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New Beer Blog Dogfish Head And Sierra Nevada Life And Limb Rhizing Bines India Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a brew that had two craft brewery, who are Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, teamed up to brew this beer.  It is Life And Limb Rhizing Bines IPA.  I want to say thanks to my friend Jay for the share.  If you read my beer blog posts so far, you know history of both of these breweries.  If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get up to speed on both of these breweries.  Let us get into the beer.

This India Pale Ale has a cloudy amber color with a white constant head.  The aroma has a citrus notes.  The taste has slight caramel to citrus notes with a dry bitter citrus aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada Brewery.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

Rhizing Bines is a collaborative IPA using the best of both coasts:  Carolina-grown red fife wheat and Dogfish Head’s continual-hopping from the East and Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown caramel malt and Torpado dry-hopping from the West.

Here is a descripation from Dogfish Head’s website (www.dogfish.com):

Rhizing Bines

ABV: 8
IBU: 70
Availability: Limited
Original Release Date: 02/2013

Deepening our bond with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., forged with the 2009   collaboration Life & Limb, we’ve brewed an East-meets-West Imperial IPA called Rhizing Bines.“We had a lot of fun brewing the original dark and roasty Life &   Limb in Chico with the Grossmans and Sierra Nevada’s extended family,”   says Dogfish Head President and Founder Sam Calagione. “We are very   proud of the way that beer turned out. Now it’s our turn to repay that   hospitality and brew a very hop-centric IPA in Milton with our pals from   Chico, incorporating innovative ingredients and techniques from both   breweries.”On the hot side, Rhizing Bines went through Dogfish’s signature   continual-hopping process with floral and citrusy Bravo hops. On the   cold side, it was dry-hopped with an experimental varietal so new it   doesn’t yet have a name, just a number: Hop 644. A component of Sierra   Nevada’s aroma-boosting Torpedo system made a pit-stop in  Delaware  for dry-hopping duty before it headed to Sierra’s new North  Carolina  brewery. To celebrate Sierra Nevada planting East Coast roots, Dogfish Head tracked down a Carolina heirloom wheat grown and milled at Anson Mills. The soft red winter wheat contributes subtle sweet and nutty notes to this hop-forward ale.“It gives my wife and myself great comfort to know that although  we’re  leaving our home and friends on the West Coast, we’re joining our  craft  brewing friends on the East Coast,” says Sierra Nevada General  Manager  Brian Grossman. “Here’s to great beer!”The label for Rhizing Bines depicts the pairings behind this beer:  two  hop varietals, two yeast strains (Chico and Doggie), two unique  hopping  processes and two family-owned breweries. These bonds start at  the root –  or rhizome – and stretch throughout the mature bines.“Sam and his family and the entire Dogfish crew have been friends of   ours for a long time,” says Sierra Nevada Founder Ken Grossman. “When  we  started talking about doing another collaboration we jumped at the   chance, especially since this version will be the hoppy counterpoint to   the last brews. We couldn’t say no! We’re looking forward to joining   forces again.”

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.dogfish.com and www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @dogfishbeer and @SierraNevada

In closing, when two or three craft breweries get together to brew a beer, it makes me a little nervous to purchase these beers.  This is the big reason why.  One, I feel at times that I do not get my money worth from the liquid in the bottle.  Two, I feel that way about many of 750ml bottles from Dogfish Head.  I hate to say it.  They are great beers I just feel they are overpriced.  I have to say my attitude changed with this brew.  This is a great beer and well balance India Pale Ale.  I enjoyed drinking this beer.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Greenbush Brewing Brother Benjamin Imperial India Pale Ale

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In the beginning, we are going to get into the first brew from Greenbush Brewing on this blog.  It is their Brother Benjamin Imperial India Pale Ale.  I cannot find the year they opened but their brewery system came from San Francisco Brewery company, which is closed now.  They are located in the western part of the State of Michigan.  They are off Exit 12.  Greenbush Brewery was founded by brewmaster Scott Sullivan.  There is really not much history on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy amber color with a white constant head on this Imperial IPA.  The smell is a sweet citrus and piney notes.  The taste has citrus and hints of creamy honey notes.  The aftertaste is dry hop finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Here at Greenbush we’ve always known that good ideas often start over beer.  We also know that there’s nothing like taking a good idea too far.  Your’re reading this, so you must be one of us.  Enjoy the first step in taking your own idea too far.

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

Prepare to be Mystified

Be prepared, be prepared I say, to receive the mighty powerful taste of this truly heavenly Imperial India Pale Ale! It is a true force of nature my children! It’s a mystification!

Grain: Maris Otter Pale, Belgian Munich, Belgian Aromatic, Caramel Malt 60, Honey Malt, Honey

Hops: Columbus and Cascade

Yeast: House yeast

Extras: Clover Honey and Beet Sugar

Specs:

114 ibu

alc. 10.1% by vol.

15º Lovibond

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenbushbrewing.com

Twitter:  @Greenbush_Brew

In the end, I have had several different India Pale Ales and Imperial India Pale Ales brew with honey.  I have to say this one was one of the best one on market.  It is one of the best that is brewed in the State of Michigan.  They did a great job on the malty backbone.  I love the hops they used on this brew and the honey cuts through the hops to balance it.  This is a great beer and I will be hunting down more of this product.  Thanks again Jay for the share.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Cisco Brewers Island Reserve Russian Imperial Stout

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In the beginning, we are going to get into a brew, which is Reserve Russian Imperial Stout, from Cisco Brewers Island.  It was founded by Randy and Wendy Hudson in 1992 Nantucket, Massachusetts.  They are part of a winery.  There is not much history on the web about this brewery.  They brew several different beers in many forms.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan to light brown color head. The smell is chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste is smooth slight creamy chocolate and coffee notes.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ciscobrewers.com

Twitter:  @CiscoBrewers

In the end, I do not know this craft brewery that well.  I just know the few things I had from them.  I was not really a big fan of it.  I am not say it was bad.  I believe their everyday beers were in the middle of the road but I have not had them all.  I am a huge fan of stouts so I saw this one.  I thought I would give this brewery one more chance.  This Island Reserve Russian Imperial Stout has some creamy chocolate and coffee notes.  It is a sipping beer with a nice cigar.  I was pretty impressed with this brew.  This beer has to be their best brew at this brewery.  Of course, I have not try everything from this brewery. Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Tallgrass Brewery Zombie Monkie Robust Porter

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In the beginning, Tallgrass Brewery wanted to do something special for the most popular adult holiday.  Halloween has grown in young adults or adults in their 30’s is out of sight, however, the holiday drops to kids tricking and treating.  Tallgrass came out with Zombie Monkie Robust Porter.   The can on this brew was supposed to have a hand grab so you can run away from the zombies.  I guess the cost was a little too much for the price they had to charge to their beer drinkers.  I love the packaging either way.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this great craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a black color with a tan color head on this porter.  The smell is a heavy chocolate notes.  The taste is chocolate and coffee notes with a dry cocoa notes.  This rich robust porter is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Style: Post-Apocalyptic Porter ABV: 6.2% IBU: 35 Full Brew Birthday: September 2013

A robust porter inspired by approximately true events… 

Zombie Monkie is a dark, rich porter, carefully brewed for the post-apocalyptic world to come. Crafted with lots of roasty dark chocolate and specialty malts, then inoculated with enough hops to add a floral/citrus character in the finish. It’s hardy, complex, and interesting, because you might be drinking it for a long time. Zombie Monkie…

Grab A Can. Make A Plan. Take A Stand.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tallgrassbeer.com

Twitter:  @TallgrassBeer

In the end, I have to say this beer was worth the trip back to Chicago to pick up this brew.  I really enjoyed this brew.  I just wished I would have picked up more than one four pack.  When I am back in town in a few weeks, I will be picking up more this beer.  This is a well balance beer.  I love the chocolate and coffee notes in this porter.  If you are in the far western part of the midwest, I would hunt this beer down.  I highly 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 Buckle Down Brewery Fiddle Sticks Belgian IPA

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One beer before the road, this is the last beer, which is Fiddle Sticks Belgian IPA, that I had at Buckledown Brewery. If you read beer blog post two days ago, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that beer blog post on their American IPA, please, read that post to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a bright yellow to straw like color with a white head.  The smell is citrus with hints spices.  The taste is a slight lemon to citrus notes with some spicies.  It is nicely balance and pretty drinkable.

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

Fiddlesticks

Belgian-Style IPA

This hybrid brings together all of the best qualities of Belgian brewing and American hopcentricity — spicy, hoppy, dry and complex.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

Closing,  there is not too many good Belgian IPA’s that are good on the market.  There is not too many craft breweries that have Belgian IPA as their first four beer styles.  This brew brings some nice spicy, hoppy, and complex notes to the beer drinker.  I like that about this beer and has a nice balance to it.  Plus, it is pretty drinkable beer.  I really did not have their Belgian Single but just a sip.  This brewery has a nice core of four beers to start with.  I just want to thank Sean and Ike for a good times at their brewery.  When I am back in town, I will stop by the brewery in the near future.  I highly highly recommend this beer and brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Buckledown Brewery Shady Aftermath Porter

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Starting a new beer tab, we are going to sample the second brew from Buckledown Brewery on this blog.  This time we went to the dark side of this brewery.  I am talking about their Shady Aftermath Porter.  If you read my last beer blog posts on their American IPA from yesterday, you know the history of this brewery that has been open for just a month.  If you have not, please, read the review to get to know this young and upcoming brewery.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a jet black color without a head on the beer.  The smell is chocolate.  The taste is chocolate to coffee notes.  The aftertaste is a dry cocoa to chocolate notes.  It is a sipping to drinkable porter. It can be either way but depends on the person.

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

Shady Aftermath

Robust Porter

A malt-driven dark ale with layers of chocolate, caramel and coffee over a base of roasted malts.  It boasts a rich mouthfeel giving way to some warming alcohol on the finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

Closing out beer tab, I have to say this is one of the best porters that I had in a very long time.  I would not say it is the best, however, I will say it is towards the very top of my best porter list.  There is some nice chocolate to coffee with a nice warm feeling from the alcohol.  This is a pretty drinkable beer but I could see many people sipping this beer.  This is a great beer to have with a nice cigar with it.  This is a pretty balance brew and I believe this is one of the best beers that they make so far.  All their beers are great but I believe this one is at the top of their beer list.  I highly recommend this brew and this brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Buckledown Brewery Belt And Suspenders American IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to review a craft brewery, which is Buckle down Brewery, that just opened in the southern part of Chicagoland market.  The beer is their Belt And Suspenders American IPA.  Buckledown Brewery opened in December of 2013.  Ike Orcutt and Sean Mahoney, who are owners, opened the brewery in Lyons, IL.  They brewery four different beer styles and in extremely small batches.  There is not much history on this young brewery but I am glad to see them open now to make some history.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head.  The smell is earthy to floral like to this American IPA.  The taste is an orange with hints of citrus notes.  The aftertaste is orange.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Belt & Suspenders

American IPA

Loads of Crystal and Sterling hops lead the way in producing huge citrus and pine aromatics.  Hoppiness is supported with a clean, slightly biscuity malt backbone.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.buckledownbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BuckleDownBeer

In closing, this is a great place to have a beer.  I love the fact they do not service food at their brewery.  You are there to have and try their beers.  Their beers are a work of art and they put some thought behind each of these brews.    There is a nice malty backbone and it is well designed.  They are not piling hops to hide the faults like most craft breweries in the City of Chicago or around the country.  I love the hops that they are using in this brew.  It kicks off some citrus notes.  It is drinkable and it is really good.  You might be able to find this brew around the city but I would make a trip to the south side of Chicago to enjoy beer with Sean, Ike, and their staff. I highly recommend this beer and this brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Magic Hat Heart Of Darkness Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Magic Hat.  It is their Heart of Darkness Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on this brewery, you know the history of Magic Hat.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know Magic Hat Brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a semi tan to off white color head on this stout.  The smell has a slight coffee to chocolate notes.  The taste of this stout is chocolate to coffee notes.  There is a coffee or toffee aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

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

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

Filled with the howling of black dogs that haunt the long-forgotten shadows of the human soul. This dense liquid-silk summoned hope from hibernation and balanced winter’s endless white snows with a rich swirl of creamy black rapture.

An inky-black stout with a smooth, round palate and a dream-like undercurrent of bittersweet chocolate.

Stats

  • MaltsPale, Crystal, Roasted Barley, Chocolate, Munich
  • HopsApollo, Goldings
  • YeastEnglish Ale
  • ABV5.7%
  • IBUs30
  • SRM80
  • Original Gravity15° Plato

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.magichat.net

Twitter:  @magichat

Closing, I was not a huge fan of this brewery when I first saw it hit the market in Chicago.  I believe they hit that market about six or seven years ago.  I have from that time started to like Magic Hat a little bit more and more as the years edge to 2013.  I still have not retry their flagship #9.  I will be retrying that beer in the near future.  I saw this beer and I had to pick it up and try it.  I really like their packaging but it sometimes does not really say what the beer is in the bottle.  This one does.  I love the balance from the chocolate and coffee notes.  I really enjoyed drinking this brew.  I will be picking up more before it leaves for the season.  If you are a stout fan, you will need to find a bottle of Heart of Darkness.  I recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Wolverine Winter Lager

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Starting new beer tab, we are going to sample out the first brew from Wolverine Brewery.  It is their Winter Lager.  Wolverine Brewery was started by a few Michigan borne home brewers.  They brew beers in the lager styles.  They rarely do any ales.  There is not much history on this brewery.  I cannot find when they opened their doors.  I believe it was 2010.  Let us get into the beer.

This lager has a clear amber color with a white head that disappears over time.  The smell is heavy malty to caramel notes.  The taste is a light carbonated caramel notes with a crisp caramel finish.  It is pretty drinkable for a winter beer.

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

Wolverine Winter Lager
6.5% abv / 18 IBU – Available November through February
This cold-weather seasonal was designed to make your winter warmer rather than to match a particular style. We start with hearty Maris Otter malt from the UK. Then we add Special Roast barley from Wisconsin, before heading back across the pond for some dark German Munich malt and German Wheat malt for some added character. We top that off with a blend of dark, rich, caramel malts and the result is an extremely smooth and silky lager beer with a hint of alcohol in the flavor and a clean finish…the perfect beer for drinking by the fire.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wolverinebeer.com

Twitter:  @wolverinebeer

Closing out current beer tab, I am going to make it down to their taproom.  I do not care if they do not sell food.  I lived in Chicago for a good eight years before moving back to Michigan about a few month ago.  I have to say most of the new brewpubs do not service food.  I do not see an issue of not having food.  You want the people of focus on your beer.  If it is good they will come back to your brewpub.  I am a fan of lagers when they are done right.  There are not too many good craft lagers on the market and I believe Wolverine Brewing has something here.  If this winter lager tells me something, they know how to make craft lagers.  I love the malts they used in this brew.  It kicks off a nice caramel notes.  I highly recommend this brew and I am looking forward to trying their other brews.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Detroit Brewing Alt Beer

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from the Detroit Brewing.  It is their flagship beer and it is called Alt Beer.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this Detroit Brewery.  If you have not, please read the earlier beer blog post to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear amber color without a head on this German style Alt.  The smell is a malty to caramel notes.  The taste is about the same with a crisp finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Inspired by the legendary “Nain Rouge” (French for Red Dwarf),  our- signature beer is full in flavor while remaining very balanced and crisp.

Detroit Brewing Co. has won 3 medals from the Great American Beer Festival and one from the World Beer Cup in German Alt category.  It is our pride and pleasure to provide you with one of the finest Alt beers brewed in the US.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.detroitbeerco.com):

Copper/amber in color. Clean lager character with some fruity ale notes.  Earthy with flavors of tea and forest nuts.  Distinct balance between malt and hops allows the creamy texture to really come through.  We earned a medal at the Great American Beer festival in our first year of business with this one and it remains our house specialty to this day.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.detroitbeerco.com

Twitter:  @DetroitBrewing

Closing, this is one of my favorite beer styles.  There is not too many craft breweries that I know of making this classic German beer style.  I am not sure if this brew was in code, however, I enjoyed drinking it.  It is one of my best Alts from a craft brewery in a while.   I love the lager notes but yet giving off some ale notes.  This beer style is a hyper of a lager and ale.   I love the caramel notes but yet a nice crisp finish.  I am really looking forward to stopping by their brewpub in the D to check out all their beers.  I recommend you trying this great Michigan craft brewery.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser