New Beer Sunday (Week 752)

My second (and probably last) beer today is the No II in Bell's Leaves of Grass series.

Bell's II: The Prairie-Grass Dividing (Leaves of Grass Series) Leipzig Gose
ABV: 4.5%
IBU: NA



Aroma is quite sour, vinegary and acidic. So much so that not much else can be picked up (by me, anyway...).

Hazy red-amber with plentiful bubbles rising to a 1 1/2 inch or so white head that disappears fairly quickly, leaving sparse, disconnected lacing, and ending as a thin cap with a bubbly ring around the edge. (The final pour results in a dark stream of sediment cascading down through the beer... quite lovely, actually.)

Taste is not nearly as sour as the aroma, more like tart. This somewhat subdued tartness allows the salty, spicy, fruit flavors to come through. And, they are enjoyable, indeed. The combination of plum, salt, and coriander is well executed.

Feel is thin, but rich enough in flavor so it doesn't seem quite so thin.

Generally, sour beers are not my thing. I bought this because I wanted to try every beer in the Leaves of Grass Series. Fortunately (for me) while the aroma promises near vinegar sourness, the beer does not deliver that. It is a tasty, tart beer.


L: 3.75 | S: 3.5 | T: 3.75 | F: 3.5 | O: 3.75 | BA: 3.67

 

Howdie from a very rainy and rapidly cooling Northern Indiana, NBS friends I have a couple of beers tonight, but first to address to address the topic our magnificent co-leader @lordofthewiens proposed, I remember advice I gave to Little O: don’t discuss religion, politics, or music with anyone you’re not absolutely sure of the strength of your relationship.

Having said that, I won’t offer a Top 10, though it would include a LOT more Beatles than I’ve seen thus far - in my mind, they are the bar for any music created in the “Rock ‘n Roll” era.

Having said that, my favorite musical moments are shows I’ve seen with Little O, starting with Green Day in September 2005 in MSP, when they were the biggest band in the world. This was James’ first show, and it was ..... magical. When they played “Holiday,” he literally elevated, pretty impressive for a 14-year-old

Our next show was The Who in December 2006, and Mrs O was along, too. The Who was a bit lethargic, but singing Baba O’Riley with The Who, your son, your wife, and 10,000 others? Priceless.

One last mention: Rage Against The Machine in September 2008 in Minneapolis whilst the Republican National Convention was underway. Me, James, one of his HD buddies, and 300 riot police. I’ve never seen 17,000 people bounce for 2 hours straight, but we did that night. Absolutely incredible.

On to tonight’s first beer, this is Curiosity 72 from Tree House, a DIPA featuring the Mosaic hop.





4.49/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Full disclosure up front: the Mosaic hop is my favorite varietal, so consider that when reading this review.

The pour reveals a pineapple colored body, quite hazy, under a slightly off-white head that is incredibly compact and tracks down the glass the entire time you’re drinking this beer.

This all leads to a Mosaic hop wallop on the nose - that nearly oniony aroma that is lurking behind the thunderous aromas of ripe tangerines and exotic guava aromas. This is SOOOOOO a Mosaic-hopped beer.

That theme carries through to the taste - this beer is hoppily pungent, with a significant bitterness and a biting mouthfeel. What an absolute pleasure to drink.

If you like Mosaic hops. If you don’t, immediately seek shelter in a secure area. Because this beer is swinging a Mosaic anvil.

 

Right along here NBS. My second new beer is a single can grab from the local scene.

This is Same Team, ipa, from Moustache brewing. It features nugget and cascade hops and is dry hopped with Columbus and summit. The brew checks in at 7% abv and of course no canning date. I'm not gonna bother figuring it out through social media,

A light orange/amber color on the pour with semi-clarity and a big and fluffy white head of foam. The nose is rather muted with light hops and citrus at best. Another tangy and semi-hoppy start to the drinking. A little sugary upfront as well. Not very fruity with subtle tones of orange and lime. Decent notes of pine and resin instead. A moderate body that drinks with a mix of a crisp and dry feel. I get a slight off flavor that does make the drinking a bit off-putting at times.

Overall, this is just not very good. It's rather boring across all the aspects. Glad I only got the one can. I'm in the 3 to slightly lower range.

 

New Imperial Stouts Sunday

Happy NBS everyone! Had a couple really good local Imperial Stouts today from Wolf's Ridge, their Coffee Vanilla Dire Wolf and Coffee Cherry Vanilla Dire Wolf:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33530/223952/?ba=bluejacket74#review




https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33530/410757/?ba=bluejacket74#review






I really liked both of these, but that's not a surprise since I've been a fan of all their Dire Wolf variations that I've been able to try. No top 10 songs for me, that means I'd have to think too much and I know I'd change my mind at least 20 times before I posted them. Cheers!

 

Nice! That is definitely not what I was expecting to see on here. I lived in central Mexico for quite a while and got to have real pulque and curado (pulque flavored with fruit and whatnot) many times. It is delicious, but definitely weird the first time you try it. I've never had the guts to try the canned stuff. It is a really quick ferment and usually way low abv. I actually think it is usually still brewing while they serve it. You will occasionally get it where it is a little carbonated and that's a good sign. It was the traditional alcoholic drink of the Aztecs and had supposedly been stolen from the gods by a mortal. Anyway, sorry for the word avalanche, but it is a way cool drink and I'm happy to see people trying. It is starting to get cooler in Mexico city even though it was kind of maligned as a poor person's drink for a long time. Next time you make it back there look for a Pulquería or a lot of times there will be someone selling Curado at markets or festivals. I prefer it, I had a walnut flavor one once that tasted like it truly was the nectar of the gods. ¡salud!

I miss KUVO it is one of the best radio stations I've ever listened to and that's without even taking into consideration that it is a *jazz* station, which are few and far between. After reading your list, I think you and I would have a great time listening To a few records and drinking some beer. Cheers!

 

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker
Legs - ZZ Top
My Love Is Your Love - Terry Linen
The Machine - Pink Floyd
Stinkfist - Tool
Machinehead - Bush
Bounce It - Juicy J
Chris Stapleton - Parachute
Wild For The Night - A$AP Rocky
Land Down Under - Men At Work

 

Man! am I enjoying jumping down the collective musical psysche of BA. Hope to join in for the first time in a while next Sunday with some new Sixpoint beers being released on Saturday.

 

Outstanding fruit wheat. Fantastic rocky head retention, dense soapy lacing. Aromas and flavors of big lightly tart/tangy orange juice, lemon, citrus peel/zest, peach, pear, melon, red apple, wheat, white bread dough, herbal, floral, grass, pepper, and yeast earthiness. Light herbal, grassy, zesty, spicy bitterness; and fruit/wheat tang/tartness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body; very creamy, silky, grainy wheat; some sticky hops, fruit peel, and acidity in the mouthfeel. Lightly increasing tart/bitter dryness; no cloying/astringency. Super smooth, soft, refreshing, no warmth of 5.6%. Fantastic huge orange juice presence, with balanced American wheat yeast and a nice sized pale/wheat malt backbone. Solid earthy hops. Lightly sweet with lingering dryness. My glass went down super quick, amazing summer beer! 4.18


Cheers

 

Hey everybody!
I hope that everyone is staying cool and hydrated if you're somewhere super hot today. It was bad again here today,but definitely not as bad as parts of the US, now there's a nice breeze and it is feeling great. I am utterly incapable of coming up with 10 songs. I adore any and all (pretty much) music and am of the opinion that, to quote Duke Ellington, "There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind ... the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds. If it sounds good it's successful; if it doesn't it has failed."

For my beer today, I am going to try what I am pretty sure is my first ever grätzer. So without further ado:

It pours a little hazy with a finger of white head that is quickly gone. The aroma has a light hint of smoke and an earthy, rye-like zing. The flavor is less zingy and more pale malty with a slight aromatic smokiness in the finish. Kind of hollow. It is fairly light and pretty easy drinking, moderate carbonation, the suggestion of a finish. This is a nice enough beer. It is easy drinking and a touch smoky which as far as I know is what the style is, it was pretty lifeless, though, in some respects. Nonetheless, a tasty beer and what seems to be a nice style.


I hope you all enjoy what's left of your Sunday.



Santé!

 

#2, cranking things up a notch .....



4.6/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours black with a dense tan head, but the edges are the most beautiful mahogany brown. Just a gorgeous imperial stout.

The wine barrels make their presence known immediately on the nose, with oak notes and, more importantly IMHO, the fruity tannin notes. Those aromas, combined with dark chocolate and rich caramel aromas, have me officially installed as the President of the “My mouth is watering” club.

The taste ..... where to begin? The oak and wine notes are present, with that subtle red wine tang that I love from the wine and oak, but the key to this world-class beer is the combination of those flavors with the dark chocolate and and especially the caramel flavors.

“Rich and decadent” doesn’t begin to adequately describe what this beer offers. It checks every box for an imperial stout, and adds in the curve of the wine barrels. It would be too easy to classify this as a dessert beer - instead, it’s the beer you drink half of before a big steak dinner, and save the rest for after dessert, preferably with a big stogie sitting around a campfire.

 

Lupulin Lateralus Marshmallow/Chocolate Imperial Stout, 11% ABV. Pours thick and black with a slight brown head that left no lacing. Nose is strong chocolate and slight vanilla/marshmallow. Taste is quite bitter chocolate and roast malt, but no perceived marshmallow taste. Had hoped for a bit of sweetness, but no. Decent mouthfeel, overall excellent.

3.92/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

 

NEDIPA from @SawDog505. This was incredible. Lasting rocky head retention/thick foamy lacing. Aromas and flavors of huge mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, berries, citrus peel/zest, and light peppercorn/pine hops; with moderate wheat, biscuit dough, light honey/toasted malts; and herbal, floral, grassy hop earthiness. Mild pine, citrus peel/zest, herbal, floral, grassy, spicy bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; very creamy, silky, bready, grainy malt; light sticky hops, and slight lingering resins/rinds in the mouthfeel. Lightly increasing lingering bitter dryness; no cloying/astringency. Amazingly smooth/soft, minimal warming 7.8%. Amazing Galaxy, Columbus profile. Extremely juicy and fairly dank/earthy hops; with a perfectly balanced wheat/oat/malt backbone. Light residual sweetness with lingering dryness. One of their best I've had yet! 4.28


Cheers

 

Final Wooden...it be nice sour from DFH. This one is In & Of Itself, wild ale aged in raspberries, etrog citron & Buddha’s hand citron.

4.24/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

375 ml bottle poured into a snifter

A- A bright ruby red with a two finger pink head.

S- Tart, raspberries, citrus, earthy, funky, wine barrels.

T- Sour, raspberries, citrus, some funk, oak, touch of wine, some earthiness.

M- Smooth, light, dry.

O- A very nice sour, easy to drink and very enjoyable.

Honestly I’m enjoying these sours from DFH, maybe when the beach season is over I might take a trip down to the brewery two see what else they put out in the series, cheers!

 

I have never disliked anything from this brewery.
This offering is no exception!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12172/418529/



11.2 oz. bottle.
15% abv.
Moderate to vigorous pour yields a 1/8 inch tan head over a black body with no lacing as head is gone in a couple minutes. Nose of vanilla, dark roasted malts, dark fruit, coffee, and whisky. Taste mirrors nose very well with a bit of Kahlua (!?!) and finishing nicely with vanilla, caramel, and whisky. Wow! Nice feel and overall, another excellent offering from Landvetter, Sweden. Cheers!!!

 

Good evening NBS
Hard to believe I've never tried this, but it's explained in the review...

The review:
11.2oz bottle marked L 078 S ( bottled 3/19/19-4 months ago) poured into a mug at fridge temp 5.1%. The beer pours bright golden straw yellow in color with nearly white head. The head recedes to a thin ring and few bubbles. The aroma is faint but inviting with honey, bread, yeast and grassy hops. The taste is mild grassy bitterness laid over soft pale malt. The mouthfeel is medium to thin bodied, adequately carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, good. Green bottles and difficult to decipher date codes kept me from Hofbrau beers for years. This isn't the most delicious or nuanced Helles I've had, but it's good.

Cheers all!

 

Incredible milkshake sour. Fantastic head retention/foamy lacing. Amazing color. Aromas and flavors of huge juicy/tart/tangy blueberry, raspberry, fruit skin/seed, lime, citrus peel/zest, orange, peach, plum, pear, apricot, red/green apple, currant, red grape/wine, hay, straw, and grass; with balanced vanilla, cream, wheat, biscuit dough malts sweetness; light peppercorn, musty/lacto funk, and yeast earthiness. Light fruity/lactic tartness, fruit tang, and Brett spiciness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; very creamy, silky, bready, grainy wheat/lactose; some lactic acid, and fruit tang/tannins in the mouthfeel. Lightly increasing lingering acidic/tangy dryness; no cloying/pucker. Amazingly smooth/soft, zero warming 6.5%. Amazing balance between super juicy/jammy fruit, and Brett/Lacto complexity; with a great rich lactose, and pale/wheat malt backbone against acidity. Light residual sweetness with lingering acidic/tangy dryness. Not as amazing as the Double Boysenberry Blackberry Black Currant version, but really close. This one is definitely softer/silkier. 4.28


Cheers

 

So I'm back with a second beer. Love today's topic as it got me thinking. My "top 10" is only the ones that first popped in my head as I would want 200 songs. Anyway, it reflects my different tastes, I guess:

Gimme Shelter - Stones
Jungleland - Springsteen
Night Moves – Bob Seger
God Only Knows – Beach Boys
Blitzkrieg Bop – Ramones
Los Angeles – X
Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
Hurt – Johnny Cash covering Nine Inch Nails
Pretty Persuasion – REM
Goddamn Lonely Love - Drive By Truckers

Anyway, onto the beer:


A very hazy bright gold color with a medium white head. Nice foam retention. The aroma was a bit muted but this can was 10 weeks old. Oranges and pineapples with some dank resin underneath. The taste was more earthy and dank, with the citrus notes there but in the background. A bit drying on the palate but not astringent. Slightly hot on the finish. Overall good but not great. Cheers!

 

Ok, @lordofthewiens, I've been thinking about this all day. Limiting myself to one song per artist.

Hallelujah Leonard Cohen (Jeff Buckley version)
Ripple Grateful Dead
Wagon Wheel Darius Rucker version (don't hate)
Society Eddie Vedder
Piano Man Billy Joel
A Pirate Looks at 40 Jimmy Buffett
If I Should Fall Behind Bruce Springsteen
Flood Jars of Clay
Hold Me Jesus Rich Mullins
It Is Well Bethel Music
The Boxer Simon and Garfunkel

Yeah, that's 11. This is too hard. I may be back later with another beer .... And more songs.