dj weiser

New Blog Ale Asylum Contorter Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to look at the second of three beers from Ale Asylum.  If you read my earlier blog on their Jacksin Double IPA, you know some about this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the frist part of that beer blog.  Let us get into their Contorter Porter.

It has a dark black color without a head on the beer.  It has a heavy coffee notes with a little chocolate notes. The taste of this porter is like a black coffee. It really does not have an aftertaste.  I can see some people thinking it is drinkable.  There are some that might think this porter is not drinkable beer.   I am one beer and done that is not a bad thing.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our porter is dark in color yet soft on the palate.  English chocolate malts give it a complex, rich flavor wrapped in a silky smooth finish. Contorter is all natural and unfiltered for superior flavor and quality.  It is brewed with passion and is best enjoyed that way.

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

4.8% abv.

Available: Year Round Style: English Porter Motto: Smooth never tasted so smooth.

You’re not still afraid of Dark, are you? You don’t know how that hurts Dark’s feelings! Dark would never judge you like that. Not even after what you did at summer camp. You know that thing you’ve always wanted? Dark just got you two of them. Dark wants to know what else it can do to change your mind. How about a glassy smooth porter with a long, silky finish? Will that seal the deal? Dark thought so.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.aleasylum.com

Twitter:  @ale_asylum

In the end, it is really hard to make a bad porter, stout, or any IPA’s.  I am not saying this is a bad porter.  It is an average porter and I would love to try this beer straight from the brewery.  I believe I received old beer.  I am on the state line on this beer.  I can see this beer being really good if it was a little bit more fresher.  DO NOT judge the beer from this posted.  I will be doing an updated blog when I try it at the brewery or I get a fresh bottle.  Go get some in Wisconsin!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog New Glarus Moon Man

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In this beer blog, we are going to check out the sixth of seven beers from New Glarus Brewing Company.  The beer is part of their everyday line up and it is called Moon Man No Coast Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Fat Squirrel Ale, you know something about this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark golden to a light copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a citrus to earthy smell to the beer. It has a mango to citrus taste with a citrus bitter aftertaste.  It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

Moon Man is a seriously cool cat. Always comfortable in his own skin, he never tries too hard. So cool we named our “no coast” pale ale after him.

You hold a session beer with a bright bold blend of five hops that flirt obligingly with the smooth malty backside. Don’t let this one lay around it is brewed to be enjoyed today. Bold and engaging without pretense, because in Wisconsin you do not have to be extreme to be real.
Just be,

Paws for Reflection with New Glarus Brewing Company’s ‘Moon Man’ No Coast Pale Ale.

Daniel Carey (Diploma Master Brewer, New Glarus Brewing Company) is adept at expanding what we know (or think we know) about beer. He continues to challenge flavor possibilities unveiling “Moon Man” No-Coast Pale Ale. Dan is a huge fan of ‘big’ IPA’s and their powerful intense aromatics. It is thought that the popularity of the poignant aromas in big IPA’s are a reaction to the all too prevalent bland beers. However, these same large flavors and aromas make this particular style too intense for many. Some months ago, in well known Daniel Carey fashion, he set out to brew an idea in his head, hoping to pack all the wonderful and powerful aromatics and flavors that he loves in big IPA’s into a sessionable brew that all can enjoy. New Glarus Brewing Company takes one small step, and helps all their friends take one giant leap toward bridging the gap between these two extremes. As Daniel Carey says, “If big IPA’s were a reaction to bland beer, Moon Man is a reaction to extremism.”

True to style, Daniel took his time ensuring this ground breaking brew is exactly what it should be. He personally oversaw the hop harvest in the fields of Washington. He spent over 6 months painstakingly perfecting the hop blend alone. Finally utilizing 5 varieties of hops, of which three are not commonly used in American style ales. “Moon Man” is dry hopped 2 and a 1/2 times as much as is commonly practiced in dry hopped beer (2.25 pounds per barrel). It is powerfully aromatic, and pale golden in color. Like most of New Glarus Brewing Company’s brews, it is bottle fermented the old fashioned way, meaning there is no artificial carbonation. Don’t let this one lay around, it is brewed to be enjoyed today. Bold and engaging without pretense, because in Wisconsin you do not have to be extreme to be real. Just be.

This beer is named after a seriously cool cat, who found his ‘forever’ home with Jared, a brewer at New Glarus Brewing Company. Moon Man-the-Cat is so easygoing and confident that even ‘dog’ people love him and this love is genuinely reciprocated. While the lineage of Moon Man-the-Cat is unknown due to his ‘alley’ origins, Moon Man-the-Cat is a friend to all. He takes no heed of the background of his new companions (or even whether they walk on two, or four feet). Jared oftentimes revels the brewery with tales of cat adventures. Moon Man-the-Cat is especially well known for being comfortable in his own skin, taking things as they come, and above all else, not trying too hard to impress. Perhaps this relaxed nature is what makes such a great impression on all those that he meets. It is in appreciation of the special bond that these two share, and in honor of all those that share an easygoing affection with their four legged friends, that New Glarus Brewing Company’s “Moon Man” No Coast IPA found its name. Thankfully, “Moon Man” No Coast Pale Ale shares it’s namesake’s roaming nature, and may be found throughout Wisconsin for the remainder of this year.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In the end, Moon Man can be paired with several different food styles.  This is a great beer.  I love the flavor and the nice malty backbone along with enough hops to make the hop head happy.  I did not like this beer at the very beginning of the beer glass but once I went to the bottom of the glass.  I wished the glass was full again.  I only had one bottle to try, enjoy and write this blog post.  This beer will be asked for when I have a friend comes back from Wisconsin along with your Black Top and Spotted Cow.  New Glarus is a great brewery and I believe they are exetremely under rated.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog New Glarus Black Top

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In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at the fifth of seven beers from New Glarus Brewing.  The beer is called Black Top.  If you read my earlier blog on their Fat Squirrel Ale, you are pretty up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into this Black India Pale Ale.

It has a dark brown to black color with a heavy constant white head on the beer.  It has a citrus smell to the beer.  It has a slight chocolate to citrus taste with a dry bitter aftertaste to the beer.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

We invite you to discover this newest beer style Black IPA. Political debate rages over the origins of this jet black beer as both coasts feel they deserve credit. Our Black Top is a pleasant road connecting Villages and Communities statewide on a ride of Black IPA discovery.

Expect this beer to pour a hop forward jet black glass brimming with aromatic bitterness.  Brewmaster Dan skillfully weaves molasses and chocolate malt undertones with a soaring rush of clean citrus and pine hop notes, to deliver a drinkable Black IPA. Savor Black Top, like Wisconsin’s miles of licorice ribbons of ink that meander through armies of corn and bovine mowed fields. Enjoy the journey on a road less traveled.  Happy Trails, Daniel & Deborah Carey

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In closing,  I am a HUGE fan of this beer style, which is Black Ales or Black India Pale Ale.  This has a ton of flavor.  It is just as smooth as Widmer Brothers Pitch Black.  It has a little bit more hoppiest and bitterest than that beer from Widmer Brothers.  This beer would be in my regular beer line up.  I really enjoyed this beer but I love Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron more but their beer is more of a seasonal.  New Glarus Black Top is available all the time and I will be drinking this beer when I get it in my hands when I cannot get Black Iron.  Great Job on this one, Dan!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog New Glarus Laughing Fox

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the fourth of seven beers from New Glarus Brewing Company.  The beer is called Laughing Fox.  I love the graphics from the beer bottle, which you can see in the photo above.  If you read my earlier blog on their Fat Squirrel Ale, you are up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a dark clear copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a heavy banana to clove to the beer. It has sweet malty banana taste without an aftertaste.  It is really drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com) and beer bottle:

In playful pursuit of butterflies a Red Fox danced across the brewery hill. His joy so pure it bubbled through our hearts and into this beer. Laughing Fox is a sparkling Kristal Weizen brewed in the Bavarian tradition with 50% Wisconsin wheat in our open top fermenters.  Tickle your nose notes of spicy clove and cinnamon abound. Dan’s inspired Weizen interpretation reflects the deep bittersweet color of our Fox’s red coat.

Expect this beer to pour a lively effervescent glass thick with creamy foam and bursting with luscious fruity notes on your pallet. This is easy drinking beer perfect for a friendly Wisconsin evening. Relax, this is God’s Country, here we have the strength to reach for the stars and change the world. Best Wishes, Daniel & Deborah Carey

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In closing, I was a little stun when drinking this beer.  My friend gave me the wrong bottle.  I was looking to try their bock and here is a wheat.  It happens and I glad she pick this up by mistake.  I am not a fan of any of their weizen, white, or wheat beers.  This beer has a lot going on in it.  There is really depth in this beer.  There are some nice cinnamon to banana notes in it.  I recommend this beer and I might have to think about putting it in my regular line up of beers if it was available to myself in Chicago.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Totally Naked

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the third beer of seven from New Glarus Brewing.  The beer is their Totally Naked, which is one of their seasonal.  If you read my earlier blog on their Fat Squirrel Ale, you know this brewery pretty well.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a strewed to clear yellow color without a head on the beer.  It has a pilsner to pale lager smell.  It is basely Rolling Rock all the way from the taste and smell but better in taste. It has pale malts with hop smell. It has a sweet to slightly hoppy taste with a crisp dry aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

Pure and crisp this is a beer with nothing to hide.  Wisconsin two-row barley malt ensures a mellow and smooth body.  We imported Noble Hop varieties from Germany and the Czech Republic to ensure a fine mature aroma with no coarse bitterness.

Expect this beer to pour a delicate golden hue that sparkles in the summer sun.  This lager is brewed using all natural ingredients with no artificial additives of any kind.  Kick back, relax and enjoy the simple unadorned flavor.  This is beer at its most basic.  Best wishes, Daniel & Deborah Carey

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In closing, I loved this beer but I can see myself buying it on a regular bases.  I am a huge Rolling Rock fan and this is a craft verision of it.  It is better in taste and it is a more freshier.  This is a nice relaxing beer on the dock or lawn work.  This is not my favorite beer from this brewery but it does show the beer drinker the depth of the brewery.  Totally Naked is pretty close to being a pilsner, which I have been becoming a huge fan of that beer style.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Brooklyn Lager Vs Samuel Adams Boston Lager

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Battle of Evermore, we are going to do something different.  I am taking two well-known craft lagers and putting them up against each other.  They are Samuel Adams Boston Lager, which is the flagship of the Boston Beer Company, and Brooklyn Lager, which is the flagship of the Brooklyn Brewery.  The reason why this challenge has come to head is the fact when both breweries started out they contracted their beers out to one brewery to keep up with demand.  Plus, it is Boston against New York City.  Both cities hate each other from football, hockey, baseball, and I believe basketball.  Both breweries were there from the beginning of the craft beer world.  I do not need to go over the history of these two breweries because I have done blogs on both breweries.  Let the fight begin!

Brooklyn Lager

Brooklyn Lager has a slightly hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a sweet malty to a little caramel smell to the beer. It has a slight hoppy to malty taste with a nice crisp finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Amber gold, with a malty body and a floral hop character. Brooklyn Lager is a revival of Brooklyn’s pre-Prohibition all malt lagers. This is the brewery’s first and best-selling brand. Brooklyn Lager is brewed only with malted barley, hops, water and yeast.

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Samuel Adams Boston Lager has a clear copper color without a head on the beer.  There is really no smell to this beer.  This lager is sweet malty carbonation to it with crisp malty aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Our original beer, brewed with Bavarian Noble hops. The balance of malty sweetness and hop spiciness in this brew sets the standard for all Samuel Adams beers.

What is the same between these beers?

Both beers are craft beers and are the flagship beers to each respected brewery. They are both pretty malty tasting lagers.

What is the differences between these beers?

Brooklyn lager is a little bit more hopper than Boston Lager and has a clean crisp aftertaste.  Boston Lager is a little bit more maltier and has a malty crisp aftertaste that last longer than the Brooklyn Lager.

The end, respect to both breweries, they both make some good beers.  Some of their beers are average to below average while some are above average.  You will get that from many breweries.  There are a very few that make all their beers really good.  Brooklyn Lager has a little bit more of a hoppy feel but yet enough of malty taste to give the best of both worlds.  Boston Lager is a little bit more maliter.  I have to say Brooklyn Lager is better.  Brooklyn is going with the old school taste that was going on in American before Prohibition.  Boston Lager is more American Craft Lager with a classic twisted.  I just feel Boston Lager is dying a fast death and needs to put down.  To me, Brooklyn Lager wins this battle and I wish more people knew about this great beer.  This is my thought pattern and I would like to hear your thought. Go get some Brooklyn Lager!  Raise your glass to a beer that should be classic American lager before and after Prohibition era.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Flying Dog Dogtoberfest

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In this fall beer blog, the beer that is being feature is Flying Dog Dogtoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog on their Cherry Sour Ale, you know a little something about this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall beer has a nice clear copper color without a head on it.  The smell is a nice malty. The taste is a smooth malty without an aftertaste. This beer is a beer drinker malty delight or dream. It extremely drinkable.

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

alcohol by volume: 5.6%
availability: Fall release
hop bittnerness: 30 IBU
Specialty Malts: Light Munich, Munich 90, Munich 100, Vienna
hops: German Perle, Hallertau
yeast: Proprietary lager strain

Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients, it will cut spice while pulling out sweetness. Flavor notes: Full-bodied caramel sweet with a light toasted and crisp, clean finish Pairs with: Mexican and Pepper Jack cheeses; sweet Asian sauces; spiced desserts; German foods

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

Closing out, I really love this beer.  There are three breweries that hit home runs on the fall seasonals and they are Flying Dog, Milwaukee Brewing Oktoberfest, and Schlafly Pumpkin Ale.  This beer gives you the nice malty from a traditional German style lager.  It has a nice balance but not boring like most fall seasonals.  I have to say this fall season has been very disappointing and I hoping winter seasonals are not the same way.  I hate fall and winter because the motorcycle is up for the winter.  The beer normally gets me through that problem.  This year fall has been very bad.  I am glad to see a few breweries are stepping up to the plate and Flying Dog Dogtoberfest was one of them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Goose Island Harvest Ale

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at one of the pioneers of the craft beer world in Chicago.  The beer and brewery are Goose Island Brewery and the beer is Harvest Ale, which replace their Oktoberfest two to three years ago.  Here is a belief history of this great Chicago Brewery.  The brewery started in 1988 by John Hall in Chicago, Illinois.  The first beer that was brew was their Honkers Ale, which is an English Style Ale.  Greg Hall, who is John Hall’s son, took over as a brewmaster and came up with this recipe for their Vintage Line, their winter seasonal, which is Mild Winter and several other brews.   Greg Hall stepped down as brewmaster when Goose Island was sold to AB InBev.  He is now making Cider, which is sold in Midwest only.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark copper color with a constant white head on the beer.  There is some fall earthly orange smell to the beer.  This Harvest Ale has a slight citrus to malty taste without an aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

Brewed in honor of the Harvest season this copper colored ESB is made with Cascade hops and the richest Midwestern malts. A fruity American hop aroma and a toasty malt character make Goose Island Harvest Ale an extra special beer worthy of your devotion.

Recipe Information:

Style: American Extra Special Bitter Alcohol by Volume: 5.7% International Bitterness Units: 35 Color: Copper Hops: Cascade Malts: 2 Row, Wheat, Caramel, Pale

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Willi Food Pairings: Chicken, Pork, Turkey, Sausages Cheese Pairings: Cheddar, Aged Gouda Cellaring Notes: Enjoy within 180 days

Availability:

Seasonal (September-October) Bottles: 6, 12 & 24pks Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Great American Beer Festival Recognition:

Judging Category: Extra Special Bitter 2011: Bronze Medal

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

In closing, I love the hoppy taste that is in this Extra Special Bitter.  This beer was design to have that when the trend was the over hop beers.  This beer gives you a nice balance from the hops and the malts.  This is not my favorite beer for the fall but I will at least enjoy a few six packs of it.  As a beer drinker, this brewery gives you two different Extra Special Bitters.  Fall is the hoppy one.  Mild Winter, which is their winter seasonal, will give you the next malt drinkable in the middle of the harsh winters.  Being a fall seasonal, I would go and get some soon! Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Website:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Arcadia Ales Jaw-Jacker

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at another Michigan Brewery called Arcadia Ales and the beer is Jaw-Jacker.  Arcadia Brewing Company, which is also known as Arcadia Ales, was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1996.  They brew several different beer styles and they are pretty close to the traditional beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a hazel dark copper color without a head on the beer. This pumpkin ale has a cinnamon to nutmeg smell to this beer. The taste is a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg with a cinnamon aftertaste. There is really no pumpkin in this beer. It is kind of drinkable but not really to me.

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

This spiced amber-wheat ale is our celebration of the arrival of Autumn. Using the finest malted barley and little wheat for mouthfeel, Jaw-Jacker displays a brilliant orange-amber color, despite the absence of pumpkin in the recipe. The addition of cinnamon, all-spice and nutmeg (in the exact proportions of our brewer’s Grandmother’s pumpkin pie recipe) creates a refreshingly spicy, season brew.

Style

Spiced Beer

ABV

6.0%

IBUs

26

Food Pairings

Boiled Brisket with Root Veggies, Roast Duck or Turkey, Pumpkin Pie or Sweet Potato Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

Here is their website and  twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arcadiaales.com

Twitter:  @arcadiaales

In closing, this is one of many Michigan Breweries.  This brewery is everything that I look for in a brewery, which means they make traditional styles.  I believe I love the crazy hoppy beers or weird beers so this brewery gives you something of the classic world.  However, I really did not like this beer, I thought it was very heavy with the cinnamon and nutmeg taste and way to sweet.  This beer to me was not drinkable.  I know this brewery could do better.  This is my thought pattern and my word is not the holy grail of beer blogs or craft world and if it was it should not be.  You as a beer drinker might like this beer.  I courage you to try it to get your judgement on this beer.  I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this beer.  They are available in many states in the midwest.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at one of my favorite pumpkin ale from Schlafly.  If you read my earlier blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that blog post.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear dark copper color without a head on the beer.  This pumpkin has a cinnamon and nutmeg smell to it. It has a huge cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin, which is extremely rare in these beers.  It is very drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Schlafly Pumpkin ale Celebrate the bounty of harvest with this rich, malty ale brewed with pumpkin and flavored with spices to invoke the season of plenty.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.schlafly.com):

Our Pumpkin Ale blends the spices of the harvest with full-bodied sweetness for a beer that tastes like pumpkin pie. Pounds of pumpkin form a malty foundation that supports the fall flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

While pumpkin beers were produced in the early days of the American colonies, they were different from the pumpkin beers we know today.  Colonists used pumpkin and squash as the fermenting medium, since malted barley was scarce.  Once malt became more readily available, it replaced these alternatives to grain.  In the 1990’s, American craft brewers reintroduced the style to the delight of pumpkin beer drinkers.

Available September-October.

ABV:   8%   |   IBU:   16

  • Appearance: Copper-colored, bright
  • Process: Brewed with pumpkin squash and a blend of spices
  • Hops: Marynka (PL)
  • Malts: 2-row and Crystal malted barley, Munich malt, wheat malt, chocolate malt
  • Yeast: American Ale
  • OG: 18.5
  • SRM: 26.6

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.schlafly.com

Twitter:  @schlafly

Closing, I really love this beer and it is my favorite pumpkin beer on the market.  Every year I have to work the phones to get a few six packs up here in Chicago.  This beer has the sweetness of the nutmeg, cinnaom, and the taste of Pumpkin in it.  Most Pumpkin ales or lagers do not have the taste of Pumpkin or just very little.  It is very drinkable and full of flavor.  I highly recommend this beer.  This is what a pumpkin ale is suppose to be not what is out in the market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser