New Beer Sunday (week 597)

I think that you start the thread on Thursday, and explain your preferred way of posting to the thread. Then you just let it run for the month. Folks can post in it whenever they want, but we can try to aim at posting on Thursday's. Lock it at the end of the month, and start fresh the next month.

Throwback Thursday #1, August '16 debuts this Thursday!

 

Wow what a great start to this thread today! Thanks to Maria for the great start as always. Congrats to Terry for the great new gig. And I love the idea of a throwback Thursday thread!
And well thank god for some relief to the heat and the drought here in central NH with the much needed easy rain here all of this morning. My rain gauge say .61 inches so far not a lot but much needed and still coming down nice and slow.
We made the trip down to the Lowell Ma. Folk Festival yesterday got to see some great acts and all the different stages through out the city. It was hot but made the stop for a few beers afterwards well worth it and much enjoyed.
My new beer for today comes from a stop at a Bottle Shop I like in that area and is from SingleCut and it is Is This The real Life IPA.


4.21/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This beer pours a slightly hazy orangey yellow color into my Teku glass. Bottled on date is kind of distorted but I think it says 7/20 so the beer is fresh.
The nose is strong to the melon notes with a hint of a bready/biscuit malt coming through. There are some other fruits coming through but kind of muted perhaps berries.
The taste is appealing with the melon and berries from the hops coming through and blending nicely with the malts. The hops is a clear winner and the malt takes the back seat where it should be in this style of IPA.
The mouthfeel is smooth and a joy to drink.
In all this beer is another winner in the line of IPA's that SingleCut has put out. I would have to say this is one of my favorites from all the ones that I have had.
I picked up a couple other new beers yesterday and perhaps I'll be back with another review later on this afternoon but I have a leg of lamb that has been marinating all day and will be going on the grill in a little while.
Cheers and have a great day!

 

Here's my second new beer today. Once again, saw it for a good price and definitely had to try it. Spent the morning fishing with my son at a local pond with no luck. But it did allow the Wilco Tango Foxtrot to wear off.

Let me just say that I love Ballast Point beer labels. They are eye-catching. Here's my review of Orange Vanilla Fathom:

Look: The beer is a perfectly clear light copper color, hues of burnt orange, with a soapy white head. A chunky film remains with thick soapy bands of lacing that eventually disappear.

Aroma: Bright and piny up front and suddenly that orange zest really comes in strong. If you take a deep whiff you can dig through the hops and find a hidden gem of vanilla creaminess. It is brief but when you get to it it's really nice.

Taste: Bitter and piny up front again. In the middle of the taste is more orange peel and zest, and as I'm drinking this now, it's quite warm so I'm getting a touch more vanilla that blends with the orange for that orange creme experience I'm sure the brewer was aiming for. It's subtle and does not overpower anything. The finish is sharp and bitter with grapefruit citrus coming through.

Mouthfeel: Thick, dry. Sticky.

Overall: I rated it 3.89 for +15.4 rDev. At the end of the day, it's a very piny, bitter, citrusy affair with just enough of a vanilla creme reminder that this beer is a little different. Worth trying for the price, but nothing I'd seek again.

 

I think such a thread would be a great idea. I've got a revisit beer in my fridge as we speak (North Coast Old Stock Ale - @beertunes's fault it's there, for planting a desire in my head to try it again)

I've had the idea floating around in my head for a long time of having a thread for aged beers. Like the suggestion for the Revisited thread, would probably be better to have it last for a month rather than one day, but with a limit it wouldn't get as cumbersome as some.

 

Happy NBS. Just a gorgeous weekend in WI, 80's, sun, and low humidity. a far cry from last weekends sauna.

Drinking a heavier beer than I have enjoyed most of the summer. Hinterlands BB Grand Cru.

Bottled on 1/26/16. It is a muddy amber color with a sandy 1 finger head. Small spots of lacing and a thin collar. Aroma is sweet and lightly spiced. Plenty of caramel, toffee, and bread with hints of vanilla. Flavor is big on the caramel and toffee. There is a bit of vanilla an bourbon with just a touch of clove, banana bread, and spicy hops. This is a very flavorful beer. It is medium with a slight syrup like feel and light carbonation. I really enjoyed this and it is still on shelves for $6.99. It is nothing like Duvel or other Strong Pale Ales. It reminds me more of an Old Stock with a pleasant barrel presence



This would be a good beer to include in a BIF.

 

Congrats Terry!!! I'm sure you'll do great!!!

 

You are right. To be honest with you, I totally missed your point that the thread can live beyond a day. My thought is to not just let one run (as you stated would lead to apathy) - but maybe the first. Also, I was thinking something more eventful/conversational like a day-only thread.

Though you bring to me an interesting thought - maybe a week[end] long thread?? Start Thursday after work, last weekend of the month (I keep going "last" in deference to the intended retrospective nature of this thread). There is a fun aspect to those one-day threads that may be lost, but those who forget about it have a chance to participate.

I am also guessing that, whatever this thing becomes, I should formally ask BA to help me with a "special" thread (the duality of that statement is intended).

 

I like this idea - a lot. I know my palate has evolved over the years, and I love revisiting beers to see how my initial rating holds up in my own mind. FWIW, I find that I usually think the beer is not quite as good as I originally rated it, but I will be the first to admit that I'm a "fanboy" of beer.

As in, all beer. But I like your concept, and would happily participate.

 

Thanks for the input, guys.

I mentioned in my last post about it just ending and restarting a new thread "right away" wouldn't be my thought (but that was based off starting the first Thursday). It reminds me of the What Homebrew Are you Drinking Now thread (that I sadly haven't contributed to in more than a year).

That stated, I am getting the concept that one day probably isn't enough, especially if it is to be its own thread. It is likely extra-especially so if it is to be a weekday. I can see this, as even I am wondering how I would start it, seeing as I have to support my beer habit on said day.

Again, thanks for the input, guys, and I really do now need to find a beer to actually contribute to this thread. Forgive me, rest of NBS nation .

 

Greetings NBS friends! Where did the month of July go? I'm starting to notice the shadows getting longer, the crickets coming alive at night and the various squirrels gathering food with a sense of urgency. It's a slightly cooler and less humid day with the sun in and out of the puffy cumulus clouds overhead. A nice day to imbibe on the patio!

Starting today off with one that I've been unsuccessful at procuring when passing through Iowa on my way to Colorado. A family reunion this weekend landed me a generous haul from relatives in Wisconsin including my featured beer.

Let's pop the crown on this bomber of Pseudo Sue pale ale from Toppling Goliath. There is no visible bottle date or abv. listed on the label. I'm pouring this in my trusty Weyerbacher tulip to find out what awaits us?

Pours a slightly hazy dark brilliant gold leaving behind a generous two fingers of creamy white foam despite a very conservative pour. A trail of tiny nucleation bubbles trail to the surface. The smell is passionfruit, mango, pineapple, butyl and a hint of malt in the back. Taste is juicy passionfruit, mango and pineapple to start followed by subtle floral notes and butyl in the finish. The feel is thin but lively from the tiny carbonation bubbles. There is a slight bitterness and slick finish.



The two words to describe this beer are world class. How did they get all that tropical juiciness in a beer under 6%? I could drink this nectar by the keg! I've heard the Zombie Dust comparisons/arguments and have been a fan of the Dust going back to the days when it was called Cenotaph and draft only at the pub. I regularly drink Zombie Dust that is bottled the day of purchase and have come to the conclusion that the beer has changed over the years. I know my palate has as well, but I'm not alone in my assessment. This beer packs noticeably more flavor in my opinion than today's Zombie Dust. My score was 4.94 / rDev +9.5%. The only minor subtractions from a perfect 5 were the super lively carbonation resulting in excess foam and a slightly thin feel. I need to review some fresh Zombie Dust soon for a reassessment.

Going to finish a few remaining sips and contemplate what to open later. My favorite relatives from the north were so nice bringing me some exciting new beers. Have a great Sunday, and enjoy reading the official scorecard.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23222/72170/?ba=Prager62#review

 

That is extremely cool news, my friend. One might say you are living the dream of many a beer geek.When can I expect my signed copy of the Beertunes Guide to Belgian Beers?

 

I really enjoyed this beer.

 

Purchased in New Orleans, Louisiana.

4.5/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cafe Au Lait Stout has a thin-to-medium beige head, an opaque, chocolate-brown appearance, with noticeable beige yeast globs, and minimal lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of deep, dark coffee, milk chocolate, and roasted malts. Taste is of those elements, with fairly substantial bitterness. Mouthfeel is high medium, and Cafe Au Lait finishes sweet.

RJT

 

American Pale Ale my 1st beer ever from The Bronx Brewery in The Bronx NYC. Pours a nice copper color with an off white head. The Aroma has a lot of citrus but the taste is all caramel and biscuit. The citrus comes back in the finish. The Bronx Brewery calls this an American Pale Ale with an English backbone. I will have to agree with them. In any case it's a very nice beer . Can see myself buying it again.

 

I absolutely love the idea of this. I'm not sure I'd participate on a Thursday, but if the thread could stay open for the weekend I'd love it. Great idea.

 

and we are back for NEW beer #2!

Always love new beer.. Why every new day... is new beer day for our hero. Always looking for new beers to try and review, and hopefully really love as well. New discoveries, new experiences. New adventures... rich living.

So let's see what else is on our plate today.

OOOOoooh! Look at this. Gotta love the serendipity as there was a new thread about WOW styles and I had mentioned this one as a favorite (also forgot to at Czech Polotmavý). Can't say I have had many, but the first one I had by Frietgeist out of Germany was real dam good. Certainly up for more..

So what do we have here?

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Große Teufel (Lichtenhainer Ale) | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery


Hardywood Park Craft Brewing - Große Teufel Lichtenhaier Ale by imbibehour, on Flickr

Poured from the bottle into a wheat ale glass.

Very nice body color, a dark lemon and almost brass colored appearance, even some light tan and chestnut brown hues along the sides with plentiful amounts of carbonation. Head is classic bleach white, and just a little more retention than expected. Does dissolve to a thin collar. Real nice looking brew.

Good sensing smoked malts, and mild sensing balance of tartness. Hints a little more towards lemon but keeps the smoke at least still existent. Smoked malts get into a bit of fatty and umami richness of bacon just so slightly. Pretty good solid balance going.

Palate sets things nicely. Tart hits of lemon with a good solid chewy palate in the middle, almost gets into a zesty twang as well. Aftertaste manages more classic Berliner character with playful carbonation, but far less smoke and richness than anticipated. Slight waffing of smoke on the finish, non-ashy, but missing a good deal of meat and punch.

This is very good take on a Lichtenhainer, but it hits more towards classic fruit tartness of a berliner than giving up the rich smoke and big malt depth I was anticipating. Decent brew either way and tasty.

look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75 | BA Generated Score: 3.87

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Cheers!

 

I have never heard of this style before and am now officially interested.

 

New IIPA Sunday



Neshaminy Creek The Shape of Hops to Come

Good afternoon, BAs. Hope everyone is enjoying their Sundays.

NCTSOHTC pours a vibrant dark orange-amber color with two fingers of lasting tan-tinted head. It's got thick rings of lacing, spaced pretty far between, making me think I've been taking pretty big pulls on this one, rather than polite little sips.

It's got a fine aroma of lemon, pine and orange hops, along with a little resin, caramel malt and a touch of black pepper spiciness. Pleasant tasting, too, with many of the same notes as the nose, malt sweetness mid-palate and a good dose of West Coast hop bitterness on the back end, without being bracing. There are some mineral elements to beneath all the great earthy flavors.

It's medium to heavy bodied with just the right amount of carbonation to cut through it and give a slightly prickly mouthfeel. Very solid.

A single can cost a ridiculous $6 here in the Philly suburbs, but I'm glad to have tried it. It's great to have a piney, hoppy beer every once in a while, and this one is hitting the spot. Still thinking I may need to get back to homebrewing considering how much I'm spending on ticks these days.

 

The Last Thursday-Sunday of the month sounds like a solid window to me. I'm on board with this. If it is only a once-a-month deal, I could participate on a Thursday though.

 

as well as you should! It's a great style! I've only had one other one to compare against, but it's a great beer it's this one right here. There's a bit of redundancy in the database, but they have also made some fruit additioned ones as well.