New Beer Sunday (Week 634)

New Transylvanian(-inspired) Dark Ale:

Southern Star's Negura Bunget Dark Ale

"Dark Ale" could mean 30 things -- in this case I'd say porter. Lots of roasted malt flavor (oak wood, toasted wood) with plenty of sweetness up front, not quite chocolate but still sweet, like dates. The aroma is sweeter, closer to chocolate, with a nice coffee smell added and some of that oak wood in the background. The mouthfeel is good, too, with a lightweight brew filling out thanks to the carbonation. Very much a "moreish" porter ... three or four of these would make for a perfect little session and let the earthy aftertaste build to balance the sweeter notes.

No official review yet, but I'd call it a 3.75 look, 4 aroma, 4 taste, 4.25 mouthfeel and 4 overall ... arguably simple but quite yummy.

Cheers!

 

Ducky didn't trust the density of the head & preferred his perch on the bottle. In all seriousness, I don't want to get him sticky & covered in beer. He's high maintenance enough without having to give him a thorough cleaning.

 

New Beer Style Sunday for me today. Picked this one up when I saw it on Black Friday just because of what I had read on BA. At that point I had just began my journey into craft beer, 4 1/2 months later my wife has dubbed me a beer snob so thanks to all you wonderful BAers for the edumacation. I was going to try this one for beer #100 (Definitely still a noob here) but for some reason let a couple others slip in the way.
My first Barleywine so apologies in advance if I do it an injustice. My virgin pallette has problems distinguishing this style from many of the BA stouts I've tried. Maybe a little sweeter and not quite as dark but I still can't quite see what divides the two (open to suggestions and I'll be reading more about what goes into and is expected of a barleywine).
Pours a really dark brown reddish color with a finger of tan head. Initial aromas of barrel, bourbon, dark fruit, some toffee like sweetness.
Taste is definitely bourbon up front followed with the plum figgy sweetness.
I took my time on this one (a little over an hour with a few sips to go), as it warmed it seemed sweeter, a little syrupy, maybe some cherry there too.
Regardless of my inability to distinguish the style this was quite tasty! I'd like to do a regular BCBS directly behind this one but it's been a busy day and my first beer was unfortunately my last. Until next week, Cheers!

 

Good evening, my friends.

Today was a busy Easter Sunday with the family. Eggs were hunted. Candy was eaten. My little one had a blast.

I hope y'all had a great day full of great brews. Judging by this thread I'd say you did, and I look forward to reading through your reviews.

As for my new beer today, I saved a DIPA which I have been looking forward to ever since receiving it from the generous @vabeerguy

So now I give you: Cat Boy DIPA - The Veil



4.37/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

16 oz can, no date, poured into a teku glass.

Pours a murky yellow-orange color, reminiscent of apple cider. A nice foamy, white, one and a half finger head develops, eventually receding into a thick ring around the glass and cap of foam. Some sticky lacing coats the glass.

This is one of those beers that is so aromatic that you catch powerful scents upon opening and while pouring, long before you bring your nose to the glass. The aroma offers big juicy notes of tropical mango, tangerine, and pineapple, balanced by some piney and floral smells.

Similar to the aroma, the flavor involves a balance between the tropical juice flavors mentioned above and pine character. There is low bitterness and the alcohol is not noticeable.

The feel is full bodied and smooth, but more crisp than other examples I've had of the style.

Overall, this is a very good juicy IPA. More and more I begin to understand the excitement that is generated around the style.


It's worth mentioning that this was not the first new beer for me today. I picked up a 4-pack of Oskar Blues Hotbox Coffee IPA, one of which I enjoyed over board games with the family. I didn't take notes or write a formal review but it was enjoyable as I like coffee beers and am always excited to find coffee in styles other than porters/stouts.

I may return shortly with another new brew.


For now I plan to enjoy a beer on the porch and listen to the rain.

Cheers!

 

Wow. One of my all time favorites. Very nice give, @cavedave .

 

Well Hello Late Night NBS.
Thanks to @lordofthewiens for a thoughtful start today.
The weather here has been gorgeous. Sunny, fluffy cumulus clouds, cool breezes that temper the sun's heat. I love it. Spring is here!!! Much Easter do's and did's for the last 2 days. I really don't have time to write much up.
2 highlights for this weekend, besides all the little ones we had here searching for eggs.

1) I fired up our beautiful chimnea for the first time. It turned our patio into a welcoming haven for roasting s'mores. For some of the little ones, it was their first time. That was awesome.
2) Popped Behemoth from 3Floyds, courtesy of our very Jim @Prager62
I found this to be one of the best American style barleywines I've had. The malt backbone was seductive with caramel and honey notes followed by fig and dates. And the hops came through so smooth at first, but then really came into their own, bringing citrus, pine and some resin. Creamy mouthfeel. Loved this. Thanks Jim.