calfornia

New Beer Blog Anchor Brewery Christmas Ale (2015)

In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Anchor Brewery. It is this year’s version of their Christmas Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this California craft brewery. Let us get into this Winter Ale.

It has a black color with constant tan color head. The smell has a sweet malty to light alcohol with a hint of chocolate to coffee notes. The taste of this medium body beer has a dry malty to slight coffee notes. The aftertaste has a dry malty with a hint of alcohol notes. It is a sipping beer

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

This is the forty-first annual Christmas Ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

Our tree for 2015 is the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), better known as the California Christmas Tree. Native of the Himalayas, it takes its name from the ancient Sanskrit devadaru, meaning timber of the gods. This coniferous evergreen, with its gracefully droopy branches and blue-green needles, has been a San Francisco favorite for over 150 years.

The annual search for the perfect tree for our Christmas Ale label usually takes us far afield. This one began and ended with the search for a parking space near the Brewery! Getting out of the car, we couldn’t help but notice the way the late-afternoon sun danced amid the branches of two lovely Deodars just half a block from Anchor’s front door.

Our longtime label artist Jim Stitt—who has been drawing trees for us since 1975—loved “our” Deodars and, like us, was amused that they were about as local as local gets! His charming illustration evokes the radiant beauty of our arboreal neighbors as well as the spirit of the season. Cheers from the Anchor brewers!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.anchorbrewing.com

Twitter: @anchorbrewing

In the end, this beer is like a tradition of going home for the holiday. I always pick up a six pack of this beer every year. I will be honest right now. I was not a fan of the last few years. I love this years. This year’s just blew me out of my mind. It is very well balance. I love the how it is pretty dry. 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 Flipside Red IPA

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another past fall seasonal from Sierra Nevada Brewery. It is their Flipside Red IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this legendary craft brewery. Let us get into this red IPA.

It has a dark red color with a white constant head. The aroma has a malty to citrus notes. The taste has a citrus to hints of tropical notes. The aftertaste has a bitter tropical finish. It is an extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Flipside Red IPA is a rebuttal to the mild-mannered beers of summer. Tropical fruit and citrus hop flavors from the use of whole – cone Citra, Simcoe, and Centennial hops are the perfect notes for this in – between season.

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

Flipside^® Red IPA

A hop-forward fix for the first days of fall.

Just when it feels like the dog days will never end, suddenly, the switch is flipped, the air gets cooler and it’s clear that autumn is on the way. Featuring a ruby-red hue, restrained malt body and abundant tropical fruit and citrus hop flavors from the use of Citra, Simcoe and Centennial hops, Flipside red IPA is the perfect beer for fall.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sierranevada.com

Twitter: @sierranevada

In the end, I feel the same way on the Flipside Red IPA like I do on their Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale. I miss this beer. I am not a huge fan with Lager but I love their Pale Ale that are in their Fall Sampler Pack. I have to be honest. I love having this beer and their brown ale in six-pack or twelve-pack. There is not too many good red IPA’s on the market. This one is a good one. There is a nice balance on this beer. It is a nice drinkable but it can be a sipping beer. It is perfect beer for a fall days. 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

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into a seasonal from past by Sierra Nevada Brewery. 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 craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this California base craft brewery. Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a dark brown color with a white head. The aroma has a malty to sweet nutty notes. There is a hint of smoke and chocolate notes. The taste has a sweet nutty with hints of smoke notes. The aftertaste has a dry malty finish. It is a nice drinkable fall 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 their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sierranevada.com

Twitter: @sierranevada

Closing, I miss this beer. This beer was the fall beer seasonal like two to three years ago. I give them credit for changing it up once in while. Everyone does an Oktoberfest and it does not make sense to check into something that the rest of the market. They did something different with their Oktoberfest. They are brewing with a German brewery. I have to say that it is really good. It became one of my favorite brews to drink this fall. I always love to revisit this beer. I love this beer. I just wish that it was still available in six-pack and twelve pack. I hate that it is in a sampler pack, however, I am happy they are still giving us this great brew. 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 Kölsch

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Sierra Nevada. It is their Kölsch. This beer is only available in their summer sampler. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this summer like beer style.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a fresh light earthly notes like hay to grass. The taste has a refreshing and sweet malty notes. The aftertaste has a crisp finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sierranevada.com

Twitter: @sierranevada

Ending, I am not a fan of Spring and Summer seasonals. They are too light in body for me or have no flavor. I normally do not drink too many of these when they are in season. Sierra Nevada Summerfest is about the only one that I will enjoy during the late Spring and Summer. This Kölsch has a light body but it is still has a nice flavor. I love this beer. I could drink this beer all day. 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 Knee Deep Brewing Breaking Bud

In this beer blog, we are going to get into Knee Deep Brewing. This is the first time that this brewery and their beer is being feature on this blog. The beer is their Breaking Bud IPA. Jeremy Warren founded Knee Deep Brewing in 2010. They are known for their IPA’s. There is not much history on this brewery. They just added Michigan to their distribution map. Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy earthly to floral like notes. The taste has an earthly to grass like notes with a pine cone aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Old school meets new school in this fresh approach to the classic IPA. At 50 IBU’s and 6.7% ABV, Breaking Bud features the restrained bitterness and alcohol of a classic IPA with newer tropical fruit hop flavors and aromas of Mosaic. Also in the hop mix are Simcoe and CTZ, creating layers of mango, passion fruit, pine and dank. A malt bill with a pinch of crystal malt and a hefty dose of flaked wheat keeps the beer crisp while adding flavor complexity.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.kneedeepbrewing.com

Twitter: @kneedeepbrewing

Closing my tab, I just happen to walk into one of liquor stores by my house. I was pretty stun to see these brews from Knee Deep Brewing. I never heard of them and of course, I pulled out my phone right away and did a little research from this craft brewery. I have to say I am not disappointed. I just wished that it came in as six pack bottles or cans. I am not a huge fan of 22oz bottles. I will say most markets are like this now. If it is a limited run beer, I am fine with it being in 22oz bottles. I like it. It is nice to get a different version of an English style IPA. I will pick up this beer once in a while. It is just the 22oz that throws me off. Once it is open. You have to drink it all. 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 21st Amendment Brewery Down To Earth

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from 21st Amendment. It is their Down To Earth Session IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this session India Pale Ale. The smell has a sweet malty to citrus notes. The taste has a light body of citrus to sweet malty notes. The aftertaste is quick and does not last.

Here is a description from their website (www.21st-amendment.com):

Down to Earth » 21st Amendment Brewery

Down to Earth is the natural evolution (pun intended) of Bitter American, our original session ale. We thought it would be fitting to bring our space chimp home and let him chill. Whether you have a long mission behind you or a full afternoon ahead, this session IPA will help keep things real. More relaxed than an IPA, but with all the hop aroma and flavor, Down to Earth is our tribute to unsung heroes and unplanned adventures.

Down to Earth is available year-round in six-pack cans and on draft and pairs nicely with a variety of things, including lunch

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter: @21stamendment

In the end, let us face, session IPA’s are pale ales. It has just a weaker malty backbone. There is a few good session on the United States. The one from New Belgium, which is Slow Ride, is pretty good. I just found that the Founder’s All Day IPA is not really good. I believe the craft beer drinkers are starting to see it now. When I saw 21st Amendment made one, I was a little nervous. I was hoping it would be good. I have to say it is a good session IPA. I love this one. It became one of my favorites. They found a way to let the hops shine but kept a nice malty backbone. This is a great beer and I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Meta lit! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Coronado Brewing Idiot IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release every year from Coronado Brewing Company. It is their Idiot IPA Imperial India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know Coronado Brewing. Let us get into Imperial India Pale Ale.

It has a cloudy golden color without a head on this Imperial IPA. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a heavy citrus notes. The aftertaste has a heavy citrus to hop bitter finish. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

It doesn’t take a genius to know quality West Coast IPA’s require a stupid amount of hops. A generous blend of Nugget hops and the four C’s – Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus – brings forth a myriad of tropical fruit flavors and a brawny, persistent bitterness that makes for a highly intelligent brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.coronadobrewingcompany.com

Twitter: @coronadobrewing

Closing, Anyone can make imperial IPA. The question is you need to ask. Is this one a good one? Idiots can throw a ton a hops into a brew kettle to hide a ton of mistakes in their beer. This Double IPA is one of the bad ones. The malty backbone is pretty weak and it is not strong enough to cut through the hop bitterest. This beer to me taste like hop water beer. It takes a genius and smart brewmaster to make a good Imperial IPA. I think you need to take some lessons from your neighbor down the street. They are always finding away to change and do something different with their Double and Imperial IPA. I do not really recommend this beer. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Nickel Brook Brewery Head Stock India Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into Nickel Brook Brewery from Canada. The beer that we are going to get into is Head Stock India Pale Ale. There is not much information on their website about their history. I do know they are part of the group of craft breweries that is back by Canadian Government. Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a tropical fruit notes. The taste has a smooth light carbonated notes with hints of tropical fruit notes. The aftertaste has a slight bitter but it is dry crisp finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

About: We admit it. We have a problem… We love our hops. We especially adore the amazing science of hops! As homage to our favourite wonders of nature, we present to you our award-winning Headstock IPA. The flowering humulus lupulus hop-cone provides us with the vital acids, essential oils and resins that permeate throughout our IPA. The result is a deliciously obscene wallop of tropical fruit, citrus and pine flavours and aromas any hop-head would gladly give a DNA sample for. We conclude that hop science is one tasty passion.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.nickelbrook.com

Twitter: @nickelbrookbeer

In the end, I was pretty impressed with this brew. I love the play on the words. It looks Nickelback, who is the Canada Hard Rock band. I love the tasting notes and this is one of best Canadian Craft beer that I had. I know that I have not had many. It is a pretty good IPA. I have to say that I had better. I would have this beer over the Flying Monkey Atom Smash Bomb IPA any day of the week. There is a better balance than Flying Monkey Brewery IPA. They put more thought behind on what hops to use in this beer. There is a nice well build malty backbone. I highly recommend this beer. I wish it was in Michigan or just the United States. 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 Lagunitas Brewery Equinox Pale Oat Ale

In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a brew from Lagunitas that was brewed back in 1995. It is called Equinox Pale Oat 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 this West Coast Craft Brewery. Let us get into this Pale Ale.

It has a clear golden color with overly constant white head. The carbonation is through the roof. The smell has a citrus notes. The taste has a bready to earthy notes with citrus notes. The aftertaste has a dry biscuits finish. It is extremely drinkable.

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

Equinox Pale Oat Ale |Lagunitas Brewing Company

A creamy, pale oat ale hopped up with a huge charge of Equinox and Simcoe hops for a piney, eucalyptus, cedar, sprucey, forest blast. First brewed in 1995… brewed today in a time of change.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.lagunitas.com

Twitter: @lagunitasbeer

In the end, I am a huge fan of this west coast craft brewery. I am always looking for something new to come out from Lagunitas Brewery. I like it. I don’t love it. It is different. I know people back then did not get it. I believe the Midwest craft beer drinker in general still do not get it. Chicago might be a different than the rest. I have a hard time finding their beers but it has been getting easier after a year moving back to Michigan. 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

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