Geary Brewery

New Blog Frankenmuth American Batch 69 IPA

In this blog, we are going to sample out my favorite brew from Frankenmuth Brewery and the third of four beers that will be featured this blog.  Please go back to my earlier blog on Frankenmuth Brewery Blonde to get to know this brewery, if already read it then you already know this brewery.  The beer that we will be experience is Frankenmuth Brewery American Batch 69 IPA.  If you look at the beers that we have done from this brewery between the Dunkel to Blonde and then Pilsner, they are all German base beer style.  This brewery went outside of their comfort zone and did American beer style.  This speaks out open minded a brewery can be to bring beers to their fan base.  It does not go just for Frankenmuth Brewery.  There is another brewery down in Texas that just put out their first pale ale.  Frankenmuth Brewery have been brewing this beer for a while but with a huge growth of pale ales and IPAs.  Breweries are doing IPAs and pale ales or doing different things with them.  Let us see where this brew ranks to me in the world of the India Pale Ales.

This beer in the glass is not your normal India Pale Ale color. It has a clear yellow color to beer with a light white head to the beer. Smell is of light piney to earthy. This India Pale Ale has a sight citrus carbonation taste with a dry hoppy aftertaste.  To me, the hoppy aftertaste is just right. It is not overpowering like other IPAs aftertaste.  This beer for hoppy IPA is really drinkable.

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

A medium light bodied India Pale Ale with an intense hop aroma and flavor. This IPA will wake up your senses to fine American hops to discover tastes of citrus, flowers and pine.

ABV 6.9%  IBU 69 Best with strong, spicy food and bold appetizers.

Here is their twitter and website addresses:

Website: www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In closing,  I really love this drinkable India Pale Ale from Frankenmuth Brewery.  This is a very well balance beer and just like most India Pale Ales it is perfect with spicy foods.  If I could get this beer all the time, it would be in my refrigerator on day-to-day basis.  I know I said this before in other Michigan beer blogs but I will say it again.  I am not a fan of any Michigan breweries but Frankenmuth Brewery has won me over to like at least one brewery.  Do not just get go out and hunt this beer down but go find the rest of their beers.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Frankenmuth Dunkel Dark Lager

In this blog, we are going to sample out the second of four beers from Frankenmuth Brewery Company. The name of the beer is called Dunkel Dark Lager. If you read my blog on their Blonde Ale, then we can move onto the next beer in their lineup. Let us stop talking and start drinking this awesome beer.

In the glass, the beer is brown in color with a constant white head. The smell of toffee and malt is in the air from the beer. The taste of the beer is a classic german style. The beer drinker will taste toffee to chocolate notes with a nice smooth finish.  It is very drinkable beer and very well made for the beer style.

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

Named for the city it calls home, this German style lager has a distinguished dark appearance and a notably smooth sweet balanced flavor. The result gives our Dunkel a flavor of toasted bread and a malty finish.

ABV 5.1%  IBU 22
Pairs well with hearty, spicy food: barbecue, sausages, & roast. Also pairs well with chocolate dessert.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In closing, this has to be my favorite German Beer Style. I hold all import and craft breweries on a very high standard when they brew this beer. I mean the beer not the brewery. I really enjoyed this beer. This brewery did an awesome job making this beer. It is easy to drink with a ton of favor. I could drink this beer in the hottest summer days. Believe me, there are some summer days here in Chicago and Detroit that makes you want to dug deep in the earth. With that crazy talk, this beer is awesome beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Frankenmuth Classic American Blonde Ale

In this blog, we are going to dig into one of the oldest brewery in Michigan. We are going to take a look at Frankenmuth Brewery which was founded in 1862.  In 1987, there was a fire that burned down most of the brewery.  This brewery never gave up and their goals they want to have their beers to their fan base. They brew mostly German base beers but this brewery has some American Classic beers.  They are brewing in one of the best cities in the Michigan.  Here is the first of four beers that will be blog about it. The first to be featured is from Frankenmuth Brewery and it is called Classic American Blonde Ale.

The beer is a clear bright yellow in the glass with a simi-head to it. The smell is of fresh air by a waterfall. The taste is very smooth and refreshing with a nice sweet kick to it. The aftertaste is very crisp and refreshing. This is a very  drinkable beer for any season of the year.  Most craft beer drinkers normally see Blonde Ales available in the spring to summer seasonal.

Here is a description from the bottle:

Medium bodied classic American ale is made using American malts and fermented at a lower temperature to give it a clean mellow finish.  This is a terrific cross-over beer for those who enjoy American ales.

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

American Blonde Ale
This classic American style ale is made using American malts and fermented at a lower temperature to give it a clean mellow finish. This is a terrific cross-over beer for those who enjoy American style ales.

ABV 4.75%  IBU 17%
Goes great with lighter foods; chicken, salads, salmon, bratwurst, and is great with pizza.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In closing, we dug into on of my favorite Michigan brewery called Frankenmuth Brewery Company.  You know me well if you read my blogs.  I am very up front and honest.  This is my favorite brewery in Michigan.  I like many beers around the state from different breweries but this brewery is by far the best one to me.  As far as this brew, I never was a fan of this beer style.  This beer style is normally to light in body for my taste buds but this one brings something out of this beer style.  I am a fan of this American Blonde Ale.   This beer is very well made beer and stays true to this classic style but with a American twist.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale

In this blog, we are going to sample out one of an India Pale Ale from one of many craft breweries from Michigan. Bell’s Brewery is the most well known one from Michigan. Bell’s Brewery was founded in 1983 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This brewery is brewing several different styles of beer.  They are not just well known in Michigan but around the Midwest.   Let us get into this beer right now.

The beer in the glass is darker yellow in color. The smell of Two Hearted Ale is a strong citrus to piney to it. The first thing the beer drinker will experience from this beer is the rush of the carbonation and then heavy citrus taste. This is a very well balance beer and has a quick crisp aftertaste along with citrus punch to this India Pale Ale.

Here is a description from the bottle:

An India Pale Ale style well suited for adventurous trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and an incredibly floral hop aroma.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter: @bellsbrewery

In closing, I would not say this is not my favorite but I would not say I highly dislike the beer. It is very drinkable and has a ton of favor going on in it. I would not drink it on a regular basis because of the high price point on a six pack bottles. I honestly do not think it is worth the price. There is a little value but not much. With all that said, I am not saying this beer is bad. I just feel I could drink another beer in the same beer style and get the same thing while saving money in the process. I recommend you, the craft beer drinker, to try it or retry if it has been a long time. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog DC Brau Brewery Hell’s Bottom Stout Ale

While in DC for Savor, I had this at the after party for Savor.  The owner was clearly a huge motorcycle fan because he had some classics throughout the bar.  This bar had a special beer menu for Savor and I saw this beer from DC Brau Brewery called Hell’s Bottom Stout Ale.  Here is a little back story of this brewery.  DC Brau Brewery was founded in 2011 and was the first brewery to package in DC city since 1956.  The founded is Brandon Skall and the Brewmaster is Jeff Hancock.  All their beers are packaged in cans which is a huge trend in Craft Beer World now.

This beer is black in the glass with not head to it. It has a nice chocolate smell. It has a chocolate to dry taste to the beer.  The aftertaste is dry chocolate going on in it.   This beer is kind of drinkable for being a stout.  This beer is perfect for any seasons of the year.  There are not too many stouts a beer drinker can say that about it.

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

Named after one of DC’s most notorious neighborhoods, Hell’s Bottom. Where in the late 1800’s there was little money, whiskey was cheap and virtually no police force. Enter Hell’s Bottom Oatmeal Stout. Brewed with a healthy amount of flaked oats, roasted barley and both chocolate and black malts. Hell’s Bottom starts with a heavy roast character that will definitely wake up the pallet. Followed by a small kick of bitterness contributed by Northern Brewer hops. Lastly, the flaked oats contribute a smooth, cream-like mouthfeel that must be tasted to be understood. With a medium to light body this oatmeal stout is one that drinks easy in the upcoming spring/ summer season.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dcbrau.com

Twitter: @dcbrau

Coming to the end of the beer, I really enjoyed this beer.  I wish I had time to stop by their brewery to see it and try some more of their beers.  This is a very newer brewery and the future is bright by trying this beer and doing more research on them.  I hope to try some more of their beers in the near future.  I might just have to go back to DC just to visit this brewery.  I love how they put their beers in cans then the same boring ass brown bottle.  Cans protect the beer better then anything else that is out in the market.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Starr Hill Amber Ale

While in DC for Savor, I had this beer at the Big Board in DC.  I saw this beer at the bottom of their list and it jumped out at me.  I did not know the brewery nor the beer.  Starr Hill Brewery was founded in 1999 by Mark Thompson in the state of Virginia.  I love their tag line they use for their brewery, which is “The Gift of Great Beer.”  They brew several different beer styles and they all sounds really good.  They are award-winning brewery.  There are several beers that are retired and they even sounds good.  I found this quarto on their website and then I will get into the beer.

Here is a quarto that I love from Mark Thompson on their website (www.starrhill.com):

“It is no secret that our mission is The Gift of Great Beer.  Every culture in the world has a fermented, cereal grain beverage that people use to sit around and talk.  I’m a steward of the product that enhances this things we call life.” ~ Mark Thompson

This beer is amber in color. Smells like sweet sweating socks in the beer. The taste of the beer is carbonation malty going on in it. It is a little water but this beer is very drinkable.  Starr Hill Amber is a great beer drinking experience throughout the drinking experience.

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

Irish Red Ale

Starr Hill Amber Ale is an award-winning Irish Red Ale. Brewed in the tradition of the great English ales, its rich honey color hints at its smooth, caramel flavoring. With a medium body and slightly sweet finish, this is an extremely drinkable brew that is characterized by rich malt taste and low bitterness.

This beer has won several awards and are the awards:

2001 Bronze Medal at Great American Beer Festival

2002 Bronze Medal at World Beer Cup

2005 Silver Medal at Great American Beer Festival

Here is their website and twitter address:

Website:  www.starrhill.com

Twitter:  @starrhill

Sad to look at an empty glass,  I really enjoyed this beer and it went awesome with my burger at the Big Board.  I love the drinkablity of this beer.  I really do not get into Amber Ales nor Irish Amber Ales but this is my first favorite Irish Amber Ale and Amber Ale.  Since I live in Chicago, I will be looking online to buy some to be shipped to my house.  Thank you Starr Hill Brewery for making a great Amber Ale that I really enjoyed.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Upland Dragonfly India Pale Ale

While in DC for Savor, this beer I had at Church Key Bar and Grill in DC.  Lolita had this beer first and I wished I order this beer as my first one.  It does not matter because I had the chance to have this great beer.  The beer I am talking about is Upland Dragonfly Ale.  Upland Brewery was founded in 1997 by Marc Sattinger, Russ Levitt and Dean LaPlante in Bloomington, Indiana.

This beer is a copper in color with a little head on it. It is piney to earthy in smell. It is a smooth sweet circus carbonation in taste. This beer is very drinkable brew.

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

India Pale Ale originated when the British Empire was at its height. British soldiers and civil servants were stationed all over the globe (including India), and regular ales could not survive the long journey by sea to reach them. The British solved this terrible dilemma by adding excessive amounts of hops to their beer–using the preservative properties of hops to increase the life of their beers.

Our Dragonfly India Pale Ale is true to this tradition, featuring seven hop additions to create a powerful hop profile. A solid malt base, however, tempers the bitter American hops, giving Dragonfly a balance not often found in this style. The end product is a well-balanced, malty beer with the crisp taste of hops and an exceptionally floral nose.

Here is their website and twitter address:

Website: www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter: @uplandbrewco

Empty beer glass, this is a very good beer.  I love drinking this beer.  It is very well made and balance for being an IPA.  This beer is very drinkable and sessional.  I just wished the Church Key Bar where I was at in DC had more beers from this brewery.  I will be hunting down more of their beers.  I will also be making a road trips to Indiana to visit the brewery, since, I live in the Chicago area.  If you live in the states where they sell their beers, I am jealous and you should try their beers.  Please let me know what you think about the beers.  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Summit Saga India Pale Ale

Starting a tap, we are going to explore a new brew from the Summit Brewing Company.  The new brew is called Summit Saga India Pale Ale.  Summit Brewing Conmpany was founded in 1986 by Mark Stutrud in St Paul, Minnesota.   It is nice to see this brewery trying to do something new in their beer portfolio.  When they started releasing their Unchained Series, there was a change in the air in the Summit Brewery.  They were doing beers that fit the St Paul area.  Now they are trying to grow even more in other areas of the states.  This beer is their second new beer this year. The first new one was their new Summer Ale replace their old seasonal, which was Summit Hefenizen Ale. Let us get into the beer.

It has a light copper color. It has a grapefruit to mango smell with a little spicy. The taste of the beer is of grapefruit and mango with a slight carbonation taste. This is a very drinkable beer. This is a slight different IPA then what is on the market.

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

Named after the Norse goddess Sága, drinking companion of the God Odin. With a divine tropical fruit hop aroma and clean, assertive bitterness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.summitbrewing.com

Twitter: @summitbeer

Closing the bar, I love this beer and I am happy to see this brewery doing something new and different. There are a few beers that from this brewery. I love their EPA, maibock, porter, winter ale, and oatmeal stout that I wish was package. The rest of their beers are average. This is my thought pattern not yours. Make sure you try their beers and draw your judgment on them. However, this beer to me has brought them back to the front of the line, I cannot wait to see how this beer does against rest of the beer market. Enjoy it! Drink it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:@djweiser

New Blog Big Horn 71 Pale Ale

In this blog, we are going to talk about another brew from the Big Horn Ram Brewery called 71 Pale Ale. You know the history of this brewery from my earlier blogs. This beer has the 71 for the year that the brewery was founded. In some cases, you can call this their flagship beer.

This beer sits in the glass as slightly cloudy golden color.  The smell of the beer is little earthy.  The taste is a nice well balance beer. It has a sweet then heavy carbonation taste. The aftertaste has a nice bitter hop kick to it. This beer is perfect in any season and very drinkable.

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

A distinctly drinkable pale ale brewed with a touch of rye and a blend of 5 hops. Deep copper in color with subtle spicy rye character and an enjoyable hoppy flavor.

Here is sources to get to know this brewery:

Website: www.theram.com

Twitter: @theram

On ending, like this beer and all the rest of the beers that are made at Big Horn Ram Brewery, they are designed for you to have more than one beer.  They are all very drinkable and sessional.  The 71 pale ale is one of my favorites at this great brewery.  It gives everything I am looking for in pale ale.  Go find your nearby Ram Brewery to eat and drink.  Enjoy it!  Drink it! Metal it !

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Central Waters Illumination Double IPA

In this blog, we are going to take a look at a beer from a small brewery from Amherst, WI called Central Waters.  This brewery is powered by solar power.  They are very green on everything with packaging and energy use.  This brewery has been in business since 1996.  Mike McElwain and Jerome Ebel are the founders of this brewery.  Their packaging is very dull and boring, however, we do not judge on packing just the beer inside.  They brew several different styles. The one we will be talking from Central Waters called Illumination Double IPA (India Pale Ale).

This beer in the glass is a cloudy light copper color.  When smelling it, you will get a strong piny smell from the hops in the brew.  As far as tasting the beer, it is over load of circus to earthy sweetest with a very dry aftertaste leaving in your mouth.  I really do not like this beer because several factors.  The one thing I do not like, there is not enough malt backbone in this beer.  The other thing I do not like about this beer is the over hop in the beer.  This beer is another cookie cutter of all the rest of American Double IPAs out there.  I am not saying all are bad but there are better ones out there.  However, after killing this beer, the plus for this beer is it is a great value for the price you will be paying for it.

Here is a descripation from the bottle:

Can you say palate wrecker? This Double IPA comes in at 108 IBUs, as hoppy as it gets with a mouthful of citrus flavors.  Grab one today and Illuminate your taste buds.

Here is a few sources to get to know this brewery better:

Website: www.centralwaters.com

Twitter: Not one listed

Setting up the bill, this is not a beer I will run out and get when it comes out.  It is a seasonal four pack from Central Waters.  If I am in the mood and I see it, I will drink it.  If there is another Double IPA at the bar, I hate to say I will drink that.  Just because I did not like this beer.  This does not mean that you will not like this beer.  This brewery cannot be judge on this beer and you should not judge them for this beer nor blog.  They do brewery some awesome beers.  This one is not one of their best ones.  Enjoy it! Drink it!  Metal it!

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser