New Beer Sunday (Week 750)

Happy Sunday NBS players. A great summer day here on the island with all of the humidity of yesterday having left. Spent the afternoon doing shit outside, and watching/listening to the Mets get killed. At least the game tickets will be cheap for the rest of the season. Gonna relax the rest of the evening away, knock back a few brews, and some grill up some nice bbq chicken for dinner.

My new beer today is Crescendo, ipa, from Twin Fork brewing. The beer checks in at 7.2% abv and has no canning date. This is contract brewed/canned up the island in Bayshore but the brewery has been pitted to open up and actual location in my hometown of Riverhead for years now.

Funny story, I got dragged to a dinner party a few years ago and the brewer of Twin Fork happened to live next door. It was mostly a bud crowed. This idiot came strutting in like fucking Foghorn Leghorn carrying a few packs of his Chromatic ale- a pale ale that I'm not to fond of. He then proceeded to lambaste the aal drinkers with snobbery jokes like "you want to try a real beer?" etc. I was drinking sip of sunshine and to my dismay it was pointed out by some of the other guests that I was pretty big into craft beer. Upon a few words with me he lashed into a discussion about Heady Topper and the whole hazy ipa style. How he thought it was a fad and hype that was largely brought on by lack of availability etc. I brought up points of the growing brewers and that despite his breweries beers being widely available they were not selling. Needless to say after the discussion/argument I'm pretty sure he wanted to fight me and he didn't speak another word with me for the rest of the night.

A light orange color on the pour with amber highlights and a big fluffy white head of foam. Semi-clarity and some nice lacing on the glass. A decent nose with hops and citrus fruit. A rather dry start upfront on the initial few sips. Subtle tangy and citrus hops carried over from the nose build the more I consume. Clean flowing with a good bitter finish. This seems to have pretty nice balance between the hops and malt. A light/moderate mouth feel. Full flavors but still very drinkable. Notes of orange, lemon, grapefruit but also a touch of resin.

Overall, this isn't that bad at all. Very drinkable good balance. I'm right around a 4, or slightly lower.

 

My cousin came home from a trip to Nashville last night and he brought back some goodies from Southern Grist (who I suggested he check out while there, though I only know of them due to their collaboration with Sierra Nevada a few years ago for the Southern US Beer Camp entry)... tried a couple of their IPAs last night (one of which was excellent, and one of which was average), but now moving on to some very different territory.



Real Recognize Real is an imperial brown with lactose, graham crackers, cinnamon, toasted coconut, and "double vanilla" (whatever that means ) clocking in at 9.1% ABV. Yikes. Right off the bat, though, I do have to commend the brewery for doing a brown instead of an imperial stout with all of those adjuncts. I have long felt that brown ale bases deserve a bit more hype when it comes to the sweeter side of strong beer, so it's good that SG seems to also feel the same.

This pours a dingy, "dirty water-like" brown with absolutely no clarity in sight. The head is an off-khaki color that lasts a fairly long time, but does eventually sink to about a half-finger in my glass. Okay, maybe I can somewhat understand why breweries go for stouts over browns... much easier to hide how ugly your base beer is with a darker color, as this is just plain-ol' ugly.

That said, it smells like they absolutely nailed it. Whether or not you like the idea of them nailing something like this is going to depend heavily on your appreciation of the adjuncts involved, specifically coconut. This is hefty on the coconut element, for sure, but it doesn't quite hit "suntan lotion" levels thanks to the light earthy spice of the cinnamon. Some sweet milk chocolate-like notes and creamy vanilla also stick out to my senses. Feels like I'm in for a doozy.

Ohh yeah, this is... something, that's for sure. A sweet and boozy yet surprisingly fun and drinkable brew for all the pastry fans out there. Not a hint of roastiness or char, just a sweet honeyed malt base with a light graham cracker appearance and a strong hit of lactose/vanilla in the finish. I don't think it's overly sticky/sweet, nor do I think it's a tough drink, but your mileage may definitely vary. Kinda heavy feel but that is kinda expected with the strength and lactose inclusion. I think the balance they pull off here is kinda surprising, to be honest. Overall, definitely a sweet dessert-ish brew but not one that raises my A1C to dangerous levels. They did a good job with this one!

 

Back again, stepping it up with an NEIPA from Beer'd.

3.84/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured to a Nonic from a 16oz can dated 6/4/19.
Hazy yellow with medium head that fades soon.
Aroma is apricot pastry, and oddly nutty, in a good way though.
Taste starts out following aroma, but the finish has a mild hop burn, but its not a big downer.
Mouthfeel is average for the style.
Not the best from Beer'd, but still better than a lot of the crap NEIPAs out there.

Another beer that I am only the 3rd to rate today.

 

NBS beer #1



Kenny’s Kölsch

The Alchemist
German Kölsch / 4.40% ABV

3.98/5 rDev +2.1% | Score: 3.9
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

L-The beer pours golden and clear with a big fluffy white head. Head retention is excellent with a large central island and legs of lace all along the glass.
S- Light cracker with some musty overtones.
T-Initially it's pretty clean and crackery. Mid palate there's just a touch of sweetness which is quickly passed over by a nice drying earthy bitterness.
F-Mouthfeel overall is light. Carbonation is medium light. The dry finish is accentuates this and makes the beer very repeatable.
O-An excellent domestic example of the Kolsch style. Light and highly drinkable. Recommended.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Swiggers and commentators. Well, the long holiday weekend is winding down. It was really nice sleeping late for five straight mornings! Thank you, @lordofthewiens for hosting today. I'm glad you're enjoying your brief return to Maine.

Today's new beer is Head Boat, a German Helles brewed by Slack Tide Brewing in Cape May County, New Jersey. Slack Tide is my favorite South Jersey brewery. I can honestly say I've never been disappointed by any of its offerings. Head Boat is a well-crafted and tasty Helles. The caramel up front is nicely balanced by the spice and bitterness at the finish. The mouth feel is surprisingly robust for 4.9%. This lager is ideal for any summer activity. Here's my full review:

4.09/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from undated, but fresh, can into a pint glass. It pours a slightly hazy, honey-gold color with a half finger of fluffy, snow-white head and lots of soapy lacing. On the nose there is abundant brown bread and grains, along with a notes of caramel and spice. It open with a dose of caramel followed by crusty brown bread, parched grain, and spices. It finishes crisp and clean with a slight hop bitterness. The mouth feel is really pleasant: medium in body with lively carbonation, and at only 4.9% ABV it's perfect for any hot weather activity. Overall, Head Boat is an excellent rendition of the style and the product of a fine brewery that continues to impress.

I hope you're all enjoying your new beer(s) today. Cheers, NBS!

 

I didn't realize this is a different Bayonne Bleeder from the one TE released last Fall. That was one of my all-time favorite TE beers. I was away this weekend and didn't get the chance to try the new one. Hopefully, it will still be available on Thursday.

 

Now up a very tasty cherry sour, Westbrook Fruit/Wood/Time: Montmorency & Balaton Cherry, thanks @JBowenGeorgia!
4.3/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thank you JBowenGeorgia for this
500 ml bottle, dated 9/19/17, poured into a teku

A- A clear ruby red with a small pink head.

S- Sour, cherry pie, some funk and oak.

T- Sour, cherries, mild funk, touch of oak.

M- Smooth, light to medium body.

O- A very nice cherry sour, worth seeking out.

Cheers!

 

Awesome NEIPA. Great rocky head retention/foamy lacing. Aromas and flavors of big lightly tart/tangy pineapple, tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pear, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, berries, citrus peel/rind, wood, onion, mint, peppercorn, and pine hops; with moderate cracker, white bread dough, lightly toasted biscuit malts; and herbal, floral, grassy hop earthiness. Light pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness; and fruit tang tartness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body; very creamy/bready/grainy malts, some sticky hops; light resins/rind, and fruit tang in the mouthfeel. Lightly increasing lingering bitter dryness; no cloying/astringency. Very smooth/soft, not aggressive, minimal warming 6.5%. Feels like Columbus/Summit along with the Galaxy hops. Super juicy/vibrant hops/fruit, with some dank/earthy notes; and a great balanced clean bready malt backbone. Light residual sweetness with lingering dryness. Glad I got the pack, this was a lot softer and less aggressive than the base beer. 4.1


Cheers

 

Good evening, NBS friends. Mrs O and I are heading out for dinner at Granite City with an old boss of mine (he retired 11 years ago), and because I’m not sure if any of Granite City’s offerings are worthy of this esteemed group of beer nerds (although I do have my eye on Ukulele - yes, I research places before I visit them), I’ll offer this for your perusal, an exquisitely enjoyable IPA from my favorite Chicago brewery.



4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A hazy burnt orange color, the best part of the look of this beautiful beer is the dense, foamy, sudsy white head. It looks like a pillow should feel. The nose packs a dank citrus wallop, with grapefruit and passion fruit most noticeable, and there’s also berry notes from the Idaho 7 hops.

The dank citrus flavors lead the charge on the taste, but leave plenty of room for the berry flavors to shine as well. The mouthfeel is perfectly to style.

This is the perfect IPA complement as a year-round IPA offering to the magnificence that Daisy Cutter is as an APA. I do not say that lightly.

 

Happy NBS. Really digging this Evil Twin 120. A 4.49 for me! Cheers all.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24300/382606/?ba=StraightNoChaser#review

 

Fantastic shots. Thanks for posting!

The radio station I listen to regulary had on Bob Weir for an interview this week ahead of a Dead & Company show in Dallas, and it was super cool. Thought of you the whole time!

I'm barbecuing for mom and drinking mojitos today, so no new beer for me, but you NBSers are putting on quite the show as always. Nice work!

Cheers!

 

Prairie Lil' Nap, a sour ale with Blackberries & Lime aged on Cedar staves. 5.0% ABV 3.59 overall

Pours an effervescent & hazed blush/pink color with one finger of cream colored head. Zero head retention & lacing

S: Berries, a touch of citrus & cherry

T: Tastes more like blueberries with lime up front. Tart berry and a little cherry mix with lime & dryness as this warms and some leafy hop as well. Finishes tart & dry with some berry lime-aide action

MF: Light/medium body, slight carbonation

Super refreshing, but nothing terribly new or exciting here

 

Greetings from hot and humid Tennessee! This straightforward IPA is hitting the spot after some extended time in the sun. Cheers!



look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very hazy yellow-golden color with a thick and resilient off white head. Big globs of foam clung to the glass. The aroma was moderate in intensity and mainly floral, with faint citrus and bready notes in the background. The first sip brought grapefruit path and a rush of sharp bitterness that reminded me that this is an "old school" IPA. Bright floral and grassy flavors rounded out a bit with the citrus notes. Medium bodied. Overall, it's straightforward and works for me.

 

At a nearby brewery tap room, Thunderhead Brewing’s Omaha taproom. We’ve stopped by here a few times, as it’s close by and they have a variety of beers of decent quality. As usual, I avoided their core lineup (which we’ve had and is a known quantity) for the “seasonal” offerings.

Their Dopplebock was a bit more pale than expected but nice and malty. The Chocolate Orange porter completely lacked the latter, to me, but was an okay porter. The Calico Espresso Stout was tasty, though its base crossed stout/porter/robust brown styles to me, without the confusion that might indicate.

One of the two winners were the Oatmeal Chinook Stout, which they say to think of as a Black IPA. It wasn’t quite so bitter as I expect from a Cascadian ale, but the oatmeal and hops worked well to balance the roasted malt. The oat provided a nice chewy aspect without weighing the beer down.

But this entry’s main event is Your Argument is Invalid, a barrel-aged RIS:


Ok, it’s a Nitro pour and this added a nice creaminess to the beer. There’s a chocolate aspect that drives this beer, aided by the vanilla aspect it seems 12 months in “wet whiskey barrels” might be providing. There’s a little bit of dulled bite/spice from the spirit, but the barrel wood really brings the most to the party.

This was a fun beer to sip at the brewery. This version is listed at 11+% vs the 9-ish percent in the database here. This brewery’s rotating beers seem to commonly have a batch-to-batch variance in ABV based on the data I was seeing.

 

Other Half DDH Hop Showers with Riwaka

Today’s new beer was gifted to me by the generous @CanConPhilly.

It pours a cloudy, white-tinted orange with close to two fingers of sudsy, off-white head. The head has good retention and leaves beautiful webbed lacing.

Light citrus, floral notes, pepper and doughy, cake batter show in the nose.

An excellent dull, citrus pith bitterness combines with creamy, doughy orange candy and white pepper in the taste.

It has a thick, creamy feeling with good carbonation.

This has a lot less “pop” than many world-class NEIPAs, but the dull bitterness; floral, spicy elements; and creamy thickness combine with the light orange citrus make it a winner. Thanks, Matt.

 

Just finished up a stretch at work so I've got a quick three days to flip, be a human, then flip back before the next stretch starts up. So what better way to do that on an overcast Seattle afternoon than to chime in on one of my favourite digital locations?!

Today I've got 10°, a Quad from Dageraad, and one of the last of the Canadian brews I brought home with me when I was up in BC earlier this year.
I'd been sitting on this one for a number of reasons: I've always got to overcomplicate things and have some reason tied in to which brew I choose, and because I really really like the label art (it's gorgeous. For real.), so I especially wanted to save it for the 'right' occasion. Well, fuck that, I just felt like I was ready to crack into it.



The pour wasn't quite as dark as that picture made it look. A light off tan head rests above a chestnut body trending towards the ruby side of things. Decent retention. Minimal lacing, but not nonexistant.

Nose is immediately sweet caramelized brown sugar and belgian phenols and esters. Banana and clove and rich caramel and a very mild bready note. As it warms it gets a little less sweet and adds an almost perfumey/floral hint to the back end.

Very similar course has been plotted for the tongue. Initial impressions are sweet caramel, sweet bruised overripe bananas, rich dark malts, and a nice little surprising spicy kick to the end that is probably the same thing that was giving me cloves on the nose, though it doesn't present quite the same on the tongue. I could see an argument for stone fruits and leather and maybe a hint of tobacco, but I keep circling back to the mainstays being sweet caramelized brown sugar, and banana type belgian character. But dark and rich, like a quad, not the high notes of a tripel or something. I dunno. I haven't slept in a long time. I'm losing command of the words here. Next thing I know they'll be like a bushel of un-napped kids when their caregiver turns the other direction at a public event and they scatter with minds of their own, minus the rational reasoning and limitationous side of things.

Rich and sweet and decadent, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm introducing double digits ABV into my system as it's really well blended in. I'd be curious to see how this one transforms over time, as the bottle gives a suggestion of laying it down for up to three years. Perhaps the next time I encounter it, I'll pick up a bottle and let it rest for a while and perform that experiment.

Ultimately Belgians are not my primary wheelhouse, and this one does not make a forceful argument to change my mind, but I am definitely enjoying this bottle, glad I picked it up, and would happily drink it again should the situation arise.


(seriously... this whole album is so underappreciated. Check out Auto Bio, Fame, really any of the tracks on there...)
Cheers, hope y'all are also enjoying your Sundays as I'm off to take the pups out for a little stroll and then finally crawl into bed in the next hour or two!

 

Pineapple with touches of orange rind, mango, grapefruit, and grass.
The trendy use of Norwegian Kveik yeast provided a crispness more than a farmhouse feel for this brew.

 

Liked this review. Agree with you on brown ales in general and specifically about brewers trying to use different bases for their forays into adjuncts/additions.

In no more than a half-hearted question in the vein of the “to style” debate, should a Helles be caramelly (to paraphrase your review)?