With Chicago Craft Beer Week coming to an end, I thought I'd go into what we did to celebrate great beer.  But then I thought, "Nah, let's save that for the first Podcask.  Brad and I will be recording this week and will have it out by the weekend (at least that's what we're shooting for).  But I didn't want to let anyone hanging all week, thinking we were in a beer coma of some sort.  I felt the urge to throw out a review. 

Man, I should dust my kegerator!


During an event held this week, I had a chance to have the Half Acre Double Daisy Cutter Pale Ale / Doble Cortador on cask.  I'll be reviewing both this tasting and what I've been able to purchase in bottles.

First, the cask version.  I went to Small Bar Fullerton  for the Rare Chicago Beer Event this past Wednesday.  It poured very cloudy, thick, and almost heading in the direction of dirty.  I don't say this as a bad thing.  I actually thought it was because of yeast, perhaps.  But instead of tasting yeast, BAM, you find out why there is a picture of a BOMB on the label of the bottled version.  VERY hoppy.  And that's what this guy.....no, not that guy.....over here....THIS GUY, likes!   The difference in taste from the cask version to the bottled minimal to me.  But the bottled version is less cloudy, clear and crisp looking.  Both were very bitter, with aromas of earthiness, hops, and fruit.  Very citrusy. Tart.   
It's very dry, due to the amount of hops added to this version of an already hoppy American Pale Ale.  I'm a big fan of the original which is 5.2% ABV.  Probably wouldn't be considered a session beer, but I've done my share of "sessioning" the heck out of it.  But don't try this with it's Hop Bully of a cousin.  Coming in at 8.5%, this is more of an American Double/Imperial IPA. 
According to Half Acre's Blog , they've used "reckless amount of pacific northwestern hops"

Kudos to you Half Acre .  You've done it again.  You've given me another beer to put up in the ranks of Three Floyds' Dreadnaught or Bells' Hop Slam.  On top of that, you've given me more reason to stay on top of what you guys are doing lately.  Always coming out with excellent beers and that makes my 20 min drive from the Ukrainian Village neighborhood worth it.  I'll be coming over for another tour soon!

P.S.  For those of you interested in trying this particular beer, go......GO NOW to the brewery and pick it up.  They're no longer doing growlers.  Only bottles.  And when it's gone, it's gone!!  I was told at their store that this is a one time thing for Craft Beer Week.  We don't know if we'll see it again so now's your chance!  It's worth the trip!

Mike

Nope, you can't have mine.  I'm going to drink this one and then I should dust.