midwest craft beers

New Beer Blog Arbor Brewing Espresso Love Breakfast Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to check out another beer from the Arbor Brewing.  It is their Espresso Love Breakfast Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog post when I tried all their beers in a beer flight, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part or the whole beer blog post.  This post is perfect because I am on my way back to Michigan for a beer festival. Let us get into beer.

This beer has a jet black color with a semi tan head on it. The smell is a heavy coffee to it. The taste is a chocolate cover coffee that is smooth but still a full body. There is really no aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Espresso Love Breakfast Stout

Availability

Available on draft at the brewpub every March while supplies last. Available on draft at Corner Brewery every February–April.

Description

Oatmeal and 20 pounds of fresh roasted coffee from the Ugly Mug Café contribute to a mildly chalky espresso character balanced by a rich, sweet creamy maltiness. Coffee finish dissolves into chocolate with a slight roasty bitterness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @CornerBrew @ArborBrew

In closing, this is one of my favorite beer styles.  This is the only way I get most of my coffee fix.  I know I am a little weird because I do not like drinking my coffee hot or warm.  I need it to be cold or coffee beans.  This beer is nice and creamy but yet has the heavy stout taste to it.  It is not drinkable but I can have one after dinner or for dessert.  There is a ton going on in this full body brew.  I have to say this is one of the best brews I have had in this beer style.  I highly recommend 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 Flossmoor Station Rail Hopper IPA

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In this beer blog, we will be drinking a beer from Flossmoor Station Brewing and the beer is called Rail Hopper IPA.  Flossmoor Station is located in an old railroad station build in 1906.  The brewery opened in 1996 after a ton of work to the old railway station.  Today this brewery makes several different beer styles and bottles their beers in 22oz.  They have kept up the railroad theme throughout the brewpub.  I highly recommend the restaurant if you are not a beer drinker.  Let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale has a hazel copper color with a white constant head. The smell has a piney to it. The taste has a piney with a dry hop finish. It has a nice fresh hop taste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

India Pale Ale
A traditional American IPA with intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma.
7.5% abv

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flossmoorstation.com

Twitter:  @FlossmoorBrewCo

In closing, if you get this beer within its life, it is awesome beer.  The hops are not over the top but there are still there living in the beer.  It has a great malty backbone to keep you coming back for more.  There is not faults in this India Pale Ale unlike most  IPAs on the market.  I would be careful what you but out in the stores in the Chicago market.  I recommend trying 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 Crown Valley Gunslinger Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Crown Valley Brewing.  The beer is Gunslinger Imperial India Pale Ale.  There is not too much information on this brewery.  I know they are from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.  I know the brewmaster came from Anheuser Busch.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head. The smell has a fade grapefruit to citrus and orange citrus. The taste has a carbonated citrus with a dry hop finish. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Gunslinger Double IPA is a robust and malty beer, with an intense hop profile.  Well balanced, rich malt flavors with powerful hop notes from the use of five different hop varieties.

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

Double India Pale Ale

Double IPA8.3% ABVHistoryDouble IPA brewed in 1994 by Vinnie Cilurzo, then head brewer of Blind Pig Brewing Company of Temecula, Californi. Cilurzo claims he “accidentally” created the style by adding 50% too much malt to his mash tun. He then “corrected” this mistake by adding 100% more hops. This is up for some debate, however, as the local San Diego Pizza Port brewery claims to have been brewing “the original San Diego IPA” since 1992 when they opened their brewery (two years before Cilurzo and Blind Pig). Still others attribute the creation of this style to Rouge Ales, a microbrewery in Newport, Oregon, and its I2PA beer, brewed in 1990.

Impression
This beer has the most hops of any beer we produce.
Tasting Notes
Our Gunslinger Double India Pale Ale starts with a rich malt base to which we add hops, hops and more hops. This skillful blend of malt sweetness and aggressive hoppiness will rule your senses! After the addition of Columbus, simcoe, centennial and citra hops at various points of the brewing process, we reach the final IBU count of 93.
Hops – Zeus, Centenial, Falconers Flight, Citra
Malts – Pilsner, Crystal10, Crystal 80, Carapils, Pale, CBW Golden Light
IBU – 93

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.crownvalleybrewery.com

Twitter:  @CrownValleyBrew

In the end, I enjoyed drinking this beer.  It has nice malty backbone with hop impact to make this a great Double India Pale Ale.  I just wish there was some more information on this brewery and I wish they would put code dates on their beers.  I am afraid to buy any in the Chicago market because it might be out of code.  If you have a chance to try it, please, do so.  I recommend ordering from the brewery’s brewpub.  It is a great beer and I recommend trying this beer.  Let me what you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Lakefront Brewing Big Easy Imperial Maibock

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I have said I would never buy their beers. This beer from Lakefront Brewery was given to me by a friend that loves their beers.  The beer is called Big Easy Imperial Maibock.  If you read my earlier beer blog on the brewery tour, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part or the whole beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy golden copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a fate caramel that was melted to slightly burned. The taste is a smooth creamy caramel without aftertaste. It is drinkable.

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

We brew just a few batches of our Big Easy Lager every year to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Don’t be fooled by this beer’s light color: at 7.6% ABV, it is deceptively easy drinking. Pours a brilliant blonde-gold with a bright white fluffy head.

Malty aromas blend with German noble Hallertauer hops. The flavor is bold and malty, with a robust sweetness provided by ample amounts of Munich pale malt that continues to the clean finish.

A great crowd pleaser, and a fabulous beer for Carnival, whether you’re celebrating down in the French Quarter or right here with us in Milwaukee.

Pairs well with Cajun, or any spicy food. A rounded hop flavor and crisp carbonation lift the spiciness of gumbo and jambalaya, while the substantial body stands up to the richness of dishes like etouffee. The sweetness can almost even pair with caramely pralines.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lakefrontbrewery.com

Twitter:  @lakefront

In closing, I was pretty stun on how good this beer is coming from this brewery.  This is by far their best beer they brew.  The rest of their beers I would pour down the drain but that is my thought and ideas on this brewery.  I have never had Imperial Maibock.  This is a great beer and I wish it was brew every day.  I might have to open the mind again and retry their beers.  I still cannot get over how my friend was treated but then again, I really do not talk to him anymore.  I recommend trying this beer and I will retry their beers.  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 Jack Hammer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from one of my favorite breweries in Michigan.  The brewery and brew are called Arbor Brewing Jack Hammer.  If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

This old ale has a brown color with a slight dirty white constant head on it. The smell is caramel to malty to it. The taste of this full body beer is a malty to a touch caramel. It is drinkable beer but be careful.

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

Jackhammer Old Ale

Description

This strong ale has a clear alcohol presence, a complex fruity palate, and a dry, spicy, rather assertive hop counterbalance in the finish.  It was first brewed and named during the demolition of the old Fourth and Washington parking structure when downtown felt like Jurassic Park and all of its neighbors needed something a little stronger to get us through! The Michigan Microbrewery and Brewpub Guide calls it, “an excellent, true-to-style beer with a subtle yet distinct chocolate covered cherry quality.”

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @CornerBrew @arborbrew

In closing, I really love this beer.  I have not found a good Old Ale.  This beer has a several things going on in the beer.  There is ton going on this beer.  It has a nice sweet almost fruity but malty.  It also comes off dry with a touch of species.  This is a beer to enjoy before dinner and move on or just a beer to watch during a sporting event.  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 Tallgrass Velvet Rooster Belgian-Style Triple Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at another beer from Tallgrass Brewing.  The beer is called Velvet Rooster Belgian-Style Triple Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their flagship beer, which is 8-Bit Pale Ale, you know about Tallgrass Brewing.  If you have not read that beer and just saw this one, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has cloudy yellow color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell is Belgian spices to a slight citrus to the beer. The taste of this full body beer has a citrus with species. The aftertaste is a weird dry cinnamon that is pretty fade. It is drinkable beer however, beer drinker can only have one or two and have to move on to another beer.

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

Style: Belgian-Style Tripel

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: 30

Full Brew Birthday: October 2011

Interesting fact: The first Belgian-style tripel in a can in the world.

Velvet Rooster is a Belgian-style tripel that lives up to its name. Smooth and carefully crafted like a fine velvet painting, but with an 8.5% ABV this bird has some spurs! The beer pours a golden straw color with brilliant clarity. Topped with a lofty pure white head the beer has a wonderful floral nose, with subtle fruit notes.

The taste is clean and crisp, with subtle fruit notes and a touch of candy like sweetness. Rooster’s light carbonation gives it a Champagne-like effervescent that provides a crisp offset to its sweet finish. While a pint glass is always nice, Velvet Rooster would also be at home in a tulip glass or Champagne flute. It is the cock of the walk.

Malts: Pilsner, Munich Hops: Northern Brewer, Centennial, Willamette

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @tallgrassbeer

In closing, This is a pretty good beer.  I am not a huge fan of Belgian style beers.  This one is pretty unique because it is the first and only Triple Ale in a can in the United States and I believe the world.  I am pretty excited this brewery is hitting the Chicago Market.  I am a huge fan of this brewery.  I love their 8-Bit Pale Ale.  I might not be a fan of Belgian-Style Triple Ales but this is a well made beer.  I know people will be enjoy this beer.  I recommend all of their beers and you need to seek these beers out.  Please let me hear your thoughts and  let the brewery know.  They love to hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Ethos IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Tallgrass’s latest India Pale Ale and it is called Ethos IPA.  They are coming to Chicago market in June and I cannot wait.  I know this brewery and my friends know that I am a huge fan of Tallgrass Brewing.  If you read my earlier blog on their flagship called 8-Bit Pale Ale, you know the history of this awesome brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The smell is earthy to it. The taste is piney to a fresh-cut grass with a dry hoppy aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer. It is one or two and I need to move onto the next one.

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

Dry-Hopped India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 110

The beer foretold in legend. Six types of hops are gathered from the corners of the world to make this legendary brew. This is no earthly IPA. They will write ballads, build monuments, paint caves, and sacrifice goats to this beer. They will drink Ethos and dance to shake the heavens. The aroma is the harbinger of the tastes to come. Big, bright, and beautiful, this beer exceeds all expectations and grants wishes. Twice dry-hopped and brewed with the aid of a dark alliance from another realm, this beer bestows upon you all the complexity of the hops’ flavors without overwhelming your senses. Ethos IPA is a gift to you, beer mortals. Drink it and fulfill your destiny.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @TallgrassBeer

In closing, I love this beer and I once again I am very happy to hear this brewery has made it to Chicago.  I like this IPA over their other IPA.  There was nothing wrong with the other IPA.  I just felt it was more of an English style IPA.  You can taste the IBU in this beer but it is well balance with the great malt backbone.  I love the hops that they use in this IPA.  This brewery is a perfect storm.  What I mean by this, they have a great liquid and great packaging.  I know Chicago craft beer drinker will love this beer and I recommend all their beers.  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 25th Anniversary Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going get into another beer from Goose Island.  It is their 25th Anniversary Ale, which is a beer that is planned and brewer by Bert Porter, who is the current brewmaster, Greg Hall, who is the former brewmaster, and Nick Barron, who is the brewpub brewmaster.   If you read my earlier beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a nice amber color with a semi white head. There is a fade caramel but not really a smell. The taste is a malty citrus but hop part is fade. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, Goose Island is a giant in the Chicago market and they have been around here around in 1988.  These three talent brewmaster took their flagship recipe and took it to another level.  If you ask anyone in Goose Island or wholesalers, they would call this beer style Imperial Honkers.  I can see that.  I say this is Imperial ESB and if any brewery knows anything about ESB, it would  be Greg Hall and Goose Island.  I will be honest I was expecting something else from this beer.  However, Goose Island did make a great beer, I hope they package it up into another classic beer style.  Could it be that if this brewery would have opened today, this beer would have been their flagship?  I did enjoy this beer but this is not my favorite beer style.  I do highly recommend you trying this beer.  It is a limited beer and you will need to hurry up to pick up 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 Budweiser Vs. Budweiser Budvar

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In this beer blog, we are going to have a debate on 100-year-old argument.  There has been lawsuits and I believe they are still tied up in the courts.  Most general beer drinkers know about this debate and I know pretty much all craft beer drinkers know about it too.  The question how true is it that one of the Buschs stole Budweiser and brought the beer to the states.  I might not be able to answer this over 100 year question but I will put my thought on this debate.  Let us get into it.

Budweiser

History

I bet you already know the history of this beer.  Well just in case you do not here is a fast history lesson.  Budweiser was first brewed in 1876.  The company was known as Anheuser-Busch.  Adolphus Busch left Germany in 1850’s.  He prefered light lagers while everyone else, who is the general public at the time, wanted dark lagers or ales.  Adolphus Busch traveled throughout Europe learning the latest brewing techniques.

It has a clear golden color without a head on the beer.  The smell is malty or I like to say fresh air. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes  with a dry crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Budweiser Budvar

History

This brew was brewed back in 1785.  The brewery started exporting beer to the states in 1871.  Anheuser-Busch trademaked the name Budweiser two years after it was first brewed in 1878.  Czech Budweiser was sold to Budvar in 1895.  In 1938, it was settled that Anheuser-Busch could use the name Budweiser in the United States.  Of course, in 2007, Anheuser-Busch and Budvar agreed that AB would market and sell Budvar and Czechvar  in the United States and other countries.  Both sides said this does not affected their lawsuit to one another.  If you see Czechvar, it is Budweiser Budvar.

It has a clear golden color without a head. It is slight darker than the American Budweiser. The smell is a fresh apple smell like grannysmith apples. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes with a dry  crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

In closing, so what is the debate on these two beers?  They do not look like.  Budvar is a little dark in color.  The smell is not the same either.  However, the taste is about the same, is the beechwood aging and the rice in American Budweiser any different?  They are a little different but the taste is about the same.  So the really debate is was the name stolen by Anheuser-Busch?  There is still a lawsuit in the courts.  We will never get the true and I believe this will never be settled.  They are big brands in their countries.  So just kick back and have a cold ones!  I just hope one day we could see both of these beers on the shelf with the same name on them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Hard Rock And Metal Bands and Beers

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to take a look at something that is going rapid just like the Craft Beer industry.  I want to say this right off the start of this blog.  There is nothing wrong with these bands making or teaming up with a beer brewery to make beers.  They have that right to do that in their career and they earn this opportunity. I just feel in the past most are not that good.  I am going to highlight some of the beers you might see on your local liquor beer stores along with the growing craft beers too.  Let us get into this!

Motorhead Beer

This beer is a normal lager.  I have never had this beer but it could be a normal American Lager or it could be an import lager.

Here is a description from their website (www.brandsforfans.se):

Motörhead Bastards Lager Beer

For all beer drinkers and hell raisers, fans of loud and fast rock and roll, no matter if you have no class or if you are a damage case, this mean machine lager is fuel for any head banging opportunity. They are using Swedish brewery called Krönleins.  This beer is not available in the United States yet but if you live in Europe this is where you can buy it.  Order Motorhead Lager
Motörhead Bastards Lager Product code: 1234-03 (In Sweden)
Origin: Sweden Type of beer:
Lager Volume: 330 ml
Alcohol: 4,7%
Contains: Barley malt and hops

This Bastard has a malty and fruity taste with great character of malt and a hint of citrus. A quality beer that can be appreciated by rock’n’roll fans of all ages. Enjoy anytime when the craving for a beer hits you, but especially well with burgers, grilled meat or fish, pizza and friends.

Iron Maiden Trooper Ale

This one was just released  and at least Iron Maiden are true to the beer styles that are in their area and country.  I am kind interested in this beer.  I love my ales and hoppy ones to that point.  Please, watch the video below.  I love what Bruce said during the video.  This beer sounds like English Ale Beer Style.  Iron Maiden is taking this beer pretty seriously and I love how they have an idea on the beer.  I believe this is unique ale and I cannot wait to try it.  It is not available in the United States but if you are in Europe this is where you can order.  Order Iron Maiden Trooper Ale In Europe

Here is a video with Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden Singer) from their website (www.ironmaiden.com):

AC/DC German Lager

I heard about this a while ago and I just let it go through me.  I am not a huge lager fan but I will try a beer at least once.  AC/DC is a legendary hard rock band and they are using their name to push a beer.  Just like Iron Maiden they are looking to put this beer around the world for their fans to enjoy.  Right now, this beer is not available but the closest to me is Canada.  You can order it online but not in the United States.  Order AC/DC Lager In Europe

Here is a description from their website (www.acdc-beer.com):

True Taste for Rock`n Roll.

 If you wanna rock hard, you need the right beer.  AC/DC, the infamous Hardrock Legends from down under, have been delivering true rock for the last 40 years. Now they give their name for true, pint-sized Australian taste as well.
“AC/DC Premium Lager Beer ” is 568mL of true German Premium Lager with mouthwatering 5.0% alc.  This lager fires up your tongue like TNT, comes with a great beer-loving taste and is brewed in accordance with the Rock`n Roll manifesto of 1973 and the German purity law of 1516.

Jackyl – Jesse James America’s Outlaw Beer

Jesse James has been ahead of the curve than the rest of his metal peers.  This beer is American Wheat Ale.  The more I am digging into this subject.  I am seeing a ton of lagers so it is nice to Trooper and America’s Outlaw Beer are ales.  This beer is only available in a few states.

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

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is a true American original.

Our beer is an unfiltered wheat beer. American wheat beer is a style invented by specialty brewers in the United States in the 1980’s. It may even stretch the definition of “style,” for nowhere is the creativity and diversity of America’s craft brewers better displayed than in wheat beers.   Our beer is crisp and refreshing with an extremely soft finish.

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is brewed with 40% malted wheat. The remaining grain bill is a wonderful blend of Pale, Caramel, and Munich malts designed to provide more body and mouth feel. Our Nottingham yeast delivers the soft finish that consumers will enjoy time and time again. Wilamette, Fuggles, and Cascade hops balance this refreshing beer perfectly.

This beer is delicious by itself or garnished with fruit.

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is 5.5% abv.

In closing, there are a lot more beers teaming up with bands.  The ones that I am talking about are limited edition beers.  What I mean by that, they are beers that are made and release.  They will never made again in good chances.  I am talking about a beer that Clutch with New Belgian.  It was a 22oz bottles and it was a limited run.  I believe 3 Floyds have done several beers with bands.  I will say this.  This thought will never end.  Breweries and bands will team up to make money off each fan base.  I am excited to try these beers but I know some are good and others will be bad.  I cannot give you a thought because I never had some of these.  Please, let me know your thoughts if you have any of these.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser