Savoring Saturday #6, Dragonmead Sir William ESB

Dragonmead Brewery is a gem in the rough. Situated in an awkward service drive in Warren, the brewery distributes little compared to their dozens (usually over three) of beers on tap. In fact, Dragonmead Brewery boasts the most home made beer on tap in the world. They create everything from light lagers to chipotle beer. What is distributed in exceptional, and this week we are going to sample Sir William ESB.

ESB stands for extra special bitter. Grown out of English pale ales, arguments exist if there are any differences at all between the two, as the two styles share far more similarities than differences. Traditionally, ESB's are slightly darker in color, have less hop bitterness (due in part to its slightly higher ABV), and have more malt characteristics than traditional English Pale Ales. As mentioned, they also tend to be on the door step of higher ABV percentages, usually 5% or higher. Sir William comes in at 4.8%, which is acceptable for the style.

Dragonmead has this quick description about Sir Wiliam ESB "Another fine example of the English style. This Bitter is more robust than the best bitter but still with an excellent balance between hops and malt. Pale Ale Malt along with Aromatic and Crystal malts combine with the Galena and Fuggles hops to create a sure-fire favorite."

There are two great options to try this beer in south eastern Michigan. First, the brewery itself. Located on the south west service drive of Groesbeck and 696, the brewery has existed in this location since the late 90's, expanding along the way. They have nearly 30 beers, meads, and wine on tap regularly, is smoke free (or always was well before the May 1st ban), has live entertainment, and allows outside food to be brought or delivered. Ta boot, if you enjoy a dungeons and dragons themed atmosphere, the brewery is decked out with swords, arms, and artwork expressing the time period. Your second option to try Sir William is through distribution. All of Dragonmead's beers comes in four packs (with the exception of Armageddon Grand Cru), and are available at dedicated craft beer stores.

Shorts to Celebrate its sixth Anniversary this weekend

Congratulations to Short's Brewery! This weekend they will celebrate six years of operation in their Bellaire Facility. Comparatively, it has been a short road (no pun intended) but Short's has seen its popularity, production, and demand grow to larger sizes year by year (pun intended).

Most recently we have been introduced to unique portfolio from Shorts, their year round runners include Huma-Lupa_licious IPA, Bellaire Brown, Pandemonium Pale Ale, , The Magician, and The Soft Parade. In addition to those we have seen several special releases including PB&J, Uncle Steve's Irish Stout, Cup a Joe Coffee Creme Stout, Smoked Apple Ale, Mystery Stout, The Liberator, and Uber Goober to name a few. That's a great accomplishment, and recent news this week confirmed the addition of Noble Chaos (Octoberfest), Sustenance Black Beer, Black Licorice Lager, and the long awaited S'more Stout.

Personally, I am excited to get my hands on the official Anniversary Ale, which is a Blood Orange Wheat Wine. That just sounds delicious. Brewed with blood oranges and its zest, and spiced with green peppercorns.

Shorts also has installed a quality controlled lab, ensuring only the best products reach shelves and kegs, and, like many breweries within our great state, is expanding due to its success.

Celebrations will be had this Saturday with plenty of unique beers on tap, special vintages, and live entertainment.

Happy Anniversary Short's!

Savoring Saturday #5, Founder's Cerise Cherry Ale

Another week come and gone, another great Michigan beer to sample. This week were going to take a visit over to Grand Rapids, home of Founder's Brewery. Founder;s has seen exceptional growth over the last several years, and much of it is due to their innovative beer and special releases.

Not long ago Founders added Cerise to their line up of seasonal beers. The brewery describes this deliciousness as follows "You’ll have a soft spot for this one. Using only fresh Michigan tart cherries, this beauty tantalizes with intense flavors combined with a no hesitation malt bill. Adding fresh cherries at five separate stages of fermentation achieves the ultimate balance between tartness and sweetness." Cerise weighs in at 6.5% abv, and an IBU count of 15, so this beer is all sweet and no bitterness, perfect for any time of year, I prefer dusk on a warm summer evening. In our belief that there is a Michigan beer for everyone, Cerise can certainly be the beer for those with sweet wine appreciations, and for those who dislike bitter tasting beer.

Cerise is sold in 4 packs, and is produced April through August. Head on over to your local craft beer store (we suggest using www.craftbeerlocator.com) to support a great Michigan brewery who supports Michigan produced products!

Savoring Saturday #4, Michigan Brewing Company Amber Lager

I am certainly a day late and a dollar shot on this post. But that is all subjective considering the beautiful weather our great state has been experiencing. I promise to try and write these suggestions further in advance.What I would like to bring to the table today is Michigan Brewing Company's Amber Lager. Beers are characterized into two separate categories when it comes to fermentation: Ale and Lager. A lager beer is bottom fermenting, which ferments at lower temperatures and for a bit more time than an Ale would. In this fermentation, more malt and hop balance are allowed to shine through, as lager yeast doesn't influence as much in the flavor or character in a beer.

Michigan Brewing Company compliments their Amber Lager as follows "Brewed in the tradition of the Austrian Vienna-style lager popularized in Bavaria’s Oktoberfest celebrations, Sunset Amber is a true cold aged lager beer. A perfect beer for those who want a full flavored brew without too much hop bitterness. Our amber lager shines like a golden sunset. The pleasant caramel flavor is lightly balanced with Northern Brewer and other hops to satisfy the palates of most beer lovers."

The "Amber" reference seen here, and in many other names, is derived from the use of more roasted malts, and can also be referenced as "Red" beer. Flavor profiles in this style can have malty, nutty, and caramel tones and is very tolerable for a beginner who may be weary.

Savoring Saturday #3, Arbor Brewing "Bavarian Bliss"

Welcome to spring! This season of renewal, growth, and abundance. Whatever you are welcoming specifically, many Michigan beer enthusiasts are anxious for their seasonal delights. Spring in Michigan tends to be the largest of seasonal debuts from its 70+ breweries, many of them wheat ales, or better known as Hefeweizen. There could be dozens upon dozens throughout draft only and distributed variations, and I can list many of them here. But today is a special day, my beautiful wife's birthday. And in the spirit of her, I am attracted to Ann Arbor, where we shared a significant date at Arbor Brewing company. She, and I, are very fond of their Bavarian Bliss.

Hefeweizen's are very comforting beers when exploring craft beer for the first time. they are traditionally quenching, usually a bit sour or tart and a medium mouth feel.

Arbor Brewing describes Bavarian Bliss as "Classic aromas of banana, clove and floral citrus blossom. Fruity, spicy aromas show a rich yeasty character that follows through on a smooth, medium-bodied palate with a delicately spicy finish

This summer specialty is made with 50% malted wheat for a clean, light, refreshing character. It derives its unique flavor and classic cloudy appearance from the yeast which settles into a thin layer on the bottom of the bottle.

Like all authentic hefeweizens, it reveals its best flavors when properly decanted. Simply pour 3/4 of the bottle into a glass and gently shake the remaining contents to mix the yeast back into the beer and then top off your glass. Delicious with or without a slice of lemon."

I can not say it better than that, except, I opt out of fruit in my beer, unless it was an addition by the brewer. Some however, possibly yourself, might find it appealing.

Bavarian Bliss is available on draft at Arbor Brewing Company, and distributed through out Michigan in many speciality beer stores.