New Beer Sunday (week 576)

You are correct! Thanks for that. Mine was barely legible but dated 2/24.

 

Great posts today!
I've had two new beer today expresso oak aged yeti and sweetwater 19th anniversary aged in merlot and Cabernet barrels (great stuff) will post pics in what are you drinking thread.. but today was also a good friends 21st b day so am in no condition to be reviewing beers!..actually surprised I'm able to type this..lol.
Had a good time reading everyone's posts tho happy NBS Sunday to everyone!

 

Mississippi Brewing Mississippi Mud Black & Tan, 5% ABV, 65 IBU. First thing to know is that this beer has never been to Mississippi as it is brewed in New York! It is in a huge bomber+ 32oz bottle. This beer is pretty good, but nothing to write home about. Has no bitterness, no alcohol taste, but not much other taste either. It seemed pretty heavily carbonated. I don't believe the 65 IBU rating - there is no bitterness at all. The bottle really is the coolest part of this beer. I'd get it again, particularly at the low price per oz. We have chicken on the grill, on a 70 degree South Dakota day.

 

Okay guys. Been a busy day catching up with my daughter after all my travel. Today I decided to drink one of Stone's woot Stouts that I'd been intending to do as a 3-year vertical. I grew impatient of trying to coax friends over to drink the 3 (guess Stone is accessible or something), so I've decided I'll drink one each NBS for the next few weeks.

Today I started off with the 2015:









And here's my humble opinion of the beer:

3.83/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

22 ounce bomber poured into an oversized cognac glass.

This was bottled June 13, 2015. I'll be drinking the woot stout trio over three weekends, starting with the most recent rendition.

Pours viscous and deep brown approaching black. Settles black in the glass but some trickling carbonation is still visible in the depths. A frothy and foamy oatmeal-colored head forms heavy and thick over the body. Slowly this dissipates into a frothy layer with islets of lace scattered north of the body. Gorgeous. 5

Pungent and yeasty malt sweetness with some dark chocolate and vanilla. There's some sweetness there but the floral yeast quality is most pronounced. I'm gonna let this warm a few minutes and come back because I feel there's some cake batter-like deal just waiting to emerge. Annnnd, there it becomes clearer, something hazelnut-like or even like amaretto is in the mix. I like although I am still getting too much of a yeasty, malty blend on the nose for me to love this. 3.75

It takes me a while to wrap my head around what I'm tasting as the flavors are familiar but not necessarily so much as to correspond with the usual stout descriptors. For one thing, the hazelnut or amaretto flavor continues and recalls a variety of liqueurs, desserts and other things food and drink. I also taste hints of cherry and vanilla that make me think of cherry vanilla coke. Mid-palate I get some gooey brownie. The finish lingers with plum and that bittersweet nut flavor, though I still can't pinpoint which it is as I keep vacillating between hazelnut and almond. 3.75

I will say first and foremost that I want more body from this. It's not thin, per se, but the flavors lend themselves to a stickier, thick body that isn't here. Bitterness and yeastiness are both very apparent but manifest themselves in a way that is too pronounced but also tolerable and not offensive. And there's no boozy heat which is a major plus. 3.75

Well, I had the first rendition of this probably three years ago and was blown away. I've had many beers since then and that may factor into why I'm not loving this---but still enjoying it! I'll have the opportunity in two weeks to revisit that first rendition, so that may illuminate things. For now, this is good and has some flavors that standout from the average stout, but doesn't quite reach the pinnacle of stout perfection.

 

Jade APA by 18th Street, 7.2% ABV, IBU (unknown), SRM 9

Pours a slightly hazy goldenrod with a one finger head that fades to a thin layer with virtually no lacing. Aroma is sour, floral and citrus. Flavors are similar with a bit of pine and black pepper added.

Behemoth by Three Floyds, ABV 10.5%, IBU 80, SRM 20

Pours a clear bourbon color with a huge head that diminishes to a ring around the edge that provides some lacing. Aromas of dark fruits, cherry and citrus. Flavors are much the same with citrus peel, raisin, fig and a bite of pine.

Eirik Bloodaxe by Scarlet Lane, ABV 10.5%, IBU 80, SRM 8

Pours a crystal clear amber with a one finger head that fades to a thin layer that lingers with little lacing. Aromas of sweet honey, flowers, and citrus. Flavor starts with a floral honey that evolves to bitter citrus that is tamed by sweet honey. Lager yeast aroma and flavor are present in this ale. Alcohol aroma is hidden in the flavors.

 

Tired Hands Lemmynade!
Thanks to Floyd for bringing this (and others) up to Vermont from PA today.
Semi vigorous pour yields a quarter inch head which gives way to a ring. Nose of lemon, funk (a bit of blue cheese), pepper. Taste of citrus, puckery. Decent mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very nice saison from Tired Hands.

 

OK- the last of my chores is done for the day. Time for a beer and some relaxation mode before hitting the hay. Here's the reason I have hay on the brain right now, btw:

we needed a new hay dispenser for the guinea piggies, and since it was cage-cleaning day I figured I'd make a new one myself. Sixpoint to the rescue! Very stylish...

And now it's time for a brown ale, German style-

Schwelmer Altbier
Just what the doctor ordered. Nose of dark malts, melanoidin-like toastiness, dried ginger and dark fruit. The palate comes across more like molasses and ginger, almost cookie-like (...so, dude, why not just say gingerbread?...), but it doesn't exactly evoke gingerbread. It's more dry and toasty, with a lean finish and slight hit of hops at the end- not sweet like a dessert would be. That's its best feature, imo- a clean finish that doesn't overwhelm, but beckons for another sip. It's constructed like a straightforward beer, but has those gentle spicy and fruity elements to lend interest and complexity. I could drink this all night long and not get tired of it. A- (4.0).

 

New Rye Pale Ale Sunday

Evenin' NBSers, with special salutations to all you perpetual pursuers of practically perfect pints and also those who follow the predictions of Punxsutawney Phil as to when spring will have sprung.

Well today has truely been New Beer Sunday here since I took a break from working on the "honey do" list to join forces with a drinking buddy who had proposed we visit one of the new breweries that has sprung up here in SE PA. Between the two of us we were able to convince spouses that we should be assigned the onerous task of checking out a new brewery, their tasting room, and several of their beers. (Hey, its risky and difficult, but someone has to gather intelligence. ) So he and I spent the afternoon at the 2SP brewery (which is very close to being in Delaware) with a flight of 6 beers and 3 additional glasses of beers we each were willing individually to split and try. Also, somewhere along the line the two of us got a guided tour of the brewery and got to check out and talk with the guide about the barrel and oak tank aging program which is just getting under way.

Unfortunately, (or not ) we were so engaged with the beers, the tour, and some good conversation that he and I only took the sketchiest of notes during our discussion of the beers. But I felt those notes were enough on our 6 oz or larger portions to rate but not to review the beers. So I fell out of reviewer mode and back into ticker mode for the afternoon.

After returning home and having a bite of dinner and spending some time briefing my wife, I sat down to express a belief in Phil's failure to see his shadow this year and the resulting prediction that we are in for an early spring by picking what seems a good beer for spring. (BTW, So far it seems Phil was right since this coming week we are expecting 3 or more days of daytime temperatures of 60 or above--with one of those days forecast for a high of 72. Now with data like that coming in who would argue with PA's most famous groundhog? )

So this evening's new beer seems quite appropriate for spring, it is the Smitten Golden Rye Ale from Bell's. The beer is listed on here as a Rye beer but the brewery describes it as a Pale Ale with Rye. In either event it's worth checking out.

As usual my review, subject to revision until I finish the beer, appears here:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/43223/?ba=drtth

Basically this is a light refreshing beer with a nice light golden color and some definite rye presence that helps shape the overall flavor profile in such a way that it seems perfect beer for an early spring. Crisp, clean and quite refreshing, this beer may not be a world class beverage but it is very tasty and enjoyable.

The music on the player this evening is a challenging listen that is not to everyone's taste, but I figured if Disney can use it in an animated classic some here for NBS might enjoy the Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky.

Cheers, all!

 

Greetings All from the Great Northwest where spring is definitely in the air.

I spent the weekend in the Seattle area celebrating a family birthday. And I managed to pick up a few bottles not typically found in eastern Washington. You'll see them on future editions of NBS no doubt.

Today it is Double Rainbow Red Ale from Iron Horse Brewing.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11212/66753/

A tasty and well hopped red ale, with a good sweet bread and malt presence.

Like I said, Spring is in the air, and with daylight savings time starting next weekend we can probably say "so long" to winter.

Until next time,

Happy Trails!

 

Good evening NBS, hope everyone is enjoying the end of the weekend once again. Thanks to @cavedave for getting us started this week. Not much going on here, work has been pretty busy as usual. Didn't get a chance to keg my brown ale since I didn't get any beer line cleaner last week. I still have a ton of new beers that need to be reviewed. Working my way up to 4100 in the next 2 weeks or so. The new IPAs need to get drank, but I like rotating through styles, so they are getting put off a bit too. Here are today's new beers:

Very nice DIPA. Aromas and flavors of big grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, peach, mango, melon, passion fruit, berry, lemon zest, orange peel, light pepper, and pine hops; with some light honey/bready malts and herbal/floral/grassy hop earthiness. Large amount of pine/rind/spicy bitterness; with a smooth and sticky/resinous mouthfeel with a touch of bready creaminess as well. High on the dryness after the finish, but has no lingering hop astringency. Medium carb/body. Lightly warming ABV. Nice and bright/dank on the hops all around. Has all the classic Mosaic hop complexity I expected, but didn't quite pull it off as much as I hoped. Still very enjoyable and well done. 3.9


Really nice! Aromas and flavors of milk chocolate, toasted coconut, cocoa, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, brown bread, vanilla, light coffee, and light herbal hops. Light herbal hop and roast bitterness; very smooth finish; fairly creamy and slightly sticky/chalky from roast/hops in the mouthfeel. A bit thin, but not bad. Great bitter/sweet flavor balance. Robust and flavorful. Light-medium carb and medium body. This had a really nice well rounded porter malt complexity, and it was not super crazy with the coconut presence; restrained but still very noticeable. Very well balanced and very easy drinking. 3.85


Moderate gusher as expected, but not unmanageable. Foam is climbing up the bottle as I type this. A bit murky, deep ruby red/brown. Very nice overall. Aromas and flavor of tart cherry, raisin, plum, berry, apple, red grape, oak, leather, and light red wine vinegar; with balanced malts of caramel, brown sugar, brown bread, toasted biscuit, and light nuttiness. Touch of vanilla from oak after the finish. Moderate yeast/oak spice on the finish with subtle acidity. Medium-high carbonation and bit above medium bodied. Very well balanced between malt sweetness and fruity/earthy yeast complexity. Somewhat drying, but mostly from carbonation. The site listing is wrong on the style, this is a Flanders Brown ale, not a red. Too much malt and not enough acidity to be able to be classified as such(I am still rating it to the Brown ale style though, to be clear). 3.9


Cheers, have a good night NBS.

 

Greetings from Palm Desert, NBSers. Today's brief submission is a local beer from LaQuinta Brewing, Poolside Blonde Ale.



Mrs. O and I are in "the desert" for a customer event, and we're staying at our favorite Marriott property in the US. Great rooms, good on-site restaurants, good on-site golf course (where yesterday I nearly killed a goose, 2 of my playing partners, and did seriously wound a ball washer with an errant 7 iron, but I digress), all 3 surfaces for tennis courts, excellent pool, and just a great vibe in general.

Sadly, this beer doesn't measure up to the property. It looks pretty good, but the nose is non-existent, and while the flavor is a bit better than the nose, it is ..... uninspiring. Rated 3.46, have a wonderful Sunday night, my new-beer friends.

 

Now up Omnipollo Abrahadabra, an IPA brewed with strawberries, vanilla, and lactose. Not sure how this is different than Shilkmake, their Tired Hands collaboration, but it's awesome!
4.18/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

32 oz growler, filled today, poured into a teku

A- A super hazy orange with a reddish tint a two finger white head.

S- Bright citrus hops, slightly dank, strawberries and vanilla have a nice punch with the lactose.

T- Fruity and hoppy. Hops are piney/dank, strawberries, tart berries, some vanilla, some citrus. Flavors are balanced and tasty!

M- Smooth, nice carbonation, medium body.

O- Very fun idea and well executed. Love this fruit and vanilla in an IPA combo!

★474 characters

 

Bonus NBS beer for me today is of the dessert variety.



Dormancy Tayberry/Coconut

Deciduous Brewing Company
American Porter / 9.40% ABV

3.86/5 rDev -3.3% | Avg: 3.99
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

L- Pours with a towering mocha head which requires you to stop and allow it to subside. The head quickly recedes to a thin ring without lacing.
S- Berries are the first thing on the nose. As the beer warms some of the chocolate typical of a porter becomes evident.
T-When sampled cold {about 45 C} the berries stand out and are all that my palate detects. As the beer warms I start to pick up some of the Rye malts which give it almost a sour tang similar to a Roggenbier I've had. Hints of chocolate finish out the beer.
F- The beers carbonation is intentionally high. Higher than any other beer that wasn't a gusher for me. It certainly enhances the berry aspects, but makes it hard to drink due to all the gas generated.
O- The beer is supposed to be a porter. It seems to lack a lot of porter qualities. The combination of berry, Rye malt, and high carbonation give the beer more of a sour beer feel than an imperial porter. Different, but I'm not sure it qualifies as a porter.

 

I'm finding it very interesting. However, 300 pages in, I am getting a little impatient to learn more of the monster. Of course, In terms of the historical events, I kinda already know how that will end! Franklin's manner of death was a bit of a surprise, but then I realized no one knows for sure how he actually died.

 

At least your bad experience was well written. I'm cracking up: "pickles and bile." If I ever get the band back together, that'll be our new name.

 

So, I realize it has been quite awhile since I posted in NBS....and now I return. And just in time to bring presents to the NBS BIF round 3 "Triple Threat"

I bring y'all today Balaton from Side Project brewing.


I think I'm in love with the SP lambic box as well. So sexy.

Pours a dark brown in the body with hints of ruby toward the edges. Cappuccino foam head that dissipates, forming a slight ring around the outside.

Smell is light. Some lactic acid on the front end fading into a sweet cherry pie aroma.

Taste follows the nose. Tart punch right up front fading quickly to a lactic sour that coats the tongue. The finish on this is amazing. Sweet and tart cherries meld with some malt to form what I can only call bliss. This is a very well made beer.

Mouthfeel is medium, with enough body to support everything going on, but not heavy or syrupy.

Overall the only way that I can describe this beer is beautiful. It seems so simple, yet is flawlessly executed. Just phenomenal.

One of these will most likely find it's way into a BIF box...muahahaha

Cheers all

 

Well moving on to bigger ammo.

Speaking of ammo...I'm loading up. Somebody's porch is going to get "deep impacted"!!!
I've already set aside one of my personal favorites, a big'un, to hurl across the country.

Ok, back to the show at hand.
Imperial Stout by Marble Brewery, New Mexico Thanks to my NM Brother @hophound for this burnished beauty.

Pours a deep mahogany hue. Vigorous pour conjures 2 fingers of nicely packed khaki foam. Very little lacing.
Smells deep and complex. There’s a lot going on here. Slightly warm and boozy. Rich burnt caramel, smoky rye barrel, wood char, nuanced cocoa, and slight espresso roast.
Flavor brings even more. Wow, this seems barrel aged. Starts with a warming welcome of heat coupled with a meaty & peaty roast. Some bitter chocolate shines through and then retreats to leather, oak, ever so gentle dry tobacco, and a coffee roast in the finish.
Mouthfeel is chewy enough for this old bastard. A nice meaty Impy Stout.

Overall, this reminds me of more of the RIS’s I’ve had years ago, before all the barrel aging (which I do love) became the fashion. It has that peaty taste that rarely shows up in the current Impy Stout offerings from most brewers. A solid offering from the Land of Enchantment.

 

I'll send you a can, just to get you in the mood . That was a very accurate descriptor, fwiw.

This one may have just been old. After looking through the reviews, I had none of the flavor that the others picked up on (particularly the watermelon). Unfortunately the date on the bottom is unreadable. I just assumed it was new because it was part of a new stack of cases in the store, but distributors have been known to unload old stuff before.

 

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I think I peed myself!!! (Like a Cro-Magnon girl who sees a Mammoth)

 

Good evening, NBS, and what a fantastic kickoff from @cavedave. Scanning through it looks like a plethora of high quality posts that I will caych up on shortly.

A beautiful day here in paradise, and it looks like a good week coming up where I might be able to commute on two wheels for the entire week. The only hesitation is the amount of salt that was dumped during the last little snow flurry here in the kingdom. Ridiculous. I think there is more salt than there was snow. I must speak with the peasants...

We turned on our solar array during the week. After waiting for the permit to install it due to owing the town $6.98 for something that wasnt worth arguing over and a bunch of technicalties we have never experienced before (this ain't our first construction rodeo), we got to wait for another five weeks for the inspector to sign the permits post-completion. Oh and we aren't done....nooooooooo...wait for the untility company to hook up the reverse meter.... But we flipped the switch Wednesday night and have been making some electricity. Yay!

Today's sacrifice comes courtesy of our friends at Sixpoint. Maybe this anticipates next week and the projected warm spell. Global Warmer graced my pint glass. The beer entered its 12 oz time capsule on Nov 3, 2015. I bought it around Christmas time, so OMG am I drinking a beer past its prime? Well, if it is I wouldnt know. Tasted pretty fine to me. I generally think cans are the superior package assuming good filling equipment keeps the oxygen out.

The beer poured amber. I was looking for the mosquito with the dinosaur DNA...that kind of deep honey color. A finger's worth of dense, beige head that looked like a Ritz cracker with the dimples. Feel to a thin layer that lingered and clung nicely. Everything is good that sits under a Ritz??? The aromas were quite restrained...I found it to be sweet, biscuity, mildly citrus, some green herbaceous grassy notes. Very mild pine. The taste was super smooth...a very nice blend of sweetness, a good whallop of grapefruit rind, and a nice but fleeting bitter kick. Nothng really dominates, but the bitter punch is brief yet intense. The beer is medium bodied, slightly drying in the finish. Carbonation was reasonable for the style. It reminds me somewhat of Nugget Nectar...except it isn't...maybe a distant cousin? I am feeling Global Warmer will come in around a 3.6, maybe a bit higher. Very nice beer.

It actually went well with the quick cop out Sunday supper...good old American chop suey. My portion(s) got a liberal sploop of hot sauce my friend from Barbados gave me. Habaneros, mustard, turmeric, onion, vinegar and salt. The beer held its own for sure and while it sounds like a match made in hell it was actually OK. It is tough figuring what goes with spicy, and that sauce brings da heat and the flavor. The beer held up well.

Fear no beer!