THE BRÜ: October 2014

October 29, 2014

The Brü Revü – Community Mosaic IPA

A business trip to Dallas allowed me to pick up this Community Mosaic IPA gem. I was able to have it on tap as well and it was an outstanding beer drinking experience. The beer poured a slightly hazy amber with a full and fluffy white head that left generous lacing. The aroma was that perfect Mosaic hop of big tropical and citrus fruit with some sweetness holding it all together. The taste followed with the same fresh, big and bright tropical fruits and orange citrus with a subtle sweetness carrying all the fruity bitter hops. The flavor left a slick and bitter resinous coating on my palate that made this an incredible IPA. This was my second single hop Mosaic IPA and the Mosaic hop really hits the perfect IPA tones for me. A phenomenal all around IPA and a wonderful beer from Community in Dallas. Start sending this to Austin!

Community Mosaic IPA

October 23, 2014

Austin Beer Week 2014

Austin Beer Week

Friday, October 24th thru Sunday, November 2nd

10 days of great events going on around Austin, see here: Austin Beer Week Calendar

I’m looking forward to the (512) Brewing 6th Anniversary party on Oct. 25th as they are my favorite Austin Brewery and I never miss their Anniversary Parties. There are great events to choose from all week long, so it will be easy to have a craftastic week!

October 21, 2014

The Brü Revü - Stone Ruination IPA

I had this monster of a beer back when I was just getting into craft beer and was not into IPA’s. You can imagine the shock to my palate the Stone Ruination gave me. All these years later when I revisit this classic Double IPA from the masters of the IPA I can now appreciate and thoroughly enjoy this masterpiece. The beer poured a crystal clear golden amber with a decent white head. The aroma was of grapefruit and citrus with a hint of tropical fruit and a sweet malt underneath. The taste is aggressively hop forward and takes your palate on a hop journey from beginning to end. After you get over the initial hop overload you get loads of citrus and grapefruit rind that peaks with a malt sweetness and ends with an intense pine palate coating. The Ruination has a nice malty sweetness that helps balance the heavy hops and dry finish. This is a top tier palate numbing hop bomb of a Double IPA. Just because its readily available don’t overlook this excellent brew. As always drink it fresh to truly achieve hop nirvana.

Stone Ruination IPA

October 15, 2014

The Brü Revü – Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA, September

Number 9, Number 9, Number 9… According to the Greenhouse IPA site, Hops & Grain used a blend of Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, German Hersbrucker and a hint of Meridian for good measure for their Greenhouse IPA #9 for September. As usual the beer pours and looks almost identical each month with a deep golden amber and fluffy white head. The aroma had earthy floral hops with some resinous notes, but more on the floral side. The taste started with floral tropical fruit and citrus but quickly changed gears to a sharp earthy and pine bitterness that left a nice resinous aftertaste on my tongue. As with every Greenhouse IPA the wonderful hops are riding a nice sweet malt body that makes these brews easy to drink. This version is definitely a more earthy and floral IPA and keeps the creative hoppy iterations of these Greenhouse IPAs on a high level. So far Hops and Grain can do no wrong with these IPAs

Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA

October 9, 2014

The Brü Revü – Smuttynose Finestkind IPA

Smuttynose is another recent addition to the craft beer scene in Texas, and as usual I am starting off with their IPA, the legendary Finestkind. I poured a slightly hazy golden amber with a billowy white head that left excellent lacing. The bitter hop aroma hits you right out of the gate with heavy citrus, tropical fruits, lemon zest and some floral tones to round it out. The taste starts with the same citrus and tropical fruit hop tones that end with a nice resinous and slight pine bitterness coating your palate. There are some floral hop notes mixed in as well and begin to reveal themselves as the beer warms. The hops float over a slight malt body that doesn't get in the way of this very clean and sharp hop presentation. The bitter dry hop finish keeps your thirst quenched and really allows this beer to shine as a hop tribute. What a fantastic IPA and a great start in the Texas market. Welcome!

Smuttynose Finestkind IPA

October 7, 2014

Beer Bums Meeting – October 2014 – Pumpkin Beers

We decided to jump on the bandwagon and have a Pumpkin Beer theme for October. It seems every year there are more and more pumpkin beers in the market. Most are are brewed with pumpkin and pumpkin pie like spices. While I liked all of the beers, I think I have come to the conclusion that I am not a huge fan of pumpkin beers. Give me a good Oktoberfest during the same season and I will be happier.