Life On Tap

Earlier during the pandemic, Dan tasted Arrowood Hummingbird, a delightful farmhouse ale that he picked up with a TapRm order.

Arrowood Farm Brewery Hummingbird

STYLE: Farmhouse AleINGREDIENTS: Genesis 2-Row Pale Malt, aged Arrowood Cascade Hops, Maple Syrup, native farmhouse yeastABV: 5.4%AVAILABILITY: Draft and Occasional 16-Ounce Can (LIMITED RELEASE)Stats above taken from the Arrowood Farm Brewery website.

Appearance

Beautiful, deep, orange almost amber, with a very active, off-white head.

Aroma

Herbal esters with a sage-like note mixed with citrus, breadiness, and yeasty biscuit.

Taste

Honey and malt sweetness echoes along with the aforementioned herbal and citrus notes on the palette with a zippiness from the yeast, bit of root extract on the finish with a slight bitterness from the aged hops.

Mouthfeel

Smooth and slightly mouth-coating with a soft carbonation.

Overall

This rustic beer deserves a rustic dish/meal to pair. Light game or fowl a la guinea hen etc. with stewed potatoes, for example. If you love farmhouse ales, I would definitely recommend you pick this up if you see it. Looking forward to see if a brewery visit is possible at some point in the future.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan tastes one of his last beers from his Treehouse run on EBF weekend: Spiritual Unrest and reminisces about the great time that was had.

Treehouse Brewing Company Spiritual Unrest

STYLE: Milk StoutADDITIONS: Ethiopian Coffee, Blueberry Puree ABV: 8.0%AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can (LIMITED RELEASE)

Appearance

Deep, dark black with a medium brown head..

Aroma

Strong coffee with blueberry fruit with no skin.

Taste

As if you had taken a sip of cafe con leche after a bite of blueberry cobbler. The berry notes intersperse with the coffee and lactose in a bit of a tango.

Mouthfeel

Velvety, smooth, and luscious on the palate.

Overall

This beer is pure delicious. I do not always fair well with blueberry beers, save mixed fermentation ones. This drinks way lower than 8.0%, and would best be enjoyed amongst friends and loved ones, though it helped me deal with my own spiritual unrest this week. Well done (yet again), Treehouse.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan was feeling like he wanted a little liquid dessert, so he reach for Finback Brewery Strawberry Cake. Sufficed to say, his craving was satisfied.

Finback Brewery Strawberry Cake

STYLE: Fruited Milkshake IPAADDITIONS: Strawberry, Vanilla, Lactose ABV: 7.3%AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can (LIMITED RELEASE)

Appearance

Cloudy, burnt orange and nectar or cider-like in color with a quickly fading off-white head.

Aroma

Muddled strawberries with powdered sugar with a layer of whipped cream.

Taste

Liquid strawberry shortcake. Strawberries are self-explanatory. Vanilla and lactose provides the smooth mouthfeel representing the whipped cream. Malt bill helps provide the angel food cake layer…not sure how that happened, but it is pretty magical. A hint of tartness keeps the sweetness from being too cloying.

Mouthfeel

Smooth and luscious on the palate.

Overall

The layers on this beer were delicately and cosmically balanced to meet its namesake. A person who has never tried milkshake IPAs should try something like this first to get a better understanding of how ingredients, fermentation, and process are so important as opposed to just throwing random things into a beer. Well done, Finback.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan finally gets the courage to sample Grimm Ales 1st Anniversary beer, a triple IPA after a long week. He should have opened this earlier and bought more.

Grimm Ales 1st Anniversary

From their website:STYLE: Triple IPAHOP VARIETY: Cashmere, Mosaic, and Nelson SauvinABV: 11.0%AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can and Draft (LIMITED RELEASE)“1st Anniversary Triple IPA is Triple dry-hopped, 11% ABV, and brewed with 11 pounds per barrel of our favorite hops — dry hopped with Mosaic, dry hopped again with Cashmere, and dry hopped a final time with Nelson Sauvin. Some notes from our tasting session include ‘oozing dripping ripeness, watermelon, sugarplum, grape, mango, candied stone fruit, tropical cookies, and honeysuckle nectar.'”

Appearance

Golden meets hint of burnt orange in color, with a lively, frothy head.

Aroma

Tropicality and mango present even with the glass on the table. Apricot candy is also there, kind of like those candies with the pseudo-liquid centers along with the mango, overripe honeydew melon and some watermelon candy and honey-like nectar.

Taste

Nelson offers a nice vinous quality alongside the other hops with stone fruit, ripe peach/nectarine, honey, and maybe some of the grain bill in the background.

Mouthfeel

Smooth. You cannot taste the ABV on this, and it is silky smooth on the palate with a pleasant carbonation.

Overall

Expertly balanced, with nuances coming from all ingredients including the yeast. Great by itself, but there is opportunity for food pairing that enhances the complex notes.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

The On Tap Family has welcomed their second son into the world, so Dan is celebrating the end of his paternity leave (and beard) with DuClaw’s Dad Bod.

DuClaw Brewing Company Dad Bod

From their website:STYLE: Double IPACOLOR: GoldenHOP VARIETY: Simcoe, Mosaic, and AzaccaGRAINS: Pilsner, Torrified Wheat, and Flaked OatsABV: 8.5%PLATO: 19°IBU: 80AVAILABILITY: 16-Ounce Can and Draft (LIMITED RELEASE)“Dad Bod is a juicy, golden, double IPA that’s comfortable, easy drinking and simply unintimidating. A soft-bellied blend of tropical, pine, and citrus hop flavors, it’s like a cuddle for your taste buds. So raise an above average glass to loving thyself. Cheers!”

Appearance

Golden bordering almost on a lightly-burnt orange with a nice, fast-dissipating head.

Aroma

Mixed but muted tropical fruit up front, leading into citric fruit and zest before clearning up with some pine and resin.

Taste

Follows the same approach as the aroma, with peeled mango skin, orange spritzer, a pleasant, piney-hop bitterness and closes out with a moderately dry finish.

Mouthfeel

Soft mouthfeel and carbonation (likely from the wheat and oats) with a balanced alkalinity highlighting the hop bill.

Overall

I like to think that this beer is a reminder of all things fatherly. We may be a little soft in the middle, but we are so much more than that; our personality, spirit, and love all propel us forward to support our families in every way we can.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Between persistent site hackers and copious deadlines at work, Dan finally jumps back into tasting care of some beer from Iron Sherv.

Vanished Valley Watershed IPA

From their website: “6.7% ABV. This is the second IPA we created in celebration of a very good friend – an Ol’ Timer! Watershed is packed full of citrus and tangerine notes as a result of some heavy dry hopping!”

Appearance

Juice-like, hazy and middle yellow in color with an off-white head.

Aroma

Even a foot away from my nose, tangerine juice hit me on the initial pour. A pleasant juicy/sugary note came through with some Navel orange notes as well.

Taste

Continues on the juice approach, leading into a side of citrus zest, and closes out with a hint of citrus and grapefruit pith and a slightly dry finish. Definitely dry-hopped a ton.

Mouthfeel

Not sure what their water profile is like, but there was a pleasant alkalinity which contributed to a soft, supple mouthfeel and accentuated the juice flavor essences.

Overall

This is their second New England IPA, and it is pretty true to style. Not sure how many pounds per barrel went into the dry hop, but it is definitely evident. I was craving an Asian-style chicken salad with this one. Thanks again to Iron Sherv for sharing, and I look forward to trying more from them!

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Care of a Iron Sherv (thank you!), Dan and Dad On Tap sample the critically-acclaimed Vermont-style double IPA, Heady Topper from The Alchemist. Previously recorded in 2013.

The Alchemist Heady Topper

Many people make special trips up to Waterbury (or Stowe) for this American Double IPA that easily reached cult status. It contains 75 IBUs, weighs in at 8.0% ABV, is unfiltered/unpasteurized and the brewer recommends drinking directly from the can. For the purposes of our tasting, we poured a little in glasses first and then proceeded with the preferred imbibing method.

Appearance

Plenty of hop floaties and clearly unfiltered. Beautiful head, light lacing and yellow/golden.

Aroma

Hop-forward (duh) with overpowering pine, followed by resin and light straw note.

Taste

Hops continue to dominate the flavor, and at 75 IBUs I am guessing higher alpha acid ones. Aftertaste continues with brilliant and non-cloying hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel

Very dry and the carbonation enhances the mouthfeel even further.

Overall

From the can it tastes way more crisp and cold than in the glass. You won’t see the floaties drinking it that way, and it’s what the brewer recommends. Thanks again to Iron Sherv for the gift, and if you have a chance to try it fresh, it’s definitely worth the experience. Making the pilgrimage is wholly up to you.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.

Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking Fools

Outtro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

Dan and Dad On Tap sample the 2012 Weyerbacher Riserva in this quick little episode from the crypt recorded a while back.

2012 Weyerbacher Riserva

Weyerbacher’s limited release (once per year) wild ale with raspberry puree aged in oak barrels weighing in around 10% ABV. For the record, we may have served it on the upper end of the recommended temperature range from their website.

Appearance

Plenty of carbonation, forming a thin white head which dissipates quickly revealing a more tawny hue as opposed to the previous year’s pinkish color.

Aroma

Fruit-forward with a pleasant sour and funk note.

Taste

Sweet. Tart. Raspberries are sweet in the mid-palate, but it finishes tart and then dry to keep you sipping.

Mouthfeel

The light carbonation and tartness along with the dry finish provides for a delightful body that gently coats the tongue and mouth.

Overall

Excellent dessert sipper. We didn’t mention food pairings, but we obviously would like it with raspberry or some other fruit-based desserts.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.

Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking Fools

Outtro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers

This episode from the crypt recorded days after their son was born weirdly coincides with his first week of pre-school. Dan and the whole fam taste two from Fantome and a special release from Wynkoop.

Fantome Hiver

Fantôme’s winter saison, which as Dan mentions changes every year but weighs in at 8.0%. Bottle is capped and corked as most of their brews.

Appearance

Aggressive, foamy white head on a orange/copper, hazy brew.

Aroma

Nice malt and fruity esters, with a nice spice notes and a touch of smoke.

Taste

Complex, fairly dry with a mulled cider-like fruit note.

Mouthfeel

The carbonation plays a major role and adds to the dryness of the beer.

Overall

A great offering that can be enjoyed in the late fall and early winter. Like many of the Dany’s brews, this beer is remarkably complex but still equally food-friendly and acceptable. A number of Dan’s family members cheered tasting this.

Fantome Printemps

Fantôme’s spring saison brewed with spices, which once again is capped and corked, weighing in at 8.0% ABV.

Appearance

Very fluffy and active head and carbonation once again. Lighter in color, coming in a flaming light orange.

Aroma

Grapefruit zest and spices on the nose, but definitely lighter in aroma than the Hiver.

Taste

Balanced, light and refreshing with no detectable alcohol. Spiced very similar to Belgian Witbier, but definitely echoes the feeling of rebirth/spring.

Mouthfeel

A much lighter mouthfeel than the Hiver as well. Garrett Oliver’s “scrubbing bubbles” are in effect.

Overall

More typical Belgian style, probably more accessible on the palate to non-beer drinkers. If I were to go back, I would taste this beer first prior to the Hiver. Totally sessionable, but because of the higher ABV, definitely try to share or at least pace yourself.

Wynkoop Brewing Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout

[INSERT TESTICLE JOKE HERE] What started out as an April Fools Day spoof video in 2012 ended in an actual release of what Wynkoop calls “the ballsiest canned beer in the world”. The beer was made in tiny 8-barrel batches and was the first in the Even Smaller Batch Series of beers. This export or foreign-style stout was made with Colorado base malts, roasted barley, seven specialty malts, Styrian Goldings hops and 25 pounds of freshly sliced and roasted bull testicles, weighing in at 7.5% ABV and 3 BPBs (balls per barrel). They were released in pairs (ha ha ha).

Appearance

Dark brown/black color with a thin, tan head.

Aroma

Coffee (most powerful), vanilla and some of the other notes the brewer listed.

Taste

Coffee continues to dominate on the palate, but the malts and barley follow up nicely in the second quarter. Yes, we did taste some nuts both literally and figuratively. Roasty and moderately dry on the finish.

Mouthfeel

Great body, just enough carbonation and fairly luscious. I want to say it’s great to put in your mouth [LOL].

Overall

There were way too many jokes to mention in the summary here, but know full well we had it covered. A remarkably easy-drinking stout overall, which Dan said he wanted to use in a float. Ice cream would definitely contain nuts FTR. If you can somehow get a hold of this gimmick beer, it’s well worth the taste (and a laugh).

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.

Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by 

Episode#215: Odell Brewing Company

In this episode from the crypt, Dan and his dad sample some beers from Colorado’s Odell Brewing Company at the Old LOT Compound.

Beers Tasted

Odell Brewing Company Easy Street Wheat (0:46)

Their year-round wheat beer is brewed with malted wheat and pale malt, hopped with Cascade and Willamette, and weighs in 4.6% ABV with 21 IBUs.

Notes: Great head, cloudy after our pour since it’s unfiltered. Fruit on the nose, and according to Dan it should have its own Yankee Candle made from it. Fruit esters come through on the palate and is very easy-drinking. It differentiates itself from other American Wheats because of it’s weight, mouthfeel and persistent finish.

Odell Brewing Company 5-Barrel Pale Ale (4:10)

Their year-round pale ale is brewed with Munich and pale malt, hopped with Crystal and Willamette, and weighs in 5.2% ABV with 38 IBUs.

Notes: Quarter-inch head, light orange in color. Hop-forward on the bouquet, with a hint of wood and pine. Good balance on the palate, with hop character but not overpowering bitterness. We thought about making batter for fries or hush puppies with this. Again like its predecessor in the tasting, really approachable.

Odell Brewing Company 90 Shilling Ale (5:50)

Their flagship beer, this year-round amber is brewed with British Crystal and chocolate malt, hopped with Perle and Nugget, and weighs in 5.3% ABV with 32 IBUs.

Notes: Poured a little hazy, small head, nice lacing and amber in color. Fruit, caramel malt and almost apple-cider note. Malt-forward with a brief, little bit of hop character on the mid-palate. Balanced. I would love to braise stuff and drink more of this beer.

Odell Brewing Company Isolation Ale (8:17)

Their fall/winter seasonal is brewed with Bonlander and pale malt, hopped with Crystal and Nugget, and weighs in 6.1% ABV with 42 IBUs.

Notes: Chill hazed (unfortunately), amber in color with some particulates from our pour and a powerful, small-bubble carbonation. It is almost like a blend of a harvest and winter ale, and once again Dan is seeking some braising liquid he can also imbibe or just enjoy with some mild cheddar.

Odell Brewing Company IPA (10:15)

Their year-round IPA is brewed with Vienna and pale malt, hopped with 9 different US hop varieties, and weighs in 7.0% ABV with 60 IBUs.

Notes: Lighter in color, nice head. Resin-quality on the nose, but balanced. Fairly approachable and not too hop-focused but could pair with medium-spicy dishes.

Odell Brewing Company The Meddler (12:46)

This limited edition oud bruin (Belgian sour) is “comprised of several generations of brown ales, barrel aged and blended. Wild yeasts and Lactobacillus meddle with the brew for 18+ months creating complexity and depth of flavor.” It weighs in 8.6% ABV with 20 IBUs.

Notes: Dark brown, like its style namesake, with an incredible, fluffy head and looks like cola. Sour, with a hint of the malt, and Dan is somehow reminded of the remains of deli dinner with pickles. Alcohol is hidden behind the acid on the palate,