While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Short’s Brewery Bourdon Sustanance. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brews, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know Short’s Brewery. Let us get into beer.
It has a jet black color with a constant off white color head. The aroma has a heavy chocolate to bourdon notes. The taste has a bourdon bite at the front and a nice smooth chocolate malty notes to finish it off. The aftertaste is a nice crisp finish. It is sipping beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.shortsbrewing.com):
Bourbon Barrel Soaked Sustenance Black Beer
Bourbon Barrel Soaked Sustenance Beer is our spring Schwarzbier (black lager) aged in bourbon barrels for 10 months. It features rich roasted malt qualities with bold flavors of vanilla, charred oak, and even a slight nuttiness. The light, crisp finish makes this bourbon soaked beer light in flavor, which is wonderful because it highlights the complexities of the bourbon aging process. The light body also makes it an ideal beer for a springtime refreshment.
6.5% ABV
22 IBU
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.shortsbrewing.com
Twitter: @shortsbrewing
Closing, I will be upfront and honest. I am not a huge fan of Short’s beers. I just believe almost everyone in the State of Michigan over rates their beers. With that said, I have to say most underrate Greenbush’s beers. So I had the chance to try this beer and a beer from Greenbush at the same time. I can’t remember what beer. I was so disappointed with the Greenbush and was really impressed with this beer from Short’s. No, it is not odd. I love my German Beer Styles and it took me a long time to come around to respect these beer styles. This Black Lager that is aged in Bourdon Barrels gives the beer drinker something different from the normal German Black Lager. Schwarzbier is name Black Lager in German. I highly recommend this beer and I will be searching for this beer in bottles. 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 Right Brain Brewery Stowaway Saison Ale
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
New Beer Blog Short’s Captain Fantasy Saison
While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample from Short’s Brewery Captain Fantasy Saison. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Short’s Brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan Craft Brewery. Let us get into this saison ale.
It has a straw to bright cloudy golden color with a constant white head. It is a heavy cloudy color. The aroma is a light lemon to citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes that is really refreshing with funky spicy notes. I know the funky spicy notes come from the yeast strain. The aftertaste kicks off some pepper notes. This is a pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.shortsbrewing.com):
Captain Fantasy is a lighter bodied ale with a bright, clear, golden color. This saison is brewed with pear to compliment the aromas of spice and the fruity fragrance of Sorachi Ace hops. Captain Fantasy has flavors of sweet pear and tart lemon, and a lively amount of carbonation cleanses and refreshes the palate. The overall fruitiness of Captain Fantasy is interrupted by an assertive hop bitterness that dominates the finish.
6.7% ABV
55 IBU
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.shortsbrewing.com
Twitter: @shortsbrewing
Closing out, this saison has some nice refreshing notes. This is way it should be for a saison and it lives up to the classic beer style. I really not a fan of the packaging. It is pretty disturbing and I believe that is why I will never have it in a bottle. However, I saw it on draft, it was a no brainer to try it. There is some nice notes here and I love the funkiest that the yeast pops off in the beer. Overall, I was pretty impressed but I had some pretty good saisons in my lifetime. This one does not live up to it. It is a nice gateway beer into this beer style. It is not a good version in some parts but this is one of the better brews from their almost hundred different beer styles brewed in a year. I recommend to try it just to say you had it. 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 Short’s Brewery Freedom of ’78 IPA
While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into the second brew of the day at their Throwdown Champs Saturday event in their Beer Garden. It is Short’s Brewery Freedom of ’78 IPA. 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 those posts to get to know this Michigan craft brewry. Let us get into this India Pale Ale.
It has a cloudy bronze color without a head on the beer. The aroma has tangerine to citrus notes. The taste has a citrus to tangerine and some honey notes with a crisp citrus finish for the aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable but more of a sipping beer to me.
Here is a descriation from thier website (www.shortsbrewing.com):
Freedom of ’78 is a medium bodied IPA with a wonderful, bright clarity and pleasing bronze hue. The aroma is a unique fusion of citrus fruit and subtle pine qualities. The distinct characteristics of the guava nectar are impossible to miss, and attributes of tangerine, nectarine, and even faint honey flavors are detectable. The finish quickly turns to an expected IPA bitterness that turns dry during prolonged tastings
6.9% ABV
89 IBU
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.shortsbrewing.com
Twitter: @shortsbrewing
Closing, I have been going back and forth with this brewery. I mean liking or not liking Short’s Brewery. I just feel like they make too many different type of beers and they are spreading themselves too thin. I also feel like they are rushing batches to meet the demand of the market. I believe their quality has taken a hit over time. Their beers do sell and I am not hiding from that fact. I am not saying all their beers are bad or good. I just feel like this brewery and most of their beers are very overrated. I have been wanting to try this beer. I do like the hops that they picked for the beer. This is one of the few beers from this brewery that I like. They did a great job. I will be looking for some more in the market. I recommend it! 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 Greenbush Brewery PHD Malt Liquor
While at Ashley’s Westland, it was the champion throw down and opening day for their patio. I had PhD Malt Liquor from Greenbush 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 Greenbush Brewery. Let us get into this Malt Liquor.
It has a cloudy golden color with a constant white head. There is some smell but pretty fate. I cannot make it out. The taste has a sweet malty with a light carbonation corn frosted flake notes. The aftertaste is a slight alcohol bites but finish a little clean.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greenbushbrewing.com
Twitter: @Greenbush_Brew
In the end, yep, it is what you are reading. This is a craft brewery that made a malt liquor beer. I was pretty excited to try it. I drink every type of beer. I might not like it but I will try it at least once or twice. I have to say I was pretty impressed by it. This is a better version of the mainstream malt liquors like Colt 45 to Steel Reserve. I love how it is sweeter than the mainstream malt liquor. I bet I will not get the pounding headache like the mainstream ones give the beer drinker. I did like this beer but I could not finish. It was too much in a 16oz pour. I would have it again in a 10oz to 12oz pour. I believe you would have to make a trip to their brewpub to get this beer. I recommend it if you want something different. 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 Hideout Gangster IPA
While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into Gangster IPA from Hideout Brewery. This is the first time that this brewery makes an appearance on this beer blog. Hideout Brewery opened their doors in 2005 just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were named after the location and the brewery looking like prohibition era. They brew several different beer styles. They are looking at package here soon just like most young craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.
It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a constant snow-white color head. The aroma has some earthy notes. The taste has a slight water down earthy tones with a dry hop finish. The water down comment is in a good way. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.hideoutbrewing.com):
Rich and hearty amber coloered IPA. Made with Zythos hops, there is a significant floral presence in both flavor and the finish, without being too bitter.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.hideoutbrewing.com
Twitter: @HideoutBrewing
In closing, this is a great beer and I was pretty excited to see it on draft at Ashley’s in Westland. This Gangster IPA has a pretty color. I love the aroma and taste profile. They build a nice malty backbone to cut through the great hop selection in this beer. The aftertaste is not as bitter like most India Pale Ale. They did a great job on this beer and put some thought into it. I will raise a few more glasses with this beer in it. I highly recommend this beer. 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 OddSide Ales Instigator India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to sample Instigator India Pale Ale from Oddsides Ales. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brews, 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 IPA.
It has a slight hazel to cloudy copper color with a white constant head. The aroma is a citrus notes. The taste has a bitter citrus notes with a dry hop bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable IPA.
Here is a description from their website (www.oddsideales.com):
A bitter and yet fruity IPA. 8%ABV
Here is a their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.oddsideales.com
Twitter: No Twitter address
Closing, for an everyday IPA, this is a pretty good one. I would not say it is my favorite or one of my favorite IPA’s on the market. It is still pretty good and I did enjoyed drinking. I will pick it up now and then. I love the circus notes this brew kicks off. There is a nice malty backbone that holds up to the hops in the brew. Oddsides Ales makes so awesome beers. I have not had a bad beer from this brewery yet. I have to say this beer is good but it is the weakest of their line up. I recommend you trying this beer. 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 Goose Island The Ogden Belgian Style Tripel
In this beer blog, we are going to sample out one of two special high-end brews from Goose Island. The first one is The Ogden Belgian Style Tripel. This brew is named after the first mayor of Chicago. 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. Let us get into this Tripel Ale.
This beer has a clear golden color with a white constant head on this tripel ale. The aroma has some tropical fruit notes. The taste has a tropical fruit notes with a slight hint of Belgian spice notes. The aftertaste has a dry hop to a tropical fruit finish. It is pretty drinkable.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
We dry hopped our Belgian Style Tripel to balance spicy, tropical American hop flavors with an unique Belgian yeast, giving it a bold, move complex palate.
Here is a description from their website (www.gooseisland.com):
Brewer’s Notes:
William Ogden opened Chicago’s first brewery. He was the city’s first mayor. And he added the North Brand channel to the Chicago River that created the island from which we take our name. Three good reasons why we gave our first-ever Belgian Style Tripel his name. We dry hopped The Ogden with American Citra® and Brewer’s Gold hops to add spicy, tropical flavors. Then we fermented it with a unique Belgian yeast to give it a bold, complex palate.
Recipe Information:
Style: Belgian Tripel
Alcohol by Volume: 9.0%
International Bitterness Units: 35
Color: Straw
Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Citra, Saaz
Malts: 2-Row
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.gooseisland.com
Twitter: @gooseisland
Closing, as many of you know, I am a huge fan of this midwest craft brewery. They have one of my favorite IPA’s on the market. When I finally saw this hit the shelves in Michigan, I did not think twice. I was getting ready to trade to get at least a bottle of each of these newer beers from Goose Island. I picked up a few bottles of the The Ogden and The Illinois. I thought I would share my thoughts on these beers. I will start with The Ogden and you can find the other review today. I love the Belgian tripel style. I love the funkiest and the aroma to the taste profile that the hops kick off. Brett Porter and his staff did this one different and a twisted on this classic beer style. I believe they did a great job. I will be picking up more this brew. 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 Goose Island The Illinois Imperial India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to sample out The Illinois Imperial India Pale Ale that is the second of two high-end beers released this year from Goose Island 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 craft brewery. Let us get into this beer.
It has a clear dark copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy floral to a tropical fruit notes. The taste has a heavy tropical fruit to orange notes with a nice dry hop bite to a creamy. It has a heavy citrus notes throughout the drinking experience. It is a nice sipping Imperial IPA.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
“The Illinois” is in homage to the mile high skyscraper Frank Lloyd Wright designed for the City of Chicago that was never built. Had it been built, it would still be the tallest building in the world today. Inspired by this big idea, Goose Island’s brewers crafted a beer with towering hop character.
Here is a description from their website (www.gooseisland.com):
Brewer’s Notes:
The first Imperial beer of the year is The Illinois, a 9.0% ABV 95 IBU Imperial IPA that pushes the limits of hop flavor and aroma. Deep gold, complex citrus aroma, balanced clean bitterness, medium to full body.
Recipe Information:
Style: Imperial IPA
Alcohol by Volume: 9.0%
International Bitterness Units: 95
Color: Deep Gold
Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Citra, Meridian
Malts: 2-Row, Special Pale, C-20, C-60, Cara Red
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.gooseisland.com
Twitter: @gooseisland
In the end, this was one of my favorite Imperial India Pale Ale back in the day. This one is different than the one back in the day. I love my IPA’s. I love the hops that they used in this one anf The Ogden. The aroma and taste profile is tropical fruit city. It is not in your face bitterest like most Double or Imperial IPA’s on the market. This is a lay back devil that will sneak up on you. It does come off extremely drinkable for the beer style. I would be very careful because it will hit you. This is a great beer at a great price. I highly recommend this beer. 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 New Belgium Brewery Summer Helles
While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample the new summer seasonal from New Belgium. It is their Summer Helles Lager. It is a beer brewed for a music festival in the Denver area. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get know this craft brewery. Let us get into the beer.
It has a clean bright golden color with a nice constant white head. The aroma has notes of corn. The taste has light carbonated corn to earthy notes with a nice lager crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.newbelgium.com):
Light, bright and easy drinking, now is your chance to drink in the festival season. First brewed to celebrate 40 years of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, it has since become Planet Bluegrass’ signature New Belgium offering (under the name Summer Bliss). This Summer Helles pours a brilliant gold, with soft, white foam. The aroma is fresh grains and honey with a spicy-herbal twang. This danceable lager carries the pleasant sweetness of pale and German Pils malts, and levels off with the light and noble bitterness of Hallertau and Tettnang hops. Summer Helles finishes crisp and dry, and is sure to refresh even the thirstiest reveler. Grab your banjo, crack a bottle and let the pickin’ shine.
Planet Bluegrass (located in Lyons, Colorado) was decimated by September 2013’s record flooding. New Belgium is donating $10,000 this year to Planet Bluegrass for rebuilding. You can help by volunteering or donating. Visit lyonsfightsback.com for more information.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.newbelgium.com
Twitter: @newbelgium
Closing, I have become a pretty huge fan of this craft brewery of late. It just seems ever since I moved back to Michigan. My mind has opened up and realized that I am drinking some good brews. I was excited to hear that they were coming out with a new Summer Seasonal. When I saw the beer style, I knew I had to try it as soon as it came out. I am a huge fan of Helles Lagers. It is old German beer style. It is light to medium body with a nice refreshing notes. It has a nice crisp finish to it. It is a perfect beer for any season but good for the spring and summer seasons. I believe the hops in this beer makes this beer what it is. I love the notes from the aroma and taste profile. I highly recommend you trying this lager. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
DJ Weiser 