craft ipa

New Beer Blog Cranker’s Brewery Professor IPA

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In this beer blog, Cranker’s Brewery Professor IPA is the beer and brewery that we will be sampling out.  I had a chance to try this beer at Buddy’s Pizza in Livonia, Michigan.  I thought I would write my thoughts on this brew.  There is not much history or information on this brewery.  I know they are young and they are from Big Rapids, Michigan. There is not much history on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It is hard to see in this restaurant because of the lighting.  It has a clear copper to light amber color with a white constant head.  The smell is a citrus notes.  The taste is carbonated citrus notes.  The aftertaste is dry hop finish.  It is kind of drinkable.

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

A West Coast style IPA, the Professor is golden and sports a large frothy white head. Hops leap out of the glass, citrus, apricot, and herbal notes define this brew. There is enough malty body to keep you coming back for more.

6.6% ABV – 65 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.crankersbrewery.com

Twitter:  @CrankersBrewery

Closing, I saw this brew and I was pretty interested in this beer.  I love my India Pale Ales.  I have to say I was not really impressed this brew.  It is not a bad beer but average brew.  I will say this brewery did a better job with their India Pale Ale over a few Michigan craft breweries and around the country.  This beer is better than Atwater Brewery Grand Circus IPA, New Holland Mad Hatter IPA, and Motor City IPA to name a few.  I would have this beer again but not all the time.  It would be once in a blue moon.  I will be retrying this beer in the near future. I want to hear your thoughts on this brew.  I will be searching out the rest of their beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Goose Island Brewing Upstream IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from the brewpub from Goose Island Brewing.  The beer is their Upstream IPA.  This beer is not in package.  It is beer they brew at their brewpub for their bar.  If you read my past blogs, you know the history of Chicago craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this brewer.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden color with constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is citrus in the beer.  The taste has carbonated citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland and @GooseClybourn

In the end, I had a chances to go down to the Goose Island Brewpub for one of my going away parties.  I had a few brews and this was one of them.  I had a chances to try the Alt and a one of their wheat ales.  I cannot think of the names of those beers.  I am a huge fan of India Pale Ales.  It was a no brainier to pick this beer.  I love the hops but not a fan of the malty backbone.  I just felt the hops were attacking it a little too much for my liking.  It is a drinkable beer and that is what won me over on this brew.  If this beer is still on draft, 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

New Beer Blog Epic Armageddon IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery I have been wanting to try in a very long time.  I am talking about Epic Brewery from New Zealand.  The beer is their Armageddon India Pale Ale.  Epic Brewing was started in 2006 by the founder, who is Luke Nicholas.  In 2007,  Steam Brewing Company sold all the Epic Brewing and the brands to Luke Nicholas.  The brewery started to sell their beers to Australia in 2009.  The United States and Sweden in 2010 and Belgium and Italy in 2011.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with pure white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is grapefruit.  The taste of this medium body beer is a carbonated grapefruit notes with a slight dry hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Armageddon I.P.A

The answer to everything.

In the beginning, there was nothing. Then an impish brewer piled a ludicrous amount of hops into a batch of beer. This zymurgical big bang is Epic Armageddon, an apocalyptic assault on your preconceptions and taste buds. It may be too huge for this fragile planet so enjoy this beer like it was the last one on Earth.

Malt

  • English pale ale
  • Caramalt

Hops

  • US Cascade
  • US Centenniel
  • US Columbus
  • US Simcoe

Flavours & aromas

  • Hops! hops! hops!
  • Citrus
  • Grapefruit

Awards

  • Best in Class – BrewNZ 2011
  • Best in Class – BrewNZ 2009
  • Gold Medal – BrewNZ 2011
  • Gold Medal – BrewNZ 2009
  • Bronze Medal – BrewNZ 2010

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.epicbeer.com

Twitter:  @EpicBeer

Closing, I am not disappointed with this beer after a long wait of wanting to try it.  I will be hunting down the rest of their brews.  This brewmaster did a great job on this brew.  He and his company put some thought behind this brew.  The beer is nice balance with some great hop notes and character.  It is pretty drinkable for the beer style.  I will be looking for more of this beer in Detroit beer market.  Thanks Luke for giving the United States craft beer drinker a good import IPA.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Right Brain Brewery Dead Kettle IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery from Michigan I have been waiting to try for a while.  It is Right Brain Brewery and the brew is their Dead Kettle IPA.  I had a chance to try this beer at Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summerfest.  Right Brain is located on the north-west part of the state and the City Of Traverse City, Michigan.  There is not too much information on this young brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head.  The smell is hints of grapefruit.  The taste is ripping the skin off a grapefruit without aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Working as a brewer means practicing your craft, knowing your equipment, and always being able to think on your feet.

Many years ago a dead brewing kettle was the spark that lead to eventual creation of this Right Brain Classic.

Showcasing heavy citrus notes and hop aroma, Dead Kettle is light bodied and refreshing.  Strong Grapefruit notes make way for a pleasantly bitter finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In closing, this beer is something else.  Of course, it is in a good way.  I love my IPA’s and this one is on my top ten beers.  I love the huge and heavy grapefruit beer.  It is extremely balance and this beer is done up right.  I love the packaging and the story about the name of the brewery.  I hope in the future they put out 12oz bottles or cans or 16oz cans.  I am not a huge fan of 22oz bottles.  I highly highly HIGHLY recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog DuClaw Brewing Serum Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery from a beer called DuClaw Brewing.  The brew is called Serum Double India Pale Ale. DuClaw Brewing brewed their first beer in 1996 and was founded the same year by Dave Benfield.  It was a Marzen and the beer was called Mad Bull Marzen.  According to their website, they are the number one craft brewery in Maryland.  They brew several different beer styles and won several different awards.  Let us get into beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a white head.  The smell is of pineapple to orange.  The taste is pineapple with an orange aftertaste.  It is drinkable but dangerous.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Give your palate a big injection of hop bitterness well-balanced by malty sweetness with this smooth, medium bodied, copper-colored nectar that takes India Pale Ale to the next level.  Pop the top and… Get all hopped up.

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

Serum

Double your pleasure. 

                 
Some beers are released … this one ESCAPED! Serum takes the style, IPA to a whole different level! This Double IPA is hopped aggressively at several stages in the brewing process. Although it is hopped up, Serum is well-balanced with a malty sweetness, making it the perfect solution to awaken lifeless taste buds.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.duclaw.com

Twitter:  @DuClawBrewing

Closing, I will say to my friend Matt from Maryland knows how to pick them or he has some great breweries by him.  I am thanking.  This brew is one of the best Double IPA that I had from out of my market.  I love the pineapple to orange notes from the hops and the nice balance from the malt.  This is a well balance beer for the beer style and it is extremely drinkable beer.  I really enjoyed this brew and I wish I could get this beer in the Chicago market.  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

New Beer Blog Evolution Craft Brewing Lot No. 3 India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brew from Evolution Craft Brewing and the beer is called Lot No. 3 India Pale Ale.  Tom and John Knorr founded this brewery in 2009.  They wanted to push the limits of their beers and make a journey for their beer drinkers.  They brew several different beer styles.  There is not much history on this young brewery asides what is on their website.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a cloudy a copper color without a head.  The smell is a grapefruit notes.  The taste of this full body beer is a carbonated grapefruit citrus with a dry hop finish.  It is kind of drinkable.

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

Lot 3 IPA

This American style IPA is aggressively hopped at a rate of over 2 lbs. per barrel. Big notes of citrus and pine complement a reserved but firm malt backbone.
Available in:12 oz Bottles

1/6 Keg

1/2 Keg

On Tap at Public House

On Tap in Tasting Room in Growlers
Beer Profile:

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 65

OG: 15.8

Hops: Columbus, Centenial, Cascade, Chinook, Amarillo

Malt: Pilsner, Caramunich

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.evolutioncraftbrewing.com

Twitter:  @evolutionbeer

In closing, this is the first time I have ever had this beer.  I traded with a friend from the Maryland area.  I have to say it was a great trade.  This is a great brew.  I love the hops that they put in this beer.  There is a nice balance with everything going on in the beer.  There is a nice balance between the hops and malt.  They did a great job brewing this beer and designing it.  They should be very proud of this brew.  I am honor to have try this brew.  If you are a fan of IPA’s and grapefruits, you will enjoy this brew.  I highly 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

New Beer Blog Speakeasy Double Daddy IPA

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Speakeasy Brewery Double Daddy IPA is the next brew that is being featured in this beer blog.  As many of you know, I have blogged on this brewery and I am huge fan of their brews.  If you have not read those posts, please, read those beer posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into another everyday brew from Speakeasy Brewery.

It has a deep dark copper color with a white constant head. The smell is a mango or tropical fruit to the beer. The taste is a carbonated mango without an aftertaste. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Doubling down on malt and hops, Double Daddy raises the stakes.  With its good looks and no-limit style, Double Daddy takes the pot every time.

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

IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE

Doubling down on malt & hops, Double Daddy raises the stakes. With its good looks and no-limit style, DD takes the pot every time.

Style: Imperial India Pale Ale

Release Date: January, 2003

Alcohol Content: 8.5% by volume

Malts: Pale malted barley, English Munich Malts

Hops: 4 Varieties of Pacific Northwest Hops, 3 hop additions, including dry hopping

Yeast: Speakeasy Ale Yeast

Tasting Notes: Copper color. Huge hop aroma. Bitter, hoppy and warming alcohol on the palate. Finishes incredibly dry and clean for such a big beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.goodbeer.com

Twitter:  @speakeasybeer

Closing out, Double Daddy is not a joke and you should not mess with this dude.  They took their Big Daddy IPA to the next level.  If you are a fan of their everyday six-pack IPA, you will love this Imperial IPA.  There is a nice balance between the hops and malt unlike most Imperial India Pale Ales on the market.  I would put this up against many Imperial IPAs in my market.  It is drinkable but has the punch like most Imperial IPAs on the market.  It is not over powering like you get from most Imperial IPAs.  I highly recommend this brew from Speakeasy.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Green Flash Brewing Palate Wrecker Hamilton’s Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery, who is Green Flash Brewing, that I had a few of their brews.  I have been wanting to get into their beers a little more.  Everyone I know that are hophead keep on telling me to try this beer, which is Palate Wrecker Hamilton’s Ale. Green Flash was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley in Vista, California.  In 2011, they moved their brewery to San Diego, California.   They brew several different beer styles but they are best known for their hoppy beers.  Their beers come in kegs, four pack bottles, and twenty-two ounces bottles.  As you can see in the photo above, we are getting into a beer in big bottle line.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is piney to citrus in the beer. The taste is carbonated piney with an extremely dry hop finish. This is a beer that some beer drinkers will be drinking water with it. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.greenflashbrew.com):

“Palate Wrecker was originally brewed for the Hamilton’s Tavern 2nd Anniversary celebration.  It’s the most complicated West Coast-inspired IPA we have ever brewed-mashing and sparging with hopped wort, in addition to our hop layering regimen for IPA.  By popular demand, it is now released for the world to enjoy.”  Chuck Silva, Brewmaster

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenflashbrew.com

Twitter:  @greenflashbeer

Ending, no kidding beer drinkers were demanding this beer to be release to the general public.  This is awesome Imperial India Pale Ale.  The only thing I do not like about it.  I believe it is just a little bit over hopped but that is just being picking.  Asides that, this is an awesome beer.  I love the hops they use in this brew.  This is a beer you need to sip.  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 Speakeasy Vendetta India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, another Speakeasy brew will be feature and it is called Vendetta India Pale Ale.  If you read my blogs so far, you know I have already wrote several posts on their beers.  If you have not, I would go back and read that Speakeasy posts.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this India Pale Ale. The smell is a citrus grapefruit to it. The taste is carbonated grapefruit with a dry hop to a touch of slight mango. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

As the fire rages on, an enduring rivalry reaches the breaking point.

Vendetta IPA is the taste of sweet revenge.  Aggressively bitter with a cutthroat convergence of Citra and Amarillo hops, this Vendetta won’t soon be forgotten.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.goodbeer.com

Twitter:  @speakeasybeer

In closing, this beer message on the bottle is not a joke.  If you are a hophead, you will want to have this beer again down the road.  I just kind wish it bottle into 12oz bottles not 22oz.  I am complaining either way.  It comes with a really good price for a great beer.  It helps that I am a huge fan of the hops, which are Citra and Amarillo, that they use in the beer.  Speakeasy made a great beer with no faults in it.  It has a nice malty backbone but enough hop build up that is not over the top.  I highly recommend you trying this beer if you are hophead or want to explore the world of India Pale Ales.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill  DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Flossmoor Station Rail Hopper IPA

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In this beer blog, we will be drinking a beer from Flossmoor Station Brewing and the beer is called Rail Hopper IPA.  Flossmoor Station is located in an old railroad station build in 1906.  The brewery opened in 1996 after a ton of work to the old railway station.  Today this brewery makes several different beer styles and bottles their beers in 22oz.  They have kept up the railroad theme throughout the brewpub.  I highly recommend the restaurant if you are not a beer drinker.  Let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale has a hazel copper color with a white constant head. The smell has a piney to it. The taste has a piney with a dry hop finish. It has a nice fresh hop taste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

India Pale Ale
A traditional American IPA with intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma.
7.5% abv

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flossmoorstation.com

Twitter:  @FlossmoorBrewCo

In closing, if you get this beer within its life, it is awesome beer.  The hops are not over the top but there are still there living in the beer.  It has a great malty backbone to keep you coming back for more.  There is not faults in this India Pale Ale unlike most  IPAs on the market.  I would be careful what you but out in the stores in the Chicago market.  I recommend trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser