New Beer Sunday (week 568)

Good afternoon NBS, hope everyone is having a great Sunday. Since it is 60 outside today I decided to switch from the stouts I had lined up for today to a big Gose tasting. First up Dugges/Stillwater Förgås Scandinavian Gose.
4.11/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

330 ml bottle poured into a slim pint glass

A- A clear golden straw color with a small white head.

S- Wheat, sour, some lemons, slightly salty and smoky, hints of juniper berries.

T- Sour, lemons/limes, light smoke, hints of salt, some juniper berries.

M- Smooth, light, crisp.

O- A tasty gose, juniper berries are a nice touch.

★333 characters

Cheers!

 

Moving along to Virginia now, as I figured it was time to crack open this Lickinghole Creek Virginia Vanilla Black Bear from 2014.



Just look at that massive chocolate head. Big and frothy, recedes to about a finger behind massive lacing. Needless to say for an RIS, this one is black as night.

Nose is quite robust and busy as I immediately get chocolate, licorice, roasted malts and oddly enough, tequila? ???

Taste mirrors the nose with a special emphasis on mouth puckering chocolate richness backed by just a hint of the advertised vanilla.

Mouth feel begins silky, turns restless in carbonation turmoil before it exits dry with a smokey bitterness left on the tongue.

Wildly complex and rich, this hits all cylinders.

 

I just got back from a weekend trip to Columbus where I had the opportunity to visit both Zaftig and Actual. I also picked up a couple cans/bottles from breweries I didn't get to stop by. Taking a break between the playoff games to enjoy football themed Land Grant Stiff Arm

4.05/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can poured into a pint glass
A: Slightly hazy pale orange with a 1/2-finger head
S: Fresh hops, mostly pine and citrus zest with a nice caramel/malt backbone
T: Pine, earth, orange zest, and caramel malts adding structure
M: Medium-bodied, crisp, bitter
O: Very straight-forward but well-made IPA

It's been a crazy wild card weekend; I'm a huge Packers fan so GO PACK GO!!

 

Good afternoon, BAs! I'm gearing up to watch the last of the weekend's playoff games, and thought that this local brew would be appropriate: Daddy-O Pilsner from Yazoo Brewing Co.

I also like the namesake. I pasted the description from the Nashville Scene: "Daddy O is a tribute to Hall's grandfather, Parker "Bullet" Hall, a football player at the University of Mississippi in the late 1930s who is a member of both the Ole Miss and College Football Hall of Fames. Bullet Hall (man, I love that name) was drafted into the NFL by the Cleveland Rams, where he was named both Rookie of the Year and MVP of the league in his first season in 1939."



Great-looking beer. Crystal-clear golden color with a two-finger white head. Bready aroma, with dough, cracker, grain, and no diacetyl. There were also floral hoppy notes with a hint of citrus. It was crisp and clean-tasting with big grainy/bready flavors up front, followed by a moderate but balanced bitterness. Hop flavors were floral and American, with a bit of orange and grapefruit, not much spiciness. Moderately carbed and light on the palate. Clean finish. I think this is a great local pilsner and plan to get this regularly. Definitely appropriate for a playoff game. Cheers!

 

Back at Command Central watching football after a nice weekend at the shore. In these parts, this barleywine is being sold by the bottle with a limit. While the maple syrup is an interesting addition, there is nothing special about the base barleywine. It's good but I don't get the hype. I think my rating reflects that I generally like barleywines.

3.81/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a snifter glass. It pours a cola color with hues of of orange and ruby, with a very thin, khaki-colored head and minimal lacing that dissipated quickly. It smells of maple syrup, caramel, and apple, and reminds me of apple cider in appearance and smell. The first taste I noticed was the maple syrup, which is sweet like maple sugar candy, followed by the usual barleywine tastes of caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit. While the addition of the maple syrup is interesting, it sweetens the already sweet barleywine. It is lightly carbonated and with a 10.5% ABV, it is definitely a sipper. There seems to be some hype over this collaboration, evidenced by the fact that it is sold in individual bottles with a limit. I'm not sure why. While it is interesting, the base barleywine isn't nearly at the level of, say, §ucaba, Insanity or Hand & Seal.

 

Gooood Sunday Afternoon NBSers, from the GREAT SOUTHWEST of El Paso, TX!!! The weather here has a dona a "180" for now! It's almost (balmy & warm by NorEaster standards) comfortable outside - widows are fully open, heater is turned off, a few clouds, a lil' sun, still a bit cool!!! The perfect weather for my Alaskan blood, all the way down here in EP, TX!!! Still hopin' for more of the winter white stuff before spring comes 'round.

My NBS brew is New Belgium Lips of Faith Barley Wine. One of our fellow BAs had this same one on NBS of Christmas week. I had to try it!

Still have not found the Stone Double Bastard Rye one of our other fellow BAs had that same NBS! I'm a BIG fan of most all that comes out of that brewery near my former digs of San Diego! My hopes are still high that I'll find it!

Here's my review of the NB LOF Blackberry Barley Wine: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/176880/?ba=NanookinTexas . This one was just not my "Cup O' Tea," as they say in jolly ole' England!

Even so, if I visit this one again, I'll infuse it into a BBQ sauce and/or some really good homestyle ranch beans! The alcohol, maltiness, slight hopiness, and sweet/sour berry will make 'em come alive!!! That's what y'all call "GOOOOOOD HOME COOKIN'!!!"

Thanks @cavedave for gettin' started (real early, AGAIN!!!) today!

CEERS to all you NBSers across the Globe!!!

 

Good NBS everyone :O

Finally got me some tree house:

Green



Feel like I've had this beer a couple times already what with all the juicy IPAs out there now.; it does set itself apart from most similar beers I've had with that smooth moutfeel.. Tangerine/pineapple sweetness leading into some nice bitterness. Can smell similar notes from the glass a few feet away from me. Really nice stuff, not sure it's worth the effort to get it though.

 

Many chores done, and now it's time to sit down and watch some football. Here's my first of the day, which has managed to escape me up until now-


A really fantastic Flemish Brown Ale by Vander Ghinste.

Aroma is classic, with sour notes blending harmoniously with oak, caramel apples, strawberries and hints of vanilla and cocoa in the deep background. The flavor is sharply acidic at first, but quickly rounds out nicely as vinous wood takes over and leads to a mellow fruit and cocoa finish. The next sip starts with another sharp smack of acid, and the cycle starts anew. I am really glad I picked up two of these, because it seems to be made for the long haul. It may not have much in the way of complexity, but the well-defined and well-blended flavors it does have make it a genuine pleasure to drink. And drink. A- (4.35)

 

Thanks for the lovely mention @utopiajane

I have little experience with Middle Ages but from what I've had, I've been mainly really impressed with them. I once had a Syracuse Pale on draught because I was lucky enough to be in a Dinosaur BBQ... and the beer was dreadful... something off with that keg. Their bottles are really rare around here and are undoubtably old. Old-school D&D fan art not pulling anybody in. Everything in the bottle that I took a chance on was great. Wonderful malt profiles. Full of character. They use ringwood but I have yet to get diacetyl. People openly call them irrelevant these days, but then they released the sort of product people crave now - a citrusy IPA with malt speaking quietly, and they got some credit once again. It's sad to me. I'd like to try more and right at the source. I've wondered if the age of their bottled ales contributed to the character in a positive way - which is remarkable since I've never gotten diacetyl (as stated). Contrary to popular opinion, I have had examples of sub-7% ABV malt focused English style ales that aged well (and naturally some that haven't). Anyway, I'd like to give a deeper chance to Middle Ages with less dice rolling.

 

@smakawhat, I'm glad that today turned out better than it appeared and wish Charlotte the best. Our pets are truly a gift and teach us about unconditional love. My wish is for a long remission for Charlotte!

 

Shipyard Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine.
I have never had a Shipyard Barley Wine so I don't know how good the base beer in this bottle is. This is a very nice beer in any case. The first thing i noticed is the aroma. As it pours you can smell the Bourbon. When you sniff you get Bourbon and malt, very nice. A nice golden brown color and a thick off white head. The Bourbon that is so strong in the aroma is mild in the taste, it's there but balanced by sweet malt and a bitter hop flavor. Good stuff. I think I got a great deal on this beer a a 750 bomber of a nice BBA Barley Wine for $6.99 hard to beat.

 

New Clamato Picante Beer Sunday!

I am taking a new direction in Beer "Ticking". I'm going down the List of Beers of Shame instead of chasing 4.2+ scored Beers. So I am going with one I've never seen around my parts until today. Here we go, the New Brew!



The appearance is what you would expect out from a Clamato Beverage. Nice shade of Strawberry opaque body that had a soapy white head that dissipated rather quickly (force carbed). Looks like a fruit soda really.

Aroma time! First pick up notes of salinity that has an edge of picante salsa. Some notes of grains and an acidic bite....smells like a weak Gose for real.

Flavah? First it hits with a slightly offensive mixture of sweet grains V8 juice. Second flavors of tomato acidity with a vinegar Jalapeño splash. Finishes fast and short with a slight pepperskin heat. Lingering salinity on the palate with notes of salsa..I dig the aftertaste. The feel of this brew is light with vigorous cola-esque carbonation.

Overall: I am not a fan of this. This is like Clamato Juice with Cola Carbonation. This could make a killer Boiler Maker with some Vodka and some Old Bay...Budweiser Bloody Marry. I can see why this is voted as one of the Beers of Shame. This could work for some if you're a fan of Clamato Juice and Forced Carbonation. I am neither so I will leave this brew for the most die hard Clamato Drinkers. This brew isn't worthy.

Grade: C-/E realm.

Cheers my fellow New Beer Sunday Crew!

 

Ok, family obligations done, Vikings choke on a chip shot (), definitely time for another beer. Still a 'soaker' out here in N of Boston, but now a nice fog has settled in and makes it feel almost European in my area. One may think that would give me inspiration from a across the pond selection, but alas, all I have to try is Left Hand Bittersweet Imperial Coffee Milk Stout. Poured from a bomber at 55 as suggested. Pours dark black with quick fading head. Smell is bitter chocolate and coffee, no sweetness. Taste is java, fruity, smoky almost ashy, then nice bakers chocolate. You are left with almost a chocolate truffle taste in the end. Overall, another tick, not another I'd run after.
Maybe consolation will be watching the Packers choke too...

 

My best Wishes for Charlotte! I am an Animal Person so I feel that terrible decision on to "wait it out" or "it is their time". Hopefully she still has time on this earth to share with you and your wife. Im going to try out that Beer Camp Tropical IPA next after this Clamato Jizz. Cheers!

 

Back at ya with #3! And last one from that gifted mix-a-six pack.
Fish Brewing Company: Fish Tale Winterfish Seasonal Ale

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle, September notching so not expecting too much at this point...

Poured much lighter in color than I expected as this is listed as a Winter Warmer here. Golden copper color with a 1/2 fingers worth of head.

Getting aromas of pine, tangerines, grapefruit.

Not sure if it is supposed to be this sweet or not...almost has a cough syrup like consistency. No hop profile left just a slight bitterness on the end. Almost has a DIPA profile with a lower abv.

This is not what I would consider a Winter Warmer by any stretch of the name, but it is a a fairly decent IPA. Would love to have this a little bit fresher than this, but this was still pretty tasty. Much better than what I expected.

Cheers!

 

next up from sam



a kolsch style

poured out a hazy orange, darker than I expected.white head settles 3.25/5

great malty scent, a little floral . 4/5

touch of bitterness, light malt sweetness. 3.75/5

crisp and light. no lingering aftertaste. 3.5/5

good light drinker, but I would take sierra Nevada kolsch every time 3.5/5

 

@DrStiffington, I inherited this button from my Dad. One of my prized (and useful) possessions.

 

Cats are a beautiful mystery. When one of the little buggers takes to you, it is a marvel. This is Kiki, an ex feral kitten- probably dumped by the lake. We saw her for about two weeks and couldn't catch her. Finally she followed us home and now lives in her personal jungle, quick as light, smart, and now a loving pet. The collar- Birdsbesafe- was recommended due to her prowess at bird predation. She is lethal, but this collar, all colorful, has truly limited her kills. Also, she seems proud of the collar, its colors, and models it for our friends. This little girl curls up next to my leg at night and I adore her. Cherish your pets! Good luck to Charlotte!

 

Hey all NBSers! Great to be back after a week off. Thanks @cavedave for getting us up and about this am and again doing everything you can to help save our planet. Weather is crazy again as its 56 and like a monsoon here. Feels like April. I'm not going to complain much though since I've literally burned like 4 times so far this year and I still have almost 4 full cords left. Busy last Sunday because I was in Manhattan. We spent a good solid half day at The Standard Beergarden. What a good time! Everything on tap was from Kloster. Great interaction with people and people watching. House made sausages and kraut. If I lived in NY and was anywhere near Chelsea I'd spend alot of weekends there! Also purchased and tasted many new beers. Including beers from Carton. Damn that stuff I good. Anyhow in honor of this warm weather I'm trying this unusual beer:
TOCCALMATTO ZONA CESARINI PACIFIC INDIA PALE ALE an "Oceanic Hops Storm"

Pours a burnished gold color with a 2 finger fluffy white head that has some staying power. Settles to thin ring with world map Lacing.

Aroma is of tropical fruits and lots of them. Pineapple, passion fruit, guava. Grapefruit, tangerine and lemon lime citrus notes. Floral with a touch of pine. Also there is a peach note that's interesting and some dankness. Nice smelling brew.

Taste follows with tropical fruit a slight sweet bready malt character and citrus notes round out this very interesting and delicious winey like peach flavor from hops. Nice bitterness rounds out the hopstanding balance of the beer. Nicely done!

Feel is well carbonated with a bittersweet drying finish that lingers. No alcohol noticed and the beer is easy to drink and refreshing. I'll have no problem finishing this 25.4 oz bottle.

My first of this Italian brewery and the first Italian beer I've had that focused on hops. And frankly I haven't had many except for Birreria in NY. Most focused on grape must or grapes. This is a must try for the adventuresome. Did not have high expectations. It's unique in its hop profile for sure. A very well crafted brew. Grab some if you see it!

For NOVS I'm breaking out some limited edition vinyl. Mr Johnny Cash in Denmark with The Statler Brothers and of course June Carter. Red and White Vinyl 2 record set that sounds tremendous. Track Appropriately: Sunday Morning Coming Down written by one of the great songwriters Kris Kristofferson and performed by Johnny.
It's been a pleasure spending some time and checking out the posts! Have a great week. And as always Thank You for taking the time to listen. Peace

 

I like how the NY on the helmet eventually came back. I also have an old school NY helmet Giants banner in my classroom. It used to be in my bedroom.