dark copper

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 Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at another beer from the Deschutes Brewery.  The beer is their flagship called Black Butte Porter.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know about this brewery.  If you have not, please, the first part of that beer blog.  This brewery has been around for a while so you might know about this brewery pretty well.  Let us get into the beer.

This porter dark brown to black in color with a light tan color head on the beer.  The smell is a slight coffee to the beer. The taste is a dry chocolate to a little coffee to the beer. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from beer bottle:

AHH, Our creamy contrary flagship a dark zig to the usual zag.

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

With a dark beer as our first and flagship brand, Black Butte defined Deschutes as a radical player.   A slight hop bitterness up front enhances the distinctive chocolate and roasted finish.  It’s prized for its creamy mouthfeel and intense complex flavors.

Malt: Pale, Carapils, Chocolate, Crystal, Wheat Hops: Cascade, Bravo, Tettnang

Watch Brewer Veronica Vega talk about the wisdom in failure and the brewery’s flagship beer, Black Butte Porter.

Awards

Bronze Medal, Brown Porter

2009 Great American Beer Festival

Best Porter

2007 Readers’ Choice Awards, Northwest Brewing News
Gold Medal, Porter Category
2007 Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal, Porter Category
2006 Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal (88 – Highly Recommended)
2005 World Beer Championships
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Twitter:  @deschutesbeer

Closing out, this is an extremely creamy and drinkable porter.  It is a little different then the rest of the porters on the market.  The key to this porter it is the fact it is drinkable and sessionable.  In other words, you can have several of these beers in a seating.  It is pretty balances with the hops but yet gives you a ton of chocolate notes.  Black Butte being a full body beer has a ton of flavor and I am glad it is in Chicago.  This is a great beer for any season and any weather.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog O’so Brewing Hopdinger

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a new brewery to hit the Chicago market from Wisconsin.  The brewery is called O’so Brewing and the beer is their Hopdinger.   O’so Brewing was founded in a small town in Wisconsin and design to give the local people some good craft beer.  They had some help from the Central Waters and Point Brewery and they are also good friends.  It does not say when they were founded on their website but they are a pretty small brewery.  O’so is in the town of Plover, Wisconsin.  I wish I could find more on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a clear, constant bubbles, and copper color with a constant white head. The smell is a citrus to the beer.  The taste of this pale ale is a sweet citrus and grapefruit together.  The aftertaste is a dry citrus to the beer. Being a full body beer, it is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Pungent, Hoppy, Crisp, Floral, Bitter, Piney, Resinous, and Engaging

Join the fight against boring beer at osobrewing.com brewed and bottled by O’So Brewing Company Plover, WI Discover the art of freestyle brewing.

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

HopdingerTM

This pale ale is generously hopped yet balanced through the use of Munich and Crystal malts. Hops added after fermentation gives this American classic an intense aromatic bouquet. Enjoy! ABV: 6%, 49 IBUs, 14 SRM

Available Yearly!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.osobrewing.com

Twitter:  no twitter account

In closing, this is not my favorite pale ale and it is just like the rest on the market.  If I can get the same pale ale cheaper, I will pass this beer.  I really hate to say it.  This is a great beer but I just feel the price I am paying is not really worth it. If you love pale ales and think it is worth it, please, drink it and support this little brewery.  I do recommend you trying this beer.  I believe you will find the same thing I did about this beer. Please, let me know about your thoughts on this brewery.   Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Saugatuck Brewing Neapolitan Milk Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to check out a newer brewery from Michigan.  The brewery is called Saugatuck Brewing Company and the beer is called Neapolitan Milk Stout.  Saugatuck Brewing was founded in 2005 in Dougles, Michigan by Barry Johnson.  In mid 2008, the next part of their plan was in motion, which was to start bottling their beers.   Let us get into this beer.

It has a jet black color with a tan head on the beer. The smell is milk chocolate to chocolate milk. The taste is a silk to smooth chocolate to the beer. The aftertaste is roasted chocolate to coffee to the beer. It is close to the ice cream. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Nostalgic flavors of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla… Our flavors the Mt. Baldy radar tower a local landmark installed by the U.S. Air Force in 1937.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.saugatuckbrewing.com

Twitter:  @saugatuckbrew

Closing, milk stouts always had that feeling of drinking ice cream.  Saugatuck Brewing took it to the next level.  They design this milk stout to totally take on ice cream feel.  I had it in the bottle and I could pick up Neapolitan Ice Cream, which I remember as a kid eating it all the time in Michigan growing up.  I am pretty impressive by this beer and I might have to retry their beers again.  I 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 Milwaukee Brewing Double IPA

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While in Milwaukee again, I was up in Milwaukee to see my friends from Milwaukee Brewing.  The name of the beer is called Dark Matter.  If you have read my earlier beer blog on their Pull Chain, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This Double IPA has a golden to amber color with a white head.  There is not a smell to the beer.  It is hard to smell in while on the brewery tour.  It has a sweet silky citrus taste without aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer for being a big beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

In closing, I do not know if this is one I had back in the fall but this Double IPA is amazing.  I really enjoyed the one in the fall and I loved this one too.  It was hard to smell the beer in the brewery so if there is a smell I am sorry I did not pick it up.  I love the taste of the hops and the balance of the malty backbone.  This was a smooth Double IPA.  Uinta Detour Double IPA is my favorite but I have to say this one sets the standards for me for some double IPA’s in the Midwest Breweries.  I wish this was in bottle or cans.  I hope they do it in the future.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Metropolitan Iron Works Altbier

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In this beer blog, we are to going to sample out another beer from Metropolitan and the beer is called Iron Works Altbier.    If you read my earlier blog about their Krankshift, you know the history of this young Chicago brewery.  If you have not, please, go and read the blog post to know about this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is a sweet malty caramel to the beer. The taste is a sweet malty carbonation to it. The aftertaste is dry malty to some kind nutty to it. I cannot figure it out. It is drinkable with a ton of flavor.

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

Iron Works

An assertively hoppy top-fermented beer, polished by the wisdom and patience of lagering. Think of it as an octogenarian with a punk rock attitude. Slightly dry, this beer pairs well with hearty cuisine. We also suggest sipping it on its own; the complexity will keep you entertained and happy.

Iron Works Alt style beer goes great with sweet potato fries, speed dating, ginger snaps, horseshoes, dark chocolate, Bocce, mushroom empanadas, vegan chili, punk rock, cashews, bourbon, air hockey, tomato soup, soba noodles, bird watching, lasagna, fire-spinning, lettuce wraps, lingerie parties, pumpkin pie, mac & cheese, pot lucks, lentil stew, snow angels, falafel, Canasta, beet salad, risotto, and petting the dog.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.metrobrewing.com

Twitter:  @metrobrewing

Closing, I really enjoy drinking this beer.  I will be adding this in the rotation.  There is not too many of this beer style out on the Chicago market.  They are coming but as of right now.  This is the only Alt available that you can find just about everywhere.  I know if you go to Binny’s Beverage Depot.  You might be able to find some other ones but most Binny’s do not carry everything.  Iron Works can be pair with just about everything you can think of for food or this would be a good beer just sitting around watch the games with the guys.  There is a list of food that I pulled from their website that give you an idea what to eat with this beer.  I recommend this beer and I am looking forward to retrying their the rest of their beers.  Great jobs!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Big Wave Golden Ale

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In this Kona beer blog, we are going to get into in my opinion is the best beer from this Hawaii Brewery.  It is called Big Wave Golden Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on  their Pipeline Porter, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer

This golden ale has a clear yellow color without a head and bubbles in the beer. The smell is very fade. It has a slight citrus smell. It gives a sense of a Tropical feeling in the smell and taste.  The taste is sweet carbonation malty with a little citrus, which is very fade in the beer. There is no aftertaste. It is a beer the beer drinker can drink all day. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the  beer bottle:

Year-Round.  The waves that roll onto Hawaiian beaches are some of the best in the world.  Catch the crest of a breaking wave and ride it all the way in our sun-drenched Big Wave Golden is a smooth.  Refreshing brew inspired by what makes Hawaii great.  Since 1994, Kona Brewing Co. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

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

Light, Balanced & Easy Going

Our brewers wanted to make a beer that went down easy after a day out on the water. Big Wave Golden Ale is just the ticket. Big Wave is a lighter bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor – a smooth, easy drinking refreshing ale. The use of caramel malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer and our special blend of hops provides bright quenching finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Closing, just like all the rest of their beers, this beer is extremely drinkable.  Big Wave Golden Ale is drinkable with a huge Tropical feeling.   This beer has a ton of flavor.  I love the connection between the tropical hop and malts in the beer.  It is refreshing and brings out summer in the coldest winter day.  This beer is not heavy for the hottest summer days.  Big Wave Golden Ale is a great beer to be pair with several foods like spicy meats and even an American Burger.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Thirsty Thursday Beer Blog Kona Brewing Longboard Island Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the Longboard Island Lager, which is the flagship beer of Kona Brewing.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pipeline Porter, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a yellow color with a semi white head on the beer.  This beer is light body with a malty smell. The taste is sweet malty without an aftertaste to the beer.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Waikki Beach in Honolulu is the birth place of Longboard surfing.  Kona Brewing pays tribute to this iconic place with our own Longboard Island Lager.  A spirited, crisp and refreshing brew.  Longboard is a smooth ride all the way in.  Thirst’s Up!  Since 1994, Kona Brewing Co. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

Here is a description from the website (www.konabrewingco.com):

Exceptionally Smooth

Longboard Island Lager is a smooth refreshing lager fermented and aged for five weeks at cold temperatures to yield its exceptionally smooth flavor. A delicate, slightly spicy hop aroma complements the malty body of this beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Closing out, this flagship beer lives up to the spirit of Hawaii and rich history of the surfing.  I am not a fan of most craft lagers but this one is a gem of Hawaii.  It is light in body but has enough flavor to make you dream of islands and beaches.  This beer is extremely drinkable and I can see ton of six packs selling through stores throughout the country.  However, it is a craft lager, do you think craft beer drinker is ready to put down their over hopped ales to pick up craft lagers?  I believe craft beer drinker is starting to change to drink less hoppy beers and more classic styles or traditional beer styles.  I recommend you trying this beer and I believe you will be pretty stun on this Longboard.  Go get a Longboard Lager!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Koko Brown Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the spring seasonal from Kona Brewing Co and it is called Koko Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pipeline Porter, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This American Brown Ale has a brown color with a white head on this beer.  The smell is a heavy coconut to the beer. The taste is a sweet hazel and coconut with a roasted coconut aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer for heading into the spring and summer seasons.

Here is a description the beer bottle:

Koko Brown’s distinctive, nutty aroma and flavor comes from real.  Toasted coconut blended into each brew.  One sip of this roasty.  Smooth, mahogany colored ale and you will feel like you are on a warm sun-drenched beach in Hawaii.  Aloha!  Since 1994, Kona Brewing CO.  has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

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

A Nut Brown Worth Cracking

Is there anything more iconic of the lush tropics than the coconut? The delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise. Kick back with a Koko Brown, brewed with real toasted coconut, and savor the mahogany color and smooth, roasty malt taste.

Available Winter/Spring

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.knonabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @knoabrewingco

Closing, this beer is different then what is out in any market asides Hawaii or any other warm spot.  I did enjoy this beer but I just feel that the brown ale is a wrong mix with the coconut.  Please, do not get me wrong this is a great beer and I can see people liking this beer.  I enjoyed this beer.  The taste is hazel nut cover coconut.  I just feel that the coconut goes better with a porter or a stout.  I could dream of a milk stout with a coconut in it.  I recommend this beer and I would love to hear your thoughts on this beer.  I can see this beer being a home run in the Midwest and the colder areas of the United States.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Fire Rock Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, Kona Brewing Fire Rock Pale Ale is being featured and it is the first time this brewery will be in the Midwest.  If you read my earlier blog on their Pipeline Porter, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a copper color without a head. The smell is like Big Red Gum without cinnamon kick to it. It is a great smell.  The taste is a sweet malty to a slight piney with a malty aftertaste to the beer.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii leave visitors awestruck by their power.  The glow of lava as it meets the ocean is an amazing sight our Fire Rock Pale Ale is inspired by this place with a bright copper color and rich roasted malt taste.  Aloha!  Since 1994, Kona Brewing CO. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

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

Crisp & Refreshing

Fire Rock Pale Ale is crisp, refreshing “Hawaiian-style” pale ale. Its signature copper color results from the unique blend of specialty roasted malts. The pronounced citrus-floral hop aroma comes from the liberal amounts of Galena, Cascade & Mt.Hood hops added to each brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Aloha, this is a great beer and this beer is one of my favorite beers from this brewery.  I enjoyed this one and their Big Wave Golden Ale, which I will get to later on in the week.  I love how light and drinkable this beer is to other pale ale on the market.  There is enough malty backbone but not too much to over take the hops that are dancing in this beer.  This is a great beer and I am glad this brewery is in Chicago.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser