mke

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Outboard Cream Ale

In this blog, we are going to try yet another brew from the Milwaukee Brewing.  We are going to touch one of many summer seasonals from them.  It is called Outboard Cream Ale.  If you read all my blogs on this brewery, you know a little bit of this brewery.  Let us get into this brewery.

It has a nice bright clear yellow color with no head on the beer. There is a smell but I just do not know what it is right now.  It kind smells like a pilsner. The taste is very smooth and creamy lager like but not as hoppy like a pilsner.  This beer style is not a classic style. It was created by Germans that came to the states trying to create their beers here but came up with new beer styles. It is very refreshing and drinkable.

Here is a descriation from their webiste (www.mkebrewing.com):

Beer

Cream Ales are true American styled brews. Mimicking European light lagers, the Cream Ale is brewed utilizing the top fermenting Ale yeast resulting in a more complex flavor and nose. Cream ales traditionally are brewed with a blend of malted barley and corn grits for a light body and golden straw color. A very slight hop presence helps round out this simple but refreshing beer.

History

The terms “Outboard” and “Evinrude” have become synonomis. The first practical Outboard motor was invented by Ole Evinrude in 1909 as a way to give your arms a break from rowing that boat! It’s said that Ole and his girlfriend Bess were enjoying their day on Okauchee Lake on a hot summer day when she asked for some ice cream. Ole rowed to shore and by the time he had gotten back the ice cream had melted.

Always facinated by motors, Ole was self taught. He spent 5 years hopping from job to job learning about steel, manufacturing and engineering. He came back to Milwaukee and set up shop. Eventually he employed 300 people.

Cheers to Ole, and the way he changed the way we use water today!

Brewer

After a long day of post digging, the Outboard is what I reach for.

The simplicity of this classic American style has only a handful of ingredients. The few ingredients we use leave little room for error, although the recipe is straight forward, mistakes will be very noticeable. We use a high quality pilsner malt and a clean citrus smell during the boil. The ale fermentation for this brew leans on the cool side just to cut back on ester production.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

In closing, I really did not like this beer.  It is a summer seasonal and what I have been saying in most of my blog post.  I am not a fan of Summer Seasonals.  Milwaukee Brewing Company Outboard Cream Ale is a very drinkable beer.  I believe what turns me off about this brew it is the light in body.  I believe to me it does not have enough flavor to it.  Asides that, I am a huge fan of this brewery and this is the first time I do not like one of their beers.  Just because I do not like this beer.  It does not mean you will not like it. Please, go try this beer and reach your own judgement on this Cream Ale.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew

In this blog, we need to travel west to visit one of the original craft breweries here in the states.  The brewery and brew is Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew.  I wrote earlier post on Widmer Brothers Russia Imperial Raspberry Stout and there is a nice belief history on that blog.  If you have not read it, please, go back and read it.  If you have, we will now move on to this Summer Beer.  Let us do this beer.

Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew is their Summer Seasonal from this brewery.  This beer is a very bright golden clear in color with no head.  It has a slight citrus smell to it.  It has a very light in body with a slight lemon carbonation taste. The aftertaste is very light. This is a very sessionable and refreshing beer for the summer.

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

Citra hops lend their name to this interpretation of a golden ale. But that’s not all they bring to the party. Their striking citrus aroma and thirst-quenching flavor are the perfect pairing for soft malt notes. Together they create a beer that’s full in flavor and uniquely refreshing.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.widmerbrothers.com

Twitter:  @widmer_brothers

In closing, I am not a fan of many summer seasonal but this one is not bad.  However, I know myself, I know I will get very bored with this beer pretty quick.  This is just me and it might not be the case for you.  This is a very drinkable and refreshing beer and perfect for the hot summer days.  This brewery has taken classic beer style and put their twist on it.  I just feel this beer is missing something to me.  It is still a good beer and I could see myself enjoying it the rest of this summer.   Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Lake Placid Craft Brewing Barkeater Amber

In this blog, we are going to check out a new brewery for me and a beer from my Beer of the Month.  The brewery is Lake Placid Craft Brewing and the beer is Barkeater Amber.  The brewery was founded in 1996 by Christopher Ericson in Lake Placid, New York.  They started out as a small brewpub and started to grow from there.  Their Flagship beer Ubu Ale has been the shining star in their lineup.  It has been enjoyed by countless locals and tourist that heard stories from others.  The great story of this brewery and brew came from their website when President Clinton requested several cases for a White House party.  Let us get into this great beer.

Lake Placid Barkeater Amber Ale is one of their seasonal.  This beer has a dark amber color without a head. It has a heavy malty smell to the beer. The taste is of carbonation to sweet malty taste. The aftertaste is dry with along carbonation.  This beer is very drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

“Barkeater” is a translation of the Mohawk word for the Adirondack mountains, but we prefer drinking a beer rather than chewing on trees.  Deep amber in color, Barkeater Amber blends a smooth, medium body with the subtle balance of American hops.  Here’s to the Adirondacks!

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

5.3% ABV

This is an American-style amber ale that has been around for many years. It is one of two amber ales that we regularly brew at the pub, this being the drier hoppier of the two. Barkeater Amber is brewed with a variety of crystal malts which gives its red color and slightly sweet malt flavor. It has four hop additions, with the last addition being a relatively large addition of Willamette hops.  This beer has a fairly dry finish and has been a local favorite for about 15 years

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ubuale.com

Twitter:  @ubuman

In closing, there is not too many American Craft Breweries that can get this classic beer style corrected.  This brewery has found a way to get this classic beer style correct while making it their own unlike other craft breweries. I am for one not a huge fan of this beer style.  However, this beer is right up my alley because of the time frame it is available, it is very drinkable and a ton of flavor going on in this beer.  I cannot see myself drinking this all year long but I would rush to the store when it comes out as a seasonal beer.   Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Sierra Nevada Brewery Hoptimum Ale

Starting other new blogs, we are going to take a look at a brewery called Sierra Nevada Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog then you are pretty much up to speed on this brewery, the beer is called Hoptimum Whole Cone Imperial India Pale Ale.  This beer only comes out once a year.  Everything depends on the hop harvest that goes on throughout the country and even the world on these speciality craft beers. Let us get into the beer.

This beer is a deep dark copper with a nice white big head. A big grapefruit smell to the beer. It is very nice smell and I do not like grapefruits.  As far as the taste of the beer, it is sweet carbonation with a hint of grapefruit.  The aftertaste is a very nice dry hoppy kick to it. This big India Pale Ale of ABV of 10.4% and over 100 IBU is very extremely drinkable.

Here is a descripation from the beer bottle:

Hoptimum is the biggest whole – cone IPA we have ever produced — a 100 IBU, whole – cone hurricane of flavor.  Aggressively hopped,  dry – hopped, AND torpedoed, Hoptimum delivers ultra – intense flavors to hop fanatics everywhere.

Here is a descripation form their website (www.sierranevada.com):

A group of hop-heads and publicans challenged our Beer Camp brewers to push the extremes of whole-cone hop brewing. The result is this: a 100 IBU, whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Simply put —Hoptimum: the biggest whole-cone IPA we have ever produced. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped, AND torpedoed with our exclusive new hop varieties for ultra-intense flavors and aromas.

Resinous “new-school” and exclusive hop varieties carry the bold and aromatic nose. The flavor follows the aroma with layers of aggressive hoppiness, featuring notes of grapefruit rind, rose, lilac, cedar, and tropical fruit—all culminating in a dry and lasting finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

In closing,  I really love their beers and this beer is no question at the top of my list.  It took this brewery a long time until they came out with an India Pale Ale in package form.  When they did finally came out with it, then they made this awesome beer.  This is a very drinkable Imperial India Pale Ale and I can see many people getting in trouble drinking this beer.  I love this beer for the hop taste, nice malty backbone, and the smoothest of it.  I highly recommend this beer and I would go and search it since it is a seasonal brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Company Polish Moon Milk Stout

image

Starting a new blog, we are going to get into another beer from the Milwaukee Brewing Company.  If you read my earlier blog on their Pull Chain then I do not have to bored you about the history of this brewery,  the beer that will be feature in this blog is Polish Moon Milk Stout.  Let us start get into the beer.

This beer is black in color with a dirty white head. This milk stout has a ton of carbonation in the bottle. Be careful pouring out the beer into the glass.  The smell of the beer is chocolate to roast malts with some hints of coffee.  This stout is very smooth with some burn chocolate to coffee notes flowing through the drinking experience.  For being a dark beer with ABV 4.5%, it is extremely drinkable beer.

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

Beer

This pitch black stout is teaming with rich roasted malt and coffee flavors. The addition of milk sugar tames these intense flavors with a silky sweetness. A very easy drinking, full bodied beer.

History

Built in 1962, the Allen-Bradley clock tower has become a Milwaukee landmark. Until recently, it was the largest four sided clock in the world, rising 280 feet in the air with each face having a diameter of 40 feet.

Located on Milwaukee’s south side, the clock tower quickly got the nickname “Polish Moon” because of the large Polish population in the neighborhood. With a bar on every corner, it was a fun place for neighbors and friends to get together and have impromptu parties

Brewer

One of my favorite winter warmer beers, it’s also a fun beer to brew. First you get the super rich chocolate coffee aroma from all the dark malts. Then you add a couple hundred pound of sugar to the brew kettle, it’s almost like adding sweetner to a giant cup of coffee. What makes this a milk stout is the addition of milk sugar, or lactose sugar, to the wort. Yeast can’t eat this sugar so it remains behind after fermentation as a natural sweetner. Trying to get the balance between the milk sugar sweetness and the bitterness of the roasted malts is probably the trickiest part of this entire brew. We’ve been working on that balance for a couple of years now and I think we’re on the right track.

Here is a youtube video on their website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mkebrewing.com

Twitter:  @mkebrewco

Finishing up the beer, I really love this beer and it is in my top three beers from this brewery.  It is hard not to pick this one or their Hop Happy India Pale Ale.  It is smooth with a ton of flavor.  I love the chocolate and roasted malt notes throughout the drinking experience.  It is very well made and drinkable to where you could drink it even on the hot summer days or warm spring days.   You cannot say that about all the stouts that are in the market.  This beer has taken down Left Hand Milk Stout.  This is my number Milk Stout.  I would  try them side by side and you will see what I am talking about.  Go get some! Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron IBA

In this blog, we are going to dig into another beer from Milwaukee Brewing Company.  I have done a history in one of my earlier blog.  We are going to be sampling out one of their seasonal.  The name of the beer is Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron India Black Ale.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer is black in color with a white constant head.  The smell of chocolate to toffee is filling the air around your nose.  As far as the taste of this India Black Ale is smooth with chocolate and carbonation taste with a slight citrus aftertaste.  This beer is very drinkable and the ABV being 7.4%.  It is danger Mr. Robinson.

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

History of the Beer

The history of blacksmithing in Milwaukee really centers around Cyril Colnik. After the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, he was convinced to move to Milwaukee by Captain Frederick Pabst. The master blacksmith went on to do iron work iconic Milwaukee landmarks just ask the Pabst Mansion and Villa Terrace.

We tip our hats to Kent Knapp and his love for the craft. This dark hefty beer goes hand in hand mimicking the shop and the medium in which he works.

Beer

Brewed with a dehusked German malt that gives it a black and silky look, without the bitter roastiness you find in other dark beers. A variety of Columbus and Cascade hops were used quite generously to help balance out the large malt bill. This beer is abundant with in complex flavors and hop character and yet quite smooth for a beer that sits at 7.5% abv and 48 IBUs. Cheers!

From the Brewer

The style “India Black Ale” is so new, that there’s no one, all authoritative beer that we need to compare to. The trick is to get the balance between the malt bitterness and the hop bitterness. In this case we used non-astringent roasted malts to add the roasted flavors. The malt is a de-husked German black malt, it provides the color, and the roast flavor without the risk of extra acidity. It creates this intense roasted coffee and chocolate aroma. When we add the hops you’ll get that pine and citrus smell. When we released the test batch last year it went over really well. I drink the IBA when I have the time to really savor it and when it has the chance to come up to room temperature.

Here is a youtube video from their website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Milwaukee Brewing Company Black Iron Ale

In closing,  I really love this beer.  If it was anything close to their Hop Happy India Pale ale, I knew I would love this Black Iron.  I know their Black Iron is an India Black Ale not what all the rest of the craft brewery called their beers called Black India Pale Ale.  I love how this beer is drinkable and the punch of citrus from hops while it is cutting through the roasted and chocolate notes.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog 21st Amendment Back in Black IPA

In this blog, we are going to get into the last beer from 21st Amendment Brewery. A friend gave me three cans and they are India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, and the one I will review in this blog their Black In Back Black IPA. If you read my earlier blog then you know a little something on this brewery, let us get into the beer.

The beer in the glass is black in with a nice white and constant head on it.  The smell is a chocolate with a slight citrus in the beer. The taste is a slight citrus with a chocolate to roast malt along a little burn taste. The aftertaste is a nice citrus hop driest going on in the beer. This Black India Pale Ale like many is very drinkable.

Here is a description from their website (www.21st-amendment.com):

Inspired by Paul Revere’s midnight ride, we rebelled against the British style IPA, embraced the more aggressive American version and then recast it in bold, brave, defiant black. Our Black IPA is a Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of the expected.

Back in Black is our newest year-round beer available now in six pack cans and on draft. Brewed like an American IPA but with the addition of rich, dark malts, this beer has all the flavor and hop character you expect with a smooth, mellow finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter: @21stamendment

In the end, just like their other beers, I really enjoyed drinking this black india pale ale. I love the drinkablity of this black india pale ale but enough punch from hops to keep this hophead wanting to drink more of this beer. It has a full body and a nice balance of complex of chocolate and citrus notes. This is a very well made beer and I highly recommend trying it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

21st Amendment Brew Bitter America Pale Ale New Blog

In this blog, we are going to check out the second of three beers from 21st Amendment Brewery. This beer is their spring seasonal and it is called Bitter American Pale Ale. If you read my earlier blog on their India Pale Ale, you know a little something on this brewery. Up next is the tasting of the beer.

This beer is a clear copper color with next to no head on it.  It has a very earthy to slightly piney smell to it. As far as the taste of the beer is a carbonation light piney to it. It is a different taste kicking to it. It has a little Bass Ale but a ton more hoppier but I would not say it is a west coast pale ale.  I would say more east coast to just normal American pale ale.  The aftertaste is a nice dry earthy hop snap to it.  This aftertaste I can live with in it. Just like their India Pale Ale, it is very drinkable.

Here is a description from their website (www.21st-amendment.com):

If you’d been rocketed into space against your will, you might be a little bitter too. Bitter American is our long-overdue tribute to unsung, unwitting heroes everywhere. This American session ale packs a lot of hop and malt flavor into a refreshingly lower-alcohol brew, making it the perfect beer to have on hand when you have a little history to make.

Bitter American is available year-round, in six pack cans and on draft. This extra pale session ale has lower alcohol but all the flavor and hop aroma you expect from a much bigger beer. Give one, or three, a try.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter: @21stamendment

In closing, I really enjoying this beer.  It is not overpowering on the bitterest from the hops.  It has a very nice balance on this beer.  It is really drinkable for the spring and very hot summer days.  This is the second beer I had from this brewery and I have to say so far they have not let let me down on their beers.  I love the fact that it is not like a West Coast Pale Ales.  It is in the middle of the road and gives us craft beer drinkers a break from the over hop Pale Ales and India Pale Ales.  This beer reminds me a little bit of Ska Brewery Winter Pale Ale (I believe that is it.  I cannot think of the name of the beer.) or Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale, which came out last month to the market.  I know how that sounds I am sorry to the brewery but there is not too many Pale Ales like this one in our market like this that I know.  If there is please drop me an email, I will go try that beer.  They are the normal English Pale Ale or they are a West Coast Pale Ale.  I really enjoyed this beer and I want to go to the nearest state and pick up some more cans.  Thank you again to my friend Dean for bring me these cans.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

21st Amendment Brew Free! Or Die India Pale Ale New Blog

In this blog, we are going to dig into one of the breweries that I have been wanting to try in a very long time.  This brewery that I am talking about is 21st Amendment Brewery.  The brewery was founded by Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan in 2000 in San Francisco, Calfornia.  They ran with the government theme on all of their cans and naming them after historic events in United States hisyory.  Let us get into the beer.  This is pretty exciting.

This beer is light copper in color with no head on the beer. It has almost an orange to citrus smell. The taste is a sweet carbonation citrus going on in the beer. This beer is a full body with a ton of favor going on in this beer.  The aftertaste is that dry hops citrus going on after drinking the beer.   This beer is a very drinkable beer.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.21st-amendment.com):

BREW FREE! OR DIE IPA is brewed with some serious west coast attitude. This aromatic golden IPA starts with a sucker punch of six different hops to the nose, quickly balanced by a solid malt backbone. Our top selling beer at the pub, this IPA starts big and finishes clean leaving you wanting more.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter: @21stAmendment

Closing out, this brewery just like Cigar City Brewery that I have been wanting to try has not been disappointing.  I love this beer and I wish I could get it here in Chicago.  However, I need to give a huge shout out to my friend Dean, he brought me a few cans of their beers.  I have two more blogs coming from this brewery. I love the hop taste and the drinkablity of this IPA.  I am pretty speakless on how good this beer is.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Stone Brewery IPA New Blog

While in Vegas, we are going to try another beer from the Stone Brewery and it is one of their flagship beers called India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their other beer then you know about this brewery, let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale is copper with a constant head on it.   It has a heavy citrus smell to it. The taste of this beer is a sweet carbonation citrus kicking throughout the beer experience.  This beer is a very drinkable beer for being India Pale Ale.  I was stun to fine this beer on tap at a resturant on the Vegas Strip.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.stonebrew.com):

An “India Pale Ale” by definition is highly hopped and high in alcohol – you’ll find our Stone India Pale Ale to be true to style with a huge hop aroma, flavor and bitterness throughout. If you’re a hop-head like us, then you’ll love our Stone India Pale Ale! Medium malt character with a heavy dose of over the top hops! Generous “dry hopping” gives this beer its abundant hop aroma and crisp hop flavor

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stonebrew.com

Twitter: @stonebrewingco

Last craft beer in Vegas,  this beer is very well made and has put mark on India Pale Ales in craft world.  I really enjoy drinking this beer but the one problem I have with this beer.  I believe this beer is very over price in the six pack bottles.  I cannot remember what I paid at this bar but I rarely see it on draft here in Chicago area.  I do buy it here and there but I do not put it in my regular lineup because of the cost.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/