west coast

New Beer Blog Great Divide Hibernation Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to do the 12 days of beer at Countryside Bar.  The first beer of the twelve days of Christmas is Great Divide Hibernation Ale.  Great Divide was founded in 1994 by Brian Dunn in Denver, Colorado.  They brew several different beer styles.  Their Denver Pale Ale was one of three craft beers to be feature at the Denver Broncos new football stadium in 2001.  Let us get into the beer.

It is a cloudy amber color without a head on the beer.  There is really no smell maybe slight malty to it.  The taste is a sweet carbonation to caramel with a little hazel aftertaste to the beer.  This beer is the type of beer that the drinker will have one maybe two and will move on to the next beer.

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

HIBERNATION ALE has been our celebrated winter tradition since 1995. This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character.

ABV.: 8.7%

RATE BEER: 98

AVAILABLE: Seasonal

SIZES: 6 packs and 5 gal kegs

Awards:

1997 Great American Beer Festival, Gold Medal, Strong Ale/ English-Style Old Ale
1998 World Beer Cup, Silver Medal, Strong Ale/English-Style Old Ale
2003 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Old Ale
2006 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Aged Beer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatdivide.com

Twitter:  @greatdividebrew

In closing, I enjoy the balance this beer has and warmth that it peers out with every sip.  This is a good and easy to drink.  I could have a few and I need to move onto the next beer.  There is not too many good English-Style Old Ale in the market.  I have been wanting to try this beer a few winter seasons ago.  This program that Countryside had going made me try it.  I recommend you trying this beer if you are a fan of English Ales or winter beers.  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 Spine Tingler

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When in Michigan for Thanksgiving, we are going to check out MacTarnahn’s Brewing and the beer is called Spine Tingler.  MacTarnahan’s Brewing was founded in 1986 by Robert Malcolm “Mac” MacTarnahan, who was one of the investors in the Brewery.  At one time, this brewery was called Portland Brewing.  Pyramid Brewery brought this brewery in 2004.  Pyramid Brewery was sold to Magic Hat Brewery in 2008 and they later sold in 2010 to North American Breweries.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a golden clear color with a semi head on it but there is a heavy carbonation when pouring from the bottle. It has a nice hoppy Belgian smell. The taste is a carbonation with Belgian species aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

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

Spine Tingler

Malts: Pilsner Malt, Wheat Hops: Northern Brewer, Perle Spice: Candied Sugar Bitternes: 23 IBU Alcohol By Volume: 8.5%

A surprisingly sublime Belgian-style triple offering an electrifying blend of spicy aromatics balanced with a lively malt palate that is so good it’s scary.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.macsbeer.com

Twitter:  @macsbeer

Closing, I was pretty stun at how close this beer is to a real Belgium Triple.  If anyone in the United States can make beer good, it is Portland.  There are very few beers I had from Portland that are just flat-out bad.  I love the aroma from the beers.  The taste of the nice hop character.  This is brewery has nailed it.  I will have this beer again when I am in Michigan because I do not believe I have seen this brewery around Chicago.  I will put this brewery on my list when I make it out to Portland again.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Ska Mole Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to take a look at a new beer that just hit the market it is called Ska Mole Stout.  I know the Ska Brewery pretty well but this beer caught my eye when at Countryside Bar.  Ska Brewery was founded in 1995 by Bill Graham and Dave Thibodeau in Durango, Colorado.  They put their everyday beers in cans or kegs.  They barely use bottles.  They brew several different beer styles.  Their flagship beer is their India Pale Ale called Modus Hoperandi IPA.  Let us get into the beers.

It is pitch black in color without a head. It has a slight chili to chocolate and toffee smell notes. The taste is about the same. It is really not drinkable beer.  Great beer!  However, towards the end of the beer, I needed some water.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.skabrewing.com

Twitter:  @skabrewing

In closing, I really enjoyed this beer at the beginning but towards the end I had another experience.  I need some water or move on to the next beer pretty quickly.  This chile peppers or powder in beer has been around for a long time in the brewing process.  Most of the beers with peppers I have had I could not get through them.  I do not like the burning down my throat but this one was a little different.  There is a little balance with this beer but with the build up in my throat and mouth the burning came out towards the end.  It is pretty interesting.  I recommend this beer if you enjoy peppers and hot or spicy food which I know you will enjoy this beer.  Please, let me know what you think of this beer.  I have always wanted to sit down with someone who enjoy 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 Big Horn Ram Oktoberfest

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another fall seasonal.  This fall beer is coming from Big Horn Ram Oktoberfest.  If you read my earlier blog post on this brewery’s beer, you know a little history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

The beer has a nice clear copper color without a head. The smell is a sweet malty to caramel to the beer. The taste is a sweet carbonation malty with a malty aftertaste. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theRAM

In closing, I enjoy this brewery for the value you get out of their food and beer.  This is a huge comment for this brewery and it is the fact this was one of the best Oktoberfest that I had this season.  It is extremely drinkable and great taste to this craft beer.  I love the malty taste throughout the drinking experience.  If you live by a Ram Brewery, you need to check them out.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Uinta Brewing.  The beer that will be featured is called Oak Jacked Imperial Pumpkin Ale.  This is beer is part of their Crooked Line, which there will be three more beer post in the future on their Detour IPA, Bareley Wine Ale, and Imperial Pilsner.  If you read my earlier blog on their spring ale, you are up to speed on this brewery.  If you have not, please read Uinta Hyve Ale beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This fall seasonal has a deep amber without a head on the beer. The smell is a little vanilla and pumpkin with other spices. The taste is a pumpkin and nutmeg with a cinnamon aftertaste.  It is not really drinkable.

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

Notes

Aged in oak

ArtLabel art by local Utah artist Trent Call

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Cranked up and primed to celebrate, Jacked reveals in the season.  Pop the cork for bursts of pumpkin and spices.  Aged in oak barrels, Jacked is wound and ready to play.  Pairs well with flavors of the season.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

In closing, I have to say as we start to wrap this year’s fall seasonals and get ready for the winter seasonals.  There are some last-minute fall  beers I wanted to post on and this is one of them.  I had this beer last year and loved it.  I was pretty excited to see it on the shelf in the Chicago market.  This brewery did something different then the same boring pumpkin beers out in the market.  They put their pumpkin ale in barrels.  This has been a rough fall season for the seasonals and I have been very disappointed.  I have to say this is the same gem that I discover last year and I am glad I picked up this bottle this year.  I am happy to say the breweries that I had huge wins on their fall seasonals are Milwaukee Brewing, Flying Dog, Ram, and Uinta.  Uinta Oak Jacked is only available in a limited time and it is in 750ml bottles.  I would run to your near by liquor store and pick up a bottle of this great pumpkin beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Oskar Blues Deviant Dale’s India Pale Ale

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In this blog, we are going to get into Oskar Blues Brewing and the beer is called Deviant Dale’s India Pale Ale.  Oskar Blues was founded in 1997 by Dick Dale Katechis in Longmont, Colorado.  They brew several different beer styles but they use only cans for their packaging.  Oskar Blues was the first craft brewery to package their beer in cans.  Let us get into the beers.

It has a cloudy copper color with a white head on the beer. The smell is of a heavy citrus to almost grapefruit to the beer.  The taste is a sweet grapefruit taste with a balance from the malts. The aftertaste is a bitter dry to it. For being Double IPA, it is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the bar menu (Blues Bar):

This beer is intended to be assault for hop lovers and is a returning favorite from the little brewery in Lyons, Colorado.

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

Deviant Dale’s IPA (8% ABV, 85 IBUs) was born at the crossroads, in a juke joint, as if Dale’s Pale Ale sold its soul to balance Deviant’s foreboding aromas of citrus, grapefruit rind and piney resins with a copper ball-of-fire color and inscrutable finish. The 2011 GABF Silver Medal Winner (American IPA Category) is the Devil incarnate with untold amounts of malt and hedonistic Columbus dry-hopping. Oskar Blues’ southern spirit caught a northbound blues bus to Colorado to deliver the boundary bustin’ brewery’s first 16 oz. tallboy can.

Here is a youtube (www.youtube.com) video and their website (www.oskarblues.com):

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.oskarblues.com

Twitter:  @oskarblues

In closing, I am excited to have this brewery in the Chicago Market.  When I wanted to drink their beers, I had to work the phones or get friends or family to bring back beer for me.  For this brewery, I will not have to do that anymore.  I saw this beer on draft at the Blue Bar.  This is a pretty good India Pale Ale.  I really enjoyed this beer and I will be searching for it at my local liquor stores.  I see their Dale’s Pale Ale in most liquor stores which is expected.  This is a great brewery and I hope Chicago craft beer drinkers start showing them some love.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Coalition Brewing King Kitty Red Ale

When in Portland, I picked up this bottle from Coalition Brewing.  After we were done with Brewvana, a few of us went out and check out a few more breweries.  Coalition Brewing is a small brewpub on a side streets of Portland.  There is no history on the internet on this brewery.  They only have three beers that they put in 22oz bottles and this is one of them.  The rest of them they will fill up growlers for you.  This is the only beer I had and I fall in love with it.  Let us get into the beer.

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This beer has a nice red color with a white head on it. It has a slight malty to caramel smell to the beer.  The taste is a sweet malty carbonation with a slight bitter aftertaste. It is q pretty drinkable beer.

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

KING KITTY RED
5.74% ABV, 59 IBU, 11.6 SRM

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

King Kitty Red is a Northwest take on the typically malt forward style.  Brewed with four different hop varietals and a sweet malt backbone, this ale is balanced with a clean bitterness and enticing aromatics.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.coalitionbrewing.com

Twitter:  @coalitionbrewin

Closing out, I am not a fan of red or amber ales but this one is done very well.  I enjoy drinking this beer and I am down to one more bottle in my frig, which I am saving a little bit longer.  I do not know when I will get back out but I will be back at this little brewpub.  If you live in the Portland area, go and check out this brewery.  I am glad I stopped in and had a pint.  Put a bird on it and go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Tilted Smile Imperial Pilsner

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In this beer blog, Uinta Brewing Tilted Smile Imperial Pilsner is the beer and brewery that will be featured in this post.  This beer is part of their Crooked Line as everyday 750ml bottle.  If you read my earlier blog on their Uinta Hyve Ale, you know a little history on this brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that beer post.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a straw cloudy color with a strong head that kills after a while. The smell is a sweet malty to the beer. The taste is a sweet malty almond to slight hoppy earthy to the beer. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Tilted Smile breaks away from the crowd.  Strong in character, yet approachable and versatile.  Fonfidently balanced with Saaz hops, and 100% Pilsen malt.  Crisp and delightfully carbonated.  Explore pairing with grilled meats and seafood.

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

Notes

Tilted Smile breaks away from the crowd. Big in alcohol , yet approachable and versatile. Confidently balanced with Saaz hops and 100% Pilsen malt. Crisp and delightfully carbonated. Explore pairing with grilled meats and seafood.

Art

Label art by local Utah artist Leia Bell.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

Closing, just like their Detour IPA I really enjoyed this pilsner.  I just feel that most American Craft Breweries always find ways to mess up classic German Beer styles.  I am happy to say that Uinta did not mess up this Imperial Pilsner.  This Imperial Pilsner is my favorite one.  There are not too many good Imperial Pilsners.  I have over the last few months fall in love with craft pilsners.  This beer comes at a good price at retail and I believe you will be impressed with this Imperial Pilsner.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Happy New Years!

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Uinta Cockeyed Cooper Bourdon Barrel Barley Wine Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of four beers from Uinta Brewing Crooked Line.  The beer is called Cockeyed Cooper Bourdon Barrel Barley Wine Ale.  If you read my earlier blog, you know the past of this  brewery.  If you have not, please read the first part of that post.  Let us get into the beer.

This beer has a nice amber color with a nice white head on it. The smell is sweet, Bourbon, vanilla and caramel to the beer. It has sweet malty to Bourbon vanilla ans a little caramel taste without any aftertaste to the beer. It is pretty drinkable.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Launch into the exquisite flavors of bourbon with splashes of vanilla.  Watch for currents of dark chocolate and dried fruit.  Generous amounts of hops and malts make for a smooth journey from start to finish.  Decadent desserts and aged cheeses make superb companions.

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

Notes

Aged in bourbon barrels

Art

Label art by local Utah artist Travis Bone.

Accolades

  • 2011, Bronze Medal, New Zealand Beer Awards, Wood and Barrel Aged Beer
  • 2010, Bronze Medal, North American Brewers Association Awards, Wood Flavored Beer
  • 2010, Gold Medal, World Beer Championships, Wood Aged Beer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uintabrewing.com

Twitter:  @uintabrewing

In closing, I did enjoy this beer which is a little weird.  This why it is weird because most Barley Wines I have to age them a year before drinking them.  I do not know if it is the barrels make this barley wine ale a little different from the rest of them on the market.  I also like the fact I can get this beer anytime of the year unlike the rest of the barley wines on the market.  Most barley wines are available in the late fall to winter time.  This is an awesome beer at reasonable price for the style of beer.  I highly recommend this beer and 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 Blog Upright Brewing Bird Calls

When in Portland, our last stop of the breweries tour from Brewvana.  It took us in the basement of a bar where Upright Brewing is located.  This brewery specializes in French and Belgian Farmhouse brews.  There is really no history on this brewery.  It was pretty neat to go in the basement of this building to see a brewery.  They are small but they make some really good beers.  Let us get into the brew.  Sorry there was no spot to put the beer down to take a photo so I had to use the restroom counter.  LOL!  It keep this unique.

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It has a nice brown color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a nice sweet malty to a little maple to it.  The taste is a sweet little carbonation malty with a dry caramel aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Bird Calls Brown follows the Safe as Milk, using the same British ale yeast and equally well hopped, using a mix of willamette and magnum hops over a toasty grist reminiscent of midwest and east coast brown ales. It finishes quite dry and is perfect for people who enjoy darker beers with a bite. Named after one of Charles Mingus’ most exciting compositions, from the 1959 album Mingus Ah Um. 6%

Here is a website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.uprightbrewing.com

Twitter:  @uprightbrewing

Closing out, I really loved the unique scene of this brewery.  I did enjoyed their Bird Calls Brown.  It was nice balance and extremely drinkable.  I am not a huge fan of farmhouse beer styles.  I would love to come back to this brewery and try them.  Who knows maybe they will make a fan of that beer style.  I am glad I made this trip to Portland and I am glad we went with Brewvana (thanks for showing us around.) I highly recommend this brewery.  Put a bird on it and go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser