Craft Beer

Craft Beer or Mirco brews from small breweries!

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

New Beer Blog Ommengang Games of Thrones Take The Black Stout (Age A Year)

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In a fantasy world, we are going to sample the second beer from Ommengang Brewery and Games of Thornes. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read them, please, do so to get to know craft brewery. Let us get into Take The Black Stout.

This stout has a jet black color with a nice constant tan head.  The aroma has a roasted chocolate notes.  The taste has a sweet chocolate with a hint of creamy caramel with a nice chocolate dry aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A stout as dark as the winters that once engulfed Westeros. As robust as the men who swear their oaths at the Weirwood Tree. Chocolate and caramel sweetness are balanced by hop bitterness roasty, woodsy notes, and an earthy finish.

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

Ommegang and HBO® announce the newest beer in the Game of Thrones® collaboration series. Through its first three seasons, the critically acclaimed drama has become the biggest show on HBO. Take the Black Stout follows the highly coveted Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which flew off of shelves earlier this year. To satisfy the appetite of Game of Thrones fans, production of Take the Black Stout will more than double the final volumes of Iron Throne Blonde Ale.

Inspired by the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, Take the Black Stout was made to be deep, dark and complex like those who have sworn the oath to defend Westeros against threats from the north. The label depicts the Weirwood tree where Jon Snow recited the oath before joining the Night’s Watch.

In time for the holidays, Take the Black Stout makes for the perfect gift. Shipping to distributors in September 2013, the beer is available in 750 ML bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter: @breweryommegang and @gameofthornes

In closing, I brought two bottles when it was released.  I had the one right away and I just saved this bottle for a raining day.  I wanted to share my thoughts on this brew.  I am a huge fan of the show.  I was really disappointed with the first release.  This was something else.  I love the story behind the Night’s Watch.  I have to say Ommegang Brewery went up and beyond making this beer good.  I love the creamy chocolate and notes caramel.  It is a nice beer to have after dinner or a sipping beer while relaxing. I aged this bottle for a year from when I picked it up. It held up really well and it did not change in the bottle. I was pretty disappointed with that but it is still an awesome beer. Good Job! If you can find a bottle, pick it up.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Instagram: @djweiser13

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Oddside Derelicte Pineapple IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer, which is Pineapple IPA, from Oddside Brewery.  Oddside Brewery was founded in Grand Haven, Michigan in 2010.  There goal is brew unique beers that will push the limits of the craft beer drinkers.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma has a nice mild pineapple notes. The taste has a light carbonated pineapple notes with a dry hoppy dry bitter finish.  The finish hangs around a bit.  It is kind of drinkable to a sipping brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  No Twitter

Closing, as many of us in Michigan, we are just getting around trying Oddside beers.  I have to say this is one of my favorite beers from them.  I am really love the pineapple notes how it shapes around the hops.  It is a nice sipping to semi drinkable beer.  The bitterest is not over the top but it is still there.  The pineapple and the well designed malty backbone cuts right through hops.  I really love this brew.  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 Lagunitas The Hairy Eyeball Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into The Hairy Eyeball Ale from Lagunitas Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast Brewery.  If you have not read those posts, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know Lagunitas Brewery.  Let us get into this American Strong Ale.

This American Strong Ale has a dark amber color with a fluffy to a cream head.  The aroma has a strong malty to an alcohol notes.  The taste of this full body ale has a strong malty alcohol snap.  The aftertaste has a malty dry finish with alcohol burn down the throat.  This is a nice relaxing sipping beer.

Here is a desciriation from their website (www.lagunitas.com):

A roasty, toasty, malty, hangover-halting beer. Especially formulated for when you wake up feelin’ like you need to shave your eyeballs to see the new day.

AVAILABILITY: NOVEMBER 2013
ABV: 9.4% IBU: 56.66
Sold as: Bombers & Kegs
Net contents: Ounces and ounces of Malt, Hops, Yeast and water.

Closing, this beer has a ton going on in it. It has nice flavor yet a nice sipping beer anytime of the year. I love the back story on this brew. It has a nice alcohol bite and nice malty notes to keep you coming back for more. 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

New Beer Blog New Belgium Fat Tire Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a flagship beer, which is Fat Tire Amber Ale, from New Belgium Brewery. It was a beer inspired from a bike ride in the Belgian county side. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know New Belgium Brewery. Let us get into this Amber Ale.

It has a clear amber color with semi constant white head on this Amber Ale.  The aroma has a malty to biscuit notes.  The taste of this light to medium body beer has a malty to biscuit notes with a hint of light carbonated caramel.   The aftertaste has a caramel to nice refreshing hop finish.  It is an extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Fat Tire Amber Ale perfectly balances biscuit-like malt flavors with hoppy freshness.  Named in honor of a storied bike ride through Europe,  Fat Tire cruises with Belgian imagination and inspiration.

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

Named in honor of our co-founder’s bike trip through Europe, Fat Tire Amber Ale marks a turning point in the young electrical engineer’s home brewing. Belgian beers use a far broader palette of ingredients (fruits, spices, esoteric yeast strains) than German or English styles. Together with co-founder Kim Jordan, they traveled around sampling their homebrews to the public. Fat Tire won fans with its sense of balance: toasty, biscuit-like malt flavors coasting in equilibrium with hoppy freshness. Fat Tire: Pairs well with people.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter: @newbelgium

In closing, this light to medium body amber ale packs a ton of flavor and punch.  It is drinkable for anytime of the year.  It is a nice craft beer to get your American Lager drinkers to try.  It is also a great beer for the experience craft beer drinkers to revisit and enjoy it all over it again.  I love the story behind this beer and I love the fact they made American version of De Koninck.  It is fresher and packs more of a drinkable style.  This beer can pair with any food dish that is what their website says.  It is better with people.  I recommend you trying this beer or retrying 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 New Belgium Brewery Ranger IPA

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to try and I mean retry New Belgium Brewery Ranger IPA. After years of their fans requesting, an India Pale Ale was finally made its debut in their line up. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Mountain area craft brewery. If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know New Belgium Brewery. Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

This India Pale Ale has a clear copper color with a nice white constant head on it.  The smell has hints of citrus and slight piney notes.  The taste has a slight citrus carbonated notes with a dry piney hop finish for the aftertaste.  It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Tip your hat to our Beer Rangers in the field who inspired this will-balanced IPA packed with Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook hops. Count on citrus aromas and piney surroundings.

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

Ever met a New Belgium Beer Ranger? They are our beloved folks out in the field. Spanning all 29 of our states from the Pacific to the Atlantic, our Beer Rangers do their best to protect, to pour and to partake. And explore many a beer from many a brewery, they do.

Bring out the hops! This clear amber beauty bursts at the starting gate with an abundance of hops: Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity) lead off the beer, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor. Brewed with pale and dark caramel malts that harmonize the hop flavor from start to finish, Ranger is a sessionable splendor for all you hopinistas. Thank your Beer Ranger!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing out my tab, I have to say it took me a ton of time to start liking this beer.  I do not know why.  I will say my first impression was not very good towards this craft IPA.  However, after a ton of research, I have a new thought pattern towards this IPA. I have to say I like it now.  It is in my top ten of craft India Pale Ales.  I love the hop collection and the selection.  The malty backbone was well designed.  I wish I could find this beer in cans.  I am pretty happy to see this beer in their first sampler 12 pack cans.  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 Stone Brewery Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a new project called Stochasticity Project from Stone Brewery.  It is their Grapefruit Slam IPA.  There will be a series of different beers released under this name.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read those posts, please, do so to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this big beer.

It has a clear copper color with a nice white head on this IPA.  The aroma has a heavy grapefruit and hints of citrus notes.  The taste of this medium body beer is a heavy grapefruit notes.  The aftertaste is a dry bitter hop finish that will keep you drinking more of this brew.  This India Pale Ale is a sipping beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Stochasticity

There is no happenstance or coincidence.  Dumb luck is a fallacy and randomness a commonly accepted mistruth.  Much of what seemingly falls into place and seems so natural is a result of Stochasticity, a concept embraced and exalted by this special and unpredicatable series of beers, where exotic notions, ingredients and ideas coalesce at an interesting and often unexpected endpoint.

Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA

India pale ales harness the inherent flavor characteristics of hops to bring forward familiar flavors of pine, resin, spice and citrus.   In some cases, those botanincals are so potent, they exactly mirror specific edibles.  Such is the case with Centennials hops, which hail from the Great Northwest and come across on the palate like a mouthful of citrus fruit.  That sensation is amplified with this, the first beer introduced via the Stochasticity Project, a double IPA brewed with Centennial, Chinook and Magnum hops as well as an immense dosing of fresh grapefruit peel.  The result is over-the-top bittersweet grapefruit intensity that is a once refreshing and bracing in its citrusy bitterness.

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

Stochasticity™ Project

Grapefruit Slam IPA

STYLE: Double IPA ABV: 8.2% IBUs: 95
Description

India pale ales harness the inherent flavor characteristics of hops to bring forward familiar flavors of pine, resin, spice, and citrus. In some cases, those botanicals are so potent, they exactly mirror specific edibles. Such is the case with Centennial hops, which hail from the Great Northwest and come across on the palate like a mouthful of citrus fruit. That sensation is amplified with this, the first beer introduced via the Stochasticity Project–a double IPA brewed with Centennial, Chinook and Magnum hops as well as an immense dosing of fresh grapefruit peel. The result is over-the-top bittersweet grapefruit intensity that is at once refreshing and bracing in its citrusy bitterness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stochasticity.com

Twitter:  @STCHPRJCT

Closing, this beer was something else and that is all in a very good way.  I love the heavy aroma and taste of grapefruit.  I just found it funny that I hate the taste and smell of real grapefruit.  This is a pretty big beer and the beer drinker should not take this brew lightly.  It is a sipping brew, however, it is very nice to drink in any part of the year.  I wish this beer was all year long and was put in 12oz bottles.  I am not a huge fan of 22oz bottles.  At least, it came with a good price.  Most 22oz bottles are overpriced and that is my thought.  I get it.  These beers cost a little more than most beers to make. I recommend you trying this beer. I will be looking for one more bottle befoe they disappear.  Plus, the next beer when it is released to the public.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Belgium Trippel Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Trippel Ale from New Belgium Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their their Fall Seasonal, which is Pumpkick Ale, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read the beer blog posts to get to know this 100% employee owned craft brewery.  Let us get into their Trippel Ale.

This Trippel Ale has a clear golden color with a nice white constant head.  The aroma has a heavy coriander and other spicy notes.  The taste has a Belgium spices and heavy coriander notes.  The coriander lives and hangs around a bit in the aftertaste.  This Trippel Ale is kind of drinkable but it is more of a sipping ale.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A Belgian yeast strain, a trace of coriander, and a blast of hops is the triple-threat this Belgian style ale struts out each time you reach for our bottles conditioned Trippel.

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

Our Trippel Belgian Style Ale (pronounced triple) opens with a bold blast of hops that slowly gives way to the fruity esters implied by our Belgian yeast strain. In the Belgian tradition of brewing singles, doubles and triples, Trippel is the strongest with the longest fermentation. Remarkably smooth and complex, our bottle-conditioned Trippel is spiced with a trace of coriander.

Here is ther website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, New Belgium has made several Belgium beer styles ales.  This brew is not different than the rest of the beers in this beer style.  There is not many Trippel Ales brewed with coriandor.  I am not a fan of this brew because of the coriandor in it.   However, this is a good beer and New Belgium made a great beer here, I highly recomend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample another beer from Abita Brewery and it is their Strawberry Harvest Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Christmas Ale, you know the history of this southern craft brewery.  If you did not read those beer blog posts, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this summer season.

It has a clear golden color with nice small constant bubbles.  This Lager has a nice white head on it.  The aroma has a strong sweet strawberries notes.  The taste profile has a strong sweet fresh strawberries notes.  It is like fresh picked strawberries.  The aftertaste is a nice strawberry finish that hangs around bit.  This light body Lager is extremely drinkable.

Here is a descrition from their website (www.abita.com):

Abita Strawberry Harvest is a lager brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. Real Louisiana strawberry juice is added after filtration resulting in a crisp lager with a sweet strawberry flavor, aroma and haze. It is wonderful with desserts or lighter fare such as salads and pastas. Fresh cheeses such as Burrata, chèvre, Crescenza, mozzarella or Teleme pair well with Strawberry Harvest.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.abita.com

Twitter:  @TheAbitaBeer

In the end, I am not a huge Lager or fruit beers. I have to say I was pretty impressed with this beer. I liked it but it is pretty average beer. I will not go out of my way to find this beer. If I see it, I will order it. It also depends what is in the bar or restaurant. It is extremely drinkable and has a ton of flavor. I really enjoyed drinking this beer. Go and try it. 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 Abita Amber Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another brew, which is Amber Lager, from Abita Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Christmas Ale, you know the history of this southern craft brewery.  If you have not read that post, please, read it to get to know Abita Brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a slight amber color with a constant white head on this Lager.  The aroma has a nice sweet caramel notes.  The taste of this light to medium body has a nice carbonated earthly to caramel notes with a nice crisp finish for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Abita Amber is a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops.  It has a smooth, malty, caramel flavor and a rich amber color.  One of our first and most popular brews.  Amber pairs well with many foods.

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

Amber

Amber is a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops. It has a smooth, malty, slightly caramel flavor and a rich amber color. Abita Amber was the first beer offered by the brewery and continues to be our leading seller. Amber is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food. It has been voted “best beer” in numerous New Orleans reader polls and is used frequently in recipes of great Louisiana chefs.

Because of its smooth, malty flavor, try it with smoked sausages, Louisiana boudin, or even with caviar. It’s great with crawfish and Cajun food. You might also enjoy it paired with a spicy gumbo or tomato-based pasta sauce. It also goes well also with fried catfish dipped in a tart, lemony tartar sauce. Parmesan, Pecorino and Romano cheeses are good pairings with Abita Amber.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.abita.com

Twitter: @theabitabeer

In the end, I just find myself not drinking their beers as much as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada beers from their samplers. I brought those packs after I brought Abita Party Pack, which is their sampler. I am not saying I did not like their beers. I did but not as much as those other breweries beers. As many of you know, I am on the search for a good and great craft lager. This Amber Lager was on the list to retry it. I have to say it is pretty average. It is not any special. It has more flavor than the mass produced American Lagers. If you never had this beer, I would try it and draw your own thoughts on this Amber Lager. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13