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New Beer Blog New Belgium Accumulation White India Pale Ale

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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into the new winter seasonal from New Belgium Brewing.  I am talking about Accumulation White India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Pumpkick Ale, you know the history of this green and employee owned craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear to slight cloudy strew like color with a white head on it.  The smell is a citrus notes.  The taste is slightly wheat that makes this beer smooth to creamy with citrus notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

This winter, IBUs start accumulating like snow in Colorado with our new Accumulation White IPA. Brewing a white IPA was not only a way to salute the white beauty falling from the sky, but a direct revolt to the longstanding tradition of brewing dark beers for winter. At least that’s what our rebellious brewer Grady Hull likes to claim as he shovels in plenty of new hop varietals and a bit of wheat for a smooth mouthfeel. Stack up a few cases of Accumulation White IPA to keep your long nights glowing blizzard white.

Birthdate: October, 2013

Body: Medium-light body.

ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 70
Calories: 170
Hops: Target, Centennial, dry hopped with Mosaic and Amarillo
Malts: Pale, Wheat
Yeast: Ale Yeast for bright, fruity notes
Aroma: Strong hop aroma that displays all of our hop varieties: tropical fruits, bright citrus, spicy/herbal from the heavy dry hopping. This beer is a hoppy wonderland!
Mouthfeel: Resinous and slightly cloying from all those hop oils but finishes as clean and crisp as all of our seasonal family does and should.
Flavor: Big and bitter, just what this IPA ordered. Sweetness just barely dents its IBU armor. Nevertheless the addition of wheat really smooths out the rough bitter edge.
Visual: Cloudy haze, pale golden. Billows of white foam and gorgeous foam.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing out my tab, I have made it known that I really dislike wheat ales and mix wheat and IPA.  I was like what the hell.  I tried several white IPAs.  I have to say they were really bad.  I was really down on this new beer style.  New Belgium came out with their new winter seasonal called Accumulation White India Pale Ale.  I was a little nervous about this brew.  I have to say I have a new thought pattern towards White India Pale Ale.  There is a nice balance from the hops and wheat ale itself.  It is creamy smooth and the wheat brings out the hops character.  I can see this brew bring new beer drinkers into the craft beer world and IPA beer style.  Even your normal hophead will like this brew.  This is different beer style for the winter time.  This beer should and will pop out to craft beer drinkers.  I will hunt this beer down 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

New Beer Blog Cranker’s Brewery Professor IPA

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In this beer blog, Cranker’s Brewery Professor IPA is the beer and brewery that we will be sampling out.  I had a chance to try this beer at Buddy’s Pizza in Livonia, Michigan.  I thought I would write my thoughts on this brew.  There is not much history or information on this brewery.  I know they are young and they are from Big Rapids, Michigan. There is not much history on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It is hard to see in this restaurant because of the lighting.  It has a clear copper to light amber color with a white constant head.  The smell is a citrus notes.  The taste is carbonated citrus notes.  The aftertaste is dry hop finish.  It is kind of drinkable.

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

A West Coast style IPA, the Professor is golden and sports a large frothy white head. Hops leap out of the glass, citrus, apricot, and herbal notes define this brew. There is enough malty body to keep you coming back for more.

6.6% ABV – 65 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.crankersbrewery.com

Twitter:  @CrankersBrewery

Closing, I saw this brew and I was pretty interested in this beer.  I love my India Pale Ales.  I have to say I was not really impressed this brew.  It is not a bad beer but average brew.  I will say this brewery did a better job with their India Pale Ale over a few Michigan craft breweries and around the country.  This beer is better than Atwater Brewery Grand Circus IPA, New Holland Mad Hatter IPA, and Motor City IPA to name a few.  I would have this beer again but not all the time.  It would be once in a blue moon.  I will be retrying this beer in the near future. I want to hear your thoughts on this brew.  I will be searching out the rest of their beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Three Floyds Munsterfest Lager

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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into the fall seasonal from Three Floyds Brewing.  It is their Munsterfest Lager.  The beer is named after the city where their brewery.  If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts on this brewery’s beers, you know the history of Three Floyds Brewing.  If you have not and want to know about this brewery, please, read those beer blog posts.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a hazel cooper color with a constant white head. There is no smell to the beer.  The taste is a sweet malty notes with a sweet caramel aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.3floyds.com):

This Bavarian style Oktoberfest Bier is brewed with the finest german ingredients in accordance with the Reinheistgebot or German Purity Law. This malty and crisp lager is one of the few that remain true to the Fest Biers of old. “Es ist nicht normal.” September release.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.3floyds.com

Twitter:  @3floyds

Closing out a tab, as many of you know, I am not a huge fan of this brewery.  However, I have been retrying and trying new brews to me from Three Floyds Brewery, I have grown to love this brewery.  This brew is one of the few American version of the classic beer style. This brewery did a great job on it.  This is a limited release and if you want to try it, I would go hunt it down pretty quickly.  It comes out around the fall season. 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

New Beer Blog Revolution Brewing Fistmas

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of many winter seasonal.  I am talking about Revolution Brewing Fistmas.  I had a chance to try it when I was visiting in Chicago over a few weekends ago.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on Revolution Brewing’s beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark copper color with a constant white head.  The smell is a heavy citrus.  The taste is a slight carbonated ginger with citrus.  The aftertaste is a hint of ginger.  It is not really drinkable.

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

Red ale brewed for the holiday season with specialty malts to achieve a beautiful deep red hue and the aromas of fresh-baked bread, caramel, and stone fruits. Steeped with ginger root and orange peel.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.revbrew.com

Twitter:  @RevBrewChicago

Ending, in the last few years, I have not been overall impressed with many winter seasonals.  I am hoping this year is the turning point for winter seasonals.  I have to say this brew is a pretty good start.  It might not be drinkable but it is pretty enjoyable for the time it is in your glass.  I love the smelling notes to the tasting.  There is a ton going on in this brew and it is a good thing for a winter and/or Christmas ale.  If you are in the Chicago area, I recommend you trying this brew.  If not, I would find a way to get some of this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Upland Brewing Strawberry Lambic

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a project that Upland Brewing did not know was going on in their brewery.  One of their assist brewmasters started a sour and package it.  Everyone at the brewery loved his sours.  Sour ales take years to make and is one hardest beer style to make.  If you mess it up, you need to start over. If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Dragonfly IPA, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into this sour ale.

It is a cloudy strawberry color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a sour strawberry.  The taste is extremely sour strawberry and tart with sour aftertaste.  It is not drinkable.

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

Man, that’s sour.  Made with real strawberries.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter:  @UplandBrewCo

Closing, I have to say I am a huge fan of sours and Upland Brewery.  I was excited to get my hands on this brew.  I know this sour is hard to get on the market.  I have to say this brew is pretty sour.  I like it but I wished I had cork to save it for the next day.  The color, smell, and taste are sour strawberry notes.  This is an awesome beer and they have done a great job on this brew.  I hope to get a chance to try their other sours in the near future.  I highly recommend their sours.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Redhook Brewery Game Changer

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Redhook Brewery Game Changer Ale is the featured brewery and beer on this beer blog.  This is a beer that is exclusive to Buffalo Wild Wings.  If you read my earlier beer blog on Redhook Brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with constant small bubbles raising up from the middle.  There is a creamy like white head on this pale ale.  The smell is notes of citrus and slight malty.  The taste of this light to medium body is carbonated citrus with slight caramel notes.  The aftertaste is creamy caramel. It is extremely drinkable.

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

Redhook Game Changer Ale is a sessionable ale with rich color to distinguish it as craft, just enough hops to cut the spiciness of wings, and the right amount of malt to cool the burn.

Style………………….Pale Ale

Abv…………………….4.6%

IBUs…………………..25 IBU

Original Gravity..degrees plato

Brewed Since………2013

Time Frame………..Year Round

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @Redhook_Brewery
 
Closing, I am excited with every brew this brewery puts out on the market.  I am a huge fan of Redhook Brewery and I am not going to hide that fact.  I love the Dan Patrick beer, which is Audible Ale.  Audible Ale has grown since its release.  When I heard about this beer with Buffalo Wild Wings, I thought maybe they just rename Audible Ale.  It turns out I was totally wrong.  They are two different pale ales using different hops and malt.  Game Changer is a little bit more on the copper color and maltier.  These brews are really good and well made.  However, I just feel Game Changer is the weak link in Redhook beer collection, it is still a great beer.  Buffalo Wild Wings will sell a ton of this beer to make it worth wild for Redhook.  I recommend you trying this brew at least once.  Please let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/
 
Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Oskar Blues Brewery Mama’s Little Yella Pils

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Starting a new tab, Oskar Blues Brewery is the feature brewery and the beer is their Mama’s Little Yella Pils.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Dale’s Pale Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery better.  Let us get into beer.

It has a clear golden color with small constant bubbles.  It has small constant white bubbles. The smell is of import pilsner and lager.  It has a malty notes.  The taste of this light body has malty backbone but the hops shine through it.  It is a drinkable beer.

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

Oskar Blues’ Mama’s Little Yella Pils is an uncompromising, small-batch version of the beer that made Pilsen, Czech Republic, famous. Unlike mass market “pilsners” diluted with corn & rice, Mama’s is built with 100% pale malt, German specialty malts, and Saaz hops. While its rich with Czeched-out flavor, its gentle hopping (35 IBUs) and low ABV (just 5.3%) make it a luxurious but low-dose (by Oskar Blues standards) refresher.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brew.oskarblues.com

Twitter: @oskarblues

Closing out my tab, I have said this once and I will say it a few more times.  There is not too many craft breweries that can make a good craft pilsner.  Oskar Blues has brew a great pilsner.  I am talking about great pils.  This beer is well-balanced.  I love selection of the hops.  Mama’s Little Yella Pils can be consumed in the winter and middle of the hot summer.  I highly recommend this brewery and beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog MacTarnahan’s Brewing Goose Bump Imperial Stout

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MacTarnahan’s Brewing Goose Bump Imperial Stout is the brewery and beer featured on this beer blog post.  This beer is no longer being made.  If you are interested in trying this brew, you better go out and find this beer.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Belgian Style Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know them.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan color.  The smell is like burned chocolate with slight coffee notes.  The taste of this big body beer is creamy and smooth chocolate notes with notes of coffee.  The aftertaste is dry crisp coffee bean that fades out.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.portlandbrewing.com

Twitter:  @PortlandBrewing

Closing, I brought up a ton of this brew because it was marked down.  I know for past experience with Imperial Stout.  They can last for a good five years.  I was not worried about buying this beer out of code this year.  This brew is really good right now and it will get better over time.  The coffee is pretty heavy at first but it calms down in the later part of the bottle or the drinking experience.  This is a great beer and I am sad they stop making this brew. If you can find, I would try it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout

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Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout is the feature craft brewery and beer on this beer blog post.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their other brews, you know the rich history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this west coast craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan to off white color head.  The smell is a roasted to chocolate notes.  The taste is a smooth creamy chocolate roasted notes.  The aftertaste is dry roasted chocolate notes.  For being a stout, it is pretty drinkable beer.  I can see most people think it is not drinkable beer.

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

Deep, robust and richly rewarding, this is beer to linger over.  Obsidian has distinct notes of espresso, chocolate, roasted malt and black barley, with just enough hop bite to cut the sweetness. Malt: Pale, Crystal, Carapils, Munich, Black Barley, Roasted Barley, Wheat
Hops: Nugget, Millennium, Willamette, Northern Brewer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.deschutesbrewery.com

Twitter:  @DeschutesBeer

In the end, I know many of you  readers know I am a huge fan of this  brewery.  I know many of my friends know I am a huge fan.  This brew is not a disappointment.  There is not a drop off from their flagship to this brewery.  This brewery makes some great beers and I cannot wait for them to make to the Michigan market.  If they do not, I know when I make trips back to Chicago.  I will be picking up some beer.  As craft beer industry keeps on growing, Deschutes Brewery will be there still pushing the limits of the craft beer drinkers like they did from the beginning in 1988.  I highly recommend this stout.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Green Flash Brewing Green Bullet Triple India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from Green Flash Brewing and it is an unique brew, which is Green Bullet Triple India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark golden color with a thick, creamy, and constant white head on this IPA.  The smell is piney notes.  The taste is a carbonated piney notes with dry hop aftertaste.  For being a big and high-end beer, it is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Green Bullet

Named after a super-robust New Zealand hop, Green Bullet™ is a well-balanced Triple IPA being bottled today for the 1st time ever. Brewmaster, Chuck Silva initially released this Pacific Gem to celebrate the Green Flash 9th Anniversary in 2011, and it was an immediate hit! Now, this cult favorite will be available from coast-to-coast as a seasonal release from September through December 2013. Be on the lookout for this high-caliber addition to our arsenal in 4-packs, 22oz bottles and on draft, because you do not want to miss the release.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenflashbrew.com

Twitter:  @Greenflashbeer

Closing, leave it to a west coast craft brewery to try to create a new beer style in the IPA world.  This is pretty much what Green Flash from California has done.  This Green Bullet Triple India Pale Ale has everything for the hop head is looking for on the next level in their beers.  I love the hops they are using in this brew.  New Zealand hops have grown on brewers and hop lovers in the last few years.  It is not a surprise that newer hops are popping up from New Zealand like Green Bullet.  Green Flash named their brew after the hop.  I love malty backbone to cut down on the hop’s intense feel.  This is a great brew and I sad it is a seasonal.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser