three flyods

New Blog Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew

In this blog, we need to travel west to visit one of the original craft breweries here in the states.  The brewery and brew is Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew.  I wrote earlier post on Widmer Brothers Russia Imperial Raspberry Stout and there is a nice belief history on that blog.  If you have not read it, please, go back and read it.  If you have, we will now move on to this Summer Beer.  Let us do this beer.

Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew is their Summer Seasonal from this brewery.  This beer is a very bright golden clear in color with no head.  It has a slight citrus smell to it.  It has a very light in body with a slight lemon carbonation taste. The aftertaste is very light. This is a very sessionable and refreshing beer for the summer.

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

Citra hops lend their name to this interpretation of a golden ale. But that’s not all they bring to the party. Their striking citrus aroma and thirst-quenching flavor are the perfect pairing for soft malt notes. Together they create a beer that’s full in flavor and uniquely refreshing.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.widmerbrothers.com

Twitter:  @widmer_brothers

In closing, I am not a fan of many summer seasonal but this one is not bad.  However, I know myself, I know I will get very bored with this beer pretty quick.  This is just me and it might not be the case for you.  This is a very drinkable and refreshing beer and perfect for the hot summer days.  This brewery has taken classic beer style and put their twist on it.  I just feel this beer is missing something to me.  It is still a good beer and I could see myself enjoying it the rest of this summer.   Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Lake Placid Craft Brewing Hefeweizen

In this blog, we are going to get into the second beer that I received from my Beer of the Month.  This brew is called Lake Placid Craft Brewing Hefeweizen Wheat Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Barkeater Amber Ale, you know a little bit of this brewery.  Let us get into this all year-long beer.

This beer ia a nice cloudy golden color with a little constant head to it.  You can smell lemon to citrus in the beer. The taste is a little citrus and a lot of banana clove in it. This beer is very drinkable and stays true to the German Beer Style.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Lake Placid Hefeweizen is brewed with German wheat and barley as well as authentic German yeast, resulting in tasty esters, a touch of clove spiciness, and a cloudy, golden appearance.  It’s a perfect complement to sunny, summer days and cool, Adirondack nights.  Here’s to summer!

Here is a description from their website (www.ubuale.com), which I believe this is the right beer:

5.0% ABV

High Peaks Hefewiezen is a German Style Wheat Beer. It is yellow/pale orange in color and is cloudy in appearance. It is a very unique beer that is fermented with an ale yeast from Weihenstephan, Germany (pronounced Vine-Schte-fawn). Hefewiezen (pronounced Hefay-vite-zen) actually means “wheat beer with yeast”, which is why we do not clarify this beer. The thick cloudiness is actually the yeast suspended in the beer. The yeast contributes a unique flavor with a strong banana and clove character.  It has a very spicy aroma with hints of banana and clove in the aroma as well. It is brewed with 50% malted wheat, in place of malted barley, and hopped with noble hop varieties originating in Germany. It is not a bitter beer style, therefore letting the wheat flavors and yeast flavors dominate.  Traditionally, this beer is often served with a lemon in it, however, we do not recommend it. This beer will be on tap throughout the summer until roughly mid September.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ubuale.com

Twitter:  @ubuman

In closing, just like their Barkeater Amber ale, this beer style is not my flavorite out in the market.  I HATE this beer style along with whites, and wheat ales.  I realize that “hate” is a very strong word to use but that is how I feel about this classic beer styles.  If you read any of my blogs, I am very honest about the beers but I will tell you if it is a good beer or not.  Plus, just because I say the beer is not good that does not mean you will not like it.  With that all said, this beer is pretty good but I canot see myself drinking this in my regular lineup.  They did a very good job keeping it to true to the German Beer Style with a little twist.  With the huge growth of Wheat Ale, I believe this beer should be doing very good right now. I know the ones in my market, which is Chicago, are doing very well.  I have to say this brew has to be one of the best one in the Craft Beer market.  Good job on this brew!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Sierra Nevada Brewery Hoptimum Ale

Starting other new blogs, we are going to take a look at a brewery called Sierra Nevada Brewery.  If you read my earlier blog then you are pretty much up to speed on this brewery, the beer is called Hoptimum Whole Cone Imperial India Pale Ale.  This beer only comes out once a year.  Everything depends on the hop harvest that goes on throughout the country and even the world on these speciality craft beers. Let us get into the beer.

This beer is a deep dark copper with a nice white big head. A big grapefruit smell to the beer. It is very nice smell and I do not like grapefruits.  As far as the taste of the beer, it is sweet carbonation with a hint of grapefruit.  The aftertaste is a very nice dry hoppy kick to it. This big India Pale Ale of ABV of 10.4% and over 100 IBU is very extremely drinkable.

Here is a descripation from the beer bottle:

Hoptimum is the biggest whole – cone IPA we have ever produced — a 100 IBU, whole – cone hurricane of flavor.  Aggressively hopped,  dry – hopped, AND torpedoed, Hoptimum delivers ultra – intense flavors to hop fanatics everywhere.

Here is a descripation form their website (www.sierranevada.com):

A group of hop-heads and publicans challenged our Beer Camp brewers to push the extremes of whole-cone hop brewing. The result is this: a 100 IBU, whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Simply put —Hoptimum: the biggest whole-cone IPA we have ever produced. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped, AND torpedoed with our exclusive new hop varieties for ultra-intense flavors and aromas.

Resinous “new-school” and exclusive hop varieties carry the bold and aromatic nose. The flavor follows the aroma with layers of aggressive hoppiness, featuring notes of grapefruit rind, rose, lilac, cedar, and tropical fruit—all culminating in a dry and lasting finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

In closing,  I really love their beers and this beer is no question at the top of my list.  It took this brewery a long time until they came out with an India Pale Ale in package form.  When they did finally came out with it, then they made this awesome beer.  This is a very drinkable Imperial India Pale Ale and I can see many people getting in trouble drinking this beer.  I love this beer for the hop taste, nice malty backbone, and the smoothest of it.  I highly recommend this beer and I would go and search it since it is a seasonal brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Uinta Brewery Sum’r Summer Ale

In this blog, we are going to take another look at the the small brewery from Utah.  If you read my earlier on their Uinta Brewery Hyve Honey Ale then you know a little bit of this brewery, let us get into the beer.

This beer is a clear golden color with no head to it.  The smell is a little earthy or fresh air.  The taste of this summer seasonal is very smooth and very light to make this beer very drinkable. It has a nice sweet carbonation with a slight citrus taste in this beer.  There is really no aftertaste to this summer ale. It kind of reminds me of a kolish but I know it is not the beer style.

Here is a descripation from their website (www.uintabrewing.com):

Description

Citrusy and thirst-quenching, this refreshing golden ale is highlighted by the use of unique hops.

Tasting Notes

Appealing Sorachi hops, an uncommon hop from Japan, balanced with lighter malts. Citrusy, fresh, clean. Sum’r Organic Summer Ale pairs well with summer. It is an easy companion to most foods on the summer grill, such as chicken, fish, and burgers. Pairs well with curries and spicy foods. Try it with sushi!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter: @uintabrewing

In closing, I am not a big fan of most Spring and Summer Seasonal beers.  This Summer Ale from Uinta is a little bit better then their Spring Season, which is Uinta Hyve Honey Ale.  I really did not enjoy this beer and here are my reasons.  The first thing that turn me off about this beer is the light in body of it.  It is very light in body to fit the hot summer days, which makes sense.  I am a weirdo because I will drink some heavy and full body beers in the hot summers.  I do not care what season it is.  I love my big beers.  This beer has more flavor then their Hyve Honey Ale but I would rather drink a pilsner.  Overall, Uinta did a good job on this beer and it will sell to fans of Summer Seasonals and light body beers.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron IBA

In this blog, we are going to dig into another beer from Milwaukee Brewing Company.  I have done a history in one of my earlier blog.  We are going to be sampling out one of their seasonal.  The name of the beer is Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron India Black Ale.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer is black in color with a white constant head.  The smell of chocolate to toffee is filling the air around your nose.  As far as the taste of this India Black Ale is smooth with chocolate and carbonation taste with a slight citrus aftertaste.  This beer is very drinkable and the ABV being 7.4%.  It is danger Mr. Robinson.

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

History of the Beer

The history of blacksmithing in Milwaukee really centers around Cyril Colnik. After the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, he was convinced to move to Milwaukee by Captain Frederick Pabst. The master blacksmith went on to do iron work iconic Milwaukee landmarks just ask the Pabst Mansion and Villa Terrace.

We tip our hats to Kent Knapp and his love for the craft. This dark hefty beer goes hand in hand mimicking the shop and the medium in which he works.

Beer

Brewed with a dehusked German malt that gives it a black and silky look, without the bitter roastiness you find in other dark beers. A variety of Columbus and Cascade hops were used quite generously to help balance out the large malt bill. This beer is abundant with in complex flavors and hop character and yet quite smooth for a beer that sits at 7.5% abv and 48 IBUs. Cheers!

From the Brewer

The style “India Black Ale” is so new, that there’s no one, all authoritative beer that we need to compare to. The trick is to get the balance between the malt bitterness and the hop bitterness. In this case we used non-astringent roasted malts to add the roasted flavors. The malt is a de-husked German black malt, it provides the color, and the roast flavor without the risk of extra acidity. It creates this intense roasted coffee and chocolate aroma. When we add the hops you’ll get that pine and citrus smell. When we released the test batch last year it went over really well. I drink the IBA when I have the time to really savor it and when it has the chance to come up to room temperature.

Here is a youtube video from their website (www.mkebrewing.com):

Milwaukee Brewing Company Black Iron Ale

In closing,  I really love this beer.  If it was anything close to their Hop Happy India Pale ale, I knew I would love this Black Iron.  I know their Black Iron is an India Black Ale not what all the rest of the craft brewery called their beers called Black India Pale Ale.  I love how this beer is drinkable and the punch of citrus from hops while it is cutting through the roasted and chocolate notes.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Sixpoint Brewery Sweet Action

In this blog, we are going back to New York City in the Brooklyn area.  We are going to check out another beer from the young and upcoming brewery called Sixpoint Brewery.  After talking about Blondes, Redheads, and Brunettes from Fireman’s Brew, it is time for some Sweet Action.  If you read my earlier blog on their Apollo then you have an idea on this brewery, let us get into this great beer.

This beer has a nice copper color with next to no head to it.  The smell is earthy to piney. The taste is a carbonation to citrus overload with a hoppy aftertaste.  It is very drinkable beer. It ia full body with a ton of favor going on in it.

Here is a description from their can:

Ah love is bitter and sweet, but which is more sweet the bitterness or the sweetness, none has spoken it.  Sweet Action is an idea; a concept.  It is simple representation of what makes beer great – the marriage of barley and hops, in a harmonious balance of sweet and bitter.

Here is a description form their website (www.sixpoint.com):

Ah love is bitter and sweet, but which is more sweet…
The original Sixpoint style- hard to define, but perhaps that’s why people love it. Part pale ale, part wheat, part cream ale- all Sweet Action.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Twitter: @sixpoint

In closing, this beer is different beer then what is out there and I have had in a long time.  It has the best of three different worlds.  The three worlds are part wheat, pale, and cream ale.  I was pretty scary to try this beer because of the part wheat in it, which if you read my earlier blogs you know I am not a fan of wheat ales.  I will try a beer at least three times before I draw my judgement on it.   I am not going to say this is my favorite beer from this brewery or on the market because that would be a flat-out lie.  I love their Resin, which I do need a write a blog on it, but I could see myself buying this beer here and there to enjoy it.  This is a very good beer and I can see many beer drinkers enjoying it.  I have been writing blogs on beers that are not in Chicago Market and I am happy that this brewery and their beers are available in Chicago.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Firemans Brew Redhead Red Amber Ale

In this blog, we are going to get into the second of three beers from Fireman’s Brew.  This blog we are going to check out a Redhead Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Blonde Lager then you are up to speed on this brewery, let us get into this Redhead Ale.

This beer has a deep amber color with no head to it. This beer has sweet malty smell to it. It has a very sweet taste to it with really no aftertaste.  It has a very full bodied and easy to drink for this beer.  This Redhead is very drinkable and perfect for anytime of the year.

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

A flavor-packed Amber Ale with smooth, rich flavors.  Yakima Valley hops provide a nice aroma up front, while a variety of crystal malts add a solid, toasty malt base and caramel finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.firemansbrew.com

Twitter: @firemansbrew

In closing, I will be honest which I am in these blogs.  I am not a huge fan of this style of beer.  I have tried several different Red Ales and Amber Ales and I just cannot get into them.  However, I felt the same way about pilsners, I have grown over time to liking them.  This Redhead Ale is a very well made and drinkable beer.  This is a very excite beer if you love this style of beer.  This is my third favorite beer from this brewery and I have to say they should not be a shame of this beer.  I always knew a Blonde could beat the Redhead Ale out in a fight.  There is a saying in the world about Redheads.  They are very pretty ladies or just very ugly but this Redhead Ale lives in the very pretty world.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Fireman’s Brew Blonde Beer Pilsner Beer

In this blog, we are going back out to California to try three beers from Fireman’s Brew Company.  Their website has a good story on their beer and their history.  After that, we will get into the first beer called Fireman’s Brew Blonde Beer Pilsner Beer.

Here is their history from their website (www.firemansbrew.com):

A True Story

In December 2000, Rob and Ed were sitting on a steep hillside of an extinguishing brushfire above the Glendale Mountains. They were staring into the midnight sky, dreaming of the cool smooth taste of a fresh beer to quench their scorched dry mouths. From this point, these two Los Angeles based firemen set out to brew the best Fireman’s Brew in the world.

The result was Fireman’s Brew, the perfect choice to “Extinguish Your Thirst” & “Ignite the Party”! In a brief moment in time, the two men gave birth to a vision that they are living out today. Their thirst for beer and coffee after that exhausting day launched them into developing a hero’s brand of products that every American could relate to. With every product sold, Fireman’s Brew donates a portion of its profits to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, Maryland. So whether your beverage of choice is beer, coffee, or root beer, sit back and relax with the smooth taste of a fresh Fireman’s Brew!

This beer has a bright golden clear color with no head. You can read a newspaper through the beer. The smell of the beer has fresh air smell or no smell to it.  The taste of this beer is a sweet carbonation with a weird hop aftertaste. It is very hard to explain what I am experiencing. The aftertaste to me makes this beer and then the sweet carbonation taste.  The overall big selling point is the drinkablity of this beer.

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

Our original golden lager is the lightest of our beers.  Smooth, light malt flavors combined with just enough hops for balance deliver a crisp and refreshing beer with a clean finish and no bitter aftertaste.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.firemansbrew.com

Twitter: @firemansbrew

In closing on the first of three, just what I said in my earlier blog, I am really starting to enjoy American Craft Beer Pilsner. Fireman’s Brew Blonde stays true to the German pilsner style. It is very drinkable and refreshing beer. This beer is in my top five German pilsner style.  This is a very good beer and I love the fact they still give back to their firefighters brothers.  This is not just a brewery.  You will need to check out their website.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog 21st Amendment Back in Black IPA

In this blog, we are going to get into the last beer from 21st Amendment Brewery. A friend gave me three cans and they are India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, and the one I will review in this blog their Black In Back Black IPA. If you read my earlier blog then you know a little something on this brewery, let us get into the beer.

The beer in the glass is black in with a nice white and constant head on it.  The smell is a chocolate with a slight citrus in the beer. The taste is a slight citrus with a chocolate to roast malt along a little burn taste. The aftertaste is a nice citrus hop driest going on in the beer. This Black India Pale Ale like many is very drinkable.

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

Inspired by Paul Revere’s midnight ride, we rebelled against the British style IPA, embraced the more aggressive American version and then recast it in bold, brave, defiant black. Our Black IPA is a Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of the expected.

Back in Black is our newest year-round beer available now in six pack cans and on draft. Brewed like an American IPA but with the addition of rich, dark malts, this beer has all the flavor and hop character you expect with a smooth, mellow finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter: @21stamendment

In the end, just like their other beers, I really enjoyed drinking this black india pale ale. I love the drinkablity of this black india pale ale but enough punch from hops to keep this hophead wanting to drink more of this beer. It has a full body and a nice balance of complex of chocolate and citrus notes. This is a very well made beer and I highly recommend trying it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

21st Amendment Brew Bitter America Pale Ale New Blog

In this blog, we are going to check out the second of three beers from 21st Amendment Brewery. This beer is their spring seasonal and it is called Bitter American Pale Ale. If you read my earlier blog on their India Pale Ale, you know a little something on this brewery. Up next is the tasting of the beer.

This beer is a clear copper color with next to no head on it.  It has a very earthy to slightly piney smell to it. As far as the taste of the beer is a carbonation light piney to it. It is a different taste kicking to it. It has a little Bass Ale but a ton more hoppier but I would not say it is a west coast pale ale.  I would say more east coast to just normal American pale ale.  The aftertaste is a nice dry earthy hop snap to it.  This aftertaste I can live with in it. Just like their India Pale Ale, it is very drinkable.

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

If you’d been rocketed into space against your will, you might be a little bitter too. Bitter American is our long-overdue tribute to unsung, unwitting heroes everywhere. This American session ale packs a lot of hop and malt flavor into a refreshingly lower-alcohol brew, making it the perfect beer to have on hand when you have a little history to make.

Bitter American is available year-round, in six pack cans and on draft. This extra pale session ale has lower alcohol but all the flavor and hop aroma you expect from a much bigger beer. Give one, or three, a try.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter: @21stamendment

In closing, I really enjoying this beer.  It is not overpowering on the bitterest from the hops.  It has a very nice balance on this beer.  It is really drinkable for the spring and very hot summer days.  This is the second beer I had from this brewery and I have to say so far they have not let let me down on their beers.  I love the fact that it is not like a West Coast Pale Ales.  It is in the middle of the road and gives us craft beer drinkers a break from the over hop Pale Ales and India Pale Ales.  This beer reminds me a little bit of Ska Brewery Winter Pale Ale (I believe that is it.  I cannot think of the name of the beer.) or Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale, which came out last month to the market.  I know how that sounds I am sorry to the brewery but there is not too many Pale Ales like this one in our market like this that I know.  If there is please drop me an email, I will go try that beer.  They are the normal English Pale Ale or they are a West Coast Pale Ale.  I really enjoyed this beer and I want to go to the nearest state and pick up some more cans.  Thank you again to my friend Dean for bring me these cans.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser