samuel adams

New Beer Blog 21st Amendment Brewery Hop Crisis Imperial IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from 21st Amendment Brewery.  It is their limited release brew, which is called Hop Crisis Imperial IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read those beer blog posts, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy straw to golden color with a constant white head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy tropical fruit to this IPA.  The taste of this light body beer is a sweet tropical fruits like mango to pineapple.  The aftertaste echoes the taste notes.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.21st-amendment.com):

Shaun and Nico have to break out of Alcatraz. And fast. The Hop Syndicate is hoarding hops, depriving the people of their right to hoppy, aromatic beer. Join Shaun and Nico on their adventure to Free the Hops! First, they plan a daring escape through the sewer pipe, then they surf monster waves on ironing boards, and finally they attempt a high speed cable car getaway.

Hop Crisis. Crisis? What Crisis? A few years ago, when hop prices shot through the roof and the worldwide hop market went into a tailspin, at our pub in San Francisco we decided there was only one thing for us to do. We made the biggest, hoppiest IPA we could imagine and aged it on oak for good measure. This Imperial IPA breaks all the rules with more malt, more hops and more aroma.

  • Alcohol Content 9.7% by volume
  • Color Gold
  • Bitterness Units (IBUS) 94
  • Bittering Hops Columbus, Centennial, Cascade
  • Yeast Top Fermenting Ale Yeast
  • Malts Pale Malt, Munich, Dextrose
  • Special Ingredients Aged on Oak

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter:  @21stAmendment

End of the hops, this beer is something else in a very good way.  This is Imperial India Pale Ale and it does not drink like one.  It is light to medium in body for the type of beer style.  I love the hops that they used in this brew.  It has a well made malty backbone to balance with hops that are being used in it.  The hops kick off a nice tropical fruit notes.  If you are in the west coast, I highly recommend you stopping into their brewpub in San Fran.  They service some great food and you can purchase some of their beer to go from the brewery.  I highly recommend this brew too.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Robinsons Brewery Trooper Ale

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Run to the hills, we are going to get into the brew from Iron Maiden and Robinsons Brewery and it is their Trooper Ale.  This is recipe came from Bruce Dickenson, who is the lead singer.  Robinsons Brewery was founded and started in 1838 by William Robinson in England.  They brew several different beer styles.  Here is a youtube video with Bruce talking about this beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on this Metal Beer.  The smell is a slight caramel to some hop notes.  The taste has some caramel with hop notes along with a slight water notes.  The aftertaste has a dry hop and malt finish that falls flat at the end.  It it is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Onward, onward Ride the 600…

The change of the light brigade, which inspired the Iron Maiden song The Trooper, took place at the Battle Of Balaclava (1854) during the Crimean War when 600 British cavalry courageously charged the masses Russian artillery.  This gallant but foolhardy assault resulted in a massive loss of life and came about due to a misunderstanding of an order given by the commanding officer, Lord Raglan

Trooper is a premium British beer inspired by Iron Maiden and handcrafted are Robinsons brewery.  Being a real ale enthusiast, vocalist Bruce Dickinson has developed a beer which has true depth of character.  Malt flavours and citric notes from an unique blend of Bobec, Goldings, and Cascade hops dominate this deep golden ale.

Here is a description from Robinson Brewery’s website (www.robinsonsbrewery.com):

Premium British Beer – Inspired by Iron Maiden, handcrafted by Robinsons. ABV 4.7%

TROOPER takes its name from the Iron Maiden song which is inspired by the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. Being a real ale enthusiast, vocalist Bruce Dickinson has developed a beer which has true depth of character.

TROOPER is a Premium British Beer inspired by Iron Maiden and handcrafted at Robinsons brewery. Malt flavours and citric notes from a unique blend of Bobec, Goldings and Cascade hops dominate this deep golden ale with a subtle hint of lemon.

Premium British Beer – Created by award-winning heavy metal rock legends Iron Maiden, brewed by Robinsons. ABV 4.7%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.robinsonsbrewery.com and www.ironmaidenbeer.com

Twitter:  @ironmaidenbeer

Fear of the dark, I am huge metal head and fan of Iron Maiden.  When I heard the band was coming out with a beer, I thought it was a money grab.  Of course, they will make money on it either way.  When I heard they are taking this beer serious, I started to take this brew serious.  I had a hard time finding a bottle to try it here in the states.  I had a friend from one of my beer stores get a few cases.  It is 16.9oz bottle for $7.99.  I am not saying this is a bad beer because it is not a bad one.  I just feel this beer is over priced.  Of course, I understand it is an import beer that is one reason why it is a little bit more.  I recommend you trying this brew if you are a fan of the band, metal head, and/or craft beer drinker.  Overall, it is a well made beer and I enjoyed 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 Redhook Brewing Out Of Your Ground Pumpkin Porter

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a two-year old fall seasonal from Redhook Brewery.  It is their Out Of Your Ground Pumpkin Porter.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their brews, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into beer.

It has a black and brown color without a head on this fall seasonal.  The smell is chocolate cover pumpkin.  The taste of this light to medium body beer is chocolate cover pumpkin with a fade smokey pumpkin aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Out of Your Gourd Pumpkin Porter is dark chestnut-brown in color and is made with pureed pumpkin. Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are added to the whirlpool and maple syrup is added during fermentation. This full-bodied, rich roasty porter makes you want to eat turkey and watch football, or build a bonfire.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @redhook_brewery

Ending, I am a huge fan of Redhook as many of you know by reading on this blog.  This is not one of my favorite beer from this brewery or fall seasonal.  This brew is still a really good brew.  It has a nice balance from the pumpkin and porter.  It has taste of chocolate cover pumpkins.  This is a great sessional fall beer.  This is a beer you can drink during fall cook out or bonfire without having something too heavy.  This is a great brew and Redhook brewery did a great job on this brew.  I recommend you trying 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 Epic Armageddon IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery I have been wanting to try in a very long time.  I am talking about Epic Brewery from New Zealand.  The beer is their Armageddon India Pale Ale.  Epic Brewing was started in 2006 by the founder, who is Luke Nicholas.  In 2007,  Steam Brewing Company sold all the Epic Brewing and the brands to Luke Nicholas.  The brewery started to sell their beers to Australia in 2009.  The United States and Sweden in 2010 and Belgium and Italy in 2011.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with pure white head on this India Pale Ale.  The smell is grapefruit.  The taste of this medium body beer is a carbonated grapefruit notes with a slight dry hop aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Armageddon I.P.A

The answer to everything.

In the beginning, there was nothing. Then an impish brewer piled a ludicrous amount of hops into a batch of beer. This zymurgical big bang is Epic Armageddon, an apocalyptic assault on your preconceptions and taste buds. It may be too huge for this fragile planet so enjoy this beer like it was the last one on Earth.

Malt

  • English pale ale
  • Caramalt

Hops

  • US Cascade
  • US Centenniel
  • US Columbus
  • US Simcoe

Flavours & aromas

  • Hops! hops! hops!
  • Citrus
  • Grapefruit

Awards

  • Best in Class – BrewNZ 2011
  • Best in Class – BrewNZ 2009
  • Gold Medal – BrewNZ 2011
  • Gold Medal – BrewNZ 2009
  • Bronze Medal – BrewNZ 2010

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.epicbeer.com

Twitter:  @EpicBeer

Closing, I am not disappointed with this beer after a long wait of wanting to try it.  I will be hunting down the rest of their brews.  This brewmaster did a great job on this brew.  He and his company put some thought behind this brew.  The beer is nice balance with some great hop notes and character.  It is pretty drinkable for the beer style.  I will be looking for more of this beer in Detroit beer market.  Thanks Luke for giving the United States craft beer drinker a good import IPA.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog O’Fallen Pumpkin Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first brew from O’Fallen Brewery from Missouri.  It is their Fall Seasonal, which is Pumpkin Beer.  O’Fallen Brewery was founded in 2000 by Fran and Tony Caradonna.  The brewery was sold to Jim Gorczyca in 2011.  Fran Caradonna is still part of the company to this day.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a heavy cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin to this fall seasonal. The taste of this light to medium beer is heavy pumpkin with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Like pumpkin pie in a bottle…we add 136 pounds of real pumpkin to the three-barley mash and then season the finished beer with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Available September 1.

Style: Herb and Spice Beer Alcohol: 5.6% ABV Bitterness: 11 IBUs Color: 8.7 SRM Grain: Pale, White Wheat, Caramel 90L Hops: Cluster

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ofallonbrewery.com

Twitter:  @OFallonBrewery

In closing, I have had a few of their beer over the years.  I have to say they are average to slightly above average.  I love my fall beers but over the years I have been disappointed.  This Pumpkin Beer I have been wanting to try it.  I had a chance this season to get a bottle from my local liquor store.  It is a really good brew and I believe they did a great job brewing it.  The problem like many beers coming out-of-state I believe it is overpriced.  I am not saying it is bad because it is overpriced.  I just would pick up one six-pack in the season but that is a maybe it.  There is so many newer seasonals and breweries hitting the market everyday.  It makes it harder and harder for the breweries that have been in the market for years to have their brews sell well. I recommend you trying this beer and try rest of their brews.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Belgium Pumpkick Fall Seasonal

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new Fall Seasonal from New Belgium Brewery.  It is their Pumpkick Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Imperial IPA, you will know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this Colorado brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light copper color with a constant white head on this fall seasonal beer.  The smell is heavy pumpkin with slight cranberry notes.  The taste of this light to medium body is a cranberry and pumpkin notes with a pumpkin aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. Pumpkick is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing.

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

What’s that bite of tartness doing in a pumpkin beer? Adding the unexpected kick of cranberry juice to brighten this traditionally spiced seasonal ale. PUMPKICK is brewed with plenty of pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but it’s the cranberries and touch of lemongrass that send your taste buds sailing.

Birthdate: July, 2013

ABV: 6.0%
Hops: Target
Malts: Pale, Munich, Caramel
Fruits/Spice: Pumpkin juice, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cranberries, Lemongrass

Here is a video on their website (www.newbelgium.com) about food pairing:

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website;  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, I am not a really huge fan of this brewery, however, the last few new brews that they have release.  They are winning me over pretty quick.  I love their Rampant Imperial IPA and Shift Pale Lager.  This beer that is being feature is really good gives me hope more for this brewery and all fall seasonals.  This pumpkin beer is pretty well balance with the complex favors in it.  There is a ton going on in this brew.  It is not over the top from the pumpkin and cranberry.  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 Moonlight Brewery Death And Taxes

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer that I found while out in San Francisco.  The brewery is called Moonlight Brewery from Santa Rosa, California.  The brewery was started by Brian Hunt in 1992.  Death And Taxes is their flagship beer.  They do not package any of their beer.  They only sell their beers in kegs in the northern part of California.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a semi tan head on the beer.  The smell is roasted malts to coco notes.  The taste is smoked with coffee to slight chocolate notes.  The aftertaste is a dry crisp coco to it.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

A very dark yet surprisingly light-bodied Lager beer, crisp and refreshing with no heaviness.

Alcohol 5.0% vol

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.moonlightbrewing.com

Twitter:  no twitter address

In closing, I found this beer at a bar, which is Toronado Bar, that my work took us to for a few beers.  I did not want anything heavy.  I wanted something with flavor but yet a light in body.  I will say this beer covered all those things that I was looking for in a beer.  This has some nice notes but yet pretty drinkable.  I recommend  you trying this beer if you are around the northern part of California.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Brooklyn Oktoberfest

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another seasonal from Brooklyn and it is their Oktoberfest.  if you read my earlier beer blog posts about this brewery, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read those beer blog posts, please, read those beer blog posts about this brewery.  Let us get into beer.

It has a clear dark copper to amber color with a white head on this fall lager.  The smell is a slight malty to hints of caramel.  The taste is a sweet heavy caramel notes with a dry caramel aftertaste.  This beer style leans has a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Please enjoy Brooklyn Oktoberfest, a rich, malty version of the lager brewed for the fall festival which originated in Germany with the betrothal of the Crown Prince of Bavaria in 1810.  Brooklyn Oktoberfest is in the märzen style an amber lager brewed in March and stored cold through the summer for sale in autumn.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brooklynbrewery.com

Twitter:  @brooklynbrewery

Closing, I will be the first to say that I am not a real big fan of this brewery.  There is not too many brews that they make that I enjoy.  This brew gives me hope from this brewery.  I had it in the past and I thought it was average.  I know this brewery does not really change their recipe each year.  I do not know what it is but this year’s version is pretty good.  There is a nice balance on this brew.  It is not too overly malty like most Oktoberfest brews.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill  DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Arbor Brewing Mackinac Island Fudge Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Arbor Brewing Company. The beer is one of their seasonals and it is called Mackinac Island Fudge Stout. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this brewery, you know the history of it. If you have not, please, read those posts to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a tan head that is strong when pouring but disappears after a while.  The smell is a rich coco to the stout.  The taste is burn but smooth to creamy chocolate.  The aftertaste is a dry coco to it.  To me, it is drinkable but to the general beer drinker, it is not drinkable.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @ArborBrew

Closing, this stout was really good and it is up on my top five list.  I was pretty stun on how good it is in the bottle.  I love how they used Fudge from Mackinac Island.  I love the packaging and the name.  They kept this a Michigan proud in the name and the type of packaging.  I highly recommend you trying this beer.  I did not see it on their website so I am not sure if they still making 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 Oktoberfest

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In this 400th blog post, we are going to get into new fall seasonal from Goose Island.  It is the return of their Oktoberfest after six years absence.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Chicago craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear amber copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is caramel.  The taste is a heavy sweet creamy caramel without an aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Brewer’s Notes:

Brewed in the traditional Märzen style our Oktoberfest pours a brilliant copper over rose color with a bone white head. Notes of toffee and burnt sugar in the aroma and flavors of sweet dried apricots are delivered in a dry malty body with the mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops.

Recipe Information:

Style: Märzen Alcohol by Volume: 6.4% International Bitterness Units: 17 Color: Copper Hops: Hallertau Malts: 2-Row, Carapils, Munich 10, C-20, C-40,  C-120

Availability

Seasonal Bottles: 6pks Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.gooseisland.com

Twitter;  @gooseisland

In closing, over the years, I have grown to start to dislike fall beers.  It just seems like they disappointment me every year to year.  I was happy to hear that Goose Island brought back their Oktoberfest in package.  This beer does not have that Goose Island taste like the rest of their beers.  This beer is a little different.  It is little bit more hoppier than the normal Oktoberfest.  This beer is not my favorite but it is really good brew.  It also gives me hope for all the fall seasonals again.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser