entertainment

New Beer Blog Ram Brewery Ice Breaker Oatmeal Stout

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When in Chicagoland area, I was able to stop by one of my old watering holes.  I am talking about the Ram Brewery.  I was able to try their Ice Breaker Oatmeal Stout.  If you read my earlier blog posts on this craft brewery, you know the history of it.  If you have not, please, read those post to get to know this brewpub.  Let us get into this Oatmeal Stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy tan head.  The smell is a chocolate and coffee notes for this stout.  The taste has a chocolate and coffee at the middle of pallet to watery notes on back half.  The aftertaste has chocolate that hangs around a bit.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theRAM

In closing, this would be a stout if I still lived down the street.  I would be filling my growlers up on weekend with this stout. This is an awesome stout.  This is one of the best brews that this little brewpub made.  I also love their IPA’s.  I know the brewmaster pretty well and I was happy to see the assistant moved over to the other location in the Chicagoland area.  I know for a fact he will be brewing some awesome beers and improving the beers from the last brewmaster.  The last brewmaster was good but not good enough.  If you are in the area, I recommend you getting by the Wheeling location to try to brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Shinedown Amaryllis

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest from Shinedown.  It is Amaryllis.  We will get into the history and then the music from this new record.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Shinedown was formed in 2001 in Jacksonville, Florida with members, who are Brent Smith (Lead Singer), Brad Stewart (Bass), Jason Todd (Guitars), and Barry Kerch (Drums).  Shinedown’s first record, which was “Leave A Whisper,” was released in 2004 under Atlantic Records.  Shinedown’s second record, which was “Us And Them, was released in 2005.  Their third record was “The Sound Of Madness.”  This was their most successful record to date.  This is also the frist record without Brad Stewart on bass.   Eric Bass, who is bass player, replaced Brad Steward.  and Zach Myers, who is a guitar player, joins the band.  Shinedown’s fourth record, which is Amaryllis, marked the first time band history Zach Myers as the only guitar player and the new one in this band.    Let us get into the music.

Song List:

Adrenaline

There is some nice drumming at the beginning.  I am loving the music and drumming in this song.  The singing is pretty strong.  I love the pace of this song.  There is some awesome lyrics.  This is a great opening track.  The drummer is playing out of his mind.  I love the focus on him on this song.  I love the short and to the point guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Bully

This was the first single of this record.  I love the guitar work at the beginning.  I love the bass playing during the main part of the song.  There is a nice pace on “Bully.”  I am not really a fan of the lyrics but it is still a pretty good song.  I love the melody and the singing on this song.  There is some strong back up vocals on “Bully.”  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Amaryllis

This is the title track of this record.  I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning.  I have always loved his singing voice.  I love the backbone of the band.  The bass and drum playing is solid.  This song kind of reminds me of something that Goo Goo Dolls would have written.  I love the lyrics.  This is a pretty solid song.  There is a nice guitar break towards the back half of “Amaryllis.”

Unity

I love the keyboard playing at the beginning with a nice solid playing from the guitar, bass, and drumming over the top of it.  I love the singing and some pretty good lyrics.  I love how the mix a disturbed and acoustic guitar.  There is a nice melody.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I just wished it was a little bit longer.   I love the ending of “Unity.”

Enemies

I love the effects on the guitar at the beginning of “Enemies.”  I love the music and melody.  This is my favorite song on this record so far.  I love the lyrics.  I love the ending of “Enemies.”

I’m Not Alright

I love the music.  I am not really a fan of the lyrics but the singing on “I’m Not Alright.”  There is some playing from the drummer and bass player.  This song seems like it needs a guitar solo to break up the singing a bit.  I just feel this song could be a little bit longer.

Nowhere Kids

There is some solid music.  I love the singing and lyrics are average.  I love the melody from the singer.  I just feel the same way about this song to the last one.  I just feel it could use a guitar solo about the mid-point of the song to break up the singing a bit.  There is nothing wrong with the singing.  I just hearing too much of it.

Miracle

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  There is some nice simple drum beat.  I love the singing over the top of it.  I love the music.  I love the lyrics.  They put some thought on this song.  This is a great rebound song from the last two songs.  I just wished there was a guitar solo.  It is still a solid song.

I’ll Follow You

I love the piano playing on this song.  There is some solid singing and well written lyrics.  I love the music on the main part of the song.  I love the pace of this song.  Here is a song that does not need a guitar solo.  The guitar solo that is on this song is pretty good and well placed.  It did what I wanted in the last few songs.

For My Sake

I love the guitar playing at the beginning.  I love what they did in the main part of the song.  There is some nice lyrics and melody.  I love the pace of “For My Sake.”  This is one of my favorite songs off this record.  I love the guitar playing on this song.

My Name (Wearing Me Out)

There is some nice music at the beginning of this song.  I love heavy drumming on this song.  I love the pace of this song.  The bass playing is solid.  There is some nice lyrics with some feeling and soul to it.  This is a nice driving song.  I could get some speeding tickets with this song playing.

Through The Ghost

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning.  There is some nice music on “Through The Ghost.”  I love the singing and the lyrics.  This is a nice song to finish “Amaryllis.”  The only problem I have with this song is that it is a little too long.  I love the ending of it.

Line Up:

  • Brent Smith – Vocals
  • Zach Myers -Lead And Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
  • Barry Kerch – Drums and Percussion
  • Eric Bass – Bass, Piano, and Backing Vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shinedown.com

Twitter:  @Shinedown

Closing, I love Shinedown.  I do not understand why I did not get into them right away.  It took me a little time but I have been a pretty big fan since.  There are some pretty good songs off this record.  It is not like their last record, which was “Sound Of Madness.”  I still enjoyed it, however, I just feel there were too many filler songs to get the record out.   These are songs they put on the record to get it out to the market.  I just wished there were more guitar solos towards the end of the record.  There are songs that need solos and there are songs that do not need them.  There were a few songs screaming for guitar solos.  This band has not put out a band record and this one is not one.  They are working on their next one but I recommend you picking up this one to get yourself through until it comes out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Troubador Obscura

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In a foreign land, we are going to sample out of Troubador Obscura during Belgian Week at Ashley’s Westland.  The brewery was founded in 2000 by Kristof De Roo, Rikkert Maertens, Stefaan Soetemans and Sven Suys.  They are known around Europe as the 4 ‘Musketeers’.  They brew in the traditional and classic Belgian beer styles in past.  This brewery brew several beer styles and they do them well.  They do not let anything out of their brewery unless it is up to their standards.  I like that.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark brown with some reddish tones for the color with a constant white head.  The aroma has slight chocolate with notes of cherry to fruit.  The taste has an aged malty chocolate notes with a cherry aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Troubadour Obscura is a dark red-brown colored beer, with a rich, malty body combined with different touches of a stout but in a very nice balanced way: roast, chocolate, coffee, vanilla. A mild stout with a Belgian body!

Specifications:

Alcohol (V/V): 8,2%

Stamwort: 18

Plato EBC: 110

IBU: 35

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.troubadourbeers.com

Twitter:  @Troubadourbeer

In first glance, it took one sip of Obscura.  I was in love with this brew.  It took me a few sips to get to know everything that is going on in this complex ale.  I love the chocolate cover cherry notes I received out of the this brew.   I can see the vanilla and coffee notes also.  I tasted that towards the end of the glass.  There is a ton going on in this beer and I love that.   It is a drinkable beer but I found myself sipping it.  I wanted to taste everything that was going on in this brew.  I highly 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 New Belgium Spring Blonde

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out the new spring seasonal from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Spring Blonde Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this Colorado craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden color with a nice white head.  The aroma is like lemon notes.  The taste is refreshing malty to cirtus notes with a nice malty aftertaste.  It is a nice drinkable beer for the spring time.

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

Blondes are a favorite style among New Belgium employee-owners who have celebrated their 5-year anniversary with a spring trip to Belgium. These travels inspired our Spring Blonde and brought some old Belgium to New Belgium. Brewed with pale and Munich malts, this golden ale pours bright copper and holds a strong, white head aloft. A nose of lemon peel, pepper, and fresh-baked bread entice a sipping. Spring Blonde drinks malty, sweet and wonderful. And the easy Nugget hopping pedals towards a dry, lightly bitter finish. Shed that coat, grab some bikes, and crack some beers.

Here is a video about this beer on their website (www.newbelgium.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In closing, I will be the first to say that I am not a huge fan of Spring and Summer Seasonals.  There are some pretty good Spring and Summer Seasonals released every year into the market.  I try them every year and I say the same thing over and over again.  They are too light for me but that is by design and I understand why.  New Belgium Brewery is always putting out new seasonals and pushing themselves.  This is not my type of beer style and it does not make any of these Spring and Summer Seasonals bad.  The one thing that I did like about this brew has a nice malty to citrus notes and refreshing drinking experience.  It is perfect brew for the Spring Season.  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 Sports Thought Thursday Blog NFL Super Bowl XLVIII

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, I am going to throw out my thoughts of who will the Super Bowl in 2014.  This years Super Bowl will have the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks.  This Super Bowl is the first outdoor cold weather game.  It will be located at the New Jersey and New York City area.  This match will be the old school pocket passer against the new school quarterback.  The weather has been an issue talked about leading up to the big game.  The weather looks like it could be 43 degrees at kickoff and drop during the game. I am a sports fan and I will be inside enjoying this game.  Denver Broncos has been to the big game six times and won twice with legendary quarter John Elway in 1997 and 1998.  Seattle Seahawks has been to the big dance once and loss to the Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan in 2005.  This is the number one defense against the number one offense in the NFL.  I am hoping for a game and I believe we will get one. Here is my predication.

The Game

 

Seattle Seahawks 27 Denver Broncos 26

Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champs

MVP: Russell Wilson

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  djweiser13

New Beer Blog Surly Brewing Furious Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from Surly Brewery.  It is their flagship beer, which is called Furious Beer.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Over Rated!  IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery that made it back to the Chicago Market in 2013.  If you have not, please, read the post to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It is cloudy light amber color with a white head that disappears over time.  The smell is a heavy grapefruit notes.  There is a slight carbonation grapefruit notes in the tasting experience.  The aftertaste is a grapefruit notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

A tempest on the tongue or a moment of pure hop bliss?  Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee for those who favor, flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.

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

Furious

A tempest on the tongue, or a moment of pure hop bliss? Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee. For those who favor flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.

STYLE: American India Pale Ale
MALT: Pale Ale, Golden Promise, Aromatic, Medium Crystal, Roasted Barley
HOPS: Warrior, Ahtanum, Simcoe, Amarillo
YEAST: English Ale
OG: 15º Plato
ABV: 6.2% v/v
COLOR: 27 ºSRM
IBU: 99
AVAILABILITY: Cans and Kegs Year Round

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.surlybrewing.com

Twitter:  @surlybrewing

In closing, this is a pretty good IPA.  I was excited to try them when I was at Savor a few years ago.  I did live blog on a few of their beers when I was there.  I hope this brewery makes it to Michigan.  I understand these beers are made in small batches and these breweries can buy what they can as far as supplies.  I just feel they are a little over priced that is the only problem I have with their beers.  I would rather be drinking Stone IPA.  However, this is a great IPA and this brewery makes some awesome beers, I would pick it up now and then.  I do not live in a market where I can get them.  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 Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample my favorite beer from Old Dominion Brewing.  It is their Oak Barrel Stout.  This is the beer that open my eyes on this brewery.  I received a bottle from one of my beer of the months.  If you read my beer blog post yesterday on  their Coffee stout, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read beer blog post on their Morning Glory Espresso to get to know this east coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan creamy color head on this stout.  The smell is chocolate with coffee notes.  The taste is chocolate, little vanilla and coffee notes with a dry chocolate aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Dominion Oak Barrel Stout raises the bar for American stouts.  Our method of dry-hopped with vanilla beans and oak chips broadens our stout’s flavor spectrum even further.

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

Oak Barrel Stout

Oak Barrel Stout raises the bar for American Sweet Stouts.  Our method of infusing vanilla beans and oak chips during conditioning results in a smooth, roasty stout that is unparalleled.

  • 6.1% alc/vol
  • “Best Beer in Delaware” – Delaware News Journal, March 2011
  • Willamette & Cascade Hops.
  • Pairs well with oysters, clams, brie cheese & chocolate
  • Serve in a pint glass at 50-55ºF

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.olddominion.com

Twitter:  @DominionBrewing

Ending,  what can I say to a stout fan to have them try this beer?  Why this stout?  This stout gives the craft beer and stout drinkers something a little different from the normal boring old craft stout.  There is nothing wrong with the boring old craft stout.  They have an answer for the mainstream and mass-produced beer or lager.  This stout kicks out some vanilla notes making it smooth and easy to drink.  There are also some notes of oak with some creamy chocolate notes.  This is why the craft beer and stout drinker needs to try to beer.  I believe we could get some lager drinkers to maybe enjoy this stout. Let me know what you think and go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Old Dominion Brewing Morning Glory Espresso Stout

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In this 500th blog, we are going to sample out a brewpub that I had a chance to visit a few years go when I was in Washington D.C.  I am talking about Old Dominion Brewing.  The beer that we will review is their Morning Glory Espresso Stout.  Old Dominion Brewing was founded in 1989 by Jerry Bailey in Virginia.  In 2000’s, Jerry sold his brewery to Coastal Brewing Company and they later moved the brewery to Dover, Delaware.  They brew several different beers.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy tan color head.  The smell is a slight coffee notes.  The taste has coffee with hint of chocolate notes.  The aftertaste has a dry coffee bean aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping brew.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Loose Lips sink ships. And coquettish glory will never tell. A midnight stout brewed with coffee beans. Morning Glory wakes up at 9% AlC. by Vol. with the aroma of espresso.

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

Morning Glory Espresso Stout

Morning Glory is a full-bodied espresso stout that utilizes locally roasted coffee beans. Waking up at 9% ABV with the aroma of espresso and the taste of chocolate, she will give drinkers a jolt. She will be available in six-packs and on draft.

  • 9.0% alc/vol
  • 35 IBUS
  • Chocolate, Crystal, Pale, Smoked, Wheat, and Roasted Malts
  • Bravo and Glacier Hops
  • Available in 12oz bottles and on draft

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.olddominion.com

Twitter:  @DominionBrewing

Closing, I was excited moving back to Michigan to be close to family, however, I knew I could get some brews here that I could not get in the Chicago market.  This brewery is one of them.  I have had their Oak Barrel Stout a few times and I will have a review on that beer soon.  I enjoyed it and I put it on my towards the top of my stout list.  I was beer shopping and I came across this stout from Dominion Brewing.  The color, aroma, and tasting experience is out of this world.  This is a perfect beer after dinner or before.  There is nothing wrong having a sipping beer with a nice cigar.  I highly recommend this brew.  If you are looking for this brew or other beers from this brewery, please, visit their website and click on beer finder to pick up a six-pack or twelve pack today.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Wolverine Brewery Dark Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another Lager from Wolverine Brewery.  It is their Dark Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on this brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It had a clear dark brown color with a nice snow-white color head.  The smell is burn to roasted malt.  The taste has chocolate to slight coffee malty notes with a crisp chocolate like finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable dark lager.

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

Wolverine Dark Lager 5% abv /19 IBU – Always on Tap

Are you afraid of the dark? Don’t be. This is Michigan’s smoothest dark beer, a dark beer even people who don’t think they like dark beer will love. Wolverine Dark will win you over with a mild maltiness balanced by a crisp feel on your tongue and a smooth finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

Ending, this craft brewery out of Ann Arbor, Michigan is quickly becoming my favorite craft Lager brewery.  I am a fan of their IPL (India Pale Lager).  I have always loved imported dark or black lagers.  I was interested in getting my hands on this brew from Wolverine Brewery.  I love the color and tone of this brew.  I love the aroma it kicks out from the beer.  This brew is pretty drinkable for being a dark beer.  Most general or all beer drinkers think a dark beer means it is a heavy beer.  This is urban legend in the beer world.  It takes time to pass this on to the beer drinkers of the world.  The point I am trying to get across is just because it is a dark lager that does not mean it will drink heavy or light. Most dark beer could drink easier than a golden color beer. It is smooth and drinkable.  I highly 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 Motor City Brewing Works India Pale Ale

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample another Michigan craft brewery that is on my list.  All Michigan craft breweries are on my list.  This one is straight out of Cass Corridor.  I am talking about Motor City Brewing Works.  This Detroit, Michigan craft brewery was founded in 1994.  It is not far from the ballpark, football field, and Wayne State University.  They brew package all their beers unfiltered and they make mostly ales.  There are a few lagers.  They also make sodas, ciders, and wines.   Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

It has a hazel dark golden to light copper color with a nice constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma is a slight mango to orange notes.  The taste has a nice medium body for India Pale Ale.  It has a light carbonated with notes citrus notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our classic example of an India Style Micro-Brewed Pale Ale, brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simoce hops.  Then dry-hopped with fresh leaf hops.  85 IBU.

The thin layre of sediment at the bottom of each bottle is the mark of our all natural brewing process.  Unfiltered, Unpasteurized… Naturally!

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

Motor City India Pale Ale is a classic example of an India style micro brewed Pale Ale. Brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simcoe hops.

ABV: 6.9%

OG: 1.068

IBU: 85

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.motorcitybeer.com

Twitter:  no address

In closing, I have been eyeing this brewery when I was living in Chicago.  When I moved back to Michigan, I have been trying to cross several breweries off my list.  I have not try all their beers from Motor City Brewing Works.  I am going to make it down to the brewpub to check out the rest of their brews.  I figured I would start with their version of one of my favorite beer styles, which is India Pale Ale.  It does have a nice malty backbone, however, I am not a fan of the hops they picked in this brew.  It just rubs me the wrong way.  I can see people liking this and just because I am really not a fan of this beer.  It does not mean you will not like this brew.  I will pass on this brew. I rather drink PBR or Bud. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser