dogfish head

New Beer Blog Hideout Gangster IPA

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into Gangster IPA from Hideout Brewery.  This is the first time that this brewery makes an appearance on this beer blog.  Hideout Brewery opened their doors in 2005 just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  They were named after the location and the brewery looking like prohibition era.  They brew several different beer styles.  They are looking at package here soon just like most young craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a constant snow-white color head.  The aroma has some earthy notes.  The taste has a slight water down earthy tones with a dry hop finish.  The water down comment is in a good way.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Rich and hearty amber coloered IPA.  Made with Zythos hops, there is a significant floral presence in both flavor and the finish, without being too bitter.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hideoutbrewing.com

Twitter:  @HideoutBrewing

In closing, this is a great beer and I was pretty excited to see it on draft at Ashley’s in Westland.  This Gangster IPA has a pretty color.  I love the aroma and taste profile.  They build a nice malty backbone to cut through the great hop selection in this beer.  The aftertaste is not as bitter like most India Pale Ale.  They did a great job on this beer and put some thought into it.  I will raise a few more glasses with this beer in it.  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 OddSide Ales Instigator India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Instigator India Pale Ale from Oddsides Ales.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brews, you know the history of this west side Michigan Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a slight hazel to cloudy copper color with a white constant head.  The aroma is a citrus notes. The taste has a bitter citrus notes with a dry hop bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable IPA.

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

A bitter and yet fruity IPA. 8%ABV

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  No Twitter address

Closing, for an everyday IPA, this is a pretty good one.  I would not say it is my favorite or one of my favorite IPA’s on the market.  It is still pretty good and I did enjoyed drinking.  I will pick it up now and then.  I love the circus notes this brew kicks off.  There is a nice malty backbone that holds up to the hops in the brew.  Oddsides Ales makes so awesome beers.  I have not had a bad beer from this brewery yet.  I have to say this beer is good but it is the weakest of their line up.  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 Victory Brewery Dirt Wolf Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Dirt Wolf Double IPA from Victory Brewery.  This is the first review of a beer from Victory Brewery.  This is the first time Victory Brewery has appeared on this blog.  I have had a few of their beers and I do not know why I have never blogged about them.  Victory Brewery is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1996.  Victory’s beers are sold in thirty-four states.  They brew several different beers.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

This Double IPA has a cloudy cooper color with a constant white head.  The aroma has a grapefruit to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus to grapefruit notes with a dry hop bitter aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Darky heroic, Humulus Lupulus (hops) have empowered brews with bite and character since the 11th century.  DirtWolf is a tribute to these untamed vines which rise from the earth with the voracity of a ‘wolf among sheep.’  Hops ave made an assertive comeback in American craft brewing.  Revel in the best US varieties of hops, in their natural, whole flower form, as they bring a vital, pungent reality to the soul of a wild element in our dangerously satisfying DirtWolf.  Cheers, Bill Ron Brewmaster of Victory

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

Darkly heroic, Humulus Lupulus (hops) have empowered brews with bite and character since the 11th century. DirtWolf is a tribute to these untamed vines which rise from the earth with the voracity of a “wolf among sheep.” Hops have made an assertive comeback in American craft brewing. Revel in the best U.S. varieties of hops, in their natural, whole flower form, as they bring a vital, pungent reality to the soul of a wild element in our dangerously satisfying DirtWolf Double IPA.

Composition

Malt: Imported two-row malts

Hops: Whole flower Citra, Chinook, Simcoe and Mosaic hops

ABV: 8.7%

Flavor

This dangerously delicious recipe features often subtle, but sometimes assertive signatures of American hop varieties. Look for: Citra: heavy citrus aroma, fruity flavor; Chinook: grapefruit, resinous pine; Simcoe: dry, piney; and Mosaic: earthy and mildly floral, with notes of sweet citrus and spice.

Food Pairings

Burgers, BBQ and hard cheeses

Availability

Available year-round in 12oz. bottles and on draft.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.victorybeer.com

Twitter:  @victorybeer

Closing, here is a double IPA that I was not expecting to have some things going on in it.  I love the hop character in this brew.  I love the citrus to grapefruit notes that are kicking off in this brew.  It is a nice relaxing sipping beer.  The brewmaster build a strong malty backbone to cut through the heavy hop flavor.  There is a ton going on and you get new things in every sip you take.  I love exploring beers like this more than the normal beers or the beers that are not as complex.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend 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 Southern Tier Farmer’s Tan IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Farmer’s Tan IPA from Southern Tier.  This is the frist time Southern Tier has appear on this blog.  Southern Tier was founded in Lakewood, New York in 2002.  The brewery was founded by Phineas DeMink and Allen Yahn.  They brew several different beer styles and has expanded their brewery a few times to keep up with demand.  This brewery continues to grow to this day.  Last year, they broke ground on a new brewhouse.  Let us get into this Session IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this session IPA.  The aroma has a floral to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus notes with a nice dry hop aftertaste.  It is an extremely drinkable to crushable beer.

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

When the sun hangs high overhead and the stars don’t glimmer until well into the evening, there’s nothing better than grabbing another beer. We specially crafted Farmer’s Tan to be the beer you enjoy on those long summer days. At 4.6% abv, it’s one of our lightest, with a smooth body and easy finish. We carefully limited the ingredients to two types of hops and two types of malts for a perfectly balanced, “sessional” India Pale Ale. We’ve got the beer covered. It’s up to you to keep the sunscreen on.

ABOUT THE NAME: Pardon any confusion on the recycled name as this version of Farmer’s Tan is indeed a brand new beer. Long-time Southern Tier fans may remember it as an Imperial Pale Lager, brewed as a summer seasonal (2010-2012). Farmer’s Tan 2014 is a wholly new beer and is different in every way, save for the name.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Particularly tasty when paired with hot dogs, burgers and grilled foods. Cheddar and derby cheeses, pizza and summer fare.

AVAILABILITY: Spring/summmer / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / ½ keg, 1/6 keg

BOTTLE CONDITIONED: “For bottle conditioning, a small amount of sugar and yeast is added to the beer so that a small fermentation occurs in each bottle after packaging. This small fermentation does two important things: (1) it contributes carbonation to the beer and (2) it scavenges any residual oxygen that may have gotten into the beer during packaging. By further reducing the oxygen content of our packaged beer, the shelf stability of the beer is improved, making it taste fresher, longer. Bottle conditioning does result in a small amount of sediment in each bottle. This sediment is just brewer’s yeast and is completely harmless, tasteless, and odorless. If you’d rather not see it floating around in your glass, be sure to not agitate the bottle before serving, pour carefully, and leave a few milliliters in the bottom of the bottle at the end of the pour.”

ABOUT THE BEER
STYLE: Session India Pale Ale
BREWED SINCE: 2014
ABV: 4.6%
FERMENTATION: Ale yeast, two varieties of hops, two types of malts
COLOR: Pale Amber
EFFERVESCENCE: Generous
NOSE: Citrus, floral.
FLAVOR: Light hops, refreshing.
BITTERNESS: Medium-Low
BODY: Light, refreshing
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 40-45°F
GLASS: pint glass
 AVAILABILITY: Spring/summer / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / 1/2 keg, 1/6 keg
CELLARING: 40-45°F

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

In closing, I had several beers from this brewery.  I have to say I love their IPA’s but the rest of their beers.  I really do not know how I feel about them.  I know their Pumpking that I could do without in my world.  I know many people enjoy that beer and there is nothing wrong with it.  I was at my local craft beer bar and I saw this on draft.  I did not  have to look at the rest of the beer menu.  As many of you know, session IPA’s are growing at a rapid rate.  It seems like there is a new one hitting the market everyday.  The new ones are better than the last one.  This one topped Sierra Nevada Nooner IPA or tied in my world.  I really enjoyed this beer and love the hop notes.  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 New Holland Brewery Imperial Hatter India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Imperial Hatter India Pale from New Holland Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Winter Seasonal, which is Cabin Fever, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please read it to get to know this Western Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial IPA.

It has a cloudy dark copper with a constant white head.  The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes.  The taste has a heavy grapefruit notes with a dry malty and hop bitter aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

An assertively dry-hopped nose is followed by a bitter symphony of flavor.  Bold hop character with lively grapefruit notes.

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

Description

Assertive dry-hopping provides an aromatic telltale nose, indicative of the robust, bitter symphony to follow. Bold hop character with lively grapefruit and citrus notes.

Beer Style Imperial IPA

Degrees Plato 20

Alcohol by Volume 9.40%

IBUs 76

Grains 2-row, munich, crystal, carapils

Hops Centennial, Cascade, Warrior

Yeast American Ale

First Brewed2007

Pairings Spicy heat, citrus and aged blue cheese

Here is their website and twitter addreses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

This is my second New Holland brewery beer review on this blog.  I have had several of their beers.  They are good beers but I just feel there are better brews out there.  I am a huge hophead and I saw this brew when I was beer shopping.  I thought sure why not.   I love the hops they picked.  I was pretty excited about it.  I have to say I am pretty impressed.  It is better then rest of the beers I have had from them.  I will going to have to retry their beers again in the near future.  I love the hops and nice malty backbone.  The backbone is a little weak but strong enough to live with the bold hop selection.  I highly recommend this beer and I would love 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 Frankenmuth Brewery Imperial Stout (2014)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample this years Imperial Stout from Frankenmuth Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on the oldest craft brewery in Michigan, you know the history of it.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Frankenmuth Brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan head on beer.  The aroma has a strong chocolate, slight coffee, and alcohol notes.  The taste has hints of chocolate and coffee notes.  The aftertaste has hints of a dry chocolate and coffee finish but nice crisp finish.  It is a nice sipping beer after a long day.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A hybrid between a Russian Style Imperial Stout and an American Stout.  This Lager is jet black, smooth and tasty.  The bittering hops offset the smooth sweetness of the roasted malt.  A delicious after dinner beer, best enjoyed with friends.  A perfect way to celebrate the beginning of the New Year.  Na Zoorovie!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter:  @fb1862

In the end, this beer is a little different from your normal Imperial Russian Stout.  I was a little lost when reading the bottle before trying the beer.  As you know, lagers and ales are two different beer styles. I love the aroma and taste profile of this Imperial Stout.  What makes this beer a little special, it has a crisp almost dry finish like a lager.  It has everything you expect from a stout and yet has a lager finish.  This is a great beer and I love the packaging.  I also love how they hand write the bottle number on the bottles.  I will be reusing this bottle here soon. 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 Magic Hat Dream Machine IPL

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In this beer blog, we are going to try a new beer, which is Dream Machine, from Magic Hat Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Northeast Craft Brewery. If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.

It has a slight cloudy copper color with a creamy white head on this India Pale Lager.  The aroma has a heavy citrus notes.  The taste has a slight carbonated citrus notes with a nice crisp clean finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold. Our mysterious melange of times honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to create this unique beer to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits. Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (http://www.magichat.net):

THE STORY

Currents flow through lips, swim through limbs, lines of spine, and loop back ’round again, coming to rest in the comfort of your mind. Dream Machine whirrs, something stirs and the ether swirls with visions and dreams, reminding us that nothing in our minds must be what it seems.

THE BEER

Dream Machine, an India Pale Lager or IPL, is a melding of varied visions of an India Pale Ale and an Amber Lager. Once poured, its light copper color delights the eyes and a citrusy hop aroma flows through the nose. Upon first sip, a smooth hop bitterness reveals itself – fresh, bold and slightly spicy – before subtle hints of mild maltiness appear. A big hop bite and a crisp, clean lager finish combine for a beautifully balanced beer. Take Dream Machine for a spin and let your reverie begin.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, I have to say the later versions of IPL’s are making the earlier ones look really bad.  I will be honest at first I was not a fan of IPL’s.  I thought it was a joke or a fake of a beer style.  More and more craft breweries are making their version of India Pale Lager.  I understand why.  IPA’s are growing at a rapid rate and craft breweries are expanding IPA styles in that world.  I am a pretty big fan of Wolverine IPL.  I have to say Magic Hat out did themselves on their brew.  They have best IPL that I had so far on the market.  I know there are few more IPL’s coming soon and I will be looking for them when they hit the market.  Dream Machine is my favorite one so far.  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 Goose Island Endless IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample the next Limited Release beer, which is Endless IPA, from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier beeer blog posts on Goose Island’s beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear dark golden to a clear copper color with a white constant head on this session ale.  The aroma has a floral notes.  The taste has a light carbonated cirtus notes with a dry bitter finish that disappears quickly.  It is extremely drinkable beer.

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

Long days and warm nights awaken the city. The list of neighborhood festivals is endless. As is the great music that brings us together in parks and parking lots. We brewed our Session IPA to be easy drinking and endlessly refreshing, so you can enjoy every encore.Bright note of fresh oranges and other citrus fruit with a mild body that is crisp on the palate.

Recipe Information:

Style: IPA

Alcohol by Volume: 5.0%

International Bitterness Units: 35

Color: Wildflower Honey

Hops: Amarillo

Malts: 2-Row, Carapils, C-60

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland

In the end, I am pretty excited with all the new beers that Goose Island is releasing this year.  I love the Ten Hills Pale Ale.  When I saw this one being release, I needed to run out and pick up a bottle.  Session IPA are a huge and growing beer style in the IPA world.  The first one that I know of is from the Midwest came from Founders Brewery.  It is their All Day IPA.  I have to say when I tried it.  I was not too impressed.  I figured Goose Island has never really let me down on their beers.  I have to say was not impressed.  This beer is pretty average.  It is a let down from Ten Hills Pale Ale.  I will retry it one more time.  I just feel I might have picked up a bad bottle.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Twitter:  @djweiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Atwater Beer Hop A Peel Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Hop A Peel Ale from Atwater Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Detroit Craft Brewery.  If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know this brewery along the Detroit River.  Let us get into this American IPA.

This American IPA has a cloudy amber color with a constant white head on this ale.  The aroma has a citrus to orange notes.  The tasting profile has a dry hoppy to bitter notes.  The aftertaste is very dry and bitter that hangs out too long for my liking.  It should be drinkable but to me it is sipping.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.atwaterbeer.com):

Atwater’s HopApeel is a frontal assault on the American IPA style that features not only the classic American Cascade and Chinook hops, but two of the new “Super Cascade” varieties in both the kettle and in the dry hop. Dried and ground orange peel is added to the whirlpool to deliver a citric bittering that sets HopApeel apart from the masses.

ABV: 7.5% IBU: 86

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

In closing, I have try and retry most of their beers.  I have to say overall that I really disappointed.  I love their Java Vanilla Porter.  Their version of the classic beer style, which is India Pale Ale is pretty bad and disappointed.   I do not know why I thought this American IPA would be any different.  The malty backbone is very weak just like their Grand Circus IPA.  The taste has nothing to what the name of beer and the description from bottle and website. The aroma does but the taste is like their Grand Circus IPA.  It is water hop taste with alcohol.  It is not a good beer. Please, let me know what you think of 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 Belgium Brewery Ranger IPA

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to try and I mean retry New Belgium Brewery Ranger IPA. After years of their fans requesting, an India Pale Ale was finally made its debut in their line up. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Mountain area craft brewery. If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know New Belgium Brewery. Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

This India Pale Ale has a clear copper color with a nice white constant head on it.  The smell has hints of citrus and slight piney notes.  The taste has a slight citrus carbonated notes with a dry piney hop finish for the aftertaste.  It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Tip your hat to our Beer Rangers in the field who inspired this will-balanced IPA packed with Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook hops. Count on citrus aromas and piney surroundings.

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

Ever met a New Belgium Beer Ranger? They are our beloved folks out in the field. Spanning all 29 of our states from the Pacific to the Atlantic, our Beer Rangers do their best to protect, to pour and to partake. And explore many a beer from many a brewery, they do.

Bring out the hops! This clear amber beauty bursts at the starting gate with an abundance of hops: Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity) lead off the beer, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor. Brewed with pale and dark caramel malts that harmonize the hop flavor from start to finish, Ranger is a sessionable splendor for all you hopinistas. Thank your Beer Ranger!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing out my tab, I have to say it took me a ton of time to start liking this beer.  I do not know why.  I will say my first impression was not very good towards this craft IPA.  However, after a ton of research, I have a new thought pattern towards this IPA. I have to say I like it now.  It is in my top ten of craft India Pale Ales.  I love the hop collection and the selection.  The malty backbone was well designed.  I wish I could find this beer in cans.  I am pretty happy to see this beer in their first sampler 12 pack cans.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  djweiser13