brown ale

New Beer Blog Brau Brothers Brewery Alternative Imperial Alt

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Alternative Imperial Alt from Brau Brothers Brewery for the first time on this blog.  There is not much history on this brewery.  I do know they are from Marshall, Minnesota.  They seem like a younger craft brewery.  Let us get into this Alt.

It has a nice cloudy dark brown color with a nice constant tan color head. The aroma has a sweet malty, candy, and alcohol notes. The taste has a sweet malty to alcohol notes with sweet alcohol aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.braubeer.com

Twitter:  @braubeer

Closing, I went into my local craft beer store and saw this on the shelf.  I was pretty curious.  I love Alts but imperial alt.  Oh my god!  I had to pick up a bottle.  This beer is a great brew for some of these winter days here in Michigan.  I love the alcohol notes.  There is some nice sweet malty notes.  I went back to the store and I did not see it.  I did not see it on their website.  I believe this is an in and out brew.  They did a great job on this beer.  I highly 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 Ommegang Games Of Thrones Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the next installment of the Games Of Thrones from Ommegang Brewery.  It is Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Dubbel ale.

It has a cloudy amber color with a constant tan color head. The smell has a sweet malty to candy notes. The taste has a sweet malty to candy notes. The aftertaste has a sweet malty to slight alcohol finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Tasting Notes

Valar Morghulis possesses a deep chestnut brown color with a persistent and creamy tan head. Rich aromas of caramel, toffee, ripe fruits and burnt sugar, with a hint of cloves. The taste is delicately balanced with rich malty sweetness, caramel and just enough bitterness to balance out its malty backbone. A surprisingly dry finish is light on the tongue, which belies the initial aroma.

  • Malt: Our carefully crafted mixture of specialty malts.
  • Sugar: Dark Candi
  • Hops: Apollo, Hallertau Spalt
  • Spices: None
  • ABV: 8.0%
  • Available on draft and in 750ml bottles.

Pair with savory dishes, roasted lamb or beef, marinated roasts and grilled venison. Strong cheeses such as Stilton, Gorgonzola and smoked cheddar will match well against the malty body.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter:  @breweryommegang

In the end, I always get excited when these beers are released from Ommegang.  I love their beers but there are times when they put one out a beer that I just feel it is not worth the price.  The beer is good but not worth the price.  Overall, they make some killer beers.  This brew is really good and it will sell because of the Games Of Thrones.  It is kind like their Abbey. I just feel like it is missing something. It is a little different brew.  If you can find it, I highly 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 Frambozen Ale (2014)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into their holiday beer from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Frambozen Ale.  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 them to get to know New Belgium Brewery.  Let us get into this American Brown ale.

It has a clear ruby-red color when held up to the light. The smell has a heavy sweet raspberry notes. The taste has a sweet malty with raspberry wine notes. The brown ale calms wine notes. The aftertaste has a sweet raspberry finish. It is a nice sipping but kind of drinkable beer for the holiday season.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Flemish for “raspberry,” Frambozen is our big, luscious celebration of the ruby-red fruit. We discovered the perfect marriage between the fruity complexity of northwestern raspberries and the rich chocolate, roasted maltiness of a Brown Ale. Frambozen pours a warming, deep red of seasonal festivity.

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

Frambozen begins with the aroma of fresh red raspberries, followed by the ripe seductiveness of a fruity brown ale with depth and delicate malt notes. It is deep ruby in color, with flavors just as rich. Every year, New Belgium sends a delegate to the Pacific Northwest to oversee the process of turning freshly picked berries into a pure juice to be added in fermentation. The coming of Thanksgiving at New Belgium is ushered in with the first sighting of our cellar operators scuttling about, covered head to tow in a festive crimson berry wash.

Here is their website and twitter:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, I have been wanting to try this so many seasons.  I miss it season after season.  I saw it on the shelf this winter season.  I knew I had to pick it up right away.  I knew the raspberries would go over pretty well with the brown ale.  This is before trying this brew.  I love the nice color.  It has that Flemish Brown color but it is not a sour.  I love it. There is a nice balance from the raspberries and the brown ale.  It kind of has a little wine like notes which is a little unique.  This is by far the best winter seasonal on the market this season.  I highly 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 Magic Hat Snow Roller Hoppy Brown Ale (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample the new winter seasonal from Magic Hat Brewery.  It is called Snow Roller Hoppy Brown Ale.  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 this craft brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a clear brown color with a nice white head on this brown ale. The aroma has a fated nutty notes. The taste has a nutty notes with a hoppy malty dry finish for the aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable winter ale.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavored beer is a performance to behold.  Our mysterious melange of time-honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry humble patience, and blind faith to create this unique beer to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits.  Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (www.magichat.net):

Winter calls for walls of white and the Snow Roller begins his work. Riding in on wicked winds, he dusts the naked trees and covers the brown barren fields that gasp a bitter breath at the touch of snow. No place is left free of flurry by his icy surf, save for those gathered together in good spirits. Bundle up and let the Snow Roller take your soul for a roll.

Snow Roller rides a brisk hop wind that blows a bold bitterness across malt flavors of caramel and toasted biscuit.

Malts: Pale, Victory, Chocolate, Caramel 40L, Caramel 120L
Hops: Apollo, CTZ

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, this is beyond their best seasonal beer.  It is perfect for the season and it is kind of same as some of the winter seasonal but still unique to separate itself from the rest on the market. They are feeding the current theme in the craft world and it is hops and hoppy beers.  This is what makes this beer special.  It has a nice hoppy notes with malty to caramel notes.   I enjoyed this beer and I am looking forward to having a few more pints of this awesome liquid.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser16

New Beer Blog Goose Island Festivity Ale (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into the latest version of Goose Island Christmas Ale.  This year the brewery has rename the brew to Festivity Ale.  They felt calling it Christmas Ale that after the holiday, people stop drinking and buying it.  They are correct.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Goose Island Brewery.  Let us get into this winter ale.

This brown ale has a nice bronze to brown color with an off white to light tan color head. The smell has a caramel with a slight floral notes. The taste has a creamy caramel with a dry nutty aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brown Ale

Caramel and dark fruit malt flavors swirl inside a creamy toasty brown ale.

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

Festivity Ale

Brewer’s Notes

Every year we brew a brown ale to celebrate the holidays. To make each year’s special, we alter the recipe. This year we wrapped caramel and dark fruit malt flavors inside a creamy toasty brown ale. May your holidays be filled with Festivity.

Recipe Information

  • Style: Classic Ales – Seasonal
  • Alcohol by Volume: 7.7%
  • International Bitterness Units: 50
  • Color: Ruby Brown
  • Hops: Pilgrim, English Golding
  • Malts: Special Pale, Bon Munich, Caramel-60, Caramel-120, Rice Hulls, ECJ Sugar

    • Availability

    Seasonal (November – December)


    Available
    Bottles: 6 Pack

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Ending, every year, I get excited for Fall and Winter seasonals.  This beer is normally at the top of my list.  I will say the last few years.  I have been pretty disappointed with this American Brown Ale.  This year has been promising for the future years.  Goose Island is known to change the recipe slightly every year.  I love this year’s ale.  They did a great job.  It is so much better than last year.  This beer will have the malt head of the world wishing for more of this ale.  I highly 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 Bell’s Best Brown Ale (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the fall seasonal from Bell’s Brewing.  It is Best Brown Ale.  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 this midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a cloudy brown to dark brown color with a tan constant color head. The smell has a slight malty, nutty, and toffee notes.  The taste has a sweet malty to nutty notes with a dry toffee aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

A smooth, toasty brown ale, Best Brown Ale is a mainstay in our fall lineup. With hints of caramel and cocoa, the malt body has the depth to stand up to cool weather, but does not come across as heavy. This balancing act is aided by the generous use of American hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @bellsbrewery

In the end, It is a nice English brown ale. There is not too many really good English style brown ales from an American Craft breweries.  I like it.  I know Brooklyn Brown Ale and Goose Island Nut Brown Ale are around.  Brooklyn version is pretty weak and not very good but Goose Island try to match the Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale, which was the first brown ale ever made.  I love that Goose Island Nut Brown Ale.  Too bad, they do not make that beer anymore.  There is a nice English Brown Ale from Frankenmuth Brewery that is Brewpub only brew.  Brown Ales are a tough sell in the spring and summer.  When the fall and winter season, it is a little easier.  Now a days, most craft beer drinkers want everything but a brown ale and in most part lagers.  This is a good English Brown Ale.  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 Blog Right Brain Brewery Flying Squirrel Brown Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample the fall seasonal, which is Flying Squirrel Brown Ale, from Right Brain Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Right Brain Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a dark brown color with an off white to tan color head on this American brown ale.  The aroma has a roasted malty to nutty notes with a slight caramel notes.  The taste has a smooth to creamy malty and nutty notes.  The aftertaste has a nutty crisp finish.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

One quiet summer night, a lone beer lover was relaxing on his front porch with his favorite brew, when he noticed something darting through the trees above his head.

When he stepped into the darkness to investigate, a mysterious shape swooped down from above, narrowly missing his head (and scaring the crap out of him).  He knew immediately what it was.  Hence the legend of the flying squirrel was born.

Expect mild chocolate and hops aromas, deep colored body, and subtle roasty notes with a satisfying hoppy finish.

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

FLYING SQUIRREL
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: 5.7%
A Traditional American Brown Ale with chocolate and roasty notes leading towards a clean and mild hop finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In the end, I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have always looking for their next seasonal to hit the shelves.  I was happy to see their brown ale came back to the market.  I love the story on this brew that I found on the beer bottle.  They put together a nice package but I wish it was available in four pack 16oz cans or six-pack bottles.  I am not going to complain because it is back for another great fall season.  I love the color tones on this beer.  I love the aroma but I did not pick up any chocolate notes that is noted on the bottle.  I will have to pick up another bottle just to check it out again.  I love the creamy tasting profile.  I really enjoyed this beer.  I highly 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 Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog,  we are going to get into the second beer from Sierra Nevada Brewery’s Fall Pack.  It is former fall seasonal and it is their Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, 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 brown ale.

It has a clear dark brown color with a white constant head.  The smell has a malty to nutty notes.  The taste has a slight sweet malty to nutty notes with a peanut butter finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description  from the beer bottle:

Tumbler is our take on the classic brown ale – full of roasted malt flavor but delicate on the palate and perfect for crisp fall days.  Layered with notes of chocolate and toasted bread and a hint of smoke.  Tumbler is the ultimate autumn beer.

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

TumblerRoasted, rich, and perfect for an autumn afternoon.

Tumbler is our take on the classic brown ale – full of roasted malt flavor but delicate on the palate and perfect for crisp fall days. Layered with notes of chocolate and toasted bread and a hint of smoke, Tumbler is the ultimate autumn beer, so grab a seat and watch as the leaves come tumbling down.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Closing, I love this beer and I wish I could get it in a 12pk again.  I love Flipside but it is not like Tumbler Brown.  It is a nice relaxing beer to have in a nice fall day.  It is not overly dry malt to nutty notes.  It has a nice balance that you can enjoy it during the Saturday or Sunday football games.  This brown ale can fit perfectly with any tailgating food.  They kept this true to the classic beer style.  There is nothing more to say but it is a great beer.  I highly 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 Atwater Brewery In The Park

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In this beer blog, we are going to talk about my visit at Atwater Brewery In The Park.  I did not take tasting notes but I will talk about the food and kind of what I had to drink.  I also will talk about my experience there.  If you have read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this dining and drinking experience.

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Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

Ending, I know there is other craft breweries using churches as their brewery.  I know there is one in Pennsylvania. I have never been there.  I would love to go.  I will be the first to say that I am not a fan of this brewery but I wanted to check out this new brewpub in the Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  I might not like the beer from the brewery but I like going to brewpubs.  Sometimes, it might be the traveling that might be have an effect on the beer.  The staff is super nice and helpful.  The inside and outside area is very welcoming to their guests.  They have two beer menus.  One is beers that are brewed there and the other list is brewed at their main brewpub.  I had two beers exclusive to the brewpub there.  I had their Poorboy, which was a smoked porter, and Black IPA.  I love these two beers and I was pretty impressive.  I believe the main brewmasters need to look at some of these beers being made at this  brewpub.  The other two were Detroit Pale Ale and Bloktoberfest.  I kind of like Bloktobeerfest.  It is true to the beer style but I felt it was a little light for the style.  Pale ale, I just felt it was a little weak on the hop and not strong malty backbone.  I had two more that were not on any of these photos.  I had GP IPA and Scherthing Cream Ale.  These beers are part of the exclusive to Grosse Pointe brewery.  The food came out.  It was a German theme food menu.  I love apps we order.  It was a basket of Pretzels.  They were awesome.  There were different sizes with cheese and honey mustard, which were homemade there.  There is a spicy mustard that was also made there.  The main course was Turkey Burger with fries.  I loved it.  It was cooked just right and I love the spices.   Overall, I had a great time and I will be back.  I would love to try all the exclusive beers brewed there.  I will be upfront and honest.   I am not a fan of their everyday beers.  There beers brewed there need to be packaged. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13