Craft Cider

Reviews of ciders and craft ciders

New Beer (Cider) Blog Blakes Wakes Fire

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In this cider blog, we are going into a new everyday cider from Blake’s Hard Cider.  It is their former summer seasonal, which is called Wakes Fire Cider.  If you read my earlier cider blog posts on their ciders, you know the history of this Michigan’s biggest cider makers.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan base cider makers.  Let us get into this cider.

This cider has a clear golden color without a head on it. The aroma has a orange and slight cherry notes. The taste has a sweet cherry with a hint of orange notes. The aftertaste has an apple juice finish. It is pretty drinkable cider.

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

It’s impossible to replicate a Michigan summer. Recreating a northern night under the stars would be a futile endeavor. So, we’ve done the next best thing – we’ve crafted summer’s perfect ally. Experience WakeFire, a comforting blend of Michigan-grown cherries, orange peel and our famous Blake’s apples.

6.5% ALC. BY VOL.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blakeshardcider.com

Twitter:  @blakeshardcider

Tabbing out, as many of you know, I am not a cider fan at all.  This group of cider makers are making me a fan at least with their brands.  I was pretty excited to learn that they were putting their Wake Fire in cans and then make it all year long.  This cider has Michigan grown cherries and orange.  It is well balanced and a perfect cider for any season.  I love it. One of my favorite ciders from this cider makers.  I highly recommend this cider.  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 Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan Part 2

In this beer blog, we are going to talk more about the liquor stores in my area and market.  This is a follow-up from a blog that I wrote about year ago.   I just find some of these stores do things that are good or bad and craft or import beer drinkers should know.  I see some stores that are under charging and there are others that are over charging.  Let us get into each of the stores.

Wine palace

If you live in the Livonia or Westland area, you know about this liquor store.  They have a great liquor and wine selection.  I have been told that they have some gems over there too.  We are here to talk about the beer selection.  They have a great craft beer and import selection.  Just like everywhere else, you do need to watch code dates.  If they know you are one of their regulars, you will get some of the one off or limited releases.  They have a great Import selection and a nice beer cave.  Their prices are one of the best in town.  Their prices go pretty well against the Meijer down the street.  Overall, this is a place to check out.

Marcus Market

This place is located in the Wayne State area.  They have an average to below average beer selection. The huge problem with this store is they are not on top of their stuff.  What I mean, they do not know what most of their beer and product cost in their store.  Their prices are pretty high or way too low.  For example, which I have many, Blake’s 6 pack cans for $19.99, which should be around $9.99 and 10.99 like other stores.  Bell’s Planet Series Uranus single bottle (12oz) for $4.99.  While other stores are charges $2.99.  There is some cider and beer that are under cost.  There is a cider from Blakes that other stores charge $24.99.  They were charging $9.99.  They do not have too many rare beers or ciders, however, they have a great Mead selection just watch the prices.  Their little restaurant in the back of the store is a most try.  Asides  that, stay away from this store.

Forrest

This is another place not far from Wayne State either.  Their prices are pretty good.  They are little high but not by much.  They have a pretty good beer selection for craft beers and ciders.  This is a great store when you want some cheap beer with a good craft beer.  They get a ton of rare and limited craft beers and ciders. You will need to ask guys behind the counter. They have a nice staff and they are willing to help their customers.  I highly recommend this store.  If you are in the Wayne State area, come here and not Marcus Market.

Holiday Market Royal Oak

I have been here a few times.  I have not been here in a while.  I just know if I cannot find a beer in my area.  I can take a trip to the east side of the City of Detroit to get it.  They have an awesome craft beer and cider selection. I know many of friends said if you are a regular. You will get some of the one off and limited releases.  If you live on the east side, I highly recommend this place.

Closing, I know there are so many other stores and I know that I keep forgetting some of them.  Please, let me know about them and I will check them out.  I will do a write-up on them.  I hope you learn something from reading this post.  Let me know about your thoughts.  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 Blake’s Hard Cider Wake Fire

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In this beer (cider) blog, we are going to get into the summer seasonal from Blake’s Hard Cider.  It is their Wake Fire Cider.  If you read my earlier cider blog posts on their ciders, you know the history of this cider maker.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan cider makers.  Let us get into this summer cider.

It has a white to lemonade color without a head on this summer seasonal. The aroma has a faded apple and slight orange notes. The taste has a heavy sweetest of orange and apple with a sweet tart cherry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable cider.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blakeshardcider.com

Twitter: @BlakesHardCider

In the end, I am pretty excited for everything that comes from this cider maker.  This is their new summer seasonal.  I like how the cherry comes off as a tart like notes.  The front part of the cider notes are sweet with apple and orange notes.  This is a perfect cider for the hot summer days if it ever comes to a town near you.  It is different. I like it and I can see others that will love it.  I highly recommend this cider.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:   @djweiser13

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Out Of The Limb Cheeky Cherry Sour Cherry Cider

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In this beer (cider) blog, we are going to sample a new and special release cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  It is their Out On Limb Cheeky Cherry Sour Cherry.  If you read my earlier cider blogs posts on their ciders, you know the history of East Coast Cider makers.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Woodchuck Hard Cider.

It has a clear red cherry color without a head on this hard cider. The aroma has sweet to slight sour cherry notes.  The taste has a heavy sweet cherry with a slight sour to tart cherry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable cider.

Here is a description from the cider bottle:

Get your cell phone out and prepare the selfie cam people!  This cider features a bright pop of crisp apple and sour tart cherry notes that are sure to have your face in prime selfie shape.  Cheeky Cherry is crafted from bittersweet balanced between the sweet juice and sour cherries which are infused post-fermentation.  Check out Cheeky Cherry if you are looking for a next level cider.

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

Cheeky Cherry

Get your cell phone out and prepare the selfie cam people! This cider features a bright pop of crisp apple and sour tart cherry notes that are sure to have your face in prime selfie shape. Cheeky Cherry is crafted from bittersweet cider apple varieties and perfectly balanced between the sweet juice and sour cherries which are infused post-fermentation. Check out Cheeky Cherry if you are looking for a next level cider.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @woodchuckcider

Closing, I gave anyone credit from a brewery or cider maker to do something or different.  I love cherries and I had to pick up a bottle of this cider.  I am not a huge fan of ciders but I am willing to try them.  It is average but good.  I can see cider drinkers love this product.  I love the aroma to taste profile.  I recommend this cider and please give me your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,500 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 42 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

New Beer (Cider) Blog Blake’s El Chavo

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In this cider blog, we are going to the first cider from Blake’s.  It is their El Chavo.  There is not much history on their website.  I do know they have been in business less than five years.  They make several different Hard Cider.  There is about 12 different Hard Cider on tap in their Taproom.  Let us get into this Hard Cider.

This cider has a clear light yellow color without a head. The smell has a slight mango and hints of Habanero peppers. The taste has a mango to earthly notes with pepper hot aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable but I can see becoming sipping cider.

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

We like spicing things up.  That’s why we put dimmers on the lights in our Cider House.  And it’s why we created this sweet, heated blend of Habanero Pepper, mango and our famous Blake’s apple.  Experience a hard cider that’s really, honestly, truly like no other.  Experience El Chavo.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blakeshardcider.com

Twitter:  @BlakesHardCider

Closing, I have to say I am not a huge hard cider fan.  I am always willing to try it at least two times to see if I can find one that I like.  I have to say between Woodchuck and Blake’s Hard Cider.  I have found two cider companies that I enjoyed drinking their products.  In the few times, I had some of Blake’s Hard Ciders.  I did not have time to write tasting notes. I had to write-up for this special and unique cider.  I like it. I did not know how the peppers would go over with apple and mango notes.  The Habanero Pepper starts to shine through the end part of the pint.  It is not overpowering which I liked.  There is a nice balance in this Hard Cider.  I highly recommend this cider.  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 Why And Why Not Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a hot issue in the huge growing market of craft beers, ciders, and breweries.  There has been a huge growth and it is coming out of the mass produced beer companies.  There is home brewers taking their passion of beer making to the public.  The questions that I am going to try to answer for myself are “Why And Why Not Drink Local Beers And Ciders?”

Why Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

It is pretty simple.  Money stays in the state and/or the local area.  There will be more jobs created because of these breweries.   The money keeps coming in and out of the brewery.  It works if the brewery is buying supplies from local companies and most do this practice.  Most craft breweries take homes in old and empties buildings.  They resolve these old buildings back to the way they were back in their heyday.  Of course, they put their brewery and restaurant in them.  The other things that these breweries in most cases.  They create more jobs at distributors.  They hire a marketing firm or their own people to run it.  Just like most businesses, they will put money back in the economy.

Why Not Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

I get beat up about half of the time when I bring this up to people at craft beer bars or stores in my local market.  I get it because everyone wants to support their local businesses and I am one of them.  I have to be honest with myself and others around me.  I heard this when I lived in Chicago and now here in the Michigan.  When traveling to other cities around the US, I saw these same signs and heard it from the locals.  When trying these beers or ciders at home or your local watering hole, be honest to yourself because it will save you from the painful drinking experience.  I had a pretty ugly drinking experience with a local craft brewery in Chicago.  I kept on telling myself that I love this beer and brewery.  I just finally admitted to myself that they are not that good.  I started to look at local craft brewery in a different light.  I give breweries credit when they put a good beer to the market.  I also give them credit for thinking outside the box.

In closing, I am not saying do not drink local beers and ciders.  If their beers are good, drink them and support them.  If their beers are not good, you as a beer drinker, customer, and buyer needs to send them a message.  They need to improve or go away.  This is the ugly side to the business world.  I am catching myself doing it it again.  Just be honest with yourself about these beers or ciders in your area.  There is new craft breweries opening every day and there will be more good to great beers and bad beers.  Remember, you are voting with your wallet.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.  Support the local good beer and let the bad go away.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer (Mead) Blog B. Nektar Meadery Evil Genius IPA Style Mead

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In this beer (mead) blog, we are going to get into a style that many people might not know about.  It is mead.  I am kind of new to mead scene but my studies, I know what a mead is. I just need to try them. I will get into the history of mead and then Meadery featured on this post.  I am talking about B. Nektar Meadery.  The mead being feature is Evil Geniues IPA Style Mead.  Mead is a honey and water with fruits, hops, grains, and other spices to add character.  It is a wine base product.  It is normally made as a base of a honey wine.  B. Nektar Meadery was founded in Ferndale, Michigan in 2006.  Brad and Kerri Dahlhofer founded this meadery.  They make several different mead styles.  They sell their products around the country but mainly the midwest to the east coast.  Let us get into this Mead.

It has a bright yellow to white color without a head on this Mead.  The aroma has a honey with a hint of earthy notes.  The taste has a sweet honey with earthy undertones.  The aftertaste has sweet honey with a slight bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the mead bottle:

In an obsure industrial lair resides the man known only as the evil Dr. IPA.  Using his hadron collider hidden deep underground, he has conducted his most remarkable experiment to date.  The result is a perfect balance of honey and hops.  But there are side effects…  his lab rats can’t get enough of the stuff.  And soon, neither will you.  Introducing the Evil Genius.  The big bang is no longer a theory, it’s your reality.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bnektar.com

Twitter:  @bnekar

Closing, I had a few meads and they are all from B. Nektar.  I do not know many more meaderies in the market.  If there is, I will be trying them soon.  I find some of these meads pretty sweet to way too sweet.  This is one of them.  I do not get too much from the hops.  I love this mead at first.  The more and more I was drinking it.  I just found that it was way too sweet for me.  I just feel if it was 10oz pour I would be in better shape.  I can drink meads and some sweet ciders.  I just find that they become too sweet for me.  Keep in mind, I am a hophead, porter, and stout type of beer drinker.  I recommend this mead.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Fall Harvest Hard Cider (2014)

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In this fall seasonal cider blog, we are going to get into one of two fall seasonals from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  This is their everyday seasonal cider.  It is apple pie cider.  If you read earlier beer blog posts about their ciders, you know the history of this cider makers.  If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know Woodchuck.  Let us get into this fall cider.

It has a clear dark golden color without a head.  The smell has an apple pie notes of cinnamon and apple.  The taste a cinnamon up front sweetest notes and finish like an apple pie aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the cider bottle:

The fall harvest brings farmers and communities together to celebrate another year of fruitful labor.  It is a time of shorter days, cooler nights, and great apples.  This cider has a complex and elegant character full of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg balanced out with a hint of american white oak.  A true taste of the season.

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

Fall Harvest

The fall harvest brings farmers and communities together to celebrate another year of fruitful labor, It is a time of shorter days, cooler night, and great apples. This cider has a complex and elegant character full of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg balanced out with a hint of American White Oak. A true taste of the season.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @woodchuckcider

In the end, I have to say this cider makers made me a fan of ciders.  I am on my fall seasonal kick and I like to start trying them early to get as many in as I can.  I know a few of these fall seasonals disappear from the market quickly.  I know this will not but it is nice to get it in early.  I know towards end of the season.   I will be burned out on them but I highly doubt it.  I say that every year.  There is a nice complex tasting notes going on in this cider.  It is not another boring hard cider.  They put some thought into it for this type of season.  I love the fact that it does taste like liquid apple pie.  I highly recommend this cider.  It is a nice way to kick off the fall season and wrap it before the winter season.  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 What Is Good Beer?

In this special beer blog, we are going to take in-depth look at beer. What is good or bad? How do we come up with this conclusion? Many of you know, I have been drinking beer for a while. I started like everyone from the Bud Lights and moved up to all the craft beers. Most craft breweries around the country know of me or know me. I started as a Metal DJ on STFU.Fm. The station shut down but before that I started to feature craft beer on the air while playing music. After the station, I started document the beers that I had in my life time. This blog was for me to go back and see if my thoughts grown. Plus, I have always wanted to be a writer. I know I am not the best on spelling and grammar, however, I believe I have improved because of this blog. I just want to say thank you for coming by reading, and putting up with my errors. This blog also made me a better beer drinker. I have learned more about each beer style. I am finding out I like all styles and it is including wheat beers. I am still writing music and sports review. I wanted to give you a little more about myself. When I thought about writing this “What Is Good Beer?” I will not point out breweries. I am not calling out anyone. Let us see if we can answer this question.

What Is Good Beer?

I know several craft beer drinkers will jump to the answer.  It is the little guys, who are Craft Breweries.  Is that because they do not make a golden lager or the companies that make it?  Craft Breweries make different beer styles asides the American Style Lager.  They will make Pale Ales to Porter to Stouts and sometimes even a German Style Lager.  Is Good Beer is more selection or “Flavor”?  “Flavor” has been toss out there.  A little style of the American Golden Lager.  German immigrants wanted to have their beers here in the States. This is where American Golden Lager came from.  Is it a ton of Ads to make the beer better?  Mass produced?  There is a brewery in the big Midwest brewery that puts their beer through hard test make sure their quality is the highest. It is make sure that their beers are up to their standards and constant. Is that a bad thing?

There are other things wrong with the mass-produced beer companies.  It is the fact they put other things into their beers.  However, it adds to their cost, they make less on their beers.  Mass produced beer market is getting smaller everyday.  They put these items into their beers to get it as close to their old country style. More and more people are drinking craft beers.  The question is their beer better or good.  Yes, it has a ton more flavor and that is the first thing anyone says.  I agree with that.  I see in every state, please, drink local.  There is nothing wrong with that.  The problem that I have is most of the newer beer companies out there are making some bad beer.  I do not mean bad in the beer will hurt you.  I mean it is just not good beer.

What about the craft breweries?

Some of the smaller breweries do not put their beers through as many tests like the bigger breweries. This leads to inconstant batches of beer. This is not a good thing when you like that beer. When you try the beer for the first time and do not like it, the quality might be the issue. Beer drinkers might be turn off and never try it again. Is this a good beer? I get it that most breweries do not have the capital to do all tests. I am not saying this is a case for all these small craft breweries.  Some little craft breweries do not even have labs to test anything.

Closing, I love craft beer and I will keep on searching for better version of my favorite beer styles.  The local guys are making beer but I am open-minded to say there are some bad or not so good beer coming from those craft breweries.  I enjoy some of the mass-produced beers but I will not go out of my way to buy them nor drink them.  Many people will not like this statement I am going to put out there.  If the beer you are drinking is good to you, it is a good beer.  We all have thoughts on beers and they are all correct.  This goes for all mass-produced beer.  If there is a bad beer on the market, the beer drinkers vote with their wallet and they will let beer companies know that it is not good.  It will disappear off the market.  Please, share your thoughts with me.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13