New Beer Sunday (week 575)

What a beautiful day for a beer al fresco

This all reminds me of a few tasks waiting for me come spring, but I actually can't wait to replace that old fencing and repaint the guard gnome. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy some Kelso Imperial IPA in the spring like sunshine.

The nose is sweet and fruity. Grilled /caramelized pineapple dominates, but there's blood orange and berries mixed in as well. Some pine brings up the rear. The palate carries those flavors through, but comes up bigger in the caramel department. It's also rich with just enough bitterness to keep it honest. As I get deeper into the glass it starts to take on a cloying caramel and candied orange peel quality; I would have preferred it to stay with the fresher pineapple direction, but the heaviness is dominating instead. Ultimately drinkable for one glass at a time, but that's about it. B (3.65)

ETA: wow, I just noticed that this is 10% abv (and not just by reading the label ), and you'd never know it by the taste. This is definitely more of a Triple IPA then. I don't think it changes my evaluation at the moment, but I'll definitely keep it in mind going forward.

 

It has the aroma of a bigger, higher ABV stout. The overarching and, IMO, the best feature is the cocoa notes right in the front, almost like unsweetened cocoa. That bold, but not bitter cocoa and coffee combination is very solid. The mouthfeel is of medium thickness and lasts a bit on the tongue.

I like stouts a lot, but knocking out a heavy, 10+ ABV stout tends to be arduous. My overall impression is that Stone did a very nice job making a stout that I could have a couple of and not be boozed up.

 

Spencer Trappist Brewery of Spencer, Massachusetts and this is their Imperial Stout with an 8.7% ABV. This was released for the first time in January 2016 so it is only a few weeks old. SO it fits into the "new beer" guidelines.

Spencer, as many craft beer enthusiast already know, is a monastery, which until most recently was best know for their jams and jellies But in 2014 they were formally welcomed into the elite club of Trappist Breweries that include the likes of Chimay, Westmalle, and St. Bernardus. You have to met a certain level of quality to be able to market your beer with the "Trappist" logo, which is why there are only about a dozen of them.

This pours a deep dark brown to near black with a lingering tan silky head. Big aroma of dark burnt malts, raisins, sweetness, mild spice and a low to no hop profile. Oh, yeh. Some earth. Better than medium body. Same burnt malt taste with a mild bitterness to finish. It is flavorful but I do not think it is as exciting as some other Russian Imperial Stouts that I have had. But it was quite enjoyable.

 

Starting off NBS with this beast. So far I'm wondering if I let it sit too long. Bottled in June and now tasting fairly tame. Starting off fairly tame, some light dark chocolate cake notes (understanding the name now) and some slight sweetness. No roast to speak of but at mid-palate the habanero heat starts to kick in and really dominates through the finish. Overall, I'm a big Xocoveza fan and still prefer it. There isn't much cinnamon or other spice complexity to mention which I would have expected in this one.

 

Opps, hit reply instead of Like, and can't figure out how to go back. Nothing to see here, move along.

 

This next entry would have been more impressive a few years ago, but recent political events have changed that. Thanks Obama! A tick from Cuba! http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1685/18760/

 

Yes, I did know that. The voice of many mistakes here.

 

Enjoying another Mikkeller Foret variant, this time the du Centre medium toasted. Loving these. Cheers.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13307/108786/?ba=cindyjeffsmith

 

And, now for an interesting brew from the capitol of Oregon: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22432/58039/

 

Time to ride this tiger....

Dayglow IPA - Elysian Brewing Company


Elysian Brewing - Dayglow IPA by imbibehour, on Flickr

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Poured from the bottle into a Spiegelau IPA glass.

Bright orange amber body color with fine rising carbonation, with a matching billowing bright white but in control three finger head. Settles pretty quickly with minimal retention, ring like lacing, and a good half finger puck while settling.

Hop angle goes for that Mosaic pineapple angle for sure which is right out of the gate on the nose. Aroma shifts though to more calmer and complimenting territory of orange citrus, and a short spiced note. Clove like phenols just a hair and a sharp brown space permeate which makes for some real unexpected pleasure. Moderate dank and earth too. There's a lot of complex and varied hop flavors that are going on here, which make for a fun place to explore if that's your thing.

Palate manages to keep the goodness rolling with not much surprises. Exceptionally session like tasting but with far more kick and punch, hard to put into words but reminds me of what a session IPA should be. Mid palate comes with a drying juiced orange citrus on first sip and rush. Creamsicle flavors but far drier leaving juicy qualities behind but with an almost mimosa like flavor. Palate hits and also flies quick, with airy dry pine finish with a wood like smoldering character aftertaste. Nice touches of malt sweetness to keep things rooted, and a mild chewy character which washes a bit clean and fast though.

What's going on here exactly? I am not sure but I seem to be enjoying it for a very varied hop profile on an IPA.

look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25 | BA Generated Score: 4.23

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Cheers!

 

New Imperial Stout

What an awesome weekend in West MI!? Blue skies and temps in the low 60s melted nearly the full 8-10" in of snow that caused a snow just 3 days ago. I was even in short sleeves, throwing around the football this afternoon.

I have to agree with @utopiajane on the fine pale ale she enjoyed today. I received a growler in a trade during fantasy soccer a few years back and was blown away.

Today's beer was top notch, and probably my first from the great state of OK.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30356/94350/?ba=GRPunk

Prairie Bomb!
12 oz. bottle from Copper Vine ($8.59) poured into a Stone snifter.

A- A 1-finger, brown head is created with a normal pour. The body is jet black, showing very dark brown/red edges when held to light. The head settles to a thin film, and there are rings left on the glass from just a swirl, even more so with a sip.

S- It's straight up chocolate on first inspection. Coffee is another dominant trait. With some warmth, I get a distinct, vanilla sweetness and a hint of heat from the peppers. Some warmth and there is an impression that this packs a serious ABV punch.

T- Oh, that's nice! Bold and complex. I get a lot of coffee and semi-sweet chocolate, much like a chocolate flavored coffee my wife used to keep stocked for weekend brewing. The chili peppers play a supportive role, and do a great job through the finish. It all comes together nicely, with no element dominating. I wouldn't mind just a little more heat on the back end. Though my wife said it was "a lot of chili pepper," to each his/her own. With a little warmth, everything gets amplified, without changing any of the balance.

M- Full bodied and viscous. There's a little alcohol warmth and a little bite from the peppers. A little long in the finish, perhaps.

O- At the pricing point, it's a special treat for sure. That said, I'm glad I listened to my "beer guy, Jim" and pulled the trigger. I would definitely buy a couple more to hold onto for a special occasion. It's difficult to find many faults in this beer.

4.25 5 4.5 4 4.5

 

Good afternoon NBSers! As always thanks Maria @utopiajane for kicking things off graciuosly as usual and for getting those taste buds stimulated with delicious food photos. Coming to you from TC Deck here in lovely Western RI.
You can tell by the sun spring can't be far off. Just a gorgeous day here.
I'm done with work for the day and I've briefly scrolled through some posts and let me tell you we have some killer beer selections and photos today. Anyhow not gonna waste too much time because I'm so excited about todays brew:
SCHNOODLEPIP- WILD BEER CO, see bottle.
Pours a gold pink tinged liquid with many tiny bubbles that has a quickly disappearing head and touch of spotty lacing.

Smell is oak, red wine, Brett and floral like aromas with a touch of light spices. Awesome

Taste is wine and oak with rose petal floral notes, light spicyness and some tropical fruit and pink grapefruit. Nice sourness that doesn't overpower. Complex.
There's lots going on here and it lasts .....so delicious

Medium tiny bubble carb with a mildly peppery finish that is bone dry.

WOW. I seriously dig wine Barrel aged sours. The complexity that developes with the Brett, fruit flavors and any ingredients added is just phenomenal to me. This beer is one of those you don't forget - for me anyway. Vaguely reminds me of Keraterra from Proclamation here in RI but without the peppery spice. That beer was in my top 10 of last year. This may be for this year. If youre into the style its an absolute must!

Looking forward to Crate Day next Vinyl Saturday. That being said I flipped the switch to 45 rpm adjusted the pitch and toned NOVS down to a relaxing Paul Simon tune......this will ease your weary mind......Happy Sunday and as always thanks for listening!!

 

Great band and aways lived the drummer. Great mixer of styles: jazz-funk-rock-pop

 

Spending some time with this gift. This was purchased mainly for the video game can but as it turns out it is a tasty beer.




3.93/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pale and hazy light gold with a white head. There are a few ribbons of lacing left behind. The nose is mainly pineapple to me but I also feel like there is mango and honey present. There is a nice sweetness detected and a touch of piney hops. The taste is sweet with a lot of mango and pineapple but the bitter piney finish balances the sweetness nicely. This beer has a mouthfeel that is close to medium and a little bit of carbonation. This is a really well made and uniquely flavored DIPA. I really like it and would drink it again if I ever came across another can.

 

Back at it nbs and it's really cooling off here. Back to the grind this week with a full work week.

My second new beer today is Brewers Stash 001: Imperial Red Ale, from blue point brewery here on the island. The ale comes in at 7.5%, 40ibu, and has a bottling date of 1/14/16.

A red/burgundy pour with light carbonation and nice clarity. A not so floral nose with malt and subtle spices/sugars. Lots of rich malt hits right up front on the first few sip. Rather smooth and clean drinking with definite hop bitterness on the finish. Earthy with nice malt sweetness, spicy hop presence, and dark candied fruit notes. Mouth feel is full bodied, and hardy. I really get a nice warming quality from this beer.

Overall, a pretty solid brew that goes great with the cooler temperatures and a nice change of pace from my typical drinking styles. I'm in the 3.5/4 range.

 

He married a local gal and his plate says Guess Who?

 

Onto a Smuttynose Rocky Road. Very nice. Cheers.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/141/170636/?ba=cindyjeffsmith

 

Brian Wilson= pure musical genius