| Guys Drinking Beer 
Stone says: “On the palate, peppery hops assert themselves early and often, with malt sweetness making a brief appearance before being beaten back by a long, complex, and decisively bitter finish. What better way to contemplate the fate of empires past, present, and future?”
Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial India Pale Ale
English IPA, 8.9% ABV
Sayeth the Guys: Karl: Since this is a hyper-traditional, all-imported-English-ingredients fancypants kind of tea-and-crumpets kind of beer, you’ll allow me the use of words like “bollocks” and “bloody hell” and “take the piss” in this writeup, yes? Good, because sadly I actually use them from time to time in real life so this actually won’t be too much of a stretch for me. Pip-pip. Continue reading Review: Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA 
The man behind beers like an asparagus ale, a sour barleywine and an ancho chili double chocolate porter is looking for a new venue to unleash his talents. Two sources, and now Right Brain Brewery, have confirmed that both John Niedermaier – and his assistant – are no longer at the Traverse City, Michigan brewery. Owner Russ Springsteen has taken over the brewing operations and has also taken on a new assistant.
John had, what appeared to be a “I don’t give a ****,” attitude towards brewing. Not in the sense that he didn’t want to brew good beer, but rather a fearless desire to brew off the wall creations. He pushed the envelope of style guidelines and helped put Right Brain on the map of must-visit breweries in an area that already had heavy hitters Jolly Pumpkin and Short’s. Right Brain was well known for not having something that most breweries do; a flagship beer. You never knew what you were going to get on tap when you strolled through the doors and that was the fun of it. We don’t know the circumstances that led to John’s dismissal and, frankly, we don’t need to. What we do know is he brewed some amazing creations and his talents would be an asset at any brewery in the country. Karl recently visited Right Brain, read about his experiences HERE and HERE. We’ve also reviewed one of John’s creations, a Honey Basil Ale. 
Short’s says:
“A lustrous dark red London ale. Rich malt complexities lending notes of toasted caramel, raisins, toffee, and slight roast chocolate. Very light hop additions let the true malt characters promenade throughout the tasting enjoyment this beer offers.”
Short’s The Magician
Irish Red Ale, 6% ABV
Sayeth the Guys Ryan: I have passed over this offering from Short’s a few times before actually picking it up. Nothing against the beer, or the style, but there was always something else on the shelves from Short’s that I was more eager to try. A night while on the road for work and with nothing to do in Lansing but review some beers changed that. The Magician pours plum in color. A good whiff fills the nose with plums and cherries. Continue reading Review: Short’s The Magician No pic of the beer, apparently after 4 beers my photography skills turn to mush Arbor Brewing says: “Deep mahogany with a rich complex palate. Toffee, toasted malts, dried dark fruits, and sweet candy sugar balanced by a subtle earthy, woodsy quality and spicy hops.”
Arbor Brewing Phat Abbot Belgian Dubbel
Dubbel, 8% ABV
Sayeth the Guys Ryan: I’ve always had mixed feelings about Belgian Dubbel’s. I love the idea of the style, with the sweet maltiness, spices and fruits, but just about every one that I have tried has been too boozy and hot for me to really enjoy. Still, I decided to give Arbor Brewing’s offering a shot – mostly because I liked the name “Phat Abbot.” The beer pours murky and brown with a fingers worth of tan head that quickly fades. There’s a lot happening in the nose of this beer with roasted malts, plums, raisins and dark fruits boxing it out to be the first to get my attention. Continue reading Review: Arbor Brewing Phat Abbot Belgian Dubbel 
Maumee Bay Brewing says: “Crafted with the finest ingredients, this historic hometown brew dates back to 1838. With a sparkling dry taste it is a fine light beer with all the qualities of greatness.”
Maumee Bay Brewing Buckeye Beer
Czech Pilsner, 5.2 % ABV
Sayeth the Guys: Ryan: As I reached in to my father-in-law’s “beer fridge” I thought to myself, “I bet this is what Maurice Clarett was really drinking as he was tooling around Columbus back in ’06 with guns and a samurai sword in his SUV? Or maybe CheatyPants SweaterVest uses this in his chili?” My wife and I had just arrived in southeast Michigan, from Chicago. I was thirsty and the beer was cold. Plus, my father-in-law Dale was anxious to get my impression of this sparkling, dry beer. Poured in to whatever glass I could find in the kitchen, Buckeye Beer looks pretty good – golden straw in color with nearly 3 fingers worth of fluffy head that dissipates quickly. Continue reading Review: Buckeye Beer  Dragonmead says
“The very high gravity of this beer is balanced by the smoothness of its finish. Banana and Clove aromas come from the Belgian yeast strain combining with the generous dose of Belgian Candi Sugar. The Saaz hops help to give this beer a balanced bitterness with no noticeable hop aroma.”
Dragonmead Final Absolution Trippel
Tripel, 8.5% ABV
Sayeth the Guys Ryan: This Belgian style Tripel – the flagship beer of Dragonmead – was poured from the taps of Dusty’s Tap Room in Okemos, MI and enjoyed on their patio on a sunny afternoon in early June. The beer pours a lovely creamsicle orange in color with a finger or two’s worth of white, marshmallowy head. Banana and spices fill the nose. Continue reading Review: Dragonmead Final Absolution Trippel 
Arbor Brewing says: “A very drinkable dark ale. Smooth, malty and well-balanced; dry without being too bitter, and full-flavored without being too heavy. Very subtle smoky hints.”
Arbor Brewing Olde Number 22 Alt Bier
Altbier, 5% ABV
Sayeth the Guys Ryan: For a bit of background, an Altbeir is the German’s version of a brown ale; a well-balanced blend of malt and hops. A Sticke Alt is a stronger version of the Altbier and is steeped in history. According to the German Beer Institute the beer is only tapped twice a year, in January and October, and was actually discovered on accident. “The origin of the Sticke, according to local lore, dates from a time when beer ingredients were still measured rather haphazardly by the bucketful. If the brewmaster made a “mistake” and mashed in too generous an amount of malt, he also had to add an extra dose of hops for balance. The finished beer from such a batch would be a strong and substantial beverage.” I have had one other Sticke Alt. It was from the Uerige brewpub in Dusseldorf, which just so happened to make the above mistake and create the style. So how does Arbor Brewing’s version stack up? Continue reading Review: Arbor Brewing Olde Number 22 Alt Bier  how could this picture be crooked? I hadn't started drinking yet. Short’s says: Black is the beer, but soft and sweet on the palate. Rich flavor stems from roasted and dark caramel grains. Sustenance is a very delightful and easy drinking lager with strong emphasis on the balanced malt profile.
Short’s Sustenance Black Beer
Schwarzbier, ?% ABV
Sayeth the Guys Ryan: Sorry about the lack of a picture of the beer itself. This beer, and few others I’m reviewing this week, we’re consumed out of a 6 oz plastic cup at my hotel room in Michigan during a recent business trip. I know I have said this before, but I should at least pack a pint glass from home for these trips. This offering from Short’s is an advertised…to an extent. It did pour black, pitch black to be exact, with a nice khaki, tan head. So that jives with the “Black Beer” description on the label. Continue reading Review: Short’s Sustenance Black Beer You may or may not have noticed that we have a new tab at the top of our homepage, “The Cellar.” It’s a comprehensive listing of what we have in our cellar, when it was purchased or bottled and how much of it we have. There are also some pictures and links to beers currently in the cellar that we have reviewed. Now, I don’t want to shatter your image of The Guys or our cellar. But, the cellar is not a cellar by traditional standards. It is not in the corner of a basement or a specially built room off the kitchen. Instead, our cellar is in the corner of a guest bedroom closet in one of The Guys apartments. While it doesn’t stay at the optimal 50 to 55 degrees – it stays pretty darn close. Continue reading It All Started With Bell’s Java Stout 
Short’s says: This beer is light tasting with the malt and hops melding beautifully, for a clean easily drinkable session brew. Hops are light, but ever present and loaded with an earthy perfume with hop oils and resins that intrigue the palette. Its designed to provide ultimate satisfaction to someone who really appreciates it.
Short’s The Golden Ale
English IPA, 5.8% ABV
Sayeth the Guys: Ryan: I picked this up in April during one of my work trips to Michigan. Short’s had just released it as part of a limited batch of bottles to go out, along with a Smoked Apple Ale. It’s nice to see Short’s releasing more of it’s beers into bottles; Bellaire, MI is a long drive from Chicago. Continue reading Review: Short’s The Golden Rule Page 30 of 35« First«...1020...293031...»Last » | Join The Ranks Of Our "Insiders." Send Us Anonymous News Tips HERE. The Green Lady & Guys Drinking Beer Present A Celebration of Downstate Brewers |
