New Beer Sunday (Week 773)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by cjgiant, Dec 15, 2019.

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  1. cjgiant

    cjgiant Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,584) Jul 13, 2013 District of Columbia
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Good evening, NBS. Almost midway through the 2nd half of the NCAA soccer championship and UVa just scored to tie the game. Georgetown has looked to be the slightly better team this game, so I am not overly confident the Cavaliers can pull off their 3rd national championship of the year (and eighth ever in soccer), but they have a shot **

    Since I will be in between reviewing the beer and soccer watching, this is a good choice as it is likely it can warm and not suffer from it: Goose Island BCB Mon Cheri Stout
    [​IMG]

    Typical black gold flows into the glass, producing a moderately thin cap of loosely packed bubbkes. The brown air capsules burst quickly and I feared they would disappear entirely before I could snap a photo. As I check the aroma, there is still more than a fishing line's width of bubbles circling the surface, but not much more. A swirl of the glass is quick to bring a froth, setting the glass down sees it fade quickly again.

    Nose is typical BCBS with the rich dark malts giving off rich coffee and dark brownie scents. There's an expected sweetness that seems to stem from the vanilla scents from the barrel, and I am missing the cherry aspect that was promised. There is just a light touch to the boozy side of things - both barrel remnants and beer octane.

    The taste surprises me in a way it probably shouldn't, but the cherry is light. Maybe I've had too many flavored stouts, or maybe my memories of the vanilla and orange BCBS from last year led me the expect a strong cherry flavor here. First sip I thought it might be as absent as in the nose, but then it came to me.

    BCBS roasted malt in the form of a dense chocolate baked good - either rich cake or brownie. Then, a little tang turns into a sweet tartness, leading to a distinctive cherry note - dark by nature or by its association with the beer's malt bill. A little German chocolate cake impression fades into a cherry cordial with a little bourbon in the form of a spicy tingle to remove the cherry. The resulting light numbing sensation comes with a bit of warmth to close the beer.

    Very enjoyable variant - the cherry is a little more distinctive in some sips, but plays pretty well as a partner in this offering.

    ** I was keeping a running story as I watched that had the "chance" struck through:
    Well shit! Georgetown scored :slight_frown:
    Holy shit!! UVa answers with minutes left
    I think I need a drink for overtime
     
    #121 cjgiant, Dec 16, 2019
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  2. bobv

    bobv Grand Pooh-Bah (5,319) Feb 3, 2009 Vermont
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Brewed and canned by Cousin's Brewing at
    Goodwater Brewery, Williston, VT.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/51302/427664/

    [​IMG]

    16 oz. can packaged on 12/06/19.

    Moderate pour yields a one inch pure white head over a hazy golden body with some lacing. Nice nose of citrus (mostly orange with a bit of grapefruit) and slight tropical fruit (mango.) Taste doesn't quite live up to the nose's hype due to the citrus pith bitterness right out of the gate that doesn't quite do it for me. Oh well; good feel and overall, I would certainly smell this one again.
    Cheers!!

    Hmm, I may have neglected to "Post Reply"...
    on this one...
    over an hour ago...
    I was cooking dinner...
    aw, shucks...
    :rolling_eyes:
     
    #122 bobv, Dec 16, 2019
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  3. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    I hold in my hand the last Belgian (and if you don't get the reference, may a bloated yak change the temperature of your beer.) :grin:

    St. Bernardus Abt 12
    ABV: 10.0%
    IBU: 20-ish (sources vary)

    [​IMG]
    Aroma is nice, with your nose into the chalice, but not too strong otherwise. Dark ripe fruits, plums, cherries, sweet-smelling bread. Rich malty aroma.

    Look is coffee from the front; mostly clear ruby red with a backlight. 1 inch head, very thick and creamy, light tan, with little retention, with a 1/4 inch long solid lacing following the head down, lengthening as the head recedes. Good level of visible carbonation.

    Taste is rich dark fruit, as with the aroma, ripe plums, dark cherries, with a rich, sweet bready-malt backing. They whole taste package is one of gravitas. Slightly bitter in the middle. No obvious alcohol in the taste (or the feel) - well maybe just a little in the aftertaste. The finish is dry, despite the sweet malts initially and in the middle.

    The body is moderate with nice carbonation contributing to the overall feel.

    A wonderful sipping beer for a relaxing evening.


    L: 3.75 | S: 4.0 | T: 4.25 | F: 4.0 | O: 4.0 | BA rating: 4.09

    @nc41 -- it certainly sounds like we were drinking the same beer, especially at the end where you allowed yours to warm a bit!
     
    #123 MNAle, Dec 16, 2019
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  4. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Whoa! Pretty sure that one hasn't been imported to Spokane, yet!
     
    #124 woemad, Dec 16, 2019
    Lingenbrau likes this.
  5. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    I like cold beer, but I don’t like Porters or Stouts cold. This beer was good cold, but it got better as it warmed up a bit, as it warmed the fruit came out a bit. I don’t measure temp, but I’d guess this style of beer might be helped a bit by starting at maybe 50 degrees and letting it drift with exposure. This is one beer that i think I’d prefer a 500 ml bottle, yep even at the 10%. It would be a one beer event, but it would lengthen the drinking experience and really let it settle in and see what happens.
     
    #125 nc41, Dec 16, 2019
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  6. beerloserLI

    beerloserLI Grand Pooh-Bah (3,540) Apr 2, 2011 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Happy Sunday NBS players. A pretty grey but rather warm winter day here on the island. I was in banking for about 13 years but I got laid off in Feb. In July, I took on a new career with usps, and I've been working pretty much non-stop. So, very little free time but I am making a decent amount of money and on my way to a full time route within a few weeks.

    My new beer today is Night Howler, imperial stout, from Baerlic Brewing. The brew checks in at 10% abv, and has a 9/30/19 canning date.

    A black pour with a full and fluffy tan head of foam. The nose is full of chocolate malt. A big hit of the chocolate malt carries right over from the nose and onto the drinking. A rather smooth but heavy flow with a bitter finish. Nice notes of cocoa, brown sugar, oats, and anise, Full bodied with a rather thick feel.

    Overall, a pretty straight forward stout void of adjuncts. Thick, heavy, big, and pretty nice. I'm in the 4 range.
    [​IMG]
     
    #126 beerloserLI, Dec 16, 2019
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  7. Lingenbrau

    Lingenbrau Grand Pooh-Bah (4,853) Apr 9, 2011 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Fan of Porter's, eh? Or is it the maple? If it's the latter, don't bother. If it's the former, well... I can always help a brother in need.
     
    #127 Lingenbrau, Dec 16, 2019
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  8. Lingenbrau

    Lingenbrau Grand Pooh-Bah (4,853) Apr 9, 2011 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Isn't it funny that we live in a (beer) world where we have to advertise "void of adjuncts"?

     
    #128 Lingenbrau, Dec 16, 2019
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  9. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nightmare -- Crucifixtion - Third Servile War

    [​IMG]

    4.06/5 rDev +4.4%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

    Immensely eye pleasing picture; cloudy peach and apricot looking body topped with an exceptionally dense and creamy head; sculpted and rocky; Lovely aroma of ripe peach atop a mildly light and sweet malt base. Strong ester and cereal malt base flavor; bread crust and yellow stone fruit sweetness; dull bitterness. Heavy body; dry and somewhat syrupy; fuzzy; mild warmth.

    Another hazy IPA and rather tasty and agreeable overall. The ather dry sweetness may or may not be to one's liking, but for the intended style, it works quite well. It seems to have some kind of lactose body and the taste has that dry, pithy quality of old citrus, yet the beer certainly draws you in. Very nice.
    -------
    I'm a godless heathen at this point in my life, yet I still appreciate the cultural and visual elements of my Christian past.

    I was born and raised Roman Catholic and experienced things such as being a flambeau, altar boy, and (as seriously as a 4th grader can be) seriously considered entering the priesthood.

    And then I dummied up in my early to mid-teens.

    Regardless, I still enjoy the winter spiritual imagery of the times. And one of our neighbors (a staunch Christian) rescued (decades ago) a nativity scene and has displayed it at the end of his street and placed the red star atop the ridge for the longest time. And when it snows, it just makes for a fine, reflective sort of scene.

    I like it.

    And so does Rocket the Nativity Dog...

    Peace...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #129 beergoot, Dec 16, 2019
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  10. bobv

    bobv Grand Pooh-Bah (5,319) Feb 3, 2009 Vermont
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Another new-to-me from Colchester, VT.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/51090/414832/

    [​IMG]

    16 oz. can packaged on 12/03/19.
    Moderate pour yields a one inch slightly off white head over a very hazy, golden body with some sticky lacing. Nose of all orange, all the time. As it warms, a bit of mango aroma is perceived. Taste mirrors nose fairly well with a finish of slight orange pith bitterness. Good feel and overall, a pretty well balanced flavor profile with no bumps in the road and I'd certainly have again.
    Cheers!!!
     
    #130 bobv, Dec 16, 2019
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  11. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Fan of both, but don't concern yourself with it. Community Pint gets a surprising amount of Block 15 in when one considers they don't distribute here, so there's a good chance it'll show up here. I was mainly surprised that they brewed such a beer in the first place.
     
    #131 woemad, Dec 16, 2019
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  12. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Now drinking a pFriem Frambozen at Nectar. More sour than other versions of the style I've had, but nonetheless delicious.
    [​IMG]
     
    #132 woemad, Dec 16, 2019
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  13. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Going to go with a couple of wild/sour ales this evening (as I've had plenty of, well, everything else). Storting off with another Prairie brew: Seasick Crocodile.

    [​IMG]

    Whew, this one is all sorts of Christmas-y. And while I like it, I .... I don't love it. Waves and waves of dry spice dominate, with cinnamon on the nose, and cinnamon and nutmeg on the palate. The fruit (cranberry) is noticeable on the palate, albeit barely, but there is no hint of malt, hops, or yeast. It's barely a beer.

    Is it tasty? Yes. Is it intriguingly seasonable? Definitely. Is it as good as Prairie can produce? No, gawds no.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30356/439333/?ba=Roguer#review
    3.76 / -3.8%

    Again, though: still tasty. Be back soon (I suspect) with a local sour ale.

    Cheers!
     
    #133 Roguer, Dec 16, 2019
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  14. cjgiant

    cjgiant Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,584) Jul 13, 2013 District of Columbia
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Looks a bit like Roanoke, VA until my eyes adjust to the scale.

    Separately, I think your beer is mismatched with the event of the highlighted child’s life :wink:
     
    #134 cjgiant, Dec 16, 2019
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  15. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The red star seems a bit ironic...
    Yr dog seems a bit put out, though, looking at the camera like, "Really? Can I just come in, now?" I'm feeling similar as I face up to my walk home.
     
    #135 woemad, Dec 16, 2019
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  16. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    That’s how craft beer started though. :wink:
    (But I know what you’re saying :slight_smile:)
     
    #136 zid, Dec 16, 2019
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  17. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Fair enough. It wasn't a conscious thing on my part...but we know how the story ends, right?
     
    #137 beergoot, Dec 16, 2019
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  18. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    Sloop Confliction

    Is this a Russian River sour "-tion" beer? Um, nope, it's Sloop. Maybe Sloop is unaware of Russian River. :wink: This beer won a World Beer Cup gold in the American-style sour ale category in 2016. That's basically a category for whatever-type sour beers that aren't barrel aged or with brett or fruit. This is a dry-hopped beer. It's hazy yellow. Tastes of yogurt, tangerine and lemon. It's a bit tart at first, but this lessens considerably when you get acclimated to it.
     
    #138 zid, Dec 16, 2019
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  19. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Haven't seen any real snow down here in 4 years, been way longer if were talking Christmas snow. This is certainly when I miss Colorado
     
    #139 russpowell, Dec 16, 2019
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  20. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    I agree. I keep my beer refrigerator at ~45° F, and even so, with these beers, I let them warm a good 10 minutes before I open them.

    I also agree about the large bottle, but I fell for the nice chalice included in the box set! :sunglasses:
     
    #140 MNAle, Dec 16, 2019
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