Month: July 2016

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Beer Camp (2016) Family Values Imperial Brown Ale

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In this special Beer Camp blog, we are going to sample the third of six beers in Sierra Nevada Brewery’s Beer Camp beer series.  it is their Family Values Imperial Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this California base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a dark brown color with tan constant head. The aroma has a nutty notes. The taste has a sweet malty to nutty notes with an alcohol hint. The aftertaste has a malty dry finish. It is a sipping beer.

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

FAMILY VALUES
Imperial Brown Ale with Cocoa
Family Values showcases the cooperation and kinship of Midwestern brewers. It features largely Midwestern-grown ingredients: Minnesota wild rice, Indiana honey, Missouri oats, Michigan hops, and cocoa nibs from Illinois as well as Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown malt. This is our centrally located collaboration celebrating the best of the Midwest.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.beercamp.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Ending, every sampler pack always has that beer that sticks out and is awesome.  This is the beer in this pack.  The Midwest team did a great job on this brew.  This beer was worth every penny that I invested into it.  There is some nice tasting notes and a awesome aroma that will bring the craft beer drinker to the beer.  I love it and I want more.  I would buy a four pack of this brew.  I hope Sierra Nevada bring this beer back.  This beer saved this sampler pack.  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 Sierra Nevada Beer Camp (2016) Stout Of The Union Robust Stout

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In this special Beer Camp blog, we are going to sample second of six beers from Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp series of 2016.  It is their Stout Of The Union Robust Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts of their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this California base 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 to coffee notes. The taste has a smooth sweet caramel to chocolate along with a slight coffee notes. The aftertaste has a dry chocolate to a slight dried fruit notes. It is a sipping beer but I can see myself making this drinkable.

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

STOUT OF THE UNION

Robust Stout

This stout hails from the land of sun, sand, and surf and proves that beach beer doesn’t have to be light colored and delicate. Stout of the Union is rich, roasty and full of deep malt flavor, creating a union of like-minded brewers together through beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.beercamp.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Closing, I was pretty excited to try this beer.  It is a pretty solid stout.  I like it but it is like every stout. I was hoping to get something special in a limited release beer sampler.  I cannot believe that I paid just over $30.00 for this brew.  I can paid a little less and get about the same stout.  It is worth the try but I am not going out of my way to try it again.  I recommend but I bet you feel the same way.  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 Sierra Nevada Beer Camp (2016) Sweet Sunny South Table Beer

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In this special Beer Camp blog, we are going to get into the first of a few beers from this year’s Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.  This is their Sweet Sunny South Table Beer.   Beer Camp has five different breweries on each brew and with Sierra Nevada in six beers in different parts of the United States.  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 this California base craft brewery.  Let us get into this table beer.

It has a slight cloudy peach like color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy sweet peach notes. The taste has a refreshing peach notes with peach tea like aftertaste. It is a nice drinkable beer but can be a nice sipping beer for the summertime.

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

SWEET SUNNY SOUTH

Southern Table Beer

The south holds strong to its traditional flavors—tea, honey-sweet peaches and corn grits—so we looked at those culinary cues for this southern-inspired table beer. With a golden grainy malt body and complex tangy finish from the fruit, tea and herbs, Sweet Sunny South is perfect for sultry summer sipping.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.beercamp.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Closing,  I missed Beer Camp last year.  They skipped a year.  I do not know the reason.  Does it really matter?  Nope, it just made it pretty exciting this year.  This year was higher than the last one i price.  Table Beer is not a Saison or Farmhouse Ale.  It can be called a Table Wine.  This beer style is a fruit base beer.  It is a beer that has alcohol 1% to 2%.  This Table Beer is 4.9%.  It is a solid beer but not for me.I am not a fan of fruit notes.  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 Jolly Pumpkin Oro De Calabaza Golden Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Jolly Pumpkin Brewery.  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 golden ale.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a floral to pepper like notes. The taste has a lemon to pepper like notes with a slight sour in taste profile and aftertaste. It is a nice sipping beer.

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

Oro de Calabaza

Style: Artisan Wild Ale
ABV: 8% IBUs: 30
Available: Year Round

Brewed in the Franco-Belgian tradition of strong golden ales. Spicy and peppery with a gentle hop bouquet and beguiling influence of wild yeast.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.jollypumpkin.com

Twitter:  @jollypumpkin

Closing, I am not a huge fan of Jolly Pumpkin Brewery.  It is mainly because of the price.  They are making their products here in Michigan.  I live in Michigan.  I get it that Sour Ale process is pretty costly.  I do like the pepper notes.  Jolly Pumpkin is known for their sour ales.  I have to say the sour notes are pretty fade.  I like it but not for the price.  I rather drink Duvel and it is worth the price.  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 Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noire Dark Farmhouse Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Jolly Pumpkin Brewery.  It is their Bam Noire Dark Farmhouse 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 dark saison ale.

It has a clear dark reddish color with a white constant head. The aroma has a dark fruit to farm like notes. The taste has a lemon like notes that is a little tart. It has a tart to sour like aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

Bam Noire

Style: Dark Farmhouse Ale
ABV: 4.5 IBUs: 24
Available: Year Round

Dark, smooth and delicious. Aromas of worn leather and cool autumn nights. Notes of sweet plum and toasted raisin, hints of coffee and cacao. Lingering tart and refreshing finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.jollypumpkin.com

Twitter:  @jollypumpkin

Ending, I am not a huge fan of Jolly Pumpkin.  In most cases, it is the cost of the beer that turns me off.  They are great ales.  I love the liquid.  Meijer had this beer on sale for half of the price.  I was sold.  It is different. I love Saison ales but not a fan of dark Saisons.  This one was really good beer.  They did a great job.  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 Alaskan Hop Turn IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another  beer from Alaskan Brewery.  It is their Hop Turn 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 this Alaska base craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a slightly cloudy to a fog like golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus notes. The taste has a dry citrus to lemon notes with a dry lemon bitter aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

Hop Turn IPA uses Pilsner malt and Sterling hops for a distinctive old-world taste. With a floral, peppery, lemony aroma, crystal-clear pale straw color, brisk flavor and lively 7.5 ABV, Hop Turn is a radical take on a West Coast IPA.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbrewing

In the end, I was pretty happy to see this craft brewery make it to the State of Michigan.  I was disappointed that their Black IPA did not make it.  The last year, they have been pushing more and more of their IPA’s.  I am holding on to hope that they bring their black IPA to the state.  I was not impressed with this beer.  It has everything that I am looking for in an IPA.  It just rub me the wrong way.  It is a spring seasonal so I am good with it.  I can see others liking this product.  I recommend it for a try.  I know every craft beer drinker will try it at least once.  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 Founders Brewing Sumatra Mountain Brown Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Founders Brewing.  It is their Sumatra Mountain 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 cloudy dark brown color with a tan constant head. The smell has a heavy coffee notes. The taste profile of this brown ale has a smooth nutty to coffee notes with a smooth slight milky coffee notes aftertaste. It is drinkable and scary because it is a 9% ABV beer.

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

Sumatra Mountain Brown

This bold, imperial brown ale gets its body from a team of malts including Caramel malt for sweetness, flaked barley for dense foam, a bit of Chocolate malt for its deep color and Aromatic and Munich malts to add even more depth. German and Perle hops add a touch of bitterness to balance the malty sweetness. The addition of rich Sumatra coffee takes this perfectly balanced imperial brown ale to a decadent level.I love this beer. I will get more. Best beer from Founders

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

Closing, I was pretty speechless when trying this beer.  I was really impressed.  I felt like Founder’s Brewery was just staying in their way.  Not really doing anything new and different.  While new and upcoming craft breweries in the state were starting to take from them.  I am glad to see them doing new and different things but take their time putting it out.  There are other breweries that are living on their name and need to step up to the plate.  I am not going to say who they are.  This is a solid coffee brown ale.  This has to be my favorite or close to favorite coffee brown ale.  Great beer with a great price point in a four pack bottle.  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 Boulder Beer Shake Chocolate Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Boulder Brewery for the first time.  The beer that will be feature is their Shake Chocolate Porter.  Boulder Brewery started in 1979.  It became the first craft brewery Colorado.  In 1994, they brought out some package.  Today, they are still solid and still growing.  Let us get into this porter.

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

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.boulderbeer.com

Twitter:  @boulderbeerco

In the end, this brewery has been on my radar for a long time.  I know that I had this beer a while ago.  I still do not understand why I did not blog about them.  The beers that I have had from this brewery are pretty solid. I did not realize how long they were making beer.  This is a solid chocolate porter.  This is a nice twist of classic English style porter.  I like it. It is a nice desert beer.  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 Jackie O’s Brewery Firefly Amber

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a beer from Jackie O’s Brewery.  It is their Firefly Amber.  Jackie O’s Brewery started in 2008 in Athens, Ohio.  There is not much more history after that info.  They are doing a barrel aged program.  Let us get into this amber ale.

It has a clear copper color without a head on this amber. The smell has a sweet malty to caramel notes. The taste has a sweet malty to nutty notes with a malty bitter finish. It is kind of drinkable.

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

Find Jackie O’s Firefly Amber Ale Beer

  • Amber Ale / Red Ale · 4.5% ABV

    Lightly roasted malt gives Firefly Amber a biscuit-like finish. Carefully selected hops provide an herbal, mildly citrus, aroma and flavor.

    Firefly Amber is Jackie O’s lightest offering. We refer to it as our gateway ale, as introducing it to macro-drinkers has proved to be effective in converting them into craft beer followers & aficionados. Seasoned craft beer drinkers also admire the drinkability and soft (but wide!) range of flavors embedded within this amber ale. Lightly roasted malt gives Firefly Amber a biscuit-like finish. Carefully selected hops provide an herbal, mildly citrus, aroma and flavor.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.jackieos.com

Twitter: @JackieosBrewery

In the end, there is not too many good Ohio craft brewery.  Great Lakes Brewery is a good one but outside of that.  It is far and in between.  Jackie O’s, Brew Kettle, and Fat Head Brewery are some of good craft breweries.  I will make a trip to Ohio to pick up their beers.  Amber and Red Ales, I do not go out of my way to pick them up.  This one just dropped in a pile of beer from a friend.  It is ok to me. I am not a fan. I do not see what is so unique about it. I believe others will love this beer.  I recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13
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New Beer Blog Pigon Hill Brewing OCP Oatmeal Cream Pie

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a new beer and brewery, which is Pigon Hill Brewing.  It is their OCP Oatmeal Cream Pie.  There is not much of history on the web about this craft brewery.  I know they are from Muskegon, Michigan.  They are a newer craft brewery.  Let us get into stout.

It has a clear brown color with tan color head. The aroma has a slight oatmeal cookie notes. The taste has a sweet nutty malty notes with an oatmeal cookie aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable.

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

Pigeon Hill Brewing Taplist

O.C.P. / Oatmeal Crème Pie is the result of a challenge made by Joel Kamp’s wife: “I want a beer that tastes like an oatmeal crème pie.” Through the use of oats, marshmallow fluff, and other highly secret ingredients, O.C.P. was born. Tasting notes: Seriously, it tastes just like an oatmeal crème pie. “You down with O.C.P.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pigeonhillbrew.com

Twitter:  @PigeonHillBrew

Closing, I have wanting to try this beer the first time I saw it on the shelf.  This is just about the only beer that I have saw from this brewery in the market.  As far as the beer, I see what they are trying to do with this beer.  I believe they did a great job on it.  It is a great beer just wish there was more in tasting part. There is nice tasting notes but I just wish there was more.  It is all in the aftertaste.  I believe like all craft breweries.  They are looking to improve this beer just like all their beers.  I am pretty excited to try it in the fall or winter season.  I recommend this beer when it is out again.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13