craft ipa

New Beer Blog Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA from Founders Brewery. 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 Founders. Let us get into this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a semi on tan color head. The smell has a burn chocolate to coffee and citrus notes. The taste has a a creamy chocolate citrus notes with a dry hoppy to roasted chocolate aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

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

A heavy malt foundation includes Crystal malt for sweetness and just enough Midnight Wheat malt to push the color to black. The bitterness is huge, but balanced by malt sweetness and alcohol burn. The hop flavors and aromas range from citrus to floral to pine thanks to a delicious blend of hand-selected Chinook and Centennial hops.

ABV: 8.9%

IBUs: 100

Availability: Oct – Dec

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter: @foundersbrewing

Closing, I enjoyed this beer very much. I just wished it was everyday six-pack brew. They did a great job on this brew. I love the creamy chocolate citrus notes. It is in your face but smooth unlike most black IPA. It is like they used stout base to make this Black IPA. Most craft breweries use a porter base to make their Black IPA. There is a nice balance to this beer, however, it is still a sipping beer. The aroma and color are spot on to the beer style. This makes you want to try the beer and enjoy it. I realize the cost but I wish they made more of this beer. I am not a fan of the price but I wanted to try it. I am glad that I did. This is their best beer that they make. It is a shame that it is not everyday beer. I highly recommend you go out on a beer hunt for 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 New Holland Brewing Black Hatter Ale Black IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from New Holland Brewery. It is their Black Hatter Ale Black 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 this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this black ale.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head. The aroma has a slight coffee to citrus notes. The taste has a roasted malty with coffee notes. There is a nice citrus with burn to hoppy bitter finish. This is a sipping beer.

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

Description

IPA brewed with black malts which add dark, roasted flavors. Dry-hopped. Centennial finish.

Beer Style

Black IPA

Degrees Plato

14.2

Alcohol by Volume

5.07%

IBUs

67

Grains

2-row, Munich, Crystal, Black, Carapils

Hops

Nugget, Centennial, Cascade

Yeast

American Ale

First Brewed

2001

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter: @newhollandbrew

Ending, I get pretty excited when any craft brewery releases new beer or a beer I never had. It is fear of the unknown that brings out the excitement of brews. I have been curious about this beer for a while. I have had this beer on my beer list for a while. I broke down and finally picked up a bottle. I love the packaging and color to the beer. It has some nice tasting notes but I just thought it was pretty average beer. It is an OK but not worth the price that you are paying for it. At least, try it once. 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 Lagunitas Sucks Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Lagunitas Brewery. It is their Sucks Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale. 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 this craft brewery. Let us get into this beer in quart bottle.

It has a clear bright golden copper color with a white constant head. The smell has a heavy citrus notes with a slight caramel notes. It is really fated. The taste has citrus to a slight creamy caramel notes. The aftertaste has crisp dry bitter finish that is pretty smooth. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Originally brewed in 2011 as a Brown Shugga’ substitute, due to construction-induced capacity issues. But we liked it so much it had to make a return trip.

AVAILABLE: LATE NOVEMBER thru JANUARY
ABV: 7.85%
Sold as: 6-Packs & Kegs (plus 32oz Quarts in select markets)
Net contents: Ounces and ounces of Malt, Hops, Yeast and water.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.lagunitas.com

Twitter: @lagunitasbeer

Closing, I have always loved Lagunitas Sucks. I am always sad that this beer is only a seasonal. This Sucks is their Brown Shagga edition. Plus, I love that it comes out in 32oz or quart bottle. I am saving my bottle. When I visited the brewery in Chicago this last summer, they were selling these bottles and I wanted to take it home. The problem was that I flew out of Chicago. I love all nice caramel to citrus notes. They picked a nice selection of hops and build a well design malty backbone. I love this beer and I will have a few more bottles in the neat future. 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 Alaskan Brewery Hop Thermia Double IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into Hop Thermia Double IPA from Alaskan Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northwest 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 clear copper color with a semi white head. The smell has slight citrus notes. The taste has a citrus notes with a citrus hop bitter finish for the aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

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

Style:

This American Double India Pale Ale, or IPA, is as big and bold as the mythical lone brewer himself. Legend has it that he first came up with this beer, with the help of his woodland friends, to fight against the long frigid winter nights endured by all of the pioneers of the Last Frontier.

Flavor Profile:

Hopothermia is a full-flavored representation of the Double IPA style with a robust malt body resting in easy harmony, like a massive grizzly bear in winter, with the big and drinkable American hop character.

History:

Much of the history of Hopothermia is lost to the mists of time. We know that the windswept lone brewer dreamt of a Double IPA so bold and packed full of hop flavor that it could keep the wild wolves from the door of his remote cabin. We know he was able to converse with the creatures of the woods – except for the bears who slept through the cold winter, and the mink, who were just really super rude. And we know he skillfully crafted a beer that became the stuff of legend.

There are strange brews made where glaciers cascade
By the brewers who know no bounds.
For they stuff in the hops ’til the temperature drops
And then call for a few more rounds.
In Alaska, it seems, every brewer dreams
of a bold Double IPA.
Hopothermia’s the beer, in the Last Frontier
That will keep the wild wolves at bay.

Story Behind The Label:

The legend of Hopothermia begins as any Alaskan tale should, on a frozen landscape with wolves howling and a vast dark moonless sky of swirling Northern Lights above. It was on that long-ago night that a lone brewer stood against the harsh winds with only his beard to protect him, and dreamt of a beer so full of hop flavor, so jam packed with the spirit of frontier Alaska, it could freeze your very soul and one of your thumbs. All that winter, as moose, wolverines, and one beaver peered through his remote cabin window, he feverishly labored to make a beer that could face down the harsh elements – that could conquer not only thirst – but fear itself. After the thaw, the lone brewer had vanished, leaving behind only a few recipes scrawled on scraps of paper, a sock puppet, and a hand-whittled keg. In that keg he left his legacy – Hopothermia. Respect this beer. Wear layers. Lots of wool. Mittens? Open a bottle and then, sshh . . . Listen for the windswept cry of a lone wolf.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter: @alaskanbeer

Closing, I know you know that I am a huge fan of this brewery. I loved this brewery before they came to the State Of Michigan. I was always excited when my friend Dean would bring some bottles back from the West Coast. When they finally made it to Michigan, I have been going crazy finding out what is being released in the state. There were several beers that are here that I never had. I was excited to get them out-of-the-way. This Double IPA was one of them. I love the name and the packaging. I love how it is a nice sipping beer. There is some complex flavor going on in this beer. I love it. It has a nice color and aroma. This is a great beer. 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 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA Deconstructed (2014)

In this beer blog, we are going to get into my second Samuel Adams IPA sampler pack. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this East Coast Craft Brewery, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into these six different single hop IPA.

Latitude 48 IPA

This beer is one of their everyday six-pack bottles. It has your normal IPA amber to copper look to it with a white constant head. The taste of this IPA gives a nice hop taste with nice bitter ending. You can taste beer from the front of the pallet which gives off sweet to bitter tastes notes. The aftertaste is something I really do not like about this beer. It has a dry hoppy bitter finish. For what Samuel Adams is today, this is a well made beer. I hate to say it because I know it is a slap in the face to any brewmaster but this is a nice beginner IPA for people wanting to get into this great beer style. Overall a nice drinkable and easy drinking beer for the beer style. This IPA is better than their Rebel IPA.

East Kent Goldings IPA #1

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this English IPA. The smell has a heavy floral notes. The taste has a floral to earthy notes. The aftertaste is an earthy dry hop finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only East Kent Goldings. These classic English hops create a mellow bitterness with earthy, floral, and apricot notes that are balanced by a subtle malt sweetness.

Mosaic IPA #2

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a pineapple to citrus notes. The taste has a pineapple to a slight smooth caramel notes. It is has nice bitter hop aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only Mosaic hops . These distinctive American hops contribute subtle fruit notes of pineapple and Mandarin orange along with hints of eucalyptus. These delicate notes are complemented by the sweetness of the malt.

Hallertau Mittelfrueh IPA #3

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The smell has hints of citrus to piney notes. The taste has a light carbonation to some notes of piney and citrus. The aftertaste is a dry hop finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops from the Halletau region of Bavaria. These hops create a soft bitterness, along with delicate citrus and resinous pine notes that are balanced by a subtle malt sweetness and body.

Simcoe IPA #4

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes. The taste profile is a heavy grapefruit notes with a dry crisp grapefruit dry hop finish. It does not hang around like #1 to #3. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only Simcoe hops that bring a distinct punch of grapefruit character and piney notes. The subtle malt sweetness helps balance and round out the concentrated hop character.

#5 Zeus IPA

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this IPA. The smell has an earthy notes. The taste is an earthy to piney notes with a dry bitter hop aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only American Zeus hops, which create an intense piney and resinous character. This brew leans strongly towards the hop character, but is balanced by the malts sweetness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.samueladams.com

Twitter: @SamuelAAdams

In the end, we are going to break this IPA sampler pack down. Being a huge Hophead, I am always looking to try new IPA’s in the market or retry old ones. I love when craft breweries take one IPA and mess around with it. I like to try different hops or malt with one recipe. Samuel Adams did that with Latitude 48 IPA, which is one of their everyday IPA six-pack and their best everyday IPA. I have had their newer IPA, which is Rebel IPA, and I am not a fan of it. It is not an American IPA. It is English IPA. I feel Rebel IPA is something that one of the mass-produced beer companies. Latitude 48 IPA is a nice gateway drug into craft beer and IPA world. They did a great job on some of these beers but there are a few in this pack that I could do without. I will give them credit for the effort on these brews. #1 is a pretty good English IPA but nothing close to Goose Island IPA and Brooklyn East India Pale Ale. The more that I start thinking about #1 is pretty good version of IPA than Brooklyn East India Pale Ale. I like this one. #2 has some nice tropical notes that the hops kick off in this brew. I love that in this beer. This is one of the best one in this pack. #3, I can do without this IPA. This was a bad mix with this hop. I just found Hallertau Mittelfrueh is a good hop with other hops. By itself, it is just not good. Maybe, it is this brewery. I just do not know. #4 is average but it is growing on me. I love this hop, which is Simcoe Hop. I am starting to think that the malty backbone in Latitude 48 is not mixing well with these other hops. This brew did grow on me. The last one #5 is really good along with the aftertaste. It keeps me coming back for some more. I normally get on any brewery about their aftertaste on IPA. I do not know why but this aftertaste makes me keep drinking more of this beer. The best beer #2 in this pack. The worse is #3. Overall, this is average IPA pack. They did an awesome job like three years ago. The last two years they did different IPA styles that I passed right by in the store. I give them credit for trying and make sure we still call Samuel Adams a craft brewery still. 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 Finch’s Beer Company Sobek And Set Black IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Finch’s Beer Company. It is their Sobek and Set Black IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brewery tour, you know the history of this Midwest Craft Brewery. If you have not, please, read it to get to know this craft brewery from chicago. Let us get into this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan color head. The aroma has a chocolate to citrus notes. The taste has a heavy chocolate and citrus notes with a dry hop bitter finish. This is a kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.finchbeer.com

Twitter: @finchbeer

Closing, this is an awesome beer and it is one of my favorite Black IPA on the market. It is one of my everyday beers right now. I will have to check it up here soon so I do not get bored with it. There is a ton of complex notes on this beer. The depth of flavor notes is what makes this beer special. I love the hop notes and there is some nice chocolate notes that blends nicely with the hops. I love the packaging design and it is in a can. I love my beer in cans. 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 Atwater Brewery In The Park

In this beer blog, we are going to talk about my visit at Atwater Brewery In The Park. I did not take tasting notes but I will talk about the food and kind of what I had to drink. I also will talk about my experience there. If you have read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this dining and drinking experience.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter: @atwaterbeer

Ending, I know there is other craft breweries using churches as their brewery. I know there is one in Pennsylvania. I have never been there. I would love to go. I will be the first to say that I am not a fan of this brewery but I wanted to check out this new brewpub in the Grosse Pointe, Michigan. I might not like the beer from the brewery but I like going to brewpubs. Sometimes, it might be the traveling that might be have an effect on the beer. The staff is super nice and helpful. The inside and outside area is very welcoming to their guests. They have two beer menus. One is beers that are brewed there and the other list is brewed at their main brewpub. I had two beers exclusive to the brewpub there. I had their Poorboy, which was a smoked porter, and Black IPA. I love these two beers and I was pretty impressive. I believe the main brewmasters need to look at some of these beers being made at this brewpub. The other two were Detroit Pale Ale and Bloktoberfest. I kind of like Bloktobeerfest. It is true to the beer style but I felt it was a little light for the style. Pale ale, I just felt it was a little weak on the hop and not strong malty backbone. I had two more that were not on any of these photos. I had GP IPA and Scherthing Cream Ale. These beers are part of the exclusive to Grosse Pointe brewery. The food came out. It was a German theme food menu. I love apps we order. It was a basket of Pretzels. They were awesome. There were different sizes with cheese and honey mustard, which were homemade there. There is a spicy mustard that was also made there. The main course was Turkey Burger with fries. I loved it. It was cooked just right and I love the spices. Overall, I had a great time and I will be back. I would love to try all the exclusive beers brewed there. I will be upfront and honest. I am not a fan of their everyday beers. There beers brewed there need to be packaged. 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 Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale

In the beginning, we are going to get into Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale. As you know I was at the brewery a few months ago. I thought I would start writing up reviews of their beers. If you read my review on their brewery tour, which I highly recommend doing, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read it, please, do so get to know this Chicago craft brewery. Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy dark golden to light copper color with a semi white head on this IPA. The aroma has a nice citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish that hangs out a bit. It is pretty drinkable IPA.

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

Finch’s Beer Company’s Threadless IPA is the gold medal winner in the IPA category at this year’s World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event. Our Threadless/Finch collaboration IPA is a balanced experience of both perceived hoppiness and true bitterness. It pours a darker amber color and finishes with a citrus flavor, and when combined, will require this to be the last IPA you ever drink!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.finchbeer.com

Twitter: @finchbeer

Ending, I really enjoyed this IPA. It is one of my favorite ones that I can get into Michigan market. It is one of my non Michigan craft IPA that I can get in my market. Later, found out that they are not in this market anymore. The hops have a great balance with the well designed malty backbone. When they released this beer, I was nervous because to be honest, I was not a fan of their Golden Ale or Pale Ale. I am glad that I did try it. This beer was the turning point for this craft brewery. This beer might be my second favorite beer from this craft brewery, today. My favorite is their Black IPA and it was a no brainer to try it after enjoying their IPA. I highly recommend this beer and a review of their Black IPA is coming soon. 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 Alaskan Icy Bay IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second beer from Alaskan Brewery. It is their Icy Bay IPA. This is a newer beer from them. I had their regular IPA a few years back. I loved it along with their Black IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog from a few days ago, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read it to get to know this craft brewery from Alaska. Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The smell has a slight citrus notes. The taste has a citrus notes with a dry hop finish for the aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style:

India Pale Ales are characterized by intense hop flavor and aroma accompanied with medium maltiness and body while also being crisp and dry.

Flavor Profile:

Alaskan Icy Bay IPA is made from glacier-fed water and a blend of Cascade, Bravo, Calypso, Summit and Apollo hops and premium two-row pale and specialty malts.

History:

India Pale Ale is a style of ale originally derived from a colonial thirst for British-brewed beers. By initially brewing the beer to high specific gravities it could continue to ferment during the journey to British colonies. Larger amounts of hops were also added for their preservative properties and resulted in a golden beer with a hoppy flavor.

Ingredients:

Alaskan Icy Bay IPA is made from glacier-fed water and a blend of Summit, Apollo and Cascade hops and premium two-row pale and specialty malts. Our water originates in the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice Field and from more than 90 inches of rainfall each year.

The Story Behind The Label:

The surfers who ride the waves around Yakutat and Icy Bay have to be prepared for all of the extremes that come with Alaska’s maritime climate. That can mean air temperatures well below freezing, and water temperatures not too much higher. It’s sometimes called blue face surfing, and it requires a special breed of adventurer to seek out the rugged shorelines that yield the best breaks.

Alaskan Icy Bay IPA comes from the heritage of a beer brewed to endure the long ocean journey from England to India, with a bold taste, brisk bitter bite, and a citrus hoppy aroma. For the surfers who venture into the cold waters of Icy Bay, it’s a beer to match the intensity of a remote ride on a wave breaking on a solitary Alaskan beach.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter: @alaskanbeer

Ending, I am so happy to see this craft brewery in Michigan. I had a rock show on a Friday at Freedom Hill. I will be enjoying some Alaskan at the tailgate. This IPA is just right. It makes me happy as a Hophead, however, it will bring some border line IPA drinkers over. This will bring new drinkers to the IPA beer style. It has a nice mild and refreshing brew that makes you coming back for more. The malty backbone has a nice bite to fight against the over the top hoppy notes. This is a great IPA and welcome to Michigan. 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 Griffin Claw Norm’s Gateway Session IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I need to stop drinking. I am talking about Griffin Claw and it is their Gateway Session IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this young Michigan craft brewery. If you have not read it, please, do so to get to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this Session IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head. The color is like an American lager. The aroma has a fresh piney to a slight grapefruit notes. The taste has some grapefruit to piney notes. The aftertaste has a dry hop bitter finish. It is extremely drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter: @Griffinclaw

In the end, this is a really good beer. I was pretty impressive. I really have not liked many of their beers that I have had. I will be hunting down their Pumpkin Ale because there is a rumor that it is the same recipe of Michigan Brewery Company one. There is an ongoing theme with this brewery and their beers. Their batches of beer are not constant. This makes it challenging for the craft beer drinker. I had this beer a few times already before writing this beer blog post. Yesterday, I had a great batch but this one that I have today is not really good. If this craft brewery corrects this problem, they could have some success in this tough Michigan craft beer market. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

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