Month: April 2014

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Snow Wit White IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sierra Nevada.  It is from their 4-Way IPA sampler pack.  It is their Snow Wit White IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, do so to get to know Sierra Nevada.  I bet you already know the history of this craft brewery.  Let us get into this white IPA.

It has a cloudy strew to light golden slight dark white color with a white constant head on this white IPA.  The aroma has notes of wheat, coriander and a slight grapefruit notes.  The taste has a hint of wheat and coriander with a nice grapefruit notes.  The aftertaste has a nice yeasty and slight bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable brew.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

You don’t need a magic to see the lure of this beer. It’s brewed with seven varieties of experimental dwarf hops. These hops are so called because of their uncommon growing method-shorter hegerows rather than trellis system-that yields a denser heap of cones with unique flavors that diverge from their full-grown botanical counterparts.

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

Snow Wit™ White IPA

A seven-hop lineup with a Belgian twist.

You don’t need a magic mirror to see the lure of this beer. It’s brewed with seven varieties of experimental dwarf hops. These hops are so called because of their uncommon growing method—shorter hedgerows rather than tall trellis systems—that yields a denser heap of cones with unique flavors that diverge from their full-grown botanical counterparts. Each year new and different varieties are grown in this method, creating untried and exciting shifts in hop character.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

In closing, I have never been a huge fan of this beer style, however, of late, it is starting to grow on me.  I do not know if that is because there are better White IPA’s hitting the market or my palate is getting use to them.  I love how the Belgian White twists nicely with the IPA side.  The hops selection is perfect with the coriander and wheat notes.  I am pretty impressed and I have to say this one of the best White IPA that I have ever had.  I highly recommend this beer and this sampler pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Magic Hat Dream Machine IPL

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In this beer blog, we are going to try a new beer, which is Dream Machine, from Magic Hat Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Northeast Craft Brewery. If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.

It has a slight cloudy copper color with a creamy white head on this India Pale Lager.  The aroma has a heavy citrus notes.  The taste has a slight carbonated citrus notes with a nice crisp clean finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold. Our mysterious melange of times honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to create this unique beer to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits. Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (http://www.magichat.net):

THE STORY

Currents flow through lips, swim through limbs, lines of spine, and loop back ’round again, coming to rest in the comfort of your mind. Dream Machine whirrs, something stirs and the ether swirls with visions and dreams, reminding us that nothing in our minds must be what it seems.

THE BEER

Dream Machine, an India Pale Lager or IPL, is a melding of varied visions of an India Pale Ale and an Amber Lager. Once poured, its light copper color delights the eyes and a citrusy hop aroma flows through the nose. Upon first sip, a smooth hop bitterness reveals itself – fresh, bold and slightly spicy – before subtle hints of mild maltiness appear. A big hop bite and a crisp, clean lager finish combine for a beautifully balanced beer. Take Dream Machine for a spin and let your reverie begin.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, I have to say the later versions of IPL’s are making the earlier ones look really bad.  I will be honest at first I was not a fan of IPL’s.  I thought it was a joke or a fake of a beer style.  More and more craft breweries are making their version of India Pale Lager.  I understand why.  IPA’s are growing at a rapid rate and craft breweries are expanding IPA styles in that world.  I am a pretty big fan of Wolverine IPL.  I have to say Magic Hat out did themselves on their brew.  They have best IPL that I had so far on the market.  I know there are few more IPL’s coming soon and I will be looking for them when they hit the market.  Dream Machine is my favorite one so far.  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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Bell’s Midwestern Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer, which is Midwestern Pale Ale, from Bell’s Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer from Bell’s Brewery.

It has a copper color with a white head that fades over time.  The smell has a citrus notes with a slight lemon notes.  The taste has a carbonated citrus notes with a dry hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

Brewed with barley from our farm in central Michigan, Midwestern 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.

Alcohol by Volume: 5.2%
Original Gravity: 1.050
Shelf Life: Six months
Dates Available: Year-round
Available Packages: Bottles, draft

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

In the end, this is a great pale ale.  It is not the greatest but it is not below average.  It is very hard finding this beer in date.  I know I went to several stores and I have been finding it out of code.  It is a newer brand to their every day line up.  I do not think many people have try it yet.  If they did, they did not like it and sales have slow way down for pull through at retail.  It is not too hoppy but hoppy enough to make the hopheads happy.  I will be looking for a fresh six-pack of beer.  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

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Blindfold Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new Sampler pack from Sierra Nevada.  It is called 4-Way IPA. The sampler pack has Blindflold Black IPA, Snow Wit IPA, Torpedo IPA, and Nooner IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know their beers that I review and know the history of this brewery.  Let us sample out this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a tan head on this black IPA.  The aroma has a chocolate to slight coffee with a citrus notes.  The taste has a creamy chocolate with a hint of citrus notes.  The aftertaste is a dry bitter finish.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Blindfold™Black IPA

Bright hops pierce through roasty darkness.

Blindfold blankets us in darkness yet maintains a surprisingly light body and bold, hoppy character. This black IPA emerged from our Beer Camp program and builds on Sierra Nevada’s legendary love of hops with roasted malts for depth and complexity. Like its namesake, Blindfold is a bit disorienting—the color of a stout and the intense, hop-forward flavors of a classic American IPA.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

Closing, I believe this craft brewery does not get the credit they should today unlike they did back when they first started.  Their beers are very underrated.  I love their Pale Ale and I believe most just think of Sierra Nevada as one beer brewery.  This is so not true. They make an awesome stout and porter.  I have not even put the words about their IPA.  Their everyday IPA is one of my favorites and it is very underrated.  I knew I was in good hands when I saw this 4 way IPA Pack in the store.  I did not stop and thinking about it.  I just grab it and went home and try them.  The first one I tried was this Black IPA.  This beer style is hopheads wet dream.  I have had several Black IPA’s in my time.  I love how this one is creamy unlike the other ones I had.  It is not drinking and most are not drinkable.  It is a nice relaxing beer.  I love it and I recommend this brew and sampler pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Goose Island Endless IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample the next Limited Release beer, which is Endless IPA, from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier beeer blog posts on Goose Island’s beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear dark golden to a clear copper color with a white constant head on this session ale.  The aroma has a floral notes.  The taste has a light carbonated cirtus notes with a dry bitter finish that disappears quickly.  It is extremely drinkable beer.

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

Long days and warm nights awaken the city. The list of neighborhood festivals is endless. As is the great music that brings us together in parks and parking lots. We brewed our Session IPA to be easy drinking and endlessly refreshing, so you can enjoy every encore.Bright note of fresh oranges and other citrus fruit with a mild body that is crisp on the palate.

Recipe Information:

Style: IPA

Alcohol by Volume: 5.0%

International Bitterness Units: 35

Color: Wildflower Honey

Hops: Amarillo

Malts: 2-Row, Carapils, C-60

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland

In the end, I am pretty excited with all the new beers that Goose Island is releasing this year.  I love the Ten Hills Pale Ale.  When I saw this one being release, I needed to run out and pick up a bottle.  Session IPA are a huge and growing beer style in the IPA world.  The first one that I know of is from the Midwest came from Founders Brewery.  It is their All Day IPA.  I have to say when I tried it.  I was not too impressed.  I figured Goose Island has never really let me down on their beers.  I have to say was not impressed.  This beer is pretty average.  It is a let down from Ten Hills Pale Ale.  I will retry it one more time.  I just feel I might have picked up a bad bottle.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Twitter:  @djweiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Atwater Beer Hop A Peel Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Hop A Peel Ale from Atwater Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Detroit Craft Brewery.  If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know this brewery along the Detroit River.  Let us get into this American IPA.

This American IPA has a cloudy amber color with a constant white head on this ale.  The aroma has a citrus to orange notes.  The tasting profile has a dry hoppy to bitter notes.  The aftertaste is very dry and bitter that hangs out too long for my liking.  It should be drinkable but to me it is sipping.

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

Atwater’s HopApeel is a frontal assault on the American IPA style that features not only the classic American Cascade and Chinook hops, but two of the new “Super Cascade” varieties in both the kettle and in the dry hop. Dried and ground orange peel is added to the whirlpool to deliver a citric bittering that sets HopApeel apart from the masses.

ABV: 7.5% IBU: 86

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

In closing, I have try and retry most of their beers.  I have to say overall that I really disappointed.  I love their Java Vanilla Porter.  Their version of the classic beer style, which is India Pale Ale is pretty bad and disappointed.   I do not know why I thought this American IPA would be any different.  The malty backbone is very weak just like their Grand Circus IPA.  The taste has nothing to what the name of beer and the description from bottle and website. The aroma does but the taste is like their Grand Circus IPA.  It is water hop taste with alcohol.  It is not a good beer. Please, let me know what you think of this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Howling Chinaski

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer, which is Howling Chinaski, from Short’s Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Northwest Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan Craft brewery.  Let us get into this Lager.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head on this craft lager. The aroma is fated but it is like corn notes.  The taste is like a drinks a carbonated sweet corn syrup with a clear crisp finish.  The corn notes is not making this drinkable to me.  I can see some beer drinkers thinking this beer is drinkable.

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

Howlin’ Chinaski is a light bodied, golden straw colored Dortmunder beer. It has bready Bohemian lager yeast esters and grassy hop aromas. The overall malt sweetness is quite low, with the dominate flavors being the hearty milled grains. Howlin’ Chinaski has slight bitter complements from the German Spalt hops.

Howlin’ Chinaski was brewed as a traditional German Dortmunder Lager. Dortmunder is a Pale Lager that originated in the industrial city of Dortmund, Germany. Originally brewed by Dortmunder Union brewery in 1873, this soft pilsner style beer became very popular with industrial workers, and was responsible for Dortmunder Union becoming Germany’s largest brewery and Dortmund having the highest concentration of breweries in Germany.

6.5% ABV

27 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ShortsBrewing

Ending, I have to say since moving back to Michigan from Chicago.  I was excited to get Short’s beers on a day-to-day basis.  I have went through and retry all  their beers.  To me, their beers do not taste like how I remember them.  I do not know if it is because my taste buds have changed or their quality has went down.  I know they have one thing right.  They keep releasing new beer brands every week.  That could be a good thing or a bad thing.  I believe it is a bad because.  I just believe they are pushing and rushing their beers to the market.  Just because it is from Michigan, it does not mean it is a good beer.  Now onto this beer, it reminds me of MGD.  It has too much corn front notes.  It is pretty drinkable.  I just wished the corn notes were not overpowering.  I do not recommend but let me know what you think of this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

Instagram:  @djweiser13