New Beer Sunday (week 729)

Здравствуйте, товарищи, я вернулся!

Hello, comrades, I'm back! This second was more than I had bargained for. The combination of caffeine & alcohol was what caused the FDA to make FourLoko remove its caffeine. I guess that they figure that consumers of high-end beer can better sustain that onslaught, but my heart is trying to beat its way out of my chest and run away at a time that I should realistically be ready for a nap. Phew!

Take a gander :
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/147/311305/?ba=woodychandler#review

I now want to finish reading my book & lay down, but my eyelids are as open as Alex's in "A Clockwork Orange"! Eeek! What hath Stone wrought? That said, I do love my new glasses ...

 

Good morning NBS
Taxman Brewing released a new Belgian IPA with Ekuanot hops and I was compelled to try it.

The review:
12oz canned 1/10/19 (1 month ago) poured into a Taxman snifter at fridge temp 6.5% ABV 50 IBU per can. The beer pours hazy in a color resembling peach. The head is nearly white and quickly fades to a thin ring. There is a slight lace that follows the level in the glass. The aroma is full of peach, orange, grapefruit peel, white grape and faint Belgian yeast. The taste is more bitter rind and dank than tropical fruit. The medium bitterness stays level throughout each sip. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, good, but not great. This edition is a bit more one noted than previous Hop Audit offerings with the earthy & dank presence drowning out the malt and yeast.

I have homebrewed with Ekuanot hops (in a rye IPA) and enjoyed that batch quite a bit. In this case, I think the hops overpowered their house Belgian IPA that they use as a base for this series. I will still buy every non-sour canned offering I see from these guys as they are the most consistent brewer in southern Indiana and their beers are always available fresh.

Cheers all and enjoy the new beer in your glass today!

 

New beer #2.

Cowfee Break - Bolero Snort
Coffee Porter - 6.1% abv
Purchased for $5.49 at Monde Market
Score: 3.83 (+10.1% rDev)



Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29850/394102/?ba=CanConPhilly#review

Synopsis:
First off, the other incredibly low ratings on this are criminal. It’s not at all a bad beer. That being said, it’s rather pedestrian, and does not live up to its premium pricing. It claims to be a moderately creamy, low abv coffee-infused porter, and it lives up to that. The metallic finish is unfortunate, but otherwise this is a well made and enjoyable to drink beer. I’ve yet to love any Bolero Snort beer, but like the others I’ve had, this is perfectly acceptable (albeit overpriced).

 

Compelled OR CANpelled? You have my address! 8=)

 

Good morning and happy New Bio Sunday, BAs. Another slow week. A little snow fall but not nearly the “Snowpocalypse” that was predicted. We will see what next week has in store. Other than that, just got off work so it's time for a new beer from a great Portland staple (though no brewery seems safe around here lately…) then off to bed!

First of all, I love Upright and their mission statement alone is a testament to why:

"Every beer at Upright is formulated with both balance and individuality in mind, bottle conditioned by our talented brewers in a truly hands on manner.
We hope that you appreciate the absence of gimmicks at Upright and enjoy the beers in the same sincere fashion that they are made."

This beer here:

"Bioacoustic Blend was made in collaboration with Whitney Burnside of 10 Barrel Brewing. Conceptualized over a bottle of Petrus Aged Pale, we set off to produce a beer in the same vein, potent with a light malt character, big oak expression, complex acidity, and mature flavors. The brew was a small batch, blending only three casks after 15+ months in vintage barrels formerly used for our old ale, Billy the Mountain. The Bioacoustic Blend drinks with a pleasant lactic/acidic balance showing less acidity than the Petrus example while showing a deeper range brettanomyces rooted aromas, especially as it warms."

Upright Brewing
Bioacoustic Blend- Belgian Pale Ale





A yellow glow blends softly into orange both from bottom to top and from side to center. An eager and lively white froth peaks over the rim of the glass then slowly cozies down and out, just to hug the perimeter. Small particles are suspended but also take a slow trip to the bottom of the glass.

Green grape skins and hay are met with freshly milled oak and white pepper. It smells like a sunny day at a country farm. Kicked up dust and grass mowed just hours ago, morning dew and raspberries straight from the vine to bring up the acidity ever so slightly.

The flavors promise an equal experience. Acidic and fruity notes in form of lemon, grape skin, and tart berries. Earth from light oak and dried hay, and the lightest herbal touch. Damp and musty barnyard siding and sweat for funk. All of these flavors are subtle and delicate, none with a stranglehold over the other.

Staying true to its description, it is pleasant, light, slightly acidic, and full of oak that leeches to dryness. Very dry in fact, making it very, very easy to drink. Not bitter by any means, but pulls of such perfect balance. I'd almost say a trio of balance with sweet, sour, and savory. The alcohol is felt only in the chest like a tannic wine.

Upright pulls off another stunner. Bioacoustic Blend is simply delicious and elegant. It's a remarkably simple idea… malts, hops, yeast, bacteria, oak. Most importantly, time, patience, and knowledge. I hope I can find more.

After my official review, I gave Bioacoustic Blend a rating 4.42 of with no rDev.

Some "fun" facts:
Malts: Pils, Vienna
Hops: Santiam
Brewed: October 19, 2016
Bottled: March 2, 2018
Total yield: 125 cases and 1 keg.

Sheesh! Talk about channeling my inner @cjgiant . Way too many words. Cheers.

 

Really cool post! I do really like Dark Matters coffee. They are the FFF of coffee shops. Unicorn Blood has some heavy peanut butter notes when brewed.

 

I CAN neither confirm or deny that there is currently a CAN of this and/or a red wine barrel aged quad in my crisper drawer sporting the initials W.C.

 

Rochester Mills The Original Milkshake Stout

Happy Sunday, BAs. Shout out to @cavedave and the lawless BAs out there.

Today’s new beer comes courtesy of the generous @LloydDobler in NBS BIF 8.5. It pours a rich brown that sits near-black in a nonic pint glass. It has a half a finger of khaki-colored head that leaves solid lacing.

Roasted malts and some carbon dioxide stand out in the aroma, much like a dry Irish Stout. There’s also some coffee and light chocolate behind.

It’s definitely creamy tasting, but it’s still very roasted malts forward, with more coffee character than chocolate.

It has a really creamy feel, too, with a nice amount of carbonation cutting through.

This is definitely nowhere near as sweet as many “milkshake” brews these days, and not as chocolatey as I expected either, but still a really enjoyable, well-crafted beer. Thanks, Chris.

 

Thanks man! It’s actually my first bag of Dark Matter coffee ever and I’ve enjoyed it so far. Gonna have to get more.
I did find it interesting though that in this beer, I found that salty, teriyaki/soy sauce element (that so many say they find in Dark Lord, which also uses Unicorn Blood) because I VERY RARELY have ever noticed it in a beer. Maybe one or two besides this one. And not even Dark Lord. (Out of trying 16, 17, 18)

Cheers!

 

I’ve only picked up the soy on Dark Lord when it’s well past it’s prime . But obviously everyone’s mileage will vary.

If your picking up more Dark Matter I’d strongly recommend Crack The Skye and Blood Lord.

One note about Blood Lord is that it shines as an expresso.

Cheers!

 

Twin Elephant Brewing Feel the Realness

5.9% American Pale ale with Enigma, Galaxy and Citra

A new beer for Twin Elephant and for me, other than the first growler pour I had yesterday



Appearance: This beer is gorgeous for the NE style. It pours an opaque, murky, pale yellow straw color. A tall eggshell head that does settle, leaving a lot of lacing on the glass. No visible carbonation. Really a striking color.





Smell: This beer is bursting with hop aroma. Ripe mango, orange citrus, guava and pineapple. Starburst candy. Less sweet grassy notes too. Bready malt profile.

Taste: The flavor closely follows the nose, but is lacking for me. Yesterday I questioned the “greeness” of the beer. There seemed to be a slight burn to it. There still is. The finish dries out very quickly, which I do not like. Green pineapple and mango. Orange and lemon citrus. Grassy.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, creamy and soft carbonation. Very dry on the finish.

Overall: This has the makings of a fantastic NE Style Pale Ale, but needs some work in the flavor and feel department.

This is it for me today, unless I return later this evening. Enjoy your Sundays, and I look forward to catching up later today on everyones’ reviews

Cheers!

 

Free Will - Saison In The Key Of Life

It's been a while since I opened a 750 saison and I was drooling while taking out the bottle opener for this one. This might be my first from Free Will... I don't remember having one of their beers before. The label claims that this is a "saison ale fermented in an oak foudre and finished in wine barrels with a house saison strain and various strains of Brettanomyces and bacteria."

This 2017 beer is a dull and hazy pale amber. Thank Ninkasi this wasn't a gusher. The head is wonderful. Aromas of fruit and acidity. This Stevie Wonder beer is gentle and wonderful. There's acidity to it but it feels like a major supporting character rather than the reason for being. Green apples, lemon, underripe pineapple, underripe peach... but the fruit is dulled and I mean that in the best possible way. Any oak character is cohesive or background... that goes double for any wine character. The beer is crisp where it needs to be and soft in the other places. The drinkability makes the 5.5% hit like a brick. Very nice refined beer.

 

LOL My NBS beer is the same one @TheGent wrote up in post # 31. Feel the Realness from Twin Elephant. I pretty much agree with him except I found the taste and finish to be fine. It may have been a bit green and better next week but it's GWTW by now.

 

Haha oops!

Hey, nice review!

The more I drank it the more dry I found it to be.

 

Checking out The Bruery's Bakery: Coconut Macaroons...

Imperial stout (13% abv) aged in bourbon barrels, brewed with coconut and vanilla...

Brown-black pour into an over-sized snifter produced a black-bodied ale with slight translucence around the edges and a finger of dark brown foam... Head slimmed to a foamy collar and trailed some brief lace arms down the glass... Aromas were of chocolate and vanilla with a hint of booze, previewing much of the same on the sip... Sweet beer, as you'd expect, with ample chocolate syrup and vanilla liqueur and suggestions of chewy coconut and sweet bourbon... Medium-full-bodied and smooth, a little sticky on the finish... A little too sweet for my tastes, but that was to be expected in a "pastry stout"...

12/18/18 canning...

 

Greetings from Lancaster County, PA on this mildish winter afternoon. I was gifted a nice treat yesterday from my son-in-law; a fresh can of Trillium's Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse Double IPA. Never having heard of this lighthouse, a quick search showed it to be along the rocky coast of Maine. It's been quite awhile since I hiked that rocky coast and environs, but clearly a good lighthouse can save the day. Speaking of which, I ran into this compelling story on the wiki article at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Elizabeth_Lights

Schooner Australia aground
One of the most thrilling episodes in the history of the lighthouse occurred on January 28, 1885, when Keeper Marcus A. Hanna saved two crew members of the schooner Australia which had run aground on the ledge near the fog signal station. The two men had taken to the rigging and were coated with ice, unable to move. The captain was drowned as a huge comber washed the deck. Keeper Hanna, securing a heavy iron weight to the end of a stout line, attempted time and again to reach the men with it. Suddenly a towering wave struck the schooner and smashed her against the rocks, putting her on her beam ends.


Casco Bay entrance.

Keeper Hanna again threw his line and watched it land on the schooner. One of the seamen managed to reach it and bent it around his waist. Then he jumped into the sea and the keeper, with great effort, pulled him up over the rocky ledge. The keeper now heaved the line a second time and finally it reached the second seaman who wound it around his icy body. Then he too jumped into the ocean. Just as the keeper's strength was exhausted in trying to haul ashore the second man, help came in the shape of the keeper's assistant and two neighbors, who helped haul the man to safety.

On to the beer!



A - Very hazy golden-orange with a 3/4-finger white head and moderate lace.
S - Fresh, ripe peach, mango and orange. Mildly dank, hop floral. Enticing
T - Pungent vegetal/grassy/herbal spice up front. White grapefruit flesh, mango. Chalky/yeast. Light Zwieback cracker. Not getting the peach I noticed in the aroma. Alcohol is present and lends some sweetness. Finish is mild-moderately bitter with some white pepper and that grassy/herbal spice and orange pith.
M - Medium full body and light-medium carbonation. On the soft side.
O - Another well-done DIPA from Trillium.

Hope everyone enjoys their new brews today!

 

Ardent IPA X



A-Pours a very hazy golden color with a slight head but generous lacing
A-Aroma has tropical citrus and hoppy hints
T-The taste follows the nose with nice tropical citrus and hoppy flavors
M-A medium bodied well carbonated beer
O-A nice IPA

 

Poured into a 13 oz Tired Hands Teku glass canned on 1/10/19. Pours a very attractive hazy dark yellow with a 2 finger sticky white head that leaves webs of lace all over the sides of the glass, with amazing retention. 4.5

Smell papaya, passionfruit, pineapple, and some white grapefruit rind. 4.5

Taste follows papaya, passionfruit, getting some white grapes, pineapple, and very little but some grapefruit. 4.25

Mouthfeel is bigger than average, a tad sticky but not dry, nice and soft on the tongue, and goes down easy but drinks closer to 8% ABV. 4.5

Overall this is some really tasty stuff, it comes at over $20 a 4 pack but it is really tasty and well made.4.25

 

As I'm finishing up this 2017 bottle, I gotta say, I've thoroughly enjoyed this Pennsylvania beer packaged in a green 750ml bottle (there was no skunk BTW)... and I'm also thinking about all of the 16oz cans of beer that I typically feature for NBS. Some of the liquid from those cans has been very good, but I've had plenty of Sunday losing streaks lately. This bottle has probably been the nicest NBS beer for me in a long time. While the package doesn't make the beer, this tidbit still strikes a chord with me. I've got some cans lined up for later.

 

I played in a "mud-over-frozen-ground" soccer match this morning, not so fun. Field turf would have been preferable. This juice-box helped thereafter.

Don't Kill the Whale, recently canned at Finback Brewery, is triple dry-hopped IPA (with Amarillo, Azacca, Belma, Blanc, Citra, Denali, 007 and Mosaic) presents bright yellow with a deep haze and a 1/2 cm foam cap. The aroma packs a fruit punch -punch. The flavors include tangerine, pineapple, kiwi and some banana. The hop bitterness is moderate and the finish is somewhat dry. The hop combination works well. It is very good.