New Beer Sunday (Week 753)

Good morning NBS, hope everyone is enjoying the end of the weekend once again. Normal weekend as usual. Got a decent beer haul yesterday, very low on stuff to review, so been lowering my volume of reviews per day. I have a lot of stuff to do today. Trade box packing, laundry, etc. Bronchitis has not been getting any better, been vaping a bit too much I guess; but I haven't smoked or chewed tobacco in over 2 weeks. Stayed up all night again. Got some site work completed, still a ton left over.

Muscat Barrel aged Dark Lord. Fantastic as expected. Thick black pour. Minimal head retention/lacing. Aromas and flavors of huge dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, molasses, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, fudge, white grape/wine, toasted oak, roasted nuts, biscuit, and dark bread/crust; with lighter notes of vanilla, licorice, raisin, prune, cherry, fig, date, smoke, char, leather, tobacco, herbal, grass, and yeast earthiness. Slight booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Very mild herbal, grassy, roast, charred bitterness; wine/oak tannin spiciness; and wine tang/tartness on the finish. Light-medium carbonation and very full body; very creamy, silky, velvety, bready, slick malts; light sticky hops, chalky roast, and wine tang/tannins in the mouthfeel. Lightly increasing lingering bitter/tannic dryness; zero cloying sweetness. Mild increasing warmth of 15%, minimal lingering booze. Dangerously smooth sipping for the weight/gravity. Amazingly rich malt complexity with sugar, coffee, and great wine barrel presence/integration; solid earthy hops and restrained fruity yeast. Not overly sweet/heavy from lingering dryness. Glad I was able to try this, but still prefer the base beer a lot more. This wasn’t as fruity from the wine as I expected. Got better as it warmed. 4.25


Cheers, be back later as usual.

I think its time to get back on board the Black Metal addiction.

 

Mornin' NBSers and thanks to @cjgiant for getting up early enough to start us off today.

Family visitors back in Europe but now some things happening around here today that require me to avoid new beers (or any other beers). I'm hoping to get far enough ahead of the game today to make it back this evening.

As for picking my beers for NBS, it's sort of a random process in that I make periodic visits to the bottle shop just looking or looking for something on my mental list, say that I've heard about in this weekly thread and that I think I might like. But then I usually see some other candidates I might like, so I get a few new beers. At home I put them either in the fridge or in a temporary home in the basement. When the time comes to decide I just pick what looks good at the moment. I do make a bit of an effort to save the heavyweights for the evening rather than in the moring or mid-day. So if I do make it back tonight it will most likely be something on the hi ABV side of those in the fridge.

Cheers, all!

 

Poured into a 16 oz nordic pint glass not sure when it was canned but it is fresh for sure. Pours a beautiful hazy orange yellow with a solid finger sticky white head that leaves loads of thick sticky white streaks with excellent retention. 4.75

Smell is papaya, guava, apricot, tangerine, pineapple, and some white grapefruit rind. 4.75

Taste follows tropical with some grapefruit bitterness in the finish papaya, guava, tangerine, pineapple, and a grapefruit apricot finish that lingers on the palate after each amazing sip. 4.75

Mouthfeel is pretty darn big, a tad sticky from the crazy fresh hops, but not dry, soft gentle carbonation, and at 8.3% ABV crazy drinkable, but loaded with flavor. 4.75

Overall this is outstanding, I will be keeping my eyes open for more from this place, was just outstanding! 4.75

 

Morning All!

Haha today's topic kinda hit me, "why did you select the beer you selected?", since today a friend of all of ours, and my former co-host here, is having her last beer and giving her last beer review. She is giving up alcohol and moving on, and promises to let us all know why. Haven't watched the video yet, I guess she just finished it. Will definitely ask her why she chose whatever beer it is she chose.

I enjoy beer too much to give it up, though I likely should cut down the volume, and take breaks more frequently.

Am heading off to the woods ("new" spot I finally got turned on to where to park and how to get in to a good path) and then to the beer store. Not sure what beer will be the one. I have a short list I am hoping to find. Whichever it is I'll be glad to share my thoughts, as always, including the "why" of it. See ya inna bit.

 

A quiet morning by myself before I start a round of visiting my Massachusetts kinfolk.

What good is a vacation without greeting the day with a great beer. I had not sought out Julius previously as I reasoned that it would be in the lineup at Tree House on one of my visits. Rich orange gold color and small but persistent white head. Strong orange, pineapple, lemon scents. Orange and grapefruit, tropical fruits, grass, hint of pale malt. Smooth mouthfeel with a little hop bitterness at the end.

I hit Tree House around five pm yesterday, which was busy owing to the weekend and KJ, but I easily found a top parking lot spot.

Very pleasant atmosphere with music, food trucks, doggos, kids.
The line for cans wound out of the new construction and moved expeditiously. I had a nice conversation with a couple from western NC and did not notice the time spent in line.

Had my cans of Julius, Green, Very Green, and King Julius in hand and was back out on Rt. 20 by 6 pm.
All leading to this morning enjoyment.
Happy New Beer Sunday!

 

A beer mecca – Portland, ME

This will be my last ‘trip report’ of my recent vacation of the North American Northeast (Rhode Island -> Nova Scotia -> New Brunswick -> Maine) and this will be about my visit to Maine.

My father grew up in a small town just south of Augusta (which is Maine’s Capital) and we would every year take our family vacation to visit my grandmother who lived in the small town of Winthrop, ME. So I had a lot of familiarity with Maine but pretty much localized. On this trip I got a chance to re-visit the cemetery where my Grandparents and Uncle/Aunt are buried which was a needed ‘coming home’ for me.

During this recent vacation I got to know Portland, ME and discover the craft beer scene there – which is quite impressive!!

Over the course of a few days my wife and I got a chance to visit a number of breweries (see list below). All of the beers were of high quality but I especially enjoyed the beers of Bissel Brothers and Goodfire.

Portland breweries/taprooms visited):

· Allagash

· Bissell Brothers

· Austin Street

· Foundation

· Lone Pine

· Goodfire

· Sebago

· Oxbow

In a number of the above brewery visits I purchased flights (e.g., 4 small sample glasses served on a board) in order to ‘expedite’ my drinking experience while still remaining sober.

In a recent BA thread I made a quick post about Bissell Brothers after that visit:

“I just got back from the Bissell Brothers taproom. They are well known for their hoppy beers. I got a glass of Substance IPA (and left with a 4-pack of this beer) and it was indeed excellent. In addition I purchased a 20 ounce glass of their Helles (which was excellent) and a 12 ounce glass of their Lagerbier (which was very good). A nice variety of beer styles all of high quality. A nice example of what is 'right' in today's craft beer scene.”

So, today I will be discussing a can of Substance. Below is how this beer is discussed on the Bissell Brothers website:

“THE SUBSTANCE ALE

Our flagship; a brightly dank ale that threads many needles.

Hops: Falconer's Flight, Centennial, Apollo, Eureka, Chinook

Malts: 2-Row, Maine 2-Row, Maine Flaked Wheat, Flaked Oats, Caramel 20

ABV: 6.6%

OG: 1.060

Availability: weekly production”

On the side of the can there is a nice story:

"The Substance Ale, a creation two years in the making, represents the past, present, and future of beer - Drawing from the wealth of knowledge of those that came before us while creating something entirely our own, waves of hop flavor permeate the senses as you consume The Substance. We started Bissell Brothers for one reason- To use the short time that we have to live to make something awesome and share it with the world. Thank you for enjoying the fruits of our labors."

Needless to say I had this beer before (draft pint at the brewery’s taproom a few weeks ago) but this will be my first time tasting this beer from the can.

Served in my Gulden Draak tulip glass:

Appearance:

A hazy golden yellow with a BIG rocky white head.

Aroma:

A vibrant combination of tropical fruits but some citrus as well. There is some dank in the background.

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with tropical fruit flavors front and center but nicely accompanied with some citrus flavors with a subtle dank aspect. There is a moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel:

This beer has an enjoyable smooth/creamy mouthfeel.

Overall:

In one word: EXCELLENT. I found this beer to be well integrated in the flavors of tropical fruits, citrus and some dank. Yum!

@KOP_Beer_OUtlet @rotsaruch @RobH @meefmoff

 

This was after midnight so I will count it: Neshaminy Creek Shape of Hops to Come. Enjoyable enough but glad I just got a single, not really my thing anymore and by the end of the glass I was good. For those interested here is the breakdown and I am sure many here would enjoy it:

“Can I scream….” for more hops? You sure can. Two row American barley jammed packed with as much Apollo, Newport, Simcoe, Topaz, and Citra hops we could get our hands on, The Shape of Hops to Come is an 8.5% ABV American-styled imperial IPA hopped with Apollo, Newport, Simcoe, Topaz, and Citra hops that’s got a ton of bitterness, along with juicy, dank resiny pine-like, and citrus forward hop character that is worthy of it’s name. Dry hopped for two weeks this hop bomb has as much hop power we can muster!

OG – 1.072
FG – 1.010
IBU – 98.0
SRM – 6.4

Base Malt – American 2 Row Barley

https://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/beers/the-shape-of-hops-to-come-imperial-ipa/

 

Well put. I have felt the same way when trying their beers. The hoppy ones are great and unique and do a great job of straddling the fence and not going full on no-IBU-juicy, nor completely old-school. Nonetheless (I guess I'm jaded), the couple times I have had more "traditional" styles from them I have gone into it expecting the all-too-common practice of an IPA named after a traditional style. But no, they have all been interesting, well-made, delicious examples of the style with the brewery's own little twist on it.

 

Dominion & Fordham Oak Barrel Stout



A- Pours a very dark color with a nice tan head and lacing
A- Aroma has vanilla and cocoa hints
M-The taste follows the nose with a vanilla and cocoa flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A nice Stout

 

As I previously posted I thought the Helles was excellent and it tasted like a 'traditional' Helles for my palate.

There is a brewery local to me of Tired Hands who is renowned for their hoppy beers. But they also produce high quality 'traditional' beers as well (e.g., Pilsners, Helles beers of varying brands, Schwarzbier, Altbier,...). Needless to say it is their hoppy beers (including Milkshake IPAs) which generate all of the buzz (and produces HUGE revenue) but these other beers are available as well. Also they produce a plethora of high quality Saisons (of varying brands).

Cheers!

 

Is the beer 'different' or has your preference/palate shifted?

FWIW, it has beena couple of years since I have consumed Shape of Hops to Come (on draft). I have consumed this beer (on draft) a number of times in the past and my consistent experience was: "I just don't get it". In the recent past this beer received a lot of buzz/hype but the beer was consistently just OK for me. I never was motivated to purchase this beer packaged (e.g., a 6-pack) since it was (is?) expensive and just OK for me.

Cheers!

 

Destihl Extended Jam Hazy IPA



A-Pours a hazy golden color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma had tropical, fruity and citrus hints
T-The taste follows the nose with tropical, fruity and citrus flavors
M-A light bodied slightly carbonated beer
O-A nice refreshing NEIPA

 

They were efficient at the old farm, but their new place is super efficient. The very best I have seen!

 

Believe it or not it was my first time having it (my comment was about the style in general) but you do bring up a good point and with all of the hype I did expect more. In some ways it reminded me of Troegs Nimble Giant which I also find to be just okay and I don't understand its hype either.

 

Poured into a 16 oz Snulip glass not sure when it was canned. Pours a very dark near pitch black with a 3 finger light brown head that leaves plenty of thick webs of lace with solid retention. 4.25

Smell maple up front, vanilla bean, cocoa nibs, pipe tobacco, dry coffee grounds, and just a hint bourbon. 4

Taste follows maple and vanilla lead off cocoa, tobacco, coffee, and Oaked bourbon in the finish. 4.25

Mouthfeel is bigger than average, a tad dry, gentle carbonation, and at 10% ABV drinks bigger but still very approachable. 4.25

Overall excellent stout that I highly recommend. Thanks @superspak for this treat. 4

 

FWIW I am with you there (as well).

Cheers!

 

Happy Sunday, NBS crew! I spent yesterday in Brooklyn with @thisischuck01 , and happened to run into @jrnyc , @frozyn , and other nyc ba’s while drinking all the stouts at Other Half. We later switched to Sixpoint, at which point John slipped me this can when I mentioned my infatuation with Galaxy hops. John, you’re definitely getting some Tired Hands next time we meet up!

This is only the second Sand City brew I’ve tried, and first in a can (the other being a $12 draft in Manhattan, oy...)

III Little Birds - Sand City
IIPA - 10.2% abv
Canned 7/5/19 (23 days ago)
Score: 4.4 (-0.5% rDev)



Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/39356/392832/?ba=CanConPhilly#review

Synopsis:
First off, I’m shocked that I’m negative rDev on this one. This beer clearly has its fans, and I can see why. Pineapple, mango, and grapefruit from the nose translate wonderfully into the taste, and present as pure fruit rather than a fruit-flavored vape. The best thing about this beer, though, is how the 10.2% abv is masked. Rather than relying on residual or added sugar to distract the palate from the booze, it’s the hops here that do the heavy lifting. The finish is quite bitter, and makes the alcohol all but unnoticeable. I really like this. Thanks again John!

 

Thanks @cjgiant for the great start to this weeks NBS. Will be back later on with a new brew.

Cheers!