The Brü Revü – Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar

The Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar is simply an outstanding beer.  There is nothing huge or complicated about it, but it is a smooth and wonderful concoction that earns the right to be call itself a Nectar.  The deep ruby brown brew carried hints of a buttery nuttiness on the nose that followed into the flavor.  This was a simple full flavored beer that melted on the palate rather than attack it.  Rogue created a rich and rewarding Brown Ale that mixed perfectly with the toasted buttery Hazelnut flavors.  

Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar

The Brü Revü – Dogfish Head Burton Baton

The Dogfish Head Burton Baton is a peculiar little brew.  It is a blend of an English style old ale and their wonderful 90 Minute IPA which then age in Oak tanks for a month.  The result is a wholly unique beer that was a thick and chewy delight.  My sample aged for 9 months so I expected more of the hoppy Imperial IPA flavors to have diminished, but there was still plenty of that hop pop.  This was a very hefty malty brew with enough hops to keep everyone honest.  This opaque and syrupy concoction was akin to an American Barleywine that would only improve with age and I was enjoying my sample with relish.  There were flavors of caramel malt and fruity undertones with a hop bitterness that was signature Dogfish Head.  The Burton Baton was an exceptional and experimental brew that showed off the brewing talents of Dogfish Head.

Dogfish Head Burton Baton

The Brü Revü – Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat

The Weisse Versa Wheat is a mix between a classic Bavarian wheat beer and a Belgian White and the result is all awesome.  It poured a hazy gold with a nice fluffy white head and the nose was dominated by the classic Bavarian wheat banana notes with some slight cloves and citrus as well.  The taste was a perfect blend of both styles with the classic clove and banana flavors of a Bavarian wheat melding seamlessly with the citrus peel and coriander of the Belgian White.  It had the thick and creamy body you would expect from a top notch wheat beer, but was light and refreshing enough to withstand our Texas heat.  The Weisse Versa Wheat is another outstanding beer from Karbach Brewing that make trips to Houston more bearable.

Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat

The Brü Revü – Jester King Boxer’s Revenge Barrel-Aged Wild Ale

It’s difficult for me to pick my favorite Jester King beer as they have a wide variety of unique beers and flavors to satisfy my palate. I can say the Boxer’s Revenge was the first Jester King beer that really wowed me and took my perception of their beers in a new direction.  It was my first sour beer and while I can’t say I completely love sour beers, I couldn’t stop drinking the Boxer’s Revenge.  The brew is aged in oak whiskey and wine barrels with multiple strains of wild yeast and bacteria and exudes a rustic earthiness as soon as you open the bottle. The beer holds a myriad of flavors that meld into a wonderful and unique experience.  You can definitely pick up the whiskey and wine oak aging on top of the funky sour ness and earthy barnyard qualities.  Wrapping all these flavors is a hop blanket that weaves in and out of all the flavors and lingers on your palate.  This is just an all around fantastic beer.  None of the flavors overpower you, the sour fruits and barnyard funk hit the right notes with the hoppy bitterness and oak keeping everything in tune. Surprisingly smooth and drinkable for such a high ABV brew and opening my palate to a larger world of sour and funky beers.  I can’t get enough of the Boxer’s Revenge.

Jester King Boxer’s Revenge Barrel-Aged Wild Ale

The Brü Revü – Great Divide Orabelle

I am always a sucker for a Belgian Style Tripel so I had to give the Great Divide Orabelle a try.  The Orabelle’s cloudy golden orange color and frothy white head gave off whiffs of orange peel, Belgian yeast and fruitiness. The taste was very delicate yet deceptively deep with a good dose of Belgian yeast some light fruits and a spiciness that was perfectly in the Belgian Tripel realm.  The light color and subtle flavors belittled it’s bold ambitions and held no hints of booze or alcohol.  The Orabelle was a very smooth and solid Tripel and something to look forward to every year from Great Divide.

Great Divide Orabelle

Beer Bums Meeting – April 2013 – Seasonal Beers

There were some exceptional beers this month not counting the (512) special.  The Red Chair from Deschutes was a nice surprise, but I was not disappointed in any of the selections.  Now, the (512) Whiskey Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter was something special.  Whiskey on the nose and flavor and nothing short of exceptional.

Deschutes Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale

Widmer Brothers Columbia Common

Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale

Samuel Adams Alpine Spring

Saint Arnold Spring Bock

(512) Whiskey Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter

Next Month, April – Austin Beerworks Tour

The Brü Revü – Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA

Firestone Walker is officially in Texas and Austin was chosen as the kickoff of their Texas tour.  I was fortunate enough to bring back their Union Jack IPA from a vacation to San Diego and have been eagerly anticipating their arrival in Austin ever since.  Their roll-out came with several events around town and a limited number of bombers of their core beers and more.  I was able to grab a Double Jack and I am so happy I did.  It poured a deep gold with a creamy head and was a beautiful beer.  The aroma was full of hop notes with citrus some pine a little dankness too.  The taste was straight up hops like an amped up Union Jack.  It had a dry bitterness that coated my palate with grapefruit and lemon rind with some caramel underneath.  The Double Jack didn’t play around.  It was a straight up double IPA and it let you know it.  This was a truly great beer from a great brewery and it’s satisfying to know it will be readily available in Austin.

Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA

Pint Glass Nights - April 2013

Misc. pint glass nights around Austin for April.  Buy the beer, keep the glass.

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM

Apr 01   Rahr Bucking Bock

Apr 08 Lagunitas

Apr 15   Maredsous 8

Apr 22 Franconia Kolsch

Apr 29 Original Sin Cider

The Tavern – Tuesdays

Check their facebook page for glass updates

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM (I will update once Zax updates their calendar)

Apr 03   Rahr Bucking Bock

Apr 10 Real Ale Fireman's #4

Apr 17  New Belgium Rampant

Apr 24 St. Feuillien Saison

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM

Apr 03   Sierra Nevada

Apr 10 Dogfish Head

Apr 17   Flying Saucer 420 glass

Apr 24 Maredsous 20th Anniversary in Texas

Draught House – Wednesdays

Check their twitter page for glass updates

Red's Porch – Thursdays, at 5 PM

Check their events page for glass updates