New Beer Sunday (week 494)

As usual, here's my review that I posted from the site -- it's been awhile!


Bottling date nowhere to be found, but it wasn't bottled more than a month ago, so I'm not that worried about it. $11.99 for a 750ml. Decanted into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint.

Appearance: Beautiful looking beer. A golden color with excellent clarity, and two fingers of a soapy and creamy head on top, with pretty excellent lacing in the glass. Bubbles from my glass came up somewhat slowly but steadily.

Smell: That's great -- smells really, really fresh. Caramel and presumably pale malts are there about as much as the hops. The sweet malt combined with fruity hop aromas screams for you to take a sip. There's not so much a piney, earthy, or even so much herbal aroma as there is tropical fruits. I suppose there is a bit of grass in the aroma as well, but it smells very pleasantly fruity.

Taste/feel: The feel is just about perfect for this beer with a moderate carbonation and basically full body, which makes this way, way too drinkable for its ABV -- which, by the way, can't be tasted or felt at all. The taste is just like the smell. I know one is an ale and the other is a lager, but this, to me, tastes a fair bit like a more expensive Two Hearted or DirtWolf (which also taste like Quinnanan Falls Lager by Bell's on certain levels), just with lager yeast. Fruity Pebbles/Fruit Loops sort of hop flavors are in here with the varieties of tropical fruit,a slight grassy character, and perfectly balanced bittersweet finish thanks to the flawless blend of hops and malts. Just a super clean, refreshing, and dangerously drinkable IIPL.

The overall rating for this beer seemed a bit low to me at first, but I can understand why, I think -- it tastes quite familiar, but with a pretty big bump on the price tag. Not sure I'd buy this again with cheaper beers tasting a bit similar to this one, but this is still a World Class sort of Imperial IPA -- well, lager -- that deserves your attention. One of my very favorite beers of 2014.

4.38/5

Cheers, everybody!

P.S. Ah yes... selfie thread. I'll change my profile picture. Close enough.

 

This Week's New Beer Sunday- St. Bernardus Wit


Watou, Belgium
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Style- Witbier
5.5% ABV

Hope all the BA's had a great week and were able to try new beer styles. These 60 hour work weeks are for the birds and beer drinking is turning from a weekend getaway and relaxation to a morning ritual instead of coffee. Anytime I can sneak in a beer during the week is a good thing. Anyway Summer heat has hit the metro Atlanta area and that means tornado warnings and daily torrential rain.

As a huge fan of the ABT 12, I thought I would take upon myself to try the Wit. Other than their Christmas Beer this is the one that was missing and I am sure glad I got it. I poured the beer into my Czech pilsener glass and produced a nice bright white 2 finger head and certainly did not last very long. Steady champagne like carbonation from the bottom of the glass and a cloudy golden wheat like appearance. The aroma and taste was one of strong spice of coriander and nutmeg. Smooth as can be. Some time ago I tried the Hoegaarden Wit and it could not even compare to the St. Bernardus Wit in taste. This a great beer for a hot summer day. Cheers.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/53132/?ba=Ozzylizard

Looks like I reviewed this one slightly too cold - as it's warmed up both the appearance and flavor have improved. The head has become creamier and the flavor is developing a slight chocolatey hint. I'll have to spring for another bottle to more fully explore this flavor change!

 

New hoppy Euro Pale Lager Sunday

Greetings to all,
and special thanks to UtopiaJane for her fine introduction and selfie. I'm a little crunched for time today so I'll make this short and without photo, although I like the can on this beer - a nice 16 ozer.
We are still in a streak of dry and not very humid weather. Somehow this might make up for the brutal winter and not spring, but I think I'm still a little resentful about that.
Anyway, fair week in my fair county so many days associated with care of the local "SCFF homemade beer" wing of the fair judging. Good fun even if it is a lot of time.
Anyway here is the link for a nicely, but not strongly, hopped pale lager...
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/417/121031/?ba=garymuchow

No time for dealing with loading a photo, but since we seem to have a bit of a theme of summertime music here is my favorite Grateful Dead song with a summer theme in a b/w grainy live film with poor sound balance but Jerry looking like he is having a good time, esp. at the finish. Ahhhh, good times.


Best to all this week.

 

If there ever was a beer that should be bottled in 4 oz. tasters…

 

I jumped on the chance to buy this Westbrook bomber because we don't get Westbrook in Kansas. It smells delightful! After it settles the lemongrass really pops. So well balanced between malts and hops, too. It tastes just like the aroma. Toasted malts, lemongrass, and just enough bitter hops to think of grapefruit, but not overpowering.

I didn't want to pay $10 for this, but I'm enjoying it and I don't know if I'll ever get a Westbrook beer again. My favorite bottle shop always surprises me though. Cheers folks!

 

Indoor, air-conditioned, chillin'-out action today...

Some great jazz (I know ) to accompany this Imperial Russian stout...


Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. Van Wink, mega-thanks to @SomethingClever

I've had BORIS and DORIS and barrel-aged BORIS, but didn't figure on ever seeing this - we get some HF stuff, but not all...

I haven't had a barrel-aged stout this good in some time.

As my frame of reference has broadened, I've become more judicious with my scores, but this was an exceptional beer.

Super-smooth and creamy, full of rich chocolates suffused with whiskey, never too sweet; sublime...

Cheers

 

I had that I couple weeks ago, found it in my cellar from a previous trade. My thoughts.... Tasty for what it was... If distro'd here I'd buy em

 

Man I wish I could have one, last years batch was the best I've had in the past 3-4. Have a couple three in the back of my fridge waiting

 

Another Jackie O's New beer Sunday
I never really neglected this brewery down in the armpit of the state (no offense intended, just local talk), but never really had access other than occasional draft options at local restaurants. After my recent samplings I feel like I have. Should have made the road trip awhile back. Glad to see some distro now. Today features the highly regarded Paw Paw Wheat


Earthy, slightly funky Bret like and grain smell. Not a ton going on here. Taste like a good solid wheat should. Very malt based. The Paw Paw is defiantly on full display here. Tough to pin down. It is tropical/citrus in nature. I would describe as faint banana and some sort of melon or grapefruit. Has a crisp bite at the end. Reminds me of a Heffe in many ways. Carbonation is just right - a little more than avg. The alcohol doesn't really reveal itself for as strong as it is. Finish is smooth, with a little bit of hop bitterness. A very intriguing beer. Not a flavor bomb by any means, but enough distinct character to make it enjoyable. I would buy again, but the price/ABV kind of takes it out of the "session" category it probably belongs in. Nonetheless, Jackie keeps on rolling out good beers. Overall 3.75
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1432/107710/?ba=WesMantooth

Was eating light this morning so I can make up for a couple of missed Sundays. Then my daughter saw the strawberries, so I am only eating the fresh pineapple now.

Speaking of starting light. Here is David referencing NBS.

 

Damn you @Greywulfken !! I live an hour and 10 min from there and didn't get any! That was probably the closest I will get to drinking Pappy too. Stupid life and responsibilities… Actually, I was thinking of you the other day. Don't worry. It isn't a stalker thing. I was buying cheese. Need to send something your way. Should probably send some beer with it though

 

***New American Double/Imperial Stout Sunday!!!

Cheers, all! I'm sipping on a bottle I got in a trade with Trent...he sent me 15 cans and 3 bottles! All new to me!



http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/335/119484/?ba=Bitterbill

Not for the timid, of which I am NOT!

 

New Localish Lager Sunday

Here is a brew from a Columbus Brewery on the rise (sorry, couldn't resist)


Peeing dog photo bomb.

Not going to get into aroma. I love lagers, but I don't find them to be nose pleasers per say. Off white head holds on nicely throughout the glass, especially against the dark base. Tried to get a decent pic of the pretty deep brown color. The roasted malt comes through, though not to the extent the color would lead you to believe. Also a surprisingly faint coffee taste, along with almost a nutty flavor. Going to look through reviews and see if anyone else gets that. Sort of a dark lager/brown ale combo. Of the top of my head, I think it is a better version of a Beck's Dark. On the verge of being really good, but I say 3.50 overall.

Almost forgot. My lunch. Smoked ham, creamy farmers cheese, and of course, Dirty Bastard mustard.

 

New American IPA Sunday​

Greetings NBS faithful!

Was in MI last week and picked up a few goodies.

This one was solid but nothing out of the ordinary. Glad I tried it.

Hope you are all enjoying a tasty American ale in your snifter, nonic, or chalice today!



http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22564/70232/?ba=mattcrill

3.51/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Odd Side Pineapple IPA

Aroma: Melon, fresh fruit, and flowery hop notes are up front. Hints of caramel sweetness in the background. Clean fermentation character. As the beer warms I do note some pineapple aromatics. I had to double check to make sure I wasn’t being influenced by the name. Nice bright and light hop aromas abound.

Appearance: Deep brick red pour with a very sudsy and foamy white cap. Head retention is very good. Nice lacings around the glass.

Flavor: Bittering piney and lemony hop notes are up front. As the beer warms there is a nice light pineapple juice-like flavor but it’s off-set by the firm hop bitterness. Finish is clean and dry. Aftertaste is lingering and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. A bit oily due to hops. No alcohol heat.

Overall impression: An approachable IPA. Not near the Pineapple or assertive hops I was expecting. Good enough. So many other good Michigan IPA’s that I probably won’t be back.

Serving type: bottle

 

ESBs
Carton Dont Panic 4 vs Fullers ESB 3.4
Perhaps this is unfair, but I tried two ESBs - the innovator CARTON brewing with Bergamot to offer a gin-like, warm, on-cask - vs - the classic - which I rate as an also-ran. This style needs renovation and innovators.

Other excellent examples are:
Sawtooth from Left Hand & Blue Mountain Steel Wheels

Also rans include: RedHook, Amber Sun

Carton Dont Panic
4.08/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Served on cask at Carton's tasting room.

A: Pours a clear bronze into a tulip at room temp. Thick head lasts and laces.
S: Bergamot! You can smell just Enough. Cross between Earl Grey and gun powder.
T: Follows smell, but more so. Unique, complex. Would try another. Caramel, biscuity like most ESBs but smoother, less cloying. I like it.

MF: Great finish. Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy.

Another style - ESB - that is one notch above most US brewers AND with an original flavor tweak.
That seems to be Carton signature.

Fullers ESB
3.4/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Other reviewers mostly seem asleep at the wheel on this one, which is supposed to be the ESB standard. It's mid-pack and the ESB style is not my bag anyway. Here goes....

A: Nice color, clear amber like SN Torpedo, but lacking in head, lace, energy, head retention.
S: Lacking also - perhaps my bottle is flagged. Nice balance of 80% caramel malt, English pub style, and 20% hops.
T: Follows smell and there's more of it. But it's basic old ale / strong ale malt but weaker and more tea like, with a weak bitter finish. Flattish flavor arc and feel.
MF: Thin, flattish.

Always ready to try another ESB, but I dont find them particularly bitter or interesting, and I'd move in direction of old ale or strong ale as a preference.

 

Glad you enjoyed it that is what this is all about