New Beer Weekend #36

Huge thank you to @LongTaco15 for this one. Too kind.

Phase Three/Goose Island If You’re a Bird Imperial Stout. Pretty rare to see Goose Island do a collaboration with anyone, but this one makes sense given the fact that both breweries make insane stouts and are both located in Chicago. This one is a blend of P3’s Curvature base and Goose’s Bourbon County base brewed with panela sugar with Ghana cocoa nibs and both toasted and raw coconut added.

Pours like motor oil into the glass. An ominous, pitch black beer that produces a fizzy and extremely dark mocha, reddish head that dissipates immediately (probably due to the coconut oils). Just coats the glass as you swirl it around. 4.25

Aroma is all the chocolate and coconut. Straight up smells like a Mounds bar. Loads of milk chocolate and toasted coconut, bittersweet chocolate chip, slight dark chocolate, caramel, slight dark fruit, brown sugar, slight roasted malt. 4.75

Taste follows the aroma well. Liquid Mounds bar. Lots of milk chocolate, big dark chocolate presence, huge amount of toasted coconut, dark chocolate chip cookie, fudge, caramel, brown sugar, creme brûlée, slight dark fruit, roasted malt. 4.5

A full and thick body that completely coats the mouth. Low carbonation. Creamy, slick, sticky, oily. 4.5

An awesome collaboration between these two stout masters. As already mentioned, the best way to describe this is a liquid Mounds bar. This beer has been put away in barrels, so that is definitely something to look forward to in 2022. 4.5
Overall: 4.55

 

I love the name and the entire package. The beer sounds very nice as well.

 

I really look forward to these NBW threads, both participating and reading.
Today I have yet another Fat Orange Cat Beer. This brewery is about 15 miles from my house as the crow flies, but maybe a 35-minute trip given back roads etc.. Doesn't really matter because they close their place from Jan 1 until April every year. This one Baby Kittens is brewed by them in North Haven at the Twelve Percent Project. This is an NEIPA clocking in at 6.5%.
I didn't mention it in the review, but the lemon/lime impression from this beer was a great match to chips, salsa and guac.
3.81/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 16oz can dated 03/07/21 to a Nonic at fridge temp.
Body is very hazy, very light orange, head is very white, 3/8" high, puffy and clingy. There is a thin white head for the entire session.
Citrus aroma of lemon and lime, refreshing and inviting.
Sips have a lemony start fading to a hop/malt finish.
Overall pretty good.

 

Foreign Objects - Psychic Texture

16oz can served in a big snifter. Dated 2/16/2021.

Pours a hazy light orange-amber with a small head -- a very thin layer with a fairly thin ring. Smell is fresh and clean, light lemon and pine resin, slightly juicy.

Taste is primarily lemon zest and pine resin.

Mouthfeel is medium, with a nice clean finish. Overall, very nice beer.

 

Ok, apparently I have a sickness, given my posts today.

No, it's not alcoholism!

Well, maybe it's alcoholism, but I'm specifically talking about side-by-sides. I promised in the side-by-side thread that I wouldn't post any more Dunkel comparisons, but I didn't promise I wouldn't do any more Dunkel comparisons. Honestly, I didn't expect to, but then Schilling Beer Co dropped Landbier Dunkel on northern Virginia., so....


My most recent side-by-side had the German Hofbrau Freising Dunkel as the most malt expressive of the style I've compared. This is my last Port City, but my first from Schilling, so that's the new of this post.


Shining some back light...
The new beer (SBC's Lanbier Dunkel) has a similar rosé hue to its brown body similar to Port City's, though Freising's body doesn't have this. Schilling's offering his a fair but light haze, which Freising also has a little, but less, of - whereas Port City's is pretty clear. Schilling and Port City have a similar collar, where Freising's is a bit thinner.

All in all - it's in line with other offerings, maybe a little more hazy.


On the nose, Port City is floral and maybe hoppy; Freising has a mineral and dark fruit note. Where does Schilling lie?

SBC Landbier Dunkel has a deep toast note that initially presented itself as coffee. Seriously, if I weren't looking at it, I might think it was some form of an Irish dry stout from the nose. As it warms, it becomes a bit more like a light ash note. Hmmm....


Port City is crisper with a more balanced aspect due to my perception of hop influence; Freising has a significant malt lean with some mineral and dark fruit (raisin). Does Schilling favor either of these or forge its own path?

Landbier Dunkel leans more towards the Port City side here. That doesn't mean it tastes like PCBC's Dunkel, though. It has the countering bitterness that PCBC has, but that darker toasted note comes through right up front, and SBC's version has a little more bitter lean overall than PCBS's. That said, as they warm, the two beers share a few more nuanced notes (though it may also be palate fatigue on my part).


So, if forced to split hairs, I think there's a bit more interesting notes in Schilling's beer than Port City's. Freising's brew is a different animal in this mix, and for me can easily fit ahead or behind of the more similar American versions, depending on my mood.

I'll get reviews for Freising and Schilling's version eventually. However, all these side-by-sides I've done have exposed some questions about how broad is the German - Munich Dunkel category allowed to be? Also, what is the difference between Dunkel and European Dark Lager, since that is what SBC's Dunkel is categorized as on BA (noted as a Franconian dark lager by the brewery)? *sigh*

 

@FBarber - Yes, sorry you had a similar experience with Little Risk, though your scores (or generosity) were a little higher than mine.

@brewskis - I don't have the app which allowed @LongTaco15 to purchase of the GI/Phase 3 Collaboration for you, but hope to run into a draft offering at GI if they serve it.

I saved this second beer for the opening week of baseball. I am a lifelong Sox fan (since 5 when I was cognizant of baseball). I liked the Cubs also, since most of my neighbors and friends (and select traitor family members) where also fans on the North Side, but had a friendly rivalry. I just like baseball, so glad to watch anywhere, anytime.

I bring this up because my second selection is White Sox related. Brewed for the first time last (aborted) season, I am enjoying a single purchased for the first time.

Goose Island Sox Golden Ale





Can Notes: Best by date of May 16, 2021. (Little Risk BB date was 5/23/21 from earlier review). Really wished they retained the born on date, brewed and packaged in Chicago, 25 IBU 5.0% ABV.

Appearance: Can poured into pint nonic on single pour, creamy rich head lasts for minutes, leaving clumpy lacing. Clear light golden yellow pour, medium carbonation at first shifting to light. 3.75

Aroma: Nice bread aroma, salt and pepper, honey backed. Medium in strength, pleasant. 3.75

Taste: Nice and easy ale, consistent with aroma. Pleasant bread and cereal, a little salty, honey adds some sweetness but this is a balance beer. Can taste Amarillo Hops, one of my favorites, sure enough per a web search Amarillo is joined by Brewers Gold which I don't believe I had previous and cascade. 2 Row and Rye malt also listed, get some rye after a few sips, though more backing than front and center. Nice, light and easy, but solid flavor. Well brewed offering. 4.0

Mouthfeel: Light fizzy carbonation lingers throughout, light body, balanced, slight bitterness, sweetness emerges at times with a honey based. Light and easy, clean and crisp easy finish. 4.0

Overall: This is a solid offering by Goose Island, consistent with a few of their other summer released brewed in Chicago. Nice and easy, bold flavor profiles, very enjoyable. Will definitely grab more this Summer, will need them with the way the White Sox have played for nearly a decade under Rick Hahn and Jerry Reinsdorf's four decades of putrid ownership. Go Sox! Go Golden Ale! 4.0

I have two more Chicago beers planned for tomorrow, these from Off Color who has a taproom a few blocks away from Goose Island's original Clybourn brewpub.

 

Now up Windmill Brewing French Toast Galactose.
3.84/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz can poured into a tulip

A- Black with a very fast fading mocha head

S- Roasted malts, chocolate, some vanilla, maple syrup.

T- Chocolate, vanilla, some maple, touch of lactose, some marshmallow, hints of roasted malts.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A solid French Toast inspired milk stout. Not heavy handed with the sweet flavors but they are definitely there.

Happy Passover, feels weird not celebrating with family for a second year in a row but we are all staying safe, l’chaim!

 

I hope you find it @ChicagoJ it really is a delightful beer. I’d be curious to see if you agree and enjoy as much. I think I’m gonna grab another four pack next time I’m at that store.

 

Goose did their own version of the same beer with chocolate and strawberries instead of chocolate and coconut. You may be able to find that one on draft at Fulton at some point. I’m sure that one is awesome too. Cheers man and Go Sox!

 

Next new beer for me this weekend is Trillium's latest Daily Serving with mango & pineapple, a heavily fruited Berliner Weisse style ale.

These have been some of the fruitiest and best fruited sour experiences I've had in beer, some variations better than others, all being great though if you enjoy the fruit at least and a lightly tart fruit smoothie style sour ale that isn't sweetened with lactose or vanilla. The last variation that had mango was one of my favorites, kinda just like a thick mango juice.

Can dated 03/15/21 pours cloudy orange yellow gold with a substantial creamy white foam head that sticks around with good lacing and retention.

Smells like fresh sticky ripe mango juice, lightly tart pineapple chunks, hint of lemon acidity, juicy and fruity with a hint of creamy wheat underneath.

Taste leans fairly heavy on the pineapple right now to me, fresh tart pineapple slices, ripe mango juice, hint of gummy candy, big creamy wheat in the aftertaste, crackery bready malts, very mild hop presence, tasty, crushable, fruity.

Feels medium-fuller bodied, thick and creamy with smooth moderate low carbonation.

Overall a really great fruited Berliner Weisse style with mango and pineapple. Not the most complex beer, just a fun intensely fruity flavored beverage, lightly tart, huge fresh fruits, this one is a bit reminiscent of a tropical cocktail mixed drink, super light and crushable though, with a fulfilling mouthfeel and substantial flavor. When in the mood for a fruited beer these usually hit the spot. Cheers everyone!

 

Pair of new-to-BA NE IPAs rated 4+
Deadly Combination: Columbus/Mosaic | Barrier | 7.4%
4.32/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4th Review. A favorite Brewer.
Standard NE Haze bod with soaring lace.
s) Aromatic, perfume, tropical blossom more than fruit flesh.
t) Follows the floral, tropical, honeyed aroma notes. Backed up by the peppery, hempy, spice cabinet finale.
f) Smooth, inviting, abv hidden, slightly hot/ peppery more than citric, astringent.
o) Like this better than other written reviews.

Superhero Sidekicks | Kings County | 6.9%
4.12/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Loved their stout (what you dont see) 2nd beer from KC NY.
5 hops, 3 grains, just misses for me. Found at WFM 07701.
a) very creamy, dense off white 1 finger head that lasts and laces over applesauce body.
s) Melon, cedar, hemp, tropical fruit salad.
t) Follows smell but more ample, lots of flakey oats.
f) Just a tad chalky, flaky.
o) Another fine effort

 

Good evening NBW
I've reviewed two new beers today. The first was rather unremarkable, but provided a tick for Hawaii. Only four more states to go...

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
Suprisingly fruity blonde. It did have an aftertaste that I did not enjoy. I'd drink one if it were free, if that tells you anything.


Currently in my glass is Maple Barrel Qualified from Taxman

The review:
12oz canned on 2/18/21 poured into a snifter at just above fridge temp 10% ABV 28 IBU. The beer pours cola colored brown with light khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of tiny bubbles. Nice rings of lacing coat the glass as the level recedes. The aroma is mild with maple syrup up front and lesser notes of dark toffee. The taste is sweet maple front to back. At first, it's sweet maple syrup, then it's gets woody towards the finish. There's toffee and dark fruit as well, but they are in the maple's shadow. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with less than medium carbonation and a somewhat dry finish. Overall, ok beer if you love maple. A very one trick quad in my book.

I'll try anything that Taxman Brewing puts out, so grabbed this one hoping it was aged in ex-bourbon ex-maple barrels. Not so. Just maple syrup in regular oak barrels. They used maple syrup in the beer as well, so this may be the mapleyest beer I've ever had.

Cheers all and enjoy the new beer in your glass this weekend!

 

Perhaps, but I have had solid session beers throughout with bold pleasant tastes, though can't recall offhand having a stout under 3%. If it were a home brew or comped try at a brewer, it is what it is, but when a brewery is putting their beer up for sale, I'll rate a below average beer under 3, same with Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee.

Similar to when you called out FFF for what you called a delicious beer (Brian Boru), but a F in terms of not prepared according to the style. I'd thought you would have flipped your two scores, with taste as 4.25 for being delicious, and 3 (or less) overall for not adhering to style, but you rated taste 3 and overall 4.25.

Also like to thank @Rub_This_BBQ for sharing last what looked to be awesome BBQ while discussing his passion for BBQ last week. Coming from the city of mostly "jello ribs" , those look like awesome ribs prepared the right way!

 

Slightly stretching the thread's theme with this Incredible Pulp Blood Orange Extra Pale Ale from Boneyard. I tasted it at the brewery and bought it a six pack, and drank a couple with a buddy when not paying serious attention to it, and I kept this can in reserve for the purpose of reviewing it (and posting here). So...

12oz can served in a tulip. Dated 01/11/2021. Bought it at the brewery in Bend two weeks ago.

Pours a slightly pinkish orange-amber, moderately hazy or a little hazier, medium sized head that collapses to a fairly thin skin that crosses the surface and climbs about 1/4-1/2 inch up the side of the glass. Smell is oranges and grain. Maybe a little grass.

Taste is solid pale ale with tart orange. Grainy and a little hop bite, with definite orange juice.

Mouthfeel is medium, maybe a little stickier than I would really like. Overall, this is a solid example of a pale ale with some orange juiciness added to it, so if that's your jam, it should be an enjoyable beer for you.