fall season

New Beer Blog Buckledown Brewery Oktoberfest

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Buckledown Brewery.  It is their Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Chicago base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this upcoming craft brewery.  Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a slightly cloudy dark golden color to a light amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet malty to caramel notes. The taste has a light to sweet malty notes with a sweet caramel aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @buckledownbeer

In the end, I am always looking forward to try new beers or beers that I never had.  This beer was no different.  I was in Chicago for the weekend and I stopped in one of my old liquor stores.  I came across this can, which was Buckledown Oktoberfest.  I like it. I am not a huge Oktoberfest fan but I will try new ones here and there.  I will have to make a trip to Chicago next fall to get this beer.   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 Flying Dog The Gourd Standard Pumpkin IPA

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Flying Dog Brewery.  It is their new fall seasonal, which is The Gourd Standard Pumpkin IPA. 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 Flying Dog Brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin IPA.

It has a amber like color with a white constant head. The smell has a cinnamon to nutmeg notes. The taste has a heavy cinnamon notes without any hop bitterest. The aftertaste has a cinnamon and nutmeg finish. It is pretty drinkable.

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

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 6.7%
AVAILABILITY: Fall seasonal
HOP BITTERNESS: 60 IBU
SPECIALTY MALTS: Rye, Biscuit, Cara Brown, Oats
HOPS: Hallertau Hersbrucker

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogbrewery.com

Twitter:@flyingdog

Closing, I am getting really burn out on pumpkin beers.  It is not as excited as it was before.  I really did not like beer at all and normally I like just about everything that this brewery puts out on the market.  I was very disappointed.  It might have been something that I ate or drink before.  I will not know until next season.  I recommend you to try this beer once.  Please, let me know that you think.  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 Goose Island Rambler IPA (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Goose Island Brewery.  It is next seasonal release, which is Rambler IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Midwest Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Goose Island Brewery.  Let us get into this Red IPA.

It has a clear red to amber color with a tan color head. The aroma has an herbal to citrus notes with a slight hint of earthy tones. The taste has earthy to caramel and citrus notes with dry malty hoppy aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Red Ale

A bold ale with a mix of herbal, woody, and citrus aromas from Mt. Hood and Amarillos hops.

6.7% ALC. 65 IBU

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

Rambler IPA

Brewer’s Notes

Aroma and Taste:

Herbal, woody, and citrus aroma. Spicy, resinous hop flavors with enough sweetness to balance the Mt. Hood hops.

Mouthfeel:

Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Spicy hop flavor lingers on the palate with a malty, dry finish.

Recipe Information

  • Style: IPA
  • Alcohol by Volume: 6.7%
  • International Bitterness Units: 65
  • Color: Auburn
  • Hops: Amarillo, Mt. Hood
  • Malts: Special Pale, C-120, Cara Red

Availability

Seasonal (September – December)
Bottles: 6 & 12pks

Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, I love this brew.  This brew is the best of all the seaonals by far.  I love their Endless IPA but this Red IPA takes it home.  I was pretty impressed with their Ten Hills Pale Ale but after going through the year, it is the weakest of the seasonals.  They did a great job on their Oktoberfest this year.  I can’t wait to retry their Ten Hills Pale Ale. I might need to remind myself of this brew. I know their Christmas Ale will be out.  It is American Brown Ale. This is a nice Red IPA for the fall season.  It is not over hopped but just enough to make you get through the cooler fall days or part of the winter months.  There is some nice malty notes and Amerillo hops just shine throughout this brew.  This is a great brew.  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 Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog,  we are going to get into the second beer from Sierra Nevada Brewery’s Fall Pack.  It is former fall seasonal and it is their Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a clear dark brown color with a white constant head.  The smell has a malty to nutty notes.  The taste has a slight sweet malty to nutty notes with a peanut butter finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description  from the beer bottle:

Tumbler is our take on the classic brown ale – full of roasted malt flavor but delicate on the palate and perfect for crisp fall days.  Layered with notes of chocolate and toasted bread and a hint of smoke.  Tumbler is the ultimate autumn beer.

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

TumblerRoasted, rich, and perfect for an autumn afternoon.

Tumbler is our take on the classic brown ale – full of roasted malt flavor but delicate on the palate and perfect for crisp fall days. Layered with notes of chocolate and toasted bread and a hint of smoke, Tumbler is the ultimate autumn beer, so grab a seat and watch as the leaves come tumbling down.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Closing, I love this beer and I wish I could get it in a 12pk again.  I love Flipside but it is not like Tumbler Brown.  It is a nice relaxing beer to have in a nice fall day.  It is not overly dry malt to nutty notes.  It has a nice balance that you can enjoy it during the Saturday or Sunday football games.  This brown ale can fit perfectly with any tailgating food.  They kept this true to the classic beer style.  There is nothing more to say but it is a great beer.  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 Oktoberfest (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into Oktoberfest that I did not know that Sierra Nevada Brewery made.  This beer came out of their new Fall Sampler Pack twelve pack bottles.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Let us get into this Oktoberfest.

It has a reddish-brown color with slightly off-color white head.  The aroma has a sweet malty, toffee to nutty notes.  The taste has a sweet malty to nutty notes with a slight burned caramel notes for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable fall beer.

Here is a desecration from the beer bottle:

Everyone loves a great party, and there are few quite as famous as Germany’s Oktoberfest.  Inspired by that rollicking celebration, we bring you our version of this classic festival beer.  Oktoberfest is medium bodied and rich with malt flavor, but maintains a crisp finish marked by floral hops.

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

Oktoberfest

Our take on the classic, malty festival beer.

Germany’s Oktoberfest celebrated a royal marriage and the health of the fall harvest—which in Bavaria, means brewers, barley and hops! Today, Oktoberfest is considered one of the world’s greatest parties, and in honor of that rollicking bash we bring you our version of the classic festival beer. Oktoberfest is medium-bodied and rich with bready and toffee-like malt flavor but maintains a crisp finish marked by floral and spicy hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Closing, I love this brewery and I hope one day to make a trip to see this craft brewery.  They make some awesome beers and I am always looking for any and all new beers to hit the market.  I never had one bad beer from this west coast craft brewery.  I was happy to see them put out a sampler packs.  They released their 4-way IPA, Beer Camp, and now this one, which is Fall Pack.  This Oktoberfest keeps the awesome season roll going for the fall beers.   I have to say this is my favorite Oktoberfest.  It is not like Goose Island and Great Lakes Oktoberfest where it has a sweet caramel notes.  This one has a sweet malty notes to nutty but I love the aftertaste, which is like a burned caramel notes.  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 Griffin Claw Screamin’ Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this fall seasonal beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Griffin Claw Brewery.  I do not know why I keep coming back to this brewery.  I know why for this beer because this is an old Michigan Brewery Company recipe.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this young craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin ale.

It has a light amber to dark color with a semi white head.  The aroma has a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  The taste has really no notes but slight sweet malt. The aftertaste is a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is so not drinkable beer.

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

Our Screamin’ Pumkin Ale is like a slice of warm pie. Cinnamon, clove, sweet pumpkin, a little molasses. A couple sips in you’ll mistake the malty aftertaste for a crispy crust. The perfect beer to celebrate Halloween. Or Thanksgiving. Or Christmas, if there’s any left. From the time we brew it in July get it while it’s good.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @Griffinclaw

Closing, I was a pretty big fan of the Michigan Brewery Company Screaming Pumpkin Ale.  I use to make trips back from Chicago to bring some back.  Later years I stop because of being busy and then they went out of business.  I was pretty excited to hear that a craft brewery brought the rights to the recipe.  I do not know what they did with this recipe but it is not the same beer as I remember it.  It has been a long time since I had it.  Maybe my taste has changed over the years.  I might have to retry it but I am hoping I do not get a bad batch.  Who knows, maybe this first one was a bad batch.  It was not really good. 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 Alaskan Pumpkin Porter (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample a brewery new to Michigan.  It is Alaskan Pumpkin Porter.   If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin porter.

It has a jet black color with a nice tan head on this porter.  The aroma has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  The taste has a light chocolate to cinnamon and nutmeg with a smokey malty aftertaste.  It is drinkable beer for a porter.

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

Style:

A native plant of North America, pumpkins were first used in beer in colonial America as a substitute for hard-to-find malt, and none other than the father of our country George Washington had a highly touted recipe. This imperial porter pumpkin beer combines the robust, full-bodied style of a porter with a, frankly, crazy amount of pumpkin.

Taste Style:

With over 11 pounds of pumpkin added to every barrel of this imperial porter, this beer has a smooth, velvety rich texture. Brown sugar, holiday spices and a scoche of Alaskan’s famous alder-smoked malt are added to create an aroma and flavor reminiscent of grandma’s Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

History:

This is the first bottling of our Alaskan Pumpkin Porter, after a highly sought-after holiday Rough Draft release in Alaska. This Alaskan Brewing take on a colonial American tradition is perfect for autumn and Thanksgiving, as here in Alaska we see the nights get longer and colder and can find comfort in the richness of this brew.

Ingredients:

Alaskan Pumpkin Porter is made from our glacier-fed water and a blend of Magnum and Goldings hops, 6 different malts including Alaskan alder-smoked malt, brown sugar, and a spice blend including cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Plus, of course, Red Hubbard variety pumpkin.

Story Behind The Label:

Alaska is home to some of the world’s largest cultivated vegetables, squashes, gourds and pumpkins. The long daylight hours in the summer promote fast growth, and also prompt fierce competition amongst the farmers of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, who converge on the Alaska State Fair with their gigantic prize produce in the quest to be crowned State Fair champion. It is a common sight at the fairgrounds in Palmer to see a pickup truck barely able to contain the huge pumpkins they haul to the competition, which can weigh in at more than 1,200 pounds.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbeer

Closing, Yay!  This is my first Pumpkin Porter of the season.  I am glad it is coming from one of my favorite breweries out west.  There is a nice balance between from the porter and pumpkin.  To me, I found this beer taste like a chocolate cover pumpkin with some cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  It is a sipping beer but perfect for the fall and winter seasonal.  I can see many beer drinkers drink this beer after fall is over.  This is a great and well designed 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 Wilhelm Scream Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new fall seasonal from Magic Hat Brewery.  The new fall seasonal is a Wilhelm Scream Pumpkin Ale.  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 this East Coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a clear dark copper to almost a light amber color with a constant white head.  The aroma is really faded.  I kind of picked up some notes of nutmeg and cinnamon.  The taste has a sweet malty notes with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.  There is some hints of creamy caramel that blends into the aftertaste. The aftertaste has a nutmeg finish.  It is extremely 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 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):

The distant drums of change are thumping, signaling the coming of chilling frosts, falling leaves and ghoulish screams. In a patch ripe with orange glow, Wilhelm Scream awakens and unleashes his season-stirring call for fall. His revelers listen for his echo across the ripened dancing days and prepare their seasonal celebration of harvest and ale.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

In the end, I am so happy to start seeing fall seasonals hitting the market.  I love this time of the year and winter for the beer that comes out.  I hate the two seasons for many reasons.  Of course, my guys that have the weird going on in their brewery are up to giving the craft beer drinker some unique.  This is a new seasonal from Magic Hat.  There are so many pumpkin ales on the market.  Why should anyone try this beer?  This is why.  One, it is a new beer and seasonal in the market.  This might be the beer that might be better than your favorite pumpkin beer.  Two, you know Magic Hat makes good beer and they like to put a twist on their beers in a good way.  What I like about this beer, it is well balance beer from the pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  Other pumpkin beers on the market have too much nutmeg or cinnamon.  This is a great beer and I will have a few more pints before winter comes.  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 Big Horn Ram Oktoberfest

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another fall seasonal.  This fall beer is coming from Big Horn Ram Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog post on this brewery’s beer, you know a little history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

The beer has a nice clear copper color without a head. The smell is a sweet malty to caramel to the beer. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty with a malty aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theRAM

In closing, I enjoy this brewery for the value you get out of their food and beer.  This is a huge comment for this brewery and it is the fact this was one of the best Oktoberfest that I had this season.  It is extremely drinkable and great taste to this craft beer.  I love the malty taste throughout the drinking experience.  If you live by a Ram Brewery, you need to check them out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Uinta Brewing.  The beer that will be featured is called Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale.  This is beer is part of their Crooked Line, which there will be three more beer post in the future on their Detour IPA, Bareley Wine Ale, and Imperial Pilsner.  If you read my earlier blog on their spring ale, you are up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please read Uinta Hyve Ale beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall seasonal has a deep amber without a head on the beer. The smell is a little vanilla and pumpkin with other spices. The taste is a pumpkin and nutmeg with a cinnamon aftertaste.  It is not really drinkable.

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

Notes

Aged in oak

ArtLabel art by local Utah artist Trent Call

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Cranked up and primed to celebrate, Jacked reveals in the season.  Pop the cork for bursts of pumpkin and spices.  Aged in oak barrels, Jacked is wound and ready to play.  Pairs well with flavors of the season.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

In closing, I have to say as we start to wrap this year’s fall seasonals and get ready for the winter seasonals.  There are some last-minute fall  beers I wanted to post on and this is one of them.  I had this beer last year and loved it.  I was pretty excited to see it on the shelf in the Chicago market.  This brewery did something different then the same boring pumpkin beers out in the market.  They put their pumpkin ale in barrels.  This has been a rough fall season for the seasonals and I have been very disappointed.  I have to say this is the same gem that I discover last year and I am glad I picked up this bottle this year.  I am happy to say the breweries that I had huge wins on their fall seasonals are Milwaukee Brewing, Flying Dog, Ram, and Uinta.  Uinta Oak Jacked is only available in a limited time and it is in 750ml bottles.  I would run to your near by liquor store and pick up a bottle of this great pumpkin beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser