samuel adams

New Beer Blog Arbor Brewing Espresso Love Breakfast Stout

image

In this beer blog, we are going to check out another beer from the Arbor Brewing.  It is their Espresso Love Breakfast Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog post when I tried all their beers in a beer flight, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part or the whole beer blog post.  This post is perfect because I am on my way back to Michigan for a beer festival. Let us get into beer.

This beer has a jet black color with a semi tan head on it. The smell is a heavy coffee to it. The taste is a chocolate cover coffee that is smooth but still a full body. There is really no aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Espresso Love Breakfast Stout

Availability

Available on draft at the brewpub every March while supplies last. Available on draft at Corner Brewery every February–April.

Description

Oatmeal and 20 pounds of fresh roasted coffee from the Ugly Mug Café contribute to a mildly chalky espresso character balanced by a rich, sweet creamy maltiness. Coffee finish dissolves into chocolate with a slight roasty bitterness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @CornerBrew @ArborBrew

In closing, this is one of my favorite beer styles.  This is the only way I get most of my coffee fix.  I know I am a little weird because I do not like drinking my coffee hot or warm.  I need it to be cold or coffee beans.  This beer is nice and creamy but yet has the heavy stout taste to it.  It is not drinkable but I can have one after dinner or for dessert.  There is a ton going on in this full body brew.  I have to say this is one of the best brews I have had in this beer style.  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 Gigantic Brewing The Royale Beer

image

In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Gigantic Brewing.  It is one of their everyday beer and it is called The Royale Beer, which is their Belgian Pale Ale.  If you have not read the earlier beer blog posts, please, read those beer blogs to get to know this great brewery.  If you have read those beer post, you know history and of this beer.  Let us get into beer.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head. The smell has a grapefruit to the it. The taste has a heavy grapefruit without an aftertaste. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The Royale

A beer fit for sophisticates and flaneurs, The Royale is a golden concoction of fruity and citrusy flavors meant for whiling away one’s time in Brasseries, cafes and pubs, or anywhere friends can found.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.giganticbrewing.com

Twitter:  @giganticbrewing

In closing, I am a huge fan of this brewery and Belgian Pale Ales.  This beer has everything you expect from a Belgian style ale.  It has a pretty big hop forward to it.  It has a full body but yet easy drinkablity that will have the beer drinker coming back for more of it.  I am not a huge fan of it and I believe this is not the best beer that Gigantic brews.  However, it is not the bad, I just prefer their India Pale Ales.  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 Dogfish Sixty-One

image

In this beer blog, we are going to try an unique beer from Dogfish Head Brewery.  The beer is called Sixty-One.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their flagship beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery from Delaware.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear crimson red color without a head on the beer. The smell has a citrus grapefruit. The taste has slight carbonated to heavy grapefruit with no aftertaste. It is not drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The continually hopped India Pale Ale brewed with Syrah grape must.

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

Availability:  Year Round

Sixty-One, our first new core beer since 2007, was born at the crossroads of serendipity, experimentation and brotherhood.

Whenever Dogfish Head President Sam Calagione and his neighborhood friends gather for drinks, they give each other a big ol’ man-hug and order a round of 60 Minute IPA. A few years ago, Sam also ordered a glass of his favorite red wine and poured a little into each pint of 60 Minute. They all dug the combination of fruity complexity and pungent hoppiness, and the blend became a beloved tradition.

Sixty-One captures that tradition in a bottle and marries two Dogfish Head innovations: beer/wine hybrids — which Dogfish has focused on for well over a decade with beers like Midas Touch and Raison D’être — and continually-hopped IPAs.

The name Sixty-One is a reminder that this beer is Dogfish Head’s best-selling 60 Minute IPA plus one new ingredient: syrah grape must from California. The label, painted by Sam, is a twist on a typical watercolor. Rather than using water, Sam mixed the green pigment with beer and the red pigment with wine. And because Sixty-One pairs so well with chocolate, he painted the browns on the label with melted chocolate.

Sixty-One will debut in March 2013.

Four-packs will be available four times a year throughout Dogfish Head’s 27-state distribution network.

Original Release Date:  03/2013
Food Pairing Recommendations:  Grilled pork tenderloin, sushi, fresh vegetables, summer berries and cream, apple pie, gruyere cheese, young gouda cheese
Glassware Recommendation:  IPA glass
Wine Comparable:   Syrah

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dogfish.com

Twitter:  @dogfishbeer

In closing, this beer is pretty unique beer.   I still do not know how I feel towards it.  To me, it taste like fruit punch India Pale Ale.   I can see this brewery doing well with this beer because of how unique it is to the beer market.  I know many people will be picking this beer to see what is in this beer bottle.  I recommend this beer because of how unique it is .  Please let me know what your thoughts are on 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 Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Cask Scottish Stout

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Innis & Gunn.  It is Oak Aged Beer that is Irish Whiskey Barrels with their Scottish Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their flagship, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color without a head on the beer. The smell is chocolate whiskey to the beer. The taste has a chocolate with a nice well balance taste.  The aftertaste has a slight bite like whiskey to it. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This special bottling of Innis & Gunn has been matured in rare oak barrels from a famous distillery in Ireland.  These barrels had been used to mature one of the unique maturation is a big, full flavored, complex beer with a delightful warming finish.

We hope you enjoy this beer as much as we do.

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

Irish Whiskey Cask

7.4% ABV

Our sturdy Scottish Stout gains even greater flavour during its maturation in rare oak casks, obtained from a renowned Irish Whiskey distillery. The resulting beer is rich, complex and velvety smooth with notes of coffee and dark chocolate, and proves that it pays to have friends in the beverage business.

Awards

Irish Whiskey Cask garnered a gold medal in the International Beer Challenge 2012.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.innisandgunn.com

Twitter:  @innisandgunn

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer.  They are doing something different than most breweries.  They make some killer beers and then age them in barrels.  I know this has been a huge trend in the craft beer world but there is not too many breweries that all of their beers they make are aged in barrels.  This brewery is one of the few and the only one I know of out there.    This stout is something else.  I would love to try it before they put it in the barrels.  I know the price might be a little pricey, however, it is well worth the price.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Crown Valley Gunslinger Imperial India Pale Ale

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Crown Valley Brewing.  The beer is Gunslinger Imperial India Pale Ale.  There is not too much information on this brewery.  I know they are from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.  I know the brewmaster came from Anheuser Busch.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head. The smell has a fade grapefruit to citrus and orange citrus. The taste has a carbonated citrus with a dry hop finish. It is drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Gunslinger Double IPA is a robust and malty beer, with an intense hop profile.  Well balanced, rich malt flavors with powerful hop notes from the use of five different hop varieties.

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

Double India Pale Ale

Double IPA8.3% ABVHistoryDouble IPA brewed in 1994 by Vinnie Cilurzo, then head brewer of Blind Pig Brewing Company of Temecula, Californi. Cilurzo claims he “accidentally” created the style by adding 50% too much malt to his mash tun. He then “corrected” this mistake by adding 100% more hops. This is up for some debate, however, as the local San Diego Pizza Port brewery claims to have been brewing “the original San Diego IPA” since 1992 when they opened their brewery (two years before Cilurzo and Blind Pig). Still others attribute the creation of this style to Rouge Ales, a microbrewery in Newport, Oregon, and its I2PA beer, brewed in 1990.

Impression
This beer has the most hops of any beer we produce.
Tasting Notes
Our Gunslinger Double India Pale Ale starts with a rich malt base to which we add hops, hops and more hops. This skillful blend of malt sweetness and aggressive hoppiness will rule your senses! After the addition of Columbus, simcoe, centennial and citra hops at various points of the brewing process, we reach the final IBU count of 93.
Hops – Zeus, Centenial, Falconers Flight, Citra
Malts – Pilsner, Crystal10, Crystal 80, Carapils, Pale, CBW Golden Light
IBU – 93

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.crownvalleybrewery.com

Twitter:  @CrownValleyBrew

In the end, I enjoyed drinking this beer.  It has nice malty backbone with hop impact to make this a great Double India Pale Ale.  I just wish there was some more information on this brewery and I wish they would put code dates on their beers.  I am afraid to buy any in the Chicago market because it might be out of code.  If you have a chance to try it, please, do so.  I recommend ordering from the brewery’s brewpub.  It is a great beer and I recommend trying this beer.  Let me what you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Lakefront Brewing Big Easy Imperial Maibock

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I have said I would never buy their beers. This beer from Lakefront Brewery was given to me by a friend that loves their beers.  The beer is called Big Easy Imperial Maibock.  If you read my earlier beer blog on the brewery tour, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part or the whole beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy golden copper color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a fate caramel that was melted to slightly burned. The taste is a smooth creamy caramel without aftertaste. It is drinkable.

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

We brew just a few batches of our Big Easy Lager every year to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Don’t be fooled by this beer’s light color: at 7.6% ABV, it is deceptively easy drinking. Pours a brilliant blonde-gold with a bright white fluffy head.

Malty aromas blend with German noble Hallertauer hops. The flavor is bold and malty, with a robust sweetness provided by ample amounts of Munich pale malt that continues to the clean finish.

A great crowd pleaser, and a fabulous beer for Carnival, whether you’re celebrating down in the French Quarter or right here with us in Milwaukee.

Pairs well with Cajun, or any spicy food. A rounded hop flavor and crisp carbonation lift the spiciness of gumbo and jambalaya, while the substantial body stands up to the richness of dishes like etouffee. The sweetness can almost even pair with caramely pralines.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.lakefrontbrewery.com

Twitter:  @lakefront

In closing, I was pretty stun on how good this beer is coming from this brewery.  This is by far their best beer they brew.  The rest of their beers I would pour down the drain but that is my thought and ideas on this brewery.  I have never had Imperial Maibock.  This is a great beer and I wish it was brew every day.  I might have to open the mind again and retry their beers.  I still cannot get over how my friend was treated but then again, I really do not talk to him anymore.  I recommend trying this beer and I will retry their beers.  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 Jack Hammer

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from one of my favorite breweries in Michigan.  The brewery and brew are called Arbor Brewing Jack Hammer.  If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

This old ale has a brown color with a slight dirty white constant head on it. The smell is caramel to malty to it. The taste of this full body beer is a malty to a touch caramel. It is drinkable beer but be careful.

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

Jackhammer Old Ale

Description

This strong ale has a clear alcohol presence, a complex fruity palate, and a dry, spicy, rather assertive hop counterbalance in the finish.  It was first brewed and named during the demolition of the old Fourth and Washington parking structure when downtown felt like Jurassic Park and all of its neighbors needed something a little stronger to get us through! The Michigan Microbrewery and Brewpub Guide calls it, “an excellent, true-to-style beer with a subtle yet distinct chocolate covered cherry quality.”

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.arborbrewing.com

Twitter:  @CornerBrew @arborbrew

In closing, I really love this beer.  I have not found a good Old Ale.  This beer has a several things going on in the beer.  There is ton going on this beer.  It has a nice sweet almost fruity but malty.  It also comes off dry with a touch of species.  This is a beer to enjoy before dinner and move on or just a beer to watch during a sporting event.  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

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Velvet Rooster Belgian-Style Triple Ale

image

In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at another beer from Tallgrass Brewing.  The beer is called Velvet Rooster Belgian-Style Triple Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their flagship beer, which is 8-Bit Pale Ale, you know about Tallgrass Brewing.  If you have not read that beer and just saw this one, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has cloudy yellow color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell is Belgian spices to a slight citrus to the beer. The taste of this full body beer has a citrus with species. The aftertaste is a weird dry cinnamon that is pretty fade. It is drinkable beer however, beer drinker can only have one or two and have to move on to another beer.

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

Style: Belgian-Style Tripel

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: 30

Full Brew Birthday: October 2011

Interesting fact: The first Belgian-style tripel in a can in the world.

Velvet Rooster is a Belgian-style tripel that lives up to its name. Smooth and carefully crafted like a fine velvet painting, but with an 8.5% ABV this bird has some spurs! The beer pours a golden straw color with brilliant clarity. Topped with a lofty pure white head the beer has a wonderful floral nose, with subtle fruit notes.

The taste is clean and crisp, with subtle fruit notes and a touch of candy like sweetness. Rooster’s light carbonation gives it a Champagne-like effervescent that provides a crisp offset to its sweet finish. While a pint glass is always nice, Velvet Rooster would also be at home in a tulip glass or Champagne flute. It is the cock of the walk.

Malts: Pilsner, Munich Hops: Northern Brewer, Centennial, Willamette

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @tallgrassbeer

In closing, This is a pretty good beer.  I am not a huge fan of Belgian style beers.  This one is pretty unique because it is the first and only Triple Ale in a can in the United States and I believe the world.  I am pretty excited this brewery is hitting the Chicago Market.  I am a huge fan of this brewery.  I love their 8-Bit Pale Ale.  I might not be a fan of Belgian-Style Triple Ales but this is a well made beer.  I know people will be enjoy this beer.  I recommend all of their beers and you need to seek these beers out.  Please let me hear your thoughts and  let the brewery know.  They love to hear your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Ethos IPA

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into Tallgrass’s latest India Pale Ale and it is called Ethos IPA.  They are coming to Chicago market in June and I cannot wait.  I know this brewery and my friends know that I am a huge fan of Tallgrass Brewing.  If you read my earlier blog on their flagship called 8-Bit Pale Ale, you know the history of this awesome brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The smell is earthy to it. The taste is piney to a fresh-cut grass with a dry hoppy aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer. It is one or two and I need to move onto the next one.

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

Dry-Hopped India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 110

The beer foretold in legend. Six types of hops are gathered from the corners of the world to make this legendary brew. This is no earthly IPA. They will write ballads, build monuments, paint caves, and sacrifice goats to this beer. They will drink Ethos and dance to shake the heavens. The aroma is the harbinger of the tastes to come. Big, bright, and beautiful, this beer exceeds all expectations and grants wishes. Twice dry-hopped and brewed with the aid of a dark alliance from another realm, this beer bestows upon you all the complexity of the hops’ flavors without overwhelming your senses. Ethos IPA is a gift to you, beer mortals. Drink it and fulfill your destiny.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @TallgrassBeer

In closing, I love this beer and I once again I am very happy to hear this brewery has made it to Chicago.  I like this IPA over their other IPA.  There was nothing wrong with the other IPA.  I just felt it was more of an English style IPA.  You can taste the IBU in this beer but it is well balance with the great malt backbone.  I love the hops that they use in this IPA.  This brewery is a perfect storm.  What I mean by this, they have a great liquid and great packaging.  I know Chicago craft beer drinker will love this beer and I recommend all their beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Wailua

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the summer seasonal from Kona Brewing.  I am so happy this brewery has made it to Chicago market and I am looking forward a summer of drinking some of their great brews.  The brew that will be featured in this beer post is their Wailua Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read those beer post, please, read that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This wheat ale has a clear yellow color without a head on it. There is no smell in this beer. The taste of this light body is a tropical with a sweet passion fruit aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is description from the beer bottle:

Paradise Found

Wailua is Hawaiian for two fresh water streams mingling.  This was just the inspiration we needed for our Aloha Series Wailua Ale brewed with tropical passion fruit.  A refreshing, citrusy, sun-colored ale with the cool taste of Hawaii.

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

Paradise Found

Swimming in a fresh water pool at the base of a cascading waterfall is what we all imagine we would find in paradise. On Maui, follow the old Hana Highway and you will find such a place – Wailua Falls. This plunging cascade of clear water is the inspiration for our Aloha Series seasonal release Wailua Ale. This golden, sun colored ale has a bright, citrus flavor that comes from the tropical passion fruit we brew into each batch. Sit back, relax and enjoy paradise anytime.

Available Spring/Summer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @KonaBrewingCo

In closing, this beer is in their new bottle with the islands on it.  It is shaped like a long board.  This is not my favorite beer and it is way too light body to me.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It is a well made beer and Kona did a great job brewing this beer.  I know for a fact they will be selling a ton around the country.  I did not get too much in the smell but you can taste the passion fruit in it.  There is another great west coast brewery called Bridgeport that came out with a beer called Summer Squeeze with the passion fruit in it.  Both of these beers are great.  I believe Kona has shown us the lifestyle and beauty of the Hawaii.  I recommend this beer and I would love to hear your thoughts on this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser