New Beer Sunday (week 568)

My first NBS beer of the day is going to tick the Winter Warmer style for me.



Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale

Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
Winter Warmer / 6.00% ABV

3.5/5 rDev -4.1% | Avg: 3.65
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

L-The beer pours an amber clear enough to read through. There is light lacing which slides down the glass to merge with the thin film coating the brew. The head is a fluffy off white or approximately 1 cm.
S- There is barely an aroma of any kind. What their is seems to be a mix or toffee and alcohol.
T- This beer is not one to drink while cold. Fresh from my beer fridge set at 45 degrees the beer has a fairly harsh medicinal quality. After warming some the malt flavors are coming more to the front and the medicinal quality taking a back seat. I'm not getting much in the way of winter spices other than a mild toffee flavor that is quickly covered by the herbal hops. Not bad really, just not what I was expecting.
F- The mouthfeel is thinner than I would expect for the style. The carbonation is medium. The beer finishes quite dry due to the carbonation and herbal hops. The alcohol presence does provide the warming finish typical of the style.
O- The beer was not as sweet or chewy as I would expect for the style. It does in fact do it's job of warming the drinker although the thinness doesn't do it any favors. It's not unpleasant, but not something I would purchase again.

 

I took a break from NBS last week, but I'm back today for an exploration into Boulevard's Early Riser coffee porter.
I had one bottle of this at 6 a.m. this morning after a few cups of coffee and being awake for awhile. This is my second bottle.

This beer is brewed with Columbian Cauca Cajibio Estate coffee from Maps Coffee Roasters. ABV 5.2%.

It sure looks like a porter in my Boulevard tulip -- the color of a bar of dark chocolate with a khaki colored head that recedes to an even film. Lacing is random bands and patches that eventually disappear. The aroma is intense dark roasted coffee extract with roasted malts and charred grains. The beer tastes like cold coffee with a nice subtle sweetness in here that is more chocolate than anything, but taking nothing away from the roasted, charred nature of the beer. A lactose sugar kind of thing without tasting like a milk stout. The weight of the beer is perfect for a porter, it's light but the coffee bitterness still keeps this as one you can sip on, just like a hot coffee

Overall, awesome. I actually like Boulevard when they do blue collar styles. They don't do anything badly, but I do wish they'd steer away from the barrel aged and Belgian styles and do more beers like this. Reasonably priced, low ABV, delicious. As a coffee lover I highly recommend this.

 

Morning NBS from rainy N of Boston. Soaker is what the newscast is saying, and probably good it is 50 degrees as can't imagine how much snow this would equal!! Anyways, early start as I have to go to a baptism. HELLO!!!! PLAYOFF SUNDAY!!! And, as a native Minnesotan I think me watching the first half of that game is out. Sooo, figured I'd at least pre-game, or as I told my wife, making sure the beer is good. Checking on quality because today I am drinking a Coffee Pale Ale I made. It is a floral hoppy almost Belgian pale ale base which I then bottle condition with cold press coffee tincture I made. In the end, you're left with a golden looking ale with floral nose and java coffee finish. Carbonation is perfect, 1/2 finger head that stays without biting. Look is what I wanted, clean blonde which doesn't allude to the coffee finish. Smell is floral and sweet coffee. Taste is floral hops up front and then finishes sweet coffee with no bitterness. This is why I cold pressed, so that no heat touched the beans when brewing, leaving more of its natural fruit and floral notes to really shine thru, for a coffee at least. Excited to bring this to the luncheon as they are serving Sam Adams and Michelob only. (BTW, who serves Michelob these days?)
Happy drinkin, and GO VIKES!!!!!!!!!!

 

Good morning all and thanks to @cavedave,
Window slapping rain last night, signalling a change in weather. My bird feeders have been as active as I can remember...our feathered friends know how to prepare, they have internal barometers, and at times like this I can fill the feeders twice a day! I sit in the sun room reading and watching down toward the lake; we are like a bird Cracker Barrel along their appointed routes. BTW, a book recommendation: Paris by Edward Rutherford. It is an historical novel- sorta like Follett- that is an immersion into the history of Paris.
We've just gotten back from a walk around the lake, dodging the muck through the deep woods, watching the heaving winds toss dead wood everywhere. It's a beautiful day and the most hardy regulars were out with their dogs and boots. It's going to get cold this week!
Today's beer is one that I find hard to believe that I've never tried- Stone Arrogant Bastard. I just never bought into the cocky schtick, I suppose.
The deep copper color is striking, presaging a hearty brew. It throws a huge tan meringue-like head that drifts back, leaving a thick lacing rather like a milkshake. This is an aggressive beer, but these days Arrogant Bastard sits nicely as a smooth and satisfying ale.
Arrogant Bastard screams for a big chunky beef stew, dark with wine and spices, full of rich tender beef, enabling this beer to be more mellow and perfectly matched.
I've opened a bomber and will finish it after lunch, but I like this beer very much, a trendsetter from years ago that still hits the mark. Good job Stone! I'm not worthy!


These two versions 10 years apart are striking. America was in an amazing flux, and the music was a true measure.

 

Happy NBS Everyone!
Got up super early today to steer some chili and some dip for football.
got a few new beer for today first one is gonna be:
Weyerbacher - Tango Belgian dark ale with cherries. Sounds awesome!
I've had D'tango unchained and it was really good!
Let see how the original stacks up!


Pours a nice ruby brownish red finger of head dissipated quickly.
Smells like sweet cherries dark fruit like figs and raisins a lot of sweetness
Cherry and oak hit the front of the tongue first followed by a lot of sweet malts some phenolic character.
Velvet mouth feel a little crispy
.....
Over all it's decent but I'd recommend the variant d'tango unchained.

It's a good beer reminds more of a Quad wish it was more tart like D'tango

 

If she is a Packer fan, it must be a fun marriage.

 

Good Afternoon NBS'ers! Pretty typical Sunday here for me. Was awoken to breakfast in bed prepared by my beautiful wife, who is a night shift nurse and currently asleep. Finishing up Sunday chores now including prepping lunches for the week. Currently cooling is Cuban style picadillo:



While it cools and laundry almost complete, I've taken it upon myself to seek out a reward. What better reward than some of Blackbeard's booty... errr, Porter I mean. Picked this one up locally on Friday and pretty glad I did.



A: Pours a dark brown, lighter than expected. Light tan head appears fluffy and stands tall for a quick minute.

S: Aroma is almost hard to describe. First whiff is simply sweet malts. A couple of follow ups reveal some milk chocolate and a faint molasses-like background note.

T: Flavor is almost non-existent on the front of the palate but arrives in the middle with light roast which flows into light spice in the molasses/brown sugar family. The closing note is heavy vanilla which lasts on the back of the palate for a good long while.

M: Not a terribly strong element of this beer, mouth feel is light with higher carbonation. The best element of the feel is the long finish which is a marathoner on the back palate.

O: Listed as a Baltic Porter, a style which my experience is relatively limited, this is one of the better ones I've had. Clocking in at 8% Blackbeard's Porter is the bridge covering the gap between American Porters and Imperial Porters.

Cheers everyone, Happy Sunday, drink well!

 

Hello, NBS! It's a beautiful 56 degrees in NOVA today, the kids are happily playing, and I'm buying a house today. All reasons not to wait for football to start enjoying a beer. My selection today is Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tropical IPA. Overall, I'd go with Cigar City/Boulevard Collaboration #5 every time, if I really wanted a tropical IPA. As I can't really get that anymore, this will do. My review is below.



4/5 rDev -0.5%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle poured into a mason-style jar. Pours an amber color with huge white head, good retention, and solid lacing. Smell is that awesome hoppy/IPA aroma I've come to love, with a definate tropical presence. The taste is less tropical and more earthy/malty than I expected. I'm missing the tropical flavors I got on the nose. Mouthfeel is slight thick, maybe a tad oily(?) with appropriate carbonation. Overall I'm enjoying this beer, but I'm disappointed it's not lighter and more tropical, although that might be unfair expectations on my part. Still a good offering from SN that I'd drink again.

 

Yum yum yummy on a very cold day in WI. Revolution made a winner!

The aroma is wonderful with plenty of caramel, toffee and vanilla along with hints of bourbon and some oak. The flavor is stunning and sweet with caramel but a nice complimentary soft bourbon and vanilla. Feel is medium with some soft carbonation, but feels smooth. This is one of my favorite BABWs. I have no idea what it is like fresh, but it is terrific at 2 years.

 

This beer really surprised me when I tried it last summer. I'd definitely buy a 12-pack during the summer, if available.

 

I was walking the hall at work last night and one of my patient's moms hurried to the door to rush me into their room. Thinking something was wrong, I hurried over and asked what was wrong. She told me to come in here and watch this, and next thing I knew, the most Bengals ending I could possibly imagine was unfolding. First the interception (I thought the Bengals thing would be if they ruled Burfict WASN'T down, and that his running back and through the tunnel was a safety, thus handing the Steelers a 1 point lead and the ball), then the fumble (forced by the Steeler who should have been ejected for his hit on Bernard, and the fumble was forced on Bernard's replacement... ohhhhhh mann....), then the Bengality of it all started. The stupid late headshot. The shoving a ref. And 14 yards to get to the kicker's absolute outside range suddenly becomes an almost gimme. I don't even like the Bengals. I felt bad, but as soon as they showed that crying Cincy fan I started laughing. I'm a terrible person.

Anyway, my team plays in about an hour and I am determined to stay awake long to at least fall asleep watching the game. To help me (Ha) in that endeavour, I have enlisted a subtly masterful blend from another local darling. Black Raven produces Coco Jones... annually? Something like that. Anyway, it's a Porter aged on toasted coconut.

The pour is somewhat lighter and slightly crisper than I was expecting. More like a really really dark red ale than a porter. Beautiul head though that never truly dissipates, just kind of settles into its drifts and colonies. Nose is fresh coconut meat initially, but as it warms more of the toasty husk emerges. The coconut in general grows as the temperature normalizes.
The flavour is beautifully interwoven between a subdued coconut sweetness, some roastiness, some woodiness, some bakers chocolate, and some synergy that manifests beyond its components. It brings forth both the young fresh coconut meat and the old toasty husk, though it's less the candi sweet macaroons and candy bar, and more the dried coconut flakes you get at the health food store and dark chocolate.
This is subtle and layered and masterful. I dig it.

I just realized I'm nearing my 500th actual full review (still so few for the better part of a decade on the site!). I'll be perusing my 'cellar' (aka the bizarre myriad random extra cupboards etc in this apartment) to make the decision methinks...

Alright, cheers everyone, and here's just hoping that no one gets injured on the frozen (minnesota) or turrrrible (washington-ish) turf in todays games.


Go Hawks!

 

It keeps things interesting. Certainly don't want boredom in a marriage.

 

Not really a Stillers fan, but the Cincy group is not really a team, more like a gang. Just shows how much "professional sports" has become very non-professional.

 

@DoctorZombies that looks like exactly what I was looking for a couple of months ago. Out of nowhere I got a craving for an IPA with an oat influence, and had a devil of a time finding such. I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.

@Ozzylizard that description makes me second think my whole decision to hang onto my bottle of helldorado... or maybe I'll just have to go pick up another one and crack it open! That sounds delicious. I happen to love both honey and barleywines, so even before you got to, "grabs your tongue, oozes past your hard and soft palates, and slides down your throat to grip your innards in a numbing, warming embrace." I was sold, ha.

@Shroud0fdoom I actually saw @PatrickCT pop up in another thread I was reading and had to double-take because I forgot I had changed mine and thought I had blacked out posting his comment. Or maybe I was just jealous of it and that was how I manifested that ha! Also, I'm a little embarrassed it has taken me until now to realize that that is a zer0 in your handle. I'M SUPPOSED TO ASSESS FOR A LIVING! I FAILED!

And of course, gratitude to those who routinely get us going early on this day of celebration. Thank you!

 

Good morning NBSers getting all the fixins' together for the game here shortly and starting the day with a brew from a sample pack I bought. Highland Brewing Gaelic Ale, it is 5.6% and was bottled on 9/1/15.

Pour - Deep amber color with about a 2" off white head some lacing a very light head remains through my consumption.

Smell - The sweet caramel smell is the prominent smell I also get some dark fruit and a little hop.

Taste - Again the main thing that stands out is the caramel and a little nutty taste.

Feel - Very smooth medium body not overly dry

Overall - A very easy to drink ale not overly impressive and nothing really stands out to make it spectacular.

 

I loathe the Stealers (ayup) and feel that they've earned about as much scorn in the recent past as the Bengals for the same sorts of dirty play and criminal bullshit, but last night was a return to the roots of the 'Bungles' and jokes about how the stripes and orange colour on their uniforms make for easy transition from the jail system...

 

You now have my attention and food wheels spinning for a future concoction. What I'm really craving is a breakfast fatty on the smoker! Maybe for Super Bowl Sunday?

 

My second NBS beer is a first for me from this brewery


Rockingham Ale

Rockingham Brewing Company
American Amber / Red Ale / 5.50% ABV

3.69/5 rDev -0.3% | Avg: 3.7
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

L- This beer is definitely bottle conditioned. While not a gusher, the beer formed a head which rose to the top of the bottle. The beer poured a cloudy amber with a towering head which forced me to pause to allow it to recede until finishing the pour. The lacing is copious and clings to the glass in great swathes.
S- The smell is dominated by the piney hops. Beneath the hops, biscuity malt notes are faint but still noticeable.
T- The taste is similar to the nose, but more balanced. The malt notes hit first and are replaced by the piney west coast hops in the finish.
F-The mouthfeel is quite full despite the aggressive carbonation. The bitterness of the hops coats the tongue and lingers due to the fullness of the mouthfeel.
O- The fullness of the mouthfeel combined with the piney hop presence give this beer a bit of personality when compared to most amber ales. For myself I enjoyed the fuller mouthfeel, but the west coast hops are not my favorite. Still if you do enjoy piney west coast hops this may be an amber you can enjoy.

 

Good afternoon NBS-ers! Thanks t @cavedave for getting us started today! Kind of an overcast kind of day here in Central Florida.
Today's entry was part of a gifted mix-a-six from a friend while I was up in PA visiting family and friends.

Goose Island Festivity Ale

I think the re-branding of the GI labels is a good thing; one of the few that I do like.

This one pours a mahogany brown, not even a hint of any head.

I don't get much aroma other than plums and that sweet dark malts.

Taste is of plums/prunes, light cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, molasses.

Nice medium mouth feel; with a slight bittersweet aftertaste.

Overall, this was just okay to me; I don't typically go for dark and sweet malty beers, bit as this was a gift I figured I'd give it a go. Maybe if more spices were added I might like it more.

Cheers!

 

NEW BA Farmhouse Ale Sunday

I'm back in time for the kick-off. It's been 6 years since the play-offs so this is exciting.
I want to thank @beertunes for my beer for this game.
This is a nice beer, and interesting. The BA seems to cut-down on any sweetness that may have been there and most of he fruit. It is strong on wild yeast character.

Here is the review, but I'll probably edit it as I get towards the bottom of the glass.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/34416/167535/?ba=garymuchow
Later all.