I first heard of Nebraska through Angela Arp, the wife of one their brewers, Tyson Arp.  Angela is all over twitter promoting Nebraska Brewing, craft beer and supporting others craft brewers in the U.S. A look at their website instantly warm comes out. The bio’s of each brewer read as if it was someone you knew personally. Their website has this to say “Located in Papillion’s hoppin’ Shadow Lake Town Centre, Nebraska Brewing Company is a relaxed dining destination complemented by incredible, fresh handcrafted ales. Locally owned and operated, it’s our aim to share our passion for beer and food with everyone who walks through the door. When your stomach’s growling and you’re feelin’ parched, head to Nebraska Brewing Company for casual American fare, a full bar, and a great time. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in creating the perfect beer and food combination.  Oh, and on your way out, be sure to grab a growler of one (or two) of our fine ales.”

I have been fortunate to have a fair amount of contact with Angela through twitter, her husband Tyson and Paul Kavulak co-owner and brewer. With all the buzz and hubbub on the web and from friends in the beer world, I had to try some. Unfortunately, they are not yet available in Texas. Fortunately, I was able to procure some and so far, they have not disappointed.

I spoke with Paul for a bit to what her could tell me about Nebraska Brewing, that isn’t on their website. After all, they’ve won an award or two already. Paul had this to say:

‘Nebraska Brewing Company is a brewpub located in Papillion, NE and was started by the Husband & Wife team of Paul & Kim Kavulak.

Born of a deep-rooted passion in all things Craft Beer, Nebraska Brewing Company opened its doors in late 2007.  An American Casual menu keeps pace with the seasons and works to provide excellent pairings for many of our craft Ales.

Our Brewer Tyson Arp works very hard to ensure that our Craft Beers are among the best the No-Coast has to offer.  Each and every beer produced at Nebraska Brewing Company is truly unique and stands as a great example of the targeted style.  Our beers exist to please the aficionado and stretch the minds of our diners.

The barrel aging program was begun almost immediately and exists to satisfy our desire to take remarkable base beers and make them something more.  Toasted & charred oak from wineries and craft distilleries form the backdrop for adding character, aromatics, and flavors only found through time and patience.

Nebraska Brewing Company is currently distributed in Nebraska and Iowa only but is also exploring distribution in areas with a strong desire for excellent craft beers.

With the beer, a personal goal has always been to have people who truly understand wonderfully crafted beers wake up one day and say “Hey, there’s something really great going on in Nebraska”.  We work hard every day to make that happen…’.

Suffice to say, that when in Nebraska, I’ll be stopping by! But I digress, on to the beer!

This one falls into the Russian imperial Stout category. Historically, touts are originally British in origin, with some hailing from the Emerald Isle as well. American stouts deviate a little by having a little more hopped up character and these days like to have their morning coffee while being brewed.  Hops range in variety, as well as the amount of bitter taste and often a roasted malt flavor. Imperial Stouts tend to be much higher in alcohol, lots of malt with big chocolate and roasted character. Often a bit of fruit can be found as well.

Betty sure was something special

Paul gave a little background on the Black Betty himself ”

Black Betty is a Russian Imperial Stout that Tyson created in his desire to turn out something big, bold and flavorful which would make Stout drinkers smile a little more broadly than usual.  The base beer won a Silver Medal in the 2009 US Open Beer Championships as Nebraskan Imperial Stout before the barrel-aged version (Black Betty) ever saw the light of day.  During a distillery tour of Stranahan’s Whiskey, the mental note was filed away to find some really cool beers to marry up with the essence of their spirit.  2 beers – this RIS and a Barley Wine made their way into used Stranahan’s barrels where they spent 6 months aging and picking up a wonderfully sweet nose, dryness from the oak tannins, and a subtle whiskey note in the taste.  We believe that both of these beers continue the entire Reserve Series in a fashion that continues to escalate and reward Craft Beer creativity.  Black Betty & Fathead join our first Reserve Series Beer – Chardonnay Blonde.  The bar has been set.”

I poured this one into a tulip glass. Pours a very deep mahogany into a tulip glass. There’s no seeing through this one. Carbonation is good, kind of what you’d expect from an imperial stout producing a slow carbonation that lends to a nice thin, but sustainable head with a beautiful lacing that clings to the glass for dear life. The bubbles just seemed to float to the top.

When I bring this one closer, a rich chocolate aroma comes forth. Hints of caramel and coffee as well. Another sniff and I get a strong hint of Raspberry and a little banana as well.

After swirling it around a little to bring the carbonation back to life, I took a taste. Wow. The raspberry and banana I smelled came out in abundance, scented nicely by a very distinct whiskey flavor. The chocolate is definitely there, but all these other flavors take center stage. A fair amount of roasted malt comes out with another taste, showing the complexity of this stout.

Mouthfeel is what I’d expect from and RIS. Heavy, full of substance, yet a crispness that speaks hops all over.

Overall, one of the best Imperial Stouts I’ve ever had. Weighs in at 9.3% ABV, so I sipped this one while enjoying some ravioli with my homemade sauce and carrot cake for dessert.

Located in a restored two story 1890′s building (to historical standards) the first floor of this building houses the restaurant and the copper and stainless brewing equipment. In the back, is housed the German style biergarten (typical for this area of Texas). They have also had their fare share of awards, to include being “..recognized in the Munchner-Style Helles beer-style category for its Hauptstrasse Helles (Mainstreet Light).  Rick Green, Master Brewer and Alton Huebner, assistant brewer describe their winning beer as  “Our lightest lager which is pale-golden, delicate, and mild.  A light, Bavarian Style Lager of the type made famous in the bier halls of Munich”. The 2008 Great American Beer Festival Competition winners were selected by an International panel of brewing experts from an impressive field of 2,335 entries.  More than 1,200 breweries were invited to compete.  “The Great American Beer Festival is the premier judging event for the American Craft beer industry”, says Nancy Johnson, Festival Director.  Being chosen a winner is truly an accomplishment”.

There’s also a little more for those willing to hang around for more than a few hours. The second floor has a cute little  Bed and Breakfast.  The second floor has twelve rooms, each with a different and unique Texas theme.

If I had to pick, and I do, I’d throw this one into the Winter Warmer category. Although a little hoppier than most Warmers, most warmers are malty and a little sweet. Color is often brownish red to very dark. Not a lot of hops usually, but often a lot of alcohol warmth. English versions are not often spiced,  those that are spiced,usually blend ales with spices and hops. American warmers many have a hops bitterness.  Sierra Nevada Celebration is a good example.

Poured into a pint glass, the appearance is that a rich, deep, caramel. Poured slowly, the carbonation trickled to the top leaving a a one finger head.

Aroma is all hops on this winter warmer. Faint smell of caramel. Very hoppy and a nice floral aroma. The aroma has bite!

The first taste said it all. Hops, hops and more hops. On the second taste the caramel comes out, complimenting the strong hops and balancing out the flavors. The Chinook and simcoe hops thrown in seem to give it the bite that comes out strong.

Mouthfeel is nice. Crisp, yet with a little heaviness to it that you’d expect from a warmer.

Had this with a nice homemade apple strudel, with paired well. Weighing in at 8.2% ABV it allows you to have another..