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New Beer Blog Avery White Rascal Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Avery Brewery.  This beer is their flagship, which is White Rascal Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Mountain area craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Avery Brewery.  Let us get into this white ale.

It has a light yellow to strew white color with a white constant head. The smell has a lemon to citrus notes. The taste has a citrus to lemon refreshing notes with lemon like aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

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

White Rascal

  • YEAR ROUND BREWS
  • BELGIAN-STYLE WHITE ALE
  • 5.6% ABV

An authentic Belgian style white ale, this Rascal is unfiltered and cleverly spiced with coriander and Curaçao orange peel producing a refreshingly zesty classic ale.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.averybrewing.com

Twitter:  @averybrewingco

In the end, I am not a fan of white and wheat beers. I do not know why I keep trying these beers.  I guess I am hoping that I will like them.  I did like them back in the day when I started in the craft beer world.  I guess it is the side of me that loves trying beers that I never had and new ones.  This beer falls in the beer that I never had.  This one is not too bad. If I need something light during the summer days, I will pick this one up.  I 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 Avery Old Jubilation Ale (2016)

In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Avery Brewery.  Avery Brewery started in 1993 in Colorado.  Their first beer that was in package was their IPA.  They started packaging in cans in 2010.  They have won several awards throughout the years.  They moved into their new brewery in 2015.  Let us get into this English Strong Ale.

It has a clear amber color with an off white color head. The aroma has a sweet candy like notes. The taste has a sweet candy to malty notes with sweet malty aftertaste. It is not really drinkable beer.

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

Old Jubilation Ale

  • SEASONAL SELECTION
  • ENGLISH STRONG ALE
  • 8.3% ABV

Our winter strong ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.averybrewing.com

Twitter:  @averybrewingco

Closing, I love this brewery.  They make some great beers.  I found them while living in the Chicagoland market.  Since I moved back to Michigan, I have a hard time finding their beers.  If I do, I have to look at the code date.  If I find it fresh, I burn myself out.  I buy and drinking them only for a while.  That is a good thing.  I like it. This is a great English Strong Ale.  What I really like about this beer is they did not throw nutmeg or cinnamon.  This beer is a different pace from the rest of the winter seasonals.  I will search it out next year. 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:  @djwieser13

New Beer Blog Beards Brewery Serendipity Porter

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Beards Brewery.  It is their Serendipity Porter.  We will get into a little history and then into the beer.  Beards Brewery was founded in 2012 by Ben Slocum and Peter Manthei in Petoskey, Michigan.  Let us get into this porter.

It has a jet black color without a head on this porter. The aroma has a chocolate, coffee, and a slight smokey notes. The taste has a slight creamy chocolate with a smoke to coffee notes on the back end of the tasting experience. The aftertaste has some nice smokey notes. It is not really drinkable. It is one maybe two beers and move on to the next beer.

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

Exceptionally smooth with a pronounced chocolatey flavor and balanced sweetness. Subtle notes of cherry and smoke on the finish. Pairs well with desserts featuring peanut butter and chocolate, or a second glass of Serendipity

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.beardsbrewery.com

Twitter:  @beardsbrewery

Ending, there is so many new craft breweries opening and entering the beer market.  I believe it is hard for new craft breweries to do something different than the other breweries.  It is a solid beer. I love it, however, it is not Great Lakes Fitz. I will buy  Great Lakes’ Porter over this porter.  I am not saying it a bad beer.  It is a great beer and they did a great job.  I can get Great Lakes Porter cheaper. I 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 Almanac San Francisco IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the first beer from Almanac Brewery on this blog.  It is their San Francisco IPA.  I will get you a short history and then break down this beer.  Almanac Brewery started in 2010 by Jesse Friedman and Damian Fagan. The brewery is located in the northern part of California.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy bright golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus to grapefruit notes. The taste has a citrus to grapefruit notes with a dry hop bitter finish.  It is pretty drinkable.

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

6.5% ABV |  Draft & 12oz cans

This West Coast IPA features an explosive aroma of citrus, tropical fruit and dankness from a blend of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Hallertau Blanc and El Dorado hops. Intensely hoppy without overt bitterness, a light malt backbone balances this IPA, giving it a clean finish and making it a beer to be enjoyed again and again. Inspired by San Francisco but brewed to be enjoyed everywhere. Enjoy with super burritos, hangtown fry, and rich cioppino.

Fresh Beer

Our Fresh Beer Series delivers the best in farm fresh beer. Big flavors, bold yeast characters and huge hop aromas reflect our rich California agricultural bounty. Every beer is brewed, packaged and shipped with an eye towards maximum freshness. All of our Fresh Beers are designed to pair with a wide variety of cuisine—so enjoy a pour of The Golden State’s most flavorful beer.

Here is their website and Twitter addresses:

Website:  www.almanacbeer.com

Twitter:  @almanacbeer

In the end, I did not know anything about this craft brewery until it entered my state.  Just like Ballast Point Brewery, the price point kills this beer.  It is good but the price point is too high.  There are some great IPA’s that have a lower price point.  I get it.  It is hard for smaller breweries to get their price down.  It is also hard for breweries that have to ship their beers over multiple states.  I recommend it because it is still a good 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 Ballast Point Manta Ray Double IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Ballast Point.  It is their Double IPA, which is called Manta Ray.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this California base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to Ballast Point Brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a tropical fruit to slight grapefruit notes. The taste has a nice juicy grapefruit to slight tropical notes with a dry bitter hop finish. It is almost like grapefruit notes. It is kind of drinkable for the beer style.

Here is a description from the website (www.ballastpoint.com):

This new IPA rises above the rest.
We’ve developed many IPA recipes in our R&D program, but right from the tank, our Manta Ray Double IPA was a winner. Aromas of fresh, citrusy tangerine, melon and light pine leap from the beer and linger over a smooth finish. Like its namesake, this brew can sneak up on you – a big beer without a bite.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ballastpoint.com

Twitter:  @bpbrewing

Closing, I am not a huge fan of Ballast Point.  They make great beer but the price is too high.  I will try all the new beers that hit my market.  I love trying beers that I never had it.  I saw this beer and it was a no brainier.  The tasting notes are just what I have been looking for from this craft brewery.  They hit a home run.  I love it. I will be picking up some more.  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 New Belgium Fat Tire And Friends Fat Tire Amber Ale

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In this special beer blog, we are going to sample a beer from New Belgium’s Fat Tire And Friends.  It is their own Fat Tire Amber Ale.  If you read my earlier beer post on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Colorado base craft brewery.  Let us get into this amber ale.

It has a clear amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet caramel to biscuit notes. The taste has a sweet caramel, malty, and biscuit notes. The aftertaste has a sweet malty to biscuit finish. It is extremely drinkable.

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

Named in honor of our co-founder’s bike trip through Europe, FAT TIRE AMBER ALE marks a turning point in the young electrical engineer’s home brewing. Belgian beers use a far broader palette of ingredients (fruits, spices, esoteric yeast strains) than German or English styles. Together with co-founder Kim Jordan, they traveled around sampling their homebrews to the public. Fat Tire won fans with its sense of balance: toasty, biscuit-like malt flavors coasting in equilibrium with hoppy freshness. Fat Tire: Pairs well with people.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing, this is a classic brew and the one that put this craft brewery on the map.  It also is the base for the following five beers in this sampler pack.  Each beer will be featured on this blog.  I am not a fan but a solid beer. I am not a big fan of the beer style of red and amber ales.  I will try them now and then.  I will try all the new ones that I never had.   I know beer drinkers will like this beer.  Believe me, I have saw it when they launched in the Chicago market.  This beer is what everyone expects out of Amber Ale that was inspired by Belgium roots.  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 Alaskan Hop Turn IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another  beer from Alaskan Brewery.  It is their Hop Turn IPA.  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 Alaska base craft brewery.  Let us get into this IPA.

It has a slightly cloudy to a fog like golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus notes. The taste has a dry citrus to lemon notes with a dry lemon bitter aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

Hop Turn IPA uses Pilsner malt and Sterling hops for a distinctive old-world taste. With a floral, peppery, lemony aroma, crystal-clear pale straw color, brisk flavor and lively 7.5 ABV, Hop Turn is a radical take on a West Coast IPA.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbrewing

In the end, I was pretty happy to see this craft brewery make it to the State of Michigan.  I was disappointed that their Black IPA did not make it.  The last year, they have been pushing more and more of their IPA’s.  I am holding on to hope that they bring their black IPA to the state.  I was not impressed with this beer.  It has everything that I am looking for in an IPA.  It just rub me the wrong way.  It is a spring seasonal so I am good with it.  I can see others liking this product.  I recommend it for a try.  I know every craft beer drinker will try it at least once.  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 Natty Greene’s Buckshot Filtered Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Natty Greene’s Buckshot Filtered Amber Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this amber ale.

It has a clear light amber color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet malty to slight caramel notes. The taste has a sweet malty to a nutty notes with a dry malty aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

Brewer’s Notes

Richly colored, characterized by balanced hop and malt profiles with roasted toffee and caramel highlights, Crafted to be rich but not heavy. Hospitable and easy to get along with, this is our best selling beer, perfect for every occasion.

We use six different malts, that’s unusual for an amber ale, but essential to creating its deep, full flavor. The distinctive toffee / roasty notes come from three Belgian malts, especially the Special B roast malt. And to nothing interferes with all that good maltiness, we use mild American aroma hops, just to balance the sweetness. 

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.nattygreenes.com

Twitter:  @natty_greenes

Closing,  I am not a huge fan of Red, Irish Red, and Amber ales.  I respect the beer style but I do not go out of my way to pick it up.  I will drink them.  A friend of mine from Tri-City was down south and brought back a few beers.  This beer was part of that pile.  It is a solid beer and true to the beer style.  There is nice aroma and tasting notes.  I believe craft beer drinkers that love red and amber ales will love this beer.  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 Abita Coffee Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another limited release beer from Abita.  It is their Coffee Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a tan constant color head. The aroma has a heavy coffee notes. The taste has a coffee to bourbon notes. The aftertaste has a nice coffee notes. It is a sipping beer.

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

Coffee Stout

This dark Coffee Stout is brewed with pale, caramel, chocolate and roasted malts and oats. Willamette hops balance the malt sweetness. After fermentation and first aging, the beer is aged again in oak bourbon barrels. Espresso Dolce beans from PJ’s Coffee® are added to the beer for a blend of flavors including coffee, malt, wood and hints of vanilla.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.abita.com

Twitter:  @theabitabeer

In the end, I am not a huge fan of this craft brewery, however, I do respect what they have been doing since their exist.  It is hard to destroy a stout.  I love my stouts and porters.  I hate drinking coffee but I love it in my beer.  This is a great beer and they did a great job.  I love the coffee beans that they picked.  This is what makes a different in coffee stout.  There is a nice balance.  I love it. I will get more.  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