New Beer Sunday (Week 695)

A-Pours a nice light amber peachy color
A-Aroma has very nice peach and hop hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a nice peach and hop flavor
M-A medium bodied very well carbonated beer
O-A nice peachy DIPA

 

Good Morning (Still, just) New BSers in NA and good afternoon to my temporary UK and Euro neighbors. It's an overcast cool day thus far here in Scotland, not too far from the shores of Loch Lomond, although I did see the sun briefly a couple of hours ago. Here's our hotel:



The pub:



The beer:



And last but not least, the review:

£ 3.85/Imperial pint on hand pump at Ptarmigan Pub, Drymen, Scotland.
Appearance – 4.
Body – Initially hazy until it sits briefly, then golden yellow and clear.
Head – Creamy and off-white. Multiple fills until the volume was above the one-pint line. Almost looks too good to drink!
Lacing – None.
First pour – N/A.
Aroma – 3.5 – Fruity and weak but still very pleasing.
Flavor – 4.5 – Begins very soft and slightly sweet with tropical fruity overtones and malt. Rapidly shifts to slightly bitter. No alcohol, no diacetyl, no dimethylsulfide.
Palate – 4 – Light, watery, soft carbonation.
Impression and summation – 4.25 – This is billed at the pump as a “New World IPA”, no doubt because of the mosaic hops, although here on BA it’s an American Pale Ale. Whatever you call it, it’s a very pleasurable experience – light and fragrant with a fruity taste. It is certainly less bitter than any American IPA and less bitter than many APAs. At 5% ABV, it tastes more like a session IPA than anything else. Very good – I look forward several more before I leave.
Rating 4.13, rDev +5.6%.

 

Avery uncle Jacobs stout
..pours a solid black
..above average body, thick oily feel . Less than average carbonation which worked really well for this beer
..Aroma was bourbon, roasted malt,coffee, and dark chocolate
..Taste was an almost even blend of bourbon, roasted malt, black coffee, and dark cocoa
.. Overall this was excellent, all the flavors were very well matched with each one not dominating the other. This is one that's worth the hype

 

A-Pours a very nice deep amber color
A-Aroma has slight hop hints
T-The taste follows the nose with hop flavors
M-A medium bodied very well carbonated beer
O-A nice well done beer

 

Mikkeller NYC w/ David Lynch - Log Lady Lager

This is my first beer with a Showtime logo on the label. Yes, this really is a David Lynch collaboration. Supposedly, he gave input for every aspect of the beer (style, tasting, label, etc.). Importantly, this is also specifically from Mikkeller NYC. Mikkeller recently opened up a new brewpub in Queens, NY. And more specifically, they’re located at the baseball stadium that the NY Mets call home.

First off, the can is beautiful - with it’s bold graphic, metallic gold ink, and textured sticker. Too be honest, it’s a little too pretty. Ostentatious is too strong a word, but it’s peacocking, and I can’t really say I want a beer can to do that.

I really had no idea what to expect in regards to style. The can only says “lager.” I’ve seen it listed as simply a “pale lager.” These days, with recent craft trends, this can mean a few different things, but when a new American craft beer just says ‘lager,” it can easily signify AAL or equivalent. I was half-expecting this to be a craft AAL, especially since it’s tied in to a TV series character.

The beer is a wonderfully clear gold. The head is great. The carbonation is unobtrusive. The second the beer hit my lips, I was thinking “wow, this is a helles.” Not what I was expecting. The malt character here is rich. Slightly toasty and not at all sweet. Then it feels like continental hops kick in very late, and the beer starts to feel like a clean, dry pilsner with significant malt character (a combo I really like). Checking the Mikkeller NYC website, I see that they are calling this a German-style pilsner.

This beer does not seem to be listed on BeerAdvocate. I know I should add it, but I’m awfully bad at following through with things like that. I think this is a home run (lame pun intended). Wish I had another.

Happy Father’s Day

 

Happy Father's Day, NBS! I'm having a bit of a relaxing one, which makes for a nice change of pace. We usually host a family party, but this year my brother's sons are all graduating and we'll all see each other at the party next weekend, so it didn't make sense for there to be two parties in a row. Even for this family .

My wife and younger son have already told me to expect a special dinner, and are just leaving me to go about my business in my own time today. I'll probably just leisurely finish some plantings, do a bit of fertilizing, and then maybe just watch the clouds float by. My older son just called from school where he's working on a summer research internship, and he seems to have it all together, so I couldn't be happier on that end.

My first beer today came to me courtesy of @Vidblain :

Schell's Citra Blanc, an American Pale Lager (which I suppose also kinda means IPL these days)

The aroma is gorgeous- so airy and clean- big waves of pineapple, orange juice concentrate, apricot, strawberries and a nice peppery spiciness to ground it all. The palate is crisp and clean with a nice snappy bitter finish- the spiciness comes out even more along with some malt, while most of the fruit takes a back seat, of which the apricot dominates. After half a glass I'm really digging the more restrained and resiny feel of the beer. Maybe it could be a hair more flamboyant to reflect the nose more accurately, but in the end I get the feeling that it's better for the long haul this way; a super fruity beer seems to lose its appeal after the first 12 oz to me. Very well made and enjoyable stuff! A- (4.25) Thanks again, Chris!

By the way: I also recently had Schell's 1879 Kulmbacher, which was the main reason for that box from Chris. All I can say is, if you're in their distribution area and haven't had it yet, make a point to get some. Dark lagers have been my 'thing' since 1981, and this is one of the very best dark lagers I have ever had. You will not be disappointed, and huge kudos to Schell for pulling off such an outstanding beer. Now please make it a regular thing, folks!

 

Need to go with something a little lighter
..forgotten boardwalk undressed wit
..pours a yellow gold color
..medium body with an effervescent type of carbonation.
Aroma is lemon zest,grain and malt
...Taste is very similar to aroma
...this is ok but weak on aroma and taste. It's an ok beer but wouldn't seek it out again

 

Another from Spike Brewing, getting ready to head to my sister's for a cookout so thought I'd have the Burger Beer.

Pours a slightly hazed golden orange with two fingers of loosely formed head.
Lots of citrus and tropical fruit in the smell.
Taste follows, sweet citrus, pineapple, floral notes. Slightly bitter finish.
Medium bodied with good carbonation.
Overall a pretty tasty APA from across the pond!

 

Happy Sunday, NBS crew! Well, I survived another school year. That’s 5 years down now. One nice positive about reaching 5 years is you can get most of your student loans deferred if you teach in a low-income PA school, so I might have a bit more beer money in my budget in the near future. Fingers crossed there isn’t a ****-up with the paperwork!

Starting today with one of the Tired Hands anniversary brews that I hadn’t yet tried. I very rarely have a positive rDev on a TH beer, but this is one of those times. Pretty sure I liked this more than my Philly compatriots @larryi86 and @thebeers . My favorite of the 7 anniversary beers.

St. SixSixSixer - Tired Hands
Mixed Fruit IPA - 7.1% abv
Canned 5/29/18 (19 days ago)
Purchased for $22/4 at Tired Hands
Score: 4.41 (+4.8% rDev)



L - 1-finger sparse bright white head atop a glowing, just barely opaque orange body.

S - papaya, mango, vanilla, grapefruit. Really appealing nose here.

T - semi-sweet fruit cocktail. Slightly sugary but not off the rails sweet. Noticeably tart middle. Sour lemons mixed with some dirty hops. Low bitterness. Low booziness.

F - medium body with appropriate carb.

O - This tastes like no other ipa I’ve yet encountered. It is NOT a citrus showcase, but I’d still call it “juicy” due to the other fruits being very prominent. This strikes me as a better-done version of those fruit ipas that Ballast Point and others were pushing a few years back. It’s very tasty, and quite refreshing on this scorcher of a day.

 

Good afternoon NBS and thanks @cjgiant for today's kick off. Happy Fathers Day to those who are. I had the honor of at one point having Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather from the Quebecois side all near and active in my life. A tough lot who left a solid foundation for today's proud father of 2 adult sons.
My father I still see on a nearly daily basis, as solid a person as ever, even as he fights everyday against a very insidious disease.
Our town celebrates its 300th anniversary this weekend, huge parade (almost 2 miles long) amazing music, food and fireworks followed. This small town of 3700 was packed with folks who came home from a far and our neighbors to celebrate. My parents both came up as the parade marched by our house, I got to wave to them as I marched by, later my father offered
one of those dad style compliments (you may know the the kind)
Today" s offering is from Hill Farmstead with help from Mikkeller, a simply magnificent offering.
Cheers all

Daybreak (Orange Liqueur Barrel Aged)

Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Double / Imperial Stout / 10.30% ABV

4.36/5 rDev +5.3% | Score: 4.14
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 375 ml bottle dated 1/2014 into the test glass
A - the color of shaved bakers chocolate, a very thin mocha colored cap can be coaxed, Carbonation is hiding, delivers a rising patterns on the surface.
S - Initial touch is of sweet orange with vanilla. Add a few minutes and a few degrees in temperature, roasted malts, Madagascar chocolate, all ride on a subtle oak carpet, there is a bit of char, with more refined citrus reduction.
T - Complex, the base stout is robust, lots of dark cocoa, some oak, a bit of cigar wrap tobacco, then the citrus cordial element adds a superb aspect. Dark chocolate drizzled with spritzed with orange liquor
M - Slick feel never lets up, hefty body, carbonation has a fighting chance and loses in the end. The finish dries out a bit, the linger is luxurious.
O - A treat for sure, this offering pushes several bounds, sweet citrus touch, roasty, refined, all on display. exceptionally well crafted and something to rejoice in if the chance arises.
Well done indeed

 

Happy Father’s Day, couldn’t be a father without my wife!

Evil Twin Even more JCs

4.54/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Can poured into snifter

Three finger brown foam cap , settles to a solid brown layer over black motor oil

Aroma of coffee , roast malts and vanilla

Taste is sweet, coffee , vanilla

Creamy sweet mouthfeel , Affogato style indeed

Delicious beer

 

Great start, as is typical. Happy Father's Day to all of you who are a father, grandfather, and for any of you who have STEPPED UP and fulfilled the role of father to somebody. As an educator, I have met some amazing men and women who have done just this. Be they uncles, aunts, neighbors, or siblings. I have known some incredibly generous people who have risen to the need in a youngster's life.
I am blessed with an amazing father, as well as 2 wonderful grandfathers who were very much a part of my younger life. While my grandfathers have passed on, they still have a profound influence on me. My father is a humble, warm, caring, and very present man. He is a good man. I have stressed to him that the term "good" is often a luke warm compliment. In my usage, I am stressing the "good" as a person who always tries to be the good in the world. Most people don't make this part of their constant mindset. Don't get me wrong, he can still have a sarcastic comment, a moment of criticism or judgement, but he always tries to temper those impulses with empathy and compassion. And he serves not just his family, but his community. I admire him as a son should, but with reason. And to see him as a grandfather is pure joy.
So bless those among us who give of themselves unflinchingly. And if so inclined, grab them a beer.

 

Poetic wisdom.

 

By the way, while Chocolate Rain is not a "new" beer to me, splashing a little in my morning coffee was new today. Happy Father's Day indeed.

 

New Beer Sunday: An American Malt Liquor

Afternoon NBSers with an alert for folks who have yet to try a Malt Liquor or who’d like to have one that’s relatively drinkable.

This afternoon’s new beer is the Molson XXX Malt Liquor.

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

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/433/3829/?ba=drtth#review


The aromas/flavors of this beer definitely include some some malt and corn. There’s also some bready, crackery sweetness here that fades into a light grassy almost bitter semi-dry ending. While not intense the flavors and aromas are firmly there and help to create an easy drinking malt liquor that I’d be willing to have more of if in the mood for a malt liquor. (Which isn’t all that likely.)

Cheers, all!

 

Two years late to the party with this beer, but good is good.

I've been purging some cellared bottles lately and giving credit where due. Thanks @2beerdogs for sending that long ago box of Bruery love and the cool tasting glass! It's hard to believe the other day was two years since our Greenbush meet up.

The beer is crisp, clean and very dry with a pleasant mix of vanilla, citrus, spice and oak in both the smell and taste. I'm not a fan of spiced beer and it's probably the reason why I sat on this. No idea how prominent the spices were fresh, but they seem like a perfect accompaniment now. Thanks again Derek!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40927/193433/?ba=Prager62#review

 

Industrial Arts - Summer Landscape

Moving on to a different New York pale lager, this one is billed as a “pale spelt lager.” Spelt is a type of wheat that occasionally pops up in beers (German, Belgian, American).

Industrial Arts gets tons of respect from beer lovers, particularly if one has followed the career of “chief.” Guys like @cavedave being one of them in this thread earlier today. With respect to those people, I feel like I’m missing out in the excitement, because the beers just don’t scratch my itch (yet)… particularly the lagers. Doesn’t mean I’ve given up trying though.

Coming after the Mikkeller beer, this beer has a hard time competing. I deliberately opened the Mikkeller first, thinking it wouldn’t be bold, but that beer didn’t turn out as expected. Anyway, rather than parting from the norm, this Industrial Arts beer isn’t really scratching my itch.

It’s a lovely pale yellow. Not very hazy, but not quite as clear as the Mikkeller. Carbonation seems lower than the Mikkeller. The beer is clean. Malt character is light but crackery and a little grainy. I’m getting the wheat (spelt) even if it’s a case of mind over matter. There’s a lemony quality. Not a very sharp lemon, but slightly sharp and more rounded. The beer feels innocuous, but I don’t mean that in a negative way at all. This is a balanced and nuanced beer… two qualities I normally love, but I’m having a hard time loving this. It feels designed for volume drinking, but I’m not rising to the challenge… perhaps because it’s my NBS beer number 2.

 

Happy NBS from hell, I mean hot and humid WI! My family is setting up a small surprise for me on this Father's day, orchestrated by my young daughters. I had to mow the lawn in this unpleasant heat and humidity, but was able to refresh myself after with a new beer.

Central State Garden pours a very pale, cloudy yellow with a 2 finger white head that quickly fizzes away. Aroma is definitely lemon Berliner with hints of lime and some grain. Flavor is fermented wheat that is tart with fresh lemonade, lime spritz and a hint of saline. A light and fizzy feel that was quite refreshing on this hot day. A simple beer that hit the spot and helped cool me off. You could add some iced tea and have a Arnold Palmer Raddler.