Archive for the ‘Boulevard’ Category

7 Sep

Boulevard Imperial Stout ’11

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Boulevard, Imperial Stout, United States.

Session # 198
Boulevard | Imperial Stout
Imperial Stout | Kansas City, MO | 11% ABV

One year ago: Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout

Today is the first time on The Hopry I will have reviewed the same beer twice. I have generally stayed away from this because I want to get to as many different beers as possible. However, I enjoyed the 2008 release of the Boulevard Imperial Stout so much, that I actually gave it a perfect score (one of only three beers). So I just had to revisit it in the form of this 2011 release. More specifically, though, I wanted to revisit the “un-infected” batch # 1. I missed this in the review, but 46% of this one was aged in barrels, while the 2008 was only 10%. The color was near pitch black with touches of ruby red coming through when held up to the light. A chocolaty head formed on top before a nice bourbon aroma filled the air. Immediately this beer smelled great with dark fruits up front followed soon by oak and vanilla. It smelled very Belgian for sure. On the palate, not quite as big as you’d think for an 11% ABV beer, but there was definitely enough barrel and bite to make you happy. It finished with burnt caramel and dark fruits and that signature Belgian stamp that Pauwels is so good at doing. Not as good as the 2008 for sure, but definitely better than the infected batch # 2 from 2011.

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Wilco “I Might”



Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.

18 Jul

Boulevard Collaboration No. 2

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Boulevard, Deschutes, India Pale Ale, United States.

Session # 185
Boulevard | Collaboration No. 2 (with Deschutes)
White IPA | Kansas City, MO | 7.4% ABV

One year ago: Boulevard Collaboration No. 1

Last year when Boulevard Brewing Company teamed up with Jean-Marie Rock of Brasserie d’Orval, none of us here could believe it. I mean I have to believe that even for brewmaster Steven Pauwels, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to brew with one of the best Trappist monasteries in the world. The result of that experiment, an Imperial Pilsner, was truly amazing (as can be seen here). Well here Tim and I are back nearly one year later (to the day) with the second collaboration, aptly titled Collaboration No. 2. This time Boulevard teams up with Deschutes Brewery out of Oregon. Pouring this very effervescent and beautiful yellow beer from the bottle, we knew this would be a great Belgian-inspired beer. The aromas of lemongrass, banana bubblegum, floral grass, and cotton candy began to fill the room. The first sip unveiled a very easy drinking beer with loads of Belgian yeast, banana, lemongrass, and a very faint amount of sage. It was unbelievably drinkable to say the least, and a very successful collaboration, too. Rating: 90/100

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Click Below to Hear: Okkervil River “Kansas City”



Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.

14 Feb

Boulevard Chocolate Ale

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Boulevard, Brown Ale, United States.

Session # 143 | Boulevard | Chocolate Ale | 9.1% ABV
Herbed / Spiced Beer | Kansas City, Missouri | Rating: 80/100
One year ago: Russian River Pliny the Younger

Well I guess hell must have finally frozen over because I was finally lucky enough to get my wife on the show. After months of begging and pleading, my wife Kristen finally helped me with a review. And what better time for her to come on board than on Valentine’s Day? On this wonderful lover’s day (albeit a Monday) we are sharing Boulevard Brewing’s latest creation called Chocolate Ale. It is a collaboration with local chocolate superstar Christopher Elbow. If you seriously want to impress someone, go to his website right now and order some of his chocolate truffles. They’re phenomenal!!! This beer, however, was not quite as phenomenal as those chocolates. It appeared a much different (and lighter) color than we had thought it might. Though we had read months before its release that it wouldn’t be a stout, we were still hoping for something darker and chocolaty. What we got was more like a chocolate dusted caramel with hints of vanilla and hazelnut toffee. I personally still believe that if this is to be called a chocolate ale the chocolate should dominate the taste. Though not a disappointment by any stretch, I will stick to Elbow’s chocolates by themselves. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: My Blood Valentine “Sometimes”



Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.

31 Jan

Boulevard Pilsner

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Boulevard, Pilsner, United States.

Session # 138 | Boulevard | Pilsner | 4.8% ABV
Pilsner | Kansas City, Missouri | Rating: 88/100
One year ago: Harviestoun Ola Dubh 16

Not long ago I shared my “Top Five Beers to Always Have in the Fridge.” At the top of that list was this beer: Boulevard Pilsner. My review today will mirror what I said then, which is “A lot of people these days are afraid of the BMCs. While that may sound like some sort of disorder, it really just means that the Bud, Miller, and Coors beers of the world are off limits to most craft beer drinkers. However, the style that these beers fall into is not something that should just be overlooked so easily. When properly made, the American Lager can be a very enjoyable experience. Take the Boulevard Pilsner for instance — it’s extremely clean tasting with a nice soft maltiness and lightly floral hop character. It goes down about as easy as any beer I’ve ever had in my life, and it’s local so I can always find it fresh. Not to mention, at 4.8% ABV I can drink a few of these and not be tempted to call it a night at 9PM. Ultimately, when I want to just come home from work and mindlessly drink a beer this is one I tend to reach for a lot.”

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Jane’s Addiction “Three Days”



Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.

18 Dec

Ripple Glass Recycling

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Boulevard, Glass Recycling.

Special # 12 | Ripple Glass Glassware Recycling Program

Please read more about Ripple Glass here.

This video may seem a bit out of place in the middle of Christmas season. In fact, you can tell I recorded this back in the early part of autumn. I never found the right time to post it, so today will be where it lands. It’s for a project I feel very happy to be able to participate in. It’s called Ripple Glass, and it’s a project that Boulevard Brewing worked on with Owens Corning in order to recycle all the glass Kansas City citizens were usingand turning it into insulation. I won’t go into too much detail since I’ve provided a link above for you to read more. The only thing I’d like to add is that I hope you’ll talk to your breweries in your area to see if they can do something like this. Every bit helps and this is proof it can be done.

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
On the iPod: Horace Andy “Give It To Me”



Thank you for your continued support. Please rate this review below…

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