Bridgeport

New Blog Starr Hill Amber Ale

While in DC for Savor, I had this beer at the Big Board in DC.  I saw this beer at the bottom of their list and it jumped out at me.  I did not know the brewery nor the beer.  Starr Hill Brewery was founded in 1999 by Mark Thompson in the state of Virginia.  I love their tag line they use for their brewery, which is “The Gift of Great Beer.”  They brew several different beer styles and they all sounds really good.  They are award-winning brewery.  There are several beers that are retired and they even sounds good.  I found this quarto on their website and then I will get into the beer.

Here is a quarto that I love from Mark Thompson on their website (www.starrhill.com):

“It is no secret that our mission is The Gift of Great Beer.  Every culture in the world has a fermented, cereal grain beverage that people use to sit around and talk.  I’m a steward of the product that enhances this things we call life.” ~ Mark Thompson

This beer is amber in color. Smells like sweet sweating socks in the beer. The taste of the beer is carbonation malty going on in it. It is a little water but this beer is very drinkable.  Starr Hill Amber is a great beer drinking experience throughout the drinking experience.

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

Irish Red Ale

Starr Hill Amber Ale is an award-winning Irish Red Ale. Brewed in the tradition of the great English ales, its rich honey color hints at its smooth, caramel flavoring. With a medium body and slightly sweet finish, this is an extremely drinkable brew that is characterized by rich malt taste and low bitterness.

This beer has won several awards and are the awards:

2001 Bronze Medal at Great American Beer Festival

2002 Bronze Medal at World Beer Cup

2005 Silver Medal at Great American Beer Festival

Here is their website and twitter address:

Website:  www.starrhill.com

Twitter:  @starrhill

Sad to look at an empty glass,  I really enjoyed this beer and it went awesome with my burger at the Big Board.  I love the drinkablity of this beer.  I really do not get into Amber Ales nor Irish Amber Ales but this is my first favorite Irish Amber Ale and Amber Ale.  Since I live in Chicago, I will be looking online to buy some to be shipped to my house.  Thank you Starr Hill Brewery for making a great Amber Ale that I really enjoyed.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Savor in DC 2012 Day Two (Story)

We are heading for lunch at Big Board. This place has wallstreet board for beer. The more beer is sold the cheaper the beer is throughout the day. This place has really bad services but food sounds good. The food was really good. The burgers and fries were off the chart. I was really hoping Slayer would have ate all the fries.

See Starr Hill Amber Ale for the beer blog.

We went to a brewpub that I wanted to try after lunch. The brewpub was called Old Dominion. I will have have a serparete blog for this brewpub.

See Old Dominion for about the brewpub and their beers.

For dinner, we went to Rosa Mexicano. It was an upscale restaurant in the city. I believe Kevin and Lolia picked this place. had the red snapper. Wow it was awesome just of a ton of favor. It was a nice time. After dinner, we were off to Savor. Of course, you know that story and dance.

New Blog Upland Dragonfly India Pale Ale

While in DC for Savor, this beer I had at Church Key Bar and Grill in DC.  Lolita had this beer first and I wished I order this beer as my first one.  It does not matter because I had the chance to have this great beer.  The beer I am talking about is Upland Dragonfly Ale.  Upland Brewery was founded in 1997 by Marc Sattinger, Russ Levitt and Dean LaPlante in Bloomington, Indiana.

This beer is a copper in color with a little head on it. It is piney to earthy in smell. It is a smooth sweet circus carbonation in taste. This beer is very drinkable brew.

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

India Pale Ale originated when the British Empire was at its height. British soldiers and civil servants were stationed all over the globe (including India), and regular ales could not survive the long journey by sea to reach them. The British solved this terrible dilemma by adding excessive amounts of hops to their beer–using the preservative properties of hops to increase the life of their beers.

Our Dragonfly India Pale Ale is true to this tradition, featuring seven hop additions to create a powerful hop profile. A solid malt base, however, tempers the bitter American hops, giving Dragonfly a balance not often found in this style. The end product is a well-balanced, malty beer with the crisp taste of hops and an exceptionally floral nose.

Here is their website and twitter address:

Website: www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter: @uplandbrewco

Empty beer glass, this is a very good beer.  I love drinking this beer.  It is very well made and balance for being an IPA.  This beer is very drinkable and sessional.  I just wished the Church Key Bar where I was at in DC had more beers from this brewery.  I will be hunting down more of their beers.  I will also be making a road trips to Indiana to visit the brewery, since, I live in the Chicago area.  If you live in the states where they sell their beers, I am jealous and you should try their beers.  Please let me know what you think about the beers.  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Troeg’s Nugget Nectar Ale

While in DC for Savor, I was really excited to see this beer on draft at the third bar, which was Church Key. The beer is called Troeg’s Nugget Nectar ale. I had a few brews from Troeg. I am kind of familiar with this brewery but let us get into the history of it. Troeg was founded in 1996 by John and Chris Trogner in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  They brew a wide range of beers but they central their brewing on seasonals and highend beers.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer is a copper color in the glasses. Nice earthy smell to the beer.  Nice sweet carbonation taste and a really bad aftertaste. I really do not not like this aftertaste. The beer is a well balance beer but once again the aftertaste kind of kills the romance of the beer experience. It is drinkable asides the aftertaste.

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

TASTING NOTES

Squeeze those hops for all they’re worth and prepare to pucker up: Nugget Nectar Ale, will take hopheads to nirvana with a heady collection of Nugget, Warrior and Tomahawk hops. Starting with the same base ingredients of our flagship HopBack Amber Ale, Nugget Nectar intensifies the malt and hop flavors to create an explosive hop experience.

FOOD COMPLIMENTS

Cheese (Sharp, Blue, and Cheddar); Meat (Beef and Poultry)

Serving Suggestions: Temp: 45-50° F

Glassware:  Pint Glass

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.troegs.com

Twitter: @troegs and @troegsbeer

At the bottom of the glass, I really hate to say it but I was really disappointed with the beer. The body of the beer is awesome but the aftertaste kills everything about this beer.  I get it most people like to have this aftertaste for their beer. I would recommend you trying this beer before taking my word.  I am just an idiot with many thoughts on the world. If you have had this beer, please let me know your thoughts on this beer. I really want to hear it. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

While in DC for Savor, there was a place we went to after lunch down the street. I had this beer from Dogfish Head Brewery called 60 Minute IPA Ale. If you read my earlier blog on Dogfish Head Pilsner, you a little bit about this brewery. Let us get into this brew.

This beer is clear yellow color in the glasses. There is no smell to the beer.  A little circus and carbonation taste to this beer.  For being an India Pale Ale, it is very drinkable and sessional.

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

60 Minute IPA is continuously hopped — more than 60 hop additions over a 60-minute boil. (Getting a vibe of where the name came from?)

60 Minute is brewed with a slew of great Northwest hops. A powerful but balanced East Coast IPA with a lot of citrusy hop character, it’s the session beer for hardcore enthusiasts!

Every Beer Has A Story…

In our Quick Sip Clip video below, Sam Calagione talks about the 60 Minute IPA. For some perspective, he compares this beer to its predecessor, 90 Minute IPA, and its big brother, 120 Minute IPA.

Sam stepped out of the brewery for the taping of this Quick Sip Clip and comes to us from the place where it all started: Dogfish Head, Maine.

Cheers!

Here is a few sources on the web to get information on Dogfish Head Brewery:

Website: www.dogfish.com

Twitter: @dogfishbeer

Closing, I hate to be very honest. I really did not like this beer at first drink, however, thinking about it, I really loved the drinkablity of this beer and the fact it is not overly hopped like most IPAs on the market. I would not say this is my favorite IPA but it is not the worse. Whenever, I think of Dogfish as far as IPAs, I always believe their IPAs will be hopped up but it is not the case. I respect all craft breweries but Sam is pushing the limits of beer drinkers. Go check this beer out. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Savor 2012 in DC Day One (Story)

Old Ebbitt Grill

It is an old school DC bar and grill. It is after work place and a traditional place. It has a nice beer selection and food. Nice place for lunch with my friends, who are Kevin, Slayer, Aphrodite, and Lolita.

See Heavy Sea Loose Cannon Ale for the beer blog.

J&G Steakhouse

For drinks in the sun talking about life. It is a little too hot here but just right. Asides that is a beautiful day.

See Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA for the beer blog.

We are going to Church’s Key for beers before dinner. I heard this place has a nice beer menu while sitting of the lobby of the hotel. Two old friends meet for the first time. Talking about moments that are long gone, it was a really good moment. The bar is packed with guests talking about their plans for the weekend in this fancy upscale hotel that looks like something out of the 1940s with a modern flare. This bar is packed with a nice lay back feeling to it.

See Troggers Nugget, Upland Dragonfly ale for the beer blog.

Marvin

We are to have dinner. It is very soulful in the food. This was some off the charts food. I was full but I could not stop eating it. Very good dinner.

See Brooklyn Brewery Sorachi Ace Ale for the beer blog.

There were many other places and many more beer. It was a great start to this trip. We will have Savor tomorrow and I will be visiting at least one brewpub in the city.

Cheers

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @ djweiser

New Blog Bridgeport Summer Squeeze Bright Ale

Starting a tap, we are going to talk about one of my favorite west coast breweries, who is called Bridgeport Brewery. The beer I will feature in this blog is their Summer Seasonal called Summer Squeeze Blonde ale. If you read my earlier blog on their Hop Czar, then you know a little something on this brewery.

It is light copper to yellow color. There is really no smell to this beer.  This beer is very refreshing and light in body with a slight carbonation in taste. This is a very drinkable beer during the summer. The fruit used in the brewing process is from Japan that , I bet you can taste it but it is hard if you never had the fruit.

Here is a description from the bottle:

Meet your new Summer Squeeze. The Refreshing brew infused with Lemongrass and Yuzu, the exotic Asian citrus fruit. The result is bright and crisp with a complex citrus finish. Perfect for hot summer days.

This is one summer crush you won’t soon forget.  Infused with Lemongrass and Yuzu.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.bridgeportbrew.com

Twitter: @bridgeportbrew

Closing the tap, I am not a fan of many summer beers but I will keep on trying them very year until I start liking them. This brew is different and I respect what the assistant brewmaster, who is Jeff Edgerton, was trying to do in this summer seasonal. I had a chance a few years ago to meet the brewmaster and talk to him about many of his brews. He ask me about this seasonal and I was a little too honest to him about it. What I said to him, I will say on this blog. It is very well made and there is a huge market for this beer. This beer is not my pint of beer. If you like wheat ales, american lagers, white ales, I recommend you hunting this beer down. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Summit Saga India Pale Ale

Starting a tap, we are going to explore a new brew from the Summit Brewing Company.  The new brew is called Summit Saga India Pale Ale.  Summit Brewing Conmpany was founded in 1986 by Mark Stutrud in St Paul, Minnesota.   It is nice to see this brewery trying to do something new in their beer portfolio.  When they started releasing their Unchained Series, there was a change in the air in the Summit Brewery.  They were doing beers that fit the St Paul area.  Now they are trying to grow even more in other areas of the states.  This beer is their second new beer this year. The first new one was their new Summer Ale replace their old seasonal, which was Summit Hefenizen Ale. Let us get into the beer.

It has a light copper color. It has a grapefruit to mango smell with a little spicy. The taste of the beer is of grapefruit and mango with a slight carbonation taste. This is a very drinkable beer. This is a slight different IPA then what is on the market.

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

Named after the Norse goddess Sága, drinking companion of the God Odin. With a divine tropical fruit hop aroma and clean, assertive bitterness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.summitbrewing.com

Twitter: @summitbeer

Closing the bar, I love this beer and I am happy to see this brewery doing something new and different. There are a few beers that from this brewery. I love their EPA, maibock, porter, winter ale, and oatmeal stout that I wish was package. The rest of their beers are average. This is my thought pattern not yours. Make sure you try their beers and draw your judgment on them. However, this beer to me has brought them back to the front of the line, I cannot wait to see how this beer does against rest of the beer market. Enjoy it! Drink it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:@djweiser

New Blog Redhook Long Hammer IPA

In this blog, the beer that will be featured is from Redhook Brewery and it is called Long Hammer IPA. This brewery was founded in 1981 by Paul Shipman and Gordon Bowker in Seattle, Wa. This brewery is known to have all of their beers be very drinkable for any event and time of the year.

This beer in the glass is a light copper color. The smell is citrus to almost earthy.  The taste of the beer is of carbonation to some citrus drinkable and able to drink it all day. It might be drinkable but it is not well balance. I feel the hoppies over take everything.

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

The generous addition of hops both during and at the end of the fermentation process (dry-hopping) gives our India Pale Ale its characteristic bitterness and piney citrus aroma and flavor.  The medium body, crisp finish, and moderate alcohol and IBU levels makes this one of America’s most drinkable and best-selling IPAs.

Style………………….India Pale Ale

Abv…………………….6.5%

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Malts…………………Pale, Caramel, MunichHops…………………..Alchemy, Cascade, WillametteColor SRM………….8.5–>IBUs…………………..44.0

IBUOriginal Gravity..14.4 degrees plato

Brewed Since………1984

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.redhook.com

Twitter: @redhook_brewery

In closing, this brewery was one of the first breweries that had me hooked on craft beer world. I use to drink their ESB (Extra Special Bitter) all the time. From there, I started to try other craft beers from other craft breweries. I want to thank this brewery for showing me the light on good beer. I like this beer for its drinkable but I believe it is not well balance and over hopped. It does not have enough malt backbone to it. I love this beer in the can but I will not buy it all the time. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Hop Happy India Pale Ale

Starting another tap, we are going to talk about another beer from the Milwaukee Brewing Company and it is called Milwaukee Brewing Hop Happy India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blogs on this brewery, you will know the history of it.  Let us get into the beer now.

This beer is a beautiful copper tone to it in the glass. It has a nice earthy to piney smell to the beer. As far as the taste of the beer, it is very smooth and well balance for being an India Pale Ale.  A nice sweet carbonation taste in the beer with a slight circus kick in it. Aftertaste has the nice dry earthy hop snap to it.

Here is a description of the beer from the website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Brewed with three different kinds of hops, this IPA is balanced by the oats added to the mash. The oats not only add an unexpected sweetness, but also a heavier mouthfeel.

Here is a video about the beer from their website (www.mkebrewing.com) also:

http://youtu.be/KHbJ5StqoI4

Here is a few spots where you can get some information on this brewery:

Website: http://www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter: @mkebrewco

Last call, I really enjoy many of the beers that this brewery makes in their lineup. I love this beer for many reason but mainly because it is not overly hoppy like most IPAs out now. Plus, this beer is very drinkable for any season. Go hunt this beer down and let me know what you think of the beer. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast

Twitter: @djweiser