craft

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 Sweetwater Brewery Hop Hash Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release beer from Sweetwater Brewery.  It is their Hop Hash Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Georgia base craft brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. There is a lot of carbonation in this beer. The aroma has a heavy juicy citrus notes. The taste of this double IPA has a front forward citrus notes. It has a bitter hop aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

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

We scraped all the hash out of the Yakima hop pelletizers we could get our sticky fingers on to concoct the dankest double IPA out there. The pure hop lupulin, aka “hash” (the resiny stuff), meshes seamlessly with the 2-row, pilsner and wheat malts, allowing it to deliver a pungent punch to the palate.

Specs: Available year round in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, 1/2 bbl kegs and 1/6 torpedo kegs.
Malt bill: 2-row, Pilsner, Wheat
Hops: Centennial and hash “blend”
Yeast: House
ABV: 7.8% IBUs:100

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

In the end, all my readers and friends know that I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have been wanting to try this beer.  I was happy to see it in the sampler pack.  I enjoyed drinking all their beers so it was a no brainer.  It is pretty balance for a Double IPA with a ton of juicy hop notes.  I like it and I want more. This is a great Double IPA.  I will head to Ohio looking for six pack bottles.  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 Dark Horse Safety Meeting IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into an India Pale Ale from Dark Horse Brewing.  I had  their Safety Meeting IPA on National India Pale Ale Day.   Dark Horse Brewing was founded in 1998 by Bill Morse and Aaron Morse.  They opened in Marshall, Michigan.  They later moved to their current location off South Kalamazoo Road in 2000.  They brew several different beer styles.  They are known for their flagship which is called Crooked Tree IPA.  Let us get into the beer.

It has cloudy amber color without a head on the beer.  The smell is piney and citrus.  The taste of this medium body beer is citrus to hints of pine with a wet hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.darkhorsebrewery.com

Twitter:  @DarkHorseBrewCo

Happy IPA Day!, I enjoyed this beer and I love the hops that they used in this beer.  This beer was pretty well-balanced beer.  I was pretty stun by it.  I was on my way back to Michigan from Chicago and I wanted to stop by the brewpub to have lunch.  I had a few IPA’s at the brewpub and enjoyed them.  I had a chance to talk to some of the regulars that come into the brewpub.  Chuck was a really nice guy and I hope to meet him again the next time I come back through the brewpub.  The food was great and everyone was really nice.  I highly recommend this beer if it is still available and checking out the brewpub.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Deschutes Brewery Red Chair NWPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the seasonal for Deschutes Brewery.  The beer is called Red Chair NWPA (Northwest Pale Ale).  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the rich history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

This seasonal pale ale has a clear copper color with a white head on the beer.  The smell is vague piney to earthly to the beer. The taste is a carbonation earthly with a dry piney aftertaste that linger. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Witness the subtle aromatic seduction of the original Northwest Pale Ale.  Another slap at brewing convention.  Another kick in the pants.  Enjoy.

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

The citrus punch of a big IPA, minus the one-dimensional hop sledgehammer.   Seven select European and domestic malts round out the edges for a complex, copper-colored brew.  Like its namesake ski lift, it’s an insider’s ride to fresh thrills.

Malt: Pale, Crystal, Munich, Carapils, Pilsner, Carastan Hops: Cascade, Centennial

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.deschutesbrewery.com

Twitter:  @deschutesbeer

Closing, this was a pretty enjoyable beer.  The problem I have with this beer is the bottle says pale ale and the website is saying this is India Pale Ale.  I will be honest this does taste like an IPA but more like an English style India Pale Ale.  If this is a Pale Ale, which I do not believe it is, this is better than their Mirror Pond Pale Ale.  I really love this beer.  I will add it to my line up until the season ends.  I recommend you trying this beer if you are a pale ale to india pale ale fan.  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

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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 Blog Redhook Brewery Pilsner

In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from the Redhook Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog, you know about this brewery.  I believe you know this brewery since it was one of the first of the modern era for Craft Breweries.  The beer we are going to feature in this blog is their Pilsner, which is one of their everyday beers.  Let us get into the beer.

Redhook Brewery Pilsner has a golden clear color without a head on it.  It has the normal malty smell of a pilsner. A sweet malty taste is what this Redhook brew is all about with a crisp dry aftertaste.  It is drinkable like all Redhook Brewery beers. The goal of Redhook Brewery is to make drinkable beers for beer drinkers to enjoy during any event.

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

Czech out Redhook’s newest brew.  Redhook Pilsner is crisp, golden lager that is modeled after those historic beers originally made in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia.  Redhook Pilsner’s maltiness is offset by amedium dose of Saaz hops and finishes with a clean, bright,thirst-quenching quality. A great “session” lager for when you’ve got a long day ahead of drinking.

Style………………….Pilsner
Abv…………………….5.3%
IBUs…………………..23 IBU
Original Gravity..12.3 degrees plato
Brewed Since………2010
Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @redhook_brewery

In closing, I know I said this in my blog on their Longhammer India Pale Ale.  I really enjoy drinking their beers.  They are all very drinkable and that is the point of this brewery.  They have enough muscle or this beer they say it has a dark side to it.  This Pilsner has a ton of flavor and I know I will not get bored drinking this beer like most pilsner in the market.  I love my Frankenmuth Pilsner but Redhook Brewery Pilsner is a very close second place.  I really love their packages.  It gives this brewery that old school look going back before prohibition.  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