New Beer Sunday (week 628)

Wow Dave! Thanks for the super early start! I'll have to go crack that bottle I got for free.

 

AMEN!! It almost doesn't seem possible sometimes, and the best news is: it isn't done improving yet

 

Cheers @cavedave and thanks for getting us up and going today! I'm up and I have a beer to try that goes with a thread I have been reading. Mine is a gruit beer! See you in a bit.

 

The Lion of March is still roaring bit but I decided to think warm weather . . .



Score 4.06
look: 3.5 | aroma: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Light gold color with white cap and lacing.

Tropical fruit aromas, mango, papaya, passionfruit, very ripe and appealing. Also a dry, crackery malt that lays like paving stone under the traveling malt. Bit of piney hint as well as if the road is routed through a conifer forest. Delicious smelling stuff.

Taste is ripe, bright tropical fruit that is lush without being sweet, yet somehow manages to remain dry as well. Very complex, integrated flavors woven tightly as the ropes on a Caribbean sailing vessel. This is a softer, rounder, more lovely version of the original Torpedo. The first is a bruising fullback, this a graceful hula dancer.

Medium full texture with a mouth filling creaminess like a fruit smoothie.

I like this take on Torpedo. Torpedo with collateral contra winds whirling things around the central column. I won't go so far as to call it an improvement, more like comparing chocolate cheesecake with raspberry swirl, both are good in their own way. This being a review of the Tropical I can say I would like it just as much if there had not been a predecessor Torpedo to compare it with.

 

Poured at near room temperature bottled 4/22/16. Pours ruby red with a half inch off red hued head that leaves minimal lace and quickly settles into a ring around the edges of the glass. 4 Smell is sour cranberry, oaky vanilla, biscuit grain, ripe plum, and must. 3.25

Taste follows very musty, cranberry, honey, oaky, plum, and over ripened cherries. 3.25

Mouthfeel is almost medium, very carbonated almost like champagne, maybe a little dry, and for me almost painful to drink, just really not a style I enjoy and I don't taste the 11% ABV so I guess it is hidden well. 3.5

Overall this is a style that always confuses me, to each there own, but I really don't understand the appeal for sour or Brett beers. That being said if you are a fan, I believe this is an excellent example of the style and I tried to review it knowing it isn't a style that I normally like. 3.25

 

Thanks Dave. I love the personal historical slant that you have begun with today. I have lived this beer history also and am thrilled by our thriving modern beer culture. I'll be back in a bit, after a hike, some breakfast, then to an interesting local brew. Cheers all!

 

Good morning once again, New BSers! It's a beautiful but cold sunny morning here in NW PA, between Lake Erie and Sarver (HINT!). Most of yesterday's dusting of snow has disappeared and it keeps looking like spring may be on the way. Got my rototiller dug out of the garage (a minor miracle) and it still runs (yet another minor miracle).

Well, enough of that meaningless social BS. Today's New Breakfast Beer is one I got for free, sort of. My Beer Club membership at State Line Liquors in Elkton, MD, saved me $ 30 my last trip there so that more than covered the cost of today's glorious breakfast.




$ 23.15 (Including Beer Club discount and tax)/750 mL bottle ($ 0.911/oz) at State Line Liquors, Elkton, MD.
Cork and cage bottle dated 21 02 18 at 42 degrees into a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Opens with a resounding “POP”. There is no foaming. Served between 45 -54 degrees.
Aroma – definite raspberries and cherries. As the brew warms, the aromas mull into a nonspecific berriness.
Head average (Maximum 3.7 cm, aggressive pour), tan with a pinkish cast, fizzy and dense, rapidly diminishing to a three mm ring and thin partial layer.
Lacing – none.
Body – a muddy brown with reddish tinges. Bottle conditioned so OK.
Flavor – Begins slightly sweet with the cherries and raspberries predominating. Ends with some cranberry and oak tartness.
Palate – light, dry, lively carbonation.

I believe I’ve mentioned before that the only berries of which I am a fan are cran and blue. Normally I find raspberries too sweet and I just don’t like the taste (or all the stinking little seeds). However, since this was a Rodenbach product, I figured it would be pretty good. It is. I could drink this all day.

Appearance 4, Aroma 4.5, Flavor 4.5, Palate 4.5, Overall, 4.5. Rating 4.47, rDev +0.7%.

This is a fantastic brew! It's also a tad expensive but well worth the cost.

 

Good morning, NBSers! Was going to let the GF sleep in, and since we usually share the new beers we try, I had to go with something a little different. So I decided I'd do a quick review of my latest homebrew. I have sampled bottles along the way, but I think it has gotten to the state where it's probably not going to get much better.


Pours a little darker than I'd like, a hazy orange that has a hint of brown tint thrown in there. I know that darker brown can signify oxidation in lighter beers, but I'm not getting anything else that indicates such a problem. The head is nice and sustaining; one thing I've rarely had problems with in most of my beers is head retention.

Nose is a little surprise this AM. It's not very strong (and this is a problem I often have with my beers), but I get a lightly tart mildly tropical note. An okay scent, one I wish was a little stronger.

The taste is pretty bitter from the get go. Little disappointing to not get a little more malt flavor in the opening (a little if I search for it as it warms). This beer used mostly Citra hops (older pellets that had been in the freezer). I do get a little citrus but mostly really bitter reedy grass, earth, and drying wood. These might do well as a component of a beer, but when they dominate it like this - it drags down my enjoyment.

Feel is probably right at medium with a nice level of carbonation.

As I said in yesterday's post, I feel that this beer might be one of my better beers technically. I felt I did most things right this time. There is no buttery notes of fusel notes or cardboard notes. The hop flavors have an stale to old taste in them but I think that's more from the hops I used than technique. I had bought some fresher hops for use in this beer but forgot to use them . If I were to rate this, it'd probably be in the low 3s, maybe just below. As it warms (or as my palate gets used to it), the taste isn't so harsh (but the lingering bitter coating on my tongue isn't ideal), maybe bringing it just above the 3.0 waterline.

@utopiajane - I just saw you tried your control on your YouTube channel. I'm interested in how carbonation will add to your beer. It seems you are sort of thinking what I did - it's not too hard to make drinkable/passable beer, even if you" do everything wrong." But what I think I have found with this particular batch is that to make "good beer" - you need to use good ingredients. Continued learning is a good thing.

P.S. GF is up, might be time to review a "real beer"

 

. . . and then I opened the bottle from the closet and it too was flat. I was so disappointed. I have another week to go but what could it be?

 

Assuming you primed the bottles, yes? (gotta check everything)

My first batch had carbonation issues, even after 2-3 weeks. I'd give it some time, but on my first batch someone suggested a warmer conditioning spot... which did help carbonation (though that first beer was just a little blah). Given what you mentioned in your videos, though, I'm not sure temperature is an issue - I'd give it a little more time before trying too much different. Maybe other, more experienced home brewers can chime in here, as well.

 

I got this can as an extra in a recent trade, and after seeing photos of it bouncing around the forum for a little while, I'm glad I finally get to give it a go.



Bearded Iris Brewing's Homestyle IPA.

Pours an opaque soft orange color with two fingers of foamy white head. Head formation is a little reluctant at first, but foams up quite nicely as the glass fills up. Lacing is dotted about in a few patches. Aroma is a citrus mash-up with notes of orange, papaya, and mango. Absolutely lovely aroma. Flavor profile maintains a sugary sweet vitamin c flavor throughout by way of notes of orange, papaya, and a hint of mango. There is a note of yeast, which may start at the background, but works its way forward as the beer finishes. Mouth feel is smooth, with a medium thickness. While it doesn't feel crisp, it certainly has a refreshing quality to the feel. Overall, a stand-out Northeastern style IPA. With hop qualities that keep each sip smooth and tasty with no hint of bitterness, it's a wonderful beer to sip on a hot summer day by the pool or in your old college buddy's basement.

Score: 4.75 | 4.5 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.5 | BA Score: 4.39 | rDev: +0.7%

Personal notes: This is a solid representation of the NE IPA style with plenty of tastiness and no floury burps. While the yeast notes are a little high compared to some of the original NE IPAs, I'd take this over the standard IPAs made in a tree or on a legislative street. This beer evokes a simplicity that doesn't scream "difficult to get", and I like that very much. Perhaps it's the fact I got it as an extra and therefore am assuming it is readily available to the folks in Tennessee. Perhaps it's the hospitality of the south in this Homestyle IPA. Either way, it's a great NE IPA.

 

Winter of Pilsners (Continued)

Today I have another installment for my series of Winter Pilsners: Ocelot Sunnyside Dweller Pilsner.

I was gifted this beer by a generous benefactor. I have never heard of Ocelot Brewery so I am very excited to try this beer.

I did some research on this brewery and I thought others might be interested in knowing about it too:

“Craft beer is a passion, an obsession and a journey. This journey has opened our eyes (and taste buds) to some of the finest examples of beer this planet has to offer. Our tastes and expectations have forever changed, and so have our methods of enjoyment. From beer trades, to home brewing, to attending release parties and festivals one thing became clear… We rarely drink the same beer over and over again, and we love to share.

Our IPAs will be constantly revolving depending on inspiration, hop variety, availability, and season. We will make everything from low gravity Sessions, to Regulars, Doubles, Triples and even a San Diego Pale Ale or two. We will make sure these styles are released, distributed, and tapped… FRESH!

We like big beers and we cannot lie! From the biggest Russian Imperial Stouts aged in spirit barrels to malty Double Reds, Smooth Porters, and velvety Wee Heavies, we just can’t get enough of these complex beauties. Thick mouthfeel, high gravity, and rich flavors suitable for aging to be shared with family and friends. Crack one open to celebrate a special occasion, or just because its a Tuesday.

Mouth puckering sour ales is another style which we adore. One which we hoard, savor, and curse for not being more readily available. Using wine barrels from local Virginia Wineries we will age some carefully crafted super tart ales, blending them when needed and using fruits for character. Once the bugs catch up to our pipeline, expect a new sour to be released every month.

At Ocelot, we love two things… Beer and Music!’

Two things ‘jump out’ to me from the above story:

· “Beer and Music” – I love these two things too!!

· They make the sorts of beers that appeal to the Beer Geek crowd: Hoppy, BIG and sour.

So, how will a musically inclined brewery that makes Hoppy, BIG and sour beers do with a more ‘classic’ beer style like a Pilsner?

I was unable to locate a description of this beer via the brewery so my review below will have to suffice.

One thing I can report is that it comes in a really cool bottle; it looks like a BIG (since it is 500 ml/16.9 ounce) stubby bottle.

On the bottle it states: “PILS 5.1% ABV”

Served in a Firestone Walker Pivo Pils glass

Appearance:

Light straw colored, slightly hazy with a BIG rocky white head. This beer has excellent head retention!

Aroma:

There is prominent bready Pilsner Malt aroma accompanied by a lemony hop aroma.

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with bready Pilsner Malt flavors and the hop flavors of lemon but also a bit of herbal as well. There is a firm bitterness here.

Mouthfeel:

Nicely carbonated, medium body with a dry finish.

Overall:

I think this beer is very good! It was an enjoyable beer to drink and the combination of bready Pilsner Malt flavor and hop provided flavors go really well together; I particularly enjoyed the lemony aspect. This is a high quality German Pilsner!!

I have one other new Pilsner in my existing inventory. Stay tuned!!

@RobH @rotsaruch @cjgiant @KOP_Beer_OUtlet @champ103

 

3 New Ales that woo’d me: Free Flow, Nugget, Doggie Style
Free Flow IPA | Otter Creek
4.24/5 rDev +2.7% look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'm pleased to rate Otter Creek as my favorite Vermont Craft, and as under-rated. (I’ve not tasted http://hillfarmstead.com/ yet!)

A) pours a clear, orange-bright, amber, with a finger head, and tons of lacing.
S) Powerful filled with zesty pine, dank grass, hemp, citrus- orange and grapefruit rind.
T) Smoothly follows the smell - true to its name - Free Flow - it goes down easy with all the fruit and dank hemp and touched by the peppery, hempy bitterness that lingers.
F) Feel is medium bodied, crisp, juicy, with a tingly cleansing carbonation & finish.

Overall, it's a west coast IPA made in Vermont, that competes well with Sculpin etc at better prices and fresher can dates.
-
Hop Odyssey: Nugget Single Hop | Green Flash
3.93/5 rDev +3.1% look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As dales pale fan, I wanted to like this and I did, as I do most from Green Flash.

A) Pours an amber orange body with moderate white head that settles into a lace and a long-lived patch.

S) The juicy and herbal hop with abundant citrus and pine. Citrus: orange peel, melon, grapefruit, and lemon.

T) Follows aroma, the juicy and herbal hop forward notes of citrus and pine. Continuing with pine and grass, above cracker malt base. Balanced and complex.

F) Medium bodied and carbonation. Crisp, juicy, drying.

O) Almost perfect, prefer more bite.
-
Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale | Flying Dog3.81/5 rDev +4.7%

look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of FD's best, classic APA, especially creamy head and body.

A) Lasting, dense rocky head over clear amber orange body that fills glass with lace. *best looking APA!

S) Nose of aromatic hops, bit of spicy hops, grassy, light malts.

T) Taste grassy and spicy hops, ample bitterness on a light malt base, bit of bitterness and sticky in the finale.

F) Mouth is creamy, medium bodied and carb.
I might up this on the way back!

 

Thanks for getting us started Dave! Should be back later on today with a new brew.

Cheers!

 

On to some coffee, and perhaps my last beer for the day. It comes by way of Terrapin in a 4 pack with different coffee origins used for each of the four bottles. As someone who's original beverage love was coffee, it's nice to be able to serve up a cross between a cupping and a bottle share. First up...



Terrapin's Single Origin Coffee Brown Ale - Indonesia.

Pours a deep brown-burgundy with a finger of khaki head. Lacing is minor. Aroma is toasted and nutty malts first, and coffee second. The coffee is earthy, with a full flavor, and the minor malt introduction lends well to letting the coffee notes shine. Flavor profile is toasted and nutty malts throughout. The coffee is earthy and full with a complexity close to a dark roast. No charring or bitterness. Mouth feel is smooth and nondescript, merely transferring coffee and malts to the palate. Thickness lands at medium. Overall, a very tasty brew. The coffee shines well over the base malts. The base malts are tasty and calculated, keeping this beer a fun and easy sipper.

Score: 4.25 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | BA Score: 4.08 | rDev: +3.3%

 

Cheers everyone. Today I have a gruit beer. it is made with bog myrtle and a Belgian yeast. Bog Water is the name!



Happy New It's Not Hops Sunday!

Pours brown with honey hues and a bit hazy at first. Then falling to a nice clear look but with no bubbles to remain. Nose is spicy and a little breaddy. Sweet herbal and earth. Dark fruit and spice.

Drinks mellow with spicy herbal and a tinge form the bog myrtles bitterness. Malt is rolling and lush with a little toastiness. A touch of honey and this finishes well with sweet herbs and lots of spice. Surprisingly fruity middle and slightly bitter. The brewers notes mention cola and it does have a nutty cola like taste. Finishes malty. Carbonation is a bit light. Any less bubbles and it would have been syrupy. Slower on the palate than hops but the bog myrtle was lovely and digestive in flavor.

Cheers everyone and Happy New Beer Sunday!

 

O.k I half to admit I had to dump the last 3rd of the other one, we'll crafted, but that sour must thing isn't for me.

This is exactly what my palate needs a little tiny brewery just over the boarder in Newburyport Massachusetts. Poured straight from the fridge into my Weyerbacher tulip glass canned on 1/11/17. Pours a very attractive bright orange with a two plus finger sticky white head that leaves beautiful wisps of lace behind. 4.25 Smell is honey dew, mango, papaya, tangerine, apricot, pine, and grapefruit rind. It is nice, but pretty tame. 3.75

Taste follows much more flavor than I expected from the nose, honey dew, apricot, papaya, tangerine, and a piney grapefruit finish that lingers awhile on the palate. 4

Mouthfeel is a solid sticky medium, plenty of life, a tad dry, and very crushable at 6.8% ABV. 4.25

Overall this is what I needed after that other sour Brett beer that left a very bad taste in my mouth, I wish I had this fresher because I feel the nose would have popped more. This isn't North East or West Coast, a bit of a cross between the two IPA styles, tropical with a nice bitterness in the finish. 4

 

Nice glass Roguer !