midwest craft breweries

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Blackout Stout

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Lights out, we are going to sample a beer from Great Lakes Brewing that was named after the “Blackout Of 2003.”  It is their Blackout Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Christmas Ale, you know history of this Ohio brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This stout has a jet black color without a head.  The smell of this Russian Imperial Stout has a chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste is a creamy chocolate with notes of burned malt with a slight burned chocolate bitterest.  It is a sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our robust Blackout Stout is named after the infamous “Blackout of 2003” that left the northeastern United States without power for days…. A nuisance for some, an enjoyable 36 hours of energy conservation and beer drinking with neighbors for others

Who needs the power grid when you’ve got the full moon, bright stars, good friends and Blackout Stout, our Russian Imperial Stout with a hearty malt body and bold hop favor.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

Lights back on, I enjoyed this brew and I forgot how good this brew really is.  Every year this beer is released.  I used to pick up a few like a few years ago and I would see it.  I keep forgetting to pick up.  Shame on me, this is a great stout.  I almost want to make a road trip to try this as a barrel aged stout.  This is a nice sipping Imperial Stout.  I love the chocolate and slight coffee notes.  I know there is a code date but I could see this brew aging well in the bottle.  This is on my own thing and it did not come from the brewery.  I highly recommend this brew and I would hunt it down before it disappear until next season.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Church Street Brewing Heavenly Helles Lager

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In beginnings, Church Street Brewing Heavenly Helles Lager is the feature craft brewery and brew in this beer blog post.  If you read beer blog post from yesterday, you know the history of Church Street Brewing.  If you have not read that post from yesterday, please, read the post to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this Helles Lager.  There is no smell to this lager.  The taste has a slight carbonated malt to a light hop notes.  The aftertaste is a dry crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Heavenly Helles

One of Bavaria’s quintessential beverages, now the best lager in Chicagoland. Utilizing old world decoction mashing techniques for a truly unique malt complexity, this gentle drink also features a straw colored-clarity that’s clearly heavenly!

  • ABV 5.4%
  • IBU 30
  • SRM 6

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.churchstreetbrew.com

Twitter:  @ChurchStBrew

In the end, I love this German beer style.  It is one of my favorite Lager beer styles.  One of my favorite Helles beer is out of the little brewery out of Shiner, Texas, who is Shiner Brewery.  I have always compare other Helles to that one.  It is my staple, however, it is not fair.  This is why it is not fair because they smoked  their malt.  It gave off a smokey notes in aroma and taste. I know for a fact that other craft breweries that make Helles do not that to their malt.  I could be wrong. I am going to stop judging other Helles Lager to the Shiner one, since, they do not make this beer anymore.  I like this one and this will be my staple until another one can knock it off the top of the list.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Off Color Brewing Troublesome Wheat Beer

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Another beer before the road, Troublesome Wheat Beer from Off Color Brewing is the second brew to be reviewed on this beer blog.  If you read my beer blog from yesterday of their Scurry, you know the history of this upcoming craft brewery out of Chicago.  If you have not, please, read yesterday’s beer blog post to get to know Off Color Brewing.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy yellow color with a semi white head on this wheat ale.  The smell is lemon like but that comes from coriander notes.  The taste is a heavy citrus to coriander notes with a citrus aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

TROUBLESOME

Blended Wheat Beer

Most brewers spend a lot of time and effort keeping lactobacillus out of their breweries; it was the first thing we brought in (it still has to stay in the corner though). We blend together two different beers to make Troublesome. The first is a somewhat uninteresting wheat beer and the second is an overly acidic & funky beer fermented solely with lactobacillus. We blend the two beers together with coriander and salt at the tail end of fermentation to create a mild, lemony tartness and a fuller sensation of mouthfeel. And yes, it’s hard to make.

ABV:4.5%
HOPS:Northern Brewer
IBU:10
MALTS:Pils, Wheat Malt, Flaked Wheat, Flaked Oats

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.offcolorbrwing.com

Twitter:  @OffcolorBrewing

Closing out the beer tab, I am not a fan of wheat beers.  I love German Hefeweizen but not too many wheats.  I love Upland Brewing Wheat and this beer from Off Color.  I just realized both of these craft beers are not even in my market.  Now that is pretty funny.  I will have to do some road trips.  What I like about this Wheat Beer, you do not taste the wheat or yeast like most American wheat beers.  I love the coriander that is used in this brew.  It has a nice lemon notes that kick off through out the beer drinking experience.  There is not over the top aftertaste from the beer and lemon notes.  It is just right.  They do some brewery tours and I would check into that to get to know this brewery a little bit more.  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

2013 in review Thanks For All The Support!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,500 times in 2013. If it were a cable car, it would take about 42 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Thanks For The Support!

Bill DJ Weiser

New Beer Blog Upland Brewing Double Dragonfly Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into my favorite craft brewery from Indiana, who is Upland Brewing.  The brew that will be feature is Double Dragonfly Imperial India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this craft brewery, you know the history of Upland Brewing.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a slight cloudy copper color with a constant white head.  The smell is a flower notes.  The taste has a piney with earthy notes with dry hoppy bitter finish.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

Double Dragon Imperial IPA

ABV: 9.1 |
IBU: 93 |
SG: 19.2 |
SRM: 15
We took our award-winning Dragonfly IPA and cranked up the malt and hops, but managed to hold onto the perfect balance our Dragonfly is known for. The result is a brew with a very powerful hop profile, matching malt character, and an enticing floral nose.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter:  @UplandBrewCo

Closing, I was sad when I was moving out of Chicago market.  When I heard Upland Brewing, they were making it to the Chicago Market.  I did not close on my condo until the end of the year.  I was able to pick up some Upland Brewing beers before leaving town each time.  As many of you know, I am a huge fan of this brewery and their Dragonfly IPA.  I was so happy to see this beer, which is their Double Dragonfly, on the shelves at my old liquor store.  I love the hops and aroma from this brewery.  This is a big beer that is worth every penny to purchase this beer.  I was pretty stun how it was kind of drinkable.  I recommend this beer if you can find it in your market.  I really hope they make it to the Michigan market.  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 Bourbon County Coffee Stout (2013)

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In this limited edition beer run, we are going to sample out a beer that makes Black Friday Shopping different after Thanksgiving Day.  I am talking about the run of beers that are released around the country by Goose Island Brewery.  This one is their Bourbon County Coffee Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those posts to get up to speed with this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on this stout.  The smell is a heavy coffee notes.  The taste is a heavy coffee with bourbon notes.  The aftertaste is chocolate with hints of coffee.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Everyday Goose Island smells the wonderful coffee roasting next to our brewery at Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea. This world class roaster puts the same passion and skill into their coffee as Goose Island does with its beer. This excellent stout is made with a different coffee from our friends next door each year. With the change in coffee comes a change in the flavor profile, making each release truly unique from the previous years.

2013 Release – Intelligentsia Los Inmortales 2012 Release  – Intelligentsia La Tortuga Beans 2011 Release – Intelligentsia Anjilanaka Beans 2010 Release – Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Beans

Recipe Information:

Style: Imperial Coffee Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels Alcohol by Volume: 13.4% International Bitterness Units: 60 Color: Midnight Hops: Willamette Malt: 2-Row, Munich, Chocolate, Caramel, Roast Barley, Debittered Black Coffee: Intelligentsia La Tortuga Beans

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Snifter Food Pairings: Flourless Chocolate Coffee Cake Cheese Pairings: Capriole Bourbon Chocolate Torte Cellaring Notes: Develops in the bottle up to 5 years

Availability:

Limited Release Bottles: 12oz Draft: 1/6 bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland

Closing out, Goose Island is heading into the right direction now since being took over by evil empire.  I never doubted any of their products and I still look at them as craft brewery.  I like the fact they are putting out more and more of Bourbon County Stout into the markets.  It is still limited but it is expanding.  I love the no balance of these stouts.   They are designed like that and Goose Island was the first to the party to do this type of beer stytle.  Some little craft brewery in Europe can stop being jealous of this brewery.  I love the heavy coffee notes and how bourbon does not overpower the coffee stout part.  If you can get a bottle, this is a must try for a craft beer drinker.  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 Company Mr. Delicious Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Arbor Brewing Company.  It is their Mr. Delicious Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the post to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into beer.

It has cloudy dark copper to a light amber color with a small white bubble head.  The aroma is fated and hard to pick up.  It is like a citrus notes for the smell.  The taste is a light carbonation with grapefruit notes with a grapefruit aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

This beer leads off with a stiff round-house punch of citrusy hops, follows up with a quick kick of bready malts and warming alcohol, and finishes with a powerful and lingering bite of complex layered hops.

This popular brew was inspired by ABC founder, head brewer and spiritual leader Matt Greff whose cartoon enhanced image graces the label.

  • ABV9%
  • IBU90
  • OG1.088

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ArborBrew and @ArborBrewYpsi

Closing, as many of you readers know, I am a huge fan of this brewery.  I am glad to be back to Michigan to enjoy their beers and Frankenmuth on regular basis.  I love checking out some of the new craft breweries that are popping out around the state, however, I have always go back to my favorite breweries to check out their new beer that hit the market.  It leads to this brew from Arbor Brewing.  I love the hops and nice balance from the malt.  They did a great job on this beer.  I did not think they were able to make an imperial IPA.  They made one and a really good one here.  I could live without name and packaging on 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 Greenbush Brewing Brother Benjamin Imperial India Pale Ale

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In the beginning, we are going to get into the first brew from Greenbush Brewing on this blog.  It is their Brother Benjamin Imperial India Pale Ale.  I cannot find the year they opened but their brewery system came from San Francisco Brewery company, which is closed now.  They are located in the western part of the State of Michigan.  They are off Exit 12.  Greenbush Brewery was founded by brewmaster Scott Sullivan.  There is really not much history on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color with a white constant head on this Imperial IPA.  The smell is a sweet citrus and piney notes.  The taste has citrus and hints of creamy honey notes.  The aftertaste is dry hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Here at Greenbush we’ve always known that good ideas often start over beer.  We also know that there’s nothing like taking a good idea too far.  Your’re reading this, so you must be one of us.  Enjoy the first step in taking your own idea too far.

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

Prepare to be Mystified

Be prepared, be prepared I say, to receive the mighty powerful taste of this truly heavenly Imperial India Pale Ale! It is a true force of nature my children! It’s a mystification!

Grain: Maris Otter Pale, Belgian Munich, Belgian Aromatic, Caramel Malt 60, Honey Malt, Honey

Hops: Columbus and Cascade

Yeast: House yeast

Extras: Clover Honey and Beet Sugar

Specs:

114 ibu

alc. 10.1% by vol.

15º Lovibond

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenbushbrewing.com

Twitter:  @Greenbush_Brew

In the end, I have had several different India Pale Ales and Imperial India Pale Ales brew with honey.  I have to say this one was one of the best one on market.  It is one of the best that is brewed in the State of Michigan.  They did a great job on the malty backbone.  I love the hops they used on this brew and the honey cuts through the hops to balance it.  This is a great beer and I will be hunting down more of this product.  Thanks again Jay for the share.  I 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 Cisco Brewers Island Reserve Russian Imperial Stout

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In the beginning, we are going to get into a brew, which is Reserve Russian Imperial Stout, from Cisco Brewers Island.  It was founded by Randy and Wendy Hudson in 1992 Nantucket, Massachusetts.  They are part of a winery.  There is not much history on the web about this brewery.  They brew several different beers in many forms.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan to light brown color head. The smell is chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste is smooth slight creamy chocolate and coffee notes.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ciscobrewers.com

Twitter:  @CiscoBrewers

In the end, I do not know this craft brewery that well.  I just know the few things I had from them.  I was not really a big fan of it.  I am not say it was bad.  I believe their everyday beers were in the middle of the road but I have not had them all.  I am a huge fan of stouts so I saw this one.  I thought I would give this brewery one more chance.  This Island Reserve Russian Imperial Stout has some creamy chocolate and coffee notes.  It is a sipping beer with a nice cigar.  I was pretty impressed with this brew.  This beer has to be their best brew at this brewery.  Of course, I have not try everything from this brewery. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Brewing Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer seasonal from Tallgrass Brewing.  It is their Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a light tan head on this vanilla stout.  The smell is heavy vanilla with some chocolate notes.  The taste is smooth and creamy vanilla to slight chocolate notes.  The aftertaste is a hint of vanilla notes.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style: Oatmeal Cream Stout Brewed with Vanilla Beans ABV 5.0% IBU 20 Full Brew Birthday: November 2012 Interesting Fact: There are free-roaming buffalo just ten miles from our brewery.

To create Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat we start with our best-selling beer, Buffalo Sweat. We carefully infuse this award- winning oatmeal cream stout with whole Ugandan vanilla beans. This enhances the beer’s natural dark-roasted flavors of espresso, chocolate, and creamy sweetness. “Liquid chocolate chip espresso cookies” is how one fan described its unique flavor.

The perfect treat on a winter’s day.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @TallgrassBeer

In closing, I was getting worried when I moved out of Chicago that I would not have a chance to get my hands on this brew.  I was happy to make it in town to move more things back to Michigan to get my hands on this beer.  I was pretty excited.  This brewery cannot make a bad beer.  They are like Tesla and Iron Maiden.  Both of those bands never put out a bad record and Tallgrass Brewery has not put out a bad beer.  The vanilla bean cuts through the chocolate and creamy stout.  The chocolate notes are still there but vanilla shines through this beer like some kind of prime time movie star.  If you are a fan of stout and/or vanilla bean, you will need to find a can of this great liquid.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser