midwest craft breweries

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Company Polish Moon Milk Stout

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Starting a new blog, we are going to get into another beer from the Milwaukee Brewing Company.  If you read my earlier blog on their Pull Chain then I do not have to bored you about the history of this brewery,  the beer that will be feature in this blog is Polish Moon Milk Stout.  Let us start get into the beer.

This beer is black in color with a dirty white head. This milk stout has a ton of carbonation in the bottle. Be careful pouring out the beer into the glass.  The smell of the beer is chocolate to roast malts with some hints of coffee.  This stout is very smooth with some burn chocolate to coffee notes flowing through the drinking experience.  For being a dark beer with ABV 4.5%, it is extremely drinkable beer.

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

Beer

This pitch black stout is teaming with rich roasted malt and coffee flavors. The addition of milk sugar tames these intense flavors with a silky sweetness. A very easy drinking, full bodied beer.

History

Built in 1962, the Allen-Bradley clock tower has become a Milwaukee landmark. Until recently, it was the largest four sided clock in the world, rising 280 feet in the air with each face having a diameter of 40 feet.

Located on Milwaukee’s south side, the clock tower quickly got the nickname “Polish Moon” because of the large Polish population in the neighborhood. With a bar on every corner, it was a fun place for neighbors and friends to get together and have impromptu parties

Brewer

One of my favorite winter warmer beers, it’s also a fun beer to brew. First you get the super rich chocolate coffee aroma from all the dark malts. Then you add a couple hundred pound of sugar to the brew kettle, it’s almost like adding sweetner to a giant cup of coffee. What makes this a milk stout is the addition of milk sugar, or lactose sugar, to the wort. Yeast can’t eat this sugar so it remains behind after fermentation as a natural sweetner. Trying to get the balance between the milk sugar sweetness and the bitterness of the roasted malts is probably the trickiest part of this entire brew. We’ve been working on that balance for a couple of years now and I think we’re on the right track.

Here is a youtube video on their website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

Finishing up the beer, I really love this beer and it is in my top three beers from this brewery.  It is hard not to pick this one or their Hop Happy India Pale Ale.  It is smooth with a ton of flavor.  I love the chocolate and roasted malt notes throughout the drinking experience.  It is very well made and drinkable to where you could drink it even on the hot summer days or warm spring days.   You cannot say that about all the stouts that are in the market.  This beer has taken down Left Hand Milk Stout.  This is my number Milk Stout.  I would  try them side by side and you will see what I am talking about.  Go get some! Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Rhinelander Brewing Company Chocolate Bunny Stout

In this blog, we are going bunny hunting.  We are going to try a beer from the Rhinelander Brewing Company.  The beer is called Chocolate Bunny Stout.  I never heard of this brewery so this will be a learning lesson for me just like you.  Unless you hit up every brewery in Wisconsin.  Rhinelander Brewing Company is from Monroe, Wisconsin and was founded in 1882 as the orignal company.  Bad luck came to the brewery as it burned down in 1897.  They rebuild and then closed again because of Prohibition era.  They open in 1933 like every brewery and was in business until 1967.  They were purchased by Joseph Huber Brewing Company and then moved their brewing of their beers to Monroe, Wisconsin.  They are looking to move their brewing back to Rhinelander by 2014 with a two million project.  It sounds like this brewing a long history of up and downs is on its way to a very bright history.  Well here is the beer we will be trying.

This beer is black in color with a small constant white head. A ton of cocoa to chocolate smell going on in the beer along with a roasted to burn smell in it too. The taste of the beer is a sweet carbonation chocolate overload with ton of coco bitter aftertaste. It is very drinkable beer and worth the price.

Here is a description from their bottle:

Dark and silky rich stout loaded with chocolate flavor.  Is there chocolate in my beer or beer in my chocolate?

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.rhinelanderbrewery.com

Twitter:  no twitter account

In the end, this was a very interesting drinking beer experience for me.  The cocoa powder in this beer pops out too much during the experience.  The stout part in this beer is really solid but then add the cocoa powder that is added during the brewing process.  This beer is kind of drinkable but I can see many beer drinkers finishing this beer and then moving on to another one.  I really did not like this beer but I respect this brewery for doing something different.  Also I love the price.  It was only $3.99.  It comes with a huge value but at the same time you will get what you pay for in this beer.  If you are looking for something different with a good price, this beer might be the way to go for your next beer.  This beer is average to slightly below average.  Go get some! Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

(History information came from their website (www.rhinelanderbrewery.com) and Wikipedia)

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron IBA

In this blog, we are going to dig into another beer from Milwaukee Brewing Company.  I have done a history in one of my earlier blog.  We are going to be sampling out one of their seasonal.  The name of the beer is Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron India Black Ale.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer is black in color with a white constant head.  The smell of chocolate to toffee is filling the air around your nose.  As far as the taste of this India Black Ale is smooth with chocolate and carbonation taste with a slight citrus aftertaste.  This beer is very drinkable and the ABV being 7.4%.  It is danger Mr. Robinson.

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

History of the Beer

The history of blacksmithing in Milwaukee really centers around Cyril Colnik. After the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, he was convinced to move to Milwaukee by Captain Frederick Pabst. The master blacksmith went on to do iron work iconic Milwaukee landmarks just ask the Pabst Mansion and Villa Terrace.

We tip our hats to Kent Knapp and his love for the craft. This dark hefty beer goes hand in hand mimicking the shop and the medium in which he works.

Beer

Brewed with a dehusked German malt that gives it a black and silky look, without the bitter roastiness you find in other dark beers. A variety of Columbus and Cascade hops were used quite generously to help balance out the large malt bill. This beer is abundant with in complex flavors and hop character and yet quite smooth for a beer that sits at 7.5% abv and 48 IBUs. Cheers!

From the Brewer

The style “India Black Ale” is so new, that there’s no one, all authoritative beer that we need to compare to. The trick is to get the balance between the malt bitterness and the hop bitterness. In this case we used non-astringent roasted malts to add the roasted flavors. The malt is a de-husked German black malt, it provides the color, and the roast flavor without the risk of extra acidity. It creates this intense roasted coffee and chocolate aroma. When we add the hops you’ll get that pine and citrus smell. When we released the test batch last year it went over really well. I drink the IBA when I have the time to really savor it and when it has the chance to come up to room temperature.

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

Milwaukee Brewing Company Black Iron Ale

In closing,  I really love this beer.  If it was anything close to their Hop Happy India Pale ale, I knew I would love this Black Iron.  I know their Black Iron is an India Black Ale not what all the rest of the craft brewery called their beers called Black India Pale Ale.  I love how this beer is drinkable and the punch of citrus from hops while it is cutting through the roasted and chocolate notes.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Frankenmuth Dunkel Dark Lager

In this blog, we are going to sample out the second of four beers from Frankenmuth Brewery Company. The name of the beer is called Dunkel Dark Lager. If you read my blog on their Blonde Ale, then we can move onto the next beer in their lineup. Let us stop talking and start drinking this awesome beer.

In the glass, the beer is brown in color with a constant white head. The smell of toffee and malt is in the air from the beer. The taste of the beer is a classic german style. The beer drinker will taste toffee to chocolate notes with a nice smooth finish.  It is very drinkable beer and very well made for the beer style.

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

Named for the city it calls home, this German style lager has a distinguished dark appearance and a notably smooth sweet balanced flavor. The result gives our Dunkel a flavor of toasted bread and a malty finish.

ABV 5.1%  IBU 22
Pairs well with hearty, spicy food: barbecue, sausages, & roast. Also pairs well with chocolate dessert.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In closing, this has to be my favorite German Beer Style. I hold all import and craft breweries on a very high standard when they brew this beer. I mean the beer not the brewery. I really enjoyed this beer. This brewery did an awesome job making this beer. It is easy to drink with a ton of favor. I could drink this beer in the hottest summer days. Believe me, there are some summer days here in Chicago and Detroit that makes you want to dug deep in the earth. With that crazy talk, this beer is awesome beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Frankenmuth Classic American Blonde Ale

In this blog, we are going to dig into one of the oldest brewery in Michigan. We are going to take a look at Frankenmuth Brewery which was founded in 1862.  In 1987, there was a fire that burned down most of the brewery.  This brewery never gave up and their goals they want to have their beers to their fan base. They brew mostly German base beers but this brewery has some American Classic beers.  They are brewing in one of the best cities in the Michigan.  Here is the first of four beers that will be blog about it. The first to be featured is from Frankenmuth Brewery and it is called Classic American Blonde Ale.

The beer is a clear bright yellow in the glass with a simi-head to it. The smell is of fresh air by a waterfall. The taste is very smooth and refreshing with a nice sweet kick to it. The aftertaste is very crisp and refreshing. This is a very  drinkable beer for any season of the year.  Most craft beer drinkers normally see Blonde Ales available in the spring to summer seasonal.

Here is a description from the bottle:

Medium bodied classic American ale is made using American malts and fermented at a lower temperature to give it a clean mellow finish.  This is a terrific cross-over beer for those who enjoy American ales.

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

American Blonde Ale
This classic American style ale is made using American malts and fermented at a lower temperature to give it a clean mellow finish. This is a terrific cross-over beer for those who enjoy American style ales.

ABV 4.75%  IBU 17%
Goes great with lighter foods; chicken, salads, salmon, bratwurst, and is great with pizza.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In closing, we dug into on of my favorite Michigan brewery called Frankenmuth Brewery Company.  You know me well if you read my blogs.  I am very up front and honest.  This is my favorite brewery in Michigan.  I like many beers around the state from different breweries but this brewery is by far the best one to me.  As far as this brew, I never was a fan of this beer style.  This beer style is normally to light in body for my taste buds but this one brings something out of this beer style.  I am a fan of this American Blonde Ale.   This beer is very well made beer and stays true to this classic style but with a American twist.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale

In this blog, we are going to sample out one of an India Pale Ale from one of many craft breweries from Michigan. Bell’s Brewery is the most well known one from Michigan. Bell’s Brewery was founded in 1983 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This brewery is brewing several different styles of beer.  They are not just well known in Michigan but around the Midwest.   Let us get into this beer right now.

The beer in the glass is darker yellow in color. The smell of Two Hearted Ale is a strong citrus to piney to it. The first thing the beer drinker will experience from this beer is the rush of the carbonation and then heavy citrus taste. This is a very well balance beer and has a quick crisp aftertaste along with citrus punch to this India Pale Ale.

Here is a description from the bottle:

An India Pale Ale style well suited for adventurous trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and an incredibly floral hop aroma.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter: @bellsbrewery

In closing, I would not say this is not my favorite but I would not say I highly dislike the beer. It is very drinkable and has a ton of favor going on in it. I would not drink it on a regular basis because of the high price point on a six pack bottles. I honestly do not think it is worth the price. There is a little value but not much. With all that said, I am not saying this beer is bad. I just feel I could drink another beer in the same beer style and get the same thing while saving money in the process. I recommend you, the craft beer drinker, to try it or retry if it has been a long time. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Upland Dragonfly India Pale Ale

While in DC for Savor, this beer I had at Church Key Bar and Grill in DC.  Lolita had this beer first and I wished I order this beer as my first one.  It does not matter because I had the chance to have this great beer.  The beer I am talking about is Upland Dragonfly Ale.  Upland Brewery was founded in 1997 by Marc Sattinger, Russ Levitt and Dean LaPlante in Bloomington, Indiana.

This beer is a copper in color with a little head on it. It is piney to earthy in smell. It is a smooth sweet circus carbonation in taste. This beer is very drinkable brew.

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

India Pale Ale originated when the British Empire was at its height. British soldiers and civil servants were stationed all over the globe (including India), and regular ales could not survive the long journey by sea to reach them. The British solved this terrible dilemma by adding excessive amounts of hops to their beer–using the preservative properties of hops to increase the life of their beers.

Our Dragonfly India Pale Ale is true to this tradition, featuring seven hop additions to create a powerful hop profile. A solid malt base, however, tempers the bitter American hops, giving Dragonfly a balance not often found in this style. The end product is a well-balanced, malty beer with the crisp taste of hops and an exceptionally floral nose.

Here is their website and twitter address:

Website: www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter: @uplandbrewco

Empty beer glass, this is a very good beer.  I love drinking this beer.  It is very well made and balance for being an IPA.  This beer is very drinkable and sessional.  I just wished the Church Key Bar where I was at in DC had more beers from this brewery.  I will be hunting down more of their beers.  I will also be making a road trips to Indiana to visit the brewery, since, I live in the Chicago area.  If you live in the states where they sell their beers, I am jealous and you should try their beers.  Please let me know what you think about the beers.  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Big Horn Ram Blonde Beer

In this blog, I am on location at The Ram in Wheeling, IL. This is the third blog on this brewery, please look back at the older blogs on back story if this brewery. If you have read them, then you know about this beer.

We are going to talk about one of their everyday beers called Blonde Beer.  It sits in the glass as a clear with a yellow to golden color. There really is no smell to this beer. As far as taste, you can taste the carbonation while the sweetest kicks in halfway through the tasting experience.

There was a menu lying around so here is the description of the beer:

Big Horn Blonde award-winning golden ale, light bodied with mild malt sweetness and delicately hopped for a crisp, refreshing finish.

ABV 4.4% SRM 6.0 IBUs 20 Grain Pale Munich Hops Cascade and Willamette.

In closing, I am going to be honest.  I am really not a fan of this beer nor the style. I really can see people loving this beer. It is a very drinkable beer and session. It is a perfect day like today in Chicago where it is 90+ degree today. This will make the American lager drinker to the wheat beer drinker happy. I do not see many hop heads liking this beer. Enjoy it! Drink it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Milwaukee Brewing Booyah (MKE)

In this blog, we are going to talk about this great brewery from Milwaukee, WI.  You already know about this brewery from my Pull Chain blog.  Here is my second beer from this brewery and it is called Booyah.  It is an American Farmhouse Ale.  A small bit of history on Farmhouse Ales, they were made way back in the day in Belguim on farms, which hints Farmhouse.  The owners of the farms would brew this beer to be very drinkable and refreshing for the workers that work on their farm.  So you can just picture all the different styles of taste on this style, which is a case to this day.  There are several arguements on what is a saison to farmhouse.  I believe they are the same thing with different sub categories.  MKE style has a ABV 6.5% IBU 20, which is taking from their website.

Here is a great youtube from MKE website about the beer.  www.mkebrewing.com

http://youtu.be/gsS_Vi7T0PA

Let’s talk about the beer now.  This beer pours like a darker farmhouse ale.  It is like a golden amber.  It is not really cloudy like most farmhouse ales.  The taste is a little weird but in a very good way.  It is very drinkable as close as balance are you going to get.  Just like other farmhouse ales, it is very refreshing.  You get the farmhouse hoppiest but has the amber.  This is a very good tasting beer.  Even though it is all year beer.  This beer is perfect in spring, hot summers, and warm falls.

A few ways to get information on this brewery.

Website www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter @mkebrewing

In closing, this beer is excite and you need to search it out.  This brewery is making some great beers that I believe most people haven’t really check them out.  If you are up in Milwaukee, stop by this brewery.  Don’t do the boring Miller Brewery Company brewery tour.  There is nothing wrong with it.  There is a small engine that can brewery making some great beers that needs some loving.  Drink it, Enjoy It, and Metal it!

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Twitter @djweiser

Email djweiser16@gmail.com

Milwaukee Breweing Company Pull Chain

Welcome back to another craft beer blog by myself Bill DJ Weiser.  We are going to talk about The Pull Chain from this great from WI.  It is their American Pale Ale.  First before I get started I wanted to give you the information on how to get hold of this brewery.

Website is www.mkbrewing.com

Twitter is @MKEbrewco

I will be posting more on this brewery.  I am looking at making a trip up to the Brewery in May.  That depends on my motorcycle since I was in a crash today.  I am fine need not to worry about this metal head.  Well anyways let’s get into this beer.

This is a American Pale Ale that is what it is on the neck of the bottle.  I will say they are not lying about it.  It is a well balanced West Coast Pale Ale.  It is copper in looks.  Nice hop finish.  It is a pretty straight front Pale Ale.  It is not over bitter like most West Coast Pale Ale.

I really like this Pale Ale and I believe you should go out and look for this beer.  Drink it and enjoy it!

Cheers

Bill DJ Weiser

twitter @djweiser

email djweiser16@gmail.com