The Brü Revü – Independence Brewing White Rabbit

The White Rabbit is a Belgian style Witbier that is Independence Brewing’s first foray into canned offerings.  The can design and details are spot on albeit different for Independence.  The beer itself poured a slightly hazy straw yellow with a significant white head that left very little lacing.  The aroma held the typical spices and fruity Belgian yeast esters that are typical of the style.  The taste followed suit with the coriander and citrus notes you would expect, and they faded to a slightly bitter wheaty finish.  I was really enjoying the spicy fruity start to this brew and found this witbier to be light and satisfying. The light carbonation danced on my tongue to keep me coming back for more of this refreshing brew. Definitely an ample antidote to the heat of summer.

Independence Brewing White Rabbit

The Brü Revü – Founders Porter

I have been waiting to savor the Founders Porter for a while and I finally had the chance.  The beer poured a deep dark brown to black with a subtle tan head.  At that point I allowed it to sit and warm as I knew it would improve.  Once I returned I was rewarded with aromas of deep dark chocolate, sweet malts and a hint of coffee. The first taste was a deep roast with full chocolate and coffee that end in a subtle bitterness.  The Porter was a velvety smooth and sublime beer that is a porter for all porters to be measured.  I was impressed with the depth and fullness of the brew and how quickly it disappeared in my glass.  The Founders Porter was one of the best porters I have had and an impressive beer for their year round lineup.  Each Founders beer I try keeps raising the bar.

Founders Porter

The Brü Revü – Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA, April

The April is all about Amarillo.  This version of Hops and Grain’s Greenhouse IPA highlights the Amarillo hop variety, which according to the Greenhouse IPA site hits grapefruit, melon with a bit of pine and floral notes. This month’s is definitely the biggest and boldest so far and a large leap from last month’s batch. As the basic IPA recipe is the same the beer pours and looks almost identical each month with a deep golden amber and fluffy white head. The aroma was very citrusy and fruity with more bold aromas coming through.  The taste was was full on citrus grapefruit in terms of fruit and bitterness that left a strong pine and floral bitterness on my palate. This Amarillo characteristics were much more dominant and held up well in comparison to other IPAs I was drinking at the same time.  I thought my palate was blown after one in particular, but when I followed it up with this bold brew it held it’s own and left a distinct impression. As usual this Greenhouse IPA was highly enjoyable and went down fast. This quickly became my favorite of the batches, just ahead of the February edition, as I really loved the bold hop punch. These Greenhouse IPAs have been a beer highlight for me so far this year. Keep up the great work!

Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA

Beer Bums Meeting – May 2014 – Brown Ales

We had a little confusion on what a Brown Ale is exactly.  3 out of 5 isn’t bad, although a case could be made for the Hobgoblin.  But let’s face it, bringing the wrong beer is better than bringing no beer, and in the end we drank them all.

Real Ale Brewhouse Brown Ale

Hobgoblin

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan

Kona Brewing Koko Brown

Ballast Point Calico Copper Amber Ale

Next Month, June – Ciders

American Craft Beer Week 2014

It’s American Craft Beer Week, May 12-18, so grab your friends and enjoy some great American craft beer!  

There are several events and special tappings happening all week long so check with your favorite craft beer bar or see the list at the Craft Beer Events Page for events around Austin and Texas.  visit the Brewers Association for additional information on American Craft Beer Week.

If you can’t make it out, be sure to enjoy some American craft beers at home or buy some to stock up your fridge.  Here are a few other ideas from Craft Beer:

• Conduct a craft beer tasting or pairing.
• Visit your favorite local brewery, restaurant or tap room and enjoy your local craft beers.
• Host a tasting at home featuring craft beer from small and independent producers.
• Seek out other like-minded folks by attending an official ACBW event. Use the officialACBW events page to find an event in your area.
• Tweet your pride for U.S. craft brewers using the hashtag #ACBW.

Have a great beer week everyone!

The Brü Revü – Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin

It has finally gotten hot enough  in Texas for me to catch up on all the stouts and porters from a previous Bums meeting.  I have been waiting to give the Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin a proper review as I remember it being one of the stand outs.  The Velvet Merlin poured a deep brown with ruby highlights with a slight tan but effervescent head.  The aroma held chocolate and sweet malt roastiness.  The flavor followed suit with chocolate, toasted malt and added hints of coffee.  It left a slight bitterness on my palate between sips but the roasted chocolate quickly took center stage.  The bubbly body was much lighter than the brews appearance and was light and lively.  The Velvet Merlin was a top tier Oatmeal Stout and a refreshing brew on a hot Texas day.

Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin

Pint Glass Nights - May 2014

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

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM

May 05   Chimay White

May 12 Real Ale Four Squared

May 19   Brooklyn Half Ale

May 26 Saint Arnold Summer Pils

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM

May 07   Stone Arrogant Bastard

May 14 Saint Arnold Summer Pils

May 21   Duchesse De Bourgogne

May 28 Brooklyn Brewing

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM

May 07   Independence White Rabbit

May 14 Beerknurd Appreciation Glass

May 21   Alaskan Hop-O-Thermia

May 28 Oskar Blues

Draught House – Wednesdays

Check their twitter page for glass updates

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

May 08   Karbach Brewing
May 15   South Austin Brewing

The Brü Revü – Founders Backwoods Bastard

Having Founders beers in Texas has been phenomenal.  Everything they make is a top notch brew and I have been thoroughly enjoying every new beer I try from them.  I had heard of Backwood Bastard, but never thought I would get any as it was quite a rarity upon its release in Texas. Lucky me I happened to be at the right place at the right time: I asked the beer guy if they had any, he shuffles off to the back, and returns with a 4-pack. Wuh!  I had in my possession the sweet nectar of bourbon barrel aged scotch ale greatness.  The beer poured a deep brown with light hints of scarlett and a subtle off white head.  The aroma was a caramel vanilla sweetness wrapped in a bourbon blanket. I wanted to dip my entire face in my glass, but I resisted the temptation.  The taste was perfection.  The bourbon was upfront but not overly dominant, just the right touch.  It lended a smoky vanilla tone to the caramel malt sweetness of the beer that just glided along my palate.  The Backwood Bastard had enough heft in the body and light carbonation to hold up to the heavy flavors in this enticing elixir.  This was a truly phenomenal bourbon barrel aged brew and a real treat from Founders.  I don’t think the rest of these are going to last long in my fridge.

Founders Backwoods Bastard