west coast brewery

New Beer Blog Speakeasy Brewery Beers

In this special Saturday Beer Blog, we are going to get ahead of everyone in the Chicago market on these beers.  Speakeasy Brewery is coming to Chicago starting next week and I was able to get hold of some bottles to review them before it hits the shelves.  When I heard about them coming, I was excited to have them available everyday in Chicago.  Speakeasy going with the theme of the Prohibition era or I like to say one of the dark times in American history.  This brewery was founded in 1997 by Steve Bruce and Forest Gray.  They are known for their over the top hoppy beers that range from 5% to 10% in their beers.   Let us get into the beer.

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This beer has a clear golden color without a head on it. The smell is a heavy mango to this Extra Pale Ale. The taste of this medium body is a carbonation mango with a bland aftertaste. I can see some think this beer is drinkable and others might not think it is drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Tallulah mesmerizes with tropical fruit aromas and a radiant golden glow.  This show-stopper is dry-hopped with Calyso and El Dorado hops and will leave you begging for an encore.

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This beer has an amber brown color without a head on it. The smell is a sweet caramel malt. The taste is a smooth creamy caramel with a dry finish. It is drinkable beer and is a session beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Prohibition Ale is a boldly hopped amber ale that strikes a perfect balance between caramel maltiness and its aggressive hopping.

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

Prohibition Ale is the first beer we bootlegged back in the early days of the brewery. Anything but traditional, Prohibition pours a deep reddish amber hue, with a fluffy tan head that leaves a beautiful lacing on the glass. A lush, complex aroma teases the senses with juicy grapefruit,  citrus, pine, spice and candied caramel malts. Mouthfeel is creamy, with a silky, medium body and modest carbonation.

Style: American-Style Amber Ale

ABV: 6.1%

IBU: 45

Color: 15L – Copper, Dark Amber, Red

Barley: Two Row Pale, CaraMunich, Chilean Caramel

Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Centennial

Yeast: California Ale

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This beer has a red color without a head on it. The smell is a sweet malty caramel to the beer. The taste is carbonation malty to a slight spicy from the rye with a dry malty to a touch of hop finish. It is a drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Scarlett Red Rye Ale captivates with an act that ranges from sweet hop highs to spicy rye tones.  Scarlett hits the notes that will set your heart on fire.

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This beer is a clear golden with a semi white head on it. The smell is a heavy piney. The taste of this full body is a heavy piney to earthy with a dry earthy aftertaste. It is a sipping beer and it is not drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

No lightweight, Big Daddy IPA tips the scales with a huge hop flavor and clean dry finish that leaves the scene without a trace.

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

No lightweight, Big Daddy IPA tips the scales with a huge hop flavor and a clean, dry finish that leaves the scene without a trace.

Big Daddy IPA is a hop-head’s delight, a generously dry-hopped yet surprisingly drinkable American-style India Pale Ale. Poured into a standard American pint glass, the beer is a golden straw color, with tight carbonation and a slightly off-white head that leaves a lovely lacing. The aroma is floral, fresh grass, pine needles, grapefruit and subtle notes of fresh bread.

Style: India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.5%

IBU: 55

Color: 5L – Golden

Barley: Two Row Pale, Light Munich

Hops: Columbus, Cascade, Centennial

Yeast: California Ale

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.goodbeer.com

Twitter:  @SpeakeasyBeer

Closing out, all of these beers are really good and I enjoyed trying them. Some of these beer styles are not up my alley but good. Speakeasy did a great job on their beers and packaging. This brewery is a complete package. Big Daddy IPA is line with the rest of the west coast IPA but I feel gives you something more than the rest. I do not know what it is. Their Prohibition Ale is little bit more hopper than the normal Amber Ales. Plus Prohibition Ale is a session beer which I like it. Their Tallulah Ale has a wonderful smell and tasting experience. The Scarlett Red Rye Ale is kind of like Prohibition Ale but has a spicy kick to it. So you have to ask which one did I like and did not like. I loved these beers in this order Tallulah, Prohibition Ale, Big Daddy IPA, and Scarlett. I am not a huge fan of red ales and I am not saying that Scarlett is a bad beer, which it is not. It is not my favorite beer style. I love Big Daddy but I liked the Prohibition Ale and Tallulah even more. I highly recommend you trying these beers. 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 Levity Amber Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewing and the beer is called Levity Amber Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog post to get up to speed on this great Colorado brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has an amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a sweet malty caramel to it. The taste is sweet malty without an aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Levity is our lighter take on an amber ale — a real crowd pleaser.  Munich and honey malts give it full-bodied flavor, bright copper color, and a relaxed taste profile.  We let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter.  Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color — and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously.  We could all use a little levity once in a while.

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

Levity Amber Ale

Levity is our lighter take on the amber ale. Munich and honey malts give it a full-bodied flavor and a happy-go-lucky personality. Then we let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter. Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color – and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously. Hey, we could all use a little levity once in a while.

5.1%Alc. by Vol.     24IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter:  @odellbrewing

In the end, this is not one of my favorite beer styles but I wanted to try this beer at least once in my lifetime.  This is a really good and well made beer.  If you are an Amber Ale or Lager fan, this is the beer for you.  The one thing that I love about this beer is how drinkable this beer is and pack of flavor.  I recommend you trying this beer so go out and hunt it down.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

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 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 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

New Beer Blog Wasatch Brewery Polygamy Porter

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In the last night in Utah, we are going to check out a beer that was recommended to me by my sister.  The brewery and beer is called Wasatch Brewery Polygamy Porter.  Wasatch Brewery was founded in 1986.  It was the first brewery to open in Park City, Utah since Prohibition ended.  There is not too much information to be founded about this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This stout has a black color with a creamy constant white head on it. The smell is between smokey chocolate to coffee. The taste is smokey roasted coffee to chocolate with a dry finish. It is drinkable beer for being a porter.

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

This dark, medium bodied ale offers the drink-ability of a much lighter  beer. The inviting chocolate and malty flavors fade into a slightly  dry, silky smooth finish. Why have just one? 4.0% alcohol by volume.

• 2006 Silver Medal Winner, Brown Porter, North American Brewers’ Association

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.wasatchbeers.com

Twitter:  @wasatchbeers

Closing, this is a great beer and I wish it was in my market but I understand why it is not.  I just found weird to drink some porters, IPAs, and stouts that are only 4%.  This is a great porter that has the same creamy taste like a Guinness.  It was smooth, smokey, and chocolate notes.  This beer is perfect and does not need to be more than 4%.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some if you are in the Utah area!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Moab Brewery Johnny’s American India Pale Ale

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While in Utah, we are going to get into a brewery located in Utah.  The brewery and the beer is called Moab Brewery Johnny’s American India Pale Ale.  There is really no history or information on this brewery.  They are a young and upcoming brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a light clear copper color with a constant white head on the beer. There is a heavy grapefruit to a touch of citrus smell to this American ale. The taste is a sweet carbonation little grapefruit to citrus with a dry finish for the aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

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

An American style IPA, golden in color with light malt hues and strong hop characteristics. It’s vibrant citrus aromas and bitterness are created by four bold American hops. Our dry hopping gives this beer that distinctive and aggressive hop finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.themoabbrewery.com

Twitter:  @moabbrewery

In closing, this beer is missing something.  I just feel it might be the ABV % in the beer because of the Utah laws.   I believe it is that and the hops that are used in this India Pale Ale are not the best.  The brewery cannot control the laws but they can control the hops that they use in their beers.  I also feel there is not enough maltly backbone to off set the hops.  I am not saying it is extremely over hopped because it is not.  This is my thought about the beer.  This is not a very good beer.  I could have had a better India Pale Ale.  I am glad I had a chance to try this beer.  If you are in Utah, please, try this beer and let me know what your thoughts are on this beer.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter;  @djweiser