porter

New Beer Blog Original Gravity Primordial Porter


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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample the very first beer ever made by Original Gravity.  It is their Primordial Porter.  There is not much history from this Michigan craft brewery.  I know they are going to be celebrity their sixth year being in business.  Let us get into this porter.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan color head.  The aroma has hints of chocolate and coffee notes.  The taste has a chocolate to coffee notes with a dry cocoa aftertaste finish.  It is a kind of drinkable to sipping porter.

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

**PRIMORDIAL PORTER
The very first beer brewed at Original Gravity Brewing Company. Primordial Porter is a full flavored Robust style Porter. Almost black in color with a complex malt profile that exhibits a smooth balance between chocolate, coffee and roasted flavors.
O.G = 1.064 –6.0%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ogbrewing.com

Twitter:  No Address

In the end, I am a huge fan of porters, stouts, pale ales, and IPA’s.  I have never ran into a bad porter maybe not a really good one.  I was pretty excited to see this brewery on draft at my craft beer bar.  I have been wanting to try their beers for some time since moving back to Michigan.  I have had their Southpaw IPA and I really enjoyed it.  This lives up to the classic porter style.  It is heavy with some nice chocolate notes and hints of coffee.  It is full of flavor and I enjoyed it.  I love this porter and I just wish I could find it in package.  I am looking forward to visiting their brewery 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 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 Sierra Nevada Blindfold Black IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new Sampler pack from Sierra Nevada.  It is called 4-Way IPA. The sampler pack has Blindflold Black IPA, Snow Wit IPA, Torpedo IPA, and Nooner IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know their beers that I review and know the history of this brewery.  Let us sample out this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a tan head on this black IPA.  The aroma has a chocolate to slight coffee with a citrus notes.  The taste has a creamy chocolate with a hint of citrus notes.  The aftertaste is a dry bitter finish.  It is a sipping beer.

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

BlindfoldBlack IPA

Bright hops pierce through roasty darkness.

Blindfold blankets us in darkness yet maintains a surprisingly light body and bold, hoppy character. This black IPA emerged from our Beer Camp program and builds on Sierra Nevada’s legendary love of hops with roasted malts for depth and complexity. Like its namesake, Blindfold is a bit disorienting—the color of a stout and the intense, hop-forward flavors of a classic American IPA.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

Closing, I believe this craft brewery does not get the credit they should today unlike they did back when they first started.  Their beers are very underrated.  I love their Pale Ale and I believe most just think of Sierra Nevada as one beer brewery.  This is so not true. They make an awesome stout and porter.  I have not even put the words about their IPA.  Their everyday IPA is one of my favorites and it is very underrated.  I knew I was in good hands when I saw this 4 way IPA Pack in the store.  I did not stop and thinking about it.  I just grab it and went home and try them.  The first one I tried was this Black IPA.  This beer style is hopheads wet dream.  I have had several Black IPA’s in my time.  I love how this one is creamy unlike the other ones I had.  It is not drinking and most are not drinkable.  It is a nice relaxing beer.  I love it and I recommend this brew and 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 Ommengang Games of Thrones Take The Black Stout (Age A Year)


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In a fantasy world, we are going to sample the second beer from Ommengang Brewery and Games of Thornes. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read them, please, do so to get to know craft brewery. Let us get into Take The Black Stout.

This stout has a jet black color with a nice constant tan head.  The aroma has a roasted chocolate notes.  The taste has a sweet chocolate with a hint of creamy caramel with a nice chocolate dry aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A stout as dark as the winters that once engulfed Westeros. As robust as the men who swear their oaths at the Weirwood Tree. Chocolate and caramel sweetness are balanced by hop bitterness roasty, woodsy notes, and an earthy finish.

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

Ommegang and HBO® announce the newest beer in the Game of Thrones® collaboration series. Through its first three seasons, the critically acclaimed drama has become the biggest show on HBO. Take the Black Stout follows the highly coveted Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which flew off of shelves earlier this year. To satisfy the appetite of Game of Thrones fans, production of Take the Black Stout will more than double the final volumes of Iron Throne Blonde Ale.

Inspired by the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, Take the Black Stout was made to be deep, dark and complex like those who have sworn the oath to defend Westeros against threats from the north. The label depicts the Weirwood tree where Jon Snow recited the oath before joining the Night’s Watch.

In time for the holidays, Take the Black Stout makes for the perfect gift. Shipping to distributors in September 2013, the beer is available in 750 ML bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter: @breweryommegang and @gameofthornes

In closing, I brought two bottles when it was released.  I had the one right away and I just saved this bottle for a raining day.  I wanted to share my thoughts on this brew.  I am a huge fan of the show.  I was really disappointed with the first release.  This was something else.  I love the story behind the Night’s Watch.  I have to say Ommegang Brewery went up and beyond making this beer good.  I love the creamy chocolate and notes caramel.  It is a nice beer to have after dinner or a sipping beer while relaxing. I aged this bottle for a year from when I picked it up. It held up really well and it did not change in the bottle. I was pretty disappointed with that but it is still an awesome beer. Good Job! If you can find a bottle, pick it up.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Instagram: @djweiser13

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Paw Paw Black River Oatmeal Stout


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

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

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

Black River

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

Here is their website and  twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pawpawbrewing.com

Twitter:  @2pawsbeer

Closing, Paw Paw Brewery does not make a bad beer.  Every beer that I have had from this brewery are awesome.  This oatmeal stout is awesome.  I love the chocolate notes and heaviest from the body.  It might be a sipping beer but you can relax when drinking this beer.  The mouthfeel is a cream chocolate notes.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be hunting this beer down in bottles in my area.  I hope to see it on draft in the future again.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Stone Brewery Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Stone Brewery.  It is their Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know Stone Brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with an off white color head.  The aroma has a slight chocolate but a heavy citrus notes.  The taste has a chocolate to citrus notes with a dry chocolate to hoppy bitter finish for the aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

We’re brewers whose substantial mettle and idiomatic approach to brewing allows us to consistently creat works of art such as this justifiably self-righteous ale.  Its bitterness hits our sweet spot.  Its blackness lightens our hearts.  Its liquid dichotomy pulls it all together in this sublimely sacrosanct ale.  Thus the name we are compelled to give it – Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale – serves as a remember of just how good we are, in both liquid and verbal form.

First brewed in 2007 as the Stone 11th Anniversary Ale, this ale was an instant hit.  With us.  Other folks with great taste loved it too, but we were focused on how much we liked it, and we felt it was truly sublime.  That euphoria didn’t last long though, as it was soon replaced with the grim reality that when we sold out of it there wouldn’t be any more.  For us.  And that was simply unacceptable.  So, we now bless ourselves, and you, the enlightened, with this ale full-time.  Thusly, you may now revel in you own self-righteousness as you see it with this glorious example of ours.  You are genuinely welcome, as it is our pleasure.

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

  • Style: Black IPA
  • Alc/Vol: 8.7%
  • IBUs: 90
  • Available in: 22oz, 12oz Bottles & draft
We’re brewers whose substantial mettle and idiomatic approach to brewing allows us to consistently create works of art such as this justifiably self-righteous black IPA. Its bitterness hits our sweet spot. Its blackness lightens our hearts. Its liquid dichotomy pulls it all together in this sublimely sacrosanct ale. Yes, we damn well know our stuff here at Stone, and it would be irresponsible of us not to acknowledge how remarkable this heavenly creation of ours is. Thus the name we are compelled to give it — Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA — serves as a reminder of just how good we are, in both liquid and verbal form.

We’re certainly not perfect. Too often, we allow our modesty to get the best of us as we’re simply not inclined towards senseless braggadocio. When you’re good, you’re good. And when you do something great, the least you can do is acknowledge it. Others benefit from knowing. In this case, we find that we are compelled to point out how amazing this ale is that we rightly call the Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale.

First brewed in 2007 as the Stone 11th Anniversary Ale, this ale was an instant hit. With us. Other folks with great taste loved it too, but we were focused on how much we liked it, and we felt it was truly sublime. That euphoria didn’t last long though, as it was soon replaced with the grim reality that when we sold out of it there wouldn’t be any more. For us. And that was simply unacceptable. So, we are now blessing ourselves, and you the enlightened, with this ale. Thusly, you may now revel in your own self-righteousness as you see fit with this glorious example of ours. You are genuinely welcome, as it is our pleasure.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrew.com

Twitter:  @stonebrewing

In closing, I enjoy myself a nice Black IPA.  I have been searching for a better one that would top the last one.  I am a huge fan of Porters, Stouts, and IPA’s.  This is a great combination for the Hophead and Porter or Stout fans in the world and it is Black IPA.  I love the hop character of the citrus with some nice chocolate notes.  The hops are pretty strong on this Black IPA.  I enjoyed this Black IPA.  I hope you try this beer and let me know what you think.  Stone Brewery did a great job on it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel Stout


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Anderson Valley Brewery.  I loved their Winter Warmer.  I have been wanting to get into more of their beers.  I saw this from a friend’s check and photo on Instagram.  I had to pick up a bottle.  I am talking about their Bourdon Barrel Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Winter Solstice, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that post, please, read to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into this brew.

It has a jet black color with a creamy fluffy tan head on this stout.  The aroma has chocolate notes with hints of coffee but a strong bourbon whiskey notes.  The taste is a whiskey chocolate notes at first.  The back half of the drinking experience just before the aftertaste has a smooth chocolate notes.  The aftertaste is a chocolate with a light bourbon notes.  It is pretty drinkable for the beer style.  It is not like rest of bourbon barrel age stouts on the market.

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

Complexity.  Aged for three months in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels, this luxurious stout has a deep ebony hue and a beautiful mahogany head. The woody, vanilla-like notes imparted by the barrels mingle with aromas of fresh-baked bread, toffee, and espresso and envelop the rich chocolate and roasted barley flavors with a fine bourbon character.  Our exclusive partnership with Wild Turkey gives Anderson Valley a world-class, consistent source of barrelage, allowing our brewers to explore new frontiers in barrel-aged craft beer.

Since its introduction, Wild Turkey has maintained a distinctive distillation and ageing process that gives it a smooth taste and a lingering flavor. Wild Turkey uses a differentiated process whereby the bourbon is distilled at a low proof to seal in its flavors. Very little water is added to Wild Turkey, resulting in a full-flavored authentic bourbon taste similar to what one would get straight out of the barrel. Wild Turkey is a genuine drink with a sought after “burn” that comes from its high-proof, an attribute fundamental to the brand and critical in maintaining its authentic bourbon characteristics.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.avbc.com

Twitter:  @avbc

Closing, I loved this Bourbon Barrel Stout.  This beer is drinkable compare to other Bourbon Barrel stouts.  It is still a sipping beer but compare to others it is more drinkable.  I enjoy the chocolate, bourdon, to a slight whiskey notes.  I was pretty impressed by this brew.  This brewery is going to do a full other line when they run through the Wild Turkey Barrel.  I am pretty excited to see what the next stout will get from those Bourdon Barrel.  I recommend this brew 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

New Beer Blog Buckle Down Brewery Stompbox Stout


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When in Chicagoland area, I had to chance to stop by one of my new favorite craft breweries in the Midwest.  I am talking about Buckle Down Brewery.  When I was in town, they launched one of their newer beers, which is Stompbox Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this new Midwest Craft brewery.  If you have not, please, go back and read those blog posts to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a jet black color with a nice lace tan head.  The aroma of this stout has chocolate notes.  The taste has a chocolate with roasted malt.  The aftertaste has an alcohol finish that bites at the end.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

Leaving town, I will be back to this brewery in some shape or form.  Buckle Down Brewery makes some great beers.   I was glad I was in town for the launch of their Stout.  I knew if their Porter was awesome.  There is no way in Blue Hell they would find away to mess up their Stout.  I was clearly right.  This is a great Stout with a nice chocolate notes and a nice bite of alcohol at the aftertaste.  If I still lived in Chicago, this brewery would be my source of beer.  I will be back visiting them now and then.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  They are worth the road trip into the south side of Chicago.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Troubador Obscura


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In a foreign land, we are going to sample out of Troubador Obscura during Belgian Week at Ashley’s Westland.  The brewery was founded in 2000 by Kristof De Roo, Rikkert Maertens, Stefaan Soetemans and Sven Suys.  They are known around Europe as the 4 ‘Musketeers’.  They brew in the traditional and classic Belgian beer styles in past.  This brewery brew several beer styles and they do them well.  They do not let anything out of their brewery unless it is up to their standards.  I like that.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark brown with some reddish tones for the color with a constant white head.  The aroma has slight chocolate with notes of cherry to fruit.  The taste has an aged malty chocolate notes with a cherry aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Troubadour Obscura is a dark red-brown colored beer, with a rich, malty body combined with different touches of a stout but in a very nice balanced way: roast, chocolate, coffee, vanilla. A mild stout with a Belgian body!

Specifications:

Alcohol (V/V): 8,2%

Stamwort: 18

Plato EBC: 110

IBU: 35

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.troubadourbeers.com

Twitter:  @Troubadourbeer

In first glance, it took one sip of Obscura.  I was in love with this brew.  It took me a few sips to get to know everything that is going on in this complex ale.  I love the chocolate cover cherry notes I received out of the this brew.   I can see the vanilla and coffee notes also.  I tasted that towards the end of the glass.  There is a ton going on in this beer and I love that.   It is a drinkable beer but I found myself sipping it.  I wanted to taste everything that was going on in this brew.  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

New Beer Blog Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout


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In this beer blog, we are going to sample my favorite beer from Old Dominion Brewing.  It is their Oak Barrel Stout.  This is the beer that open my eyes on this brewery.  I received a bottle from one of my beer of the months.  If you read my beer blog post yesterday on  their Coffee stout, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read beer blog post on their Morning Glory Espresso to get to know this east coast craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan creamy color head on this stout.  The smell is chocolate with coffee notes.  The taste is chocolate, little vanilla and coffee notes with a dry chocolate aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Dominion Oak Barrel Stout raises the bar for American stouts.  Our method of dry-hopped with vanilla beans and oak chips broadens our stout’s flavor spectrum even further.

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

Oak Barrel Stout

Oak Barrel Stout raises the bar for American Sweet Stouts.  Our method of infusing vanilla beans and oak chips during conditioning results in a smooth, roasty stout that is unparalleled.

  • 6.1% alc/vol
  • “Best Beer in Delaware” – Delaware News Journal, March 2011
  • Willamette & Cascade Hops.
  • Pairs well with oysters, clams, brie cheese & chocolate
  • Serve in a pint glass at 50-55ºF

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.olddominion.com

Twitter:  @DominionBrewing

Ending,  what can I say to a stout fan to have them try this beer?  Why this stout?  This stout gives the craft beer and stout drinkers something a little different from the normal boring old craft stout.  There is nothing wrong with the boring old craft stout.  They have an answer for the mainstream and mass-produced beer or lager.  This stout kicks out some vanilla notes making it smooth and easy to drink.  There are also some notes of oak with some creamy chocolate notes.  This is why the craft beer and stout drinker needs to try to beer.  I believe we could get some lager drinkers to maybe enjoy this stout. Let me know what you think and go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser