Brew Detective: ALL TOGETHER | Ex Novo

I find great solace in the care, craft and kindness exhibited by the good people at Ex Novo, who routinely achieve no matter the obstacle. I will remain loyal to them for as long as we can coexist. The worst year ever is causing now, more than ever, to be a crucial time to support local businesses. I reward myself with tasty libations. That's where Ex Novo comes in.

ALL TOGETHER is an IPA reg'n at 6.5% — the best thing about buying ALL TOGETHER is that the money from sales goes to staff. Awesome. Because the people at Ex Novo are good people. I'm so thankful to share a neighborhood with them. 

A mix of bitterness and pineapple juice swirled as I popped open a pint. Substantial head forms over the opaque juice-like ale, there's an almost green tint to the glow. The mouth feel was much lighter than expected, it assuaged some of the bitterness which resurfaces late in tasting. Fruit characteristics that were present early faded once poured. Visible carbonation helps to move the nectar. Support local brewers if you're able to. Enjoy craft beer respectfully.

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Brew Detective: Head Full of Fresh Hops

Holy cornucopia of hops producing orchard fruit Batman. Fremont Brewing's Head Full of Fresh Hops presents a soft aroma that's big on flavor. This hazy IPA shines in marigold, glowing with taste. Juice-like traits arrive early, then bitterness counteracts. Great carbonation creates a better feel. 

Yakima hops are loaded into the brew kettle within 24 hours of being harvested. Bitterness and juiciness work in excellent harmony. One of the best fresh hop beers of the season. I highly recommend getting your hands on this seasonal treat. Enjoy craft beer responsibly.

Head Full of Fresh Hops | Hazy IPA | 6.5%

Cheers,

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Brew Detective: Broujerij West + Three Chiefs

Situation in Sector 9... Or, how to love zombies when you absolutely have to...

That's a mouth full, I know. First off, this is the best art I've seen in quite sometime, the graphics are so bomb and the application method is more like a mosaic of stickers. Now that I've gush over the art, on to the suds. The nose on this hazy IPA is reminiscent of baby food fruit, I'm talking straight Gerber's. It reminds me of banana or papaya when pureed. A decent head forms above the heavy body. There's sufficient carbonation considering how dense the mouth feel is. Once it hits your taste buds some green onion turns up, followed by bitterness.

My A+ partner in crime had this to say about SiS9, "Thick like a juice bar." Her tasting notes, "Whoa, it's a foamy pucker." There it is, a review of the collaboration between Brouwerij West and Three Chiefs. As always enjoy craft beer responsibly. 

Situation in Sector 9 | 7%
Hops: Cashmere, Comet, Mosaic
+ Malted Barley, Raw Wheat & Rolled Oats

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Brew Detective: Kids These Haze

Kids these days, or rather Kids These Haze, is an IPA from Breakside Brewery that blends beer and art quite nicely. After all quality craft beer is an art form; the combination of the two can really make a statement. Some labels depict two men smooching and taking selfies, another shows a boy and girl kissing. I'm all in on the open minded creativity. Kids These Haze won gold at the Oregon Beer Awards in the category of hazy, hoppy beers this year. 

Brewed in small batches for only three months per year, this beer pursues freshness. Originally crafted in 2015 with students from Lewis & Clark College, KTH is a limited release worth getting your hands on. The colorful glow of this ale sort of distorts the senses. It's not quite as hazy as the name would lead you to believe and I'm cool with that. It's still on shelves, but for how long? Enjoy responsibly. 

Kids These Haze | 6.2% | 65 IBU

Hops: Mosaic, El Dorado, Amarillo

Malt: Two Row, Maris Otter, Wheat, Light

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Brew Detective: Cumulus Tropical IPA

A few years back my partner in crime and I pulled into Eugene, laid out a blanket and took a little nap in one of the many beautiful parks. Literally a block away was ColdFire Brewing, of course we ambled in and had a couple of cold ones, along with some delicious food truck accoutrements. Now living in Oregon I can decide daily as to which delectable local libation I will be consuming. 

ColdFire's Cumulus Tropical IPA is another in the growing list of Northwest brews tipping their pint glass to New England style hazy's. The side of the can reads, "This one's cloudy—gently rouse before drinking." For my two cents, it doesn't have nearly the sediment as some of the others in this genre. None-the-less, I gave it a gentle swirl before pouring it into a glass.

My tasting notes are as follows: Pear juice is the dominant scent after cracking the can open. A great doughy head is produced, lingering with lasting legs. There's an almost complete absence of bitterness. Rarely do I taste the malt of a hazy IPA, but it was definitely noticeable in the Cumulus. Look for this fine libation on draft or as a four pack. Enjoy responsibly. 

Cumulus Tropical IPA | NE Style | 6.5% & 60 IBU

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Brew Detective: Pillowfist

Old Town Brewing has great branding, their small batch hazy IPA ain't too bad either. Pillowfist is unfiltered, unprocessed and unapologetic. Old Town describes Pillowfist as, "tropical, juicy, ripe"—their words, not mine. Here's my two cents...

The smell was not what I expected when popping the top. But then, the aroma regains itself and smells like old school, Dole pineapple juice. A literal pillow forms over the ale. It holds distinct notes of bitterness, which compliments and juxtaposes the nose and the appearance, a pleasant contradiction. With each drink you both smell it and taste it. Look for these in the single bottle section of your local grocer or beer shop. 

Pillowfist | 6.8%

Hops: Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo

Malt: NW Pale, Flaked Oats, Cara Foam

Enjoy responsibly,

eightychoices

Brew Detective: Apex Beer Bar

Portland has an abundance of great breweries, they also have some amazing beer bars. Apex is a must-go for anyone touring the beer scene in PDX. They have a live tap of about 50 beers. They also have a library of aged and hard to find bottles. It's a mecca for beer geeks. I was really impressed by their selection, as well as the friendly vibe. Agent M and I split three beers, two were NW natives, the third was Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. For the purpose of this review, I'll be breaking down the NW selections.

Stable Genius | Hazy IPA | 6%

Level Brewing crafted this hazy IPA right here in Portland. This was our first time sipping on an offering from Level. My notes were as follows: hazy straw-yellow, dappled with dashes of orange; lingering foamy head with a dank nose, herbaceous mouth feel and desirable amounts of bitterness. Agent M's notes: mild and creamy, hoppy taste late, yum.

Bits & Bobs | West Coast IPA | 7%

This west coast IPA was brewed by Reuben's out of Washington. I've had one of their other beers, but never Bits & Bobs. Our takes on this IPA: almost pilsner-like in color with great clarity, plus carbonation, a floral nose, crisp with surprising bitterness. Agent M: balanced, drinkable, a perfect IPA.

I'll leave you with that, a perfect IPA.

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Brew Detective: Thirst Trap | Breakside

Breakside Brewery has been a revelation to my taste buds, I like 'em a lot. And recently, my partner-in-crime and I enjoyed some of their libations. Our tasting notes for the Thirst Trap IPA are below.

Agent M: strong at the start, smooth and fruity at the finish, frothy, creamy head, murky and complex. (Damn, that sounds good right?)
My notes: stone fruit, apricot, plus bitterness, amazing carbonation, super downy foam that just sits, it resides in the glass, almost see-through 6.4%. (So there ya have it.)

Be safe this holiday season.

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Brew Detective: Vertical Lift | Ascendant Beer Co.

Ascendant's Vertical Lift hazy IPA presents fruit forward characteristics derived from hops; those same fruity notes are not overwhelming, which is nice. It's pure haze in the pint glass, you cannot see through it. The carbonation is a big plus, presenting a foamy top, not always the case with Hazy's. I'll be looking for more of Ascendant's libations. Shout out to Bridgetown Beerhouse. Enjoy responsibly.

Vertical Lift | 7% | 77 IBU

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Brew Detective: Hazy Rock | Pelican Brewing

Oregon has a plethora of tasty breweries to indulge in. One that's held my attention is Pelican Brewing. I recently grabbed a six pack of their latest juicy IPA. Hazy Rock pours a deep golden straw, not quite as hazy as others in this category. The carbonation is an A-plus, bubbles move upward, recharging the smooth foam atop. Even with the greater transparency, you still notice particulates. 

Nosing out early are reminders of pineapple and guava. Hop bitterness arrives up front, unfolding into super balanced flavors as the ale dissipates. Hazy Rock is both nuanced and overly drinkable. The color, mouthfeel and finish make this an approachable juicy IPA. Enjoy fine ales responsibly.

Hazy Rock | 6.2% | 35 IBU

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Brew Detective: Barrel Brothers

Taking My Talents to New England

Windsor's Barrel Brothers is one of many west coast breweries deciding to bite on the New England style. Taking My Talents to New England is a deliciously smooth, flaked IPA. I was drawn to this four pack due to the name & label. The brewing information rests on jerseys. A flaming hop, influenced by the Miami Heat logo is the centerpiece and a rendering of a basketball court fills the background. Did I mention I love basketball?

It teeters toward the juicy side but it's not a total juice bomb. Flaked oats and wheat give it a foggy appearance without sacrificing hop forward flavor. As far as hazy IPAs go, this one is very well balanced and doesn't taste too sweet, nor does it have an abundance of particulates. Running the point is 2-Row malt. Vermont Ale Yeast is used to illicit its own unique set of characteristics. I highly recommend Taking My Talents to New England. Enjoy responsibly.

Hops: Citra, Denali, Mosaic, Bru-1
6.9% ABV | 35 IBU


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