Lupulin Libations

The name says it all.

Lupulin glands are the tiny little yellow pockets of goodness in a hop cone that contain some essential ingredients for aroma and flavor in beer.

A libation is an alcoholic beverage, and of course beer fits into that category.

Lupulin Libations is dedicated to everything beer. I offer you a chance to have an experience with beer through my organized tasting sessions.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Beer Brief #37 - Pentagram



Brewery - Surly Brewing Company, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

Beer - Pentagram
Style - Wild Ale aged in red wine barrels
ABV - 6.66%??? (see additional notes at the end of this post)

Color - Dark mix of garnet and brown with a light tan head
Aroma - Tart cherries, oak, vanilla bean, leather, cotton candy, vinous
Flavor - Lemon tartness, cranberry, cherry, citrus rind bitterness (without the citrus aroma or flavor), mineral/metallic hint, touch of caramel?
Verdict - This brew definitely matches it's description. There's no doubt it is a Brettanomyces beer aged in wine barrels. Lots of sour and bitter fruit are evident, along with strong vinous and dry characteristics. It is probably one of the most unique wild ales I've had and is complex and enjoyable. However, I have had people tell me they enjoy it more than Surly Five, which I can't necessarily agree with.

Additional Notes - Surly doesn't list the ABV for Pentagram; not on the bottle or on their website. I did a little web research, and most places I found an ABV had it listed as 6.66%. Typically, when I find numerous sources listing the same ABV for a beer, I will use that as my official stat for a beer brief. In this case, it might be a rumor or a "placed" stat. I mean, c'mon. What are the odds that a beer named Pentagram has an exact ABV of 6.66%? Not sure what I'm talking about? Think about it...

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

612Brew Release Party

Today, Robert Kasak from 612Brew sent me an email with some great news!

612Brew is having their release party at The Pourhouse tomorrow. Starting at 7pm, you'll be able to try any of their 4 tasty brews.

Click here for more details.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Big Arrival at Hastings Coborn's Liquor

Something amazing will be happening at the Hastings Coborn's Liquor this Thursday, February 7th. Well, it's at least impressive to any craft beer lovers in the Hastings area.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Sorry, I just meant "a long time ago." Anyway, a while back a request was put in with a brewery that would allow the Hastings Coborn's Liquor to carry their beers. (I bet some of you know where this is going already, right?)

This local brewery is raved about constantly and everyone around the country wants to try their beer. (OK, now I bet most of you know what's coming.)

Their brews are canned, not bottled, in 4-packs of 16 ounce containers and the brewery is in Brooklyn Center, MN. (Alright, if you don't know by now, you've probably been living under a rock for the last couple years. If not, my apologies, and read on.)

Yep, Surly Brewing is about to arrive at the Hastings Coborn's Liquor!!!

If you stop by the store after 4pm on Thursday, we will have 6 varieties of Surly's tasty beer available:
  • Abrasive Ale
  • Bender
  • Coffee Bender
  • Cynicale
  • Furious
  • Hell
This is big news for our store, and a big deal for anyone looking to buy Surly in Hastings.

This next bit hasn't been confirmed yet but, hopefully, down the line, we will have access to Surly's limited release brews as well. Beers like Smoke, Darkness, Anniversary Beers, etc.

Be sure to stop on by the Hastings Coborn's Liquor on Thursday evening or anytime after. I know I will. After all, why would anybody want to miss out on some of Minnesota's most popular beers available to purchase at their favorite local liquor store? I think (and hope) that the answer is "They wouldn't..."