west coast

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Koko Brown Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the spring seasonal from Kona Brewing Co and it is called Koko Brown Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Pipeline Porter, 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 American Brown Ale has a brown color with a white head on this beer.  The smell is a heavy coconut to the beer. The taste is a sweet hazel and coconut with a roasted coconut aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer for heading into the spring and summer seasons.

Here is a description the beer bottle:

Koko Brown’s distinctive, nutty aroma and flavor comes from real.  Toasted coconut blended into each brew.  One sip of this roasty.  Smooth, mahogany colored ale and you will feel like you are on a warm sun-drenched beach in Hawaii.  Aloha!  Since 1994, Kona Brewing CO.  has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

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

A Nut Brown Worth Cracking

Is there anything more iconic of the lush tropics than the coconut? The delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise. Kick back with a Koko Brown, brewed with real toasted coconut, and savor the mahogany color and smooth, roasty malt taste.

Available Winter/Spring

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.knonabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @knoabrewingco

Closing, this beer is different then what is out in any market asides Hawaii or any other warm spot.  I did enjoy this beer but I just feel that the brown ale is a wrong mix with the coconut.  Please, do not get me wrong this is a great beer and I can see people liking this beer.  I enjoyed this beer.  The taste is hazel nut cover coconut.  I just feel that the coconut goes better with a porter or a stout.  I could dream of a milk stout with a coconut in it.  I recommend this beer and I would love to hear your thoughts on this beer.  I can see this beer being a home run in the Midwest and the colder areas of the United States.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Brewing Fire Rock Pale Ale

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In this beer blog, Kona Brewing Fire Rock Pale Ale is being featured and it is the first time this brewery will be in the Midwest.  If you read my earlier blog on their Pipeline Porter, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a copper color without a head. The smell is like Big Red Gum without cinnamon kick to it. It is a great smell.  The taste is a sweet malty to a slight piney with a malty aftertaste to the beer.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii leave visitors awestruck by their power.  The glow of lava as it meets the ocean is an amazing sight our Fire Rock Pale Ale is inspired by this place with a bright copper color and rich roasted malt taste.  Aloha!  Since 1994, Kona Brewing CO. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahalo!

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

Crisp & Refreshing

Fire Rock Pale Ale is crisp, refreshing “Hawaiian-style” pale ale. Its signature copper color results from the unique blend of specialty roasted malts. The pronounced citrus-floral hop aroma comes from the liberal amounts of Galena, Cascade & Mt.Hood hops added to each brew.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Aloha, this is a great beer and this beer is one of my favorite beers from this brewery.  I enjoyed this one and their Big Wave Golden Ale, which I will get to later on in the week.  I love how light and drinkable this beer is to other pale ale on the market.  There is enough malty backbone but not too much to over take the hops that are dancing in this beer.  This is a great beer and I am glad this brewery is in Chicago.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Big Horn Ram Brewery Norm! Pilsner And Tap Party

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In this beer blog, we are going to talk about the Tap Party at The Ram in Schaumburg, Illinois.  They were tapping their Norm! Pilsner.  If you read my earlier blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  This beer post we were talk about the beer and the food at the Tap Party.  Let us do this.

Norm!  Pilsner

This beer has a copper color with a white head that will disappear over the drinking experience.  The smell is of fresh air which I always get from pilsners. It has a slight earthly smell to the beer.  The taste is a full body sweet malty carbonation with an earthy aftertaste. This pilsner is pretty well balance and extremely drinkable beer

Here is a description of the beer from the brewery:

Norm!  Pilsner is a pleasant, thirst quenching lager hopped with plenty of Czech Saaz hops to please the palate.  This golden pilsner is slightly heavier than the Blonde and is about 4.8% ABV.

The Food

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We had the Border Burger and Amber Ale Chicken Sandwich.  Ram never disappoints when it comes to their food.  They do a great job with their food.

Here is a description of the food:

Border Burger:

Guacamole, bacon, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno, salsa, lettuce and tomato.

Amber Ale Chicken Sandwich: 

Amber ale marinated chicken breast, Porter BBQ sauce, slaw, tomato, onion crisps, roasted tomato-chipotle mayonnaise, and pretzel bun.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theram

In closing, this was my first Tap Party from The Ram and I had a ton of fun.  This is not a bad pilsner and it is pretty good beer.  The food fits and pairs perfectly with the food that we order from the brewery.  As far as the food, I really enjoyed the Amber Ale Chicken Sandwich.  It was perfect with the pilsner.  I was not a big fan of the burger but it was still really good.  I believe my guest said the same thing.  If you are not a Mug Club member, you should become a member.  I cannot wait for the Tap Party at Wheeling in January.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Kona Pipeline Porter

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to take a look at the Kona Brewing Company and the beer is their winter seasonal called Pipeline Porter.  Kona Brewing was founded in 1994 on the Big Island of Hawaii by Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa.  They are brewing beer to fit the lifestyle of people who live on the island and the tourist that visit Hawaii.  Their Longboard Lager is their flagship beer and is the top-selling craft beer in the state.  Kona Brewing is being sold in twenty-eight states in the United States.  They brew several brews like a pale ale, brown ale, golden ale, etc.  Let us get into the beer.

This winter seasonal from Kona Brewing, which is called Pipeline Porter,  has a black color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy coffee bean to the beer.  The taste is a heavy coffee to a slight chocolate notes with a dry coffee bean aftertaste. The aftertaste is like eating whole coffee bean. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Since 1994, Kona Brewing CO. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality.  We invite you to visit our Brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii.  Mahala!  Pipeline Porter is full-bodied with a rich, smooth dark-roasted malt flavor.  A selection of premium hops and 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee complete this limited brew.

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

Rich & Roasty

Pipeline Porter is smooth and dark with a distinctive roasty aroma and earthy complexity from its diverse blends of premium malted barley. This celebration of malt unites with freshly roasted 100% Kona coffee grown at Cornwell Estate on Hawaii’s Big Island, lending a unique roasted aroma and flavor. A delicate blend of hops rounds out this palate-pleasing brew.

Available Fall/Winter

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.konabrewingco.com

Twitter:  @konabrewingco

Aloha, this is a great beer.  I was excited to hear that they are finally coming to Chicago and this is the first beer to land a shore.  When I went to Hawaii on vacation, I was drinking a ton of Big Wave Golden Ale.  This porter is smooth and taste is coffee and beer drinker can smelling it.  It is not a drinkable beer but it is a beer that will last in your glass and frig for a while.  I recommend this beer and get ready for rest of there beers being review here on this blog.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it! Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Widmer Brothers Brewing Brrr Seasonal Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from Widmer Brothers Brewing and the beer is their winter seasonal called Brrr Seasonal Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beer, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into brew.

Widmer Brothers Brrr seasonal ale has a light brown color with a semi white head on the beer. The smell is a citrus to it.  The taste is a sweet carbonation little malty with a citrus touch to the beer.  The aftertaste is a dry aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable hoppy beer for the winter seasonal.

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

Warm Up with a Cold One. Or Two. Our winter red ale is the perfect treat, naughty or nice. The deep red body fills your glass and a citrusy hop aroma fills your nose. Then caramel and chocolate malts reward you with a perfectly balanced, malty sweet flavor and velvety finish.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.widmerbrothers.com

Twitter:  @widmer_brothers

Closing, this is an awesome beer from the Widmer Brothers.  I really like what this brewery is doing.  They are going back to roots and pushing the limits of craft beer brewing.  This winter seasonal gives the craft beer drinker something you do not get from the other winter seasonal and it is hops and hops and more hops.  It has the malty and warming but gives it a hoppy finish.  It is like malty winter seasonal India Pale Ale.  Plus, it is extremely drinkable and it will get you in trouble so be careful.  This is a beer is part a sampler pack with Redhook Winter Hook and Kona Pipeline Porter.  It is hard to get so if you see it, you better grab it.  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 Redhook Winter Hook

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out another beer from the Redhook Brewery and the beer is their winter seasonal called Winter Hook.  If you read my earlier beer blog on one of their beers, you know the rich history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into beer.

Redhook Winter Hook has a nice amber color with a semi white head on the beer.  It has a sweet caramel. The taste is sweet carbonation caramel with a dry aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable winter seasonal.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Redhook likes a little nip in the air.

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

Winterhook is the perfect beer to keep warm during cold months after shoveling snow, shredding some powder,  or playing hooky to can catch the game. Since it was first brewed, Redhook’s Winterhook has changed slightly each year to celebrate the season and keep everyone on their toes. After all, no one likes getting the same gift twice. The 28th version of Winterhook brewed for this year offers a rich caramel body that balances a big malt backbone with the aggressively dry hopped brew, making this year’s winter ale slightly naughty and very nice.

Style………………….Winter Ale

Abv…………………….6%

IBUs…………………..45 IBU

Original Gravity..15 degrees plato

Brewed Since………1985

Time Frame………..Winter Seasonal

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.redhook.com

Twitter:  @redhook_brewery

Closing, this is one of my favorite beers from this brewery and winter seasonals in this season.  I love the malty taste this beer gives you in every sip.  Redhook Winter Hook is part of that awesome sampler pack with Kona Pipeline Porter and Widmer Brrr Seasonal Ale.  This gives you a nice malty and drinkable beer.  This beer is perfect for the coldest winter day but yet with a mild winter we are having in the Midwest, it is still perfect.  This is a great beer and I am glad to see it back in six packs in the Chicago market.  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 Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Flying Dog Brewing and the beer is called K-9 Winter Ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer blog.  Let us get into this great brewery.

This beer is part of the 12 beers of Christmas from Countryside Bar.  It has a hazel copper color without a head on the beer.  There is no smell to the beer.  The taste is sweet carbonation malty without an aftertaste to it. It is very warmly so it lives up to being a winter warmer. This is a sipping beer.

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

Alchohol By Volume: 7.4%
Availability: Winter release
Hop Bitterness: 30 IBU
Specialty Malts: Changes with each release
Hops: Changes with each release
Yeast: English Ale

If it tastes like Christmas, it probably works with K-9. Flavor notes: Sweet malt base with roasted, nutty, and spicy flavors  Pairs with: Buttery cheeses; sweet breads; spice cake; squash, yams, and sweet potatoes; hearty meats and stews.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.flyingdogales.com

Twitter:  @flyingdog

Closing, this beer is not a session beer but it is just a great beer.  I love how complex the taste of this winter warmer.  This is a sipping beer and take your time in the cold winter days.  There is a ton going on in the beer.  I love the warmth when this beer goes down my throat and how sweet the beer comes across.  I love 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 Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Sierra Nevada.  It is their winter seasonal called Celebration Fresh Hop Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Beer Camper, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer from Sierra Nevada is called Celebration Fresh Hop Ale. It has a deep hazel copper color without a head on the beer. The smell is citrus to the beer. The taste is dry carbonation citrus with a dry aftertaste.

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

Festive fresh hop holiday fun.

The start of Celebration season is a festive event. We can’t start brewing until the first fresh hops have arrived, but once they have the season is officially under way! First brewed in 1981, Celebration Ale is one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA and one of the few hop-forward holiday beers. Famous for its intense citrus and pine aromas, Celebration is bold and intense, featuring Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops—honoring everything we have at Sierra Nevada.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

Closing out, this is one of my favorite beers in the winter season and Sierra Nevada Brewery.  This is everything that I want out of a winter seasonal.  I love the hoppy taste and a great malty backbone. Most winter seasonals are jacked up with nutmeg or cinnamon and this brew gives you a different side of the season l.  I realize that craft breweries are going back to more the traditional beer styles and getting away from the over hop beers.  If you have not had this beer, I recommend you picking up a six-pack and try this great beer.  Let me know what you think of 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 Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out another brewery that I have been wanting to try their brews out for a while.  Anderson Valley was founded in 1987 by David Norfleet and Kim and Ken Allen in Boonville, California.  This brewery was sold to Trey White with two silent partners in 2010.  They still brew several of David Norfleet’s beers and have added on since he sold the company.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear copper color without a head on it.  The smell is a strong cinnamon and a little caramel to the beer.  The taste is a smooth and silk caramel with a touch of cinnamon.  There is really no aftertaste to the beer.  It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Brilliantly clear dark copper color with a dense tan head. Caramelized malty and spicy aromas redolent of cinnamon, allspice, black currant, and black licorice. Pleasantly creamy, with a silky body, sweet caramel flavor, hints of seasonal spices and a clean, malty finish.

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

The holidays are a special time in Anderson Valley. The days are darker, weather colder, and foods richer. And Anderson Valley’s Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale is perfect for this time of year. Deep amber in color, with an inviting aroma of spice and nutmeg, it was made for the turkeys, cranberries, hams, and yams of the holidays. WinterSolstice Seasonal Ale evokes a crackling fire, drifting snow, and smells of home. A hint of spice and hop bite to balance out the creamy and smooth mouthfeel, and medium sweetness.

As with all of our products, Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale is never sterile filtered nor heat pasteurized.

6.9% ABV6 IBU

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.avbc.com

Twitter:  @avbc

Closing, this beer was an awesome beer.  I was pretty stun on how good it was to the rest of the winter beers I had so far this season.  It is kind of drinkable beer.  I love all the flavors that this beer has kicking around in my mouth.  I really hate when breweries uses the term “winter warmer.”  It is really not a beer style but more and more it is starting to become a beer style.  This is why.  Most brewmasters I talk to about their beers and I bring up what is the beer style of your “winter warmer.”  Pretty much all of them could not nail it down to a beer style.  With all of this said, I recommend you as a craft beer drinker to try this beer.  Please, let me know what 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 Ska Euphoria Pale Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Ska Brewing.  The winter seasonal is called Ska Brewing Euphoria Pale Ale.  If you read my earlier blog on their Ska Mole Stout, you know a little history on this brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer blog post.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer is part of the 12 days of Christmas at Countryside Bar.  It has a clear copper color with a semi white head on the beer.  There is a slight sweet malty citrus smell to it. The taste of the beer is a carbonation citrus with a grapefruit aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.skabrewing.com

Twitter:  @skabrewing

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer.  I love the fact you can get in cans, which is starting to become a huge trend in the craft beer world.  This a good beer for the winter season but I wish it was a beer all year long.  I enjoy the beers I had from this brewery asides their Mole Stout.  I can only drink 6oz and I need to move onto another beer.  It is still good but just do not like the feel that beer does to my throat.  If you love pale ales or india pale ales, you will enjoy this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser