Month: October 2014

New Beer Blog Mountain Town Brewing Train Wrack Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery for the first time on this blog which is Mountain Town Brewing.  It is their Train Wrack Amber Ale.  Here is a little history from their website (www.mountaintownbrew.com):

In 1996 Mountain Town Station Brewing Co. & Steakhouse opened its doors as a premier restaurant, wine cellar and micro brewery; and has grown ever since in its menu concept, wine inventory and beer recipes. In 2007, a separate company was formed called Mountain Town Brewing Company. This new brewery operation is strictly manufacturing and packaging using the same recipes that have been successfully developed for years at the brewpub. In 2008, shipments of beers such as the Gamblers Golden Ale, Railyard Raspberry Wheat and Cow Catcher Red Ale were flying out of the brewery and into restaurants and bars across Michigan. Look for these and many more beers at your favorite bar and restaurant. If they don’t have our beers request that they be put on tap!

As you can see they brew several different beer styles from cans and bottles.  We are going to get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color with a nice white head.  There is really no smell.  It is pretty fade.  The taste has a malty notes with a hint of honey aftertaste.  The honey makes the aftertaste smooth and a crisp finish.  It is an extremely drinkable beer.

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

Trainwreck Amber Ale
An American Amber Ale brewed with maple syrup and honey to give it a full body and smooth sweetness

Approach with caution. This one will sneak up on you! Brewed to keep us warm in the winter months, but easily enjoyable any time of the year. Syrup and honey give this beer an irresistible sweetness that makes it impossible to have just one. No matter what you pair this one with make sure you get plenty to eat or you might find out how this beer got its name.
ABV – 8.2%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mountaintownbrew.com

Twitter:  No Twitter Address

Closing, this beer is pretty interesting brew.  I was taken a little back when tasting this beer.  I did enjoy it.  I did not know how the honey would work with this amber ale.  I had honey in beers and amber lagers.  I was pretty interested to see how some of the malty to some fruity notes would react with the honey sweetness.  This is average beer and it is nothing special.  I recommend you trying this beer just because how unique it is.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Samuel Adams Cream Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from the Boston Beer Company.  They are known around the world as Samuel Adams Brewery.  It is their Cream Stout.  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 them to get to know this east coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this cream stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan head on this milk stout.  The aroma has a chocolate to coffee notes with a slight caramel notes.  The taste has a creamy to roasted chocolate to coffee notes with a nice slight caramel to wrap up the tasting notes.  The aftertaste has a nice burned coffee notes. It is a sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Harkening back to the tradition of English sweet stouts, our cream stout has a rich smooth silkiness that differs from its Irish dry stout cousin.  Dark roasted malts give this brew its ebony color and deep notes of chocolate, caramel and coffee for a rich roastiness and subtly sweet finish.

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

Inspired by the traditional English sweet stouts, this rich and creamy brew is full of deep roasted character, with a subtle sweetness & indulgently smooth finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

Closing, it is a nice milk stout.  I saw this one on the shelf and I thought why not.  I never had this brew and I thought it cannot bad.  This is not like all the rest of the craft stouts on the market.  I was not a big fan of it but it was not that bad of a beer.  It is an average to slightly below average brew.  At least, the price was right on for the liquid.  Some of the stouts in the market are over price and are average or below average.  This is an average beer at the right price.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Southern Tier 2x Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Southern Tier.  It is their 2x Stout.  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 them to get to know this east coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this milk stout.

It has a jet black color without a head on it but there was a nice tan color head.  The aroma has a rich chocolate notes with hints of a burned coffee.  The taste has a smooth and creamy chocolate notes with a burned chocolate dry bitter finish.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

STYLE: Double Milk Stout
BREWED SINCE: 2011
ABV: 7.5%
FERMENTATION: : Ale yeast, two varieties of hops, three varieties of malts and lactose sugars
COLOR: Dark
EFFERVESCENCE: Light carbonation
NOSE: Roasted malts, coffee, faintly creamy
FLAVOR: Roasted malt and light sweetness, creamy with chocolatey notes and dry malt aftertaste
BITTERNESS: Medium
BODY: Medium-heavy
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 40-45ºF
GLASS: Pub glass or snifter
 AVAILABILITY: Year-round / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / 1/2 keg, 1/6 keg
CELLARING: 40-45ºF

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

In the end, I really enjoyed this stout.  I am a pretty big fan of the milk stout over all the rest of the stouts in the stouts world.  This is a great stout and it is perfect brew for dessert or just by itself.  It will go great with a nice cigar on a fall night.  There is some nice cream chocolate notes that makes you coming back for more.  I love the burned chocolate dry bitter finish.  It is kind of drinkable but it is a nice sipping brew.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Lucky Girl Brewery Haunted Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample a Lucky Girl Brewery and it is Haunted Pumpkin Ale.  This is the first both this beer and brewery is being featured on this blog.  This is the first time these beers are making it out of their brewpub and the southeastern Michigan.  I was pretty interested in this brewery.  Here is a story behind this craft brewery from their website (www.luckygirlbeer.com):

The iconic “pinup” girl was first created for our WWII soldiers as a gesture of good luck for our young men, giving them a little piece of home and comfort on the battlefield.

In the post-war era, she became a symbol of American prosperity as the United States experienced economic growth like never before seen. It was a time when we were all proud to be Americans, and motivated to make this country great.

Today, Lucky Girl Brewing Company represents that same feeling of unity, nostalgia, and the heart of Americana. Enjoy a Classy & Sassy Lucky Girl beer as we toast to our heritage and to our American pride!

I do not see anything saying who the owner and when they opened.  I just found this on their website for their back story on their name and their labeling on their packaging.  If you know something, please, let me know so I can add it to this review.  Let us get into pumpkin ale.

This pumpkin ale has a cloudy bronze color without a head.  The aroma has a heavy cinnamon to a light nutmeg with a touch of pumpkin in background.  The taste has a light carbonated sweet malty notes.  It is pretty faded between all the tasting notes.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

It’s that time of the year. Ghosts and Goblins, and fall’s favorite treat – HAUNTED PUMPKIN ALE. This tasty brew of fresh pumpkin, 2 row malts, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg is frighteningly good to the last drop.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.luckygirlbeer.com

Twitter:  @luckygirlbeer

Closing, I love the packaging and it does stick out from all the rest of the pumpkin beers on the market.  I would say the only package that beats it out is the New Belgium Pumpkick Ale.  As far as the liquid and appearance.  I love the look and the aroma from the beer.  I was getting pretty excited on trying this beer.  I was pretty disappointed with the tasting notes.  There is no pumpkin notes with slight cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  It is pretty weak.  It is pretty dinkable.  If you can get a bottle, I would try it at least.  Here is a example of a beer from Michigan that is not really good.  This beer is from Michigan and it does not make it good.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Tri-City Brewing Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout from Tri-City Brewing.  If you read my earlier post on their IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

It has a jet black color without a head on this stout. The aroma has burned chocolate to coffee notes. The taste has  a burned chocolate but creamy coffee aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

It takes courage to face a giant and we know you face the regularly every day. Because you don’t run away from these giants, Tri-City Brewing makes this Russian Imperial Stout in your honor.

  • Bursting with an abundance of character
  • Huge roasted, chocolate and coffee flavors
  • Although well hopped, it is still very balanced
  • Rich full bodied drinking experience with dark hints of old world style

9.0% ABV and 66 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tricitybrewing.com

Twitter:  No Address

Closing, this is a great brew.  I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  This is one of the best Imperial Stouts that is made in Michigan for the price.  It is a beer that I know you can age for at least a year. I love this beer.  It is a beer you can let it cool down or just start to enjoy it at room temperate.  I just wish I can find their beers in the southeast part of the state.  Their beers are hard to find. I might have to make a trip to their brewpub one day.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Evil Twin Brewery I Love You With My Stout

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Evil Twin Brewery is the brewery being featured with their beer called I Love You With My Stout in this beer blog.    If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this import craft brewery but now brewing in the states with Stillwater.  If you have not read them, please, read them to get to know Evil Twin Brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

This imperial stout has a jet black color with a tan to light brown color head.  The aroma has a burn chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste has a creamy burn chocolate to coffee notes along with an alcohol notes. The aftertaste has a creamy chocolate finish. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

When I copied the famous Even More Jesus, I had to ask myself as an artist why am I doing this?  I didn’t honestly know.  It was just an instinct about beer as pure form… in a sense this stout is like a metaphor for freedom – the sum of all the beauty that surrounds me and my perfect contemporary existence.  – Jeppe Jarrit-Bjergso, Brewer and founder of Evil Twin Brewing.

Here is a description from their website (www.eviltwin.dk):

“When I copied the famous Even More Jesus, I had to ask myself as an artist, why am I doing this? I didn’t honestly know. It was just an instinct about beer as pure form… in a sense this stout is like a metaphor for freedom – the sum of all the beauty that surrounds me and my perfect contemporary existence.”
– Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, Brewer and founder of Evil Twin Brewing

Style:Imperial Stout
Brewed:Two Roads Brewing Co
ABV: 12

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.eviltwin.dk

Twitter:  @eviltwinbrewing

In the end, this stout is something else.  This is a great beer and I really enjoyed it.  I just wish it was a little cheaper.  I just do not understand why this Imperial Stout cost more than Tri-City Giant Slayer.  I loved drinking this beer but I just feel is extremely over priced.  Evil Twin Brewery makes some great beers and they need to break away from their import company because I believe they are jacking the price up.  There is two companies between the brewery and retail.  This is why the price is too high in most cases.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  It is a great beer but just the price is too high.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gamil.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Belgium Pumpkick Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into this year’s limited release from New Belgium and it is Pumpkick Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this employee owned brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin ale brewed with cranberries.

It has a clear copper to bronze color with a white constant head on this fall seasonal.  The smell has a pumpkin to cranberry notes.  The taste has a slight pumpkin but the cranberries take over the taste profile.  The aftertaste is a heavy cranberry notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer?  Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale.  PUMPKICK is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that’ll have you hunt and pecking for more.

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

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. Pumpkick is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing. Available in September and October 2014.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, this is the beer that brought me back into trying and retrying New Belgium’s beers.  I will be up front and say I did not like their beers or most of them.  I was excited to see this beer coming back for at least one more season.  New Belgium Brewery makes the same seasonal for at least two years and then switch to a new one.  They wanted to see if they could get one more season out of this brew. There is lack of cranberries this season.  The new fall seasonal is Tour De Fall.  I might try to get a review up before the end of the season.  Pumpkick was my favorite fall beer from last season.  This year was a little disappointed.  I felt that my bottles did not have enough of the cranberry notes.  I loved last years more. There was not as much cranberry notes as this year’s brew. It is still a great brew.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some before it disappears again.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Brew Bonafide Legit American IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Bonafide Legit American IPA from Short’s Brewing.  This is a special brew because they used Summit hops from Michigan.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northwestern Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get ot know this brewery.  Let us get into this American IPA.

It has a cloudy golden color in the light with a white constant head. The aroma has an earthy to citrus notes.  The taste has a citrus notes with a dry bitter hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

A light bodied American Pale Ale brewed entirely with Northern Michigan grown Summit hops. An excellent sharp aroma of strong floral and fruity characteristics stings the senses with hop laced anticipation. A sticky hop filled mouthful of damp earthy pine with notable herbal accents coats the entire mouth, followed by a big resiny bitterness that lingers well into the finish, drying the palate and resonating boldly.
ABV 6%
IBU 85

6% ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing, I love this beer. This is their real IPA.  This is so much better than their everyday beer.  I have to say there is something that is starting to bother me.  I love the fact that their website calls this a pale ale but the packaging says American IPA.  So which is it.  I starting to wonder if it was a print misprinted but if you look at the IBU’s, it is in the range of being an IPA.  I am calling this IPA not a pale ale.  In other words, this is a great beer and I am pretty impressed.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy i!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA from Founders 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 Founders.  Let us get into this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a semi on tan color head.  The smell has a burn chocolate to coffee and citrus notes. The taste has a a creamy chocolate citrus notes with a dry hoppy to roasted chocolate aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

A heavy malt foundation includes Crystal malt for sweetness and just enough Midnight Wheat malt to push the color to black. The bitterness is huge, but balanced by malt sweetness and alcohol burn. The hop flavors and aromas range from citrus to floral to pine thanks to a delicious blend of hand-selected Chinook and Centennial hops.

  • ABV: 8.9%
  • IBUs: 100
  • Availability: Oct – Dec

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

Closing, I enjoyed this beer very much.  I just wished it was everyday six-pack brew.  They did a great job on this brew.  I love the creamy chocolate citrus notes.  It is in your face but smooth unlike most black IPA.  It is like they used stout base to make this Black IPA.  Most craft breweries use a porter base to make their Black IPA.   There is a nice balance to this beer, however, it is still a sipping beer.  The aroma and color are spot on to the beer style.  This makes you want to try the beer and enjoy it.  I realize the cost but I wish they made more of this beer. I am not a fan of the price but I wanted to try it.  I am glad that I did.  This is their best beer that they make.  It is a shame that it is not everyday beer.  I highly recommend you go out on a beer hunt for it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Right Brain Brewery Flying Squirrel Brown Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample the fall seasonal, which is Flying Squirrel Brown Ale, from Right Brain 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 Right Brain Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a dark brown color with an off white to tan color head on this American brown ale.  The aroma has a roasted malty to nutty notes with a slight caramel notes.  The taste has a smooth to creamy malty and nutty notes.  The aftertaste has a nutty crisp finish.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

One quiet summer night, a lone beer lover was relaxing on his front porch with his favorite brew, when he noticed something darting through the trees above his head.

When he stepped into the darkness to investigate, a mysterious shape swooped down from above, narrowly missing his head (and scaring the crap out of him).  He knew immediately what it was.  Hence the legend of the flying squirrel was born.

Expect mild chocolate and hops aromas, deep colored body, and subtle roasty notes with a satisfying hoppy finish.

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

FLYING SQUIRREL
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: 5.7%
A Traditional American Brown Ale with chocolate and roasty notes leading towards a clean and mild hop finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In the end, I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have always looking for their next seasonal to hit the shelves.  I was happy to see their brown ale came back to the market.  I love the story on this brew that I found on the beer bottle.  They put together a nice package but I wish it was available in four pack 16oz cans or six-pack bottles.  I am not going to complain because it is back for another great fall season.  I love the color tones on this beer.  I love the aroma but I did not pick up any chocolate notes that is noted on the bottle.  I will have to pick up another bottle just to check it out again.  I love the creamy tasting profile.  I really enjoyed this beer.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13