New Beer Sunday (week 559)

utopiajane · Nov 9, 2015

kemoarps said: ↑

Like @utopiajane and @lordofthewiens insomnia has been an unwelcome but persistent component of my life for many years now. Working nights has helped out some, but it's still a presence that looms daily.
Today started rainy and delicious. I really love the rain. And we need it. The afternoon turned bright and sunny though. Helped my friend get packed as she moves to Boise, and the rest of the day was putzing around.

I opted to start my drinking late today, and went for a bottle I picked up randomly about a week ago at a gas station. Alphadelic, by Hop Valley. I've had their Alpha Centauri and it was quite good. Short version here: this one is good, but not great.
-The pour gives you a classic profile of golden yellow with a head that is soft and white, like my belly. Unlike my belly, however, it readily shrinks down to a ring of soapy bubbles. Beautiful lacing as well.
-The nose offers sweet floral and tropical notes with a definite presence by the german malts. That combo, particularly the floral hops and german malts remind me of this region so much.
-Sipping it, however, doesn't bring quite the same level of excitement. Less bright and juicy, it dedicates its sense-ical experience to the bitter side of citrus and goes all in. There is a light dusting of fructose sweet over the top which offers some balance. Finish is long and bitter.

Overall, it's an solid IPA to be sure. It doesn't blow me away, but I would certainly drink it -- and enjoy it -- again.

Cheers to all, hope you're enjoying yourselves and your beers...

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I am amazed at how many people will admit it once someone else admits it. =) Cheers to all insomniacs!

utopiajane · Nov 9, 2015

cindyjeffsmith said: ↑

Trying this Bruery Mash and recovering from my second marathon. Damn Ga weather. It was 80 degrees and nearly 100% humidity at the Soldier Marathon yesterday. Pretty shitty for a 26.2. Oh well, this Mash is relish. Cheers all.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/96340/?ba=cindyjeffsmith
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Congratulations! =)

utopiajane · Nov 9, 2015

woemad said: ↑

@utopiajane, I get your insomnia issues.

For most of my life, I've had them. I usually dealt with them by reading myself to sleep. Then I developed sleep apnea, so I could sleep all night but not feel like I had any sleep at all. I now have a cpap, which helps a lot, but I've found it's very cumbersome to wear an oxygen mask and read in bed, which has long been something I really enjoy, so I either read, fall asleep before I fire up the cpap, and don't get the benefits, or I put the book aside before my brain has had enough, strap on the mask, and have worse insomnia than I've had for a long time because my brain is still wide awake. At times it kinda sucks, I gotta say.
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I know just how you feel. It can be such a burden. I hope that you are able to find a a comfortable groove with your cpap. =)

utopiajane · Nov 9, 2015

Gemini6 said: ↑

New Brunch Beer Sunday

After my post in yesterday's WBAYDN, and the subsequent "likes," I accumulated enough Beer Karma to be considered an actual "Advocate." I thought I would celebrate by making a NBS appearance in the (borderline) AM hours while watching some NFL pregame banter. But, naturally, Photobucket was not my friend at the time. So, I opted to wait until I opened another new beer to try posting again.

Southern Tier - 2Xpresso

I picked this up as a single, and the bottling date was illegible, but I don't think this has been released recently so I assume it is not the freshest representation of this beer. However, the espresso in both the aroma and flavor was still quite strong. I get a little of the lemon peel in both as well, but it also comes across as a citrus-like hop note. The body was somewhat creamy, as the lactose made its presence known. There was a surprising alcohol note to the taste; didn't expect that given the 7.5% abv and probable age on it. Overall, it went well with the meal, but I would opt for Founders Breakfast Stout or Bell's Java Stout over this. 3.65/5

My next beer would come when the Sunday Night Football Game started.

New Beer (for) Sunday (night football)

Victory - Headwaters

Best by 1/13/16
I didn't have the highest expectations for this beer, but it definitely surpassed them. I would put this among some of the best APAs I have had. Great hop aroma and flavor, including elements from some of the popular hop notes: citrus, pine, and earthiness. The malt flavor was complimentary and showed itself at just the right times on the palate. 3.89/5

I paired it with a philly cheesesteak flatbread to go with the football game.

I am not an Eagles fan in the least, but any chance I get to root against the Cowboys, I'll take it. (Yes, I am a Lions fan that is still salty about last year's playoff loss and the season that has followed)

Cheers, BA!
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Congrats on the beer karma!

utopiajane · Nov 9, 2015

kemoarps said: ↑

Like @utopiajane and @lordofthewiens insomnia has been an unwelcome but persistent component of my life for many years now. Working nights has helped out some, but it's still a presence that looms daily.
Today started rainy and delicious. I really love the rain. And we need it. The afternoon turned bright and sunny though. Helped my friend get packed as she moves to Boise, and the rest of the day was putzing around.

I opted to start my drinking late today, and went for a bottle I picked up randomly about a week ago at a gas station. Alphadelic, by Hop Valley. I've had their Alpha Centauri and it was quite good. Short version here: this one is good, but not great.
-The pour gives you a classic profile of golden yellow with a head that is soft and white, like my belly. Unlike my belly, however, it readily shrinks down to a ring of soapy bubbles. Beautiful lacing as well.
-The nose offers sweet floral and tropical notes with a definite presence by the german malts. That combo, particularly the floral hops and german malts remind me of this region so much.
-Sipping it, however, doesn't bring quite the same level of excitement. Less bright and juicy, it dedicates its sense-ical experience to the bitter side of citrus and goes all in. There is a light dusting of fructose sweet over the top which offers some balance. Finish is long and bitter.

Overall, it's an solid IPA to be sure. It doesn't blow me away, but I would certainly drink it -- and enjoy it -- again.

Cheers to all, hope you're enjoying yourselves and your beers...

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ANother one! lol I am going backward through the thread as you can see and finding so many of you to have for company when I am up all night =)

utopiajane · Nov 9, 2015

Goooooood morning! And a happy hello to the great bitch Monday! Yeah Monday. Wow you guys! thank you all for sharing your reviews and your glorious photos! You are the reason NBS is fresh informative and fun and you are the reason this thread brings the house down each week! Cheers cats and kittens and see ya over in the mythical land called WBAYDN where people eat drink and make merry every single day.

TongoRad · Nov 9, 2015

cjgiant said: ↑

The GF picked up this and the B&J collaboration @JuicesFlowing reviewed today. I'll have to remember to check back to this week when we crack them open. I know DFH had quite a few beers the suggest aging, I wonder if Higher Math fits into that category. Barely related side note: Fort should be out soon, if it isn't already .
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I'd be interested in trying it again, especially since I had such an uneven experience the first time. Being too hot wasn't a big issue for me, though, so I would definitely try it fresh first.

cavedave · Nov 9, 2015

Wasatch said: ↑

Weyerbacher kicks ass, very tasty stuff.

Cheers!
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We are lucky enough to have one of Weyerbacher's brewers from back when they made their bones working locally here in his own brewery, called Rushing Duck, and putting out some great beer.

New Beer Sunday (week 559)

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
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utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
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utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
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utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
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utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
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utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
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TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
Society Pooh-Bah Trader

cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

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New Beer Sunday (week 559)

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey Society Pooh-Bah Trader

cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
Society Pooh-Bah Trader

cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader