New Beer Weekend #143

Prodigality
12% barleywine by Jackie O's

Poured from a 12.7 ounce bottle, the body is a deep auburn-brown with a small head that rapidly retreats to the edge of the glass. No lacing of significance as is the case with many Jackie O's barleywines. Not surprising given the aging of 24 months in the barrel.

Equally unsurprising is that the nose and flavor are barrel forward. Sweet, sweet bourbon barrel. Aroma is sweet filled with bourbon, sugar, vanilla prunes and oak. Taste substantially follows nose. This is an English style Barleywine and there is no hop presence of significance. The barrel is ever present, but never hot.

Very light carbonation doesn't hurt as the mouthfeel is luxurious and heavy.

This beer is a love letter to bourbon and barleywine.

 

Drekker Purple Prrrt Grape Soda Sour, 6.3% ABV. Pours opaque pale red with no head and no lacing. Aroma is light fruit. Taste is grape, plum, and pear, slightly sweet, slightly tart. Decent enough mouthfeel, if a but undercarbonated. Overall very good.

3.92/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Given the name, I was disappointed it wasn't bright purple, though I loathe the Vikings.

 

I saw this beer from Two Roads in two stores this week. It's so new it's not in the BA database yet. And as you'll read, it either has a marketing flaw or my tasting skills are messed up today.


Poured from a 12oz can stamped BBE 23SEP23 to a Nonic at fridge temp.
The body pours out deep gold, transparent (except for glass condensation) but I can still see the nucleation bubbles rise. A pretty impressive white head sits above and its lacing work is equally impressive.
The aroma is rather musty and malty with a very subtle mango-like background.
The taste is quite malty for a beer with a label that has the words “Tropical IPA”. I have to stretch to find tropical fruit reminders in this. There is definitely a strong (nice) hop presence mid-taste and on the finish. But this seems to be a West Coast IPA, and not a bad one at that.
The mouthfeel is medium and carbonation seems on the medium plus side.
A pretty good beer if you ignore what the can says and prepare yourself for a Westie.
L-4.5; S-3.5; T-3.75 M-3.75 O-3.75

 

2 new beers this both from a new Brewery. Behr Brewing in Cape May NJ has been open for slightly over one year this was my 1st visit. They have a nice tasting room and nice outside seating. I had 2 pints, One of Those an AIPA and Pale Behr a Pale Ale. The AIPA is brewed with Centennial, Simcoe and El Dorado hops. The pale ale is brewed with Citra and El Dorado hop. Both beer are top shelf brews.

 

First beer this Sunday is a challenge for me: Barrel aged chili and cacoa stout (easy so far, but drum roll please)...with cinnamon.

375ml bottle served in a curvy Fremont glass. Don't see a date on the bottle. Got it from @Blogjackets in my first trade.

Pours black with very little head -- what head there is rises slowly and forms a minuscule ring around the edge. Looks thick. Smell is primarily cinnamon, a little vanilla, some noticeable pepper. Slight doughiness, which is odd for me to detect in a stout. Some chocolate, too, but not so odd.

Taste is tons of cinnamon and sweetness, a little bit of pepper flavor with a little more pepper bite. Some cola flavor, some chocolate syrup. The cinnamon and sweetness reminds me of something...I think it's Red Hot candies. Vanilla and bourbon are there, but there's a lot of other stuff going on that makes them a bit less noticeable.

Mouthfeel is thick, chewy, a little on the syrupy side. Overall...cinnamon stout is definitely not my jam. This has enough other stuff going on that it's drinkable for me, but I would enjoy it quite a bit more if the cinnamon was waaaayyyy more subtle. On the other hand, if you're one of those people that really dig cinnamon in your beer, this is probably a good choice for you. Don't be turned off by the peppers, in my opinion, that's an appropriately balanced flavor in this beer.

Thanks, Dave!

 

I’m guessing siren is European?

11.2 oz = 330 ml the euro equivalent to our 12 oz size

I’ve always thought it funny their small equivalent is slightly smaller than ours. But their large equivalent (500 ml) is slightly larger.

500 ml = 16.9 oz

 

Trying out a new to me brewery and beer this afternoon - St. Pete Brewing, and its 9th Anniversary “Hazy IPA #1” with Citra, El Dorado, and Bru-1 hops:



Creamy white head with excellent cap retention, heavy ring and bands of medium heavy lacing; barely opaque deep gold liquid. Grapefruit nose. Earthy lemon peel; mild bitter grapefruit; no sweetness/firm malt base. Medium light body, moderate minus carbonation; no astringency; no fluff, not juicy. Overall, another “hazy light”; tasty enough with a long bitter citrus peel linger; basically another unfiltered IPA marketing to the haze craze; light and drinkable for me.

4.75 | 3.75 4.25 | 4.0 | 4.0


I’m finding these “hazy” IPAs more and more, especially at smaller breweries. Nothing about the beer is NE style; just cashing in on the cache Hazy. Cheers y’all!

 

Yup, UK.

 

Greetings, NBWers, on this mid-April Sunday,

Around 60° and fairly gray here in the wilds of Spokanistan. Some showers predicted later on, and during the week we'll be slipping back down into highs in the upper 40s, with more rain and perhaps more snow flurries. Winter dies hard here, particularly for the last couple of years.

Yesterday, I was able to hit two new beers.

I started around noon with an imperial coconut milk stout from YaYa Brewing called Dark Nova:

With adjuncts like coconut, chocolate and lactose, I expected something along the lines of a Mounds bar, and that was the general experience, but it was more muted than I expected. Body was both thin and creamy, like something served on nitro. Decent, but not substantial enough to be particularly compelling to seek out again.

In the evening, after a decent amount of time spent in the fridge, I hit this HIPA from @russpowell, part of a box that arrived yesterday morning as part of the infamous NBS BIF, now in it's 17th iteration (pics of this bounty will be shared on the official share date, which I believe is next weekend). From Lost Forty Brewing, it was called Trash Panda, and was reviewed blind, as it was presented as a Mystery Beer:

I sussed out that it was a hazy right away, both because of it's appearance and because of the aroma, which was of hops giving off scents of citrusy and tropical fruits and melons, and the kind of flavor such an aroma tends to lead to

I was correct, although I was surprised at it being 7.2%, as that relatively high abv was quite well hidden. Very easy drinking, it could lead to problems if sessioning!

Today I'm putting the finishing touches on my taxes. When finished, I'll have to decide whether to hit more of the beers I've received via Russ's box or hit some remaining beers from the previous BIF from @Roguer (if you ever get him as your target, have someone standing by to rebuild your entire neighborhood, let alone your porch!). Or maybe I'll venture out to one of the various breweries within walking distance if it's not raining by then.

 

A beautiful day out. Had to go and do some afternoon drinking out in Black Page's wonderful outdoor patio, and had a few new beers.

First up is Tried and True. A simple 4.5% Pilsner.



Pours a clear yellow color. A two finger white head forms with good retention, and lace left behind as that recedes.
Aroma is of Noble hops, with a grassy, spicy, slightly floral character. A honey like malty aroma as well, to help balance.
Taste wise, like the nose, grassy and spicy hops. The malt character is more nuanced here. With toasted malts, sourdough bread, light honey like sweetness. Just a touch of bitterness. Very nice overall.
A light body with crisp carbonation. This becomes very smooth after if breaths. Ultra clean, and finishes semi dry. For sure a good Pilsner to come back to. I will have this plenty on return visits.

A subtle, not particularly complex Pilsner. Which, I very much enjoy the less is more approach. Nothing is going to WOW you here, but its just going to be very enjoyable. I'll take that most of the time.

Overalls score is 3.94, B+
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63888/650798/?ba=champ103#lists


Next up was Barrel Aged Neighbor, Neighbor, which is their Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Doppelbock. 9% ABV.



Pours a dark reddish/brown color. A small white head forms, and recedes to a ring that sticks around. Not much lace is left behind, but for a barrel aged offering not really expected either.
A big wood aroma up front. With vanilla and chocolate. A bit of rye spice. Dark fruits round this out, with cherry and plums. A very enjoyable barrel aged aroma.
Taste wise, yep, all the barrel aged goodness is here. Wood, vanilla up front. Chocolate covered cherries. Toasted malts, light spiciness. Just enough sweetness, without being over barring or cloying in anyway. Love it.
A big full body with firm carbonation. That becomes ultra smooth after this breaths. The malty character gives the perfect amount of chewiness to the body. The alcohol is well hidden, and just a very enjoyable sipper.

I really enjoy their regular Dopplebock, and the barrel aged version is very good as well. The barrel character is fairly strong, and almost takes over. Though the great malt character does peak through in the end. Of coarse, not a traditional Dopplebock with the barrel aged treatment, but still very enjoyable and well done.

Overall score is 4.11, A-
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63888/650799/?ba=champ103#lists

As always, I really enjoyed Black Page, and I continue to make visits often as its in my neighborhood. The regular lagers are always solid, if on the subtle side and the Barrel Aged Neighbor Neighbor is excellent.

 

Afternoon BA and thanks @Roguer for the opening. Have a few new ones today on the first day of my weekend.
Prissint DIPA Longlive Beerworks
Providence, RI
Nelson Sauvin, Rakua and Motueka Hops.
Pours a very hazy pale yellow, creamy white head.
Peach, passionfruit, lemon/lime, touch of blanc grapes, tangerine on the nose.
Tastes of tropicals and stonefruits, lemon zest, lime jolly ranchers, piney and grapefruit bitterness.
Soft in the mouth, mild carbonation, creamy oats, mild pilsner malt. Dries on the finish with decent bitterness.
Tasty New Zealand hopped brew. Another good brew from these folks.
Cheers!

 

Good afternoon one and all and welcome to New Beer Sunday #947!

Very Special Old Gravedigger



Can Notes: Scotch ale aged in bourbon barrels. 14.9% ABV, canned 4/4/23 @ 8:59:30, $10 plus tax for each of the four 12 oz cans. A caledonian broadsword of fierce oak expression.

Appearance: Single pour into a large tulip glass. Nice clear dark brown near black base, generous initial head with aggressive pour leaves no trace a few minutes later as expected. 4.25

Aroma: Excellent smooth bourbon is front and center and is intoxicating. Getting barleywine and quad like malt notes, sweet toffee, raisins. All comes together to create a very enticing scent. 4.5

Taste: First taste several minutes after pouring, consistent with the aroma though the sweet flavors of raisins, plums and malt take the lead, with the bourbon barrels chilling in the back. I wait several more minutes before really diving in to bring this closer to proper temperature. At fifteen minutes in, the malt sweetness increases, warmth from the bourbon and alcohol increases and is pleasant on this cold day. Bourbon slowly emerges now twenty minutes in, smooth, strong, quite excellent. This went from a 4.0 to 4.5 at peak temp, at least for me, 20 minutes in. Excellent. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Creamy syrupy medium to full body. Nominal carbonation, is sweet to very sweet, with the bourbon barrels providing a nice battle to reign excesses in, and for the most part does a great job. I'm only a few ounces in and can already feel the impact of the strong ABV, drinks stronger so don't plan on doing much after if you enjoy a full can. Sweet syrupy aftertaste. 4.25

Overall: To me, this tastes like a blend between Gravedigger Billy and Straight Jacket. Sweeter and more malt than I typically seek, but Revolution really hits these beers out of the park, and this is no exception. This is a very good beer cold, turns into an excellent beer if you let this warm up, allowing the bourbon flavors to catch up with the aroma there from the time you pour. Had possible doubts based on the style, but even Doubting Thomas cannot deny the wonderful deep barrel treatment featured with this beer is quite excellent. 4.5

Louis Jordan

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Samplers and commentators. This week, Carton and Other Half released two collaboration TIPAs. Several years ago they brewed an excellent DIPA called All Orange Everything so I was anxious to try the new ones and picked up cans at the brewery today on my way back from the shore. This afternoon I'm reviewing All Orange Clouds, 10.5%, hopped with Mosaic, Waimea, and Mandarina Bavaria, and with a grist bill of Maris Otter and rolled oats.

You'd never know it's 10.5% ABV; it drinks like about 7.5. And it's a lot less sweet/more refreshing than I anticipated. It's only four days in the can and I'm sure it will evolve over the next week or two but it's very good now.

It pours a a hazy, golden orange color with a very large, fluffy, bright white cap and lots of creamy lacing. The modest nose includes lemon peel, orange zest, grassy hops, and a hint of oaty sweetness. Although advertised as an "Oat Creme Ale," the initial taste features sharp, tart lemon and grapefruit, along with pine sap. The Waimea hops really shine. The orange/tangerine notes of the Mandarina Bavaria hops become more evident as the ale warms a bit. Beneath the fruit is an earthy nuttiness from the grist. There is clean bitterness throughout that seems bigger than 25 IBU. I'm not tasting the oaty sweetness I smelled but the rolled oats add to the excellent mouth feel.

4.04/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Interestingly, @DrStiffington, whose opinion I respect, gave it the same overall rating although he rated the five attributes differently. I suspect that after a week in the can I may revise my rating upward a bit. We'll see.

The other new release is All Orange Clouds in My Coffee. I considered reviewing it today, as well, but I think I'll let it develop until next weekend. Cheers, NBW!

 

Fremont - Kush
Appears to be a dankified Lush variant? Hell yeah, sign me up! I'm a sucker for Fremont.

16oz can served in a big snifter. Can is dated 03/31/23. Bought it yesterday at the Beer Junction.

Pours a mostly clear brassy golden with a big, maybe 1-1.5 inch head. Head settles slowly into a dense clumpy layer. Smell is hop flowers, leaves, and yes, some dankness. More dankness the more I sniff it.

Taste is a little of the grainy / honeysuckle sweetness I love in Lush, with a bit more of the piney / somewhat citrusy hop notes that I also love, with a definite dank overtone that works pretty well with all that. Bitterness builds, sip on sip, turning very resiny (and even danker) as I drink.

Mouthfeel is dry and light. Overall, I'm really digging this beer.

 

@snaotheus provided me with a Hefeweizen for this warm afternoon!



Not super estery like many of the style are. A bit subtle, but really nice regardless!

4.05/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

 

We were within 0.25 on each category so I consider that extremely close. I agree it seems lighter than the 10.5% ABV.

 

Sounds great, and, in your description, something like Sticky Hands?

 

Hmm
Been a while since I had Sticky Hands and I'm terrible at doing this without a side by side (even worse than I am with a side by side)

But, I think Kush is brighter and lighter, and the resin has a different character, though I'm not sure how to describe the difference. Kush is a bit more malt-forward. Maybe Kush's resin leans more toward pot, and Sticky Hands more toward pine.

 

Oberon day here is almost a state holiday, it’s been around for decades and I took it for granted until I saw you hadn’t tried it *and* have a sweet spot for wheat beers. Glad I could introduce it to you!

 

All I know is the first time I tried Sticky Hands, it was like drinking liquid pot. Fresh Knee Deep Simtra is the closest I've come since . . .