Top 10 Albums and Beers of 2014, Part 3

The return of my top beers and albums of the year.  A marriage of two of my passions: Beer and music.  The list comprises beers that were new in bottle or cans this year with a few minor exceptions. While I did try a lot of beer that was new to me this year, I didn’t try a lot of beers that were new in general. I know there were a lot of great beers debuting this year and this list is my tops of the few I tried. Same goes with the albums: I listened to a lot of new music this year so there are several really good albums that didn't make the list. As usual, these are all beers available in Texas at some time in the year, and in no particular order.

Part 1
Part 2

Infamous IPA

Pup - Pup

Pup and Infamous are both fairly new to the scene. While Infamous has been around Austin for a little over a year, this was the first year cans of the Infamous IPA were available in stores.  I had this several times on draft and the cans held that same hop punch in the face that I had come to expect.  Pup give you a similar punch in the face with the “Guilt Trip” opening to their self titled album.  The entire album is chock full of rockers and its the lead singer that gives it his all on every song that really carries this one.  Both great starts by new faces on the scene and I can’t wait to see them both grow.

Hops and Grain Porter Culture

Spoon - They Want My Soul

They Want My Soul and Porter Culture are both very sexy beasts. Spoon came out with another great album with that stark Spoon sound.  It didn’t take long for They Want My Soul to fit right into the Spoon lexicon and while it’s nothing ground breaking, it’s simply Spoon doing what it does best.  The Porter Culture was a deep dark Baltic Porter that continued Hops & Grains roll of canned releases. A malt forward offering that is everything you want and expect from a porter and Hops & Grain in general.

Armadillo Ale Works Brunch Money

Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal

Brunch Money and Sunbathing Animal are both a lot of fun.  Sunbathing Animal continues where Light Up Gold left off with all the off-beat and quirky lyrics over a stylistically unique brand of rock.  Sunbathing Animal is about their cat and one of my favorite songs of the year.  The album takes you in all directions, but its always a good time.  Brunch money is unique in its own right, being a blond stout of sorts.  There was a lot going into this blonde ale to trick your senses into thinking Stout, like coffee, maple syrup, lactose sugar, vanilla, and cocoa nibs. Taking my tastebuds on a ride this was a fun beer to quaff and definitely different.

(512) SIX

Lagwagon - Hang

Classic band and classic brewery.  I had no idea Lagwagon was coming out with an new album, and it was classic Lagwagon.  Pure punk greatness.  (512) can do no wrong in my eyes and their SIX was no exception.  A Belgian Dubbel which is right up my alley, by my favorite Austin brewery equals a win win for me.

Top 10 Albums and Beers of 2014, Part 2

The return of my top beers and albums of the year.  A marriage of two of my passions: Beer and music.  The list comprises beers that were new in bottle or cans this year with a few minor exceptions. While I did try a lot of beer that was new to me this year, I didn’t try a lot of beers that were new in general. I know there were a lot of great beers debuting this year and this list is my tops of the few I tried. Same goes with the albums: I listened to a lot of new music this year so there are several really good albums that didn't make the list. As usual, these are all beers available in Texas at some time in the year, and in no particular order.

Part 1

Real Ale White

Braid - No Coast

Both of these were a pleasant surprise.  I never followed Braid all that much although I came to Hey Mercedes late and really loved them.  This new Braid album has to be the biggest surprise of the year for me.  I have kept it in constant rotation since the release and it shows a mature band that was able to keep things tight and rocking… and that drummer is fantastic.  The Real Ale White came out of no where to be my favorite beer of the summer.  A light refreshing Belgian white ale that was dry hopped like an IPA.  This made for some rich and dynamic flavors in a light highly drinkable brew.  A well executed beer by a mature brewery in Texas showing the new kids how its done.

Austin Eastciders Original Dry Cider

St. Vincent - St. Vincent

I know one is not technically a beer, but the debut of Austin Eastciders Original Dry Cider in cans this year was a huge hit in my house and has been a mainstay in the fridge.  Both of these are refined and sophisticated and lend a little class to any playlist or beer fridge.  St. Vincent has been on an upward trend with each release and her Self Titled album is proof that she is an artist to continue to watch.  Austin Eastciders shows they are here to stay as well and I anxiously await what they come out with next.

Lagunitas NightTime

311 - Stereolithic

Classic band and brewery, that could release anything and I would buy it as they never let me down.  Lagunitas continues to produce high quality craft beers that are very affordable. Their hop profiles always hit a happy spot for me and I find I continually love every beer I try from them.  311 is probably not a popular year end choice for most, but I have been with them from the early Music and Grassroots days.  Their music always hits a happy spot for me as well, and Stereolithic was a return to form for 311.  All the 311 sounds I have known and love were present on an album that was solid from start to finish.

Top 10 Albums and Beers of 2014, Part 1

The return of my top beers and albums of the year.  A marriage of two of my passions: Beer and music.  The list comprises beers that were new in bottle or cans this year with a few minor exceptions. While I did try a lot of beer that was new to me this year, I didn’t try a lot of beers that were new in general. I know there were a lot of great beers debuting this year and this list is my tops of the few I tried. Same goes with the albums: I listened to a lot of new music this year so there are several really good albums that didn't make the list. As usual, these are all beers available in Texas at some time in the year, and in no particular order.

Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA

Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else

Probably the two tops on my list.  Both stayed in heavy rotation all year and I found I couldn’t get enough of either.  Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA was a rotating IPA that featured a different hop profile every month and I was always sure to grab each months iteration.  Cloud Nothings came out early in the year and was prominent in my playlist all year, with “I’m Not Part of Me” my favorite song of the year.

Sixpoint Hi-Res

Andrew Bird - Things are Really Great Here, Sort Of…

Refined is a great word for both of these.  Andrew Bird have certainly refined his music at this point in his career and could sing the phone book and I would buy it and listen to it non-stop.  I really appreciate his musicianship and his entire catalog gets frequent listens from me.  The Hi-Res is a refined Triple IPA if that is even possible.  A huge hop animal that took no shame in being what it was.  An assault on your palate.

Austin Beerworks Heavy Machinery Black IPA

Against Me! - Transgender Dysphoria Blues

The Austin Beerworks Heavy Machinery Black IPA gets on this list as a technicality.  It was supposed to be the first release of their canned IPA series last year, but missed out due to reasons out of the brewery's control.  Instead they released it at the beginning of this year and it was tremendous.  I was new to Against Me! until SXSW when their raucous live show blew me away. Transgender Dysphoria Blues stayed in heavy rotation for several months afterwards and helped me relive that excellent live experience.

The Brü Revü – Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA, November

The #11 (November) Greenhouse IPA is a big juicy & resinous hoppy monster.  Dry hopping with Meridian, Liberty and Nugget hops, Hops & Grain delivered a divine IPA.   As usual the beer pours and looks almost identical each month with a deep golden amber and fluffy white head. The aroma was hugely fruity with a resinous pine note that was perfect right before the Holidays. The taste exploded with juicy tropical fruit tones that hit the Juicy Fruit description right on the head.  Underneath was a piney resinous hop body that revealed itself after the initial fruity onslaught.   This months iteration was a delicious IPA and beautiful beer all around. The Greenhouse IPA's are always easy to drink but this one was so smooth and drinkable I couldn’t put it down. Another great Greenhouse IPA and one of the best yet.  I don’t see these lasting long in my beer fridge.

Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA

Beer Bums Meeting – December 2014 – Beer Bums Christmas Spectacular

Our annual Christmas party is always a great time and this year was no exception.  There are always great beers, fantastic food, and an even better time.  The lineup of beers was as exceptional as ever and we never miss an opportunity to bring out the big boys.  It’s difficult to single out a beer as they were all great.  The Cockeye Cooper, 2013 Stone IRS and Samuel Adams were all standouts for me, but again they were all great.

Southern Star Walloon

Prairie Artisan Ales Birra

Uinta Cockeyed Cooper

Odell Brewing 180 Shilling Ale

Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA

Stone Imperial Russian Stout

Samuel Adams Thirteenth Hour Stout

Karbach Yule Shoot Your Eye Out

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti

Twisted X Senor Viejo

Next Month, January – Best of 2014

The Brü Revü – Armadillo Ale Works Brunch Money

The Armadillo Ale Works Brunch Money is a Golden Stout or a Blonde Porter, whatever it is it’s a very unique and tasty brew.  Inspired by brunch Armadillo Ale Works adds maple syrup, cocoa nibs, vanilla, coffee and lactose sugar to the base golden ale that has flaked barley and oats and a hint of honey and caramel malts.  This all adds up to a dynamic drinking experience that is truly Brunch in a bottle.  The beer poured a light copper with a small tan head that disappeared quickly.  The aroma has a vanilla and maple sweetness intertwined with coffee that can trick you into thinking stout.  The taste hits you with an initial coffee roast followed immediately by the sweet vanilla and maple sugar that is boosted by the lactose sugar. The cocoa lingers on the back end and coats your palate with a pleasant bitterness. This beer truly takes your taste buds on a ride.  It may seem like a lot but the parts equal a tantalizing whole that was surprisingly drinkable given the high ABV.  While the Brunch Money may fool you into thinking its a stout it is altogether unique and a perfect brunch treat.

Armadillo Ale Works Brunch Money

Pint Glass Nights - December 2014

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

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM

Dec 01  Brouwerij Vanhonsebrouck Kasteel Rouge

Dec 08 Real Ale Devil’s Backbone

Dec 15 Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Dec 22 Boulevard Nutcracker

Dec 29 Utah Brewing Wasatch Apricot Hefeweizen

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM (will be updated when Zax updates)

Dec 03  Deschutes Jubelale

Dec 10 Independence Brewing Convict Hill Cask

Dec 17 Saint Arnold Christmas Ale

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM

Dec 03  New Belgium Globe

Dec 10 Rahr & Sons Winter Warmer

Dec 17 Delerium Noel

Dec 24 Anchor Brewing Christmas

Draught House – Wednesdays

Check their twitter page for glass updates

Red's Porch – Thursdays, at 6 PM, Check their events page for glass updates

The Brü Revü – Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA, October

The October (#10) Greenhouse IPA is definitely one of the more unique versions of  the series.  Hops & Grain used a blend of Crystal, Centennial, Bullion and Horizon hops to truly experiment with the flavor profile of this iteration.  As usual the beer pours and looks almost identical each month with a deep golden amber and fluffy white head. The aroma was very earthy and oily and while that may seem odd in a beer it worked very well in this case. The taste was where this IPA stood on it’s own as this was not your standard IPA but something bold and different.  It started with an earthy grassy punch in the face that quickly yielded to a melon and citrus smoothness with oily hop undertones throughout.  My first reaction was a bit of a shock as the aroma and flavor profile were a departure from the status quo IPAs, but as I continued to quaff I slowly began to love it. I will thoroughly enjoy every can of deliciousness, and anxiously await what is to come next month.  I love what H&G dreams up with each batch and how it is expanding my hop knowledge.  Kudos and keep it up!

Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA

The Brü Revü – Hops and Grain Pale Dog

I have had the Hops and Grain Pale Dog many times before, but know that they have been tinkering with the recipe to get it right where they want it.  This is not uncommon for a brewery and I like that H&G are always trying to get their beers perfected.  I don’t know if they are still tinkering, but I do know the Pale Dog now is really good.  The beer poured a golden amber with a very large fluffy white head.  This is a dry hopped pale ale and had a huge fresh hop aroma with lots of citrus and grapefruit rind.  The taste started with a sweet malt body that quickly transitioned into a grapefruit and citrus hop bitterness that is dangerously close to many IPA’s.  The dry finish left a lingering bitter coating on my palate that was a perfect ending to each sip. The Pale Dog was a well crafted Pale Ale that kept the hop level high as well as the drinkability.  This big flavorful beer is one I will highly recommend for a local pale ale option.

Hops and Grain Pale Dog

Beer Bums Meeting – November 2014 – Black Beers

Black beers for November to open it up a bit.  Another great group of beers, with the Uinta Dubhe as the standout for me.  Great aroma a flavor on that Imperial Black IPA. The Pedernales Lobo Negro was a surprisingly solid Dunkel as well. Already looking forward to our Christmas Party next month!

Austin Beerworks Black Thunder

Uinta Baba Black Lager

Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA

Pedernales Brewing Lobo Negro

Next Month, December – Christmas Party!