New Beer Sunday (Week 775)

Hello again NBS, I am back from a long break. Really turned my life around, and this next year will be my best yet. Readjusted my finances and not making alcohol my main focus of time and money. Also getting a lot more sleep. I have been playing video games non stop the past few weeks, and practicing guitar again. Plan on mountain biking a lot more again when the weather gets better. I bought Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019, Skyrim, Borderlands 2, Xcom 2, Fallout 4/NV, Stardew Valley, Bloodstained, Ace Combat 7, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, and Killing Floor in the past few weeks. A friend gifted me Black Mesa last week. Probably going to buy Marrowind and Oblivion as well. Have a few days before the steam sale ends. My mom gave me a $200 steam gift card when my parents came up to visit on Monday. My life is feeling amazing now, the video games are just what I needed in my life again. I haven’t played anything seriously in well over 5 years.

Finally got into the NBS BIF box from @beertunes. Boundary Bay Scotch ale. Very nice. Great rocky head retention/soapy lacing. Flavors of big caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, roasted nuts, raisin, plum, fig, pear, apricot, and red apple; with lighter notes of cocoa, coffee, roast, wood, herbal, grass, peppercorn, and yeast earthiness. A bit too fruity/yeasty aromas, but not overwhelming. Light-moderate pine, herbal, woody, grassy, peppery, roasted bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and body. Very creamy/bready/grainy malts; some sticky/resinous hops and chalky roast in the mouthfeel. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering hop/roasted bitterness. No cloying/acrid/astringent flavors after the finish. Minimal warming alcohol for 6.4%. Smooth and not overly aggressive. Great balance of nicely rich malts and fruity yeast complexity; with a nice sized hop presence for the style. Mild residual sweetness with lingering dryness. A bit too bitter/roasty than expected, but not overwhelming. Well made style example. 3.88


Cheers

 

Love the opening verse.

The can says a Stout After Midnight. So I oblige. Making steak fajitas for the stretch upcoming. Such is the life of a nightshifter: grilling at 0345 in the morning.

Culmination: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!



The pour begins with maybe a little bit of a let down. Nice and dark and a decent little grey-brown head, but more carbonation apparent early on gives it a thinner appearance, and the head shows no inclination to hang about whatsoever.

Cold, the nose is clean and gives hints of rich depth that have yet to unfold. Cardamom is the first to break through the dampening effect of the temperature, and then roast, coffee and chocolate. As it warms, the cardamom opens to reveal the sweet vanilla permeating everything. These two flavours will tangle for primacy for the rest of the glass, with the vanilla getting the upper hand more often. A touch over-sweet for my taste, but the cardamom balances it nicely and it doesn't go TOO overboard.

A similar refrain to be found here. Some really tasty flavours working their way through the liquid in my glass, but sweeter than I like. I guess I should have realized I was in pastry town by the fact that it has adjuncts listed? Vanilla leads in, but then almond actually moves forward and asserts itself. It's baking almonds: almond paste or extract, not the nutty actual almond. The sweetness of the vanilla gives way a little, but still permeates every crack, like sand at the beach. Cardamom remains dusted around the edges, which is good because I like cardamom. Rich roasty blend of the sweet adjuncts and a base of espresso, toffee, and rich chocolate. Finish gives in to some rich bitter bakers chocolate, and as it warms a bit of an alcohol reminder.
Body is smoothe and oily and rich and sticky. Carbonation feels like an extension of the cardamom spice and isn't nearly as pronounced as I'd feared based on initial appearance.



This is sweeter than I prefer, but other than that it's quite good. I guess it's on me for not realizing that anything with adjuncts in it at this point is going to be sugared up to the gills, but I didn't really think about it when I grabbed the can that this would be so far down the pastry aisle. Harrumph. The grumblings of a curmudgeon. It kind of feels like a game of landmines at this point going to the beer store anytime I grab any stout or IPA. But I guess that's half the fun is the adventure, yeah? And it's not like it's bad: I still quite enjoyed it! I don't know why I'm still rambling. I just wish I had realized what I was getting when I grabbed it.



I am not from Oregon. But this beer is! And it's been stuck in my head all week. And it's still PNW local, so, you know, acceptable for an early morning game day. Go Hawks.

 

NBS BIF #2. Icicle Bootjack IPA. Excellent. Lasting head retention/thick foamy lacing. Aromas and flavors of big red grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, apricot, mango, honeydew melon, citrus peel/rind, wood, mint, peppercorn, pine, honey, cracker, toasted biscuit/dough, light caramel/nuttiness, and herbal/floral/grassy hop earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body. Balanced creamy/bready/grainy malts, and sticky/resinous/rindy hops in the mouthfeel. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. No hop astringency. Minimal warming alcohol for 6.5%, smooth/not overly aggressive. Feels like Centennial, Columbus, Cascade, and Amarillo. Very juicy, vibrant, dank, and earthy hops; with a nice sized dark/bready malt backbone. Mild residual sweetness with lingering resin dryness. Impressive classic tasting west coast style example. No complaints. 4.03


Cheers

 

Great opening Craig @cjgiant , you and Doc @lordofthewiens did a great job in 2019 and have made this once again my favorite weekly thread.

Poured into a 16oz Deciduous Snulip glass canned on 12/12/19. Pours a very dark near pitch black with a finger plus sticky light brown head that leaves thin streaks of lace yielding excellent retention as it slowly settles into a thin film of khaki bubbles. 4.5

Smell is French toast, coffee grounds, cocoa nibs, vanilla, and maybe some hazelnut. 4.5

Taste follows cinnamon, vanilla, hazelnut upfront with coffee and chocolate coming in the really balanced and satisfying finish. 4.5

Mouthfeel is bigger than average, gentle carbonation and kind of creamy, actually not overly dry, and at 6.3% it drinks closer to 7.5% for me and extremely drinkable. 4.75

Overall this is a really tasty stout, I highly recommend. 4.5

 

Black Belle imperial Stout by Blackstone

4.22/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into plastic cup at the Gaylord Opryland

Black Motor oil liquid, no foam cap

Bourbon aroma, chocolate, roast malts

Bourbon taste, roast malts

No sudsing , syrupy , heavy mouthfeel

Good beer

 

Good day BAs! Thanks, Craig, for starting the thread and for your morning rhyming. Ian, welcome to your new addiction - it'll kill your sleep and your adrenal glands, but it'll help your liver heal.
Today's NBS New Breakfast Beer is from @2beerdogs and NBS BIF #10 - thanks Derek for this great brew from The Bruery, Hoarders Cuvee 2018 Edition!!

Received from @2beerdogs in NBS BIF 10 – Thanks Derek! Reviewed 12/29/19.
No date other than “2018 Edition”. Stored at home at 42 degrees and served at 61 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Appearance – 3.
First pour – Medium brown, clear.
Body – Dark brown, opaque. When held to direct light, murky and translucent at the top.
Head – Average (Maximum two cm, aggressive center pour), light tan, low density, short retention, diminishing to no crown and no cap, just a few regenerating bubbles around the rim.
Lacing – None but not unexpected in a 16.6% ABV libation.
Aroma – 4 – Roasted malt quickly being overpowered by bourbon with notes of graham cracker, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg (?).
Flavor – 4.5 – It begins with a sweetness, almost cloying. The first swallow burns all the way down, but after that no alcohol (16.6 % ABV as stated on label) flavor or aroma is noticeable, although a moderate and continuous gastric warming occurs. The predominant flavor is bourbon and graham crackers, interesting in itself because graham crackers are basically flavored wheat crackers, so is there enough wheat present to make this a wheat wine? Probably not. Cinnamon is noted and could come from either or both the graham crackers and the added cinnamon. The same setup is possible with the ginger. No diacetyl, no dimethylsulfide, no malt, no hops.
Palate – 4 – Full, creamy, soft but lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4.5. The lack of head and lacing is not unexpected at the 16.6% ABV; otherwise, the appearance is as expected for an imperial stout. After the initial burst of roasted malt, the aroma becomes (and remains) spiced bourbon. The additives ginger (Graham crackers, ginger snaps, ginger), cinnamon (graham crackers, cinnamon), maybe molasses (depending on the brand of graham crackers and ginger snaps), cardamom and clove (again, cracker brand dependent but not noted in either taste or aroma), and brown sugar (ditto) may or may not be mulled in the final taste and aroma. Overall, this is a stimulating Strong Ale, with the flavors helping to balance the depressing effects of the alcohol.
Rating 4.24, rDev +4.2%.

The beers @2beerdogs sent in NBS BIF #10 make me glad I live so far from Anaheim/Placentia, otherwise I'd be sitting on the sidewalk holding a sign "Will work for Bruery money", having already spent my savings and Socialist Security checks on their brews, although I gots to admit landing at SNA beside a multi-lane highway is a bit unnerving.

 

Hello New Beer Sunday!!!

Well, I had a VERY stressful day yesterday, but also a very fun day yesterday. The stress part came in when I made my first attempt to drive from my central Minnesota home to my sister's place in southern Minnesota. That was beyond a nightmare. It started out fine. About 5 miles from home the snow started. Then 10 miles later, the sleet started. Then about 20 miles later freezing rain started, and things went to hell very fast. People were in the ditch all over the place, and spun out all over the place. I was going, maybe 20 mph on the highway, and was scared to death. Finally got to a point where there was a severe accident that closed off the highway, and I was directed onto another highway. At that point I decided to turn back.

As I left the cities things started to warm up, and I decided to make another attempt using a highway that would get me there, but without all the traffic of the cities. It took several hours longer than normal, but I made it, and had a good time with the family. After that I had dinner with a cute gal, whom I've known for over 30 years, and it was a blast seeing her again. I'm sure all of you have heard about Murphy's Law, well Murphy is kicking her ass big time, and she really needed a nice dinner, and conversation with someone who is normal - well as normal as I get.

But enough about me, time for some new beer, and this one was kindly sent to me by @FFFjunkie . I've seen beers from this brewery when I cross over into Wisconsin, and am excited about this one.


Cafe Deth from Revolution Brewing - 14.8% ABV. Time to go big or go home, wait I am home, so time to go big, or LAARGGEEE!

This is really a delicious beer from Revolution. While the coffee isn't strong, it does add a nice backbone to this beer. Maybe I should have had the base beer first, but, I am really enjoying this beer.

Review:

4.53/5 rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours pitch black. 2 finger brown head. The head retention is just amazing for such a high ABV beer. As the head dissipates, it looks like it's boiling and bubbling. Eventually it calms down and slowly dissipates. No lacing on the glass.
The nose is slightly sweet, but also a pleasing coffee note mixed in. There's notes of caramel, toffee and chocolate as well.
Taste - pretty much same as the nose. Lots of barrel flavor in here. Toffee, caramel. The coffee also adds another bit to this puzzle, and, while not strong, it really is a good backbone to this beer.
Thick and full bodied. Slight alcohol burn, but that doesn't surprise me.
Solid BA RIS. Revolution makes some damn good beers.


While I won't be getting interrupted by pesky fish this Sunday, I do have other projects to do, and I'm sure I'll be back for another later today. See you all then.

 

Good morning, all, and Happy New Rye Barrel Aged Coffee Stout Sunday! Thanks to @cjgiant for those inspiring opening words. I have some "silliness" of my own to share, crossposted from yesterday's LNWBAYDN. My inspiration was an errand to the laundromat on a particularly gloomy December 26. Here you go - enjoy!

'Twas the day after Christmas
And all through the 'mat
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a rat.

The place was quite dreary,
No holiday cheer.
I was bummed I'd forgotten
My laundromat beer.

I loaded the washer
Without too much care.
I just wanted to finish
And get outta there.

I was in such a hurry
(Tho' I needn't have been)
That I neglected to put
The damn laundry soap in.

Couldn't shut off the washer,
So I cooked up a plan:
I'd add the detergent
Once the cycle began.

It worked like a champion!
I prevailed in my race
To get the hell out
Of that ghetto-ass place!

Today's new beer: Lagunitas Willettized Coffee Stout. This has to be one of the best values in craft beer, right up there alongside The Waldos'. Lots of barrel character as expected, with notes of molasses, licorice, dark fruit, and spice. It's also a little "hot," but insanely drinkable in spite of that. See, this is why the 12-ounce bottle remains my favorite format by a mile. Cheers!



4.63/5 (rDev +3.8%)
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Review here.

BTW, a big shout-out to those Buckeyes. It took the combined efforts of a defending national champion and an officiating crew to do what no one else has been able to do this season.

Geaux Tigers!

 

Another ‘new’ Dark Lager

Last week I discussed Genesee Schwarzbier and this week it will be Von Trapp Trösten. Winter weather and Dark Lagers just seem to go well together.

I have had a number of beers from Von Trapp: Dunkel, Vienna Lager, Bohemian Pilsner, Oktoberfest, Helles, Kolsch… and they have all been good with some better for my palate than others. Heretofore my personal favorite is the Dunkel which I think is very good – excellent. Since today I will be drinking another version of a Dark Lager from Von Trapp I have high hopes here.

Below is how Trösten is detailed on the Von Trapp website:

“Trösten Lager 6.0% ABV 19 IBU | 12 oz 6-pk Cans

Trösten, translating to “comforting”, is a dark lager with rich notes of chestnut and toast. Carafa and smoked malts create rich flavors lingering on a surprisingly light, smooth finish. Brewed for the cold winter nights in Vermont, but can be enjoyed on any occasion.”

Served in two small-ish tulip glasses for sharing with my wife:

Appearance:

Dark Brown approaching black color. A tan head.

Aroma:

The aroma is subtle with a combination of dark bread (like pumpernickel bread), a subtle smokiness and even a bit of a toffee.

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with a combination of flavors but the smokiness aspect more noticeable. A moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel:

Light-Medium bodied with an off dry finish.

Overall:

This beer is good. I thought the smoke level was in the Goldilocks zone (just right) for this beer. For my palate this beer would have benefited from a bit more mouthfeel.

@rotsaruch @RobH @KOP_Beer_OUtlet @Ranbot @officerbill @FBarber

 

Thanks to @cjgiant for the great start to this weeks NBS. Will be back with a new beer later on.

Cheers!

 

Nice to see you enjoying that one, Jack! I've made it no secret that it's one of my favorite beers each year, and I make a point to get as much as I can . I just had a couple last night (I like to drink them in twos) and may in fact be down to my last few in the fridge. It's been a good run...

I'm actually looking forward to hearing my buddy Dave's review within the coming week. He's out in Seattle and doesn't have access, so I sent him a care package last week. We were all discussing it (and other Von Trapp beers) on a text chain shared by a bunch of old college friends, and I didn't want him to feel left out . All the other guys are in CT and MA these days, and boy, can they be opinionated about beer; I wonder where they got that from .

 

NBS BIF #3. Boundary Bay Cabin Fever. Awesome winter warmer. Lasting head retention/thick foamy lacing. Aromas and flavors of big caramel, brown sugar, brown bread dough/crust, toasted biscuit, roasted nuts, pine, citrus peel/rind, wood, herbal, grass, and peppercorn; with lighter notes of toffee, cocoa, coffee, raisin, plum, fig, date, apricot, red apple, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, woody, grassy, peppery, roasted bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body. Balanced creamy/bready/grainy malts, sticky/resinous/rindy hops, and lightly chalky roast in the mouthfeel. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering hop/roasted bitterness. No acrid/astringent flavors after the finish. Minimal warming alcohol for 8.5%. Not overly aggressive. Awesome balance of rich English malts and earthy English hops; with restrained fruity yeast. Mild residual sweetness with lingering resin dryness. Impressive style example. Reminds me of Deschutes Jubelale a lot. Could use a bit of age to tone down the hops as with that one. 4.13


Cheers

 

Last night while watching the OS vs Clemson game at a friends house:

Ardent Robust Porter (no pic)
A-Pours a dark color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has roasted coffee and cocoa hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a roasted coffee and cocoa flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good Porter

Then:


A-Pours a hazy golden color with a nice head and lacing
A-Aroma has banana, lime and pineapple hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a banana, lime and pineapple flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good NEIPA

Then:


A-Pours a hazy amber golden color with a nice head and lacing
A-Aroma has strawberry, blood orange, coconut and lactose
T-The taste follows the nose with a strawberry, blood orange, coconut, lactose and a nice sourness flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good sour IPA

Now:

Aslin Moonshield




A-Pours a dark color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has raspberry, white chocolate and vanilla hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a raspberry, white chocolate and vanilla flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good Imperial Stout

 

I envy you. That one's not not stocked around here and the dunkels on the shelf are best by 10/19. I'm afraid the one store that sells Von Trapp is just letting their inventory run out

 

Happy New Beers From @jkblr Sunday (Week 755)!

I was happy enough with 2019, mainly thanks to having beaten prostate CANcer by virtue of surgery back in June, but we are now < two months from my birthday so I am kind of looking forward to next year with 20/20 vision! How old will I be, you ask? I will leave you a clue.

In the meantime, I have a buncha beers CANtesy of one of my only current traders, @jkblr & he has asked that I begin getting at them. It wasn't much of an ask since he keeps sending me beers from one of my current fave breweries, but first, a prelude to kick the day off:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28764/85950/?ba=woodychandler#review




And NOW, it gets interesting! Whoops, wrong thread. I'll be back.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. A happy, healthy New Year to all my fellow BA's. @cjgiant , Craig very well done opening. Starting today off with Winter Is Here, part of Ommegang's Game of Thrones gift box with proper glassware.
3.96/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear gold with a three inch white head that was well retained and left blotchy lacing. Smells of banana, clove, citrus, sweet malts and bread. Tastes of orange, lemon, banana, yeast, bread, clove, hints of pepper and honey. Light side of medium bodied, high carbonation, dry finish. Not my favorite style of beer but overall well done.

 

I guess Von Trapp is not selling well for that retailer?

Every time I visit my local Retail Beer Distributor I always wonder: how can they carry so many brands (and the number of brands is ever growing)?

Cheers!

 

A-Pours a dark color with a nice head and lacing
A-Aroma has chocolate hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a chocolate flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A decent Imperial Stout