craft beer drinkers

New Beer Blog Roak Brewing Visit

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In this special beer blog, I had a chance to get by Roak Brewing a few days after their grand opening. They opened just this year but they were founded it in 2014. Let us talk about the beer.

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Their goal was to do something different in every beer that they make. If it is higher alcohol level on their Devil Dog Oatmeal Stout, it is same price as rest of their beers in draft to package. It is a huge value. Mean Streets Amber Ale is a hoppy amber ale. They also have a American IPA and session IPA along with Belgian style white ale and Belgian style Dark ale in package and draft. They will have brewpub only beers in the near future.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.roakbrewing.com

Twitter:  @roakbrewing

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Closing, they invested a ton of money into brewery and brewpub. They are here to make a stand in the craft beer world. Overall, their beers are really good. I am not a fan of both of their IPA’s. They are pretty weak to me. I can see some craft beer drinkers liking them. I am pretty excited to see what they will come out next. I recommend this brewery. 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 Flying Monkey Brewery Netherworld Dark Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into our first beer from Flying Monkey Brewery.  It is their Neither World Cascadian Dark Ale.  I cannot find any history on this Canada craft brewery.  I know this craft brewery is part of craft breweries that are back by Canadian Government.  Let us get into this Black Ale.

It has a jet black color with a health tan color head. The smell has a chocolate to citrus notes. The taste has a smooth to creamy chocolate notes with a hint of dry bitter aftertaste. The hops are not really in attendance. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Heeding a chorus of voices crying for a dark roasty thing with lots of west coast hops and a higher ABV we summoned Netherworld from the chaotic flip side of the brew house where hybrid is the norm and nothing is ordinary.

Hovering just this side of evil, in the right hands, our “Cascadian Dark Ale” is bizarrely nice with its own entrancing mojo.  However, watch out for those who refuse to see the darkness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theflyingmonkeys.ca

Twitter:  @flyingmonkeys

Closing, this import craft brewery is new to the craft scene in the United States.  I have had a few of their brews.  I just found them average because of the price.  The price is a little high for this beer market.  When most of the beer drinkers only want Michigan only craft beers.  There is nothing wrong with that.  I just found there are better beers outside of this state.  There is bad ones too.  This beer is a little different from the rest of the dark ales on the market.  It is not as bitter and hoppy.  It is pretty mild and I like that.  The price of this beer is too high and it affects the way beer drinkers looks at this beer.  It is a good beer but it is average because of the price.  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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New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewery Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a nice English style porter from Great Lakes Brewery.  It is their Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.  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 this Ohio base craft brewery.  Let us get into this porter.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan color head on this porter. The aroma has a smokey roasted malts along with hints of chocolate and coffee notes. The taste of this full body has a smooth sweet chocolate to coffee notes. The aftertaste has a dry chocolate to coffee finish. It is a sipping beer but this one is kind of drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Thanks to our craft brewing process, when you take a swig of our Edmund Fitzgerald, it will taste smoky, robust, dark, and bittersweet.  Thanks to our environmental efforts, if you take a swig of Lake Erie, it won’t taste smoky, robust, dark, and bittersweet.

Named after the ship that frequently docked in Cleveland and sunk in Lake Superior in 1975, our porter combines a complex, roasty aroma with a bitterweet, chocolate-coffee taste.

In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, this beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients:  barley, hops, yeast, and water.  no chemicals or preservatives are used.

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

Edmund Fitzgerald® Porter | Great Lakes Brewing Company

Robust and complex, our Porter is a bittersweet tribute to the legendary freighter’s fallen crew—taken too soon when the gales of November came early.

Flavor

Brewed in memory of the sunken freighter, with rich roasted barley and bittersweet chocolate-coffee notes.

Packaging:

  • 6-pack
  • 12-pack
  • Draft
ABV – 6.0%
IBU – 37
Pairs With Oysters, chocolate, and heartfelt balladry

Beer Availability:

  • Year-Round Beer
World Beer Championships
12-Time Medal Winner Since 1991 (World Champion, Platinum, Gold, Silver)
Great American Beer Festival Awards
5-Time Medal Winner Since 1991 (Gold, Silver)

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

Closing, there is not too many craft breweries out there that has a dark beer as their flagship beer.  Great Lakes Brewery is known for this brew.  It is a nice English style porter and it is one that the craft beer drinkers use to compare to other porters.  This beer is Midwest go to porter and dark beer.  There is some nice tasting notes that will have you coming back to even in the hot summer days.  It is really a sipping beer but some people make it a drinkable beer.  This is one of my favorite English porters. I love it. I wished they did other versions in package. I mean a vanilla bean, cherry, etc versions of the porter.  I know do it in draft but I am talking package.  Speaking of package, I wish this beer was in cans and I pretty stun this brewery does not put any of their beers in cans.  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 Great Lakes Brewery Dortmunder Gold Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another everyday beer from Great Lakes Brewery.  It is their flagship Lager, which is Dortmunder Gold Lager.  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 Great Lakes Brewery.  Let us get into this Golden Lager.

This Dortmunder Style Lager has a clear clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a slight hint of corn. The taste of this medium body has a sweet malty to hints of corn. The aftertaste has a clean dry crisp finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

our Dortmunder Gold is a consistent gold medalist and a balanced golden lager (do you see a pattern forming?).  In the Middle Ages, this style brewed in Germany was so popular it required armed escorts when exported to surrounding towns.  As you can see, this beer was and still is as good as gold!

Not as dry as a Pilsner or as malty as a Munich-style lager, our golden lager is a balanced beer named after Dortmund, Germany, the city where the Dortmunder style originated.

In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, this beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast, and water.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

Closing, as many of you know, I have been on the hunt for the perfect craft lager.  I know I have found one in St Louis.  It is Urban Chestnut Brewery’s Zwickel.  I cannot get that beer in my market. I am still looking for a good craft lager that I can get in my beer market.  I believe I might have found it with Great Lakes Brewery Dort Gold.  This Golden Lager is well balance but still gives you flavor unlike the mass-produced lagers.  I have to say this is one of best lagers in my market. It is drinkable 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 Great Lakes Brewery Eliot Ness Amber Lager

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Great Lakes Brewery Elliot Ness Amber Lager is the feature brewery and beer in this beer blog.  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 this Ohio base craft brewery.  Let us get into this Amber Lager.

This Amber Lager has a clean Amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet malty to hints of caramel and candy notes. The taste of this medium body has a sweet malty to caramel notes with a smooth crisp aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

In memory of Eliot Ness and his paddy wagon of guilty criminals, we have the “Fatty Wagon”  (minus the criminals).  Our eco-friendly Fatty Wagon and beer delivery truck both run or straight vegetable oil (SVO), which results in lower toxic emissions and a 25% savings over the cost of regular diesel fuel.

named after the one-time Cleveland Safety Director who frequented the original bar that is now the Great Lakes Brewpub, our deep amber lager has a faint hop nose and a slightly sweet finish.

In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, this beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast, and water.  No chemicals or preservatives are used.

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

Eliot Ness® Amber Lager | Great Lakes Brewing Company//

Admittedly, it’s a bit of a paradox to name our Amber Lager for history’s most famous agent of prohibition. But it’s a smooth, malty (and dare we say, arresting?) paradox.

Flavor:  Almost untouchably smooth–armed with lightly toasted malts and noble hops.

Packaging:

  • 6-pack
  • Draft

Glassware:

  • Mug
ABV:  6.1%
IBU:  27
Pairs With
Smoked meats, hearty breads, and a classy fedora

Beer Availability:

  • Year-Round Beer
World Beer Championships:  12-Time Award Winner Since 1995 (Gold, Silver)

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:

Closing, I am a little slow but I am starting to realize that Great Lakes Brewery makes some great beers.  I love their porter, pale ale, and their golden lager.  I will be adding this brew to that list.  There is a nice balance in this amber lager.  This beer has a nice smooth creamy aftertaste.  I love the caramel notes and the overall balance in this beer.  This is a great Amber Lager. I love it.  I will be adding this beer in the later summer and fall days.  This beer and banana bread beer will a nice break in the fall from all the pumpkin and Octoberfest brews.  I highly recommend this beer.  Plus, this beer is so much better than Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Brooklyn Lager.  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 Perrin 98 Problems IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample 98 Problems IPA from Perrin Brewery.  This is the first time that this craft brewery is being featured on this blog.  Here is a little history on this brewery.  Perrin Brewery was founded in 2012 just outside of Comstock, Michigan.  Their goal is to make drinkable and session-able beers.  They were sold to Osckar Blues in 2015.  They will be releasing six-pack 12oz cans by the end of the year.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head.  The smell has an earthly to floral notes. There is more floral notes. The taste of this medium body has a smooth earthy to slight piney notes. The aftertaste has a smooth but bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.perrinbrewing.com

Twitter:  @PerrinBrewing

In the end, this is a pretty young craft brewery in Michigan.  They are starting to make some noise around the state and country.  I know many people outside of the State of Michigan that want their beers.  They are the guys that started the whole Grapefruit IPA trend.  I love this beer. I might be drinking this more when it is in package than Goose Island IPA.  There is a nice balance in this India Pale Ale.  Untappd says it is an American IPA.  I believe it is like Goose Island IPA.  They are both English style India Pale Ales.  They use Michigan grown hops but they are all original from Europe.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Metal it!  Enjoy 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 Left Hand Brewery 400 Pound Monkey IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first brew from Left Hand Brewery.  It is one of their everyday brews, which is 400 Pound Monkey IPA.  Left Hand Brewery was founded in 1993  by Dick Doore and Eric Wallace.  They brought an old meat-packing building just outside the City of Longmont, Colorado.  This brewery is in 29 states and sell their brands in parts of Europe and Japan.  Let us get into this English Style IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head on this English India Pale Ale. There is not smell to this brew. The taste has an earthly notes with earthly to herbal aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: lefthandbrewing.com

Twitter:  @lefthandbrewing

Ending, there is not too many English style IPA’s on the market in the States.  On top of that, there is not too many good English style IPA.  There is a nice balance and the malty backbone cuts nicely with the hops.  The backbone lets the hops shine nicely in this brew.  It is a good beer but not as good as Goose Island IPA.  I use Goose Island IPA to compare to other English style IPA and some West Coast IPA.  It is just nice to get a good English style IPA to break through all the West Coast IPA or American IPA.  There is too many bad IPA’s on the market.  They are normally over hopped to hide all the mistakes.  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 Victory Hop Devil India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer that is one of Victory Brewery’s everyday beers.  It is their Hop Devil India Pale 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 Victory Brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear copper color without a head on this IPA. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a citrus notes with a dry bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The mythical HopDevil resides in the lore of farmers.  Our HopDevil is the real deal.  Bold, spicy, and menacingly delicious.  He’s the product of distinctive American hops and meticulous craftsmanship.  Arising from the heady wilds of our hopback and gently tamed with time, this Devil makes a great companion.

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

­

HopDevil IPA

American India Pale Ale

The mythical HopDevil® resides in the lore of farmers. Our HopDevil is the real deal. Bold, spicy and menacingly delicious. He’s the product of distinctive American hops and meticulous craftsmanship. Arising from the heady wilds of our hopback and gently tamed with time, this Devil makes a great companion.

Composition

Malt: Imported 2 row German malts

Hops: Whole flower American hops

ABV: 6.7%

Flavor

Bold, spicy and Menacingly Delicious™, this American hopped India Pale Ale offers an aromatic punch and then follows through with a lasting, full-bodied finish provided by quality German malts.

Food Pairings

Cheddar cheese, BBQ ribs and grilled meats

Serving Suggestion

Serve chilled in a Nonic or Imperial pint glass.

Availability

Available year-round in 12oz. bottles and on draft.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.victorybeer.com

Twitter:  @victorybeer

In the end, I have always been a fan of this brew and craft brewery.  I was looking at my blog and I was wondering why I never posted a review on this beer.  They picked a few good hops.  They have a great and well build malty backbone.  Could you say it is like every other IPA on a market?  You could be right.  This beer is better than most IPA.  I like it and I will buy more of this beer.  It is drinkable and I just wished it was in a 12pk bottles.  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 Shipyard Smashed Blueberry

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from Shipyard Brewery.  It is their limited release brew, which is Smashed Blueberry Stout.  The first time Smashed Stout series are being put into a 12oz bottles. It is normally in a 22oz bottles and they are still putting it in a 22oz bottles.  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 know Shipyard Brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan color head.  There is not any aroma. The taste of this stout has a chocolate cover blueberries notes. The aftertaste has a chocolate to blueberry finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shipyard.com

Twitter:  @shipyardbrewing

Closing, this brewery has a nice balance and it is pretty smooth.  It is kind of scary that Imperial Stout is pretty drinkable brew.  Normally Imperial Stouts are heavy and sipping beers.  It does not drink like an imperial stout.  I like it, however, I cannot see the money that I spend on it.   It is drinks like a normal stout.  I recommend this beer but I just feel you will be mad about how much you paid for it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13