While in Milwaukee again, I went back up to Milwaukee to visit my friends from Milwaukee Brewing Company. I wanted to meet Kurt and try some beers I can not get down in Chicago. Kurt is a very nice guy. I have to say he has to be the nicest brewer I have ever met. Believe me, I have met several ones. I hope to have a beer with him really soon. If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pull Chain, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please read the first part of that beer blog. Let us get into beer.
Dark Matter has a jet black color with a brown to tan head on it. The smell is a chocolate to toffee to the beer. It is hard to smell while on a brewery tour. The taste is a chocolate malty sweet with light carbonation. The aftertaste is a smooth burn down the throat. This is true to German style but took to the next level. It is pretty drinkable beer.
In closing, this was experimental beer. I have to say it was very smooth, rich, and with full body flavor. I love the smell, taste, and the aftertaste. This beer does not drink like a 10.5% ABV beer. I am glad I was up in Milwaukee to try this beer. I do not know if I have ever saw Imperial Schwarzbier. I have had normal Schwarzbier and I love this German beer style. I hope they get a response to this beer and they put it into cans in the future. I recommend you trying this beer and their brewery tour. It is one of the best ones in Milwaukee. I believe I learn something new the last two times I went on it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
When in Michigan for Thanksgiving, we are going to get into another brew from Heavy Sea Brewery. The beer is their winter seasonal and it is called Winter Bock. If you read my earlier blog on their flagship beer, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post. Let us get into the beer.
This winter bock has a dark amber color. There is a little earthy to a bit nutty malty smell. The taste has a ton going on the beer. It has a nutty, earthly, and malty taste. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
With a full ruby hue, rich malty character, and earthy hop aroma. Winter Storm is an original– an Imperial ESB for the winter months. 7.5% Alc./Vol.
Here is a description from their website (www.hsbeer.com):
Winter Storm
Pyrate Fleet Fleet
Winter Storm may be Hugh’s favorite beer in the Heavy Seas catalogue. Our winter ale draws on hops from the West Coast and the UK for its pronounced bitterness. A mix of pale and darker malts give it its tawny color and its bigger body. True to the style, Winter Storm’s aroma is nutty malts and earthy hops. This is a perfect fall beer, especially because of its warming qualities.
BEER DETAILS
Style: Imperial Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
ABV: 7.5%
IBUs: 50
Availability: October-December
Hops: Warrior, UK Goldings, UK Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial
Malts: 2-row, Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt
SUGGESTIONS
Food Pairings: Brie or Havarti cheese, pan-seared steak, barbecued pork
Closing, this beer is awesome and it got me in trouble, which I am still recovering from two days later. This Winter Storm is extremely drinkable for being 7.5% ABV. There is a ton going on this beer. I really enjoyed this beer and I wished I could have brought some back from Michigan. I am happy to see them around Michigan stores but I wish they were in my Chicago liquor stores. At least, they are getting closer and it is reason to go back to Michigan. This is what ESB should taste like not what I have been drinking here in the Chicago area or wherever. I recommend you trying this beer at least once. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
When in Michigan for Thanksgiving, we are going to check out MacTarnahn’s Brewing and the beer is called Spine Tingler. MacTarnahan’s Brewing was founded in 1986 by Robert Malcolm “Mac” MacTarnahan, who was one of the investors in the Brewery. At one time, this brewery was called Portland Brewing. Pyramid Brewery brought this brewery in 2004. Pyramid Brewery was sold to Magic Hat Brewery in 2008 and they later sold in 2010 to North American Breweries. Let us get into the beer.
This beer has a golden clear color with a semi head on it but there is a heavy carbonation when pouring from the bottle. It has a nice hoppy Belgian smell. The taste is a carbonation with Belgian species aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.
Malts: Pilsner Malt, Wheat Hops: Northern Brewer, Perle Spice: Candied Sugar Bitternes: 23 IBU Alcohol By Volume: 8.5%
A surprisingly sublime Belgian-style triple offering an electrifying blend of spicy aromatics balanced with a lively malt palate that is so good it’s scary.
Closing, I was pretty stun at how close this beer is to a real Belgium Triple. If anyone in the United States can make beer good, it is Portland. There are very few beers I had from Portland that are just flat-out bad. I love the aroma from the beers. The taste of the nice hop character. This is brewery has nailed it. I will have this beer again when I am in Michigan because I do not believe I have seen this brewery around Chicago. I will put this brewery on my list when I make it out to Portland again. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
While in Michigan for Thanksgiving, I was able to pick up some local beers that I have never tried. There is going to be six beer posted on the Short’s Brew Company. The first beer is called Huma Lupa Licous India Pale Ale, which is their flagship beer. Short’s Brew was founded in 2004 by Joe Short in Bellaire, Michigan. They brew several different beer styles with unique packaging on their beer bottles and six-pack holders. Let us get into the beer.
This IPA has a clear copper without a head on the beer. The smell is a little grapefruit to some mango. The taste is a carbonation citrus with a little bit of pineapple. There is really no aftertaste. It is a little drinkable but to me, it is drinkable.
Here is a little description from the beer bottle:
A complex malt and hop theme park on your mouth.
Here is a description from their website (www.shortsbrewing.com):
Huma Lupa Licious
This gem is honored with the name of the hop plant, Humulus lupulus, and is Short’s best selling India Pale Ale. It has such an abundant amount of hops that it sensually provides a punch to the palate. The numerous hop varieties used in its creation render a delicious bitter taste and enticing citrus aroma. The hearty malt bill melds with the hops to create a perfect balance.
Still in Michigan, I was really excited to try out these beers when I had a co-worker told me about this brewery. I have to thank my sister for picking up the beers. I really love the hop that they use in this beer. It gives off a nice aroma and tasting profile that you do not get from most hops. It is nicely balance with just the right malty backbone. I wish I could get this in Chicago but this will be a nice beer to enjoy when I am back home seeing family and friends. If you are a hop head like myself, you will need to try this beer down the road. This is a great beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
In this beer blog, we are going to sample some Central Satin Solstice Imperial Stout. If you read my earlier blog on their Imperial India Pale Ale, you know the history of this small great brewery. If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post. Let us get into this awesome imperial stout.
It has a black color without a head on the beer. The smell is a chocolate, toffee to some coffee to the beer. The taste is between chocolate to slight coffee notes. This beer is very drinkable and dangerous because of the ABV.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
The smooth creamy stout and a cracking fireplace are the perfect answer to a wintery evening in Wisconsin. The rich coffee flavor compliments the “warm fuzzy feeling” you get from the abundant alcohol. Enjoy in moderation.
Here is a description from their website (www.centralwaterws.com):
SATIN SOLSTICE IMPERIAL STOUT This smooth, creamy stout and a crackling fireplace are the perfect answer to a wintery evening in Wisconsin. Enjoy in moderation.
Closing out, this is one of my favorite imperial stouts on the market. It comes at a really good price for a six-pack bottles at $9.99 at most stores. It is at the same price as the rest of their everyday beers. It is even more a value to everyone asides the brewery. Most breweries charge more their imperial stout. I love how easy this stout is to drink with the nice chocolate, with a little coffee and toffee. This is an awesome stout and I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at the flagship beer, which is Louie’s Demise Amber ale, from Milwaukee Brewing Company. If you read my earlier blog on their Pull Chain, you know about this brewery. If you have not, please read the first part of that beer blog. Let us get into the beer.
This amber ale has a nice clear amber color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is a little malty to it. It has a sweet malty carbonation taste without an aftertaste. This is easy drinking beer.
Here is a descriation from their website (www.mkebrewing.com):
Our flagship brand; this medium bodied amber ale starts with a rich malt flourish that’s kept in
perfect balance by a smooth hop finish. This MBC original is similar to a German style malt beers.
Jim McCabe (owner and founder) started as a homebrewer, brewing beer with his original partner in a farmhouse in Cedarburg. On the wall was a picture from the 19th century of several men drinking from dimple glasses, every time they would drink they would toast to these men. After looking into it, they found out they were at a distant relative’s wake. That distant relative was Louie, they decided that all this time they had been toasting to Louie’s Demise.
The next question they asked was how did Great Great Uncle Louie? Our friend Bruce was able to supply us with some of the answers we were looking for.
Sheboygan, 1886, Great Great Uncle Louie was cracked over the head with a glass and killed. For several years we speculated with our friends; why was Louie killed? Turns out, Louie had it coming, it was over a woman! He was picking a fight with another bar patron over his beautiful wife. After a scuffle moved outside, Louie was sent on his way bruised up. But, near closing time, he had returned. The fight escalated, and the man whacked Louie over his head with a glass. Legend has it, an onlooker pried the beer from Louie’s dying hands and toasted his lustful life.
After Bruce gave us the lowdown, he reluctantly told us it was his great great uncle that killed Louie.
I have been brewing the Louie’s recipe for 15 years now. Brewing this beer is like wearing a favorite shirt or old hat; it’s reliable and comfortable. I look forward to the rich and complex malt aromas that are released during the mash, you might also catch some caramel and earthy notes. A portion of the malt bill is honey malt from Garnbrinus Malting Co. It adds that sour and honey aroma to the ale. Since the malt is really the highlight of this brew we kept it simple on the hops and the yeast. The yeast strain we use produces a subtle dried fruit flavor. We changed the yeast strain about 12 years ago to cut down on the BU’s and the malt bill has changed very slightly since we started brewing it.
Here is a video from Youtube (www.youtube.com) and their website (www.mkebrewing.com):
In the end, there are not too many amber ales that I can say I enjoy drinking day to day. This is one of my favorite beer from this brewery just like their Hoppy Happy India Pale Ale. There is not too Amber Ales I love in my market. For the ones, I had in my lifetime it is high on my list. I love malty and how easy it is to drink. This is great example of American Amber Ale and I recommend you trying this beer. Go get some and let me know what you think of it. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at Sasquash Porter Ale from Milwaukee Brewing. If you read my earlier blog on their Pull Chain, you are pretty much up to speed on this underrated craft brewery from Milwaukee. If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post. Let us get into this beer.
This porter has a nice jet black color with a semi white head on it. The smell is a heavy sweet potato. The taste is a little toffee and chocolate with some yam to pumpkin. The aftertaste is dry. There is no other way to explain it. It is kind of drinkable beer.
Here is a desecration from their website (www.mkebrewing.com):
This recipe was created by our Brewer Kurt. Along with 400 pounds of pumpkin and 300 sweet potato he used a variety of specialty malts to keep your taste buds on an adventurous ride with each sip. You’ll find the roasty flavors are well-balanced with pumpkin which gives it a very smooth character. Kurt also added pumpkin spice to this Porter to give it that amazing aroma and finish.
Although Wisconsin is not known for Sasquatch sightings like the North West, we do have one very famous incident.
In October 1968 a group of six hunters were out near Deltox Marsh in Waupaca County, although they saw the creature from different view points, they all agreed, it was tall, muscular and covered in short dark brown hair. What stopped them from shooting was how human-like the creature seemed.
That same November, the group of hunters plus 6 more were hunting for deer near Deltox Marsh. Lined up for a deer drive, one saw the creature and one by one the dozen men came to a halt. When the creature ran back into the woods, the hunters waited for him to return to the marsh, but it did not.
Sasquash started as a homebrew. I really wanted to create something that wasn’t like the other pumpkin beers on the market. Sasquash has a big, malty body that backs up all the spices.
This year we used about 700 pounds of pumpkin and sweet potato and adding them to the wort has to be my favorite part of this brew. Along with the obvious pumpkin smells, we’ll also get the cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg aromas from the spices. We added those spices because we really wanted it to taste like a pumpkin pie.
I love drinking this beer with spice cake, pumpkin pie and chocolate chip cookies.
Here is a video from Youtube (www.youtube.com) and their website (www.mkebrewing.com):
In closing, this beer put a smile on my face from the smell to the aftertaste. I love the smell of yams and the taste of chocolate cover pumpkin with a touch of ginger and cinnamon with a dry punch for the finish. I love this beer and I cannot get enough of this beer. Most people cannot drink this beer all day but I can. I am always finding something new each sip from this pumpkin porter. There is a limited amount of cases here in Chicago area so make sure you get a six-pack. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
In this beer blog, we are going to check out Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter. I realize I have not written up a review on this porter. If you read my earlier blog on their Imperial IPA, you know a little something on this small brewery from Wisconsin. If you have not, please read the first part of that beer blog. Let us get into this beer.
This porter has a nice dark brown to black color with a semi head on it. There is a slight coffee to chocolate smell notes from the beer. The taste is chocolate to a little toffee notes with a dry coco aftertaste. This porter is pretty drinkable and that is even in the summertime.
Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.centralwaters.com):
MUD PUPPY PORTER
A robust, yet surprisingly refreshing porter, Mud Puppy is a favorite of dark beer lovers. Characterized by a thick, rocky head and luscious chocolate-like nose, the malty profile is balanced by liberal hopping for its style
In closing, I love this porter. This porter is pretty much always in my refrigerator. There is a nice balance in this porter. It is an extremely drinkable porter. There is not too many drinkable porters on the market. You can drink this beer in the hottest summer days. It has a nice chocolate to some coffee notes. The aftertaste wants you to go back for more in a good way. There is nothing else to say about this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
DJ Weiser 