New Beer Sunday (week 512)

Trying this Tripel for the first time thanks to @GoGators


I left a review here
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26676/123411/

Hope everyone else is enjoying something this good

 

Huh?

 

I want to start out by saying a big thank you to CaveDave and BeerTunes for taking the initiative to set up an NBS BIF. It seems so obvious in retrospect, a perfect meshing of theme with function, and I think it's awesome and would love to participate if there's still availability. I especially appreciate the focus on matching with someone far away and (at least as I read it) focusing on solid local gems that may not get the broad acclaim, but are very tasty brews that we can be proud to show off our region to someone who will appreciate tasty beer to which they would otherwise not have access.
It sounds like I'm not the only one, but I have minimal experience with beer trading/LIF/BIF type things, and, as such would appreciate any suggestions or guidance and advice as to how best to go about completing my part of it (especially in light of some of the horror stories of FedEx/UPS/whoever investigations and shenanigans I've read about over in the forums). Also in light of some of the stories I've seen around recently (particularly the sagas of Bitzy and Leazk), I'd like to second Lehighace06 in his guarantor status (if I read his first post correctly). I don't think we'll run into that here in this group, because we're all awesome lovely people and wouldn't dare screw people over and all that, but also because there's witnesses and a bit of a community and thus consequences and accountability. But on the off chance that someone decides not to play by the rules and someone get's shafted: don't worry. Think of it as like FDIC but for beer.
But seriously, gang, let's not let it get to that point in the first place


OK! On to the other fun stuff. After a rainy week, it's been pretty clear the last couple of days. Cold, but clear, beautiful days. Working on the 7th/8th floor it's amazing to look out the pt rooms and see the space needle, the water, and the mountains all in one sweeping view with such a green city.... beautiful. Work is going well, even if I had a minor panic attack earlier in the week about not feeling like I was on schedule having hit roughly the halfway point of my orientation period. But it's given me some more concrete goals and weaknesses to work on, and I still love my work and have an amazing supportive group of preceptors and coworkers and have every confidence that it will all progress as it should.
Tried a new place last night. Walked in and saw some old family friends I hadn't seen in years randomly sitting there and joined them for dinner (chicken and waffles: delicious) and some brews (Thin Mint Dark Star sounded like my heaven in a glass but was a bit disappointing: the mint and porter combined to give me almost more of an anise profile than what I was looking for. Still burnt out on anise from overdoing some absinthe a little while ago. The maple/chicory Dark Star was better and matched well with the bourbon maple syrup from the C/W, though I still think I prefer the original [and obviously the Kentucky]). Good win today for the 'Hawks (don't whine about the Nick Moody call, it was questionable but not egregious and wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game), and there's a split feeling on what feels like an end to an era in terms of our once mighty rivals in the red and gold. On the one hand, it's extremely satisfying to be the finishing nail on a fierce rival's season, on the other hand, I feel like we've been the impetus at almost every inflection point of their franchise going from resurgent former dynasty returning to dominance to what now feels like a flash in the pan Icarus at the precipice of a mighty tumble from grace. It feels like a boxer going up against their big challenger and winning, but instead of just eking out a close win on points or something, hits them so hard it ends their career. I'm rambling. Point is, Go Hawks! And, 49ers, I've enjoyed this rivalry. While I don't wish your team great successes, I do hope that it can become a competitive rivalry again. I sound super arrogant right now. Not my intention. I'm going to stop typing now.

The NEW beer I sampled tonight (I also picked up a six pack of Victory at Sea to bring over to my buddies spot to watch the game, but I've had it once before [the first time I was disappointed as it tasted like an overly sweet vanilla bomb: this time it was much more balanced between acrid coffee and lighter vanilla notes. Still only rate it as solid, not the out-of-the-park so many seem to view it as]). The liquid underwhelming continued as I cracked an Ashtray Heart from Evil Twin. Just about every other stout/porter/big dark brew I've had from ET has been phenomenal, so I was fairly disappointed by AT. Nose was thin and ashy, and it was overcarbonated and the alcohol shined through more than I felt it should. The taste was ashy/smoke and molasses. Aspects of it reminded me of a homebrew I attempted years ago that didn't come out right and had a similar profile. Eh.

Cheers to all, and I look forward to hearing more about this BIF!!


(man, Greywulfken, I haven't thought about KiTTiE in YEARS!!)

 

Well Hello NBS-FOMP (New Beer Surprise-Found On My Porch)

The weather here has been grand! We've had rain, wind, clouds piled so high you'd think the Heavens were opening up. Oh, and I think a tornado set down on an apartment building in Los Angeles. Dorothy? We're not in South Central anymore...West Siiiide!!!

Anyways, life takes many twists and turns. Some we are ready for, and many we're not, even when life has telegraphed her passes for over a year. Watching a loved one pass after caring for them is difficult beyond words, but to offer peace and comfort at the end is a blessing to all who are there. A dear friend of mine who offered some very gratefully accepted, and poetic, words also dropped this beer off at my door.

Institution Ale Co. Imperial Restraint First Anniversary Ale

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/34029/136732/?ba=2beerdogs

3.83/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Thanks Ben!!!
Found this gem on my porch, stashed in the mailbox.
22oz bottle

Pours a beautiful dark stained leather brown with a rich brandy hue glimmering through. Vigorous pour brings forth a finger and a half of tight, frothy oatmeal head.

Smell a subtle mix of slightly roasted malt and coffee. Vanilla comes through with a slight oatmeal cookie hint or maybe maple.

Flavor is a nice blend of coffee, roasty malt that hints at caramelization, and vanilla that comes through at the end. The coffee and the vanilla work together to keep the finish consistent leaving a coating (pleasantly) on the back of the palate. No heat.

Mouthfeel is quite good for an American Brown, slight heft. It's definitely not chewy like many impy stouts that share some of this one's flavor profile, but that's fine because it's not an impy stout. It's just a hefty brown, and that's more than good enough for me.

Finishes with the coffee giving away somewhat to a vanilla finish that brings back the olifactory participation.

Overall, I find this to be quite good. A very unique take (albeit a stronger one) on a brown ale. Also, I believe this would be a very approachable drink for those who have been put off by the heaviness of imperial stouts but may be interested in the flavor characteristics of that blessed style. It's a better, more complex, Victory At Sea.

 

Oh, I sooo want in on this. I'll hit some NBSer soo hard from the Left Coast! I've always been intimidated by the BIF's too, but for NBS...please

 

Happy Birthday!!!

 

A true classic

 

Tried this one tonight for the first time.

Maine Beer Co A Tiny Beautiful something

This is a great Pale Ale. Do we expect anything less from MBC?

 

This guy gets it. Feel free to voice specific concerns in-thread (just tag me and use the @ so it get an Alert) or BM me if you prefer.

Keep in mind that as epic as it was, Bitzy was a long time ago; and Leazk is particularly despicable, but also an incredibly rare occurrence. On top of which, that's something you'll only see with top-end shit like Assassin. Frankly (and with all due respect) the beer he used to fake the Assassin (reports point to Founders Breakfast Stout) is a better/rarer beer than this BIF is intended to revolve around, and that's the "fake" beer! This is not to say that Bad Traders only come along as often as those two, but considering the size of the community, I'd consider it pretty rare. And as a point of fact, you're actually "thirding" my offer, @beertunes himself "seconded" it Suffice to say, we have more than enough backup IF anyone gets screwed, which I also doubt becomes an issue.

As far as FedEx/UPS shit is concerned, shipping beer is a risk, no doubt. Lots of things can happen in transit, from breakage, to theft, to confiscation. With that said, it is generally in a carrier's best interest to look the other way, the beer community might not single-handedly keep their lights on, but we certainly do our part. Nevertheless, it is important to mitigate these risks. I suggest everyone getting involved read up on:
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/beer-trading-rules-tips.229/
and while it's not an actual FAQ, this thread essentially serves as one, or at least provides a ton of questions you might not have thought of and you can always ask me for my opinion: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/wanted-beer-trading-faq-input.236846/

 

If you want, hit me up with a beer that is Distributed to PA and MD that you want to try but not a case want to try. I could hook you up with a single bottle or sixer instead of a case.

 

Congrats on the BA Cherry Buster!

 

Just wanted to make sure nobody misinterpreted my "old beer" post since I didnt use any winky face to indicate my *award winning sense of humor. He is a fine man, and so is his beer.


*no actual awards have been obtained

 

What a Hippy (Sarcasm)

 

I need to check this place out too, funny thing is it's about 5 minutes from my house.

 

Good choice!

 

I'm curious which brews you're referring to that were drank among the Dead crowd, and which brewers you're referring to? (If you don't mind naming names, that is)

 

I would never let you down intentionally, my friend ...

 

Well, whatcha waiting for?