New Beer Weekend #37

Oh, I intend not to, and I don't think I did, sometimes I just have to process out loud, ha.

I had to go looking back, because I couldn't remember if it was you or @TongoRad, but sure enough, back in 2015, during the first ever NBS BIF, I had my first (and thusfar only) Heady, Gandhi-Bot, HF beers (and swag), and that Grey Sail pint glass. Michael sent me my first Grey Sail beers, however.

I see no lie here. Plus, we need some Texas representation back in this thing. I don't think we've had a Texan involved since, what, @BullDoza back in the day?

As per the usual, @jdell15 with the dope glassware

 

@MacMalt is all class, with the glass.

 

Ok then. I am chomping at the bit for so many of these, but I'll hit the hyper fresh tomorrow. Thanks!

 

So glad that hit the spot! In stalking you I was focused more on hops and malts instead of wilder stuff. (Note to self).

 

Man, I am sad to hear about Don. See you then.

 

So, I got distracted for a bit, and this post is going to miss midnight by a few minutes. Dernit! But, I promise, I drank and reviewed the beer when it was still Sunday!
I was debating what to drink when I woke up this evening, but reading through the posts, @ovaltine helped me make my decision by posting another Goldfinger brew. This one came to me, like my earlier entry, courtesy of @FBarber and BIF #13.
His and mine represent different ends of, at least the SRM scale.



Goldfinger: Black Lager

Pouring this one into a pseudo-pilsener glass from a previous BIF, I'm greeted by a liquid that is truly dark chestnut at heart, but you could be forgiven for thinking it was just shy of black if you don't hold it to the light or look to closely at the edges. Fat, wet, lazy bubbles (no entendre here, keep moving, keep moving) slowly depart, and feel no need to replace themselves as they go.

The nose is immediately toasty grains. Dark and grainy is the defining aroma here, and it is corralled by a slightly earthy crisp cleanness that feels real snappy, ya know?

Start sipping... ooohhh... less heavily toasted grains, and much smoother, rounder, and just... there's a chocolate/cocoa edge to things, toasty, and that same earthy crispness from the hops, as they impart a grassy-bordering-on-mint-like-freshness to give it a crisp clean feeling and rounded edges like river stones that have been worn away until they fit perfectly in your hand, even though they've never been there before.

I take it Goldfinger specializes in lagers, as the can implores the masses to, 'Drink More Lager.'
Tasting the contents, they make a damn compelling argument for why people should listen to them.

Thank you, Frank, for sending this one along! If you were worried about me tempering my analysis earlier, well, fear thee not, and let me not mince words: this is some fucking delicious brew right here!

 

I can assure you I would. I've already started buying beers based on @Roguer reviews, and this sounds incredible.

Glad you enjoyed it. I tried to focus on finding more classic styles and avoided the murk bombs and heavily adjuncted stouts for the most part.

So glad you dug it! Eleventh Hour has done some pretty great barrel work for being a pretty young brewery. Their first iteration of Black Is Beautiful had a much lesser barrel influence by design, but was still excellent.

edit: I missed the fun of the thread this week because of the holiday, but it was a great read as usual. Great work, everyone, and hope you all had a great weekend! See you all in a few days.