pale ale

New Beer Blog Goose Island Ten Hills Pale Ale

In this new beer release blog, we are going to get into one of the first new beers from Goose Island Brewery from Chicago. I am talking about their first beer, which is their Ten Hills Pale Ale, in the series called “Limited Release.” If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this craft brewery, you know the history of Goose Island Brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into the beer.

This new brew from Goose Island has a clean copper color with a white head. The smell has some piney to earthy notes. The taste has some earthy notes with a dry hop finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Ten Hills traces its story to Elk Mountain Farms in Idaho, famous for growing hops of exceptional quality and character. With hops from the “first ten hills” grown for Goose Island at Elk Mountain, we crafted a pale ale that delivers both a herbal and citrus hop character. We hope you’ll find the intriguing balance of flavors in this beer to be truly unparalleled.

Recipe Information:

Style: Pale Ale Alcohol by Volume: 6.2 International Bitterness Units: 48 Color: Copper Hops: Perle, Cascade, US Saaz Malt: 2-Row, Caramel 20, Caramel 40, Munich

Availability:

Seasonal (December – March) Bottles: 4/6pks 2/12pks Draft: 1/2bbl 1/6bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.gooseisland.com

Twitter: @GooseIsland

In the end, just what, I said in review of their Coffee Stout from the Bourbon County Stout line. I love the direction that Goose Island is going with Bret Porter as their Brewmaster. I love the hops and I am glad they are only available for Goose Island use only. It makes this brew a little bit more special. It has a nice balance between the hops and malty backbone. I am really not a fan of the aftertaste but overall, this is a great beer. I just cannot wait for the next release. I highly recommend 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 Dogfish Head And Sierra Nevada Life And Limb Rhizing Bines India Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to sample a brew that had two craft brewery, who are Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, teamed up to brew this beer. It is Life And Limb Rhizing Bines IPA. I want to say thanks to my friend Jay for the share. If you read my beer blog posts so far, you know history of both of these breweries. If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get up to speed on both of these breweries. Let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale has a cloudy amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus notes. The taste has slight caramel to citrus notes with a dry bitter citrus aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada Brewery.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Rhizing Bines is a collaborative IPA using the best of both coasts: Carolina-grown red fife wheat and Dogfish Head’s continual-hopping from the East and Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown caramel malt and Torpado dry-hopping from the West.

Here is a descripation from Dogfish Head’s website (www.dogfish.com):

Rhizing Bines

ABV: 8

IBU: 70

Availability: Limited

Original Release Date: 02/2013

Deepening our bond with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., forged with the 2009 collaboration Life & Limb, we’ve brewed an East-meets-West Imperial IPA called Rhizing Bines.“We had a lot of fun brewing the original dark and roasty Life & Limb in Chico with the Grossmans and Sierra Nevada’s extended family,” says Dogfish Head President and Founder Sam Calagione. “We are very proud of the way that beer turned out. Now it’s our turn to repay that hospitality and brew a very hop-centric IPA in Milton with our pals from Chico, incorporating innovative ingredients and techniques from both breweries.”On the hot side, Rhizing Bines went through Dogfish’s signature continual-hopping process with floral and citrusy Bravo hops. On the cold side, it was dry-hopped with an experimental varietal so new it doesn’t yet have a name, just a number: Hop 644. A component of Sierra Nevada’s aroma-boosting Torpedo system made a pit-stop in Delaware for dry-hopping duty before it headed to Sierra’s new North Carolina brewery. To celebrate Sierra Nevada planting East Coast roots, Dogfish Head tracked down a Carolina heirloom wheat grown and milled at Anson Mills. The soft red winter wheat contributes subtle sweet and nutty notes to this hop-forward ale.“It gives my wife and myself great comfort to know that although we’re leaving our home and friends on the West Coast, we’re joining our craft brewing friends on the East Coast,” says Sierra Nevada General Manager Brian Grossman. “Here’s to great beer!”The label for Rhizing Bines depicts the pairings behind this beer: two hop varietals, two yeast strains (Chico and Doggie), two unique hopping processes and two family-owned breweries. These bonds start at the root – or rhizome – and stretch throughout the mature bines.“Sam and his family and the entire Dogfish crew have been friends of ours for a long time,” says Sierra Nevada Founder Ken Grossman. “When we started talking about doing another collaboration we jumped at the chance, especially since this version will be the hoppy counterpoint to the last brews. We couldn’t say no! We’re looking forward to joining forces again.”

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.dogfish.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter: @dogfishbeer and @SierraNevada

In closing, when two or three craft breweries get together to brew a beer, it makes me a little nervous to purchase these beers. This is the big reason why. One, I feel at times that I do not get my money worth from the liquid in the bottle. Two, I feel that way about many of 750ml bottles from Dogfish Head. I hate to say it. They are great beers I just feel they are overpriced. I have to say my attitude changed with this brew. This is a great beer and well balance India Pale Ale. I enjoyed drinking this beer. I recommend 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 Buckledown Brewery Belt And Suspenders American IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to review a craft brewery, which is Buckle down Brewery, that just opened in the southern part of Chicagoland market. The beer is their Belt And Suspenders American IPA. Buckledown Brewery opened in December of 2013. Ike Orcutt and Sean Mahoney, who are owners, opened the brewery in Lyons, IL. They brewery four different beer styles and in extremely small batches. There is not much history on this young brewery but I am glad to see them open now to make some history. Let us get into the brew.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head. The smell is earthy to floral like to this American IPA. The taste is an orange with hints of citrus notes. The aftertaste is orange. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Belt & Suspenders

American IPA

Loads of Crystal and Sterling hops lead the way in producing huge citrus and pine aromatics. Hoppiness is supported with a clean, slightly biscuity malt backbone.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter: @BuckleDownBeer

In closing, this is a great place to have a beer. I love the fact they do not service food at their brewery. You are there to have and try their beers. Their beers are a work of art and they put some thought behind each of these brews. There is a nice malty backbone and it is well designed. They are not piling hops to hide the faults like most craft breweries in the City of Chicago or around the country. I love the hops that they are using in this brew. It kicks off some citrus notes. It is drinkable and it is really good. You might be able to find this brew around the city but I would make a trip to the south side of Chicago to enjoy beer with Sean, Ike, and their staff. I highly 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 Detroit Brewing Alt Beer

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from the Detroit Brewing. It is their flagship beer and it is called Alt Beer. If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this Detroit Brewery. If you have not, please read the earlier beer blog post to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear amber color without a head on this German style Alt. The smell is a malty to caramel notes. The taste is about the same with a crisp finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Inspired by the legendary “Nain Rouge” (French for Red Dwarf), our- signature beer is full in flavor while remaining very balanced and crisp.

Detroit Brewing Co. has won 3 medals from the Great American Beer Festival and one from the World Beer Cup in German Alt category. It is our pride and pleasure to provide you with one of the finest Alt beers brewed in the US.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.detroitbeerco.com):

Copper/amber in color. Clean lager character with some fruity ale notes. Earthy with flavors of tea and forest nuts. Distinct balance between malt and hops allows the creamy texture to really come through. We earned a medal at the Great American Beer festival in our first year of business with this one and it remains our house specialty to this day.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.detroitbeerco.com

Twitter: @DetroitBrewing

Closing, this is one of my favorite beer styles. There is not too many craft breweries that I know of making this classic German beer style. I am not sure if this brew was in code, however, I enjoyed drinking it. It is one of my best Alts from a craft brewery in a while. I love the lager notes but yet giving off some ale notes. This beer style is a hyper of a lager and ale. I love the caramel notes but yet a nice crisp finish. I am really looking forward to stopping by their brewpub in the D to check out all their beers. I recommend you trying this great Michigan craft brewery. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Detroit Brewing Sanders Chocolate Stout

Starting a new tab, Detroit Brewing is the featured brewery with their Sanders Chocolate Stout on this beer blog. Detroit Brewing Company opened their doors in 2003. It is seconds away from the two ball parks in downtown Detroit. They brew several different beer styles. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on this Chocolate Stout. The smell is a sweet chocolate alcohol notes. The taste is a sweet chocolate alcohol notes with a dry coco finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

In the fall of 2009, Detroit Brewing Company began tinkering with their Pub Classic Smooth Cream Stout. A chance meeting, over a few beers, with the folks from chance meeting, over a few beers, with the folks from Sanders brought the final sweet ingredient. Our brewer found the best way to combine Stout and Sanders chocolate to create the dark, satisfying aroma and flavor of a fine Stout Ale with the restrained richness and elegance of the hand selected cocoa used by Sanders Fine Chocolatiers in Detroit since 1875.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.detroitbeerco.com

Twitter: @DetroitBrewing

In closing, I saw Sanders on this brew. I was thinking about the chocolate company. I was right when I was reading the label. I had to pick up at least one bottle. I have been wanting to try some their beers from this brewery. I drive pass their brewpub a few times a week. I will have to stop in for lunch or dinner here soon. This beer has a nice balance and it is not over the top on the alcohol and the chocolate notes. It is a pretty nice smooth chocolate notes. I will be stopping by their brewery and looking for more of this brew. This is one of my favorite beer styles. I recommend this brewery and brew. Go get some! Drink it! Love it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Griffin Claw Brewing Grind Line Pale Ale

Starting a new tab, we are going to get into the second brew from Griffin Claw Brewing. It is their Grind Line Pale Ale. If you read blog post from yesterday, you learn that I could not find too much information on this brewery. If you know anything, please, let me know anything about this brewery so I could share with the world. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white head on this pale ale. The smell is slight earthy notes. The taste has an extremely light earth notes to creamy caramel notes. It is pretty drinkable.

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

Our gold-medal-winning Grind Line Pale Ale gets its name from equal parts Detroit Hockey and Detroit Automaking. Everything about this Ale works together to form the whole – just the right amount of malt and hops. A good place to start if you’re having trouble deciding.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter: @Griffinclaw

Closing, I have to say this brew was so much better than their IPA. I realize they are two different styles. I could drink this brew. It is pretty drinkable and there is a nice hop balance here with the malty backbone. I will not say this was the best pale ale that I have ever had. It is not the worse. There are pretty good pale ales out on the market. I was pretty happy to try it. I will try it again just like their IPA to get a true sense of how I feel about this beer. I right now feel this is average to below average brew. I recommend you trying this brew. Please, let me know what you think. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Griffin Claw Brewing Norm’s Raggedy Ass India Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to sample out two brews for the first time here on this blog. I am talking about Griffin Claw Brewing. This review will be their Norm’s Raggedy Ass India Pale Ale and the other review will be their Grind Line Pale Ale that will be released tomorrow. There is not much history on this brewery. Their website does not say much, however, I believe they started this year. Let us get into the beer.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with a constant white head on this India Pale Ale. The smell has malty to bad citrus notes. The taste has a piney to bad wet citrus notes. There is a bad hop taste to aftertaste. It is like a bad import beer taste. It is not really drinkable.

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

No corners are cut to brew our World Beer Cup champion Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA. The key is in the giant, wonderful combination of piney, citrusy, and fruity hops with a surprisingly low malt profile. In other words, this is a powerhouse beer but it won’t make you drowsy. You’ll probably just want to order another pint

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter: @Griffinclaw

In the end, I was pretty excited to see this on shelves of my local liquor store. Since getting back from Chicago, my goal is to try any Michigan craft beer that I can get in my hand. I have to say that I have had some good ones and some bad ones. I heard somethings about Griffin Claw Brewing and I was happy to see their beers in cans. I love beer in cans because it protects it from its two enemies, who are air and sunlight. I love how this beer looked. I did not like the aroma and the taste. I just believe this beer is not balanced enough or the hops are just a bad mix. It is not a good beer. I do not know if I just brought a bad beer and I will try it again. As of right now, I am pretty disappointed. I did retry this beer at Sports Locker in Livonia on draft. I know now I had a bad can or batch. It is better. I still do not like the hops that they are using in the beer. I recommend you trying this brew. I am not a huge fan but it is better than the first can I had. This does not mean you will not like it. Please, let me know what your thoughts are on 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 Atwater Brewery Grand Circus IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into Grand Circus IPA from Atwater Brewery. Atwater Brewery was founded in 1997 by the Detroit River. City of Detroit has a rich history like most major cities in the United States in brewing. There brew house was imported in from Germany. They brew several different beer styles. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark golden with constant small bubbles and a constant white head on this IPA. The smell is earthy with some piney notes. The taste of this medium body is earthy and piney notes with a dry hop aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Here is their website and twitter addesses:

Website: www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter: @atwaterbeer

Closing, Atwater Brewery is a few breweries located right in the City of Detroit. I give them a ton of credit for where they are located in the city. I have to say this about this brew and brewery. They did a semi good job to bad job on this brew. I am a huge hop head and I was pretty disappointed on this IPA. I just feel there is not enough malty backbone. I am not a fan of the hops they are using in it. I love their packaging and their Java Vanilla Porter. I have to say just because I do not like this brew. It does not mean you will not like this beer. I am going to stop by their brewpub here soon since moving back to Michigan. Please, go try this beer and let me know what you think of it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog North Peak Brewing Diabolical India Pale Ale

New beer tab, we are going to sample out another beer from North Peak Brewing. It is their everyday Diabolical India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog on their Imperial IPA, you know the history of this northwest of Michigan craft brewery. If you have not, please, read the beer blog post to know the history and information on this Michigan Brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with little white bubble head on this India Pale Ale. The smell is citrus and malty notes. The taste is mild carbonation citrus notes for this English style India Pale Ale. The aftertaste is a little weird and I can figure it out what it is. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.northpeak.net):

The devil made us do it. From the ABV and IBU figures to the fiendish use of Cascade, Perle, and Willamette hops. lucifer was whispering in our ears the entire time. Citrus and pine scents great you and are followed by the sharp bitterness expected of an IPA. The beer’s true wickedness is revealed in the smooth Pale, Crystal 30 and wheat malts that surreptitiously broaden the beer’s appeal to more than just hopheads.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.northpeak.net

Twitter: @northpeakbeer

Closing, I have to say this is one of the worse IPA’s that I have ever had in my life. It is towards the bottom of my listed. I do not like the hops and malts that they use in this brew. I pay good money for a fresh beer. I had this beer three times. I had it twice in the bottle and once on draft. It all tasted the same. I thought maybe I received a bad beer. This beer is not the worse in the IPA world. I could name a few that will be under it. I love the hops they are using but I just believe they used them wrong or combination of hops is wrong. It could be the yeast or maybe I received three bad batches. I really doubt that idea. I will say this many times just because I did not like this beer. It does not mean you will not like it. We have different likes and dislikes and I would run with it. I courage you to go try it. Please, let me know what you think. Sorry North Peak Brewing! I am being honest here in this review. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Sixpoint Brewery Global Warmer

In this beer blog, we are going to sample another brew from Sixpoint Brewery. It is their new winter seasonal, which is Global Warmer. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read my earlier beer blog post to get to know this great New York City brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color with foamy white head on this winter ale. The smell is notes of citrus and malty. The taste is a citrus to malty notes with a dry bitter hoppy aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who flavor fire. A Winter Warmer to warm your Globe, or a Global Warmer to warm your Winter? There’s no denying the Beer Climate is changing.

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

Global Warmer

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire.A Winter Warmer to warm your Globe, or a Global Warmer to warm your Winter? There’s no denying the Beer Climate is changing.

Here is their website and twitter addesses:

Website: www.sixpoint.com

Twitter: @sixpoint

In the end, as many of you readers know I am a huge fan of this brewery. I believe they are one of the best breweries out of New York City. I never had Bronx Brewery and they are on my list to try in the future. I love Blue Point out of Long Island. Sixpoint tries to push the limits of beer brewing that is what I love about this brewery. I am not a fan of red ales but I have to say this brew is pretty good. I love the hop character that lives in this beer. The other red ale that I like is from Bridgeport Brewery and it is called Kingpin Red Ale. I highly recommend this brew. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Recipe Information:

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Belt & Suspenders

American IPA

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Global Warmer

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