ipa

New Beer Blog Magic Hat Electric Peel Grapefruit IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a new brew from Magic Hat Brewery.  It is their Electric Peel Grapefruit IPA.  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 Magic Hat Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a semi constant white head. The aroma has a citrus to grapefruit notes but it is really faded. The taste of this light body IPA has a nice sweet citrus notes to light grapefruit hoppy notes that is light on the tongue. It is not overly bitter. The aftertaste has a nice juicy citrus finish. This is a very and extremely drinkable IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold.  Our mysterious melange of time-honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to create this unique beer to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits.  Cheers!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, This is a huge trend in the craft beer world.  I am talking about the heavy Grapefruit IPA’s.  Since living in Michigan, there is a Michigan craft brewery, who is Perrin Brewery, that made one if the first Grapefruit IPA.  I say and describe it as a Shandy IPA.  It is a really good beer.  This one is a different animal in a good way of course.  One, there a is a bigger punch in the alcohol stand period.  Perrin Grapefruit IPA is about 4.3% to 4.5%.  Electric Peer Grapefruit IPA has a 6%.  Perrin has a heavy grapefruit notes.  Magic Hat gives the Grapefruit lovers the love but not in your face. It gives people on the fence enough to make them happy.  Magic Hat Electric Peel will be in draft and package.  Unlike Perrin Grapefruit IPA, it is draft only.  There is many craft beer drinkers in Michigan and around the country that want it in package too.  Let us talk more about Electric Peel then comparing it to Perrin’s brew.  It has a light body and drinkable beer. It is perfect for any season. There is some nice hop and bitter notes that do not take over the brew.  This will be my lawn work beer in summer. This is a great beer. This beer is not released yet but I would start looking for it.  Thanks for the share, Magic Hat Brewery! 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 Stone Brewing Delicious IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Stone Brewing Delicious IPA.  This is one of the newer beers from this west coast craft beer legend.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Stone Brewing.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this west coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear golden to a light copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a Lemon Drop candy like smell. The taste has a slight lemonish notes but a heavy grass to weed notes. The aftertaste has a heavy weed like notes along with the dry bitter finish. It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

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While our beers are many and diverse, yet unified by overarching boldness, India pale ales are our undeniable bread and butter. We’ve brewed many over the past 18 years, from double-down bitter bombs to piney session sippers. Whether it’s big IBUs or a precise ABV, there’s usually a target we’re shooting for. The same is true of this, our latest IPA, but we gave zero thought to any acronyms. This one was all about packing as much unique and, you guessed it, delicious flavor into a glass as humanly possible, regardless of oomph or octane. This intensely citrusy, beautifully bitter beer is worthy of the simple-yet-lordly title of Stone Delicious IPA. Lemondrop and El Dorado hops combine to bring on a magnificent lemon candy-like flavor that’s balanced by hop spice. It’s unlike anything we’ve tasted in nearly two decades of IPA experimentation, and another lupulin-laced creation we’re excited to introduce to hopheads everywhere.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter;  @stonebrewingco

Closing, I am a sucker for new beers and even more for new IPA’s.  I had to pick up this beer from Stone Brewing.  I know there are so many new and different IPA’s on market and Stone Brewing has made so many to hit the market.  Why another IPA to the market?  It is pretty simple.  New hops hit the market and they do different things to the aroma and taste profile of beer.  This one has a nice balance with a nice malty backbone.  I love it. I will be getting more of it.  This is a limited release and kind of seasonal beer.  I hope this become an everyday brew.  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 Smuttynose Brewing Finestkind IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample one of my favorite IPA’s in the United States.  I am talking about Smuttynose Brewing Finestkind IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northeast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Snuttynose Brewing.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white color head. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a heavy citrus notes with a dry aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.smuttynose.com

Twitter:  @smuttynosebeer

In closing, Just what I said in my last blog about their brown ale, I am so happy that they finally made it to the Michigan market.  This brew was one of my go to IPA’s when I lived in the Chicago market.  This is one of my favorite IPA’s. I was so happy to see them make it to the Michigan market. When I left the Chicago market, I was sad to leave many of my favorite brews and breweries. Why I like this beer?  It is pretty simple.  It is not overall bitter and hoppy but it has enough for this hopheads.  I could drinking this beer in any season.  I hope cans make it to this market soon.  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 Slow Ride Session IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to feature a new brew, which is Slow Ride session IPA, from New Belgium Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, them to get to know New Belgium Brewery.  Let us get into this session IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head on this session IPA. The smell has a floral to tropical notes. It has a complex aroma notes. The taste has a juicy citrus notes. This is a session IPA with a full body IPA that will keep hop head guessing all the way through this brew. It is drinkable beer.

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

Kicking back and relaxing with a session beer requires little more than a couch, some free time, and a few pals. Slow Ride Session IPA is up for this easy-going challenge, starting with a pour of sheened gold and plenty of fluffy, white foam. A blend of eight hop varieties, led by exotic Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin, twist together brilliant tropical scents of melon, peach, lime and grapefruit for a vividly fruity aroma. The flavor mirrors the aroma, while balancing a malty-sweet yet clean start and hoppy bitterness in the back. Light bodied and extra quaffable, Slow Ride Session IPA brings the finish line to you.

Looking for Slow Ride in Texas? Our friends in the Lone Star State can find Slow Ride under the name New Belgium Session IPA beginning in early March. Don’t worry: It’s still the same green and yellow package and label with the same awesome couch bike and, most importantly, the same great beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, I will say it again and again. Session IPA’s are pale ales.   This is just a reality check.  It is just a marketing situation which is fine.  Founder’s Brewery in Michigan started this trend with their All Day IPA.  There are some Session IPA’s that are not very good.  This one from New Belgium Brewery is very good and they did a great job throughout the process.  There is a ton of complex aroma notes that makes the craft beer drinker thinking he is drinking a full body IPA.  The taste profile is light body but with the aroma, it makes the beer drinker think he or she is drinking a full body IPA.  The aftertaste will bring new IPA drinkers into this hophead world because it is clean and crisp.  This session IPA is unlike any other session IPA’s on the market.  New Belgium Brewery has changed the way we look at session IPA’s.  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 Dark Horse Brewing Double Crooked Tree India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Dark Horse Brewery.  It is their Double Crooked Tree IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Dark Horse.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head on this double IPA. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a heavy citrus notes with extremely heavy bitter finish for the aftertaste. This is a nice sipping brew.

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

DOUBLE CROOKED TREE IPA

Have you read the description for the regular Crooked Tree yet? Well this beer is almost the same just double the flavor and alcohol. We actually took the Crooked Tree recipe and doubled all of the ingredients except the water, just the way a DOUBLE should be made. Big hops balanced with tons of malt give this beer a huge body. Although this beer is as cool as “The Fonz” when first purchased, it gets really mellow and smooth with some age. After a year or two stored in a cool dark place you’ll notice the heavy caramel and malt flavors are trying to sneak past the hops. This beer is hugely delicious so it will need your undivided attention (the chores can wait….trust us).

ABV:
12%

Availability:
February (Limited)

Package:
1/2 Barrels / 1/6 Barrels / 4-Pack of Good ol’ Bottles

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.darkhorsebrewery.com

Twitter:  @darkhorsebrewco

Ending, I have always been a fan of IPA’s and Double or Imperial IPA.  It was a no brainer to pick up a bottle of Dark Horse Brewery Double Crooked Tree IPA.  This is a pretty heavy beer and they did it right.  You will not be doing anything else the rest of the day after drinking this beer.  I love it. I will try to get more but since it is pretty limited, it will be hard to find more bottles.  I highly recommend this beer.  They did a great job on 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 Victory Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another limited release and high-end brew, which is Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale, from Victory Brewery  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 the Imperial IPA.

It has a slightly cloudy golden color with a white constant head. There is no aroma. The taste has a heavy dry hop bitter with a sweet citrus notes. The aftertaste has a light tropical notes finish. It is pretty drinkable for imperial IPA. It is really a sipping beer.

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

Hop Ranch

Imperial India Pale Ale

To our hop ranchers, who coax and cultivate our enticing and flavorful hops, we raise this glass. Selecting the finest varieties in their natural, whole flower form, we craft our Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale, as a celebration of their successes. Pungent, floral and intense, this represents America’s best in every relaxing sip.

Composition

Malt: Pilsner

Hops: Mosaic and Azacca

ABV: 9.0%

Flavor

This powerful brew features full, juicy hop character, while expressing notes of mango, pineapple and the pleasantly sharp, biting edges of tart citrus fruit.

Food Pairings

Hot wings, curry and bold cheeses

Availability

Winter seasonal available in 12oz. bottles and on draft.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.victorybeer.com

Twitter:  @victorybeer

Closing, this beer was kind of hard to find.  I am pretty happy to find this brew.  I will say that this beer was not disappointing at all.  It lived up for the beer hunt.  I love this beer.  They did a great job.  There is a nice balance but it has a nice punch to help aid towards food pairing.  It would go perfectly with hot wings for example but the hops and bitterness will bring out the heat out more.  This is a great beer to enjoy by itself.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some because it is a winter seasonal.  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 Rogue Brutal India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into our first review of a Rogue Brewery beer.  It is their Brutal India Pale Ale.  It is the official beer for Rogue Nation.  Rogue Ales was founded in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon.  They have three brewpubs in three different states.  They are known for their Dead Guy Ale, which is a maibock.  They are known to push the limits of beer.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with semi on white head. The smell has a heavy citrus notes. The taste of this medium body has a nice citrus notes with a dry hoppy bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style: India Pale Ale

FOOD PAIRING: Seafood, Beef

Tasting Notes: A non-traditional India Pale Ale with big citrusy, hop flavor and intense hop aroma. Medium-bodied with a vibrant lingering hop-bitterness that is anything but brutal. Enjoy!
8 Ingredients: 2-Row, Carawheat, C15 & Rogue Farms Dare™ & Risk™ Malts; Rogue Farms Alluvial™ Hops; Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast.

“Fermentation may have been a greater discovery than fire.” – David Wallace

Awards:

2012 World Beer Awards, World’s Best IPA
2011 World Beer Awards, World’s Best Bitter Pale Ale
2010 World Beer Championships, Gold
2010 Australian International Beer Awards, Gold
2007 World Beer Championships, Best of the Year

History:

Rogues take risks. Rogues are willing to shun titles and personal financial success in the pursuit of the greater good. Rogues pursue the long shot. Rogues have respect for diversity. Rogues are never satisfied to rest on past laurels. Rogues work hard. Rogues ignore the accepted patterns and blaze their own trails. Rogue shave raw talent and focus on that talent. Rogues are honest with themselves and others. Rogues are rebels. Rogues have one foot in reality to let them get the job done, but they are, nonetheless, led by their dreams. Not a member? Join the nation! Rogue.com

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rogue.com

Twitter:  @rogueales

In the end, I did not know how I felt about his beer.  It has pretty cool packaging and it is just their normal IPA to me.  It is a great beer.  I guess I would understand this beer a little bit more if I visit Rogue Nation.  A few years ago, I was in their backyard and I did not get a chance to stop by their brewery.  I hope one day to visit them.  I love it.  There is a nice balance from the aroma to the aftertaste.  There is a nice pretty color.  I believe if you are a hophead, you should at least try 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 Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA

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In this beer blog, we are  going to get into a new brew from Samuel Adams.  It is part of their Rebel IPA series.  It is their Rebel Rider Session IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers from Boston Beer Company, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, read them to get to know this craft beer legend.  Let us get into this session IPA.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this session IPA. The aroma has a slight floral notes. The taste has a  citrus to slight grapefruit notes that makes this a light and refreshing brew. The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish. It is drinkable of course.

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

Bursting with bright citrus, grapefruit, and classic piney west coast hop character. This beer has a soft lingering bitterness and a lighter body overall our session IPA is brewed for easygoing days, so relax and enjoy!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

In the end, I do not know why they are doing line extension on this beer.  Their normal Rebel IPA is not really good.  They have a really good IPA in their Latitude 42 IPA.  I do not know why I picked up a bottle of their Double Rebel and Rider IPA.  This is the new trend in beer world to make session IPA’s.  Founders All Day IPA was the first to start this new beer style.  It is not really a new beer style because they are really pale ales.  This is a marketing thing.  I believe this is about the worse session IPA that I ever had.  It is not very good. I just feel this beer is missing the punch like other session IPA.  I just feel the other session IPA’s have that punch of the hops.  I was not really impressed with this brew.  I guess television ad budget helps push the most average brews in the world just like Miller Lite, Coors Light, etc.  This is what Samuel Adams has become. Don’t go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Sports Thought Thursday Blog Super Bowl XLIX

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, we are going to get into this year’s Super Bowl that is being played at Arizona.  Today is the Pro Bowl.  Who cares!!!  This year’s playoff games has had one theme throughout.  Refs have screwed many teams in the league.  I am talking about flag that was picked up in the Lions vs Cowboys game.  The process of the caught in the Cowboys vs Packers.  Finally, deflate footballs in the Colts vs Patriots.  I will get into that in a sports thought Thursday blog after the Super Bowl.  Let us break this down.

If you read my blog before the playoff games, you know that I picked Seattle vs Denver in a rematch.  This is why you never change anything because I did have New England vs Seattle in the Super Bowl.  I had that just before I posted it.  Oh well!  I believe the whole Deflategate will put some pressure on the Pats.  I do not care if they have the best coach to get them focus on the game.  This does pulls a lot of pressure off the Seahawks.  Everyone is talking about New England and Deflategate.  The ruling from the league will not be until after the Super Bowl, which I believe is some bull shit.  Let us get into what is at stake for each team.

New England Patriots

Winning this game is very important for both teams.  New England can shut everyone up on Deflategate and spygate.  Plus, this might be last go around with Brady and Bill.  I believe the punishment is going to be harsh on New England.  I am not going to get into that until after the Super Bowl.  This game could make Brady 3 – 3 or 4 – 2 at the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks

This is pretty simple.  The best defense of all time is Legion of Boom, if they win this Super Bowl.  They took care of Manning in last year’s Super Bowl.  They have a chance to take care of another quarterback that was one of the best of his era.  This could be their last runs to the Super Bowl.  I am not saying last but COULD be their last run to the Super Bowl.  There are rumors of Lynch being released or retiring.  Plus, they have to pay Russell Wilson.  They were able to pay everyone else on team because they had a cheap contract with Wilson.  Now, Seahawks will be like all the teams in NFL.

In closing, I can see a close game on the biggest stage and biggest American holiday.  I can not see this game being a blow out game.  This will come down to the running game because I believe the defense will keep the passing games in check.  I also seeing this game coming down to the kickers and punters.  Special teams will have a huge impact on both sides of the field on this game.  In the end, the Seahawks will win this game and become the first team to go back to back Super Bowl Champs since New England.  This will push us into a pretty excited offseason with Deflategate and future of Bill, Tom, and Payton.  I am looking forward to the offseason and I cannot wait to sit down next Sunday to watch this game.  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 Stone Brewery Japanese Green Tea IPA

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample Japanese Green Tea IPA from Stone Brewery.  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 Stone Brewery.  Let us get into this Green Tea IPA.

It has a dark golden to a copper color with a white constant head on this limited release beer. The aroma has a citrus to slight green tea notes. The taste has a nice well-balanced citrus notes with a green tea aftertaste that is pretty heavy. The green tea cuts through the hop bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter:  @StoneBrewingCo

Ending, Stone Brewing is always looking to push the limits of craft beer world.  This brew makes me a little nervous.  I love green tea as long as it is cold green tea.  I did not know how the hops from the IPA will go over with the green tea.  I love the IPA part of this beer.  It is a really good one.  The beer drinker will not get the green tea notes until the aftertaste.  It is not overly powerful and not in your face.  It is there and balances the beer.  This is a great product.   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