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New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Allagash Brewing Myron’s Walk BPA

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into the ninth of twelve of beer from this Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.  This Myron’s Walk BPA is teamed up with Allagash Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog from Sierra Nevada, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to this craft brewery. Allagash Brewery started in 1995 in Portland, Maine.  Robert Tod founded this craft brewery to make some great Belgian style ales.  At first, this brewery was ran by Robert and he hired his first employee.  At that same time, he released his second beer to the public.  Today, they brew several different beer styles with more employees of course.  Let us get into the Belgian Pale Ale.

It has a clear golden color with a semi white constant head on this BPA.  The smell has a citrus with other Belgian spicy notes.  The taste of this light to medium body has a light carbonation piney to a slight earthy notes.  The aftertaste is a slight hoppy bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This Belgian-style pale ale combines the best of our two breweries.  Intense piney-citrus hop notes counterpoint the complex fruity spice of Allagash’s Belgian yeast.

This collaboration honors Myron Avery, a founder of the Appaiachian Trail which spans our North Carolina brewery and Allasgash’s home in Maine.  We share a great love of the outdoors, and Avery and the AT are great reminders of the wild spirit of exploration that connects us both.

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

We named this beer in honor of Myron Avery, a founder of the Appalachian Trail, or the A.T., which starts near Sierra Nevada’s North Carolina brewery and ends near Allagash’s home in Maine. Both breweries have a tremendous love of the outdoors, and Avery and the A.T. are great reminders of the wild spirit of exploration that connects us both.

In 1995, Rob Tod started Allagash Brewing Company and since then, Portland, ME, has been a place of reverence in the Belgian brewing pantheon. Allagash adds their Belgian flair to variety of beer styles and are one of the few American breweries to use a traditional coolship for true spontaneous fermentations leading to seriously complex beers native to their coastal home.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.allagash.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @allagashbrewing and @sierranevada

In the end, out of the two Belgian Beer styles, this is by far the best one.  I have not had too many beers from Allagash Brewery but the ones that I had. They are pretty good and enjoyed them.  I have to say I was pretty excited to try this beer.  I love the Belgian spices and the hop character that this beer has going on in it.  It has a nice refreshing taste that keeps the beer drinker coming back for more of it.  I really liked it and it is one of many reasons to pick up this pack or try to find one.  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 Final Absoration Trippel

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into the second and probably the last beer from Dragonmead Brewery.  It is their Final Absorption Trippel.  If you read my beer blog review on their Crown Jewel IPA, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know Dragonmead Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It is a clear copper color with a semi white head.  The aroma has banana and clove notes.  The taste has a German Hefeweizen notes of banana and clove.  The aftertaste is dry Hefeweizen.  It is not drinkable beer.

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

Final Absolution Belgian Style Trippel

Dragonmead’s signature product! This is the ultimate Belgian style. The very high gravity of this beer is balanced by the smoothness of its finish. Banana and Clove aromas come from the Belgian yeast strain combining with the generous dose of Belgian Candi Sugar. The Saaz hops help to give this beer a balanced bitterness with no noticeable hop aroma. O.G. 1.085, ABV 8.5%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dragonmead.com

Twitter:  @dragonmead

Ending, WOW!  What the hell is this craft brewery thinking?  This is a local brewery to me here in Michigan.  This brewery is bad and I will not buying anymore of their beer.  I do not think this craft brewery knows their beer styles.  You made a filter Hefeweizen.  This is not a trippel Belgian style.   It is bad and it is not worth the money. I know most American craft breweries take twisted to classic beer styles.  It is not just me talking bad about this brewery. A few of my close craft beer drinker friends.  They been saying the same thing about it.  I do not recommend this beer.  Run away!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

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 Right Brain Brewery Stowaway Saison Ale

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Stowaway Saison Ale from Right Brain Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read my beer blog posts about their beers to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.

This Saison Ale has a clear golden color with a nice constant white head.  The head of the beer has small bubbles.  The aroma has Belgian spices with a citrus notes like lemon.  The taste has a light carbonation Belgian spice with citrus notes.  The finish is a refreshing slight hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

STOWAWAY
Style: Reclaimed Saison
ABV: 5.7%
A traditional Saison with a hazy golden color, fruit-forward aroma, crisp complex flavor, and mildly acidic finish. #RBB brewers cultivated the reclaimed yeast used for this beer over a span of 7-months.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In closing, I will be perfectly honest with you.  I did not like this beer the first time I tried it.  I had to try this beer one more time just because I love this brewery and I am a huge fan of them.  I do not know if it was what I was eating or the beer I had before trying this beer.  The second time that I have had this beer is a positive thought towards this beer.  I really enjoyed this beer.  I love the refreshing taste profile that this beer provides to the craft beer drinker.  I love the hops used in this beer.  I will be looking for this beer again on my next beer run or at my neighborhood bar.  I highly recommend this beer if you are a light beer drinker or love your Saison Ales.  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 Short’s Captain Fantasy Saison

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample from Short’s Brewery Captain Fantasy Saison.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Short’s Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this saison ale.

It has a straw to bright cloudy golden color with a constant white head.  It is a heavy cloudy color.  The aroma is a light lemon to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes that is really refreshing with funky spicy notes.  I know the funky spicy notes come from the yeast strain.  The aftertaste kicks off some pepper notes.  This is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Captain Fantasy is a lighter bodied ale with a bright, clear, golden color. This saison is brewed with pear to compliment the aromas of spice and the fruity fragrance of Sorachi Ace hops. Captain Fantasy has flavors of sweet pear and tart lemon, and a lively amount of carbonation cleanses and refreshes the palate. The overall fruitiness of Captain Fantasy is interrupted by an assertive hop bitterness that dominates the finish.

6.7% ABV

55 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing out, this saison has some nice refreshing notes.  This is way it should be for a saison and it lives up  to the classic beer style.  I really not a fan of the packaging.  It is pretty disturbing and I believe that is why I will never have it in a bottle.  However, I saw it on draft, it was a no brainer to try it.  There is some nice notes here and I love the funkiest that the yeast pops off in the beer.  Overall, I was pretty impressed but I had some pretty good saisons in my lifetime.  This one does not live up to it.  It is a nice gateway beer into this beer style.  It is not a good version in some parts but this is one of the better brews from their almost hundred different beer styles brewed in a year. I recommend to try it just to say you had 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 Palm Speciale Belge Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to same Speciale Belge Ale from Palm Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east Europe brewery.  If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts, please, do so to get to know this import craft brewery.  Let us get into this Belgian Amber Ale.

It has a clear amber color with white head on this Belgian Amber Ale.  The smell has notes of caramel and spices.  The taste has spicy to caramel notes with a watery malty finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Palm was originally brewed at the beginning of the 20th Century as a new style of ale.  Speciale Belge – taste complexity of an ale brewed to be refreshing like pilsner or lager.  It is Palm’s perfect balance of flavor and approachabilty that makes it Belgium’s Amber Ale.

Here is a description from their website (www.palm.be):

PALM

the sociable beer for every day, for everyone

“Speciale Belge” is one of the better Belgian beers of the early 20th century. This smooth-drinking, amber-coloured top-fermentation beer has a sensible alcohol content.
Special PALM malts determine its honey-like mellowness and PALM’s own selected yeasts give it a fruity yeast aroma. Fine aroma hops from Kent afford subtle harmony. PALM is the absolute number one “BELGIAN AMBER BEER”.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.palm.be

Twitter:  @palmbeer and @palmale

Closing, I love the aroma and the taste profile from this amber ale.  It is smooth and drinkable brew.  This is not my favorite beer but it is not bad beer.  I just do not like the fact that it has to travel a ton to make it to the United States.  I recommend you trying this beer and please, share 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 Epic Brewery Brainless IPA

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We are going to sample Brainless IPA that is the second brew from Epic Brewery on this blog.  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 those posts to get to know Epic Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

This Belgian Style India Pale Ale has a cloudy golden color with a nice constant white head.  It has a heavy carbonation with some big bubbles in the head.  The aroma has a spicy citrus notes.  The taste has a heavy carbonation notes with citrus to Belgian spicy notes.  The aftertaste is a heavy dry hop finish.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottles:

Our Brainless IPA pays tribute to the collaboration efforts of innovative brewers. The fruity Belgian yeast and powerful American hops relentless tease your pallet.

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

Our Brainless® IPA pays tribute to the collaborative efforts of innovative brewers. The fruity Belgian yeast and powerful American hops relentlessly tease your pallet.

Glassware: Pint, Snifter, Tulip
Food Pairings: Smoked or grilled meats, spicy foods, sharp cheeses, and very sweet desserts

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.epicbrewing.com

Twitter:  @EpicBrewing

Closing, I have been trying to get to know this Mountain area craft brewery.  Every time I see their beers on draft.  I have been getting at least a pint of it.  I have been mixing up some bottles when I go beer shopping.  I pick up this bottle because I have never had it.  I love my IPA’s and Belgian style IPA’s have been growing on me.  At one time, I really did not like this beer style in the world of IPA’s.  I love the notes that the Belgian yeast kicks off in the beer.  The strong malty backbone knocks the powerful American Hops down that they picked in this brew.  This is a great beer and I am glad I tried 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 Goose Island The Ogden Belgian Style Tripel

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out one of two special high-end brews from Goose Island.  The first one is The Ogden Belgian Style Tripel.  This brew is named after the first mayor of Chicago.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Goose Island.  Let us get into this Tripel Ale.

This beer has a clear golden color with a white constant head on this tripel ale.  The aroma has some tropical fruit notes.  The taste has a tropical fruit notes with a slight hint of Belgian spice notes.  The aftertaste has a dry hop to a tropical fruit finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

We dry hopped our Belgian Style Tripel to balance spicy, tropical American hop flavors with an unique Belgian yeast, giving it a bold, move complex palate.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

William Ogden opened Chicago’s first brewery. He was the city’s first mayor. And he added the North Brand channel to the Chicago River that created the island from which we take our name. Three good reasons why we gave our first-ever Belgian Style Tripel his name. We dry hopped The Ogden with American Citra® and Brewer’s Gold hops to add spicy, tropical flavors. Then we fermented it with a unique Belgian yeast to give it a bold, complex palate.

Recipe Information:

Style: Belgian Tripel

Alcohol by Volume: 9.0%

International Bitterness Units: 35

Color: Straw

Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Citra, Saaz

Malts: 2-Row

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, as many of you know, I am a huge fan of this midwest craft brewery.  They have one of my favorite IPA’s on the market.  When I finally saw this hit the shelves in Michigan, I did not think twice.  I was getting ready to trade to get at least a bottle of each of these newer beers from Goose Island.   I picked up a few bottles of the The Ogden and The Illinois.  I thought I would share my thoughts on these beers.  I will start with The Ogden and you can find the other review today.  I love the Belgian tripel style.  I love the funkiest and the aroma to the taste profile that the hops kick off.  Brett Porter and his staff did this one different and a twisted on this classic beer style.  I believe they did a great job.  I will be picking up more 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 Goose Island The Illinois Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog,  we are going to sample out The Illinois Imperial India Pale Ale that is the second of two high-end beers released this year from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on  their beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear dark copper color with a white constant head.  The aroma has a heavy floral to a tropical fruit notes.  The taste has a heavy tropical fruit to orange notes with a nice dry hop bite to a creamy. It has a heavy citrus notes throughout the drinking experience. It is a nice sipping Imperial IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

“The Illinois” is in homage to the mile high skyscraper Frank Lloyd Wright designed for the City of Chicago that was never built.  Had it been built, it would still be the tallest building in the world today.  Inspired by this big idea, Goose Island’s brewers crafted a beer with towering hop character.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

The first Imperial beer of the year is The Illinois, a 9.0% ABV 95 IBU Imperial IPA that pushes the limits of hop flavor and aroma. Deep gold, complex citrus aroma, balanced clean bitterness, medium to full body.

Recipe Information:

Style: Imperial IPA

Alcohol by Volume: 9.0%

International Bitterness Units: 95

Color: Deep Gold

Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Citra, Meridian

Malts: 2-Row, Special Pale, C-20, C-60, Cara Red

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

In the end, this was one of my favorite Imperial India Pale Ale back in the day. This one is different than the one back in the day.  I love my IPA’s.  I love the hops that they used in this one anf The Ogden. The aroma and taste profile is tropical fruit city.  It is not in your face bitterest like most Double or Imperial IPA’s on the market.  This is a lay back devil that will sneak up on you.  It does come off extremely drinkable for the beer style.  I would be very careful because it will hit you.  This is a great beer at a great 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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Ommegang Brewery Glimmerglass Spring Saison

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out the new Spring Seasonal from Ommegang Brewery.  It is called Glimmerglass Spring Saison.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Cooperstown Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Spring Seasonal.

This Saison has a slight cloudy yellow color with a constant white head.  The aroma has a refreshing malty, hop, and hint of pepper.  The taste has a light carbonated malty to fruit notes with a nice pepper finish for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Glimmerglass – The name given to our lake by James Fenimore Cooper – is a beautiful body, nested between gentle mountains, it reflects any object held up to it, just as it reflects our joy at the arrival of each spring.  To help celebrate, our new spring saison offers a perfect balance of maltiness and hops, with a touch of yeasty fruitness and whiff of pepper.

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

Glimmerglass

Author James Fenimore Cooper gave the name ‘Glimmerglass’ to the beautiful body of water that graces Cooperstown. Nestled between gentle mountains, it reflects any object held up to it, just as it reflects our joy at the arrival of each spring.

Deep straw to light amber in color with a thick, pure white head. The saison yeast strain gives off fruity aromas of pear, apple and slight citrus balanced with a delicate floral hop character and a touch of spiciness. Taste is very clean, with pronounced fruit flavors, delicate bready malt followed by welcomed spicing. Crisp finish with lingering yet subtle notes of yeast and touches of fruity pepper.

Available for a limited time each Spring in 12oz bottles and 1/2 bbl kegs.

5.4% ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter:  @breweryommegang

Closing, I love pretty much all the beers that Ommegang Brewery.  I had the chance to visit the brewery over a weekend and I had a ton of fun.  I love the brewery tour and had a chance to try rest of their line up of beers.  I have to call like it is for this brew.  Ommegang Brewery needs to open their eyes and see what is going on in the beer industry.  How many more saisons do we need from you or in the market?  I get this saison is a little different than their everyday one, which is their Hennepin Ale.  This beer is below average for their standards. They have done a great job on the Games Of Thornes beers.  I just feel that the market is not looking for another saison.  I have to say this is a good to great beer.  I love how much flavor is in it.  I love the pepper notes in the aftertaste.  I like it until I realize how much I paid for it.  Their beers are great.  I just feel they do not live up to the price you paid at retail.  It is not the case for all their beers.  Please, keep that in mind.  I recommend you trying this beer and the rest of their beers.  Let me know your thoughts on this Spring Saison.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13