New Beer Weekend #30

It's been a while since I had these myself, but we tasted them blind and my rankings were Ugandan > Mexican > Tahitian > Madagascar, with the Ugandan way out in front. I didn't manage to correctly guess which was which though, so it was a great learning experience. Enjoyed reading your reviews of each, @larryi86 .

 

Hello fellow NBWers, another new one in the logs for me.

Cerebral International Waters Foeder Pilsner. 5.6%

More? Well, I was punching this in on my phone earlier, so it's a bit more concise than usual around here, but ...

4.16/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fantastic variant Feb 2021 as a Foeder Pils at 5.6% - a little rounder, richer, and maltier without losing the snappy cracker aspects of a good Pils. There is a notable woodsy sweetness which might distract a few Pils lovers, but this is top notch. Bubbles stayed alive through the whole pint, and breadiness was delicious during the last 1/4-1/3 of this beer in the proper Pils glass.

Magic in wood casks. Even Lill agrees on that score.

 

Wild Mind Artisan Ales in Minneapolis started as a brewery that "specializes in wild, sour, farmhouse, saison, and rustic ales through barrel aging and blending" using traditional wooden foeders. Heck the foeder was even built into their marketing logos in the beginning.

IDK if it is the pandemic, market forces, or both, but they're now brewing a much wider variety of beer styles. As they've broadened their offerings, most have been fair to good (although yesterday's pale ale was really good.)

Today's beer from them seems to be about as far from foeder-aged saisons as you can get in terms of niche vs mainstream (although they do foeder age this beer).

Wild Mind Artisan Ales Fire In A Glass Lager - Vienna
ABV: 5.0%
IBU: NA





Aroma is sweet bread, a bit of tropical fruit, and a bit of spice.

Slightly hazy to clear amber with plenty of rising bubbles to a short, but thick, head with decent retention. The head leaves a wall of lacing behind as it recedes, and generous lacing as the beer is consumed. A nice looking beer; would be even nicer with a bit more of a head.

Taste is very pleasing. As foreshadowed by the aroma, sweet bread and tropical fruit, with a bit of peppery spiciness to set it off. Just a little bittering in the middle and finish. The finish is a bit sweet, but not overly so. It has just enough nudge away from sweet by the pepperiness to invite the next drink. This beer was brewed with Saaz hops, which accounts for the peppery spiciness, but I got more of a fruit flavor versus earthiness or herbal. I found it to be very tasty.

The mouth feel is moderate, smooth, and with a good body for the style. A bit of tingling from the carbonation.

Overall, an enjoyable and easy drinking Vienna lager.

L: 3.75 | S: 3.75 | T: 4.0 | F: 3.75 | O: 3.75 | Rating: 3.85

 

NBS #2. In honor of Valentine's Day, Robby Rose, a Wild Ale brewed by Rebel Kettle Brewing Co., in Little Rock. I received it from @jdell15 in the NBS BIF #12. Jacob sent me several sours and I've enjoyed all of them.

Poured from undated bottle into a stange beer glass. It pours a lovely, dark rose color with a thin, ecru-colored head that disappeared almost immediately. It's quite effervescent. Brett yeast dominates the smell but beneath it there is a very nice scent of raspberry. The taste is sharply sour with Brettanomyces but as it warms I can really appreciate the raspberry and a hint of black cherry. The sweetness manages to penetrate the sourness of the ale. The carbonation is lively and it drinks easily at 6.2% ABV. Overall, this is a very nice Wild Ale and it paired well with sharp cheese and Wasa crispbread.

3.89/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

 

Beer #2 for today.
Bon Bon from 3 Sheeps Brewing.

Better than my last beer, but I've had better milk stouts from Wisconsin.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28879/442507/

3.78/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a thick black color. 2 finger tan head. Retention is good, and there's a bit of lacing on the glass.
The nose has a nice dark chocolate aroma, with a hint of lactose.
Taste - Nice lactose, and chocolate going on here. Not extremely strong, but nice.
Body is decent, about right where it should be.
Not bad at all, maybe a bit more chocolate and lactose needed, but not bad overall.


Might do one more beer today that I picked up across the river.

 

Alright, here's my second and final entry for the evening. Hope everyone's doing well. I don't celebrate Valentine's Day (bitter single person mode, engage! I kid, I kid) but for those of you who are, I hope it's going spectacularly! This is Magnify's Banana Bread Mind Over Matter, a double chocolate milk stout clocking in at 8% ABV. I guess Mind Over Matter is a series by these guys that focuses on a "less-intense" (but still strong) base stout that features various adjuncts depending on the release. There have apparently been "Halloween," "S'mores," and "Candy Cane" versions of this beer before, so... ISO.



The pour here is great. A big, thick, fudgy looking liquid tumbles into my glass like tar, all thick and intense, building up with a solid finger of dark mocha head that lingers for a while and seems solidly-rendered. Not much lace or legs, but the pure density and darkness of the stout itself really makes everything else not matter. This just looks somehow sinister and welcoming at the same time.

Getting into the nitty-gritty, BB:MOM is brewed with lactose, walnuts, wild Thai banana, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, and vanilla. That's quite an interesting list of adjuncts. I was impressed by the use of walnuts and cinnamon for sure, and really was hoping they would come across in the final product. I'm happy to say that there is a light suggestion of nuttiness alongside the sweet and chocolate-laden initial salvo this unloads on me, and the earthiness of the cinnamon works well with the suggestion of bananas here. Apparently, Thailand may have 100 species of bananas growing throughout the mainland, so I'm not sure which specific one these guys used, but one thing is for sure: their inclusion here is that of a subtle and well-woven thread that doesn't overwhelm the proceedings. It's probably one of the most "natural" banana inclusions I've smelled in a beer, and it actually feels separate from the typical "banana ester" aspect some hefeweizens, etc. can display. I'm definitely excited for this one!

Tons of cinnamon on the tongue along with a big, complex hit of roasty and slightly-sweet caramel-like maltiness. The walnut flavor hits in the mid-palate, coming across traditionally-nutty but melding well with the graininess and giving off a great, complex aspect that quickly melds into a finish full of sweet milk chocolate and vanilla. I think I would like maybe a little more "breadiness" here, as the roast kind of overwhelms the more delicate malt aspects, but that's nit-picking to be sure. This is freaking great and exceeds my expectations in nearly all regards. Feel is superb, as well... I really appreciate that they kept this below the double-digit ABV mark... really smart move that showcases a weird amount of restraint despite the brewery obviously going all-out on adjuncts. Though, truly, I have had so many huge dessert-type stouts at this point that I am appreciative of one that is less-massive, while still doing a great job focusing on, and doing a service to, the concept that inspired its creation. I usually associate Magnify with hoppy beers, but from here on out I'll definitely be keeping an eye peeled (banana reference?) for future Mind Over Matter beers from them. This is dope.

 

Ozark Beer CO.'s Amarillo By Morning American Pale Ale, 5.0% ABV; 4.02 overall

Pours a very effervescent gold with 2 fingers of pearl colored head. Good head retention & better lacing

S: Citrus & tropical fruits, fades a bit down the stretch

T: Strawberry, green melon and lime up front with a nice light breadyness. Green melon, lime and kiwi fruit as this warms along with a little papaya. Finishes, a little dry with lime & Kiwi Fruit and just a little grassyness

MF: Medium body, moderate carbonation, good balance

Super drinkability & nice flavor, one I would pick up again

 

Here we go with NB #1 before grilling some burgers. Comes from @Nugganooch and hails from the great state of California by the fantastic brewery Avarado Street.
Party Fitness DIPA
Pours a very hazy golden orange with a short lived white head with minimal lacing.
Aroma leans toward the typical NE style with a little punch of dank in Marijuana, peach, pineapple, guava and melon, green onion and garlic notes with traces of alcohol evident on the nose.
Taste follows with all those notes and the sweetness peeks in to balance out the mostly grapefruit pith bitterness with just a very subtle hint of pine.
The feel is medium but the snappy persistent carb that lasts throughout is what truly sets this apart from a NE IPA. That and the dry finish. Its makes this a quaffable easy drinking Mid Cali style IPA. A buzzer at 8.1% though not recognizable in the taste. Good beer.
Cheers!

 

I saw earlier in the thread that @Roguer would review “Primordial Unity” today, so I’ll raise a glass to him and join... I haven’t read his review, let’s see what happens - El Catador Club, Edition XII, “Primordial Unity” a BBA Imperial Stout:




Poured at 56 degrees; black with ruby edges; quick fizzy dark tan head leaves an island of micro dots and thin ring; some soapy lacing; medium thick legs on swirl. Nose is bourbon!, cacao, oak and vanilla; boozy retro nasal. Taste is sooo good...dark chocolate bourbon balls; semi sweet and definitely chocolate; oaky vanilla with an earthy roast bitterness; woody and chocolate bourbon on backend. Velvety rich feel; full body; not adjuncty; warmth in mouth from 14.3% abv; dry barrel finish. Amazing; so well balanced, drawing flavors from base and barrel evenly; as it warms, more bourbon, oak and vanilla come out complimenting the dark chocolate; aftertaste is a dark chocolate that makes you crave more...I’m dumbstruck.

4.5 | 4.75 | 5.0 | 4.75 | 4.75
Score: 4.84 rDev + 1.7%

 

Annual breakfast for dinner on Valentine’s Day, 4 years now, ever since we had our first we’ve done it and I love it. Partly cause I get to share a coffee beer this year that went to Cerrado from Fox Farm...



Dinner pic, heart shaped for the kids I go with my standby chocolate chip and walnut...



Beer pours incredibly thick with zero head or visible carbonation and I poured vigorously, black as night.

Aroma was bourbon, burnt coffee almost to the point that I get that green pepper you sometimes get from coffee.

Taste is burnt coffee (green pepper) bourbon and then a huge rush of super rich chocolate fudge. It’s so bizarre, not noticeable then boom in your face.

Mouthfeel is big, not thick as the pour would suggest. Very low carb and a little bitter from the coffee. Minor heat from the barrel.

overall a pretty tasty bourbon coffee stout. I’ve slowly been clearing every high abv beer i have. I’m close to the end of them, 5-6 more to go. I’m in no hurry. Cheers to good new beers.

 

Just be be clear I meant to ask if that Northern Kiwi is something they grow on their land or do they import that?
Not sure if the fruit of invasive species can be imported- although I have butterfly bushes that are considered invasive. I find the whole thing interesting in any case. I wish I had more access to Hill Farmstead

 

I would have loved to do it blind but my wife isn’t a stout fan and COVID has stopped tasting with others. I would have never guessed which is which blind but Ugandan was definitely stand out in every way, thanks again for the beers!

 

12 oz bottle, packaged 12/17/20.


Pours a hazy yellow straw with a soapy white head.


Aromas include citrus zest with floral, grassy hop notes.


Flavor begins with citrus...nectarine, blood orange and grapefruit come to mind. Then a fresh floral hop flavor takes over and sees you to the finish. Finishes clean with mildly bitter aftertaste.


Light body with moderate carbonation, doesn’t overwhelm the palate. Hides it’s 7.5% ABV quite well.


Overall, a satisfying brew with a straightforward flavor profile. Can’t say I’d buy it by the case, but I certainly won’t shy away from a 6-pack when I see it.


With its fresh and bright flavors, this is the kind of beer that gets me ready for spring.


Cheers BA’s!!

 

Probably final of today, and the final I picked up in wisconsin.
Other Half Brewing - Small Cashmere Everything - 6.5% ABV

Solid, and tasty IPA. Surprised to see it, though in Wisconsin.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33510/522504/

3.94/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, murky golden orange color. 2 finger fluffy white head. Lots of nice lacing as the head dissipates, and the retention is good.
The nose has a mild pineapple aroma. Not too strong, but nice.
Taste - like the nose, a mellow, but pleasing pineapple flavor.
The body is good, and has a softer feel to it.
Tasty IPA. Good to try.

 

Poured into a 16 oz Nordic pint glass canned on 1/29/2021. Pours a very attractive hazy orange yellow with a 2 finger sticky white head that leaves thin streaks of lace, with nice retention. 4.5

Aroma ripe melon, passionfruit, pineapple, and apricot. 4.25

Taste follows cantaloupe, pineapple, passionfruit, and apricot really balanced. 4.25

Mouthfeel is medium, gentle carbonation, not dry or sticky, and 8% ABV it goes down very easy. 4.5

Overall another excellent beer from Burlington Brewing Company. Always quality beers from them. 4.25

 

The Northern Kiwi is from a local source not HFB on site grown. This is from the site info.
Cheers

 

Greetings All from the Great Northwest, where we are unseasonably cold and having unusual snow for dry land wheat county.

Today we have Pecan Pie Porter from Backwoods Brewing.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29765/207949/

As a kid I didn't care for pecan pie, but I might have to revisit? This brew is very tasty. Caramel and chocolate with pecans. Very good on this winter afternoon. But I'm still looking for signs of spring.

Until next time

Happy Trails!

 

The dank don’t die. NP/Cellarmaker collab.

4.52/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

DDH WCIPA vs NEIPA?
I’m not sure, but it doesn’t matter. It’s really good.
L: hazy tangerine with fluffy creamy head that never dies.
S: stonefruit, wine, grapes, dank, orange.
T: (same as smell). Added citrus grapefruit bite. Thankfully more bitter than sweet.
F: fairly full not super thick. No booze.
Overall: Phenomenal. Really got the best of both styles here. And I don’t say that lightly.