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New Beer Blog Fish Tale Ales The Hobbit Smaug Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from Fish Tale Ales.  It is their The Hobbit Smaug Stout.  This is the second one of three that I have had a chance to review on this blog.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Tripel, you know the history of this Northwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head on this imperial stout. The smell has a chocolate to coffee notes. The taste has a chocolate to coffee notes with slight chili pepper burn finish for the aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The Dragon Smaug

After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, and Dwarves journey to Laketown, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all – a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage, but the friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself – the Dragon Smaug

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fishbrewing.com

Twitter:  @FishBrewing

Closing, I did not know there was three of these.  I picked up the tripel by mistake but I am glad I had it.  I did write-up a review on it a few days ago.  Please, go check it out if you are interested what I think of that brew.  I had to do a little hunting for this brew and I am so happy that I found it. What I like about this beer, the hot peppers did not over taking the brew.  There is a nice balance but the hot peppers do start to get hotter the more and more that you drink this brew.  It is an average brew.  This is the best of the three in the series.  I did not have the Pils.  I do not think that I will be trying that brew.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Ommegang Games Of Thrones Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the next installment of the Games Of Thrones from Ommegang Brewery.  It is Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Dubbel ale.

It has a cloudy amber color with a constant tan color head. The smell has a sweet malty to candy notes. The taste has a sweet malty to candy notes. The aftertaste has a sweet malty to slight alcohol finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Tasting Notes

Valar Morghulis possesses a deep chestnut brown color with a persistent and creamy tan head. Rich aromas of caramel, toffee, ripe fruits and burnt sugar, with a hint of cloves. The taste is delicately balanced with rich malty sweetness, caramel and just enough bitterness to balance out its malty backbone. A surprisingly dry finish is light on the tongue, which belies the initial aroma.

  • Malt: Our carefully crafted mixture of specialty malts.
  • Sugar: Dark Candi
  • Hops: Apollo, Hallertau Spalt
  • Spices: None
  • ABV: 8.0%
  • Available on draft and in 750ml bottles.

Pair with savory dishes, roasted lamb or beef, marinated roasts and grilled venison. Strong cheeses such as Stilton, Gorgonzola and smoked cheddar will match well against the malty body.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter:  @breweryommegang

In the end, I always get excited when these beers are released from Ommegang.  I love their beers but there are times when they put one out a beer that I just feel it is not worth the price.  The beer is good but not worth the price.  Overall, they make some killer beers.  This brew is really good and it will sell because of the Games Of Thrones.  It is kind like their Abbey. I just feel like it is missing something. It is a little different brew.  If you can find it, I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Fish Tales Ales Hobbit Tripel

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Fish Brewing and it is Hobbit Tripel.  This brewery has team with the Hobbit The Movie to brew a series of beers.  Fish Brewing was founded in 1993 in Olympia, Washington.  There is not too much information on this brewery.  Let us get into beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with a white constant head on this special movie beer release. The smell has a Belgium species with orange coriander notes. The taste has a creamy orange coriander to Belgium species notes. The aftertaste is dry and crisp finish. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The Otc Bolg

The spawn of Azog the Defiler, Bolg, like his sire is a giant, plae Orc.  Keeper of the dungeons of Dol Guldur, Bolg takes pleasure in torture – his armor is embellished with the bones and blood of his victims.  Powerfully built, this Orc is afraid of nothing and no one – that is, until he comes up against a surpising foe.

Here is their website and twitter and addresses:

Website:  www.fishbrewing.com

Twitter:  @FishBrewing

In the end, this is not a new way of selling beer.  Beer and other products have been doing product placement in movies.  Now, TV series and movies are now teaming up with breweries to make a series of beers to support that project.  Ommegang has done an overall really great job on their beers for the Games Of Thrones.  I cannot think of any other examples of this situation.  I love my tripels or triples.  This beer is pretty average. I am not a huge fan of it. It is missing something and I do not know what it is.  I believe it will sell some bottles because it has the Hobbit logo on the bottle.  If you see the bottle, I would at least try it.  If you are a fan of the movies, you will be picking it up.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Dragon’s Milk Reserve With Raspberry

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample a special release from successful Dragon Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout Series from New Holland Brewery.  This time around they added raspberries to their milk stout.  If you have read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this milk stout.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan head on this special stout edition. The aroma has a heavy raspberry to slight chocolate notes. It smells like chocolate covered raspberries. The taste has a heavy raspberry with hints of chocolate and slight burn alcohol notes. There is a slight vanilla, oak, and bourbon notes. The aftertaste has a raspberry and burn alcohol notes.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is their description from the beer bottle:

This beer is from our collection of special variations that live in our Dragon’s Milk cellar.  Local raspberries were added to the barrels in the final stages of conditioning.  Raspberries lend depth, brightness and unique fruit character that harmonizes beautifully with Dragon’s Milk’s dark, roasty tones of malt, bourbon, and oak.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

In the end, I am not really a huge fan of their Dragon’s Milk Stout.  I was pretty interested in how the raspberries would go with the bourdon barrel milk stout.  The color is your normal jet black color for a milk stout.  I am pretty much a fan of raspberries so I love aroma from this brew.  The taste is like a chocolate cover raspberries with some bourbon notes.  This is a great product and they did a great job on it.  I have to say this is one of my favorite brews from New Holland.  I highly recommend this  beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Southern Tier Unearthly Imperial IPA

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We are going to into a special brew from Southern Tier Brewery in this beer blog.  It is their Oak Aged Imperial India Pale Ale Unearthly.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this east coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has an earthly to piney notes along with oak notes. The taste has a vanilla, sweet malty, and earthy hop notes. The aftertaste has a sweet malty finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration.

Oak Aged & Unearthly Union

Here, we take our unparalleled Unearthly IPA and age it with oak for a harmonious fusion of rich malts, grassy hops, and savory oak.  Oak Aged Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the focus of nature to produce a divine liquid.  pour a taste of this oak aged brew into a fluted glass.  Smell the enchanting aromas of hops as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul.  To underestimate Oak Aged Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.

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

At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with our most aggressive offering yet. Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

In the end, I saw this beer on the shelf and I did not know how I felt towards it at first.  India Pale Ale in the Oak barrel is something that I did not think it would work very well.  I know that most craft breweries do have some standards at least the ones that have been in business for ten years plus.  There is some younger craft breweries that do not have standards.  This is not a good thing for the craft beer.  It has a nice balance from Oaked age and hop bitter notes. I love it.  This beer was well designed and thoughtfully put together. I was wrong on IPA in barrel. It did work. I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Green Flash Cedar Plank Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew and limited release from Green Flash Brewery.  It is their Cedar Plank Pale Ale.  If you had read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Green Flash.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this west coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this pale ale.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus to piney notes. The taste has an earthly to piney and evergreen notes. The aftertaste has a dry piney finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Epic Journey Limited Release

We believe in continuously evolving.  This means crafting and sharing special release and experimental brews to inspire and enlighten your palate.  Our passion for hops presents infinite possibilities.  We are constantly exploring new hop varieties, fresh combinations and innovative brewing methods.  Embark on an epic journey and discover our limited release Cedar Plank Pale Ale.

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

EPIC JOURNEY, LIMITED RELEASECedar Plank™ Pale is the result of fresh innovation applied to San Diego favorite, 30th Street Pale®. This well-hopped brew is aged with Spanish Cedar, which imparts an intense cigar-box cedar aroma. Peppercorn spiciness and tannins from the wood enhance the bitter hop flavors with a long, lingering finish. A refined twist on a best-selling local beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenflashbrew.com

Twitter:  @greenflashbeer

In closing, the one thing that I love about this craft brewery is they are always looking for ways to push the limits of good craft beer.  They are always looking at ways to grow their beer knowledge.  There are craft breweries that put out their high-end beers and they are the same thing that someone else already did.  Green Flash is looking at everything different like Stone Brewery that is one of many examples.  I love trying these beers to push my taste buds.  This beer is something a little different from the normal pale ales on the market currently.  I love earthly to piney notes. This is a great beer. There is a nice some evergreen tree notes in the aroma and a little bit in the taste profile.  There is a nice balance and I enjoyed drinking this brew.  I just wished it was in a four or six-pack and not a bomber.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog 21st Amendment Brewery Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from 21st Amendment Brewery.  It is their Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale.  If you have read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know 21st Amendment Brewery.  Let us get into this winter ale.

It has a clear amber color with a tan constant head. The smell has a sweet malty to alcohol notes. The taste has a sweet malty, alcohol with other spices notes. The aftertaste has a nice warm alcohol finish. It is a nice sipping beer with cigar and fireplace.

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

Like FDR’s Depression-era radio addresses, which were like a kick in the butt and a hug at the same time, our Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark, English-style ale and then we improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation.

Fireside Chat is our early winter seasonal brew available from October through December in six-pack cans and on draft. Brewed like a classic, warming Strong Ale but with a subtle blend of hand-selected spices for just the right festive flair.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter:  @21stAmendment

Closing, I enjoyed a lot of beers from 21st Amendment Brewery.  I was pretty excited when I made a road trip down to Ohio for a family event.  I stopped by the local craft beer store and I was pretty excited to see their beers on shelf.  It was a no brainer to pick up a few six and four packs of their brews.  I saw this one and I was pretty excited because I never had it.  I have been wanting to try it for a while now.  I love the story behind this beer.  This beer holds up its end of the bargain.  I really enjoyed this brew.  I love the balance in this brew.  It does warm you up on coldest days in the winter.  I love how the Cocoa Nibs goes well with all the other spices notes.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Belgium Frambozen Ale (2014)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into their holiday beer from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Frambozen Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this mountain area craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know New Belgium Brewery.  Let us get into this American Brown ale.

It has a clear ruby-red color when held up to the light. The smell has a heavy sweet raspberry notes. The taste has a sweet malty with raspberry wine notes. The brown ale calms wine notes. The aftertaste has a sweet raspberry finish. It is a nice sipping but kind of drinkable beer for the holiday season.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Flemish for “raspberry,” Frambozen is our big, luscious celebration of the ruby-red fruit. We discovered the perfect marriage between the fruity complexity of northwestern raspberries and the rich chocolate, roasted maltiness of a Brown Ale. Frambozen pours a warming, deep red of seasonal festivity.

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

Frambozen begins with the aroma of fresh red raspberries, followed by the ripe seductiveness of a fruity brown ale with depth and delicate malt notes. It is deep ruby in color, with flavors just as rich. Every year, New Belgium sends a delegate to the Pacific Northwest to oversee the process of turning freshly picked berries into a pure juice to be added in fermentation. The coming of Thanksgiving at New Belgium is ushered in with the first sighting of our cellar operators scuttling about, covered head to tow in a festive crimson berry wash.

Here is their website and twitter:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, I have been wanting to try this so many seasons.  I miss it season after season.  I saw it on the shelf this winter season.  I knew I had to pick it up right away.  I knew the raspberries would go over pretty well with the brown ale.  This is before trying this brew.  I love the nice color.  It has that Flemish Brown color but it is not a sour.  I love it. There is a nice balance from the raspberries and the brown ale.  It kind of has a little wine like notes which is a little unique.  This is by far the best winter seasonal on the market this season.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog 21st Amendment Marooned On Hog Island Stout

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In this blog, we are going to get into another brew from 21st Amendment Brewery.  It is their Marooned On Hog Island Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know 21st Amendment Brewery.  Let us get into this special stout.

It has a jet black color without a head but the head that was there is a tan color. The aroma has a chocolate to coffee notes. The taste has a slime chocolate with a burned malt to coffee notes for the aftertaste. It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Exhausted by the tedious work and rancid beer, deck swabs O’Sulivan and Freccia abandoned Sir Francis Drake’s Galleon.  Days later, they washed up on a tiny island in Tomales Bay, where they encountered local oyster Farmers John and Terry.  Soon, these beer mutineers and oyster mercenaries were feasting on roast pig, fresh oysters and goblets of the Captain’s finest ale.  They could think of worse fates than being…

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter:  @21stAmendment

In the end, I have always love stouts.  I am pretty much in love with stouts made with oysters.  My first ever stout with oysters was from Flying Dog.  These stouts are really unique and it takes stout and oyster fans to love this unique beer style.  The oysters make this stout a little slime like notes with some nice chocolate to coffee notes.  I love it. There is a nice balance in this brew.  I cannot wait to see this brew next season or everyday.  There is no information on their website.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Shipyard Brewing Prelude Special Ale (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another seasonal from Shipyard Brewery.  It is their Prelude Special Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers. you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Shipyard Brewery.  Let us get into this winter warmer.

It has a clear dark ruby-red color with constant small bubbles feeding a constant white head. The smell has a sweet burned malty to light rum liquor notes. There is some alcohol notes in the aroma.  The taste has a sweet burned malty with a burn alcohol aftertaste. This beer will warm you up in the winter. It is a sipping winter ale.

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

Prelude Special Ale

 “This seasonal specialty is the perfect winter warmer.”

Prelude is a rich, nutty, full-bodied English ale with an inviting amber hue and hoppy finish.

First Brewed:  December 1993

Available:  November – December

Malt Style:  2-Row British Pale Ale, Crystal, Chocolate, Wheat

Yeast:  Top-Fermenting English

Hops:  Cascade, Tettnang, Fuggles

Color:  Deep Amber

IBUs:  47

OG:  1.070

ABV:  6.7%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shipyard.com

Twitter:  @shipyardbrewing

Closing, I have seen this brew a few times on the shelf.   The question that I had every time is should I pick up this time?  I do not know whyI kept on walking away from it.  Is it the packaging? Or is it lack of information on the packaging?  Either way, I finally picked up this beer and I am glad I did.  I have been wanting to try it.   I kind of like this brew. This is a hidden gem for us in the Midwest. It is kind of unknown brew here. There is some nice balance but yet a nice complex notes.  I love the alcohol notes.   This is a nice beer to keep you warm in the winter months.  I highly recommend this beer. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13