midwest craft breweries

New Beer Blog Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA from Founders Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to Founders.  Let us get into this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a semi on tan color head.  The smell has a burn chocolate to coffee and citrus notes. The taste has a a creamy chocolate citrus notes with a dry hoppy to roasted chocolate aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

A heavy malt foundation includes Crystal malt for sweetness and just enough Midnight Wheat malt to push the color to black. The bitterness is huge, but balanced by malt sweetness and alcohol burn. The hop flavors and aromas range from citrus to floral to pine thanks to a delicious blend of hand-selected Chinook and Centennial hops.

  • ABV: 8.9%
  • IBUs: 100
  • Availability: Oct – Dec

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

Closing, I enjoyed this beer very much.  I just wished it was everyday six-pack brew.  They did a great job on this brew.  I love the creamy chocolate citrus notes.  It is in your face but smooth unlike most black IPA.  It is like they used stout base to make this Black IPA.  Most craft breweries use a porter base to make their Black IPA.   There is a nice balance to this beer, however, it is still a sipping beer.  The aroma and color are spot on to the beer style.  This makes you want to try the beer and enjoy it.  I realize the cost but I wish they made more of this beer. I am not a fan of the price but I wanted to try it.  I am glad that I did.  This is their best beer that they make.  It is a shame that it is not everyday beer.  I highly recommend you go out on a beer hunt for it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Right Brain Brewery Flying Squirrel Brown Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample the fall seasonal, which is Flying Squirrel Brown Ale, from Right Brain Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Right Brain Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a dark brown color with an off white to tan color head on this American brown ale.  The aroma has a roasted malty to nutty notes with a slight caramel notes.  The taste has a smooth to creamy malty and nutty notes.  The aftertaste has a nutty crisp finish.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

One quiet summer night, a lone beer lover was relaxing on his front porch with his favorite brew, when he noticed something darting through the trees above his head.

When he stepped into the darkness to investigate, a mysterious shape swooped down from above, narrowly missing his head (and scaring the crap out of him).  He knew immediately what it was.  Hence the legend of the flying squirrel was born.

Expect mild chocolate and hops aromas, deep colored body, and subtle roasty notes with a satisfying hoppy finish.

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

FLYING SQUIRREL
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: 5.7%
A Traditional American Brown Ale with chocolate and roasty notes leading towards a clean and mild hop finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rightbrainbrewery.com

Twitter:  @rightbrainbrew

In the end, I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have always looking for their next seasonal to hit the shelves.  I was happy to see their brown ale came back to the market.  I love the story on this brew that I found on the beer bottle.  They put together a nice package but I wish it was available in four pack 16oz cans or six-pack bottles.  I am not going to complain because it is back for another great fall season.  I love the color tones on this beer.  I love the aroma but I did not pick up any chocolate notes that is noted on the bottle.  I will have to pick up another bottle just to check it out again.  I love the creamy tasting profile.  I really enjoyed this beer.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog New Holland Brewing Black Hatter Ale Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from New Holland Brewery.  It is their Black Hatter Ale Black IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this black ale.

It has a jet black color with a tan color head.  The aroma has a slight coffee to citrus notes.  The taste has a roasted malty with coffee notes. There is a nice citrus with burn to hoppy bitter finish. This is a sipping beer.

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

Description

IPA brewed with black malts which add dark, roasted flavors. Dry-hopped. Centennial finish.

Beer Style

Black IPA

Degrees Plato

14.2

Alcohol by Volume

5.07%

IBUs

67

Grains

2-row, Munich, Crystal, Black, Carapils

Hops

Nugget, Centennial, Cascade

Yeast

American Ale

First Brewed

2001

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

Ending, I get pretty excited when any craft brewery releases new beer or a beer I never had.  It is fear of the unknown that brings out the excitement of brews.  I have been curious about this beer for a while.  I have had this beer on my beer list for a while.  I broke down and finally picked up a bottle.  I love the packaging and color to the beer.  It has some nice tasting notes but I just thought it was pretty average beer.  It is an OK but not worth the price that you are paying for it.  At least, try it once.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!   \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Lagunitas Sucks Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Lagunitas Brewery.  It is their Sucks Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer in quart bottle.

It has a clear bright golden copper color with a white constant head.  The smell has a heavy citrus notes with a slight caramel notes.  It is really fated.  The taste has citrus to a slight creamy caramel notes.  The aftertaste has crisp dry bitter finish that is pretty smooth.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Originally brewed in 2011 as a Brown Shugga’ substitute, due to construction-induced capacity issues. But we liked it so much it had to make a return trip.

AVAILABLE: LATE NOVEMBER thru JANUARY
ABV: 7.85%
Sold as: 6-Packs & Kegs (plus 32oz Quarts in select markets)
Net contents: Ounces and ounces of Malt, Hops, Yeast and water.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  @lagunitasbeer

Closing,  I have always loved Lagunitas Sucks.  I am always sad that this beer is only a seasonal.  This Sucks is their Brown Shagga edition.  Plus, I love that it comes out in 32oz or quart bottle.  I am saving my bottle.  When I visited the brewery in Chicago this last summer, they were selling these bottles and I wanted to take it home.  The problem was that I flew out of Chicago.  I love all nice caramel to citrus notes.  They picked a nice selection of hops and build a well design malty backbone.  I love this beer and I will have a few more bottles in the neat future.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer (Mead) Blog B. Nektar Meadery Evil Genius IPA Style Mead

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In this beer (mead) blog, we are going to get into a style that many people might not know about.  It is mead.  I am kind of new to mead scene but my studies, I know what a mead is. I just need to try them. I will get into the history of mead and then Meadery featured on this post.  I am talking about B. Nektar Meadery.  The mead being feature is Evil Geniues IPA Style Mead.  Mead is a honey and water with fruits, hops, grains, and other spices to add character.  It is a wine base product.  It is normally made as a base of a honey wine.  B. Nektar Meadery was founded in Ferndale, Michigan in 2006.  Brad and Kerri Dahlhofer founded this meadery.  They make several different mead styles.  They sell their products around the country but mainly the midwest to the east coast.  Let us get into this Mead.

It has a bright yellow to white color without a head on this Mead.  The aroma has a honey with a hint of earthy notes.  The taste has a sweet honey with earthy undertones.  The aftertaste has sweet honey with a slight bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the mead bottle:

In an obsure industrial lair resides the man known only as the evil Dr. IPA.  Using his hadron collider hidden deep underground, he has conducted his most remarkable experiment to date.  The result is a perfect balance of honey and hops.  But there are side effects…  his lab rats can’t get enough of the stuff.  And soon, neither will you.  Introducing the Evil Genius.  The big bang is no longer a theory, it’s your reality.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bnektar.com

Twitter:  @bnekar

Closing, I had a few meads and they are all from B. Nektar.  I do not know many more meaderies in the market.  If there is, I will be trying them soon.  I find some of these meads pretty sweet to way too sweet.  This is one of them.  I do not get too much from the hops.  I love this mead at first.  The more and more I was drinking it.  I just found that it was way too sweet for me.  I just feel if it was 10oz pour I would be in better shape.  I can drink meads and some sweet ciders.  I just find that they become too sweet for me.  Keep in mind, I am a hophead, porter, and stout type of beer drinker.  I recommend this mead.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Autumn Ale (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into the fall seasonal from Short’s Brewery.  It is their Autumn Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us fall beer.

It has a slightly cloudy amber to bronze color with a semi white head.  The aroma has a floral to nutty notes with some hazelnut.  The taste has a slight carbonation malty with earthy hop bitter aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Autumn Ale is a true-to-style London Extra Special Bitter (ESB). It has a medium body, amber color, and full flavor. This beer exhibits a wonderful balance of malty sweetness and floral hop bitterness. The result is an ideal bridge between malty and hoppy beer styles. Autumn Ale is a silver medal winner from the 2006 Great American Beer Festival.

6.5% ABV

45 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

In the end,  I did not like this beer.  It just seems like it is missing something.  I love my ESB’s.  I love the old country-style of it.  This one is true to the classic beer style.  I do not know if maybe it threw me off because the flood of Oktoberfest and Pumpkin beers.  This was the first beer I had for the day.  So it was not like I was a few beers in and started to drink it.  If it was a normal price craft beer but not higher than the rest, this beer would be worth the price.  I recommend you trying it and this beer is better than most of the beers Short’s release in the market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:   djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Cheboygan Brewing Oktoberfest (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another Oktoberfest from Cheboygan Brewing.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this Oktoberfest Beer.

It has a nice clear light amber to dark copper color with a semi white head.  The smell has a candy to sweet caramel notes.  The taste has a sweet candy to caramel notes with a dry malty notes for the aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com):

Gold Medal award winner at the 2012 Frankenmuth World Expo of Beer!

The beer, created by the brewery’s operation manager and brewmaster Tim Perry, who was inspired by the 1976 Späten Oktoberfest bier from Munich, Germany, is orange in hue with a pronounced malt presence. 6% ABV IBU 28.  Available in the Fall.  Available in six packs seasonally.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @CheboyganBrew

In the end, I have been really impressed with all the fall seasonals asides the Erdinger, Griffin Claw, Atwater Brewery, and Weihenstephaner.  I have to say those were bad.  I believe that is four out of fourteen fall beers.  This brewery puts another good one on that list.  I am so happy to have a great streak of fall beers this season.  I love the candy to caramel notes from the malt. It is pretty sweet but yet has a nice malty dry finish.  It will have you coming back and drink more and more of this beer.  I highly recommend this beer.  You can find this one in the Michigan market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Griffin Claw Screamin’ Pumpkin Ale (2014)

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In this fall seasonal beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Griffin Claw Brewery.  I do not know why I keep coming back to this brewery.  I know why for this beer because this is an old Michigan Brewery Company recipe.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this young craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin ale.

It has a light amber to dark color with a semi white head.  The aroma has a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  The taste has really no notes but slight sweet malt. The aftertaste is a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is so not drinkable beer.

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

Our Screamin’ Pumkin Ale is like a slice of warm pie. Cinnamon, clove, sweet pumpkin, a little molasses. A couple sips in you’ll mistake the malty aftertaste for a crispy crust. The perfect beer to celebrate Halloween. Or Thanksgiving. Or Christmas, if there’s any left. From the time we brew it in July get it while it’s good.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @Griffinclaw

Closing, I was a pretty big fan of the Michigan Brewery Company Screaming Pumpkin Ale.  I use to make trips back from Chicago to bring some back.  Later years I stop because of being busy and then they went out of business.  I was pretty excited to hear that a craft brewery brought the rights to the recipe.  I do not know what they did with this recipe but it is not the same beer as I remember it.  It has been a long time since I had it.  Maybe my taste has changed over the years.  I might have to retry it but I am hoping I do not get a bad batch.  Who knows, maybe this first one was a bad batch.  It was not really good. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Finch’s Beer Company Sobek And Set Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Finch’s Beer Company.  It is their Sobek and Set Black IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brewery tour, you know the history of this Midwest Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read it to get to know this craft brewery from chicago.  Let us get into this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan color head.  The aroma has a chocolate to citrus notes.  The taste has a heavy chocolate and citrus notes with a dry hop bitter finish.  This is a kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.finchbeer.com

Twitter:  @finchbeer

Closing, this is an awesome beer and it is one of my favorite Black IPA on the market.  It is one of my everyday beers right now.  I will have to check it up here soon so I do not get bored with it.  There is a ton of complex notes on this beer.   The depth of flavor notes is what makes this beer special.  I love the hop notes and there is some nice chocolate notes that blends nicely with the hops.  I love the packaging design and it is in a can.  I love my beer in cans.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Goose Island Oktoberfest (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into the 2014 version of Goose Island Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this Midwest craft brewery, you know the history of this 1980’s craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Chicago Orignal craft brewery.  Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a dark clear copper color without a head.  The aroma has a slight sweet malty notes.  The taste has a sweet malty to slight but faded caramel notes.  The aftertaste has a dry malty finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

In the end, I have to say this year’s version is so much better than last years.  I was not a fan of last year’s beer.  It is night and day compare to these beers.  I am pretty stun and impressed.  The layer of depth has some notes of caramel notes.  I did not really pick up too much of the toffee and apricot notes that is marked on the bottle.  I am not too sure and I came up with these tasting notes before reading the bottle.  I had a chance to try it on draft and it is pretty constant from bottle to keg.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend it.  Get it while it last if you are outside of the Chicago market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13