| The Arrival
Tyranena opened in October, 1999 and, as such, has a completely modern look and feel to it, save the old-school cabinet work behind the Tasting Room bar. Four dollars for eight samplers? What a deal!
The Beer Honey Wheat -
The Honey Wheat was surprisingly understated, not at all overly sweet and obnoxious like most honeys. It had an easy aftertaste, almost bitter and dry by contrast, that lasted a good ten seconds.
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
Fargo Brother Hefeweizen -
The current seasonal. It took Czar four or five drinks to warm up to the HW. It was unfiltered with definite banana undertones (almost overtones), just as described in the literature. This flavor was very interesting and, besides the banana, it was a pretty straight HW. We tried the last half with a submerged lemon, which mixed well with the citric tones to create a fruit salad taste (you know?banana, apples, pears, berries with lemon juice over the top to preserve it).
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
Stone Tepee Pale Ale -
The STP is more ale than pale, almost more brewing style than flavor category, just as the honey wheat was. The taste dries out quickly, but the bitter is atypical. Czar liked the first taste of the STP, but felt it left his mouth too soon to fully enjoy. He felt this one had the most potential. The STP is obviously more moderate and sweeter than the IPA, as it is brewed in the American style with American hops.
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
IPA -
More than a typical grassy/straw taste, I detected a celery taste to the IPA. It started as a nice sweet/bitter mix as I began (and when I took more time between swallows), but on the third or fourth drink, it tastes more typical of an IPA. Where I initially noticed no real marked aftertaste for an IPA, I worked my way through the sampler to discover that the bitter aftertaste does come around to greet you. Czar says (quite to my contradiction, which is fine with me), "As expected, a strong init
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
Gemuetlichkeit Oktoberfest -
The malty body was like a sweet porter or a bock; it's great at first, but wears on you after a half-pint. It was dry and hollow, with a sweet, light caramel malt flavor. I don't necessarily like the Oktoberfest/Bock style personally, so I'm not the one to steer you to or away from this beer.
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
The Headless Man Amber Alt -
I found it effervescent, while Czar felt it was lower in carbonation. Oh, well. The amber is subtle, and the style really comes through, just like the Honey Wheat and STP. It's just dry enough and ale-like enough to be a good, solid beer. I think this might be a good quantity beer, though it may creep up on you. While this style should be an ale, their literature mentions a "unique cold lagering process." Someone please clarify?
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
Ancient Aztalan Brown Ale -
This had the same mouthfeel and malt quality of the Oktoberfest, but was less sweet, more moderate, with a more dark chocolate taste. Much more my style. High marks. Czar said nothing.
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
Chief BlackHawk Porter -
Oh, I love my porters. When they're done right, they're my favorite style. In this is the style, I'm not looking for something unique. I just want the guidelines. My first impression, almost before it even hit my tongue, was that this was a classic porter, with a perfect robust pre-taste and aroma, but not obnoxious. Czar says, "*a thick taste that went down smoothly for me." A nice, quickly disappearing taste culminated in a subliminal bittersweet aftertaste. This is simply a great porter, stra
Reviewer's Rating: n/a
Discussion with Brewmaster
He was very busy that day; we didn't get a chance to speak with him.
The Atmosphere
I wish we had a place like this where I live. People come in and some have a drink, some get a growler to go. These are "regular" working class people who enjoy good beer. I hope they realize the jewel they have in this small town. As with most places we like, it was friendly, laid-back, and the staff (i.e. Nancy, our server) was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Afterthoughts
Would love to go back. I'll have to talk to the local retailers and see if the distributors can get a hold of Tyranena beer in bottles. The Chief BlackHawk Porter and the Stone Tepee Pale Ale were our favorites, with the Brown Ale and Honey Wheat close behind. Czar then enjoyed the Oktoberfest, while I would go with The Headless Man.
Definite revisit.
Visit Tyranena Brewing Company Website
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