New Beer Weekend #4

Welcome back!

 

Your pooch is eyeing them burgers

 

Lol, it’s getting into my Sept thru Xmas wheelhouse, I’ve got a slew coming up. It’s just been so hot here stouts are backend of the rotation. But I’m stocked up pretty well thank you, and the time is near.

 

You stocked me up very well that’s for sure. The hoppy ones die fast because they need to, the others can wait a bit.

 

Starting my day with a 10% imperial stout after my morning coffee was probably not the best idea, but we ended up making the best of a cooler overcast day. A walk in the cemetery, then a nice lunch, and as @Roguer mentioned earlier, a long nap. When picking up our dinner take out at one of the better beer bars in town, I noticed that they had a fresh keg of Einbecker Pilsner on tap so I picked up a crowler.

It poured a transparent straw color topped with an inch of fluffy white head that lingered for most of the glass. The ample carbonation also rose to the surface continuously as I worked my way through it. The aroma was of bready malt with only a hint of the hops. The taste had a bitter and grassy hop flavor that finished very clean and dry. The grainy malt was nicely balanced. The light body and carbonation that I mentioned earlier made this an easy drinker. I came in almost +9% rDev, and I was surprised by that. I thought this was a great pilsner, and one that I'd drink regularly if I knew I was getting it fresh.



4.04/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

 

I’m dying for an ice cold Pliny, that just jumped into my head.

 

Dave, our NJ Governor is a Goldman Sachs guy and has grand designs!

 

I can't remember what I sent you. I really hope they hold up okay!

 

Yeah, that's the kind of beer where I'd put other stuff aside if I saw it fresh.

 

Beer at day break today. Nice light 6.25% ABV IPA brewed by Phase Three in Lake Zurich, ILL called Vivid Light. This was the final planned pour for the WCIPA weekend tasting, but eight WCIPAs over three days (plus two Old Styles) were plenty. This beer was released July 31, 2020.



Appearance: Light clear golden straw coloured pour, rich creamy soapy head leaves generous clumpy lacing. Light carbonation. 4.0

Aroma: Faint pine aroma, light citrus back. Had to work to get this much. 2.75

Taste: Thankfully the taste was bolder and very pleasant. Dry and bitter pine leads and doesn't want to relinquish. After a gulp and few additional sips, nice grapefruit and citrus balances this out well. Light caramel malt backs as well, hangs in the back as my preference vs. the typical midwest WCIPA, including the heavier presence in their Terrazzo WCIPA. The taste is as inviting as hitting a water fountain after playing baseball on a hot summer day, want to keep drinking. Excellent. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Light/medium body, slightly oily and creamy, dry and bitter, slight dry aftertaste. Nice balance as the sweetness hangs on throughout the pour. Alcohol hardly noticed. Nice. 4.25

Overall: This is a very good light WCIPA. This pour sticks more to the WCIPA style than Terrazzo, but that pour is solid as well. Hope Phase Three continues to brew these offerings. It's a rare treat to have good consistent WCIPA pours fresh in Chicago circa 2020, beyond Spiteful. Well done once again Phase Three. 4.25

@FBarber

 

I think you're correct, Jack. A fresh, average US-made pilsner will often taste better than an old, superiorly-produced German or Czech pilsner. That sitting-around for six months on a boat before being consumed can be somewhat detrimental.

 

That's why he's got teeths, to filter out chunks like glass,