New Beer Weekend #28

Sorry to hear about your pup. But if you've given a good 15 years of life & love to her consider that in your pondering. That's a true blessing to your family and her. I wish her comfort, and I wish you solace.

 

Good afternoon NBW.
Lots going on here, but don't wanna bore y'all. Thanks for the kickoff @SawDog505 and thanks for the NBS BIF shout out @WunderLlama ..
I have a friend up in northern Mass, and well, just like in our NBS BIF... "I'm hit!"
Santilli an American IPA by Night Shift Brewing
Canned 11/18/2020
Slightly cloudy, dull gold. Fluffy white cap, just shy of 2 inches has very good retention. Nice clumpy lacing.
She shines in the nose: initially piney notes followed immediately by a crisp lemon zest bite. Then grass, undertones of sweet grain, and an herbal zip.
Flavor follows through faithfully. Slightly dank pine resin, floral lemon, tangerine, wet grass, white pepper, sweet bready grain, and a drying bitterness.
Mouthfeel is just shy of medium, carbonation is active but not overly so. Smooth finish even though a hint of mineral grittiness comes through on the very end.
Overall, a great offering.

I gots to get me out to New England!

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Sippers and commentators. We're awaiting what could be a significant nor'easter. According to the forecast (which is wrong 50% of the time), we'll receive 20" of snow during the next 24 hours. I went to my office today and retrieved another box of files so I can work from home. The snowblower is gassed up and the new generator is working so we're ready!

This is a cross-post with the Barleywine Tasting thread. I'm reviewing Slack Tide's Brew of '62 aged in Jamaican rum barrels. I should state for the record that I'm not a rum drinker. That said, this version is very different from the base ale. It's fruitier, smoother, and more mellow - without the hoppy bitterness that normally characterizes an American Barleywine. I wish this bottle were older; it's conditioning date is 2/1/2021. That said, I enjoyed it and hope there are additional bottles available when I next visit the brewery. Here's my full review:

4.12/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from 22 oz. bottle into a tulip glass. It pours a cloudy reddish-brown color similar to iced tea. There is virtually no head or lacing. It has a bright, fruity nose featuring raisin, apple, and fig, along with caramel, brown sugar, a whiff of molasses, and the distinct smell of the rum barrel. This ale has a completely different taste than the base Brew of '62; it lacks the bitter hop presence and there is more apple, raisin, and a hint of fig. There are also notes of leather, oak, and a very strong Jamaican rum presence. It's far smoother and more mellow than the base ale. The mouth feel seems less viscous - in fact, it's surprisingly thin - and while it has the same 13% ABV, it seems boozier. Overall, this is a really interesting variation on the base ale. While I'm not a rum drinker, I'm enjoying it. My guess is that this version will age well.

Celebrating the exciting world of craft beer, I'm on to a NE IPA for my next review. Cheers, everyone!

 

We're cool with a little rule bending. Only cuz it's you.

 

@Pinz412, I'm sorry to hear your news. Our dogs are special gifts who teach us unconditional love. I hope things work out for your family but I can tell your dog knows you love her. My heart's with you.

 

I feel ya. You want to get me blubbering, ask me to share about my past 4-legged loves.

 

Copied from Barleywine Tasting Thread.
Of course I wasnt going to let the opportunity pass me by to participate and crack open a style I should drink more often. Wanted to go local so picked this one out from Black Pond literally 25 mins from home in Danielson CT.
Now That Ive Stood Up Barleywine Vintage 2020. First I really dig the label art.
Pours a a slighty hazy rusty tea color capped by a 3/4" creamy beige head thats has excellent retention and leaves quite a bit of lacing.
Aroma is toffee, light caramel, light notes of spices: cinnamon, allspice. There is also a light soapy hop note as well.
Taste follows with lighter caramel/toffee, a winelike quality, substantial bitterness and an almost metallic edge, mildly sweet.
Feel is medium, lighter than you would expect, mild alcohol, drinking very easily for 10% (probably indication of where the name comes from. I havent stood up yet) fairly bitter finish. As the beer warms its developing more richness and depth of flavor. Carbonation is minimal. Its actually fairly dry on the finish and there is that touch of green hops.
A decent beer that I have a feeling many traditionalists of the style may not be on board with. Definitely feels like an American style. Im enjoying the change of pace. A style I should drink more of and have been "shopping" as I read your reviews. I still have that MOAS 2018....Lets see what happens.
Appreciate the opportunity to participate. And no I have not stood up yet. Cheers!.

 

Hoppy Sunday NBW.

Secret Vacation from Vitamin Sea Brewing



Poured from a can dated 1/22/21 into a can glass "If you know you know"

1 inch foamy white head and a grapefruit juice thick yellow color

Aroma is of hops, oats, citrus and floral

Taste is fruity, hoppy, topical and sweet, kind of an orange soda type of taste finish. Not overly sweet and not bitter.

Mouthfeel is smooth and full, low carbonation and a bit sticky, Finishes slightly prickly

Overall it is a very smooth drinking IPA, fairly light for a thick looking beer. Nice one.

Citra and Michigan copper hops 6.2 ABV

 

White elm pb mood stout
..solid black appearance
..very light carbonation with an above average body. Has a slick,thick,creamy feel which adds up to an excellent body
...aroma is peanut butter upfront, roasted malt, coffee, espresso beans, chocolate.
...taste is mildly sweet with peanut butter showing up first. Otherwise it tastes almost exactly like it smells other than what seems to be some marshmallow shows up.
...overall an exceptional body with real,not artificial peanut butter making it an excellent dessert beerkey tester
..

 

Last new Fox Farm brew of my weekend. Fohn (should be an umlaut over the "O" but I'm too lazy to figure out how to add it), a Keller bier, and it is a pretty welcome style to me today.

4.4/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured at fridge temp from a 16oz can dated 12/30/20 to a Weizen Glass. So just about 1-month in the can.
Deep gold body with persistent tiny bubbles rising hypnotically for the entire session. Above sits a white 2-inch, 50mm head that laces the glass nicely. A truly beautiful beer.
Nose senses malty dry hay.
Taste us similar to the smell (bet you never read those words together before). But really, a grassy front, malty middle and oily sharp bite at the end.
Medium to light body with oily effects.
There aren't many Kellerbiers on the market in my area, and this was a treat.

 

I'd say this is the last review for the weekend. This was supposed to be for a BIF target, but he doesn't like IPAs, so, I'll try this beer myself.

King of the Thing from Drekker Brewing - 8.3% ABV.

First off, holy cow. At the store we're getting people asking for Drekker beers all the time. When we do get them, we sell out within a couple of days. We get them about every 3 weeks. I thought we were supposed to get them last week. Hopefully we get them this week, so we can keep the customers happy.
This beer was intended for a BIF target, but there was one problem - he doesn't like IPAs. Well, I guess I'll have to "suffer" and drink it myself, and, yes, my BIF target knows I'm demolishing his porch.

So, on to the beer.
I'm not a super taster. I don't have a huge palate. I can't describe the flavors and aromas as well as a lot of you can here. I do get a ton of pineapple from the aroma and do as well from the taste. I also get a hint of an "old school" pine here as well .Maybe I'm full of it? Probably I am, but this is what I get here.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/37051/441526/


4.27/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a hazy murky golden color. 2 finger fluffy, frothy, white head. Some lacing on the glass.
The Citra hops create a nice pineapple aroma. Strong, and pleasing.
Tons of pineapple here, and there's a slight of pine on the backside, which gave me a hint of an "old school" flavor here.
Crisp feeling. The hops linger in my throat. Full bodied. Clingy.
Good IPA, and if you like IPAs, try this beauty.


I'm not sure I'll do another review today, or the weekend, though, my weekend is also tomorrow. I will see you all next weekend for sure, though. Cheers!!!

 

NBS #2. This is the second special release for Untied Brewing's second anniversary. 2nd Trip Around the Sun. This DIPA is hopped with Citra, Cashmere, Rakau, and Motueka. Anyone who bothers reading my posts must think I've got stock in this brewery because I'm always posting glowing reviews. The fact is, they're earned. The fact is, maybe like Robert Johnson at the Crossroads, Untied's made a deal with the devil. But I can't deny what I'm drinking. The New England IPAs are the best consistently the best I've had in New Jersey. I keep thinking I must be overreacting but then I drink the next one.

4.49/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed two days after can release. Poured into an Untied tulip glass. It pours a dense, turbid, bright tangerine color with a half finger of frothy, bright white head and lots of thick, clinging lacing. What a fresh, fruity aroma: lemon, lime grapefruit, and stone fruit. As the glass warms there is also a distinct smell of fresh peach. Wow, the fruit just explodes in the taste! It opens with lots of tart lemon and grapefruit with notes of lime. Then, there is peach and red berry. The Cashmere hops provide notes of grass and the slightest hint of coconut. There is just a hint of pina colada. I love Motueka and you can taste it in the lemon, lime, and tropical fruit notes. The Rakau hops add some resinous pine. It's just a fruity explosion. As I've come to expect from Untied, the mouth feel is thick and creamy and the level of carbonation is appropriate. The 8.3% ABV gives it a nice kick. Overall, I keep thinking, something must be less than stellar but there isn't anything. This is a fantastic NE DIPA. This brewery has nailed the style.

Cheers, NBW!

 

Hold down the letter “o” on your screen touch pad @woodchipper. At least that’s what works on an iphöne

 

Yay, one of my favorites from my time in L.A., a criminally unknown beer. Same with many of Beachwood's beers . . .

 

Now up Tired Hands Premeditation, vic secret and enigma IPA with rice.

4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

16 oz can, dated 1/25/21, poured into a teku

A- A hazy golden straw with a three finger white head.

S- Citrus, grapefruit, some tropical fruits, dank, pineapple, some lime zest, hints of honeydew.

T- Citrus, dank, pineapple, some melons, grapefruit, some lime zest.

M- Smooth, light body.

O- Rice gives this a nice light body, hops are nicely balanced, easy to drink.

Cheers!

 

Bells Hopsoulution

4.15/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25



Bottle received in Bif12.5

Bottled 8.13,20, opened 1.31.21 long in the tooth by Bells standards, no one but myself for not tasting this sooner

Poured into a stemmed Schilling glass , poured a murky brewed tea like appearance with a solid one finger creamy pale yellowish foam cap, good retention settles to a solid layer after 5 minutes

Aroma is tropical fruit, floral, pine

Taste is citrus, tropical , floral , hint of pine

Big sudsing , gentle hop bite , gentle bitterness nicely lingers, semi dry finish

Good beer

Thanks @Whyteboar !!

 

Finally back for round two with a yet-to-be-determined quantity of new beers. Not sure what I'm going to be able to get around to tonight, as I'm trying to work on some classwork (yep, back in school as of last week!), but I bought some exciting ones that I'll be able to share at least a few of with you guys! Cheers!

Up first this evening is Area Two Experimental Brewing's Synopsis: Dark Sour Cherry, a "wild, sour ale brewed with Morello cherry," clocking in at 6.2% ABV. For those of you out there who don't know, Area Two is a Two Roads imprint that is reserved mostly for sours, blended wilds, etc. I have had a couple Synopsis beers before, including a Cranberry/Blood Orange one last night while working on the aforementioned assignments. The stuff I've had has been generally very solid and right about where you'd expect a 2R brewed fruited sour to be quality-wise.



The pour here is attractive and brilliantly-colored with a deep crimson hue that is topped off by a generous head of pink-ish foam that quickly sinks to a thin yet retentive ring atop the beer. Some small wisps of the head remain clinging to the surface in a rather ephemeral way after five or so minutes. Additionally, the body of the beer is not fully-opaque but rather only moderately-translucent when held up to direct light.

The nose has some obvious cherry pie notes with subtle undercurrents of red wine, blackcurrant, and raspberry juice. A very bold and lively smell to this one, for sure, and I'm excited to see if the complexity it seems to be flaunting comes across on the palate as well. Apparently this series is aged on wood, but I don't get any tannins here whatsoever, nor have I with any of the beers I've had from this series in the past, so that's interesting. Maybe it's not aged very long or something.

Bright and punchy acidity on the tongue, immediately puckering my palate and doubling down on the sourness in the middle of each sip as well. This is a tart-as-hell beer, that's for sure! Jammy dark red grape notes mingle with Meyer lemon, ripe cherry flesh, blackcurrant, and even a slight hint of blueberry toward the finish as it gets perhaps a bit grassier and more rounded. Good stuff, and quite lively. I think this is probably the best Synopsis I've had so far! The feel is medium bodied with a thorough carbonation and a drying finish that nevertheless does carry with it some hints of sweetness here and there. It doesn't have much malt balance or anything, so if you're expecting it to taste like cherry pie, you might be a bit disappointed. For something like that, you probably want Nancy by Allagash, but you're gonna pay a pretty penny for it. I'm not sure I would prioritize this, as I'm not usually one to put back sours like I do with IPAs these days, but if you're in the market for a fairly-available cherry sour beer with hints of complexity and good, consistent tartness, this should satisfy you.

 

Komes RIS, 12.0% ABV; 3.67 overall

Pours a very effervescent scarlet tinged mahogany with rapidly falling caramel colored head. Zero head retention & lacing, viscous

S: Dark fruit, raw booze that mellows as it warms

T: Carob, plums, roasted grains and boozeyness upfront. Roastyness, dark cherry, dryness & less boozeyness as this warms, underlying carob flavor as well, plus a touch of leafy hops & iron. Finishes dry, roasty with some booze warmth, & dark cherry tobacco

MF: Fairly thick, low carbonation, warming

True to style and & ABV, but prefer more finesse than this, their Baltic Porters are a little more dialed in. I will say it lost it's coarseness the warmer it became, did factor this into my rating

 

Magic city brewing was closed due to the winter storm i guess? We went to a gastropub. Got nimisila haze on tap. House beer. Tastes like Citra and centennial. A little too bitter for a neipa but really dank and enjoyable. Touch of hop burn. Nice resinous drying finish. 3.9


Cheers