Month: September 2012

New Blog New Glarus Brewing Fat Squirrel Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at seven beers from New Glarus Brewing.  Here is a little history of this great Midwest Brewery.  New Glarus Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Deborah and Dan Carey in New Glarus, Wisconsin.  They are 21st largest Craft Brewery and 32nd largest brewery in the United States.  This brewery has won several awards for their beers.  They brew several different beer styles and their flagship is their Spotted Cow.  We are going to get into their Fat Squirrel first.  Let us check out this brew.

The beer has a clear brown color without a head on it.  The smell is a sweet maple malty to the beer. The taste is sweet malty and maple to it. The aftertaste is a hazelnut to it. It is a pretty drinkable for being a brown ale.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

One deceptively springlike winter day, Brewmaster Dan walked hom from the brewery, sat down to dinner and said, “Boy there are some fat squirrels out there.  They’re running all over the place.  I think I should brew a Fat Squirrel Nut Brown Ale.”  Deb agreed and so another beer legend was born.

100% Wisconsin malt of six different varieties impart the natural toasted color to this bottle conditioned unfiltered ale.  Clean hazelnut notes result from these carefully chosen barely malts.  Hops from Slovenia, Bavaria and the Pacific Northwest give Fat Squirrel its backbone.

When the going gets tough remember to relax a moment and enjoy the “Fat Squirrel” in your neighborhood.  Truly yours, Daniel & Deborah Carey

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer.  It is a little different from the rest of the Brown Ales that are in the market.  I really enjoyed the classic craft brown ales like Brooklyn Brown Ale.  This one has a really good twist to it.  There is other notes you do not get from the rest of the brown ales like a little caramel, which you will get from other brown ales, and maple notes.  I love brown ale and I have to say this Nut Brown Ale or should I say Fat Squirrel Ale is one of my favorite Brown Ale along with Brooklyn Brown.  Thanks to my friend for bring it down to Chicago for me to try it and blog about it.  This beer is worth a trip up to Wisconsin to try this beer out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Boulevard Brewery and Sierra Nevada Brewery Terra Incognita

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While in Washington DC, we are going to take a look at a beer that I received at Savor.  The beer is Terra Incognita from Sierra Nevada Brewery and Boulevard Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog from Sierra Nevada beers, you are pretty up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Bouldevard Brewery was founded in 1986 in Kansas City, Missouri by John McDonald.  They brew several different beer styles. They are the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States and they become the largest independent American Brewery in Missouri when AB was sold to Inbev.  Let us get into the beer.

This is a bottle I received while at the Savor 2012 in Washington DC. It has a pretty dark brown color with a white constant head. This beer has a heavy carbonation to it. The smell is of dark chocolate cherries. It has a very nice smell to it. The taste is a sweet roasted malts with a slight cherry and almond to it. There is a ton going on in this beer.  The aftertaste is a sour to the beer.  This is a pretty drinkable beer for the high alcohol percentage.

Here is a desecration from the beer bottle:

Situated at opposite ends of the California Trail, pioneering breweries Sierra Nevada and Boulevard have embarked upon a journey into the unknown, to a land where adventures in brewing and flavor await.  Terra Incognita is, fittingly, an earthy beer, celebrating the unique terroir of the two locations.  Beginning with Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown pale malt, and combined with amber-malt, wheat, and malted wheat, it is then assertively hopped with Bravo and Styrian Goldings, dry-hoppeed with East Kent Goldings and finally barrel aged with Brettanomyces in Missouri oak.

Here is their websites and twitter addresses:

Websites:  www.bouldevard.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitters:  @bouldevard_beer and @sierranevada

In closing, I have to say I was not really that impressed with this beer.  It was drinkable for being a big beer.  Since this was part of the package for Savor, I will not be mad or sad if I never drink this beer again.  They did a pretty good job on this beer but I just feel this beer is missing something to it.  When two breweries brew this beer, it was a big deal in the pasted.  I just feel that this adventure has loss its passion and excitement.  I normally do not care or get excited over these beers.  In most cases, they are overpriced and most cases not worth the money.  I am not saying you will like this beer but good luck getting a bottle on Ebay and other places.  I do have an extra bottle for sale if you are interested please email me.  I hope you can go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Metropolitan Krankshaft

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In my 160th blog post, we are going to check out one of the newer breweries in the Chicago area that has popped up in the last 7 years.  The brewery I am talking about is Metropolitan and the beer is their Krankshaft.  Here is a little history on this brewery.  Metropolitan Brewery was founded in 2008 by Doug and Tracey Hurst in the Ravenswood Neighborhood of Chicago, IL.  Their beers are the German Style.  They brewery several different brews in the German Style.  Let us get into this beer.

Krankshaft is one of their everyday six-pack beers and is unique to see this style of beer be available everyday.  In most cases, brewery’s Kolsch is a Spring or Summer Seasonal.  It has a pale yellow color with a little white head on the beer.  It has a slight citrus smell.  It has a nice slight citrus taste and a nice dry crisp aftertaste.  It is very drinkable.

Here is a description from their website (www.metrobrewing.com):

Brewed in homage to the beer of Cologne, Krankshaft is a pale straw hued smile in a glass. We throw in a little wheat malt to round out an easy Santiam hop bitterness. There are no Köbes to serve them up, but you should feel free to have as many as you like.

Krankshaft Kölsch style beer goes great with fruit salad, sailing, pot stickers, graduation parties, gyros, kick ball, pistachios, cole slaw, Star Trek marathons, miso, rye vodka, canoeing, dinner waffles, dal, gelato, star gazing, popcorn, beach combing, barbeque, lawn chairs, chiles rellenos, muenster cheese, Black Jack, hummus & pita, pinball, guacamole, gardening, French Onion soup, and yoga.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.metrobrewing.com

Twitter:  @metrobrewing

In closing, I was not a fan of this brewery at first because when they came out I was not into German Craft Beer Styles.  However, when they first started,  I still wanted to check them out anyways.  I did try them out and did not like their beers ar first.  I am just being honest, however, I tried their beers again of late.  Where I try this beer, I knew it was fresh because they tapped it right in front of me.  I wish they had a brewpub so I could try their all their beers.  I went to their website and I noticed  they do brewery tours.  I would love to get into one but it looks like they do not have any tours happening anytime soon.  I will be checking back to see if they have updates on more brewery tours.  This is one of the best Kolsch Craft Style that I have had in a long time.  It has a ton of flavor but the drinkablity like mass produce American Lager.  It has a better taste of course.  This beer could switch a ton of those American lager drinkers.  It is smooth and crisp but enough fruity notes to make the alehead happy.  Since I cannot get Schlafly Kolsch, I will be adding this my line up beers.   This is a great beer and I am happy that is Chicago Brewery is not copying what the other Chicago Craft Breweries are doing in the market.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Fall Beer Blog Revolution Brewery Oktoberfest

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During Football season, we are going to take a look at another brew from Revolution Brewery.  This is their fall seasonal which is called Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog on their Anti-Hero, you know a little something about this brewery.  If not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall beer has a nice copper color without a head on it.  It has a sweet caramel malty smell to the beer.  The taste has some caramel notes along with some malty notes.  The aftertaste makes this beer extremely drinkable for a Fall Beer and Oktoberfest.  The aftertaste is a dry malty.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.revbrew.com):

OKtoberfest

A classic German-style Oktoberfest beer that goes down smooth with a pleasant, toasty malt flavor. Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops give the beer a crisp, balanced bitterness and a spicy, earthy aroma.

German-style Oktoberfest

ABV  5.7%IBU  25

Profile: Classic German-style Oktoberfest beer

Availability: 1/6 & 1/2 bbl, 12oz cans

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.revbrew.com

Twitter:  @revbrewchicago

In closing, I had several Fall and Oktoberfest beers through out the years.  I had a ton this year and there are only a few that are really good and then there are some that are really bad.  It has been very disappointing this years for fall beers.  I use to hang out at their brewpub in Logan Square and I never had this beer.  I have to say that I am not really that impressed with it.  I loved their Anti-Hero IPA and this was a real let down.  I am not a fan of this beer for the price and the liquid inside the bottle, draft, and cans.  There are better Oktoberfest at a better value.  I feel their beers are overpriced for being from Chicago.  Just because, I am not a fan of this beer.  It does not mean you will not like this beer and rest of their bews.  Please go try them and share your thoughts with me and others.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Frankenmuth Brewery Red Sky Irish Style Ale

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While in Michigan, This beer is from the Frankenmuth Brewery Company.  I did not have enough time to try it at the brewery so I pick up this bottle in the Downtown area of Frankenmuth at the Lager Mill Beer Store.  I am really looking forward to their Winter Lager.  If you have not read the first part of my earlier blog, please, read the first part of that blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a nice red color with a constant white head.  There is small bubbles that flow to the top of the beer. The smell is caramel to malty.  The taste is a sweet malty with a little caramel with a dry aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This malt focused Irish style red ale uses roasted barley to give it its robust red color and subtle caramel notes.  Red Sky is a full flavored ale with a smooth malty finish.

Here is a description from their website (www.frankenmuthbrewery.com):

Dry Irish Stout Ale-A traditional Dry Irish Stout is light in body with a hint of chocolate and coffee. This rich flavor comes from a combination of roasted barley & a generous helping of hops. We low-carbonate our stout using a nitrogen system which  aids in masking the natural bitterness of the brew.
ABV 4.1% IBU 41

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter:  @fb1862

Bottom of beer bottle, I am not a fan of Irish Red Ales.  This one for what it is was pretty good.  It has a ton of flavor and everything that a Red Ale fan is looking for in this beer style.  I enjoyed it but I would not put it in my everyday line up of beers.  Just because I said that, it does not mean you will not enjoy this beer.  This is a really good beer and I did enjoy it.  Just like Pilsners, I am not into Red Ales right now.  Please, go try it and let me know what you think of the beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Frankenmuth Brewery J.B. McGinnis Dry Irish Stout

While in Michigan, I received a chance to try another brew from the Frankenmuth Brewery.  This is one of their many seasonals  that this brewery has and it is called J.B. McGinnies Dry Irish Stout.  If you read my earlier blog post on this brewery, you know a little something about this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It is black in color with a kind of head. It has a nice chocolate to toffee smell.  The taste is dry with some chocolate to roast malts and taste with a dry aftertaste.  It is drinkable and is my favorite Irish Dry Stout.

Here is a description from their website (www.frankenmuthbrewery.com):

Dry Irish Stout Ale-A traditional Dry Irish Stout is light in body with a hint of chocolate and coffee. This rich flavor comes from a combination of roasted barley & a generous helping of hops. We low-carbonate our stout using a nitrogen system which  aids in masking the natural bitterness of the brew.
ABV 4.1% IBU 41

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter:  @fb1862

In closing, I was stun to see this on draft.  I was not expecting to see this in their line up and I had to order one.  This Dry Stout is the best one I have ever had.  I had a ton of Dry Stout and most are from the big mass-produced.  Frankenmuth Brewery made this Dry Stout with an attitude problem, which is a good thing, and I believe that what makes this one better than the others on the market.  It has a rich flavor from chocolate to toffee and coffee notes.  It has enough hops to give it a nice balance.  I could drink this beer all day.  This is a limited time only beer and I would recommend you taking a trip up to Frankenmuth Brewery.  I wish this was in bottles.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Frankenmuth Brewery Octoberfest

While in Michigan, we are going to take a look at another brew from Frankenmuth Brewery.  This beer is one of their Fall Seasonal called Octoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog post on their beers, you know a little something about this brewery.  If you did not, please, go back and read the first part of that blog.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a nice copper color without a head.  It has a sweet malty smell.  The taste is about the same with a little carbonation.  Just like the classic style, it has taste, smell, and aftertaste.  It is extremely drinkable.

Here is description from website (www.frankenmuthbrewery.com):

Oktoberfest Lager-An authentic German Oktoberfest beer. Its trademarked copper color is achieved by 4 different malts thus giving it its barley flavor. Adding German noble hops brews the perfect balance and tops with a nice finish. This once a year lager is a reason to celebrate all by itself.
ABV 5.27% IBU 27

Here is their website and addresses:

Website:  www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter:  @fb1862

In closing, as many of you know I am huge fan of this brewery.  I love how easy the beer drinker can drink this beer.  It has a nice malty flavor and gives the true malt drinker something to remember.  As a huge Fall Seasonal Beer fan, this beer makes me die happy if it was today. It is a malt drinkers heaven in this beer.  This is a very good beer and I wish I could drink it all the time.  I cannot wait for them to get to Chicago or I might just have to move back to Michigan.  I would hunt this beer down.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Bells Pale Ale

While in Michigan, we are going to sample out a local beer from Bells Brewery Pale Ale.  Thank you to my sister for picking up a six-pack while I was in town.  If you read my earlier blog on their Two Heart, you know a little something on this brewery.  If you have not, please, go and read the first part of that post.  Let us get into beer.

Bells Pale Ale is a yellow color without a head on the beer. It has a slight citrus smell to the beer. The taste is a sweet carbonation grapefruit with a dry bitter aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from their website (www.bellsbeer.com):

Pale Ale stands apart from the model of completely hop-dominated pale ales, offering a noticeable degree of malt body to counter the hop bitterness. A blend of floral & herbal hop notes provide the aromatic & flavor highlights, alongside the distinctive contribution of our house ale yeast. A crisp bitterness finishes the experience without being harsh.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.beelsbeer.com

Twitter:  @bellsbrewery

Closing, I know this brewery pretty well and had several of their beers.  I went back home to see friends and family and check out a few breweries in Michigan.  This beer has the nice English style to this Pale Ale.  It is a little bit more hoppier than the normal English Pale Ale.  It has a nice flavor and pretty good balance for a beer.  I really enjoy drinking this beer but it is not one of my favorite beers.  I believe that this  brewery makes some better beers.  They are always finding new beers to brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Milwaukee Brewery Tour And Brewery

While in Milwaukee, WI, as many of you know, I rode my motorcycle up to check out as many breweries in Milwaukee.  I had to stop by my favorite brewery, which is Milwaukee Brewery, and many of you know that I am a huge fan of this brewery.  If you read my earlier blog on their Pull Chain, you are up to speed on the history of this brewery.  If not, please, go back and read the first part of blog post.  Here is a little of their brewery.  Milwaukee Brewery started out under a brewpub in the city and it was called Milwaukee Ale House, which is still there.  I would recommend checking out their brewpub.  You will get a feel of the theme of their brewery and their beers.  There first beer was brewed in 1997.  Let us get into the tour and then a few of beers that I was trying that I did not blog.

Brewery Tour

The first thing I noticed about this brewery.  It reminded me of old school Goose Island in Chicago before they were sold to Budweiser.  They are very lay back and enjoy brewing beer.  This gives you  the hint of their packaging design and how they brew their beers.  I like how they broke up the brewery tour in parts with a beer break between each part.  They had several beers you could try and enjoy.  I also like that the tour guide had a microphone for most of the tour.  I have been on several brewery tours where they are shouting, yelling, or even screaming for the people to hear them.  We had Tom and he was awesome.  I had a great time listening to him because of his passion and love for his job.  You can tell he loves his jobs and he was not the only one there with that passion.  I really enjoyed this brewery and this tour. It is worth the $7.00.  Thank you MKE Brewery for welcoming us into your brewery.

MKE ULAO

This beer has a golden yellow color with a nice constant white head.  This beer really does not have a smell to it.  There is a little wheaty and yeast taste to the beer.  This is extremely drinkable beer and with a nice punch of 5% ABV.  As many of you know, I am not a fan of wheat, white, or hefeweizen.  I believe my taste buds are changing again.  I really enjoyed this beer and I recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!

MKE Hoptober Fest

Please read the blog I will post later.  I went into more detail on this beer.

MKE Double IPA

This beer has a nice copper color with a nice white constant head.  This beer has a nice cirtus to piney smell to it.  The taste is about the same as the smell, which is cirtus to it.  The aftertaste is a bitter dry which is about right for my taste buds.  It is a pretty drinkable beer for being a big IPA.  I really enjoyed this beer and I wish it was in the package.  I will hunt down a bar in Chicago to drink it.  If I cannot find bar in Chicago, I guess it is another road trip to Milwaukee.  Go get some!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter: @mkebrewco

Leaving Milwaukee, I had a great time and it felt like a huge beer party with all the beer drinkers at the brewery during the tours.  It was nice to see the brewery and meet some of the workers that work for this brewery.  It was also nice to go to the brewpub to see where they started.  This is a good brewery and I hope more and more people discover their beers.  Thank you for showing us around.  If you are around Milwaukee, please, check  this brewery out.  It is worth your money.  This is what you get for your money and it is one pint glass, brewery tour, sample any beer that is available, and two tokens to use at a selected bars in the area.  Go get some!   Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Uinta Brewing Detour Double IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Uinta Brewing.  The beer is called Detour Double IPA, which is part of their Crooked Line.  If you read my earlier blog on their Uinta Hyve Ale, you are up to speed on the information on this brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This Double India Pale Ale is part of their 750ml bottle which is called Crooked Line. It is heavy in carbonation and has a dark amber copper color to the beer with a head. The smell is a citrus to earthy to the beer.  The taste of the beer is the same as the smell.  It has a nice crisp bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable for a beer with 9.5% ABV.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Detour blazes the trail for fresh and bold Double IPAs.  Four varieties of hops combine to step up the flavor profile.  A hoppy adventure that finishes dry.  Big in character.  Venture to pair with other spirited flavors such as those found in spicy ethnic foods.

Here is a description from their website (www.uintabrewing.com):

NotesDetour blazes the trail for fresh and bold Double IPAs. Four varieties of hops combine to step up the  flavor profile. A hoppy adventure that finishes dry. Big in alcohol and character. Venture to pair with other spirited flavors such as those found in spicy ethnic foods.

Art

Label art by local Utah artist Leia Bell.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

In the end, this is one of my favorite beers from this brewery asides their Hop Notch India Pale Ale, which there is a beer post on this blog.  I love the drinkablity of this beer.  It has a nice hoppy taste but yet balance from the great malty backbone.  It is extremely drinkable and dangerous because it is 9.5% ABV.  This beer has affordable price at your local liquor store which makes it a value to us craft beer drinkers.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser