New Beer Sunday (Week 705)

Many thanks @cjgiant for getting this great thread started today. Likely a one and done for me today, have some bamboo flooring 'calling my name'. My offering is Trillium's Nauset Lighthouse, canned 08/14/18.



L: Pours a murky brown orange with 2 fingers of variable density khaki head with good retention and mixed spotted lacing.

S: Very heavy apricot, followed by candied mango and pineapple, floral undertones.

T: Follows the nose well, very heavy apricot, hides ABV very well. Finishes with mild bitterness and just a hint of acidity, clears palate fairly quickly.

F: Medium bodied with low-medium carbonation, creamy on the tongue with just a hint of tingling from the acidity and ABV, silky on the swallow.

O: A very nice DIPA that crushed the mouthfeel for me. Wish I'd grabbed more than one can.



BA Score = 4.15, rdev = +2.5%

 

Happy Sunday BAs.

Moasic Promise from Founders. It is as it says, it's simple, Moasic Hops and Golden Promise malt. 5.5 abv IBUs 50.

The thought of Mosaic Hops and or Simcoe always give me some pause, quite a few that I've had I'd say leaned towards catty, but they do blend beautifully though, but this isn't the case here. This beer is very crisp and super clean, it pours a hazy pale gold and retains an impressive head till the end. They nailed this beer, the goal was simple and it was beautifully executed, a super solid easy drinking PA that's superbly balanced, it's not overly anything, as to the hops and or malt. I'd easily buy this beer again, it's that enjoyable.

 

Switching from an Oude Gueuze to a traditional unblended Lambic - Cantillon’s “Grand Cru Brouscella Lambic Bio Saison 2014-2015”. Bottled 23 March 2018. From Cantillon’s website, unblended and aged for 3 years, then refermented with “liqueur d’ expedition” [dosage]:





Pours a deep gold/pale amber - looks just like chrystal clear apple juice; no head; one or two spots of lace with vigorous agitation. 4.75

Aromas of sour green apple, fresh cut hay with some grassiness and funk. 4.25

Barely fruit flavored-like eating the fuzzy skin of a less than fresh peach past its prime; mild acidity; grape must; sour green apples; subtle shoe leather funkiness. 4.5

Zero to almost no carbonation; lite body; very dry; lightly acidic; flat, old wood feel; wooden tongue coating that is also vinous. 4.5

Overall, less funky, sour and acidic than the Gueuze; drys the whole mouth; super lite - it would be “easy drinking” but for the dry wooden aspect - and it’s just too vinous to be a pounder; yet I find it is hard to not want to keep drinking more - very compelling! 4.5

 

Still working on finishing up vacation haul beers, including this Gale Force DIPA from North Channel Brewing.



3.95/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This double is a welcomed departure from the soft, less bitter or super dank NEIPAs because its a syrupy, super bitter sweet aftertaste with candy orange joint. It reminds me of the East Coast doubles like Hop Devil or Hop Wallop. Dark slightly hazy amber beer that doesn’t do much head or lacing wise. Nose is primarily sweet with a little orange but mostly a caramel fragrance. Taste starts bitter and travels to orange sweet before the bitter, dry finish. Overall it’s a decent beer.

 

New Beer Sunday: An Oktoberfest

Afternoon NBSers with my presently preferred pick for this year’s practically perfect Oktoberfest.

This afternoon’s Oktoberfest is the Sierra Nevada — Weihenstephaner collaboration.

As usual, my review, subject to revision until I finish the beer, can be found here:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/357839/?ba=drtth#review


The aromas/flavors of this Oktoberfest beer are all about the lightly toasted bready, crackery malt and it’s touch of sweetness that all ride on but do not conceal a background flavors that include some lightly spicy, herbal bitterness from the hops. I’ve enjoyed this beer enough that it will probably be the most frequent Oktoberfest in my fridge this year. I also have my fingers crossed for the possibility that next year there will be a fall variety pack from Sierra Nevada that brings back all four of the Collaborations in one box. But as someone once said, “It’s difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.” (Attributed to many different people including both Mark Twain and Yogi Berra.)

Cheers, all!

 

New beer #4. Thanks @thebeers !

Zuurzing - Foundation
Sour Farmhouse Ale - 4.5% abv
Score: 4.07 (+4.9% rDev)



Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/34208/180136/?ba=CanConPhilly#review

Synopsis:
A very refreshing, summer beer. Sour saisons are hit or miss for me, but this one is a hit. Aggressively tart, with a puckering sourness that forces you to take notice. I haven’t been blown away by Foundation’s ipas, but that being said, this is the best beer I’ve tried from them.

 

Triumph brewery amber ale
..color is a dark amber
..around a medium body with just below average carbonation
..aroma is malt, some roasted malt, and a mild sweet floral smell
..taste is very similar, malt shows up first buts it's far from a malt bomb. Just a slight bitterness that makes it a very delicious beer
..Overall I'm probably biased as it's a local brewery but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed thisfree photo hosting

 

Time for another new brew!



Poured from the bottle into a teku glass.

Pale dark orange, almost like a light pomengranate body color. Very lively off the pour, lots of snapping creating head, tan yellow in color, but fizzes away pretty quicky, not even leaving a collar. Very still looking brew, a little lifeless, bit of an orange glow, but some interesting color characteristics to it.

Aroma is a creamy lime tartness. Lots of cookie lime and biscuity action. It's very impressive, there's a touch of cream in here, and a good rounded caramel sensing aged/oaky body. Definitely smells as described, very impressive. Even comes out a little clove like spicy sweet.

Palate does not dissapoint. Whipped up body, with creamy touches of light acidic lime, toasty cookies and caramel, mixing with a rich decadent sharp sweetness and bitterness. Super zesty finish. Whipped up caramel and pie like crusty malt flavors abound, you can practically taste the toppings of pie on this thing.

Real fun and delicious tasting dessert like brew. Lots of fun, easily drinkable too and a little dangerous!

look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25 | BA Generated: 4.21

Cheers!

 

The Bruery - Terreux - Saison Ardennes*

Continuing with the saison theme, this is one of those bright and shiny American saisons I was referring to earlier. As far as those types go, while not the brightest or shiniest, this one is really nice.

It's a deep yellow with a slight haze. Carbonation is nice. Creamy body. It's very green apple forward. It's gently tart and dry. The thing that makes it really work is the slight tannic bitterness that comes in on the finish for some balance. This makes all the difference. A very nice beer.

I kind of roll my eyes with the small bottle. Caught somewhere between a 750/22 (in approach) and a 12oz from a six pack (in size), it embodies the NEW space for brewers to charge a premium (see also 16oz sticker cans and small corked bottles). It's an annoying zone, but at the same time, I rather buy this than pay twice as much for a bottle twice the size.

What's up with the horse? I'm guessing The Bruery never used horses.


*not to be confused with Ardenne Saison

 

Here too as of yesterday, but I'll wait until the holiday season BBQ finale.

 

Good Afternoon BAs thanks to @cjgiant for getting us going, I have a couple new beers set aside for today so let's get started. Westbrook Fruit Wood Time Black Raspberry a 5.7% bottle conditioned sour ale. I came in under the average for this one although I liked it (there are only 2 ratings for it). I like that this is a pretty mild sour, I like really sour beers but sometimes it is hard to sit down and drink a bottle alone this one will be no problem. A really delicate touch on the flavors, only complaint I might have is the finish is a little syrupy. I will be back later with another one, hope everyone has a great Sunday!!

Appearance 4.25 - pours deep purple with dark pink head that quickly dissipates to nothing, no lacing.

Aroma 4 - Oak, tart raspberry. light vinous aroma, mild lemon, slight funk. The aroma is very mild overall nothing is super strong.

Taste 4.25 - Nice tart raspberry up front along with a mild oak. Lemon, the taste is very balanced no funk in the taste just mostly mild sour.

Feel 4.25 - Medium bodied, pretty dry syrupy finish that really sticks to your mouth.

Overall 4.14 - Really mild sour, nice flavors does not destroy your palate.

 

New beer #5. Thanks @thisischuck01 !

Triple Broccoli - Other Half
Triple IPA - 10% abv
Canned 8/2/18 (24 days ago)
Score: 3.92 (-4.4% rDev)



Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33510/360880/?ba=CanConPhilly#review

Synopsis:
Big, sweet, and boozy. Almost nothing in common with the regular Broccoli, which I think is one of Other Half’s best beers. This is a sipper, which I could see becoming a decent barleywine down the road.

 

Triumph brewery hefe-weizen
..Cloudy amber copper color
.. Just above average body with plenty of carbonation which doesn't fade as I take my time drinking it
..aroma is banana, banana bread, and yeast
... taste is banana bread first, yeast, ripe bananas comes through next. Not at all bitter but far from sweet with an almost dry finish
... Overall it's another pleasant surprise from this brewery. True to style, maybe a bit weak compared to some others but still very solid

 

Hello NBS, feels good to be back. First new brew of the day is Big Tom's Milkshake IPA by Three Magnets Brewing Co. out of Olympia, Washington. The brew is made in collaboration with Eastside Big Tom, the oldest drive-thru in the state of Washington. Its a Double Dry Hopped IPA brewed with oranges and vanilla beans. Sounds great, so let's dive in. Pictures first..

Love the can art and colorway

L: 4.00 Pours a dark straw yellow in color. About 2 fingers of head which quickly dissipated. Nice amounts of residual lacing. I can swirl the beer and revive the bubbly head, which is a plus.
S: 4.50 Pretty much exactly as you'd expect. The nose is abundant with that freshly squeezed orange juice aromas. The vanilla is detectible as well, enabling the beer to smell like a orange&cream fifty-fifty bar. Very appetizing smell-wise.
T: 3.75 Initial flavors are of vanilla beans and a orange flavor that reminds me of sunny delight. Though not the fresh orange flavor I was hoping for, this does strongly resemble an orange creamsicle. Finish is semi-sweet with a lingering vanilla flavor.
F: 4.25 Soft and smooth. Nice weight to the beer with an appreciated tongue-coating elements. Carbonation is nicely implemented without being overly done.
O: 4.00 I was happy to try this beer. I haven't had many offerings from 3 magnets, but this was something I am enjoying. Cheers NBS.
Final BA Score: 4.05

 

What’s up BA? Been trying to catch on chores around the house, and time for a new beer.

This is Ghost Train’s Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie Sour. Easy drinking with flavors and aromas to match the name. Very crushable for a hot summer day.



Poured from 12 oz can

A: Hazy ruby red with a purple tint. Fairly large 2-3 finger pink grapefruit head with lasting retention and light lacing.

S: Blueberries, sour cherries, and grapefruit. Hints of lactose which may be the cheesecake slant.

T: Tart fruit wit( blueberry and cherry mixed with a creamy element that does read like cheesecake.

M: Medium body with average carbonation. Finish is lightly tart with subtle sweetness.

O: Very nice sour especially for those just getting into the style. Very approachable and enjoyable on a hot summer day.

 

The Standard, a Czech style Pilsener from Notch Brewing in Salem, MA is a superb lager. (I did share this large liter today). If I was a local here, this would be a top choice.
This clear, golden tap pour has a 1.5 cm froth cap and a fresh, woodsy hop aroma. The flavor is exceptionally rich (especially for a 4.4 ABV brew). Hay and beech flavors dominate. The finish is perfectly clean. This is one of the best beers I have had. Even though this is not my primary style choice, I regard this to be close to an ideal brew.

 

Well NBS, onto the next new brew. This is Omnipollo's Oaxaca. According to Omnipollo, it's a mango margarita slush IPA, brewed with lactose, mango, lime, grapefruit and vanilla. First, some images.


L: 4.50 This thing looks inviting. The usual hazy golden color. About a finger and a half of a frothy white head. Generous amounts of residual glass lacing. The head can be revived with vigorous swirls, and it retains nicely.
S: 4.25 Mango, grapefruit, lime and salt on the nose. As it warms, the vanilla becomes more pronounced. Smell-wise, it smells great. Not much in regards to the lactose.
T: 3.75 Lime seems to be the domineering flavor, with mango and vanilla close behind. The finish is somewhat acidic and tart, with a lingering grapefruit flavor. The lactose seems to resonate in my mouth, though I can't single it out effectively. Somewhat of a hop presence, with a flavor resembling lemongrass, but it is minimal. There is an apparent saltiness to the flavor as well, resembling a margarita (I guess).
F: 3.50 Light and watery, with seemingly high carbonation. Though I don't particularly care much for the feel, it still is an easy brew to drink.
O: 3.50 Not much to say. It's an interesting brew, and I am glad to have tried it. It was worth a try, but I don't see myself going back to it. Cheers NBS.
Final BA Score: 3.84

 

Ahh you're right, slip of the keyboard, meant to write LNNBS, but LNBA still a thing in my old brain for sure, and is what came out. Isn't LNNBS a thing?