Beer Bums Meeting – April 2015 – Spring Beers

We chose a loose theme of Spring beers to open things up:  A beer that has something to do with spring either in the label or the beer itself or whatever.  Another broad spectrum of beers with the Meta Modern Session IPA being my personal favorite as it just smelled and tasted like spring as well as the can looking very spring inspired with all the purple.  The rest of the beers were all very good and light and easy drinking which is alway good for Spring.

Martin House Brewing River House Saison

Oasis Texas Brewing Meta Modern IPA

Shiner Prickly Pear

Big Bend Brewing Hefeweizen

Next Month, May – Chris’s Birthday Special

The Brü Revü – Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball

Lagunitas’ hangover halting beer was a fitting end to the SXSW madness in Austin.  The beer poured a deep ruby red to copper with a full and creamy head that left great lacing.  The sweet malty aroma held a bit of fruit as well as a slight roast.  The taste was very malt forward with a burnt bitterness underneath.  There were notes of caramel, brown sugar and dark fruit with some fruity hops for good measure.  It left a lingering bitterness on my tongue from a combo of the roasty malts and fruity hops.  The Hairy Eyeball is not as hop forward as most of the Lagunitas brews but the hops play second fiddle to the big malty sweetness.  A different and dynamic beer all around that has a good balance of sweetness with a touch of hops.  While it was slightly boozy at the start, the booziness dissipated as it warmed and the creamy chewy body really became a deliciously easy drinker.  All in all another great beer from Lagunitas and the perfect morning after remedy for a week of hardcore SXSW fun.

Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball

The Brü Revü – Real Ale Full Moon Rye IPA

Real Ale has gone through a re-branding that seems long overdue.  One of the stalwarts and unsung heroes of the Texas craft beer scene they have been brewing world class beers in Blanco, TX will little fanfare or acclaim. They are loved and well known to those of us who have been in and around the Austin and Texas craft beer scene, and their re-branding has brought their lineup a sleeker and more consistent look. I for one love the change as it instantly recognizable and gives their brews a fresh look. Along with this re-branding, Real Ale decided to make a recipe change to their already outstanding Full Moon Rye Ale to make it a Rye IPA.  An added dose of hops and an increased abv have created a spicy rye IPA that will most likely have more appeal to the newer craft beer crowd that craves IPAs. The beer pours a deep orange amber with a nice and fluffy head.  The nose was a terrific hoppy blend of citrus and tropical fruit and immediately let me know that this was a different Full Moon.  The taste followed the nose with the citrus and tropical fruit hoppy bitterness that was riding the familiar spicy rye malt flavors.  The additional hops really took this already great beer to a whole new level.  A citrus and fruity IPA with a spicy rye malt backbone that was impeccable.  A great revision of a great beer just created a sublime IPA.

Real Ale Full Moon Rye IPA

Pint Glass Nights - April 2015

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

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM

Apr 06  Brooklyn Sorachi Ace

Apr 13 Ommegang Game of Thrones 3 Eyed Raven

Apr 20 Abita Wrought Iron IPA

Apr 27 Stella Artois

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM

Apr 01  Avery Brewing DuganA Double IPA

Apr 08 Real Ale Brewing

Apr 15 St. Arnold Spring Bock

Apr 22 Oskar Blues Pale Ale

Apr 29 Firestone Walker Brewing

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM

Apr 01  Duvel Art Glass

Apr 08 Ommegang Game of Thrones 3 Eyed Raven

Apr 15 4-20 Glass

Apr 22 Save the World

Apr 29 Dogfish Head Namaste Glass

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 – Smuttynose Robust Porter

My second beer from Smuttynose was their Robust Porter, which is usually a stronger, hoppier and/or roastier version of a typical porter.  The beer poured with a thick tan head and the beer itself was a pitch black that foreshadowed an intense and rich drinking experience. The aroma was heavy on the coffee and dark chocolate notes with a tinge of sweet malts.  The taste was resolutely robust with a deep and full roasted malt flavor that was slightly sweet but full of chocolate and slight hints of coffee.  The deep chocolate and coffee notes became more pronounced as it warmed along with the sweetness. The creamy and smooth body left a lingering burnt roasty bitterness on my palate which quickly disappeared with each sip.  The Robust Porter was a bountiful and complex porter that lived up to the Robust moniker.   Another great brew from Smuttynose.

Smuttynose Robust Porter