chicago

New Sports Thought Thursday Blog Chicago Cubs And Joe Maddon

 

In this Sports Thought Thursday Blog, we are going to get into the new hiring and firing of their managers.  After another year of losing and celebrating 100 years of Wrigley Field, it was time for some more changes on the field and managing team.  There was some good things that happen under Rick Renteria.  Let’s get into the 2014 year.

 

2014 Season

The Chicago Cubs record was 73 – 89 record.  Winning percent was .451.  They had a winning record at home.  They started out the season really slow and former pitcher Jeff Samardzija struggled to get his first one in the first month of the season.  He gave the Cubs some good to excite games.  They were below .500 for the first half of the season but as soon as the trade deadline came around and they traded off some key pieces.  They kind of turn their season around.  You saw the growth of Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro and a come back year and career of Jake Arrieta.  They saw part of their second half season with long winning streaks.  They saw some of their top prospects come up to the majors and help them win.  The sad thing is Rick earn to come back and he helped the growth of the kids. This is what the front office wanted.


New Manager

This is a business decision and there is no way to be loyal to someone when the goal is to win the World Series.  When a top five manager in the game comes available, you hire him.  This goes for any business or any sport.  They are not saying this is going to happen or not.  This does not guarantee a World Series but this sends a huge message to their fans and rest of the teams in baseball.  They were entering free agency looking to sign a top pitcher for their rotation.  More kids are coming to the majors in a few years.  Joe Madden experience young but talented team a few years ago with Tampa Rays.  He won AL East when the Red Soxs and Yankees were still really good teams along with Orioles team up and coming.  He also took a team to the World Series for the first time in team history.  He was manager of the year. Joe Madden left the Rays because of his former GM, who was Andrew Friendman, now works for the LA Dodgers.

Closing, I agree with everyone and the front office of the Chicago Cubs.  Yes, it sucks and unfair.  He does deserve better.  However, when a coach of his standards and elite comes available, you go and hire him.  This improves the Chicago Cubs.  This makes it easier for free agents to come to Chicago to play for Cubs.  They have not won the World Series in over 100 years.  The attitude of the team has changed since Theo and company came to aboard.  Joe completes the message from the front office to the dugout.  The players of the Chicago Cubs are going to have so much fun on the field that is something Joe brings to the field. This is something that has not been there on the Northside in a long time. I feel better being a Chicago Cubs fan.  The front office is not saying it but I believe this is the coach that will bring my Chicago Cubs a World Series.  I cannot wait for next season and beyond.  Go get yours Cubs and Go Cubbies!    Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser16

New Beer Blog Goose Island Rambler IPA (2014)

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Goose Island Brewery.  It is next seasonal release, which is Rambler IPA.  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 Red IPA.

It has a clear red to amber color with a tan color head. The aroma has an herbal to citrus notes with a slight hint of earthy tones. The taste has earthy to caramel and citrus notes with dry malty hoppy aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Red Ale

A bold ale with a mix of herbal, woody, and citrus aromas from Mt. Hood and Amarillos hops.

6.7% ALC. 65 IBU

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

Rambler IPA

Brewer’s Notes

Aroma and Taste:

Herbal, woody, and citrus aroma. Spicy, resinous hop flavors with enough sweetness to balance the Mt. Hood hops.

Mouthfeel:

Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Spicy hop flavor lingers on the palate with a malty, dry finish.

Recipe Information

  • Style: IPA
  • Alcohol by Volume: 6.7%
  • International Bitterness Units: 65
  • Color: Auburn
  • Hops: Amarillo, Mt. Hood
  • Malts: Special Pale, C-120, Cara Red

Availability

Seasonal (September – December)
Bottles: 6 & 12pks

Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, I love this brew.  This brew is the best of all the seaonals by far.  I love their Endless IPA but this Red IPA takes it home.  I was pretty impressed with their Ten Hills Pale Ale but after going through the year, it is the weakest of the seasonals.  They did a great job on their Oktoberfest this year.  I can’t wait to retry their Ten Hills Pale Ale. I might need to remind myself of this brew. I know their Christmas Ale will be out.  It is American Brown Ale. This is a nice Red IPA for the fall season.  It is not over hopped but just enough to make you get through the cooler fall days or part of the winter months.  There is some nice malty notes and Amerillo hops just shine throughout this brew.  This is a great 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 Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale

image

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

image

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

image

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

image

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

image

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 Goose Island 312 Urban Pale Ale

image

In this beer blog, we are going to sample the old but new 312 Urban Pale Ale from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, 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 their new Urban Pale Ale.

This pale ale has a clear copper color with a nice white constant head.  The aroma has a touch of caramel with a nice citrus notes.  The taste is citrus notes with citrus dry hop aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

We are from the city that invented the skyscraper. We constructed our Urban Pale Ale on a balanced malt backbone, so the citrus hop aroma and crisp flavor can stand tall.

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

We are from the city that invented the skyscraper. We constructed our Urban Pale Ale on a balanced malt backbone, so the citrus hop aroma and crisp flavor can stand tall.

Recipe Information Style: Urban Pale

Alcohol by Volume: 5.4%

International Bitterness Units: 30

Color: Marigold

Hops: Amarillo, Mt. Hood, Nugget

Malts: 2 Row, Crystal 60

Serving Suggestions: Preferred Glass: Nonic Pint

Cellaring Notes: Enjoy within 180 days

Availability: Year Round

Bottles: 12 Pack, 6 Pack Cans: 12oz Cans 12 Pack, 16oz Cans 4 Pack

Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland

In the end, if you lived or visited Chicago, you might have had a beer from Goose Island called Green Line Pale Ale.  Green Line a nice drinkable and session pale ale.  They brew the beer with everything in the Chicagoland area or the state. It was only available in Chicagoland area.  There has been rumors for a very long time that they were going to package it.   They ran into production issues because of lack of supply to the market.  The demand of their beer went right through the roof.  They were sold to ABInbev to expand their brewery and keep up with demand.  Years went by and I moved back to Michigan.  I was sad because no Green Line here because of the exclusive to the Chicagoland market.  Here is 312 Urban Pale Ale.  I have to say it is nice drinkable and crushable beer.  I love the aroma and taste profile.  This is a great American Pale Ale.  They might have used different hops but they act the same way as the hops in Green Line.  Hello, Green Line in package and welcome to the rest of the country.  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 Buckle Down Brewery Stompbox Stout

image

When in Chicagoland area, I had to chance to stop by one of my new favorite craft breweries in the Midwest.  I am talking about Buckle Down Brewery.  When I was in town, they launched one of their newer beers, which is Stompbox Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this new Midwest Craft brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read those blog posts to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a jet black color with a nice lace tan head.  The aroma of this stout has chocolate notes.  The taste has a chocolate with roasted malt.  The aftertaste has an alcohol finish that bites at the end.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

Leaving town, I will be back to this brewery in some shape or form.  Buckle Down Brewery makes some great beers.   I was glad I was in town for the launch of their Stout.  I knew if their Porter was awesome.  There is no way in Blue Hell they would find away to mess up their Stout.  I was clearly right.  This is a great Stout with a nice chocolate notes and a nice bite of alcohol at the aftertaste.  If I still lived in Chicago, this brewery would be my source of beer.  I will be back visiting them now and then.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  They are worth the road trip into the south side of Chicago.  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 Troublesome Wheat Beer

image

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