milwaukee brewery

New Beer Blog Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale

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In the beginning, we are going to get into Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale.  As you know I was at the brewery a few months ago.  I thought I would start writing up reviews of their beers.  If you read my review on their brewery tour, which I highly recommend doing, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read it, please, do so get to know this Chicago craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy dark golden to light copper color with a semi white head on this IPA.  The aroma has a nice citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish that hangs out a bit.  It is pretty drinkable IPA.

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

Finch’s Beer Company’s Threadless IPA is the gold medal winner in the IPA category at this year’s World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event. Our Threadless/Finch collaboration IPA is a balanced experience of both perceived hoppiness and true bitterness. It pours a darker amber color and finishes with a citrus flavor, and when combined, will require this to be the last IPA you ever drink!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.finchbeer.com

Twitter:  @finchbeer

Ending, I really enjoyed this IPA.  It is one of my favorite ones that I can get into Michigan market.  It is one of my non Michigan craft IPA that I can get in my market.  Later, found out that they are not in this market anymore. The hops have a great balance with the well designed malty backbone.  When they released this beer, I was nervous because to be honest, I was not a fan of their Golden Ale or Pale Ale.  I am glad that I did try it.  This beer was the turning point for this craft brewery.  This beer might be my second favorite beer from this craft brewery, today. My favorite is their Black IPA and it was a no brainer to try it after enjoying their IPA.  I highly recommend this beer and a review of their Black IPA is coming soon.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Griffin Claw Norm’s Gateway Session IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I need to stop drinking.  I am talking about Griffin Claw and it is their Gateway Session IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this young Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not read it, please, do so to get to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this Session IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head.  The color is like an American lager.  The aroma has a fresh piney to a slight grapefruit notes.  The taste has some grapefruit to piney notes.  The aftertaste has a dry hop bitter finish.  It is extremely drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter:  @Griffinclaw

In the end, this is a really good beer.  I was pretty impressive.  I really have not liked many of their beers that I have had.  I will be hunting down their Pumpkin Ale because there is a rumor that it is the same recipe of Michigan Brewery Company one.  There is an ongoing theme with this brewery and their beers.  Their batches of beer are not constant.  This makes it challenging for the craft beer drinker.  I had this beer a few times already before writing this beer blog post.   Yesterday, I had a great batch but this one that I have today is not really good.  If this craft brewery corrects this problem, they could have some success in this tough Michigan craft beer market.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Alaskan Free Ride APA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer, which is Free Ride APA, from Alaskan Brewery.  This is the first time this craft brewery is being feature on this blog.  Alaskan Brewery opened their doors in 1986.  They were founded by a young couple, who is Marcy and Geoff Larson.  They were the frist brewery in the state since Prohibition.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this APA.  The smell has a floral like to tropical fruit notes.  The taste is a lightly carbonation tropical fruit notes with a dry crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style:

American Pale Ale. Arguably the style that triggered the craft beer movement in the United States, the American Pale Ale showcases the floral, fruity, and citrusy aroma and flavors of Pacific Northwest hops in balance with a medium malt body


Flavor Profile:

Alaskan Freeride APA features a lush, green, almost tropical hop aroma paired with the unique taste combination of these three, distinctive hop varieties, making it both full in flavor and crisply thirst-quenching.
History:
Freeride APA started as a springtime staple for Alaskan’s backcountry skiing and snowboarding crew, then became a perfect beer to savor with summertime kayaking, biking, and just about every other outdoor activity.
Ingredients:
Alaskan Freeride APA is brewed with Cascade, Citra, and Centennial hops, premium two-row and specialty crystal malts, and Juneau’s glacier-fed water.
Recommendations:

Freeride APA pairs well with gourmet pub fare, especially a BLTA or club sandwich with peppered bacon, a spicy chicken quesadilla, or freshly battered Alaska halibut and chips.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbrewing

In closing, I am pretty happy to see them finally make it to Michigan.  I am been a huge of this craft brewery for a long time.  I am loving the fact that I get to try all the newer beers and favorites.  I am happy I do not have to trade with anyone out west. I am happy to walk into my beer store and get this craft brewery.  I am a huge fan of PA and APA.  I was pretty interested in this beer. I love hop aroma and taste of the tropical fruit notes.  This is a great and balance beer.  It is pretty drinkable and refreshing.  This is one beer you can have it any part of the season.  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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Key Lime Pie (2014)

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Short’s Brewery.  It is their Key Lime Pie.  It is a fruit beer and dessert beer.  If you ready my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper to light amber color without a head on this fruit beer.  The smell has of graham crackers and a slight lime notes.  The taste has some interesting and complex notes.  It is a sweet heavy lime but there is notes of sweet marshmallow to graham crackers.  The aftertaste is sweet lime notes.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Key Lime Pie is made with fresh limes, milk sugar, graham cracker, and marshmallow fluff. The prominent flavors are immensely sweet, then tart, with subtle hints of graham cracker coming through in the nose and remain on the back of the palate. Key Lime Pie is a Gold Medal Winner at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival.

5.5% ABV

21 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

Closing,  I had to crack this beer open to get rid of the bad taste from the Atwater Blueberry Cobbler Ale.  I was hoping this fruit and dessert beer would better.  I have to say it is so much better.  I love my key lime pie so I knew this would be a no brainer.  I love blueberry pie so I thought the same thing about Atwater Brewery brew.  You can kind of taste the graham crackers and sweetest of the marshmallow notes.  It is pretty complex and that is a good.  You can pick up notes and something new in each sip.  I highly recommend this beer, if you can find another bottle.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Atwater Brewery Blueberry Cobbler Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer and I am thinking the last one from Atwater Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into this fruit beer.

It has a black color with an off white color head.  The aroma has a heavy blueberry notes.  The taste has a heavy blueberry notes but not really balance beer.  The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish but not from the hops.  It is kind of drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Nothing says autumn like this refreshing ale brewed using local blueberries from our home State of Michigan.  It’s beer just like Grandma would make, if Grandma was a brewmaster.  Prost!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter:  @atwaterbeer

In the end, I do not know why I keep doing this to myself.  This craft brewery is not really good and they only really put out one good beer.  The one good beer is just an average beer.  I am talking about Java Vanilla Porter.  Their Dirty Blonde could be in the talk of a good beer or not.  The point that I am getting at is this craft brewery makes some pretty bad beers.  They are not constant all around their beers.  Their IPA’s, I refuse to drink even if they are the only craft beer in the bar.  I was thinking maybe their fruit beers might be good.  I was completely wrong.  I mean really wrong.  This blueberry ale is not balance at all.  It is not really good.  It is missing something.  I can not put my figure on it.  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Oddside Ales El Dankerino West Coast Double IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Oddside Ales.  It is their El Dankerino West Coast Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this Double IPA.  The aroma has a slight grapefruit to tropical fruit notes.  The taste has dry bitter front that leads to slight caramel to tropical fruit notes.  The aftertaste has a dry grapefruit hop finish.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  @oddsideales

Closing, this is a great beer.  I love the play on words for the name of the beer.  There is some aroma notes and tasting notes.  The malty backbone is a perfect match with the hops picked.  The caramel and tropical fruit notes are a nice blend.  This beer might be a sipping beer but I could see some experienced hopheads saying that it is kind of drinkable beer.  I do not think I had one bad beer from this craft brewery.  This brewery makes good beers and this one lives up to that line.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Lagunitas Brewery Day Time Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Lagunitas Brewery.  It is their Day Time Ale.  This is a beer that I picked up a six-pack from the brewery while in Chicago.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this West Coast and Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this session IPA.

This session IPA has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a floral to earthy notes.  The taste profile has a light carbonation with hints of earth notes.  The aftertaste has a dry crisp hop finish.  It is all day IPA beer.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.lagunitas.com):

Sometimes you want a beer, then you realize how much crap you need to do before you call it a day. This is it. Nicely dosed with Big, Round Hop Flavors and a Toasty Malt Foundation to satisfy your every need. But it still lets you stay in the game to do what needs to be done. Yup.

AVAILABILITY: SUPER LIMITED
ABV: 4.65%
Sold as: 6-packs & Kegs
Net contents: Ounces and ounces of Malt, Hops, Yeast and water.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  @Lagunitasbeer

Closing, I love this session IPA.  I just feel it is pretty hard to find their beers in southeast Michigan.  When I do, I feel  they are overpriced.  I hope with the new brewery in Chicago that could solve some issues.  I love this IPA beer style because I can get the big hop from aroma and taste but yet I am able to drink it most of the day.  Before this beer style, I had to switch to a pilsner or lager.  It was not making my taste buds happy.  I had to drink a few IPA’s and I have to move on to another beer.  I love the hops and the malty backbone is just about right.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Beer Camp 3 Floyd’s Brewing Chico King Pale Ale

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into the eighth of twelve of beers from Beer Camp from Sierra Nevada Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on both of these craft breweries, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know both of these craft breweries.  Let us get into this craft pale ale.

It has a clear copper color with a white head on this pale ale.  The smell has a slight citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus notes with a dry hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This pale ale stacks plenty of bright, fruit-forward, resinous hop varietals atop a robust malt body.

3 Floyds has a reputation as the Midwestern kings of Alpha (hops), and it seems our flagship beer helped lure them down the lupulin-paved path.  Chico King is a mash-up of our mutual passion for hoppy pale ales and we suspect you’ll find it fit for royalty.

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

3 Floyds has a reputation as the Midwestern kings of alpha (hops), and it seems that one of our beers helped to lure them down the lupulin-paved path. Chico King is a mash-up of our mutual passion for hoppy pale ales and combines a uniquely robust malt body with intense citrusy and fruity new school hop varietals.

3 Floyds marches to the beat of their own (double kick) drum when it comes to collaboration, often partnering with comic book artists, tattoo parlors or heavy metal bands when inspiration strikes. These eclectic beers are coveted throughout the Midwest and some beers, like the legendary Dark Lord Imperial Stout, have spawned something akin to a beer-themed holiday in the brewery’s hometown of Muenster, IN.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.3floyds.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @3floyds and @sierranevada

In the end, I respect both of these craft breweries.  I love both breweries’ beers but at times I feel like pay too much for 3 Floyd’s Brewery.  I do not understand what both craft breweries were looking at when they made this beer.  I get they wanted to use what put 3 Floyd’s Brewery on the map, which is the hop.  I just feel they could have done something a little different.  I was really disappointed with this beer.  It is not really good but I get what they were doing towards in of the bottle.  I just hope they will look at this beer and use it as a learning curve.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Beer Camp New Glarus Brewery There And Back English-Style Bitter

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into the seventh of twelve beers from Sierra Nevada Beer Camp.  This beer is teamed up with New Glarus Brewery from Wisconsin and the beer is called There and Back English-Style Bitter.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on both of these breweries, you know the history of both of these craft breweries.  If you have not, please, read my earlier posts to get to know both Sierra Nevada and New Glarus Brewery.  Let us get into this English Bitter.

It has a clear amber color with a constant white head.  The aroma really has no smell.  The taste has an earthy notes to smooth creamy caramel notes with caramel aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This easy-drinking English-style bitter features nutty, toasted English malts balanced by a solid dose of zesty hops and a fruity, dry finish.

For beer folks, Chico, CA, and New Glarus, WI, are bucket-list pins on the U.S. brewing map, but it’s no simple feat seeing both.  There and Back is named for the planes, trains, and zeal that connect them.  This classic English-style Bitter is a complex mix of toasty malt and fruity, herbal hops.

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

For beer folks, Chico, CA, and New Glarus, WI, are must-see capitals on the U.S. brewing map, but getting between the two is no simple feat. There and Back is named for the planes, trains, and zeal needed to connect them. This classic English-style Bitter is a complex yet easy-drinking mix of toasty malt and a fruity, herbal hop flavor.

New Glarus is fiercely loyal to its home state, growing to one of the largest breweries in the U.S. without selling a single drop outside of the borders of Wisconsin. With those local tastes in mind, New Glarus has perfected traditional German styles and invented masterful versions of complex and intense fruit beers featuring Wisconsin-grown ingredients.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newglarusbrewing.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @newglarusbeer and @sierranevada

Ending, I am not a huge fan of New Glarus but I do respect and like some of their brews.  I was kind of shocked to see this beer pop up in this back.  At the same time, I am really not that shocked.  This brewery is respected around the country at least in the United States.  I am glad I had a chance to try this beer but I am not really liking it.  I just feel this beer did not delivery what the rest of the beer were trying to delivery to the craft beer drinker.  I mean something different and unique. I am not saying it is bad but it could have been better.  If you have a chance to get your hands on this beer, I would pick it up.  This pack might be a once in a lifetime pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Bell’s Mallard’s Odyssey Imperial Dark Ale

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In this special beer blog, we are going to get into the second beer of twelve in this Beer Camp sampler pack.   Sierra Nevada Brewery teams up with Bell’s Brewery out of Michigan.  It is their Maillard’s Odyssey Imperial Dark Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on either one of their craft breweries, you know the history of this Midwest and West Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know both of these breweries.  Let us get into Imperial Dark Ale.

It has a jet black color with a nice tan color head.  The aroma has a chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste has chocolate to coffee notes with a dry coca notes for the aftertaste.  It is scary drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This robust dark ale is layered with complex malt flavors of toffee, caramel, chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit.

Rich, dark, and roasty.  That was our shared vision, and Maillard’s Odyssey is exactly that, taking its name in part from the famed Maillard reaction-the “browning” of sugars and amino acids-that creates the wonderful caramelized toffee-like and roasted flavors so abundant in this beer.

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

Rich, dark, and roasty. That was the concept Bell’s beer guru John Mallett aimed for and, true to John’s vision, Maillard’s Odyssey is exactly that. Its name honors the Maillard reaction—the “browning” of sugars and amino acids—that creates the wonderful caramelized toffee-like and roasted flavors so abundant in this beer.

Bell’s has done a lot to raise the Midwest’s craft beer bona fides. They are masters of many beer styles from their portfolio of top-notch American stouts all the way through to the alpha acid assault of their Hopslam Ale. Bell’s constantly reinvents beer styles and refines recipes with artful mastery and an oddball slant.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery and @sierranevada

Closing, I was pretty impressed with this beer in bottle and draft.  I had it at first on draft at Ashley’s in Westland, Michigan.  I am not a huge fan of Bell’s Brewery.  I love my dark ales and lagers.  There is a ton of notes going on in this brew.  It is pretty complex ale.  I love that because you are paying a nice penny to get this sampler pack and you are getting your money worth.  I would hope all these breweries look at this time to give something different to the craft beer drinker.  I believe that Sierra Nevada and Bell’s Brewery did just that for the craft drinker.  This is a great dark ale and I hope either brewery pick up the recipe to make it everyday beer or seasonal.  I love it.  I highly recommend this beer.  I hope you can find it on draft or this sampler pack.  Good Luck!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13