midwest craft beers

New Beer Blog Short’s Brew Dan’s Pink Skirt American India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into yet another IPA from Short’s Brewery.  It is Dan’s Pink Skirt American India Pale Ale.  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 IPA.

It has a cloudy golden to yellow color with a nice foamy white color head on this India Pale Ale. The aroma has a slight citrus notes. The taste has a nice light carbonated notes with some citrus notes. The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Dan’s Pink Skirt is an American IPA brewed with Summit and Simcoe hops. Malt characteristics are mild and practically undetectable in the nose. Dan’s Pink Skirt has pronounced floral and citrus aromas, with a pine resin hop bitterness that attacks the palate.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

In the end, how many IPA’s and how many seasonals does a craft brewery really need to pumped out in the market.  This is has been the aged old question in the craft brewery.  If you make all these beers, is your product still good.  I believe you are good at a few things and have to work on other things.  It is pretty sad when a seasonal IPA is better than their everyday IPA.  This is my thought and I know many would disagree with my thought pattern.  I believe this craft brewery makes way too many beers and it makes it tough for them make good beers.  I know there is many that would disagree with that thought.  I just feel their seasonals are so much better than their everyday beers.  I love this IPA and this is their best IPA.  There is a nice balance from the hop bittest and malty backbone.  They did a great job on this beer.  If you can get 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 Founders Backwoods Bastard Ale (2014)

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample a special limited beer, which is Backwoods Bastard Ale, from Founders Brewery.  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.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a nice dark ruby-red color without a head on this barrel aged ale. The aroma has a sweet malty to slight bourdon along with some vanilla and other earthly notes. The taste has a sweet malty, alcohol, and earthly notes. The aftertaste has a nice warm alcohol finish. It is a nice sipping beer.

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

Expect lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch, oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts, a bit of earthy spice, and a scintilla of dark fruit. It’s a kick-back sipper made to excite the palate.
  • ABV: 10.2%
  • IBUs: 50
  • Availability: November

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

In the end, I kept on hearing this is the beer that you need to try from a Michigan craft brewery.  It is a must find and try.  When I hear it was released, I rushed out and found a few bottles.  I was pretty excited this beer.  I love ales aged in barrels.  I am a huge fan of old ales, wheat wines, and barley wines.  I have said it is a nice sipping beer.  I love the sweet malty to alcohol notes.  There is a pretty nice balance.  I have to say for the price and I was looking for more out of this beer.  I just believe it is not worth it.  I will get at least a bottle every year but I am not going out of my way like I did this year.  It is beyond overrated.  Let me put it this way.  It is very good beer but not the best in this beer style that I have had in my lifetime.  If you see it, try it.  I would love to hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gamil.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Bell’s Christmas Ale (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Bell’s Brewing.  It is their Christmas Ale.  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 Christmas Ale.

It has a clear dark copper to amber color with a white constant head. The smell has sweet malty to other spices that are fated to hard to pick up. The taste of this winter warmer has a slight carbonation to sweet malty with a slight alcohol burn for theaftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

The basic inspiration for Bell’s Christmas Ale was to create a sessionable holiday beer, using locally grown malt, which would stand apart from the array of spiced winter warmers that are typically introduced this time of year. In contrast to many other seasonals, Christmas Ale doesn’t contain any spices: all of the dry, toasted notes & subtle toffee flavors come from the 100% Michigan-grown barley, custom malted by Briess Malting, while a blend of hops from Michigan & the Pacific Northwest lend earthy, herbal aromas. At 5.5% ABV, it stands as a smooth, highly drinkable beer intended to complement holiday menus, not overshadow them.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

In the end, I enjoyed this winter or Christmas beer.  I have to say this.   Christmas has come and gone once again.  This does not mean that is beer is bad or out of code, if it is still on the shelf.  This goes for all seasonals.  Will it go out of code later on?  Yes, I am not an idiot.  I just hate hearing beer drinkers saying these beers are out of code the day after the holiday.  There is a nice balance but I love the nice alcohol notes for the finish.  This is one of my favorite beers from Bell’s Brewery.  If you see this beer, I would try it.  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 Latitude 42 Brewery Lil’ Sunshine Golden Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Latitude 42 Brewery.  It is their Lil’ Sunshine Golden Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west side Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this golden ale.

It has a slight cloudy bright golden color with a white constant head. There is not any smell.  The taste has a refreshing sweet malty notes. The aftertaste has dry hop bitter finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.latitude42brewingco.com):

The perfect introduction to craft beer, this brilliant Golden colored ale tastes crisp and clean, with a well-balanced malt profile blended with a subtle floral hopping. Premium 2-row and Munich malts with a hint of flaked corn provide the clean malt flavor. Willamette and cascade hops add the perfect balance of subtle spiciness and floral notes. 4.8%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.latitude42brewingco.com

Twitter:  @Latitude42Brew

Closing, I just find Golden Ales pretty boring.  They are normally the gateway beer for American Lager drinkers and then it is pale ales, amber, or red ales.  I will be pretty honest.  I was not looking for too much from this beer.  There is normally no aroma on this beer style.  If you there is that could mean they did not stay true to classic beer style, this brewery stayed true this traditional beer style.  This is one plus to this beer.  The tasting notes are what you are looking for in a blonde ale.  Overall, this is a pretty average beer and I cannot see the price for a golden ale.  This is one problem that all craft breweries are facing making a golden ale, blonde ale, lager, and pilsner.  If you see it at a bar, try it.  I would not go out of my way to search for it.  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 Rochester Mill’s Brewery Pine Knob Pilsner

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Rochester Mill’s Brewery.  It is their Pine Knob Pilsner.  They will be sending this out in package here soon.  This is a sample from the brewery.  If you read my earlier beer posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to Rochester Mill’s Brewery.  Let us get into this Pilsner.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head.  There is really no smell on this beer. The taste has a sweet malty and hoppy notes with a nice crisp aftertaste.  It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Introducing out latest release. Pine Knob is light golden in color and crystal clear. Locally brewed beer that uses the highest quality ingredients available to deliver the crisp, refreshing, and flavorful taste you expect from a world-class Pilsner style beer. Hops are prevalent, with a clean bitterness and a floral flavor and aroma. Pine Knob Pilsner is smooth and crisp with a refreshing palate, making this an enjoyable, anytime, go to brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Twitter:  @rochmillsbeerco

Website:  www.rochestermillsbeerco.com

In closing, the key to any beer or brewery is the water.  If they have a great water source, they have one of best fresh body of water in the world. They have what it takes to be a good brewery.  The rest is the creative mind of the brewmasters.  The selection of the hops, barley, recipe, and malt is the rest.  I believe this brewery has all those elements. Most people think of this brewery as one beer brewery.  Yes, their milk stout is awesome but they make a great IPA, and red ale.  Of course, this Pilsner is pretty good.  They are a pretty balance craft brewery.  They kept to the classic beer style of the Pilsner.  Once again, it comes down to a great water source.  Rochester Mill’s Brewery has Michigan water that everyone around the world wants.  This is a great beer.  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 Goose Island Festivity Ale (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into the latest version of Goose Island Christmas Ale.  This year the brewery has rename the brew to Festivity Ale.  They felt calling it Christmas Ale that after the holiday, people stop drinking and buying it.  They are correct.  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 Goose Island Brewery.  Let us get into this winter ale.

This brown ale has a nice bronze to brown color with an off white to light tan color head. The smell has a caramel with a slight floral notes. The taste has a creamy caramel with a dry nutty aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brown Ale

Caramel and dark fruit malt flavors swirl inside a creamy toasty brown ale.

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

Festivity Ale

Brewer’s Notes

Every year we brew a brown ale to celebrate the holidays. To make each year’s special, we alter the recipe. This year we wrapped caramel and dark fruit malt flavors inside a creamy toasty brown ale. May your holidays be filled with Festivity.

Recipe Information

  • Style: Classic Ales – Seasonal
  • Alcohol by Volume: 7.7%
  • International Bitterness Units: 50
  • Color: Ruby Brown
  • Hops: Pilgrim, English Golding
  • Malts: Special Pale, Bon Munich, Caramel-60, Caramel-120, Rice Hulls, ECJ Sugar

    • Availability

    Seasonal (November – December)


    Available
    Bottles: 6 Pack

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Ending, every year, I get excited for Fall and Winter seasonals.  This beer is normally at the top of my list.  I will say the last few years.  I have been pretty disappointed with this American Brown Ale.  This year has been promising for the future years.  Goose Island is known to change the recipe slightly every year.  I love this year’s ale.  They did a great job.  It is so much better than last year.  This beer will have the malt head of the world wishing for more of this ale.  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 Rochester Mills Snow Daze (2014)

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into the winter seasonal, which is Snow Daze, from Rochester Mills.  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 Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a dark amber to brown color with a nice white color. The smell has a malty to alcohol notes. The taste has a sweet malty to alcohol notes with a heavy alcohol aftertaste. The aftertaste has a nice burn down the throat but it is slight.  It is pretty drinkable for the beer style and it will get some craft beer drinkers in trouble.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.cplanet.com

Twitter:  @Rochmillsbeerco

In the end, this beer has a ton going on in it.  There is some nice complex notes that will keep the beer drinker sipping it until he or she figures it out.  This is a great beer and I love the alcohol notes.  It gives something different with the nice sweet malty notes.  This beer does not taste like 10.2% beer.  It is drinks like a 5% brew.  There is some nice malty notes that will get the malt head going crazy over this beer.  I do not see anyone drinking more than one.  This is a beer that you have one and have to move onto to another one.  I highly recommend this beer.  Draft only for this year but next year it will be in draft and package in 2015.  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 Latitude 42 Red Beard’s India Style Red Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer from Latitude 42 Brewery.  It is their Red Beard’s India Style Red Ale.  There is not much history on this Michigan craft brewery.  I know they opened their doors some time last year.  They are one of the best young Michigan craft brewery. They are packaging their beers in cans like most Michigan craft brewery  Let us get into this Red Ale.

This Red IPA has a clear red to amber color with a nice white head. The aroma has a malty to a slight citrus notes.  The taste has a creamy malty to citrus notes.  The aftertaste has a dry malty hoppy finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.latitude42brewingco.com):

Red Beard’s India Red Ale

Our red ale is a cross between a northwest red ale and an India pale ale hence the style India red ale. The dark amber-colored brew uses a variety of crystal malts and premium 2-row malt as well as Munich malt to create a full-bodied ale. Generous additions of Chinook, centennial and simcoe hops impart abundant hop character. Together the malts and hops generate a tasty rich and quaffable ale. 6.5%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.latitude42brewingco.com

Twitter:  @Latitude42Brew

Closing, I had a chance  to stop by this craft brewery when I was moving back to Michigan from Chicago.  I heard rumors they will be opening very soon.  I took a chance to stop for lunch and sample a flight of their beers.    This was one of the beer that I sampled.  I really enjoyed this one and a few of their other beers.  I would have sampled more of their beers but I had to drive to the other side of the state.  I like it but it depends on the price.  I am finding most of the Michigan craft beers are always but sometimes are over priced.  I believe I will be able to mix this beer into my regular beer line up.  There is not too many really good red IPA’s.  I will mix this one in to give me a different IPA once in a while.  It is not overly hoppy but just enough to drink a few of them.  I highly recommend this beer and I cannot wait to see their beers in liquor stores on southeast part of Michigan.  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 Brewery And Perennial Artisan Ales Lips Of Faith Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into beer from a team of New Belgium Brewery and Perennial Artisan Ales.  It is part of New Belgium Brewery’s Lips Of Faith.  The brew is called Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on both of these craft breweries, you know the history of  both breweries.  If you have not, please, read them to get to New Belgium and Perennial Artisan Ales.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a creamy tan color head. The aroma has a creamy milk chocolate with slight salt notes.  The taste has a slight salted creamy chocolate notes.  The aftertaste has a dry salted notes.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Dessert is best poured and the brewers at Perennial agree.  We dreamt up a beer that would bring together chocolate sweetness, Belgian yeast, deeply roasted malts and just the right shake of salt to pour a creamy stout worthy of a cherry on top.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, I will say New Belgium has been hitting some home runs of late between their everyday beers, new seasonal, and high-end brews.  I am a pretty big fan of Perennial Artisan Ales when I lived in Chicago.  I am still a fan but I can not get their beers here in Michigan.  They have not made it here.  I was pretty excited when I saw they teamed up with New Belgium Brewery.  I love the salt and chocolate mix in this beer.  It reminds me a creamy milk chocolate with sea salt notes on it.  This is a great liquid.  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 Cheboygan Brewery IPA #11

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the only IPA from Cheboygan Brewery.  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 Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a nice copper color with a with constant head. The aroma has a light citrus notes.  The taste has a light malty to citrus notes with a dry bitter aftertaste.  It is pretty balance. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Named out of respect for our Brewmaster’s family at Fire Station #11, this is a golden ale that is built with over 40 pounds of hops. The malt bill provides a balanced backbone and the big hop finish gives a pleasant bitterness and a nose full of herbal and citrus notes. A real palate cleansing experience. 5.7% ABV IBU 58

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  CheboyganBrew

Closing, I enjoyed this beer.  There is a nice balance in this IPA.  I wish it was in a package.  This is a nice gift for myself when my friend makes a trip up to the craft brewery once a year.  It is not one of my favorite IPA’s but is still a pretty good beer.  It is a nice gateway beer to get more craft beer drinkers into good beer world.  They picked up some nice hops to make this beer special.  I believe this beer is a great brand.  I love the story behind this beer.  I highly recommend this beer.  I hope you get a good batch.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13