New Beer Sunday (Week 634)

Back to Burial. Blade & Sheath, an "American Farmhouse Ale."

The description on the can prepares me for something dry-hopped and "revivalist"... and apricot, melon, and pepper. Instead of that, I'm getting lemon, herbal bitterness, and an earthy funk. I'm especially surprised by the latter. Those elements sound like a great combination (and a better combination than the notes on the can), but the beer just doesn't come together for me at all. Everything clashes. Maybe I'll enjoy it more during my second impression.

 

This beer has been the hype around here and just canned and released this week. I was only able to score one can at $4 for 16 oz. I guess the hype translates into cash.
Old Nation Brewing co. M-43 NE style IPA at 6.8%, pours a hazy as expected, orange juice like appearance, nice thick one finger head that dissipates quickly, smells of nice pine, and tropical fruits not too powerful but there for the liking. Taste follows with nice mango, grapefruit, orange, very complex and medium mouthfeel. This is a very different offering around Detroit and its a good beer mainly because its is different, not a game changer and probably will pass when the 4 packs are available due to the expected $16 price tag.

 

Hi you all! My next beer is a rye saison. The saison is one of my favorite holiday styles. Dry festive and fruity. I had this in mind to pair with my ham after the initial dinner. This was my sandwich beer. I loved this and I think Gun Hill is making some excellent beer.

Happy Two Beer Sunday!



Golden yellow slight haze. Fragrant rye pepper lemon and spice. Drinks with plenty of hearty cracker and herbal hops. Lemon is just sweet. The peel and maybe a ltitle pith. Tart moment but nothing too loud. Nose is lemony citrus with a hint of something tart.As it warms it gets a little sweaty and funky. Soft sweet earthy funk and lots of soft herbal. The herbal is sharp but not dank and is not terribly strong. The lush earth and cracker malts are the most powerful scents. The spice is like headdy perfume. The rye gives it pepper and a crispness. It's not so dominant though as to make you think dark bread . Just light rye bread and lemon. Tasteful. I think this brewer has made an excellent saison. Cheers BA and Happy Spring Bunny Day!

 

These are them hair and all.

They're basically pork rinds but the way they're cut they curl and they look like ears. Since québécois are not big fans of the church a lot of the traditional foods to do with the syrup "harvest" have blasphemous names ("sister farts") are a dessert for example.

 

Happy New Cask Single Hopped DIPA Sunday!

I know crew long time no post but all that's gonna change. I'm going to be playing the NBS card for now. I've been absent due to legal issue concerning my imbibing. Blah, Blah, Blah...let's get down to the BEER!



This is Flying Dog's Single Hopped Calypso DIPA (Cask for those who don't know). This baby pours brilliantly for a Double IPA. Nice Deep Amber body with a nice shade of white foam for a head. Looks like I'm going to enjoy it!

The aroma is very pleasant, Herbal Tea is apparent. Secondary comes in is a slightly ripe Pear and Floral Lavender spice. It's more on the Earthy side of the Hop spectrum..very much appreciated.

Da Flavah? First hits with that Ripe Pear note that the aroma gives off. Once that fades, the Herbal Tea hits on that refreshing note and closes with a slight Spice and bitterness. Malts are there with a nice honey graham sweetness to help balance the Hops. This finishes on time with a slight lemon acidity in the background. Mouthfeel is medium build and slightly creamy.

Overall: This is banging. As of late I am preferring my DIPAs to be on the Oldschool Herbal/Spicy side. I guess because the market has been flooded with Juice Bombs and the such, this was a nice change of pace. I can see this Hop being used in more of a European style Ale (Belgian Pales and English Milds). I think Flying Dog did a great job executing the Calypso Hop. This brew is Recommended!

Grade Giving: Easy A!

Cheers my Fellow NBS crew!

 

Geez, dude. I love all those beers you send me, but it looks like I need to get out there just to try their food.

Cheers!

 

Beautiful Easter Sunday in the Deep South, and time for a new beer!

Mother of All Storms has been a long time want of mine, and @cavedave generously gave me the opportunity by sending a 2012 bottle as part of NBS BIF #5.

Notes below. This is a phenomenal barrel aged barleywine that has aged nicely over the least 5 years. Thanks a ton @cavedave!





Poured from 22 oz bomber dated 11/5/2012. Huge shout out to @cavedave for the bottle!

A: Murky mahogany brown with a purplish tint. Smallish one finger head that settles immediately to a thin ring. Almost no lacing.

S: Raisins, dates, figs, and sweet bourbon front and center. Bits of toffee, caramel, and molasses. A little oak barrel in the back.

T: Rich dark fruits with an almost jam like quality. Dates, raisins, and figs mixed with mellow bourbon notes. Some brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla more prominent as it warms.

M: Medium to full body fairly light carbonation. Finish is a little sweet. Alcohol is extremely well hidden.

O: Excellent English style BA barleywine that has aged very well.

 

Diving into something lighter, and a little different from my usual brews. I reviewed the other St. Louis Fond Tradition (the Kriek) from Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck earlier this week.



Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck N.V.'s St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition

Pours a murky deep orange with two fingers of khaki head foaming on top. While head retention is just okay, there is a thick ring (about half a finger) of khaki foam sitting around the top edge of the beer that leaves a few patches of lacing behind after each sip, before the lacing slips back down into the foam ring. Aroma is peaches, apricot, and a little zing of Belgian yeast. Flavor profile is very similar with mellow, fruity notes of peaches, and apricots. There is a sour quality on the back end of the flavor profile that brings on a lemon zest note with a tangy finish. Spicy Belgian yeast lingers throughout, although very much in the background. Mouth feel is fizzy, and refreshing, nearing a crisp feeling. It's medium-thin in thickness. Overall, a refreshing gueuze lambic with a summer fruit aroma and flavor profile that refrains from being overly sweet or unbalanced.

Score: 4 | 4 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 4.25 | BA Score: 3.93 | rDev: +1.3%

 

I got a bottle of '14 to celebrate my college graduation last year, although I ended up drinking it on my birthday this year. It was absolutely phenomenal. Without a doubt a top contender for my top 5, even top 3, beers I've ever had list.

I don't usually fancy trading to revisit 14% beers, since they're liver shredders, and there is so much other good beer out there to trade for and try, but I wouldn't mind having a stock of Mother of all Storms in my cellar.

Cheers. Glad you got to check it off your list

 

Boulevard Collaboration #6 Barrel Aged Blend, 12.5% ABV. Pours medium viscosity and black, with a 3 finger tan head. Nose is slight bourbon, and a hint of chocolate. Taste follows, almost no bitterness. Very complex, and changed as it warms. Excellent mouthfeel, overall excellent. Real nice day to grill salmon, vs rabbit.

 

I had that one about a notch lower than you and had many of the same general thoughts as you. I got a little cola-like aspect early and felt the beer really needed to get near room temperature to really gel for me. Have a couple left that I hope to crack in another month or so and see what I think.

This next beer for today, however, I don't think I should let sit. In fact, Ballast Point even suggests fairly clearly to drink it fresh. For reference:

Unfiltered Sculpin appears to be getting in on the "haze craze" with this one. My best guess is that the "extrahopped" adjective to IPA on the label is primarily post-boil. It is not indicated and does not appear this beer has additional grains (like oat or wheat) to aid in the haze. In fact, the haze appears to be mainly from tiny particles in the beer, because there is still a fair amount of clarity in the beer ignoring these.


The nose does have a certain tropical note to it, but with a little more acidity than sweeter tropical fruits to me. It appears to have a tart pitted fruit nature to it. And while BP tries to say this is a less bitter version of the base beer - I am still getting a nose that has me expecting a decent dose of bitterness.

My expectations were pretty much met. This beer has a fruity/sort of juicy opening that is accompanied by a countering level of bitterness. Looking into it, this isn't so much a surprise given the IBUs on this beer is all of 2 units lower than regular Sculpin. The characteristics of the NE IPAs I've had are in this beer, but they don't come together as well as the good ones I have had. I am not sure if it is the more standard feel of this beer or the "no--really-that-much-less" bitterness that clashes a little more with the juicy notes.

This really comes across to me as a juicier version of a regular IPA - but one missing a cleaner opening that I like. I didn't dislike it, but I'd probably rather have a regular (or even Grapefruit) Sculpin for my tastes.

 

I also wanted to highlight several of the excellent beers from @cavedave that I enjoyed during the week.

All from Suarez Family Brewery. These guys sure know their way around the style!

Big Night



Poured from 750 ml bottle dated 12/2016. Thanks to @cavedave for the bottle.

A: Hazy golden yellow with generous 3 finger white head that slowly settles to a chunky cap with good lacing.

S: As I poured the first glass, I got a big puff of sweet citrus hops with peach and oranges. From the glass, tart lemon, grasses, subtle oak.

T: Very complex blend of flavors. There is some woody oak, tart lemon, earthy funk, peaches, and apples. The normal boldness of the brett blends into the background somewhat.

M: Medium body with average carbonation. Finish is crisp and dry. Very easy drinking.

O: Very unique farmhouse ale. Everything in perfect balance. Excellent beer!

100 FT North



Poured from 750 ml bottle dated 12/2016.

A: Pale straw yellow with 2 finger dense white head. Decent retention and moderate lacing.

S: Tart citrus with lemon and lime, Earthy grains and fresh cut hay mixed with a little funk.

T: Light citrus acidity, lemon and lime zest, but balanced out by the grains. Just a hint of apple and grape.

M: Light to medium body with average carbonation. Crisp and refreshing with a drying finish.

O: Excellent beer and I like the country ale connotation. Seems to fit nicely.

Slow Bustle



Poured from 750 ml bottle dated 11/16.

A: Clear golden yellow with 2 finger white head with decent retention and leaving chunky lacing.

S: Lemon zest, oak, and grass offset with honey and green apple.

T: Tart lemon and an earthy grassy note contrasted with a sweetness from apple and honey. Just a hint of oak hanging around.

M: Light to medium body with lively carbonation. Clean and crisp with a lightly tart finish.

O: Fantastic farmhouse ale. Extremely well done.

 

Happy Easter to all the NBS crew out there.

Looks like its going to end of being a little rainy here in central CA, but that's not going to stop us for doing a little BBQ'ing and of course enjoying some new beers.



10 pounds of tri-tip and a Drunken Master DIPA from Melvin.

L: Dark gold with a good size white head that lasts and has lacing,
S: Lots of citrus and floral hops on this one. A small amount of pine and maybe orange.
T: Follows the nose with a huge amount of hops with citrus flavors and a hint of pint,
F: Medium bodied with a bunch of carb on this one.
O: Really liking this DIPA here. Solid in every facet.

 

Spending Easter/NBS with family at my brothers newly renovated "weekend home" on Maryland's eastern shore.
I may be the last BA to have one but here is my Easter treat.

Looks and smells great growing into the snifter. Nice head with super fine lacing that looked fantastic in the sun (I was unsuccessful at getting a good shot of that, see below).

The nose was robust, chocolate, coffee, oak and bourbon with less alcohol than I expected. The flavors followed in line. Rich, flavorful and smooth, the 11.8 ABV is fairly well hidden as I found it only slightly boozy.

To me this is right in the groove. Synergy comes to mind. I think just about everything was in the right amount. Nothing overdone.

I feel like when we expect great things sometimes expectations become unrealistic, that happens to me sometimes and I think I'm going to get a mind blowing experience instead of a realistic and enjoyably refined one. Hope I'm making a little sense.

Bottom line is that really like this! Definitely worth the time spent hunting it down.

Back to the family.

Cheers to all and your families!

 

Their food is just as good as their beer. My girlfriend doesn't like much beer, but is always happy when we go there for a meal.

 

Ok back in from pool cleaning and I need a light new beer. I actually first tried this Thursday but it was after a few too many so figured I would give it a proper shot. This is Pink Squirt Saison from Freehouse Brewery, "Brewed with organic hibiscus flowers, tangerine and lemon zest, and our wild house yeast blend" it clocks in at 6.5%. It is as good today as I thought Thursday. A refreshing beer with light tart flavors and a touch of funk.


Appearance 4 - Pours very clear copper color with thin white head that dissipates before I can get the cap back on the growler. No lacing at all.

Aroma 4 - Lots of citrus and floral. the hibiscus comes out well, there is also a light peppery smell along with orange and grapefruit. There is a hint of funk in the nose as well.

Taste 4.25 - Wonderful flavors follow the aroma closely. The hibiscus is well balanced with the orange and grapefruit. Just the right amount of tartness and a hint of sweetness and a splash of funk.

Feel 4.25 - Light side of medium well carbonated the tartness provides a slight pucker.

Overall 4.18 - If a tart beer can be refreshing this is it. Easy warm Saturday drinker slightly tart and funky. A very well done beer.

 

Had 100 Ft. North and Slow bustle on tap and have to agree with you, wonderful beers. Drinking Dan Suarez saisons makes you wonder how much of Hill Farmstead's farmhouse stuff was more Dan Suarez than Shaun Hill?

 

Next up is this Odd Sides Java Chip Mint Stout.



Nice big, thick tan head with zero lacing. Body is black but not so murky as to hide the residual yeast that snuck into the glass.

Nose is certainly confident on the mint, as it blends with the barley enough to smell like a peppermint Patty. Nothing else going on.

Taste starts out a bit more tart than I expected, but settles out pretty quick into the drink promised on the label. Although there is plenty of mint, the chocolate drops off a little and as a result, not a ton of depth.

For something billed as a stout, this is wildly thin. Like super thin. So much so that it kind of takes away from the experience.

Overall, I get the concept, and even appreciate the effort and interpretation, but it's not something I'd track down in the future.