fall seasonals

New Belgium Pumpkick Fall Seasonal

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new Fall Seasonal from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Pumpkick Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Imperial IPA, you will know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this Colorado brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light copper color with a constant white head on this fall seasonal beer.  The smell is heavy pumpkin with slight cranberry notes.  The taste of this light to medium body is a cranberry and pumpkin notes with a pumpkin aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. Pumpkick is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing.

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

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. PUMPKICK is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing.

Birthdate: July, 2013

ABV: 6.0%
Hops: Target
Malts: Pale, Munich, Caramel
Fruits/Spice: Pumpkin juice, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cranberries, Lemongrass

Here is a video on their website (www.newbelgium.com) about food pairing:

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website;  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, I am not a really huge fan of this brewery, however, the last few new brews that they have release.  They are winning me over pretty quick.  I love their Rampant Imperial IPA and Shift Pale Lager.  This beer that is being feature is really good gives me hope more for this brewery and all fall seasonals.  This pumpkin beer is pretty well balance with the complex favors in it.  There is a ton going on in this brew.  It is not over the top from the pumpkin and cranberry.  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 Milwaukee Brewing Sasquash Ale

image

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at Sasquash Porter Ale from Milwaukee Brewing.    If you read my earlier blog on their Pull Chain, you are pretty much up to speed on this underrated craft brewery from Milwaukee.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into this beer.

This porter has a nice jet black color with a semi white head on it.  The smell is a heavy sweet potato. The taste is a little toffee and chocolate with some yam to pumpkin.  The aftertaste is dry. There is no other way to explain it. It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

This recipe was created by our Brewer Kurt. Along with 400 pounds of pumpkin and 300 sweet potato he used a variety of specialty malts to keep your taste buds on an adventurous ride with each sip. You’ll find the roasty flavors are well-balanced with pumpkin which gives it a very smooth character. Kurt also added pumpkin spice to this Porter to give it that amazing aroma and finish.

Although Wisconsin is not known for Sasquatch sightings like the North West, we do have one very famous incident.

In October 1968 a group of six hunters were out near Deltox Marsh in Waupaca County, although they saw the creature from different view points, they all agreed, it was tall, muscular and covered in short dark brown hair. What stopped them from shooting was how human-like the creature seemed.

That same November, the group of hunters plus 6 more were hunting for deer near Deltox Marsh. Lined up for a deer drive, one saw the creature and one by one the dozen men came to a halt. When the creature ran back into the woods, the hunters waited for him to return to the marsh, but it did not.

Sasquash started as a homebrew. I really wanted to create something that wasn’t like the other pumpkin beers on the market. Sasquash has a big, malty body that backs up all the spices.

This year we used about 700 pounds of pumpkin and sweet potato and adding them to the wort has to be my favorite part of this brew. Along with the obvious pumpkin smells, we’ll also get the cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg aromas from the spices. We added those spices because we really wanted it to taste like a pumpkin pie.

I love drinking this beer with spice cake, pumpkin pie and chocolate chip cookies.

Here is a video from Youtube (www.youtube.com) and their website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

In closing, this beer put a smile on my face from the smell to the aftertaste.  I love the smell of yams and the taste of chocolate cover pumpkin with a touch of ginger and cinnamon with a dry punch for the finish.  I love this beer and I cannot get enough of this beer.  Most people cannot drink this beer all day but  I can.  I am always finding something new each sip from this pumpkin porter.  There is a limited amount of cases here in Chicago area so make sure you get a six-pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Sixpoint Autumnation

image

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

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

Here is a description from the beer can:

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

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

Autumnation

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

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sixpoint.com

Twitter:  @sixpoint

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

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale

image

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

New Beer Blog Thirsty Dog Brewery Barktoberfest Lager

image

While in Michigan, I went up to Frankenmuth, Michigan to check out the Frankenmuth Brewery.  I checked out the Lager Mill and this beer popped off the shelves from Thristy Dog Brewery.  The name of the beer is Barktoberfest Lager.  I love the play on the words.  Of course, I have to enjoy this beer because I cannot take it on the plane back to Chicago.  Here is a little history of the brewery.  Thirsty Dog Brewery is based in Akron, Ohio in an old brewery building.  They were founded in 1997 in many brewpubs in Canton, Ohio area.  Let us get into the beer.

Barktoberfest is their Fall Seasonal and has some nice packaging.  Barktoberfest has a nice clear copper color with a constant bubbles and white head.  There is a sweet malty smell.  The taste is a sweet carbonation malty with a nice clean crisp aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Barktoberfest

A traditional old world German Style Oktoberfest, a fall celebration since 1810.

IBU = 15
ABV = 6%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.thirstydog.com

Twitter:  @thirstydogbeer

In closing, I want to try more beers from this brewery.  I thought this beer was about average to slightly above average.  I love how this beer how the pop carbonation.  It had the nice malty taste and extremely drinkable.  However, drinking this beer, I am looking forward to trying the rest of their beers.  This beer made me take notice to this brewery.  I will  be hunting down the rest of their brews.  Let me know what you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Flying Dog Dogtoberfest

image

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

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

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

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

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

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

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

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Goose Island Harvest Ale

image

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at one of the pioneers of the craft beer world in Chicago.  The beer and brewery are Goose Island Brewery and the beer is Harvest Ale, which replace their Oktoberfest two to three years ago.  Here is a belief history of this great Chicago Brewery.  The brewery started in 1988 by John Hall in Chicago, Illinois.  The first beer that was brew was their Honkers Ale, which is an English Style Ale.  Greg Hall, who is John Hall’s son, took over as a brewmaster and came up with this recipe for their Vintage Line, their winter seasonal, which is Mild Winter and several other brews.   Greg Hall stepped down as brewmaster when Goose Island was sold to AB InBev.  He is now making Cider, which is sold in Midwest only.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark copper color with a constant white head on the beer.  There is some fall earthly orange smell to the beer.  This Harvest Ale has a slight citrus to malty taste without an aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

Brewed in honor of the Harvest season this copper colored ESB is made with Cascade hops and the richest Midwestern malts. A fruity American hop aroma and a toasty malt character make Goose Island Harvest Ale an extra special beer worthy of your devotion.

Recipe Information:

Style: American Extra Special Bitter Alcohol by Volume: 5.7% International Bitterness Units: 35 Color: Copper Hops: Cascade Malts: 2 Row, Wheat, Caramel, Pale

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Willi Food Pairings: Chicken, Pork, Turkey, Sausages Cheese Pairings: Cheddar, Aged Gouda Cellaring Notes: Enjoy within 180 days

Availability:

Seasonal (September-October) Bottles: 6, 12 & 24pks Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Great American Beer Festival Recognition:

Judging Category: Extra Special Bitter 2011: Bronze Medal

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

In closing, I love the hoppy taste that is in this Extra Special Bitter.  This beer was design to have that when the trend was the over hop beers.  This beer gives you a nice balance from the hops and the malts.  This is not my favorite beer for the fall but I will at least enjoy a few six packs of it.  As a beer drinker, this brewery gives you two different Extra Special Bitters.  Fall is the hoppy one.  Mild Winter, which is their winter seasonal, will give you the next malt drinkable in the middle of the harsh winters.  Being a fall seasonal, I would go and get some soon! Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Website:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

image

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at one of my favorite pumpkin ale from Schlafly.  If you read my earlier blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that blog post.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear dark copper color without a head on the beer.  This pumpkin has a cinnamon and nutmeg smell to it. It has a huge cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin, which is extremely rare in these beers.  It is very drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Schlafly Pumpkin ale Celebrate the bounty of harvest with this rich, malty ale brewed with pumpkin and flavored with spices to invoke the season of plenty.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.schlafly.com):

Our Pumpkin Ale blends the spices of the harvest with full-bodied sweetness for a beer that tastes like pumpkin pie. Pounds of pumpkin form a malty foundation that supports the fall flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

While pumpkin beers were produced in the early days of the American colonies, they were different from the pumpkin beers we know today.  Colonists used pumpkin and squash as the fermenting medium, since malted barley was scarce.  Once malt became more readily available, it replaced these alternatives to grain.  In the 1990’s, American craft brewers reintroduced the style to the delight of pumpkin beer drinkers.

Available September-October.

ABV:   8%   |   IBU:   16

  • Appearance: Copper-colored, bright
  • Process: Brewed with pumpkin squash and a blend of spices
  • Hops: Marynka (PL)
  • Malts: 2-row and Crystal malted barley, Munich malt, wheat malt, chocolate malt
  • Yeast: American Ale
  • OG: 18.5
  • SRM: 26.6

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.schlafly.com

Twitter:  @schlafly

Closing, I really love this beer and it is my favorite pumpkin beer on the market.  Every year I have to work the phones to get a few six packs up here in Chicago.  This beer has the sweetness of the nutmeg, cinnaom, and the taste of Pumpkin in it.  Most Pumpkin ales or lagers do not have the taste of Pumpkin or just very little.  It is very drinkable and full of flavor.  I highly recommend this beer.  This is what a pumpkin ale is suppose to be not what is out in the market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Shiner Oktoberfest

image

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at another Oktoberfest but this time it is from Shiner Brewery.  This little brewery could do anything.  This German base brewery has been blogged about in my blogs in the pasted.  If you have read my earlier blogs, you know about this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that Wild Hare post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on the beer.  It has a sweet caramel malty smell to the Oktoberfest.  The taste is what you aspect from a German base brewery. It has a heavy malty to a little caramel taste with malty aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Here in Shiner, TX, we’re suckers for tradition.  Which is why this classic Oktoberfest brew is made with the highest quality two-row barley, Munich and caramel malts, along with German grown Hallertau Tradition and hersbrucker hops.  It’s our way of honoring our ancestors and the beer they loved to celebrated with So raise your stein to tradition and enjoy this utterly classic brew.  Prosit!

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

Style:
This festive Marzen-style seasonal has a deep amber color and slightly toasted flavor. The initial rich malty aroma and sweetness fades to a moderately dry, hoppy finish.

Recipe:
Made with the highest-quality Two-Row Barley, Munich and Caramel malts, along with German-grown Hallertau Tradition and Hersbrucker hops.

Back Story:
First introduced to the Shiner family as our 96 Anniversary Brew, this Marzen-style brew has regained popularity among Shiner and Oktoberfest drinkers alike.  It’s connection to tradition and celebration makes it a great fit for the Shiner seasonal portfolio.

Goes Well With:
Best when served with meaty dishes like sausage and roasted chicken, fresh, creamy cheeses, pasta with white sauces and seafood.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shiner.com

Twitter:  @shinerbeer

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer and this is one of my favorite beers from this brewery.  I believe this beer is just above Wild Hare Pale Ale for the top spot from this brewery.  I had the chance to visit this brewery a few years ago and had a blasted.  This brewery makes some good beers and I hope you had a chance to try some of their beers.  This Oktoberfest is close to the classic style.  It has a heavy malty taste that will make your malt drinker loving this beer to the end of the season.  Plus, this beer just won Gold Medal in this Great American Beer Festival. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Fall Beer Blog Revolution Brewery Oktoberfest

image

During Football season, we are going to take a look at another brew from Revolution Brewery.  This is their fall seasonal which is called Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog on their Anti-Hero, you know a little something about this brewery.  If not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall beer has a nice copper color without a head on it.  It has a sweet caramel malty smell to the beer.  The taste has some caramel notes along with some malty notes.  The aftertaste makes this beer extremely drinkable for a Fall Beer and Oktoberfest.  The aftertaste is a dry malty.

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

OKtoberfest

A classic German-style Oktoberfest beer that goes down smooth with a pleasant, toasty malt flavor. Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops give the beer a crisp, balanced bitterness and a spicy, earthy aroma.

German-style Oktoberfest

ABV  5.7%IBU  25

Profile: Classic German-style Oktoberfest beer

Availability: 1/6 & 1/2 bbl, 12oz cans

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.revbrew.com

Twitter:  @revbrewchicago

In closing, I had several Fall and Oktoberfest beers through out the years.  I had a ton this year and there are only a few that are really good and then there are some that are really bad.  It has been very disappointing this years for fall beers.  I use to hang out at their brewpub in Logan Square and I never had this beer.  I have to say that I am not really that impressed with it.  I loved their Anti-Hero IPA and this was a real let down.  I am not a fan of this beer for the price and the liquid inside the bottle, draft, and cans.  There are better Oktoberfest at a better value.  I feel their beers are overpriced for being from Chicago.  Just because, I am not a fan of this beer.  It does not mean you will not like this beer and rest of their bews.  Please go try them and share your thoughts with me and others.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser