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New Beer Blog 21st Amendment Brewing Sneak Attack

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In this beer blog, 21st Amendment Brewing Sneak Attack is the feature beer in this post.  I have blogged about this brewery a few times in the past.  If you have not read those beer post, you know the history of this brewery.   If you have not, please, read those beer post to get an idea of this great brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

The color of the beer is yellow without head on it l. The smell is a lemon peppermint to the beer. The taste is a heavy lemon with a hop finish. It is pretty drinkable.

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

You might not expect a Saison in winter. But the enemy didn’t expect Washington to cross the icy Delaware, either. Expectations be damned, we say. We’re sneaking up on winter with a boatload of bravado and this Belgian-style farmhouse ale. Dry hopped with whole organic cardamom pods, our Saison has an assertive spiciness. In your face, winter.

Sneak Attack is our late winter seasonal beer available from January through March in six-pack cans and on draft. The perfect antidote to the big beers of winter, Sneak Attack is crisp, dry and palate cleansing. It pairs perfectly with the rich and warming foods of winter: Bouillabaise, sausages, smoked meats and full flavored cheeses.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.21st-amendment.com

Twitter:  @21stamendment

At the end, I pretty much love everything that I have had from this brewery.  I have to say this beer kind of rubbed me the wrong way.  I am a fan of this beer style, which is Saison.  I am a little stun that I did not like this beer.  I do not know if it is between the pepper or the lemon that is kicking through out the beer experience.  I was a little disappointed, however, with that all said this does not mean you will not like this beer.  I recommend you trying it because I would like 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

New Beer Blog Odell Brewing Myrcenary Double India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery that I have been wanting to get into for a long time.  The brewery and the beer is Odell Brewing Myrcenary Double India Pale Ale.  Odell was founded in 1989 by Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell in the Fort Collins, Colorado.  This brewery was started in personal kitchen like most craft breweries.  This one started in Seattle, Washington in a kitchen by Doug.  Until all the brothers moved to Fort Collins to start-up this great brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This ale is a clear golden color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is a heavy grapefruit to it. The taste is has a grapefruit with a touch of lemon. The aftertaste is a dry sweet citrus to the beer. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers.  Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.

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

Myrcenary

Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrcenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers. Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.

Available Year Round
9.3%ABV 70IBU’s

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @OdellBrewing

Closing, this was a pretty unique beer I have had in a long time.  I did not know how to react to the tropical notes I was picking up during the tasting experience.  However, this beer is pretty good, I wish this was in the Chicago market.  It is a great beer to enjoy by sipping and there is not too many double IPA that are sipping beers.  I will order this on the net again or buy it in the store.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Sierra Nevada and the beer is called Ruthless Rye IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts from this brewery, you know the rich history of this brewery.  I am willing to bet you have read about this brewery before this post.  If you have not read that beer blog post, please, read that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This seasonal IPA has a hazel copper color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell is a sweet earthly to it. The taste is a sweet malty spicy with a touch of peppery with a dry spicy aftertaste for this full body beer. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

2013 Ruthless Rye IPA is brewed with this rustic grain for refined flavors combining the peppery spice of rye and the bright citrusy flavors of whole-cone hops to create a complex ale for the tumultuous to Spring.

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

Ruthless® Rye

Rustic grains, refined flavor, ruthless character.

Rugged and resilient, rye has been a staple grain for ages and its spicy black pepper-like flavor has been prized by distillers and brewers for centuries. Rye thrives in the harshest conditions and comes to life in Ruthless, a spicy and rugged IPA with fruity, citrus and herbal hop notes balanced with the dry spiciness of the rye, making the beer aggressive yet comforting to bolster against whatever the winter winds may bring.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

In the end, this is one of my favorite beers from Sierra Nevada Brewery.  It has a ton of flavor in this full body India Pale Ale with the spices.  It is pretty drinkable with everything that is going on in this beer.  There is a nice balance from the malt and the hops which is a good sign of a very well-built beer.  There are breweries that will over hop their beers to hide the faults in their beers.  Sierra Nevada is not doing that in this beer.  This is an excite beer and I highly recommend you trying this beer.  Let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL

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In this 300th beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL.  If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  Since Samuel Adams is pretty well-known, you might already know the history of this brewery.  If you have not or do not know Boston Beer Company, you might want to go back and read that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

This unique lager has a clear copper color with a constant white head on it. The smell is a citrus to grapefruit to the beer. The taste is a dry citrus with crisp finish for the aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewing innovation is about asking “What if?”  What if we gave an IPA a new identity and used some of our favorite West Coast hops, with their grapefruit, piney, and tropical fruit character, in a lager?  The result is this boldly hoppy and flavorful brew with the crisp smoothness of a lager.

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

Full of the bold grapefruit & piney character of an American IPA, this brew also reveals its smooth lager side creating a balanced, flavorful brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.samueladams.com

Twitter:  @samueladamsbeer

In closing,  I have to be extremely honest.  I do not know what craft breweries or just flat-out breweries are thinking about doing a Lager as a IPA.  This is the dumbness beer style known to man out there.  I am not a Lager fan and I love my Ales.  I know for fact that most Ales and Lagers hyper beer styles are not just that good.  Please, give me one because I really do not like them.  This one is just bad beer and I would like 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 Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Brooklyn Brewery and the beer is their East India Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into the beer.

This English India Pale Ale has a clear copper color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is a heavy grapefruit to it. The taste of this full body beer is a carbonation grapefruit with a wet grapefruit hop to it. It is drinkable beer for what it is but to me, it is one and maybe two beers. I have to move on to the next beers.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

East India Pale Ale is our version of the sturdy ale made by the british brewer George Hodgson in the 1820’s to survive the voyage from London around the Cape of Good Hope to Calcutta.  East India Pale Ale is brewed from English malt and hops and will taste best before the freshness date indicated.

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

Brooklyn East India Pale Ale is inspired by the original East India Pale Ales brewed in England in the early 1800’s for the troops in India. Everyday English ales were spoiling during shipment from London, around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, to Calcutta. Using extra malt and hops, British brewer George Hodgson developed an ale with the bitterness and strength to endure the long sea voyage, giving rise to a great beer style. Our East India Pale Ale is a deep golden beer brewed from British malt and a blend of hops featuring the choice East Kent Golding variety. It is traditionally dry-hopped for a bright aroma of hops, lemongrass, pine and citrus fruit, and has a robust bitterness, a warming malt palate and a clean hoppy finish. We think Hodgson would be rather pleased.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.brooklynbrewery.com

Twitter:  @brooklynbrewery

Ending, this is not my favorite India Pale Ale.  I have to say with all the over the top hopped up India Pale Ales.  This beer gives the hop head another aspect of this great beer style.  Brooklyn Brewery hit a home run with the traditional beer style going back to England.  They honor that great man on their beer bottles in their description.  I will flip this beer in and out of my line up.  This is a pretty good English IPA style.  This is a great beer to start with if you are trying to like India Pale Ale.  I recommend you trying it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Brewery Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Uinta Brewery.  The beer is their Birthday Beer, which is their 20th and it is called Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale from their Crooked Line.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of those beer blogs.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear brown color without a head on the beer. The smell is like sour air. The taste has a heavy sour  with a sour aftertaste. It is a nice sipping beer to have anytime of the season.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brewed in celebration of Uinta’s 20th Birthday, this American Sour Brown Ale flaunts significant acidity balanced by flavorful Abbey and Chocolate malts and a modest amount of hops.  A distinct tartness on the palate combines with notes of toffee and earthiness.

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

Notes

Brewed in celebration of Uinta’s 20th Birthday, this American Style Sour Brown Ale flaunts significant acidity balanced by flavorful Abbey and Chocolate malts and a modest amount of hops.  A distinct tartness on the palate combines with notes of toffee and earthiness.

Art

Label art by local Utah artist Travis Bone

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

In closing, I enjoyed drinking this beer and I am in love with sour ales.  This beer was right up my alley but the average beer drinker will not like sour ales.  This beer is for the experience craft beer drinker.  I am not saying that the beginner will not like this beer.  It is possible.  It has a heavy sour taste and smell.  It is pretty drinkable beer for any season of the year.  I highly recommend this beer.  It is a limited release so if you do not get it this season.  You will have to wait for next year and that is not a bad thing.  I also want to thank for the Brewery for letting me try this beer and showing me around the brewery.  Thanks Steve and Uinta Brewing!  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:   djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the Fort Collins Brewery and the beer is called Double Chocolate Stout.  Here is the history or information of this brewery from their website (www.fortcollinsbrewery.com):

The Fort Collins Brewery is a microbrewery located in Fort Collins, Colorado. We have been open for 7 years and provide 7 full-time brews and a whole slew of  limited release offerings.

There is not too much information about this brewery asides their website.  It looks like a newer brewery from the information that I did find on the internet.  Let us get into the beer.

This stout has a dark black color with a semi tan color head. The smell is a chocolate to coffee to the beer. The taste of a full body is a chocolate and roasted coffee with a dry chocolate aftertaste. It is drinkable beer but the beer cannot have more than three in one sitting.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

The most decadent creation ever to be crafted in FCB’s brewhouse.  A bold chocolate nose introduces deep roasty flavors rich with coffee undertones.  Impeccably balanced and completely indulgent.

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

Double Chocolate Stout

The most decadent creation ever to be crafted in FCB’s brewhouse. Deep roasty flavors, rich chocolate nose,coffee undertones and impeccable balance are the result of imperializing an already flawless brew.

Availability

October – April.

Packages

12oz bottles, 1/2 bbls, 1/6 bbls

Stats

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 8.1% Hop Bitterness (IBU): 48 Color (SRM): 62

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fortcollinsbrewery.com

Twitter:  @FortCollinsBrew

In the end, this was a pretty enjoyable beer.  It is a beer you can relax and sip it on a spring, summer, fall, or winter night with a nice cigar.  This beer is not over the top and in your face but it will get you if you are not paying attention.   This beer is pretty smooth of chocolate but you will notice some coffee in the taste and smell.  This beer is not my favorite chocolate stout but I enjoy this beer.  For all the chocolate stouts, this beer is up on the list.  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 Heavy Seas Black Cannon Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out one of my favorite beer style and my favorite craft brewery out of Maryland.  Heavy Seas Brewery and the beer is called Black Cannon Black IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their flagship beer, which is called Loose Cannon, you know the history of this  brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a semi tan color. The smell is a roasted chocolate with a hint of pine. The taste is a chocolate piney with a dry hoppy finish. It is a drinkable beer but really not drinkable. It is kind of in that in between worlds.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

While the style is an oxymoron, this ale is a variation of our “Loose Cannon” IPA, with an obious dark note.  7.25% Alc./Vol.

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

Black Cannon

Seasonal Selections

Our brewers modeled this black IPA after Loose Cannon, with a slight change: it’s almost as if they burnt the brew. Deep-dark ruby, Black Cannon has a roasted character from Blackprinz and Roasted Barley malts, but a heaping portion of hops—in the kettle, hopback, and fermenter—impart flavor and aroma. Floral and pine notes show up in the nose. The mouthfeel is very smooth.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hsbeer.com

Twitter:  @heavyseasbeer

In closing, I love this beer style, which I said at the beginning of this beer post.  I am a huge hophead but yet I love my porters and stouts.  This is a dream of mine taking both beer styles and put them in one beer bottle or beer glass.  It is a smooth full body beer when drinking but yet get the pine notes during the drinking experience.  This beer at first I was not a fan but when I got to the bottom of the glass.  I was really enjoying this beer.  I recommend you trying this beer if you are a fan of Black India Pale Ale.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Mt. Pleasant Brewing Iron Horse IPA

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In  this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer from Mt. Pleasant Brewing and the beer is called Iron Horse India Pale Ale.  There is not a ton of information of when this brewery started but they are from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.  The State of Michigan has been seeing a huge growth of up and coming craft breweries.  Let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale has a hazel copper color with a heavy constant white head. The smell of this full body has a heavy grapefruit to it. The taste is a heavy grapefruit to the beer has a grapefruit aftertaste. It is drinkable beer.

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

Iron Horse I.P.A. An American pale ale with full hops flavor and aroma Don’t be shy, try it.  Like any good I.P.A. this one has plenty of hop presence but not so much that it is not approachable by our hop-weary friends.  Instead of biggering and biggering like so many I.P.A.s these days we are keepin’ it real with a beer that will make you want to drink more than just one.  Don’t worry though, hops heads, this beer still has enough bite to cut through any spicy dish you might want to pair it with.  Try one, or five, with buffalo wings or a spicy blackened chicken dish. Iron Horse can also go quite well with shrimp, crab, or other light fish, so we have heard from a few of our loyal patrons.  So, belly up and try Iron Horse if you have ever wondered what a good I.P.A is like.  We promise you won’t be disappointed.  ABV – 6.6%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mtpleasantbrew.com

Twitter:  There is no twitter address.

In closing, I thought this beer was a little different to me.  It has a heavy grapefruit to this full body India Pale Ale.  If you love grapefruit, this will be a beer you need to try it.  I have some mix feelings towards this beer.  I would not say I do not like it but I would not say it is not one of my favorites.  I would like to try this beer on draft to get a better feel towards this beer.  I will have to say this beer is worth a shot of trying this India Pale Ale.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Wynkoop Brewing Rail Yard Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer that I brought from www.letspour.com.  The brewery and brew are Wynkoop Brewing Rail Yard Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their B3K Black Lager, you know the history of this Denver, Colorado brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

It has a clear copper color without a head on the beer. The smell has a caramel to malty to it. It is hard to explain. It has a creamy caramel start the taste.  Later part of the taste is a citrus with a wet citrus aftertaste that fade with a hop finish. It drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

This unique amber ale is built with the malts and hops of an Octoberfest lager, then fermented with an English ale yeast.  Hearty and refreshing, it features caramel flavors, a hint of fruit and a kiss of hops on its finish.  All Aboard!

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

Our flagship brew is a smooth, amber beer that combines the malty goodness of an Octoberfest lager with the slight fruitiness of an ale. Hearty but refreshing.

  • ABV 5.2%

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wynkoop.com

Twitter:  @wynkoop

Closing, I have to say so far.  I have really enjoyed drinking their beers and once again, they have great packaging.  Rail Yard Ale is their flagship beer and it holds its own.  It is not like most flagship beers that are just really disappointing to the experience craft beer drinkers.   I am not saying that about all flagship beers. There are some flag ship beers that are the worse beer in some craft breweries’ selection.  In most cases, it is the first beer that the brewery or owner created.  It is extremely rare to have a beer in the later part of the craft brewery career that a beer will replace the first beer they ever brewed.  This is a drinkable and has a ton of flavor.  This beer gives you both an ale and lager.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser