In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Stone Brewery. It is their American Stout. 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 this California base craft brewery. Let us get into this stout.
It has a jet black color with a tan constant color head on this stout. The aroma has a chocolate to heavy espresso notes. The taste has a chocolate to espresso notes with heavy espresso aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.stonebrewing.com):
Stone Americano Stout | Stone Brewing
The coffee notes in Stone Americano Stout are bold, rich and full of American swagger. For each 120-barrel batch, we incorporated over 250 lbs. of artisanal espresso-roast beans into the mash and added in Columbus, Chinook, Amarillo and Cascade hops to invigorate the coffee taste with a slight citrus and resin hop presence. When it came time to selecting our coffee, we chose the same local roasters who contributed to our sought-after 2013 Stone ESPRESSO Imperial Russian Stout. Their fantastic beans helped us achieve this dark, hoppy and wonderfully aromatic espresso stout.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.stonebrewing.com
Twitter: @stonebrewingco
Closing, I always love anything that comes from Stone Brewing. I cannot recall if they make a bad beer. This is one of the few craft brewery that is good overall. I love this beer. I love my coffee stouts. This craft brewery is known for their hoppy and malty beers. It is nice to see them trying to do something different. They did a great job on this beer. There is a nice balance between the stout and the coffee. This is a great beer and I highly recommend this beer. I am glad this craft brewery decided to make seasonal beers. 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 Brooklyn Brewery Insulated Dark Lager
In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Brooklyn Brewery. It is their new winter seasonal. It is their Insulated Dark Lager. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this east coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this New York City base craft brewery. Let us get into this dark lager.
It has a black color with a light tan constant color head. The smell has a chocolate notes. The taste has a smooth slight chocolate notes. The aftertaste is a nice crisp dry finish. It is a drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.brooklynbrewery.com):
Brooklyn Insulated Dark Lager is your protection against biting wind and soggy weather. German Munich, roasted Carafa, and Pilsner malts create a nimble, racy body, while a helping of American black barley adds just a hint of roast coffee. A light dry hopping of American and German hops pitter-patters across the nose and dives into the dry, warming finish. Try it with dark breads, hearty meats, and sturdy cheddars. If you still feel the chill, just add another layer and enjoy your insulation.
Style: Dark Lager
Malts: German Munich, Carafa, Pilsner, American black barley
Hops: Perle, Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Amarillo, Centennial
Yeast: Our House Lager Yeast
Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%
Original Gravity: 13.5° Plato
Food Pairings: Dark breads, hearty meats, game, wild fowl, barbecue, and sturdy cheddars.
Availability: November- MarchHere is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.brooklynbrewery.com
Twitter: @brooklynbrewery
Closing, I was pretty disappointed when I thought they stop making their Winter Ale. I saw this and thought that I would try it out. I respected everything that Brooklyn Brewery has done in their career. I do not know what they were thinking releasing this out to the market. This has to be one of their worse beers that they make. There is too much of water notes. I loved their scotch ale, which was called Winter Ale. I am going to hunt down their Winter Ale. It is so much better. Please, Brooklyn stop making this beer. This is my thought pattern. I know there will be people out there that will love this beer. You can do better. 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 Winter Ale
In this winter beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Blue Point. It is their winter seasonal, which is their Winter Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this East Coast craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this New York base craft brewery. Let us get into this winter ale.
It has a dark amber color with a white head on this winter ale. The smell has a heavy malty note. The taste has a malty to alcohol notes. This beer warms you up in the winter. The aftertaste has a malty to alcohol finish. It is a sipping to almost drinkable beer.
Here is a description from their website (www.bluepointbrewing.com):
Our Winter Ale is a hearty, robust amber ale. We use pale, Vienna, crystal and chocolate malts to create a balanced character of malt and hops with just the right amount of spice to warm you up during the colder months.
ABV: 7.7% IBU: 25 OG: 1.070 Availability: Late Fall-Winter
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.bluepointbrewing.com
Twitter: @bluepointbrewer
Ending, I was happy to see Winter Ale finally made it back in my life. They are back in Michigan. I am a huge fan of this beer. I remember when they hit the Chicago market and I enjoyed drinking this beer. It was one of my go to winter ale. There is a nice balance but it is more of a sipping beer. I just feel like this beer is a lot better than what I remember. I have always love this beer. I just wished it had more love in this state. This craft brewery is trying to gain some ground back in this state. I am glad they are back and are trying to gain a base for themselves. I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser16@gmail.com
Twitter: @djweser
Instagram: @djweiser13
New Beer Blog Beer Stores In Southeast Michigan Part 2
In this beer blog, we are going to talk more about the liquor stores in my area and market. This is a follow-up from a blog that I wrote about year ago. I just find some of these stores do things that are good or bad and craft or import beer drinkers should know. I see some stores that are under charging and there are others that are over charging. Let us get into each of the stores.
Wine palace
If you live in the Livonia or Westland area, you know about this liquor store. They have a great liquor and wine selection. I have been told that they have some gems over there too. We are here to talk about the beer selection. They have a great craft beer and import selection. Just like everywhere else, you do need to watch code dates. If they know you are one of their regulars, you will get some of the one off or limited releases. They have a great Import selection and a nice beer cave. Their prices are one of the best in town. Their prices go pretty well against the Meijer down the street. Overall, this is a place to check out.
Marcus Market
This place is located in the Wayne State area. They have an average to below average beer selection. The huge problem with this store is they are not on top of their stuff. What I mean, they do not know what most of their beer and product cost in their store. Their prices are pretty high or way too low. For example, which I have many, Blake’s 6 pack cans for $19.99, which should be around $9.99 and 10.99 like other stores. Bell’s Planet Series Uranus single bottle (12oz) for $4.99. While other stores are charges $2.99. There is some cider and beer that are under cost. There is a cider from Blakes that other stores charge $24.99. They were charging $9.99. They do not have too many rare beers or ciders, however, they have a great Mead selection just watch the prices. Their little restaurant in the back of the store is a most try. Asides that, stay away from this store.
Forrest
This is another place not far from Wayne State either. Their prices are pretty good. They are little high but not by much. They have a pretty good beer selection for craft beers and ciders. This is a great store when you want some cheap beer with a good craft beer. They get a ton of rare and limited craft beers and ciders. You will need to ask guys behind the counter. They have a nice staff and they are willing to help their customers. I highly recommend this store. If you are in the Wayne State area, come here and not Marcus Market.
Holiday Market Royal Oak
I have been here a few times. I have not been here in a while. I just know if I cannot find a beer in my area. I can take a trip to the east side of the City of Detroit to get it. They have an awesome craft beer and cider selection. I know many of friends said if you are a regular. You will get some of the one off and limited releases. If you live on the east side, I highly recommend this place.
Closing, I know there are so many other stores and I know that I keep forgetting some of them. Please, let me know about them and I will check them out. I will do a write-up on them. I hope you learn something from reading this post. Let me know about your thoughts. 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 Sierra Nevada Coffee Stout
We are going to sample another brew from their new sampler pack, which is called Snow Pack. It is their Coffee Stout. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this West Coast Legend craft brewery, you know the rich history of Sierra Nevada. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this Coffee Stout.
It has a jet black color with a creamy tan color head. The aroma has a slight chocolate and a heavy coffee notes. The taste has a burn malty and coffee notes with a dry chocolate to coffee aftertaste. It is a nice sipping beer.
Here is a description from the beer bottle:
Our coffee stout combines malt flavor and roasty coffee for notes of baker’s cocoa dark fruit and espresso in a complex blend of warming flavors.
A cup of joe and a bold beer can thwart the winter cold, so we blended them for the ultimate warmer. Our Coffee Stout is a fusion of dark roasted malts and rich cold-brewed coffee for layers of bittersweet, fruity, dark chocolate and carmel-like flavors.
Here is a description from their website (www.sierranevada.com):
Coffee and craft beer are both drinks that inspire passion in the faithful. As we dreamed up ideas for a winter beer, they seemed destined to come together. There isn’t much that’s more comforting on a cold day than a cup of great coffee, and even more so when blended with the rich flavors of a dark and roasty stout. Our Coffee Stout brings the best of both brews with flavors of baker’s cocoa, dark fruit, and a bittersweet roasted malt body.
While the exact origins of porter are hazy, the development of stout is more straightforward. By the 1700s bolder, high-alcohol versions of any style of beer were referred to as “stout” or strong. By then, porter was far and away the most popular beer style in the British Isles, and clever breweries began advertising the stronger versions of their beers as “stout porter.” By the late 1800s, regular porters had fallen out of favor and stout porter, or simply stout, took their place. There are many different varieties of stout ranging from the light bodied, low-alcohol Dry Irish Stout to the viscous, rich and strong Imperial Stout.
Malted barley generally falls into two camps: base malt and specialty malt. Base malt is highly modified malt that is responsible for producing the bulk of the fermentable sugars in the beer. Specialty malt is malt added for its flavor, color or effect on the body and mouthfeel of the finished beer. Specialty malts are typically produced by kilning and/or roasting barley. Caramel malt is made by placing germinated barley with a high moisture content directly into a roaster. The resulting malt produces unfermentable sugars during the mashing process, adding sweetness and body to finished beer. Roasted malt is base malt that has been placed in a roaster similar to a coffee roaster to produce deeper, darker, baker’s cocoa and espresso flavors like those common in a porter or a stout.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.sierranevada.com
Twitter: @sierranevada
Closing, I was pretty excited to see Sierra Nevada was making a coffee stout. Their normal stout is beyond underrated on the craft beer market. Sierra Nevada does not make a bad beer. All their beers are beyond better than most craft breweries. This coffee stout is a nice gateway beer to stout and coffee stout world. The coffee beans are not overpowering like most coffee stout. There is a nice balance that makes it uniquely drinkable for the beer style. 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 Revolution Brewing Fistmas
In this beer blog, we are going to get into one of many winter seasonal. I am talking about Revolution Brewing Fistmas. I had a chance to try it when I was visiting in Chicago over a few weekends ago. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on Revolution Brewing’s beers, you know the history of this brewery. If you have not read those posts, please, read them to get to know this brewery. Let us get into the beer.
It has a dark copper color with a constant white head. The smell is a heavy citrus. The taste is a slight carbonated ginger with citrus. The aftertaste is a hint of ginger. It is not really drinkable.
Here is a description from their website (www.revbrew.com):
Red ale brewed for the holiday season with specialty malts to achieve a beautiful deep red hue and the aromas of fresh-baked bread, caramel, and stone fruits. Steeped with ginger root and orange peel.
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.revbrew.com
Twitter:
@RevBrewChicagoEnding, in the last few years, I have not been overall impressed with many winter seasonals. I am hoping this year is the turning point for winter seasonals. I have to say this brew is a pretty good start. It might not be drinkable but it is pretty enjoyable for the time it is in your glass. I love the smelling notes to the tasting. There is a ton going on in this brew and it is a good thing for a winter and/or Christmas ale. If you are in the Chicago area, I recommend you trying this brew. If not, I would find a way to get some 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 Goose Island Christmas Ale 2012
In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out this years Christmas Ale from Goose Island Brewery. If you read my earlier blog on one their beers, 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.
Goose Island Christmas Ale has a nice amber color without a head on it. The smell is a caramel to malty to it. The taste of this ale is a hazel to almond with a slight dash of caramel for the aftertaste. It is not that drinkable but the beer drinker could have a few of these beers.
Here is a description from their website (www.gooseisland.com):
Brewer’s Notes:Every year to celebrate the holiday season, we brew up our Christmas Ale, and with each year we change the recipe slightly so that you have something special to look forward to.
Recipe Information:
Style: Brown Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 7.3
International Bitterness Units: Change year to year
Color: Chocolate
Hops: Change year to year
Malt: Pale, Munich, Caramel
Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Nonic
Food Pairings: Ham, Turkey, Lamb
Cheese Pairings: Aged Gouda, Dry Jack
Cellaring Notes: 180 days
Availability:
Seasonal (November – December)
Bottles: 6, 12 & 24pks
Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.gooseisland.com
Twitter: @gooseisland
Closing, this is the first of Goose Island Christmas Ale where the beer will not change over the years or can not be aged like Christmas Ales from the past. It is pretty disappointing because a ton of us craft beer drinkers love to age beer to see what is like next year. I was pretty disappointing with this beer. It is kind of drinkable beer. I just feel this beer is missing something like other years. I do not know what it is and I am not a brewer to make to explain my thought pattern. I can see most people liking this beer and I want you to try it. This beer does pair really well with food. I just do not like this year’s Christmas Ale from Goose Island and that does not mean you will not like this beer. Let me hear your thoughts. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
New Beer Blog Goose Island Christmas Ale 2011
In this winter beer, we are going to take a look at a beer from my vintage beer closet and the beer is from Goose Island. It is their Christmas Ale 2011. If you read my earlier blog on one of their beers, you know the history of this brewery. If you live in Chicago or the Midwest, you know this brewery and some of their beers. If you do not, please, read the first part of that beer post. Let us get into the beer.
This Christmas beer has a light brown with a semi head on the beer. The smell has a strong caramel with a fade hazel nut to it. The taste has a little caramel with a sweeten carbonation malty to the beer. The aftertaste is a slight malty to it but it is very fade. It is pretty drinkable beer and it aged very well.
Here is a description from their website (www.gooseisland.com):
Brewer’s Notes:Every year to celebrate the holiday season, we brew up our Christmas Ale, and with each year we change the recipe slightly so that you have something special to look forward to.
Recipe Information:
Style: Brown Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 7.3
International Bitterness Units: Change year to year
Color: Chocolate Hops: Change year to year
Malt: Pale, Munich, Caramel
Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Nonic
Food Pairings: Ham, Turkey, Lamb
Cheese Pairings: Aged Gouda, Dry Jack
Cellaring Notes: 5 years
Availability:
Seasonal (November – December)
Bottles: 6, 12 & 24pks
Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.goooseisland.com
Twitter: @gooseisland
In closing, the 2011 Goose Island Christmas Ale was the last to be able to age but I am not going to push it over two years. Over the years, I had to pour out a ton of Christmas Ale because they did not age good. This 2011 age very well and it is better than 2012. When this beer was young in 2011, I really did not like it so I am happy that it aged very well. It is complex with a ton of flavor. It is true that they change this American Brown Ale every year. If you see this on the shelf, I would grab and you will not be disappointed. 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
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
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
DJ Weiser 