Innis & Gunn Original: Review

Oak Aged Beer

Innis & Gunn

Edinburgh, Scotland

Innisandgunn.com

6.6% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$7.50

Aged for 77 days prior to bottling

Appearance: rich amber body with a white creamy looking head

Aroma: while the nose is light overall there are some interesting notes.  Lightly toasted malts, toffee, nutty, a hint of vanilla. 

Flavors and Mouthfeel: the taste follows the nose.  Tasty sweet malts with a nutty note mingled with some toffee and vanilla.  I am not picking up any distinct oak 

To the Point: On the sweet side for me.  It was hard to drink this big bottle.  

Innis & Gunn Rum Cask

Oak Aged Beer

Aged in Rum Barrels

Innis & Gunn

Edinburgh, Scotland

Innisandgunn.com

7.4% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$7.50

Aged for 57 days prior to bottling

Appearance: deep mahogany body with a light tan looking head

Aroma: caramelized sugar, faint raisin, roasted malts, nothing that makes me think rum here.   

Flavors and Mouthfeel: the taste follows the nose.  On the sweet side of town; the caramelized sugars seem well toasted, roasted malts to boot, little raisin like, brown sugar like, a pinch of allspice, this makes me think of brown bread; it is low in carbonation; smooth; roasted notes linger for a good while; as the beer warms up it reminds me of molasses,

To the Point: not a malt bomb but, it is malt focused; if you like malty ales this is for you; this big bottle was more than I can take. 

I paired this with a Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Cameroon Cigar and this was a very good pairing.  But, even the cigar could not take that big malty edge off some.  

Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss: Review

Wheat Beer Brewed with Real Wisconsin Honey

Jacob Leinenkugel’s Brewing Company

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Leinie.com

4.9% abv

Appearance: clear golden body with a one finger white head

Aroma: very light, very lager like, crisp and clean,

Flavors: touch of wheat, biscuit, just a hint of sweet honey, personally I don’t think it is too sweet – which I was expecting, hops are not noticeable but must be doing their job to keep the sweetness undercontrol

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, crisp, refreshing, fairly clean feel, lightly dry finish

To the Point: rather boring Honey Weiss; it is crisp, clean, and refreshing; too simple; I wish the honey note was more distinct 

Magic Hat Encore: Review

Magic Hat Brewing Company

Magichat.net

South Burlington, Vermont, USA

IPA on Tour – American Wheat IPA

6.4% abv

                   

Appearance: muddy clay body with a nice two finger tan head.  Make sure to get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle.

Aroma: milder than I thought it would be.  Soft grassy hops with some wheat.  Not that interesting.   

Flavors: grassy, pine, a little twist of citrus peel; a touch of malt in the mix with nice earthy grains. 

Mouthfeel: mild-moderate bitterness, fine fizzy carbonation, a light pine note lingers. 

To the Point: overall, to me, this is an okay IPA. The grassy and pine hops seem to be the main profile here.  I think a roasted caramelized malt presence really could help here.  Just me ... What do you think?  Please leave a comment.  

Old Speckled Hen Ale: Review

Morland Brewing

England

5.2% abv

$10.99 a six pack

12oz bottles

English Pale Ale

I have not had this ale in a long long time.  This use to be one of my favorite English Ales and when I saw the six pack sitting there in the store I just had to pick one up.  They also make Hen’s Tooth which I like a lot as well and I have not seen that around in years.  I can’t believe that I have never reviewed this ale. 

Appearance: nice copper body with a 2 finger off-white head.

Aroma: lightly toasted malts, citrus meat, a little sharp

Flavors: rich toasted malts, the citrus meat is still playing along in the taste, pecan shell bitterness, mineral water tea like note,

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, light malts on the delivery and a mild bitterness on the mid and finish, when I think about it – it seems a bit thin on the front, a typical amber ale bitterness that leaves a spicy feel on the palate

To the Point: why was it one of my favorites … I just could not tell you.  It really is nothing all that special.  Just a decent pale ale overall but, it is very easy to drink.  The bitter notes are mild-moderate overall and don’t weigh on the palate.   

I just did a search on my posts and I did do a review back in 2010 and I just never made a link to it.  I’ll make the link (see side margin – under England).  I’ll have to  check my old review for differences myself. 

Good Harbor Golden Ale: Review

Aged in Oak Barrels

Leelanau Brewing Company

Brewed by: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Dexter, Michigan, USA

For: Leelanau Brewing Company

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Goodharborgolden.com

$15.99 a bottle

1pt 9.4oz bottle

7.5% abv

I have had this bottle for a good year and I am sure the beer store had it for a while as well.  The bottle says it can be aged up to a decade.  I just wish they dated the bottle. 

Yeast is on the bottom so it will be needing a little swirl to get that good sediment stirred up. 

Appearance: bright golden yellow body with very little head on the first glass.  I don’t think I stirred up much of the yeast.  I put a stopper in the top and did a little more swirling of the bottle and stirred up a bit of that yeast on the bottom of the bottle.  Now the body is a hazy golden yellow and I have a few pieces of plankton swirling around. 

Aroma: sour mash, maybe green apple, lemon for sure

Flavors: this is more of a Sour Ale or better yet a Summer Shandy; sour mash, big time lemon wedge, sour apple,

Mouthfeel: a little floral like on the aftertaste along with a lingering lemon drop, this is very good on this hot summer day.

To the Point: not what I expected for a golden ale, like I said it seems like a sour ale to me; the flavor profile is pure lemon wedge.  I am not a fan of lemon flavors in beer but, this ale is refreshing. 

Look at this cool moth - he is ready for combat in his camouflage outfit

DAB – Dortmunder: Review

Actien-Brauerei Original

Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei AG

Dortmund, Germany

Appearance: bright golden body with a weak white head and no lacing left behind

Aroma: a obvious German yeast smell and earthy grains

Flavors and Mouthfeel: to me it has that old German yeast flavor; it is not metallic and it is not skunky yet, but it is getting there.   Some uninteresting grains and mineral water.  The slight dirty yeast aftertaste is not refreshing here on this hot summer day. 

To the Point: Maybe a fresh one may be good but today on this bottle I have to say ‘skip it’.  There are too many good beers out there to waste your time on this one.  I am watering the grass with the remainder of this beer.  

Unertl WeiBbier aka: Unertl Weissbier: Review

Spezial-WeiBbierbrauerei

Unertl GmbH

Haag, Bavaria, Germany

1pt .9oz bottle

$3.79 from the Lager Mill in Frankenmuth Michigan

4.8% abv

Appearance: brown body – let me call it ‘brown bottle’; off white head

Aroma: grainy nose and what do they use to make this … Wheat and Barley Malts. Lightly sweet from the malts.

Flavors: a semi-creamy sweet caramelized malt, sweet earthy grains, hops are helping with the balancing act for it is not overly sweet, nice touch of fruit … I just call it banana like I have seen in so many reviews.  But, if I had to say what type of fruit – I would say it is like taking a big bite of a fig and a little bite of a yellow banana and a spoonful of oatmeal.  To me the focus is on the grains. 

Try this beer and leave a comment or your personal review.

Mouthfeel: low-moderate carbonation, semi-creamy feel,

To the Point:  Personally, I like this beer.  I’ll be buying more. 

I paired this with a Padilla Brown Bear Cigar.  This was a very enjoyable pairing.  

Wit Dream: Review

Belgian Style Wheat Beer

Look at the shape of the cloud next to the sun
What do you think it looks like?

Mt. Pleasant Brewing Co.

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA

Mtpleasantbrew.com

Okay, the label graphics are a little goofy – I just hope the beer is good.

Make sure to swirl the last inch of beer that is left in the bottle to get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle. 

Appearance: a hazy golden cream colored body with a white head that disappears too quickly.

Aroma: the nose shows a little Belgian influence with the spice, light citrus meat and wheat. 

Flavors: a light touch of clove, a twist of orange peel, and a good focus on the wheat. 

Here is my little drinking buddy. He sat by my lighter while I wrote this review.

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, a dusting of wheat coats the tongue, soft spice and orange peel lingers,

To the Point: I had one the other night and enjoyed it and I like this one today during this review.  I like the focus on the wheat and the other notes (spice and citrus) are there but, not slapping you in the face.  

Blue Point Summer Ale: Review

Blue Point Brewing Company

Patchogue, New York, USA

Bluepointbrewing.com

4.39% abv

16 IBUs

12oz bottle

$1.69 a bottle at Lager Mill in Frankenmuth Michigan

Only bought one bottle

On the bottle: ‘…to be quaffed under a hot summer sun’

Appearance: golden ale with a big white 2 finger head that disappeared before I knew it; little bit of lacing on the glass

Aroma: clean golden ale like, bready,

Flavors and Mouthfeel: crisp, clean, white bread like, light grains that remind me of wheat, refreshing, semi-dry on the mid and finish so the hops are doing their job. There is a lingering tart bite on the aftertaste that is reminding me of lemon rind.  I wish there was a little more carbonation than what I experienced.    

To the Point: okay, not the most interesting ale out there but for a hot summer day this should do the trick.  With these hot summer days we are having I wish I picked up a six pack to see how it will do ‘under a hot summer sun.’  Unfortunately I am drinking this at night.   

Pyramid Hefeweizen: Review

Unfiltered Wheat Ale

Pyramid Brewing Co.

Pyramidbrew.com

5.2% abv

Make sure to get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle.

Appearance: slightly dirty orange body with a creamy white head that leaves a thin layer on top. 

Aroma: it smells like the thing I do best … Nothing.

Flavors: This Hefe is more about the mouthfeel than the flavor.  The flavor follows the nose.  White bread dough ball.  Where is the Wheat!  Where is the flavor!  Clean mouthfeel, almost creamy texture, very low carbonation,

To the Point: this was truly uneventful.   

Pyramid Curve Ball: Review

Blonde Ale

Summer Seasonal

April-July

Kolsch Style according to BA

Pyramidbrew.com

5%abv

18 IBU

2-Row Barley and Malted Wheat

Vanguard and Perle Hops

Appearance: behind all the sweat on the outside of the glass (90 degress and 90% humidity outside today here in Grindstone City, Michigan) the body is a clear golden orange with a thin white head … if you can call it a head at all … and there is no lacing left behind.

Aroma: light sweet grains

Flavors: mild stone fruit, light sweet grains, finger biscuit

Mouthfeel: clean from the start; as the ale warms a light floral hoppiness appears; crisp, very mild, and refreshing

To the Point: Not the most interesting beer in the world but, it is billed as clean, crisp, and refreshing for those hot summer days.  This is a hot day here in Michigan and this beer is doing its job.  Also, always remember what I say, ‘when they say clean, crisp and refreshing … that means tasteless.”   The Curve Ball is far better than drinking any Bud or Miller like stuff and yes that includes you ‘Light’ beer drinkers.

Short's Brew Nicie Spicie: Review

American Wheat Ale with orange zest, lemon zest,coriander and peppercorns

Short’s Brewing Company

Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA

Shortsbrewing.com

There is a good dose of sediment in each bottle so, make sure to swirl the bottle to stir up all the goodies.

Appearance: hazy golden wheat with a white head and not much on the lacing front

Aroma: wheat stands out with a good touch of orange peel. Smells summer delicious

Flavors: good job here; tasty wheat, the lemon and orange zest is present without standing out like a sore thumb (thank goodness), there is just a touch of coriander, and like the peppercorn feel on the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: since the citrus zest and coriander flavors where not over done it is a pleasing ale to drink.  One thing I have been complaining about for the last two months is lemon in beer – I for one – I am tired of lemon in my beer (didn’t like it much to start with for the fact), the other thing I complain about is sex … oops another discussion … American Craft brewers overdoing the spices is the actual complaint.  When the corianders and cloves are just coating the palate – it is not refreshing.  When the hops have too much of a citrus bite it is not refreshing … just had to squeeze on more complaint in.  I guess that is why I like to go back to German, English, and Belgian beers. 

Off the soapbox. 

I just plain ol’ like this ale.  The mouthfeel is pleasing and interesting at the same time.  I feel like I am drinking something without being violated.  The wheat flavors are on the front with the citrus zest following.  The peppercorns seem to be on the finish and definitely on aftertaste. 

To the Point: this is a must try.  

On my wall of beer caps

Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat: Review

The Fort Collins Brewery Major Tom’s

Pomegranate Wheat

The Fort Collins Brewery

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Fortcollinsbrewery.com

Appearance: dusty gold with a white head. 

Aroma: not much of anything.  Faint bread?

Flavors: I don’t think I would guess pomegranate but, I do notice some type of juice infusion that would be a red or dark berry.  If I had to guess I would say, a lightly tart cherry.  There is a nice little wheat tone behind the lightly tart berry note.  A little grassy hops swirling around. 

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, somewhat crisp, some dusty wheat, tart berry note

My Strength Rating: 4 – medium-mild

To the Point: cool label, since the pomegranate was not noticeable … I’ll call it okay.  Glad I only bought one bottle.  Makes you wonder if they know what they are doing out there in Colorado – HI Jody.   

Whaleback White: Review

White Ale brewed with spices

Leelanau Brewing Company

Brewed by: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Dexter, Michigan, USA

Whalebackwhite.com

5.2% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$18.00 a bottle

No dates on the bottle

Appearance: pale slightly hazy golden body with a thin white head that leaves no lacing on the glass.

Aroma: sour mash, oak, a pleasing nose

Flavors: I think of lemon grass right away, oak swirling through, tart citrus peel, coriander,

Mouthfeel: tartness covers the teeth and gums that reminds me of biting a lemon wedge

Here is what they said on their web site:

“Pouring a pale golden color, the evidence of bottle conditioning swirls through the glass as the head reaches for the top and releases lightly fruity, slightly grassy aromas. Tart notes of lemon and orange carry from the aroma to the body where they are joined by hints of coriander and curacao, making for a complex yet restrained flavor. Full bodied, but finishes with a crisp champagne finish. Nuanced enough for the most developed palate, yet accessible enough to be a great introduction to farmhouse styles of beer for the uninitiated.”

Shorts Brew Kolsch 45: Review

‘Historical German style Ale with a Northern Michigan twist.’

On the bottle

The 45 in the name is for the 45th latitude that Short’s Brewery is located on and Cologne, Germany is located on.  Cologne is the town in which Kolsch orginated. 

Kolsch is normally served in a cylindrical glass also called a stange (pole) glass.  Traditionally, this beer would be drank from smaller glasses due to the beer deteriorating in flavor quickly.  I’ll be using my HB Hefe glass. 

Short’s Brewing Company

Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA

Shortsbrewing.com

This is a very limited beer for only 900 cases were sent out for distribution. 

Appearance: if it is looking a yellow gold that is clear or fairly clear then, you did not get the sediment off the bottom of the bottle.  Swirl the last one inch of beer in the bottle and then pour in all the tasty grains from the bottom.  It should be a hazy golden-yellow body.  Kolsch is normally clear in appearance.  This must be the ‘Northern Michigan Twist’ a little extra grain and yeast. 

Aroma: dusty grains and malts, a little must

Flavors: nice sharp grains, mild malty tone, a little grassy hops to add some balance. 

Mouthfeel: pleasing, crisp, and refreshing to the palate.  Perfect for these hot days of summer.  Moderate carbonation helps with that crisp feel.  Short grainy aftertaste keeps the palate fresh.  You don’t want a heavy feel on the palate on a hot summer day. 

To the Point: I wish I bought more.  What a nice tasting beer.  Nothing fancy, it is not reviewogentic.  It is fairly true to its character.  Remember, it has a ‘Northern Michigan Twist.’   With each beer that I drank out of this six pack the more I was thinking that this could be a new favorite for me.  I will be out to the stores tomorrow looking to see if they have any left.  

Franziskaner Weissbier

Naturtrub

Premium Hefe-Weissbier

Spaten-Brau

Munich, Germany

$9.99 a six pack in Almont, Michigan

Appearance: cloudy golden ale with a big white head that leaves little lacing on the glass.  Make sure to get that sediment off the bottom of the bottle.  Be careful pouring this ale for it will pour a big head.  

Aroma: interesting … it smells like a German Hefer!  Some yeast, wheat, and fresh citrus skin. 

Flavors: I like the straight forward wheat taste.  No big or bad ass banana, clove and other stuff here … just a classic Hefe-Weissen taste.  Sweet grains, wheat, with a little citrus flesh to give it some interest.  When the ale warms up there seems to be a hint of clove or spice appears but, not much to get excited about.  Actually, I don’t know if that is a clove note – I think it is just a twang from the wheat and citrus notes. 

Mouthfeel: low-moderate carbonation, a little creamy feel, sweet grains on the delivery and a light bitter bite on the back of the palate. 

To the Point: Over the last couple of days I reviewed Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Erdinger Hefe-Weizen, and this ale – Franziskaner.  This is still my favorite.  I’ll have to do a side by side with Hacker-Pschorr’s Hefe.  About five or six years ago I would always buy a case of Haker and Franz in the pint bottles during the summer months. 

With all the craft breweries here in America trying to make the boldest or craziest batch ever … we forget about the classics, the beers that have been made for the longest time … we forget what the style is really supposed to be.  (Really true with American IPAs)  I have to admit, that over the last few years, I have enjoyed my crafted brewed Hefers that have big time banana taste that over stuffed coriander note and mountains of clove flavor in them. 

So what I am saying is that it is nice to get back to the classic style of Hefe-Weizen.

Just waiting in the cooler for its turn

Paulaner Hefe-Weizen: Review

Natural Wheat

Paulaner

Munich, Germany

Paulaner.com

5.5% abv

$10.50 a six pack in Almont, Michigan

Appearance: thick dirty orange body with a white head

Aroma: light orange meat, biscuit, earthy yeast, a whiff of clove, this is a very light nose overall.

Flavors: light-moderate orange rind with a touch of clove and a dusting of wheat; underneath a little sweet malt swirls around with a dry citrus tone on the finish. 

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation with a little fizzy feel on the palate, slightly crisp with a dry citrus tone on the finish,

To the Point: while it is another classic German import I just find it okay to good.  The flavors are just not crisp or distinct enough to me.  I find myself getting bored with it after a while.  This would be good to use to introduce someone to Hefe-Weizens.  

Erdinger Hefe-Weizen

Erdinger Weissbrau

Erdinger.de

Germany

5.6% abv

Appearance: hazy golden wheat with a big white foamy head.  I am using my boot mug.

Aroma: not much of anything.  Some white wheat bread. 

Flavors: fresh wheat style, with some dusty yeast in the mix, the spice is very low, I could not pick out any clove on the bottles I drank today. 

Mouthfeel: a very crisp Hefer with an almost creamy texture and a light dry finish.

To the Point: not a very eventful Hefe-Weizen.  It is just straight forward wheat with a very light twang.  I have always found the Erdinger Hefe-Weizen an easy drinking Ale and really refreshing on a hot summer day.  

Hefe-Weizen Time

This month I am planning to review several Hefe-Weizen along with some other Wheat style beers and a couple others types (focus on German beers) thrown in for good measure. 

The cooler is packed full of ice and beer and I am ready for  some reviewing

Here is my plan for the next four days: ErdengerHefe-Weizen, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Franziskaner Weissbier, and here is a good German Style by Short’s Brewing Company called Kolsch 45. 

I bought a six pack of each and I am ready to start July off with a big bang.  

I'll add the link to each once posted.