New Beer Weekend #117

Good day BAs! Thanks @Beersnake1 for starting us off!

Today's New Breakfast Beer (Cross-post with WBAYDN) and one that my target in NBW BIF #16 may not have had (YET!):



Cherry, Lime & Blue Raspberry from Hoppin’ Frog. Purchased at Franklin Beer, Franklin, PA, 21/09/22. $ 6.00 (Including tax)/16 oz can ($ 0.375/oz). In reefer at store, stored at 40 degrees at home. Reviewed 16/10/22. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Stamped on bottom of can “BEST BY JUNE 20 2025”. Served at 47.2 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King Snifter. Final temperature 57.3 degrees.
Appearance – 3.
First pour – Peach, clear. Final pour peach and muddy.
Body – Peach, opaque. Under direct light, translucent. When rear-lite, peach, and translucent.
Head – Average (Maximum 3.5 cm, aggressive center pour), white with a touch of pink, high density, diminishing to a one to three mm crown and no cap.
Lacing – Poor. A few pieces of froth remain hanging on the glass as the level drops below half full.
Aroma – 4.25 - Initially an enormous burst of cherry followed by raspberry. No hops, no malt, no yeast. By the end, just a generic fruitiness.
Flavor – 4.25 – Raspberry predominates with a lime bite with cherry hanging on. No malt, no yeast, no hops. No ethanol (6 % ABV as marked on label) aroma or taste. No gastric warming occurs. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl.
Palate – 3.5 – Medium, watery, lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3.75 No noticeable saltiness but very fruity. I question the authenticity of “blue raspberry”, particularly as a “natural” flavor. Otherwise, an enjoyable break from my usual diet of stouts.

Rating 4, rDev 0% (First review)

"Many of us are familiar with red, purple and even yellow raspberries, but what is a blue raspberry?
The blue raspberry originated in a laboratory, not on a farm. It started when makers of ice pops had more red flavors (cherry, strawberry, raspberry and watermelon) than shades of red dye. Kids who wanted a cherry ice pop, for example, could not figure out which red ice pop to select.
Raspberry pops originally used a dark red dye (FD&C Red No. 2) but it was later banned by the FDA as a possible carcinogen. The ice pop makers found Brilliant Blue dye (FD& C Blue No. 1) sitting on the laboratory shelves and the blue raspberry was created—along with blue tongues.
Its flavor mimics the flavor of blackcap raspberry Rubus leucodermis, a wild berry most of us have never seen or eaten.
There is no such thing in nature as a blue raspberry. Even if you find a blue raspberry product with natural flavors it probably doesn’t have any actual raspberry flavor. Less expensive juices such as apple and orange are more commonly used in these products".

Source: Matt Soniak. What the heck is blue raspberry? http://mentalfloss.com/article/29273/what-heck-blue-raspberry.

Filed under: Tom Kalb Fruits

 

Poured into a 13 oz Teku glass canned it looks like 9/20 something. Pours a very attractive orange yellow with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves plenty of thin lace. 4.5

Aroma is cantaloupe, mango, passionfruit, and apricot. 4.5

Taste follows cantaloupe, mango, passionfruit, and apricot really well balanced. 4.5

Mouthfeel is above average, not sticky or dry, soft gentle carbonation, and at 8.5% loaded with flavor but easy going down. 4.5

Overall this is a really nice NEDIPA, I would recommend for sure. 4.5 Cheers all.

 

All right, I've had a "fun" morning. I've been on hold with the fraud department of my bank, because my debit card got hacked. The last time it happened was 2 months ago. Jeez. Well, I'll be running to the bank tomorrow morning to take care of disputing the charges.

Now to the main reason I'm here - BEER! And I need some this morning, and it's another from the generosity of @WunderLlama


Oktoberfest - Von Trapp Brewing - 5.6% ABV

It's a fairly solid example of an American Oktoberfest, and I'm quite happy, and thankful, I'm drinking it. A pleasure to try and review.


Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22512/62023/#navigation


3.73/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Clear amber pour with an off white, 2 finger head. The retention is quite good, and there's some lacing on the glass.
Nose is light, but I get a biscuit aroma.
There's a lot of bread/biscuit flavors here, slightly toasted flavor. Some caramel hits on the backside. Slight bitterness comes in also on the back
Clean crisp body.
Solid American Oktoberfest.


I'll be back later with some research for the NBS BIF. I know it will probably be good, since I gave a can to a friend already, and he loved it. Cheers!

 

Oktoberfest

5.5% Marzen by Ignite Brewing Company

Poured from a twelve ounce can. Body pours a dark amber with small initial head. No lacing.

Nose is a light caramel malt and a bit of cracker. Taste follows nose but adds a small hop taste of which I'm not fond. Not much on the finish.

Mouthfeel is okay. Carbonation good.

Not my cup of tea as I prefer my Oktoberfest beer to have more of a malt forward taste. Fans on the hoppier side of Marzens, belly up.

 

Four Trillium Brewing beer selections arrived in Wisconsin this week. I will review this one. It features Nelson Sauvin and Columbus hops. The look is Trillium Brewing's signature hazy orange juice look, which I really think is beautiful. There was a bit of foam, but it quickly disappeared. The smell is powerful, with lime, white grape, grapefruit, and lemon scents. The flavor is quite citrusy. There are flavors of grapefruit, honeydew, white grape, and lime. It is slightly bitter. The mouthfeel is soft, juicy, and smooth, with medium carbonation. Overall, this is a delicious DDH NEIPA. All of the Trillium Brewing beers I have tried have been incredible, and this one is no exception.

 

@GreenBayBA , I'd wager the Trillium drop was going from east to west in your state, because I saw none while there (western WI). If I did, I would have bought some.

Ok, now I mentioned some research, and here's my project I picked up yesterday in Wisconsin.


Bourbon Barrel-Aged Festbier - Oliphant Brewing - Somerset, WI - 6.5% ABV

Now, I did have to enter this, and looking at the beers listed from them, you'll also see a Bourbon Barrel-Aged Marzen listed. I can tell you that they are two different beers, because I saw that one also for sale at the brewery, but didn't get it, because I'd already spent a lot there, and didn't want to spend more. It was tempting, though.

Poured from the can into my glass, and it's so damn dark looking - dark amber. The aroma is so strong and pleasing, but the flavor is off the charts. There's the Oktoberfest flavors, but they're jacked up and added to by the barrel. This is solid, and my experiment is a success.


Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/36484/625216/


4.49/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very dark amber pour with a tan head - 1 finger. The retention is good, and the head clings to the glass as it dissipates.
Off the chart aroma. Tons of caramel, bread/biscuit, toffee, oak and dark fruit (raisin, plum).
Flavor is so powerful, and strong. I get caramel and toffee right away. The bourbon barrel hits on the back. Oak, and dark fruit hit and hit hard, and linger in my palate.
Thick, full and rich body. It has a slightly boozy feeling from the barrel aging.
This is a solid and well made beer. I highly recommend.


I'll be back later for some more goodies.

 

Trillium Brewing beers appeared in eastern Wisconsin right after the New England Patriots made an appearance. The New England Patriots will travel to eastern Minnesota for Thanksgiving. You may have to save up quite a bit of beer money for Black Friday.

 

Oh, crap, and I'll probably have to go to the cities for that, if so. I doubt they'll make it to central, MN. That poses a dilemma for me: do I chase those, or do I got to work for Black Out Friday, where our beer reps bring in their heavy hitters to share with us at work?

I could also ask my friend who always travels to Green Bay to watch a Packers game with his uncle to get some for me.

 

Hey what's going on!?

Hope everyone is good. Been busy a lot these past weekends, no complaints. Some weekends have been downright gorgeous to be outdoors this Fall.

I managed to make it also out to Prost in DC which was really nice this Saturday afternoon. Since Covid much of DC restaurants have taken advantage of outside dining, and MAN I hope this trend continues!!




Still I love a good brew at home. Especially after a break of yard work... Yeah those garden peppers are getting winterized so wish me luck!

Well... some nice little treat today. Very much enjoying this new beer. Yeah... it's another NE-IPA... but they got this one in right. Not surprised, this brewery tends to do real well, with some exceptions.

What's new for our hero today?

Other Half Brewing Co. - Double Dry Hopped Space Diamonds



Poured from the can into a Spiegelau IPA glass. Canned Sept 8th 2022.

A real nice bellowing off white head, with creamy texture and some of the finest looking bubbles I've seen on a NEIPA style. Reaching a real solid four fingers, bold and big and not crazy out of control either. The body color is really unique. While not hopeless turbid, a solid opaque but very lemonade like green that's almost neon like in color. There's also ample amounts of this super fine carbonation like champagne throughout, thus contributing to this almost nitrous like looking head. Very impressive.

Real excellent hop profile aroma. Spicy and herbal, mixing dank sweetness. Is that pickle brine I sense? Throw that in too. Very complex with a real nice balance to bounce around in. Airy amounts of pine and herbs seem to eek out in the win for dominance, but there's much more to sense here making for a great exploration.

Palate brings the goods. Juiced up body and even creamy, gives to excellent flavor profile and touches sweetness. A mid palate that hits rich in creamy touching fruit but with spicy herbs and chewy delicious bitterness of citrus oils, mushed tropical, even cantaloupe. The aftertaste is spicy and herbal bitter with green leafy herbs to match and contrast, making a fantastic counter to the mild sweetness in the mid palate. You can exhale mint on every breath.

A real nice rich but balanced hop complex NEIPA. Winner winner chicken dinner. Great work here.

look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5 | BA Generated score : 4.49

Cheers!

 

I really,... REALLY dug this one. Hope to find it again next year too. Making a mental note to get it again for sure.

 

Just back from driving with my grandson. He has his permit and is working on 50 hours of driving. I've done about 10 hours with him, and he's a pretty good driver.
My new beer for today is Tsar Bomba, a Russian Imperial Stout from Gravity Brewing in Louisville, CO. It has an ABV of 11%.
Very dark brown, medium-sized tan head with abundant lacing.
Aroma of chocolate, some vanilla.
Very chocolate taste, with some espresso showing up mid-taste.
Smooth, alcohol well-hidden.

 

I know a guy that has easy access to TRILLIUM . The aforementioned guy loves New Glarus…just saying..

 

Welcome one and all to New Beer Sunday #921! As promised, I am featuring the second of two local saisons, this one a regular release from a brewery more known for their lagers.

Dovetail Saison



Can Notes: Four pack 16 oz canned 7/22/22, purchased refrigerated at Dovetail brewery for $12.75 including tax, refrigerated at home until this afternoon. 6.0% ABV. Saison Rustic, hoppy, vernal. Ale.

Appearance: Multiple pours into a large tulip glass. Murky orange yellow base, medium carbonation, egg white head lingers a but before leaving minimal lacing and a dusting over the base. 3.75

Aroma: Light to mild funky aroma, pear, citrus, light clove. 4.0

Taste: Similar to the aroma, nice funky brett saison yeast yields a clove and pear taste that works well, backed by pleasant bubblegum notes and citrus. Fruity, funky, strong and pleasant taste. 4.25

Mouthfeel: Dry, light easy, crisp clean finish. Drinks slightly above the ABV nearing the halfway mark. Sweet flavor profile balanced nicely by a firm hops presence. 4.5

Overall: This is a traditionally brewed saison, hops provide a nice balance. Strong and pleasant flavors. Simple and enjoyable drinking experience. Definitely a repeat purchase. 4.25

Liked this one better than the significantly hoppier collaboration yesterday. Perhaps I'll do a side by side with Apex Predator if I find another warm day this month.

Cheers!

 

My 12 pack has been gone for a few weeks now. It’s funny this beer seems to have mixed reviews for people based on the Oktoberfest tasting thread. Im in the it was a very god beer camp.

 

Ethan, I too hope that Troegs decides to re-brew their Oktoberfest next year but I suppose this will depends on how well the brand sold this year? I can report that locally there is a lot of competition in Southeastern PA as regards the Oktoberfest beer style (e.g., Sly Fox, Victory, Yards, etc.). And some of those other local breweries have been brewing their Oktoberfest beers for decades.

Well, let's hope that Troegs Oktoberfest sells well and we will see it again.

Cheers!

 

Since Trillium was mentioned by @GreenBayBA , I'd better have one also. This is another thanks to the generosity of @WunderLlama :


Twice The daily Serving (Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Cranberry) - Trillium Brewing - 7% ABV


Damn, this is a fruit bomb! It hits hard and fast. The aroma is so pleasing, but the flavor is better. I can't distinguish the individual berries, but I know they're there, and mix so well together. DAMN!


Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30654/614397/


4.4/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a nice shade of purple. The head is a lighter shade of purple and was 1 finger. It wasn't long lasting, and there's no lacing on the glass.
The nose is a berry bomb. I get a pleasing sweet berry aroma from it, mixing all the berries in it.
Taste - wow, is what I said after my first sip. I can not distinguish all the berry flavors, because my palate isn't refined. That being said, I know they're all there. There's sweetness, tartness, and sour all mixed in. I feel like I'm getting my daily fruit does with this.
Thick and full body. Smooth and creamy.
This is damn good.


I'll see you all later today for more.

 

King Cobbler by Tree House

4.44/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5



Brewers Notes: King Cobbler is King Julius steeped on organic freeze-dried peaches! Since King Julius is full of citrus and mango flavors we thought peach would be the perfect compliment to the flavor profile. Would you believe it? It worked out far better than we hoped! We taste intense tropical fruits all amplified by juicy peach and stone fruit character. The mouthfeel is rich and filling, making King Cobbler a joy to drink all the way through the glass. Please keep this beer cold at all times and enjoy it fresh!

Note- the can reads,”king Cobbler is King Julius steeped on organic freeze dried pineapple!” …I dont think it is

Canned 9.22, opened 10.16

“Cobble Cobble” printed on the can

Hazy deep apricot liquid crowned by a frothy one finger off white foam, sticky , spotty lacings , settles to a solid layer

Aroma is a subtle, gentle peach , whiff of citrus orange

Taste is a gently peach undertone , subtle sweetness, mango, apricot

Smooth, hop taste, no bite



Good beer