Fremont Brewing's Day Flying Coconut IPA

7% ABV 48 IBU 

Untappd - 3.73/5 

Beer Advocate - 3.84/5

21A. American IPA

A decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale, showcasing modern American or New World hop varieties. The balance is hopforward, with a clean fermentation profile, dryish finish, and clean, supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through. 

Found at Market of Choice in Eugene, OR - Hails from Seattle, WA

An IPA with coconut?! Need I say more?! If I do, I'm not gonna...on to the review!

Appearance: A golden color with an orange hue...some might say light amber. Creamy, fluffy white head. Enticing.  8

Aroma: Tropical elements mostly displayed with a candied orange mostly coming through. Coconut is prominent of course, with an herbal/spicy hop note on the back.  7.7

Flavor: Sweet tropical fruits like mango and orange on the front. Nicely layered with toasted coconut and a decent dose of bitter on the back.  7.9

Mouthfeel: A creamy and smooth brew (probably from the coconut). Has a medium body and nice level of carbonation. Well done.  8.1

Overall: Day Flying from Fremont didn't disappoint in the satisfaction category. The coconut aspect had me intrigued enough to try it but would only work for me if it were an accent rather than the main flavor. Mission accomplished! If I come across this brew again, I would definitely buy it...unless I am doing another beer review of course.  7.93

Matt's mark: 3.97/5

Digital Dreams by Matchless Brewing

6% ABV IBU - none listed

Untappd - 3.84/5 

Beer Advocate - 3.76/5

5D. German Pils 

A light-bodied, highly-attenuated, gold-colored, bottom-fermented bitter German beer showing excellent head retention and an elegant, floral hop aroma. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, a German Pils showcases the finest quality German malt and hops.

Found at Whole Foods Market in Eugene, OR - Hails from Tumwater, WA

Yet another brew that is distinctly hard to classify. You could say, "oh it's a pilsner, classify it as a good ol' fashioned German Pils." But the Brut in me says it could also be an experimental beer. Besides, it doesn't let me know the hops used for it. Alas, I decided to go the traditional route...knowing the brew is not going to be traditional. Hmmmm, what a conundrum! On to the review!

Appearance: A clear golden straw with a hint of green when held up to the light...interesting. Has a decent 1/2 inch head with good lacing. Bubbly.  7.9

Aroma: Sweet malt and a touch of honey. Combined with a delicate citrus note. A little grassy as well.  7.6

Flavor: Much like the aroma. Sweet malt and a touch of honey. Layered with lemongrass as well as some grassy hops on the back end. Refreshing.  7.9

Mouthfeel: A light bodied brew that's crisp and on the dry side. Nice bubbly zing.  7.8

Overall: I am not a huge fan of Pilsner's, but if done right, they are quite tasty. This was done right. I also liked the added flare of the Brut bubbliness of it. It's a nice brew to drink on a hot summer day or a nice rainy spring day when dreaming of summer. Nicely done Matchless.  7.8

Matt's mark: 3.9/5

Aloha Death by Iron Horse Brewing

Brewed with Coconut

6.56% ABV 
Untappd - 3.73/5 

16A. Sweet Stout 

A very dark, sweet, full-bodied, slightly roasty ale that can suggest coffee-and-cream, or sweetened espresso.

Found at Get & Go Grocery in Cottage Grove, OR - Hails from Ellensburg, WA

I decided to try a new place for beer. I got the impression it's a hit or miss kinda place. The brew itself is an enigma. It could be a porter, it could be something else. I decided to classify it as a sweet stout...even though it says it's a dark ale. Their isn't really a category for dark ale and if you're going to be vague on the style intended, I'll decide! It's my blog! I make the rules! On to the review!

Appearance: A coffee brown with a creamy tan head. We're off to a good start here.  8

Aroma: Mostly a malty, bready aroma. Of course, the coconut is huge as well. I do detect a little bit of coffee and chocolate but...did I say coconut already. Yeah, definitely coconut.  7.2

Flavor: Well, you can taste the coconut. It's a sweet brew (why I classified it as a sweet stout) that does have chocolate on the back of the tongue. I would like more of it to round the brew out a bit.  7

Mouthfeel: Thin and low body for a darker brew. That's all I have to say about that.  7

Overall: Aloha Death has all the makings for a terrific brew. It's not quite there yet. A little more balancing of the Coconut with the chocolate (and a higher ABV!) and we're cooking with this one. I did enjoy it as is and would consider buying it again.  7.3

Matt's mark: 3.65/5

Coldfire Brewing's Italian-Style Pilsner

Indie Batch Series

5.2% ABV 27 IBU's
Untappd - 3.97/5

To cool for Beer Advocate

5D. German Pils Overall Impression: A light-bodied, highly-attenuated, gold-colored, bottom-fermented bitter German beer showing excellent head retention and an elegant, floral hop aroma. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, a German Pils showcases the finest quality German malt and hops.

Found at Market of Choice (Willamette St) - Hails from their local Eugene Public House.

I know what you're thinking (not really, I am just taking a stab), how can an Italian-style Pilsner be in the German Pils guidelines? Well, you take a German Pilsner, add some floral hops, a little bit of bitter citrus and a Vespa (with an Italian gentleman saying ciào) and violà! Oh wait, "violà" is French...I guess that explains the Moulon Rouge in the background of the beer picture...On to the review!

Appearance: A golden straw color with a fancy, foamy head. Nice lacing as the head dissipates.  8

Aroma: A big floral presence upfront with a herbal and malty aroma backbone. Has a citrus undertone to it as well.  7.9

Flavor: Clean with a floral sweetness to start which quickly gravitates to a citrus bitterness. Has a nice, peppery spiciness kick to it as well that lingers on the back of the throat.  8

Mouthfeel: Crisp, bright and light bodied. The pepper on the back, while tasty, is a little harsh...just a little.  7.8

Overall: I really liked this Pilsner from Coldfire. I don't drink them that often because Pilsners are just not that interesting to me. Don't get me wrong, a well done Pilsner is great in certain situations, they just don't make their way into my hand the way a barrel-aged stout does. The Italianizing does add character to the Pilsner style that I can get behind. Well done Coldfire! Ciào!  7.92

Matt's mark: 3.96/5

Fruit Monster by Great Notion Brewing

Photo by my beautiful daughter Madison

Tart Ale with Mango, Guava, and Peach

6% ABV No IBU's

Beer Advocate - 4.25/5
Untappd - 4.26/5

28B. Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer

American Wild Ales are beers that are introduced to "wild" yeast or bacteria, such as Brettanomyces, Pediococcus, or Lactobacillus. This introduction may occur from oak barrels that have been previously inoculated, pitching into the beer, or gained from various "sour mash" techniques. Regardless of the method, these yeast and/or bacteria leave a mark that should be noticeable to strong, and often contribute a sour and/or funky, wild note. Mixed-fermentation examples will display a range of aromatics, rather than a single dominant character.

From the source in Portland, Oregon.

Shout out to my good friend Jeremy Eckstein for offering to grab me a four pack of this beauty (also another four pack of Pineapple Pillows IPA). This made for quite the treat on Mother's Day...I just need an encore for Father's Day.

Appearance: A delectable creamy tangerine with a foamy white head. The head dissipates quickly leaving a hazy good looking brew...I must admit, the hazy look is growing on me a bit.   8.3

Aroma: A bright guava and mango bonanza. I couldn't make out the peach but sometimes my sniffer fails me...especially this time of year. Still, if you could taste an aroma...  8.4

Flavor: Uuuuuuh, maybe you can taste an aroma? The tartness delivers up front with explosions of peach, mango and guava one right after the other...what more do you need?  If I were crazy, maybe pineapple.  8.4

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth. This low to medium carbonated brew goes down quite easy and is highly refreshing.  8.2

Overall: My last post was about the Wishing Wand, which is still my favorite. But this crowd-pleaser just landed in second position, pushing out Mango Flossi. Great Notion has quite the reputation. I have not had anything bad from them...then again, I have only had 3 brews from them. They are hard to get a hold of in my neck of the woods (even though I reside in the same state).  This version (that's right, I said version) of the Fruit Monster was delicious. I can't wait to try another version of it. 8.33

Matt's mark: 4.17/5

The Wishing Wand by Urban Family Brewing

An Imperial Boysenberry Sour Ale

8.5% ABV No IBU's
Untappd - 3.79/5

28B. Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer

American Wild Ales are beers that are introduced to "wild" yeast or bacteria, such as Brettanomyces, Pediococcus, or Lactobacillus. This introduction may occur from oak barrels that have been previously inoculated, pitching into the beer, or gained from various "sour mash" techniques. Regardless of the method, these yeast and/or bacteria leave a mark that should be noticeable to strong, and often contribute a sour and/or funky, wild note. Mixed-fermentation examples will display a range of aromatics, rather than a single dominant character.

Found at Market of Choice (Willamette St) - Hails from Seattle, Washington

I am going to make this quick and easy. I chose this beauty on the recommendation of the new Beer/Wine Steward at the grocery store. It was the first thing he brought in, so it's as near to a can't miss situation you can possibly find yourself...if you like sours...and I do. I am thinking it's the perfect companion for my mental health day. On to the review!

Appearance: Oooooh, pretty. The color is magnificent. A deep pinkish blue with a head the color of pink icing on a cake. Really big head that stays for a long time. Very inviting.  8.5

Aroma: Sour berries is at the fore front of this brew. I obviously smell the boysenberry but it is also reminiscent of raspberry and a touch of blueberry. I rechecked the label...still says it just boysenberry.  8.3

Flavor: Nice, berry puckerlishissness that dives into some funk and trails off with a little bit of sweetness. Has a slightly sour aftertaste. The boysenberry definitely shines in this one. The missus didn't enjoy it too much (she actually hated it but not surprising since sours are at the bottom of her list of enjoyment) but I like it a lot.  9

Mouthfeel: A crisp and dry sour. Low to medium mouthfeel. Doesn't drink like an imperial...dangerous.  8.9

Overall: The Wishing Wand has me wishing that I had purchased two of them. It's probably the best sour I have had (outside of the one I made of course) but the Mango Flossi is a close second. Urban Family is popular for their sours and I can see why. Highly recommend.  8.68

Matt's mark: 4.34/5

Ancestry Brewing's Glori Haze Imperial Hazy IPA

7.8% ABV 63 IBU

Beer Advocate score - N/A
Untappd score 3.83/5

21A. American IPA

A decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale, showcasing modern American or New World hop varietihe balance is hopforward, with a clean fermentation profile, dryish finish, and clean, supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through.

Found at Market of Choice (Willamette St) - Hails from Tualatin, OR

I was taking my time through the beer section and this little guy caught my eye. I now know why you want to avoid driving red cars...they do cause more eyes to drift their way. But with beer cans, you don't have to worry about the coppers...unless you have an open container while driving. That is a whole other issue entirely and one I can't help you with. On to the review!

Appearance: It has a thin layer of white foam sitting on top an apple ciderish looking brew. The only way to distinguish it from cider are the tiny white chunks. I will never get used to the "look" of a hazy. 7.3

Aroma: Nice dankness to the citrus hop aroma. I detect guava and tangerine mostly. Tropical fruits galore for sure. 8

Flavor: Intense citrus hop flavor up front but not overly bitter. Not a real malty IPA but enough to be well balance with the citrus and bitter of the hops. A highly quaff-able brew.  8.1

Mouthfeel: It has a nice mid medium mouthfeel that is really smooth. Good carbonation level as well. 7.8

Overall: I really enjoyed the Glori Haze. So much so, I later returned to Market of Choice and purchased another. It's probably the best version of a hazy that I have had outside Anchorage Brewing's hazy IPA's. Stellar job by Ancestry Brewing. 7.8

Matt's mark: 3.9/5