New Beer Sunday (week 606)

New Marzen Sunday

Good afternoon NBS'ers! It's been a fun and productive weekend at the house, and I'm glad to finally relax with a beer today. I've been on a local/regional Octoberfest kick, and have been comparing them to my first homebrew Marzen attempt. The keg is almost kicked which is good as I have a hefe patiently waiting for a home. Today's Marzen is from Green Man in Asheville:

Harvester - Harvest Ale, Green Man Brewing Co



look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A great-looking beer. A clear dark amber/copper color with a medium-sized light tan head. The nose was distinct with brown bread, toast, sweet malt, and a hint of spiciness, like cinnamon. The first sip did not disappoint; the flavors followed the nose. Less bready than many Marzens but not overly sweet. There was a clear but subtle spiciness from the hops I suppose, tasting like cinnamon bread to me. A very interesting, tasty beer. Cheers!

 

Okay, what an interesting Ryder Cup Sunday, folks! A LOT of excitement early sttled into some good matches overall. As fun as the Reed/McIlroy was, the Phil/Sergio match was equally as fun, and maybe even better quality overall. Plus, the U.S. won - always nice to win on home soil.

During the match, we had this beer from friend who trekked through the brewery's state to Michigan to visit friends. This is Platform's Cherimoya Project:


Apparently a Cherimoya is a fruit that has poisonous seeds. I only hope that aaagghhh...




Ok - seriously, though. This beer is listed as an IPA on this site, but it probably defies categorization to a part, but I'd go with APA myself. I am guessing it has the influence of the featured fruit, and the Meyer Lemon makes an appearance. It has a little tea-like aspect to it, and there's an unsweet fleshy fruit flavor in there as well. I found it more enjoyable as I sipped it, but not sure I would want to do more than mix this in at a summer BBQ.



Onto this one, which is from the brewery our friends enjoyed the most from their trip. We have a couple from them, but this is the first we popped open:


Right Brain Brewing's Chubby Squirrel, a spiced amber:
Pours a little brown without light, though in the pics you can see the coloring. That head is cut in half as I sip through it, but stays there. The nose definitely reveals an amber base to me, and since amber is not my favorite style, I'm not feeling positive. However, there is a spice note in there as well. Earthy to Christmasy in nature, it actually presents a weird mix with the amber for me. One I am not sure will work.

Turns out, the nose was trying to deceive me. While I am not jumping for joy over the flavor, I am content in that I will be able to enjoy most of this pour. The amber base is obvious. It's a weak tea with a weak bitterness that in and of itself makes an inoffensive but blah amber for me. The spice doesn't overpower this, which is to be commended, in my mind. In fact, it makes the overall beer an enjoyable experience how the spices are mixed with the base. I'm actually somewhat impressed.

This beer had almost no chance of drawing me to it as a beer I must have. But it did have a chance of making this experience an enjoyable one, and it did. In fact, I'd have it again.

 

Well, I finished my pot of Joe a long time ago and I am just now sitting down to contribute to the New Beer Sunday Thread, Thanks to all for the suggestions last week on my congestion. Feeling much better this week!

My new beer is Imperial Biscotti Break brewed by Evil Twin Brewing. According to other Advocates, this is a near perfect American Imperial Stout. I tend to agree. I've tried other beers by this brewery and walked away in complete awe and bliss.

From the moment I popped the can to my last sip, the sweet smell of baked bread filled my nostrils. This Imperial Stout has legs; a nice retention. Poured into a snifter, the head foamed an off-white color. The brew is the color of fresh pressed coffee. The taste is roasty and only becomes more so as it warms. Flavor of vanilla and almond fill my mouth and it feels warm all the way to the pit of my stomach. The taste reminds me of amaretto, a flavor I used to enjoy often in my coffee. The feel is smooth. Definitely a good choice on a damp, raw New England day.

 

As promised, here is the newest beer from Central Waters. Brewers Reserve Quadruple is mahogany in color with a thin 1 finger tan head that quickly fades and only leaves a trace of lacing on my glass. Aroma is very sweet with loads of toffee and caramel. Notes of vanilla an bourbon are accentuated by very little Belgian yeast and banana. Flavor is scrumptious, but not as Quad driven. Plenty of sweet toffee, caramel, with some softer vanilla and bourbon. No real banana or much dark fruit flavor that I enjoy in a Quad. Feel is lighter with minimal carbonation and a slight syrup finish. It is without a doubt delicious, but I'd score it higher if there was more Quad like flavor. I think they wanted to showcase the awesomeness of their barrels.

 

I am so happy to see all the Oktoberfests, Festbier and Marzen on NBS. It is such a wonderful style when done well. That is why I decided to drink nothing but these beers for the entire month of Oktober. My favorite month of the year. The cool, crisp air, slight smell of compost, burning fireplaces, changing foliage, the rustle of leaves and Halloween. And once it has passed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is on the horizon. I suppose I learned to love the change of seasons growing up in Central NY. (Even the snow.)
All this brings me to my beer. Saranac was craft and local to me before it was cool. Any beer style I first tried, outside of AALs, was probably made by Saranac. I was pleased, of course, to come across what I hope is a killer sampler pack.

I couldn't wait to get the Marzen Fest and Oktoberfest cold (Black Forest and Kellerbier will have to wait for November) and enjoy the Marzen Fest which is new.
Off we go with the Saranac Marzen Fest.

Right away I was excited by the color and the head. This beer has a wonderful clear, mahogany body, with tinges of orange and amber as the light hits it. The head starts out a frothy beige and settled in to a dollop of creaminess. Nice light wafts of bread and honey in the aroma, backed by a medicinal and grassy hoppiness.
The taste is bready, Malty with honey and French caramel. Hops are grassy and medicinal, which are present in the aroma. The light to medium carbonation allows this beer to maintain a wonderfully soft and creamy mouth feel up front with a slight graininess peeking out. Dry finish with a bit of spice helps round it out.


As a fan of Great Lakes and their German style lagers, I often wonder why I pass over Saranac as often as I do. I highly recommend any fan of this style to check this German Roots Pack out. I believe it is the only way to get the Black Forest as well. I was under the impression they stopped brewing it.
Cheers, all!

 

@SammyJaxxxx also got to enjoy this one!

 

New Imperial Stout

It's been too long. A rough week at work, and a busy weekend, are wrapping up on an uptick.

Today's beer is a nice sipper. A chocolate and coffee variation of an old favorite. I may get into the raspberry version if I find the time tonight.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/335/196520/?ba=GRPunk#review

Sorry that photobucket isn't letting me edit this to face the right way.

 

Now up Other Half/The Veil Tropical Depression, tasty stuff, really fruity.
4.35/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

16 oz can, dated 8/12/16, poured into a teku

A- A hazy/murky burnt orange with a two finger white head.

S- Tropical fruits, passion fruit, pineapple, mangos, hints of sweet malts, some citrus, resin.

T- Passion fruits, pineapple, very fruity, tart fruit juice, touch of sweet malts, pine/resin finish.

M- Smooth, light to medium body.

O- A tasty fruit IPA, very easy drinking. Fruit juice meets IPA in a good way!

Cheers NBS!

 

This one is labeled a Pilsner, but I'm not 100% convinced that the folks at CKBR know what that is. : )

It just arrived, & I've never had any Brasilian beers, so figured it was my best chance. About the curiosity, not the ticking. 9 countries instead of 8? What's it matter? ; )
This pic was maybe 7-8 seconds after pour, at most,so you can see where this is headed. (& I'm not feeling so great, right now. Might need another beer. : ) 0



The review :
Pours a slghtly milky-opaque yellow-orange. Very short-lived,3/8" white head,despite an aggressive pour.A tiny bit of lacing ringing the edge of the glass..
Aroma is almost not there. Has a very slight sour/boozy/yeasty aroma, reminiscent of the tail end of the aroma of a quad. This as a very recent arrival, so I assume it is fairly fresh, and it's not spoiled or old.

The taste is very slight , and mix of tangerine,pineapple, and rye bread, with a slight sour tang. Took half the bottle to get a enough taste to dissect it.
Carbonation is fine-textured, and pleasantly prickly. There is a strange after-feel on the mid to back tongue, and roof of the mouth. Sort of sticky, and chalky, almost as if a piece of damp,rough cardboard has been rubbed around, and then left stuck to the back of the tongue. A rougher communion wafer? : ) Nothing overly offensive in the taste, just very little of it. That might be a good thing, and the "Taste" rating reflects that.

Overall, probably OK on a hot summer day, when there are no other options. Drink it quickly though, because it only gets worse as it warms.
2.12/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25

 

I, for one, admire your honesty and courage. I'll admit, I think the same at times especially with a three year old and another on the way. Good luck fellow BA

 

I would love to get my hands on that pack!

(P.S. NBS'ers, I'm not just creeping on this thread. I will be returning with my contribution a bit later)

 

Is there a batch number printed on the bottom of the can? They do four different versions this time of year:
http://www.fremontbrewing.com/field-to-ferment/

 

Haha - I may speak for myself, but creep all you want. And others, as well. I think the goal is to promote new beers, and discussion about them, specifically the qualities of them. As long as the posts are focused on interest in the new beers being posted, I think all is good. See nc41 and JackHorzempa's conversation earlier. Completely acceptable, I think, but the keepers of the thread can chime in as well, if I am mis-speaking (@cavedave and @utopiajane)

 

Another new to me Oktoberfest.



Ok2berfest

Two Roads Brewing Company
Märzen / Oktoberfest / 5.80% ABV

3.76/5 rDev +7.4% | Avg: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

L-The beer pours a light amber with 2 fingers of fine off white bubbles. The head recedes to a thin ring with no lacing noted.
S-There is almost nothing available in the nose. Malts are conspicuously absent. There is a hint of alchohol presence which is acceptable to the style.
T- Again there is a dearth of malt influence here. What is there is to style in its toasty bread crust. Hops are present at a decent enough level to balance and add a bit of spiciness.
F-The beer is medium mouthfeel with a prickly carbonation. The beer finishes nicely dry.
O-The beer is well within style guidelines. I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of malt presence in the nose. Overall this an average marzen that I'd drink again but not seek out.

 

Good afternoon, all, and Happy New Beer Sunday! Thanks once again to @cavedave for another poetic and contemplative opening to the day's festivities. My new beer for this week is Toppling Goliath's Sol Hunter, an American Pale Ale that comes in at 5.2% ABV and 70 IBU. From the brewer's notes:

"Gone are the days of experimentation and test-flights. As we voyage into the unknown, we rely on our skill and determination - guiding us safely to the promised land. Our goal is clear: pursue the sun and harvest the power extracted from an equinox. The task is large, but hopes are high as we travel once more among the stars."​

That's it. I couldn't find anything about the malt / hop varieties used in this, and googling for a clone recipe didn't turn up anything. It's not as intense as some of the other TG APAs (e.g. PseudoSue), but it has its moments. Poured from 22-ounce bomber into a Spiegelau IPA glass. This ranks up there in appearance, with a hazy, dark-orange color and a voluminous snow-white head that leaves tons of sticky lacing on the glass. Aromas of pine resin and citrus rind smack you in the face. Notes of sweetness / light malt follow. Well balanced, with a lot of assertive bitterness and a crisp, dry finish. Overall very good and very drinkable, and an excellent pairing with spicy food. Part of TG's Hop Patrol series, Sol Hunter is limited release, bottles only. Is a bomber of this worth $7.99? I probably won't get another at that price. As always, YMMV.


4.18/5 (rDev -0.5%)
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

 

Greetings All:

This one has been on my list for a while. I said I would try it during apple harvest, so here we are with Redd's Apple Ale.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/105/87280/

It's not terrible, and it may be an ale, but without hops I can't make it a beer. More of a sparkling cider. My wife liked it.

So a nice fall day here, sunny warm days and cool nights. I have a big box of apples from the back yard orchard here on the back porch, to go with my Redd's Sparkling Cider. Fall in full swing.

Until next time (when I will have a real beer)

Happy Trails!

 

Yeah, he's screaming for some outdoors time. Midnight loves being outside and makes sure everybody knows it.

Midnight says thanks for the heads up on the next Throwback Thursday/Friday, @cjgiant. We're in!

 

NBS!!! NBS!!! NBS!!! After a couple of days of watching The Ryder Cup, I can only speak in chants. HERE'S A BEER!!! HERE'S A BEER!!! HERE'S A BEER!!!



IT HAS HOPS!!! IT HAS HOPS!!! LOTS OF HOPS!!! LOTS OF HOPS!!! A BIT THIN!!! A BIT THIN!!! BUT STILL GOOD!!! BUT STILL GOOD!!! WORTH A TRY!!! WORTH A TRY!!! 4.1!!! 4.1!!!

 

Working on finishing the last few cans from my NYC trip at the end of August. Enjoying a can of Other Half Simcoe.

4.27/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

16 oz can, dated 8/25/16, poured into a tell

A- A hazy golden copper with a two finger white head.

S- Tropical fruits and resin, pine trees, some citrus, hint of wet grass.

T- Citurs, grapefruit, touch of tropical fruits, resiny/piney finish, hints of sweet malts.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A great example of Simcoe hops, good stuff. Easy drinking, worth seeking out if your a Simcoe fan.

Getting very excited for next weeks thread with Monkey's With Knives box starting to land, cheers!