beer

Calling all beeries.  Help!

I'll be in Ann Arbor for one precious night on Sunday.  It's been a while.  I'm familiar with Arbor's tap line-up, and Grizzly Peak and Original Gravity down in Milan (which is well worth the trip).  

I may not have time for a full-on pub crawl.  How would you rank these new(er) candidates for dinner and a tasting?

Blue Tractor

Jolly Pumpkin

Corner Brewery (Ypsi) 

Did Wolverine ever open?

I'm an IPA fan first and foremost, and also a fan of american pale ales and amber ales. 

 

So, I may not have a batch ready for the home opener. My wife and I are adopting 2 children and it is taking up nearly all of my free time. Between visits and appointments, I have hardly any time. If I can get it brewed this Saturday, it will have enough time to ferment before the game. Hopefully, most of you are understanding! Go Blue!

Brew Dog has been in a battle to retain their title for producing the world's strongest beer. They've reclaimed the title now with "The End of History" at a 55% ABV. The best part? The bottle:

Via OddNews

Update: Brewdog's official blog video

The End of History from BrewDog on Vimeo.

I decide to celebrate the USMNT win with a delicious six pack of USA beer. I'm feeling kind of festive tonight so I pick up a 6-pk of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat since they are largest US owned brewery since Bud was sold to those Godless commie bastard Brazilians.

Anyway, I take a reading to the neck label and lo and behold, the cherries used in the beer are said to be Michigan cherries (balaton to be exact). So I call my buddy in traverse city who's married to the daughter of the Cherry Baron of Northern Michigan (kind of like the Beer Baron, but 30% less Rex Banner), and sure enough Jim Koch (owner of Sam Adams) makes yearly trips to TC to find his supplier for cherries for the year. The contract supplier to the brewery per the contract gets the first keg of Cherry Wheat brewed at the Boston brewery for that year and as many cases as requested.

So if you're looking for a way to celebrate our nation, our state, and beer, try a six pack of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, it's delicious, good for Michigan football (the Cherry Baron's daughter is a Michigan grad and a significaant donor), and good for you.

Well here is the first pour of "Ale to the Victors".  It came out suprisingly well for the first batch.  I can best describe it as a cross between Blue Moon and Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat. The first cup was a little bitter, which is common because there is always a small amount of sediment on the bottom of the keg. The 2nd glass was much better. I'll probably use a different type of hops on the second batch.  Overall I would have to say that I was very pleased!  Go Blue!!

 

 

Just to let everyone know, I will be pouring my first glass of "Ale to the Victors" tomorrow evening.  The beer has been in the fermenter for almost 2 months and now it's in my kegerator and should be carbonated tomorrow.  I'll be sure to post Pics and my opinion of the first batch! I can't wait! 

 

Go Blue!