Episode Notes

Episode 44: Local Brewing Co Belgian Bump

It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!

I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along.

This week we’re taking a look at Belgian Bump by Local Brewing Co in San Francisco, CA. Does this beer bump the Belgian style in the right direction? Let’s find out!

Belgian Bump is a really nice color right out of the bottle. It’s a yellowish orange, deeper than a lot of beers and just very beautiful to look at. The smell is dark in comparison to the color and has a cool peppery overtone to it. It’s funny, but my brain can’t reconcile the color and the scent! If I were only smelling this one I would insist that I was sniffing a dark beer instead of this pretty coppery brew.

But what about that taste? This beer is brewed with Philz Sooo Good Light Roast Coffee Blend, so I expected some coffee up front, but it actually shows up pretty late in the taste. Right up front this is definitely a Belgian spice beer. There is that very interesting fruity-clove flavor that I expect from a Belgian right up front, and that makes me happy. No sense brewing something that tastes like a stout and calling it a Belgian! Then, at the very end of the sip, right before the swallow, that coffee makes itself known. It gives the beer a different bitterness and a completely unique balance.

I’ll admit that this beer challenges my beer-drinker’s brain just a little bit. My mind says that it should be way heavier than it is, but my mouth loves the lightness of the actual taste experience in contrast to the fun addition of that coffee. I am overall fascinated by this beer and if you like Belgian style beers, coffee beers or better yet both I am going to recommend that you track this one down and give it a try. It’s 8% ABV as well, so you’ll enjoy the experimentation all the way to the last drop!

Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I taste Shotaway IPA from Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, CA. Should this one be kept for drinking or should it be shot. . .away? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events. Hey! Do me a favor this week and follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Twitter. And be sure to tweet us and let us know you’re following you can find us @2minutebeer, using the number! We would love to hear what you think of the show and what you’d like to hear next. And while you’re at it if you really like the show, head on over to the Patreon page for our parent company—that’s the Phoenix Creative Collective at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced (link is in the show notes) and maybe consider signing up for a regular monthly donation to help keep this and all of our other shows on the air!

That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!

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Episode Notes

It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!

I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along.

This week we’re taking a look at Pillars of Creation Double IPA by Hapa’s Brewing Company in San Jose, CA. Is this beer an astronomical wonder of the universe? Let’s find out!

Pillars of Creation pours yellow and hazy, just the way it should be. The scent is surprisingly subdued, but has almost a savory note to it. From smell alone I don’t get any hints about what this beer will taste like. Exciting!

But what about that taste? At first blush, Pillars of Creation is extremely mild with just a bit of bitterness right in the middle of my tongue. It’s neither particularly juicy nor piney, so we are kind of treading new ground here with the hops mixture that Hapa’s is using. Curiously, there’s just a little bit of what I would describe as an almost salty flavor that hangs around at the very end of the swallow. It’s a very different IPA, and to be honest I’m not entirely sure how to categorize it.

This beer is fine. It’s not my favorite example of the style and to be honest, not my favorite brew from Hapa’s, but they are a company that I really like, so I still heartily recommend them and look forward to tasting my way through the rest of their catalog! In the end, I find this beer hits that magical word, drinkable,” but it’s not a repeat experience for me. It comes in at a 7.7% ABV, so if you do like it, it should be right in the pocket for a pleasant drinking experience.

Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I taste Belgian Bump from Local Brewing Company in San Francisco, CA. Is this an international speed bump of a beer? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events.

The Two Minute Beer Review is produced by the Phoenix Podcast Network, an affiliate of the Phoenix Creative Collective. Have you had a chance to look at the new Patreon where you can lend your support and help keep our shows on the air? You can find it at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced or just click the link in the show notes.

That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/

Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes

Episode 42: 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged Blend

It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!

I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along.

This week I have a very special episode for you. Dust Bowl Brewing, in Turlock, California, is one of my favorite breweries. They brew a ton of really great beers and do a great job of being tied to the community as well. If you’re a regular listener, you know that I’ve already reviewed several beers from Dust Bowl and got to sit down and chat live with some of the masterminds that keep the beer flowing. For that interview, just look up the episode we did on Dust Bowl’s Resilience IPA. All of this to say that this weekend Dust Bowl celebrated their 10th anniversary. So I am taking this moment to say thanks to the fine folks at Dust Bowl and a very happy anniversary from the Two Minute Beer Review.

IN celebration, this week we’re going to take a look at Dust Bowl’s special edition 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged Blend. Does this wax-sealed wonder deliver on 10 years of experience? Let’s find out!

The 10th anniversary blend pours a nice, inviting deep, dark brown. It’s crowned by a creamy tan head that hugs the surface of the brown depths. Immediately, there is a strong smell of molasses and brown sugar. The scent is deep and malty but there’s no hint of chocolate or coffee like you might expect out of a beer this dark. There is just a touch of bourbon in the nose—I’m sure that’s coming from the barrels in which the brew was aged.

But what about the taste? This beer starts sweet and caramel up in the front of the mouth which immediately gives way to a wave of roasted malt flavor that washed over and through the entire mouth. There’s just a tiny bit of bitterness in the very back that’s balanced perfectly and keeps this strong beer from feeling too much like a dessert. There’s some fruit in there as well, deep and dark. The feeling of this beer in the mouth is very full and rich. It’s dense in both flavor and texture like a nice thick slice of dense cake would be. There’s the essence of the barrel there in the swallow as well, but it’s not overpowering the rich and complex flavors of the beer.

This Barrel Aged Brew is complex, delicious and most importantly different from anything else that’s hanging around out there right now. The masters at Dust Bowl have put their experience to good use and have created a masterpiece. And at a 12% ABV you’ll only need one if you know what I mean!

Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I rejoin our friends at Hapa’s brewing and try out their Pillars of Creation Double IPA. Does this one have all the energy necessary to give birth to a new star? We’ll find out next week! Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events.

The Two Minute Beer Review is produced by the Phoenix Podcast Network, an affiliate of the Phoenix Creative Collective. Have you had a chance to look at the new Patreon where you can lend your support and help keep our shows on the air? You can find it at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced or just click the link in the show notes.

That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/

Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes

It’s the Two Minute Beer Review!

I’m Andrew Burkum, and once again I’m your companion as we face down that massive craft brew aisle in search of the hidden treasures we’ve been missing out on all along.

This week we’re going to take a look at Amelia Coconut IPA from Moonraker Brewing in Auburn, CA. Is this one worth the climb up the palm tree? Let’s find out!

Amelia pours a hazy straw yellow and looks quite a bit like pineapple juice. So far we’re definitely keeping to the tropical theme. It smells like juicy citrus mixed in with a soft wave of coconut cream. Actually, there’s a surprising amount of this coconut smell—the beer smells almost like a Pina colada!

But what about the taste? This beer is instantly sugary on the palate, with only a tiny wash of bitterness right at the very end. The flavor carries that same creamy coconut character that I noticed in the scent—I’m guessing that the creamy nature is from the lactose that is listed on the label. It gives the beer a very milky finish that enhances the general feel of drinking a coconut cream pie. Amelia starts sweet and finishes sweet. I find that that little bit of bitterness in there isn’t enough to offset that impression. If you like your beers sweet then this is one for you, if not, not so much.

Amelia is a very interesting brew and there are things about it that I like—especially that smooth and creamy mouth feel. But at the end of the day the overpowering sweetness keeps it out of the recommended column for me personally.

Amelia is available in cans and on tap at Moonraker’s facility in Auburn, CA. It runs a 7.0% ABV and might be just your thing if you’re looking to substitute a nice, healthy beer for your usual dessert. Well that’s all for this week, but I hope you’ll join me next week as I take a look at Dust Bowl Brewing’s 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged Blend! I’m excited to be celebrating the birthday of one of my favorite breweries out there and thrilled to have gotten my hands on a bottle of this extra special brew for the occasion. Look for links to this week’s beer and brewery in the show notes and as always, be sure to follow the Two Minute Beer Review on Facebook and twitter for information on upcoming episodes and events.

The Two Minute Beer Review is produced by the Phoenix Podcast Network, an affiliate of the Phoenix Creative Collective. Have you had a chance to look at the new Patreon where you can lend your support and help keep our shows on the air? You can find it at patreon.com/phoenixccmerced or just click the link in the show notes. That’s all for this now, but I’ll see you next week as we continue on our quest to taste all the beer!

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/

Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes

Today's Beer is Merle Hazy IPA from Dust Bowl in Turlock, CA. It's a part of their new Music Man series of beers. Listen to see what Andrew thinks!

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

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Episode Notes

Today Andrew takes on Ramble on Rose by High Water Brewing, soon to open a brand new taproom in Lodi, CA! Stop and smell the roses for two minutes.

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

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Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

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Episode Notes

This week Andrew goes toe to toe with Tank 7 American Saison by Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City, MO.

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

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Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

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Episode Notes

This week Andrew features McCarthy's Bane Red Ale by Knee Deep Brewing in Auburn, CA.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, be sure to check out Stout Burgers and Beers, which is where Andrew got to try this and other fantastic brews!

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

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This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes

If you're in the Bakersfield, CA area and need auto service, please check out Oscar's Towing & Service at 128 1/2 East 19th St in Bakersfield, CA. You can call them at 661-325-1400 or click here to check them out on Facebook. After today's episode, Producer Andrew tells the story of how Oscar and his staff saved him and his family from being stranded over the weekend!

This week, Andrew takes on Espresso Totalitarian Russian Imperial Stout by Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA. See what he thinks of this powerful dictator of a beer!

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

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Episode Notes

Today Andrew goes tubin' with Float the Day Away IPA from Sonoma Springs Brewing Company.

Have you supported the Phoenix Creative Collective and the Phoenix Podcast Network through Patreon yet? It's easy, just click here

Send questions, comments and recommendations to [email protected]

Music: River Meditation by Jason Shaw used under Creative Commons License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/

Find out more at https://the-two-minute-beer-review.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.