New Beer Sunday (Week 777)

KBS Espresso
..solid black
...light carbonation, above average body. Has a thick,creamy oily feel
...aroma is malt and espresso upfront followed by some wood,black coffee, earthy,and bourbon. What was hard to figure out is this sweet coffee cake like aroma that almost comes off like candy
...taste is malt,espresso and bourbon upfront. That wierd coffee cake like aroma is there also in the taste
...overall it's more dessert beer than original KBS,especially with the Candied coffee cake aroma and flavor. I liked it but need to try it again as I was taken aback by the dessert beer factor

 

This'll be short because I'm doing this live at the pub right now. I didn't need to roll a natural 7, or need any luck at all to pick this beer once I saw the collaboration partners!

Fat Head's / 3 Floyds - Special Hoperations (7.5% IPA) - My overall rating = 4.35



Having this in Pittsburgh, PA at the Fat Head's pub.

A - Clear golden-orange with a 3/4-finger off-white head and light lace

S - Biscuit, orange, pine, earthy

T - Pine, orange, mint, mildly dank. Moderately bitter

M - Medium body and carbonation. Resinous, smooth then crisp.

O - Top notch cross between Head Hunter and Zombie Dust!

 

Good morning BAs, and happy New Bye Bye Sunday. You read that right. After much consideration I've decided to hang up my BA hat for a while. It's been a long, fun, and sometimes awkward (and maybe at times even not so fun) journey since my inception nearly 9 years ago. Glass of the Day over on WBAYDN was one of my favorite contributions along with Stein Club Sundays, and of course, participating in or with Rock Out with your Bock Out, Crate Day, Beer Turkey Day, and so many more over the years. Regardless, I've decided to remove myself because of the distraction it has on me from focusing on the most important thing in my life... family. If anyone here is ever in the Portland area, hopefully we will cross paths over a pint or twenty. Just look for the dirtiest, dingiest, punk rock dive bar around, and there will be a stool waiting right there next to me, just for you! Until then….

Deschutes Brewing
Black Butte XXXI- Imperial Porter with Chocolate, Cold Brew Coffee, Cardamom, aged in Bourbon Barrels



Deschutes mezmorized my taste buds with the first sips of Mirror Pond Pale and Black Butte Porter so many years ago, and they continue to be welcomed inhabitants of real estate in my beer fridge. They were also one of the very first influences of craft brew for me, and still manage to be a shining example of quality and creativity. Black Butte XX being one of the very first barrel aged beers that opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of what beer can be, I couldn't think of a better beer to enjoy today.

Better yet, this specific bottle is accompanied by cardamom… an ingredient that rings near and dear to my heart, courtesy of a childhood to current tradition and special family recipe of a holiday treat, Æbelskivers.



Like all of the anticipated anniversary brews, XXXI pours nearly pitch black. It's obsidian body has no choice but to mirror it's surroundings, while an impressive khaki foam rests stubbornly above, smooth, frothy, and likely intentionally designed to mimic a freshly prepared local cafe's espresso.

As hoped for, the previously mentioned enthusiasm of the inclusion of cardamom is noticed immediately, to my pleasure. Hiding closely behind the comfort of that spice, a heavy hand of chocolate and advertised cold-brewed coffee shine brightly. Booze and barrel, though subtle, take an appropriate back seat.

While I can see this might not hit the popular taste bud vote, this seems custom tailored for me. A slight char accompanied by a bready malt, with cardamom generously applied simply screams homage to my favorite Danish treat. Chocolate powder and wood almost act as a perfect dressing, booze as side of Aquavit. All that's missing is the Lingonberry jam.

The texture is silky smooth, rich, and decadent. Wonderfully spiced, dessert like without being too sweet. It's full, but still very drinkable. The 12.2% abv is criminally undetectable. An interesting tug-of-war is undeniable as sips are easy to return to, but practice of patience and self control is well rewarded.

This very well may be my favorite of the Anniversary Black Buttes to date. Biased as that may be, that's what beer is all about, right? Freedom, experimentation, expression. Well this one captures it all with familiarity and individuality, hand in hand. I will definitely be securing more XXXI for the future.

After my official review, I gave Black Butte XXXI a rating of 4.44 with an rDev of +8.3%.

Cheers everyone, it's been an absolute pleasure!

 

I have another Resident Culture IPA from their 12/28/19 releases, Double Universe, a DIPA version of their Citra NEIPA, Universal Mind

If you are a fan of Universal Mind, this is a sure thing. At 8.2 % ABV instead of 6.5 %, it just packs more of a Citra wallop.
Similar tan yellowish murk, one finger off white head, full curtains lacing, full ring and large continent on surface.
Strong orange, pineapple aromas
Sour papaya, pineapple, bread, apricot. Lime note that I remember from Universal Mind.
Slight hop kick, slight alcohol heat on the swallow, consistent carbonation, medium bodied, tongue coating feel.
Drier than Universal Mind, intriguing flavors.

 

Craig, thanks for your report of KBS vs. KBS Expresso.

Needless to say I am a fan of side-by-side taste testing.

Cheers!

 

Wow- lots of great memories listed there! Best wishes to you and your family, Phil, and I hope our paths will cross some day!

 

BS Bullnard the head elf
...solid black
...light carbonation with a pleasant, above average body with a bit if a creamy thick feel
...aroma is espresso, roasted malt,coffee beans, and some spice. As it warms dark and milk chocolate show up
...taste is very similar to aroma,spice is there but hard to label. As it warms a creamy milk and dark chocolate show up in a really nice way
...for a leftover holiday can of beer I totally enjoyed this and hope they make it again next year

 

Super Stario, a DIPA from Peekskill Brewery, presents as a clear amber can pour (not so NEIPA-ish) with a 1 cm foam cap and a faint aroma of grapefruit rind and tangerine. The flavor is full; the cited citrus flavors are prominent and some pine resin is noted. The hop bitterness is moderate and persists in the finish. This seems more like a West Coast DIPA, but is quite enjoyable.

 

Happy Sunday NBS players. My first Sunday off in a while but this should be mostly the norm going forward. Unseasonably warm here on the island with record temps. Beauty of a day with sunshine and a good breeze but just Scary warm- I have all the windows cracked wide open and thought about throwing on some shorts. Anyway, I will be drinking beers, eating good food, and watching plenty of mindless football all day long. I've got a bunch of new beers on hand so I should be up for a couple of posts.

My first new beer today is Mornin Latte, imperial coffee milk stout, from Toppling Goliath. The brew checks in at 8.9% abv, and it has a 11/11/19 canning date.

A jet black color on the pour with a full and sustaining brown head of bubbles and nice lacing. Malts and coffee on the nose but not nearly as floral as the can suggests. The drinking hits slightly sweet on the first few sips with a rush of the chocolate malts. A smooth and silky flow that finishes that way as well. Really coffee forward flavors with rich chocolate malt. Additional notes of cocoa, caramel, mocha, lactose, and char. The mouth feel is superb and really evident right away. Just crazy smooth, lush, thick, rich and sticky. The flavors linger so nicely after each sip.

Wow, this is great stuff. I only grabbed a single can but I will be buying full 4 packs going forward- especially for morning drinking. I'm in the low 4's to possible 4.5 range on some categories.

 

Thanks for all you've done over the years. I'll miss your posts.

 

Drekker Raspberry & Guava BRAAAAAAAAins Double Fruit Smoothie Sour, 6% ABV. Pours murky purplish red with a 1+ finger of pink head that left no lacing. Nose is a nice sweet raspberry and guava. Taste is slightly sweet raspberry and guava, with moderate tartness. Excellent mouthfeel, though a bit highly carbonated. Overall outstanding, one of their better sours.

4.44/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Getting ready for some more football. We'll be rooting for Chiefs and our Packers. Damn Vikings couldn't pull off a win, so the Pack will be heading to San Francisco next week.

 

You will be missed greatly.

Best wishes to you and yours !

 

Sad to read this, but certainly understand - this hobby, while wonderful, can be consuming at times.

Fare thee well, we'll see ya down the road a spot.

 

Good luck player. Can you keep your account active till I finish your beers? Also, you have to come back for a beer if the Jets win a super bowl- or hell even get to one.