Founders Releases Mas Agave, a margarita-inspired gose just in time for Cinco de Mayo

Mas Agave

Founders Brewing Company

For their 3rd Barrel Aged Series release, Founders debuts Mas Agave right in time for Cinco de Mayo. Mas Agave is a margarita-inspired imperial gose, brewed with agave and lime, and aged in tequila barrels. This tart, refreshing beer is perfect to crack open for the holiday as well as to welcome in the warmer months.  Most goses have a moderate alcohol content of 4 or 5%, but since this brew was inspired by a classic cocktail they decided to up the ante and make it an imperial that clocks in at 10% abv.

 Mas Agave is available from May – September in 4packs, 750ml bottles, and draft. If you are able to snag a bottle you will notice the label art work is inspired by The Day of the Dead, and commemorates the intricate alters built to honor love ones that have passed away.

Appearance: pours a rich caramel color with a thin white head, very little lacing on the glass.

Nose: notes of lime, agave, and tequila.

Taste: tart lime upfront, then salt and agave come in. It then finishes with tequila barrel notes.

Mouthfeel: medium body slightly carbonated.

Overall: refreshing, tart, margarita in beer form. With this being their first tequila aged beer, they really hit the mark. I hope they continue to experiment with styles.

Wish List : Bell's Hopslam

Hopslam Ale

Bell’s Brewery

It’s that time of year again! Hop-Heads rejoice as the release of Bell’s Hopslam is upon us. Hopslam is a Double Imperial IPA brewed with six different hop varieties including the dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, making it one of Bell’s most complex hopped beers in their line-up. Bell’s did a great job of loading this brew with tons of hops, but making it still an easy sipper. They chose to go with west coast style hops, which are known for their juiciness as well as their fruity and floral aroma.

 Bell’s Hopslam is one of their most popular releases, so if you can get your hands on a 6pk you are very lucky. Bell’s decided to only distribute their 6pks in cans again this year, and you can also find this beer on draft and in mini kegs. This brew clocks in at a 10% abv. but hides the booze pretty well. Once it’s gone it’s gone, so I suggest you partake in this season’s offering as much as you can.

Appearance: pours a deep golden orange color with a white head that dissipates quickly with a slight lacing on the glass.

Nose: tropical fruits, floral notes, and slight aroma of pine and honey.

Taste: tons of juicy hops. Citrus and tropical fruits upfront, with a honey, grassy finish.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, very well balanced with a dry finish.

Overall: One of my favorite Double IPAs, definitely worth the hype.

Wish List: CBS – Canadian Breakfast Stout

CBS – Canadian Breakfast Stout

Founders Brewing Company

It’s finally here!! The highly sought after CBS is an imperial stout aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. This complex brew is the sixth and final release from Founders’ Barrel Aged series, which includes some of their most sought-after and limited beers. Barrel Aged Beers have been a staple at Founders, including another favorite KBS – Kentucky Breakfast Stout, which uses the same base beer, but for CBS they decided to age in maple syrup bourbon barrels.  

 With CBS, Founders managed to take a stout with all of my favorite notes: coffee, chocolate, and bourbon and added the sweetness of maple syrup to balance it out perfectly. This brew is available on tap November through December and in 750ml bottles and clocks in at a hefty 11.6% abv.  If you do have a chance to secure a bottle of CBS, you will notice that the Mountie that was previously seated on the horse is no longer there. The 2017 release was the first release since 2011 to be bottled, and with all of the hype surrounding this beer the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had an issue with it appearing on the bottle and asked that it be removed and Founders complied. Founders’ Barrel Aged Series beers are high in demand, so if you happen to see one at your local beer store or brewpub, I would not be hesitant to grab one or two.

Appearance: pours very dark brown with a thick tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Nose: notes of boozy bourbon, maple, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and oak.

Taste: oaky with notes of coffee, vanilla, chocolate, hints of maple sweetness, and bourbon. All of these delightful flavors come through more as it warms.

Mouthfeel: creamy and full-bodied, light carbonation.

Overall: Great BBA Stout! I will continue to look forward to this beer every year. CBS is definitely worth the hype with the Beer Advocate Score of 100.

Wish List : Stone I'm Peach IPA

I’m Peach IPA

Stone Brewing Company

Along with light sessionable beers, fruit forward IPAs rule during the summer months, so of course Stone Brewing had to show other breweries how it’s done. Stone’s I’m Peach is a double IPA brewed with peaches. While most fruit beers are more focused on citrus flavors, Stone felt that peach complimented the bill of hops they chose to use perfectly. Being a double IPA, this beer clocks in with a 8.8% abv which can be a bit heavy for the summer months, but the peach and hop profile creates a tasty well balanced beer.

Stone I’m Peach is a part of Stone’s Special Releases, which are available one time once a year. Stone uses this series to make experimental unconventional beers that fit the time of year that they are released. This limited release beer is currently available in 12oz cans, 22oz bottles and on tap.

Appearance: pours a golden peach with a foamy white head and a substantial lacing on the glass.

Nose: notes of peach, floral hops, dank resin, and bready malt.

Taste: juicy peach upfront balanced with citrus and floral notes. Ends with a dry hoppy finish.

Mouthfeel:  full bodied with light carbonation.

Overall: great take on a fruit IPA, and despite the higher abv, it is very balanced and perfect for the summer.