New Beer Sunday (week 628)

Yeah, Ocelot's website really needs some work. I actually think the brewer(s) enjoy making the German styles as they have put out a Vienna Lager and a German Alt beer in recent months. I think the IPAs pay the bills, and they are often quite enjoyable, but that beer won at GABF last year - for what that's worth.

Speaking of NoVa breweries, I have a beer from one myself!


I did not expect this beer when I poured it. I do admit I bought this beer from the brewery a few weeks back because I hadn't had it before, and as mentioned - I enjoy the series. I didn't really look it up before drinking and was assuming it was one of Lost Rhino's a sour offerings.

Ok, Double Z is and it isn't a sour. If I can read a little into the website's words, this beer has a DIPA base, noting here that to me, the brewery generally makes more balanced, old-school east coast IPAs. They then put the beer in bourbon barrels and added in a few strains of brettanomyces.

So I poured the beer, and the looks didn't betray it's "non-sour" nature. Maybe a little lighter... more orange than amber, but with a decent haze, even as I decant it.

The nose, however wakes me up. A hugely caramel to toffee maltiness spiked with bourbon from the barrel. Definitely un-sour-like. It was time to research more closely...

Ok, research and sips later, I feel this is better categorized as a strong ale (well, BBA Strong Ale). The sweetness of the malts and bourbon just make up a huge part of the flavor profile, with any bittering overwhelmed. Sure, it's there to balance, but really the brett tart and funk (more the latter as it warms) really play the foil to the sweetness. Near the end of my glass, there is a little piney bitterness that peaks through.

My review is here, and I suggested a change to Strong Ale for this beer (as the brewery's website uses both DIPA and Strong Ale), although I am not sure the change will go through. I would argue not to expect a normal DIPA going into this beer. Expect a fairly complex, sweeter offering that, to me, was quite enjoyable. I'll be looking for more for sure.

Do you recall what you thought, @jvgoor3786?

 

Cheers from Long Iceland, NY - temp in the teens this sunny morning - has crept into the low 20's since - so crisp and clear out - I love it... Shopping and breakfast behind me, lunch out for my father-in-law ahead of me, and a new beer in hand...

Forever Simcoe, IIPA from Other Half; 8.5% abv, 2/9/17 canning...

Aromas reminiscent of citrusy fruits and herbal pine... On the taste, more of the same, pale fruits with dank pine edges, somewhat earthy but with bright impressions suggestive of lemon and berry... Smooth and light, well-carbonated, clean-finishing...

Going to a Portuguese restaurant for lunch - thinking I might go for that beer from Portugal tick , even though I know it's gonna be their equivalent of a Budweiser - we'll see - I may go the hard liquor route if they have anything decent - not feeling too optimistic about any of it, but I can't get out of it... Regardless of how that turns out, I've got some great shit in the fridge for later...

Here's to new beer in your glass...

 

So I have a new young BA that has been sending me Other Half and Grimm and I need to say they are brewing insanely good beers. That's it, going to crack my last Nummy Nug Nug from @Rcruz9230 .Cheers Mr. Wulf!

 

I did have a beer for today but it was so ordinary I really don't care to do an in depth. I did see a growler notice of a 1514 Dopplebock from Red Oak brewing, it's tap only and I've never tried it. I might go get a jug.

 

I am waiting for noon . Exactly 60 minutes from now.

 

NO! Don't wait even another second! Drink some beer!

 

A rare Sunday when neither my wife nor I have to work. So, what are we doing? Nothing but taking it easy. I'm playing around on the Beer Advocate website and my wife is working on her next podcast. Two dogs are resting at our feet and the other one is with our son watching TV. Yesterday was one of those days when I question why I live in Maine in the winter. Bitterly cold with windchills below zero. Sunny and a little warmer today, with a warming trend for next week. Bring on spring!



My new beer for New Beer Sunday is Sunday Morning Stout from Weyerbacher. I've been looking forward to trying this beer and finally got the chance. I brought out the teku glass, mostly because I usually forget that I have it.
The beer was a pitch black color with virtually no head.
The aroma was roasted malt, coffee, and bourbon.
Taste followed the nose. Espresso coffee and bourbon. Some sweet chocolate snuck in there too.
Heavier-bodied, a great sipping beer.

 

Noon is not a magic number!

 

Greetings friends,
Thanks again Dave for the thoughtful send-off on this lovely Sunday. Fresh back from our AM hike with the hounds, out through the trees with a brisk and cold NE wind at about 15 MPH. Breakfast was devoured! I suppose my fascination with beer and fermentables in general must have some genetic component, but I also know nurture was strong in the mix. My grandfather and I drank Budweiser when my parents weren't around. It was fun and we were working around the property, taking beer breaks here and there......these are strong memories and my grandfather's stories of New Mexico, Arizona, and California around 1905 still thrill me. My Dad always kept Lowenbrau in the fridge. I started having a few "with him" when I was around 15, especially after basketball practice and games and golf. We loved Lowenbrau and had many together, bonding over beer like nothing else could possibly ever provide. We were friends and now I'm friends with my children much the same way. I traveled early to Europe on my own, visiting friends and relatives, and learned to love England and Germany permanently. Later on I stomped through many backwoods spots across Europe, finding cultures and practices that still amaze me. I was in the homes, never really 100% tourist, ate the food, made life-long friends and drank beer everywhere, beer like I had never had and began to wonder why that was. Early on I knew American beer was simple, but decent. I always longed for the ales of England and the big frothing German lagers. I stayed on this course, bought every beer that I ever saw that I hadn't tried, worked in bars and restaurants, became a beer and wine salesman, eventually starting a beer and wine company with my wife, under the aegis of a former employer. Helping to get the allowable limit on beer raised above 6% (Pop the Cap- 2005) here in North Carolina was particularly gratifying. That was the start of this state becoming a real player in the beer revolution that is happening around us. The stories are like breathing. This has all been great fun!
Today's beer is Joymongers Brewing Company's BBA Baltic Porter 750 ml 8.5% We were having a beer at Joymongers Friday afternoon, and I spotted these bottles behind the bar and nabbed one. First bottling for this fairly new brewery, which really does make some very nice beers. it's a fun place in a booming area downtown. The beer pours jet black, is completely opaque pitching a beautiful tan/khaki head that persists. I cannot see the tiny bubbles that I know are there, the head being finely replenished sip by sip. Crazy lacing follows the journey through the pour. The bourbon rises up right away, not overwhelming, but there. Beneath the Bourbon is a roasty charred malt aroma, with pronounced anise fitting perfectly with the night black lager. This is not a huge bodied beer, but it is very rich and satisfying, staying graceful with its weight of Bourbon taste and aromatics. I'm not a big BBA fan, but this is nicely done. It's not light and it's not heavy. It's not sweet, but it's not bone dry. This is a very good beer and I highly recommend it to each and all. Well done!

This music is not like medicine, it is medicine. Dire Straits was born because of this sound. Cheers.

 

Sampling another coffee origin.



Terrapin's Single Origin Coffee Brown Ale - Ecuador.

Pours a translucent, deep burgundy-brown with two fingers of khaki head. Minor lacing. Aroma is biscuity and nutty malts with a hint of coffee. Coffee isn't very lively in this origin. Flavor profile is biscuit and nut malts throughout. A hint of coffee shows up, in the form of complex rich, and earthy notes. No bitterness. Mouth feel is medium-thick with a little graininess to it offering up some complexity. Overall, a flavorful coffee brown ale. The coffee is subdued, but what is there refrains from any bitterness, or charred notes.

Score: 4.25 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | BA Score: 4.02 | rDev: +3.6%

 

I just reviewed the GABF list of winners for 2016. I noted that Ocelot Sunnyside Dweller Pils won a Gold Medal.

FWIW I personally respect the judging conducted at the GABF; blind taste testing is indeed the best way to evaluate a beer. I personally really enjoyed drinking this beer so I can understand why this won the Gold Medal.

Cheers!

 

Greetings NBS aficionados from the sunny southern shore. It was a cold and windy morning run but it's warming up nicely now. Perfect conditions and mood to open up a beer!

I've been the beneficiary of a couple high quality surprise boxes lately and this beer I received from @jhavs last week definitely got my attention. My first Trillium! A pint can of Congress Street IPA dated 02/01/17 with an abv. of 7.2% poured in a 13oz. tulip for the grand occasion.

Pours a hazy straw color leaving a creamy two fingers of white foam. It slowly settles revealing thick lacing. A very beautiful iridescent pale yellow sight to behold! The smell is grapefruit, orange zest, passion fruit and guava. Taste is a succulent fruit basket of grapefruit, mango, passion fruit, guava and a little pineapple. There is a slight hint of floral taste in the finish. The feel is thin but creamy with a bitter and slightly acidic finish.



I can now say that I understand the love for this brewery and this beer is a work of art in every way beginning with the look. I'm a fan of the juicy IPA and this one delivers! I'll quit fawning and say that my score is 4.65 / rDev+3.6%. Yeah, I loved it! Thanks again Jon for your extreme generosity. I can't wait to get moving on the rest of them!

As a side note, there are many breweries around here that are trying to replicate the style. Of the handful that I've tried, some of Transient's attempts have probably come the closest according to my palate. It's great to finally be able to try more of the world class in the style for future comparisons.

I'm off to prep a corned beef for the grill later. My attempt last year fell a bit short of expectations, so I'm going to modify my approach. Have yourselves a great Sunday! Here's the official scorecard.....

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30654/100443/?ba=Prager62#review

 

Great pic! Definitely a very tasty brews. I've seen some reviews of the Transient brews. Sound good! Enjoy!

 

Mr. Coconuthead Porter. Never heard of this beer or the brewery. Wonderful malty and coconut taste

 

Hopefully one of these days I'll get to try some.

Cheers!

 

Thank you! I tried my best to capture the beauty of that liquid, but it's impossible to duplicate the perfection.

 

Happy NBS! As is a newer tradition the WI brewers guild along with over 70 beer makers in the state make a beer together and call it Common Thread for beer week in Madison, WI. I'm not sure if this occurs in another state and I think it is pretty cool. This year it will be a Baltic Porter, and for the first time it will hit distro. It is being brewed at Ale Asylum and I am definitely looking forward to it.



My new beer today is from @larryi86 and was sent to me in the NBS BIF #4. Rise Up Stout from Evolution Brewery pours a pitch black color with a 2 finger brown colored head. Decent retention and lacing. Full embodiment of a stout. The most overwhelming aroma that hits right off the bat is chocolate and sweet malts. Dark coffee with sugar and molasses are notable as well. Although not as present in the aromas, the bitterness of the dark fruits comes out in the flavors. Mocha coffee, malts and sugar are present as well with a sweet, mild chocolate aftertaste. Full bodied beer, well carbonated and smooth. Creamy texture with an ever so slight booziness to it. Very enjoyable.

 

Good morning/afternoon all. First up today is this Stone Give me IPA or Give me Death. I was hesitant to get a blackberry IPA because it was near or over $10 everywhere I saw it until I happened upon it at the Shoppette on Langley AFB, where it was being offered at a highly reasonable $6. So yay!



Tall and eager foamy beige head relaxes to reveal strong, sticky lacing on top this reddish purplish maroony clear beer.

Smell is that strong dankish garlic thing followed by maybe something more vegetal than berry-ish.

Taste is a little confusing to start. It's tart, but only for a millisecond, ditto for berry sweet, then it settles into the bitter garlic gone tropical hop profile. A few more sips in and I start to appreciate the berries a bit more, as they become more pronounced with each swig, but never overwhelmingly so. Ends up complimenting the rest of the beer pretty well, just took some time getting there.

Body seems fairly thick for an IPA, kind of a syrupy quality, but not like in crazy amounts. Little dry on finish, not too overwhelming though. On the higher side of ABV at like 8%, but it's very well hidden.

Overall, not too bad at all.

 

2 new beers this Sunday The first is from a brewery that many consider to be the grandfather of craft beer. The second from one that is 10 months old. From Anchor Brewing Liberty IPA. The brewery says 'Liberty IPA is our re-imaging of craft brew classic Liberty Ale" It's a good modern IPA by any standard very hoppy with aromas of Pine and citrus. There is not really anything about it that would make it stand out the sea of IPAs for sale today. It's worth trying but Liberty Ale is a much better brew.
Beer #2 is from the soon to be a year old Twin Elephant Brewing and is call A Hazy Shade of Citra. This beer won best is show at the Motown Mash Homebrew Competion in NJ last fall Twin Elephant which only has a 2 barrel brewing system worked with the 2 home brewers to ramp it up and brew 2 barrels. as you could have guessed this beer is a hop bomb. There is not much malt at all but there is a nice softness in the mouthfeel since some oats are used in the mash. Hop bombs aren't my thing but i did enjoy pint of it. A lot of drinkers were raving about it and buying growlers. I doubt those 2 barrels made it until closing time.

 

Hey NBSers,
Been a while since I shared a beer with you on this thread but felt it was about time. I got my hands on the infamous Rodenbach vintage flanders red, this being a 2014 vintage. It was also one of the most interesting renditions I've had. Anyways I'll let my review do the talking! Cheers!

4.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance - Poured from a 9.4 oz bottle into a tulip. This one pours very similar to last years, it is a beautiful auburn in color and light does get through it. It also had 2 fingers of bubbly head with a red tint. carbonation seems really lively. This looks delicious.

Aroma - Up front I'm getting a sour apple and balsamic vinegar mixing together harmoniously to create a really appealing inviting sour aroma along with a slight brett funk, behind which I'm getting brown sugar, caramel, vanilla some plum, sour cherries and a bit of grape, and all this is held down with a soft oak aroma. This is definitely a really nice rendition of the style at least as far as the nose is concerned.

Taste - The Cherry hits you as soon as it touches your tongue as well as the balsamic vinegar flavor. They are the 2 most prolific tastes I'm getting. A very slight bitterness from the oak seems to separate the sours and sweets at which point your enamored by the sugary sweet goodness of caramel, fresh sugar cane, rich and rich vanilla. wow.

Feel - This beer is very easy going with velvet carbonation sliding along the tongue. It's rather light but the texture still feels on the fuller side to me. This is a heck of a beer.

Overall - This beer is getting a 4.25 across the board from me. I love the occasional Flanders Red although my acid reflux may punish me later. This was a great rendition of the beer. Last year's had a more fruity sweetness to this years sugary and I'm a little torn on which I like better. If there is one thing Rodenbach do right its their vintage series. actually what am I saying they do everything right! cheers!