Shaun Finn is back and this time talking beer name controversy with Carlin. The guys delve into the Sweet Baby Jesus media coverage, which then leads to an overall discussion about beer names and labels. And in the mystery beer segment, things get exciting and awkward at the same time.
Dogfish Head Festina Peche Berliner Weisse – 5
DuClaw Hop Continuum No. 2 Mosaic Red IPA – 2.5
Carlin’s Birthday happened, and as one could guess, it had to do with craft beer. Listen to this re-cap of the excursion to and around Philadelphia. And, of course, there are beers for tasting.
Unanimous Favorite – The Lost Abbey Angel’s Share Oak Aged Barleywine
Carlin and Rebecca cover another brewery from the Midwest in this brewery showcase episode. Unlike more traditional breweries of previous episodes, this one presents a more quirky attitude, which translates to interesting choices in beer styles it brews.
Unanimous Favorite Beer – Dino S’mores Russian Imperial Stout
Carlin is happy to crack open a warm-up beer that Mike brought, while letting him talk about what it’s like to be a beer manager at a liquor store. Then the mystery beers segment brings two surprising brews up for a review.
Uinta Brewing Crooked Line Labyrinth Black Ale w/Licorice Aged In Oak Barrels – 7
Spencer Brewery Spencer Trappist Ale – 4.5
Carlin and Mike delve into the debate over whether beer rating is harmful or helpful, giving some interesting perspectives on both sides of the argument. Then, after a quick rant about bottle date codes, the guys hit up the mystery beers.
Evil Genius Purple Monkey Dishwasher Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter – 4
Brew Dog 5 A.M. Saint Hoppy Red Ale – 2.5
Mike Jonczak finds himself back on the Brewtal Battle couch. After analyzing a nice warm-up beer, he and Carlin dig into a listener submitted e-mail. Then, divine beer intervention occurs in the mystery beer tasting portion.
Heavy Seas Double Cannon Double IPA – 4.5
Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale – 2.5
Following up on last week’s Savor re-cap episode, Carlin and Rebecca give the rundown of the two classes they attended at the event. And, of course, they taste a few beers directly derived from the Savor offerings.
Carlin’s Favorite – Brooklyn Brewing Sorachi Ace Saison
Rebecca’s Favorite – Shmaltz Brewing Bock Bock Bourbon Barrel-Aged Doppelbock
Carlin and Rebecca re-cap their experience at the Savor craft beer and food-pairing event in Washington, DC. Many beers were sampled and much fun was had. But what were the highlights?
Unanimous Favorite – Surly Barrel-Aged Darkness Imperial Stout
The main sour beer categories are discussed, with the help of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines, along with examples of some of those styles for tasting. As the intensity in sourness builds across the samples, how do the flavors stack up?
Carlin’s Favorite – Wicked Weed Passiflora Blanc Wild Ale With Passionfruit And Hibiscus
Rebecca’s Favorite – Westbrook Gozu Gose
Mark’s final episode of the recording session involves a talk about a company named Frozen Pints, which leads to an overall discussion about beer and food, amongst a myriad of other topics that come up. The guys then cross their fingers and hope for some good mystery beers.
Maine Beer Mean Old Tom Stout Aged On Vanilla Beans – 6.5
Elysian Space Dust IPA – 6
In this episode, Carlin brings up Flying Dog’s new beer education program called Flying Dog University. Both he and Mark joke around a bit, but ultimately formulate a genius spin-off idea that liquor stores should be using. Then, of course, the mystery beer happen…
Boulevard Long Strange Tripel – 3
Rogue Mocha Porter – 1.5
Mark is back with a vengeance as he gets a little rowdy before bringing Carlin up to speed on how his palate has changed. The antics continue into the mystery beer segment, which culminates in some disappointment for Mark.
The Brewer’s Art Zeke’s Coffee Porter – 3
Stillwater Artisanal Ales/Omnipollo Schiuma Party Saison Aged in Wine Barrels – 2
The stage is set for yet another Brewtal Battle Royale tournament as Carlin, Kyle, Sean and Erica Kalasnik throw down with the most challenging style to date. Who will win, and will the contestants’ palates even make it through to the end?
Rodenbach 2010 Vintage Oak Barrel Aged Flanders Red – WINNER
Wicked Weed Oblivion Sour Red Aged In Wine Barrels With Blackberries And Dates – FIRST OUT
Carlin has Matt Van Sant and Sean Creel back for an outstandingly delicious set of warm-up beers. Luckily, the mystery beers then deliver some great flavors, making for one of the best beer drinking episodes in the history of the podcast.
Union Brewing Double Duckpin Double IPA – 7
Stillwater Artisanal Ales Lower Dens Saison W/Hibiscus & Brettanomyces – 5
The origins of barleywines and wheat wines are discussed, while tasting a few examples of the styles. Rebecca comes in to the episode dreading the tasting portions of the show, but does she change her mind by the end?
Carlin’s Favorite – DuClaw 2013 Devil’s Milk Barleywine
Rebecca’s Favorite – DuClaw 2013 Devil’s Milk Barleywine
As Carlin and Dan continue to sip on their Mangalitsa Pig Porter by Right Brain Brewing, they discuss the craft beer drinker trend of ignoring Samuel Adams beers. After a thorough exploration of the topic, the guys jump to the mystery beers, which don’t quite hit the highest mark.
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine – 2.5
Heavy Seas Deep Six English Style Porter – 1
Dan’s in for a treat as Carlin pops open a warm-up beer brewed with odd ingredients, which is used as a jumping off point for a discussion on odd beers. Then, the mystery beers prompt Carlin to change his mind about a beer he previously thought he disliked.
Goose Island Sofie Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale – 4
Sixpoint Beast Mode Porter – 2
Dan Kim returns for a stint that starts with yet another Founders Brewing warm-up beer. While sipping on it, the guys discuss the volume of different craft beer releases and how demand for different styles have changed the way breweries operate.
Victory Vine To Victory Harvest Ale – 3.5
Smuttynose Durty Mud Season Hoppy Brown Ale – 3
With the East and Midwest already covered, Carlin and Rebecca choose a very influential West Coast craft beer establishment for this brewery showcase episode. While tasting three staple offerings and one special release, Carlin admits he partially chose this brewery just for the final beer he and Rebecca taste.
Carlin’s Favorite – Bourbon Barrel Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout
Rebecca’s Favorite – Hop Hunter IPA
Shaun Finn is back, and he’s sharing some of his homebrews while talking about how he originally got into the hobby. Then, for the mystery beers, the guys taste two that really surprise them, making the ratings hard to nail down.
3 Brothers Hoptimization IPA – 7
Off Color Scurry Dark Honey Ale – 4
Carlin brings newcomer Shaun Finn to the show to share one of his favorite beers as a warm-up. After talking about Shaun’s beginnings in craft beer, Carlin introduces him to the patented Brewtal Battle mystery beer process with some beers that sport some interesting flavors.
Harpoon Gingerland Gingerbread Inspired Beer – 3.5
Stone Coffee Milk Stout – 2
With Carlin and Nathan so close in the beer knife fight, it all comes down to who brought the best stout. But first, the guys discuss people who are overly sensitive with their opinions on craft beer.
Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout – 6.75
Westbrook Udderly Oatmeal Milk Stout – 3.5
As Carlin and Nathan set the stage for the second round of their beer knife fight, Nathan softens the competitive tension with a warm-up beer that he brought. After sipping on the beer and discussing barrel-aged beers, the guys get back to swinging knives with the IPA round.
Terrapin Mosaic Red Rye IPA – 5.25
Stone/Ishii/Baird Japanese Green Tea IPA – 3.75
Carlin welcomes back Nathan Kalasnik for something that hasn’t taken place on the show for a while, a beer knife fight. This episode marks the first of three that will decide which combatant will come out on top of this three-style contest.
Westbrook One Claw Rye Pale Ale – 5
Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale – 3.75
It’s the big one, and the guys do it right. Plenty of banter and craft beer insight to go around in this super heavy episode. Who survives, and who doesn’t? Listen to find out…
J.W. Lee’s Harvest Ale English Barleywine Aged 6 Years In Port Casks – WINNER
DuClaw Brewing’s 2012 Devil’s Milk Barleywine – FIRST OUT
In Dan’s last episode of his guest hosting stint, the guys discuss a ridiculous sour beer release that happened just north in Pennsylvania. The topic sends Dan off the deep end with a rant about craft beer pricing and Carlin calls out the craziness around beer ratings.
Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Ale – 5.5
New Belgium/Perennial Artisan Ales Lips of Faith Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout – 2
Carlin presents Dan with a special treat as two different vintages of a big tasty beer are sampled as the warm-up. This sampling spawns an interesting conversation that spans a few different topics. Then the mystery beers happen…
Long Trail Sick Day IPA – 3
Devil’s Backbone Kilt Flasher Wee Heavy Scotch Ale – 1
Dan Kim helps Carlin start things right with an aged warm-up beer to loosen them up for a conversation on the idea behind The Hop Concept Brewing. Thirsty from talking, the guys then tackle two mystery beers throwing out some nice flavors.
Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities Doppelbock – 5
Schlafly Tasmanian IPA – 4.5
Carlin and Rebecca decide to cover a different region of the United States for this brewery showcase episode. Rare offerings are tasted, which gets the hosts excited to crack each of the showcase beers.
Carlin’s Favorite – Backwoods Bastard
Rebecca’s Favorite – Breakfast Stout
Chris Woodall is back and sipping on a flashy and kitschy warm-up beer while talking about Whatever, USA. And after a few rants, both Carlin and The Woo fall pretty hard for one of the mystery beers.
Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA – 5
Southern Tier 2XRye Double Rye Ale – 2
A holiday excursion brings family and friends together, creating the perfect opportunity for Carlin to force people to taste craft beers. Carlin and Kyle Norman provide three mystery beers each for this impromptu beer knife fight, which is also judged by Nathan Kalasnik and a man called Pip.
Unanimous Best Beer – The Bruery’s Smokey & The Bois
A relative newcomer to craft beer, Chris Woodall, stops by to see what throwing down on Brewtal Battle is all about. After talking about his craft beer preferences, Chris gets a headfirst introduction to evaluating beers, which challenges his senses.
Off Color Troublesome Wheat w/coriander & lactobacillus – 2.5
New Belgium/3Floyds Lips Of Faith Gratzer Ale – 2
Carlin welcomes Rebecca as the official guest for this episode as the two discuss the fairly recent acquisition of 10 Barrel Brewing by AB InBev and the merging of Green Flash Brewing and Alpine Brewing. Then Rebecca brings the excitement for the mystery beer segment, which has highs and lows.
North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout – 6
Schmaltz Brewing Chanukah Beer – 2.5
Rebecca joins Carlin for a special episode designed to evaluate the recent Flying Dog holiday beer pack, which is supposed to be paired with Otterbein cookies. The two discover interesting aspects of the beer and cookie pairings, leading to a recommendation for anyone out there interested in doing the same.
Best Beer – Imperial Hefeweizen
Best Cookie – Sugar Cookie
Dan is back and ready to talk about Stone Brewing’s crowd sourcing stunt, which he and Carlin discuss from both sides of the argument. Then Carlin has difficulties while rating the mystery beers.
Ommegang Scythe & Sickle Harvest Ale – 4
Terrapin Midnight Monk Belgian Black IPA – 3
Newbie to the show, Dan Kim, sits down with Carlin to taste two exciting Imperial IPAs as a warm-up, but only after talking about his beginnings in craft beer fandom. Dan then gets his first taste of mystery beers, which hit two ends of the style spectrum.
Stone Xocoveza Mocha Stout – 2.5
Fort Collins Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat – 2.5
The final episode of Sean’s recording session kicks off with some screwing around, but transitions to Sean talking about growler fills in liquor stores going live in Maryland. Then the mystery beers hit Sean in the best way possible.
Green Flash Road Warrior Imperial Rye IPA – 5
Left Hand Wake Up Dead Imperial Stout – 4.5
It’s Brewtal Battle Royale time again as Carlin, Kyle, Sean and Matt tackle a big style. This ends up being the quickest a show does off the rails as people start feeling the impact of the beers pretty fast.
North Coast 2011 Cellar Reserve Old Stock Aged in Brandy Barrels – WINNER
Almanac Farm To Barrel Pluot Sour Blonde – FIRST OUT
While Sean and Carlin continue to sip on the beers from last episode, Sean throws another warm-up beer into the mix before talking about how he’s now living the dream. Then on of the mystery beers draws interesting comparisons and somewhat baffles the guys.
Stone Brewing 18th Anniversary Golden Brown IPA – 6.5
Devil’s Backbone/Green Flash East West IPL – 3.5
Sean Creel stops by to assist Carlin with hop knowledge and drinking an exciting new offering from a brewery that just started bottling. The guys then discuss beer aging and why some breweries age beers for the consumer and others do not.
8 Wired The Big Smoke Smoked Porter – 4.5
Evil Genius The Siren White IPA – 2
Carlin kicks things off with a slightly odd warm-up beer that Mark really enjoys. Then, before getting to the mystery beers, the guys discuss the Synek “beer keurig” that was on Kickstarter.
Otter Creek Overgrown American Pale Ale – 4
Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager – 2
Mark goes on a few tirades while discussing his recent trip to Florida. He also presents a tasty warm-up beer he brought back from the trip. Then the mystery beers present the guys with comparisons that are like night and day.
Brew Dog Cocoa Psycho Russian Imperial Stout – 6
Brewer’s Art Birdhouse Pale Ale – 3.5
Mark is back and helping Carlin with a very important beer ranking assignment. After some housekeeping announcements and a little banter, the guys get down to business comparing the top four beers from past shows.
Carlin and Rebecca tackle a different type of episode by tasting four beers from Victory Brewing Company. Whiles tasting, they also discuss how the brewery started and other fun facts about Victory.
Kyle’s game of “Beer Me Bro” comes to a finish as the two duke it out for that wonderful North Coast Old Stock. Then, while tasting the mystery beers, the guys have a few disagreements.
Lancaster Brewing Hop Buggy Amish Grain Amber – 3
Resignation Brewing/Red Hook KCCO Black Lager – 2.5
Still at the beach, Kyle unveils a beer game he dubs “Beer Me Bro,” which is designed to punish Carlin when he loses a round. After nine rounds of the game, see how Carlin stacks up and stay tuned for next week, when the game concludes.
Stone Collective Distortion IPA – 4.5
Moab Dead Horse Amber – 1.5
Still at the beach, Carlin and Kyle start off with a warm-up beer that pulls no punches, then transition to discussing their visit to the Dogfish Head brewpub. The mystery beer tasting then causes some controversy, prompting a post-recording addendum from Carlin.
Smuttynose Rhye IPA – 7
Victory Swing Session Saison – 2
Carlin records in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with long-time listener, Kyle Norman. After trying a warm-up beer that is fun to dissect, Carlin gets Kyle to talk about how he started loving craft beer. Then Kyle gets his first hands-on experience with trying mystery beers.
Flying Dog Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout – 4
DuClaw Brewing Sawtooth Belgian White – 3
Brewtal Battle Podcast 