midwest craft breweries

New Beer Blog Goose Island 25th Anniversary Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going get into another beer from Goose Island.  It is their 25th Anniversary Ale, which is a beer that is planned and brewer by Bert Porter, who is the current brewmaster, Greg Hall, who is the former brewmaster, and Nick Barron, who is the brewpub brewmaster.   If you read my earlier beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a nice amber color with a semi white head. There is a fade caramel but not really a smell. The taste is a malty citrus but hop part is fade. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, Goose Island is a giant in the Chicago market and they have been around here around in 1988.  These three talent brewmaster took their flagship recipe and took it to another level.  If you ask anyone in Goose Island or wholesalers, they would call this beer style Imperial Honkers.  I can see that.  I say this is Imperial ESB and if any brewery knows anything about ESB, it would  be Greg Hall and Goose Island.  I will be honest I was expecting something else from this beer.  However, Goose Island did make a great beer, I hope they package it up into another classic beer style.  Could it be that if this brewery would have opened today, this beer would have been their flagship?  I did enjoy this beer but this is not my favorite beer style.  I do highly recommend you trying this beer.  It is a limited beer and you will need to hurry up to pick up 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 Budweiser Vs. Budweiser Budvar

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In this beer blog, we are going to have a debate on 100-year-old argument.  There has been lawsuits and I believe they are still tied up in the courts.  Most general beer drinkers know about this debate and I know pretty much all craft beer drinkers know about it too.  The question how true is it that one of the Buschs stole Budweiser and brought the beer to the states.  I might not be able to answer this over 100 year question but I will put my thought on this debate.  Let us get into it.

Budweiser

History

I bet you already know the history of this beer.  Well just in case you do not here is a fast history lesson.  Budweiser was first brewed in 1876.  The company was known as Anheuser-Busch.  Adolphus Busch left Germany in 1850’s.  He prefered light lagers while everyone else, who is the general public at the time, wanted dark lagers or ales.  Adolphus Busch traveled throughout Europe learning the latest brewing techniques.

It has a clear golden color without a head on the beer.  The smell is malty or I like to say fresh air. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes  with a dry crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Budweiser Budvar

History

This brew was brewed back in 1785.  The brewery started exporting beer to the states in 1871.  Anheuser-Busch trademaked the name Budweiser two years after it was first brewed in 1878.  Czech Budweiser was sold to Budvar in 1895.  In 1938, it was settled that Anheuser-Busch could use the name Budweiser in the United States.  Of course, in 2007, Anheuser-Busch and Budvar agreed that AB would market and sell Budvar and Czechvar  in the United States and other countries.  Both sides said this does not affected their lawsuit to one another.  If you see Czechvar, it is Budweiser Budvar.

It has a clear golden color without a head. It is slight darker than the American Budweiser. The smell is a fresh apple smell like grannysmith apples. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes with a dry  crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

In closing, so what is the debate on these two beers?  They do not look like.  Budvar is a little dark in color.  The smell is not the same either.  However, the taste is about the same, is the beechwood aging and the rice in American Budweiser any different?  They are a little different but the taste is about the same.  So the really debate is was the name stolen by Anheuser-Busch?  There is still a lawsuit in the courts.  We will never get the true and I believe this will never be settled.  They are big brands in their countries.  So just kick back and have a cold ones!  I just hope one day we could see both of these beers on the shelf with the same name on them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Hard Rock And Metal Bands and Beers

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to take a look at something that is going rapid just like the Craft Beer industry.  I want to say this right off the start of this blog.  There is nothing wrong with these bands making or teaming up with a beer brewery to make beers.  They have that right to do that in their career and they earn this opportunity. I just feel in the past most are not that good.  I am going to highlight some of the beers you might see on your local liquor beer stores along with the growing craft beers too.  Let us get into this!

Motorhead Beer

This beer is a normal lager.  I have never had this beer but it could be a normal American Lager or it could be an import lager.

Here is a description from their website (www.brandsforfans.se):

Motörhead Bastards Lager Beer

For all beer drinkers and hell raisers, fans of loud and fast rock and roll, no matter if you have no class or if you are a damage case, this mean machine lager is fuel for any head banging opportunity. They are using Swedish brewery called Krönleins.  This beer is not available in the United States yet but if you live in Europe this is where you can buy it.  Order Motorhead Lager
Motörhead Bastards Lager Product code: 1234-03 (In Sweden)
Origin: Sweden Type of beer:
Lager Volume: 330 ml
Alcohol: 4,7%
Contains: Barley malt and hops

This Bastard has a malty and fruity taste with great character of malt and a hint of citrus. A quality beer that can be appreciated by rock’n’roll fans of all ages. Enjoy anytime when the craving for a beer hits you, but especially well with burgers, grilled meat or fish, pizza and friends.

Iron Maiden Trooper Ale

This one was just released  and at least Iron Maiden are true to the beer styles that are in their area and country.  I am kind interested in this beer.  I love my ales and hoppy ones to that point.  Please, watch the video below.  I love what Bruce said during the video.  This beer sounds like English Ale Beer Style.  Iron Maiden is taking this beer pretty seriously and I love how they have an idea on the beer.  I believe this is unique ale and I cannot wait to try it.  It is not available in the United States but if you are in Europe this is where you can order.  Order Iron Maiden Trooper Ale In Europe

Here is a video with Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden Singer) from their website (www.ironmaiden.com):

AC/DC German Lager

I heard about this a while ago and I just let it go through me.  I am not a huge lager fan but I will try a beer at least once.  AC/DC is a legendary hard rock band and they are using their name to push a beer.  Just like Iron Maiden they are looking to put this beer around the world for their fans to enjoy.  Right now, this beer is not available but the closest to me is Canada.  You can order it online but not in the United States.  Order AC/DC Lager In Europe

Here is a description from their website (www.acdc-beer.com):

True Taste for Rock`n Roll.

 If you wanna rock hard, you need the right beer.  AC/DC, the infamous Hardrock Legends from down under, have been delivering true rock for the last 40 years. Now they give their name for true, pint-sized Australian taste as well.
“AC/DC Premium Lager Beer ” is 568mL of true German Premium Lager with mouthwatering 5.0% alc.  This lager fires up your tongue like TNT, comes with a great beer-loving taste and is brewed in accordance with the Rock`n Roll manifesto of 1973 and the German purity law of 1516.

Jackyl – Jesse James America’s Outlaw Beer

Jesse James has been ahead of the curve than the rest of his metal peers.  This beer is American Wheat Ale.  The more I am digging into this subject.  I am seeing a ton of lagers so it is nice to Trooper and America’s Outlaw Beer are ales.  This beer is only available in a few states.

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

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is a true American original.

Our beer is an unfiltered wheat beer. American wheat beer is a style invented by specialty brewers in the United States in the 1980’s. It may even stretch the definition of “style,” for nowhere is the creativity and diversity of America’s craft brewers better displayed than in wheat beers.   Our beer is crisp and refreshing with an extremely soft finish.

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is brewed with 40% malted wheat. The remaining grain bill is a wonderful blend of Pale, Caramel, and Munich malts designed to provide more body and mouth feel. Our Nottingham yeast delivers the soft finish that consumers will enjoy time and time again. Wilamette, Fuggles, and Cascade hops balance this refreshing beer perfectly.

This beer is delicious by itself or garnished with fruit.

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is 5.5% abv.

In closing, there are a lot more beers teaming up with bands.  The ones that I am talking about are limited edition beers.  What I mean by that, they are beers that are made and release.  They will never made again in good chances.  I am talking about a beer that Clutch with New Belgian.  It was a 22oz bottles and it was a limited run.  I believe 3 Floyds have done several beers with bands.  I will say this.  This thought will never end.  Breweries and bands will team up to make money off each fan base.  I am excited to try these beers but I know some are good and others will be bad.  I cannot give you a thought because I never had some of these.  Please, let me know your thoughts if you have any of these.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog MamaKash Ales Get My Money And Don’t Give Me No Problems Milk Stout

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into one of my friend’s homebrews.  The growth of craft breweries around the country and the world.  There is no shortage of craft beer drinkers to try to brew their own beers.  If they are good at it, they will look to maybe open their own brewery in the future.  Let us get into this beer.

This stout has a black color with a semi tan color. The smell is like a black coffee in the morning. The taste is a slight piney black coffee with a dry hoppy finish. It is drinkable.

In closing, this was a pretty interested beer.   I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  I picked up some coffee but yet smooth like a milk stout.  There is also hints of hops.  The hops makes this beer a little unique and different.  As many of you know, I am a huge hophead.  I love the touch of the hops in this beer.  I do not believe there is a milk stout with a hop front on the market.  I believe he could make some money on this beer.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the last beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is their India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this brewery.  If have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get the information on this brewery.  Let us get the beer.

It has a hazel golden color without a head. The smell is a citrus and grapefruit with a slight mango. The taste is a carbonate citrus with a dry hop finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ready to buck convention?  We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American style.  We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic.  American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.  Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy the ride!

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

We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700′s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American Style. We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.

7.0%Alc. by Vol      60IBUs

Here is a video from their website (www.odellbrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In closing, I am a huge hophead and I really enjoyed this beer.  There is a great malty backbone and enough hops to keep the hophead happy.  This brewery makes some great beers and you can see they put some thought into each of their beers which I mentioned in a few beer blogs ago.  This brewery also has some great packaging and I am glad I had a chance to try some of their beer.  I will be searching for more their beers or ordering from www.letspour.com I highly recommend their beers and 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 Odell Brewery 5 Barrel Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are getting into another beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is called 5 Barrel Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed with the rest of beer blog readers.  Let us get into the beer because that is why we are here.

It has a hazel bright copper color without a head on the beer. The smell is piney to it. The taste is piney and oak with a dry hoppy finish. It is a session beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

5 Barrel Pale Ale is a nod to our hard working pilot brewing system, where our brewers have crafted and perfected new recipes five barrels at a time.  The distinctive hop character of our 5 Barrel Pale Ale is derived from essential oils of select hops.  Four hop additions during the kettle boil, an infustion of choice whole flower hops in the Hop Back, and finally, dry hopping gives  the beer a fresh, lively flavor and floral aroma.

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

The distinctive hop character of our 5 Barrel Pale Ale is due to the extraction of essential oils from select hops. We treat 5 Barrel Pale Ale to an infusion of fresh whole hop flowers in the Hop Back and the Fermentor, as well as four hop additions during the kettle boil. We like how this gives the beer a fresh, lively flavor and aroma.

5.2%Alc. by Vol.     36IBUs

Here is a video from their website (www.odellbrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In closing, this beer is example what a brewery can do if they put some thought into the brewing process and beers.  It is also a great example when they let their brewers do different things and explore their talents.  I wish more craft breweries would do something like this as far as exploring. This is a great beer and I love the hop bend in this beer.  You can taste and smell it.  The hops are living in this beer while hitting a nice malty backbone.  I enjoyed drinking 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 Odell Brewery 90 Schilling Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewery.  The beer that will be featured in this blog is their flagship called 90 Schilling Ale.  If you read my beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this Colorado brewery.   If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a deep copper and light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a malty with a slight coco to it. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty to it.  The aftertaste is a sweet malty to it. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

90 Schilling is our flagship beer.  Smooth and complex, 90 Schilling is a medium-bodied amber ale with a distinct burnished copper color and a deeply pleasant aroma.  A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982.  The name 90 Schilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings.  We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

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

We introduced 90 Shilling, our flagship beer, at our opening party in 1989. For a while, we’d been wondering what would happen if we lightened up the traditional Scottish ale? The result is an irresistibly smooth and delicious medium-bodied amber ale. The name 90 Shilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

5.3%  Alc. By Vol.     27 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

Closing, I know I talked about this in one of my other beer blogs.  There is not too many really good flagship.  There are many that are really bad or average compare to the rest of their beer lineup.  This beer is challenges that theory of mine and it is sets the brewery up really well.  It shows the craft beer drinker that rest of their beers should be really good.  There is a lot going on in this great brew.  It fits where this brewery is located.  I enjoyed it and I will have it again.  I just wished they were in the Chicago market.  I would rotate this in and out of my lineup.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Fort Collins Brewery Rocky Mountain IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Fort Collins Brewery.  The brew that will be feature is Rocky Mountain IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this young brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.    Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a clear copper color without a head on it. The smell is a grapefruit to the beer. The taste of this full body India Pale Ale is carbon grapefruit with a dry hop aftertaste. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

India Pale Ale

Massive floral aroma lures you in while hop bitterness and malty sweetness mingle in symmetry.  After all, great balance is key when you are only standing on three legs.

Here is a description from the website (www.fortcollinsbrewery.com):

Rocky Mountain IPA

An I.P.A. by definition is liberally hopped and higher in alcohol. We made Rocky Mountain I.P.A. by dry hopping for an intense citrus aroma and adding a generous helping of malt to create a backbone stable enough to support the characteristic bitterness of the beer.

Awards

2009 US Open Beer Championship, Silver, English IPA.

Availability

All Year.

Packages

12oz bottles (6 packs), 1/2 bbls, 1/6 bbls

Stats

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.2%

Hop Bitterness (IBU): 81

Color (SRM): 12

Food Pairings

Chicken and Waffles, H.C. Lamb Burger

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fortcollinsbrewery.com

Twitter:  @FortCollinsBrew

Closing, I guess I did not realize how many English style India Pale Ales are on the market.  I kind wish the packaging would say something on it that it is a West Coast IPA or just English one.  I guess I could just look on Untappd and hope that it is put in their correctly.  However, this is a great beer and I enjoyed drinking it, it gives me a different pace unlike all the other IPAs on the markets.  What I mean by that last statement.  It is not a West Coast IPA and the English Style gives a different pace.  You might want hops but not over the top and this one and few other English IPAs fit the bill.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Wynkoop Belgotado Belgian-Style India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, here is another brew from Wynkoop Brewing and the beer is Belgotado Belgian-Style India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their beers, you know a little something on this brewery.  If  you have not, please, read those beer post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

The beer is a hazel golden color without a head on it. The smell is an earthly with Belgian species. The taste is a light body with Belgian species to it. There is a dry hop aftertaste.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Meet our small batch Belgium-meets-Colorado thriller.  It’s built with Colorado-grown malts and whole leaf hops, then fermented with a Belgian yeast.  Luscious and balanced, it features pale malt flavors, layers of hops from start to finish, and spice notes.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wynkoop.com

Twitter:  @wynkoop

Closing, I am not a huge fan of this India Pale Ale style.  I just found this pretty unique beer because it is in a can.  I believe this is the American version of the Belgian Triple.  It fits the smell and the taste of all the Belgian funkness.  It either comes from the yeast or the spices that they use in this beer.  I enjoy drinking it but I would not buy it on a regular basis if it was available in the Chicago market.  However, I went on their website and I did not see it in their line up, it makes me wonder if they stop making this brew.  If you can find it, go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewing Levity Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewing and the beer is called Levity Amber Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog post to get up to speed on this great Colorado brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has an amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a sweet malty caramel to it. The taste is sweet malty without an aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Levity is our lighter take on an amber ale — a real crowd pleaser.  Munich and honey malts give it full-bodied flavor, bright copper color, and a relaxed taste profile.  We let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter.  Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color — and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously.  We could all use a little levity once in a while.

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

Levity Amber Ale

Levity is our lighter take on the amber ale. Munich and honey malts give it a full-bodied flavor and a happy-go-lucky personality. Then we let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter. Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color – and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously. Hey, we could all use a little levity once in a while.

5.1%Alc. by Vol.     24IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In the end, this is not one of my favorite beer styles but I wanted to try this beer at least once in my lifetime.  This is a really good and well made beer.  If you are an Amber Ale or Lager fan, this is the beer for you.  The one thing that I love about this beer is how drinkable this beer is and pack of flavor.  I recommend you trying this beer so go out and hunt it down.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser