Posts Tagged ‘tyranena brewing company’

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Reviewed: Tyranena Dirty Old Man

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

The Brewers Gone Wild series of beers by Tyranena Brewing has been pretty good for me. I have had only four different flavors with a fifth (Chipolte) in the cellar. I am looking forward to that one even more as I believe the base beer for Dirty Old Man is the one for Chipolte.

Dirty Old Man, a beer that the labels states is an “imperial rye porter aged in rye whiskey barrels,” is a complete home run in my book. The complexities abound creating a titillating experience for the senses.

The malts are nicely balanced to give the chocolate, coffee, and roasted experience you expect in a good porter, while the whiskey adds some alcohol, with the rye throwing in a bit of spiciness, and, on top of all that, there is a layer of dark fruit that seems to keep the beer wet even though it wants to dry.

I don’t know how easy this one is to still pick up off the store shelves but if you have a local place you can pick even one up, don’t hesitate. Keep your eyes out for their next installment as their sites mentions it will be some type of Wisconsin/Belgian IPA. Whatever they want to call it, I am sure it will be liquid goodness in a bottle. Enjoy!

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Reviewed: Double Bastard Ale and Sheep Shagger Scotch Ale

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

tyranena brewing company sheep shagger scotch ale

Last night was a good night as I was fortunate enough to taste and review two good American craft beers: Double Bastard Ale by Stone Brewing Company and Sheep Shagger Scotch Ale by Tyranena Brewing Company.

An American Strong Ale, Double Bastard Ale is a big beer that has an over the top amount of alcohol that isn’t hidden all that well in the taste; which is my only complaint. Otherwise a big pine hop presence is countered by a sweet and bread malt bill. I like Stone beers and will continue to try more flavors. 8/10

Sheep Shagger is a Scottish heavy, which has to be one of my favorite styles of beer. This is no slouch itself as the peat smoke and sweet toffee are turned on extra high a fit the beer well. I could enjoy several of these at a time and over a long period of time. :) 8/10

Why is it that our vices are so much fun? Enjoy!

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Wednesday Is Here Again!

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Another week and another beer store visit. Finding out the new American craft beer arrivals is strangely enough something that I look forward to. Like a small child awaits the trip to Target to check out the toys.

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:

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!

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Three New Beer Reviews Including Bitter Womain In The Rye

Friday, November 6th, 2009

It has been a few days since I had the chance to sit back and enjoy a few American craft beers. That said, Thursday was an outstanding night. I am currently trying to clean out the beer fridge of my 12 ounce beers. This weekend should fix that problem. Next up will be 20-some bombers that are just calling my name. Besides those, I will be bottling my own beer in a week or so and I will have more beer than I know what to do with.

Last nights’ list of participants:

Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout had all the makings of an outstanding imperial stout: great pour and aroma, but come up short on taste. Everything that got me excited about the beer just wasn’t big in the taste. Still a good beer so don’t rule it out as one to try, just don’t expect it to knock your socks off from top to bottom.

Fore Smoked Stout was batter number two in the order. Before I go further, I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of smoked beers. That said, I like this beer and they did a good job of adding enough smoke to let its presence be known without taking over the beer. There was a tart dark fruit after taste that I didn’t really care for.

Bitter Woman In The Rye was third and, since it was the last, the cleanup hitter. It didn’t disappoint. There was a nice balance between sweet, caramel malt, and citrus hops. The rye was evident but not at a level that imposed itself on the beer. Like the other flavors and aromas, nicely blended into a refreshing and crisp brew. The best of the night.

Reverse the order in which I drank them and you will have the order in which I would rate them. Enjoy!

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Two Oktoberfests, Two Pumpkins, and One Curmudgeon

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Had to make up for taking last night off with an array of four seasonal beers and a Curmudgeon to keep me honest. :) I am about half way through the beers from Two Beer Dudes Oktoberfest festival.

founders brewing company curmudgeon

Curmudgeon by Founders Brewing Company is an Old Ale that has been aged in oak barrels. I had six of these before I could pull myself away from the glass long enough to review it. Molasses, grain, vanilla, and dark fruit are part of the complex aroma and taste of this beer that blend together nicely to make one fine drinking beer. Slight dryness and warmth that compliment this beer perfectly. I hope I can still get some more of this.

Ichabod by New Holland Brewing Company is a pumpkin beer. Ichabod is a quality offering that didn’t live up to the aroma in the taste. I thought the aroma was spot on and had me preparing for a great taste but I was let down when the beer was a little light and watery. If you prefer your pumpkins not as spiced up in the mouth, then this would be a really good beer. In spite of what I said, I would have this beer again.

new glarus brewing company staghorn octoberfest

Staghorn Oktoberfest by New Glarus Brewing Company was next. I cant’ hide the fact that I am a fan of Glarus beers as I have been there twice this summer and tasted/reviewed at least 18 different styles. Staghorn delivers with spot on interpretation of the style. Great combination of malts and drinkability make it a winner in my book.

Punkin Ale by Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales found its way into my glass next. I felt the aroma was similar to Ichabod but where it left off, Punkin Ale delivers by carrying over the pleasant aroma into the taste. A well rounded and crisp offering.

The last beer of the day was Gemuetlichkeit Oktoberfest by Tyranena Brewing Company. To this point I have been a fan of Tyranena’s beers but this one just seemed a little lackluster and couldn’t find the style.

Order of preferences: Curmudgeon, Staghorn Oktoberfest, Punkin Ale. Ichabod, Gemuetlichkeit Oktoberfest. Enjoy!

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Saturday Get Together Ends In Darkness

Monday, September 14th, 2009
American craft beer lovers: Ed, me, Shawn, Mark, and Jon

American craft beer lovers: Ed, me, Shawn, Mark, and Jon

Saturday’s get together was a really good time for all: beer drinkers, spouses, and kids alike. The burgers, hot dogs, brats, and chicken on the grill hit the entire gambit of what anyone would like. The edible waffle bowls filled with ice cream was a perfect after dinner touch that kids and adults both enjoyed. The games of bags were fun, especially if you won. Thank you Mark and Carmen for opening your house to us all.

Each of the guys brought their own touch to the party in terms of beverages. West Coast IPA by Green Flash Brewing Company, Hop Whore by Tyranena Brewing Company, Marsala Mama by Townhall Brewing, and Collaborative Evil by Flossmoor Station Brewing Co. were all beers that everyone tried. There was even some Pabst Blue Ribbon. :) My favorite of these beers was Hop Whore. It is a mighty good Imperial IPA that finishes smooth with no alcohol presence. Both Marsala Mama and Collaborative Evil were in bombers that had been shipped from Minnesota and sat for a good 7 to 10 days. I don’t know if this had anything to do with my experience, but neither lived up to the hype. We all agreed.

Yeah, Darkness by Surly Brewing Company is that damn good!

Yeah, Darkness by Surly Brewing Company is that damn good!

During the evening Ed went around to each of us and let us know that his wife is pregnant with their first child. A very special occasion. Congratulations! I am excited for him and his wife as he will make a great father and loves kids. In honor of the news, Mark went down into the cellar and and broke out a bottle of Darkness by Surly Brewing Company.

Darkness, oh sweet Darkness. That is one fine beer. We had 2008 at cellar temperature. So smooth, so fine, so damn wonderful to all of the senses. This beer is the best Stout I have had to date. I will be making the trek up to Minnesota in a month with Mark to get some for myself.

Mark's ginormous and awesome craft beer collection.

Mark's ginormous and awesome craft beer collection.

Speaking of Mark’s cellar: what a wonderful site for any American craft beer lover. It is truly a great collection. There easily had to be 125 bottles (mainly bombers) of hard to get and highly sought after beers. I thought I was in a beer museum or beer heaven; maybe both. He has beers that are numbered and one really rare one in which only 30 or so bottles were every created. You could easily say it was a celebrity list of beers. Next time I am over I will take my shoes off before entering the sacred cellar and never look a beer straight in the eye. The best thing about all these beers: Mark wants to share and enjoy with the group. That is awesome and greatly appreciated.

I even got an invite to the Tuesday Night Beer Club (TNBC) a once a month get together by Ed, Mark, Shawn for sharing good American craft beer. From what I understand the group is growing too. More to come as I find out the details. Enjoy!

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Sun, Fun, and Some Good Brews

Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Hop Whore by Tyranena Brewing Co.

Hop Whore by Tyranena Brewing Co.

Beautiful weekends in the late summer in Chicagoland are something to be enjoyed outside, with friends, and, of course, with a few awesome American craft beers. That’s exactly what the family will be doing today, Saturday. We will be heading over to Mark’s house with appearances from Ed and Shawn. All four of us are craft beer guys with myself probably being the biggest minnow of the group. I will have to prove myself worthy.

I don’t know which beers everyone will be bringing to share but I look forward to some PA beers that Ed purchased on a recent trip out there. So I know that Ed will bringing some to share. Mark has a cellared beer collection to rival many with easily over 100 beers ageing in the depths of his cement cellar. Just witnessing the collection will be good enough for me. Shawn I don’t know that well, but if he hangs out with Ed and Mark he should be a good guy. I am sure the good weather and beer will help us get acquainted.

I plan on bringing some Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale and some Tyranena Brewing Hop Whore. I am looking forward to the other beers that will be brought over, shared, and appreciated. Enjoy!

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Wednesday, Time for Beer Store

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Two scores for the week: Ichabod by New Holland and Hop Whore by Tyranena

Two scores for the week: Ichabod by New Holland and Hop Whore by Tyranena

Oh, how I could barely wait for another Wednesday afternoon for my weekly beer store visit. I just had a big haul on Labor Day with a road trip up to Madison, WI and spent more than I anticipated (isn’t that the way it always ends up?). I knew I had to keep things to a minimum or I would hear it from the boss later at home.

With that in mind and all the new selections this week, my mind started to race as my knees were week from brew overload, I had to choose something. I hate pressure. :)

So with little hesitation I selected Ichabod by New Holland Brewing Company and Hop Whore by Tyranena Brewing Company.

Strangely enough, before I went to the store, I was on New Holland’s website checking out their seasonal brews. I noticed Ichabod and wondered why it wasn’t on the final list for Two Beer Dudes Oktoberfest. I thought the name was more interesting than anything and a beer with a headless man riding a horse on the label; how could I pass it up?

Hop Whore was a pseudo throw in as I have heard it is a good beer and it is only a four pack. The bright yellow, cardboard case sticks out like a sore thumb. I wanted to make it feel loved and wanted, as well as equal out the load: one package in each hand.

So another beer for Oktoberfest and another big Imperial IPA for me. Enjoy!

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Brewing: A New Hobby/Passion

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

brewing process

I think there comes a time in most craft beer drinkers enjoyment that they decide to dig a little deeper into the craft. There are many ways that this can be done: hone your tasting skills, become a tasting judge, join a beer club, start brewing and the list can go on.

I have been trying to hone my tasting skills by reading a book on tasting that I found to be outstanding, Tasting Beer: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Drink by Randy Mosher. The great thing about this book, Randy, the author, is from the Chicagoland area, I hope I get a chance to meet him. I am by no means a great beer reviewer but I feel my skills have improved and I hope to continue to allow them to evolve.

It is time to continue the cultivation of my understanding of fine quality beer and start the brewing process. Hold your applause to the end please. I have been tossing around the idea with Rich and my wife off and on. We all thought it would be best to just learn more about beer before I dive into it. So I have been reading online, books, lurking in forums, and listening to brewing podcasts. Tons of information to store into my abnormally small cranium. I also have been talking, via email, with the assistant brewery from Tyranena Brewing Company up in Wisconsin. He has been a huge help.

The next step was securing a brew kit. They aren’t expensive but do you know how much “hobby” crap I have laying around the house. I had to figure a way to cheaply get a kit without cutting corners. The hamster started running in the habitrail to energize my brain and thought started coming to me at the blinding speed of a tortoise. Finally I remembered my wife’s two brothers trying to brew beer back 12 years or so ago without much success. Neither is a craft beer lover and neither had a clue what they were doing. After their failed brewing attempt all their good equipment laid dormant in my in-laws basement.

I asked my wife to see if it was okay to use/borrow/steal/have their brewing equipment and, I have to say, both Joe and Brian gave an enormous yes. I have some cleaning ahead of me or should I say my wife does. :) I hope to be brewing beer in the next month or so as I want to give myself the best shot to brew something drinkable. Enjoy!

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Wednesday Beer Store Here Again

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Beer store visit seems to have come quickly this week. Maybe I wasn’t thinking that much about it because I am still overwhelmed by the amount of beer I purchased this past weekend on the brewery hop. My main goal of the day was to try and purchase some Lakefront Brewery beers since I passed while up in Wisconsin and because the wife asked (ordered) me to.

My loan pick up this Wednesday: Tyranena Brewing Company Scurvy

My loan pick up this Wednesday: Tyranena Brewing Company Scurvy

Of course I had to stop off and ask Travis what they got in new in case something really jarred the senses. They only got in two from Dog Fish Head that are both based on the “old” recipe idea. Neither really interested me since I still haven’t drank the Shai Tea I purchased almost a month ago. Besides they aren’t cheap.

So I asked about their selection of Lakefront which was only two in depth, neither of which my wife fancies. Going home empty handed from my Wednesday beer store visit? Oh, the thought makes my stomach upset.

So I did a quick scan of the aisle and noticed there were Tyranena Brewing Company choices on the shelf. While in Wisconsin I didn’t see the Scurvy IPA brewed with Orange Peel but there it was. I have heard good things, so we shall see. Enjoy!

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