Episode 079 – Tommyknocker Oaked Butt Head Bock, Het Kapittel Prior
We take a look at Tommyknocker’s Oaked Butt Head Bock, which totally throws us for a loop and gets really low scores. We have higher hopes for the Het Kapittel Prior ale, which is brewed in the tradition of Trappist breweries (although is not a Trappist brewery itself) but it falls a little short too.
Tommyknocker Oak Butt Head Bock
ABV: 8.1%
Brewery: Tommyknocker Brewery & pub. Idaho Springs, Colorado.
Johnny’s Rating:75
Dave’s Rating: 74
Kapittel
ABV:9.0%
Brewer:Brouwerij Van Eecke N.V.
Johnny’s Rating:87
Dave’s Rating: 82
Episode 078 – Cricket Hill East Coast Lager, Sarnac Summer Brew
We take a look at a VERY small brewery near the Jersey Shore, Cricket Hill, which totally wows us with their East Coast Lager. Anyone who likes a good lager should check them out – if you can get your hands on it, that is.
Next we move to the Matt Brewing Company’s Sarnac line and their Summer Brew. Half lager, half lemonade, it’s really a “Shandy.” It gets some decent marks from Johnny, but Dave is less enthusiastic on this particular take of one of his favorite summer beverages.
Episode 077 – Mendocino Brewing IPA and Stout with Chad9976 of Chad’z Beer Reviews!
Our first guest host! Chad, also known as “Chad9976″ on YouTube, has been reviewing beers on YouTube for about a year, and came down to IndyHall to do a joint-review with yours truly and truly-er! Chad was kind enough to bring down a Mendocino Brewing Company variety pack, and we talk about their White Hawk IPA and Black Hawk Stout. They like hawks 
Be sure to check out Chad’s YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/Chad9976
Episode 076 – Maredsous Abbaye Abdij, ‘T Gaverhopke
We take a look at two blondes from Belgium – well, both claim to be blondes, but both are actually a little something different. The first, the interestingly named ‘T Gaverhopke from the Flanders region of Belgium and is actually an Abbey Tripple, and underwhelms us. The second, from the Browerij Duvel Moortgat, however, (a Belgian Pale Ale disguising itself as a blonde) turns out to be something really nice.
Episode 075 – Kirin Ichiban, Sapporo Reserve
A freshly-shaven Johnny and an always shaven Dave head east to try a couple of mass-production lagers from Japan. The two beers have an odd, intertwining past, and dealings with other well-known brewing conglomerates to create a bizarre web of ownership, contract brewing, and shared pasts. That said, they turn out to be exactly what you would expect – light on flavor and profile, sitting nicely in the mass-production-lager niche that Bud and Miller have come to define.
Episode 074 – Clipper City Brewery Red Sky At Night, Bos-Keum Speciaal Paasbier
Not everything in this world can be perfect, and the Bos Keum Speciaal Paasbier from Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers, an “Easter Beer”, is far from it. Luckily, the show was more than saved by Clipper City Brewery’s Heavy Seas series Red Sky At Night, an “Imperial Saison” – a new category of beers by any measure – that turns out to be spectacular.
Episode 073 – Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout, Heather Ale, Ltd. Ebulum Elderberry Black Ale
We start off the show by trying out the recently released 250th Anniversary Stout from Guinness. 250 years ago, the lease was signed for the St. Jame Gate brewery location, and Guinness has been brewed there ever since. However, the real gem of the show is another incredibly strong showing by Heather Ale, Ltd., who brings us yet another traditional Scottish Gruit beer which is simply outstanding. The Ebulum Elderberry Black Ale is a stunning success.
Show Notes
Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout
Type: Dry Irish Stout
ABV: 5.0%
Brewery: Guinness Brewing Company. Dublin, Ireland
Johnny’s Rating:no rating
Dave’s Rating: no rating
Ebulum Elderberry Black Ale
Type: Scottish Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale
ABV:6.5%
Brewer:Craigmill Brewery Strathaven, Scotland
Johnny’s Rating:93
Dave’s Rating: 93
Episode 072 – Atwater Vanilla Java Porter, Hofbrau Dunkel
With the promise of real vanilla beans and coffee in a porter, the Vanilla Java Porter from Atwater Brewery falls desperately short of decent. Then we head over to Germany for some Hofbrau Dunkel, a favorite of Johnny’s and a decent example of a Munich Dunkel Lager, a darker and smoother version of a pilsner. With a brewery dating back to 1589, the tradition definitely shows through.
Episode 071 – Dogfish Head Black and Blue, Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel
It’s a big episode, with some big beers – Dogfish Head always turns in the big beers, and this time we check out their attempt at a fruit beer – their Black and Blue, made with pureed blackberries and blueberries. Hence the name. Although actually a Belgian Strong Ale, it wins decent points. We finish with the Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel – which both has a curious story, as well as the highest ratings ever handed out on Two Guys On Beer.
Show Notes
Black and Blue
Type: Fruit Beer / Big Beer
ABV: 8.5%
Brewery: Dogfish Head Brewing Company. Lewes, Deleware
Johnny’s Rating:91
Dave’s Rating: 91
Beer Geek Brunch Weasel
Type: American Double / Imperial Stout
ABV:10.9%
Brewer:Mikkeller København, 1766, Denmark
Johnny’s Rating:98
Dave’s Rating: 96
Episode 070 – Erie Golden Fleece Maibock, Koningshoeven Bock Trappist Ales
It’s Spring, which means it’s Bock season. We try one on for size, and then try out a Trappist Ale that is an interpretation on a bock. The Maibock comes in decent, but the Trappist kind of disappoints.
Show Notes
Golden Fleece Maibock
ABV: 8.5%
Brewery: Erie Brewing Company. Erie, Pennsylvania.
Johnny’s Rating:83
Dave’s Rating: 85
Koningshoeven Bock Trappist
ABV:7%
Brewer:Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.
Johnny’s Rating:81
Dave’s Rating: 81
