Beer Journal #45 : New Belgium Fat Tire, New Glarus Road Slush, Obsidian Stout, Little Soldier, Gnarly Oak Hazelnut Dark & More

Fat Tire
Amber Ale
New Belgium Brewing
Fort Collins, CO

I celebrated my birthday, 1/20/15, with this ale at Hansen's Tavern with my coworkers, Angela and Sue.

Straight off the label:
ALC 5.2% BY VOL
Fat Tire Amber Ale perfectly balances biscuit-like malt flavors with hoppy freshness. Named in honor of a storied bike ride through Europe, Fat Tire cruises with Belgian Imagination and inspiration.
Enjoy by: 06Jul14 

Ranger
India Pale Ale
New Belgium Brewing Co.
Fort Collins, CO

This was my second birthday beer savored on 1/20/15.

Straight off the label:
ALC 6.5% BY VOL
Tip your hat to our Beer Rangers in the field who inspired this well-balanced IPA packed with Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook hops. Count on citrus aromas and piney surroundings.
Enjoy by: 01Feb15

Road Slush
Stout
New Glarus Brewing Co.
New Glarus, WI

I savored this stout on 1/21/15.

Straight from the label:
This dark stout is a hearty and satisfying reward for those of us who embrace the frozen tundra. Uncut oatmeal fresh from Chilton, Wisconsin give this Stout a "sink into it" smoothness that slides you into its depth. Handcrafted English Chocolate malt and Wisconsin Victory malt combine to balance this robust ale. Expect this ale to pour a luxurious head over a rich black ruby body. This powerful malt bouquet will greet you as you tip this silky smoothness from your glass. Our Oatmeal Stout is handcrafted in the time honored traditions. Serve just above room temperature and relax - road construction season will soon return.
Daniel & Deborah Carey

Kentucky IPA
Alltech's Lexington Brewing Co.
Lexington, KY

I drank this beer on 1/21/15.

The label tells me this:
A golden India Pale Ale with a citrus aroma and American hops
ALC/VOL 6.5%

Finestkind IPA
Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Hampton, NH

On 1/22/15, I enjoyed this IPA.

Straight from the label:
Come visit our brewery and restaurant at Towle Farm in Hampton, New Hampshire. And check us out online at smuttynose.com for events, releases and great Smerchandise in our e-store. As always, thanks for saying:
Make mine a Smutty!
Brewing fine beers in NH since 1994.

Beginning in May and finishing up in November, New Belgium Clips Beer & Film Tour will be stopping in several big cities across America. Stops will be made in Kansas City, MO, Bloomington, IN, Milwaukee, WI, Madison, WI, Grand Rapids, MI and 15 other cities.  

Obsidian Stout
Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR

On 1/23/15, I tasted this stout and then drained the entire bottle.

The label is beautiful and says:
Crafted for explorers everywhere since 1988
Deep, robust and richly rewarding, roasted malt and black barley give way to notes of chocolate and espresso, smooth and black as the glassy volcanic rock fields it's named for.
6.4% ALC. BY VOL.
Bottle conditioned to keep your beer fresh and enhance the flavors our brewers intended. This may leave a fine layer of yeast in the bottom of the bottle.

Gnarly Oak Hazelnut Dark
Ale brewed with natural hazelnut flavor
Monroe Brewing Company
Monroe, WI

I tackled this 1 pint, 6 fl. oz. bottle on 1/24/15.

Straight from the label:
5.5% ALC./VOL.
Gnarly Oak rooted in tradition
Hazelnut Dark is a reddish amber ale that has an impeccable balance between its Carapils and Caramel roasted malts and Centennial hops. We add just a touch of hazelnut to give a rich nutty flavor and aroma.
Pairs well with hearty foods like roast pork, smoked sausage or grilled salmon. Serve with aged gouda as a snack. For dessert, try a Hazelnut and maple cake or pear fritters.
15 OG, 60.4 RDF, 35 COLOR and 24 IBU. 

Little Soldier
American Amber Ale
Ahnapee Brewery
Algoma, WI

I'm drinking this .79 QT (25.36 FL. OZ.) beer today, 1/25/15.

Straight from the label:
Small batch fermented
Established 1868 & 2013
A slightly citrusy and malty nose complemented by a lingering caramel finish. Enjoy within six months of purchase.
Ahnapee Brewing first opened its door in 1868 in the city of Ahnapee, now named Algoma. Bohemian immigrants brought skilled craftsmen to erect Kewaunee County's first sizable building. Beers were produced under the supervision of the head brewmaster, Henry Schmiling. He was not a tall man. The Civil War veteran sold barrels of beer by horse and sleigh, rail, and the schooner, "Whiskey Pete." Schmiling's Ahnapee Lager was known far and wide for its Wisconsin-made quality. A hops blight put the original brewery out of business in 1886. A new chapter in the brewery's history began in summer of 2013 picking up where Henry left off. Head Brewer, Nick Calaway, crafts small batches of full-flavored and well-balanced beers, many with aging potential.

CHEERS TO ALL THE FABULOUS BEERS I'M FINDING