New Beer Weekend #183

Saint Bernardus Christmas Ale
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/39286/

One of the last Christmas beers I still have. I wanted to shoot it outside in honour of the season but the temp was minus double digits so an indoor shoot it is!

Poured a 330ml bottle into a chalice. A big two finger tan head on a very dark ruby brown. Excellent head retention. Lots of fine lacing.
Fruit up front in the nose.
Tastes of toffee, caramel. Pepper as it warms. Spicy finish.
Medium body and carbonation.
Very smooth and well balanced.

look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

 

Good day BAs! I'll go back later and catch up on this thread, but for now, here's today's New Breakfast Beer:



Pyraeon – from Adroit Theory Brewing. Purchased from Adroit Theory online, 16 oz can part of mixed four-pack, $ 8.24/can (Including shipping), $0.515/fl oz. Reviewed 21/01/24 (Review 3226). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Bottom of can stamped 12/?6/23. Stored at 34 degrees at home. Served at 46.2 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 53.4 degrees F.
Appearance – 4.25
First pour – Straw (SRM 2), hazy.
Body – Pale Gold (SRM 4), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, same.
Head - Average (Maximum 1.8 cm, aggressive center pour), white, high density, short retention, leaving a 0.4 cm crown and a rocky complete cap.
Lacing – Excellent. Rings of tiny to small bubbles, connected primarily by short, wide columns with an occasional long, thin column piercing windows.
Aroma – 4 – Initially citrusy hops when the tab is popped, but this quickly fades to nothing. No yeast, no malt, no alcohol (10 % ABV as marked on the label).
Flavor – 4 – Begins with generic citrus fruit No yeast, no malt. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. No ethanol. Slight gastric warming. Ends with a chalky, slightly sweet, aftertaste.
Palate – 4 – Full; watery; lively but non-aggressive carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4.25 Unremarkable Impy IPA.
Rating 4.07, rDev -0.5%

 

Sorry about the extra thread opening yesterday, I checked for a thread when I started my post but must have taken too long to get the message written.

Clearing out the fridge, plus it fits the weather we've had for the past couple weeks.

New Belgium Cryo Ranger

Appearance: Clear yellow, big head.

Smell: Citrus, melon note.

Taste: Mild sweetness, then the taste is a lot of honeydew melon. Not over-the-top melon Fanta, but solid melon. Low carbonation leads to a slick mouthfeel.

Overall: Saw some good reviews here on BA so sprang for a 6 pack. Interesting beer, quite a bit of melon flavor, which was what got me interested in the first place. Worth a try.

 

Good Sunday morning, and thanks to @LeRose for hosting this week.
We are in the single digits here in WMass, but "its a dry cold"!!.
Soon we head to Worcester to meet up with team #2 for a late lunch.
Then next week we fly to Taiwan to see Team #1 for a few weeks, the agenda is to spoil the grand daughter who we see in person twice a year.
Todays offering is from Colrain MA, a one man band up there has been brewing in a shed for 10 years, Some brews are good, some brews are outstanding. This one is the latter.
Cheers and stay safe out there

King Korby Imperial Stout

American Imperial Stout | 8.7% ABV
Stoneman Brewery in Colrain, Massachusetts

Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.19/5 rDev +0.2% | Average: 4.18
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 500 ml bottle into the test glass. Poured at 40 F and allowed to warm.
A - Beautiful to look at, thick knit mocha cap, sits atop a dark brown base.
S - A touch of char, dark roast malt, hint of esspresso, and dark chocolate.
T - Roasty, with a bit of blackberrie, again with a thread of coffee, 80+% chocolate,
A nice peppery thread hides in there, maybe a touch of rye in the grist?
M - Medium body, dry and pleasant to drink, alcohol (listed at 9.3%) is well integrated.
O - A very good, straight up Imperial Stout, no gimmicks, and well executed

 

Poured into a 16 Snulip glass canned on 1/15/24. Pours a very dark brown with a half finger that leaves 0 lace. 3.75

Aroma is graham cracker, maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa, and a whiff of coffee. 3.75

Taste follows graham cracker, maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa, and coffee a little metallic. 3.5

Mouthfeel is extremely thin, watery, kind of flat, not dry, and at 8% it drinks like 5.5.% not a positive for me. 2.75

Overall they have been brewing very good stouts lately and not this one. Very surprised. 3.25

 

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass canned on 12/20/23. Pours an extremely hazy milky yellow with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves some thin streaks of lace, with excellent retention. 5

Aroma is papaya, tangerine, passionfruit, and apricot. 4.5

Taste is bigger and better. Papaya, tangerine, passionfruit, guava, and apricot amazing balance. 4.75

Mouthfeel is big, soft gentle cream carbonation, not sticky or dry, and at 8.4% massive flavor, with incredible drinkability. 5

Overall this one was triple dry hopped and man did they do an awesome job. Nearly perfect for my palate. 4.75

 

Modist Breffix 24Hr Breakfast (Imperial) Stout, 8% ABV. Pours moderately thick and black, with a 3+ finger light-brown head that left foamy lacing. Aroma is brown sugar, coffee, maple, vanilla and roast malt. Taste is coffee, maple, brown sugar, and roast malt, slightly sweet, equally bitter. Decent mouthfeel with appropriate carbonation. Overall excellent.

4.24/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Catching up on last night's OP Live since it was opposite the Packers game

 

Lone Pint Double Yellow Rose. Imperial IPA, 10% ABV

First time having this for me, even though I drink a ton of regular Yellow Rose I have never had this one.



Pours with a substantial haze, that doesn't get to the NEIPA murkiness though. A dense white head forms with excellent retention and lace left behind as the foam gently recedes.
A big and pungent fruity aroma up front. That goes from pineapple, melons, to citrus and some berries. This is a fruit salad.
Taste wise, that fruity/juicy hoppiness up front again. Pineapple and melons are most apparent for me, but generally has that fruit salad flavor. All the fruits gives this more of a sticky sweetness, and I would like for a bit more bitterness in the finish.
A medium to full body that has crisp carbonation at first. That becomes much smoother as this breaths, but becomes chewy and sticky sweet. The alcohol is noticeable, and this is a slower sipper than I would like.

I do enjoy this, as I am a fan of regular Yellow Rose as well. Though the sweetness mixed with the alcohol burn keeps this from being really great for me. I can see why others like this, but I'd rather just have a regular Yellow Rose as it is more balanced.

Overall score is 3.68, solid B that doesn't make my personal B+ range.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30380/628655/?ba=champ103#lists

On another note, I reviewed Sierra Nevada's Hop Bullet yesterday. I have heard some people say how they thought that one is really sweet. Which was not my experience, Double Yellow Rose however has that big juicy sweetness for me. Maybe it is just the nature of how I perceive the juicy fruit flavors, and some more bitterness would also help with that IMO.

Anyway, sipping on this while I start my new book, Jeff Vandermeer's Veniss Underground. While also listening my Fighting Illini on the radio, taking on Rutgers in college basketball.

 

My first (and maybe only?) beer of the day is I Believe in Love, from Allagash.

4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled on the 14th of November, 2019

Nice looking beer, with a cranberry red color and a small amount of fizzy white head. A centrally located, consistent stream of bubbles rises to the surface in the middle of the glass. Aroma is heavy on the raspberry, with a distinct raspberry jam vibe to it. Fairly one-dimensional, but still very enticing.

Like the aroma, the taste is heavy on the raspberries, but unlike the aroma I can pick up the cranberries, although they play second fiddle. Sour, but not over the top (noting that my palate long ago adjusted to this type of beer). The light funk only arrives on the finish. Very lively, with vibes similar to Sprite mixed with Ocean Spray (but in a good way).

Super easy to drink, and quite tasty. It's not the most complex beer in the world, but I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

 

Another week, another business trip near Charlton, another trip to Tree House. I purchased mostly non-IPA styles this week as my fridge is full of them right now.
This is Old Hat Amber Lager with a 5.4% ABV. Yes they call it "Amber" although with back light it is more brown than the photo implies.

3.87/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Purchased at the Charlton site 4-days ago.
Poured from a 16-oz can stamped Autumn 2023 to a tulip at fridge temp.
The pour looks a lot like root beer in both body and head. It is much darker in color than the “Amber Lager” listing on the can suggests. Although the head fades rather quickly the glass laces quite well.
Malt rules the smell. Damp, decaying yard leaves, but in a good way.
This is one of the most malt forward tasting beers I have had in a long time. Surprisingly extremely dry also, but some citrus-like sweetness comes in during the finish.
The body is light and carbonation a little heavy.
I am not a fan of sweet dark beers and this one is the opposite of that. Weird way of saying I enjoyed it.

 

One more new beer for me this weekend.

True Anomaly's No Destination Wild Ale. Aged for 15 months if French Oak Wine barrels with blueberries. 7.7% ABV.



Pours a beautiful looking ruby/purple color. A white/pink tinged head rises to over two fingers. That gently recedes to a ring that sticks throughout.
A big vinous and fresh fruit aroma up front and center. Berries, peppery spice, grapes, light oak with a hint of vanilla. This is really impressive.
Taste wise, like the nose, vinous and fruity all the way. Berries and peppery spice, grapes. Oak and vanilla again. This is sweet from the fruits, but wonderful acidic bite dries and balances this out. The acidity keeps building and lingers on forever.
A medium body with crisp effervescent carbonation. I love the prickleiness, which give this a puckering finish and makes me want to keep coming back. The acidity does build and makes the more of a sipper, but still very enjoyable.

I have had bad luck with fruited Wild Ales from American breweries lately. So I have been ignoring them for the most part. Though I'm always down for trying something from True Anomaly, and this is why. So well put together, and highly recommended.

Overall score is 4.1, easy A- and could probably up the score a little.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/55586/682432/?ba=champ103#lists

Perfect while listening to some Ella Fitzgerald on this lazy Sunday afternoon. I'm spinning the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, 5 LP set with the Bernard Buffet lithographs. I love these.

 

Lawson's Finest Liquids - Fayston Barrel Aged

500ml bottle served in a snulip. If there's a date, I don't see it. @Braunmeister_1943 sent it to me.

Pours black, thick, small head that emerges slowly, tiny carbonation bubbles creeping up the side of the glass. Smell is Vietnamese coffee, dark chocolate bitterness, sweetness that I recognize as maple because it says maple on the label.

Taste is way more bitter than I was expecting. Tons of coffee bitterness, burnt cocoa notes and char, a little vanilla, and maple really just sneaking around the borders. Sweetness is there, kind of slipping in the backdoor. Booze is noticeable, but not dominant.

Mouthfeel is thick, alcohol heat is more noticeable in the feeling than in the flavor. Not still -- just a bit of life in the texture. Silky. This is very good.

Man, you are batting 1.000 on this box! I've loved everything so far, and there's not much of it left.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Sippers and commentators. Russian Imperial Stout is my favorite beer style and I'm always excited to try a new one. The First King of Kyiv is brewed by Mad Swede Brewing Company in Boise, Idaho. I received this can from @Limazulu in a trade. I note that in the BA database the name of the capital city of Ukraine is spelled "Kiev" rather than "Kyiv" as it appears on the can (which I believe is the better spelling). This Stout is solid and very approachable.

Poured at 61°. It's ink black in color with over a finger of fluffy, light khaki-colored head and very thick, clinging lacing. The smell is roasty with lots of bitter char and cigar ash with just background whiffs of sweeter chocolate and caramel. Its taste is equally roasty but a bit sweeter than the nose. In addition to the roasted malt there is bakers chocolate, burnt coffee grounds, charred nuts, and a hint of caramel. This Stout has a thick, creamy mouth feel with low/moderate carbonation, and the 9% ABV gives it good substance without overpowering. Overall, The First King of Kyiv is a solid and very drinkable Russian Imperial Stout. My only regret is its lack of dark fruit presence which I really enjoy in this style.

4.04/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I'll be back shortly with a local NEIPA collaboration. Cheers, NBW!

 

I’m glad you’re enjoying them! Cheers!

 

Sunday, a day for rest and mental preparation for the work week ahead...I have been left alone for an hour or so to prep dinner and clean a little while Mrs Phisher is at her rents with the boys. Little break to review a beer from a brewery I'd love to visit one day, thanks for sending this beer my way @snaotheus.

Machine House - Special Bitter (English Bitter



Pours a dirty ruby hued light brown, lightly browned head, great retention with decent initial lacing; this beer is a looker.

Nose is yeast, with an interesting hoppy and malty mix; the malt is rich, and has a very aromatic quality to it; biscuit like but it has a rustic and darkened, toasted smell to it, hops are pungent earthy, green leaves with some fruitiness mixed in; a very light floral like note there as well.

Taste rich malt and English hops, malt presents in a rich nutty, grainy bread sort of way; with a nice dose of hops, lightly resin like, like an earthy sappy quality; finishing with a dark fruit skin presence.

Body is light but verges right to medium, great soft creamy smooth carbonation coats the tongue before the hops bite the back of the tongue on the way down; leaving a sappy sort feel.

It took me a long time to write up this short little review, this beer just had so much awesome stuff going on and I feel my words didn't do this beer justice, but I tried. I really loved the hoppy malty quality, it reminds me of the NW Reds I fell in love with while I was out there Ryan. Thank you for being a Beer Saint of the highest order.

—————-

Have a great week everyone!

 

This was a great starter beer early today. Cheers!
Clown Shoes Blaecorn Yuledragon Spiced Imp Stout 9% ABV
3.97/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz can from Xmas 12pk best by 1/31/25 into a tulip glass.
L: SRM 39 Pours very dark brown with steady light carbonation bubbles and a creamy 1/8" dark khaki head, decent retention to thin edge foam, loose tacky spider web lacing. Good carbonation to final sip.
S: Dark roasted caramelized malts, dark fruits, chocolate, a hint of plum.
T: Sweet dark fruits, a hint of raisin, darkly roasted caramelized malts, dark bitter baking chocolate, grains, gentle mulled wine spices, a distant hop bite. It has a long bitter dark chocolate & dry red wine linger. No alcohol taste. It has an aftertaste that is a mirrored echo.
F: Brisk, broad and gently creamy feel with a long fairly dry finish. It is medium-light bodied.
O: A slightly complex beer with a slightly lofty palate that works well within its chocolate confines. Well carbonated for its style and cocoa lassos the holiday spices. Excellent balance of flavors and pleasantly alive with a surprisingly lighter feel and body. It is VG in its style.

 

Cheers dude, glad you like it.

 

NBS #2 is a New Zealand IPA collaboration between Twin Elephant Brewing Co. and Widowmaker Brewing in the Boston area. It's hopped with Citra, Waimea, Motueka, and Southern Cross and the grist bill includes White Wheat, Flaked Oats, and 2 Row, The brewers used English Ale Yeast.

Reviewed less than a week after the can release. It pours a dense, murky, dirty tangerine color with an almost two finger cap of foamy, bright white foam and thick, clinging lacing. The smell is big and fruity with lots of lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, stone fruit, and pine needles. The New Zealand hops shine with a great balance of tart lemon, lime, and grapefruit but sweeter tangerine and pomelo. Beneath the fruit is a firm base of wheat, flaked oats, and 2 Row. As it warms a bit I'm getting more white wine grape and pine sap. All of the flavors are complimentary. This ale has a nice, creamy mouth feel with a pleasant level of carbonation, and the 7.7% ABV gives it good substance. Overall, this is a strong collaboration between two very good brewers of IPAs. I enjoy New Zealand hops and the brewers have employed them very well in this ale.

4.27/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This ale is first rate although I suspect the shelf life won't be long so I'll have to drink it up.

I hope everyone has a great week! Cheers, NBW!

 

@snaotheus is spoiled, doubly so because of Machine House

 

This is Well Hello Western Mass from TH with my version of paella simmering in the background with BIG pieces of chicken.
I saw that @ovaltine reviewed this yesterday. He seemed to sense more pine than I did, but in retrospect (still sipping) I think he's right.
Brewed in Charlton I assume this is a nod to TH's Deerfield location that has some (previously) local dinosaur displays in the taproom. Oddly, the name of the beer is not on the can. Even more weird, the stamp on the bottom of the can is 1.20.24, but this beer was purchased on 1.18.24! WTF?

3.79/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Packaged in a 16-oz can stamped 1.20.24 but was purchased in Charlton on 1.18.24???? Poured to Nonic at fridge temp.
Typical TH NEIPA body of super hazy orange/apricot with a full white head. Lacing is moderate.
Pretty much an orange rind smell but with some hoppy notes.
Similar taste, but with a damped middle that sweetens up the bitter rind taste. Finish is dry and hoppy, almost hop burn hoppy, but not quite.
The body is moderate for a TH NEIPA, the carbonation is just about right.
Far from the best Tree House NEIPA offering, but then again that’s a high bar. This is a pretty good beer.