michigan

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 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 Dark Horse Brewing Edacsac Dekoorc Eert IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special beer from Dark Horse Brewing.  It is their Edacsa Dekoorc Eert IPA.  It is Crooked Tree Cascade spelled backwards.  This beer was one of the special single hop IPA’s that was made for a sampler pack.  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 Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy and unfiltered copper color with a white constant head.  There is not any aroma.  The taste has a light citrus notes with a dry hop bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.darkhorsebrewery.com

Twitter:  @darkhorsebrewco

In the end, I have always been interested in single hop IPA’s.  I do not care what craft brewery that it comes from or make it.  I will try these beers again and again.  I am idiot for these experiment and single hop IPA’s.  This one was pretty unique because it came out of IPA sampler pack.  This is the new trend for craft brewery to make sampler IPA packs.  I believe that it started with Widmer Brothers or Boston Beer Company.  This brew from Dark Horse Brewing has a nice balance and the cascade hops shine through this beer.  I enjoyed drinking and I wish I could get this as a six-pack for a value price. It is a great beer but not a normal craft IPA price in any market.  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 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 Atwater Winterbock (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Atwater Brewery.  I really do not know why I picked up their Winterbock.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this brew.

It has a clear dark copper color with an off white color head.  The smell has a sweet malty notes. The taste is a sweet malty notes. The aftertaste is a sweet dry malty finish. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This malty, sweet, caramel colored German bock beer is brewed with imported malt and hops.  It’s uncommon smoothness and impeccable taste make it the perfect companion on a cold night.

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

Atwater
Winter Bock (High Gravity Lager)

ABV 7.5% IBU 30
Color: Dark Caramel

This malty,sweet, caramel colored German bock beer is brewed with imported malt and hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

Closing, I pretty much done with this brewery.  I do not know why I keep coming back to this craft brewery.  I always find myself buying or ordering one of their beers.  I am officially done.  This beer is full of alcohol.  It is a poor and bad version of a German bock.  They did a really bad job on this brew.  I just feel their is no balance.  It is like they dumped a ton of sugar to jack up the alcohol.  This beer is missing creative thought and passion towards this beer style and brewing beer.  I am not really a fan.  I do not recommend you trying this beer.  Do NOT go there!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Motor City Works Winter Ale (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample Winter Ale from Motor City Works.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their India Pale Ale, you know the history of this Detroit base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this winter ale.

It has a cloudy amber to bronze color with a white head on this winter ale. The smell is non existed. I cannot pick up anything. The taste has a sweet malty notes with notes of spruce tips notes. It has a nice malty aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Motor City Winter Ale is a rich barley wine style ale.  Deep amber in color, full and malty in taste complemented with a hint of spruce and an ABV that will keep you warm all winter long.

The thin layer of sediment at the bottom of each bottle is the mark of our all natural brewing process.  Unfiltered, Unpasteurized… Naturally!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.motorcitybeer.com

Twitter:  @motorcitybeer

Closing, I do not why I keep trying their beers.  They are like Atwater Brewery.  They do not make good beer.  I rather drink a Budweiser before I have to force another beer from either brewery down my system.  I have not had everything from them.  It is too late because the beers that I already had.  I am not a fan. Spruce tips and spices are not a good mix.  They did a bad job using spruce tips.  It did not go over well in this ale.  I believe they should take some notes from Alaskan Brewery.  I do not recommend this brew.  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 Jon Lester And Cubs Playoff Team

In this Sports Thought Thursday blog, we are going to dig into the exciting offseason from my Chicago Cubs.  This MLB throughout the league has been really exciting offseason.  I am pretty excited because Chicago Cubs are getting ready to start winning in two years.  What does the Joe Madden and Jon Lester move means for this upcoming seasons in 2015?

The Chicago Cubs are not winning the World Series in 2015.  They are going to make the playoffs but some of their kids might take a few steps back.  Baez came up and started hitting some nice home runs. The excitement shot through Cubs nation. MLB took notice to the kid. He stroke a ton.  His Minor League numbers show it.  He had in last season 388 At Bats and stroke out 133 times.  He had 23 home runs.  He played 52 games with 213 At Bats and stroke out 95 times.  The league will caught up with these kids on their weakest and strength.  Soler when he came up he was pretty hot and then cool down.  He batted .143 in the last seven games.  I am not saying this doom.  These kids will need to make some changes just like the league had too.  I love our farm system and the upcoming kids on the roster.  Jon Lester will give us that Ace they needed to fill out the rotation.  He puts rest of our starters in line.

Here is the Rotation:

  1. Jon Lester
  2. Jake Arrieta
  3. Jason Hammel
  4. Kyle Hendricks
  5. Jacob Turner
  6. Travis Wood (Bullpin)
  7. Edrwin Jackson (Bullpin)

I believe they will spit up that Lefty to Righty at the top of the rotation.  It is pretty strong and I know Travis Wood had a rough year.  I can see him bouncing back but I would not be shocked to see him traded to have one of other young pitchers come up in his spot.  He might start the season in the bullpen because of the resigning of Jason Hammel.  I know Edwin Jackson will be in the bullpen.  I cannot see him starting and I would not be shocked to see him traded.  He is owned a ton of money so maybe a bounce back year and traded before the trade deadline. He will start if there is some injuries. The Cubs has something they did not have in 2014.  They have depth in the starting rotation.  They will have some more kids ready half way through the year or September call ups.  The lineup has some interesting looks.  I know Joe Madden will have some fun here. Let take a look at that now.

Here is the Lineup:

  1. C. Coghan LF
  2. J. Baez 2B
  3. S. Castro SS
  4. A. Rizzo 1B
  5. J. Soler RF
  6. M. Montero C
  7. L. Valbuena 3B
  8. A. Alcanara CF
  9. Pitcher

There is a ton of things can be moved around.  You know Castillo will be traded because I cannot see team carrying three catchers.  I also love pick up of Tommy Le Stella to back up Baez.  If Baez starts out slow or just struggle, he can step in at second.  We know Ross will be behind the plate when Lester is pitching so he will be in the 7th or 8th part of the line up.  There is some choices and I know they are not done trading and signing players.  I am not getting into the bullpen because I want to see what other moves they make. Joe might have a different way of looking at this line up.

Closing, I am liking what I am seeing from my Chicago Cubs.  They will make the playoffs next season or just miss it.  I can see them come out with a strong start or finish to the season.  I can see a few more moves before spring training.  I can see them doing some kind of moves before the trade deadline to add for the push to the playoffs or moves for 2016.  Either way, Cubs fans are excited this season as they should be for this team.  The last few years teams around the league believe they had a win playing us. This is not the case anymore.  2015 is a promising season and I am excited.  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 Short’s Brew Thirst Mutilator Munich Helles Style Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample the last beer from their Fall Sampler Pack.  Short’s Brew made this beer, which is Thirst Mutilator Munich Helles Style Lager.  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 Short’s Brewing.  Let us get into this Helles Lager.

It is a cloudy golden color with a constant white head. There is no aroma to this lager beer style. The taste has a sweet malty notes with crisp aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Thirst Mutilator is a light straw-blonde lager with sharp doughy yeast esters that gather atop a perfectly retained head. Kilned barley produces perfect bready and flour-like qualities that blend pleasantly with the beer’s mild hop bitterness. Aided by a wonderful effervescence, these delicate flavors fade into a crisp clean refreshing finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing, I will say it again and again.  If you do not make a good lager or pilsner as a brewery, please do not make them.  Any style in the lager and pilsner world are hard to make just like sours.  Short’s Brewery is like most craft brewery.  They make average to below average lagers and pilsners.  I have them credit for trying.  There is something wrong when you have to add things to hide your faults in your beers.  They did not have to in this beer and their alt that reviewed yesterday same thing.  I have seem them do it in the past.  This is an average beer.  I just feel they could drop this beer and focus on their everyday or other beer styles.  This is my thought and I know others do enjoy their beers.  I like that and they do make some good ones.  If you see this one, try it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13