midwest

New Blog Two Brothers Outlaw India Pale Ale

Starting a new beer blog, this is the first beer from Two Brothers Brewery that I am blogging about and the beer is Outlaw IPA.  Two Brothers was founded in 1996 in Warrenville, IL by Jim and Jason Ebel.  They brew several different beer styles and some of them they do a twist to some of the classic beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a copper color without a head on it.  The smell is of earthly to piney.  The taste of this IPA is earthly to piney with dry hoppy aftertaste.  It is not really a drinkable beer.

Here is a descripation from the beer can:

As bold as the name suggests but as friendly as the masked man, comes our first world of cans.  This IPA is full of citrus and pine hop character and aroma.  The hop flavors play off the pleasant malt complexity like a good sidekick.   Giddy-up.  60 IBU 6.3% ALC/VOL

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.twobrosbrew.com

Twitter:  @twobrothersbeer

In closing, one of many new breweries being opened in Chicago area and this is one of the newer ones.  Two Brothers are growing at a rapid rate and I believe it is taking away from quality of the beer.  When I moved to Chicago, I was excited to try all the breweries at that time in 2005.  Two Brothers was on that list and I loved their beers back then.  I just feel their beers have loss something.  It could be passion or rushing the beers through the brewing process to keep up with demand. Outlaw IPA does not have enough malty backbone to my taste buds as a hop head.  It is all bitterest and that does not make this hop head happy. It kills the hop taste for me. This beer is a huge let down and I love my craft beer in a can.  This beer is selling pretty good and I believe it is because it is local brew.  General Chicago Craft Beer Drinkers’ pallets are still growing and I hope these local beer companies realize and step up to make some good beer.  I am not saying this the worse India Pale Ale.  I believe it is average India Pale Ale and this brewery could do better.  Just believe, I say this before.  It does not mean you might not like this beer.  Please, go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Lagunitas Pils Czech Style

In this blog, Lagunitas Pils Czech Style Pilsner is the beer that is going to be sampled and featured.  If you read my earlier blog on their Fusion 8, you are know a little something about this brewery.  If you did not read that blog, please, go back and read the first part of that beer.  Let us get into the beer.

This Pils has a golden color with a little white head on the beer.  It has that fresh air smell in the woods by a waterfall. The taste of this German style Pils is a sweet slightly malty carbonation to little hop aftertaste. It has a nice dry crisp finish. It is drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Like Adam and Eve, Isaac and Ishmael, Mao and Confuscious, Good and Evil, Day and Night, Hittites and Visigoths, John and Lorena, or Groucho and Moe, Ales and Lagers are as different as can be.  Still, we must love each for who they are, separately but equally, with liberty, and justice, for all.  Cheers!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  There is no twitter address.

Closing out this blog, this is one of my favorite pilsner.  It has a ton of favor and I am really starting to dig into this brewery a little bit more.  I forgot how good their beers compared to the rest of the beers in the market.  This beer has a nice balance between the malt and the hops but keeping the classic beer style in mind.  This is an excellent beer and 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 Blog Tallgrass Brewing 8-Bit Pale Ale

In this blog, we are going to get into the Tallgrass Brewing 8-Bit Pale Ale.  Tallgrass Brewing was founded in 2006 by Jeff Gill in Manhattan, Kansas.  They brew several different beer styles and they are only available in draft and cans.  They are available in the Midwest, Mississippi, and Minnesota.  The history of this young brewery is very little but I found this information all on their website (www.tallgrassbeer.com).  They are not in the Chicago area and I wish they would come to Illinois.  I had a friend being me a four pack back for me to try it and blog about it.

8-Bit Pale Ale has yellow cloudy look to the beer with a constant white head.  The carbonation is pretty high on this beer so pour it slowly in the beer glass.  To me, the beer has that funky Belgian yeast smell to it, which I do not believe they use Belgian yeast.  The beer drinker will smell spices with some earthy to it.  As far as the taste of this beer has an earthy taste with a nice sweet aftertaste.  It has that feel of Belgian Pale Ale to this beer.  It is an extremely drinkable beer with nice old school video game graphics on the 16oz can.

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

8-Bit                 

Hop-Rocketed Pale Ale

(ABV 5.2%)

Just like those classic video games we all grew up with, 8-Bit Pale Ale is spectacularly simple at first glance yet remarkably fun and complex when you get into it.  Our Hop Rocket infuses the character of Australian grown Galaxy Hops into an American Pale Ale, giving a unique tropical, almost melon aroma in a classic American style.

IBU: 40

Malts: 2 Row, Victory, Vienna & Munich

Hops: Magnum, Centennial, Cascade & Galaxy

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @tallgrassbeer

In the end, Tallgrass Brewing did a great job using Galaxy Hops.  I love the graphics on the can and the name of the beer.  Being a beer fan and video gamer, this is my beer of choice while playing the video games and it will be in my regular beer line up.  I had a friend of mine that watches G4TV saw this beer on one of their shows.  She forward it over to me and that is when I started doing some research the brewery and beer to find out where I can pick up this beer.  I had another friend visiting family in Kansas so I asked her to pick up some beer for me.  I really love the body and favor this beer kicks out.  It is your standard American Pale Ale but it has a huge Belgian Pale Ale feel to it.  It has a nice balance from the malts and hops to give a nice punch and full favor.  8-Bit Pale Ale is drinkable and I believe it will make every beer drinker love this beer.  Hey Chicago, we are not that far from Wisconsin.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

New Blog Leinenkugel’s Lemon Berry Shandy

In this blog, the beer that will be feature is Leinenkugel’s Lemon Berry Shandy.  Leinenkugel’s Brewery was founded in 1867 by Jacob Leinenkugel and John Miller in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin,  It was sold to Miller Brewing Company in 1988.  They are known for their Summer Shandy.  Lemon Berry Shandy, which is a limited edition, is a line off their Summer Shandy.  Let us get into the beer.

Leinenkugel’s Lemon Berry Shandy is a limit edition and a summer seasonal.  It has a light cloudy copper color without a head on it. The smell is a ton of berry wheat to it. The beer taste is like their Berry Weiss but a small hint of lemonade to it.  The aftertaste is about the only time to me you will taste of beer.  To me, this beer is water down vision of their Berry Weiss. It is drinkable beer.

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

Light, crisp and perfect for every season. Our Leinenkugel’s Lemon Berry Shandy is Weiss beer brewed with blackberry juice and natural lemonade flavor. And the best part is this Shandy is available year round. So now every season is Shandy Season.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.leinie.com

Twitter:  there is no twitter address.

Closing out, there was so many rumors about mixing three Leinenkugel’s beers.  I guess this brewery got wind of it and made this beer.  I am not saying this brewery is mixing their beers and then bottle it.  This beer is fishly like that.  I really did not like this beer.  It has a light body and too fruit to sweet for me.  I love sweet but this is not the right kind of sweet for me.  If you are a fan of their Summer Shandy, I would recommend you trying this beer.  I  believe you will like it.  Plus, just because I did not like, it does not mean you will not like it.  I just wanted to give my  thoughts on it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale

In this blog, we are doing the last one from Blue Moon Brewing Company.  The beer is Harvest Pumpkin Ale, which is their Fall Seasonal.  If you read my blog on their Summer Seasonal, we are pretty much up to speed with the brewery.  I will not bore you with the history again.  If you have not read it, please go back to read the first part of that post.  Let us get into the beer.

Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale is their seasonal six-pack and twelve pack bottles.  It is also part of their fall sampler twelve pack bottles. It has a deep dark copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell to the beer is a cinnamon and a ton of nutmeg and a slight pumpkin.  The taste is a cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little pumpkin.  The aftertaste is a little wheat to yeast to this fall seasonal. It is drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A pumpkin ale crafted with autumn’s bounty of vine-ripened pumpkin and flavors of cloves, allspice, and nutmeg,  Then brewed with a touch of wheat for a smooth, lightly spiced finish.

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

In 1995, we crafted our first autumn seasonal—Pumpkin Ale. At the time, Oktoberfest beers were in high demand. For our version, we wanted to create a beer that was a little different than what was already out there and complemented the season by highlighting the flavors we’ve all grown to love during this time. It was so popular that it became the first nationally available pumpkin ale. Harvest Pumpkin Ale, as it’s called now, is crafted with pumpkin and spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice for a taste you’ll want to fall right into.
Available in 12-oz. bottles, 6-pack, 12-pack, Draft
Ingredients and Profile
Malts: Munich, Caramel
Hops: Hallertau
Our Twist: Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Allspice
IBUs: 16
Original Gravity: 15º Plato
ABV: 5.7%
Appearance:  Deep amber-colored ale with brilliant clarity and a rich, white head.
Aroma:  Very complex aroma consisting of malty spice notes.
Taste:  The taste starts out with assertive malty notes and is quickly balanced with the right amount of harvest spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. There’s a small amount of bitterness to keep the malt sweetness from building up.
Mouthfeel:  A medium-bodied ale with just enough carbonation to balance the rich caramel character.
Finish:  Finishes with a smooth, clean malt and spice taste. Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and malt gradually fade.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  there is no twitter address

In closing, being one of the first Pumpkin Ales, it does not mean that it is a good beer.  It is a drinkable beer but this is a really bad beer.  I had several different Pumpkin Ales so far this season and this is at the bottom of the list.  I am not saying it because it is made from a mass beer company.  I just gave them credit in a few post earlier.  This beer is really bad and you can find it everywhere.  I know for a fact if you do want to try, which I will suggest it, that you could find it for a pretty good price in a bar or where beer is sold down at the store level.  I just want to hear your thoughts on this beer. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Blue Moon Carmel Apple Spiced Ale

In this blog, we are sampling out another beer from the Blue Moon Brewing Company and the beer is called Carmel Apple Spiced Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Summer Ale, you are pretty much know about this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

Blue Moon Limited Autumn Release Carmel Apple Spiced Ale is part of their fall sampler twelve pack bottles.  It has a copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is caramel apple with cinnamon and touch of nutmeg to it.  The taste is of cinnamon caramel to apple. It is sweet yet extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This copper-colored ale is crafted with caramel malts, cinnamon, and fresh apple juice to stir up the tastes of fall.

Thank you to all our fans that helped us craft this limited autumn release.  For this fall seasonal, we blended fresh apple juice with cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel malts for a warming spice taste.

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

So Crisp, You’ll Want to Bite Right Into It.
Limited Autumn Release.
In anticipation of the blue moon on August 31, 2012, we reached out to our fans to help us craft our next Blue Moon®. We started by taking suggestions from our fans, and then we brewed three beers based on their input. Then came the hard part—tasting the beers. Our fans voted for their favorite, and with that we now welcome Caramel Apple Spiced Ale to our collection of limited seasonal releases. We blend apple juice with cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel malts for a warming spice taste to stir up the tastes of fall.
Available in 12-oz. bottles, Brewmaster’s Autumn Sampler Pack
Ingredients and Profile
Malts: Pale, White Wheat, Caramel, Munich
Hops: Spalt Select
Our Twist: Apple Juice, Cinnamon, Nutmeg
IBUs: 16
Original Gravity: 14º Plato A
BV: 5.8%
Appearance:  Rich copper with high clarity and a creamy head.
Aroma:  Warm spice aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of apples and caramel malt.
Taste:   A seasonal blend of spice and caramel malts that highlight the crisp apple taste.
Mouthfeel:  Medium to full-bodied ale.
Finish:  Spice gives way to a smooth apple finish that cleans up nicely.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  there is no twitter address

In the end, this beer is shocking good and taste like by the name of the beer.  It is a liquid form of a Caramel Apple you would get out in a farm or what your Mom use to make.  This is the point why we drink these craft beers.  It should touch our past experiences.  This beer has done that to me.  I really enjoy this beer and it comes accross more as a dessert beer.  This is not a beer you can enjoy all day because it will be too sweet for after a while.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!   \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Blue Moon Belgian-Style Pale Ale

In this blog, Blue Moon Belgian-Style Pale Ale is the beer that will be sampled out from their Fall Sampler Pack.  If you read my earlier blog on their Summer Seasonal, you are up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

Blue Moon Pale Ale is available in six pack bottles and part of their seasonal sampler twelve pack bottles.  It is a clear copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a dull earthly smell to the beer.  This pale ale has a sweet malty to earthly and slightly piney taste to it. It is drinkable. It has an English Pale Ale taste to the beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

This copper-colored ale is crafted with hibisccus, a touch of wheat, and Cascade hops for a smooth finish and subtle hop aroma.  We add a twist of orange peel and hibiscus for a well-rounded, balanced taste.

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

A Maltier Pale Ale.
While studying brewing in Belgium, our head brewmaster and founder, Keith,  met plenty of beer-minded friends who introduced him to local styles including  Belgian Pale Ales. On weekends, they’d road-trip north of Brussels to  Londerzeel—a small town famous for its Belgian Pale Ales. The malty taste  and pleasant hop aroma (without the overpowering bitterness) made a lasting  impression on Keith. So much so that when he returned to the States, he decided  to create his own interpretation of the classic style by adding hibiscus and  orange peel for a subtle citrus finish, making it a great beer to pair with a  wide variety of foods and occasions.

Available in 12-oz. bottles, 6-pack, 12-pack, Draft

Ingredients and Profile
Malts: Pale, Imported Caramel, Imported Light Caramel, White Wheat
Hops: Cascade
Our Twist: Orange Peel , Hibiscus
IBUs: 22
Original Gravity: 13º Plato
ABV: 5.4%
Glassware:  Pour in a tulip-shaped glass to capture the hop notes and allow room for a thick head on the beer.
Appearance:  The beer will have a brilliant amber color with a thick, creamy, white head.
Aroma:  Notes of caramel malt and citrus with an assertive Cascade hop aroma.
Taste:  Caramel maltiness balanced with a hint of bitterness.
Mouthfeel:  Medium body with a smooth malt character.
Finish:  A hint of hops with a slight citrus/floral taste from the orange peel and hibiscus.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  There is no twitter address.

Closing, Blue Moon is not on my rader at all but I pick up this sampler back for their Carmel Apple Ale.  This Pale Ale is shocking good but this is not a Belgian- Pale Ale.  It is an English Style Pale ale.  It has a nice malty taste with a nice hop finish.  It is has good flavor from one of the mass produced beer companies sub brewery.  It is drinkable beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email;  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Shiner Spring Ale Dortmunder

In this blog, we are going to get into one of the seasonal from the Shiner Brewery,  It is their spring seasonal called Dortmunder.  If you read my earlier blog, you are pretty up to speed with this brewery.  Let us get into the brewery.

Shiner Dortmunder has a copper color without a head on the beer.  There is a slight malty smell to the beer.  It has a sweet, carbonation, and carmel taste with a dry crisp finish to it. It is a drinkable spring beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Spring has a sprung at the little brewery in Shiner, TX (pop. 2,070).  And with it, our newest brew, Shiner Dortmunder-Style Spring Ale.  This Old World classic pours deep gold in color, with a white head and smooth flavor.  Its medium hop bitterness, and hints of grain honey and floral hops will refresh you like a sun-drenched nap on a lush green lawn.  Prosit!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shiner.com

Twitter:  @shinerbeer

In closing, Shiner Dortmunder is not one of my favorite seasonals or beers from Shiner Brewery.  It is not a bad beer for being a meduim body beer.  It is a perfect beer for the spring time.  This beer is good to drink all day while doing lawn work or watching a baseball game from start to finish.  If you love German style beers, you will love Shiner Brewery’s beers.  They are German base asides Shiner Wild Hare, which is newest beer to their everday lineup and I have blogged about it in the past.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Half Acre Brewery Over Ale

In this blog, we are going to check out one of many craft breweries from Chicago.  Half Acre Brewery was founded 2006 by Gabriel Magliaro in Chicago, IL.  They brew several different beers.  Being a young brewery, there is not too much information on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a brown color with an off white head. It has sweet malty smell to it. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty to it. The aftertaste is something that I could do without in a beer. It is drinkable asides the aftertaste.

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

Website is down right now!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.halfacrebeer.com

Twitter:  @HalfAcreBeer

In closing, there is some places that call this American Brown Ale and other call this American Style Bitter.  I believe this is an American Brown Ale.  This is a pretty drinkable beer but the aftertaste has killed it for me.  I am really not a fan of this beer.  Just because I did not like this beer, this does not mean you will not like this beer.  Half Acre Brewery does pretty good in Chicagoland and I know they have a fan base here.   I will keep trying their beers and I believe I will find something I like from them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Lagunitas Brewery Fusion 8

In this blog, we are going to check out Lagunitas Brewery and the beer is Fusion 8.  Lagunitas Brewery was founded in 1993 by Tony Magee in Petaluma, California.  They brew several different beer styles but they are known for their India Pale Ale.  This brewery is expanding to Chicago in 2013 and they are hoping to have their taproom open in late 2012. Let us get into the beer.

I was told when I was at the Blues Bar that this was a  special beer for Chicago.  I cannot find anything on their website or the internet.  It has a dark deep brown color without a head.  It has a chocolate and slight citrus notes for the nose. It has a sweet chocolate to slight citrus taste.  It is drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  no twitter address

In closing, I enjoyed drinking this beer and I have enjoyed many of their beers.  I cannot wait for their taproom to open and to see what they will do when they get their brewery up and running.  I heard some special things are coming to us craft beer drinkers. This is a really good beer and I wish it was in package.  Just what I said above, I believe this is just in Chicago so I hope they do some more brews like this beer.  Do not worry beer blog reader, I will be doing more blogging on this brewery soon.  Go get some if you can find it!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser