highend beer

New Blog Chouffe Houblon Chouffe Tripel IPA

In this blog, we are going to take a look at another brew from the Chouffe Brewery.  The beer is called Houblon Chouffe Tripel India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their La Chouffe then you know a little bit about this brewery from Belgium, let us get into the beer.

This beer is a bright golden with a slight cloudly along with a nice constant white head to it.  A heavy citrus smell is kicking along with some species too. As far as the taste of this awesome Belgium, the beer drinker will taste a very sweet carbonation citrus upper cut in your face along with a nice hop finish that lingers afterwards for a bit after the beer drinking experience.  It is very drinkable for being a highend Tripel IPA.

Here is a descripation from the bottle:

On its journey across the globe the little Chouffe wander through beautiful hopfields.  The overwhelming aroma of these little hop flowers such as Tomahawk, Amarillo and Saaz mesmerized him.

Back at home in the Ardennes, he crafted a new recipe combining this heady array of hops with the depth and body of his favorite style “Tripel”.  Thus, our little Chouffe’s new inspiration Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel was born.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.achouffe.be):

Description :

The HOUBLON CHOUFFE was brewed for the first time in 2006.  It is an ‘Indian Pale ale’ type of beer, with a harmonious balance between a marked bitterness (three types of hops are used to make it) and a pleasant fruitiness.  The HOUBLON CHOUFFE is unfiltered, and re-fermented in the bottle as well as in the keg.

Packaging :

330 ml bottle

750ml bottle

20 litre keg

Alcohol  :

9% alc./vol.

Original extract :

18 °Plato

Serving temperature :

4 to 10°C (bottle)

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.achouffe.be

Twitter:  @chouffeusa

In closing,  this is my favorite beer from this brewery.  I love how you get the nice hoppy taste but still get the funky Belgian taste.  I know I have yelled at craft breweries for saying their beers are Belgian Style IPAs.  I do feel the same way towards this brewery, however, they put the word “Tripel” and they put more depth on the hops to make it a little different then the old classic beer style.  The craft beers that said Belgian India Pale Ale are really Tripels that I have had in the market.  Please chellenge me on this beer style, I really want to back off this issue.  Asides that, I really love this beer for many reasons.  It is well balance, drinkable, and a nice spicy kick to the beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Liefmans Cuvee – Brut

In this blog, we are going back over to Belgium to sample out Liefmans Cuvee-Brut.  Here is a little history of this brewery.  There is not too much on this brewery but they were founded in 1679.   Duvel Moortgat Brewery brought them in June 2008 after they went into Chapter 11.  They want to be known as a Benders.  I found this video on their website and Youtube.

Here is the video from Youtube (www.youtube.com) and their website (www.liefmans.be):

Liefmans Brewery

This video tells you the rich history of this brewery in moving pictures then in words.  It will also show their other beers along with description. Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark cherry color with no head.  This sour ale has a nice cherry smell. There is a touch of old attic smell in it. The taste is a sweet cherry with a sour kick to it. Shocking this beer is very drinkable for the type of beer style.

Here is a descripation from the bottle:

Aged with cherries, flavored with cherries and cherry juice.  Contains sugar and barley malt.  6% ABV

Here is a descripation form their website (www.liefmans.be):

This Kreik is made with a completely different method from Kreik Lambic.  It starts with old brown beer which is macerated with fresh whole cherries in shallow, horizontal tanks [every 100 liter brown beer holds 13kg cherries].  Then it matures for about 1 year, afterwards it is blended with old Oud Bruin and Goudenband of different ages.  The result is a well  balanced sour and sweet Kreik of great complexity.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.liefmans.be

Twitter:  @liefmansusa

In closing, it took me forever to starting loving this beer style, which is sours.  However, I pick this beer up for a special event, I thought I would give my thoughts on this beer. This is a very well made beer and they did an awesome job.  I am loving the fact they stayed true to what they were and what they are right now.  I love the drinkablity and the complexs nature of this beer.  Beer drinkers can drink this beer any time of the season.  This beer would be perfect for any special event for being a highend beer.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  If you like fruit beers, Cuvee- Brut is right up your alley.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser Lipka

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog De Koninck Anno 1833

Something different, we are going to get into an import beer from the import company called Duvel.  The beer that will be featured in this blog is called De Koninck Anno 1833.    The brewery was founded in 1833 in the Belgium city of Antwerp.  They brewery several different beers but this Amber Ale is their flagship beer.  It is only one of two beers that is in the states.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer is a nice amber color with a ton of white carbonation head. The smell ia not really good. It has a weird smell but as a beer drinker you never judge a beer by the look or smell.  The taste is the real story of it.  It has a slight carbonation with some sweet malty taste. It reminds me sitting around the camp fire making s’mores in the Michigan woods as a kid. It is very drinkable beer.

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

De Koninck is the brewery’s jewel in the crown. Its typical surprisingly malty flavour is appreciated by beer lovers worldwide. This amber-coloured top-fermented beer (25 to 27°) has an accessible taste and a low alcohol content. Brewed in the traditional way using water, yeast, 100% pure malt and pure hops. A natural product, in other words. And what about the slightly bitter finish? De Koninck uses organic Saaz-Saaz hops from the Czech Republic, natural barley and without the addition of maize or brewing sugars. One thing is certain: this delicious specialty beer is the ideal thirst quencher.  Alcohol content: 5.2% Vol.  Pour with a creamy head at 4-6° in the distinctive spherical De Koninck “bolleke” glass.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dekoninck.com

Twitter:  There is no twitter account.

In closing, this is a very unique beer that comes out of Belgium.  When drinking this beer you would never thought, it comes out of Belgium.  When you think of Belgium, you picture chocolate and weird to different spicy to fruity beers.  This one is in its own little world.  I am not a huge fan of Belgium beers but I really like this beer.  It is very drinkable and have a ton of flavor without it being over spicy or hopped up.  I would recommend this beer to even your average or beginner beer drinker.  Oh I forgot to say this.  Fat Tire please go away because this beer will never been duplicate.  You loss!  You get nothing!  Good day beer!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Sierra Nevada Brewery Hoptimum Ale

Starting other new blogs, we are going to take a look at a brewery called Sierra Nevada Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog then you are pretty much up to speed on this brewery, the beer is called Hoptimum Whole Cone Imperial India Pale Ale.  This beer only comes out once a year.  Everything depends on the hop harvest that goes on throughout the country and even the world on these speciality craft beers. Let us get into the beer.

This beer is a deep dark copper with a nice white big head. A big grapefruit smell to the beer. It is very nice smell and I do not like grapefruits.  As far as the taste of the beer, it is sweet carbonation with a hint of grapefruit.  The aftertaste is a very nice dry hoppy kick to it. This big India Pale Ale of ABV of 10.4% and over 100 IBU is very extremely drinkable.

Here is a descripation from the beer bottle:

Hoptimum is the biggest whole – cone IPA we have ever produced — a 100 IBU, whole – cone hurricane of flavor.  Aggressively hopped,  dry – hopped, AND torpedoed, Hoptimum delivers ultra – intense flavors to hop fanatics everywhere.

Here is a descripation form their website (www.sierranevada.com):

A group of hop-heads and publicans challenged our Beer Camp brewers to push the extremes of whole-cone hop brewing. The result is this: a 100 IBU, whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Simply put —Hoptimum: the biggest whole-cone IPA we have ever produced. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped, AND torpedoed with our exclusive new hop varieties for ultra-intense flavors and aromas.

Resinous “new-school” and exclusive hop varieties carry the bold and aromatic nose. The flavor follows the aroma with layers of aggressive hoppiness, featuring notes of grapefruit rind, rose, lilac, cedar, and tropical fruit—all culminating in a dry and lasting finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

In closing,  I really love their beers and this beer is no question at the top of my list.  It took this brewery a long time until they came out with an India Pale Ale in package form.  When they did finally came out with it, then they made this awesome beer.  This is a very drinkable Imperial India Pale Ale and I can see many people getting in trouble drinking this beer.  I love this beer for the hop taste, nice malty backbone, and the smoothest of it.  I highly recommend this beer and I would go and search it since it is a seasonal brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Firemans Brew Brunette Beer Doublebock

In this blog, we are going to sample out the last beer from the Fireman’s Brew, which is called Brunette Beer Doublebock.  If you read my earlier blog on their Blonde Lager then you are up to speed on this brewery, we can now get into the beer because that’s why we are here as a writer and reader.

This beer is black in color with a constant white head.  The smell of the beer is a sweet slight chocolate notes to it. The taste is very sweet with no aftertaste. It has a burned, roasted, and chocolate smooth taste in the beer. This beer is very drinkable.

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

 A traditionally styled Doublebock with rich structure, bold flavors and silky smooth finish.  handcrafted with a heavy dose of toasted chocolate malts to create a refined microbrew of uncompromised quality.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.firemansbrew.com

Twitter: @firemansbrew

Last beer of the night, this is my favorite beer from this brewery.   This is my favorite German beer style and this brewery did not take any shortcuts on this beer.  There is nothing cheap about this beer but it comes with a value that is not seem around the craft world today as much in the past.  This big beer of ABV 8.0% is the same price as the rest of their brews.  This is a huge value for the liquor stores, bars, and beer drinkers.  They stay true to the classic beer style but made it smoother and drinkable for the hottest summer or cold winter days.  Just like their Pilsner, if  I could get it all the time, it will be in my regular line up of beers in my refrigerator.  Fireman’s Brew did an awesome job on the beer!  Also the Brunette beats out the Blonde and the Redhead. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

In this blog, we are going to the west coast to check out a brewery that has push the limits of hops and craft beer drinkers around the country since there exists.  This brewery I am talking about is Stone Brewery and the beer is Cali-Belgique IPA.  Here is a little history on this west coast brewery.  Stone Brewery was founded in 1996 in San Marcos, California by Steve Wagner and Greg Koch.  This brewery is now the largest brewery in Southern California.  This brewery as of 2010 became the 14th largest craft brewery and 23rd overall brewery.  Stone Brewery is still growing and still doing different things with their beers.  They have beer teaming up with different breweries around the country to create new beers. We are going to get into one right now.

I am trying this beer at the Blues Bar in Mount Prospect, Illinois.  This beer is bright yellow color with little to no head. The beer drinker will smell the funky from Belgian spices or yeast and a little melon or mango smell from the hops. It is a little different than the American craft Belgian IPA or Triple. This Stone brew taste like sweet carbonation citrus going on in it.  There is no really no aftertaste to this beer.  This beer is a very drinkable beer.

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

When reading the name “Stone Cali-Belgique IPA”, “Cali” hints that it is a California-style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word “Belgique” (which is how Belgium’s French-speaking population says the word “Belgian”; the Dutch-speaking Belgians say “België”). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that  illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA. The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone brew—and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stonebrew.com

Twitter: @stonebrewingco

In closing, I will be honest and let just say the way it is about this beer.  I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  This is a Belgian Triple not a Belgian IPA.  I understand what American Craft Breweries are trying to do for the general beer fan that understand what India Pale Ale but do not understand a Belgian Triple.  I believe they are trying to create a new beer style to grow off the Belgian Beer Style. There is nothing wrong with this brewery doing it or another brewery. Hell I just brought a pint so they got me and I am glad I did it. I just hate the name that is all. I am off my soap box on this topic.  With that all set at the side, I really enjoy drinking this beer.  If you are hop head like me or like the Belgian beers, I would go try this beer.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

In this blog, we are going to talk about one of the original craft beers. This beer is the standard for what a West Coast Pale Ale sure be made for us Craft Beer Drinkers. The beer that I will be featuring in this blog is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sierra Nevada Brewery was founded in 1979 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi in Chico, California. These two founders were doing home brewing as a hobby until they wanted to start Sierra Nevada. Let us get into the beer because that is why we are here.

This beer has a nice amber color in the glass. It has a nice circus in smell. The beer is a carbonation sweet citrus in taste. It is a very sessional beer for a west coast pale ale. This beer is a drinkable master piece in the craft beer.

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

Our most popular beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a delightful interpretation of a classic style. It has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Generous quantities of premium cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy.

Gold Medal Winner:

Great American Beer Festival:

(American Pale Ale): 1995, 1994, and 1993

(Classic English Pale): 1992

(Pale Ale): 1990, 1989, and 1987

In the end, this brewery push the limits of beer drinkers in the beginning of this brewery and they are still doing it today. This pale ale is the second highest selling craft beer behind Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Pale ale is still mine go to beer in this beer style. A ton of favor going on in the beer along with an awesome drinkablity to complete your beer pallet. I love this beer. If you have not had this beer or have not had it in a long time, it is time for the bottle meet your beer mug. Raise it high and proud! Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Weihenstephan Infinium Ale

In this blog, we are going to dig into my first review on a joint journey between Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company) and Weihenstephan Brewery. Both breweries have done this brew, which Infinium Ale, together for the last few years. If you read my earlier blog on Sam Adams beer then you know about this brewery, Sam Adams is a well known brewery so you might already know about them. Weihenstephan Brewery is new to me so let us get into the history of this brewery. There are documents saying this brewery was brewing beer back in 768, however, most people feel they were founded in 1040. To this day, they claim to be the oldest working brewery in the world. This beer that they did with the Boston Beer Company better be a really good beer with the rich history of this brewery. Speaking of which, let us sampling out this beer.

The carbonation is very heavy extreme as like all Belgian Style beers but it is controlled unlike most beers in this style. The beer color is light copper.  The smell is a slightly citrus with a spicy kick going on in the beer. The taste is very strong citrus with a ton of spices checking you in the boards throughout the beer drinking experience.  It is a very drinkable beer and next to nothing as far as the aftertaste.

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

Our brewers worked for two years with the world’s oldest brewery, Germany’s Weihenstaphan to create this unique new beer style. A ground breaking brew, made with only the four traditional ingredients, malted barley, hops, water, and yeast, Infinium™ is a crisp champagne-like beer with fine bubbles and a fruity, spicy aroma. The crisp clean malt character and delicate fruit notes in this beer are complemented by a slight citrus flavor from dry hopping with Bavarian Noble Hops. Bottle conditioning adds another layer of complexity and light spice notes.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:

http://www.samueladams.com

http://www.weihenstephaner.de/

Twitter:

@samueladamsbeer

@weihenstephanfs

In closing, I really enjoyed drinking this beer. With the rich history from both breweries, this beer did not disappoint me one bit. The complex taste of the beer did not take away anything from the drinkablity of the beer. I would love to pick up another bottle to see how this beer will ages in a year. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Flying Dog Cherry Sour Ale

While in DC for Savor, this is my last beer I had outside of Savor.  It was in basement of this bar where I had DC Brau Hell’s Bottom Stout.  I cannot remember the bar name.  Flying Dog had tap take over which is where a brewery switches all tap handles to their own beers.  The brewery puts some special beers on tap.  I had two beers at Savor from this brewery and I am a huge fan of this brewery.  Let us get to know the back story of this brewery.  Flying Dog Brewery was founded in 1990 by George Stranahan and Lydia McIntyre in Aspen, Colorado but they later moved to Denver, Colorado.  They moved to Maryland after they brought the Wild Goose beers and then sold it to the Logan Shaw Brewing Company.

This beer is a cloudy reddish color to it.  It does not really have a smell to the beer.  The taste is sweet carbonation cherry going on in it.  It was not drinkable and really bad. The marriage between the cherry and the sour was not happening in this beer.

Here is a website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

Closing out my trip to DC for Savor, I really hate to say this about this brewery.  I have to say this beer was a huge disappointed from this brewery.  I love this brewery and I follow them for everything they do in the craft beer world.  I have to call it the way it is on this beer.  However, with that all said, I know there will be a group of beer drinkers out there that will love this beer.  Just because I said I do not like it that does not mean you will not like it.  I am really looking forward to seeing Cholocate IPA to hit the market and I trying their Oyster Stout.  This brewery is not afraid to push the limits in the beer world and I respect them for what they are doing in the craft beer world. Slayer the person wanted to see my thoughts on this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Savor 2012 Part Two (Beer Event)

Sury Brewery Smoked Lager

This beer is black in color with no head. It has a nice smoky chocolate smell. It has a nice smoky chocolate taste with a burn smoky aftertaste. It is not bad and pretty drinkable. I would say to try this beer.  Cheers!

Flying Dog Chocolate IPA

Shocking this beer is not dark in color which is refreshing to see any brewery do with the trend of black IPAs out there. It is yellow with a slight cloudy look to it in the glass.  It is very well balance for IPA. It is sweet then a slam of carbonation and a slight coco aftertaste. I really enjoy this beer. Very well done!  Cheers!

Flying Dog Wildeman Farmhouse IPA

This beer has the Belgian Farmhouse Saison look to it but this dog bites pretty hard in and out of the glass. It has a nice cloudy yellow look in the glass. You can smell the earthy farm smell from the beer. It is very drinkable which this style is suppose to be and keeping to the tradition. The aftertaste is ok but I could live for the beginning of this great beer. Go get some! Cheers!

Devil’s Backbone Brewery

Any brewery has the word Devil or Slayer better live up to the name. That old bastard will do some crazy on you.  This brewery does not disappoint. This BPA is light cloudy yellow with a sweet carbonation piney taste. The aftertaste is very interesting.  It comes with almost a chili punch to the beer. I love this brewery. Cheers!

Flying Fish Chestnut Brown Ale

It has a nice brown color to the beer. It has a marriage of nutty and ginger kicking around in the beer. The taste is something out of Belgian. It is very sweet and a ginger hunting in it this beer. It is a very well done beer. Cheers!