Magic Hat Odd Notion Spring 2010

I don’t even know, based on the ownership, of Magic Hat Brewing Company if it is considered a craft brewery. After having had some of their beer in the past, I have sort of categorized them as a brewery that I would bypass. Magic Hat makes some okay beers but I would consider them more of a transitional brewery: meaning that someone who is looking to come into craft beer would like their beers more than an “aged” veteran.

I had Odd Notion Spring 2009 and it was far from something that I liked. When my wife showed up with Odd Notion Spring 2010 I was left than happy. That’s why the beer has sat in my fridge for a year. 2010 was much better than 2009, even a year old. I couldn’t find the beer on their site, so I don’t if they are continuing to brew the series. Enjoy!

Useless Fact: In Fruita, Colorado the town folk celebrate “Mike the Headless Chicken Day.” Seems that a farmer named L.A. Olsen cut off Mike’s head on September 10, 1945 in anticipation of a chicken dinner – and Mike lived for another 4 years without a head. Mike died from choking on a corn kernel.

Two Brothers Ebel's Weiss

Two Brothers Brewing Company seems to have that name that any and all would call their brewery. Obviously and possibly unfortunately that name is taken for all time. Two Brothers operates just west of Chicago in Warrenville, Illinois.

Up until recently it they have been content to brew American craft beer that they are their loyal followers appreciate. I don’t know if they are falling prey to some of the changes in taste and developments in the industry, but they are starting to produce and should be releasing a sour in the near future. That is good new for me. The fifteen minute car ride will well be worth trip.

One of Two Brothers stand by beers is Ebel’s Weiss. If memory serves me correctly this is the last name of the brewers. Nice play on words. A definite any time beer that is well placed lawn mower beer. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9, Taste: 8, Look: 8, Drinkability: 8, Overall: 8.3

Useless Fact: The highest tide in the world is in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, where there is a rise of 53 feet (16 m).

It is hard for me to believe that it has been two weeks since I said how busy I have been and that I would be writing on a regular basis. So much for that idea. I will not apologize as life brings us all the unexpected; learning to deal with it is part of life.

This past Friday, while speaking to Rich, I told him that I was done with this huge project, so I stopped by to discuss beers and he went and did it: grabbed a bottle of 2010 Three Floyds Dark Lord from the cellar. Unfortunately, my wife gave a call and we had to put the tasting aside for another day. Just so the wife doesn’t get a bad name, she didn’t ask me to come home, I wanted to.

I guess when you finish a tough project, luck is on your side. The wife and I found our way over to Rich’s house around 10:00pm on Saturday night. This time the total and complete intent of the visit was to have Dark Lord. And have Dark Lord we did.

Outstanding is the easiest way to describe it. The aroma and flavors are deep and complex: dark fruits (raisin, plums, cherry), roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, some booze, and even smoke. It is thick, heavy, and a meal in a bottle. I will have to have another soon as I didn’t review the beer, I just wanted to savor the beer.

Now that that episode of my life is over, I can get back to more home brewing and American craft beer reviews. I think I might still be on target for 365 reviews this year. If not, it is catch up time. This weekend will find me in Minnesota for a Surly tour and a visit to Flat Earth, Town Hall, and Summit. Enjoy!

The beer store was loaded yesterday, the amount of new American craft beers seemed at a high, even without the leadership of Matt, the stores beer buyer. It isn’t often that I go up and down the aisle and lose track of the world around me as the new American craft beers on the shelves sparkle and fill my head with wonderment and thoughts of what they would taste like. Oh the possibilities.

New beer list:

• Sheep Shagger Season Scotch Ale by Tyranena Brewing Company
• Dirty Old Man – Imperial Rye Porter Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels by Tyranena Brewing Company
• Chirstmas Ale by Bell’s Brewing Company
• Backwoods Bastard by Founders Brewing Company
• La Parcela by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
• Christmas Ale by Goose Island Brewery
• Mild Winter by Goose Island Brewery
• Juliet by Goose Island Brewery

Quite the stunning group. I pruchased a four pack of Backwoods Bastard, a bomber each of the following: Juliet, La Parcela, and Bourbon County Stout (2009) by Goose Island Brewery. Once I get over my cold, happy days for my beer tasting senses. Enjoy!