My 2016 Fort Worth Untapped tasting card.

Image credits: CrowdSource, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Grapevine Craft Brewery,
3 Nations Brewing Co., Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., The Collective Brewing Project.

Read any recap of Saturday's Untapped Festival in Fort Worth, and within the first few sentences there's probably going to be some mention of the weather. It was hot. It was humid. It was sticky. Hell, it was Houston (I grew up there, so don't go getting all offended if you're a current resident)!

Thankfully, though, there was beer...and while beer can't solve all the world's problems, a cold one or two can certainly help take the edge off a hefty dose of heat-induced delirium. Which reminds me, was I really involved in a conversation about drinking Delirium "Tree"-mens under the gathering point that became the big tree?

Anyway, by now you surely know all there is to know about Untapped and what it has to offer, so we'll stick to the routine here and just cover a handful of beers that helped beat the heat. And, of course, the standard disclaimer applies...these are non-whale, new to me beers that I found to be noteworthy.

Cheers!

• 3 Nations Bull's English Brown with Coffee & Cinnamon: This was almost certainly the first specialty beer I've had from 3 Nations, and it was a good one. I always approach spiced beers with more than a little trepidation, but this one displayed great balance between the added ingredients and the underlying beer.
• Collective Brewing Project Funky Thunder: A take on the brewery's Tropic Thunder fermented with Brett, this is a beer that pretty much matches right up with the dry and lightly funky description given on Collective's website.
• Grapevine Prickly Pear Wheat: I've had three or four versions of this beer over the course of its existence, first as a homebrew recipe prior to when head brewer Jonny Daylett joined the team at Grapevine, and now as a commercial product. I've always felt like each incarnation was better than the last, and it appears the production batch is no exception.
• Rahr & Sons Bourbon Barrel Snowmageddon: I've been wondering what happened to this beer since it was first said to be in the works back in January. Now that I've finally had a chance to try this slightly boozy barrel-aged offering, I can't help but think maybe those at the brewery are just trying to keep it for themselves.
• Saint Arnold Boiler Room Brett Raspberry: Big on the berries, with just a hint of funk from the secondary fermentation, this was probably the most refreshing beer I had all day. And, at only 3.7% ABV, it's a beer you could probably drink all day as well.

Also notable: Four Corners Santana Ray Equinox Lager, Rabbit Hole Wonderlust with Tart Cherries, Tupps For Ella Double IPA.

Behold the beer list for Untapped Fort Worth 2016

Image courtesy of CrowdSource.

Warning...this post is long. Really long. In fact, it might be the longest post I've ever published. But, that's OK I think, because it's literally all about beer. Untapped beer, to be exact. You know, the kind of beer that gets served at a certain beer and music festival that comes to North Texas twice every year.

Of course, being that it's spring, that means we're talking about Untapped Fort Worth. Now in its fourth year, the Fort Worth edition of Untapped returns to Panther Island Pavilion for its fermented brand of festivities on Saturday, June 11. With it comes list of over 300 beers from more than 80 breweries, half of which are from the Lone Star State.

Within "the list," as I've referred to Untapped unveilings in the past, you'll find close to 100 IPAs, 22 barrel-aged beers, 22 sour/wild ales and 20 ciders. You'll also notice that breweries that like Alamo, Big Bend, The Bruery and COOP Ale Works will be serving beers that are new to the North Texas market. And speaking of new, there are debut beers on the menu from the likes of Real Ale, Revolver and others, not to mention a collaboration beer concocted by Jester King and Tired Hands, as well as another involving Sierra Nevada and five other breweries. Heck, there's even a beer from North Peak that'll challenge you superstitious sorts with its 66.6 IBUs and an ABV of 6.66%.

Oh, and let's not forget, there's music involved in this thing too, with eight bands on the bill headlined by Built to Spill and Hayes Carll. They'll be joined by Grupo Fantasma, David Ramirez, Rayland Baxter, White Reaper, Bummer Vacation and The Hendersons for a day that will no doubt become 'Local Legend', and one that'll surely be worthy of a 'Staycation' in 'The Fort Worth' area.

Tickets for Untapped Fort Worth are on sale now (click here to purchase), with prices ranging from $35 for General Admission (concert only with beer sold separately) to $119 for the all-new Stout Package. The latter provides VIP early entry and access to the Untapped Clubhouse, which includes side stage views, upgraded restrooms, a private bar and complimentary food from Brewed, Chipotle, The Common Table and Malai Kitchen.

For more information on Untapped, visit the festival website at http://untapped-festival.com/ftw/, and for the most up-to-date beer list (i.e. in case of last-minute changes to what's shown below) go to http://untapped-festival.com/ftw/brews.

And now...the beer:

Rahr VIP Area – Ft Worth, TX

• Blonde Lager – Helles – 4.6%
• Pride of Texas – American Pale Ale – 5.8%
• The Fort Worth – American Pale Ale -4.5%
• Summertime Wheat – Hefeweizen – 5.5%
• Bucking Bock – Bock – 7.5%
• Texas Red – Vienna Lager – 4.7%
• Stormcloud IPA – India Pale Ale – 6%
• Ugly Pug – Schwarzbier – 4.75%

Karbach Love Street Lounge – Houston, TX

• Hopadillo – India Pale Ale – 6.6%
• Weekend Warrior – American Pale Ale – 5.5%
• Love Street – Kölsch – 4.9%
• Staycation – Wheat Ale – 4.8%
• Hop Delusion – Imperial IPA – 9%
• Weisse Versa – Wheat Ale – 5.2%

Alamo – San Antonio, TX

• Golden Ale – 5.5%
• Amber Lager – Vienna Lager – 5.5%
• Pilsner – Pilsener – 5.5%
• German Pale Ale – American Pale Ale – 5.5%
• Maibock – 6.9%

COOP Ale Works – Oklahoma City, OK

• Grapefruit F5 – India Pale Ale – 6.8%
• Alpha Hive – Imperial IPA – 8.25%
• Double Dry-hopped F5 – India Pale Ale – 6.8%
• Cherry DNR – Belgian Strong Ale – 10%
• Orange Beerius – Fruit Beer – 3.2%
• Spicy Hawaiian – American Pale Ale

Deep Ellum Silent Disco – Dallas, TX

• Deep Ellum IPA – India Pale Ale – 7%
• Neato Bandito – Vienna Lager – 6%
• Rye Pils – Pilsener – 4.6%
• Local Legend – Sweet Stout – 5.6%
• Numb Comfort – Barrel-Aged Barley Wine – 10.7%
• Easy Peasy IPA – Session IPA – 5.2%
• Dallas Blonde – Blonde Ale – 5.2%

Real Ale – Rio Blanco, TX

• Firemans #4 – Blonde Ale – 5.1%
• Hans’ Pils – Pilsener – 5.3%
• Devil's Backbone – Tripel – 8.1%
• 4-Squared – Blonde Ale – 7.2%
• 20^th Anniversary Ale – Imperial IPA – 9.5%
• Mysterium Verum: Four Horsemen – Barrel-Aged Quadrupel - 10%

Revolver - Granbury, TX

• Blood & Honey – Wheat Ale – 7%
• The Mandarin – American Pale Ale – 6%
• Land Grab Ale – Amber Ale – 6.4%
• Death Ray IPA – India Pale Ale – 7.7%
• Anodyne – Barley Wine – 9%
• Sangre y Miel – Wild Ale – 7%

Alaskan - Juneau, AK

• Amber - Altbier - 5.3%
• Summer Ale – Kölsch – 5.3%
• Icy Bay IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.2%
• White – Witbier – 5.3%
• Hopothermia – Imperial IPA – 8.5%
• Smoked Porter - Smoked – 6.5%

AleSmith – San Diego, CA

• IPA – India Pale Ale – 7.25%
• Nut Brown – Brown Ale – 5%
• Speedway Stout – Imperial Stout – 12%

Ballast Point – San Diego, CA

• Grunion – American Pale Ale – 5%
• California Kölsch – Kölsch – 5.2%
• Sculpin – India Pale Ale -7%
• Pineapple Sculpin – India Pale Ale – 7%
• Tongue Buckler – Imperial Red Ale – 10%
• Homework Series Batch #7 – Saison – 4.5%

Big Bend – Alpine, TX

• La Frontera – India Pale Ale – 7.8%
• Terlingua Gold – Blonde Ale – 6%
• Hefeweizen – German Hefeweizen – 5.6%
• Balmorhea – Berliner Weisse – 7.2%
• Texas Desert Bock SW15 – Rauchbier – 8%
• #22 Porter – Porter – 6.4%

The Bruery – Placentia, CA

• So Happens It’s Tuesday – Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – 14%
• Tart of Darkness – Wild Ale – 7.2%
• Jardinier – Belgian Ale -4.5%
• Saison Rue – Saison – 8.5%
• Gypsy Tart – Wild Ale – 8.4%
• Mischief – Belgian Strong Ale – 8.5%

Community Beer Co – Dallas, TX

• Texas Helles – Helles – 5%
• Mosaic IPA – Imperial IPA – 8.6%
• Witbier – Witbier – 5.2%
• Triple Yessir! – Imperial IPA – 12%
• Barrel-Aged Brett Inspiration – Barrel-Aged Belgian Strong Ale – 10.2%
• Barrel-Aged Legion – Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – 11.2%

Firestone Walker – Paso Robles, CA

• 805 – Blonde Ale – 4.7%
• Luponic Distortion – India Pale Ale – 5.9%
• Velvet Merlin – Stout – 5.5%
• Union Jack – India Pale Ale – 7.5%

Lakewood – Garland, TX

• Lion’s Share III – Barrel-Aged Old Ale – 9%
• Zomer Pils – Pilsener – 4.8%
• All Call – Kölsch – 5%
• The Temptress – Imperial Stout – 9.1%
• Hopochondria – India Pale Ale – 3.5%
• Red Wine Barrel Till & Toil – Barrel-Aged Saison – 8.2%

Odell – Fort Collins, CO

• Tree Shaker – Imperial IPA – 8%
• 90 Shilling – Scottish Ale – 5.3%
• IPA – India Pale Ale – 7%
• St. Lupulin – American Pale Ale – 6.5%
• The Meddler – Wild Ale – 8.9%
• Drumroll – American Pale Ale – 5.3%

Peticolas – Dallas, TX

• Black Curtains – Imperial Stout – 11%
• Sledge Hammer – American Strong Ale – 11.5%
• The Duke – Barley Wine – 12%
• It’s Always Something – Belgian Strong Ale – 9%
• Velvet Hammer – Imperial Red Ale – 9%
• Sit Down or I’ll Sit You Down – Imperial IPA – 10%
• Golden Opportunity – Kölsch – 4.6%

Rahr & Sons – Ft Worth, TX

• The Fort Worth – American Pale Ale – 4.5%
• Iron Thistle – Scotch Ale – 8.5%
• Bucking Bock – Bock – 7.5%
• Summertime Wheat – German Hefeweizen – 5.5%
• Ugly Pug – Schwarzbier – 4.75%
• Storm Cloud – India Pale Ale – 6%

Shannon – Keller, TX

• Irish Red – Irish Ale – 5.8%
• All American Blonde – Blonde Ale – 5.3%
• Chocolate Stout – Stout – 5.7%
• IPA – India Pale Ale – 5.6%
• Irish Cream Ale – Cream Ale – 5.5%
• Bohemian Lager – Pilsener – 5.2%

3 Nations – Farmers Branch, TX

• GPA – German Pale Ale – 5.2%
• Texas Gold – Cream Ale – 4.7%
• Coffee Bull’s Brown Ale – Brown Ale – 5.5%

903 Brewers - Sherman, TX

• Balcones Barrel-Aged Sasquatch – Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – 10.3%
• Dry-hopped Trot Line – Saison – 6.8%
• Land of Milk & Honey – Imperial Stout – 10%

Abita – Covington, LA

• Bourbon Street Rye Pale Ale – Barrel-Aged American Strong Ale – 9.5%
• Big Easy – India Pale Ale – 4.5%
• Amber Lager – Vienna Lager – 4.5%

ACE – Sebastopol, CA

• Perry – Cider – 5%
• Pineapple – Cider – 5%
• Joker – Cider – 6.9%

Angry Orchard – Cincinnati, OH

• Crisp – Cider- 5%
• Summer Honey – Cider – 5%
• Green Apple – Cider – 5%

Argus – Austin, TX

• Ciderkin – Cider – 4.5%
• Ginger Perry – Cider – 4.5%
• Stellar – Cider – 6.7%
• Perennial – Cider – 6.7%

Audacity – Denton, TX

• Cherry Bomb – Berliner Weisse - 3.5%
• Summer Nights – 5.54%
• Repercussions – Amber Ale – 6.44%

Austin Eastciders – Austin, TX

• Hopped Cider- Cider – 5%
• Texas Honey – Cider – 5%
• Pineapple Cider – Cider – 5%

Backcountry – Frisco, CO/Rowlett, TX

• Texas IPA – India Pale Ale – 6%
• Double IPA – Imperial IPA – 8.1%
• Imperial Saison – Saison – 9.2%

Bishop Cider – Dallas, TX

• Lilikoi – Cider – 6.5%
• Nectar – Cider – 6.5%
• Crackberry – Cider – 6%

Boulevard – Kansas City, MO

• The Calling – Imperial IPA – 8.5%
• Tank 7 – Saison – Saison – 8.5%
• Tell Tale Tart – Wild Ale – 6.2%

BrainDead – Dallas, TX

• Hammer of the Gods – Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter – 11%
• Bent de Garde – Barrel-Aged Biere de Garde – 8%
• BrainDead Red – Amber Ale – 6%
• Dry Hopped Wheat – Wheat Ale – 4.8%

Breckenridge – Breckenridge, CO

• Vanilla Porter – Porter – 4.7%
• SummerBright – Wheat Ale – Wheat Ale – 4.5%
• 471 IPA – Imperial IPA - 9.2%

Brooklyn – Brooklyn, NY

• Improved Old Fashioned – Barrel-Aged American Strong Ale – 12.8%
• Defender IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.7%
• Sorachi Ace – Saison – 7.6%
• Summer Ale – Golden Ale – 4.5%

Buffalo Bayou

• Selections TBD

Cobra – Lewisville, TX

• Conan Dank – Imperial IPA – 11.77%
• Best Mistake – Stout – 6.5%
• All Eyez on Me – Imperial Stout – 9.92%

Collective Brewing Project – Ft Worth, TX

• Plum Petite Golden Sour – Wild Ale – 4.5%
• Thunder Funk – Wild Ale – 5%
• American Sour Red – Wild Ale – 6.5%

Deschutes – Bend, OR

• Black Butte – Porter – 5.2%
• Hop Slice – India Pale Ale – 4.5%
• Armory XPA – American Pale Ale – 5.9%
• The Stoic – Barrel-Aged Quadrupel – 11%

Dogfish Head – Milton, DE

• 90 Minute – Imperial IPA – 9%
• Festina Peche – Berliner Weisse – 4.5%
• Namaste – Witbier – 5%
• Burton Baton – Oak-Aged Imperial IPA – 10%

Epic – Salt Lake City, UT/Denver, CO

• Tart & Juicy IPA – India Pale Ale – 4.5%
• Brainless on Peaches – Belgian Strong Ale – 11.5%
• Elder Brett – Wild Ale – 8.8% (collaboration w/ Crooked Stave)

Founders – Grand Rapids, MI

• Mosaic Promise – India Pale Ale – 5.5%
• Centennial IPA – India Pale Ale – 7.2%
• Rübæus – Fruit Beer – 5.7%
• Sumatra Mountain Brown Ale – Brown Ale – 9.2%

Four Corners – Dallas, TX

• El Super Bee – Saison – 8%
• Santana Ray Equinox Lager – 5.3%
• Heart O’ Texas – Amber Ale – 6.2%

Franconia – McKinney, TX

• Maibock – Heller Bock – 7.09%
• Pils – Pilsener – 4.8%
• Tripel Dunkel – Belgian Strong Ale – 10.4%
• World Tour Belgium Ale – 6.2%

Full Sail – Hood River, OR

• ­Blood Orange – Fruit Beer – 5.2%
• Slipknot IPA – India Pale Ale – 7.2%
• Cascade Pilsner – Pilsener – 6%
• Bourbon Wheatwine – Barrel-Aged Barley Wine – 12%

Funkwerks – Fort Collins, CO

• Nelson Sauvin – Saison – 7.5%
• Raspberry Provincial – Wild Ale – 4.2%
• Saison – Saison – 6.8%

Grapevine Craft Brewery – Grapevine, TX

• Brewer’s Reserve Double IPA – Imperial IPA – 8.5%
• Monarch Pils – Pilsener – 5.2%
• Lakefire – American Pale Ale – 5.5%
• Sir William’s English Brown – Brown Ale – 4.9%

Green Flash - San Diego, CA

• Sea to Sea – Lager - 4%
• Passion Fruit Kicker – Fruit Beer – 5.5%
• Natura Morta Boysenberry – Wild Ale – 6.5%
• Alpine Nelson – India Pale Ale – 7%
• Alpine Duet – India Pale Ale – 7%

Independence – Austin, TX

• Redbud – Berliner Weisse – 4.2%
• Stash IPA – India Pale Ale – 7%
• Power & Light – American Pale Ale – 5.5%

Jester King, Austin, TX

• Biere de Syrah – Wild Ale – 7.3%
• Fantôme Del Ray – Saison – 8% (collaboration w/ Fantôme)
• Cloudfeeder – Wild Ale – 3.8% (collaboration w/ Tired Hands)
• Hibernal Dichotomous – Wild Ale – 5%

Jolly Pumpkin – Dexter, MI

• iO Saison – Saison - 6.8%
• Biere de Mars – Biere de Garde – 5.8%
• North Peak Diabolical IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.66%
• North Peak Majestic Wheat – Wheat Ale - 5.5%

Karbach – Houston, TX

• Bourbon Barrel Hellfighter – Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter – 10.8%
• Hop Delusion – Imperial IPA – 9%
• KR&D India Pale Lager – 5.97%
• Staycation – Wheat Ale – 4.8%

Lagunitas – Petaluma, CA/Chicago, IL

• IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.2%
• Undercover Investigation Shut-Down – American Strong Ale – 9.75%
• Lucky 13 – American Strong Ale – 8.56%
• Aunt Sally – Wild Ale – 5.7%

Lazy Magnolia – Kiln, MS

• Jeeze Louise – American Pale Ale – 5.5%
• Southern Pecan – Brown Ale – 4.5%
• 10 – American Strong Ale – 10%

Left Hand – Longmont, CO

• Good Juju – Spice/Herb – 4.5%
• Milk Stout Nitro - Sweet Stout – 6%
• Wake Up Dead Nitro – Imperial Stout – 10.2%

Leinenkugels – Chippewa Falls, WI

• Summer Shandy – Shandy – 4.2%
• Grapefruit Shandy – Shandy – 4.2%
• BeerGarTen Tart – Berliner Weisse – 4.8%

Malai Kitchen – Southlake, TX

• ThaiPA – India Pale Ale – 7%
• 3C Porter – Porter – 6.4%
• Oaked Golden Triangle – Saison – 7%

Martin House – Fort Worth, TX

• Cellarman’s Reserve IPA – India Pale Ale – 7%
• Salty Lady – Gose – 5%
• Oatmeal Hef – German Hefeweizen – 5.4%

Merchant du Vin - Various

• Lindemans Faro – Lambic – 4.5%
• Lindemans Peche – Lambic – 2.5%
• Westmalle Tripel – Tripel – 9.5%
• Samuel Smith Organic Pale Ale – ESP – 5%

New Belgium – Fort Collins, CO/Asheville, NC

• Fat Tire – Amber Ale – 5.2%
• Juicy Mandarina – India Pale Ale – 6.5%

New Holland – Holland, MI

• Mad Hatter – India Pale Ale – 5.25%
• White Hatter – Belgian Ale – 5.5%
• Dragon’s Milk – Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – 11%

Nine Band – Allen, TX

• Blue Lacy – Brown Ale – 6%
• Cactus Cat – Kölsch – 5.2%
• Hoop Snake – German Hefeweizen – 5.3%
• 28^th State Stout – Stout – 5.6%

Ninkasi – Eugene, OR

• Maiden the Shade – India Pale Ale – 6.8%
• Hop Cooler – India Pale Ale – 7.2%
• Barrel-Aged Ground Control – Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – 10%

Noble Rey – Dallas, TX

• Bridesmaid’s Tears – Saison – 6.6%
• Steam Punk – California Common – 5.4%
• Golden Rey – German Hefeweizen – 5.9%

Oak Highlands – Dallas, TX

• Golden Mustache – Dortmunder – 5.5%
• Chump Change – Saison – 9.8%
• Freaky Deaky – Tripel – 10%

Oasis – Austin, TX

• Luchesa – Zwickel – 4.8%
• Meta Modern – India Pale Ale – 4.5%
• Pub Series – Zwickelbier - 5%

Ommegang – Cooperstown, NY

• Seven Kingdoms – Belgian Ale – 6.9%
• Rosetta – Fruit Beer – 5.6%
• Three Philosophers – Quadrupel – 9.7%
• Fleur De Houblon – Belgian Ale – 6.8%

Oskar Blues – Longmont, CO/Brevard, NC/Austin, TX

• Dale’s Pale Ale – American Pale Ale - 6.5%
• Pinner – India Pale Ale – 4.9%
• Beerito – Vienna Lager – 4%
• Gubna – Imperial IPA – 10%

Panther Island – Ft Worth, TX

• Red Bandit – American Pale Ale – 5%
• Creamweaver – Cream Ale – 7.4%
• Summageez – Wheat Ale – 5.7%

Pedernales – Fredericksburg, TX

• TX Hop Bomb – India Pale Ale – 7.5%
• Robert Earl Keen Honey Pils – Pilsener – 5%
• Lobo Negro – Dunkel – 5.5%

Rabbit Hole – Justin, TX

• Rapture – Brown Ale – 6.4%
• 10/6 – English Pale Ale – 6.5%
• Wonderlust – Saison – 5.5%

Saint Arnold – Houston, TX

• Icon Gold Honey Saison – Saison
• Art Car IPA – India Pale Ale – 7.2%
• 5 O’clock Pils – Pilsener – 5.2%
• Boiler Room Brett w/ Raspberries – Berliner Weisse – 3.8%
• Bishops Barrel #12 – Barrel-Aged Old Ale – 8.9%

Sam Adams – Boston, MA

• Nitro White – Wheat Ale – 5.5%
• Grapefruit Rebel – India Pale Ale – 6.3%
• KMF Grand Cru – Wild Ale – 6.4%

Shiner – Shiner, TX

• Prickly Pear – Fruit Beer – 4.9%
• Strawberry Blonde – Fruit Beer – 4.3%
• Ruby Redbird – Spiced Ale – 4.2%

Sierra Nevada – Chico, CA/Mills River, NC

• Pale Ale – American Pale Ale – 5.6%
• Otra Vez – Gose – 4.5%
• Sweet Sunny South – Saison – 4.9% (collaboration w/ Austin Beerworks, Bayou Teche, Creature Comforts, Funky Buddha, & Wicked Weed)
• Barrel-Aged Bigfoot – Barrel-Aged Barley Wine – 11.6%

Small Town – Wauconda, IL

• Not Your Father’s Rootbeer – Spiced Ale – 5.9%
• Not Your Father’s Ginger Ale – Spiced Ale – 5.9%

Southern Tier – Lakewood, NY

• Tangier – India Pale Ale – 4.6%
• Crème Brûlée – Imperial Stout – 9.6%
• Choklat - Imperial Stout – 11%

Stone – Escondido, CA

• Citrusy Wit – Witbier – 5.3%
• Delicious IPA – India Pale Ale – 7.7%
• Go To IPA – India Pale Ale – 4.5%
• Mocha IPA – India Pale Ale – 9%

Texas Ale Project – Dallas, TX

• 50 Ft Jackrabbit – India Pale Ale – 7%
• The Caucasian – Imperial Stout – 9%
• 100 Million Angels Singing – Imperial IPA – 9.2%

Traveler – Burlington, VT

• Curious Traveler – Shandy – 4.4%
• Grapefruit Shandy – Shandy – 4.4%
• IPA Shandy – Shandy – 4.4%

Tupps – McKinney, TX

• Ooo LaLa – Stout – 7.9%
• For Ella – Imperial IPA – 8.9%
• Raspberry Shade – Stout – 5.7%

Unibroue – Chambly, CA

• Ephemere Apple – Fruit Beer – 5.5%
• La Resolution – Spiced Ale – 10%
• La Fin Du Monde – Tripel – 9%

Upslope – Boulder, CO

• Craft Lager – Lager – 4.8%
• India Pale Ale – India Pale Ale – 7.2%
• Belgian Style Pale Ale – Belgian Ale – 7.5%
• Thai Style White IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.5%

Victory – Downingtown, PA

• Vital IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.5%
• Cage Radler – Shandy – 2.7%
• Prima Pils – Pilsener – 5.3%
• Summer Love – Golden Ale – 5.2%

Woodchuck – Middlebury, VT

• Amber – Cider – 5%
• Summer – Cider – 5%
• Day Chaser – Cider – 5.5%

The Pub

• Alaskan Jalapeno Imperial IPA – Imperial IPA – 8.5%
• Deep Ellum Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout – Baltic Porter – 8%
• Community Legion – Imperial Stout – 10%
• Odell Prop! Culture – Saison – 7.1%
• Saint Arnold Elissa IPA – India Pale Ale – 6.6%
• Real Ale Rio Blanco Pale Ale – English Pale Ale – 5.2%
• Deschutes Chainbreaker – India Pale Ale – 5.6%
• Ace Pineapple – Cider – 5%

Can Stand

• Deep Ellum IPA – India Pale Ale – 7%
• Karbach Love Street – Kölsch – 4.9%
• Founders All Day IPA – India Pale Ale – 4.7%
• Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale – American Pale Ale – 6.5%
• Real Ale Firemans #4 – Golden Ale – 5.1%

InBev Tent

• Blue Point Toasted Lager – Amber Lager – 5.5%
• Elysian Space Dust IPA – India Pale Ale – 8.2%
• 10 Barrel Joe IPA – 6.8%
• Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout – Barrel-aged Imperial Stout – 14.2%

Best of the fest: My 2015 Dallas Untapped tasting card

Image credits: Untapped Festival, Alaskan Brewing Co., Braindead Brewing,
Lakewood Brewing Co., Oak Highlands Brewery.

Due to other things taking up a lot of my time over the last year or so, this weekend's Untapped Festival at Fair Park in Dallas was a return of sorts for me, since the last Untapped event I attended was the Fort Worth get together in 2014.

While it was great to be back roaming the grounds, I have to say that Untapped has officially become unmanageable. I mean, come on, how am I supposed to drink all the beers when there are over 400 of them to choose from?! Granted, I didn't actually want to drink 400 beers (not really anyway), but there were at least a few dozen on my short list of things to try at the event this past Saturday. This is all in jest, of course, but considering the beer list, its quality of curation and...well...the strength of many of the samples I sipped, all it took was two tasting cards and I was about done. Any more than that and I would've probably been seen wandering around reciting the lyrics to Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home." 

So, what was good? Most everything I tried, really, except maybe a spice bomb or two, and another that was a little too minty fresh. Then again, there was also the beer with a purpose in life that wasn't exactly clear. It wasn't bad, but I don't know if it was an ice cream trying to be a beer, or a beer trying to be an ice cream...or maybe neither? If someone wants to check with Ben or Jerry and get back to me, that'd be great.

In any case, here are a few of my favorites from Saturday's Fair Park adventure. As always, these words are based on first impressions gleaned from a two-ounce sample, so any tasting notes are fairly basic, and it's understood that your thoughts may be completely different than mine. Cheers!

• Alaskan Smoked Porter (2005, 2010, 2015): A great little in-festival vertical treat, after trying all three vintages I'd say the 2010 was the best. Not surprisingly, the smoked malt was most prevalent in the 2015 release, while being much less present in the bottle from 2005. The early version had some interesting sherry-like notes as well, but for me it was hard to beat the overall balance of the 2010 edition.
• Braindead 10th Anniversary Brett IIPA: From what I understand, the anniversary reference has to do with when Braindead brew chief Drew Huerter started homebrewing (yes, no, maybe?). As for the beer, this well-balanced brew was a little hoppy, a little funky and a lotta good.
• Lakewood Wild Manimal: Also using a bit of Brett, Wild Manimal is the brainchild of the "Manimal" himself, brewer Will Paden. It had just the right amount of fruit and funk, and while I'll need a full pour to see for myself, Lakewood founder Wim Bens said he thinks it's one of the brewery's best ever.
• Oak Highlands Chump Change: While I'm not at liberty to discuss the details of how this beer is made, to me it's a reminder that you don't have to go beyond beer's four basic ingredients to make something interesting and unique. Billed as an imperial black saison, Chump Change seemed to bring together the funk and effervescence of a saison, with the color and dark fruit of a dubbel.

Others I enjoyed: 903 Balcones Barrel Aged Sasquatch, Deep Ellum Barrel Aged Oak Cliff Coffee Ale, Jester King Synthesis Analogous, Karbach Trigavé, Rabbit Hole Mystic Rapture.

On the eve of Untapped, a Q&A with organizer Corey Pond

Image credit: Untapped Festival.

It was the summer of 2012 when North Texas was first introduced to the concept of Untapped, a festival billed as a mash-up of the best in both music and beer. The music was one thing, but for beer lovers the event promised a selection of brews unlike anything that had ever been seen, not only locally, but across the entire state of Texas as well. And, it delivered in that respect many times over.

Now entering its fourth year in Dallas, Untapped has grown from a gathering where 50 breweries doled out samples of around 100 beers, to an event where over 100 breweries will be serving more than 400 beers. Included in that number are 175 beers from 45 Texas breweries, 25 of which make their home in the Metroplex. On top of all that, attendance is expected to be in the vicinity of 10,000 people. Not bad for a festival that didn't even exist as recently as 2011.

As one of the organizers of Untapped, Corey Pond (the beer guy) has been front and center since it was just an idea being talked about over a beer with Spune Productions CEO Matthew Harber (the music guy). Not only that, Pond is also the owner of The Common Table, as well as being a member of the Board of Directors for North Texas Beer Week. So who better to ask about the evolution of Untapped, its legendary beer list (check out the 2015 edition here) and how it helps to foster the growth of craft beer industry in North Texas?

After discussing these very topics with him, which I've summarized below, should someone come up to me in the future and pose the above query, what I'll say is this...if you've got questions related to craft beer, Corey Pond's got answers. And, I'm not talking about the kind of rehearsed remarks some sports star spits out after he's gotten his keister kicked in a tough game. Indeed, what you're about to read isn't just a collection of clichés or an attempt to sugar coat what Pond believes is the truth. Instead, what you'll see are honest, passionate and prideful responses that speak to where North Texas is as a craft beer community, and thoughts on what the region is capable of becoming in the not-so-distant future.

Enjoy...


On Untapped's all-important beer list...

Q: Back in 2012, the year Untapped got its start in Dallas, I said something along the lines of that beer list being one of the greatest collections of craft beer ever compiled in the state. By all accounts, the list has only gotten bigger and better since then. How have you managed to continue to one-up yourself in that regard?

CP: I still believe that first comment was true back then, but this year's list makes that one look pedestrian. Over time the reputation for Untapped's beer list has made getting an incredible lineup much easier. The breweries know everybody is going to throw down and they want to make sure the beers they bring stand up to their peers. I do push back every now and then on the breweries and ask for something more, but not very often. It just kind of takes care of itself. I've also gotten to be friends with a lot of these folks and they know I'll drive them crazy if they phone it in.


Q: Does the North Texas market present any unique challenges compared to others in the state when it comes to putting together the list? Is it easier or more difficult considering there are almost always a handful of new breweries that have opened since the last event?

CP: North Texas is actually the best place to put together the beer list, in my opinion. With all due respect to Austin, Houston and San Antonio, we have more breweries here than any other city in Texas and overall the quality of beer in North Texas is better. That's not just my opinion - user ratings on Ratebeer, as well as awards won at GABF and World Beer Cup have all pretty much made that an objective fact. I also know a lot of the owners/staff at the local breweries and talk to them regularly, so I spend 12 months a year encouraging them to make something special for the event. If you look at what Peticolas does at every Untapped festival, that pretty much summarizes it for me. The beer lists in all the markets are outstanding, but you just can't beat the one in Dallas. Plus, Dallas Untapped is the flagship, so the out of town folds typically make sure they bring the heat for this one.


Q: You visited Southern Tier in New York to help brew XNTX 2015, a beer created exclusively for North Texas Beer week that will be available at Untapped. What was that experience like?

CP: It was amazing - it's likely the most beautiful brewery I'll ever see and the people were amazing. But, they actually made us do the brewing work - I had to handle 20+ lb bags of malted barley (and damn near ruined a machine in the process), fill buckets with hops and set my phone to remind me to go back and add the 2nd and 3rd hop additions (at that point I was in the brewpub). I had the opportunity to brew at another large craft brewery several years back, but it was not nearly as hands on as this. I tasted the roasted pecans before they were put in the mash (15 lbs of them if I remember correctly). It was a blast and I learned a lot. I can't wait to taste the beer - it sounds delicious.


Q: Other than XNTX 2015, what other beers are you excited to try this Saturday?

CP: These are the beers I'm hoping to try:

• 903 Brewers Balcones Barrel Aged Sasquatch and The Sour One.
• 2005, 2010 and 2015 vintages of Alaskan Smoked Porter.
• Alpine Nelson (cause it's the #truth).
• Audacity Red Wine Barrel Aged Sour.
• Braindead 10th Anniversary Ale.
• Cobra Barrel Aged Klurichan.
• Community Rum-Soaked Cinnamon Legion.
• Dogfish Higher Math.
• Epic Sour Brainless on Peaches.
• Hops & Grain beers, since they currently don't distribute to D/FW.
• Jester King Synthesis Analogous.
• Lakewood Wild Manimal.
• Lakewood/Rahr & Sons DFW.
• Martin House Holidazed and Confused.
• Ninkasi beers making their Untapped debut.
• Oak Highlands Chump Change.
• Panther Island Gourdeous Blonde.
• Peticolas Black Curtains and Sledge Hammer.

On the move to Fair Park for the 2015 event...

Q: With this year's event comes a change in venue. Gilley's seemed to be a popular choice, but this time around you've moved things to Fair Park. Is that just a function of overall growth and needing more space? 

CP: Gilley's was great but it presented some unique TABC challenges due to property lines and other stuff I'm still not sure I understand. Fair Park is an amazing setting and those guys are PROS at handling events. The growth of the event forced the move as much as anything else, but I doubt we'll ever move it again. 


On coupling with CrowdSource and growing craft beer's audience...

Q: A little over a year ago, CrowdSource purchased a majority interest in Untapped. The catalyst for the move from Untapped's point of view seemed to primarily be to add resources to allow growth the even both in Texas and beyond. As you alluded to in mentioning Austin, Houston and San Antonio, we've seen new events added in other major Texas cities, but how else has the partnership changed things as far as putting on the event?

CP: It gives us the ability to do things we otherwise couldn't. The reputation and influence of The Dallas Morning News (CrowdSource's parent company) opens a lot of doors that otherwise wouldn't be opened. For instance, we're now the first major event to follow the State Fair at Fair Park. If we had gone to them (Fair Park) two years ago, I doubt they'd have jumped through all the hoops to make it happen. There's also some exciting stuff we're working on that'll show up in future years that otherwise wouldn't be possible. The marketing reach doesn't hurt either, and we love being a part of such an influential organization. I'm proud of the partnership every single day.


Q: Picking up on something you just said, CrowdSource and The Dallas Morning News obviously have a wide reach with a variety of consumer types. Would you say it's helped to attract a new audience to the craft beer scene that might not have found its way otherwise?

CP: I do believe they've helped attract some new folks. The coverage they provide in print and online reaches a TON of folks and their voice is obviously very well respected. I would've never thought we'd take on a partner for Untapped, but if you'd have told me the potential partner was The Dallas Morning News, I would've always wanted to be a part of that.


Q: Staying with the idea of the audience Untapped serves (both literally and figuratively), music is obviously a major component of the event. In fact, Untapped is presented as the best of both music and beer, rather than say a music festival that just happens to have great beer (or vice versa). Even so, do think either side benefits more from being brought together? 

CP: This is what makes Untapped special to me and hopefully to fest-goers. We absolutely, positively introduce new people to craft beer. They (the fans that come strictly for the music) actually don't have a choice at Untapped - they have to drink craft beer or not drink anything at all. I've seen so many people post on social media about how Untapped introduced them to the beer scene, and every time I see one it makes me smile. I also love great music and enjoy the idea of introducing beer lovers to great music they hadn't known about previously. It's the combination of the two that makes me (and everybody involved) so passionate about Untapped.


On the state of the local craft beer union...

Q: In your mind, how does Untapped impact the beer scene here in North Texas?

CP: To me, the entire beer scene is symbiotic. Having great breweries makes it easier to have a great festival. Having Big Texas Beer Fest here makes it easier to have Untapped here. Having North Texas Beer Week occur and kick so much ass helps Untapped, helps the breweries, and so on. Untapped brings people to craft beer (just like BTBF, North Texas Beer Week and the local breweries do) which in turn helps BTBF, North Texas Beer Week, the breweries, etc. I don't really know exactly what Untapped does, but I'd like to think it makes a big impact. Ten thousand folds all drinking and talking about beer in one place surely makes some kind of difference.


Q: Finally, if  you were to give a one-paragraph "state of the union" on where North Texas is as far as being considered a craft beer destination, what would you say?

CP: I think we're already a destination. For Untapped, over 10% of our total ticket sales come from more than 45 miles away (so even outside of Fort Worth). This year, we've sold tickets to people from over 30 states. North Texas Beer Week is also making an impact. There are more breweries in North Texas than almost any city in the south (as in south and east of here) aside from places in North Carolina. We have two of the biggest and best beer festivals in the nation, and our beer week is undoubtedly among top in the nation and it's not even three years old. It's been amazing to watch. I believe North Texas can become one of the top beer destinations in the next three-to-four years. The momentum that exists today gives me no reason to believe we won't continue to catch up with, and eventually pass, quite a few of the big beer cities.


Untapped Dallas happens Saturday, November 7 at Fair Park. Get your tickets here.

Your Companion Guide to Untapped Dallas 2014

Image credit: Untapped Festival

There is no game more synonymous with drinking beer than darts. And, honestly, a solitary dart and a printout of the full beer list tacked to the wall are just about all the supplies you'll need to get you through this year's Untapped Festival in Dallas. You know the drill: close your eyes, aim, fire, drink, repeat. Though, I suppose a bottle of water and a ride home might be worth having, too.

In any case, as the banner states you'll be able to choose from over 300 beers supplied by more than 80 breweries while enjoying live music from banks like Cake, Shovels & Rope, Deltron 3030, The Polyphonic Spree, Rogue Wave and others.

As I've done in the past, I've created a beer geek breakdown below outlining some of the best beers that will be available, as well as a few new tastes and limited pours. It should be noted that this event is being put on in association with NTX Beer Week, and as such a number of brewers have crafted special beers for the occasion. These include Lakewood Manimal, A Lost Epic from Peticolas and Wood-Aged Nightwatch from Grapevine. There's also the Lakewood/Rahr collaboration called DFW, and a single hop pale ale from Southern Tier called XNTX Special Ale: Brewed for the Good People of North Texas.

It all goes down Saturday, November 1, at Gilley's in Dallas. General Admission and Beer + Concert tickets are still available by way of the festival website (VIP is sold out).

Of course, nothing could be better than attending the event for free and it just so happens I have a pair of Beer + Concert tickets to give away. To win, simply share which beer you're most eager to try in the comments section below, or by replying to the post on either Facebook or Twitter. I'll choose a random winner at noon on Thursday, October 23.  (Update: The winner of the tickets is Facebook user Addison Denenberg. Thanks to all who entered here and on social media channels!).

Cheers and good luck!


Whale watching: Brews from the Beer Advocate top 250  

#3. Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout
#9. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
#17. Bourbon County Brand Stout
#28. Founders Breakfast Stout
#34. Bourbon County Brand Barleywine
#86. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
#112. Ballast Point Victory at Sea
#192. Jester King Aurelian Lure
#219. Stone Ruination IPA
#233. Boulevard Love Child #4


Perfect pours: Top rated beers (100/100) on Ratebeer

Epic Big Bad Baptist
Firestone Walker: Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA, Velvet Merkin
Founders:  Porter
Great Divide:  Oak Aged Yeti
New Belgium: La Folie
North Coast:  Barrel Aged Rasputin XV
Sierra Nevada: Hoptimum
Southern Tier: Choklat
Unibroue:  Trois Pistoles


Best of the rest: Close enough to perfect (Ratebeer scores out of 100))

Avery: Rumpkin (99), Lillikoi Kepolo (98)
Ballast Point:  Dorado Double IPA (99), Grapefruit Sculpin (99), Grunion Pale Ale (98)
Boulevard:  Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale (99)
Brasserie d'Achouffe: Houblon Chouffe (99)
Brooklyn:  Black Chocolate Stout (99)
Deschutes:  Black Butte XXVI (98), Fresh Squeeze IPA (98), Mirror Mirror (99)
Dogfish Head:  Burton Baton (99), 60 Minute IPA (98), 120 Minute IPA (99)
Epic: Imperial IPA (98)
Firestone Walker:  Velvet Merlin (98)
Founders:  Centennial IPA (99), Dirty Bastard (98)
Goose Island:  Juliet (99), Lolita (99), Madame Rose (99)
Great Divide: Fresh Hop Pale Ale (98), Hibernation (98)
Green Flash:  Double Stout (99), Green Bullet (98), Le Freak (98)
Harpoon:  Leviathan IPA (98)
Jolly Pumpkin: Oro de Calabaza (99), Luciernaga "The Firefly" (99)
Karbach: Bourbon Barrel Hellfighter (99)
Lagunitas:  A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' (99), Imperial Red (98),
Lakewood: The Temptress (98)
Liefmans: Goudenband (98)
New Holland: Dragon's Milk (99)
Odell:  IPA (98), Mountain Standard Double Black IPA (99)
Ommegang:  Gnomegang (98), Three Philosophers (99)
Oskar Blues:  Dale's Pale Ale (98), Deviant Dale's (99)
Real Ale: The Kraken (98)
Santa Fe: Imperial Java Stout (98)
Sierra Nevada:  Narwhal (99), Northern Hemisphere Harvest (99), Torpedo (98)
Ska: Modus Hoperandi (98)
Smuttynose: Robust Porter (99)
Uinta:  Cockeyed Cooper (98)
Unibroue:  La Fin du Monde (98), Maudite (99)
Victory:  HopDevil (99)


Texas Award Winners:

Armadillo Ale Works: Quakertown Stout (2014 GABF Gold)
Community: Public Ale (2013-14 GABF Gold), Witbier (2014 World Beer Cup Gold)
Grapevine: Sir William's English Brown Ale (2014 GABF Gold)
Oasis: London Homesick Ale (2014 GABF Gold)
Pedernales: Lobo Negro (2014 GABF Silver)
Real Ale: Firemans #4 (2012 GABF Silver), Hans Pils (2012 GABF Silver)
Saint Arnold: Endeavour (2012 World Beer Cup Silver)


Rare breeds: Market debuts, seasonals and limited editions

(512): Six (Dubbel)
903: Land of Milk & Honey
Abita: Cask-conditioned Abbey Ale
Community: Ascension Vanilla Coffee Porter
Deep Ellum: Belgian IPA, Hatch Chile Stout
Franconia: Oak Aged Fallin' Bock, Tripel Dunkel
Grapevine: Dry Hopped Lakefire Pale Ale, Wood-Aged Nightwatch Oatmeal Stout
Independence: 10th Anniversary Dry-Hopped Barleywine
Lakewood: Bokkenrijders, Bourbon Barrel Temptress, Holiday Bonus Festive Porter,
                    Manimal Red Farmhouse Ale, DFW: A Collaboration of Two Breweries
Martin House: Turtle Power Blackberry Altbier
Oskar Blues: Barrel-Aged Sour Cherry Old Chub
Peticolas: Dry-Hopped Sit Down or I'll Sit You Down, Dry-Hopped Velvet Hammer
                  Bourbon Oak Alfred Brown, A Lost Epic Tripel
Rabbit Hole: Off With Your Red
Rahr & Sons: Midnight Cab, Visionary Pumpkin
Real Ale: Scots Gone Wild
Revolver: Fracker Barrel One, Sangre y Miel
Saint Arnold: Divine Reserve 14
Southern Tier: XNTX Special Ale (brewed especially for NTX Beer Week)
Texas Ale Project: 50 Foot Jackrabbit, Somethin' Shady


Oldies but goodies: Vintage brews

2004 Alaskan Smoked Porter
2012 Brooklyn Monster
2013 Saint Arnold Pumpkinator
2013 SanTan Sex Panther

Best of the fest: My Untapped tasting card

Image caption:  All images/logos property of their respective owners. 

It's always a bit of a struggle deciding how to bring attention to beers sampled at a festival. I believe you can't give a proper review based on a two-ounce pour, and Saturday's Untapped event presented even more of a challenge given the colder temperatures. That said, you'll notice a theme in many of my tasting notes, as frozen fingers weren't conducive to hand warming which might normally help to reveal additional character.

On the flip side, there's something to be said for first impressions, and more than one brewer has told me that hearing the words "I'd drink that beer again" are as welcome a compliment as any other. So, with that, here are the beers I'd drink again...provided I could do so in climate controlled surroundings.


Malt

Four Corners Notorious O.A.T: A beer that, for whatever reason, I had yet to track down in the market. I suppose it was better late than never, since they tell me supplies are just about gone. Simply put, a couple of sips of this one gave the impression of yet another quietly solid brew from the Trinity Groves brewer.

903 Sasquatch: Chocolate, chocolate...oh, and chocolate. I wasn't able to pick up on the milk sugar addition, but give me a pint of this in an environment where it can warm up another five or so degrees and let's see what develops.


Hops

Deep Ellum Tongue Punch: The brewery's IPA was dry-hopped with four different varieties, but due to an apparent brain freeze I forgot to write down the details. In any event, it was a beer that was true to its name.

Lagunitas Couch Trippin' Fusion: This beer is billed as a "brown-ish" ale dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hops. It's hop-forward (what Lagunitas brew isn't) and I'm not entirely sure what flavor profile they are going for from a malt perspective, but my two favorite hop varieties from one of my favorite breweries (and I'm not even a hophead).  Easy sell.


Smoke

Lakewood Antigoon's Revenge:  The "Goon thing" (which is how I chose to refer to this beer since I couldn't remember the name) is a Belgian golden ale brewed with cherry wood smoked malt. It's a big, warming brew with hints of fruit and spice to go along with a noticeably subtle smoke infusion.

Martin House Kafkaesque: So, let me see if I've got this straight. This beer is an Imperial smoked black rye oaked raspberry IPA. If that sounds bizarre or illogical, it's suppose to given the reference to Frank Kafka (Google it). My taste buds cropped the ingredient list down to a hoppy rye oaked raspberry IPA, and a tasty one at that. Basically, contributions from the smoke and dark grains eluded me, but again it's tough to pick up on certain flavors when you're drinking beer in the Arctic.


Sour

Jester King Cerveza de Tempranillo: A very wine-like, even-tempered wild ale brewed with Tempranillo grapes that would probably appeal to those not typically into sours. It's strong, with an ABV of 9.4%, but I would never have guessed that based on flavor and aroma.


One for the road

Oskar Blues Maker's Mark Barrel Aged Dale's Pale Ale: Maker's Mark bourbon is among the best to my taste when used for barrel aging. It has an appropriate amount of sweetness without being harsh, making it a perfect complement to many types of beer. In this case, the name of the brew is nine words long...just call it "good."


Cheers!

A companion guide to the 2014 Paste Untapped Festival in Fort Worth

Image credit:  Paste Untapped

Happening on Saturday, Paste Untapped returns this week to the Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. If you haven't seen the complete list of all the beers that will be available, by all means check it out on the festival website.

As for a quick analysis, we can talk about obligatory stats like the over 250 beers from 62 breweries, or we can simply ask the one question that brings it all home: When is the last time you had a ticket to a festival in North Texas where you could sample over fifty beers rated 98 or above by your peers?

To help quell the certain madness of choosing which beers to drink, I've pared the list down a bit into what I call a beer geek breakdown. If you want the best of the best, or just a taste of something new, this is where to start. Really, you don't need recommendations with all the list has to offer. You'd do just as well if you drew random names out of a hat, or instituted a game of craft beer blind man's bluff.

Come to think of it, maybe "list" isn't even the right word anymore.  Really, it's more like a blinding neon beacon of beer light.

Buy a ticket, bask in its glow.

White whale watching: Brews from the Beer Advocate top 100

#19. Founders Breakfast Stout (VIP only)
#25. Firestone Walker Sucaba
#60. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
#88. Founders Imperial Stout


Perfect pours: Top rated beers (100/100) on Ratebeer

Avery:  The Maharaja Imperial IPA, Tweak
Dogfish Head:  90 Minute IPA
Firestone Walker:  Double Jack, XVII Anniversary Ale
Founders:  Backwoods Bastard (VIP only), Porter
Great Divide:  Oak Aged Yeti
North Coast:  Old Rasputin
Uinta:  Labyrinth Black Ale
Unibroue:  Trois Pistoles
Victory:  Old Horizontal


Best of the rest: Close enough to perfect (Ratebeer scores out of 100))

Alaskan:  Barley Wine Ale (99), Smoked Porter (99)
Ballast Point:  Dorado Double IPA (99), Tongue Buckler (98)
Boulevard:  Double Wide IPA (99), Rye on Rye (99)
Brooklyn:  Sorachi Ace (98)
Deschutes:  Fresh Squeezed IPA (98), Hop Henge IPA (99)
Dogfish Head:  Burton Baton (99), Olde School Barleywine (98)
Duvel Moortgat:  Duvel (99)
Firestone Walker:  Union Jack IPA (99), Velvet Merlin (98)
Founders:  Centennial IPA (99)
Goose Island:  Lolita (99), Sofie (98)
Green Flash:  Hop Head Red (98), Palate Wrecker (99), Serrano Stout (98)
Harpoon:  Leviathan IPA (98)
Lagunitas:  A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' (99)
Odell:  IPA (98), Myrcenary Double IPA (99, VIP only)
Ommegang:  Three Philosophers (99)
Oskar Blues:  Deviant Dale's (99)
Sierra Nevada:  Bigfoot (99, VIP only), Narwhal (99, VIP only), Northern Hemisphere Harvest (99), Torpedo (98)
Southern Tier:  Crème Brulee Stout (98), Iniquity (98), Unearthly (99)
Uinta:  Dubhe (99)
Unibroue:  La Fin du Monde (99)
Victory:  HopDevil (99)


Rare breeds: Market debuts and limited editions

903:  I So Pale
Brooklyn:  Hammarby Syndrome
Deep Ellum:  Tongue Punch Cask
Grapevine Craft Brewery:  Raspberry Brown Ale, 10 Gauge Belgian IPA
Hops & Grain:  Funk Del Roble
Jester King:  Cerveza de Tempranillo, La Vie en Rose
Lagunitas:  Fusion XIX
Lakewood:  Antigoon, Bourbon Barrel Temptress
Martin House:  Kafkaesque
New Belgium:  Gruit
Rahr & Sons:  Midnight Cab, Snowmacocoageddon, Hatch Chile Blonde, Dry Hopped Stormcloud
Real Ale:  Double IPA Cask (VIP only), Codex Triplex (VIP only)
Saint Arnold:  Bishop's Barrel #6
Widmer:  Upheaval IPA


Oldies but goodies: Vintage brews

2012 Alaskan Smoked Porter (VIP only)
2011 North Coast Barrel Aged Old Stock
Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 10

Best of the fest: Untapped festival goers get 'Bomb'ed



Image credit:  Paste Magazine, Victory Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Co.,
Lone Pint Brewing Co., Prairie Artisan Ales, Southern Tier Brewing Co.
(click to enlarge)

With more and more beer festivals happening on a recurring basis, a recap of events that aren't in their first year basically comes down to an analysis of the venue (if new), the beer list and what you remember of the day's consumption.  Some, like the affair in question, may have a separate element with equal billing (in this case indie music), but we're just here for the beer.

For their return to Dallas, Paste Untapped selected Gilley's as the place to be, and from my perspective the choice seems to have been a good one.  There appeared to be ample parking, and the grounds themselves provided plenty of elbow room and facilities, at least for the early and mid-afternoon crowd of which I was a part.  Would it have been nice to not be able to fry an egg on your feet (for those of us in flip-flops)?  Of course, but hold this event at the same time next year and it could just as easily be 70 degrees outside.  Given the surroundings, the appropriate suggestion was to come prepared and cowboy up!

Moving on, the strength of the pre-announced beer list has been discussed at length by myself and others.  The only question left was what to drink?  Faced with the prospect of choosing which beers would make it onto your must try menu, there are any number of ways you could have gone.  Personally, I sought out brews I had yet to experience.  These tended to be market debuts from local or national brewers, ultra-rarities I had never been able to corral, or cask and one-off releases that may have been offered especially for the occasion.  As it turned out, compared to other Texas-based festivals I've attended in the past, my list of unfamiliar flavors was longer than it had ever been before.

Come next year, one-upping (or even equaling) the beer list yet again will be a daunting task.  Something tells me, though, that the powers that be will be up to the challenge.

My festival favorites:

Thunderstruck

A good Baltic-style porter is hard to find, so coming across one aged in red wine barrels must be all the more rare.  With Red Thunder, Victory has taken their seasonal Baltic Thunder and let it sit for three months in spent casks from Wente Vineyards. The barrel treatment adds a burst of grapes, wood tones and a tannic finish to a beer already steeped in cocoa and dark fruit goodness.

It's the Great Pumpking, Charlie Brown

Outside of a few exceptions, I'm generally not a fan of pumpkin beers.  It's mostly a function of wanting my beer to taste like something other than just pumpkin, and many concoctions of this type are somewhat heavy-handed.  Pumpking from Southern Tier isn't that way at all.  It's like pumpkin pie in a bottle, but it goes beyond other beers that claim the same description with the added dimension of what tastes like a rich and buttery graham cracker crust. 

The Yellow Rose of Texas

Ever since products from Lone Pint started appearing on tap walls in North Texas, it seemed like the beer we heard about most was the one that wasn't here.  Only a couple of kegs of Yellow Rose have ever made it to our area, even though we've seen a handful of the brewery's other products.  Word of mouth has generated a fair amount of buzz around this beer, and after only a few sips it's easy to see why.  It's remarkably bright and flavorful, which may come as a surprise once you learn it's based on a single hop (Mosaic), single malt recipe. 

A real peach

Of all things to seek out for a bit of refreshment from the summer heat, a Belgian strong ale probably wouldn't be at the top of anyone's list.  Though, if it's a beer that tastes as fresh as Great Divide's Peach Grand Cru, I'm all for it.  Perceptions may well have been skewed after many full-bodied samples, but despite the heavy sounding style name this brew came across as a fairly easy drinker.

Prairie is the Bomb!

I walked into Untapped expecting to declare Tweak from Avery as my favorite beer of the day.  This, before I had sampled even a single brew.  How could I not?  I count Mephistopheles among my favorite beers, and the thought of a coffee addition made it sound all the more intriguing.  Plus, I had always seemed to miss it when it appeared locally, so a trip to the Avery booth was a personal priority.  Then, a funny thing happened.  I ended up taking a slight detour after it was mentioned that Prairie Artisan Ales had brought an off-the-menu brew in bottles, and it wasn't clear how much of it was left.  The beer?  Bomb!  A imperial stout aged on coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla and chili peppers, it was like a molten dark chocolate bar with subtle infusions of the aforementioned ingredients.  It was so well rounded it made Tweak, which I had moments later, seem a little sweet.  Don't get me wrong, Tweak is still a great beer, but the day's props belong to the Bomb!

Also notable:  903 Kahlua Barrel Aged Pecan Porter, Texian Brutus (an English IPA) and Armadillo Quakertown Stout randallized with cocoa nibs, toasted coconut, cinnamon and mulling spices.

Cheers!