With the Christmas season upon us I wanted to help you deal with crowds, shopping and family by giving you 25 recommendations to help you with some stress relief beverages that can brighten up any holiday experience. This annual post will be used as an extended version of my December must drink list. Editors note: I have personally tried every one of these beers and have enjoyed them all.
If you tag me on twitter (@mwbreweries) or instagram (@midwestbreweries) adding #beermas I will retweet the best pictures of the day! Also like, comment and share it really helps me out.
December 1 Bourbon County Stout - Goose Island
Being released on Black Friday this year you might have to beat, steal, or bribe your friends who were able to pick up a four pack of this beer. One of those beers you want to savor don't let them go bad in your fridge before you drink them all.
December 2 Chai Guy - Black Acre Brewery
A wonderful combination of chai tea spices and a hearty stout will find the most novice beer drinkers clambering for more.
December 3 Rail Splitter - Triton Brewery
Rail Splitter is a great introduction into the world of hop brewed beer. Rail Splitter comes in as my go to IPA.
December 4 Easy Street Shuffle - Mashcraft Brewery
With a strong banana flavor and nice soft aftertaste, this crisp hefeweizen is a great way to escape the impending cold that will come with winter.
December 5 Katrina - Scarlett Lane Brewery
I found it particularly difficult to choose just one beer from Scarlett lane but Katrina nudged out their competition. With a strong cinnamon flavor this brown ale is a must have during this Christmas season.
December 6 Dead Guy Ale - Rogue Brewery
Rogue is overall a great brewery. They constantly create wonderful craft beers and Dead Guy Ale is one of them. This was my introduction to this brewery and I have never looked back.
December 7 Tribute - Indiana City Brewing
After just three visits this brewery has eased its way into my regular rotations. Offering half price growlers both Wednesday and Sunday how could you go wrong picking up any of their wonderful beers!
December 8 19 Days Maibock - Two Deep Brewery
With how great this beer is I pray this speciality beer is on tap every time I venture to this brewery. With a low IBU, high ABV and rich caramel flavor this beer will have you hear angles singing.
December 9 Zombie Dust - 3 Floyds Brewery
With being such a difficult beer to find either on tap or in bottles if you are able to find it this holiday season I would consider yourself "Wining"
December 10 Superfly - Oaken Barrel
Another great job by an Indiana brewery Superbly is a fantastic IPA for the Hophead to seek out.
December 11 Double Bastard - Stone Brewery
Being adopted by wonderful parents when I was just 14 days old; I always used to tell my friends, jokingly, I was the only one that could uses the word bastard. Taking ownership of the word I also take pride when others use "bastard" to highlight great products. You will be over joyed when you drink this beer.
December 12 Pirate's Pils - Figure 8 Brewery
It is hard to beat a great pilsner. After a hard week of work this pilsner will get you ready for a great weekend.
December 13 Lost River - Cutters Brewery
Every once in a while you need to drink a winter beer in the summer and a summer beer during the winter. Lost River is a great decision to go with this rule. It's refreshing flavor will send your mind to warmer days.
December 14 Secret Stache - Finche's Beer
A more recent find I found this stout was hard to keep around for very long. I am very, very excited to try more beers form this brewery.
December 15 Java Mac - Sun King Brewery
Although coming later on in my list you must go out and purchase this beer as quickly as possible, SUPPLIES are limited! Need a beer to help you wake up for a day full of football this beer will help jump start any Sunday.
December 16 Dirt Wolf - Victory Beer
Need a high ABV to get you through your end of the year slump? This 8.7% Double IPA is a great way to work your way through the Monday blues.
December 17 Anti-Hero - Revolution Brewery
Loki, Hulk, and the Punisher are great characters that often work for good under their own set of standards. Revolution Brewery has its own set of standards for creating high quality beer for us to enjoy, so I find this beer's name very fitting.
December 18 Busted Knuckle - Quaff On Brewery
This week when I saw this beer in cans at my local liquor store I about jumped out of my skin in excitement. Quaff On is one of my favorite destination breweries in the state of Indiana.
December 19 Buffaloe Black IPA - 3 Pints Brewery
This is a spectacular creation. It was so fantastic now every time I see a black IPA on tap I have to purchase a pint. Buffaloe Black was my introduction to this type of beer and I regret nothing.
December 20 Qualified - Taxman Brewery
A strong hefty beer, it's high ABU will warm you up on any cold December day.
December 21 90 Minute IPA - Dogfish Head Brewery
I might be a little heavy on IPAs and Double IPAs this month but where credit is due I'll send props. I cannot express how happy I am that Dog Fish is back in Indiana!
December 22 Who's That? - Tow Yard Brewery
Do I plan this? With 5 dollar growler sales on Monday you can easily run to Tow Yard after work to pick up your Christmas Beer. Why not purchase their brown ale?
December 23 Preacher's Daughter - Fountain Square Brewery
Outside of being a great beer, how fitting is this name? I mean come on you have to purchase one of these before Christmas!
December 24 Pouge's Run - Flat 12 Bierwerks
Although a friend once called porters "a lazy man's stout" I find myself really enjoying this porter. It will be a great way to help you sleep through the night before you open all of your presents on Christmas.
December 25 Teddy Bear Kisses - Upland Brewery
With it's Chocolate flavor inside of a thick stout, even if you do not get what you want for Christmas you will enjoy watching your friends and family open your thought filled gifts when drinking this beer.
Merry Christmas (not gonna say happy holidays!) to everyone. Remember what this holiday is all about!
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Chai Guy milk stout - Black Acre Brewery
Holy shit this is mind blowingly fantastic. Coming from Black Acre Brewery another extremely innovated craft beer. As a surprise to some of you I do drink (on occasion) something other than beer and chai tea is one of those drinks. So combining two of my favorite drinks is a home run in my book. Giving you both a sweet taste with the thickness of a stout Chai Guy is one of my top 5 favorite beers in Indiana 5/5 a must have! Don't forget to like and share. Find me on Twitter @mwbreweries and facebook midwest breweries.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Thanksgiving Day Pairings
The best part of Thanksgiving is by far the food. To help you enjoy this part (and the unavoidable food coma that comes later) I have created a list of beers that should go along nicely with your turkey day meal. Cheers! Don't forget to add me on Facebook at Midwest Breweries and Twitter @mwbreweries to stay up to date. Don't forget to like and share!
Turkey - Pale
Walkabout - Flat 12 - My choice
Osiris - Sun King Brewery - Pale Ale - Second Option
Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada - Wide Release Choice
Stuffing - Pilsner
Working Man's Pilsner - Fountain Square Brewery - My Choice
People's Pilsner - People's Brewing - Second Option
Pilsner Urquell - Czech Beer - Wide Release Choice
Cranberry Sause - Sour
General Brown - Cutters Brewery - My Choice
Permission Slip - Upland Brewery - Second Option
La Folie - New Belgium Brewery - Wide Release Choice
Green Bean Casserole - Blonde
The Standard - Taxman Brewery - My Choice
Belgium Blonde - Bier Brewery - Second Option
Duvel - Duvel - Wide Release Choice
Mash Patatos - IPA
Snake Pro - Figure 8 Brewery - My Choice
Dreadnaught IPA - 3 Floyds Brewery - Second Option
Stone IPA - Stone Brewery - Wide Release Choice
Breads - Brown
Katrina - Scarlet Lane Brewery - My Choice
Gingerbread Brown - Triton Brewery - Second Option
Indiana Brown Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery - Wide Release Choice
After Dinner Pre-nap Milk Stouts
Jolly Old - Two Deep Brewing - My Choice
Dragon's Milk - New Holland Brewery - Second Option
Milk Stout - Left Hand Brewing - Wide Release Choice
Dessert
Chia Guy - Black Acre Brewery - My Choice
Peter Peter Pumpkin Pleaser - Tow Yard Brewery - Second Option
Framboise - Lindermans Brewery - Wide Release Choice
Turkey - Pale
Walkabout - Flat 12 - My choice
Osiris - Sun King Brewery - Pale Ale - Second Option
Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada - Wide Release Choice
Stuffing - Pilsner
Working Man's Pilsner - Fountain Square Brewery - My Choice
People's Pilsner - People's Brewing - Second Option
Pilsner Urquell - Czech Beer - Wide Release Choice
Cranberry Sause - Sour
General Brown - Cutters Brewery - My Choice
Permission Slip - Upland Brewery - Second Option
La Folie - New Belgium Brewery - Wide Release Choice
Green Bean Casserole - Blonde
The Standard - Taxman Brewery - My Choice
Belgium Blonde - Bier Brewery - Second Option
Duvel - Duvel - Wide Release Choice
Mash Patatos - IPA
Snake Pro - Figure 8 Brewery - My Choice
Dreadnaught IPA - 3 Floyds Brewery - Second Option
Stone IPA - Stone Brewery - Wide Release Choice
Breads - Brown
Katrina - Scarlet Lane Brewery - My Choice
Gingerbread Brown - Triton Brewery - Second Option
Indiana Brown Ale - Dogfish Head Brewery - Wide Release Choice
After Dinner Pre-nap Milk Stouts
Jolly Old - Two Deep Brewing - My Choice
Dragon's Milk - New Holland Brewery - Second Option
Milk Stout - Left Hand Brewing - Wide Release Choice
Dessert
Chia Guy - Black Acre Brewery - My Choice
Peter Peter Pumpkin Pleaser - Tow Yard Brewery - Second Option
Framboise - Lindermans Brewery - Wide Release Choice
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Review of Spaten Optimator
What a great full flavored beer. Every couple weeks I will be bringing you a review of a beer that is more widely available to those across the country. This week Spaten Optimator, one of my favorite beers it comes in at a 5/5. If you prefer blonde or wheat beers this one will not be for you.
For more suggestions find me on Facebook at Midwest Breweries or twitter @mwbreweries.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Jolly Old Milk Stout - Two Deep Brewing -Indianapolis, IN
What a fantastic milk stout. Being released today Nov 12 I was able to be one of the first people to try Jolly Old. Being on a Nitros tap helps make this beer all the more enjoyable. As for being a milk stout Jolly Old does not sit heavy on the stomach and I find myself craving another after only taking a couple sips out of my first pint. Coming in at a 4.5/5 this is a must try for everyone.
Don't forget to find me on Twitter @mwbreweries and facebook at Midwest Breweries. Until next time cheers.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Monon Wheat - Cutters Brewery - Avon Indiana
An incredibly good wheat beer, Monon is worth trying out. Although my reviews of wheat beers will be declining over the next few weeks my reviews of stouts and porters will be going up. If you have suggestions send me a tweet or a message on Facebook. Have a great night. Tomorrow I will be doing a special review for my friends and followers who are unable to purchase most of these beers in their current location. Stay tuned it's one of my favorite beers! Rating for Monon 4/5.
Find their beer in indiana here http://cuttersbrewing.com/locations/indiana/ and in Illinois here http://cuttersbrewing.com/locations/illinois/
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Monday, November 10, 2014
Quick review of beers I had this week and what to look for later this week.
Giving a description of the beers I drank this week that I was unable to do a video review of and a sneak peak at what reviews are coming to you this week.
Lift Off IPA - Daredevil Brewing Company 3.5/5
Diesel Oil Stout Powerhouse Brewing Company 3.5/5
House IPA Black Swan Brewing Company 3.5/5
Peat Smoked Export Stout Black Swan Brewing 4/5
Whats to come this week.
Black Swan Brewery Review
Sundog Amber, Full Circle, and The Poet all from New Holland Brewery
Wit or Wit-out You and Gingerbread Brown from Triton Brewery.
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Saturday, November 8, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Paleooza Pale Ale - New Holland Brewery
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Thursday, November 6, 2014
Midwest Breweries - Vivian Red IPA - Scarlet Lane Brewery
Vivian is a fantastic beer. It has a great overall taste and finish. Several of my friends responses after just a sip were "That is good, really good!". Coming in at a 4.5/5 I actually find myself actively seeking this beer. If you like IPAs I think you will enjoy this refreshing creation from Scarlet Lane Brewery.
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014
November's Ten Recommendations - Midwest Breweries
Every month I am going to be giving my recommendations of beers you should drink. I am going to be breaking it up into two different categories easy and hard to find. Tag me on instagram @midwestbreweries or Facebook at Midwest Breweries when your drinking this great beers.
EASY TO FIND
Stone Brewery's Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale Can this brewery create a bad beer? Hell no! Fairly easy to find this beer. It's unique combination can create a bad day into a good night. Click here to find Stone Brewery Beers.
Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale Can you handle a pumpkin ale not only aged in bourbon barrels but also has above a 10% ABV? Defiantly a Pumpkin beer for that is not for the faint of heart or low tolerance. Click here to find Kentucky Ales.
New Belgium Brewing's Accumulation A great IPA that I have picked up the last three years. Be careful drinking this beer, Indiana does not need snow accumulation like last year. Click here to find.
Leinenkugel's Red Lager Having a little bit of Irish in you never hurts. Drinking a lager can warm you up as the temperature continues to drop. Click here to find.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery's 90 Minute IPA How could I not add a Dogfish Head beer when they just came back to Indiana? At 9.0% ABV drinking two of these in 90 minutes will wash away any day's worries.
HARDER TO FIND
(picture from Alton Brown's Twitter account @altonbrown)
Black Acre's Saucy Intruder Rye IPA If Alton Brown bought a growler of this beer do I even need to say anything? Available at their brewery 5632 E Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46219.
Quaff On's Busted Nuckle A night full of these you might end up with a busted knuckle, but I have not had this experience. Find Quaff On Beer here.
Sun King Brewing's Fistful of Hops Red Don't let the Christmas colors on the can deter you from picking up this beer in November. Find Sun King Beers here.
Three Pints Brewing's Buffaloe Black IPA - An exotic beer that is worth trying. One of favorite beers, even going as far as going to Three Pints Brew Pub on my birthday just to have this beer. Find Three Pint's beers here.
Mashcraft Brewing's Easy Street Shuffle - I might be beating you over the head with this beer but it deserves the praise! It can make you feel like your in a more tropical environment as winter weather begins to arrive. To find Mashcraft beers click here.
That is my list for November. Don't for get to tag me in your pictures.
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Monday, November 3, 2014
Updated Tow Yard Brewery Review - Midwest Breweries
I was first recommended to Tow Yard Brewery after, a friend, Justin went to their launch. Knowing that I love Pale Ales and IPAs, he said that this brewery would be right up my alley. Well, he knows me all too well!
Tow Yard has since become one of my most regular stops during the week. I have to go Indianapolis twice a week for a soccer league and it has become my pre game ritual to grab two Horse Power Ales. Horse Power is a double Pale Ale. I personally had never seen or heard of a double pale ale. If you enjoy hoppy beers Tow Yard is a must stop just for this beer.
The set up of Tow Yard is very conducive for larger groups and yet have the ability to handle many smaller groups at once too. They are a perfect spot for lunch, those getting off work, (since their brewery is right by I-70's onramp) and pre gaming before any event at Lucas Oil Stadium (it is about a 5 minute walk away).
What food they have is fantastic especially their Pretzels and Chicken Wings. (They even have a sandwich called Tonya Harding which makes me laugh every time I see it on the menu.) On Thursday's they have a special where the wings are a $1.50 each and you get the whole wing not just a portion you get with other restaurants. I also really enjoyed their wedge salad and is made with romaine lettuce and roasted pecans. You can see their full menu here.
Offering 5 dollar growler fills Mondays and 4 dollar pints Thursdays this brewery comes highly recommended.
Service: 4.5/5
Food: 5/5
Choices: 5/5 They have plenty of beers to choose from and all great.
Atmosphere: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
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Sunday, November 2, 2014
Sunlight Cream Ale - Sun King Brewing - Indianapolis Indiana
Great crisp and clean tasting beer, would be wonderful on a hot summer day. It is well worth a try.
Repeatability 5/5
Taste 4/5
Appearance 4/5
Aroma 3.5/5
Overall 4/5
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