New Beer Weekend #27

I have a bit of history with Duvel glasses. I broke a very special one sent to me by none other than @LeperJim a few years ago; not even sure how I'd go about replacing it. And now, my regular, "standard" Duvel tulip bites the dust.

I don't always break beer glasses, but when I do, I make sure they're among my favorites.

So, new glass for a new beer! Or, rather, a different - but not entirely new - glass, for a new beer.



And what's this? A semi-clear - translucent, at the very least - IPA from Transient? Be still, my beating heart! (But also don't, because I'm terrified of dying from a massive heart attack like my grandfather, so ... maybe just be calm? Yeah; be calm sounds better. )

The appearance was quite nice overall ... until I finished the pour, revealing large dark floaties, unattractive in stark contrast against the body. I'm really not sure what it is: yeast sediment, hop sediment, or something else? I am sure that it looks ... well, not great.

From nose to palate, this is really much more like a single IPA. It's bright, refreshing, crisp, and lively; the light hoppy tones nearly dance across the palate. For me, I'd prefer more body in a self-advertised Imperial IPA, but I do appreciate the drinkability (and would surely appreciate it more if I didn't have to see those disgusting floaties at the bottom of the glass ... ).

Flavor (and aroma) tones are consistently light: lemon, pineapple, papaya, and guava (minus the earthy pungency).

Overall, what does one make of a beer like this? It's really darn good, and I'd love to have it on tap locally as an alternative to a standard 6-7.5% single IPA, but is it really outstanding or excellent? Ehh, not really. Really good, bordering on great, but definitely not world class.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/34258/335916/?ba=Roguer#review
3.71 / -9.1%

 

I've got a few IPAs around from putting together a few boxes to send out, so I need to drink these. This is another beer from Hop Butcher to the World. Its new to me, and new to shelves.

Hop Butcher to the World - Thematic Glow

Pours a murky, completely opaque orange color. use, pillowy off-white head forms on the beer before slowly, but steadily dissipating. Ultimately just a thin layer of foam and some lacing on the glass remains after dissipating. Overall the appearance is generically in line with the NE style IPA. Aroma has notes of mango, mango juice, orange, grass, onion grass, and green herbal notes with a touch of sweetness.

Taste follows the nose with notes of orange, mango, cantaloupe with certain grassy, herbal notes. There is a slight onion grass character to the flavor profile. Definitely sweet and juicy but, as the style goes, its actually not all that sweet. Feel is medium to moderately full bodied, creamy and smooth. Moderately carbonated with some liveliness.

Overall its a really nicely executed NE style IPA.

 

Nice imaginext figure - my kids have the same one.

 

Last one for the evening! This comes courtesy of @russpowell - East Sixth Brewing - The Alpha & The Omega. I believe that East Sixth Brewing has actually closed, so this will in all likelihood be my first and last beer from this brewery.



Pours pitch black, completely opaque, and quite viscous. Lovely, three finger velvety mocha colored head. The head dissipates until just a thin ring of foam remains on the outside of the beer. Aroma has notes of tobacco, chocolate, roasted malts, some light smoked malt notes, oaky bourbon notes and a hint of dark fruit. Really a lovely, complex aroma. The addition of that light smokiness really adds a wonderful dimension to it.

Taste has notes of roasted malts, molasses, oak, tobacco, bourbon, chocolate, brown sugar, and cola. Its actually much sweeter than I expected from the nose - not overly sweet by any stretch, but there is a definite sweetness to it. The sweetness has a somewhat caramelly character to it. Mouthfeel is full bodied, thick, and viscous. Smooth, gentle carbonation. Somewhat drier finish on the back end.

Overall its a lovely barrel aged stout. Very well integrated and delicious. Too bad this one won't be produced anymore, because it really is a stellar beer.

 

For real - this is just a lovely beer. Were they a COVID casualty? Or other stuff ...

 

I really appreciate the thought, and the offer. In this case (tonight), it was a standard Duvel glass, easily replaceable with any gift package. @LeperJim 's glass, OTOH? That one has proven to be a little harder to replace. I can't say I remember exactly which glass it was, other than it was a Duvel tulip, and it was neither the standard one, and I have the "flock" one (the one with a ton of art over the midsection, that kind of looks like a flock of ravens or bats).

I can live with my own mistakes, but that glass, being a special package from James, was a sad casualty, to be sure.