Witch's Hat Big Doedish – DIPA: Review

witchshatbrewing.com

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

Hops: Pacific Jade, Zythoes, and Citra

9.2% abv

DIPA = Double India Pale Ale

64 oz Growler

$20.00 refill

Witchshatbrewing.com

I have stated this before on the blog, ‘I hate growlers,’ and then $20 for a refill … it better be damn good for that is 20 bucks for 5 – 13oz bottles.  This is a quality Belgian beer price to me.  Well, just stop on by and try a glass at the brew pub before you buy … that makes since but, you know what? … I bought it without trying it.  Why?  Because I have tried six or seven of their beers and I enjoyed each one so, I’ll gamble that this should be good. 

Appearance: amber body with light amber highlights around the edges; a one finger (if that) head, large bubbles on the head, but I am pouring it from a growler; have I mentioned that I hate growlers; a splattering of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: aromatic with a touch of bitterness; floral hits me first with a nice touch of sweet pineapple and then a hint of fresh citrus that reminds me of pink grapefruit, white pine tree sap is coming to mind right now, a touch of fruit bread,

Flavors: on the delivery I pick-up some fresh pink grapefruit and sweet pineapple; those two flavors seem to swirl around a touch of caramel and sweet bread during the mid; on the back a touch of pine and a little sweet bread going down the hatch. 

Don’t sell this ale short.  Don’t just gulp it down.  Sip it, swirl it, damn gargle with it.  Pay close attention to the flavorful hops selected.  If you gulp it you will think it seems thin or watery at first and then think it seems bitter at the end of the glass.  I think we can play … what I call … guess what I am tasting with this ale?  I can see – tangerine, pine, grapefruit, pink grapefruit, pink peppercorn, pineapple, floral,  caramel, bread, sweet bread, fruit bread,

Mouthfeel: soft hoppy flavors, don’t let the word ‘soft’ fool you, soft bitterness, bold hoppy flavors (if you pay attention), a light creamy feel, low carbonation, oily, a tad bit on the sweet citrus side but has a nice long lingering oily bitter citrus feel.  Watch out for the 9.2% abv for it does not come across boozy.   

To the Point: Not close to being a bitter hop bomb; a flavorful hop bomb okay – I’ll buy that; nice mixture of soft and slightly bitter hops; the Pacific Jade adds some nice soft citrus; the Zythoes hop continues the tropical fruit and pine, the Citra hop adds some smooth bittering and tropical fruit – or something like that. Be ready for the sweet side of citrus.  Damn, I really like this.  This is top shelf to me.   

If you like Sierra Nevada Torpedo or Bell’s Hopslam give this a try.  If you don’t like those beers … well … they will probably have 10 other beers that you might like. 

This Company has only been around for less than two years.  Pay attention here beer fans.  I don’t play up locale breweries … read my blog … I have never sung the praises for any local brew pub (I do like Liberty Street a lot) … I just sampled six or seven beers from Witch’s Hat and liked each one … I like to complain … I liked each ale that I had so far … Okay Hyppie Girl was not a favorite but, it was a nice ale and my wife really likes it.  Oh, I do have a complaint, the Smoked Ale was too one dimensional … it tasted like liquid smoke and you would think a cigar smoker like me would like that … ha … I got you … one day I’ll do a review on their Smoked Ale. 

In three years this brewery is going places.  If they don’t it is because they started doing drugs or they stopped.  Whatever they are doing keep doing it … but, they are going to grow.  They are not going to be a player they will be a first round pick that goes big time in my book. 

This ale is worth the price.

This is the longest ‘To the Point’ I have ever written in three or four years of doing this blog.    

Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout: Review

Bell’s Brewery

Comstock Park, Michigan, USA

Bellsbeer.com

6% abv

$10.99 a six pack

Brewed with Brewers Licorice

Appearance: black body with a rich dark tan creamy head … it had a one finger head which is not bad for a stout.  Has some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: roasted grains, rich toasted malts, a little alcohol spice

Flavors: solid roasted notes, medium-full roast coffee, a touch of burnt molasses, I’m not picking the licorice up on the front or mid but on the finish and aftertaste I get that anise like taste. 

Mouthfeel: smooth and semi-creamy, oily, bitter like coffee on the finish with the anise note,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – medium-full

To the Point: Nice roasted notes make this a tasty stout

Witch’s Hat Sir Edward’s Double Brown: Review

Witch’s Hat Brewery

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

Witchshatbrewing.com

8.9% abv

32 oz growler

I am not a fan of the growler so, when I saw they had a 32 oz growler I thought that would be perfect for a heavier beer.

They made the Edward’s Brown ale into a double.

Appearance: almost black body with a one finger tan head; this Double Brown leaves some good legs dripping on the glass.

Aroma: compared to the Edward’s Brown the nose has a richer malty style and the alcohol plays a bit of a role.  The coffee and roasted grains are still present.

Flavors: toasted grains, rich coffee with a light shot of cream, dry sea grass, 85% dark chocolate like bitterness on the finish and more so on the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: thick, syrupy; smooth low carbonation feel; coats the palate with roasted notes; dry finish; lingering bitter note with roasted grains on the aftertaste;

To the Point: I like this Double Brown.  Nice roasted notes; medium-full roasted coffee and slight bittering.  A very tasty Double Brown – I’ll be back for more.  

Witch’s Hat The Tuscan Coffee Stout

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

4.5% abv

64 oz Growler

$14.00

Witchshatbrewing.com

Brewed with coffee from the Tuscan Coffee House in downtown South Lyon Michigan using their Witch’s Hut Stout.

Appearance: black body and a super thin dark tan head pours from the growler.

Aroma: rich coffee and bakers chocolate; it reminds me of an 80% dark chocolate with coffee beans. 

Flavors: follow the nose; coffee bean with dark roasted grains, 55% dark chocolate like note (doesn’t have the bitter bite of a higher percentage dark chocolate)

Mouthfeel: very low carbonation, semi-creamy feel, medium-body stout, medium on the flavors, dry finish, light roasted notes linger on the palate

To the Point: reminds me of an Irish Dry Stout from start to finish – medium in body and flavors; if you like coffee, like me, you need to try this Stout by Witch’s Hat.  Very easy drink and a low alcohol percentage to boot make this a good session stout.  The Tuscan Coffee Stout should be a good beverage to enjoy a fine cigar with.  

Seven Monks

Seven Monks in Traverse City

Here is my picture story of my visit to 7 Monks were I enjoyed a Greenbush IPA and a Piraat Ale.  

A must visit for any beer enthusiast

The Filling Station Microbrewery Four Beer Review

642 Railroad Place

Traverse City, Michigan

Eighth Street & Woodmere

TheFillingStationMicrobrewery.com

They call their taps ‘tracks’ and they have 14 tracks today. 

My wife had a glass of Track 11 Prague Pilsner: They describe this pilsner as a Bohemian Pilsner made with Czech Saaz hops, caramel malts and German pilsner.   Appearance – golden pilsner body with tons of lacing on the glass.  Aroma: bready, faint hops.  Flavors and mouthfeel: crisp, firm carbonation, slight bittering, nice pink peppercorn like tone.  To the Point: a real nice pilsner – I liked it. 5.6% abv

I had Track 9 London Porter: They use English pale, brown, and black malts with some UK Goldings hops.  Appearance: nice black body with a tan head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass.  Aroma: wonderful roasted coffee and toasted grains and it reminds of fresh pumpernickel bread.  Flavors: you want roasty and toasty … well this is it.  Delightful roasted flavors reminding me of coffee, roasted grains, and a touch of chocolate.  Mouthfeel: low carbonation, low-moderate bittering, almost creamy feel, a pleasing porter feel overall.  To the Point: I really like this porter.  This is top shelf stuff here.  7.4% abv

The Stoker Pizza showed up. Here is the pizza oven they cooked it in.  

Second Glass

My wife ordered Track 12 Ballyshannon Irish Red Ale: Belgian pale malt, US 6 row and 2 row malts.  German and UK caramel malts.  UK chocolate malts. UK Goldings and Fuggles hops.  Appearance: chestnut body with a light tan head that leaves some lacing behind.  Aroma: kind of light, a whiff of toasted malt.  Flavors: a toasted caramel and chicory mixing it up with a smoky feel.  Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, medium feel.  5.2% abv

Doppelbock in the tall glass the Red Ale in the Pint

I ordered Track 2 Einbeck Doppelbock: They say, German Pilsner, Munich and caramel malts.  German Magnum and Tradition hops.  Appearance: cinnamon stick body with an off-white head that leave some lacing.  Aroma: faint nose, toasted and lightly buttered fruit bread.  Flavors and mouthfeel: smooth feel, sweet bread, light yet rich caramel, low-moderate carbonation, might be from eating but, there is a light spicy tingle on the tongue – around mid-palate, might also be the alcohol spice? … a little alcohol warmth on the finish.  To the Point: a nice light to moderate body Doppelbock, the alcohol did not really show as in being boozy.  9% abv

Here are some pics from the Filling Station.  A must visit when you are in the Traverse City area.  

Plenty of great food.  The pizza and Cesar salad was excellent.

  

Witch’s Hat Train Hopper IPA: Review

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

6.9% abv

64 oz Growler

Witchshatbrewing.com

I was on my way to my buddies Barber Shop (Miner’s Barber Shop in New Hudson) and I stopped by the South Lyon Hotel Pub and had lunch.  I tried this ale and liked it so asked the bartender where in the world is this from and she said, ‘down the road.’   After visiting the sheep shearing experts I was on my way to the brewery. 

Appearance: misty amber body with an off-white head and on the lacing front … not much.  The little bit that there is clings to the glass. 

Aroma: nice citrus nose reminding me of a citrus peel, sweet grains, sour bread; as it warms the citrus note reminds me of white grapefruit

Flavors: sweet-sour going on; pink grapefruit with a white grapefruit bite, sweet grains, sour dough bread, toasted caramel malts, the citrus notes carry a slight peppery feel on the finish.   

Mouthfeel: oily hops, sweet-sour, bitter notes hit the mid and finish, lingering citrus bite on the aftertaste,

To the Point: I had this ale at a local South Lyon Pub and they told me the brewery was down the road.  Somehow I found my way there.  I like this IPA.  If you live in the area it is worth the drive – they have some other great flavors to try.  

Witch’s Hat Edward’s Brown Ale: Review

Witchshatbrewing.com

22235 Pontiac Trail

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

5% abv

64 oz growler - I don't like growler because the beer starts to feel flat by the time I get to the bottom third.  

5% of the sales on this beer goes to the Huron Valley Humane Society

Edward’s Brown ale is named after the owners English Springer Spaniel, Edward.

Appearance: dark brown body with some cola like edges; one finger tan head on the pour that dissipates to nothing; no lacing

Aroma: roasted coffee beans, lightly toasted grains

Flavors: medium roast coffee, nice toasted grains, hint of grassy hops

Mouthfeel: low carbonation, mild roasted notes, light body, watery edge, light roasted notes linger for a short aftertaste

My Strength Rating: 3.5 (mild-medium) – lacking aftertaste and mild notes keeps it short of medium

Witch's Hat Three Kord Kolsch: Review

Witch’s Hat Brewing

South Lyon, Michigan, USA

5% abv

27 IBU’s

Cologne Germany style Kolsch

64 oz Growler

Witchshatbrewing.com

You don’t see this German style very often.  So, I had to try it when I saw it.  Kolsch is normally served in a cylindrical glass – also called a stange or pole glass.  Traditionally, this beer would be drunk from smaller glasses due to the beers deteriorating flavor as it warms up in the glass.  

Appearance: misty yellow-gold with a white head and not much on the lacing

Aroma: nice summertime white fruity notes and white bread

Flavors:  light summertime white fruit – reminding me of pear and white peach; fresh dough, hard water, light grains, and maybe fuggle hops for a fresh hoppy feel and a slight dry finish. 

Mouthfeel: crisp, fresh, light tasty grains on the aftertaste.  There is a fine fizzy carbonation feel.  It seems perfect for a hot summer day.  I like this beer. 

To the Point: I have only had a couple of Kolsch style beers but, this is tasty.  From what I read about the Kolsch style it seems pretty true to its style; simple, lightly fruity, easy to drink, refreshing, yellow-gold in color.  I have to give them an A+ for keeping it true to its style.