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New Beer Blog Short’s Howling Chinaski

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer, which is Howling Chinaski, from Short’s Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Northwest Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan Craft brewery.  Let us get into this Lager.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head on this craft lager. The aroma is fated but it is like corn notes.  The taste is like a drinks a carbonated sweet corn syrup with a clear crisp finish.  The corn notes is not making this drinkable to me.  I can see some beer drinkers thinking this beer is drinkable.

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

Howlin’ Chinaski is a light bodied, golden straw colored Dortmunder beer. It has bready Bohemian lager yeast esters and grassy hop aromas. The overall malt sweetness is quite low, with the dominate flavors being the hearty milled grains. Howlin’ Chinaski has slight bitter complements from the German Spalt hops.

Howlin’ Chinaski was brewed as a traditional German Dortmunder Lager. Dortmunder is a Pale Lager that originated in the industrial city of Dortmund, Germany. Originally brewed by Dortmunder Union brewery in 1873, this soft pilsner style beer became very popular with industrial workers, and was responsible for Dortmunder Union becoming Germany’s largest brewery and Dortmund having the highest concentration of breweries in Germany.

6.5% ABV

27 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ShortsBrewing

Ending, I have to say since moving back to Michigan from Chicago.  I was excited to get Short’s beers on a day-to-day basis.  I have went through and retry all  their beers.  To me, their beers do not taste like how I remember them.  I do not know if it is because my taste buds have changed or their quality has went down.  I know they have one thing right.  They keep releasing new beer brands every week.  That could be a good thing or a bad thing.  I believe it is a bad because.  I just believe they are pushing and rushing their beers to the market.  Just because it is from Michigan, it does not mean it is a good beer.  Now onto this beer, it reminds me of MGD.  It has too much corn front notes.  It is pretty drinkable.  I just wished the corn notes were not overpowering.  I do not recommend but let me know what you think of this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Oddside Derelicte Pineapple IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer, which is Pineapple IPA, from Oddside Brewery.  Oddside Brewery was founded in Grand Haven, Michigan in 2010.  There goal is brew unique beers that will push the limits of the craft beer drinkers.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma has a nice mild pineapple notes. The taste has a light carbonated pineapple notes with a dry hoppy dry bitter finish.  The finish hangs around a bit.  It is kind of drinkable to a sipping brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  No Twitter

Closing, as many of us in Michigan, we are just getting around trying Oddside beers.  I have to say this is one of my favorite beers from them.  I am really love the pineapple notes how it shapes around the hops.  It is a nice sipping to semi drinkable beer.  The bitterest is not over the top but it is still there.  The pineapple and the well designed malty backbone cuts right through hops.  I really love this 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

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Rochester Mills Beer Co. Lazy Daze Amber Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Lazy Daze Amber Lager from Rochester Mills Beer Co.  If you have been reading my beer blog posts, you know I have wrote about their beers in the past and you know the history of this east side Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Michigan Craft Lager.

This Lager a clear amber color with a nice small white bubble head.  There is a smell, however, I can not pick up what it is in the aroma.  The taste has a light sweet carbonated notes with touch of caramel.  The aftertaste has a sweet caramel notes that hangs around your mouth for a bit.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descration from their website (www.beercos.com):

Lazy Daze Amber Lager – 5.1% abv

Boasting a rich amber color and medium-bodied flavor from a combination of Munich malt for a subtle sweetness and German hops, you’ll find Lazy Daze Amber is another easy drinking, well-balanced local brew from Rochester Mills.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.beercos.com

Twitter:  @Rochmillsbeerco

In the end, I am still looking for the best craft lager.  I just feel the Michigan Craft Breweries are making the best Craft Lagers and Pilsners in the United States.  I am not saying this is the best craft lager that I ever had in my lifetime.  I have to say it is pretty damn close.  It is in my top five beers.  It is well balance and full of a ton of flavor.   I love the caramel notes.  This is a great drinkable lager. It is a beer that is perfect all year long.  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 Surly Brewing Over Rated! West Coast Style IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a brew from Surly Brewing.  If you are a long time reader of this blog, you know I posted a review on a live blog at Savor a few years ago in Washington D.C.  This beer is their Over Rated! West Coast Style IPA.  Surly Brewing was founded by Omar Ansari in 2005 at Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into this West Coast Style IPA.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white head that disappears over time. The smell is citrus with hints of orange. The taste is refreshing citrus notes with a dry hoppy aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

It’s been said; “It’s easier to brew an extremely hoppy beer than an extremely balanced beer.”  And you known us, we are always looking for the easy way out, so we jumped on the West Coast IPA Bandwagon and brewed this dry and hoppy ale.  “Surly’s a little gimmick beers,”  and maybe we ware OVERRATED, but at the end of the day, it’s just a beer.  If you like it, great, so do we.  If you only liked us when we wer small, then leave this one on the shelf.  Let one of the fanboys grab it.

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

Overrated

It’s been said: “It’s easier to brew an extremely hoppy  beer than an extremely balanced beer.” And you know us, we are always  looking for the easy way out, so we jumped on the West Coast IPA  Bandwagon and brewed this dry and hoppy ale. “Surly’s a little bit of a  one-trick pony, they just brew gimmick beers,” and maybe we are  OVERRATED, but at the end of the day, it’s just a beer. If you like it,  great, so do we. If you only liked us when we were small, then leave  this one on the shelf. Let one of the fanboys grab it.

STYLE: West Coast IPA
MALT: 2-Row, Belgian Crystal
HOPS: Columbus, Centennial, Cascade, El Dorado
YEAST: English Ale
OG: 15.5º Plato
ABV: 7.3%
COLOR: 4.5 º
SRM IBU: 69
AVAILABILITY: Cans, occasionally throughout the year

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.surlybrewing.com

Twitter:  @surlybrewing

In the end, I was pretty excited to see they landed in  the Chicagoland area.  When I was in town, I picked up a four back of this brew and their flagship beer.  I did not enjoy this IPA as much as I did their flagship, which is Furious IPA. I enjoyed this beer very much but the hops.  The hops make this brew pretty drinkable and light in body.  Unlike other west coast style IPA.  I believe that is what Surly Brewery was going for in making this beer.  This is a seasonal brew.  It is a good beer but I love their Furious IPA more.  I recommend you trying this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Short’s Brew Controversial Ale (Hangin Frank)

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out Controbersial Ale Aka Hangin’ Frank from Short’s Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on Short’s Brewery, you know the history of this Northwest Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Controversial Ale comes with a controvasial story behind it.  Frank was one of the brewmasters at Short’s Brewery and he was one that came up with the recipe for this American Style IPA. He hung himself and the brewery released the beer with the recipe he came up with.  They named it Hangin’ Frank.  It recieved a ton of press but not in a good way.  It was pulled from the shelves and renamed as this brew as you can see in the above photo.  Below is the original label of the beer. Let us get into this brew.

It has a light hazel dark copper to light amber color with a nice white head that disappears over time.  The smell has some citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus notes with a dry hop to slight citrus aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – “turned in an opposite direction,” from contra – “against” – and vertere – to turn, or versus (see verse), hence, “to turn against.”. Perennial areas of controversy include history, religion, philosophy, politics and beer labels.

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

ControversiALE, FKA Hangin’ Frank, is a tribute to Simcoe hops. Simcoe hops are extremely sought after and limited, so Short’s is excited to share this brew with Michigan craft beer lovers every spring. The earthy, citrus and pine-laced aroma is instantly delectable. A large amount of toasted grains and high alpha hops form a perfect union that creates the sensation of toasted sourdough covered with grapefruit hop marmalade. While this beer is hopped like IPA, it drinks like Pale Ale. The light, refreshing qualities of this beer make it perfect for springtime.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Websie:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ShortsBrewing

In closing, I love how this craft brewery honored one of their past late employees.  The story of ths beer is amazing and sad.  I hope Frank rest in peace.   I love how everyone is all about local and Michigan craft beer.  I heard it all about it when I lived in Chicago.  It is nice and a great idea to support your local business.  However, a line needs to be drawn, the product needs to be good.  I am not saying beer is bad because it is not.  It is a great brew.  I just feel it is not as good as everyone in the State of Michigan makes this beer out to be.  I just feel because it is made here that means good?  It is blind good to some.   I like this beer but it is not the best IPA that have ever had.  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 Abita Restoration Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out Abita Brewing and it is their Restoration Pale Ale.  If you read my beer blog from yesterday on their Christmas Ale, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that beer blog posts, please, read it to get to know this southern Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this Pale Ale.

It has a clear copper color with a nice white constant head.  The smell is there but hard for me to pick up.  I believe piney notes. The taste has a slight citrus notes with a nice dry hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Restoration Pale Ale®

Restoration Pale Ale® is brewed with pale, caramel and carapils malts. It is liberally hopped and dry hopped with Cascade hops. This golden ale has a rich body, mild bitterness, and a snappy citrus hop flavor and aroma. With your help Restoration raised over $550,000 for hurricane relief.

This beer can be paired with many different dishes according to your taste. The citrus flavor and aroma make it an excellent choice with most fish, especially ones that are prepared to match the flavor of the beer. American, Muenster, Havarti and Monterey Jack cheeses pair well with Restoration.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.abita.com

Twitter:  @TheAbitaBeer

Closing, I could not finger out what this beer smells like. This beer is pretty drinkable and I would hope so because of the type of beer style.  I love the back story of this brew.  It has raised a ton of money for hurricane relief for the city that the brewery is located.  I just feel this brew was rushed to meet deadlines.  There is nothing wrong with that because it was going for a good cause.  This is not one of the worse pale ales that I have ever had but it is still not a good one.  Most craft beer is brewed for the city or reign that it comes from.  I bet looking at half million dollars this brew raised.  It does really well in the south.  I bet you are thinking that I can not believe he does not like this brew.  I do not like it and that is my thought pattern.  This does not mean you will not like it.  Everyone has different taste for different things.  There is a reason why there is a ton of beer on the market.  Please, try it and share your thoughts with me.  I would love to hear them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Abita Christmas Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample several beers from Abita Brewery.  The first one is their Christmas Ale.  Abita Brewery was founded in 1986.  It is located at  Abita Springs, Louisiana.  They brew several different beer styles from Lagers and Ales.  They are best known for their Purple Haze, which will be reviewed on this blog in a later date.  Let us get into this Christmas Ale.

It has a clear dark amber color with big bubble and white head.  The aroma has ginger to cinnamon notes.  The taste has ginger, cinnamon, and slight caramel notes.  The aftertaste has ginger finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Christmas Ale

Abita Christmas Ale (November – December) rounds out our calendar. Each year at the Abita Brewery we craft a special dark ale for the holiday season. The recipe changes each year so that Abita Christmas Ale is always the perfect gift. Its spicy character is excellent with traditional holiday foods such as gingerbread or spiced nuts. Try some blue cheese or a creamy Camembert with a Christmas Ale.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.abita.com

Twitter:  @TheAbitaBeer

Closing, I do not get into too many Christmas beers.  This brew has a nice aroma of ginger and cinnamon notes.  I love the tasting experience of all the spices.  This is a pretty good beer for a winter season.  Here is my only problem I have with most or all Christmas Beers.  They are way to spiced up.  There is nothing wrong with that because most people are looking for that in their beer in winter season.  This brew is not over the top like most Christmas beers.  It is just right for me.  I enjoyed this Christmas Ale.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Paw Paw Black River Oatmeal Stout

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While at Ashley’s Westland, I had a chance to sample another beer from Paw Paw Brewery.  It was Black River Oatmeal Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this westside Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not read those blog posts, please, read those posts to get to know Paw Paw Brewery.  Let us get into this Oatmeal Stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy small bubbles and a tan color head on this Oatmeal Stout.  The aroma has roasted malty to some chocolate and coffee notes.  The drinking experience entitles a smooth to creamy chocolate notes.  The aftertaste has a dry coffee notes.  It has a medium to heavy body.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Black River

Black River Oatmeal Stout is a very smooth slightly chocolaty stout. Pleasing mild roast, rich bitterweet chocolate and chocolate ice cream flavor. Terrific mouth feel, clean & drying in the finish. For the stout drinker this is a must try.

Here is their website and  twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pawpawbrewing.com

Twitter:  @2pawsbeer

Closing, Paw Paw Brewery does not make a bad beer.  Every beer that I have had from this brewery are awesome.  This oatmeal stout is awesome.  I love the chocolate notes and heaviest from the body.  It might be a sipping beer but you can relax when drinking this beer.  The mouthfeel is a cream chocolate notes.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be hunting this beer down in bottles in my area.  I hope to see it on draft in the future 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 Ghost River Golden Ale

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While in Memphis for a Layover, we are going to try a beer from Ghost River.  It is their Golden Ale.  This is the first time on this blog that this brew and craft brewery.  I cannot find any history on this craft brewery from Memphis.  They have two all year-long brews and four seasonals.  Let us get into this Golden Ale.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with small bubbles going up from the bottom of the glass.  The head is a white and constant head.  I am not picking up any aroma.  The taste is a nice refreshing to lightly carbonated.  It has nice lemon to citrus notes.  The aftertaste has a light carbonated to citrus finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

Golden Ale
Munich and caramel malts and German variety hops,
mellow and refreshing

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ghostriverbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ghostriverbrew

Leaving Memphis, I was pretty excited to get to Memphis.  I wanted to see what craft beers they had on draft at the airport.  I have to be honest I was not impressed.  There is very few bars in the airport or where I was at in the airport.  I saw this one and ordered it.  I was pretty excited because I usually like Golden Ales.  I will say it is pretty drinkable and refreshing beer.  It has a nice head and color to the beer.  However, I was not too impressed with it, I just feel the money you invest in this beer.  You are not getting your money worth.  I just found this beer not that good.  I can see people liking this beer and you might be one of them.  I am glad I tried it but I will not buy it again.  If I was you, I would pass on this one.  Let me know what you think and please, try their other beers.  Maybe it is just this brew.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Arbor Brewing Michael Faricy’s Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to drink another beer from Arbor Brewing.  I am talking about their Michael Faricy’s Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Arbor Brewing Company.  If you have not read them, please, read those posts to get to know this great craft brewery from Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a jet black color with a nice constant tan color head.  The aroma is both chocolate and coffee notes.  The taste has a burned to smokey malty to slight chocolate notes with a smooth dry cocoa notes.  The aftertaste is smokey notes that fades away.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Description

This crowd-pleaser has a dark coffee-like appearance with a creamy head and smoky, roasted grain aromas. It is rich and creamy on the palate with chalky, burnt flavors balanced by lush dark chocolates and never turns too dry through the smoky finish. Full-flavored yet highly drinkable—rich and creamy without being thick or heavy.