Broegel Bock Beer

Fall has definitely arrived. There's a chill in the air. The leaves are falling rapidly off our maples. Optimum weather for a dark German lager for the half-time of the Hawkeye game. This bottle I picked up at Aldi's contains a sweet, nutty, malty Bock that is not at all too heavy.

Staghorn Octoberfest

This may be my best favorite of the Oktoberfest style. Nutty and toasty. It paired wonderfully with my fried gourd blossoms.

Chickasaw County Pale Ale

Tonight's local fare: squash from our farmers' market stuffed with pork (from Holmen farm) and McIntosh apples (from our friends by the name of McIntosh) washed down by my pale ale brewed with all Fredericksburg hops.

Stinky Stink Juice

I was hesitant to order this one at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. But it was a pleasant evening with clear skies over the patio seating and I was up to try something adventurous. Stinky Stink Juice is aptly named. Other words they could have thrown into the name are "stank" and it's rhyme, "dank" and ultimately, "thanks", because I actually liked it a lot.

Red Trolley Ale

Big thanks to my friend Joe for bringing me a 6-pack of these back from San Diego. I am so glad to get to know the work of Karl Strauss, a bona fide German brewer who somehow landed in Southern California.  This ale is classified as an Irish Red, but that can't hide the German influence in this rich, toasted malty, easy going beer.

Hazy Little Thing IPA

Of the few hazards of my job is sore throat from talking too much. Not that I actually timed it, but I think that I talked about 13 hours today. So now I am home in comfy clothes and this cool, juicy, easy going drink soothes and relaxes all that ails me.

Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA

Over 6 years ago I wrote my first blog post about New Belgium's Ranger here. Since then those good craftsmen in Colorado have churned out a number of varieties. Not afraid of messing with a good thing, they have, in fact, improved on a good thing. This hazy nectar is sweet and complex and an excellent example of the goodness of hops.

Clementine White Ale

On this disappointingly rainy Labor Day, I chose an appropriately disappointing beer. My first taste of Clown Shoes Beer and this is what I get -- ale flavored with what I believe is way too much orange rind. I picked this up in a mix six-pack from Oneota Cooperative in Decorah, so, good news is I only have to drink one Clementine White Ale and then on to something better.

Conover Cucumber Ale

Pivo Brewery in Calmar has an impressive line-up of taps. But I keep going back to the Conover Cucumber Ale.  I don't usually like it when people throw extra stuff in my beer, but I definitely approve of this combination: Cucumbers and beer? Yum!

Mornin' Delight

I got caught in a severe thunderstorm while making some calls in Decorah. Fortunately I found shelter just in time at Toppling Goliath.

This sought after, award winning double stout is deserving of all the hype it gets.