east coast

New Beer Blog 3 Fonteinen Zwet.be Belgian Porter

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Happy 4th of July, we are going to get into 3 Fonteinen Zwet.be in this beer blog.  It is a pretty unique beer.  It is a Belgian Porter, which is unique as it is, but they use the Begian yeast during the brewing process.  3 Fonteinen was founded in 1887 in Belgium.  They were brewing lambics beers.  It is style of blending old and young beer into one.  It was sold 1953 to Gaston De Belder and it has been the family since.  The current owners have expanded the brewery and they have been exploring into different beer styles like the one we are review here.  Let us get into this unique beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan to light brown color head. The smell is a dark chocolate cover fruit.  The taste of this full body is a dark chocolate with a tart aftertaste. It is a sipping beer with a cigar.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This unusual ale is the brainchild of Armand Debelder, brewer and blender of the world-famous Drie Fonteinen lambics.  A Belgian Porter, brewed with wild yeast cultured from Armand’s casks of lambic.

Here is a description from their website (www.3fonteinen.be):

Zwet.be, unusual “black” beer mixed gistingis is brewed with wheat, Maris Otter malt and cara malt.

Specifically, the mixed fermentation, yeast culture on the one hand from the Beersel Blonde, other lambic yeast. The lambic, brewed by Armand Debelder, a specific type of Brettanomyces geïsolleerd. This yeast gives this beer of 7% alc. volume slightly tart finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.3fonteinen.be

Twitter:  @3Fonteinen

In the end, I hope this would be my last beer on the planet.  This is amazing sipping beer.  I am a huge porter fan and I have not really been a fan of Belgian beers.  This beer is in my top five list of best porters ever had so far in my life.  This porter has everything that will make the Belgian fans happy and non Belgian fans happy.  There is the dark chocolate to tart notes.  This is dark chocolate cover fruit because of the tart.  I am pretty speechless on what to say about Zwet.be.  It just tells you how much I liked this beer.  I will say this just because I like this beer.  It does not mean you will like it too.  I would keep an open mind and draw your own thought pattern.  This is great beer and I highly highly 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 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 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 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 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 Sports Thought Thursday Blog How To Act As A Sports Fan To Other Fans.

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, I might be wrong or right on this subject.  I will be talking on both sides of coin.  This has been a pretty big issue  to me of late living in the Chicago market.  Here is my thought.

Fan of a Team Not in the Market

At Stadium

Beware where you are and what you are doing.  For example, if you are going to see your team in another team’s stadium.  There is nothing wrong showing your team proud but there is an issue when you are acting like a jackass.  If you wear your team colors, you need to act like you are not there but you are there.  It is OK to clap when your team scores but do not stand up when they make a big hit and clap.  You are asking for problems.  You need to watch your alcohol in tank.  We all know people do dumb things when they are drunk.  It is fine to drink but know your limit.  If some other team’s fan says something, just ignore them.  If they keep going, just say, I am here just like you are and I am not bothering anyone.   You will need to know where security and Customer service.  Remember, you might be out-of-town but you are still a paying customer.  You deserve what the hometown fans get in their sports experience.  You need to show respect and it is pretty easy.  They will see it and just be nice. They will talk to you nicely.  At least, they will not get in your face and try to start a fight.

Out And About In The Town

This is part that bugs me.  I will wear a Red Wings hat around Chicago.  I am supporting my team like you are supporting your team.  I will not wearing a jersey around unless I am going to the game or bar event.  I know that is wrong and I am asking for problems.  I mind my busy and go about my errands just in my hat.  You need to be yourself and just respect your surrounds.

Fan In A City With Opposite Team’s Fan

At Stadium

Remember these people are human and they have feelings like you.  Treat them like you would treat yourself because what you give out will come back around.  It is fine to say their team sucks but do not get in their face to start a fight.  I realize you have to support your team with the rest of the fan base but remember you might be in that same situation down the road.  Plus, you need to realize how much you are drinking because you might do something you might regret.  Respect them and you might have a nice talk with them.  You might learn something from them.  Of course, if they do something, you know when to put them in their place.  Remember this is your building but that does not give you the right to be a jerk.  They are there like you to enjoy the game.  I get it they are rivalries. Respect!

Out And About To See Another Team’s Fan

Here is the big one for me.  I had this happen to me yesterday (Saturday).  I walk into a place with my Chicago Cubs coat and Red Wings hat.  There was a Blackhawks fan shouts across the place saying “Detroit Sucks!”  I just ignored him and then he goes on to say, “you made my day bad now! Detroit Sucks!”  I get it they are a really good team and they are better than the Red Wings.  I just looked at him and said, “I am minding my own busy.”  He just left me alone.  I did not just walk in and say Red Wings Rule because then I am asking for it.  Those are the fans that put a bad name on fan bases.  Remember that, when you see a co-fan doing something, you might want to step in or say sorry for how that person acted.

In closing, I get it you are a fan of your team.  Congrats but there are a time in place for everything.  I love the passion of any fan for their team.  What I do not like are jerks killing my sports experience or to any fan. I love to see all ballparks in the MLB and that goes with NHL and NFL.  The big think you need to put this in mind.  If I pay money to come into your town, I am helping your team and your city.  In the end, we are here to enjoy the sports event and just respect each other to have some fun.  This is not to paint a cloud on any fan base. I am basing my experience on my experience. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser