Mahou – Spain

  Mahou Negra – Brewed by Mahou S.A. This beer makes no attempt at imitating light Euro-lagers. It dives into the glass a deep dark brown. Lively carbonation releases a half-inch think head that quickly settles into a thin layer on top of this rich tasting beer. Coffee-like roasted malt along with molasses dominates the aroma and also opens up the flavor of the beer, then produces a creamy and nutty, almost Almond character and some bitterness at the finish. © Gregg Smith ZOO BREW – September 13, 2019  at

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ESTONIA

  A.Le Coq Porter, Finnish Olvi säätiö – Owns a dark reddish-brown appearance in a likeness to Baltic Porter. It’s topped by a beige foamy head which lasts an acceptable amount of time through the drinking. With the addition of dark malts, it has a profile that includes biscuit, a suggestion of licorice hints of dark fruits such as plum and an almost berry like character. It is sweet and just short of cloying. © Gregg Smith Zoo Brew – 5 p.m. September 13, 2019 @ Idaho Falls Zoo

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Boise Brewing Black Cliffs American Stout; Boise, Idaho

A multiple time medal winner at the North American Beer Awards and the GABF; it pours dark black while raising a khaki foam which fashions lacy trails down the glass. Aroma is of coffee-like roasted malts, a bit of caramel and a kiss of cocoa. Flavor offers roasty coffee, a bit of piney hops, chocolate and molasses. Full bodied, it finishes semi-dry with a touch of roastiness. Find the multiple Boise Brewing tap takeovers during Idaho Beer Week, check the events section of MBBF.org © Gregg Smith

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FREE Beer Fest Ticket Rock

Want a FREE entry into the Beer Fest June 1st at Sandy Downs? Just find a Beer Fest Ticket Rock and bring it to the Beer Fest gate to exchange it for One FREE entry. (Must be 21 to be eligible) Rocks will be placed downtown Idaho Falls overnight on May 27-28… Helpful Hint… look near ticket outlets. Good luck FREE Ticket Rock hunting.

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Mutton Buster Brown Ale

Mutton Buster Brown Ale, Payette Brewing; Boise, Idaho –Rather than trying to bulk up into a distorted image of the style Mutton Buster thankfully remains true to the Brown Ale style. It begins with the medium brown color with a hint of orange and a frothy, cream colored head. Aroma is of roasty, chocolate and caramel malts with lead you directly into the beer. It’s semi sweet with a bit of both nutty and bready flavors. Body is medium-low as per the style and a little bitterness in the finish.

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Prickly Pear Pale Ale, Lewis and Clark Brewing; Helena, Montana –

USA Light gold with a touch of copper and a light off-white head. Aroma is Northwest hops along with notes berries and tropical fruit. Flavor is of citric hops, a suggestion of bread and, of course, prickly pear, although hoppy it also exhibits some malty sweetness. Body is that of a light medium texture expected from an American Pale Ale and finishes with somewhat spicy, dry bitterness. Find the Lewis and Clark tap takeover during Idaho Beer Week, check the events section of MBBF.org © Gregg Smith Mountain Brewers Beer

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Breakside IPA

Breakside Brewing; Portland, OR – Bright attractive copper colored with a white head lasting through the initial portion of the beer. Aroma is of grapefruit and pine from floral hops. An orange citrus with a bit of tropical fruitiness opens the flavor and is soon joined by biscuity malt and just enough bitterness. Body is medium as is the carbonation; it finishes somewhat dry with a light, softly lingering bitterness. Find the Breakside tap takeover in the events section of MBBF.org © Gregg Smith

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Sam Adams Acquires Dogfish Head

Boston Beer and its flagship Samuel Adams—announced a merger with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery reportedly worth $300 million, a deal of such note that it was broadcast nationally on CNBC, CNN, NPR, and in Fortune magazine. For years the Milton, Delaware brewery gained attention for its “off-center” (unconventional) view of beer and brewing and that reputation resulted in Sam tending an offer too good to pass up. Husband and wife team Sam and Mariah Calagione first put Milton on the map when they settled their brewery into the town’s former

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Future of Celis Brewing in Peril

Rumors of an investor group taking over the Celis brewery of Austin, Texas have been circulating for months among industry insiders. Christine Celis resurrected her father Pierre’s original Austin brewery building a facility capable of producing 50,000 barrels annually. Unfortunately, sales never reached a self-sustaining level. It was estimated the company needed to sell over 20,000 barrels a year for profitability, yet in its best year, 2018, sales reached only 12,000, well short of the threshold. Observers estimate the decision as to the brewery’s future could be made as early

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Lithuania

Švyturys Švyturio – A pale lager of somewhat deep straw color, it sports a white head which last through a moderate duration.  Aroma notes present a touch of hay, a light grassiness and some floral hops. A slightly malty beer it has favors hops with a suggestion of corn. Its light-medium body fades to a low bitterness at the finish. © Gregg Smith Mountain Brewers Beer Fest – First Saturday in June, Idaho Falls, ID

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