New Beer Sunday (week 468)

$6 11.16oz bottle poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint.

Appearance: Pours black with some ruby on the sides of the glass. Two finger, creamy, tan colored head. Thin layer of foam remains on top. Pretty good lacing.

Smell: Uh... yeah, that's creme brulee/Boston Cream Pie. Just a vanilla custard sort of aroma, milk chocolate, roast, coffee... the whole aroma just lingers in your nose even after you pull the beer away. This beer smells phenomenal.

Taste/feel: Hm. A medium feel is the first thing I notice. Given the style and ABV, I was thinking it'd be thicker. Carbonation is about medium. The flavor is just not at all what I was expecting. Surprisingly mild. Shockingly doesn't really have any taste until after the swallow, where there's a bit of roast, and creme brulee quality. The most dominant thing I pick up on in this beer's taste though, is just a nonstop bitterness that lingers, lingers, and lingers some more. It's a bitterness not associated with hops (not really a hop flavor that I'm picking up) or roasted malt (there, but not in a copious amount). Truthfully, I don't think I've had a non-IPA with such a lingering bitterness, and I was expecting this to be a sweet beer based on other creme brulee beers I've had in the past. Aside from the bitterness, the creme brulee flavor also sticks around for awhile, but the bitterness is just wild, out of control for me... very uncharacteristic. Additionally, the finish is chalky/almost gritty. Although not a super high ABV, the alcohol is hidden as far as flavor, but there is a slight warmth at the end.

Talk about a disappointment. This beer needs some serious balancing. The aroma was incredible, but unfortunately, this isn't a candle. The pour was also nice, and lacing left behind was great, but I don't need to tell you that all that truly matters is a beer's flavor, and this one is just, again, a disappointment. As it warms it's a little bit better, with the bitterness fading a touch and more flavor coming through, but still, I can't see this being worth $6 in any way. I get that it's an import, but the bitterness, quite thin mouthfeel, and shocking lacking flavor, will keep me from ever wanting to try this one again. This one's scored a 3 overall from me due to the price and overall experience. Most unsatisfying brew I've had in quite some time. I guess my expectations were just way too high.

3.5/5

How's that for a plot twist for those who saw the WBAYDN thread?

 

Happy New Beer Sunday!

This week was a beer bonanza for me. I tasted Hopslam which I loved and am thrilled to have found in my local grocery. Today however I am having an "English Breakfast with two beers form England. Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout and Fuller's Vintage Ale 2012. The Sam Smith was everything you have heard. Just a piece of chocolate cake in a glass. At only 5% abv you could easily enjoy this beer with breakfast.




Cheers!

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/113/86189/?ba=utopiajane

 

Howdy Matt and a hearty Cheers to all of BA. Well, I did it. I bought a new beer on Friday and managed to hold on to it until now, in anticipation of NBS. It's a beer brewed just a couple of miles from my house, called Roughtail Rock Tsar double oatmeal stout. So, on this overcast, freezing central OK morning, here goes my mangled butchering of the English language...

Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass. Color is deep brown, with the slightest touch of red, when held to the light. Two fingered head, which holds for quite a while. Good lacing. Aroma is slight, not unlike other oatmeal stouts, even reminiscient of Sam Smith itself. Slightly roasty, kinda like a weak coffee. Taste is beautiful. No booze at all. This is my kind of stout. A lot like a good porter. It's tasty and flavorful, without being a chore to drink. No homer here, but my state is really stepping up it's beer game.

 

New Am. Amber Ale Sunday

Greetings for another Sunday to all NBSer's,

Winter trudges along here in the frozen tundra of SCMN. I'm not discouraged yet. Cold still with snow on the way. Bock are showing up around here and one of the best, Schell's Bock, in now on the shelves. I'm working through my bigger beers during the week with my winter closet at a perfect 55 degree storage. I like grabbing an ale at a perfect temperature. I still have another month or two of that before the fridge becomes the primary holder of daily enjoyment.

Today's NB is a bigger amber at 9.8%. It must have a bit of age cuz' the aroma is dead, but the flavors are still good and it is a nice American Ale from the fine beer state of Illinois.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/689/87343/?ba=garymuchow

Best to all this week and I look forward to the music links of the various contributors.

 

Hello and happy NBS. I am watching the Badgers; hopefully the beat the #1 team in the Big 10 today (MSU). I am enjoying a Wyerebacher Insanity while watching the game. It is a good English Style BW that is aged in BB. The bourbon is pretty strong, but it sweetens as it warms. Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, and dark fruits are the main flavors. I want to let the rest age a bit to see if the bourbon mellows out. Cheers!

 

Cheers to a new week- I'm mourning the lack of football but enjoying the Olympics. Also a friendly reminder that love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is this coming Friday in case you're obligated to oblige your SO.
I know the friendly groundhog in the state to our east decided there would be six more weeks of porters and stouts, but I'm looking forward to the snow melting meaning maple syrup season as the sap warms and rises through the awakening maple trees. As such, I figured this was the perfect beer for this New Beer Sunday.


Bottled 12/4/13
A: Light orange with a one-finger head and lots of carbonation
S: Sweet malt with Belgian yeast, coriander and hints of banana and orange
T: Again sweet malt, the spicy notes really come through particularly coriander and clove. This follows with maple notes, banana then more spice on the finish
M: Fairly light-bodied, good carbonation
O: I wish the maple notes came through more, they got hidden by the abundance of sweet malt on the palate and were absent in the nose. Certainly a good beer and definitely worth a try but likely not a repeat purchase
*Edited with a new picture as the first didn't come close to doing the label justice... this one's better but still not great

 

Hey guys, hope this frigid NBS finds you well. We are enjoying a mellow Sunday together today and patiently awaiting spring. I generally like winter but I've had my fill. @Rio Insanity has long been a staple in my cellar, it's availably and affordability make it attractive. It does get sweeter with age I think you'll be pleased.

My new beer today was gone way too fast.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10607/110895/?ba=DIM



Cheers!

 

Howdy NBSers!

I'm joining in a little early this week, and this new beer is going great with season 3 of the Simpsons. The beer is Leffe Brune, and here's what I think of it:

Pours a dark reddish-brown with a rich, creamy, tan head that dissipates slowly into a cap and leaves a fair amount of lacing. I got aromas of bready Belgian yeast, cinnamon, brown sugar, and toffee. The taste was sweet up front, very yeasty, and it finished with a light but lingering earthy bitterness. A light brown sugar aftertaste sticks around for a short while. There is a very low amount of carbonation and it's a medium bodied beer. While not a guzzler, this is also not a slow sipper.

While I wouldn't say that this is on the same level as Rochefort 6, the price combined with the taste of this beer is just outstanding! I'd highly recommend it to everyone, even those of you that hate big corporations.

This one's for you garymuchow:

I'll be back in a little while with another new brew.

 

NEW AMERICAN IPA SUNDAY

Greetings NBSers!

Haven't beer here in a little while but have had a nice beer weekend. Some Hopslam and a visit to the Schlafly Tap Room for lunch today. Still cold and snowy in the greater STL area, so good weather to stay in and have a few beers. Discovered this new beer in my fridge today:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/147/97143/?ba=FanofHefe



Decent brew - good, not great but different.

Cheers!

 

Another BB Barleywine after a Badgers win! This one is slightly better compared to Insanity. The bourbon is more mellow and the caramel is thick and rich. Dark fruits are dusted in brown sugar and it is quite tasty.

 

Hi everyone I'm back. I usually don't have two beers but this one was burning a hole in my pocket and I had to try it. I am glad I did even though I poured a good bit of it. This is Fuller's Vintage Ale from 2012. It had quite a bit of oxidation and I reviewed it even though I considered it damaged. The reason I did is because I actually read that many people like the oxidation flavors in this beer, that it is made to be pleasant even with oxidation and I did not find that. It had a dull taste of cardboard and some metallic bite under that that was decidedly unpleasant and detracted form an otherwise very nice beer that had plenty to offer. Have you heard that oxidation "improves" this beer?

Cheers.

=)



http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/71/19426/?ba=utopiajane

 

New Barrel Aged Blended Anniversary Big Beer Sunday!

Today started out great. 32 degrees sunlight and decent speed at work. Now it's chilly and snowing. Well why not drink something Big? I didn't review this beer because at the moment I'm too lazy to review. I will describe for my Fellow NBSers.

This pours dark brown with ruby hues. The aroma is that of bourbon with toasted grains, with an earthy nuttiness. The taste is first bourbon. Then a wave of cocoa nibs with caramel and toast. The subtle hints of roasted nuts with brown sugar finishes bright. Some fruits appear but then fade away. It resembles that of grapes. Charred oak and vanilla finishes on time with very subtle bitterness. There is no way this is an almost 14 percent brew! This has no booze in the aroma nor flavor. As the flavor lingers there is a hint of tobacco which is very nice. The feel is Medium-Full with soft carbonation. Overall: this beer is a home run for me! This is what awesome tastes like. This is Recommended! Cheers my NBSers!

 

While I've had the beer in the middle many times before and loved it, my wife and I hit up Moylan's today for a beer. I was looking forward to the Hopsicle but was shocked to see Hop Craic (pronounced crack if you don't know Irish).
Ordered a glass thinking it was another TIPA (didn't see the xxxx on the menu) and when I looked it up on BA, low and behold, it was my first QIPA!
Very delicious, hoppy, piney and easy to drink. Had to grab a bottle to take home and would have been more were it not for the wife and potential nagging on the $...only $10.
Also enjoyed the Ryan Sullivan Imperial Stout, which was the wife's selection. Rich, chocolatey and as good as the big name imperial stouts.
Glad I finally gave my local (and Irish brethren's) brewery a shot.
Great beer, great vibe and very very reasonable prices!

 

Saved this Belgian for New Beer Sunday, trying a new Belgian every Sunday in Feb.

McChouffe - Brasserie d'Achouffe" 4.14

Going for the rich belgian mountain ale today.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"McChouffe - Brasserie d'Achouffe", sounds like a sneeze, in a squat brown bottle, legend has it as a Scottish Strong Ale collaboration.
A: Winning mahogany, hazy pour with stiff lacey head, that lasts and sticks all the way to the end of my tulip glass. Nicely carbonated and lively.
S: Meditation beer. Candy store, candied apples, cider, berries, yeast, fire, must, hops.
T: Follows the smell with a candied start, then it's a powerful, complex blend that keeps your tongue teasing out the flavors like kisses of grapes, figs, raisens, grassy hops, spice, powdered chocolate, pepper, nuts, zinfandel, minerals.
F: The beer is medium and feels tingly light, thus has the right body given the ABV and the complexity. Finishes clean and cidery.
Ardennes water at the core, this is a must try.

 

St. Louis still had a bunch of snow on the ground leftover from last week, and it started snowing again as I left my apartment to hit up the liquor store and pick up today's goodies (and my lot to send off for SB squares: congrats Josh!). It was supposed to just be a dusting, but it started coming down pretty convincingly while I was out and about.

I decided to try Stone's Matt's Burning Rosids, largely due to the generally positive responses it received right here in this very thread, and am not sorry I did. I haven't had a lot of smoked beers, but this one was done in a manner I found quite enjoyable. Likewise, I don't really go for saisons that often: the ones I've had have been more... grainy and thin than I prefer but this has enough complexity and interesting things going on that I found myself enjoying it more than I had expected. Plus, it's a pretty cool story behind it. But marketing doesn't affect me. I promise...

Hope everyone's staying safe and warm and enjoying themselves this fine day,

cheers!

(the snow outside put this song in my head, and it's been stuck ever since...)

 

First up today was Sam Adam's Rebel IPA. My beer store guys said they were not going to carry it, and then they tried it. It was really good, drinkable IPA. Nothing to really write home about, but I would go back to it.



Next up, Hoppin' Frog Hopped Up Goose Juice. The rye really comes through, and definitely a lot more hoppy than other Rye IPA's (like SN Ruthless Rye), but I would say I prefer the SN offering. Something about the hop residue floaties still bothers me, but it is not a complete turn off.

 

New Pale / Session Lager Sunday

Greetings NBS from Cold Southern, CT -

. . . and welcome to some of the new(er) celebraters of NBS. A lot of great posts today.

Good day prepping for the week and hanging' with the fam today. Yesterday I made a beergrimmage (beer pilgrimmage?) to Mass for some out of market brews. On President's day weekend our family rents a house in the Hudson Valley with some friends of my wives (friend in-laws) and lots of good beer drinking ensues. Over the years us husbands have all become good friends and so I must come prepared with great beer for next weekend to enjoy (primarily, but sometimes a stout or porter sneaks its way to the breakfast table) after the kids go to sleep.

This fine brew from Jack's Abby was part of the score:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26520/77450/?ba=CHADMC3

Move over session IPA's, this Lager means business.




Link to beer haul pic from yesterday in appropriate forum:

http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...of-your-latest-haul.136/page-613#post-2146063