Posted on

SingleCut Beersmiths: Double Dry-Hopped Workers Are Going Home

SingleCut Beersmiths: Double Dry-Hopped Workers Are Going Home

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 123

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.26/5

My name ain’t Jonas, but I have a killer beer on the Windowsill for you today!

In case you haven’t figured it out, today’s SingleCut Beersmiths brew is named after a repeated line in “My Name is Jonas,” a hit song by from one of my favorite rock bands, Weezer. The song is off their self titled 1994 debut album (also known as The Blue Album), and was inspired by a situation lead singer Rivers Cuomo’s brother was having with insurance after a car crash. In the song, it seems like more of a construction problem—the song basically describes a construction crew deciding not to work, and going home—but whatever. Great tune! On the original version of this beer, the little man on the label is wearing a construction outfit, complete with a hard hat and orange vest. For the upgraded DDH version, we get the guy in the business suit. You fancy, huh?

Like just about everything else I’ve had from SingleCut, the Workers Are Going Home was pretty amazing. Although I don’t know the exact varieties, the double IPA uses hops from Australian, Pacific Northwest and new-age European hops. The dry-hopping is done with the mysterious Australian and European varieties. Lots of hops. Lots of juice. Solid ABV. The Workers Are Going Home is delicious. If I see it at my local shop again, I might use a dozer to clear a path to it. Go home and drink one for yourself!

Check it out on Instagram. Make sure to like it, and follow Beers on Windowsills!

Posted on

Evil Twin Brewing and Lervig Aktiebryggeri: Big Ass Money Stout 3

Evil Twin Brewing and Lervig Aktiebryggeri: Big Ass Money Stout 3

ABV: 17.2%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Limited

@untappd says: 4.05/5

We’re all getting rich and wordy on the Windowsill today… Where’s the pizza?

Leave it to Evil Twin Brewing to concoct what is easily the craziest beer I’ve ever had on the Windowsill. The soon-to-be-Brooklyn bound brewery teamed up with Norway’s Lervig Aktiebryggeri to brew the Big Ass Money Stout 3, which features three essential bits of insanity. First, it has a 17.2% ABV. That’s knock-you-on-your-ass strong. Second, it’s made with a super popular Norwegian snack: a ham and peppers pizza named Grandiosa. Third—and I’ve saved the best for last—it’s made with Norwegian money. Yes. Money. Filthy, dirty, disgusting money. The currency is added after fermentation, essentially like a dry hop. Money! I had to try it.

Why would they do this? Well, for his third collaboration with Lervig, Evil Twin’s head nut, Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø wanted to make a truly Norwegian brew. He asked Mike Murphy—an American currently living in Norway and brewing for Lervig—to suggest ingredients that would make this beer uniquely Norwegian. Well, Norway’s roughly 5 million people consume 40 million of those pizzas, making it the country’s de facto national dish, so Mike suggested that. Jeppe wanted something to put the brew over the top, and Mike mentioned that Norway is one of the richest countries in the world. Money became the obvious choice. Has Evil Twin finally gone too far?

Oddly, no. I actually really liked the Big Ass Money Stout 3. If you’re into stouts, this is a good one to try. I think the beefy alcohol level—Jeppe and Mike set out to make the strongest beer in Norway’s history—covered up any residual money and pizza flavors (although, to be fair, I was eating pizza when I drank it). This just tasted like a really sweet and delicious stout. It was also really smooth, which I didn’t expect from such a high-alcohol brew. Evil Twin… you’ve done it again! I just hope Jeppe never brews in Iceland, which is known for a delicacy involving rotten shark meat.

Do you like beer stories like these? Head over to our Instagram for more. Right now!

Posted on

Stone Brewing: Stone I’m Peach Double IPA

Stone Brewing: Stone I'm Peach Double IPA

Hops: Loral™, Mosaic

Special Ingredients: Peaches

ABV: 8.8%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Special release

@untappd says: 3.82/5

Let’s get a little political on the Windowsill today, shall we?

Warning: this post isn’t going to be for everybody. I love Stone Brewing Company for putting this beer out, and for the message you can see on the back of this can. And no, it’s not just the tongue-in-cheek message about how to resolve our current political landscape; It’s the message of unity they preach, too. “Unite hops, peaches and each other?” I think that’s the only way to move forward. Like Stone, I want to shout “I’m Peach” from the rooftops. Instead, I’ll shout it from my Windowsill. I’m Peach today!

As supportive as I am of the message on this can, it would be a shame if the beer itself wasn’t good, wouldn’t it? The I’m Peach is a double IPA brewed with Loral™ (not Yanny) and Mosaic hops. The added peach combines wonderfully with the hops to give this beer a bright citrus and floral aroma and flavor. I wouldn’t say it’s over-the-top peachy, but it’s peachy enough for me. Even if you don’t agree with the political message of this brew, you should give it a shot. You might find our opinions to be the same on at least this one thing.

Head over to our Instagram for more great beer stories. Make sure to like and follow us!

Posted on

BAD SONS Beer Company: Bourbon Barrel Aged Roper

BAD SONS Beer Co.: Bourbon Barrel Aged Roper

ABV: 9.0%

IBU: 33

Availability: Limited

@untappd says: 3.73/5

Come and knock on our door…

There’s not a whole lot left for me to say about Derby, CT’s BAD SONS Beer Company. I’ve been to the tap room a few times, so instead of going on about how cool it is there, and how great their beer is, I’ve decided to include never-before-seen photos from my trip last year in this post. Enjoy in the embedded Instagram post below!

If you’re a child of the 80s and 90s, then you know exactly who the hop-headed, robed gentleman on the bottle is. Mr. Roper, the original landlord on the hit sitcom “Three’s Company,” played by the legendary Normal Fell. Mr. Roper was always there playing straight man landlord to the hijinx of Jack, Janet and Chrissy (later Cindy, and then Terri). Although Mrs. Roper was never satisfied with him on the series, I was super satisfied by this brew. The Roper is a Scotch Ale, also known as a Wee Heavy, aged in bourbon barrels for 4 months. I picked up two bottles several months ago, but just decided to have a crack at one this weekend. Really good Scotch Ale, with the added bourbon kick. I certainly wouldn’t evict this beer from my fridge!

We’ve been waiting for you… to like this post on Instagram and follow Beers on Windowsills, now!

Posted on

Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company: Happy Treez

Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company: Happy Treez

ABV: 6.2%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Year-round

@untappd says: 4.03/5

Let’s get some happy little treez on the Windowsill today!

Although I haven’t yet visited Middletown, CT’s Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company, I have had the pleasure of tasting a couple of their brews now, and I’ve been very impressed. I’m glad they make great beer, because I really like their branding. The logo is a lovely rose (the color changes depending on the can color), which many consider to be a stubborn beauty because, although it’s aesthetically and aromatically pleasing, it sure will stab the crap out of you if you aren’t careful. The name, logo and the early 20th century photos that adorn their website (old time drinkers, boxers, etc), this brewery has a very old timey feel to it. I can’t wait to visit!

The great painter Bob Ross once said, “There’s nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.” I always say, “There’s nothing wrong with having a beer as a friend.” The Happy Treez melds these two philosophies perfectly. I wasn’t able to find out what hops are in the recipe, but this American IPA is definitely loaded with dank citrus flavors. It’s fruity and smooth, with some solid bitter touch at the end. I’d take Happy Treez over a regular tree any day—and over many of my friends. Cheers!

Head over to my Instagram page now. Like this photo and follow Beers on Windowsills for more great craft beer!

Posted on

Kent Falls Brewing Company: Awkward Hug

Kent Falls Brewing Company: Awkward Hug

Hops: Citra, Azacca, Centennial

ABV: 7.0%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.11/5

Everybody loves a hug, especially an awkward one!

Last time, we discussed the fact that Kent Falls Brewing Company is Connecticut’s first farm brewery. Today, let’s talk about their water. All of the water they use in brewing comes from a well on the farm. Amazingly, this artesian water is preheated in a barn using solar power, which saves a ton of energy. Into composting? So’s Kent Falls. All of their spent grain, yeast and hop trub, and their spent fruits are composted with wood chips, providing much needed nutrients to the farm’s crops—including the hops that go back into the beer. Pretty cool stuff!

The Awkward Hug is a thing of beauty. It’s not just the beautiful label art, which features couples of all races, ethnicities, ages and preferences giving each other every kind of awkward hug in the book (even Waldo’s hugging someone awkwardly!), but also the beer itself. It’s an IPA brewed with Citra, Azacca and Centennial hops—some of Kent Falls’ “favorite hops.” It was the first “clean” IPA produced at the brewery, and has now been packaged seven times. Hopefully this one stays in rotation, because it was crisp, juicy and delicious!

Head over to Instagram to like this one. Make sure you follow us if you love craft beer!

Posted on

Knee Deep Brewing Company: Breaking Bud

Knee Deep Brewing Company: Breaking Bud

Hops: Simcoe, CTZ, Mosaic

Malts: Crystal

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: 50

Availability: Year-round

@untappd says: 3.92/5

We’re knee-deep in archived photos, so let’s get a Flashback Friday post on the sill!

Knee Deep Brewing Company was founded by Jeremy Warren in 2010. Like many eventual would-be-brewery owners, Warren first started brewing his beer in his garage, before signing a contract to brew Knee Deep beer at Mt. Tallac Brewing (since closed) in Lake Tahoe. Eventually, his beer got so popular that they were able to lease their own facility in California. These days, I easily get Knee Deep in Connecticut. Pretty solid growth, in not a whole lot of time. In 2015, Warren decided to leave Knee Deep, selling his piece of the company he founded to co-owner Jerry Moore. Knee Deep keeps making solid beer, and Warren moved on to start Revision Brewing. Looking forward to trying some of their stuff, one day!

The Breaking Bud is a fun brew that I’ve been lucky enough to try a couple of times—once in a can, and once in this bottle. It’s an IPA with a lovely pale yellow/orange color and lots of solid tropical fruit aromas. It’s hopped using Simcoe, CTZ and Mosaic, which gives it some nice mango and passion fruit flavors, along with some good pine and dank to balance it out. I love the name and label art, which is obviously based on the hit TV show Breaking Bad (Yo, Mr. White!), but you know who doesn’t? Sony. Enjoy the Breaking Bud beer while you can, because the media conglomerate filed a lawsuit against Knee Deep a couple of months ago for appropriating the branding of their show. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Check this one out on Instagram now. Check back in with us daily for more great craft beer!

Posted on

To Øl Brewery: Mr. Pink 2018 Edition

To Øl Brewery: Mr. Pink 2018 Edition

Hops: Citra, Mosaic

Malts: Pilsner, Unmalted Wheat

Special Ingredients: Beets

ABV: 6.0%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Limited

@untappd says: 3.49/5

We have our first ever re-post on the Windowsill today… or do we?

Last year, I posted To Øl Brewery’s Mr. Pink. I lauded the creativity behind the the Mr. Series of brews, which are named after the characters from the 1992 classic film, Reservoir Dogs (Mr. Pink was Steve Buscemi’s character). The beer was a Berliner Weisse made with lychee and pink Guava. It was pretty tasty, and my wife really liked it, so I picked one up for her at @beertable the other day while we were stranded at Grand Central Terminal due to inclement weather. Imagine our surprise when we popped the can and found a completely different beer inside!

To Øl Brewery: Mr. Pink

See that image just above this line? That’s last year’s Mr. Pink. As you can see, it looks nothing like the 2018 edition. That’s because this year, To Øl scrapped the lychee, the guava and even the Berliner weisse, and filled their Mr. Pink cans with an IPA made with beets. Now, like Doug Funnie before me, I love beets. I actually kind of liked this beer, too. It’s hazy and juicy, made with Pilsner malt and Unmalted Wheat, and hopped with Citra and Mosaic. And beets! Who makes beer with beets? I like that! I was just caught completely off-guard by the color, and the fact that a brand new beer was in my can. It threw off my experience, for sure. I’m hoping this becomes the branding for this series—a new [insert series color] beer every year (the other beers in the series seem to also be different this year)—but with more warning next time! OK, this Windowsill rant is now over. Cheers!

Be sure to like this one on Instagram, and follow our account for more great beer reviews!

Posted on

Burial Beer Company: Gang of Blades

Burial Beer Company: Gang of Blades

Hops: Amarillo, Belma, Centennial, Columbus, Mandarin Bavaria, Simcoe

Yeast: Wild Ale

ABV: 8.3%

IBU: 65

Availability: Rotating

@untappd says: 4.06/5

I have definitely found my gang on the Windowsill today!

There’s so much to talk about when it comes to Asheville, North Carolina’s Burial Beer Company, that I’m gonna have to find more of their beer so I can talk about it all. First of all, they were founded by Jess and Doug Reiser—they’re married—and their friend and head brewer, Tim Gormley in 2013. They started as a one-barrel system and now, just five years later, they have a production brewing facility where they’ll soon be opening a new beer bar. The company’s unique branding is inspired by the few years the Reisers spent living in New Orleans. That time in the Big Easy infiltrates every pore of the brewery—from the names of the beers to the art on the cans, which are designed by David Paul Seymour. Such a great brewery!

Now, the beer. According to an interview in Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine, Gormley and the Reisers are in an “ever-going quest to create the ideal IPA for each customer.” They have come pretty close to creating mine with the Gang of Blades double IPA. It’s brewed with the scintillating combination of Amarillo, Belma, Centennial, Columbus, Mandarin Bavaria and Simcoe hops. However, there’s a twist. They used wild ale yeast for fermentation, which kind of makes this a wild-ish IPA, I guess? Whatever you want to call it, the Gang of Blades is friggin’ juicy and delicious!

Make sure you support us on Instagram. Like, follow and comment on all of our great craft beer!

Posted on

Springdale Beer: Yawp!

Springdale Beer by Jack's Abby: Yawp!

Hops: Chinook, El Dorado, Comet, Centennial, Denali

ABV: 6.0%

IBU: N/A

Availability: Limited

@untappd says: 3.81/5

Is that a herd of yeti on the Windowsill? Well, I highly doubt it. So what is it?

Let’s say you were known for one thing—like putting beers on windowsills, for example. But you dream of putting beers on other things, too! What do you do? Well, the folks at Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers kind of found themselves in a similar situation—you can’t make non-lagers if your company’s name says you only make lagers. How did they get around this problem? They created an offshoot brand, named Springdale by Jack’s Abby. Under this label, which was kicked off in 2016, they’re free to experiment with everything, from barrel aging to IPAs to pale ales to stouts—whatever they want! Will this inspire me to start a side-Instagram named Beers on Other Surfaces? Nah. I’m good. But I’m glad Springdale by Jack’s Abby is a thing!

What does “Yawp!” mean? No, it’s not just a group of yetis traveling together in a pack (sorry @urbandictionary). It’s actually basically a cry out. It can be used to express exultation, frustration or even just agreement, according to this can. It can even be used in reaction to drinking a really tasty American pale ale, like the Yawp! This one is hopped with Chinook, El Dorado, Comet, Centennial and Denali hops, which makes for a really hoppy and bitter brew. Did I like this one! Yawp!

Give a “yawp!” and a hoot over at my Instagram page. Like and follow for more great brews!