midwest

New Beer Blog Saugatuck Brewing Neapolitan Milk Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to check out a newer brewery from Michigan.  The brewery is called Saugatuck Brewing Company and the beer is called Neapolitan Milk Stout.  Saugatuck Brewing was founded in 2005 in Dougles, Michigan by Barry Johnson.  In mid 2008, the next part of their plan was in motion, which was to start bottling their beers.   Let us get into this beer.

It has a jet black color with a tan head on the beer. The smell is milk chocolate to chocolate milk. The taste is a silk to smooth chocolate to the beer. The aftertaste is roasted chocolate to coffee to the beer. It is close to the ice cream. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Nostalgic flavors of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla… Our flavors the Mt. Baldy radar tower a local landmark installed by the U.S. Air Force in 1937.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.saugatuckbrewing.com

Twitter:  @saugatuckbrew

Closing, milk stouts always had that feeling of drinking ice cream.  Saugatuck Brewing took it to the next level.  They design this milk stout to totally take on ice cream feel.  I had it in the bottle and I could pick up Neapolitan Ice Cream, which I remember as a kid eating it all the time in Michigan growing up.  I am pretty impressive by this beer and I might have to retry their beers again.  I 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 Milwaukee Brewing Anodyne Brown

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While in Milwaukee again, I went on the Milwaukee Brewing Brewery Tour and I saw this brown ale.  This was experimental beer and it is called Anodyne Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pull Chain Pale Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this beer.

This coffee brown has a brown color with a white head on the beer.  The smell is a coffee. The taste is hazelnut cover coffee with a dry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewco.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

Closing out, this American brown ale infused with coffee has a ton going on in it.  I love the smooth and drinkablity of it.  The brown and coffee is not overpowering.  It has a nice balance between the two elements in this beer.  Just what I said above and about Dark Matter, this is a experimental beer.  I have to say this brewery has found ways to push themselves forward and the craft beer world.  I just wish more people would get to know their beers and brewery. I wish more beer bloggers would share more love to them.  This is a great beer and I hope to see it in bottles or cans in the future.  Go do their brewery tour.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Milwaukee Brewing Double IPA

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While in Milwaukee again, I was up in Milwaukee to see my friends from Milwaukee Brewing.  The name of the beer is called Dark Matter.  If you have read my earlier beer blog on their Pull Chain, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This Double IPA has a golden to amber color with a white head.  There is not a smell to the beer.  It is hard to smell in while on the brewery tour.  It has a sweet silky citrus taste without aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer for being a big beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

In closing, I do not know if this is one I had back in the fall but this Double IPA is amazing.  I really enjoyed the one in the fall and I loved this one too.  It was hard to smell the beer in the brewery so if there is a smell I am sorry I did not pick it up.  I love the taste of the hops and the balance of the malty backbone.  This was a smooth Double IPA.  Uinta Detour Double IPA is my favorite but I have to say this one sets the standards for me for some double IPA’s in the Midwest Breweries.  I wish this was in bottle or cans.  I hope they do it in the future.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Milwaukee Brewing Dark Matter

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While in Milwaukee again, I went back up to Milwaukee to visit my friends from Milwaukee Brewing Company.  I wanted to meet Kurt and try some beers I can not get down in Chicago.  Kurt is a very nice guy.  I have to say he has to be the nicest brewer I have ever met.  Believe me, I have met several ones.  I hope to have a beer with him really soon.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pull Chain, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

Dark Matter has a jet black color with a brown to tan head on it. The smell is a chocolate to toffee to the beer.  It is hard to smell while on a brewery tour. The taste is a chocolate malty sweet with light carbonation. The aftertaste is a smooth burn down the throat. This is true to German style but took to the next level.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

In closing, this was experimental beer.  I have to say it was very smooth, rich, and with full body flavor.  I love the smell, taste, and the aftertaste.  This beer does not drink like a 10.5% ABV beer.  I am glad I was up in Milwaukee to try this beer.  I do not know if I have ever saw Imperial Schwarzbier.  I have had normal Schwarzbier and I love this German beer style.  I hope they get a response to this beer and they put it into cans in the future.   I recommend you trying this beer and their brewery tour.  It is one of the best ones in Milwaukee.  I believe I learn something new the last two times I went on it.   Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Metropolitan Iron Works Altbier

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In this beer blog, we are to going to sample out another beer from Metropolitan and the beer is called Iron Works Altbier.    If you read my earlier blog about their Krankshift, you know the history of this young Chicago brewery.  If you have not, please, go and read the blog post to know about this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is a sweet malty caramel to the beer. The taste is a sweet malty carbonation to it. The aftertaste is dry malty to some kind nutty to it. I cannot figure it out. It is drinkable with a ton of flavor.

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

Iron Works

An assertively hoppy top-fermented beer, polished by the wisdom and patience of lagering. Think of it as an octogenarian with a punk rock attitude. Slightly dry, this beer pairs well with hearty cuisine. We also suggest sipping it on its own; the complexity will keep you entertained and happy.

Iron Works Alt style beer goes great with sweet potato fries, speed dating, ginger snaps, horseshoes, dark chocolate, Bocce, mushroom empanadas, vegan chili, punk rock, cashews, bourbon, air hockey, tomato soup, soba noodles, bird watching, lasagna, fire-spinning, lettuce wraps, lingerie parties, pumpkin pie, mac & cheese, pot lucks, lentil stew, snow angels, falafel, Canasta, beet salad, risotto, and petting the dog.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.metrobrewing.com

Twitter:  @metrobrewing

Closing, I really enjoy drinking this beer.  I will be adding this in the rotation.  There is not too many of this beer style out on the Chicago market.  They are coming but as of right now.  This is the only Alt available that you can find just about everywhere.  I know if you go to Binny’s Beverage Depot.  You might be able to find some other ones but most Binny’s do not carry everything.  Iron Works can be pair with just about everything you can think of for food or this would be a good beer just sitting around watch the games with the guys.  There is a list of food that I pulled from their website that give you an idea what to eat with this beer.  I recommend this beer and I am looking forward to retrying their the rest of their beers.  Great jobs!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out Breckenridge Vanilla Porter.  Breckenridge Brewery started in 1990 became the third brewery to open in Colorado by Richard Squire.  They are being sold in thirty-two states right now.  This is a great brewery and they make several different beers.  Let us get into the beer.

This everyday porter has a jet black color with a semi white head on it. There is a vanilla, toffee, and chocolate smell to the beer. The taste is a sweet chocolate and vanilla with a medium dry vanilla bean aftertaste. This is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Remarkable. Partakable.

Deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea and Madagascar grows the perfect ingredient for an extraordinary Porter brewed in Colorado. Breckenridge Brewery’s Vanilla Porter. An ale that has all the chocolate and roasted nut flavor of a classic Porter, with an enigmatic surprise thrown in for good measure.

Beer Style: Herb and spice beer
Flavor: Smooth Roasted Chocolate with a Creamy Vanilla Finish
Yeast: Top Fermenting Ale Yeast
Malts: Two Row Pale, Caramel, Bonlander, Black, Roasted Barley
Vanilla Beans From Paupau New Guinea and Madagascar
Hops: Chinook, Palisade, Perle, Goulding
Color: Deep Brown
Bitterness Units: 16
Alcohol By Volume: 4.7%
Alcohol By Weight: 3.76%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brechbrew.com

Twitter:  @brechbrew

Closing out, this vanilla porter is by far one of my favorite beers in this beer style.  There is a few craft breweries that are starting to put out vanilla porters.  Breckenridge Brewery came up with it first to do something different in the craft beer world.  Now, there are a few craft breweries that are starting to put out some vanilla porters.  This beer is smooth and drinkable with a ton of flavor.  I recommend this beer anytime but it needs to be in the winter time.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Big Wave Golden Ale

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In this Kona beer blog, we are going to get into in my opinion is the best beer from this Hawaii Brewery.  It is called Big Wave Golden Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on  their Pipeline Porter, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer

This golden ale has a clear yellow color without a head and bubbles in the beer. The smell is very fade. It has a slight citrus smell. It gives a sense of a Tropical feeling in the smell and taste.  The taste is sweet carbonation malty with a little citrus, which is very fade in the beer. There is no aftertaste. It is a beer the beer drinker can drink all day. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the  beer bottle:

Year-Round.  The waves that roll onto Hawaiian beaches are some of the best in the world.  Catch the crest of a breaking wave and ride it all the way in our sun-drenched Big Wave Golden is a smooth.  Refreshing brew inspired by what makes Hawaii great.  Since 1994, Kona Brewing Co. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

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

Light, Balanced & Easy Going

Our brewers wanted to make a beer that went down easy after a day out on the water. Big Wave Golden Ale is just the ticket. Big Wave is a lighter bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor – a smooth, easy drinking refreshing ale. The use of caramel malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer and our special blend of hops provides bright quenching finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Closing, just like all the rest of their beers, this beer is extremely drinkable.  Big Wave Golden Ale is drinkable with a huge Tropical feeling.   This beer has a ton of flavor.  I love the connection between the tropical hop and malts in the beer.  It is refreshing and brings out summer in the coldest winter day.  This beer is not heavy for the hottest summer days.  Big Wave Golden Ale is a great beer to be pair with several foods like spicy meats and even an American Burger.  I 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 Schlafly T IPA Tasmanian Style India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to talk about a new beer from Schlafly Brewing.  The beer is called Tasmanian Style India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a yellow color with a white head on the beer.  The smell is between pineapple and hint of grapefruit to mango. The taste is a heavy mango and a hint of pineapple. The aftertaste is a drop off fast almost like it is not there and hard to explain it. This beer is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Schlafly Tasmanian Style IPA is a brewed with 100% Australian hops.  They impart a unique citrus flavor to the ale.  A special Release IPA, TIPA is available for a limited time, with a new IPA every few months.

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

Tasmanian IPA

Available October – January

ABV:   7.2%   |   IBU:   60

  • Appearance: Golden, bright
  • Process: Dry hopped, single hop/single malt beer
  • Hops: Galaxy (AU)
  • Malts: 2-row malted barley
  • Yeast: American Ale
  • OG: 17.5
  • SRM:

Schlafly Tasmanian IPA is brewed with 100% Australian hops. The Tasmanian hop, Galaxy, is a strong, aromatic variety that is different from traditional strains of the Pacific Northwest. Our brewers developed a recipe that showcases the hop’s unique flavors of citrus and pineapple.

India Pale Ales (IPAs) were first brewed in England during the late 1700s for export overseas to British soldiers in India. To keep their beer from spoiling during the long voyage, English brewers fortified their traditional pale ale recipes with natural preservatives: more malted barley, for a higher alcohol content, and more hops. In recent decades, with growing appreciation for highly hopped beers, American craft brewers have revived the style, embraced it, and incorporated new hop varieties. Our Special Release IPAs further those traditions and showcase the distinctions of hops from different hemispheres.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.schlafly.com

Twitter:  @schlafly

Closing, this was a pretty interesting India pale ale.  These hops are the new trend in the craft beer world.  I have to say this brewery has hit a home run.  I have not had too many beers with these hops.  The ones I had are average to below average.  I just seems like these breweries do not know how to use the hops correctly.  I love the pineapple and mango taste from the hops.  This beer makes me feel like I am in the warm place.  This is beyond far my favorite IPA I have ever had in my life.  I recommend this beer and it is must hunt down.  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 Brewery Norm! Pilsner And Tap Party

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In this beer blog, we are going to talk about the Tap Party at The Ram in Schaumburg, Illinois.  They were tapping their Norm! Pilsner.  If you read my earlier blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  This beer post we were talk about the beer and the food at the Tap Party.  Let us do this.

Norm!  Pilsner

This beer has a copper color with a white head that will disappear over the drinking experience.  The smell is of fresh air which I always get from pilsners. It has a slight earthly smell to the beer.  The taste is a full body sweet malty carbonation with an earthy aftertaste. This pilsner is pretty well balance and extremely drinkable beer

Here is a description of the beer from the brewery:

Norm!  Pilsner is a pleasant, thirst quenching lager hopped with plenty of Czech Saaz hops to please the palate.  This golden pilsner is slightly heavier than the Blonde and is about 4.8% ABV.

The Food

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We had the Border Burger and Amber Ale Chicken Sandwich.  Ram never disappoints when it comes to their food.  They do a great job with their food.

Here is a description of the food:

Border Burger:

Guacamole, bacon, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno, salsa, lettuce and tomato.

Amber Ale Chicken Sandwich: 

Amber ale marinated chicken breast, Porter BBQ sauce, slaw, tomato, onion crisps, roasted tomato-chipotle mayonnaise, and pretzel bun.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theram

In closing, this was my first Tap Party from The Ram and I had a ton of fun.  This is not a bad pilsner and it is pretty good beer.  The food fits and pairs perfectly with the food that we order from the brewery.  As far as the food, I really enjoyed the Amber Ale Chicken Sandwich.  It was perfect with the pilsner.  I was not a big fan of the burger but it was still really good.  I believe my guest said the same thing.  If you are not a Mug Club member, you should become a member.  I cannot wait for the Tap Party at Wheeling in January.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Goose Island Christmas Ale 2012

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out this years Christmas Ale from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog on one their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read  the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

Goose Island Christmas Ale has a nice amber color without a head on it. The smell is a caramel to malty to it.  The taste of this ale is a hazel to almond with a slight dash of caramel for the aftertaste.  It is not that drinkable but the beer drinker could have a few of these beers.

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

Brewer’s Notes:Every year to celebrate the holiday season, we brew up our Christmas Ale, and with each year we change the recipe slightly so that you have something special to look forward to.

Recipe Information:

Style: Brown Ale

Alcohol by Volume: 7.3

International Bitterness Units: Change year to year

Color: Chocolate

Hops: Change year to year

Malt: Pale, Munich, Caramel

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Nonic

Food Pairings: Ham, Turkey, Lamb

Cheese Pairings: Aged Gouda, Dry Jack

Cellaring Notes: 180 days

Availability:

Seasonal (November – December)

Bottles: 6, 12 & 24pks

Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

Closing, this is the first of Goose Island Christmas Ale where the beer will not change over the years or can not be aged like Christmas Ales from the past.  It is pretty disappointing because a ton of us craft beer drinkers love to age beer to see what is like next year.  I was pretty disappointing with this beer.  It is kind of drinkable beer.  I just feel this beer is missing something like other years.  I do not know what it is and I am not a brewer to make to explain my thought pattern.  I can see most people liking this beer and I want you to try it.  This beer does pair really well with food.   I just do not like this year’s Christmas Ale from Goose Island and that does not mean you will not like this beer.  Let me hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser