chicago beer

New Beer Blog Pipeworks Ninja Vs Unicorn Double IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to feature a beer from Pipeworks Brewery.  It is their flagship  beer, which is Ninja Vs. Unicorn Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this small and upcoming Chicago base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this double IPA.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes. The taste has a nice grapefruit to citrus notes with a dry hop bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable for a Double IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ninja Vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle two of the biggest hop-heads of lore.  Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover.  Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja Vs. Unicorn.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pipeworksbrewing.net

Twitter:  @PipeworksBrewin

Ending, this is a great beer.  I love the hops they use in this beer.  It is pretty well-balanced for being a double India Pale Ale.  There is a nice malty backbone but I kind feel it should be stronger.  I can live with it.  I have to say for a beer that is in 22oz bottle.  It is well worth the price.  I have always felt beers in 22oz bottles are not worth the price.  To me, this one lives up to the price.  I recommend you trying this brew.  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 Goose Island Oktoberfest (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into the 2014 version of Goose Island Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this Midwest craft brewery, you know the history of this 1980’s craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Chicago Orignal craft brewery.  Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a dark clear copper color without a head.  The aroma has a slight sweet malty notes.  The taste has a sweet malty to slight but faded caramel notes.  The aftertaste has a dry malty finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

In the end, I have to say this year’s version is so much better than last years.  I was not a fan of last year’s beer.  It is night and day compare to these beers.  I am pretty stun and impressed.  The layer of depth has some notes of caramel notes.  I did not really pick up too much of the toffee and apricot notes that is marked on the bottle.  I am not too sure and I came up with these tasting notes before reading the bottle.  I had a chance to try it on draft and it is pretty constant from bottle to keg.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend it.  Get it while it last if you are outside of the Chicago market.  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 Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale

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In the beginning, we are going to get into Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale.  As you know I was at the brewery a few months ago.  I thought I would start writing up reviews of their beers.  If you read my review on their brewery tour, which I highly recommend doing, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read it, please, do so get to know this Chicago craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy dark golden to light copper color with a semi white head on this IPA.  The aroma has a nice citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish that hangs out a bit.  It is pretty drinkable IPA.

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

Finch’s Beer Company’s Threadless IPA is the gold medal winner in the IPA category at this year’s World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event. Our Threadless/Finch collaboration IPA is a balanced experience of both perceived hoppiness and true bitterness. It pours a darker amber color and finishes with a citrus flavor, and when combined, will require this to be the last IPA you ever drink!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.finchbeer.com

Twitter:  @finchbeer

Ending, I really enjoyed this IPA.  It is one of my favorite ones that I can get into Michigan market.  It is one of my non Michigan craft IPA that I can get in my market.  Later, found out that they are not in this market anymore. The hops have a great balance with the well designed malty backbone.  When they released this beer, I was nervous because to be honest, I was not a fan of their Golden Ale or Pale Ale.  I am glad that I did try it.  This beer was the turning point for this craft brewery.  This beer might be my second favorite beer from this craft brewery, today. My favorite is their Black IPA and it was a no brainer to try it after enjoying their IPA.  I highly recommend this beer and a review of their Black IPA is coming soon.  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 Local Option Kentucky Common

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While in Chicago, we are going to sample Kentucky Common from Local Option Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts at the beginning of the week, which is a few days ago, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read the beer blog posts to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this sour ale.

It has a clear golden copper color without a head.  The smell has sour notes.  The taste is a sour malty notes with a nice sour finish.  This is a sipping beer.

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

Kentucky Common is a modern interpretation of an ale style native to pre-prohibition Louisville. Historically the beer was dark in color, creamy, and tart as a result of the introduction of lactobacillus bacteria by sour mashing. Local Option Bierkwerker took up the task of brewing this once familiar style – electing to use specialty grains rather than a large percentage of corn – yielding an adventurous taste profile befitting both conventional and courageous palates. Bourbon Barrel Aged Kentucky Common was first served at The Festival in Worcester June 2012 and made available in very limited quantity in the Chicagoland area soon thereafter

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.localoptionbier.com

Twitter:  @localoption

Closing, This beer is something else in a very good way.  It reminds me of a beer I use to have a regular basis without sour notes. It is like Kentucky Bourbon Ale with a sour note finish.  This is a totally different beer than that one from Alltech Brewery.  This is old recipe from Probation time.  The brewery uses a sour mash to give off sour notes.  Local Option Brewery did a great job bring this old recipe back to life.  This is the last review I have from my trip to Chicago.  I am really glad and happy that I made it to this brewery.  I will be back to see my friends at Local Option.  They have great food, music, and of course beer.  I highly recommend this beer and checking out their brewpub.  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 Local Option Brewery Morning Wood

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While in Chicago, we are going to sample another brew, which is Morning Wood, from Local Option Brewery.  If you read my beer blog posts a few days ago, you know the history of this small but upcoming craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read Sweet Leaf review to get to know the history of this Chicago craft brewery.  Let us get into Morning Wood.

It has a jet black color with a semi white color head.  The aroma has a heavy coffee notes.  The taste has a sweet malty to coffee notes.  There is a slight caramel to caramel liquor notes but really fate to weak.  The aftertaste is a sour coffee notes.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Local Option Morning Wood: Local Option Morning Wood is an oak-aged coffee ale developed and brewed by Local Option Bierwerker. Fresh American oak used during the aging process and Dark Matter’s El Salvador San Jose pulp-natural coffee aromatically drive the beer; while remaining subtle components of the beers’ complete flavor profile. The amber-colored, medium-bodied, and extraordinarily well-balanced ale was first unveiled at the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers in November 2011. Morning Wood’s taste is delicate and should be appreciated by beer drinkers of all palates.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.localoptionbier.com

Twitter:  @localoption

Closing, I like this beer and I mean I really like this beer.  I love how they took an amber style beer.  Rather then, what most craft breweries do and they take porter or stout.  I love when craft breweries think outside the box.  This craft brewery did that idea with this brew.  I love the coffee notes and it is not overpowering the rest of the beer.  It is a nice balance and I will be looking for this beer in bottle in my market.  I will be back to the brewpub.  I love their brewpub from their food, beer, service, and music.  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 Local Option Sweet Leaf

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While in Chicago, we are going to sample some beers the next four days from Local Option.  The first one beer up is their Sweet Leaf Ale.  There is really no history on the internet for Local Option.  They are based in Chicago. What I do know when visiting this brewpub, it is a metal bar.  They play some extreme metal.  The food was amazing and the bartender when I was there knew his beers.  This brewery tries to do something different with their beers and I believe they are successful at it.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a cloudy golden color without a head.  The smell has a heavy tea notes.  The taste has medium pallet malty sweet notes with a sweet tea note finish.  It is extremely drinkable brew.

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

Sweet Leif is a Bière de Garde infused with Chinese Sencha Green Tea. The beer pours deep gold with aromas of earthy spice and fruit esters. Flavors of grass, toasted malt and slightly sweet caramel are immediately present, augmented by a smooth, medium body and a dry finish. You will love Sweet Leif though it can’t hear you.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.localoptionbier.com

Twitter:  @localoption

Closing, this beer reminds so much of Milwaukee Brewery O-Gii Ale.  The difference between these beers is O-Gii Ale is a Belgian Style White Ale and this one is a French to Belgian base beer style, which is Bière de Garde.  I have to say between the two.  I love this one better.  The tea shines through out the beer drinking experience and it is not overpowering.  It has a nice refreshing and easy drinking beer.  I am not sure if they package this but I hope they do in the first.  This is one brew that they brew in Marshall, Michigan at Dark Horse Brewery.  I do not know that Dark Horse Brewery has anything to do with this brew.  I wonder if they name this beer after the classic Black Sabbath song.  I highly recommend this beer.  If you are visiting Chicago, you need to stop by their brewpub.  You will not be disappointed from the food and the beer selection.  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 Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the flagship beer, which is 312 Urban Wheat Ale, from Goose Island Brewery.  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 those beer blog posts to get to know Goose Island Brewery.  Let us get into this wheat ale.

It has a slightly cloudy straw to golden color with a snow white constant head.  The smell has a refreshing lemon notes along with yeast to wheat notes.  The taste has a wheat to slight lemon notes with a nice refreshing aftertaste finish.  It is extremely drinkable beer.

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

Inspired by the city of Chicago and densely populated with flavor, 312’s spicy aroma of Cascade hops is followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body that’s immensely refreshing.

Recipe Information

  • Style: Urban Wheat
  • Alcohol by Volume: 4.2%
  • International Bitterness Units: 18
  • Color: Hazy Straw
  • Hops: First Gold, Mt. Hood, Cascade
  • Malts: 2 Row, Torrified Wheat

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, as many of you know, I am not a fan of wheat or white ales.  It has been forever since I had a 312 Urban Wheat Ale.  I would have to say about a year.  I picked up a sampler pack and this beer was in it.  I am a pretty big fan of the hop Cascade.  I would hope so because most beers in the market has that hop in it.  Since it has been a while, I was pretty shocked on how much I liked it.  Could this be start of liking wheat ales? The second bottle about half way I started having problems finishing it.  This is a great refreshing beer.  I am just not a wheat ale fan and I might never be.  If you are a wheat ale fan, this is the beer for you.  I know many people that love this beer and this is their go to wheat ale.   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 Off Color Brewing Troublesome Wheat Beer

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Another beer before the road, Troublesome Wheat Beer from Off Color Brewing is the second brew to be reviewed on this beer blog.  If you read my beer blog from yesterday of their Scurry, you know the history of this upcoming craft brewery out of Chicago.  If you have not, please, read yesterday’s beer blog post to get to know Off Color Brewing.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy yellow color with a semi white head on this wheat ale.  The smell is lemon like but that comes from coriander notes.  The taste is a heavy citrus to coriander notes with a citrus aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

TROUBLESOME

Blended Wheat Beer

Most brewers spend a lot of time and effort keeping lactobacillus out of their breweries; it was the first thing we brought in (it still has to stay in the corner though). We blend together two different beers to make Troublesome. The first is a somewhat uninteresting wheat beer and the second is an overly acidic & funky beer fermented solely with lactobacillus. We blend the two beers together with coriander and salt at the tail end of fermentation to create a mild, lemony tartness and a fuller sensation of mouthfeel. And yes, it’s hard to make.

ABV:4.5%
HOPS:Northern Brewer
IBU:10
MALTS:Pils, Wheat Malt, Flaked Wheat, Flaked Oats

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.offcolorbrwing.com

Twitter:  @OffcolorBrewing

Closing out the beer tab, I am not a fan of wheat beers.  I love German Hefeweizen but not too many wheats.  I love Upland Brewing Wheat and this beer from Off Color.  I just realized both of these craft beers are not even in my market.  Now that is pretty funny.  I will have to do some road trips.  What I like about this Wheat Beer, you do not taste the wheat or yeast like most American wheat beers.  I love the coriander that is used in this brew.  It has a nice lemon notes that kick off through out the beer drinking experience.  There is not over the top aftertaste from the beer and lemon notes.  It is just right.  They do some brewery tours and I would check into that to get to know this brewery a little bit more.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Off Color Brewing Scurry

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Starting new beer tab, Off Color Brewing is the featured craft brewery on this beer blog.  This is their frist appearance on this blog.  The beer that will be sampling is Scurry and tomorrow will be their Troublesome Wheat Beer.  Off Color Brewing was founded in the later part of 2012 to early part of 2013 in the western part Logan Square in Chicago.  The founder are John Laffler, who was part of Goose Island brewery team, and Dave Bleitner, who was part of Two Brothers Brewery team.  Their goal is to brew beer that they will enjoy and something different then the norm on the market today.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark brown to a slight amber or dark brown reddish color with a semi constant white head.  The smell is honey with hints of caramel.  The taste is a smooth and slight creamy honey with a nice creamy chocolate aftertaste.  It is a extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.offcolorbrewing.com):

SCURRY

Dark Honey Ale

This surprisingly dry beer retains all the aroma and nuance of honey (from bees) and molasses (not from bees) creating a perception of sweetness through cool, controlled fermentation. Because we’re sweet enough damn it.

ABV:5.3%
HOPS:Strisselspalt, Nothern Brewer, Hallertau Hersbrucker
IBU:18