Month: February 2013

New Beer Blog Bridgeport Brewing Smooth Rye Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from one of my favorite breweries from Portland.  It is their spring seasonal called Smooth Ryed Ale.  It is kind of play on words from motorcycle world.  If you read my earlier beer blogs, 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 has a nice copper color without a head on the brew. The smell is a malty rye to citrus. The taste is a slight citrus with a touch of malt. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Beer’s a journey, not a destination.  Each sip of Smooth Ryed’s toasty malt flavor is worth savoring.  With a pound of Centennial Hops per barrel and a hint of spicy rye character, you’re sure to enjoy the ride.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bridgeportbrew.com

Twitter:  @bridgeportbrew

In closing, this is one of my favorite beers from this brewery.  I have really becoming a fan of rye ales and I am putting this close to the top of the list.  I love the well balance and drinkablity of this spring seasonal.  I believe that craft breweries need to take note of this beer.  I kind of wish this was an everyday beer but I understand why it is not one.  I highly 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 Beer Blog Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout

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In this beer blog, Brooklyn Brewery Dry Irish Stout is a new spring seasonal from this great traditional beer styles brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that beer blog post, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this new brew from Brooklyn Brewery.

This stout has a jet black color with a white head on the beer. The smell is a heavy chocolate with coffee to it. The taste is a dry chocolate with a dry chocolate burn aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout is a very dark beer, but don’t let the color fool you.  In Ireland, stouts were originally brewed to be “session beers” that were light enough to stick with a long evening, but flavorful enough to be fun to drink.  We use large amounts of roasted grains to develop nice coffee and chocolate flavors and the famed East Kent Golding hop lends to the earthy aroma.  It’s brisk enough to pair with oysters, but bold enough to handle a burger.

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

The Irish Stout beer style was once produced by dozens of breweries in Ireland. These days it is only produced by three major breweries in Ireland, none of them Irish-owned, though several small breweries and brewpubs make stout as well. People are often surprised to hear that Irish stouts are among the lightest beers on draft, both in alcohol and in calories. These beers were originally designed as “session pints”, a term denoting beers that one can stick with for a long evening. These days, the major producers of Irish Stout dissolve nitrogen into the beer to produce the trademark head, a practice that started in 1960.

Brooklyn Irish Stout is brewed the old-fashioned way, without the nitrogen addition. A large portion of the grain is roasted like coffee beans, developing the typical color and flavor of this beer. Aside from British pale malts, the beer includes caramel malts, black patent malt, unmalted black barley and a proportion of flaked raw barley, which helps the beer develop a beautiful, thick natural head. The famous East Kent Golding hop lends to the earthy aroma. The beer is neither filtered, nor fined and has a light, brisk carbonation. The blend of grains gives the beer an espresso-like bite, followed by coffee and chocolate flavors. At 4.7% ABV, this is among the lightest beers we make, and one of our favorites. Be sure to serve it with “two fingers” of foam, and enjoy the flavor of Brooklyn Irish Stout. Slainte!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brooklynbrewery.com

Twitter:  @brooklynbrewery

Closing out, Brooklyn Brewery has hit a home run Jackie Robinson style with this new brew.  It is everything you expect out of a stout.  This brew is strong and bold but yet soft enough that the beer drinker can enjoy it during the St. Patty’s Day.  It also comes with a ton of flavor and that is what the beer drinker wants from their craft beers.  This beer also shows the future of the craft beer world.  You are asking what am I talking about?  It is pretty simple.  The craft beer world is going back to more classic beer styles then the over hop that hints the errors of the brewmasters.  I am not saying that those beers will not be made.  They will be made.  With new beer drinkers entering the craft beers, these classic beers will be selling like crazy and brewers and breweries will look at that to make their bottom line profitable.  This is a great debate for the future.  I highly recommend you trying this beer and please put down the Guinness because this is a pretty good beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Monday Music Blog Left Setter Irene

In this Monday Music Blog, we are going back to 2009 where a local Chicago Hard Rock band, who is Left Setter, puts out a record called Irene.  I decided to go back and listen to this record to write a review because I heard they reunited for a few shows in Chicagoland area this summer of 2013.  There is very little information on the history of this band.  I will have to get with the band to get the history of it.  This is their third release from Left Setter.  Let us get into the music.

Refuse To Care

This song starts out like a 1990’s hard rock music.  It also has a little baby bedtime music theme.  There is a nice simple guitar and off beat bass line.  There is some nice drumming also in this song.  This song sounds like something that Stone Temple Pilots would do in their career.  I do not know about that heavy breathing in the later part of the song.  George has some nice guitar work towards the middle of the song.

Last Days With You

There is some nice heavy guitar work at the beginning and then simmer down.  There is some nice bass and drum work on this song.  It has a nice support to the guitar and vocals.  I like the lyrics on this song.  This song is in your face but you do not realize it until you get to the later parts of this song.  I am loving the bass work towards end of the song with the guitar over the top of it.  Nice touch on the ending.

Good Mourning America

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  I can hear the Beatles influence in this song and a touch of Stone Temple Pilots again.  I wonder if this is what the Beatles would have sounded like in modern-day.  The lyrics and musics has Beatles sound of their heyday or the 1960’s Classic Rock bands.  This song is short and gets to the point.  I like the ending of this song.

March Into The City

March Into The City starts out with a nice bassline and a perfect guitar riff.  It is not over the top like most guitar players normally do in their songs with the bassist.  I love the simple drum beat.  I am also loving the effects on the vocals.  I am loving the build up of this song.  I love the lyrics.  I am loving the endings of the last few songs.

Bobby Deniro

Boddy Deniro has a little punk feel to the song.  It is fast pace and with nice music.  I am not a real fan of the back up vocals on this song.  I just feel it is forced and it is not natural to the song.  George has some nice guitar work from clean to dirty effects on his guitar.  Nick is singing extremely well on this song.

Collide

Collide has some piano work on this song with a nice guitar work over the top of it.  I am love the drums and bass work on this song.  It makes this song powerful.  I am loving the lyrics and singing from Nick.  The back up vocals are perfect on this song.  The piano gives this band another element in a positive light.  George has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Thief Without A Conscience

I love the beginning of this song.  It has a little Red Hot Chili Peppers feel to it at the beginning.  I love the drums, bass, and guitar work to set the stage to this song.  I love the lyrics.  Nick kind of sounds like Don Dokken off Shadowlife.  This is a deep and well thought up song.  Left Setter put some thought when they wrote this song.

Women And Children First

Women And Children First starts out like an AC/DC song.  It goes to the main riff like something in your face.  I love the theme and the lyrics of this song.  The music is very well written.  I love the drumming and the bass work.  The backbone of the band is playing their ass off on this song.  It has a nice ending to the song.

Drowning Muse

The last song on this record starts off like something you would heard from Beatles or Pink Floyd in early part of their career.  This song more I think about it reminds me Dazed Or Confused from Led Zeppelin or Planet Cavern from Black Sabbath.   Nick wrote a nice melody and lyrics on this song.  I love the pick up towards the end of the song.  I am loving the drumming.  It comes back down to where it was before.  This is a thinking man’s song.  I am loving the ending with Nick just singing it out.

Here is the line up off Irene:

  • Nick Langis – Lead Vocals, Keyboards
  • George Langis – Guitars, Vocals, Piano
  • Sean Keenehan – Drums, Vocals, Percussion
  • Turan Yon – Bass Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.leftsetter.com

Twitter:  no twitter account

Where to buy their records?

Their Website:  www.leftsetter.com

CD Baby:  www.cdbaby.com

Closing, I love this record and Left Setter did a great job on all of their songs.  You can hear their influences through out this record.  Neil Young move over Left Setter has taken your spot for today’s youth.  They had some thoughts of time on our government and this is what music is for and the art of it.  The songs that are my favorites are  March Into The City, Last Days With You, and Collide.  If you live in the Chicago area, you need to check out this band during this summer.  If you do not live in Chicago and is a fan of great music, you need to check them out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Big Horn Ram Brewing Hopcicle Imperial IPA

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In this craft beer blog, Big Horn Ram Brewing Hopcicle Imperial IPA is being feature in this post.  This is a limited run and seasonal brew from the Wheeling location.  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 the brew.

This Imperial India Pale Ale has a deep copper color with a constant white head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy citrus to the beer. The taste has a heavy citrus but a nice malty backbone to cut down the hops in this big beer. The aftertaste has a dry cirrus that lingers. For being a big IPA, this is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theram and @rambrew

Closing, this Imperial India Pale Ale is not crazy over hop like other Imperial India Pale Ale.  I have to say this is what I thought of this beer.  If it was a solid, you would be licking this like crazy.  Since it is in liquid form, it is smooth and silky on your tongue for the mouth feel.  It is pretty drinkable and malt backbone is pretty solid.  These brewers at Ram Wheeling did a great job on this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Lake Placid Craft Brewing Ubu Ale

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In this beer blog, Lake Placid Craft Brewing Ubu Ale is being featured on this posted.  This is one of my brews from my latest Beer Of The Month.  If you read my earlier beer blog on this brewery, you are up to speed with this brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog to get to know this great New York State brewery.  Let us get into a beer that President Clinton use to order cases to the White House when he was in office.

It has a beautiful brown color without a head on this English Strong Ale. There is really no smell but maybe a strong malty to it. The taste is a carbonation sweet burn malty with dry aftertaste. This is a sipping beer to relax and watch television.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ubu Ale

The mountain village of Lake Placid was once home to a legendary chocolate lab named Ubu, the biggest dog you’ve ever seen with an uncanny nose for great beer.  Deep garnet red in color this English-Style Ale is tribute to the legend of Ubu.  It features a smooth, rich maltiness complemented by just the right amount of hops.  Here’s to the legend!

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

7.0% ABV   38 IBU   43 SRM
Our famous English Strong Ale, deep garnet red in color, with a smooth, hardy taste and a nice warm feeling to follow.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ubuale.com

Twitter:  @ubuman

Closing out, the last time I had this brewery’s brews was from my Beer Of The Month that was months ago.  When I did had them, I fall in love with their beers.  I really wanted to try this brew and I was a little upset it was not part of my last Beer Of The Month.  I was pretty happy to see their Amber and Ubu Ale in this Beer Of The Month.  It has a great story with one of our presidents enjoying this beer while in office.  I have to say this beer did not let me down.  It has a nice malty snap but just enough hops to make it a great brew.  If you are in New York area around Lake Placid, please go check this brewery out.  Please, let me know what you think about this brewery and brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Sea Dog Hazelnut Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sea Dog Brewery and the beer is called Hazelnut Porter.  If you read my beer blog post from yesterday, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that beer blog post, please, read it to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark deep brown color without a head on this porter. The smell is a hazelnut to the beer. The taste is hazelnut with a touch of toffee. Toffee is extremely fate. The aftertaste is a dry hazelnut. It is a sipping beer. It is a beer to take your time and relax.

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

This beer is one of a kind! Four different malted barleys combine to create a distinctive, full-bodied beer with a roasted nuttiness, uniquely enhanced by a hint of hazelnuts. Smooth and creamy with the nose of the Willamette hop, this porter is a beer style unto itself.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.seadogbrewing.com

Twitter:  @seadogbrewing

In closing, I have to say when I opened my Beer Of The Month and saw this beer.  I have to be honest.  I was excited and nervous at the same time.  It was in a good way on my feelings before I open the bottle.  I really enjoyed this beer and it is extremely unique to what is on the market.  I love the smell and taste of the hazelnut along with the chocolate.  I 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 Sea Dog India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer I received from my Beer Of The Month.  The brewery and the beer is called Sea Dog Brewery India Pale Ale.  Sea Dog Brewery was founded in 1992 in the State of Maine.  The brewery was named after a dog called Barney, which is no longer with the brewery.  They brew several different beer styles and have several location around the Portland, Maine area.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a deep copper color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is a citrus to a little malty to this India Pale Ale. The taste of this full body beer is a carbonation citrus with a sweet dry aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable IPA.

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

OLD EAST INDIA PALE ALE

Fashioned after the famous ales from Burton-On-Trent which took on such bold character after surviving the long, rolling voyage from London to Calcutta in the days of the Empire. This is an amber-colored masterpiece in the world of beer styles.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.seadogbrewing.com

Twitter:  @seadogbrewing

In closing, there is not too many good English style India Pale Ales on the market.  I know this brewery is in the Chicago Market but I never see their India Pale Ale.  It is pretty balance and well hopped.  I have to say I love the story and history of this brewery.  It is a really cool story.  I wish I could find more of their beer in the Chicago market.  If you are a hophead like me, I recommend you trying this beer and let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Heavy Seas Brewing Gold Ale

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In this beer blog, here is another beer from Heavy Seas Brewing and the beer is called Gold Ale.  This is another brew from my Beer of the Month.  If you read my earlier blog on their flagship beer while I was in Washington DC, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

This gold ale is what it is a golden color without a head on the beer. The smell is very fade and hard to smell. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty with a small touch of hops. It is not overly hopped. The aftertaste is a dry earthly to a little malty. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

American gold ale with floral hop aroma.  Well rounded, fruity, and complex.

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

Gold

Year Round

This easy-drinking session beer pours a deep golden color. It smells slightly floral and herbal, thanks to a hopback full of Cascade and Centennial hops. Gold is tasty and refreshing, with a round mouthfeel. In 2010, it took awards at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hsbeer.com

Twitter:  @heavyseasbeer

Closing, I am not a fan of most of these gold ales or golden ales.  I went with a positive attitude to give this beer a chances.  The one thing that I love about this beer it is a session beer.  Sometimes you need to drink some of these beers to give you a break from the over hop to heavy stout and porters.  However, this gold ale gives you some hop finish to keep the hophead happy, I recommend you trying this beer.  If you are an experience craft beer or just an American lager drinker, this beer will give you a different pace as an experience beer drinker or set you on the road to drinking more craft beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Brewing Two Women

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from New Glarus Brewing Company.  The beer called Two Women Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This lager has a beautiful copper color without a head on it. There is a lager malt smell to the beer. The taste is a carbonation malty with lager finish to light hoppy aftertaste. This is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Four thousand years before Christ, Sumerian women created the divine drink of beer. Viking women brewed in Norse society. European Ale Wives were so successful as cottage brewers they were taxed. Artisanal women lost their domination of the daily ritual of brewing during the Industrial Revolution. Today’s brewing trade is controlled by men.

The collaboration of two Craft companies both led by women, New Glarus Brewing and Weyermann Malting, is unique. You hold the result “Two Women” a Classic Country Lager brewed with Weyermann’s floor malted Bohemian malt and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops. A tempting and graceful classic lager found…Only in Wisconsin!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

Ending, I am not a huge fan of craft lagers.  This is a pretty balance and drinkable beer.  I was pretty impressed and I am glad I had a chance to try this beer.  This is a pretty good craft lager.  I will have it once and move on to the next beer.  If you are a lager fan or craft lager fan, this is a beer you will need to try.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Brewing Apple Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from New Glarus Brewing.  The beer is called Apple Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This apple ale is a hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is an apple cider to the beer. The taste is a carbonation sweet apple cider beer. The aftertaste is a carbonation cider to the beer. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A few times a year we cut Dan loose to brew whatever he chooses.  Always handcrafted, the bottle you hold is brewed for the adventurous soul.  This is a very limited edition and we make no promises to ever brew this style again.

Apple Ale sings with the fresh crisp taste of Apples.  Our Brewmaster begins with a brown ale base and a blend of fresh picked apples.  Our apple growing friends squeeze them especially for this brew.

Expect this Ale to pour a beautiful copper color.  The fresh bouquet of Apple will rise to meet you even before the glass touches your lips.  So be sure to sip slowly and enjoy the fruits of a Wisconsin Harvest.

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

Apple Ale sings with the fresh crisp taste of Apples.  Our Brewmaster begins with a brown ale base employing Wisconsin farmed wheat and a blend of fresh picked apples.  Our apple growing friends squeeze them especially for this brew.

Expect this Ale to pour a beautiful copper color.  The fresh bouquet of Apple will rise to meet you even before the glass touches your lips.  So be sure to sip slowly and enjoy the fruits of a Wisconsin Harvest.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In closing, this is what apple ales should taste like in the beer market.  This is a great beer and it is pretty well balance.  I really enjoyed this beer very much.  It has a cider beer style to it.  I know Miller Brewery Company put out their apple ale called Redd’s.  The beer is carbonation apple juice beer.  New Glarus Brewing did a great job on this beer and this is the apple ale to be drinking.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser