What Ale’s Thee?
Education, information and inspiration about… what else… beer!

Sour beer you say? How can that possibly be a good thing?

We assure you it is a very good thing and we highly recommend that you try some!

This is our first Belgian show, although one of the beers we try is not brewed there this style is indicative of the Flanders region in Belgium.

The beers are harder to find, however, if you’re in the twin cities region go see our mate Jim at Blue Max in Burnsville, he knows his stuff and will really take care of you.

Beers Tasted

• Vichtenaar - Flemish Ale
• Rodenbach - Grand Cru
• Jolly Pumpkin - La Roja

Like your summertime lagers with a little more flavor? Then try one of these, it’s actually an Ale but it’s brewed like a lager.

Those crazy Germans and their Reinheitsgebot ….

Beers Tasted

• Reissdorf - Kolsch
• Goose Island Brewery - Summertime Ale
• Lake Superior - Kayak Kolsch

Also Mentioned

• Surly CynicAle
• Grumpy’s
• Dodo Bird

Do you like IPA’s? Do you like hopped up, super alcoholic beer?

Imperial or double IPA’s take the experience to the next level. Taste along with us as we try some palate destroying brews and try to stay sober enough to actually say something worthwhile….

Beers Tasted

• Dog Fish Head - 90 minute IPA.
• Avery Brewing Co. Maharajah Imperial IPA
• Sprecher - Double India Pale Ale

Pilsners. This is arguably the most popular style of beer in the world. Originally brewed in Czechoslovakia they are famous for their clear golden hues and refreshing taste.

On this show we sample some great examples of a Pilsner and some very bad ones. We also got our hands on an Imperial Pilsner, if you’ve never tried one of these before you’ll be impressed!

Beers Tasted

• Heineken - Netherlands
• Coors Light - USA
• Budweiser - USA
• Spaten - Germany
• Vyskovske Pivo - Czech
• Schells Pilsner - Minnesota
• Rogue Imperial Pilsner - Oregon

Also Mentioned

• PedalPub
• Element 115
• Happy Gnome
• Sterkens Brewery
• Tap Hard
• RedOak Boutique Beer Cafe
• Beer School - Philip was a guest on Beer School’s “Touring San Francisco Beer” episode.
• Oregon Beerfest
• City Pages Beer Festival
• Craft Beer Radio
• Basic Brewing Radio’s tremendous two-hour interview with Maureen Ogle.
• Anchor Brewing

Hefe Weizen? Dunkel Weizen? Weisse Bier?

Like your beers brewed with Wheat? How about yeast in your glass so thick you can’t see through it? Ever thought a beer that tasted like Banana would be refreshing on a hot day?

Try some of these with us and you’ll be convinced all of the above are good things!

Wheat beer is a whole world unto itself, there are so many variations on the theme that it would take multiple shows to cover them all. Tonight we taste and talk about three of them.

• Paulaner - Hefe Weizen
• Hoegaarden - Witbier
• Unibroue - Don de Dieu

If you live here in the Twin Cities and you enjoy beer then you absolutely need to come to this event.

You even get a commemorative glass!

It’s on Friday the 4th from 5:30 to 9pm in St Paul. Click on the link below to get more information.

• Arborfest

Hope to see you there!

Alvey

It’s almost spring in Minnesota! The snow has melted (although it’s still coming down) so it’s time to try some Seasonal Maibocks from your local micro brews.

A Maibock is a heavily alcoholic Lager that was traditionally brewed for springtime festivals in Germany.

They are clear, crisp and fruity with sometimes strong hop flavors. Great for drinking with good mates on a warm spring day.

The three we have chosen to taste on this show are:

• Summit - Maibock
• Sprecher - Maibock
• Schell - Maifest

Also mentioned:

• Prudent Hedonist
• www.drinkbeer.net

This is the second half of our interview with Josh Pepper.

Ever wondered what a total beer geek thinks of wine? In this episode Josh delivers a profoundly powerful case for the complexities of beer.

This would be the show to have all your wine buff friends listen too. At the very least they will have a new level of respect for our drink of choice.

Mentioned in this show:

• Craft Beer Radio

If you think you have heard somebody talk passionately about beer before, think again!

Josh Pepper is a BJCP Judge who has an extraordinary love of beer and everything to do with the craft beer industry.

He’s got a couple of classes coming up soon! Check out:

• Cooks of Crocus Hill
• Surdyks

Beer’s Mentioned:

• Sprecher Dopple Bock
• Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout
• Rogue Monk Madness
• Pater Lieven Kerst Pater
• Rogue Imperial Stout

Philip, Josh and Alvey

Someone sent us a beer!

Two gentlemen by the name of Nick and Matt sent us one of their homebrews to try, The Bathtub Cat Stout.

I wasn’t able to learn much about it. Nick or Matt if you read this perhaps you could let us know how you brewed it. Was a cat involved? Maybe even just pieces of cat? Did you strain it through a cat?

All jokes aside, it was quite tasty and we very much appreciate the fact that you gave us one. Cheers!

If anyone else would like to donate us beer either to try ” On Air” or just for our personal pleasure please contact us and we will do what ever we can to help!

Thanks again Matt and Nick!