In this special beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Stone Brewery. It is their 19th Anniversary IPA. It is their Thunderstruck IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast Craft Brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know California craft brewery. Let us get into this IPA.
It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a floral to slight citrus notes. The taste of this medium body has a citrus notes with hints of hop bitter. The aftertaste has a hop bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.stonebrewing.com):
Our 19th anniversary beer brings the boom, delivering it to the palate in a voluminous, hop-driven thunderclap backed by the power of our brewing passion and intensity. This double IPA owes its considerable oomph to a quartet of Australian hops—Topaz and Galaxy, plus newcomers Ella and Vic Secret. We also had Fairview malt shipped in from Australia just for this brew. The beer’s striking tropical fruit, citrus and peach hop flavors and slightly resinous and aromatically dank earthiness are sure to electrify your senses.
We have many special beers planned for release to celebrate our 20 years of brewing, so let this serve as the first course to what will be an undoubtedly epic feast for craft beer enthusiasts, with particular thanks to those who’ve been with us for the long haul and helped us attain such longevity. Consider this the first of many Thank-Yous…for years to come!Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.stonebrewing.com
Twitter: @stonebrewingco
Ending, I always pick up their new IPA’s. I am a huge fan of this craft brewery. i love the fact that they are always trying something different and new in beer. I love taste profile and nice balance in this beer. This craft brewery knows how to make IPA’s. I trust this craft brewery more than any other craft brewery. This is a nice IPA and I am glad I checked it out. I highly recommend this beer. I like it but is taste like a normal IPA. There is nothing wrong with that. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Schlafly American IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Schlafly Brewery. It is their Special American India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know history of this Midwest craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Missouri craft brewery. Let us get into this American India Pale Ale.
It has a cloudy light copper color with a constant white head. The smell has a heavy grapefruit to citrus like notes. The taste has the same aroma notes. The aftertaste has a citrus to hop bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their beer bottle:
A special release IPA, AIPA is available for a limited time, with a new IPA every few months. Schlafly American IPA is brewed with 100% American hops. They impart bitterness and citrus flavor to the ale.
Here is a description from their website (www.schlafly.com):
American IPA | Schlafly Beer
Our American IPA gets its bold hop flavor from 100% American hops and its deep gold and full body from pale and crystal malted barley. A blend of Amarillo, Centennial and Simcoe hop varietals imparts AIPA with bitterness and prominent aromas of citrus and fruit. Our brewers select these hops on an annual pilgrimage to the hop farms of Pacific Northwest.
IPAs (India Pale Ales) were first brewed in England during the late 1700s for export overseas to British soldiers in India. To keep their beer from spoiling during the long voyage, English brewers fortified their traditional pale ale recipes with natural preservatives: more malted barley, for a higher alcohol content, and more hops. In recent decades, with growing appreciation for highly hopped beers, American craft brewers have revived the style, embraced it, and incorporated new hop varieties. Our Special Release IPAs further those traditions and showcase the distinctions of hops from different hemisphere.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.schlafly.com
Twitter: @schlafly
Ending, it is a big holiday when I get Schlafly beers. I do not get any of their beers in the Michigan market. I have been wanting to try this beer since it was first released in their beer market. I will say it did not disappoint me at all. I love the tasting notes. I love the hop selection. They build a nice malty backbone. I love this beer as much their APA. I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog The Alchemist Heady Topper
In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brew that I have been wanting to try in a long time. The brewery is The Alchemist and the beer is Heady Topper. Alchemist is from Vermont. It is a small brewery that focus on this brew. They do brew other beers. This brewery started in 2003. They opened a larger brewery in 2011. There is not much history on this brewery. This beer is hard to get and people go out of their way to get this brew. Let us get into this beer.
It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The carbonation is pretty alive. The aroma has a heavy earthly to floral like notes. The tastes of this full body double India Pale Ale has a slight citrus to piney like notes. The aftertaste has an orange to grapefruit like finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer can:
Heady Topper is an American Double India Pale Ale. This beer is not intended to be the biggest or most bitter. It is meant to give you wave after wave hoppy goodness on your palate. Tremendous amounts of American hops will creep up on you, and leave you with a dense hoppy finish in you mouth.
So drinkable. It’s scary. Sometimes I wish I could crawl right into the can. Freshness and control have always been my main concern when it comes to our beer. We are committed to providing you with an unfiltered and unpasteurized hop experience. The act of pouring it in a glass smells nice, but it releases the essential hop aromas that we have worked so hard to retain. If you MUST pour it into the glass, you mind find that some of the hop resins have settled to the bottom – leave them in the can when pouring. This beer is perishable, and at its best when it is young, fresh and hazy. Keep it cold, but not ice-cold. Drink this immediately, we are always making more.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.alchemistbeer.com
Twitter: @alchemistbeer
Ending, I will say this beer did not disappoint me for the wait and hunting to get this brew. This is a great beer and I can see why it is rated so high. It is well-balanced for double IPA. This is the best Double IPA that I have ever had. There is a nice balance and it does not drink like a Double IPA. They did an awesome job on this brew. I want more. This is the brew that I will base other Double IPA’s on in the future. I bet others do the same. I highly recommend this beer and I cannot say it enough. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog New Holland Brewing Mad Hatter Midwest India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from New Holland Brewery. This brew has been redesign recipe and new packaging. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into IPA.
It has a cloudy to unfiltered golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus like notes. The taste has a nice balance of citrus that bends into a nice dry bitter aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Mad Hatter’s whimsy is celebrated with floral aromatics from assertive dry hopping, and a bright, hoppy body, punctuated with Centennial, Citra, and Michigan grown Cascade hops. Citrus notes and pleasant bitterness excite your palate before welcoming a balancing malty finish. Pairings: aged cheddars, herb roasted poultry, vinaigrettes and six o’clock.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.newhollandbrew.com
Twitter: @newhollandbrew
In the end, New Holland finally took noticed that their old IPA was not really good. They redesign it and put a new recipe in their beer bottles. I love citrus notes and it turned out pretty good. They finally did something right with one of their everyday beers. I believe it is turn off for what you have to pay to get this beer. I am not paying 9.99 to 11.99 for this beer. This is made in Michigan not New York or California. I understand that IPA’s are not cheap to make. I just do not understand why the price being high in Michigan. I recommend it, however, you will see what I am talking about. I can get the same beer but cheaper. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
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New Beer Blog Farmington Brewery Visit
In this beer blog, I had a chance to stop in to visit Farmington Brewery. Jason Hendricks and Jason Schlaff started to put together plans to open a brewery in downtown Farmington in 2013. Jason Schlaff’s father, who is Gary Schlaff, joined the team. Later on that year, Farmington Brewery finally opened up in 2014 and offer eight different beers. They are offering up to twenty-one and two to three different ciders. The building itself is small but it is perfect for them right now. It has a nice location in downtown Farmington, Michigan. They are right next door to an Irish Bar. It also has a nice outside sitting facing the main street. Customers get to enjoy the nice weather with some good craft beers. It has a nice welcoming inside this brewpub.
They do not service any food, however, you can bring food in or have it order to be delivered. They do not mind and they coverage it. This is a small place so keep that in mind when you go out during prime bar nights. Let us talk about the beer because this is the reason why people would come here. I did like their Pale Ale, Dry Stout, and 4 c’z Slam MI IPA. I love their Mt.Olympus Double IPA, I like the Dry Stout but it is pretty average. The Wheat is below average. I will be back to try some more of their brews.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.fbcbrewing.com
Twitter: @farmingtonbeer
Closing, overall, I believe this craft brewery is going in right direction. They just need to slow down and take in what they are successful to build on it. Most craft breweries do see their faults and keep doing the same mistakes. I am not saying Farmington Brewery. I am talking in general. Farmington Brewery are working to be successful on everything. I can see them starting to do it after one visit. I had some of their at a beer party and at some of neighborhood craft beer bars. I enjoyed their beers and I will be back to try more. I recommend checking out this craft brewery. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from Great Lakes Brewery. It is their Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Ohio base craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery. Let us get into this Imperial IPA.
It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a tropical to almost mango like notes. The taste has a some nice sweet citrus to tropical fruit notes like a mango. The aftertaste has a lasting dry bitter finish. It is a sipping beer.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Twitter:@GLBC_Cleveland
Ending, I look forward every year for this beer to be released. I was pretty stun to see that I never blogged about this brew. This brew has a well built malty backbone to give off a nice balance for Imperial IPA. The malty backbone let the hops shine nicely throughout the drinking experience. I love this beer. I love the mango and tropical like notes. This is a great beer and I wish it was one of their everyday brews. I highly recommend this brew. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Shiner Bock
In this beer blog, we are going to sample the flagship from Shiner. It is their Bock. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Texas base craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this American classic craft brewery. Let us get into this bock.
It is not a see through beer. It has a reddish-brown color without a head. The aroma is pretty faded. It is hard to pick up but I believe it is a sweet malty notes. The taste of this medium body has a power of malt but it has some sweet malty notes with hints of nutty notes. The aftertaste has a sweet malty dry finish. It is a drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Bock Beer combines old world bavarian heritage with American handcraft brewing for a smooth, delightfully drinkable dark beer.
Handcrafted in this same brewery where it was first made back in 1913, this genty hopped medium brown brew is the pride of Shiner, Texas.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.shiner.com
Twitter: @shinerbeer
Ending, this is an American classic brew. I do not know anyone that does not like this brew. This brew has everything. It is drinkable and has some flavor. It is not really missing much. I love it. I just wish it was a little bit bigger here in Michigan. I normally go out of my way to get to this beer during football season. 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 Coronado Brewing Idiot IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release every year from Coronado Brewing Company. It is their Idiot IPA Imperial India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know Coronado Brewing. Let us get into Imperial India Pale Ale.
It has a cloudy golden color without a head on this Imperial IPA. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a heavy citrus notes. The aftertaste has a heavy citrus to hop bitter finish. It is a sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
It doesn’t take a genius to know quality West Coast IPA’s require a stupid amount of hops. A generous blend of Nugget hops and the four C’s – Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Columbus – brings forth a myriad of tropical fruit flavors and a brawny, persistent bitterness that makes for a highly intelligent brew.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.coronadobrewingcompany.com
Twitter: @coronadobrewing
Closing, Anyone can make imperial IPA. The question is you need to ask. Is this one a good one? Idiots can throw a ton a hops into a brew kettle to hide a ton of mistakes in their beer. This Double IPA is one of the bad ones. The malty backbone is pretty weak and it is not strong enough to cut through the hop bitterest. This beer to me taste like hop water beer. It takes a genius and smart brewmaster to make a good Imperial IPA. I think you need to take some lessons from your neighbor down the street. They are always finding away to change and do something different with their Double and Imperial IPA. I do not really recommend this beer. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Nickel Brook Brewery Head Stock India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to get into Nickel Brook Brewery from Canada. The beer that we are going to get into is Head Stock India Pale Ale. There is not much information on their website about their history. I do know they are part of the group of craft breweries that is back by Canadian Government. Let us get into this IPA.
It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a tropical fruit notes. The taste has a smooth light carbonated notes with hints of tropical fruit notes. The aftertaste has a slight bitter but it is dry crisp finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.nickelbrook.com):
About: We admit it. We have a problem… We love our hops. We especially adore the amazing science of hops! As homage to our favourite wonders of nature, we present to you our award-winning Headstock IPA. The flowering humulus lupulus hop-cone provides us with the vital acids, essential oils and resins that permeate throughout our IPA. The result is a deliciously obscene wallop of tropical fruit, citrus and pine flavours and aromas any hop-head would gladly give a DNA sample for. We conclude that hop science is one tasty passion.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.nickelbrook.com
Twitter: @nickelbrookbeer
In the end, I was pretty impressed with this brew. I love the play on the words. It looks Nickelback, who is the Canada Hard Rock band. I love the tasting notes and this is one of best Canadian Craft beer that I had. I know that I have not had many. It is a pretty good IPA. I have to say that I had better. I would have this beer over the Flying Monkey Atom Smash Bomb IPA any day of the week. There is a better balance than Flying Monkey Brewery IPA. They put more thought behind on what hops to use in this beer. There is a nice well build malty backbone. I highly recommend this beer. I wish it was in Michigan or just the United States. 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 Roak Brewing Visit
In this special beer blog, I had a chance to get by Roak Brewing a few days after their grand opening. They opened just this year but they were founded it in 2014. Let us talk about the beer.
Their goal was to do something different in every beer that they make. If it is higher alcohol level on their Devil Dog Oatmeal Stout, it is same price as rest of their beers in draft to package. It is a huge value. Mean Streets Amber Ale is a hoppy amber ale. They also have a American IPA and session IPA along with Belgian style white ale and Belgian style Dark ale in package and draft. They will have brewpub only beers in the near future.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.roakbrewing.com
Twitter: @roakbrewing
Closing, they invested a ton of money into brewery and brewpub. They are here to make a stand in the craft beer world. Overall, their beers are really good. I am not a fan of both of their IPA’s. They are pretty weak to me. I can see some craft beer drinkers liking them. I am pretty excited to see what they will come out next. I recommend this brewery. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
DJ Weiser 