midwest

New Beer Blog Moerlein Barbarossa Double Dark Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I enjoyed a few years go in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The brewery is from Ohio and it is called Moerlein and the beer is their Barbarossa Double Dark Lager.  The brewery was started in 1853 in a German neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio.  In 2004, this brewery was brought by Greg Hardman to carry on the rich history of this brewery.  It is brewery that is rich in German traditional brewery styles.  There is some ales they do but it is mostly lagers.  Let us get into this great Black Lager.

This dark lager has a clear dark brown to amber color without a head on it.  The smell has a slight chocolate. The taste is a sweet carbonation chocolate with a dry aftertaste.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

You’re made a discovery a Double Dark Lager honoring Frederick I. Emperor of Germany, known as Babarossa.  Folklore says he never died…. instead he sits enchanted in a cavern until the ravens cease to fly, signaling for his triumphant return.  Moerlein Barbarossa is slow-aged with a deep reddish-brown color and a malt aroma derived from Munich dark malt.  The balanced finish invites a toast to the return of a legend.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.christianmoerlein.com

Twitter:  @moerleinbeers

In closing, this is a pretty enjoyable beer.  I was pretty stun by its drinkablity beer.  I love the roasted malts and the smooth and dry aftertaste in this beer.  This is a great beer and I wish I could find more of the beer in the Chicago area.  When I do find it in Chicago, it is normally out of code.  I have always enjoyed imported and craft dark lagers and it is kind of making me like the normal drinkable golden or yellow lagers.  I am not talking about the American Lager.  I am talking about the German classic Lagers.  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 Tallgrass Brewing Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Tallgrass Brewing.  The beer is called Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout.  If you have not read my earlier beer blogs from this brewery, please, read the first part of that beer post.  If you have read it, you are up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This Oatmeal Stout has a jet black color with a tan color head on it. The smell is a heavy milk chocolate. The taste is a creamy chocolate with a dry burn aftertaste. It is a nice sipping beer to almost session beer.

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

BUFFALO SWEAT (ABV 5.0%, 20 IBU)

We love this beer here at the brewery, and think you will have one of those “I’ve never-tasted-a-beer-like-that” kind of moments when you try it!

What we really like about this beer is the smoothness that brewing with cream sugar brings to the palate. This smoothness balances out the copious quantities of roasted barley used in the brewing process to create a rich, complex, and delicious beer. If you have not been a stout drinker in the past, give this beer a try. It might just change your mind about how dark beers should taste. It tastes so rich, but is surprisingly easy to drink!

Can’t find the sweat? Don’t sweat it. Just ask for Buffalo Sweat at your local liquor store or your favorite tavern.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @tallgrassbeer

Closing out, Tallgrass did a great job with the packaging all their beers.  It has a nice pop off the shelf in the liquor stores.  This is a great stout and I believe it is one of the best ones I had a in a long time.  It is the best stout I have ever had in a can.  This beer lives up to the name.  It is creamy and smooth with the complex taste from the chocolate of the roasted malts. I really enjoy drinking this beer and it is drinkable.  You can not taste the ABV % in the beer.  You can drink this beer in the coldest winter and the hottest summer.  Tallgrass Brewing Welcome to Chicago! Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter;  @djweiser

New Monday Music Blog Left Setter Irene

In this Monday Music Blog, we are going back to 2009 where a local Chicago Hard Rock band, who is Left Setter, puts out a record called Irene.  I decided to go back and listen to this record to write a review because I heard they reunited for a few shows in Chicagoland area this summer of 2013.  There is very little information on the history of this band.  I will have to get with the band to get the history of it.  This is their third release from Left Setter.  Let us get into the music.

Refuse To Care

This song starts out like a 1990’s hard rock music.  It also has a little baby bedtime music theme.  There is a nice simple guitar and off beat bass line.  There is some nice drumming also in this song.  This song sounds like something that Stone Temple Pilots would do in their career.  I do not know about that heavy breathing in the later part of the song.  George has some nice guitar work towards the middle of the song.

Last Days With You

There is some nice heavy guitar work at the beginning and then simmer down.  There is some nice bass and drum work on this song.  It has a nice support to the guitar and vocals.  I like the lyrics on this song.  This song is in your face but you do not realize it until you get to the later parts of this song.  I am loving the bass work towards end of the song with the guitar over the top of it.  Nice touch on the ending.

Good Mourning America

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  I can hear the Beatles influence in this song and a touch of Stone Temple Pilots again.  I wonder if this is what the Beatles would have sounded like in modern-day.  The lyrics and musics has Beatles sound of their heyday or the 1960’s Classic Rock bands.  This song is short and gets to the point.  I like the ending of this song.

March Into The City

March Into The City starts out with a nice bassline and a perfect guitar riff.  It is not over the top like most guitar players normally do in their songs with the bassist.  I love the simple drum beat.  I am also loving the effects on the vocals.  I am loving the build up of this song.  I love the lyrics.  I am loving the endings of the last few songs.

Bobby Deniro

Boddy Deniro has a little punk feel to the song.  It is fast pace and with nice music.  I am not a real fan of the back up vocals on this song.  I just feel it is forced and it is not natural to the song.  George has some nice guitar work from clean to dirty effects on his guitar.  Nick is singing extremely well on this song.

Collide

Collide has some piano work on this song with a nice guitar work over the top of it.  I am love the drums and bass work on this song.  It makes this song powerful.  I am loving the lyrics and singing from Nick.  The back up vocals are perfect on this song.  The piano gives this band another element in a positive light.  George has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Thief Without A Conscience

I love the beginning of this song.  It has a little Red Hot Chili Peppers feel to it at the beginning.  I love the drums, bass, and guitar work to set the stage to this song.  I love the lyrics.  Nick kind of sounds like Don Dokken off Shadowlife.  This is a deep and well thought up song.  Left Setter put some thought when they wrote this song.

Women And Children First

Women And Children First starts out like an AC/DC song.  It goes to the main riff like something in your face.  I love the theme and the lyrics of this song.  The music is very well written.  I love the drumming and the bass work.  The backbone of the band is playing their ass off on this song.  It has a nice ending to the song.

Drowning Muse

The last song on this record starts off like something you would heard from Beatles or Pink Floyd in early part of their career.  This song more I think about it reminds me Dazed Or Confused from Led Zeppelin or Planet Cavern from Black Sabbath.   Nick wrote a nice melody and lyrics on this song.  I love the pick up towards the end of the song.  I am loving the drumming.  It comes back down to where it was before.  This is a thinking man’s song.  I am loving the ending with Nick just singing it out.

Here is the line up off Irene:

  • Nick Langis – Lead Vocals, Keyboards
  • George Langis – Guitars, Vocals, Piano
  • Sean Keenehan – Drums, Vocals, Percussion
  • Turan Yon – Bass Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.leftsetter.com

Twitter:  no twitter account

Where to buy their records?

Their Website:  www.leftsetter.com

CD Baby:  www.cdbaby.com

Closing, I love this record and Left Setter did a great job on all of their songs.  You can hear their influences through out this record.  Neil Young move over Left Setter has taken your spot for today’s youth.  They had some thoughts of time on our government and this is what music is for and the art of it.  The songs that are my favorites are  March Into The City, Last Days With You, and Collide.  If you live in the Chicago area, you need to check out this band during this summer.  If you do not live in Chicago and is a fan of great music, you need to check them out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Brewing Two Women

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from New Glarus Brewing Company.  The beer called Two Women Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This lager has a beautiful copper color without a head on it. There is a lager malt smell to the beer. The taste is a carbonation malty with lager finish to light hoppy aftertaste. This is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

Four thousand years before Christ, Sumerian women created the divine drink of beer. Viking women brewed in Norse society. European Ale Wives were so successful as cottage brewers they were taxed. Artisanal women lost their domination of the daily ritual of brewing during the Industrial Revolution. Today’s brewing trade is controlled by men.

The collaboration of two Craft companies both led by women, New Glarus Brewing and Weyermann Malting, is unique. You hold the result “Two Women” a Classic Country Lager brewed with Weyermann’s floor malted Bohemian malt and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops. A tempting and graceful classic lager found…Only in Wisconsin!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

Ending, I am not a huge fan of craft lagers.  This is a pretty balance and drinkable beer.  I was pretty impressed and I am glad I had a chance to try this beer.  This is a pretty good craft lager.  I will have it once and move on to the next beer.  If you are a lager fan or craft lager fan, this is a beer you will need to try.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Brewing Apple Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from New Glarus Brewing.  The beer is called Apple Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This apple ale is a hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is an apple cider to the beer. The taste is a carbonation sweet apple cider beer. The aftertaste is a carbonation cider to the beer. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A few times a year we cut Dan loose to brew whatever he chooses.  Always handcrafted, the bottle you hold is brewed for the adventurous soul.  This is a very limited edition and we make no promises to ever brew this style again.

Apple Ale sings with the fresh crisp taste of Apples.  Our Brewmaster begins with a brown ale base and a blend of fresh picked apples.  Our apple growing friends squeeze them especially for this brew.

Expect this Ale to pour a beautiful copper color.  The fresh bouquet of Apple will rise to meet you even before the glass touches your lips.  So be sure to sip slowly and enjoy the fruits of a Wisconsin Harvest.

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

Apple Ale sings with the fresh crisp taste of Apples.  Our Brewmaster begins with a brown ale base employing Wisconsin farmed wheat and a blend of fresh picked apples.  Our apple growing friends squeeze them especially for this brew.

Expect this Ale to pour a beautiful copper color.  The fresh bouquet of Apple will rise to meet you even before the glass touches your lips.  So be sure to sip slowly and enjoy the fruits of a Wisconsin Harvest.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In closing, this is what apple ales should taste like in the beer market.  This is a great beer and it is pretty well balance.  I really enjoyed this beer very much.  It has a cider beer style to it.  I know Miller Brewery Company put out their apple ale called Redd’s.  The beer is carbonation apple juice beer.  New Glarus Brewing did a great job on this beer and this is the apple ale to be drinking.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Glarus Back 40 Bock

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from New Glarus Brewing and the beer is called Back 40 Bock.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know about this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a brown color with a snow-white head on the beer.  The smell is a hint of caramel. The taste is a sweet malty with a toffee aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable and smooth beer.

Here is description from beer bottle and website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

The “Back Forty” is property commonly found on the outskirts of the Wisconsin family farm. Here uncultivated acres wait prime for adventure forts, tree houses, rope swings and first kisses! A place to run away, to camp, to climb, to build, to play.  Not actually home but not too far away. That’s the Back Forty. The beer you hold is similar both dark and adventurous still smooth and familiar.  Here’s a beer you can enjoy without pretense or explanation.  Every mind requires some acres of possibility, space for dreams, the great escape, everyone needs a Back Forty.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

Ending, this was a pretty different beer.  I was expecting something else and I receive something a little better in my mind.  This bock is nothing special but it is still a good beer.  To me, it is a beer I am glad I try but I know I will not be trying this beer again. Let me know what you think of 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 New Glarus Brewing Coffee Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from New Glarus Brewing Company.  The beer is called Coffee Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that earlier beer blog.  Let us get into this beer.

This coffee stout has a black color with a tan color head on the brew. The smell is chocolate with a little coffee notes. The taste of the full body beer has a chocolate with a little coffee notes. The aftertaste is a dry coco to the beer. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and website (www.newglarusbrewing.com):

Hearty and satisfying, out Coffee Stout is the ultimate full-bodied brew.  Wisconsin water, roasted malts and American hops are the natural ingredients we use to brew this bier.  Then cold pressed organic coffee from Just Coffee co-op is infused into the brew.

Expect this bier to pour a deep creamy head over an ebony rich body.  Notice the powerful malt bouquet balanced by a spectrum of extravagant flavor.  Served at room temperature this Wisconsin Coffee Stout is guaranteed to warm even the coldest heart.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer

In the end, this is a pretty nice coffee stout.  I love how the coffee is not too heavy in this stout.  Most coffee stouts have a heavy coffee and it is not very well balance.  Now that might be how the beer is design which is fine.  I am not knocking it but it nice to get one like this one from New Glarus.  The problem I have with this brewery.  I do not know if it is the water they are using or the same yeast in their beers.  I just feel the base of the beers are the same and kind of taste the same.  I realize coffee stout to a cream ale or a lager.  I know that and they are different.  There is something the same in all their beers.  This was pointed out by a few of my friends and there a few breweries like this.  I enjoy most of the beers I had from this brewery.  This brewery makes some great beers and I wish they were in the Chicago or Michigan market, when I go back to my home state, I could drink some of their beers.  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 Big Horn Ram Tap Party Wheeling Snow Blower

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In this Tap Party Beer Blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Ram Wheeling Tap Party.  This is a beer style I did not know was being made.  I was very interested in trying this beer.  If you read my earlier beer blogs from this brewery, you are up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the party.

Snow Blower is a wheat wine from the Wheeling location. It has a cloudy cooper color with a semi white head on the beer. There is no smell to the beer or I cannot pick it up. The taste is a little wheaty with a sweet malty that will burn down your throat for the aftertaste in a good way. There is a nice malt backbone. It is kind of drinkable but at 8.3% ABV.

Here is a desecration from the brewmaster:

Stylistically it is a Wheat Wine, which is a wheat based version of a barley wine.  When tasting this beer the hops come forward right out of the gate with a big hop character and provide a big hop punch, but as it lingers on the palate the slight sweetness from the wheat malt comes through and a slight bit of alcoholic warmth teases the palate.

At 8.2% alcohol by volume and 70+ IBU’s it will warm you and your palate up.

Here is some photos of the food we were eating while sampling the beer:

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All American Burger

American cheese, pickle chips, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard and mayo.  Served with choice of Fries, Chips or Coleslaw

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Nachos Deluxe

Choice of Chicken, Beef, or Combination, black beans, cheddar jack cheese, jalapeno, tomato, green onion, sour cream, and guacamole.

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Dessert

This was a great desert from my birthday gift from Ram.  Thanks!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theram and @rambrew

In closing,  I really enjoyed going to these Tap Parties.  I wish I can make the next one but I have at work training.  I was very curious on how this beer will taste.  As many of you know, I am not a fan of wheat or wheat base beers.  This beer is extremely joyful to drink.  The wheat is there but there is a nice hop touch to Snowblower.  I love the contrast between wheat, sweetness of the normal barely wine, and hop.  It is a drinkable beer but be careful because of the ABV is pretty high.  This beer is the Lawnmower beer of the winter.  I recommend this beer.  I want to thanks to Eric and Lanny!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Big Horn Ram Tap Party Wheeling

In this tap party blog, we are going to sample out another beer release from the Big Horn Brewery in Wheeling.  The beer is called Rabbit Punch Irish Red Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

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This beer has a deep reddish-brown color with a white constant head on it. The smell is a sweet caramel to the beer. The taste of the Rabbit Punch Irish Red Ale is a sweet carbonation caramel to a touch of toffee with a caramel aftertaste. It is a sessional beer.

Here is a description from the brewery:

A reddish-amber ale with roots in Ireland characterized by its malt profile including caramel and a toffee-like sweetness.  Alcohol by volume is about 5.15%.

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Here is a description of the meal I had during the Tap Party:

Bourbon BBQ Meatloaf Sandwich

Meatloaf grilled over high heat, smothered with bourbon bbq glaze on toasted white bread with Wisconsin double cream Havarti and onion crisps.  Served with choice of Fries, Chips, or Coleslaw.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theram

In closing, I am not a red ale fan but this beer is not bad.  I did enjoy this beer and I will have a few pints when it is around.  The food was really good.  I am not a meatloaf fan but this was pretty good. If you are a fan of red ales, you need to try this beer.  I believe you will enjoy drinking this beer and it does have a flare of the Irish Red Ale feel.  Most craft breweries normally miss that part of this beer style.  I also like the fact it is ale this year and not a lager.  It has a nice malty backbone and not overly hopped like most red ales.  These brewers did a great job and you need to support them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog O’so Brewing Hopdinger

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a new brewery to hit the Chicago market from Wisconsin.  The brewery is called O’so Brewing and the beer is their Hopdinger.   O’so Brewing was founded in a small town in Wisconsin and design to give the local people some good craft beer.  They had some help from the Central Waters and Point Brewery and they are also good friends.  It does not say when they were founded on their website but they are a pretty small brewery.  O’so is in the town of Plover, Wisconsin.  I wish I could find more on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a clear, constant bubbles, and copper color with a constant white head. The smell is a citrus to the beer.  The taste of this pale ale is a sweet citrus and grapefruit together.  The aftertaste is a dry citrus to the beer. Being a full body beer, it is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Pungent, Hoppy, Crisp, Floral, Bitter, Piney, Resinous, and Engaging

Join the fight against boring beer at osobrewing.com brewed and bottled by O’So Brewing Company Plover, WI Discover the art of freestyle brewing.

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

HopdingerTM

This pale ale is generously hopped yet balanced through the use of Munich and Crystal malts. Hops added after fermentation gives this American classic an intense aromatic bouquet. Enjoy! ABV: 6%, 49 IBUs, 14 SRM

Available Yearly!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.osobrewing.com

Twitter:  no twitter account

In closing, this is not my favorite pale ale and it is just like the rest on the market.  If I can get the same pale ale cheaper, I will pass this beer.  I really hate to say it.  This is a great beer but I just feel the price I am paying is not really worth it. If you love pale ales and think it is worth it, please, drink it and support this little brewery.  I do recommend you trying this beer.  I believe you will find the same thing I did about this beer. Please, let me know about your thoughts on this brewery.   Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser