New Beer Weekend #45

Sorry to hear that, my friend. I think it’s time for a care package.

 

Poured into a 13 oz Teku glass canned on 4/15/21. Pours a fairly hazy orange with a 2 finger sticky white head that leaves loads of thin lace, with excellent retention. 4.25

Aroma ripe melon, mandarin, peach, apricot, grapefruit rind, and getting some alcohol. 3.75

Taste follows honeydew, peach, mandarin, apricot, grapefruit, and some alcohol hit the palate rather hard. 3.75

Mouthfeel is big, soft carbonation, a tad sticky not dry, and at 10% ABV it goes down easy enough, but the alcohol is very noticeable. 4

Overall this one is pretty good, a tad too sweet and boozy for me. 3.75

 

I think I’ve already got two boxes filled for NBW BIF #14. And I’ve not even started to really try.

I’m gonna mix in Chicago lager hits (Goldfinger and Dovetail) with the Transient blitzkrieg, and some Bare Hands stuff just for giggles.

And how about Wax Wings? They’re back open. I could wreak some serious havoc.

 

Had fun exploring more of DC today, time to relax with Manor Hill Pilsner. Again I’m just do more of an informal review.
The nose is great on this, sweet biscuits, touch of honey, pilsner malts, earthy spice. Taste is a nice balance of sweet biscuits and earthy spice with some light fruits and a hint of funk. I’m really enjoying this, rating will be a little high than 4.

Cheers!

 

Experiencing the outrageous head you get from even a painfully slow and gentle pour of Orval is a craft rite of passage! It's like sending someone to get you a styrofoam cup full of solvent, or getting them to call the boss the nickname they hate. Something you just gotta experience.

 

Volunteered for the Memorial Day shift at work tomorrow for the OT bucks, so only one entry tonight. This is Dwayne, a beer named for and dedicated to the cat they adopted late last November. It was dropped off alongside a bunch of other beers by my good friend Pat who happened to be in the area today. Cheers!



The beer is considered by the brewery to be an "experimental IPA," and it features Talus, Motueka, and Simcoe hops. It's 6.6% ABV and was canned on 5/12/21. The pour is very nice indeed; it's hazy but not opaque, and has kind of a saturated orange/golden color with a tight, solidly-formed head of bone-white bubbles that sink to a finger-height collar after a few minutes. The lace pattern left behind by this recession is extremely consistent and tiers nicely, and the legs are quite quality to boot. Definitely high hopes for this!

Talus was originally known as HBC 692 and is (I believe) the first commercially-available daughter of Sabro, which came into infamy semi-recently for its incredibly-accurate (sometimes disconcertingly so) approximation of a coconut-like element. I am happy to say that Talus is nowhere close to that profile, so disliking Sabro for its admittedly-polarizing coconut aspect should not rule out this new varietal. Here, it seems to be providing extremely floral and botanical elements that jive well with the pungent grassy/pine-y Simcoe and the light herbal/woody/citrus notes of Motueka. I'm getting light juniper, tannins, grapefruit oil, pomelo, and sage here in the nose with some undercurrents of ripe redcurrant and mango. Almost a light marshmallow note, too, but could be Talus' floral component tricking my senses. Very unique and intriguing nose. Will it actually be drinkable, though, is the question...

This is super oily and sticky; damn! Flavors of mango and papaya combine with the floral-type bitterness and overarching citrus qualities that were a bit more muted on the tongue, delivering a very strongly-flavored and extremely intense, mouth-coating profile. The light tannic, sweet-leaning element I picked out in the nose translates, indeed, as almost a "marshmallow creme" thing here, but it's very light and gets mostly drowned out by the superb resin character of this liquid. This is a very fun drink, and superbly well-made. Worth grabbing if you can still find it around, and I hope they do continue to brew it. It is also cool that they're donating 15% of the proceeds from this to a local anti-animal abuse charity. Stoneface is a classy, high-quality brewery, and this just goes further into making that apparent. Cheers BAs, and I wish everyone a happy, safe Memorial Day (for our US folks, anyway). I will be slingin' flower at my workplace for nine hours, but looking forward to checking in here on WBAYDN? for a couple beers when I get home in the evening. Until then... goodnight!

 

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass canned 12/26/20? Pours a very attractive amber orange with a 2 plus finger sticky off white head that leaves thick streaks of lace with amazing retention. 4.75

Aroma is fruity esters, fig, dates, vanilla, caramel, toffee, and maybe a hint of warming alcohol. 4.5

Taste follows apricot, fig, dates, caramel, toffee, vanilla, and a little alcohol comes in at the lingering finish. 4.5

Mouthfeel is above average, not sticky or dry, soft gentle carbonation, and at 11% ABV a sipper that holds your attention enough to make you crave the next swallow. 4.5

Overall this is one Damn fine BW. I would stock up on this fella and savor on a cold winters night. Very impressive, thanks jzeilinger for this can. 4.5

 

After I wasn't feeling up for anything last night, I assumed I wouldn't be participating this week. Well, our plans changed, and instead of going up this afternoon, making camp at one lake, then hiking on to the deeper-in one tomorrow and spending several days up there, we're just going to go up tomorrow morning and probably spend just the one night. I think it's ultimately the right call for us: we got a lot done today, and my partner worked the last four nights in a row, so is exhausted (she is passed out on the couch next to me as I start typing this). Add in the fact that most recent trip reports have a lingering snowpack that may not play as well with the 14 year old dog for multiple days, and I think we'll still be able to get what we need with the slightly more abbreviated trip.

So, good news, I get to crack into something new! I've been holding this beer back for an NBS/W when I could share it with my partner, being as she was the inspiration for my adding it to my wish list (her being a twin and all), a wish which was granted by the ever generous @FBarber during the recent BIF.

Twin Speak, by Pipeworks Brewing



The pour here is all 100% Di-Neep (shout out to E-40) aka double/imperial NEIPA, as it is a purely opaque light orange that kind of looks like low-sugar pulp-free orange juice. Swell of white fizzy head doesn't have as much mass behind it, nor does it linger as much as it initially looked like it would. Minimal lacing, and almost no retention.

The nose is primarily sweet and bitter orange, with a heft of spice backing it up, and some chunky tropical fruit that I want to say is primarily the mango realm.

Flavour leans on the amarillo side of the amarillo/citra hop blend, with the spiciness at the forefront, as well as some pithy citrus. It is also revealed that some of the spice is a lingering pretty significant hop burn. The mango/tropical note is significantly less pronounced here, though I suppose this is as good a spot as any for the caveat that this probably would have benefitted from being consumed much closer to the due date, but circumstances ultimately dictated that today was the day it would be explored. My bad (mine, not Frank's. I don't want this to give the impression that he's sending out old IPAs or anything, because that's absolutely not the case. This is 100% on my end of things.)
So beyond the spice/hop burn, the mango/tropical fruit is almost more of the like solid meat of the fruit as opposed to the juice side of things, while the orange is less orange juice, and more pith/slightly underripe fruit.

Softbody, as I would expect from the style, with bright lively carbonation that plays off of the hop burn/spiciness from the amarillo. The label doesn't mention any dry hopping, but it gives that impression, with some mild chalkiness and the aforementioned burn, and I do actually think, particularly in light of said burn, that it would have benefitted from a 12oz format instead of the 16, as it's enjoyable overall, but by the bottom 1/3rd or so of that aspect kind of builds up and gets a little overwhelming.

Thank you Frank for sending this my direction, and giving us a lovely pivot point for a wonderful Memorial weekend afternoon!

Cheers!

 

Greetings All from the Great Northwest where we are warm and dry. More of the same I'm afraid. Not great for the crops, but it is what it is.

Thanks to Roguer for noting the importance of this weekend. I'm a Cold War Veteran, 8 years of the Reagan administration almost to the day. As a peace time military there was little or no combat, but we did lose some good people in the course of military business. It is what it is.

Today we have Symphonic Chronic from Deschutes.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63/521860/

A fruity brew with a wet feel. Not expected from a 7.2 ABV IPA.

Until next time,

 

Happy Memorial Day to all! Steaks and beers!!
Today for Beer #3 of NBW45:
I'm flyin' the flannel with Lift Bridge Fireside Flannel Brown Ale.
L: 12oz can into a dimple mug. Pours a very dark copper with ruby and medium brown. Creamy light tan head with good retention. Good carbonation.
S: Caramel, malt, sweet flowers, a hint of cocoa.
T: Malty, light sweet hops, well balanced, toasty, earthy, woody, lightly bready with a medium dry medium fast finish. No flavors linger. It is not too sweet overall.
F: It has a mildly creamy and soft mouth feel that is centered around a caramel and hop center that moves quickly.
Very pleasant, wonderfully accessible flavors and very easy drinking. Cheers!
L: 3.75
S: 3.75
T: 4.0
F: 4.0
Overall: 4.0

 

Poured into a 16 oz tulip glass, canned on 5/05/21. Pours a cloudy dark yellow with a half finger sticky white head that leaves plenty of thick streaks of lace, with solid retention. 4

Aroma peach, papaya, mandarin, honeydew, apricot, and grapefruit rind. 4

Taste follows peach, mandarin, papaya, honeydew, apricot, and a little grapefruit in the rather balanced finish. 4

Mouthfeel is above average, fairly gentle carbonation, not sticky or dry, and at 8% ABV it goes down really easy. 4

Overall this is good, nothing dazzling but I will have no issue finishing this 4 pack. Worth a shot for sure. 4

 

Good afternoon NBW
I hadn't been to the liquor store for two weeks due to work. Stopped in today and picked up a six pack of this

Einstok Icelandic Artic Lager

I only checked the date at the store, so I was surprised to see the dry hopping and Citra cryo hops mentioned in the description.

My review:
11.2oz can stamped 23.02.21 BB 23/FEB/2022 poured into a tulip pint glass at fridge temp 4.7% ABV. The beer pours hefe-hazy in a golden yellow color with nearly white head. The head recedes to a thin cap of big bubbles and leaves a bit of lacing. The aroma is mild with pine and citrus. The taste is semisweet, piney, with a light malt notes throughout. Maybe a little grapefruit peel as well. Moderate plus bitterness. The mouthfeel is thin bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, as good as a 4 month old, imported, dry-hopped lager could hope to be.

Cheers all!

 

Diving in with one, possibly two from AleSmith today. I typically don't pick up hazy beers, but OG .394 is one of my favorites so I picked up a single of these to try.

AleSmith Hazy .394



Can Notes: This was dropped the week of 3/7/21, and refrigerated since. 6.0% ABV 16 oz can.
Similar to fan-favorite San Diego Pale Ale .394, this beer pays tribute to Tony Gwynn and the career high batting average he achieved in 1994. This hazy version showcases intense hop aromas of tropical fruit and citrus with a full-boded smooth finish.

Appearance: Hazy darker orange tan base, creamy white head lingers briefly before leaving a creamy fine lacing and covering over the base. Medium carbonation, some floaters. 3.75

Aroma: Mild plus tangerine, pinneaple, mango and citrus, sweet. 3.5

Taste: Consistent with the aroma, but stronger. Tangerine, mango and citrus, a strong hops presence checks the sweetness, giving a proper balance though still leans sweet. Good. 3.75

Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly creamy, light carbonation lasts throughout. Dry and somewhat bitter, sweetness diminishes as I work the pour. Easy drinking, slight dry aftertaste. 3.5

Overall: This is an decent hazy attempt, fruity but balanced. Has flavor, but not sharp, could be the time elapsed since canning, but likely dulled the sweetness which helps for my preference. Still prefer grabbing the OG .394, but glad I tried a can. 3.5

I have a second AleSmith on deck packing a bit more punch. See you then.

 

Lush Yield by The Drowned Lands

4.43/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

New brewery and beer- Recommended by the guy at fort point market - another good call from him

Can notes: “Lush Yield (6.5%) -- IPA brewed with Pilsner malt, white wheat malt, raw wheat, and flaked oats, hopped in the kettle with Citra, Azacca, and Simcoe, then dry-hopped again with the same suspects. This beer is creamy, juicy, and dank. We're tasting a tropical fruit salad topped with gummy peach rings, orange starburst, and scoops of melty sherbert.”

Appearance: 16oz can poured into an ipa glass results in a one finger off white creamy foam over a hazy orange liquid, good retention, clingy lacings, reduces to a solid layer

Aroma: Aroma is orange citrus, peach, tropical fruit

Taste: Taste is peach , orange, hint if tropical fruits, hint of dank in the finish

Mouthfeel: Good sudsing , almost creamy, gentle hop nibble on the finish

Overall: Good beer, I would try more from this brewer

 

It's very easy to take for granted the freedoms that we all enjoy and the sacrifice that so many have made to allow us those freedoms. I wasn't planning on having a beer today, but wanted to raise a glass to those who who made the ultimate sacrifice.

This is Think I'm in Love from Foam Brewers. I was up in Burlington the weekend before last and had a few beers at the brewery, but no IPAs (which is what they're known for). I'm not a big IPA guy in general, and it's extraordinarily rare for me to come in above rDev on one, but that ended up being the case here. Really enjoyed this.

4.28/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Glowing medium to light yellow in color with loads of fluffy white foam with excellent retention and lacing. Aroma is bursting with tropical and citrus notes. Taken together, the look and smell make this a very inviting beer. Taste is largely what you'd expect from a Mosaic hopped beer, but it's still very well done. Grapefruit and other citrus notes. Not crazy complex, but not to its detriment. Very soft, pillowy feel. I'm not normally a big IPA fan, but this is really good.

 

Hi everyone, Advocates.
I write here even if in my part it's Monday late evening and after a long day of work and a good homemade dinner, I'm sipping what will be my only beer today:

The Garden Brewery (Zagreb, CRO) - IMPERIAL COCONUT & RUM STOUT - Imperial Pastry Stout (8,9%)

Canned on June 15, 2020.
Best before: December 15th 2021.
Notes of vanilla, dark and light toasted chocolate on the nose.
Impenetrable black.
Abundant dark foam, but soft and evanescent. It disappears by itself after a while.
In the mouth it affects the fullness of the body.
The first taste to strike my senses was that of coconut which almost fades into vanilla just when the flavors of dark chocolate, hazelnut with a light toasted reflection (of malts) emerge.
The finish of this beer is totally Rum.
As well as an alcoholic note that makes itself felt quite clearly at the end of the drink, to warm up and give a certain character to this Imperial Stout.
Final in which the characteristics of Rum emerge, which echo in the palate for a long time, together with a pleasant aftertaste of dark chocolate.
Beer in which all the elements emerge to the taste and of respectable character.
Obviously, thinking about the fact that the contribution of Rum is induced via chips suggests an excellent job but more "controllable" and "mass-produced" compared to the contribution of a rest in the barrel, which offers an always different contribution.
This, if desired, can always be reproduced in the same way once the recipe and doses of the "additions" have been perfected.
Even the taste of coconut, very delicate and not easily perceptible when used in fruit, is a little too prominent (in a very positive way to the taste, but also in this case perhaps helped by the addition of lactose and perhaps some " extract "which makes the contribution of the taste note of the coconut more evident).
I liked it very much and I don't consider it a pastry, but an Imperial Stout with character and which has made use of modern "additions" to bring out all those elements that it exhibits on the label.
Complete.






Sláinte !
Cheers !

 

This is the day we set aside to remember and appreciate the sacrifice all of our fallen service members. Their sacrifice has kept us free.

From the Revolutionary War up to the wars in the Middle East.

I am especially remembering World War I (my grandfather's war), World War II (my father's war), and the Viet Nam War (my brother's war). None of them died in those wars, but all of them had buddies that did.

Thank you to all of those who died to keep us free, and thank you to their families who suffered the loss.

This afternoon, I am having a wild ale from Wild Mind Artisan Ales, in Minneapolis.

This one is from their Festival of Oak in 2019.

Wild Mind Festival Of Oak 2019 Wild Ale
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 5



375ml bottle.

Satisfying "poof" as the cork is pulled, but no gushing.

Hazy amber-yellow below a fizzy stark white head. Lots of rising bubbles. The head has excellent retention, settling in at about 1/2 inch for quite a long time.

Tart aroma, funky, but not quite puckering sour. Pineapple, mangoes and oranges. Slight vinegar. A touch of floral.

Tartness hits immediately on the taste, but fades to a pleasant level. As with the aroma, far from puckering sour, in fact even less so. Very nice. The flavor is quite fruity - pineapple, mangoes, oranges, with just a bit of oak tannin adding to the mix. Slightly sweet to balance the tartness. Excellent, tasty, tart, and refreshing. The finish keeps the entire complexity of flavors, the fruits, the tartness, and the sweetness, lingering.

The mouth feel is quite tingly and refreshing.

Absolutely wonderful. This was the kind of beer Wild Mind started with, specializing in wild ales, foeder aged. While they have since broadened their portfolio (out of economic necessity, I suppose) they are nearly unsurpassed in the Twin Cities market with wild ales.

L: 4.0 | S: 4.5 | T: 4.75 | F: 4.25 | O: 4.5 | Rating: 4.55