la achouffe

New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan Part 2

In this beer blog, we are going to talk more about the liquor stores in my area and market.  This is a follow-up from a blog that I wrote about year ago.   I just find some of these stores do things that are good or bad and craft or import beer drinkers should know.  I see some stores that are under charging and there are others that are over charging.  Let us get into each of the stores.

Wine palace

If you live in the Livonia or Westland area, you know about this liquor store.  They have a great liquor and wine selection.  I have been told that they have some gems over there too.  We are here to talk about the beer selection.  They have a great craft beer and import selection.  Just like everywhere else, you do need to watch code dates.  If they know you are one of their regulars, you will get some of the one off or limited releases.  They have a great Import selection and a nice beer cave.  Their prices are one of the best in town.  Their prices go pretty well against the Meijer down the street.  Overall, this is a place to check out.

Marcus Market

This place is located in the Wayne State area.  They have an average to below average beer selection. The huge problem with this store is they are not on top of their stuff.  What I mean, they do not know what most of their beer and product cost in their store.  Their prices are pretty high or way too low.  For example, which I have many, Blake’s 6 pack cans for $19.99, which should be around $9.99 and 10.99 like other stores.  Bell’s Planet Series Uranus single bottle (12oz) for $4.99.  While other stores are charges $2.99.  There is some cider and beer that are under cost.  There is a cider from Blakes that other stores charge $24.99.  They were charging $9.99.  They do not have too many rare beers or ciders, however, they have a great Mead selection just watch the prices.  Their little restaurant in the back of the store is a most try.  Asides  that, stay away from this store.

Forrest

This is another place not far from Wayne State either.  Their prices are pretty good.  They are little high but not by much.  They have a pretty good beer selection for craft beers and ciders.  This is a great store when you want some cheap beer with a good craft beer.  They get a ton of rare and limited craft beers and ciders. You will need to ask guys behind the counter. They have a nice staff and they are willing to help their customers.  I highly recommend this store.  If you are in the Wayne State area, come here and not Marcus Market.

Holiday Market Royal Oak

I have been here a few times.  I have not been here in a while.  I just know if I cannot find a beer in my area.  I can take a trip to the east side of the City of Detroit to get it.  They have an awesome craft beer and cider selection. I know many of friends said if you are a regular. You will get some of the one off and limited releases.  If you live on the east side, I highly recommend this place.

Closing, I know there are so many other stores and I know that I keep forgetting some of them.  Please, let me know about them and I will check them out.  I will do a write-up on them.  I hope you learn something from reading this post.  Let me know about your thoughts.  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 LA Folie Sour Ale (2015)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a limited release brew, which is La Folie Sour, 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, read them to get to know New Belgium Brewery.  Let us get into this sour ale.

It has a nice dark ruby-red to a nice brown color with a slight cloudy look. There is no head but the head that was there has a tan like color. The aroma has a sweet malty to slight caramel with some sour notes. The taste has a heavy sour to sweet malty notes. The aftertaste has a heavy sour finish. It is a sipping beer.

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

La Folie, French for ‘the folly’, is a beer steeped in New Belgium brewing tradition. This wood-aged, sour brown spends one to three years in big, oak barrels, known as foeders. And when the beer finally hits the glass, La Folie is sharp and sour, full of green apple, cherry, and plum-skin notes. Pouring a deep mahogany, the mouthfeel will get you puckering while the smooth finish will get you smiling. Not a beer for the timid, La Folie is a sour delight that will turn your tongue on its head.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

In the end, I love my sour ales.  I have to say that this is the best American version of Belgian sour ale.  Upland Brewery has a great sour program but they just do very little batches.  It makes their beers a little special and super rare.  This is a great sour from New Belgium.  There is a nice balance.  It is pretty sour and bitter but not over the top.  This is one of the best sours that I have ever had in a long time. It is up there with the Rodenbach and other great Belgium sours.  I am talking as a American version. I highly recommend this beer.  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 Bell’s Mercury The Winged Messenger Belgian Style Ale

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into third brew from this Planet series from Bell’s Brewery.  It is Mercury The Winged Messenger Belgian Style Ale.  After a major recall, I took my chances to try this beer because of glass being in it. I filter this beer twice.  I am still alive and I did not see any glass.  If you 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 legend.  Let us get into this Belgian style ale.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with a white constant head. It has a big bubbles in the head. The smell has a floral to herbal notes. The taste has an herbal to species.  The aftertaste has a nice dry finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This is one of a seven part series inspired by Gustav Holst’s musical composition.  “The Planets,” strap in and embark on a flavor tour of our solar system – in the order of Holst’s piece, Mars to Neptune.

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

The Winged Messenger

STYLE: Belgian Single

RELEASE DATE: December 2014

ABV: 4.8%

COLOR: Pale, straw

GLASSWARE: Snifter

TASTING NOTES: Light and sessionable like its namesake, the third release in the Bell’s Planet Series, Mercury: The Winged Messenger, was inspired by the Belgian Single, a style traditionally brewed by monks in Belgium for their own consumption.

This interpretation has bready and grainy notes from Belgian malt, herbal and balanced characteristics from the hops and a subtle, but spicy character from the Belgian yeast. Fruity notes of pear are also present in this light, bright and complex session beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

Ending, I did enjoy this beer. The problem that i have with this beer is the price.  I am paying so much for a session Belgian Ale.  I get what they were doing.  It was not really good for the price.  If it was cheaper or everyday brew, it would make a little bit more senses.  There is a little rumor out there.  Bell’s did a recall because the liquid was not up to their standards.  It has nothing to do with glass in the bottles.  They made something up to get this liquid off the market.  This is just a rumor and I heard it in a few craft beer bars.  If you can find a bottle, drink it at your own risk.  I believe this is once in a lifetime brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweser13

New Beer Blog Why And Why Not Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a hot issue in the huge growing market of craft beers, ciders, and breweries.  There has been a huge growth and it is coming out of the mass produced beer companies.  There is home brewers taking their passion of beer making to the public.  The questions that I am going to try to answer for myself are “Why And Why Not Drink Local Beers And Ciders?”

Why Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

It is pretty simple.  Money stays in the state and/or the local area.  There will be more jobs created because of these breweries.   The money keeps coming in and out of the brewery.  It works if the brewery is buying supplies from local companies and most do this practice.  Most craft breweries take homes in old and empties buildings.  They resolve these old buildings back to the way they were back in their heyday.  Of course, they put their brewery and restaurant in them.  The other things that these breweries in most cases.  They create more jobs at distributors.  They hire a marketing firm or their own people to run it.  Just like most businesses, they will put money back in the economy.

Why Not Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

I get beat up about half of the time when I bring this up to people at craft beer bars or stores in my local market.  I get it because everyone wants to support their local businesses and I am one of them.  I have to be honest with myself and others around me.  I heard this when I lived in Chicago and now here in the Michigan.  When traveling to other cities around the US, I saw these same signs and heard it from the locals.  When trying these beers or ciders at home or your local watering hole, be honest to yourself because it will save you from the painful drinking experience.  I had a pretty ugly drinking experience with a local craft brewery in Chicago.  I kept on telling myself that I love this beer and brewery.  I just finally admitted to myself that they are not that good.  I started to look at local craft brewery in a different light.  I give breweries credit when they put a good beer to the market.  I also give them credit for thinking outside the box.

In closing, I am not saying do not drink local beers and ciders.  If their beers are good, drink them and support them.  If their beers are not good, you as a beer drinker, customer, and buyer needs to send them a message.  They need to improve or go away.  This is the ugly side to the business world.  I am catching myself doing it it again.  Just be honest with yourself about these beers or ciders in your area.  There is new craft breweries opening every day and there will be more good to great beers and bad beers.  Remember, you are voting with your wallet.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.  Support the local good beer and let the bad go away.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale.  This beer was their fall seasonal back in 2007.  Every season, New Belgium brings back seasonal back to life in their sampler pack.  The sampler pack comes with two bottles each of three of their selected everyday beers.   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 New Belgium Brewery.  Let us get into this Saison Ale.

It has a nice clear golden color with a nice white constant head.  There is some nice small constant bubbles in middle of the beer.  The aroma has a nice Belgian spicy notes.  The taste has a nice refreshing citrus notes with some spice kick.  The aftertaste has citrus finish.  It is extremely drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewed with a yeast harvested from Belgium, our SAISON has a just-picked freshness reminiscent of the farm-house ales produced each fall in Blegium.  Pale bronze in color, this delicately hopped ale has a bright, yeasty, artisanal quality worthy of toasting those long autumn sunsets.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Ending, I really love this beer and I wish it was still in six packs form.  I love how this brewery change-up their seasonal every two to three years.  It could  be a good thing or a bad thing.  If there is a seasonal that you are not a fan of it, you will be looking forward to the new one to come out.  I love how they revisit some of their old seasonal in  their sampler pack.  This is a perfect and true to the classic saison style.  It is not overly hop but it is not under hop.  It is refreshing and keeps you coming back for more beer.  I recommend this beer and their fall sampler pack.  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 Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Allagash Brewing Myron’s Walk BPA

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into the ninth of twelve of beer from this Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.  This Myron’s Walk BPA is teamed up with Allagash Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog from Sierra Nevada, you know the history of this West Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to this craft brewery. Allagash Brewery started in 1995 in Portland, Maine.  Robert Tod founded this craft brewery to make some great Belgian style ales.  At first, this brewery was ran by Robert and he hired his first employee.  At that same time, he released his second beer to the public.  Today, they brew several different beer styles with more employees of course.  Let us get into the Belgian Pale Ale.

It has a clear golden color with a semi white constant head on this BPA.  The smell has a citrus with other Belgian spicy notes.  The taste of this light to medium body has a light carbonation piney to a slight earthy notes.  The aftertaste is a slight hoppy bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This Belgian-style pale ale combines the best of our two breweries.  Intense piney-citrus hop notes counterpoint the complex fruity spice of Allagash’s Belgian yeast.

This collaboration honors Myron Avery, a founder of the Appaiachian Trail which spans our North Carolina brewery and Allasgash’s home in Maine.  We share a great love of the outdoors, and Avery and the AT are great reminders of the wild spirit of exploration that connects us both.

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

We named this beer in honor of Myron Avery, a founder of the Appalachian Trail, or the A.T., which starts near Sierra Nevada’s North Carolina brewery and ends near Allagash’s home in Maine. Both breweries have a tremendous love of the outdoors, and Avery and the A.T. are great reminders of the wild spirit of exploration that connects us both.

In 1995, Rob Tod started Allagash Brewing Company and since then, Portland, ME, has been a place of reverence in the Belgian brewing pantheon. Allagash adds their Belgian flair to variety of beer styles and are one of the few American breweries to use a traditional coolship for true spontaneous fermentations leading to seriously complex beers native to their coastal home.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.allagash.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @allagashbrewing and @sierranevada

In the end, out of the two Belgian Beer styles, this is by far the best one.  I have not had too many beers from Allagash Brewery but the ones that I had. They are pretty good and enjoyed them.  I have to say I was pretty excited to try this beer.  I love the Belgian spices and the hop character that this beer has going on in it.  It has a nice refreshing taste that keeps the beer drinker coming back for more of it.  I really liked it and it is one of many reasons to pick up this pack or try to find one.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Dragonmead Final Absoration Trippel

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into the second and probably the last beer from Dragonmead Brewery.  It is their Final Absorption Trippel.  If you read my beer blog review on their Crown Jewel IPA, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know Dragonmead Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It is a clear copper color with a semi white head.  The aroma has banana and clove notes.  The taste has a German Hefeweizen notes of banana and clove.  The aftertaste is dry Hefeweizen.  It is not drinkable beer.

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

Final Absolution Belgian Style Trippel

Dragonmead’s signature product! This is the ultimate Belgian style. The very high gravity of this beer is balanced by the smoothness of its finish. Banana and Clove aromas come from the Belgian yeast strain combining with the generous dose of Belgian Candi Sugar. The Saaz hops help to give this beer a balanced bitterness with no noticeable hop aroma. O.G. 1.085, ABV 8.5%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dragonmead.com

Twitter:  @dragonmead

Ending, WOW!  What the hell is this craft brewery thinking?  This is a local brewery to me here in Michigan.  This brewery is bad and I will not buying anymore of their beer.  I do not think this craft brewery knows their beer styles.  You made a filter Hefeweizen.  This is not a trippel Belgian style.   It is bad and it is not worth the money. I know most American craft breweries take twisted to classic beer styles.  It is not just me talking bad about this brewery. A few of my close craft beer drinker friends.  They been saying the same thing about it.  I do not recommend this beer.  Run away!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Right Brain Brewery Stowaway Saison Ale

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Stowaway Saison Ale from Right Brain Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read my beer blog posts about their beers to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.

This Saison Ale has a clear golden color with a nice constant white head.  The head of the beer has small bubbles.  The aroma has Belgian spices with a citrus notes like lemon.  The taste has a light carbonation Belgian spice with citrus notes.  The finish is a refreshing slight hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

STOWAWAY
Style: Reclaimed Saison
ABV: 5.7%
A traditional Saison with a hazy golden color, fruit-forward aroma, crisp complex flavor, and mildly acidic finish. #RBB brewers cultivated the reclaimed yeast used for this beer over a span of 7-months.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In closing, I will be perfectly honest with you.  I did not like this beer the first time I tried it.  I had to try this beer one more time just because I love this brewery and I am a huge fan of them.  I do not know if it was what I was eating or the beer I had before trying this beer.  The second time that I have had this beer is a positive thought towards this beer.  I really enjoyed this beer.  I love the refreshing taste profile that this beer provides to the craft beer drinker.  I love the hops used in this beer.  I will be looking for this beer again on my next beer run or at my neighborhood bar.  I highly recommend this beer if you are a light beer drinker or love your Saison Ales.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13