New Beer Weekend #34

Wit Collar Crime a 5.2 ABV Wheat Beer brewed with coriander and orange peal from the Bull n Bear Brewery. Served in a pint glass it's gold in color with a thick white head that does not last long but laces well. The aroma is mild of spices and fruit. There is some banana in the taste along with orange and other fruit. The mouthfeel is light and the finish is lasting and yeasty. Overall an enjoyable and refreshing beer. That will be even better in warmer weather.

 

Good afternoon NBW
Another 3Floyds limited release out in 6 packs

Brian Boru "Irish-Style Red Ale"
12oz bottled 01/28/21 poured into a tulip pint glass at fridge temp 6.5% ABV per label. The beer pours hefe-hazy in a reddish caramel color with light khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island leaving quite a bit of lacing. The aroma is hoppy with pine & citrus. The taste is semisweet, bready caramel with more pine, citrus and herbal hops. Moderate to strong bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, very good to my tastes as an old school red IPA. Folks expecting a traditional malt-centric Irish Ale will be in for a shock. Ironic, and partially sad, that this is the highest rated Irish Red Ale on BA.

Cheers all!

 

So it goes with the preferences of the American craft beer drinker.

 

Porter #8 to kick off day #3 for me in the online porter tasting (and porter #5 in the Sunday edition of NBW).

August Schell Brewing Co., the 160 year old family-owned Minnesota legendary brewery, who's stock in trade has always been German-style lagers, is one of the few MN breweries remaining brewing a traditional unflavored English-style porter. Sub-5% ABV, no flavoring additives.

Schell's Fort Road series (which also includes the Fort Road Helles and the Fort Road Blonde) is so named because these beers feature "barley grown within 15 miles of the brewery on the historic Fort Road." (quoting the Schell's web site).

So, on to the beer.

August Schell Brewing Fort Road Porter (English-Style Brown Porter)
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: NA



Sweet aroma. Caramel and roasted malts. A bright element to the aroma as well.

Dark brown color, nearly opaque - you can see somewhat through it with a strong back-light, which reveals lighter brown outlines at the bottom of the glass. Massive tan head from an overly vigorous pour. The head is thick and creamy, with decent retention. It leaves rows of lacing behind.

The taste brings the expected English-style porter flavors. Roasted malts, some chocolate and caramel balanced with very mild bittering. The initial taste is mild and smooth, with the bittering beginning in the middle and continuing to the finish. Slight bittering remains in the aftertaste. The malts, chocolate, and caramel linger, fading slowly.

The body is porter-thin, but tending toward moderate even with the low ABV, with some carbonation.

Overall, a very good traditional take on an English-style porter. While the flavor is less complex than its in-state companion, the Summit Great Northern Porter, this beer is quite enjoyable.

L: 4.25 | S: 3.75 | T: 3.75 | F: 3.75 | O: 3.75 | Rating: 3.78

 

So my New Trail exploration continues. This time with “Leprechauns like shenanigans too” Irish style red ale.

Can says “keep cold drink fresh”...I like the simplicity.

16 oz can, no canned-on date.

Pours a clear burnt amber color with a sticky white head. Settles to a 1/8” cap, rings all the way down for those that look for that. Something that typically marks a solid beer in my worthless opinion.

Nose is very mild, a little sweet for the style. Sweet and toasty malt aromas, toffee, and a very subdued hop presence.

Flavor is straight forward. Toasty malt backbone, mild leafy hop bitterness comes on gradually. Mildly bitter finish.

Subtle carbonation with lighter body and mouthfeel that seem true to style, at least compared to the ones that I’ve had previously. Easy drinking brew that falls into the session-able category.

Overall, it’s pretty good. It’s not blowing me away, but I like it enough that I could knock down a 4-pack of these pints amongst friends without issue. I’m not rushing out to get more, but I will most likely buy again. I could possibly see a few open minded AAL junkies falling for this one too.

 

MmmmmK...

 

Hello again NBW"s
Luft from Second Wind Brewing Co. given to me to me courtesy of @WunderLlama


5.1 abv Kolsch style Ale Hallertau, Mittlefruh and Herburucker hops

Poured from an undated can yields a foamy head, dissipating to a slight fuzz and no lacing to speak of. Fairly clear straw colored, well lagered and bright.

Aroma is almost champagne like with malt and bread notes

Taste is similar to the nose, malty and yeasty. Kind of a white grape fruity taste

Mouthfeel is slightly sticky, well carbonated and dry finishing. . Crisp and clean feeling. Very light drinking

Overall a crisp, clean, and refreshing ale

good one

4/ 3.75/ 3.75/ 4/ 4/ 3.84

 

First up for me today is a can of Heftones, a hefeweizen from Back East Brewing. Despite the fact that Back East is only about 20 minutes away from me, I think this is only the second beer I've had from them. I liked the first one (Ice Cream Man). This one.....not so much.

First review (added to database)
3.09/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance is a dirty yellow that's hazy in a way that just doesn't look quite right for the style. Tons of fizzy white head that didn't hang around long. Some of the clove / banana I'd expect but they are a little off. I'm not one who normally is diacetyl sensitive, but I swear I'm picking it up here. Taste is.....meh. Just not a lot going on. No banana, no clove, no bueno. Feel lacks much body and again feels off. This one's a one and done.

 

Likely stopping at two today on this New Beer Sunday #837, but have a Coffee Porter available if I'm in the mood this evening. Another heavy hitter, this one is an Imperial Rye Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Revolution Brewing, Brewed in Collaboration with our friends at Half Acre Beer Company, On & On Part 1



Can Notes: 16 oz, 14% ABV, Filled 1/7/21@18:46:48. Imperial Rye Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Appearance: Multiple pours into a Revolution pint shaker glass. Head slow to form and then accelerated leaving a slight over pour spill to clean (noted for remaining three cans).Very dark brown/black pour, light penetrable only at the base of the glass, creamy rich tan head leaves ample lacing. 4.25

Aroma: Very sharp smooth bourbon barrel leads, followed by more bourbon. It took a few attempts to get a pleasant rye backing, the reason I picked up four. Next is a plum dark fruit aroma, cherries and oak barrel. Flavor emerge as this warms up, so letting it sit a bit at this point to not miss out on unique flavors. 4.5

Taste: I'll get to mouthfeel in a moment, but the firs sensation is the thick creaminess, which was unexpected for a rye porter. After allowing 15 minutes to warm from the refrigerator, let's dig in. Bourbon still leads but more mellow and smooth than the initial aromas indicating a booze bomb. Sweetness pervasive. Rye follows, but you have to concentrate to find it. Creamy milk, chocolate and strawberry follow, like a milk IPA with light hops.

Speaking of which I gleam the malt and hops, but faintly, the bourbon is boss here and it's hard to gather anything else beyond creamy thickness. Not sure what to think of this one in terms of comparison to style. I like the taste, it's enjoyable, it's strong, it's bourbon. Would have liked to get more rye with this, thought more flavors would open up after warming, but the aroma was more complex. Five minutes later, the bourbon is even more mellow, sweetness rises. 4.0

Mouthfeel: Thick as a brick. This may be the heaviest thickest pour I've encountered, Apple Brandy Ryeway and Dogfish 120 in the mix. Unexpected but pleasant. Fine faint carbonation active at the right level (noticeable but not interfering). Body full to mega full. Creamier than half and half. More Cream than Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce jamming. I enjoyed this, but some men at work may think this is Overkill. This is a old school 100% milk shake with a shot of bourbon and a hint of rye. Tread lightly my friends, but it works for me. Also, this is as strong as fuck. 14% + several more. Don't drive for awhile after drinking a full can. 4.75

Overall: This ranks in the Top 5 in terms of unusual styles and texture, at least in terms of my experience with 2,000 or so beers. Very, very creamy, bourbon strong up front, mellows as this warms. Little rye, cream and fruit provide the main competing flavor. Magnus Ver Magnusson strong, this will knock you on your ass. All in all, if you like and are prepared for a heavy thick Porter bursting with smooth and potent bourbon backed slightly by rye and dark fruit, this is the pour for you. Apparently, I am in this target beer consumer segment. 4.5

 

Cross posting Porter Tasting Thread.
Finally joining in today after being sick Friday night and recovering yesterday with a few beers as the night wore on.
Thanks to @FBarber for hosting this very popular thread and for extending it into today. I have two Im pretty pumped about. First off is:
Oxbow Brewing Town Line Porter
Pours a very dark, almost black with a creamy coffee colored head that has decent retention finally settling to a thin ring with very spotty lacing.
Aroma surprisingly is not huge,
(though I will let this warm up a bit)
a little dark roasted malt, coffee and some bakers chocolate.
Taste is unsweetened cocoa, roasted nutty dark malts, hints of coffee, lemon like acidity, finishing with anise and bittering hops. Tasty.
Feel is medium/light, spritzy carb throughout, taste is full bodied but drinks so easily, drying, light bitterness clings to the roof of the mouth and tongue with anise and roastiness lingering for minutes.
Havent had much in the style as of late. SN was the first to really turn me on many years ago. This is an excellent porter IMHO. Like most of Oxbow their base beers stick to traditional techniques and old world style. Bingo for this. Worth seeking out whether youre a porter lover or not.
Cheers. I have another in a bit thats a little off the beaten path.

 

Dogs are family, I’m glad you’re able to have done what was needed for some extra time and comfort.

 

One of my favorites, he's not taking himself quite as seriously as in A.G. Listened recently to the Audible version of Sandman, which is really worth the time investment.

 

Greetings from the Great Northwest where we are sunny and mild at 55 degrees. Watching some golf and awaiting the NCAA Selection Show. I really missed that tournament last year.

Today we have Strreohopic IPA. Another selection from Lagunitas.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/524987/?ba=RJLarse#review

A very tasty citrus flavored beer.

Until next time,

Happy Trails

 

Greetings fellow NBSers! We had a sunny spring week here in the Fourth Corner, but today was cloudy, and just as I moved some stuff outside that shouldn't get wet, it started raining. got stuff shuffled around and put back inside, and it stopped. Oh well, I was on the clock so it worked out.

First new brew of the day comes from Varietal Beer over in the heart of hop country, Sunnyside WA, Black Blade bourbon Barrel Lagered Baltic Porter. the brewery there is known for his wizardry with hops, but this is also a very nice little brew:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50306/538939/

Gonna walk up to the store, and see if there aren't a couple more new ticks.

 

Beer #1 today was a swing and a miss. Let's hope this can of Awkward Hug from Kent Falls Brewing Company is an improvement. Kent Falls is (IMHO) in the top 3 CT breweries, yet somehow has never had a place aboard the hype train. They just kick out really good beers across several styles. Let's see if this one any good.


In short...yes, it is good. I'm not a big IPA fan, and I'm not sure if it's that I haven't had one for a while, that this one is just well made, or maybe a combo of the two, but I'm really enjoying this one right now.

4.3/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a bright and glowing golden orange with a thin head that leaves behind excellent lacing. Aroma is really nice. Bursting with tropical fruits....mango, pineapple & grapefruit all make an appearance, and work very well together. Taste follows the nose with plenty of juicy fruit notes that combine to make a very enjoyable beer. This is smooth, creamy and full bodied. Good beer.

 

Coop Aleworks Echo Hook Hazy IPA, 6.0% ABV; 4.08 overall

Pours a hazy gold with a thumb of pearl colored head. Average head retention & lacing

S: Melons, guava, peaches

T: Follows the nose, getting white grape as well, dryness as well up front. Green melon & white grape as this warms, a little Bartlett Pear as well, plus dryness. Finishes with plenty of green melon, some pear & dryness

MF: Lively carbonation, with light/medium body, good balance

Solid shot at the style, I would buy it again

 

Thanks. We feel the same way.

 

Good Sunday afternoon NBS/NBW and thank you @Shanex for hosting this week.
I expected a few porters this week and yes indeed there are. Todays its blustering with the occasional snow squal here, but no dought spring has sprung in WMass.
After the porters the past days I felt a shift was in order, so from our good friends at Suarez Family Brewing, Summer Whoa peach seemed in order. Excellent feel, exquisite aromatics and frankly lovely peach expression.
Do good
Be well

Summer Whoa

Farmhouse Ale - Saison | 5.6% ABV

Suarez Family Brewery
Hudson, New York

4.16/5 rDev -4.6% | Average: 4.36
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the 500 ml bottle dated 10/16 into the test glass.
A - Orangeblossom honey colr, excellent clarity, gentle carbonation is motivated topside. That same carbonation accumulates along the perimeter.
S - Earthy grains, peaches in a basket on a sunday afternoon, you know the smell, There is also a bit of grapeskin, and oak in the Sauterne catagory.
T - Certainly peach in there, along with some oak tannin, touch of vanilla, all atop a lovely table beer, I get some spice from rye maybe, or buckwheat. All working towrd the same end. Just enough spice to show those peaches a thing or two.
M - Soft on the palate, semi sweet start carries through to the end, linger is fruit forward and just a bit of sweet peach syrup from my grandmothers preserves comes to mind.
O - A delight, the mixed fermentation acts as steward of flavors, ushering in summer grains, peaches, tannin all together.
So glad to have experienced this lovely offering