New Beer Sunday (week 476)

Matt one of these days you are goign to have to tell me how you think of all those cool things like "banthas of Belgians." I love how you do that =)

I have been cooking. I love when I get to really cooking! It gives me such pleasure. I was looking forward to tasting today's beer to see what food I would pair with it. I am so disappointed in this one. This is Ommegang's Fire and Blood. With that name I was really expecting something bold, something sweet and hot and what I got instead was something lackluster and rather ordinary. So unusual from ommegang. Anyway . . . here's my review

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42/115428/?ba=utopiajane

My pics . . .



And here's a song -

SPRING!

 

Exactly what I need after last night's game; a convenient distraction. This robust porter is full of flavor. From the chocolate and espresso, to the sweet vanilla beans, it is very smooth and soft without any strong booze. Perfect for a relaxing Sunday morning.

 

I agree with you about Matt's prose. I'm looking for this one:

His portfolio is the epitome of tasty, drinkable brews that don't need to be double-barrel-aged-chipotle-soaked-coffee infused-brett inoculated Triple IPA's

I think he just started a new category!

 

New German Pilsner Sunday

Greeting NBSer's,

"Spring" has sprung around these parts with highs in the 40's and 50's and maybe higher. The snow in my yard may not make it through the day today. However, history has brutally taught us (Minnesotans) to not get full of ourselves as we can just as quickly get beaten down by cold rain and snow (which occurred twice this past week). Nonetheless, I'll get to my indoor tasks so that I can enjoy my outdoor tasks and then enjoy the new grandkid later today (and maybe she'll continue her pattern of sleeping a lot and not wear out her grandparents).

Today I partake of a local brewery with regional distribution that I encourage others to try. A brewery that makes classic styles well and focuses on (the former BA category of) drinkability. Currently they are celebrating one of their first forays into the then new world of craft beer (30 years ago) with a mixed 12 pack of different German pils. Today I sample the current derivation which I think is quite good (and it appears I like it more than many others). Anyway, perfect for a lovely spring day.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/417/115941/?ba=garymuchow

Looking forward to what everyone has to present and here is someone who can sing a song.


Best to all this week.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/90825/?ba=sfsean28

I'm feeling a nice buzz after finishing the bottle. Now its time to make the Auntie Anne pretzels. This was a pleasant surprise. I thought I bought a lager and it was a doppelbock instead. Happy NBS to all.

 

Why yes it is time for a new beer! What's new for our hero today this Sunday?

Hardywood Park - Sidamo Coffee Stout Release 2014.


Finally after cracking in some new stouts, and dealing with the KBS release and getting my fingers in on that as I tend to to do every year, it is time to check out some more Hardywood. Lots of fans of these guys, many into their Barrel series, and of course the desire for their Gingerbread Milk Stout is quite intense (and also a favorite of the brothers and scored very highly). A coffee stout with Ethiopian Sidamo coffee hinting towards fruit action described as blueberry. I also have the barrel aged version to come in the future which would make a good side by side, but tomorrow is a working day and that will have to wait. But I think it will be fresh in my mind.

So what gives? Let's go to the video tape...

-------------

Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass from vintage 2014 release.

Out of the bottle pours a real smooth chestnut brown, hitting the glass and filling a deep dark mahogany brown. Very thin creamy light cocoa brown head is formed, which falls to an even thin puck, and matching soft collar of thin bubbles. Pretty nice looking stout.

Bouquet is kind of ordinary. Some soft roasted grains, a faint hint of acid and sourness. Not really getting any coffee or ripping bean action on this at all. Faint hint of fruit going on which might make sense with the Ethiopian angle.

Palate comes with a light fruit quality. Bit of a wet and tonic water carbonated palate a bit, with not much coating. Roasted quality is taken backseat by a soft acidic fruit character and matching sourness detected on the nose in the finish. A bit wet. Some piping warmth heat from the alcohol which works with the coffee nicely, but not too boozy.

Overall not too bad, I often do like the fruity character of some Ethiopian coffees, but I think in this style it comes off hinting at a bit acrid grain sensing, taking my enjoyment out of it just a little bit. Otherwise it's nice.

look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5 | Final score 3.54

In the end part of me feels like this should be scored higher, as I do seem to have no problem continuing to drink it, but I can't see and feel all the parts that would make me say otherwise. Very curious how the barrel aged version will be. Experience with that is a mixed bag, sometimes it's no better, sometimes it improves. We shall see.

 

I would love to get my hands on some Hardywood park. I lived in Va beach for 10 years and drank nothing but seagrams wine coolers and corona's with lime . Good review. =)

 

Thank you. I'll let you know how the barreled version turns out

 

Thanks for the encouragement Rog. I feel like the dastardly odler sisiter that told the young one there really is no santa claus today as everyone is just about to try this and my review is raining on the proverbial parade.

 

Hey NBSers, perfect day today! Warming sun, cooling breeze, absolutely ideal for working outside. I got 9 wheelbarrow loads of compost turned into the garden plus a lot of general cleanup done.



Just bare dirt I know but it's beautiful to me. The soil is dark, loamy, and loaded with worms.

As a reward for my hard work I thought I should try one of those new fangled white IPAs. Twas okay I guess, but when the next hop shortage comes, I say the cuts start here. With white IPAs in general, not necessarily this one.


http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63/68942/?ba=DIM



Cheers, hope you all are enjoying your day as much as I am!

 

What a wild and wacky week it was. So much hours put in at clinicals only to turn around and add the same during the day in class. 24 hours straight ftw! And that's not even getting into the rain and tornadoes...
This coming week will be more of the same, but should create the opportunity for some respite next weekend. I was supposed to be studying for monday's test all weekend, but after the madness that was the week, I needed a little bit of unwinding, and I decided what better way than with my favourite sort of beverage?
Some many decades ago a great man was born, so I have to remember to call my dad and wish him happy birthday.

Today was going to be all about 4 Hands here in my lovely little basement, but I ran out of steam and fell asleep this morning before getting into the Bear Mace. There has to be at least one full sleep between drinking and any commitment (class, etc), them's the rules and I stick to them, so I shall not be partaking in any Mace this afternoon. What I DID pour this morning, though, was THOROUGHLY enjoyable. When I moved to the middle I took it upon myself to try to familiarize myself with some of the local standouts, and War Hammer was one that accumulated consistent praise. After being somewhat underwhelmed by many of their other offerings, however, my expectations were quite tempered. Suffice to say I feel it has absolutely earned the plaudits it has received. Super juicy nose just oozes tropical hops, before sneaking a harsher grapefruit on the tongue. Really impressively done.

 

Two great first Pale Ales Taste off: Bronx Pale Ale 3.9 (APA) ties with Left Hand Sawtooth Pale Ale (an ESB) 3.9 Both are the first beers of two great brewers: one new and in Bronx, and the other old and from Longmont, CO.

Although different styles, and although Sawtooth is a perfect ESB, I still pick up the Bronx Pale Ale a bit quicker because of its hop profile.

Bronx Pale Ale 3.9

This one is almost there. Tempted to give it extra points for arriving in cans. It's bordering on IPA. Lovely. I just raised my review on my 2nd try and in comparison with LeftHand Sawtooth.

A - like other reviewers wrote: amber copper, clear, ample head, medium lace. Nice looking.

S - flowers! this is the big win on this one: floral, citrusy, orange rind hops against a backdrop of rich, sweet, full carmel malts. Hop dominant.

T - Follows the aroma well, and amplifies the nutty, biscuity nature of the ale, finishes just a little soapy. Strong but sessionable. I easily wanted another one! Great with food.

F medium, chewy, just a little soapiness in the finale.

O - A must try! Have one when you can find it. Must become a mainstay at Yankee stadium. Easy to drink. A great first pale ale.

Left Hand Sawtooth Pale Ale (an ESB) 3.9
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Presentation: 12oz brown bottle with the bottled on date stamped on the side.
Appearance: Medium, clear amber with a very thick, lumpy and foamy white head, with exceptional retention. This will make a great black and bitter.
Smell: Caramel, cherries, figs, esters, cracker grain and light hop aromas.
Taste: Malt first. with flowers, biscuit malt. Pleasant fruit follow with malt and hop balance. Long firm finish. Hop bitterness is mild but long. Mineral, fresh, long finish.
MF: firm mouthfeel, medium-bodied. Even a bit creamy. Again - going to be a great blend with Stout.
Great: Top ESB. Easy to session.

 

New American Strong Ale Sunday!

Greetings to the NBS gang from a beautiful Spring day here at the Jersey Shore. Upper 50s, bright sunshine, and gentle breezes made for some good stuff. Like an introductory 9-hole round of golf. There's some red on my face from the sunshine, usually the red is from the alcohol.

Anyhow, here's the new brew for today, another goodie from Lags:http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/48385/?ba=NiceTaps



I've been getting my groove on to this all weekend. It must be good, even my wife likes it!
I bought one of the 50 or so copies that this sold back in '76.



It's nice to see garymuchow get a tune up with his review. Good stuff.

All the best, everyone!

 

New English Brown Ale Sunday

Hello all! Today is a nice, sunny, early spring-like day here in the Milwaukee area. I'm still trying Wisconsin beers. There are an abundance of them! Today's was another from Sprecher's. Their Pub Brown Ale is a nice, basic, easy-drinking English-style brown ale. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I'm looking forward to going for a tour there. It's close to where I live and have heard good things about it. So far, I've been happy with their beers. I even enjoy their root beer!

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/144/993/?ba=jwc215

Cheers!

 

Partly sunny and - dare I say it - spring-like in Spokane today. I am thrilled to be back on NBS after too long an absence due to various issues that have conspired to keep me off-line and having to use the local library's computers when they are available. I'm currently revelling in the knowledge that for the first time in a month I have the entire weekend both off from work and from obligations that oblidged me to travel out of town.

Had myself a seemingly mysterious coffee beer from Fort George:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16077/110695/?ba=woemad

Decent, but ultimately disappointing as I had expected the coffee elements to be a little more conspicuous in a beer called Java the Hop (by the way, nice Star Wars references, mattcrill!)

 

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little (more from the seagrams, I have to admit, as I too have the Corona skeleton in my closet)

 

Greetings All:

Checking in from the great northwest on this sunny and warm New Beer Sunday. I'm having The Vaporizer from Double Mountain today. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16094/50261/?ba=RJLarse

It's a bit of an oddity. Brewed with pilsner malt and it tastes like, well... a pilsner. Not one of my favorite styles, and even though this is a pale ale, I'd probably pass on it should it come around again. It's interesting, but not that good.

As I said sunny here in the upper left corner, with temps in the mid 60's. Busy weekend. Five pickup loads of tree branches hauled off the place yesterday, and this morning two hours of rototilling the garden plot. Spring chores in full swing. As soon as I sign off here I'm going throw a pork roast on the grill, and then try out my Tap-A-Draft system for the first time, with 1.5 gallons of my own Fencepost Pale Ale. If it works as advertised it should be a great way to dispense my home brew.

Until next week,

Happy Trails!