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New Beer Blog Wolverine Brewery Dark Lager

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another Lager from Wolverine Brewery.  It is their Dark Lager.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on this brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It had a clear dark brown color with a nice snow-white color head.  The smell is burn to roasted malt.  The taste has chocolate to slight coffee malty notes with a crisp chocolate like finish for the aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable dark lager.

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

Wolverine Dark Lager 5% abv /19 IBU – Always on Tap

Are you afraid of the dark? Don’t be. This is Michigan’s smoothest dark beer, a dark beer even people who don’t think they like dark beer will love. Wolverine Dark will win you over with a mild maltiness balanced by a crisp feel on your tongue and a smooth finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

Ending, this craft brewery out of Ann Arbor, Michigan is quickly becoming my favorite craft Lager brewery.  I am a fan of their IPL (India Pale Lager).  I have always loved imported dark or black lagers.  I was interested in getting my hands on this brew from Wolverine Brewery.  I love the color and tone of this brew.  I love the aroma it kicks out from the beer.  This brew is pretty drinkable for being a dark beer.  Most general or all beer drinkers think a dark beer means it is a heavy beer.  This is urban legend in the beer world.  It takes time to pass this on to the beer drinkers of the world.  The point I am trying to get across is just because it is a dark lager that does not mean it will drink heavy or light. Most dark beer could drink easier than a golden color beer. It is smooth and drinkable.  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 Motor City Brewing Works India Pale Ale

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample another Michigan craft brewery that is on my list.  All Michigan craft breweries are on my list.  This one is straight out of Cass Corridor.  I am talking about Motor City Brewing Works.  This Detroit, Michigan craft brewery was founded in 1994.  It is not far from the ballpark, football field, and Wayne State University.  They brew package all their beers unfiltered and they make mostly ales.  There are a few lagers.  They also make sodas, ciders, and wines.   Let us get into this India Pale Ale.

It has a hazel dark golden to light copper color with a nice constant white head on this India Pale Ale.  The aroma is a slight mango to orange notes.  The taste has a nice medium body for India Pale Ale.  It has a light carbonated with notes citrus notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our classic example of an India Style Micro-Brewed Pale Ale, brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simoce hops.  Then dry-hopped with fresh leaf hops.  85 IBU.

The thin layre of sediment at the bottom of each bottle is the mark of our all natural brewing process.  Unfiltered, Unpasteurized… Naturally!

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

Motor City India Pale Ale is a classic example of an India style micro brewed Pale Ale. Brewed for 120 minutes to extract the fruity tartness from Warrior, Columbus and Simcoe hops.

ABV: 6.9%

OG: 1.068

IBU: 85

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.motorcitybeer.com

Twitter:  no address

In closing, I have been eyeing this brewery when I was living in Chicago.  When I moved back to Michigan, I have been trying to cross several breweries off my list.  I have not try all their beers from Motor City Brewing Works.  I am going to make it down to the brewpub to check out the rest of their brews.  I figured I would start with their version of one of my favorite beer styles, which is India Pale Ale.  It does have a nice malty backbone, however, I am not a fan of the hops they picked in this brew.  It just rubs me the wrong way.  I can see people liking this and just because I am really not a fan of this beer.  It does not mean you will not like this brew.  I will pass on this brew. I rather drink PBR or Bud. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Bell’s Hopslam Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out a limited release from Bell’s Brewery that they bring out once a year.  It is their Hopslam ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the blog post on their Winter Ale.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear light copper color with a white constant head on this ale brewed with honey.  The smell has hints of honey and a slight citrus notes.  The taste has a sweet, smooth, and honey notes with earthly notes.  The aftertaste is slight honey with hops dry finish.  It is extremely drinkable beer and it is a big beer.  Please, be careful!

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale. With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?

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

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

Closing, I had this beer a few times a few years ago.  This is a great Double India Pale Ale.  I enjoyed drinking.  I love how the honey cuts through the hops and honey builds the malty backbone ever stronger.  This is an unique and different from the rest of Double India Pale Ale on the market.  I had one other double IPA brewed from honey and it is 3 Sheep’s First Kiss. I wished I had a bottle to compare these two big beers. From what I can remember, First Kiss is better but I recommend this brew.  I get why everyone rushes to the stores to pick up this brew when it comes out.  It is released once a year.  I believe this brew was available all year-long.  It would not sell as much as it does now.  Once a year is good for me. And you?  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

New Beer Blog Wolverine State Brewing Gulo Gulo I.P.L.

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In another Lager blog, we are going to sample out another brew from Wolverine State Brewing.  It is a new beer style in the India Pale Ale world. It is their Gulo Gulo IPL.  This new India Pale Ale is India Pale Lager.  If you read my earlier and first one, which was their Winter Lager, you know the history of this craft brewery across the street from The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  If you have not, please, read that earlier beer blog post to get to know this Michigan craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this India Style Pale Lager.  The smell has some piney notes.  The taste has a nice hops of piney notes with a crisp finish.  The aftertaste has bitter hop finish, which I love.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

6.7% abv / 65 IBU – Always on tap
This ground-breaking style combines the essential ingredients and hopping methods used to create a world-class I.P.A.  Then using our expert lagering techniques and house lager yeast we created an instant favorite among the existing and steadily growing number of “hop-heads” and craft “lager-heads” in the beer world today.  Gulo Gulo I.P.L. is hopped with Cascade, Chinook, Columbus, Warrior and Pilgrim hops.  It is dry-hopped once in the fermenter and then a second time with whole-cone Cascade hops before packaging.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

In closing, I have to say I am pretty impressed about this Lager.  I am not a huge fan of this beer style.  To me, it is over hopped pilsner.  I love the hops they are using in this Lager.  I have to say this gives everything to your Lager drinker and Hophead.  I really love the aftertaste.  I have to say it is better than most India Pale Lager on the market.  There is not much more to say about this brew.  It is great brew and you better go try one.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan And West Of Detroit Part 1

(www.509beerstore.com)

In this beer blog, we are going to talk about liquor stores in my area of Michigan.  I just moved back in October so please, give me feed back if I missed a store.  As you know, I am a huge beer fan and a craft beer fan.  I will be the first to say I was spoiled in Chicagoland area with great beer stores.  It was between Binny’s, Cardinal Stores, and some of the chain stores there.  When I moved back, I knew Michigan craft beer market was huge on Michigan beers, which should be the case.  There are so many beers, and breweries in every market around the country.  I know Michigan is in that same situation.  Where do I go to buy some great beers?  I had no idea.  I did Google search after Google search.  I came up with a list.  I even did something I hate doing walking in and out of stores.  I do have a list and I am going to be up front and honest.  Here we go!

Beer Baron (Livonia, MI)

Beer Baron is a little bit north of Wine Palace by 7 mile on Middlebelt.  When I went, they were working on the store.  The staff there was nice and let me walk around.  He let me take my time and asked if I needed help.  This was the opposite of Wine Palace.  They have a great beer selection and some pretty good prices.  I was pretty impressed.  This is a beer store and it is pretty clear to that fact.  The two things I did not like about this store.  One, the store is in chaos.  There is beer everywhere.  Two, when I went, the staff did not know anything about beer.  Their parking lot is a lot easier than Wine Palace.  I recommend this beer store.

Wine & Barrel (Livonia, MI)

I did not want to drive up to Beer Baron and I am staying away from Wine Palace.  I just went to Wine & Barrel that is right down the street from my place.   There is some nice parking at the side of the building and they are not that busy like the last two stores.  The first thing, I did not like is the guy does not take pop cans.  You are a liquor store that sells rum and you do not sell pop.  I guess not rum and coke for someone in the area.  I am just saying.  I was not happy by that.  Now, I have to go two places to get my errands done for returns.  Who will go there and buy their liquor just to go somewhere else to get their pop?  I was not too impressed by their beer selection.  I did not like the fact you could not buy single beers (12oz).  They had beer store selected ones available.  It was like it came from their breakage area.  I thought their prices where too high like Wine Palace.  I get it that these stores need to make some money.  There is a level where it will keep people out of your store.  This store has a huge area for beer brewing supplies.  I thought that was really cool when I was walking through but after looking at that the beer selection.  I started to have a different attitude towards the store.  Their beer area is all over the place.  I mean you have craft beer with imports beers and the other way around.  This is so not profitable for the store.  Their beer customers that are looking at crafts beers are not seeing all their crafts or import beer customers in one area.  They have to walk around the store and I know I might have missed something.  It can be the same for their mass-produced beer customers.   I just feel they make more money off their beer supplies.  There is nothing wrong at being just a brewing supply store.  I will pass on this store.

Mid-Joy Liquor Store (Livonia, MI)

The first weekend I was back in Michigan.  I wanted to go beer shopping so I thought I would go back to my old liquor store when I first lived in the area.  They have a pretty nice selection.  I was enjoying it until I started noticing that everything I was picking up was out of date.  I was pretty disappointed pretty quickly.  This store went hard into the craft beer without the consumers to support it.  I never went back into this store.  I might again but I think I just might stay away.

Keg & Wine Party Store (Redford, MI)

I found this store looking for a Cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider on their website.  The parking lot could be better but that is not point of this review.  The store inside is pretty nice and clean.  Everyone is nice and helpful.  They have a great selection on beers and spirits.   I was pretty impressed.  I will have to say it is better than Wine Palace.  The only thing I do not like about this store.  I can not buy single bottles and/or cans of beer (12oz).  You have to buy the six or four pack.  I will be back to this store and I recommend this store.

Holiday Market (Canton, MI)

Whenever I would come in town, this was the store I would go to in the beginning.  They had whole warm shelf aisle in this grocery store for craft beer.  I was amazed at the selection.  I always picked up beers that I could not get in Chicago.  I started to realize pretty quickly that they were not selling through most their beers.  This store at that time had a ton of out of code beers.  This is a great store but buyer beware.

Super Fines (Canton, MI)

This store is at the top of my list.  They have just about everything in this liquor store.  If they do not have it, they will get the beer or whatever you are looking for at that time.  If it is sold in the state, they will get it.   You can do mix six packs in every price range.  You can buy single beers too.  They have a pretty big spirit selection.  This is a great beer store and I highly recommend it.

Closing, I know I have not covered everything liquor stores in the Southeast Michigan.  I am looking at just craft liquor beer stores.  I am not going to just the neighbor store.  I went to ones that claim they are a craft beer store or I know they have a pretty big selection.  I know there are more out there.  I will keep searching.  I loved Super Fines in Canton, Beer Barton in Livonia, and Key & Wine Party Store in Redford.  I will never go back into Wine Barrel and Mid-Joy Liquor Store in Livonia.  If there are any other stores, please, let me know.  I would love to hear your thoughts on these stores.  I will be writing a new review here shortly.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Cellar Series Chocolate

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In this cider blog, we are going to sample out a new cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  It is their Cellar Series Chocolate.  If you read my earlier blogs on their ciders, you know the history of this Northeast Cider company.  If you have not, please, read those blog posts to get to know this cider company.  I bet you have heard of Woodchuck and already know the history.  Let us get into this special and new cider.

It has a beautiful clear light brown color without a head on this cider.  The smell is a heavy chocolate notes.  The taste is chocolate with apple cider at the end of the drinking experience with an apple cider aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Woodchuck Cellar Series Chocolate features our original small batch hard cider, complemented by cacao beans. The inclusion of crushed cacao beans notes of artisan chocolate throughout the nose and taste of the cider. A hint of caramel accompanies the full apple flavor with a dry finish. Cellar Series Chocolate is one of the most unique ciders we have ever crafted, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Cheers! John Matson Cider Maker

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @woodchuckcider

In the end, I was pretty excited to see them post on their twitter account that they were releasing a new cider.  However, it was not just a new cider, it is a pretty unique one.  This is a chocolate cider and then I was pretty nervous and interested.  There is a ton going on in this cider and it is pretty good.  I love the chocolate notes but it does not overpower the cider part.  It is pretty well balanced cider. I love the smells and it is awesome.  This is great beverage to enjoy on a nice winter day with a ton of snow.  We all this year has received a ton of snow.  Go out and get a chocolate cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  I recommend it.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Blackout Stout

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Lights out, we are going to sample a beer from Great Lakes Brewing that was named after the “Blackout Of 2003.”  It is their Blackout Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Christmas Ale, you know history of this Ohio brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This stout has a jet black color without a head.  The smell of this Russian Imperial Stout has a chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste is a creamy chocolate with notes of burned malt with a slight burned chocolate bitterest.  It is a sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our robust Blackout Stout is named after the infamous “Blackout of 2003” that left the northeastern United States without power for days…. A nuisance for some, an enjoyable 36 hours of energy conservation and beer drinking with neighbors for others

Who needs the power grid when you’ve got the full moon, bright stars, good friends and Blackout Stout, our Russian Imperial Stout with a hearty malt body and bold hop favor.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

Lights back on, I enjoyed this brew and I forgot how good this brew really is.  Every year this beer is released.  I used to pick up a few like a few years ago and I would see it.  I keep forgetting to pick up.  Shame on me, this is a great stout.  I almost want to make a road trip to try this as a barrel aged stout.  This is a nice sipping Imperial Stout.  I love the chocolate and slight coffee notes.  I know there is a code date but I could see this brew aging well in the bottle.  This is on my own thing and it did not come from the brewery.  I highly recommend this brew and I would hunt it down before it disappear until next season.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Church Street Brewing Continental Lager

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In this beer blog, Church Street Brewing is making its first appearance on this blog with their Continental Lager.  Joe Gregor traveled around checking out local beers around the world and found a nice location in the Northwest Burbs of Chicago.  Joe loves German Lagers and the craft beer drinkers will see a few Lagers in their beer line ups.  This brewery opened the doors for the first time in 2012.  They brew several different beer styles asides Lagers.  Let us get into this Lager.

It has golden color with a big white constants head.  The carbonation is heavy on this lager.  There is really no smell.  The taste has a light carbonation with a slight malty to hoppy notes.  The aftertaste is clean crisp finish.  It is a pretty drinkable lager.

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

Smooth and drinkable, yet malty and complex with a noble hop kick. Church Street’s Continental Lager marries four German malts with three German hop varieties to create our quintessential pilsner.  Notes of biscuit and grassy/floral hops make this a great beer to kick back with anytime. Enjoy!

  • ABV 5.3%
  • IBU 39
  • SRM 7

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.churchstreetbrew.com 

Twitter:  @ChurchStBrew

In the end, I have been on a search for a good craft lager.  I believe this one from Church Street Brewing has come pretty close to it.  This lager to me is too close to the European Lager Style.  It is still good brew.  I wished I could get another bottle of this brew but they are not available in the Southeast part of Michigan.   I really did enjoy this Lager and it is towards the top of my lager list. I recommend this brew and I hope to hear your thoughts 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 Off Color Brewing Troublesome Wheat Beer

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Another beer before the road, Troublesome Wheat Beer from Off Color Brewing is the second brew to be reviewed on this beer blog.  If you read my beer blog from yesterday of their Scurry, you know the history of this upcoming craft brewery out of Chicago.  If you have not, please, read yesterday’s beer blog post to get to know Off Color Brewing.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy yellow color with a semi white head on this wheat ale.  The smell is lemon like but that comes from coriander notes.  The taste is a heavy citrus to coriander notes with a citrus aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

TROUBLESOME

Blended Wheat Beer

Most brewers spend a lot of time and effort keeping lactobacillus out of their breweries; it was the first thing we brought in (it still has to stay in the corner though). We blend together two different beers to make Troublesome. The first is a somewhat uninteresting wheat beer and the second is an overly acidic & funky beer fermented solely with lactobacillus. We blend the two beers together with coriander and salt at the tail end of fermentation to create a mild, lemony tartness and a fuller sensation of mouthfeel. And yes, it’s hard to make.

ABV:4.5%
HOPS:Northern Brewer
IBU:10
MALTS:Pils, Wheat Malt, Flaked Wheat, Flaked Oats

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.offcolorbrwing.com

Twitter:  @OffcolorBrewing

Closing out the beer tab, I am not a fan of wheat beers.  I love German Hefeweizen but not too many wheats.  I love Upland Brewing Wheat and this beer from Off Color.  I just realized both of these craft beers are not even in my market.  Now that is pretty funny.  I will have to do some road trips.  What I like about this Wheat Beer, you do not taste the wheat or yeast like most American wheat beers.  I love the coriander that is used in this brew.  It has a nice lemon notes that kick off through out the beer drinking experience.  There is not over the top aftertaste from the beer and lemon notes.  It is just right.  They do some brewery tours and I would check into that to get to know this brewery a little bit more.  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 Off Color Brewing Scurry

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Starting new beer tab, Off Color Brewing is the featured craft brewery on this beer blog.  This is their frist appearance on this blog.  The beer that will be sampling is Scurry and tomorrow will be their Troublesome Wheat Beer.  Off Color Brewing was founded in the later part of 2012 to early part of 2013 in the western part Logan Square in Chicago.  The founder are John Laffler, who was part of Goose Island brewery team, and Dave Bleitner, who was part of Two Brothers Brewery team.  Their goal is to brew beer that they will enjoy and something different then the norm on the market today.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark brown to a slight amber or dark brown reddish color with a semi constant white head.  The smell is honey with hints of caramel.  The taste is a smooth and slight creamy honey with a nice creamy chocolate aftertaste.  It is a extremely drinkable beer.

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

SCURRY

Dark Honey Ale

This surprisingly dry beer retains all the aroma and nuance of honey (from bees) and molasses (not from bees) creating a perception of sweetness through cool, controlled fermentation. Because we’re sweet enough damn it.

ABV:5.3%
HOPS:Strisselspalt, Nothern Brewer, Hallertau Hersbrucker
IBU:18