New Beer Sunday (Week 672)

Alright, now for my second NBS entry, the newest that I've seen in an ever-expanding lineup of Dragon's Milk varieties... this one is Mocha Mint Dragon's Milk Reserve.



The back label claims that this version is "a festive blend of chocolate & peppermint flavors, with just a hint of coffee." I haven't had very many mint-flavored stouts, but I do recall loving one Stone did a few years back. I think it was a collaborative effort and came in a 12 oz bottle. I know Southern Tier recently released a big stout called Thick Mint (great name), but haven't gotten around to trying that yet. I have decently-high expectations for this as I have quite enjoyed the other DM varieties I've tried (as well as being of the mind that the base beer is probably one of the best bang-for-your-buck, widely-available BBA stouts on the market).

This bottle is dated 9/26/17, making it a few months old at this point. Like the other DMs, this clocks in at 11% ABV.

Pours an inky black color with some slightly-lighter brown tones around the rim, which is comprised of a small yet tenacious head of khaki foam. Lacing is splotchy and inconsistent, but not bad overall. I recall the S'mores version of this looking a lot better, for whatever reason. Had a very intense head and covered surface with better lace show. Oh well.

The nose is forward on dark chocolate, cocoa husks and tannins, with some bitter coffee notes lingering in the back. The mint is surprisingly understated here, to be honest. There's just an ever-so-slight element of it blending in with the chocolate; kind of menthol-like to my senses. Kind of disappointed in how much that aspect lingers in the background, to be honest.

On the tongue, this is pretty similar with a rather decadent flavor profile of dark chocolate, roasty coffee and charred grains with some light, stiff tannic notes. The mint only really grabs my palate right toward the end of each sip, and it does so very very subtly. This is definitely not in the same realm as that Stone beer I previously mentioned... that had a pretty intense blast of cool mint from my recollection. Mocha Mint DM doesn't taste like a peppermint mocha coffee at all, that much is for sure. This is actually growing on me quite a bit, though; how moderated the mint inclusion is here feels kind of appropriate, because at the end of the day, it's more of a supporting character than a show-stealer. Might be for the best with the barrel-aging involved; I'm sure there's a very delicate balance of things going on behind the scenes here, honestly. Finishes a bit chalky and bitter with some more coffee bean huskiness and slightly sweet vanilla from the barrel.

The feel here is full-bodied and definitely well-put-together. It has a little oiliness through the mid-palate, but the finish feels satisfying and succinct. Low-medium carbonation here... kinda just enough to move flavors around on the tongue without being forceful or overt about it. I will enjoy my other three bottles of this very much, I think. I always enjoy seeing these variants pop up in random stores, because they always feel worth the $20 for four bottles that I pay. This is no different, but it might require some patience and consideration... moreso than, say, the Vanilla Chai or S'mores DMs do, I think... it's rewarding, though, for sure!

Cheers NBSers! Think I have one more beer in me for the night (namely this one, which is quite excellent!) as I put away laundry and mentally prepare myself for a long week of work. Thanks for brightening the grey and dreary New England winter just a little bit!

 

Hello from South Bend (actually Mishawaka), NBS friends. We’re nearly a week into our temporary housing apartment (I will refrain from posting Mrs O’s thoughts on the apartment to not damage any sensitive ears), but we’re hopefully closing in on a home, so you won’t need to see this coffee table too much longer.

I have a couple of beers tonight, the first is an IPA from a brewery that crossed over to the dark side a few years ago, but I’ve wanted to try this for awhile, so please grant me clemency.



4.02/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour is a gorgeous golden copper color with a tan head, and ample amounts of hop haze. The first thing I notice on the nose is a sledgehammer wallop of tropical fruit - maybe pineapple and passion fruit? There’s also a significant malt presence.

The taste has a dank component (thank you, Mosaic hops), with a dollop of passion fruit - but there’s also resiny pine notes which I didn’t get on the nose, and a bitter hop bite in general, lus some nice caramalt notes.

This is an old-school IPA which is worthy of your time, IMHO.

 

3.94/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Body of the beer is a cloudy orange with a yellow tint. A finger's worth of head at first pour. Head quickly fades away and leaves behind slight lacing.

S: Big grapefruit aromas up front on this one. However, the smell of alcohol is present too. Beer's aromas remind me of a mixture of grapefruits and tangerines. The smell of alcohol takes away from the overall score here.

T: The tastes are very similar to the smells, good and bad. This one has the tropical flavors dialed in but also the alcohol. The grapefruit is pleasing but the burn not so much.

M: The double digit ABV is obvious here. Fairly soft feel until swallowed then the burn kicks in. Dialed back some this would be really good.

O: This beer has a lot good going on but is too big in my opinion. Dialed back somewhat and this is a very good beer. As it is it is somewhat lacking

 

New Beer Sunday: A NEIPA

Evenin’ NBSers with a special alert for those in the DC area looking for a good example of a NEIPA that also has some bitterness as well as lots of fruit flavors. Also special thanks to @lordofthewiens for his thought provoking start this morning.

Well the weather here today has been clear and sunny but started out brutally and unseasonably cold, much as it has been since Thursday. Fortunately the winds have finally died down and we’re entering a warming trend. Because of the cold, the wind and the blowing snow there are still a few inches of snow on the ground from the almost blizzard we had here on Thursday. The storm that just brushed by us was a Winter Storm that ran up the entire east coast and left us relatively unscathed compared to what happened in places such as Boston and the New England area where they got lots of snow. (Which I bet is part of what triggered @lordofthewiens thoughts about becoming a snowbird.)

This evening’s new beer is from Aslin brewing down in the DC area and is called Orange Starfish. This was a gift from someone who was visiting from Virginia over the holidays and something I was curious to try since it is a new beer from a new brewery and is also a new sub-style for me.

As usual my review, subject to revision until the beer is finished, can be found here:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42560/211764/?ba=drtth#review


The aroma and flavor profiles are definitely in sync with each other in that they are filled with things like orange zest, pine and tropical fruits. Mostly the almost hidden sweetness from the malt seems intended to take the rough edges of some noticeable bitterness from the hops so the focus is on the hop flavors with some bitterness. Based on some of the things I’ve read about the NEIPA sub-style I’d say this one fits into that category as a nice example but still has some bitterness for those of us who don’t want to abandon that part of the flavor profile of a beer. Pleased to have tried it and have added this brewery to my places to try and visit next time I get to the DC area.

So with the Holidays over, I’m back to listening to recordings of American Musicals. This evening’s original cast recording is of “Do I hear a Waltz?” The original cast included Elizabeth Allen. This is one of the Musicals I don’t remember ever hearing before.

Do I Hear a Waltz?

Cheers, all!

 

Rogue Hazelutely Choctabulous, 5.7% ABV, 51 IBU. Pours black with a one finger tan head. Aroma is chocolate and nuts, improving as it warms. Taste is slightly nuts, some bitter chocolate, and dry with a moderate bitter close. Over-carbonated, so mouthfeel is just OK. Overall very good to excellent.

 

Here's a little beer from Lidl. Perlenbacher Pils. You know. I like this beer. It's sweet up front, but spicy. Cheap. industrial, and good. A very easy drinking beer that finds a place in our fridge.

 

Happy New Shipyard Beer Sunday (Week 672), continued!

@cjgiant The age difference on the Island Time(s) was negligible - the bottle was ~ two weeks older.

Next, I decided to feed my Ginger Head with some Bread:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/139/143906/?ba=woodychandler#review


Wow! This had both aged nicely & it was a perfect beer on this frigid winter's day! I could see cooking with this one @utopiajane by using it as the liquid with an inexpensive cut of beef in a crock pot. I make an (at least) annual crock pot roast at Christmas & I am always trying different beers as the liquid as well as tweaking the vegetables. I always use onions, carrots & celery. I added collard greens to the batch a couple of weeks ago & they were great! I also saw a video where they smeared theirs with horseradish before cooking! That seems adventurous. I think that I want to try fresh mushrooms next.

Speaking of next, this one was it:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/139/191226/?ba=woodychandler#review


A bit of an oddball, IMHO, so I kept on keepin' on, following it up with:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/139/181938/?ba=woodychandler#review

which was another oddball! Jeez-O, man, I need an AIPA!
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/139/149716/?ba=woodychandler#review


I was starting to feel better, so I am going to quit while I am ahead. I still have a couple left to go & if I rejuvenate, I'll be back. Otherwise, see yinz next week!​

 

A local brewery, river horse tripel horse belgian ale. A very orange peachy color, medium carbonation and a fairly heavy feel. Aroma is very full,banana,clove,fruit,yeast and sugar. Taste is very similar, a bit of a tropical taste with all of the fruit elements. Slightly sweet but far from sickly sugary. A pretty decent attempt at a Belgian ale and is definitely worth trying. It is 10% abv and very well hidden so that is something to watch for

 

#2, this was a treat to drink. I do love living in the Midwest again and having easy access to beers of this caliber.



4.32/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Pour is pure black, no light leakage anywhere, and a rich tan head. The first thing I notice on the nose is the whiskey barrel, but the tart cherry aromas follow quickly, and there are also chocolate and cocoa notes.

The taste flips the nose, with the tart cherry flavors up front - and they’re fantastic - followed by the barrel, and then the chocolate flavors, and at the WAAAAAAAY back of the taste (if your family had a station wagon when you were growing up, you know what I mean by the WAAAAAAAY back), you get a boozy hot note.

The feel, though, is a more than a little thin, which was my issue with the base beer. If this had more body, it would be world-class, IMHO.

It is still more than worthy, again IMHO.

 

Very much enjoyed seeing your take on this beer, especially if it's your introduction to the substyle. Aslin more or less was for me, too, and Orange Starfish was probably one of the early beers I had from them (though apparently I didn't review it). I know I like Double Orange Starfish. I also think most Aslin lower ABV IPAs have that level of bitterness you mention, whereas their DIPAs start to get a little sweet/maltiness (and some heat when young) in there.

If you do make it to DC area, two things:

• Aslin is out in Herndon - about 15 miles and probably 20-25 minutes with no traffic from the border (and 45+ with traffic). They're trying to open a tasting room in the near future, after their original room got shut down. They plan on having that open daily.
  
• Let me know if you are in the area, I'll buy a round or two - Aslin or elsewhere

 

Back with another one. So happy to have seen this in the store yesterday.

Lagunitas Willitized Coffee Stout

I may prefer the High West version a touch more, but this one is right up my alley!



Poured from 12 oz bottle

A: Dark black with two finger light tan head with decent retention and lacing.

S: Spicy rye, bakers chocolate, fresh roasted coffee, and vanilla. Oak from the barrel hanging around in the back.

T: Punch of rye whiskey with rich chocolate and coffee. Alcohol is readily apparent but contributes to the flavor profile.

M: Medium body with average carbonation. Maybe a touch thin for the style but a welcome change to the syrupy sweet stouts. Finish is very dry.

O: Excellent beer at a solid price point. I wish more breweries were doing BA stouts at $10 a six pack

 

Hello New Beer Sunday!!!

It is amazing how awesome 31 F feels after it's been way below zero for so long. Driving home from work with the window open was amazing and refreshing.

So now that I'm pumped up like crazy, here's my first new beer.

Third Street Brewing Free Speech Red Ale.

Surprised I've never had it before, to be honest. Also, to be honest, it isn't much to write home about. It isn't bad, but it's really lacking in flavor, and a bit watery. Nothing I'd try to get again.

3.49/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a murky amber color. The head is minimal, off white, and not too long lasting. Some lacing on the glass.
The nose is slightly sweet. Some malt in the nose.
Taste - Somewhat bland. Some sweetness. Some malt.
Quite watery feeling.
Not much to say about this beer, to be honest. Nothing really wrong with it, but really lacking in the flavor department.

369 characters

I'll be back in a bit for my next beer. I've decided to start cleaning out my fridge, and NBS is the perfect opportunity to do so.

 

Now up Suarez Family Triangular Nature, thanks you @smanson56! This is the first time having anything from Suarez Family and I will say that this saison is on the same level as any saison I’ve had from Hill Farmstead and Tired Hands, IMHO.

4.59/5 rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thank you smanson56 for this
750 ml bottle, dated 6/17, poured into an Ourison glass

A- A hazy golden straw color with three finger white head.

S- Wheat, light fruits, pears, green apples, funky, touch of oak, hints of white wine and mild tartness.

T- Tart, lemons, pears, wheat, peppercorns, a little bit floral, some earthy spice, hint of oak, nice mild funk in the finish.

M- Smooth, crisp, light and dry.

O- Light, bright and extremely drinkable. A very well made saison and lot of flavor for under 5% ABV.

 

Frozen lake and warm music. These are very cool people....

 

This was not my intended new beer but my daughter whose gift it was, was willing to share some. My first one from Prairie so it make it a New Brewery Sunday as well.

L - 4 - Red-orange with a pink head makes for a striking entrance. Head was tight but fleeting. Carbonation was able to keep a ring that produced lacing that would slide down.
S - 3.5 - Tart cherry was the primary aroma but with a rich, almost milk chocolate undertone.
T - 3.5 - Sour from start to finish.
F - 4 - The carbonation creates a substantial body that should conflict with the sourness but works really well.
O - 3.63 - A good beer. Not overbearing with some interesting qualities.

 

G' evening NBS-ers! From one end of the spectrum to the other for me today.
This one coming from Off Color Brewing



Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Belgian style snifter. Enjoy by 02 Oct 17

Appearance: Dull golden yellow body with a minimal amount of head.

Aroma: Tart sourness on the nose with some apple and lemon.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Apples, strawberry tart lemon and salinity on this one, super light body, crisp and refreshing.

Overall: Fabulous beer from Off Color. Just a real subtle beer with decent flavor, this one has more salt than most gose style beers and is really well done with the other flavors that come out.

Cheers!

 

With "retirement looming" we have a trailer. In retirement I expect we will spend several weeks in the southwest during the winter months. So in 2 or 3 years I could be coming to you from someplace in Arizona or Nevada this time of year.

Today we have Hop Lube from Iron Horse Brewing in Ellensburg.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11212/283404/

A nice hoppy ale with a very smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Very unusual.

Seasonal here in the Columbia Basin, temps in the low 30's. But so far this winter snow fall has been moderate. And every day in January that passes without snow is a blessing.

Until next time,

Happy Trails!

 

New Barf Sunday #2 on the day. A gift from my brother in law. Certainly is ugly, even for the style.

Claim 52
Jolly AF- Holiday Milkshake IPA



Jolly AF pours a muddled and actually quite ugly, light brown hued opaque yellow. The frothy white head is unimpressive until you realize it doesn't want to go anywhere. It stays forever and coats the glass like a quick spray of paint from the can.

Tropical fruits, mostly mango and papaya, saturated with sugar come out strong with the first whiff. There is a dirty and unripened fruit smell that I can't pinpoint, but it's a little unpleasant to be perfectly honest.

Vanilla yogurt mixed with powdered sugar, melon, and grapefruit. That dirty funk comes into the flavor, but again I can't figure it out. Kind of a doughy.

It has a soft and creamy feel. The sweetness seems a bit overwhelming at first, and the low ibu's seem exaggerated, as it has a strong and earthy bitter finish.

Overall, this is not my thing. I'm good for one, and just barely. I have tried to like this style, and have even been successful on occasion, but this falls in the category of 'they all taste same', unfortunately.

After my official review, I gave Jolly AF a rating of 3.58 with an rDev of 0% (because mine was the first review, as most people who love this style seem to just go for the tic).

Cheers everyone, and I will see you all soon.

 

It's been a long day of getting stuff done around the house after church. Time to relax with an old beer in a glass from @jzeilinger. I'm not retired, but I've lived in Tucson and dealt with the lovely snow bird drivers in the winter. Although my wife and I do move downstairs in front of the fire to watch tv in the winter. The warmer months are spent watching TV in our bedroom upstairs.

Weyerbacher
20th Anniversary



Pours deep brown and hazy with lots of floaties at 2.5 years old. There a quick, fizzy head with no lacing.

The smell is lots of raisin, dark fruit, and some caramel sweetness with maybe a little smokiness.

The taste is very sweet like raisins in a bread pudding. There is a slight, subtle spice bite that I assume is the coriander. There is no hint of the 11% abv. While the sweetness seems to be the main flavor, the dark fruit still plays a nice part.

The mouthfeel is low carbonation and medium thickness. There is a lingering spice at the end.

Overall this is really enjoyable and easy to drink. The sweetness dominates but doesn't overwhelm.

 

I'm back again after quickly downing that Free Speech. I decided that my next beer would, hopefully be a good one. I picked up a 6 pack of it in Iowa before Christmas, and gave 2 away to soem friends. They both said it was outstanding.
Well, of course, I have to try it.


Jingle Java from Bent River Brewing.

So were my friends right? is this an outstanding beer?


YES!

Holy cow! Rich, creamy, so many flavors that work so well together. Such an amazing beer, and I wish I could find the time to drive back to Mason City to find some more!

This is so much more than a coffee beer.

4.35/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This beer pours quite dark, and is a thick pouring beer. The head was 1 finger, tan, but not long lasting.
The nose is quite rich with coffee. Some chocolate and vanilla notes also.
Taste - oh, wow! Creamy, rich. Some coffee, but there's so much more. Vanilla, chocolate, caramel. Wow, what a flavor profile.
Thick, full body. Creamy feel.
This beer is amazing! Damn! This is so much more than a coffee beer. highly recommended.

431 characters

I'll finish dinner, and this beer, and be back for another.