In this beer blog, we are going to sample a special beer from New Holland Brewing. It is their Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know New Holland Brewing. Let us get into Michigan IPA.
It has a nice dark copper color with a nice white constant head on this Michigan IPA. The aroma has a citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with hints of malty to light caramel in taste profile. The aftertaste has a slight dry hoppy finish but it is pretty clean finish. It is extremely drinkable brew.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
The epitome of Hand Crafted, Michigan Awesome Hatter celebrates community, collaboration and local agriculture, Centennial hops from the Leelanua Peninsula provide bright citrusy counterpoint to the delicious and earthy malt notes from Michigan grown and malted 2-row barley.
Here is a description from their website (www.newhollandbrew.com):
The epitome of Hand Crafted, Michigan Awesome Hatter celebrates community, collaboration & local agriculture. Cascade hops from the Leelanau Peninsula provide bright citrusy counterpoint to the delicious and earthy malt notes from Michigan grown and malted 2-row barley. Thanks to our collaborators, Michigan Awesome.
Beer Style
Michigan-grown IPA
Degrees Plato
14
Alcohol by Volume
5.8%
IBUs
55
Grains
2-row, munich, crystal
Hops
Cascade, Nugget
Yeast
American Ale
First Brewed
2013
Pairings
Sharp cheddars, herbed poultry and curry
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.newhollandbrew.com
Twitter: @newhollandbrew
Closing, I love supporting my local craft brewery. I am honest to myself if a beer or brewery is bad. I am not saying this beer or brewery was bad. New Holland Brewery makes some average to slightly above average beers. I do like some of their brews. I have to say this beer is pretty good. I just feel for the price gives me a different aspect of this brew. I just feel it is just does not live up to the price. This beer is nothing special. I do not care where everything comes from because it is not anything special. However I had this on draft, it is better on draft than bottle. I thought it lived up to price on draft. I will give this brewery credit for trying. I would love to hear your thoughts on this brew. 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 Dragonmead Final Absoration Trippel
While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to get into the second and probably the last beer from Dragonmead Brewery. It is their Final Absorption Trippel. If you read my beer blog review on their Crown Jewel IPA, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read it to get to know Dragonmead Brewery. Let us get into this beer.
It is a clear copper color with a semi white head. The aroma has banana and clove notes. The taste has a German Hefeweizen notes of banana and clove. The aftertaste is dry Hefeweizen. It is not drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.dragonmead.com):
Final Absolution Belgian Style Trippel
Dragonmead’s signature product! This is the ultimate Belgian style. The very high gravity of this beer is balanced by the smoothness of its finish. Banana and Clove aromas come from the Belgian yeast strain combining with the generous dose of Belgian Candi Sugar. The Saaz hops help to give this beer a balanced bitterness with no noticeable hop aroma. O.G. 1.085, ABV 8.5%
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.dragonmead.com
Twitter: @dragonmead
Ending, WOW! What the hell is this craft brewery thinking? This is a local brewery to me here in Michigan. This brewery is bad and I will not buying anymore of their beer. I do not think this craft brewery knows their beer styles. You made a filter Hefeweizen. This is not a trippel Belgian style. It is bad and it is not worth the money. I know most American craft breweries take twisted to classic beer styles. It is not just me talking bad about this brewery. A few of my close craft beer drinker friends. They been saying the same thing about it. I do not recommend this beer. Run away! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Cheboygan Brewery High Grade Export Beer
In this beer blog, we are going to get into the third beer from Cheboygan Brewery. It is their High Grade Export Beer Lager. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this German base Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this Imperial Pilsner.
It has a cloudy golden color with a white constant head on this Imperial Pilsner. The smell has a ton of farm to hay notes. The taste has a light carbonation notes with a malty to earthy hop notes. It is not bitter like IPA or pale ale. The aftertaste has a farm to hay dry finish that will keep you coming back for more of it. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com):
Premium double-hopped pilsner that takes its name from one of the beers created by Cheboygan brewmasters more than 100 years ago. Now available in the Tap Room.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com
Twitter: @CheboyganBrew
Closing, this is a really great beer and I wish I could get it in the lower part of Michigan. I love their ongoing theme throughout all of their beers. It has some earthy, farm-house, and hay notes. Some people do not welcome that but it is what makes it special about their beers and this brewery. There is some nice hop notes and a strong malty notes. It is a pretty drinkable beer with evil side to it. You need to watch yourself around her. It has a bite of alcohol waiting to hit you. If you are around their brewpub, stop and try this beer and take a six-pack home with you. This hophead needs to get up there and try their IPA one of these days. I recommend this pilsner. 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 Greenbush Brewery Dunegräs India Pale Ale
In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew, which is Dunegräs India Pale Ale, from Greenbush Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this west side Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this India Pale Ale.
It has a dark copper color to light amber with a constant white head. The aroma has a slight floral to citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation with a sweet notes to citrus like notes towards the middle of the drinking experience. The dry bitter hop aftertaste at end. It is kind of drinkable to a nice sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Here at Greenbush we’ve always known that good ideas often start over beer. We also know that there’s nothing like taking a good idea too far. You’re reading this, so you must be one of us. Enjoy the first step in taking your own idea too far.
Here is a description from their website (www.greenbushbrewing.com):
A justly hopped india pale ale with absolutely no dunegrass.
Combining west coast and noble hops, we created our own IPA with a shining finish. And as an environmental treat, absolutely no dunegrass was killed in order to make our fine beer, so drink up!
Grain: Golden Promise, Gambrinus, Munich, Belgian Aromatic, Crystal 60L
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Cascade, Spalt
Yeast: House yeast
Specs:
67 ibu
alc. 6.7% by vol.
12º Lovibond
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greenbushbrewing.com
Twitter: @Greenbush_Brew
Closing, I have had several of their brews. This one was pretty good and I did enjoyed drinking it. I have to say I was a little disappointed compared to rest of their beers. This beer is still a great beer. I love two out of four of hops that they use in this brew. I do not know why I am pretty disappointed with this beer but it is still good. I guess every craft breweries has that beer in their line up. This beer is the weakest in their line up but this beer could be some craft breweries best beer. This Michigan craft brewery makes some great beers. I recommend this beer and I want to hear your thoughts. 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 Arbor Brewing RyeClops Imperial Rye PA
In this beer blog, we are going to same RyeClops Imperial Rye PA from Arbor Brewing. If you read my earlier beer blog posts from Arbor Brewing, you know the history of this southeast Michigan craft brewery. If you have not read those posts, please, do so to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this Imperial Rye IPA.
It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head on this Rye IPA. The aroma has a slight malty notes. The taste has a sweet malty notes with a spicy and rye notes for an aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from the beer box:
Arbor Brewing Company has been a pioneer in the craft beer industry since opening our Ann Arbor brewpub in 1995. Our passion for handcrafted beer, local courcing, community involvement, and environmental stewardship has been our foundation for nearly two decades. In 2006 we opened our microbrewery in Ypsilanti to brew and package our award-winning beers for distribution. In 2012 we expanded our operation and became the first solar brewery in Michigan and also became the first American craft brewery in India with the opening of an Arbor Brewing Company pub in downtown Bangalore. We hope you’ll pop in next time you find yourself in southeast Michigan (or southern India). Cheers!
Here is a description from their website (www.arborbrewing.com):
Description
Ryeclops is dominated with a mouthful of distinct rye malt character complimented by the spicy fruity hoppiness of American high-alpha simcoe hops.
Use caution when confronted with the Ryeclops, as it’s delightful aroma and complex flavor camouflage a might, boozy-backboned single-hopped monster of a brew!
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.arborbrewing.com
Twitter: @ArborBrew and @ArborBrewYpsi
In the end, I had many Rye IPA or Rye PA’s. There are not too many Imperial Rye IPA’s. Maybe I am missing them in the market or did not realize how many are out there. This brewery might be a head of the curb as far as the Imperial Rye IPA side of things. Anyways, back to this review, I can always search out and see if there are other Imperial Rye IPA’s on the market later. I really enjoyed the hop character and the build up on the malty backbone in the beer. This is an excite beer and Arbor Brewing did a great job like the norm on it. I highly recommend this beer while it is still in season. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Wieser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Dragonmead Brewery Crown Jewel IPA
In this beer blog, we are going to sample Crown Jewel IPA from Dragonmead Brewery. This is the first appearance for this brewery and beer. We will do a belief history of this Michigan craft brewery and then get into this beer. Dragonmead Brewery opened in 1997 in Warren, Michigan. It was founded by Earl Scherbarth, Larry Channel, and Bill Wrobel. They brew several different beer styles. Their packaging and brewpub has a Medieval era theme. Let us get into this beer.
This Michigan craft India Pale Ale has a dark amber to dark copper color. If you glance at it, it looks almost looks like a brown color. The smell has earthy tones and notes with hints of toffee to malt notes. The taste profile of this medium body has earthy notes to toffee and slight caramel with dry hop bitter finish for the aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.dragonmead.com
Twitter: @Dragonmead
In closing, This is not American IPA. It is an English style IPA. There is a huge malty backbone that is overpowering the hops. They picked some nice hops. It is a bad version of IPA and I am not liking the metallic notes. I just find it pretty funny that this beer is not on their website. Is it still being made? Or did this beer found itself in grave? These are some pretty important questions. This is beer is in a four pack and it is overpriced. I believe this craft brewery needs to look at their beer a little bit more. I believe they need to take a hard look at their recipes. They have a shot of making some good beers. I just feel they are at a cross roads. With all new craft breweries and beers in the market, this craft brewery needs to take some notes. I do not recommend this beer but it is worth trying at least once. Don’t 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 Cheboygan Brewery Blood Orange Wheat
In this beer blog, we are going to sample the second brew from Cheboygan Brewery. It is their Blood Orange Wheat. If you read my beer blog posts on their Lemongrass Wheat a few days ago, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read to get to know Cheboygan Brewery. Let us get into this wheat.
It has a cloudy straw to a light golden color with a semi white head. The aroma has a heavy orange notes. The taste profile of this light to medium body has a wheat orange notes with a nice orange aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com):
A unique twist on a great American-style wheat beer, with the addition of fresh local wildflower honey mixed with blood orange zest, and blood orange puree. The result is a medium bodied beer that is very smooth with a residual sweetness, and creaminess from the honey, and an exhilierating nose of citrus from the orange. Ahh, summertime. 5.7% ABV
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com
Twitter: @CheboyganBrew
Closing, compare to the Lemongrass Wheat, this is not as good but it is still a solid beer. It is a great beer. I did not like this beer as much as I enjoyed their Lemongrass Wheat. I am not a huge fan of oranges and there is nothing wrong with it. This is why we have several different beer styles in the market. The orange notes are not overpowering the wheat ale. It is a nice refreshing beer. 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 Cinnabilly Doppelbock
In this beer blog, we are going to sample Cinnabilly Doppelbock from Short’s Brewery. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know Short’s Brewery. Let us get into doppelbock.
It has a clear amber to brown color with a tan color at first but over time, there is no head. The smell has a sweet malty to cinnamon notes. The taste has sweet malty notes with a rush of cinnamon on the back-end. The aftertaste has a heavy cinnamon that rushes away. It is a sipping beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.shortsbrewing.com):
Cinnabilly has an appealing look and aroma. This clear, caramel colored gem emits a soft potpourri of cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and hints of vanilla. Sweet malt flavors allow for an array of sensations, ranging from toasted almonds to cinnamon graham crackers. The pleasant addition of cinnamon creates wonderful accents throughout the beer that are never overwhelming.
7% ABV
30 IBU
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.shortsbrewing.com
Twitter: @shortsbrewing
Closing, at one time this Michigan craft brewery was in my top ten. Since moving back to Michigan, I have been retrying their beers and have been pretty disappointed. I have to say there is some things you do not add in some beer styles. This brewery would have noticed it but they keep making more and more different beer styles to their family of beers. I bet they are in double-digit for seasonals. There is nothing wrong making a ton of beer styles. As long as your quality does not take a hit. I believe their demand is pretty high on most of their beers and they are rushing beer to the market. Quality is more important than quantity. This beer style is a great beer style and I have seem craft breweries do different things with it. I thought this was a great idea. I was wrong thinking that. I put some thought while drinking it. I was wondering why I was thinking that. The cinnamon overpowers great things that are in Doppelbock. I am really disappointed and I wish I never try it. It is hard for me to say that because I love beer and craft beer. I do recommend it to try it at least once but I bet you will be disappointed. I will give them credit for trying something. It seems that is all I am doing now with Short’s. Don’t go get some! Drink it! Not enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Cheboygan Brewery Lemongrass Wheat
In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from a Michigan craft brewery. It is Cheboygan brewery. It is their Lemongrass Wheat. I want to thank my friend Mike for bring this beer and two others beer from this craft brewery. Hentschel brothers open Cheboygan Brewery in 1872. The lumber industry was growing and the brewery growing at the same time. As the lumber industry slowed down and moved out of Michigan. The brewery closed in 1911. After about 100 years later, this brewery reopen their doors with newer beers and one throw back brew which will be reviewed down the road. Let us get into this Lemongrass Wheat.
It has a clear dark golden color without a head on this wheat ale. The smell has hints of hay and slight lemon notes. The taste has earthly with a smooth lemon notes. The aftertaste has a lemon finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com):
Pale malts are mixed with whole kernel and flaked wheat. This combined with a low rate hopping schedule create a light bodied beer with little bitterness. Fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon grass provide an invigorating finish. Mix with sunshine, and enjoy. 5.0% ABV
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.cheboyganbrewingcompany.com
Twitter: @CheboyganBrew
Closing, the history of this craft brewery is pretty interesting. This craft brewery is really the oldest craft brewery in the State of Michigan. I believe Frankenmuth brewery has it because they did not close. Anyways, I was pretty shocked that I enjoyed this beer as much as I did. I am not a wheat beer fan. I love Hefeweizens. This beer has a nice light to medium body with some nice lemon notes. This is a great beer for the spring and summer. 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 Greenbush It’s My Porter And I’ll Rye If I Want To
While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample another beer from Greenbush Brewery. It is their It’s My Porter And I’ll Rye If I Want To. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of Greenbush Brewery. If you have not read them, please, read them to get to know this Michigan Craft Brewery. Let us get into this Rye Porter.
It has a jet black color without a head on this barrel age beer. The aroma has a heavy alcohol to bourdon notes. The taste has spicy with a heavy boozy notes with a heavy alcohol aftertaste. It is a sipping.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.greenbushbrewing.com
Twitter: @greenbush_brew
Closing, I really enjoyed this beer but towards the end of this 12oz pour. I was forcing myself to finish it. The boozy notes in the beer just over takes everything. Please, do not take this the wrong way. I really did like this beer but I cannot get through another 12oz pour. I could share a 12oz bottle. There is some notes rye spice that blends nicely but fate with the bourdon notes. I can see people that will love this beer and others will not like and/or hate it. If you see this beer on draft, try it. I recommend it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweser
Instagram: @djweiser13
DJ Weiser 