New Beer Sunday (Week 684)

Ronde van Vlaanderen continues and is within the final 80 km. The gap between the leaders and peloton was just under 60 seconds at the start of this review, but has since been whittled down to 11 seconds - striking distance for a hungry, but settled peloton. The peloton has started to splinter under pressure, shedding dozens of hopeful outsiders. Still a little under two hours of racing, but this is where it gets very interesting.



Brouwerij Van Steenberge's Gulden Draak.

Pours a dark plum-brown with a finger of khaki foam on top. Head retention is good, but leaves only a thin veil of foam over the top with dense lacing left behind. Aroma is plum, caramel, toffee, raisins, clove, and yeast spice. It smells like a kitchen full of holiday baking goods with a vat of warming dark Belgian beer in the corner. Flavor profile is plum, caramel, molasses, raisins, clove, and yeast spice - again. Lovely sugary flavor profile that doesn't come off as overly sweet. Mouth feel is a touch fizzy and harsh, but carries an otherwise velvety feel within a medium-thick thickness. Overall, great beer overall with sugary sweet characteristics poking out without being overwhelming or unbalanced. It hides its 10% ABV while still coming off strong and hearty.

Score: 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4 | 4.25 | BA Score: 4.23 | rDev: -0.2%

Fun fact: I hate gambling, but on my one trip to Las Vegas I tried to put money on my favorites for the Tour. Turns out they don't do that. I wonder if they take bets on the Spring Classics...? Either way, it meant more money for beer during my trip (my favorite crashed out that year).

Allez!

 

Michigan by 42.

 

Very nice. I'll agree with you on HF it's my favorite brewery as well just ahead of it's kinda neighbor in Waterbury. Every beer I've had from them has been first rate and I've been fortunate enough to make multiple trips to Vt. Funny they're on a gravel road a few miles off a paved road and truly in the middle of nowhere and there's a gaggle of people standing in line for beer. That's a testament right there.

I also have a new beer to add back later this afternoon.

 

Definitely be taking ‘Nova, then. Though I might want to tease them up to 46 to be safe

Actually, Michigan was part of that $75 (actually basketball I was plus $100). If I ever get to visit my friend (who happened to be in Vegas this weekend), I can collect.

 

New IIPA Sunday (Week 684)
Greetings fellow NBSers from on the ridge in Mid Hud Val, NY. All I need to say about the weather here that matters in any way can be summed up by this. The last two patches of snow anywhere to be seen are on the shady side of the orchard to the east of my property, and they won't last the day. Yaayyy. Raising this glass to goodbye snow.

And it is a glass filled with a delicious nectar, and that word well chosen, given the look of this beer that the generous and estimable @richj1970 sent in NBS BIF 7. Thank you, sir. Bearded Iris has become well known as one of the best brewers of the late addition/hazy styles of IPA, and this one, as pic shows, has the "look", and as another sip makes it past my grateful palate, I can tell you it has the taste as well. Just a delicious NEIPA , that has mango, peach, orange, tangerine, and light herbal bitter notes in a clean full flavored and full aroma'ed presentation. Full story is here https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/39925/334667/?ba=cavedave#review


Hope you also have a Great American Beer in your glass. Cheers!

 

That's awesome. I lost out on the opportunity to pick both championship teams right for the first time in my life. (I had Michigan v Kansas) I was in the top 2% of the 17.5 million ESPN brackets. Had I finished there (and I still might...) I could bring my bracket, along with $16 plus tax, to my favorite beer store to collect any Founders 15-pack I want!

But in seriousness, the line is 'nova -6.5.

 

P-Pours a nice very dark copper amber color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has generous malty hints
T-Taste follows the nose with an abundant malty flavor
M-A medium bodied well carbonated beer
O-A well done Barleywine with a strong kick

 

Sorry to hear that, I hope feel better soon!

 

Jack, Too funny. Hill Farmstead is also my favorite brewery and Edward was my first “whoa” moment when I first enjoyed at opening weekend of Pro Pig several years ago. Yesterday, I grabbed a growler of Society & Solitude #4 and I plan on having tonight once I get back home to Cuse. With almost a decade of participating and rating on BA, S&S4 is one of only three 5/5’s I have handed out. Excited to see how this goes again. So cheers to our favorite brewery!

 

Nice job! That's a great and overlooked beer- it packs a lot of flavor punch without any of the negatives that you'd often get in the style (cloying, syrupy). Enjoy the day!

 

Nice start @lordofthewiens for this weeks NBS, and Happy Anniversary! Happy Easter!
Should be back later on today with a new brew.

Cheers!

 

Received this one from @SammyJaxxxx in NBS BIF round#5 (We're Gonna Need A Bigger Porch). It's a really tasty beer! Kane brews some delicious beers.

 

Selections are starting to be made in the race, with the favorite and their few remaining domestiques grinding in towards the finish in the Rhone van Vlaanderen. A little under 30km until the finish. Unfortunately, one of my favorites is attacking in favor of a doper. Originally, I thought I'd be reviewing a Belgian beer during this finale, but instead I'm turning to a crowler that landed via @Dragginballs76 as a ninja box in BIF.



Heist brewery's Uber Quench'l.

Pours a murky orange with a finger of white head out of a 5 day old crowler can. Head retention is good with good lacing left behind. Aroma is plush with orange, clementine, mango, and papaya. It smells sweet and welcoming. Flavor profile is mango, orange, papaya, and melon, again with a sweet, sugary flavor profile. It's smooth and well anchored. Mouth feel is a touch fizzy, but is otherwise velvety with a touch of effervescent. Overall, a great IPA. Aroma and flavor profile are both spot on with NE IPAs. Lovely and splendid smoothness.

Score: 4.25 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.25 | 4.5 | BA Score: 4.46 | rDev: -3.5%

Race notes: Quick Step on the attack! Seven riders per team and they someone how have four favorites making up their squad. One is out front at the time of this posting with serious accolades! Attack! Race selection may have very well been made.

Cheers to a good dude!

 

Great beer, IMHO, but with their "8" and "10", I can see how "6" lacks attention.

 

A-A very clear golden golden color with a nice head and lacing
A-Aroma has hop and citrus hints
T-Taste follows the nose with hop and citrus flavors
M-A light bodied well carbonated beer
O-A decent Blonde Ale

 

Thank you @Dragginballs76 for probably my favorite sour I've ever tried.

4.41/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours dark brown with purple hints. Short, foamy, tan head lasts a while with a lasting ring.

Smells tart cherries, wine, oaky, dark fruit, light vanilla and bourbon.

Tastes tart cherries, dark fruit and oaky. Followed by light bourbon, vanilla hints and just a hint of vinegar. Finish is dry with a tart cherry linger. Medium body and fizzy medium carbonation.