milwaukee brewery

New Beer Blog Goose Island Brewing Upstream IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from the brewpub from Goose Island Brewing.  The beer is their Upstream IPA.  This beer is not in package.  It is beer they brew at their brewpub for their bar.  If you read my past blogs, you know the history of Chicago craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this brewer.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear golden color with constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is citrus in the beer.  The taste has carbonated citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland and @GooseClybourn

In the end, I had a chances to go down to the Goose Island Brewpub for one of my going away parties.  I had a few brews and this was one of them.  I had a chances to try the Alt and a one of their wheat ales.  I cannot think of the names of those beers.  I am a huge fan of India Pale Ales.  It was a no brainier to pick this beer.  I love the hops but not a fan of the malty backbone.  I just felt the hops were attacking it a little too much for my liking.  It is a drinkable beer and that is what won me over on this brew.  If this beer is still on draft, 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 Upland Oktoberfest Bavarian Style Lager


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a craft brewery that finally made its way to the Chicago market.  I am talking about my friends of Upland Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog beer post on their Dragonfly IPA, which is their flagship, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that post to get to know this great craft brewery from Indiana.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on this fall seasonal.   The smell is malty.  The taste is a creamy caramel to malty.  The aftertaste is limited and fades quickly with notes caramel.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

No season is as synonymous with beer as autumn, when the most storied beer festival of them all, Oktoberfest, takes place in Munich, Germany. Since 1810, this celebration of good food, good company, and, most importantly, good beer, has most prominently featured Marzen-style lager–so much so that many refer to the beer simply as Oktoberfest. Our Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian lager featuring all-German malts and rare German hops. This dedication to authenticity produces a beer that would be as at home in Munich as it is here in the Midwest United States. The aroma is authentic, the taste sweet and malty, and the finish crisp and hoppy; perfect for a beautiful fall day!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uplandbeer.com

Twitter:  @UplandBrewCo

Closing, there is many craft breweries in the states that try to make Oktoberfest.  Some breweries have some good and really bad ones.  There is more misses than good ones.  This brew is one of the few good ones on the market.  There is some nice tasting notes from caramel and malty.  There is slight kick from the hops but it is little hit.  Overall, this is a pretty good brew.  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 Three Floyds Evil Power Imperial Pilsner


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into our second brew from Three Floyds Brewery.  The beer is their Evil Power Imperial Pilsner.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Christmas Porter, you know the history of this 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 clear golden color with a semi white head. There is no smell to the beer. The taste of this medium body beer has a slightly crisp citrus with malt notes with a clean crisp dry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A fortified Euoropean Style Pils langered to perfection, brewed with Heavy Metal warriors Lair Of The Minotaur in commemoration of their 4th Full-Lenght release “Evil Power.”  Available now at lairoftheminotaur.com 3floyds.com prosit skol cheers.

Here is  their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.3floyds.com

Twitter:  @3floyds

Closing out, I have a problem with most craft breweries when they try to make a lager or pilsner.  I will have to say I have had some really bad version of this classic beer styles.  Three Floyds Brewing is one of the few craft breweries in the United States that made a great Imperial Pilsner.  I have to say this brew has challenged Uinta Imperial Pilsner.  I wish I could find this in the City of Chicago but I have to drive down to their brewpub.  It has a beautiful color that welcomes you to drink this brew. There is a nice hop character but a nice malty blend with a nice crisp dry finish.  I highly recommend you trying this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

New Beer Blog Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Calabaza Blanca White Ale


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Opening a tab, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is the brewery that is being featured in this blog.  The beer is Calabaza Blanca White Ale.  Jolly Pumpkin was founded in Dexter, Michigan in 2004 by Ron Jeffries.  They have a brewery which is located in Dexter and two pubs in Ann Arbor and Traverse City, Michigan.  They brew several different beer styles, however, they are best known for their sour ales.  They are also known to age their beers in wine or oak barrels.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy yellow strew color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell of this light body has a chai tea along with other species. The taste is like Chai Tea without the hot cinnamon to it. There is no aftertaste to the beer. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Calabaza Blanca, an artisan white ale brewed in Belgium’s biere blanche tradition.   Spiced with orange peel and coriander, you’ll find it refreshingly tart, with a wonderfully dry finish.  A year round favorite for sure!

Please enjoy our beers in good health, Cheers and Mahalo plenty!

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

Calabaza Blanca– Aged in large oak casks and refermented in the bottle, Calabaza Blanca is a Belgian Biere Blanche. Spiced with orange peel and corriander, you’ll find it refreshingly tart, with a wonderfully dry finish.

Year round production 4.8% Alc./Vol. 750ml bottles – 12 case

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.jollypumpkin.com

Twitter:  @jollypumpkin

Closing out tab, this is one of my first beers from Jolly Pumpkin on this blog.  I have heard several things about this brewery when I lived in Michigan and now in the Chicago market.  This is the first beer from this brewery that is not my favorite beer style.    I have to say I was pretty stun on how it came out.  I was pretty interested in a brewery that ages all their beers in barrels.  I would not say this is not favorite beer but I will put this in the middle of the pack if I had to choose from beers at a bar or a store.  I will pick this beer.  I will give this beer a look at the liquor store when picking beer for the weekend.  It has a nice refreshing and easy drinkable taste.  I highly recommend you trying this beer that is coming from a guy that does not like wheat ales.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Furthermore Brewery Knot Stock


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Starting a new tab, we are going to get into another brew from Furthermore Brewery and the beer is called Knot Stock.  Just what I said in yesterday beer blog.  I could not find any history on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a slightly cloudy amber color with  a white constant head. The smell is black peppercorn. The taste is a sweet malty pepper with black peppercorn aftertaste. To me, it is not drinkable because of the pepper in the beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Beer brewed with black pepper.

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

Availability: Year-Round

ABV: 5.5%

Black, cracked, stuffed in a sack, boiled and cold-infused. The real treat of our A.P.A. is the tangle of flavors that fresh cracked pepper and Northern Brewer Hops create. At 65 IBUs (bitterness units) there’s plenty of zing for the Hop Heads or Bitter Bettys, but not so much to overpower the tingle of the black pepper as it slowly kicks in. Likewise, the 15° Plato malt bill features a healthy dose of caramel malt meant to soften (but not stifle) the play of pepper and hops on the palate.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.furthermorebeer.com

Twitter: @FurthermoreBeer

Closing out the tab, this beer is worth it.  It is has a ton of flavors and I love the peppercorn that is in the beer.  The beer is full body and comes with a ton of flavors.  The black pepper is not overpowering to the rest of the beer.  It has a nice balance of the pepper and the hops that are being used in this beer.  This beer is worth the price.  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 Furthermore Brewery Proper


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a new brewery, which is called Furthermore Brewery, and the beer is called Proper.  There is no history on Furthermore Brewery.  There is nothing on their website.  The only thing I know this brewery is from Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a slightly cloudy golden color with small constant bubbles. It has a constant white head on the beer. There is really no smell to this English style ale. The taste of this medium body is a carbonation malty to almost hazelnut to it. The aftertaste is dry with a slightly hazelnut to it. It is drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our classic, Light-bodied ale is proudly crafted in honor of American Players Theatre, our friends and a Spring Green cultural treasure.

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

Availability: Year-Round

ABV: 4.5%

It’s not just about the best beer, but the best places to enjoy it. APT and its festive, open-air venue have inspired us to craft an elegant, light-bodied and “proper” English Ale. At 12° Plato, the Proper is fairly light, with subtle toasty notes and a slight sweetness garnered from a touch of Munich and Caramel Malts. 15.5 IBUs (bitterness units) is enough to sharpen the mouthfeel without coming across as bitter. The hop bill is at its core, English—Kent Golding being the dominant player but we’ve employed “Brewer’s License” and thrown in some very non-English Tettnang hops—because it tastes good. Furthermore Proper is a toast to APT, a Spring Green gem.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.furthermorebeer.com

Twitter:  @FurthermoreBeer

Closing, this is pretty good beer and well made.  The problem is the price.  I just feel  the price point devalues the beer in the bottle.  It might be just me but I just feel this beer is too light in body for my taste buds.  Asides all that, they did a great job on the beer and this is a perfect beer for the American lager drinkers.  Just because, I did not like this beer.  It does not mean you might like this beer.  I recommend you trying this beer because of that fact.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Lakefront Brewing Big Easy Imperial Maibock


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I have said I would never buy their beers. This beer from Lakefront Brewery was given to me by a friend that loves their beers.  The beer is called Big Easy Imperial Maibock.  If you read my earlier beer blog on the brewery tour, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part or the whole beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy golden copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a fate caramel that was melted to slightly burned. The taste is a smooth creamy caramel without aftertaste. It is drinkable.

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

We brew just a few batches of our Big Easy Lager every year to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Don’t be fooled by this beer’s light color: at 7.6% ABV, it is deceptively easy drinking. Pours a brilliant blonde-gold with a bright white fluffy head.

Malty aromas blend with German noble Hallertauer hops. The flavor is bold and malty, with a robust sweetness provided by ample amounts of Munich pale malt that continues to the clean finish.

A great crowd pleaser, and a fabulous beer for Carnival, whether you’re celebrating down in the French Quarter or right here with us in Milwaukee.

Pairs well with Cajun, or any spicy food. A rounded hop flavor and crisp carbonation lift the spiciness of gumbo and jambalaya, while the substantial body stands up to the richness of dishes like etouffee. The sweetness can almost even pair with caramely pralines.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lakefrontbrewery.com

Twitter:  @lakefront

In closing, I was pretty stun on how good this beer is coming from this brewery.  This is by far their best beer they brew.  The rest of their beers I would pour down the drain but that is my thought and ideas on this brewery.  I have never had Imperial Maibock.  This is a great beer and I wish it was brew every day.  I might have to open the mind again and retry their beers.  I still cannot get over how my friend was treated but then again, I really do not talk to him anymore.  I recommend trying this beer and I will retry their beers.  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 Belgian Paradise Tap Party


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In this special beer tapping party post, we are going to get into another beer from the Ram Brewery.  The beer is called Belgian Paradise.  If you read my earlier beer blogs, 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 has hazel light amber color with a white head on the beer. This saison does not really have a smell but there is a slight melty to earthly farmhouse to it. The taste is leaning on the earthly side of the beer world. The beer has an amber saison Belgian taste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the brewery:

Brewed in the style of a Saison, this beer is also known as a Belgian Farmhouse Ale.  With this styel there may be quite a variety of flavor characters intermingled within this beer.  A refreshing, medium to strong, fruity and spicy ale with a distincitve orange color, dry finish and a quenching acidity.  To play off the natural spiciness of the yeast and the citrus character in  the hops, we added some grains of paradise that will add hints of earthiness and spice 6.4% alcohol by volume.

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Bacon Bonanza

Our signature bacon and beef blended patty, on Kaiser bun with mayo, sauteed crimini mushrooms, sliced Swiss cheese and house made maple onion ketchup on the side.  Served with Fries.

Turkey Num Num

A grilled, seasoned turkey patty on a wheat bun with garlic mayo, smashed avocado, iceberg lettuce, sliced cucumber, and daikon redish sprouts.  Served with Fries.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theram

In closing, I really enjoy this beer.  it is drinkable and refreshing.  This beer reminds me so much of Milwaukee Brewing Booyah, which is also a Saison.  I really enjoyed the amber but fresh hoppy farmhouse taste to it.  This is a great beer just like Milwaukee Brewing Booyah.  I recommend trying this beer and sample it along with Booyah.  Please, let me know your thoughts on both beers.  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

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