New Beer Sunday (Week 678)

Thanks -I'm reading it now.

 

And, like I said to @beerloserLI , I fundamentally agree. I like the fact that new BIFers are, or should be, driven to participate in NBS. Short of having a requirement of X amount of NBS participation before joining the BIF, what do we do? Again, I'm open to all thoughts and suggestions.

 

It’s not that hard to scroll past any of our posts, really

 

Happy NBS. Trying this very nice Wild Heaven Gravitational Wave. Cheers all.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23651/221253/?ba=cindyjeffsmith#review

 

Yes, well, is is what is and not what ought to be is, isn't it?

 

Post work NBS beer #1



Trendler Schwarzbier

Tired Hands Brewing Company
Schwarzbier / 5.50% ABV

4.37/5 rDev +7.6% | Score: 4.06
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Canned 01/31/18

L-The beer pours a rich glossy black with a 3 finger off white head. The head recedes to a large island and ring, leaving spotty lacing along the glass.
S-Dark malt fills the nose with a moderate intensity.
T- Malt rules the day on the palate as well. There is wonderful balance between malt and hops. There is no harshness from the malt which I can get with some schwarzbiers.
F- Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium and a tad slick. The carb is prickly, but light enough not to impede drinkability.
O- This is a style I enjoy greatly and this beer is among the finest examples I've had. It's drinkability is second to none. Well done Tired Hands.

 

If you'll pardon the indulgence, here's a beer that I tried yesterday and enjoyed enough to also grab a growler. It's a smoked Wee Heavy made by Roscoe Beer Co, who also make the Trout Town line of beers.

Barley Bonfire, 9.5% abv.

There's no information about this beer here on BA, just a listing, so that also prompted me to jot down some thoughts.

The flavors and aromas are perfectly in line with the style: caramel, nuts, amber rum, dark sugar, and an addictive spicy fruitcake quality on the finish. The smoke is gentle and well incorporated, which is a plus, but the best part is how that's really the story of the whole beer. Everything is so complementary and well knit; if anything, it's really surprising just how soft and delicate this all comes across. Sure, there's a sweetness here, but it's malty sweet, not sugary or cloying. It's full, but not heavy or plodding. Bitterness is there if you look for it, and no more. Alcohol has barely a presence, but adds just enough of a glow. Really good stuff! A- (4.35).

All in all, I didn't know what to expect from our visit to the brewery. The Trout Town line is, by design, non challenging and made for easy consumption. But the brewery-only stuff seems to be interesting and well made, and I came away impressed by what I had- a very pleasant surprise .

 

Happy NBS, fellow new beer samplers and commentators. With the three-day weekend we're staying at the Shore till tomorrow. Usually, we drive home on Sunday and I stop at Kane or Carton. Instead, I went to one of my favorite South Jersey Shore breweries, Slack Tide Brewing in Clermont, NJ (Cape May County). I'm reviewing Tackle Box #1, a NE Style IPA with an ABV of 6.8% It features a nice balance of sweet tropical fruit and tart citrus. Unfortunately, the hops used in this ale weren't posted on the board or the website but they have a nice bite. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some Motueka along with domestic hops. Slack Tide is a great little brewery, and I try to visit whenever I'm down here, especially off season when it's serene. I'll be enjoying a crowler of a new Slack Tide stout after dinner. Here's my full review:

4.19/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from fresh crowler into Slack Tide tulip glass. It pours an opaque tangerine color with a half finger of creamy, milk-white head and a thin sheen of lacing that coated the glass for the duration of the pour. It has a really nice aroma of tangerine, melon, grapefruit, pine needles, vanilla, and floral hops. It's definitely fruity with tart grapefruit and lemon, along with sweet melon, tangerine, and hints of vanilla and cracker. I haven't been able to discern how it's hopped. I should have asked the brewer but it finishes with a nice bitter bite that balances the sweet initial taste really well. As it warmed it became increasingly bitter. This ale features lively carbonation and for 6.8% ABV it's really crushable. This is a nicely-crafted NE Style IPA. It's not at the same level as Equilibrium or Other Half but it's really good. I've been impressed with every Slack Tide offering I've tasted.

I hope you're all enjoying your new beer today. The reviews are well-written and informative. And I'm looking forward to NBS BIF #7!

 

Happy New Saison Sunday!

Pretty nice sunny day, around 55 on the Western Slope. Trail is still muddy in spots, lot's of people were out today. Having a pretty tasty brew, been almost 11 years since last. I've grown to like Saison's since. Picked up some tacos.

Avec Les Bons Voeux | Brasserie Dupont sprl

4.37/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Revisit: 18 Feb 18
750 ml
Caged/Corked

Almost 11 years since!

Poured into a Trillium glass a pretty nice slightly hazy dark golden yellow color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger plus white head, which also leaves some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is pretty nice, malty, yeasty, with a nice touch of pears/orange/tangerine/grapes, coriander, pepper. The taste is pretty nice, malty, yeasty, pretty nice touch of pears/orange/tangerine/grapes, coriander, pepper. Medium body, ABV is hidden very well, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a very nice brew. Glad to have found this bottle for the revisit.

Thanks goes to nouseforotacon.

750ml caged and corked

One LOUD POP of the cork. Pours a nice slightly cloudy yellowish color, nice carbonation, nice two-finger plus creamy white head, tons of sticky lacing afterwards. The nose is of malts, hops, belgian yeast, pears, grapes, and spices. The taste is sweet/tangy, malty, yeasty, grassy, and spicy. Medium body, a complex brew. Drinkable, Saison's are not my best style of brew, so I cannot drink alot of it.

Cheers!

 

Thanks to @RedhawkPoke for this very, very nice Barleywine, from NBS BIF #6: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/46299/263349/

 

Everyone writes reviews differently but I enjoy reading ALL of them. They're informative and full of interesting personality!

 

Now that the gate has been opened, leave it open and people will decide for themselves. With the current beer culture, I doubt you'll run out of participants.

 

I joined NBS BIF #6 and hadn't posted in any of the NBS threads. However, after reading through a couple of threads it made me want to join the NBS threads. Think since I first started posting in these threads I only missed one week; I was too sick to drink. Don't guess I ever really noticed the BIF crowd isn't the NBS regulars, but I have noticed there are a handful of folks that post here most weekends. The BIF got me into this thread, and this thread has got me more into thinking about beer critically.

 

This is exactly what my hopes were when I first floated the balloon. I had never been in any BIF when I started these, let alone run one. With the help of several folks, especially @LehighAce06 , we got through the first couple rounds, and we've settled into a format. Every round, we do get a few folks who are either one&done, or don't join in NBS. I lean towards being more inclusive, but, these things are yours, not mine, and whatever the majority of NBSers (who are the reason for the BIFs, after all) think is the right approach, is the approach we'll take. Thanks for signing up for the BIF, and participating in NBS.

 

What a great review! It's so vivid I feel like I'm drinking it too. Mrs. Mac thinks the animal on the label is part Beagle due to its white tail tip. I looks like a wolf to me. Any insight? Canine or Canis Lupis?

 

Bock and Doppelbock are more strength designations than styles, so that's where some confusion will tend to come in.

 

2 top Rye IPAs, 1 Wheat IPA, and 2 Belgians - all new 4+ beers
Rye Fidelity | Bronx Brewery
4.31/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Thrilled to be 3rd review of this new rye IPA from a great Bronx brewer that starts with the great minerally Adirondack water of NYC.
a) Hazed amber-apricot body that lifts a small white head and laces dots.
s) Wow, perfume, spice, pungent rye with malt back.
t) Strong bitterness that's tempered with citrus, tropical fruit, grass, hemp, and big, large scale, complex flavor. More hemp and hash and smoke that most DIPAs. Good and complex finish. Worth a conversation.
f) You feel cider, juicy, peppery, and strong finish along with the 8.1% ABV. A crisp, dry, warm finish.
o) Nice when a brewer knows its expertise and amplifies it. A Rye great.

Off The Wheaten Path IPA | Burley Oak
4.3/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
At L+W Oyster 5th Av & 28th St happy hour 930-close.
a) A hazy golden apple cider body with a two finger white head, that lasts and laces over the hazy cidery murk.
s) Fruit, Fall, Orchard, Apple, Mint, herbs, wet grass, dank earth,=
t) More of aroma, bigger, with citrus added, and more dank earth. Bright, apple sauce, juicy.
f) Fresh, apple sauce, juicy. mid weight, light carb, great tongue tickler, kissy.
o) Outstanding, hops last and finish in a memorable, food and oyster friendly path.

Hop Rod Rye | Bear Republic
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.2
Where's this beer been hiding? I love it. Found in bomber in bodega in SF for night cap.
a) Pours a dense 1 finger cap in the smallest glass and HOLDS IT, Lasts, laces, rocks it over a hazed ice tea body.
s) IPA made more bitter, more astringent by rye. But too faint.
t) Taste is abundant. Brings intense bittering, balanced by grainy sweet, whiskey like but hiding ABV well, then cascade of hop citrus, pine, grass, earthy floor, and dank flavors. Some mollasses, dark toasted grain, long finish, with pepper, muskiness, earthiness.
f) Creamy, great mouth feel, luscious. Matches the whiskey, creamy head look.
o) Overall favorite rye (18%!) beer.

Maudite | Unibroue
4.21/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4 Seasons at SF, welcome finish of the evening.
a)_ Pours a creamy beige top, that lasts and laces a little, over a translucent watery coffee color.
s) Smells of dark fruits like prune, red grape, cherry, with lots of yeasty spice and sweet malt.
t) Fruit cake in a good way, real beer, yeast and malt and hops with dark fruit essence. On the sweet side but tempered by spice.
f) Creamy and smooth, nice finish, polished with some ABV warmth.
o) The sum is greater than the parts, true northern, belgique.
Pale Sour Ale | Ommegang
4.2/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Snifter of sunshine, earth, grass, and orchard rows.
a) Bright, shiny golden body with slight haze. White fizzy head that lasts, rings, and massively laces like ocean water.
s) Nose has a better than white wine astringent fruit aroma of grapes, green apples, yeast, cider house.
t) Follows the smell but grows more complex. See saw of sweet and sour, better than any astringent wine could do.
Great apertif. I could have another. like a white wine, lighter, and the fruit sours at just the right progression.
f) Wine like, minerally gentle prickle, bright cleansing bubbles, that finish long and scrubbing with a wine, dry, light, sun-baked conclusion.
o) Complex and complete. I enjoyed it more as it warmed.

 

My one and only new beer for this NBS is a new sour farmhouse ale from Honest Weight Artisan Beer, based out of Orange, MA. I have previously had one other HW bottle which I featured in a previous NBS post. They tend to do well by Brett and also have some very good pale ales that I've managed to find on tap at better beer bars in the Boston area once or twice.



A Pattern Language is a mixed culture farmhouse ale conditioned on plums. The bottle says this was brewed on August 2nd, 2017 and bottles November 28th, 2017, meaning it was conditioning for a few months. Not sure how much time was spent on the fruit, but Brett can definitely do some interesting stuff in only a couple months so I'm looking forward to what this delivers.

It pours a solid, translucent golden color with some minor blush wine characteristics when held to light. The head is long-lasting and consistent, measuring about a finger-and-a-half at its highest point. No lace to speak of, but pretty nice legs here. A subtle and well-composed pour here. I dig it.

The nose is strikingly sour and funky, with strong suggestions of plum, tangerine and moderate red grape along with tropical fruit from the Brett. Light rustic "horse blanket", but there's really a lot more fruit here than the appearance would have you believe. Lychee, gooseberry and faint guava suggestions as well. Really evocative and impressive nose here.

On the tongue, A Pattern Language presents with a sharp citric-ness upfront before leading into soft wheat and Brett rusticness in the mid-palate. The finish is full of drying funk with prominent plum and other stone fruit notes. A note that reminds me of sticky apricot jam/preserves comes across, for example. The finish is dry, tangy and lingering with a somewhat hoppy note that feels playful and enjoyable. Bright, drinkable and complex... I'm very impressed with this offering!

 

@beertunes, I think I speak for everyone in saying that we appreciate all you do in running the NBS BIF. There seems to be a core group that participates in both, including @beerloserLI (you gotta stay in, Player!) but there isn't a 100% overlap. It's too much to ask for you to "enforce" participation in NBS by BIF participants. And I don't think it's even possible Those of us who participate in both need to talk it up and encourage participation in NBS, which for me is the best thing about Beer Advocate. WBAYDN and the Mid Atlantic Forum are great but there's nothing to match the comradery of NBS!

 

First off, apologies for not being a trader on here. My budget doesn't really allow me to do huge trades.
Second, I enjoy writing about beer and enjoy seeking this thread when I have something new. I know there have been weeks I've been here and some I end up missing. With this in mind, I'd like to thank all that have made me feel welcome here.
Third, I don't have a solid answer to those who do NBS and BIF on how to get the BIFers to write something here. Only thing I can think of is to keep doing what we already do here: allow this thread to be as open as it can be - sometimes I tell people, don't think of it as a 'review' - its just your thoughts on whatever beer you're drinking. If it's a 'thumbs up' - tell us why in said amount of words. If it's a 'thumbs down' - tell us why in said amount of words.

One thing that I appreciate and sorry I haven't given kudos is our MC's who go out of their way every week to make as many BA's feel appreciated in this thread. Though I don't know them personally, but they give up their Sundays to ensure this thread continues to go on.

Thanks @lordofthewiens ; @cjgiant @cavedave (I think I've seen you too, Sir) and if I missed someone else that has gotten us started. Keep up this fine thread.