Month: January 2014

New Sports Thought Thursday Blog NFL Super Bowl XLVIII

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, I am going to throw out my thoughts of who will the Super Bowl in 2014.  This years Super Bowl will have the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks.  This Super Bowl is the first outdoor cold weather game.  It will be located at the New Jersey and New York City area.  This match will be the old school pocket passer against the new school quarterback.  The weather has been an issue talked about leading up to the big game.  The weather looks like it could be 43 degrees at kickoff and drop during the game. I am a sports fan and I will be inside enjoying this game.  Denver Broncos has been to the big game six times and won twice with legendary quarter John Elway in 1997 and 1998.  Seattle Seahawks has been to the big dance once and loss to the Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan in 2005.  This is the number one defense against the number one offense in the NFL.  I am hoping for a game and I believe we will get one. Here is my predication.

The Game

 

Seattle Seahawks 27 Denver Broncos 26

Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champs

MVP: Russell Wilson

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  djweiser13

New Beer Blog Surly Brewing Furious Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from Surly Brewery.  It is their flagship beer, which is called Furious Beer.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Over Rated!  IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery that made it back to the Chicago Market in 2013.  If you have not, please, read the post to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It is cloudy light amber color with a white head that disappears over time.  The smell is a heavy grapefruit notes.  There is a slight carbonation grapefruit notes in the tasting experience.  The aftertaste is a grapefruit notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

A tempest on the tongue or a moment of pure hop bliss?  Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee for those who favor, flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.

Here is ta description from their website (www.surlybrewing.com):

Furious

A tempest on the tongue, or a moment of pure hop bliss? Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee. For those who favor flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.

STYLE: American India Pale Ale
MALT: Pale Ale, Golden Promise, Aromatic, Medium Crystal, Roasted Barley
HOPS: Warrior, Ahtanum, Simcoe, Amarillo
YEAST: English Ale
OG: 15º Plato
ABV: 6.2% v/v
COLOR: 27 ºSRM
IBU: 99
AVAILABILITY: Cans and Kegs Year Round

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.surlybrewing.com

Twitter:  @surlybrewing

In closing, this is a pretty good IPA.  I was excited to try them when I was at Savor a few years ago.  I did live blog on a few of their beers when I was there.  I hope this brewery makes it to Michigan.  I understand these beers are made in small batches and these breweries can buy what they can as far as supplies.  I just feel they are a little over priced that is the only problem I have with their beers.  I would rather be drinking Stone IPA.  However, this is a great IPA and this brewery makes some awesome beers, I would pick it up now and then.  I do not live in a market where I can get them.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample my favorite beer from Old Dominion Brewing.  It is their Oak Barrel Stout.  This is the beer that open my eyes on this brewery.  I received a bottle from one of my beer of the months.  If you read my beer blog post yesterday on  their Coffee stout, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read beer blog post on their Morning Glory Espresso to get to know this east coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan creamy color head on this stout.  The smell is chocolate with coffee notes.  The taste is chocolate, little vanilla and coffee notes with a dry chocolate aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Dominion Oak Barrel Stout raises the bar for American stouts.  Our method of dry-hopped with vanilla beans and oak chips broadens our stout’s flavor spectrum even further.

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

Oak Barrel Stout

Oak Barrel Stout raises the bar for American Sweet Stouts.  Our method of infusing vanilla beans and oak chips during conditioning results in a smooth, roasty stout that is unparalleled.

  • 6.1% alc/vol
  • “Best Beer in Delaware” – Delaware News Journal, March 2011
  • Willamette & Cascade Hops.
  • Pairs well with oysters, clams, brie cheese & chocolate
  • Serve in a pint glass at 50-55ºF

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.olddominion.com

Twitter:  @DominionBrewing

Ending,  what can I say to a stout fan to have them try this beer?  Why this stout?  This stout gives the craft beer and stout drinkers something a little different from the normal boring old craft stout.  There is nothing wrong with the boring old craft stout.  They have an answer for the mainstream and mass-produced beer or lager.  This stout kicks out some vanilla notes making it smooth and easy to drink.  There are also some notes of oak with some creamy chocolate notes.  This is why the craft beer and stout drinker needs to try to beer.  I believe we could get some lager drinkers to maybe enjoy this stout. Let me know what you think and go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Old Dominion Brewing Morning Glory Espresso Stout

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In this 500th blog, we are going to sample out a brewpub that I had a chance to visit a few years go when I was in Washington D.C.  I am talking about Old Dominion Brewing.  The beer that we will review is their Morning Glory Espresso Stout.  Old Dominion Brewing was founded in 1989 by Jerry Bailey in Virginia.  In 2000’s, Jerry sold his brewery to Coastal Brewing Company and they later moved the brewery to Dover, Delaware.  They brew several different beers.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy tan color head.  The smell is a slight coffee notes.  The taste has coffee with hint of chocolate notes.  The aftertaste has a dry coffee bean aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping brew.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Loose Lips sink ships. And coquettish glory will never tell. A midnight stout brewed with coffee beans. Morning Glory wakes up at 9% AlC. by Vol. with the aroma of espresso.

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

Morning Glory Espresso Stout

Morning Glory is a full-bodied espresso stout that utilizes locally roasted coffee beans. Waking up at 9% ABV with the aroma of espresso and the taste of chocolate, she will give drinkers a jolt. She will be available in six-packs and on draft.

  • 9.0% alc/vol
  • 35 IBUS
  • Chocolate, Crystal, Pale, Smoked, Wheat, and Roasted Malts
  • Bravo and Glacier Hops
  • Available in 12oz bottles and on draft

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.olddominion.com

Twitter:  @DominionBrewing

Closing, I was excited moving back to Michigan to be close to family, however, I knew I could get some brews here that I could not get in the Chicago market.  This brewery is one of them.  I have had their Oak Barrel Stout a few times and I will have a review on that beer soon.  I enjoyed it and I put it on my towards the top of my stout list.  I was beer shopping and I came across this stout from Dominion Brewing.  The color, aroma, and tasting experience is out of this world.  This is a perfect beer after dinner or before.  There is nothing wrong having a sipping beer with a nice cigar.  I highly recommend this brew.  If you are looking for this brew or other beers from this brewery, please, visit their website and click on beer finder to pick up a six-pack or twelve pack today.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Wolverine Brewery Dark Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another Lager from Wolverine Brewery.  It is their Dark Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on this brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It had a clear dark brown color with a nice snow-white color head.  The smell is burn to roasted malt.  The taste has chocolate to slight coffee malty notes with a crisp chocolate like finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable dark lager.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.wolverinebeer.com):

Wolverine Dark Lager 5% abv /19 IBU – Always on Tap

Are you afraid of the dark? Don’t be. This is Michigan’s smoothest dark beer, a dark beer even people who don’t think they like dark beer will love. Wolverine Dark will win you over with a mild maltiness balanced by a crisp feel on your tongue and a smooth finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

Ending, this craft brewery out of Ann Arbor, Michigan is quickly becoming my favorite craft Lager brewery.  I am a fan of their IPL (India Pale Lager).  I have always loved imported dark or black lagers.  I was interested in getting my hands on this brew from Wolverine Brewery.  I love the color and tone of this brew.  I love the aroma it kicks out from the beer.  This brew is pretty drinkable for being a dark beer.  Most general or all beer drinkers think a dark beer means it is a heavy beer.  This is urban legend in the beer world.  It takes time to pass this on to the beer drinkers of the world.  The point I am trying to get across is just because it is a dark lager that does not mean it will drink heavy or light. Most dark beer could drink easier than a golden color beer. It is smooth and drinkable.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Motor City Brewing Works India Pale Ale

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample another Michigan craft brewery that is on my list.  All Michigan craft breweries are on my list.  This one is straight out of Cass Corridor.  I am talking about Motor City Brewing Works.  This Detroit, Michigan craft brewery was founded in 1994.  It is not far from the ballpark, football field, and Wayne State University.  They brew package all their beers unfiltered and they make mostly ales.  There are a few lagers.  They also make sodas, ciders, and wines.   Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

It has a hazel dark golden to light copper color with a nice constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma is a slight mango to orange notes.  The taste has a nice medium body for India Pale Ale.  It has a light carbonated with notes citrus notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our classic example of an India Style Micro-Brewed Pale Ale, brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simoce hops.  Then dry-hopped with fresh leaf hops.  85 IBU.

The thin layre of sediment at the bottom of each bottle is the mark of our all natural brewing process.  Unfiltered, Unpasteurized… Naturally!

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

Motor City India Pale Ale is a classic example of an India style micro brewed Pale Ale. Brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simcoe hops.

ABV: 6.9%

OG: 1.068

IBU: 85

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.motorcitybeer.com

Twitter:  no address

In closing, I have been eyeing this brewery when I was living in Chicago.  When I moved back to Michigan, I have been trying to cross several breweries off my list.  I have not try all their beers from Motor City Brewing Works.  I am going to make it down to the brewpub to check out the rest of their brews.  I figured I would start with their version of one of my favorite beer styles, which is India Pale Ale.  It does have a nice malty backbone, however, I am not a fan of the hops they picked in this brew.  It just rubs me the wrong way.  I can see people liking this and just because I am really not a fan of this beer.  It does not mean you will not like this brew.  I will pass on this brew. I rather drink PBR or Bud. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Bell’s Hopslam Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out a limited release from Bell’s Brewery that they bring out once a year.  It is their Hopslam ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the blog post on their Winter Ale.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear light copper color with a white constant head on this ale brewed with honey.  The smell has hints of honey and a slight citrus notes.  The taste has a sweet, smooth, and honey notes with earthly notes.  The aftertaste is slight honey with hops dry finish.  It is extremely drinkable beer and it is a big beer.  Please, be careful!

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale. With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?

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

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

Closing, I had this beer a few times a few years ago.  This is a great Double India Pale Ale.  I enjoyed drinking.  I love how the honey cuts through the hops and honey builds the malty backbone ever stronger.  This is an unique and different from the rest of Double India Pale Ale on the market.  I had one other double IPA brewed from honey and it is 3 Sheep’s First Kiss. I wished I had a bottle to compare these two big beers. From what I can remember, First Kiss is better but I recommend this brew.  I get why everyone rushes to the stores to pick up this brew when it comes out.  It is released once a year.  I believe this brew was available all year-long.  It would not sell as much as it does now.  Once a year is good for me. And you?  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

New Beer Blog Wolverine State Brewing Gulo Gulo I.P.L.

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In another Lager blog, we are going to sample out another brew from Wolverine State Brewing.  It is a new beer style in the India Pale Ale world. It is their Gulo Gulo IPL.  This new India Pale Ale is India Pale Lager.  If you read my earlier and first one, which was their Winter Lager, you know the history of this craft brewery across the street from The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  If you have not, please, read that earlier beer blog post to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this India Style Pale Lager.  The smell has some piney notes.  The taste has a nice hops of piney notes with a crisp finish.  The aftertaste has bitter hop finish, which I love.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

6.7% abv / 65 IBU – Always on tap
This ground-breaking style combines the essential ingredients and hopping methods used to create a world-class I.P.A.  Then using our expert lagering techniques and house lager yeast we created an instant favorite among the existing and steadily growing number of “hop-heads” and craft “lager-heads” in the beer world today.  Gulo Gulo I.P.L. is hopped with Cascade, Chinook, Columbus, Warrior and Pilgrim hops.  It is dry-hopped once in the fermenter and then a second time with whole-cone Cascade hops before packaging.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

In closing, I have to say I am pretty impressed about this Lager.  I am not a huge fan of this beer style.  To me, it is over hopped pilsner.  I love the hops they are using in this Lager.  I have to say this gives everything to your Lager drinker and Hophead.  I really love the aftertaste.  I have to say it is better than most India Pale Lager on the market.  There is not much more to say about this brew.  It is great brew and you better go try one.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan And West Of Detroit Part 1

(www.509beerstore.com)

In this beer blog, we are going to talk about liquor stores in my area of Michigan.  I just moved back in October so please, give me feed back if I missed a store.  As you know, I am a huge beer fan and a craft beer fan.  I will be the first to say I was spoiled in Chicagoland area with great beer stores.  It was between Binny’s, Cardinal Stores, and some of the chain stores there.  When I moved back, I knew Michigan craft beer market was huge on Michigan beers, which should be the case.  There are so many beers, and breweries in every market around the country.  I know Michigan is in that same situation.  Where do I go to buy some great beers?  I had no idea.  I did Google search after Google search.  I came up with a list.  I even did something I hate doing walking in and out of stores.  I do have a list and I am going to be up front and honest.  Here we go!

Beer Baron (Livonia, MI)

Beer Baron is a little bit north of Wine Palace by 7 mile on Middlebelt.  When I went, they were working on the store.  The staff there was nice and let me walk around.  He let me take my time and asked if I needed help.  This was the opposite of Wine Palace.  They have a great beer selection and some pretty good prices.  I was pretty impressed.  This is a beer store and it is pretty clear to that fact.  The two things I did not like about this store.  One, the store is in chaos.  There is beer everywhere.  Two, when I went, the staff did not know anything about beer.  Their parking lot is a lot easier than Wine Palace.  I recommend this beer store.

Wine & Barrel (Livonia, MI)

I did not want to drive up to Beer Baron and I am staying away from Wine Palace.  I just went to Wine & Barrel that is right down the street from my place.   There is some nice parking at the side of the building and they are not that busy like the last two stores.  The first thing, I did not like is the guy does not take pop cans.  You are a liquor store that sells rum and you do not sell pop.  I guess not rum and coke for someone in the area.  I am just saying.  I was not happy by that.  Now, I have to go two places to get my errands done for returns.  Who will go there and buy their liquor just to go somewhere else to get their pop?  I was not too impressed by their beer selection.  I did not like the fact you could not buy single beers (12oz).  They had beer store selected ones available.  It was like it came from their breakage area.  I thought their prices where too high like Wine Palace.  I get it that these stores need to make some money.  There is a level where it will keep people out of your store.  This store has a huge area for beer brewing supplies.  I thought that was really cool when I was walking through but after looking at that the beer selection.  I started to have a different attitude towards the store.  Their beer area is all over the place.  I mean you have craft beer with imports beers and the other way around.  This is so not profitable for the store.  Their beer customers that are looking at crafts beers are not seeing all their crafts or import beer customers in one area.  They have to walk around the store and I know I might have missed something.  It can be the same for their mass-produced beer customers.   I just feel they make more money off their beer supplies.  There is nothing wrong at being just a brewing supply store.  I will pass on this store.

Mid-Joy Liquor Store (Livonia, MI)

The first weekend I was back in Michigan.  I wanted to go beer shopping so I thought I would go back to my old liquor store when I first lived in the area.  They have a pretty nice selection.  I was enjoying it until I started noticing that everything I was picking up was out of date.  I was pretty disappointed pretty quickly.  This store went hard into the craft beer without the consumers to support it.  I never went back into this store.  I might again but I think I just might stay away.

Keg & Wine Party Store (Redford, MI)

I found this store looking for a Cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider on their website.  The parking lot could be better but that is not point of this review.  The store inside is pretty nice and clean.  Everyone is nice and helpful.  They have a great selection on beers and spirits.   I was pretty impressed.  I will have to say it is better than Wine Palace.  The only thing I do not like about this store.  I can not buy single bottles and/or cans of beer (12oz).  You have to buy the six or four pack.  I will be back to this store and I recommend this store.

Holiday Market (Canton, MI)

Whenever I would come in town, this was the store I would go to in the beginning.  They had whole warm shelf aisle in this grocery store for craft beer.  I was amazed at the selection.  I always picked up beers that I could not get in Chicago.  I started to realize pretty quickly that they were not selling through most their beers.  This store at that time had a ton of out of code beers.  This is a great store but buyer beware.

Super Fines (Canton, MI)

This store is at the top of my list.  They have just about everything in this liquor store.  If they do not have it, they will get the beer or whatever you are looking for at that time.  If it is sold in the state, they will get it.   You can do mix six packs in every price range.  You can buy single beers too.  They have a pretty big spirit selection.  This is a great beer store and I highly recommend it.

Closing, I know I have not covered everything liquor stores in the Southeast Michigan.  I am looking at just craft liquor beer stores.  I am not going to just the neighbor store.  I went to ones that claim they are a craft beer store or I know they have a pretty big selection.  I know there are more out there.  I will keep searching.  I loved Super Fines in Canton, Beer Barton in Livonia, and Key & Wine Party Store in Redford.  I will never go back into Wine Barrel and Mid-Joy Liquor Store in Livonia.  If there are any other stores, please, let me know.  I would love to hear your thoughts on these stores.  I will be writing a new review here shortly.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Cellar Series Chocolate

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In this cider blog, we are going to sample out a new cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  It is their Cellar Series Chocolate.  If you read my earlier blogs on their ciders, you know the history of this Northeast Cider company.  If you have not, please, read those blog posts to get to know this cider company.  I bet you have heard of Woodchuck and already know the history.  Let us get into this special and new cider.

It has a beautiful clear light brown color without a head on this cider.  The smell is a heavy chocolate notes.  The taste is chocolate with apple cider at the end of the drinking experience with an apple cider aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Woodchuck Cellar Series Chocolate features our original small batch hard cider, complemented by cacao beans. The inclusion of crushed cacao beans notes of artisan chocolate throughout the nose and taste of the cider. A hint of caramel accompanies the full apple flavor with a dry finish. Cellar Series Chocolate is one of the most unique ciders we have ever crafted, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Cheers! John Matson Cider Maker

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @woodchuckcider

In the end, I was pretty excited to see them post on their twitter account that they were releasing a new cider.  However, it was not just a new cider, it is a pretty unique one.  This is a chocolate cider and then I was pretty nervous and interested.  There is a ton going on in this cider and it is pretty good.  I love the chocolate notes but it does not overpower the cider part.  It is pretty well balanced cider. I love the smells and it is awesome.  This is great beverage to enjoy on a nice winter day with a ton of snow.  We all this year has received a ton of snow.  Go out and get a chocolate cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  I recommend it.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser