The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast
We love craft beer! Each week we will taste a number of beers from around the country and give you our thoughts, not only will we talk about the flavor, but also the artwork and anything else that comes to mind.
We will also go on location and visit breweries and try a number of their offerings and give you our thoughts as well.
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The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast
Ep 164 - Carbliss Malt Cocktails Taste Test
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One convenience store stop turned into a full-on summer drink showdown. I’m Mike, and Suzy is back at the mic with me as we crack open four brand-new Carbliss malt beverages in the big 19.2 oz cans and find out whether “zero sugar” can still taste bold, bright, and actually refreshing.
We dig into what’s changed for Carbliss, a Wisconsin-based favorite known for zero carb, zero sugar, zero calorie vodka cocktails. These new RTDs are malt beverages instead, with a small bump in carbs and calories, and we talk honestly about what that means for flavor, sweetness, carbonation, and that dreaded “too fizzy, too sweet” burnout. You’ll hear our tasting notes and scores for Cherry Limeade, Kiwi Strawberry, Black Cherry, and Arctic Blue Raspberry, including why black cherry hits a nostalgic soda note and why blue raspberry smells like a snow cone.
Then we take a Northwoods detour: updates from our camper community and Callahan Lake Resort, plans for our Memorial Day beer tasting competition, and how a blind tasting format might finally keep everyone honest. We also get into morel mushrooms, including how to clean them, what makes them valuable, and why you should be careful about false morels. One important heads-up for gluten-sensitive listeners: since these are malt beverages, gluten may be a factor compared to some vodka-based canned cocktails.
If you like canned cocktails, low sugar summer drinks, and real talk about what’s worth buying for the lake, tailgate, or backyard barbecue, hit play. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find us.
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Welcome Back And Summer Setup
SPEAKER_02Grab a beer and pull up a chair. Welcome to the Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. Hey, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to the Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. This is Mike, the Northwoods Beer Guy, and this week I am joined by my lovely wife, Susie.
SPEAKER_01Hi, folks.
SPEAKER_02How's it going today?
SPEAKER_01It's going great.
SPEAKER_02Good. So usually I think you and I have done a few of these, a couple of them at least a year, where we kind of focus on some canned, what would you call them? Canned cocktails, I guess. And I know, you know, our daughter and I, we did a couple earlier, but we had some new uh offerings from one of the companies that we've reviewed before. So we thought might as well give them a give them a whirl.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, and it's the start of summer or pretty soon. So it's the perfect time to find your next best favorite cocktail.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we're hoping the weather like warms up so it feels like summer.
SPEAKER_01Oh my goodness, it has been so cold here to the point where our plants are really you can't even plant anything because it's still we have still have frost warnings. So it's been very challenging, but I think we're all ready for the temperatures to rise a little bit and to get out on the lake or in in the outdoors and enjoy a little more sunshine.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I know the around here the farmers have really kind of they've been planting, but not uh I don't think it's ideal, you know, for for them because the soil's still really cold. And I know if if it's too cold, then the seed will rot in the ground if they get it in too early. So they've been working on that. Our little field that got planted actually the this past weekend. So we'll see what happens there. Yeah you know, hopefully it's it'll warm up enough to be all right.
SPEAKER_01Right. We think we're gonna have corn this year. We had beans last year, so I'm pretty sure.
SPEAKER_02So so we'll see what
What Makes Carbless Different
SPEAKER_02goes on there. Well, hey, let's let's get into the first one of these. Do you want to tell the the people kind of what the difference is? Now, these are from Carbless.
SPEAKER_01Carbless, which is a Wisconsin-based company, that their specialty is zero carb, zero sugars, zero calories. They normally have a vodka-based cocktail, but these new this new offering that they have is actually a malt beverage. And they are swaying a little bit from their traditional zero, zero, zero to this particular malt beverage. These malt beverages are zero sugars, but they do have a little bit when it comes to carbs and calories. Not a real huge difference, but just a little bit there for those of you that are carb conscious and calorie conscious. And in addition, these cocktails are the market that they're trying to hit is basically convenience stores. And so they've actually taken the size of the can and they've increased it to 19.2 ounces rather than your regular 12-ounce can. The cans are fabulously vibrant with very deep colors. The normal carbless cans are white, and then usually at the rim of the can, it will give you kind of a sneak peek of what the flavor might be based on the color. But they have introduced uh four new flavors in in their target market here in the Midwest, um, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota. And so it's a limited release as of now, but they're they're again trying to kind of get it out there for the summer. And they they really want to target, you know, those people that are a little carb conscious, calorie conscious, and want a refreshing drink for summertime.
SPEAKER_02Well, it's funny that you said that their their target market or where they're selling them is convenience stores because that's where I found these. Kind of funny is a convenience store near us. So I can totally see why they would do it because you go into whatever convenience store, if it's you know a decent size, and they've got you know a beer selection, and they've got all sorts of bigger cans, and that and it a lot of them are like malt beverages, you know. So I it shouldn't surprise me that they went into this because from what they had going before, it's really not that big of a jump to get into this market. So it'll be interesting here. So I guess the first one that we have is called or the the flavor is cherry limeade.
SPEAKER_01And what does it say on the side for carbs and this this particular cocktail has two grams of carbs, again, zero sugar. They're following the the sugar side of it, and 150 calories. But again, it is let's see, the serving size though, per per container is one point or actually 1.75, one in three four.
SPEAKER_02Okay.
SPEAKER_01So you need to do your math if you're gonna be calculating.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and they are five percent ABV, just so you know.
SPEAKER_01So they do have a considerable amount more when when you're talking carbs and calories than the other uh version of carbless, as they were basically have zero.
SPEAKER_02Yes, and we do have they came out with some other new new flavors of the regular carbless, and at some point here we'll kind of review those as well. Now, here's what they said about the cherry limeade. They have cherry limeade's sharp, lively, and always brings the right amount of zest to the party. It's the flavor that slides into any scene, tailgates, backyard barbecues, or a laid-back Friday night. Balanced but never boring. He's got the kind of energy that turns everything memorable. Bring the flavor.
SPEAKER_01And just something that we didn't mention, these are sold in single serving cans. So you're not gonna find them in a four-pack, I don't believe. It's gonna be just like in their their cooler door where they have the single servings. You're gonna find those flavors. Yep.
SPEAKER_02Like I said, the other ones they had in like the I think they're eight cans in a box on some of those.
SPEAKER_01When they have the mixed, uh, the mixed the variety packs of carbs, those come in a group of eight cans. You have two of each flavor, uh, but you can in some cases buy four packs of a div an individual flavor. So if you're stuck on pineapple, like I was for a while, or really like the watermelon, that's something that you can buy a four-pack of, and then you don't have to worry about not liking the other flavors. So that's pretty cool.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. And like I said, when I went to look for these, I was wondering if they came in like a four-pack, like a
Cherry Limeade First Sip Verdict
SPEAKER_02you know, a variety of pack, but they didn't. It was you had to buy individual cans. So it was, you know, just so you know, that's the section is gonna be in. This is definitely kind of a reddish pink in color. Ooh, that's got like a very, very much aroma.
SPEAKER_01Very good aroma. The smell is amazing.
SPEAKER_02Cherry and aroma. Yeah. I guess I kind of get the lime aroma, definitely the cherry.
SPEAKER_01These are gonna be very dangerous. So my first impression and my first take is that I was expecting it to be more sweet. I thought, you know, and actually carbless, the the other, the, you know, the vodka cocktails are, you know, it's it's almost like you can't necessarily drink a whole lot of them because they just get to a point where they either give me heartburn or they're just too sweet. I, in some cases, will even cut it with like a like a diet seven up or something just to get that sweetness kind of down a little bit. But this is not overpowering when it comes to the sweetness, and you definitely get a cherry. And I honestly am not a huge cherry fan. That's kind of why I wanted to start it with this flavor because I hoped it would go better from here. But this is actually really good. I'm pleasantly surprised.
SPEAKER_02Now, the fact that it has zero sugar, they must use some other kind of a sweetener because it's definitely has a it's a sweet taste, but it's not over the top.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I believe I read on their website that they use stevia, which is an artificial sweetener, and then sucralose, maybe. Okay. I maybe butchered that, but boy, yeah. This is but it's not this is good too sweet, sweet. No, you know, like sometimes when it's so sweet, it just kind of sticks to your tongue and it's you can taste it forever and ever. This you have a drink and it's not like you're tasting it over and over. It kind of just melts away.
SPEAKER_02I'm surprised. I am honestly really surprised. Just that like I said, the aroma is very much cherry, which I do. I like well, you know, I like cherry.
SPEAKER_01You're you're a cherry guy.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and I I guess the one thing I'm I don't know if I'm really tasting the lime, the limeade part. To me, it's it's kind of dominated a little bit by the cherry.
SPEAKER_01But it's not overpowering though. Correct, correct.
SPEAKER_02You know, yep. I'm just thinking if it was if it's lime aid, that we'd have a little bit more of the the limeade flavor in it.
SPEAKER_01Very good. Not like some of your canned cocktails are really like they're so sweet, they're almost like Jolly Rancher sweet.
SPEAKER_02You can feel the calories. Not the cavities starting.
SPEAKER_01The cavities starting in your mouth, yeah. But this is definitely something that you it, I mean, very refreshing for summer, and it wouldn't necessarily be something that you would have to put on ice, I don't think.
SPEAKER_02Uh yeah, I don't know.
SPEAKER_01I mean, you could, but oh, like in a glass you're talking.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, you wouldn't have to do that. No.
SPEAKER_01No.
SPEAKER_02I mean, I'm impressed. I mean, this it'll be interesting to see, you know, like when say we're on the lake, if we have some, to see, you know, does it get to be a little much towards the end, or you know, or if it's gonna be keep the way it is, uh, if it's like this, that that's gonna be pretty good, you know.
SPEAKER_01And for those of you that don't particularly care for or can't have carbonation, these are carbonated, so that does have a little fizz to them.
SPEAKER_02But not bad.
SPEAKER_01But not bad, where some of the some of the the seltzers, you know, they just have that pretty overpowering, bubbly, it's almost to the point where the heartburn just, you know, it just gets to you.
SPEAKER_02Right.
SPEAKER_01But this is not not near that bad.
SPEAKER_02No, not at all. Yeah, I I think they're gonna they have a good chance of taking some market share from some people with this, honestly.
SPEAKER_01On the malt beverage side.
SPEAKER_02Yes, on the malt beverage side.
SPEAKER_01Which we do have a friend that has some some issues with gluten, and malt beverages are not part of their diet. So that's something that you would want to watch for if you can't do gluten as a malt beverage that in malt is a a grain, right? Or wheat or whatever.
SPEAKER_02Yep.
SPEAKER_01So that would be something that that our gluten intolerant friends can have.
SPEAKER_02But yeah, that's a good thing to point out because the carbless, the normal carbless are gluten-free.
SPEAKER_01Correct.
SPEAKER_02Where this one it did not say that. So you would I'm thinking that there is definitely some gluten in there. So yeah, that's a good thing to to bring up. Score wise, I really like the taste. I think it's like I said, I'm more of a cherry guy. I guess the only knock is I was expecting a little bit more lime, is is all, but I'm not complaining because I do like cherry. So score-wise, I think honestly, I'd I'd go like a 2.8 on this. I really think it's pretty good.
SPEAKER_01I was thinking more more like a three. No. I mean, I just I mean the flavor's really good. It's not heavy, it's not you know overpowering where you're gonna have that afterbite taste with it. You know, definitely a drink that you could have on the lake or you know, out in wherever.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, wherever. But they say the tailgate or the barbecue.
SPEAKER_01Yes. Yeah, I think overall it's it's a great option for those malt beverage people.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I agree. Like I said, I'm I'm impressed. I think that it'll be interesting to see what the other ones are taste like. If they're like this, it'll it's gonna be good.
SPEAKER_01For sure. Speaking of summer, though,
Camper Updates And Beer Contest Plan
SPEAKER_01we have had a couple of chances to go up to our camper in northern Wisconsin. So we are we have a new year this year with some new owners at our resort, and we wish them well.
SPEAKER_02Well, we've talked with them on here before, BK and his wife, Noelle. They're the owners now of Callahan Lake Resort. And I'm he'll be on the podcast again, especially more this summer, once we get a chance to get back up there. We we were up there twice, but basically to get it open. And so now the next time we go up will be Memorial Day weekend. And uh that's when we we do our first beer tasting competition of the year, and our daughter actually won last Labor Day, so she got to pick two two categories. And this year it's gonna be interesting because I I ran them by BK and he thought they were rather interesting. So the first one she said it could be a beer with anything out of the garden. So she said fruit, vegetable, herb, or even spice. She said, but it has to be something that could be in a garden.
SPEAKER_01We do have a lot of friends that are averse to coriander, so that will be an immediate disqualifier.
SPEAKER_02It'll be interesting. I highly doubt anybody will bring it. You never know, but I would be shocked if they bring a coriander beer. Then the other one that she picked was something you could buy at a bake sale. So any kind of cookie, pastry, whatever sauce, yeah, any something. Yep, just anything like that. So honestly, I could see that category being a little higher ABV on some of them.
SPEAKER_01Oh, because of the sweet.
SPEAKER_02Because of the sweet, yeah, and then we always have a wild card. So that can be anything. And I know we've discussed it before, but we back in the the dark days, we called it, we didn't have a limit, and it seemed like everybody showed up with like at least a 12-pack of craft beer, and we'd sit down like all day and and drink, and it kind of got a little bit out of hand, so to speak.
SPEAKER_01Things usually didn't end well, no put it that way.
SPEAKER_02No, and and well being that some of the guys were would be in trouble because they were they were drinking all day.
SPEAKER_01You um, since we actually had it at our our camper and our bar, which is named the the uppercrest cantina, you didn't have far to go, but those that had a little ways to walk um sometimes were in trouble.
SPEAKER_02Exactly.
SPEAKER_01We had a little issue motivating.
SPEAKER_02Yep. So that's when you know I brought it up to you. Remember one it was one winter, and I said, you know, we need to really get this under control. And what do you think about if we pick three categories and each person brings one beer in each category, and then we rate them against each other and see who wins. So that's what we ended up doing. Now this year we're actually going to try something different. We're still doing the three categories, but it's gonna totally be a blind taste test where we will try the first beer, rate it from zero to five by a tenth of a point. We'll figure out the average and then keep that average, and then at the end, that's when you and our other friend Renee, that are the bartenders, they get the lucky job of dealing with all of us. They then they'll say, Okay, let's say there's five people, beer number five, you know, the lowest average, and then we'll go up to the highest, and then we'll figure out who brought what and then get scores from there. So, you know, not that not that people in the past, I shouldn't say that because I've done it before. When you're sitting there going, okay, the last beer and it's mine, so I'm gonna really rate it up, you know, or hopefully. So this is gonna be a way to really keep that from happening. So it'll be interesting.
SPEAKER_01So in years past, after the beer was rated, we would reveal it, but reveal it without telling who actually brought it.
SPEAKER_02Correct. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Because if you brought it, you knew where it was.
SPEAKER_02There may have been some finagling to try to get your beer to be higher in the rated higher because we give it stars, and then we would also say, you know, first, second, third, fourth, wherever we thought it should go in the lineup. And you already knew the other beers, so you know, you would rate your beer higher or whatever, you know.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and sometimes unfortunately, like the first beers that were poured, because they were already in number one in the first place category. By the time they got to the sixth or seventh beer, they never had the opportunity to to be to really go down the it was like locked in at one. It was locked in at one, even if it necessarily wasn't the best of the best beer. So yeah, it'll be interesting to see how things I think it's gonna be a challenge for Renee and I to kind of understand and really get a handle on how we're gonna do it. We're I think we're gonna have a chalkboard or a whiteboard that that keeps you know keeps track of you know specific notes about okay, this one people like because of this.
SPEAKER_02I was thinking about that, and I'm kind of we gotta figure out how to do it because I do think that maybe we can have Renee or whatever take the people's scores, divide it so even like it, because if I'm keeping the score on the calculator, I'll know what the average is. You know what I mean? And I think we should keep that even confidential, where you guys just write it down behind the bar, you know, and then so then we'll figure it out. You know what I'm saying? So then it's like totally blind, and we wouldn't be able because if somebody goes, Well, yeah, I think that could have been mine, you know, then you know what I'm saying. Right. So we'll it'll usually be amazing. Usually Memorial Day is a little bit smaller crowd, so this will be a good test.
SPEAKER_01It'll be good tests, yes. Yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_02So we'll see how it goes. Yes, and because BK and Noelle have purchased the resort, uh Noelle is my normal partner in bartending, but she obviously won't be able to join this year, but yeah, and BK is our a normal competitor, and he's not gonna be able to either. So it was always it was always kind of funny because it was a lot of times it was BK or myself, we're usually in the top, you know, whatever. Now, last Labor Day, he did send beers up, and it was kind of funny because some of his own family uh said, well, since he wasn't here, he can't win. So that was a big controversy for a little bit, but you know, it's all in fun anyway. You get epic bragging rights until well, this one will be till the fourth of July.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So yeah, but actually the resort, they're doing a great job doing a lot of remodeling. We were there two weekends ago for the Kentucky Derby, and Mike actually got the best dressed award for the the day he was dressed as a jockey. So that went over really well. And we did a little wagering, and I had some family members that that did well on the the derby boards, so it was it was a lot of fun, and they've got a great crowd, great group of locals and permanent campers that are coming to support them. So we wish them the best, but I don't think they have to worry much because they're doing a great job, right?
SPEAKER_02And they've they've really because they were one of the few places, I guess you could say, that were open through throughout the winter. The the the lodge was. Uh, their cabins are, I know they're working on it. They actually just acquired another piece of property that has a house on it that they're gonna probably rent out, and that could probably four season, where their other main cabins are just like three season, so to speak. But I know they're working on, you know, hopefully they're wanting to change that maybe one cabin at a time, you know, to get where they could rent some during the winter as well.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's great. I mean, it used to be a a very small, quaint place. They've kind of expanded things in in just it, not the footprint, but just opening up some entry to there's a lodge area that has a this really cool fireplace that really wasn't utilized in years past. And it's just it's a different look, different vibe. They have a lot of really cool things. Brian smokes his old fashions and Bloody Marys. They have a Bloody Mary bar, and it's just it's really cool to see how our favorite place and our happy place is now going to be a happy and favorite place of many more patrons because people know about it now. They're on Facebook and all of the things.
SPEAKER_02It's sh surprising, really, how many people A thought it was a private bar, B, had never been there. Yep, you know, things like that, didn't even know there was a bar there. I mean, the last time we were there, a gentleman said he didn't even realize there was a bar here. And how many, I mean, every time we're up there, there's new people. That's the first time they've ever been there. And then you see other ones that are starting to become pretty familiar, yeah. You know, that they've been there a number of times.
SPEAKER_01And it's great. You know, it's uh it's a very special place. We it's on Callahan
Kiwi Strawberry And Strawberry Season
SPEAKER_01Lake, who we named our daughter after. So we actually got engaged there as well. So, and it's our 25th wedding anniversary this year. It'll be 25 years that we've been at the camper at our permanent site in July. So lots of amazing memories and really look forward to making more in the years to come.
SPEAKER_02Yep. Well, I think I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little thirsty. I am so we should try this next flavor. So we have strawberry kiwi. Actually, it's actually kiwi strawberry. I uh apologize. And the can, this can is green and black. The last one was kind of that red and black. And what they say on this one is kiwi strawberry finds the sweet spot. Kiwi strawberry pairs vibrant strawberry with a splash of kiwi for a flavor that's bright, smooth, and fruit forward. Clean, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. It delivers a crisp sip that feels just right every time. This one has one gram of carbs, no sugar, and 160 calories. And again, it's 5% EDV.
SPEAKER_01Yep. And you can definitely smell the strawberry.
SPEAKER_02Oh, wow. Yeah. And this one is it looks, and I hate to compare it to another brand, but it almost has that like a smear knoff ice or whatever those are called. It's got a
SPEAKER_01Little pink tint to it though.
SPEAKER_02Oh, it does, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_01It does. We don't have the greatest lighting in our life.
SPEAKER_02The light in here is a little bit dark right now, but it does have that kind of a pinkish to it. But boy, you can smell it.
SPEAKER_01I do smell the kiwi though, too.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I would say I smell the kiwi more than I did the limeade on the last one.
SPEAKER_01That's got a little bit of a little more sweet than the last flag.
SPEAKER_02A little sweeter, but that kind of the mid the initial flavor is good. And then I I know this is gonna sound crazy. The middle of the flavor has a little bit of a different flavor to it. And then the aftertaste is more strawberry. I mean, I get more strike.
SPEAKER_01It's almost like you go from kiwi and then end on the strawberry. Like you have it's good though. I mean it's very good. And again, it's not overly sweet.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I'm trying to figure out that because when it that initial when I swallow it, I don't know if it's it could be that I'm getting more kiwi.
SPEAKER_01More kiwi.
SPEAKER_02And then as it finishes, you get that flavor there, you know. But then the yeah, the aftertaste is strawberry.
SPEAKER_01So I've been told that you're supposed to eat the skin of the kiwi because that's where Oh, I don't know. Well, that's where all the crazy nutrients are.
SPEAKER_02And that's kind of I can safely say I've never eaten the skin of a kiwi. We've ate our fair share of kiwi, but well, yeah, right. But you know what I mean? It's not like you you're eating because you always peel it and then just eat the the fruit.
SPEAKER_01This is a winner, too. I just I like it. I I almost like it better only because I I'm not a big cherry person.
SPEAKER_02I really love that initial swallow is just a little different flavor to me, but then it goes away and you get the the strawberry. But uh yeah, if I had you know, somebody says, Hey, you want one of these, I'm like, Yeah, sure, I'll take one. I mean, it's it's pretty good.
SPEAKER_01Speaking of strawberries, it you know, not too far off from strawberry season. I probably will be a little late up here though, because it's been so cold. But usually around June, you know, first part of June, mid-June is when the strawberry patches up here are in full swing. We on our way to the camper, on the way to the resort, there is a strawberry stand in just outside of Maryland, and they have you know fields of strawberries, and they will pick them, or you can go there to pick yourself.
SPEAKER_02But most of us just take the easy out and just buy the bucket and buy the bucket or whatever that they buy a big bucket and share.
SPEAKER_01But there's nothing like strawberries stretch from fresh from the field around here, anyway. I mean, you can definitely tell. Actually, the the name of the farm stand is called Stanley's and or Comstock's is another one. There are actually two on the way. And they actually go all over with their strawberries, so they will set up on a corner and have their strawberry sign and sell out of the back of the truck like they do with the the corn and melons and and such. But strawberries are usually the first first fruit of the the summer. Then you really know that summer has started.
SPEAKER_02Yep. So what do you think on this one? What would you kind of give it for a score?
SPEAKER_01Did I give the last one a three?
SPEAKER_02A three.
SPEAKER_01I give the last one a three. I'm gonna have to go three, two.
SPEAKER_02Okay. For me, I I like it. I think I'm gonna just that initial swallow. Like I said, that little bit of a weird taste to me. I'm gonna go with 2.7, just one notch down from the first one. But it still I would not turn one down, you know. But as I said, I think maybe if I keep trying it a little bit, that flavor is gonna change a little bit for me. Like I said, it just seemed like there was a little bit of a weirdness to me, to my palate anyway, on the initial swallow. So, but they're both very good. I mean, there's definitely they're not lying when they say they have flavor, you know. And that's the thing that I I think a lot of people are gonna like because some of those, like you had said, are either way too sweet or they don't have a lot of flavor sometimes, you know. And these these I think you can drink them and not get weighted down or or burned out from the too much sugar, you know. And hopefully we don't get the heartburn from it.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, they uh they mentioned on their website that it was you know something that that didn't get you as full. Right. And so I don't know if that is because of the malt or you know, just the way it's crafted, you know, as far as the you know, the vodka mixture or and they I think they also have like a tequila blend too, though, don't they?
SPEAKER_02Because they have the yep.
SPEAKER_01What's the name of that one?
SPEAKER_02Well, they have the uh sorts of the pea Paloma Paloma. Yeah, and then they do have like Moscow mule in some of you know, they have some different, what'd you call it like four packs or flavors where they some of them are based on classic drinks and things like that? But I think a lot of times I I have been impressed with
Morel Mushrooms And Foraging Safety
SPEAKER_02them because they do seem to me like they they do care about flavor, and that's one thing that Jim and I are always talking about for beer is you know, don't be afraid of flavor, you know. And and like I said, these honestly are surprising. I'm I'm pretty impressed.
SPEAKER_01I think with the last tasting that we did on carbless, we did some of the margarita ones, and those are some of my favorites. I like I like the margarita. I did have oh, this last weekend, I think I for Mother's Day, I did have a lime, a lemon lime or the one with the green on it. Yeah, and that was refreshing. I hadn't had one of those in a while. I'm usually I have been, like I said earlier, I've been I was on a pineapple kick there for a while, and so that was really good. But these were really refreshing too, the lemon lime, but anxious to to try some of the other flavors as well that they have new coming out.
SPEAKER_02Well, we we do have in eight pack, like I said, of I guess we could throw the name out there if we want to, so people could look forward to hearing about it when we get to it. And uh the the four pack or eight pack, I'm sorry, is called their tropical bliss. So it should be interesting to see what that is, you know, because I give them credit, they're expanding their their flavors quite a bit because sometimes it seems like some of the companies they make here's their group of however many, and then that's it, you know, where carbless seems to be really trying to up, you know, step up their game at times. Well, then going into these malt beverages, it's kind of crazy.
SPEAKER_01Mm-hmm. And talking about, you know, expanding their their flavors, they're also expanding their distribution as well. Because they, as we mentioned, were strictly a Wisconsin company, but have gone to, you know, obviously to expand, you know, across the U.S. I know there are still areas that you can't get them. They are available in in Missouri now, I think, in Peoria, where Callie went to school in Illinois. But the last time we were down, I think in Florida, they hadn't they hadn't been there. But it's been a while since we've been to Florida and I haven't really looked for them.
SPEAKER_02But I guess we should have looked that up maybe on the website to see where they're you know where their district distribution is now. So, you know, you could always check their website, you know, for sure, because they do have where you can put your zip code in and it'll tell you where they're available. So, you know, I'm sure if they're not in an area, it'll just say, So, you know, sorry they're not there, but but at least it'll give you an idea of where you can get them. So speaking of the summer, and when you were talking about strawberries for dinner tonight, Susie had made we had steak with morel mushrooms.
SPEAKER_01Thanks to our friend Beck who decided to share with me. She put on our little group chat. Anybody wants some morels? And I can't believe no one else didn't want any.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01It's crazy.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, no, we like you know, we've talked about it before that we bought uh a new place uh three years ago, roughly. We have 28 acres, 29 acres, and I need to start going out and looking to see if we have some on our property. It's just one of those things that when you don't know if they've been there, you know, then you gotta try and find where they're at. But there's their growing season right now is kind of coming to an end for this year.
SPEAKER_01They they well, it has been rather chilly though, so it might be might be okay.
SPEAKER_02But they're worth a lot of money, yeah.
SPEAKER_01You know, the the going price right now is anywhere from twenty to sixty dollars a pound that you can get.
SPEAKER_02Now a pound is a lot of mushrooms, don't get me wrong.
SPEAKER_01But they they are amazing, and I just sauteed them in butter and spices, and we had them along with our steak and some riced cauliflower and a little salad. It was amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yep.
SPEAKER_01I have seen where people coat them in flour and you know, do the almost like deep almost kind of like deep fried, but pan fried, but in flour in spices. But I put a little bit of onion powder and garlic salt in and just a lot of butter.
SPEAKER_02It's amazing. Yeah, they were very good. And like I said, it's one of those that when you find them, it's like yes, you know.
SPEAKER_01But if you're not in that mode or know a lot about mushrooms, you have to be careful because there are some that they call a false morale. Morales typically you it when if you go on the internet and you just look at a picture, they're very distinctive in, you know, they're not like a button mushroom or or any of that. But the the one uh specific that you want to look for is the stems need to be attached to the to the top and they're actually hollow.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01The stem is hollow, where your false morels have some kind of like fiber or the stems have something in them, or it's you know, they're like texture in there and they're full. Yeah, so good to know. But if you're if you're not a mushroom hunter or connoisseur, you may want to lean on some friends or someone that knows exactly what you're you're dealing with. But the the mushroom itself is hollow. When you cut it, um, it's hollow on the inside. So that's a good indication that it's a real morale.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and then when you when you get them, they always say to soak it in. Soak it in water, salt water. Just to get any bugs out of it, get sand off of it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so what I did today is I put them in a warm water bath, and then you put some paper towel on top to kind of weight it down to make sure that the morels are underwater. Because if they're not completely submerged, the bugs might not necessarily come out. So oh, sure.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I never thought about that. Yeah, yeah, them dang bugs. Yeah. So yeah, it's uh like I said, it's getting to be that time of year, you know. So it'll be interesting. Like I said, if I get out a chance to get out and look around in the woods, it'll be pretty cool if I can find a little area where they're at, because then you always keep that hush hush to yourself so you can get them, you know, because there's there's definitely people that go out looking for morels, and sometimes property lines don't necessarily matter. Correct, you know, along with other things that people look for like that. So you always are, you know, if somebody finds it, they're pretty tight-lipped about where they were at, anything like that. So it's kind of crazy.
SPEAKER_01And typically the mushrooms grow on dead, like down trees, like dead tree trees that have fallen or have rotten that decayed matter. And elm trees are known for producing morales. So that's something to think about if you're out there, yep, out there looking.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so that's what I always thought too was that they were always by elms, but it apparently they're not always by elm.
SPEAKER_01But it does seem like you find it could be that you know the the elms had decayed already, right? You know, too. I mean, you don't know what the the terrain was like before.
SPEAKER_02And it always makes you wonder why elms. What is there in an elm that produces morels? You know, it's just kind of one of those things that makes you go, hmm.
SPEAKER_01Well, they're it's spore-based, right? Right.
SPEAKER_02Yep.
SPEAKER_01But I've heard that you can't grow morales like in like a farm, or a farm. You can't farm them. They have to be there, they're natural. So that's why the price is so hefty on the market. I know we had at our the resort that we stay at, we had a gentleman that was there for many years, and they he was known in the area as mushroom Charlie, and that was his deal. He went all over and he hunted all sorts of mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, chicken mushrooms, what were the hen of the woods.
SPEAKER_02What were the ones that he that were up by our camper?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, those were hen of the woods.
SPEAKER_02Is that no? I thought it was the black trumpets, the trumpets or whatever it was. And we had no idea. And we asked him about it, which turned out the second year to be a mistake because I think he went and picked them all before we got up there.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, yeah, but he was awesome. He was definitely someone that was well known in the Northwoods in the Hayward area. After he passed away, uh, we had gone several places and got into conversations with people, and they would they would ask, you know, oh, where, you know, where's your camper? And we'd say, you know, Callahan Lake, and they were like, Oh, do you know mushroom Charlie? And you know, we're like, Oh yeah, because it was it's quite the quite the deal. Super guy though, mushroom Charlie. Charlie, he was quite the guy.
SPEAKER_02Well, hey, let's get into flavor number three of the malt beverage by
Black Cherry Nostalgia And Rivals
SPEAKER_02Carblas. This is their black cherry. So I'm expecting big things out of this. It says black cherry keeps it cool without trying too hard. Black cherries, smooth, laid back, and always shows up with exactly what you need. That kind of flavor that fits in anywhere, whether it's a bonfire with the crew, game day hype, or a no plans needed night. It's bold enough to stand out, but chill enough to vibe with everyone. And it says it's three grams of carbs, so this one is higher in carbs. I mean, still three is not bad, but no sugar, and then 160 calories per serving and five percent ABV. Now, this one is definitely a darker red than what the first one was. I mean, this is definitely cherry. Do you remember?
SPEAKER_01Do you remember when you were younger when you're did your parents, did you guys ever go to like Bonanza or those places where you buy the cases of pop?
SPEAKER_02Oh, yeah, the eight, like the bottles 10 ounce bottles or whatever they were going.
SPEAKER_01So black cherry was always my favorite.
SPEAKER_02Oh, it smells like black cherry. Oh, it does.
SPEAKER_01Oh, it tastes just like the pop.
SPEAKER_02It tastes real close to the pop.
SPEAKER_01Oh my gosh, it's crazy, not quite as fizzy. Oh, this is my favorite so far.
SPEAKER_02I wonder if you could freeze this.
SPEAKER_01This would be like a crazy, so it won't freeze. Maybe slushy. Maybe slushy.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it'd have to be. That is good.
SPEAKER_01It's very good. And again, not too sweet, and there's no weird taste to begin with. It's just black cherry.
SPEAKER_02Straight through black cherry.
SPEAKER_01This is this, yes, this is probably my favorite so far.
SPEAKER_02I'm impressed. I'm really impressed with that.
SPEAKER_01I'm impressed with all of them, but this one just trying to think of the name, the brand name of the pop. What is it called? Jelly Good or no.
SPEAKER_02I don't remember, but it was where you could mix and match.
SPEAKER_01And then you take the cases back.
SPEAKER_02Well, you'd get like, was it eight? They had like, you know, like the eight-pack.
SPEAKER_01No, we had like no, we had cases. We had like 24 bottles of cases.
SPEAKER_02The bonanza back in Albert Lee, you could get. I think you could get a case, or you could get like eight-pack.
SPEAKER_00Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_02The way the bottles used to come. And you always use and they just have cases of or pallets of here's the black cherry, here's the root beer, here's the the lemon lime, here's you know, well, we could mix and match. It was you know, cola. Cola, you know.
SPEAKER_01We could mix and match, and it always ended up that all the really good stuff was out and was gone when and then whatever was left was usually lived lemon lime. I was gonna say seriously.
SPEAKER_02Well, they had orange, they had grape, you know. But yeah, there was always kind of like popsicles where it's always the orange is left.
SPEAKER_01The banana. I hate the banana popsicles.
SPEAKER_02Well, no, banana is better than orange, I think, but I like orange. Boy, this one I I do like this. I'm I'm going, I think I'm going like a 3.2 on this one. Oh god. I really like it. I think uh they've and they've all been above average. Like I said, I think I would pick these over a lot of other malt beverages to be honest with you. Absolutely. I mean, just the the flavor in all of them is just crazy.
SPEAKER_01So I'm trying to think of some of the other malt beverage options out there, like well, your lemonades, you know, like your hard lemonades, those are malt. Right.
SPEAKER_00Yep.
SPEAKER_01Some of like I know they have like the Captain Morgan, but I think that is that's not malt because I know Noelle can have that because she's gluten.
SPEAKER_02Well, I was gonna say, because it's hard to say because like you know, there's all like these trulies and all that, but they're they're not malt beverages, I don't believe. Are they?
SPEAKER_01I mean, some of them are seltzers, and then some of them are because there's like truly, there's neutral, there's I'm drawing a blank bud seltzer.
SPEAKER_02Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Those are really sweet.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah. There's you know, like I said, there's a whole bunch of them, but I don't know. I'm again trying to think who would their biggest rival be in that market. It's gotta be like the the hard lemonades, right? Which these are way better.
SPEAKER_01Oh, way better because they just don't have that burn and they don't you don't have to worry about that the oversweetness type thing, or not but just the bitterness and the the heartburn, you know, because I can have even like the Schmirnoff or the Schmirnoffs, you know, those are I think our malt.
SPEAKER_02Yes.
SPEAKER_01I do like the red, white, and berries that is seasonal.
SPEAKER_02That's Smirnoff, right?
SPEAKER_01Yes, that's but that's a seasonal one, they don't offer it like year-round. It'll be interesting to see what they do here. I think these are gonna go over well, unless I think maybe the only downfall is you can't buy them in bulk.
SPEAKER_02That's what I was gonna say.
SPEAKER_01You know what I mean?
SPEAKER_02I mean I I mean, who's gonna go in and well these were basically $350 a can.
SPEAKER_01Oh goodness.
SPEAKER_02But it's 19.2 ounces, so it's a bigger can.
SPEAKER_01But I'm I'm thinking if they go over well, you it won't shock me to see if they go smaller and then and then the in the 12 ounce, maybe something like that.
SPEAKER_02Because I do think that I agree with you, that's one downfall a little bit to them because those other ones you can get them in six packs, twelve pack, probably a case. I don't know, but more so I know for sure, eight packs and twelve packs, I believe. So yeah, it'll be interesting to see what they do. But I you know, I'm sure they were going conservative kind of thing to start with, because you never know how it was gonna go.
SPEAKER_01Oh, fresca is another fresca cocktails, that's another one.
SPEAKER_02We can totally space that one off.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, we have. I love those, not so much the flavored ones, but just the regular, the the classic fresca cocktails.
SPEAKER_02You've been switching out diet squirt and the big charlies with fresca, the pop.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02Not because there's a fresca pop and fresca malt beverage or cocktail. So same company, just different.
SPEAKER_01I wonder if the fresca is malt beverage though, or if that's a vodka. I think it might be a vodka.
SPEAKER_02Might be a vodka base. I don't know. We'll have to look again. Yeah, because we've had them on, we had it on there before.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, oh you can actually buy them by the pallet.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah. We learned because a friend of ours bought basically a pallet, and then they were out at a bar and they texted a friend of ours that works for a distributor and was like, Hey, they're out of fresco. And he goes, Well, so are we. And I'm like, What do you expect? You bought a pallet, you know.
SPEAKER_01So what's cheaper?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, well, John says, maybe cheaper by the can, but not he's wheeler and he's a wheeler and dealer. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, crazy.
SPEAKER_01So you had you gave it a three five. I gave it a thing. I gave it a three point two. Oh, I you three two. I'm gonna do three three because I think I gave the last one a three-two.
SPEAKER_02Yep. This is my and that totally shocks me because you're not a big cherry.
SPEAKER_01But there's a difference between cherry and black cherry.
SPEAKER_02Correct. You are correct.
SPEAKER_01Big diff. Big diff. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that's that's pretty good. I'm impressed. They're carbless. If you're listening, we uh you know you need a pro staff or looking for a podcast sponsor.
SPEAKER_01T-shirts or something.
SPEAKER_02We'll uh we'll we'll take your phone call. Well, hey, we might as well jump into the last one here,
Arctic Blue Raspberry Favorites And Wrap
SPEAKER_02the last new flavor from carbless. And you specifically said you wanted to wait on this one until we're gonna because I think this is gonna be my favorite. This is their Arctic blue raspberry, yes, and it's funny because they have like a picture of a raspberry, but it's blue.
SPEAKER_01So are there really blue raspberries? Apparently they must be, huh?
SPEAKER_02I don't know for sure because you see that all over, you know, the blue raspberry. Yeah, I'm not sure. Couldn't tell you what to look that up.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so from a kid's perspective, blue raspberry. I mean, the snow cone-pop, snow cone. The snow cone, obviously.
SPEAKER_02I mean, was the huge so here's what they said Arctic blue raspberry brings the chill. Arctic blue raspberry delivers an icy blast of bold blue raspberry flavor that's crisp, smooth, and ultra-refreshing. Bright, frosty, and perfectly balanced. It keeps keeps things cool from first sip to last. Easy to drink, hard to forget. It has one carb, uh one gram of carbs, zero sugar, and 160 calories. Okay, here's the color wise, it's not blue. It's basically just kind of like I said before, it's almost like a sprite, clear, bubbly.
SPEAKER_01Oh, you can smell the blue raspberry, though.
SPEAKER_02That on the initial aroma, it the aroma reminds me of the blue raspberry snow cone. I was gonna say Jolly Rancher.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_02Now, hopefully the flavor isn't quite like that because you know that's that really sweet. But boy, that smells like blue raspberry.
SPEAKER_01Oh my goodness. Wow, this is really good.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that's that's my fave. That's pretty good.
SPEAKER_01So our local little uh convenience store here where we live, the Mart, this was the only flavor that they had.
SPEAKER_02Well, hey, Arctic blue raspberry. What uh what are your thoughts and what kind of score you give it?
SPEAKER_01I love it. My favorite 3.5. The can is blue, my favorite color. Arctic blue raspberry. We still need to figure out if there really is a fruit, which is the blue raspberry. Yeah, or if they're just pulling our chain.
SPEAKER_02If you know anything about that, ladies and gentlemen, let us know.
SPEAKER_01For sure. I would give it a 3.5.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Honestly, I was gonna give it the same score. I do think flavor wise, this is probably my favorite. It totally reminds me kind of of that bomb poppy type flavor, the blue part, you know. Right. But yeah, I think. Only concern I would have would be if you had a full can and then you started not, would it get to be a little bit much? I don't know, but I I do think that it's it's probably my favorite of the four, and which is crazy because honestly, I would I think I would drink any of these before the vast majority of the other malt beverages that are out there. You know, I mean they they did a great job for sure.
SPEAKER_01I think for the summer it's gonna be a big hit. Again, though, my only concern is just the packaging, you know, the fact that they're in these silos, these big silos.
SPEAKER_02And when you think about it, you know, at the price point they're at, it's gonna be hard to drink them wisconsinably.
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_02You know, of course I say that, and then you you think of some of the beers that we've purchased, Jim and I, and 350 is like way cheap. Oh, exactly.
SPEAKER_01350 a can, yeah, that's pretty cheap.
SPEAKER_02That's cheap. So yeah, I think they did a really good job. Favorite wise, like I said, the Arctic Blue Raspberry. I really I liked them all. You know, I know like my score on the cherry limeade was a little bit lower, and so was the Kiwi strawberry, just because of that middle part of the the taste, but they were still good enough that I yeah, I would buy buy them again. You know, I I really did good.
SPEAKER_01I'm probably planning to buy some for tomorrow because I have a trip coming up with my fishing girlfriends. Every year for the last 33 years, we have gotten together to celebrate friendship and have some good times. And the last, oh gosh, how many years have we done the fishing tournament? I don't know. They have a women's fishing tournament in Chitek at Wolfstone on Prairie Lake, and so we partake in that, but we're going up early, a couple days early, to pre-fish, of course, because we need to find out where the crappies are and celebrate our our many years of friendship. So I am definitely going to pick up stock. Maybe maybe I'll do all four.
SPEAKER_02Did you say 33 years? 33 years. I thought you told me you were 34.
SPEAKER_01Well, you know, I was little when well, cool.
SPEAKER_02So yeah, I guess, you know, carbless, the new malt beverages, I would say are a hit.
SPEAKER_01Oh, perfect. Perfect for summer, the lake, the tailgate, or the barbecue. The barbecue. There we go.
SPEAKER_02Or whatever. You know, I think for sure. Like I said, I I totally am blown away by the flavor, and I'm not usually a big malt beverage guy, mostly because of again, like I said before, a lot of times the the hard lemonades and stuff would give me heartburn. You know, other than Sand Creek, they had what I thought was the absolute best hard lemonade. I could drink that you know over and over and I wouldn't get heartburn. But these I think are are really good. You know, so I think they did a great job. So, ladies and gentlemen, you know, if you're out there, and I guess again, you have to look at your convenience store, you know, especially around the upper Midwest. I think they're in all the states. Up here, I'm thinking, I don't know for sure.
SPEAKER_01I I think everyone Wisconsin they are Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Illinois, maybe. Yeah, but yeah, it's just the test market. Yeah, okay. Um, but I'm sure once people start having them, they're really gonna. And I haven't seen any advertisements. No, you know, honestly, I don't I don't see that carbless actually advertise as much.
SPEAKER_02I don't think they really have had to.
SPEAKER_01I don't think they do either because it's just a kind of I I remember the first time that I ever heard of it was wedding that we were at, and they were like, Oh, we're having carbuless. I'm like, what the heck is that? I didn't know what it was, but it was it was a big hit. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02So we'll see where this where this goes. You know, I hopefully I think you know, if they're I don't want to say smart, but if if it goes as well as I think it will, hopefully they will go to where they're packaging, packaging in the street. You know, even if they are in a 12 uh 12 ounce can or whatever the other ones are in, I'm pretty sure they could sell these.
SPEAKER_01I just don't think, you know, walking in a convenience store, if you want, I mean, if I were going to the lake, I mean, I'd pick up a couple of eight packs.
SPEAKER_02Right.
SPEAKER_01I'm not gonna try to go to the cooler and carry eight of these cans. Some of them have the little basket that you can well apparently that's might might might be what I need to do, but people might stare.
SPEAKER_02Well, you know, you know nobody stared when I picked these four out and walked up there, but there wasn't that many people in there, so right. Well, cool. Well, hey, Susie, thank you so much for sitting in on this. I figured I figured this would be an interesting test because these are brand new on the market, and this is one of the first times that we've actually been able to do this where there it's something brand new.
SPEAKER_01Brand new, yeah you know.
SPEAKER_02The other ones when we've had carbless or any of the other ones, they've they've been on the market and we've just picked up a variety of different things. I think the one time it was actually stuff that we quote unquote inherited that somehow ended up at our house that we're not exactly sure. Yeah, but it's good.
SPEAKER_01I think they really you could definitely share this new version of carbless with old friends.
SPEAKER_02There you go.
SPEAKER_01At the lake or at the tailgate.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, there you go. Perfect, carbless. Hit us up, hopefully. Well, hey, thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen, for listening. And like we always say, we hope your campfire is always warm.
SPEAKER_01And your beer or carbs is always cold.
SPEAKER_02See ya. Thank you for listening to the Northwoods Beer Guy podcast. If you have a question, a comment, or a beer you'd like us to review, please feel free to send us a message at Northwoodsbeerguy at gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you're on Untapped, look up Northwoods Beer Guy and send a friend request. Until next week, I hope all your campfires are warm and all your beer is cold.
