New Beer Sunday (week 410)

NEW DIPA SUNDAY​

Couldn't end NBS on the note of my previous beer. As I watch the 'hawks seem to finally be pulling themselves together, I'm happy to report Racer X is a pretty tasty beer:​

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http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/610/8037/?ba=woemad​

 

I

I've heard really good things about that beer.. Hope to see one around!

 

I had an exit 16 DIPA at lunch and was not particularly impressed even though it is my favorite style.

 

I had Pliny the Elder and Deschutes Hop Henge both for the first time in a blind testing that included a number of other things I have had before. I had Abrasive #1 and Pliny #2, although I am probably conditioned for this bias as I drink lots of Abrasive.

 

Finishing up an Old Madrona, also by Island Hoppin'. Seems like an ImpIPA to me, but the bartender didn't have any info, and the breweries website was useless. A clean, clear medium-dark amber with an inch of just off-white head that had good retention and lacing-3.5. A very hop-forward aroma featured mostly citrus, with some lightly earthy malts in the background-3.5. Citrus hops dominated the taste, with a lingering bitter finish. The malts had somewhat of a balancing effect-3.5 The body was fuller that typical the (presumed) style (this might be an Imperial Red, like OD's G'Knight), which is a positive in my eyes-4.0. Drinkability was good, but the bitter finish was a bit much for me, I probably wouldn't have more than one at a time. Overall, a nice enough brew, worth a shot if you see it-3.5.

 

How's your day going? What did you think of those beers that were new to you? Here on NBS, we discuss what we think about the brews we try. This isn't the thread for old favorites, or just telling folks what's in your glass, there's another thread for that. We kind of know each other here, and new folks are always welcome. Please just follow Malty and MattCrill's simple rule of telling us about your NEW beer on New Beer Sunday. Cheers!

 

New American Stout Sunday,

I have an American Stout this Sunday as well. Oatis, an oatmeal stout from Ninkasi.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/14400/39296

A very good stout with robust coffee, chocolate and charcoal flavors. Another solid offering from Ninkasi, I do love their IPA's.

Clear and cold here in the Columbia Basin. Didn't get above freezing today and we are headed for the mid-teens tonight. Could be worse.

Happy New Year and Happy Trails!

 

And the last of the Island Hoppin' brews on tap, Riptide Porter. Poured a lightly translucent black, with about 3/4 inch of tan head that had moderate retention and light lacing- 3.5. Very nice, but not overpowering, roast aroma greet the nose, with a bit of grain in the background- 3.5. The flavor profile was pretty much the same, moderate roast, very gentle hops, pretty much what you expect from the style-3.5. The body was also fairly typical, smooth, even, medium, and with a slightly surprising dry finish- 3.5. Drinkability was pretty good, I'd have a couple on a rainy Fourth Corner day. Overall, a nice little brew, certainly worth a shot if you see it-4.0.

 

Great avatar, long live Allen Woody! I had the privilege of meeting Allen, Matt and Warren about 3 weeks before Allen died, in one of my favorite bar/restaurants, Dinosaur BBQ, in Rochester, NY, before gig. I was in Dino when when I found out about Allen's passing. Here's the Mule covering Sabbath:

 

Hey there Beertunes, thought I kinda did tell you which were the new beers (to me) that I hadn't tried before. "I had Pliny the Elder and Deschutes Hop Henge both for the first time". Those may be your old favorites, but I hadn't had them before today. I guess I was offering a bit of what I thought of them by mentioning how I ranked them amongst other brews that are more familiar to me in a blind taste test today. Sorry if I have somehow offended the club here.

Cheers, and Skol Vikings

 

I will expand on what I thought of my two new beers of Sunday beyond relative rank:

Hop Henge - The aroma was decent, and the hop characteristics were nice. However, I thought it was little too sweet/syrupy for my taste. It would be hard for me to have multiple.

Pliny the Elder - I think this beer is perfectly balanced. The aroma was nice, if not overpowering. It was pretty fresh (12/6/12), which I know many Pliny purists insist upon. I thought it had a lighter mouthfeel than the others sampled, and seemed pretty session-able as well. Since I previously mentioned that I ranked Abrasive higher in the blind test I know that is simply because the the flavors are more understated on a relative basis (more balanced). In a nutshell, I would rather have an ounce of Abrasive, but I am sure I would rather have a pint of Pliny. If I only it were more widely available.

 

NEW RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT SUNDAY​

Good Evening NBS,

Wow, an action packed day in this thread - good to see. Southern, CT is darn cold and windy as we dig out from the snow. Looks like my wife finally got that 8" the weatherman promised her last night . It's been a great holiday season so far relaxing with the various friends and family visited. Sitting down with the dog by the fire now.

It's good to have friends that think of you in their travels. To my recollection I have never seen this beer in CT and my buddy really did a great job picking this gem. This RIS was a great way to finish the NBS year:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/664/12873

If you can find it, try it! Happy New Year to all.

 

No worries bud, there's no club to join, ya already like good brew, that's good enough for us. I guess I'm just used to us long-timers being a bit more wordy. Look forward to seeing ya back here in the future. Cheers, and Viva El Birdos! (only 42 days until pitchers and catchers report!)

 

Enjoying a Saranac Big Moose Ale on this New Beer Sunday!

 

Enjoyed it and reviewed it here: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/99/53202/?ba=AAG

 

Awesome. I will participate more, if you all don't mind. Wheresmymule?

 

My last entry for this NBS (not that it's likely to be my last brew of the last Sunday of the year) is a new one from a nice little Seatthole brewery that often gets overlooked: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/17005/88556

 

More participation in NBS is always welcome. BTW, your Mule is here (I loved the bass run starting just after the 4m mark):

 

New Winter Warmer Sunday

I know Im late, but i was driving back from Ohio yesterday (where I hoped to meet up with mattcrill, but it didnt happen). I left the cold up north. It was about 20 degrees in Ohio with snow predicted. Now im back home in Central NC, and its a bit warmer. High 20s last night, with the high in the low 50s.

Last night I opened one of the beers from my Ohio haul (Fatheads Holly Jolly Ale). To me it tasted like Ginger Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Upfront sweet cinnamon and ginger with a touch of nutmeg to balance out what would be a cloyingly sweet beer. Slight grain to back it up. Not so bad.

 

Happy New Year to all...

I'm sorry I'm a day late but I lost my internet connection most of Sunday due to high winds on Long Island (I guess a wire came down somewhere along the line?).
I only had 1 new beer yesterday and it was quite good...

Jolly Pumpkin Noel De Calabaza​

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