Author: JW

Cascading The Darkness returns, “Oh, F*ck!”

Minus the screeching tires of the van as it came to a swift halt nearly murdering a dude, the night was perfect.

When MDOT first constructed the northbound exit via Ottawa Ave. (77C) in the heart Grand Rapids, I personally found it to be a bit of a conundrum, to say the least. Why build that?

Now that I’ve personally driven that high road on many occasions, current opinion will state only the good things.

Monday night, the Hoops crew of 4 hopped in the van and left the Dirty Water headed to North Monroe for our meeting to decide November’s Beer of the Month. Bohemian Rhapsody, check. Northbound I-94 to Milwaukee (well, I-196 into GR), check. We were jamming, on the 1! The only thing missing was Phil’s sick face and the metallic blue paint of Wayne’s 1976 AMC Pacer. The Hoops van is Borgman Ford red.

And then,

“Holy F*CK!”

It happened right there and then.

In the blink of an eye, a pedestrian crossing against the signal, conveniently with cellphone in hand, darted out in front of the crew and the van as we exited the highway at speeds above 50 mph. With it’s prepared readiness provided by Butch’s Car Care, NickExel (the HoopsVan) did what it was supposed to do. It stopped. He was safe. We were safe. The walker was obviously just normal America. That would mean inattentive to the world or overattentive to the phone, if you’re counting. It was dark. NickExel was cascading to a green light. It all made perfect sense. 

Thanks, Phil. Brakes are good. Tires are good. We love van.

Thanks, Stephanie. Reaction times are near perfect.

Within mere seconds of our near future-altering experience, our now wide-eyed foursome searched intently for an open meter to park. Even knowing it was after the 6pm paid parking deadline, finding a meter near our destination still feels like thievery. Oh, to be of the Hood. Rachel gets it. (So does Robin. It’s a pretty Thicke joke.) 

Secured in the Motu 50200, the quest for our monthly grail continued afoot. 30 pieces of silver? No, 30 strides of march tuned to a different drum. Sadly, the song was over before it started but with only the most grandiose of consequences.

A swiftly opened door, the aroma of Queservesa, the cracking of the Klask puck against the sideboards. Oh, home. Born here, built here. Our life is this City.

We’re all City Built in a way. Hoops Boss is WestSide born, SouthEast-side grown. JW rocked the crown as a Polar Bear, now she’s Hoops Queen. CG camped out at PAC-man’s, goddess of Lincoln Park.  The Lost from 7-7-11 live on and watch over us. Oak, Harry, Chunk and Lucy all said goodbye, but loved us muttly. Our HOF is littered with those long gone. Who Loves You Babe? #WLYB

Where were we? We were at City Built. Where am I going with this?

Focus. (Spelling it f-o-u-c-s autocorrects to douche on our cpu) Seriously, focus.

Ok, okay, O.K. Pill, please. Tangential love for America. Wait. What? (I need a day off.)

As we reset the pins for the 2nd game, we’ll move you over a couple lanes and have you throw those rocks on the “Bumpers Up!” side of the facility. We’re not saying you’re unable to comprehend our Beer of the Month on a ‘every night of the week’ bowling schedule, we’d just rather you come hang out on Glow Bowl night because that’s who WE are. There’s a whole lot of ‘my way or the highway’ going on out there, we’re on the “hey, it’s over here if you want some” train. Trumpets aren’t Bugles, they’ll hurt your teeth.

(Hoops Boss is pretty sure the staff at City Built found out about his bartender cheat sheet.)

From GC,

“seriously, it’s a way of connecting with them. I (don’t) forget names (but I don’t care to say hi to 

that girl our friend allegedly banged back in 1995, Steve). I like nicknames. They’re better. If you think I’m Corn because my last name is Cobb, frickin’ cool! If I’m a Defensive Back to you, call me DB (yes, that’s douchebag)! Thanks, Fonz! That actually happened. He dated Pinky. Ask Roundy.  We got Stout his Dirty J Stout shirts, too. Weed, Boze, DDD, JW, Gordo, Crocket & Tubbs, Dennis, Ernie, Luck Unit, Spoelly, Zood-amah, G Unit, Ed Nealy, The Whit, Lil’ Chris, Chris Jesus, PaulE, ‘netter, FeetzMann, DonnySue, DannySue, Kissimmee, Sonny Bono (mikey nap), Mono Nick, Blueberry, Boo Gaa!, Sofia, Pork, Pudge, Spider, Rug, Arlo, Deerdra!, Swamp Donkey, Hollywood, Nick from New Girl, Benny 9-10, Coley, T, Grizzly Doug, Gage, JW, Bud Man, Peggy from the FLA, the Aunties, Grandma Ruth, Grandma Jo, Grandma (jo) Hall, my Father-In-Law Jake the Snake, Big Jimmy G, MC Brophy and that dude, Ronnie Mack. Who are you talking about?”

We got him back on track when we had Sarah with an H drop off his favorite beer of all-time, Melisandre, at the table.

Game 3:

Hey, I thought I was still in charge until December? MOVE!

Back in control of the night and the keyboard, I asked Nick from New Girl to add on a Cascading the Darkness knowing that we’d already settled on City Built as our BOTM brewer.

City Built Brewing Company logo Without further ado (nearly 900 words into it), we’re proud to announce that Cascading The Darkness from City Built Brewing is our November 2018 Beer of the Month! Whether or not there has been a 2-time winner beforehand, I’m claiming 1st 2-time winner! 

Now, I’m probably wrong because of New Holland’s Mad Hatter and my love for their beer. But, this dark conglomerate of Porter-like style

and IPA finish. Like a black-and-tan without the shitty domestic Mississippi River water from Bud. Is it perfect? Um, what is perfection except craft beer? That’s just a silly question. Can it score? People keep ordering it up. Can it defend? Lovers of it will swear up-and-down about its natural coloring and distinct influence on their food choices. Brussels Sprouts anyone? Intangibles? Porter-like IPA. Hoppy, smooth, dark. Pour it correctly and it’s a tall, dark and handsome fella that will make you take that walk of shame in the mor

ning, sans the sheep-following invoice (I mean college tuition) and the inevitable donation request from your alma mater on the day you pay off college, whether you’re dropping two or none upon presentation.

Find a ride home before you go, Uber ain’t picking you up once you’ve Cascaded through this flow. Gutters await if you’re walking.

6.6% ABV. Available in a 4 oz. skosh, 10 oz. DeVito, 16 oz. pint and crowlers to-go! But, unless you’re in a rush, there is no sense in missing out on this crowd of characters behind the bar, on the floor and, especially, in the kitchen.

Chef Lizzie is incredible! While she won’t talk to me anymore (I’m annoying and inquisitive), I’ll keep bugging the staff to let her know everything is superb. Eddie’s had our back since Day One.

City Built would go 12-for-12 every year in the Beer of the Month category if I keep having to write it.

Hell, I’m already a Mug Club member.

Cascade my friends, into the darkness.

Nothing. Is. Better.

 

 

Hoops koozies

MELISANDRE from City Built Brewing

Beer of the Month is Back!

While it’s been a fun summer of taste testing across this great state of Michigan, the early fall weather (after the Equinox, not when school starts) took over the senses and sent us back inside for the beginning of basketball season and another year-round of Beer of the Month.

This season, we’ve got a new twist to our selection process. Each week, we’ll try a different concoction from one of our favorite locals and let you know the nominees until the monthly champion is chosen in the final week of each month. It’s our Beer of the Month, during Beer of the Week week. Got it?

This month, there’s been nothing in the cold box except for Melisandre!

It’s my personal favorite, a Red IPA that packs 7.1% ABV and flows like the water on some distant Starwarsian planet. Did I mention it’s Red and an IPA?

And now, City Built is putting it in cans so they can open up some spots at the bar and people like me can “go drink that somewhere else, please”.  #HappyHourHustle

No more news, just go get some cans while they last. Make sure to take a flight while you’re there.

 

Cascading, Brewt, Melisandre…

 

CHEERS!

Orange is the new Tangerine (Space Machine)

My Tangerine Space Machine Tour

Let me begin by first listing a few random, personal disclaimers; I’m no beer connoisseur, I’m generally good at knowing what suits my taste, and more importantly, I clearly identify those beers I will not be trying again.

I wouldn’t specifically call out fruit-flavored or fruit-infused beers, but I haven’t met a citrus beer I’ll turn down, and February 2018’s Beer of the Month goes with that flow – fruity enough to notice, while hoppy enough to differentiate itself from the Blue Moons and Oberons of our great craft brewery booming country.

If you’re still reading this amateur craft beer review, you probably won’t stop until the end. I’m sorry in advance. Buckle up, you’re about to take a virtual trip on the Tangerine Space Machine.

Any other beer, by any other name, would’ve been purposely overlooked, but not this one. The big, bold, orange and blue box caught my eye, and in light of Valentines’ Day, stole my heart.

Tangerine Space Machine (TSM) is a refreshingly fruity blast of hoppy beer goodness. The kicker – the thing that ultimately compelled me to try it – the words on the box, the marketing works! The first thing I read aloud, “Citrus Juicy Hazy,” brought me back to TLC’s CrazySexyCool album, peaking my curiosity.

Then, I found it, in itty bitty capital letters, on one of the end flaps of the 6-pack box:

There once lived a bitter soul

With a fruitful life as his goal

Hopped in his space machine

Went to New England to find his queen Came back…In a haze of tangerine.

Had I known my love of the English language would bring me to feel so fondly toward any beer, much less a beer that my husband also enjoys, this is my destiny. Who knew a tangerine filled space helmet could inspire so much harmony?

After having enjoyed this juicy, holy nectar, I hope this craft beer isn’t a special, seasonal, temporary New Holland treat – I need it all year ’round.

4 Elf from Dark Horse Brewing

HOLIDAY CHEER IN LIQUID FORM

It’s that time of year again. Yes, it’s Christmas season. Or holiday season. Or, well, let’s just call it December and agree that we should steer away from political talk and venture into revealing the beer of the month together.

Trying to stay with the winter theme, we’ve picked 4 Elf from Dark Horse Brewing as our 2017 December Beer of the Month.

This winter warm spiced ale “is holiday cheer in liquid form. Spicy aromas like cinnamon and clove give this dark brown winter warmer a proper holiday welcome. Balanced between malt, hops, and spice at 8.75% ABV this beer goes great with all holiday foods—from sweet snacks to the roast beast”, according to their website.

With 840 ratings on BeerAdvocate.com, 4 Elf is a VERY GOOD 3.85 out of 5. One of those ratings, from user  Eamonn-Cummings3, explains “Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Teku glass. Look is a dark brown with an off white head. Aroma is of coffee malt and dark dried fruits. Taste is a lot more of the spicing and more of that roast coffee.”

Over ar RateBeer.com, 4 Elf received an 88 overall score. 4 Elf has 287 hits on Untappd (282 are unique visits).

This brew, freshly available in October, November and December, comes in pony kegs, half barrels and the ever so readily available and easier to carry 4-packs.

Merry Christmas! Cheers to you getting lucky and finding some 4 Elf on your shelf.

November 2017: Bockefeller by Atwater Brewing

BOCKEFELLER wins November!

Atwater Brewing Company’s Bockefeller has been named the November 2017 Beer of the Month by the  BeerCityHoops staff.

Brewed to flavor the season, Atwater’s Winter Bock “boasts the body and deep malt flavors matched with a warming, but well blended hint of alcohol”, according to their website. This brew chimes in with an ABV of 7.00% and IBU rating of 25.

Over on Untappd app, 68 users check in monthly with 7,151 unique hits and 8,686 totals hits for Bockefeller.

BeerAdvocate.com gives the winner 3.75 out of 5 score with a VERY GOOD rating. One user described it: “Pours an orange amber color with decent head. Kinda taste Like a Mai Bock. Starts out with a mild caramel honey flavor maybe hints of bread only slightly sweet. Then turns a little bitter with some hop notes. The very final finish ends more sweet. Somewhat smooth over all.”

 

October 2017: Pigeon Hill’s Oktoberfest

Why wouldn’t October’s beer of the month be named Oktoberfest?

We couldn’t think of a good reason either.

Pigeon Hill Brewing in Muskegon produces this “lightly hopped beer (which) has a semi-dry finish that nicely complements its light-to-medium body. A light caramel and malty sweetness provides a pleasing smooth flavor.”

With an overall score of 3.57 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate.com’s scale, Oktoberfest is right in line with some of our past winners.

The beer come in at 20 IBUs and has an ABV of 6.0%.

“This is a pretty nice looking Marzen with a slightly higher amount of medium sweetness and a little bit of an apple cider-like aroma that ends with a fairly smooth & crisp, slightly creamy taste on the lighter side.” reader StoutHead said back on October 18, 2017.

Superspak had earlier chimed in with “tastes like a step between Pale Festbier and Amber Marzen overall. Clean and flavorful Pils/Munich malts, just enough bitterness for balance, and solid noble hop flavor presence. A very enjoyable offering, and great style example.”

Check out our October beer of the month while it lasts at:
PIGEON HILL BREWING COMPANY

September 2017: Lift Bridge Brown Ale – Keweenaw Brewing

The September 2017 Beer of the Month is Lift Bridge Brown Ale from Keweenaw Brewing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. An ode to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, one of only 26 vertical lift bridges in the US, which spans the Keweenaw Canal between Houghton and Hancock. It is reportedly the widest and heaviest double-decked lift bridge in the world.

So, we’ll lift a full glass and cheers to this American Brown Ale with its “rich, dark brown color, complex malt flavor” and hints of chocolate and caramel with a mild hop finish.

From bulk_carrier on ratebeer.com, “the appearance was a dark amber close to brown color with a finger’s worth of sustaining white foamy head. Some lace. The aroma had some toast, caramel, toffee, earthy hops, light grassiness. Ends with a little bit of woodiness. The flavor mildly leaned towards the malts trying to pull in some light sweetness. But some light roast and some bitterness came in for a decent balance. Nice malty aftertaste. Some wood dryness and earthy hops in the finish. The feel was about medium bodied with a decent sessionability about it. Good carbonation. ABV felt right. Overall, pretty good brown ale to me. I’d have again if I could get it.

Looking to take a trip north to Michigan Tech to drop our your college student? Keweenaw Brewery’s taproom is located in Downtown Houghton on the north side of Shelden Ave. (US-41). They feature a daily selection of fresh beers brewed right on the premises. They even provide roasted peanuts for guests in their welcoming environment. The 3400 sq. ft. taproom includes two bars, a seating area around a fireplace and an outside deck.

But don’t confuse Lift Bridge Brown Ale by Keweenaw Brewing with Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater, MN. Stillwater is home to a lift bridge with spans the St. Croix River northeast of St. Paul, MN, a mere 300+ miles away from Copper Country.

The newest brew at Keweenaw is Point Trail Ale. The beer was crafted specially to benefit the Copper Harbor Trails Club, which maintains 40 miles of single track trails in the Keweenaw Peninsula. 25 percent of profits from Point Trail Ale will support constructing its namesake, the new Keweenaw Point Trail. The trail is “going to be, eventually, about 30 miles. We currently have phase 1 and phase 2 on the ground for a total of about 8 miles. We’ve got another 16 miles in the plans, and that’s what this product is going to help support is the next 16 miles of trail,” said Lori Hauswirth, executive director of Copper Harbor Trails Club.

August 2017: Odd Side Ale’s Dirty Dank Juice

Cloudy, hazy and a tiny foam cresting the top with a golden finish.

Grand Haven pier hazy
(photo credit: Elyse Merritt)

While that sounds like a late fall day on the south pier in Grand Haven on the shores of Lake Michigan, to us it’s the perfect portrayal of what the offseason hoops and hops should be.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to Odd Side Ale’s Dirty Dank Juice. It’s their take on a New England IPA, the second consecutive month the staff here at BeerCityHoops has chosen the Nor’easter-style brew (following Old Nation’s M-43 in July). As Odd Side’s website describes it, “low bitterness gives way to juicy hops and a smooth, creamy, hazy beer.”

We, in fact, were enveloped by the the orange, citrus and other fruity tones as the Dank poured freely from our first cans into the suggested tulip glasses at the Dirty Water Tavern, our “meeting room” of choice here at the office. Dirty Dank Juice has a 7% ABV and 55 IBUs.

The Dirty Dank Juice rates in at an 87 on BeerAdvocate.com and a 92 on RateBeer.com, with an overall 3.8 out of 5.0 in 12 ratings.

While many on the beer rating sites claim this may or may not be a “true” New England, we’ve come to believe that if you believe, you can call it what you want. The mellow finishing notes hide the overall feel of being bitter, playing soft and medium in the end.

Medium in body, kind of sticky in texture, and above average in carbonation.

The Dank Collection

The Odd Side Ales Dank collection includes renditions in Pink Guava, Mango, Passion, Amarillo, Pineapple (which hit stores in early August) and Mosaic.

At the brewery, located at 41 Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven, Odd Sides works with Electric Hero Sandwich Shop, which will deliver lunch or dinner right to you while you experience the odd side of Coast Guard City, USA.

Last year, North Peak Brewing out of Traverse City, MI took home the Hoops’ 2016 offseason title.

July 2017: M-43 N.E. IPA from Old Nation Brewing

Our July choice for Beer of the Month, M-43 New England IPA, is from Old Nation Brewing’s “New Orthodox” IPA series.

M-43 off the tap at HopCat in Grand Rapids. (July 9, 2017)

Last week, we were at HopCat in Grand Rapids on our “best burger and beer combo” tour and had the opportunity to do some taste testing out of both a can and off the tap.  While we enjoy a great can of beer, especially in one of our koozies, the M-43 tends to settle a bit near the bottom and we recommend having them pour you a draft when possible.

M-43 is a juicy IPA made using a slightly different process than the normal IPAs we’re familiar with. The brewers use oats to secure the juiciness near the end of the beer. It is also dry-hopped during fermentation.

This beer is hazy and cloudy in features. M-43 gets its haze “not from yeast, but rather from an interplay of lipids from the malted oat and oils and acids which naturally occur in the hand selected Dry hops”, according to the Old Nation website.

M-43 uses a combo of Calypso, Amarillo, Citra and Simcoe hops for it’s 6.8% ABV and 65 IBUs.

BeerAdvocate.com rates it as a “world class” 96. With 242 ratings on their website, M-43 brings home a 4.45 average on a scale of 5.

Old Nation Brewing is located in Williamston, MI, about 90 miles east of Beer City, USA.

From the Old Nation website:

“The First release in Old Nation’s “New Orthodox” IPA series, M-43 is designed to accentuate the deep and complex character from the combination of Calypso, Simcoe, Citra and Amarillo hops. Citrus and Tropical notes of Pineapple, Mango and Grapefruit come through in the huge, yet surprisingly delicate aroma. The flavor backs these aromas with a soft, pillowy mouthfeel. Hop bitterness is not particularly intense, which leads to a very drinkable, New England IPA even non-IPA fans love. The Haze is not from yeast, but rather from an interplay of lipids from the malted oat and oils and acids which naturally occur in the hand selected Dry hops. This beer is a perfect interplay between top grade malt and hops, MI water and brewing technique which cannot be faked.

Hops aren’t cheap, but M-43 is worth every penny!”

We agree.

June 2017: Cascading Into Darkness from City Built Brewing

Looks like porter, taste like hops

What can’t we say about our June 2017 Beer of the Month from the newest brewery to open up in Beer City, USA?

City Built Brewing, located at 820 Monroe NW near the Grand River just north of the Sixth Street bridge, serves up a pretty mean 6.66% ABV Nordic-inspired black IPA made with juniper and cardamom.

Cascading Into Darkness (pictured at left) is a black/Cascadian dark ale that hits like a rainstorm in Seattle and causes the same facial expression your dad gave you after describing the third change in your college major back in sophomore year. “Damn!?!”

Yes, it looks like a porter, dark and deep. But it finishes like an IPA, floral and hoppy. If you know the Hoops crew, (if not, just follow along with our Beer of the Month blog) IPA’s are our deal. And this beer is a big one in our books.

With 110 check-ins on untapped.com, it’s 91 ratings average out to a 3.78 overall score for the 65 IBU concoction from brewmaster/co-owner Dan Petroelje.

With the honor of knowing co-owner Ed Collazo beforehand, our group experienced a great night on the town in the former Sackner Products building now run by 616 Development that also houses the 616 Lofts, Beer City Barre, Fido & Stitch and Field & Fire.

The menu is Puerto Rican-inspired delicacy, prepared for the local Grand Rapidian or any weary traveler, including this dedicated writer, pen hoarder and inspiration of ours.

GET THE TACOS! It doesn’t matter what kind you would order, (pork, shrimp, chicken, cheeses or veggie) you must try them all. The Hoops crew also got a bit cheesy by ordering the Queservesa, a warm housemade beer cheese with sofrito and cheddar jack, which is served hot with house tortilla chips. Then, order another round of food and drinks.

Congrats, City Built Brewing!

The BeerCityHoops Beer of the Month for June 2017 is Cascading Into Darkness!

Tweet at us using the hashtag, #IAmBeerCity

  Don’t forget to check out the City Built online store for all your swag!