entertainment

New Beer Blog Abita Brewery Bourbon Street Imperial Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Abita Brewery.  It is a special and limited release from Abita Brewery and it is their Bourbon Street Imperial Stout.  This liquid is aged in Bourbon Barrels.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Abita Brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan constant head. The aroma has a sweet chocolate to bourbon notes. The taste has a sweet chocolate to nice earthy bourbon notes with a nice burn alcohol finish. It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Four centuries New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street has inspired good times and fine libations like our Abita Bourbon Street Imperial Stout.  This hand-crafted artisanal brew is aged for months in wooden barrels used to make small batch bourbon whiskey.  During barrel aging, the brew absorbs the flavors of the barrels which intensifies the taste and aroma of roasted malt, warm vanilla and smooth bourbon.

This Imperial Stout is a dark-colored ale brewed with pale, caramel, chocolate and roasted malts.  Oats are added for a full, sweet taste.  After fermentation the ale is cold aged for six weeks to ensure a smooth flavor before bourbon barrel aging begins.

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

Imperial Stout

Bourbon Street Stout is an Imperial Stout that is aged in small batch bourbon barrels. Our Imperial Stout is brewed with a combination of pale, caramel, chocolate and roasted malts. Oats are also added to give the beer a fuller and sweeter taste. The roasted malts give the beer its dark color as well as its intense flavor and aroma. After fermentation the beer is cold aged for 6 weeks. This is necessary for all of the flavors of the malt and hops to balance and produce a very smooth flavor.

After the cold aging the beer is transferred into the bourbon barrels. It is then aged for another 8 weeks to absorb all of the flavors from the barrels. The result is a stout that brings out the roasted flavors from the malt and the warming toasted, vanilla, and bourbon flavors.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.abita.com

Twitter:  @theabitabeer

In the end, I did not know they made this beer and I am not stun one bit.  I was pretty happy to see it made it to my market.  I love my porter and stouts.  You put it in a barrel or bourdon barrel and now you are talking.  The first brewery to take this on was Goose Island Brewery.  I am happy to see other craft breweries doing this process.  To me, this will show which beers are good or bad or which beers that the craft beer drinkers like it.  This beer has a nice balance from the imperial stout and bourbon notes.  It is not in your face like the Goose Island Bourdon Country Stout.  It is still a sipping stout but it is a little bit more drinkable than Bourdon Country.  I love the story behind the name.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Belgium LA Folie Sour Ale (2015)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a limited release brew, which is La Folie Sour, from New Belgium Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know New Belgium Brewery.  Let us get into this sour ale.

It has a nice dark ruby-red to a nice brown color with a slight cloudy look. There is no head but the head that was there has a tan like color. The aroma has a sweet malty to slight caramel with some sour notes. The taste has a heavy sour to sweet malty notes. The aftertaste has a heavy sour finish. It is a sipping beer.

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

La Folie, French for ‘the folly’, is a beer steeped in New Belgium brewing tradition. This wood-aged, sour brown spends one to three years in big, oak barrels, known as foeders. And when the beer finally hits the glass, La Folie is sharp and sour, full of green apple, cherry, and plum-skin notes. Pouring a deep mahogany, the mouthfeel will get you puckering while the smooth finish will get you smiling. Not a beer for the timid, La Folie is a sour delight that will turn your tongue on its head.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, I love my sour ales.  I have to say that this is the best American version of Belgian sour ale.  Upland Brewery has a great sour program but they just do very little batches.  It makes their beers a little special and super rare.  This is a great sour from New Belgium.  There is a nice balance.  It is pretty sour and bitter but not over the top.  This is one of the best sours that I have ever had in a long time. It is up there with the Rodenbach and other great Belgium sours.  I am talking as a American version. I highly recommend this beer.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill  DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Victory Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another limited release and high-end brew, which is Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale, from Victory Brewery  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the Imperial IPA.

It has a slightly cloudy golden color with a white constant head. There is no aroma. The taste has a heavy dry hop bitter with a sweet citrus notes. The aftertaste has a light tropical notes finish. It is pretty drinkable for imperial IPA. It is really a sipping beer.

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

Hop Ranch

Imperial India Pale Ale

To our hop ranchers, who coax and cultivate our enticing and flavorful hops, we raise this glass. Selecting the finest varieties in their natural, whole flower form, we craft our Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale, as a celebration of their successes. Pungent, floral and intense, this represents America’s best in every relaxing sip.

Composition

Malt: Pilsner

Hops: Mosaic and Azacca

ABV: 9.0%

Flavor

This powerful brew features full, juicy hop character, while expressing notes of mango, pineapple and the pleasantly sharp, biting edges of tart citrus fruit.

Food Pairings

Hot wings, curry and bold cheeses

Availability

Winter seasonal available in 12oz. bottles and on draft.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.victorybeer.com

Twitter:  @victorybeer

Closing, this beer was kind of hard to find.  I am pretty happy to find this brew.  I will say that this beer was not disappointing at all.  It lived up for the beer hunt.  I love this beer.  They did a great job.  There is a nice balance but it has a nice punch to help aid towards food pairing.  It would go perfectly with hot wings for example but the hops and bitterness will bring out the heat out more.  This is a great beer to enjoy by itself.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some because it is a winter seasonal.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Rogue Brutal India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into our first review of a Rogue Brewery beer.  It is their Brutal India Pale Ale.  It is the official beer for Rogue Nation.  Rogue Ales was founded in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon.  They have three brewpubs in three different states.  They are known for their Dead Guy Ale, which is a maibock.  They are known to push the limits of beer.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with semi on white head. The smell has a heavy citrus notes. The taste of this medium body has a nice citrus notes with a dry hoppy bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style: India Pale Ale

FOOD PAIRING: Seafood, Beef

Tasting Notes: A non-traditional India Pale Ale with big citrusy, hop flavor and intense hop aroma. Medium-bodied with a vibrant lingering hop-bitterness that is anything but brutal. Enjoy!
8 Ingredients: 2-Row, Carawheat, C15 & Rogue Farms Dare™ & Risk™ Malts; Rogue Farms Alluvial™ Hops; Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast.

“Fermentation may have been a greater discovery than fire.” – David Wallace

Awards:

2012 World Beer Awards, World’s Best IPA
2011 World Beer Awards, World’s Best Bitter Pale Ale
2010 World Beer Championships, Gold
2010 Australian International Beer Awards, Gold
2007 World Beer Championships, Best of the Year

History:

Rogues take risks. Rogues are willing to shun titles and personal financial success in the pursuit of the greater good. Rogues pursue the long shot. Rogues have respect for diversity. Rogues are never satisfied to rest on past laurels. Rogues work hard. Rogues ignore the accepted patterns and blaze their own trails. Rogue shave raw talent and focus on that talent. Rogues are honest with themselves and others. Rogues are rebels. Rogues have one foot in reality to let them get the job done, but they are, nonetheless, led by their dreams. Not a member? Join the nation! Rogue.com

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rogue.com

Twitter:  @rogueales

In the end, I did not know how I felt about his beer.  It has pretty cool packaging and it is just their normal IPA to me.  It is a great beer.  I guess I would understand this beer a little bit more if I visit Rogue Nation.  A few years ago, I was in their backyard and I did not get a chance to stop by their brewery.  I hope one day to visit them.  I love it.  There is a nice balance from the aroma to the aftertaste.  There is a nice pretty color.  I believe if you are a hophead, you should at least try this beer.  Go get some!   Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Magic Hat Single Chair Golden Ale (2015)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new spring seasonal from Magic Hat Brewery.  It is called Single Chair Golden Ale.  Magic Hat is switching it up and pushing the craft beer drinkers.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know about this east coast craft brewery.   If you have not, please, read them to get to know about this craft brewery.  Let us get into this golden ale.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this ale. The aroma has a sweet malty and slight floral notes. The taste of this light body ale has a refreshing light sweet malty with a dry crisp aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

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

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

Single Chair

Celebrating the Independent Spirit of Mad River

Single Chair Ale takes its name from a truly unique piece of American history: the Single Chair lift at Mad River, one of only two in the country. We share a similar vision with this mountain: To be part of a community, and to be as dedicated to the enjoyment of brewing as Mad River is to the sport of skiing. As winter’s cover melts to reveal spring’s hidden life, take a ride to the top on the Single Chair and celebrate your independent spirit.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, I am not a huge golden ale fan but this is a great product. I can see huge part of the craft beer world enjoying this brew.  It is not for me.  They put some thought in this brew.  They kept it simple and to the point.  It is extremely drinkable beer.  This is a perfect beer to going skiing with or just start spring cleaning in and outside the house.  I believe this could have been a good summer seasonal. There is some nice flavors but keeping it true to the classic beer style.  I love the story behind the name of the beer.  The last ski resort that has a single chair on the mountain side in their state.  I highly highly recommend this beer.  I believe this beer will have people retry Magic Hat’s beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA

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In this beer blog, we are  going to get into a new brew from Samuel Adams.  It is part of their Rebel IPA series.  It is their Rebel Rider Session IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers from Boston Beer Company, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, read them to get to know this craft beer legend.  Let us get into this session IPA.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this session IPA. The aroma has a slight floral notes. The taste has a  citrus to slight grapefruit notes that makes this a light and refreshing brew. The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish. It is drinkable of course.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.samueladams.com):

Bursting with bright citrus, grapefruit, and classic piney west coast hop character. This beer has a soft lingering bitterness and a lighter body overall our session IPA is brewed for easygoing days, so relax and enjoy!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

In the end, I do not know why they are doing line extension on this beer.  Their normal Rebel IPA is not really good.  They have a really good IPA in their Latitude 42 IPA.  I do not know why I picked up a bottle of their Double Rebel and Rider IPA.  This is the new trend in beer world to make session IPA’s.  Founders All Day IPA was the first to start this new beer style.  It is not really a new beer style because they are really pale ales.  This is a marketing thing.  I believe this is about the worse session IPA that I ever had.  It is not very good. I just feel this beer is missing the punch like other session IPA.  I just feel the other session IPA’s have that punch of the hops.  I was not really impressed with this brew.  I guess television ad budget helps push the most average brews in the world just like Miller Lite, Coors Light, etc.  This is what Samuel Adams has become. Don’t go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Stone Smoked Porter With Vanilla Bean

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In this seasonal beer blog, we are going to get into Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean from Stone Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Stone Brewery.  Let us get into this vanilla bean porter.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head. The aroma has a heavy vanilla notes. The taste has a smooth chocolate with a slight smoke notes. There is a heavy vanilla notes with a nice vanilla aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

In 2006, almost exactly 10 years after we first released Stone Smoked Porter, Stone Small Batch Brewer Laura Ulrich came up with a brilliant idea: What if she added whole Madagascar vanilla beans to a small batch of the finished beer?  She did just that, and Stone Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla Bean was born.  It was an instant hit, as the resulting flavor combinations – rich vanilla melding with the malty, chocolaty, coffee like characteristics of the beer – were practically made for each other.  Originally available only as an occasional growler fill or on tap all too briefly in the restaurant, this exquisite creation was bottled for the first time in 2012.  To the many fans who have been clamoring for more, worry not:  Your voices have been heard.

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

Warm up your palate with this delicious vanilla-laced creation. Whole Madagascar vanilla beans impart a vanilla quality that melds perfectly with the malty, chocolaty, coffee-like characteristics of our venerable Stone Smoked Porter. Enjoy this exquisite brew on its own or paired with a variety of food.

Here is their website  and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter:  @StoneBrewingCo

In the end, I saw this year and I wanted to try it.  I wanted to long and it sold out.  There was a case where I saw it go out of code in some of my craft beer stores.  When the season came back around, I had to check code dates.  I love the aroma of the vanilla bean in this porter.  I thought that the smoked porter would over take the vanilla or make it weak.  The vanilla shines throughout this brew.  I love the aftertaste.  They did a great job on this brew.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Sports Thought Thursday Blog Super Bowl XLIX

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, we are going to get into this year’s Super Bowl that is being played at Arizona.  Today is the Pro Bowl.  Who cares!!!  This year’s playoff games has had one theme throughout.  Refs have screwed many teams in the league.  I am talking about flag that was picked up in the Lions vs Cowboys game.  The process of the caught in the Cowboys vs Packers.  Finally, deflate footballs in the Colts vs Patriots.  I will get into that in a sports thought Thursday blog after the Super Bowl.  Let us break this down.

If you read my blog before the playoff games, you know that I picked Seattle vs Denver in a rematch.  This is why you never change anything because I did have New England vs Seattle in the Super Bowl.  I had that just before I posted it.  Oh well!  I believe the whole Deflategate will put some pressure on the Pats.  I do not care if they have the best coach to get them focus on the game.  This does pulls a lot of pressure off the Seahawks.  Everyone is talking about New England and Deflategate.  The ruling from the league will not be until after the Super Bowl, which I believe is some bull shit.  Let us get into what is at stake for each team.

New England Patriots

Winning this game is very important for both teams.  New England can shut everyone up on Deflategate and spygate.  Plus, this might be last go around with Brady and Bill.  I believe the punishment is going to be harsh on New England.  I am not going to get into that until after the Super Bowl.  This game could make Brady 3 – 3 or 4 – 2 at the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks

This is pretty simple.  The best defense of all time is Legion of Boom, if they win this Super Bowl.  They took care of Manning in last year’s Super Bowl.  They have a chance to take care of another quarterback that was one of the best of his era.  This could be their last runs to the Super Bowl.  I am not saying last but COULD be their last run to the Super Bowl.  There are rumors of Lynch being released or retiring.  Plus, they have to pay Russell Wilson.  They were able to pay everyone else on team because they had a cheap contract with Wilson.  Now, Seahawks will be like all the teams in NFL.

In closing, I can see a close game on the biggest stage and biggest American holiday.  I can not see this game being a blow out game.  This will come down to the running game because I believe the defense will keep the passing games in check.  I also seeing this game coming down to the kickers and punters.  Special teams will have a huge impact on both sides of the field on this game.  In the end, the Seahawks will win this game and become the first team to go back to back Super Bowl Champs since New England.  This will push us into a pretty excited offseason with Deflategate and future of Bill, Tom, and Payton.  I am looking forward to the offseason and I cannot wait to sit down next Sunday to watch this game.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Stone Brewery Japanese Green Tea IPA

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample Japanese Green Tea IPA from Stone Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Stone Brewery.  Let us get into this Green Tea IPA.

It has a dark golden to a copper color with a white constant head on this limited release beer. The aroma has a citrus to slight green tea notes. The taste has a nice well-balanced citrus notes with a green tea aftertaste that is pretty heavy. The green tea cuts through the hop bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter:  @StoneBrewingCo

Ending, Stone Brewing is always looking to push the limits of craft beer world.  This brew makes me a little nervous.  I love green tea as long as it is cold green tea.  I did not know how the hops from the IPA will go over with the green tea.  I love the IPA part of this beer.  It is a really good one.  The beer drinker will not get the green tea notes until the aftertaste.  It is not overly powerful and not in your face.  It is there and balances the beer.  This is a great product.   I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample the new brew, which is Nooner Pilsner, from Sierra Nevada Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Let us get into new brew.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head on this pilsner. The smell has a sweet malty notes. The taste has a sweet malty to slight hop notes. The aftertaste has a crisp dry finish. It is extremely drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

German-style pilsners are the original session beers.  Nooner is our version of the classic style, loaded with floral and spicy hop flavor and balanced by a crisp and dry finish.

Nooner Pilsner packs big flavor into an easy-drinking beer that’s fit for friends and afternoon adventure.  Nooner is our take on the classic German pilsner, filled with bright and zesty whole-cone hop flavor with a crisp, dry finish – the perfect pick for wherever the day may take you.

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

Nooner® Pilsner

A crisp, hoppy take on the original session beer.

Gather your friends, pack the gear, and head out to wherever the day may take you. A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

In the end, Sierra Nevada did it again.  They took a classic style and kept it a classic beer style.  They made the classic pilsner better.  It is a fresher and easy going looking brand.  You knew that Sierra Nevada would be working on some new brews here soon.  Here they are.  This one along with Hop Hunter IPA and new spring seasonal, which is Beer Camp Hoppy Lager.  The brew itself is true to the classic beer style.  To me, it is pretty average beer but I like it.  This is going to be my brew to do lawn work around the house in the spring and summer.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13