While dog sitting, I had a chance to sample Dogfish Head Burton Baton Imperial IPA. 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 read them, please read them to get to know Dogfish Head Brewery. Let us get into this IPA.
It has a clear dark copper to almost bronze color like with a nice white constant head. The aroma has a slight earthy, oak, vanilla, and citrus notes. The taste has a nice smooth slight vanilla notes along with an oak and citrus notes. The aftertaste has smooth oak and vanilla notes. It is a nice sipping beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.dogfish.com):
ABV:10.0
IBU:70
Availability:Year Round
Original Release Date:11/2004
This oak-aged hybrid has been gaining popularity over the past few years and is now available year-round.
For Burton Baton, we brew two “threads,” or batches, of beer: an English-style old ale and an imperial IPA.
After fermenting the beers separately in our stainless tanks, they’re transferred and blended together in one of our large oak tanks. Burton Baton sits on the wood for about a month.
When enjoying the Burton Baton, you’ll find an awesome blend of the citrus notes from Northwestern hops melding with woody, vanilla notes from the oak. The wood also tends to mellow the 10% ABV of Burton, so tread cautiously!
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.dogfish.com
Twitter: @dogfishbeer
Closing, I did not realize this brew is all year-long now. I always thought this was a seasonal. I am pretty happy to see Dogfish Head realizing the demands for their beers. It is a nice sipping and relaxing type of beer. This is a beer you will not be able to pound a few down in a day. There is some nice notes from oak, vanilla, to citrus notes. This is right way of making Oak IPA. There is a brewery in Michigan called Round Barn. They make similar beer called Oak IPA. I believe and it is not really good. I give them credit for trying. Dogfish Head Brewery did this beer right and gives the hopheads a little different. I recommend this beer and it should be pretty easy to find now since it is all year-long. 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 Hop City Brewery Hopbot IPA
In this beer blog, we are going sample a beer from a little craft brewery, who is Hop City Brewery, from Canada. This is one of their new beers and it is Hopbot IPA. There is really no history about this craft brewery. I do know they are from Canada and by looking at their website they are a young brewery. The article where I found the description below says they are part of the Moosehead Brewery. This beer is not listed on their website. Be careful, there is a brewery in the south named Hop City too. Let us get into this IPA.
It has a clear copper color with constant small bubbles. The white constant head is showing itself off on this IPA. The aroma has a nice citrus notes to hints of sweet malt. The taste has a nice tropical to citrus notes. The aftertaste has a tropical fruit finish like mango almost. It is a drinkable beer from Canada.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Programmed with 5 West Coast American hops, Hopbot IPA brings out waves of absurd citrus and tropical aroma and flavor. The Citra, Centennial, Mosaic, Summit and Willamette hops provide 70 IBUs which are perfectly balanced by a solid malt backbone.
Here is a description from article in Canada website (www.canadianbeernews.com):
The latest brew from the guys at Hop City is their boldest yet, packed with five different West Coast American hops crafted to bring out waves of absurd citrus and tropical notes with just the right notes of spice and pine. The Citra, Centennial, Mosaic, Summit and Willamette hops provide a serious hop kick, while a blend of Canadian Pale 2-Row, Carastan, Crystal and Black malts provide a solid balancing malt backbone.
Here is a their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.hopcity.com
Twitter: @hopcitybrewing
In the end, I like this beer but I would not say it is my favorite brew. I love the five different hops they picked. I am happy to see more craft breweries popping up in Canada. Even though, it is under the company of Moosehead Brewery. There is nothing wrong with that. There are some craft breweries like that in the states. It looks like they are allowed to do their thing unlike most craft breweries that are in this situation. This is a great IPA and I would be interested to see if they try to make Double IPA. I recommend you trying this brew at least once or twice. 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 Destihl Brewery Hoperation Overload Double IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample Hoperation Overload Double IPA from Destihl Brewery. Matt Potts switch careers from Lawyer to a brewmaster and CEO of Destihl Brewery in 2007. They brew several different beer styles and they package most of their beers in cans. Asides that, there is not much history from this young craft brewery. Let us get into this Double IPA.
It has a dark copper color with a semi constant white head. The aroma has a citrus to some floral notes. The taste has some citrus to a slight caramel to sweet malty notes. The aftertaste has a sweet caramel finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer can:
Hoperation Overload
Our mission for this Imperial or “Double” India Pale Ale is overload the beer with hops for an intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma while still being balanced by a big malt profile, resulting in a hoppy beer with more dimension. This beer is light copper in color with some hop haze from overloading with dry hops as well. Cheers!
Here is a description from their website (www.destihlbrewery.com):
Imperial India Pale Ale / overloaded with hops
ABV: 9.6% IBU: 85 Color SRM: 11 First Brewed: 06-19-09
Our mission for this Imperial or ‘Double’ India Pale Ale is to overload the beer with hops for an intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma while still being balanced by a big malt profile, resulting in a hoppy beer with more dimension. This beer is light copper in color with some hop haze from overloading with dry hops as well. World Beer Championships Award: Bronze Medal 2011
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.destihlbrewery.com
Twitter: @DESTIHLBrewery
In the end, I am a hardcore hophead. I love my hops and I love every level of IPA’s. Yes, I have grown to love White IPA’s. There are some unique ones out there that I fall in love with. However, we are talking about this Double IPA, I have to say I love it. I love the fact it is package in cans and I love design of the label. I love the play on words and I believe they are honoring those who serviced. I love the finish of this beer. For being Imperial IPA, it is pretty drinkable and that is a plus for us hopheads. It is drinkable to the experience IPA drinkers. I am not saying the guy that drinks wheat ales is going to say this is drinkable. It is a sipping beer to him. I recommend you trying 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 New Holland Brewing Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample a special beer from New Holland Brewing. It is their Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know New Holland Brewing. Let us get into Michigan IPA.
It has a nice dark copper color with a nice white constant head on this Michigan IPA. The aroma has a citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with hints of malty to light caramel in taste profile. The aftertaste has a slight dry hoppy finish but it is pretty clean finish. It is extremely drinkable brew.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
The epitome of Hand Crafted, Michigan Awesome Hatter celebrates community, collaboration and local agriculture, Centennial hops from the Leelanua Peninsula provide bright citrusy counterpoint to the delicious and earthy malt notes from Michigan grown and malted 2-row barley.
Here is a description from their website (www.newhollandbrew.com):
The epitome of Hand Crafted, Michigan Awesome Hatter celebrates community, collaboration & local agriculture. Cascade hops from the Leelanau Peninsula provide bright citrusy counterpoint to the delicious and earthy malt notes from Michigan grown and malted 2-row barley. Thanks to our collaborators, Michigan Awesome.
Beer Style
Michigan-grown IPA
Degrees Plato
14
Alcohol by Volume
5.8%
IBUs
55
Grains
2-row, munich, crystal
Hops
Cascade, Nugget
Yeast
American Ale
First Brewed
2013
Pairings
Sharp cheddars, herbed poultry and curry
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.newhollandbrew.com
Twitter: @newhollandbrew
Closing, I love supporting my local craft brewery. I am honest to myself if a beer or brewery is bad. I am not saying this beer or brewery was bad. New Holland Brewery makes some average to slightly above average beers. I do like some of their brews. I have to say this beer is pretty good. I just feel for the price gives me a different aspect of this brew. I just feel it is just does not live up to the price. This beer is nothing special. I do not care where everything comes from because it is not anything special. However I had this on draft, it is better on draft than bottle. I thought it lived up to price on draft. I will give this brewery credit for trying. I would love to hear your thoughts on this brew. 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 Terrapin Beer Co Mosaic Red Rye India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to get into Terrapin Mosaic Red Rye India Pale Ale. Terrapin was founded in 2002 by Brian Buckowski and John Cochran. They are located at Athens, Georgia. They brew several different beer styles. This brewery was named after Grateful Dead record. Let us get into this rye ale.
It has a nice dark ruby-red color with a nice off white to tan color head. The smell has a heavy malty to caramel notes with hints of earth to piney. The taste has a malty to earthy hop notes with a dry bitter hop aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle and website (www.terrapinbeer.com):
Like a fine piece of art, “Mosaic” Red Rye IPA is masterfully created by using 100% Mosaic™ hops throughout the brew. With it’s aesthetically pleasing ruby-red color and spatial depth from the rye malt, this hand crafted masterpiece leaves your palate’s canvas open to interpretation.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.terrapinbeer.com
Twitter: @TerrapinBeerCo
Closing, I knew there were other craft brewery in Georgia. I just never had the chance to get around to sample these beers. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Sweetwater Brewery. I was pretty excited to see this brew in my beer trade. I will be on hunt to sample more of Terrapin’s beers in the near future. Rye IPA’s are one of my favorite IPA beer style. I am always on the hunt for new Rye IPA. The depth that is in this beer is something else. I mean that in a good way. I love caramel to earthy and piney notes. They did a great job on the malty backbone and selection of hop. They used it correctly to feature it in this brew. 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 Wild Rose Brewery IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into Wild Rose Brewery IPA for the first time on this blog. Wild Rose Brewery was founded in 1996 by Mike Tymchuk. They were founded in Calgary, Canada. They brew several different beers. Let us get into this IPA.
It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a slight caramel to citrus notes. The taste has a citrus to caramel notes with a dry hoppy finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle and website (www.wildrosebrewery.com):
A beautiful copper-coloured ale, rich in caramel malt character and well-balanced with plenty of hops. An authentic India Pale Ale, this IPA is handcrafted for the true ale drinker.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.wildrosebrewery.com
Twitter: @wildrosebrewery
Closing, I have to say I have been pretty impressed with some craft beers from Canada. I always thought they were a bunch of Lager breweries. I guess I am so wrong. I know they brew several ales around the country. I did not think they are pretty good. Well, Wild Rose Brewery and Mill Street Brewery are proving me wrong. I am sorry for saying and thinking it. I love the caramel notes bending with the citrus. I love the hoppy dry finish that keeps me coming back for more of it. Wild Rose Brewery has a winner IPA here. 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 Du Claw Brewery Neon Gypsy India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew, which is Neon Gypsy India Pale Ale, from Du Claw Brewery. It is another beer from my beer trade. 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 this craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.
It has unfiltered copper color with a semi white head on this India Pale Ale. The smell has notes of citrus and grapefruit. The taste of this medium body is a heavy grapefruit to citrus notes with a dry hop bitter finish for the aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable IPA.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Unplug with this golden IPA infused with grapefruit, citrus, and notes of pine by a Vagabond blend of seven hops that continues to roam your palate long after the beer’s crisp finish. Pop the top, it’s time to … disconnect!
Here is a description from their website (www.duclaw.com):
Neon Gypsy, our 6.5% abv India Pale Ale, new for 2014! It is medium-bodied and clear with a thin white head and crisp mouthfeel. A vagabond blend of 7 different hops dominates with grapefruit and citrus flavors and aromas, accented by notes of pine, that continue to roam your palate long after its clean, hoppy finish. Disconnect, and you will find your way.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.duclaw.com
Twitter: @duclawbrewing
Closing, there is some nice flavors in this beer. I really enjoy drinking this beer and I wish I could get this brewery in the Michigan market. I love the hops and the malty backbone. It is a medium body beer that is pretty drinkable beer. There is a heavy citrus to grapefruit notes. I am pretty amaze with the seven different hops that they used in this beer. If you are able to get this beer, I highly recommend it. 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 Widmer Brothers Upheaval IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer from my beer trade with my friend Matt from the East Coast. I have been wanting to try this beer and I was pretty excited to get a few bottles. It is Widmer Brothers Upheaval IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know Widmer Brothers. Let us get into Upheaval IPA.
It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head on this India Pale Ale. The aroma has a heavy citrus to slight grapefruit notes. The taste profile of this medium to full body beer is a carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish. It is pretty drinkable IPA but I find myself sipping it.
Here is a description from their website (www.widmerbrothers.com):
Upheaval IPA is the result of our brewers’ relentless pursuit of the perfect IPA. With more than two pounds of hops per barrel, Upheaval IPA unleashes a huge hop flavor and aroma with serious bitterness and balanced finish. Brewed with wheat, the result is a hazy, bold IPA that’s Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetic. Uncompromised.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.widmerbrothers.com
Twitter: @widmer_brothers
Closing, this is an awesome brew. I really enjoyed it. I just find it funny. When I make this trade with my friend, package finds its way into my market but it is still a drive. I am cool with that because now I can pick up a six-pack. I love big malty backbone with some Northwest hops. It has a nice bold and powerful hop character but nice enough to make it drinkable beer. Widmer Brothers did it again. They pushed the limits of craft beer. This is the new standard of IPA’s. 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 Greenbush Brewery Dunegräs India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew, which is Dunegräs India Pale Ale, from Greenbush Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this west side Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this India Pale Ale.
It has a dark copper color to light amber with a constant white head. The aroma has a slight floral to citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation with a sweet notes to citrus like notes towards the middle of the drinking experience. The dry bitter hop aftertaste at end. It is kind of drinkable to a nice sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Here at Greenbush we’ve always known that good ideas often start over beer. We also know that there’s nothing like taking a good idea too far. You’re reading this, so you must be one of us. Enjoy the first step in taking your own idea too far.
Here is a description from their website (www.greenbushbrewing.com):
A justly hopped india pale ale with absolutely no dunegrass.
Combining west coast and noble hops, we created our own IPA with a shining finish. And as an environmental treat, absolutely no dunegrass was killed in order to make our fine beer, so drink up!
Grain: Golden Promise, Gambrinus, Munich, Belgian Aromatic, Crystal 60L
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Cascade, Spalt
Yeast: House yeast
Specs:
67 ibu
alc. 6.7% by vol.
12º LovibondHere is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greenbushbrewing.com
Twitter: @Greenbush_Brew
Closing, I have had several of their brews. This one was pretty good and I did enjoyed drinking it. I have to say I was a little disappointed compared to rest of their beers. This beer is still a great beer. I love two out of four of hops that they use in this brew. I do not know why I am pretty disappointed with this beer but it is still good. I guess every craft breweries has that beer in their line up. This beer is the weakest in their line up but this beer could be some craft breweries best beer. This Michigan craft brewery makes some great beers. I recommend this beer and I want to hear your thoughts. 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 Dragonmead Brewery Crown Jewel IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample Crown Jewel IPA from Dragonmead Brewery. This is the first appearance for this brewery and beer. We will do a belief history of this Michigan craft brewery and then get into this beer. Dragonmead Brewery opened in 1997 in Warren, Michigan. It was founded by Earl Scherbarth, Larry Channel, and Bill Wrobel. They brew several different beer styles. Their packaging and brewpub has a Medieval era theme. Let us get into this beer.
This Michigan craft India Pale Ale has a dark amber to dark copper color. If you glance at it, it looks almost looks like a brown color. The smell has earthy tones and notes with hints of toffee to malt notes. The taste profile of this medium body has earthy notes to toffee and slight caramel with dry hop bitter finish for the aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.dragonmead.com
Twitter: @Dragonmead
In closing, This is not American IPA. It is an English style IPA. There is a huge malty backbone that is overpowering the hops. They picked some nice hops. It is a bad version of IPA and I am not liking the metallic notes. I just find it pretty funny that this beer is not on their website. Is it still being made? Or did this beer found itself in grave? These are some pretty important questions. This is beer is in a four pack and it is overpriced. I believe this craft brewery needs to look at their beer a little bit more. I believe they need to take a hard look at their recipes. They have a shot of making some good beers. I just feel they are at a cross roads. With all new craft breweries and beers in the market, this craft brewery needs to take some notes. I do not recommend this beer but it is worth trying at least once. Don’t go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
DJ Weiser 