New Beer Sunday (week 525)

That's not a problem in Spring time for me!

 

Just because it's local, doesn't mean you have to support it. And hey, maybe with some age, the Enforcer could mellow out. Grab a second and put it away.

 

Awesome freakn' brew!

Cheers!

 

Welcome to NBS. Check out 10 Commandments... now there's a unique beer by Lost Abbey.

 

This brew was fantastic when I had it. Anchorage knows how to nail some tasty/funky brews!

 

Still

New IPA Sunday

2nd new brew for me today, not bad, but would most likely not buy again.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/95386/?ba=Wasatch

Cheers!

 

Your score is close to what I gave it. Middle of the Road for me too.

 

A fine beer to toast with! Cheers mate!

 

Ladies and gentleman,

I'd like to draw your attention to a just-realized notion: I feel like those of you who routinely post in NBS (looking at you, @JuicesFlowing @Shroud0fdoom @Greywulfken @beertunes @smakawhat @cavedave @utopiajane @WesMantooth and others I've forgotten) are now beyond acquaintances, but less than friends- a funny state in the middle. Routine posts and a dedication to the finer side of beer unites us. To those of you I didn't mention, keep posting, and you'll join those (in my head) who I consider regulars.

[raises his snifter of Sucaba to toast NBS]

 

Thank you, and no kidding on Ten Commandments. Such a syrupy beer, and I had no idea that rosemary could be so prominent. Not a sinkpour, out of respect for the brewery and the effort it put into the beer. But I couldn't finish the bottle. Unforgettable, though. Cheers!

 

and what is next for our hero?

Grand Cru - Brasserie Castelain


Brasserie Castelain - Grand Cru by imbibehour, on Flickr

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http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/380/85021/?ba=smakawhat

Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. Good give off the cork, minor twist and she pops out nicely with no effort and nothing crazy either. Date on bottle back Nov 30th 2013. Good Till? Bottled on? Not sure.

A creamy one finger off tan head is made, not much else on that except a simple sheened thin puck, slightly creamy but dissolves quite a bit. Body color is real interesting. Gotta love this style, such a varied animal. The body color is very translucent, deep shiny brass tangerine orange, just barely see through if slightly cloudy. Microfine carbonation on the sides in faint streams keep that head going. For a blonde biere de garde I'd figure yellow, but nope there you have it. Really love this shady and bright brass orange quality, unlike any color I've seen before. Lovely looking brew.

Aroma has a sense of sugary caramel, and lots of sticky taffy like notes. Nice mild dry floral sense, quite "airy" if I could say, almost like perfume but still quite subtle as the sugar notes dominate the brew. Doesn't seem to hint of farmhouse much but that's ok, it's certainly pleasant, and has a very distinct caramel flavor on the nose to it.

Palate really takes a nice change. Sweet caramel definitely is the flavor profile but finally other factors jump in the mid palate. A refreshing light body with a grassy dry quality hits all over. Mild earth tones finish, barely hinting a little at pepper, but come out more like dried herbs of thyme and mint with a real light finish. Breath mint quality aftertaste but very herbal and far less sweet than the bouquet indicates on the palate it seems from first go. Mouthfeel is surprisingly unexpected and light, but it works nicely. Easy light drinking herbality matches with a mild tea and toffee green earth flavor all over.

Fun neat beer. Not amazing, probably not everybodies cup of tea either, but delicious and I love the light character and hinting dryness that takes much of the sweetness into some delicious herbal depth. Aged probably pretty lengthy, probably not fresh, but still quite delicious. And if it's still 2 years expired, still solid drinking.

look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4 | BA generated score: 3.96

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Still quite fascinated by this brew, almost coming off like a mystery with that date on the back. Perhaps being my classic over analytical self, I am reading too much into this... but I don't care I am having too much fun enjoying myself.

Cheers!

 

Yeah, I really didn't know what to make of the beer. I REALLY wanted to like it, for the concept alone. In my head I said, "I'm glad I tried it, and I maybe even enjoyed it. But I'd not buy it again."

 

Hey all you NBS'ers!
I'm back after a one week hiatus and happy to be here.
We're still dealing with our never ending winter here in the northeast and honestly I've had it. Can't wait to see some green or a crocus popping up buts its not to be yet- 40's all next week again.
Well I had one planned and had to change up due to a package arriving Friday. ( which I was more than happy to do)
Today's beer: Bissell Brothers Swish courtesy of my brother Warren who resides in the beautiful state of Maine.
Can doesn't say much except "this can represents what we value most in brewing-freshness and hop flavor" which is kind of cool.
A- cloudy orange/gold in color. Nice head dissapates quickly leaving spotty lacing on the glass. Unfiltered but not "chunky"
S- the minute the can was opened I got the explosion of grapefruit and pine. From the glass beautiful tropical notes. Mango stands out as well as pineapple and tangerine. There is darkness and I believe I'm getting like a funky yeast smell.
T- I let this warm up a bit and it was worth the wait. The flavor opened up quite a bit with tropical fruit notes, tangerine pith, grapefruit and a well balanced bitterness that doesn't linger. However the flavor hangs around for quite some time. Delicious.
M- tiny abrasive bubbles scrub the tongue and get you ready for the next sip. DRY.
O- I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. It has a hop profile I love. Always trying to avoid repetitive comparisons but its up there with the freshest hoppiest most delicious DIPAs I've had. That being said I realize the beer is hard to come by. I can't help asking myself the question: Is Grey Sail getting the accolades they deserve for Captains Daughter? Because the minute I popped the can that beer came to mind. Throughout the tasting I kept going back to CD. Is CD really up there with the heavy hitters of the style? Or is this beer overrated due to hype and availability? I'm going with CD up there in the top 10 or better for the style. And due to the availability issue I'm going with CD. This was a fantastic brew but I have 4 fantastic CD's in my fridge right now.
And for today- there's still IMO nothing like vinyl.
Cheers enjoy your week and as always thanks for listening!

 

Exactly my experience.

 

I never do this: two posts on NBS. But here goes.

Pinner, by Oskar Blues is a 4.9% ABV IPA. I know, I know, the typical session IPA thing. No. I like session IPAs, I just hate the name and the bitching about how it's actually a pale ale. Whatever. It's a low ABV IPA. Deal with it.

Enough snarky attitude. Here's the beer:

Crystal clear light copper ( honestly cannot think of the proper word to describe the color) body with a creamy head that takes a while to settle. Random foamy lacing.

Smells fruity, floral, and hoppy. Simple and direct.

Tastes more piny and herbal than fruity, but there's enough citrus and faint tangerine in there to add depth.

Mouthfeel is light and dry.

Overall, awesome. Tasty, light, and hoppy. I like session IPAs unlike most who bicker that they are just "light pale ales" ... No. It tastes like an IPA with less alcohol.

 

Excellent school... holy carp I have to go back!!

PS - had a great instructor chef and assistants too.

 

One can only wish, I just wished Maine Beer would distribute Dinner to the lower states.