east coast

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Cellar Series Chocolate

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In this cider blog, we are going to sample out a new cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  It is their Cellar Series Chocolate.  If you read my earlier blogs on their ciders, you know the history of this Northeast Cider company.  If you have not, please, read those blog posts to get to know this cider company.  I bet you have heard of Woodchuck and already know the history.  Let us get into this special and new cider.

It has a beautiful clear light brown color without a head on this cider.  The smell is a heavy chocolate notes.  The taste is chocolate with apple cider at the end of the drinking experience with an apple cider aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Woodchuck Cellar Series Chocolate features our original small batch hard cider, complemented by cacao beans. The inclusion of crushed cacao beans notes of artisan chocolate throughout the nose and taste of the cider. A hint of caramel accompanies the full apple flavor with a dry finish. Cellar Series Chocolate is one of the most unique ciders we have ever crafted, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Cheers! John Matson Cider Maker

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @woodchuckcider

In the end, I was pretty excited to see them post on their twitter account that they were releasing a new cider.  However, it was not just a new cider, it is a pretty unique one.  This is a chocolate cider and then I was pretty nervous and interested.  There is a ton going on in this cider and it is pretty good.  I love the chocolate notes but it does not overpower the cider part.  It is pretty well balanced cider. I love the smells and it is awesome.  This is great beverage to enjoy on a nice winter day with a ton of snow.  We all this year has received a ton of snow.  Go out and get a chocolate cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  I recommend it.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Samuel Adams Juniper IPA

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out Juniper IPA from Samuel Adams.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this craft brewery, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know the Boston Beer Company.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on this winter IPA.  The smell is a heavy Juniper Berries.  The taste is a piney with hints of Juniper Berries with a quick bitter aftertaste that disappears fast.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

For this special release, we wanted to brew a flavorful winter IPA that captured the aroma of the season.  This brought us to juniper berries, which add a slightly sweet, piney character.  Complemented by citrus notes from American hops, this balanced IPA will brighten the holidays.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @SamuelAdamsBeer

In the end, I was pretty interested in this brew.  I did not know how the Juniper Berries would mix with the IPA.  I know they made an English style IPA because I believe that West Coast IPA would not go well with the berries.  I believe the hops would have overpowered the berries.  There is a nice balance from the hops, malty backbone, and Juniper Berries. I love the aroma and beer drinking experience.  This beer is good but it is not that good.  It is average beer, however, I will give Boston Beer Company some credit for being unique and original.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Resignation Brewery And Redhook KCCO Black Lager

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In this tag team beer blog, we are going to get into a beer called KCCO Black Lager that is brewed by Redhook Brewery and Resignation Brewery.  If you read my beer blog posts on the Redhook Brewery, you know the history of this Northwest Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to Redhook Brewery.  Resignation is a multiple digital media company.  The black lager was brewed for the sharing around the office and to close friends and family.  Late in 2013, they teamed up with Redhook Brewery to get it into the market.  Redhook Brewery refined the beer and shipped it out to the following markets, which are New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.  In the early part of 2014,  KCCO Black Lager will receive a  national roll out.  Let us get into the beer.

This Black Lager has a dark brown to a light black color with a nice creamy tan head at first.  It fades after a while.  There is really no smell.  The taste is a malty to chocolate notes with a dry chocolate crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Black Lager

A toast lager with notes of chocolate and coffee. Unlike a heavy porter or a stout it’s amazingly light, crispy, and sessionable. KCCO Black is a delicious misfit.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.resignationbrewery.com and www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @resignationbrew and @Redhook_Brewery

1-2-3, I have to say for the victory and the match.  This beer has won it all.  I have been waiting to try this brew since I heard of its launch in a few markets.  I am not disappointed.  I am really looking forward to see how it will do in the Michigan market.  I am also looking forward to trying the other brands from both of these breweries.  I am a fan of black lager so I knew I was won over right away.  There is some nice chocolate notes and pretty drinkable with a nice balance.  I highly recommend this brew if you can find it.  It will be in your market sometime in 2014.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

2013 in review Thanks For All The Support!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,500 times in 2013. If it were a cable car, it would take about 42 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Thanks For The Support!

Bill DJ Weiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Cellar Series Dry Hop

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In this cider blog, we are going to get into another cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  The cider that will be feature is their Cider Cellar Series Dry Hop.  If you have read my blog posts the last few days, you know the history of Woodchuck Hard Cider.  If you have not, please, read those blog posts to get to know cider company.  Let us get into the cider.

It has a see through and clear golden color without a head on it.  The smell has cider, apple, and hints of citrus.  The taste has a sweet cider notes and then turns into citrus hop notes.  The aftertaste is a bitter hop finish.  It is a drinkable cider to most but to me it is a sipping cider.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Woodchuck Cellar Series Dry Hop represents our imagination at work.  We start with our original small batch hard cider.  Then add an aggressive amount of Cascade hops to impart rich hop flavor and aroma.  This extensive dry hopping process infuses the cider with crisp citrus and pine notes.  The smooth apple character of our signature hard cider balances perfectly against the bitterness of the hops.  A truly rare and very limited treat straight from the Woodchuck Cellar.  Cheers!

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

Dry Hop

Woodchuck Dry Hop is the first cider in our new Cellar Series line. Infused with hops, Woodchuck Dry Hop brings a new unique flavor to the cider category and it represents our dedication to pushing innovation in hard cider. Like all of our styles, Dry Hop is naturally gluten-free.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @WoodchuckCider

Closing out the tab, I saw this cider and I thought this will be pretty interesting.  I am a huge hop head so I had to pick this cider up.  Woodchuck made a dry hopped cider.  I love the color and aroma this cider has going on in it.  The drinking experience is extremely different and unique.  I love it.  I was pretty stun and impressed with this dry hopped cider.  To me, the dry hopping gives my hop head something in a cider.  I recommend this cider if you want something a little different and unique then a beer or normal cider.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Private Reserve Barrel Select

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In this cider blog, we are going to get into our third cider on this blog and from Woodchuck.  It is their Private Reserve Series Barrel Select.  If you read my earlier cider blog post on this brewery, you know the history of Woodchuck Hard Cider.  If you have not read those post, please, read them to get to know Woodchuck Cider.  Let us get into the cider.

It has a clear copper color without a head on it.  The smell is apple, cider, bourbon, and a slight smoky notes.  The taste has a cider to apple notes with a bourbon oak notes.  The aftertaste bourbon cider notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.woodchuck.com):

Barrel Select

This ultra-limited cider manages to combine the sweet and crisp taste of apple cider with smoky and dry flavors of Kentucky Bourbon. Woodchuck Cider is awesome, Kentucky Bourbon is awesome. Match made in heaven? We think so.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @WoodchuckCider

In closing, I love my barrel age and bourbon barrel age beers.  I had to try a cider that was aged in a bourbon barrel.  I have to say I am pretty impressed.  It is not overly sweet but enough to say it is a cider.  The bourbon cuts through the cider and adds some nice notes to the cider.  I will have to add this to my regular line up beers just give me a nice twist in my beer drinking.  Woodchuck Hard Cider has reach their goal in my view-point on this cider  What I am trying to get at, they give the beer and craft beer drinker something else.  This cider is on that list.  I highly recommend this cider.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Winter Hard Cider

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In this cider blog, we are going to get into our first review of a cider.  I am happy it will be Woodchuck and their Winter Hard Cider.  Woodchuck came from a winery which at the time most wineries were not making cider.  In 1990, Woodchuck was born.  They wanted to give beer fans something else to drink that is why their “802” and “Amber” cider was born.  By 1996, they had two successful ciders and sold over half million of cases.  A year after they added their “Granny Smith Cider.”  A few years later, they added “Raspberry” and “Pear.”  They just added some seasonals to their line up.  I found all this information from their website (www.woodchuck.com).  Let us get into the cider.

It has a clear slight dark yellow color with some small bubbles.  It does not have a head on it.  The smell is a cider and apple notes.  The taste has hints of vanilla and a little oak to apple.  It is a pretty drinkable hard cider.

Here is a description from the bottle:

Winter Cider is a balanced culmination of premium French and traditional American Oak, giving the cider great complexity and broad characteristics that neither style could produce on its own.  This cider has tremendous depth starting with an attractive oak taste and finishing with a touch of vanilla, all crafted in Woodchuck tradition… Independent to the core.

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

Winter

Somewhere between a delicate snowflake drifting down to your tongue and a hard-packed snowball to the teeth, the power of this winter Cider is a balanced culmination of Premium French and Traditional American Oak, giving the cider great complexity and broad characteristics that neither style could produce on its own.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @WoodchuckCider

In closing, I am not a cider guy.  I wanted something different and sweet.  I did not want anything over the top sweet but just enough.  I thought a cider might be it.  I try it and I thought I would write a review.  I will end up writing not just one review but I will have two more after this one.  I love barrel age beers so I thought this Winter Cider would be in my wheel house.  I was right.  I loved the apple with the hints of vanilla and oak.  It was pretty drinkable and had pretty good kick.  I highly recommend this cider and I will be trying some more of these ciders.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Magic Hat G-Thing

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Magic Hat Brewing.  It is their Winter or Christmas Seasonal, which is G-Thing Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Magic Hat Brewing.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this northeast craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on this ale.  The smell is hints of cinnamon and ginger.  The taste is a cinnamon and hints of malty notes.  The aftertaste is a cinnamon with a slight ginger notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.magichat.net):

G-Thing! is a Ginger Spice Ale led by a fresh ginger zing that’s followed by a bready malt backbone. Its subtle roasty notes and mild hop bitterness slowly give way to a serene cinnamon spiciness as the malt tones melt away.

Stats

  • MaltsPale, Caramel Vienna, Caramel Munich, Victory, Chocolate, Wheat
  • HopsMagnum, Northern Brewer
  • YeastEnglish Ale
  • ABV5.7%
  • IBUs25
  • SRM25
  • Original Gravity14° Plato
  • AdditivesGinger Juice, Cinnamon

Availability / October – January

Variety Packs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, when I saw this beer in package, I was wondering how it was.  I had a chance to try this brew and I jumped onto it.  I have to say I was pretty impressed but kind of disappointed at the same time.  I believe I pumped up myself to be disappointed.  I love how they did a Christmas Ale but not like the rest on the market.  I love how this brewery thinks outside the box.  Overall, I enjoyed drinking this beer.  I love the cinnamon but yet a nice malty backbone.  The other thing that I love about this brew is the fact they did not use a porter, brown, or a stout ale.  They used English ale or English mild ale.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Dogfish Head And Sierra Nevada Life And Limb Rhizing Bines India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a brew that had two craft brewery, who are Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, teamed up to brew this beer.  It is Life And Limb Rhizing Bines IPA.  I want to say thanks to my friend Jay for the share.  If you read my beer blog posts so far, you know history of both of these breweries.  If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get up to speed on both of these breweries.  Let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale has a cloudy amber color with a white constant head.  The aroma has a citrus notes.  The taste has slight caramel to citrus notes with a dry bitter citrus aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada Brewery.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Rhizing Bines is a collaborative IPA using the best of both coasts:  Carolina-grown red fife wheat and Dogfish Head’s continual-hopping from the East and Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown caramel malt and Torpado dry-hopping from the West.

Here is a descripation from Dogfish Head’s website (www.dogfish.com):

Rhizing Bines

ABV: 8
IBU: 70
Availability: Limited
Original Release Date: 02/2013

Deepening our bond with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., forged with the 2009   collaboration Life & Limb, we’ve brewed an East-meets-West Imperial IPA called Rhizing Bines.“We had a lot of fun brewing the original dark and roasty Life &   Limb in Chico with the Grossmans and Sierra Nevada’s extended family,”   says Dogfish Head President and Founder Sam Calagione. “We are very   proud of the way that beer turned out. Now it’s our turn to repay that   hospitality and brew a very hop-centric IPA in Milton with our pals from   Chico, incorporating innovative ingredients and techniques from both   breweries.”On the hot side, Rhizing Bines went through Dogfish’s signature   continual-hopping process with floral and citrusy Bravo hops. On the   cold side, it was dry-hopped with an experimental varietal so new it   doesn’t yet have a name, just a number: Hop 644. A component of Sierra   Nevada’s aroma-boosting Torpedo system made a pit-stop in  Delaware  for dry-hopping duty before it headed to Sierra’s new North  Carolina  brewery. To celebrate Sierra Nevada planting East Coast roots, Dogfish Head tracked down a Carolina heirloom wheat grown and milled at Anson Mills. The soft red winter wheat contributes subtle sweet and nutty notes to this hop-forward ale.“It gives my wife and myself great comfort to know that although  we’re  leaving our home and friends on the West Coast, we’re joining our  craft  brewing friends on the East Coast,” says Sierra Nevada General  Manager  Brian Grossman. “Here’s to great beer!”The label for Rhizing Bines depicts the pairings behind this beer:  two  hop varietals, two yeast strains (Chico and Doggie), two unique  hopping  processes and two family-owned breweries. These bonds start at  the root –  or rhizome – and stretch throughout the mature bines.“Sam and his family and the entire Dogfish crew have been friends of   ours for a long time,” says Sierra Nevada Founder Ken Grossman. “When  we  started talking about doing another collaboration we jumped at the   chance, especially since this version will be the hoppy counterpoint to   the last brews. We couldn’t say no! We’re looking forward to joining   forces again.”

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dogfish.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @dogfishbeer and @SierraNevada

In closing, when two or three craft breweries get together to brew a beer, it makes me a little nervous to purchase these beers.  This is the big reason why.  One, I feel at times that I do not get my money worth from the liquid in the bottle.  Two, I feel that way about many of 750ml bottles from Dogfish Head.  I hate to say it.  They are great beers I just feel they are overpriced.  I have to say my attitude changed with this brew.  This is a great beer and well balance India Pale Ale.  I enjoyed drinking this beer.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Magic Hat Heart Of Darkness Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Magic Hat.  It is their Heart of Darkness Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on this brewery, you know the history of Magic Hat.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know Magic Hat Brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan to off white color head on this stout.  The smell has a slight coffee to chocolate notes.  The taste of this stout is chocolate to coffee notes.  There is a coffee or toffee aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The ancient ritual of brewing a distincity rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold.  Our mysterious melange of time-honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to create this unique beer to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits.  Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (www.magichat.net):

Filled with the howling of black dogs that haunt the long-forgotten shadows of the human soul. This dense liquid-silk summoned hope from hibernation and balanced winter’s endless white snows with a rich swirl of creamy black rapture.

An inky-black stout with a smooth, round palate and a dream-like undercurrent of bittersweet chocolate.

Stats

  • MaltsPale, Crystal, Roasted Barley, Chocolate, Munich
  • HopsApollo, Goldings
  • YeastEnglish Ale
  • ABV5.7%
  • IBUs30
  • SRM80
  • Original Gravity15° Plato

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, I was not a huge fan of this brewery when I first saw it hit the market in Chicago.  I believe they hit that market about six or seven years ago.  I have from that time started to like Magic Hat a little bit more and more as the years edge to 2013.  I still have not retry their flagship #9.  I will be retrying that beer in the near future.  I saw this beer and I had to pick it up and try it.  I really like their packaging but it sometimes does not really say what the beer is in the bottle.  This one does.  I love the balance from the chocolate and coffee notes.  I really enjoyed drinking this brew.  I will be picking up more before it leaves for the season.  If you are a stout fan, you will need to find a bottle of Heart of Darkness.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser