New Beer Weekend #11

That truly sounds like a craft version of an Oktoberfestbier.

 

Time for more new world beers!

Bochkovoe - Poltavpivo brewery Ukraine



Poured from the bottle into a pokal style glass.

Real creamy foamed topped head at two easy fingers. Settles like a slow elevator but managing some staying power. Very light bock like looking body color, a dull light browned copper, with touches of chill like haze in the body.

Aroma is pleasant and similar to the Zhigovskoe. Sweet estery stone fruit but more of a touch of sweet caramel. There's a bit of hot clove like spice on this, almost a bit much too as it tends to burn the nostrils even. Very bold nose.

Palate seems to get the job done. Light estery and chewy mid palate mouthfeel, giving to tastes of light peach and caramel. Finishes a little spicy brown clove to black pepper, but comes off a little hot. Lingering touches of raisin and stone fruit in the mix, with a somewhat clean character.

Pretty enjoyable beer, but runs a little odd spiced hot in a way.


look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75 | 3.78/5

Cheers!

 

All you can do is be honest. I drank a lot of that beer in the past and really liked the flavor. I don't recall carbonation issues previously. Since they've introduced Hunter now at the same time of year I don't buy nearly as much Look See.

 

Few new ones today. Starting with a doozy, hoping it's good!



I haven't been overly impressed by a lot of Magnify stuff we've been able to get in MA, but let's see if this big ol' IPA can whip my opinion of them into shape.

Pours an opaque, thick-looking orange color with a delicate-looking head of bone-white foam. Not as much buildup as I thought it'd have, but what's there is alright enough. Lace is very consistent and well-built. Creamy looking appearance. Good legs. Alright, I've got my hopes up here... don't let me down now, guys!

The nose is pretty awesome, I must admit. Starts off with a moderate, firm dankness and a bit of citrus oil crossed with papaya and guava-like tropical elements. Lots of goodness going on here, and it doesn't even smell like an overly-strong beer despite being 10.5%! Yikes, I think I'm in for a world of hurt here. So, Cashmere is a somewhat-new hop with an interesting profile: "strong overtones of lemon, lime, peach, and melon" with "coconut, lemongrass, candy, and herbs [which] can show through in whirlpool or dry hop additions." I pick up some definite rindlike lemon/lime here with a touch of herbs, but I really do think this feels more focused on Mosaic's unique, unusual charms as well.

On the tongue, Cashmere Sweater has more oily citrus flavors combined with some green onion, peach, apricot, and redcurrant notes. Hop candy and some light resinous undertones in the finish underscore a drinkable and quenching follow-through. Again, not as much heft or ethanol presence as some other 10+% ABV TIPAs I've had, which is both good (makes it easier and more enjoyable to drink) and bad (Jesus, I'm gonna be drunk soon, right?). Feel is a little lighter and airier than some chewier big hoppy beers I've had, too... feels somewhat drier than usual but still has some expected sweetness that comes with the territory. Hop saturation is very nice here, and the balance between Mosaic and Cashmere is evident despite how I thought it'd come out based on the nose. Mosaic can be a little, uh, untamed, and I think the other hop does a good job reining it in, as it were. Probably the best Magnify ale I've had to date. Cheers! Back soon!

 

Haha, thanks for the typo point out!

 

Greetings, fellow NBWers.

Been a pretty nice week, weather-wise. A little cool at the beginning of the week, as expected for this time of year, but mid to high 70s for the highs since then. Still, there's undeniably a chill in the air at night and in the mornings. Right now, it's a clear 74° outside.

Friday night I had several beers, finishing with a couple fresh hop Simcoe IPAs at Hidden Mother Brewing. The next morning, the hangover was unusually acute, so I declined to partake, yesterday.

Today I've been watching the Seahawks vs the 'phins. If the 'hawks didn't have a porous, wind-sucking defense, it'd have been a beat down. Russ has been nothing short of amazing this year, but if the Seahawks get into a scoring race with a potent offense that has the benefit of a real D, I am worried. During halftime, my 10yr old niece commandeered my brother's phone and set me a pic of her and her two Guinnea Pigs. She's been a pet owner for about a week now and is pretty stoked about the whole thing:


Today I'm hitting a "German-Style Pilsner Lager."


Not much to rave about, here. Canned two months ago, it's managed to somehow age about a year in the can. That, or it wasn't much to begin with. VERY sweet malt-forward, barely a murder of hops, it seems like an AAL.

 

Starting light today.

3.3/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz can dated 05/19/20. So its getting long in the tooth.
Gold, mildly hazy body over a large bubble head.
Subtle aroma of grassy hops.
Flavor is subtle also. Its a shadow of Two Hearted, a very dim shadow.
Mouthfeel is dry and thin.
I know I'm trying an fairly old can, but I think I'll stick with Two Hearted.

 

This dude:

 

Received this whale from @WunderLlama and NBW BIF 12, thought it would be nice to share with my son so you see the two pours. A murky, turbid juice like appearance with wonder(lama)ful, frothy head that stays for the duration, a thing of beauty. Aroma is nice piney but not a strong as I wished, taste is orange pith, grapefruit, vanilla cream, nice hop bitterness that encourages you to crush it but I’m trying my best to enjoy a lingering leisure delight. Thanks Maynard!

 

I've reviewed a couple of beers from Waldmann in previous NBW/NBS (don't remember if they were before or after the switch). For those not from MN, or who don't remember my previous posts (or don't care... you just skip ahead a paragraph), they are a small, historical preservation "money where there mouth is" and German-focused brewery in St. Paul. I've been impressed with the two I've tried so far, and I'm glad they self-distribute to a few retail stores. They do seem to be serious about authentic German-style beers (with a deviation or two also on the menu for broader appeal, money coming in, etc.).

Today will be the last new-to-me Oktoberfest beer of this year. I mentioned during the online tasting that I was disappointed this brewery kept their Oktoberfest beers in the tank until their own Oktoberfest events, the opening and middle weekends of the fest in Munich. Only after those did they make them available within their distribution map. So, today, the beer is:

Waldmann Oktoberfest
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: NA



They label this as an "Amber Märzen-style Lager". And, that it is.

Clear, but dark, amber, nicely carbonated, tall, thick off-white head with decent retention, but little lacing (that last might be the glass's fault; I washed it just before pouring, was perhaps in too much of a hurry and didn't get it properly rinsed...).

Very pleasant aroma, sweet roasty bread, honey, raisins, moderate strength.

Rich flavor. Again with the bread, dark fruits - darker figs, toasty-caramel (melanoidin?, as near as I can tell from the brewer's description, there are no caramel malts used in the recipe, but the description is not definitive on that), semi-sweet malts. Slightly bitter in the middle carrying through to the finish. This beer is simpler than Ayinger, but it is working in the same ballpark. The toasty breadiness and light bitterness lingers in the aftertaste. Excellent.

The mouth feel is smooth, moderate body, long-lasting mouth presence.

Overall, an excellent märzen from a small German-style St. Paul brewery. This Oktoberfest-Märzen has, to my taste, surpassed the much loved (by me) Schell's at the top of the MN-brewed scale. Excellent. (Again, I wish it had been available - other than at the brewery - for the online tasting.)

L: 4.25 | S: 4.0 | T: 4.5 | F: 4.0 | O: 4.25 | Rating: 4.27

 

Transient Artisan Ales - Slow Up. My first beer from this brewery.

16oz can served in a big snifter. Don't see a date on it. Don't remember where I got it.

Pours clear yellow, small head that fades quickly to basically nothing. Smell is lager yeast, lemon and grass.

Taste is much more interesting. Rich honey and grain sweetness, medium lager yeast flavor.

Mouthfeel is medium. Overall, it doesn't look like much, it doesn't smell like much, but it tastes pretty good.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Samplers and commentators. It's another really nice Sunday afternoon to join you all in reviewing a new beer. This afternoon, it's Old Grounds, a West Coast style IPA from my favorite deep South Jersey brewery, Slack Tide. The names of Slack Tide's beers typically have a deep sea fishing theme. This is the first time this beer has been canned and (obviously) the first time I've had it. It was released this week and I bought it yesterday. Unfortunately, Slack Tide often doesn't identify the hop and grist bills and the yeast used. This is not unusual for South Jersey breweries. But what sets it apart is the sourdough in the background. The hops are bitter but not overly biting. I sucked this baby down almost too fast to review properly. It's a very fine American IPA. Here's my full review:

4.22/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Reviewed less than a week after can release. Poured into a Slack Tide tulip glass. It pours a cloudy, golden-honey color with a half finger of creamy, bright white head and clinging lacing. Very attractive. The nose is mellow with lite floral hops and a yeasty aroma. The taste opens dry and mildly bitter with lots of grapefruit rind and lemon peel. As it warms a bit the malt bill comes alive and reminds me of sourdough. Eventually, the malt sweetens some more which adds another dimension. Unfortunately, Slack Tide doesn't advertise the hops, malt, and yeast they use in this ale but the results are impressive. The mouth feel is crisp and clean with an enjoyable level of carbonation, and it's very drinkable at 7.3% ABV. I pounded the first can. Overall, Old Grounds is very well conceived and executed. It's flavorful and the sourness in the background is a real plus. This is a first rate offering from an excellent small brewer. I enjoyed it with a plate of Virginia ham and sharp cheese.

The reason my rating is so far below the mean is that the only other rating is 4.74. I'll never criticize another BA's rating but to put it in perspective, I rated JJJuliuss at 4.69, Pliny the Elder at 4.68, and Heady Topper at 4.65. So 4.22 is a really good rating for me. And this beer merits it.

I hope you're all enjoying your new beers this weekend. Cheers, NBW!

 

A new-to-me Oktoberfest in my glass, though the brewery is dear to my heart... I always make sure to visit them if I'm in the Burlington area of Vermont. Queen City's Märzen-style lager:



This pours a deep amber color, clear and austere with a beige colored cap of head that laces spectacularly, though the suds making up the lacing quickly fade away. Decent legs and slight surface coverage. A solid Ofest pour, to be sure.

The nose is lightly-vegetal, grainy and deeply-bready with a hefty toffee component backed up by herbal hops and a light note of Munich-like maltiness. Some spicy elements in there, too, which give it a bit of character. Can't really disagree with this one so far.

Flavor is fairly-malty and semi-sweet with some decent melanoidin character. Slightly earthy hops with a touch of spice, good breadiness and structure. A bit more effervescent than some of the amber Märzens I've had throughout the years, but not in a problematic way. Lighter body, for sure. Kinda makes it a little more approachable than some other American beers in this style, but your mileage will probably vary. I absolutely love all of the slight differences that breweries tend to manage with this and the lighter festbier permutation of the "Oktoberfest" style; this is one of my absolute favorite types of beer to dissect and consider critically... plus, they're just generally damn-fun to drink and enjoy! I hope everyone here has been taking advantage of the season to drink their favorite (and perhaps some new-to-them) Ofests! 2020 has been depressing in a lot of ways, but this is one of the best seasons to enjoy yourself responsibly... go for it!

 

I’m going solo with the 3.5 year old twins this afternoon and evening so keeping it light until bedtime. Then I crack into @Ozzylizard ’s fantastic NBS BIF box!

Olde Mecklenberg Captain Jack Pilsner.



4.04/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Several month old can poured into a Willi Becher.

Pours a bright sparkling gold with a moderate head that dissipates fairly slowly.

Enticing aroma. Grassy, floral hops with hint of white bread.

Crisp on the sip. Taste follows nose. Light grassy and floral notes with a tight light malty finish. Not sweet.

Light and effervescent. Lovely.


Just a solid Pilsner from what I think is an underrated brewery.

 

Duh!

Thanks, guys! Here I was thinking some kind of infrared thermometer; in never occurred to me to use a simple cooking thermometer! (But, my wife would not appreciate me appropriating the one from the kitchen for my beer tastings.) I guess I'll be checking in to buying one for myself!

 

Cart horse by Old Nation

4.23/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I have had old nation and it came highly recommended by some friends in Grand Rapids

Was happy to have received in BIF#12 from @foundersasap



Canned 9.9,opened 10.4

Rolled then can as instructed on the label. One finger white foam cap has good retention that settles to a ring over a turbid dark orange liquid , some lacings

Fragrant pour, orange blossoms, citrus orange, whiff of peach

Taste is orange rind, grapefruit rind, tart orange marmalade, not sweet

Mouthfeel is light, medium sudsing, semi dry finish

Good beer

sunrise at Manomet in Plymouth , mass

 

Congratulations!

 

Keeping things going with lagers, honestly I’m feeling spoiled with the number of amazing lagers I have on hand right now and this Suarez State Pils is special, thanks @EMH73!
4.39/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Thank you EMH73 for this
16 oz can, dated 9/2/20, poured into a mug

A- A fairly clear golden straw with a small white head.

S- Pilsner malts, some sweet bread, hints of corn like sweetness, herbal, some earthy spice, touch of citrus.

T- Honey biscuits, some toasted malts, pilsner malts, touch of citrus, herbal, slightly floral, nice earthy spice.

M- Smooth, crisp, light body.

O- A beautiful blend of hops and malts in this, absolutely a most try for lager fans.

Cheers!