dj weiser

New Beer Blog The Alchemist Heady Topper

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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 North Peak Brewery Burly Belgo India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from North Peak Brewery.  It is their Burly Belgo India Pale Ale.  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 know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a Belgian spice notes. The taste has a light earthly Belgian spice notes with a hop bitter finish. It is kind of drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.northpeak.net

Twitter:  @northpeakbeer

Closing, I have been wanting to try this beer for a while.  I saw this beer and I knew I had to pick it up.  I do not know if they still make.  There is a few things going on in this beer.  I have to say it does not taste like most of the Belgian style IPA’s that I had in  the past.  I love the one from New Belgium but they do not make it anymore.  It is kind of water down Belgian triple. This beer is very below average. I want my money back.  I would not go out of my way looking for this beer.  Don’t 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

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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 New Belgium Long Table Farmhouse Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Long Table Farmhouse Saison Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Mountain high craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this saison.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The smell has an earthly to farm like notes. The taste has a nice refreshing citrus to earth like notes. The aftertaste has a light citrus to lemon like notes. It is very drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

An ode to the communal Saison.  Long Table Farmhouse ale brings together the juicy fruit flavors of Belgian yeast and Nelson Savin hops with the spicy and tasty notes of Munich and Rye grains  Grab a seat!

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

The longer the table, the more room for friends. This season, our new Long Table Farmhouse Ale is the best excuse to pull up a chair with your closest companions for a few rounds. An ode to the bucolic, table-friendly Belgian saison, we’ve added a delightfully new hoppy spin to the style, creating a sip that whisks a taste of the tropics into the Old World. Traditional grains of Munich, pale malt and rye lend a wash of toasty, spicy bread, while exotic Nelson Sauvin and citrusy Chinook hops buoy the juicy fruit flavors of our Belgian yeast. So gather around and get ready to hoist this spritz complex farmhouse ale amongst the company of friends.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, I am not a huge fan of most of their Belgian style ales from New Belgium Brewery.  I do respect what they do and changing up their seasonals.  Long Table Farmhouse Ale is their Indian Summer seasonal or Summer seasonal part two.  This brew will take you up to their fall seasonal, which is Pumpkick Ale.  This Farmhouse Saison is pretty good.  There is a nice balance along with a refreshing taste.  I like this brew and I wish it was out there for a little longer.  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 Roak Brewing Kashmir Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the frist of many beers from Roak Brewery.  It is their Kashmir.  If you read my post on my visit of their brewery, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this strong dark ale.

It has a dark jet like color with a tan like color head. The aroma has a sweet chocolate, caramel, and cherry candy like notes. The taste has a smooth chocolate to dry cherry candy along with hints a creamy caramel notes. The aftertaste has a caramel that hangs around a bit. It is a pretty drinkable for Belgian Dark Strong Ale. It is really a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Artfully brewed, this Belgian strong dark ale is medium bodied with a persistent tan colored head accompanied by a delectable range of aromas and flavors: rich malty sweetness, caramel toasted bread, raisin and reasonably dry finish.  Kashmir is as complex as it is refreshing, and its low bitterness yields a spectacular malt effect specially brewed to excite the senses.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.roakbrewing.com

Twitter:  @roakbrewing

In the end, this craft brewery is making some noise on the east side of the State of Michigan.  They are young and trying to push limit of craft beers.  Their seasonals, which I will be reviewing here, are very different.  Their summer seasonal is called Melonfest, which is cantaloupe wheat ale.  Each of their everyday beers, they did something different than what is on the market. For example, their Mean Streets Amber Ale is hoppy amber ale.  Kashmir is close to the classic beer style but they did not do Belgian golden ale.  I love it. This is their second best beer behind their Devil Dog Oatmeal Stout.  There is some interesting and complex notes.  Each sip, you will get some different.  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 Farmington Brewery Visit

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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.

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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 Sharp Shooter

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In this summer beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Great Lakes Brewery.  It is the first seasonal with their new packaging.  It is a new beer in their books.  It is Sharpshooter Session Wheat IPA.  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 craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The smell has a nice welcoming orange notes. The taste has a citrus to orange notes. The aftertaste has an orange like finish that is not over bearing. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Inspired by Ohio’s “little sure shot” Annie Oakley, our Session Wheat IPA is peppered with rounds of whole Orange peel and fully loaded with Jarrylo hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

In the end, I saw this coming down the pipeline.  I thought Great Lakes Brewery was way behind the beer trends.  I have to say they came up with something different than the rest of White IPA’s.  I like it.  It is not my go to as far as Summer seasonals.  I have to say it is up with all the straight wheat ales and fruit beers that hit the market during the summer.  With that all said, I was wrong.  Great Lakes Brewery is seeing something that I did not see. I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gamil.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA

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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 Bell’s Planet Series Neptune The Mystic Stout

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In this special beer blog, we are to finish up the Bell’s Brewery’s Planet Series with Neptune The Mystic Stout.  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 know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head at first but disappears over time. The aroma has a chocolate to sweet maple syrup notes.  The taste has a ton of complex notes. There is a nice chocolate that is smooth. There is a touch of pepper but faded. The aftertaste has a slight burn from peppers that is building up over time.  This is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This is one of a seven part series inspired by Gustav Holst’s Musical composition “The Planets.” Strap in and embark on a flavor tour of our solar system – in the order of Holst’s piece.  Mars to Neptune.

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

Tasting Notes: With Neptune, our Planets Series comes to an end. Inspired by one of Larry Bell’s old homebrew recipes and the music of Gustav Holst, this complex, strong and spiced Imperial Stout offers prominent herbal notes along with flavors of chocolate, roasted malt, licorice/anise and pepper with a touch of heat. Reminiscent of a mystical creation brewed in days gone by, this beer is a good candidate for aging due to the robust characteristics of its ingredients.

SPICES: Star anise, dried cayenne, raisins, dates, black pepper, hickory bark, dandelion root, nutmeg, grains of paradise, fenugreek seeds and dates

Also brewed with maple syrup, molasses and cane sugar in addition to hops and malt.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @bellsbrewery

In the end, I have said this so many times about this Planet Series.  There were good beers and there were some really bad ones.  I felt there were good ones but not worth the price that I paid.  This is a great beer. This is not your father’s beer. It was worth the money. Each sip gives you something new and different, however, the aftertaste from the Cayenne pepper will built throughout the drinking experience.  This beer was a great finish to this series of beers.  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