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New Beer Blog Destihl Brewery Hoperation Overload Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Hoperation Overload Double IPA from Destihl Brewery. Matt Potts switch careers from Lawyer to a brewmaster and CEO of Destihl Brewery in 2007.  They brew several different beer styles and they package most of their beers in cans.  Asides that, there is not much history from this young craft brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a dark copper color with a semi constant white head.  The aroma has a citrus to some floral notes.  The taste has some citrus to a slight caramel to sweet malty notes.  The aftertaste has a sweet caramel finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Hoperation Overload

Our mission for this Imperial or “Double” India Pale Ale is overload the beer with hops for an intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma while still being balanced by a big malt profile, resulting in a hoppy beer with more dimension.  This beer is light copper in color with some hop haze from overloading with dry hops as well.  Cheers!

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

Imperial India Pale Ale / overloaded with hops

ABV: 9.6% IBU: 85 Color SRM: 11 First Brewed: 06-19-09

Our mission for this Imperial or ‘Double’ India Pale Ale is to overload the beer with hops for an intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma while still being balanced by a big malt profile, resulting in a hoppy beer with more dimension. This beer is light copper in color with some hop haze from overloading with dry hops as well. World Beer Championships Award: Bronze Medal 2011

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.destihlbrewery.com

Twitter:  @DESTIHLBrewery

In the end, I am a hardcore hophead.  I love my hops and I love every level of IPA’s.  Yes, I have grown to love White IPA’s.  There are some unique ones out there that I fall in love with.  However, we are talking about this Double IPA, I have to say I love it.  I love the fact it is package in cans and I love design of the label.  I love the play on words and I believe they are honoring those who serviced.  I love the finish of this beer.  For being Imperial IPA, it is pretty drinkable and that is a plus for us hopheads.  It is drinkable to the experience IPA drinkers.  I am not saying the guy that drinks wheat ales is going to say this is drinkable.  It is a sipping beer to him.  I recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Holland Brewing Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a special beer from New Holland Brewing.  It is their Michigan Awesome Hatter 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 New Holland Brewing.  Let us get into Michigan IPA.

It has a nice dark copper color with a nice white constant head on this Michigan IPA.  The aroma has a citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with hints of malty to light caramel in taste profile.  The aftertaste has a slight dry hoppy finish but it is pretty clean finish.  It is extremely drinkable brew.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The epitome of Hand Crafted, Michigan Awesome Hatter celebrates community, collaboration and local agriculture, Centennial hops from the Leelanua Peninsula provide bright citrusy counterpoint to the delicious and earthy malt notes from Michigan grown and malted 2-row barley.

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

The epitome of Hand Crafted, Michigan Awesome Hatter celebrates community, collaboration & local agriculture. Cascade hops from the Leelanau Peninsula provide bright citrusy counterpoint to the delicious and earthy malt notes from Michigan grown and malted 2-row barley. Thanks to our collaborators, Michigan Awesome.

Beer Style

Michigan-grown IPA

Degrees Plato

14

Alcohol by Volume

5.8%

IBUs

55

Grains

2-row, munich, crystal

Hops

Cascade, Nugget

Yeast

American Ale

First Brewed

2013

Pairings

Sharp cheddars, herbed poultry and curry

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

Closing, I love supporting my local craft brewery.  I am honest to myself if a beer or brewery is bad.  I am not saying this beer or brewery was bad.  New Holland Brewery makes some average to slightly above average beers.  I do like some of their brews.  I have to say this beer is pretty good.  I just feel for the price gives me a different aspect of this brew.  I just feel it is just does not live up to the price. This beer is nothing special.  I do not care where everything comes from because it is not anything special. However I had this on draft, it is better on draft than bottle.  I thought it lived up to price on draft. I will give this brewery credit for trying.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Wild Rose Brewery IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Wild Rose Brewery IPA for the first time on this blog.   Wild Rose Brewery was founded in 1996 by Mike Tymchuk.  They were founded in Calgary, Canada.   They brew several different beers.   Let us get into this IPA.

It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a white constant head.  The aroma has a slight caramel to citrus notes.  The taste has a citrus to caramel notes with a dry hoppy finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

A beautiful copper-coloured ale, rich in caramel malt character and well-balanced with plenty of hops. An authentic India Pale Ale, this IPA is handcrafted for the true ale drinker.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wildrosebrewery.com

Twitter:  @wildrosebrewery

Closing, I have to say I have been pretty impressed with some craft beers from Canada.  I always thought they were a bunch of Lager breweries.  I guess I am so wrong.   I know they brew several ales around the country.  I did not think they are pretty good.  Well, Wild Rose Brewery and Mill Street Brewery are proving me wrong.  I am sorry for saying and thinking it.  I love the caramel notes bending with the citrus.  I love the hoppy dry finish that keeps me coming back for more of it.  Wild Rose Brewery has a winner IPA here.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Du Claw Brewery Neon Gypsy India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew, which is Neon Gypsy India Pale Ale, from Du Claw Brewery.  It is another beer from my beer trade.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this East Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has unfiltered copper color with a semi white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell has notes of citrus and grapefruit.  The taste of this medium body is a heavy grapefruit to citrus notes with a dry hop bitter finish for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Unplug with this golden IPA infused with grapefruit, citrus, and notes of pine by a Vagabond blend of seven hops that continues to roam your palate long after the beer’s crisp finish.  Pop the top, it’s time to … disconnect!

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

Neon Gypsy, our 6.5% abv India Pale Ale, new for 2014! It is medium-bodied and clear with a thin white head and crisp mouthfeel. A vagabond blend of 7 different hops dominates with grapefruit and citrus flavors and aromas, accented by notes of pine, that continue to roam your palate long after its clean, hoppy finish. Disconnect, and you will find your way.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.duclaw.com

Twitter:  @duclawbrewing

Closing, there is some nice flavors in this beer.  I really enjoy drinking this beer and I wish I could get this brewery in the Michigan market.  I love the hops and the malty backbone.  It is a medium body beer that is pretty drinkable beer.  There is a heavy citrus to grapefruit notes.  I am pretty amaze with the seven different hops that they used in this beer.  If you are able to get this beer, I highly recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog DC Brau The Public Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the third beer from my beer trade.  It is DC Brau The Public Pale Ale.  If you read my beer blogs on their beers back in 2012, you know the history of this DC craft brewery.  If you have not read those blogs, please, read them to get to know DC Brau Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

This pale ale has a clear copper color with a white constant head.  The smell has a piney to citrus notes.  The taste has a light caramel to citrus notes.  The aftertaste has a dry hop finish.  It is a pretty drinkable brew.

Here is a description from the beer can:

“New Columbia” is the name of the proposed U.S. State that would created by the admission of the district of Columbia into the United States as the 51st State according to legislation offered starting in the 98th congress in 1983.

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

THE PUBLIC™

The Public™ Pale Ale is brewed in the classic American Pale Ale style. Assertive bitterness backed by C-60 and Vienna malts which lend notes of rich, yet semi-dry caramel. Then followed up with a nice white grapefruit and citrus aroma that begs for a follow up sip.

“The Public” is DC Brau’s most popular offering and continues to be a sought after staple by imbibers and ale hounds in the Nations Capitol.

Can Factoids:

New Beer Blog The Brewer’s Art Ozzy Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get deeper into my beer trade.  This time, the beer is from The Brewer’s Art and it is Ozzy Ale, which is a BPA (Belgian Pale Ale).  The Brewer’s Art open their doors in 1996 in Baltimore, Maryland.  They brew several different beers.  In the early part of 2014, Ozzy Osbourne, who is a famous Metal Lead Singer of Black Sabbath, issued cease and desist order against The Brewer’s Art on this beer.  Stop the use of the name and packaging.  Let us get into this BPA.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head.  The aroma has lemon citrus to spicy Belgian notes.  The taste has a refreshing Belgian spices with a nice lemon citrus note finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Ozzy
Our answer to the Belgian «devil» beers (i.e. Lucifer, Duvel, etc.). Both rich and dry, this beer is all too easy to consume in large quantities. Hopped with Styrian Goldings.7.25%ab

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.thebrewersart.com

Twitter:  @brewersart

In closing, I am pretty upset that they might have to change the name of this brew and packaging.  I do understand why it is the case.  I really did enjoy drinking this beer and I will have to do some more trades to get this great brew.  I love the spicy notes from the yeast and kick from the hops.  It is a pretty drinkable and lives up the classic beer styles.  Brewer’s Art did a great designing the recipe of this beer.  I highly recommend this beer and saving the can because the name might change along with the packaging.  Go get some! Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Devil’s Backbone Company Eight Point India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from my beer trade.  It is a brewery, who is Devil’s Backbone Company, made it on my blog but during a live blogging at the Savor in DC.  I was pretty impressed with their beers so I went out for a beer hunt for more of their brews.  I found out that I had to trade for them.  We are going to sample their Eight Point India Pale Ale.  This brewery was opened in 2008 in the mountains of Roseland, Virginia. They opened another brewery in 2012 in Lexington, Virginia.  They have won several metals for their beers.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant white head on this India Pale Ale. The smell has earthy watery to citrus notes. The taste is carbonated earthy notes to slight citrus notes with a dry hop finish for the aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

A cornucopia of hop varieties imparts a floral-citrus aroma and a crisp bitterness to this medium-bodied ale. Concocted from Pilsen and a dash of Caramel malts, this burnished-golden brew has a sweet malt backbone for balance. IBUs – 60, ABV – 5.9%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dbbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @dbbrewingco

Ending, I had their Congo BPA at Savor and I never stop looking for their beers. I had a total of two of their beers so far I am not disappointed.  I love the heavy hop bite of citrus and yet it is drinkable beer in any season.  I believe the aftertaste is what makes this beer.  I normally do not like the dry hop finish but in this case I do.  It makes you comes back for more of this great liquid.  This is a great craft IPA.  It is in my top five of IPA’s that I cannot get in my market.  They did a great job design every segment of  this beer.  If you are able to get hold of this brew, I highly recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Widmer Brothers Upheaval IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer from my beer trade with my friend Matt from the East Coast.  I have been wanting to try this beer and I was pretty excited to get a few bottles.  It is Widmer Brothers Upheaval 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 Widmer Brothers.  Let us get into Upheaval IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma has a heavy citrus to slight grapefruit notes.  The taste profile of this medium to full body beer is a carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish.  It is pretty drinkable IPA but I find myself sipping it.

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

Upheaval IPA is the result of our brewers’ relentless pursuit of the perfect IPA. With more than two pounds of hops per barrel, Upheaval IPA unleashes a huge hop flavor and aroma with serious bitterness and balanced finish. Brewed with wheat, the result is a hazy, bold IPA that’s Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetic. Uncompromised.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.widmerbrothers.com

Twitter:  @widmer_brothers

Closing, this is an awesome brew.  I really enjoyed it.  I just find it funny.  When I make this trade with my friend, package finds its way into my market but it is still a drive.  I am cool with that because now I can pick up a six-pack.  I love big malty backbone with some Northwest hops.  It has a nice bold and powerful hop character but nice enough to make it drinkable beer.  Widmer Brothers did it again.  They pushed the limits of craft beer.  This is the new standard of IPA’s.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Greenbush Brewery Dunegräs India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew, which is Dunegräs India Pale Ale, from Greenbush Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this west side Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

It has a dark copper color to light amber with a constant white head.  The aroma has a slight floral to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation with a sweet notes to citrus like notes towards the middle of the drinking experience.  The dry bitter hop aftertaste at end.  It is kind of drinkable to a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Here at Greenbush we’ve always known that good ideas often start over beer.  We also know that there’s nothing like taking a good idea too far.  You’re reading this, so you must be one of us.  Enjoy the first step in taking your own idea too far.

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

A justly hopped india pale ale with absolutely no dunegrass.

Combining west coast and noble hops, we created our own IPA with a shining finish. And as an environmental treat, absolutely no dunegrass was killed in order to make our fine beer, so drink up!

Grain: Golden Promise, Gambrinus, Munich, Belgian Aromatic, Crystal 60L

Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Cascade, Spalt

Yeast: House yeast

Specs:
67 ibu
alc. 6.7% by vol.
12º Lovibond

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenbushbrewing.com

Twitter:  @Greenbush_Brew

Closing, I have had several of their brews.  This one was pretty good and I did enjoyed drinking it.  I have to say I was a little disappointed compared to rest of their beers.  This beer is still a great beer.  I love two out of four of hops that they use in this brew.  I do not know why I am pretty disappointed with this beer but it is still good.  I guess every craft breweries has that beer in their line up.  This beer is the weakest in their line up but this beer could be some craft breweries best beer.  This Michigan craft brewery makes some great beers.  I recommend this beer and I want to hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Dragonmead Brewery Crown Jewel IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Crown Jewel IPA from Dragonmead Brewery.  This is the first appearance for this brewery and beer.  We will do a belief history of this Michigan craft brewery and then get into this beer.  Dragonmead Brewery opened in 1997 in Warren, Michigan.  It was founded by Earl Scherbarth, Larry Channel, and Bill Wrobel.  They brew several different beer styles.  Their packaging and brewpub has a Medieval era theme.  Let us get into this beer.

This Michigan craft India Pale Ale has a dark amber to dark copper color.  If you glance at it, it looks almost looks like a brown color. The smell has earthy tones and notes with hints of toffee to malt notes. The taste profile of this medium body has earthy notes to toffee and slight caramel with dry hop bitter finish for the aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dragonmead.com

Twitter:  @Dragonmead

In closing,  This is not American IPA. It is an English style IPA. There is a huge malty backbone that is overpowering the hops. They picked some nice hops.  It is a bad version of IPA and I am not liking the metallic notes.  I just find it pretty funny that this beer is not on their website.  Is it still being made?  Or did this beer found itself in grave?  These are some pretty important questions.  This is beer is in a four pack and it is overpriced.  I believe this craft brewery needs to look at their beer a little bit more.  I believe they need to take a hard look at their recipes.  They have a shot of making some good beers. I just feel they are at a cross roads. With all new craft breweries and beers in the market, this craft brewery needs to take some notes. I do not recommend this beer but it is worth trying at least once.  Don’t go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13