BWBB

Hey everyone,

I've been slacking...again. I'm sorry, but life is just getting busier and busier. I also have not had too many opportunities to try "new" beers recently. (You know, it's crazy how having a full time job cuts into the important things in life.) Regardless, I'm blogging now and back with another installment of the BWBB!

So Friday night, C and I went to one of our favorite restaurants, Tess. Tess is awesome for many reasons: 1) Food 2) Fish Fry 3) Outdoor Patio 4) Flourless Choc Cake with Salted Caramel Custard, and 5) Pretty solid beer list. Their beer list tends to be full of Wisconsin (or at least) regional beers...so, yes, I am a fan. On Friday, the only IPA they had on the menu was from Tyranena, which is a brewery out of Lake Mills, WI. However, the description read, "brewed with orange peel." That immediately raised multiple red flags in my brain. So that beer was quickly out. When the waitress came over, she told me that they had Ale Asylum's Bedlam IPA on tap, but it wasn't on the menu. I thought, "Perfect." Now, I've had Bedlam before on one occasion a few months ago, but I thought I'd give it a second try and really evaluate it this time. Here are my thoughts.

First, Ale Asylum is a brewery out of Madison that seems to be gaining more and more recognition. I see their beers at most decent liquor stores around town. Actually, I think the Bedlam IPA is a relatively new addition to Ale Asylum's lineup, and it's a pretty solid addition. Anyways, about the beer. Ale Asylum describes the beer as a Belgian IPA. So it combines the classic elements of an IPA with some of the typical Belgian brewing techniques.

It is listed as 7.5% abv, and that tastes about right. It's certainly a strong brew, but nothing too outrageous (such as the last BWBB beer...Gubna) It pours sort of orangish gold...almost copper color. I would describe the taste as a mixture of citrus and woodsy flavor with a generous amount of hop. It's a nice change of pace from the standard IPA. It would actually be a good IPA for the person who isn't typically a fan of hoppier beers. I will say that Bedlam went FANTASTICALLY with my perch fish fry while sitting outside on a nice summer evening. Definitely on my list of beers to consider from here on out.

Overall, I would give Bedlam 8 pints out of 10. A very, very solid IPA that has somewhat restored my faith in Madison's ability to brew good beer. I will have to try more Ale Asylum beers in the future.

Until next time,
Jon

Sidenote: Last weekend, Mitch, Tracy, Ben, Theresa, C and I went camping in Devil's Lake. Pictures can be seen here.

Devil's Lake