New Beer Sunday (week 584)

I agree, Old Pro is my favorite Gose next to Blood Orange Gose from Anderson Valley. Gatorade or H2O? I'll go with Gatorade this time.

 

Drink it dammit! I can send you more.

 

New Russian Imperial Stout Sunday

Happy NBS everyone! I'm starting off my drinking today with North Coast Brewing Co's Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XVIII Russian Imperial Stout: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/112/183596/?ba=bluejacket74#review




I've tried a few of the bourbon barrel aged versions of this in the past, but it's my first time trying the rye whiskey one. I have to say it's right up there with the bourbon barrel versions, it's a good, tasty brew! I'll be back on here in a bit with another new beer. Cheers everyone!

 

Nice post, with a great beer! Welcome to NBS!

 

Thanks for the welcome actually picked it up at my local bottle shop/cellar Cable Beverages a few months back...

 

Greetings friends,
I'm lusting after those early Quads, but today's beers are once again across the board and beautifully reviewed. NBS is a great asset and lots of fun. I love visiting, learning, and laughing! I'll be back in the tasting saddle soon.
I hope everyone is well and have a wonderful Sunday evening. RCG

Here are a couple of tunes that I've loved for years. If you have a chance, give them a listen!

 

Always interesting reading other's reviews. I liked last year's version better than this year's, and I was looking forward to it as I've liked the few rye whiskey stouts I've had. I felt the barrel aspects did play too much into the beer for my tastes - especially early in the pour. I also noted the format change (size) at approximately the same price around here. Maybe that added bitterness hurt my opinion .

 

It's truly an amazing Quad. Thanks for your review!

 

New Beer and New Brewery Sunday edition. Visiting Sidetrack Brewing in Albuquerque today. Been about 4-5 months since they opened so I thought they should have their shit together by now.

I think they do have their shit together, but the big question now is will Albuquerque support a brewery like these guys. The brews here all taste good, carbonation and body are where they should be and I detected no off-flavors. BUT, the beer lineup and the beers are very conventional, safe and predictable. Add to that the flavors and drinkability here are more mellow and low-key than Albuquerque (and the US) are used to and I have to wonder if Sidetrack can find a place in the world.

Here's a shot of their offerings:




I sampled the IPA, pale ale, cask stout and pub ale.



Ordered a full pour of the Dark Engine Stout on cask with cacao nibs:




And my thoughts on the stout:

3.94/5rDev n/a
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on cask at the brewery in a nonic ten ounce glass.

Arrives with a creamy, milk shake frothy head. Pitch black body beneath. Excellent contrast of colors. 5


Aroma is light but shows dark roasted notes, dark chocolate, floral yeast, and mild sweetness. Mild but nice. 3.5

Flavor is nice. Cacao nibs were added to the cask and they truly come through. Bittersweet dark chocolate flavor mingles with coffee notes, vanilla, floral notes and a closing earthy brush of hops. 4

Light-bodied but creamy with a mild bitterness, floral yeast touch and easy-going sweetness. 4

This was impressive. I think and Englishman would be highly satisfied with this. Very well done.

 

Odd Side Ales Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Mayan Mocha
Imperial Stout - 9.5% ABV



4.49/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Bottled on 10/19/15 printed on the side of the label. The description of the beer on the label is a "stout with coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, and habaneros added then aged in bourbon barrels".

Pours a pitch black color with nice sized tan head with good retention and lacing. At first smell, the cinnamon stands out the most in my opinion. In subsequent whiffs, the nutmeg and habanero peppers come through. The coffee is faint and the bourbon barrel notes increase in intensity as the beer warms in the glass. The taste is extremely complex with a lot of layers and flavors throughout. Immediately, you get some sweetness with the cinnamon dancing on the tongue. In the finish, you get some warmth from the barrel aging and a lingering heat from the habaneros that is damn near perfect in spiciness. Overall, this is a fantastic brew that I really enjoyed.

 

Guilty! I've been buying and collecting breweriana since I could walk to a flea market. Hardly considered an acceptable hobby for minors by today's 'standards'. Most people that know me think I turned out okay despite my odd affliction as a youth.

 

Do you get distro of that on LI or did you buy it in CT?

 

Hope all is going well for you. Even though youre not drinking I dig your posts!
See you soon

 

My final Quad for the day. This sure was fun and made NBS very enjoyable for me and I hope for others in here today. I almost forgot to mention this one is courtesy of NBS BIF #3. Thank you @Stillyman11

Ahhh Westvleterern 12, you did not let me down in any way. Poured 330ml bottle into chalice. It is a deep, dark amber brown in color with a thick 2 finger khaki head remains for the entire session and leaves webs of lacing on my glass. The aroma is fantastic with brown sugar, bread, sweet dark fruits with some yeast and toffee and nice spices. Flavor is very full with abundant candied plums, raisins, and figs. Very bready with some brown sugar and toffee. There is a nice yeast and spice on the finish. The body is soft and sublime, medium feel with bubbly carbonation. This is certainly the best Quad I have ever enjoyed!



To recap my Quad ranking: Westy 12 > Rochefort 10 > St. Bernardus Abt 12

Cheers everyone!

 

Back with my first beer of the day, new or otherwise. It’s a coffee cream ale from Sixpoint that I’m getting to drink due to the generosity of one @SammyJaxxx:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10607/200822/?ba=woemad#review

I really like this beer. It’s not a flavor bomb by any means, but the coffee gives what might otherwise be a bland beer some depth without compromising drinkability.

I’ve got more coffee beers from both @SammyJaxxx and @Ri0 on hand, so I could make it a theme, but I’ve also got several IPAs shouting at me about their hops fading each time I open the fridge. I’ll be back when I’ve resolved the conundrum (or more likely, just muddle through).

 

Did the format size change? I always thought the barrel aged Old Raspys were 500ml bottles. I think that always had a part in this and the bourbon barrel aged versions sitting on the shelves and not selling out quickly. Here in Ohio they've been priced at $19.99 a bottle.

 

New Local Murky IPA Sunday!

I'm sorry crew I know I've been absent for a while. Due to me not trying anything new. Well that's going to change! I'm back with a New Brew!



Manor Hill's Hidden Hopyard IPA.


Let's get down to business! For starters this mofo pours Murky! It pours Turbid with a pastel Orange Body. Soft White head crowned it's Ugliness! She's not a looker by any means...

The aroma should tell me in what direction we're going. The aroma is a little subdued but there is notes of Citrus (Oranges) and Cut Grass after a Rainstorm. Very pleasant and to the point.

Da Flavah? First hits the Palate with a Candied Orange Peel. Second Wave is a bit more Herbal/Spicy hop flavor (Slight Peppermint and Raw Jalapeño skins (without the Heat). The malts are semi-sweet with a honey sweetness and baked cracker grains. Hop Resins close this beer out with a Dry and an Astringent Bitterness. Picture Chewing up an Asparin and holding it in your mouth. It's weird. Not pleasant but also isn't unpalatable. Just odd to me. The aftertaste has Peppermint and slight Marijuana Vine flavor. The feel is medium-light body with pretty decent carbonation.

Overall: This is an alright Brew. Not something I'll go out of my way to obtain, but I wouldn't pass it either if I see it at the store. It's a Dirty Ride, but you have to take that Course sometimes. The only thing I don't agree with is the Astringent Bitterness. I mean, These IBUs are not Kidding Around! It's a Bitter Beer, but makes up for it in it's Hoppiness. This was a breath of fresh air in the Herbal Side of the Flavor spectrum. Seems everyone is trying to nail the "Juicy" NE IPAs. While that is okay to me, but c'mon...make a straight up Earthy and Balanced IPA once in a while to wedge the monotony. This Brew is Tasty, this Brew is Recommended!

Grade: A-

Cheers my fellow New Beer Sunday Crew!

 

I'll second that order. Pick up any anise in the Westy? I didn't review beers back when I had it, but still remember the caramel and anise notes, along with it being damn smooth.

 

New brew Sunday! Nice double ipa. Well balanced, a little tropical, a little bitter. Do recommend.