american farmhouse

New Beer Blog Farmington Brewery Visit

In this beer blog, I had a chance to stop in to visit Farmington Brewery. Jason Hendricks and Jason Schlaff started to put together plans to open a brewery in downtown Farmington in 2013. Jason Schlaff’s father, who is Gary Schlaff, joined the team. Later on that year, Farmington Brewery finally opened up in 2014 and offer eight different beers. They are offering up to twenty-one and two to three different ciders. The building itself is small but it is perfect for them right now. It has a nice location in downtown Farmington, Michigan. They are right next door to an Irish Bar. It also has a nice outside sitting facing the main street. Customers get to enjoy the nice weather with some good craft beers. It has a nice welcoming inside this brewpub.

They do not service any food, however, you can bring food in or have it order to be delivered. They do not mind and they coverage it. This is a small place so keep that in mind when you go out during prime bar nights. Let us talk about the beer because this is the reason why people would come here. I did like their Pale Ale, Dry Stout, and 4 c’z Slam MI IPA. I love their Mt.Olympus Double IPA, I like the Dry Stout but it is pretty average. The Wheat is below average. I will be back to try some more of their brews.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.fbcbrewing.com

Twitter: @farmingtonbeer

Closing, overall, I believe this craft brewery is going in right direction. They just need to slow down and take in what they are successful to build on it. Most craft breweries do see their faults and keep doing the same mistakes. I am not saying Farmington Brewery. I am talking in general. Farmington Brewery are working to be successful on everything. I can see them starting to do it after one visit. I had some of their at a beer party and at some of neighborhood craft beer bars. I enjoyed their beers and I will be back to try more. I recommend checking out this craft brewery. 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 New Belgium Pear Ginger Beer

In this special beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from New Belgium Brewery’s Lips Of Faith. It is their Pear Ginger Beer. This beer is a limited released beer. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of New Belgium Brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a slight ginger and a little hint of pear. The taste of this light to medium body has a sweet ginger to pear notes along with some citrus notes. It is almost like a pear shandy. The aftertaste has a slight burn like hot peppers but it has some spicy notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Add fizz and flavor to the mix with this spicy ginger meets citrusy pear concoction. A tantalizing beer on its own, pear ginger is also eager to bring a crisp tartness to your cocktail creations. Recipes and mixology at www.newbelgium.com

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

Pear Ginger Beer

Our latest Lips of Faith release updates the Victorian-era ginger beer with whimsical additions of pear and lemon peel, creating a zesty, invigorating summer sipper crafted for beer glasses and mixologists’ cocktail shakers alike. Warming, spicy ginger punctuates a lively wash of sunny lemon, pear and bready white wheat for a sip that starts sweet, but finishes with just the right amount of heat. Drink it straight, no chaser, or put a new spin on a classic gimlet—either way, shake it up this season with Pear Ginger Beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newbelgium.com

Twitter: @newbelgium

In the end, I have to be honest. I was not too sure how I was going to feel about this beer. This beer is pretty unique. I do not know of another beer like this in the market or in the craft beer world. I know their is ginger beers on the market. New Belgium took that beer style and made a beer that you can use to make mix drinks. i am not a fan of mix drinks and hard liquor, I like this beer. I just feel to me it is not worth the money. I believe there is some craft beer drinkers and beer drinkers that will enjoy this 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 New Belgium Porch Swing Single Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to sample a revisit of an old seasonal from New Belgium. It is Porch Swing Single Ale. Every sampler pack, New Belgium brings back a seasonal from the past is in it. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of New Belgium Brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this Belgian style single ale.

It has a clear golden color with a semi on white head on this ale. The smell has a sweet malty notes. The taste of this light to medium body has a sweet malty with a funky and spicy Belgian aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Porch Swing Single Ale completes our tribute to the trilogy of abbey style beers produced here and in Belgium. This single ale differentiates itself from our abbey and trippel ale with simplicity: forthright American Northwest hops rounded with a subtle, eatery Belgian yeast strain. Like the basic pleasure of swaying on a porch swing, this beer beckons you to kick back and enjoy a momentary sojourn away from demands and deadlines.

Porch Swing Single Ale completes our tribute to the trilogy of abbey style beers produced here and in Belgium. This single ale differentiates itself from our Abbey and Trippel ales with simplicity: forthright American Northwest hops rounded with a subtle, estery Belgium yeast strain. Like the basic pleasure of swaying on a porch swing, this beer beckons you to kick back and enjoy a momentary sojourn away from demands and deadlines.

Visual

Bright golden yellow, clear, hefty white foam with sticky lacing

Phenolic and bubblegum isoamyl acetate, light general fruitiness leaning towards citrus, and perfume. Slight herbal, peppery, and grassy. Underlying malty caramel. Overall aroma is delicate.

Flavor

Mild sweetness and bitterness are balanced with one another.

Mouthfeel

Smooth drinking with a crisp, slightly drying finish.

Body

ABV – 5.22%

IBU – 37

Calories – 158

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newbelgium.com

Twitter: @newbelgium

Closing,I have been liking New Belgium Brewery more and more of late. Every time a new sampler pack comes out with a revisit seasonal. I jump on it every time because it has been a while since I had that old seasonal or I never had it. Porch Swing Single Ale, you can see that it use to be an old spring seasonal. It is pretty light in body to give it a pretty drinkable with some favor. It is not my favorite but I can see what New Belgium Brewery was trying to do. It is pretty balance brew. I love malty notes. 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 New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale (2014)

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale. This beer was their fall seasonal back in 2007. Every season, New Belgium brings back seasonal back to life in their sampler pack. The sampler pack comes with two bottles each of three of their selected everyday beers. 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 New Belgium Brewery. Let us get into this Saison Ale.

It has a nice clear golden color with a nice white constant head. There is some nice small constant bubbles in middle of the beer. The aroma has a nice Belgian spicy notes. The taste has a nice refreshing citrus notes with some spice kick. The aftertaste has citrus finish. It is extremely drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewed with a yeast harvested from Belgium, our SAISON has a just-picked freshness reminiscent of the farm-house ales produced each fall in Blegium. Pale bronze in color, this delicately hopped ale has a bright, yeasty, artisanal quality worthy of toasting those long autumn sunsets.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newbelgium.com

Twitter: @newbelgium

Ending, I really love this beer and I wish it was still in six packs form. I love how this brewery change-up their seasonal every two to three years. It could be a good thing or a bad thing. If there is a seasonal that you are not a fan of it, you will be looking forward to the new one to come out. I love how they revisit some of their old seasonal in their sampler pack. This is a perfect and true to the classic saison style. It is not overly hop but it is not under hop. It is refreshing and keeps you coming back for more beer. I recommend this beer and their fall sampler pack. 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 Stowaway Saison Ale

While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Stowaway Saison Ale from Right Brain Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read my beer blog posts about their beers to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.

This Saison Ale has a clear golden color with a nice constant white head. The head of the beer has small bubbles. The aroma has Belgian spices with a citrus notes like lemon. The taste has a light carbonation Belgian spice with citrus notes. The finish is a refreshing slight hop aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

STOWAWAY
Style: Reclaimed Saison
ABV: 5.7%
A traditional Saison with a hazy golden color, fruit-forward aroma, crisp complex flavor, and mildly acidic finish. #RBB brewers cultivated the reclaimed yeast used for this beer over a span of 7-months.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter: @rightbrainbrew

In closing, I will be perfectly honest with you. I did not like this beer the first time I tried it. I had to try this beer one more time just because I love this brewery and I am a huge fan of them. I do not know if it was what I was eating or the beer I had before trying this beer. The second time that I have had this beer is a positive thought towards this beer. I really enjoyed this beer. I love the refreshing taste profile that this beer provides to the craft beer drinker. I love the hops used in this beer. I will be looking for this beer again on my next beer run or at my neighborhood bar. I highly recommend this beer if you are a light beer drinker or love your Saison Ales. 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 Saison Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to sample a new brew from Stone Brewery. It is their Saison Ale and it is just in time for the warm weather around the country. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this west coast brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this new Saison Ale.

It has a bright clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy lemon to citrus notes. The taste of this refreshing Saison has a light carbonation with a lemon to citrus notes. The aftertaste has a pepper finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

in spring 2011, Stone brought the farm, literally, taking over 19 acres of fertile Stouthern California soil where we now grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and more for our Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens restaurants. A taste of our homespun farm to tableism is provided in this farmhouse ale stoked with lemon zest, plus lemon thyme and lavender straight from Stone Farms. This spring to summer saison is citric and herbal on the infusion of fresh West Coast ingredients, this isn’t your everyday saison. It’s our saison 100% Stone. Celebrate the sunny season with an authentic taste of our farm and, with it, our commitment to quality.

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

First Release: April 2014

In spring 2011, Stone bought the farm, literally, taking over 19 acres of fertile Southern California soil where we now grow pristine fruits, vegetables, herbs and more for our Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens restaurants. A taste of our homespun farm-to-tableism is provided in this farmhouse ale stoked with lemon zest, plus lemon thyme and lavender straight from Stone Farms. This spring-to-summer saison is citric and herbal on the palate with a dry, peppery finish. Thanks to the infusion of fresh West Coast ingredients, this isn’t your everyday saison. It’s our saison—100% Stone. Celebrate the sunny season with an authentic taste of our farm and, with it, our commitment to quality.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stonebrew.com

Twitter: @StoneBrewingCo

In closing, I cannot think of a bad or not a good beer released from Stone Brewery Company. They are just like Sierra Nevada. This is a different pace for this brewery that is known for their IPA’s. I was pretty excited and happy to see this on the shelves at my local beer store. This is a different version of the classic beer style. I love the refreshing citrus notes with the awesome black pepper finish. I believe that makes this beer special is the aftertaste. I love the fact that they brew this for their farm that the Stone Brewery owns. It is a good back story. 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 Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second of three beers from Great Divide Brewing. It is their Colette Farmhouse Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this great Denver brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear bright yellow to golden color with constant small bubbles. There is yeast in the bottle that will change it from clear to cloudy. The head is a constant white. The smell is a slight farmhouse but a fresh farm smell. The taste of this light body ale has slight lemon with some spices with a spicy to lemon but refreshing finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Colette is our homage to the saisons that Belgian farm workers have enjoyed for centuries. Brewed with barley, wheat and rice and fermented at high temperatures with a special blend of four different yeast stains, Colette is fruity and slightly tart, with a dry finish that makes it that rarest of treats – a beer as refreshing as it is complex.

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

COLETTE is our homage to the saisons that Belgian farm workers have enjoyed for centuries. Brewed with barley, wheat and rice and fermented at high temperatures with a special blend of four different yeast strains, COLETTE is fruity and slightly tart, with a dry finish that makes it that rarest of treats — a beer as refreshing as it is complex.

ABV.: 7.3%

AVAILABLE: Year Round

SIZES: 6 packs, 5 gal and 15.5 gal kegs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.greatdivide.com

Twitter; @greatdividebrew

Ending, this is a pretty tricky ale to make for most craft breweries. There are several different Saisons on the market. It could be hoppy amber saison, hoppy saison, and a refreshing saison. This one to me is in the refreshing saison. It echos the classic beer style. It is well balance and gives everything that a saison fan is looking for in this beer style. I recommend you trying. 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

New Beer Blog Stillwater Artisanal Existent

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Stillwater Artisanal. The beer that will be feature is Existent. Brian Strumke founded Stillwater after retiring music producing. Brian did not own a brewery so he traveled to several different breweries and brew his beers using their equipment. He just like many other brewers like Evil Twin became rogue or gypsy breweries. He just brews Farmhouse Saison Ales. He would use different yeast or malts to make different Saisons. Brian has team up with several different breweries to make brews together. Stillwater has done a beer with Stone Brewing and Evil Twin Brewing. Let us get into the brew.

It is has a black color or dark deep brown color. There is a tan to light brown color head. The smell is a chocolate to farmhouse to it. The taste has a slight spicy to some chocolate notes. There is a slight dry coco or chocolate aftertaste finish. It is extremely drinkable.

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

Existent
Existent represents the philosophy behind Stillwater Artisanal. We strive to define ourselves through our passion and sincerity while accepting that not all aspects of life are readily explainable. To manifest this ideology we present an ale of intrigue. Deep & dark though deceptively dry, braced by a firm yet smooth bitterness and accented with an earthy hop and mild roast aroma. This is an ale for you to define..’and if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.’ –Nietzsche

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stillwaterales.blogspot.com

Twitter: @stillwaterales @twelve_percent

Closing out, I am pretty big fan of Saison Ales. I was pretty interested in this brewery and I have had several of his beers in the past. I do not know why I have not write on any in the past. The problem I have with this brewery is the fact he does one beer style. If you are good at one thing, you better stick to it. I love how he keeps doing different styles of the one beer styles. I also love the fact he teams up with other breweries to make other beer styles. I love this beer and this is why. It is dark and still has the Saison taste to it. I love the slight chocolate to smoke malts in this beer. I love the spicy notes. I highly recommend this beer and it is now available in 4pk 12oz bottles along with their Cellar Door and Stateside Saison. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery 90 Schilling Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewery. The beer that will be featured in this blog is their flagship called 90 Schilling Ale. If you read my beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this Colorado brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a deep copper and light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a malty with a slight coco to it. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty to it. The aftertaste is a sweet malty to it. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

90 Schilling is our flagship beer. Smooth and complex, 90 Schilling is a medium-bodied amber ale with a distinct burnished copper color and a deeply pleasant aroma. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. The name 90 Schilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

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

We introduced 90 Shilling, our flagship beer, at our opening party in 1989. For a while, we’d been wondering what would happen if we lightened up the traditional Scottish ale? The result is an irresistibly smooth and delicious medium-bodied amber ale. The name 90 Shilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

5.3% Alc. By Vol. 27 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter: @odellbrewing

Closing, I know I talked about this in one of my other beer blogs. There is not too many really good flagship. There are many that are really bad or average compare to the rest of their beer lineup. This beer is challenges that theory of mine and it is sets the brewery up really well. It shows the craft beer drinker that rest of their beers should be really good. There is a lot going on in this great brew. It fits where this brewery is located. I enjoyed it and I will have it again. I just wished they were in the Chicago market. I would rotate this in and out of my lineup. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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Pear Ginger Beer

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