New Beer Sunday (Week 679)

What’s up BA? We made a quick trip up to Nashville yesterday and grabbed some great new beers including some from Bearded Iris. Trying to figure out how to get some local breweries to make anything similar to those guys.

Music wise, I’ve always categorized songs/artists into a few buckets - things I don’t care for, things I will listen to, and then things that are a part of my soul. That last category includes many songs that I love to enjoy while drinking a great beer, and those that I am willing to drive/fly to see live.

Today’s new beer is Bearded Iris’s DDH Citra Double Scatterbrain.

The base beer was a little below their normal standards, but I’m enjoying this one immensely. Outstanding aroma and very nice texture. Very glad to have grabbed a few four packs.



Poured from 16 oz can dated 2/12/2018

A: Cloudy Golden yellow with 1-2 finger dense white head with lasting retention and nice chunky lacing.

S: Wonderful aroma of fresh citrus as soon as I popped the top. Oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, and mango. Resinous hops.

T: Flavors following suit with nice juicy citrus lead by oranges and tangerine but with grapefruit and mango playing a role.

M: Medium body with average carbonation and a soft creamy texture. Very easy drinking with the alcohol well hidden. Finish is lightly bitter.

O: Outstanding DIPA. Bearded Iris continues to impress.

 

Yes, I have had HLT beer a couple of times on draft. I think HLT is a good beer but it does not 'measure up' to the criteria that I posted about what constitutes a so called 'NE' style IPA. In particular I did not find the mouthfeel to be soft.

If you have yet to try HLT you might want to give it a try. I would just suggest that you do not view this beer as being a so called 'NE' style IPA (just my opinion here).

Cheers!

 

I wonder if they can continue to expand their distro while maintaining quality and freshness? I assume the next step is DC. But will they still be able to provide a fresh, high-quality supply to everywhere else?

I’d like to think so. I will continue to buy at current pricing as long as quality/freshness is maintained.

 

For me what made me want it was the way he said it tastes like sage the way oranges taste like oranges. To me sage is fragrant. it smells like a magic carpet. it has just enough "frog like" green in the scent to make it appeal to me.While not piney smelling it has a crisp dryness to the scent. Raw, it's bitter and fried it's heaven! I do candied herbs and among them sage. In the saison it sounds wonderful! @zid

 

Chocolat from Southern Tier. I have not been the biggest fan of their beer in the past so I only picked up a single, I will get more. Pours pitch black with an extremely tin tan ring of head and virtually no lacing. Smells like chocolate milk with roasted malts. Taste lives up to the name as it is a chocolate bomb with both milk and dark chocolate present as well as a touch of bakers chocolate, molasses and roasted malts. Medium bodied, very lightly carbonated, smooth and creamy mouth feel with a slightly dry and bitter chocolate finish.

 

I drank it without even taking a break! Thank youse guys. 4.26! An incredible pilsner!

 

I have stopped going to my local WF (Devon) for those same reasons. For a period of time the beers were competitively (economically) priced but over the past couple years their beer prices have increased. I recall the last time I was there beer shopping (two years ago I think) I thought to myself: the beer prices are like the prices in the food area - too damn high!

Cheers!

P.S. I have a friend Harry who refers to the store as being named Whole Paycheck.

 

I've had HLT and enjoyed it. Looking forward to drinking the SANEIPA and am sure it will be good.

 

De Glazen Toren Jan de Lichte

De Glazen Toren is referring to their local history here. In the 1700s, Jan De Lichte was the leader of a gang of thieves in Aalst, Zottegem. What is it with these Belgians and this naming practice? It most specifically reminds me of Blaugies La Moneuse - another 1700s local bandit leader.

This is a "dubbel witbier." No - that doesn't mean a dubbel/witbier hybrid, it means a double (high ABV) witbier. On first impression, this might be my favorite beer from this brewery, but I don't normally drink witbiers. This beer is made with barley, wheat, hops, yeast, sugar, coriander, and orange peel. ABV is 7%.

This felt like a good transition from the visually similar pale, cloudy Crooked Stave beers.

Color is a dull, cloudy light amber. It becomes more clear at lower volumes (which is ordinary, but in this case, a higher 'low" volume than expected). Carbonation creates a nice head that doesn't linger, but also isn't overly prickly in the mouth.

Tastes like a textbook witbier, but I also don't get any unwanted heat from the higher alcohol. The full package is very satisfying. I'd be curious to try this alongside a wit with standard alcohol levels to get a much better sense of the differences involved. Without that, I still get a sense that this is a bigger beer, but importantly, everything here feels very integrated.

This is a delicious beer that doesn't feel worse off for going outside the box a little.

Cheers.

 

New beer #4. Eek.

Wood-Aged Bitches Brew
Imperial Honey Stout - 9% abv
Score: 3.64 (-10.6% rDev)



L - 2-finger mocha head with mega-huge bubbles. Deep dark brown/black body.

S - sweetness (honey?), caramel, chocolate, oak, something floral. Smells very sweet.

T - wood is in your face. Very prominent in the taste, as advertised. Some chocolate. Slightly sour cherries. Not sure if this intentional or an infection issue.

F - medium body. Lighter than expected.

O - Weird. I feel like this might be in the early stages of infection. I quite enjoy the base beer, but this tastes nothing like it. The wood taste is pleasing, though.

 

Choklat always has been my favorite Blackwater from ST. Nice review, haven't had it in a while but your review brought it back nicely.

 

Good afternoon NBS and Happy (almost) 13, I sure hope you don't turn into a cranky, moody teenager! To the group who keeps this going a Toast for the work involved. Thanks to @cjgiant for today's start, And your work yesterday.
As for the kick question, we are a household where music is always on, in any variety. From Gregorian Chant to ZZ Top with some Beastie Boys and Mr Lif tucked in there for good measure. All those styles can move a mood, and each goes well with a beer!
Today's offering is from our good friends at Brick And Feather, just a few minute drive from the house this is a talented brewer with a deft hand, including this fine Zwickelbier.

Cheers all
Nature Loves To Hide

Brick & Feather Brewery
Kellerbier / Zwickelbier / 5.00% ABV

4.13/5 rDev 0% | Score: 4.13
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a growler filled the day before, into the pilsner glass
A - Red cedar colored backdrop, a slight haze as this is unfiltered lager, the carbonation is deliberate and in no hurry. A quick to dissipate cap of off white rides the glasses interior.
S - Lightly roasted malts, some Munich for certain, aromatics include lite brown sugar, earthy hops, a hint of clove.
T - Delightful malt base on display, just sweet enough, pumpernickel cracker, a bit of pepper (maybe Tettnang hops). An increase in temperature brings out a very mild nuttiness.
M - Not a hefty feel, but not lite either, the start is semi-sweet, quick transition with just the right right amount of bitterness to offset that start. The carbonation is spot on adding enough prickly feel to clean the palate. Linger is dry and quick.
O - So glad the brewer tied up a fermenter to lager this lovely offering, The feel, flavors and aromatics are all in line in this delightful offering. As a brewer known for his APA,IPA , offerings I think this is a great display of the craft.
Well done

 

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

Siracusa Nera a 10% ABV RIS brewed with Sarah Grape Must and aged in Port wine barrels from Dogfish Head. Dogfish Head brews a lot of gimmick beers and this is one of them and it's a pretty good beer. It looks like any other RIS black with a thick tan head. The aroma is not like most RISs. It's malty but has a strong red wine aroma. The taste is of dried fruit a hint of coffee and the red wine. the mouth feel is full and the finish is dry. I enjoyed this beer more than I expected to. A nice change of pace and at $4.49 for a 12 oz bottle not a bad buy.

 

I had the chance to stop by Draai Laag two weeks ago when in town for a concert that was ultimately cancelled. They say they distribute to 19 states but I'm not sure I've ever seen them in their neighbor to the west. I'm simultaneously disappointed but excited learning that as of next month the brewery as is will be no more... I'm excited for wherever their creativity leads next yet I hope they won't lose sight on their sours as I've really enjoyed all I had.



Overall this is a straightforward wild ale, nothing earthshattering and would be a good introduction to those who don't often sip acidic or funky beer. A bit above average at straight 4s from me.

500mL bottle poured into a Teku glass
A: Hazy light yellow with a 1.5 finger head
S: Citrus, floral, brett
T: Sour and funky but at the same time light and approachable. Similar nondescript citrus, floral and brett as the nose
M: Light-bodied, moderately sour
O: A bit simple but enjoyable; would be a good introduction to the wild ale style
Cheers!

 

Good Afternoon NBS
After a great day with some old favorites yesterday on WBAYDN, I'm ready for some new (Indiana) beers. Upland Brewing in Bloomington, IN is known for their sour program. This is their take on the illusive NEIPA...


The review:
16oz can bb May 2018 poured into a tulip pint glass at fridge temp 6.5% ABV. The beer pours hazy resembling unfiltered apple cider in color and turbidity. The head is off white, quickly settled and leaves a bit of lacing. The aroma slightly sweet and definitely fruit inspired. I get peach, pineapple, grapefruit and even apple at times. The taste is balanced with peach and grapefruit sweetness at first and a barely bitter ending note that's earthy. The mouthfeel is medium to thin bodied, adequately carbonated and mostly dry in the finish. Overall, very good.

This is the first barely bitter IPA I've ever really enjoyed. I don't trade or travel much so my exposure has been limited. Frankly, many of these beers that are available here are grossly overpriced and it's not uncommon to see them setting on shelves 4-6 months old. I knew this was fresh and priced appropriately (3.49/single), so I took a chance. Cheers and enjoy the new beer in your glass!

 

New beer #5. Finally getting around to opening one of these.

Sierra Nevada - Experimental Hop IPA
IPA - 6.7% abv
Canned 1/9/17 (46 days ago)
Score: 3.77 (+1.6% rDev)



L - 3-finger fluffy, lasting head atop a translucent dark yellow body.

S - grass, herb, some citrus, some candy sweetness.

T - grassy. Dank. Meaty. Very unusual hop profile, but I dig it. Moderate bitterness. Low sweetness. Noticeable but restrained booziness.

F - Medium body and carb.

O - An unusual ipa, but it works. Very dank. This is a hop worth using again.

 

Starting today off with a week old crowler, picked this up at Pizza Boy last week while in town for a tournament.

Pizza Boy Armor Shark



3.65/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Looks like a dingy, pale-ish ice tea with a less than enthused white head that ends up as a fizzy little sheet. Nose is primarily like a candy tangerine or something. Finishes off a touch hot, which predictably enough is exactly how it starts off tasting. So, fairly astringent and messy heat is the overwhelming taste up front but does allow some of that sweet fruit to creep in eventually. Finishes thin but angry (I mentioned the heat, ya?) with just not a ton of depth.

So, I've got 32 ounces of this to finish off, or.....

 

Woke up this morning to a warm refrigerator. Uh oh!. Ran out to get some ice, hoping to save the whatever's.That being said, I'd like to congratulate Team USA's women's Hockey team for beating our northern neighbors, our men's curling team (in a game I don't understand, but always watch) for beating our northern neighbors and the Swedes and finally the German men's hockey team for coming out of the blue and taking t:he Russians into OT for the gold.

And now, this!

Pours a very dark brown with a brown head. Good retention and lacing. Bourbon aroma dominates on the pour. Flavors of coffee, chocolate, ash and of course bourbon. Smooth and creamy texture, moderate carbonation. Clown Shoes usually do a nice job on bid stouts. No exception here.

Call it a 4.25!

 

Happy NBS! Sunny, cool, and quite windy for me in WI. Should help dry up all of the melted snow and rain that has puddled and froze on top the the ground over the past 2 weeks. It's been a rather messy cold and also mild February here.

I thought I would make it a Sunday funday rumday! I'm going to enjoy to WI breweries Rum Barrel Coconut Imperial Porter. Central Waters and Tyranena both have excellent barrel programs, although CWs dwarfs Tyranena's it still holds it's own in this area.



I went with CWs version first, since I have had Coco Poco in the past. Poured 12 oz bottle into snifter. It is a deep, dark brown with a 2 finger sand colored head. Nice retention and the cap slowly fades and leaves behind splotches of lacing on my glass. The first wiff almost turned my off from the beer as all I could pick up was rum. It is dominant, but there are faint chocolate, coconut and malt notes from the porter. The flavor is sweeter, with some coconut cake, malts and chocolate, and massive rum notes. There is an aftertaste from the rum barrel that detracts from the beer. Feel is medium and smooth with some alcohol burn. I think CW did okay and should improve on this in the future.