New Beer Sunday (week 535)

You know me too well

Haha, thanks. Yeah, I always functioned better in the nighttime anyway, and now I work 7p-7a, so I'm actually just about to get ready for bed. One of the highlights of my Saturday night is usually this thread showing up about the same time as the sun (at least for Saturdays I don't work).
Thanks for slaking that thirst (along with your confederate @cavedave and the others who have filled in since Matt moved on) and cheers!
(you might not be rid of me yet for today, either. In addition to the box I brought back, my brother left one here while I was gone, so I've got a fair amount to work through. Good thing I got my bike back from the shop and my neighbours gf has started dragging me to yoga!)

 

Cheers everyone! Hola and howdy do. Lovely weather today. This is memorial day weekend and any holiday weekend is lucky for me because I love quiet. All the tenants in my building have fled to parks or pools and I am here all by myself to listen to the birds .





Today I have a beer from my beloved Ommegang. Ommegang has made two beers recently in the American rather than in the Belgian tradition. I think they are taking a rather gutsy approach . So far both beers rely on dry hopping and if you tried Nirvana (their American style IPA) you will see why I say gutsy. You need to drink dry hopped beer as fresh as possible or it is just not the same. Today I have the brand new Hop State New York and it is an American style dry hopped pale ale using all new york state hops.

Happy New American Pale Ale Sunday
3.82/5 rDev n/a
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours with plenty of haze. You can see the particles in suspension producing a dappled effect on a golden orange body. A fat cream colored head. Head had fantastic retention and fell off rocky and clinging for dear life. Nose is subtle but forceful. Biscuit malt and a woodier earthier hop scent. From the color I was expecting bold fruit. Instead I got a light scent from melon rind. Light floral. taste is succulent. Juicy but not crisp. The malt is very soft and the hops show off a bit of spice rather than fruit. The floral comes out as the beer warms and so does some shy fresh orange. There is a yeasty scent right at the top of this nose that I am not sure they wanted there. It's earthy. There is faint caramel in this that simply and without fanfare underscores the biscuit in this malt. This finishes spicier rather than fruitier. The finish is deceptively dry and I am happy about it. I think this a good pale ale.The dryness in this beer shows off the lightest touch of orange peel and grass in the finish.

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Link to music

Cheers! and Happy New Beer Sunday!

 

Good morning, and happy New Beer Sunday, fellow imbibers !!!!!! Unfortunately, I missed submitting an entry last weekend as I was busy jumping into the lake at my Dad's place in TN. For this infraction, I must now ask forgiveness, and perform the appropriate penance. Somewhat apropos to that, I hereby offer this week's submission : Sister Bad Habit Amber Ale, a limited-release collaboration between Asheville, NC's Asheville Brewing, Thirsty Monk Pub & Brewery, and LaZoom Tours.
Out of sheer dumb luck, I stumbled upon a bomber of this yesterday while at the beverage store. Not until I got home and looked it up did I realize that it was fairly rare. I probably wouldn't classify this as a 'whale' (I hate that term anyway), but since this is only the second year that it has been released, and there were only two previous BA reviews, I'd say it at least qualifies as uncommon.
American Red/Amber ales are not a style I drink often, so I don't have hundreds of others to compare it to, but that's kind of the purpose of this thread, isn't it, to expand one's own 'beerizons' ?

So let's see if I can get back into the 'good graces' of the universe, shall we ??

The particulars :
22 oz. bomber, 5.6% abv, according to the label, bottled on 3/27/15. Malts unknown, but I did find it uses a combination of Galaxy and Azacca hops (two strains I was not familiar with). A moderately vigorous pour into a Coca-Cola mug (the most clean and appropriate glassware I had for the style).







Appearance :

Pours the style-correct clear but dark amber color, with a blossoming creamy and fluffy 1.5" head of off-white bubbles. There is quite a bit of lacing retention in the mug. (4.0/5)

Aroma :

A subtle aroma of baking bread, that's all I get. Not unpleasant, but just nothing really jumping out at me. (3.0/5)

Taste :

Fortunately, there is considerably more flavor than aroma. Initially, the malt comes on, and the hop presence opens up after swallowing. The malt component is multi-faceted, with an almost rye-like flavor combined with a roasted oat and caramel background. The hops really balance things out nicely. They do not overpower, and there is a subtle piney flavor that dances with just a hint of a hint of lemony acidity as time passes. (3.75/5)

Mouthfeel :

Medium-bodied, with the hop bitterness lingering. At 5.6%, the abv is correct for the style and is barely noticeable. (3.25/5)

Overall :

A well-done and well-balanced take on a style I don't really prefer, but I'm glad I was able to try it, given its' limited availability. The flavor was quite good, but I was disappointed by the apparent lack of aroma. Maybe it was me, who knows... I'd love to try it again, either on tap or out of a tulip to see if the aroma would change much. (3.25/5)

Cheers, and Happy New Beer Sunday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11597/172167/?ba=Hopportunistic

 

For me the critical question is: is the beer a pleasure to drink? For me, Sierra Nevada Kolsch was indeed a pleasure to drink.

I personally would not claim that Sierra Nevada Kolsch is exactly like a Kolsch as brewed in Cologne but my personal retort to that topic is: so what (as long as the beer tastes good).

On the neck label it states: “Our Left Coast take on a crisp, classic German-style ale is hopped up with zesty American and European hops for a twist on a traditional light-bodied beer.”

Sierra Nevada is open and honest about what this beer is. The only aspect missing from the above description are the words “and very tasty”.

Cheers!

 

Okay, players, here's my contribution...

Super-nice weather here on the island long - warm and soft air, hazy sunlight, neither humid nor arid...

Picked up a new beer and managed to save it for today (my lack of self-control is well-documented (by my wife))...

Moody Tongue Brewing showed up a few weeks ago on LI, but their other offerings didn't much appeal to me (a lemon saison and a nectarine IPA) - but this lengthily-titled beer sounded like a nice break from my IPA-filled weekend.

Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter

Not too shabby! The chocolate is full, and lush, and just everywhere - really delivers - like a sweet dark chocolate syrup has been infused into the beer - there is just enough caramel edging it off to make it seem really gooey and awesome - I thought maybe I'd eaten something spicy and that tingle lingered on my tongue, but I see that the beer has cinnamon in it, so I'm assuming now that that is what I'm picking up on. A little lighter in the body than I'd have liked, but that's just me. A very drinkable treat - the body and feel make it drink quick and easy... 7% abv

Have a great Memorial Day weekend - cheers

 

G' Afternoon everyone! Today's entry is from Clipper City Brewing: Heavy Seas Cross Bones Session IPA

Aggressively poured into my Surly glass forming a beautiful white 2 finger widths head, with a cloudy dark orange body.
Plenty of hop aroma's coming out of the glass: slightly dank pine and citrus with some nice malt.
A decent amount of bitterness coats the tongue with some of a spicy pine, not really getting that citrus on the taste that I got in the aroma.
Has that light mouth feel one would expect with a lower abv session ale (gotta agree with @kemoarps about the whole sessionable tag line, although I have been guilty of using the crush-able tag as well.) A decent amount of lingering bitterness on the sides of the tongue.
Overall this is a decent entry in the session ale "category", but not one I would particularly seek out again.
Cheers Big Ears!

 

Can't get the picture to post but it is Anchor Argonaut Series Double IPA. A solid DIPA that goes good with the burgers, dogs, smoked chicken and baby back ribs this weekend! Cheers all and Happy Memorial Day weekend!

 

Greetings all,
This is a perfect day of bright blue and fecund life busting everywhere. The weather is amazing and you can literally watch things grow. The diversity of hardwoods around here is the best on earth! I walk from my house into the deep woods in the middle of a fairly large city. I grew up 5 doors down. I love this place!
My Dad was not wanting to go to war, but he was a commissioned officer and in 1944 was called to duty in the Phillipines.
He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army and was part of a huge frontal assault at Leyte. Leyte Bay is still the biggest naval battle in history. His part was to take a small group on shore and feel out the Japanese positions. Think "The Thin Red Line" type of operation. On landing from an LST everyone in his platoon made it off of the beach. I have letters from his fellow soldiers from across the years that sing his praises for his poise, leadership, and fierceness. He got everyone out, provided key info to higher ups, and I'm now looking at a letter to my Dad from George C. Marshall. "The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, is cited for conspicuous valor and outstanding performance". We all paid for my Dad's true heroism and we never knew about any of it. He really had PTSD and worked his ass off until he died at 58 in 1976. I would hope to be half the man that my Dad was.
Today's beer is Hardywood Park Hoplar Imperial IPA. This is so fitting. My Dad was a Richmond native and I went to the University of Richmond. I love the city!
This one is bright orange and tropical, oily with a big sweet bitter bitter combo.....a great balance between sugar and hops limits.
The beer pours richly orange/amber and throws a magnificent meringue head that seems to have it's own life! This beer is warming, smooth and fun. Seek this one out!


Considering the times, a bit of Tom Lehrer is always helpful and engaging.

 

Since we are NBS I decided to show you what happens to my scores anyway, as the day goes on. I tasted the beer and then it started to warm. I then noticed some slickness in the mouthfeel & a flat taste in the middle which became margarine like once I decided what it was. I think it's diacetyl. I removed points from the relevant categories and now I have -

3.57/5 rDev n/a
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5


I have more of this beer. I am not done with it yet, I have more in the fridge from the same batch and my score could change again . =) Cheers!

 

Good afternoon all,

My best wishes go out to all those who have served - themselves and family members of those who have served on this Memorial Day weekend.

Like thousands of others, I find myself marinating meats, slow cooking meats, all the stuff behind successful grilling. Of course no grilling session is ever really complete without beer!

My first of the day comes from a quick trip down to Asheville.

Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA

Nose is brilliant pine with the slightest hint of grass under a thick white head and flirty lace. Crystal clear and pale gold allows for a great view of effervescent action in a highly carbonated beer. Initial sip provides instantaneous pine bitterness that never really fades, but rather scoots over enough to make room for the slightest astringency and delicately tart finish before the bitterness leaves behind a tongue blanket.

Very enjoyable indeed. My howler is still half full, so another round of this before I visit again!

 

Greetings, fellow NBSers,

It's about 70 degrees in the city that doesn't have an avatar, but if they did it would probably look like mine. The weather's been a bit unsettled (actually kinda normal), with some rain and some sunny days that have seen the highest temperatures of the year so far (around 80, which is what it's supposed to reach today).

On Wednesday, I stopped by Iron Goat for the week's installment of their "Year of the Goat" series. This time it was a "California Common" and it was delicious.

No new beer right now, but I may report back this evening with something. A buddy and I are going to make a foray down into the Palouse. Maybe just as far as Zythum Brewing, maybe Paradise Creek, maybe as far as Riverport (probably not, that's a little far to drive home from after brewery sampling) - it's still up in the air.

 

A great offering from one of my favorite local breweries. Surprising that it's taken me so long to try this one.

Named after Davy Crockett's fictional wife, described as a "bad ass." I agree.

Look: nice bright burnt orange color with two fingers of clean white foam in a pint glass.
Aroma: lots of citrus, some pine and some tropical notes.
Taste: a great APA for IPA drinkers (like me). Plenty of citrusy hoppiness with a slight malty sweetness and breadiness that works well.
Feel: medium bodied with bright carbonation typical of APAs.
Overall: very tasty! I more citrusy departure from SNPA, which is a staple in my house. Will definitely get more of this.

Cheers, BAs.

 

I really enjoyed this when we were in Asheville recently, maybe my favorite of the trip. I got similar to you with some grapefruit and citrus. (Apparently this beer is in BA twice)

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48/104581/?ba=Bitterbill



C&Ps out of the way and..
G'day NBS faithful!

It's another kind of rainy day here in Casper. Cool Temps have been the rule lately so I don't mind trying new beers on the higher spectrum of the abv table.

My new beer is strong yet smooth and is pretty faithful to the base beer. Something that I was hoping for. In the +US $20 range, I think it is good value for the 750 ml. Just watch out for that cork! !

Cheers!

 

Tuckerman Brewing of North Conway, New Hampshire brews three beers with any regularity and the occasional stout. So basically 4 beers. But here in the Spring of 2015, Tuckerman has taken up the cause of youth sports and put out this limited edition TRale. A Kolsch that is about 4.6% ABV. This was brewed to support the Turtle Ridge Foundation (thus TR - ale), an organization founded by New Hampshire's own Bode Miller, an Olympic Gold medalist in ski racing. So this is a new beer for New Beer Sunday.

It pours an extremely heady straw yellow but the aromas a toasty and sweet. Really refreshing with a low to no hop profile. Lighter body that is smooth. Lovely sweetness in the taste with only a hint of grassy hops. But it balances out well. I liked it.