midwest craft beers

New Beer Blog Arcadia Ales Jaw-Jacker

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at another Michigan Brewery called Arcadia Ales and the beer is Jaw-Jacker. Arcadia Brewing Company, which is also known as Arcadia Ales, was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1996. They brew several different beer styles and they are pretty close to the traditional beer styles. Let us get into the beer.

It has a hazel dark copper color without a head on the beer. This pumpkin ale has a cinnamon to nutmeg smell to this beer. The taste is a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg with a cinnamon aftertaste. There is really no pumpkin in this beer. It is kind of drinkable but not really to me.

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

This spiced amber-wheat ale is our celebration of the arrival of Autumn. Using the finest malted barley and little wheat for mouthfeel, Jaw-Jacker displays a brilliant orange-amber color, despite the absence of pumpkin in the recipe. The addition of cinnamon, all-spice and nutmeg (in the exact proportions of our brewer’s Grandmother’s pumpkin pie recipe) creates a refreshingly spicy, season brew.

Style

Spiced Beer

ABV

6.0%

IBUs

26

Food Pairings

Boiled Brisket with Root Veggies, Roast Duck or Turkey, Pumpkin Pie or Sweet Potato Pie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.arcadiaales.com

Twitter: @arcadiaales

In closing, this is one of many Michigan Breweries. This brewery is everything that I look for in a brewery, which means they make traditional styles. I believe I love the crazy hoppy beers or weird beers so this brewery gives you something of the classic world. However, I really did not like this beer, I thought it was very heavy with the cinnamon and nutmeg taste and way to sweet. This beer to me was not drinkable. I know this brewery could do better. This is my thought pattern and my word is not the holy grail of beer blogs or craft world and if it was it should not be. You as a beer drinker might like this beer. I courage you to try it to get your judgement on this beer. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this beer. They are available in many states in the midwest. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at one of my favorite pumpkin ale from Schlafly. If you read my earlier blog, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that blog post. Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear dark copper color without a head on the beer. This pumpkin has a cinnamon and nutmeg smell to it. It has a huge cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin, which is extremely rare in these beers. It is very drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Schlafly Pumpkin ale Celebrate the bounty of harvest with this rich, malty ale brewed with pumpkin and flavored with spices to invoke the season of plenty.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.schlafly.com):

Our Pumpkin Ale blends the spices of the harvest with full-bodied sweetness for a beer that tastes like pumpkin pie. Pounds of pumpkin form a malty foundation that supports the fall flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

While pumpkin beers were produced in the early days of the American colonies, they were different from the pumpkin beers we know today. Colonists used pumpkin and squash as the fermenting medium, since malted barley was scarce. Once malt became more readily available, it replaced these alternatives to grain. In the 1990’s, American craft brewers reintroduced the style to the delight of pumpkin beer drinkers.

Available September-October.

ABV: 8% | IBU: 16

Appearance: Copper-colored, bright

Process: Brewed with pumpkin squash and a blend of spices

Hops: Marynka (PL)

Malts: 2-row and Crystal malted barley, Munich malt, wheat malt, chocolate malt

Yeast: American Ale

OG: 18.5

SRM: 26.6

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.schlafly.com

Twitter: @schlafly

Closing, I really love this beer and it is my favorite pumpkin beer on the market. Every year I have to work the phones to get a few six packs up here in Chicago. This beer has the sweetness of the nutmeg, cinnaom, and the taste of Pumpkin in it. Most Pumpkin ales or lagers do not have the taste of Pumpkin or just very little. It is very drinkable and full of flavor. I highly recommend this beer. This is what a pumpkin ale is suppose to be not what is out in the market. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Spotted Cow

In this beer blog, we are going to check out the second of seven beers from New Glarus Brewing Company. The beer is their flagship beer called Spotted Cow. If you read my blog yesterday on their Fat Squirrel Ale, you know a little bit about this brewery. If you have not, please go back and read the first part of that blog post. Let us get into beer.

It has a hazel straw color with a constant white head on the beer. There is a little smell but I cannot pick up what is in it. The taste is a creamy sweet with a very slight hop carbonation aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable. I could drink this beer all day.

Here is a description from beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

Cask conditioned ale has been the popular choice among brews since long before prohibition. We continue this pioneer spirit with our Wisconsin farmhouse ale. Brewed with flaked barley and the finest Wisconsin malts. We even give a nod to our farmers with a little hint of corn.

Naturally cloudy we allow the yeast to remain in the bottle to enhance fullness of flavors, which cannot be duplicated otherwise. Expect this ale to be fun, fruity and satisfying. You know you’re in Wisconsin when you see the Spotted Cow.

Expect this ale to be fun, fruity and satisfying. You know you’re in Wisconsin when you see the Spotted Cow. Vielen Dank! Daniel & Deborah Carey

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter: @newglarusbeer

In closing, I had this beer while I was up in Milwaukee visiting a few brewpubs and my friend gave me a few bottles when he went up there too. While I was up in Milwaukee, I did take note of all the Cream Ales from all the Wisconsin Breweries. I had one brewery tell me it is to get the mass-produced beer drinkers to come and try their beers. This does make so much sense but I cannot think of many St Louis Breweries making Cream Ales. New Glarus called their Spotted Cow a Farmhouse. To me, this is a Cream Ale and I am not going against this brewery or any brewery on the beer styles. They will know better than the drinkers. This beer is one of the best ones I had in this beer styles but I have not had too many Cream Ales in my life time. I did really enjoyed this beer and I would recommend this beer to you. Let me know what you think of it when you try it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Shiner Oktoberfest

In this fall beer blog, we are going to take a look at another Oktoberfest but this time it is from Shiner Brewery. This little brewery could do anything. This German base brewery has been blogged about in my blogs in the pasted. If you have read my earlier blogs, you know about this brewery. If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that Wild Hare post. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on the beer. It has a sweet caramel malty smell to the Oktoberfest. The taste is what you aspect from a German base brewery. It has a heavy malty to a little caramel taste with malty aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Here in Shiner, TX, we’re suckers for tradition. Which is why this classic Oktoberfest brew is made with the highest quality two-row barley, Munich and caramel malts, along with German grown Hallertau Tradition and hersbrucker hops. It’s our way of honoring our ancestors and the beer they loved to celebrated with So raise your stein to tradition and enjoy this utterly classic brew. Prosit!

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

Style:
This festive Marzen-style seasonal has a deep amber color and slightly toasted flavor. The initial rich malty aroma and sweetness fades to a moderately dry, hoppy finish.

Recipe:
Made with the highest-quality Two-Row Barley, Munich and Caramel malts, along with German-grown Hallertau Tradition and Hersbrucker hops.

Back Story:
First introduced to the Shiner family as our 96 Anniversary Brew, this Marzen-style brew has regained popularity among Shiner and Oktoberfest drinkers alike. It’s connection to tradition and celebration makes it a great fit for the Shiner seasonal portfolio.

Goes Well With:
Best when served with meaty dishes like sausage and roasted chicken, fresh, creamy cheeses, pasta with white sauces and seafood.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.shiner.com

Twitter: @shinerbeer

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer and this is one of my favorite beers from this brewery. I believe this beer is just above Wild Hare Pale Ale for the top spot from this brewery. I had the chance to visit this brewery a few years ago and had a blasted. This brewery makes some good beers and I hope you had a chance to try some of their beers. This Oktoberfest is close to the classic style. It has a heavy malty taste that will make your malt drinker loving this beer to the end of the season. Plus, this beer just won Gold Medal in this Great American Beer Festival. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Ale Asylum Satisfaction Jacksin Double IPA

Starting new tab, I will be featuring three beers from Ale Asylum in the next three posts. The first beer is called Satisfaction Jacksin Double IPA. Ale Asylum was founded in 2005 in Madison, Wisconsin. They brew several ale styles. There is barely any information on this brewery on the web. Let us get into this ale.

This double IPA has a dark copper color without a head on the beer. It has a nice pineapple smell to the beer. It has a weird taste to the beer. It has a little pineapple and then some citrus to it. The beer has earthly to the taste. It is really balance with a nice malty backbone. It is extremely drinkable for being a Double IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Three pounds of Centennial hops per barrel give our double IPA a slightly punishing yet entirely pleasing bitterness that dances on t he tongue. Jacksin is unfiltered and all natural for superior flavor and quality. It is brewed with passion and is best enjoyed that way.

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

8.5% abv.

Available: Sep – Dec Style: Double IPA Motto: Slightly punishing, entirely pleasing.

Satisfaction Jacksin is a full frontal assault on the taste buds. The massive amounts of Centennial hops don’t tickle the taste buds as much as they beat them into submission. If hops make you hide and bitterness sends you cowering in the corner, steer clear of this hop monster. Pleasure? Check. Pain? Check. Satisfaction? Jacksin.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.aleasylum.com

Twitter: @ale_asylum

Raise Your Glass, this beer is pretty good but I will rotate it in and out of my regular line up of beer, if it was availabe in the Chicago Market. I had a friend bring me some bottles down from Wisconsin. I never heard of this brewery and it turns out that they are a very young brewery. I recommend you trying this brew and let me know what you think. I might have to make a trip up to Madison, Wisconsin some time soon. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog New Glarus Brewing Fat Squirrel Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at seven beers from New Glarus Brewing. Here is a little history of this great Midwest Brewery. New Glarus Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Deborah and Dan Carey in New Glarus, Wisconsin. They are 21st largest Craft Brewery and 32nd largest brewery in the United States. This brewery has won several awards for their beers. They brew several different beer styles and their flagship is their Spotted Cow. We are going to get into their Fat Squirrel first. Let us check out this brew.

The beer has a clear brown color without a head on it. The smell is a sweet maple malty to the beer. The taste is sweet malty and maple to it. The aftertaste is a hazelnut to it. It is a pretty drinkable for being a brown ale.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

One deceptively springlike winter day, Brewmaster Dan walked hom from the brewery, sat down to dinner and said, “Boy there are some fat squirrels out there. They’re running all over the place. I think I should brew a Fat Squirrel Nut Brown Ale.” Deb agreed and so another beer legend was born.

100% Wisconsin malt of six different varieties impart the natural toasted color to this bottle conditioned unfiltered ale. Clean hazelnut notes result from these carefully chosen barely malts. Hops from Slovenia, Bavaria and the Pacific Northwest give Fat Squirrel its backbone.

When the going gets tough remember to relax a moment and enjoy the “Fat Squirrel” in your neighborhood. Truly yours, Daniel & Deborah Carey

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter: @newglarusbeer

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer. It is a little different from the rest of the Brown Ales that are in the market. I really enjoyed the classic craft brown ales like Brooklyn Brown Ale. This one has a really good twist to it. There is other notes you do not get from the rest of the brown ales like a little caramel, which you will get from other brown ales, and maple notes. I love brown ale and I have to say this Nut Brown Ale or should I say Fat Squirrel Ale is one of my favorite Brown Ale along with Brooklyn Brown. Thanks to my friend for bring it down to Chicago for me to try it and blog about it. This beer is worth a trip up to Wisconsin to try this beer out. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Boulevard Brewery and Sierra Nevada Brewery Terra Incognita

While in Washington DC, we are going to take a look at a beer that I received at Savor. The beer is Terra Incognita from Sierra Nevada Brewery and Boulevard Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog from Sierra Nevada beers, you are pretty up to speed on this brewery. If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog. Bouldevard Brewery was founded in 1986 in Kansas City, Missouri by John McDonald. They brew several different beer styles. They are the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States and they become the largest independent American Brewery in Missouri when AB was sold to Inbev. Let us get into the beer.

This is a bottle I received while at the Savor 2012 in Washington DC. It has a pretty dark brown color with a white constant head. This beer has a heavy carbonation to it. The smell is of dark chocolate cherries. It has a very nice smell to it. The taste is a sweet roasted malts with a slight cherry and almond to it. There is a ton going on in this beer. The aftertaste is a sour to the beer. This is a pretty drinkable beer for the high alcohol percentage.

Here is a desecration from the beer bottle:

Situated at opposite ends of the California Trail, pioneering breweries Sierra Nevada and Boulevard have embarked upon a journey into the unknown, to a land where adventures in brewing and flavor await. Terra Incognita is, fittingly, an earthy beer, celebrating the unique terroir of the two locations. Beginning with Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown pale malt, and combined with amber-malt, wheat, and malted wheat, it is then assertively hopped with Bravo and Styrian Goldings, dry-hoppeed with East Kent Goldings and finally barrel aged with Brettanomyces in Missouri oak.

Here is their websites and twitter addresses:

Websites: www.bouldevard.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitters: @bouldevard_beer and @sierranevada

In closing, I have to say I was not really that impressed with this beer. It was drinkable for being a big beer. Since this was part of the package for Savor, I will not be mad or sad if I never drink this beer again. They did a pretty good job on this beer but I just feel this beer is missing something to it. When two breweries brew this beer, it was a big deal in the pasted. I just feel that this adventure has loss its passion and excitement. I normally do not care or get excited over these beers. In most cases, they are overpriced and most cases not worth the money. I am not saying you will like this beer but good luck getting a bottle on Ebay and other places. I do have an extra bottle for sale if you are interested please email me. I hope you can go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Metropolitan Krankshaft

In my 160th blog post, we are going to check out one of the newer breweries in the Chicago area that has popped up in the last 7 years. The brewery I am talking about is Metropolitan and the beer is their Krankshaft. Here is a little history on this brewery. Metropolitan Brewery was founded in 2008 by Doug and Tracey Hurst in the Ravenswood Neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Their beers are the German Style. They brewery several different brews in the German Style. Let us get into this beer.

Krankshaft is one of their everyday six-pack beers and is unique to see this style of beer be available everyday. In most cases, brewery’s Kolsch is a Spring or Summer Seasonal. It has a pale yellow color with a little white head on the beer. It has a slight citrus smell. It has a nice slight citrus taste and a nice dry crisp aftertaste. It is very drinkable.

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

Brewed in homage to the beer of Cologne, Krankshaft is a pale straw hued smile in a glass. We throw in a little wheat malt to round out an easy Santiam hop bitterness. There are no Köbes to serve them up, but you should feel free to have as many as you like.

Krankshaft Kölsch style beer goes great with fruit salad, sailing, pot stickers, graduation parties, gyros, kick ball, pistachios, cole slaw, Star Trek marathons, miso, rye vodka, canoeing, dinner waffles, dal, gelato, star gazing, popcorn, beach combing, barbeque, lawn chairs, chiles rellenos, muenster cheese, Black Jack, hummus & pita, pinball, guacamole, gardening, French Onion soup, and yoga.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.metrobrewing.com

Twitter: @metrobrewing

In closing, I was not a fan of this brewery at first because when they came out I was not into German Craft Beer Styles. However, when they first started, I still wanted to check them out anyways. I did try them out and did not like their beers ar first. I am just being honest, however, I tried their beers again of late. Where I try this beer, I knew it was fresh because they tapped it right in front of me. I wish they had a brewpub so I could try their all their beers. I went to their website and I noticed they do brewery tours. I would love to get into one but it looks like they do not have any tours happening anytime soon. I will be checking back to see if they have updates on more brewery tours. This is one of the best Kolsch Craft Style that I have had in a long time. It has a ton of flavor but the drinkablity like mass produce American Lager. It has a better taste of course. This beer could switch a ton of those American lager drinkers. It is smooth and crisp but enough fruity notes to make the alehead happy. Since I cannot get Schlafly Kolsch, I will be adding this my line up beers. This is a great beer and I am happy that is Chicago Brewery is not copying what the other Chicago Craft Breweries are doing in the market. 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 Fall Beer Blog Revolution Brewery Oktoberfest

During Football season, we are going to take a look at another brew from Revolution Brewery. This is their fall seasonal which is called Oktoberfest. If you read my earlier blog on their Anti-Hero, you know a little something about this brewery. If not, please, read the first part of that beer blog. Let us get into the beer.

This fall beer has a nice copper color without a head on it. It has a sweet caramel malty smell to the beer. The taste has some caramel notes along with some malty notes. The aftertaste makes this beer extremely drinkable for a Fall Beer and Oktoberfest. The aftertaste is a dry malty.

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

OKtoberfest

A classic German-style Oktoberfest beer that goes down smooth with a pleasant, toasty malt flavor. Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops give the beer a crisp, balanced bitterness and a spicy, earthy aroma.

German-style Oktoberfest

ABV 5.7%IBU 25

Profile: Classic German-style Oktoberfest beer

Availability: 1/6 & 1/2 bbl, 12oz cans

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.revbrew.com

Twitter: @revbrewchicago

In closing, I had several Fall and Oktoberfest beers through out the years. I had a ton this year and there are only a few that are really good and then there are some that are really bad. It has been very disappointing this years for fall beers. I use to hang out at their brewpub in Logan Square and I never had this beer. I have to say that I am not really that impressed with it. I loved their Anti-Hero IPA and this was a real let down. I am not a fan of this beer for the price and the liquid inside the bottle, draft, and cans. There are better Oktoberfest at a better value. I feel their beers are overpriced for being from Chicago. Just because, I am not a fan of this beer. It does not mean you will not like this beer and rest of their bews. Please go try them and share your thoughts with me and others. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Frankenmuth Brewery Red Sky Irish Style Ale

While in Michigan, This beer is from the Frankenmuth Brewery Company. I did not have enough time to try it at the brewery so I pick up this bottle in the Downtown area of Frankenmuth at the Lager Mill Beer Store. I am really looking forward to their Winter Lager. If you have not read the first part of my earlier blog, please, read the first part of that blog post. Let us get into the beer.

It has a nice red color with a constant white head. There is small bubbles that flow to the top of the beer. The smell is caramel to malty. The taste is a sweet malty with a little caramel with a dry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This malt focused Irish style red ale uses roasted barley to give it its robust red color and subtle caramel notes. Red Sky is a full flavored ale with a smooth malty finish.

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

Dry Irish Stout Ale-A traditional Dry Irish Stout is light in body with a hint of chocolate and coffee. This rich flavor comes from a combination of roasted barley & a generous helping of hops. We low-carbonate our stout using a nitrogen system which aids in masking the natural bitterness of the brew.
ABV 4.1% IBU 41

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @fb1862

Bottom of beer bottle, I am not a fan of Irish Red Ales. This one for what it is was pretty good. It has a ton of flavor and everything that a Red Ale fan is looking for in this beer style. I enjoyed it but I would not put it in my everyday line up of beers. Just because I said that, it does not mean you will not enjoy this beer. This is a really good beer and I did enjoy it. Just like Pilsners, I am not into Red Ales right now. Please, go try it and let me know what you think of the beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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