east coast craft beers

New Beer Blog Evil Twin Brewing Aun Mas Cafe Jesus

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first brew on this blog ever from Evil Twin Brewing.  The beer is their Aun Mas Cafe Jesus Imperial Stout.  Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø founded Evil Twin Brewing in 2010.  Evil Twin Brewing started out as a rogue brewery, which means he would use other people’s brewery to brew his beers.  There are several breweries like that out there in the market.  To-Ol and Stillwater are two other popular craft breweries on the market right now.  The state of Denmark beers styles made him and a few of his friends to start brewing their own beers.  Evil Twin was not the only craft brewery to pop up in Denmark.  He knows and is friends with the founder from Mikkeler Brewery.  Evil Twin has teamed up with several different breweries to make brews together.  They also brew several different beer styles and pushing the limits of classic beer styles.   Two Rogue Breweries or they like to called themselves Gypsy Breweries has teamed up to build their own brewery together.  I do not know how true this right now.  It is all a rumor and I cannot find any facts on this rumor.  It is an Urban Legend and do not hold this to me, however, Evil Twin has been working moving more brewing to The States.  Let us get into this brew.

This Imperial Stout has a jet black color with a nice tan and light brown constant head. The smell is slight toffee and chocolate with some coffee bean. The taste of this full body beer is a chocolate and toffee with a heavy coffee notes.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the bottle:

On a pilgrimage for immortal craft beer we tripped on these heavenly coffee beans – threw them in and created damn good aromas, a thick fudge-like body, pitch black color and obviously only made it in limited amounts.  And the taste… furthermore jesus!!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.eviltwin.dk

Twitter:  @eviltwinbrewing @twelve_percent

In closing, I am speechless on how good this beer is and was in my beer glass.  I have had some great Imperial Stouts and Coffee Stouts in my time on this planet.  This is one of my favorite beer styles.  I have to say this beer from Evil Twin is up there in my top ten in the stout styles. In every sip, that I take from my beer glass I pick up something new and exciting from this beer.  There is a nice balance between the stout and the coffee beans itself.   I will have to explore more Evil Twin brews in the near future.  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 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 Dogfish Sixty-One

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In this beer blog, we are going to try an unique beer from Dogfish Head Brewery.  The beer is called Sixty-One.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their flagship beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery from Delaware.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear crimson red color without a head on the beer. The smell has a citrus grapefruit. The taste has slight carbonated to heavy grapefruit with no aftertaste. It is not drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The continually hopped India Pale Ale brewed with Syrah grape must.

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

Availability:  Year Round

Sixty-One, our first new core beer since 2007, was born at the crossroads of serendipity, experimentation and brotherhood.

Whenever Dogfish Head President Sam Calagione and his neighborhood friends gather for drinks, they give each other a big ol’ man-hug and order a round of 60 Minute IPA. A few years ago, Sam also ordered a glass of his favorite red wine and poured a little into each pint of 60 Minute. They all dug the combination of fruity complexity and pungent hoppiness, and the blend became a beloved tradition.

Sixty-One captures that tradition in a bottle and marries two Dogfish Head innovations: beer/wine hybrids — which Dogfish has focused on for well over a decade with beers like Midas Touch and Raison D’être — and continually-hopped IPAs.

The name Sixty-One is a reminder that this beer is Dogfish Head’s best-selling 60 Minute IPA plus one new ingredient: syrah grape must from California. The label, painted by Sam, is a twist on a typical watercolor. Rather than using water, Sam mixed the green pigment with beer and the red pigment with wine. And because Sixty-One pairs so well with chocolate, he painted the browns on the label with melted chocolate.

Sixty-One will debut in March 2013.

Four-packs will be available four times a year throughout Dogfish Head’s 27-state distribution network.

Original Release Date:  03/2013
Food Pairing Recommendations:  Grilled pork tenderloin, sushi, fresh vegetables, summer berries and cream, apple pie, gruyere cheese, young gouda cheese
Glassware Recommendation:  IPA glass
Wine Comparable:   Syrah

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dogfish.com

Twitter:  @dogfishbeer

In closing, this beer is pretty unique beer.   I still do not know how I feel towards it.  To me, it taste like fruit punch India Pale Ale.   I can see this brewery doing well with this beer because of how unique it is to the beer market.  I know many people will be picking this beer to see what is in this beer bottle.  I recommend this beer because of how unique it is .  Please let me know what your thoughts are on 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 Kona Brewing Wailua

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the summer seasonal from Kona Brewing.  I am so happy this brewery has made it to Chicago market and I am looking forward a summer of drinking some of their great brews.  The brew that will be featured in this beer post is their Wailua Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read those beer post, please, read that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This wheat ale has a clear yellow color without a head on it. There is no smell in this beer. The taste of this light body is a tropical with a sweet passion fruit aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is description from the beer bottle:

Paradise Found

Wailua is Hawaiian for two fresh water streams mingling.  This was just the inspiration we needed for our Aloha Series Wailua Ale brewed with tropical passion fruit.  A refreshing, citrusy, sun-colored ale with the cool taste of Hawaii.

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

Paradise Found

Swimming in a fresh water pool at the base of a cascading waterfall is what we all imagine we would find in paradise. On Maui, follow the old Hana Highway and you will find such a place – Wailua Falls. This plunging cascade of clear water is the inspiration for our Aloha Series seasonal release Wailua Ale. This golden, sun colored ale has a bright, citrus flavor that comes from the tropical passion fruit we brew into each batch. Sit back, relax and enjoy paradise anytime.

Available Spring/Summer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @KonaBrewingCo

In closing, this beer is in their new bottle with the islands on it.  It is shaped like a long board.  This is not my favorite beer and it is way too light body to me.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It is a well made beer and Kona did a great job brewing this beer.  I know for a fact they will be selling a ton around the country.  I did not get too much in the smell but you can taste the passion fruit in it.  There is another great west coast brewery called Bridgeport that came out with a beer called Summer Squeeze with the passion fruit in it.  Both of these beers are great.  I believe Kona has shown us the lifestyle and beauty of the Hawaii.  I recommend this beer and I would love to hear your thoughts on 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 Redhook Audible Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from the Redhook Brewery.  The beer is collaboration with the Dan Patrick Show.  If you do not know, Dan Patrick is a huge fan of Redhook brews.  He would always talk about their beers on his show which is live.  Redhook decided to do a brew with Dan Patrick.  If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery and how much this craft beer drinker enjoy their beers too.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to find out the rich history of this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear darker golden color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is malty to a slightly citrus to it. The taste is light carbonated malty citrus with a dry hop finish. It is extremely drink beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Fill your passion bucket with the ultimate crushable ale.

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

Redhook has teamed up with Dan Patrick to brew the ultimate craft beer for watching sports: plenty of flavor and aroma, and crushable enough to make you want another — without making you sloppy by halftime. So, whether you’re watching the Dan Patrick Show in your mancave, or tailgating in a parking lot, it’s time to fill your passion bucket with crushable craft. Listen to your thirst. It’s Audible.

Style………………….Pale Ale

Abv…………………….4.7%

IBUs…………………..22 IBU

Original Gravity..degrees plato

Brewed Since………2013

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @redhook_brewery

In closing, Redhook Brewing has stepped up again and made a great beer.  Redhook makes some great drinkable beers and this Audible Ale is no different.  It has some a ton of flavor and enough hop character in the beer.  I just kind wish this beer was available in six-pack but I will complain that have to buy a twelve pack.  Since  posting on twitter that I had this beer, I have had several people asking me where to get it.  I would keep on requesting it and ask for the beer.  I would find out who your local Anheuser Busch wholesale is and get hold of them.  They could tell you what stores are selling the beer.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend 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 Budweiser Vs. Budweiser Budvar

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In this beer blog, we are going to have a debate on 100-year-old argument.  There has been lawsuits and I believe they are still tied up in the courts.  Most general beer drinkers know about this debate and I know pretty much all craft beer drinkers know about it too.  The question how true is it that one of the Buschs stole Budweiser and brought the beer to the states.  I might not be able to answer this over 100 year question but I will put my thought on this debate.  Let us get into it.

Budweiser

History

I bet you already know the history of this beer.  Well just in case you do not here is a fast history lesson.  Budweiser was first brewed in 1876.  The company was known as Anheuser-Busch.  Adolphus Busch left Germany in 1850’s.  He prefered light lagers while everyone else, who is the general public at the time, wanted dark lagers or ales.  Adolphus Busch traveled throughout Europe learning the latest brewing techniques.

It has a clear golden color without a head on the beer.  The smell is malty or I like to say fresh air. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes  with a dry crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Budweiser Budvar

History

This brew was brewed back in 1785.  The brewery started exporting beer to the states in 1871.  Anheuser-Busch trademaked the name Budweiser two years after it was first brewed in 1878.  Czech Budweiser was sold to Budvar in 1895.  In 1938, it was settled that Anheuser-Busch could use the name Budweiser in the United States.  Of course, in 2007, Anheuser-Busch and Budvar agreed that AB would market and sell Budvar and Czechvar  in the United States and other countries.  Both sides said this does not affected their lawsuit to one another.  If you see Czechvar, it is Budweiser Budvar.

It has a clear golden color without a head. It is slight darker than the American Budweiser. The smell is a fresh apple smell like grannysmith apples. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes with a dry  crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

In closing, so what is the debate on these two beers?  They do not look like.  Budvar is a little dark in color.  The smell is not the same either.  However, the taste is about the same, is the beechwood aging and the rice in American Budweiser any different?  They are a little different but the taste is about the same.  So the really debate is was the name stolen by Anheuser-Busch?  There is still a lawsuit in the courts.  We will never get the true and I believe this will never be settled.  They are big brands in their countries.  So just kick back and have a cold ones!  I just hope one day we could see both of these beers on the shelf with the same name on them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog McAuslan Brewing St Ambrose Oatmeal Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to try one of my favorite beer styles, which is Oatmeal Stout.  The brewery and the beer is McAuslan Brewing St. Ambrose Oatmeal Stout.   McAuslan Brewing opened their doors in 1989.  After 2002 Moosehead sold their shareholder stock, the brewery expanded into a new brewery.  They still brew Moosehead beer for the Quebec market.  Their beers are slowly making their way around the United States.  Let us get into this great brew.

It has a her black color without a head on the beer. The smell is chocolate to fresh s’mores.  The taste has a chocolate and coffee with a dry coco aftertaste. It is not that drinkable beer.

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

At the World  Beer Championship in 1994, St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout received the second  highest rating of the over 200 beers in the competition and it won one  of only nine platinum medals awarded. Brewed from 40 percent dark malts and roasted barley, this intensely  black ale carries strong hints of espresso and chocolate. Oatmeal  contributes body and a long-lasting mocha-colored head to this  well-hopped beer.

5% alc/vol Available in Bottles and Draft

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mcauslan.com

Twitter:  @bierestambroise

In closing, I did not realize this was an import craft beer.  I am not judging it by any means.  I really enjoyed this beer and I know Canada makes some good beers.  Canada is an extremely under rated country for brewing beers.  This is a heavy beer and I love when a brewery does that to their porters and stouts.  Sometimes breweries make their porters and stouts weak and light in body for that beer style.  There is nothing wrong with that I sometimes love those beers.  However, I sometimes want one heavy beer and move on with my day, this beer fits it.  I will be adding it to my line up beers.  It will be rotated in and out of my frig.  I was pretty impressed by this beer.  I 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 Heavy Seas Peg Leg Imperial Stout

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In another beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Heavy Seas, which is Peg Leg Imperial Stout.  If you have read my beer blogs in the past, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the brew.

This beer has a jet black color without a head on it. The smell is a milk chocolate. The taste is a slight roasted to burn milk chocolate with a dry smokey aftertaste. It is a nice sipping with a nice cigar.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our Peg Leg Imperial Stout is done in the English style-focused on malt rather than hops.  Devilishly dark yet surprisingly smooth.  Luxurious with notes of coffee and dark chocolate.  8% Alc./Vol.

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

Peg Leg

Year Round

This full-bodied imperial stout pours an opaque mahogany color with a tan head. Its smell is dominated by notes of roasted coffee beans, with a slight hint of chocolate, but Simcoe and Fuggles hops add complexity to the aroma. The roasted barley is detectable in the taste, and this complements the bitterness from the Warrior hops—balancing out the sweetness from the load of malts used in brewing Peg Leg. A creamy mouthfeel makes this a smooth, utterly drinkable beer.

BEER DETAILS
  • Style: Imperial Stout
  • ABV: 8%
  • IBUs:
  • Availability: Year-round
  • Hops: Warrior, Simcoe & UK Fuggles (dry hop)
  • Malts: 2-Row, Munich, Roasted Barley, Chocolate, Black Malt

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hsbeer.com

Twitter:  @heavyseasbeer

In closing, just like everything that I have had from this brewery I have enjoyed it.  This is a great Imperial Stout.  It is heavy in a good way with some nice Chocolate and Coffee notes.  There is a ton going on in this full body beer.  This brewery does a great job on their beers and has some great packaging.  I cannot wait for this brewery to make their way to Chicago in their Pirate Shop.  I highly recommend 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 Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL

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In this 300th beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL.  If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  Since Samuel Adams is pretty well-known, you might already know the history of this brewery.  If you have not or do not know Boston Beer Company, you might want to go back and read that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

This unique lager has a clear copper color with a constant white head on it. The smell is a citrus to grapefruit to the beer. The taste is a dry citrus with crisp finish for the aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewing innovation is about asking “What if?”  What if we gave an IPA a new identity and used some of our favorite West Coast hops, with their grapefruit, piney, and tropical fruit character, in a lager?  The result is this boldly hoppy and flavorful brew with the crisp smoothness of a lager.

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

Full of the bold grapefruit & piney character of an American IPA, this brew also reveals its smooth lager side creating a balanced, flavorful brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

In closing,  I have to be extremely honest.  I do not know what craft breweries or just flat-out breweries are thinking about doing a Lager as a IPA.  This is the dumbness beer style known to man out there.  I am not a Lager fan and I love my Ales.  I know for fact that most Ales and Lagers hyper beer styles are not just that good.  Please, give me one because I really do not like them.  This one is just bad beer and I would like to hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Brooklyn Brewery and the beer is their East India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This English India Pale Ale has a clear copper color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is a heavy grapefruit to it. The taste of this full body beer is a carbonation grapefruit with a wet grapefruit hop to it. It is drinkable beer for what it is but to me, it is one and maybe two beers. I have to move on to the next beers.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

East India Pale Ale is our version of the sturdy ale made by the british brewer George Hodgson in the 1820’s to survive the voyage from London around the Cape of Good Hope to Calcutta.  East India Pale Ale is brewed from English malt and hops and will taste best before the freshness date indicated.

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

Brooklyn East India Pale Ale is inspired by the original East India Pale Ales brewed in England in the early 1800’s for the troops in India. Everyday English ales were spoiling during shipment from London, around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, to Calcutta. Using extra malt and hops, British brewer George Hodgson developed an ale with the bitterness and strength to endure the long sea voyage, giving rise to a great beer style. Our East India Pale Ale is a deep golden beer brewed from British malt and a blend of hops featuring the choice East Kent Golding variety. It is traditionally dry-hopped for a bright aroma of hops, lemongrass, pine and citrus fruit, and has a robust bitterness, a warming malt palate and a clean hoppy finish. We think Hodgson would be rather pleased.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brooklynbrewery.com

Twitter:  @brooklynbrewery

Ending, this is not my favorite India Pale Ale.  I have to say with all the over the top hopped up India Pale Ales.  This beer gives the hop head another aspect of this great beer style.  Brooklyn Brewery hit a home run with the traditional beer style going back to England.  They honor that great man on their beer bottles in their description.  I will flip this beer in and out of my line up.  This is a pretty good English IPA style.  This is a great beer to start with if you are trying to like India Pale Ale.  I recommend you trying it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser