New Beer Sunday (Week 647)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by cjgiant, Jul 16, 2017.

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  1. cjgiant

    cjgiant Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,560) Jul 13, 2013 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Good Morning, all of BeerAdvocate! And good whatever part of the day it is to all of you not here with us in the U.S. Regardless of the time of day and while most of us may be physically far apart, we can get together here in the virtual world and enjoy beers together. On occasion, though, you have a chance to enjoy a proximate location another beer lover, and that can be a great experience.

    Such as it was for me this past Thursday, when I celebrated my 4th BAnniversary by enjoying a beer with @BJB13 (again) and @DoctorZombies for the first time. Stories and beers flowed, including a beer I was not expected to get a shot at - Cigar City's Hunahpu. The main reason for this was Dr. Z's charisma and willingness to ask if we could pop a bottle he had brought (VA does have corkage fees, and I'm not sure if we got charged or not, but I feel not). The beer was wonderful, deep and rich with a roasted smokiness with maybe a little bit of that soy sauce some mention. Forgive me if I am not recalling fully or "correctly," for while the beer was briefly discussed but was more enjoyably sipped as it accentuated the experience and the conversation for me. Maybe @BJB13 has something to add on that front.

    Anyhow, so on the topic of sharing conversation and talking about beer, here we are on New Beer Sunday. What this thread is trying to do is replicate that experience, even as a shadow of the real thing. On Thursday, we shared another couple more beers and discussed each one in between stories and general conversation. To mimic this, please grab a beer that's new to you, crack it open, and analyze it. Think about its look and feel, ruminate on its scent and flavor, consider how you feel about it overall, and then tell us about it. And if you're willing to go through this "effort," go ahead and throw up an official review, especially if the beer is local (as more and more are these days), as it will reach more people than just those visiting us in our corner of the virtual bar.

    While we're talking, if you do choose a local beer, we might ask if you know a little something about the beer or brewery that don't currently know? Do you have an interesting story about how you came across the beer? In between sips, maybe you can let us know something about what's happening in your life at this time. The beer is and always will be the focus here, but it doesn't have to totally consume your post (unless you want it to).

    So, friends, neighbors, and beer lovers all over, find a new beer and the willingness to describe it. Put thought to keyboard and let us know what we can expect from the beer. And as you read, if you see a beer that you've tried that someone else is having for the first time, feel free to offer your thoughts (no rights or wrongs, just additional perspectives). Let's have a conversation about the qualities of the new beers we drink; please feel free to start off with one that you're having for the first time.

    Cheers!!

    I did have time to take a photo and post really quick the other night, here is that photo:[​IMG]
     
  2. DoctorZombies

    DoctorZombies Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,433) Feb 1, 2015 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Wonderful intro!, and thanks for a fun evening of sharing beers and more...a toast to many more shares to come, here and elsewhere - Cheers!
     
  3. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,145) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Great reminder, @cjgiant , that New Beer Sunday is all about finding out how better to enjoy beer. I too think of this as a virtual pub.

    Hunahpu's is a great beer, still remember being all disappointed some years back at a NYC pub to find out that there were no survivors of their cask festival left over from the weekend event three days earlier. Ended up picking out a beer and brewery I never heard of, principally because I love strange names. Still remember that first sip of Hunahpu's, not sure if I actually shouted but in memory seems like I did. Needless to say forgot all about the casks being kicked and we had a really great pre show.

    My house is stuffed with beer, but I need to get to town to pick up something new. Funny how that works. See y'all later.:slight_smile:
     
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  4. cjgiant

    cjgiant Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,560) Jul 13, 2013 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Society

    The Hunahpu was wonderful and while I wished I remembered its specifics better for this thread, I'm not upset I don't. The other wow! beer from the night was a cask Vietnamese Speedway Stout. It was so soft and creamy and the coffee integrated so well... but I also have no detailed notes beyond that. Guess I have multiple reasons to look forward to the next shot I get at either.

    Anxiously awaiting what you find in town :slight_smile:
     
  5. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,757) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Good morning NBS friends and family! Today's first new beer is Clown Shoes' The Barista, a fitting choice for so early in the morning.

    [​IMG]

    I hope the picture copied over properly from WBAYDN?. I don't have access to pictures at this moment.

    Barista is quite tasty: malt-driven, with a brown sugary base. Cream and coffee float nicely through the aroma and flavor profiles, never really driving hard, but always present. It's quite drinkable and enjoyable, full bodied and smooth.

    I wouldn't think Founders has anything to worry about with this entrant into the jam-packed coffee beer landscape, but I definitely enjoyed my glass.

    Cheers!

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22951/202047/?ba=Roguer#review
    3.8 / -5.7%
     
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  6. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,081) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Yes, yes, I was intrigued by the name . . .



    [​IMG]

    Score 3.65
    look: 3.5 | aroma: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

    Light hazy gold color with nice white cap and lacing.

    Aroma of floral, citrusy, tropical hops with citrus being most prominent. Brewer only mentions Loral hops and if that's the only one used it is a complex bugger.

    Taste is hop forward with a noticeable hard bitterness. Oddly, this bitterness does not build as the glass is emptied, rather it blends with the malt into something more rounded, as if it were smoothed out a bit. Finish is clean but aftertaste has a small burst of hop spiciness which is rather pleasant. Malt is still hiding behind the hop hedge though.

    Medium texture with balancing carbonation.

    Usually I can quickly log into one of three categories, it's ok, I like it, or I really like it. This brew is puzzling because it doesn't fit neatly into any of those boxes. It has stuff I like (good flavor) as well as what I view as negative (overly bitter and out of balance) so I have to score it well overall (it is well crafted) yet it's too ordinary to buy for breeding stock.
     
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  7. HoppingMadMonk

    HoppingMadMonk Grand Pooh-Bah (4,679) Mar 3, 2017 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Have to work this morning but when I'm out later it will be motivating to search out a new beer
     
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  8. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Very nice beginning @cjgiant.

    Turns out that I have a new beer on tap that fits nicely with some of your request. It is sort of local (not brewed here but only available here) and there's a backstory that may interest some.

    As mentioned by a couple of us in an earlier thread, after Philly Beer Week there is somtimes some bleed through into the open market place.

    The particular beer I'll be reporting on this evening (after a full day of chores and hydration) is one that might never have been born if it were not for Philly Beer Week. One of the Co-founders (and continuing organizers) of the first Beer Week, which started some years ago now, is a fellow named Tom Peters who is both an owner of Monk's Cafe and a big fan of Belgian beer. (You want to sample a hard to get Belgian beer, try the menu at Monks, their celler is both extensive and the bottles expensive.) Tom Peters typically puts on some really interesting events for Beer Week. For example, not too many years back he hosted a beer dinner that brought together a unique collection of lambic brewers (e.g., Frank Boon, Jean van Roy, etc.) for a dinner tasting of spontaneously fermented Belgian beers and a discussion of their work.

    Tom Peters has, for a few years now also taken the initiative of bringing together a Belgian brewer whose beer he likes and a local brewer to work on a collaborative beer to be brewed one time only and just for Philly Beer Week. The local brewer goes to Belgium and the two brewers work out a recipe based on melding their individual approaches to brewing and the beer is brewed in Belgium. So for some years now we've seen the result locally with the one-time-only beer being served at Monk's during Beer Week.

    This year's Philly Beer Week beer is a Belgian brewed Amercian Style Porter. As with earlier offerings there's no guarantee you'll enjoy a particular beer, but they have all been interesting to try.

    So, I'll be Bach tonight with a few more details (e.g., who are the Brewers, what is the beer called, etc.) and a bit more Bach-to-Bach music on the player.

    Cheers, all!
     
    #8 drtth, Jul 16, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2017
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  9. utopiajane

    utopiajane Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2013 New York

    Congrats @cjgiant on your 4th year anniversary! Thank you for getting NBS out of the gate this morning. Summer is sizzling here in upstate new york and I am happy to report that I have grown basil and parsley. My tomato plants are looking not drowned after the rain the other day. So I am thinking I might be three for three. Today's project is frozen yogurt with lemon and basil . Cheers you all and Happy New Beer Sunday!


    This is Ommegang Pale Sour Ale

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]


    Pours light sunshine yellow. Good white foam that falls fast. Lemon and spice. A bit of funk and lemon peel. No hops on the nose to speak of. Malt is a sweet craker under lots of vibrant lemon.

    Taste is just to the point of sour . Lemon , spice and good firm malt. Travels the palate swiftly to reveal all the flavor at the end when your mouth waters. champagne bubbly. Without too big of a sour this is very food friendly.

    Cheers you all And happy New Is that a Sour Sunday!
     
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  10. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    There be whales here!!

    The quote above is for you Trekkies out there!

    Today’s beer is a gift beer: Finback Brewery How Soon is Meow hoppy rice pils.

    This is my first beer I ever had from Finback. On the can in very tiny font it lists: “a collaboration brewed with our buddies, Kings County Brewing Collective, pils brewed with flaked rice and dry hopped with blanc.” The font is so small I am uncertain whether they truly want you to read this short description.

    I am assuming that the hops used to dry hop this beer is Hallertau Blanc which is a ‘new wave’ German hop.

    I would tell you a story about Finback Brewing but frankly all that I know is that is a relatively new brewery (opened 2011) and is located in Queens. My mother in law was born and raised in Queens. The only other person I ‘know’ from Queens is Archie Bunker.:slight_smile:

    So, how does a “hoppy rice pils” taste?

    Served in my Polish Pilsner glass:

    Appearance:

    Straw colored with a BIG fluffy white head which persists throughout the entire drinking experience.*

    Aroma:

    The most prominent aroma is sweet malt (Pilsner Malt?) but there is a herbal/citrusy hop aroma as well. I find the aroma to be very pleasant.

    Taste:

    The flavor very much follows the nose. There is the sweet malt (Pilsner Malt?) flavor accompanied by herbal/citrus hop flavors in the background.

    Mouthfeel:

    This beer is light/medium bodied with a dry finish.

    Overall:

    Very tasty!! This is an enjoyable summertime Pilsner beer. The highlight for me was the beer’s aroma.

    * When I poured the remainder of the can (16 ounce can) into the glass the appearance was turbid/murky; it had the appearance of a so called ‘NE’ style IPA.

    Cheers!

    @rotsaruch @zid @RobH @chipawayboy @KOP_Beer_OUtlet

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. Rhisa09

    Rhisa09 Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2017

    Tried this a few weeks ago and was quite impressed. Paired well with ginger chicken. IIRC, this is brewed for Ommegang in Belgium. A sour I will return to!
     
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  12. Ocalafox

    Ocalafox Grand Pooh-Bah (4,089) May 17, 2016 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Excellent intro cjgiant! Working thru the early morning chores; laundry on the line, run complete, wife's wine cooler out back to defrost..... My first ever Sweet Baby Jesus. While not really my favorite style, I can appreciate the work put into brewing it. I don't see a date but thinking it may be a little aged, got it from my daughter changing apartments. It seems to be a bit alcohol forward, but I do get the peanut butter hit in the background. I'm letting it warm from fridge temp as I drink it. Everyone have a safe enjoyable Sunday with family and friends! Me, toggling rapidly between the Tour de France and F1 from Silverstone til the wife gets home from work.
    [​IMG]
     
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  13. cjgiant

    cjgiant Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,560) Jul 13, 2013 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Ok, I saw that @Roguer had a Clown Shoes beer to kick off WBAYDN, and I was wondering if it was a new beer to him. Apparently so given his post above. It spurred me on to have my own Clown Shoes beer, Crasher in the Rye 2017.
    [​IMG]

    This is a breakfast beer without coffee, in a way: it is an imperial oatmeal milk stout (we'll ignore the barrel aging). The write up indicates rye malt is [also?] used...
    I quite enjoyed this beer... though it does suffer from that classic unhealthy look of being flat with nothing more than a fishing wire rim of tiny bubbles.

    The nose seemed to bring out many of the aspects described on the bottle: rye barrels, oat/rye malt, a lactose tang. There was a coffee-leaning aspect to the roasted malt in the nose that turned more chocolatey in the taste. The flavors seemed to highlight the rye - more noticeably the whiskey to me. The spice bite could be a combination, and does actually leave my tongue just the slightest bit numb after a few sips.

    The base is not lost, but doesn't scream for attention. The aspects described above divert my attention, but do not require it in full. I think the double rye aspect of this beer is what really stands out, though. I'd go for it if you like rye beer or rye whiskey - or both.
     
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  14. cjgiant

    cjgiant Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,560) Jul 13, 2013 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Society

    When we went up for the second weekend of Philly Beer Week, there was no way we weren't stopping by Monk's. Totally enjoyed the time there before @CanConPhilly could join us, and the afternoon included quite a few Belgians (including a small Cantillon that the bartender deemed us worthy to try). I can't recall if at some point we sampled this year's Beer Week beer - I actually vaguely recall that Monk's keg was kicked when we were there (this seems possibly unlikely even if it were the second weekend), so I'll await your review and see if it rings any bells :wink:
     
  15. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand Pooh-Bah (5,406) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Thanks for the great start @cjgiant for this weeks NBS! Should be back later on today with a new brew.

    Cheers!
     
  16. Ozzylizard

    Ozzylizard Grand Pooh-Bah (5,825) Oct 5, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Good morning New BSers! Thanks @cjgiant for getting us going. I'm not going to talk about the brewery because I know nothing about it other than what I can glean from the website - and I'll be back later with a more local beer.

    I'm back in Texas for a few days of unscheduled vacation - flew down because there were some problems with contractor timing and I didn't really want to take time to drive this time. Only spent $ 48 on beer at Spec's this time as opposed to my usual several hundred - it's getting really hard to find local brews/breweries I haven't tried and I'm finding some of Spec's beer stock has expiration dates smeared of just plain missing. Anyway...




    $ 1.06 (Including discount and tax)/500 mL can ($ 0.063/oz) at Spec’s, Live Oak, TX.
    Can dated E 04.11.2017 at 42 degrees into a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
    Aroma – toasted malt, lasts but fades.
    Head – small (Maximum two cm, aggressive pour), tan, creamy, average retention, diminishing to a two mm ring and rocky partial layer.
    Lacing – poor – a few tiny islands.
    Body – dark brown/black, opaque.
    Flavor – toasted malt, very slightly bitter. No hops evident. No alcohol, no diacetyl.
    Palate – medium, almost creamy, soft carbonation.

    Even though this is past the expiration date, it’s still a decent beer.

    Appearance 4, Aroma 4, Flavor 4, Palate 4, Overall 4. Rating 4, rDev+3.6%.

    I drank this beside the pool and didn't review it until a few minutes later when I came back into the house. That dark spot in the water is Bender the pool-cleaning robot hard at work. I always speak to him and thank him for his hard work cleaning the pool - I'm trying to build up some good karma for the coming robot holocaust. I figure if I'm nice to Bender, maybe he'll put in a good line of code for me (I also talk to the ATMs).
     
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  17. jkblr

    jkblr Grand Pooh-Bah (4,968) Nov 22, 2014 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Good Morning NBS
    I have two Midwestern canned tripels on the line this morning. I bought these about 2 weeks apart not paying close attention to the cans. Both are 8.5% ABV and list wheat, oats and sugar in the ingredients. The Taxman beer is the 4th I have featured in this thread. The other is from Tallgrass and I actually thought I was buying Wooden Rooster which is this base beer aged in Rye whiskey barrels and is excellent. Here we go...
    [​IMG]
    12oz can bb 3/17/18 poured into a Chimay chalice at fridge temp 8.5% ABV. The beer pours a hazy blonde orange color with short lived off white head and minimal lacing. The aroma is full of clove and banana. The taste follows with clove, then subtle banana and finishes spicy and clean. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, soft but highly carbonated and finish is moderately dry. Overall, very good.

    [​IMG]
    12oz canned 5/25/17 poured into a Westmalle chalice at fridge temp 8.5% ABV 30 IBU. The beer is slightly hazy dark straw color with head that did not last for the photo. No lacing. Aroma is citrus and coriander. Taste is orange peel and coriander moving to sweet then finishing with spice. Mouthfeel is thin bodied and moderately carbonated. The beer is soft and finishes semi dry. Overall, good.

    [​IMG]
    This is a more ambitious post than a guy who worked all night should have taken on. I have Velvet Rooster ahead by a couple points but far behind La Fin Du Monde (my personal #1 Tripel). The coriander in the Exemption is a personal dislike for me and I felt the body was too thin. They are both good though and worth a try if you enjoy American attempts on the style. Thanks for reading if you made it all the way. Enjoy your Sunday!
     
    #17 jkblr, Jul 16, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2017
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  18. lordofthewiens

    lordofthewiens Grand Pooh-Bah (5,891) Sep 17, 2005 New Mexico
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Thanks to @cjgiant for getting us off to an elegant start, and congrats on your 4th beerversary.
    I am looking at my lawn and garden and thinking they look the best they ever have. We seem to be getting days of sun interspersed with enough rain to keep things watered and growing. I almost need to mow more than once a week, and the tomato plants are well over five feet tall. I might have to get some longer stakes.

    My new beer for today is perhaps not a summer beer, but I am not a patient man. I picked up the 2017 Stickee Monkee at my local shop, and every time I opened my beer fridge it was sitting there staring at me. So, today I grabbed it.
    In my goblet it was a dark brown color with only a hint of head.
    The aroma was brown sugar/toffee, vanilla, and bourbon.
    The taste improved on what the aroma promised. Yes, toffee, vanilla, and bourbon, but also some dark fruit and tobacco.
    Rather heavy. Late alcohol burn (pleasant).
    A sipping beer.
    [​IMG]
     
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  19. woodychandler

    woodychandler Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,048) Apr 9, 2004 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Happy New CANned Fruit Beer Sunday (Week 647)!

    Not much to tell about here in Lancaster (City & County), PA, where I am on self-imposed restriction in search of (more) gainful employment as well as running through the backlog of beer that could fell a raging rhinoceros. This is what CAN happen if you spend too much time drinking away from home & returning home each time with an armload of beer.

    On the upside, however, it is providing me the opportunity to CANduct a whole lotta brewery horizontals (same brewery, many different beers/styles) OR as in the case of NBS, to put together a theme for the day (different breweries/styles, but a CANmonality among them).

    As far as actual CANned fruit goes, I don't know that I have a preference for CANned vs. in those plastic snax pax, but having been in the Navy & mastered the use of a John Wayne, I CAN tell you that the latter are MUCH easier to open!

    I opened the day with a palate-cleanser, since I find Gose to be just that. Sadly, it was a bit of a swing & a miss for me:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30581/248037/?ba=woodychandler#review
    [​IMG]

    If you CANnot succeed with the first, then a good fallback position is to where it all beCAN. Oskar Blues was the first independent brewery to heed the clarion call of the extruded aluminum cylinder & they rarely disappoint, having honed their craft:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2681/281794/?ba=woodychandler#review
    [​IMG]

    and, as usual for me since I have to work 2nd shift, a third and last delve into my theme of the day.

    Or should I say "dive"? I have not been involved in Pooltime in a while, although a friend has expressed an interest. Man, entering Navy Boot Camp in Orlando, FL in August 1983, I was in pretty good shape & as a lifelong swimmer, I had no problem getting into a (seemingly) bottomless pool. In that time period, EVERY article of clothing was designed to be an ersatz PFD (personal floatation device) with the exception of the shoes, which were to be stowed before diving in. You then had 15" or 30" to remain afloat or be evaluated for retention. I went in feet first, holding my nose as instructed. I then stripped down to my swim trunks, tying off articles of clothing as I did so around my body. I was in good shape until I noticed some of my shipmates sinking like stones! I dove to rescue them, only to feel an aluminum pole in the small of my back, pushing me ever deeper. I waved off & surfaced, only to be told by an instructor that this was an individual exercise & they would play "Lifeguard" as necessary. Hmm. I then inflated my gear, one piece at a time & as it would deflate, I would throw it onto the deck & move onto the next piece. Finally, not knowing where I was on time, I simply floated on my back until the whistle blew. My prowess led to them asking if I wanted to strike for SEALs or become a SAR swimmer (the answer was No! to both). Hint: Navy is actually an acronym for "Never Again Volunteer Yourself". You have to be a REALLY strong swimmer & I knew that was not for me. It is just after five Bell's on Sunday Holiday Routine (holiday rooty tooty), so I leave you for some Pooltime:
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/42649/?ba=woodychandler#review
    [​IMG]

    I feel enthusiastic enough about this little foray that I will be returning to it next Sunday. See yinz then!
     
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  20. 2beerdogs

    2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (4,878) Jan 31, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Wow Vietnamese Speedway is incredible. But I can only imagine sipping a cask version. (Closing my eyes, licking my lips, nodding my head). Yeah, that must be divine.
     
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