dogfish head

New Beer Blog Sprecher Brewing Bootlegger’s Bourbon Barrel Hard Root Beer

In this beer blog, Sprecher Brewing from Wisconsin is the feature brewery with their Bootlegger’s Bourbon Barrel Hard Root Beer. Sprecher Brewing was founded in 1985 in Milwaukee by Randal Sprecher. They brew several different beer styles and pops. They are best known for their soda pops or I like to say pop. They won several different beer awards for their brews. Let us get into their brew.

It has a root beer color like a cloudy brown color without a head on the beer. The smell is root beer with some alcohol notes. The taste is root beer that you would find your neighborhood grocery store. The aftertaste is root beer alcohol notes. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sprecherbrewery.com

Twitter: @sprecherbrewery

In closing, I am not a huge fan of taking pop and mixing alcohol. I was a little nervous trying this brew or pop. This is a pretty big and growing segment in the alcohol world. I was pretty curious on this beverage. I have to say I am pretty impressed by it. This beer has a heavy root beer taste and you can barely taste the alcohol in this brew. 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 Goose Island Brewing Upstream IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from the brewpub from Goose Island Brewing. The beer is their Upstream IPA. This beer is not in package. It is beer they brew at their brewpub for their bar. If you read my past blogs, you know the history of Chicago craft brewery. If you have not read them, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this brewer. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden color with constant white head on this India Pale Ale. The smell is citrus in the beer. The taste has carbonated citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.gooseisland.com

Twitter: @GooseIsland and @GooseClybourn

In the end, I had a chances to go down to the Goose Island Brewpub for one of my going away parties. I had a few brews and this was one of them. I had a chances to try the Alt and a one of their wheat ales. I cannot think of the names of those beers. I am a huge fan of India Pale Ales. It was a no brainier to pick this beer. I love the hops but not a fan of the malty backbone. I just felt the hops were attacking it a little too much for my liking. It is a drinkable beer and that is what won me over on this brew. If this beer is still on draft, 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 Laughing Dog Brewing Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter

In this beer blog, we are going to sample out first brew from a brewery, which is Laughing Dog Brewing. I was excited to try it. The beer is their Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter. Laughing Dog Brewing is a young company. It was stated in 2005 in Sandpoint, Idaho. They brew several different beer styles. They brew up to 15 different beer styles. They have won several awards for their brews. The dog that is featured on their beer bottles, logos, etc is their family dog, who is Ben. There is not too much information for this eight year old company. Let us get into beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan color head on this coffee porter. The smell is toffee and hints of coffee. The taste of this imperial coffee porter is a creamy sweet black strong coffee with roasted coffee notes. It is not drinkable beer unless the beer drinker is a coffee porter and stout and then it is drinkable.

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

Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter

A complex Imperial Coffee Porter made with Evans Brothers cold-pressed coffee. Subtle chocolate, and coffee notes are balanced by black malt bitterness and malt sweetness. Available year-round in 22oz. bottles and kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.laughingdogbrewing.com

Twitter: @LaughingDogbrew

In closing, this brew is pretty good. I was not too familiar with this brewery. I was pretty interested to sit down to try this beer and do some back history. Some reason, I believed I saw their brews in the State of Illinois. However, this brew is pretty complex that is extremely good thing, the notes go from chocolate and coffee notes. I will have to trade with my friend to get a few more of their beers. I believe they are not available in the a Michigan. I 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 Starr Hill All Access Cryptical Imperial Stout

Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample out another beer from Starr Hill Brewery. This blog will feature All Access Crypitcal Imperial Stout. If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Amber Ale, 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 jet black color with a tan color head on this stout. The smell has a roasted malts with some chocolate notes. The taste of this Imperial Stout is roasted dark chocolate notes. The aftertaste is burn chocolate notes. It is not drinkable beer.

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

Cryptical packs a wallop of dark malt flavor. The beer weighs in at 8.8% ABV and has dark, fruity flavors, like raspberry, plum and star anise. Cryptical is dry-hopped with American Hops to balance out its full body with a floral aroma.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.starrhill.com

Twitter: @starrhill

Closing out the beer tab, this brewery, just what I have been saying in the past beer blogs posts, knows how to brew beer. This Imperial Stout is not drinkable beer but it packs a ton of flavor in this 22oz bottle. I enjoyed drinking this beer and I wish I could get more in the Michigan market. I guess I will have to trade more with my friend. I love the hops they use in this brew and there is some nice chocolate notes. I recommend this beer if you can find 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 Starr Hill Psycho Kilter Wee Heavy Ale The Gift Of Great Beer

Starting a new tab, we are going to get into another brew from Starr Hill Brewery. The beer that will be feature is one of their high-end or 22oz bottle line. It is their Psycho Kilter Wee Heavy Ale The Gift Of Great Beer. If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark blood-red color with a slight white to tan color head. The smell is sweeter caramel to some kind of sweet fruit notes. It is hard to make out. The taste is an extremely malty with smooth caramel notes. The aftertaste is a smooth but fade caramel finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Starr Hill’s Psycho Kilter is a full-bodied Wee Heavy brewed in the style of traditional Scottish ales. Its huge malty nose, with hints of to a roastiness, gives way to a full, sweet palate with low, but perceptible hop bitterness. A lingering warmth balances the rich and dominant maltiness.

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

Starr Hill’s Psycho Kilter Wee Heavy is characterized by its huge malty nose with hints of roastiness. A full, sweet palate with very little hops, this high-gravity brew is the Scots’ unique specialty.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website; www.starrhill.com

Twitter: @starrhill

Closing out tab, this craft brewery is something else. I had nothing bad from this brewery. There was one which was their spring seasonal. It was not a bad beer but not a really good one. This beer is true to the classic beer style. Starr Hill Brewery knows that they are doing and they are doing it right. There is a nice malty notes but a nice hop to off set it just enough. It is sweet enough to not notice high alcohol percentage. I recommend you trying 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 Heavy Seas Uncharted Waters 2013 The Greater Pumpkin

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into a brew on this blog from Heavy Seas. I am a huge fan of this brewery and I cannot wait to get into their beers a little bit more. I could not get them while living the Chicago market but I can here in the Michigan market. Heavy Seas Brewery was founded in 1992 by Hugh Sisson Baltimore, Maryland. Heavy Seas brews several different beer styles. Their beers are sold in eighteen different states and they go as far west to Michigan. Let us get into the brew.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on this high-end Fall Seasonal. The smell is like a vanilla bean with hints of oak. It also has smell notes of pumpkin and other species. The taste has bourdon, oak, and pumpkin with slight spices like cinnamon and slight nutmeg. The aftertaste is burn nutmeg bourdon notes. It is sip able to drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Uncharted Waters explores the unique changes that happen to beer when exposed to wood. Each beer showcases a robust style, carefully matched with a wood treatment to produce a range of complex flavors. Vintage dating encourages further exploration of the aging process. As much about the voyage as the destination, we hope you enjoy these beers in the spirit which they were brewed.

The Greater Pumpkin

As fall approaches and thought turn to Halloween, we roll out the Great er Pumpkin. A coppery ale with forward notes of vanilla oak and flavors of autumnal spice, the ale is brewed with actual pumpkin and imported English malts. Pairs well with turkey legs, sweet potatoes, and an evening looking at the stars….

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

In the most worthy of pumpkin patches and during the silence of the midnight hour, the Greater Pumpkin raises up and pours a rich deep and burnished orange color. Heady aromas of bourbon, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove linger seductively over the thick white head of this tremendous brew. Its love at first sip as the full malt body, dominated by British crystal malt, brown sugar and pumpkin, slowly washes over your tongue. Bourbon barrel aging rounds out the flavors with notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon. Pairs well with crisp autumn weather, crunchy fallen leaves, and the knowledge that your kids will be asleep soon so you can raid their Halloween candy bags.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website; www.hsbeer.com

Twitter: @HeavySeasBeer

Closing out, this pumpkin ale is something else and I mean that in a good way. The bourdon does not take over the beer. There is a nice balance from the beer and barrel. The barrel gives you a vanilla notes that gives a different twist on the beer notes. This is a big beer that gives you everything you expected from a beer like this. You will not be disappointed with this brew. Heavy Seas did a great job and I highly recommend you trying this brew. I thought Uinta Brewing made a great barrel age pumpkin ale. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Blue Point Brewing Pumpkin Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the fall seasonal from Blue Point Brewing. It is their Pumpkin Ale. I know it is another pumpkin beer. This one is a little different. If you read my earlier beer blogs on this brewery, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark copper to light amber color with constant white head on this pumpkin ale. The smell has notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and light pumpkin in this Fall Seasonal. The taste has cinnamon and nutmeg in the front, however, there is a light pumpkin notes on the back half of the drinking experience. The pumpkin lives in the aftertaste. This is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

According to Linus there are 3 things never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin. Our Pumpkin Ale, on the other hand, has made quite a buzz from New Hampshire down to Florida. Every season has its pleasures. Harvest your own with our Pumpkin Ale and reap all that Autumn has to offer. Brewed with pumpkins from only the most sincere patches, this seasonal brew is golden orange, crisp and delicious, with an innocent hint of cinnamon and nutmeg that articulates our favorite season. Gather with friends and family and enjoy the change of seasons while savoring a pint of Pumpkin Ale. Just like the leaves, it’s gone after Thanksgiving.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.bluepointbrewing.com

Twitter: @bluepointbrewer

Closing, I know what you are asking. Why is this pumpkin beer different from the rest on the market? It is pretty simple. This pumpkin ale gives you the pumpkin but it is not over the top in your face that goes with the spices. You taste the nutmeg and cinnamon up front and the pumpkin at the end of the drinking experience. I love this beer for that because it makes it pretty drinkable unlike most pumpkin beers. I believe this is the best pumpkin beer on the market or one of the best on the market. 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 Upland Brewing Harvest Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a seasonal ale from Upland Brewery. It is their Harvest Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog on their Dragonfly IPA, you know the history of this up and coming from Indiana. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post about their flagship ale. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on this Fall Seasonal. The smell is piney to slight citrus notes. The taste of this hoppy pale ale has a slight malty notes with a piney to slight citrus notes. The aftertaste is a heavy bitterness from the hops. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

An American Pale Ale by design, but an even more vibrant rendition by loading up our hopback with freshly harvested Citra hops. Expect huge wafts of tropical fruit notes, balanced by a moderate bitterness and light tasted malt character. A showcase for one of our four favorite ingredients and a delight for all the hopheads.

ABV: 5.5 | IBUs: 62 | SG: 14 | SRM: 13

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter: @uplandbrewco

Closing, this seasonal ale gives the craft beer drinker something else. Normally for the fall, the craft beer drinker will have to reach for the countless list of Oktoberfest, Pumpkin ales, or start looking at porters and/or stout. Upland Brewery and a few more craft breweries are looking at this as opportunity to give their drinkers something a little different. This brew is something different. It is a west coast pale ale. It is hopped up and it is very good. They did a nice job on this brew. It is well balance from the malty backbone to the hops. I will have to say they were not shy on making the hops shine through this beer. I wish this beer was available all year-long but it would loss that special shine that it has right now. I recommend you hunting this beer down. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Upland Oktoberfest Bavarian Style Lager

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a craft brewery that finally made its way to the Chicago market. I am talking about my friends of Upland Brewery. If you read my earlier blog beer post on their Dragonfly IPA, which is their flagship, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that post to get to know this great craft brewery from Indiana. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on this fall seasonal. The smell is malty. The taste is a creamy caramel to malty. The aftertaste is limited and fades quickly with notes caramel. It is pretty drinkable.

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

No season is as synonymous with beer as autumn, when the most storied beer festival of them all, Oktoberfest, takes place in Munich, Germany. Since 1810, this celebration of good food, good company, and, most importantly, good beer, has most prominently featured Marzen-style lager–so much so that many refer to the beer simply as Oktoberfest. Our Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian lager featuring all-German malts and rare German hops. This dedication to authenticity produces a beer that would be as at home in Munich as it is here in the Midwest United States. The aroma is authentic, the taste sweet and malty, and the finish crisp and hoppy; perfect for a beautiful fall day!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter: @UplandBrewCo

Closing, there is many craft breweries in the states that try to make Oktoberfest. Some breweries have some good and really bad ones. There is more misses than good ones. This brew is one of the few good ones on the market. There is some nice tasting notes from caramel and malty. There is slight kick from the hops but it is little hit. Overall, this is a pretty good brew. 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

New Beer Blog Ommegang Games Of Thrones Take The Black Stout

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second installment of the Games Of Thrones beer series brew by Ommegang Brewing. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know about this brewery. If you have not and want to get know the history of this brewery, please, read that beer blog post. Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a semi tan head on the stout. The smell is hints of roasted chocolate and coffee notes. The taste of this medium to full body beer is a burned chocolate to espresso. The aftertaste is like a liquid espresso bean with smooth to creamy caramel notes. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A stout as dark as the winters that once engulfed wasteros. As robust as t he men who swear their oaths at the Weirwood tree, chocolate and caramel sweetness are balanced by hop bitterness. Roasty, woodsy notes and an earthy finish.

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

Ommegang and HBO® announce the newest beer in the Game of Thrones® collaboration series. Through its first three seasons, the critically acclaimed drama has become the biggest show on HBO. Take the Black Stout follows the highly coveted Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which flew off of shelves earlier this year. To satisfy the appetite of Game of Thrones fans, production of Take the Black Stout will more than double the final volumes of Iron Throne Blonde Ale.

Inspired by the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, Take the Black Stout was made to be deep, dark and complex like those who have sworn the oath to defend Westeros against threats from the north. The label depicts the Weirwood tree where Jon Snow recited the oath before joining the Night’s Watch.

In time for the holidays, Take the Black Stout makes for the perfect gift. Shipping to distributors in September 2013, the beer is available in 750 ML bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website; www.ommegang.com

Twitter: @BreweryOmmegang and @GamesOfThrones

In closing, I was pretty excited that HBO was in talks with Ommegang to brew some beers for their hit show. The first installment of this series of beers for Games Of Thrones was Iron Thorne. I was not a huge fan of it. This next beer has lived up to the theme from the show. I am talking about the Night’s Watch, if you are not a fan of the show. I can see beer fans falling in love with this beer and checking out the show. I can see fans of the show liking this brew and checking out other brews. I hope it turns them on to some good beers that out on the market. This beer is heavy with chocolate and coffee notes but it smooths out with a nice caramel notes. It is pretty interesting that this beer is drinkable beer. Go get some, if you can find this beer. It is a limited release beer. Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter

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