midwest craft breweries

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Brewery Zombie Monkie Robust Porter

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In the beginning, Tallgrass Brewery wanted to do something special for the most popular adult holiday.  Halloween has grown in young adults or adults in their 30’s is out of sight, however, the holiday drops to kids tricking and treating.  Tallgrass came out with Zombie Monkie Robust Porter.   The can on this brew was supposed to have a hand grab so you can run away from the zombies.  I guess the cost was a little too much for the price they had to charge to their beer drinkers.  I love the packaging either way.  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 great craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a tan color head on this porter.  The smell is a heavy chocolate notes.  The taste is chocolate and coffee notes with a dry cocoa notes.  This rich robust porter is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style: Post-Apocalyptic Porter ABV: 6.2% IBU: 35 Full Brew Birthday: September 2013

A robust porter inspired by approximately true events… 

Zombie Monkie is a dark, rich porter, carefully brewed for the post-apocalyptic world to come. Crafted with lots of roasty dark chocolate and specialty malts, then inoculated with enough hops to add a floral/citrus character in the finish. It’s hardy, complex, and interesting, because you might be drinking it for a long time. Zombie Monkie…

Grab A Can. Make A Plan. Take A Stand.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @TallgrassBeer

In the end, I have to say this beer was worth the trip back to Chicago to pick up this brew.  I really enjoyed this brew.  I just wished I would have picked up more than one four pack.  When I am back in town in a few weeks, I will be picking up more this beer.  This is a well balance beer.  I love the chocolate and coffee notes in this porter.  If you are in the far western part of the midwest, I would hunt this beer down.  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 Beer Blog Buckle Down Brewery Fiddle Sticks Belgian IPA

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One beer before the road, this is the last beer, which is Fiddle Sticks Belgian IPA, that I had at Buckledown Brewery. If you read beer blog post two days ago, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that beer blog post on their American IPA, please, read that post to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a bright yellow to straw like color with a white head.  The smell is citrus with hints spices.  The taste is a slight lemon to citrus notes with some spicies.  It is nicely balance and pretty drinkable.

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

Fiddlesticks

Belgian-Style IPA

This hybrid brings together all of the best qualities of Belgian brewing and American hopcentricity — spicy, hoppy, dry and complex.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

Closing,  there is not too many good Belgian IPA’s that are good on the market.  There is not too many craft breweries that have Belgian IPA as their first four beer styles.  This brew brings some nice spicy, hoppy, and complex notes to the beer drinker.  I like that about this beer and has a nice balance to it.  Plus, it is pretty drinkable beer.  I really did not have their Belgian Single but just a sip.  This brewery has a nice core of four beers to start with.  I just want to thank Sean and Ike for a good times at their brewery.  When I am back in town, I will stop by the brewery in the near future.  I highly highly recommend this beer and brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Buckledown Brewery Shady Aftermath Porter

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample the second brew from Buckledown Brewery on this blog.  This time we went to the dark side of this brewery.  I am talking about their Shady Aftermath Porter.  If you read my last beer blog posts on their American IPA from yesterday, you know the history of this brewery that has been open for just a month.  If you have not, please, read the review to get to know this young and upcoming brewery.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a jet black color without a head on the beer.  The smell is chocolate.  The taste is chocolate to coffee notes.  The aftertaste is a dry cocoa to chocolate notes.  It is a sipping to drinkable porter. It can be either way but depends on the person.

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

Shady Aftermath

Robust Porter

A malt-driven dark ale with layers of chocolate, caramel and coffee over a base of roasted malts.  It boasts a rich mouthfeel giving way to some warming alcohol on the finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

Closing out beer tab, I have to say this is one of the best porters that I had in a very long time.  I would not say it is the best, however, I will say it is towards the very top of my best porter list.  There is some nice chocolate to coffee with a nice warm feeling from the alcohol.  This is a pretty drinkable beer but I could see many people sipping this beer.  This is a great beer to have with a nice cigar with it.  This is a pretty balance brew and I believe this is one of the best beers that they make so far.  All their beers are great but I believe this one is at the top of their beer list.  I highly recommend this brew and 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 Buckledown Brewery Belt And Suspenders American IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to review a craft brewery, which is Buckle down Brewery, that just opened in the southern part of Chicagoland market.  The beer is their Belt And Suspenders American IPA.  Buckledown Brewery opened in December of 2013.  Ike Orcutt and Sean Mahoney, who are owners, opened the brewery in Lyons, IL.  They brewery four different beer styles and in extremely small batches.  There is not much history on this young brewery but I am glad to see them open now to make some history.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head.  The smell is earthy to floral like to this American IPA.  The taste is an orange with hints of citrus notes.  The aftertaste is orange.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Belt & Suspenders

American IPA

Loads of Crystal and Sterling hops lead the way in producing huge citrus and pine aromatics.  Hoppiness is supported with a clean, slightly biscuity malt backbone.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

In closing, this is a great place to have a beer.  I love the fact they do not service food at their brewery.  You are there to have and try their beers.  Their beers are a work of art and they put some thought behind each of these brews.    There is a nice malty backbone and it is well designed.  They are not piling hops to hide the faults like most craft breweries in the City of Chicago or around the country.  I love the hops that they are using in this brew.  It kicks off some citrus notes.  It is drinkable and it is really good.  You might be able to find this brew around the city but I would make a trip to the south side of Chicago to enjoy beer with Sean, Ike, and their staff. I highly recommend this beer and 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 Wolverine Winter Lager

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Starting new beer tab, we are going to sample out the first brew from Wolverine Brewery.  It is their Winter Lager.  Wolverine Brewery was started by a few Michigan borne home brewers.  They brew beers in the lager styles.  They rarely do any ales.  There is not much history on this brewery.  I cannot find when they opened their doors.  I believe it was 2010.  Let us get into the beer.

This lager has a clear amber color with a white head that disappears over time.  The smell is heavy malty to caramel notes.  The taste is a light carbonated caramel notes with a crisp caramel finish.  It is pretty drinkable for a winter beer.

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

Wolverine Winter Lager
6.5% abv / 18 IBU – Available November through February
This cold-weather seasonal was designed to make your winter warmer rather than to match a particular style. We start with hearty Maris Otter malt from the UK. Then we add Special Roast barley from Wisconsin, before heading back across the pond for some dark German Munich malt and German Wheat malt for some added character. We top that off with a blend of dark, rich, caramel malts and the result is an extremely smooth and silky lager beer with a hint of alcohol in the flavor and a clean finish…the perfect beer for drinking by the fire.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

Closing out current beer tab, I am going to make it down to their taproom.  I do not care if they do not sell food.  I lived in Chicago for a good eight years before moving back to Michigan about a few month ago.  I have to say most of the new brewpubs do not service food.  I do not see an issue of not having food.  You want the people of focus on your beer.  If it is good they will come back to your brewpub.  I am a fan of lagers when they are done right.  There are not too many good craft lagers on the market and I believe Wolverine Brewing has something here.  If this winter lager tells me something, they know how to make craft lagers.  I love the malts they used in this brew.  It kicks off a nice caramel notes.  I highly recommend this brew and I am looking forward to trying their other brews.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Detroit Brewing Alt Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from the Detroit Brewing.  It is their flagship beer and it is called Alt Beer.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this Detroit Brewery.  If you have not, please read the earlier beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear amber color without a head on this German style Alt.  The smell is a malty to caramel notes.  The taste is about the same with a crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Inspired by the legendary “Nain Rouge” (French for Red Dwarf),  our- signature beer is full in flavor while remaining very balanced and crisp.

Detroit Brewing Co. has won 3 medals from the Great American Beer Festival and one from the World Beer Cup in German Alt category.  It is our pride and pleasure to provide you with one of the finest Alt beers brewed in the US.

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

Copper/amber in color. Clean lager character with some fruity ale notes.  Earthy with flavors of tea and forest nuts.  Distinct balance between malt and hops allows the creamy texture to really come through.  We earned a medal at the Great American Beer festival in our first year of business with this one and it remains our house specialty to this day.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.detroitbeerco.com

Twitter:  @DetroitBrewing

Closing, this is one of my favorite beer styles.  There is not too many craft breweries that I know of making this classic German beer style.  I am not sure if this brew was in code, however, I enjoyed drinking it.  It is one of my best Alts from a craft brewery in a while.   I love the lager notes but yet giving off some ale notes.  This beer style is a hyper of a lager and ale.   I love the caramel notes but yet a nice crisp finish.  I am really looking forward to stopping by their brewpub in the D to check out all their beers.  I recommend you trying this great Michigan craft brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Detroit Brewing Sanders Chocolate Stout

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Starting a new tab, Detroit Brewing is the featured brewery with their Sanders Chocolate Stout on this beer blog.  Detroit Brewing Company opened their doors in 2003.  It is seconds away from the two ball parks in downtown Detroit.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on this Chocolate Stout.  The smell is a sweet chocolate alcohol notes.  The taste is a sweet chocolate alcohol notes with a dry coco finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

In the fall of 2009, Detroit Brewing Company began tinkering with their Pub Classic Smooth Cream Stout.  A chance meeting, over a few beers, with the folks from chance meeting, over a few beers, with the folks from Sanders brought the final sweet ingredient.  Our brewer found the best way to combine Stout and Sanders chocolate to create the dark, satisfying aroma and flavor of a fine Stout Ale with the restrained richness and elegance of the hand selected cocoa used by Sanders Fine Chocolatiers in Detroit since 1875.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.detroitbeerco.com

Twitter:  @DetroitBrewing

In closing, I saw Sanders on this brew.  I was thinking about the chocolate company.  I was right when I was reading the label.  I had to pick up at least one bottle.  I have been wanting to try some their beers from this brewery.  I drive pass their brewpub a few times a week.  I will have to stop in for lunch or dinner here soon.  This beer has a nice balance and it is not over the top on the alcohol and the chocolate notes.  It is a pretty nice smooth chocolate notes.  I will be stopping by their brewery and looking for more of this brew.  This is one of my favorite beer styles.  I recommend this brewery and brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Love it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Griffin Claw Brewing Grind Line Pale Ale

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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into the second brew from Griffin Claw Brewing.  It is their Grind Line Pale Ale.  If you read blog post from yesterday, you learn that I could not find too much information on this brewery.  If you know anything, please, let me know anything about this brewery so I could share with the world.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white head on this pale ale.  The smell is slight earthy notes.  The taste has an extremely light earth notes to creamy caramel notes. It is pretty drinkable.

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

Our gold-medal-winning Grind Line Pale Ale gets its name from equal parts Detroit Hockey and Detroit Automaking. Everything about this Ale works together to form the whole – just the right amount of malt and hops. A good place to start if you’re having trouble deciding.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @Griffinclaw

Closing, I have to say this brew was so much better than their IPA.  I realize they are two different styles.  I could drink this brew.  It is pretty drinkable and there is a nice hop balance here with the malty backbone.  I will not say this was the best pale ale that I have ever had.  It is not the worse.  There are pretty good pale ales out on the market.  I was pretty happy to try it.  I will try it again just like their IPA to get a true sense of how I feel about this beer.  I right now feel this is average to below average brew.  I recommend you trying this brew.  Please, 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 Griffin Claw Brewing Norm’s Raggedy Ass India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out two brews for the first time here on this blog.  I am talking about Griffin Claw Brewing.  This review will be their  Norm’s Raggedy Ass India Pale Ale and the other review will be their Grind Line Pale Ale that will be released tomorrow.  There is not much history on this brewery.  Their website does not say much, however, I believe they started this year.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with a constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell has malty to bad citrus notes.  The taste has a piney to bad wet citrus notes.  There is a bad hop taste to aftertaste.  It is like a bad import beer taste.  It is not really drinkable.

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

No corners are cut to brew our World Beer Cup champion Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA. The key is in the giant, wonderful combination of piney, citrusy, and fruity hops with a surprisingly low malt profile.   In other words, this is a powerhouse beer but it won’t make you drowsy. You’ll probably just want to order another pint

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @Griffinclaw

In the end, I was pretty excited to see this on shelves of my local liquor store.  Since getting back from Chicago, my goal is to try any Michigan craft beer  that I can get in my hand.  I have to say that I have had some good ones and some bad ones.  I heard somethings about Griffin Claw Brewing and I was happy to see their beers in cans.  I love beer in cans because it protects it from its two enemies, who are air and sunlight.  I love how this beer looked.  I did not like the aroma and the taste.  I just believe this beer is not balanced enough or the hops are just a bad mix.  It is not a good beer.  I do not know if I just brought a bad beer and I will try it again.  As of right now, I am pretty disappointed. I did retry this beer at Sports Locker in Livonia on draft. I know now I had a bad can or batch. It is better. I still do not like the hops that they are using in the beer. I recommend you trying this brew.  I am not a huge fan but it is better than the first can I had. This does not mean you will not like it.  Please, let me know what your thoughts are on 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 Atwater Brewery Grand Circus IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Grand Circus IPA from Atwater Brewery.  Atwater Brewery was founded in 1997 by the Detroit River.  City of Detroit has a rich history like most major cities in the United States in brewing.  There brew house was imported in from Germany.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark golden with constant small bubbles and a constant white head on this IPA.  The smell is earthy with some piney notes.  The taste of this medium body is earthy and piney notes with a dry hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Here is their website and twitter addesses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

Closing, Atwater Brewery is a few breweries located right in the City of Detroit.  I give them a ton of credit for where they are located in the city.  I have to say this about this brew and brewery.  They did a semi good job to bad job on this brew.  I am a huge hop head and I was pretty disappointed on this IPA.  I just feel there is not enough malty backbone.  I am not a fan of the hops they are using in it. I love their packaging and their Java Vanilla Porter.  I have to say just because I do not like this brew.  It does not mean you will not like this beer.  I am going to stop by their brewpub here soon since moving back to Michigan.  Please, go try this beer and let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser