Category: Brewery Tour

A concise brewery bio

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Houston Brewery # 2 – 8th Wonder


In the aftermath of Harvey, I kept seeing one brewery pop-up and it is 8th Wonder.

Named after the un-official moniker of the Houston Astrodome aka the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, this brewery has been pouring #reliefbeers for Houstonians. Beer such as…

Dome Faux’m – Throwback Cream Ale
“A tip of our hat to the foamy suds once served at the Astrodome, this Houston original Cream Ale is a pre-Prohibition style brew that is light, crisp, and easy drinking. Whether it’s the big game or the big chill, Dome Faux’m is your personal championship beer. A Moon Tower Sudworks collabor8ion”

Intellectuale – Witty Blonde
“Somewhere between a Wit, a Blonde, and a Belgian Golden, Intellectuale is an easy-going and tasty beer that stimul8s the mind, the body, and the soul. This clever brew has a light, crisp body with a genius amount of wheat. Mild fruit esters; smartly hopped. On a hot humid day or chill night, Intellectuale is always the intelligent choice.”

Alternate Universe – Altbier
“In the Alternate Universe, the malt planets and hop stars align with the yeast sun to create this otherworldly ale. Existing in a parallel dimension somewhere between an Amber ale and a Brown ale, this sublime, old German ale has a malty backbone with a balanced hop bite. Extended conditioning produces a smooth and flavorful lib8ion. This superior brew is never too light, never too dark.”

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Houston Brewery # 1 – Holler Brewing Co.


This month we turn to Houston to showcase the beers from the area but also to show how they are responding to the hurricane and flooding.

Holler Beer has their Dollar Pils Y’all as the sales in the taproom for that beer over the long Labor Day weekend were donated to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

That beer and more would be on my initial taster tray…

Dollar Pils Y’all
“Crisp, clean, and refreshing German style Pils showcasing quality malt and hops.”

Hype PA
“A juicy IPA made with loads of Galaxy and Citra hops, bursting with tropical fruit flavor atop a soft mouthfeel and mellow bitterness.”

Belgian IPA
“IPA with the fruitiness and spiciness derived from the use of Belgian yeast.”

ESB
“Full-bodied, malty English-style ale with an aroma of cherries and rich flavors including toffee, biscuit and an herbal hoppiness.”

Coconut Prime: Collab. w/ Whole Foods Brewing Co.
“Luxurious and rich Imperial Porter with toasted coconut and vanilla beans.”

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Wisconsin Brewery # 3 – Third Space


We finish up the month with our 3rd stop in Wisconsin. Aptly at Third Space Brewing.

You can thank Camp Minikani for introducing founders Kevin Wright and Andy Gehl to each other. Now they are brewing up beers like…

It Was All A Dream – Juicy IPA
“If you don’t know, now you know…It Was All A Dream is our newest special release Juicy IPA. Brewed with an awesome new and extremely limited experimental hop, Dream is super peachy with flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, and berry rounding it out. A slightly hazy complexion, mild bitterness, soft mouthfeel and juicy hop flavors make this beer a dream from which you won’t want to wake. This beer won’t be around long so get it while it’s good and plenty.”

Madame Grisette – Farmhouse Ale
“Grisette is a traditional Farmhouse Ale originally brewed for the miners in southern Belgium to quench their thirst after a long day on the job. Perhaps best described as Saison’s hoppy sister, the Grisette was a beer of the working class that is well suited for a brewery built in a historic factory. Our Madame Grisette is brewed with wheat for a light bready body. Spiciness from the Belgian yeast strain coupled with fruity hoppy flavors and a pleasant bitterness evoke notes of citrus, pear, bubblegum, peach and clove spice in a refreshing and flavorful beer.”

East Meets West – Dry-Hopped Saison
“Our first collaboration beer, brewed with our friends at Good City Brewing (on the East Side) and Raised Grain Brewing (in the West Suburbs), brewed right here in the middle at Third Space Brewing. This beer is found only in each of our tap rooms so come get some before it’s gone.”

Java Blanca – Coffee Cream Ale
“Java Blanca is the second beer in our java series with our good friends and neighbors at Stone Creek Coffee. This coffee cream ale is full bodied and pleasantly sweet with a creamy mouth feel from the addition of oats to the mash. South American coffee beans, grown at high altitudes, add a sweet and acidic character to this beer along with strong coffee aromas and a subtle coffee bitterness in the finish.”

Milwaukee Mule – Sour Ale
“Inspired by the classic cocktail, our Milwaukee Mule is a refreshing summer sour with a bright, tart acidity that is balanced with fresh ginger juice and pureed lime. This sour wheat ale is a perfect choice for hot summer days.”

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Wisconsin Brewery # 2 – Raised Grain

The second of three stops in Wisconsin is Raised Grain Brewing in Waukesha. Two homebrewing doctors met a former professional cyclist and over a Red IIPA created the brewery that would win a Gold Medal in 2016.

Here are the beers that I would order up for my first taster tray…

Kilted Kölsch
“Clean and crisp, our Kölsch is a tribute to the strong German influence in Wisconsin with a signature Scottish twist. It’s also one of our tailgating favorites, so grab a growler on the way to the game!”

Take ‘Er Easy Amber
“A perfect beer for a laid-back afternoon with friends, this Wisconsin amber is smooth, malty and easy drinking.”

Ah Ha IPA
“A boldly hopped American IPA that gets its name from the “Aha!” moment our brewer had when brewing a drinkable, not-too-bitter IPA. Quadruple hopped with Ahtnum and Amarillo hops.”

Six Stone Scotch Ale
“Our Scotch Ale gets its name from the weight of the grain (in Stone) that goes into each barrel of beer. It has a bold, malt-forward flavor enhanced by Belgian malts with a sweet touch of bourbon that results from the oak-aging process.”

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Backstage at Angel City – Part 1 – Grain

Recently, I was given the opportunity to follow a brew day from opening of the building until the liquid was sent to fermenter.

I shadowed brewer Layton Cutler of Angel City as he made the Angel City Wit.

Here is a “grainy” photo essay of the day.

Up one floor to add the grain to be milled.

The somewhat “unappetizing” first stage of brewing.

You need a stick and a squeegee to get the grain out.

Just under 10 garbage pails filled with spent grain from one batch of Wit bier.

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Wisconsin Brewery # 1 – Funk Factory Geuzeria


Maybe those intrepid Beer Bloggers that went to Milwaukee for the Beer Bloggers Conference got to try beers from our first Wisconsin stop, Funk Factory Geuzeria.

They brew a beer style, Meerts. Another “forgotten” style in the lambic family. The FFG describes it Meerts thusly, “meaning March, is the low alcohol (2-4%) “table” or “field” beer traditionally made from the second runnings of lambic’s turbid mash. I refer to it as Lambic’s baby brother.”

So, obviously, I would focus on the original and variants in my first taster tray….
Meerts
Cherry Meerts
Peach Meerts
Blood, Sweat, and Unicorn Tears (Cranberry sour)
Cervino (Chardonnay/Sour ale hybrid)

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Detroit is Brewing # 3 – Batch Brewing


We have come to the final brewery feature of the month. We land at Batch Brewing Company.

One of their ideas is The Feelgood Tap that raises funds to support local and regional nonprofits throughout Michigan.

The plan being that beer bars, breweries, and other craft beer-loving restaurants (not just Batch Brewing) pick a “beer from their menu, raise the price by $1, and let consumers do the giving.” The Feelgood Tap at Batch Brewing is double the amount $2 – $1 from you, and $1 from us.

And what beers would I choose? Here they are…
Palewise Kölsch
Derby Kiss Witbier
Son Of A Batch IPA – American
Keeping Up With the Juices IPA – American
Blue Sailor Stout – Milk / Sweet
Requited Belgian Strong Golden Ale

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Detroit is Brewing # 2 – Lake Brothers


No, they only do the one lager (Vienna, no less) and they are contract brewed (that is not necessarily bad) but even without a lack of a taster tray, I would look for the throwback visual look of Lake Brothers lager.

Lager – “Drawing inspiration from the region’s oft-forgotten brands of yesterday, we set out to create our Lager. An American, all-malt lager, our beer is brewed with Cluster and Liberty hops, Midwestern malted barley and the purest of Great Lakes water. Amber in color, this beer pours brilliantly clear with a rich malt aroma, subtle hop character and a pleasant finish. Refreshing, flavorful and drinkable, our Lager is everything a great beer ought to be!”

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Detroit is Brewing # 1 – Motor City Brewing


To start in Detroit, I am going very on point with Motor City Brewing Works which started up way back in 1994 making it the oldest operating brewery in the city.

Situated perfectly near both Comerica Park the home of the Detroit Tigers and Ford Field the home of the Detroit Lions (as well as cultural institutions for those not into sports), if I find myself in the re-awakening city, I would try the following:

Bohemian Lager
“Motor City Bohemian Lager is an original Detroit beer style. We use Noble Hops and pure Detroit water to bring out the crisp, clean flavor that made Detroit famous.”

Corktown Stout
“Motor City Corktown Stout is an Irish Style Dry Stout is named after Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood. Thick, rich and dark from generous additions of roasted barley balanced with imported East Kent Golding and Fuggle hops.”

Belgian Tripel
“Tripel is a classic Belgian style golden ale, with a perfect balance of delicate fruit esters and subtle spicy notes.”

Motor City Ale – Muscle Series
“Motor City Ale – once known as Strong Ale, until the ATF got wind of its powers, this Ale is inspired by traditional English style barley wine made with 100% malted barley, and no malt extract. Utilizing the first runnings of three different mashes to get this light bodied high alcohol flavor it is delicate, smooth yet strong. An homage to Detroit’s resilience,power and above all strength. Tap Room regulars like to refer to it as the Strong Ale.”