east coast

New Beer Blog Unibroue Grand Reserve 17 Dark Ale

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into beer called Grand Reserve 17 Dark Ale from Unibroue.  Unibroue was founded in 1990 under the name of La Brasserie Massawippi Inc in Quebec, Canada.  The name changed in 1993 to Brasserie Broubec Inc and then merged with Unibroue.  It was then sold in 2004 to Sleeman Breweries.  Sleeman Breweries was then sold to Sapporo.  Unibroue Brewery brews several different Belgian beer styles.  Let us get into  the beer.

It has a brown color with a white head on the beer.  The smell is a sweet malty and other species. The taste is a sweet slight carbonation and no aftertaste to the beer.  There is a lot going on in this complex dark ale.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Dark Ale on Lees.  Ale Brewed with Spices, Aged with French Oak, and with Natural Flavors added

Inspired by the great Belgian brewing tradition of Trappist monks established over the centuries.  Unibroue 17 was first brewed in 2007 to celebrate our brewery’s 17th anniversary.  However, the overwhelming success of this specialty brew made it obvious that we could not let such great ale slip into the anonymity of retirement.

As testimony to its remarkable flavor profile which increases in complexity as it ages, the original batch bottled in 2007 was awarded an international platinum medal three years in a row and the prestigious title of “World’s Best Dark Ale” when it was well past three years in the bottle!

So in 2011, we proudly brought back this French Oak aged, bottle refermented dark ale, with the “Grande Reserve” appellation as a fitting endorsement of its exceptional quality for aging.  Brewed only once a year, in limited quantities, and individually numbered “brasseur” bottles, this is truly a flavorful delight for the specialty beer enthusiast.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.unibroue.com

Twitter:  @unibroue

In the end, I really enjoyed this beer and I have to thank my friend let me try it.  There is a ton going on in this dark ale.  It is a sipping beer but it is pretty smooth.  I was pretty stun by this beer and I will be searching the rest of their beers down from this brewery.  To be honest, how much this beer was good, I would rather drink a beer from Belgium.  This brewery being from Canada is as close to the real thing from Belgium.  I recommend this beer and  I would like to hear your thoughts on this beer or other brews that Unibroue brew.  Any you recommend for me to try from this brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale

image

In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Flying Dog Brewing and the beer is called K-9 Winter Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this great brewery.

This beer is part of the 12 beers of Christmas from Countryside Bar.  It has a hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  There is no smell to the beer.  The taste is sweet carbonation malty without an aftertaste to it. It is very warmly so it lives up to being a winter warmer. This is a sipping beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.flyingdogales.com):

Alchohol By Volume: 7.4%
Availability: Winter release
Hop Bitterness: 30 IBU
Specialty Malts: Changes with each release
Hops: Changes with each release
Yeast: English Ale

If it tastes like Christmas, it probably works with K-9. Flavor notes: Sweet malt base with roasted, nutty, and spicy flavors  Pairs with: Buttery cheeses; sweet breads; spice cake; squash, yams, and sweet potatoes; hearty meats and stews.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

Closing, this beer is not a session beer but it is just a great beer.  I love how complex the taste of this winter warmer.  This is a sipping beer and take your time in the cold winter days.  There is a ton going on in the beer.  I love the warmth when this beer goes down my throat and how sweet the beer comes across.  I love 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 Smuttynose Winter Ale

image

In this winter beer blog, we are going to take a look at a beer called Winter Ale from Smuttynose Brewery.  I do not know this brewery that well so I was looking at trying this beer out at Countryside Bar.  Smuttynose Brewing was founded in 1994 by Peter Egelston in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.    They brew several different beer styles.  I will be trying some other brews from this brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear brown color with a constant white head on the beer.  There is really no smell to the beer. The taste is a sweet malty with a dry aftertaste.  It is a pretty warm beer going down the throat.  It is a nice beer for the winter months.  I would say this is a marathon beer not a speed drinking beer.  It is a nice Dubbel.

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

Smuttynose Winter Ale is a full-bodied, amber beer brewed with a special Trappist ale yeast. Stylistically reminiscent of a Belgian Abbey Double, it features fruity aromas and flavor, balanced by soft Crystal hops. Warming, mellow & pleasantly complex, Smuttynose Winter Ale is your perfect cold weather companion.

SMUTTYNOSE WINTER ALE CONTAINS NO SPICES

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.smuttynose.com

Twitter:  @smuttynosebeer

Closing out, I did enjoy this beer and I am looking forward to checking out their other beers that they have out in my market.  I love the looks to the taste of this beer.  This is a great beer sitting by the fireplace with a nice cigar.  I recommend you trying this beer and let me know what your thoughts.  If you had some of their beers, please let me know which is the next brew I should have from this brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Southern Tier 2xmas

image

In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out Southern Tier 2xmas.  Southern Tier was founded in 2002 in Lakewood, New York by Phineas DeMink and Allen Yahn.  They ship beer around the world and of course most of it is in the United States.  They brew several different beer styles and putting their stamp on these classic beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a cinnamon to nutmeg to the beer.  The taste is sweet carbonation cinnamon to nutmeg. The aftertaste is a dry slight bitter with cinnamon and nutmeg to it. It is perfect for winter and not really drinkable.

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

Swedish flags are a fairly common sight in our part of the country.  Holiday parties often have warm concoctions of spices and booze at the ready to knock the ice off of toes while raising spirits.  We were inspired by a Gloggy party, deciding on the spot to brew a beer that pays tribute to this Nordic tradition.  2xMas Ale combines traditional brewing ingredients with figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, clove and ginger root.  Its a holiday addition to the 2X line and another reason to toast to the season, but unlike Glogg, we recommend serving this one chilled.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

Ending, I will be honest on this beer.  I do not know how I feel about this beer.  There is a ton going on in the beer.  It is complex and ton of flavor.  To me, it just seems like this beer wants to be sweet but then wants to be hoppy for the winter season.  It is not one of my favorite but it is not a bad beer.  There are fans out there for this beer.  I am starting to think I do not like Christmas beers and it is not because of this beer.  I love winter warmers and winter seasonals.  I wanted to try this beer and it is out of my system. I will have at least a few every Christmas or winter season.  This is a beer you can have pass Christmas and yes, it is still in code after Christmas.  There are beer drinkers that see Christmas on beer packaging and think the beer went bad.  I recommend this beer and this brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Heavy Sea Winter Bock

image

When in Michigan for Thanksgiving, we are going to get into another brew from Heavy Sea Brewery.  The beer is their winter seasonal and it is called Winter Bock.  If you read my earlier blog on their flagship beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This winter bock has a dark amber color. There is a little earthy to a bit nutty malty smell. The taste has a ton going on the beer. It has a nutty, earthly, and malty taste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

With a full ruby hue, rich malty character, and earthy hop aroma. Winter Storm is an original– an Imperial ESB for the winter months. 7.5% Alc./Vol.

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

Winter Storm

Pyrate Fleet Fleet

Winter Storm may be Hugh’s favorite beer in the Heavy Seas catalogue. Our winter ale draws on hops from the West Coast and the UK for its pronounced bitterness. A mix of pale and darker malts give it its tawny color and its bigger body. True to the style, Winter Storm’s aroma is nutty malts and earthy hops. This is a perfect fall beer, especially because of its warming qualities.

BEER DETAILS
  • Style: Imperial Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
  • ABV: 7.5%
  • IBUs: 50
  • Availability: October-December
  • Hops: Warrior, UK Goldings, UK Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial
  • Malts: 2-row, Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt
SUGGESTIONS
  • Food Pairings: Brie or Havarti cheese, pan-seared steak, barbecued pork

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hsbeer.com

Twitter:  @heavyseasbeer

Closing, this beer is awesome and it got me in trouble, which I am still recovering from two days later.  This Winter Storm is extremely drinkable for being 7.5% ABV.  There is a ton going on this beer.  I really enjoyed this beer and I wished I could have brought some back from Michigan.  I am happy to see them around Michigan stores but I wish they were in my Chicago liquor stores.  At least, they are getting closer and it is reason to go back to Michigan.  This is what ESB should taste like not what I have been drinking here in the Chicago area or wherever.  I recommend you trying this beer at least once.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Sixpoint Autumnation

image

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sixpoint Brewery.  This beer is their fall seasonal called Autumnation.  If you read my earlier blog on their Apollo, you are know the history on this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that post.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall seasonal has a clear copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a slight piney to it. There is no smell to this beer. The taste is a sweet carbonation to earthly with a dry bitter aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seem in one autumnal face.  One of the most special times of the year for craft brewers is the hop harvest.  The Autumnation celebrates this season by harnessing pumpkin and fresh “wet hops” chosen by our fans.

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

Autumnation

Autumn
Our Autumnal brew is made with subtle pumpkin and spice, but its prominent feature is the fresh harvested “wet-hops” that are added. New hop strain and selection every year. Autumnation 2012 features Citra Hops.
ABV 6.7%
IBU 74
SRM 15

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sixpoint.com

Twitter:  @sixpoint

In closing, I really enjoyed the change of pace that this beer gave me to the rest of the fall beers on the market.  Do not give me wrong, I love my fair share of pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers.  I love the hoppy taste and yet the beer pulled out some malty taste.  I have not been disappointed with any of the beers that Sixpoint has put out on the market.  I really need to make it to Brooklyn to check out the brewery.  If you have yet check out their beers but read all my post, go get some and stop reading for a bit.  You will not be disappointed with this brewery that is taking the traditional beer styles and put a twist on them in a good way.  This beer is no different.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Brooklyn Lager Vs Samuel Adams Boston Lager

image

Battle of Evermore, we are going to do something different.  I am taking two well-known craft lagers and putting them up against each other.  They are Samuel Adams Boston Lager, which is the flagship of the Boston Beer Company, and Brooklyn Lager, which is the flagship of the Brooklyn Brewery.  The reason why this challenge has come to head is the fact when both breweries started out they contracted their beers out to one brewery to keep up with demand.  Plus, it is Boston against New York City.  Both cities hate each other from football, hockey, baseball, and I believe basketball.  Both breweries were there from the beginning of the craft beer world.  I do not need to go over the history of these two breweries because I have done blogs on both breweries.  Let the fight begin!

Brooklyn Lager

Brooklyn Lager has a slightly hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a sweet malty to a little caramel smell to the beer. It has a slight hoppy to malty taste with a nice crisp finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Amber gold, with a malty body and a floral hop character. Brooklyn Lager is a revival of Brooklyn’s pre-Prohibition all malt lagers. This is the brewery’s first and best-selling brand. Brooklyn Lager is brewed only with malted barley, hops, water and yeast.

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Samuel Adams Boston Lager has a clear copper color without a head on the beer.  There is really no smell to this beer.  This lager is sweet malty carbonation to it with crisp malty aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Our original beer, brewed with Bavarian Noble hops. The balance of malty sweetness and hop spiciness in this brew sets the standard for all Samuel Adams beers.

What is the same between these beers?

Both beers are craft beers and are the flagship beers to each respected brewery. They are both pretty malty tasting lagers.

What is the differences between these beers?

Brooklyn lager is a little bit more hopper than Boston Lager and has a clean crisp aftertaste.  Boston Lager is a little bit more maltier and has a malty crisp aftertaste that last longer than the Brooklyn Lager.

The end, respect to both breweries, they both make some good beers.  Some of their beers are average to below average while some are above average.  You will get that from many breweries.  There are a very few that make all their beers really good.  Brooklyn Lager has a little bit more of a hoppy feel but yet enough of malty taste to give the best of both worlds.  Boston Lager is a little bit more maliter.  I have to say Brooklyn Lager is better.  Brooklyn is going with the old school taste that was going on in American before Prohibition.  Boston Lager is more American Craft Lager with a classic twisted.  I just feel Boston Lager is dying a fast death and needs to put down.  To me, Brooklyn Lager wins this battle and I wish more people knew about this great beer.  This is my thought pattern and I would like to hear your thought. Go get some Brooklyn Lager!  Raise your glass to a beer that should be classic American lager before and after Prohibition era.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Flying Dog Dogtoberfest

image

In this fall beer blog, the beer that is being feature is Flying Dog Dogtoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog on their Cherry Sour Ale, you know a little something about this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall beer has a nice clear copper color without a head on it.  The smell is a nice malty. The taste is a smooth malty without an aftertaste. This beer is a beer drinker malty delight or dream. It extremely drinkable.

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

alcohol by volume: 5.6%
availability: Fall release
hop bittnerness: 30 IBU
Specialty Malts: Light Munich, Munich 90, Munich 100, Vienna
hops: German Perle, Hallertau
yeast: Proprietary lager strain

Brewed with 100% imported German ingredients, it will cut spice while pulling out sweetness. Flavor notes: Full-bodied caramel sweet with a light toasted and crisp, clean finish Pairs with: Mexican and Pepper Jack cheeses; sweet Asian sauces; spiced desserts; German foods

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

Closing out, I really love this beer.  There are three breweries that hit home runs on the fall seasonals and they are Flying Dog, Milwaukee Brewing Oktoberfest, and Schlafly Pumpkin Ale.  This beer gives you the nice malty from a traditional German style lager.  It has a nice balance but not boring like most fall seasonals.  I have to say this fall season has been very disappointing and I hoping winter seasonals are not the same way.  I hate fall and winter because the motorcycle is up for the winter.  The beer normally gets me through that problem.  This year fall has been very bad.  I am glad to see a few breweries are stepping up to the plate and Flying Dog Dogtoberfest was one of them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Dogfish Punkin Ale

image

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at another pumpkin ale, which is Dogfish Punkin Ale.  This is Dogfish most poplar seasonal in their portfolio and every year they increase how much they will make.  If you read my earlier blog on their beers, you know a little something about this brewery.  If you have not please go back and read the first part of it.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark golden to a copper head without a head on the beer.  The beer drinker can smell the cinnamon, nutmeg, a very little pumpkin, and a little brown sugar. The taste is brown sugar and pumpkin to nutmeg with a nice cinnamon aftertaste to the beer. It is pretty drinkable beer for this beer style.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A full-bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg 7% Alc. by Vol.

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

A full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. We brew our Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, organic brown sugar and spices. As the season cools, this is the perfect beer to warm up with.

Punkin Ale is named after the seriously off-centered southern Delaware extravaganza Punkin Chunkin (check out some of these Discovery Channel videos of Punkin Chunkin, you gotta see it to believe it!). In fact, Punkin Ale made its debut as it claimed first prize in the 1994 Punkin Chunkin Recipe Contest. Yes, that was a full 6 months before we even opened our doors for business!

Punkin Chunkin has grown in size and scale, with pumpkins now being hurled more than 4,000 feet through the air! If you come down to see if for yourself, drop by and visit us.

Since its debut, we’ve brewed Punkin Ale each and every fall. It is released right around Sept. 1 each year. When you find it, grab some extra because it’s usually gone by Thanksgiving.

Every Beer Has A Story… here’s Punkin Ale

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.dogfish.com

Twitter:  @dogfishbeer

In closing, this beer is one of their popular seasonal and beer for Dogfish.  I just feel over the years that I am liking this beer less and less.  The beer has not changed but there are other pumpkin beers on the market that are better.  I just feel this beer is not very well balance and has too much cinnamon and nutmeg in it while there is barely any pumpkin taste.  Please go try this beer and let me know what your thoughts on it.  There are a ton of pumpkin beers on the market, if I was you I would becareful on what you buy.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Yuengling Black & Tan

In this blog, we are going to take a look at another beer from Yuengling and the beer is their Original Black & Tan.  If you read my earlier blog on their Flagship Lager, you are pretty much up to speed on this brewery.  If you did not, please, go back and read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a black color without a head on it.  This Black & Tan does not really have a smell to the beer.  The taste of this Yuengling Beer is of sweet malty chocolate with a nice dry malty aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable and that will get many beer drinkers in trouble.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.yuengling.com):

Black & Tan Combines our popular Dark Brewed Porter with Premium Beer.  Rich and dark in color, it has a well-balanced flavor, with hints of caramel and coffee from the dark roasted malt that finishes smooth and satisfying.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.yuengling.com

Twitter:  @yuengling_beer

Closing out,  I have been looking forward to trying this beer.  I just want to thank my boss for bring me a bottle.  I just wished he would have saved me a bottle of their porter.  I cannot complain to only getting one out of two of the beers.  If you read my earlier one on their Lager, you know I enjoy drinking it.  This Black and Tan is the best on the market and it is not the crap that Mississippi Mud puts out.  I will never buy that beer again after trying this beer.  The only problem I have is the fact that are not available in the Chicago market.  This is a great beer with good taste and a nice balance.  If you live in the market or know someone that does, go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser