few minutes to spare, so I thought I would grab myself a pint. As I walked through the brisk cold air, I knew it was a stout kind of day. I needed something warm and hearty. I immediately noticed that The Brew Kettle had ‘Kitka’ on tap. I have never tried this beer, so I quickly ordered a glass.

Upon pouring, I first notice a half inch caramel head resting on top of a black beauty of a beer. I did not pick up much coconut on the nose, but it did smell warm and roasty. A very inviting characteristic for these frigid months. As I took my first sip, coconut notes filled my mouth with a soft, yet bright carbonated feel. The coconut takes its sweet time, lingering on my taste buds. The flavor seemed to go on for several minutes. After a minute or so, a sweet milk chocolate comes in to compliment the coconut. Both flavors pair up and follow through the finish of the beer.

I definitely took my time enjoying this pint. It checks in with a 4.6% ABV. I enjoy that, because the beer is so light, yet hearty, that I could enjoy these all day.  Find them on all your favorite social media networks, and give them a like or follow. Definitely stop by the tap room if you are ever around Cleveland, OH.

8377 Pearl Rd.

Strongsville, OH 44136

Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm

Fri – Sat: 11:30 am – 12:00 am

Sun: 11:30 am – 9:00 pm

http://www.thebrewkettle.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brew-Kettle/254242136246

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.’s Baboquivari Blonde Ale

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. (Gilbert, AZ.)

So, there I was on a late January, Saturday mid day. I was in need of sustenance and a rich pint or two of heavenly nectar. I made my way on down to the great Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company with my trusty growler in tow. I lurched in, half in a daze and half mystified by the aromas of unique cuisine and the glorious sounds of pints being filled from behind the bar. Patrons were chattering away and I took a seat and sat quietly, contemplating my first beer choice. I ordered a porter, then a stout. They washed down my delicious lunch and lifted my spirit high.

After a long spell of quiet contemplation and echoes of admiration for the sultry ales I just had, the waitress chimed in and asked if I wanted my growler filled. I came slightly off my bearings, as I could not decide what I wanted to take home with me. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. She was radiant, glowing in the daylight. Vivid yet soft with the body of a goddess. Her siren song rang in my ears and that’s all I could hear. The rest of the world distorted and faded into the background as our eyes met, wildly longing for eachother. Before I knew it, we were in my car. She sitting so dainty, exuded all that I yearned for. Not a word was spoken. The silence spoke volumes about what we were about to experience.

In the back of my mind, I knew it was so wrong, but nothing ever felt so right. We arrived back at my place, we entered together silently, hand in hand. Gazing deep at each other, nearly peering into one another’s soul. I reach towards the cupboard and pulled out the appropriate glassware. I took her top off; slowly, delicately. I picked her up with both hands and began to pour her into my tulip glass. She is more gorgeous than words can describe. Her scent, fragrant with notes of floral honey and fruity yeast. Finally, our lips meet in a deep moment of passion and elation.

Soft malts of pilsen set the tone as sweet, locally produced honey and yeast esters mingle with spicy hops kissed by a bitterness that almost makes me believe in love at first sight, or should I say sip? This Belgian Blonde beauty is truly unique and I know I’ll never meet another like her again. She may appear light in stature, but she rounds off at a sturdy 6.5% alc. and leaves her name always whispering in the wind… Baboquivari.

Thank you, as always to Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. for the killer food and out of this world selection of ales. Each visit reminds me why I keep coming back. I want to congratulate AWBC for being recognized as the BEST NEW BREWERY ON EARTH by Ratebeer.com.

Until next time… CHEERS!

www.azwbeer.com

https://www.facebook.com/azwbc

Sleepy Dog Brewing’s Wet Snout Milk Stout

SLEEPY DOG BREWING CO. (Tempe/Gilbert, AZ)

Sleepy Dog Brewing Co. is a relatively new microbrewery within the Arizona craft beer scene. Opening in 2009, with a commitment to great detail in quality beer and a fun atmosphere at both Tempe and Gilbert locations. My wife and I went in for dinner at the Gilbert Brewpub location. The atmosphere was very clean and laid back with an open floor plan. Inside they feature a good sized stage where local music acts perform on various nights. The Brewpub also features a very large patio that is “Dog Friendly” for those folks that take their canine companions with them, wherever they go.

We were seated promptly, as the place only had a few other patrons sitting scattered around the pub. The one beer I was dying to try, their Scootcher Scottish Strong Ale was tapped out so I went for the Wet Snout Milk Stout instead. I received a pint glass, nearly filled to the brim with jet black stout goodness. The beer itself, had not much of a head to it but had nice aromas of chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. I took a big sip and held it in my mouth for a good 30 seconds as my wife glanced over the food menu. A silky and milky body led way to great flavors of sweet sugar, mild chocolate and roasted overtones. There was a noticeable amount of neutral hop bitterness that is not typically found in stout style ales. My wife and I ordered a sampler tray that came with their homemade fries, Red Rover Irish Ale beer battered onions rings and jalapeno slices. I’m a big fan of jalapeno’s, so after popping a few into my mouth then taking a sip of my stout, the jalapeno spiciness brought forth big flavors of rich coffee out onto my palette. The stout finished smooth and slightly dry, urging me to keep on taking in this pitch black nectar of the gods.

Sleepy Dog also features a full bar with wine, mixed drinks and other local guest craft beers. Being the big beer snob I am, I was a little miffed to see that they also offer Anheuser-Busch products. A couple girls sitting at the table behind us ordered a round of Michelob Ultra’s. I wanted to flip their table over out of anger for ordering such atrocious drinks in a Micro Brewpub, yet I refrained. I understand why Sleepy Dog offers those beers, to the less than enlightened beer drinker, it doesn’t mean I have to like it though (No hard feelings though Sleepy Dog, I still love you). Overall, my wife was pleased with her food as was I and their handcrafted ales are top notch. We both agreed we would go again, next time on a weekend night when some local bands are playing and they get more of that Scootcher Scottish Ale on tap.

Cheers to all at Sleepy Dog! We will see you again.

SLEEPY DOG BREWPUB (Gilbert location)

1451 East Williamsfield Road

Gilbert, AZ. 85295

480-963-1805

Open Daily: Mon-Wed: 11am – 11pm /Thurs- Sat: 11am-2am/Sun: 9am – 11pm

SLEEPY DOG BREWERY & TASTING ROOM (Tempe Location)

1920 E University Dr

#104 Tempe, AZ 85281

Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday 4pm to 11 pm

Thursday and Friday 4pm to Midnight

Saturday 2pm-Midnight

Sunday & Monday Closed

www.sleepydogbrewpub.com

www.facebook.com/sleepydogpub

San Tan Brewing Co.’s Supermonk Belgian IPA

                                                                

San Tan Brewing Co. (Chandler, AZ)

It’s the Pope! It’s Mother Theresa’s Ghost! No, it’s Supermonk Belgian IPA!

This fall seasonal, making its debut this year from San Tan Brewing Company, pours a medium golden color with coppery hues with a head that is almost cloud-like in appearance, nearly angelic one might say. This IPA has a strong, piney aroma with slight citrus notes underneath. A solid bitterness is at the forefront yet not overpowering, leading to flavors of orange peel and lemon zest and finishes with a peppery tingle on the tongue.

The base of German malt breadiness definitely sits on the sideline, as the hop presence is at the forefront of this IPA.  For a Belgian IPA, I was expecting a little more yeast esters and the visuals of the pint to be a tad more hazy, as the package had suggested. Despite that, this brew is definitely enjoyable, leaving a lingering bitterness and oiliness on the tongue. Coming in at a stable 6.5% ABV. this is substantial enough to cause you to partake in monastic chanting, if over-indulgence were to take place.

                                                                                         

San Tan Brewing Co. has been making great quality, craft beers since 2007 in the heart of the historic downtown district in Chandler, Arizona. I have tried almost every beer San Tan Brewing has to offer, and I definitely would suggest Supermonk IPA to any discerning hop-head. It meets all the requirements for a quality IPA, but is smooth enough for craft beer newcomers as well. I would gladly pick this up again as it was easy drinking, yet complex and anything but boring. Cheers!

Restaurant and Pub Hours

Sunday: 10:00am-1:00am
Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 11:00am-1:00am
Friday – Saturday: 11:00am – 2:00am

www.santanbrewing.com

www.facebook.com/santanbrewingco

8 South San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ 85225

SUPERMONK BELGIAN IPA

• Style: Belgian IPA
• Malt: Pale Malt, Malted Wheat, Munich Malt, Vienna Malt
• Hops: Cascade and Columbus
• Yeast: West Malle
• OG: 15 Plato
• ABV: 6.5%
• Color: Golden
• IBU: 70

Nimbus Brewing’s Old Monkey Shine

                                                                                   

Nimbus Brewing’s Old Monkey Shine, English Strong Ale (Tuscon, Arizona)

If you drive just short of two hours south of Phoenix, you’ll come upon the second largest metropolitan city in Arizona, Tuscon. With roots dating back to the old west, Tuscon has a lot of sights to see, and several microbreweries to quench your thirst after a long journey across the blazing desert. Opening in the spring of 1996, Nimbus Brewing Company made it’s mark on an unsuspecting public, drowning in the fizzy yellow sea of Macro made, industrial swill that some call beer. Inspired by traditional English style ales, which laid the foundation for their beers, they offer a wide variety featuring everything from easy drinking Blonde ales all the way to the thick and sweet oatmeal stouts.

Old Monkey Shine is an English Strong Ale by definition, and when they say “Strong”, they mean it. It comes in at a walloping 8.2% alc. but the booze is hidden so well, you wouldn’t guess it until it’s far too late. It pours a dark ruby color with an extremely thick and creamy tan head. Aroma’s of toffee, roasted chocolate and sweet caramel are abound. Notes of bready biscuits, subtle fruity figs, tinges of brown sugar and an underlying backbone of roasted coffee and sweet caramel round out the malty flavors. Hop bitterness comes from 100% English Kent Golding Hops. The hops essence comes in the finish which is earthy, mildly spicy and finishes dry. There is not any hop aroma whatsoever. As I get about halfway through the glass, the warming alcohol notes start to kick in, making my cheeks feel warm and my ears turn red. This is almost too easy to drink, and with such a full range of flavors and smooth mouthfeel, I definitely want another.

I can imagine sitting outside on a crisp fall night, in front an open fire pit, puffing on cigars and accompanied by good friends and family, Old Monkey Shine would definitely be the right beer for the occasion. This ale would pair very well with grilled steak marinated in Worchestershire Sauce and topped with blue cheese and bacon crumbles, a baked potato with all the fixings and finished off with some dark chocolate mousse for dessert.

Nimbus Brewing Co. also has a bistro in Tuscon, where they pair their award winning ales with great cuisine. I definitely will be making the trek down there the first chance I get. I’m extremely impressed with this ale and can not wait to try their other offerings. Until next time, Cheers!

NIMBUS BREWING CO.

3850 E. 44th Street

Tuscon, AZ. 85713

520.745.9175

www.nimbusbeer.com

www.facebook.com/nimbusbeer