In this beer blog, we are going to sample Double D Double IPA from Old Dominion Brewing. If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Morning Glory Espresso Stout, you know the history of this East Coast Craft Brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know Old Dominion Brewing. Let us get into the brew.
This Double IPA has a clear slightly dark copper color with a nice white head on it. The aroma has tropical fruit notes. The taste has mango to citrus notes with a dry hop aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Her parents named her Deanie Davis. Uncle Same assigned her call letters: Double D. This daring Imperial IPA detonates at 50 IBU’s and 9% ALC. by Vol.
Here is a description from their website (www.fordhamanddominion.com):
Double D Double IPA
Double D is a full-bodied Imperial India Pale Ale, flaunting sultry guava, mango, and tropical fruit aromas as a result of dry hopping with Citra, Zythos and Crystal hops. Brewed with light toasted malt and Bravo bittering hops, this double delights with smooth warming alcohols and a torrid finish.
- 9.0% alc/vol
- 90 IBUS
- Best IPA Atlantic City Beer Festival
- Pale, Munich and Chocolate Malts
- Zythos, Crystal, Citra and Bravo Hops
- Available In 12oz bottles, draft and in the Pinup Pack
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.fordhamanddominion.com
Twitter: @DominionBrewing
In the end, I have enjoyed most of their beers. I know being a reader and someone who knows me away from the words of this blog. I am pretty big fan of this brewery. I love how this Double IPA drinks. It has all the hop character that I love. I love how the hops kick off tropical fruit notes. I just think it is pretty funny how I am not a fan of tropical fruits. LOL! I love them in my beer. This beer is not a drinkable beer but it is a nice sipping beer for a hot summer day or night. This is a great beer with nice packaging. I love the play on words for the name of this beer. 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 Harpoon Brewery Rich And Dan’s Rye IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from Harpoon Brewery. It is their Rye India Pale Ale. If you read my beer blog post from two days ago, you know the history of this East Coast Craft Brewery. If you have not read that beer blog post, please, read it to get to know Harpoon Brewery. Let us get into the beer.
It has a clear copper color with nice white head on this Rye IPA. The aroma has a spicy hop notes. The taste has a slight carbonated spicy citrus notes with a dry hop finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
A new take on IPA style, this beer has a dry, subtly spicy character derived from the rye malt, and a complex body balanced by a marked hop flavor and aroma. Cheers!
Here is a description from their website (www.harpoonbrewery.com):
After 25 years of running a brewery, Harpoon founders Rich and Dan thought it was high time they brewed a beer together. Truth be told, they didn’t want their name on it. Truth really be told, they have a running joke as to whether it’s Rich and Dan’s Rye IPA or Dan and Rich’s Rye IPA. Regardless of the order, the point is the same: they’ve been friends for three decades and still love having a beer together. It’s a testament to great beer and friendship, and it made sense, in this case, to name names. Grab your pals and toast to friendship with this Rye IPA!
Description
This beer is brewed with hops, a variety of malts, our proprietary yeast – the same yeast we’ve used since first brewing Harpoon Ale – and more hops. A lot more hops. Centennial and Chinook, and the dry hop addition of Falconer’s Flight add a multidimensional hop character, and the combination of Pale, Rye, Caramel 60, Flaked Rye, and Vienna yield a complex malt body that stands up to the spiciness of the rye and the pronounced hop flavor.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: hazy, deep orange with a reddish hue
- Aroma: citrus, fruity aroma with an underlying spice note
- Mouth feel: medium-bodied, slightly chewy
- Taste: the spice from the rye is balanced by the malt blend
- Finish: dry, distinct hop finish
Here is a video from their website (www.harpoonbrewery.com) and YouTube (www.youtube.com):
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.harpoonbrewery.com
Twitter:
@harpoon_breweryEnding, Rye IPA are fastly becoming a very popular and growing beer style in the India Pale Ale styles. It gives the craft beer and hophead drinker something else then the normal India Pale Ale. White IPA, IPL, and Rye IPA are new and growing. There are craft breweries pushing the limits of their brewery to give the craft beer drinker something different. I like this Rye IPA but I know there are better ones on the market. This one is in my top five of Rye IPA’s. Unlike most Rye IPA’s on the market, this is one of the few that is available all year-long. 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 Harpoon Brewery Leviathan IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample the first beer on this blog from Harpoon Brewery. It is their Leviathan IPA. I have been meaning to get around to write reviews on this brewery. I am a fan of their IPA. Harpoon Brewery was born in 1986 by Rich Doyle on a piece of paper while in Harvard Business School. He teamed up with Dan Kenary and George Ligeti to start brewing their beers. Harpoon Brewery brews several different beer styles and cider. They are best known for their IPA and Hefeweizen. Let us get into this beer.
It has a clear copper color with a nice white head. The aroma has some tropical fruit notes. The taste has some tropical fruit notes with a nice malty backbone. The aftertaste is a bitter hop finish. It is not over overpowering. It is a sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Massive and complex hop additions yield a powerful bitterness that is steadied by sweet malt backbone in this colossal IPA.
Here is a description from their website (www.harpoonbrewery.com):
We welcomed the challenge of brewing a 90 IBU Imperial IPA that would showcase glorious American hops while maintaining a multi-dimensional character. Bring on the hops!
Description
This Imperial IPA is brewed with loads of pale malt and just enough caramel malt to provide a sweet malt backbone to balance the hop intensity. We used a mix of our favorite American hops including Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe, and Amarillo to create a complex hop flavor and lingering bitterness. Harpoon’s proprietary yeast lends fruity esters, while dry-hopping at the rate of over one pound per barrel produces this beer’s massive aroma.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Clear, yellow/orangey in color
- Aroma: Tropical fruit hop
- Mouth feel: Full-bodied
- Taste: Tropical fruit hop
- Finish: Dry, bitter finish
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.harpoonbrewery.com
Twitter:
@harpoon_breweryIn the end, Harpoon Brewery did a great job on this brew. I love the color and aroma. The aroma comes from the hops that kick off some nice tropical fruit notes. The drinking experience is the same as the aroma. The presentation is nice from the color and head on this Double India Pale Ale. I really enjoyed drinking this brew. It has everything that a hophead could want in an Imperial IPA. 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 Ram Brewery Dubbel Trouble
When in Chicagoland area, from my blog post from a few days ago, I stopped by one of my old hang outs. It is Ram Brewery. The beer that I had a chance to try is their Dubbel Trouble. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this craft brewpub, you know the history of this west coast brewery. If you have not, please, read those earlier beer blog post to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.
This Dubbel is a dark brown to black color without a head on this Belgian style ale. The smell has a sweet candy. The taste is a sweet candy licorice with a licorice aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.theram.com
Twitter: @theRAM
In closing, there are little craft brewpubs or craft breweries. They always find ways to mess up a good Belgian Style Dubbel. I have to say I was pretty impressed with Ram’s version of this Belgian classic. I love the color, aroma, and tasting experience. It is like a sweet candy throughout the drinking experience. It is a nice sipping beer. I am so glad I stopped in and say hi to everyone. I had to chance to sample out these two great brews. I highly recommend you trying this brew, if you are in the Wheeling, IL area. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
New Beer Blog New Belgium Spring Blonde
In this beer blog, we are going to sample out the new spring seasonal from New Belgium Brewery. It is their Spring Blonde Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this Colorado craft brewery. Let us get into the beer.
It has a clear golden color with a nice white head. The aroma is like lemon notes. The taste is refreshing malty to cirtus notes with a nice malty aftertaste. It is a nice drinkable beer for the spring time.
Here is a description from their website (www.newbelgium.com):
Blondes are a favorite style among New Belgium employee-owners who have celebrated their 5-year anniversary with a spring trip to Belgium. These travels inspired our Spring Blonde and brought some old Belgium to New Belgium. Brewed with pale and Munich malts, this golden ale pours bright copper and holds a strong, white head aloft. A nose of lemon peel, pepper, and fresh-baked bread entice a sipping. Spring Blonde drinks malty, sweet and wonderful. And the easy Nugget hopping pedals towards a dry, lightly bitter finish. Shed that coat, grab some bikes, and crack some beers.
Here is a video about this beer on their website (www.newbelgium.com):
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.newbelgium.com
Twitter:
@newbelgiumIn closing, I will be the first to say that I am not a huge fan of Spring and Summer Seasonals. There are some pretty good Spring and Summer Seasonals released every year into the market. I try them every year and I say the same thing over and over again. They are too light for me but that is by design and I understand why. New Belgium Brewery is always putting out new seasonals and pushing themselves. This is not my type of beer style and it does not make any of these Spring and Summer Seasonals bad. The one thing that I did like about this brew has a nice malty to citrus notes and refreshing drinking experience. It is perfect brew for the Spring Season. I 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 Surly Brewing Furious Beer
In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from Surly Brewery. It is their flagship beer, which is called Furious Beer. If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Over Rated! IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery that made it back to the Chicago Market in 2013. If you have not, please, read the post to get to know this Midwest craft brewery. Let us get into the beer.
It is cloudy light amber color with a white head that disappears over time. The smell is a heavy grapefruit notes. There is a slight carbonation grapefruit notes in the tasting experience. The aftertaste is a grapefruit notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer can:
A tempest on the tongue or a moment of pure hop bliss? Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee for those who favor, flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.
Here is ta description from their website (www.surlybrewing.com):
Furious
A tempest on the tongue, or a moment of pure hop bliss? Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee. For those who favor flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.
STYLE: American India Pale Ale
MALT: Pale Ale, Golden Promise, Aromatic, Medium Crystal, Roasted Barley
HOPS: Warrior, Ahtanum, Simcoe, Amarillo
YEAST: English Ale
OG: 15º Plato
ABV: 6.2% v/v
COLOR: 27 ºSRM
IBU: 99
AVAILABILITY: Cans and Kegs Year Round
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.surlybrewing.com
Twitter:
@surlybrewingIn closing, this is a pretty good IPA. I was excited to try them when I was at Savor a few years ago. I did live blog on a few of their beers when I was there. I hope this brewery makes it to Michigan. I understand these beers are made in small batches and these breweries can buy what they can as far as supplies. I just feel they are a little over priced that is the only problem I have with their beers. I would rather be drinking Stone IPA. However, this is a great IPA and this brewery makes some awesome beers, I would pick it up now and then. I do not live in a market where I can get them. I 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 Motor City Brewing Works India Pale Ale
Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample another Michigan craft brewery that is on my list. All Michigan craft breweries are on my list. This one is straight out of Cass Corridor. I am talking about Motor City Brewing Works. This Detroit, Michigan craft brewery was founded in 1994. It is not far from the ballpark, football field, and Wayne State University. They brew package all their beers unfiltered and they make mostly ales. There are a few lagers. They also make sodas, ciders, and wines. Let us get into this India Pale Ale.
It has a hazel dark golden to light copper color with a nice constant white head on this India Pale Ale. The aroma is a slight mango to orange notes. The taste has a nice medium body for India Pale Ale. It has a light carbonated with notes citrus notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Our classic example of an India Style Micro-Brewed Pale Ale, brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simoce hops. Then dry-hopped with fresh leaf hops. 85 IBU.
The thin layre of sediment at the bottom of each bottle is the mark of our all natural brewing process. Unfiltered, Unpasteurized… Naturally!
Here is a description from their website (www.motorcitybeer.com):
Motor City India Pale Ale is a classic example of an India style micro brewed Pale Ale. Brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simcoe hops.
ABV: 6.9%
OG: 1.068
IBU: 85
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.motorcitybeer.com
Twitter: no address
In closing, I have been eyeing this brewery when I was living in Chicago. When I moved back to Michigan, I have been trying to cross several breweries off my list. I have not try all their beers from Motor City Brewing Works. I am going to make it down to the brewpub to check out the rest of their brews. I figured I would start with their version of one of my favorite beer styles, which is India Pale Ale. It does have a nice malty backbone, however, I am not a fan of the hops they picked in this brew. It just rubs me the wrong way. I can see people liking this and just because I am really not a fan of this beer. It does not mean you will not like this brew. I will pass on this brew. I rather drink PBR or Bud. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
New Beer Blog Bell’s Hopslam Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to sample out a limited release from Bell’s Brewery that they bring out once a year. It is their Hopslam ale. If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read the blog post on their Winter Ale. Let us get into the beer.
It has a clear light copper color with a white constant head on this ale brewed with honey. The smell has hints of honey and a slight citrus notes. The taste has a sweet, smooth, and honey notes with earthly notes. The aftertaste is slight honey with hops dry finish. It is extremely drinkable beer and it is a big beer. Please, be careful!
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
A biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale. With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?
Here is a description from their website (www.bellsbeer.com):
Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.bellsbeer.com
Twitter:
@BellsBreweryClosing, I had this beer a few times a few years ago. This is a great Double India Pale Ale. I enjoyed drinking. I love how the honey cuts through the hops and honey builds the malty backbone ever stronger. This is an unique and different from the rest of Double India Pale Ale on the market. I had one other double IPA brewed from honey and it is 3 Sheep’s First Kiss. I wished I had a bottle to compare these two big beers. From what I can remember, First Kiss is better but I recommend this brew. I get why everyone rushes to the stores to pick up this brew when it comes out. It is released once a year. I believe this brew was available all year-long. It would not sell as much as it does now. Once a year is good for me. And you? Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
New Beer Blog Wolverine State Brewing Gulo Gulo I.P.L.
In another Lager blog, we are going to sample out another brew from Wolverine State Brewing. It is a new beer style in the India Pale Ale world. It is their Gulo Gulo IPL. This new India Pale Ale is India Pale Lager. If you read my earlier and first one, which was their Winter Lager, you know the history of this craft brewery across the street from The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you have not, please, read that earlier beer blog post to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into the beer.
It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this India Style Pale Lager. The smell has some piney notes. The taste has a nice hops of piney notes with a crisp finish. The aftertaste has bitter hop finish, which I love. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.wolverinebeer.com):
6.7% abv / 65 IBU – Always on tap
This ground-breaking style combines the essential ingredients and hopping methods used to create a world-class I.P.A. Then using our expert lagering techniques and house lager yeast we created an instant favorite among the existing and steadily growing number of “hop-heads” and craft “lager-heads” in the beer world today. Gulo Gulo I.P.L. is hopped with Cascade, Chinook, Columbus, Warrior and Pilgrim hops. It is dry-hopped once in the fermenter and then a second time with whole-cone Cascade hops before packaging.Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.wolverinebeer.com
Twitter:
@wolverinebeerIn closing, I have to say I am pretty impressed about this Lager. I am not a huge fan of this beer style. To me, it is over hopped pilsner. I love the hops they are using in this Lager. I have to say this gives everything to your Lager drinker and Hophead. I really love the aftertaste. I have to say it is better than most India Pale Lager on the market. There is not much more to say about this brew. It is great brew and you better go try one. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan And West Of Detroit Part 1
(www.509beerstore.com)
In this beer blog, we are going to talk about liquor stores in my area of Michigan. I just moved back in October so please, give me feed back if I missed a store. As you know, I am a huge beer fan and a craft beer fan. I will be the first to say I was spoiled in Chicagoland area with great beer stores. It was between Binny’s, Cardinal Stores, and some of the chain stores there. When I moved back, I knew Michigan craft beer market was huge on Michigan beers, which should be the case. There are so many beers, and breweries in every market around the country. I know Michigan is in that same situation. Where do I go to buy some great beers? I had no idea. I did Google search after Google search. I came up with a list. I even did something I hate doing walking in and out of stores. I do have a list and I am going to be up front and honest. Here we go!
Beer Baron (Livonia, MI)
Beer Baron is a little bit north of Wine Palace by 7 mile on Middlebelt. When I went, they were working on the store. The staff there was nice and let me walk around. He let me take my time and asked if I needed help. This was the opposite of Wine Palace. They have a great beer selection and some pretty good prices. I was pretty impressed. This is a beer store and it is pretty clear to that fact. The two things I did not like about this store. One, the store is in chaos. There is beer everywhere. Two, when I went, the staff did not know anything about beer. Their parking lot is a lot easier than Wine Palace. I recommend this beer store.
Wine & Barrel (Livonia, MI)
I did not want to drive up to Beer Baron and I am staying away from Wine Palace. I just went to Wine & Barrel that is right down the street from my place. There is some nice parking at the side of the building and they are not that busy like the last two stores. The first thing, I did not like is the guy does not take pop cans. You are a liquor store that sells rum and you do not sell pop. I guess not rum and coke for someone in the area. I am just saying. I was not happy by that. Now, I have to go two places to get my errands done for returns. Who will go there and buy their liquor just to go somewhere else to get their pop? I was not too impressed by their beer selection. I did not like the fact you could not buy single beers (12oz). They had beer store selected ones available. It was like it came from their breakage area. I thought their prices where too high like Wine Palace. I get it that these stores need to make some money. There is a level where it will keep people out of your store. This store has a huge area for beer brewing supplies. I thought that was really cool when I was walking through but after looking at that the beer selection. I started to have a different attitude towards the store. Their beer area is all over the place. I mean you have craft beer with imports beers and the other way around. This is so not profitable for the store. Their beer customers that are looking at crafts beers are not seeing all their crafts or import beer customers in one area. They have to walk around the store and I know I might have missed something. It can be the same for their mass-produced beer customers. I just feel they make more money off their beer supplies. There is nothing wrong at being just a brewing supply store. I will pass on this store.
Mid-Joy Liquor Store (Livonia, MI)
The first weekend I was back in Michigan. I wanted to go beer shopping so I thought I would go back to my old liquor store when I first lived in the area. They have a pretty nice selection. I was enjoying it until I started noticing that everything I was picking up was out of date. I was pretty disappointed pretty quickly. This store went hard into the craft beer without the consumers to support it. I never went back into this store. I might again but I think I just might stay away.
Keg & Wine Party Store (Redford, MI)
I found this store looking for a Cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider on their website. The parking lot could be better but that is not point of this review. The store inside is pretty nice and clean. Everyone is nice and helpful. They have a great selection on beers and spirits. I was pretty impressed. I will have to say it is better than Wine Palace. The only thing I do not like about this store. I can not buy single bottles and/or cans of beer (12oz). You have to buy the six or four pack. I will be back to this store and I recommend this store.
Holiday Market (Canton, MI)
Whenever I would come in town, this was the store I would go to in the beginning. They had whole warm shelf aisle in this grocery store for craft beer. I was amazed at the selection. I always picked up beers that I could not get in Chicago. I started to realize pretty quickly that they were not selling through most their beers. This store at that time had a ton of out of code beers. This is a great store but buyer beware.
Super Fines (Canton, MI)
This store is at the top of my list. They have just about everything in this liquor store. If they do not have it, they will get the beer or whatever you are looking for at that time. If it is sold in the state, they will get it. You can do mix six packs in every price range. You can buy single beers too. They have a pretty big spirit selection. This is a great beer store and I highly recommend it.
Closing, I know I have not covered everything liquor stores in the Southeast Michigan. I am looking at just craft liquor beer stores. I am not going to just the neighbor store. I went to ones that claim they are a craft beer store or I know they have a pretty big selection. I know there are more out there. I will keep searching. I loved Super Fines in Canton, Beer Barton in Livonia, and Key & Wine Party Store in Redford. I will never go back into Wine Barrel and Mid-Joy Liquor Store in Livonia. If there are any other stores, please, let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts on these stores. I will be writing a new review here shortly. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
DJ Weiser 