winter seasonal

New Beer Blog Founders Nitro Oatmeal Stout

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Founders Brewery is the featured craft brewery in this beer blog.  We will be looking at one of three draft only beers and it is nitro draft from Founder’s.  It is their Nitro Oatmeal Stout. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Nitro Oatmeal Stout.

It has a jet black color with tan color head.  The aroma has a chocolate and coffee notes. The taste has a creamy chocolate to slight coffee notes. There is a slight burn notes that also echoes in the taste and aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

A Founders take on a classic style, brewed with a generous amount of flaked oats, chocolate malt, roasted barley and a healthy helping of Nugget hops, Founders Oatmeal Stout is nitrogen-infused to give it an extra smooth and creamy mouthfeel. An attractive cascade effect gives this beer its forthright visual appeal—and the body and clean flavor delivers on that initial promise.

  • ABV: 4.5%
  • IBUs: 38
  • Availability: Year-round

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.foundersbrewing.com

Twitter:  @foundersbrewing

In the end, I was out on a NFL Football Sunday to watch my Miami Dolphins.  I saw this on draft and it was a slam dunk to try it and drink it.  I also noticed it was hooked up to a Nitro line.  Nitro makes everything good but not every beer.  It was pretty excited to try this beer.  It was not too bad but it is pretty average.  I will have to say it is so much better than Summit Brewery Oatmeal Stout.  This is a pretty average beer but it is pretty than some of their everyday beers.  Just because it is made in Michigan, it does not make it good.  This is better than most Michigan craft brews.  I highly recommend this beer.  I had this one at One Under Bar in Livonia.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Why And Why Not Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

In this special beer blog, we are going to get into a hot issue in the huge growing market of craft beers, ciders, and breweries.  There has been a huge growth and it is coming out of the mass produced beer companies.  There is home brewers taking their passion of beer making to the public.  The questions that I am going to try to answer for myself are “Why And Why Not Drink Local Beers And Ciders?”

Why Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

It is pretty simple.  Money stays in the state and/or the local area.  There will be more jobs created because of these breweries.   The money keeps coming in and out of the brewery.  It works if the brewery is buying supplies from local companies and most do this practice.  Most craft breweries take homes in old and empties buildings.  They resolve these old buildings back to the way they were back in their heyday.  Of course, they put their brewery and restaurant in them.  The other things that these breweries in most cases.  They create more jobs at distributors.  They hire a marketing firm or their own people to run it.  Just like most businesses, they will put money back in the economy.

Why Not Drink Local Craft Beers And Ciders?

I get beat up about half of the time when I bring this up to people at craft beer bars or stores in my local market.  I get it because everyone wants to support their local businesses and I am one of them.  I have to be honest with myself and others around me.  I heard this when I lived in Chicago and now here in the Michigan.  When traveling to other cities around the US, I saw these same signs and heard it from the locals.  When trying these beers or ciders at home or your local watering hole, be honest to yourself because it will save you from the painful drinking experience.  I had a pretty ugly drinking experience with a local craft brewery in Chicago.  I kept on telling myself that I love this beer and brewery.  I just finally admitted to myself that they are not that good.  I started to look at local craft brewery in a different light.  I give breweries credit when they put a good beer to the market.  I also give them credit for thinking outside the box.

In closing, I am not saying do not drink local beers and ciders.  If their beers are good, drink them and support them.  If their beers are not good, you as a beer drinker, customer, and buyer needs to send them a message.  They need to improve or go away.  This is the ugly side to the business world.  I am catching myself doing it it again.  Just be honest with yourself about these beers or ciders in your area.  There is new craft breweries opening every day and there will be more good to great beers and bad beers.  Remember, you are voting with your wallet.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.  Support the local good beer and let the bad go away.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Tri-City Brewing Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Giant Slayer Russian Imperial Stout from Tri-City Brewing.  If you read my earlier post on their IPA, you know the history of this craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this Imperial Stout.

It has a jet black color without a head on this stout. The aroma has burned chocolate to coffee notes. The taste has  a burned chocolate but creamy coffee aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

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

It takes courage to face a giant and we know you face the regularly every day. Because you don’t run away from these giants, Tri-City Brewing makes this Russian Imperial Stout in your honor.

  • Bursting with an abundance of character
  • Huge roasted, chocolate and coffee flavors
  • Although well hopped, it is still very balanced
  • Rich full bodied drinking experience with dark hints of old world style

9.0% ABV and 66 IBUs

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tricitybrewing.com

Twitter:  No Address

Closing, this is a great brew.  I really enjoyed drinking this beer.  This is one of the best Imperial Stouts that is made in Michigan for the price.  It is a beer that I know you can age for at least a year. I love this beer.  It is a beer you can let it cool down or just start to enjoy it at room temperate.  I just wish I can find their beers in the southeast part of the state.  Their beers are hard to find. I might have to make a trip to their brewpub one day.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Alaskan Pumpkin Porter (2014)

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In this fall beer blog, we are going to sample a brewery new to Michigan.  It is Alaskan Pumpkin Porter.   If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this pumpkin porter.

It has a jet black color with a nice tan head on this porter.  The aroma has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  The taste has a light chocolate to cinnamon and nutmeg with a smokey malty aftertaste.  It is drinkable beer for a porter.

Here is a desecration from their website (www.alaskanbeer.com):

Style:

A native plant of North America, pumpkins were first used in beer in colonial America as a substitute for hard-to-find malt, and none other than the father of our country George Washington had a highly touted recipe. This imperial porter pumpkin beer combines the robust, full-bodied style of a porter with a, frankly, crazy amount of pumpkin.

Taste Style:

With over 11 pounds of pumpkin added to every barrel of this imperial porter, this beer has a smooth, velvety rich texture. Brown sugar, holiday spices and a scoche of Alaskan’s famous alder-smoked malt are added to create an aroma and flavor reminiscent of grandma’s Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

History:

This is the first bottling of our Alaskan Pumpkin Porter, after a highly sought-after holiday Rough Draft release in Alaska. This Alaskan Brewing take on a colonial American tradition is perfect for autumn and Thanksgiving, as here in Alaska we see the nights get longer and colder and can find comfort in the richness of this brew.

Ingredients:

Alaskan Pumpkin Porter is made from our glacier-fed water and a blend of Magnum and Goldings hops, 6 different malts including Alaskan alder-smoked malt, brown sugar, and a spice blend including cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Plus, of course, Red Hubbard variety pumpkin.

Story Behind The Label:

Alaska is home to some of the world’s largest cultivated vegetables, squashes, gourds and pumpkins. The long daylight hours in the summer promote fast growth, and also prompt fierce competition amongst the farmers of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, who converge on the Alaska State Fair with their gigantic prize produce in the quest to be crowned State Fair champion. It is a common sight at the fairgrounds in Palmer to see a pickup truck barely able to contain the huge pumpkins they haul to the competition, which can weigh in at more than 1,200 pounds.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbeer

Closing, Yay!  This is my first Pumpkin Porter of the season.  I am glad it is coming from one of my favorite breweries out west.  There is a nice balance between from the porter and pumpkin.  To me, I found this beer taste like a chocolate cover pumpkin with some cinnamon and nutmeg notes.  It is a sipping beer but perfect for the fall and winter seasonal.  I can see many beer drinkers drink this beer after fall is over.  This is a great and well designed beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Blue Point Brewery Old Howling Bastard

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While at Ashley’s Westland, you would think it is winter in summer with these last two beer posts.  We are going to sample Blue Point Brewery Old Howling Bastard.  If you read earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Blue Point Brewery.  If you have not, please, read to get to know this New York Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this Barley Wine.

It has a filter dark brown to amber color maybe dark bronze color.  The aroma has a sweet malty notes.  The taste has a sweet malty with a dry aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer throughout the winter season.

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

Some Long Island Winters can make just about anyone surly. Old Howling Bastard was named after a certain colorful local character years ago, but when the weather gets cold a lot of folks around here get cranky waiting on our bold barley wine to hit taps. Our special barley wine is made with English 2-row barley and Vienna malt. Its robust, malty, caramel flavor is balanced by lots and lots of hops, giving it a great depth of character. Drink only in moderation, the colorful name is not all that will grab your attention. Try an Old Howling Bastard in a snifter or wineglass – the trick is to never forget that after a few, you too, may turn into a howling bastard!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bluepointbrewing.com

Twitter:  @bluepointbrewer

In closing, this brew has a ton of flavor and has aged very nicely in the keg.  I just feel at times when a Barley Wine is released to the public.  They are at times are too young and need to be aged.  I did not feel that way about this beer.  I have to say it is so much better aged.  This beer lives up to the classic beer style.  I really enjoyed this brew and pretty much any beer from Blue Point Brewery.  I highly recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Greenbush Pete’s Red Hot

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While at Ashley’s Westland, we are going to sample Pete’s Red Hot from Greenbush Brewery.  Yes, it is a winter warmer.  It is rare to see a nice winter ale in the middle of the summer.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this western Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Greenbush Brewery.  Let us get into this winter warmer.

This winter warmer has a dark amber to redish brown color with a constant slightly off white to a light tan color head.  It has a slight smell of malt to other spices notes.  The taste has a light carbonation malty notes with other spices like nutmeg to cinnamon.  The aftertaste has a dry bitter hop finish.  It is a nice sipping beer for winter that can be kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greenbushbrewing.com

Twitter:  @greenbush_brew

In closing, I did not realize what I order until it came to me.  I was not expecting to see a winter seasonal on tap at Ashley’s.  This is brew is one of their anniversity beers that some craft breweries did for them last year.  I guess they had a keg left over.  I am not complaining.  This is a great beer and I wish they would package this beer.  This beer has a ton of flavor with a full body.  If you have not had this beer, I recommend you getting up to Ashley’s to try it.  It will be gone here soon.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Blindfold Black IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into the new Sampler pack from Sierra Nevada.  It is called 4-Way IPA. The sampler pack has Blindflold Black IPA, Snow Wit IPA, Torpedo IPA, and Nooner IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this west coast craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know their beers that I review and know the history of this brewery.  Let us sample out this Black IPA.

It has a jet black color with a tan head on this black IPA.  The aroma has a chocolate to slight coffee with a citrus notes.  The taste has a creamy chocolate with a hint of citrus notes.  The aftertaste is a dry bitter finish.  It is a sipping beer.

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

Blindfold™Black IPA

Bright hops pierce through roasty darkness.

Blindfold blankets us in darkness yet maintains a surprisingly light body and bold, hoppy character. This black IPA emerged from our Beer Camp program and builds on Sierra Nevada’s legendary love of hops with roasted malts for depth and complexity. Like its namesake, Blindfold is a bit disorienting—the color of a stout and the intense, hop-forward flavors of a classic American IPA.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @SierraNevada

Closing, I believe this craft brewery does not get the credit they should today unlike they did back when they first started.  Their beers are very underrated.  I love their Pale Ale and I believe most just think of Sierra Nevada as one beer brewery.  This is so not true. They make an awesome stout and porter.  I have not even put the words about their IPA.  Their everyday IPA is one of my favorites and it is very underrated.  I knew I was in good hands when I saw this 4 way IPA Pack in the store.  I did not stop and thinking about it.  I just grab it and went home and try them.  The first one I tried was this Black IPA.  This beer style is hopheads wet dream.  I have had several Black IPA’s in my time.  I love how this one is creamy unlike the other ones I had.  It is not drinking and most are not drinkable.  It is a nice relaxing beer.  I love it and I recommend this brew and sampler pack.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Ommengang Games of Thrones Take The Black Stout (Age A Year)

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In a fantasy world, we are going to sample the second beer from Ommengang Brewery and Games of Thornes. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read them, please, do so to get to know craft brewery. Let us get into Take The Black Stout.

This stout has a jet black color with a nice constant tan head.  The aroma has a roasted chocolate notes.  The taste has a sweet chocolate with a hint of creamy caramel with a nice chocolate dry aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A stout as dark as the winters that once engulfed Westeros. As robust as the men who swear their oaths at the Weirwood Tree. Chocolate and caramel sweetness are balanced by hop bitterness roasty, woodsy notes, and an earthy finish.

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

Ommegang and HBO® announce the newest beer in the Game of Thrones® collaboration series. Through its first three seasons, the critically acclaimed drama has become the biggest show on HBO. Take the Black Stout follows the highly coveted Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which flew off of shelves earlier this year. To satisfy the appetite of Game of Thrones fans, production of Take the Black Stout will more than double the final volumes of Iron Throne Blonde Ale.

Inspired by the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch, Take the Black Stout was made to be deep, dark and complex like those who have sworn the oath to defend Westeros against threats from the north. The label depicts the Weirwood tree where Jon Snow recited the oath before joining the Night’s Watch.

In time for the holidays, Take the Black Stout makes for the perfect gift. Shipping to distributors in September 2013, the beer is available in 750 ML bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ommegang.com

Twitter: @breweryommegang and @gameofthornes

In closing, I brought two bottles when it was released.  I had the one right away and I just saved this bottle for a raining day.  I wanted to share my thoughts on this brew.  I am a huge fan of the show.  I was really disappointed with the first release.  This was something else.  I love the story behind the Night’s Watch.  I have to say Ommegang Brewery went up and beyond making this beer good.  I love the creamy chocolate and notes caramel.  It is a nice beer to have after dinner or a sipping beer while relaxing. I aged this bottle for a year from when I picked it up. It held up really well and it did not change in the bottle. I was pretty disappointed with that but it is still an awesome beer. Good Job! If you can find a bottle, pick it up.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Instagram: @djweiser13

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Surly Brewing Over Rated! West Coast Style IPA

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample a brew from Surly Brewing.  If you are a long time reader of this blog, you know I posted a review on a live blog at Savor a few years ago in Washington D.C.  This beer is their Over Rated! West Coast Style IPA.  Surly Brewing was founded by Omar Ansari in 2005 at Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis.  They brew several different beer styles.  Let us get into this West Coast Style IPA.

It has a cloudy golden color with a white head that disappears over time. The smell is citrus with hints of orange. The taste is refreshing citrus notes with a dry hoppy aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

It’s been said; “It’s easier to brew an extremely hoppy beer than an extremely balanced beer.”  And you known us, we are always looking for the easy way out, so we jumped on the West Coast IPA Bandwagon and brewed this dry and hoppy ale.  “Surly’s a little gimmick beers,”  and maybe we ware OVERRATED, but at the end of the day, it’s just a beer.  If you like it, great, so do we.  If you only liked us when we wer small, then leave this one on the shelf.  Let one of the fanboys grab it.

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

Overrated

It’s been said: “It’s easier to brew an extremely hoppy  beer than an extremely balanced beer.” And you know us, we are always  looking for the easy way out, so we jumped on the West Coast IPA  Bandwagon and brewed this dry and hoppy ale. “Surly’s a little bit of a  one-trick pony, they just brew gimmick beers,” and maybe we are  OVERRATED, but at the end of the day, it’s just a beer. If you like it,  great, so do we. If you only liked us when we were small, then leave  this one on the shelf. Let one of the fanboys grab it.

STYLE: West Coast IPA
MALT: 2-Row, Belgian Crystal
HOPS: Columbus, Centennial, Cascade, El Dorado
YEAST: English Ale
OG: 15.5º Plato
ABV: 7.3%
COLOR: 4.5 º
SRM IBU: 69
AVAILABILITY: Cans, occasionally throughout the year

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.surlybrewing.com

Twitter:  @surlybrewing

In the end, I was pretty excited to see they landed in  the Chicagoland area.  When I was in town, I picked up a four back of this brew and their flagship beer.  I did not enjoy this IPA as much as I did their flagship, which is Furious IPA. I enjoyed this beer very much but the hops.  The hops make this brew pretty drinkable and light in body.  Unlike other west coast style IPA.  I believe that is what Surly Brewery was going for in making this beer.  This is a seasonal brew.  It is a good beer but I love their Furious IPA more.  I 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 Abita Christmas Ale

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample several beers from Abita Brewery.  The first one is their Christmas Ale.  Abita Brewery was founded in 1986.  It is located at  Abita Springs, Louisiana.  They brew several different beer styles from Lagers and Ales.  They are best known for their Purple Haze, which will be reviewed on this blog in a later date.  Let us get into this Christmas Ale.

It has a clear dark amber color with big bubble and white head.  The aroma has ginger to cinnamon notes.  The taste has ginger, cinnamon, and slight caramel notes.  The aftertaste has ginger finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Christmas Ale

Abita Christmas Ale (November – December) rounds out our calendar. Each year at the Abita Brewery we craft a special dark ale for the holiday season. The recipe changes each year so that Abita Christmas Ale is always the perfect gift. Its spicy character is excellent with traditional holiday foods such as gingerbread or spiced nuts. Try some blue cheese or a creamy Camembert with a Christmas Ale.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.abita.com

Twitter:  @TheAbitaBeer

Closing, I do not get into too many Christmas beers.  This brew has a nice aroma of ginger and cinnamon notes.  I love the tasting experience of all the spices.  This is a pretty good beer for a winter season.  Here is my only problem I have with most or all Christmas Beers.  They are way to spiced up.  There is nothing wrong with that because most people are looking for that in their beer in winter season.  This brew is not over the top like most Christmas beers.  It is just right for me.  I enjoyed this Christmas Ale.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser