samuel adams

New Beer Blog Anchor Brewery Christmas Ale (2015)

image

In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Anchor Brewery.  It is this year’s version of their Christmas Ale.  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 this California craft brewery.  Let us get into this Winter Ale.

It has a black color with constant tan color head. The smell has a sweet malty to light alcohol with a hint of chocolate to coffee notes. The taste of this medium body beer has a dry malty to slight coffee notes. The aftertaste has a dry malty with a hint of alcohol notes. It is a sipping beer

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

This is the forty-first annual Christmas Ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.

Our tree for 2015 is the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), better known as the California Christmas Tree. Native of the Himalayas, it takes its name from the ancient Sanskrit devadaru, meaning timber of the gods. This coniferous evergreen, with its gracefully droopy branches and blue-green needles, has been a San Francisco favorite for over 150 years.

The annual search for the perfect tree for our Christmas Ale label usually takes us far afield. This one began and ended with the search for a parking space near the Brewery! Getting out of the car, we couldn’t help but notice the way the late-afternoon sun danced amid the branches of two lovely Deodars just half a block from Anchor’s front door.

Our longtime label artist Jim Stitt—who has been drawing trees for us since 1975—loved “our” Deodars and, like us, was amused that they were about as local as local gets! His charming illustration evokes the radiant beauty of our arboreal neighbors as well as the spirit of the season. Cheers from the Anchor brewers!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.anchorbrewing.com

Twitter:  @anchorbrewing

In the end, this beer is like a tradition of going home for the holiday.  I always pick up a six pack of this beer every year.  I will be honest right now.  I was not a fan of the last few years.  I love this years. This year’s just blew me out of my mind.  It is very well balance.  I love the how it is pretty dry.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan Part 2

In this beer blog, we are going to talk more about the liquor stores in my area and market.  This is a follow-up from a blog that I wrote about year ago.   I just find some of these stores do things that are good or bad and craft or import beer drinkers should know.  I see some stores that are under charging and there are others that are over charging.  Let us get into each of the stores.

Wine palace

If you live in the Livonia or Westland area, you know about this liquor store.  They have a great liquor and wine selection.  I have been told that they have some gems over there too.  We are here to talk about the beer selection.  They have a great craft beer and import selection.  Just like everywhere else, you do need to watch code dates.  If they know you are one of their regulars, you will get some of the one off or limited releases.  They have a great Import selection and a nice beer cave.  Their prices are one of the best in town.  Their prices go pretty well against the Meijer down the street.  Overall, this is a place to check out.

Marcus Market

This place is located in the Wayne State area.  They have an average to below average beer selection. The huge problem with this store is they are not on top of their stuff.  What I mean, they do not know what most of their beer and product cost in their store.  Their prices are pretty high or way too low.  For example, which I have many, Blake’s 6 pack cans for $19.99, which should be around $9.99 and 10.99 like other stores.  Bell’s Planet Series Uranus single bottle (12oz) for $4.99.  While other stores are charges $2.99.  There is some cider and beer that are under cost.  There is a cider from Blakes that other stores charge $24.99.  They were charging $9.99.  They do not have too many rare beers or ciders, however, they have a great Mead selection just watch the prices.  Their little restaurant in the back of the store is a most try.  Asides  that, stay away from this store.

Forrest

This is another place not far from Wayne State either.  Their prices are pretty good.  They are little high but not by much.  They have a pretty good beer selection for craft beers and ciders.  This is a great store when you want some cheap beer with a good craft beer.  They get a ton of rare and limited craft beers and ciders. You will need to ask guys behind the counter. They have a nice staff and they are willing to help their customers.  I highly recommend this store.  If you are in the Wayne State area, come here and not Marcus Market.

Holiday Market Royal Oak

I have been here a few times.  I have not been here in a while.  I just know if I cannot find a beer in my area.  I can take a trip to the east side of the City of Detroit to get it.  They have an awesome craft beer and cider selection. I know many of friends said if you are a regular. You will get some of the one off and limited releases.  If you live on the east side, I highly recommend this place.

Closing, I know there are so many other stores and I know that I keep forgetting some of them.  Please, let me know about them and I will check them out.  I will do a write-up on them.  I hope you learn something from reading this post.  Let me know about your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Victory Brewery Vine To Victory Harvest Ale

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of my favorite breweries in Penyslivania.  It is Victory Brewery and it is Harvest Ale.  This is a pretty big trend in the craft beer world.  I am talking about wet hopped or harvest ales.  It could either a Pale or India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Victory Brewery.  Let us get into this pale ale.

It has a clear copper color without a head on the beer. The aroma has an earthly, piney to floral notes. The taste has a nice carbonation and malty notes along with juiciest earthy to piney notes. The aftertaste has a hop finish that is pretty wet. It is drinkable.

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

Harvest Ale

Wet-Hopped Pale Ale

Highly aromatic and sensual, this novel pale ale delivers a fresh hop flavor like no other brew. Its secret? Fresh hops piled into our boiling kettle just hours after their harvest. With many more of their essential oils intact, these “wet” hops add glorious notes of juicy, fruit to a lightly sweet and balanced brew. Best enjoyed fresh!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.victorybeer.com

Twitter:  @victorybeer

Ending, This is a great beer.  There is not too many ales that I can say are juicy.  The only other beer comes to mind is New Belgium Slow Ride IPA.  I like it. It is pretty different.  What makes this beer a little different is the aftertaste, it has a kind of wet hop bitter finish.  It is a nice drinkable beer.  This is a beer to enjoy watching sports but you will need to pace yourself.  The aroma and taste profile gives off some nice notes.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Magic Hat Single Chair Golden Ale (2015)

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new spring seasonal from Magic Hat Brewery.  It is called Single Chair Golden Ale.  Magic Hat is switching it up and pushing the craft beer drinkers.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know about this east coast craft brewery.   If you have not, please, read them to get to know about this craft brewery.  Let us get into this golden ale.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this ale. The aroma has a sweet malty and slight floral notes. The taste of this light body ale has a refreshing light sweet malty with a dry crisp aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is a performance to behold. Our mysterious mèlange of time-honored ingredients harmonize with chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith to share in the rousing company of kindred spirits.  Cheers!

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

Single Chair

Celebrating the Independent Spirit of Mad River

Single Chair Ale takes its name from a truly unique piece of American history: the Single Chair lift at Mad River, one of only two in the country. We share a similar vision with this mountain: To be part of a community, and to be as dedicated to the enjoyment of brewing as Mad River is to the sport of skiing. As winter’s cover melts to reveal spring’s hidden life, take a ride to the top on the Single Chair and celebrate your independent spirit.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, I am not a huge golden ale fan but this is a great product. I can see huge part of the craft beer world enjoying this brew.  It is not for me.  They put some thought in this brew.  They kept it simple and to the point.  It is extremely drinkable beer.  This is a perfect beer to going skiing with or just start spring cleaning in and outside the house.  I believe this could have been a good summer seasonal. There is some nice flavors but keeping it true to the classic beer style.  I love the story behind the name of the beer.  The last ski resort that has a single chair on the mountain side in their state.  I highly highly recommend this beer.  I believe this beer will have people retry Magic Hat’s beers.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA

image

In this beer blog, we are  going to get into a new brew from Samuel Adams.  It is part of their Rebel IPA series.  It is their Rebel Rider Session IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers from Boston Beer Company, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not read them, please, read them to get to know this craft beer legend.  Let us get into this session IPA.

It has a clear golden color without a head on this session IPA. The aroma has a slight floral notes. The taste has a  citrus to slight grapefruit notes that makes this a light and refreshing brew. The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish. It is drinkable of course.

Here is a description from the beer bottle and their website (www.samueladams.com):

Bursting with bright citrus, grapefruit, and classic piney west coast hop character. This beer has a soft lingering bitterness and a lighter body overall our session IPA is brewed for easygoing days, so relax and enjoy!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

In the end, I do not know why they are doing line extension on this beer.  Their normal Rebel IPA is not really good.  They have a really good IPA in their Latitude 42 IPA.  I do not know why I picked up a bottle of their Double Rebel and Rider IPA.  This is the new trend in beer world to make session IPA’s.  Founders All Day IPA was the first to start this new beer style.  It is not really a new beer style because they are really pale ales.  This is a marketing thing.  I believe this is about the worse session IPA that I ever had.  It is not very good. I just feel this beer is missing the punch like other session IPA.  I just feel the other session IPA’s have that punch of the hops.  I was not really impressed with this brew.  I guess television ad budget helps push the most average brews in the world just like Miller Lite, Coors Light, etc.  This is what Samuel Adams has become. Don’t go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Stone Brewery Japanese Green Tea IPA

image

In this special beer blog, we are going to sample Japanese Green Tea IPA from Stone Brewery.  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 Stone Brewery.  Let us get into this Green Tea IPA.

It has a dark golden to a copper color with a white constant head on this limited release beer. The aroma has a citrus to slight green tea notes. The taste has a nice well-balanced citrus notes with a green tea aftertaste that is pretty heavy. The green tea cuts through the hop bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter:  @StoneBrewingCo

Ending, Stone Brewing is always looking to push the limits of craft beer world.  This brew makes me a little nervous.  I love green tea as long as it is cold green tea.  I did not know how the hops from the IPA will go over with the green tea.  I love the IPA part of this beer.  It is a really good one.  The beer drinker will not get the green tea notes until the aftertaste.  It is not overly powerful and not in your face.  It is there and balances the beer.  This is a great product.   I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner

image

In this beer blog, we are going to sample the new brew, which is Nooner Pilsner, from Sierra Nevada Brewery.  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 Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Let us get into new brew.

It has a clear golden color with a constant white head on this pilsner. The smell has a sweet malty notes. The taste has a sweet malty to slight hop notes. The aftertaste has a crisp dry finish. It is extremely drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

German-style pilsners are the original session beers.  Nooner is our version of the classic style, loaded with floral and spicy hop flavor and balanced by a crisp and dry finish.

Nooner Pilsner packs big flavor into an easy-drinking beer that’s fit for friends and afternoon adventure.  Nooner is our take on the classic German pilsner, filled with bright and zesty whole-cone hop flavor with a crisp, dry finish – the perfect pick for wherever the day may take you.

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

Nooner® Pilsner

A crisp, hoppy take on the original session beer.

Gather your friends, pack the gear, and head out to wherever the day may take you. A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

In the end, Sierra Nevada did it again.  They took a classic style and kept it a classic beer style.  They made the classic pilsner better.  It is a fresher and easy going looking brand.  You knew that Sierra Nevada would be working on some new brews here soon.  Here they are.  This one along with Hop Hunter IPA and new spring seasonal, which is Beer Camp Hoppy Lager.  The brew itself is true to the classic beer style.  To me, it is pretty average beer but I like it.  This is going to be my brew to do lawn work around the house in the spring and summer.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Bell’s Mercury The Winged Messenger Belgian Style Ale

image

In this special beer blog, we are going to get into third brew from this Planet series from Bell’s Brewery.  It is Mercury The Winged Messenger Belgian Style Ale.  After a major recall, I took my chances to try this beer because of glass being in it. I filter this beer twice.  I am still alive and I did not see any glass.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery legend.  Let us get into this Belgian style ale.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with a white constant head. It has a big bubbles in the head. The smell has a floral to herbal notes. The taste has an herbal to species.  The aftertaste has a nice dry finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This is one of a seven part series inspired by Gustav Holst’s musical composition.  “The Planets,” strap in and embark on a flavor tour of our solar system – in the order of Holst’s piece, Mars to Neptune.

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

The Winged Messenger

STYLE: Belgian Single

RELEASE DATE: December 2014

ABV: 4.8%

COLOR: Pale, straw

GLASSWARE: Snifter

TASTING NOTES: Light and sessionable like its namesake, the third release in the Bell’s Planet Series, Mercury: The Winged Messenger, was inspired by the Belgian Single, a style traditionally brewed by monks in Belgium for their own consumption.

This interpretation has bready and grainy notes from Belgian malt, herbal and balanced characteristics from the hops and a subtle, but spicy character from the Belgian yeast. Fruity notes of pear are also present in this light, bright and complex session beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

Ending, I did enjoy this beer. The problem that i have with this beer is the price.  I am paying so much for a session Belgian Ale.  I get what they were doing.  It was not really good for the price.  If it was cheaper or everyday brew, it would make a little bit more senses.  There is a little rumor out there.  Bell’s did a recall because the liquid was not up to their standards.  It has nothing to do with glass in the bottles.  They made something up to get this liquid off the market.  This is just a rumor and I heard it in a few craft beer bars.  If you can find a bottle, drink it at your own risk.  I believe this is once in a lifetime brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweser13

New Beer Blog Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams White Christmas (2014)

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Samuel Adams Brewery.  It is their White Christmas.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Boston Beer Company.  Let us get into this White Ale.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white head color. It disappears over time. The aroma has a yeasty, corridor, to a lemon notes. The taste has a wheat to corridor notes. The aftertaste has a dry cinnamon, nutmeg, and hints of orange to lemon notes finish. It is pretty drinkable winter beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

As crisp as the first snowfall of the year, this unfiltered white ale is blended with holiday spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel.  The familiar citrus and wheat characters of the ale are complemented by the warmth of the spices for a festive brew that’s perfect for the season.

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

A special time of year calls for a special brew. For us, this brew combines the crispness of a white ale with the warmth of familiar holiday spices.

HOP VARIETIES

Spalt Spalter Noble hops

MALT VARIETIES

Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, wheat, IdaPils malt

YEAST STRAIN

Samuel Adams ale yeast

COLOR

SRM: 6

SPECIAL INGREDIENTS

Cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel

ALC. BY VOL/WT

5.8% ABV – 4.4% ABW

IBUs

8

CAL PER SERVING

190

AVAILABILITY

12oz: 6pk, Winter Classics

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

Closing, I am not a fan of Samuel Adams or the Boston Beer Company. I give them a ton of credit to be one of the pioneers of the craft beer world.  Now days, they are looked as one of the big beer companies.  They are now known as one of the big three.  Jim Koch does not like to hear this but he is in that group.  Most of his beers are starting to be viewed like that too.  The kids today are looking at his beers like their Dad or Grandfather’s beer.  They are still pushing the limits but not as much as they did back in the 1980’s.  This brew is something a little special that they have been putting out in the last few years.  I am not a fan of but I can see people liking it.  There is a ton of spices going on this brew.  There is a nice light body but yet some complex notes.  I am not a fan of this beer style and beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Brew Dan’s Pink Skirt American India Pale Ale

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into yet another IPA from Short’s Brewery.  It is Dan’s Pink Skirt American India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy golden to yellow color with a nice foamy white color head on this India Pale Ale. The aroma has a slight citrus notes. The taste has a nice light carbonated notes with some citrus notes. The aftertaste has a dry bitter finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Dan’s Pink Skirt is an American IPA brewed with Summit and Simcoe hops. Malt characteristics are mild and practically undetectable in the nose. Dan’s Pink Skirt has pronounced floral and citrus aromas, with a pine resin hop bitterness that attacks the palate.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter:  @shortsbrewing

In the end, how many IPA’s and how many seasonals does a craft brewery really need to pumped out in the market.  This is has been the aged old question in the craft brewery.  If you make all these beers, is your product still good.  I believe you are good at a few things and have to work on other things.  It is pretty sad when a seasonal IPA is better than their everyday IPA.  This is my thought and I know many would disagree with my thought pattern.  I believe this craft brewery makes way too many beers and it makes it tough for them make good beers.  I know there is many that would disagree with that thought.  I just feel their seasonals are so much better than their everyday beers.  I love this IPA and this is their best IPA.  There is a nice balance from the hop bittest and malty backbone.  They did a great job on this beer.  If you can get a bottle, go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13