 ElGaucho (1721), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Feb 26, 2008 Draft at Winterfest 2008, St. Paul, MN. I got the last pour out of the keg before it blew, and as such, it was all foam and had to wait for it to settle. Hemp aspect in the nose, though aroma is not very strong. Creamy, tight bubble head that looks cask-like. Sweet , cask-like flavor and mouthfeel. Was this a cask? Didn’t say so in the program. Very nice doughy brew that at least I think (from the small 2 oz serving) at least temporarily has achieved my several year long search for the beer I imagine the ale in Lord of the Rings to taste like. I certainly need a bigger sample of this stuff to determine if my first impression is accurate, but based on what I had I could drink mugs of the stuff.
BDR (1862), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Feb 22, 2008 Winterfest 2008. Mostly grains on the nose and not enough hops for an IPA. Body was bitter enough to be enjoyable, but could have used some more hops in the flavor.
Skyview (2768), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
Feb 10, 2008 Served on draught at the brewpub in St. Cloud, and featured at the Winterfest 2008 in downtown St Paul, Minnesota. Pours a clear light orange amber brew with a fast dissolving white head that leaves behind some spotty lacing and a thin white ring. Aroma of some multi-grain malt with a dry leafy hop character along some hint of toffee and tobacco. Taste is mostly dry leafy bitterness with just a hint of caramel and toffee flavored malt, Finish is quite dry with a chemically dry bitterness, slightly metallic from a little extra alcohol, plus the bitterness lingers a while after the finish. Not a West Coast caliper IPA but definitely a dry and overly bitter brew.
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