Month: February 2016

New Beer Blog Saugatuck Snow Wizard Oak Aged Brown Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Saugatuck Brewery.  It is one of their new beer, which is called Snow Wizard Oak Aged Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a nice brown color with a tan color constant head on this brown ale. The aroma has a sweet nutty to slight malty notes. The taste has a nutty to malty notes. The aftertaste has a nutty and vanilla to earthy like notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Snow Wizard

An Oak Aged Imperial Brown Ale with tons of oaky, woody flavors. The base brown malt profile provides a huge caramel, coffee and chocolate body with minimal hop bitterness match perfectly with the complex flavor profile of the oak chips.

ABV:
7.0%
IBU:
25
Malts:
Pale, Carabrown, Victory, Vienna, 30L, Chocolate Malts
Hops:
Nugget and Fuggle
Availability:
November – December
Served At:
50-55 degrees F
Served In:
Pint Glass
Pairings:
Hearty foods like smoked sausage Cheese: Aged Gouda or Smoked Gruyere

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.saugatuckbrewing.com

Twitter:  @saugatuckbrew

Closing, I am always trying newer beers that hit the market.  I did not know this was a seasonal.  It does make a little sense, since, it is aged in oak barrels.  I know Perrin is trying to make their barrel aged brown ale all the time.  Snow Wizard has a nice balance brown ale.  If it sells well, I would not be surprise to see them making this beer all time.  I like this beer and It is good.  I will say this is not any Perrin Lil’ Griz.  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 Sweetwater Brewery Hop Hash Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release beer from Sweetwater Brewery.  It is their Hop Hash Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Georgia base craft brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. There is a lot of carbonation in this beer. The aroma has a heavy juicy citrus notes. The taste of this double IPA has a front forward citrus notes. It has a bitter hop aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

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

We scraped all the hash out of the Yakima hop pelletizers we could get our sticky fingers on to concoct the dankest double IPA out there. The pure hop lupulin, aka “hash” (the resiny stuff), meshes seamlessly with the 2-row, pilsner and wheat malts, allowing it to deliver a pungent punch to the palate.

Specs: Available year round in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, 1/2 bbl kegs and 1/6 torpedo kegs.
Malt bill: 2-row, Pilsner, Wheat
Hops: Centennial and hash “blend”
Yeast: House
ABV: 7.8% IBUs:100

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

In the end, all my readers and friends know that I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have been wanting to try this beer.  I was happy to see it in the sampler pack.  I enjoyed drinking all their beers so it was a no brainer.  It is pretty balance for a Double IPA with a ton of juicy hop notes.  I like it and I want more. This is a great Double IPA.  I will head to Ohio looking for six pack bottles.  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 Blackrocks Mint Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew, which is a winter seasonal, from Blackrocks Brewery.  It is their Mint Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their 51K IPA, you know the history of this Michigan base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan constant head. The aroma has a heavy chocolate mint notes. The taste has a chocolate mint notes with a dry mint aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

This is our first “Holiday” Beer, released for the 2015 holidays. Roasted sweetness, dark chocolate bitterness and a dash of mint for some extra cheer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blackrocksbrewery.com

Twitter:  @blackrocksbrew

Ending, I love my mint in any type of beer or non beer products.  I saw this brew and I needed to pick up this beer.  The craft brewery needs to be perfect with these beers.  You do not want to have too much mint that over takes over the brew.  At the same time, you do not want have it be weak in the beer.  This is a good beer.  It has great packaging and they did a great job.  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 Blackrocks Coconut Brown

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Blackrocks Brewery.  It is their Coconut Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their 51K IPA, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a nice brown color with a white constant color. The smell has a heavy coconut notes. The taste has a nutty notes with a heavy coconut aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable.

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

A roasty, chocolatey brown ale finishing off with a creamy coconut flavor. For when the time calls for a little taste of island living.

Aloha Eh!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blackrocksbrewery.com

Twitter:  @blackrocksbrew

Closing, I have said it once and again.  Coconut should not be in brown ales.  It should be in porters and stouts.  With that said, this is still a pretty solid beer.  It is just as good as Kona Coconut Brown ale.  This beer is not impressed. It is impressive for a Michigan craft brewery doing a beer with coconut.  It is pretty balance brew.  I 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 Blackrocks 51K IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into brews from Blackrocks Brewery in the next few blog posts.  This is the first time that this brewery and their beers will be feature on this blog,  We are going to get into their flagship brew, which is 51K IPA.  Blackrocks Brewery was founded by David Manson and Andy Langlois in the upper part of Michigan.  This brewery just like other breweries was founded on a hobby and a dream.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant color head. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a mild bitter citrus notes with a slight dry hop bitter aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Bursting hops all over your face, our American IPA is full of earthy grapefruit, apricot, and piney hop flavors and aromas with a nice balanced yet dry finish.

Style: American IPA

ABV: 7%

IBUs: 68

Availability: Always

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blackrocksbrewery.com

Twitter:  @blackrocksbrew

Closing, I have been wanting to try the brews from this Michigan craft brewery.  I always try the brew at least once if I never had it.  This brew and all the beers from this brewery is on my list.  I am a huge hophead so this beer was no brainer to pick up right away.  It was the first one that I put in my mix six pack.  I will say it was the first one that I cracked opened.  I love cans and they have nice packaging.  This is a good IPA.  I have to say it is pretty average brew.  I have had better IPA’s, however, this IPA is in a can so I will pick up when I go to beach or on a boat.  I 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 Griffin Claw Brewery Raymondo El Rojo Red Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to talk about another beer from Griffin Claw Brewery.  It is their Raymondo El Rojo Red Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan base craft brewery.  Let us get into this red ale.

It has a clear red color with a white constant color head. The aroma has a sweet caramel notes. The taste has a sweet malty to caramel notes with a slight nutty to caramel aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Our bronze medal winning El Rojo Red Ale has a malty, roasted flavor profile. Entered in competition as an English brown, the El Rojo is really more of an American Red – bigger than Scottish Reds with a beautiful ruby red color and a rich, roasty, caramel body.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @griffinclaw

In the end, I waited a long time until I try this brew.  There is no reason.  I just was busy trying other brews.  I was picking together a mix six pack at a liquor store in Detroit.  I saw it and I figured I would try it.  I am not a huge fan of red and amber ales.  Please, take that in count for my thought pattern and ideas on this beer.  I believe this a bad take and just like all their beers, they are not constant.  I bet they are trying to fix that fact.  I am not a fan of this beer.  I have had better red and amber ales.  I would say try this at least once.  Let me know what you think.  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 Yuengling IPL

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a spring seasonal from Yuengling Brewery.  It is their India Pale Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know American’s Oldest craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPL.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a slight shunky with some citrus notes. The aftertaste has a dry bitter hop finish. It is almost like a citrus note. It is extremely drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.yuengling.com

Twitter:  @yuengling_beer

Closing out, as many of you know, I am from Michigan.  Yuengling has not hit the Michigan market yet.  I have to drive an hour south to Ohio to pick up some of their beer.  I do enjoy their beers.  I made a special trip to Ohio to pick up this beer. I wanted to try it last year but did not know this was a seasonal.  When I knew it was out, I did a road trip.  I have to say I am glad I did.  I like it. I will go get more.  This beer did disappoint me.  It is not over hopped but just a nice balance.  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 Summit Old Blaggard Ale

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Summit Brewery.  It is their Old Blaggard Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know they history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Barleywine ale.

It has a clear amber to reddish color with a white constant color head. The aroma has a sweet candy like notes. The taste has a sweet malty, candy, and alcohol notes with candy to slight alcohol aftertaste. It is a sipping beer

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

This Union Series brew is an homage to the great strong ales of the famous English brewing town of Burton-on-Trent. Aged six months, this ale features new varieties of British barley and hops and offers up huge complexity and warmth.

Due to the aging requirements of stronger beers, many British brewers would include “Old” as part of the beer name. (e.g. “Old Tom” referring to the brewery cat). In rural England and Ireland, a blaggard was a ne’er-do-well, so “Old Blaggard” seemed like an apt name to denote the hooligan nature of our Head Brewer, Damian McConn.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.summitbrewing.com

Twitter:  @summitbeer

Ending, I just had this beer come out of no where.  A friend dropped off some bottles to me.  It has been a long time since I have had a bottle of Summit.  I have to say it has been two to three years when I lived in the Chicago market.  I was pretty excited to try this Old Ale or Barleywine.  I did enjoy the aroma.  It is close to the classic beer style in the aroma.  The beer overall is not very good.  I do not know what went wrong.  I do not believe aging it more in the bottle would help it.  This brewery is trying and I give them credit.  I have to say they are failing at it of late. This is going back when I was trying their beers in Chicago. If you can find a bottle, pick one up.  I know they are not in the Michigan market.  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 Brooklyn Brewery Insulated Dark Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Brooklyn Brewery.  It is their new winter seasonal.  It is their Insulated Dark Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this New York City base craft brewery.  Let us get into this dark lager.

It has a black color with a light tan constant color head. The smell has a chocolate notes. The taste has a smooth slight chocolate notes. The aftertaste is a nice crisp dry finish. It is a drinkable beer.

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

Brooklyn Insulated Dark Lager is your protection against biting wind and soggy weather. German Munich, roasted Carafa, and Pilsner malts create a nimble, racy body, while a helping of American black barley adds just a hint of roast coffee. A light dry hopping of American and German hops pitter-patters across the nose and dives into the dry, warming finish. Try it with dark breads, hearty meats, and sturdy cheddars. If you still feel the chill, just add another layer and enjoy your insulation.

Style: Dark Lager
Malts: German Munich, Carafa, Pilsner, American black barley
Hops: Perle, Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Amarillo, Centennial
Yeast: Our House Lager Yeast
Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%
Original Gravity: 13.5° Plato
Food Pairings: Dark breads, hearty meats, game, wild fowl, barbecue, and sturdy cheddars.
Availability: November- March

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brooklynbrewery.com

Twitter:  @brooklynbrewery

Closing, I was pretty disappointed when I thought they stop making their Winter Ale.  I saw this and thought that I would try it out.  I respected everything that Brooklyn Brewery has done in their career.  I do not know what they were thinking releasing this out to the market.  This has to be one of their worse beers that they make.  There is too much of water notes. I loved their scotch ale, which was called Winter Ale.  I am going to hunt down their Winter Ale.  It is so much better.  Please, Brooklyn stop making this beer.  This is my thought pattern.  I know there will be people out there that will love this beer.  You can do better.  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 Belgian CEO Stout

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Right Brain Brewery.  It is a special released CEO that is made with Belgian yeast.  It is called Belgian CEO Stout.  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 Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head that disappears. The aroma has a heavy coffee notes. The taste has a coffee notes with some Belgian spices from Belgian yeast strain. There is Belgian spice notes on the aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

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

BELGIAN CEO STOUT
Style: Belgian Coffee Stout
ABV: 5.5%
Part of the 2015 CEO Boardroom Series. Fermented with Belgian yeast from Craft Cultures Yeast Labs out of Houghton, Michigan. As with any CEO Stout, expect larges notes of espresso and mild tart flavors akin to Belgian style beers.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

Closing, just what I said in the last few blog posts on these different CEO.  I am pretty happy to see them doing something with their CEO.  I know many people have been looking for a different CEO.  It is different. I respect them for thinking outside the box with this beer. I like it.  The beer drinker will get those Belgian notes.  It is like drinking a chocolate Belgian coffee.  They did a great job.  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