A few good ones…

First up, Bell’s The Oracle (D)IPA. This is an IPA, but I figured it was important to note that they specifically label it a DIPA, Double IPA for those not used to the abbreviation. I heard some pretty poor reviews on this beer before I bought it, but I’m stubborn and like Bell’s so…I got a 6-pack anyway, even though it was about $16. Reviews be damned, I figured there must be something to demand that price; I was not dissapointed. First I heard it was “too hoppy”, it is awesome! Top hoppy doesn’t really exist with me, too bitter might be considered, but this is delicious. First impression, it kinda reminds me of New Belgium Rampant which is an imperial IPA, but this definitely has a hit of the 10% abv which it contains.

The first of the beers from my trade, Marshall Brewing Arrowhead Pale Ale. Definitely good. Drinking it after a big IPA definitely makes it seem kinda weak but I still get some great flavor. It pours a beautiful burnt straw color with little to no head. The nose has some nice citrusy notes, and the flavor is more of the same. This beer isn’t a stunner, but the flavor is great and absolutely worth a try. I’d be interested in seeing what else Marshall brewing makes that’s good if I could get my hands on it.

Sours

So I’m really getting into sours lately, and it’s not just me, there is a surge of popularity for this style. Tonight I opened up two, a beliner weise (the style I plan to brew) and a gose, a German style like berliner weise that has a salty quality…actually, both of these styles are German.

The first was a Bell’s Oarsman Ale. It wasn’t any different than I expected. A very cloudy yellow color with not too much head, pleanty of delicious sour notes that can be so refreshing. If you’re thinking that this doesn’t sound good, think of how you’d describe home-made lemonade…maybe sour, depending on the recipe? Well this isn’t really like lemonade but it is delicious and it is great for a hot day, and in Phoenix it’s still plenty hot to warrant this type of beer. Anyway, this is sold locally in 6-packs which is unlike any other berliner weise what is available here right now. I’d like to grab a pack or two and have a few on a hot afternoon…but there’s so much else out there to taste.

Next I opened a Ritterguts Gose. This one is actually brewed in Germany and has all the classic flavors of a gose style beer. It’s a lot like the Bell’s to start out, but the finish on this beer is like you mixed it with a bit of a mexican-style lager with a lime squeezed into it. It has the strangest salty finish, and it’s almost unmistakable. That’s part of why I like this kind of sour, they may have a bit of the pucker factor but they are so drinkable and refreshing. This one has a creepy old man on the label but he was probably someone awesome associated with the brewery so I’ll let it fly.