New Beer Sunday (Week 799)

Love Fiddlehead , I hate to say underrated, but it might not be the first NE brewer that pops into your head. Every beer I’ve had from them has been outstanding.

 

Forgive the digression, the are new, but not beer. I was going to do this as a part of a beer post, but as I'm wont to do, I got wordy and figured a separate post was better as to not detract from my next beer. Please feel free to skip right on by or report me if you see fit...

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Before my next real NBS post with a beer, I decided to do a tasting of a beverage the GF purchased after her sister mentioned she had one during an online tasting and thought it wasn't too bad. This isn't the brand, but it is a variety pack, which was the key selling point for her. Vizzy is a Molson Coors product, and since a few local breweries have a hard seltzer line (DC Brau specifically comes to mind), my beer training indicates I needed to get an opening impression of the macro-produced offering before I could judge the others

The GF stated as I brought these out, "You're not gonna like these."
I sorta expect them to be refreshing enough but not as much as water and would be surprised if I felt any needed to take up space in the beer fridge. But let's see.


First off, not sure why, but I was a tad surprised to see a slight tint to a couple of the pours (light enough to not seem visible in the pic). They were not overly fizzy beyond initial swell and crash of carbonation. The aromas of pineapple* and black cherry were more distinct than the others, but all had a fruity aspect. The levels of "artificial aroma" varied, but they generally weren't syrupy in nature.

All had about equal carbonation levels that were well below a typical soda (the blueberry-pomegranate might have had a tad more bite than others). The tastes all started clean, gained a little of the flavors, and then faded into an artificial sweetener-like aftertaste, with the strawberry-kiwi pour having the least of this last component.

For what it's worth, my order was strawberry-kiwi, blueberry-pomegranate, and a tie for the last two. GF said she liked the strawberry-kiwi most this day, because it seemed a little sweeter - with her second favorite being pineapple-mango.

In closing, the GF was mostly right, however while I didn't really like any of these, I didn't dislike them entirely. She doesn't need to buy more.

* Note: the GF mentioned her second choice smelled/tasted like [artificial] peach, and I had to agree with her.

 

Recovery day from a 100 mile bike ride yesterday in the South Carolina Midlands. We started near Shaw AFB if that rings any bells. I got badly dehydrated despite trying to drink regularly. On a windy day it sneaks up on you.

So I am staying in the yard today, with a Pipeworks Lizard King. I have no plans to go to Chicago, but Pipework is distributed in Georgia now, and hope to pick this up regularly.
Clear yellow with some chill haze. Well carbonated. Strong citrus and yeast aroma. Pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peach flavors. Dry and refreshing.

I love seeing Midwest breweries distributed in Georgia. Looking forward to getting more Surly, Old Nation, and Pipeworks.

 

Toppling Goliath Sosus DIPA, 7.8% ABV. This was entered on BA as a NEIPA, but TG says DIPA. Pours hazy orange, with 4+ finger white head that left lot of lacing. Nose is pine and pineapple, taste follows with some sweetness and moderate bitterness. Excellent mouthfeel, overall excellent to outstanding.

4.27/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Nice warm, sunny, and windy summer day to get some outdoor chores done. I should do that.

 

Just wanted to pop in and advertise for our BIF Savages v3 for which signups are now running. The cut off date is tomorrow so go on over and sign up if that’s the kind of thing you’re in to!

 

That smell is like trash cans in a dive bar that has a minimalist can cleaning regime. Or like my recycling can.

 

Starting day three of our private SIP Fest 2020 a couple hours later than desired, but here goes beer one.

California Cobbler from Gunwhale. Rye Farmhouse Ale with Peaches and Cinnamon.

What I wrote in my review:
500ml bottle served in a SIP Fest 2020 snulip. If dated, I don't see it.

Pours a mostly clear amber-honey color with a very small head and not a lot of visible carbonation. Smell is tart, a little woody, with a cinnamon and peach in the background. Does a good job of bringing that out in the aroma without slapping you in the face with it.

Taste is damn tart. My eyes shot open, I reeled a couple times, and gasped out a "Whoa!" Okay...after taking a couple more sips to acclimate to my first tart beer of the day, the cinnamon is just a shadow. Definitely there, but I think I get more bitterness from it than cinnamon flavor. Peaches come across in the tartness, and a little bit of sweetness. Maybe the tartness makes me think of lemon a little more, too.

Mouthfeel is medium, fairly light. Slightly filmy. Would benefit from just a bit of carbonation. Overall...interesting, very tasty beer.

Next up is most likely Day 2 of the Untappd virtual beer festival (I nearly typed beef restival).

 

Yep, nailed it. Most bars in Trenton where we lived had that stale beer smell, it certainly wasn’t polished. Mostly guys hovering over a cheap shot and a beer. Well before TVs in bars too.

 

Hey NBSers! Pilsner-(esque) beer today here. I will let the label explain.



3.91/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16oz can dated 4/27/20. Decent foamy white head but it doesn't last. Body is a Pils color, light gold, but you cannot see through it. Not super hazy, plenty of light getting through, more like "overcast". Not sure if there are any of those beautiful persistent tiny bubbles inside that cloud or not.
Bready aroma, but the hops hint on what's to come.
You might call this an unbalanced Pilsner. Not that that's a bad thing because balance is not what the label advertises. As a guy who likes both Pilsners and IPA's, this is fine with me. This is not super hoppy, but if an IPA-only person had to drink this they would not complain.
Overall a cool take on style tweaking.

No clue how that name relates to this beer.

 

Good afternoon NBS, I hope everyone is doing well! Starting my Sunday with Modern Times Modem Tones Aged In Brandy Barrels With Vanilla and Cocoa. This is a really unique are different barrel aged stout worth trying, thanks @Snrubnivek!
4.56/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Thank you snrubnivek for this
22 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- Black with a small mocha head.

S- Chocolate, some vanilla, brandy, oak, dark fruits, hints of roasted malts.

T- Chocolate, brandy, vanilla, dark fruits, hints of grapes, some roasted malts, sweet but balanced.

M- Smooth, full body.

O- This is complex, smooth, and does not drink like it’s 14.4%. A very nice treat and different barrel aged stout worth trying.

Cheers NBS!

 

MN.

 

Beer #2 once again courtesy of @JayORear . When I started getting more into craft beer, I would anxiously look forward to new beers from SingleCut hitting the shelves, as I found their beer to be consistently good. The last couple years, I've found myself growing a bit more picky as to what I will buy, with more focus on value than I used to. The biggest knock I have against SingleCut is that they are routinely on the top, top end of the price spectrum. There is so much good stuff out there nowadays that I have more trouble justifying their beer vs. others.

With that said, let's check out Softly Spoken Magic Spells, and Imperial IPA.


4.3/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Pours a dirty orange with a relatively small amount of head that did not last long, but left behind a nice ring of lacing. Smell is all fruit. Guava, pineapple, maybe some mango. Very inviting. Taste largely follows the nose, and is nice and smooth and belies the 8+% ABV. Not a ton of carbonation, and doesn't linger particularly long on the tongue. Overall this is incredibly drinkable. The kind that goes down too fast and halfway through the second you suddenly start to feel the alcohol. Good beer.

Not sure if they are still charging $7-$8 per can, but if they aren't (i.e. if this is less than that), I'd strongly consider picking some up. I enjoyed how smooth this was.

 

Ok, Ive been told that after that last post, I need to bring a "real beer" for this post. Stupid conscience. Of the options, this beer from Charles Towne Fermentory hopefully fits the bill, Ralf Zwickelbier.


Ralf has a body that is pale yellow, ghostly. There is a haze about him that enhances his spectral nature. There is a thin, could-be halo above him when looking at him straight. However, the hoop is white and completely filled in when you see him from a different angle. His movements leave apparitions of where he once was.

I wonder if he haunts a bread shop after hours? Nearing him, I get crusts and wooden peels left in the back room, and I wonder if the place has storage place in the attic. The place might also make the occasional apple, pear, or peach tart - but these would not appear to make up the bulk of their sales.

The specter draws close and... oh shit! He passed straight into (and soon through) my body!! The aromas that became more distinct as he neared have now grabbed a hold of my sense of taste. A mix of orchard fruit and bread mingle as my mind tries to process the situation. It feels... mildly dirty to be invaded in such a way, but I also feel comforted and somewhat cleansed in the end. It's as if I've been transported to to a simpler place, not necessarily to a farmhouse, but a more rural estate that has a barn and flower boxes on the windows of the main living quarters.

I'm not sure what I just experienced, but others have claimed and documented something similar. Many seem a little more likely to want to relive the experience than I, but I do have a somewhat eager anticipation of my next encounter with Ralf.


(WTF was in those seltzers?!?)

 

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass not sure when it was canned. Pours a bright hazy gold yellow with a near two finger sticky white head that leaves thick streaks of lace with excellent retention. 5

Smell mango, pineapple, papaya, apricot, and grapefruit rind, simple, but very nice. 4.25

Taste follows mango, pineapple, papaya, apricot, and a little grapefruit. 4.5

Mouthfeel is a big medium, soft gentle carbonation, a tad sticky, and at 6.5% it drinks a little bigger but goes down easy. 4.5

Overall this is really nice stuff, without the best of these I have had so far. Thanks @mschrei for this can. 4.5

 

Capping off a great weekend with this refreshing Blue Point offering.
A - 3.75 - thin foam head and orange\amber hue.
S - 4.5 very orange forward smell. Dare I say citrus bomb.
T - 4.0 Refreshing blonde ale. Plenty of citrus flavor and some light grains
F - 4-.0 Some carbonation, and considering its hefty 9.6% ABV it is immensely drinkable.
O - 4.0 - Solid summer beer and I prefer it over their summer ale.
boy names that mean earth

 

Zed Lupilin is a DIPA from King’s County Brewers Collective. I did a grocery drop off in Brooklyn where my son hosts a local food bank and noticed that KCBC is down the street a bit.
This very fresh can is densely cloudy with an orange-tan hue. The 1 cm foam cap dissipates quickly. The aroma is orange and a whiff of mint.
The flavor is almost wholly, that of a glass of juice. Orange and grapefruit are most prominent.; pineapple follows.
The hop bitterness is low. The finish is slightly dry.
-very flavorful, juice.

 

missed the pic