midwest craft beers

New Beer Blog MamaKash Ales Get My Money And Don’t Give Me No Problems Milk Stout

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into one of my friend’s homebrews.  The growth of craft breweries around the country and the world.  There is no shortage of craft beer drinkers to try to brew their own beers.  If they are good at it, they will look to maybe open their own brewery in the future.  Let us get into this beer.

This stout has a black color with a semi tan color. The smell is like a black coffee in the morning. The taste is a slight piney black coffee with a dry hoppy finish. It is drinkable.

In closing, this was a pretty interested beer.   I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  I picked up some coffee but yet smooth like a milk stout.  There is also hints of hops.  The hops makes this beer a little unique and different.  As many of you know, I am a huge hophead.  I love the touch of the hops in this beer.  I do not believe there is a milk stout with a hop front on the market.  I believe he could make some money on this beer.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the last beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is their India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this brewery.  If have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get the information on this brewery.  Let us get the beer.

It has a hazel golden color without a head. The smell is a citrus and grapefruit with a slight mango. The taste is a carbonate citrus with a dry hop finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ready to buck convention?  We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American style.  We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic.  American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.  Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy the ride!

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

We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700′s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American Style. We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.

7.0%Alc. by Vol      60IBUs

Here is a video from their website (www.odellbrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In closing, I am a huge hophead and I really enjoyed this beer.  There is a great malty backbone and enough hops to keep the hophead happy.  This brewery makes some great beers and you can see they put some thought into each of their beers which I mentioned in a few beer blogs ago.  This brewery also has some great packaging and I am glad I had a chance to try some of their beer.  I will be searching for more their beers or ordering from www.letspour.com I highly recommend their beers and let me know 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 Odell Brewery 5 Barrel Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are getting into another beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is called 5 Barrel Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed with the rest of beer blog readers.  Let us get into the beer because that is why we are here.

It has a hazel bright copper color without a head on the beer. The smell is piney to it. The taste is piney and oak with a dry hoppy finish. It is a session beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

5 Barrel Pale Ale is a nod to our hard working pilot brewing system, where our brewers have crafted and perfected new recipes five barrels at a time.  The distinctive hop character of our 5 Barrel Pale Ale is derived from essential oils of select hops.  Four hop additions during the kettle boil, an infustion of choice whole flower hops in the Hop Back, and finally, dry hopping gives  the beer a fresh, lively flavor and floral aroma.

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

The distinctive hop character of our 5 Barrel Pale Ale is due to the extraction of essential oils from select hops. We treat 5 Barrel Pale Ale to an infusion of fresh whole hop flowers in the Hop Back and the Fermentor, as well as four hop additions during the kettle boil. We like how this gives the beer a fresh, lively flavor and aroma.

5.2%Alc. by Vol.     36IBUs

Here is a video from their website (www.odellbrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In closing, this beer is example what a brewery can do if they put some thought into the brewing process and beers.  It is also a great example when they let their brewers do different things and explore their talents.  I wish more craft breweries would do something like this as far as exploring. This is a great beer and I love the hop bend in this beer.  You can taste and smell it.  The hops are living in this beer while hitting a nice malty backbone.  I enjoyed drinking this beer.  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

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery 90 Schilling Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewery.  The beer that will be featured in this blog is their flagship called 90 Schilling Ale.  If you read my beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this Colorado brewery.   If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a deep copper and light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a malty with a slight coco to it. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty to it.  The aftertaste is a sweet malty to it. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

90 Schilling is our flagship beer.  Smooth and complex, 90 Schilling is a medium-bodied amber ale with a distinct burnished copper color and a deeply pleasant aroma.  A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982.  The name 90 Schilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings.  We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

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

We introduced 90 Shilling, our flagship beer, at our opening party in 1989. For a while, we’d been wondering what would happen if we lightened up the traditional Scottish ale? The result is an irresistibly smooth and delicious medium-bodied amber ale. The name 90 Shilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

5.3%  Alc. By Vol.     27 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

Closing, I know I talked about this in one of my other beer blogs.  There is not too many really good flagship.  There are many that are really bad or average compare to the rest of their beer lineup.  This beer is challenges that theory of mine and it is sets the brewery up really well.  It shows the craft beer drinker that rest of their beers should be really good.  There is a lot going on in this great brew.  It fits where this brewery is located.  I enjoyed it and I will have it again.  I just wished they were in the Chicago market.  I would rotate this in and out of my lineup.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Fort Collins Brewery Rocky Mountain IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Fort Collins Brewery.  The brew that will be feature is Rocky Mountain IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this young brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.    Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a clear copper color without a head on it. The smell is a grapefruit to the beer. The taste of this full body India Pale Ale is carbon grapefruit with a dry hop aftertaste. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

India Pale Ale

Massive floral aroma lures you in while hop bitterness and malty sweetness mingle in symmetry.  After all, great balance is key when you are only standing on three legs.

Here is a description from the website (www.fortcollinsbrewery.com):

Rocky Mountain IPA

An I.P.A. by definition is liberally hopped and higher in alcohol. We made Rocky Mountain I.P.A. by dry hopping for an intense citrus aroma and adding a generous helping of malt to create a backbone stable enough to support the characteristic bitterness of the beer.

Awards

2009 US Open Beer Championship, Silver, English IPA.

Availability

All Year.

Packages

12oz bottles (6 packs), 1/2 bbls, 1/6 bbls

Stats

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.2%

Hop Bitterness (IBU): 81

Color (SRM): 12

Food Pairings

Chicken and Waffles, H.C. Lamb Burger

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fortcollinsbrewery.com

Twitter:  @FortCollinsBrew

Closing, I guess I did not realize how many English style India Pale Ales are on the market.  I kind wish the packaging would say something on it that it is a West Coast IPA or just English one.  I guess I could just look on Untappd and hope that it is put in their correctly.  However, this is a great beer and I enjoyed drinking it, it gives me a different pace unlike all the other IPAs on the markets.  What I mean by that last statement.  It is not a West Coast IPA and the English Style gives a different pace.  You might want hops but not over the top and this one and few other English IPAs fit the bill.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Wynkoop Belgotado Belgian-Style India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, here is another brew from Wynkoop Brewing and the beer is Belgotado Belgian-Style India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their beers, you know a little something on this brewery.  If  you have not, please, read those beer post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

The beer is a hazel golden color without a head on it. The smell is an earthly with Belgian species. The taste is a light body with Belgian species to it. There is a dry hop aftertaste.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Meet our small batch Belgium-meets-Colorado thriller.  It’s built with Colorado-grown malts and whole leaf hops, then fermented with a Belgian yeast.  Luscious and balanced, it features pale malt flavors, layers of hops from start to finish, and spice notes.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wynkoop.com

Twitter:  @wynkoop

Closing, I am not a huge fan of this India Pale Ale style.  I just found this pretty unique beer because it is in a can.  I believe this is the American version of the Belgian Triple.  It fits the smell and the taste of all the Belgian funkness.  It either comes from the yeast or the spices that they use in this beer.  I enjoy drinking it but I would not buy it on a regular basis if it was available in the Chicago market.  However, I went on their website and I did not see it in their line up, it makes me wonder if they stop making this brew.  If you can find it, go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewing Levity Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewing and the beer is called Levity Amber Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog post to get up to speed on this great Colorado brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has an amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a sweet malty caramel to it. The taste is sweet malty without an aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Levity is our lighter take on an amber ale — a real crowd pleaser.  Munich and honey malts give it full-bodied flavor, bright copper color, and a relaxed taste profile.  We let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter.  Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color — and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously.  We could all use a little levity once in a while.

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

Levity Amber Ale

Levity is our lighter take on the amber ale. Munich and honey malts give it a full-bodied flavor and a happy-go-lucky personality. Then we let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter. Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color – and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously. Hey, we could all use a little levity once in a while.

5.1%Alc. by Vol.     24IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In the end, this is not one of my favorite beer styles but I wanted to try this beer at least once in my lifetime.  This is a really good and well made beer.  If you are an Amber Ale or Lager fan, this is the beer for you.  The one thing that I love about this beer is how drinkable this beer is and pack of flavor.  I recommend you trying this beer so go out and hunt it down.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tri-City Brewing Charity Island India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery I have been eye balling every time I go back to visit in Michigan.  Tri-City Brewing Company is the brewery being featured in this beer post and the beer is called Charity Island India Pale Ale.  This Bay City brewery opened its doors in 2007 by Kevin Peil and a few friends.  There is not too much information on this young brewery.  Let us get into beer.

It has cloudy copper color with a constant white head on the brew. The carbonation is heavy so be careful pouring the beer in the glass. The smell is fade citrus to this India Pale Ale. The taste has a carbonated citrus without an aftertaste. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Charity Island IPA has a bold and assertive hoppy characteristic.  Brewed with 100% malted barley, the five hop additions give an aroma with a rich citrus, floral, and resinous bouquet.  The crisp flavor is in perfect harmony with the malt backbone with a refreshing, clean, and dry finish.

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

Charity Island IPA

Charity Island IPA has the bold and assertive hop characteristics of an American IPA. Brewed with 100% malted barley, the five hop additions give an aroma with a rich citrus, floral, and resinous bouquet. The crisp hoppy flavor is in perfect harmony with the malt backbone with a refreshing, clean, and dry finish.

6% abv and 72 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tricitybrewing.com

Twitter:  No Twitter address

In closing, I enjoyed drinking this beer.  I love the citrus and it has enough of a malty backbone and balance.  There is a nice crisp and dry finish that I picked up when I was drinking this beer.  This is a great beer.  I will be enjoying some pints when I go back to Michigan.  If you live in the Michigan area, I recommend you trying this beer out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewing Myrcenary Double India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I have been wanting to get into for a long time.  The brewery and the beer is Odell Brewing Myrcenary Double India Pale Ale.  Odell was founded in 1989 by Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell in the Fort Collins, Colorado.  This brewery was started in personal kitchen like most craft breweries.  This one started in Seattle, Washington in a kitchen by Doug.  Until all the brothers moved to Fort Collins to start-up this great brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This ale is a clear golden color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is a heavy grapefruit to it. The taste is has a grapefruit with a touch of lemon. The aftertaste is a dry sweet citrus to the beer. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers.  Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.

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

Myrcenary

Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrcenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers. Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.

Available Year Round
9.3%ABV 70IBU’s

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @OdellBrewing

Closing, this was a pretty unique beer I have had in a long time.  I did not know how to react to the tropical notes I was picking up during the tasting experience.  However, this beer is pretty good, I wish this was in the Chicago market.  It is a great beer to enjoy by sipping and there is not too many double IPA that are sipping beers.  I will order this on the net again or buy it in the store.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Brewery Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Uinta Brewery.  The beer is their Birthday Beer, which is their 20th and it is called Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale from their Crooked Line.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of those beer blogs.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear brown color without a head on the beer. The smell is like sour air. The taste has a heavy sour  with a sour aftertaste. It is a nice sipping beer to have anytime of the season.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewed in celebration of Uinta’s 20th Birthday, this American Sour Brown Ale flaunts significant acidity balanced by flavorful Abbey and Chocolate malts and a modest amount of hops.  A distinct tartness on the palate combines with notes of toffee and earthiness.

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

Notes

Brewed in celebration of Uinta’s 20th Birthday, this American Style Sour Brown Ale flaunts significant acidity balanced by flavorful Abbey and Chocolate malts and a modest amount of hops.  A distinct tartness on the palate combines with notes of toffee and earthiness.

Art

Label art by local Utah artist Travis Bone

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

In closing, I enjoyed drinking this beer and I am in love with sour ales.  This beer was right up my alley but the average beer drinker will not like sour ales.  This beer is for the experience craft beer drinker.  I am not saying that the beginner will not like this beer.  It is possible.  It has a heavy sour taste and smell.  It is pretty drinkable beer for any season of the year.  I highly recommend this beer.  It is a limited release so if you do not get it this season.  You will have to wait for next year and that is not a bad thing.  I also want to thank for the Brewery for letting me try this beer and showing me around the brewery.  Thanks Steve and Uinta Brewing!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:   djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser