new york breweries

New Beer Blog Blue Point Winter Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Blue Point.  It is their winter seasonal, which is their Winter Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this East Coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this New York base craft brewery.  Let us get into this winter ale.

It has a dark amber color with a white head on this winter ale. The smell has a heavy malty note. The taste has a malty to alcohol notes. This beer warms you up in the winter. The aftertaste has a malty to alcohol finish. It is a sipping to almost drinkable beer.

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

Our Winter Ale is a hearty, robust amber ale. We use pale, Vienna, crystal and chocolate malts to create a balanced character of malt and hops with just the right amount of spice to warm you up during the colder months.

ABV: 7.7% IBU: 25 OG: 1.070 Availability: Late Fall-Winter

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bluepointbrewing.com

Twitter:  @bluepointbrewer

Ending, I was happy to see Winter Ale finally made it back in my life. They are back in Michigan.  I am a huge fan of this beer.  I remember when they hit the Chicago market and I enjoyed drinking this beer.  It was one of my go to winter ale.  There is a nice balance but it is more of a sipping beer.  I just feel like this beer is a lot better than what I remember.  I have always love this beer. I just wished it had more love in this state.  This craft brewery is trying to gain some ground back in this state.  I am glad they are back and are trying to gain a base for themselves.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan Part 2

In this beer blog, we are going to talk more about the liquor stores in my area and market.  This is a follow-up from a blog that I wrote about year ago.   I just find some of these stores do things that are good or bad and craft or import beer drinkers should know.  I see some stores that are under charging and there are others that are over charging.  Let us get into each of the stores.

Wine palace

If you live in the Livonia or Westland area, you know about this liquor store.  They have a great liquor and wine selection.  I have been told that they have some gems over there too.  We are here to talk about the beer selection.  They have a great craft beer and import selection.  Just like everywhere else, you do need to watch code dates.  If they know you are one of their regulars, you will get some of the one off or limited releases.  They have a great Import selection and a nice beer cave.  Their prices are one of the best in town.  Their prices go pretty well against the Meijer down the street.  Overall, this is a place to check out.

Marcus Market

This place is located in the Wayne State area.  They have an average to below average beer selection. The huge problem with this store is they are not on top of their stuff.  What I mean, they do not know what most of their beer and product cost in their store.  Their prices are pretty high or way too low.  For example, which I have many, Blake’s 6 pack cans for $19.99, which should be around $9.99 and 10.99 like other stores.  Bell’s Planet Series Uranus single bottle (12oz) for $4.99.  While other stores are charges $2.99.  There is some cider and beer that are under cost.  There is a cider from Blakes that other stores charge $24.99.  They were charging $9.99.  They do not have too many rare beers or ciders, however, they have a great Mead selection just watch the prices.  Their little restaurant in the back of the store is a most try.  Asides  that, stay away from this store.

Forrest

This is another place not far from Wayne State either.  Their prices are pretty good.  They are little high but not by much.  They have a pretty good beer selection for craft beers and ciders.  This is a great store when you want some cheap beer with a good craft beer.  They get a ton of rare and limited craft beers and ciders. You will need to ask guys behind the counter. They have a nice staff and they are willing to help their customers.  I highly recommend this store.  If you are in the Wayne State area, come here and not Marcus Market.

Holiday Market Royal Oak

I have been here a few times.  I have not been here in a while.  I just know if I cannot find a beer in my area.  I can take a trip to the east side of the City of Detroit to get it.  They have an awesome craft beer and cider selection. I know many of friends said if you are a regular. You will get some of the one off and limited releases.  If you live on the east side, I highly recommend this place.

Closing, I know there are so many other stores and I know that I keep forgetting some of them.  Please, let me know about them and I will check them out.  I will do a write-up on them.  I hope you learn something from reading this post.  Let me know about your thoughts.  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 Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Brooklyn Brewery and the beer is their East India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, 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 English India Pale Ale has a clear copper color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is a heavy grapefruit to it. The taste of this full body beer is a carbonation grapefruit with a wet grapefruit hop to it. It is drinkable beer for what it is but to me, it is one and maybe two beers. I have to move on to the next beers.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

East India Pale Ale is our version of the sturdy ale made by the british brewer George Hodgson in the 1820’s to survive the voyage from London around the Cape of Good Hope to Calcutta.  East India Pale Ale is brewed from English malt and hops and will taste best before the freshness date indicated.

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

Brooklyn East India Pale Ale is inspired by the original East India Pale Ales brewed in England in the early 1800’s for the troops in India. Everyday English ales were spoiling during shipment from London, around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, to Calcutta. Using extra malt and hops, British brewer George Hodgson developed an ale with the bitterness and strength to endure the long sea voyage, giving rise to a great beer style. Our East India Pale Ale is a deep golden beer brewed from British malt and a blend of hops featuring the choice East Kent Golding variety. It is traditionally dry-hopped for a bright aroma of hops, lemongrass, pine and citrus fruit, and has a robust bitterness, a warming malt palate and a clean hoppy finish. We think Hodgson would be rather pleased.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brooklynbrewery.com

Twitter:  @brooklynbrewery

Ending, this is not my favorite India Pale Ale.  I have to say with all the over the top hopped up India Pale Ales.  This beer gives the hop head another aspect of this great beer style.  Brooklyn Brewery hit a home run with the traditional beer style going back to England.  They honor that great man on their beer bottles in their description.  I will flip this beer in and out of my line up.  This is a pretty good English IPA style.  This is a great beer to start with if you are trying to like India Pale Ale.  I recommend you trying it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Sixpoint Brewing 3Beans

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sixpoint Brewing.  This is a new beer from this Brooklyn base brewery and the beer is called 3Beans.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their beers, you know about the history this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

The color of this unique beer from Sixpoint Brewing is a brown to dark brown color with a slight brown white color head on it. The smell is a heavy coffee bean to the beer. The taste is a full body of complex taste. It has coffee to toffee and a little chocolate. It is a understatement to say there is a ton going on in this beer. It is not drinkable beer but good beer with a cigar on a Sunday afternoon. Even though, I do not smoke.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Take thou also unte thee wheat, and barley, and beans…and part them in one vessel.  The beans of bygone brewers, united with cacao and coffee, to creat a trinity of roasted, rich, and savory flavors.

Here is a desecration of the beans off the packaging of the beer:

Romano Beans

Favored by brewers in centuries past, these hardy legumes are blended with barley malt during the mashing to feed the fermentation, while their proteins add texture and complexity.

Cacao Beans

Liberated from their lager pods, the fermented husks of the roasted cacao beans add notes of rich chocolate to brew. Provided by Mast Brothers Chocolate

Coffee Beans

A cold-brewed concoction of hand-picked, meticulously roasted coffee beans infuses the brew before aging on oak.  Provided by Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Beans And Beers:

A brief history, As the culture of beer spread around the globe, diverse new brewing styles emerged.  When the brewers of old Baltic Europe riffed on a popular foreign style, they formulated new recipes by harnessing familiar techniques and locally available ingredients.  3Beans is a Sixpoint’s tribute to these bygone brewers: a rich, oak-aged brew with our own additions of chocolate and coffee.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sixpoint.com

Twitter:  @sixpoint

In closing, this beer has a ton going on in it.  It has a full body while giving the craft beer drinker a complex taste that will keep them coming back for more.  Every sip, the drinking experience gives the beer drinker something different every time.  At first, you will smell and taste the coffee but when you break it down more you will notice a few other things in the beer.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be picking it as long as it is available.  I need to get back to Brooklyn to visit their brewery.  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 Sixpoint Brewing Diesel

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into one of my favorite breweries out of New York City.  The brewery is Sixpoint Brewing and the beer is their winter seasonal called Diesel Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know how I feel towards this brewery and the history of it.   If you have not, please, read the beer blog called Sixpoint Brewing Apollo.  Let us get into this great stout.

This winter seasonal has a jet black color with a light tan color head to the stout. The smell is a chocolate with a citrus to the beer. The taste is a complex full body beer. It has a chocolate to coffee with piney with a dry chocolate aftertaste. It is drinkable beer to me but I can see people thinking it is not a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Each dawn is clear cold air bites the throat.  Thick frost on the pine bough leaps from the tree snapped by the diesel.  On the darkest days of the year, light becomes a luxury.  Just when you think you cannot penetrate the darkness…SNAP!  Light pieces through the roasted pine forest.

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

Diesel

Winter

This undefinable black brew is part black IPA, part American Stout, but 100% Diesel powered. Robust chocolate and roasted flavors, with thick pine hop flavor and aroma.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sixpoint.com

Twitter:  @sixpoint

Closing out the winter season, I am sadden by the fact that winter is ending because I love the fall and winter sesaonal beers.  Spring and summer seasonals beer are not one of my favorites.  I really loves this beer because it gives you something little different.  However Sixpoint Brewing gives the craft beer drinker something different, this is way I love Sixpoint.  The craft beer drinker will get the stout and then the snap of the piney at the back part of the tasting experience.  The piney hops echo in the aftertaste.  This is a beer that will give you more for the beer drinker.  If you are looking for the normal stout, this beer is not for you.  If you are a stout or hophead that is looking for something different in your beer, this beer is perfect for you.  I know this beer is not going to be for everyone.  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 Southern Tier 2xmas

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out Southern Tier 2xmas.  Southern Tier was founded in 2002 in Lakewood, New York by Phineas DeMink and Allen Yahn.  They ship beer around the world and of course most of it is in the United States.  They brew several different beer styles and putting their stamp on these classic beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a cinnamon to nutmeg to the beer.  The taste is sweet carbonation cinnamon to nutmeg. The aftertaste is a dry slight bitter with cinnamon and nutmeg to it. It is perfect for winter and not really drinkable.

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

Swedish flags are a fairly common sight in our part of the country.  Holiday parties often have warm concoctions of spices and booze at the ready to knock the ice off of toes while raising spirits.  We were inspired by a Gloggy party, deciding on the spot to brew a beer that pays tribute to this Nordic tradition.  2xMas Ale combines traditional brewing ingredients with figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, clove and ginger root.  Its a holiday addition to the 2X line and another reason to toast to the season, but unlike Glogg, we recommend serving this one chilled.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

Ending, I will be honest on this beer.  I do not know how I feel about this beer.  There is a ton going on in the beer.  It is complex and ton of flavor.  To me, it just seems like this beer wants to be sweet but then wants to be hoppy for the winter season.  It is not one of my favorite but it is not a bad beer.  There are fans out there for this beer.  I am starting to think I do not like Christmas beers and it is not because of this beer.  I love winter warmers and winter seasonals.  I wanted to try this beer and it is out of my system. I will have at least a few every Christmas or winter season.  This is a beer you can have pass Christmas and yes, it is still in code after Christmas.  There are beer drinkers that see Christmas on beer packaging and think the beer went bad.  I recommend this beer and 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 Sixpoint Autumnation

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sixpoint Brewery.  This beer is their fall seasonal called Autumnation.  If you read my earlier blog on their Apollo, you are know the history on this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that post.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall seasonal has a clear copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a slight piney to it. There is no smell to this beer. The taste is a sweet carbonation to earthly with a dry bitter aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seem in one autumnal face.  One of the most special times of the year for craft brewers is the hop harvest.  The Autumnation celebrates this season by harnessing pumpkin and fresh “wet hops” chosen by our fans.

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

Autumnation

Autumn
Our Autumnal brew is made with subtle pumpkin and spice, but its prominent feature is the fresh harvested “wet-hops” that are added. New hop strain and selection every year. Autumnation 2012 features Citra Hops.
ABV 6.7%
IBU 74
SRM 15

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sixpoint.com

Twitter:  @sixpoint

In closing, I really enjoyed the change of pace that this beer gave me to the rest of the fall beers on the market.  Do not give me wrong, I love my fair share of pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers.  I love the hoppy taste and yet the beer pulled out some malty taste.  I have not been disappointed with any of the beers that Sixpoint has put out on the market.  I really need to make it to Brooklyn to check out the brewery.  If you have yet check out their beers but read all my post, go get some and stop reading for a bit.  You will not be disappointed with this brewery that is taking the traditional beer styles and put a twist on them in a good way.  This beer is no different.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Brooklyn Lager Vs Samuel Adams Boston Lager

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Battle of Evermore, we are going to do something different.  I am taking two well-known craft lagers and putting them up against each other.  They are Samuel Adams Boston Lager, which is the flagship of the Boston Beer Company, and Brooklyn Lager, which is the flagship of the Brooklyn Brewery.  The reason why this challenge has come to head is the fact when both breweries started out they contracted their beers out to one brewery to keep up with demand.  Plus, it is Boston against New York City.  Both cities hate each other from football, hockey, baseball, and I believe basketball.  Both breweries were there from the beginning of the craft beer world.  I do not need to go over the history of these two breweries because I have done blogs on both breweries.  Let the fight begin!

Brooklyn Lager

Brooklyn Lager has a slightly hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  It has a sweet malty to a little caramel smell to the beer. It has a slight hoppy to malty taste with a nice crisp finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Amber gold, with a malty body and a floral hop character. Brooklyn Lager is a revival of Brooklyn’s pre-Prohibition all malt lagers. This is the brewery’s first and best-selling brand. Brooklyn Lager is brewed only with malted barley, hops, water and yeast.

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Samuel Adams Boston Lager has a clear copper color without a head on the beer.  There is really no smell to this beer.  This lager is sweet malty carbonation to it with crisp malty aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Our original beer, brewed with Bavarian Noble hops. The balance of malty sweetness and hop spiciness in this brew sets the standard for all Samuel Adams beers.

What is the same between these beers?

Both beers are craft beers and are the flagship beers to each respected brewery. They are both pretty malty tasting lagers.

What is the differences between these beers?

Brooklyn lager is a little bit more hopper than Boston Lager and has a clean crisp aftertaste.  Boston Lager is a little bit more maltier and has a malty crisp aftertaste that last longer than the Brooklyn Lager.

The end, respect to both breweries, they both make some good beers.  Some of their beers are average to below average while some are above average.  You will get that from many breweries.  There are a very few that make all their beers really good.  Brooklyn Lager has a little bit more of a hoppy feel but yet enough of malty taste to give the best of both worlds.  Boston Lager is a little bit more maliter.  I have to say Brooklyn Lager is better.  Brooklyn is going with the old school taste that was going on in American before Prohibition.  Boston Lager is more American Craft Lager with a classic twisted.  I just feel Boston Lager is dying a fast death and needs to put down.  To me, Brooklyn Lager wins this battle and I wish more people knew about this great beer.  This is my thought pattern and I would like to hear your thought. Go get some Brooklyn Lager!  Raise your glass to a beer that should be classic American lager before and after Prohibition era.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Ommegang Brewery Scythe & Sickle Harvest Ale

In this Fall Beer blog, we are going to get into Ommegang Brewery from Coopertown, NY.  This is their first seasonal beer and it is called Scythe and Sickle Harvest Ale.  Ommegang Brewery is under the Duvel Moortgat Brewery that brews beer in an old farmhouse and hop field in upstate New York.  It was founded in 1997 and they brew several different Belgian style beer with an American twist.  Let us get into this great beer.

Ommegang finally came out with a seasonal and they did a pretty good job with it. Scythe & Suckle is a nice dark golden color with a constant white head.  There is a ton of carbonation and there is yeast in this bottle so be careful pouring it out in the glass. This beer has the malty smell but the Ommegang smell from their yeast. The taste of the beer is sweet, malty, and unique. There is a nice spicy malty aftertaste. This beer is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Scythe and Sickle is a seasonal brew that celebrates the richness of the grain harvest.  Brewed with Barley, Wheat, Oats and – in a nod to traditional upstate New York Grains – Rye, this fine ale is malty, lightly hopped, and creamy n the palate.  The flavors of the grains and the earth shine through so you can enjoy the refreshment of the season and joy of fine brewing.

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

Scythe and Sickle is Ommegang’s foray into honoring the harvest season. Using barley, oats, wheat, and rye, we’ve brought the mood of fall to life with vibrant and flavorful passion.

Farming is about precision, timing and care. At Ommegang we place the same emphasis a farmer has for his crops into the creation of our beers. Scythe and Sickle is a testament to the craft and care of farming, from which our farmstead-brewed beers benefit greatly.

Brewed with balance in mind, Scythe & Sickle reveals a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with light toastiness and gentle sweetness. Bright amber in color from the mixed malts, the beer is balanced with delicate hopping to counter rather than overpower the malt profile.

5.8% ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter:  @breweryommegang

Closing out the beer tab, I am a huge fan of this brewery.  I knew they were looking to do a seasonal and I was pretty nervous to try it.  Most American craft breweries feel they have to make a seaonal beers.  I did not know how all the grains being used in this beer would go over with my drinking experience.  I will be really honest.  I did not like this beer at first, however, I have grown to love this beer.  It has a ton of flavor, balance, and pretty drinkable.  I highly recommend this beer and the rest of their beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Sixpoint Brownstone

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In this blog, Sixpoint Brownstone will be featured in this latest edition.  If you read my earlier blog on Sixpoint beers, you are pretty up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read the first part of that blog.  Let us get into the beer.

Sixpoint Brownstone has a brown color with a heavy carbonation to the beer.  It has a sweet malty smell to the beer.  The brown ale has a sweet malty taste with a nice malty aftertaste.  It is extremely drinkable for being a dark beer. Most general beer drinkers see a dark beer and believe it is not drinkable. In some cases, some dark beers can be drinkable more then their golden to white looking beers.

Here is description from the beer can:

…..and coming out of the brownstone house to the gray sidewalk, the watered street, one side of the buildings rises with the sun like a glistening field of wheat.  Brownstone is our bedrock; the first fortress of Sixpoint.  Mahogany malt and balanced bitterness is our home.

Here is a descripition from their website (www.sixpoint.com):

…and coming out of the brownstone house to the gray sidewalk, the watered street, one side of the buildings rises with the sun like a glistening field of wheat.
Brownstone is our bedrock; the first fortress of Sixpoint. This mahogany-hued brew has elements of roasted barley and a hop-forward profile.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sixpoint.com

Twitter:  @sixpoint

Closing out the blog, I really enjoy drinking beers from Sixpoint Brewery.  I am glad that they are in Chicago market.  I love how this brewery takes a classic beer style and put their twist on it.  It gives the craft beer drinker a new drinking experience.  To me, this is one of the best brown ales on the market.  My two favorite brown ales are this one from Sixpoint and Brooklyn.  The thing is that they are two different twist on the same beer style.  I would think it would be nice if Sixpoint, Bronx Brewery, and Brooklyn Brewery should do a beer together.  It should be called New York Gangster Take Me Down Ale.  I do not know.  I am thinking out loud in words on this blog.  Sixpoint did a great job on their new can beer, which is Brownstone.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser