Month: December 2012

New Music Blog Fozzy Sin And Bones

In this music blog, we are going to listen to the latest album from Fozzy and it is called Sin And Bones.  Fozzy was founded in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia.  The band started out as a cover band, which their first two records were covers of classic hard rock and metal sings.  Fozzy has five studio albums out with one live record to their short career.  Lead singer and one founding member of this band is Chris Jericho, who is former WWE Superstar.  He grew up in Canada listening to the classic hard rock and metal music and wanted to do a career in music.  However, he had a love for wrestling, now he is doing both and is extremely successful.  The other founding member of Fozzy is Rich Ward which is best known to be in the band from the late 1980’s called Stuck Mojo.  Let us get into the music.

Spider In My Mouth

The song starts out with sound effects and samples.  There is a little keyboard action to build up the start of the song and this record.  A little kid starts singing.  This song has a nice solid in your face music from the guitar and drums.  Chris is singing really well which he has been growing into a really good singer.  He is improving throughout his recording career.  I love the lyrics.  I love the chorus in this song.  Nice touch from the drums towards the end of the song to put on the double bass.  Great ending and great opening track to this record.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper is the first single from Sin And Bones.  This song starts out like an old Jackyl song.  It kind of has a feeling of a Jackyl song.  I could see Jackyl doing a cover of this song or even write it.  Lead singer M Shadows from Average Sevenfold is being featured in this song.  I love the music.  It fits the lyrics and solid bass playing on this song.  Nice finish to the song.

Here is the video from YouTube (www.youtube.com):

Blood Happens

Blood Happens has some nice drumming and solid guitar playing.  Chris comes in with extremely great singing with great lyrics.  There is a whole lot going on in this song.  Rich plays a nice short guitar solo.  There is some strong playing from the guitar, drums, and bass throughout this song.  This is a great song and it is one of my favorite songs so far on this record.  There is some great back up vocals on the song.  Great finish to the song.

Inside My Head

I am loving the drums and the guitar work at the beginning of  Inside My Head.  Chris is pushing his singing to the next level.  If I was classic hard rock or metal band looking for a lead singer, I would give Chris a call.  I am also loving the lyrics.  Chris has grown into a pretty good lyric writer.  This is a pretty solid song.  Here is another song I am loving off this record.  Nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Great ending to the song.

Sin And Bones

I love the fast pace on the title track of this record.  It has great singing, drums, bass and guitar work.  This is a nice driving song.  Chris has written some nice lyrics once again.  So far this is a great follow-up from their last great record.  I am loving the guitar break towards the middle of the song.  This song was quick and to the point.  Sin and Bones lives up to being the title for the record.  It also has a great ending.

A Passed Life

I am loving how they have put more focus on the drummer.  The drums and the guitar are having a nice love affair at the beginning of this song.  I am also loving how they are not just making fast songs.  Fozzy is putting a nice mix between fast and slow pace songs.  I am loving how Chris is singing on this song.  There are some great lyrics here.  There is also some great music writing throughout this song.  I love the pick up in the pace towards the middle of the song.  There is a sick guitar riff at that point.  I am really enjoying this song.  This is a what metal music is all about in this song.  This brings all the elements that made me love hard rock and metal.  There is also a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Great finish to this song.

She’s My Addiction

I am loving the guitar work from the guitar players.  I am loving the simple and to the point bass.  There is a nice drum work and great pace to the song.   I am loving the music and lyrics that Fozzy has put forth.  This song gets to the point to the point.  This is a great tune.  There is a great guitar solo.  Just like Sandpaper, I could see this song in Jackyl’s song list.  Great ending to this song and nice touch on the outro guitar solo.

Shine Forever

Shine Forever has some nice heavy as hell guitar riffs.  I am loving the drumming with the bass filling over the top.  There is some great lyrics with a powerful meaning.  Chris once again is singing his heart out on this song.  Fozzy did a great job on this song.  I can see this song being an underground hit.  I am loving the ending of this song.

Dark Passenger

Dark Passenger starts out with a nice keyboard playing.  Chris is hitting it on vocals with nice well place drums.  I love the guitar riff on the main part of the song.  I love how they keep using the keyboards which gives this band another element.  It changes their sound that they have developed.  I am loving the building up to the guitar solo. It is a very well written guitar solo.  There is a great ending to this song.

Storm The Beaches

Storm The Beaches is the longest song on the record.  There is spoken works with more keyboards.  There is some powerful guitar riff and drums with bass backing up.  I am loving the meaning and theme of the song but the lyrics are little weak at this point.  It is powerful talking about D-Day and honoring the troops.  I cannot complain about this one song.  Fozzy has written an awesome set of songs for Sin And Bones.  There is a great guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  Fozzy has put forth an epic song to close out this great record.  I am also loving the gun firing samples in the song.  The lyrics are better towards the midpoint and the end of the song.  I love the end of this song.

Here is current line up of Fozzy:

  • Chris Jericho – Lead Vocals
  • Rich Ward – Guitar, Back Up Vocals
  • Paul Di Leo – Bass
  • Frank Fontsere – Drums
  • Billy Grey – Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fozzyrock.com

Twitter:  @fozzyrock

In the end, I really enjoyed this record.  If you know me personally, you know I have been a huge fan of Chris Jericho in the ring and his music career.  I know most of you know I am a huge metal fan.  I feel this band is pushing their career forward.  It is hard to believe the music that this band is putting out since this band was set up as a joke when they first came out.  Fozzy is a band you need to keep an eye on from here on.  Their last record, which was called Chasing The Grail, was a solid record from start to finish but the follow-up Sin and Bones is taking this band to the next level.  I am hoping this band keeps on the pace they are going on right now.  I highly recommend this band if you are a hard rock and metal fan.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:   djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Pipeline Porter

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to take a look at the Kona Brewing Company and the beer is their winter seasonal called Pipeline Porter.  Kona Brewing was founded in 1994 on the Big Island of Hawaii by Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa.  They are brewing beer to fit the lifestyle of people who live on the island and the tourist that visit Hawaii.  Their Longboard Lager is their flagship beer and is the top-selling craft beer in the state.  Kona Brewing is being sold in twenty-eight states in the United States.  They brew several brews like a pale ale, brown ale, golden ale, etc.  Let us get into the beer.

This winter seasonal from Kona Brewing, which is called Pipeline Porter,  has a black color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy coffee bean to the beer.  The taste is a heavy coffee to a slight chocolate notes with a dry coffee bean aftertaste. The aftertaste is like eating whole coffee bean. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Since 1994, Kona Brewing CO. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our Brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahala!  Pipeline Porter is full-bodied with a rich, smooth dark-roasted malt flavor.  A selection of premium hops and 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee complete this limited brew.

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

Rich & Roasty

Pipeline Porter is smooth and dark with a distinctive roasty aroma and earthy complexity from its diverse blends of premium malted barley. This celebration of malt unites with freshly roasted 100% Kona coffee grown at Cornwell Estate on Hawaii’s Big Island, lending a unique roasted aroma and flavor. A delicate blend of hops rounds out this palate-pleasing brew.

Available Fall/Winter

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Aloha, this is a great beer.  I was excited to hear that they are finally coming to Chicago and this is the first beer to land a shore.  When I went to Hawaii on vacation, I was drinking a ton of Big Wave Golden Ale.  This porter is smooth and taste is coffee and beer drinker can smelling it.  It is not a drinkable beer but it is a beer that will last in your glass and frig for a while.  I recommend this beer and get ready for rest of there beers being review here on this blog.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Widmer Brothers Brewing Brrr Seasonal Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Widmer Brothers Brewing and the beer is their winter seasonal called Brrr Seasonal Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into brew.

Widmer Brothers Brrr seasonal ale has a light brown color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is a citrus to it.  The taste is a sweet carbonation little malty with a citrus touch to the beer.  The aftertaste is a dry aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable hoppy beer for the winter seasonal.

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

Warm Up with a Cold One. Or Two. Our winter red ale is the perfect treat, naughty or nice. The deep red body fills your glass and a citrusy hop aroma fills your nose. Then caramel and chocolate malts reward you with a perfectly balanced, malty sweet flavor and velvety finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.widmerbrothers.com

Twitter:  @widmer_brothers

Closing, this is an awesome beer from the Widmer Brothers.  I really like what this brewery is doing.  They are going back to roots and pushing the limits of craft beer brewing.  This winter seasonal gives the craft beer drinker something you do not get from the other winter seasonal and it is hops and hops and more hops.  It has the malty and warming but gives it a hoppy finish.  It is like malty winter seasonal India Pale Ale.  Plus, it is extremely drinkable and it will get you in trouble so be careful.  This is a beer is part a sampler pack with Redhook Winter Hook and Kona Pipeline Porter.  It is hard to get so if you see it, you better grab it.  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 Beer Blog Redhook Winter Hook

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from the Redhook Brewery and the beer is their winter seasonal called Winter Hook.  If you read my earlier beer blog on one of their beers, you know the rich history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

Redhook Winter Hook has a nice amber color with a semi white head on the beer.  It has a sweet caramel. The taste is sweet carbonation caramel with a dry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable winter seasonal.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Redhook likes a little nip in the air.

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

Winterhook is the perfect beer to keep warm during cold months after shoveling snow, shredding some powder,  or playing hooky to can catch the game. Since it was first brewed, Redhook’s Winterhook has changed slightly each year to celebrate the season and keep everyone on their toes. After all, no one likes getting the same gift twice. The 28th version of Winterhook brewed for this year offers a rich caramel body that balances a big malt backbone with the aggressively dry hopped brew, making this year’s winter ale slightly naughty and very nice.

Style………………….Winter Ale

Abv…………………….6%

IBUs…………………..45 IBU

Original Gravity..15 degrees plato

Brewed Since………1985

Time Frame………..Winter Seasonal

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @redhook_brewery

Closing, this is one of my favorite beers from this brewery and winter seasonals in this season.  I love the malty taste this beer gives you in every sip.  Redhook Winter Hook is part of that awesome sampler pack with Kona Pipeline Porter and Widmer Brrr Seasonal Ale.  This gives you a nice malty and drinkable beer.  This beer is perfect for the coldest winter day but yet with a mild winter we are having in the Midwest, it is still perfect.  This is a great beer and I am glad to see it back in six packs in the Chicago market.  I recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Kiss Monster

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Kiss.  This is their 20th record in their career and it is called Monster.  This record is the follow-up record to Sonic Boom.  Here is a little history of this legendary band.  Kiss was founded in January 1973 in New York City.  This band has went through several line up changes but still found some success.  They have twenty studio records and ten live records, which they are best known for them.  They were one of the first bands in 1970’s to push the live records as a trend.  They have about thirteen greatest hits records.  Kiss also has five box sets in the market.  They had thirteen of their records from live and studio that went Gold in the United States.  Kiss has also had thirteen of their records from live and studio that went Platinum in the United States.  Kiss is pretty well-known for their live performance.  They are also known for their make up and their character that they dress up for their stage act.  Kiss was the first band to sell lunch boxes, action figures, etc.  Kiss was their marketing machine to drive their fame.  Kiss like most great bands are not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  Let us get into the music.

Hell Or Hallelujah

The opening track has a solid guitar work at the beginning of this song.  This is a classic Kiss song.  This song is a little be slower than the normal Kiss songs.  The lyrics are really bad but the music is great.  This is their first single from this record.  There is a great guitar solo towards the end of the song from Tommy.  This song finish pretty strong.

Wall Of Sound

I love the start of this song.  There is solid playing from all the members in the band.  Paul’s vocal has aged very well.  Most lead singers in the later part of their career cannot sing their old songs and some of their newer ones.  The lyrics are a little better on this song.  This is so far my favorite song from “Monster.”  The pace of this song is just right for Kiss.  The ending is about average for the song.

Freak

I love the music on “Freak.”  This is a great all around song but the lyrics are bad.  I could hear this song on their first few records.  There is a great guitar solo from Tommy.   It has a pretty solid ending.

Back To The Stone Age

There is a nice bass and drum work at the beginning of the song.  This is a nice driving music.  I love the music.  The lyrics once again is really bad.  It has a classic Kiss sound.  It is kind of sounds like “Love Gun” or “I Love It Loud.”  Back To The Stone Age has a solid finish.

Shout Mercy

There is a nice guitar riff with a good backbone from the bass and drums.  The lyrics are like classic Kiss lyrics.  I love the music.  Nice fitting guitar solo is well placed in the song.  Shout Mercy has a great finish.

Long Way Down

This song, which is Long Way Down, is the second single released from Monster.  It has a solid music with some good lyrics.  There is more singing from Paul on this record then Gene.  It just seems like it. There is a nice simple guitar solo and it is spot on in this song.  There is also a nice ending to the song.

Eat Your Heart Out

There is a different pace of the song with just singing at the beginning of it.  There is some great music.  I love the guitar work.  This song sounds like Poison, who is a band from the glam rock days in 1980’s.  There has some thoughts that Poison has stolen music from Kiss.  I am not saying that Kiss is stealing music from Poison but it sounds like it.  Everything has been done in music.  There is only a few notes in music so there will be songs and music that might sound like another song or music.  In most cases, it might have one more note or one less that the general music ear might not pick up on it.  Anyways, the lyrics on this song are just bad but the song has a great finish.

The Devil Is Me

This song has a nice guitar, bass, and drums.  This is a nice in your face Kiss music.  The lyrics are bad.  There is a nice guitar break towards the middle of the song.  The song went from good to boring.  This song should be shorter.  It is a Kiss ending.

Outta This World

There is a solid start to the song.  It also has a nice pace to the song.  It is a simple and to the point to the music.  I am not a fan of the lyrics and this song is pretty boring.  The guitar work and solo is perfect.  This song just like some other songs towards the end of this record could be shorter.  There is some nice drumming on this song.  I could heard this song on one of their first few records.

All For The Love Of Rock And Roll

This song seems like it is too slow for Kiss.  However, I am really enjoying the lyrics,  I am also loving the theme of the lyrics.  I hear a little country music influence in this song.  It has a perfect ending and the song reached the point.  The length of the song is perfect.  It also has a perfect ending.

Take Me Down Below

I am loving the beginning of this song.  Gene has the thunder bass kicking in this song.  Take Me Down Below has great music.  It is a classic Kiss song from the music and lyrics.  I love the guitar solo.  It kind stays in the low-end but hits the mid notes with some high-end.  It is a party song from the music and the lyrics.  It has a nice ending.

Last Chance

There is a nice bass line at the beginning of the song.  This song has a nice fast pace to it.  It reminds me of old Kiss.  This is a classic Kiss song from the music and lyrics.  There is some good back up vocals.  I love the music.  This song comes into your house to have breakfast and then just leaves you without food.  It is gets to the point.  There is a nice guitar solo in the middle of the song.  Nice build up for the ending of the song.  It is just right for the end of the record.  Kiss leaves this record on a high note.

Here is the current line up for Kiss:

  • Gene Simmons – Bass guitar, vocals
  • Eric Singer – drums, vocals
  • Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.kissonline.com

Twitter:  @kissonline

In closing, I am not a huge Kiss fan but I do enjoy listening to their music.  I am fan but not part of the Kiss Army.  I was stun that they came out with a follow-up to Sonic Boom.  I was also stun that they came out with Sonic Boom.  Most older bands do not like to put out new music because their fan base do not care about the new music.  I believe the only fans that care about the music is the hardcore ones or person that loves new music.  I feel that Monster from Kiss was rush to be pull out  for a reason to do a tour.  The music on this record is classic Kiss and is really solid.  They did a great job.  I do not know if they took old riffs that they wrote back in the day.  The lyrics I feel this band has run out of ideas.  There are some gems on this record.  I believe around those gems there are too many filler songs.  What I mean by that, it is a song that is there to fill up the record to get it out to the market.  There is nothing wrong doing that because some of those filler songs might become hits or just underground hit with hardcore fans.  There are three songs that I do really love from this record and they are “Wall Of Sound,” Take Me Down Below,” and “Last Chance.”  I just feel this record is a let down from Sonic Boom. I really enjoyed listening to Sonic Boom. If you are a hardcore fan of Kiss, check this record out and add it to your collection.  If you are a general fan of Kiss or just a hard rock or metal fan, I would see if you can find a place to preview it before buying it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Revolution Brewing Mad Cow Milk Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Revolution Brewing and the beer is called Mad Cow Milk Stout.  If you read my earlier blog on their Anti-Hero IPA, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

Revolution Brewing Mad Cow Milk Stout has a jet black color without a head on it. The smell is chocolate to toffee to the beer.  The taste is a creamy chocolate beer without an aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Mad Cow

Smooth, charcoal black stout made with lactose for a lingering sweetness.

Milk Stout

ABV  7.7%IBU  30

Profile: Smooth, charcoal black stout made with lactose

Availability: 1/6 & 22oz

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.revbrew.com

Twitter:  @revbrewchicago

In closing,  I really enjoyed this beer and this is my favorite brew from Revolution Brewing.  I love their Anti-Hero IPA also from this brewery.  It is smooth and silky beer.  It is extremely drinkable and that could get some people in trouble.  I highly recommend this beer, however, this is not my favorite milk stout I have ever had.  Mad Cow is my top five for Milk Stout.

Here is my top five Milk Stouts:

  1. Lancaster Brewing Milk Stout
  2. Milwaukee Brewing Polish Moon Milk Stout
  3. Revolution Brewing Mad Cow Milk Stout
  4. Maui Brewing Milk Stout (Brewpub only)
  5. Left Hand Milk Stout

These are all really good milk stouts and just because I put it third does not make it a bad beer.   I really enjoyed drinking them all.  Now some of these beers, I can not get in my market like Maui Brewing and Lancaster Brewing.  Left Hand is a great brew.  I just feel the rest of the breweries took their recipe and made it better.  Left Hand Milk Stout is still the same old brew and they did not change it.  I recommend you trying all these beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Unibroue Grand Reserve 17 Dark Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into beer called Grand Reserve 17 Dark Ale from Unibroue.  Unibroue was founded in 1990 under the name of La Brasserie Massawippi Inc in Quebec, Canada.  The name changed in 1993 to Brasserie Broubec Inc and then merged with Unibroue.  It was then sold in 2004 to Sleeman Breweries.  Sleeman Breweries was then sold to Sapporo.  Unibroue Brewery brews several different Belgian beer styles.  Let us get into  the beer.

It has a brown color with a white head on the beer.  The smell is a sweet malty and other species. The taste is a sweet slight carbonation and no aftertaste to the beer.  There is a lot going on in this complex dark ale.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Dark Ale on Lees.  Ale Brewed with Spices, Aged with French Oak, and with Natural Flavors added

Inspired by the great Belgian brewing tradition of Trappist monks established over the centuries.  Unibroue 17 was first brewed in 2007 to celebrate our brewery’s 17th anniversary.  However, the overwhelming success of this specialty brew made it obvious that we could not let such great ale slip into the anonymity of retirement.

As testimony to its remarkable flavor profile which increases in complexity as it ages, the original batch bottled in 2007 was awarded an international platinum medal three years in a row and the prestigious title of “World’s Best Dark Ale” when it was well past three years in the bottle!

So in 2011, we proudly brought back this French Oak aged, bottle refermented dark ale, with the “Grande Reserve” appellation as a fitting endorsement of its exceptional quality for aging.  Brewed only once a year, in limited quantities, and individually numbered “brasseur” bottles, this is truly a flavorful delight for the specialty beer enthusiast.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.unibroue.com

Twitter:  @unibroue

In the end, I really enjoyed this beer and I have to thank my friend let me try it.  There is a ton going on in this dark ale.  It is a sipping beer but it is pretty smooth.  I was pretty stun by this beer and I will be searching the rest of their beers down from this brewery.  To be honest, how much this beer was good, I would rather drink a beer from Belgium.  This brewery being from Canada is as close to the real thing from Belgium.  I recommend this beer and  I would like to hear your thoughts on this beer or other brews that Unibroue brew.  Any you recommend for me to try from this brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Three Floyds Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to look at another brew from Three Floyds and it is called Klaus Christmas Porter.  If you read my earlier beer post on their Robert The Bruce, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

It is a jet black color with a tan color head. The smell is an evergreen pine with a touch of toffee in the beer.  The taste has a hint of toffee with a ton of pine with a pine cone aftertaste. It is not drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Alpha Klaus is Alpha King’s festive cousin. A big American Christmas Porter brewed with English chocolate malt Mexican sugar and of course, tons of strange American hops. Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (www.3floyds.com):

6.0% ABV 38 IBUs

Alpha Klaus is Alpha King’s festive cousin. A big American Christmas Porter brewed with English chocolate malt, Mexican sugar and of course, tons of strange American hops. Cheers! November release.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.3floyds.com

Twitter:  @3floyds

Closing, I am a fan of this brewery.  I was looking forward to try this beer for while.  I do not know what they were trying to do with this brew.  I feel they wanted to make a black IPA or black pale ale but wanted a porter.  I am a huge porter and hop fan so this beer has some promise.  There is not enough of the porter here just a ton of hops.  It is like you are smelling a pine cone and then eat it in liquid form.  I was really disappoint with the beer because I had to pour it out.  I never pour out a beer but this was that bad.  If you like this beer, I would like to hear your thoughts.  Do not get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tallgrass IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at one of my one of my favorite brewery that is not in the Chicago market.  The beer is Tallgrass India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog post on their 8-Bit Pale Ale, you know about this brewery.  If you did not, please, read that beer post on their flagship beer.  Let us get into this beer.

The color is light cooper with a hint of amber with a semi white head on the beer.  The smell is earthly. The taste is earthy with a dry piney aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their beer can:

Bombastically Hopped.  Surprisingly Malty.  Pour a Pint…..

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

IPA (ABV 6.3%, 60 IBU)

Our third beer, Tallgrass IPA, is an India Pale Ale that is rich, complex, and flavorful. We are proud to be the first brewery here in the Great Plains to have the first brewed, cans, and draft IPA out on the market!

Tallgrass IPA originally came to life as a creation during Jeff’s early homebrewing days (batch Numero Uno), and it was consumed in short order by his friends who came over to cook out and help with the next batch. After some modifications over the years (because nobody’s rookie homebrew batch tastes all that great, but your friends will tell you it does) the recipe was dialed in to become what is now Tallgrass IPA. We love this beer and think you will too!

What is with the name “India Pale Ale”? Well, India Pale Ales have a history that reaches way back to the days of the British Empire and the need for good and proper British beer for the soldiers in India. It just so happens that hops not only taste and smell great, they also have natural preservative properties that help keep beer fresher. Obviously, there was no way to keep beer cool on the long voyage around Cape Horn from England to India, so the intellectual forebearers of modern microbiology (genius brewers of course!) figured that if some hops were good for storage then heaps of hops would be great!

With this technique, these hero brewers and their hops kept the beer good and the soldiers of the empire inebriated, even in the furthest corners of the globe. Even more, the hoppiness of the IPA preserved not only the beer itself, but the great taste it created has preserved the style as one of the most popular beer styles in the world in the 21st century. If those brewers weren’t knighted by the empire back then, they should have been!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @tallgrassbeer

Closing out, so far all the beers that I had from this brewery.  I have loved to death.  I love their packaging to the liquid.  This India Pale Ale is great but I do believe this beer is not an American India Pale Ale.  It has more a feel of English style IPA and with the description from their website, I believe they are embracing it.  Most American IPA are very hoppy and this beer is not.  That is why I am basing my facts on that.  I am not a brewer.  If they believe it is American IPA, it is American IPA.  This is my thought pattern.  I highly recommend this beer and I love this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Flying Dog Brewing and the beer is called K-9 Winter Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this great brewery.

This beer is part of the 12 beers of Christmas from Countryside Bar.  It has a hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  There is no smell to the beer.  The taste is sweet carbonation malty without an aftertaste to it. It is very warmly so it lives up to being a winter warmer. This is a sipping beer.

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

Alchohol By Volume: 7.4%
Availability: Winter release
Hop Bitterness: 30 IBU
Specialty Malts: Changes with each release
Hops: Changes with each release
Yeast: English Ale

If it tastes like Christmas, it probably works with K-9. Flavor notes: Sweet malt base with roasted, nutty, and spicy flavors  Pairs with: Buttery cheeses; sweet breads; spice cake; squash, yams, and sweet potatoes; hearty meats and stews.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

Closing, this beer is not a session beer but it is just a great beer.  I love how complex the taste of this winter warmer.  This is a sipping beer and take your time in the cold winter days.  There is a ton going on in the beer.  I love the warmth when this beer goes down my throat and how sweet the beer comes across.  I love this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser