Widmer Brothers Summer Brews

The American Way = Beer + BBQ + Sunshine

That coming from someone that has only lived in The States, but still… does it get any better?  Sitting on the patio, grilling some grub, enjoying a cold one.  I don’t think so.

In honor of the season that brings us the highest likelihood of said equation, Widmer Brothers has been sending around their summer lineup consisting of the following:

• Shaddock IPA (6.2% ABV)
• Marionberry Hibiscus Gose (5.5 ABV)
• Citra Blonde Summer (4.3% ABV)
• Widmer Hefeweizen (4.9 ABV)

I sat down with each for a bit of a talk and this is where we ended up:

• Shaddock IPA  – A solid, light IPA with a great hoppy nose and mildly bitter body (50 IBU).  This is a classic IPA that I would buy again.
• Marionberry Hibiscus Gose – If you are in the mood for something a bit fruity, the Gose has the goods.  It is a very mild berry brew with the hints of dark berries throughout the taste.  Want a beer that looks more like a wine cooler but isn’t one?  Here you go, sir, here you go.
• Citra Blonde Summer – The mildest of the bunch.  This one won’t get you anywhere the buzz train but it will quench your thirst.  Also the smoothest of the bunch.  Hop heads probably won’t like to go here…
• Widmer Hefeweizen – A classic of the genre.  Widmer Hefe has been around for as long as I can remember and it turns out a consistently solid experience.  I quite enjoy a citrus wedge with this beer, pick the citrus to match your fance.

All in all, you can’t go wrong as long as you match your tastes with this bunch.  For me, the IPA takes the cake.  Others might want to go a little mild.

Bonus: These would all make excellent cooking beers… add that little something special to your summer meals and your equation looks more like this:

The American Way = Beer² + BBQ + Sunshine

Widmer Brothers Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout ’12

Probably the coolest shipment of beer ever!

I wondered what the hell was going on when I had to bend at the knees to pick up the box.  Open ‘er up and what do I see?  A wood box, real wood, real cool… the Widmer Brothers logo literally burned into it.  You could almost still smell the faint hint of smoke.

Pulling open the box, I am greeted with two bottles, one glass, and one tag (pictures below and with lid).  The tag, you see, is for taking initial tasting notes and cellaring it for at least a year from now.  I will be doing just that.

On to the tasting.  As you can see from the picture, it pours super dark with a nice tan head.  Just as a nice imperial stout should look… slightly viscous but not too much.  The first notable characteristic of this beer, though is the nose.  If poured cold, you still really get a sense of the chocolate malt and midnight wheat.  As the beer warms up, though, the raspberry starts to kick in.  The nose is absolutely amazing.  I could smell it all day.

The body is nice and chocolaty with raspberry in the front and middle.  The wheat and barley give it a really creamy mouthfeel, though, so it isn’t sharp but soothing.  As the beer warms up, it becomes more pronounced and better… the finish, which is a little short in the cold end gets more complex with the heat.  We really recommend drinking this around 50° F.  You might want to taste it cold, which isn’t bad, but enjoy it on the warmer side.

All in all, a really nice imperial stout.  The fruit is subtle but noticeable, adding a great character.  Drink it warmer and you will be a very happy beer drinker.

BTW… back to the wooden box.  It asks to be sent back but before sending to put my mark on it… see pic below.  I did a little boy scout project to burn my mark into the wood… a little elementary but unique.  The next one will be better…

Get some if you can!

Widmer Brothers W’12 Dark Saison

New brew!!!

It has been a while since the blog has been updated but not since I have been drinking!  This beautiful beer pours a perty copper color.  Non-existent head, which is a bit of surprise.  Mild saison nose, like a nice clean farmhouse, not the one down the road with the trucks and tractors all in the yard.  Overall taste is mild, as well.  Very nice hints of Belgium and very approachable.  I like them this way.  A good starter Saison that would be easily approachable by noobs and seasoned beer drinkers alike.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Widmer Brothers W ’10 Pitch Black IPA

I just finished off 2/3 of a six pack of these bad boys (Widmer Brothers W ’10 Pitch Black IPA)  in nothing flat… easy to drink, nice as a session, this 6.5% beauty tastes good and packs a punch.  I drank out of the bottle tonight, but you could smell, even through that small little neck of a bottle, that this was maltier than hoppy… the black malt came through both in the nose and the body, making you wonder where all the hops had gone.  Then… all of a sudden… POW… HOPS IN YOUR FACE!  They sneak up on you and give you a little ‘hows your father’ right as you think you are safe. 

Overall a really balanced brew with complexity that keeps you guessing and the right amount of malt and hop to please just about anyone.  Nice work Widmer Brothers!

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock

Tasted >10 days before official release, I feel privileged to post our official tasting of the first beer in the new Widmer Brothers Brothers’ Reserve series, Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock.  See Oh Happy Day #8 – Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock for the official unboxing.  Read here for the official review.

The cast: “The Belly”, Mr. Dave, and myself.

The setting: my kitchen

The experience: outstanding! First things first… looks like they nailed it exactly as intended.  Of course you would expect that from folks as reputable as Kurt and Rob, but you never know… too many conflicting experiences…  Anyhow, as I was saying… they nailed it.  Cherry, oak, and doppelbock all mixed in a perfect union of beer goodness.  From nose to finish, this brew is calculated and exact.  This amber-colored brew starts you off with a with subtle cherry and malt wafting through a tan head… the taste is silky smooth, warming, lightly carbonated… the finish is right back to the cherry and malt and a hint of caramel with just a little tartness to round it all off.  An end to end great experience.

This one is close to hall of fame… really close.  Close enough that when I get another bottle and taste it again, I might change my rating… will have to see.  At least for the style… will have to noodle on it.  In any case, it is a clear winner and belongs at the top of the For the Win category.

Great job on the first brew in the series and looking forward to future releases, guys!

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Oh Happy Day #8 – Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock

Just coming back from the Philippines and what to my wandering eye should appear but a new package from Widmer Brothers… full of beer!   Ok… so this isn’t Twas the night before Christmas, but it always seems a bit like Christmas morning when I get to open a new package addressed to JustBeer…

This particularly joyous occasion brings the first of a new series from Widmer Brothers, Brothers’ Reserve.  Cherry Oak Doppelbock came in a very cool package, individually packaged in a box and surrounded by cherry pits for packing safety.  Not sure how many people it took eating cherries to do this, but it was well worth it for aesthetics.  Maybe a couple were even chewed and spit by Rob and Kurt themselves… ok… kind of gross and creepy, I know.

Anyhow… Upon opening the box, I was treated to a wonderfully green labeled bottle with 9% ABV liquid gold in it.  And that, my friends, is where this story ends… and then the tasting begins.  Which will be a separate post as is our want.

Description on box:

“This doppelbock is fermented with both red tart and dark cherries then aged on new, toasted American oak.  The result is a dark lustrous brew with up-front malty sweetness and fruit notes, completed by caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak undertones.”

See below for official press release and stay tuned for the tasting!  BTW… this doesn’t come out until 10/5/09 and yes, I tasted it on 9/25/09… what can I say… doesn’t hurt to have tried and blogged over 500 different beers…

Official tasting is LIVE… check it out: Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock

  

 

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales
• Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery
• Oh Happy Day #4 – Widmer Brothers Brrr
• Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout
• Oh Happy Day #6 – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale
• Oh Happy Day #7 – Redhook Tripel Belgian-style Ale

Official press release:

Widmer Brothers launches limited release series with Cherry Oak Doppelbock

50 Signed Commemorative Bottles to be Discovered on Store Shelves

PORTLAND, Ore. – Sept. 23, 2009 – The Widmer Brothers have just finished aging a small batch of Cherry Oak Doppelbock, the first release in the brewery’s new Brothers’ Reserve limited-edition series. The 22 ounce bottles are set to arrive in stores across the country beginning October 5.

The Brothers’ Reserve line gives founders and brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer a chance to play with new styles and premium ingredients, showcasing their talent for innovation and honoring their creative passion for craft brewing. The goal is to offer high-end craft beer fans unique, one-of-a-kind brews that are truly limited in nature. These offering are for enthusiastic beer lovers, personally crafted by two of the most enthusiastic beer lovers around.

Cherry Oak Doppelbock is a rich ale, cold-fermented with dark sweet and red tart cherries, then conditioned on new, heavily toasted American oak. The result is a dark lustrous brew with up-front malty sweetness and cherry fruit notes completed by caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak undertones. The complex flavor profile balances the impressive 9% ABV and 40 IBUs.

Each release bears the name of the brother who inspired its creation. In the case of Cherry Oak Doppelbock that’d be Kurt, who hand-signed 50 bottles for consumers to discover as a way to commemorate the series’ launch. “This Doppelbock is something we’ve had a great time creating,” said Kurt. “We’ve been able to use local ingredients to blend some really interesting flavors. It’s been a lot of fun to experiment with. I’m anxious to see if Rob can top this one!”

Cherry Oak Doppelbock is available in 22 ounce bottles uniquely packaged in an individual box. Fifty lucky Widmer Brothers fans will discover Kurt’s hand-signed bottles inside. The autographed bottles have been distributed at random throughout the country and, curious about where they’ll land, the brothers are asking consumers who find one to share the purchase location via Facebook (www.facebook.com/WidmerBrothersBrewing) or Twitter (@Widmer_Brothers).

Brothers’ Reserve Cherry Oak Doppelbock is available at select retailers nationwide* for an SRP of $7.99 – $9.99. Bottles are extremely limited in quantity and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. The second release in the series is set to debut in Spring 2010.

About Widmer Brothers Brewing

What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their twenties, they dreamed of brewing American interpretations of authentic European style beers. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently produces a variety of beers including Drifter Pale Ale, Drop Top Amber Ale, and Broken Halo IPA. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit http://www.widmer.com.

*Look for Brothers’ Reserve Cherry Oak Doppelbock on shelves in AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IN, KS, MA, ME, MN, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI and WY.

Widmer Brothers Snow Plow Milk Stout

Kind of sort of out of the dark beers time of year, but this particular bottle of Widmer Snow Plow had been in the fridge alltogether too long, so I figured I would dispose of it on a semi-chilly spring night just the other night… and actually… a pretty smart choice.  Not only was the dark brew nice in the cold, but it was even better around the campfire with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate… mmmm… shmores.  

The brew itself pours dark and smells sweet.  The body has a nice roasted, dark malt characteristic but they didn’t go overboard so it stays in check.  The finish is slightly sweet and a little short.  Not a bad brew at all… not super unique, but I would enjoy it again in a heartbeat.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Widmer Brothers W’09 Belgian Style Ale

Had to hold off for a few days from blogging to revel in the interview we were lucky enough to be able to conduct with Rob Widmer but it is now time to get back to business.  Pretty fitting to start with Widmer Brothers W’09 Belgian Style Ale, then, don’t you think?  I do and so here we go…

Noticed this at Fred Meyer in Issaquah and had, of course, to have a bottle.  I did drink this out of the bottle, so if drinking it out of a glass changes anything I will let you know. 

This beer has a very slight yeast in the nose. The color is golden yellow, definitely filtered. It is a bit heavier on the hops than I am used to for a belgian style, but it kind of makes sense after talking with Rob and seeing how much they like hops in their neck of the woods.   Overall the finish is pretty clean and short lived.  Here is what they have to say about it on the bottle:

“Our take on a classic Belgian style golden ale. A uniquely Belgian aroma and spicey flavor created by a generous adition of hops.”

At 6.5% ABV this isn’t a lite beer but the color, taste, and finish are… overall a beer that you could drink quite easy but one that doesn’t stand out, IMO. 

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

Just as I posted the announcement of our new Oh Happy Day #6 – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale, I am so quick that I will also post the official tasting!  Drumroll, please…

Lets get straight to it… this is a good beer.  It is solid.  Nothing wrong with it… all pale ale goodness.  This isn’t holy-crap-that-is-the-best-pale-ale-ever beer… but it is very tasty.  Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale comes at you on the darker side with a small head and a very pleasant nose.  It is fragrant, yes, citrus… less so, but I will let them have it.   The body is where it is at for me, for as noted in the press release, you can definitely tell that this is a different hop taste than normal… hard to put a finger on it, to be honest (although the press release says more citrus as noted above), but bottom line is that it is different and you can tell… I like different, consequently, so that bodes well for me.  The overall body is definitely smooth… silky smooth, in fact, as I am about half way through my mug right now.  I has some complexity in the mouth and finish, but nothing to write home about.  As I continue to drink, I think the final on this one is that it is super approachable.  It isn’t in your face with any particular flavor but there are definitely subtle undertones from start to finish that make this a great little beer to drink for probably any occasion.

Nice work folks!  This one will make it into my fridge again.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Oh Happy Day #6 – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

It has been nearly 3 months since our last Oh Happy Day post but I am happy to say the free beerless streak has come to an end!  Our friends at Maxwell PR have brought us Widmer Brothers newest brew, Drifter Pale Ale.  The package, as usual, was creative with its three 12 oz bottles of the brew, some red and white rope, and 3 large bobbers that match the picture of the one on the front of the label.  Nice touch.   I am excited to try this one on for size.  See below for official press release and stay tuned for official tasting!

**UPDATE** OFFICIAL TASTING POSTED HERE – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

The beer is currently on tap at the Gasthaus Pub and is described as:

“Unique and abundent hop aroma and flavor. Mild, malty caramel sweetness to balance the hops. Smooth and inviting.” 

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales
• Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery
• Oh Happy Day #4 – Widmer Brothers Brrr
• Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout

Official Press Release:

SUMMIT HOPS BRING REFRESHING CITRUS TWIST TO NEW PALE ALE FROM WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – December 29, 2008 – Kurt and Rob Widmer, innovators of American-style Hefeweizen, may be laid back guys but they are serious about brewing great beer.  Their latest creation, Drifter Pale Ale, is no exception. Brewed with Summit hops, a new variety known for its intense and abundant citrus aroma and flavors, Drifter’s taste is unique to the category. True to the pale ale style, Drifter’s light bittering hops give the brew a crisp, clean and refreshing finish ideal for those longing for lazy days adrift on the lake. 

 

“We crafted Drifter to make waves in the category and provide beer lovers with a new pale ale experience,” said Kurt Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “Most pale ales are brewed with Cascade hops. Ours is truly an original, made with Summit hops known for their delicate flavor and undertones of tangerine, mandarin orange and grapefruit.”

 

Drifter is a laid back, smooth and inviting pale ale; its subtle caramel malt sweetness balances the tangy hops and leaves drinkers feeling refreshed and satisfied.  Drifter was a Silver Medal winner in the Pale Ale category at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival (GABF); the beer sails in at an ABV of 5.7% and 32 IBUs.

 

Drifter will be available on tap in 20 select states* beginning January 5^th, with six-packs on shelves in early February.  The beer will launch nationwide in mid-April and will be offered year-round.  A Drifter six-pack retails for approximately $8.99.

 

About Widmer Brothers Brewing

What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their twenties, they dreamed of brewing American interpretations of authentic European style beers. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently produces a variety of beers including Drop Top Amber Ale and Broken Halo IPA. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmer.com.

 

*Introductory states include: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, LA, MN, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, SD, TX, WA, WI and WY.