pale ale

New Beer Blog Goose Island The Illinois Imperial India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog,  we are going to sample out The Illinois Imperial India Pale Ale that is the second of two high-end beers released this year from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on  their beers, you know the history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear dark copper color with a white constant head.  The aroma has a heavy floral to a tropical fruit notes.  The taste has a heavy tropical fruit to orange notes with a nice dry hop bite to a creamy. It has a heavy citrus notes throughout the drinking experience. It is a nice sipping Imperial IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

“The Illinois” is in homage to the mile high skyscraper Frank Lloyd Wright designed for the City of Chicago that was never built.  Had it been built, it would still be the tallest building in the world today.  Inspired by this big idea, Goose Island’s brewers crafted a beer with towering hop character.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

The first Imperial beer of the year is The Illinois, a 9.0% ABV 95 IBU Imperial IPA that pushes the limits of hop flavor and aroma. Deep gold, complex citrus aroma, balanced clean bitterness, medium to full body.

Recipe Information:

Style: Imperial IPA

Alcohol by Volume: 9.0%

International Bitterness Units: 95

Color: Deep Gold

Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Citra, Meridian

Malts: 2-Row, Special Pale, C-20, C-60, Cara Red

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @gooseisland

In the end, this was one of my favorite Imperial India Pale Ale back in the day. This one is different than the one back in the day.  I love my IPA’s.  I love the hops that they used in this one anf The Ogden. The aroma and taste profile is tropical fruit city.  It is not in your face bitterest like most Double or Imperial IPA’s on the market.  This is a lay back devil that will sneak up on you.  It does come off extremely drinkable for the beer style.  I would be very careful because it will hit you.  This is a great beer at a great price.  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 OddSide Ales Bean Flicker Blonde

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Bean Flicker Blonde from Odd Side Ales.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to get to know this upcoming Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this unique Blonde Ale.

It has a clear golden color with a big white constant head.  The aroma had a slight coffee bean notes.  The taste has a smooth and creamy coffee notes.  The aftertaste has a crisp coffee finish.  It is s nice session coffee blonde for any season of the year. The coffee is not overpowering and do not let coffee notes in this beer fool you.

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

Looks can be deceiving! This satisfying simulation of self exploration is sure to surprise your pallet. It’s an extremely smooth sessionable coffee blonde. So light a candle and enjoy the adventure this beer has to offer. 4.5%ABV

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oddsideales.com

Twitter:  No Address

Closing, this blonde ale looks like one thing but it really something else.  Yep, I just said it.  I love the smell of coffee and taste profile is nice.  The coffee is not in your face like most porters or stouts.  It is a nice coffee notes that is strong enough but weak. It is not overpowering ale.  The coffee is like a creamy and I believe that is why this beer works.   I am pretty stun this beer came out good.  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 Lagunitas Nighttime (Cask Ale)

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While at the Michigan Cask Ale Fest, we are going to sample Nighttime Ale from Lagunitas.  This is the first this beer made it to Michigan.  It is in a Cask Barrel.  This is the true form and best way to drink beers.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this west coast and midwest craft brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Lagunitas Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a nice dark brown color with a nice white creamy head.   The aroma has slight chocolate to earthy notes.  The taste has a chocolate, earthy, and alcohol notes with nice alcohol burn bite for the aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lagunitas.com

Twitter:  @lagunitasbeer

In the end, I had a great time at Ashley’s Westland for their Cask Ale Fest.  I was pretty excited to see this beer and had a chance to talk to the brewery rep.  I was spoiled living in Chicago for many years.  There beers were everywhere.  Here in Michigan, I have a hard time finding their beers in the bars.  I have no problem finding their beers in liquor stores. I have a go to store. I love my black IPA’s and I had to jump on this beer.  I did not know how long this beer would last during the event.  I had this beer in package before but this time it was in a cask barrel.  I have to say the color is a little lighter and better.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be looking for it in bottle here soon.  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 Sweetwater Brewery IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample IPA from Sweetwater Brewery.  I am a huge fan of this southern craft brewery.  I am happy and honor to review four of their beers on my blog finally.  It took me a long time to get a few bottles in my hands.  Sweetwater was founded in 1997 by Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerny in Atlanta, Georgia.  They brew several different beer styles and I am pretty impressed thar they have only two retired beers.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with a nice constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma has floral to piney notes.  The taste has a light carbonation with hints of piney and earthy notes.  The aftertaste has a piney to earthy notes that do not last long.  It is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This Mammoth IPA is dry hopped to the gills, delivering a kick-you-in-the-teeth hop chop.  This beer is unfiltered and, as always with Sweetwater’s brews, unpasteurized to leave all the natural flavors intact.

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

This mammouth India Pale Ale is loaded with intense hop character and subjected to an extensive dry-hopping process. Our IPA is unfiltered, leaving all the natural flavors intact.

The Beer You’ve Been Training For.

Specs – 6.3% ABV, 16oz can singles, 6-packs, 12-packs (12oz cans and bottles), 15.5 Gallon 1/2Bbl kegs (US Sankey), 5 gallon torpedo kegs

Grains – 2-Row, Munich, Wheat, 70/80
Hops – Chinook, Cascade, Columbus finished with Simcoe, US Golding

Awards – Best IPA in the Country – Judges Choice AJC March 09

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

Closing, I had this beer in my beer months that was years back when I first moved to Chicago.  I have been searching and trying to trade to get some Sweetwater Brewery.  This brewery makes some great beers and I wish they would make it more north.  I do not know how well they will do but I know I will be buying them.  I love the aroma and taste profile.  This beer has a strong and well build malty backbone that cuts through the hops.  I highly recommend this beer if you can find it.  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 Southern Tier Farmer’s Tan IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Farmer’s Tan IPA from Southern Tier.  This is the frist time Southern Tier has appear on this blog.  Southern Tier was founded in Lakewood, New York in 2002.  The brewery was founded by Phineas DeMink and Allen Yahn.  They brew several different beer styles and has expanded their brewery a few times to keep up with demand.  This brewery continues to grow to this day.  Last year, they broke ground on a new brewhouse.  Let us get into this Session IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this session IPA.  The aroma has a floral to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus notes with a nice dry hop aftertaste.  It is an extremely drinkable to crushable beer.

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

When the sun hangs high overhead and the stars don’t glimmer until well into the evening, there’s nothing better than grabbing another beer. We specially crafted Farmer’s Tan to be the beer you enjoy on those long summer days. At 4.6% abv, it’s one of our lightest, with a smooth body and easy finish. We carefully limited the ingredients to two types of hops and two types of malts for a perfectly balanced, “sessional” India Pale Ale. We’ve got the beer covered. It’s up to you to keep the sunscreen on.

ABOUT THE NAME: Pardon any confusion on the recycled name as this version of Farmer’s Tan is indeed a brand new beer. Long-time Southern Tier fans may remember it as an Imperial Pale Lager, brewed as a summer seasonal (2010-2012). Farmer’s Tan 2014 is a wholly new beer and is different in every way, save for the name.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Particularly tasty when paired with hot dogs, burgers and grilled foods. Cheddar and derby cheeses, pizza and summer fare.

AVAILABILITY: Spring/summmer / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / ½ keg, 1/6 keg

BOTTLE CONDITIONED: “For bottle conditioning, a small amount of sugar and yeast is added to the beer so that a small fermentation occurs in each bottle after packaging. This small fermentation does two important things: (1) it contributes carbonation to the beer and (2) it scavenges any residual oxygen that may have gotten into the beer during packaging. By further reducing the oxygen content of our packaged beer, the shelf stability of the beer is improved, making it taste fresher, longer. Bottle conditioning does result in a small amount of sediment in each bottle. This sediment is just brewer’s yeast and is completely harmless, tasteless, and odorless. If you’d rather not see it floating around in your glass, be sure to not agitate the bottle before serving, pour carefully, and leave a few milliliters in the bottom of the bottle at the end of the pour.”

ABOUT THE BEER
STYLE: Session India Pale Ale
BREWED SINCE: 2014
ABV: 4.6%
FERMENTATION: Ale yeast, two varieties of hops, two types of malts
COLOR: Pale Amber
EFFERVESCENCE: Generous
NOSE: Citrus, floral.
FLAVOR: Light hops, refreshing.
BITTERNESS: Medium-Low
BODY: Light, refreshing
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 40-45°F
GLASS: pint glass
 AVAILABILITY: Spring/summer / 12oz (6pk and 24 bottle cases) / 1/2 keg, 1/6 keg
CELLARING: 40-45°F

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stbcbeer.com

Twitter:  @stbcbeer

In closing, I had several beers from this brewery.  I have to say I love their IPA’s but the rest of their beers.  I really do not know how I feel about them.  I know their Pumpking that I could do without in my world.  I know many people enjoy that beer and there is nothing wrong with it.  I was at my local craft beer bar and I saw this on draft.  I did not  have to look at the rest of the beer menu.  As many of you know, session IPA’s are growing at a rapid rate.  It seems like there is a new one hitting the market everyday.  The new ones are better than the last one.  This one topped Sierra Nevada Nooner IPA or tied in my world.  I really enjoyed this beer and love the hop notes.  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 New Holland Brewery Imperial Hatter India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Imperial Hatter India Pale from New Holland Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Winter Seasonal, which is Cabin Fever, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please read it to get to know this Western Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial IPA.

It has a cloudy dark copper with a constant white head.  The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes.  The taste has a heavy grapefruit notes with a dry malty and hop bitter aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

An assertively dry-hopped nose is followed by a bitter symphony of flavor.  Bold hop character with lively grapefruit notes.

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

Description

Assertive dry-hopping provides an aromatic telltale nose, indicative of the robust, bitter symphony to follow. Bold hop character with lively grapefruit and citrus notes.

Beer Style Imperial IPA

Degrees Plato 20

Alcohol by Volume 9.40%

IBUs 76

Grains 2-row, munich, crystal, carapils

Hops Centennial, Cascade, Warrior

Yeast American Ale

First Brewed2007

Pairings Spicy heat, citrus and aged blue cheese

Here is their website and twitter addreses:

Website:  www.newhollandbrew.com

Twitter:  @newhollandbrew

This is my second New Holland brewery beer review on this blog.  I have had several of their beers.  They are good beers but I just feel there are better brews out there.  I am a huge hophead and I saw this brew when I was beer shopping.  I thought sure why not.   I love the hops they picked.  I was pretty excited about it.  I have to say I am pretty impressed.  It is better then rest of the beers I have had from them.  I will going to have to retry their beers again in the near future.  I love the hops and nice malty backbone.  The backbone is a little weak but strong enough to live with the bold hop selection.  I highly recommend this beer and I would love 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 Sierra Nevada Harvest Single Hop IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of five special IPA’s from Sierra Nevada.  It is part of their Harvest Series that will be release through out the year. It is their Single Hop IPA.  It is using a special hop, which is Yakima hop #291.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts, please, read them to get to know Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

This India Pale Ale has a clear copper color with a nice creamy like white head on it.  The aroma has a nice welcoming floral notes.  The taste has a light carbonation and blueberry notes.  The aftertaste has nice a nice hop bitter kick but hints of black pepper.  It is kind of drinkable but more of a sipping India Pale Ale.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The first in our 2014 Harvest series, this single hop IPA showcases newly developed hop 291’s intense, bright floral aromas and complementary notes of blueberry and black pepper.

We’re devoted to whole-cone hops, and we’re always on  the hunt for rare and exciting hop flavors.  By working directly with breeders and growers, we have access to fields of the latest hops new to brew kettles.  The first in our five-bottle Harvest series is single hopped with newly developed 291 varietal and highlights its intense floral and berry-like aromas.  Drink this IPA fresh and watch for the next releases that-explore diverse hopping methods:  single hop, fresh hop, wet hop, and wild hop.

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

Available February 2014.
Whole-cone hops, the whole time—our philosophy since the beginning. We use hops in their purest form, and we’re fortunate to get first crack at some of the rare and exciting varietals new to brew kettles. This single-hop IPA showcases newly developed hop 291’s fruity, berry-like aromas, complex floral character and hints of pepper. This intriguing varietal kicks off our five-bottle Harvest series which features single hop, fresh hop, wet hop, and wild hop beers.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

Ending, this was an awesome brew.  Sierra Nevada, once again, has out did themselves.  They put some thought and used the hop in the right way.  I love the unique hop aroma and taste profile this beer kicks off.  I was a little taking back on the notes from the aroma and taste.  The aftertaste of black pepper and aroma of berry like notes is unique and different.  I laugh at people saying this brewery is one trick pony.  This is a pretty balance beer with a ton flavor.  I really enjoying it and I highly 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 Goose Island 312 Urban Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample the old but new 312 Urban Pale Ale from Goose Island Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this Midwest Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Goose Island Brewery.  Let us get into their new Urban Pale Ale.

This pale ale has a clear copper color with a nice white constant head.  The aroma has a touch of caramel with a nice citrus notes.  The taste is citrus notes with citrus dry hop aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

We are from the city that invented the skyscraper. We constructed our Urban Pale Ale on a balanced malt backbone, so the citrus hop aroma and crisp flavor can stand tall.

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

We are from the city that invented the skyscraper. We constructed our Urban Pale Ale on a balanced malt backbone, so the citrus hop aroma and crisp flavor can stand tall.

Recipe Information Style: Urban Pale

Alcohol by Volume: 5.4%

International Bitterness Units: 30

Color: Marigold

Hops: Amarillo, Mt. Hood, Nugget

Malts: 2 Row, Crystal 60

Serving Suggestions: Preferred Glass: Nonic Pint

Cellaring Notes: Enjoy within 180 days

Availability: Year Round

Bottles: 12 Pack, 6 Pack Cans: 12oz Cans 12 Pack, 16oz Cans 4 Pack

Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland

In the end, if you lived or visited Chicago, you might have had a beer from Goose Island called Green Line Pale Ale.  Green Line a nice drinkable and session pale ale.  They brew the beer with everything in the Chicagoland area or the state. It was only available in Chicagoland area.  There has been rumors for a very long time that they were going to package it.   They ran into production issues because of lack of supply to the market.  The demand of their beer went right through the roof.  They were sold to ABInbev to expand their brewery and keep up with demand.  Years went by and I moved back to Michigan.  I was sad because no Green Line here because of the exclusive to the Chicagoland market.  Here is 312 Urban Pale Ale.  I have to say it is nice drinkable and crushable beer.  I love the aroma and taste profile.  This is a great American Pale Ale.  They might have used different hops but they act the same way as the hops in Green Line.  Hello, Green Line in package and welcome to the rest of the country.  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 Sierra Nevada Nooner Session IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer, which is Nooner Session IPA, from Sierra Nevada Brewery.  It is another beer from their 4-Way IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not read those posts, please, do so to get to know this West Coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this session India Pale Ale.  The aroma has a light citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated and notes of slight grapefruit to citrus.  The aftertaste has dry hop bitter finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

There’s no better way to start a lazy afternoon than with a group of friends and a few beers. Nooner IPA is a session beer that’s light in body yet big in hop flavor. By using intense, whole-cone American hops in our Hop Torpedo we pack this small beer with a hefty hop punch.

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

Nooner™ Session IPA

Kick back with big hop flavor.

There’s no better way to start a lazy afternoon than with a group of friends and a few beers. Nooner IPA is a session beer that’s light in body yet big in hop flavor. By using intense, whole-cone American hops in our Hop Torpedo we pack this small beer with a hefty hop punch. Traditionally, IPAs have been bigger, stronger beers, but this session beer offers the same hop assertiveness with an easy drinkability.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

Closing, when I first had this beer, I thought it was the best session IPA that I ever had.  It is still a great brew and I love it.  I hope they will bottle and package it down into six pack bottles soon.  It is drinkable for an all day event or just a lazy weekend day.  I love the hops and the light malty backbone is just right. This is an awesome beer and I recommend this beer and the sampler pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Snow Wit White IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sierra Nevada.  It is from their 4-Way IPA sampler pack.  It is their Snow Wit White IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, do so to get to know Sierra Nevada.  I bet you already know the history of this craft brewery.  Let us get into this white IPA.

It has a cloudy strew to light golden slight dark white color with a white constant head on this white IPA.  The aroma has notes of wheat, coriander and a slight grapefruit notes.  The taste has a hint of wheat and coriander with a nice grapefruit notes.  The aftertaste has a nice yeasty and slight bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable brew.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

You don’t need a magic to see the lure of this beer. It’s brewed with seven varieties of experimental dwarf hops. These hops are so called because of their uncommon growing method-shorter hegerows rather than trellis system-that yields a denser heap of cones with unique flavors that diverge from their full-grown botanical counterparts.

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

Snow Wit™ White IPA

A seven-hop lineup with a Belgian twist.

You don’t need a magic mirror to see the lure of this beer. It’s brewed with seven varieties of experimental dwarf hops. These hops are so called because of their uncommon growing method—shorter hedgerows rather than tall trellis systems—that yields a denser heap of cones with unique flavors that diverge from their full-grown botanical counterparts. Each year new and different varieties are grown in this method, creating untried and exciting shifts in hop character.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

In closing, I have never been a huge fan of this beer style, however, of late, it is starting to grow on me.  I do not know if that is because there are better White IPA’s hitting the market or my palate is getting use to them.  I love how the Belgian White twists nicely with the IPA side.  The hops selection is perfect with the coriander and wheat notes.  I am pretty impressed and I have to say this one of the best White IPA that I have ever had.  I highly recommend this beer and this sampler pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13