dj weiser

New Beer Blog Tri-City Brewing Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout from Tri-City Brewing.  If you read my earlier post on their IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

It has a jet black color without a head on this stout. The aroma has burned chocolate to coffee notes. The taste has  a burned chocolate but creamy coffee aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

It takes courage to face a giant and we know you face the regularly every day. Because you don’t run away from these giants, Tri-City Brewing makes this Russian Imperial Stout in your honor.

  • Bursting with an abundance of character
  • Huge roasted, chocolate and coffee flavors
  • Although well hopped, it is still very balanced
  • Rich full bodied drinking experience with dark hints of old world style

9.0% ABV and 66 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tricitybrewing.com

Twitter:  No Address

Closing, this is a great brew.  I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  This is one of the best Imperial Stouts that is made in Michigan for the price.  It is a beer that I know you can age for at least a year. I love this beer.  It is a beer you can let it cool down or just start to enjoy it at room temperate.  I just wish I can find their beers in the southeast part of the state.  Their beers are hard to find. I might have to make a trip to their brewpub one day.  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 Evil Twin Brewery I Love You With My Stout

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Evil Twin Brewery is the brewery being featured with their beer called I Love You With My Stout in this beer blog.    If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this import craft brewery but now brewing in the states with Stillwater.  If you have not read them, please, read them to get to know Evil Twin Brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

This imperial stout has a jet black color with a tan to light brown color head.  The aroma has a burn chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste has a creamy burn chocolate to coffee notes along with an alcohol notes. The aftertaste has a creamy chocolate finish. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

When I copied the famous Even More Jesus, I had to ask myself as an artist why am I doing this?  I didn’t honestly know.  It was just an instinct about beer as pure form… in a sense this stout is like a metaphor for freedom – the sum of all the beauty that surrounds me and my perfect contemporary existence.  – Jeppe Jarrit-Bjergso, Brewer and founder of Evil Twin Brewing.

Here is a description from their website (www.eviltwin.dk):

“When I copied the famous Even More Jesus, I had to ask myself as an artist, why am I doing this? I didn’t honestly know. It was just an instinct about beer as pure form… in a sense this stout is like a metaphor for freedom – the sum of all the beauty that surrounds me and my perfect contemporary existence.”
– Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, Brewer and founder of Evil Twin Brewing

Style:Imperial Stout
Brewed:Two Roads Brewing Co
ABV: 12

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.eviltwin.dk

Twitter:  @eviltwinbrewing

In the end, this stout is something else.  This is a great beer and I really enjoyed it.  I just wish it was a little cheaper.  I just do not understand why this Imperial Stout cost more than Tri-City Giant Slayer.  I loved drinking this beer but I just feel is extremely over priced.  Evil Twin Brewery makes some great beers and they need to break away from their import company because I believe they are jacking the price up.  There is two companies between the brewery and retail.  This is why the price is too high in most cases.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  It is a great beer but just the price is too high.  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 New Belgium Pumpkick Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into this year’s limited release from New Belgium and it is Pumpkick Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this employee owned brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin ale brewed with cranberries.

It has a clear copper to bronze color with a white constant head on this fall seasonal.  The smell has a pumpkin to cranberry notes.  The taste has a slight pumpkin but the cranberries take over the taste profile.  The aftertaste is a heavy cranberry notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer?  Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale.  PUMPKICK is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that’ll have you hunt and pecking for more.

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

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. Pumpkick is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing. Available in September and October 2014.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, this is the beer that brought me back into trying and retrying New Belgium’s beers.  I will be up front and say I did not like their beers or most of them.  I was excited to see this beer coming back for at least one more season.  New Belgium Brewery makes the same seasonal for at least two years and then switch to a new one.  They wanted to see if they could get one more season out of this brew. There is lack of cranberries this season.  The new fall seasonal is Tour De Fall.  I might try to get a review up before the end of the season.  Pumpkick was my favorite fall beer from last season.  This year was a little disappointed.  I felt that my bottles did not have enough of the cranberry notes.  I loved last years more. There was not as much cranberry notes as this year’s brew. It is still a great brew.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some before it disappears again.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Brew Bonafide Legit American IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Bonafide Legit American IPA from Short’s Brewing.  This is a special brew because they used Summit hops from Michigan.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northwestern Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get ot know this brewery.  Let us get into this American IPA.

It has a cloudy golden color in the light with a white constant head. The aroma has an earthy to citrus notes.  The taste has a citrus notes with a dry bitter hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

A light bodied American Pale Ale brewed entirely with Northern Michigan grown Summit hops. An excellent sharp aroma of strong floral and fruity characteristics stings the senses with hop laced anticipation. A sticky hop filled mouthful of damp earthy pine with notable herbal accents coats the entire mouth, followed by a big resiny bitterness that lingers well into the finish, drying the palate and resonating boldly.
ABV 6%
IBU 85

6% ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing, I love this beer. This is their real IPA.  This is so much better than their everyday beer.  I have to say there is something that is starting to bother me.  I love the fact that their website calls this a pale ale but the packaging says American IPA.  So which is it.  I starting to wonder if it was a print misprinted but if you look at the IBU’s, it is in the range of being an IPA.  I am calling this IPA not a pale ale.  In other words, this is a great beer and I am pretty impressed.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy i!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA from Founders Brewery.  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 Founders.  Let us get into this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a semi on tan color head.  The smell has a burn chocolate to coffee and citrus notes. The taste has a a creamy chocolate citrus notes with a dry hoppy to roasted chocolate aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

A heavy malt foundation includes Crystal malt for sweetness and just enough Midnight Wheat malt to push the color to black. The bitterness is huge, but balanced by malt sweetness and alcohol burn. The hop flavors and aromas range from citrus to floral to pine thanks to a delicious blend of hand-selected Chinook and Centennial hops.

  • ABV: 8.9%
  • IBUs: 100
  • Availability: Oct – Dec

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

Closing, I enjoyed this beer very much.  I just wished it was everyday six-pack brew.  They did a great job on this brew.  I love the creamy chocolate citrus notes.  It is in your face but smooth unlike most black IPA.  It is like they used stout base to make this Black IPA.  Most craft breweries use a porter base to make their Black IPA.   There is a nice balance to this beer, however, it is still a sipping beer.  The aroma and color are spot on to the beer style.  This makes you want to try the beer and enjoy it.  I realize the cost but I wish they made more of this beer. I am not a fan of the price but I wanted to try it.  I am glad that I did.  This is their best beer that they make.  It is a shame that it is not everyday beer.  I highly recommend you go out on a beer hunt for it.  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 Right Brain Brewery Flying Squirrel Brown Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample the fall seasonal, which is Flying Squirrel Brown Ale, from Right Brain Brewery.  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 Right Brain Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a dark brown color with an off white to tan color head on this American brown ale.  The aroma has a roasted malty to nutty notes with a slight caramel notes.  The taste has a smooth to creamy malty and nutty notes.  The aftertaste has a nutty crisp finish.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

One quiet summer night, a lone beer lover was relaxing on his front porch with his favorite brew, when he noticed something darting through the trees above his head.

When he stepped into the darkness to investigate, a mysterious shape swooped down from above, narrowly missing his head (and scaring the crap out of him).  He knew immediately what it was.  Hence the legend of the flying squirrel was born.

Expect mild chocolate and hops aromas, deep colored body, and subtle roasty notes with a satisfying hoppy finish.

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

FLYING SQUIRREL
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: 5.7%
A Traditional American Brown Ale with chocolate and roasty notes leading towards a clean and mild hop finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In the end, I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have always looking for their next seasonal to hit the shelves.  I was happy to see their brown ale came back to the market.  I love the story on this brew that I found on the beer bottle.  They put together a nice package but I wish it was available in four pack 16oz cans or six-pack bottles.  I am not going to complain because it is back for another great fall season.  I love the color tones on this beer.  I love the aroma but I did not pick up any chocolate notes that is noted on the bottle.  I will have to pick up another bottle just to check it out again.  I love the creamy tasting profile.  I really enjoyed this beer.  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 New Holland Brewing Black Hatter Ale Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from New Holland Brewery.  It is their Black Hatter Ale Black IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this black ale.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head.  The aroma has a slight coffee to citrus notes.  The taste has a roasted malty with coffee notes. There is a nice citrus with burn to hoppy bitter finish. This is a sipping beer.

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

Description

IPA brewed with black malts which add dark, roasted flavors. Dry-hopped. Centennial finish.

Beer Style

Black IPA

Degrees Plato

14.2

Alcohol by Volume

5.07%

IBUs

67

Grains

2-row, Munich, Crystal, Black, Carapils

Hops

Nugget, Centennial, Cascade

Yeast

American Ale

First Brewed

2001

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

Ending, I get pretty excited when any craft brewery releases new beer or a beer I never had.  It is fear of the unknown that brings out the excitement of brews.  I have been curious about this beer for a while.  I have had this beer on my beer list for a while.  I broke down and finally picked up a bottle.  I love the packaging and color to the beer.  It has some nice tasting notes but I just thought it was pretty average beer.  It is an OK but not worth the price that you are paying for it.  At least, try it once.  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 Lagunitas Sucks Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Lagunitas Brewery.  It is their Sucks Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer in quart bottle.

It has a clear bright golden copper color with a white constant head.  The smell has a heavy citrus notes with a slight caramel notes.  It is really fated.  The taste has citrus to a slight creamy caramel notes.  The aftertaste has crisp dry bitter finish that is pretty smooth.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Originally brewed in 2011 as a Brown Shugga’ substitute, due to construction-induced capacity issues. But we liked it so much it had to make a return trip.

AVAILABLE: LATE NOVEMBER thru JANUARY
ABV: 7.85%
Sold as: 6-Packs & Kegs (plus 32oz Quarts in select markets)
Net contents: Ounces and ounces of Malt, Hops, Yeast and water.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  @lagunitasbeer

Closing,  I have always loved Lagunitas Sucks.  I am always sad that this beer is only a seasonal.  This Sucks is their Brown Shagga edition.  Plus, I love that it comes out in 32oz or quart bottle.  I am saving my bottle.  When I visited the brewery in Chicago this last summer, they were selling these bottles and I wanted to take it home.  The problem was that I flew out of Chicago.  I love all nice caramel to citrus notes.  They picked a nice selection of hops and build a well design malty backbone.  I love this beer and I will have a few more bottles in the neat future.  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 Music Monday White Wizzard The Devil’s Cut

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from White Wizzard.  It is called “The Devil’s Cut.”  We are going to get into the history and then the music off this new record.  Let us get into the history.

History:

White Wizzard was founded in 2007 by bass player, Jon Leon.  He was looking to bring back the classic hard rock and metal sound to fans looking for it.  The band released their first EP, which was called “White Wizzard,” in 2008.  Even with some success at first, the band loss three of their orignal members.  They went on to start a new band called Holy Grail that has similar music style.  Jon Leon signed a contract with Earache Records and then started to search for members for the second line up.  After filling the second line up, the band released their second EP, which is called “High Speed GTO,” in 2009.  In 2010, the band released their first full length record, which was called “Over The Top.”  White Wizzard was nominated for Best New Artist at Metal Hammer Golden Gods.  In 2011, the band released their second record, which was called “Flying Tigers.”  The band in 2013 released their third record, which was called  “The Devil’s Cut.”  White Wizzard put out their new single, which was called “Marathon Of Dreams,” on their new label White Wizzard Records.  This is first time in history of the band that features Jon Leon on lead singer and Devin Lebsack.  This band has went through several line up changes after the release of “The Devil’s Cut.”  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Forging The Steel

There is a nice classic hard rock driving music at the beginning of the song.  I love the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  This music sounds like something out of the late 1970’s to early 1980’s.  This is a nice intro song to the record.

Strike The Iron

I love the blend from the first track to the second track.  The music pace has picked up.  The singer sounds like someone from Riot or Saxon.  I love the lyrics and singing.  This song has a sound like it came right from Riot.  I love the short guitar solo.  They wrote a nice opening track for this record.  There is a nice expanded guitar solo towards the back half of the song.  I love the music towards the end of the music.  It sounds like two different songs on the back half of the song.

Kings Of The Highway

I love the slower pace of this song.  I love singing and lyrics.  I love the theme of this song.  Jon put some thought on the lyrics.  He did a great job on it.   This is a great song but I feel it should be a little faster.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is a guitar solo to take the song out.  It has a nice fade out.

Lightening In My Hands

The beginning of the song remains me some old school Iron Maiden music.  There is some nice guitar and bass playing.  Even the singing remains me of Bruce.  I love the lyrics.  I love the guitar solo towards the end.  I also love the bass playing.  There is another nice well written guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the trade-off on the guitar solos.

Steal Your Mind

There is a nice slight dark tone guitar playing at the beginning of the song.  I love the slow down to bring the singer with some nice guitar work.  There is some nice singing and well written lyrics.  This is a great song but I just feel it is too slow for my taste.  I love the short guitar solos throughout the song.  It is becoming too much now.  This is too long but it is a great song.  I just wish it was a little faster.  I love how it the pace finally picks up towards the back half of the song.

The Devil’s Cut

I love the drumming and how the guitar playing is at the beginning.  The shinning light is the bass playing.  It is some awesome playing.  I am not too sure on how I feel about the singing from the singer.  I love the lyrics.  At the beginning, I just felt he was too low but as the song moves on it did get better.

Torpedo Of Truth

I love the pace and music at the beginning.  There is a some nice drumming on this track.  There is some nice guitar playing with some nice guitar solos.  I love the singing with the back up singing.  The lyrics are well written but I am not liking the title of the song that much along with the chorus.  I am really not liking this song so much.  I could do without it on this record.

Storm Chaser

I am loving the bass playing and drumming at the beginning.  I am not liking the guitar playing so far on this song.  The singing seems a little off and not really fitting with the song  The lyrics are really below average.  They could do so much better.  Some of these songs on this record are starting to sound the same.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  It seems every song on this record does not need a guitar solo.  This song could live without a guitar solo.

The Sun Also Rises

I am loving the acoustic guitar at the beginning.  It is about time.  I have been waiting for one song like this.  I love the bass playing in the background.  I love the singing and lyrics.  The main part of the song sounds just like an old Iron Maiden song.  The singing like some from White Lion.  I am really liking this song.  It has a nice driving song.   This song is way too long unless.  I love change of the music at the half way point.  Oh!  Once again another guitar solo.  I love how they ended this record.

Original Line Up:

Wyatt Anderson – Lead Vocals

Jon Leon – Bass And Guitar

Erik Kluiber – Guitar

Jesse Appelhans- Drums

Current Line Up:

Joseph Michael – Vocals

Jon Leon – Guitar And Bass

Jake Dreyer – Lead Guitar

Will Wallner – Guitar

Giovanni Durst – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.facebook.com/WhiteWizzard

Twitter:  @whitewizzard

Closing, I have enjoyed this band since their start and I will always buy their music.  I have to say this record has some great songs but overall it is pretty disappointing.  I know in the past hard rock and metal music had guitar solos in their songs.  I just felt they went over the top on the guitar solos.  No to plug one of their songs.  The singer is spot on to the original singer.  I am pretty worried about this band and their future.  They only have two members in this band at this time.  I know this band went through several line up changes but I hope they can get it together again.  There is some well written songs on this record and there are songs you will be skipping.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer (Mead) Blog B. Nektar Meadery Evil Genius IPA Style Mead

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In this beer (mead) blog, we are going to get into a style that many people might not know about.  It is mead.  I am kind of new to mead scene but my studies, I know what a mead is. I just need to try them. I will get into the history of mead and then Meadery featured on this post.  I am talking about B. Nektar Meadery.  The mead being feature is Evil Geniues IPA Style Mead.  Mead is a honey and water with fruits, hops, grains, and other spices to add character.  It is a wine base product.  It is normally made as a base of a honey wine.  B. Nektar Meadery was founded in Ferndale, Michigan in 2006.  Brad and Kerri Dahlhofer founded this meadery.  They make several different mead styles.  They sell their products around the country but mainly the midwest to the east coast.  Let us get into this Mead.

It has a bright yellow to white color without a head on this Mead.  The aroma has a honey with a hint of earthy notes.  The taste has a sweet honey with earthy undertones.  The aftertaste has sweet honey with a slight bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the mead bottle:

In an obsure industrial lair resides the man known only as the evil Dr. IPA.  Using his hadron collider hidden deep underground, he has conducted his most remarkable experiment to date.  The result is a perfect balance of honey and hops.  But there are side effects…  his lab rats can’t get enough of the stuff.  And soon, neither will you.  Introducing the Evil Genius.  The big bang is no longer a theory, it’s your reality.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bnektar.com

Twitter:  @bnekar

Closing, I had a few meads and they are all from B. Nektar.  I do not know many more meaderies in the market.  If there is, I will be trying them soon.  I find some of these meads pretty sweet to way too sweet.  This is one of them.  I do not get too much from the hops.  I love this mead at first.  The more and more I was drinking it.  I just found that it was way too sweet for me.  I just feel if it was 10oz pour I would be in better shape.  I can drink meads and some sweet ciders.  I just find that they become too sweet for me.  Keep in mind, I am a hophead, porter, and stout type of beer drinker.  I recommend this mead.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13