The Two Minute Beer Review

Episode Notes Episode 81: Dustbowl Brewing’s Supine Mega IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. Sorry I’ve been gone for a couple of weeks. Since the beginning of the global COVID-19 Pandemic I’ve had to adjust a lot of things about how I produce this and all of the podcasts on the Phoenix Podcast Network. Among other things, that included a two week unannounced hiatus for the show! Sorry—but I’m back and hopefully better than ever to bring the latest beer reviews safely to your home. In the weeks ahead I’ll be playing with the format of the show a bit—bringing in guests and experts to talk about their favorite beers or new discoveries, doing some live tastings and maybe even hosting some social-distancing friendly happy hours where we can all hang out and enjoy whatever we can get safely delivered to our home! For this week, though, we’ll stick to a traditional review of Supine, a “Mega” IPA from Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock, CA. Will this one leave us flat on our backs in a good way? Let’s find out!Supine pours a coppery gold that trends more toward the orange than the yellow. The aroma is of grapefruit and pine with just a little bit of a butterscotch background. But what about the taste? Supine bombards the mouth with flavor. It’s got a powerful citrusy sweetness that wraps around the tongue and lingers for a long time after the swallow. At the same time, this isn’t like a typical trendy juicy IPA. It’s much more rounded out by an all-over-the tongue bitterness. It’s that signature Dust Bowl balance that keeps me coming back to their IPAs over anyone else’s on the market for a daily drink. If I had to sum up the taste of Supine in a single word I would say “concentrated.” You can taste the alcohol in the beer—and in most beers that would be unpleasant, but here it really works as a flavor component. It’s almost more of a spirit than a beer—it has that strength and power of the alcohol underneath all of the other wonderful things it does with its flavors. And I guess that’s no surprise, since it has a mighty 14.4% Alcohol by Volume! If you want to get a lot of alcohol into your system in a very pleasant way, this beer is the pick for you! And what better time to try it out? It’s not like you have anywhere to go at the moment, right? If you want to try this or any of Dust Bowl’s other incredible brews, their taproom is open for to-go orders only right now at 3000 Fulkerth Road in Turlock, CA. You can order ahead on their website or give them a call at 209-250-2043. They offer beer in growlers, crowlers, prepackaged cans and bottles as well as great food to go! If you’re in the area this would be a great time to support a local business!Have you had a chance to try Supine Mega IPA? What did you think? You can let me know by emailing me at 2minutebeer@gmail.com (using the number 2), tweeting me @2minutebeer or responding on Facebook where you’ll find the live video of this episode. I want to hear what you have to say--and make sure to share the episode so others can weigh in as well! Oh and while you’re at it, for my rating on this and countless other beers—some of which we haven’t even featured on the show yet, be sure to follow me on Untappd, just search for me by name, that’s Andrew Burkum spelled BURKUM and send me a friend request!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Baltic Porter from East Brother Beer Company. Will this one take us to new depths of darkness? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app and follow us on Facebook so you never miss an episode!The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 81: Blaker Brewing’s Evergreen Spaces Hazy IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Evergreen Spaces Hazy IPA by Blaker Brewing in Ceres, CA. Is this one worthy of the great outdoors? Let’s find out!Evergreen Spaces is a milky straw yellow with a nice, creamy head. The scent is a lot of pine up front as you would expect based on the name with a little bit of fruit in the background. But what about the taste? Evergreen spaces actually hits up front with a round citrus punch. But this resolves into a fabulous pine favor that sits back in the back of the mouth and under the bottom of the tongue. It’s got a nice all-over bitterness that really rounds out the fruitier aspects of the beer and keeps that evergreen in perspective. It’s full and creamy in the mouth and has a very smooth character on the tongue, which helps it go down nice and easy. This beer is a very interesting marriage of a traditional “old school” pine-heavy IPA and one of the more modern hazy style IPAs. It succeeds in hitting both ends of the flavor palate and I think that whether you are more attracted to one end of that spectrum or the other you will still find something to love here. It’s got a 6.8% in the ABV category, which keeps it nice and drinkable in quantity as well. If you’re looking for something fun and just a little different from all the other IPAs that line those shelves, this is definitely one to try out!Have you had a chance to try Evergreen Spaces? What did you think? You can let me know by emailing me at 2minutebeer@gmail.com (using the number 2), tweeting me @2minutebeer or responding on Facebook where you’ll find the live video of this episode. I want to hear what you have to say--and make sure to share the episode so others can weigh in as well! Oh and while you’re at it, for my rating on this and countless other beers—some of which we haven’t even featured on the show yet, be sure to follow me on Untappd, just search for me by name, that’s Andrew Burkum spelled BURKUM and send me a friend request!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Baltic Porter from East Brother Beer Company. Will this one take us to new depths of darkness? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app and follow us on Facebook so you never miss an episode!The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 80: Incinerati Brewing’s Caught in the Rain Milkshake IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Caught in the Rain Milkshake IPA by Incinerati Brewing Company in Fresno, CA. Will we end this review with soggy shoes? Let’s find out!Caught in the Rain is golden and slightly cloudy in the glass. It has the distinct scent of malted milk powder, sweet vanilla, pineapple and banana Laffy Taffy. It’s really quite a noseful! But what about the taste? Sweet. Very, very sweet. There’s a lot of tropical fruit all over the palate with this one. A distinct flavor of powdered milk around the sides—no doubt that’s from the added lactose that gives it that milkshake quality that’s in the title. There’s no pine or hoppiness in the beer, which for me really calls into question its labeling as an IPA. In fact there are more flavors that you might find in a Belgian ale, for example, those really banana-y, bubble gum flavors are incredibly prominent here. Then at the very end, there’s a distinct cotton candy aftertaste. The mouthfeel of this beer fits the milkshake title perfectly. It’s very creamy and very full. The Tasting Team decided that this is kind of the Italian Cream Soda of beers. As far as my opinion? It’s. . .interesting. If you want sweetness and fruit, this is definitely your beer. For me, it’s a bit heavy on both of those things—again, especially so for something that’s called an IPA. I’d just like to see a little more bitterness in there somewhere to balance out all that candy. But this just goes to show that there’s a beer out there for everyone—and this one might just be for you! It certainly generated a lot of conversation in the tasting room!This beer was donated by our Superfan and sponsor, Sandra Hay. Thanks so much, Sandy! What do you guys out there think? Have you tried a Milkshake IPA yet? Are they your thing? I want to know what you think! You can let me know by emailing me at 2minutebeer@gmail.com (using the number 2), tweeting me @2minutebeer or responding on Facebook where you’ll find the live video of this episode. I want to hear what you have to say--and make sure to share the episode so others can weigh in as well! Oh and while you’re at it, for my rating on this and countless other beers—some of which we haven’t even featured on the show yet, be sure to follow me on Untappd, just search for me by name, that’s Andrew Burkum spelled BURKUM and send me a friend request!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Evergreen Spaces IPA by Blaker Brewing in Ceres, CA. Will this one conjure up a walk in the woods for us? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app and follow us on Facebook so you never miss an episode!The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes IN this very special episode, we join Colton Dennis, director of the MAC, for a discussion of local brewer, Jaymz Harkey's West Coast Session, which was brewed especially for the MAC and their Mardi Gras celebration! Regular shows resume next week--enjoy this live tasting in the meantime!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 78: VIP Vanilla Imperial Porter by Great North Aleworks in Manchester, NHIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at VIP Vanilla Imperial Porter by Great North Aleworks in Manchester, NH. Will this one take us on a limo ride to beer stardom? Let’s find out!VIP pours nice and solid black with a pretty, creamy head capping it off. The scent is strong with this one. It’s full of malt, molasses with just a touch of freshly roasted coffee. Oddly enough, the team and I couldn’t detect any of the signature vanilla in the scent of the beer. But what about the taste? This one hits nice and hard up front with coffee and cocoa really warming up and wrapping their way around the tongue. These flavors develop as the beer goes down into this really nice, smooth bitterness by the end of the swallow that resolves to balance the beer without punching you in the flavor face. And then, there it is! That vanilla that was promised. It’s sitting right there on top of the whole experience in the vapors that sink into your palate. It permeates the flavor in an extremely satisfying way and tie all of those flavors into a really nicely made package. The beer feels smooth and light but not so much so that it ever seems watery. It’s just a great example of a really clean drinking porter, not chewy but robust and full of flavor. The beer’s sweet, but not overly so at all. This beer is an immaculate porter, and it’s really nice to see so many of these coming out when so much of the industry has shifted into heavy IPA production. It’s my first from the folks at Great North Aleworks, but it certainly won’t be my last. Thanks to Mike Hogan from Great North for the sample—we’re lucky Court from the tasting team ran into you! What about you folks out there? Have you tried this one? I want to know what you think! You can let me know by emailing me at 2minutebeer@gmail.com (using the number 2), tweeting me @2minutebeer or responding on Facebook where you’ll find the live video of this episode. I want to hear what you have to say--and make sure to share the episode so others can weigh in as well! Oh and while you’re at it, for my rating on this and countless other beers—some of which we haven’t even featured on the show yet, be sure to follow me on Untappd, just search for me by name, that’s Andrew Burkum spelled BURKUM and send me a friend request!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I bring you a very special episode live from the Multicultural Arts Center in Merced where I’ll be covering their Mardi Gras celebration and some special beer surprises that they’ll have on tap there! Will we earn our beads this year? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app and follow us on Facebook so you never miss an episode!The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. He also just launched a Kickstarter for his upcoming Lo-Fi Neo-Digital Jazz Compilation, entitled Repetition Legitimizes. Check the show notes for details on how you can contribute and get a copy!That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 77: Russian Imperial Stout by East Brother Beer Company in Richmond, CAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Russian Imperial Stout by East Brother Beer Company in Richmond, CA. Is this one good enough to keep us warm during those long Siberian nights? Let’s find out!By way of full disclosure up front, East Brother provided me with a sample of this beer as well as a few others that will be showing up on the show in the coming months. That won’t affect my reviews in any way, but a huge thanks to them for the samples! If you have a beer you’d like to see featured on the show be sure to drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com and I’ll let you know how you can submit it for tasting! Now on to the beer!East Brother’s Russian Imperial is a no-nonsense beer in the glass. Just like it doesn’t need a fancy name to tell you what kind of beer it is, there’s no question about this one when you look at it. It’s as opaque as a starless night. Giving it a sniff I get all kinds of really awesome stuff. There’s baked bread in there, along with caramel, a little coffee and a touch of molasses. It smells deep and dark and warm and after the sensory overload I got here I couldn’t wait to get right into the tasting!So what about the taste? This beer comes on strong and stays that way all the way to the end. There’s a powerful bitterness up front that is offset brilliantly by a molasses sweetness right around the back edges of my tongue. It’s thick and rich in the mouth and just drinks like an absolute dream. The balance of the flavors in East Brother’s Russian Imperial is top-notch. Because of the high ABV on this one I was expecting a strong flavor of alcohol but there’s absolutely none of that. It’s just a perfect balancing act of bitter and sweet from the beginning to the very end. Final analysis? Give me some eggs, bacon and a glass of this beer to start my day and I’ll be ready for anything. This would also be an ideal beer to have out around the campfire with a nice cigar. It’s another Two Minute Beer Review recommendation from the folks at East Brother Beer Company. Have you tried it yet? I want to know what you think! You can let me know by emailing me at 2minutebeer@gmail.com (using the number 2), tweeting me @2minutebeer or responding on Facebook where you’ll find the live video of this episode. I want to hear what you have to say--and make sure to share the episode so others can weigh in as well! That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at VIP Vanilla Imperial Porter by Great North Aleworks in Manchester, NH. Will this one get us past the velvet ropes? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app and follow us on Facebook so you never miss an episode!The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. He also just launched a Kickstarter for his upcoming Lo-Fi Neo-Digital Jazz Compilation, entitled Repetition Legitimizes. Check the show notes for details on how you can contribute and get a copy!That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 76: Pliny the Elder Double IPA by Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa, CA It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Pliny the Elder Double IPA by Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa, CA. Is this exclusive and elusive beer really all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s find out!Pliny looks like, well, an IPA in the glass. It’s a pretty gold color but it’s pretty unremarkable in this aspect. Looks like this one’s going to have to prove itself elsewhere. The scent is nice and strong from the get-go. It’s juicy up front but there’s also a ton of evergreen in the background. Well-balanced and inviting. Ok, now we’re doing better!But what about the taste? This is a good old fashioned IPA. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a great thing! That incredible pine forest taste really shines in the crisp and clear flavor that hits you up front when you take a drink. Then, toward the end of the sip, just a little tiny bit of tropical fruit sneaks in around the edges. All of this ends with a strong punch of good old fashioned bitterness that lasts long after you swallow that sip. There’s nothing watered down or boring in this beer, and everything is in perfect balance. If you love a good IPA, you are going to adore this beer. Now, here’s the thing. This is, as I hope you can tell from my description, a great IPA. But this beer literally has had people line up around the block just to get their hands on it. So the question really is, does it live up to that legendary status in a modern market that is simply flooded with top-notch IPAs? I’ll leave that up to you to decide. If you can get your hands on a bottle, let me know what you think either by emailing me at 2minutebeer@gmail.com (using the number 2), tweeting me @2minutebeer or responding on Facebook where you’ll find the live video of this episode. I want to hear what you think, and make sure to share the episode so others can weigh in as well!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look East Brother Brewing’s Russian Imperial Stout. East Brother was kind enough to send this new addition to their catalog directly to me so I could give it a try. And what’s the verdict? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app and follow us on Facebook so you never miss an episode!The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 75: Bottle Logic Brewing’s Hanamachi Rice LagerIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Hanamachi Rice Lager by Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim, CA. Will this one be naughty or rice? Let’s find out!Hanamachi pours pale and lagery—just as advertised—into my glass. It’s such a pale gold color there’s almost no color at all. Giving it a sniff, the rice is very apparent in the scent If you’ve ever had a whiff of a bottle of sake, you know exactly what I’m talking about here. It’s just a little cidery with some crisp green apple notes. Fresh and clean. But what about the taste? It’s almost completely like a traditional light lager in this department. There’s no bitterness to speak of and everything is clean and crisp. But there’s also that little bit of rice wine flavor as it appeared in the scent with its trademark just slightly sour notes. It’s just enough to color this beer as something different from your average pale lager and it definitely makes it a standout in the pale lager category as far as I’m concerned. It feels good and crisp in the mouth, without anything at all to weigh it down. This sentiment is furthered by its nice prickly carbonation that helps keep the whole thing lifted into a very light direction. This is a neat little spin on the pale lager. It’s got plenty of flavor and character from that rice and there’s a lot of cereal goodness in there from the other grains as well. Interestingly, I believe this beer would pair as well with a good hamburger as it does with sushi—and make no mistake I think this would be an amazing sushi beer! Hanamachi Rice Lager is 5% alcohol by volume and is available in cans as well as on tap at their Anaheim location. Get out and grab some and let me know what you think!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Pliny the Elder Double IPA by Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa, CA. Is this legendary brew really worth lining up around the block? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 74: Ordnance Brewing’s White Crow White StoutIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at White Crow White Stout by Ordnance Brewing in Boardman, OR. What exactly is a White Stout, anyway? Let’s find out!First thing’s first. Although Ordnance Brewing’s operation is based in Boardman, they also have a taproom in Wilsonville, Oregon. I got to visit this taproom over the holidays and spent some time enjoying several of their beers. It was my intent to do a quickfire review as I usually do on my brewery visits, hitting all the beers that I tasted that day—and don’t get me wrong, I still intend to devote an episode to that. But when I tried their White Crow I knew that I was going to have to do a whole show featuring this beer. Pouring this beer into the glass I had no idea what was going on. It was listed on the wall as a stout but the color is a pale straw yellow. If you poured this and set it in front of me I’d swear I was looking at a pilsner. But then I smelled it. Absolutely amazing. Out of this pale yellow brew I got a ton of coffee and a little chocolate as well as just a hint of vanilla. There’s also a little bit of a cereal scent in the very back that rounds it out and reminds you that this is a brewing operation owned and operated by an Oregon farming dynasty. But what about the taste? White Crow is sweet around the edges with a good strong coffee bitterness. It’s full of roasted, toasted flavors that again I did not expect based on what I was looking at in my glass. You get both that little bit of chocolate and that little bit of vanilla that shows up in the scent. It also has a little touch of that unique stout sourness in the very back of the swallow which rounds the whole thing out and bring it home stout style. The feel of the beer in the mouth is very clean and pillowy soft but not at all chunky like you might expect from some stouts. It’s almost refreshing because of how clean it drinks. I went into this tasting expecting a gimmick beer—a stout that was pale instead of dark. But that’s selling White Crow extremely short. This is a lovingly-crafted stout with all the flavors I love and expect out of the style, but with a unique spin that adds to the fun of drinking it. White Crow is 5.8% alcohol by volume. Based on their website it appears that Ordnance currently distributes to Oregon, Washington and Northern Idaho. I’ve reached out to them for more information and I’m waiting to hear back—I hope to have more details on how you can get your hands on this and the rest of their beers soon. But for those of you living within the distribution area—or who know people who can ship or smuggle you a bottle across state lines—this is an absolute must-try beer. We’re making it a Two Minute Beer Review Recommendation. That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Hanamachi Rice Lager by Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim, CA. Is this one a hit or should we save the rice for sushi ? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 73: Federation Brewing’s Utopia Planitia Dry Hopped Red AleIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Utopia Planitia Dry Hopped Red Ale from Federation Brewing in Oakland, CA. Will this one send us on a voyage to the final frontier or should it be left in drydock? Let’s find out!All right, let’s just get this out of the way up front. I’ve been a Star Trek fan all my life and the very name of this beer is clearly pandering to geeks like myself. In Star Trek lore, the Utopia Planitia shipyards are where all the great Federation starships such as the good old Enterprise are designed and built. The facility is in orbit around the planet Mars, so a Red Ale makes perfect sense! So I came for the nerdy name—but did I stay for the beer?In the glass, this beer is a beautiful red-amber color. It smells of baked bread and raw grain with just a tiny bit of rye spice in the background to make things really interesting and exotic. But what about the taste? This one is definitely interesting. It’s a little more bitter than I had anticipated for a red ale. But that bitterness up front mellows out to a very nice sweetness. Then, right at the end of the sip comes that rye—its spicy grainy flavor hanging out after the swallow. This is an excellent use of rye—one of the best that I’ve seen and if you listen regularly you know I’m a sucker for a good rye beer. Sometimes as a component it can get lost in the mix but in this beer that pungency is really the star in a very big way. The bitterness on this one is full-tongue engaging and hangs out as well. And although the overall mix doesn’t have a ton that really screams “red ale” at me, I absolutely love what it does have to say.This is a great example of a solo-drinking beer. It doesn’t require any food or anything else to enhance its incredible flavor profile. It is easily my favorite rye-including beer of 2019 and one of the best brews that I tasted in the year. It comes in at 7.4% alcohol by volume, is available in cans and on tap at their tasting room in Oakland and is a Two Minute Beer Review Recommendation!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at White Crow White Chocolate Stout by Ordnance Brewing in Boardman, Oregon. Is this one as rare as an albino raven? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 71: Drake’s Brewing’s Seasonal Tree Beer IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Seasonal Tree Beer IPA by Drake’s Brewing Company in San Leandro, CA. Christmas may be over for this year, but did this one deck the halls? Let’s find out!Looking at this beer in the glass, there’s nothing particularly special going on just yet. It’s a pretty standard IPA gold. It smells a lot more like pine than a lot of beers that we would usually refer to as “piney.” It’s a very condensed and intense fragrance of fresh evergreen. I would compare it to the scent that is produced when you rub freshly-cut pine needles between your fingers. There’s a little lemon in the background there as well, but the overall impression is definitely not citrus. But what about the taste? To put it simply, this beer is, as advertised, a mouth full of Christmas tree. There’s a strong juniper presence (likely because they use juniper in the brewing process) that gives the beer an almost gin-like edge, which is nothing short of fascinating. An earthy undertone adds to the woodsy impression just like you can taste the forest floor and the rich soil that the trees are growing in. I love this beer because I love pine flavor in IPAs, but I will note that it was not for every member of my tasting team. Some felt that it pushed the edge too far and ended up tasting like a cleaning product. But personally this takes me back to a time when that pine tree bitterness was a distinction in the world of IPAs, rather than the citrus and juice that marks most modern popular IPAs and I couldn’t possibly love it more. As such, I’m making this one a Two Minute Beer Review Recommendation if you can still get your hands on it!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Utopia Planitia Dry Hopped Red Ale by Federation Brewing. Will this one have construct a successful Enterprise, or am I the only one geeky enough to get that reference? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 71: Geartooth Aleworks’ Burned and Blackened Smoked PorterIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Burned and Blackened Smoked Porter by Geartooth Alewerks in San Jose, CA. Is this one on fire or will it crash and burn? Let’s find out!Burned and Blackened is a dark brown to deep red in my glass. Pretty. It smells of smoke and molasses but not a whole bunch else. It’s a little malty, after sniffing for long enough to get through that powerful smoke. But it’s not a lasting impression of wood smoke, here, like a fire that’s just died out. It’s a smoke that’s had a chance to settle into the pores of the beer, like the char on a good whiskey barrel.But what about the taste? I get all that nice smoke right in the back of my palate. There’s coffee bitterness here, and a whole lot of it –which is what keeps that smokey sensation from being overwhelming in the flavor. Right up the center of my tongue there’s a very nice dark chocolate flavor, which kind of makes up the blackened part of the burned and blackened name. There’s nothing sweet here to break up the powerful taste sensations of smoke and bitterness, and I think that’s a perfect way for this beer to be built. This is an interesting and very good porter. The bitterness comes primarily from coffee flavors, but hops are not altogether absent and the bitter sensation hangs out for a very long time after the swallow. It’s not a beer perhaps to drink in very high quantities but it absolutely delivers a desirable full flavored experience. It also has a great consistency—porters can often be too thick or too thin, but this one hits a very sweet spot. Burned and Blackened is a 7% alcohol by volume beer and is a Two Minute Beer Review recommendation!That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Seasonal Tree Beer IPA by Drake’s Brewing Co. Will this one have us singing a rousing chorus of O Tannenbaum? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 68: Tioga Sequoia’s Firefall Red California Red AleIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Firefall Red California Red Ale from Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company in Fresno, California. Will this one make us fall all over ourselves to get more? Let’s find out!Here’s what Tioga Sequoia has to say about Firefall Red: “or a few weeks in February in the heart of Yosemite National Park, if conditions are just right, the setting sun sets the Horsetail Fall ablaze with reds and oranges; like a fire falling down the cliffs of El Capitan. Photographers and park visitors gather from all over just to grab a glimpse of this natural phenomenon.” Firefall pours a nice ruby red as advertised. The aroma is surprisingly subtle. There’s not much there to really go by. I’ll admit that upon smelling the beer I was preparing myself for something that didn’t have a ton of flavor. But what about the taste? All I can say is, “WHOA!” Contrary to my fears upon sniffing the beer, this is a hugely flavorful brew. There’s this really cool smokiness in the background and it’s overlaid with tons of rich flavor. There’s a beautiful nutty taste that hits right in the middle of the tongue and some coffee bitterness that spreads around the sides. There’s also some hoppy pine deep inside there and some lovely caramel to even everything out. This is an incredibly solid red ale and one that I would definitely pick up again if I saw it on the store shelf. Do yourself a favor, find it and try it out. It continues a wonderful tradition of trusty and tasty beers that Tioga Sequoia has built for itself. Firefall Red is currently sitting at a 3.62 out of 5 on Untappd with 2603 ratings and an 83 out of 100 on Beer Advocate. It’s a 5.5% alcohol by volume drinker and I suggest you go add your own ratings to this one today. That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Burned and Blackened Smoked Porter from Geartooth Aleworks in San Jose, CA. Will this one fit the bill or will it leave us burned out ? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 68: Dust Bowl Brewing Co’s Lateral 6 Juicy IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Lateral 6 Juicy IPA from Dust Bowl Brewing Company in Turlock, CA. Have our friends at Dust Bowl enumerated another winner? Let’s find out!Lateral number six is exceptionally cloudy when poured into a glass. It’s got that great orange core ringed with a golden highlight. The scent isn’t overpowering, but fruit is very prominent here. Despite the fact that you often think of citrus when it comes to juicy IPAs, what I’m getting most here is stone fruit. There’s no spice and not much in the way of piney hops, either.But what about the taste? The juicy side of the beer pays of exactly as advertised. As I have found with many other Dust Bowl brews, they are fully capable of bringing fruit flavors without adding too much sweetness to the beer and that’s exactly what they have done here. The bitterness of this one sits in my mouth way differently than I expected. It’s an all-over sensation, not just hanging out in one part of my mouth the way a lot of IPAs do. Lateral 6 is a really light IPA, and that’s not to say that it’s lacking in flavor. But there is such an excellent balance of the fruity juiciness and the strong bitterness of the hops that it’s extremely easy to drink in quantity. Lateral 6 is currently sitting at a 3.89 out of 5 on Untappd, so you don’t have to take my word alone when I say get out and give it a try. It’s a 6.7% alcohol by volume, so it will treat you right if you decide to have more than one, which I think you will find a very easy prospect. That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Firefall Red California Red Ale by Tioga Sequoia Craft Brewery in Fresno, CA. Will we be calling the fire department to help us put this one out? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comOur theme music is by Rialthos! Find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com. Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 68: Santa Maria Brewing Company’s Mo-Tra Blood Orange IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Mo-Tra Blood Orange IPA from Santa Maria Brewing Company in Atascadero, CA. Will this one turn us into orange-sucking vampires? Let’s find out!Mo-Tra is a dark cloudy golden, trending toward brown in the glass. You can smell the orange on this one from a mile away. It’s full of the promise of lush juice and bright fruit. From the scent, I couldn’t wait to try it out. But what about the taste? Mo-Tra hits right up front with a big wall of orange juice, just like the scent promises. There’s not a whole lot of bitterness here, but if you swing more toward the juicy end of modern IPAs in your taste, you’re going to find a whole lot to like here. Sadly, there’s not a ton of bitterness to offset all that juice, so for my taste it does get a bit sweeter than I would like. It’s not candy-sweet, but just enough over the edge on that side that I’d like to have a more powerful bitter side to balance things out just a bit. Santa Maria adds oranges to their mix during secondary fermentation and then highlights this juice with a couple of varieties of hops that are also known to produce bright, citrusy notes. As such, if you’re looking for plenty of orange flavor, this beer will be a perfect selection for you. Mo-Tra tracks at 7.2% Alcohol by Volume, so it’s got the good strength of a standard IPA to back up that flavorful orange punch.That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Lateral 6 Juicy IPA by Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock, CA. With hops imported from New Zealand and Australia, will this be an adventure down under? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comSupport The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 67: Foreign Objects Beer Company’s Dream of Perfect Beauty New American Hoppy AleIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Dream of Perfect Beauty New American Hoppy Ale from Foreign Objects Beer Company in New Paltz, NY. Is this one a dream come true? Let’s find out!The scent is strong with this one. According to the Foreign Objects website they focus on creating intensely aromatic New-American Hoppy Ales and this one proves that they’re not kidding. I had the beer sitting on the table in front of me and I could smell it clearly before I even lifted the glass. The scent is lemon/orange forward with just a tiny bit of fresh pine in the background. It’s intense and beautiful and exciting. In color it most resembles a hazy glass of orange juice. It’s also worth noting that Foreign Objects’ labels are easily some of the most beautiful in the business. This one resembles an abstract watercolor painting with striking purples, blues and reds. But what about the taste? It’s not as bitter as I anticipated based on the scent but it does have a very solid side-of-the-tongue bitterness that balances out its extremely juicy but never sweet flavor. It’s tremendously mild, but at the same time very satisfying. It doesn’t suffer from the lack of flavor because all of the flavors that are here are so well blended. Dream of Perfect Beauty doesn’t reinvent any wheels, but for that it is still an extremely tasty and drinkable beer. It’s definitely one that I would go back to if I were to find it on the shelf again. Its 6.8% alcohol by volume puts it in the category of strong but not too strong. If you can find it, I recommend you give it a try. That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Mo-Tra Blood Orange IPA by Santa Maria Brewing Company in Atascadero, CA. Is this the IPA we’ve always dreamed of? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comSupport The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 66: Barrel Brothers Brewing Co’s Por Que No Mexican LagerIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. This week we’re taking a look at Por Que No Mexican Style Amber Lager from Barrel Brothers Brewing Company in Windsor, CA. Why shouldn’t we give this one a shot? Let’s find out!Por Que No is a pale amber in the glass. The scent is very, very light. Overall it’s malty with some sweet spice and a little bit of breadiness. But what about the taste? There’s way more flavor to this one than I anticipated. It’s very subtle, though. That bready, fruity stuff from the scent comes through loud and clear here and there’s a really lovely bitterness that makes a showing right at the end. But none of these flavors are overpowering and the whole is light enough to remain refreshing but interesting from beginning to end. I also have to make a special note of the consistency of the beer. It feels good in the mouth without ever becoming thin or watery—a place where many other Mexican style lagers tend to fall apart in my opinion. This is a very nice, clean drinking beer. It’s the kind of beer that you’ll want food with, so pick some up and make a stop at your local taqueria for a pairing. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. It’s also a nice, tame 5.3% ABV, so you can enjoy a couple while you’re munching on those delicious tacos. That’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Dream of Perfect Beauty New American Hoppy Ale from Foreign Objects Beer Company. Why? Will this beer whisk us away to the ultimate experience of bliss? We’ll find out next week. Don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network and is brought to you by Zane-It, where you can find all the best costumes and makeup, Central Valley Youth Legal Services and Superfan Sandra Hay. If you’d like to support the show you can leave us a tip or sign up for a small monthly donation by clicking the link in the show notes or by supporting the Phoenix Creative Collective on Patreon. Our music is by Rialthos. You can find more at Rialthos.bandcamp.com.That’s all for now but we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comSupport The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 65: Freethought Brewing’s Levitate Sour AleIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time again where we take on that massive craft brew aisle to find the hidden treasures waiting for us there. Before we get started this week I want to let you know what’s been going on with the show. As you know, a few weeks ago my car was broken into and all of our recording equipment was stolen. For a while I thought this might mean the end of the show. But we had two listeners come to our rescue! Thanks to the generosity of Debbie Bennett of Central Valley Youth Legal Services, the incomparable Zane of Zane-It in Merced and our very own superfan Sandy Hay, we were able to replace all of the lost equipment and get this show and all of the others from the Phoenix Podcast Network back on the air! Going forward, we will be considering these businesses and individuals official sponsors of the show. But I wanted to take a moment this week to say a personal and very heartfelt thank you to them on behalf of myself and all of you. Thanks to them, our quest continues!And now, on to the beer!This week we’re taking a look at Levitate from Freethought Brewing in Brooklyn, NY. Will this one get us off the ground? Let’s find out!This beer pours a perfect golden yellow, trending slightly toward orange that makes me think of pineapple juice. That’s probably appropriate, as the label tells me that it’s brewed with pineapple, turmeric, lemongrass and makrut lime leaf. I’ll admit I had to look the last one up. It’s the same kind of lime leaf you’ll find in many Thai dishes, which is good for me! Smelling the beer, the lemongrass element is very prominent along with some pineapple and a little hint of an almost grapefruity scent. There’s also something spicy and just a little earthy way back in there. The scent of the beer alone is incredibly complex. But what about the taste? As advertised, the beer is powerfully sour, without a hint of sweetness to it. The lemongrass is as powerful here in the sip as it was in the scent. At the end of the swallow there’s a wonderful round curry spice left over. The flavor is every bit as complex and powerful as the smell. I really like this beer. It’s big and bold and full of new ideas. It’s definitely a slow drinker because of the incredible tartness. And at a 5% Alcohol by Volume if you like it it’s going to be easy to down more than one. But fast or slow, one or a six pack, this is as fascinating a brew as you’re going to find out there. It’s a Two Minute Beer Review recommendation—get out there and see if you can find it! That’s all for today, but I hope you’ll join me next week as we take a look at Por Que No Mexican Style Amber Lager from Barrel Brothers Brewing Company in Windsor, California. Why? I mean, why not! Don’t forget to let us know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. You can find us on Facebook or tweet us @2minutebeer, using the number two. The Two Minute Beer Review is a part of the Phoenix Podcast Network. Support the Network and the Phoenix Creative Collective on our Patreon—look for the link in the show notes!Thanks again to our new sponsors and we’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Support The Two Minute Beer Review by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-two-minute-beer-reviewFind out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 64: East Brother Beer Company’s Oatmeal StoutIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Oatmeal Stout by East Brother Beer Company in Richmond, CA. Would this one make the Quaker proud? Let’s find out!!The Oatmeal Stout can says that it is “English inspired with notes of milk chocolate, dark fruit and a soft, comforting finish.” The beer smells strongly of chocolate. There’s some coffee in there as well. It also smells grainy—almost a little bit like animal feed, if you’ve ever spent time on a farm. It’s really very pleasant. There’s nothing really earthy in there, but I’m not missing that at all. But what about the taste? This Oatmeal Stout hits right under the tongue immediately with cocoa bitterness. Then, it coats the top of the tongue with a strong coffee flavor. It feels good and round in the mouth. It’s very tasty. At first drink, it’s easy to conclude that there’s nothing in here that really distinguishes East Brother’s take from a lot of other oatmeal stouts from a flavor standpoint. However, what does stand out is the perfect mixture of flavors and the exact right amount of sweetness and bitterness. If you like a good stout—and I do—this is a beer that you will absolutely love. East Brother’s Oatmeal Stout is 5.4% alcohol by volume. Their website has a handy beer finder so you can hunt it down and enjoy it for yourself. You’ll find a link in the show notes. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Levitate Sour Ale from Freethought Brewing in Brooklyn, NY. Will this one get things off the ground for us? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 64: Left Coast Orange County IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Orange County IPA by Left Coast Brewing in San Clemente, CA. Is this one a perfect companion for that trip to the beach? Let’s find out!!Orange County IPA pours golden orange and slightly hazy. It smells of apricot and ripe bananas with a little bit of orange blossom in the background. But what about the taste? According to the website, “We create a slight sweetness and bitterness by adding California grown oranges to the boil.” Well it definitely shows in the flavor. The beer starts up front with a nice, strong hop bitterness. Then it develops out into fruity and tart but not too sweet fruitiness with that signature orange leading the way. At the end of the swallow there’s way more bitterness left over than I would have expected from the strength of the fruit flavor in the beer, but I’m definitely not complaining. Orange County IPA is a drinker for sure. It’s got both the hop bitterness and the fruit juiciness to make it a grade-A IPA offering in what we know is an oversaturated market. If you’re a lover of IPAs at all, I recommend you run out and grab this wherever you can find it. Orange County IPA clocks in with a 7.1% ABV, so it’s right in the not-too-strong, not-too-weak category where I like it. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Oatmeal Stout from East Brother Beer Company in Richmond, CA. Is this the Stout we’ve been looking for? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 62: Blaker Brewing’s Vanilla Bean Milk StoutIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Vanilla Bean Milk Stout by Blaker Brewing in Ceres, CA. Is this one a dairy full of goodness? Let’s find out!!Vanilla Bean Milk Stout is reportedly just what it advertises—a Milk Stout base with Vanilla Beans added. It pours predictably black into the glass and smells of chocolate, vanilla and milk—again, just what you would expect based on the label. But what about the taste? It’s not as sweet as I anticipated based on the title and the scent. It hits right up front with a good coffee bitterness that wraps around the tongue and then resolves into a kind of a tangy sensation with that nice aromatic vanilla pervasive in the aftertaste. The tiny bit of sweetness on the back end of the swallow is all milk sweetness and no sugar so it doesn’t throw the beer out of balance with that nice bitterness from the beginning of the sip. It’s a little thin on the palate for a milk stout, which is worth noting but it loses no points for all that. Vanilla Bean Milk Stout is not an overly complex beer, but it performs perfectly in terms of being what it claims to be. It’s likeable and very easy to drink. And at a 5.5% Alcohol by Volume it’s not going to knock you out after a single serving, either. If the name sounds at all enticing, I can definitely recommend this beer to you! And you don’t just have to take my word for it—Vanilla Bean Milk Stout comes in with an average 3.91 out of 5 on Untappd. You can check out the link in the show notes for more reviews. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Orange County IPA from Left Coast Brewing in San Clemente California. Is this one worthy of the OC label? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 61: Jack Russel Farm Brewing’s Captain Boomer’s IPAIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Captain Boomer’s IPA from Jack Russell Farm Brewery in Camino, CA. Is this one worthy of a literary masterpiece? Let’s find out!!Captain Boomer’s is named after the character in Moby Dick as well as the name of the adorable terrier that graces the label. It pours a hearty amber color with a nicely developed foamy head. It smells exciting and refreshing with a scent full of nectarine and pine needles. But what about the taste? According to the website, Captain Boomer’s is is a departure from the traditional English style in its sea of flavors and big, chewy mouthfeel. I found it actually to be just a little thinner than I expected based on that description. It’s not bad by any means but I definitely wouldn’t call it chewy. It has a lovely all-over bitterness that has just gone missing in this current trend of juicy IPAs. It’s got that solid pine flavor that takes me back to the early days of the IPA craze where the goal seemed to be to pack as much evergreen as possible into the beer. The flavor hangs around for a good while after the swallow. The website also mentions a “coffee bitterness,” and while it’s not roasty and toasty like a porter or a stout I can definitely get the essence of that bitterness here. I have to say that I’m a tremendous fan of this beer. It’s something that might have been a conventional IPA just a few years ago but it definitely bucks the current trends and stays true to a more classical IPA profile. I love this and I hope that Jack Russell has great success with this beer and continues to produce it for many years to come. It’s a 7.1% Alcohol by Volume. It receives the Two Minute Beer Review seal of approval!Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Vanilla Bean Milk Stout from Blaker Brewing in Ceres, CA. Is this one straight-from-the-cow delicious? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 60: 21st Amendment’s El Sully Mexican Style Lager It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at El Sully Mexican Style Lager from https://www.21st-amendment.com/. Will this beer transport us out of our everyday lives and onto a beautiful Mexican beach? Let’s find out!!Named after the alter ego of 21st Amendment’s Brewmaster, Shaun O’sullivan, El Sully pours a perfect pale yellow and is just a tiny bit cloudy rather than the normal clear as water pour of most Mexican style pale lagers. The scent is slightly fruity and just a tiny bit acidic. Again, for a Mexican style lager, this one has a pretty well-developed scent. But what about the taste? O’sullivan has been quoted as saying it’s a “… smooth, easy drinking beer,” He goes on to say, “Having grown up in Southern California near the Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach communities where I would spend many afternoons surfing and skateboarding, I would always enjoy Mexican-style golden, lighter and refreshing beers at the end of the day. Washing it down after a plate of carne asada tacos, it seemed fitting to recreate that experience and brew and package El Sully for all to enjoy.”The beer hits bitter right at the front of the tongue and just a tiny bit sour on the palate but with no sweetness. This resolves to a nice, bready cereal flavor. It drinks nice and clean as expected, but there’s way more flavor than you would get out of a lot of Mexican style knockoffs. This is a pleasant surprise. O’Sullivan has truly succeeded in taking a ubiquitous beer style (here in California, anyway) and elevating it to something that maintains the spirit of the original but takes it one step further. As far as American Mexican Lagers go, this one is a major winner. It’s got a bit more flavor than I would have expected, a nice bitterness to round things out all the while maintaining the drinkable, thirst-quenching quality that is vital to this type of beer. If you’re a fan of one of the cheap Mexican beers that are out there right now do yourself a favor and pick up a can of El Sully and give it a shot. I’ll be surprised if you don’t discover you have a new favorite! El Sully is 4.8% Alcohol by Volume and is sold primarily in cans, so it’s perfect for keeping you properly hydrated all day long. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Captain Boomer’s IPA from Jack Russell Farm Brewing in Camino, CA. Will this one help us hunt down that white whale at last? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Only Slightly Exaggerated IPA by Deschutes Brewery in Portland, Oregon. Is this one exaggerated enough to make a statement? Let’s find out!Only Slightly Exaggerated pours very cloudy with tons of visible particles. It follows this up with the smell of tropical fruit, peach and gummy bears. Smells like a pretty typical hazy IPA to me. But what about the taste? On the website, Deschutes describes the beer as “A collaboration with Travel Oregon that captures the magic of Oregon like a whimsical fairy tale in a bottle. Explore a realm of unreal splendor, where tropical hops bloom amidst evergreen rainforests and light flavors of coconut come tumbling down clear alpine streams, descending into the dreamy depths of citrus zest.” For all that description, I found Only Slightly Exaggerated to be pretty mild in flavor. There’s good bitterness right up front, working its way around to the sides and the back of my tongue. I mostly get the tropical fruit, but I do get a nice hint of those piney hops that are too frequently missing from modern, popular juicy IPAs. This is an important factor in making the beer taste like a representation of Oregon, so major points go to Deschutes for executing on this flavor profile. On the back end there’s that peach that I was smelling as well as a little bit of pear. The flavor doesn’t hang around too long after the swallow, but it does leave me wanting another sip! I do feel like the beer is just a bit more energetic on the front end than on the back end, but maybe that’s just to represent the fact that recreational marijuana has been legal in Oregon for a lot longer than in most places in the United States.I like this beer. Its unpretentious but it’s just interesting enough to keep me coming back for more. It’s the kind of beer that I’d love to have six pack of to last me through a nice summer afternoon among the Oregon evergreens. And at a 6.0% Alcohol by Volume, as long as I paced myself I’d still be able to walk to my tent at the end of the day. Verdict? Two Minute Beer Review Approved!Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at another great craft brew. Will we uncover another hidden treasure that we’ve been missing all along? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 57: Dust Bowl Brewing’s Buck Hazy DIPA It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Buck Double IPA from Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock, CA. Is this one destined to be a legend like its musical namesake? Let’s find out!Buck is the second in Dust Bowl’s Music Man series, celebrating some of the great musicians connected to California’s Central Valley region. For the first in the series, go back and listen to our previous episode on their Merle Hazy IPA. Buck smells exactly the way that you want a hazy IPA to smell. It’s nice and juicy with tons of grapefruit and apricot right at the front. There’s just a little dank stank in there to level things out as well. It pours a nice dark orangey brown color and the more you pour the hazier it gets. But what about the taste? Buck is very juicy up front with all that lovely fruit we smelled before but there’s no pounding bitterness to drive it home like you might expect in a double. It starts and stays balanced from sip to swallow and finishes just like it starts. It’s a consistent and delicious brew that will delight anyone who is a fan of the Hazy IPA trend. I can absolutely say that it is one of my personal favorites in the style. After tasting both Merle and Buck I am happy to say that I am eagerly anticipating the other beers that Dust Bowl will be introducing into this Music Man series. Both of the existing beers are winners in my opinion and continue with the Dust Bowl tradition of incredibly balanced and immaculately tasty IPAs. If you see a can of Buck or Merle sitting around on your store’s shelf, by all means snap it up! You won’t be disappointed. This one is Two Minute Beer Review approved, especially thanks to the healthy 8.5% Alcohol by Volume. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Buck Hazy Double IPA by Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock, CA. Will this one make us say Hee Haw? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Trade Winds Belgian Style Tripel Ale from The Bruery in Placentia CA. Will these winds blow us toward our fortune? Let’s find out!Trade winds pours a hazy golden color like a classic Belgian should. It smells like a bit of dried fruit with maybe just a bit of menthol in the background? There’s a strange pungency there that for the life of me I just cannot place. It’s a scent profile that’s not out of line with what I would expect from a Belgian, but it is incredibly strong. But what about the taste? I can only say that it’s kind of a pedestrian Belgian ale. The label claims that the beer is brewed with Thai Basil and rice but I just can’t see any of that in the beer’s flavor. What I do get is a tremendous amount of that banana clove flavor that’s traditional for a Belgian. It begs for some bitterness that it just never gets. I am sure there are Belgian die-hards out there that would drink this and totally love it, but for me—admittedly not a fan of the style as I have said before—this beer is almost completely impenetrable. I really want to like it but I simply cannot find anything in there that’s for me, other than the 8.5% Alcohol by Volume. Take all that with as many grains of salt as you’d like, but I just can’t recommend Trade Winds. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Buck Hazy Double IPA by Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock, CA. Will this one make us say Hee Haw? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 56: Amador Brewing Company’s Altbier It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Altbier German Amber Ale from Amador Brewing Company in Plymouth, CA. Is this a traditional German delight? Let’s find out!Amador’s Altbier pours cloudy brown. It smells nutty with just a little bit of a savory hint in there somewhere. But what about the taste? The taste is full of nut—notably hazelnut--with just a tiny bit of coffee in there as well, but without any of the coffee bitterness that you would typically get from that flavor. The nut flavors are very good and developed, but I wish there was as much flavor on the end of the swallow as there is on the front of the sip. The beer feels a bit thin in the mouth as well. Sadly, I just don’t love this beer. It’s perfectly drinkable, but it simply didn’t have enough depth of flavor or staying power—and didn’t differentiate itself enough—for me to make it a recommendation. Having said that, this beer was a 2018 California State Fair Gold Medalist, so if it sounds like a style that you might like it might not hurt to track it down and give it a try. Altbier is 6.3% Alcohol by volume. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I Head back over to the Bruery in Placentia CA to try out their Trade Winds Belgian Style Tripel. Will the winds blow in something worth trading for with this one?We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 55: The Bruery’s Mischief Hoppy Belgian Style Ale It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Mischief Hoppy Belgian Style Ale from the Bruery in Placentia CA. Are we about to get into trouble with this one? Let’s find out!The front of the impressive-looking bottle that houses Mischief bears the Great American Beer Festival medal stamp. This beer was in fact the 2016 Gold Medalist for the American Belgian Style Ale. I don’t know about you, but that sets up all kinds of great expectations for me. The beer pours with a dark cloudy golden core and a bit of what I could almost describe as a halo on the outside. It’s definitely a looker. Smelling Mischief brings out fruity and bright notes but no discernible malt or hop aromas. But what about the taste? Well, it tastes a lot like it smells. I get the impression of dried apricot with a noticeable balancing bitterness around the edges. Maybe there’s even just a hint of pear in there, but it’s delicate and elusive. There’s some spice in there as well as you would expect from a Belgian, but the primary flavors are all coming from the lovely dried fruit. Now this is an excellent example of a style that is admittedly not my favorite. I don’t have anything against Belgians, they’re just never the first thing that I grab when I go to the store looking for a drinking beer. That being said, this is an excellent beer that is extremely well put together from a flavor and balance standpoint and I would have no hesitation recommending it to fans of the style or the Belgian-curious. And even if it’s not your cup of tea, the 8.5% ABV will make it worth the experiment. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Altbier German Amber Ale by Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, CA. Are the folks over there challenging the norm with this one? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our Patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 54: Lead Dog Brewing’s Raspberry Blonde It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at Raspberry Blonde by Lead Dog Brewing in Reno, NV. Will gentlemen prefer this blonde? Let’s find out!Raspberry Blonde is a deep gold to amber in color. The smell is almost completely and unmistakably that of raspberry jam. But what about the taste? It is very raspberry! No false advertising on the label of this one. Sadly, I don’t find a whole lot of depth behind that fruit flavor. You just get all that berry right up front and then it’s gone without leaving much of an impression behind. It’s not sweet, but it also doesn’t really develop at all. It’s just there and then gone. I was kind of hoping, to be honest, for something more complex out of this one. Raspberry blonde is a fine experiment in the combination of fruit and beer but at the end of the day I find it kind of a single note experience. On the upside it’s not too sweet, which could have taken it to some very bad places but honestly I’m having a hard time finding the beer in this one and as a beer lover first I sort of have a problem with that. For me it would not be a repeat experience. Raspberry Blonde is 5 percent alcohol by volume. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Mischief Hoppy Belgian Style Ale from the Bruery in Placentia CA. Will this one help us get up to no good? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 53: Stillwater Artisanal’s On Fleek Imperial StoutIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum and it’s that time of the week again where we pick a bottle from that massive craft brew aisle hoping to find a hidden treasure. This week we’re going to take a look at On Fleek Imperial Stout by Stillwater Artisanal in Stratford, Connecticut. Is this one as picture perfect as the name suggests? Let’s find out!On Fleek pours like any good stout should—black and opaque. It’s thick in the glass like motor oil. It smells of coffee and molasses with a little tang in the very background, barely noticeable at first. But what about the taste? The first thing I notice about on Fleek is that it seems to be rather aggressively carbonated for a stout. Where most stouts nowadays have soft, foamy bubbles this one is actually quite prickly to the tongue. The flavor is at once coffee bitter and toffee sweet, maybe just a little bit earthy on the end like the smell of the earth after a good hard rain. There’s just a bit of alcohol flavor in there but it’s not overwhelming and then, at the very end of the swallow a little bit of chocolate syrup right around the edges.I like On Fleek. It’s a tasty stout with decent flavor and a good mouthfeel. It’s thick but not unpleasant and that aggressive carbonation actually makes it more interesting rather than detracting from the flavors. If you’re a stout enthusiast, this is one that I think you will like. Just drink with caution—that 13% Alcohol by Volume will catch up with you quickly!Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Raspberry Blonde by Lead Dog Brewing in Reno, Nv. Is this one the fruit trip we’ve been waiting for or will it end up the butt of another blonde joke? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcast app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. You can also support us with a small donation on our patreon—there’s a link in the show notes. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 52: Happy Birthday to Us and SF On Tap QuickfireIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and this week I am bringing you a very special episode of the Two Minute Beer Review. That’s right—one year ago this week we published the very first episode of the show, featuring Amador Brewing Company’s Double Goat IPA. The idea was then, as it is now, that we would be a podcast showcasing a different craft beer each week and talking to the beer enthusiast about the experience of the beer—look, smell and above all taste—without getting bogged down in beer science or insider terminology.To honor the occasion, we have a little giveaway in store—stay tuned at the end of the show for more details! This week, to celebrate our birthday, we are going to bring you a report of a fabulous beer-tasting experience I got to experience recently in San Francisco. My wife and I had the great pleasure of taking a walking craft beer tour with SF on Tap Tours. SF On Tap offers multiple different tours, but ours took us to two different breweries where we were able to taste a curated selection of beers brewed onsite and then to a taproom where we were able to choose our own beer adventure. The perfect birthday present for the two minute beer review!We started our tour at Thirsty Bear Organic Brewery. Our fabulous tour guide, Mike Levinson, began by giving us a little bit of history about Thirsty Bear which is San Francisco’s second oldest operating brewery. Opened in 1996, Thirsty Bear is the only certified organic brewery in San Francisco and they are dedicated to using quality, sustainable and responsibly produced products only in their beer. Most interesting is their name, which comes from an article headline that the owner saw in a Ukranian Newspaper: “Thirsty Bear bites man for beer.” We began our tasting experience with Thirsty Bear’s Kolsch. This beautifully clear brew has little bits of spice on the nose. It tastes just a little sour with lots of grain flavor plenty of good center of the tongue bitterness to round it out. There is also some really nice fruit flavor, notably a little lemon and is incredibly well balanced and just nice to drink. This is one of my favorite Kolsch’s that I have ever tasted. At 4.7% ABV it was also a nice way to get warmed up for the rest of the day.Next up was Wander Bock, a 6.7% ABV brew that is a golden brown to red color. The scent is strong with the impression of fermented fruit. It has the flavor of caramel sugar with a chocolatey/fruity undertone. It’s a little bit candied on the palate but that’s evened out by a consistent bitterness. Toward the end of the swallow this one develops a nice, warm, nutty flavor that goes down smooth. Third at Thirsty Bear was Pershing’s Porter. It’s bready to the nose with just a little coffee. It’s deep, dark brown and opaque in the glass. In the mouth, there’s a very smoky flavor all the way up front. The beer is thinner in the mouth than I expected, but that’s not a bad thing. It goes down easy without completely coating the palate. It is very gently carbonated, which really helps the flavors develop in my mouth. After the swallow the smoke dissipates somewhat and I am left with chocolate and toffee. The rye that’s used in the beer shows up at this stage, giving it just a little spicy punch to get you ready for the next sip. This is a porter that subverts many expectations. Based on the scent and the color you would expect it to be thick and chewy but it manages instead to be smooth while still maintaining strong and interesting flavors. It’s 5.5% Alcohol by volume, and I liked it a lot. Last up at Thirsty Bear was their Chowdah New England IPA, a 6.3% standard these days. Cloudy and peachy gold, the beer smells of peach, grapefruit and pine with just a little sea salt to wake it all up. The beer hits right up front with bitterness, but resolves quickly into juicy fruit flavors. It’s refreshing and a great example of a New England IPA. Our time at Thirsty Bear ended with a tour of their brewing facilities, led by our tour guide, Mike. He was knowledgeable and approachable, giving us lots of information without talking down to us or way over our heads. We even had the opportunity to sample Thirsty Bear’s flatbreads. This isn’t a food show, but I don’t mind telling you these were delicious and paired perfectly with the beer selection. If you find yourself in San Francisco, don’t miss out on a visit to Thirsty Bear Brewery. All the beers we tasted there were consistent and delicious and I love their focus on quality and responsible ingredients. Next we headed on over to Bartlett Hall, home to Bartlett Brewing Company. Along the way we had the opportunity to stop and see many of the sights while Mike gave us some insight into the local history. This was fascinating and well presented and was a great way to walk off some of what we had just imbibed!At Bartlett, a beautiful space, by the way, with a dark, warm almost steampunk vibe, we started off by tasting their Bartlett Blond. This beer smells a little yeasty and very clean. It is super clear in the glass and tastes clear and crisp as well. There’s lots of cereal in the flavor of this one but the overall impression is just nice and clean. As Mike said, it’s an ideal fourth of July beer. It’s a 4.8% ABV as well, so it’s a good all-day choice. Next up was Bartlett’s Saison Chauncey. This has an unfiltered and cloudy look, so pale it’s almost a cloudy white. It’s spicy and interesting with plenty of lemon and banana flavors on top. It’s dry in the mouth and leaves an overall savory impression. The carbonation adds perfectly to this flavor profile, being just the correct amount of prickly to stimulate the tongue and let those flavors soak in. It’s a 4.6% ABV and is a great choice if you’re a saison fan.Third we tried Suenos Del Mar Unfiltered IPA, a 6.3% take on the popular style. True to promise, it’s golden and cloudy and smells of grapefruit and peach. It’s nice and juicy on the tongue with a characteristic center-tongue bitterness. Most interestingly, there’s just a pinch of a savory flavor in here that I found surprising but enjoyable Last up was the Powell Street Porter. It smells strongly of chocolate. It’s got a bit of a sour undertone, almost like that Guinness characteristic sourness but with a very powerful coffee chocolate backbone. It’s a little bit thin and a little bit smoky. It’s not my favorite beer of the day, but it’s definitely not one I would turn down were it offered to me. It comes in at a 6.3% Alcohol by Volume. The breweries were both amazing in terms of atmosphere and offerings and I cannot recommend SF On Tap enough. The tour was enjoyable for folks of all knowledge levels and was exactly the right ratio walking, talking and drinking. I hope you’ll check out SF On Tap if you ever get a chance to get to San Francisco with a few hours on your hands. I’ll link to them and both breweries in the show notes so you can check them out and pay them a visit. Well that’s all for this week, but before I go, here’s the details on our giveaway this week. I have a few pub coasters that are imprinted with the Two Minute Beer Review logo that I’d love to share. If you’d like to rep the review and maybe help us catch a new listener, just send an email with your name and address to 2minutebeer@gmail.com (as always, that’s the number two). We’ll find out next week. We’ll get them in the mail as soon as your emails roll in!Thanks so much for making our first year of the podcast a success and keep spreading the word! And of course don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcasting app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 51: XXII Anniversary Ale by Firestone WalkerIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review! I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Anniversary Ale 22 by Firestone Walker brewing in Paso Robles, CA. Is this one worthy of a pedigree of twenty two years? Let’s find out! This special release ale pours dark but not completely opaque with dark browns and ruby reds showing when light is placed behind the glass. There is very little carbonation, which means this one is likely very, very strong. The smell is immediately of molasses. The oak barrels in which the ale is aged are very far forward in the nose, along with plenty of brown sugar and pure malty goodness. Oddly enough, all the way in the background I detect something I can only describe as grape soda. No doubt this is a complex and intriguing beer. But what about the taste? 22 is powerfully sweet and keeps that molasses that I detected in the scent all the way up front. In fact, this concoction might actually be too sweet for someone who isn’t experienced in barrel aged strong ales. The prominent flavors, as the sip develops to swallow are caramel, malt, toffee and definitely some bourbon. There are multiple layers of sweetness here, but it’s like walking into a candy store and sampling one of each. My experience with the beer leaves me wanting just a bit more bitterness, overall. I’m not even getting ay grain character through all the sugar in my mouth. If I had to use this beer for something, I think I would reduce it down and make it into a nice sauce with which I could cook something desserty, like a bread pudding. But although it is a complex and intriguing blend of flavors at the end of the day it’s just too darn sweet for me to recommend it based on my own flavor preferences. This anniversary ale is sold in twelve ounce bottles and contained within a fancy box just like the Velvet Merkin that we tasted last week, and it even contains a nice lengthy writeup inside the box, talking about the creation of the beer and the different brews that were mixed to make it up. Again, this is a premium offering from Firestone Walker—that twelve ounce bottle will run you about thirteen dollars—and it’s available in limited supply, so if you’re intrigued enough to check it out I would hurry up and do so. And be aware that it’s a 12.7% ABV, so you’ll definitely want to sip and not guzzle when you sit down with this one. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I celebrate an anniversary of my own—the one year birthday of the Two Minute Beer Review! To mark the occasion, I’ll be doing a quickfire review of my experience and some brews from an interesting experience I had in San Francisco this last week, when I took a beer walking tour with a fine guide from SF On Tap. What happens when the tasting team walks to three different San Francisco hot spots to taste the latest and greatest that the City by the Bay has to offer? We’ll find out next week. Oh, and to celebrate our anniversary we’ll be doing a little giveaway too, just to show listeners how much we appreciate you. Stay tuned next week for details! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcasting app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Velvet Merkin Bourbon Barrel Aged Oatmeal Stout by Firestone Walker brewing in Paso Robles, CA. Does this one cover all the necessary. . .areas? Let’s find out!Velvet Merkin is a limited release from Firestone Walker—so fancy that it comes only in a 12-ounce bottle concealed within its own cardboard box. Removing it from the box and pouring it into the glass we find a black and creamy beer that swallows all light that attempts to pass through it. Sniffing the beer I smell charred wood and deep caramel with ton of malt backbone and a little bit of vanilla. The scent is complex, intriguing and makes me want to dive right in. But what about the taste? Velvet Merkin comes on a little less aggressively that I was expecting based on that powerful aroma. There is coffee and some nuttiness right up front. These two flavors resolve into something that resembles a dark toffee flavor with maybe just a little bit of chicory in the background. The beer drinks smooth and not overly thick, which is a pleasant surprise as well. The oatmeal keeps it nice and smooth so that it’s not dense, just mellow enough to drink the full twelve ounces without needing to stop for a rest break. It’s also not too sweet which is a nice surprise considering all of the candied notes that are present throughout. It’s also not acidic, though there is just enough coffee bitterness to keep the beer balanced throughout. Velvet Merkin is a luxury beer. Drinking it is like driving a really nice car—it’s going to be hard to go back to your old ride after this one. That being said, it also comes at a luxury price. It will run you about ten dollars for the twelve-ounce bottle. But if you’ve got a little extra coin to spend, this is hands down one of my favorite stouts of all time. There is a strange little discrepancy in terms of the ABV. Firestone Walker’s website lists it as 8.5% but the bottle I drank listed it as 7.8%. Either way, it’s exactly strong enough. It appears that this one is going to be around a bit longer, though the “vintage” will change as the batches are barrel aged for one year. Nonetheless, don’t sleep on it and grab yourself a bottle before it’s retired again! Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I stay with Firestone Walker to try out their XXII Anniversary ale. Does this one stand up to the pretention of being named with Roman numerals? We’ll find out next week. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes.Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcasting app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. That’s all for now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review! I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look Maui Waui IPA by Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, CA. Is this one the Big Kahuna? Let’s find out!Maui Waui pours clean and clear, almost the color of one of those mass-produced American lagers that we don’t talk about. It smells fruity and tropical. And maybe just a little bit. . .dusty? There’s definitely an earthy undertone in there somewhere. But what about the taste? The aroma suggests a sweetness that is not present in the flavor of the beer. It does have lots of that earthiness that I detected in the scent, but none of the tropical flavors I was hoping for play into the taste at all so far as I can tell. The brewer’s website describes the hops used in this beer as giving “strong aromas and flavors of guava, pineapple and mango. I’m sorry, Altamont, but here at the Two Minute Beer Review we just aren’t tasting it. What is present is a very traditional beer bitterness that starts at the beginning of the sip and hangs around after the swallow. It’s not overpowering but is a very pleasant character if you’re a fan of IPAs. Going back to Altamont’s website, they state that Maui Waui is one of their more popular beers, so maybe this is one time that my tastes are out of line with the larger public. But although I love Altamont and have tasted many fine products from their catalog, Maui Waui is neither a recommend nor a repeat for me. It’s a 6.5% in the ABV category, so if you like it you’ll be able to enjoy more than one without needing a rest in between. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I try Velvet Merkin Bourbon Barrel Aged Oatmeal Stout by Firestone Walker brewing in Paso Robles, CA. Is this one . . . you know what, I can’t even come up with a clean joke about this one’s name. Just join me next week to find out more about it. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes.Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcasting app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Baggage Wagon Northeast Style Double IPA by Revision Brewing in Sparks, NV. Will this one get us down the road or will the wheels come off? Let’s find out!Baggage Wagon is a nice lemon yellow with a healthy amount of haze in the pour. It smells of grapefruit and lemon peel with no notable malt presence. All of the scent contribution from the hops is juicy—nothing floral in there at all.But what about the taste? Baggage wagon drinks as juicy as it smells—the fruit is very far forward in the taste. It has a very pleasant bitterness that is layered throughout bringing excellent balance to the beer from beginning to end. It’s nice and bright around the edges, but there’s a woodsiness that makes me think of the deep outdoors—but it’s not piney like what you might get from some other IPAs. The fruitiness that starts citrusy up front eventually resolves over time into more tropical flavors and I really like that. Baggage Wagon succeeds where so many other beers fail these days—that is in distinguishing itself in a seemingly-never ending parade of new IPA offerings. It’s a different spin and one that is one hundred percent Two Minute Beer Review recommended! It’s also 8.5% ABV, so it will keep you feeling happy all the way to the last drop. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I try Maui Waui IPA by Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, CA. Is this one an island paradise in a can or will it wipe out? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes. Don’t forget to let me know what you’re drinking and what you’re thinking about the show. Tweet me @2minutebeer with the number two or drop me an email at 2minutebeer@gmail.com. And if you’re listening to the show on your favorite podcasting app, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and leave a review to help other people find the show. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Colossus of Clout Red Ale by Strike Brewing Co. in San Jose, CA. Will this beer score a giant statue in its honor? Let’s find out!Colossus of Clout pours brownish red and just a little bit cloudy. The scent is nutty and brown—warm, with just a faint hint of caramel. But what about the taste? The beer is warm and earthy, but not dense in any way. In fact, it tastes almost exactly as it smells. No false advertising here! There’s just a tiny bit of sweetness up front and there’s really not any bitterness to be had anywhere here. The aftertaste comes on strong with that nice nutty, malty flavor. Colossus of Clout is a decent drink but don’t look for it to do anything particularly different for the style. There’s nothing in particular that really jumps out and sets it apart. That being said, if you’re a fan of this type of beer I can guarantee that this is one that you’re going to like!Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I try Baggage Wagon Northeast style Double IPA by Revision Brewing in Sparks, NV! Will we want to pack this one up and take it on the road? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes.Before I go, just a quick request. As many of you know I live in California’s Central Valley. That means I have access to a lot of beers from the hundreds of breweries around the area. But I know that lots of you who are listening are from all over the country—some of you from other parts of the world! I want to try and share your local favorites as well. If you have something that you think needs to be exposed to the world on the Two Minute Beer Review, would you do me a favor and contact me on twitter @2minutebeer (with the number of course) or email me @2minutebeer@gmail.com? I would love to hear from you and do my best to make sure that your local beers and breweries are represented as well as mine. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 46: Unity Vibration’s Ginger Kombucha BeerIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Ginger Kombucha Beer by Unity Vibration in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Is this beer good for the whole body—including the tongue? Let’s find out!This Kombucha Beer is supremely clear in the glass-having only the faintest yellow tinge as an accent. The smell is powerful ginger, although there may be just a little bit of a crisp vinegary edge to it as well somewhere in the background. Though the label mentions that this is in fact a beer—made with hops—I do not detect any hops presence in the nose. But what about the taste? Unity Vibrations Kombucha Beer is surprisingly sweet and mild—not sour at all. I have to admit that I was expecting a sour from the scent as well as from my previous experiences with non-alcoholic kombucha beverages. But there’s nothing of that here—sour haters are safe to give this one a shot. Just as in the scent, I don’t detect the specific flavor of hops anywhere in the brew, but that’s ok. I’m not sure a strong hop presence would work with this mild flavor profile. The ginger is definitely here, but it’s nowhere near as spicy on the tongue as it is in the scent. At the end of the swallow there is a very bready, yeast flavor that leaves just a bit of pleasant body hanging around before the next sip. So a Kombucha Beer. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about this at first, but as a dedicated beer explorer, I couldn’t resist it. And overall I will say that it’s a tremendous success. It’s a very pleasant beverage that somehow straddles the line between kombucha and beer, and I think it will be accessible to drinkers of both. If I had one wish for this one, it would be that that ginger in the flavor was a bit spicier, like it is advertised in the scent. This one little nitpick aside, I highly recommend that you search out a bottle of this brew and give it a try. It’s interesting, it’s innovative and it might just become a new favorite of yours. It also carries a nice 8% ABV, which will surely assist you on your search for a more harmonious state. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I try Colossus of Clout Red Ale by Strike Brewing Co. in San Jose, CA! Is this one worthy of the title of one of the wonders of the ancient world? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes.Before I go, just a quick request. As many of you know I live in California’s Central Valley. That means I have access to a lot of beers from the hundreds of breweries around the area. But I know that lots of you who are listening are from all over the country—some of you from other parts of the world! I want to try and share your local favorites as well. If you have something that you think needs to be exposed to the world on the Two Minute Beer Review, would you do me a favor and contact me on twitter @2minutebeer (with the number of course) or email me @2minutebeer@gmail.com? I would love to hear from you and do my best to make sure that your local beers and breweries are represented as well as mine. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Shot Away IPA by Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, CA. Will this beer make us scream out a chorus of Gimme Shelter? Let’s find out!Shot Away is a nice clear yellow to slightly amber color in the glass. It’s a little juicy in the nose, but there’s not a whole bunch else going on in that area.But what about the taste? Shot Away is bitter and crisp at the front with a solid malt backbone. It also has a very nice bitterness that hangs around after the swallow. It pays off all of that juiciness that shows up in the smell as well. Altamont Beer Works describes the beer as a “True West Coast IPA,” and I think the label fits well. The bitterness is balancing, not overwhelming and the overall impression of the flavor is juicy and bold. Shot Away is a perfectly serviceable IPA. It’s neither the best nor the worst that I have tasted in the style, but it is absolutely a good choice if you just want to grab a nice, refreshing unpretentious IPA for the upcoming hot summer afternoons. As such, I’ll place it on the recommended list.Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I taste another great craft beer! Hey! Do me a favor this week and follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Twitter. And be sure to tweet us and let us know you’re following. You can find us @2minutebeer, using the number! We would love to hear what you think of the show and what you’d like to hear next. And while you’re at it if you really like the show, head on over to the Patreon page for our parent company—that’s the Phoenix Creative Collective at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced (link is in the show notes) and maybe consider signing up for a regular monthly donation to help keep this and all of our other shows on the air!That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In a special bonus episode, we have a crossover with Geeking Out: a steal this idea podcast, where we live taste High Water Brewing's Cucumber Kolsch with Geeking Out host, Noelle Chandler and 2MBR superfan, Sandy Hay!Tweet us @2minutebeerHave you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 44: Local Brewing Co Belgian BumpIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Belgian Bump by Local Brewing Co in San Francisco, CA. Does this beer bump the Belgian style in the right direction? Let’s find out!Belgian Bump is a really nice color right out of the bottle. It’s a yellowish orange, deeper than a lot of beers and just very beautiful to look at. The smell is dark in comparison to the color and has a cool peppery overtone to it. It’s funny, but my brain can’t reconcile the color and the scent! If I were only smelling this one I would insist that I was sniffing a dark beer instead of this pretty coppery brew.But what about that taste? This beer is brewed with Philz Sooo Good Light Roast Coffee Blend, so I expected some coffee up front, but it actually shows up pretty late in the taste. Right up front this is definitely a Belgian spice beer. There is that very interesting fruity-clove flavor that I expect from a Belgian right up front, and that makes me happy. No sense brewing something that tastes like a stout and calling it a Belgian! Then, at the very end of the sip, right before the swallow, that coffee makes itself known. It gives the beer a different bitterness and a completely unique balance. I’ll admit that this beer challenges my beer-drinker’s brain just a little bit. My mind says that it should be way heavier than it is, but my mouth loves the lightness of the actual taste experience in contrast to the fun addition of that coffee. I am overall fascinated by this beer and if you like Belgian style beers, coffee beers or better yet both I am going to recommend that you track this one down and give it a try. It’s 8% ABV as well, so you’ll enjoy the experimentation all the way to the last drop!Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I taste Shotaway IPA from Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, CA. Should this one be kept for drinking or should it be shot. . .away? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events. Hey! Do me a favor this week and follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Twitter. And be sure to tweet us and let us know you’re following you can find us @2minutebeer, using the number! We would love to hear what you think of the show and what you’d like to hear next. And while you’re at it if you really like the show, head on over to the Patreon page for our parent company—that’s the Phoenix Creative Collective at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced (link is in the show notes) and maybe consider signing up for a regular monthly donation to help keep this and all of our other shows on the air!That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along. This week we’re taking a look at Pillars of Creation Double IPA by Hapa’s Brewing Company in San Jose, CA. Is this beer an astronomical wonder of the universe? Let’s find out!Pillars of Creation pours yellow and hazy, just the way it should be. The scent is surprisingly subdued, but has almost a savory note to it. From smell alone I don’t get any hints about what this beer will taste like. Exciting!But what about that taste? At first blush, Pillars of Creation is extremely mild with just a bit of bitterness right in the middle of my tongue. It’s neither particularly juicy nor piney, so we are kind of treading new ground here with the hops mixture that Hapa’s is using. Curiously, there’s just a little bit of what I would describe as an almost salty flavor that hangs around at the very end of the swallow. It’s a very different IPA, and to be honest I’m not entirely sure how to categorize it. This beer is fine. It’s not my favorite example of the style and to be honest, not my favorite brew from Hapa’s, but they are a company that I really like, so I still heartily recommend them and look forward to tasting my way through the rest of their catalog! In the end, I find this beer hits that magical word, drinkable,” but it’s not a repeat experience for me. It comes in at a 7.7% ABV, so if you do like it, it should be right in the pocket for a pleasant drinking experience. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I taste Belgian Bump from Local Brewing Company in San Francisco, CA. Is this an international speed bump of a beer? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events. The Two Minute Beer Review is produced by the Phoenix Podcast Network, an affiliate of the Phoenix Creative Collective. Have you had a chance to look at the new Patreon where you can lend your support and help keep our shows on the air? You can find it at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced or just click the link in the show notes. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Episode 42: 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged BlendIt’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along.This week I have a very special episode for you. Dust Bowl Brewing, in Turlock, California, is one of my favorite breweries. They brew a ton of really great beers and do a great job of being tied to the community as well. If you’re a regular listener, you know that I’ve already reviewed several beers from Dust Bowl and got to sit down and chat live with some of the masterminds that keep the beer flowing. For that interview, just look up the episode we did on Dust Bowl’s Resilience IPA. All of this to say that this weekend Dust Bowl celebrated their 10th anniversary. So I am taking this moment to say thanks to the fine folks at Dust Bowl and a very happy anniversary from the Two Minute Beer Review. IN celebration, this week we’re going to take a look at Dust Bowl’s special edition 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged Blend. Does this wax-sealed wonder deliver on 10 years of experience? Let’s find out!The 10th anniversary blend pours a nice, inviting deep, dark brown. It’s crowned by a creamy tan head that hugs the surface of the brown depths. Immediately, there is a strong smell of molasses and brown sugar. The scent is deep and malty but there’s no hint of chocolate or coffee like you might expect out of a beer this dark. There is just a touch of bourbon in the nose—I’m sure that’s coming from the barrels in which the brew was aged. But what about the taste? This beer starts sweet and caramel up in the front of the mouth which immediately gives way to a wave of roasted malt flavor that washed over and through the entire mouth. There’s just a tiny bit of bitterness in the very back that’s balanced perfectly and keeps this strong beer from feeling too much like a dessert. There’s some fruit in there as well, deep and dark. The feeling of this beer in the mouth is very full and rich. It’s dense in both flavor and texture like a nice thick slice of dense cake would be. There’s the essence of the barrel there in the swallow as well, but it’s not overpowering the rich and complex flavors of the beer. This Barrel Aged Brew is complex, delicious and most importantly different from anything else that’s hanging around out there right now. The masters at Dust Bowl have put their experience to good use and have created a masterpiece. And at a 12% ABV you’ll only need one if you know what I mean!Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I rejoin our friends at Hapa’s brewing and try out their Pillars of Creation Double IPA. Does this one have all the energy necessary to give birth to a new star? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events. The Two Minute Beer Review is produced by the Phoenix Podcast Network, an affiliate of the Phoenix Creative Collective. Have you had a chance to look at the new Patreon where you can lend your support and help keep our shows on the air? You can find it at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced or just click the link in the show notes.That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along.This week we’re going to take a look at Amelia Coconut IPA from Moonraker Brewing in Auburn, CA. Is this one worth the climb up the palm tree? Let’s find out!Amelia pours a hazy straw yellow and looks quite a bit like pineapple juice. So far we’re definitely keeping to the tropical theme. It smells like juicy citrus mixed in with a soft wave of coconut cream. Actually, there’s a surprising amount of this coconut smell—the beer smells almost like a Pina colada!But what about the taste? This beer is instantly sugary on the palate, with only a tiny wash of bitterness right at the very end. The flavor carries that same creamy coconut character that I noticed in the scent—I’m guessing that the creamy nature is from the lactose that is listed on the label. It gives the beer a very milky finish that enhances the general feel of drinking a coconut cream pie. Amelia starts sweet and finishes sweet. I find that that little bit of bitterness in there isn’t enough to offset that impression. If you like your beers sweet then this is one for you, if not, not so much. Amelia is a very interesting brew and there are things about it that I like—especially that smooth and creamy mouth feel. But at the end of the day the overpowering sweetness keeps it out of the recommended column for me personally. Amelia is available in cans and on tap at Moonraker’s facility in Auburn, CA. It runs a 7.0% ABV and might be just your thing if you’re looking to substitute a nice, healthy beer for your usual dessert. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Dust Bowl Brewing’s 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged Blend! I’m excited to be celebrating the birthday of one of my favorite breweries out there and thrilled to have gotten my hands on a bottle of this extra special brew for the occasion. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events. The Two Minute Beer Review is produced by the Phoenix Podcast Network, an affiliate of the Phoenix Creative Collective. Have you had a chance to look at the new Patreon where you can lend your support and help keep our shows on the air? You can find it at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced or just click the link in the show notes. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Today's Beer is Merle Hazy IPA from Dust Bowl in Turlock, CA. It's a part of their new Music Man series of beers. Listen to see what Andrew thinks!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Today Andrew takes on Ramble on Rose by High Water Brewing, soon to open a brand new taproom in Lodi, CA! Stop and smell the roses for two minutes. Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes This week Andrew goes toe to toe with Tank 7 American Saison by Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City, MO. Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes This week Andrew features McCarthy's Bane Red Ale by Knee Deep Brewing in Auburn, CA. If you're in the Los Angeles area, be sure to check out Stout Burgers and Beers, which is where Andrew got to try this and other fantastic brews!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes If you're in the Bakersfield, CA area and need auto service, please check out Oscar's Towing & Service at 128 1/2 East 19th St in Bakersfield, CA. You can call them at 661-325-1400 or click here to check them out on Facebook. After today's episode, Producer Andrew tells the story of how Oscar and his staff saved him and his family from being stranded over the weekend!This week, Andrew takes on Espresso Totalitarian Russian Imperial Stout by Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA. See what he thinks of this powerful dictator of a beer!Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Today Andrew goes tubin' with Float the Day Away IPA from Sonoma Springs Brewing Company. Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Today Andrew examines Summer Rose Hazy IPA by Hapa's Brewing in San Jose, CA. Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click hereSend questions, comments and recommendations to 2minutebeer@gmail.comMusic: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.