Month: May 2014

New Beer Blog Coronado Brewery Islander IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Islander IPA from Coronada Brewery.  I had a chance to try this brew from a tap take over a few weeks ago. I was not impressed with this beer and rest of their brews.  I loved their Orange Wit but there was a few people who did not like and others that did.  Coronado Brewery was founded in 1996 by Ron and Rick Chapman.  They founded the brewery in Coronado City, which is their hometown.  The brewery brews several different beer styles.  However, like most West Coast craft brewery, they are known for their India Pale Ale.  Let us get into this flagship brew.

It has a clear golden color with a semi constant white head on this IPA. The aroma has a grapefruit to mango notes.  The taste has a heavy citrus notes like mango and grapefruit with a dry hop bitter finish.  It is kind of drinkable.  The aftertaste keeps you coming back for more of this West Coast IPA.

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

Description:

Named after Coronado Island, our original India Pale Ale is a liquid expression of hometown pride. Centennial, Chinook and Columbus hops combine to provide an explosive burst of piney bitterness and luscious notes of apricot, grapefruit and mango that are sure to evoke imagery of swaying palms and sun-kissed shores.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.coronadobrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @coronadobrewing

Closing, I do not know if it was dirty lines or a bad keg.  I have to say I was not a fan of this brew on draft at that tap take over.  It is possible that it could have been a bad keg.  I love this better in bottle and it was so much better than the keg.  There was a difference in this brew.  I love the hops that they picked for this beer.  It is kind of drinkable beer, however, the aftertaste is dry that will keep you coming back for more.  This is a great beer and 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 Short’s Captain Fantasy Saison

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample from Short’s Brewery Captain Fantasy Saison.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Short’s Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this saison ale.

It has a straw to bright cloudy golden color with a constant white head.  It is a heavy cloudy color.  The aroma is a light lemon to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes that is really refreshing with funky spicy notes.  I know the funky spicy notes come from the yeast strain.  The aftertaste kicks off some pepper notes.  This is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Captain Fantasy is a lighter bodied ale with a bright, clear, golden color. This saison is brewed with pear to compliment the aromas of spice and the fruity fragrance of Sorachi Ace hops. Captain Fantasy has flavors of sweet pear and tart lemon, and a lively amount of carbonation cleanses and refreshes the palate. The overall fruitiness of Captain Fantasy is interrupted by an assertive hop bitterness that dominates the finish.

6.7% ABV

55 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing out, this saison has some nice refreshing notes.  This is way it should be for a saison and it lives up  to the classic beer style.  I really not a fan of the packaging.  It is pretty disturbing and I believe that is why I will never have it in a bottle.  However, I saw it on draft, it was a no brainer to try it.  There is some nice notes here and I love the funkiest that the yeast pops off in the beer.  Overall, I was pretty impressed but I had some pretty good saisons in my lifetime.  This one does not live up to it.  It is a nice gateway beer into this beer style.  It is not a good version in some parts but this is one of the better brews from their almost hundred different beer styles brewed in a year. I recommend to try it just to say you had it.  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 Palm Speciale Belge Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to same Speciale Belge Ale from Palm Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east Europe brewery.  If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts, please, do so to get to know this import craft brewery.  Let us get into this Belgian Amber Ale.

It has a clear amber color with white head on this Belgian Amber Ale.  The smell has notes of caramel and spices.  The taste has spicy to caramel notes with a watery malty finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Palm was originally brewed at the beginning of the 20th Century as a new style of ale.  Speciale Belge – taste complexity of an ale brewed to be refreshing like pilsner or lager.  It is Palm’s perfect balance of flavor and approachabilty that makes it Belgium’s Amber Ale.

Here is a description from their website (www.palm.be):

PALM

the sociable beer for every day, for everyone

“Speciale Belge” is one of the better Belgian beers of the early 20th century. This smooth-drinking, amber-coloured top-fermentation beer has a sensible alcohol content.
Special PALM malts determine its honey-like mellowness and PALM’s own selected yeasts give it a fruity yeast aroma. Fine aroma hops from Kent afford subtle harmony. PALM is the absolute number one “BELGIAN AMBER BEER”.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.palm.be

Twitter:  @palmbeer and @palmale

Closing, I love the aroma and the taste profile from this amber ale.  It is smooth and drinkable brew.  This is not my favorite beer but it is not bad beer.  I just do not like the fact that it has to travel a ton to make it to the United States.  I recommend you trying this beer and please, share your thoughts.  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 Sweetwater Brewery Road Trip Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample one of their seasonal from Sweetwater Brewery.  It is their Road Trip Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read my posts on their India Pale Ale, please, do to get to know Sweetwater Brewery.  Let us get into Road Trip Ale.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head on this golden ale.  The smell has a sweet malty notes.  The taste profile of this light to medium body has sweet malty to hoppy notes with a nice dry hoppy finish for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Road Trips are carefree adventures that usually take unexpected twists, like when we crafted this beer.  It started out as a Pilsner recipe, but halfway through it blew a tire and ale yeast was put on as the spare.  The result was so good, it never could have been planned!

Enjoy the Ride!

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

Bikini Season – a fiery Pilsner fermented at ale temperatures for a fuller flavor, capped by and intense spicy-hop finish. Nobody Rides for Free

Specs – 5.2% alcohol available in six packs, Liter bottles, 15.5 Gallon ½ bbl kegs (US Sankey) and 5 gallon torpedo kegs.

Grain – Pilsner and Vienna Malt

Hops – Sterling and US Golding

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

In closing, I love the story of this brew.  I can see that happening all the time in the brewery kitchen.  There is nothing wrong with that.  I just wish more breweries take it and keep on going with it.  I remember a few years back when I lived in Chicago.  Goose Island Matilda came out as a bad patch but it was not bad.  It was not Matilda.  It came out as a sour ale.  They redid and called it something else. I am not saying it is the case with this beer from Sweetwater.  The point is sometimes mistakes can be a good thing in the brewing process.  This is a great and drinkable brew.  I enjoyed this beer and I could enjoy it by the beach to a nice summer day.  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 Short’s Brewery Freedom of ’78 IPA

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into the second brew of the day at their Throwdown Champs Saturday event in their Beer Garden.  It is Short’s Brewery Freedom of ’78 IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know this Michigan craft brewry.  Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

It has a cloudy bronze color without a head on the beer.  The aroma has tangerine to citrus notes.  The taste has a citrus to tangerine and some honey notes with a crisp citrus finish for the aftertaste.  It is kind of drinkable but more of a sipping beer to me.

Here is a descriation from thier website (www.shortsbrewing.com):

Freedom of ’78 is a medium bodied IPA with a wonderful, bright clarity and pleasing bronze hue. The aroma is a unique fusion of citrus fruit and subtle pine qualities. The distinct characteristics of the guava nectar are impossible to miss, and attributes of tangerine, nectarine, and even faint honey flavors are detectable. The finish quickly turns to an expected IPA bitterness that turns dry during prolonged tastings

6.9% ABV

89 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing, I have been going back and forth with this brewery.   I mean liking or not liking Short’s Brewery.  I just feel like they make too many different type of beers and they are spreading themselves too thin.  I also feel like they are rushing batches to meet the demand of the market.  I believe their quality has taken a hit over time.  Their beers do sell and I am not hiding from that fact.  I am not saying all their beers are bad or good.  I just feel like this brewery and most of their beers are very overrated.  I have been wanting to try this beer.  I do like the hops that they picked for the beer.  This is one of the few beers from this brewery that I like.  They did a great job.  I will be looking for some more in the market.  I recommend it!  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 Greenbush Brewery PHD Malt Liquor

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While at Ashley’s Westland, it was the champion throw down and opening day for their patio.  I had PhD Malt Liquor from Greenbush Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Greenbush Brewery.  Let us get into this Malt Liquor.

It has a cloudy golden color with a constant white head.  There is some smell but pretty fate.  I cannot make it out.  The taste has a sweet malty with a light carbonation corn frosted flake notes.  The aftertaste is a slight alcohol bites but finish a little clean.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenbushbrewing.com

Twitter:  @Greenbush_Brew

In the end, yep, it is what you are reading.  This is a craft brewery that made a malt liquor beer.  I was pretty excited to try it.  I drink every type of beer.  I might not like it but I will try it at least once or twice.  I have to say I was pretty impressed by it.  This is a better version of the mainstream malt liquors like Colt 45 to Steel Reserve.  I love how it is sweeter than the mainstream malt liquor.  I bet I will not get the pounding headache like the mainstream ones give the beer drinker.  I did like this beer but I could not finish.  It was too much in a 16oz pour.  I would have it again in a 10oz to 12oz pour. I believe you would have to make a trip to their brewpub to get this beer.  I recommend it if you want something different.  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 Epic Brewery Brainless IPA

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We are going to sample Brainless IPA that is the second brew from Epic Brewery on this blog.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know Epic Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

This Belgian Style India Pale Ale has a cloudy golden color with a nice constant white head.  It has a heavy carbonation with some big bubbles in the head.  The aroma has a spicy citrus notes.  The taste has a heavy carbonation notes with citrus to Belgian spicy notes.  The aftertaste is a heavy dry hop finish.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottles:

Our Brainless IPA pays tribute to the collaboration efforts of innovative brewers. The fruity Belgian yeast and powerful American hops relentless tease your pallet.

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

Our Brainless® IPA pays tribute to the collaborative efforts of innovative brewers. The fruity Belgian yeast and powerful American hops relentlessly tease your pallet.

Glassware: Pint, Snifter, Tulip
Food Pairings: Smoked or grilled meats, spicy foods, sharp cheeses, and very sweet desserts

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.epicbrewing.com

Twitter:  @EpicBrewing

Closing, I have been trying to get to know this Mountain area craft brewery.  Every time I see their beers on draft.  I have been getting at least a pint of it.  I have been mixing up some bottles when I go beer shopping.  I pick up this bottle because I have never had it.  I love my IPA’s and Belgian style IPA’s have been growing on me.  At one time, I really did not like this beer style in the world of IPA’s.  I love the notes that the Belgian yeast kicks off in the beer.  The strong malty backbone knocks the powerful American Hops down that they picked in this brew.  This is a great beer and I am glad I tried 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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Hideout Gangster IPA

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into Gangster IPA from Hideout Brewery.  This is the first time that this brewery makes an appearance on this beer blog.  Hideout Brewery opened their doors in 2005 just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  They were named after the location and the brewery looking like prohibition era.  They brew several different beer styles.  They are looking at package here soon just like most young craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a constant snow-white color head.  The aroma has some earthy notes.  The taste has a slight water down earthy tones with a dry hop finish.  The water down comment is in a good way.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Rich and hearty amber coloered IPA.  Made with Zythos hops, there is a significant floral presence in both flavor and the finish, without being too bitter.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hideoutbrewing.com

Twitter:  @HideoutBrewing

In closing, this is a great beer and I was pretty excited to see it on draft at Ashley’s in Westland.  This Gangster IPA has a pretty color.  I love the aroma and taste profile.  They build a nice malty backbone to cut through the great hop selection in this beer.  The aftertaste is not as bitter like most India Pale Ale.  They did a great job on this beer and put some thought into it.  I will raise a few more glasses with this beer in 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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sweetwater Brewery 420 Extra Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample the flagship beer, which is 420 Extra Pale Ale from Sweetwater Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know Sweetwater Brewery.  Let us get into this Extra Pale Ale.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on this extra pale ale.  The aroma has a malty to earthy notes.  The taste has malty to earthy hop notes with a dry hop finish for aftertaste.  It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A tasty west coast style pale accentuated by a stimulating hop character.  First conceived in our bar cave on 4-20, this kind beer keeps the wheels on the bus going round and round.

Drink ’em if you got ’em!

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

SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, our most popular brew, is a tasty West Coast Style Pale Ale with a stimulating hop character and a crisp finish. 1st brewed on April 20th 1997.

Specs – 5.4% alcohol, 16 oz can singles, 6-packs, 12-packs (12 oz bottles and cans), 15.5 Gallon kegs 1/2Bbl (US Sankey), 5 gallon 1/6th bbl torpedo kegs

Grains – Munich, 40L, 2-Row

Hops – Centennial, Cascade

Awards – 2002 Silver Medal- Great American Beer Festival, 1997 – 2005 Creative Loafing Readers Choice – Best local beer, 1998 World Beer Cup silver medal, Top 10 Local beers – Atlanta Journal Constitution

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

Closing, I know this is one of the beers that I had in my beer of the month.  I really enjoyed this beer.  This brew has a nice backbone with some nice hop selection.  This beer might be West Coast Style Pale Ale but it drinks nicely.  This is a nice refreshing with a nice crisp aftertaste.  I love the malty backbone with some nice hop character.  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 Sweetwater Brewery LowRyeder IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into LowRYEder IPA from Sweetwater Brewery.  This is the second beer to be featured on this blog.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know Sweetwater Brewery.  Let us get into this Rye IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a semi constant white head.  The aroma has rye and other spicy notes.  The taste has a light carbonated rye notes and hop notes.  The aftertaste is a dry hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A flame throwin’ IPA ignited by a 25% shot of rye malt and capped by a booty hoppin’ blast of Mt Hood and Centennial hops  that makes this IPA bounce!

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

A flame throwin’ Rye IPA ignited by a 25% shot of rye malt and capped by a booty hoppin’ blast of Mt Hood and Centennial hops that makes this IPA bounce!

Gold medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival.

Grains: 2 Row, Rye Malt, CaraRye, Rye Flakes, Munich
Hops: Columbus, Mt Hood, Centennial
Dry Hop: Centennial, Mt Hood
ABV: 6.2%
IBUs: 45

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

Closing, this is a great Rye IPA and medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival.  It is pretty balance from the rye and the hops.  I love that the rye is not overpowering the rest of the beer.  They only used 25% in the brew total.  It is enough to give you some nice notes and the hops take over from there.  There is a nice well designed malty backbone that helps cut through the hops.  It is pretty well balance and well designed.  I wish this brewery was up in Michigan but I will enjoy  the bottles I have.  I love this brewery and I will keep searching for a trade partner.  I highly recommend this beer and rest of their beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13