New Beer Sunday (week 615)

Good afternoon Maria, et al. As always, many thanks & much respect to @utopiajane for starting off our festivities. Although I must say, if I were cinnamon, I'd feel quite unwelcome. As for me, I'm not "big" on cinnamon in beer, but I do think it has its place in a few- like the newly named Mexican stouts. But, it should come through smoothly and understated. As I was trying to mix my own Mexican stout inspired beer with barleywine, old ale, and Black Tuesday, I found just how fickle and complicated cinnamon can be. So any brewer that gets a cinnamon component to their beer, without overwhelming it has my heartfelt respect.

 

"Put 'em in yo' mouth!" Haha. Damn I remember that episode.
One very good experience I had with Chocolate Salty Balls, my one and only, was with some really good ones I had at a Furthur Festival show. But they had an added ingredient that made them great far longer than the flavor.

 

Definitely agree that it's pretty unique, that's an awesome shelf beer. One of the best hoppy ambers I've tried!

Now up more good beer from @2beerdogs, Pizza Port Swami's IPA, a great classic IPA.

4.29/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks 2beerdogs for this
16 oz can, dated 10/12/16, poured into a teku

A- Super clear golden color with a two finger white head.

S- Citrus, candied oranges, some caramel malts, piney, slightly floral

T- Citrus, just enough sweet malts, floral, piney finish, well balanced.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A solid classic IPA, flavors are well balanced. Would buy it if it was local to me.

 

On to next brew.

Now I knew what this was somewhat going in. Interestingly enough it's often mentioned as an amber ale, but it is described as an amber strong ale, and definitely clocking in at 7%+ it is probably a fair assumption (and definitely after reviewing it fits that category better in my opinion).

However, this is also a brew that is often at Trader Joe's and if you know anything about the cheap brews that are sold there, they have a reputation all their own. That being said, I knew what I was going in to, but that's half the fun as mixing things up is what keeps me sharp and focused.

What's next?

Fat Weasel Ale | Steinhaus Brewing Co.


Steinhaus Brewing Co. - Fat Weasel Ale by imbibehour, on Flickr


Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass.

Out of the bottle it comes out quite gold and brassy, but then fills the glass with a very pale amber orange, very American Barleywine like color appearance. Head creation is minimal, but a bubbly collar is persistent. Very nice clarity, and even a tiny if ever so fine middle column of carbonation in the center.

Aroma is pretty good, but heads towards an almost Belgian candy like sucrose quality. Almost sensing fruit quality and hop angled citrus, which is not bad, but there's a touch of bile/vomit angle on this unfortunately too.

Well. On first sip this is not what I expected. A very obvious wet and watery body for a strong ale even clocking at 7%, but what gets me is the other features. There's just absolutely nothing going on here in the palate. A bit of dry malt, not even sweet. Fruity esters and hop qualities.. Nope I got next to nothing. Fleeting finish, hits with a bit of caramel but almost dissolves instantly in some flash of wetness.

I am shocked at how such a big brew as this is just so devoid of any flavor. The flipside is that this isn't choke it down or awful brew, but it really plays it safe almost in some weird way. Easily the weakest "strong" brewed beer I've ever had.

look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3 | BA Generated: 3.18

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Coleman lantern has been wiped of all dirt, and looks pretty good! The glass is in the kitchen air drying. I'll work on scrubbing the rusty metal parts later this week. Now, it's time to kick back, watch The Office, enjoy another new beer, and reset for next week. Here's my current reset beer:



Chimay's Premiere.

Pours a murky burgundy with two fingers of white, foamy head that eagerly forms and is reluctant to leave. A foamy layer sticks around for a long while. Lacing is bubbly, and forms just over where the last sip of beer was. Aroma is muted, with notes of Belgian yeast esters, toasted malts, and clove. Flavor profile is thin, with notes of clove, yeast esters, and plum. Mouth feel is thin, and watery, which makes it easy to slurp, but tough to sip and savor. Overall, Premiere is a fantastic authentic Belgian beer, but feels lacking.

Score: 4.75 | 4 | 4 | 3.75 | 4 | BA Score: 4.02 | rDev: -2%

 

I think Tired Hands has a new name for their latest beer... watch for it!

 

Chilly and damp day in the Deep South. Not complaining at all since we sorely need the rain. I think we are still over 12 inches short.

Back from dinner and time for a new beer. This is Sinister Minister from Southern Prohibition - a black IPA.

Beautiful beer. Deep black with a creamy tan head that lasts forever and leaves chunky lacing.

Nice blend of roasty and pine combined with some bright citrus. If you are a fan of the style, this is very well done.

I've been pleasantly surprise by all of the Southern Prohibiton stuff so far, and looking forward to trying a few more in the future.



https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/32543/130300/?ba=richj1970#review

 

I got a five ounce pour yesterday, and really liked it, but way too sweet. No way I could finish a 750 ml.

 

Movin' on forward:

Outstanding!! Aromas and flavors of big tart/sour lemon, lime, pumpkin, green apple, white grape, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, oak, wheat, toasted bread, light caramel, hay, straw, leathery funk, and light white wine vinegar. Moderate tart/sourness and light tannic oak spice on the finish. Medium bodied; balanced acidity, tannins, creamy/grainy malt, and light spice stickiness on the mouthfeel. Light-moderate increasing acidic/tannic dryness; never puckering/astringent on acidity. Wow, Almanac nailed this as I had hoped. Definitely really mature feeling on Brett complexity; there is a great balance of toasty malt and spices, along with the oak tannins and sourness. Super drinkable for the level of acidity. I still have quite a few of these and Mikkeller sours left to review; at least they last 10 years haha. 4.2


Excellent Belgian pale ale! Aromas and flavors of big lemon, orange, pear, pineapple, peach, apricot, melon, red/white wine, peppercorn, oak, and light vanilla; some moderate honey/biscuity malt presence; with hay, straw, herbal, grassy, and light leathery yeast funk. Moderate peppery yeast spice and light wine tannins on the finish. Medium bodied and medium-high carbonation. Fairly crisp; balanced creamy/grainy malt and hop/yeast stickiness in the mouthfeel; touch of acidity/tannin from the wine barrels. Light-moderate drying carbonation. Overall, very impressed. This says it is supposed to be a Belgian IPA aged in wine barrels. Not really all too hoppy or bitter; but has solid presence. The wine barrel and yeast flavors dominate the most; with a nice bready balancing malt backbone. Not sure if Brett was intended here, but there is a bit of that going on; but it's not overpowering. Whatever Belgian strain they used is definitely dominant in the flavor profile. Big fan of this. 4.1


Cheers, have a good night NBS

 

Howdie, NBS masters and magistrates. Tonight, I'm going with my first beer from one of the "it" breweries of the moment in our wonderful little world.



So I've read about Trillium, I've dreamt about Trillium, I've pined after Trillium, but I've never been able to secure any Trillium beverages - so I went straight capitalism, baby, and bought this and a couple of other offerings from *.com.

After securing the small business loan (just kidding - sorta), I selected this to try first because I'm a hop head and I love honey. This did NOT disappoint.

It's got the murky NE-style IPA thing going on - and a LOT of floaties. The Citra hops shine on the nose and in the taste, but it's the honey I appreciate. It's not the sweet honey found in Hopslam (which I love), it's a "raw" honey that cuts the Citra hop flavor to the point that you could beer bong this 8.5% ABV beer. Yes, I just typed that.

My first beer from Trillium, I loved it, it won't be my last. Rated 4.35.

 

Greetings All! Checking in from the northwest waiting for the Seahawks to kick it off on Sunday Night Football.

Today we are on a selection from the Sam Adams Fall Sampler. Maple Ale.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/225613/

A nice late fall selection.

We have had a warm fall here, the lawn is still green and possibly in need of mowing? But I'm not doing it! The mower is in winter slumber. Snow in the forecast for this week, so may the Holiday Season begin.

 

New Beer Sunday: A Wild Ale, Goodnight!

Evenin' NBSers, with special greetings to those wanderers through the wonderland of wild ales. Also, "Thanks!" to @utopiajane for today's start.

The weather here has been sunny, colder and a bit breezy. Fall is in the air, but we've haven't had any precipitation to dampen the blowing leaves, so they spent a lot of time today dancing and racing across the yards of houses along our street.

With multiple errands and some chores completed I spent a bit of time deciding which new beer to open and, hopefully, enjoy. Finally I chose the last of four I've tried from Draai Laag, which is out Pittsburgh way and focuses on Wild Ales. The beer is called "Goedenacht," which is Dutch for "Goodnight," and which seemed a fitting way to end the day.

As usual my review, mostly finished but still subject to revision as I have the 2nd pour from the 500ml bottle, can be found here:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27917/82978/?ba=drtth#review

I'm enjoying this beer since it a fairly complex wild ale that shows some apple tartness and some funkiness but doesn’t beat up the palate while doing so. There’s definitely a touch of malt sweetness to soften the tartness and the funk in the background seems mostly a bit earthy and leathery. On the whole I'd say this is a beer well worth trying if you like Wild Ales and ever get the chance.

While deciding on which music to put on the player I found an almost forgotten recording done by one of the fathers of the blues, a guy known as "Lead Belly." According to all accounts I've read he was a bit of wild guy, himself, and one of his signature songs has a title that goes with the beer.

Goodnight, Irene

Cheers, all!

 

#2, ixnay on the ordsway around our good friend @utopiajane, but this eerbay has innamoncay.



This is a very good winter warmer, IMHO. Loads of clove and cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, I'd sit around a fire and drink 2 or 3 of these with any of you.

My apologies for the Pig Latin - but I did take 6 years of Latin between HS and college, so I'm imminently qualified. Rated 4.17.

 

Happy Milk Stout Sunday!

Brew #2 for the day. Not bad at all.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/923/28993/?ba=Wasatch#review

Cheers!

 

My ipslay are ealdsay. Osay she'll evernay earnlay it omfray emay.

 

Summit Dark Infusion, 8.5% ABV, 40 IBU. Pours thick and black, with over a finger of tan head on a careful pour, leaves foamy lacing. Nose is malt, milk, chocolate, and coffee, taste follows, with real nice coffee taste without all of the coffee bitterness. Excellent mouthfeel - very smooth though not quite chewy, overall outstanding. I will be picking up more of this.

 

Hello to another New Beer Sunday!

Honestly, because of NBS, it's become my favorite day of the week. After a 12 hour day at work - that was only supposed to be 3, I need it.

So, on to the beer.


South Shore Brewing Bourbon Barrel Coffee Mint Stout. This brewery has been somewhat hit or miss for me, but this beer is a sure hit with me. Delicious, minty, slight coffee, and barrel. Delicious, and if I see it again in Wisconsin, I'll pick up another.

4.26/5 rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This pours black, with a brownish head. The head wasn't very thick. The nose is amazing. There's a slight barrel hint to it, but the standout is the mint. It's very strong, but pleasing to the nose. The taste of this beer is interesting. I get minimal hint of the barrel. The mint is strong, but like the nose, pleasing. The coffee is also muted. Slightly watery feeling, but overall this beer works well.

★ 405 characters

I guess I'm a decent amount higher than other raters, but I think this beer deserves my rating.

Will there be another new beer tonight? I'd say probably. I do have a lot of good choices in my fridge.

 

Howdy, all! I'm afraid I won't be too detailed here, but figured I'd go ahead with the post anyway. I took a chance on an "I don't know how Old" Ale-

Gale Conquest Ale

It seemed like it was worth a shot on this cold wintry weekend, considering how these beers will tend to age gracefully, and how even a bit of sherry-like oxidation can only add to their charm, but that was not the case. This is a still beer- and I'm not sure of it was intended that way or if the cork betrayed it. And the oxidation has gone way too far; if you handed this to me and said it was Sherry or Madeira I wouldn't have missed a beat or even thought twice. That's how un-beery this is. On that level it is drinkable, I suppose, all nutty and full of butterscotch, vanilla and wood. But there is no way that this now-retired beer was meant to be evaluated in this condition. Incomplete grade, but avoid it and get the real thing instead if that's what you want.

 

Already 8:30 here in my slice of the world. Today was our living Nativity at the church...my inclination is to pop open a Backwoods Bastard to help the thawing process, and that isn't a new beer. So I am gonna defrost a while, then hope I feel like having the Kiwi Rising I popped in the fridge as my planned NBS contribution.

I find this time of year very conflicting. I thought it strange that I feel that way and that my mental state does the Jekyll and Hyde thing. But maybe it isnt that unusual. Thanks to those who share of themselves. The hypothetical season of hope clashes with the non-hypothetical realities a bit too aggressively sometimes.

 

Haha I can imagine. Based on the amount of butter that was in this recipe if I were to include *ahem* adjuncts I'd probably think I was in a cartoon!