winter seasonal

New Beer Blog New Belgium Wild (2) Dubbel

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While in Fort Collins, we are going to get into another brew from Fort Collins, Colorado, which is New Belgium Brewery.  The beer is their Wild (2) Dubbel.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this brewery, you know the history of New Belgium Brewery.  If you did not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know the 100% employee owned craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has nice dark color with a nice white constant head.  The aroma has a sweet candy notes.  The taste has a sweet licorice notes with a nice licorice aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

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

Wild2 Dubbel ale, our mahogany-hued autumn ale spiced with schisandra, opens with the floral, earthy notes of fall itself. Schisandra berries, known as “five-flavor fruit,” possess all five flavors: salty, sweet, sour, spicy and bitter. This malt-forward dubbel ale is fermented with a Trappist yeast and finishes dry and slightly sour with a touch of bretta. Lasso a bottle!

ABV
8%
IBU
30
Yeast
Trappist Ale Yeast
Calories
235
Hops
Target, Goldinas, Liberty
Malts
Pale, Munich, Carmel 80, Special-B, Wheat, Chpcolate Wheat, Oats

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.newbelgium.com

Twitter:  @newbelgium

Closing out the first night, this was something else.  I enjoyed drinking this Belgium Style Dubbel.  There is a ton going on with this beer.  I know when I had this beer I had a few so if my tasting notes are off.  Please, let me know and I will correct.  I enjoyed the beer and wanted to share my thoughts on the beer.  Every time I sip this beer.  I pick up more and more as far as tasting notes and flavors.  I picked up candy notes like licorice.  However, their website site, talks about salty, sour, etc.  You can see that above.  The point is this is an awesome beer that New Belgium is brewing.  It highly recommend you trying this beer.  Please, 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 Arbor Brewing Michael Faricy’s Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to drink another beer from Arbor Brewing.  I am talking about their Michael Faricy’s Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Arbor Brewing Company.  If you have not read them, please, read those posts to get to know this great craft brewery from Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a jet black color with a nice constant tan color head.  The aroma is both chocolate and coffee notes.  The taste has a burned to smokey malty to slight chocolate notes with a smooth dry cocoa notes.  The aftertaste is smokey notes that fades away.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

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

Description

This crowd-pleaser has a dark coffee-like appearance with a creamy head and smoky, roasted grain aromas. It is rich and creamy on the palate with chalky, burnt flavors balanced by lush dark chocolates and never turns too dry through the smoky finish. Full-flavored yet highly drinkable—rich and creamy without being thick or heavy.

New Beer Blog Blue Point Imperial Red Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample another beer from Blue Point Brewery.  It is their Imperial Red Ale that they brew for Ashley’s Ann Arbor and Westland for their 30th Anniversary.  Ashley’s Bar is a nice craft bar with 48 taps and over 100 bottles.  They had several craft breweries around the country brewing a special beer for their celebration.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of Blue Point Brewery.  If you have not, please, read those beer blog posts to get to know this East Coast Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear red or amber color with a nice white constant head.  The aroma has hoppy malty like a sweet hoppy candy notes.  The taste is a sweet malty notes with a lightly carbonated notes.  Aftertaste has malty dry finish.  It does not last long.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

With half a dozen different malts, including Abbey, Carafa, Munich, and Victory – plus Citra, Mt. Rainier, and Styrian Bobek hops, there’s bound to be something for everyone in this big, red ale that we’ve handcrafted especially for Ashley’s. Cheers! Mark and Pete

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bluepointbrewing.com

Twitter:  @BluePointBrewer

In closing, how can I go wrong with this brew.  I have my favorite craft beer bar and one of my favorite craft breweries.  I am not a huge fan of Red Ales.  I was pretty impressed with this beer.  I have to say this beer aged pretty well.  This red ale has a big hop bite with a nice drinkable malty backbone finish.  I love the aroma to the taste and the color.  There is everything going on in this brew.  I hope you have a chance to try this brew.  I recommend this brew.  I hope to find this beer in draft again and soon.  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 Bourbon Barrel Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Anderson Valley Brewery.  I loved their Winter Warmer.  I have been wanting to get into more of their beers.  I saw this from a friend’s check and photo on Instagram.  I had to pick up a bottle.  I am talking about their Bourdon Barrel Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their Winter Solstice, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not read that post, please, read to get to know this brewery.  Let us get into this brew.

It has a jet black color with a creamy fluffy tan head on this stout.  The aroma has chocolate notes with hints of coffee but a strong bourbon whiskey notes.  The taste is a whiskey chocolate notes at first.  The back half of the drinking experience just before the aftertaste has a smooth chocolate notes.  The aftertaste is a chocolate with a light bourbon notes.  It is pretty drinkable for the beer style.  It is not like rest of bourbon barrel age stouts on the market.

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

Complexity.  Aged for three months in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels, this luxurious stout has a deep ebony hue and a beautiful mahogany head. The woody, vanilla-like notes imparted by the barrels mingle with aromas of fresh-baked bread, toffee, and espresso and envelop the rich chocolate and roasted barley flavors with a fine bourbon character.  Our exclusive partnership with Wild Turkey gives Anderson Valley a world-class, consistent source of barrelage, allowing our brewers to explore new frontiers in barrel-aged craft beer.

Since its introduction, Wild Turkey has maintained a distinctive distillation and ageing process that gives it a smooth taste and a lingering flavor. Wild Turkey uses a differentiated process whereby the bourbon is distilled at a low proof to seal in its flavors. Very little water is added to Wild Turkey, resulting in a full-flavored authentic bourbon taste similar to what one would get straight out of the barrel. Wild Turkey is a genuine drink with a sought after “burn” that comes from its high-proof, an attribute fundamental to the brand and critical in maintaining its authentic bourbon characteristics.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.avbc.com

Twitter:  @avbc

Closing, I loved this Bourbon Barrel Stout.  This beer is drinkable compare to other Bourbon Barrel stouts.  It is still a sipping beer but compare to others it is more drinkable.  I enjoy the chocolate, bourdon, to a slight whiskey notes.  I was pretty impressed by this brew.  This brewery is going to do a full other line when they run through the Wild Turkey Barrel.  I am pretty excited to see what the next stout will get from those Bourdon Barrel.  I recommend this brew if you can find it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Ram Brewery Ice Breaker Oatmeal Stout

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When in Chicagoland area, I was able to stop by one of my old watering holes.  I am talking about the Ram Brewery.  I was able to try their Ice Breaker Oatmeal Stout.  If you read my earlier blog posts on this craft brewery, you know the history of it.  If you have not, please, read those post to get to know this brewpub.  Let us get into this Oatmeal Stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy tan head.  The smell is a chocolate and coffee notes for this stout.  The taste has a chocolate and coffee at the middle of pallet to watery notes on back half.  The aftertaste has chocolate that hangs around a bit.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theram.com

Twitter:  @theRAM

In closing, this would be a stout if I still lived down the street.  I would be filling my growlers up on weekend with this stout. This is an awesome stout.  This is one of the best brews that this little brewpub made.  I also love their IPA’s.  I know the brewmaster pretty well and I was happy to see the assistant moved over to the other location in the Chicagoland area.  I know for a fact he will be brewing some awesome beers and improving the beers from the last brewmaster.  The last brewmaster was good but not good enough.  If you are in the area, I recommend you getting by the Wheeling location to try to brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Old Dominion Brewing Morning Glory Espresso Stout

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In this 500th blog, we are going to sample out a brewpub that I had a chance to visit a few years go when I was in Washington D.C.  I am talking about Old Dominion Brewing.  The beer that we will review is their Morning Glory Espresso Stout.  Old Dominion Brewing was founded in 1989 by Jerry Bailey in Virginia.  In 2000’s, Jerry sold his brewery to Coastal Brewing Company and they later moved the brewery to Dover, Delaware.  They brew several different beers.  Let us get into this stout.

It has a jet black color with a nice creamy tan color head.  The smell is a slight coffee notes.  The taste has coffee with hint of chocolate notes.  The aftertaste has a dry coffee bean aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping brew.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Loose Lips sink ships. And coquettish glory will never tell. A midnight stout brewed with coffee beans. Morning Glory wakes up at 9% AlC. by Vol. with the aroma of espresso.

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

Morning Glory Espresso Stout

Morning Glory is a full-bodied espresso stout that utilizes locally roasted coffee beans. Waking up at 9% ABV with the aroma of espresso and the taste of chocolate, she will give drinkers a jolt. She will be available in six-packs and on draft.

  • 9.0% alc/vol
  • 35 IBUS
  • Chocolate, Crystal, Pale, Smoked, Wheat, and Roasted Malts
  • Bravo and Glacier Hops
  • Available in 12oz bottles and on draft

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.olddominion.com

Twitter:  @DominionBrewing

Closing, I was excited moving back to Michigan to be close to family, however, I knew I could get some brews here that I could not get in the Chicago market.  This brewery is one of them.  I have had their Oak Barrel Stout a few times and I will have a review on that beer soon.  I enjoyed it and I put it on my towards the top of my stout list.  I was beer shopping and I came across this stout from Dominion Brewing.  The color, aroma, and tasting experience is out of this world.  This is a perfect beer after dinner or before.  There is nothing wrong having a sipping beer with a nice cigar.  I highly recommend this brew.  If you are looking for this brew or other beers from this brewery, please, visit their website and click on beer finder to pick up a six-pack or twelve pack today.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Bell’s Hopslam Ale

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In this beer blog, we are going to sample out a limited release from Bell’s Brewery that they bring out once a year.  It is their Hopslam ale.  If you read my earlier beer blog, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the blog post on their Winter Ale.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a clear light copper color with a white constant head on this ale brewed with honey.  The smell has hints of honey and a slight citrus notes.  The taste has a sweet, smooth, and honey notes with earthly notes.  The aftertaste is slight honey with hops dry finish.  It is extremely drinkable beer and it is a big beer.  Please, be careful!

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

A biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale. With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?

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

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.bellsbeer.com

Twitter:  @BellsBrewery

Closing, I had this beer a few times a few years ago.  This is a great Double India Pale Ale.  I enjoyed drinking.  I love how the honey cuts through the hops and honey builds the malty backbone ever stronger.  This is an unique and different from the rest of Double India Pale Ale on the market.  I had one other double IPA brewed from honey and it is 3 Sheep’s First Kiss. I wished I had a bottle to compare these two big beers. From what I can remember, First Kiss is better but I recommend this brew.  I get why everyone rushes to the stores to pick up this brew when it comes out.  It is released once a year.  I believe this brew was available all year-long.  It would not sell as much as it does now.  Once a year is good for me. And you?  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan And West Of Detroit Part 1

(www.509beerstore.com)

In this beer blog, we are going to talk about liquor stores in my area of Michigan.  I just moved back in October so please, give me feed back if I missed a store.  As you know, I am a huge beer fan and a craft beer fan.  I will be the first to say I was spoiled in Chicagoland area with great beer stores.  It was between Binny’s, Cardinal Stores, and some of the chain stores there.  When I moved back, I knew Michigan craft beer market was huge on Michigan beers, which should be the case.  There are so many beers, and breweries in every market around the country.  I know Michigan is in that same situation.  Where do I go to buy some great beers?  I had no idea.  I did Google search after Google search.  I came up with a list.  I even did something I hate doing walking in and out of stores.  I do have a list and I am going to be up front and honest.  Here we go!

Beer Baron (Livonia, MI)

Beer Baron is a little bit north of Wine Palace by 7 mile on Middlebelt.  When I went, they were working on the store.  The staff there was nice and let me walk around.  He let me take my time and asked if I needed help.  This was the opposite of Wine Palace.  They have a great beer selection and some pretty good prices.  I was pretty impressed.  This is a beer store and it is pretty clear to that fact.  The two things I did not like about this store.  One, the store is in chaos.  There is beer everywhere.  Two, when I went, the staff did not know anything about beer.  Their parking lot is a lot easier than Wine Palace.  I recommend this beer store.

Wine & Barrel (Livonia, MI)

I did not want to drive up to Beer Baron and I am staying away from Wine Palace.  I just went to Wine & Barrel that is right down the street from my place.   There is some nice parking at the side of the building and they are not that busy like the last two stores.  The first thing, I did not like is the guy does not take pop cans.  You are a liquor store that sells rum and you do not sell pop.  I guess not rum and coke for someone in the area.  I am just saying.  I was not happy by that.  Now, I have to go two places to get my errands done for returns.  Who will go there and buy their liquor just to go somewhere else to get their pop?  I was not too impressed by their beer selection.  I did not like the fact you could not buy single beers (12oz).  They had beer store selected ones available.  It was like it came from their breakage area.  I thought their prices where too high like Wine Palace.  I get it that these stores need to make some money.  There is a level where it will keep people out of your store.  This store has a huge area for beer brewing supplies.  I thought that was really cool when I was walking through but after looking at that the beer selection.  I started to have a different attitude towards the store.  Their beer area is all over the place.  I mean you have craft beer with imports beers and the other way around.  This is so not profitable for the store.  Their beer customers that are looking at crafts beers are not seeing all their crafts or import beer customers in one area.  They have to walk around the store and I know I might have missed something.  It can be the same for their mass-produced beer customers.   I just feel they make more money off their beer supplies.  There is nothing wrong at being just a brewing supply store.  I will pass on this store.

Mid-Joy Liquor Store (Livonia, MI)

The first weekend I was back in Michigan.  I wanted to go beer shopping so I thought I would go back to my old liquor store when I first lived in the area.  They have a pretty nice selection.  I was enjoying it until I started noticing that everything I was picking up was out of date.  I was pretty disappointed pretty quickly.  This store went hard into the craft beer without the consumers to support it.  I never went back into this store.  I might again but I think I just might stay away.

Keg & Wine Party Store (Redford, MI)

I found this store looking for a Cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider on their website.  The parking lot could be better but that is not point of this review.  The store inside is pretty nice and clean.  Everyone is nice and helpful.  They have a great selection on beers and spirits.   I was pretty impressed.  I will have to say it is better than Wine Palace.  The only thing I do not like about this store.  I can not buy single bottles and/or cans of beer (12oz).  You have to buy the six or four pack.  I will be back to this store and I recommend this store.

Holiday Market (Canton, MI)

Whenever I would come in town, this was the store I would go to in the beginning.  They had whole warm shelf aisle in this grocery store for craft beer.  I was amazed at the selection.  I always picked up beers that I could not get in Chicago.  I started to realize pretty quickly that they were not selling through most their beers.  This store at that time had a ton of out of code beers.  This is a great store but buyer beware.

Super Fines (Canton, MI)

This store is at the top of my list.  They have just about everything in this liquor store.  If they do not have it, they will get the beer or whatever you are looking for at that time.  If it is sold in the state, they will get it.   You can do mix six packs in every price range.  You can buy single beers too.  They have a pretty big spirit selection.  This is a great beer store and I highly recommend it.

Closing, I know I have not covered everything liquor stores in the Southeast Michigan.  I am looking at just craft liquor beer stores.  I am not going to just the neighbor store.  I went to ones that claim they are a craft beer store or I know they have a pretty big selection.  I know there are more out there.  I will keep searching.  I loved Super Fines in Canton, Beer Barton in Livonia, and Key & Wine Party Store in Redford.  I will never go back into Wine Barrel and Mid-Joy Liquor Store in Livonia.  If there are any other stores, please, let me know.  I would love to hear your thoughts on these stores.  I will be writing a new review here shortly.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer (Cider) Blog Woodchuck Hard Cider Cellar Series Chocolate

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In this cider blog, we are going to sample out a new cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  It is their Cellar Series Chocolate.  If you read my earlier blogs on their ciders, you know the history of this Northeast Cider company.  If you have not, please, read those blog posts to get to know this cider company.  I bet you have heard of Woodchuck and already know the history.  Let us get into this special and new cider.

It has a beautiful clear light brown color without a head on this cider.  The smell is a heavy chocolate notes.  The taste is chocolate with apple cider at the end of the drinking experience with an apple cider aftertaste.  It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Woodchuck Cellar Series Chocolate features our original small batch hard cider, complemented by cacao beans. The inclusion of crushed cacao beans notes of artisan chocolate throughout the nose and taste of the cider. A hint of caramel accompanies the full apple flavor with a dry finish. Cellar Series Chocolate is one of the most unique ciders we have ever crafted, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Cheers! John Matson Cider Maker

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.woodchuck.com

Twitter:  @woodchuckcider

In the end, I was pretty excited to see them post on their twitter account that they were releasing a new cider.  However, it was not just a new cider, it is a pretty unique one.  This is a chocolate cider and then I was pretty nervous and interested.  There is a ton going on in this cider and it is pretty good.  I love the chocolate notes but it does not overpower the cider part.  It is pretty well balanced cider. I love the smells and it is awesome.  This is great beverage to enjoy on a nice winter day with a ton of snow.  We all this year has received a ton of snow.  Go out and get a chocolate cider from Woodchuck Hard Cider.  I recommend it.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Blackout Stout

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Lights out, we are going to sample a beer from Great Lakes Brewing that was named after the “Blackout Of 2003.”  It is their Blackout Stout.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their Christmas Ale, you know history of this Ohio brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer blog to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

This stout has a jet black color without a head.  The smell of this Russian Imperial Stout has a chocolate to coffee notes.  The taste is a creamy chocolate with notes of burned malt with a slight burned chocolate bitterest.  It is a sipping stout.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our robust Blackout Stout is named after the infamous “Blackout of 2003” that left the northeastern United States without power for days…. A nuisance for some, an enjoyable 36 hours of energy conservation and beer drinking with neighbors for others

Who needs the power grid when you’ve got the full moon, bright stars, good friends and Blackout Stout, our Russian Imperial Stout with a hearty malt body and bold hop favor.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_Cleveland

Lights back on, I enjoyed this brew and I forgot how good this brew really is.  Every year this beer is released.  I used to pick up a few like a few years ago and I would see it.  I keep forgetting to pick up.  Shame on me, this is a great stout.  I almost want to make a road trip to try this as a barrel aged stout.  This is a nice sipping Imperial Stout.  I love the chocolate and slight coffee notes.  I know there is a code date but I could see this brew aging well in the bottle.  This is on my own thing and it did not come from the brewery.  I highly recommend this brew and I would hunt it down before it disappear until next season.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser