In this special beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Stone Brewery. It is their 19th Anniversary IPA. It is their Thunderstruck 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 California craft brewery. Let us get into this IPA.
It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a floral to slight citrus notes. The taste of this medium body has a citrus notes with hints of hop bitter. The aftertaste has a hop bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.stonebrewing.com):
Our 19th anniversary beer brings the boom, delivering it to the palate in a voluminous, hop-driven thunderclap backed by the power of our brewing passion and intensity. This double IPA owes its considerable oomph to a quartet of Australian hops—Topaz and Galaxy, plus newcomers Ella and Vic Secret. We also had Fairview malt shipped in from Australia just for this brew. The beer’s striking tropical fruit, citrus and peach hop flavors and slightly resinous and aromatically dank earthiness are sure to electrify your senses.
We have many special beers planned for release to celebrate our 20 years of brewing, so let this serve as the first course to what will be an undoubtedly epic feast for craft beer enthusiasts, with particular thanks to those who’ve been with us for the long haul and helped us attain such longevity. Consider this the first of many Thank-Yous…for years to come!Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.stonebrewing.com
Twitter: @stonebrewingco
Ending, I always pick up their new IPA’s. I am a huge fan of this craft brewery. i love the fact that they are always trying something different and new in beer. I love taste profile and nice balance in this beer. This craft brewery knows how to make IPA’s. I trust this craft brewery more than any other craft brewery. This is a nice IPA and I am glad I checked it out. I highly recommend this beer. I like it but is taste like a normal IPA. There is nothing wrong with that. 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 Schlafly American IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Schlafly Brewery. It is their Special American India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know history of this Midwest craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Missouri craft brewery. Let us get into this American India Pale Ale.
It has a cloudy light copper color with a constant white head. The smell has a heavy grapefruit to citrus like notes. The taste has the same aroma notes. The aftertaste has a citrus to hop bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their beer bottle:
A special release IPA, AIPA is available for a limited time, with a new IPA every few months. Schlafly American IPA is brewed with 100% American hops. They impart bitterness and citrus flavor to the ale.
Here is a description from their website (www.schlafly.com):
American IPA | Schlafly Beer
Our American IPA gets its bold hop flavor from 100% American hops and its deep gold and full body from pale and crystal malted barley. A blend of Amarillo, Centennial and Simcoe hop varietals imparts AIPA with bitterness and prominent aromas of citrus and fruit. Our brewers select these hops on an annual pilgrimage to the hop farms of Pacific Northwest.
IPAs (India Pale Ales) were first brewed in England during the late 1700s for export overseas to British soldiers in India. To keep their beer from spoiling during the long voyage, English brewers fortified their traditional pale ale recipes with natural preservatives: more malted barley, for a higher alcohol content, and more hops. In recent decades, with growing appreciation for highly hopped beers, American craft brewers have revived the style, embraced it, and incorporated new hop varieties. Our Special Release IPAs further those traditions and showcase the distinctions of hops from different hemisphere.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.schlafly.com
Twitter: @schlafly
Ending, it is a big holiday when I get Schlafly beers. I do not get any of their beers in the Michigan market. I have been wanting to try this beer since it was first released in their beer market. I will say it did not disappoint me at all. I love the tasting notes. I love the hop selection. They build a nice malty backbone. I love this beer as much their APA. 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 The Alchemist Heady Topper
In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brew that I have been wanting to try in a long time. The brewery is The Alchemist and the beer is Heady Topper. Alchemist is from Vermont. It is a small brewery that focus on this brew. They do brew other beers. This brewery started in 2003. They opened a larger brewery in 2011. There is not much history on this brewery. This beer is hard to get and people go out of their way to get this brew. Let us get into this beer.
It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The carbonation is pretty alive. The aroma has a heavy earthly to floral like notes. The tastes of this full body double India Pale Ale has a slight citrus to piney like notes. The aftertaste has an orange to grapefruit like finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer can:
Heady Topper is an American Double India Pale Ale. This beer is not intended to be the biggest or most bitter. It is meant to give you wave after wave hoppy goodness on your palate. Tremendous amounts of American hops will creep up on you, and leave you with a dense hoppy finish in you mouth.
So drinkable. It’s scary. Sometimes I wish I could crawl right into the can. Freshness and control have always been my main concern when it comes to our beer. We are committed to providing you with an unfiltered and unpasteurized hop experience. The act of pouring it in a glass smells nice, but it releases the essential hop aromas that we have worked so hard to retain. If you MUST pour it into the glass, you mind find that some of the hop resins have settled to the bottom – leave them in the can when pouring. This beer is perishable, and at its best when it is young, fresh and hazy. Keep it cold, but not ice-cold. Drink this immediately, we are always making more.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.alchemistbeer.com
Twitter: @alchemistbeer
Ending, I will say this beer did not disappoint me for the wait and hunting to get this brew. This is a great beer and I can see why it is rated so high. It is well-balanced for double IPA. This is the best Double IPA that I have ever had. There is a nice balance and it does not drink like a Double IPA. They did an awesome job on this brew. I want more. This is the brew that I will base other Double IPA’s on in the future. I bet others do the same. I highly recommend this beer and I cannot say it enough. 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 North Peak Brewery Burly Belgo India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from North Peak Brewery. It is their Burly Belgo India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.
It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a Belgian spice notes. The taste has a light earthly Belgian spice notes with a hop bitter finish. It is kind of drinkable.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.northpeak.net
Twitter: @northpeakbeer
Closing, I have been wanting to try this beer for a while. I saw this beer and I knew I had to pick it up. I do not know if they still make. There is a few things going on in this beer. I have to say it does not taste like most of the Belgian style IPA’s that I had in the past. I love the one from New Belgium but they do not make it anymore. It is kind of water down Belgian triple. This beer is very below average. I want my money back. I would not go out of my way looking for this beer. Don’t 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 New Holland Brewing Mad Hatter Midwest India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from New Holland Brewery. This brew has been redesign recipe and new packaging. 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 Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into IPA.
It has a cloudy to unfiltered golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus like notes. The taste has a nice balance of citrus that bends into a nice dry bitter aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Mad Hatter’s whimsy is celebrated with floral aromatics from assertive dry hopping, and a bright, hoppy body, punctuated with Centennial, Citra, and Michigan grown Cascade hops. Citrus notes and pleasant bitterness excite your palate before welcoming a balancing malty finish. Pairings: aged cheddars, herb roasted poultry, vinaigrettes and six o’clock.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.newhollandbrew.com
Twitter: @newhollandbrew
In the end, New Holland finally took noticed that their old IPA was not really good. They redesign it and put a new recipe in their beer bottles. I love citrus notes and it turned out pretty good. They finally did something right with one of their everyday beers. I believe it is turn off for what you have to pay to get this beer. I am not paying 9.99 to 11.99 for this beer. This is made in Michigan not New York or California. I understand that IPA’s are not cheap to make. I just do not understand why the price being high in Michigan. I recommend it, however, you will see what I am talking about. I can get the same beer but cheaper. 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 Farmington Brewery Visit
In this beer blog, I had a chance to stop in to visit Farmington Brewery. Jason Hendricks and Jason Schlaff started to put together plans to open a brewery in downtown Farmington in 2013. Jason Schlaff’s father, who is Gary Schlaff, joined the team. Later on that year, Farmington Brewery finally opened up in 2014 and offer eight different beers. They are offering up to twenty-one and two to three different ciders. The building itself is small but it is perfect for them right now. It has a nice location in downtown Farmington, Michigan. They are right next door to an Irish Bar. It also has a nice outside sitting facing the main street. Customers get to enjoy the nice weather with some good craft beers. It has a nice welcoming inside this brewpub.
They do not service any food, however, you can bring food in or have it order to be delivered. They do not mind and they coverage it. This is a small place so keep that in mind when you go out during prime bar nights. Let us talk about the beer because this is the reason why people would come here. I did like their Pale Ale, Dry Stout, and 4 c’z Slam MI IPA. I love their Mt.Olympus Double IPA, I like the Dry Stout but it is pretty average. The Wheat is below average. I will be back to try some more of their brews.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.fbcbrewing.com
Twitter: @farmingtonbeer
Closing, overall, I believe this craft brewery is going in right direction. They just need to slow down and take in what they are successful to build on it. Most craft breweries do see their faults and keep doing the same mistakes. I am not saying Farmington Brewery. I am talking in general. Farmington Brewery are working to be successful on everything. I can see them starting to do it after one visit. I had some of their at a beer party and at some of neighborhood craft beer bars. I enjoyed their beers and I will be back to try more. I recommend checking out this craft 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 Great Lakes Brewing Sharp Shooter
In this summer beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Great Lakes Brewery. It is the first seasonal with their new packaging. It is a new beer in their books. It is Sharpshooter Session Wheat IPA. 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 craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.
It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a nice welcoming orange notes. The taste has a citrus to orange notes. The aftertaste has an orange like finish that is not over bearing. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Inspired by Ohio’s “little sure shot” Annie Oakley, our Session Wheat IPA is peppered with rounds of whole Orange peel and fully loaded with Jarrylo hops.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Twitter: @GLBC_Cleveland
In the end, I saw this coming down the pipeline. I thought Great Lakes Brewery was way behind the beer trends. I have to say they came up with something different than the rest of White IPA’s. I like it. It is not my go to as far as Summer seasonals. I have to say it is up with all the straight wheat ales and fruit beers that hit the market during the summer. With that all said, I was wrong. Great Lakes Brewery is seeing something that I did not see. I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gamil.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from Great Lakes Brewery. It is their Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Ohio base craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery. Let us get into this Imperial IPA.
It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a tropical to almost mango like notes. The taste has a some nice sweet citrus to tropical fruit notes like a mango. The aftertaste has a lasting dry bitter finish. It is a sipping beer.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Twitter:@GLBC_Cleveland
Ending, I look forward every year for this beer to be released. I was pretty stun to see that I never blogged about this brew. This brew has a well built malty backbone to give off a nice balance for Imperial IPA. The malty backbone let the hops shine nicely throughout the drinking experience. I love this beer. I love the mango and tropical like notes. This is a great beer and I wish it was one of their everyday brews. I highly recommend this brew. 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 Coronado Brewing Idiot IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release every year from Coronado Brewing Company. It is their Idiot IPA Imperial India Pale Ale. 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 Coronado Brewing. Let us get into Imperial India Pale Ale.
It has a cloudy golden color without a head on this Imperial IPA. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a heavy citrus notes. The aftertaste has a heavy citrus to hop bitter finish. It is a sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
It doesn’t take a genius to know quality West Coast IPA’s require a stupid amount of hops. A generous blend of Nugget hops and the four C’s – Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus – brings forth a myriad of tropical fruit flavors and a brawny, persistent bitterness that makes for a highly intelligent brew.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.coronadobrewingcompany.com
Twitter: @coronadobrewing
Closing, Anyone can make imperial IPA. The question is you need to ask. Is this one a good one? Idiots can throw a ton a hops into a brew kettle to hide a ton of mistakes in their beer. This Double IPA is one of the bad ones. The malty backbone is pretty weak and it is not strong enough to cut through the hop bitterest. This beer to me taste like hop water beer. It takes a genius and smart brewmaster to make a good Imperial IPA. I think you need to take some lessons from your neighbor down the street. They are always finding away to change and do something different with their Double and Imperial IPA. I do not really recommend this beer. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Lagunitas Citrusinensis Pale Ale
In this beer blog,we are going to get into one of the beers from One Hit Wonders series from Lagunitas Brewery. It is their Citrusinensis Pale Ale. 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 this craft brewery. Let us get into this pale ale.
It has clear golden color with a white constant head. The white head has big bubbles. The aroma has a citrus to blood orange notes. The taste has a citrus to orange juice notes. The aftertaste has a orange juice finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.lagunitas.com):
CitruSinensis Pale Ale | Lagunitas Brewing Company
We took some fresh Sanguinello Blood oranges, juiced ’em, concentrated that juice (without heat) and threw it into a wheatier version of our New Dogtown Pale Ale. The end result? A refreshingly hopped pale-ish ale with a huge citrus burst!
The man bent over his guitar, a shearsman of sorts. The day was green. They said, ‘You have a blue guitar, you do not play things as they are.’ The man replied, ‘Things as they are / Are changed upon the blue guitar.’ And they said then, ‘But play, you must, a tune beyond us, yet ourselves, a tune upon the blue guitar of things exactly as they are.’ He sighs, I cannot bring a world quite round, although I patch it as I can. I sing a hero’s head, large eye and bearded bronze, but not a man, although I patch him as I can and reach through him almost to man. If to serenade almost to man is to miss, by that, things as they are, say it is the serenade of a man that plays a blue guitar…” These, the words of the Conjurer-in-Chief; Wallace Stevens, describe in perfect detail the work of a brewer as he sits to write a new recipe. Perfection is the goal, to fill a desire for a perfect beer. Yet the instrument of his mind and that of the brewhouse and yeast are the fallible tools at hand. And so he patches it as he can. A little hop here, a little citrus there, a yeast to marry the two, the worthy substrate of reality calling the key and time signature. The beer that comes will be the beer we drink, the beer whose story we will tell here. The brewer does what he can and imagines a world quite round. Conjurer-in-Chief Stevens concludes; “Exceeding music must take the place of empty heaven and its hymns.” What does it all have to do with beer?
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.lagunitas.com
Twitter: @lagunitasbeer
In the end, I believe this craft brewery has not put out a bad beer. They are like Tesla, who is a metal back from the 1980’s and current. This band did not put out a bad record. This is an awesome beer. This beer is part of One Hit Wonder series. This beer is made once and it is gone. It has a nice balance and I wish this beer was around a little longer or makes a come back. 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
DJ Weiser 