Posts Tagged ‘beer’

Episode 176 – Lucky Bucket Brewing and Sòlas Distillery

Posted By John on March 3rd, 2010

We headed up to La Vista to visit the new location of Nebraska’s newest brewery. Lucky Bucket Brewing Company has been Brewing since 2009. We were excited to visit the brewery as they also house Sòlas Distillery. Sòlas is currently the only Nebraska distiller with a product on the market (Joss Vodka).

Over the years we have come to expect a level of quality from Nebraska’s brewers. Lucky Bucket did not disappoint. Here is a quick recap of what we enjoyed:

Their Lucky Bucket Lager is a pleasant lighter beer. Clean, refreshing and crisp while not wimping out on flavor like so many others.

Concentrated Evil is a winter seasonal available in 22oz bombers. It has a complex array of flavors that we felt would pair amazingly well with Cigars.

Lucky Bucket IPA is the newest offering. The layering of hop flavors that come out as you drink it give a complexity of flavor that sets it in the top tiers of this style.

We were feeling a bit lucky when Zac (The head Brewer) said he had found one last keg of the Lucky Bucket Oktoberfest left over. The malt flavor is backed by a floral hop flavor with citrus notes making this a distinctly American Oktoberfest that still pays homage to its German roots. This is a seasonal beer for fall, but listen to the podcast to find out how you can try this beer for free. You will have to hurry, otherwise it is out until August 2010.

We also had a first for the show. Brewcast’s first Vodka tasting. Located in the same building, but a distinctly separate part is Sòlas distilling. Zac is both head brewer and Distiller. They will make a variety of spirits and their Joss Vodka is available to try now. Vodka is not my thing, but this is a smooth dangerous vodka. It has a clean pleasant flavor with a nice warmth that is enjoyable neat. Being made of Oglala aquifer water and Nebraska organically grown wheat could have quite a bit to do with that. Even if you don’t like vodka give it a try just to make sure.

Listen to the full episode here.

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Episode 158 – Movies And Double The Dead Guys

Posted By John on September 25th, 2009

We decided to complete the short pattern and try Rogue’s Double Dead Guy Ale. It is an interesting and tasty bolder version of their regular Dead Guy Ale. Our off tangent conversation of the week was our favorite movies.

To listen to this episode click HERE and hit play. To download this episode right click the link and select save as from the menu.

Beer of the Week:

Beer: Double Dead Guy Ale
Brewery: Rouge Brewing Co.
Grade: B+
Full Review

Do you have a suggestion for a beer we should try or any other comments? Send them to info@brewcast.net or call 402-817-0351 and leave us a voicemail.

Thanks for listening

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5 Great Places In Nebraska You Can Still Enjoy Oktoberfest 2009

Posted By John on September 23rd, 2009

Feel like Oktoberfest has passed you by? Wish there was a way to still celebrate the anniversary of Ludwig II’s wedding? Live in Nebraska? BrewCast.NET is here to help. In no particular order here are 5 places you can still get into the Oktoberfest spirit.

1. The Crescent Moon in Omaha

They will be holding their annual Oktoberfest this weekend (Sep 25th and 26th). A fun outdoor venue with a great selection of German fest beers and food. Go for the beer, stay for the lederhosen and polka bands.

If you can’t make it to the Oktoberfest the Huber House in the basement of the bar is also a great place to go. Closest thing to a German beer hall I have seen in Nebraska.

When your done and want to go home, stop next door at Beertopia and take home some of the great beers you’ve sampled.

The Crescent Moon is located at 36th and Farnam in Omaha

2. Thunderhead Brewing in Kearney

Do you want a good pretzel? I mean a really great pretzel. Maybe made fresh and the size of your head? Then you need to go to Thunderhead Brewing in Kearney. They have, what in my opinion are, the best pretzels in world. Pair that with their fresh hopped IPA and you have an nontraditional Oktoberfest that will leave you feeling good.

One word of warning, the pretzels take about 10-15 minutes. It is because they are rolled out fresh and baked. It is also why they are so damn good. So be patient and enjoy your beer.

Thunderhead is located at 18 East 21st St. in Kearney

3. Octobeerfest in Lincoln

Will not strictly an Oktoberfest event it does offer a good sized sampling of beers from around the country with more than a couple märzen (see Oktoberfest) style beers in the mix. It takes place Oct 1st.

Its a good time with food included in the ticket price. Pick up your tickets at Moran’s at 33rd and A for $25 at least a day before the event or pay $30 at the door.

4. Nebraska Brewing Company in Papillion

Well made craft beer and food, how far wrong can you go? I strongly recommend the EOS Wheat. It is one of the best made American hefeweizens (see German wheat beer) I have ever had. As a bonus it goes well with most food.

While there you can try the buffalo cheese bites. They are fried mozzarella deep fried and smothered in buffalo sauce. They are quite possibly one of the greatest creations of modern civilization.

Nebraska Brewing Company is located in Shadowlake Town Center at 72nd St and Hwy 370.

5. Yia Yia’s in Lincoln

Sometimes I’m a bad German-American, but I dig pizza and märzen beer. The malty and cheesy flavors play so well together. Yia Yia’s has fantastic fresh made pizza and the best beer selection of any restaurant or bar in Lincoln. As a decided bonus their knowledgeable staff and

Yia Yia’s is located at 1423 O St. in Lincoln.

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Episode 157 – Dead Guy

Posted By John on September 18th, 2009

A nostalgic beer choice for the show this week. Rogue dead guy was the first beer review we recorded. That review was so bad (our abilities, not the beer) it was never posted. We felt after three years they deserved a real review.

To listen to this episode click HERE and hit play. To download this episode right click the link and select save as from the menu.

Beer of the Week:

Beer: Dead Guy Ale
Brewery: Rouge Brewing Co.
Grade: B
Full Review

Do you have a suggestion for a beer we should try or any other comments? Send them to info@brewcast.net or call 402-817-0351 and leave us a voicemail.

Thanks for listening

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Episode 156 – Anniversary With The Allendales

Posted By John on September 4th, 2009

We been rating beer for three years now. So for our third anniversary we thought it would be fun to visit the only band to ever play in the brew cave, the Allendales. If you missed their previous appearances on the show, it is worth a listen.

The Allendales are a hard band for me to assign a genre to, so lets just say they are great drinking music. Drinking music is a valid genre, right? Their new album ALBUM NAME, is fantastic and a steal for only $5. I am especially fond of track 4 Whiskey Visions. Download it today and check out their MySpace page for upcoming concerts.

For the beer this week we enjoyed Sierra Nevada’s Anniversary Ale. We never did get around to rating it, but it is a solid IPA that I recommend picking up while you can.

Click HERE to listen to the episode.

Do you have a suggestion for a beer we should try or any other comments? Send them to info@brewcast.net or call 402-817-0351 and leave us a voicemail.

Thanks for listening

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Episode 150 – End of The Hops Challenge

Posted By John on July 24th, 2009

To reward our diligent test subjects we brought in Boulevard Brewing Co.’s Imperial Stout. Seemed appropriate to have a malty beer to finish the hops challenge.

The six week hops challenge came to an end. Our results were split. Marissa went from disliking hops to finding good flavors in hoppy beers. Brian M remained the same throughout the test. He understands why people use hops, but it is not a flavor he enjoys.

To listen to this episode click HERE and hit play. To download this episode right click the link and select save as from the menu.

Beer of the Week:

Beer: Imperial Stout
Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, MO
Grade: B+
Full Review

Do you have a suggestion for a beer we should try or any other comments? Send them to info@brewcast.net or call 402-817-0351 and leave us a voicemail.

Thanks for listening

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Boulevard Brewing Co. – Imperial Stout

Posted By John on July 24th, 2009

Beer: Smokestack Imperial Stout

Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, MO

ABV%: 11%

Reviewed: 8-Jul-09 on Episode 150

Appearance: Black with a dark tan head

Aroma: It has a sweet roasted malt and coffee aroma.

Taste: The roasted coffee becomes dominant. There is also a sweet malt flavor under the coffee. The hop character comes out stronger than expected in the finish.

Mouthfeel: The medium heavy body is complimented by medium carbonation and a dry finish.

Aftertaste: The lingering flavors of coffee stay with you.

Overall: Nice imperial stout with a unique hop profile.

Best enjoyed: around a table with friends.

John: B+	Brian: B+-	Ryan: A-	Overall Grade:	B+ Very Good
Marissa: B+	Anne: B+	Brian M: B+	Overall Grade:	B+ Very Good

Want a second opinion? Check out the beerme.com review.

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Episode 149 – To IPA Or Not To IPA…

Posted By John on July 17th, 2009

To keep pace with beers we have been drinking this Summer we brought out New Belgium’s Abbey Ale. Goose Island has been good to us in the past, so we decided to bring out their IPA in honor of the hops challenge.

Week five of the hops Challenge. This week Marissa actually came to enjoy the hops. Enough that she graded that IPA in this show higher than Brian or I. Brian M. continued to stay stable. He is still not a fan of hops.

To listen to this episode click HERE and hit play. To download this episode right click the link and select save as from the menu.

Beers of the Week:
Beer: Abbey Ale
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, CO
Grade: B+
Full Review

Beer: India Pale Ale
Brewery: Goose Island Brewery in Chicago, IL
Grade: B
Full Review

Do you have a suggestion for a beer we should try or any other comments? Send them to info@brewcast.net or call 402-817-0351 and leave us a voicemail.

Thanks for listening

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