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New Beer Blog Samuel Adams Juniper IPA

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out Juniper IPA from Samuel Adams.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this craft brewery, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know the Boston Beer Company.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head on this winter IPA.  The smell is a heavy Juniper Berries.  The taste is a piney with hints of Juniper Berries with a quick bitter aftertaste that disappears fast.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

For this special release, we wanted to brew a flavorful winter IPA that captured the aroma of the season.  This brought us to juniper berries, which add a slightly sweet, piney character.  Complemented by citrus notes from American hops, this balanced IPA will brighten the holidays.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @SamuelAdamsBeer

In the end, I was pretty interested in this brew.  I did not know how the Juniper Berries would mix with the IPA.  I know they made an English style IPA because I believe that West Coast IPA would not go well with the berries.  I believe the hops would have overpowered the berries.  There is a nice balance from the hops, malty backbone, and Juniper Berries. I love the aroma and beer drinking experience.  This beer is good but it is not that good.  It is average beer, however, I will give Boston Beer Company some credit for being unique and original.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Resignation Brewery And Redhook KCCO Black Lager

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In this tag team beer blog, we are going to get into a beer called KCCO Black Lager that is brewed by Redhook Brewery and Resignation Brewery.  If you read my beer blog posts on the Redhook Brewery, you know the history of this Northwest Craft Brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to Redhook Brewery.  Resignation is a multiple digital media company.  The black lager was brewed for the sharing around the office and to close friends and family.  Late in 2013, they teamed up with Redhook Brewery to get it into the market.  Redhook Brewery refined the beer and shipped it out to the following markets, which are New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.  In the early part of 2014,  KCCO Black Lager will receive a  national roll out.  Let us get into the beer.

This Black Lager has a dark brown to a light black color with a nice creamy tan head at first.  It fades after a while.  There is really no smell.  The taste is a malty to chocolate notes with a dry chocolate crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Black Lager

A toast lager with notes of chocolate and coffee. Unlike a heavy porter or a stout it’s amazingly light, crispy, and sessionable. KCCO Black is a delicious misfit.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.resignationbrewery.com and www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @resignationbrew and @Redhook_Brewery

1-2-3, I have to say for the victory and the match.  This beer has won it all.  I have been waiting to try this brew since I heard of its launch in a few markets.  I am not disappointed.  I am really looking forward to see how it will do in the Michigan market.  I am also looking forward to trying the other brands from both of these breweries.  I am a fan of black lager so I knew I was won over right away.  There is some nice chocolate notes and pretty drinkable with a nice balance.  I highly recommend this brew if you can find it.  It will be in your market sometime in 2014.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

2013 in review Thanks For All The Support!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,500 times in 2013. If it were a cable car, it would take about 42 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Thanks For The Support!

Bill DJ Weiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Cellar Series Dry Hop

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In this cider blog, we are going to get into another cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  The cider that will be feature is their Cider Cellar Series Dry Hop.  If you have read my blog posts the last few days, you know the history of Woodchuck Hard Cider.  If you have not, please, read those blog posts to get to know cider company.  Let us get into the cider.

It has a see through and clear golden color without a head on it.  The smell has cider, apple, and hints of citrus.  The taste has a sweet cider notes and then turns into citrus hop notes.  The aftertaste is a bitter hop finish.  It is a drinkable cider to most but to me it is a sipping cider.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Woodchuck Cellar Series Dry Hop represents our imagination at work.  We start with our original small batch hard cider.  Then add an aggressive amount of Cascade hops to impart rich hop flavor and aroma.  This extensive dry hopping process infuses the cider with crisp citrus and pine notes.  The smooth apple character of our signature hard cider balances perfectly against the bitterness of the hops.  A truly rare and very limited treat straight from the Woodchuck Cellar.  Cheers!

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

Dry Hop

Woodchuck Dry Hop is the first cider in our new Cellar Series line. Infused with hops, Woodchuck Dry Hop brings a new unique flavor to the cider category and it represents our dedication to pushing innovation in hard cider. Like all of our styles, Dry Hop is naturally gluten-free.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @WoodchuckCider

Closing out the tab, I saw this cider and I thought this will be pretty interesting.  I am a huge hop head so I had to pick this cider up.  Woodchuck made a dry hopped cider.  I love the color and aroma this cider has going on in it.  The drinking experience is extremely different and unique.  I love it.  I was pretty stun and impressed with this dry hopped cider.  To me, the dry hopping gives my hop head something in a cider.  I recommend this cider if you want something a little different and unique then a beer or normal cider.  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 Private Reserve Barrel Select

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In this cider blog, we are going to get into our third cider on this blog and from Woodchuck.  It is their Private Reserve Series Barrel Select.  If you read my earlier cider blog post on this brewery, you know the history of Woodchuck Hard Cider.  If you have not read those post, please, read them to get to know Woodchuck Cider.  Let us get into the cider.

It has a clear copper color without a head on it.  The smell is apple, cider, bourbon, and a slight smoky notes.  The taste has a cider to apple notes with a bourbon oak notes.  The aftertaste bourbon cider notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Barrel Select

This ultra-limited cider manages to combine the sweet and crisp taste of apple cider with smoky and dry flavors of Kentucky Bourbon. Woodchuck Cider is awesome, Kentucky Bourbon is awesome. Match made in heaven? We think so.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @WoodchuckCider

In closing, I love my barrel age and bourbon barrel age beers.  I had to try a cider that was aged in a bourbon barrel.  I have to say I am pretty impressed.  It is not overly sweet but enough to say it is a cider.  The bourbon cuts through the cider and adds some nice notes to the cider.  I will have to add this to my regular line up beers just give me a nice twist in my beer drinking.  Woodchuck Hard Cider has reach their goal in my view-point on this cider  What I am trying to get at, they give the beer and craft beer drinker something else.  This cider is on that list.  I highly recommend this cider.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Une Annee Airing Of Grievances

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New beginnings, we are going to sample out a new craft brewery from Chicago and beer from that brewery on this blog post.  It is Une Annee Brewing Airing Of Grievances Imperial Russian Stout.  This Chicago based brewery was founded in 2012 in the Bucktown area of  town.  They based their beers on Belgian and French beer styles.  They have about eight beers they brew and package in 750ml bottles.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with big bubbles.  There is a tan to creamy semi head.  The smell has some chocolate to hints of coffee.  The taste is a smooth creamy chocolate with a slight coffee notes.  The aftertaste is a dry coffee bean notes.  This stout is extremely drinkable and will get beer drinkers in trouble if they are not paying attention.

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

Airing of Grievances – Russian Imperial Stout

ABV: 10.6% – Classic Belgian and English yeasts combine fruity esters with a deep malt presence for a creamy, chocolate finish. After drinking this decadent beer, one may feel at ease to tell friends how they’ve disappointed in the past year.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uneannee.com

Twitter:  @UneAnnee

Closing out the new beginnings, all I can say is WOW!  This beer is something else in a good way of course.  This beer is rich and full of flavor.  I love the creamy chocolate notes this stout has going on in it.  It does not drink like a beer over 10%.  This beer will sneak up on you, however, you will enjoy the beer and love the design.  This is the first beer that I had from this brewery.  When I am back in Chicago, I will stop by their brewpub if they have one.  If not I will bring some bottles back to Michigan to try rest of them, 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 Goose Island Ten Hills Pale Ale

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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 (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Winter Hard Cider

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In this cider blog, we are going to get into our first review of a cider.  I am happy it will be Woodchuck and their Winter Hard Cider.  Woodchuck came from a winery which at the time most wineries were not making cider.  In 1990, Woodchuck was born.  They wanted to give beer fans something else to drink that is why their “802” and “Amber” cider was born.  By 1996, they had two successful ciders and sold over half million of cases.  A year after they added their “Granny Smith Cider.”  A few years later, they added “Raspberry” and “Pear.”  They just added some seasonals to their line up.  I found all this information from their website (www.woodchuck.com).  Let us get into the cider.

It has a clear slight dark yellow color with some small bubbles.  It does not have a head on it.  The smell is a cider and apple notes.  The taste has hints of vanilla and a little oak to apple.  It is a pretty drinkable hard cider.

Here is a description from the bottle:

Winter Cider is a balanced culmination of premium French and traditional American Oak, giving the cider great complexity and broad characteristics that neither style could produce on its own.  This cider has tremendous depth starting with an attractive oak taste and finishing with a touch of vanilla, all crafted in Woodchuck tradition… Independent to the core.

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

Winter

Somewhere between a delicate snowflake drifting down to your tongue and a hard-packed snowball to the teeth, the power of this winter Cider is a balanced culmination of Premium French and Traditional American Oak, giving the cider great complexity and broad characteristics that neither style could produce on its own.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @WoodchuckCider

In closing, I am not a cider guy.  I wanted something different and sweet.  I did not want anything over the top sweet but just enough.  I thought a cider might be it.  I try it and I thought I would write a review.  I will end up writing not just one review but I will have two more after this one.  I love barrel age beers so I thought this Winter Cider would be in my wheel house.  I was right.  I loved the apple with the hints of vanilla and oak.  It was pretty drinkable and had pretty good kick.  I highly recommend this cider and I will be trying some more of these ciders.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Magic Hat G-Thing

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Magic Hat Brewing.  It is their Winter or Christmas Seasonal, which is G-Thing Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Magic Hat Brewing.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this northeast craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on this ale.  The smell is hints of cinnamon and ginger.  The taste is a cinnamon and hints of malty notes.  The aftertaste is a cinnamon with a slight ginger notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

G-Thing! is a Ginger Spice Ale led by a fresh ginger zing that’s followed by a bready malt backbone. Its subtle roasty notes and mild hop bitterness slowly give way to a serene cinnamon spiciness as the malt tones melt away.

Stats

  • MaltsPale, Caramel Vienna, Caramel Munich, Victory, Chocolate, Wheat
  • HopsMagnum, Northern Brewer
  • YeastEnglish Ale
  • ABV5.7%
  • IBUs25
  • SRM25
  • Original Gravity14° Plato
  • AdditivesGinger Juice, Cinnamon

Availability / October – January

Variety Packs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, when I saw this beer in package, I was wondering how it was.  I had a chance to try this brew and I jumped onto it.  I have to say I was pretty impressed but kind of disappointed at the same time.  I believe I pumped up myself to be disappointed.  I love how they did a Christmas Ale but not like the rest on the market.  I love how this brewery thinks outside the box.  Overall, I enjoyed drinking this beer.  I love the cinnamon but yet a nice malty backbone.  The other thing that I love about this brew is the fact they did not use a porter, brown, or a stout ale.  They used English ale or English mild ale.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout (2013)

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In this limited edition beer run, we are going to sample out a beer that makes Black Friday Shopping different after Thanksgiving Day.  I am talking about the run of beers that are released around the country by Goose Island Brewery.  This one is their Bourbon County Coffee Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those posts to get up to speed with this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on this stout.  The smell is a heavy coffee notes.  The taste is a heavy coffee with bourbon notes.  The aftertaste is chocolate with hints of coffee.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Everyday Goose Island smells the wonderful coffee roasting next to our brewery at Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea. This world class roaster puts the same passion and skill into their coffee as Goose Island does with its beer. This excellent stout is made with a different coffee from our friends next door each year. With the change in coffee comes a change in the flavor profile, making each release truly unique from the previous years.

2013 Release – Intelligentsia Los Inmortales 2012 Release  – Intelligentsia La Tortuga Beans 2011 Release – Intelligentsia Anjilanaka Beans 2010 Release – Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Beans

Recipe Information:

Style: Imperial Coffee Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels Alcohol by Volume: 13.4% International Bitterness Units: 60 Color: Midnight Hops: Willamette Malt: 2-Row, Munich, Chocolate, Caramel, Roast Barley, Debittered Black Coffee: Intelligentsia La Tortuga Beans

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Snifter Food Pairings: Flourless Chocolate Coffee Cake Cheese Pairings: Capriole Bourbon Chocolate Torte Cellaring Notes: Develops in the bottle up to 5 years

Availability:

Limited Release Bottles: 12oz Draft: 1/6 bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter:  @GooseIsland

Closing out, Goose Island is heading into the right direction now since being took over by evil empire.  I never doubted any of their products and I still look at them as craft brewery.  I like the fact they are putting out more and more of Bourbon County Stout into the markets.  It is still limited but it is expanding.  I love the no balance of these stouts.   They are designed like that and Goose Island was the first to the party to do this type of beer stytle.  Some little craft brewery in Europe can stop being jealous of this brewery.  I love the heavy coffee notes and how bourbon does not overpower the coffee stout part.  If you can get a bottle, this is a must try for a craft beer drinker.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser