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New Beer Blog Laughing Dog Brewing Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out first brew from a brewery, which is Laughing Dog Brewing. I was excited to try it.  The beer is their Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter.  Laughing Dog Brewing is a young company.  It was stated in 2005 in Sandpoint, Idaho.  They brew several different beer styles.  They brew up to 15 different beer styles.  They have won several awards for their brews.  The dog that is featured on their beer bottles, logos, etc is their family dog, who is Ben.  There is not too much information for this eight year old company.  Let us get into beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan color head on this coffee porter.  The smell is toffee and hints of coffee.  The taste of this imperial coffee porter is a creamy sweet black strong coffee with roasted coffee notes.  It is not drinkable beer unless the beer drinker is a coffee porter and stout and then it is drinkable.

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

Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter

A complex Imperial Coffee Porter made with Evans Brothers cold-pressed coffee. Subtle chocolate, and coffee notes are balanced by black malt bitterness and malt sweetness. Available year-round in 22oz. bottles and kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.laughingdogbrewing.com

Twitter:  @LaughingDogbrew

In closing, this brew is pretty good.  I was not too familiar with this brewery.  I was pretty interested to sit down to try this beer and do some back history.  Some reason, I believed I saw their brews in the State of Illinois.  However, this brew is pretty complex that is extremely good thing, the notes go from chocolate and coffee notes.  I will have to trade with my friend to get a few more of their beers.  I believe they are not available in the a Michigan. I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Starr Hill All Access Cryptical Imperial Stout

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample out another beer from Starr Hill Brewery.  This blog will feature All Access Crypitcal Imperial Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Amber Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head on this stout.  The smell has a roasted malts with some chocolate notes.  The taste of this Imperial Stout is roasted dark chocolate notes.  The aftertaste is burn chocolate notes.  It is not drinkable beer.

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

Cryptical packs a wallop of dark malt flavor. The beer weighs in at 8.8% ABV and has dark, fruity flavors, like raspberry, plum and star anise. Cryptical is dry-hopped with American Hops to balance out its full body with a floral aroma.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.starrhill.com

Twitter:  @starrhill

Closing out the beer tab, this brewery, just what I have been saying in the past beer blogs posts, knows how to brew beer.  This Imperial Stout is not drinkable beer but it packs a ton of flavor in this 22oz bottle.  I enjoyed drinking this beer and I wish I could get more in the Michigan market.  I guess I will have to trade more with my friend.  I love the hops they use in this brew and there is some nice chocolate notes.  I recommend this beer if you can find this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Starr Hill Psycho Kilter Wee Heavy Ale The Gift Of Great Beer

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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into another brew from Starr Hill Brewery.  The beer that will be feature is one of their high-end or 22oz bottle line.  It is their Psycho Kilter Wee Heavy Ale The Gift Of Great Beer.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get to know  this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark blood-red color with a slight white to tan color head. The smell is sweeter caramel to some kind of sweet fruit notes.  It is hard to make out.  The taste is an extremely malty with  smooth caramel notes.  The aftertaste is a smooth but fade caramel finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Starr Hill’s Psycho Kilter is a full-bodied Wee Heavy brewed in the style of traditional Scottish ales. Its huge malty nose, with hints of to a roastiness, gives way to a full, sweet palate with low, but perceptible hop bitterness. A lingering warmth balances the rich and dominant maltiness.

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

Starr Hill’s Psycho Kilter Wee Heavy is characterized by its huge malty nose with hints of roastiness. A full, sweet palate with very little hops, this high-gravity brew is the Scots’ unique specialty.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website;  www.starrhill.com

Twitter:  @starrhill

Closing out tab, this craft brewery is something else.  I had nothing bad from this brewery.  There was one which was their spring seasonal.  It was not a bad beer but not a really good one.  This beer is true to the classic beer style.  Starr Hill Brewery knows that they are doing and they are doing it right.  There is a nice malty notes but a nice hop to off set it just enough.  It is sweet enough to not notice high alcohol percentage.  I recommend you trying 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 Heavy Seas Uncharted Waters 2013 The Greater Pumpkin

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into a brew on this blog from Heavy Seas.  I am a huge fan of this brewery and I cannot wait to get into their beers a little bit more.  I could not get them while living the Chicago market but I can here in the Michigan market.  Heavy Seas Brewery was founded in 1992 by Hugh Sisson Baltimore, Maryland.  Heavy Seas brews several different beer styles.  Their beers are sold in eighteen different states and they go as far west to Michigan.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on this high-end Fall Seasonal.  The smell is like a vanilla bean with hints of oak.  It also has smell notes of pumpkin and other species. The taste has bourdon, oak, and pumpkin with slight spices like cinnamon and slight nutmeg.  The aftertaste is burn nutmeg bourdon notes. It is sip able to drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Uncharted Waters explores the unique changes that happen to beer when exposed to wood. Each beer showcases a robust style, carefully matched with a wood treatment to produce a range of complex flavors. Vintage dating encourages further exploration of the aging process. As much about the voyage as the destination, we hope you enjoy these beers in the spirit which they were brewed.

The Greater Pumpkin

As fall approaches and thought turn to Halloween, we roll out the Great er Pumpkin. A coppery ale with forward notes of vanilla oak and flavors of autumnal spice, the ale is brewed with actual pumpkin and imported English malts. Pairs well with turkey legs, sweet potatoes, and an evening looking at the stars….

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

In the most worthy of pumpkin patches and during the silence of the midnight hour, the Greater Pumpkin raises up and pours a rich deep and burnished orange color.  Heady aromas of bourbon, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove linger seductively over the thick white head of this tremendous brew.  Its love at first sip as the full malt body, dominated by British crystal malt, brown sugar and pumpkin, slowly washes over your tongue.  Bourbon barrel aging rounds out the flavors with notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon.  Pairs well with crisp autumn weather, crunchy fallen leaves, and the knowledge that your kids will be asleep soon so you can raid their Halloween candy bags.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website;  www.hsbeer.com

Twitter:  @HeavySeasBeer

Closing out, this pumpkin ale is something else and I mean that in a good way.  The bourdon does not take over the beer.  There is a nice balance from the beer and barrel.  The barrel gives you a vanilla notes that gives a different twist on the beer notes.  This is a big beer that gives you everything you expected from a beer like this.  You will not be disappointed with this brew.  Heavy Seas did a great job and I highly recommend you trying this brew.  I thought Uinta Brewing made a great barrel age pumpkin ale. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Ommegang Games Of Thrones Take The Black Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second installment of the Games Of Thrones beer series brew by Ommegang Brewing.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know about this brewery.  If you have not and want to get know the history of this brewery, please, read that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a semi tan head on the stout.  The smell is hints of roasted chocolate and coffee notes.  The taste of this medium to full body beer is a burned chocolate to espresso.  The aftertaste is like a liquid espresso bean with smooth to creamy caramel notes.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A stout as dark as the winters that once engulfed wasteros.  As robust as t he men who swear their oaths at the Weirwood tree, chocolate and caramel sweetness are balanced by hop bitterness.  Roasty, woodsy notes and an earthy finish.

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

Ommegang and HBO® announce the newest beer in the Game of Thrones® collaboration series. Through its first three seasons, the critically acclaimed drama has become the biggest show on HBO. Take the Black Stout follows the highly coveted Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which flew off of shelves earlier this year. To satisfy the appetite of Game of Thrones fans, production of Take the Black Stout will more than double the final volumes of Iron Throne Blonde Ale.

Inspired by the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, Take the Black Stout was made to be deep, dark and complex like those who have sworn  the oath to defend Westeros against threats from the north. The label depicts the Weirwood tree where Jon Snow recited the oath before joining the Night’s Watch.

In time for the holidays, Take the Black Stout makes for the perfect gift. Shipping to distributors in September 2013, the beer is available in 750 ML bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website;  www.ommegang.com

Twitter:  @BreweryOmmegang and @GamesOfThrones

In closing, I was pretty excited that HBO was in talks with Ommegang to brew some beers for their hit show.  The first installment of this series of beers for Games Of Thrones was Iron Thorne.  I was not a huge fan of it.   This next beer has lived up to the theme from the show.  I am talking about the Night’s Watch, if you are not a fan of the show.  I can see beer fans falling in love with this beer and checking out the show.  I can see fans of the show liking this brew and checking out other brews.  I hope it turns them on to some good beers that out on the market.  This beer is heavy with chocolate and coffee notes but it smooths out with a nice caramel notes.  It is pretty interesting that this beer is drinkable beer.  Go get some, if you can find this beer.  It is a limited release beer.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Revolution Brewing and Firestone Walker Brewing Dos Osos India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brew where two craft breweries teamed up to brew.  I am talking about Dos Osos India Pale Ale from Revolution Brewing and Firestone Walker Brewing.  This is a special and limited edition brew.  If you read my beer blog posts on both of these breweries, you know the history of both of them.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know both of these breweries.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear deep golden color with a constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is a heavy grapefruit with a slight orange.  The taste is about the same with some carbonation notes.  The aftertaste is a sweet grapefruit notes.  This is an extremely drinkable beer.

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Here is a description from Revolution Brewing’s Website (www.revbrew.com):

Dos Osos

Dos Osos, or “two bears,” IPA is a collaboration brew with our great friend Dustin Kral who is the lead brewer at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. in Paso Robles, CA. Named after both the bear on the California State flag and the Chicago bears this IPA is described as a Central Coast IPA, named for California’s Central Coast. As with most West Coast IPAs, our version in not bogged down with lots of specialty malts and is dry, crisp and clean which is a trademark of the hoppy ales from both Revolution and Firestone. 2-row, Munich, and a touch of cara-pils lend a subtle malt base to which the layers of hop character are built upon. An array of hops including Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Cascade and Citra infuse this ale with aromas and flavors of fresh flowers, citrus and passion fruit. The finished product is a clean refreshing IPA with a crisp bitterness and wonderful hop bouquet.

India Pale Ale

ABV  6.6%IBU  75

Profile: Dos Osos, or “two bears,” IPA is a collaboration brew with Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

Color: Deep Gold

Availability: 1/6bbl, 1/2 bbl, 22 oz.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.revbrew.com and www.firestonebeer.com

Tiwtter;  @revolutionsbrew, @RevBrewChicago, and @firestonewalker

Closing, this beer has been on my radar since it came out.  I keep on picking it up at the liquor store and pulling it back down on the shelf.  I knew I was leaving the Chicago area to move back to Michigan.  I wanted to make sure I had at least one before I leave.  I have to say I am not disappointed one bit.  Both craft breweries did a great job working together to make a really good brew.  It is well-balanced from the malty backbone to the hops.  If you can find a bottle, I highly recommend you trying this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Wieser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter;  @djweiser

New Beer Blog 21st Amendment Brewery Hop Crisis Imperial IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from 21st Amendment Brewery.  It is their limited release brew, which is called Hop Crisis Imperial IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read those beer blog posts, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy straw to golden color with a constant white head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy tropical fruit to this IPA.  The taste of this light body beer is a sweet tropical fruits like mango to pineapple.  The aftertaste echoes the taste notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.21st-amendment.com):

Shaun and Nico have to break out of Alcatraz. And fast. The Hop Syndicate is hoarding hops, depriving the people of their right to hoppy, aromatic beer. Join Shaun and Nico on their adventure to Free the Hops! First, they plan a daring escape through the sewer pipe, then they surf monster waves on ironing boards, and finally they attempt a high speed cable car getaway.

Hop Crisis. Crisis? What Crisis? A few years ago, when hop prices shot through the roof and the worldwide hop market went into a tailspin, at our pub in San Francisco we decided there was only one thing for us to do. We made the biggest, hoppiest IPA we could imagine and aged it on oak for good measure. This Imperial IPA breaks all the rules with more malt, more hops and more aroma.

  • Alcohol Content 9.7% by volume
  • Color Gold
  • Bitterness Units (IBUS) 94
  • Bittering Hops Columbus, Centennial, Cascade
  • Yeast Top Fermenting Ale Yeast
  • Malts Pale Malt, Munich, Dextrose
  • Special Ingredients Aged on Oak

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter:  @21stAmendment

End of the hops, this beer is something else in a very good way.  This is Imperial India Pale Ale and it does not drink like one.  It is light to medium in body for the type of beer style.  I love the hops that they used in this brew.  It has a well made malty backbone to balance with hops that are being used in it.  The hops kick off a nice tropical fruit notes.  If you are in the west coast, I highly recommend you stopping into their brewpub in San Fran.  They service some great food and you can purchase some of their beer to go from the brewery.  I highly recommend this brew too.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Robinsons Brewery Trooper Ale

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Run to the hills, we are going to get into the brew from Iron Maiden and Robinsons Brewery and it is their Trooper Ale.  This is recipe came from Bruce Dickenson, who is the lead singer.  Robinsons Brewery was founded and started in 1838 by William Robinson in England.  They brew several different beer styles.  Here is a youtube video with Bruce talking about this beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on this Metal Beer.  The smell is a slight caramel to some hop notes.  The taste has some caramel with hop notes along with a slight water notes.  The aftertaste has a dry hop and malt finish that falls flat at the end.  It it is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Onward, onward Ride the 600…

The change of the light brigade, which inspired the Iron Maiden song The Trooper, took place at the Battle Of Balaclava (1854) during the Crimean War when 600 British cavalry courageously charged the masses Russian artillery.  This gallant but foolhardy assault resulted in a massive loss of life and came about due to a misunderstanding of an order given by the commanding officer, Lord Raglan

Trooper is a premium British beer inspired by Iron Maiden and handcrafted are Robinsons brewery.  Being a real ale enthusiast, vocalist Bruce Dickinson has developed a beer which has true depth of character.  Malt flavours and citric notes from an unique blend of Bobec, Goldings, and Cascade hops dominate this deep golden ale.

Here is a description from Robinson Brewery’s website (www.robinsonsbrewery.com):

Premium British Beer – Inspired by Iron Maiden, handcrafted by Robinsons. ABV 4.7%

TROOPER takes its name from the Iron Maiden song which is inspired by the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. Being a real ale enthusiast, vocalist Bruce Dickinson has developed a beer which has true depth of character.

TROOPER is a Premium British Beer inspired by Iron Maiden and handcrafted at Robinsons brewery. Malt flavours and citric notes from a unique blend of Bobec, Goldings and Cascade hops dominate this deep golden ale with a subtle hint of lemon.

Premium British Beer – Created by award-winning heavy metal rock legends Iron Maiden, brewed by Robinsons. ABV 4.7%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.robinsonsbrewery.com and www.ironmaidenbeer.com

Twitter:  @ironmaidenbeer

Fear of the dark, I am huge metal head and fan of Iron Maiden.  When I heard the band was coming out with a beer, I thought it was a money grab.  Of course, they will make money on it either way.  When I heard they are taking this beer serious, I started to take this brew serious.  I had a hard time finding a bottle to try it here in the states.  I had a friend from one of my beer stores get a few cases.  It is 16.9oz bottle for $7.99.  I am not saying this is a bad beer because it is not a bad one.  I just feel this beer is over priced.  Of course, I understand it is an import beer that is one reason why it is a little bit more.  I recommend you trying this brew if you are a fan of the band, metal head, and/or craft beer drinker.  Overall, it is a well made beer and I enjoyed 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 Redhook Brewing Out Of Your Ground Pumpkin Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a two-year old fall seasonal from Redhook Brewery.  It is their Out Of Your Ground Pumpkin Porter.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brews, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into beer.

It has a black and brown color without a head on this fall seasonal.  The smell is chocolate cover pumpkin.  The taste of this light to medium body beer is chocolate cover pumpkin with a fade smokey pumpkin aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Out of Your Gourd Pumpkin Porter is dark chestnut-brown in color and is made with pureed pumpkin. Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are added to the whirlpool and maple syrup is added during fermentation. This full-bodied, rich roasty porter makes you want to eat turkey and watch football, or build a bonfire.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @redhook_brewery

Ending, I am a huge fan of Redhook as many of you know by reading on this blog.  This is not one of my favorite beer from this brewery or fall seasonal.  This brew is still a really good brew.  It has a nice balance from the pumpkin and porter.  It has taste of chocolate cover pumpkins.  This is a great sessional fall beer.  This is a beer you can drink during fall cook out or bonfire without having something too heavy.  This is a great brew and Redhook brewery did a great job on this brew.  I recommend you trying 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 Epic Armageddon IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery I have been wanting to try in a very long time.  I am talking about Epic Brewery from New Zealand.  The beer is their Armageddon India Pale Ale.  Epic Brewing was started in 2006 by the founder, who is Luke Nicholas.  In 2007,  Steam Brewing Company sold all the Epic Brewing and the brands to Luke Nicholas.  The brewery started to sell their beers to Australia in 2009.  The United States and Sweden in 2010 and Belgium and Italy in 2011.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with pure white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is grapefruit.  The taste of this medium body beer is a carbonated grapefruit notes with a slight dry hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Armageddon I.P.A

The answer to everything.

In the beginning, there was nothing. Then an impish brewer piled a ludicrous amount of hops into a batch of beer. This zymurgical big bang is Epic Armageddon, an apocalyptic assault on your preconceptions and taste buds. It may be too huge for this fragile planet so enjoy this beer like it was the last one on Earth.

Malt

  • English pale ale
  • Caramalt

Hops

  • US Cascade
  • US Centenniel
  • US Columbus
  • US Simcoe

Flavours & aromas

  • Hops! hops! hops!
  • Citrus
  • Grapefruit

Awards

  • Best in Class – BrewNZ 2011
  • Best in Class – BrewNZ 2009
  • Gold Medal – BrewNZ 2011
  • Gold Medal – BrewNZ 2009
  • Bronze Medal – BrewNZ 2010

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.epicbeer.com

Twitter:  @EpicBeer

Closing, I am not disappointed with this beer after a long wait of wanting to try it.  I will be hunting down the rest of their brews.  This brewmaster did a great job on this brew.  He and his company put some thought behind this brew.  The beer is nice balance with some great hop notes and character.  It is pretty drinkable for the beer style.  I will be looking for more of this beer in Detroit beer market.  Thanks Luke for giving the United States craft beer drinker a good import IPA.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser