midwest craft beers

New Beer Blog Upland Oktoberfest Bavarian Style Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a craft brewery that finally made its way to the Chicago market.  I am talking about my friends of Upland Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog beer post on their Dragonfly IPA, which is their flagship, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that post to get to know this great craft brewery from Indiana.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on this fall seasonal.   The smell is malty.  The taste is a creamy caramel to malty.  The aftertaste is limited and fades quickly with notes caramel.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

No season is as synonymous with beer as autumn, when the most storied beer festival of them all, Oktoberfest, takes place in Munich, Germany. Since 1810, this celebration of good food, good company, and, most importantly, good beer, has most prominently featured Marzen-style lager–so much so that many refer to the beer simply as Oktoberfest. Our Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian lager featuring all-German malts and rare German hops. This dedication to authenticity produces a beer that would be as at home in Munich as it is here in the Midwest United States. The aroma is authentic, the taste sweet and malty, and the finish crisp and hoppy; perfect for a beautiful fall day!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter:  @UplandBrewCo

Closing, there is many craft breweries in the states that try to make Oktoberfest.  Some breweries have some good and really bad ones.  There is more misses than good ones.  This brew is one of the few good ones on the market.  There is some nice tasting notes from caramel and malty.  There is slight kick from the hops but it is little hit.  Overall, this is a pretty good brew.  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

New Beer Blog Revolution Brewing and Firestone Walker Brewing Dos Osos India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brew where two craft breweries teamed up to brew.  I am talking about Dos Osos India Pale Ale from Revolution Brewing and Firestone Walker Brewing.  This is a special and limited edition brew.  If you read my beer blog posts on both of these breweries, you know the history of both of them.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know both of these breweries.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear deep golden color with a constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is a heavy grapefruit with a slight orange.  The taste is about the same with some carbonation notes.  The aftertaste is a sweet grapefruit notes.  This is an extremely drinkable beer.

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Here is a description from Revolution Brewing’s Website (www.revbrew.com):

Dos Osos

Dos Osos, or “two bears,” IPA is a collaboration brew with our great friend Dustin Kral who is the lead brewer at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. in Paso Robles, CA. Named after both the bear on the California State flag and the Chicago bears this IPA is described as a Central Coast IPA, named for California’s Central Coast. As with most West Coast IPAs, our version in not bogged down with lots of specialty malts and is dry, crisp and clean which is a trademark of the hoppy ales from both Revolution and Firestone. 2-row, Munich, and a touch of cara-pils lend a subtle malt base to which the layers of hop character are built upon. An array of hops including Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Cascade and Citra infuse this ale with aromas and flavors of fresh flowers, citrus and passion fruit. The finished product is a clean refreshing IPA with a crisp bitterness and wonderful hop bouquet.

India Pale Ale

ABV  6.6%IBU  75

Profile: Dos Osos, or “two bears,” IPA is a collaboration brew with Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

Color: Deep Gold

Availability: 1/6bbl, 1/2 bbl, 22 oz.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.revbrew.com and www.firestonebeer.com

Tiwtter;  @revolutionsbrew, @RevBrewChicago, and @firestonewalker

Closing, this beer has been on my radar since it came out.  I keep on picking it up at the liquor store and pulling it back down on the shelf.  I knew I was leaving the Chicago area to move back to Michigan.  I wanted to make sure I had at least one before I leave.  I have to say I am not disappointed one bit.  Both craft breweries did a great job working together to make a really good brew.  It is well-balanced from the malty backbone to the hops.  If you can find a bottle, I highly recommend you trying this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Wieser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter;  @djweiser

New Beer Blog O’Fallen Pumpkin Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first brew from O’Fallen Brewery from Missouri.  It is their Fall Seasonal, which is Pumpkin Beer.  O’Fallen Brewery was founded in 2000 by Fran and Tony Caradonna.  The brewery was sold to Jim Gorczyca in 2011.  Fran Caradonna is still part of the company to this day.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a heavy cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin to this fall seasonal. The taste of this light to medium beer is heavy pumpkin with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Like pumpkin pie in a bottle…we add 136 pounds of real pumpkin to the three-barley mash and then season the finished beer with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Available September 1.

Style: Herb and Spice Beer Alcohol: 5.6% ABV Bitterness: 11 IBUs Color: 8.7 SRM Grain: Pale, White Wheat, Caramel 90L Hops: Cluster

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ofallonbrewery.com

Twitter:  @OFallonBrewery

In closing, I have had a few of their beer over the years.  I have to say they are average to slightly above average.  I love my fall beers but over the years I have been disappointed.  This Pumpkin Beer I have been wanting to try it.  I had a chance this season to get a bottle from my local liquor store.  It is a really good brew and I believe they did a great job brewing it.  The problem like many beers coming out-of-state I believe it is overpriced.  I am not saying it is bad because it is overpriced.  I just would pick up one six-pack in the season but that is a maybe it.  There is so many newer seasonals and breweries hitting the market everyday.  It makes it harder and harder for the breweries that have been in the market for years to have their brews sell well. I recommend you trying this beer and try rest of their brews.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Pipeworks Brewing Ninja Vs. Unicorn Double IPA

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We are going to get into the third beer that will be review on this beer blog from Pipeworks Brewing.  The beer is their Ninja Vs. Unicorn Double India Pale Ale.  If you read my beer blog post two days ago, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It had a cloudy copper color with a constant white head on the beer.  The smell is piney to earthy notes.  The taste of this medium to full body beer is light carbonation piney notes to it.  It is pretty drinkable Double India Pale Ale.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ninja Vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle two of the biggest hop-heads of lore.  Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover.  Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja Vs. Unicorn.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pipeworksbrewing.net

Twitter:  @PipeworksBrewin

Ending, this is a great beer.  I love the hops they use in this beer.  It is pretty well-balanced for being a double India Pale Ale.  There is a nice malty backbone but I kind feel it should be stronger.  I can live with it.  I have to say for a beer that is in 22oz bottle.  It is well worth the price.  I have always felt beers in 22oz bottles are not worth the price.  To me, this one lives up to the price.  I recommend you trying this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Pipeworks Brewing Chai Dog Imperial Milk Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a second brew reviewed on this blog by Pipeworks Brewing.  The brew I am talking about is their Chai Dog.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you are up to speed on the history of this young and upcoming brewery.  If you have not, please, read the blog post from yesterday to get up to speed.  Let us get into the brewery.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy chai spices.  The taste is extremely creamy with heavy chai spices.  The aftertaste has a heavy chai spices that last for a long time.  It is not drinkable unless you are a chai tea coffee drinker.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Chai Dog is our Eastern answer to the coffee-centric caffeine concoctions popular here in  the West.  This silky smooth milk stout is brewed with cacao nibs, green cardamom, vanilla bean, star anise, black peppercorn and cinnamon.  This delicious blend of spices creates a balance and complexity will transport you from your local watering hole to an authentic, old tea house in the heart of Mumbai.

Stop

Read Before Opening

This beer is Unfiltered.  Sedimentation may occur.  For best flavor, allow bottle to chill for two hours before serving allowing for the natural yeast to settle out.  Pour slowly into your favorite glass, being careful to leave sediment behind.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pipeworksbrewing.net

Twitter:  @PipeworksBrewin

In closing, I am not a fan of this brew and it was hard to put it down.  I passed it to a friend because I could not finish it.  I have said this several times on my blog posts just because I do not like it.  It does not mean you will not like it.  I write my thoughts on this blog with truth to me.  I will have to say this about this brew.  I believe you have to be a fan of Chai Tea.  I can see some people who do not like Chai Tea liking this beer.  Please, let me know what you think of this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Pipeworks Brewing Raspberry Truffle Abduction

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery I have been wanting to try in a while.  I am talking about Pipeworks Brewing and the beer is their Raspberry Truffle Abduction.  Pipeworks Brewing was founded in 2012 in Chicago, IL by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis.  The brewery is located around the Bucktown area of Chicago.  They brew several different beers and bottle them in 22oz bottles to 750ML.  There is not much history on this brewery because it is young and upcoming brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan head on the beer.  The smell is heavy raspberry to it.  The taste of this light to medium body beer is heavy dry chocolate cover raspberry.  I can barely taste any of the stout.  It is really drinkable.

Here is a desecration from the beer bottle:

It is a shame human, that we must wipe from your memory the rich chocolate delight that is Raspberry Truffle Adduction.  Its soft raspberry flavor blossoming like frivolous human emotion, galactic absconce at the long-fingered hands of we cosmic plumbers.

Stop

Read Before Opening

This beer is unfiltered.  Sedimentation may occur.  For best flavor, allow bottle to chill for two hours before serving allowing for the natural yeast to settle out.  Pour slowly into your favorite glass, being careful to leave sediment behind.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pipeworksbrewing.net

Twitter:  @PipeworksBrewin

In closing, I was pretty impressed with this beer.  The only thing I would change, however, I do not think the brewery can cut down on how much raspberries they use in the beer.  There is light taste to this stout but the raspberry over took the stout.  The stout comes across as chocolate cover raspberry.  Overall, this is a really good beer.  Please, go try this beer and let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Arbor Brewing Mackinac Island Fudge Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Arbor Brewing Company. The beer is one of their seasonals and it is called Mackinac Island Fudge Stout. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this brewery, you know the history of it. If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a tan head that is strong when pouring but disappears after a while.  The smell is a rich coco to the stout.  The taste is burn but smooth to creamy chocolate.  The aftertaste is a dry coco to it.  To me, it is drinkable but to the general beer drinker, it is not drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ArborBrew

Closing, this stout was really good and it is up on my top five list.  I was pretty stun on how good it is in the bottle.  I love how they used Fudge from Mackinac Island.  I love the packaging and the name.  They kept this a Michigan proud in the name and the type of packaging.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  I did not see it on their website so I am not sure if they still making this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Goose Island Oktoberfest

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In this 400th blog post, we are going to get into new fall seasonal from Goose Island.  It is the return of their Oktoberfest after six years absence.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Chicago craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear amber copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is caramel.  The taste is a heavy sweet creamy caramel without an aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

Brewed in the traditional Märzen style our Oktoberfest pours a brilliant copper over rose color with a bone white head. Notes of toffee and burnt sugar in the aroma and flavors of sweet dried apricots are delivered in a dry malty body with the mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops.

Recipe Information:

Style: Märzen Alcohol by Volume: 6.4% International Bitterness Units: 17 Color: Copper Hops: Hallertau Malts: 2-Row, Carapils, Munich 10, C-20, C-40,  C-120

Availability

Seasonal Bottles: 6pks Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter;  @gooseisland

In closing, over the years, I have grown to start to dislike fall beers.  It just seems like they disappointment me every year to year.  I was happy to hear that Goose Island brought back their Oktoberfest in package.  This beer does not have that Goose Island taste like the rest of their beers.  This beer is a little different.  It is little bit more hoppier than the normal Oktoberfest.  This beer is not my favorite but it is really good brew.  It also gives me hope for all the fall seasonals again.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Dark Horse Safety Meeting IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into an India Pale Ale from Dark Horse Brewing.  I had  their Safety Meeting IPA on National India Pale Ale Day.   Dark Horse Brewing was founded in 1998 by Bill Morse and Aaron Morse.  They opened in Marshall, Michigan.  They later moved to their current location off South Kalamazoo Road in 2000.  They brew several different beer styles.  They are known for their flagship which is called Crooked Tree IPA.  Let us get into the beer.

It has cloudy amber color without a head on the beer.  The smell is piney and citrus.  The taste of this medium body beer is citrus to hints of pine with a wet hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.darkhorsebrewery.com

Twitter:  @DarkHorseBrewCo

Happy IPA Day!, I enjoyed this beer and I love the hops that they used in this beer.  This beer was pretty well-balanced beer.  I was pretty stun by it.  I was on my way back to Michigan from Chicago and I wanted to stop by the brewpub to have lunch.  I had a few IPA’s at the brewpub and enjoyed them.  I had a chance to talk to some of the regulars that come into the brewpub.  Chuck was a really nice guy and I hope to meet him again the next time I come back through the brewpub.  The food was great and everyone was really nice.  I highly recommend this beer if it is still available and checking out the brewpub.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Three Floyds and the brew is Arctic Panzer Wolf Imperial India Pale Ale.  If you read my read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the history of this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark copper to light amber color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a fruity notes like mango.  The taste is a huge and heavy mango notes with a dry fruit hop aftertaste.  It is kind of drinkable beer.  For an experience beer drinker, it is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A dry and stupendous hopped medium bodied Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with Canadian 2-row malt, dextrose sugar and lots of American hops.  Arctic Panzer Wolf has superior aroma’s of marmalade, white wine, pine and apricot all mixed with an intense American hop bitterness.  Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (www.3floyds.com):

9.5% ABV 100 IBUs

A massive IPA that will leave your palate its hapless victim. Scorched earth is our brewery policy.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.3floyds.com

Twitter:  @3floyds

In closing, I will be first to say I am not a huge fan of this brewery because I believe their beers are overrated and over priced.  I have to say I have been pretty impressed by this brew.  I love the hops and the balanced from the malts.  I love the aroma and the nice hops taste is really good.  This brewery took their time to find the right hops for this brew.  This is a well made beer and nice balance.  I recommend you trying this beer.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this brew and the brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser