New Beer Sunday (week 580)

It's been so many years since I've had that beer, I have no recollection of it. I guess I'll have to revisit it now?

 

Woah Amarillo from Magnify Brewing in NJ. I don't like sounding like a fanboy but this brewery just keeps impressing me. Woah Amarillo is the 3rd in a series of single hop DIPAs. The first was Nelson hops, the second was Equinox, this one is Amarillo. All 3 were outstanding. Magnify calls these beers Farmhouse DIPA because of the yeast used. In any case I'm happy there are so many different hops to brew with so they can keep the series going.

 

HOLY CRAP!
Totally forgot that's what that was!
I have had it, but it was years ago. Pretty sure I really dug it, though. Might have to revisit that.

 

NBS beer #1 of the day is this excellent DIPA from Singlecut.



Bon Bon 2X TNT IIPA

SingleCut Beersmiths
American Double / Imperial IPA / 8.20% ABV

4.43/5 rDev +1.8% | Avg: 4.35
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 03/23/16

L-Pours Hazy yellow almost the color of pineapple juice. The head is a frothy off white and 3 fingers high. I had to pause to allow the head to settle before finishing my pour. Lacing is patchy but lingers.
S-Hops are definitely of the citrus variety. Grapefruit and mango dominate. Nose finishes slightly herbal which was interesting.
T-The taste and nose are are the same. Grapefruit initially, moving to a big mango burst mid palate. Mango lingers to the end with a very slightly herbal finish. The warmer the beer gets the more mango you get, and less herbal.
F- The mouthfeel is silky and the carbonation is light. Overall call it the high side of medium.
O- This is my first beer by Singlecut. If this beer is any indication of their work in general, I'll be buying alot more of their beers in the future. This beer in particular is highly recommended.

 

Since I grabbed both of the new Anchor beers I saw I guess there is no reason not to review the second.


I think I liked the Mango Wheat better but I ended up giving this a slightly higher rating.

3.69/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

L: Ever so slightly hazy and gold beer with a white head. This one left a stray dot of lacing as it was consumed.
S: Malt and a hint of lemon. There isn't a lot going on in the smell but it smells good.
T: Sweet malt and the aftertaste of Meyer lemons. There is a very nice but mild bitterness at the end of this one.
F: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation. Finishes quite dry.
O: This is a decent summer beer and I would drink this over a shandy if I was looking for a refreshing lemon flavored beer because it is not as sweet and has that nice thirst quenching bitter finish.

 

For science and the future of the human race.

 

Been a busy morning here in Central NH waking to a couple of inches of heavy wet snow on the grass and early blooming flowers.


But even with the gusty winds most of the snow has already melted here and hopefully the warmer weather will be back in a couple of days.
My new beer for this Sunday started out as a mystery beer as I have been participating in an April Fools BIF and you got 6 beers shipped wrapped so you have no idea what you are getting. This being day 3 brings me to this beer.

This beer poured a dark black color with a dark tan head. There are some spices going on in the nose but I'm really unable to tell exactly what they are.
Even though I've never had this beer before the taste from what I know is a giveaway there is a nice spice taste with lots of cinnamon coming through. Nice balance with the roasted malts with some chocolate overtones for sure.
The mouthfeel is smooth just the right amount of carbonation for this great beer.
As I've let this beer warm in my glass it has gotten nothing but better.
My guess by default is that is from Cigar City and is Huna
And drum roll please the unveiling.

I finally got this one right so as it stands I'm 1 for 3 over the first 3 days.

 

A totally selfless act, done solely to feed the tree of knowledge. Men have received medals for less.

 

Happy NBS, everyone. And thanks to @Highbrow for his post last weekend that prompted me to try Boulevard's Imperial Stout X: Coconut. I'm an Imperial Stout guy and I also enjoy coconut so this one touched all the bases for me. Overall, I think it's very good. My only constructive criticisms are that it's a little thin in body and I can't quite identify the tropical fruit. Nevertheless, I'd recommend it. Here's my review:

4.19/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from cork and cage bottle into stout glass. It pours virtually jet black with a huge, foamy, beige head and extensive lacing that did not dissipate throughout the pour. it has a strong, but pleasant, aroma of coconut, along with dark chocolate and a whiff of caramel. The taste is coconut forward with baker's chocolate and some bitter, burnt coffee at the finish. There is also some fruity taste which gives it a soda-like quality. This stout has a significant alcohol burn; you definitely notice the 11% ABV. It is medium-bodied - not quite as viscous as I like in a stout - but that compensates for the alcohol heat. It also has significant carbonation. I also think the taste improved as the Stout settled in the glass. Overall, as someone who enjoys Imperial Stouts and coconut, I expected to enjoy this offering from Boulevard and it didn't disappoint.

Enjoy your new beers today!

 

Good afternoon NBS, many thanks to @cavedave for the start and the focus.
Today was a crazy outdoor day here in WMass, big winds and blowing snow meant for a
great traverse on the Mount Tom range.
A big week ahead both in Wmass and VT for work. Listening to Frank Zappa at the Philmore 1971
I was able to see one live performance in my youth.
Appreciation met with time.
Todays offering is a wonderful saison from Blackberry Farm.
Cheers all
Summer Saison

Blackberry Farm Brewery
Saison / Farmhouse Ale / 6.06% ABV

3.78/5 rDev -6.9% | Avg: 4.06
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a bottle marked NO-2 into the modified tulip glass.
L - Wonderful clarity, an auburn back drop sets the stage for a marauding column of carbonation to support its pure white king of froth. Queens lacing proves the point of endurance.
S - Squeezed lemon, on fresh straw, dark malts, crostini mushroom, all add to the base malts. Very little hop bite.
warm notes of fresh spring, mix with fruity esters reminiscent of fall.
T - Amber ale, mixes with Belgian yeast strains, esters abound, then crashing into a super dry finish. The floral element is autumnal and a bit refreshing.
F - Medium in body, super carbonation cleans up your breakfast, let alone this offering, Not delicate at all, a party crasher that wants dessert.
O - A wonderful experience, the big saison elements are in your face, the soft touch may develop with the brewers experience. This is a delightful expression of the craft. Not to be trifled with.
Cheers all

 

Moving along....

Enfant Terriple | Brouwerij De Leite


Brouwerij De Leite - Enfant Terriple by imbibehour, on Flickr


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Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.

A great looker in appearance. Nearly crystal and beaming in color, with pale lemon to lighter tan body color, and a roaring middle carbonation rising through the centre. Fluffy topped classic bright white head. Bowl marked as it settles with island and soft merringue puck on top. Great looker.

Something is going on here on the nose that is not like your average tripel. Slightly tropical hop character with a fleeting sense of pineapple and citrus. Hints of mild tea character with a phenolic heat sense. Interesting angle, doesn't hit of Belgian quality at first sense so not sure where this is going.

Palate goes for hops. Quenching and slightly juiced angles of tea and mild tropics to some indistinct citrus. Slightly wet body with a finishing and aftertaste of slight grassy hops and noticeable bitterness. Mild creamy tones of vanilla which is accented with just a touch of honey sweetness that just barely touches on Belgian identity. Soft waffery and fleeting malt, nearly flour and sweet dissolving.

This is a bit of an odd tripel, it comes off more as just a larger Belgian IPA with what seems like an American hop bent. Decent tasting brew, but much classic character is lost on me that I am desiring in the tripel realm.

look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75 | BA Generated Score 3.88

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As someone who enjoys both Everett ( had one today ) as well as your posts well done.
Thanks for the comparison.
Cheers

 

First time trying this and it's great! So juicy. Had to make some trades to land this. If you love hazy IPAs, go find this. So much citrus it's hard to name them all, but oranges, pineapple, mango is there. The nose is amazing. I definitely recommend anyone trying this. I had Julius the other day and I prefer this to it. I think it's the same recipe but dry hopped.

 

Did you just review a DMX album?

Ain't nothing wrong with being a fanboy. Be proud of your local stuff if it's deserving.

 

After the Stone Enjoy by 4/20 I took a cue from @dennis3951 and opened up a Magnify Woah Amarillo. I had the Woah Equinox at lunch today and it was good, though a bit too much grapefruit for me, but this Amarillo is very tasty. Pours cloudy yellow with a lot of lacing. The balance between hops and malts is excellent. The mouthfeel is up there with the best IPA's (for me) and the taste mellows nicely after each sip. Pineapple smell is present along with some pine. An excellent brew.
Enjoy everyone!

 

I've decided to read more about the beers and styles I'm drinking and also to review more beers. I feel like it may be a good way to expand/sensitize my palate a bit more. This beer will give be a new beer and new style. It was given to me as a joke by my boss. Well, joke's on her, because I'm going to drink it and review it. And of note, this beer has a special place in my heart, because my grandfather used to drink it all the time when I was a kid.



Poured from a twist-top 12 ounce bottle with a Julian date of 15232 into a tulip.
Look: Creates about a one-finger, white head, which dissipates immediately, leaving no lacing. The color is light tan/orange. I wouldn't call it amber. It's almost the color of apple juice, which, ironically, is what it smells like, at first.
Smell: The apple smell gives way to a stale grain odor, I can't quite identify. Decidedly fruity smell, but not pleasant.
Mouthfeel: Much less carbonation than I expected. A very slight oily feel.
Taste: Actually, the taste follows the nose. It kinda tastes like apple juice and stale grains. I expected a typical amber AAL taste and smell but I'm not really getting it. Much fruitier than I expected. And it should be noted, the alcohol is hidden very well. It drinks more like a 0.25% than the 0.5% it is.
Overall: Tastes nothing like any beer I've ever had. Tastes nothing like beer, really. I'm not going to finish it.

 

After reaching a high of 36 yesterday, it is NOW 70 outside!!! I have been enjoying every bit of it. I took my dogs for a walk, raked the yard, and had some play time with my girls. Sucks that it will be in the 30's again tomorrow.

All that activity worked up a thirst that needed a good quenching. NBS BIF Box to the rescue! @Stillyman11 provided a few good ones for a day like today. I pulled Recursion IPA out of the fridge and it is a good one!

The aroma is pungent, fresh, musty, dank with some notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a bit of sweet malt. It is rather aromatic, with the hops and malts colliding. Tropical and citrus fruits that are aggressive and also bitter. There is some sweetness to go along with the bitterness on the finish of this one. Medium feel with fantastic carbonation that give it a wonderful body. It seems to finish a bit dry. I really enjoyed this IPA and it reminds of something that Toppling Goliath would brew.

 

My second round. Couldn't move too fast this NBS or the wifey wouldn't be happy with my painting of the living room efforts. Luckily, I could dull her senses with some super hoppy brews! (just kidding, I tried my best to do a good job painting, I hope) Thanks again @MilesM123 !

4.46/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Fresh 22oz. bomber bottle poured into my trusty favorite snifter.

Look: Golden, orange hue, foamy head settles into faint ring around the glass. Some floating foam islands and sticky lacing. Careful pour still yielded some hop floaties, which I don't have a problem with.

Smell: This smells like a TG hoppy beer. They seem to all have a similar aroma profile at least IMO. Good thing it is a pretty great aroma profile! Citrus is up front, specifically zest of lemon, not a juicy smell, but more of a refreshing spritz of lemony goodness. Some grassy scents, fresh cut first run hay from early summer wafting over the fields.

Taste: Similar to the nose. Big, crisp, biting hop flavor. Lemon zest and earthy dankness. Refined and biting on the tongue, doesn't linger and doesn't offend. This is a pale ale after all, can't go to overboard.

Feel: Somewhat effervescent, light, bubbly, crisp and goes down easy.

Overall: Worthy of its rating, sits at a bit higher class then the other XHOPS offerings from TG, rightly so being gold, the king of metals. All of their brews are interesting, they are different than what I am used to with the local New England juice bombs, but are often equally great.

 

Good afternoon NBS, cold day today, but went to brunch with the girlfriend and some others. Got a breakfast burger and a new beer which I was quickly able to review before the food came.
2SP Depths Unknown a dry-hopped American style Tripel

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

Draft, poured into a goblet. A slightly hazy golden copper. Smell is kind of weak, slightly boozy, fairly hoppy, some earth spice, hints of light fruits. Taste getting a good amount of earth spice, hoppy piney finish, light fruits, hints of grapes and bananas, medium body. Not a bad American style Tripel, but doesn't compare to Belgain Tripels, still enjoyable, dry hopping is a nice touch, and worth trying.

Got home and decided that I'm going to drink the IPAs from @strohme2. Right now enjoying Short's Snake Juice coffee IPA.
3.9/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thank you strohme2 for this
12 oz bottle, dated 1/19/16, poured into a snifter

A- A slightly hazy golden orange color with a two finger white head.

S- Roasted coffee, citrus, grapefruit, hints of oranges, pine, odd combo but it works.

T- Flavors aren't as balanced as the nose, earth spices, citrus, piney, roasted coffee in the finish.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- Coffee and IPA flavors comes together to make a tasty beer. Worth trying if you get the chance.

★466 characters


Cheers!