The Brü Revü – Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

The famed Bigfoot is Sierra Nevada’s legendary Barleywine and while I have had several over the years, I have yet to give it a proper review.  The review is based on a fresh 2014 bottle, which is generally how I have had this in the past.  I like the big hops so I usually can’t hang on to these for very long.  The Bigfoot poured a deep ruby red with a significant head a good retention.  This was a great looking beer.  The aroma was very sweet and hoppy with citrus hops dominating into a sweet and slightly boozy tones.  The taste was huge, with more bitter resinous hops on a bed of bittersweet malt that finishes with more pine hop notes.  The bitter pine stays on your palate and lingers between sips of this mammoth brew.  There is a slight alcohol finish that is hidden well underneath all the bitter hops and malt but definitely not dominant.  I am sure this beer would age quite well as it would smooth out the edges a bit.  Fresh the Bigfoot is dangerously drinkable and a thick,chewy, hoppy brew.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

The Brü Revü – Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA, February

The February version of Hops and Grain’s Greenhouse IPA highlights the Falconer’s Flight hop variety, which according to the Greenhouse IPA site has a notable juiciness with layers of orange juice and pine. H&G kept the beer "very oily coating your tongue with hoppy goodness".  I don’t think I could describe it any better than this. My tasting notes were directly parallel to those notes which is surprising to me.  The beer looked practically identical to the January version which was a deep golden amber with a huge fluffy white head.  The aroma was juicy tropical and citrus fruits with a bit of dank thrown in.  The taste was spot on to the description: it started with the tropical fruit citrus and faded to a very nice piney bitterness that coated my palate and left the hoppy bitterness lingering between sips.  The biggest highlight of this Greenhouse IPA version was it’s smoothness and drinkability even with the hoppy bitterness.  This beer was just a pleasure to drink. While I thought the January Greenhouse IPA was great, this February version is even better.  With 10 more months to go Hops and Grain is setting the bar extremely high.  I hope they only continue to get better as we will be in for a real IPA treat this year!

Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA

The Brü Revü – Sixpoint Hi-Res

Although Sixpoint states that they do not brew to a specific style, it is pretty clear that this is a version of a Triple IPA.  With the 111 IBU and 11.1 ABV its obvious this IPA has been cranked up to Eleven!  While their Resin is a great Double IPA and their 3Beans was extraordinary I felt confident picking up Hi-Res.  The beer poured a deep gold with a significant slightly off-white head.  The aroma is very strong resinous hops with some citrus orange and a full sweet caramel malt underneath the in your face hops.  The taste starts with a juicy citrusy hop bite with a huge sweet malt middle that ends with a resinous and piney hop bite.  It’s that pine hop profile that lingers on your palate between tastes and helps mitigate the sweet malty base of this beer.  The Hi-Res is hugely hopped and takes no shame in being what it is.  It definitely carries a sweetness around that harnesses the hops, but I found myself enjoying the Hi-Res sip after sip.  Grab one and crank your hops to eleven!

Sixpoint Hi-Res

Beer Bums Meeting – March 2014 – Porters and Stouts

Porters and Stouts turned into a great theme for March.  It has been very cold of late so these went along perfectly with the weather.  A very good group of beers with the Southern Tier Choklat a nice treat.

Founders Porter

Green Flash Double Stout

Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin

Leinenkugel’s Snowdrift Vanilla Porter

Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro

Southern Tier Choklat

Next Month, April – Easter Beers

The Brü Revü – Live Oak Primus

Every year I seem to miss out on Live Oak’s Primus Weizenbock.  I don’t understand why, but it has eluded me for whatever reason.  Ever since I had it 8+ years ago I have been desperately searching for it again.  Now thanks to my new growler and the fine folks at the Growler Room my search is complete! The Primus poured an opaque deep rich amber brown with a huge fluffy tan head.  The aroma was pure bubblegum banana bliss that hit all the perfect hefeweizen notes along with the spicy yeast and slight bits of sweet pear underneath.  The taste was sublime and the mouthfeel was rich and creamy and all that I want in a weizenbock.  The bubblegum and banana flavors dominated along with the yeast and strong hefeweizen spice notes that were expertly balanced.  The Primus has to be on of the best Weizenbocks I have had and second only to Aventinus (although it is a Weizen Doppelbock) and my favorite Live Oak beer.  This rich, creamy, satisfying brew was a real treat and something to look forward to every year.

Live Oak Primus

Pint Glass Nights - March 2014

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

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM

Mar 03   Saint Arnold Spring Bock

Mar 10 NO PINT NITE (SXSW)

Mar 17   McChouffe Pint Nite Party

Mar 24 St. Martin’s Triple

Mar 31 Ommegang Abbey Ale

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM

Mar 05   Dos Equis

Mar 12 Saint Arnold Spring Bock

Mar 19 Lagunitas Brewing

Mar 26   Independence Brewing White Rabbit

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM

Mar 05   McChouffe

Mar 12 St. Patty’s Day Glass

Mar 19 Krombacher Pils

Mar 26   Dogfish Head

Draught House – Wednesdays

Check their twitter page for glass updates

Red's Porch – Thursdays, at 5 PM, Check their events page for glass updates