ipa

New Beer Blog Crown Valley Gunslinger Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Crown Valley Brewing.  The beer is Gunslinger Imperial India Pale Ale.  There is not too much information on this brewery.  I know they are from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.  I know the brewmaster came from Anheuser Busch.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head. The smell has a fade grapefruit to citrus and orange citrus. The taste has a carbonated citrus with a dry hop finish. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Gunslinger Double IPA is a robust and malty beer, with an intense hop profile.  Well balanced, rich malt flavors with powerful hop notes from the use of five different hop varieties.

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

Double India Pale Ale

Double IPA8.3% ABVHistoryDouble IPA brewed in 1994 by Vinnie Cilurzo, then head brewer of Blind Pig Brewing Company of Temecula, Californi. Cilurzo claims he “accidentally” created the style by adding 50% too much malt to his mash tun. He then “corrected” this mistake by adding 100% more hops. This is up for some debate, however, as the local San Diego Pizza Port brewery claims to have been brewing “the original San Diego IPA” since 1992 when they opened their brewery (two years before Cilurzo and Blind Pig). Still others attribute the creation of this style to Rouge Ales, a microbrewery in Newport, Oregon, and its I2PA beer, brewed in 1990.

Impression
This beer has the most hops of any beer we produce.
Tasting Notes
Our Gunslinger Double India Pale Ale starts with a rich malt base to which we add hops, hops and more hops. This skillful blend of malt sweetness and aggressive hoppiness will rule your senses! After the addition of Columbus, simcoe, centennial and citra hops at various points of the brewing process, we reach the final IBU count of 93.
Hops – Zeus, Centenial, Falconers Flight, Citra
Malts – Pilsner, Crystal10, Crystal 80, Carapils, Pale, CBW Golden Light
IBU – 93

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.crownvalleybrewery.com

Twitter:  @CrownValleyBrew

In the end, I enjoyed drinking this beer.  It has nice malty backbone with hop impact to make this a great Double India Pale Ale.  I just wish there was some more information on this brewery and I wish they would put code dates on their beers.  I am afraid to buy any in the Chicago market because it might be out of code.  If you have a chance to try it, please, do so.  I recommend ordering from the brewery’s brewpub.  It is a great beer and I recommend trying this beer.  Let me what you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Ethos IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Tallgrass’s latest India Pale Ale and it is called Ethos IPA.  They are coming to Chicago market in June and I cannot wait.  I know this brewery and my friends know that I am a huge fan of Tallgrass Brewing.  If you read my earlier blog on their flagship called 8-Bit Pale Ale, you know the history of this awesome brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The smell is earthy to it. The taste is piney to a fresh-cut grass with a dry hoppy aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer. It is one or two and I need to move onto the next one.

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

Dry-Hopped India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 110

The beer foretold in legend. Six types of hops are gathered from the corners of the world to make this legendary brew. This is no earthly IPA. They will write ballads, build monuments, paint caves, and sacrifice goats to this beer. They will drink Ethos and dance to shake the heavens. The aroma is the harbinger of the tastes to come. Big, bright, and beautiful, this beer exceeds all expectations and grants wishes. Twice dry-hopped and brewed with the aid of a dark alliance from another realm, this beer bestows upon you all the complexity of the hops’ flavors without overwhelming your senses. Ethos IPA is a gift to you, beer mortals. Drink it and fulfill your destiny.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @TallgrassBeer

In closing, I love this beer and I once again I am very happy to hear this brewery has made it to Chicago.  I like this IPA over their other IPA.  There was nothing wrong with the other IPA.  I just felt it was more of an English style IPA.  You can taste the IBU in this beer but it is well balance with the great malt backbone.  I love the hops that they use in this IPA.  This brewery is a perfect storm.  What I mean by this, they have a great liquid and great packaging.  I know Chicago craft beer drinker will love this beer and I recommend all their beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Gigantic Whole In The Head Imperial IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Gigantic.  The beer is called Whole In The Head Imperial IPA.  If you read my last beer blog on their IPA, you know the history.  If you have not read the last post, please, read the post on their IPA.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear cooper with a constant white head. The smell has a citrus to the beer. The taste has a sweet citrus with a dry aftertaste. This is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Whole In The Head Imperial IPA

A freakin’ hop bomb.  Bright, multilayered citrus hop aromas and flavors blow up your face, with just the right amount of hop bitterness to back it all up.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.giganticbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GiganticBrewing

Closing, just like their normal IPA, this Imperial IPA is something else.  It is well made and balance.  It has a big hop flavor but a great malty backbone.  There is no faults in this beer like most India Pale Ales in the market.  These two brewmasters know what they are doing and they are good job at it.  It only comes in 22oz bottles but it is well worth the price for this great beer.  Once this beer is sold out they will never make anymore of this beer. I cannot wait to see what else this brewery has up their hat.  I highly recommend this beer and let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Gigantic IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery from Portland, Oregon that I had a chance to visit their brewpub.  I was upset because my phone dead and I had no chances to write any blogs on their beers.  I was pretty excited to learn that they made their way to the Chicago market.  Gigantic opened their doors in 2012 to the public.  They are known for this beer in this post and making a twist on the classic beer styles.  The founders are Van Havig and Ben Love.  The ball started moving in 2010 for this brewery.  It looks like I was around when they first started up.  I do remember trying their beer called “The City Never Sleeps.”  Let us get into this great beer.

It has a slight hazel copper color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell has a citrus to it but I pick up hints of piney to earthly notes. The taste has a creamy with a light carbonation citrus with a dry hop aftertaste. It is to me a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Gigantic IPA

True to its name.  Cascade, centennial, crystal and simcoe create a citrusy hop confluence that continuously embiggens with each drink.  The embodiment of our brewing philosophy to “never give an inch”.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.giganticbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GiganticBrewing

Closing, I get nervous with 22oz bottle beers.  I sometimes feel I do not get my money worth out of the beer.  I did not feel this way towards this beer because I have had their beers.  I wonder if there are more people like me out there.  This is a great beer and it is well balance between the hops to the malt backbone.  Gigantic did a great job making this beer and I love the art on the packaging.  This young brewery is on the right direction and I am looking forward what they will release next.  I highly recommend 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 MamaKash Ales Get My Money And Don’t Give Me No Problems Milk Stout

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into one of my friend’s homebrews.  The growth of craft breweries around the country and the world.  There is no shortage of craft beer drinkers to try to brew their own beers.  If they are good at it, they will look to maybe open their own brewery in the future.  Let us get into this beer.

This stout has a black color with a semi tan color. The smell is like a black coffee in the morning. The taste is a slight piney black coffee with a dry hoppy finish. It is drinkable.

In closing, this was a pretty interested beer.   I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  I picked up some coffee but yet smooth like a milk stout.  There is also hints of hops.  The hops makes this beer a little unique and different.  As many of you know, I am a huge hophead.  I love the touch of the hops in this beer.  I do not believe there is a milk stout with a hop front on the market.  I believe he could make some money on this beer.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the last beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is their India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this brewery.  If have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get the information on this brewery.  Let us get the beer.

It has a hazel golden color without a head. The smell is a citrus and grapefruit with a slight mango. The taste is a carbonate citrus with a dry hop finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ready to buck convention?  We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American style.  We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic.  American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.  Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy the ride!

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

We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700′s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American Style. We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.

7.0%Alc. by Vol      60IBUs

Here is a video from their website (www.odellbrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In closing, I am a huge hophead and I really enjoyed this beer.  There is a great malty backbone and enough hops to keep the hophead happy.  This brewery makes some great beers and you can see they put some thought into each of their beers which I mentioned in a few beer blogs ago.  This brewery also has some great packaging and I am glad I had a chance to try some of their beer.  I will be searching for more their beers or ordering from www.letspour.com I highly recommend their beers and let me know what you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Summer Hard Rock And Metal Tours

In this Music Monday blog, I am going to give my thoughts on this Summer tours in 2013.  I know most people do not have a ton of money and I hope this helps people who cannot do a ton of research on Hard Rock and Metal tours.  Plus, I will let you know which ones I am looking to attend.  I will be looking at a few cities to see some of these bands.  The cities that I am looking at are Chicago and Detroit markets.

Detroit Shows

DTE Energy Theatre Shows

Gigantour 2013 featuring Megadeth – The one thing I love about this there are other bands on this ticket.  It creates a value for the ticket buyer.  Plus, for me, it is bands I have been wanting to see in a long time.  I am talking about BLS and Hellyeah.  Megadeth alone is worth the price.  I will be looking at getting tickets for this show in any of these cities.   The problem with this show it is during the week.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival – Another great value every year in and out is the Mayhem Festival.  This fest I could see in any city.  I love the line up and I had a chance to get to know some newer bands.  This is an all day event and it makes it even more whole the money.  I try to get down every year for this event.  It is on a Sunday which you might want to take a Monday off.

Ted Nugent with Tesla and Laura Wilde – Well come one it is Uncle Ted in Detroit and with Tesla that has not put out one bad record and is great live.  Then you just toss in my girl that I have been waiting to see her play live forever and a day, who is Laura Wilde.  I know this will put a smile on her face when she sees this post.  I am going to this show.  It is on my list.

Black Sabbath – I am interested but it is during the weekdays.  I hate it when it is during the week.  Black Sabbath will draw like they normally do in the past.  This might be one of the last times you will see this band together.  Bill Ward is not part of this tour and I do not know who is drumming but they will find a good one.  I will look into the other cities.

Chicago Shows

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

It is pretty much the same shows in Chicago as Detroit.  This is the worse Amphitheatre I have ever been too.

In closing,  I am pretty upset I will not be able to see Black Sabbath.  I can see them but I do not like the day of the week they are playing between Chicago and Detroit markets.  However, there are some good shows that I will be seeing, I will be at the Ted Nugent show in Detroit.  If you are there, come by and see hello and let me know.  So far, right now, I will be only be going to one show this summer.  I know I will find a few more shows to see when last-minute ones being release.  Let me know what your thoughts are and who you will be seeing this summer.  I will be looking at the Machine Shop up in Flint, Michigan for a few shows.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of my favorite India Pale Ales.  It is from Maui Brewing and the beer is called Big Swell IPA.  If you read my earlier blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed on this great brewery.  Let us get into this American India Pale Ale.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head. The smell is a tropical fruit smell which I have no idea which one. It is a nice smell to the beer. The taste is sweet carbonation hop with a hop and malty aftertaste. This is a different tasting India Pale Ale than anything in the market. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Big Swell IPA is a fresh handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with huge amounts of American hops and malted Barley… dry-hopped to perfection!

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

Our handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with four different kinds of Northwestern hops and malted barley …dry-hopped to perfection.  Its flavor begins smooth and malty and is followed with a big burst of hop flavor.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mauibrewingco.com

Twitter:  @mauibrewingco

Aloha, every time I have this beer.  I have to say it has never disappoint me.  This is a great beer and fits perfectly where it is brewed.  It has a nice malty backbone and hop just right for Hawaii.  This beer can be enjoyed any part of the United States.  I wish this beer was sold in Chicago but it is a treat when I am able to order it or friends bring some back to me.  If you are able to get this beer, please, pick it up and let me know what you think.  I do not know where I would put this beer as my favorite beer but I know for a fact it is in my Top Five for India Pale Ales.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Stone Enjoy By 05-17-13 IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from the Stone Brewery.  The beer is a limited and rare release 22oz bottles.  It is an unique Double India Pale Ale.  The name of the beer is when the beer goes out of code.    If you read my earlier beer blog on their Flagship beer, which is IPA, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post.  Let us get into this beer.

This special Double India Pale Ale has a clear semi dark golden color with a constant white head. The smell is is a heavy piney but a touch of a tropical fruit. There is a ton going on in the smell. The taste is a piney but a dry hoppy tropical fruit. It is drinkable beer but careful drinking it.

Here is description from the beer bottle:

You have in your hands a devastatingly fresh double IPA.  Freshness is a key component of many beers – especially big, hoppy IPAs – but we’ve taken it further, a lot further, with this one.  We brewed this IPA specifically NOT to last.  We’ve gone to extensive lengths to ensure you get  your hands on this beer within an extraordinarily short window, and we’ve sent a very clear message in the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right NOW to enjoy this IPA!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter:  @stonebrewingco

Ending, this beer lives up to what it is which is “Live For The Now, The Present.”  Stone Brewing is a doing good thing and making a statement in the Craft Beer World.  I believe all brewers are looking for fresh product in the market.  However, this is a solid beer, it is a big hoppy beer that has a nice and solid malty backbone.  I love how they use social media to show where people are enjoying this beer.  This will start a trend but it has to have a great beer behind it.  This beer is an awesome beer and I am glad I had it.  I will looking for more before the date comes to head.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Fort Collins Brewery Rocky Mountain IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Fort Collins Brewery.  The brew that will be feature is Rocky Mountain IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this young brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.    Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a clear copper color without a head on it. The smell is a grapefruit to the beer. The taste of this full body India Pale Ale is carbon grapefruit with a dry hop aftertaste. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

India Pale Ale

Massive floral aroma lures you in while hop bitterness and malty sweetness mingle in symmetry.  After all, great balance is key when you are only standing on three legs.

Here is a description from the website (www.fortcollinsbrewery.com):

Rocky Mountain IPA

An I.P.A. by definition is liberally hopped and higher in alcohol. We made Rocky Mountain I.P.A. by dry hopping for an intense citrus aroma and adding a generous helping of malt to create a backbone stable enough to support the characteristic bitterness of the beer.

Awards

2009 US Open Beer Championship, Silver, English IPA.

Availability

All Year.

Packages

12oz bottles (6 packs), 1/2 bbls, 1/6 bbls

Stats

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.2%

Hop Bitterness (IBU): 81

Color (SRM): 12

Food Pairings

Chicken and Waffles, H.C. Lamb Burger

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fortcollinsbrewery.com

Twitter:  @FortCollinsBrew

Closing, I guess I did not realize how many English style India Pale Ales are on the market.  I kind wish the packaging would say something on it that it is a West Coast IPA or just English one.  I guess I could just look on Untappd and hope that it is put in their correctly.  However, this is a great beer and I enjoyed drinking it, it gives me a different pace unlike all the other IPAs on the markets.  What I mean by that last statement.  It is not a West Coast IPA and the English Style gives a different pace.  You might want hops but not over the top and this one and few other English IPAs fit the bill.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser