west coast

New Beer Blog Speakeasy Butchertown Black Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another brew, which is a limited release, from Speakeasy Brewery. The brew is their Butchertown Black Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read these beer blog posts to get to know this great west coast brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a white constant head on this black ale. The smell slight chocolate with a heavy citrus notes. The taste has chocolate citrus notes with bitter hop aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.goodbeer.com

Twitter: @SpeakeasyBeer

Closing out, this beer is something else. I really enjoy drinking this beer. This is a big boy beer for the experienced hop heads in the world. The hops shine nicely through the chocolate notes. They did a great job on the picking of the hops. I love the bitter aftertaste. They found a way to heavy and in your face but not making you run away from the beer. I am hoping they make their way to the Michigan Market, if not I will be making road trips back to Chicago. I am glad I am back in Michigan this is one of the breweries I will miss getting on a regular basis. I highly recommend this beer and their other brews. If you are in San Fran, you need to get by their brewpub. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog New Belgium Brewing 1554 Black Lager

In this beer blog, we are going to sample out another brew from New Belgium Brewing. It is their 1554 Black Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark black clear with a constant white head on this black ale. The smell is a slightly chocolate with a nice crisp finish. The taste is a milky chocolate notes. It is pretty drinkable.

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

Born of a flood and centuries-old Belgian text, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale uses a lager yeast strain and dark chocolaty malts to redefine what dark beer can be. In 1997, a Fort Collins flood destroyed the original recipe our researcher, Phil Benstein, found in the library. So Phil and brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert, traveled to Belgium to retrieve this unique style lost to the ages. Their first challenge was deciphering antiquated script and outdated units of measurement, but trial and error (and many months of in-house sampling) culminated in 1554, a highly quaffable dark beer with a moderate body and mouthfeel.

Birthdate: July, 1999

Body: Light – Medium

ABV: 5.6%

IBU: 21

Calories: 198

Hops: Target

Malts: Pale, Carapils, Black, Munich, Chocolate

Yeast: Lager Yeast

Aroma: Slightly fruity, herbal, spicy, rooty, coffee, chocolate, toffee

Mouthfeel: Due to the lager yeast ferm at high temps and the chocolate and black malt- this beer starts and finishes dry yet the middle is round and malt rich. session!

Flavor: Starts bitter chocolate with bright acidity, roasty and toasty, sweetness to round it out sweet/spicy, rooty, peppery undertones, lingering fruit acidity,

Visual: Brilliant/clear, mahogany

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newbelgium.com

Twitter: @newbelgium

Ending, I remember the first time I had this beer. I was not really too impressed when it hit the Chicago craft beer market. I guess my taste buds have grown or I found a new way of liking this brew. There is several different things going on in this brew. I love the chocolate, fruit, coffee, and slight toffee notes. There is a nice balance in this brew. I love how it is not overpowering. I love the crisp finish and it is pretty drinkable brew. There is not much to say about this beer. It is really good and I recommend you trying to 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 New Belgium Accumulation White India Pale Ale

Starting a new tab, we are going to get into the new winter seasonal from New Belgium Brewing. I am talking about Accumulation White India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Pumpkick Ale, you know the history of this green and employee owned craft brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear to slight cloudy strew like color with a white head on it. The smell is a citrus notes. The taste is slightly wheat that makes this beer smooth to creamy with citrus notes. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

This winter, IBUs start accumulating like snow in Colorado with our new Accumulation White IPA. Brewing a white IPA was not only a way to salute the white beauty falling from the sky, but a direct revolt to the longstanding tradition of brewing dark beers for winter. At least that’s what our rebellious brewer Grady Hull likes to claim as he shovels in plenty of new hop varietals and a bit of wheat for a smooth mouthfeel. Stack up a few cases of Accumulation White IPA to keep your long nights glowing blizzard white.

Birthdate: October, 2013

Body: Medium-light body.

ABV: 6.2%

IBU: 70

Calories: 170

Hops: Target, Centennial, dry hopped with Mosaic and Amarillo

Malts: Pale, Wheat

Yeast: Ale Yeast for bright, fruity notes

Aroma: Strong hop aroma that displays all of our hop varieties: tropical fruits, bright citrus, spicy/herbal from the heavy dry hopping. This beer is a hoppy wonderland!

Mouthfeel: Resinous and slightly cloying from all those hop oils but finishes as clean and crisp as all of our seasonal family does and should.

Flavor: Big and bitter, just what this IPA ordered. Sweetness just barely dents its IBU armor. Nevertheless the addition of wheat really smooths out the rough bitter edge.

Visual: Cloudy haze, pale golden. Billows of white foam and gorgeous foam.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.newbelgium.com

Twitter: @newbelgium

Closing out my tab, I have made it known that I really dislike wheat ales and mix wheat and IPA. I was like what the hell. I tried several white IPAs. I have to say they were really bad. I was really down on this new beer style. New Belgium came out with their new winter seasonal called Accumulation White India Pale Ale. I was a little nervous about this brew. I have to say I have a new thought pattern towards White India Pale Ale. There is a nice balance from the hops and wheat ale itself. It is creamy smooth and the wheat brings out the hops character. I can see this brew bring new beer drinkers into the craft beer world and IPA beer style. Even your normal hophead will like this brew. This is different beer style for the winter time. This beer should and will pop out to craft beer drinkers. I will hunt this beer down and I highly 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 Gigantic Brewing Hellion

Starting a new tab, we are going to get into another brew from one of my favorite craft brewery from Portland, Or. I am talking about Gigantic Brewing and their Hellion. If you read my earlier beer blog on this brewery, you know the history of this little brewpub. 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 clear golden color with a constant white head on this brew. The smell is a sweet Belgian notes. It has a farmhouse smell notes. The taste is citrus notes of spices with a crisp dry hop finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Hellion

To some a Hellion is a troublemaker, to others a messiah. Our dry-hopped Belgian-style golden ale will bring out one or both in you. Which will it be?

“The tall tree catches much wind” -Japanese Proverb

Beer Style: Dry-Hopped Belgian-Style Golden ABV: 8.5% 23 IBU

Label Artist: Shohei Otomo www.Hakuchi.jp

Notes: Dry-hopped with Sorachi Ace and Simcoe = lemon, grapefruit and dill aromas. Complex aroma and flavor of ester and spice from a Belgian yeast strain.

Availability: July-October 2013 in Oregon, Washington, California, British Columbia, Alaska, Vermont and Chicago.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.giganticbrewing.com

Twitter: @GiganticBrewing

Closing out of the tab, this is a great beer and I really enjoyed drinking this brew. This is a well made beer and they brew this beer as close to the classic beer style. It is an American craft version of Duvel. I love Duvel and I found hints of this beer when I was drinking it. I can see many craft beer drinkers thinking this a great version of Duvel. I highly recommend you trying 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 Redhook Brewery Game Changer

Redhook Brewery Game Changer Ale is the featured brewery and beer on this beer blog. This is a beer that is exclusive to Buffalo Wild Wings. If you read my earlier beer blog on Redhook Brewery, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color with constant small bubbles raising up from the middle. There is a creamy like white head on this pale ale. The smell is notes of citrus and slight malty. The taste of this light to medium body is carbonated citrus with slight caramel notes. The aftertaste is creamy caramel. It is extremely drinkable.

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

Redhook Game Changer Ale is a sessionable ale with rich color to distinguish it as craft, just enough hops to cut the spiciness of wings, and the right amount of malt to cool the burn.

Style………………….Pale Ale
Abv…………………….4.6%
IBUs…………………..25 IBU
Original Gravity..degrees plato
Brewed Since………2013
Time Frame………..Year Round
Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.redhook.com

Twitter: @Redhook_Brewery

Closing, I am excited with every brew this brewery puts out on the market. I am a huge fan of Redhook Brewery and I am not going to hide that fact. I love the Dan Patrick beer, which is Audible Ale. Audible Ale has grown since its release. When I heard about this beer with Buffalo Wild Wings, I thought maybe they just rename Audible Ale. It turns out I was totally wrong. They are two different pale ales using different hops and malt. Game Changer is a little bit more on the copper color and maltier. These brews are really good and well made. However, I just feel Game Changer is the weak link in Redhook beer collection, it is still a great beer. Buffalo Wild Wings will sell a ton of this beer to make it worth wild for Redhook. I recommend you trying this brew at least once. Please 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 Oskar Blues Brewery Mama’s Little Yella Pils

Starting a new tab, Oskar Blues Brewery is the feature brewery and the beer is their Mama’s Little Yella Pils. If you read my earlier beer blog post on their Dale’s Pale Ale, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery better. Let us get into beer.

It has a clear golden color with small constant bubbles. It has small constant white bubbles. The smell is of import pilsner and lager. It has a malty notes. The taste of this light body has malty backbone but the hops shine through it. It is a drinkable beer.

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

Oskar Blues’ Mama’s Little Yella Pils is an uncompromising, small-batch version of the beer that made Pilsen, Czech Republic, famous. Unlike mass market “pilsners” diluted with corn & rice, Mama’s is built with 100% pale malt, German specialty malts, and Saaz hops. While its rich with Czeched-out flavor, its gentle hopping (35 IBUs) and low ABV (just 5.3%) make it a luxurious but low-dose (by Oskar Blues standards) refresher.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.brew.oskarblues.com

Twitter: @oskarblues

Closing out my tab, I have said this once and I will say it a few more times. There is not too many craft breweries that can make a good craft pilsner. Oskar Blues has brew a great pilsner. I am talking about great pils. This beer is well-balanced. I love selection of the hops. Mama’s Little Yella Pils can be consumed in the winter and middle of the hot summer. I highly recommend this brewery and beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Oskar Blues Brewery Old Chub Scotch Ale

Oskar Blues Brewery Old Chub Scotch Ale is the featured craft brewery and scotch ale on this beer blog post. If you read my earlier beer blog on their Dale’s Pale Ale, you know the history of this brewery. If you not read those beer blog posts, please, read the blog post on Dale’s Pale Ale. Let us get into the beer.

It has a dark amber or dark brown color with fluffy white head on this scotch ale. The smell is caramel, malty, and hazelnut notes. The taste of this light to medium body beer is heavy hazelnut notes with a dry malty notes. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.oskarblues.com):

This jaw-dropping Scottish strong ale (8% ABV) is brewed with bodacious amounts of malted barley and specialty grains, and a dash of beechwood-smoked malt. Old Chub features semi-sweet flavors of cocoa and coffee, and a wee-bit of smoke. A head-turning treat for malt heads and folks who think they don’t dig dark beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.oskarblues.com

Twitter: @oskarblues

In closing, there is not too many craft breweries that make a scotch ale. However, it makes senses why this brewery makes one, they are located in an area where most of the year. It is cold more than it is warm in an average year. This is a great brew. This brewery makes some killer brews but I just feel they are all overpriced. Please, do not get me wrong. Oskar Blues Brewery makes some great brews. I just wish they were a little cheaper. In the Detroit market, they are little bit more of a value than the Chicago market. It is not by much and I hope you let me know your thoughts on 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 MacTarnahan’s Brewing Goose Bump Imperial Stout

MacTarnahan’s Brewing Goose Bump Imperial Stout is the brewery and beer featured on this beer blog post. This beer is no longer being made. If you are interested in trying this brew, you better go out and find this beer. If you read my earlier beer blog on their Belgian Style Ale, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know them. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan color. The smell is like burned chocolate with slight coffee notes. The taste of this big body beer is creamy and smooth chocolate notes with notes of coffee. The aftertaste is dry crisp coffee bean that fades out. It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.portlandbrewing.com

Twitter: @PortlandBrewing

Closing, I brought up a ton of this brew because it was marked down. I know for past experience with Imperial Stout. They can last for a good five years. I was not worried about buying this beer out of code this year. This brew is really good right now and it will get better over time. The coffee is pretty heavy at first but it calms down in the later part of the bottle or the drinking experience. This is a great beer and I am sad they stop making this brew. If you can find, I would try it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout

Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout is the feature craft brewery and beer on this beer blog post. If you read my earlier beer blog on their other brews, you know the rich history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this west coast craft brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan to off white color head. The smell is a roasted to chocolate notes. The taste is a smooth creamy chocolate roasted notes. The aftertaste is dry roasted chocolate notes. For being a stout, it is pretty drinkable beer. I can see most people think it is not drinkable beer.

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

Deep, robust and richly rewarding, this is beer to linger over. Obsidian has distinct notes of espresso, chocolate, roasted malt and black barley, with just enough hop bite to cut the sweetness. Malt: Pale, Crystal, Carapils, Munich, Black Barley, Roasted Barley, Wheat
Hops: Nugget, Millennium, Willamette, Northern Brewer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.deschutesbrewery.com

Twitter: @DeschutesBeer

In the end, I know many of you readers know I am a huge fan of this brewery. I know many of my friends know I am a huge fan. This brew is not a disappointment. There is not a drop off from their flagship to this brewery. This brewery makes some great beers and I cannot wait for them to make to the Michigan market. If they do not, I know when I make trips back to Chicago. I will be picking up some beer. As craft beer industry keeps on growing, Deschutes Brewery will be there still pushing the limits of the craft beer drinkers like they did from the beginning in 1988. I highly recommend this stout. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Green Flash Brewing Green Bullet Triple India Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the second brew from Green Flash Brewing and it is an unique brew, which is Green Bullet Triple India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear dark golden color with a thick, creamy, and constant white head on this IPA. The smell is piney notes. The taste is a carbonated piney notes with dry hop aftertaste. For being a big and high-end beer, it is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Green Bullet

Named after a super-robust New Zealand hop, Green Bullet™ is a well-balanced Triple IPA being bottled today for the 1st time ever. Brewmaster, Chuck Silva initially released this Pacific Gem to celebrate the Green Flash 9th Anniversary in 2011, and it was an immediate hit! Now, this cult favorite will be available from coast-to-coast as a seasonal release from September through December 2013. Be on the lookout for this high-caliber addition to our arsenal in 4-packs, 22oz bottles and on draft, because you do not want to miss the release.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.greenflashbrew.com

Twitter: @Greenflashbeer

Closing, leave it to a west coast craft brewery to try to create a new beer style in the IPA world. This is pretty much what Green Flash from California has done. This Green Bullet Triple India Pale Ale has everything for the hop head is looking for on the next level in their beers. I love the hops they are using in this brew. New Zealand hops have grown on brewers and hop lovers in the last few years. It is not a surprise that newer hops are popping up from New Zealand like Green Bullet. Green Flash named their brew after the hop. I love malty backbone to cut down on the hop’s intense feel. This is a great brew and I sad it is a seasonal. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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