Brave New Beer World

My name is Mike. I am from a small town in New Jersey. I graduated Saint Peters College (now University) with a BA in Elementary Education & American Studies with a minor in History. I am a New York Jets, New Jersey Devils, and a Notre Dame fan. I can forgive you if you don't like them. While some people sample foods, wines, or cigars, I enjoy sampling (and finishing) a good beer. Enjoy my posts and beer reviews and hopefully you will try some of them. You can find me on Untappd at MikeyMike58 and maybe one day we'll share a pint! Cheers friends!

[iammages]

Fresh Start

For the few folks who actually read this, I am leaving this account. I will still be on Tumblr under s new name however. Over the last few months, I have neglected this account and have not been diligent in my postings. With this new fresh start I get to have a clean slate and commit more of my time to that. If you wish to follow my new account, I will leaving a posting up once I get that started and within the next few days will be shutting down this account.

Thank you!

[iammages]

Posts

I know it's been quite some time, however, new posts are on their way within the next 48 hours! 👍 Stay tuned!

[iammages]

Grapefruit Sculpin

Ballast Point Brewing Company

India Pale Ale

7% ABV - 70 IBU

Availability: Rotating

S: grapefruity, citrus, floral hints

T: tastes how it smells, hoppy, bitter, grapefruit is there in full force

A: golden

I am not a fan of grapefruits. However, this brew is exceptional. Enough grapefruit taste to enjoy and not be overwhelming. This is one of the best beers I have ever had the privilege of enjoying.

4.5/5

[iammages]

Bloodline Blood Orange Ale

Flying Dog Brewing Company

American IPA

7% ABV

Availability: Year-round

S: hoppy up front, orange/citrus to follow, floral

T: dry, hoppy start; citrus, light orange finish

A: first pour is orangey/golden, 1/1.5 finger head

At first, it was disappointing that the orange smell doesn't fully transfer to the taste. However, the after taste is somewhat orangey leaving me liking this brew. I gave it a four out of five because it was a different kind of brew for me. Overall, it's somewhere in the 3 to 4 range.

4/5

[iammages]

Here is the complete list of brews I tried at the Big Beer Brew Festival last weekend in Morristown, New Jersey.

[iammages]

HellRazer IPA DuClaw Brewing Company India Pale Ale 7.2% ABV - 65 IBU Availability: Year-round S: hoppy, citrus, piney T: tastes how it smells, hoppy, sweet, light for an IPA A: Copper, one finger head I find this a very enjoyable IPA. It isn't extremely heavy like some IPA's and finishes well. 4/5

[iammages]

Some of the free wares from last night at Big Brew Beer Festival.

[iammages]

Big Brew Beer Festival

Despite the snowy conditions here in Northern New Jersey, I will be attending the Big Brew Beer Festival this evening as part of my birthday present. I will try my best to take note of what I have tried and post it sometime during the week once I have properly edited the list. I will also try my best to be very active on Untappd while I am there. You can find me on Untappd at MikeyMike58 if you're interested. I look forward to sharing what I have enjoyed with you.

[iammages]

I had saved many of these, thinking to myself I would find a use for them. Well, I eventually did. I attached some cork and magnets to these spare caps and made some awesome magnets. I started with only 9 and figured I could eventually do more and perhaps sell them. Still, tossing the idea around in my head. For now, enjoy the pictures!

[iammages]

2015 Beer Camp Hoppy Lager

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (with Ballast Point)

India Style Pale Lager

7% ABV - 55 IBU

Availability: 2015 Spring Seasonal

S: citrus, no alcohol smell, somewhat floral

T: hops but not overpowering, grapefruit, clean, refreshing, crisp

A: golden, finger and a half head

Overall a crisp, very enjoyable beer. Well crafted,

*Can easily sit an enjoy a six and not even notice

4.5/5

[iammages]

Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA Stone Brewing Company Black IPA 8.7% ABV - 90 IBU Availability: Year-round S: Hops, pine, citrus (grapefruit), roasted scent T: Smooth but dry, grapefruit start...earthy, bitter, thick finish A: Dark copper/brown, a step above black *Strong, hearty, heavy beer. 4/5

[iammages]

Old Red Nose Ale Heartland Brewery Strong Ale ('Fruit/Vegetable Beer' I've seen as well) 8.5% ABV Availability: Limited (Winter) S: Hints of fruit, spice T: Some fruit i.e. fig and raisin, smell becomes the taste, you can taste the alcohol as well A: Dark, not much of a head *I first tried this brew on tap at Heartland Brewery in Time Square. From the tap is much better. My review here is reflective of the bottled version ONLY. Also, this CAN NOT be found in a store. Can only be purchased from a Heartland Brewery location in NYC. 3/5

[iammages]

Arrogant Bastard Ale

Stone Brewing Company

American Strong Ale 

7.2% ABV

Availablitiy: Year-round

S: Not overly hoppy, earthy 

T: Piney, bit hoppy, heavy, warming

A: Dark, garnet almost

Overall a hearty, heavy beer. Absolutely love this. Packs a punch.

4.5/5

[iammages]

Calico

Ballast Point

Amber Ale

5.5% ABV - 35 IBU

Availability: Year-round

S: Hoppy, some sweetness

T: Some bitterness, dry, some citrus, some herbal

A: Amber, about a one finger head

4.5/5

[iammages]

Coffee Stout

Sierra Nevada

American Stout

6.2% ABV - 53 IBU

Availability: Limited (November-December)

S: Coffee, chocolate

T: Chocolate, espresso, coffee

A: Dark, black

4/5

[iammages]

Boomerang IPA

Sierra Nevada

American IPA

6.7% ABV - 60 IBU

Availability: Limited (November-December)

S: Pine, Floral, Citrus

T: Pine, Dry, Citrus (Grapefruit), Hoppy

A: Golden

*Excellent, warming brew.*

4.5/5

[iammages]

BREAKING NEWS!

There will be a mass posting within the next few hours. I will be reviewing many of the beers I've consumed over the past few weeks.  These brews are of different types and from different breweries. 

Due to other commitments, I haven't found the time to post my reviews. I feel terrible about this and feel like I have let down the few followers I do have. Trust me, I am working on getting this updated and posting at least once a week.

Again, I apologize for the lack of posts. Feel free to find me on Untappd at MikeyMike58 to see what I have been drinking as of late and don't be afraid to shoot me a follow either. Thank you!