midwest craft breweries

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Oktoberfest (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into this year’s Great Lakes Brewing Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Midwest Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Ohio craft brewery.  Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet malty to caramel notes. The taste has a depth of sweet malt, slight caramel, and nut notes.  The aftertaste has a dry crisp malty finish.  It is a pretty drinkable fall beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our Oktoberfest is the noble brother of the Vienna lager…. As if wearing “lederhosen” and getting your “oompah” on didn’t make you noble enough. Oh, and enjoy this German lager in our energy effcient Beer Garden, complete with a retractable roof, straw bale wall and radiant heat fireplace and floor.

Cleveland’s celebration of Oktoberfest dates to the mid 1800s when German immigrants gathered at outdoor beer gardens like Haltnorth’s and Kindvater’s St Clair Gardens.  Our amber lager with rich malt flavor and noble hops honors Cleveland’s diverse cultural heritage.

In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, this beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast and water.  no chemicals or preservatives are used.

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

An amber lager with rich malt flavor balanced by fragrant noble hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

Closing, it has been forever since I had a Great Lakes Oktoberfest.  I was happy to get a bottle in my hand.  I have to say I was not disappointed.  So far, this year’s fall seasonals has not been disappointing asides New Belgian Brewery Tour De Fall.  I am not going to get into it on this review.  Just like Goose Island Oktoberfest, there is some nice depth of malty notes.  I am getting some nice hints of sweet caramel notes.  It is nice drinkable and easy to drink beer.  It is true to the classic beer style and I will have a few more pints before the end of the season.  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 Atwater Brewery In The Park

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In this beer blog, we are going to talk about my visit at Atwater Brewery In The Park.  I did not take tasting notes but I will talk about the food and kind of what I had to drink.  I also will talk about my experience there.  If you have read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this dining and drinking experience.

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Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

Ending, I know there is other craft breweries using churches as their brewery.  I know there is one in Pennsylvania. I have never been there.  I would love to go.  I will be the first to say that I am not a fan of this brewery but I wanted to check out this new brewpub in the Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  I might not like the beer from the brewery but I like going to brewpubs.  Sometimes, it might be the traveling that might be have an effect on the beer.  The staff is super nice and helpful.  The inside and outside area is very welcoming to their guests.  They have two beer menus.  One is beers that are brewed there and the other list is brewed at their main brewpub.  I had two beers exclusive to the brewpub there.  I had their Poorboy, which was a smoked porter, and Black IPA.  I love these two beers and I was pretty impressive.  I believe the main brewmasters need to look at some of these beers being made at this  brewpub.  The other two were Detroit Pale Ale and Bloktoberfest.  I kind of like Bloktobeerfest.  It is true to the beer style but I felt it was a little light for the style.  Pale ale, I just felt it was a little weak on the hop and not strong malty backbone.  I had two more that were not on any of these photos.  I had GP IPA and Scherthing Cream Ale.  These beers are part of the exclusive to Grosse Pointe brewery.  The food came out.  It was a German theme food menu.  I love apps we order.  It was a basket of Pretzels.  They were awesome.  There were different sizes with cheese and honey mustard, which were homemade there.  There is a spicy mustard that was also made there.  The main course was Turkey Burger with fries.  I loved it.  It was cooked just right and I love the spices.   Overall, I had a great time and I will be back.  I would love to try all the exclusive beers brewed there.  I will be upfront and honest.   I am not a fan of their everyday beers.  There beers brewed there need to be packaged. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Brewery Strawberry Shortcake Ale (2014)

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

It has a cloudy amber color without a head but there is a white head at first.  The aroma has a heavy strawberry notes.  The taste has a light body with strawberry notes with a crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Strawberry Short’s Cake is a golden ale. The addition of strawberries and milk sugar transform this beer into a rose-colored nectar that has hints of cream and is pleasingly sweet. Biscuit flavors and aromas arise from the great amounts of Victory malt used in the brewing process.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Ending, these are the beers that give me hope that Short’s can be something special again.  Most of their flagship beers I am really not a fan of them.   I use to be a fan.  I do not know if my taste bud changed or their beers changes.  I know there are many craft beer drinkers like their beers.  There is nothing wrong with it.  This is my thought pattern of their beers.  However, I love this beer, I do not put this beer as a fruit beer.  I look at it as a dessert beer like their Key Lime Ale, which I did a review of it earlier.  This beer reminds me of Fruli Strawberry Beer.  I have done a review a few months ago.  Both beer are great.  I just feel Short’s focus on their special releases and not on their flagship beers.  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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale

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In the beginning, we are going to get into Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale.  As you know I was at the brewery a few months ago.  I thought I would start writing up reviews of their beers.  If you read my review on their brewery tour, which I highly recommend doing, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read it, please, do so get to know this Chicago craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy dark golden to light copper color with a semi white head on this IPA.  The aroma has a nice citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish that hangs out a bit.  It is pretty drinkable IPA.

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

Finch’s Beer Company’s Threadless IPA is the gold medal winner in the IPA category at this year’s World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event. Our Threadless/Finch collaboration IPA is a balanced experience of both perceived hoppiness and true bitterness. It pours a darker amber color and finishes with a citrus flavor, and when combined, will require this to be the last IPA you ever drink!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.finchbeer.com

Twitter:  @finchbeer

Ending, I really enjoyed this IPA.  It is one of my favorite ones that I can get into Michigan market.  It is one of my non Michigan craft IPA that I can get in my market.  Later, found out that they are not in this market anymore. The hops have a great balance with the well designed malty backbone.  When they released this beer, I was nervous because to be honest, I was not a fan of their Golden Ale or Pale Ale.  I am glad that I did try it.  This beer was the turning point for this craft brewery.  This beer might be my second favorite beer from this craft brewery, today. My favorite is their Black IPA and it was a no brainer to try it after enjoying their IPA.  I highly recommend this beer and a review of their Black IPA is coming soon.  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 Norm’s Gateway Session IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I need to stop drinking.  I am talking about Griffin Claw and it is their Gateway Session IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this young Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not read it, please, do so to get to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this Session IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head.  The color is like an American lager.  The aroma has a fresh piney to a slight grapefruit notes.  The taste has some grapefruit to piney notes.  The aftertaste has a dry hop bitter finish.  It is extremely drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @Griffinclaw

In the end, this is a really good beer.  I was pretty impressive.  I really have not liked many of their beers that I have had.  I will be hunting down their Pumpkin Ale because there is a rumor that it is the same recipe of Michigan Brewery Company one.  There is an ongoing theme with this brewery and their beers.  Their batches of beer are not constant.  This makes it challenging for the craft beer drinker.  I had this beer a few times already before writing this beer blog post.   Yesterday, I had a great batch but this one that I have today is not really good.  If this craft brewery corrects this problem, they could have some success in this tough Michigan craft beer market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Alaskan Free Ride APA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer, which is Free Ride APA, from Alaskan Brewery.  This is the first time this craft brewery is being feature on this blog.  Alaskan Brewery opened their doors in 1986.  They were founded by a young couple, who is Marcy and Geoff Larson.  They were the frist brewery in the state since Prohibition.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this APA.  The smell has a floral like to tropical fruit notes.  The taste is a lightly carbonation tropical fruit notes with a dry crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style:

American Pale Ale. Arguably the style that triggered the craft beer movement in the United States, the American Pale Ale showcases the floral, fruity, and citrusy aroma and flavors of Pacific Northwest hops in balance with a medium malt body


Flavor Profile:

Alaskan Freeride APA features a lush, green, almost tropical hop aroma paired with the unique taste combination of these three, distinctive hop varieties, making it both full in flavor and crisply thirst-quenching.
History:
Freeride APA started as a springtime staple for Alaskan’s backcountry skiing and snowboarding crew, then became a perfect beer to savor with summertime kayaking, biking, and just about every other outdoor activity.
Ingredients:
Alaskan Freeride APA is brewed with Cascade, Citra, and Centennial hops, premium two-row and specialty crystal malts, and Juneau’s glacier-fed water.
Recommendations:

Freeride APA pairs well with gourmet pub fare, especially a BLTA or club sandwich with peppered bacon, a spicy chicken quesadilla, or freshly battered Alaska halibut and chips.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbrewing

In closing, I am pretty happy to see them finally make it to Michigan.  I am been a huge of this craft brewery for a long time.  I am loving the fact that I get to try all the newer beers and favorites.  I am happy I do not have to trade with anyone out west. I am happy to walk into my beer store and get this craft brewery.  I am a huge fan of PA and APA.  I was pretty interested in this beer. I love hop aroma and taste of the tropical fruit notes.  This is a great and balance beer.  It is pretty drinkable and refreshing.  This is one beer you can have it any part of the season.  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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Key Lime Pie (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Short’s Brewery.  It is their Key Lime Pie.  It is a fruit beer and dessert beer.  If you ready my earlier beer blog posts, 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 beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper to light amber color without a head on this fruit beer.  The smell has of graham crackers and a slight lime notes.  The taste has some interesting and complex notes.  It is a sweet heavy lime but there is notes of sweet marshmallow to graham crackers.  The aftertaste is sweet lime notes.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Key Lime Pie is made with fresh limes, milk sugar, graham cracker, and marshmallow fluff. The prominent flavors are immensely sweet, then tart, with subtle hints of graham cracker coming through in the nose and remain on the back of the palate. Key Lime Pie is a Gold Medal Winner at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival.

5.5% ABV

21 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing,  I had to crack this beer open to get rid of the bad taste from the Atwater Blueberry Cobbler Ale.  I was hoping this fruit and dessert beer would better.  I have to say it is so much better.  I love my key lime pie so I knew this would be a no brainer.  I love blueberry pie so I thought the same thing about Atwater Brewery brew.  You can kind of taste the graham crackers and sweetest of the marshmallow notes.  It is pretty complex and that is a good.  You can pick up notes and something new in each sip.  I highly recommend this beer, if you can find another bottle.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Atwater Brewery Blueberry Cobbler Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer and I am thinking the last one from Atwater Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into this fruit beer.

It has a black color with an off white color head.  The aroma has a heavy blueberry notes.  The taste has a heavy blueberry notes but not really balance beer.  The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish but not from the hops.  It is kind of drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Nothing says autumn like this refreshing ale brewed using local blueberries from our home State of Michigan.  It’s beer just like Grandma would make, if Grandma was a brewmaster.  Prost!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

In the end, I do not know why I keep doing this to myself.  This craft brewery is not really good and they only really put out one good beer.  The one good beer is just an average beer.  I am talking about Java Vanilla Porter.  Their Dirty Blonde could be in the talk of a good beer or not.  The point that I am getting at is this craft brewery makes some pretty bad beers.  They are not constant all around their beers.  Their IPA’s, I refuse to drink even if they are the only craft beer in the bar.  I was thinking maybe their fruit beers might be good.  I was completely wrong.  I mean really wrong.  This blueberry ale is not balance at all.  It is not really good.  It is missing something.  I can not put my figure on it.  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Oddside Ales El Dankerino West Coast Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Oddside Ales.  It is their El Dankerino West Coast Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, 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 get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this Double IPA.  The aroma has a slight grapefruit to tropical fruit notes.  The taste has dry bitter front that leads to slight caramel to tropical fruit notes.  The aftertaste has a dry grapefruit hop finish.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  @oddsideales

Closing, this is a great beer.  I love the play on words for the name of the beer.  There is some aroma notes and tasting notes.  The malty backbone is a perfect match with the hops picked.  The caramel and tropical fruit notes are a nice blend.  This beer might be a sipping beer but I could see some experienced hopheads saying that it is kind of drinkable beer.  I do not think I had one bad beer from this craft brewery.  This brewery makes good beers and this one lives up to that line.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Lagunitas Brewery Day Time Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Lagunitas Brewery.  It is their Day Time Ale.  This is a beer that I picked up a six-pack from the brewery while in Chicago.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast and Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this session IPA.

This session IPA has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a floral to earthy notes.  The taste profile has a light carbonation with hints of earth notes.  The aftertaste has a dry crisp hop finish.  It is all day IPA beer.

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

Sometimes you want a beer, then you realize how much crap you need to do before you call it a day. This is it. Nicely dosed with Big, Round Hop Flavors and a Toasty Malt Foundation to satisfy your every need. But it still lets you stay in the game to do what needs to be done. Yup.

AVAILABILITY: SUPER LIMITED
ABV: 4.65%
Sold as: 6-packs & Kegs
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 love this session IPA.  I just feel it is pretty hard to find their beers in southeast Michigan.  When I do, I feel  they are overpriced.  I hope with the new brewery in Chicago that could solve some issues.  I love this IPA beer style because I can get the big hop from aroma and taste but yet I am able to drink it most of the day.  Before this beer style, I had to switch to a pilsner or lager.  It was not making my taste buds happy.  I had to drink a few IPA’s and I have to move on to another beer.  I love the hops and the malty backbone is just about right.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13