beer taste

New Beer Blog Ommegang Brewery Glimmerglass Spring Saison

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out the new Spring Seasonal from Ommegang Brewery.  It is called Glimmerglass Spring Saison.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Cooperstown Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Spring Seasonal.

This Saison has a slight cloudy yellow color with a constant white head.  The aroma has a refreshing malty, hop, and hint of pepper.  The taste has a light carbonated malty to fruit notes with a nice pepper finish for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Glimmerglass – The name given to our lake by James Fenimore Cooper – is a beautiful body, nested between gentle mountains, it reflects any object held up to it, just as it reflects our joy at the arrival of each spring.  To help celebrate, our new spring saison offers a perfect balance of maltiness and hops, with a touch of yeasty fruitness and whiff of pepper.

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

Glimmerglass

Author James Fenimore Cooper gave the name ‘Glimmerglass’ to the beautiful body of water that graces Cooperstown. Nestled between gentle mountains, it reflects any object held up to it, just as it reflects our joy at the arrival of each spring.

Deep straw to light amber in color with a thick, pure white head. The saison yeast strain gives off fruity aromas of pear, apple and slight citrus balanced with a delicate floral hop character and a touch of spiciness. Taste is very clean, with pronounced fruit flavors, delicate bready malt followed by welcomed spicing. Crisp finish with lingering yet subtle notes of yeast and touches of fruity pepper.

Available for a limited time each Spring in 12oz bottles and 1/2 bbl kegs.

5.4% ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter:  @breweryommegang

Closing, I love pretty much all the beers that Ommegang Brewery.  I had the chance to visit the brewery over a weekend and I had a ton of fun.  I love the brewery tour and had a chance to try rest of their line up of beers.  I have to call like it is for this brew.  Ommegang Brewery needs to open their eyes and see what is going on in the beer industry.  How many more saisons do we need from you or in the market?  I get this saison is a little different than their everyday one, which is their Hennepin Ale.  This beer is below average for their standards. They have done a great job on the Games Of Thornes beers.  I just feel that the market is not looking for another saison.  I have to say this is a good to great beer.  I love how much flavor is in it.  I love the pepper notes in the aftertaste.  I like it until I realize how much I paid for it.  Their beers are great.  I just feel they do not live up to the price you paid at retail.  It is not the case for all their beers.  Please, keep that in mind.  I recommend you trying this beer and the rest of their beers.  Let me know your thoughts on this Spring Saison.  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 Summer Helles

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample the new summer seasonal from New Belgium.  It is their Summer Helles Lager.  It is a beer brewed for a music festival in the Denver area.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clean bright golden color with a nice constant white head.  The aroma has notes of corn.  The taste has light carbonated corn to earthy notes with a nice lager crisp finish.  It is a drinkable beer.

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

Light, bright and easy drinking, now is your chance to drink in the festival season. First brewed to celebrate 40 years of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, it has since become Planet Bluegrass’ signature New Belgium offering (under the name Summer Bliss). This Summer Helles pours a brilliant gold, with soft, white foam. The aroma is fresh grains and honey with a spicy-herbal twang. This danceable lager carries the pleasant sweetness of pale and German Pils malts, and levels off with the light and noble bitterness of Hallertau and Tettnang hops. Summer Helles finishes crisp and dry, and is sure to refresh even the thirstiest reveler. Grab your banjo, crack a bottle and let the pickin’ shine.

Planet Bluegrass (located in Lyons, Colorado) was decimated by September 2013’s record flooding. New Belgium is donating $10,000 this year to Planet Bluegrass for rebuilding. You can help by volunteering or donating. Visit lyonsfightsback.com for more information.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, I have become a pretty huge fan of this craft brewery of late.  It just seems ever since I moved back to Michigan.  My mind has opened up and realized that I am drinking some good brews.  I was excited to hear that they were coming out with a new Summer Seasonal.  When I saw the beer style, I knew I had to try it as soon as it came out.  I am a huge fan of Helles Lagers.  It is old German beer style.  It is light to medium body with a nice refreshing notes.  It has a nice crisp finish to it.  It is a perfect beer for any season but good for the spring and summer seasons. I believe the hops in this beer makes this beer what it is.  I love the notes from the aroma and taste profile.  I highly recommend you trying this lager.  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 Arcadia Sky High Rye

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to try Sky High Rye Ale from Arcadia Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, do so to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden color with a nice presentation of small bubbles.  It has a white constant head.  The smell is extremely fated. I cannot pick it up aroma notes.  The taste has a light rye to other spice notes.  The aftertaste is a heavy rye notes.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Description

This West Coast-style Pale Ale is brewed with 80% English barley malt and 20% rye malt. It boasts a massive floral aroma of resinous hops, contributing notes of lemons, peaches and pine needles and anchored by sweet, malty flavor of toffee and freshly-baked pumpernickel bread.

Style

Rye Beer

ABV

6.0%

IBUs

55

Here is their website and twitter:

Website:  www.arcadiaales.com

Twitter:  @ArcadiaAles

Closing, I really did like this beer because it is a little different from the classic pale ale beer style.  Overall, I am not a huge fan of this brewery and most of their beers.  I love the rye spicy notes but not over the top like most rye ales.  There is a nice balance in this beer.  It is pretty refreshing brew.  I like this beer but it is not at the top of my list as far as rye ales.  I have had better rye ales.  This is a great beer and I recommend 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 Original Gravity Primordial Porter

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample the very first beer ever made by Original Gravity.  It is their Primordial Porter.  There is not much history from this Michigan craft brewery.  I know they are going to be celebrity their sixth year being in business.  Let us get into this porter.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan color head.  The aroma has hints of chocolate and coffee notes.  The taste has a chocolate to coffee notes with a dry cocoa aftertaste finish.  It is a kind of drinkable to sipping porter.

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

**PRIMORDIAL PORTER
 The very first beer brewed at Original Gravity Brewing Company. Primordial Porter is a full flavored Robust style Porter. Almost black in color with a complex malt profile that exhibits a smooth balance between chocolate, coffee and roasted flavors.
O.G = 1.064 –6.0%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ogbrewing.com

Twitter:  No Address

In the end, I am a huge fan of porters, stouts, pale ales, and IPA’s.  I have never ran into a bad porter maybe not a really good one.  I was pretty excited to see this brewery on draft at my craft beer bar.  I have been wanting to try their beers for some time since moving back to Michigan.  I have had their Southpaw IPA and I really enjoyed it.  This lives up to the classic porter style.  It is heavy with some nice chocolate notes and hints of coffee.  It is full of flavor and I enjoyed it.  I love this porter and I just wish I could find it in package.  I am looking forward to visiting their brewery here soon.  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 OddSide Ales Bean Flicker Blonde

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Bean Flicker Blonde from Odd Side Ales.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to get to know this upcoming Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this unique Blonde Ale.

It has a clear golden color with a big white constant head.  The aroma had a slight coffee bean notes.  The taste has a smooth and creamy coffee notes.  The aftertaste has a crisp coffee finish.  It is s nice session coffee blonde for any season of the year. The coffee is not overpowering and do not let coffee notes in this beer fool you.

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

Looks can be deceiving! This satisfying simulation of self exploration is sure to surprise your pallet. It’s an extremely smooth sessionable coffee blonde. So light a candle and enjoy the adventure this beer has to offer. 4.5%ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  No Address

Closing, this blonde ale looks like one thing but it really something else.  Yep, I just said it.  I love the smell of coffee and taste profile is nice.  The coffee is not in your face like most porters or stouts.  It is a nice coffee notes that is strong enough but weak. It is not overpowering ale.  The coffee is like a creamy and I believe that is why this beer works.   I am pretty stun this beer came out good.  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 Jolly Pumpkin Saison Z (Cask Ale)

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While at the Michigan Cask Fest, I had a chance to try a very special beer from Jolly Pumpkin.  It is Saison Z.  I guess they do not release this beer to the public that much.  This is my second beer from this brewery on this blog.  If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Jolly Pumpkin.  Let us get into this awesome soul ale.

It had a cloudy brownish color with a constant off white color head.  The aroma has a sour notes.  The taste has a heavy sour notes with a nice warm sour finish.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.jollypumpkin.com

Twitter:  @jollypumpkina2 and @jollypumpkin

Closing out,  I had a chance to try this beer as a cask ale.  It is a real ale and the true way to drink any beer in the world.  This beer was something else and it is in a good way.  I love the taste profile but it was not overly sour like most sour ales.  It was just right for my taste buds.  I had to go back a few times because I enjoyed it so much.  If you hear this beer being any event, I would drop everything to get your hands on it.  I wish it was packaged and was available a little bit more.  It is very rare and I am honor to be one of the few to have tried it at this event.  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 Nighttime (Cask Ale)

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While at the Michigan Cask Ale Fest, we are going to sample Nighttime Ale from Lagunitas.  This is the first this beer made it to Michigan.  It is in a Cask Barrel.  This is the true form and best way to drink beers.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this west coast and midwest craft brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Lagunitas Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a nice dark brown color with a nice white creamy head.   The aroma has slight chocolate to earthy notes.  The taste has a chocolate, earthy, and alcohol notes with nice alcohol burn bite for the aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  @lagunitasbeer

In the end, I had a great time at Ashley’s Westland for their Cask Ale Fest.  I was pretty excited to see this beer and had a chance to talk to the brewery rep.  I was spoiled living in Chicago for many years.  There beers were everywhere.  Here in Michigan, I have a hard time finding their beers in the bars.  I have no problem finding their beers in liquor stores. I have a go to store. I love my black IPA’s and I had to jump on this beer.  I did not know how long this beer would last during the event.  I had this beer in package before but this time it was in a cask barrel.  I have to say the color is a little lighter and better.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be looking for it in bottle here soon.  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 Sweetwater Brewery IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample IPA from Sweetwater Brewery.  I am a huge fan of this southern craft brewery.  I am happy and honor to review four of their beers on my blog finally.  It took me a long time to get a few bottles in my hands.  Sweetwater was founded in 1997 by Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerny in Atlanta, Georgia.  They brew several different beer styles and I am pretty impressed thar they have only two retired beers.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with a nice constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma has floral to piney notes.  The taste has a light carbonation with hints of piney and earthy notes.  The aftertaste has a piney to earthy notes that do not last long.  It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This Mammoth IPA is dry hopped to the gills, delivering a kick-you-in-the-teeth hop chop.  This beer is unfiltered and, as always with Sweetwater’s brews, unpasteurized to leave all the natural flavors intact.

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

This mammouth India Pale Ale is loaded with intense hop character and subjected to an extensive dry-hopping process. Our IPA is unfiltered, leaving all the natural flavors intact.

The Beer You’ve Been Training For.

Specs – 6.3% ABV, 16oz can singles, 6-packs, 12-packs (12oz cans and bottles), 15.5 Gallon 1/2Bbl kegs (US Sankey), 5 gallon torpedo kegs

Grains – 2-Row, Munich, Wheat, 70/80
Hops – Chinook, Cascade, Columbus finished with Simcoe, US Golding

Awards – Best IPA in the Country – Judges Choice AJC March 09

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

Closing, I had this beer in my beer months that was years back when I first moved to Chicago.  I have been searching and trying to trade to get some Sweetwater Brewery.  This brewery makes some great beers and I wish they would make it more north.  I do not know how well they will do but I know I will be buying them.  I love the aroma and taste profile.  This beer has a strong and well build malty backbone that cuts through the hops.  I highly recommend this beer if you can find 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 Southern Tier Farmer’s Tan IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Farmer’s Tan IPA from Southern Tier.  This is the frist time Southern Tier has appear on this blog.  Southern Tier was founded in Lakewood, New York in 2002.  The brewery was founded by Phineas DeMink and Allen Yahn.  They brew several different beer styles and has expanded their brewery a few times to keep up with demand.  This brewery continues to grow to this day.  Last year, they broke ground on a new brewhouse.  Let us get into this Session IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this session IPA.  The aroma has a floral to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus notes with a nice dry hop aftertaste.  It is an extremely drinkable to crushable beer.

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

When the sun hangs high overhead and the stars don’t glimmer until well into the evening, there’s nothing better than grabbing another beer. We specially crafted Farmer’s Tan to be the beer you enjoy on those long summer days. At 4.6% abv, it’s one of our lightest, with a smooth body and easy finish. We carefully limited the ingredients to two types of hops and two types of malts for a perfectly balanced, “sessional” India Pale Ale. We’ve got the beer covered. It’s up to you to keep the sunscreen on.

ABOUT THE NAME: Pardon any confusion on the recycled name as this version of Farmer’s Tan is indeed a brand new beer. Long-time Southern Tier fans may remember it as an Imperial Pale Lager, brewed as a summer seasonal (2010-2012). Farmer’s Tan 2014 is a wholly new beer and is different in every way, save for the name.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Particularly tasty when paired with hot dogs, burgers and grilled foods. Cheddar and derby cheeses, pizza and summer fare.

AVAILABILITY: Spring/summmer / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / ½ keg, 1/6 keg

BOTTLE CONDITIONED: “For bottle conditioning, a small amount of sugar and yeast is added to the beer so that a small fermentation occurs in each bottle after packaging. This small fermentation does two important things: (1) it contributes carbonation to the beer and (2) it scavenges any residual oxygen that may have gotten into the beer during packaging. By further reducing the oxygen content of our packaged beer, the shelf stability of the beer is improved, making it taste fresher, longer. Bottle conditioning does result in a small amount of sediment in each bottle. This sediment is just brewer’s yeast and is completely harmless, tasteless, and odorless. If you’d rather not see it floating around in your glass, be sure to not agitate the bottle before serving, pour carefully, and leave a few milliliters in the bottom of the bottle at the end of the pour.”

ABOUT THE BEER
STYLE: Session India Pale Ale
BREWED SINCE: 2014
ABV: 4.6%
FERMENTATION: Ale yeast, two varieties of hops, two types of malts
COLOR: Pale Amber
EFFERVESCENCE: Generous
NOSE: Citrus, floral.
FLAVOR: Light hops, refreshing.
BITTERNESS: Medium-Low
BODY: Light, refreshing
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 40-45°F
GLASS: pint glass
 AVAILABILITY: Spring/summer / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / 1/2 keg, 1/6 keg
CELLARING: 40-45°F

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

In closing, I had several beers from this brewery.  I have to say I love their IPA’s but the rest of their beers.  I really do not know how I feel about them.  I know their Pumpking that I could do without in my world.  I know many people enjoy that beer and there is nothing wrong with it.  I was at my local craft beer bar and I saw this on draft.  I did not  have to look at the rest of the beer menu.  As many of you know, session IPA’s are growing at a rapid rate.  It seems like there is a new one hitting the market everyday.  The new ones are better than the last one.  This one topped Sierra Nevada Nooner IPA or tied in my world.  I really enjoyed this beer and love the hop notes.  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 New Holland Brewery Imperial Hatter India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Imperial Hatter India Pale from New Holland Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Winter Seasonal, which is Cabin Fever, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please read it to get to know this Western Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial IPA.

It has a cloudy dark copper with a constant white head.  The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes.  The taste has a heavy grapefruit notes with a dry malty and hop bitter aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

An assertively dry-hopped nose is followed by a bitter symphony of flavor.  Bold hop character with lively grapefruit notes.

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

Description

Assertive dry-hopping provides an aromatic telltale nose, indicative of the robust, bitter symphony to follow. Bold hop character with lively grapefruit and citrus notes.

Beer Style Imperial IPA

Degrees Plato 20

Alcohol by Volume 9.40%

IBUs 76

Grains 2-row, munich, crystal, carapils

Hops Centennial, Cascade, Warrior

Yeast American Ale

First Brewed2007

Pairings Spicy heat, citrus and aged blue cheese

Here is their website and twitter addreses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

This is my second New Holland brewery beer review on this blog.  I have had several of their beers.  They are good beers but I just feel there are better brews out there.  I am a huge hophead and I saw this brew when I was beer shopping.  I thought sure why not.   I love the hops they picked.  I was pretty excited about it.  I have to say I am pretty impressed.  It is better then rest of the beers I have had from them.  I will going to have to retry their beers again in the near future.  I love the hops and nice malty backbone.  The backbone is a little weak but strong enough to live with the bold hop selection.  I highly recommend this beer and I would love to hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13