New Beer Weekend #77

I would never skip a good weather rant and that was a doozy, though more like a well told story than a rant. Glad you're into a decent beer and hopefully the next one will be even better. Cheers!

 

Phlegm is a complete show stopper. And absurdly sweet phlegm at that. I feel lucky sitting here nursing a Hamm's on a cold Saturday. Better luck with the next round!

 

Drekker BRAAAAAAAAins Strawberry/Pineapple Double Fruit Smoothie Sour, 6.5% ABV. Pours thick opaque burnt orange with a 2+ finger light orange head that left puree residue instead of lacing. Nose is strawberry, pineapple, and vanilla. Taste is mostly strawberry, some pineapple, vanilla, and salt on the close, moderately sweet, faintly tart. Excellent smooth and thick mouthfeel, overall excellent.

4.19/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Blah blah blah winter sucks blah blah blah.

 

Been putting this 13.5% bottle off for a few months because I didn't want to be one and done. Well, its time.

4.31/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12oz bottle dated enjoy by 16AUG23 to a diagonally cut tumbler at about 45F.
Pours black with brown edges producing a minimal deep tan/brown head that fades quickly. Glass swirls produce single bubble lacing and a brown viscous liquid coating that takes a few seconds to completely rejoin the main body.
Aroma is ruled by alcohol with some barrel notes and finally some coffee.
At 13.5% alcohol dominates the taste also. This is a sipper. Bourbon, charcoal and coffee are all there in quite a complex mixture.
Mouthfeel is really clingy as the glass swirl would suggest.
Overall too much alcohol flavor for my preference but the complexity is really pretty amazing

 

Jackie O’s Dark Apparition imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels that held maple syrup for fifteen months. Tastes as good as it sounds, but folks who don’t like maple should seek another beer. More for me!

12.2% ABV poured from a 12.7 ounce bottle. This beer pours dark as the name implies. Despite little head and an absence of lacing, the beer looks good. Perhaps enhanced by anticipation?

The nose is a wonderful mix of maple and bourbon along with notes of oak and chocolate. Taste follows nose and it took all my willpower not to gulp this beer as all my buttons have been pushed. The barrel does not overpower, but it is more pronounced in the taste than the aroma. Remarkably smooth, I sipped this beer for a couple of hours.

A must buy for maple and bourbon fans.

 

Intended to review several new beers last weekend, but before I knew it I had been sidetracked into tackling our disaster area of a basement which ate up most of the weekend. After a very, very busy week of work, I'm hoping to get at least a couple reviews in this weekend.

First up is Blackberry Fox in the Snow, courtesy of @FBarber

3.99/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Overall appearance of this beer is fairly "meh". The coloration is both a plus and a minus. The burnt tones aren't overly attractive, but when exposed to different light conditions, it does take on a variety of colors that are at least somewhat interesting. Very little in the way of head despite an aggressive pour.

Aroma hints at a good amount of acidity, with some nice wine like characteristics underneath. I'm not picking up the blackberries directly, but there is a subtle sweetness to the aroma.

The taste is where this beer starts to shine. While I'm not detecting the blackberries, this is a nicely complex beer that hits you with tart notes out of the gate, but with plenty of vinous characteristics mixed in. It has a really nice funky / earthy finish that rounds out the experience. Relatively light feel and mild carbonation.

 

Before I dive into my second beer, just wanted to clarify I do appreciate a well executed stout which contains Madagascar Vanilla Beans (going by what the bottle said). Speedway's release last year was one of my highest rated beers. There was nothing wrong with the vanilla used in the brew attempted today, just that it overpowered everything else.

I purchased some beers for the NA tasting next week, and some more, so I am setting aside the vanilla based beer in part not to taint that review. I've been doing a good job clearing the cellar, but it's time to rate some non heavy hitters, so I adjusted my lineup, starting with a local brewery I have heard good things about, and have enjoyed the one beer I've had the chance to try before today (Volturnus 4.5, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25).

Riverlands River Life



Can Notes: Canned 12/2/21, purchased at room temperature, refrigerated for 2 hours upon returning home. 4.6% ABV, 16 oz, $3.25 w/ tax single can from Beer on the Wall.

Appearance: Single pour into a large flute style glass. Clear golden straw base, bright white head lingers for a few minutes leaving a generous creamy rich cover over the base beer and spotty lacing. Mild to medium carbonation persistent throughout. 4.25

Aroma: Very nice bread, cracker and pepper aroma, backed by salted corn. Bold and pleasurable. 4.5

Taste: Mirrors aroma, salt and corn lead, but not too salty as I've encountered in a few recent newer Pilsners I've tried from other breweries. Cracker, pepper, grassy notes as well, all blend well together. Really enjoying this. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Tin, crisp, salt pepper nicely balanced flavors, carbonation light throughout, very easy drinking, clean finish. 4.25

Overall: This is a very good American Style Pilsner, hits all the notes flavor and aroma wise, light and easy, full of flavor. Definitely want to pick up more of this, overall an excellent pilsner. 4.5

I'd like to do a side by side with Half Acre Pony, another great local Pilsner, to see how they compare, rated both the same.

 

My son brought this beer in the house. OJ on Parole from Lock City. My first Lock City beer.
I have to admit that my previous high ABV beer may have affected my interpretation of the name on this beer. "Oh orange juice on parole, what a nice name for a fruity NEIPA!" Later on I slapped my face about the Simpson connection with the realization that the vehicle on the label is a white Bronco.

4.1/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 16oz can stamped "CANNED ON 09/22/21" to a pub glass at fridge temp.
The body is translucent with light brightening it up. White head is medium but laces well.
The aroma is of hoppy orange juice.
The taste is of watered-down hoppy orange juice. That sounds negative, but its a real slammer.
As you have probably assumed from above the body is thin, but it's a feature, not a flaw.
Overall, I like this alot.

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

Today is a temporary brake from the deep freeze it has been around here this winter, and that makes it more pleasant to go to and from work. Tomorrow is right back into the deep freeze for the next few days.

So, now it's time for my new beer. It is one I picked up on my last fishing trip last month.


2019 Double Porter - Bemidji Brewing - 9.7% ABV

I bought this at the taproom last month, and am really enjoying this beer. If you like maple, and I do (as long as it's not over the top), this is one for you.

As I said, maple is the star here. It doesn't hit right away, but builds, and lingers in this beer. There's also a nice bit of a burn - which I wasn't expecting from this beer - that say's "slow down, and enjoy this beer".

I am enjoying it.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30017/584714/#navigation


4.07/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a beautiful dark brown. The head that forms is minimal, less than 1 finger, however it is decent lasting. As the head dissipates, it forms a ring around the edge of the glass that clings to the glass.
The nose is a nice maple syrup aroma from the barrels used to age this beer.
Taste - Somewhat mellow up front that turns on the backside into a combination of maple syrup, and a roasted flavor. Some malts are showing up in the flavor as well.
Thick, rich, full, and a bit of a warming boozy feel.
Overall it's a very good beer.


I might be one and done today, but I may pop in after work tomorrow night for another new beer. Cheers all.

 

Thank you @SawDog505 for kicking us off again in excellent form.
Received from @Roguer in an LIF related to NBS BIF #14.

Poured very dark, nearly black with a short light brown head. Looks like a stout!
Aroma was roasted malts, rather charred but not bitter. Some coffee and or chocolate was in the mix, no hops that I could smell. Smells like a stout!
The taste is quite good for an oatmeal stout - not bitter but wood char is there, some bakers chocolate, tons of malts.
The feel was less creamy than anticipated for it being an oatmeal stout (That's one of the reasons for adding oats, right?) but for a non BA stout, I thought it was perfectly appropriate.
OA, very glad to have tried this and it serves as a valid reminder to get back to the 'normal' beers once in a while. Good beer!
Cheers all!

 

It is a pleasure to be back reading all these posts again, even the "phlegm descriptor" ones @ChicagoJ . @woemad that seems like you had a long long day, hopefully you get some well needed rest and beer I love this quote @Roguer...

Well @BBThunderbolt sent me a jam packed box last week and I'm still working on it. Just got back from my brother in laws baby shower, I got to sneak out early to take care of our dog, meaning I have a peace and quiet house for 30 minutes or so, great time to focus on a beer.

Georgetown Brewing - Bobs Brown Ale



Pours a cloudy hazy chestnut brown, you don't notice the cloudiness unless held to light. Beautiful head on this beer, long time to settle. I now and drinking from a creamy light brown head, almost has a nitro look to it. Really nice lacing as well.

Aroma is roasty first and foremost; like slightly charred nuts, bread, grain. Then there is also a coffee breath aroma, you know what I'm talking about. Not full on coffee but that taste that lingers after your done a cup.

Taste is much the same but it comes off smoother, much smoother, than the nose would indicate. The roast is much more subdued, roasted became lightly toasted if you will. The coffee note is there as is some dark chocolate aftertaste. There is also a moderate hoppiness present as well that I didn't pick up at all in the nose. Or I did and just perceived as something else...

Mouthfeel is medium, it has a soft carbonation that gives it a creamy mouthfeel, nice moderate bitterness on the finish.

This is a really tasty beer, enjoying this one thoroughly. My sister in laws husband just gave me some veil bottle aged in all sorts of barrels so maybe i'll try and open that one tomorrow night. I'll be back to drink another with you all before then though, probably courtesy of @BBThunderbolt. Cheers all!

 

I've come to the conclusion that a New Year's Resolution of mine should be to drink more Bob's.

 

It was really damn good. On the topic of their non hoppy beers I also really enjoyed their porter that was sent my way.

 

After driving out to Spokane Valley for a replacement windshield washer reservoir, I'm paying my first visit to No Drought Brewing, which opened up about 3-4 weeks ago after previously doing kegs out of the partially defunct Steel Barrel. I'm starting off with their Kodiak Kolsch (4.3% abv, 21 IBUs):

Kolsch is a style I rarely rave about, but this one nails what I look for in one: it's mildly hoppy, flavor wise, it's light and crisp on the finish, and it's something I could session the crap out of on a warm day.

 

3 NEW! to BA, new to me, 4+ IPAs. Happy New Year!
Elise | Wet Ticket | NEIPA | NJ | 6.4%
4.2/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
added by Act 25. 1st review. Worthy of her name.
a) Apricot suitably hazed body, rounded white head with lace round the snifter.
s) Nelson, Galaxy, Simcoe inspire melon, peach nectar, flowers.
t) follows smell and adds grapes and berries, but never over sweet.
f) Lush, nectar like.
o) NJ’s finest. Keep this year round.

Hop Electric Hazy IPA | Flying Dog | DE | 6.8%
4.14/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3rd Review. Very original, dank, almost mushroomy, cheesy beer. Bravo for something new. Ocean Wegmans.
a - Hazed light yellow translucent body, with scant head.
s - unusual, dank, mushrooms, basement, herbal, dried apricot,
t - adds dried mango, much more woody, fall earth and mushrooms (in a good way). Most mushroomy beer after the trufle beer by Carton.
f/o - light, peppery, earthy feel. Would be great with cheese and appetizers

Voodoo Ranger Xperimental IPA #6 | New Belgium | Co | 6.6%
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Added by Act 25. First Review of #6.
a) Over a hazed deep apricot body slashing lace and lasting head.
s) Fresh, large, MELON, fruit blossom, flower shop, with dank hops, grass, herbs, cracker malt.
t) Follows and picks up more bitter. Adds more flowers, and dry earthen path, flowery, earthy, tangy, peppery finish.
f) Smooth, easy, fresh, clean, peppery. Better at cask temp.
o) My 2d favorite of Voodoo X. Dated best by May 2022. WFM sourced in mixed 12.

 

Thing is, you'll be able to watch Casablanca (or your choice) on the back of your eyelids as sleep envelops you. For me, I imagine dialogue that I wish that I could record or remember....

 

Bell's Christmas Ale ( Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy ), 7.5% ABV; 4,0 overall

Pours an effervescent hazel with a thumb+ of sandy colored head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Toffee, brown bread, faint peat notes

T: Follows the nose, dryness, a little bit of woody & leafy hops up front, slight smokey/peaty notes as well. Peatyness, brown sugar & toffee assert as this warms, along with a little dryness & leafy hops. Finishes dry, a little peaty, with caramel & leafy hops

MF: Medium body, low carbonation

Solid Scotch Ale. I like a little more body & depth of flavor in mine, solid drinkability, none the less

 

Happy Saturday, NBW. This first beer is courtesy of our friend @WunderLlama and NBW BIF #14. If he sends you beer, you’ve had a magnificent day. IJS.





4.42/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautiful hazy pineapple color with a creamy white head that laces the glass nicely. Absolutely gorgeous hazy. The nose has the obligatory tangerine and grapefruit aromas, but there was also substantial mango and pineapple notes. Wow.

The tangerine flavor is forward and delicious on the palate, but it’s the mango/pineapple exacta that makes this so exceptional - thank you, Azacca hops - and there’s a bit of creamy oats a the back of the palate. The mouthfeel is medium and fitting for a hazy.

This is a delicious, juicy, flavorful hazy DIPA that takes an exotic turn that I really enjoyed. I need more Southern Grist in my life.

 

Yes, my friends...yes...you know what's up. Absolutely love that beer.