three flyods

Stone Brewery IPA New Blog

While in Vegas, we are going to try another beer from the Stone Brewery and it is one of their flagship beers called India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their other beer then you know about this brewery, let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale is copper with a constant head on it.   It has a heavy citrus smell to it. The taste of this beer is a sweet carbonation citrus kicking throughout the beer experience.  This beer is a very drinkable beer for being India Pale Ale.  I was stun to fine this beer on tap at a resturant on the Vegas Strip.

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

An “India Pale Ale” by definition is highly hopped and high in alcohol – you’ll find our Stone India Pale Ale to be true to style with a huge hop aroma, flavor and bitterness throughout. If you’re a hop-head like us, then you’ll love our Stone India Pale Ale! Medium malt character with a heavy dose of over the top hops! Generous “dry hopping” gives this beer its abundant hop aroma and crisp hop flavor

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stonebrew.com

Twitter: @stonebrewingco

Last craft beer in Vegas,  this beer is very well made and has put mark on India Pale Ales in craft world.  I really enjoy drinking this beer but the one problem I have with this beer.  I believe this beer is very over price in the six pack bottles.  I cannot remember what I paid at this bar but I rarely see it on draft here in Chicago area.  I do buy it here and there but I do not put it in my regular lineup because of the cost.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Tenaya Creek Brewery Calico Brown Ale New Blog

When Vegas I will tell you what I drank, this beer was at the Mirage Hotel where I was staying at this weekend.  Bartender told me it was from a local brewery.  Well Tenaya Creek Brewery is in the Las Vegas area and it was founded 1999.  This is a small brewery that is only available in the following states and they are Nevada, Utah, Ohio,  and Arizona.  They are also in some parts of Canada.

This beer is a clear light brown in color with next to no head. The beer has a malty to nutty smell going on in the beer. The taste of this Nut Brown Ale is nutty and slightly sweet with no aftertaste.   It is a pretty drinkable beer but what stop me was the price I was paying at the bar.  That is Las Vegas for you.

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

Our “Calico Brown” is a malty brown ale with dark amber hues. There’s a velvety smooth body with a light bitter finish from our friend the Chinook hop. We’ve struck a balance to the bitterness with a hint of spiciness while using Tettang hops to give this ale a pleasurable aroma. We live in Las Vegas and enjoy the surrounding area of Red Rock Canyon. Do yourself a favor: Get back to nature. Get a beer. Enjoy it! ABV: 5.6%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.tenayacreek.com

Twitter: @tenayacreek

Closing out after one beer, I really enjoy this beer and I wished I had time to get by the brewery.  I am hoping to get back to Vegas just to visit the brewery.  It is nice to see good beer asides the crap that was in all the betting holes.  I just hope with this brewery helps the growth of more craft beers in the Vegas area.  Since they are in Ohio, I might have to make a trip just to get some beer.  I am going to get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Big Horn Ram Brewery Pointon’s Proper English Mild Ale New Blog

Opening a new tap at my one of my favorite brewpubs, we are going to get into Big Horn Ram Brewery Pointon’s Proper English Mild ale in this blog.  If you read my earlier blog on their Total Disorder Porter then you know this brewery, let us get into this beer.

The beer has a brown color with a constant head.  There is no smell to the beer that I can find in it. This beer is light in body with a nice carbonation and a slight coffee bean bittiest taste to this English Mild Ale. There is really no aftertaste. It is really drinkable beer.  This beer becomes more drinkable in the summer months with its low ABV of 4.0%.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theRAM

Not closing out my tab yet, this English Mild Ale is very drinkable and low ABV makes it perfect to drink it in the hot summer days.  However, the English verision of this beer style has ABV of 3.0 to 3.5%, this brewery just kicked it up a little bit and there is nothing wrong with that.  This beer is really good and I recommend you  trying this beer.  This beer is pretty dark but do not let that fool you because you will be very stun by how easy it is to drink this beer.  Great job!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai India Pale Ale New Blog

In this blog, we are going to dig into a brewery and beer I have been wanting to try in a long time.  I have to give a shout out and thanks to my friends Dean and Dee Dee for bring back some bottles to me.  The brewery and beer are Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai India Pale Ale.   I cannot find any history on this brewery.  I did multiple searches on the net and I cannot find anything.  On their website, they have a nice history on Tampa Bay City breweries but nothing on them.  Let us get into the beer.

The beer has a slightly cloudy copper color in the glass with no head. It has a little citrus smell to this IPA.  It has a grapefruit and carbonation with a dry grapefruit aftertaste to the beer. It is a very drinkable beer.

Here is a description on the beer bottle:

Jai Alai, the “merry game” is a game native to the Basque region of Spain.  Tampa was once home to this high speed game, but sadly all that remains here is this India pale Ale that we brewed in tribute to the merry game.  Pair Jai Alai India Pale Ale with Empanadas, Deviled Crabs and other spicy dishes.

Here is a description on their website (www.cigarcitybrewing.com):

Jai Alai, a game native to the Basque region of Spain, is played on a court called a fronton. Jai Alai players attempt to catch a ball using a curved mitt whilst the ball travels at speeds up to 188mph! Proving they have a sense of humor the Spanish dubbed this game, with its ball traveling at racecar speeds, “the merry game.” Tampa was once home to a bustling Jai Alai fronton but sadly all that remains of Jai Alai in the Tampa Bay area is this India Pale Ale that we brew in tribute to the merry game. The India Pale Ale style of beer has its roots in the ales sent from England to thirsty British troops in India during the 18th century. Pair Jai Alai India Pale Ale with Beef Empanadas, Deviled Crabs and other spicy dishes.

Tasting Notes

Pours copper in color with notes of citrus and tropical fruit in the aroma. Flavor has upfront citrus bitterness with a hint of caramel and citrus and tropical fruit hop notes in the finish.

Medals

2010 Best Florida Beer Championship – Gold Medal

2011 Best Florida Beer Championship – Silver Medal

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.cigarcitybrewing.com

Twitter: @cigarcitybeer

Closing out, for the wait unit I recieve a bottle in my hands, this beer was not disappointing at all.  This beer lives up to what I was hearing about this beer.  Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai India Pale Ale is not like the other IPAs in the market.  It is very drinkable and has a nice favor to it. I just wish I had more bottles in my refrigater.  This brewery has done a very good job and I cannot wait to try their other beers. I really love this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Sebago Brewery Frye’s Leap India Pale Ale

In this blog, we are going to get into another brew that I got out of my Beer of the Mouth.  The beer is called Sebago Brewery Frye’s Leap India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their stout then I will not have to go over the history of this brewery, let us get into the beer.

This beer is a dark yellow to a light copper as far as the color with a white head. The smell is very earthly with a little piney in it. The taste is sweet carbonation with a little grapefruit kick in it. The aftertaste is dry hoppy that will keep you drinking this beer.  To me it kills the beer experience. It is too much for the aftertaste.

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

Frye’s Leap IPA is an  intense experience.  It is a hoppy  medium-bodied ale and is full of character.   From the caramel malt which gives our IPA its golden color to the  distinct fruity hoppiness, this beer is every bit as exciting as its namesake,  the popular cliffs on Sebago Lake.   Enjoy this  refreshing beer with seafood, spicy foods and all things grilled.  Take the Leap!

BEER DETAILS:

Style: India Pale Ale

History: First Brewed in 1998

Orig. Gravity: 15 °P

Color: Light Copper 12 SRM

ABV: 6.0%

IBU’s: 55

Pairing Suggestions: Spicy foods, vinaigrettes, & grilled vegetables

During the British rule of India in the late 1700’s breweries would send their beer  to the troops. Unfortunately, the long, warm journey would ruin the delicate  pale ales. To solve this problem, brewers created India Pale Ale, a stronger ale with high levels of  hops and alcohol for preservation. We have followed the British tradition and  created Frye’s Leap IPA with hops and malt grown in the United States.

Frye’s Leap IPA gets its name from the popular cliffs on Sebago Lake in Southern Maine.  Locals and tourists alike pull up in their boats to watch daredevils scale and jump from cliffs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.sebagobrewing.com

Twitter: @sebagobrewing

In the end, this beer name has an interesting local history.  This is a tasty India Pale Ale.  It is not one of my favorite but if I am on the east coast.  I will be drinking this beer when I am there.  It is a drinkable beer but that after taste which I know most beer drinkers like but it just killed it for me.  I would hunt this beer down and please let me know what you think.  Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

In this blog, we are going to the west coast to check out a brewery that has push the limits of hops and craft beer drinkers around the country since there exists.  This brewery I am talking about is Stone Brewery and the beer is Cali-Belgique IPA.  Here is a little history on this west coast brewery.  Stone Brewery was founded in 1996 in San Marcos, California by Steve Wagner and Greg Koch.  This brewery is now the largest brewery in Southern California.  This brewery as of 2010 became the 14th largest craft brewery and 23rd overall brewery.  Stone Brewery is still growing and still doing different things with their beers.  They have beer teaming up with different breweries around the country to create new beers. We are going to get into one right now.

I am trying this beer at the Blues Bar in Mount Prospect, Illinois.  This beer is bright yellow color with little to no head. The beer drinker will smell the funky from Belgian spices or yeast and a little melon or mango smell from the hops. It is a little different than the American craft Belgian IPA or Triple. This Stone brew taste like sweet carbonation citrus going on in it.  There is no really no aftertaste to this beer.  This beer is a very drinkable beer.

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

When reading the name “Stone Cali-Belgique IPA”, “Cali” hints that it is a California-style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word “Belgique” (which is how Belgium’s French-speaking population says the word “Belgian”; the Dutch-speaking Belgians say “België”). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that  illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA. The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone brew—and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stonebrew.com

Twitter: @stonebrewingco

In closing, I will be honest and let just say the way it is about this beer.  I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  This is a Belgian Triple not a Belgian IPA.  I understand what American Craft Breweries are trying to do for the general beer fan that understand what India Pale Ale but do not understand a Belgian Triple.  I believe they are trying to create a new beer style to grow off the Belgian Beer Style. There is nothing wrong with this brewery doing it or another brewery. Hell I just brought a pint so they got me and I am glad I did it. I just hate the name that is all. I am off my soap box on this topic.  With that all set at the side, I really enjoy drinking this beer.  If you are hop head like me or like the Belgian beers, I would go try this beer.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Frankenmuth Brewery German Style Pilsner Lager

In this blog, we are going to get into the last beer from Frankenmuth Brewery Sampler Pack.  The beer that will be featured is called Frankenmuth Brewery German Style Pilsener Lager.  You read my earlier on Frankenmuth Brewery Blonde then you are pretty up to speed on this great brewery.  Let us get into one of Michigan’s Oldest Brewery beer called Frankenmuth Brewery Pilsener.

This beer in the glass has a clear and bright yellow tone with to head. It has a sweet and slight candy corn smell to it.  As far as the taste of this pilsner, it is clean crisp with a sweet dry carbonation going on in it. Frankenmuth Pilsner is very drinkable and sessional beer.

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

A time-honored German style pilsener, this definitive golden lager is made following the traditional German purity law: using only malted barley, water, German hops and German lager yeast. A great beer with a floral aroma, a hint of spices & a dry finish.

ABV 5.25%  IBU 26 Pairs well with lighter foods: chicken, salads, salmon & bratwurst

Here is a their twitter and website addresses:

Website:  www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In the end, this beer style is not one of favorite out there, however, trying beer styles I have not like in the past to write these blogs.  I have found a new aspect towards some of these beer styles.  Just what I said in my Redhook Longhammer IPA, if I did not try other beers I would not have found beer styles that I love to death.  It goes with this beer from Frankenmuth Brewery and the beer is Pilsner Lager.  I really enjoyed this beer and has turn me on to check out other Pilsners at least craft beer world wise.  It is not to light but not too heavy while drinking it.  It is an awesome beer to drink in very hot weather to the nice cold winter.  This beer fits into the classic pilsner beer style for its drinkable.  Being a German base American Craft Brewery, they did an awesome job on this classic beer style.  I would say they did a better job with it then the German Breweries that have been brewing this style for hundreds of years.  I might get some hate mail but I am fine with that.  I am just an idiot with many thoughts on everything in the world.  This is my idea and you can agree or disagree with it.  To finish this blog up, I really highly recommend trying this beer at least once in your lifetime.  I love this beer and this brewery and I wish I could get in Chicagoland.  I just want to say thank you to my parents for bring out these beers when they were here visiting me.  I will be stocking up when I go back to Michigan.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Frankenmuth American Batch 69 IPA

In this blog, we are going to sample out my favorite brew from Frankenmuth Brewery and the third of four beers that will be featured this blog.  Please go back to my earlier blog on Frankenmuth Brewery Blonde to get to know this brewery, if already read it then you already know this brewery.  The beer that we will be experience is Frankenmuth Brewery American Batch 69 IPA.  If you look at the beers that we have done from this brewery between the Dunkel to Blonde and then Pilsner, they are all German base beer style.  This brewery went outside of their comfort zone and did American beer style.  This speaks out open minded a brewery can be to bring beers to their fan base.  It does not go just for Frankenmuth Brewery.  There is another brewery down in Texas that just put out their first pale ale.  Frankenmuth Brewery have been brewing this beer for a while but with a huge growth of pale ales and IPAs.  Breweries are doing IPAs and pale ales or doing different things with them.  Let us see where this brew ranks to me in the world of the India Pale Ales.

This beer in the glass is not your normal India Pale Ale color. It has a clear yellow color to beer with a light white head to the beer. Smell is of light piney to earthy. This India Pale Ale has a sight citrus carbonation taste with a dry hoppy aftertaste.  To me, the hoppy aftertaste is just right. It is not overpowering like other IPAs aftertaste.  This beer for hoppy IPA is really drinkable.

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

A medium light bodied India Pale Ale with an intense hop aroma and flavor. This IPA will wake up your senses to fine American hops to discover tastes of citrus, flowers and pine.

ABV 6.9%  IBU 69 Best with strong, spicy food and bold appetizers.

Here is their twitter and website addresses:

Website: www.frankenmuthbrewery.com

Twitter: @FB1862

In closing,  I really love this drinkable India Pale Ale from Frankenmuth Brewery.  This is a very well balance beer and just like most India Pale Ales it is perfect with spicy foods.  If I could get this beer all the time, it would be in my refrigerator on day-to-day basis.  I know I said this before in other Michigan beer blogs but I will say it again.  I am not a fan of any Michigan breweries but Frankenmuth Brewery has won me over to like at least one brewery.  Do not just get go out and hunt this beer down but go find the rest of their beers.  Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale

In this blog, we are going to sample out one of an India Pale Ale from one of many craft breweries from Michigan. Bell’s Brewery is the most well known one from Michigan. Bell’s Brewery was founded in 1983 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This brewery is brewing several different styles of beer.  They are not just well known in Michigan but around the Midwest.   Let us get into this beer right now.

The beer in the glass is darker yellow in color. The smell of Two Hearted Ale is a strong citrus to piney to it. The first thing the beer drinker will experience from this beer is the rush of the carbonation and then heavy citrus taste. This is a very well balance beer and has a quick crisp aftertaste along with citrus punch to this India Pale Ale.

Here is a description from the bottle:

An India Pale Ale style well suited for adventurous trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and an incredibly floral hop aroma.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: http://www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter: @bellsbrewery

In closing, I would not say this is not my favorite but I would not say I highly dislike the beer. It is very drinkable and has a ton of favor going on in it. I would not drink it on a regular basis because of the high price point on a six pack bottles. I honestly do not think it is worth the price. There is a little value but not much. With all that said, I am not saying this beer is bad. I just feel I could drink another beer in the same beer style and get the same thing while saving money in the process. I recommend you, the craft beer drinker, to try it or retry if it has been a long time. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

In this blog, we are going to talk about one of the original craft beers. This beer is the standard for what a West Coast Pale Ale sure be made for us Craft Beer Drinkers. The beer that I will be featuring in this blog is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sierra Nevada Brewery was founded in 1979 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi in Chico, California. These two founders were doing home brewing as a hobby until they wanted to start Sierra Nevada. Let us get into the beer because that is why we are here.

This beer has a nice amber color in the glass. It has a nice circus in smell. The beer is a carbonation sweet citrus in taste. It is a very sessional beer for a west coast pale ale. This beer is a drinkable master piece in the craft beer.

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

Our most popular beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a delightful interpretation of a classic style. It has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Generous quantities of premium cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy.

Gold Medal Winner:

Great American Beer Festival:

(American Pale Ale): 1995, 1994, and 1993

(Classic English Pale): 1992

(Pale Ale): 1990, 1989, and 1987

In the end, this brewery push the limits of beer drinkers in the beginning of this brewery and they are still doing it today. This pale ale is the second highest selling craft beer behind Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Pale ale is still mine go to beer in this beer style. A ton of favor going on in the beer along with an awesome drinkablity to complete your beer pallet. I love this beer. If you have not had this beer or have not had it in a long time, it is time for the bottle meet your beer mug. Raise it high and proud! Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser