New Beer Sunday (Week 662)

Sierra Nevada Pronto IPA

At the moment, my favorite author is William Hope Hodgson. He was killed in WWI in 1918, and he’s sort of known for his fantastic fiction and seafaring stories. His work consistently amazes me. Some time ago, a thread asked the question - Living or dead, who would you want to have a drink with? Hodgson was my answer.

Onto the beer.

This beer was brewed for the 50th anniversary of Trader Joe’s, but oddly, it doesn’t mention Trader Joe’s by name on the label.

The copper/amber color is really beautiful and the head is just great. Nice soft feel. This is a bit of an oddball. It’s brewed with mango and hibiscus. Hops are calypso, comet and centennial. The mixed approach really shows… but not in a bad way. It’s not going for full on “fruity” or full on “floral.” The result is a rounded beer without much brashness. On their own, mango and hibiscus really announce themselves in a beer, and I like that this isn’t happening here. Instead, this is a somewhat mild IPA that is counterbalanced by a slight, sharp twang to keep things interesting. This goes down really easy. The big bottle feels more like a 16oz can in terms of how quickly it disappears, but the first glass is still better than the last. Malt character is a little absent. Impressive beer.

 

New beer, new brewery. A Fantastic Voyage, NEIPA by Connecticut Valley Brewing. My son brought this home last night. I can't believe I never had anything by them (or heard of them for that matter). After all CT is a pretty small state.
Thought I would take pictures from the porch looking onto the rained-out patio.



Poured to a tulip from a can dated 10/17/17. (Can't say its old).
Hazy apricot juice look to body, typical of style. Head is a little weird, can't quite put my finger on it but the bubbles seem big. Some lacing, but not much.
Aroma is mango with must. Yes must.
Taste is citrus, mango, but with a flattening note, a bitterness you don't taste in the more popular NEIPAs.
Mouth feel is kind of light for this style. Carbonation is probably normal, but seems strong with the light mouth feel.
Did some web research. This beer is not in the BA database yet. Brewery only has a Facebook page (I really hate that). Found out they created their Untapped profile in January of 2016. There are only a 2 pictures on Google maps, one of the outside of the building (quite impressive for a new business) and one of their logo.
So decent try from this "mysterious" brewery, but there are better NEIPAs out there. I doen't want to sound too negative, I would still take this beer if my choices were thin. I will eventually visit their taproom, learn more about them and try some of their other beers.

 

Some libraries now allow you to take out books on loan as ebooks. Also, Amazon has a program called Kindle Unlimited, $10/mo for access to all books on the program, some from major authors and many from some really talented independent authors

 

Thanks for the great opening LotW. One of my wife's friends started a book club a few years back that we've been dutifully keeping alive since then. It's partly just an excuse for people to throw themed dinner parties every couple of months, but it has given me the push I need to read more books outside of my comfort zone (which is generally sci-fi and nonfiction).

Sierra Nevada's Snowpack dropped in our area recently and I'm always excited for their seasonal variety packs (especially after the missing Fall Pack this year). I'm not a huge fan of spiced ales, and I've had the Pale and Coffee Stout before so I'm pouring myself the Holiday Haze today. While I'm generally a huge SN fan going way back, their hoppy offerings are probably my least favorite part of their lineup aside from the original Pale which rocked my world 25 years ago and is still welcome in my fridge.





Opening the bottle this immediately has the thick, fruity nose that they are clearly going for with this attempt at a NE style IPA. For better or for worse the nose is the greatest part of this style for me, so they're off to a good start. It's got the tropical note but also quite a bit of citrus, especially grapefruit. In the glass it looks the part as well - pleasantly hazy and bit more yellow than orange. Head dissipates quickly but continues to leave thick lacing. Taste follows the nose with even more of that grapefruit citrus and maybe some pineapple in the background. Mild but definitely present bitterness. As is usual for this style in my mind, most of the flavor is upfront and there's not a lot on the backend. The mouthfeel is really interesting - it's got some of that softness associated with the style but I think it's also a bit more carbonated than usual which gives it a bit of a spicy/tingly feel as well.

This is a big success as far as I'm concerned and unless there are logistical reasons precluding it I'd be amazed if SN doesn't make this a year round, or at least a stand alone seasonal, offering. With this and Born Yesterday, the big boys appear to have cracked the code for making this style of beer on a large scale. It'll be interesting to see if others follow.

p.s. my pictures didn't seem to come through last time for some reason when I viewed them on a different computer so if there's a problem again I'd appreciate if someone would let me know.

 

MYSTERY CAN!!!!!!!!!!



This mystery can comes to me courtesy of @TongoRad on the margins of the latest NBS BIF.

No mug this time. It pours a hazed pale yellow color with three fingers of airy white head. The big head reminds me a bit of Orval, but this isn't giving too much away.

There's a light aroma of smoked ham. That may be the Bacon Cheez-Its I just ate, but knowing TongoRad, I'm guessing the smoke is supposed to be there. There's some crakery malt behind, as well as a hint of floral hops and light soap. Maybe a touch of mint and grass as well.

It's similarly light tasting. Again with some light smoke. A touch of farmhouse or grisette-like Belgian yeast and soapy, floral notes. A hint of hay. Very light lime juice tartness. And some more light smoke in the semi-dry finish.

Relatively light bodied with modest carbonation. Clean, dry feel.

This is a hard style to get a feel for. Could be a rauchbier. A smoked grisette is my guess though.

And the reveal....



Wow. Cool can, cool name. Guess I sort of got the rauchbier and saison, but even though I did pick up some slight lime juice tartness, I never would have pegged this as a Berliner Weiss.

Here's how the brewery describes it...



Perfect hybrid beer for a blind tasting. I'll stick with Smoked Grisette over BerlinerRauchSaison, though. Thanks, Michael.

 

New England Brewing Company’s Fuzzy Baby Ducks

Have been trying to taste this beer for a couple of years now. Ranked #1 in CT. I use BA to record my tasting notes and hunt for beers that i want to taste. Would stop by the tap room and , finally, I had success on my last road trip.

Enjoyed a fresh pour from the tap at New England brewing company

Pours a hazy yellow , white foam ring , good lacings

Slight citrus aroma

Citrus , Orange hop taste

Suds up nicely , nice hop bite , lingers well

It is a good beer, but for such a highly rated beer I was expecting more taste and more aroma. There are other CT brewed beers that i have higher rated

 

Ha! Great can art @TongoRad

 

New beer #5. Unfortunately not ending on a high note. This might be a drain pour.

I See the Vision - Burlington Beer Co
IPA with Pink Guava - 7% abv
Canned 9/27/17 (32 days ago)
Score: 3.42 (-11.6% rDev)



L - 2 finger head recedes rapidly, leaving minimal lacing. Light-orange body is translucent and filled with bubbles.

S - tropical fruit, butterscotch.

T - butter, some cheese. Definitely some flaws here. I don't get much guava here at all. Mildly bitter.

F - low-medium body, higher than usual carb.

O - the flaws ruin this one for me. I really enjoy guava in a beer, but the butter taste (presumably too much diacetyl) make it hard to get into this beer.

 

I totally agree. Great job on the review!

 

3.96/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Nice clear amber body. Two fingers worth of head that quickly disapeared. Carbonation bubbles stuck around during the drinking.

S: The grain and malts stand out on these styles of beers. Getting a biscuit like sweetness from the beer. Reminds me of local Oktoberfests I have been to.

T: Really good Oktoberfest beer. The maltiness comes out well. Picking up some sweet flavors that balance out the malt nice.

M: Light crisp beer. Sweet flavors mix well with everything.

O: One of the best versions of this style I have had, and a beer that I look for every year around this time.

 

I didn’t read the novel but watched the film, didn’t care for it much but loved the story. The soundtrack is awesome, I love it.

 

Ah what the hell let's make it a two new beer day and check out the other new-to-me beer in SN's Snowpack. I used to love Harpoon's Winter Warmer back in the day and, somewhat more recently, Sam Adam's Winter lager, but it's been quite a while since I've specifically reached for a spiced wintery beer.





In the glass this smells almost exactly like what I'm expecting - mulling spice, molasses, a little vanilla, and some deep roasty malt. It's a very dark brown which only lets a hint of light through and has a 1/2 inch thick head that resolves to a ring in a few minutes. Taste is not at all sweet and the spices are present but not at all overpowering. Very mild up front and then followed by that spicy, molasses flavor on the back end. No real bitterness. I really appreciate that they did not overdo it on the spices and the base beer underneath seems mild, clean and smooth.

I probably would not seek out a six pack of this but I'll be pleased enough to drink them if they continue to show up in mixpacks.

 

Man, that Brakspear glass is a nice blast from the past. I love one of my pristine condition dimpled and handled Young's mug- made for Oatmeal Stout draft- that I refuse to use it. But I have two!

 

Greetings NBS faithful! A tip of the cap to @lordofthewiens for the always thought provoking start. I'm not much of a reader these days as leisure time is something I always seem to be short on. Speaking of time, it's hard to believe we're turning the page on another month. It was a busy weekend with a concert last night and a 5k race this morning. I'm in need of a beer, so let's get going!

A pint can of Peanut Butter Milk Stout from Triton Brewing of Indianapolis. It has a best by date of 01/11/18, no abv. on the label and I'm pouring it in a 12oz. snifter. It pours a thin dark brown producing a small finger of creamy tan foam that slowly settles leaving heavy lacing behind. The smell is bakers chocolate, crushed peanuts, leather and brown sugar. Taste is chocolate peanut butter cake, roasted malt and milk sugar. The feel is creamy smooth but rather thin for the style.

A flavorful easy drinking milk stout that tastes like a liquid Reese's peanut butter cup infused chocolate cake. While nothing complex, it is a fun beer! My score is 3.98/5 and I had the honor of adding it to the database here.

A thank you to @2beerdogs for introducing me to some great music yesterday. He texted me about a show not far from my house featuring Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. I watched a lot of their material on YouTube and with a last minute text by Derek reminding me on Friday, I purchased tickets for last nights concert. Thanks buddy, it was one hell of a memorable acoustic performance by two guy's overflowing with talent and a love for their art. Dave is a masterful guitar player and their vocals complement each other with their different range and style. The stories between songs were priceless and often funny and the music was like Johnny Cash meets Willie Nelson meets Johnny Lee Hooker. A two hour nonstop performance that I'd see again in a heartbeat. I normally don't post videos here, but feel compelled to share what Derek shared with me. Here's a video that captures their live performance well and a photo from last night.


Cheers people, not sure where I'm going from here today. The official scorecard as always.....

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27037/309778/?ba=Prager62#review

 

From @WesMantooth.
I'd call this a noble experiment that doesn't entirely come together. Certainly one of the most original beers I've had in a while, and I say that as someone who recently had a barrel-aged malt liquor!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33530/190706/?ba=woemad#review
I've never had cinnamon toast made with cornbread, but this might be how it might taste. The coffee is little more than a subtle taste at the finish.

 

So despite being in Virginia, and spending time every now and then in or near Reston, this is my first beer from Aslin. It's Vapid.



It's another one of those NEIPAs, hence the big OJ looking appearance and disinterested head. Actually, one of the more thick looking ones, like orange juice gravy. Nose is very sharp with, I'll go with shallot? Just a fancy way of suggesting onion I suppose. Past that is a cross between juicy fruit gum and grapefruit with some of that earthy veggie on the edges. Taste is a big, slightly soft and dry but bitter punch of grapefruit but there's something else there along the way, like mint leaf? Eucalyptus? Spruce? I don't exactly know, but it adds a fresh, breezy element. Finishes super dry, never too much sweet happening either. Pretty good beer.

 

Deschutes Jubelale, 6.7% ABV, 65 IBU. Pours deep brown, with a one finger tan head. Nose is malty, apple, and moleasses. Taste follows, a bit sweet, with moderate bitterness. Quite smooth mouthfeel, excellent overall. Very nice winter warmer, after having just gotten our first snow of the season.

 

Rain still falling, skies darkening, blinds fluttering, new beer flowing...

Sand City celebrated their 2nd year anniversary with this beer; 10/8/17 release date...

Hazy medium-light gold body under a big head that left lots of lace webbing behind... Aromas brightly citric, like freshly squeezed orange juice, with a zest of grapefruit for extra punch... Flavor is sharp, biting citrus pith, orange-like again, but with a real cutting edge and a dank underbelly... Medium feel, tangy and tingly, and despite the citrusy, New England-stylings, has a bit of chewy shellac in there, too... A big beer with a surprisingly high abv of 9%...

 

That is one ugly pumpkin....