west coast

New Beer Blog Gigantic IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery from Portland, Oregon that I had a chance to visit their brewpub. I was upset because my phone dead and I had no chances to write any blogs on their beers. I was pretty excited to learn that they made their way to the Chicago market. Gigantic opened their doors in 2012 to the public. They are known for this beer in this post and making a twist on the classic beer styles. The founders are Van Havig and Ben Love. The ball started moving in 2010 for this brewery. It looks like I was around when they first started up. I do remember trying their beer called “The City Never Sleeps.” Let us get into this great beer.

It has a slight hazel copper color with a constant white head on the beer. The smell has a citrus to it but I pick up hints of piney to earthly notes. The taste has a creamy with a light carbonation citrus with a dry hop aftertaste. It is to me a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Gigantic IPA

True to its name. Cascade, centennial, crystal and simcoe create a citrusy hop confluence that continuously embiggens with each drink. The embodiment of our brewing philosophy to “never give an inch”.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.giganticbrewing.com

Twitter: @GiganticBrewing

Closing, I get nervous with 22oz bottle beers. I sometimes feel I do not get my money worth out of the beer. I did not feel this way towards this beer because I have had their beers. I wonder if there are more people like me out there. This is a great beer and it is well balance between the hops to the malt backbone. Gigantic did a great job making this beer and I love the art on the packaging. This young brewery is on the right direction and I am looking forward what they will release next. 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 Speakeasy Payback Porter

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Speakeasy out of San Francisco. If you read my earlier beer blog post with all their six-pack beers, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this great brewery from California. Let us get into the beer.

It is a jet black color with a tan color head. The smell has a heavy chocolate to the beer. The taste is between chocolate to toffee with a coco aftertaste. For a dark beer and a dark beer drinker, it is a pretty beer drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

American hops provide a smooth distraction for Payback Porter’s robustness, which is concealed within the shadows of imported dark malts.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.goodbeer.com

Twitter: @SpeakeasyBeer

In closing, this brewery has not disappointed me at all. Speakeasy makes some good beers and lived up to the hype that is being said throughout the country. Their Payback Porter brings up the back-end of their beer line up and lives up as a great beer. This beer has a ton going on and craft beer drinker will be picking this up throughout the year. I am slowly getting around to try all their beers. Just like the rest of their line up, I recommend this one and the rest of their beers. Let me know 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 Full Sail LTD Recipe Number #6

In this beer blog, we are going to talk about a brewery that I have not had too many beers. I was excited to see this in my beer box in my order from www.letspour.com. Full Sail Brewery was founded in 1987 in Hood River, Oregon. Their first beer was package in 1988 which was Full Sail Golden Ale. Full Sail is an employee-owned business. Full Sail is also the second largest brewery in Oregon and ninth largest craft brewery in the United States. Let us get into the beer.

It has a jet black color without a head on the beer. The smell has a slight chocolate. The taste is a chocolate notes with a dry coco aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

There’s no coffee or chocolate in this Limited Edition Lager but your mouth will insist otherwise. Recipe Number: 06

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

LTD 06 Black Bock – There’s no coffee or chocolate in this limited edition lager but your mouth might insist otherwise. Brewed for the Holidays, this black bock is lush and full-bodied with hints of roast, coffee, & chocolate in the aroma followed by flavors of caramel & figs with a long creamy smooth finish. Brewed as a Czech style Cerné Speciální with 2 row Pale, Munich, Caramel, & Chocolate Malts & hopped with Santiam and Perle hops.

ABV 7.0% IBU 34
AVAILABLE OCTOBER TO DECEMBER

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.fullsailbrewing.com

Twitter: @fullsailbrewing

Closing, I had some of their beers and I will say this beer did not disappoint me. I was not expecting what was in the bottle. I really enjoy it. It is a perfect winter beer and it held up during the travel across the country. This lager is not over powered by the chocolate notes. There is a nice balance in this beer. I enjoyed drinking this beer and I will have to order some of their other beers or have friends pick them up for me. I recommend this beer and I would start looking for it around October because it is a seasonal brew. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery India Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into the last beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is their India Pale Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog post, you know the history of this brewery. If have not read it, please, read that beer blog post to get the information on this brewery. Let us get the beer.

It has a hazel golden color without a head. The smell is a citrus and grapefruit with a slight mango. The taste is a carbonate citrus with a dry hop finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ready to buck convention? We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American style. We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic. American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character. Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy the ride!

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

We took the traditional IPA, originally shipped from England to India in the 1700′s, and made it bolder and more flavorful – American Style. We’ve added new varieties of highly aromatic American hops to create a distinctive bitterness profile and an incredible hop character.

7.0%Alc. by Vol 60IBUs

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

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter: @odellbrewing

In closing, I am a huge hophead and I really enjoyed this beer. There is a great malty backbone and enough hops to keep the hophead happy. This brewery makes some great beers and you can see they put some thought into each of their beers which I mentioned in a few beer blogs ago. This brewery also has some great packaging and I am glad I had a chance to try some of their beer. I will be searching for more their beers or ordering from www.letspour.com I highly recommend their beers and let me know what you think. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Odell Brewery 5 Barrel Pale Ale

In this beer blog, we are getting into another beer from Odell Brewery and the beer is called 5 Barrel 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 to get up to speed with the rest of beer blog readers. Let us get into the beer because that is why we are here.

It has a hazel bright copper color without a head on the beer. The smell is piney to it. The taste is piney and oak with a dry hoppy finish. It is a session beer.

Here is a descriation from the beer bottle:

5 Barrel Pale Ale is a nod to our hard working pilot brewing system, where our brewers have crafted and perfected new recipes five barrels at a time. The distinctive hop character of our 5 Barrel Pale Ale is derived from essential oils of select hops. Four hop additions during the kettle boil, an infustion of choice whole flower hops in the Hop Back, and finally, dry hopping gives the beer a fresh, lively flavor and floral aroma.

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

The distinctive hop character of our 5 Barrel Pale Ale is due to the extraction of essential oils from select hops. We treat 5 Barrel Pale Ale to an infusion of fresh whole hop flowers in the Hop Back and the Fermentor, as well as four hop additions during the kettle boil. We like how this gives the beer a fresh, lively flavor and aroma.

5.2%Alc. by Vol. 36IBUs

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

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter: @odellbrewing

In closing, this beer is example what a brewery can do if they put some thought into the brewing process and beers. It is also a great example when they let their brewers do different things and explore their talents. I wish more craft breweries would do something like this as far as exploring. This is a great beer and I love the hop bend in this beer. You can taste and smell it. The hops are living in this beer while hitting a nice malty backbone. I enjoyed drinking this beer. I recommend you trying 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 Brewery 90 Schilling Ale

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Odell Brewery. The beer that will be featured in this blog is their flagship called 90 Schilling Ale. If you read my beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this Colorado brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.

It has a deep copper and light amber color without a head on the beer. The smell is a malty with a slight coco to it. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty to it. The aftertaste is a sweet malty to it. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

90 Schilling is our flagship beer. Smooth and complex, 90 Schilling is a medium-bodied amber ale with a distinct burnished copper color and a deeply pleasant aroma. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. The name 90 Schilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

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

We introduced 90 Shilling, our flagship beer, at our opening party in 1989. For a while, we’d been wondering what would happen if we lightened up the traditional Scottish ale? The result is an irresistibly smooth and delicious medium-bodied amber ale. The name 90 Shilling comes from the Scottish method of taxing beer. Only the highest quality beers were taxed 90 Shillings. A shilling was a British coin used from 1549 to 1982. We think you’ll find this original ale brilliantly refreshing, and worth every shilling.

5.3% Alc. By Vol. 27 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.odellbrewing.com

Twitter: @odellbrewing

Closing, I know I talked about this in one of my other beer blogs. There is not too many really good flagship. There are many that are really bad or average compare to the rest of their beer lineup. This beer is challenges that theory of mine and it is sets the brewery up really well. It shows the craft beer drinker that rest of their beers should be really good. There is a lot going on in this great brew. It fits where this brewery is located. I enjoyed it and I will have it again. I just wished they were in the Chicago market. I would rotate this in and out of my lineup. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Maui Brewing Bikini Blonde Lager

In beer blog, here is another beer from Maui Brewing. The beer is Bikini Blonde Lager. Of course, it is a can and that makes this beer special because they were one of the few breweries to just can than use bottles. If you read my beer blog post on their coconut porter, you know the history of this great beer. If you have not, please, read that beer post. Let us get into the beer.

This lager has a clear yellow color without a head on it. The smell has a sweet malty to slight citrus to the beer. The taste is something between a pilsner and lager. It is a malty to slight hoppy to the beer. The aftertaste is a crisp but sweet to the beer. Of course, this is a drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer cans:

Bikini Blonde is a fresh handcrafted Helles Lager brewed with the finest German hops and barley, not skimpy on flavor. Bold, smooth, and refreshing!

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

Our filtered Munich Helles Lager brewed with floral hops and Pilsner and Munich malts. This is the closest thing to an American lager from Maui Brewing Co. but not skimpy of flavor. Bold, smooth and refreshing!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.mauibrewingco.com

Twitter: @MauiBrewingCo

Aloha, I am not a big fan of wheat ales and lagers. I get bored pretty quick with lagers, however, this lager gives you something different to a craft beer drinker. It is a Hellas lager and I really enjoy that German Beer Style. I love the fact that they get their hops and barley from Germany. They are still able to give it a light body that fits the tropical weather on Hawaii. I miss Hawaii but this beer takes me back to that time in my life. I had some friends bring this back from the Big Island and I want to thank them for it. If you are able to get this beer or any of their beers, go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of my favorite India Pale Ales. It is from Maui Brewing and the beer is called Big Swell IPA. If you read my earlier blogs on their beers, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get up to speed on this great brewery. Let us get into this American India Pale Ale.

It has a clear copper color with a constant white head. The smell is a tropical fruit smell which I have no idea which one. It is a nice smell to the beer. The taste is sweet carbonation hop with a hop and malty aftertaste. This is a different tasting India Pale Ale than anything in the market. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Big Swell IPA is a fresh handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with huge amounts of American hops and malted Barley… dry-hopped to perfection!

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

Our handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with four different kinds of Northwestern hops and malted barley …dry-hopped to perfection. Its flavor begins smooth and malty and is followed with a big burst of hop flavor.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.mauibrewingco.com

Twitter: @mauibrewingco

Aloha, every time I have this beer. I have to say it has never disappoint me. This is a great beer and fits perfectly where it is brewed. It has a nice malty backbone and hop just right for Hawaii. This beer can be enjoyed any part of the United States. I wish this beer was sold in Chicago but it is a treat when I am able to order it or friends bring some back to me. If you are able to get this beer, please, pick it up and let me know what you think. I do not know where I would put this beer as my favorite beer but I know for a fact it is in my Top Five for India Pale Ales. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Maui Brewing Mana Wheat

In this beer blog, we are going to try another beer from Maui Brewing and the beer is called Mana Wheat. If you read my earlier beer blogs on their beers, you know the history of this great Hawaii Brewery. If you have not read that beer blog post, please, read that post to get to know this great brewery. Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a cloudy golden color without a head on the beer. The smell is a slight pineapple to the beer. The taste of this light body is a wheat to pineapple without an aftertaste. It is an extremely drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Mana Wheat is a fresh handcrafted American wheat ale brewed with malted barley, white wheat and fresh local Maui Gold Pineapple.

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

An unfiltered, freshly handcrafted American-style wheat ale infused with Maui Gold Pineapple. Our crisp and refreshing wheat ale is lighty hopped to allow the fruity sweetness of the pineapple to shine. The yeast stays in suspension making the ale traditionally cloudy.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.mauibrewingco.com

Twitter: @MauiBrewingCo

In the end, I am not a wheat fan but this beer I did enjoy. It also gave me hope that there are some good wheat ales out on the market. I am a fan of pineapple and I believe that is reason why I love this beer. The pineapple makes this beer unique and different. If you do not like wheat ales, you still need to try this beer because of how unique it is. I highly recommend you trying this beer if you are a fan of wheat ales. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weise

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Stone Enjoy By 05-17-13 IPA

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from the Stone Brewery. The beer is a limited and rare release 22oz bottles. It is an unique Double India Pale Ale. The name of the beer is when the beer goes out of code. If you read my earlier beer blog on their Flagship beer, which is IPA, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not, please, read that beer blog post. Let us get into this beer.

This special Double India Pale Ale has a clear semi dark golden color with a constant white head. The smell is is a heavy piney but a touch of a tropical fruit. There is a ton going on in the smell. The taste is a piney but a dry hoppy tropical fruit. It is drinkable beer but careful drinking it.

Here is description from the beer bottle:

You have in your hands a devastatingly fresh double IPA. Freshness is a key component of many beers – especially big, hoppy IPAs – but we’ve taken it further, a lot further, with this one. We brewed this IPA specifically NOT to last. We’ve gone to extensive lengths to ensure you get your hands on this beer within an extraordinarily short window, and we’ve sent a very clear message in the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right NOW to enjoy this IPA!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.stonebrewing.com

Twitter: @stonebrewingco

Ending, this beer lives up to what it is which is “Live For The Now, The Present.” Stone Brewing is a doing good thing and making a statement in the Craft Beer World. I believe all brewers are looking for fresh product in the market. However, this is a solid beer, it is a big hoppy beer that has a nice and solid malty backbone. I love how they use social media to show where people are enjoying this beer. This will start a trend but it has to have a great beer behind it. This beer is an awesome beer and I am glad I had it. I will looking for more before the date comes to head. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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