craft breweries

New Beer Blog Beards Brewery Serendipity Porter

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Beards Brewery.  It is their Serendipity Porter.  We will get into a little history and then into the beer.  Beards Brewery was founded in 2012 by Ben Slocum and Peter Manthei in Petoskey, Michigan.  Let us get into this porter.

It has a jet black color without a head on this porter. The aroma has a chocolate, coffee, and a slight smokey notes. The taste has a slight creamy chocolate with a smoke to coffee notes on the back end of the tasting experience. The aftertaste has some nice smokey notes. It is not really drinkable. It is one maybe two beers and move on to the next beer.

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

Exceptionally smooth with a pronounced chocolatey flavor and balanced sweetness. Subtle notes of cherry and smoke on the finish. Pairs well with desserts featuring peanut butter and chocolate, or a second glass of Serendipity

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.beardsbrewery.com

Twitter:  @beardsbrewery

Ending, there is so many new craft breweries opening and entering the beer market.  I believe it is hard for new craft breweries to do something different than the other breweries.  It is a solid beer. I love it, however, it is not Great Lakes Fitz. I will buy  Great Lakes’ Porter over this porter.  I am not saying it a bad beer.  It is a great beer and they did a great job.  I can get Great Lakes Porter cheaper. 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 Almanac San Francisco IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer from Almanac Brewery on this blog.  It is their San Francisco IPA.  I will get you a short history and then break down this beer.  Almanac Brewery started in 2010 by Jesse Friedman and Damian Fagan. The brewery is located in the northern part of California.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy bright golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus to grapefruit notes. The taste has a citrus to grapefruit notes with a dry hop bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

6.5% ABV |  Draft & 12oz cans

This West Coast IPA features an explosive aroma of citrus, tropical fruit and dankness from a blend of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Hallertau Blanc and El Dorado hops. Intensely hoppy without overt bitterness, a light malt backbone balances this IPA, giving it a clean finish and making it a beer to be enjoyed again and again. Inspired by San Francisco but brewed to be enjoyed everywhere. Enjoy with super burritos, hangtown fry, and rich cioppino.

Fresh Beer

Our Fresh Beer Series delivers the best in farm fresh beer. Big flavors, bold yeast characters and huge hop aromas reflect our rich California agricultural bounty. Every beer is brewed, packaged and shipped with an eye towards maximum freshness. All of our Fresh Beers are designed to pair with a wide variety of cuisine—so enjoy a pour of The Golden State’s most flavorful beer.

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.almanacbeer.com

Twitter:  @almanacbeer

In the end, I did not know anything about this craft brewery until it entered my state.  Just like Ballast Point Brewery, the price point kills this beer.  It is good but the price point is too high.  There are some great IPA’s that have a lower price point.  I get it.  It is hard for smaller breweries to get their price down.  It is also hard for breweries that have to ship their beers over multiple states.  I recommend it because it is still a good 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 Ballast Point Manta Ray Double IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Ballast Point.  It is their Double IPA, which is called Manta Ray.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this California base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to Ballast Point Brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a tropical fruit to slight grapefruit notes. The taste has a nice juicy grapefruit to slight tropical notes with a dry bitter hop finish. It is almost like grapefruit notes. It is kind of drinkable for the beer style.

Here is a description from the website (www.ballastpoint.com):

This new IPA rises above the rest.
We’ve developed many IPA recipes in our R&D program, but right from the tank, our Manta Ray Double IPA was a winner. Aromas of fresh, citrusy tangerine, melon and light pine leap from the beer and linger over a smooth finish. Like its namesake, this brew can sneak up on you – a big beer without a bite.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ballastpoint.com

Twitter:  @bpbrewing

Closing, I am not a huge fan of Ballast Point.  They make great beer but the price is too high.  I will try all the new beers that hit my market.  I love trying beers that I never had it.  I saw this beer and it was a no brainier.  The tasting notes are just what I have been looking for from this craft brewery.  They hit a home run.  I love it. I will be picking up some more.  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 Payette Brewing Outlaw India Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Payette Brewing for the first time.  The beer that will be feature is Outlaw India Pale Ale.  Mike Francis, who is the founder, studied at Chicago’s Siebel Institute of Technology after leaving his corporate job.  He founded his brewery in 2010 at Boise, Idaho.  They opened their new brewery in 2016 and they have six every day beers in cans.  They are the first craft brewery in the state that package their beers in cans.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy light amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet malt forward with a citrus notes. The taste has a citrus notes with a slight bitter aftertaste.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.payettebrewing.com

Twitter:  @payettebrewing

Closing, I am a huge hophead.  I love my hops and IPA’s.  This was mine first beer that I had in my Beer Of The Month.  This beer is missing something to me.  I am not saying it is a bad beer.  I am not a huge fan of it.  I am glad that I have tried it. I believe this craft brewery does not make this beer anymore.  I cannot find it on their website.  I recommend it to try it at least once.  If you can find it.  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 Uinta King’s Peak Porter

image

While in Utah, I was able to spend some time at Uinta Brewing to sample out this beer, which is their King’s Peak Porter.  If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a jet black color with a big white head on it. The smell is between chocolate to coffee to it. The taste is chocolate and coffee with a nice coffee finish but fade to it. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Description

Roasted chocolate malts influence this full-flavored ale. This sessionable porter is black in color and well-balanced.

Tasting Notes

Delicate hop character balances a mild bitterness. Hints of expresso and dark chocolate mixed with fruit. Mildly sweet. King’s Peak pairs well with classic hearty, cold-weather dishes such as chili, stew, and roasts. Also pairs well with hearty dishes, and cheeses such as gruyere, emmenthaler, and swiss. Have a sweet tooth? Try King’s Peak with chocolate and maple flavored desserts.

Story

Named after the highest point in the State of Utah at 13,528 feet, Kings Peak is located in the Uinta Mountains

Here is website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

Closing, Uinta Brewing was fun and I was glad to tour the brewery.  I was able to sample some beers that I cannot get in the Chicago market.  I was also able to talk with the owner Steve.  I had a really great time and I want to thank Steve and everyone at Uinta Brewery for showing us around the great state of Utah and their brewery.   As far as this brew, it is a pretty rich chocolate and coffee.  This is pretty drinkable beer or I just want it to be a drinkable beer for being a porter.  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

New Beer Blog Milwaukee Brewing Anodyne Brown

image

While in Milwaukee again, I went on the Milwaukee Brewing Brewery Tour and I saw this brown ale.  This was experimental beer and it is called Anodyne Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pull Chain Pale Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this beer.

This coffee brown has a brown color with a white head on the beer.  The smell is a coffee. The taste is hazelnut cover coffee with a dry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewco.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

Closing out, this American brown ale infused with coffee has a ton going on in it.  I love the smooth and drinkablity of it.  The brown and coffee is not overpowering.  It has a nice balance between the two elements in this beer.  Just what I said above and about Dark Matter, this is a experimental beer.  I have to say this brewery has found ways to push themselves forward and the craft beer world.  I just wish more people would get to know their beers and brewery. I wish more beer bloggers would share more love to them.  This is a great beer and I hope to see it in bottles or cans in the future.  Go do their brewery tour.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Milwaukee Brewing Sasquash Ale

image

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):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

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/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter

image

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

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.centralwaters.com

Twitter:  There is no twitter address.

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/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Milwaukee Brewing Love Rock Vienna Style Lager

image

In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at another beer from the Milwaukee Brewing Company.  The beer is their Love Rock Vienna Style Lager.   If you read my earlier on their Pull Chain Pale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that blog, please read the first part of that blog.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a hazel golden color without a head on the beer.  There is really no smell to it.  It has a slight malty with shunky taste with a nice crisp finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.

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

Love Rock is a Vienna Style Lager. This type of lager beer has a subtle malt sweetness, balanced by the earthy tones of noble German Hallertauer hops.

The Rock is a story unique to Milwaukee and our freshwater coast. As part of the drinking water system for the city, the system draws from a big pipe in the Lake. The “intake” was marked by a big structure that was prominent off the Bradford Beach shoreline. Because of the privacy (in plain view!)the Rock was a popular lookout point for ambitious suitors. In the exciting free love days of the early ’70′s, a few ambitious Milwaukeeans paddled out to the Rock and memorialized the sentiment of the time.

The original version of Love Rock known as “Winter Lager” happens to be the second batch of beer brewer at our second street location, it was brewed on November 27th 2007. We have made a few adjustments to the recipe over the years, just to the body and to the color. The Love Rock is Milwaukee Brewing’s first year round production lager. The cold, long fermentation process that helps create such a smooth flavor. This recipe is pretty straight forward with the malts and two hop varieties. The Vienna style malt adds a nice toasty quality without overwhelming the beer. Our yeast guy tells us that this lager strain happens to be quite old. Many of the the major breweries in Milwaukee did, and still do, use this yeast. Love Rock is a refreshing and simple beer.

Here is a video from youtube (www.youtube.com) and their website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

In closing, I enjoy pretty much all beers from this brewery.  This is not my favorite beer from this brewery but it is still a pretty good beer.  If you enjoy craft lagers, you will need to check this beer out.  I really enjoyed this beer but I will enjoy it if I cannot find something else. Go get some and let me know what you think of this craft lager.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Oskar Blues Deviant Dale’s India Pale Ale

image

In this blog, we are going to get into Oskar Blues Brewing and the beer is called Deviant Dale’s India Pale Ale.  Oskar Blues was founded in 1997 by Dick Dale Katechis in Longmont, Colorado.  They brew several different beer styles but they use only cans for their packaging.  Oskar Blues was the first craft brewery to package their beer in cans.  Let us get into the beers.

It has a cloudy copper color with a white head on the beer. The smell is of a heavy citrus to almost grapefruit to the beer.  The taste is a sweet grapefruit taste with a balance from the malts. The aftertaste is a bitter dry to it. For being Double IPA, it is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the bar menu (Blues Bar):

This beer is intended to be assault for hop lovers and is a returning favorite from the little brewery in Lyons, Colorado.

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

Deviant Dale’s IPA (8% ABV, 85 IBUs) was born at the crossroads, in a juke joint, as if Dale’s Pale Ale sold its soul to balance Deviant’s foreboding aromas of citrus, grapefruit rind and piney resins with a copper ball-of-fire color and inscrutable finish. The 2011 GABF Silver Medal Winner (American IPA Category) is the Devil incarnate with untold amounts of malt and hedonistic Columbus dry-hopping. Oskar Blues’ southern spirit caught a northbound blues bus to Colorado to deliver the boundary bustin’ brewery’s first 16 oz. tallboy can.

Here is a youtube (www.youtube.com) video and their website (www.oskarblues.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oskarblues.com

Twitter:  @oskarblues

In closing, I am excited to have this brewery in the Chicago Market.  When I wanted to drink their beers, I had to work the phones or get friends or family to bring back beer for me.  For this brewery, I will not have to do that anymore.  I saw this beer on draft at the Blue Bar.  This is a pretty good India Pale Ale.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be searching for it at my local liquor stores.  I see their Dale’s Pale Ale in most liquor stores which is expected.  This is a great brewery and I hope Chicago craft beer drinkers start showing them some love.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser