michigan

New Beer Blog Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample one of my favorite beer from Bell’s Brewery.  It is their Special Double Cream Stout.  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 this craft brewery.  Let us get into this cream stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy tan color head. The smell has some chocolate, coffee, to alcohol notes.  The taste has a chocolate to burn coffee notes with a dry coffee aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewed with a blend of 10 different malts, Double Cream is an incredibly rich stout composed of dark, sweet, and smooth tones intermingled with a soft, roasty finish.

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

Special Double Cream Stout derives its name from its smooth, creamy texture, not the ingredients. Completely dairy-free, this stout blends ten different specialty malts to yield a remarkable depth of flavor. With only a touch of burnt notes, Special Double Cream Stout focuses on the softer, cocoa & espresso-like aspects of roasted malt.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

In the end, I love this beer and I enjoy it very much.  I had the chance to have this beer in a Firkin.  It was even better brew.  I love the fact the shelf life is a year but I bet I can get it to age for a few years.  I just wish this beer was available all year-long.  This beer I know cost a little bit more to make and let it age to quality to the beer.  This beer has some nice creamy chocolate notes but a nice burn coffee notes.  This beer will sneak up on you because it does not drink like a high alcohol beer.  I recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gamil.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Founders Nitro Oatmeal Stout

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Founders Brewery is the featured craft brewery in this beer blog.  We will be looking at one of three draft only beers and it is nitro draft from Founder’s.  It is their Nitro Oatmeal Stout. 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 this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Nitro Oatmeal Stout.

It has a jet black color with tan color head.  The aroma has a chocolate and coffee notes. The taste has a creamy chocolate to slight coffee notes. There is a slight burn notes that also echoes in the taste and aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

A Founders take on a classic style, brewed with a generous amount of flaked oats, chocolate malt, roasted barley and a healthy helping of Nugget hops, Founders Oatmeal Stout is nitrogen-infused to give it an extra smooth and creamy mouthfeel. An attractive cascade effect gives this beer its forthright visual appeal—and the body and clean flavor delivers on that initial promise.

  • ABV: 4.5%
  • IBUs: 38
  • Availability: Year-round

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

In the end, I was out on a NFL Football Sunday to watch my Miami Dolphins.  I saw this on draft and it was a slam dunk to try it and drink it.  I also noticed it was hooked up to a Nitro line.  Nitro makes everything good but not every beer.  It was pretty excited to try this beer.  It was not too bad but it is pretty average.  I will have to say it is so much better than Summit Brewery Oatmeal Stout.  This is a pretty average beer but it is pretty than some of their everyday beers.  Just because it is made in Michigan, it does not make it good.  This is better than most Michigan craft brews.  I highly recommend this beer.  I had this one at One Under Bar in Livonia.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Bell’s Best Brown Ale (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the fall seasonal from Bell’s Brewing.  It is Best Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this brown ale.

It has a cloudy brown to dark brown color with a tan constant color head. The smell has a slight malty, nutty, and toffee notes.  The taste has a sweet malty to nutty notes with a dry toffee aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

A smooth, toasty brown ale, Best Brown Ale is a mainstay in our fall lineup. With hints of caramel and cocoa, the malt body has the depth to stand up to cool weather, but does not come across as heavy. This balancing act is aided by the generous use of American hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @bellsbrewery

In the end, It is a nice English brown ale. There is not too many really good English style brown ales from an American Craft breweries.  I like it.  I know Brooklyn Brown Ale and Goose Island Nut Brown Ale are around.  Brooklyn version is pretty weak and not very good but Goose Island try to match the Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale, which was the first brown ale ever made.  I love that Goose Island Nut Brown Ale.  Too bad, they do not make that beer anymore.  There is a nice English Brown Ale from Frankenmuth Brewery that is Brewpub only brew.  Brown Ales are a tough sell in the spring and summer.  When the fall and winter season, it is a little easier.  Now a days, most craft beer drinkers want everything but a brown ale and in most part lagers.  This is a good English Brown Ale.  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 Holland Brewing The Carhartt Woodsman Barrel Aged Pale Ale

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New Holland Brewery Carhartt Woodsman Barrel-Aged Pale Ale is the brewery and beer featured in this blog.  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 New Holland Brewery.  Let us get into this Pale Ale.

It has a cloudy copper to darken golden color with a white head on this pale ale. The aroma has a faded to slight notes. I cannot pick up what it is. The taste has a light citrus to earthy with oak notes.  The aftertaste has oak notes finish.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a descriptions from the beer bottle:

Locally-grown Cascade hops bring a brightness to this barrel-aged American pale ale.  Malt sweetness and toasted oak combine for a smooth, refreshing finish.

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

Celebrates craftsmanship and hard work. Locally-grown Cascade hops bring a brightness to this barrel-aged American pale ale. Malt sweetness and toasted oak combine for a smooth, refreshing finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

Closing, I do not know how I felt about this brew.  I am trying to keep positive about this beer and craft brewery.  I just find myself at times looking at New Holland as an average craft brewery.  They do make some good beers. They shine the most in their high-end beers.  I am talking about 22oz and four packs.  I was interested in this beer because this could be the beer to turn around their six-pack line.  It is an average brew.  I love their effort and out of the box thinking.  I did liked it but I just feel the Pale Ale does not work too well with aging in barrels.  I love when it is a Brown, Stout, or Porter.  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 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 Founders Harvest Ale Wet-Hopped Ale (2014)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into another limited release beer known as Harvest Ale from Founders.  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 Founders Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head.  The smell has a citrus to piney notes.  The taste has a piney, citrus, and a slight tropical notes. It is light and refreshing beer with a nice crisp hop finish for the aftertaste.  The hop aftertaste hangs but it disappears. It is a pretty drinkable wet hop ale.

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

This liquid dream pours a hazy golden straw color with a white, two-finger head. Your first sip rewards you with a super juicy hop presence bursting with fresh citrus, then finishes to introduce toasted malt undertones.
  • ABV: 7.6%
  • IBUs: 70
  • Availability: October

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

In the end,  I love this beer. This is by far the best product that they make.  I really love this wet hopped ale.  They picked some nice hops and build a nice malty backbone.  There is some nice packaging.  I also love the color and presentation of this ale.  This is a beer if they can pull it off.  It should be all year-long but I get why it is not because it is the harvesting of the hops that makes beer special.  I really like this beer and I will have a few more before the end of the season.  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 Venus The Bringer Of Peace

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample the second beer in the planet series from Bell’s Brewery.  It is Venus The Bringer Of Peace.  The first one was Mars which was double IPA.  I did not get a chance to write-up a review on it and all bottles were sold out.  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 Bell’s Brewery.  Let us get into this ale.

It has a slight cloudy golden to honey tone to the color without a head.  The smell has a nice sweet honey apricot notes. The taste has a sweet honey apricot. The apricot is pretty heavy but the vanilla notes take over the aftertaste. It is a sipping 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 Bringer of Peace

STYLE: Blonde Ale Brewed With Honey, Apricot, Cardamom, and Vanilla

RELEASE DATE: October 2014

ABV: 7.5%

COLOR: Light blondish orange, very slight haze

GLASSWARE: Snifter

TASTING NOTES: The second release in our Planets Series starts with spicy, fruity and light citrus notes along with herbal notes from cardamom in the aroma. Apricots contribute a very distinct tart character and sweetness from the vanilla rounds out the finish. More than 60 pounds of hand sliced vanilla beans were used to ferment this strong fruit and spice beer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @bellsbrewery

Closing, yay, another gimmick to sell beer.  I will have to say at least this series of beers have a story behind.  I know there is a few other Michigan craft brewery would use a gimmick to sell beer.  I was pretty impressed with the first two beers from this series.  I like it. It is totally different. I have more faith in Bell’s after this one.  I am not a Bell’s fan but this one made me turn my head a little more to their direction.  There is some nice notes from Apricots and honey.  It is not too heavy.  I love the vanilla aftertaste notes.  I just wish it was not limited but it is what it is.  If you can find a bottle, 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 Mountain Town Brewing Train Wrack Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery for the first time on this blog which is Mountain Town Brewing.  It is their Train Wrack Amber Ale.  Here is a little history from their website (www.mountaintownbrew.com):

In 1996 Mountain Town Station Brewing Co. & Steakhouse opened its doors as a premier restaurant, wine cellar and micro brewery; and has grown ever since in its menu concept, wine inventory and beer recipes. In 2007, a separate company was formed called Mountain Town Brewing Company. This new brewery operation is strictly manufacturing and packaging using the same recipes that have been successfully developed for years at the brewpub. In 2008, shipments of beers such as the Gamblers Golden Ale, Railyard Raspberry Wheat and Cow Catcher Red Ale were flying out of the brewery and into restaurants and bars across Michigan. Look for these and many more beers at your favorite bar and restaurant. If they don’t have our beers request that they be put on tap!

As you can see they brew several different beer styles from cans and bottles.  We are going to get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color with a nice white head.  There is really no smell.  It is pretty fade.  The taste has a malty notes with a hint of honey aftertaste.  The honey makes the aftertaste smooth and a crisp finish.  It is an extremely drinkable beer.

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

Trainwreck Amber Ale
An American Amber Ale brewed with maple syrup and honey to give it a full body and smooth sweetness

Approach with caution. This one will sneak up on you! Brewed to keep us warm in the winter months, but easily enjoyable any time of the year. Syrup and honey give this beer an irresistible sweetness that makes it impossible to have just one. No matter what you pair this one with make sure you get plenty to eat or you might find out how this beer got its name.
ABV – 8.2%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mountaintownbrew.com

Twitter:  No Twitter Address

Closing, this beer is pretty interesting brew.  I was taken a little back when tasting this beer.  I did enjoy it.  I did not know how the honey would work with this amber ale.  I had honey in beers and amber lagers.  I was pretty interested to see how some of the malty to some fruity notes would react with the honey sweetness.  This is average beer and it is nothing special.  I recommend you trying this beer just because how unique it is.  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 Lucky Girl Brewery Haunted Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample a Lucky Girl Brewery and it is Haunted Pumpkin Ale.  This is the first both this beer and brewery is being featured on this blog.  This is the first time these beers are making it out of their brewpub and the southeastern Michigan.  I was pretty interested in this brewery.  Here is a story behind this craft brewery from their website (www.luckygirlbeer.com):

The iconic “pinup” girl was first created for our WWII soldiers as a gesture of good luck for our young men, giving them a little piece of home and comfort on the battlefield.

In the post-war era, she became a symbol of American prosperity as the United States experienced economic growth like never before seen. It was a time when we were all proud to be Americans, and motivated to make this country great.

Today, Lucky Girl Brewing Company represents that same feeling of unity, nostalgia, and the heart of Americana. Enjoy a Classy & Sassy Lucky Girl beer as we toast to our heritage and to our American pride!

I do not see anything saying who the owner and when they opened.  I just found this on their website for their back story on their name and their labeling on their packaging.  If you know something, please, let me know so I can add it to this review.  Let us get into pumpkin ale.

This pumpkin ale has a cloudy bronze color without a head.  The aroma has a heavy cinnamon to a light nutmeg with a touch of pumpkin in background.  The taste has a light carbonated sweet malty notes.  It is pretty faded between all the tasting notes.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

It’s that time of the year. Ghosts and Goblins, and fall’s favorite treat – HAUNTED PUMPKIN ALE. This tasty brew of fresh pumpkin, 2 row malts, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg is frighteningly good to the last drop.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.luckygirlbeer.com

Twitter:  @luckygirlbeer

Closing, I love the packaging and it does stick out from all the rest of the pumpkin beers on the market.  I would say the only package that beats it out is the New Belgium Pumpkick Ale.  As far as the liquid and appearance.  I love the look and the aroma from the beer.  I was getting pretty excited on trying this beer.  I was pretty disappointed with the tasting notes.  There is no pumpkin notes with slight cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  It is pretty weak.  It is pretty dinkable.  If you can get a bottle, I would try it at least.  Here is a example of a beer from Michigan that is not really good.  This beer is from Michigan and it does not make it good.  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 Tri-City Brewing Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout from Tri-City Brewing.  If you read my earlier post on their IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

It has a jet black color without a head on this stout. The aroma has burned chocolate to coffee notes. The taste has  a burned chocolate but creamy coffee aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

It takes courage to face a giant and we know you face the regularly every day. Because you don’t run away from these giants, Tri-City Brewing makes this Russian Imperial Stout in your honor.

  • Bursting with an abundance of character
  • Huge roasted, chocolate and coffee flavors
  • Although well hopped, it is still very balanced
  • Rich full bodied drinking experience with dark hints of old world style

9.0% ABV and 66 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tricitybrewing.com

Twitter:  No Address

Closing, this is a great brew.  I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  This is one of the best Imperial Stouts that is made in Michigan for the price.  It is a beer that I know you can age for at least a year. I love this beer.  It is a beer you can let it cool down or just start to enjoy it at room temperate.  I just wish I can find their beers in the southeast part of the state.  Their beers are hard to find. I might have to make a trip to their brewpub one day.  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