New Beer Sunday (week 595)

This is what I basically told Jordan's Dad when I got a moment with him. We're both of a certain seniority, and we've developed our coping mechanisms. These 18-30 year olds, hit with the first sudden loss, it was almost harder watching them go through it, than it was when I went through it at their age.

 

Well, hell, other than liking sweet tea, I'm pretty much doing all those things up here in Washington!

 

As promised new beer number 2 for today. Sorry Chicky from Burley Oak Brewing. Decided to pair it with some chicken quesadillas spiced with cilantro and cumin.



It took me a while to get into to sours, I'd try one here and there, some I would like some not. One day browsing the local bottle shop I decided I was just going to buy sours and nothing else, found a bunch, including some Grimm sours, and went home to try them. Now I'm a big fan of sours especially on hot muggy days like today. I got Sorry Chicky through a trade. It pours a hazy straw color with a small fizzy head that dissipates quickly. The aroma leads off with the subtle dry hops, obscure but obvious, then has some light crackery malts and the astringent scent that indicates this will be a pretty sour beer. The taste immediately leads off with a solid tartness, which after a few sips the tongue adjusts to and allows some of citrusy grapefruit hop character through. The sour and the citrus play off each other and give the beer a nice complexity. The beer finishes with a showing of the crackery bready malts and some yeast flavors. It's light and crisp, not overly carbonated, and not brought down to dry. Overall I'd say it's a solid sour that's on par with many similar beers I've had like Lagunita's Aunt Sally (which was sweeter). It paired well with the Mexican influenced food, I think it would be great with some enchiladas and would probably work with lighter grill fare. If I ever make it down to Maryland I'd definitely stop by the brewery.

Cheers!

Marc

 

To quote Dirty Harry; A man's got to know his limitations. I draw the line at sweet tea. I will tolerate sweet cornbread, but sweet tea is a step too far. Coming from a guy who drinks either Coke or Mountain Dew in the morning, as a wake up beverage.

 

Greetings gang I'm back to the comforts of home for another review on the patio. I was at Half Acre in Chicago today for a quick taste and keg pick up at their store. The friendly server chatted me up and recommended that I try a new beer they recently tapped. Hey, it's NBS so why not? I liked the sample, had a short pour and decided to fill a growler I brought along in the event something piqued my interest. Let's check out this new beer that I had the pleasure of adding to the data base here. It's called Juice Man IPA with an abv. of 5.5 percent. I was told it was brewed with Citra hops and they used English yeast for the first time. Let's pour it in my 13oz. Half Acre glass and check this new mystery out!

Pours from the growler a brilliant but somewhat cloudy gold leaving a finger of rapidly settling foam. The smell is citrus juice consisting of grapefruit and orange zest along with some pineapple. There is a hint of a pepper-like spice and mild mint. Taste is grapefruit, passionfruit, orange zest and a hint of pepper. Some tasty floral notes emerge in the finish. The feel is slick, light and refreshing.



A flavorful and extremely drinkable low abv. IPA that will provide my hop fix on the remaining hot days this summer. How is that possible from a growler you ask? Since I've been buying kegs from them for the last four years they asked if I would like to purchase one in appreciation for my business. They had a few that they were willing to sell to regulars. Hell yes was my answer, it must be Christmas in July! I will happily drink this while working in the yard or when dialing down from the big boys. My score was 3.93. I shared the growler with a neighbor that cared for my mutts while I was gone and a friend. They enjoyed it as well.

Having some leftover pizza with my final pour and possibly contemplating one more from my quick jaunt to Michigan on Friday. Here's more reading material while I stuff my face.....

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18006/240804/?ba=Prager62#review

 

He did the same to me, just because I am an old hippie, pardon me--- **pfffttttsssssuck** --- why does he think I would be a good pick for cannabis quality assurance?

 

What is this mythical creature of which you speak?

 

Can't imagine how he thought that would be appropriate.

 

It's mythical as of 60 seconds ago.

 

I think it must mean pizza that did not make the cut.

 

That sound in words is priceless- and quite accurate!

 

Dialing back the alcohol at dinner time, and exploring another highly rated fruit beer from New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI - "Raspberry Tart":



A slightly murky pinkish brown pour with initially huge beige foam; cap disappeared rather quickly though; spotty to almost moderate lace left behind; some muddied clarity found under cap. 4.25



Smells like berry cobbler fresh out of the oven! Raspberry and rhubarb all day long. 4.5

First sip and second, not too tart raspberries; actually semi sweet and juicy; strawberry jam and rhubarb prickliness; fruit forward from beginning to fruit finish. 4.5

Lite and crisp mouthfeel with moderate ++ carbonation; the effervescence keeps the beverage clean and so easy drinking. 4.25

A wonderful summer fruit beer with appropriate, not cloying, raspberries linger; lite and easy drinking on a hot summers day - like having homemade punch from fresh pressed berries (does anyone still do that?); keep it cold and enjoy! 4.5

 

My condolences as well. That is tragic beyond belief!

 

The other day, a reporter from the local independent weekly paper went with members of Spokane Valley's city council to check out a marijuana facility. Right now Spokane Valley has an ordinance against pot shops, but they're reviewing that posture, as there's a lot of empty storefronts there and they normally pride themselves on being almost psychotically pro-business there.

One of the city councilmen actually wore a surgical mask the entire time they were there...

I don't care for smoking pot myself. I don't like the smell, it plugs up my sinuses and it fires up my asthma, but that's just ridiculous.

 

STOP!!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE BRETT, SKIP THIS POST!!! DON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE MAGNIFICENT PICTURE!!! DO NOT PASS GO!!! DO NOT COLLECT $468 (adjusted for inflation).



Full disclosure: I'm a Stone Fan Boy, and ESPECIALLY an "Enjoy By" Fan Boy, but I've not sampled the "Enjoy After" series. That ends today.

I had no idea what to expect from this, an IPA nearing 2 years old: would the bottle explode when I popped the cork? Would it be a geyser? Would my dog Ranger turn into a wolf and Werewolf Of London my ass?

None of the above, though the geyser was the most accurate call, because an average pour produced roughly 83 fingers of mostly white head. After it settled a bit, I topped the glass off with a pour that looked like a scientist pouring nitroglycerin into a vat of battery acid, yielding the pic you see above.

The aroma is Brett, Brett, and more Brett - and then some more Brett, with the vaguest sense of a hop.

The taste, though, has some hoppy feel and some hoppy flavors up front - and then the Brett rolls up in its Coupe De Ville, rises out, and kicks the absolute SHIZNIT out of the hops. It is a true Brett Blitzkrieg.

And I'm good with that, because I love Brett, but if you get this thinking it will be an IPA with some Brett and you don't love Brett but can tolerate it, you are going to NOT enjoy this beer, because the Brett whups buttocks.

Rated 4.07.

 

Combining two Barrel-aged products in a Barrel-aged beer/food pairing.

This:



And this:




For the longest time I was convinced that Stouts (and Porters and all other dark beers) were not for me as I could not handle their roastiness and richness of flavor. For some reason however I have recently started to not only stomach them but also enjoy them.

Appearance is dark black with very little of a cream-colored head. Coffee and roastiness on the nose. I do not detect any of the vanilla that supposedly this beer ages on. Not too bitter which comes as a bit of surprise. Oakiness becomes apparent after one swallows and it's very mild. Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel. A great stout in my books, even though I'm not an expert in this style.

 

Thank you. As I regain my balance, I know that what my friends and i have gone through these last few weeks, is no different than what happens to people in every society, everywhere across this teensy little rock we all share. We're all, fundamentally, the same, we just choose our differences. Somewhere, right now, someone is having a rougher time than I. My thoughts are with them. And, I again Thank Every One of Y'all. I always knew I wasn't wasting my time here, y'all have proved me correct.

 

ISO: Dat cheese Brotato!!! I needz!

 

Greeting, NBS. We are returned to the kingdom from our sojourn to the wild lands to the north. Decent week, but the missus was a bit under the weather so some activities were curtailed. We did make it to Portland. Visited Allagash to get James Bean and Rising Tide to stock up some Pisces...their rebranded gose. A bit of shopping and picked upsome cheese and tea.

Headed home yesterday, poked along Rt. 1, got to Banded Horn waaaayyyyy too early. Booted along to When Pigs Fly for the sopressatta, Medjool date, and hot honey pizza. Oh...and bread for the freezer, of course. The next stop was Smuttynose. Took the tour again, four people! Asked a lot of questions given the small crowd. Did the tasting, bought some stuff. Got home to the OVEN! Hits like a sledgehammer after a week in the ocean breeze and 75-ish temps. So feeling quite like the wet rag today after checking the gardens, cleaning out the car, and doing a little work on the kitchen remo.

Ok...no more nonsense...what graces the chalice? Well, it is Sumttlabs Smoked Peach Short Weisse, bottled last year (apparently) but tasted on the tour...wassup wit dat? Whatever...it was five bucks and it intrigued me enough to buy one bottle. It looks like orange juice in the glass, minimal fizzy fluffy head. Aroma is peach. Then peach. After that, peach comes in. No smoke I can find... The taste slaps you up in the face and calls you Sally. It is tart, peachy, and just a little bready wheat note in there I guess for balance. Just a very little sweetness and bitterness on the back end. Not loving it, not hating it. A little cloying I think because of the insane peachness, so not giving me the refreshment I would like right now. Absolutely sour, incredibly intense peach. Glad to have tried it, but not something you will be going "damn...I missed that one". I like Smuttynose and what they do, but I run hot and cold on their beer. The best taste I had was Vunderbar Pils, and I remember it being not very good at all last year. The Robust Porter and Scotch Ale were both tasty as well. The missus actually bought two bottles of Scotch Ale...one to have and one to age. I'm so proud <sniff>. Ok...back to the point... Smoked Peach....feeling the 3.5 coming down for this one, maybe lower.

And well, duh...

 

Sorry to hear about the recent loss of your friends. I think it safe to say that those of us who have dialogued with you share a small pice of your grief.