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New Beer Blog Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock

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In this import beer blog, we are going to get into one of my flavorite beer styles.  This is straight from Germany.  The beer we will be sampling is from Ayinger Brewery and the  beer is their Celebrator Doppelbock.  Ayinger Brewery was started in Munich in 1878.  They brew several different beer styles in the shadow of the Alps.  They are best known in the styles for this brew.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark brown color without a head on the beer.  There is a slight toffee notes in the aroma.  The taste is slight toffee to a touch of caramel and liquid chocolate. There is no aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

The History of Celebrator Doppelbock

Originally brewed at a monastery in northern Italy, “double bock” was quickly introduced by Bavarian brewers to compete with bock. Doppelbock names end with the suffix “-ator.”

Taste

A rich, dark elixir with cascading layers of malt complexity balanced by elegant hops. Notes of toffee, caramel, elegant dark-malt roastiness, and pure malt. Pinpoint conditioning and semi-dry finish.

Serving Suggestion

Pastries and desserts, roast goose, cured ham, smoked duck, wild turkey, filet with Dijon sauce, chanterelles, Tournedos Rossini, Châteaubriand. Enjoy with a fine cigar after dinner. Serve in stemmed tumbler at 50 °F.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.merchantduvin.com and www.en.ayinger-bier.de

Twitter:  @AYlNGER

Closing out, I really love this beer.  I drink this beer once in a blue moon.  I enjoy this beer and the smoothest of the brew.  This is a nice fall to winter beer, however, I can enjoy this brew on hot summer day like today.  There is a few craft brewery that could make a doppelbock.  There are some craft breweries that came pretty close or nail it.  They are Capital Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, and Frankenmuth Brewery.  If I am missing a brewery or breweries, please, let me know.  I will add them to the list.  This is The Godfather of Doppelbock.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

New Beer Blog DuClaw Brewing Serum Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery from a beer called DuClaw Brewing.  The brew is called Serum Double India Pale Ale. DuClaw Brewing brewed their first beer in 1996 and was founded the same year by Dave Benfield.  It was a Marzen and the beer was called Mad Bull Marzen.  According to their website, they are the number one craft brewery in Maryland.  They brew several different beer styles and won several different awards.  Let us get into beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a white head.  The smell is of pineapple to orange.  The taste is pineapple with an orange aftertaste.  It is drinkable but dangerous.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Give your palate a big injection of hop bitterness well-balanced by malty sweetness with this smooth, medium bodied, copper-colored nectar that takes India Pale Ale to the next level.  Pop the top and… Get all hopped up.

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

Serum

Double your pleasure. 

                 
Some beers are released … this one ESCAPED! Serum takes the style, IPA to a whole different level! This Double IPA is hopped aggressively at several stages in the brewing process. Although it is hopped up, Serum is well-balanced with a malty sweetness, making it the perfect solution to awaken lifeless taste buds.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.duclaw.com

Twitter:  @DuClawBrewing

Closing, I will say to my friend Matt from Maryland knows how to pick them or he has some great breweries by him.  I am thanking.  This brew is one of the best Double IPA that I had from out of my market.  I love the pineapple to orange notes from the hops and the nice balance from the malt.  This is a well balance beer for the beer style and it is extremely drinkable beer.  I really enjoyed this brew and I wish I could get this beer in the Chicago market.  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 Evolution Craft Brewing Lot No. 3 India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brew from Evolution Craft Brewing and the beer is called Lot No. 3 India Pale Ale.  Tom and John Knorr founded this brewery in 2009.  They wanted to push the limits of their beers and make a journey for their beer drinkers.  They brew several different beer styles.  There is not much history on this young brewery asides what is on their website.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a cloudy a copper color without a head.  The smell is a grapefruit notes.  The taste of this full body beer is a carbonated grapefruit citrus with a dry hop finish.  It is kind of drinkable.

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

Lot 3 IPA

This American style IPA is aggressively hopped at a rate of over 2 lbs. per barrel. Big notes of citrus and pine complement a reserved but firm malt backbone.
Available in:12 oz Bottles

1/6 Keg

1/2 Keg

On Tap at Public House

On Tap in Tasting Room in Growlers
Beer Profile:

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 65

OG: 15.8

Hops: Columbus, Centenial, Cascade, Chinook, Amarillo

Malt: Pilsner, Caramunich

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.evolutioncraftbrewing.com

Twitter:  @evolutionbeer

In closing, this is the first time I have ever had this beer.  I traded with a friend from the Maryland area.  I have to say it was a great trade.  This is a great brew.  I love the hops that they put in this beer.  There is a nice balance with everything going on in the beer.  There is a nice balance between the hops and malt.  They did a great job brewing this beer and designing it.  They should be very proud of this brew.  I am honor to have try this brew.  If you are a fan of IPA’s and grapefruits, you will enjoy this brew.  I highly 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 Starr Hill Grateful Pale Ale

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In this beer bog, we are going to get into another brew from Starr Hill Brewery.  It is their Grateful Pale Ale. If you read my earlier blog on their Amber Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that post, please, read that post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden to dark yellow color with a white head.  The smell has a citrus with a touch of mango and grapefruit.   The taste of this light to medium body ale has a light carbonated citrus with a slight dry hop finish.  It extremely drinkable beer.

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

Grateful

Pale Ale

Grateful creates a fresh spin on the American Pale Ale tradition. A strong citrusy, resinous aroma from the hops leads into a light body with subtle malt flavor. Grateful is a sessionable brew at 4.7% abv.

Ingredients

Malted Barley: Two Row, Wheat & Caramel
Kettle Hops: Chinook, Centennial, Topaz & Cascade
Yeast: Ale Yeast

Characteristics

Flavor: Aromatic hops with a light body
Color: Light Gold
Style: American Pale Ale
IBUs: 26
ABV: 4.7%

Other Info

Availability: Seasonal
Release Date: May 01, 2013
Draught: 1/2 Barrel, 1/6 Barrel
Package: 4/6 LNNR

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.starrhill.com

Twitter:  @StarrHill

In closing, I have heard great things about their beers and I had one of their beers when I was in Washington D.C.  I was pretty impressed with their  Amber Ale.  I just felt this was a great brew, however, this beer is too much of a light body for my taste.  I love the hop they use in the beer.  I understand where they were going with it being their summer seasonal.  I was not impressed but I know for a fact this beer will sell.  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 Troegs Craft Brewery Hop Back Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first review on this blog on a Troegs Craft Brewery brew.  The beer that will be reviewed is Hop Back Amber Ale.  Troegs Craft Brewery was founded by brothers, who are John and Chris Trogner in 1996 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  They sold their first keg in 1997.  They later moved their brewery to Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2011.  They brew several different beer styles and won several different awards.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear amber color without a head on the beer.  The smell has a malty to caramel with a touch of citrus.  The taste of this well balance beer is malty and caramel to citrus notes.  There is no aftertaste to this hoppy amber ale.  It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Each batch of HopBack Amber Ale flows through a bed of whole flower hops creating a fresh aroma, spicy taste and rich caramel note that defines our signature beer.

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

Tröegs HopBack Amber Ale

Alcohol by Volume: 6.0%Hop Bitterness (IBUs): 55Color (SRM): AmberAvailability: Year RoundMalts: Pilsner, Munich, CrystalHops: Cascade, Williamette, NuggetHopBack Hops: Nugget, CrystalYeast: Ale

Tröegs HopBack Amber gets its unique name and taste from the hopback vessel in our brewhouse.  Packed full of whole flower hops, each batch circulates through the vessel, creating a fresh hoppy aroma, spicy taste and a rich caramel note that defines our signature Amber Ale.

TASTING NOTES

Deep amber in color under a huge creamy head. HopBack Amber Ales aroma is very apparent, bold and spicy with a slight floral character. Balanced with caramel malt, this well-rounded amber ale has an up-front floral spice that builds with a flush of sweetness.

FOOD COMPLIMENTS

Big, robust flavors like red meats and strong cheeses. The assertive flavors of our HopBack will hold up against strong cheeses like Stilton and Smoked Cheddar.

Serving Suggestions: Temp: 50-55° F   Glassware:  Bavarian Tumbler or Pint Glass

Here is  their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.troegs.com

Twitter:  @jtroegs

In closing, I really enjoyed this brew.  This is a great hoppy amber ale.  I had a few brews from this brewery.  I have enjoyed them.  I love the hop touch and malt that kicks off the caramel notes.  It has a nice balance from the hops and caramel notes.  I wish I could get their beers in the Chicago market.  It is drinkable and has a ton going in it.  It was a pretty enjoyable beer.  I am happy  that I was able to try.  I also thanks to my friend, who is Matt, from Maryland for sending me the beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Calabaza Blanca White Ale

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Opening a tab, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is the brewery that is being featured in this blog.  The beer is Calabaza Blanca White Ale.  Jolly Pumpkin was founded in Dexter, Michigan in 2004 by Ron Jeffries.  They have a brewery which is located in Dexter and two pubs in Ann Arbor and Traverse City, Michigan.  They brew several different beer styles, however, they are best known for their sour ales.  They are also known to age their beers in wine or oak barrels.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy yellow strew color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell of this light body has a chai tea along with other species. The taste is like Chai Tea without the hot cinnamon to it. There is no aftertaste to the beer. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Calabaza Blanca, an artisan white ale brewed in Belgium’s biere blanche tradition.   Spiced with orange peel and coriander, you’ll find it refreshingly tart, with a wonderfully dry finish.  A year round favorite for sure!

Please enjoy our beers in good health, Cheers and Mahalo plenty!

Here is a description from the website (www.jollypumpklin.com):

Calabaza Blanca– Aged in large oak casks and refermented in the bottle, Calabaza Blanca is a Belgian Biere Blanche. Spiced with orange peel and corriander, you’ll find it refreshingly tart, with a wonderfully dry finish.

Year round production 4.8% Alc./Vol. 750ml bottles – 12 case

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.jollypumpkin.com

Twitter:  @jollypumpkin

Closing out tab, this is one of my first beers from Jolly Pumpkin on this blog.  I have heard several things about this brewery when I lived in Michigan and now in the Chicago market.  This is the first beer from this brewery that is not my favorite beer style.    I have to say I was pretty stun on how it came out.  I was pretty interested in a brewery that ages all their beers in barrels.  I would not say this is not favorite beer but I will put this in the middle of the pack if I had to choose from beers at a bar or a store.  I will pick this beer.  I will give this beer a look at the liquor store when picking beer for the weekend.  It has a nice refreshing and easy drinkable taste.  I highly recommend you trying this beer that is coming from a guy that does not like wheat ales.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Evil Twin and Local Option Plastic Man

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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into another brew from Evil Twin Brewing.  If you read my earlier beer post on Evil Twin Brewing, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post.  However, this beer has Local Option teamed up with Evil Twin Brewing to brew this beer, Let us get into the history of Local Option.  There is really no history on the internet for Local Option.  They are based in Chicago.  Let us get into the beer.

It is cloudy peach color with a constant white head. It is like they put whole peaches in the bottle without the skin. The smell has a peach aroma to this Saison Style Ale. The taste is a slight carbonated peaches with peach aftertaste. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Taste the Colors, Hear the Aromas, Smell the Carbonation.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.eviltwin.dk and www.localoptionbier.com

Twitter:  @LocalOption and @EvilTwinBrewing

Closing out, this beer was something else.  Local Option and Evil Twin teamed up and did a great job on this beer.  I am pretty impressed with this beer.  I have not had too many beers from Local Option.  I will be heading down to check out their brewpub.  Evil Twin, I had several different brews from Evil Twin Brewing.  I am not a fan of peaches but the peaches in this brew are awesome.  I highly recommend this beer and I want you to hunt this beer down.  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 Stillwater Artisanal Existent

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Stillwater Artisanal.  The beer that will be feature is Existent.  Brian Strumke founded Stillwater after retiring music producing.  Brian did not own a brewery so he traveled to several different breweries and brew his beers using their equipment.  He just like many other brewers like Evil Twin became rogue or gypsy breweries.  He just brews Farmhouse Saison Ales.  He would use different yeast or malts to make different Saisons.  Brian has team up with several different breweries to make brews together.  Stillwater has done a beer with Stone Brewing and Evil Twin Brewing.   Let us get into the brew.

It is has a black color or dark deep brown color. There is a tan to light brown color head. The smell is a chocolate to farmhouse to it. The taste has a slight spicy to some chocolate notes. There is a slight dry coco or chocolate aftertaste finish. It is extremely drinkable.

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

Existent
Existent represents the philosophy behind Stillwater Artisanal. We strive to define ourselves through our passion and sincerity while accepting that not all aspects of life are readily explainable. To manifest this ideology we present an ale of intrigue. Deep & dark though deceptively dry, braced by a firm yet smooth bitterness and accented with an earthy hop and mild roast aroma. This is an ale for you to define..’and if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.’ –Nietzsche

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stillwaterales.blogspot.com

Twitter:  @stillwaterales @twelve_percent

Closing out, I am pretty big fan of Saison Ales.  I was pretty interested in this brewery and I have had several of his beers in the past. I do not know why I have not write on any in the past.  The problem I have with this brewery is the fact he does one beer style.  If you are good at one thing, you better stick to it.  I love how he keeps doing different styles of the one beer styles.  I also love the fact he teams up with other breweries to make other beer styles.  I love this beer and this is why.  It is dark and still has the Saison taste to it.  I love the slight chocolate to smoke malts in this beer.  I love the spicy notes.  I highly recommend this beer and it is now available in 4pk 12oz bottles along with their Cellar Door and Stateside Saison.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Widmer Brothers Brewing Alchemy Ale

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Starting a new tab, Widmer Brothers Brewing Alchemy Ale is the brewery and beer that is being featured in this beer blog.  If you read my beer blog post on their beers, you know history of this great 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 without a head on the beer. The smell is citrus. The taste of this full body has a sweet carbonated citrus with a dry hop finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Alchemy Ale turns hops, water, malt and yeast into liquid gold.  It’s the purest expression of our beliefs about great beer.  perfectly balanced, perfectly hopped and perfectly refreshing.

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

Alchemy Ale
Unlock the Mystery.

We practice alchemy every day turning water, malt, hops and yeast into liquid gold. Alchemy Ale melds years of experimentation and our special Alchemy hop blend, in a pure expression of brewing art and science. Join us in unlocking the mystery to the perfectly balanced, perfectly hopped ale. Alchemy Ale has a bright, distinct hop character balanced with hints of caramel and a remarkably smooth finish.

Availability Bitterness Alcohol by Volume
Year-round 40 IBU 5.8%
Original Gravity Malts Hops
13.8 Plato Pale, Caramel, Munich, Vienna Extra Special Alchemy

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.widmerbrothers.com

Twitter:  @widmer_brothers

Closing out, Alchemy Ale is great and made very well.  They put some thought behind this beer.  There is a nice balance between the hops and the malt.  It is pretty drinkable beer and it will get you in trouble if you are not paying attention.  This is a great beer however, I am pretty disappointed that they dropped and stop making their Drifted Pale Ale.  I will be honest.  I was not a fan of this beer right away but it grew on me.  I am not saying this beer made me forget the Drifted Pale Ale and it will not.  I recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink i!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Furthermore Brewery Knot Stock

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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into another brew from Furthermore Brewery and the beer is called Knot Stock.  Just what I said in yesterday beer blog.  I could not find any history on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a slightly cloudy amber color with  a white constant head. The smell is black peppercorn. The taste is a sweet malty pepper with black peppercorn aftertaste. To me, it is not drinkable because of the pepper in the beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Beer brewed with black pepper.

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

Availability: Year-Round

ABV: 5.5%

Black, cracked, stuffed in a sack, boiled and cold-infused. The real treat of our A.P.A. is the tangle of flavors that fresh cracked pepper and Northern Brewer Hops create. At 65 IBUs (bitterness units) there’s plenty of zing for the Hop Heads or Bitter Bettys, but not so much to overpower the tingle of the black pepper as it slowly kicks in. Likewise, the 15° Plato malt bill features a healthy dose of caramel malt meant to soften (but not stifle) the play of pepper and hops on the palate.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.furthermorebeer.com

Twitter: @FurthermoreBeer

Closing out the tab, this beer is worth it.  It is has a ton of flavors and I love the peppercorn that is in the beer.  The beer is full body and comes with a ton of flavors.  The black pepper is not overpowering to the rest of the beer.  It has a nice balance of the pepper and the hops that are being used in this beer.  This beer is worth the price.  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